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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 30, 1976)
Page 2 THE BATTALION THURSDAY. SEPTEMBER 30, 1976 Double standard in resolution No con ^ ence in no confidenc By FRED McCLURE - The “no-eonfidence” bill that tilled to receive enough support for passage at the Student Senate meet ing on September 22nd has become a point of controversy during recent days. A committee reported a poll in support of the resolution. This poll, although not a simple random sam ple by any means, has been cited as Support for thirty senators proving themselves “representative of stu dent input and opinion” as they sup ported with affirmative votes. All of fhe senators had the bill for two weeks prior to its consideration and this should have been ample time for them to talk with the individuals which they represent. What seems to be in support of the “double standard” is that they failed to support an amendment requiring ALL elections to have “no confi dence attached, not just presiden tial and vice presidential races. Stu dent senators are the actual indi viduals who represent constituen cies when they vote on issues affect ing student life. These are the indi viduals who vote and make decisions on football ticket allocation systems, proposed uses of student service fees, or proposed blue book re visions regarding academic and stu dent life regulations. The senate races are often those which involve winning seats by two write-in votes or are automatic “shoe-ins” because of the lack of competition. Mind you, I am not suggesting that the latter does not occur in the other races, but the Readers’ forum senators comprise the legislative body. If we must use “no confi dence” in our elections, then let us make it a part of all elections, expe- cially those involving decision makers. In my opinion, the addition of “no confidence” will NOT force student candidates to campaign endlessly in an attempt to state where they stand, neither will it increase the number of students voting in elections. In the past, all runoffs resulted in a much smaller voter participation, even with the record increase to 20.6% of the students voting in April, 1976. Any student who lacks confidence in candidates filing for office should either volunteer his time, efforts and education as a sacrifice or find some one that merits his confidence. This is at lest more positive than casting a negative vote without any solution to the supposed problem. My compliments go the anyone who attempts to raise his voice, yet if this is a move towards reform in Stu dent Government by adding need less opportunities for students to be come even more apathetic under the disguise of “not prohibiting students from participating in the electoral process,” then let us make it affect all races, including senatorial races. I applaud those who opposed the bill on the 22nd as one which exemplified their “confidence” in the students at TAMU as ones who will make themselves aware of the issues and where candidates stand. If “no confidence” becomes a reality, yes, Texas A&M will be a “first; the first to use its elections as a means to promote student apathy and in crease low voter turnouts in runoff elections. Editor’s note: Fred McClure is president of Texas A&M’s Student Government. Slouch by Jim Earle “Perhaps I didn’t make myself clear! I was merely pointing out that it was against University regulations to own a pet, but of course I’m sure that exceptions can be made!” Good to the last hop. SKI WINTER PARK WITH THE M.S.C. TRAVEL COMMITTEE JAN. 7-15,1977 6 days skiing, lodging, and transportation. $182 REGISTER IN ROOM 216 OF THE M.S.C. $50.00 DEPOSIT DUE AT REGISTRATION ^S^rBstTSince 1844. 4||ie quality has always ^ come through. SCHAFFHAUSER DISTRIBUTING CO. 101 LUTHER W. 846-7231 500 yards South of Kyle Field on the Old Wellborn Highway. You’re the life of the party. Thanks to Dexter Shoes. Highly polished leathers. With a dressed up look. A very dressed down feel. Smart! Sitae. StosieA. DOWNTOWN BRYAN A. “RAM” Soft-lined dress heel. Colors of Black, Mahogany, Camel, N&M. B. “Watson” Elegant detailed dress heel. Reddish Brown, N&M. $28.97 $25.99 By SCOTT GREGSON It seems that my vote on no confi dence really disturbed several people. It must really be nice to be an idealist and not entertain the real ity of our election process. I am against no confidence and voted against it in the Senate last year and this year. On the surface it might seem like a good way for you, the students, to get true representa tion from Student Government. When the canvassing committee went out to the students for input the question was asked, would you like to have a vote of no confidence placed on the ballot? someone that you and others feel qualified to hold the office. 3. If you feel that the candi dates running are not qualified, plan a campaign and run against them. You have the right. The statistics that were pres ented to the Senate indicated an area where students could use the no-confidence vote as one to show their discontent with Student Gov ernment, not in the candidates that are presented on the ballot. The fig ures indicated that 1/3 of the stu dents questioned felt that their fel low students would abuse the vote, Certainly, when given what the bill would add to the election process it was going to be accepted by 78% of 8/10ths of 1% of the student body. The students that were questioned were not told the disadvantages of having this item placed on the bot tom of the ballot. These problems were not presented as part of the questioning. I feel that it is an obliga tion to you, the student, to explain the many problems that are as sociated with having no confidence listed on the ballot. Readers’ forum or would use the vote as one against Student Government. 1/3 more of them felt that their fellow students might abuse the vote. If 50% of the students voting in an election voted for no condidence in this manner let us examine what might happen. I realize that it is partly the candi dates’ responsibility to contact as many people as he or she possible can, but when someone files for an office of Vice President or President of the Student Body they realize the time involved not only to run but to serve in that position. Students now have three alternatives in voting: 1. Vote for the candidates listed on the ballot that have al ready said that they are willing to serve. 2. Organize a write-in cam paign if filing has closed to run Student Governemnt provides a means of collective student input to the administration. The administra tion has confidence in Student Gov ernment and listens to them as a rep resentative of the collective student input. Take for example, if Fred McClure, the student body presi dent this year ran and lost to no- confidence on the first ballot, the fil ing reopened, no one else filed, and then he won the second election what type of credibility would he hold with the administration. What type of representation would he have with the administration if his fellow students had expressed a feel ing of no-confidence in the election. One more thing to consider is that Ofiiiiions cximssnl in The Balia lion arc those of l he editor or of the uriter of tin art it h anti tin not net tssarihj those of the L nirersitij administration or the Board of Beizents I'ln Battalion i\ a non-iirofit. \t H-\niii>ortiniz cnteri>risc oin rated hi/ students as a anil ersiti/ and eoinmuuih/ nt u s/ni/u r l.dilorial /tolit 1/ is detenninetl In/ tin editor. LETTERS POLICY / .etters to the editor should not exceed 3(H) words and are siihjt <t to heini’ tut to that Icni’th or less if lonm 1 I hi editorial staff reserves the rinht to edit such letters and dot s not I'liaranlcc to inddish am/ letlei l.tu h letter must he signed, show the address of the icriter and list a tclc/dionc nuniher for i crifitahon. Address eorresiiondenee to Listen l />. The Battalion Boom 217. Scrvitt s Bnilthnn C'olh nt Station. Texas 77S43. Represented uutionuIR In National Educational Advertising Services. Inc Angeles. York (.’it\ . C'liicai id \a S35 00 pei lull \eai All suliscriptioi •ns The Battalion. Room 217 Srrvio iilisin (.‘ongrt Mail subscriptions are 815.75 per semester; 833.25 per school \ea subject to oVc sales tax. Advertising rates iiirnishcd on request. \dd Building, College Station. Texas 778-43 The Associated lYess is entitled exclusixelx to the use lor reproduction ol all nexvs dispatched credited to it 01 not otherwise credited in the paper and local news ol spontaneous origin published herein Rights ol reproduction ol all other matter herein also reserxed Second-Class postage paid at College Station. Texas MEMBER The Associated Press, Southwestern J Editor Managing Editor Campus Editor Citx Editor Sports Editor Photographs Director Nexvs Editor Asst News Editor EeaLures^Editoi , . . . , , r - - v Assistifitf (b the Ivjjnbi I'.ml McV./ath, M.utlu Mi'iui;. I.r \nn lloln . I.’wm Ho, I’hotufcr.ipIliTs Ucniltrr of tin Sliitlrnt I'nhUrntion. Hntn'tl tire Hull Iltiist t\. Jr,.v \rr<ll.am Richard Chamhcilain . Lisa JiiiukI Jainir \ithcu Raul Arnett Kevin \ rimer Uoxd I.irtz Di'lthv krcnck Tallinn lain)' Dan I'.intahie Ia n U„\ Lexeliper. ('arohnllldxxr si. Dan Snllins Carl hr\. Catlix III led in at Cluiinntin. Jnt \nt iltmiln. r'tim Dmrst ii. /), ICt/r,/ lltilh t. I)i Jtilm 11 lltnmri. liiw,Mill, , DrClinhm \ rhillii,.. Juri W nrtl Dircrlor aj S/inlenl I’lililirtiliims duel I. (.'.ooiit i 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 Home Oftice 4601 Market St . Phila . Pa 19101 Subsidiaries Provider Management Company Provider Sales Company if a second election were fact that there is a very poonq . turnout. If'wearetohavearepren II tative system then why shouldsol ^ people he given the responsibilit) STE choose the student body leadersli| lartnn It seems that the proponent! iu sy ^ this piece of legislation are ie | em s, proud of the fact that they will,in ; ze ch long run, reduce the trueamoia ere d t student representation totheaili n usici istration. Undoubtedly, thelim „ Vie responsible student leaders b ^th s been drawn. Thirty-three india om mi als have proven themselves as rfj ; uar ds sentatives by looking beyond lit, | rou p parent advantages and study! hougl possible and probable disadvanlij mder of such a measure. pjsk When I first became part ofS| isles £ dent Government I really didi ometl realize all the many differentissi that it had under study. Didy nothe know without the Student Senatn pteh' ] would have NO date ticketsloi^ He hall games this year? Didyouh i* 016 ’ ' that no student will be sitting oil ussers track this year for footballgamal jui cause of the Student SenateMi »derei dent Government is active la a munity, state, and nationalala ^ o j- They provide a means whereby j ^ ^ dents have the opportunity toi their textbooks for more tbaij , University or North gate will j ^ ^ Student Government has dij Ca ^ e input into the rules and regali That that you must abide by. Piskor Also, Student Governmeilj ! ar ^ working to reduce thecostohi P ne education by continuous inveq ecor ' tion in the University’s actM Student Government at Texasfl p, is more than it seems, it is* d VI ahead and working for the sli interests. Student Governaii credibility to tlie administration! lrv| important part of this progress.ll All this issue, if passed, woulddesfo the only true representationibill students have to their trators. I am AGAINST noconfideiM feel that it detrimental to (be* dents interests at Texas A&M,Hu Cleric that von should know both Alt pnven fore you make up your mind. Fclitor s note: Scott Gregsonis! jfobab vice president of finance i A&M’s Student Government, Facts of letter disputed by You’ ‘nap b A lea ions c Permit ST Editor: In your recent issue thsrel some concern over the that seating room was unavailable 1 students assigned to Dr, O’ConM freshman chemistry lectures.lii assigned to one of those sectionsii can attest that he statement is# true. Seating , limited, howtd Dr. O’Connc^ always ash everyone assigned to the section! seated and then he invitesviSi™ take any vacant seats iftheydelj The system of loose class rey tation is very good in my opinion allows people to go to differentlft tores to find their preference also helps in the event of occasioi conflicts in their schedules I would personally be very sonj see this system abolished in favoi the previous schedulingpoliciesi can state that most ofiny friendiM cur. Edward M. Tis* Chi Bai 31 Editor’s note: The facts in theoiip nal letter were apparently not I* tally accurate. This wasonlyone^ seven letters received which tot tested the original statements, ft; O’Connor says that signs are at the back of the lecture roomn minding visitors that only the two rows of seats are for them, also confirms that he does mil 1 sure that students in a sehetf class do have a seat. The editor^ grets any inconvenience causedft O’Connor. The facts in thel* should have been checked fore publishing. Dr. O’Connor also states thatl* tween forty and fifty per cenlofll* students who finish the coursef*' ceive A’s and B ’s. He says this doc not mean the course is easybecani 1 the students are doing very weld subsequent chemistry courses, further states that the A and!# dents take national standardiitf tests and consistently place ii top 13 per cent of the nations !K dents who take the test. GET THINGS MOVING! Ever think about doing something different? Meaningful? Have a taste for adventure? How about Peace Corps or VISTA? Give us your desire to help others plus your degree in health, social work, law, education, or business. We’ll give you 1 or 2 years that will change your life plus a living allowance, transportation, medical coverage and other benefits. Peace Corps also gives you lan guage and culture training. If it’s time to be movin’ on, give a thought to Peace Corps or VISTA and get things moving across the country or around the world. Reps on campus Oct. 4-7. Inter viewing in Placement, 10th floor Rudder Tower. Information table in student center. ii K to tNl the you ^6II chi r ^ia ^rfc %s Ol S Hi *11 c 0i w<