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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 30, 1981)
1 The Battalion Viewpoint September 30, \%\Hi Slouch By Jim Earle '‘Perhaps I didn 't make myself clear! I was merely pointing out that it was against University regulations to own a pet, but of course I'm sure that exceptions can be made!” Student describes ‘A&M experience^ By Timothy James Coats Texas A&M University is a superb place to receive an education. Here a person not only learns from books, but also from his relations with other people. Since the stu dents and faculty are what actually make up the University, these relations, along with personal experiences, are what shape the “A&M Experience’ for each individual. A large part of a student’s experience is formed when he encounters the pleasures and frustrations of an incoming freshman. To a new student, one of the most fright ful things about Texas A&M is its immense size. Although people are what make the University what it is, the towering build ings and great expanses tend to make one feel like a little “fish’ in a big pond. Texas A&M is a sprawling 5,142-acre complex of buildings, parking lots, and sidewalks. Even with all this construction, the campus remains much like a park. Its tree-lined walks and wide open spaces provide a love ly place for the University’s 35,500 students to work and play. It has been said that Texas A&M is so large that the entire campus of the University of Texas at Austin would be able to fit on Texas A&M’s polo field. The Texas A&M campus and surround ing areas are known for the friendly people. Every day when walking between classes I am greeted by a cordial “Howdy and a big grin. This spirit is not only carried out by students but by the faculty as well. Most instructors add a personal touch in their classes and really seem to care about their students as individuals. The deep-rooted traditions at Texas A&M serve as the basis for all Aggie Spirit. They also help to bring students closer to their school. One such tradition is the Aggie “Twelfth Man.’ On New Year’s Day, 1922, the Aggie team was playing Centre Col lege, then the nation’s top team. As the game wore on, the Aggies lost many of their players to injuries. These injuries caused the team to dig deeply into their limited reserves of players. When Coach D.X. Bi ble remembered a team member who was not suited up. King Gill was called from the stands, suited up, and stood ready through out the rest of the game which Texas A&M finally won. Although Gill did not play in the game, he had readily accepted the call to help his team. He came to be thought of as the Twelfth Man because he stood ready for duty when the eleven men on the field needed help. That spirit of readiness for Although Texas A&M’s size is an advan tage in some cases, having such a large number of students also creates some dis advantages. Many different activities and organizations are available for students to get involved with at Texas A&M. Large universities also tend to have more money for research and have better equipment than small colleges, but Texas A&M also has a few things that are not so pleasant. The large classes make it difficult for stu dents to get the individual attention they need. Instructors and students do not get to know each other. The large number of stu dents has caused a shortage of parking spaces and dorm rooms. The University has had such tremendous growth in the last few years that it is now able to house less than one-third of its stu dent body on campus. Being one of Texas A&M’s off-campus students myself, I know that living off campus has its advantages and disadvantages. Apartments afford students more privacy and room than dorm rooms do, but the apartment dwellers must also assume more responsibility than their on- campus counterparts. Getting involved in school activities is harder for off-campus students because there is no one around to remind them of all the activities taking place. Getting to and from campus is another matter left entirely up to the stu dent. If a student lives close to campus, he can ride a bike, but if he lives far away, he must drive a car or ride the shuttle bus. With such little parking available on cam pus, most students choose to ride the bus. In order to get to class on time, one has to leave his apartment at least thirty minutes early. On some of the early runs, the buses fill quickly and must pass by all of the last stops on their run. All the students that were waiting for the bus must then either walk or be late to class. All of these prob lems and inconviences do detract slightly from the pleasure of being at school, but all and all, attending Texas A&M is an enjoy able experience. Editor’s note: Coats is a freshman comput ing science major at Texas A&M. Warped service and desire to support have grown through the years. All feel loyal to their school; all stand ready for duty when called. Like that one student, all are the Twelfth Man. It s your turn Don’t forget to say ‘howdy Editor: Howdy! Has it been a long time since you’ve heard that greeting around campus? In the past few years, Texas A&M has been growing so rapidly that it has been losing some of what it is famous for — tradition. That “Aggie Spirit” is fading in the hustle and bustle of the large crowds on campus. So many people are in such a hurry to get to classes, meetings, study sessions, etc. that they forget to take time to say “howdy” to a fellow Ag. Saying “howdy” is only a small part of the Aggie Spirit, but it is a very important part. The friendliness on the Texas A&M campus is what lures so many people to this school each year. This institution cannot let that friendliness just slip away. So, in an attempt to try and bring back that tradition by bringing out a little Aggie Spirit in everyone. Lambda Sigma, sopho more honor society, encourages you to say “howdy.” We’ll be saying "howdy (as al ways) and we expect everyone to respond to us. Look for our series of howdy posters hanging all over campus. Hopefully, our Howdy Campaign will instill back some of that Aggie Spirit and reinforce that Aggie Tradition that Texas A&M is so famous for. Gig ’em! Lambda Sigma, Sophomore Honor Society Remark angers listener Editor: Friday morning I was listening to Hous ton’s KIKK F.M. when Barry Warner, the station’s sports broadcaster, began his ten o’clock sports brief. Among his stories was a report on the resignation offormerlj Director Marvin Tate. Hegaveliisj about the reasons behind Mr. lain ignation and went on to end withaf« remark of criticism toward all Ags.5 mt irk, in connection with his opinioji report was, and I quote, “The once again made a mockery of them; I immediately telephoned KIH several tries and 90 minutes hra talk with Warner about his comrae told me he stood behind whathetai | Well Ags, if that doesn’t make it then I don’t know what will. This criticizing each and everyone that statement. It’s people like Wt attempt to degrade the great Ap and all that it stands for. It’s ask somenbody in the media could be and misrepresent so many people. Shawn Wasilem OrXOMSHjr N * Media paints ‘rosy’ view of Israel Editor: It is incredible how the U.S. Govern ment has entangled itself into a military alliance with Israel, a country that has been in almost constant conflict since its creation 32 years ago, while the overwhelming ma jority of the American people know little or nothing about the root causes of this con flict. For 30 years now, the news media in this country has painted a rosy romanticised picture of Israel as the underdog; a small nation struggling to survive against much larger Arab adversaries. Israel has been portrayed as the only true democracy in the Middle East, essential and loyal ally of the United States and the Western answer to Communist expansion into the Middle East. On Capitol Hill, Congressmen and Senators, Democrats and Republicans, hungry for Zionist-Jewish money and sup port, debate for days on the importance of maintaining Israel’s military superiority over its adversaries. Every day America is reminded by its legislatures that it has a moral obligation toward the security of Israel. Yet not a word is said of the plight of two million Palestinian Arab’s Moslems and Christians displaced by the arrival of two and a half million European Jews immedi- Reader’s Forum ately following World War II, and leading all the way up to the present. What is so moral about taking away the only means of livelihood for an Arab peasant, his land, then turning him out to spend the rest of his existence in a refugee camp living on U.N. and Red Cross handouts. All this, just so a Jew from Europe could have a place to set tle down. Couldn’t the Europeans that have oppressed the jews fond have found a place in Europeforhoi Jews. Couldn’t the Zionist-Jewswk to Palestine have shared the Arab inhabitants instead of try all for themselves. Even before it was created ir was always intended, by militantZi® be a purely Jewish state. The 2.5 Arabs, Moslems and Christians wh in Palestine prior to 1948 were obstacle to be removed at the will®'| venience of the Zionists. This ism have fought Israel since its creation and this is why Arabs view Zioni® racist ideology. Nabil Al-Kb By Scott McCullar L'KON, C'KON, CHON... THERE'S 60TTA BE something? WHAT'S WRONG' WE'VE OOT iS -HANNEL STAT10A/S [ON THIS SET AND |3 MOVIE CHANNELS AND I CAN'T FIND ANYTHING TO WATCH* K WHY DON YOU TURN IT OFF? '' T D0 WHAT? VI DIPT. The Battalion USPS 045 360 MEMBER Texas Press Association Editor Angelique Copeland Managing Editor Marey Boyce City Editor JaneG. Brust Asst. City Editor Kathy O’Connell Photo Editor Greg Gammon Sports Editor Ritchie Priddy Focus Editor Cathy Saathoff Asst. Focus Editor Debbie Nelson News Editors Jennifer Afflerbach Bernie Fette, Belinda McCoy Diana Sultenfuss StaffWriters Frank L. Christlieb Randy Clements, Gaye Denley, Terry Duran Nancy Floeck, Phyllis Henderson Colette Hutchings, Denise Richter, Rick Stolle Nancy Weatherley Cartoonist Scott McCullar Graphic Artist Richard DeLeon Jr. Photographers Brian Tate Becky Swanson, Dave Einsel The Battalion also serves as a laboratory newfl 1 students in reporting, editing and photopipb' 1 within the Department of Communications, Questions or comments concerning any edito^'' should he directed to the editor. LETTERS POLICY Letters to the Editor should not exceed 300 length, and are subject to being cut if theyarefcf editorial stafif reserves the right to edit letters length, hut will make every effort to maintainfc 1 ® intent. Each letter must also be signed, showth* and phone number of the writer. Columns and guest editorials are also welcome ^ not subject to the same length constraints a* k Address all inquiries and correspondence to: Ed 1 ’ Battalion, 216 Reed McDonald, Texas A&M b' : College Station, TX 77843. EDITORIAL POLICY The Battalion is a non-profit. Self-supporting newspaper operated as a community service to Texas A&M University and Bryan-College Station. Opinions expressed in The Bat talion are those of the editor or the author, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Texas A&M Universi ty administrators or faculty members, or of the Board of Begents. The Battalion is published daily during Texas and spring semesters, except for holiday and eu 1 ^ periods. Mail subscriptions are$16.75 perseniestrf'' per school year and $35 per full year. Adrcrtisiit furnished on request. Our address: The Battalion, 216 Reed McDoiukj” ing, Texas A&M University, College Station. R United Press International is entitled exclusive' ust: for reproduction of all news dispatches credit 11 Rights of reproduction of all other matter herein Second class postage paid at College Station, ft