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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (May 8, 1974)
Page 2 THE BATTALION WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 1974 For the last “Man at Batt” column this semester we will look at complaints directed at the University Police Department. Dale Powell, a freshman political science major, wrote the following letter (dated April 29) to Chief O. L. Luther of the University Police: This afternoon, a friend and I were at the MSC and saw the new fountains over toward the west side. We also noticed that the new wing on this part of the MSC was almost finished so we decided to look in. We were surprised to find furniture, including lit lamps. Obviously someone was staying there. Let me say right now, however, that I thought that this new wing was to be a “hotel” for visiting parents to stay in on the weekends. Therefore, we went to the main entrance (facing the athletic dorms), intending to at least see the lobby. Noticing many people standing near the doorway, we decided not to go in there, however, and be stared at by a group of parents. So we went up to the second level via the outside stairs, hoping to find a less-crowded entrance. At this time, a campus police officer came up the stairs and demanded our IDs. In an extremely harsh and accusing manner, he asked why we were up there. We tried to explain, but he didn’t seem to listen. We then found that this new wing in reality was not part of the MSC but a home for the Board of Directors. This surprised us certainly; but to an even greater extent, we were surprised at his manner in telling us this. He told us to “go play over there,” pointing to the part of the Memorial Student Center where the post office is. Sir, needless to say, this type of behavior on the part of the officer is unduly humiliating. My friend and I were certainly innocent of any crime, lest it be ignorance. In any case, the persecution which we received was uncalled for. I was very much upset by this incident—to the point even of considering transferring to another university. This is unlikely because I like A&M too much; nonetheless, where before there was nothing but pride and admiration for both the MSC and the University Police, now there will be an occasional instance of anger and disgust. To avoid this from happening to other students, I respectfully request you to encourage a more friendly manner among the University Police when dealing with students. Also, please place signs which read “Private” around the Board of Directors’ home or do something so that everyone will know that this is not part of the MSC, that this is not for students to “hang around,” but that this wing is for the Board of Directors’ use only. Thank you very much. Chief Luther, for your time and consideration. Something similar happened to a Batt staff member a few weeks ago: An officer met him in a dark stairwell and shined a flashlight in his eyes. Then the officer demanded the student’s ID in a voice far from polite. The student was then taken out the front door and was asked if a certain bicycle was his. The student said he did not own a bike. The officer took the student to his patrol car where another officer positively identified the student as the cul prit. Culprit of what?The officer seemed belligerent and obnoxious, but he finally explained that the student was charged with running a stop sign and riding a bicycle without a light. When the student tried to explain to the officer that he had not done any of this, the officer threatened to write another citation for fleeing arrest. About this time the student asked for the names and badge numbers of the two officers. The officer again spoke in an obnoxious manner. He told the student, who had a pad and pencil, that he could not use the hood of the police car to rest his pad on while he copied the names and number. The student turned around to use a car parked nearby. The officer told the student that he could not use that car either and directed the student to use a nearby garbage can. The student then tried to clear himself of the charges by suggesting that he and the officers go to the Batt office and verify that the student was working there during the alleged time of the violation. The officer said he was going to write the ticket anyway but the student could go to the office and get witnesses if necessary. When the student started to go back in the building for witnesses the officer changed his mind and sent his partner up to the office with the student’s ID. A few minutes later the officers were apologizing to the student. Powell’s letter and the Batt staffer’s experience are the two best documented of a number of complaints that the Batt has received concerning the campus police. Luther said he had no comment to make on Powell’s letter at this time. The incident involving the Batt staff member was brought to Luther’s attention the night it happened and he was receptive to the complaint and straightened the matter out within the department. “I’m 100 percent for the students;” said Luther. He added that students having gripes concerning the police should complain to the police department. “We need to .. know about legitimate complaints,” he said. YOU CAN LEAD A HORNY BULL TO WATER, BUT NEIL MAKE YOU BUY THE DRINKS. 'JUST A LITTLE SACRIFICIAL THANKS FOR THE LIFTING OF PRICE CONTROLS . Listen Up Marsh feels ‘intimidation 9 from action of Batt staff Ed. Carole display annual May L two of 11 oth< to exhi of Lag Enti gates, state c are tr; batik b flower ican h Fro Editor: Very few times in my political career in Student Government here at A&M have I actually felt intimidated. Previous to this last week I can recall only minor in timidation from one senior mem ber of the Corps when I first en tered the Senate at the end of my freshman year. That practice died with the class of 1973. Now it seems that the Bat talion editor and a few members of his staff have taken it upon themselves to advise members of the Senate and Executive Com mittee on how to vote on key presidential appointments. Here are a few of their methods: Lift a tentatively complete list of Uni versity Committee appointments from President Eberhard’s office; Call nearly every member of the Senate encouraging them not to approve two such appointments— Bill Davis for Publications Board and Jerri Ward for Judicial Board Chairwoman; Raise insinuations that three members of the pre sent Executive Committee have “dated” Ms. Ward at some time in the past; Write letters to at least two such Executive Commit tee members chastising them for voting for Bill Davis because of such claims as (a) “they voted against the Batt,” (b) they voted against the “interests of the stu dent body,” (c) they voted against the Corps, although neither spe cifically represents the Corps, and (d) they were being politically blind by not openly considering other possible applicants. ate could logically consider oth er applicants for certain offices appointed by the Student Govern ment President since the Senate has no assurance that the presi dent would under any circum stances appoint any of the oth ers. In reference to conflict of interests—the Batt’s choices for these two appointments were Rod Speer, the present Batt editor, for Publications Board and Mike Perrin, ad salesman and husband of a Batt staff writer, for the position of Judicial Board Chair man. The Battalion’s use of editorial comment should be kept on page two of The Battalion and should not be expressed in such smear campaigns. Nor should Hank Wahrmund set himself up as the conscience of the Corps of Cadets. Curtis W. Marsh Vice-President for Finance The Battalion endorsed no one for the Student Publications Board or for Judicial Board Chair man. Different staff members did call their senators concerning these appointments as any con- stitutent would express his be liefs to his representative.—Ed. ★ ★ ★ Goodbye Editor: As this school year comes to a close please let me express once more my love, appreciation and best wishes to my Aggies To the seniors of 1974 it is with a feeling of sadness that I see you go. It seems only yester day that you were my Fish and the four years have gone by too swiftly. I know that where ever you go the spirit of this uni versity will go with you and you will remember how great it was to be a part of it and how much it means to be an Aggie. I can’t begin to thgnk you for the won derful times we have shared and for the mahy kind and beautiful things you have done for me. My love, interest and best wishes will go with you always. I look forward to the months ahead with my Aggies of ’75, ’76 and ’77. All of you have made this school year a very happy one. The memories are very special and I will cherish them always. The love and friendship of my Fish mean more to me than I know how to express. I hope my sophomores will forgive me if I neglected them. You were my Fish last yfear—remember? To the (Dorps of Cadets, my girls, my civilian friends — to every one at Texas A&M that I know and love. Thank you and God bless you. Ruth Huns (former Aggie Mother of the Year) The Montezuma Horny Bull:™ 1 oz. Montezuma Tequila. 5 oz. CONCENTRATED ORANGE BREAKFAST DRINK. Over ice. __ T A It's sensational, and that’s no bull. L aL(. v ) LJ 1 1 j/V ©1974 80 Proof. Teauila Barton Distillers Import Co New York. New York. Montezuma Now they’re in new hard-hitting- roles! You remember Robert Duvall in the “Godfather"! Joe Don Baker in “Walking Tall”! Karen Black in “Five Easy Pieces”! They are all together in this fast moving, kill or be killed flick against the organization. nterstate's Jobe] CINEMA II 846-6714 UNIVERSITY SQUARE SHOPPING CENTER Starts Friday—Nitelv: 5:30 - 7:30 - 9:30 Sat. - Sun.: 1:30 - 3:30 - 5:30 - 7:30 - 9:30 Bas Grant the 19 able. HE berge: who t after ! to enr year t< and aj ■ D said, assist dents. $50 to $475 i The defray board for st eligib colle; careei schoo To plicati Grant If any one student did any one of these things by himself, inde pendently of the other events, I could respect him for trying to voice his opinion. However, none of these events occurred indepen dently nor did one person engi neer this smear campaign. Bry an-C. S. Largest Stereo Discount Center Concerning the accusation of personal involvement of members of the Executive Committee with Ms. Ward, it is true that two in dividuals have escorted Ms. Ward to several university functions. To construe such social acquaintance as sexually or emotionally based is both misleading and incorrect. I don’t appreciate Hank Wahr mund, of the Batt, calling me at 1:20 in the morning and telling me that I should not even vote due to “conflict of interest.” I call this intimidation. HI-FI VALUE SPECIAL OF THE WEEK! EXCLUSIVE PIONEER IN BRYAN C.S. I also do not feel that the Sen- Che Battalion 90 32 91 96 99 lOO 10? W I06 N! 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. Editorial policy is determined by a majority of the editorial board. 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, show the address of the writer and list a telephone number for verification. Address correspondence to Listeyi Up, The Battalion, Room 217, Services Building, College Station, Texas 77813. at Texas A&M, is cwu.., .icxas, daily except Saturda Sunday, Monday, and holiday periods, September May, and once a week during summer school. The Battalion, a student newspaper at published in College Station, Texas, daily Saturday, through GDRIOIMeeR SX-424 AM-FM STEREO SYSTEM Mail subscriptions are $3.50 per semester; $6 per year; $6.50 per full year. All subscriptions subject sales tax. Advertisin school to 5% bjei Advertising rate furnished on request. Address: The Battalion, Room 217, Services Building, College Station, Texas 77843. • Pioneer SX-424 50 watt AM-FM Stereo Receiver • Two Pioneer CS-44 2-way Speaker Systems use for 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. 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 Service*!. Inc, New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles. MEMBER The Associated Press, Texas Press Association Editor Rod Speer Managing Editor Will Anderson Assistant to the Editor Greg Moses News Editor T. C. Gallucci Photo Editor Gary Baldasari Sports Editor Kevin Coffey Ass’t. Sports Editor Ted Boriskie Staff writers Vickie Ashwill, LaTonya Perrin, Mary Russo, Tony Gallucci, Cliff Lewis, Brad Ellis, Hank Wahrmund, Norine Harris, Sally Hamilton, Julia Jones. Makeup Bob Chaney Photographers Roger Mallison, Alan Killings- worth, Steve Ueckert, David Spencer. 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