Page 2 THE BATTALION
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1977
Viewpoints
Opinion
By COLIN CROMBIE
Two bills concerning international students attending pub
lic institutions of higher education in Texas were recently, and
at the last minute, introduced to the Texas legislature. By a
case of constitutional emergency, they have been pushed for
ward and will be heard soon.
These two bills, H.B. 2161 and S.B. 856, are completely
negative and will more than erase any monetary benefits that
Texas may hope for after blindly glancing over the contents of
these bills and naively passing them.
The House bill, introduced by Representative Blake, is a
reintroduction of a bill that Senator Bill Moore introduced two
years ago, but now all amendments have been dropped. The
amendments allowed for a reciprocal arrangement concerning
foreign publicly funded universities. The result was that most
international students now pay $14 per credit hour. The pro
posed bill wishes to raise tuition fees for all international stu
dents to $40 per credit hour.
The Senate bill, an apparently unjustified and definitely
ambiguous measure introduced by Senator Mengden, if
passed will in essense (and who knows — possibly intention
ally) stop the attendance of all international students at public
universities in Texas. This bill calls for no international stu
dents to be admitted until all qualified residents of Texas seek
ing admission are satisfied. A public university could, there
fore, not grant permission to an international student until the
first day of classes. With all the procedures necessary in ob
taining a visa, tickets, etc., it would be impossible for an
international student to attend.
Both bills would severely limit the number of international
students coming to Texas.
Apart from the loss Texans would suffer in the exchange of
cultures and information, the Texas economy would also suf
fer.
Raising the internationls’ fees would not increase the reve
nue, but surely would cut it back, If there were any increased
income to the state, it would not be significant. Texas would
probably lose money, because with an increased tuition rate of
the magnitude proposed, many internationals would no longer
come to Texas. They do not live and study here in hibernation.
One foreign student puts about $5,000 into the Texan
economy each year through taxes, living and travel expenses,
etc.
There is the argument that out-of-state American students
pay $40 per credit hour already. The proportion of $40 to $14
to respective parents’ income must be taken into account.
Fourteen dollars is equal to or exceeds in some cases $40 when
compared in these terms. Also, the higher standard of living
here in America and the rampant inflation of several foreign
countries must be taken into account.
Texas has a surplus budget and there seems little economic
justification for even introducing the two narrow-minded
bills for the little revenue, if any that would result.
Many graduate students are internationals, and the pro
hibitory measures, if passed, may reduce the public universi
ties of Texas to a state similar to northern universities: floating
down the brain drain.
We, the Executive Committee of the International Students
Association are shocked and incensed at the mere existence of
these petty bills. We urge all international students here at
A&M and we urge all those who feel as we do, international
and American, to sign the petition that we have at the MSC,
and to write immediately to the congressmen who introduced
the bills and to the representatives for this district. Represen
tative Presnal and Senator Bill Moore.
Colin Crombie writes on behalf of the Executive Committee
of the International Students Association.
Readers’ Forum
City Council not insensitive
By JIM GARDNER
In a recent letter to the editor, the student vice president
for external affairs, Phil Sutton, blasted the City Council for
their denial of a proposal to extend legal drinking hours on
weekends in College Station. This seemed to trigger also the
charge that the Council is insensitive to the interests of the
majority of the residents of College Station — Texas A&M
students.
Speaking to the first issue, the least significant of the two, I
seriously question the contention, based on a limited “poll of
the student body taken some time ago” that “24,000 students
support this bill.’’ -Nevertheless, I also would like to
respond to his rhetorical question: “You may ask, how may the
seven voting members of the College Station City Council
deny the request of 24,000 students in a town the size of
College Station?” The answer is, of course, that a majority,
four, did not feel the proposal warranted passage. Another
Councilman and I did vote for it, which wasn’t mentioned in
his letter. What Mr. Sutton’s proposal needed was two more
votes.
On the broader issue, he implies that the students deserve
better treatment but won’t get it until they “get out and vote.”
To illustrate the “shaft they are getting,” he asks another ques
tion: “Why are the rental rates higher in College Station than
in Houston?” Perhaps he should ask himself if the transient
nature of a large segment of our population might have some
thing to do with this, if this is the situation. Might not this be
explained, at least partially, by the 75 per cent average annual
occupancy rate caused by the reduction in TAMU enrollment
by nearly 35 per cent during three months of the year?
No. Mr. Sutton says this is so “Because the City Council has
not seen fit to adopt a policy to stimulate the building of new
apartments to a sufficient degree to meet the demand.” One
wonders what he feels such a policy should be.
Two of the more important and common ways apartment (or
any other) development might be influenced by governmental
action are tax policies and the granting or withholding of re
quired zoning. In neither of these areas does College Station
fall short.
In respect to taxation. College Station residents, apartment
owners, commercial building owners, land speculators, et. al.
enjoy a municipal tax rate that is about 7th from the lowest
among nearly 300 of Texas’ largest cities.
In addition to direct property taxation, we finance a part of
the cost of city government through “profits” from certain
utilities, primarily water and electrical. This is, in effect, an
indirect form of taxation. Because of our rate structures (which
I feel need to be “flattened out”), the large volume users, such
as commercial interests and apartment owners with central
meters, have a “tax break” two ways: low municipal property
taxes and vital utilities at a discount rate.
City Councils in the past have been more than generous in
regards to providing properly zoned land for apartment de
velopment. The accompanying map I prepared last month,
shows graphically the existing and potential apartment areas in
this community. The black areas on the map indicate either
existing multi-family developments or apartments under con
struction. The gray areas depict the hundreds of vacant acres
of land which are zoned in such a way that apartment de
velopment can take place.
The present Council cannot take credit for the abundance of
vacant apartment land, of course. In fact, it is questionable in
my mind if “credit” is due, since the result of previous as well
as current Councils’ actions has left us with anything but a
rational, orderly development pattern. Nevertheless, there is
adequate zoned land for more apartments than can be fore
seen at present.
A casual survey, also made last month, revealed that at least
a thousand new units (completed but vacant or under con
struction) would be on line by the start of the coming Fall
term. Perhaps the intensified advertising campaigns (“Win
$1,000 and Other Gifts”) are in response to the likely prospect
of adequate if not an over-supply of apartment housing units in
the near future.
In his final paragraph Mr. Sutton gets off his most dramatic
shot: “To borrow a phrase, I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going
to take it any more!” I’m sure he is disappointed and obviously
angry. I hope he doesn’t take this modest set-back too serious-
ly ‘
Notwithstanding Mr. Sutton’s misconceptions regarding the
Council’s policies toward students generally, and their hous
ing in particular, his letter has a positive aspect to it. His
expressions of concern should offer some encouragement to
those of us who feel there is a need for more effective student
involvement in local affairs. I would hope, however, that it
manifests itself in less “shooting from the hip,” to borrow a
phrase, and more reasoned criticism and active participation
in the political process.
Jim Gardner is a member of the College Station City Coun
cil.
*
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Readers’ forum
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We're having a recruitment party!
April 22, 8:00 p.m.
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Tuitions threaten internationals
By GA
Jlege Stati<
( y $3,000 ;
»gawatts of
Power, s
Nation cit;
Me city has
,tJs which pr
ijBegawatts <
icbtation beg
Hid.
■c city of B
ale of the <
plaint agai
[Gulf Stat
lies Comm
)Z ier said
to grad ui
Letters to the Edito
Book theft hurts
Illegal beach ball bounced
Editor:
The Aggie Code of Honor states
that, “Aggies do not lie, cheat or
steal, nor do they tolerate those who
do.”
I have found that there is at least
one Aggie who cannot be called an
Aggie. He stole my books! I had put
them in one of the lockers at the
MSC and left it unlocked; never
dreaming that a fellow Aggie would
take my books. I have always
trusted people, and it hurts to find
out that there are some who cannot
be trusted, especially an Aggie. I
hope that I never meet the person
who took my books, because I do
not want to be a friend of someone
who cannot even follow the simple
Aggie Code of Honor.
—Kathy DeSavigny
Army to hell
Editor:
I regret to say that I am the mis
guided youth who brought a beach
ball to the Pure Prairie League con
cert Saturday night only to have it
taken away twice. After giving up on
frisbees, I brought the beach ball to
a concert last fall and everyone
seemed to enjoy it. It seems that the
Clown Hall rules committee, in its
never ending battle to make waiting
for a concert miserable in those or-
thopedically designed bleachers,
had added yet another rule to its re
pertoire.
Why no beachballs? I think I have
the answer.
1) It could blossom into more
harmful things like footballs and
then bowling balls.
2) A misdirected hit towards the
stage could damage someone’s
woofer or tweeter.
3) Someone could jump off the
second floor in their enthusiasm to
hit the ball (they ought to ban shoes
with laces on campus).
By SI
Two researc
Tr\as A&cM
■ride more
■umption. i
4) The formal baUroom tJ^at IT mke
mosphere did not condoneit» ec “ i e ani
Still not satisfied? MaybetkB cot . tonsee<
reason is that after being h ' so i at< f v
with a little authority, thecow- ~
tee feels they must exert soffiB sc | en< : e a *
just to let the no-good radio t animal bio
f i - i WiKL tilnn
Editor:
I recently returned to the campus
to visit the home of the Fighting
Texas Aggies. What changes have
been wrought! But there was one
thing I expected to remain un
changed — the tradition of friendli
ness and the great greeting of
“howdy.” But much to my dismay,
only two cadets — a Fish and a
Serge Butt- 1 — out of the hundreds of
Corps members I passed so much as
said “howdy.”
know who’s boss. ■ ^ i\ * j°
It must even he contagion* * s ' , ( ' ot
saw some turkey come downM 13 * at * . *'
the bleachers and go clear
gym to chase two couplesdai ™ei rorei
the corner hack to their seal** 16 ' irst stl1
then, I caught myself tappisW ratu
foot to the music and quicUyM 1 ,, e ‘ 3 * <1
ped. To think that people lii-f -
could he the future leaders t® 1 .* 5 l eave:
country (I doubt it!).
It doesn’t seem right thatai
ity is stopping the majori
people at a concert from liaitB
entertainment, but as long;*
body tries to do anything akf
this Mickey Mouse committee
with its puppets wi\\ tryto
some things here at M&Abas
wards.
—Jim®
Liquor arguments were weak
This mark of campus friendliness
was a tradition of Aggies of old. The
failure to greet strangers with
“howdy” is New Army. “Ole Army”
has gone to hell or T.U.
— Edward C. Me Ham ’62
Editor:
This letter will supplement the
letter of Councilman Gardner relat
ing to the College Station City
Council vote on extension of the
hours for serving alcoholic beverag
es..
As one of the persons who voted
against the extension, I would like 1
to comment on the matter.
From my own perspective, I feel
that the extension failed to pass be
cause its proponents did not do
their “homework.” For example,
the City Council was presented
with no current substantial evi
dence of student opinion, with no
comprehensive survey ol (host
operate drinking establish®
and with no real evidence of:
tices of cities other than Ae
(There was evidence that |f
hour extension a year ago dif
result in any noticeable inem
traffic accidents.)
Again, from my own perspec
I feel that it would be highly:
able if the matter were fully
cussed and even debated in
Battalion, followed by an imp
student survey.
—Lorence Bra j
Mayor, City of College S
Gay bill pending
Editor:
I would like to commend the val
iant efforts of the Texas A&M ad
ministration in their stand against
recognizing a homosexual student
organization on campus. Certainly
such an organization would scar the
social image and prestige of Texas
A&M itself and of the student body
in particular. But the adminis
tration’s case may very well be de
stroyed in the near future if legisla
tion now pending before the U.S.
House of Representatives passes.
House Referral 2998, otherwise
known as the “Civil Rights Amend
ments of 1977,” would legalize
homosexual conduct and prohibit
job discrimination on the basis of
“affectional or sexual preference” by
having said words inserted after “re
ligion” in the Civil Rights Act of
1964. The bill has a number of spon
sors including Shirley Chisholm and
Mr. McCloskey. At present, the bill
is before the Judiciary Committee,
but it has also been referred to the
Committee on Education and
Labor. No hearings have been held
yet.
—Tracy Huckins ’79
Gay series
commended
Editor:
Appalled by society’s misun
derstanding of homosexuals and
their life styles, I applaud The Bat
talion. Presenting the facts in such
an informative and unbiased man
ner will surely educate those ignor
ant on the subject. You are to be
commended for the series.
Slouch by
I Jim Earle!
ti M
1
“THE LEAST WE CAN DO IS KNOCK OFF STUDYINf
AT NIGHT UNTIL THIS ENERGY THING IS UNDER
CONTROL!”
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