Page 2 THE BATTALION
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1975
//"BUC., FOP> THE LAST A
TlfAE You HAVE To fao!
SOMEONE HAS TO EE
THE TEST PI LOT!
Dear Sheikh,
Heres an offer you cant refuse
Baff |
Howdy . .2.
The word goes as school grows
V-j* *»• •»* (laV & >
v.YrryC. .
The Battalion has received many
letters complaining about the dis
appearing friendliness on campus
The closeness of Aggie students
originated when this school was all-
Corps. Aggies were distinctly dif
ferent from stu
dents at other
schools and very
similar to each
other (except for
boots, belts,
brass and braid,
all uniforms look
pretty much a-
like).
Aggies’ concern for their fellow
students was demonstrated by a
simple, “Howdy,” as they passed
and by a reverent gathering on the
Academic Building mall for Silver
Taps. A friendly attitude towards
strangers also marked the campus.
The tradition of friendliness car
ried over with the appearance of
civilians and later, girls, in large
numbers on this campus.
However, the attendance of
Silver Taps has dropped off recently
and howdies are becoming rare ex
cept between members of the
Corps, which requires it of lowerc-
lassmen. Many people still attempt
Ho speak to everyone they can as
they pass.
I kept a mental tally as I went to
classes today. Not counting Corps
fish and sophomore, I received
about 10 replies to my greeting,
three people spoke to me first and
every other Aggie blew me off.
The fading friendliness is not due
to any one group. There are just too
many Aggies in too short a time.
The spring enrollment my fresh
man year was 15,118 and the spring
before that it had been 13,816. This
spring, there are 20,400 Aggies
going to this school. TAMU will
continue its growth but President
Jack Williams hopes it will level off
at 28,000 by 1980. This school will
almost double in size in less than
eight years.
Traditions that were just ac
cepted as they were will disappear.
I’m afraid. Friendliness just doesn’t
happen and there is no way to en
courage 20,400 people to be
friendly (for instance, the failure of
the “Howdy Days that occur occa
sionally).
The Corps is the only organiza
tion that has methods of encourag
ing friendliness (tell a fish that any
thing is traditional and he’ll do it
with pleasure). But an upperclass
man only knows what he is taught by
his upperclassmen before him and
somewhere down the line the im
portance of friendliness was not
stressed enough.
So unless something happens to
really shake this campus (and I don’t
know what that would be), the tradi
tion of Aggie friendliness will just
drift away. There will always be a
small gathering at Silver Taps and a
murmur of howdies on the
sidewalks, but nothing like “the
good old days.’ But that’s the price
you pay for growth; welcome to the
20th Century, Aggieland.
Have a nice day.
★ **★★★ ★*★★★*★*'*•★★★★ ★★*★****
The complaint from Katherine
Buchanan (see Listen up) offered no
real solution either.
I called Charles Brunt, manager
of construction, and asked why the
new water tower wasn’t being
painted maroon. He said it was
being painted blue simply because
that was the color that was selected.
“I doubt it anyone gave any
thought to it being the school colors
of Rice or T. U. or anybody,” Brunt
said.
Brunt said painting the thing blue
instead of maroon possibly made it a
little less obvious. Light colors re
flect sunlight better but Brunt said
he doubted that it would make
much difference during the summer
heat.
I asked Brunt what students
could do if they were bothered by
having an “Owl Tower” on campus.
“If they’ll collect the money, we ll
just paint it again,” he said. The
paint now being applied cost
$49,000 counting the inside and the
final coat.
I’d be hard pressed to tell you
how much another coat (of maroon
paint) would cost,” Brunt said.
“Erecting scaffolding especially for
this would cost; the price of paint
has escalated since we drew up this
contract.
“I’d guess it could get as high as
$25,000.”
If the cost of repainting the water
tower was something less than that,
a donation of $1 from every student
at TAMU next year would just about
cover it. The Battalion would be in
terested to know if anyone starts a
drive with that purpose in mind.
Cbe Battalion
Opinions expressed in The Battalion are those of the editor
or of the ivriter 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 coinmunity newspaper.
Editorial policy is determined by the editor.
MEMBER
The Associated Press, Texas Press Association
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 Mav, and once a week during summer school.
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 guaran
tee to publish any letter. Each letter must be signed, show the
address of the writer and list a telephone number for verifica
tion.
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, Steve
Eberhard, Don Hegi, and John Nash, Jr.
Represented nationally by National Educational Advertising Services, Inc.
New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles.
Editor Greg Moses
Assistant Editor Will Anderson
Managing Editor LaTonya Perrin
Assistant Managing Editor Roxie Hearn
Sports Editor Mike Bruton
Photo Editor Glen Johnson
City Editor Rod Speer
News Editors Barbara West
Douglas Winship
Reporters . . . T. C. Gallucci, Tony Gallucci, Paul McGrath, Robert Cessna, Gerald
Olivier, Rose Mary Traverse, Steve Gray, Judy Baggett, Alan Killingsworth, Sayeeful
Islam, Mary Jeanne Quebe, Cathryn Clement, Robin Schriver, Cindy Maciel.
By GREG MOSES
The recent Alamo non-deal with
Sheikh Masoud Al-Sharif Al-
Hamdan was terribly mismanaged..
Political savvy and foresight do not
indicate that we Texans should dis
appoint our newfound brothers of
wasteland. It’s just not a good idea
to upset the Arabs in these days of
internal combustion. Not that Texas
needs imported oil; but the Arabs
are making money. And when all
the Texas banks are closed in scan
dal, to whom will we turn?
So, in the interests of my adopted
state, I make the following desper
ate proposal to Sheikh Masoud of
Saudi Arabia:
First, allow me to explain, your
highness, that Texas meant no
harm or insult when it turned down
your generous offer to relieve San
Antonio of an old adobe fortress that
is no longer valuable to our defense.
You see, there is a slight difference
between this mud-walled fortress
and the antique metal machines you
now buy from our national defense
department. The difference has
something to do with heritage and
tradition — qualities which Texans
cherish; traits which Texans try to
protect against the irreverant dis
ruptions of youth. So don’t take it
personally, Aboud.
And do consider the alternate
offer of the movie replica. Although
it doesn t hold those sentimental
qualities so dear to Texans, it does
manage to fool quite a few people
when it is reproduced on celluloid
with the proper lights, lenses and
THE BA
TUESDAY, FI
llSSBil
New MSC service urged
Editor:
I cannot help but be alarmed by
the growing chasm between those
who are pleased with the decor of
the MSC and those who are not. It is
with hopes of pleasing all the stu
dents of TAMU, of enabling Jack
Williams to maintain his great
showplace, and of providing TAMU
with the means for paying rebates
on building-use fees that I humbly
offer the following proposal.
I suggest that because the MSC
already has the necessary trappings,
(garrish furniture, gaudy objects
d’arte, and a fine piano) and because
the MSC now has sleeping quarters
available for rent, on these consid
erations I propose that a brothel be
established within the MSC.
Aggies are internationally re-
nouned for their phenominal devo
tion to their school. On the basis of
this devotion I’m certain that there
would be plenty of young ladies wil
ling to devote their time and ener
gies to this project. On the same
basis young men could be recruited
to function as panders, money hand
lers, protectors, etc. If these people
would volunteer to serve their
school in the above described man
ner, how could the project not suc
ceed? Also, wouldn’t their exemp
lification of dedication act as a living
memorial to the Undying Aggie
Spirit?
Because of the plurality of males
attending this school in need of the
emotional release which comes only
through copulation, demand would
be strong. Because, except for a few
small independents, competition
would be almost non-existent,
creating a seller’s market, the profit
potential is mind-boggling.
With the environment so
psychologically perfect and the
necessary physical facilities already
existent on compus, how could the
venture fail? What better way to put
to use the MSC’s monstrous decor
while simultaneously rendering it
self-supporting? On the basis of my
sound arguments and of the assured
success of the proposed venture, I
urge the administration to give my
proposal weighty consideration.
Daniel E. Wheeler
Matter of taste
Editor:
I would like to make a few com
ments in reply to Ben E. Dial (Lis
ten up, Jan. 29).
First of all, I agree with Dial’s
belief that the Rudder Center is an
example of good taste and that a
southwestern theme is very approp
riate for the new student lounge. I
would, however, like to ask one
question of Dial and William Pahl-
mann (the designer):
Where does a rhinoceros fit into a
“southwestern” motif?
I would like to add also that good
taste is a matter of individual opin
ion and I don’t believe that any per
son should force acceptance of his
opinions on another.
Lois Hill
versity of ours lack that certain pride
that distinguishes a true Aggie from
a two-per center.
These self-proclaimed interior
decorators who have written in re
cently complaining about the cost
and decor of the MSC lounge strike
us as the type of student here
merely to take and never give. One
can only shudder to think of a day
when those who give so grudgingly
of their money while enrolled here
Satisfied fish
at A&M would be called upon to
support this university through the
Former Students Association.
Maybe we re old-fashioned but we
get a great deal of satisfaction in
knowing we left something behind
here that will be enjoyed by Aggies
for years to come.
Steve Haley
Tab Thompson
Kieth Seale
and the 13 other fish
of Squadron 1
Editor:
We are sick and tired of hearing
the endless dissention over student
affairs here at A&M. If they’re not
complaining about the new student
lounge, they are complaining about
something else with equal fervor.
People who can find nothing better
to do than discredit this great unj-
Owl Tower
Editor,
Doesn t it seem a shame that the
new water tower is being painted
with the colors of Rice University,
rather than our own maroon and
white?
Katherine Buchanan
f-stops. But if you find the replks
lacking, may I suggest another ol:
which will give you a touch ofherit
age and tradition.
For my alternate desperate prop
osal involves a building which no»
stands in a legendary strongholdd
tradition among youth — a stron
ghold with qualities as rare as am "1
locked within those adobe SanAii
tonio walls. Granted, my propod
does not offer a historically glamor
ous structure. No one has diedde
fending it. But its history is notlad
luster.
Il l can believe what I read in tin
papers, your son has spent soiw
time in Texas. Perhaps he has told
you about the American student
Like the student class around die
world, American students live on
borderline poverty. They are happi
with modest accommodations at lo«
prices. No one thinks it is cruel dial
students have to live this way. And
the students are willing to live on
meager means until they eamaDe
gree and a Chance to Get .Ahead. I
mention these things because the
building I describe is located in a
community of students.
The tradition-loving students of
this community do not think this
building reflects a true picture of
their heritage. Not that tradition is
lacking in this building (don’t getne
wrong, Al). It’s loaded with relics of
days gone by.
But the building is just too, well,
extravagant for the students tastes
or picket books. But with all vow
money, Sheikh, it would lie near
perfect. What would you do with
this building? You must have one
hell of a harem and there’s a huge
room full of soft couches . . .orwith
a few exhibits, you could open a
museum of world culture with an
“Age of Aquarius” theme .
would even make a nice convention
center for the oil moguls you will no
doubt be hosting ... or you could
just keep it around for status.
Think of it, Aboud! The Saudi
Arabian Sheikh with a $28 million
piece of Americana which was de
signed on Fifth Avenue for the state
which cherishes crumbling adobe
forts . . . what a coup.
'SPARE A DIME? SINCE WHEN WERE YOU SATISFIED WITH A DIME?'
TAMU viewed as selfish step-mother
The Aggie forum is open to all
members of the TAMU community
who wish to express ideas which
cannot be developed in the Listen
up letters column.
Choice of columns to be pub
lished and editing of those columns
are at the discretion of the editor.
By DALE HANCOCK
In a recent article printed in The
Battalion it was reported that Gov.
Briscoe had made three appoint
ments to “the TAMU Board of Di
rectors.” This was an inaccuracy. In
actuality, the Governor made three
appointments to the Texas A&M
University SYSTEM Board of Di
rectors. The mistake, to some, may
appear minor but the omission dis
regards almost thirty percent of the
student body of the entire system.
The Batt should not be chastised
too severely for its oversight. The
mistake is a common one. Indeed, it
Mail subscriptions are $5.00 per semester; $9.50 per school year; $10.50 per
tull vear. All subscriptions subject to 5 c /( sales tax. Advertising rate furnished^
on request. Address: The Battalion, Room 2.17, 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.
is a widely held opinion in the
North-central Texas area (the area
around Tarleton State University)
that the Board of Directors them
selves often forget at least those stu
dents who attend the institution
which is popularly known as the
Stepchild University. The article re
ferred to earlier offers some proof
supporting this opinion as it parap
hrases Alfred I. Davies, one of the
appointees, as saying that “he will
try to become oriented to the prob
lems of A&M.” The article men
tioned no concern of Mr. Davies
toward the problems of the other
two schools in the System.
Regardless of what was printed in
a newspaper article, ample evi
dence exists to support the proposi
tion that Tarleton State University
is a victim of stepchildism. A small
part of that evidence will be pre
sented here.
Of twenty Texas State senior col
leges ranked according to average
faculty salary level for 1973-74 in an
article appearing in the TAMU
FORTNIGHTLY, TAMU ranked
first with a figure of $15,600. Tarle
ton State ranked twentieth with a
figure of $11,400. There will be
those who argue that A&M employs
a larger percentage of Ph.D.’s and
tenured professors and that this jus
tifies the difference. I challenge
those readers to support their views
with facts. They will be hard pres
sed to do so. How is a school going to
offer quality education if it cannot
afford to pay its faculty a decent liv
ing wage?
I have known numerous profes
sors at Tarleton who have Ph.D.’s
that were forced to take jobs as pain
ters or service station attendants
during holidays just to make meager
ends meet. These people do not live
extravagantly; they are im
poverished by TAMU faculty stan
dards. Yet, to my knowledge, the
Board of Directors has shown no
concern.
While the Board has directed a
frenzy of building at TAMU in
which little if any expense was
spared, Tarleton has been thrown
only a few bare bones. It is interest
ing that the new University Center
alone cost more to build than the
value of all buildings in existence at
Tarleton. Even the fraction of the
center paid for by State monies cost
more than the total evaluation of all
Tarleton buildings. It should also be
noted that no imported cowhide
benches, no gold plated light fix
tures, no etched glass and no anti
que coffee tables are to be found at
Tarleton. Furthermore, the only
landscape wall in existence at Tarle-
Fari
3400 S.
THREE WEEKS A60 HE KNEW
HE WAS S0IN6 TO HAVE A
STOMACHACHE TOPAY
Coun
Groi
Your
varie
plus
SEF
BankAi
ton is that which was built of native
stone by student labor in the 1920s.
While Tarleton is located in one
of the foremost agricultural areas o(
the State and has the third largest
agriculture school in the state, ithas
been treated by the stepmother in
stitution more like a little Siberia
than a badly needed school which
should be nurtured. Some depart
ments at Tarleton have suffered
greatly due to a combination of low
salaries and faculty recommenda
tions made by the hierarchy at
A&M.
In conclusion, I question the
basic objectives of the management
of the Texas A&M University Sys
tem. Though the Board of Directors
can support their position with a
miasma of formulas and figures, can
they morally justify the dichotomy
of conditions within their various
wards? Is their primary goal the
education of Texans or is it the erec
tion of monoliths and fountains
which fill with awe the heart of the
beholder? The latter seems more
likely, and I suggest that the A&M
lobby may find support rare in the
next State constitutional conven
tion.