Batt column evaluated The Student Government point of view By TOM WALKER SG Exec. Director In “The economic reply (Feb. 25), Mike Perrin argues that Stu dent Government, in a large part or as a whole, is consciously attempt ing to conspire against the best in terests of the student body, is busy squandering the student s money without providing any substantial services in return and is engaged in bootlicking the administration while dragging its feet in areas of student rights. The alleged exis tence of the “Necktie Party,” he states, is prima facie evidence that a need exists for something new and that the old system is not working well enough to suit the student body. The formation of a party indi cates only that a disagreement exists on ways to solve a problem, not that the new party’s platform is prima facie any more viable than existing policies. Service fees, Perrin failed to men tion that $65,000 of them go to the Battalion and they are requesting (from Student Government) $95,000 for next year. This is in spite of the fact that the Batt is making $21,000 profit off of advertising. It is also interesting to note that while the SG Executive Committee and senators serve without compensa tion, the Battalion staff, including Perrin’s wife, the managing editor, are salaried. Student Service fees in ignorance of other universities’ activities. He pleads for the establishment of an open-air radio station, citing such stations at “other schools. Such a station would be a great addition to the university but would require approximately $30,000 for minimal equipment. Perhaps the Batt would be willing to give up some of its allocation. SG is not, as he states, a represen tative body because of the low voter turnout which he cites. However, let’s place the blame where it belongs: on those who do not care enough to vote and on those who thoughtlessly vote for senators who do not care enough to actively participate. For these, SG can never be truly representative. This is exemplified by the number of ap pointed senators cited by Perrin. A lion’s share of these seats were vac ated by people who found that Stu dent Sertate required a little time and effort, a possibility they had not anticipated. Those people were elected by students who didn’t take the time to look into their candi dates desire and willingness to work. Throughout his article, Perrin speaks of the timidity of SG in failing to properly castigate the administra tion for not allowing all university decisions to be made solely by stu dents. Unquestionably, the ad ministration, and especially the Board of Directors, have made a number of decisions this year that have not set well with many stu dents. If Perrin objects to the words “takes strong exception to” in the Senate’s Building Use Fee Resolu tion, he should have seen to it that the Student Senate was composed of people who would have voted for the stronger wording that was in troduced with “demanded” an exp lanation. He had that opportunity last April, as did all of the other “unrepresented” students. Even as I write this, two officers of your “timid” SG are in Austin testifying before the House on limiting build ing use fees. Perrin chastised SG for its “get- along” attitude with the administra tion, citing as examples former SG leaders who have worked for the University. If Perrin will examine the records, he will find that the people he mentioned in particular were instrumental in some of the most progressive and much-needed reforms at A&M, including Discip linary Appeals, female housing and student membership on university committees. Rather than being hired because they had been yes- men, they were recognized by the infamous Administration as think ing individuals with the interests of the students in mind. If the Necktie Party did not believe in a “get- along” policy, fine, but they will have to get enough student support to be able to back up their demands. With only 20 per cent concerned enough to vote, they obviously would not have a strong enough support base to carry out their “up against the wall policy. That lack of participation and rep resentation is at the root of all of SG’s alleged shortcomings -— lack of power, lack of earthshaking projects and lack of universal student in- volvment. It is interesting to see the same small group of senators sign up for all SG projects and the same large group complaining about how hard they have to work every other Wednesday. This can be changed by the constituents — if they care. Perrin complains about lack of input in administrative activities, but of the ten students at the Board meeting, Feb. 25, I counted six who were connected with SG and Perrin was conspicuously absent, “instead of trying to solve the problem.” Blaming Student Government for Student Service fees increases is ab surd. These decisions were made by the administration and the Aggie- land increase (interestingly enough) was made by the Student Publica tions Board, under whom Perrin works. Nevertheless, I challenge Mr. Perrin to find a book that con tains so much and cPsts so much to produce for only $9.50. Still, if the Aggieland doesn’t interest him, he need not buy it. Perrin apparently feels that be cause another university has a good idea, it is beneath our dignity to use it and probably improve on it. Ad mittedly, another school had the idea for a “book mart” but in our first feeble attempt, we saved the stu dents approximately $9,000, handl ing $30,000 worth in books. This was made possible because 600 stu dents rent SG refrigerators, provid ing the capital to buy the books. Those “other universities” at a re cent Texas Student Association meeting expressed their astonish ment that our Book Mart handled more books than all others in the state combined — in its first year. Indeed, where would the Battalion be if its staff did not communicate with others through journalism con ferences (March 6 and 7, 1975)? In the interest of truth, four years ago, when prices were lower, we were without a new student center and a modern, well-equipped hos pital (I won’t debate their services or aesthetic quality). In addition, student activities and services have been upgraded and added to; for example, the Personal Counselling Center, Arts and Crafts Center, OPAS, etc. While we re speaking of Student Should SG terminate its efforts in such areas as food and gas co-ops, a recycling center, reduced utilities deposits, personal property insur ance and student volunteer in volvement just because some other university has tried them and had good results? Sure, other univer sities had a Student Lawyer before we did, but only two of these were in Texas. He wonders why we are just now getting student financed professor evaluations years after those “other universities” while in the same breath asking for lower Throughout the article, Perrin re fuses to make the distinction bet ween SG as a whole and its various branches. Certainly, the legislative branch does seem to the ordinary student to be overburdened with nebulous parliamentary procedure. As a result of overemphasis on the once-every-two-weeks meeting by the Battalion, most students, in cluding Perrin, equate the Student Senate with allof SG. Indeed, most of the work of Student Government takes place not on the floor of the Senate but in committees and dur ing the SG projects, as is the case with most representative bodies. If, when Perrin used the words “Stu dent Government,” he included all of SG, he as one of the nine mem bers of the judicial branch could be accused of timidity, inactivity, and having a “get-along” attitude with the administration. An interesting outgrowth of this is that should any election question come before the Student Body Judicial Board, a question of conflict of interest would assuredly arise concerning Perrin’s promotion of one certain party in the election. This letter is not meant as a blan ket condemnation of either the Bat talion or Mike Perrin. It is the duty of any medium to stimulate ques tioning of established organizations, policies, and persons and their rela tive value and contribution to the society. Perrin’s job as part of the Battalion does confer some respon sibility to serve as the watchdog for the students over every aspect of life atTAMU. Certainly, his column has always done that and for it, I am grateful. Che 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. 'Editorial policy is determined by the editor. Station, Texas 77843. The Associated Press is entitled exclusively to the use for reproduction of all ews dispatches credited to it or not otherwise credited in the paper and local news of spontaneous origin published herein. Right of reproduction of all news dispatches credited to it or not otherwise credited in the and local LETTERS POUCY 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. other matter herein are also reserved. Second-Class postage paid at College Station; Texas. Address correspondence to Listen Up, The Battalion, Room 217, Services Building, College Station, Texas 77843. Editor Assistant Editor Managing Editor Assistant Managing Editor . Sports Editor Photo Editor City Editor News Editors Greg Moses . . .Will Anderson . .LaTonya Perrin Roxie Hearn Mike Bruton . . . Glen Johnson Rod Speer .... Barbara West Douglas Winship 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. 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, Cindy Maciel, Jim Peters, Mark Schluter, Steve Ussery, B. Babji Singh, Don Middleton, Mike Kimmey, Jerry Geary, Chris Askew. 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, :h Via ' ' ' September through ivlay, and once a week during summer school. Photographers Douglas Winship, David Kimmel, Gary Baldasari, Jack Holm, Chris Svatek, Steve Krauss, Kevin Fotorny, Tom Kayser, David McCarroll. Artists and cartoonists Dr. James H. Earle, Nguyen Dziem, Brad Foster, Rodney Hammack, Tom Brents, Scott Morgan. Columnists Bill Sheen, Mike Perrin, John Vanore, John Tim Cowden Texas Instruments calculators DISCOUNT PRICE SP-51—$199,95 SR-50 108.95 SR-16 76,95 SR-11 59.95 1500 92,95 2550 50.95 PLUS $2.00 SHIPPING 5 INS. AND 5* TAX FOR TEXAS RESIDENTS SEND HONEY ORDER OR CASHIERS CHECK FOR IMMEDIATE DELIVERY lOt DOWN ON C.O.D. ORDERS ALL MODELS AVAILABLE WRITE FOR DISCOUNT PRICE LIST DISCOUNT CALCULATOR SALES P. O. BOX 30392 DALLAS, TEXAS 75230 KESAMI SANDWICH SHOPPE Our sandwiches and subs are something very special with us. They will be with you too. Northgate 846-6428 He should understand, however, that it is the function of any rep resentative body to serve as the mediator between all factions of a society for the good of all. Com promise is inherent in this process; as the Neckties call it, “getting along.” If we all really look at it, Student Government is only as strong as the students it represents. The administration realizes this and if SG doesn’t have the power it should, we can only turn inward to see why. 'WE COULD NATIONALIZE IT, OR MAYBE GET SOME ARAB TO BUY IT—BUT WHERE COULD YOU FIND AN ARAB THAT DUMB?' Mail subscriptions are $5.00 per semester; $9.50 per school year; $10.50 per tull year. All subscriptions subject to 5 C A sales tax. Advertising rate furnished a on request. Address: The Battalion, Room ^17, Services Building, College' Student on the Board? Input must come from other sources By BILL SHEEN I spoke last week about some al ternatives to actually having a stu dent on the Board of Directors. But why shouldn’t there be a student on the Board? The most important argument giv en against such a proposal by admin istrators is that a student could never get a feel ing for the re sponsibilities of being a Board member in the one to four years he would be ap pointed for. It is a job of terrific responsibility and it demands a huge amount of varied experiences and abilities. And if students need more input, what about the faculty? They have at least as large a stake in this uni versity as students do. What about staff members and other non teaching employees of Texas A&M? Where will the line be drawn? These could be taken as very good arguments for Board indepen dence. Coasters and Co. By Rodney Hammad But that alone is not enough to keep students off the Board. The presupposition is that the student would have extraordinary voting strength — enough to overrule the prudence of regular Board member decisions. But most people in fa vor of student representation would agree that voting strength is not their primary goal. They seek more direct student input into Board decisions. In a very real sense, the Board of Directors of a major university is much like that of a Board of Direc tors of a large company. They both make policy in order to make their company or university more effi cient or more attractive to prospec tive customers. It doesn’t ask maintenance men whether it ought to build a new plant in Navasota. If it doesn’t do a ^ood job, it gets fired. But how do you fire a university Board member? You don’t. You’ve stuck with him for six years. So why should they care what the faculty thinks? Or students; they’re in transit, anyway. THE AWWISTRMIOM VMHS STUDCNT OPINIOVS Plate n S-.* \« Ool