r*gre 2 College Station, Texas Friday, April 17, 1&70 THE BATTALION CADET SLOUCH by Jim Earle On Free Peaceable Speech, Assembly Within this current school year, members of the university community have witnessed—at least un officially—two on-campus demonstrations concerning the Vietnam War. On Oct. 15 an estimated 300 students gathered, apparently spontaneously, on the lawn in front of the Academic Building. Grouping in small clusters and joined by a sprinkling of high school students, they discussed and debated the war throughout the after noon. They did this in spite of previous warnings by the Executive Committee that “unauthorized public speakers, meetings and other unauthorized functions on campus” were prohibited and could result in suspensions for those involved. And, although University Police officers were conspicuous, the university chose to ignore its own stated policy and allowed the “shade tree” debates to continue. There were no arrests made and no punish ments meted out. Exactly six months later, on April 15, about the same number of students gathered around a platform at the edge of the parade grounds to hear a self-proclaimed write-in candidate for the Student Senate and three or four others speak on the war. They did this in spite of a warning by the Dean of Students the same day that “promotion and/or support of, or participation in, or attendance at, any on-Campus function or activity not specifically authorized by the Dean of Students is prohibited.” This time the university chose to enforce its stated policy and University Police moved in to break up the “rally.” A man from Austin was arrested as he spoke and five A&M students were taken to the dean’s office. The dean has said that those students found to be involved in the rally “very definitely” would be punished. Although it is open to conjecture as to why the university decided not to enforce regulations in one instance and then chose to do so in another—there was no violence at either demonstration—one thing is certain: On Oct. 15 students could exercise their rights to assemble peaceably and speak publicly; on April 15, they could not. We believe these rights should not have been abridged April 15, regardless of any arguements for sanctity of rules and protection of image, or against length of hair or appropriateness of subject. Rally participants caused neither violence nor disruption, the criteria which define the limits of free actions. We urge the university to repeal those rules and regulations which conflict with the rights of free speech and peaceful assembly on campus. In a society that is truly free, the freedoms of speech and assembly are indeed rights—and not privileges to be granted or withdrawn by regulation or rule. Listen Up the bait forum Editor: will not be solved by a group untiringly with all my ability to I want to take this oppor- of “yes” boys. It will require see this goal accomplished in the tunity to announce my candidacy independent, sound minded lead- coming year. for Student Senate Vice Presi- ership to achieve goals worthy I sincerely want to see a bal- dent. of this campus. I hope to help anced and representative Student I am asking for your support. this Student Body grow and pro- Government. I ask for the chal- But I am not asking it as a gress without allowing it to lose lenge and opportunity to repre favor. I am willing to make this the standards that have made sent all Aggies with sincerity office my number one concern the word “Aggie” synonymous and dedication. I hope to meet the coming year. with “Pride” for many years. you in coming days. My fellow Senators will tell I am open-minded to new ideas David Moore ’72 you that I do not shun responsi- from all areas of our campus. I Candidate or Vice-President bility. I realize the magnitude realize the rift in the past be- ★ ★ ★ of the position, and the prob- tween the civilians and the Corps. Editor: lems that face the Student Gov- I believe we can remain a great Mr. Caperton, according to your ernment of a rapidly changing University by molding these two April 7 letter, you say, “There Student Body. Those problems groups together. I will work are basic principles to which all of the Fifth Wheel Committee tot i adheres. Foremost among these UlVlll3.ll W is that student government must .. . , move away from the* control of (Continued from page 1) on the basis of their spring dorm „ . .... , „ day, students will be encouraged activity card, if they have one, a ° e 1 to vote in the general elections or pay $1.50. Date tickets are 6 , aS 1 0 ° aroun e cam for Student Senate, CSC, Elec- $1.60. Tickets must be obtained ^ ° n y , Sr ^ a . see „ . . , ... ^ , „ , v n*- j trying to control student govem- tion Commission and class offi- from hall counselors by Monday. , - , . TTi-fi-u ment Tor next year is the Fifth cers Mud football, tug of war, At 2 pm ^ the „ Grand p rix „ Whee] push bal and horseshoe contests g 0 . car t race will be held in the Does this mean the purpose of will continue on the intramural Law Hall parking lot> Entrants the Fifth Wheel is to inform the ic an spa e, c ess an poo f rom the different halls will be students whom not to vote for, by tournaments will continue in the competing . The A&M Rugby isolating and adver ti s ing these MbC and Aggie Dem team will play the University of elitists F.W.C candidates? Friday will be Date Arrival Texag at Austin on the drin field R delaGraza Day. At 5 p.m., mud football a t 3 p m will be played at West Gate. At _ 8 p.m., a dance will be held in , tc , T °Z n ^ al ( L W T Pre J® n ,* Students SlOW DOWIX the KC Hall featuring the Z-Z S ™ lth and Tony Joe White CeilSllS Oil CampUS Top. Tickets are $2.50 if pur- at ^ p ’ m ' as a re & u * ar attraction. Census taking is encountering chased in advance at the Student Students can attend on their difficulty here. Co-Op located behind the Campus activity cards, and date tickets »p be 1979 canV ass of students Theater and $3 at the door. MSC are began last Wednesday but has Basement Coffee House shows The presentation dance will be- bogged down, Associate Dean of and individual hall activities will ® p.m. in the Sbisa An- Students Don Stafford said, round out the day. n ex. During the dance the “A number of students have Saturday is Race Day. Begin- Civilian Sweetheart for the com- not completed forms and re- ning at 9 a.m., mud football, tug year will be selected. Stu- turned them to the residence hall of war and push ball finals will dents with fall dorm activity advisor or company commander,” be held at West Gate. From 10 cards may obtain a dance ticket he noted. “All students are urged a.m.-3 p.m., a Model Airplanes from their hall counselors, and to cooperate with the Census Bu- National Competition will be held students without the cards may re au, fill out the forms and re- on the drill field and East of purchase tickets for $3.50 per turn them as soon as possible.” Kyle Field. At noon, a soccer couple. Tickets may be picked The Individual Census Report game will be held on the soccer U P by Monday. (ICR) forms are needed by the field. The civilian barbecue will A special church service will end of the week, Stafford empha- be held in the Grove beginning be held Sunday in All Faiths sized. The regional office in at 12:30 p.m. Students may ob- Chapel. Civilian Student Chap- Lufkin wants to complete the tain one ticket to the barbecue lain Ed Donnell will preside. study by Monday, he added. Cbe Battalion Opinions expressed in The Battalion are those of MEMBER the student writers only. The Battalion is a non-tax- The Associated Press, Texas Press Association supported, non-profit, self-supporting educational enter- The Associated Collegiate Press prise edited and operated by students as a university and t Ma 'l subscriptions are $3.50 per semester; $6 per school community newspaper. year; $6.50 per full year. All subscriptions subject to 4^4% sales tax. Advertising rate furnished on request. Address: LETTERS POLICY The Battalion, Room 217, Services Building, College Station, Texas 77843. Letters to the editor should be typed, double-spaced, j inn The Associated Press is entitled exclusively to the use for and no more than 300 words in length. They must be reproduction of all news dispatches credited to it or not signed, although the writer’s name will be withheld by otherwise credited in the paper and local news of spontaneous arrangement with the editor. Address correspondence to matter ^rehiare^afso* reserved °* repul) ' ication of a11 other Listen Up, The Battalion, Room 217, Services Building, Second-ClasTs postage paid at College Station, Texas. College Station, Texas 77843. EDITOR DAVE MAYES 1QCQ *TTJA Managing Editor David Middlebrooke 1969 TP A Award Winner Women’s Editor Cindy Burleson News Editor Pam Troboy Members of the Student Publications Board are: Jim Sports Editor Richard Campbell Lindsey, chairman; H. F. Filers, College of Liberal Arts; A ceictnnt Crvrtere 1 0 Quanti Wheel E Systei Water Almost 25- Brake 2 Wh Other Starte Mi Yom Joe F 0 E. 251 JOE