The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current, September 17, 1975, Image 5
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Mr. students n private 'She' or still very Confused insects create difficulties By DON MIDDLETON Battalion Staff Writer THE BATTALION Page 5 WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1975 Diptera disaster StufT photo 1>\ Dn\ id McCurroll This is the bumper of an Aggie motorist’s car that finish of a car if not washed off as soon as possible, ran into a cloud of mating Love Bugs. The swarm- When faced with this situation, don’t turn on your ing insects can damage the cooling system and windshield wipers. Oh, that fickle lady — Mother Na ture. In her more rambunctious moods she can wreak on mankind hurricanes, tornadoes or clouds of Love Bugs. Love Bugs, otherwise known as honeymoon flies, double-headed bugs and united bugs, have been recently seen everywhere on the Texas A&M University campus. In most cases the bugs are observed in the position from which the various common names are derived. Actually the term “bugs is a mis nomer for the amorous insects. They belong to the same order as flies and mosquitos, Diptera (meaning two winged), and not to the order of true hugs, Hemiptera (meaning half winged). A more correct common name is “March Fly ”, Dr. Horace Van Cleave, Professor of Entomology at A&M, said Friday. The name refers to the insect’s usual habit of emerging from the pup al, or dormant stage in the spring to hunt for a mate and propagate the species. But, alas, the best laid plans of flies and men often go astray. This year in southeastern Texas the unusually high amount of rainfall gave rise to a second generation of the unabashed honey moon flies, Dr. Ray Frisbie, extension entomologist, said Friday. It seems that the larvae of the Love Bug, the stage immediately after the egg, feed on decaying organic matter, Frisbie said. The more rainfall, the more decaying organic matter. The more decaying organic matter, the fas ter the larvae develop into the pupal stage. The faster the larvae enter the pupal stage, the earlier the pupae emerge as adults whose only purpose in life is the perpetuation of the species. Aggies coped with the inconveni ence in different ways. Some students, mostly larger in stature and wearing blue jeans, doggedly swat the bugs that alight on shoulders and legs pre sumedly to get their second wind. Others grab at March Flies locked in connubial bliss, and sadistically pull them apart. But the number of insects killed either by a blow of the hand or by a broken heart is insignificant when compared to the thousands of other individuals who escape to fulfill their duty in the overall scheme of things. Despite the large number of the bugs flying around, economic damage is only minor. The Love Bugs do no damage to crops nor do they sting, thank goodness. However, you may have noticed au tomobiles around campus who have run afoul dense aggregations of the mating insects. If the bugs are not cleaned as soon as possible, they may damage the finish as well as clog the cooling system of the car. Another danger encountered while driving through clouds of Love Bugs is quickly discovered when an unfortu nate soul tries to improve his vision by turning on his windshield wipers. There is a positive side to almost every mishap, and the Love Bug plague is no exception. It has been found that a pair of honey moon flies crawling across one’s desk creates a interesting and educational diversion during those long nights of study. Another Aggie, who must remain anonymous for his own safety, theorized that if the bugs were dried and ground up into a powder, they could be used as an aphrodisiac. By the time you read this, if you read this, the Love Bugs will be gone for the most part. You may see isolated die- hards still doing their part for the species, but the vast numbers which have darkened radiators for the past three weeks will be gone. Rest assured, however, that the Love Bugs died happy, safe in the knowledge that their progeny will be around at least another season. Both sides of story International students seen differently By STEVE REIS Battalion Staff Writer The administration angle *”'* Strangers in a strange land, they walk among the natives; they try to understand the customs and try to fathom the language. No, not a scene from a science fiction novel hut a picture of Texas A&M Univer sity todav. The International Student is basically a stranger in a strange land. He must adjust to a new culture and a different way of life. There are approximately 1,100 Interna tionals on campus this semester, Corkey Sandel said recently. Sandel is presently the Assistant Student Adviser in charge of Foreign Students. Enrollments up International enrollments have in creased almost ten per cent over last spring. These students represent almost 75 different countries and cultures, said San del. Most of the students scholastically com pete with others from their own nations for the chance to attend American univer sities. Once here, they find problems they may not have expected, said Sandel. Sandel said that the incoming freshman internationals meet with vast cultural dif ferences. They see that the American stan dard of living is different from their own. They find a shocking overabundance of such conveniences as telephones, televi sions and cars. Once the International has become accustomed to the cultural differ ences, he still must contend with the lan guage harrier. mmm Finance a problem The financial troubles the International has are the same as other students’ but Americans do not consider the problems involved with the comparative values of different currencies. Although the International may seem to pay less than an out-of-state student, it is actually much more. An International’s father may have to work a year to pay one semester’s fees, Sandel said. He cited the example that one Interna tional’s father used his life savings in order to send him to school at A&M. Their grades are usually in the upper percentage of their academic peers because of the greater amount of incentive, Sandel said. They are pushed hy a desire to return to their home country successfully, as well as financial sacrifices that their parents go through, Sandel said. They are active in many intramural ac tivities, said Sandel. Especially in sports like rugby and soccer. They also participate in extracurricular activities on campus. Many of them are also part of a Host Family program. The program consists of a local family inviting the International to their home at least once a month. This is to facilitate exchange of culture, said Sandel. Where An International Student ponders through the card file of the library. It’s a miserable time After the fall semester is over, the Inter national is exposed to a very miserable Christmas-springbreak vacation. “Most of them sit and watch TV or walk around a deserted campus, said Sandel. 11 they are lucky or live close to the Un ited States, they may get to go home for the holidays, he added. Most are not that for tunate. Sandel had much to say concerning the usefulness of the International Student. “We do not utilize their presence to the fullest extent, he said. “There is much we could gain from them if we wanted.’ Sandel advocated using Internationals in classroom situations, both university and public school. “If a geography class is studying Pakis tan,” said Sandel, “what better way to in terest the students than having an Interna tional from Pakistan come to class in his country dress and speak. ■ Slnlf photo In Jack Holm It is a common sight to see Interna tionals hard at work studying. An untapped source Sandel said that A&M should realize what an asset the International is to the campus and use that asset. He also noted that American students should take the initiative in meeting and understanding the International. “We live in an ever-shrinking world,” said Sandel. “We cannot Americanize the whole world, so we should learn to live with the rest of it. Sandel also said that he believes the In ternational Student is the best possible form of foreign aid. “We are letting the International know what kind of people we are. What we have here is a little United Nations that we should use to break down barriers of misunderstanding. We should get to know the Internation als and let them get to know us, he said. “In this way, we can set the foundation for a better and more cooperative world in the future. The students’ side You walk past them everyday, without noticing. £ You sit next to them in classes, without smiling. You eat next to them in dining halls, without saying a word. They are the International students, wil ling to travel a two way street of communi cation with you. Lack of communication Tony Neil, president of the International Students Association, explained that lack of communication is the greatest barrier between the International and the ax erage American student. “Of course it takes patience for an American to wade through someone s bro ken English,” he admitted, “but if patience is exercised, soon understanding and friendship will follow. nonexistent. And the American wav of life is much more liberal than other countries. The media is another point of difference. In the U. SutAtitle media is concerned primarily with what happens in the U.S. said Neil. But in other countries there is as much international coverage as well as na tional and local. “We might see a news item on some old woman in Philadelphia on television one night. But you would not see a small article about Australia in this coun try. “There is almost a one-way communica tion as far as this is concerned. The best wav to change opinions about the U.S. is share ideas and cultures with International students. The Internationals have very definite opinions of A&M. “A&M is unique as far as spirit, said Neil, “t.u. is just like any other university. A&M is isolated so people must get involved, they must live here in this fantastic atmosphere. Academics and economics “I came to A&M because it has a good academic reputation and because of economics. I also came because I would nOt feel as alienated as I would in some place like New York. “Many students come because of the fu ture in graduating from an American uni versity,” he continued. “If they can get a job which will pay $10,000 a year, thev could live like kings in their own country. Regardless of their reasons for being at Texas A&M, most of the Internationals are represented by the International Students Association. And the Association hopes to increase communication here on campus this year said Neil. “We hope to have film festivals and maybe some tvpe of panel discussions about foreign countries. Maybe one day the wall of misun derstanding will be broken down and there will no longer be Internationals and Ameri can students, just plain old Aggies. Communication is not the only barrier to better relations with the Internationals on campus. Neil explained that there is rarely common ground for conversation between two different cultures. But if the American student will take the initiative and he patient, the International will try his best to meet on a common ground. “You should try to gain exposure to In ternationals,” said Bruce Smith, a student from South Africa, “there is much that we can gain from each other. No more use “Teachers both on and off campus utilized the presence oflnternationals last year by inviting them to their lectures to speak about their native countries. But they don’t anymore, said Smith, “and I think they are losing by this. Neil then explained that cultural shock is a factor in the disorientation of the Interna tional. “Many of the students from such countries as Taiwan, the Middle East, India and South America meet with totally different lifestyles and languages when they enter Texas A&M University.” “Some are amazed at such little things as radios in cars, said Smith. It is the shock of entering a new and different style of life that may make the International afraid to open the door of communication with A&M students. Part of the cultural shock can be illus trated by the difference between American and Australian public schools. In Australia, they must wear uniforms to school every day, until graduation from high school. “We wore grey socks, shorts, shirts, ties and black shoes,” said Neil. “Imagine how difficult it is for American Internationals to adjust to that. Money unimportant Other cultural differences include the American importance of money. Smith pointed out that in South Africa, money is simply not that important. He continued by saying athletic scholarships are almost International (Left) The president of the Interna tional Students’ Association, Tony Neil and his Finance Chairman, Bruce Smith pose on the walkway spokesmen between the Rudder Tower and the MSC. Neil is from Australia and Smith is a student from South Africa.