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Friday, December 14, 1979
College Station, Texas
USPS 045 360
Phone 845-2611
Arson suspected
in five campus fires
By CAROL HANCOCK
Battalion Reporter
Texas A&M University police have
reason to suspect arson in the fifth small fire
in eight months in the Soil & Crops Scien
ces Building, which was quickly exting
uished Wednesday evening.
The College Station Fire Department
responded to a call shortly after 6:30 p.m.
when a student who smelled smoke re
ported it to an employee. The fire was in a
small storage room and did not cause much
damage, police reports show.
University Police Chief Russ McDonald
said the storage room contained only boxed
jars of honey and other minor items. It
appears to have been started by a cigarette
lighter as there was no evidence of in
flammable liquids or matches, he said.
The room was locked and accessible only
with a key, McDonald said.
The first of the five fires was June 28 in
the same storage room. College Station
Fire Chief Douglas Landua estimated it
probably started with a cigarette, police
reports show. Damage was minimal.
The second fire was on July 12 in rooms
322 and 322B. After a custodial worker dis
covered the fire, the University Police De
partment was notified and the fire depart
ment responded.
The fire caused quite a bit of damage to
the building and some laboratory equip
ment was lost, McDonald said. Arson was
suspected but no result came from the in
vestigation, he said.
The third fire on Nov. 30 was in a testing
laboratory. Cause of the fire was deter
mined to be sacks of dry grass lit by a
cigarette lighter, McDonald said. Damage
was minimal.
A fourth fire on Dec. 5 in a northwest
basement stairwell was traced to fiberglass
heating and air conditioning filters. Other
than smoke damage, there was hardly any
damage, the report shows.
Since there w-as nothing in the stairwell
that could have ignited the filters, arson is
suspected, McDonald said.
McDonald said there have been investi
gations going on since the first fire and new
evidence has been turning up with each
fire. All fires have occurred around the
same time of the evening and were lit in
similar fashion, he said.
McDonald said the police department
has narrowed the suspects to a few people
whom the department knows were in the
building during every- fire.
There doesn’t appear to be any motive,
McDonald said, but it doesn’t look like
someone is trying to burn down the
building.
“If that’s their motive, they’re not doing
a very good job,” he said.
Three OPEC countries
raise prices $6 per barrel
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Gerald Hallasse, a 70-year-old rancher from Bee-
ville, relaxes and lights a pipe while working in his
shop. Hallasse is well known for his skill and crafts
manship in making Hackamore bits, which are used
in training horses.
Battalion photo by George Evans
I tests plus fear of failure — anxiety
United Press International
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates —
Three leading Arab oil producers, includ
ing America’s biggest supplier, announced
Thursday they will increase their oil prices
by $6 a barrel, a move that could streng
then the moderates position at critical
price-bargaining talks next week.
The three nations are the United Arab
Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, the
largest exporter of oil to the United States.
Announcing the increase, Oil Minister
Maria Said Otiba of the UAE said it was
applicable to all forms of crude exported by
the three countries.
Oteiba made the announcement minutes
before boarding a plane to Paris on his way
to Caracas, Venezuela, for next Monday’s
ministerial meeting of the Organization of
Petroleum Exporting Countries to discuss
higher oil prices, said the UAE’s news
agency, WAM. Oteiba is president of
OPEC.
The $6 increase represents price hikes of
27.8 percent, 28 percent and 33.3 percent
respectively for the Emirates, Qatar and
Saudi Arabia, industry sources said.
It means that UAE oil will sell for $27.56
per barrel, Qatari oil for $27.42 and Saudi
oil for $24.
Industry sources said that by introducing
the $6 increase, the three Arab countries —
known to be OPEC doves — have nar
rowed the gap with the cartel’s hawks.
“The OPEC moderates can now go to
Caracas and face the hawks with a much
stronger position,” industry sources said.
Saudi Arabia and Qatar had no immedi
ate comment on Oteiba’s statement.
Although Saudi Arabia has kept its price
low, its officials have complained recently
that Western oil companies did not pass the
lower prices onto consumers but instead
rolled up huge profit figures.
Oteiba did not say when the new prices
— which would mean prices above OPEC’s
$23.50-a-barrel price ceiling — would go
into effect.
But in an interview with the British
Broadcasting Corp., excerpts of which
were released by the Emirate’s news agen
cy Wednesday; Oteiba said Kuwait and
possibly Venezuela might follow suit.
Oteiba was in Qatar Wednesday and has
recently visited Saudi Arabia for oil price
coordination talks.
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Exams produce illness in students
By ROSEMARIE ROSE
Battalion Reporter
Just when finals are becoming the most
mportant thing in many peoples’ minds,
ome students find themselves growing ill
it the mere mention of a test.
This adverse reaction to taking tests, or
ust studying for them, is called test anxiety
lionshipS® md affects people in varying degrees de
ending on the person and the importance
, if the test, said Dr. Nick Dobrovolsky of
he Personal Counseling Service at Texas
University.
Test anxiety comes from a student asso
rting past negative experiences with tests
and anticipating similar negative results,
be said. Some students also associate test
ing with fear of failure, and because they
don’t know what will be on a test, are
apprehensive of the unknown.
Anxiety manifests itself in many different
ways, Dobrovolsky said. In extreme cases a
person may become physically ill — vomit,
have headaches, perspire profusely and ex
perience shakes and stomach problems;
some people can actually bring on illness in
order to avoid a test situation.
The degree of anxiety a person experi
ences will vary with the importance of the
outcome of the test with respect to the
student’s goals.
“The more important a test is to the ful
filling of a goal, the more able it is to elicit
an anxiety response,” he said.
To help students overcome test anxiety,
both the Academic Counseling Center and
the Personal Counseling Service offer
workshops to reduce the stress of academic
testing.
The workshops teach students techni
ques for dealing with their anxiety and
study habits to help prepare for upcoming
exams. Students are also advised to read
books on studying, of which one of the best,
says Dobrovolsky, is “Toward Success in
College” by Texas A&M University’s Rod
O’Connor and Tom Taylor.
The study habits recommended by coun
selors include establishing a practical and
flexible study schedule, studying material
before it is to be covered in class and taking
notes in class that highlight what the lectur
er says rather than recording information
the student shciuld already know.
Another idea counselors use to help stu
dents is called “test wiseness.” Dobrovols
ky explains the concept as making the stu
dents aware of the dual purpose of tests.
“Tests are used both as an evaluation tool
and a learning instrument,” he said. “Final
examinations are mostly evaluative; weekly
tests are used to determine progress and
how well the student is learning and the
teacher is teaching.”
When a student is “test wise” he has a
reasonable expectation of what a test really
is, he said.
In Iran ...
Khomeini to let visitors
view hostages’ condition
United Press International
TEHRAN, Iran — Ayatollah Ruhol-
lah Khomeini Thursday gave permis
sion for neutral observers to visit the
50 U.S. hostages and ordered immedi
ate establishment of an international
commission to condemn “American
crimes.” Khomeini said the observers
will disprove charges the hostages are
constantly being threatened with ex
ecution and kept in “inhuman” condi
tions.
“It is essential that you form as soon
as possible an international commis
sion in consultation with the (Islamic)
Revolutionary Council to study the
aggressive policy of America in Iran, ”
Khomeini told Foreign Minister
Sadegh Ghotbzadeh.
Militant captors, who are holding
the hostages for the 41st day, immedi
ately responded: “We are prepared to
take Ayatollah Khomeini’s orders. It is
up to the foreign ministry to make
arrangements for this international
meeting. Observers can come and see
the hostages as the imam has
ordered.”
The captors previously had rebuffed
similar efforts by the foreign minister,
refusing to take any directives except
from Khomeini personally.
Diplomatic sources said the urgen
cy of Khomeini’s order to counter
“American propaganda” indicated that
U.S. efforts to turn Iran into an inter
national outcast were being felt in
Tehran.
The government also announced
what it said was progress in negotia
tions to end the turmoil in northwest
Iran.
Nevertheless, an estimated 100,000
persons marched in Tabriz chanting,
“We are neither East or West, we are
the sons of Ayatollah Shariat-Madari!”
— spiritual leader of the region and
Khomeini’s major opponent.
The entire city was shut down for
the demonstration.
Shariat-Madari held talks with
Khomeini Wednesday night and the
government Thursday announced
some progress had been made in set
tling the issue.
roups on campus, across country help refugees
IS
16
By RICHARD OLIVER
Battalion Staff
Imagine a tragedy that wipes out half a country’s population,
[and leaves the remaining survivors scattered all over the world
[to try and start a new life in alien surroundings.
This scene could be a real one, if predictions concerning the
[Cambodian refugees come to pass.
Since 1976, the refugees, fleeing a war-torn country and a
J communist-dictatorship rule, have settled in the countries of
■ Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, and others to try and start anew.
I More than a third of the fleeing Cambodians have already
I died from the effects of war, repression and disease. As many as 2
I million more are on the verge of starvation.
J One obvious problem has ensued — the people are not wel-
I come in all areas, and food and shelter must be found.
1 Fortunately, there are some organizations that have come to
]| the aid of these people.
At Texas A&M University, the International Students Asso
ciation has already sponsored a program which collected $106
for the refugees. Reiyadh Chakmakchi, president of the organi
zation, said the program was an overall success.
“We had four speakers on Monday (International Human
Rights Day) to speak on human rights,” he said. “We set up a
booth in the VISC3, and had various programs and forums
| throughout the day. It was a success in that we collected the $106
in just a few hours, and most of the donations consisted of loose
p change:”
Chakmakchi said the tragedy could potentially be much worse
than most people realize.
“The former president of Cambodia, Cheng Heng, spoke
here this week, and he said by the time this situation is cleared
up, half the Cambodian population could be dead,” he said.
“The size of the whole tragedy is immense. People are still dying
every day in Cambodia and the five borders (surrounding the
country). If half the population died, that would be a loss of 4 or 5
million people.”
One of the main suppliers of food and medical help in the
world is located in Westport, Connecticut. The Save The Chil
dren Foundation is sponsoring a Cambodian Relief Program to
try' and save the refugees.
Laura Malis, coordinator of public information for the organi
zation, said 1979 is the International Year of the Child, and Save
The Children is trying to help on an international scale.
“We re sending emergency food shipments mainly through
our agency in Great Britain,” she said from the organization’s
office in Connecticut. “The Cambodian problem is such a tragic
and alarming situation. Time magazine has termed the situation
as the ‘Auschwitz of Asia,’ and 1 think that’s true. People are
actually in the last stages of starvation, and are dying daily. It’s
simply overwhelming. ”
Malis said Save The Children does not use volunteers, but is
professional, and therefore funds present the greatest problem.
“Over 200,000 pounds of food has been sent to the refugees,”
she said. “As we raise more money, more aid is sent. The need is
limitless. We re looking for money. Every little contribution
helps.”
Chakmakchi said the Vietnam government has slowed the
relief effort by not allowing any land transportation for food
provided by the United Nations.
Malis added help is sent through sea and air, and there are
currently six organization medical teams working in border
camps which house approximately 90,000 refugees.
Malis also said the media have provided good coverage, but
other world situations tend to overshadow the seriousness of the
Cambodian plight.
“It’s a real problem,” she said. “The news media is not fickle.
The Iran situation is serious, but it has sort of forced the Cambo
dian situation on the back burner. It’s so important for people to
realize the tragedy which is occurring. It’s not front page, but
the people are still hungry.
“Rosalyn Carter has done a fantastic job. She’s telling people
about the problem and getting things done. Just this morning,
she was on the Today show telling it. It’s important we don’t
forget, even though we’re not bombarded about it (Cambodia)
daily. ”
Malis said in order for the Cambodian refugees to survive
another six months, over 165,000 tons of rice must be provided.
Without this help, she said, 2V2 million people could starve over
this period.
“We feel the colleges have a great potential in fund-raising,”
Malis said. “College students are concerned and aware of inter
national problems. Any personal contributions are helpful. ”
Malis listed several programs that colleges can use to help in
raising funds.
“The Link Of Life is a program sort of like a chain letter, ” she
said. “An organization can start a letter off to someone asking for
a one dollar contribution, and ask the contributor to send the
letter along to someone else.
“At some colleges, whole dorms have given up a lunch, and
asked the cafeteria to send the money that would have been used
for the meal to the Cambodian Relief Program.”
Malis added the organization has also asked people to give up
a habit and send the equivalent money that would have been
used to a charity.
“People have given up smoking or drinking, and given the
proceeds to us for the relief program,’ she said. “That adds up to
a lot when it’s all finished.”
Chakmakchi said international students at Texas A&M are
especially concerned with the Cambodian situation, and want to
help in any way possible.
“International students have been presented on the negative
side since the crisis in Iran,” he said. “We understand Amer
ican’s feeling so bad about the hostages.
“In some way we re trying to show our interest in human
rights. We feel as negative about the whole Iran thing as you do.
We want everyone to understand that.
Malis said any contributions can be sent to Save The Chil
dren, Cambodian Relief Fund, Dept. P, Westport, CT 06880.
or call toll-free 1-800-243-5075.
“Any little bit helps, she said. “One dollar may not seem like
much, but they add up to thousands."