TheBattalion02152012

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Tech reviews Join O’Dell Harmon Jr. in the relaunch of the tech blog as he reviews the Jambox and PLAY 4G by Sony courtesy of AT&T.

● wednesday,

february 15, 2012

● serving

texas a&m since 1893

● first paper free – additional copies $1 ● © 2012 student media

campus

The modern lady

Loftin to address designated tuition

Being a lady is in. Check out our Women’s Issues Wednesday blog.

Tuition increase could reach 3.95 percent for 2012-13 academic year Trevor Stevens

Food delights Join in the pleasures and etiquette of food with Katie Fung in our new Culinary blog as she brings recipes, flavor and your taste buds to life.

The Battalion University President R. Bowen Loftin will announce his recommendation for designated tuition for the coming academic year during the state-mandated public hearing at 3 p.m. Wednesday in room 601 of Rudder Tower.

In an email sent to all University presidents within the Texas A&M System, Chancellor John Sharp set a limit on tuition increases at 3.95 percent for next year.

In 2003, the state legislature delegated its power to set tuition rates to university regents. After each university within the A&M System makes its recommendation, the board of regents will set designated tuition at its scheduled meeting in May. The System did not increase designated tuition last year, and two years ago increased tuition 2.8 percent.

“Even though we have taken measures with the budget, costs continue to increase in terms of infrastructure cost, benefits cost, and we want to ensure we maintain our competitiveness,” said Jason Cook, A&M vice president for marketing and communications.

One of the University’s major priorities this year is merit raises for faculty and staff members. Texas A&M has not authorized a merit program for faculty and staff since See Tuition on page 5

Speak up University President R. Bowen Loftin will answer questions submitted by students during the hearing. Email your question to askthepresident@ tamu.edu.

Diamond action The No .15 Aggie softball team will play its home opener against SHSU at 4:30 p.m.

Basketball sweeps The men’s basketball team knocked off Texas Tech, 47-38, while the women beat Missouri, 56-52.

inside voices | 4 Peace and war America’s future in Afghanistan will be playing a major role in the upcoming general election. What future does this hold for 100,000 American troops serving in the decade-long war on terror?

nation & world

U.S. considers nuclear arms cuts WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is weighing options for sharp new cuts to the U.S. nuclear force, including a reduction of up to 80 percent in the number of deployed weapons. The plan is in line with President Barack Obama’s 2009 pledge to pursue the elimination of nuclear weapons.

The Associated Press

COURTESY PHOTO

A group of Aggie industrial engineering students will contribute to NASA’s Orion space exploration vehicle.

Space aspirations Students help NASA build Orion simulator for astronauts Haley Lawson The Battalion

A

group of industrial engineering seniors will cap their undergraduate careers by helping NASA send a spacecraft to asteroids and possibly Mars.

All seniors graduating with a major in industrial engineering are required to complete a comprehensive Capstone project involving industrial management. These five students landed the project of a lifetime, contributing to the Orion capsule project.

“This is a unique opportunity for the students,” said Justin Yates, assistant professor of industrial and systems engineering. “The project is basically building the lighting system for the mock-up of the capsule. The Orion is the next generation of U.S. space travel. It’s a similar concept to Apollo.”

The group consists of senior industrial engineering majors Chad Cooper, Jay Kapadia, Yaser Alabdulbaqu, Crish Poddar, and senior

industrial engineering and applied mathematics double major Obinna Osuorji.

“We are going to design all the circuitry, and we are also going to have to do all the wiring,” Osuorji said.

NASA provided specifications for the group to follow, but they also want the group to show personality in the project. These students have the liberty to incorporate their own ideas, as well.

“NASA pretty much has a list of specifications we have to follow, and then we will have our own little touch,” Kapadia said.

Astronauts will use this mock-up to practice flight scenarios. It will be used to simulate rescues and take-offs, and familiarize the crew with their seats, switches and control board. Astronauts will train in this capsule for years until the official Orion is ready for flight.

“The astronauts need something to practice on, and it can’t be the real system,” Yates said. “The astronauts would use the mock-up to practice in a realistic physical environment. The job of this Capstone is to recreate as much as possible the physical environment — the same illumination, same capability — but they are supposed to do it at a significantly lower budget. Its purpose is to mimic the real world,

Orion info The Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle was originally part of the canceled Constellation Program. NASA kept the design and renamed it the Orion MultiPurpose Crew Vehicle.

See Orion on page 6

campus

Collegiate meme pages spread across internet Owen Herterich The Battalion Texas A&M students were recently introduced to a little slice of Internet culture through the Facebook page “Texas A&Memes.”

A meme — pronounced “meem” — is a picture with a caption, usually comedic in nature, that addresses subjects ranging from pop culture to broad generalizations about race, creed, gender or socioeconomic standing. Traditionally created on Internet forums including 4Chan and Reddit, memes have recently attracted attention through different collegiate meme pages on Facebook.

Kevin Bean, sophomore political science major and creator of Texas A&Memes, noticed this surge in popularity and decided to create the page.

“I kind of always had an idea about a funny captions See Memes on page 3

Computer Science Jeremy Wright Agricultural Economics Laura Wright Communication Lauren Wyly Interdisciplinary Studies

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by Wilbank by Koby Kob hol h cholo Psych Psyc Psychol Psychology Psycholog P ilck ilc Wilc Wil W Ryan Wilck Sc Science Sci Politicall S d ld en Wild ee een e hle Kathleen Kathle en Scienc Science Scie all Scien a cal Biomedical

Ryan Yeatman Geology Krysten Yezak Educational Admin and HR Development Sarah Yezak Interdisciplinary Studies Tiffany Ynosencio Microbiology Chase Young Sport Management Katherine Young Spanish Lauralee Young Marketing Lauren Young Environmental Geosciences Lauren Young Economics Shaley Young University Studies

iams liiams lliams lli Williams Rachel Willia mology Entomology Forensic Entom h moth moth mo lm llmoth ilmoth il Kelly Wilmoth t History z tz itz Emily Wilpitz ess ie dies d di udi Studies University Studi son ills Wilson Angela Wi u lttture Horticult Horticulture son lson ls Jason Wilson Agricultural Education

W Paul Witkowski Engineering Civil En Witter h Joshua Josh Agriculturall Economics Wolff Ryan R Management Information & Operations M Woltersdorf Jordyn W Health Wolthoff s Alyson Alys Human Resource Development

576 | aggieland

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to have your graduation portrait made for the 2012 Aggieland yearbook

Lauren Youngblood Development Agricultural Leadership and Casey Zander English Sadie Zapalac Biomedical Science Tegan Zealy Animal Science Mark Zemanek Agricultural Economics

son so Wilson Jazmyn Wils e ces c nc Sciences Bioenvironmental Scienc on Wilson Jordan Wilso es ie Studies Interdisciplinary Studie n on Markay Wilson ce ce Scienc Biomedical Science e te Tory Wingate Bioenvironmental Sciences r Winkle Heather r Studies Interdisciplinary Interdisciplinar Rebecca

Abbate Health Ken Abdullah Physics Maegan Ables Finance M Michelle Wildlife Abney and Fisheries Fis Sciences An Andrea Abrams C Commun ication Managem Kelli Adam ent Informat f ion Systems Emil Adamcik Emily Managem ent Informat f io Systems ion Se Adams Seth Spacial Sciences Joshua A Aduddel l Health Teresa Aguilar Human A Resource Develo Developm ent Krystle Ag Aguirre Interdisc iplinary Stu Studies Omobola A Ajao Chemica l Engine Engineer ing Tere Teresa Aldredge Food Scie Science and Technolo gy Denise Commun Alex ication Monica Alexand er Kinesiolo gy Kimberl ee Allen Sara MorganEnglish Allen Agribusin ess Kiley Allred Biomedic al Science Brant Altenhof en Economi cs Matthew Biomedic Altman al Science Seetha Ram Amujula Ocean Engi

Karen Zerda Communication Amanda Zietak Kinesiology Tamara Zuehlke Communication Michael Zurovec Mechanical Engineering Haili Zwiercan & Journalism Agricultural Communications

seniors & graduate students |

577

COURTESY PHOTO

THIS WEEK IS YOUR LAST CHANCE

Britney Wynn Sport Management Christopher Wynne Petroleum Engineering Harika Yalamanchili Biology Jessica Yancey Animal Science Dustin Yates Electrical Engineering

k llk Wilkins c Wil Eric ri er ginee ngineer ng Mechanical Engineering org llenbor ill il illenborg Dana Willenborg ch yc ych ychology Psychology Psyc s ms am iams ia lliams lia llli llia illiam Williams Will Ashley Willia Biology am ams iam iiams lliam lliams illiams Will Wi Clora Williams ealth Health H illiams Williams Wi Jennifer W i cienc Scien Sc Biomedical Science

Memes often trivialize campus issues, such as this one satirizing building projects scattered around A&M.

Walk in or schedule an appointment. Go to www.thorntonstudio.com, then go to School Portraits,

See XXXXX on page Xclick New User, complete form with Registration Password: tamu, click submit and login; or Scheduling,

Tracy Ashton Agricultu ral Kaela AstleyLeadership and Developm ent Accounti ng Michael Atkinson Compute r Science Jonathon Ausburn Biomedic al Science Jaime Austin Psycholog y Jamesia Austin Agricultu ral Laura Avila Leadership and Developm Mathema ent tics Michael Babcock Accounti ng Eliezer Badillo Internati onal Commer Brennan ce Bailey Biomedic al Science James Baker Agricultu re Leadersh Andrea ip and Developm Bakke ent Biomedic al Science Mary Baldwin Psycholog y Zachary Baldwin Wildlife and Fisheries Nathan Sciences Ball Civil Engineer ing Ch

call 1-800-883-9449, or see the photographer 9 a.m.– 4 p.m. today in Room 308 of Rudder Tower. There is no charge to get your Class of 2012 section photo in Texas A&M University’s 110th yearbook.

2/15/12 12:32 AM

the battalion Classified Advertising • Easy • Affordable • Effective For information, call 845-0569

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thebattalion THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT VOICE

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Robert Carpenter, Editor in Chief THE BATTALION (ISSN #1055-4726) is published daily, Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters and Monday through Thursday during the summer session (except University holidays and exam periods) at Texas A&M University. Periodicals Postage Paid at College Station, TX 77840. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Battalion, Texas A&M University, 1111 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-1111.

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News: The Battalion news department is managed by students at Texas A&M University in Student Media, a unit of the Division of Student Affairs. News offices are in The Grove, Bldg.

8901. Newsroom phone: 979-845-3313; Fax: 979-845-2647; E-mail: metro@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 979-845-2696. For classified advertising, call 979-845-0569. Advertising offices are in The Grove, Bldg. 8901, and office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Fax: 979-845-2678.

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thebattalion 2.15.2012

Subscriptions: A part of the Student Services Fee entitles each Texas A&M student to pick up a single copy of The Battalion. First copy free, additional copies $1. Mail subscriptions are $125 per school year. To charge by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express, call 979-845-2613.

Turn your textbooks into bucks!

COURTESY PHOTO

Floods cause damage in the Logic Lab of the YMCA building, ruining computers, floors and other equipment.

Damage to YMCA building postpones rededication Kelly Tucker The Battalion The recent rash of rain and thunderstorms was a welcomed relief for most from the drought of the last few months. But on Feb. 3, a few inches of rain quickly turned into flooding, which led to damage in the recently renovated YMCA building.

While several other buildings, including Bolton Hall and the Reed building, experienced some minor water damage, none suffered as much as the YMCA building.

“On the first floor, there was roughly 3 feet of water that damaged doors, the floor, walls, furniture and office equipment, including the philosophy department’s Logic Lab,” said Karen Bigley, the communications manager for the Division of Administration. Bigley added that the first floor will be closed for the remainder of the semester.

As renovation on the YMCA building recently concluded, it was set to be rededicated just days after the flood. The rededication has been postponed indefinitely while the building is cleaned.

One of the biggest losses in the flood was the Logic Lab, a computer lab used by students in the Introduction to Logic course.

“The Logic Lab in the newly renovated YMCA was furnished with 41 brand new computers, all of which were destroyed by the flood, when the water level in that room rose to about 4 feet, several inches above the desktops on which the computers sat,” said Gary Varner, head of the department of philosophy.

The damage has robbed the department of more than more than $36,000 worth of computers, as the new lab was meant to facilitate increased support for an online learning system designed to enhance students’ learning.

“Logic is a natural subject for computer support,” said Robin Smith, philosophy and humanities professor. “We’ve had an online logic teaching matching, logic.tamu.edu, built

by Colin Allen, a former member of our department, and Chris Menzel, a member of our department, for some years. However, until this semester we didn’t have the level of support we wanted for full in-class computerized

Courtesy of Karen Bigley

Rainwater soils indoor benches with mud and leaves. teaching. We were just beginning to introduce new forms of assistance when we lost the lab completely because of the flood.”

With the Logic Lab out of commission, administrators and faculty had to act fast so students would be affected as little as possible.

Over the course of the weekend, more than 600 philosophy students, in addition to students in other classes that used the YMCA building, were moved to other classrooms throughout campus. For Varner, that quick action to make sure the students stayed on track with their classes was a ray of light in the otherwise stormy situation.

“The Registrar’s Office and the Office of the Dean of Liberal Arts did a fantastic job finding places for the 33 classes that had to be relocated all over campus when the Logic Lab and three other classrooms on the first floor of the YMCA were damaged by the flood,” Varner said. “They worked tirelessly through the weekend to have that arranged by Monday morning. On behalf of the affected students, I thank them profusely.”

Thirteen candidates have dropped out of the election or been declared ineligible, including the only candidate for the position of Residence Hall Association president.

Write-in candidates are still eligible to run for any position.

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2/14/12 11:54 PM

news

page 3 wednesday 2.15.2012

thebattalion

COURTESY PHOTO

Memes often poke fun at campus figures or common experiences.

Memes Continued from page 1

page for A&M, but the sudden popularity of the UTexas Memes page made me realize that now was the perfect time for it,” Bean said.

Collegiate meme pages have recently surfaced all over Texas. Pages for the University of Texas, Baylor University, Texas Christian University, University of North Texas and Texas A&M have all been created in the past week. The Texas A&Memes page has almost 8,000 “likes,” and members have posted hundreds of pictures.

Alex Hasen, an administrator of Texas A&Memes and freshman economics major, is happy with how the page turned out.

“We’re getting a great response from the student body,” Hasen said. “They’re the ones posting the majority of the content on the page.”

Many of the pictures on the page have hundreds of “likes,” and one specific meme, concerning Longhorn apparel and Wal-Mart, topped 1,200.

Some members of the group, however, are quick to decry the sudden popularity of memes.

“I’ve gotten flak from people who feel memes should be very exclusive. I can understand their frustration, but at the end of the day, the Internet is meant to be a place where you share information and have fun,” Bean said.

Despite good intentions, the Texas A&Memes page has had its share of troubles.

Internet “trolls” — people who post provocative content — have harassed the site.

The page has had posts in which Texas A&M is badmouthed or abused, though administrators work to make sure these pictures are quickly removed.

Hasen doesn’t have a prob-

lem with occasional mischief, though he reserves the right to remove repeat offenders.

“There’s a difference between trolling and being a jerk. Those that push over that line on a regular basis are at risk to be banned,” Hasen said.

The Texas A&Memes Facebook page, though only a little more than a week old, has given students a glimpse into the complicated and exclusive world of Internet subculture.

To many, memes reflect the rapidly moving digital world, and the Texas A&Memes page has provided thousands of students with a way to share and laugh at Aggie inside jokes. Cameron Coker, senior visualization major, thinks the Texas A&Memes page is a harmless and interesting fad.

“It’s not some new paradigm of enlightened thought,” Coker said. “It’s just something for fun.”

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voices

page 4

Peace talks Sami Jabarkhail: Afghan policies require tact

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Afghan President Hamid Karzai feels he is being left out of the role of leading peace negotiations between the U.S. and the Taliban.

For this reason, the U.S. administration’s efforts to reach out to the Taliban in Qatar are looked upon with suspicion by the Afghan government and people. Karzai emphasizes the necessity of having a leading role in

peace talks with the Taliban in order to protect his legitimacy, while people in Afghanistan believe Americans have been exhausted and are looking to find a way out of the war-torn country.

Being excluded from peace negotiations between the U.S. and the Taliban will undermine the Afghan government in multiple areas. The shared achieve-

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regime in 2001 are at stake.

Achievements such as the availability of education, the right to vote, freedom of women, free media and more could potentially be restricted under the terms agreed upon by the Taliban in the absence of an Afghan delegation.

The Afghan government and people are also concerned about the sudden changes in U.S. foreign policy. These changes range from making an announcement to pull out, switching positions on the Taliban (Taliban not the enemy of U.S.) and early withdrawal of combat troops. The lack of resources and human capital make increase difficulty for Afghanis to chase these swift changes in Obama’s foreign policy.

But these complexities in the relationship between Afghanistan and the U.S. could benefit considerably if Mitt Romney were to win the GOP nomination and become president.

“The right course for America is not to negotiate with Taliban while Taliban are killing our soldiers,” said Romney at the Fox News GOP debate Jan. 16, in South Carolina. Taliban are actively involved in fighting against the Afghan government and international security forces. They commit heinous crimes, engage in barbaric killing, splash acid in the faces of women especially those who choose to go to school, and attack military and civilian establishments.

Romney sent a positive message to the Afghan people by saying “The right course for us is to strengthen the Afghan military force so they can reject the Taliban.”

GOP front-runner Romney has shared the late concerns of the Afghan government by countering Obama’s approach of peace talks with the Taliban. “Think what it says to the people in Afghanistan and the military in Afghanistan: when we are asking them to stand up and fight to protect the sovereignty of their people, if they see us, their ally, turning and negotiating with the very people that they are going to have to protect their country from.” To a large extent Romney’s stance on the Taliban is similar to that of the people and government in Afghanistan.

Not invited to potential peace negotiations between the United States and Taliban insurgents, the Afghan government is trying to open its own peace talks with Taliban rebels in Saudi Arabia, according to Afghan officials.

Whether or not the Taliban engage in peace negotiations with the government of Karzai is a question that remains to be answered.

Sami Jabarkhail is Class of 2011.

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page 5 wednesday 2.15.2012

thebattalion

Continued from page 1

fiscal year 2010.

Harris said faculty is the single largest component of instructional cost in almost any institution.

“It can vary in institutions from probably 60-90 percent of their total operating budget,” Harris said.

Harris said three years without a salary adjustment is unusual for a university, depending on the fluctuations of the given economy.

In the last three years, the University’s state appropriations have decreased 13.4 percent, from $265 million to $229 million. Since that time, the University has reduced faculty salary expenditures by $24 million dollars, non-faculty salary by $9 million and decreased operations and maintenance by $16.9 million.

“In order for us to get a good

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education we have to have a great faculty, and in order for us to have a holistic education we have to have a great staff, as well,” said Student Body President Jeff Pickering.

Pickering said Texas A&M has remained affordable in a state that no longer prioritizes higher education.

While there are multiple sources of funds for a university, there are two principle sources that support academic programs: state appropriations and student tuition.

Ed Davis, president of Texas A&M Foundation and former interim president of Texas A&M University, said through much of history the largest source of funds for public universities in Texas was direct appropriations from the state.

“In the mid-point of the last decade, the state had not been able to continue to increase

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3 rooms available for male students in 4/4 condo, Southwest Parkway, W/D, pool, on shuttle, $395/room, cable paid, available August, 361-816-1224.

DON’T MISS! 4/2 House. Great location, walking distance from campus, on shuttle, fenced yard.

Rent $1400/month.

(979)255-8637.

3/3,3/2 Houses, Townhouses &Apartments, 1250-1400sqft.

Very spacious, ethernet, large kitchen, walk-in pantry &closets, extra storage, W/D, great amenities, on bus route, now pre-leasing, excellent specials.

979-694-0320. www.luxormanagement.com 3bd/3ba. Duplexes. Close to campus, Great backyards. Fairly New! 979-693-4900.

4/3, 3/3 &3/2 Houses, Townhouses, Duplexes &Fourplexes, 1250-1700sqft. Very spacious, ethernet, large kitchen, extra storage, W/D, great amenities, on bus route, now pre-leasing, excellent specials. 694-0320. www.luxormanagement.com 4/4.5, like new. High ceilings, huge closets, large front porch, tile floors, all appliances, many extras. $1750/mo. Preleasing for August. 979-229-6326. See photos and info at www.texagrentals.com

979-774-5933 1710 Crescent Pointe Parkway, College Station, TX 77845 www.js-studies.com

Duplex, rent 2bd/1ba. Beautiful, quiet! Remodeled, all new, many extras! New drapes, in College Station. Convenient to everything! Fenced backyard.

One week free. 979-422-3427.

Call for specials.

Prelease available now! Large 2bd/2ba duplex. Walk-in closets, W/D connections, large fenced backyard, on shuttle. University Oaks. $775/mo. 979-693-1448.

Female needed for 4/4 University Place condo, W/D, private bath, pool, on shuttle. $300/mo. Call 979-690-8213 or 979-422-9849.

Prelease for May or August !

Large 2bd/2ba duplex. Walk-in closets, W/D connections, large fenced backyard, on shuttle. University Oaks. $775/mo.

979-693-1448.

You love to teach, and with Sylvan, that’s just what you get to do. Be a part of the Sylvan team!

We are providing after school tutorials throughout the Brazos Valley and need reading and writing teachers, and upper level math and science teachers. It’s a great way to do what you love and earn extra money! Give us a call at (979)846-4988.

Free cable/internet access! One month free rent! Spacious 2bd/1ba. Close to campus, on shuttle route. Large kitchen with full appliances. W/D connections.

Front and back patios. Ceiling fans. Hillstone On The Parkway, 528 Southwest Parkway.

979-693-6102. Open 8:30-5:30 Monday-Friday. hillstoneonthepkwy@yahoo.com Free ethernet and cable, paid water, Campus shuttle. Preleasing, Great Prices.

AggieApartment.com, 979-693-1906

4bd/4ba houses. Brand New, great size, great location, AAF 979-693-4900.

Gleissner Hall, Northgate area.

Walk to campus. Water, sewer, garbage paid. 1/1 $555/mo., 2/1 $665/mo. 979-846-8981.

Balcones Apartments, 3/2, available now, fully remodeled, internet and water included, $895/mo, 979-703-8282.

Brand new luxury condos, granite countertops, tile flooring, great location. 979-693-4900.

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HELP WANTED Tutors wanted for all subjects currently taught at TAMU/ Blinn and Sam Houston State starting at $8.25/hour. Apply on-line @ www.99Tutors.com, 979-268-8867.

Furnished Woodlands sublease.

1-bedroom of the 2bd/2.5ba townhouse. Spring Semester.

W/D, cable, internet. $495.

713-249-3271.

August Leasing. 4bd/2ba house.

Close to campus, wood floors, tile floors, ceiling fans, W/D, fenced yards. 979-776-6079. www.aggielandleasing.com

FOR RENT Oak Creek Condos, high-speed internet and basic cable.

2bdrm/1.5ba. As little as $515/mo. Water, sewer, trash paid. Fireplace, icemaker, pool.

979-822-1616.

4bd/2ba house. Close to campus, wood floors, tile floors, ceiling fans, granite countertops, W/D, fenced yards. 979-776-6079. www.aggielandleasing.com

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Pickering said he was very pleased with the discussions had by the new tuition and Student Fee Advisory Committee, which is made up of eight students and eight administrators, though not all members had a vote on the recommendation.

“I can say, and I think it’s good for students to know, there is an extraordinarily conservative [mood], in terms of not raising fees or tuition unless it is 100 percent necessary and for the benefit of the student body, directly,” Pickering said.

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“Educational institutions have to be properly funded,” Saunders said. “I think there should be some kind of national oversight as to how they’re being funded, and that institutions need to be responsible in how they’re allocating their funds.”

This is the first year the University is making decisions on tuition and student fee changes together.

Before 2012, the Student Fee Review Committee and the Tuition Policy Advisory Committee made recommendations for tuition and student fees separately.

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FOR RENT

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appropriations at a rate, on a perstudent basis, that was keeping pace,” Davis said. “Tuition began to overtake the state appropriations as a funding source; the collective tuition that students pay is actually more than what the state pays.”

Sarah Saunders, international affairs graduate student and former student body president of the Bush School, said freezing tuition isn’t a solution because universities will likely raise student fees, which hurts graduate students and students with scholarships the most.

SPECIAL

Tuition

Large 2bdrm/2ba, 3204-Cougar Trail, Bryan. Water, sewer, &trash paid. Everything’s new inside. $675/mo. 5 month special, $100/mo. discount.

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Call/text Scott at 979-229-5007.

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Call/text Scott at 979-229-5007.

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979-776-6079, www.aggielandleasing.com

puzzle answers can be found online at www.thebatt.com

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979-693-0551.

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REAL ESTATE

HELP WANTED Apartment Clerical/Marketing, part-time, flexible hours.

979-822-1616.

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Direct care provider needed for adult male w/ Autism Sat-Sun, 4pm-12am, $10-12/hr, DOE apply at johnmarshallhome@gmail.com Fish Daddy’s and Cheddar’s now interviewing all positions. 1611 University Drive.

Little Caesars Pizza now accepting applications for pizza makers. Apply at SW Parkway location.

Little Guys Movers now hiring FT/PT employees. Must be at least 21 w/valid D.L. Apply in person at 3209 Earl Rudder Freeway.

979-693-6683.

Part-time apartment maintenance and make ready, flexible hours, no experience necessary. Construction Science major a plus!

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Tutors wanted for all ages and subjects starting at $16/hour.

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4/4.5, like new. High ceilings, huge closets, large front porch, tile floors, all appliances, many extras. $1750/mo. Preleasing for August. 979-229-6326. See photos and info at www.texagrentals.com B/CS. Sell/Buy/Invest! Michael McGrann TAMU ‘93 Civil Engineering 979-739-2035, mike@aggierealtor.com Nadia McGrann 979-693-1851, Town & Country Realty.

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If You Have Something To Sell, Remember Classifieds Can Do It! Call 845-0569

the battalion

Word Square This word square is a bit different. Each row and column forms different yet meaningful words. Solve the clue and try to fit them

AggieNetwork.com a. shoe and ____ b. Star Wars related c. So be it - literally d. DNA e. lesser than dollar f. bad luck g. ____ jerk;stimulus h. forced bet Tuesdays solution:

E P I C

P O L E

I L E D

C E D E

Siddharth Kumar — THE BATTALION

Pg. 5-02-15-12.indd 1

2/15/12 12:28 AM

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CLASS OF ’12:

wednesday 2.15.2012

news thebattalion

It’s your yearbook.

Be in it.

THIS WEEK

is your last chance to have your graduation portrait made for the 2012 Aggieland Walk in or schedule an appointment. Go to www.thorntonstudio. com. Then go to School Portraits, Scheduling, click New User, complete form with Registration Password: tamu, click submit and login; or call 1-800-883-9449, or see the photographer 9 a.m.–4 p.m. today in Room 308 of Rudder Tower. There is no charge to get your senior orr graduate student section photo in Texas A&M’s 110th yearbook.

Jay Kapadia — THE BATTALION

The senior design group tests an LED light that could fit in the light fixtures inside the Orion mock-up.

Orion Continued from page 1

not be a real world system.”

Jeff Fox, Class of 1984, and Christie Sauers are the group’s NASA advisers. Fox graduated with an industrial engineering degree, while Sauers studied aerospace engineering at Georgia Tech.

“This project could potentially be used for many, many years and currently will be used in flight-like scenarios,” Sauers said. “It’s been neat to see the students see a project from end to end, the way people at NASA do.

It isn’t just a student project you’re working on, it’s a true NASA project.”

Texas A&M is not the only school contributing to the project. As part of the Students Shaping America’s Next Spacecrafts initiative, students ranging from middle schoolto university-level contribute to the Orion project.

The schools work together to finish the Orion project, and use previously completed projects to advance the design.

“The lighting control box

Pg. 6-02.15.12.indd 1

with switches is being built by another school, Friendship High School in Lubbock, Texas,” Fox said. “We have a lot of schools and universities working on a lot of different parts of the project.”

This hands-on experience will serve not only as a standout point on the group members’ résumé, but also as an experience to draw from in their future careers.

“Just the fact that it’s NASA means it’s going to be rewarding,” Cooper said. “I mean, five years or 10 years from now we will be able to say we worked on a highprofile project like this.”

This project is not just using industrial engineering. It is interconnected and multidisciplinary and uses lots of areas of knowledge, including industrial engineering, electrical engineering and industrial management.

“This is where engineering is heading, this is where industrial engineering fits in, and this is a really big opportunity to showcase the connectedness of education,” Fox said. “It’s interdisciplinary and interconnected.”

2/14/12 10:26 PM