The Battalion - October 8, 2020

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8 | SERVING TEXAS A&M SINCE 1893 | © 2020 STUDENT MEDIA

Meredith Seaver — THE BATTALION

Fall 2020 graduation ceremonies will proceed with precautions implemented.

Meredith Seaver — THE BATTALION

Kyle Field attendance at the first game of the season against Vanderbilt was 24,073, less than 25 percent of its capacity.

Shoring up stadium regulations A&M Athletics continues to urge face coverings, social distancing for second home game of 2020 season

By Hannah Underwood @hannahbunderwoo

L

ate in the first half of SMU’s 3027 win over Memphis on Oct. 3, police removed the student section from Gerald J. Ford Stadium for not adhering to face covering and social distancing guidelines.

Texas A&M Athletics implemented its own COVID-19 protocols for its first home game against Vanderbilt on Sept. 26, which saw an attendance of 24,073.

Heading into A&M’s second home game against No. 4 Florida this Saturday, Director

of Athletics Ross Bjork said he was pleased with the overall success of A&M’s protocols, but there are still areas that need improvement.

“For the most part, everyone followed the protocol upon entering the stadium, pregame and the first half, and then I think after that we let our guard down,” Bjork said. “As the game went on, people want to migrate, they want to see friends, they want to hang out. Totally understandable, and that’s where we can reinforce our messaging. Overall I think we did a great job and now we just need to shore some things up as we move into Florida.”

Prior to the season opener, Kevin Hurley, A&M senior associate athletics director for facilities, events and construction, said A&M’s goal for each game is to operate as safely as possible and not jeopardize the next game.

“Understand the mentality — we’re trying to get to Game 2,” Hurley said. “The

only way we can do that is to be successful in Game 1.”

In order to reinforce the protocols ahead of this weekend’s game, staff from the Athletic Department and the Department of Student Affairs have been at ticket pull this week, handing out reminders of the facial covering and social distancing requirements for Kyle Field, Bjork said.

“We think through education this week at ticket pull that we can really fine-tune our messaging,” Bjork said. “We’ll do a lot of things on social media, record a video, utilize the leadership of the yell leaders to reinforce that messaging and just remind people that the face covering is a requirement at all times.”

Bjork said the failure to adhere to the protocol in Game 1 is not solely the fault of the students. There were some miscommunications among the stadium workers that led to BJORK ON PG. 3

A&M proceeding with in-person graduation plans A&M announces commencement ceremony dates for 2020 graduates

By Julia Potts @juliaapotts Executive Vice President and Provost Carol Fierke announced new plans for the December 2020 graduation ceremonies.

In an Oct. 7 email, Fierke said in-person ceremonies are currently planned for over 4,200 soon-to-be graduates this fall semester.

Animal science senior Hannah Langford said she thinks in-person ceremonies are possible with the right precautions, and hopes to have the traditional graduation experience.

“I really do hope that we get to walk across the stage and accept our diplomas, but everyone’s health and safety is so much more important than that,” Langford said. “I know A&M will make the best decision they can.”

According to the email, the event will be ticketed, allowing only six guests per graduate.

Additionally, only 324 students will participate in each ceremony to allow for social distancing, GRADUATION ON PG. 2

Gearing up for the Gators Defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal celebrates during the Vanderbilt game on Sept. 26.

PROVIDED

Brazos Valley Worldfest will be celebrated virtually with a focus on Hispanic culture.

Bailey Orr - Texas A&M Athletics

A&M returns to Kyle Field to host fourth-ranked Florida

By Meghan Sharber @meghan_olivia02 After a tough loss to No. 2 Alabama, the Aggies will face off against the No. 4 Florida Gators on Saturday, Oct. 10.

The Aggies fell short to Alabama 52-24 last Saturday, Oct. 3.

A&M coach Jimbo Fisher said the team needs to understand how to capitalize on opportunities and understand that when a game gets intense they have to match scores and focus on the details.

“I am disappointed because I thought we had the opportunity to do that and our players are too, but we are not discouraged,” Fisher said. “We are getting ready to play a very good Florida team and correct those mistakes.”

Fisher said he feels progress is being made on the team, but it is not the best it can be yet.

“I am not satisfied with anything going on until we win them all,” Fisher said. “That is our goal and that is why we are here and we are going to work relentlessly until we do that.”

Sophomore running back Ainias Smith said he is prepared to correct the mistakes the team made against Alabama for this week’s game against Florida.

“I feel like we all could have done a lot more,” Smith said. “There were a lot of things we could have done differently during the game, but we are going to get to it this week.”

The last matchup between A&M and Florida ended in a 19-17 win for the Aggies in 2017. In that game, A&M senior quarterback Kellen Mond went 8-of-24 for 180 yards and one interception.

Florida’s offense is led by redshirt senior

quarterback Kyle Trask. Trask made his first career start last season against Tennessee, throwing for 293 yards and two touchdowns. He also threw three touchdown passes at LSU, followed by a career-high four touchdown passes at South Carolina, making him the first Florida quarterback since Tim Tebow (2008 at Vanderbilt and Florida State) to throw at least three touchdowns in consecutive road games.

“Trask does a really good job throwing to covered guys and putting the ball where no one else can get it,” Fisher said.

While the Aggies’ schedule this season includes highly ranked teams, sophomore defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal said he believes A&M belongs in competition because of their dedication toward improvement.

“We have worked so hard during this whole pandemic to come back and play,” Leal said. “Our mentality as a team is to be GAME PREVIEW ON PG. 2

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Worldfest moves online Brazos Valley’s annual diversity event introducing virtual format

By Lauren Discher @lauren_discher Though COVID-19 is forcing the event to go virtual, Brazos Valley Worldfest will continue to celebrate culture, highlighting Spain during the month of October.

Brazos Valley Worldfest will offer participants the opportunity to participate in various cultural activities online. Participants will also WORLDFEST ON PG. 2

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GRADUATION CONTINUED

Brady Stone, Editor-in-Chief Camryn Lang, Managing Editor Julia Potts, News Editor Myranda Campanella, Asst. News Editor Hannah Underwood, Sports Editor Jenny Streeter, Asst. Sports Editor Shelby McVey, Life & Arts Editor Rebecca Morris, Life & Arts Editor Maroon Life Editor

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causing changes to the number and dates of the ceremonies.

“In order to maximize the safety of our graduates and their families, we will hold 15 ceremonies over five days in Reed Arena: Dec. 10, 11, 17, 18 and 19. Ceremonies will be held at 9 a.m., 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. each day,” the email reads.

WORLDFEST CONTINUED be able to pick up a three-course meal inspired by Spanish cuisine through the Worldfest’s Culture Club on Oct. 8.

Though the format has changed, festival manager Kimberly Fox said Brazos Valley Worldfest will continue to strive to accomplish its mission.

“Our mission is to celebrate international diversity and heritage in the Brazos Valley,” Fox said. “We are pivoting a little bit on what we usually do, but we do want to try to keep the feel of the festival and achieve our mission as much as possible.”

Fox said the activities offered include cultural videos from several organizations and community groups intended to share different aspects of a country through the new format.

“These videos will fall into three categories: informative, demonstration and performance,” Fox said. “Each category is designed to show the country presented in a different way so that participants will get a well-rounded experience.”

The Culture Club dinner will give those who participate the opportunity to taste unique Spanish dishes catered

by D’Vine Cuisine. Billy Costillo, owner of D’Vine Cuisine, said the dishes were well-researched and put together according to what would be most palatable.

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great and it is time to pay attention to every detail.”

Senior offensive lineman Carson Green said this year the team has made many improvements from seasons past.

“From a player’s perspective, I think we have progressed a lot,” Green said.

Senior Boot Bag

The postponed May and August 2020 graduation ceremonies have been moved to Feb. 11-13, 17-19 and March 11-13 in 2021. These graduations will take place at Kyle Field, allowing for 940 graduates per ceremony and a 25 percent capacity in the stands, also with ticketed attendance.

While there is still planning to be done, Fierke said the administration is constantly monitoring the COVID-19 presence in College Station to make

in-person ceremonies possible.

“Because preparation for in-person commencement at one of the largest universities in the nation requires significant advance planning, we are excited to be moving forward in assembling this very special day for our graduates,” the email reads.

The graduation ceremony schedule for the College Station campus as well as other select system schools can be found at graduation.tamu.edu.

“This month, the cultural club dinner is celebrating Spain,” Costillo said.

“So we’re doing a potato, manchego and chorizo croquette with a romesco sauce, as well as a chicken, shrimp and sausage paella and an almond cake with Chantilly cream for dessert.”

“People can simply drive up and take their food home to eat,” Fox said. “We include an information sheet so you can learn a little more about the country while you’re enjoying your food.”

In addition to these activities, Fox said members are welcome to join the World Explorer Virtual Walk, which was created to simulate a trip to Spain by allowing individuals to explore tourist locations virtually.

“You walk a total of 100,000 steps and learn about different locations along the way,” Fox said. “You can achieve steps by walking, running, biking or swimming, and you can receive pictures of yourself at the sites that you can share on social media.”

Rhonda Snider, program advisor for the Memorial Student Center and member of the board of directors for Brazos Valley Worldfest, said the event is beloved by many, as it gives international students the chance to share their culture with others.

“Its goal is to bring together people of different backgrounds and ethnicities, and to celebrate the diverse culture and heritage of this part of Texas,” Snider said. “It also gives all Texas A&M students who are interested in other cultures a chance to connect with the off-campus community and learn more about the people that make up the Brazos Valley.”

PROVIDED

Worldfest will include information, demonstration and performance videos from multiple groups.

Fox said the curbside pickup method is convenient and has become increasingly popular.

“There are a lot of people with experience and we know the routines for everything better which is helping us be calm.”

Green said he is excited about Saturday’s game and hopes Kyle Field will have another successful turnout despite the morning kickoff.

“I like how you just get up and

you’re moving,” Green said. “I hope the fans show out like they did against Vanderbilt. It is definitely not what it usually is, but the fans were there and loud.”

A&M will face Florida on Saturday at Kyle Field in College Station. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. and the game will be broadcast on ESPN.

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The Battalion | 10.8.20

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The 2020 Step In, Stand Up campaign for Texas A&M to combat and prevent sexual harassment and violence on campus has moved to an online format.

Students take a virtual stand A&M provides online workshops for Aggies regarding sexual assault

By Jack Corrales @JackCorrales11 Sexual assault is a problem on many college campuses, and while preventative measures are taken, it remains a major issue.

Texas A&M’s Step In, Stand Up campaign is a program offered to those in the A&M network to learn more about having discussions with those who have experienced sexual assault. Traditionally, it has been offered in person in both one- and three-hour workshops and overviews, but it has since gone fully online for the fall semester due to COVID-19.

Jazmin Jones, a health promotion specialist within the Division of Student Affairs, is involved in the coordination of Stand Up workshops.

“It’s a trauma-informed workshop, and it talks about really just supporting survivors of sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking,” Jones said.

While open to everyone, the workshop is especially relevant for the A&M student body and others in close relationships, said Kristen Harrell, the chairperson for the Sexual Assault Survivors Committee and key contributor to the workshop curriculum.

“One of the key reasons that we created this workshop is because all of the research and some of the climate data we had pulled from the institution showed that survivors most typically are disclosing to a friend or someone close to them before they ever come to a university official,” Harrell said. “What we recognized is that we didn’t have a lot of education for our student body or others who might be in that close relationship on how to have that conversation.”

Stand Up focuses on dialogue with survivors of sexual assault rather than bystander intervention, which is more the focus of A&M’s Green Dot program, said Denise Crisafi, a health promotion and Stand Up coordinator.

“Basically what we are trying to teach them with Stand Up is how to respond in a trauma-informed way to another student, a classmate, a roommate,” Crisafi said. “Maybe it’s

friends back home; maybe it’s even a family member like a younger brother or sister or a niece or a nephew who says that they’ve experienced a form of power-based personal violence.”

While COVID-19 has changed the landscape of Stand Up workshops, the resources recommended in the program are still available, and the material in the course hasn’t changed much, Jones said.

“I think that there are ways where those skills can be adapted to a more virtual environment, but what I would say with the content is it’s virtually the same,” Jones said. “Even when we think about our counseling and psychological services, you know they are having the virtual counseling sessions knowing that folks can still go to the hospital and get a SANE exam by our SANE nurses.”

However, some adjustments were needed for Stand Up as it moved from in-person workshops to an entirely online format, Harrell said.

“We did do a little bit of a shift to provide it in the context of the online environment, [but] largely the curriculum and the structure

of the workshop has remained the same, and we’re just utilizing things like breakout rooms to try and do some of the group activities we would normally do in person,” Harrell said.

The environment surrounding sexual assault is continually changing as people find new ways to communicate, especially with the influx of users online, something Stand Up is conscious of, Crisafi said.

“Our content remains relatively static in terms of teaching about trauma-informed care, but the examples that we use in terms of when we’re teaching and facilitating to groups, the examples that we use will start to evolve based on what we know individuals in our community are experiencing,” Crisafi said.

Crisafi said Zoom has been beneficial for the Stand Up workshop in some ways. It’s easier for those interested in the workshop to register and attend.

“We’ve actually reached more students, as of today, if you think about the fall semester, we’ve reached more students now than we did in person for the entire fall semester in 2019,” Crisafi said.

Meredith Seaver— THE BATTALION

There are signs posted throughout Kyle Field and announcements played over speakers to remind spectators to wear face coverings.

BJORK CONTINUED failures of the protocols, Bjork said.

“There were some mixed signals that were sent and some of the ushers were saying, ‘Keep your masks on,’ and some ushers were saying, ‘You don’t have to keep your mask on,’” Bjork said. “That was just a mistake and something we can easily fix. That will lead to a lot more consistent follow up and enforcement if we do have to.”

Bjork said there will be an increase in the number of staff members in the student section to better enforce the protocols. Removal of uncooperative individuals will continue to be a last resort, Bjork said.

“If someone’s not paying attention or they’re not following the protocol, then we have a duty to remove them from the stadium,” Bjork said.

“We have to do a better job with the operation-

al pieces of it, the enforcement piece of it, the communication of it. We’re asking the fans, the 12th Man, to do their part and then we have to do a better job as well.”

Hurley previously said uncooperative individuals would be given “seven or eight” chances to wear their masks properly before being removed from Kyle Field.

“If we have a problem with an individual, we will go get a university police officer or law enforcement and we will ask you to depart,” Hurley said. “We sure don’t want to do that.

Everybody has to participate in this for it to work.”

Almost two weeks after the Vanderbilt game, Bjork said he is not aware of anyone contracting COVID-19 after attending the game, though he said that doesn’t mean the game hasn’t resulted in positive cases.

“We’re nine days out from the game, we’re

probably in that window where we would see an increase [in positive cases],” Bjork said.

According to A&M’s COVID-19 dashboard, 95 new cases among students and 13 among faculty and staff have been reported since the Vanderbilt game on Sept. 26. The dashboard was last updated on Oct. 7.

In the event of a rise in positive cases, Bjork said it is important to remember that the data could be related to game day activities rather than game attendance.

“It’s not only the game, it’s if you’re not at the game, what’s your behavior? Where are you going? Are you going to a house party, are you going to a restaurant/bar?” Bjork said. “It may be more related to the game day weekend versus being in the stadium where you’re outside and there’s air flow.”

Since the athletic department still doesn’t fully know the effects of the Vanderbilt game,

Bjork said he doesn’t anticipate a change in capacity restrictions at Kyle Field.

“At this point there hasn’t been any indication one way or another,” Bjork said. “We’re just monitoring everything, let’s see if there’s any data that comes in this week from the Vanderbilt game.

Let’s make sure we do all the right things at the Florida game so we don’t lose any opportunities, and then let’s see if there’s any impact. That’ll dictate where we go.”

In an appearance on A&M’s Studio 12 radio show in August, Bjork said the SEC’s stance on the 2020 football season was to wait to make any decisions until they had sufficient data. As far as tailgating in Aggieland goes, those sentiments remain the same.

On Oct. 4, A&M announced it would extend its ban on tailgating to include Saturday’s matchup against No. 4 Florida, a decision Bjork said was a result of insufficient information regarding how the game day tradition would affect the community.

“In this case with the Florida game decision, we probably just didn’t have enough data to tell us what the impact was from the Vanderbilt game,” Bjork said. “One of the things we’ve learned throughout this is the more time you have, the better information you have and wait as long as possible to make decisions. In this case, there just wasn’t enough data to tell us one way or another so let’s take the safe route and not have tailgating.”

While the Vanderbilt game served as a test to see if the protocols worked, Bjork said he was ultimately pleased with how well the protocols worked.

“Last week we had about 24,000, so we were about 3,000 short of 25 percent,” Bjork said. “Overall it was a great experience and we learned a lot and we know that we can get a few more thousand in there.”

Bjork said success with the operation of this weekend’s game will dictate how quickly everything can return to normal.

“The biggest thing is we analyze all of this if we want to start bringing things back, whether it’s increased capacity or the band on the field or tailgating — we have to do our part,” Bjork said. “We’re asking people to show great leadership and make the commitment to those Core Values of being excellent and selfless service. Let’s do this game right so we can continue to not only open things up but also just be able to go to games.”

FOOTBALL

4

The Battalion | 10.8.20

5 things to watch for during A&M-Florida

Senior quarterback Kellen Mond is at 7,886 career passing yards, 126 shy of setting Texas A&M’s new passing yards record.

Meredith Seaver — THE BATTALION

By Emily Wedemeyer @emilynwed

1 3

Following a close season-opening win over Vanderbilt and loss to Alabama last week, Texas A&M fans are anxious for the Aggies to have a breakthrough on both sides of the ball. Though not impossible, dominating

Kyle Trask Florida has a reliable playmaker in senior quarterback Kyle Trask. Trask is a native Texan from a family of Aggies, even claiming to be named after Kyle Field.

Under Florida coach Dan Mullen, commonly referred to as the “quarterback whisperer,” Trask posted almost 3,000 passing yards and 25 touchdowns last season and is widely credited for changing the trajectory of Florida’s football program. Applying pressure to the Heisman-hopeful will be imperative to crippling the Gators’ offense and keeping A&M in the game.

Florida’s offensive weapon Kyle Pitts is one of the best tight ends in college football right now. Florida’s offense has an incredibly dangerous weapon in the 6-foot-6 junior routinely used as a means of driving downfield.

Pitts is a continuous target in the Gators’ passing game due to his vertical ability and versatility.

With 54 receptions for 649 yards and five touchdowns last season and two receiving touchdowns last week against the Gamecocks, Pitts has proved to be difficult to contain and will be a daunting matchup for the A&M defense.

4

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No. 4 Florida this week will be no easy task. Here are five things to keep in mind as No. 21 A&M hosts the Gators at Kyle Field on Saturday:

A&M’s pass defense A&M’s secondary struggled last week against Alabama’s elite offense.

Cornerbacks Myles Jones and Jaylon Jones, as well as safeties Leon O’Neal Jr., Demani Richardson and Keldrick Carper will be put to the test again this week against the Gators’ strong passing game. Whether A&M’s defensive backs continue to be outrun or miss assignments will be a determining factor in Florida’s ability to score quickly and conveniently. The Aggies must create interference and apply pressure to put up a worthwhile fight.

Record within reach A&M senior quarterback Kellen Mond is 125 passing yards shy of being A&M’s all-time leader in career passing yards as he enters this week’s game with 7,886. The veteran offensive leader is having to build chemistry with young wide receivers, as his prior go-to receivers, Jhamon Ausbon and Camron Buckley, are not suiting up this season. Sophomores Ainias Smith, Jalen Wydermeyer and freshman Chase Lane are among those stepping up as playmakers and currently lead the team in receiving yards.

5

The red zone Florida has proven to be consistent in the red zone with a perfect success rate this season.

With seven of the 11 successful attempts being passing touchdowns, A&M’s defense will have to be mentally and physically present in order to defend against Florida’s strategic offense, currently ranked No. 13. While the Gators have shown a steady performance when in scoring position, A&M will be their toughest opponent thus far and could shut down the national championship contenders near the goal line.

FOOTBALL

5

The Battalion | 10.8.20

AROUND THE SEC A LOOK AT THE CONFERENCE IN WEEK 3

By Casey Stavenhagen @CStavenhagen

The questions surrounding the SEC are getting answered. Can the air raid — looking at you Mike Leach — work in the SEC? Only so much, SEC defenses are still SEC defenses. Will Georgia’s quarterback situation be its downfall? No, Stetson Bennett proved he is the real deal. How many times are Kyle Trask and Kyle Pitts going to connect for a touchdown? A

lot. A whole lot.

The one question still looming over the SEC is, “Who is the best team?”

This week, the SEC gets closer to that answer, as the matchup between Tennessee and Georgia takes one team’s coveted “and-oh” from their record.

No. 14 Tennessee (2-0) at No. 3 Georgia (2-0)

No. 2 Alabama (2-0) at Ole Miss (1-1)

Saturday, Oct. 10 — Sanford Stadium — Athens, Ga. 2:30 p.m. on CBS

Saturday, Oct. 10 — Vaught Hemingway Stadium — Oxford, Miss.

5 p.m. on ESPN

Georgia’s defense is smothering. Last week, they held Auburn’s quarterback Bo Nix to a pitiful 4.4 yards per attempt and a completion percentage of 52. Among Georgia’s defense is defensive back Richard Lecounte, who is one of three SEC players with two interceptions. The Bulldogs were also brutal on the defensive line, only allowing 39 yards on 22 attempts.

Offensively, quarterback Stetson Bennett has helped Georgia ramp up production, putting up 62 total points in six quarters.

Now that Georgia has found its source of leadership in a former walk-on, the offense has been unstoppable and the defense has been immovable. Where some SEC teams, such as Florida and Mississippi State, have opted for a modern passing game, Georgia has dominated in an old-fashioned,

gritty ground game. The Bulldogs have run for 323 yards and three touchdowns in 87 attempts, the second-most tries in the SEC. This game will be interesting since Tennessee has also dominated the run game, particularly through the legs of SEC-leading running back Ty Chandler.

Tennessee matches Georgia with a similarly stingy rush defense that has only allowed 107 yards per game. Add in linebacker Deandre Johnson, who leads the SEC with four sacks, and the defensive battle begins.

Tennessee’s quarterback Jarrett Guarantano, as well as Georgia’s Bennett, have protected the ball well, throwing zero interceptions.

In a game of stiff defenses and methodical offenses, mistakes and turnovers will be key to give one team an edge.

Prediction: Georgia 24, Tennessee 17

The Rebels and the Crimson Tide will meet on Saturday with high-caliber offenses holstered. The clock will strike five in Oxford, and an old-fashioned shootout will occur. Ole Miss is fifth in total yards per game in the FBS, while Alabama is fifth in passing yards per game in the FBS. Alabama has not been particularly challenged, and quarterback Mac Jones has been excellent. Jones has thrown for 684 yards and six touchdowns at 74 percent completion, granting Jones the third-best QBR in the FBS. Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral has the best QBR at 715 yards and seven touchdowns on 76.7 percent completion. Both quarterbacks have thrown one interception, and both defenses have forced one interception against starting quarterbacks. On the stat sheet, the only separation is the Rebels’

rushing yards allowed, as they gave up an absurd 408 yards against Kentucky in their 42-41 win last week. Alabama coach Nick Saban is undoubtedly looking to exploit this weakness through veteran running back Najee Harris who has 141 yards and five touchdowns on 29 carries this season.

Much of Ole Miss’ defensive failures last week came from Kentucky’s dual-threat quarterback Terry Wilson, who rushed for 129 yards. Alabama’s Jones has shown little capability to scramble to Ole Miss’ aid.

Nonetheless, Alabama knows how to adapt to its opponents, and barring a turnaround in Ole Miss’ rushing defense, the key lies in ground game production opening up more quality passes for the Crimson Tide.

Prediction: Alabama 52, Ole Miss 38

WEEK 3: STAFF PICKS A&M vs. Florida Saturday, Oct. 10 at 11 a.m. on ESPN

Brady Stone

Camryn Lang

Editor-in-chief @bradystonex

Managing Editor @CamrynLang

I’m scared of any and everyone named Kyle.

Jimbo should be too.

BRADY

Hannah Underwood

CAMRYN

Sports Editor @hannahbunderwoo

HANNAH

It’s gonna be a Kyle-palooza at Kyle Field on Saturday.

Google “Florida man October 10” and tell me you’re not scared.

Jennifer Streeter

Assistant Sports Editor @jennystreeter3

What the frick is up Kyle, no what did you say, what the frick dude, step the frick up Kyle!

JENNY Meredith Seaver

Photo Chief @MeredithSeaver

MEREDITH

If halftime is as sad as it was against Vanderbilt, we aren’t winning any part of this game.

CORI

Assistant Photo Chief @kayleecogbill

SHELBY

We’re definitely about to get chomped...

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*Trying to stay positive* See ya later Florida Gators!

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The Battalion | 10.8.20

OPINION

Creative Commons

Opinion writer Zach Freeman says an altered spring semester schedule isn’t cause for concern.

Students should be open to a shorter Spring Break Opinion writer Zach Freeman says a shortened spring break may be a worthwhile change

By Zach Freeman @ZachAtBatt

T

exas A&M is likely to have a shortened spring break next semester. Many people’s first instinct may be to resent this idea. I don’t blame you. Spring Break is a time-honored tradition. How dare they try and take it from us? Don’t they know how stressed we are at that point in the semester? Typically, I’m pretty averse to supporting the university on things with which students don’t seem to agree. Many universities are considering or planning on shortening this holiday and in many of these cases, students have reacted with outrage online. I understand the frustration. Everyone needs a break every once in a while. I had a similar gut reaction, but a shorter Spring Break may not be so bad after thinking it through.

I’m sure everyone remembers last semester’s Spring Break when the pandem-

ic suddenly gifted us an extra 10 days. It was such an unprecedented action that it felt like the world was on fire. It was especially causing chaos for the professors and creating uncertainty about how and when the academic year would continue.

Throughout my college experience, life has always spiked Spring Break with a little bit of dread and anxiety. The holiday happens to fall on the week when many classes will have their third exam of the semester. To accommodate, some courses must have their exam a week early, giving less time for students to study. Others have their exams the week immediately following the break, leaving many students thinking on Sunday, “Crap! I forgot to study for my test tomorrow!” Any extended period with no classes has always completely wiped my mind of any academic knowledge.

Afterward, I don’t know if I’d trust myself to take a spelling test, let alone try to struggle through college chemistry or calculus. These major exams right after a

week of relaxation have always felt like a pop quiz to me.

Not to mention, the talk of the town, the thing on everyone’s minds: the coronavirus. Who knows what the pandemic will look like by March. We may have it mostly figured out, with fewer positive cases and easing quarantine restrictions.

But the last thing we need is another explosion of cases to propel us back to the same point we were last spring. There’s no sense in dealing with COVID-19 any longer than we have to. A shorter Spring Break means less time for party-goers in Florida and the Gulf Coast to contract and spread the virus.

Now this Spring Break, we should all want to drink Corona, not catch it. All bad one-liners aside, A&M’s timing has always felt off. Early to mid-March has always been a terrible time for a vacation. More often than not, I’ve had to cancel plans or stay inside due to the chilly, wet weather. The first official day of spring, March 20, doesn’t come

until a week after the end of our Spring Break, March 13. The average high is in the low 70s, with an average low in the 50s. How much fun and sun can we get with that? It still sounds to me like sweater weather.

There have been no specific plans announced yet, but a shortened Spring Break may even give us more options.

From my experience, when they shorten or elongate part of the school year, they usually just make up the days somewhere else. Perhaps we can get an early summer or more holidays off? During a global pandemic, things were bound to get shuffled around. But it might just be a chance for things to get moved in a better direction. No one likes change, but sometimes it takes living through it to see it’s not so bad after all.

Zach Freeman is a anthropology junior and opinion writer for The Battalion.

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The Battalion | 10.8.20

PROVIDED

Members of Phi Delta Theta and Texas A&M Gents volunteer through 99 Tutors to provide tutoring to the College Hills Baptist Church community.

Mentoring the next generation Phi Delta Theta, A&M Gents work with local church to provide tutoring services

By Alyssa Gafford-Gaby @AGaffordGaby Two organizations at Texas A&M are working together to provide free tutoring and scholarships for young students in Bryan-College Station.

In 2010, 99 Tutors, a tutoring service company, saw a need for tutoring children at College Hills Baptist Church. President and founder of 99 Tutors, Detrick Eaton, said while they have worked with numerous organizations on campus, Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and Gents of Texas A&M have been the two most consistent groups.

“The guys with Phi Delta Theta and the Gents of Texas A&M have been relentless in their pursuit of helping mentoring and provid-

ing weekly tutoring to these students,” Eaton said.

Since the program began, both organizations have tutored students, ranging from elementary to high school levels, two nights a week.

Electrical engineering senior and President of Gents, Dylan Peake, said the opportunity to help young students allows for the organization to grow as community leaders.

“This tutoring program touches on two things: one is a core value of A&M, which is

selfless service, and one is a core value of Gents of Texas A&M, which is altruism,” Peake said. “If we want to be able to call ourselves not only a brotherhood organization, but a leadership organization, we actually have to be leaders in our community and step up. This is a great way to do that.”

Biology senior and Vice President of Gents, Drew Irion, said he has experience tutoring college students as a supplemental instruction leader, but there is something more fulfilling about tutoring children.

“Seeing the kids get into their schoolwork and have a passion for learning is what I do it for,” Irion said. “I tutor college kids all day, but they don’t actually want to be there, they just want a good grade and then you see the kids and they actually want to learn the material.”

Working with the children on a weekly basis and watching them improve has been fulfilling for both organizations, agricultural economics senior and Phi Delta Theta Chapter President Marshall Hammack said.

“We love to do this and we love to help out,” Hammack said. “Having this relationship with the church has been so fulfilling. Our principles are friendship, sound-learning and well-rectitude, and we thought this was a great opportunity to mix all three of our values together with the tutoring and scholarships.”

Along with weekly tutoring sessions, the two organizations collaborate on fundraising each year to provide scholarships for graduating seniors who have gone through tutoring at the church. “[Phi Delta Theta] and the Gents provide a scholarship to students who have attended tutoring regularly and we work with the church to review the applications,” Hammack said. “Our chapter provides $850 to make sure they can get books and supplies so when they get to school, they have one less thing to worry about.”

The organizations have continued tutoring during COVID-19, offering both in-person options with masks and social distancing, as well as Zoom options.

Peake said whether in person or online, this program helps younger students excel and helps those tutoring build passion for giving back to the community.

“Besides the fact that this program helps our community, it is able to develop our members and it gives them a long-lasting passion to benefit the community,” Peake said.

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