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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 4, 1973)
Page 2 THE BATTALION TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1973 Computerized Vehicle Registration Ease Is Possible By KEITH HENLEY The history of computerized ve hicle registration at A&M spans a short period of three semesters. Although initiation of the system was begun months earlier, the first significant steps were tak en at the preregistration of spring semester classes 1973. Preprinted registration cards were made for all students that would be enrolled for the spring term. For those students with a vehicle registered during the fall semester 1972, the required infor mation was already on the card. This information was taken from the fall semester application and entered into the computer on a master file. These cards were alphabetized and the students were asked to come by the police office during the pre registration period and make any necessary changes or corrections. Students having blank cards were requested to fill in the required information. In order to receive a vehicle permit the student presented his fee slip at the University Police office. After checking the amount paid and determining whether the student lived in a dormitory or off campus, the appropriate permit was issued. For the summer school of 1973, all fees were paid in G. Rollie White Coliseum. The vehicle per mits were issued from there and each student was asked to fill out a blank card regardless of wheth er or not he had a vehicle regis tered the previous semester. All summer registrants were added to the computer’s master file after preprinted cards were made up only for those students on the computer’s master file. These cards were then separated by de partment and delivered to the ap propriate department head. Upon receipt, the department head placed the card in a packet with other cards required for preregis tration. The students were asked to cor rect their card and return it with the card packet at Cushing Libra ry upon completion of preregis tration. All the cards were col lected by University Police per sonnel and realphabetized. Park ing permits for preregistered stu dents were issued at the Univer sity Police office. Freshmen and transfer students filled out blank registration cards at their registration during the summer. These cards were kept separate from all other cards and vehicle permits were issued at the Memorial Student Center. Students registering late, the week prior to the beginning of fall classes, were asked to fill out a blank card and turn it in with their card packet at Cushing Library. Each night, the cards col lected were alphabetized and tak en to G. Rollie White Coliseum. Late registering students paid their fees the day after registra tion at G. Rollie White and for their convenience, were allowed to pick up their permit at the same time. Necessity for preregistered students requiring more than one vehicle permit regardless of where original is obtained, to complete the following: 2. Proceed to the Fiscal Office for payment. 3. Return to the University Po lice office with receipt to ob tain additional permit(s). Necessity for late registration students requiring more than one vehicle permit to complete the fol lowing: 1. Pay fees at G. Rollie White Coliseum and pick up origin al permit at booths located nearby. 2. Proceed to University Police office and secure authoriza tion for payment of addi tional permit (s). 3. Proceed to the Fiscal Office for payment. 4. Return to either University Police Office or G. Rollie White Coliseum with receipt to obtain additional per- mit(s). Inefficient method of distribut ing vehicle permits. Approximately 6,000 students were required to secure their ve hicle permits in two hallways in the basement of the YMCA. One hallway measures eight feet by approximately 40 feet while the other is eight feet by approxi mately 30 feet. At least one third of the students came the first day of classes making conditions very cramped and uncomfortable. The remaining 2,000 students, those who registered late were permitted to pick up their permits in a hallway at the Coliseum, at the same time they paid their fees. This hallway measures eight feet by approximately 55 feet with a ceiling height at least twice as much as those in the basement of step process. The first, a short- run solution, can be used as long as necessary because of its sim plicity and effectiveness. A mimeographed, two part form similar to the present authoriza tion for payment, should be de signed. One part should author ize purchase and the other ac knowledge receipt. Upon payment of the permit, both parts should be stamped paid. The receipt should then be returned so the student can secure his permit. Payment should be accepted at the point of permit distribution by either the Fiscal Office or Uni versity Police personnel. This method is workable according to Ben F. Trcalek, accountant for the Fiscal Office, and does not re quire the student to go several different places before securing his permit. Through the use of inexpensive mimeographed forms this method can easily be discon tinued after a trial period, if deemed unsatisfactory. The permanent solution re quires changing the computer program for fee assessment. At present, there is no way for the computer to charge for a dupli cate permit. This is a simple matter, according to Elliot O. Bray, senior systems analyst in charge of automated registration, and there would be no expense involved if it was done at a time when the entire registration sys tem is changed. The system will be changed within the next three years, Bray said, and possibly as soon as the fall semester 1974. If adopted, this solution will allow the student to obtain all his required permits at one time. There is nothing complex involv ed and it easily fits in with the existing procedures of preregis tration. The third problem can be solv ed by dividing the students alpha betically and distributing permits over a five-day period. Regardless of the day of the week school starts, the first two weeks should represent a grace period, in which no tickets would be given for parking in unauthor ized lots. Because of the increas ed numbers of freshmen and transfer students each year and the limited number of parking spaces, two weeks at least, are required to correct the violations. No new organization is required for this method and it should provide for an even distribution throughout the distribution peri od. No matter what method of pay ment and distribution of vehicle permits is used, two points should be emphasized. Distribution of all permits should be from oik cific location. Ideally, it j] be from a building such coliseum where cramped, fortable areas can be av# Secondly, the distribution $ should be preceeded by anil publicity campaign inforraia; students exactly where andt| vehicle permits may be obta; If these recommendatioas adopted, the payments ution of vehicle permits sh* not only be faster and ficient, but also more com® and comfortable for all con ed. 0/2r73 uxw&dxr ■ W Listen Up 'DON'T WORRY IF THE WEST SHUTS OFF YOUR GRAIN SHIPMENTS—I CAN GET A GOOD DEAl ON THE AMERICAN STUFF!' Tenure Protects Against ‘Meanness’ registration was completed. Vehicle preregistration for the fall semester of classes 1973, was handled a third way. Filled-in, 1. Secure authorization for pay ment of additional permit(s) at the University Police Of fice. the YMCA. Conditions ere much more satisfactory, The' situation outlined in prob lems A&B can be solved in a two Editor: Tenure should not be under valued. It protects the employe from acts of meanness which could destroy his livelihood. An able administrator is not re stricted by tenure rules from fir ing an incapable instructor; he merely has to document his criti cisms fully. The argument that University professors should not enjoy such a preferential status may be com pared with the argument that all employes should be protected against arbitrary, capricious and vindictive firing. Perhaps they would, if they were smart enough to bargain for it. Kenneth S. Most, Head Department of Accounting ★ ★ ★ lung.” The title cut wasn’t writ ten by Anderson. It seems that the uninformed, average mind cannot be opened to innovative ideas. Alan Roth Mr. Bond is not a regular critic for the Battalion, he merely con tributed his thoughts on the Tull wax.—Ed. 'JUST A SYMBOLIC SHOT, GENERAL, FOR THE FOLKS BACK HOME Batt Commentary Unique Disservice Phone calls made to The Battalion and Dr. Jack K. Williams by a reporter from the Houston Chronicle have suggested that there is a clear misunderstanding of the disciplinary actions University administrators can exercise over student actions off campus. The reporter, following up a tip from Tom Manison, owner of the Camp Manison where several Aggies reportedly cut down the Rice University “victory tree,” was trying to find out what the University was going to do about it. “Nothing,” was the answer he got from Williams. As Williams politely explained it to the media representative, he couldn’t possibly be held responsible for the actions of over 18,000 students off campus. It’s hard enough on campus. Williams then told of a complaint he got from an irate football fan who complained of the bad manners an alleged Aggie fan displayed at the A&M-Rice football game in Houston. The Aggie, apparently did a nice job of constantly providing cigar smoke in the face of the Rice fan. The result: The Rice fan wanted to know what kind of manners Williams was teaching students in College Station. The answer: no manners are being taught at all. Surely, it is ridiculous to hold a university president responsible for such silly actions. From reading letters which we haven’t printed in The Battalion and comments and questions such as the football fan’s and reporter’s, maybe it is time for some students to begin acting as the adults most people try to treat them as, not the children contactual reaction seems to elicit. Incidents such as the tree chopping at Camp Manison do nothing but further the total conservative cowboy image TAMU unjustly retains. Being unique is one thing, but being obnoxious in the process is a disservice to all students, past and present. Editor: Re: Randy Bond’s Review of “A Passion Play.” Obviously, his review was a poor effort. He states in his re view that he didn’t even get a chance to listen to the album by Jethro Tull. Therefore, he is un able to make a qualitative judg ment about it. He qualifies himself as a critic by stating that Ian Anderson is average and the sole writer of all the group’s words and music. Maybe he should check, “Aqua- ★ ★ ★ Editor: I became very disgusted when I read the review of Jethro Tull’s “A—PASSION PLAY.” I was amazed at all the cutting and mis informed statements of the al bum’s poor quality. For example, Bond stated that this was poor disc, including the album cover. If Mr. Bond would have bothered to see the fantastically well per formed concert “A PASSION PLAY,” the cover would have sig nificance. I was very much im pressed with the album and con cert and find it revolting to find that this article had been written by some one who had not even listened to the album — this was very obvious. As to Ian Anderson’s flute play ing, I feel he is indeed a master. It is a remarkable performance, a very talented one I might add. I can see how one who had not seen the concert and not even listened to this album might lack the knowledge of the masterpiece. However, I fail to see how such a person could feel competent enough to print such ignorance. Perhaps Randy Bond should stick to his “football games and such” and leave the musically in clined to their interests. Jane Freely ★ ★ ★ Editor: As a follow-up to the list of grievances submitted by the resi dents of Hotard Hall, Public An nouncements Anonymous of White Hall would like to present some thing to the opposite effect; the advantages of living in Dorm 10. It is our hope that the Hotardians and other similarly oppressed minorities might join us and share the countless blessings with which we have been endowed. Some of the advantages Dorm 10 has to offer are listed below: 1) The prestige of belonging to the renowned R-l Reefer Com pany Duncan food gently carried bv southerly trade-winds — “essti of latrine.” 4.) Friedly neighbors to north and east. Such frii greetings as “Eat S . . ., regs!” are heard commonly. 5) Continuous entertains by one of the funniest com teams in the world, featuring cast of thousands — the c.t 6) The Fourth Floor Zoo every resident unique and before seen in captivity. 7) Protection provided by ever vigilant judicial board, turing such celebrities as “Ha( ’em High” Hosea and Red Butler. 8) Daily quiet hours a.m. to 4:00 a.m.) 9) Bottle rocket target tice nightly. Choice of civilian military targets. Note: This tice is frowned upon by the cial board (see No. 7). Alan W. Schmidt Kenneth Fels ’75 2) Wake up service each and every morning at 6:30 provided by 2,000 jubilant c.t.’s singing such immortal tunes as “If I had a high I.Q., I could be a Non-Reg, too.” 3.) The fragrance of good FOR BEST RESULTS TRY BATTALION CLASSIFIED Cbe Battalion Opinions expressed in The Battalion are those of the editor or of the writer of the article and are not necessarily those of the University administration or the Board of Directors. The Battalion is a non-profit, self-supporting enterprise operated by students as a University and Community newspaper. LETTERS POLICY Letters to the editor should not exceed 300 words and are subject to being cut to that length or less if longer. The editorial staff reserves the right to edit such letters and does not guarantee to publish any letter. Each letter must be signed and show the address of the writer. Address correspondence to Listen Up, The Battalion, Room 217, Services Building, College Station, Texas 77843. Members of the Student Publications Board are: Jim Lindsey, chairman; Dr. Tom Adair, Dr. R. A. Albanese, Dr. H. E. Hierth, W. C. Harrison, Randy Ross, T. Chet Edwards, and Jan Faber. Represented nationally by National Educational Advertising Services. Inc, New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles. The Battalion, a student newspaper at Texas A&M, is published in College Station, Texas, daily except Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and holiday periods, September through May, and once a week during summer school. MEMBER The Associated Press, Texas Press Association Mail subscriptions are $3.50 per-semester; $6 per school year; $6.50 per full year. All subscriptions subject to 5% sales tax. Advertising rate furnished on request. Address: The Battalion, Room 217, Services Building, College Station, Texas 77843. The Associated Press is entitled exclusively to the use for reproduction of all news dispatches credited to it or not otherwise credited in the paper and local news of spontaneous origin published herein. Right of reproduction of all other matter herein are also reserved. Second-Class postage paid at College Station, Texas. EDITOR : MIKE RICE Assistant to the Editor Rod Speer Managing Editor Greg Moses News Editor T. G. Gallucci Sports Editor Kevin Coffey Ass’t. Sports Editor Ted Boriskie This can be the Christmas she'll remember... always Give her the gift of timeless love, a bril liant diamond ring from Keepsake. You can trust Keepsake diamonds—they're guaran teed, permanently registered, and protected against loss. You can pay more, but you can buy no finer diamond ring than a Keepsake. Diamonds Set In Senior Rings Featuring Aggie “No Interest” Charge Accounts Plus Watch & Jewelry Repair. Lay-A-Way For Christmas Now. EMBREY S JEWELRY North Gate — 846-5816 Rings enlarged to show detail. Trade-Mark Reg. Peniston Cafeteri Balt M By BRAD <‘0 Lucky tic movie, idea by th Dowell- This mov except that be comical thrust of tl is about p< up in a gan to be their pie need de or philosop the people long as all play their : The prol in success, is, played comes to t play by th situation. I no charactt his entire The mov being a re an obvious sequences < free u. n meet at 8 Dr. Albert meat of In ual Deviati WILDLIFE will meet Old Biolos? Dr. Joe Tr AMERICAN TRIAL EN at 7:30 P Zachry E speaker ia Air Lines. CIVIL ENG1 CLUB wil Debrorah Mobile Pa meeting. 10-£ Net Atal SUF A&B Call 846 After l I3 ? SA: “Wh< stan 24 Id Special Christmas Candlelight Feast Dec. 17, 1973 - 4:30 p. m. to 7 p. m. Roast Breast of Turkey Cornbread Dressing Giblet Gravy Chilled Cranberry Sauce Marshmellowed Sweet Potato Souffle English Peas w/Water Chestnuts Choice of Salad (Except Chef Salads) Pecan or Black Bottom Pie Home Made Hot Yeasty Rolls Choice of Beverage $ 1 90 plus tax 11:00 a. m. - 1:15 p. m. 4:30 p. m. - 7:00 p. tn. “Quality First’