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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 25, 1977)
Page 2 r Viewpoint The Battalion Tuesday Texas A&M University October 25, 1977 Missing Cash Mystery needs solution Agatha Christie might have called it “The Case of ths Missing Cash.” But there is no solution in sight in this mystery — the disappearance of $3,000 from Student Government s Campus Chest loan fund. The Battalion reported Oct. 11 that the loan fund’s books do not account for $3,000 missing from the fund. Inadequate, haphazard bookkeeping by the fund’s directors made it impossible to determine from those records where the missing funds had gone. Two of the fund’s last three directors made loans to themselves while serving as director. In one of those cases, records do not show if that loan was repaid. But whether the money was simply “lost” in bad bookkeeping or disappeared for some other reason, it must be found. The Campus Chest funds were donated by students and former students who expected it to be used to benefit students. Those contributors deserve to know where their money went. Susan Price, 1976-77 director of the fund, is preparing a report that will account for the missing funds. But Price has repeatedly delayed that report since last Tuesday when she originally promised to release it. Dr. John Koldus, University vice president for student services, will receive that report before it is released. Price has said. But if the former director is going to produce such a report, the time is now — not weeks or months from now. But perhaps neither Price nor anyone else who has been connected with the fund should be explaining problems that developed while they were operating the fund. That’s a job for a disinterested auditor — such as the University auditors who check every other account and record book on the University campus. Having University employees checking on Student Government business is a dangerous precedent — but so is “losing” $3,000. It’s time to write a solution into this mystery. L.R.L. YOU THE GIRL FROM THE BATT? WELL, I’M SORRY, BUT WE CAN’T LOCATE THAT REPORT. Off-campus it all starts with a vote If Thursday, Oct. 27, is marked on your calen dar, it’s probably not because it’s election day on campus. But if you’re an off-campus student it behooves you to stop by a polling place to cast a ballot for an Off-Campus Student Association rep resentative. Every Texas A&M student residing off-campus is a member of the Off-Campus Student Associa tion (OCSA). The organization, nevertheless, often goes unnoticed by its constituents, many of whom might find coping with off-campus living a little easier with the group’s help. With as many as 18,000 of the University’s 29,000 students living in apartments, houses and mobile homes, the effects of OCSA activities could have significant impact on the majority of the student body. In the cities of College Station and Bryan, and in some cases beyond, problems and issues continually occur concerning legal, civic and University related topics. Much has been said about how the College Station-Bryan area could better serve students in the areas of utilities, housing and shopping. An organization with the potential of 18,000 in terested members has more than enough power to bring about some viable changes. OCSA members report monthly on the work ings of such groups as the Apartment Owners As sociation, Better Business Bureau, Northgate Merchants Association, University Administra tion, Student Government, the city councils. Hassle Free, the Shuttle Bus Committee and the University Traffic Panel. AREA IV 1500/8%/2 REPS TEXAS cz § AREA I =5 5100/28%/6 REPS AVENUE a AREA III 570 < TAMU AREA II 4300/24%/5(tEP$‘ * ’ lau 7400/40%/9 REPS 'bru U TA * ‘ -y v. '/A / •-* The Off-Campus Student Association has di vided the off-campus housing community into four quadrants. Zones I-IV, with the bound aries intersecting at the corner of Texas Av enue and University Drive. Representatives from each zone will be elected Thursday. Thursday, 22 OCSA representatives will be elected. It is the job of these reps to get a feeling of the issues and problems being faced within their housing area and bring them before the OCSA for action. The organization already has shown it is capa ble of working with a wide variety of University and civic organizations in order to find solutions. But it is the responsibility of the student reps to become, familiar with those problems experienced not all only by the overwhelming majority of apartment dwellers, but also of students living in houses and mobile homes. Those running for the positions should under stand the potential of their positions, and put forth the effort that is necessary to fairly represent their 18,000 off-campus cohorts. But first it’s up to- the off-campus students themselves, to air their complaints and' sugges tions, and to take an active part in the election of their respective representatives. Polling places will include the Memorial Stu dent Center, the guard room, the Commons, Sbisa, Throckmorton bus stop. Commons bus stop and Reed McDonald bus stop. JA. What’s the answer for color blindness By STAN STANFIELD Editors note: This is the second of two Reader s Forum commentaries exploring the Allen Bakke “reverse discrimination ’ case pending before the United States Su- preme Court. The United States Supreme Court heard testimony about the famous Bakke versus the University of California, Davis, Readers’ Forum case last Wednesday. What makes the al leged reverse discrimination case a land mark comparable to that of Brown versus the Topeka Board of Education which de cided that segregation can not be equal? The Bakke case exposes a fundamental dilemma in American education. The di lemma is one of an extreme lack of minor- Letters to the editor ity students in the graduate and profes sional schools and the methods that may be used to increase these levels, constitu tionally. How may we be forced by equal protection of the Fourteenth Amendment to be color blind on one hand and at the same time be color conscious by Affirma tive Action and the Civil Rights laws on the other? The Bakke case centers on the allocation of “sixteen” slots in the medical school to the “minorities and educationally under- priveleged” with the hopes of promoting diversity in the educational atmosphere and increasing minority doctors who often times practice in minority communities. The key word is “sixteen. ” Upon the estab lishment of a quota, the Affirmative Action guidelines of “recruitment” of minorities and the educationally underpriveleged becomes discrimination. Discrimination is legal in a private con text and is a misunderstood concept which has flared tempers and heated debate. The best example of legal reverse discrimina tion is that of all white, exclusive private clubs. Griffin Bell is aware of their ethical value. Upon transferring this concept to higher education, we find universities such as Harvard where reverse discrimina tion is not only practice, it is policy. The Supreme Court has expounded on the leg ality of the private sector’s use of discrimi nation and Congress has recognized it in the exemption of these entities from Af firmative Action. Who will win the Bakke case? The Court has two methods of court action at its disposal. A decision could be made on minute technical data or a decision could be rendered as to what the Court consid ers the “Law of the Land.” What will prob ably happen is that the case will be tem porarily returned to California for further testimony and upon its return to the Su preme Court, Bakke will win. Though the state may be color conscious (Affirmative Action), it must continue to be color blind (the Fourteenth Amendment). Who is the culprit in the Bakke case? The accusing finger is directly pointed to one of the strongest labor unions in the country, the American Medical Associa tion. The Bakke case is concerned with (nullifications of students above minimum admissions standards. For each qualified applicant, there are five to six “qualified” candidates turned away. An expert on medical education. Dr. D. Parker Young, readily admits that admis sions to medical schools could be tripled without endangering the quality of the education. By its restrictive demands for admissions, the AMA is a choke for the expansion of the supply-demand of medi cal doctors. The AMA says the U.S. al ready has too many doctors. Rural Ameri can may have a message for the AMA as well as the urban doctors who often work seventy to seventy-five hours a week. For now, I will patiently ponder these questions for about three months. Then, at my appointment, I will ask my doctor’s opinion. Stan Stanfield is a senior political sci ence major. A long-time member of Stu dent Government, he is now chairman of the Student Government Judicial Board. Was O’Hair thrown to the Christians? Editor: I pen this letter in an effort to dissipate my disgust for the shameful actions of this Christian community at the would-be de bate last Thursday between Dr. Madalyn Murray O’Hair and the “Chaplain of Bour bon Street, the Reverend Bob Har rington. Of course, I am referring to the deliber ate provocation of Dr. O’Hair by the recital of the pledge of allegiance by a docile, obe dient audience, the singing of Christian hymns, and of Rev. Harrington’s early in flammatory remarks to the overwhelmingly Christian group in attendance. All of this fesulted in her departure. It is painfully obvious that the Christian people (if Thursday’s crowd was indeed representative of the Christian community at large) need the exposure to opposing views on theology, if only to awaken them to the existence of a larger world beyond their provincial lives. It could even strengthen their faith. It seems reasonable to assume that if a God with infinite power conceived atheism, then one could under stand something of the nature of God by learning about it. Th esc Christians behaved as if they were attempting to exorcize demons from Dr. O’Hair; however, this was not such an occa sion. We merely gathered to hear a discus sion and the fielding of questions on the merits and demerits of the recognition by our leaders in government of the existence of a divine creator and how this acknowl edgement can affect our daily lives. The rude expressions of the collective faith of the Christians in attendance (in coopera tion with Rev. Harrington) effectively de prived us all of an opportunity to learn something about ourselves. I invoke Henry Miller’s central thesis as a writer where he sees “the world as a great womb^ where life begins and moves to wards death.” This statement accurately describes, in symbolic terms, the lives of those about whom I have written. Thurs day’s expression of their “religious ignor ance” and “immaturity,” (O’Hair’s words) combined with an ambience of fear and apprehension of the truth provided a por- tentious manifestation of an intellectually and spiritually dead planet. No more "lights out’ Editor: This is in reply to the letter from R. M. in the Battalion on 10-17-77: Your criticism of the closing system in the Evans Library is a valid one and steps have been taken to improve it. With the completion of the Library Addition, there will be an auditory system to announce the closing of the building. It will not have the \same inconvenience to the user or the staff member as blinking the lights does. —Irene B. Hoadley Director of Libraries Why did they come? Editor: At the yell practice of Oct. 20, I had the “pleasure” of sitting on some bleachers shared by a certain group of so-called “jocks.” I have yet to figure out why they came, except maybe to laugh during the yells, talk during “Spirit, and flirt with the girls sitting below them. I just have one question: How can a group like that have spirit on the football field when they can’t even have spirit at a yell practice directed for their benefit. Now, I’m not generalizing. I know all football players aren’t like these (thank goodness). In fact, I have met some very nice'and spirited ones. It’s just to those select few that this is directed. If they could only realize how special the Twelfth Man is and have as much respect for us as we do for their football team. By the way, I am female. —B.S. The Aggie manner Editor: I thought the days of chivalry were long over, but amidst the confusion of long waiting lines, I find that Aggie manners still prevail. I have been told by many vistors to our campus that Aggie show a lot of concern and friendliness to vistors and other Ag gies. Among such friendliness they in clude the manners of Aggie men. Many times when I find no seat on the shuttle bus, I find that Aggie men will offer me their seat. I also have seen many instances of Aggies holding doors for Aggie women to go through. Even though these instances seem tri vial, I feel that any form of politeness brightens the day. It is as if this is just one more way Aggies are bonded together. I know many Ags feel that the women on campus have become cold and unfeeling, but this is a sincere thanks to all Aggie men for their consideration and polite ness. I hope in turn Aggie women will show their thanks with a warm smile. — Lynn Blanco of the Campus Silver Taps for freshman, Nov. 1 Silver Taps for Texas A&M University freshman John Lee Scott III, 19, will be held Nov. 1. Scott, a general studies student from Amarillo, died early Oct. 23 of injuries received in a two-car crash4.7 miles south of College Station on Texas Highway 6. Two other freshmen in the car, both fellow cadets of Scott’s, in outfit S-2ofthe Corps, were treated and released for injuries. Services for Scott were scheduled for 10 a.m. today in Amarillo. Scott’s outfit chartered a bus to attend the funeral. The accident occurred as the three were return ing from the Texas A&M-Rice game in Houston. Scott, the son of Mrs. John Scott Jr. of Amarillo, was the third student fatality of the new academic year. He was the first cadet killed in a car accident since 1973. Off-campus Bonfire crew forms A male off-campus work crew is being organized for those interested in helping build Bonfire ’77. The crew is being organized in 501 Rudder Tower, Thursday at 7:30 p.m. for more information about this crew, contact Brandon Coleman, crew chief, at 693-2000 or 693-1000, or Gary Spence, head civilian, at 845-1066. Females litigation. Local City council votes on helmet law College Station motorcyclists may be required to wear helmets ifa regulation is passed by the city council Wednesday in a 4 p.m. meet ing at City Hall. Couneilmen also wall consider a contract for servic ing the city cemetery. Three final plats are on the agenda. One would resubdivide a lot in Southwood Valley and another would do the same to a lot on Miller’s Line. A final plot for The Woodlands, a develop ment on Hopes Creek, will also be considered. The council will end the meeting with a closed session on pending litigation. Direcl | Chari < Emerj elude! Louisl Execui allocal war. I I cate o Ani Services !4, a Texa jloyee, ha' nNew Be vith burial imthwest fime of tin Johnson, the College tvas dead ( Hospital V apparent h The cent ti&M will i Nation Feuds erupt over energy plans Feuds already have erupted in the conference committee melding energy plans from the White House, the House and the Senate, and the hard compromises still lie ahead. The toll of bargaining was clear last week, when even talk on the conservation measure sparked ex changes on a program supported hy most lawyers. Sen. John Durkin, D-N.H., said that the only thing Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., would compromise on was “the color of the paper we are using.” NOW pushes boycott over ERA Chicago, one of the nation’s major convention cities, has lost an estimated $15 million in revenue because of a new tactic aimed at . —ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment. Elsewhere, cities sudi as Miami and Lis Vegas report their losses are also in the millions of dollars. The revenue losses are due to agreement among 40 national organizations to keep their conventions out of states that have not ratified the proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The Na tional Organization for Women is actively recruiting more groups for the boycott. World South Africa bans black groups South Africa says 18 black consciousness groups will he banned permanently despite the recall of the U.S. ambassador and growing pressure for U.N. action against the white regime. Two black newspapers might eventually be allowed to resume publication- In an American television interview Sunday, Prime Minister John Vorster ruled out any compromise on South Africa's racial suprema cist policies, which are opposed hy American leaders. “It appears to us at the moment, the Soviets want to kill us off hy force, and the United States wants to strangle us with finesse,’’ he said. Panama vote over treaties close A member of Panama s negotiating team said Monday the appro'^ of the new canal treaties by a closer than expected margin in Sunday 5 plebiscite is a signal to the U. S. Senate that Panama is not complete) satisfied with the terms. More than 90 percent of the 800,000 cliff >lf' voters went to the polls. Yellow “yes” ballots were deposited by J margin of 2-to-l, considerably less than predictions made last wed by a government spokesman, who predicted that the treaty would win 85 percent approval. Four earth tremors shake Sicily T Thel enviroi A&M Greer, dent of chitect: nual mi Paso C Gree and ma ture f served chairm and a com mi several gional ( 2,700-r the Ai chitect! the ei commil A Dr. proces the T< ment f Univei sor of The gradu Unive: agrieu He re< from C and hi engine due. I 1965 t der an Army Germ; L Dr. profes A&M awardi this S{ sity in The Fulbri schoh Walt ’ cciim uemors snook tne cities ot Messina, Reggio Calabria on opposite sides of the strait of Messina e Monday. The first jolt measuring 4 on the 12-point Mercalli scale- was followed by three others of lesser intensity. There were noi e poi ts of casualties and only slight damage to some old buildings- Weather P ar tly doudy and mild today and tomorrow with light ar variable winds. High today mid 80’s. Low tonight mid 50 No ram. The Battalion Opinions expressed in The Battalion are those of the editor or of the tenter of the article and are not nered,„il.. t lose of the University administration or the Board of He- Kents. I he Battalion i.s a non-nmfit entaprisc operated hy students as a nnicemih'and nZ inanity newspaper, editorial policy is determined hy the LETTERS POLICY U tters to the editor should not exceed 300 words and are subject to heoy. cut to ,ha, /,-„«(/, if longer The editorial staff reserves the n li h, to edit such Utters and does no Kimianice to publish any letter. I.aeh letter must h, sinned, show the address of the ,niter and list a telepho'u number for verification. " pnoiu Address correspondence to Li tters tn the ...» u ' 0 Represent,-<l nationally |, y National l-dueatinnal Adver tisinn Serviees, Ine., New York ( it, <1- , A„ S eles. ><>rK (.its-. (.!„„, K „ a„d la,s Ole Battalion is published Mond-i,- ft... - , September throneh Mav exeent d. • ' K 1 *" n 't | \ Irnm periods and the summer', when it is m.hh TT '"s', Wednesdays and Fridays. o„ M< nished on request. Address: The Biittali 01 '* , Reed McDonald Building. 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