Battalion
Serving the Texas A&cM University community
Thursday, August 27, 1981
College Station, Texas
USPS 045 360
Phone 845-2611
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TSU president takes top spot at University
Vandiver is named A&M president
By JANE G. BRUST
Battalion StafT
HLAS — Dr. Frank Everson Van-
, president of North Texas State
ersity, will become Texas A&M
ersity’s 19th president, as con-
* td Wednesday by the Texas A&M
m Board of Regents. That appoint-
will take effect Sept. 1.
I’m greatly honored,” Vandiver
"1 have long been an admirer of
A&M — I’m aware of its tradi-
accomplishments and its poten-
*)r the future. ”
ndiver, 55, said he will submit his
nation to the NTSU board of re
today.
exas A&M regents made the
intment in a special meeting held
■ related editorial page 2.
University’s Research and Ex ten-
Center in Dallas. The regents
lUnhour in closed session prior to
Ingthe official appointment.
} er the meeting. Board Chairman
“'iW htiyjnt said the regents
t that hour discussing the proce-
ofappointing a new president as
as the candidacy of Vandiver in
:n\ar. Vice Chairman John Blocker
t of state and was the only regent
Vesent.
a-press conference held alter the
meeting, Vandiver, a noted scho-
'ihistorian, said he did not apply
& hiraseW
did not seek the job, it sought me,
thing like two or three weeks ago,
H laid, “Chancellor (Frank W.R.)
ert called me and I thought he was
ig to tell me who the new president
ndiver met Sunday with Hubert
members of the selection commit-
he said, and it was agreed that if he
were recommended to the board, he
would accept the position.
Bright said Vandiver’s name was
among those 35 names recommended to
the board in January by a 22-member
search committee but said Vandiver was
not among the first 10 candidates consi
dered.
A committee of four — Bright, Block
er, Hubert and Regent Clyde Wells —
interviewed at least 12 candidates for
the position. That committee recom
mended Vandiver’s appointment.
Bright said Vandiver was chosen on
his academic credentials, his individual
character and integrity as well as his
leadership ability.
He has served one year overseeing
both NTSU in Denton (17,000 students)
and its sister school, the Texas College
of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Worth.
He also spent 12 years in administrative
positions at Rice University including
"I did not seek the job, it
sought me, something like
two or three weeks ago.
Chancellor (Frank W.R.)
Hubert called me and I
thought he was calling to tell
me who the new president
was” — Dr. Frank E. Van
diver
positions as vice president, provost and
acting president.
Vandiver holds a master’s degree in
history from the University of Texas at
Austin and a doctoral degree from
Tulane University in New Orleans.
The chairman also said the new presi
dent was hired under the current Sys
tem organizational structure.
“He reports to the chancellor,”
Bright said. “He has received organiza
tional charts of the System and the Uni
versity. ”
The controversial structure im
plemented IV2 years ago channeled
greater System control into the chancel
lor’s office, thereby leaving only Uni
versity affairs to the president. The
power struggle between the chancellor
and President Jarvis Miller resulted in
Miller’s dismissal by the board one year
ago.
Vandiver said the System’s organiza
tional structure was not an issue in his
acceptance of the position.
“I can’t imagine anyone in my line of
work not wanting the job (at Texas
A&M),” he said. “You never know if
you’re going to survive or not. I know I
serve at the pleasure of the board — I
just hope they keep me around a while. ”
TYie new president will receive
$90,000 a year, a furnished house —
Texas A&M’s president’s mansion —
with housekeeper, a car, gas, oil and
maintenance. Hubert prompted laugh
ter by remarking that Vandiver will re
ceive football tickets as well.
Bright pointed out that there is no
actual contract involved in Vandiver’s
assuming the presidential position.
However, the historian did ask to be
made a tenured member of the history
department. He is author of 10 books,
most of which deal with the Confeder
ate Army during the Civil War.
Vandiver said he would like to teach a
class on some phase of 20th century
military history.
Bright said that was one of the agree
ments made by the regents. Hubert ex
plained, however, that such a request is
subject to approval by a University per
sonnel committee.
In addition to his interest in
teaching, Vandiver stressed his interest
in research at Texas A&M.
“I’m a firm believer in keeping re
search at the core of the University in
the areas of current strength,” he said.
“I would hope A&M’s general commit
ment to liberal arts and humanities also
will grow. ”
F unding for a university such as
Texas A&M is another of the new presi
dent’s concerns. He said Texas A&M’s
resources seem bountiful but the Uni-
The new president will re
ceive a salary of $90,000 a
year, a furnished house —
Texas A&M’s president’s
mansion — with housekeep
er, a car, gas, oil and mainte
nance.
versify must look for new ways to fund
the University’s research and programs.
Agriculture is an area of particular
interest to Vandiver. “My commitment
to agriculture is personal,” he said. Van
diver owns a ranch in East Texas near
Athens where he raises Angus cattle.
Vandiver has three children, Nita,
Nancy and Frank. Nancy is a senior his
tory major at Texas A&M. His wife’s
name is Renee.
The new president laughed when the
point was made that two University of
Texas alumni will preside over Texas
A&M; Hubert also holds a degree from
UT.
“One thing about longhorns,” Van
diver quipped, “they’re adaptable. But
you notice who we work for.”
Bright took his turn to laugh when
Hubert clarified, “He says we work for
an Aggie.”
Frank E. Vandiver was named president of Texas A&M Wednesday.
Samson to continue
teaching at A&M
libers of the media look on while Board of Regents Chairman H.R. “Bum” Bright congratulates new Texas A&M President Frank Vandiver.
ill-University Night
o be held Monday
Excitement and Aggie spirit will
11 the air at 7:30 Monday in G. Rol-
White Coliseum when Texas
&M students gather for All-
niversity Night.
Mike Thatcher, head yell leader
hd emcee for the evening, said the
i'ent will be presented primarily for
fie freshmen and the Aggie football
am.
“We hope to get everyone really
Motivated, and seeing all the enthu
siasm should help the team,” he
said.
Thatcher said that All-University
Night is designed to be “an orienta
tion to Aggie Spirit.’’
A yell practice will be held and the
Aggie Band will also be on hand to
perform at the event.
Thatcher said that Head Coach
Tom Wilson, Athletic Director Mar
vin Tate and Vice President for Stu
dent Services John J. Koldus are
slated to address students.
By JANE G. BRUST
DALLAS — After announcing the
appointment of a new Texas A&M presi
dent Wednesday, Board of Regents
Chairman H.R. “Bum” Bright
announced Acting President Charles H.
Samson’s decision to resume teaching.
“Dr. Samson has elected to serve as
professor of civil engineering and will,
as he has in the past, lend his service to
the aims, goals and objectives of the
University.”
The board met in Dallas to appoint
Dr. Frank Vandiver, president of North
Texas State University, to the Texas
A&M presidency.
Samson said he hasn’t had a chance to
talk to the civil engineering faculty ab
out his returning to the classroom but
he plans to resume teaching some time
during the fall semester.
Bright also extended thanks to Sam
son for his service during the Universi
ty’s search for a president. The chair
man spoke on behalf of Texas A&M stu
dents, former students, staff and board
members in recognizing Samson’s dedi
cation to his interim position.
“He is a man of character, integrity
and a lot of ability,” Bright said. “All
associated with the University are deep
ly grateful for his service.”
“My plans are to get back to
teaching,” Samson said. “I’m happy to
help Dr. Vandiver in any way, and I
would suspect he would want some
briefings arranged.”
Although his appointment will take
effect Sept. 1, Vandiver said he will not
be moved completely until the end of
that month. He said he will visit the
campus periodically to make the transi
tion to his new job.
Texas A&M System Chancellor
Frank W.R. Hubert also had opportun
ity Wednesday to discuss his plans for
the near future. “My plans are to serve
my role of chancellor to the best of my
ability,” he said.
University sources have indicated
that Hubert, 66, has been planning his
retirement. Hubert confirmed
Wednesday that his retirement has
been discussed but would not disclose a
specific retirement date.
“One who is 66 does not plan to stay
on the scene an indefinite amount of
time,” he said.
Hubert added, “I plan to be around
another year.”
The chancellor assumed his position
in 1979.
Women's right to vote is celebrated
Group advocates passing ERA
aper resumes regular schedule
he Battalion will resume its regular
lication schedule beginning Mon-
August 31. The Battalion is pub-
pd Monday thru Friday during the
emester. Monday’s Back-to-School
edition of The Battalion will feature six
sections including information on Texas
A&M activities, traditions and features
on campus life.
By KATHY O’CONNELL
Battalion StafT
Amidst the long line of Texas A&M
students waiting to register for fall clas
ses, a small group of women and men
gathered Wednesday in front of the
Rudder fountain to celebrate the
anniversary of the woman’s right to
vote.
The women waved green and white
pennants with the slogan “ERA Yes” as
they sang the chorus of a modified ver
sion of the “Battle Hymn of the Repub
lic” — “Mine eyes have seen the flame
of women’s rights ... move on over or
we’ll move on over you. For women’s
time has come.”
“A Celebration of Women’s Equality
Day,” sponsored by the Brazos County
National Organization for Women and
the Association of Women in Science
commemorates the 61st anniversary of
the ratification of the 19th Amendment.
The amendment, ratified on Aug. 26,
1920, gave women the right to vote.
Dr. Sara Alpern, assistant professor
of history at Texas A&M University and
the Brazos County Mother of the Year,
said the history of the sufferage move
ment and the history of women are not
synonymous.
The sufferage movement, Alpern
said, began with the movement to abol
ish slavery. Because of a “prescription
for women in society,” that said it was
unlady-like to speak in public, the suf
frage movement evolved.
Ironically, Alpern said, when women
delegates from the United States went
to London in the 1800s for an anti
slavery rally they were not allowed to
speak out against slavery. This in turn
sparked the suffrage movement, she
said.
Dr. Greta Fryxell, professor of
oceanography and the 1978 Outstand
ing Woman of Brazos County, said
women in science are usually “consi
dered less than competent.”
Of the approximate 13,000 members
of the National Science Academy, Fryx
ell said there are approximately 35
members or 2.5 percent whom are
women.
Fryxell pointed out that women do
have a place in the history of science.
“We have Marie Curie,” she said, “and
let me remind you that her first name is
Marie, not Madame.”
Mary Calk, current president of the
Texas National Organization for
Women, said the ERA amendment is
needed to set a standard against discri
mination of sex.
“The greatest reason for the ERA,”
Calk said, “is the 59-cent wage gap be
tween men and women. Who gets the
41 cents? It’s no wonder that the chief
labor force (men) oppses the ERA.”
With the deadline for the ratification
drawing near June 30, 1982 — Calk
encouraged the women in the audience
to support the ERA. She asked for
volunteers to work in the three states
that haven’t yet ratified the amend
ment.