The Battalion - August 29, 2019

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29 | SERVING TEXAS A&M SINCE 1893 | © 2019 STUDENT MEDIA

TEXAS-SIZED SHOWDOWN

Graphic by Nic Tan — THE BATTALION

Texas A&M approved the sale of alcohol in Kyle Field after the SEC lifted the ban on May 31.

Alcohol sales open in Kyle Beer and wine to be sold throughout public seating areas, but not near student section FILE

Head coach Jimbo Fisher and junior linebacker Braden White, the 2019 12th Man, saw ‘em off during the War Hymn in 2018.

Aggie football takes on Texas State in first game of season

By Brian Bass @brianbass4 Texas A&M football is set to kick off the 2019 season against Texas State Thursday night at Kyle Field, marking the first test of a daunting schedule.

The success of head coach Jimbo Fisher’s second season in Aggieland will largely depend on whether quarterback Kellen Mond has turned the corner from a good signal caller to an elite one over the offseason.

Mond will have a great amount of support in meeting his expectations from

week one. The majority of the receiving corps returns, with four of the top five producers returning in the flat. Wideout Quartney Davis will likely be his top target, with Camron Buckley, Jhamon Ausbon and Kendrick Rogers also providing quality playmaking.

The offensive line boasts significant experience and new talent, with 69 career starts returning and top freshman recruit Kenyon Green claiming the right guard spot. With the weapons and protection having a wealth of experience alongside Mond, it will be surprising if the production regresses.

A&M will look to develop a young defensive front and improve on a struggling secondary from 2018. Defensive tackle Justin Madubuike is the sole returner

in the trenches, with Michael Clemons, Bobby Brown III and Tyree Johnson also looking to make a splash Thursday night.

“Our defensive line are absolute animals,” linebacker Anthony Hines III said.

“I think you should expect them to dominate. I believe that we have the best defensive line in this conference.”

Hines, a sophomore, will make his first start since tearing his ACL a year ago. He’ll be joined by Buddy Johnson and outside linebacker Ikenna Okeke. After losing Tyrel Dodson and Otaro Alaka from last year, the young group has big shoes to fill. “[Dodson and Alaka] taught me a lot,” Johnson said. “They taught me to just bring everything I got. Being vocal is one of [those things].”

FOOTBALL ON PG. 5

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

By Alex Miller @AlexMill20 Alcohol will be sold in Kyle Field this season as the Southeastern Conference approved the sale of beer and wine in public seating areas in May, but don’t expect to purchase any on the upper east side of the stadium.

There will be no alcohol sold in concessions on the 350 level on the east side of Kyle Field, which services the student section second deck. Students 21 and older with a valid ID can still purchase alcoholic beverages, including draft beer and wine, at other concessions and take them back to their seat in designated student sections.

“We’ve taken every possible step to ensure the safety of our fans while providing the greatest atmosphere in all of college football,” Texas A&M athletic director Ross Bjork said in a statement. “We are excited about the upcoming season and want everyone to have a safe, enjoyable game day experience.”

The SEC lifted an alcohol ban in public areas of stadiums at the annual Spring Meetings in Destin, Florida on May 31. On June 13, A&M was the first conference member to announce the sale of beer and wine in its stadium, beginning this fall. All sales will be at stationary stands and no more than two alcoholic beverages can be purchased at once. Sales will conclude at the end of the third quarter, in compliance with SEC rules.

There will be eight modular draft bars on the first deck concourse, upper deck concourse and second deck concourse in the south endzone serving draft beer in 16 and 22 oz. cups. Packaged domestic, import, premium and craft beer offerings — in 16, 19, 24 and 25 oz. — as well as draft wine, will be available in 30 locations on the same stadium levels. Prices range from $9 to $13 based on size, brand and souvenir cup.

“We were the only conference in America that had this type of policy that prohibited universities making their own decisions related to selling beer, wine, ALCOHOL ON PG. 6

Brady Stone — THE BATTALION

OPAS SEASON 47 PREVIEW

The Battalion, Texas A&M’s student run newspaper, will print one paper a week this semester.

Printing weekly, but not weakly Battalion to publish newspapers on Thursdays, online stories throughout the week Luke Henkhaus @luke_henkhaus Dear readers,

I

’ve got good news and bad news, and I think it’s best to start with the bad.

For anyone paying attention over the last decade or so, it’s no secret that the newspaper business is in trouble — student papers included. As revenue from print advertising falls, many have cut back the number of papers they produce, and some have moved their operations entirely online. The Battalion has not been exempt from this trend.

When I was a freshman, we were printing four days a week. By the time

I was a sophomore, we were down to three. And now, as I begin my senior year, The Battalion will be putting out just one paper each week. The tradition of print journalism on Texas A&M’s campus will continue, even if it’s just on Thursdays.

Of course, the decision to become a weekly publication wasn’t entirely due to industry trends. Over the summer, The Battalion lost its advertising manager — a full-time employee of the university whose salary during the previous fiscal year was paid by the Offices of the Dean of Student Life. When it came time for A&M to set its budget for this year, it was decided that they could no longer bear that cost. And so, the position that was largely responsible for putting The Battalion in the black last year was eliminated.

This was somewhat surprising, as last year student media received the endorsement of three student leadership bodies — the Student Affairs Fee Advisory Board, Student Senate and Graduate and Professional Student Government — to receive some additional funding from student fees. This would have covered salaries for our ad manager, general manager and a new graduate assistant position. Though we knew the funds were not guaranteed, it was certainly disappointing to move backward rather than forward.

Not too long ago, student media was supported by six university employees.

With the ad manager job gone, we’re down to just one. Our general manager serves as adviser, advocate and now ad salesman.

BATTALION ON PG. 6

REGISTER

NOW! www.blinn.edu

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For 12- and 8-Week Courses

blinnbound@blinn.edu

PROVIDED

“Bandstand” — showing Oct. 29 and 30 — is one of many productions coming to Aggieland this year.

The 47th season of MSC OPAS, titled “Tapestry,” will begin in September. The selection of musicals, plays and other shows promises a great variety for students and families alike.

READ MORE AT THEBATT.COM

Courses that fit your schedule.

Tuition that fits your budget.

ONLINE COURSES AVAILABLE

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The Battalion | 8.29.19

Luke Henkhaus, Editor-in-Chief Samantha Mahler, Managing Editor Sanna Bhai, News Editor Camryn Lang, Asst. News Editor Hollis Mills, Life & Arts Editor Meagan Sheffield, Life & Arts Editor Hannah Underwood, Sports Editor Brian Bass, Asst. Sports Editor Jane Turchi, Maroon Life Editor

Meredith Seaver, Photo Chief Henry Mureithi, Opinion Editor Cole Fowler, Asst. Opinion Editor Lexi Ellis, Social Media Editor Daoud Qamar, Multimedia Editor Robert Castro, Asst. Multimedia Editor Demi Navarro, Asst. Multimedia Editor Brady Stone, Page Designer Sydney Clark, Page Designer

THE BATTALION is published Thursdays during the 2019 fall 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 Student Affairs.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.

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.

Meredith Seaver — THE BATTALION

MSC Open House will be Sept. 1 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. with up to 500 organizations in attendance.

Navigating MSC Open House Campus organizations to speak with students at Sunday event

By Sanna Bhai @BhaiSanna At the beginning of every semester, MSC Open House creates an avenue for organizations from all over campus to come together and recruit new Aggies.

MSC Open House will be held on Sept. 1 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. This semester there will be about 500 organizations present in the MSC, either handing out flyers or standing at booths for students to visit.

Jennifer Egan, MSC Open House director and psychology senior, said it offers a chance for all students, especially freshmen, to find their home at Texas A&M. “MSC Open House, to me, is a great opportunity for new freshmen,” Egan said. “Coming on to such a huge campus, it might seem intimidating or hard to ground yourself — so I think that it is a strong suit of A&M to have so many great organizations.”

To help students navigate through the various organizations present, MSC Hospitality will provide stations of volunteers in about six different locations.

These volunteers are eager to answer questions and equipped with resources like maps, said Alyssa Walz, civil engineering senior and member of MSC Hospitality.

“We’re there to help, whether it’s showing them where the tables are, walking them to that table or just pointing them in that direction,” Walz said. “We’re also there to help them out with all of the events that happened during the day, whether it’s the dances or the singers that are coming out, to help them make sure they see what they want to see.”

The organizations will be divided into sections and spread out through the MSC. The Freshman Leadership Organizations (FLOs) will all be located in Rudder Plaza and stretch to the Rudder Exhibit Hall. Groups with large items, such as the boating and sports clubs, will be located in the Kyle Field Plaza. Other organizations will be grouped based on similar affiliations, such as all Greek life in one place and

men’s and women’s organizations in another, Egan said.

Remembering her time as a freshman, Egan said students should come early, bring a bag for flyers, come with a friend, remember the organizations outside the MSC and be courteous to others in the crowded hallways.

“It’s always fun to navigate a with a friend because you both get to see what you’re interested in,” Egan said.

“My freshman year, my roommate and I went together. We both ended up applying to the same two orgs, got in and it was cool.”

With so many organizations present, it can get difficult to figure out where to begin. Walz said she urges students to take a map, sit down, find the organizations they want to go see and ask a volunteer for help before getting started.

“We’re there to make your life easier when you’re going through to the Open House,” Walz said. “So many things are going on there and we want to make sure that students get the most out of it because Open House is put on for students by students. It’s there for them.”

Meredith Seaver — THE BATTALION

The Cottages of College Station is located at Holleman Drive and Harvey Mitchell Parkway.

Missing furniture sparks controversy Local housing complex pledges to fix issues

By Camryn Lang @CamrynLang

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

Some new residents of The Cottages of College Station arrived at their apartments in late August to learn that they were missing mattresses in what were supposed to be fully furnished spaces.

Residents have also expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of cleanliness and missing furniture in the common room spaces. Concerned students and parents have taken to social media to question the complex about the situation and say they have received little explanation from The Cottages staff.

On Aug. 19, a post on The Cottages’ Instagram account incited responses from residents moving in that day.

It has garnered 100 replies at time of publication, including former residents sharing the issues they previously

faced at the housing complex. The post showcased a photo of bed with the following caption: “It’s your first day waking up as a resident of @thecottagesofcollegestation! How did you make the most of it?”

One commenter on the post, Gwyneth Amaya, said she arrived at an unsanitary room with the promised furniture missing from the residence. “[There was] no furniture at all in the common area or bedrooms, my bedroom light doesn’t turn on, there was hair in my shower and in the drawers in my restroom and looked as if no one even came in to clean my room, even though I was told they go through a ‘deep clean,’” Amaya wrote. “My only source of light in my room is a lamp. I slept two nights on the floor without a mattress even though I called, went to the office, texted and answered the questions on the email multiple times.”

A public relations representative for The Cottag-

es said in an email that the complex understands the problems the management of the move-in has caused and plan to resolve the issues faced by the affected residents.

“The Cottages of College Station Management Team knows this past week has been a stressful time for its residents and has apologized for its lack of organization during move-in,” the statement said. “Trucks will be delivering furniture from Tuesday through Thursday.

Our goal is for anyone with a furnished unit lease to receive their furniture this week. … We understand how tough starting a new college year can be. We certainly did not want to add to that stress and are doing everything we can to get this corrected.”

Educational administration and human resource development sophomores Sarah Heinze and Rachel Newton, both first-time residents of The Cottages, moved in on Aug. 18 and found that their house had broken furniture and was missing several mattresses.

“It was a disaster,” Heinze said. “There’s just been a lot of miscommunication between the people living there and management.

Just from day one, [there has been] a lack of consistency with communication between emails and phone calls.”

Heinze and Newton, along with their three roommates, signed their lease early in the year to receive a special offer from The Cottages that was supposed to provide furniture for no extra cost.

“There were a lot of things promised to us that they haven’t really followed through with,” Newton said. “We had furniture guaranteed, but a lot of it came broken. There was

only one roommate that got all the furniture she was promised.”

After trying to communicate with The Cottages several times, Heinze and Newton said staff told them they were underprepared for the amount of people who signed for the furniture package.

“They told us that they gave this offer to a lot of people and then they didn’t have enough furniture,” Heinze said. “They did promise us that we would get a mattress that night, but we waited for three days.”

Newton was one of the two roommates in the house that didn’t receive a mattress, forcing her to sleep on the floor for her first days at The Cottages. According to Heinze, a ceiling fan and television were also missing from the list of items promised to them. She said the furniture they have now is broken or damaged.

“There’s just stuff that needs to be repaired,” Newton said. “We knew there was too much going on, so we actually had our friend help us fix them. That’s kind of what it came down to. We knew they weren’t going to come and repair it anytime soon.”

Despite all of the problems they have faced, Newton said she and Heinze are positive about upcoming changes.

“I’m really hopeful; I think things have gotten better with each day,” Newton said. “Not as much as I wish, but things are very slowly getting resolved. I just really hope that in the future they can talk to us about some sort of compensation package because they caused a lot of stress for new students and people coming into College Station for the first time. It’s really unnecessary and not what Aggieland is about.”

NEWS

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The Battalion | 8.29.19

Keeping promises

Meredith Seaver — THE BATTALION

Mikey Jaillet was elected 2019-2020 student body president on Feb. 22.

Student Body President taking steps to make platform a reality on campus

By Sanna Bhai @BhaiSanna With the new school year starting up, Student Body President Mikey Jaillet says he’s ready to bring his campaign platform to fruition.

Throughout the campaign season and following his win, Jaillet’s main goals included creating a more interconnected campus, working on construction and traffic issues, funding the Matthew Gaines statue and increasing healthy dining options on campus.

Jaillet said his first goal this year is to connect students from all parts of campus, allowing students from different majors, organizations and countries to come together as an Aggie family.

To accomplish this task, Jaillet plans to hold town halls to allow students to share their ideas on collaborations with other organizations or to voice their concerns and give feedback to the Student Government Association. He said there will also be executive round tables with leaders from across the campus to discuss topics that concern the student body.

“We all tend to hang out with each other in our relative student organizations and that’s great, but sometimes there could be the same exact philanthropy event or same exact mission statement with an event going on, on two separate parts of campus,” Jaillet said. “It would be great if we were able to have student government be a conduit of communication and really help.”

In the months following his election, Jaillet took the initiative to speak with university and city officials and create a working group tasked with hearing what students have to say about traffic and construction on campus. The first meeting for this group will be on Sept. 12 at Koldus 144 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will be open to all students who want to “talk traffic.”

Questions and concerns raised by students at these meetings will be taken to city officials and then be addressed during the following “talk traffic” night in November.

“We’re really hoping to help push that and get as many students there as possible,” Jaillet said. “And the goal is to create a conduit of communication between these players that are making traffic decisions and the students as well, so students can really have their voice heard.”

Jaillet said SGA continues to work with the Office of Sustainability to raise funds and support for a statue of Matthew Gaines — a former slave turned Texas senator who voted for the land grant authorization that created A&M. As the semester begins, Jaillet said he would like to welcome all the students back to Aggieland. He said everyone should feel free to speak with him about their experiences and how he can help improve their time at A&M. “We are so excited about the opportunity to get to meet and get to know and hear from students … and I would just love to sit down and meet with as many students as possible and see what they want,” Jaillet said. “I truly believe we have the hardest working team that is really ready to get together, get up and try, and have a transformative year for the student body.”

PROVIDED

Left: Engineering sophomore Trent Scott (middle) performed with the Madison Scouts this summer. Right: Kinesiology junior Gracie Boudreau played mellophone for the Blue Devils, who won the DCI World Class Championship this month.

Marching in the Major League Aggies join elite marching bands for national competitions over summer

By Meagan Sheffield @mshef350 Thousands of high-school and college-age students dedicated 85 days of their summer to perfecting and performing 12-minute competitive marching shows for audiences across the country.

This past summer, around 50 Aggies participated in Drum Corps International (DCI), a non-profit organization that oversees 45 junior drum and bugle corps known as Marching Music’s Major League.

The average season for a DCI drum corps is composed of camps and auditions in the winter to test marching fundamentals and start learning music that will be used in the show.

Then comes spring training during the first part of summer to turn the music into a full

production on a football field, followed by a tour in late summer.

Kinesiology junior Gracie Boudreau played mellophone for a drum corps called Blue Devils this year. On Aug. 10, the Blue Devils won the DCI World Class Championship for their show “Ghostlight,” based on the superstition surrounding the final stage light left shining in a theatre.

“Performing the encore run was insane because there was no competition whatsoever and it was completely for fun,” Boudreau said.

Boudreau performed with the Crossmen for two years before the Blue Devils. She said she first got involved with DCI because her high school band directors had DCI experience and took her band to DCI competitions.

“It’s really cool to be a part of something bigger than yourself and knowing that wherever you go or whatever you do, you’re going to have 153 best friends right there with you,” Boudreau said. “[I’ve learned] the value of hard work. That’s really translated into my

college life because I realize the more time I put into something, the better results I’ll get.”

Boudreau said she burned about 6,000 calories every day during the summer by marching and walking six to seven miles while working on the show.

“To an outside person, they probably think we’re crazy because they see these people without shirts on getting really sweaty, sleeping in gyms on cots,” Boudreau said. “We pay to do this. It’s the final result and the memories and the relationships that are so worth it.”

Business sophomore Aiden Powell has played baritone for the Crossmen for the past two years. Powell said he got involved because some of his friends from high school had performed with DCI before. “[Auditioning] was nerve-wracking,” Powell said. “I didn’t really know what I was getting into. It’s pretty taxing.”

Powell said the most difficult thing about being on tour was not being able to visit home for three months.

“I learned that things are going to be hard, but maybe if you don’t necessarily want to do something, you have to a lot of the time,” Powell said. “Maybe you’re tired, but you can’t just go to sleep. It has made me a more patient person.”

Engineering sophomore Trent Scott played baritone for the Madison Scouts this year and first heard about DCI when he saw the Blue Stars rehearse at his middle school one summer. Scott said he chose to audition for the Madison Scouts because of their culture of tradition and because he was inspired by one of their previous shows.

“I had doubts that I would be able to march this year, but whenever I heard the news [that I was contracted], I was beyond excited,” Scott said. “Going from being a spectator in the stands to being on the field marching, it was a lot to take in. It was a fantastic experience that I’ll never forget.”

Scott said he plans on continuing to play with DCI until he turns 21 — when members “age out” and cannot participate anymore.

“Above all else, while it’s a competitive activity, in the end it’s for the fans,” Scott said.

“I feel like that’s something anyone can get behind.”

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The Battalion | 8.29.19

AROUND THE SEC A LOOK AT THE CONFERENCE FOR WEEK 1

By Dylan Poitevint @Poitite

With summer coming to an end and fall hot on its heels, college football has finally returned for its 150th season. Week one of the season is filled with many highly anticipated matchups, several of which will feature teams of the Southeastern Conference. Here are some notable games kicking off 2019 in college football’s premier conference.

No. 16 Auburn vs. No. 11 Oregon

No. 2 Alabama vs. Duke

Saturday, Aug. 31 – AT&T Stadium – Arlington, Texas 7:30 p.m. on ABC

Saturday, Aug. 31 – Mercedes-Benz Stadium – Atlanta, Georgia 2:30 p.m. on ABC

In their first meeting since the 2010 BCS Championship, both teams are looking to return to the national prominence they held. The Tigers and the Ducks both underwhelmed in 2018, coming off of an 8-5 and 9-4 record, respectively. But, they hold the belief that this could be the season that returns them to the forefront of college football. Auburn features an imposing defensive front that will be very difficult to rush against, as well as an experienced secondary with elite speed and play-making ability. Offensively, the Tigers will start true freshman Bo Nix at quarterback, and this game will be a big test for him. Oregon, on the other hand, has an elite quarterback returning in senior Justin Herbert alongside one of the strongest offensive lines in the country. The Ducks’ defense will need to hit hard in the trenches, and the offense will need to force a shootout in order to come out on top.

Watch for the Tiger defense to limit the ground game and harass Justin Herbert. They will prove to be the overcoming factor in this close match-up.

Alabama, the reigning SEC champion and runner-up in the national title game, will face Duke in their first appearance since their shocking blowout defeat at the hands of Clemson last season. This game should be a lopsided affair, but it will be interesting to see how the Crimson Tide respond to their perceived vulnerability. Alabama returns Heisman runner-up Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback as he looks to lead his team to another title run. Offensively, the Tide could be even stronger in 2019 with a more seasoned unit, while defensively they have restocked with overwhelming depth. Duke, however, will be filling the shoes of first round NFL Draft pick Daniel Jones at quarterback. Senior Quentin Harris will get the start, but he is leading a unit that returns only five starters. Defensively, the Blue Devils will need a perfect game to compete with the Tide. Look for Alabama to overwhelm Duke early and throughout the game on the way to a blowout.

Prediction: Auburn 24, Oregon 21

Prediction: Alabama 54, Duke 10

Ole Miss at Memphis

No. 3 Georgia at Vanderbilt

Saturday, Aug. 31 – Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium – Memphis, Tennessee 11:00 a.m. on ABC

Saturday, Aug. 31 – Vanderbilt Stadium – Nashville, Tennessee 6:30 p.m. on SECN

This game has all the makings of a high-scoring shootout, as both teams step onto the field rather evenly matched. Ole Miss was one of the most productive offensive units in college football in 2018. They have a tall order to fill, however, needing to replace quarterback Jordan Ta’amu and an NFL-caliber receiving corps. Redshirt freshman Matt Corral will start at quarterback after seeing good production in his short time on the field last season.

Expect the Rebels to remain an offensive power and be a huge factor in Saturday’s game.

Mississippi’s defense, however, was abysmal last season and will need to step up in a big way if they hope to limit the Tiger offense. Memphis, on the other hand, is rather similar to Ole Miss in regards to high offensive production and limited defense. The Tigers are an American Athletic Conference powerhouse, but may struggle at times against SEC talent. Look for a shootout with the game coming down to the final minutes.

The SEC’s first conference game of the season will be a divisional showdown in the East.

Both teams enter the game with something to prove, as Georgia hopes to win the SEC like they did in 2017, while Vanderbilt wishes to make a name for itself in the conference. The Bulldogs enter as the heavy favorite, led by junior quarterback Jake Fromm. They have an exceptional ground game and talent on all sides of the ball. Vanderbilt will see either senior Riley Neal or junior Deuce Wallace lead the team at quarterback. It has threats in the receiving corps and in senior running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn. The Commodores lack a defensive presence though, and they will not be able to match up with the Bulldogs. Look for a potentially close game early on, but Georgia will find separation before halftime en route to a blowout.

Prediction: Ole Miss 42, Memphis 38

Prediction: Georgia 41, Vanderbilt 14

WEEK 1: STAFF PICKS Texas A&M vs Texas State Thursday, Aug. 29 at 7:30 p.m. on SEC Network

Luke Henkhaus

Editor-in-Chief @luke_henkhaus

Bobcats? No big deal. Now if we were playing the Robertcats...

Samantha Mahler

Managing Editor @mahlersamantha

Is there anyone actually debating this?

LUKE

SAMANTHA MEAGAN

Meagan Sheffield

Life & Arts Editor @meagan350

According to coolkidfacts.com, “bobcats will most likely run away from people if they get near,” so their player bus won’t even make it out of San Marcos

Meredith Seaver

Photo Chief @MeredithSeaver

Pretty sure Texas State fans only came to town for Thirsty Thursday Northgate postgame.

BRADY Brady Stone

MEREDITH

Head Page Designer @bradystonex

We are going to WH**P some bobcat ASS!

Cole Fowler

Asst. Opinion Editor @thecolefowler

idk who even watches football anyway.

COLE Brian Bass

BRIAN HANNAH

Asst. Sports Editor @brianbass4

Since Texas State started playing football at the FBS level in 2012, the Bobcats are 27-57.

In that same span, the Aggies are 60-31.

Hannah Underwood

Sports Editor @hannahbunderwoo

Thursday games are now a tradition in Aggieland, and just like last year’s season opener, this game will be a blowout.

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The Battalion | 8.29.19

5 things to watch for during A&M-Texas State After a long offseason with a lot of national attention on the Aggies’ schedule, it’s time to play some football. Texas A&M kicks off the 2019 campaign against in-state competitor Texas State. Here are five things to look for during the game:

By Alek Caro @orackela

Photos by Meredith Seaver and FILE — THE BATTALION

Junior offensive lineman Carson Green started in all 13 games in the 2018 season.

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The defensive front The Texas A&M front seven may be this team’s strength as it returns three key contributors from last season. The interior line returns proven starters junior Justin Madubuike, who had three forced fumbles last year, and sophomore Bobby Brown. On the outside, Tyree Johnson looks to continue building momentum after a solid 2018 campaign. At the other end, Michael Clemons returns fresh after redshirting the 2018 season. Behind the Aggies’ defensive line, two of the three starting linebackers — sophomore Anthony Hines and sophomore Ikenna Okeke — come back from redshirting their 2018 seasons as well. Hines, one of the nation’s most sought-after recruits from the class of 2017, is poised to showcase his immense talent now that he is on some fresh legs. Middle linebacker Buddy Johnson is known as one of the SEC’s hardest hitters and looks to lead the talented Aggie front seven.

The Green Mile Returning right tackle junior Carson Green stands at 6 feet, 6 inches, 315 pounds and has already proved himself to be a staple on the line through his past production. “The Green Mile” forms when you look at his neighbor to the left, true freshman right guard Kenyon Green. He is listed at 6 feet, 4 inches, 330 pounds, making him one of the bigger players on the team. Despite being a freshman, Kenyon Green has shown an understanding of the offense, working his way up from third string at the start of fall camp to starter for Thursday’s game. The tandem of these two will pave the way for massive lanes and holes on the right side of the field.

Kellen Mond

Going into his third year, the hype surrounding junior quarterback Kellen Mond is at an all-time high. Last year, Mond competed at a high level against the nation’s best defenses.

With a 400-yard performance against Clemson and a six touchdown game against LSU, there should be no doubt where Mond’s potential is. All the noise in summer camp around Mond had to do with his maturity and consistency. A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher has a history of developing quarterbacks at the programs he has been with, and it seems the process had evident effects in Aggieland. This team will go as far as Kellen Mond can take it. If he plays to his ceiling, the sky truly is the limit for this team.

Despite a 3-8 record last season, Texas State returns 10 of its 11 starters from last season.

The Bobcats will be an experienced group to kick off the season against, and they are an opponent that can help gauge just how much Mond has improved.

The running back rotation The Aggies appear to be going with a running back by committee philosophy after losing veteran Trayveon Williams to the NFL Draft. The new starting running back, sophomore Jashaun Corbin, has shown flashes of brilliance in the times he would allow Williams to rest during the 2018 season. Corbin looks to produce again with more opportunities and a quality offensive line. Freshman Isaiah Spiller has also garnered a lot of attention with his explosiveness and speed. Also look out for sophomore Cordarrian Richardson. The Memphis, Tennessee product looks poised to be a viable threat in the red zone.

5

FOOTBALL CONTINUED

Meredith Seaver — THE BATTALION

Sophomore linebacker Anthony Hines III is back on the field after redshirting last season due to injury.

Texas State is also looking to turn a corner with its program. Since 2015, the Bobcats have accumulated a 10-38 record, with their last winning season in 2014. Over the offseason, the program hired Jake Spavital to fill the head coaching position. Previously, he had a stint as the quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator at A&M during the Kevin Sumlin era.

“It’s actually going to be a surreal moment for me because A&M was the place where I got the first opportunity to call plays,” Spavital said about returning to Kyle Field. “I was a young coach, learned a lot and grew up a lot. It’s just going to be a surreal moment for me to go back to the place where it really all started.”

For Texas State to get over the hump of losing seasons, it all starts with the quarterback. According to the depth chart, returning starter Tyler Vitt received the nod despite not winning a game under center a season ago. “[Vitt] has made a lot of strides as a quarterback,” Spavital said. “We’re quarterback-heavy

Improvement in the secondary Last year, the secondary’s performance against top-notch teams left a bit to be desired. The Aggies’ four losses last year came when the opponent scored over 28 points, with the opposing quarterbacks averaging 336 passing yards per game. The secondary returns three of last year’s four starters, with true freshman Demani Richardson making his debut. The addition of a highly-touted junior college recruit, cornerback Elijah Blades adds much-needed depth to this group. The secondary is led by senior Charles Oliver and sophomore Leon O’Neal Jr. If the A&M secondary progresses, you can expect considerable improvement from this team.

in our offense. We put a lot of games on the quarterback’s shoulders. He’s just been a guy that’s shown up to work every day and continues to get better.”

On the bright side for Spavital, the team returns 20 starters from 2018, with 12 of those being all-conference selections. Two notable inclusions are linebacker Bryan London II and offensive guard Aaron Brewer.

London has been integral for the Bobcat defense during his career in San Marcos. The senior recorded the most tackles on the team with 109 last year and was placed on the Chuck Bednarik and Bronko Nagurski award watch lists in the preseason.

Brewer returns valuable experience up front, registering 35 starts and three all-conference selections since his freshman season. He will face the challenge of protecting a developing quarterback as well as mentoring a young offensive line throughout the season.

The Aggies will face off with Texas State Thursday, Aug. 29 at Kyle Field. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. and the game will be televised on SEC Network.

NEWS

6

The Battalion | 8.29.19

BATTASKS How do you feel about Kyle Field selling alcohol in all public areas at football game, except in concessions nearest student sections?

“It’s a good start because this is all new, but they should expand to all parts of the stadium to make it more accessible for students who are able to drink.”

Graphics by Nic Tan — THE BATTALION

On the student side, most Battalion staff members are now volunteers. Personally, nothing over the last few years has hurt me more than finding out we would no longer be able to pay the hardworking reporters, photographers and multimedia producers that make The Battalion what it is. And what it is one of the best college papers in the country, if you believe recent award nominations.

This year, we’re listed as finalists for eight Pinnacle awards from the College Media Association, including 4-year daily newspaper of the year.

That brings me to the good news. In our newsroom, we’re doing everything we can

to seize the opportunities our recent challenges have presented. So while our decision to go weekly may have been motivated by financial difficulties, it doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom. In fact, plenty of other college media outlets have made similar moves and are all the better for it.

So while The Battalion will only be sent to the newsstands on Thursdays, we’ll be working to make what you find on those stands even more informative and engaging.

And every other day of the week, you can find our stories in their true home online.

Whether you subscribe to our newsletter, visit TheBatt.com’s homepage or follow our social media feeds, The Battalion remains digitally daily. And when a news outlet really

lives online, the possibilities for creative storytelling and up-to-the-minute coverage are limitless.

On the financial side, we are grateful for the many people who have stepped up to help. A gala in March celebrating The Battalion’s 125th year of publication raised over $16,000 in ticket sales and silent auction purchases. Other efforts are in the works — including a new nonprofit called Friends of The Battalion — and our preexisting account with the Texas A&M Foundation is open to receive donations at tx.ag/battfund from anyone who cares about this long-standing tradition.

There are plenty of other ways to support student media too — even if it’s just check-

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“A lot of 21+ students drink heavily at home games. This incentivizes them to slow down their drinking and perhaps stick to water or soda and sober up a little – I know that I probably wouldn’t walk that far when I’m drunk.”

Tristan Seifert, computer science senior

ing out the website or picking up the paper on Thursdays. If you’re a student, we’re always looking for new staff members, and this year especially, we’re looking to build a paid student ad sales team from the ground up. Please feel free to email me at editor@ thebatt.com or stop by our office in L400 of the MSC. We’re also transitioning from part of a department to a student organization, which could open up more opportunities for funding and collaboration in the future.

We still believe, as we always have, that tenacious, independent student journalism is vital to any campus. And no matter what lies ahead, we’re going to do whatever we can to provide that at A&M.

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thebatt.com to todays puzzles

Brush up on your knowledge about A&M Athletics’ clear bag policy with a new video from The Battalion.

Madison Jaco, international studies senior

ANSWERS

FILE

“If of-age students really feel like buying alcohol, they’ll make the trek across Kyle Field for it.”

see ads at thebatt.com

to todays puzzles

BATTALION CONTINUED

SEC members to announce the sale of alcohol in public areas at football games this fall.

Administrators from Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Mississippi State, Ole Miss and South Carolina have said alcohol sales will not begin this fall at football games. Officials from Florida and Kentucky have yet to release their plans to sell alcohol or not.

Releases from Arkansas, LSU, Missouri and Tennessee noted alcohol will not be sold in concessions closest to student sections as well.

Arkansas added that taking alcohol into student sections will not be allowed. Missouri has established an “alcohol-free zone,” but for now, there won’t be a similar seating area at Kyle Field.

“The 12th Man is the most powerful, wonderful fan base in all of football,” A&M president Michael Young said in a statement. “Enjoy the game. If you see behavior that is unruly, be it potentially alcohol-related or not, don’t hesitate to text your concerns to 844-724-1212; or, in an emergency, dial 9-1-1.”

ANSWERS

alcohol, etc.,” Bjork said in a phone interview with The Battalion earlier this summer. “I always believed in local flexibilities. I’m glad the SEC passed it. Glad we made that decision. I think it just provides fan experience opportunities for people who want that type of refreshment.”

Rolling out the new policy is one of Bjork’s top priorities in his first year leading the A&M athletics department, and he said safety is of utmost importance.

“We know people are going to drink; we know people are probably going to binge drink before the game,” Bjork said. “We can help eliminate that by having the psychological effect of ‘Hey, I can get a beer when I walk in the game. I don’t have to take this six-pack and drink it before the game. I can pace myself.’ We know those studies are out there to help eliminate a lot of the issues.”

In an expanded release outlining the new policies, the A&M athletics department emphasized

that Texas laws governing alcohol consumption, especially in regards to minors, will be enforced at Kyle Field, stating “provision of alcohol to minors is a Class A misdemeanor and will be enforced to the fullest extent of the law, with video and other evidence available inside the stadium.”

A&M has taken multiple measures to prevent underage drinking. There will be an increase of security at Kyle Field, and the stadium’s hospitality team is taking State of Texas Alcohol Responsibility Training to help staff recognize fake IDs and signs of over-intoxication.

“We need to make it safe,” Bjork said. “We need to educate. We need to make sure we have all of the right parameters set up, and I know that the plan has been evolving since the vote has happened, so the folks at A&M have been working on this for some time and I think we’ll have a good plan to put in place. I like it. I think it provides flexibility we wanted, but we have to do it the right way.”

Other league schools Arkansas, LSU, Missouri, Tennessee and Vanderbilt are the only other

SPECIAL

ALCOHOL CONTINUED

Briana Cepeda, communication sophomore

OPINION

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The Battalion | 8.29.19

Creative Commons

The return of the Opinion Section promises new ways for readers to interact with The Battalion.

Battalion revives Opinion Desk Opinion Editor describes plans for growth, urges Aggies to get involved Henry Mureithi @HenryMureithi5 Much like the rest of the university, the story of The Battalion is one of tradition and heritage. But, each generation of Aggie journalists brings new ideas and, consequently, new changes — whether voluntary or otherwise — to Texas A&M’s newspaper.

Therefore, as The Battalion transitions into a digital-first media organization and its print publication evolves into a weekly publication, I felt it important to explain to you, our steadfast readers, what these changes mean in terms of our revamped Opinion Section.

Staff Editorials One of the primary pillars of the new Opinion Section is the staff editorial. At various times, the editors may feel it important

to comment on an issue of social, cultural or communal importance and relevance. As the beating heart of The Battalion newsroom, a lot of news and information comes across our desks, and we believe there is value for our readers in hearing the perspectives of the individuals most responsible for contextualizing and making sense of the stories you read. Staff editorials also give us an opportunity to elaborate on some of the editorial choices that we make in our coverage of specific events and topics — especially controversial ones — as we did when white nationalist Richard Spencer spoke at an event on campus.

Despite the wealth of guest contributions we expect to get from the ever-growing, diverse A&M community, we understand that our reader demand high-quality, thoughtful writing from experienced writers. In line with this, the Opinion Desk will have a deep-bench of staff writers who will provide commentary articles both online and in print. Moreover, The Battalion will have several opinion columnists who will write bi-weekly columns. In selecting columnists each semester, the opinion editors will attempt to compile a broad, diverse range of ideologies, themes and perspectives.

Guest Commentary and Cartoons The framework we are building for the Opinion Section is one of “readers first.”

So, in addition to our staff editorials, we will publish several types of signed opinion pieces, including guest op-eds, humor articles, open letters and various types of guest art. We welcome submissions from the entire A&M community — past, present and future.

Editorial Cartoons The Battalion is also planning on having several editorial cartoonists, some of whom will be given space for a bi-weekly cartoon.

Cartoonists, like writers, are not limited in the scope of what they can draw.

Staff Commentary, Criticism, and Columns

Letters to the Community One of the new and unique initiatives will be the letters to the community. Very similar in format to open letters, rather than addressing any specific individual, these op-eds will

be addressed “To the Aggie community,” and serve as an avenue for the A&M community to discuss the stories we tell ourselves, about ourselves.

Letters to the Editor The editors highly value comments and responses, both positive and negative, to any of the coverage conducted by The Battalion’s various desks. We want to hear from you and encourage you to write to us with all your objections or compliments addressed generically “To the Editor.”

As we embark on this journey together, I look forward to engaging with all our readers and living up to their expectations and those of the history of The Battalion. To end, I leave with the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, American essayist, lecturer, philosopher and poet, who perhaps best expressed the philosophy that will animate our opinion pages when he said, “Let me never fall into the vulgar mistake of dreaming that I am persecuted whenever I am contradicted.”

For more details on the Opinion Desk, read Henry’s full column at tx.ag/BattOpinion

‘Ready or Not’ is devilishly funny Dark comedy balances hilarious and horrifying in confident film Keagan Miller

T

@Keaganmlr

he recently released “Ready or Not” is a gleefully dark film that relishes in its motifs and delights in its own black humor. Part action movie, part character study, and part straight-up bloodbath, “Ready or Not” is difficult to define. While it never fully capitalizes on any of these parts and ultimately fails to ascend to greatness, I was more than pleased with the film by its end. I’m a sucker for dark humor, and the final scene of this film is one of the darkest endings in recent memory The plot of the film revolves around a bride, Grace, played by Samara Weaving. On her wedding night, she fights for acceptance from her new husband’s estranged family and for her life. Then, it is revealed that seemingly harmless family traditions are lethal rituals designed to garner the favor of a supernatural power. The traditions and history of the family is slowly revealed as the film pro-

gresses, and each revelation is less and less subtle about the purpose of the rituals and the entity the family is trying to appease.

The gradual hinting about the sinister nature of the groom’s family comes amidst a deadly game of hide and seek that frequently turns both comical and terrifying. With each death and close call, the stakes escalated as both the hunters and the hunted get closer to extinction.

The film fully embraces its quirky, peculiar plot and allows audiences to be swept up in the story despite its ridiculous nature.

Everything about this movie is bold, and its attitude never questions its own premise. By the time the violence starts (and it starts pretty quickly), I had no problem believing that an entire family would start rampaging through the halls of their ancient mansion with centuries-old weaponry, trying to brutally murder the new bride of their own kin in the name of some vaguely understood, half-believed ritual. The film is unwavering in its ridiculousness, and is more amazing for it.

But none of the hilarious and horrifying scenes would be possible without the cast members, each of whom did an excellent job. Weaving was a force to be reckoned with as the mild-mannered bride turned Rambo. Mark O’Brien, Adam Brody, Andie MacDowell and Henry Czerny delivered great performances as the groom, his brother, their mother and father, respectively.

In fact, the film’s main flaw is that it underuses O’Brien, who spent most of his time locked in a room by himself after refusing to participate in the murder of his new wife. On the other hand, the meaningful development of Brody’s character is one of the film’s strengths.

“Ready or Not” is a surprising film, not for its plot, nor humor, nor its character revelations, but for its tenacity. It’s a film that knows it’s bizarre and chooses to embrace it. It never questions itself, it never falters and it’s funny as hell.

Creative Commons

Keagan Miller is a psychology senior and staff writer for The Battalion.

“Ready or Not” premiered in theaters Aug. 21.

The Electoral College is redundant Every vote counts, but not the way you might think, says Joshua Howell Joshua Howell @howjosh

A

s the amusingly convoluted plot of “Mission Impossible: Fallout” unfurls, an enraged subordinate asks the film’s villain: “Why did you have to make this so f---ing complicated?” Americans frustrated by the way we choose our president may know the feeling.

Much like Euclid’s Fifth Geometric Postulate, presidential elections are suspect if for nothing more than their sheer complexity. A plurality vote in their districts chooses representatives in the House. The Senate operates similarly, but on the state level, inculcating a federalist architecture in our national government.

The president, in contrast, is chosen by the following process (keep up if you can): the Constitution grants each state a set number of electors equal to the size of their congressional delegation — or equal to the number of electors in the least populous state in the

case of Washington, D.C. The state legislature can then choose their electors in any way they like, including by skipping such pesky inconveniences as elections and appointing them directly. Assuming a candidate wins a majority of electoral votes, that candidate becomes president; if no candidate wins a majority, the House of Representatives chooses the president. There, state delegations—not the individual representatives—elect the next president.

Got it? No? Well, consider this example: Suppose Joe Biden emerges as the Democratic challenger to President Trump. Further, suppose that Biden receives the most electoral votes but does not achieve the 270 necessary to win outright. In such a case, the Democrat-controlled House would still choose Donald Trump as president, because even though Democrats control a majority of the seats, Republicans control a majority of the state delegations.

This complexity exists, perhaps, because the Electoral College was not a wise decision handed down from atop Mount Rushmore. It was instead—like most things which emerge from political entities—a compromise. James Madison, the Father of the Constitution, believed the popular vote was “the fittest in itself” and “as likely as any that could be decided to produce an Executive Magistrate of distinguished Character.” However, the slave

states balked, and Madison relented, reasoning that “[t]he substitution of electors obviated this difficulty and seemed on the whole to be liable to fewest objections.” Madison’s sentiment is lukewarm praise if ever such existed.

All this needn’t be dispositive, of course.

Supporters of the Electoral College have argued (not without point), that it is possible to make the right decision for the wrong reasons.

We do not merely live in America, they argue, but in the United States of America, a country in which the people must give federalism its due. Madison acknowledged as much in Federalist 39. There he wrote that “[t]he votes allocated to [the states] are in a compound ratio, which considers them partly as distinct and co-equal societies, partly as unequal members of the same society.” Additionally, the argument goes, this quasi-federalism incentivizes presidential candidates to wage genuinely national campaigns, and in so doing address the needs of smaller states.

Prima facie, the political philosophy is solid. It does, however, make claims that one can evaluate empirically.

In his excellent book, “Why the Electoral College is Bad for America,” Texas A&M Professor George C. Edwards III casts a calm and evaluative eye on the assertion that presidents are incentivized to campaign nationally.

He observes that “[i]n 2016, no presidential candidate visited any of the seven smaller

states” and that “[o]f the eight states with four or five electoral votes, [only] four received visits from a presidential candidate.” He also notes that advertising primarily addressed national concerns, and stump speeches remained the same wherever candidates gave them. The states which received the most attention were (to the surprise of no one) swing states — those that truly matter in our electoral system.

So, herewith, a modest proposal: In a country in which each state, no matter how small, gets two senators — and in a country in which the Tenth Amendment forever enshrines federalism in our national government — the Electoral College isn’t “wrong” so much as redundant, the political analogue of over-engineering a solution to a legitimate concern. Instead, imagine the beauty of a political geometry where the House serves the people’s needs as filtered through districts, the Senate serves the people’s needs as filtered through the states, and the White House represents the people’s needs unfiltered, speaking as one.

That would be a sensible system of checks and balances; that would be a system far more in-line with the original Madisonian vision.

Joshua Howell is a computer science Ph.D. student and staff writer for The Battalion.

NEWS

8

The Battalion | 8.29.19

MAC GRAND OPENING

Meredith Seaver — THE BATTALION

After 25 years of planning, Texas A&M’s musical groups will receive an updated facility to serve the growing number of participating students.

A&M will hold the grand opening of the John D. White ‘70 — Robert L. Walker ‘58 Music Activities Center on Friday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. with performances by student musicians from A&M’s bands and choral groups.

READ MORE AT THEBATT.COM

Meredith Seaver — THE BATTALION

Bonfire Memorial — which honors those who died in the 1999 Bonfire Collapse — is closed for renovation until Oct. 31.

Memorial temporarily closed Rennovations will make path to Bonfire site more accessible

By Camryn Lang @CamrynLang

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Texas A&M is making a few changes to the Bonfire Memorial to create a better experience for all visitors.

In order to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, A&M has closed the Bonfire Memorial and parking lot for renovation from Aug. 22 to Oct. 31.

According to a statement from the university, the changes will focus on the accessibility problems caused by the loose gravel on the pathways surrounding the monument.

“Maintenance will consist of current gravel removal, regrading of walkways and new gravel installation, along with a topical application of Klingstone, a water permeable product that binds materials together,” the statement said.

Molly Painter, marketing and communications specialist for the University Art Galleries, said using Klingstone

SHOW US YOUR

AGGIE SPIRIT It’s gameday, Ags! Before you head to the stadium, come visit the Texas A&M Foundation at the corner of Houston Street and George Bush Drive for a free Aggie spirit button to add to your gameday apparel and showcase your Aggie pride.

These buttons are part of an interactive display that highlights some of the many reasons donors give to support Texas A&M students, faculty, colleges and programs.

Their gifts also support the Lead by Example campaign, a joint fundraising effort between the Texas A&M Foundation, The Association of Former Students and the 12th Man Foundation. With a goal of reaching $4 billion by 2020, it is the largest higher education campaign in Texas history and the third largest conducted nationally by a public university.

If you can’t make it today, come back another time—we’ll be here all fall semester.

Learn more about the campaign at leadbyexample.tamu.edu.

will ensure the walkway’s stability.

“It’s sprayed on top of the rocks and then it hardens to almost like a plastic material so the gravel doesn’t move or shift,” Painter said. “It’s water permeable so that water can actually still drain to the ground.”

According to the statement, A&M chose the product for its ability to hold gravel in place without changing the appearance of the walkways, allowing the memorial’s overall design to be maintained.

“After consultation with Robert Shemwell of Overland Partners, Inc. in San Antonio, one of the original designers of the memorial, Texas A&M University settled on a solution that will maintain the original design,” the statement said.

Director of Disability Services Kristie Orr said the renovation is an important step in ensuring that no one is excluded from A&M’s history.

“We don’t want it to be a challenge for someone that’s using a wheelchair, pushing a stroller or someone with a walker,” Orr said. “It’s such an important part of our university and in the

history of our university that we want to make sure it is accessible for anyone who wants to go visit the memorial— that there isn’t any kind of barrier.”

Orr said eliminating obstacles will allow for every visitor to experience the Bonfire Memorial as a member of the Aggie family.

“The Bonfire Memorial is all about the traditions at A&M and the traditions are what A&M is known for,” Orr said. “It makes people feel like they’re a part of the Aggie family and we want to make sure that everyone is included in those Aggie traditions.”

Painter said the changes will not only fulfill the needs of the disabled community, but it will also reduce the obstacles workers face when maintaining the memorial.

“It’s hard to get across rocks that move underneath you,” Painter said.

“It’s also hard anytime groundskeepers or maintenance vehicles need to go out there. … I think it was a twofold reason. One was for accessibility for visitors and one was for maintenance vehicles.”