inside sports | 4 The day has come
Wednesday’s National Signing Day will cement the highly-touted 2013 A&M football recruiting class.
thebattalion l wednesday,
february 6, 2013
student government
l serving
texas a&m since 1893
l first paper free – additional copies $1 l © 2013 student media
Undeterred
Senate to vote on Kyle Field referendum Aimee Breaux
The Battalion tudent Senate will seek to bring student voters into the discussion about how the $75 million cost to renovate the east side of Kyle Field will be afforded. The Kyle Field Renovation Fee Referendum will be voted on by Student Senate at its meeting Wednesday, which if passed would schedule a referendum to be held in conjunction with spring spring student body elections. The A&M administration proposed acquiring funds to cover the cost to renovate the east side of Kyle Field from a combination of increases
S
See Senate on page 2
texas legislature
Former students, legislators converse over higher-ed funds Katie Nortman The Battalion
T
he sixth biennial Orange & Maroon Legislative Day brought University of Texas alumni and Texas A&M former students to meet with texas legislators to discuss further investment in the future of the two Texas schools. Texas legislators discussed how the two schools can keep competitive and affordable for current and future students. UT alumni are seeking to restore the sharp revenue cuts made in 2011 to fund an Engineering Educations and Research Center, while A&M is seeking to attain funds for the creation of a biosafety research facility. Both schools are also encouraging legislators to restore funding for the Competitive Knowledge Fund, which helps hire and retain high-achieving faculty. Michael O’Quinn, vice president for government relations for A&M, said the legislative day started with an agreement by both institutions’ presidents. “There were a lot of faculty collaborations and our funding interests were the same,” he said. “Even though we were rivals, the academic side was something that we had in common.” The two main areas that the universities focused on were enhanced-base funding and the Competitive Knowledge Fund. The House Appropriations Committee
Roger Zhang — THE BATTALION
Though listed at just 5 feet 11 inches, Harris’ quickness and grit allow him plenty of scoring opportunities.
Fabyon Harris makes quick splash on court James Sullivan The Battalion
T
ransitioning between tiers of athletic competition can require a particularly unpleasant — but unfortunately necessary — series of growing pains. Within the high-pressure arena of college sports, these adaptations can embody anything from an amended mental strategy to touched-up fundamentals. For Texas A&M junior guard Fabyon Harris, his transfer from the College of Southern Idaho has demanded all of the above. Due to the sudden increase in talent, game-
speed and overall pressure of Division I basketball, Harris has been forced to evolve his previously unstoppable on-the-court skills. Earlier in the season, A&M head coach Billy Kennedy commented on the struggles his junior college transfers — Harris and junior forward Andrew Young — have had adjusting to the high-level competition. “Sometimes it takes a year or so [to adapt],” he said. “Defense and the speed of the game is a big adjustment for them. Both of them scored a lot of points at that
“The things that he does best, besides obviously making some shots when we need him to score, was his shot selection and his ability to play the point and not turn it over or take a bad shot, especially in tough games and pressure situations.” — A&M backetball head coach, Billy Kennedy
See Fabyon on page 4
See Maroon & Orange on page 2
inside lifestyles | 3
campus
Student research team to further conservation awareness of bats in Mexico Rebecca McDonough
thursday
Friday Rave to Save, 8:30 - 11:30 p.m., Archery room at the Student Recreational Center Students can dance for a cause in the final event of END IT WEEK.
A
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wednesday
Benefit Concert, 8 - 11 p.m., Village Cafe in downtown Bryan Johnny Stimson and Divine Liberty will perform for students in support of the END IT WEEK campaign.
Special to The Battalion
unique group of student researchers with a variety of interests, from botany to caving to theatre arts, have one unifying goal: bat conservation. This spring, a team of three A&M students will head to Mexico to conduct research on a species of bat known as the Mexican long-nosed bat. Doctoral student Emma Gomez, who received her masters of science degree in environmental management, will lead the research team. She leave in April and stay in Mexico through August. Her major focus is the habitat conditions of the Mexican long-nosed bat in its northern range. “In the end, my goal is to identify priority areas to protect for the bats,” Gomez said. “But when you get to the ground where those areas are located, you will find local communities. And how to work with
End It wEEk EvEnts “Nefarious: Merchant of Souls” screening, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m., Rudder Auditorium Students will be able to view free screening of documentary on human trafficking and see Tiny Hands Marketing Director give message on the topic.
Movement mobilizes against human trafficking
thebattalion 2.6.2013 page3
lifestyles
Web heath tips may mislead Gabi Nintunze The Battalion
T
David Cohen — THE BATTALION
Students gather in prayer to address human trafficking at the International Justice Mission’s Prayer & Worship Event at All Faiths Chapel on Monday night for the start of End It Week.
Organizations band together for weeklong awareness event Darcy Jacoby & Molly Livingstone The Battalion
COURTESY
The Mexican Long-nosed Bat plays an important role in pollinating the agave plant, the same plant that is used in the production of tequila. those local communities, that takes a different aspect of the project.” The Mexican long-nosed bat eat nectar and migrate to follow the blooming of the agave plants, which serve as their main food source. The
agave plants play an important role in the ecosystem and have other uses such as tequila production. The bats pollinate the agave and help diversify See Bats on page 6
T
here are an unprecedented 20 to 30 million people forced into labor, bondage and human trafficking, according to the CNN Freedom Project. Slavery, the fastest growing criminal industry, generates an estimated $32 billion annually, ranking only behind weapons and drugs. From bonded labor to sex slavery, modern day human trafficking affects virtually every country, making the issue a growing concern worldwide. End It Week, a weeklong campaign run by Texas A&M students and organizations, strives to involve people in the prevention of forced labor and bondage. Bethany Debayle, senior marketing major and Freedom Movement leadership team member, said personal stories of slave victims are what motivated her to get involved and impacted her the most emotionally. “[I’ve read stories] about young girls from cities all over Texas, around 13-15 years old, who were taken from malls, schools and other common areas and sold into sex slavery,” Debayle said. “If that doesn’t make you stop and think about the issue of human trafficking, I don’t know what will.” Freedom Movement provides opportunities for stu-
dents to mobilize themselves and personally engage in the movement. Debayle said students should be educated on the issues of modern day slavery since it’s a practice that affects such a great amount of people, abroad and at home. “I think it’s important that students are not only aware of the issue but also understand how real the issue is,” Debayle said. “Many people who are trafficked and forced into labor and sex slavery are the same age as students, or even younger.” According to the CNN Freedom Project, there are between 14,500 and 17,500 people trafficked across the U.S. annually. Lindsey Landers, president of International Justice Mission at A&M and sophomore business major, said End It Week was inspired by the 2012 Passion Conference, which is a national young adult Christian conference that featured the issue of modern day slavery. After Passion, the Texas A&M International Justice Mission and Freedom Movement leaders met and decided to create change from the Texas A&M campus. “I think modern day slavery is something we can all agree needs to end,” Landers said. “It’s happening all around us. Houston is a huge hub for human trafficking.” From a benefit concert to
a Rave to Save, End It Week features a series of events open to all in an effort to raise money for preventioncentered nonprofits. End It Week is hosted by Freedom Movement, Free and International Justice Mission, organizations that have joined together to campaign against human trafficking through a series of fundraising and awareness events. The organizations are partnered with nonprofits such as Tiny Hands International and Free the Captives, which are Christian organizations that work to prevent human trafficking on local and international levels. Debayle said interested students can help out by volunteering to hold signs and hand out flyers, as well as attend the featured events. Taylor Russell, junior philosophy major, said students have a chance to make a historical impact with the movement. “I think that as people who have been so incredibly blessed to be in the position we are as students, we should view this problem as an injustice to a brother or sister,” Russell said. “We should want to help because this is a problem that history will look back on and relate to our generation, and I want to be able to say that we did something about it rather than turn our heads and act like it’s not really there.”
hough they’re cyber-fueled and lack the official medical practitioner’s title, Internet health sites are a contagious trend among students, resulting in interesting diagnoses and possible malpractice. With all of the medical and informational resources available to people today, it’s often easy and instinctual to look up symptoms and remedies online. Websites such as WebMD and Mayo Clinic offer varied diagnoses based upon searched symptoms, but the diagnoses themselves can be incredibly dire. “I have chronic lung problems, and online it always says I have bronchitis and tuberculosis and pneumonia,” said Derek Morcom, junior environmental geosciences major. “I freaked out about it at first but then I realized I shouldn’t take it so seriously.” The ease of researching symptoms online has led to the coining of a new phrase: cyberchondria. Hypochondria is the psychological state of conviction in which one believes they have a serious illness—maybe many at one time. Cyberchondria adds a modern element to the word, as people go online to find a diagnosis for symptoms. “If you look up something like a runny nose, it can take you from anything to a flu or an aneurysm,” said sophomore industrial distribution major Mary Monday. “I think sometimes it makes you really nervous about something that’s probably nothing.” It’s an important danger to recognize. Self-diagnosis can cause paranoia and result in people attempting to treat something they very well may not have. “If you have a cold or a runny nose, maybe a sore throat, and you diagnose that, that’s okay,” said Dr. David Teller, physician at the Specialty Clinic of Student Health Services. “It’s when you start diagnosing something like strep throat and attempting to treat yourself that the problem begins. There’s a balance between a self-diagnosis that makes sense and a self-diagnosis that doesn’t make sense.” There is an important distinction here, Teller said, especially when something like antibiotics are involved. Certain medications might work well in some cases and adversely in others — even sometimes making the situation much worse than it was. “Other than over the counter stuff, I never recommend taking somebody else’s
meds or any antibiotics or stronger medication you have left over from another illness, because any bacteria you have left in your system from your first bout could have built up a resistance,” Teller said. Medication errors are a leading cause of death, usually when prescription-strength medicines are involved. Drugs used for psychological problems like depression, sleeping disorders and mood disorders are medications most likely to be abused. Jessica Szeto, Class of 2012, said it’s easy for her to find symptoms she has in a variety of diagnoses and that the websites generalize illnesses in a basic and sometimes misleading form. “One day, I came across paranoid personality disorder and used the checklist of symptoms to diagnose myself,” Szeto said. “Some of the symptoms I had, but in real-
impact and the me.” Teller chondria trend with ing many o v e r “ I memtime a c had
ity, they’re minor and don’t have a big on my well-being people around
said cyberhas caused a students, leavparanoid and reactive. can’t reber the last somebody tually a t h e r mometer at t h e i r house or their apartment,” Teller said. “Students will come in, saying they have a fever, but they don’t even have a thermometer. They just felt hot and assumed that that meant they had something.” Teller said students should look to the basics at home before self-prescribing or taking the time and money for a doctor’s visit. He said things like a thermometer, Tylenol and Motrin are handy in the case of minor symptoms and illnesses. If conditions don’t improve, Teller said to skip WebMD and see a professional.
2/6/13 12:56 AM
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thebattalion 2.6.2013
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to the University Advancement Fee and increases to the prices of student tickets and sports passes. The referendum holds that the UAF would increase $1.55 per semester hour ($23.25 for full time students) and the price of sports passes would increase $139.20, for a 40/60 split between increased mandatory fees and sports pass costs. Speaker of Senate Senate Scott Bowen supported the idea of using the UAF to help fund Kyle Field renovations. “The [UAF] built up massive reserves, upwards of $10 million in some cases, that the University wanted to dip into and use that money for other purposes,” Bowen said at the last Senate meeting. “So, my question is, why can’t Kyle Field be paid out of that?” Should the bill pass, the referendum results will be presented to University and system officials as record of student
The meeting will take place in Koldus 144 at 7 p.m. and stream live at senate.tamu.edu. opinion. A second bill regarding covering the cost to renovate Kyle Field will be voted on during Wednesday’s Senate meeting. The bill titled, Carefully Helping Each and Every Redass Aggie (CHEERS), requests that the sale of alcohol be allowed in Kyle Field to help augment payment for the student section of the stadium renovations. Co-author Cary Cheshire points to the high potential for economic advantage. “The last major university that instituted this was West Virginia,” Cheshire said. “They have a stadium of about 62,000 and they were able to generate $520,000 in profit. That’s minus their expenses for increased control, training their faculty to check ID’s, paying for more police officers, etc.”
Maroon & Orange
Convenient Drive Thru
Double Quick Natalie
Continued from page 1
and the Senate Finance Committee are in charge of making decisions about funding for both of these interests. “The Competitive Knowledge Fund rewards institutions for their work,” O’Quinn said. “[In the past] for every $10 million we generated from our research, we received $1 million. Now we receive $700,000.” O’Quinn said the University wants more funding to expand research. “We want the state to help us build a Bio Containment Facility to study zoonotic diseases that transfer from animals to humans that can only be researched in very secure facilities,” he said. “This is important from an economic sense and a homeland security sense.” Phil Miner, Class of 1980, said approximately 180-190 UT and A&M former students were present. “It was kind of a divide and conquer thing,” Miner said. “We essentially were broken up into teams with a mixture of Aggies and Longhorns. Each team was responsible for talking to approximately four legislators about these issues.” After the 2011 budget cuts, UT lost $92 million and A&M lost $72 million in funding. Students reacted positively to the news of the two universities teaming up for the betterment of the students and faculty.
“Contagious joy, infections pleasure, gripping, beautiful, superhuman at times!”
Lydia Wessner Entomology David West Aerospace Engineering Erin West Chemistry Amanda Whatley English Lesley Wheeler Communication Bradley Whelan Aeronautical Engineering Matthew Whigham University Studies Lindsay White History Bryan Whiting Industrial Distribution Emily Whitmoyer & Journalism
Agricultural Communications
Morgan Whitwell & Journalism Agricultural Communications Jonathan Widdig Biology Koby Wilbanks Psychology Ryan Wilck Political Science Kathleen Wild Biomedical Science Eric Wilkins Mechanical Engineering Dana Willenborg Psychology Ashley Williams Biology Clora Williams Health Jennifer Williams Biomedical Science Rachel Williams Forensic Entomology Kelly Wilmoth History Emily Wilpitz University Studies Angela Wilson Horticulture Jason Wilson Agricultural Education
- Herald Tribune (FL)
Other Business
Start time
Continued from page 1
Carolyn M. Berg, MD
h y nda a S e Mo E x t r - P r i c ! ! lf H a L DAY AL
pagetwo
Today thunderstorms likely High: 69 Low: 58
Jazmyn Wilson Bioenvironmental Sciences Jordan Wilson Interdisciplinary Studies Markay Wilson Biomedical Science Tory Wingate Bioenvironmental Sciences Heather Winkle Interdisciplinary Studies Paul Witkowski Civil Engineering Joshua Witter Agricultural Economics Ryan Wolff Information & Operations Management Jordyn Woltersdorf Health Alyson Wolthoff Human Resource Development
The Assurance of Equality in Admissions Bill, which met some tension when introduced at the last Senate meeting, is to be discussed Wednesday. The bill requests that the University hold off asking applicants for personal information related to race, ethnicity, religion, gender and socio-economic status until after a student has enrolled. Other bills expected to come up Wednesday include the Engineering Differential Tuition Study Abroad Bill, requesting that no engineering differential tuition money be used for study abroad programs; The Dixie Restoration Bill, requesting that the Aggie Band incorporate into their repertoire songs that encompass a southern culture; the Board of Regents Transparency Bill, requesting that BOR meetings become more transparent; and Outcome-Based State Funding Support Bill, requesting from the Texas Legislature that a portion of higher education funding go to outcome-based performance.
“The roles that A&M and UT play are very key to the ongoing growth of our great state. Unfortunately over time there have been great budget cuts, which makes it very difficult to hire and maintain key talents for our faculty.” — Phil Miner, Class of 1980
“I’m glad that the two schools are working together in Austin,” Matthew Krebs, junior mechanical engineering major said. “Policymakers need to be reminded of how important these universities are to the state’s success.” One of the main goals of the legislation day was to talk about funding to keep tuition costs down for students. Former students saw an overall positive response from the legislature after presenting their concerns. “When I was enrolled in A&M, instruction-related costs were 94 percent [of tuition]. Today it only covers 50 percent,” Miner said. “Everybody got along really well; we were all focused around a common cause. It was great to see [A&M and UT] rally around these common issues, because we are linked.”
corrections In reference to an article in The Battalion on Tuesday, Chandler Renee Small died Dec. 19, 2012, not 2013.
thebattalion The Independent Student Voice of Texas A&M since 1893
Trevor Stevens Editor in Chief
The Battalion is published daily, Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters and Tuesday and Thursday during the summer session (except University holidays and exam periods) at Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843. Offices are in Suite L400 of the Memorial Student Center. 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. Newsroom phone: 979-845-3315; email: editor@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 979-845-2687. For classified advertising, call 979-845-0569. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Email: battads@thebatt.com. 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. Call 979-845-2696 for mail subscriptions.
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Class of ’13 Miss your graduation portrait last fall? LIVE IN CONCERT! TUE, FEB 12, 2013 7:30PM Rudder Auditorium Behold the beauty, power and passion of the WOMEN OF IRELAND. A spectacular stage show inspired by the breathtaking landscape, inspirational music, song, and dance of the old country. Witness this must-see concert showcasing some of Ireland's top talent. You will be blown away by these stunning singers and a
SPECIAL PRICES FOR STUDENTS! Call 979-845-1234. Buy online MSCOPAS.org
phenomenal troupe of world champion Irish step dancers. mscopas
today– feb 12 will be your last chance to have it made for Texas A&M’s 2013 Aggieland yearbook.
To MAKE your portrait appointment, go to www.thorntonstudio.com. Click Schedule Your Appointment, select New User, complete with the Password: TAMU, or call 1-800-883-9449. or see the photographer in Suite L400 of the MSC. The sitting is free and you may view your proofs online. The Aggieland is your yearbook. Be in it.
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End It week events Wednesday “Nefarious: Merchant of Souls” screening, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m., Rudder Auditorium Students will be able to view free screening of documentary on human trafficking and see Tiny Hands Marketing Director give message on the topic.
Thursday Benefit Concert, 8 - 11 p.m., Village Cafe in downtown Bryan Johnny Stimson and Divine Liberty will perform for students in support of the END IT WEEK campaign.
Friday Rave to Save, 8:30 - 11:30 p.m., Archery room at the Student Recreational Center Students can dance for a cause in the final event of END IT WEEK.
Movement mobilizes against human trafficking
thebattalion 2.6.2013 page3
lifestyles
Web heath tips may mislead Gabi Nintunze The Battalion
T
David Cohen — THE BATTALION
Students gather in prayer to address human trafficking at the International Justice Mission’s Prayer & Worship Event at All Faiths Chapel on Monday night for the start of End It Week.
Organizations band together for weeklong awareness event Darcy Jacoby & Molly Livingstone The Battalion
T
here are an unprecedented 20 to 30 million people forced into labor, bondage and human trafficking, according to the CNN Freedom Project. Slavery, the fastest growing criminal industry, generates an estimated $32 billion annually, ranking only behind weapons and drugs. From bonded labor to sex slavery, modern day human trafficking affects virtually every country, making the issue a growing concern worldwide. End It Week, a weeklong campaign run by Texas A&M students and organizations, strives to involve people in the prevention of forced labor and bondage. Bethany Debayle, senior marketing major and Freedom Movement leadership team member, said personal stories of slave victims are what motivated her to get involved and impacted her the most emotionally. “[I’ve read stories] about young girls from cities all over Texas, around 13-15 years old, who were taken from malls, schools and other common areas and sold into sex slavery,” Debayle said. “If that doesn’t make you stop and think about the issue of human trafficking, I don’t know what will.” Freedom Movement provides opportunities for stu-
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dents to mobilize themselves and personally engage in the movement. Debayle said students should be educated on the issues of modern day slavery since it’s a practice that affects such a great amount of people, abroad and at home. “I think it’s important that students are not only aware of the issue but also understand how real the issue is,” Debayle said. “Many people who are trafficked and forced into labor and sex slavery are the same age as students, or even younger.” According to the CNN Freedom Project, there are between 14,500 and 17,500 people trafficked across the U.S. annually. Lindsey Landers, president of International Justice Mission at A&M and sophomore business major, said End It Week was inspired by the 2012 Passion Conference, which is a national young adult Christian conference that featured the issue of modern day slavery. After Passion, the Texas A&M International Justice Mission and Freedom Movement leaders met and decided to create change from the Texas A&M campus. “I think modern day slavery is something we can all agree needs to end,” Landers said. “It’s happening all around us. Houston is a huge hub for human trafficking.” From a benefit concert to
a Rave to Save, End It Week features a series of events open to all in an effort to raise money for preventioncentered nonprofits. End It Week is hosted by Freedom Movement, Free and International Justice Mission, organizations that have joined together to campaign against human trafficking through a series of fundraising and awareness events. The organizations are partnered with nonprofits such as Tiny Hands International and Free the Captives, which are Christian organizations that work to prevent human trafficking on local and international levels. Debayle said interested students can help out by volunteering to hold signs and hand out flyers, as well as attend the featured events. Taylor Russell, junior philosophy major, said students have a chance to make a historical impact with the movement. “I think that as people who have been so incredibly blessed to be in the position we are as students, we should view this problem as an injustice to a brother or sister,” Russell said. “We should want to help because this is a problem that history will look back on and relate to our generation, and I want to be able to say that we did something about it rather than turn our heads and act like it’s not really there.”
hough they’re cyber-fueled and lack the official medical practitioner’s title, Internet health sites are a contagious trend among students, resulting in interesting diagnoses and possible malpractice. With all of the medical and informational resources available to people today, it’s often easy and instinctual to look up symptoms and remedies online. Websites such as WebMD and Mayo Clinic offer varied diagnoses based upon searched symptoms, but the diagnoses themselves can be incredibly dire. “I have chronic lung problems, and online it always says I have bronchitis and tuberculosis and pneumonia,” said Derek Morcom, junior environmental geosciences major. “I freaked out about it at first but then I realized I shouldn’t take it so seriously.” The ease of researching symptoms online has led to the coining of a new phrase: cyberchondria. Hypochondria is the psychological state of conviction in which one believes they have a serious illness—maybe many at one time. Cyberchondria adds a modern element to the word, as people go online to find a diagnosis for symptoms. “If you look up something like a runny nose, it can take you from anything to a flu or an aneurysm,” said sophomore industrial distribution major Mary Monday. “I think sometimes it makes you really nervous about something that’s probably nothing.” It’s an important danger to recognize. Self-diagnosis can cause paranoia and result in people attempting to treat something they very well may not have. “If you have a cold or a runny nose, maybe a sore throat, and you diagnose that, that’s okay,” said Dr. David Teller, physician at the Specialty Clinic of Student Health Services. “It’s when you start diagnosing something like strep throat and attempting to treat yourself that the problem begins. There’s a balance between a self-diagnosis that makes sense and a self-diagnosis that doesn’t make sense.” There is an important distinction here, Teller said, especially when something like antibiotics are involved. Certain medications might work well in some cases and adversely in others — even sometimes making the situation much worse than it was. “Other than over the counter stuff, I never recommend taking somebody else’s
meds or any antibiotics or stronger medication you have left over from another illness, because any bacteria you have left in your system from your first bout could have built up a resistance,” Teller said. Medication errors are a leading cause of death, usually when prescription-strength medicines are involved. Drugs used for psychological problems like depression, sleeping disorders and mood disorders are medications most likely to be abused. Jessica Szeto, Class of 2012, said it’s easy for her to find symptoms she has in a variety of diagnoses and that the websites generalize illnesses in a basic and sometimes misleading form. “One day, I came across paranoid personality disorder and used the checklist of symptoms to diagnose myself,” Szeto said. “Some of the symptoms I had, but in real-
impact and the me.” Teller chondria trend with ing many o v e r “ I memtime a c had
ity, they’re minor and don’t have a big on my well-being people around
said cyberhas caused a students, leavparanoid and reactive. can’t reber the last somebody tually a t h e r mometer at t h e i r house or their apartment,” Teller said. “Students will come in, saying they have a fever, but they don’t even have a thermometer. They just felt hot and assumed that that meant they had something.” Teller said students should look to the basics at home before self-prescribing or taking the time and money for a doctor’s visit. He said things like a thermometer, Tylenol and Motrin are handy in the case of minor symptoms and illnesses. If conditions don’t improve, Teller said to skip WebMD and see a professional.
2/5/13 11:06 PM
sports thebattalion 2.6.2013 page4
“It starts with Sumlin. He’s a player’s coach, he understands what they go through at that particular age in their life. He does things to make those particular kids feel comfortable.”
@battsports
— co-offensive coordinator Clarence McKinney
McKinney
Recruits may become elite signees flipped their commitment to play in College Station within the last week, but until they The speculation, the verbal commit- sign letters of intent Wednesday, all analysis ments, the defections, the tension — it all amounts to little more than conjecture. By the ends Wednesday when the 2013 Texas A&M time the dust settles on signing day, for better football recruits become signees on National or for worse, Sumlin and his staff will have cemented the look of the 2013 roster as spring Signing Day. Much has been made of head coach Kevin camp approaches. The heightened profile of the A&M class Sumlin’s recruiting class, which has has drawn the eye of sports analysts wedged itself into most major reoutside Aggieland. ESPN’s Pedro cruiting sites’ Top 10 rankings. The Gomez will be on hand in College class — as it stands entering WednesStation to report live on recruiting day and barring any major defections developments and Fox Sports Southor additions — could stand among west will televise signing day news the all-time best batch of signees in live from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. program history. The tried-and-true recruiting As of Tuesday night, 32 recruits draw of national media exposure were verbally committed to A&M, and an 11-win season may have Sumlin making Sumlin’s recruiting class the paid its dividends for the 2012 largest in the country. The eight January enA&M football team — not to mention the rollees announced were counted to the 2012 quarterback who brought home the Heisman class, keeping A&M safely under the SEC rule Trophy. that limits teams to 25 signees per year. Fifteen Before a 41-13 Cotton Bowl win over of the 32 projected signees earned four-star Oklahoma, Sumlin said A&M has taken the designations by Rivals.com, up from seven in ambiguity out of regional recruiting. 2012. “I think there’s a clear choice in the reSome players pledged their intent to sign gion,” Sumlin said. with A&M more than a year ago and others Many point to the Aggies’ shift to the
Mark Doré
The Battalion
Harris Continued from page 1
[junior college] level. We would love for them to score all those points, but they’ve got to play defense, too. They need to learn to play unselfishly. That takes time.”
Just a season prior, Harris was the team captain and leading scorer at Southern Idaho. During a standout sophomore season playing for the Golden Eagles, Harris earned NJCAA Region 18 Player of the Year honors behind his 17.1 points per game. The
young point guard knocked down a strong 41 percent of his shots from beyond the arc, guiding Southern Idaho to a Scenic Western Athletic Conference title and a 31-5 (13-2) record. From the perspective of Golden Eagles head coach Steve Gosar, Harris’ contributions both on and off the court were invaluable. “Fabyon has a knack of getting a ball in the basket,” Gosar said of his former star. “He just has a will and a passion to win. He hit so many big shots, some of which were game winners. He really did a great job scoring the ball but also was a great leader and team captain — he set an expectation for success here.” Soon after transferring from the Southern Idaho hardwood to the high-caliber Division I court at Texas A&M, Harris found his transition from the go-to shooter to a supporting
Finding rhythm
w Before fouling out in Saturday’s overtime loss to Kentucky, Harris tallied 14 points, six rebounds and two steals. A key late offensive rebound and put-back helped spring the Aggies into overtime. Photos by Roger Zhang — THE BATTALION
(Above) Despite his stature, junior guard Fabyon Harris has shown a propensity to get to the rim. (Right) Harris runs a fast break against Kentucky.
w Harris’s 13.1 points per game in conference play ranks No. 12 among all SEC players.
Southeastern Conference when diagnosing the recruiting bump from past seasons. From a potential recruits’ viewpoint, Sumlin said the SEC speaks for itself. “I think what we have shown in one year in the SEC is that not only do we belong and that we can compete, but that we can win,” Sumlin said. But it’s sustained success over time, Sumlin said, that is as or more important than any one season. “I think people make a lot out of one game when it comes to recruiting,” Sumlin said. “What does happen is over time you build your brand.” ESPN national recruiting analyst Tom Luginbill said the SEC has made a clear impression on A&M recruiting. “Bottom line: A&M would be looked at differently by top recruits if they weren’t in the SEC,” Luginbill said. Texas A&M co-offensive coordinator Clarence McKinney said Sumlin has had a bigger impact than he is credited for. Before the season began and Johnny Manziel became a household name, Sumlin had already racked up 23 commitments from players around the country. “It starts with Sumlin,” McKinney said to
role somewhat aggravating. “I’m getting better and seeing that it’s not all about me,” Harris told The Eagle. “That’s the hardest part. I’ve never been this frustrated about basketball.” Initially, Harris’ growing pains led to inconsistent play as he kicked the year off strong with three double-digit scoring performances before following with single-digit showings in five out of the next six games. Behind the persistence of Kennedy and his staff, however, the Chicago native has matured into one of the team’s strongest role players, racking up 11 points per game (second
Coming tomorrow:
SIGNING
NATIONAL
National Signing Day time of triumph for Sumlin, sign of continued program renaissance
DAY
?
Pick up a copy of The Battalion tomorrow for analysis of signing day and the new wave of Aggie football signees. Stewart Mandel of Sports Illustrated. “He’s a player’s coach, he understands what they go through at that particular age in their life. He does things to make those particular kids feel comfortable.” For all the work Sumlin has put in for the 2013 class, he still has his eye on two or three more undecided players to round out the group.
on the team), 1.2 steals (second) and a .424 three-point percentage (first). When asked about Harris’ growth, Kennedy simply called it “tremendous.” “The things that he does best, besides obviously making some shots when we need him to score, was his shot selection and his ability to play the point and not turn it over or take a bad shot, especially in tough games and pressure situations,” Kennedy said of Harris following the upset win over Kentucky at Rupp Arena in the first meeting between the teams. “He’s played much more under control and showed
his experience. When he gets double figures, it gives us a chance to win.” Harris will help lead a stumbling A&M squad against conference rival No. 20 Missouri on Thursday in Reed Arena. Dropping five of the past six games, including Saturday’s heartbreaking 72-68 home overtime loss to Kentucky, A&M hopes to rebound with a win over the Tigers.
No. 20 Mizzou visits Reed
Tipoff set for Thursday at 8:00 P.M. in Reed Arena. The game will be televised on ESPN2.
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news
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thebattalion
Anti-diversity advocate addresses gun rights on campus The Battalion n celebration of “Second Amendment Day,” an anti-diversity advocate sought to communicate a pro-gun rights message to students near Rudder Plaza. Preston Wiginton set up a booth with a “Come And Take It” banner Tuesday morning to present his stance on gun control and provide a petition for students to sign. Wiginton set up a peaceful protest at last year’s Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast, which warranted standby University police officers in prevention of potential violent reaction. “I am here to send a message,” Wiginton said. “If the government were to [try] to take our guns away, they need to know that our society is a free society.” Engaging students in conversation, Wiginton discussed what he sees as a hostile takeover of American rights. “There are two rights that make the United States unique: the First and Second amendments — freedom of speech and the right to bear arms,” Wiginton said. “Right now, the political atmosphere is only about regulating guns, or taking them away. I want to [initiate] conversation on what creates the violence itself.” Wiginton has visited campus several times and is often remembered for the stances he takes on issues such as civil rights. He voiced the opinion that civil rights “[are] not good for America,” protesting last year’s Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast. Citing a study conducted by Tatu Vanhanen, a professor of political science at the University of Helsinki, Finland, Wiginton said a democracy with more diversity inevitably experiences more conflict, while a democracy
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with less diversity tends to have less of it. “Communist Russia failed because they couldn’t fund their massive police state,” Wiginton said. “They had a massive amount of conflict because they couldn’t control all of their ethnic groups and now the U.S. government is trying to do the same thing; take our guns and create a police state.” Wiginton’s most recent campus visit and cause generated mixed student reactions. “I am in support of the Second Amendment, and I think people need to see what happens when the government takes over and takes [citizens’] weapons,” said Billy Yoder, junior political science major, referring to the pictures and statistics of violence of places such as Russia and South Africa that were on display. Junior history major Marshall Rankin said Wiginton is purposefully incendiary. “[His stance] is meant to be as offensive as possible, and he generally goes too far. But I am also pro-Second Amendment,” Rankin said. “Why should we give the federal government the right to restrict gun rights when they’ve shown they cannot take care of finances, or military spending?” Wiginton said the on-campus dialogue on Tanner Garza — THE BATTALION gun rights is what he wants students to take away Preston Wiginton speaks to A&M employee Justin DeSola about gun control and from his protest more than anything. “I appreciate it when students stop by [to the Second Amendment on Tuesday at Rudder Plaza. talk],” Wiginton said. “I want to promote different viewpoints not often discussed.”
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2bd/2ba unique floorplans w/balcony views of Kyle Field. Brand new luxury apartment condos. Fullsize stainless steel appliances, W/D, designer ammenities granite/wood/tile, bus stop. Only 36units on Holleman at Wolf Pen. www.broadstoneranchatwolfpen.com, www.aggielandleasing.com, 979-776-6079.
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FOR RENT Available now 3/2 house with two car garage, remodled on inside, large fenced backyard, stainless appliances. 1708 Treehouse Trail. $1300/mo. 979-693-1448. Brand new luxury condos, granite countertops, tile flooring, great location. 979-693-4900. C.S. Waterwood Townhomes. 1001 Krenek Tap #204. Gated community w/pool and sports court. 3bd/3ba. $1200/mo. Sarah Miller 979-255-1904. Re/Max B-CS. Cottage. Holik C.S. 2bd/1ba, 1000sqft., W/D, Balcony, wooded. Private drive. Clean. Quiet. No pets. $600/mo. 979-777-2472. Don’t Miss! 4/2/2 House, great location, on shuttle, fenced yard. Rent $1400/month, 979-255-8637. Duplex, CS, nice 2bd/1ba, 3-minutes from campus, W/D, remodeled, fenced front and backyard, beautiful with many extras, one week free, $570/mo, 979-422-3427. For Rent: 4bd/4ba Waterwood Townhome (Krenek Tap) $460/bd/mo austinplee@gmail.com 281-387-1295. Free locatoring service, Houses Duplexes and Apartments, 979-693-4900. Immediate move-in’s and pre-lease fall. Free cable/internet ! Spacious 2bd/1ba. Close to campus, on shuttle route. Large kitchen with full appliances. W/D connections. Front and back patios. Ceiling fans. Hillstone On The Parkway, 528 Southwest Parkway. 979-693-6102. Open 9-4 Monday-Friday. hillstoneonthepkwy@yahoo.com
FOR RENT Just available! Close to campus, College Main and Eastgate areas. 2bd/1ba., some w/dishwasher, 1-fenced, some bills paid. $325-$450/mo. 979-219-3217. New Renovations! Large 1800sqft house, 4bd/2ba. 2-car garage, storage shed, eat-in-kitchen, diningroom, familyroom w/fireplace. Tile floors, laundryroom with W/D, 2 refrigerators, large patio, fenced yard. Lawn maintenance, pestcontrol, wireless, cable. Windwood. $375/room, 4rooms available Aug.2013. 832-326-3215. Nice Big House, 5bd/4ba with pool in CS, don’t miss, $2195/mo. 979-255-8637 Northgate. Newer 1/1, 2/2, 3/3 and 3/2. Washer/dryer. Walk to campus. Summer and 1 year leases okay. aggievillas.net. Call 979-255-5648. Now Leasing and pre-leasing for August! 4bdrm/2bth houses. Spacious floorplans. Great Location. Close to campus, wood floors, tile floors, ceiling fans, w/d, fenced yards, refridgerator, icemaker,lawncare. 979-776-6079, www.aggielandleasing.com One month free rent, free cable and ethernet. aggieapartment.com. Tamu shuttle route. 979-693-1906. Pre-lease for May or August 2/2 Duplex with large fence backyard. Pets ok, walk-in closets, great location, and shuttle. $775/mo. 979-693-1448. Sublease $375/mo+ utilities, 1bd/bath, available May15-Aug15, female, unfurnished, on bus-route, only pay June/July rent, University Place Condominiums. 817-915-0697.
puzzle answers can be found online at www.thebatt.com
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news
page 6 wednesday 2.6.2013 Wildlife
Rebecca Abbate Health Ken Abdullah Physics Maegan Ables Finance Michelle Abney and Fisheries Sciences Andrea Abrams Communic ation
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Kelli Adam nt Informatio n Systems Emily nt Informatio Adamcik n Systems Seth Adams Spacial Sciences Joshua Aduddell Health Teresa Aguilar Human Resource Developme nt Krystle Aguirre Interdiscip linary Studies Omobola Ajao Chemical Engineerin Teresa Aldredgeg Food Science and Technology Denise Alex Communic ation Monica Alexander
Tracy Ashton Agricultura l Leadership Kaela Astley and Developme Accounting nt Michael Atkinson Computer Science Jonathon Ausburn Biomedical Science Jaime Austin Psychology
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Kristen Womac Management Andrew Wood Psychology Benjamin Wood Meteorology Dorothy Wood English Amber Woodin Biomedical Sciences
Lydia Wessner Entomology David West Aerospace Engineering Erin West Chemistry Amanda Whatley English Lesley Wheeler Communication
Jamesia Austin Agricultura l Leadership Laura Avila and Developme Mathemati nt cs Michael Babcock Accounting Eliezer Badillo Internation al Commerce Brennan Bailey Biomedical Science James Baker Agriculture Leadership Andrea and Developme Bakke Biomedical nt Science Mary Baldwin Psychology Zachary Baldwin Wildlife and Fisheries Nathan Sciences Ball Civil Engineerin g Chrystel Ballard Sociology
Kinesiology
Lauren Woodring Kinesiology Jared Wright Computer Science Jeremy Wright Agricultural Economics Laura Wright Communication Lauren Wyly Interdisciplinary Studies
Kimberlee Allen Sara MorganEnglish Allen Agribusine ss Kiley Biomedical Allred Science Brant Altenhofen Economics Matthew Biomedical Altman Science Seetha Ram Britney Wynn Amujula Ocean Engineerin Sport Management Christopher Wynne Justin Anchorsg Petroleum Engineering Petroleum Engineerin Harika Yalamanchili Kellen Ancinecg Business Biology Manageme nt Yancey Clayton JessicaAgricultura l Leadership Anderson Animal Science and Developme nt Dustin Yates David Anderson Electrical Engineering Political Science Yeatman Whitney RyanAgricultura l Leadership Anderson Geology and Developme nt Victoria Krysten Yezak Andrews Educational Admin and HR Development English Maritza Sarah YezakWildlife and FisheriesAnguiano Interdisciplinary Studies Sciences Tiffany Ynosencio Julio Araiza Jr. Microbiology Mathemati cs Carolina Chase Young Aramayo Sport Management Finance Katherine Young Lauren Arditti Spanish Psychology Lauralee Young Ashley Arisco Marketing Finance Lauren Young Cody Arnold Agricultur Geosciences Environmental al Economics Lauren Young Crystal Arnote Economics Accounting Kaitlyn Shaley Young Arrington University Studies English Lauren Youngblood 536 | aggieland Leadership and Development Agricultural
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Mary Anne Internation Baring al Studies Megan Baringer Environme ntal Design Blanton Barkemey Industrial er Distributio Ashlie Barker n Psychology Lindsey Barlow English Alexander Computer Barnes Engineerin Mackenzie g Barnhart Human Resource Developme Monica Barone nt Psychology Jonathan Baros Agricultur al Economics Kristina Barsten Biomedical Engineerin g Sarah Bass Communic ation Mark Batis Nutritiona l Catherine Sciences Chemistry Baxter Brock Beard Manageme Staci Beatynt Human Resource Developme nt
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Class of ’13 Miss your graduation portrait last fall?
today– feb 12 will be your last chance to have it made for Texas A&M’s 2013 Aggieland yearbook.
To MAKE your portrait appointment, go to www.thorntonstudio.com. Click Schedule Your Appointment, select New User, complete with the Password: TAMU, or call 1-800-883-9449. or see the photographer in Suite L400 of the MSC. The sitting is free and you may view your proofs online. The Aggieland is your yearbook. Be in it.
Bats
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the genetic makeup of the plants. Based on the location of the agave plants, it is possible to predict potential roosting sites of the bat. Gomez hopes to find some of these sights and protect them. The social aspect of the project will be tackled by Citlally Jimenez, an undergraduate who is double majoring in wildlife and fisheries and theatre arts. She will be spending her time in Mexico raising bat conservation awareness through theatre performance. “After spending a year in the theatre department, I’ve realized how effective plays are in conveying messages, because humans are visual creatures,” Jimenez said. Inspired by the Wildlife Theatre in the Central Park
COURTESY
A group of three Texas A&M students will travel to Mexico and work to improve and protect the habitat of the Mexican Long-nosed Bat. Zoo, Jimenez plans to do small, interactive skits in one of the towns near the caves to teach children and their parents about the bats that live in that area.
To test some of the methods for her skits, Jimenez will be putting on practice shows here on A&M campus the evenings of Feb. 20 and 22 in the Liberal Arts and Humani-
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BAT_02-06-13_A6.indd 1
ties building – part of A&M’s Student New Works Festival. The team’s plan is to try three different methods—lectures, skits and research papers—in different towns surrounding the caves. Based on the audiences’ responses, the team hopes to discover the most effective way to promote conservation awareness. Rachel Saker, a senior wildlife and fisheries and vertebrate zoology double major, has been caving with the Aggie Speleological Society for more than a year. Her interests in caving and bat biology are the main reasons she was chosen for the team. “It’s ironically fun that in my spare time, my research right now is to look up black light powders, black lights and UV pigments,” Saker said. “That just kind of goes along with the fun things that I enjoy on my own time, and then getting to have an excuse to go caving for an entire month in Mexico is pretty awesome.” Saker’s area of research pertains to the foraging habits of the bats in Laguna De Sanchez. With help from the rest of the team, she will be netting bats at interval ranges of 20, 40 and 50 km from the cave and tagging them with different UV powders that react under black light. During the day, they will go into the caves and try to find the bats that are tagged. Based on the UV colors they find most present, the team will be able to determine how far the bats forage during the night, as well as the possibility of other roosting places. In addition to the bat research being done in Mexico, Thomas Lacher, a mammalogist and professor at Texas A&M, co-leads a study abroad program to Dominica every May-mester. This trip focuses on researching different kinds of animals, including bats, in the Caribbean. Examples of previous bat projects done by students are eco-location and behavioral studies. Bats are not just found in places like Mexico and the Caribbean. As many students know, Texas A&M has numerous bats nesting under the stadium at Kyle Field and occasionally in the libraries. This is mostly due to the comfortable roosting that these areas provide. According to Lacher, there are no cons to having bats around as long as they are left alone. In fact, bats actually provide a tremendous benefit by controlling moth and mosquito populations. This form of pest-control saves money that would otherwise be spent on chemical control for mosquitoes and other insects. However, since some bats carry rabies, they should never be handled without the proper equipment, knowledge and vaccinations. Overall, the main goal of the research that Gomez, Jimenez and Saker are conducting is to create awareness and protection for the bats. “It’s going to be slow,” Jimenez said. “But I just want to be able to expose [the audiences]. So, a happy result would probably be them just knowing that there are bats out there. That they are good, and they are not scary.”
2/6/13 12:25 AM