The Battalion: August 23, 2021

MONDAY, AUGUST 23 | SERVING TEXAS A&M SINCE 1893 | © 2021 STUDENT MEDIA

A&M’s guidelines for COVID-19 A&M to return to in-person learning despite positive delta variant cases

By Myranda Campanella @MCampanella_ After nearly a year and a half of virtual learning, Texas A&M is returning to full ca-

pacity in-person learning Monday, Aug. 30.

Amid rising infection numbers of the highly transmissible delta variant of COVID-19, public health officials are keeping a close eye on the Brazos Valley community, which has been designated a high-transmission area by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC. In preparation for the fall semester, The Battalion has gathered a list of

PUBLICATION NOTICE The Battalion will return to publishing weekly print editions each Thursday starting Sept. 2. Online content will be updated daily and can be found at thebattonline.com.

facts and resources for students, faculty and staff regarding COVID-19 prevention and mitigation on campus.

EDITOR’S NOTE

Infection rates According to the Washington Post, Texas saw an average of 16,991 positive COVID-19 cases per day during the week

The Battalion is hiring staff members at every desk. Applications are available at tx.ag/BattApp21 and can be turned in to MSC L400 or to editor@thebatt.com.

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Power, positivity, progress

Provided

Texas A&M University’s Student Government Association will feature an entirely women-led leadership team for the 2021 school year. This year’s SGA committee will be made up of Natalie Parks (left), Karissa McIntosh (middle) and Iman Ahmed (right).

For first time in student senate history, Student Government Association welcomes women into all chief leadership roles

By Aubrey Vogel @aubrey_vogel

T

he 2021-2022 school year will welcome an all-female chief leadership team for the 74th Session of the Student Government Association, or SGA, including

Student Body President Natalie Parks, Speaker of the Student Senate Iman Ahmed and Judicial Court Chief Justice Karissa McIntosh.

“The best way to describe it is ‘inspiring,’”Ahmed said in an email to The Battalion. “Being surrounded by strong women who have worked immensely hard to get to where they are, who lead so graciously and are so dedicated to serving students is nothing short of uplifting. As we each lead in our respective roles and come together to meet our mutual goals, I constantly feel grateful to work alongside such phenomenal women, and [to] also lean on them for support when needed.”

Parks’s election makes her the sixth woman to serve as student body president in A&M

history, as well as the first Panhellenic woman to be elected to the position. Parks said she hopes to inspire the Greek life community as a leader on campus.

“For me personally, being able to serve as the first student body president who is also a sorority woman at Texas A&M is pretty monumental for that community, specifically because within the Panhellenic community we very much like to talk about just the importance of women empowering women and supporting each other and leaning on each other,” Parks said. “Hopefully, when people see that there is someone in this role as student body president, who was also one of them, who came from that community and

loves being a part of that community, that it’s very possible to get to the different spaces that maybe people hadn’t ever really thought of going before.”

Parks previously served as the junior class president and was the youngest member of former Student Body President Mickey Jaillet’s cabinet.

“My time serving as the junior class president over the course of this past year reminded me how much I love the relationships with people — how much I love hearing people’s thoughts about different things,” Parks said.

“Through all my different leadership opportunities and experiences being able to serve students in various capacities in various organizations in my time at Texas A&M, every single one of those experiences very much shaped my desire to think about running for student body president.”

Parks’s campaign, “TAMU by You,” focused on improving student wellness, inclusion and tradition on campus. Parks said she is looking forward to meeting and interacting with students to create their ideal campus environment.

“I’m a very relationship-oriented individual,” Parks said. “I love meeting people. I love connecting with people, I love making new friends. That’s something that is super exciting about this role is just the sheer amount of opportunities that you have to do that. I’m very excited for the upcoming year and seeing students on campus again, that’s probably one of the things I missed the most over this entire year and a half, this entire COVID[-19] era, is just walking on campus and saying ‘Howdy’ to people and seeing your friends and seeing maybe someone from high school that you haven’t seen in a really long time. So overall, I’m very much looking forward to being able to connect with students, hopefully, entirely in person.”

Ahmed began her time in SGA during her freshman year on campus when she ran for a senate position. She has since climbed the ranks to now step into the top leadership role.

“When I ran for Student Senate as a freshman and every year since, I never thought I would be in this position today, as the speaker of the Student Senate,” Ahmed said. “Making the decision to run for speaker was not a decision I took lightly. It took months of SGA ON PG. 5

Sophomores comment on atypical first year Class of 2024 to begin second year with many firsts due to COVID-19

By Michaela Rush @Michaela4Batt As fall classes commence, the Class of 2024 faces a unique challenge coming off of a year of college education without many of the key elements of a freshman experience.

Missing out on the in-person aspects of events like MSC Open House, Howdy Week, Fish Camp and other introductions into the Aggie Network, the rising sophomores are looking forward to soaking in the traditional back to school season on campus.

For economics sophomore Will Kohmuench, the most difficult parts of the hybrid freshman year experience were the barriers to making friends. Kohmuench said it has been challenging to see the incoming freshman have normal interactions with their peers.

“Not coming in with an already established group of freshmen and friends made the transition to college a lot harder,” Kohmuench said. “On top of that, we were stuck in our dorms, so it’s not like you could go out on campus to make those friends or join those student [organizations] you wanted. It made the transition that much harder. I see all these freshmen having their normal Fish Camp this year, and I can’t help but feel jealous.”

Though this aspect has been difficult, Kohmuench said he is ready to make connections as he returns to campus.

“I’m looking forward to actually making friends in my major, meeting people and going out and doing things,” Kohmuench said. “I’m excited to hopefully have a normal college experience these next three years now that we’re back.”

As a new student on campus, business sophomore Lizbeth Marquez said she is most excited about having more social interaction, even SOPHOMORES ON PG. 5

Abbey Santoro — THE BATTALION

Society, ethics and law sophomore Katie Hornick is looking forward to spending her second year at Kyle Field surrounded by friends.

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The Battalion’s 2021-2022 editor-in-chief Myranda Campanella addresses the start of the fall semester following a year of challenges due to COVID-19.

Letter from the Editor: Aggieland perseveres The Battalion’s editorial staff welcomes back students, faculty

By Myranda Campanella @MCampanella_ It has been 17 months since I reported the first Texas A&M student who tested positive for the then-novel coronavirus.

Seventeen months of 2-week quarantines, mask wearing, social distancing and virtual learning. Canceled study abroad trips, sports games, Spring Break plans, Ring Dunks and

graduations.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected, and continues to affect, every single Aggie in deeply personal ways. But if there is one thing I have noticed since March of 2020, it is that Aggieland perseveres.

On Monday, Aug. 30, A&M is once again opening its doors to all students, faculty and staff for the first time in nearly a year and a half. The 12th Man will return to Kyle Field in full capacity on Saturday, Sept. 4, as the maroon and white take on Kent State in their first game of the season.

As the campus Starbucks’ lines grow and

the classrooms fill for the first time in 17 months, The Battalion staff will be working hard in the basement of the Memorial Student Center, all together again at last, to produce the best content for campus members.

Despite canceled print editions and a remote working environment, The Battalion, too, has persevered to provide the most accurate and timely updates on the COVID-19 pandemic and still share the activities that Aggieland has had to offer throughout the past 17 months.

As we return to our weekly Thursday print schedule and daily web schedule, I can prom-

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All students returning to campus for the fall semester will be required to participate in mandatory COVID-19 testing.

COVID-19 CONTINUED of Aug. 15 to Aug. 21, bringing the state to No. 11 nationwide for most confirmed cases during that period. The delta variant makes up roughly 80 percent of these cases, according to the CDC. Locally, Brazos County Health Authority Dr. Seth Sullivan said in an Aug. 18 press conference that positive COVID-19 case seven-day and 14-day averages have “at least doubled” since the beginning of the month.

As of Sunday, Aug. 22, 25,748 total cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Brazos County, according to the Brazos County Health District, or BCHD. The most recent data provided by the A&M COVID-19 Dashboard reported 21 new cases among students and 10 new cases among faculty and staff on Aug. 19, bringing the campus total to 286 active cases.

Reporting positive cases on campus In an Aug. 5 press release, university President Kathy Banks laid out campus guidelines for the coming fall semester to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Aggieland.

Any student, faculty or staff member who tests positive for COVID-19 or comes into close contact with someone who has tested positive at any point during the fall semester is required to report online using the COVID-19 Reporting Form. Those individuals may be expected to isolate or quarantine

from campus, depending on vaccination status and symptom presence, as determined by the A&M COVID-19 Operations Center.

Without virtual learning options that were available during previous semesters of the pandemic, students required to isolate or quarantine are expected to keep up with their coursework and make arrangements with their professors per Student Rule No. 7, according to the press release.

“Students testing positive for COVID-19 should assess personal needs for missed classes or assignments, consult course syllabi and contact course instructor of record to coordinate arrangements, as appropriate,” the press release reads.

A&M’s prevention strategies Due to Gov. Greg Abbot’s Executive Order No. GA-36, which prohibits Texas public school systems and other government entities from implementing mask mandates, A&M cannot require students, faculty or staff to wear masks on campus. However, Banks said in the Aug. 5 guidance that campus members are “strongly encouraged” to wear masks in indoor spaces and to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

“Considering the continued infection rates in the nation and recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, the university is asking the campus community to do its part by taking important steps to keep Aggieland healthy and safe,” Banks said.

An additional step the university is taking to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 as students return to campus is a mandatory COVID-19 testing program. All students attending in-person classes and all faculty and staff planning to work on campus, regardless of vaccination status, are required to get tested at an official A&M testing site and report the results between Aug. 23 and Sept. 10. Additionally, the university will be continuing its random testing program throughout the fall semester.

“Students reported for failing to comply with the mandatory COVID-19 reporting and/or quarantine/isolation requirements will go through the Student Conduct Process,” the press release reads. “Faculty and staff who do not comply with mandatory COVID-19 reporting, testing and/or quarantine/isolation requirements will receive a written reprimand, at a minimum, that will impact their eligibility for merit increases and also will be subject to other, more severe, disciplinary action as appropriate.”

More information about COVID-19 testing sites on campus is available at tamu.edu/ coronavirus.

Vaccinations COVID-19 vaccines will continue to be offered free of cost by Student Health Services.

In the Aug. 18 BCHD press conference, Sullivan said roughly 46 percent of Brazos

WELCOME BACK TO

WELCOME TO

AGGIELAND

ise you our staff is committed to Aggieland as much as you are as we all return to campus for the fall. This includes new plans coming soon for our social media and multimedia, so make sure to check out thebatt.com, or catch us on all social media platforms @TheBattOnline, to stay up-to-date on the latest events happening on and off campus.

So, whether you are stepping foot on campus for the first time, or coming back after a long awaited return: Welcome Back Ags. Wear your masks, get vaxxed, if you can, and stay safe.

County residents have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

“We would like those numbers higher, clearly, as we are still battling COVID-19 and currently with its high transmissibility rate,” Sullivan said. “Vaccination is the leading public health prevention strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

On campus, Dr. Martha Dannenbaum, director of Student Health Services, told The Battalion the School of Public Health has estimated between 20 and 25 percent of A&M’s student population has been vaccinated.

According to the CDC, breakthrough cases of COVID-19 among vaccinated individuals account for less than 1 percent of the 166 million Americans who have received a COVID-19 vaccine.

“Like with other vaccines, vaccine breakthrough cases will occur, even though the vaccines are working as expected,” the CDC website reads. “Asymptomatic infections among vaccinated people will also occur.

There is some evidence that vaccination may make illness less severe for those who are vaccinated and still get sick.”

Dannenbaum told The Battalion vaccination is still the best defense against the delta variant.

“It’s very similar to the flu shot,” Dannenbaum said. “You get a flu shot and may still get the flu, but it’s usually much shorter and much less severe. Your risk of dying goes down a lot.”

While A&M is not requiring students, faculty or staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19 before coming to campus, President Banks did announce in the Aug. 5 guidance an incentive for campus members to “get vaxxed.”

A drawing will be held on Oct. 15 to incentivize vaccinations among Aggies. Students have the chance to win a year’s tuition, and faculty and staff have the opportunity to win a $1,000 prize if they submit proof of vaccination.

Sullivan said regardless of vaccination status, individuals should still continue following CDC guidelines to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the local community as the virus becomes more transmissible, including wearing masks in indoor spaces and frequently washing hands.

“What we can do is control what we can control,” Sullivan said. “I think that’s the most important take home message, that we do what we can do. As individuals, we can take responsibility for our health the very best that we can.”

Editor’s Note: Nathan Varnell contributed to this report.

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The Battalion | 8.23.21

Abbey Santoro — THE BATTALION

Life and arts editor Kathryn Miller shares advice with the Class of 2025 as they transition from high school seniors to college freshmen.

Advice to Class of 2025 Upperclassmen share experiences, wisdom with incoming freshmen

By Kathryn Miller @kathrynmiller0 Acclimating to college from high school can be an intimidating feat, especially at a school as large as Texas A&M. At the beginning of the 2020-2021 academic year, the Class of 2024’s first impressions of A&M were drastically different than those of every preceding class due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Virtual classes

and mask mandates pervaded their freshman experience, and social distancing guidelines prohibited many from fully experiencing the momentous first collegiate semester.

However, as the world shifts toward normalcy, the return to in-person classes and activities on A&M’s campus this fall will allow the Class of 2025 to have much to look forward to — they will be immersed in the traditional college first-year experience, one filled with transitions into adulthood, uncertainty and freedom.

Psychology junior Isabela McGough said navigating a new campus, a new town and a new living space can be nerve-wracking,

but knowing she was not alone helped her transition to A&M. “Getting a traditional college campus experience is exciting and should motivate you to stay determined during the rough patches,” McGough said. “There are so many resources, clubs and events to attend at A&M. I enjoy being around professors that are highly qualified to teach, and I think it is so great to be able to go to a top-tier university with such great professors because [you can] master your own major from people who have dedicated their lives to it.”

Ensuring professors know who students are, especially in large classes, is crucial and

helps in the long run, McGough said. Since it is many students’ first time moving away from home, McGough said she advises incoming freshmen to make an effort to find friends through extracurricular activities.

“Organizations ensure students don’t feel isolated and let them know they’re a part of something bigger,” McGough said. “I also recommend learning how to make a good schedule and learn to plan ahead. It makes all your coursework go a lot more smoothly.”

Although academics are certainly important, McGough said health is often overlooked in college, but it is imperative to succeeding in all areas of life in college.

“Always make sure to make time to eat several times a day and to drink water. School is important, but your health always comes first,” McGough said. “I also recommend learning how to make a realistic grocery list if you aren’t on a meal plan. Plan foods that are easy to make but are good for you to help fuel you, and always bring water on campus.”

English senior Madi Telschow said as a freshman, it is important to reflect on newly found friendships and organizations and decide which ones to deeply invest in.

“You get encouraged a lot at the beginning of your freshman year to go for every opportunity and make as many friends as you can,” Telschow said. “I think I made the mistake my first semester trying so hard to be friends with everyone I came into contact with. That allowed me to have a lot of friends but didn’t allow me the time to really develop those closer friendships that I did later on in my college career.”

To engage in the college experience to the fullest, Telschow said students should surround themselves with people who will better them.

“If you go into college and come out the same person that you were at the beginning, you’ve done something wrong,” Telschow said. “I came into college living a very sheltered life. I think I was very judgmental, in a lot of ways that I did not fully realize or acknowledge. I came in trying to fit a mold and aspired to look like a certain type of person. College allowed me to find the freedom to find myself.”

Telschow said she advises students to make it a goal to jump on opportunities that come their way, rather than sticking by what they’re expecting to happen.

“I came into college with a very specific plan for my life. For the first year and a half, everything went perfect — and then it didn’t,” Telschow said.

“It is important that freshmen realize that they may not end up doing what they thought they were going to do when they came to college, they may not end up being involved in the organizations they imagined themselves [in] and they may not end up being friends with the people they imagined to be friends with, and that’s OK.”

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SGA CONTINUED deep reflection and deliberation, to ensure that I was the right candidate for this role and was ready to give it my all.”

With the chief female cabinet, Ahmed said the milestone shows the progression from an all-male military school to a university that encompasses those who have taken advantage of opportunities presented and forged a new path for the university.

“It’s necessary to celebrate this historic milestone, to see how far we have come,” Ahmed said. “It demonstrates that regardless of your background, you have a place at Texas A&M University and a seat at the table. This is a step in the right direction, but there are so many more steps to go on this journey.”

Serving as the first Sudanese American, Muslim, Black woman speaker of the senate, Ahmed said she hopes to inspire women, specifically those of color and religious minorities, to step out of their comfort zones and reach any goals they aspire toward.

“I know at times, women can feel selfdoubt, imposter syndrome and so much more, but never let fear or doubt hinder you from pursuing your goals. Never let anyone or any-

SOPHOMORES CONTINUED just seeing students on their way to class.

“I am looking forward to actually going to class in-person,” Marquez said. “I only have two in-person classes, but I’m excited about seeing people’s faces and being more interactive, and seeing more people on campus in general. I’m excited to see more people and really seeing what A&M is all about.”

Marquez said she is particularly excited for sporting events, but also day-to-day interactions as a college student.

“Most of all, I’m excited about football games, but everything else, too,” Marquez said. “I don’t really know what everything is like in person, like Rec-a-Palooza or even just walking into a classroom and seeing a whole bunch of people.”

Marquez said it was very difficult to make connections during last school year, even as a social person.

“The hardest part, and I’m sure this is a very common answer, is meeting people and making friends. There wasn’t a ton of in-person events, or networking, which is what A&M is about,” Marquez said. “I usually had to force myself to go out and make friends. The masks didn’t help with communication, and people were skeptical about meeting up.”

Kohmuench said one positive that came out of an unorthodox freshman year was learning how to manage his time, and feels this will

thing make you feel small, inferior or incapable,” Ahmed said. “You have the capability, you just have to believe in yourself and have that self-confidence.”

McIntosh served as the judicial court chief justice last school year and has become the first chief justice to be confirmed for two sessions.

She said she hopes to build off of what was developed last year and make more connections with the judicial branch.

“It’s not customary to do it again,” McIntosh said. “But just the way that events happened I was asked to come back, which was a huge honor to be the first chief justice ever to do it twice. I learned a lot last year. And so this year, it’s much more of a seamless transition.”

McIntosh said she is looking forward to developing staff and working to pass on what she has learned during her terms as a leader.

McIntosh strives to help younger members in the cabinet to pass on her legacy.

“I always love mentoring. My younger people within Student Government Association, especially whenever I get a younger judicial advocate who’s coming in as a freshman girl, or just younger justices,” McIntosh said. “Any opportunity I can get to help other people, whether that be through the pre-law society,

or through student government, if people are like, ‘Hey, I have some questions, you want to grab coffee?’, that’s my favorite part of the job is getting to build those relationships with other people and be a part in helping them get to where they want to be.”

Before her freshman year, McIntosh said she scheduled coffee with the then-chief justice to get an idea of what the judicial court was like.

She said she was inspired by that meeting and hopes to inspire others in the same way.

“I hope to be able to inspire people the way that I was inspired as a freshman and to see my role is giving everyone else their opportunity,” McIntosh said. “I always say my role is chief justice, [but] my vote doesn’t weigh more than everyone else’s. My role is to make sure that [members] get opportunities and experiences.”

The inauguration of the all-female SGA leadership team coincides with the appointment of M. Katherine Banks, who began as the 26th university president on June 1. Banks is the second woman to serve in this role, following former President Elsa A. Murano in 2008-2009.

“President Banks is the person to lead us into a positive future for A&M and also kind

help him going into this semester.

“It’s very easy to procrastinate online work,” Kohmuench said. “I didn’t really know how to study in high school, so coming to college and having online courses all day all the time was really hard,” Kohmuench said.

“If I didn’t set a schedule for myself, it wasn’t gonna get done until five minutes before class or the due date.”

Society, ethics and law sophomore Katie Hornick faced a different challenge last year, as she already had a taste for what normal A&M life was like. Hornick said she had many older friends who attended A&M, and it was difficult to hear from them what she was missing out on.

“What was hardest for me was not being able to do what I was told to do by all of my friends who are older,” Hornick said. “Like how big tailgates are and that whole experience I’m supposed to get from A&M, I never got. That lack of having what everyone hyped college about, everything I looked forward to was all modified — it was not the same.”

With the challenges of limited interaction, Hornick said she learned how to advocate for herself and ask for help, and encourages others to do the same.

“Don’t be afraid to reach out to people.

With COVID-19, it was something I really had to learn, to put myself out there,” Hornick said. “And, don’t be afraid to ask for help.

I know that’s stupid, everyone says that to incoming freshman, but that’s how I got a job and anywhere I was freshman year, because I asked other people for help.”

Kohmuench said he feels it is important to reach out to others, while acknowledging that being new to campus comes with a lot of pressure.

“Get yourself out there,” Kohmuench said. “The biggest thing [I’ve learned] about college is that no one cares. No one cares at all. You’re gonna be walking around campus feeling self-conscious or feeling a lot of anxiety, but I can guarantee you that no one is looking at you, and no one could care less. Sit in the second row, ask your dumb questions, no one cares.”

While Hornick looks forward to making new friends, she said she is most excited about returning to Kyle Field alongside her peers.

“I think I’m most excited about football season, just because I think that’s gonna kick off everything the right way,” Hornick said.

“I think it’s gonna get better from there, but it’s a guaranteed normality. The SEC already said everyone is in the stands, so that means we’re having Midnight Yell and tailgates are back, and a lot of kids are vaccinated so it’s just something that’s gonna kick off the year right.”

of aligning with Karrisa, Iman and myself who are great to lead us in the student government level of things into a positive future as well,” Parks said. “That overlap is really inspiring to me because it just so happens that we were all kind of appointed or elected at the same time, and I very much believe that everything happens for a reason.”

Parks said although this is the first year of an all-female cabinet, she knows it will not be the last and hopes to set an example for future cabinets and women seeking leadership positions.

“Maybe there’s three females representing student government down the road, I really hope that it’s more consistent in the future, because I think that it’s so powerful and so positive for women in the world and the society that we live in, and just the different constructs that we’ve had to face and those obstacles,” Parks said. “The world is progressing past points where maybe we were even a couple years ago, and I think that is amazing, and I’m so excited to be able to say that I’m a part of that. But I really hope that it doesn’t stop at Texas A&M anytime soon.”

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Athlete turned advocate

Courtesy of Bailey Orr/Texas A&M Athletics

Football standout and sophomore wide receiver Chase Lane is making a name for himself on the field and online through his support for Texas A&M women’s athletics.

Wide receiver Chase Lane promotes equality in A&M women’s athletics

By Jennifer Streeter @jennystreeter3 For sophomore wide receiver Chase Lane, there is more to life than just being an athlete.

After a redshirt year in 2019, Lane made quite an impression in the 2020 season. The Houston native logged a lengthy statsheet for his true freshman year, while also using his platform to advocate for women’s athletics at Texas A&M. Lane said he wants to show the world there is more to him than meets the eye, and looks forward to the long-term effects of his career.

“When I came to A&M, I wanted to make a 40-year decision and not just a four-year one. I’m trying to take advantage of all the opportunities … I want to make myself more appealing to the public as more than just an athlete,” Lane said.

As a redshirt, he played in the season opener against UTSA where he returned one kickoff for 24 yards. Lane also saw playing time against

LSU, but recorded no stats.

The young receiver began to make a name for himself in 2020. During his first full season, Lane logged 29 receptions for 409 yards and two touchdowns. Additionally, he averaged 14.1 yards per carry and 40.9 yards per game.

A&M football coach Jimbo Fisher said the game against Mississippi State was a turning point for Lane.

“Chase Lane definitely [is a big play threat],” Fisher said. “Remember him catching the ball against Mississippi State, coming across the field and outrunning everybody on the field for a touchdown? That was huge after the momentum had swung after a ricochet interception. Chase has the ability to make a lot of big plays running with the ball and catching it deep down the field.”

The play Fisher is referring to was a third quarter 51-yard catch-and-run touchdown in the Aggies’ 28-14 victory. For game totals, Lane also had one more reception for 19 yards.

Lane said he is looking to take advantage of every opportunity that comes his way, which he proved during the 2020 Mississippi State game.

“I think I’m in that space of being a big-

play maker,” Lane said. “I have confidence in myself, my abilities and what I’m able to do.

I feel like I should be in that conversation because of what I’ve shown from the Mississippi State game and just how I prepare every day.

I try to prepare like a pro and be ready for my moments as soon as they come.”

Lane’s first touchdown of his collegiate career was an 11-yard reception to open the scoring in A&M’s eventual upset of then-No. 4 Florida.

A&M offensive coordinator Darrel Dickey said the coaches make recruiting impactful wide receivers a priority.

“That was one of the things that we work to do, to recruit some [wide receivers] and to develop some guys that can scare the defense, and we feel like we’ve got them now,” Dickey said.

However, Lane is not only a playmaker. He also promotes equality with women’s athletics. Lane uses his personal Twitter to tweet about many A&M women’s sports, including basketball, soccer and track and field.

The underclassman said all of the athletes at A&M are united as a family.

“Our programs at A&M are capable of win-

ning championships,” Lane said. “I wanted to spread and show love. I don’t do it for the likes or retweets or anything. I just do it because I’m genuinely a fan of women’s athletics. I want to embrace everybody that is around me.

Here at A&M, we’re a big family, women’s athletics and men’s athletics.”

During this past year, Lane followed the women’s basketball team, who were SEC Champions and made it all the way to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament.

In fact, Lane actively keeps up with current women’s athletics. Recently, the receiver tweeted about A&M soccer’s 2-0 victory over Baylor on Sunday, Aug. 15.

As evidenced by his Twitter, Lane manages to balance both an advocacy for A&M athletic programs and a successful collegiate career on the field.

When it comes to on-field action, Lane is projected to be one of the starting wide receivers going into the 2021 season. Lane has been on full display during fall camp and open practice. Aggies have taken note of Lane’s speed and quick footwork, proving to fans he belongs in the fast lane.

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The Battalion | 8.23.21

Move-in musts Current students offer newcomers advice for transition to Aggieland

By Lauren Discher @lauren_discher After time away from Aggieland, students are eager to get back into their routines and help others with the transition from home to college living.

Roughly a year and a half after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Texas A&M is expecting a full return of its student body from remote learning. Though freshmen are typically the ones unfamiliar with Aggieland, many sophomores will also be experiencing A&M’s campus for the first time, as students return to face-to-face classes following virtual classes and activities. Additionally, moving away from home and into student housing can be an exciting but challenging transition.

Current students shared advice to help students tackle move-in and living in a new town, encouraging them to plug into campus life.

According to the Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center website, move-in represents not only the end of living at home, but also a new beginning.

“For students, it’s the start of a brand new chapter during which they’ll discover who they want to be in young adulthood and beyond,” the website reads. “For parents, it’s the beginning of one less kid in the house and a whole new set of adventures to experience with their student.”

Education senior Susie Burke said she found the transition to independent life intimidating.

“Honestly, I didn’t know how to do anything,” Burke said. “My parents coddled me, so I didn’t know how to do laundry, make food or clean anything. It was a very rude awakening when I had to do everything for myself after they left.”

In her experience, Burke said some of the things she would classify as essentials for college living are often overlooked.

“I know that this is a weird thing, but a wrinkle release spray is really important,” Burke said. “You’ll use it more than you’ll use an ironing board or a steamer, and it works so much better than the both of them. Also, don’t forget a toolbox because it’ll come in handy more often than you’d think.”

Excited to return to College Station, Burke said she can’t wait to see her friends and meet

new students. With various on-campus organizations focusing on service, leadership, politics, academics and more, there are plenty of opportunities to meet people and make connections.

“After move-in, I would suggest you get plugged in immediately or as fast as you possibly can,” Burke said. “Join a friend group or your roommate’s friend group. Try and find yourself some friends by talking to the people next to you in class. Those can be some of your best friends, too.”

Unlike Burke, anthropology senior Courtney Cubine said she was ready to move out and start her life in College Station.

“Moving away from home was exciting to me because you’re finally able to be on your own and you have to start making adult decisions for yourself,” Cubine said. “I’m really excited for classes to return to face-to-face because I’ll get to meet new people and see new friends again.”

Once she moved to College Station, Cubine said she had to adjust to having a job while balancing coursework, which was a challenging transition at first.

“What helped me most was meal-prepping each week,” Cubine said. “If you work and go to school, meal prepping makes everything a lot easier.”

For those who are new to Aggieland, Cubine said she urges them to be open to new people and experiences.

“Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone to make friends,” Cubine said.

Abbey Santoro — THE BATTALION

Texas A&M students began returning to campus for the fall semester with on-campus move-in to residence halls taking place Aug. 18-21.

Suicide Awareness & Prevention Office COUNSELING & PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES

SEPTEMBER IS SUICIDE AWARENESS MONTH

Get Involved!

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SPORTS

8

The Battalion | 8.23.21

Courtesy of Craig Bisacre/Texas A&M Athletics

The No. 6 AP Preseason ranked Texas A&M football team will begin its fall campaign on Saturday, Sept. 4 against Kent State with kickoff set for 7 p.m. at Kyle Field.

A&M football in home stretch before fall kickoff New, returning players intensify training regimen ahead of season

By Ryan Faulkner @ryanfaulk03 With less than two weeks before Texas A&M football returns to Kyle Field, the maroon and white is being pushed to the absolute limit in preparation for the upcoming season.

In a press conference held Saturday, Aug. 20, covering the second week of Fall Camp, players and coaches alike dived into the work which goes into training a championship-contending team.

Head coach Jimbo Fisher said he has never seen a group of athletes work so hard in pursuit of its goals.

“They’re banged, bruised, bodied,” Fisher said. “Now you start to find out who likes football and can play and push through those

things. That’s what camp is about. Practices have gotten good and heated and intense, like they should be.”

For some players, this “top-level grind” is a new experience. Sophomore punter Nik Constantinou, hailing from Melbourne, Australia, said he was neither expecting nor prepared for the aura surrounding A&M football during practices.

“It’s unbelievable to be part of this,” Constantinou said. “We have nothing like this at home. I’ve never seen anything like [the Aggie Network] in my life.”

Sophomore defensive back Jaylon Jones said even returning Aggies who have played football for their entire lives are being forced to make adjustments beyond what they have already known with Fisher’s squad.

“I came early in January of 2020, getting a feel for college, then COVID[-19] hit,” Jones said. “Getting the whole college atmosphere here at camp is totally different. As a defense,

we’re looking to do our job, do what we’re supposed to and help our team get to the national championship. We focus day-by-day.”

If last season is any indication, the defense will have no problem putting its hard work to good use. Jones started all 10 games in 2020, leading the team with six pass breakups to go with an interception and seven passes defended on his resume.

Sophomore running back and track and field member Devon Achane said training against this dominance on one side of the ball has helped improve the Aggies’ offense going into the fall season.

“The [defensive] line we play against at practice is the best. They’re scary,” Achane said. “When we get into games, it’ll be way easier. Now, I believe we have the best backfield in the country. We’re all interchangeable. Nobody else can do that.”

Though his team is still working to reach its highest potential, Fisher said he is pleased with

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2022AGGIELAND A photojournalistic record of the 2021-2022 school year, the 120th edition of Texas A&M’s official yearbook.

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how his athletes have performed throughout Fall Camp thus far.

“We’re making some good progress,” Fisher said. “We have some things which we can get better on, which is everything, but it’s been fun to watch them learn and watch them grow. We’re getting there. I’m really proud of our offense and defense.”

The Aggies have entered the home stretch of summer training and preparation before the season opener on Saturday, Sept. 4, against Kent State, with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m. at Kyle Field. If A&M is to live up to the hype surrounding its 2021 season, including a No. 6 AP Preseason ranking, it needs to fully capitalize on the remaining practice time before the “triumphant return” to Aggieland.

Regarding the upcoming season, with another two weeks left to improve, Jones had just one thing to say.

“I feel bad for the opposing teams we’re going to play,” Jones said.

NEWS

9

The Battalion | 8.23.21

Myranda Campanella, Editor-in-Chief Julia Potts, Managing Editor Shelby McVey, Audience Engagement Abbey Santoro, Photo Chief Aubrey Vogel, News Editor Nathan Varnell, Asst. News Editor Casey Stavenhagen, Sports Editor Jennifer Streeter, Sports Editor Ryan Faulkner, Asst. Sports Editor

Cori Eckert, Design Editor & Business Manager Caleb Powell, Opinion Editor Michaela Rush, Life & Arts Editor Kathryn Miller, Asst. Life & Arts Editor Annie Wells, Multimedia Editor Lauren Discher, Special Section Editor

THE BATTALION is published Thursdays during the 2021 sprint semester (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 StudentAffairs.Newsroom phone: 979-845-3315; E-mail: 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.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT As the final semester of all-virtual learning passed, The Battalion was busy covering the biggest changes coming to Aggieland. Here is a recap of the content produced by The Battalion this summer.

Is your plate up to date? A&M’s electric bus debut

Subscriptions: A part of the University Advancement Fee entitles each Texas A&M student to pick up a single copy of The Battalion. First copy free, additional copies $1.

HOW TO GET YOUR AGGIE RING ON NOVEMBER 12, 2021:

Check Ring Eligibility: Aug. 20 - Sept. 8 Order Dates: Aug. 23 - Sept. 9 Aggie Ring Day: Nov. 12, 2021

Texas A&M Transportation Services has transitioned to virtual parking permits for the 2021-2022 year. Students and staff will now be required to register their vehicle license plate to act as their permit for parking. The exception to this is those who park in garages who will be issued a device to enter those facilities.

Three electric buses have been added to A&M’s fleet. This was made possible through a Federal Transit Administration grant of $14 million and the University Advancement Fee. The buses can run an entire day after being charged overnight, and the debut ceremony hosted both university and local officials.

The Women’s Network

SEC expansion

The Women’s Network is expanding to Texas A&M this fall. With a focus on making connections, students in the organization can expect to interact with professional women in a variety of fields. The organization currently has more than 26,000 members on 42 campuses and is expanding with 100 new college campuses added during the fall semester.

The University of Texas and The University of Oklahoma officially announced the expiration of their media rights following the 2024-25 season, with speculation that 2025 will be the year the two schools copy Texas A&M and join the SEC, which has since been made official.

If you meet the requirements after Summer 2021: 1. Login or create an account at AggieNetwork.com beginning Aug. 20 to check your Ring eligibility.

2. In the Aggie Ring tab, click on "Order Your Aggie Ring".

• Follow the steps to customize your Aggie Ring; your eligibility will be checked after this step.

3. If eligible, schedule an appointment to order in person or submit your order online by 5 p.m. on Sept. 9.

4. On your appointment day, visit the Aggie Ring Office to select your Ring size and pay for your Aggie Ring.

• FULL PAYMENT IS DUE AT TIME OF ORDER. • Parking will not be available at the Alumni Center.

With construction underway in Aggie Park, access to the Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni Center is impacted.

The nearest parking for guests is the University Center Garage, adjacent to the John J. Koldus Building. The only public entrance to the Alumni Center is via the sidewalk along Houston Street and through the doors closest to the Haynes Ring Plaza.

•

Aggie Ring Loans are available to qualified, currently enrolled students through Scholarships and Financial Aid. Visit AggieNetwork.com/Ring for full details.

Visit tx.ag/RingRequirements for information on eligibility requirements for ordering an Aggie Ring.

The Association of Former Students is HERE for Aggies during their days as students and former students, THERE for Aggies as they make their way around the world and EVERYWHERE that the Aggie Network needs us to be.

Maroon Life Fall Sports Preview The Battalion released its latest edition of Maroon Life with the 2021 Fall Sports Magazine, which serves as a preview for all upcoming Texas A&M athletic competitions. Filled with previews about football, soccer, volleyball and cross country, the magazine also dives deeper into new NCAA Names Images and Likeness policies, the youngest difference makers on the A&M soccer squad and the lives of sophomore running back Isaiah Spiller and junior opposite hitter Treyaunna Rush. To get caught up on all fall sports teams, pick up a Maroon Life in stands around campus.

Aggie Ring Program at (979) 845-1050 | AggieNetwork.com

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SPORTS

10

The Battalion | 8.23.21

Bringing home Aggie gold

Abbey Santoro — THE BATTALION

Out of the seven Olympic medals earned by Aggies at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, former Texas A&M student-athlete Athing Mu won two gold medals.

Sixteen countries were represented

by Aggies in 2020 Olympic Games

By Casey Stavenhagen @CStavenhagen If Texas A&M were its own country competing in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, the Aggies would have tied for 17th in gold medal finishes.

Athletes from around the world represented A&M from their respective countries in Tokyo, with 26 Aggies competing for the top spot. In the end, five athletes combined for a total of seven medals, four of which were gold.

One of the most notable performances from a former A&M athlete in Tokyo belonged to middle distance runner Athing Mu, whose achievements, much like her fame, rose quickly.

One year ago, Mu entered college as the No. 1 recruit in the 2020 fall semester. Now, she is a two-time Olympic gold medalist. The Trenton, N.J. native set a new American record of 1:55.21 in her 800-meter finals perfor-

mance and became the first American woman to win the event’s gold in 53 years.

“This isn’t the last time you’re going to see me run,” Mu said after winning her first gold.

“This is just the beginning. There’s more.”

Although Mu was referring to a more long-term career outlook, she made another appearance in the games and took home another gold in the women’s 4x400-meter relay with teammates Sydney McLaughlin, Allyson Felix and Dalilah Muhammad.

“Six years from now, two years from now, it’s going to be my time,” Mu said. “I’m going to do whatever I can in my time, no matter what age I am, no matter what I’m doing and do whatever I can to be great.”

Bryce Deadmon, one of Mu’s teammates during A&M’s 2021 track and field season, is now also a two-time Olympic medalist. Deadmon competed in the men’s 4x400-meter relay, where Team USA collected a gold medal, as well as the mixed 4x400-meter relay for the event’s Olympic debut, earning bronze.

“It’s definitely something I’ve only dreamed about, and to have it come into fruition, it was something I couldn’t wrap my head around,” Deadmon told Houston Life. “I’m still trying

to fathom the fact that I was a part of a gold medal-winning relay.”

The pair of athletes, both fresh off of their collegiate seasons, became the first two Aggies to ever earn multiple medals in one Olympics, according to 12thman.com.

The last of A&M’s Olympic golds in 2021 came from former A&M — and now Milwaukee Bucks — forward Khris Middleton.

The basketball player made a quick turnaround off of an NBA Finals-winning season to join Team USA in Tokyo.

Although the team started slow with a pair of unexpected losses, the turnaround to an eventual gold medal-earning 87-82 victory over Team France was swift.

A&M’s next-highest medal came from former A&M runner Fred Kerley, who set the men’s NCAA 400-meter record in 2017. After running the 400-meter as his primary race for three years, Kerley decided to switch his focus toward the 100-meter.

On his path to the finals in Tokyo, Kerley became one of three athletes to run a sub-10 second time in the 100-meter, a sub-20 second time in the 200-meter and a sub-44 second time in the 400-meter. Kerley’s decision

to run the shorter sprint in the Olympics paid off mightily as he secured a silver medal with a time of 9.84 seconds, also becoming the first A&M athlete with a podium finish in a short sprint, according to 12thman.com.

“The race was a beautiful race,” Kerley said. “Can’t complain about coming to the biggest stage of my career to come away with a medal.”

Although many Aggies represented countries other than the U.S. in Tokyo, only one medaled. Former A&M swimmer Sydney Pickrem was a member of Canada’s 4x100 medley relay team, where she recorded a 1:07.17 breaststroke.

Pickrem’s contributions aided Canada in its eventual bronze medal in the event.

Tokyo 2020 showed a resurgence of prominent A&M athletes competing for their countries on one of the biggest stages in athletics as seven other Aggies missed the podium despite competing in the finals of their events.

Following the conclusion of this year’s competition, A&M athletes throughout history have collected 12 gold, six silver and four bronze medals in various Olympic games.

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11

The Battalion | 8.23.21

OPINION

FILE

With the university returning to full capacity for the fall semester, the protocols implemented by Texas A&M to keep students and faculty safe are being scrutinized.

Curbing COVID-19 with both hands tied Opinion editor Caleb Powell reviews Texas A&M’s pandemic mitigation plan for fall 2021 semester Caleb Powell

E

@calebpowell23

ven after dealing with COVID-19 for over a year, a quiet Aggieland still feels strange to me, filled with hollow halls and an infinite sea of unfilled seats. The emptiness of our campus makes me yearn for the start of school — for life to return to Texas A&M. However, as much as I would like for this coming fall to look like 2019 during my freshman year, we live in a seemingly dystopian world ravaged by a pandemic that shows no signs of slowing.

And, A&M is not doing enough to protect its students and the Bryan-College Station community from this threat.

There are three main policies in effect for the fall semester. All students, faculty

and staff must partake in regular, mandatory testing programs. Additionally, anyone exposed to, experiencing symptoms of or testing positive for COVID-19 is required to self-report and quarantine. Lastly, A&M is providing financial incentives to encourage Aggies to get vaccinated, but the vaccine — alongside masks — will not be required for the upcoming semester.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m just as excited as the next student to go to Hurricane Harry’s, “Whoop” at Ring Day and laugh whenever someone asks when Midnight Yell starts. However, when county officials estimate only 46 percent of Brazos County has been fully vaccinated and new reported cases have increased by 34 percent in the last two weeks, doing the bare minimum to prevent COVID-19 is downright irrespon-

sible.

In A&M’s defense, Gov. Greg Abbott has made crafting safety guidelines harder than getting first deck tickets to the Alabama game in Kyle Field. An executive order signed on July 29 prohibits government entities from requiring face coverings or vaccines under emergency use authorization, rendering A&M’s two most effective policies toothless.

I can already hear outraged commenters smashing their keyboard to say how college kids aren’t in danger from COVID-19 and we should “buck up.”

Plot twist — they’re only half right. The 18-29 demographic has lower hospitalization and mortality rates than older age groups. But, that argument misses the point of COVID-19 precautions.

College students are a prime vector for COVID-19, and Brazos County

is particularly vulnerable with its low vaccination rates. Additionally, the Texas Department of State Health Services reported 99.5 percent of deaths between Feb. 8 and July 14 were from unvaccinated patients. Thus, we can’t afford to do nothing and pretend the pandemic is over. So, what rules should A&M adopt?

Masking continues to be the best first line of defense, preventing upward of 70 percent of infections if everyone wears them. A&M could join the collection of schools mandating masks against Abbott’s order since it isn’t being enforced. However, there would be no way to enforce their usage off campus, where most of COVID-19’s spread occurs with extracurriculars and social activities.

The best way to protect fellow Aggies and the community is to significantly increase vaccination rates among students, staff and faculty. The Texas A&M School of Public Health estimates between 20 and 25 percent of students have been vaccinated, but experts argue we need between 70 and 80 percent of the population inoculated to achieve herd immunity.

While the financial incentives are a good start, A&M should mandate vaccines as soon as possible. Both the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines result in reduced hospitalization rates, severe symptoms and deaths. They have been rigorously tested, and experts across the board agree the numerous benefits outweigh the rare risks.

Pfizer’s vaccine is reportedly receiving full approval from the Food and Drug Administration on Monday, Aug. 23, although some FDA officials say the review process may take longer. Regardless, A&M should adopt mandatory vaccinations as soon as it is approved.

Vaccine requirements aren’t new to Aggieland — freshmen must be inoculated against bacterial meningitis per state law.

It shouldn’t be a stretch to include the COVID-19 vaccine given the disease’s virulency.

The number of deaths in Texas from COVID-19 is almost on par with casualties from the Vietnam War, and the total fatalities in the U.S. is tenfold. A&M needs to treat the situation like the crisis it is and take more responsibility for protecting its students. I’m ready to go back to in-person classes. I’m ready to yell my lungs off in a full Kyle Field. I’m ready to put the pandemic behind us.

Let’s see if A&M will help make it happen.

Caleb Powell is a biomedical engineering junior and the opinion editor for The Battalion.

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