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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 20, 1976)
Page 2 THE BATTALION FRIDAY, FEB. 20, 1976 slouch Kiddie-cops not vigilantes | Sex object T should have settled for my initials instead of a footprint! Readers’ forum SCONA criticizes Batt Now that the Battalion has exercised its right to publish that part of the news it deems fit to print, I would like to exercise my own prerogative to express some personal biases on the editorial page — a section which, in most newspapers, is the sole section reserved for that purpose. I wish to point out some deficiences in the Battalion s February 17 coverage of SCON A 21. The items to which I take exception are an index brief stating, “SCONA ended Saturday and leaders say SCONA brought little discus sion,” and a sentence in a page 5 article stating, “Three SCONA executive (sic) said the round tables had been quiet and not very anxious about discussion. ” Upon dis cussing the coverage with Sandy Russo, the reporter re sponsible for the article, I learned that no SCONA leaders actually said “SCONA 21 brought little discussion,” but that the Battalion editors manufactured the statement themselves after reading her article. The fact is that each of nine round tables engaged in more than ten hours of discussion during the conference. No one I talked to, including Sandy Russo and the SCONA Executive Com mittee observed any periods of abnormal silence during the discussion. If the Batt editors want to interpret 90- plus hours of round table discussion as “little discussion,” that is their privilege; I choose to interpret it differently. Sandy’s explanation was that when she wrote “quiet” she did not mean “silent” but rather “not fiery” — a small but important factor in the reader’s comprehension of the article. So much for clarification. In deftly writing off $20,000 and countless man-hours in barely 2 paragraphs of newscopy, Sandy neglected to include some important measures of the conference’s suc cess including smoothness of operation, quality of the speakers, comparison to other campus’ conferences, and, most significantly, response of the delegates. An objective evaluation of the conference will not be available until the participants’ evaluations are returned to us within a couple of weeks. In the meantime, my judgment is that the conference was a tremendous success in all areas. I close with the following quotes (Quotes, by the way, were noticeably lacking in the Batt article.) which back up my opinion and supplement the Bait’s half of the story: “This place is unreal! It’s cultural shock coming to Texas and meeting so many nice people. Your conference is much better than SCUSA (Student Conference on U.S. Affairs at West Point) in most respects.’’ Mark Kimmitt United States Military Academy “l must admit — l was skeptical when l first accepted to be a round table cochairman. But, in addition to learning more about the subject matter of the conference, I gained a perspective of the views of you delegates, which I am sure will be incorporated into my own opinions and decisions. ” Dr. Charles Hanrahand Economic Research Service of the USDA “l attended the conference throughout its entirety last week and found it to be an enrich ing experience. The lectures, round table dis cussions and various other aspects of the con ference were well executed.” Alton Porter President, Sam Houston State Student Association Joe K. Carter Chairman SCONA 21 Editor: This is per the Batt. “editorial” on Thursday. May I suggest that before you criticize something, that you know your facts. • Vigilantes, we are not. Sure some unruly actions and idiotic moves by a few over enthusias tic Ags occurred over the Baylor week. This cast a heavy shadow over the few dedicated con scientious few who spent many long cold nights during the week preceding and including bonfire. How much vandalism was shown for that week—? None that I know of. Why? Be cause a few people spent their knowledge and dedication help ing with the bonfire spirit. What thanks did we get? None except for those of us who knew there was no paint on the campus. However, we did get a lot of criticism about our work and a lot of people did a lot of bitch ing, but not many offered help late at night. • The Campus Police did Not form this organization! There was a group of individuals like myself who worked hard those cold wet nights who separately came up with a plan to organize ourselves. It was not the police who designed it. It is not for the police to utilize for things that you suggested. It is a faculty/student organi zation in which the students have chosen their own form of control from people we feel have the knowledge and experi ence to teach us to help others. This help I speak of is something most C.B.ers are proud and willing to do. Personally I don’t feel anyone who will be in the organization will bother with playing narc (I am sure they won’t) or bother a couple in the back of their car. Maybe you do not know anyone mature enough to make value judgments as to what is wrong — felony auto theft, and vandalizing state property, and what is not, but I do and most of my friends are of this caliber. Also, I could care less who gets stoned in their car — this is their business. I have been affected by Sully getting painted and having a radio stolen from my car. I am glad to see you have taken a stand on the subject but first I wish you would get some facts straight before you con demn something which bears strong potential of aiding the school. I feel that were you to meet these people and see them in action, you might change your opinion on the issue. I would publicly like to invite you to observe our group at our next meeting (Feb. 23, 7:30, in Rudder Tower) and see how they feel about the organization. Mark D. Snider Parking —again Editor: I want to complain about impro perly marked parking areas on cam pus. Several people I know have re ceived tickets for illegal parking in these places. These areas are the U. S. D. A. sec tion of the parking lot beside the Davis-Gary Dorm and the parking spaces along the Parade Grounds on Old Main Drive. The main U.S.D.A. section is marked (though its sign is usually hidden by tree branches), but there is an island of U.S.D.A., spaces in front of those marked spots, that is not properly marked to indicate U.S.D.A, parking only. Parking spaces on the Old Main strip are reserved for staff parking, but there is no sign designating such. Without the aid of a parking map people cannot possibly know if such areas are reserved. Signs should be posted to serve as a guide for campus parkers. Jo Shankles, ’79 P.E. grading Editor: I would like to comment on the P.E. department’s method of grad ing. I think it’s unfair to place natural athletes and those lacking physical coordination in the same class and grade them only on the basis of their performance, using the letter-grade system, without consideration of the effort or the improvement of the stu dent. For example, when I was taking tennis, there were both those who had been on their high school tennis teams and those who had never seen Cbe Battalion Opinions expressed in The Battalion are .nose of the editor or of the writer of the article and are not necessarily those of the ■ university administration or the Board of Regents. The Battal- , ion is a non-profit, self-supporting enterprise operated by stu- ' dents as a university and community newspaper. Editorial policy is determined by the editor. Represented nationally by National Educational Advertising Services, Inc., New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles. The Battalion, a student newspaper at Texas A&M, is published in College Station, Texas, daily except Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and holiday periods. Sep tember through May, and once a week during summer school. Mail subscriptions are $16.75 per semester: $33.25 per school year; $35.00 per full year. All subscriptions subject to 5% sales tax. Advertising rate furnished on request. Address: The Battalion, Room 217, Services Building, College Station, ’Texas 77843. 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. The Associated Press is entitled exclusively to the use for reproduction of all news dispatched credited to it or not otherwise credited in the paper and local news of spontaneous origin published herein. Rights of reproduction of all 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. Members of the Student Publications Board are: Bob G. Rogers, Chairman; Dr. Gary Halter; Dr. John Hanna; Roger P. Miller; Dr. Clinton A. Phillips, Jeff Dunn, Tom Dawsey and Jerri Ward. Director of Student Publications: Gael L. Cooper. ^ MEMBER Ec ^ tor James Breedlove Managing Editor Roxie Hearn News Editor Run Whigham City Editor Jim Peters Contributing Editors Sandy Russo. Steve Gray Sports Editor I Paul McGrath Photo Director ' Douglas Winship Staff Writers Carolyn Blosser, Ray Daniels, Pat Edmondson, Tony Gallucci, Paula Geyer, Lee Roy Leschper, Jerry Needham. Mark Penny a racquet before enrolled in the same class. We were graded on our per formance in skills tests and by the number of tournaments we won. No matter how hard a student tried, it was nearly impossible to make a good grade if he chanced to be pitted against one of those Rod Laver types. The situation is the same in many of the other classes, including bowling and swimming. There are several solutions to this problem, such as more emphasis on effort and improvement and less on execution, the use of a pass-fail grad ing system, or better division of the classes into beginning, intermediate and advanced sections. Pattie Westman, ’78 Editor: I was appalled to discover the MSG banner advertising the all- night Centennial Fair. This is another example of the degrading use of women as sex objects in adver tising. The banner relies on sexual appeals to attract people to A&M’s Centennial Fair. What class? Editor: I would like to relate to you an incident that occurred at the A&M- SMU basketball game which showed that SMU fans have class too. I was sitting high up next to the pressbox, and there were some very young children, about six of them around eight years old, sitting on the top row just behind me. For chil dren, these little guys really knew their slang, and they did not hesitate to use it against the Aggies. Kids will be kids, so I let the abuse slip by. However, there was a young lady and her SMU male friend sitting to my right who did not approve. This young woman turned around to the kids and said, “If you don’t stop that, I will have the gentleman down there remove you. I don’t mind if you yell, but just don’t boo the other team.” “What class,” thought I. Then, as Ira Terrell executed a fast break, Sonny Parker came from be hind and stuffed the lay-up down Terrell’s throat. When the referee called jump ball, the aforementioned young woman, and her friend, jumped up and commenced to bo oing and screaming and chastising the referee with such zeal, I feared she might fall forward into the fans. “Yeah; What class???,” thought I. Douglas W. Erck Thanks “SAVE A BUNDLE” Remember the old, Cash and Carry, money saving trick? Buy a pizza at the Commons Snack Bar and eat it there or take it anywhere you wish. Prices are right, and the pizzas are great. Bicentennial Special Hamburger Pizza 1.29 Sausage Pizza 1.29 Pepperoni Pizza $1.29 OPEN Monday thru Friday 11:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m. Saturday & Sunday 4:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m. “QUALITY FIRST” SEE THE WORLD'S MOST BAFFLING PHENOMENA RECREATED LIVE ON STAGE THROUGH A SERIES OF THE GREATEST ILLUSIONS EVER CONCEIVED IN THE MINDS OF MEN. A full stage production which takes place somewhere in the twilight zone between fantasy and reality. WED FEB 25 8 PM RUDAUD Tickets Available in MSG Box Office $2.00 at door $1.50 advance ARRANGEMEMTS FOR THIS SPECIAL APPEARANCE HAVE BEEN MAt>f BY CAMPUS CRUSADE FOR CHRIST INTERNATIONA! ir ★ * ! V For those fortunate enough not to have seen it, the banner depicts a full-bosomed, short-skirted, bare footed female illustrating the slogan, “Come spend the night with us.’ This seems to be the wrong approach to take for our Centennial Fair. It not only degrades women, but also de grades the institution it represents. Moreover, there is no logical con nection between the advertisement and what is being advertised. I DIDN'T EVEN SET ANY SHADES... Chemist Mare put na ll piece ie[fate o |pellant: A team, odgers, inch beet )mp° unc iorine ate ■pound. Rime oi K labeh ■culprit )Wi! ot th M;unly> id of ch n-hyc s whi< ly thing conta Women are gradually being ac cepted as equal at A&M and I feel this is a step backwards. This type of advertising does not represent the contributions that women have made and will continue to make at Texas A&M University. Carol Kingsberry Hounsel ’76 Editor: We, the Guatemalan students at Texas A&M thank all of the people, and especially the members of the Texas A&M Radio Club (W5AC), who were responsible for helping us contact our families during this time of tragedy. We also appreciate the concern that all of our friends have expressed with regard to the safety of our loved ones. We would like to appeal to our fellow Aggies for any contribution which will help our people in Guatemala. Please take donations to the first floor of the Memorial Stu dent Center. We have a table set up across from the bookstore. Sincerely, Eduardo Castillo Ed. Note: There are 10 Guatemala students now enrolled at A&M. LIFE TABERNACLE CHOIR ON CAMPUS FEB. 20, ’76, AT THE ALL FAITHS CHAPEL YOU ARE INVITED TO HEAR THIS SPIRIll FILLED CHOIR AS THEY PRAISE THE LOR IN SONG AND THEN! HEAR JAMES KILGORE, ASST. GEN. SUPT. THE UNITED PENTECOSTAL CHURCH, INTEF NAT., AS HE BRINGS A TIMELY, SPIRITEt MESSAGE. THE CHOIR MAKES ONE TRIP EACH h TO PLACES LIKE WASH. D.C., NEW YOI CALIF., SALT LAKE CITY, AND JUST RECENTi] RETURNED FROM THE FIRST BAPTI CHURCH AT FT. WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA FRIDAY FEB. 20 at 8:00 P.M. Come spend the nightjR with us Feb. 21, 1976 MSC Bowling & Games Candlelight bowling starts at 12 midnight a.m. Two Red Pins on each alley WIN A FREE GAME by getting a strike when the head pin is red, R* age*. <♦> <♦> ;<♦>: >»: :>5*& "MsseyseK sa*-: 'mtrm Charter to IRAMOI NT wnm tv RANt EFFII ft ;pg] mr EUROPE? ... it’s not impossible NAME WHERE YOU CAN BE REACHED. Would you be interested in a charter flight to Europe?(y^ or no) Me you: A. a student? B. a faculty member? C. a staff member? D. a member of the immediate family of the above When would you prefer to leave? A. Mid May B. After June 1 C. Other How many days would you prefer to be gone? A. 14-21 days B. 21-28 days C. All summer D. Other Would you prefer: A. Air only ($400-500) B. Package plan ($500 plus). How and how willing to spend? C. Other Which European port of entry do you prefer? A. London (cheapest) B. Paris 0. Rome D. Other Cheapest most feasible route: May 25-Aug. 26, air only, London. Need immediate response. PLEASE COMPLETE AND RETURN TO THE TRAVEL COMMITTEE, MSC STUDENT PROGRAM ROOM 216, MEMORIAL STUDENT CENTER, OR CA^ 845-1515. t?S9Sr-i >5K< '$&£< 'sSWifSEK •5» > mdCOUNBL #ta( |pgF 1.50 Ti Mali Sat.- • O. Of West ■LA