thebattalion l tuesday,
november 26, 2013
l serving
texas a&m since 1893
l first paper free – additional copies $1 l © 2013 student media
DORMSGIVING
Residence halls combine Thanksgiving and camaraderie Jennifer Reiley The Battalion
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o bring their communities together before and during the holidays, some campus residence halls are hosting their own Thanksgiving celebrations. Clements Hall hosted a Thanksgiving potluck dinner Monday night. Shelby Hanner, social chair of Clements Hall Council and sophomore biological and agricultural engineering major, said she came up with the idea of a potluck to encourage community and to reach out to fellow residents through their stomachs. “I like potlucks because they’re a good way to bring people together,” Hanner said. “There’s food, which brings people together easily. It’s low cost and hosting a potluck at this time of year has Thanksgiving symbolization as well.” In the spirit of Thanksgiving, Hanner said the event was open to anyone who came. Hullaballoo Hall hosted its Thanksgiving potluck Thursday. Brandon Carlson, community director of the hall, said the Hullaballoo held dinner because of its status as the newest residence hall on campus. See Thanksgiving on page 4
Tanner Garza — THE BATTALION
Students gather in a conference room to share in food and a Thanksgiving atmosphere at a potluck on Monday evening in Clements Hall.
fish camp
crime
Namesakes offer example, mentorship
Student reports sexual assault in residence hall John Rangel The Battalion
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William Guerra — THE BATTALION
Samantha Latta The Battalion
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ountless individuals make lasting, positive impacts on campus and the Aggie family. To honor both these people and the impression they leave, several hundred nominations are made each year for Fish Camp namesakes. In every session of Fish Camp, freshmen are divided into seven individual camps named after someone who has impacted A&M in a positive way. Namesakes are nominated in the hopes
that the qualities that inspired someone to nominate them will also influence their campers and counselors in constructive and encouraging ways. “When we choose namesakes, we’re looking for someone that has impacted A&M in a positive way,” said Suzie Lopez, assistant director of Fish Camp. “We’ve had namesakes in the past that have varied from previous presidents to someone who worked in Dining Services. The namesakes don’t necessarily have to be A&M graduates, basically we just want someone who has done something
memorable, will show the Aggie spirit to incoming freshmen and will shed some light on how to be a good Aggie.” The incoming students at Fish Camp spend four days at Lakeview Methodist Conference Center in Palestine, Texas, getting acquainted with the Aggie family, learning traditions, shouting their freshman wildcat and representing their namesake in camp competitions. Toward the end of each session, campers get to meet their namesake and hear the See Namesake on page 3
family
Aggies find a home away from home Pallavi Kaushik
The Battalion ifteen years ago, Monsignor Mike Sis, a former pastor at St. Mary’s Catholic Center, saw the need to create a home away from home for Aggie Catholics. Today, community members open their doors and pile their tables with food, welcoming students into their homes through the Adopt-an-Aggie program. The program matches students with local families and individuals who are permanent attendees at St. Mary’s and other local parishes. The original concept
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was intended for out-of-town students, but it has grown to involve Bryan-College Station residents. While freshmen are the focus of the program, members of all classes are included. Joan Ledwig and her husband, who have nine adopted Aggies this year, have sponsored students for 16 years and plan on continuing for many more. “Personally I feel like part of their lives,” Ledwig said. “They are so respectful of my husband and I. It makes me feel younger, like I am keeping up with the age group that we adopt and are
connected to their lives. I want them to know that if they need anything, we are here for them. In case of illness or emergency, when the occasion arises, we’ll be there for support.” Once matched, St. Mary’s leaves the families to proceed in their own style. Students can indicate interests in Spanish-speaking families or indicate that they wish to be matched with a family that has young children. “My husband John and I have been See Adopt-an-Aggie on page 3
he University Police Department is conducting an investigation after a Texas A&M student reported she was sexually assaulted in her residence hall Saturday evening. According to a University press release, the victim told authorities she met the perpetrator online a week before agreeing to meet at a restaurant. The victim said the assault took place after the perpetrator asked if they could go to her dorm room in Moses Hall to charge his cellphone, according to the release. UPD master officer and crime prevention specialist Kristi Hosea said in situations involving online relationships, assuming what another person tells you online is true is nothing more than an assumption.
If you’re going to meet somebody, you meet them at a public place, take friends with you.” — Kristi Hosea, UPD master officer and crime prevention specialist
“The suspect knew what he was doing,” Hosea said. “They targeted the individual and they didn’t waste time, which is really scary.” Hosea said the initial plan to meet in a public place was the right idea and encourages anyone in a virtual blind date scenario to exercise caution. “If you’re going to meet somebody, you meet them at a public place, take friends with you as moral support and backup, but not necessarily taking them back to your residence because you really don’t know this person,” Hosea said. “They’re still kind of a stranger, so building that offline relationship you need to know who this person is. Do you really want them to know where you are until you know more about them?”
international
Students receive acceptances, prepare for semester abroad Emily Thompson The Battalion
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s some students look forward to the closing of another semester, others are looking ahead to adventures abroad. Aggies across campus have been receiving decisions on their study abroad opportunities and have been subsequently preparing to broaden their personal and professional horizons. Angelo Gonzalez, sophomore international studies major, said he learned in recent weeks he will be going to England through the L.T. Jordan Institute, which functions as an internship for a law firm or government agency. He said studying abroad would open a door to realizing one of his foremost passions — helping people. “I really wanted to get out of my comfort zone and experience culture shock because I
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haven’t dealt with that before,” Gonzalez said. “I would love to experience traveling and seeing different cultures, getting a different experience through that.” The news has finally sunk in, Gonzalez said, and he’s begun researching about all the opportunities in London, like Abbey Road and the musical culture in London. “It’ll be completely different from College Station,” Gonzalez said. “A new environment, meeting new people, sharing new conversation with them. It’s a certain kind of exciting challenge. I’m looking forward to sharing experiences with new people — almost more than the internship itself. The job isn’t about material things or having possessions. I like to get down to the heart of who people are.” See Study Abroad on page 2
N LIO TTA A B William Guerra — THE
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