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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 26, 1976)
' Page 2 THE BATTALION | . TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1976 Petition to be circulated Confidence voting supported Last Wednesday evening, the Student Senate screwed the Student Body. What I am referring to is the Stu dent Senate’s rejection of a resolu tion which was presented by Stan Stanfield. After a committee report that stated that 78 per cent of 229 students polled supported the adop tion of the bill, the Student Senate rejected it 30-33 with 1 abstention. The bill was on Confidence Vot ing. What would the bill have ac complished? For the election of the Student Government President and five Vice Presidents, the addition of the words “No Confidence” would have been added to the ballot. The significance of voting “no con fidence” was that should there be a majority of “no confidence” votes in the initial election, filing for that of fice would be reopened for a minimum period of three days and that the “no confidence” designation would not appear on the ballot of the run-off election. What does this imply? For once, students could register their confi dence or no confidence in a candi date without refusing to vote in the election. This implies that the stu dent candidate, for once, would have to state what he stands for and his Readers’ forum platform for the coming year, if he wishes to be elected on the first bal lot. Also, if no one is elected on the first ballot, then the position would be unfilled for a length of time no longer than the normal run-off. Undoubtedly, the lines of respon sible student leaders and the unin formed, possibly self-interested, senators are drawn. Thirty individu als seem to have proved themselves as representatives of student input and opinion. The bill concerned election procedures for students. I doubt if another bill could be pre sented which would weigh more heavily on student opinion. What seems to be occuring in Stu dent Government is a reform movement. Should there be one, distinct or not, I applaud those re sponsible student leaders, who are attempting to raise their voices. Though these student leaders seem to be taking hold in the Senate, is there anything which the Student Body can do to support them? On Wednesday, some interested students will be presenting informa tion on the bill and its background on the first floor of the MSC. The Stu dent Body can initiate its own legis lation in accordance with the Con stitution of the Student Body of Texas A&M. The petition will allow the same bill, which was rejected by the Stu dent Senate, to be voted on by the Student Body. The election will be held in mid-October with the Freshman Elections. A roll of how each of the Senators voted, along with their constituencies and phone numbers will also be available. Thirty Senators have spoken for the Student Body and were de feated. The way which we, the stu dents, can give them support is by signing the petition and letting the Student Body make its own wishes and decisions known. I give my per sonal thanks to the “Student Lead- Scott Farthing Along with: Greg Ball John Oeffinger Kathy Oeffinger Randy Levine Ben Schroeder Tim Hall Mike Flores Michael Gerst Mary Ellen Martin 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 Regents. 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. Tlie Associated Press is entitled exclusivels to tile use for reproduction of all lews dispatched credited to it or not otherwise credited in the paper and local lews of spontaneous origin published herein. Rights ol reproduction <>! all other natter herein are also reserved. Second-Class postage paid at College Station, Texas. 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. Represented nationally by National Educational Advertising Servic es, Inc., New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles. Mail subscriptions are $16.75 per semester; $33.25 per school year; $35.00 per full year. All subscriptions subject to 5% sales tax. Advertis ing rates furnished on request. Address: The Battalion, Room 217, Services Building, College Station, Texas 77843. MEMBER The Associated Press, Southwestern Journalism Congress Editor Jerry Needham Managing Editor Richard Chamberlain Campus Editor Lisa Junod City Editor Jamie Aitken Sports Editor Paul Arnett Photography Director Kevin Venner News Editor Lloyd Lietz Asst. News Editor Debby Krenek Features Editor Tammy Long Assistant to the Editor Dan Fontaine Reporters Carolyn Blosser, Lee Roy Leschper, Paul McGrath, Martha Mugg, Le Ann Roby, Lynn Rossi, Dan Sullins Photographers Carl Key, Cathy Ruedinger Members of the Student Publications Board are: Bob Rogers,. Chairman, Joe Arredondo, Tom Dawsey, Dr. Gary Halter, Dr. JohnW. Hanna, Roger Miller, Dr. Clinton A. Phillips, Jerri Ward. Director of Student Publications: Gael L. Cooper interior foliage vi t ■ -qmrcT vjirturtotiqv; »kumss iim COMMON NAME: rubber plant BOTANICAL NAME: ficus elastica ‘decora’ HABITAT: India FOLIAGE: bold broad leaved decorator plant, deep glossy green. LIGHT: morning or afternoon sun (east or west window) WATER: evenly moist but not soggy may dry slightly between waterings. TEMP: 62 degrees to 85 degrees F. SOIL: loam, rich garden soil. FERTILIZE: an application of half-strength house plant fertilizer at 2 to 3 months intervals. the greeneryi 702 n. rosemary - 3 blocks north of texas MSC Now Better Than Ever. You Will Be Pleased With These Carefully Prepared and Taste Tempting Foods. Each Daily Special Only $1.49 Plus Tax. “Open Daily” Dining: 11 AM to 1:30 PM — 4:30 PM to 7 PM . MONDAY EVENING SPECIAL Salisbury Steak with Mushroom Gravy Whipped Potatoes Your Choice of One Vegetable Roll or Corn Bread and Butter Coffee or Tea TUESDAY EVENING SPECIAL Mexican Fiesta Dinner Two Cheese and Onion Enchiladas w/chili Mexican Rice Patio Style Pinto Beans Tostadas Coffee or Tea One Corn Bread and Butter WEDNESDAY EVENING SPECIAL Chicken Fried Beef Steak w/cream Gravy Whipped Potatoes and Choice of one other Vegetable Roll or Corn Bread and Butter Coffee or Tea THURSDAY EVENING SPECIAL italian Candle Light Spaghetti Dinner (¥PH H SERVED WITH SPICED MEAT BALLS AND SAUCE (ZDlfbr) gyjyyj fj Parmesan Cheese - Tossed Green Salad Choice of Salad Dressing - Hot Garlic Bread Tea or Coffee FRIDAY EVENING SPECIAL BREADED FISH FILET w/TARTAR SAUCE Cole Slaw Hush Puppies Choice of one vegetable Roll or Corn Bread & Butter Tea or Coffee SATURDAY NOON and EVENING SPECIAL “Yankee Pot Roast Texas Style” Tossed Salad Choice of one vegetable Roll or Corn Bread & Butter Tea or Coffee SUNDAY SPECIAL NOON and EVENING ROAST TURKEY DINNER Served with Cranberry Sauce Cornbread Dressing Roll or Corn Bread - Butter - Coffee or Tea Giblet Gravy And your choice of any One vegetable Editorials Keep up good work Never has a university education been inexpensive. However, in recent years the price of a college education has been exorbitant if not altogether exclusive. In hopes of aiding students who wanted a college education but could not afford it, the Texas legislature, in 1965, created the Hinson-Hazlewood student loan program. As an added measure, in 1970 the federal government started insuring the loans. Unfortunately for students, because of a 15.56 per cent default rate, the federal government is planning to reduce the program’s ability to lend money to students by 29 per cent. The impact of such a cut could drastically affect the chances of a qualified but financially limited student to attend college. In effect, it is a case of today’s students paying for their predecessor’s failure. Although it is a terrible injustice to students now trying to get financial aid, one can hardly expect the government to keep giving out the loans when more than one in seven students are not paying them back. After all, who wants to insure loans of $21.1 million when $8.3 million will never be seen again, this being the cash total of defaults last year. Although Texas A&M is contrubuting to the proposed reduction of the program with eight defaults totaling $8058 last year, we can be proud in comparison to other Texas universities. Texas Southern University and Prairie View A&M lead in defaults with $752,907 and $738,718 respectively. Other schools with higher default rates than A&M include the University of Texas, University of Houston, Southern Methodist Uni versity, Southwest Texas State, Baylor and Sam Houston State with amounts ranging from $175,025 at the University of Texas to $8923 at Sam Houston State. Congratulations Aggies, we may not have a perfect record, but at least we are responsible enough to pay our debts. D.F., J.N. Take another look Last Wednesday night, a majority of student senators (following vice president of finance Scott Gregson’s lead) defeated a measure to allow students to vote ‘no confidence’ in the election of president and vice presidents of the student body. By doing so, the 33 senators insured that the persons running for these offices would not be required to campaign by discussing perti nent issues with students, but rather saturate the student population with names on billboards as in the past. Gregson defended his stand in a speech to the Senate by labeling the proposition a “useless change.” He also said, “A negative vote like ‘no confidence’ does not do anything to aid the image of Student Govern ment. ” It would seem from this comment that Gregson believes the vote would be used by students; perhaps then his opposition is motivated out of fear. We agree that a vote of no confidence’ would not help the IMAGE of the Student Government, but it might assuredly help the Student Government itself. Likewise, it seems sad that Gregson is more concerned with the image rather than the accomplishments of Student Government. This is no surprise though when one views his comment that he wants to “keep A&M unique.” What Gregson (seemingly) fails to realize is that A&M is a rapidly growing univeristy and that its students will not be satisfied with a ‘unique’ student government that needs a line painted in front of it to make sure it is moving. Or maybe Gregson’s definition of unique’ is a student senate that defeats a measure supported by 78.1 per cent of the students surveyed by a senate committee. Obviously, there are some that desire such a ‘useless change,’ probably due to the responsiveness of the student government to students’ problems in the past. Finally, Gregson would like us toTelieve that, “This proposal has no place in our election process, on a campus level, a local level, ora national level.” However, when one realizes that in 1972, a smaller percentage of Americans voted in the presidential election than ever before, a vote of ‘no confidence’ might certainly have altered the outcome. The very fact that some support a vote of no confidence refelects a disappointment in our student government. The fact that 33 senators voted against the proposal shows they do not care. D.F., J.N. FAMILY NIGHT BUFFET EVERY TUESDAY 6:00-8:30 P.M. ALL THE PIZZA AND SALAD YOU CAN EAT FOR $1.89 CHILDREN UNDER 6 - 99c PIZZA INN OF BRYAN 1803 Greenfield Plaza Next to Bryan High 846-1784 PIZZA INN OF COLLEGE STATION 413 Texas Avenue S. 846-6164 4 ’O Once you’re up there, you can't work your way down. You can dye your hair or lie about your age and it still won't change the situation. As you get older, life insurance rates go up. Never down. The best time to buy life insurance is while you’re in school. Your rates are lower and your policy matures while you’re still young enough to enjoy it. Drop by our campus office and let’s talk over our life policy with the Guaranteed Purchase Option. KIRK W. FRANCIS Lineberry Associates Suite 28, 707 University Dr. College Station, Tex. 77840 846-7027 PROVIDENT MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF PHILADELPHIA Slouch by Jim Earle “I almost started to say ‘Wait until next year Flora have space Editor: The campus looks beautiful. Ev erything looks orderly and neat. Trees and shrubs and fountains all share such a nice positional organiza tion too. I’m sure visitors are very impressed. But would they be if they saw a little behind-the-scenery? Since school has started, some students have had to stand during a chemistry lecture with Dr. O’Con nor. When a friend told me he felt like bleating whenever he went to his class, I decided to investigate. I went to the lecture room which holds at least 500 students and was surprised to find not only every seat filled, but also the aisles and any available standing room ten minutes before class began. I marveled at my friend’s ability to take notes while standing up and his effort to concen trate. He said he’s had to stand at the last 4 lectures and for the first few classes of this semester. That’s when I really began to appreciate the privailege our flora have on campus. I later learned that although a stu dent is assigned a particular time and instructor for the chemistry lectures, he may attend any lecture he chooses. This, I think, is a fine sys tem but where it falls short is in the treatment of the students who have to stand or sit in the aisles during the session they’ve signed up for. The situation in Dr. O’Connor’s section certainly says a lot for him, and I think the students that signed up for his particular section at least deserve the courtesy of having]* so they can receive the full betA his instruction. Even our flowenl campus have a sectioned-i a separate bed of their own. Gayle Non Readers' forum Guest viewpoints, in addition to Listen Up letters, are welcome. All pieces submitted to Aggie Forum should be: • Typed triple space • Limited to 60 characters per line • Limited to 100 lines Submit articles to Reed McDonald 217, College Station, Texas, 77843. Author’s phone number must accompany all sub missions. 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