Issuu

“BILL & TED” REVIEW ON PG. 5

RUDDER ADAPTS ON PG. 3

Third COVID-19 cluster identified at A&M Squadron 17 cadets self-isolating after exposure to positive cases By Brady Stone @bradystonex Following two reported clusters of COVID-19 cases at sorority houses, Kappa Kappa Gamma and Delta Delta Delta, in early

August, Texas A&M has reported a third cluster — this time in Squadron 17 of the university’s Corps of Cadets. According to the Clery Act section of A&M’s COVID-19 website, this cluster was first reported on Sept. 2 Squadron 17, also known as “Challenger 17,” is an all-male Air Force outfit in the Corps that contains 64 students. Squadron 17 is housed in Dorm 7 on The Quad along with

Squadron 3, Squadron 4, Squadron 8 and the First Wing Staff. A&M Associate Vice President of Marketing and Communication Kelly Brown, said no cadets from that Corps unit remained in their dorm and all members are either off-campus or in a temporary room on campus designated for self-isolation. “Under A&M’s policy, those who received

Confirmed clusters Kappa Kappa Gamma (8/20) Delta Delta Delta (8/20) Corps SQ-17 in Dorm 7 (9/02)

SQ-17 ON PG. 2

Meredith Seaver — THE BATTALION

A&M President Michael K. Young will retire from his position in May 2021.

Search committee created to find next A&M President National search underway for President Young’s replacement By Myranda Campanella @MCampanella_ Meredith Seaver — THE BATTALION

said she is overcoming the feeling of isolation by pouring herself into her activities and organizations. “I’m still just trying to remain consistent with those organizations that I’ve committed myself to,” Telschow said. “It is a really good way to just keep my head up and keep on keepin’ on towards a goal.” To end the stigma of mental illness on college campuses, Active Minds TAMU is hard at work continuing to promote the importance of students’ well-being during this difficult time. Active Minds president and visualization junior Margaret Myers said that although doing most activities through a virtual format makes it easy for students to isolate themselves, the importance of social interaction remains unchanged.

Following President Michael K. Young’s announcement of retirement set for May 2021, a national search is now underway for the next president of Texas A&M. A&M System Chancellor John Sharp announced in a Sept. 3 news release that a new search advisory committee has been created to find Young’s successor. The committee consists of 17 members from across the university system, including two members of the Board of Regents, Chairman Elaine Mendoza and Vice Chairman Tim Leach. “The search advisory committee is charged with delivering a minimum of three candidates to Chancellor Sharp who will [then] refer one of them to the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents,” the press release said. Though Young’s retirement is not effective until May 31, 2021, Sharp said the decision to begin looking for the next president is of “paramount importance” as the university works through challenges in response to the current global situation. “We want a president with superb academic credentials who recognizes and will maintain the special culture and traditions

MENTAL HEALTH ON PG. 2

COMMITTEE ON PG. 2

Students looking to speak with someone about their mental health can schedule an appointment with Texas A&M Counseling and Psychological Services at caps.tamu.edu.

‘There is joy to be found’ Aggies look for positivity amid COVID-19 pandemic at time when many are balancing mental health, coursework By Shelby McVey @shelbyxbreann

s Texas A&M’s positive COVID-19 cases continue to rise day-by-day, students feel the physical and emotional toll. Maintaining health and safety procedures and handling the stress of classes are two of many responsibilities that can weigh students down during this time. With so much to worry about, students like English senior Madi Telschow are noticing the down-

fall of their mental health. “The way that I have felt during this quarantine is that I’m constantly on the edge of this cliff,” Telschow said. “I feel like I have to be doing everything possible to maintain my mental health being that I struggle with mental illness. If I don’t do my perfect routine or I don’t take my meds for even one day, I almost fear that I’m going to fall off that cliff.” On top of the pressure of being a college student, Telschow said maintaining her mental well-being has been anything but easy. “Having to be so self-disciplined and being self-aware has almost been anxiety-inducing for me,” Telschow said. “I think I’ve been really fortunate that aside from the stress of the situation we are facing, I haven’t gone into this deep depression, but it definitely does put me down a little.” To remain optimistic while surrounded by her bedroom walls in quarantine, Telschow

Aggies cheer through pandemic Texas A&M’s competitive cheer team finds new ways to show their spirit By Emily Wedemeyer @emilynwed Although they do not cheer on the sidelines of Kyle Field or appear at other sporting events, Texas A&M does, in fact, have cheerleaders and they have made a name for themselves as back-to-back national champions. The all-girl competitive cheerleading squad earned the title of National Cheerleading Association Champions in Daytona Beach, Florida, in 2018 and 2019. The team was stripped of the opportunity of earning a three-peat this year, as their season was cut short last spring due to the coronavirus. As with other athletics teams and organizations, A&M’s cheer team is having to acclimate to a new normal in order to comply with the COVID-19 restrictions and regulations.

Jordin Bourg, a junior and third-year member of the team, has assumed the role of treasurer this year. She said despite the abnormal circumstances, the team is still holding tryouts planned for mid-September and is excited to acquire new members. The tryouts will be held in person as normal, but will be formatted differently. “For the actual tryout process, we are not allowed to touch each other, which means we cannot stunt,” Bourg said. “We are requiring each candidate to highlight themselves through a video in which they are supposed to have certain [group] stunts performed, the same skills we would’ve asked to see at open gym and in-person tryouts.” Technology has proved to be an incredibly useful resource amid these unideal circumstances, but Bourg said virtual tryouts don’t come without their challenges. “I think something really unique about CHEER ON PG. 7

Via Texas A&M Cheer Squad Facebook

The Texas A&M cheer team is an all-girl competitive cheerleading squad.

NOW! www.blinn.edu

Fall Second 8-week courses begin Oct. 9

blinnbound@blinn.edu

Courses that fit your schedule. Tuition that fits your budget.