The Battalion

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Coming out

GLBT students struggle with sexual and gender identity during college

On a Saturday evening during his high school years, Elizondo was talking on the phone with a close friend and the subject of his own homosexuality arose. Little did he know, his father was listening in on the conversation. A few moments later, he stormed violently into Elizondo’s room. Full story

Campus

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Silver Taps for Garbarino, Kaitson Tuesday night

As the year comes to a close and students begin to celebrate the end of another semester, a moment will be taken to remember two Aggies, Nick Garbarino and Michael Kaitson, at the last Silver Taps of the academic year.

Respected friend, loving husband

Aug. 11, 1989 - Jan. 26, 2012 Nicholas James Garbarino

An adventurer at heart, Nick Garbarino could make the dullest moment fun and entertaining. More than once he and a buddy took a couple of canoes down to the Brazos River with nothing more than a water filter and military rations.

Infectious smile, caring spirit

May 26, 1990 - March 13, 2012 Michael Chris Kaitson

Michael Kaitson, junior business major, is remembered as a loyal friend, protector and caring member of the Aggie family.

A&M works to turn the page on textbooks

Aggies tired of hauling around backpacks of heavy textbooks should take note. A new proposal making its way through A&M could transform the way textbooks are used at A&M. A program to use e-books rather than their physical equivalents, is drawing attention from administrators and student proponents. Texas A&M University-San Antonio debuted the program two years ago, and its success has A&M considering a plan to implement it throughout the system.

Sports

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Kennedy reflects on historic recruiting class

It looks a bit out of place, really. Wedged between a placard denoting his accomplishments while at Murray State and a picture of him holding his youngest daughter, Anna Kate, rests a nondescript sticky note with a quote from Abraham Lincoln: “I am not bound to coin, I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live up to the light that I have.”

New horizons

Chandler Smith: SEC provides unparalleled platform

Few words over the course of the 2011-12 school year resonated quite as powerfully as Southeastern Conference commissioner Mike Slive’s introduction to A&M as the SEC’s 13th member.

Top-25 SHSU next on gauntlet

There’s no rest for the weary as the No. 9 Texas A&M baseball team comes off a 2-1 series win over arch-rival Texas but travels to Huntsville, Texas, to take on No. 21 Sam Houston State at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday night at Don Sanders Stadium.

Deflating victory

A&M claims series win against Texas despite 9th-inning collapses

The ninth-ranked Aggies came within three outs of securing the series sweep after taking the first two games against the No. 20 Longhorns, but A&M dropped Sunday’s contest in Austin when its old foes made a ninth-inning run.

A&M men’s golf team grabs first Big 12 Championship

The Aggie men’s golf team emerged from its final Big 12 tournament with its first Big 12 championship.

Maroon and White game displays strengths, weaknesses

Running backs shine in up-tempo, inner-squad scrimmage

The White team — offense — nipped the Maroon team — defense — 48-44 as head coach Kevin Sumlin’s Aggie football team trotted onto Kyle Field Saturday for the annual Maroon and White game that marks the end of the spring practice slate. The scrimmage gave many fans their first glimpse of the new-look Aggies: new coaches, new players and a new conference.

Voices

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Opinion: The $22 million credit on faith

Robert Carpenter: ‘Student success fee’ sets disturbing precedent

During an on-campus public hearing last week attended by approximately four students and a room full of people who don’t pay student fees, University President R. Bowen Loftin requested, and the board of regents granted, permission to fund what is known as the “student success fee.” At first glance, students should wonder which existing fees aren’t devoted to “student success.”

Editorial: Take advantage of freedoms at A&M

We’ve observed passionate response throughout the year to the stories that have filled The Battalion’s pages. Some of this emotion has been constructive — seeking answers, questioning the status quo, even correcting our mistakes when we err. But at the same time, we’ve also observed rash responses from portions of the community that seem uninterested in reaching greater understanding of societal issues. It’s not an issue isolated to The Batt, which is concerning for a collegiate community.

Editorial: Senate should rectify mistake, confirm Zelaya

Virtually every member of the Student Senate agreed Wednesday that curriculum and instruction graduate student Jose Zelaya was qualified to be Student Government vice president of diversity. Senators recognized Zelaya’s passion for representing marginalized and minority populations on campus, even applauding his commitment to the betterment of Texas A&M.

Opinion: Negative effects

Kori Wilson: Race-based admissions unproductive at university level

When the Supreme Court upheld the use of race-conscious admissions at universities in Grutter v. Bollinger in 2003, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s majority opinion was based on the assumption that a diverse student body produced educational benefits.

Opinion: Spirit of Aggieland complete

Matt McCullar: Renovated MSC reinvigorates Aggie experience

I sat in the newly renovated MSC on a warm Sunday afternoon. Although the building was crowded with students former, present and future, there was a familiar tone in the air.

City

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Lawsuit against UT could reshape affirmative action

A white female will bring the issue of affirmative action policy in college admissions before the U.S. Supreme Court after a nine-year hiatus, her accusations aimed at the University of Texas.

Secretary of state stresses importance of student vote

With the presidential election approaching in November, students who want to participate in the electoral process — many for the first time — need to register to vote. The presidential primaries will take place in Texas on May 29, and the state is working to make voting more accessible to students.

Student helps deter Walmart robbery

One man died as a result of an attempted robbery at the College Station Walmart on Friday. There could have been more deaths, however, according to an employee involved in the struggle to disarm the suspect: a photo lab technician, also an Aggie.

Shoplifter shot at Wal-Mart

An attempted shoplifting took a turn for the worse Friday afternoon at the College Station Wal-Mart, leaving one man dead.

Religion

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Religion, science pair to prove origin of universe

Science and religion are normally viewed as entirely different belief systems. It is a rarity to find someone who can embrace the fact-seeking and hard-evidence-demanding nature of science and yet pray to a God they cannot see.

Religious Symposium strives for understanding

Panel discussion aids in uniting religions

Texas A&M's SGA Diversity Commission will host "Religion and Spirituality Symposium" at Mays Business School on Wednesday night.

Research

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Faculty reconsider US energy policy

Report says ethanol subsidies do more harm than good

Researchers at Texas A&M concluded that U.S. energy policy mandating an increase in ethanol production is failing to reap the benefits lawmakers initially expected, with consequences for global food prices.

Beneath the ocean floor

A&M oceanographers discover Earth’s mysteries in the depths

From the balmy waters near Hawaii to the frigid seas around Antarctica, researchers with the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program have sailed to the ends of the Earth with a mission to collect samples of rock and sediment from beneath the ocean floor.