The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current, November 21, 1977, Image 1

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The Battalion
Vol. 71 No. 58
10 Pages
Monday, November 21, 1977
College Station, Texas
News Dept. 845-2611
Business Dept. 845-2611
adat. Begin reach agreement
United Press International
iUSALEM — Prime Minister
ie in Begin said today he and Egyp-
resident Anwar Sadat achieved a
lentous agreement” that there
ie turf.hid be no more war, no more
1 teanni Jshed and no more threats between
nhancinytX a nd Israel.
just soltij L said earlier the main issue in the
are the all || e East conflict is security for Israel
the Horifi le offered it to the Jewish state in the
the 1973 October war would be the
ic hgrouodii etvveen the Arabs and Israelis,
dug in I# uring the visit of President Sadat to
our country and to Jerusalem, a moment
ous agreement was achieved already,”
Begin told a joint news conference on
Sadat s last day in Israel. “Namely, no
more war, no more bloodshed, no more
threats and collaboration in order to avoid
any lengths which may lead to such tragic
developments. ”
Sadat, who arrived in Israel Saturday on
a historic peace mission, toured the Wal
led City of Jerusalem Sunday and later ad
dressed the Israeli parliament. He met
privately with Begin at least five times.
Although he reiterated the hard-line
Arab stand in his speech to the Knesset,
he today offered to give Israel whatever
guarantees it needs to ensure its security
in exchange for permanent peace in the
Middle East.
“Let us concentrate on the main issue,”
Sadat told the 77 members of Begin s rul
ing coalition. “What is the main issue? It
should be security for Israel, I quite
agree.”
Sadat’s remarks at first appeared to re
verse the traditional Arab position that the
paramount issue in the Middle East is the
need for a Palestinian homeland.
■ s the Froa O*
ir 0 * onlire
But he later clarified his intent by re
peating a key point in his historic speech
to the Israeli Knesset Sunday, that solving
the Palestinian problem is the central
issue in the Arab-Israeli dispute.
“We are ready and have no objection to
whatever measures that can be agreed
upon to provide you with full security,”
Sadat said. “No objection at all. . . .
“The other issue is the October 1973
war should be the last war. If we agree on
those two principles — security and no
war again — whatever happens can be
solved through peaceful negotiations or
peaceful means.
In speaking to the Israeli political lead
ers — first to Begin s coalition partners,
then to a group from the opposition Labor
party — Sadat called for “full security” for
Israel.
“We have no objection — U.N. forces,
all this — but in all frankness let me tell
you this. You should see the realities of
this very difficult problem. And, in all
honesty, also, I must tell you you have to
take very decisive decisions built on those
two main issues — security and no war
again.”
Aggielands
are arriving
Distribution of the 1977 Aggieland
begins at 8 a.m. in Building C, be
hind the Reed McDonald Building,
on the Texas A&M University cam
pus. Annuals will be issued until 5
p.m. A Texas A&M identification
card is required, and students will be
allowed to pick up only their own
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By DOUG GRAHAM
Battalion Staff
ing down logs out in the country
hauling them back to the field behind
can Dining Hall is only half the work
Ived in building the Aggie Bonfire; it
takes the stacking of the logs,
icking logs is a massive undertaking,
orsand “redpots,” the men who over^
:t and hoist the logs to higher levels,
nsoflog carriers work until the ring of
is completed. Everybody then steps
while the redpots “top off” uneven
with chainsaws.
ork is continued day and night until
before the 60-foot structure is ignited.
II is not work for those who labor on
? 0 i''gto| fire. The volunteers are t eated to
■fensebw itry music, the Patton theme and the
ivillzonep i e \y ar Hymn all night long on the
speaker system. While listening to
|raucous buzz of chain saws, they can
jeto a fire, or pick up free coffee when
get cold on a chilly night shift. They
also purchase food from a concession
d with profits going to support Bon-
uring the final week before Bonfire,
Corps assigns batteries of outfits to
the graveyard shifts to ensure its
pletion. The cadets work together
the civilian “non-reg students
nst the clock.
he peculiar thing about Bonfire is that
nuch effort is put into something that
he nothing but ashes in less than an
or so after it is lit. But as one
ier explained, “that may be true, but
spiritual thing that was built will re-
n for a lifetime.”
Women’s conference
supports gay rights
Battalion photo by Ken Herrera
Bonfire workers fork logs onto the stack in preparation for bonfire
ceremonies Friday night.
United Press International
HOUSTON — Lesbians, often the un
welcome stepsisters of the feminist move
ment, won a big victory with the National
Women’s Conference’s endorsement of gay
rights — a step opponents view as a setback
for other women’s rights.
The historic conference voted for lesbian
rights, abortion and sex education Sunday
night during an emotional debate. These
issues divided the 2,000 delegates more
deeply than any others, including the
Equal Rights Amendment.
Twenty-five feminist ideas were adopted
in two days, with only one left before ad
journment today. The document will go to
Congress and President Carter. A White
House aide admitted it probably would not
sway Carter on abortion.
Lesbians rejoiced in their victory by fill
ing the rafters with balloons carrying the
slogan: “We are everywhere.” Conserva
tives bowed their heads in disgust, and
abortion opponents staged an angry dem
onstration.
Betty Friedan, whose writing started the
modern women’s movement, swayed the
delegates with a surprising change of heart
on lesbian rights — embracing it as a
women’s rights issue for the first time.
“As a woman who has perhaps loved men
too well, I have had trouble on this issue, ”
she said. “I am known to be violently op
posed to the lesbian issue in the women’s
movement.
“This issues has divided us too long. I
believe that we should help the lesbians be
protected in their civil rights.”
Another delegate, Doris Holmes of
^Georgia, repeated the reason why many
f eminists have refused to support lesbians.
She portrayed the issue as a political “alba
tross” that hampers women in the fight
for ERA.
Conservatives also viewed the lesbian
rights vote as a setback for the women’s
movement. Katheryn Nelson of Florida
said it would destroy the family and violate
the “laws of God.”
Oklahoma delegate Winnie Mathews
said it was unnecessary because lesbians
would never be punished by “a stoning or
burning at the stake” if they kept their
preferences secret — like “adulterers and
adultresses.”
Anti-abortion delegates likewise made
emotional speeches. Aim O’Donnell of
Missouri described abortion support as the
flaw in the feminist philosophy, because
they are oppressing unborn children as
they are oppressed.
Asked if the conference vote would force
ppose all hut noncontroversial issues
Conservatives present report
United Press International
■OUSTON — Conservative critics of
26-plank feminist manifesto approved
Jre National Women’s Conference in
to present their own proposals to
igress.
form 3 being considered
women’s dormitory
:30-7:3>
The 13-page minority report offered by
state Sen. Joan M. Gubbins,
R-Indianopolis, lambasted the Equal
Rights Amendment and opposed all but
the most noncontroversial recom
mendations adopted at the historic three-
day conference.
“We feel it is time for women to stop
seeking federal solutions to personal prob
lems,” the minority report said.
Mrs. Gubbins acknowledged in advance
the report would be ruled out of order at
By BEVERLY MANJEOT
and
M DAVID BOGGAN
® ses Hall residents are smiling again
er learning Dorm 3 will be proposed for
’ovation as a women residence hall in-
™ of Moses.
e suggestion to convert Dorm 3, a
Iho^T 55 dorm, into a women’s dorm by
1978 was discussed during a meeting
last week by Dr. John Koldus, vice
of student services at Texas
1 University. Also discussed was the
lv orsion of Utay (Dorm 12), a male civi-
u° rm ’ to a ma l e Corps dorm. This
offset the loss of Dorm 3.
e original purpose of the meeting was
f> e t student input from members of the
-S’dent Hall Association’s Executive
Nniittee; presidents of Moses Hall and
i- Hall; the student body president
lv | oe Corps commandant about Koldus
P°sal to convert Moses into a women’s
irm.
v av ifi Davenport, Legett president,
IOtI| Ste< ^ ^ orm 3-Utay idea.
Infb lvui ih ray luea.
Ita CrS a * mee fi n g said that because
a ) >5 considered a less spirited dorm, its
“■dents j _._i .• .•
mu 11 * 5 wou ld find relocation easier than
“p ^ oses Hall residents.
Rankly, I never thought of the idea,
h d , D r. Charles W. ~
, n t affairs,
a do
« Co
Powell, director of
affairs. “But I like it because Utay
r° rm w ^ ere civilians are isolated in
a„ l ? r P s area and there are frictions in-
e d in that situation.”
| e eca use Utay was not involved until the
jr|?. Was presented during the meeting,
i en ts °f Utay were not represented.
f y voiced their opinions, however,
^■■contacted after the meeting,
onf C •> ave § reat spirit, especially during
lre > said Andy Sloan, a sophomore
finance major. “We have to be unified be
cause we’re the only non-reg dorm over
here.”
Utay president David Carson admitted
that there was friction between Utay and
the Corps, but said it was minimal.
“A few of our residents give our dorm a
bad name,” Carson said. “Ninety percent
of our residents respect the Corps’ tradi
tion and would just as soon participate
with them instead of against them.”
The University needs more women’s
housing to comply with a rule established
by the Department of Health, Education
and Welfare (HEW) states all universities
must offer male and female housing in
proportion to the number of students ap
plying for admission. The rule also states
that male and female housing must be
comparable in quality and cost.
“Texas A&M isn’t under any pressure
by the HEW,” said Powell. “Were just
trying to foresee problems before they
happen.”
Presently, 25.3 percent of on-campus
housing at Texas A&M is allocated to wo
men. However, women comprise 33.1
percent of the total enrollment, putting
the University approximately eight per
cent behind the HEW requirement.
Before the “Dorm 3-Utay” idea was
suggested, University administrators had
looked at a variety of other options in
order to comply with the HEW regula
tion.
“The one dorm that appeared to me to
work out best in regard to conersion was
Moses Hall,” said Koldus, “because it is
near the Keathley, Fowler, Hughes area.
It is always easier to supervise female
dorms when they are all together.”
He also mentioned that in terms of cost,
Moses would have provided a different op
tion for women.
“The guys at Moses were upset when
word got out that two engineers were in
the bathrooms making drawings of what
would have to be done to renovate the
hall,” said John White, head residentof
Moses.
“It has taken a lot ofhard work to build
the dorms’ spirit and the dorm’s name and
the guys like to know they’re leaving a
feeling of unity and togetherness for those
who come after them.” he added.
Another option studied was to make
either Mclnnis Hall or Schumacher Hall a
women’s dorm. Since these dorms are
air-conditioned and have suite baths there
would have been no renovation costs in
volved. This option was disregarded, how
ever, because male demand for this type of
dorm is high. Also, the administration
wanted to provide a wider variety of price
ranges for women’s housing.
The cost of a room in Mclnnis or
Schumacher is equal to the cost of a room
in the Keathley-Fowler-Hughes women’s
dorm complex.
Still another rejected option was Hart
Hall, a centrally-located, non air-
conditioned dorm which would have
provided the variety in costs desired by
the administrators.
“I pass by there every day and I know
with females living where the windows
must always be open we would have peep
ing Toms and that type of activity,” said
Koldus. As a result, Mclnnis, Schumacher
and Hart wouldn’t solve our problems, he
added.
The “Dorm 3-Utay” option is still in the
proposal stage and no final decision has
been made. Koldus will present the pro
posal to President Jarvis Miller who will
either accept or reject it.
Carter to reconsider his stand against abor
tion, White House aide Midge Costanza
replied: “There are no signs he will, he is so
adamant on the issue. But I hope he will.”
The conference also witnessed a moving
moment when the delegates — black,
white, Indian, Eskimo and Asian—joined
hands as they condemned “double-
discrimination” against minority women.
The delegates by standing votes also
have condemned Carter’s welfare reform
plan, while supporting federal health in
surance and ERA. They sought more gov
ernment help for rural, older and disabled
women, and homemakers.
Conservatives, who failed to defeat a
single feminist proposal, summed up their
reaction in a minority report saying: “We
feel it is time for women to stop seeking
federal solutions to personal problems.”
the conference but said the “Pro-Family,
Pro-Life” delegates wanted to offer the
document to voice the dissent they con
tend conference organizers squelched.
The coalition of anti-ERA and anti
abortion groups claimed 250 of the 2,000
delegates at the conventon.
“We represent the majority of the
American people,” Mrs. Gubbins said.
“Even if we did not have a right to speak to
our concerns on these issues. That has
been denied and denied and denied.”
In addition to ERA, abortions and gay
liberation, and dissident delegates said
they oppose education quotas, reverse
discriminiation favoring women over men,
mandatory sex education courses in
schools, government day care programs
for children, social security coverage for
homemakers, disarmament and the
Panama Canal Treaty.
“We deplore the ‘backlash’ of the wom
en’s liberation movement which has re
sulted in the sometimes shameful treat
ment by the courts of women whose mar
riages have ended in divorce,” they said.
“We urge the courts to recognize that a
man’s ability to produce is related to his
wife’s efforts in the home and to return to
recognition of the wife’s right to remain in
the career of homemaker for her children
even if her marriage is dissolved.
The conservative women called for ap
proval of an anti-abortion constitutional
amendment. They said wives should not
be able to obtain an abortion without their
husbands’ consent, nor minors without
their parents’ approval.
“We reject the concept of spouses as
victims of rape, unless actually living apart
but not yet legally divorced,” the report
declared.
They did recommend proposals similar
to conference calls for law changes to make
it easier to convict rapists.
“We believe that the majority of women
who work outside their homes consider
their families as their primary careers and
are working because inflation has forced
them into the labor market in order to
keep pace with the wage-price spiral,”
they said. ,
The conservative women said they sup
port equal pay for equal work and equal
advancement opportunities for qualified
women.
They denounced the idea of a guaran
teed income for all Americans as an uncon
scionable burden on working class tax
payers.
Bus driver adds
‘craziness’ to ride
By CONNIE BURKE
One might find him at the campus
bus stop yelling, “Willowick! Doux
Chene! Ride my bus! Come with
me!”
Who is he?
Texas A&M students refer to him
as the “neat’ bus driver. Bill Beck
er, 20, a shuttle bus driver for the
Doux Chene bus route, shortens the
students’ bus ride by what some call
his “general craziness.”
Becker is a great favorite among
the students. Recently, some of his
riders wrote a letter to the Battalion
saying, “We now wait in breathless
anticipation as the bus rounds the
corner in hopes that we will spy his
baby blues beneath the devil-may-
care tilt of his green beanie.”
Dressed in blue jeans and a
T-shirt, Becker grins. “When I saw
the shuttle bus help-wanted ad, I
said If I ever drove these shuttle
buses I’d do stupid things. I’d be
different than the average bus
driver.’”
And he is.
; On Halloween, for example, Beck
er surprised his riders by wearing
a mask and passing out bubblegum.
He also had decorated the bus with
crepe paper and balloons.
“I always did think he was crazy,”
said another bus driver. “One day
he put up a sign that said. Notice:
Women only. Help support your
local shuttle bus system. Kiss the
bus driver.’ He got three kisses that
day. ”
One rider explained why she likes
Becker. “He’s independent. He
doesn’t worry about what anybody
thinks about him.” Another rider
agreed, adding, “He’s as good as a
comedian. ”
Becker, a sophomore business
management major, said he likes his
job and tries to be “friends with
everybody.” But he doesn’t intend
to be a bus driver forever. He hopes
to be practicing law or working for a
corporation in 20 years, he said.
What would happen if there were
more bus drivers like Becker? One
rider answered, “There would be
more people going to class with a
smile on their face.”
¥
*
Battalion photo hv I.ai i-> ( handler
Shuttle bus driver Bill Becker, a sophomore at Texas A&M,
entertains his riders with bubblegum, Halloween masks, crazy
signs in his bus window and balloons in the bus itself.