thebattalion l thursday,
november 14, 2013
l serving
texas a&m since 1893
l first paper free – additional copies $1 l © 2013 student media
PLANS UPROOT HOWDY FARM Expansion to pave over sustainability project Jennifer Reiley The Battalion
W
est Campus will be getting more crowded in the next few years as the University plans for the construction of new dorms and a new parking garage. However, the area designated to serve as the new home to these construction projects has been occupied by Howdy Farm for the last five years. Howdy Farm was started by the Sustainable Agriculture Student Association, which seeks to provide hands-on agricultural experience for students and members of the community. Corey Wahl, agricultural research technician and staff advisor for Howdy Farm, said the farm provides Texas See Howdy Farm on page 5
Jenna Rabel — THE BATTALION
Resources from the Howdy Farm Field are being moved to the smaller site behind the Horticulture Building in preparation for upcoming University construction projects.
w. basketball
b-cs
Aggies dominate Prairie View A&M, 76-27
Worldfest gives residents taste of various nationalities
COURTESY Jonathan Sheen — THE BATTALION
Aggie center Karla Gilbert (No. 34) led A&M with 15 points.
L
ed by senior center Karla Gilbert’s 15 points and seven rebounds, the No.13 Texas A&M women’s basketball team defeated Prairie View A&M 76-27 on Wednesday night at Reed Arena in front of a crowd of 4,053 for the team’s home opener. A&M head coach Gary Blair lauded Gilbert’s patience the past three seasons as she jumped into a leadership role this year. “[Gilbert] already has been a fan fa-
thebatt.com
Senate convenes Student senators passes an emergency piece of legislation requesting that the 12th Man Foundation not follow through with proposed plan to construct a parking garage.
Worldfest attendees browse themed booths during last year’s event.
Shelbi Polk
vorite for three years, she’s just been waiting her turn patiently,” Blair said. “She’s earned her opportunity. She’s been the 12th Man, waiting to come in for their turn, and now as a senior [Gilbert] is really producing.” Tyler Stafford, special to The Battalion For the full story, go online at thebatt.com
The Battalion
P
etting a camel or watching Honduran dancers perform is not often on the typical College Station to-do list, but Brazos Valley Worldfest is offering residents the opportunity to check both things off this weekend. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Wolf Pen Creek Amphitheater will be filled with the displays and performances from the various cultures represented in the community. Alongside 50 displays set up by student and nonprofit organizations, the event will open its stage to a diverse array of musical
Q&A: Professor Brett Cooke discusses interests in Russia
For some current and former students, their time on campus influences more than their career goals.
David Cohen, lifestyles writer, sits down with Brett Cooke, professor of international studies
lifestyles | 3 Helmets save lives After his near-death experience from a traumatic brain injury during a ski accident in 2012, Caleb Jentsch promotes helmet safety through an online survey for students planning to ski over Christmas break.
Former students share stories of their experiences on campus when the University first began admitting women and black students.
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See Worldfest on page 3
A world of knowledge
inside weddings | 2 Popping the question
inclusion | 4 Past to Present
performances, including Celtic-Appalachian, Tejano and Polish music. Indonesian, Flamenco, Chinese, Indian classical and belly dancing will also be featured. With both salsa dance lessons and a salsa tasting competition, Worldfest seeks to encourage education and appreciation of the different cultures that make up the community. Various student organizations will set up booths and displays to give attendees insight into their backgrounds or the cultures they appreciate. Lori Elder, senior French and English major, said the event alerts residents to the
THE BATTALION: How would you tell a student that it’s worth their time to study a foreign language?
David Cohen — THE BATTALION
Professor Brett Cooke shares his love for international studies, saying that there is a particular rise in student interest in Russian affairs.
cooke: There’s a long list of reasons I always give when I’m promoting our program. The best argument I can give I actually got from people who study the classics. Foreign languages are one of the most intensive forms of education you can have in simple cognitive tasks like memory and creativity. It gives you a type of immersion
that makes all the functions really important. It also helps you deal with our world’s environmental change — in the sense of walking around and hearing Chinese on the street, for example. I just think it’s a way of becoming more intelligent and therefore opening more opportunities. THE BATTALION: What keeps you coming back to College Station? cooke: My field is a small one, so coming up with an opportunity like the one I’m currently in is rather difficult. We’re very grateful to A&M for them allowing us to do all the things we do with basically no restrictions. It is also nice to be at a big, active and extremely busy campus. You have to work very hard here just to keep up. There’s a lot of pressure here, but it’s the life I opted for. College Station has been a nice place to raise our kids and all we need now is a Greek restaurant. How can we have a large college town without a Greek restaurant? We also finally have good coffee houses, but not second-hand movie theater — the other sign of higher See Cooke on page 3
11/13/13 10:42 PM