thebattalion l monday,
february 4, 2013
l serving
texas a&m since 1893
l first paper free – additional copies $1 l © 2013 student media
‘One Big Thanks’
COURTESY
This year’s Big Event Conference marked the largest one yet with 112 delegates from different universities, sharing the same vision by saying “thank you” to their communities through The Big Event.
Delegates from universities nationwide exchange ideas for Big Events Jennifer Keith
The Battalion rawn together by a common goal and purpose, students from around the country gathered at A&M to promote community-wide service in their areas. Representatives from 23 universities joined A&M’s Big Event staff in the MSC for a conference Saturday, creating an environment where students could learn from one another
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movies | 5 Zombie love
“Warm Bodies,” the newest zombie movie to hit theaters, combines love and the living dead in a story that will surprise and delight audiences.
career | 5 Job tips Career Center officials and students give input on how to prepare for the job and internship application processes.
corps | 6 Scouting for the future This weekend, the Corps of Cadets hosted junior and senior high schoolers for its bi-annual Aggie Eagle Program event. The program introduces Eagle and Girl Scouts to core traditions, experiences and the A&M campus.
and discuss ways to grow and better their upcoming day of service. Although this year was the seventh annual conference, it marked by far the greatest representation of students from across the nation to date with 112 delegates sharing the same vision of saying “thank you” to their community through The Big Event. Will Nereson, a Big Event outreach executive and senior industrial distribution major, said he saw this year’s conference as a testimony to the national impact of The Big Event.
“The conference is a way for [others] to tangibly see that impact,” Nereson said. “There’s much more to it than just our one Big Event.” Nereson emphasized the theme of this year’s Conference, “One Big Day,” and noted its connection to The Big Event’s national vision. “All of these schools from all over the nation have their separate Big Events, so we will gather them together on one day and all perform our Big Event on that day,” Nere-
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Kirby Ennis
COURTESY
to be “cussing” at him before showing the weapon. The firearm was found in Ennis’ vehicle but he told police he tried to “ease” the gun into the back seat so as not to break a window and that his actions could not be construed as a threat. Ennis defensive lineman started 11 games for A&M in 2012 and recorded 24 tackles and one sack. Mark Doré, staff reporter
Jenna Rabel — THE BATTALION
Isabel Caldwell, Lindsey Dwyer, Megan Tschoepe, Audrey Dwyer, Kim Doll celebrate a touchdown during a Super Bowl watching party. The Baltimore Ravens defeated the San Francisco 49ers 34-31.
texas legislature
Students confront difficulty of texting ban enforcement Sarah Gibson
Tanner Garza — THE BATTALION
Sending or receiving a text takes a driver’s eyes off of the road for an average of 4.6 seconds, which is equivalent to driving 55 mph down the length of an entire football field blindfolded.
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See Conference on page 4
Touchdown!
A&M suspends football player after Friday arrest A&M defensive tackle Kirby Ennis was arrested Friday night on charges of publicly displaying a firearm and disorderly conduct after an incident at the intersection of Holleman Dr. and Harvey Mitchell Parkway. Ennis was released early Saturday morning after posting a $2,000 bond. A&M spokesman Alan Cannon said Ennis has been blocked from participation in football activity. “Texas A&M officials have been made aware of the arrest of football player Kirby Ennis and according to athletics department policy he is immediately suspended from all team activities pending further investigation,” Cannon said. Police responded to an eyewitness report that said Ennis flashed a gun at another car while stopped at a stop light, according to a probable cause statement released by the College Station Police Department. The witness said Ennis sounded his horn at him several times and appeared
son said. “That’s the ultimate vision that The Big Event is going toward. We are also labeling that as a national service project for college students.” The conference consisted of round table discussions on topics such as recruitment of volunteers, technology and how to start a Big Event, and featured guest speakers such as vice president for Student Affairs, Lt. Gen. Joseph F. Weber, and vice chancellor of recruitment
The Battalion As cellphones become as much an extension of the arm as a hand, it is natural for cellphone use to carry over into other day-to-day activities, distracting its user from more attentionworthy tasks — such as driving. According to the Department of Transportation, last year 81,000 crashes involved a cell phone and 361 of those crashes were fatal. This year, the 83rd Texas Legislature introduced a bill aimed at banning the practice of texting while driving. Texas is one of 11 states that do not have a statewide law prohibiting texting while driving. There are two restrictions for drivers under the age of 18 and for bus drivers: it is prohibited
to use cell phones while operating a vehicle, and to use hand held phones in school zones. Twenty-five cities in Texas such as Austin, El Paso, Dallas, Galveston and San Antonio have passed local laws against texting while driving within city limits. “There should be a law against texting because it is so distracting,” said Moises Macias, junior technology management major. “However, this is such a controversial issue and there will be a lot of trouble enforcing it.” Rep. Tom Craddick from Midland introduced a bill last legislative session to ban texting. The bill passed both chambers, but Gov. Rick Perry vetoed it. “Texting while driving is reckless See Texting on page 3
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