thebattalion l tuesday,
september 10, 2013
l serving
texas a&m since 1893
l first paper free – additional copies $1 l © 2013 student media
Streak-for-tweet challenge nets social outburst
thebattalion asks
Q:
Jessica Smarr
Page 2: What would be your reaction if someone streaked during the game?
The Battalion
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hrough the offseason, Johnny Manziel showed himself to the world through tweets and hashtags. On Monday, Austin Black used Twitter to show just as much, with the possibility of exposing even more of himself on Saturday. At 1 p.m. Monday, Austin — a junior business management major — sent out a tweet promising to streak on the field during the Texas A&M vs. Alabama game Saturday if he received 10,000 retweets. Three hours later — with retweets from notables such as Total Frat Move and several Houston Texans offensive linemen — he exceeded his goal. The tweet began with expectations of a few hundred Austin Black retweets and a good laugh, Austin said. But as the numbers began to grow, Matt Crandall, junior business management major and Austin’s roommate, said their excitement grew with them.
#STREAKER William Guera — THE BATTALION
See Streaker on page 4
a&m vs. alabama
Gameday hype causes swell in student ticket pull Monday marks secondhighest ticket-pull day in A&M history Kadie McDougal The Battalion
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ents around Kyle Field marked the beginning of the student ticket pull for the much-anticipated game against Alabama. According to the Aggie Tickets Twitter page, Monday was the second-highest ticket-pull day in A&M history. Carole Dollins, senior vice president of the 12th Man Foundation, said the number of tickets pulled on Monday was just over 15,000, which was about the same as estimated. “It’s probably what we thought,” she said. “It wasn’t the highest ever but it was a strong day.” Dollins said the lines were long for the first day of ticket pull, but the process went smoothly. She said the foundation doesn’t foresee any problems for the remainder of the week. “We already have some juniors camping out for to-
morrow,” Dollins said. “I don’t think there will be many [ticket pulls] on Friday. We think everything will be pulled, but we’ll see.” Kristin Koonce, junior communication major, camped out for the second day of ticket pull. There were 10 lines, or groups, that added their name to a list to ensure that they would have a decent spot in the pulling order, she said. “Whenever people want to come, they sign their name on the list and there will be a roll call throughout the night and the morning to just make sure they’re here,” Koonce said. Koonce said her group planned on staying throughout the night for their chance at pulling the best tickets possible. “We’re hoping for second deck,” she said. “Rumor has it that there are 120 seats left, so that’s what we’re aiming for.” Morgan Young, junior allied health major, said she was looking forward to the game because she missed out on a previous big game. “I’m excited for winning — just the craziness,” she said. “I’m pumped because I didn’t get to go to the See Ticket pull on page 8
Josh McKenna — THE BATTALION
Students line up early Monday morning to pull tickets for the Alabama game Saturday. Many chose to camp out Sunday night to increase their chances of getting better seats.
a&m vs. alabama
campus news
Saban, Tide players address A&M at presser Alabama coach says Manziel ‘instinctive’ while scrambling James Sullivan The Battalion
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o storyline surrounding Texas A&M’s matchup Saturday against top-ranked Alabama has captured the nation’s attention quite like the Crimson Tide’s desire for revenge. The nation has had Sept. 14 circled in its calendar since the Aggies’ 29-24 upset of Alabama in Tuscaloosa last season, hoping to see sparks fly between the two conference rivals. During Alabama’s team press conference Monday morning, sophomore wide receiver Amari Cooper spoke differently, and said his team’s desire to win was rooted in competitiveness rather than vengeance. “It’s not a revenge thing, be-
“It’s not a revenge thing, because if we wanted to get revenge, we’d have to play that same team last year with the same team we had last year. — Amari Cooper, sophomore wide receiver
cause if we wanted to get revenge, we’d have to play that same team last year with the same team we had last year,” Cooper said. “It’s really not a revenge thing. If you lose a fight with someone, you don’t get revenge from fighting someone else. I think it’s just a new team this year. We’re a new team. It’s no revenge, we’re just going out there and playing Texas A&M.” Behind reigning Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel, No. 6 Texas A&M (2-0) has knocked off “tune-up” opponents Rice and Sam Houston State by a combined 58
Austin Bigoney — THE CRIMSON WHITE
Alabama head coach Nick Saban praised A&M on Monday as a “fantastic offensive football team.” points, racking up an average of 600 yards total offense with what A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin called a “vanilla” offensive system. Alabama head coach Nick Saban discussed the A&M offense’s effectiveness, citing Sumlin’s use of an air
raid system as key to its success. “This is a fantastic offensive football team,” Saban said. “You get 600 yards a game, you average 58 points a game. They did very similarly See Alabama on page 7
college station
City Council to strengthen economic ties to A&M Katy Stapp
Special to The Battalion he College Station City Council will consider the implementation of an Economic Development Master Plan on Thursday, which will promote a mentality of partnering with Texas A&M to maximize economic benefits for College Station residents. Thursday’s meeting, at College Station City Hall, will include a public hearing to solicit any input from residents. City Council members have established six broad initiatives in the proposed plan: sustain and enhance high quality of life, support and partner with the Texas A&M University System, support retail development, support and
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We will continue to recognize the significance of Texas A&M to the economy and we will ensure that it remains a strong and viable entity. We will partner where mutual economic benefits will be realized.”
— Randall Heye, economic development analyst for College Station
stimulate biotechnology research and advanced manufacturing, support the health and wellness market and support the sports, entertainment and hospitality market. Randall Heye, economic development analyst for College Station, said the economic plan marks a new initiative in which the City Council intends to advocate on behalf of the University at the local, state and federal level and engage in
Giroir named interim leader at Health Science Center Dr. Brett Giroir was named interim executive vice president for the Texas A&M Health Science Center on Monday. According to a University press release, the position, effective Oct. 1, comes after Giroir’s service as vice chancellor for strategic initiatives, during which time he helped the University land a contract with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for a center to enhance the nation’s biosecurity. Chancellor John Sharp plans to nominate Giroir to become interim CEO for the Health Science Center at the next scheduled meeting of the Board of Regents.
Blocker evacuated University police as well as the College Station fire department were summoned to the Blocker building upon hearing a report of a natural gas smell in the building, which was evacuated just before 11 a.m. and reopened at 11:30 a.m. when the smell was discovered to be coming from a trashcan on the third floor.
Let’s be friends
frequent conversation with University officials to fully develop this renewed connection. Heye said the plan would promote a positive relationship between students off campus and in the neighborhoods they live, as well as seek partnership with the University on economic development initiatives that will bring See Economic on page 4
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ANSWERS
thebattasks Q: page 2
What would be your reaction if someone streaked during the game?
to todays puzzles
“Part of me is like, ‘Go ahead, go do it, YOLO!’ But the other half of me, the Aggie side, is saying that it’s inappropriate and I’d hiss it if he wasn’t an Aggie. If he was an Aggie I’d try to stop him before he did it.” Sultan Jaouhari, sophomore bioenvironmental sciences major
“If we’re winning the game, he can go streaking for as long as he wants.” Zach Miller, junior international studies major
Over $65,000 in weekly cash prizes !
“If someone streaked in the game, that would be red-ass. Literally.”
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“I would be really disappointed in him because I feel like it’s obviously going to be on the news and our student body is just going to look horrible.” Madeline Bales,freshman allied health major
Troy Bulgrin, sophomore history major
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What would it take for you to streak during the Alabama game? “I would have to die and you would have to drag my body across the field.” Abby Glueck, freshman zoology major
Come to Mustang Aggie Law Day at SMU Dedman School of Law! Tour the Dedman Law campus, talk to fellow Aggies, and hear a special presentation by SMU Law’s admissions staff. Mustang Aggie Law Day is an event presented by the SMU Dedman Aggie Law Society and is open to all current and former A&M students who are interested in law school. Aggies will get the chance to connect with other Aggies who are current SMU Dedman Law students. Take part in a tour of the SMU law quad, a current law student Q&A session, and a preview of a first year class. Lunch will be provided. Bring your friends and family!
Lizzie Launchbury, sophomore international studies major
“Money. A large, large amount. Something to where I could retire today. Millions upon trillions of dollars.” Alec Nehlsen, freshman business administration major Photo feature by Bryan Johnson — THE BATTALION
Where:
Thinking about Law School? Want to connect with current Aggie law students?
“I don’t think there’s anything in the world that could make me do that at the ‘Bama game. Not anything in the world.”
SMU Dedman School of Law
When:
September 27, 2013
RSVP:
MustangAggieLawDay@gmail.com
thebattalion The IndependenT STudenT VoIce
of
TexaS a&M
SInce
1893
Jake Walker, Editor in Chief Mark Doré, Managing Editor Jessica Smarr, Copy Chief Aimee Breaux, City Editor William Guerra, Graphics Chief James Sullivan, Sports Editor Tanner Garza, Photo Chief Mackenzie Mullis, Lifestyles Editor The BaTTalion is published daily, Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters and Tuesday and Thursday during the summer session (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. News: The Battalion news department is managed by students at Texas A&M University in Student Media, a unit within the Division of Student Affairs. 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 979-845-2687. For classified advertising, call 979-8450569. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Email: battads@thebatt.com. 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.
BAT_09-10-13_A2.indd 1
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Coffeehouse kickoff Choice of Gonzales as MSC Town Hall opener a ‘no-brainer’ the students and how we’re all so passionate about music,� Salmon said. The open mic portion of the Coffeehe Coffeehouse Series, which showhouse Series consists of four 10-minutes cases free, stripped-down performancslots, filled on a first-come, first-served basis es presented by MSC Town Hall, will be on the MSC Town Hall Coffeehouse series holding a Student Spotlight show Thursday Facebook page. The spots from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., in the are usually posted at least lower level of the MSC. The two weeks before the date We are show will include student of the series. openers and feature singerjust a Jean-Claude Faa, freshsongwriter and sophomore man mechanical engigroup of general studies major, Daniel neering major; Amy Gonzalez. students who Westwick, sophomore The shows are usually chemistry major; Trey held every other Thursday want to share Lyon, geology graduand last two hours, with our love of ate student; and Austin the first hour designated for Meade, junior agricultural open mic and the second music with our economics major, will hour for the headliner. university by open for Daniel Gonzales. Brittany Kaczmarek, se“With a big age variety nior nutrition major and ex- bringing lots of at a bar or random venue, ecutive for the Coffeehouse you get people who are Series, said both touring art- diverse acts to looking for very different ists and students are featured the area.� varieties of music,� Gonthroughout the year. zales said. “The demo— Brittany Kaczmarek, “I’m actually more exexecutive for graphic for A&M students cited about the student Coffeehouse Series is just right for the age headliners because I want group I want to play for.� students to say, ‘I could do Kaczmarek said choosthat,’ and then come show ing Gonzales to be the first off their talent,� Kaczmarek headliner of the year was a no-brainer. said. “We love working with him,� KaczDave Salmon, the associate director for marek said. “If someone has to drop out of the MSC and MSC Town Hall advisor, has been the Town Hall advisor for the last 24 the show for some reason, we always call him because we know that we can count on years. “The best thing about the organization is him to show up and put on a great show.�
Cameron Steele
Special to The Battalion
T
lifestyles
b!
Singer-songwriter Daniel Gonzalez, who said “the demographic for A&M students is just right� for his music, will headline MSC Town Hall’s Student Spotlight show Thursday in the MSC.
thebattalion
9.10.2013 page3
Tuesday
Photos by David Cohen — THE BATTALION
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Streaker Continued from page 1
The enthusiasm was only dampened slightly, Crandall said, with a call to a criminal lawyer who discouraged Austin from flaunting himself at Saturday’s game. Lt. Allan Baron of the University Police Department said Austin could receive various charges if he streaks across the field, but he would most likely be charged with criminal trespassing and disorderly conduct by indecent exposure. Through streaking, Baron said Austin would be violating the student code of conduct. The University could potentially discipline Austin just for his Twitter content, but Baron said he would definitely face consequences from the University if he streaked. “Under the student code of conduct, he would be violating statutes under the student code of conduct by committing this act,” Baron said. “When you become a student here at A&M, you not only adhere to the academic standards that have been set forth, but also the conduct standards.” Despite the consequences, Austin said the reaction on Twitter was astounding as he watched his followers increase by hundreds within just a few hours. Complete strangers connected with him, one company offered him free sunglasses for the entirety of the football season and he even received a marriage proposal. “Some Aggies and different people have tweeted me and said that it’s stupid, it’s bad bull and all that,” Austin said. “But I mean, other people have told me that they would pay my bail and some girl actually told me that if I did this that I could propose to her under the Century Tree and she would marry me.” Austin’s family isn’t as thrilled by his social media fame, Austin said. His mom called him crying and Jessica Black, senior wildlife and fisheries sciences major and Austin’s sister, said this is just one more of her brother’s embarrassing moments. Jessica said she hopes her brother’s antics will be limited to Twitter, but isn’t looking forward to what she might see on the field. “I’m probably going to close my eyes and cry,” Jessica said, when asked what she would do if her brother exposed himself to the Aggie nation. But the notoriety could be worth it
Economic Continued from page 1
high-paying jobs and visitors to the community. “We will continue to recognize the significance of Texas A&M to the economy, and we will ensure that it remains a strong and viable entity,” Heye said. “We will partner where mutual economic benefits will be realized.” Will Pittman, senior political science major and vice president of community relationships for Student Gov-
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for Austin. With the fame and a marriage proposal, he said jail might not be too bad. “I talked to the lawyer, and he said I could be in some pretty big trouble, but I could meet my future wife,” Austin said. “Once I get out of jail, I could have a wife. So that’s pretty positive.” Austin’s “potential wife,” Tayler Hatcher, senior agricultural communications and journalism major, said she tweeted her proposal as a way of encouraging others to retweet. Hatcher said she hopes Austin doesn’t get in trouble for his tweets and that they remain simply good-natured social media fun. “I just hope that he doesn’t get in any trouble because it’s definitely all
in good fun,” Hatcher said. “He seems like a funny guy. It’s getting some funny hype for A&M, getting everybody pumped up for ‘Bama.” Crandall said he has different designs for Austin, however, and is going to ensure his roommate is the subject of a few thousand more tweets during Saturday’s game. “I told him I was holding him to it the second I saw it,” Crandall said. “So that’s pretty exciting for me.” Ultimately, Austin said he has yet to decide what he fears more — the legal system or hateful hashtags. “I’m not too sure if it’s really the best idea, but I guess we’ll just have to see on Saturday,” Austin said.
One thing that we’re seeing is that the University is growing at such a rapid pace, and that I think is what makes it so hard for the city to connect with it. There used to be such a strong relationship between the students and the community.” — Will Pittman, senior political science major
ernment Association, said the relationship between Texas A&M and the city of College Station has been strained in the past due to the exponential increase in students and the residential problems that have accompanied this increase, including noise complaints. “One thing that we’re seeing is that the University is growing at such a rapid pace, and that I think is what makes it so hard for the city to connect with it,” Pittman said. “There used to be such a strong relationship between the students and the community.” Pittman said Texas A&M officials have met with sev-
eral City Council members to discuss the plan and there has already been a significant improvement in the partnership. “I believe the University will definitely benefit from the plan,” Pittman said. “The City Council is making a huge point of including the University and it can really only go up from here.” Bob Cowell, director of planning and development for College Station, said the Economic Development Master Plan has not been the city’s only attempt to reconnect with the University. “The recent partnerships to advance the BioCorridor and the expansion of Kyle
Field are just two of these examples,” Cowell said. “The city and A&M have achieved numerous accomplishments together recently that would not have been possible just a few years ago.” Pittman said he expects to see a much stronger bond between the University and College Station once the Economic Development Master Plan is implemented. Pittman said part of this stronger bond would hinge on monthly meetings between SGA members and College Station officials. “We’re even trying to get a committee together to meet once a month with the City Council to maintain this growing relationship,” Pittman said. “The mayor has even expressed interest in attending. I think we have been given a huge opportunity to rebuild our relationship with the community, and I’m excited to see how this turns out.”
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9/9/13 10:46 PM
news
page 5 tuesday 9.10.2013
thebattalion
safety awareness week
Events seek to prepare campus for emergencies of activities and he is hoping Special to The Battalion this Campus Safety Awarehe Office of Safety and ness Week heightens the Security will be hold- alertness for the community. “We hope that students ing its annual TAMU Campus Safety Awareness Week and faculty that attend any from Tuesday through of these informational semiThursday, ending with the nars find themselves better fifth annual Dorm Room prepared to protect themBurn on Thursday at Simp- selves as well as learn how to appropriately respond to son Drill Field. The awareness week con- provide others with help,” sists of several safety seminars Baron said. “Knowing what that teach students and fac- assistance to provide along ulty about everything from with knowing who to call daily bike and vehicular safety to what to do during an activeshooter situation. The week is purposely held to coincide with National Preparedness Month, National Campus Fire Safety Month and National Campus Safety Awareness Month. Monica Weintraub, the emergency management coordinator of the Office of — Monica Weintraub, Safety and Security at emergency management A&M, said the purcoordinator pose of the seminars is to spread emergency readiness to prevent and, if and what information to necessary, handle emergen- provide in emergency situations helps us responders to cies on campus. “[Campus Safety Aware- help you.” Concluding the week is ness Week] is an outreach the Dorm Room Burn, a opportunity for [the Office of Safety and Security] to student favorite, which will spread emergency prepared- be held with support from ness information to the cam- the College Station Fire Depus community,” Wein- partment, Domino’s Pizza traub said. “This week is and Blue Bell Ice Cream. Along with receiving free targeted at students, faculty pizza and ice cream, attendand staff. We provide a variees will also get to see a lifeety of informational sessions since safety encompasses so sized model dorm room set many different aspects. We ablaze up close. According just want to show everyone to the Office of Safety and that there are a lot of easy Security, the point of this little things that can be done demonstration is to show to promote campus safety.” just how quickly a dorm The awareness week will room can burn and to probegin with a meet and greet vide advice on how to eswith local emergency re- cape such a situation. “The dorm room burn sponders in The Zone plaza seems like a really unique from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on demonstration,” said KathTuesday. The meet and greet is for students and fac- ryn Williams, sophomore ulty to get to know and talk political science major. “I’m to local emergency teams, hoping that the dorm room ask questions and to get burn will teach students that some information on what dangerous situations can campus responders do for arise in any instant and we need to be ready for them.” students. Lt. Allan Baron of the University Police Department said the UPD is glad to get involved in this week
Lindsey Gawlik
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9/11 memorial
Flag display to honor attack victims Kadie McDougald
The Battalion he annual 9/11 Never Forget Memorial, hosted by the Texas Aggie Conservatives, will be displayed in Academic Plaza through Thursday. The memorial honors the nearly 3,000 U.S. citizens who died in the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks with a flag for each person. TAC chairman and senior biomedical engineering major, Eric Schroeder, said the organization will be adding 21 flags to represent the Americans who died in the Boston marathon bombing in April and the Fort Hood shooting in 2009. The memorial is important to TAC, Schroeder said, because it honors those who died as a result of acts of terrorism on U.S. soil. “Unfortunately in this day and age,
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the freedom that we value so much is constantly under attack, especially from foreign sources,” Schroeder said. “We want this memorial to honor those who unfortunately perished on our own soil at the hands of Islamic terrorists.” The memorial appeared on campus in 2008 and has continued annually. It is done for the benefit of the student body and the Bryan-College Station area, Schroeder said. “We do not put on this event to receive credit for it, but do it as a service to the Texas A&M community,” Schroeder said. Sophomore sociology major, Nicole Sauer, said she thought the memorial was very special. “The fact that there’s so much respect, just honoring those who have lost their lives in really unfair ways, I totally
Photos by Jenna Rabel — THE BATTALION
support this display,” she said. Sauer said she got to participate in last year’s memorial by placing one of the flags. “I got the flag and I was like, ‘I know this represents someone that lost their life and I know the family is probably still grieving over this,’” Sauer said. “So I just said a prayer for them. I don’t know who I was praying for but I knew it was for someone.” With a friend whose father serves in the military, Sauer said she knows how important a memorial like that can be. “I showed her a picture of the flags and she was just in tears,” Sauer said. “She loved that so much: the fact that just a bunch of students, who don’t even know the people that died are willing to display this for them and lift them up in front of everyone.”
(Top) Freshman Blinn Team student Sam McMurry, Josh Gates and freshman business administration major Jessica Harris place flags in the ground at Academic Plaza for the sixth annual 9/11 memorial. (Far left) Freshman general studies major, Cameron JaLufka, sets flags out.
We just want to show everyone that there are a lot of easy little things that can be done to promote campus safety.”
be one of the first
to have your POrtrAit made for texas A&M’s 2014 Aggieland yearbook. ALL StudentS: have your portrait taken beginning Sept. 16 in Suite L400 of the MSC. Walk in 10 a.m – 4:30 p.m. or schedule an appointment by emailing arphototamu@gmail.com or calling 979.846.9690. it’s your yearbook. Be in it.
feature your organization
among the records of the 2013-2014 texas A&M school year in the Aggieland yearbook. if your recognized student organization, sorority or fraternity, Corps outfit, residence hall or club sport would like to schedule a free group shot, stop by our office, Suite L400 of the MSC, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., or visit our website, http://aggieland.tamu.edu, to apply, then return the completed forms to our office. for information, email aggieland.yearbook@gmail.com or call 979.845.2681.
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BAT_09-10-13_A5.indd 1
9/9/13 10:11 PM
news
page 6 tuesday 9.10.2013
thebattalion
To boldly go Telescope Housing Height: 200ft
Largest-ever telescope to provide A&M astronomers access to universe John Rangel The Battalion
S
cience fiction might soon lose the second word in its title. At the top of the Andes Mountains in Chile, Texas A&M University and a consortium of institutions are building a time machine — not the type that H.G. Wells envisioned for travel into the future, but one that will give astronomers unprecedented ability to peer into the past. At the time of the publication for Wells’ “The Time Machine,” glimpsing anything but the present was science fiction. Today, it’s called modern astrophysics.
Bigger, Better, Faster
The Giant Magellan Telescope is a record breaker. When construction is finished around the year 2020, it will be the largest telescope ever created by mankind, generating images 10 times sharper than the Hubble Space Telescope and giving scientists unmatched access to the universe as it was billions of years ago. Nicholas Suntzeff, professor of observational astronomy at Texas A&M and member of the GMT’s board of directors, said the telescope will help astronomers see back to a cosmic time when the earliest galaxies and stars were just beginning to form. “The telescope is so powerful that we will be able to see the other side of the universe,” Suntzeff said. “As we look deeper and deeper into the universe, we’re looking backwards in time because it takes time for the light to get to us. We will literally see where the galaxies stop, and that’s it, that’s the edge of the universe.” To date, the largest telescopes built have 10-meter mirrors. In comparison, once the GMT’s seven mirrors are in place, the telescope
will have a 25-meter diameter. Suntzeff said the biggest challenge in the telescope’s design was finding a way to manufacture mirrors of that size while maintaining the smoothness necessary to accurately collect light from stellar objects. “These mirrors are so accurate that if you took them and spread them across the U.S., the largest bump would be about half an inch,” Suntzeff said. Besides Texas A&M, there are nine other major GMT partners working on the telescope, including UT. However, thanks to a multi-million dollar donation to the physics and astronomy department from George Mitchell, Class of 1940, Texas A&M invested the seed money that was critical toward making the telescope a reality. “George Mitchell’s [donation] was the key to kick-starting this project, and his support through this University was absolutely necessary to the project’s success,” Suntzeff said.
Looking Up
The telescope won’t be completed until 2020, but this is not stopping Aggie astronomers from anticipating the day when the GMT will be the newest addition to A&M’s research playground. Kim-Vy Tran, associate professor of physics and astronomy at Texas A&M, said A&M’s role as a main contributor will guarantee Aggie research time on the telescope, a thing hard to come by in the astronomy world. “Because we are part of the consortium, we will be getting about 10 percent of the time on the telescope,” Tran said. “It’s an amazing opportunity.” The telescope marks a milestone in Texas A&M’s growing physics and astronomy department. Darren DePoy, professor of physics and astronomy at Texas A&M and member of the GMT’s board of directors, said the GMT will
give new opportunities to both Aggie professors and students. “One of the strengths of our program is that we will couple the telescope to our graduate program and [graduate students] are encouraged to use it for their dissertations,” DePoy said. “Our goal is to have an excellent graduate astrophysics program and this will allow that to happen.” In a time when science budgets are facing increasing scrutiny in the hopes of cutting costs, Suntzeff said the fact that A&M is moving forward in this project sends a powerful message to the astronomy community. “The best astronomers go to where the best telescopes are,” Suntzeff said. “I guarantee that as A&M becomes a major partner in the GMT, we can hire the best astronomers in the world.”
4,000 miles from College Station
Seeking answers
Besides its meaning for Texas A&M’s emerging physics and astronomy department, the telescope will bring scientists around the world closer to answering fundamental questions astronomers and philosophers have asked throughout history. “[With the GMT] we can finally answer questions like, ‘Is there life around other stars?’” Suntzeff said. “These large telescopes are going to answer that, and if we are in the sky first, chances are that we can make that discovery.”
Las Campnanas Observatory, Chile Graphics by William Guerra — THE BATTALION
classifieds
Place
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When
to call 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday Insertion deadline: 1 p.m. prior business day
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SPECIAL
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the battalion
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9/9/13 9:27 PM
news
page 7 tuesday 9.10.2013
thebattalion Alabama head coach Nick Saban (left), who has won three titles in four years, said Manziel is “instinctive” and will make some plays on the ground and in the air.
Austin Bigoney — THE CRIMSON WHITE
Alabama Continued from page 1
statistically last year over time. It’s a great concept. They have the right kind of players to execute the concept and they do a very, very good job of executing their plays.” As for Manziel, who torched the Crimson Tide last season with 345 total offensive yards and two touchdowns, Saban said he poses a problem on the ground and in the air. “I think that he’s going to make some plays,” Saban said. “He’s very instinctive of when he should and shouldn’t [scramble]. He does a great job of keeping his eyes down the field so that when he does scramble, he can find people that are open. And their receivers do a really good job of playing what I call ‘scramble rules’ in terms of how they adjust their routes relative to how he scrambles.” A&M’s starting defense has yet to play together due to the suspensions of senior linebacker Steven Jenkins, junior defensive tackle Gavin Stansbury and sophomore cornerback De’Vante Harris. Without the suspended players, a youthfilled squad has allowed a combined 59 points to Rice and Sam Houston State. Saban said the Aggie defense has still performed well, with moderate mistakes that require slight adjustments by the coaching staff. “Defensively, I know some people have had questions,” Saban said. “To me, they played well defensively. They’re physical,
I think that he’s going to make some plays. He’s very instinctive of when he should and shouldn’t [scramble]. He does a great job of keeping his eyes down the field so that when he does scramble, he can find people that are open. And their receivers do a really good job of playing what I call ‘scramble rules’ in terms of how they adjust their routes relative to how he scrambles.” — Nick Saban, Alabama head coach, on Johnny Manziel
they’re tough, they play hard. They’ve given up a few big plays early in the season, probably due to mental errors or whatever.” Crimson Tide senior quarterback A.J. McCarron said the Aggies play better as a unit, using their speed to force turnovers and disrupt offensive rhythm. “They do a good job of getting to the ball and making plays,” McCarron said. “They do a really good job of stripping, holding you up and trying to strip the ball. So we’re going to have to protect the football in all aspects of the game — throwing, running. Overall, they have a very sound defense.”
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8/28/13 5:18 PM 9/9/13 9:42 PM
news
page 8 tuesday 9.10.2013
I KNOW. WE’RE EXCITED, TOO.
thebattalion
Quidditch season takes flight (Top) Junior psychology major and A&M Quidditch team president Rosemary Ross (right) goes over drills at the first practice of the season. (Bottom) The team warms up Monday night on Simpson Drill field. The team was finalized Sunday after having to cut people for the first time ever, with 100 people trying out. The team encourages those who were cut to join an intramural Quiddich team.
The latest proposed student housing community is now being designed in West Campus. Come tell the architects what you think.
DROP BY ANYTIME Thursday, September 12th 9:30 am - 4:00 pm Hullabaloo Hall 117A - Multipurpose Room
Photos by Jenna Rabel — THE BATTALION
Ticket pull Continued from page 1
DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE Barnes Gromatzky Kosarek Architects
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last Texas-Texas A&M game and I heard that the stands were just shaking.” After hearing about the number of students who pulled Monday, Koonce said she wasn’t surprised. “It doesn’t surprise me one bit,” she said. “This is the ESPN GameDay game. It will be the game to watch on Saturday.” Like Koonce, Young said she expected the crowd for the game to be enormous. “The fact that we’re already almost to the third deck on the second day, means there’s not going to be any wiggle room — it’s going
to be crazy,” she said. Dollins said the foundation is continuing to pursue the students who are reselling their tickets for profit and, once caught, the students may lose their sports pass privileges. “We are committed to maintaining the guidelines,” she said. “We strongly believe the student tickets should be used by students.” Young said she couldn’t comprehend how students could sell their tickets for more than $300. “I think it’s ridiculous how much they’re selling it for,” she said. “I think they should sell it for the face value.” Koonce said she hopes students will attend the game rather than sell their tickets. “We need this stadium packed with the 12th Man,” she said.
9/9/13 9:39 PM