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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (April 30, 1975)
i L * X *!*! *IC * 0V ! * !*!- Channels A bureaucratic maze Just suppose that last week you had wanted to find out about the athletic user fee proposal before it was actually to go into effect, or that this week you had wanted to find out what the board of directors would discuss at its special meeting in Dal las. You would probably try The Battalion first, right? Well, if you had you wouldn’t have gotten any more information than you started with. It wouldn’t have been fair how ever to blame the paper for not knowing. Information is often lost or hidden in the existing maze of bureaucratic channels. That infor mation which isn’t processed through university channels (a spe cial meeting of the board of direc tors for example) is even harder to find out about. Yet, the point is that these matters concern the student body. They have the right to know what is going on. The function of this newspaper is precisely that; to let the student body and the community know what is happening in the world around them. If the athletic department re- ally isn’t trying to pull the wool over our eyes and if student government, the administration or any other campus group is sincere in its efforts to act in the best interest in the stu dent body, they must let their ac tions be known before they actually happen. The best way to do this is to let The Battalion know the facts in stead of trying to make us guess and possibly misrepresent the truth. 'DON'T MIND ME—I ALWAYS CRY AT WEDDINGS!' (Ceteris Paribus) Football: fee or free? By MARK RANKIN The current controversy sur rounding the user fee is destined to be the “cowhide bench’’ of the next few months, but it need not be if the economics of the situation can be isolated from the politics. It is unclear at this time who will actually make the decision for or against the proposal but one thing is clear, the outcome will mean much more than a gain or loss in revenue. The real question here is whether or not a seat in Kyle Field will continue to be considered a public good and to what extent. The present policy taxes all stu dents in order to provide free space Loss of Joy ‘regretful’ Editor: After seeing Saturday night’s per formance of “Godspell,” which by the way was nothing less than superior, in respect to the cast and tech crew, I would like to say that I think it is regretful that the Univer sity has to forfeit such a fine director as John Joy. Some have said that new blood is a good thing, and to the point of the production of “Godspell, and other shows done here this season, Joy has without doubt given our theater and the “Aggie Players” the recognition they deserve, through his quality of direction and love for the theater. In “Godspell” Joy has brought to gether a large cast; not only is the Department of Theater rep resented, but accounting, engineer ing, math, biology, parks and recre ation and others through their re spective students, who give one hell of a fine performance. I know that there is nothing that I can say or do that will in any way enhance the possibility of the Uni versity to retain Dr. Joy, but every student, faculty member, adminis trator, or board member who fails to see “Godspell,” fails himself and the experience of a unique cast- audience rapport that can only come about as a result of an equally uni que director. So, let the wall rise, new build ings tower, and the board meet in splendor, because director John Joy and his cast prove that at TAMU the theater is alive. Tom Bond MERLITE WHOLESALE JEWELRY CO. BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR 28 YEARS. IF YOU BUY FOR MOM ON MOTHER'S DAY WE WILL HAVE A RAFFLE ON THE 28th OF MAY. $84 ITEM FOR HAVING ORDER OF $6 OR MORE TO BE ELIGIBLE. EVENING RINGS NECKUCES ENGAGEMENT RINGS EARRINGS WEDDING SETS 305 E. 23rd Buy a set of ladies’ rings and get man's ring free. Weekly Specials Bryan, Texas Room fees Editor: Having found some time to look at the proposed room fees for next year, I was curious as to where the money is going. Just figuring the dorm I am living in, Davis-Gary, I will be paying $235 a semester. Multiplying that by 250 residents, one comes up with $117,500 per year. My question is, where is this money being spent? The dorm, like many others, is only 40 years old. Surely it has been paid for. In D-G, very little maintenance has been done. Oh, before Christ mas, the corridor walls were scraped where the plaster had peeled, and patched. These walls have yet to be painted and some plaster has fallen off. Several rooms have cultures of mold growing on the ceilings. Also, D-G still has two-faucet sinks. I would like to see a list of where room money is spent sent to all dorm residents. As in D-G, it s only $117,500. Also, I would like to see The Batt run a special on residence halls on campus. Douglas T. Gates 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. Editorial policy is determined by the editor. \ LETTERS POLICY Letters to the editor should not exceed 300 words and arc subject to being cut to that length itrless if longer. The editoruil staff reserves the right to edit such letters and dors not guaran tee to publish any letter. Each letter must be signed, slum the address of the writer and list a telephone n'tunber for verifica tion. Address correspondence to Listen l j>. The Battalion. Room 217 s Services Building, College Station, Texas 77S4 > Members of the Student Publications Board are: Bob G. Rogers, chairman; Dr. Gary Halter; Dr. John Hanna; Roger P. Miller; Dr. Clinton A. Phillips; Steve Eberhard; Don Hegi and John Nash Jr. Represented nationally by National Educational Advertising Services I ml New York Cite, C hicago and Los Angeles The Battalion, a student new spaper at Texas A&M is published in C ollege Station lexas daih except Saturday. Sunda\ . Monda\ and holid.w penod- September through Mav. and once a week during summer schoo Mail subscriptions are $5.00 per semester: S^.5n per s* h,.,>| war <l(i “mi p,..' lull \ear All subscriptions subject to 5<4 sales tax Advertising .at« nnnished on request. Address: The Battalion. Ropm ^l7.Lf^rvict"> Building L oliege 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 papei am. an a! news ot spum.meous origin published herein Right of reprdvluc' i' other mattei herein are als». reserved Second-C la- • o*‘stage paid at College Station lex.i- oj aO Editor Assistant Editor . Managing Editor . Sports Editor . . . City Editor Campus Editor . . Photo Editor . . . . .James Breedlove Roxie Hearn . . Paul McGrath Mike Bruton Steve Gray Jerry Geary Jack Holm MEMBER The Associated Press, Texas Press A^souatio!' Reporters Jim Crawley, MikeKimmey, Don Middleton, Jerry Needham, NickVoinis, David Walker, John Zimmerman. Photographers Gary Baldasari, Jack Holm, Glen Johnson, Tom Kayser, David McCarroll, Steve McGown, Chris Svatek. McGown, Chris Svatek. Artists and cartoonists Dr. James H. Earle, Nguyen Dziem, Brad Foster, Rodney Hammack. Columnists Will Anderson. Jerry Geary, Alan Killingsworth, Don Middleton, John Vanore FINANCIAL ACHIEVEMENTS, INC. CASUALTY AGENCY AUTO-HOMfc-MOBILE HOME-BUSINESS BOAT 303 College Main 846-8791 College Station The Best Pizza In Town (Honest) and all this: LUNCHEON SPECIAL (Mon.-Fri.) LIVE ENTERTAINMENT HAPPY HOUR OLD TIME MOVIES HOME MADE ICE CREAM (Bill’s specialty) CREPE SUZETTES COLDEST BEER IN TOWN (HONEST) AND OF COURSE . . . “ETCETERA.’ Come enjoy an evening (or luncheon) in a relaxed cozy atmosphere unequal led in the Southwest (honest). for any student desiring to see a home game. A certain portion of each Student Service Fee is allo cated to the Athletic Department, theoretically compensating it for the loss in revenue caused by “giving away” space to activity card holders. It should be obvious that the system as it now exists is somewhat inequit able since those who do not attend any given home game are, in effect, subsidizing those who do. Yet the system exists because it is consi dered “in the public interest” to allow Aggies “zero priced” tickets. The situation is much like a munici pal park built with tax revenue and available to all citizens yet only utilized by a small percentage. The park is considered for the good of all and thus a public good. The problem with the current ticket price controversy is that it is prima facie evidence that the Athle tic Department feels a need for more funds. Assuming this is true, the policy-makers must look at the avenues open to them and the im plications of each. The first option would concern a solution tied to the existing method of funding, the Student Service Fee and the non-student ticket price. If it is desirable to maintain student tickets as public goods, the in creased revenue will have to come from: a) an increase in the price of non-student tickets, b) an increase in the percentage of the Student Service Fees going to the program or c) a sur-tax on the present Stu dent Service Fee, the proceeds going to the Athletic Department. Each of these choices would con tinue the subsidization of student tickets in essentially the same man ner as is now the policy. The second option would be to eliminate the subsidization of stu dent tickets altogether. This would involve charging the same price to students and non-students alike and making the proper adjustments to the Student Service Fee (cutting Batt seeks reporters The Battalion is seeking re porters for now, next fall and the summer. Experience is helpful, but not necessary. Anyone interested should come by Student Publications, room 216 of the Reed McDon ald Services Building. 'TSptnmb* ! T Eddie Dominguez '66 fT]7 17 w' Joe Arciniega '74 - . J3 re g pri ce_ ’ j If you want the real Fthlng, not frozen or (canned ... We call it “Mexican Food ISupreme.” Dallas location:' 3071 Northwest Hwy. 352-8570 that portion which would have gone to the Athletic Department). It seems to me that this is the most prudent option since it accom plishes the following: a) it estab lishes equality for all Aggies since students and former students would now pay the same price and b) it would eliminate many “two percen ters” since the more avid fans would be more likely to pay the price and c) it would eliminate the inequity involved when those who do not at tend a given game pay for a portion of the ticket of those who do. Although this option is undoub tedly politically distasteful it is economically efficient whereas the first option is politically blissful and economically impotent. The third option, a user fee, would involve characteristics of the first and second options and thus, a compromise. The user fee system would not accentuate the service fee ine quities as would option one and would not involve quite the degree of increased ticket price inherent in option two. Therefore it is less polit ically distasteful than two and more economically efficient than one. The Athletic Department would continue to collect a portion of the Student Service Fee but any funds needed above that amount would come from those who actually go to the games. The ticket price controversy is an important one that should give us some key indications about the changing atmosphere at A&M. When the decision is made, it will more than likely be by the real center of decision -making power on campus, thus exposing the relative strength of the administration and the student government. We will also have some indication of the re lative importance of political suita- ibility and economical efficiency in the decision-making process. Of more considerable importance, however, will be finding whether traditional public goods such as free football tickets will continue, or, in effect, who pays for the Twelfth Man. OVERSEAS EMPLOYEES GUIDE Essential when considering foreign employment. Reviews twenty-eight conditions of employment for con sideration and discussion. Send $4.00, Walt Blurne* ’39, 795 N. Woodlawn Dr., Thousand Oaks, CA. 91360. Page 2 THE BATTALION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 1975 This man is special. JERRY H. B1RDWELL, JR. 822-1559 Jerry Birdwell is a specialist in the Optional Retirement Program, HR-10, and other tax shelters to provide future financial security for faculty, staff and all professionals. He understands the problems and opportunities peculiar to your profession, and would like to be of service to you. 3200 So. C ollege Ave. P. O. Box 3667 Bryan, Texas 77801 .leHenson sianoarm MSC Cafeteria SWEET SHOP now featuring Beautiful, Taste Tempting CAKES Made to Order and Decorated to Suit Your Individual Needs for BIRTHDAYS WEDDINGS And Other Special Occasions Choose a delicious pie or cake from our attractive display or place an order for your next special occasion or call 845-1118 QUALITY FIRST” RESERVE YOUR TRUCK or TRAILER BY MAIL NOW FROM U RENT M TWO LOCATIONS BRYAN 823-0085 Across from Sears COLLEGE STATION 846-3755 1 block past CS Water Tower Don't Be Caught At The End Of The Semester Without A Way To Move j Mail Deposit To U Rent M, p.O. Box 4127, Bryan, Texas 77801 NAME ADDRESS PHONE j DESTINATION I SIZE OF TRAILER OR TRUCK ... | | TRAILER DEPOSIT $10 We regret to inform you that your story does not suit our present needs. On second thought TRUCK DEPOSIT $40 Actual ly, we don’t regret it at all.