The Battalion — March 8, 2022 by The Battalion

INSIDE THIS EDITION

CRITICISM: REFLECTIONS NEWS: LIBRARIES TO ON EPHEMERAL ART, PG. 3 SHIFT STRUCTURE, PG. 4

PUBLICATION NOTICE The Battalion will not publish the week of Spring Break and will resume printing on Thursday, March 24.

The Rudder Association A deep dive into the conservative former student group with plans to ‘put the Aggie back in Aggieland’

Graphic by Robert O’Brien — THE BATTALION

The Rudder Association, formed in July of 2020, is a group of largely former students who aim to bring traditions back to Texas A&M’s campus. By Nathan Varnell & Casey Stavenhagen

@collywobbledd & @CStavenhagen Editor’s note: This article was investigated and reported by members of The Battalion’s editorial board: Asst. opinion editor Nathan Varnell, sports editor Casey Stavenhagen, editor-in-chief Myranda Campanella, managing editor Julia Potts, multimedia editor Kyle McClenagan and asst. life & arts editor Caroline Wilburn. It was written by Nathan Varnell and Casey Stavenhagen. The article in no way reflects the personal views of the editors involved. The Battalion follows the Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics for reporting.

n light of recent administrative decisions, a group of predominantly former students known as The Rudder Association have garnered traction across social media for alleged involvement with the decision making of Texas A&M’s top administrators for the future of A&M. Several hundred pages of internal documents from The Rudder Association take credit for influence on a wide-variety of policy changes and more than 10 high-ranking A&M System officials, including the Board of Regents, President M. Katherine Banks and multiple sitting state senators sympathetic to TRA causes. However, following an investigation by The Battalion, statements from TRA President Joe Bourgeois, President Banks and Texas Sen. Paul Bettencourt contradict claims originally made in the internal documents. Since Feb. 14, The Battalion has obtained internal documents from within the Texas-based nonprofit corporation, including meeting minutes, emails, newsletters, budgets and more from sources within The Rudder Association’s private Facebook group and

mailing list who chose to remain anonymous. The Battalion has independently verified the origins of the internal documents with the aforementioned sources.

Public comments vs. private newsletters

Internal documents link the origins of The Rudder Association’s actions back to the 2020 protests to remove the Lawrence Sullivan Ross statue in Academic Plaza, according to newsletters dated July to August 2020 and publications in the months since the association was founded on July 15, 2020, by Keith Hazlewood, Class of 1974. Hazlewood was also a prominent member of the counter-protesters, who showed up in support of the Sully statue during the summer of 2020, as reported on by The Battalion. “The anti-Sul Ross statue protests brought the realization that poisonous theories were also being injected at the grassroots,” the group’s “Fall 2021 Update,” published Oct. 26, 2021, reads. “Clearly, reform was needed from the office of the president to the small groups at Fish Camp and at every level in between.” In a March 2 interview with The Battalion, Bourgeois, Class of 1989, said The Rudder Association is focused on “bringing Aggies together in a loving way.” “[Our vision is] for students to have a great education and understand the culture and traditions of A&M,” Bourgeois said. The association’s website cites its mission “to preserve, protect and perpetuate the Texas Aggie culture, the Spirit of Aggieland and its Core Values and traditions” in order to “put the ‘Aggie’ back in Aggieland.” In an interview with The Battalion, Bourgeois confirmed this to be the association’s mission statement. Bourgeois also said TRA “abso-

lutely” contacts university officials regarding concerns for the future of A&M. When asked about the influence the association has had on A&M’s campus thus far, Bourgeois said, “I wouldn’t know what kind of impact we’ve had. Yet to be seen, I would say.” In the association’s Fall 2021 Update and Member Renewal Letter on its website, Bourgeois said, “The impact TRA has had on this campus in such a short period of time could hardly be overstated.” The same document goes on to take credit for a variety of policy changes and relationships built with university leadership.

“The impact TRA has had on this campus in such a short period of time could hardly be overstated.” JOE BOURGEOIS, TRA PRESIDENT (PER FALL 2021 UPDATE)

In the organization’s first newsletter, dated July 9, 2020, Hazlewood’s call to action includes addressing “abusive” professors, Fish Camp, The Battalion and “attacks” by activists and racists. “We will establish committees for each of the areas we wish to pursue (ex. abusive professors, Fish Camp, destruction of property on campus, attacks on group members by activists and racists, The Battalion),” one item reads. The specific calls to action had been a theme in newsletters from July to August 2020, with five newsletters sent by Hazlewood. Although less explicit about targets, the stated goal in these newsletters was to take on “entitlement

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culture.” “Our plan: Start cleaning up Texas A&M University and then establish chapters at universities and high schools across the state of Texas. We are going to be taking on the ‘entitlement culture’ ideas of those who are rapidly taking over many aspects of our lives,” the group’s first newsletter, dated July 9, 2020, reads. The precise meaning of “entitlement culture,” or what the association intended to “clean up,” is less clear in Hazlewood’s first newsletter compared to later updates, which explains why TRA chose these targets. One example from “TRA Update 3,” dated July 21, 2020, reads: “The Rudder Association will work to reverse the cultural trend of radical [extremism] that has taken hold at Texas A&M University.” Hazlewood echoed this sentiment during an interview with The Battalion on March 2, in which he said critical race theory is dividing campus. “People want their kids to go to A&M because they think they will be less likely to run into things like being told if you’re white, you’re an oppressor and if you’re Black, you’re oppressed,” Hazlewood said. Hazlewood’s fourth newsletter, dated July 28, 2020, identified that TRA wanted to create committees for taking action — including on Fish Camp and The Battalion. “We will look into the possibility of taking over Fish Camp as it exists. It may require stealth to do it, and it may require two to four years. We will probably start another camp to run concurrently until the takeover is complete,” the newsletter reads. The newsletter described starting an alternative student-run publication with the TRA ON PG. 6

SPORTS

The Battalion | 3.8.22

Building consistent winners

Aubrey Kortan — THE BATTALION

Texas A&M golf coach Brian Kortan stands on the Traditions Club Golf Course, where the men’s team practices.

New head coach brings experience to build program success for A&M golf By Brad Bennett @Brad_Bennett13 After over a decade serving as assistant coach in multiple states, Brian Kortan finally has his chance at the helm. When former Texas A&M men’s golf head coach J.T. Higgins left for USC in August 2020, Brain Kortan was promoted to the top job on an interim basis after being an assistant coach since 2013. In what was a difficult period for collegiate athletics, Kortan led A&M on a successful 2020-21 campaign, culminating in an appearance at the NCAA Regionals in Albuquerque, N.M. After the season, Kortan was named head coach by A&M Athletic Director Ross Bjork. “The team did a really good job and had a nice year playing,” Kortan said. “In the end, Ross Bjork and those that were looking to hire the position thought I was the guy for the job.” Fifth-year senior Walker Lee said Kortan puts more trust into the team’s players than

Higgins. “He’s a good friend to everyone,” Lee said. “He coaches us as if we’re one of his buddies and let’s us do our own thing. He has a lot of trust in us.” When Lee originally committed to A&M in middle school, Kortan was one of the main people involved in his recruiting process. “I committed in eighth grade, so I committed really young,” Lee said. “Both of my parents went to A&M, so I [was going] to A&M the whole way. He watched me in a tournament when I was in eighth grade, and I ended up winning. We committed a couple of days later.” Senior Sam Bennett said Kortan’s wealth of experience in the program helped the transition into becoming the head coach. This helped the Aggies find success almost immediately under their new leader. “It was pretty easy because Kortan has been around [the program] for nine years, and J.T. [Higgins] left a good legacy, and we still kind of go by that. Kortan took over and is doing the same things,” Bennett said. “It was a pretty easy transition for all of us. He’s easy to be around, and we all like [being with] him.” Kortan’s ability to relate to his players as a former professional player for 16 years is one of

the main reasons Bennett decided to play for the Aggies. Having played in PGA tour events and even making a US Open appearance in 2008, Kortan has a wealth of experience to share with his players. “He’s a great coach [and leader],” Bennett said. “He’s someone that I vent to, not just for golf stuff, [but] as kind of like a parent. I can go to him when I’m struggling with something off the golf course.” Instead of focusing on goals, Kortan said he wants to help his players constantly improve and hopes it eventually leads to winning. “I don’t really use [goals],” Kortan said. “My belief as a coach within this program is that coach [Matt] Fast and myself [are] going to try to do everything we can to raise their level to help them be the best version of [themselves] and help this team be the best they can be.” Kortan helped Bennett, currently one of the top collegiate golfers in the country, learn what it takes to win a golf tournament after struggling to do so when first arriving at A&M. “My first two-and-a-half years I was struggling to win a golf tournament, and then we sat down and talked for a while about what needs to happen to win,” Bennett said. “It’s tough in a sport where you don’t win much,

but he told me a few strategies [such as] staying patient to help me when I’m out on the course.” Kortan said he learned about mentoring from his college coach at New Mexico, John Fields, and the head coaches at his former assistant coaching stops — Glen Millican from New Mexico and Higgins from A&M. “I’ve been fortunate enough to be around a lot of good coaches, from my college coach John Fields, to a good friend of mine who I was an assistant coach to, Glen Millican, and then J.T. Higgins here,” Kortan said. His parents were the catalysts behind Kortan becoming interested in golf from the age of 10 in his hometown of Yankton, S.D. “I was probably like 10, in [the] small town [of Yankton,] South Dakota,” Kortan said. “My parents were huge in helping me fall in love with the game, and my dad was an incredibly successful coach — horrible golfer, but a great coach.” Kortan said his favorite part about coaching at A&M is the atmosphere in Aggieland. The opportunities given to students at A&M surprises Kortan every day. “I love the energy around the university,” Kortan said. “I like seeing all the students and student-athletes have opportunities [to succeed]. It’s eye opening every day. I just really like being in the area. The people and the things that A&M stands for [makes the university] a really good place.” Above winning, Kortan wants to get the right players who represent A&M well. Kortan said he thinks this is important to building a program with sustained success. “The easy thing to say is we want to win national championships,” Kortan said. “However, I want to have the right kind of guys that work together and develop those relationships and represent the university, their families and this program the [best] way they can.” Kortan said he would still love to win while building a program Aggies can appreciate, as well as gaining recognition and bringing a national championship back to Bryan-College Station. “Along with that, we want to chase championships together,” Kortan said. “I want to continue to build this program where year in and year out it’s nationally recognized and a program that all Aggies can be proud of.” Bennett said he feels the program is in good hands with Kortan in charge. A&M should be near the top of collegiate golf for a long time, he said. “We’re going to be good,” Bennett said. “He did well last year and he’s had a good fall this year. I think under his leadership we’re gonna remain one of the best teams in college [golf] for a long time.”

LET’S BE FRIENDS Myranda Campanella, Editor-in-Chief Julia Potts, Managing Editor Lauren Discher, Audience Engagement & Special Sections Editor Robert O’Brien, Photo Chief Ishika Samant, Asst. Photo Chief Aubrey Vogel, Co-News Editor Michaela Rush, Co-News Editor Kyle McClenagan, Multimedia Editor & Asst. News Editor Grant Gaspard, Asst. Podcast Editor

Cori Eckert, Design Editor & Business Manager Casey Stavenhagen, Sports Editor Kay Naegeli, Asst. Sports Editor Jordan Epp, Asst. Sports Editor Caleb Powell, Opinion Editor Nathan Varnell, Asst. Opinion Editor Kathryn Miller, Life & Arts Editor Caroline Wilburn, Asst. L&A Editor

THE BATTALION is published Thursdays during the 2021 spring 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.

@THEBATTONLINE

News: The Battalion news department is managed by students at Texas A&M University in Student Media,a unit of the Division of StudentAffairs.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 979-845-2697. For classified advertising, call 979-845-2697. 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.

THE BATTALION

ARTSCRITICISM

The Battalion | 3.8.22

Here now, gone tomorrow: Ephemeral art Art critic Ruben Hernandez reflects on the fleeting beauty of visual, musical art

FILE

The band “Colony House” performed in College Station, where they played their new and classic music pieces. Their Nov. 7, 2016, performance, a one-time experience for fans, is an example of ephemeral art.

Ruben Hernandez @battandmuse

n the history of art, we have been taught that great pieces last throughout the ages. Iconography is so grand it can be recalled just by the name of it, such as the Mona Lisa, the Birth of Venus, The Starry Night and the list goes on. What makes these pieces so recognizable is the acknowledgement of perseverance, that art has withstood the test of time and is still in a recognizable form today. From this, we are taught art is meant to last forever, that human spirit detached into a tangible medium can last forever. Or rather, it should. Nothing lasts forever. It’s the basic law of entropy. Things will deteriorate over time — with that being said, art connoisseurs and museums do their best to preserve art, as they should. It is important to be able to witness the point of view of those able to share their perception from a certain standpoint, such as a specific time period, physical location,

identity of the artist and so on and so forth. But one day, that art will be unsalvageable, and the piece will no longer be in its best physical condition. However, there are artists who purposefully shorten the duration of their artwork or frame it as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The number of such fleeting works, also known as ephemeral art, isn’t considerably vast, since many artists take pride in the longevity of their art. Such examples include the manipulation of nature by Andy Goldsworthy, creating sculptures out of leaves, rocks, ice and other elements in a natural setting. Goldsworthy displays the art pieces in photographs, prolonging the image of the piece while the piece itself erodes over time. Agnes Denes’ “Wheatfield: A Confrontation” was a four-month project in 1982 that consisted of two acres of wheat being planted in the lower section of Manhattan near Wall Street before harvesting 1,000 pounds of crop used for donation and exhibition around the country and world. The “confrontation” stems from the waste, scarcity and mismanagement of food caused by

large corporations and businesses that prioritized wealth over morality. Lastly, Marina Abramovic’s live performance at MoMA cements the importance of the artist and poses the question of how art is experienced and replicated. Abramovic shares a connection with the spectators, granting them a one-time experience that has become accessible only once to an exclusive amount of people. If you really dig deeper, artists’ concerts and performances can also fall under this category of ephemeral art, since such shows focus on the physical appearance of said artist in a live setting, with the adoring fans being the spectators. What all these art pieces and performances have in common is not just the momentary experience, but the capturing of the experience. Photos have been taken, records have been kept, videos were shot but the experience itself cannot be replicated. Goldworthy’s photos cannot express the same vibrancy and fragility as in the real work; Denes’ wheatfield can no longer be replicated in the heart of Manhattan; Abramovic’s interactive performances cannot be done again

once the artist has passed and the phone videos of concerts will never match the experience being felt in that moment. Documentation with photos and videos have desensitized us from real experiences, now seeing such documentation as a crutch for an assumption of art. If anything, such ephemeral art can teach us that we must become more aware and appreciative of that which can be here today but gone tomorrow. Anyone who has experienced a neardeath experience has faced the sudden awareness of our fleeting mortality, how easily it can be cut by unyielding fate yet survived by chance. The world becomes like a film that can be stopped at any moment, yet no pause can be done to stop the flow of action — it marches on. So, when such a piece of ephemeral art has become presented to you, don’t waste time trying to capture the moment, appreciate the piece — your world — while it still lasts in front of you. Ruben Hernandez is a journalism junior and art critic for The Battalion.

NEWS

The Battalion 3.8.22

Libraries to see structural shift, but will not completely digitize despite rumors

Cameron Johnson — THE BATTALION

Evans Library houses a majority of the 6 million books within the university’s extensive collection.

Librarians face shift to ‘service unit,’ potential loss of tenure, faculty roles By Grant Maclaurin @GrantMaclaurin Editor’s Note: The names of sources who requested to be anonymous have been altered or removed to protect their identities. As more structural changes continue to unfold within Texas A&M, administration has been recently criticized for supposed plans regarding the future of University Libraries and

its employees. University Libraries currently consists of five campus libraries run by 147 faculty and staff members, 81 of whom are tenured or tenure-track faculty. With President M. Katherine Banks’ issuance of The Path Forward, multiple alterations have been made to the original recommendations from MGT of American Consulting regarding the functions and composition of A&M’s University Libraries as well as its many employees. However, rumors that administration intends to completely digitize the libraries have been denied by both Chief Operating Officer Greg Hart-

man and associate Vice President of Marketing & Communications Kelly Brown in comments to The Battalion. “Despite the rumors, Texas A&M is not turning the library into an all-digital unit, nor will all of the library be turned into office space. Libraries will continue to play a critical role in helping our students and faculty excel,” Brown said. “We will still have physical books and will modernize technology both inside the building and outside for research and study, while also creating better accessibility to information online. We have amazing collections at both Sterling C. Evans

Library and at Cushing Library, and those will remain priorities and protected.” The original recommendation of the MGT report suggested placing University Libraries under the College of Arts and Sciences and creating a Department of Library Sciences. The final MGT report, published on Oct. 19, 2021, recommended a structural change to the University Libraries, transferring it to the new College of Arts and Sciences and headed by a University Librarian who would work with the Office of the Provost. “Faculty-librarians will have faculty status in this new department. The Dean of the Library will become the Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences and University Librarian. This new Associate Dean and University Librarian would continue to supervise all library operations and lead the faculty-librarians in excellence in teaching and scholarship,” the report reads. Banks has, in response, modified that recommendation, suggesting the University Libraries instead transition into a service unit headed by a “University Librarian” who would report to the Provost. “Due to library systems’ pivotal role in the success of any university, Banks rejected the MGT recommendation of placing the university libraries into the College of Arts and Sciences, instead modifying it to shift the libraries under a ‘service unit,’” The Path Forward document reads. Banks further reiterated the importance of the University Libraries system but clarified her decision to alter the current status of the institution. “There is no doubt that the libraries provide a critically important service for the entire campus. Therefore, I agree that the University Libraries does not belong within one college and Cushing Library should remain within the libraries,” Banks said in the document. “However, I do believe that a significant change is needed in the administrative structure of the libraries. The University Libraries will be administratively modified to become a service unit to efficiently and effectively provide top quality service to the campus community.” Banks has assigned Working Group 14 to consult these recommendations which provide the librarians with two options: either LIBRARY ON PG. 7

OPINION

The Battalion | 3.8.22

University Libraries under siege

Opinion writer Caleb Elizondo says threat to librarians’ autonomy harms A&M’s reputation

OPINION

tling the library’s autonomy, it is how its people are currently mistreated. Faculty have been mostly in the dark and communication has been scarce regarding these changes, which is made all the more troubling due to this proposal’s large scope and small timeline. “Yes, [there is] a lack of communication and a lack of, frankly, forethought,” an anonymous source, who will be referred to as “Dr. O,” said. “These big sweeping changes are being presented, but no communication on how they’re gonna happen, how they look at the end or understanding of what the purpose is. And I think, like most people, you kind of need to know why change needs to happen to know what the change needs to look like.” Cameron Johnson — THE BATTALION Rehiring these faculty members into other departments will likely not be a Opinion writer Caleb Elizondo sheds light on the recent attempts to strip the Texas A&M straightforward process. Because library library system of its established leadership. positions are typically employed 11 to library faculty — obtained by The months of the year, while most othBattalion and authenticated by faculty, Caleb Elizondo er faculty positions are nine months, tenure-track faculty would have the these changes will probably come with @CalebElizondo7 option of either moving into another a significant pay cut for those switching department within the university or departments. Editor’s Note: The names of sources who reverting to staff positions within the This option would likely coincide requested to be anonymous have been altered library. Non-tenure track faculty will be with a change in duties, and likely or removed to protect their identities. completely stripped of their faculty titles. teaching roles, while alternatively taking Many staff and students have expressed a staff position will mean signing over few weeks ago, university leadconcern these changes will endanger the tenure. It is unclear whether other deership threatened the autonomy library’s autonomy. The library, without partments have the desire or resources to of The Battalion. Student leaderany faculty or dean, would be without accommodate faculty from the libraries, ship faced an ultimatum — either meaningful independence and be govand many tenured faculty could be left lose resources including its office in the erned by the university administration. with no place in Aggieland. Memorial Student Center or join the “[Faculty] status provides us at least As a result, many faculty and staff feel proposed journalism department and risk some kind of shield to resist censorship,” marginalized, undervalued and nervous relinquishing journalistic independence. one anonymous faculty member, who about the future. In fact, not a single facWhile these demands have been rescindwill be referred to as “Dr. E,” said. ulty member was willing to speak to The ed for the time being, it should be noted “[Faculty status] also affords [the liBattalion without the protection of anothere are more efforts to strip other insti- brary] a seat at things like Faculty Senate nymity due to fear of retaliation. Change tutions of their autonomy on campus. and Honor Council and all of those kinds is underway, but those with the most to President M. Katherine Banks’ reof responsibilities that librarians contrib- lose are the most afraid to speak out. sponse to the MGT report, “The Path ute to,” another library faculty member, Make no mistake, the ramifications of Forward,” outlines major administrative who will be referred to as “Dr. Y,” told these developments will extend far bechanges to the library system which The Battalion. “[Library faculty] value yond faculty. In order to properly serve would reorient it into a “service unit.” that contribution because it keeps us the student body, faculty must be able As part of the process, the dean of librar- closely connected to the academic misto function in a healthy and welcoming ies would be replaced with a “University sion of the university.” environment. Librarian” who would answer directly to Under the incoming changes, the If Texas A&M develops a reputation of the Office of the Provost. Additionally, ability for faculty to contribute to the disregarding faculty and their contributhe library will “no longer serve as a ten- university’s future in meaningful ways tions to our university, how are we supure home for faculty.” But, what exactly may be lost. posed to recruit top talent in the future? does that statement entail? While undeniably serious, if there is Why would any accomplished scholar According to an informational Poweranything more egregious than dismanchoose A&M if they know other instituPoint — originally distributed via email tions will value their service, knowledge

and tenure? They wouldn’t. In fact, many are already looking to leave. These developments are much more than a staffing issue — the treatment of faculty is a matter of integrity, and one that inevitably affects all levels of the university. Our institution does not exist to be the ideal, efficient machine a CEO may desire; rather it is a living, breathing bastion of knowledge and community. The MGT report and administrative actions do not reflect respect for faculty and the independence of our libraries. We should not be giving deference to a consulting group, but the needs, betterment and sense of respect our Aggie family deserves. The atmosphere of fear suffocating faculty amid these changes is appalling, and conflicts with A&M’s commitment to foster an excellent educational environment and community. If these values require we tolerate some degree of inefficiency or redundancy, then so be it. In a Feb. 21 emergency Student Senate meeting pertaining to the recent controversies surrounding The Battalion, Fish Camp and Draggieland, Banks addressed concerns that student voices were not being considered in upcoming changes. “We will focus on increasing communication and cooperation with students and look forward to taking the next steps with student leaders to achieve that goal,” Banks said to the Student Senate. She, along with Vice President for Student Affairs Joe Ramirez, have reiterated their commitment to ensuring that the student body be consulted in the face of change. So, President Banks: if you truly think students are the “heart of this university,” then it is time to transform your pledges into actions. On that note, undergraduates, graduates, faculty and any others willing to lend their ear: it’s time to make some noise. Not just to preserve our library system, not just for the proper treatment our faculty deserve, but so we can ensure we hold our leadership accountable as well. Caleb Elizondo is an engineering freshman and opinion writer for The Battalion.

NEWS

The Battalion | 3.8.22

TRA CONTINUED help of the student body. “The Battalion has become a publication with a singular point of view and very little diversity of thought. I don’t think there is any way we can change it into a campus ‘newspaper’ anytime soon,” the newsletter reads. “However, with the help of the student body, we may just pull it off. In the meantime, we will create an alternative student-run online newspaper, off-campus, with a different name (The Regiment, The Sabre, Reveille Times).” Editor’s note: Since the online publication of this piece, the editor-in-chief of independent student publication The Regiment, Dylan Bohn, reached out to The Battalion for comment. “We are not editorially associated with The Rudder Association, nor are The Regiment’s core values, which promote integrity and free speech,” Bohn said. In an interview with The Battalion, Bourgeois said the organization is no longer proceeding with these plans to create an alternative student publication and denied rumors that TRA wishes to censor The Battalion. “We would never censor anybody. We are 100% in support of The Batt as far as First Amendment rights,” Bourgeois said. “I don’t know who came up with the ideas to cancel the paper.” Bourgeois also cited First Amendment rights as a top priority for TRA and denied other rumors circulating that the association was involved with the cancellation of this year’s Draggieland event. “We were also accused of trying to get Draggieland canceled. That’s 100% not true,” Bourgeois said. Bourgeois confirmed that some TRA members did not agree with Draggieland and proposed protesting the event, but he ultimately asked them not to infringe on students’ First Amendment rights. This is confirmed by TRA internal meeting minutes from April 12. “As president, I stood up and said, ‘We will not protest the Draggieland because, whether we agree with it or not, they have the First Amendment right to expression of their art,’” Bourgeois said in an interview with The Battalion. “The Rudder Association did not protest Draggieland … We would be hypocrites if we were to protest.”

Involvement with A&M administrators, regents

At the time of the aforementioned July 28, 2020, update on committees, TRA already had a small board of directors and was filing to become a registered domestic nonprofit corporation. To achieve its goals for the future of A&M, meeting minutes from November 2020 detail the group’s first documented efforts to establish relationships with key decision-makers, including A&M Board of Regents and Association of Former Students President and CEO Porter Garner. “[The] plan is to build rapport, get to know them, ask for a follow-up meeting. Don’t want to scare them away. We have to be very care-

ful how we enlighten them. Need testimonials to break through and reach them,” the Nov. 15, 2020, minutes read. “Systemic prejudices against conservative students. Current student sentiment: If you believe in any traditions at A&M, you are automatically racist. We have to make a connection with administrators at A&M.” In an interview with The Battalion, Association of Former Students assistant Vice President for Communications Scot Walker said Garner did meet with Bourgeois but declined to comment on the subject matter discussed. “Mr. Garner, and everyone at the Association [of Former Students], are always willing and eager to listen to the concerns of former students who have a broad range of diverse opinions, and we share those with the university leadership. It would not be appropriate to get into the private discussions,” Walker said. Garner could not be reached for comment at the time of publication. The internal meeting minutes from June 7, 2021, and the Fall 2021 Update both state Banks meets monthly with TRA board members to hear their visions for A&M. In an interview with The Battalion, Bourgeois said he has only met with Banks “four or five times,” in both official and unofficial capacities. Banks could not be reached for comment at time of publication, but associate Vice President for Marketing & Communications Kelly Brown confirmed on behalf of the president that Banks officially met with Bourgeois on Oct. 28, 2021, and Feb. 2 of this year. The documents noted at least two additional meetings on April 15, 2021, and June 8, 2021. “Like all good leaders, President Banks accepts invitations to meet with people — individuals, small groups, large groups — who represent a multitude of interests,” Brown said in a comment to The Battalion. “President Banks doesn’t make decisions based on anything other than what is in the best interest of Texas A&M University.” The July 12, 2021, meeting minutes state Banks told Bourgeois that TRA’s “voice is being heard.” The Oct. 26, 2021, fall update additionally states, “She has taken the helm and welcomed TRA to a place at the table where your voice will always be heard. The Rudder Association is in close contact and meets monthly with Dr. Banks.” The May 23, 2021, minutes also state Banks took action on a concern Bourgeois raised on behalf of TRA. Banks spoke on three issues to Bourgeois, according to the minutes, but in particular about the AALANA Living Learning Community under the Department of Residence Life. In minutes from Feb. 6 and Feb. 21, 2021, TRA board members were noted to describe this program as a form of “segregation” because it groups roommates according to their racial and ethnic identity. The Residence Life website for the community describes it as follows: “AALANA offers a space for shared cultural experience and the opportunity to build a stronger sense of community among students of color within and across the different communities represented in the AALANA LLC,” the page reads.

Banks evidently discussed with Bourgeois why this program was “wrong,” according to the minutes, and told Bourgeois she intended “to address those who promoted it” following her meeting with Bourgeois. According to the internal documents reviewed by The Battalion, Bourgeois also meets frequently with Vice President for Student Affairs, or VPSA, Gen. Joe Ramirez. Bourgeois confirmed in an interview with The Battalion that his conversations with Ramirez date back to the general’s time as commandant of the Corps of Cadets, and they would frequently discuss visions for the university and the Corps. Ramirez confirmed meetings with TRA in a comment to The Battalion. “As the VPSA, I speak to a number of organizations both on and off campus on a daily basis,” Ramirez said. “The last time I talked to the Rudder Association was last March at their annual meeting. As the Commandant of Cadets at the time, I was invited to provide an update on the Corps of Cadets, which I did. The Rudder Association is interested in helping to grow the Corps of Cadets, which I support.” According to the Oct. 26, 2021, fall update, the group states, “General Joe Ramirez ’79 has been appointed as the interim Vice President for Student Affairs and has worked closely with TRA on several areas including reforms of Fish Camp and scholarship support for cadets.” Ramirez was not appointed as interim VPSA until June 3, 2021, nor officially as VPSA until Dec. 17, 2021, approximately three months after the annual meeting Ramirez said he attended, according to Texas A&M Today. It is unclear if, or when, Ramirez “worked closely” or met with TRA since his appointment in an official capacity. Bourgeois additionally told The Battalion he has been in conversations with dues-paying TRA member state Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston). “Not meetings, no. I have talked to my state legislators, you know, via the phone and text. But, I’ve never met with them in person,” Bourgeois said. Bourgeois later clarified he does not currently reside in Bettencourt’s representative district, but was represented by him when Bettencourt served as Harris County tax assessor collector and as his Republican party chairman. According to the internal minutes of TRA’s Jan. 31 and Feb. 6, 2021, board of directors meetings, Bettencourt spoke with Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick about TRA’s concerns with A&M. The minutes also document conversations that outline an effort to influence Banks’ appointment as university president as well as the appointments of new members of the Board of Regents. “[Bourgeois] met with Paul Bettencourt (’79, Rudder member), former Harris County Tax Assessor and major player in Republican party politics and currently a [state] senator. Bettencourt is helping us in BofR [Board of Regents] changes coming (three members rolling off BofR). Paul called Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick immediately to discuss,” the Feb. 6

meeting minutes read. In an interview with The Battalion, Bourgeois said, “I don’t know whether [Bettencourt did call Patrick] or not; I wasn’t there, so I don’t know. I was just concerned about who they were nominating for regents and frankly just wanted a good Ag, somebody that actually understood A&M.” Bettencourt confirmed in an interview with The Battalion he did discuss Banks’ appointment with Bourgeois and said he “probably did” discuss it with Lt. Gov. Patrick because of previous work together on the RELLIS campus. “I did talk to Joe about Kathy Banks’ appointment,” Bettencourt said. “I specifically told Joe that I had a long-term history with Kathy Banks and Chancellor [John] Sharp when we, along with Patrick, got the money for the RELLIS lab approved … I encouraged Joe that Kathy Banks would be a good president selection at that time. Lt. Gov. Patrick already had a favorable opinion of Kathy Banks.”

“DO NOT USE THEIR NAMES BEYOND THE RUDDER BOARD. They do not wish to be outed.” DEC. 1, 2020 TRA MEETING MINUTES

Bettencourt said he could not recall passing messages to Patrick on TRA’s recommendations for Board of Regents appointees who aligned with the association’s views of A&M, despite the statements in the Feb. 6 minutes. The Rudder Association’s first efforts regarding the Board of Regents were to meet with the regents personally. According to meeting minutes from Dec. 1, 2020, the Rudder Association secured the attendance of four members of the A&M System Board of Regents. The meeting minutes obtained by The Battalion were censored by TRA to remove the names of the regents in the meeting as well as other “highly sensitive information.” “DO NOT USE THEIR NAMES BEYOND THE RUDDER BOARD. They do not wish to be outed,” the minutes read on the regents in attendance. Further examination by The Battalion revealed, however, that the censored text could be copied and pasted into a text document to be viewed in its entirety due to TRA using a digital black highlighter to censor. Following quotes are from the uncensored text. The regents in attendance were Regent Michael J. Plank, Regent Mike Hernandez, Regent Cliff Thomas and former-Regent Phil Adams. The meeting was hosted by Bourgeois and TRA board member Tom Huffhines, who is later noted as Regent Plank’s cousin and a key point of contact to the regents. Some initial notes from Bourgeois in the TRA ON PG. 7

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NEWS

The Battalion | 3.8.22

TRA CONTINUED minutes state, “These four regents are in line with our goals. They were upfront with their beliefs. They want to work from the top down. They are very aware of the problems at A&M. They acknowledge the symptoms of bigger problems.” Former A&M President Michael K. Young is a topic of discussion across multiple TRA documents, often for actions taken or not taken during the protests against the Ross statue on A&M’s campus. When mentioning Young, the minutes read as follows: “These four Board Members admitted: • Young fooled them when he was asked if he was a conservative before he was hired. • Need to find a conservative to lead A&M. • They like the new Provost (Mark Weichold) and would like him to stay on.” Regent Plank is referenced, having told Huffhines over a phone call that another regent, Jay Graham, was “wishy-washy,” and although not an outspoken conservative, would go “with the group.” The notes continued to describe possible avenues for approaching Graham and other regents with TRA’s concerns and goals. Regents Robert L. Albritton, Phil Adams and Bill Mahomes were the regents who TRA believed would “roll off” in 2021, prompting the aforementioned appointments that TRA sought to influence through the lieutenant governor and state senators. On Albritton and Mahomes, the minutes stated the following: “Albritton is a troublemaker, and fellow regents have written several letters to the [governor] asking that he be removed. Mahomes is a good guy. He’s the first black member of the Corps of Cadets ’69. Mahomes told [Plank] that Sully should STAY.” Throughout the meeting minutes and other internal documents, Regent Plank appears as active in providing input to TRA. In the Dec. 1 meeting with the regents, Plank suggested TRA “print up some conservative t-shirts to give out and start getting the student body actively inspired for a revival of the Aggie Culture.” In the prior Nov. 24 minutes, Plank pitched an idea to “get conservative speakers signed up for as many speaker slots as possible in order to minimize slots for liberal speakers on campus.” It is unclear from the documents if the statement meant speakers at certain meetings or speakers at the university who have appeared over the past year, such as former Vice President Mike Pence, Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Houston) and conservative commentators Steven Crowder, Michael Knowles and Matt Walsh, as reported on by The Battalion. Plank, Hernandez and Thomas could not be reached for comment. By the time of an email newsletter dated July 5, 2021, received by a source within TRA, the group had “met with 80% of the Texas A&M Board of Regents.” In several documents, The Rudder Association proposed nominating one of their own for membership for the Board of Regents. One name proposed in the Nov. 24 minutes was TRA board member Matt Poling. It is unclear whether TRA ultimately provided input to the governor’s office on the new appointments, but the official appointees became Albritton and Mahomes for new terms and new member James R. “Randy” Brooks in April of 2021, according to the Office of the Texas Governor. The same November 2021 internal meeting minutes note Banks to be in the conversation to become A&M’s next president, following Young. However, Banks was noted to be “a micromanager,” according to the minutes. Before Banks’ appointment in March 2021, TRA secured a meeting with another potential candidate for A&M president, Lt. Gen. Joseph Weber. A former vice president for Student Affairs at A&M from 2008-14, TRA met with him on Sunday, Jan. 17 at 2 p.m., according to uncensored meeting minutes. Although Weber did not become the presi-

LIBRARY CONTINUED remain as faculty and seek a new department to hold their tenure and tenure-track status or convert faculty members to staff, revoking their tenure and tenure-track status. “As a service unit, the University Libraries will no longer serve as a tenure home for faculty. Tenured and tenure-track faculty currently in University Libraries will be accommodated in a new departmental home with a full-time appointment in the University Libraries service unit,” the document reads. A professor at A&M, who will be referred to as “Dr. O” for the purpose of anonymity, said they don’t understand the omission of the research role or the need to designate the library as a “service unit.” “By nature of a library, it is a service organization and they are service units. What worries me is the lack of the use of the word ‘research,’ because we are a Tier 1 research institution, and our library is one of the top in the country right now,” Dr. O said. An anonymous faculty librarian, “Dr. E,” said there is an important distinction between faculty and staff librarians’ administrative status. “As faculty librarians, we are able to apply for grants, collaborate with outside faculty,” Dr. E said. “A lot of what we do is in partnership with other faculty members outside of the library. It also affords us a seat at Faculty Senate and Honor Council where librarians

dent of A&M, he did provide input on several TRA proposals, according to the Jan. 17 minutes. One such proposal was to then-Commandant of the Corps of Cadets Ramirez, drafted as “Double the Corps in Four” as an attachment to later documents, which sets forth a four-year pilot program funded by The Rudder Association to utilize paid recruiters and the Aggie Network to increase the recruitment and retention of cadets.

While corresponding with soon-to-be VPSA Ramirez, TRA was still in contact with then-VPSA Daniel Pugh, who had discussed Fish Camp with TRA across multiple months, according to the meeting minutes. The association developed a committee in 2020 dedicated to researching Fish Camp and drafting a report on perceived problems, which had produced a report, authored by TRA private Facebook group admins Becka Walker Byrd and Holly Walker Porter, by April 12, 2021. Porter declined to comment on the record; Byrd could not be reached for comment. While the report was ongoing, Hazlewood met with Pugh at Pugh’s home on Wednesday, March 10, 2021, according to the minutes of that day. The meeting on Fish Camp occurred just over a month after The Battalion reported on sexual assault and harrassment within Fish Camp.

Hazlewood wanted to give the TRA Fish Camp Report to Pugh, but Pugh suggested it be given to the student leaders who run Fish Camp, who, in March of 2021, still maintained complete control of executive decisions, leadership selection and policy changes, unlike during the 2021-22 academic year. According to the meeting minutes from March 14, Walker Porter said, “Very concerned that Danny Pugh wants this to go to the students. There is no oversight whatsoever. Shocked that the university does not have more oversight. Inmates running the asylum.” Former VPSA Pugh confirmed in an interview with The Battalion that he did meet with TRA members to discuss their concerns over Fish Camp, but he ultimately directed them to talk to the student leadership. “The beauty of this campus is that it’s student-run and student-led, right? And that’s always been why it’s the largest in student leadership for the country,” Pugh said. “So, if you want to critique them, then you should sit with them. But they never reached out to Fish Camp leadership at all.” Pugh said in his later conversations with Hazlewood, when Hazlewood mentioned TRA was drafting a report on Fish Camp, he directed TRA to look at the publicly available evaluations done every year about Fish Camp through Student Life Studies. Pugh also mentioned how the retention rates for students who attended Fish Camp were approximately 95% when he was VPSA. “I asked them if they had ever gone and looked at the publicly available surveys done every year about Fish Camp, and they said no,” Pugh said in an interview. “I sent them to the links for those sites and said, ‘Look, if you’re going to do a report on Fish Camp then you need to listen to the students completing the evaluations.’ I don’t know if they ever did it or not; it was really the last I heard of them.” On Fish Camp, “TRA Update 4” reads, “It seems to be leaning toward ‘diversity’ training, when it should be Aggie Unity training — Per Unitatem Vis (Through Unity Strength). I say ‘seems’ because all I have at this point are anecdotal accounts from a small number of students. However, at least two religious alternative camps have started because of the perception.” Hazlewood goes on in the newsletter to reference a comment made in the private Rudder Association Facebook group, in which a parent states, “The indoctrination begins at Fish Camp.” The parent described their grievance, referencing a coworker’s daughter who had “a boy in her cabin who identified as a girl,” and that counselors asked campers their preferred pronouns. Following, Hazlewood describes TRA’s aforementioned plan of action to either take over Fish Camp or start an alternative camp within the next two to four years. During his March 2 interview with The Battalion, Hazlewood said these comments from “about 50” concerned parents and students caused him to want to take action. “It’s not Fish Camp — it’s gay camp, or it’s critical race theory camp,” Hazlewood said. “But it ain’t supposed to be gay camp. It’s supposed to be learning about being a Texas Aggie. They were teaching the stuff about white privilege and, you know, white people were the oppressor and Black people were the oppressed.” Hazlewood has no longer been affiliated with TRA since a schism in July 2021, he said. When asked about certain parents’ feelings toward Fish Camp as “gay camp” or “critical race theory camp,” Mikayla Slaydon, Fish Camp’s current head director, said in an interview with The Battalion that the camp’s ultimate goal is to foster a universally-accepting environment for all incoming freshmen. “The purpose of Fish Camp is to make sure that all freshmen are welcome, and we aim to transition the incoming freshman class as diverse as they are. We have a lot of programs and a lot of training curriculums that surround tradition and surround what we stand for as a

can contribute to the academic mission of the university.” In relation to the retention and recruitment of librarians, Dr. E said they are concerned there will be, “fewer librarians dedicated to help students with their research and to help faculty members with their projects.” Another anonymous faculty librarian, “Dr. Y,” expressed their concern with student success and the ability of the library to provide resources with upcoming possible changes. “I think it’s going to be not as obvious at first, and it’s going to be a slow bleed, especially for older students who are used to a certain level of help from librarians and the library staff,” Dr. Y said. “I don’t want to underestimate; our library staff [is] incredible. They’re going to see that go down.” Dr. O said they participated in a separate focus group consisting of A&M faculty and MGT consultants outside of the official Path Forward Working Group and said a subject they were asked about by the MGT consultants in the group’s Feb. 25 meeting was the University Libraries’ digitization. When asked about this additional focus group, Hartman said MGT consultants are currently conducting interviews for further research on the libraries. However, he said there is no plan to transition the libraries to all digital services. “MGT Consulting, which of course did the original report, we asked them to do some additional interviews around libraries with the librarians and staff to kind of understand concerns, just go a little deeper on what’s go-

ing on in the library,” Hartman said. “It’s just gathering additional information for the sake of the working group.” The University Libraries system has released a statement acknowledging the support for their library resources. The statement notes Working Group 14 and its work for the “library of the future.” “Unfortunately, at this time, the only information we have is that we continue our work participating in The Path Forward Working Group No. 14, which is tasked with looking at the future of the Libraries’ faculty and now includes envisioning the library of the future,” the statement reads. “We have been told the answers provided by the stakeholders will be the basis of a report due mid-April. We thank everyone who has shown their support for the University Libraries.” Dr. E said they are deeply concerned with the possible changes. “My concern for this is twofold. I’m concerned about what that will do to retention and recruitment of librarians. Texas A&M is well-reputed for its library and that is because we are able to recruit and maintain excellent library faculty members,” Dr. E said. “I’m also really concerned about what moving librarians out of the library will do for the services, the collections and resources that the library gives to campuses. I’m concerned that this will have an impact on the teaching and research mission of the university.” English sophomore Lauren Head, a representative of the Department of English, started a petition against the administration’s plans

“Very concerned that Danny Pugh wants this to go to students. There is no oversight whatsoever. Shocked that the university does not have more oversight. Inmates running the asylum.” HOLLY WALKER PORTER TRA MEMBER (PER MEETING MINUTES)

Bourgeois asked Weber about the subject and the idea of an endowment for growing the Corps, where TRA would cover the room and board of a cadet’s first year. Weber stated his approval, according to the minutes. However, Weber also provided more reasoning to TRA on the importance of a large Corps. Weber’s statements are not expressly representative of The Rudder Association’s board of directors and are not acknowledged any further within the minutes. “It’s about numbers,” Weber is quoted by the minutes. “If you don’t have enough kids in the Corps, they’ll overrun. It’s the same thing in our country. If we don’t reproduce, have kids and raise them right … we’ll be overrun. Other groups having tons of kids and are coming here to overrun our country. When we had people coming in through Ellis Island WE set the rules. Now, we let people in and we let them set the rules for [the] U.S.” The Rudder Association proposed the Corps program to Ramirez in his first documented meeting with Bourgeois, Feb. 3, 2021, at 2 p.m. Documented in the Feb. 6, 2021, minutes, Bourgeois is noted to have said the meeting “went extremely well,” and that Ramirez was “shocked” with what Bourgeois showed him. The two discussed the Double the Corps initiative and Ramirez “loved that.” Bourgeois believed TRA had established its credibility as an organization with Ramirez following the meeting, and in the meeting notes stated that a future meeting was scheduled and Hazlewood would be invited to it. The meeting with Ramirez was the first of several interactions documented by The Rudder Association, and one of many meetings occurring within the same month timespan that established key relationships for the group.

Fish Camp

university,” Slaydon said. “Encouragement of any form toward any identity is not encouraged.” Bourgeois, who was selected to be a Fish Camp namesake for the summer of 2021, said he saw an inconsistency among the camps at his session with their balance of conversations surrounding A&M traditions, academics and social acclimation. “Some camps focus more on the traditions and the culture, some camps focus more on the social engagement, some camps focused on the academics, but it wasn’t consistent,” Bourgeois said. Bourgeois said he did meet with Ramirez to discuss his thoughts on the running of Fish Camp after seeing it first hand, but he denied ever discussing Fish Camp’s values, which during the summer of 2021 included “diversity.” “Gen. Ramirez asked me specifically what I thought about Fish Camp because I was a namesake,” Bourgeois said. “I happened to be a namesake, which had nothing to do with The Rudder Association.” Ramirez confirmed this conversation in a comment to The Battalion. “When I met with [Bourgeois] briefly last summer, I asked him how he enjoyed his experience at Fish Camp,” Ramirez said. “I did the same with every Fish Camp namesake and many of the Fish Camp counselors and attendees that I met last summer, both at Fish Camp and afterward.”

“It’s not Fish Camp — it’s gay camp, or it’s critical race theory camp. But, it ain’t supposed to be gay camp. It’s supposed to be learning about being a Texas Aggie.” KEITH HAZLEWOOD TRA FOUNDER (IN AN INTERVIEW)

As previously reported on by The Battalion, Banks said Fish Camp’s values were changed simply to align them with the university’s Core Values. Ramirez publicly apologized for leaving student leaders out of that decision, among others, in a Feb. 21 university-wide email. “We received instruction from administration that the transition from Fish Camp values to the Core Values at Texas A&M was to make sure that — because we are students’ first impression of campus and what A&M stands for — that we should be aligned with the Core Values of the university to make sure we are sending the same message to freshmen from all the points they receive when they first come here,” head director Slaydon said. Since 2020, The Rudder Association has claimed in its internal documents to have met with several administrators at A&M, including Vice President and Chief Marketing & Communications Officer Marilyn Martell and Chief Operating Officer Greg Hartman, in addition to the aforementioned university President Banks, VPSA Ramirez and Association President Garner. Martell confirmed these meetings on the record, while Hartman said he could not recall for sure if he met with TRA representatives, though both noted it is their job to meet with groups, including former students, on the status of the university. Martell and Ramirez, in addition to state Sen. Bettencourt, were scheduled to speak at TRA’s 2022 annual meeting on March 5, according to the internal meeting notes reviewed by The Battalion. Banks was originally scheduled to attend, though Bourgeois said in an interview with The Battalion she had to cancel due to a prior engagement.

for the University Libraries. The petition has garnered over 2,600 signatures at the time of publication. “In discussing this proposal with fellow undergraduate students, I have yet to receive a positive response. Rather, I’ve received great concern that this may be the first step to a larger movement for the censorship of literature here on campus,” the petition reads. “What we’re seeing is a radical devaluing of not only the book, but members of our faculty, and we won’t sit idly by as this decision is being made.” Similarly, Elizabeth Parry, president of the English Graduate Student Association, wrote a letter to President Banks which was obtained by The Battalion. “My colleagues and I rely on the expertise and hard work of librarians to help us identify research materials which are available either through [the library] system or the interlibrary loans [librarians] maintain with universities throughout the country,” the letter reads. With the changes outlined to Working Group 14, faculty members have said they feel underappreciated and are looking elsewhere for career opportunities. “I feel devalued. I think that the work that we do matters,” Dr. E said. “I think the work that we do matters to our faculty colleagues. It feels like no matter what option we choose, we will lose some of the opportunities to contribute to campus in the ways that we’ve tried to in so long. Every librarian that I have spoken to has been looking for jobs.”

SPORTS

The Battalion | 3.8.22

SEASON RECAP

Photos by Robert O’Brien & Ishika Samant — THE BATTALION

Texas A&M men’s basketball finished its regular season 20-11, and women’s basketball finished its season 14-15. Pictured (from left to right): Graduate guard Quenton Jackson; graduate guard Qadashah Hoppie; sophomore guard Marcus Williams; junior guard Jordan Nixon; junior guard Tyrece Radford and sophomore forward Henry Coleman III.

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