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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (April 29, 1969)
I 25,1989 Che Battalion VOLUME 64 Number 106 COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 1969 Telephone 845-2226 Admin Committees Oust Reinert ★ ★★ ★★★ ★★★ Election Panel Disqualifies Mauro; Scott Case Pending .oston’s is week iger of he Red itart of ed Sox i in Cltsi >r with i ints. aking set' meet ani in second 1 not lx ■al pointi there w£ m singla liminatio: [edals wi hampior,! ral Offkt es the I other dealer, 3 than Committee Asks Installation Of Geistweidt In Presidency By TOM CURL The Election Commission Mon day night disqualified Garry Mauro, second place candidate in the general election nullified last Friday and recommended that City To Fund Third Of Cost For Lot Lights By TONY HUDDLESTON Battalion Staff Writer The College Station City Coun cil agreed Monday night to help fund the cost of street lighting for the western part of the cam pus. The Council agreed to pay a third of the estimated $38,666 cost for lighting, after David Wilks, president of the Civilian Student Council, delivered a mes sage from A&M President Earl Rudder, that the university "would compromise with the coun cil on the cost.” The proposal was to be submitted by the council to President Rudder for a de cision as to whether A&M will pay the other two thirds of the cost. The Council also stipulated that the university contact the Texas Highway Department to see if the proposed lighting sys tem meets its standards. City Manager Ran Boswell pointed out that the lighting system must meet the highway department re quirements because it would be located on farm road 2154 right of way. Wilks also read a report by Officer J. D. Gossett of Campus Security that said that the the A&M enforcement unit had been forced to double its surveillance in the western area of the campus because of the high rate of thefts. The report noted that the number of thefts had doubled since Janu ary, and it added that if adequate lighting was not installed soon, the thefts would double again. The Council voted to accept $82,06 7 payment from the City of Bryan for the transfer of a 20-inch water line into the Bryan city limits from College Station. The Council also approved the combining of the offices of fire chief and fire marshal. Mayor D. A. “Andy” Anderson noted that there had been a conflict between the two offices in the investigation of fires, and that only one office was now needed. Fire Chief Elwood Sevinson was appointed to fill the combined office. The Council also agreed to hold a public hearing May 26 to decide on whether or not to establish a Mobile Home Park District in College Station. Rep. Bass To Talk At Forum Session “Political Views of a Militant Moderate” will be presented Wednesday by State Representa tive Tom Bass in a Political For um noon luncheon. The sack lunch meeting will be in Rooms 2A and B of the Memorial Student Center, an nounced Forum Chairman Charles Hoffman of Kerrville. Representative of Harris Coun ty’s District 24, Position 1, Bass is serving his fourth term in Austin. He is in his second session i** chairman of the Harris County <fcfegation and chairs the House Committee on Interim Activities. Bass taught political science at the University of St. Thomas in Houston before entering the state political arena. Hoffman said sack lunches and soft drinks at nominal prices will he available for persons interest ed in hearing the representative. University National Bank “On the side of Texas A&M.” —Adv. Gerald Geistweidt, vice-president elect, be named Senate president. The action would prevent Mauro from refiling for the spe cial election for the Student Sen ate presidency, directed by the University Executive Committee. Al Reinert, winner of the elec tion, was disqualified by the University Appeals Committee and the decision was upheld by the Executive Committee Mon day morning. In recommending to the Senate that Geistweidt be named presi dent, the commission called for a special election to fill the vacated office of vice president. Cnmmis- sioners agreed that Mauro would be eligible to run in this election. Mauro, along with third presi dential candidate Andy Scott, and vice-presidential candidate Bill Holt, was charged with vio lation of the campaign rules stating that all candidates’ cam paign signs must be taken down within 48 hours after the election. Action was delayed on Scott and Holt because neither could be reached before the special meet ing. The violation petition was filed Iv Commissioner John R. Dre- wein Sunday and the special meeting was called for 10 p.m. Monday. REINERT, the recently-dis qualified candidate, was present as proxy for Early Davis. Mauro challenged Reinert’s objectivity and after brief discussion Rein ert gave his proxy to civilian Charles Hoffman. Drewein psesented his charges and called Sam Torn as a wit ness. Before Torn could testify, Mauro conceded that his signs were still up past the deadline, but he hoped to prove he was innocent by clarifying definitions. As Torn returned to his seat, Drewein continued his question ing and was reminded by acting President Tommy Henderson that Mauro had conceded the point. Mauro defended his actions by claiming that the 48 hours al lowed to dismantle signs should be interpreted as two “class days.” He cited practices of the Campus Security Department an 1 disciplinary cases involving suspension from school as giving the student a specified number of hours to comply with a pun ishment, with the hours being counted only as class days. HE FURTHER added that he heard from the news media that filing would immediately be re opened and did not see any rea son to take down his signs only to have to put them up again the first part of the week. Mauro said he was not on campus this weekend and did not know of the pending action or was he notified of the charges against him until four hours before the meeting. Hoffman, proxy for Reinert, who was proxy for Early Davis, (See Ejection, Page 3) Spring Election Ordered For Senate Presidency SANDPIPER SILHOUETTE A Town Hall spotlight outlines the form of Sandpiper Richard Shoff as he entertains a Civilian Student Weekend crowd Saturday night in G. Rollie White Coliseum. (Photo by Bob Stump) In Civilian Week Competition Davis-Gary First Davis-Gary Hall took top hon ors in week-long “Civilian Student Week” festivities, capturing the highest number of total points in overall competition. Hall president Earl Roddy ac cepted the trophy for the 240- member dormitory. The week-long emphasis was an expansion of the civilian Aggies’ annual “Civilian Weekend.” Ac tivities opened with an awards luncheon honoring faculty mem bers and students, followed by the traditional Aggie Muster. Daily events “encouraged stu dents to participate in dormitory- level activities,” said Program Chairman Garry Mauro. The fun week ended with dances Saturday night and the selection of Miss Nicki Stallman of Colum- (See related picture, page 3) bus, Texas, as Civilian Sweet heart. Trophies were also awarded in the various contests. Team trophies went to Law Hall in mud football competition, with Moore Hall as runner-up. Davis-Gary Hall captured the tug-of-war event with Walton Hall placing second. Students Jim Alexander and Barry Smith led Davis-Gary to victory in Spades. Bennie Kenard and Allen Comer of Mitchell Hall took second place honors. In pool, Ron Sonnier of Mc- Ennis Hall won over John Rein hardt of Crocker Hall. Gary Rosin of Keathley Hall succeeded in taking the chess title from Duncan McDonell of Walton. Moore Hall’s John Gillus scored over Mike McMeans of Davis- Gary Hall in Frisbee competition. In mid-week voting, Larry Schilhab was elected 1969-70 pres ident of the Civilian Student Council. He also served as chair man of the sweetheart selection committee. By TOM CURL Battalion Staff Writer The University Executive Com mittee Monday unanimously up held last Friday’s decision by the Appeals Committee to disqualify Al Reinert, newly-elected Student Senate President, and directed the Student Senate to conduct another presidential election this spring. The action climaxed almost two weeks of charges, counter charges and appeals to the Elec tion Commission, Student Senate, Appeals Committee, and finally, the Executive Committee. Reinert, a member of the Corps of Cadets, won the general elec tion last Thursday with 1799 votes, as compared to 1414 for his nearest opponent, Garry Mauro. A petition was filed with the Appeals Committee Friday by Civilian Student Council Presi dent David Wilks on the grounds that Reinert’s 1.23 Grade Point Ratio does not meet the 1.5 GPR minimum set out in University Regulations. THE APPEALS Committee recommended “that Mr. Albert J. Reinert should be declared in eligible to serve as Student Senate President by the proper univer sity officials.” The Committee further recommended that a new election for Student Senate Presi dent be conducted this spring and a filing period be reopened. Student leaders in the Corps of Cadets met with A&M Presi dent Earl Rudder this weekend and on the basis of these discus sions, introduced a compromise to hold the new election in the fall semester. Senate Issues Chairman Wayne Gosnell and Battalion Editor John Fuller addressed the Executive Committee in favor of a fall elec tion. Mac Spears, 1969-70 presi dent of the MSC Directorate, and Tommy Henderson, vice presi dent for publicity of the Election Commission, spoke in favor of holding the special election this spring. Current Senate President Bill Carter presented the proposal for a fall election adopted by the Student Senate Executive Com mittee Sunday night. FULLER explained that Rein ert acted in good faith in filing for the office of president and should be given the chance to bring his GPR up to the minimum by improving his grades this spring and summer. He told the Executive Commit tee that they faced a “dilemma” of having to decide whether to uphold the Appeals Committee’s decision or reverse it. He said that the Student Senate proposal offered would be a compromise between the two extremes. Fuller explained that if the Appeals Committee decision were upheld, the action would be an “ex post facto” ruling and would be unfair to Reinert. He then mentioned the results of not fol lowing the Appeals Committee recommendation. “IF THE Appeals Committee decision is reversed, the adminis tration would be open to the charge of bending the rules to fit one particular candidate,” Fuller added. “I supported Garry Mauro and still don’t think Al Reinert is eligible to run; but I have great fears of a widening in the corps- civilian split,” Gosnell said. Gosnell mentioned possible re percussions if Reinert is not al lowed to run for the office. “The Corps will run an ‘old army’ candidate and the Civilians will have yell practices on the steps of Sbisa Dining Hall,” he said in expressing his fear of possible violence. “WHATEVER you decide will determine the size of the cam pus-wide split that already ex ists,” he told the Executive Committee. President Rudder then at tempted to summarize the re quests of Fuller and Gosnell. “You’re here today to recom mend that if the Appeals Com mittee decision is upheld, the election be put off until next fall,” Rudder said. “I want this body to say ‘you (the students) will hold a new election and it will be held in the fall,” Gosnell answered. Henderson and Spears then presented the case for a spring election. “No one solution will be with out consequences; but postponing the problem will not lessen the effects,” Spears said. Spears added that there are no scheduled events this spring that would present an opportunity for a violent confrontation between cadets and civilians, whereas next fall there will be yell prac tices and football games. HE SAID that the incoming freshman class should not have to face such an election because it would destroy any possibilities of unity within that class. “I think we’re looking at a three-month split as opposed to a three-year split for next year’s freshman class,” he noted. Henderson offered more rea sons for a spring election. He referred to the position of new ly-elected Senate Vice President Gerald Geistweidt, who would (See Executive, Page 3) Pre-Registration To Begin May 5 Pre-registration for the fall se mester will be conducted May 5-16, announced Registrar Robert Lacey. Lacey said currently enrolled students will follow basically the same procedures as used for the present semester, the first time A&M’s new automated registra tion system was employed for all students. Initially, students must contact their departmental advisers for consultations, the registrar re minded. They then report to regis tration headquarters through the west entrance of the Cushing Building. Students will receive housing assignments and fee assessments and submit registration cards at Cushing. Bills for all fees will be mailed to students during the summer. Lacey noted schedules for fall classes will be available at the registrar’s office, beginning Thursday. Students who pre-register this spring avoid possible lines and other inconveniences next fall, the registrar noted. Student Director Plan Rejected By DAVID MIDDLEBROOKE Battalion Staff Writer The Texas A&M University Board of Directors Saturday re jected a proposal by Bill Carter, Student Senate president, to place a student on the board as a non voting member. Carter was told at the meet ing that he should have received a letter informing him of the veto and giving the board’s rea sons for the action. After re ceiving the letter Sunday after noon, Carter said he still was not aware of the reasons behind the board’s decision. He added that the letter from the board contained a suggestion that he take his request to the State Legislature. “I am disappointed in the fact that I didn’t have an opportunity to give my viewpoint when the decision was made,” Carter com mented Monday. “I think that I Directors Authorize A&M Bid To Seek College Of Education MAN YOUR MANNERS Two local girls will head a team of four Texas Woman’s University students who will serve as “Man Your Manners” panelists here Wednesday. They are (left to right) Jenni fer Johnson, College Station; Margaret Trussell, Garland; Lynn Stephan, Dallas, and Kathy Heldman, Bryan. Texas A&M was authorized Saturday by its board of directors to seek state approval for estab lishment of a College of Educa tion. The University System board also awarded contracts totaling $1,981,440 and appropriated an additional $396,535 for projects at A&M, Tarleton State and Prairie View A&M. Board members also approved an A&M proposal to create an Institute for Solid-State Electron ics. The institute will be a part of the university’s Electrical En gineering Department and will emphasize graduate study and re search. The proposed A&M College of Education, which still must re ceive approval from the Coordi nating Board, Texas College and University System, would include the following departments: agri cultural education, industrial edu cation, health and physical educa tion, educational administration, curriculum and instruction and educational psychology. The last three departments would be new. University officials pointed out enrollment in the various teacher education curricula at A&M has increased from approximately 500 to 1,200 during the past five years. Award of contracts included $1,468,950 to General Electric Co. of Houston for a gas turbine gen erator and $110,210 to General (See Directors, Page 3) should have been allowed to give the students’ reasons for want ing an ex-officio member of the board.” CARTER also mentioned that, although he had great faith in the board, he was disappointed at the manner in which the re quest was handled. “I’m also disappointed that I was not told of the decision at the meeting, but had to wait until I got the letter,” Carter said. Carter mentioned that at the first meeting he had with the board this past year, he had ex plained that a primary cause of problems between students and the administration was that the students never knew why things were or were not done. “As an example,” he added, “I was not given any reasons for not having a student on the board. The only one I know of is the one I read in The Bryan Daily Eagle.” THE REASON referred to by Carter, reported in last Sunday’s Eagle, was a statement by Clyde H. Wells, board president, that seating an Aggie might mean the board would also have to seat student representatives from Prairie View A&M, Tarleton State College, and the Texas Maritime Academy, all part of the A&M University system. This, he noted, would make for a lot of people in one room. During his meeting with the board last Saturday, Carter said that he believed that it was his duty to tell the board and admin istration what he thought stu dent opinion was, not what the officials wanted to hear. He noted that, as a result of his belief, he thought that he has been the most misunderstood man on campus. He mentioned that he and the Senate had tried to show that change could be ac complished through channels, not just by protests. UNLESS THERE could be a change of attitud e,” Carter warned the board, “A&M could become like other campuses.” Gov. Preston Smith earlier this month sent A&M President Earl Rudder a letter expressing his belief that a student should be a non-voting member of each university’s board of directors. Stating that, in his opinion, the main reason students wanted a voice on the boards was to have a chance to express their views on matters affecting them, the governor said he could see posi tive good coming from such a chance. The governor’s letter was the result of a request made by Da vid Maddox, Senate vice-presi dent, at an informal conference of student leaders with the gov ernor April 12. Bryan Building & Loan Association. Your Sav ing Center, since 1919. BB &L —Adv.