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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (April 25, 1979)
Viewpoint The Battalion Wednesday Texas A&M University/ April 25, 1979 Students’ revenge Every student churns through monumental reading assignments, de ciphers bizarre accents, and winces at bad jokes for the sake of a grade in at least one course while at A&M. The course will be a requirement, to be sure; profs who teach an elective course, that is, one they won’t get paid to teach if not enough students sign up, do everything but take the test to make the course alluring. In a required course, instructors give full reign to their sadism, and their evil reputation always precedes them. Fainthearted students swap majors rather than face a tough requirement taught by a mean prof, only to find that their new major has strenuous requirements and vicious professors. Out of Frying Pan 202 into Fire 318. The highly intelligent, the intrepid, and the apathetic stand fast in their major and sign up for the course. So do students who fear their parents wrath, should they not graduate an engineer, more than they fear the required course. For those who make it past Q-drop, there is one sweet, if ineffective, revenge: the course evaluation. As semester end approaches, even the ghastliest lecture can’t spoil a student’s anticipation of a chortling, hand rubbing character assassination. No more enthusiastic faces can be found in class than on evaluation day, when the instructor passes the computer forms an the number 2 pencils into eager hands, then meekly shuffles from the room. While filling out the form, some students have said later, a feeling of divine grace seemed to surround and comfort them. Others felt a patriotic pride, as though they had served well their fellow beings. One student described his thought process as he completed the form: Let’s see, “How prepared was the instructor for class meetings? (4) Fre quently poorly prepared.” Is that the worst answer they offer? Oh well.. .“How often did the instructor have something worthwhile to say in class? (4) never had anything worthwhile to say.” That ought to be unani mous. “How would you rate the text(s) used in this course? excellent, good, fair, poor.” Where’s “too expensive?” And so on. The only dissatisfying thing about the forms is that there’s no space for reasons. Students can’t explain that talking with the instructor outside the class was (4) usually worthless because the prof only repeats the lecture he memorized for class. Form follows function. If the profs were really interested in improving the course there would be space for reasons and suggestions. But they aren’t. The course evaluation serves only to allow students to take out their semester’s worth of aggressions in a direct but harmless way, while reassuring the prof that he’s been sticking it to the students sufficiently. But no matter. Students aren’t interested in improving the course either. Because (knock on wood) they won’t have to take it again. —Scott Pendleton Letters to the Editor Slouch by Jim Earle Tradition for non-regs tor: P Sg^lj^ase allow me the opportunity to cfti&iient of yesterday’s Battalion - article about the Ruof Club, a new A&M men’s club. Although the article is mostly repre sentative of what the Ruof Club is all ab out, there are parts of it that are twisted journalism and the tone of certain portions bothers me very much. It was mentioned early in the article that the Creek-style social organizations are “diluting” A&M traditions. The way the paragraph was worded, one might think that Greeks have some sort of “plan” for the weakening of A&M traditions. This is just not the case at all. The falling-by-the-wayside of the old way of life is due to many and inevitable factors. No single factor, and especially no single group of people, should ever be in dicted for this “dilution.” The non-reg Texas Aggie has always lacked a “system” for the preservation and transmittance of the old way of life. The Corps of Cadets is very successful in this respect. Greeks don’t intentionally weaken anything about their respective college, but they are mostly emphatic of their national tra ditions rather than the local, school tradi tion. Greek organizations have arrived at Texas A&M because there must be some sort of need for them; before they emerged there was no organizational al ternative other than the corps that really and sincerely offered the “one-to-one” comraderie and full college experience. The Ruof Club is a local club instead of national, and is Texas Aggie in nature. Later in the article I was quoted as say ing that the Ruof Club fish “are better equipped to be Aggies than any other fish in any Corps.” I did not say this. How ever, I did state in the interview that a fundamental tenent of the Ruof Club will be to transmit the very traditions that made A&M unique in the first place, and That our fish, hopefully, will be better pre pared than the average non-corps student to transmit this old way of life. I believe that the Corps of Cadets is a splendid sys tem for the preservation of good Aggie bull. As a matter of fact, in getting the Ruof Club going I was thinking about how the average fish in the corps knows more about this place than I do as a senior. I wanted to change that. The Ruof Club is just one organizational alternative for the non-reg Texas Aggie. We do believe that we have a pretty good idea, but we don’t push it on anyone. We exist to serve our own members and the university; we harbor no animosity for any other organization on this campus. We just propose something new — and perhaps better. I hope that this will be understood. Thank you. —Chipper Prehn Ruof Club The paper chase Editor: I would like to take this time to thank all those wonderful Aggies that stopped to help me in my time of need! I’m referring to those Ags that stopped on Highway 30, Friday, April 20 around 4:30 p.m. near Sausalito Apts, to help me collect a full semester’s worth of notes, hand-outs, etc. I was on my way home, riding on my brother’s motorcycle, when my notebook and three library books fell off the bike. My papers went everywhere and several Aggies stopped to offer their assistance. One guy even chased my papers for a full block! I just wanted those who stopped to know that I really did appreciate their help. I don’t think I would have been able J/M cAdJ-B AP/Lir 79 ‘What a break! After much hard and secretive work, I’ve managed to put together all of the final exams given in the course for the last five years. Do you realize that all I have to do is to review these tests and I can get out of studying for the final exam?” Anti-inflation Victories^— no-win race to social ruin By DAVID BRODER WASHINGTON — The Sunday New York Times had a big picture of two fa mous Californians grinning their pleasure at the outcome of the referendum. This time, it was not Howard Jarvis and Paul Gann, celebrating the victory of their fa mous Proposition 13. This time, it was left-wing activist Tom Hayden and his rad ical actress wife, Jone Fonda, cheering the victory of a rent-control referendum in Santa Monica. To Seymour Martin Lepset, the Stan ford University political scientist and stu dent of public opinion, the quick trans formation from Jarvis-Gann last June to Hayden-Fonda this April carries a mes sage of some importance. The message is that politicians and jour nalists ought to be wary of putting ideolog ical labels on the tides of emotion sweep ing through the public these days. “If Proposition 13 was the symptom of a great conservative grass-roots revolt,” Lipset remarked at a rifeeting the other day, “then is the rent-control referendum a sign of a great liberal movement?” Last summer, at a conference of “new left” leaders in St. Paul, I heard Hayden outline the strategy of turning Proposition 13 inside-out by pitting tenants against landlords. He correctly predicted that many of the apartment owners who were behind the Jarvis-Gann property tax rollback initiative would pocket their prof its, rather than share them with their re nters. And he correctly predicted that the renters’ backlash would offer a fertile field for anti-business organizers like himself. According to the New York Times, four other California cities have imposed rent- controls by referendum or statute since Proposition 13 passes, and four others have such rent-controls pending. Lipset told a meeting of The Business Roundtable that, “Rent-controls could sweep across the nation, just as quickly as Proposition 13 or balanced-budget reso lutions have done.” What lies behind these seemingly con tradictory right-wing and left-wing movements is not alternating currents of ideology, but a panic reaction by people pressed to the wall by the inexorable force of inflation. There is a kind of quiet hysteria growing in this country, a desperation about how to make ends meet in a time of accelerating costs. In such an atmosphere, people will try anything that offers an illusion of hope — no matter how empty that hope may be. Lipset sees Proposition 13 as a despera tion bid to hold down the cost of govern ment and taxes. He sees the Santa Monica referendum as a parallel lunge to cut down the cost of housing. He notes that while the public is supposedly fed up with big government and the reams of federal regu lations, the public opinion polls show ris ing majority support for comprehensive wage-and-price controls. Controls are the ultimate big-government, bureaucratic nightmare, but a tempting illusions of ref uge from in inflation. The easiest task in the world is to dem onstrate the irrationality of wage-and-price controls, or rent controls, or Proposition 13s, or balanced-budget amendments. Controls distort the economy, choke off investment and produce worse shortages of the very items being controlled. Drastic tax and spending rollbacks cripple gov ernment’s ability to help balance the over all economy or meet the needs of the worst victims of inflation, those on fixed in comes. But it is futile to talk reason to a nation as beset by inflation as this one is. The longer it goes on, the worse will be the consequences, not only in economic terms but in political, governmental and institu tional terms as well. The people, from Barry Goldwater to Walter Mondale and from Arthur Burns to Alfred Kahn, who have been saying that curbing inflation is not only an economic imperative but the most important social policy this country can adopt, are abso lutely right. It becomes plainer every day that the only alternative to an effective anti inflation policy is a generalized, unde clared civil war — of taxpayers against government, tenants against landlords, unions against business, farmers against consumers, investors against spenders, and ultimately, looters against property- owners and police. We have had a surfeit of people grinning over the “victories” they have won in this contest to exploit people’s inflation-fueled fears. It is really a no-win race to social ruin. (c) Washington Post Company to salvage most of my papers if it hadn’t been for those people. I’ve been at A&M for two years (I’m a transfer student) and I’m proud to say that Aggies are the friendliest people! And I’d like to add another ingredient to Aggies: HELPFULU —Ellie Coughran, ’79 Senior snickers Dear Texas A&M University: As a graduating senior and a four-year survivior, I would like to thank you for all the wonderful experiences I have encountered while here: Thank you for the long lines for they have taught me calm; for the KK’s slapping tickets on my bomb; for the 10-minute breaks for classes a mile apart; for the Quack Shack that thinks a splint is a brand new start for gung-ho fish who tell us all about it and where to go (give ’em three more years, then they’ll know) for profs whose main desire is to flunk it seems; for the Placement Center in search of a dream; for the reports, papers, speeches, and projects turned in; for the Dixie Chicken which makes me sane again; for Greeks and CTs who hold “Aggie Spirit” high; for endless trains that pass us by; for friends I’ve made who’ve come and gone; for parking lots in the land of beyond; for four years of hardship and toil (at least now I can change my pil); for four years of poverty and less — how college students make it is anyone’s guess. Yes, thank you Texas A&M for all you’ve done. On May 4th, I have won. Degree me. — James Reed, ’79 Editor’s note: This letter was accom panied by 14 signatures. Top of the News STATE Texas Archbishop Furey dies Roman Catholic Archbishop Francis J. Furey died minutes before midnight Monday in San Antonio as a group of priests prayed in his room. Furey, 74, died of cancer. A native of Summit Hill, Pa., Furey had been listed in critical condition at Community Hospital, where he had been hospitalized a week in his long battle with cancer. Furey had held since Aug. 6, 1969 his post with the archdiocese which includes south and west Texas, areas with large Mexican-American populations. Furey had long been active in the support of civil rights and labor unions. Dallas man shoots wife, himself A 26-year-old Dallas man shot his 16-year-old common-law wife to death in the couple’s front yard Tuesday, barricaded himself in his apartment, then turned the gun on himself, police said. The dead couple was identified as Aaron Smith and Sharon Mithcell. The couple’s child was not injured during the incident. According to offi cers, police were called to Smith’s apartment residence after reports of a violent argument. The officers heard several shots, then spied the young woman lying in the front yard. Under the cover of a smoke cloud, police pulled the woman from the yard, but she was reported dead at the scene. After police broke into the apartment, Smith was found in an upstairs bedroom, the victim of a self-inflicted gunshot. NATION Man dies in barbecue truck crash A truck carrying barbecue sauce on Interstate 10 near Jennings, La., slammed into the rear of a tanker loaded with rubber solvent, Tuesday, and the two burst into flames, killing one driver and injur ing another. The collision sparked an explosion that could be heard a half-mile away and a fire that burned for nearly an hour. Interstate 10 was closed for several hours because of the wreck. Police said the dead man began work Monday for Arctic Express of Seagoville and was on his first run Tuesday. The other man was held at Jennings American Legion Hospital for observation. John Wayne returns to hospital John Wayne is back in a hospital for the second time this year, but a hospital spokeswoman said the veteran actor’s condition was not seri ous. Wayne, 71 — released from UCLA Medical Center Feb. 10 after his cancerous stomach was removed — was admitted last Wednesday to Hoag Memorial Hospital near his waterfront home in Newport Beach, Calif, for treatment of a chronic bronchial condition. “Since he’s been working so hard,” said spokeswoman Juanita Garcia, “he’s contracted the flu and has a slight bronchial condition.” Ssaid his condition was not serious and that he would probably be released in a couple of days. Chicago mayor suspends official Chicago Mayor Jane M. Byrne paid a surprise visit to the streets and sanitation office and promptly suspended the deputy commis sioner because most of his employees had skipped work. Byrne said Monday she suspended Patrick O’Connor, deputy commissioner of the Bureau of Equipment Services, for 28 days because his poor management allowed employees to fudge time sheets. Only 50 of 172 workers who were assigned to a South Side garage the mayor visited Friday were actually on duty, she said. The bureau had been the object of numerous complaints since Byrne took office last week. WORLD \ em do' i bii 1 ! lei ap ^ her H ; pro] ha. : ron "I : esp' ofl : for - said Can onl\ ■ ffim Rhodesia elects first black leader Abel Muzorewa, an American-educated Methodist bishop, Tues day was elected Rhodesia’s first black prime minister in majority rule elections labeled fraudulent by his chief opponent. Britain and the United States have not recognized the elections on grounds the Pat riotic Front guerrillas did not participate and the balloting would not end the Front’s six-year war. Muzorewa, 54, who studied at Central Methodist College at Fayette, Mo., and earned a master’s degree at Nashville University, easily outdistanced his two main opponents — the Rev. Ndabiningi Sithole and tribal chief Jeremiah Chirau — in the battle to succeed Prime Minister Ian Smith. Sithole said the election was marred with irregularities. His accusation diminished the prospect of the election results being accepted by the West as justification for recognizing the next government and lifting the trade sanctions in force since 1965, when Smith unilaterally broke from Britain. Airliner disappears in Ecuador Authorities in Ecuador reported Tuesday that an airliner with 57 persons aboard disappeared Monday on a flight from Quito to Cuenca and that an intense aerial search had found no trace of it. Seven planes and a helicopter of the Ecuadorean armed forces searched the dense jungle again Tueday for the turboprop plane which authorities said almost certainly had crashed. The weather was good and au thorities believe the wreckage will be found. The pilot of the Saeta Airlines plane, which carried a five-member crew and 52 passengers, had been in a radio contact with the Cuenca control tower but radio signals suddenly failed and it was feared the plane had crashed. The passengers included a former candidate for the presidency and 25 government employees. WEATHER Partly cloudy with a slight chance of showers. High in the mid 80’s and a low in the mid 60’s. Winds will be south- southwesterly at 10-14 mph. We have a 20% chance of rain today, tonight, and tomorrow. The Battalion 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 guarantee to publish any letter. Each letter must be signed, show the address of the writer and list a telephone number for verification. Address correspondence to Letters to the Editor, The Battalion, Room 216, Reed McDonald Building, College Station, Texas 77843. Represented nationally by National Educational Adver tising Services, Inc., New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles. The Battalion is published Monday through Friday from September through May except during exam and holiday periods and the summer, when it is published on Tuesday through Thursday. Mail subscriptions are $16.75 per semester; $33.25 per school year; $35.00 per full year. Advertising rates furnished on request. Address: The Battalion, Room 216, Reed McDonald Building, College Station, Texas 77843. United Press International is entitled exclusively to the use for reproduction of all news dispatches credited to it. Rights of reproduction of all other matter herein reserved. Second-Class postage paid at College Station, TX 77843. MEMBER Texas Press Association Southwest Journalism Congress Editor LizNewlit Managing Editor Andy Williams Asst. Managing Editor Dillard Stone Sports Editor SeanPett) City Editor Roy Brag? Campus Editor Keith Taylm News Editors Michelle Burrowes Karen Cornelison Staff Writers Doug Graham. Mark Patterson, Kurt Abraham, Carolyn Blosser, Richard Oliver, Julie Porter. Diane Blake, Meril Edwards, Lyle Lovett Editorial Directors Karen Rogert Scott Pendleton Cartoonist Doug Graham Photo Editor Lee Roy Leschperjr Photographers Lynn Blanco. Clay Cockrill Focus section editor Beth Calhoun 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 I supporting enterprise operated by studenti I as a university and community newspaper 1 Editorial policy is determined by the editor »