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The Battalion
Viewpoint
October 21,
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Letter receives flood of response
Editor:
(This letter is in response to Mr. Gutier
rez’ letter of Oct. 19)
I would like to think that I am an indi
vidual at this fine university, not just
“another face in the crowd.” True, Texas
A&M is conservative, but it does allow indi
vidual expression. You must keep in mind
the fact that our society has a difficult time
accepting or merely understanding those
who go against the established grain.
Many people who consider themselves
“good Ags” do not go to football games.
They may not like the sport, or they may
have something that they consider more
important to do. Though they are teased
and called “two-percenters”, it is usually
said in the spirit of good humor. If it is not,
maybe Mr. Gutierrez has got the wrong
kinds of friends for his tastes.
It seems very convenient to use Bonfire
as an excuse for his poor academic perform
ance. Believe it or not, many other Ags
manage to work on Bonfire and keep their
grades up. The freshman and sophomores
in the Corps (and maybe even the juniors
this year) have a minimum GPR they must
meet in order to be able to work on Bonfire
at night. That minimum may be 3.0 this
year. Mr. Gutierrez is also probably una
ware of the fact that last year, Keith White,
the head redpot, managed to make a 4.0
with a major in Engineering and keep up
with the many duties and responsibilities
associated with that title. It is simply a mat
ter of managing one’s time.
Personal behavior is not governed by
the masses.” To say that it is implies that
Mr. Gutierrez does not have a sense of
value which he believes in and is willing to
stand up for. So, then, what kind of indi
vidual is he?
It may be hard for him to believe, but
there are people who go here who are so
cially active who do not have to base their
behavior upon being loud and obnoxious, as
the people with whom he associates seem to
do.
Although it is more of less a tradition to
go out on Friday night and get drunk, it is
not a law; and there is no one I know who
has been labeled an outcast for not getting
drunk. Insecurity often causes people to do
theings they do not want to do, but since
Mr. Gutierrez claims to be such an indi
vidualist, this must not be the case.
In regard to the “crap” he puts up with,
since when has being friendly, saying
“Howdy” to those you pass, holding Silver
Taps, and taking your hat off in the MSG
been regarded as a hardship? These tradi
tions are less traditions than they are signs
of regard for your fellow Ags and respect for
a university that has been founded on the
principles of honor, service, and integrity.
But let us turn, then, to the most basic
foundation of individualism: freedom of
thought. Mr. Gutierrez’accusation that tra
dition is at fault arises from his narrow
mindedness. He is condemning the same
thing that he elaims the establishment is
condemning him for- freedom of thought.
To hold an extreme view of either tradition
alism or individualism is to be blind to the
good aspects to be found in either position.
It seems that Mr. Gutierrez thinks that his
individualism is being stifled and has de
cided that tradition is to be his and has
decided that tradition is to be his scapegoat.
He seems to be the victim of his own
distorted, exaggerated view of some parts of
University life. This view has apparently
soured his entire outlook on life here at
A&M.
Not dorm’s opinion
Editor:
We, the men from Moses Hall, would
like to come down from our ivory towers of
supression, savagry, and falsehood; and
take time out from our petty little fantasies
and inventing new techniques of hurting
people, to say we regret that Noe Gutierrez
has not received as much satisfaction and
fulfillment from attending this university as
the rest of us.
We would also like to let the masses
know that Noe’s remarks do not, and will
not reflect any opinions of Moses Hall.
It’s no use trying to pick the column apart
line by line, for the incoherency of it was
ludicrous.
But since Noe is a resident in our dorm,
we would also like to take the time to apolo
gize to anyone the article offended.
Randy Lemmon ’84
Scott Gilbert ’84
Gary Pearce ’84
There are many examples of A&M’s re
gard for individualism being important
facet of the human experience. The Mod
ern Art Exhibit at Rudder is one such ex
ample.
Texas A&M is indeed a conservative
campus. But the possibilities for individual
expression are nevertheless present. Peo
ple who take an extreme stand on indi
vidualism, in the way that Mr. Gutierrez
has, can only hurt those who are actually
trying to be individuals, because he has
attacked a very sensitive issue with all the
finesse and tact of a steamroller. It is possi
ble to respect the traditions and values
upon which this great university was found
ed and still be an individual.
Mr. Gutierrez last line, while being
highly eloquent and expressive, smacks of a
paranoia that undermines the validity of
what he is trying to say.
Don’t compare letters
Editor:
I would like to make it known that,
although I appreciate Mr. Noe Gutierrez’s
support of my article that appeared in the
October 15 issue of The Battalion, his views
are not in common with my own. The arti
cle I wrote speaks for itself and should be
considered as such. Thank you.
Eric Mitchell
Unfairly convicted
Editor:
Isabel Garcia ’83
Sean Hightower ’83
When I first read Noe Gutierrez’s letter,
I immediately reacted with anger, resent
ment, and hostility, but as I thought about
It s your turn
Greeks bring threat of change
Editor:
There are hundreds of universities in this
country, and then there is Texas A&M.
What makes A&M unique is its friendly,
“everybody welcome” trademark. Organi
zations like RHA, OCA, the MSG Commit
tees, the sports clubs, the recreation clubs,
and the various academic societies reflect
this attitude because they offer “good
times” for anyone who is willing to partici
pate. People who might not otherwise take
part may feel like a part of a group at A&M
because no doors are closed to them.
The recognition of the Greeks threatens
to change these things.
There is a legitimate fear that Greeks will
come to dominate the social life at A&M, as
they have at some other schools. Should
this happen, the exclusive nature of Greek
organizations is liable to leave many people
left out of the social life altogether.
The rule of thumb at some schools is: “If
you ain’t Greek, then you ain’t. ” It would
be a shame to see this attitude prevail at
A&M. Though such “country club” stan
dards may be fine at other schools, they
hardly fit into the scheme of things at A&M.
Realistically, the Greeks are here to stay,
but recognizing them as on campus organi
zations would be a step in the wrong direc
tion.
We have a good thing at A&M, so let’s
work to preserve it.
Keep your laundry
Editor:
thousands of energetic Aggies anticipating
the first cut. Yet, to my surprise, the place
was near empty. Only about 30 students
associated with OCA bothered to show up.
I live in McFadden Hall and on many
occasions I have carried all my dirty clothes
down four flights of stairs only to find the
washroom full of guys doing their laundry.
When I moved into McFadden I thought it
was a girls dorm.
I don’t appreciate these guys taking up
my laundry space. There are not enough
washing machines as it is without guys com
ing over and trashing the place up. I am sick
and tired of having to wait until after visita
tion hours are over to wash my clothes so
guys, keep your dirty laundry to yourself.
You don’t have to show me yours and I
won’t have to show you mine.
Ags, I think thats disgraceful. At fish
camp I was taught that Aggie spirit and
tradition were extremely important. Is this
no longer the case? I should think that out of
the 23,000 students living off campus, more
ought to experience the Aggie spirit and
help with Bonfire. After all, it represents
our burning desire to beat the hell out of
t.u. We do want to win, don’t we?
Brent Putman ’85
Letters policy
Holly Wright ’85
OCA needs support
Editor:
Letters to the Editor should not exceed 300
words in length, and are subject to being
cut if they are longer. The editorial staff
reserves the right to edit letters for style
and length, but will make every effort to
maintain the author’s intent. Each letter
must also be signed, show the address and
phone number of the writer.
Brett Peabody ’82
Editor’s note: This letter was accompanied
by 208 other signatures.
I am writing in regard to the involvement
of off-campus students in Bonfire. I’m not
familiar with OCA’s participation in the
past, but it seems to me that there is a lack
of it this year.
Saturday morning (Oct. 3) I rushed over
to Duncan expecting to find hundreds if not
Articles for Reader’s Forum are also wel
come, and are not subject to the same
length constraints as letters. Address all in
quiries and correspondence to: Editor, The
Battalion, 216 Reed McDonald, Texas
A&M University, College Station, TX
77843.
Warped
By Scott McCullar
it more and more, my feelings changed
quite drastically.
Some of what he said, and some of his
arguements were valid, but the way in
which he went about solving his problem
was quite radical and unnecessary. Most of
the answers to his problems lie within him
self, not in the University. He needs to
re-examine his feelings and he will prob
ably determine that his misery was self-
induced. Every student up here at one time
or another will experience school oriented
problems. That’s life. We all face that.
In many aspects, I pity Noe, because he
is not being honest with himself. He is
blaming the University and many innocent
students for problems that involve only a
small percentage of people. We have been
convicted of a crime we did not commit. It
such a fine University.
Sheila Cloudt
Legett Hall
Catch the next train
Editor:
your fellow “inmates” at the "Moses
of this virtual chamber of horrors 4
this plea.
However, “Mr.” Gutierrez, my
stinct tells me that you may have son*
committed yourself to this “giant
house. ” This is still a democracy, th
sians haven’t invaded yet and youareij
to leave this ghastly place as youn
enter. I’m sure the “warden ” will
than helpful in granting you an e:
lease. By reading your letter, I eantel
you have been rehabilitated and the
less rest of us will be forever stuclti
doom, forced to wallow in our own
After you finally leave this place's^
come president of the Associationdl
mer Self-Righteous Aggies, 1 hope
find enough pity in your heart to
forgiveness of our sins.
I seriously doubt that I will ever
watching another football game, wat
another bonfire burn, drinking an
beer at the Chicken, or dancing
two-step at the Hall of Fame afterra
your heartbreaking take... BUI
SURE GONNA TRY!!!
P.S. Noe: Hurry and run outside,
a train going by!
Dear Mr. Gutierrez, your letter to the
editor of Oct. 19, 1981 struck the cords of
my hear and those of many others, Tm sure.
Tears welled up in my eyes and frequently
blotted my Batt as I read this sorrowful
account. What a pitiful case — being held
prisoner in this hellhole for four years. It is
my sincere wish — and I’m sure the wish of
countless others — that you be rewarded
with a parole as soon as possible. I’m sure
Dean Men
Editor’s note: A total of 19 lettersre#i |
ing the letter written by Noe Gul
have been received. Due to space I
tions, only a portion of those letters
run. The responses run here pro\il
cross section of the sentiments expre
by readers about Gutierrez’s comm
bwk.
Slouch By Jim Earle
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The Battalion
USPS 045 360
MEMBER
Texas Press Association
LOOK OUT FOR THAT
S/^ALL DITCH IN THE
ROAD?!?
OH NO, HALF THE SHIP
MENT HAS FALLEN
nusr BE A NEW
ADVERTISING G/MMICK.
Editor Angelique Copeland
Managing Editor Marcy Boyce
City Editor Jane G. Brust
Asst. City Editor Kathy O’Connell
Photo Editor DaveEinsel
Sports Editor Ritchie Priddy
Focus Editor Cathy Saathoff
Asst. Focus Editor . Debbie Nelson
News Editors Phyllis Henderson
Bernie Fette, Belinda McCoy
Diana Sultenfuss
Staff Writers Gary Barker
Frank L. Christlieb, Randy Clements
Gaye Denley, Nancy Floeck, Colette Hutchings
Denise Richter, Mary Jo Rummel, Rick Stolle
Nancy Weatherley, Barbie Woelfel
Cartoonist Scott McCullar
Graphic Artist Richard DeLeon Jr.
Photographers Brian Tate
Colin Valentine
The Battalion also serves as a laboratory newspaper!
students in reporting, editing and photography cits#
within the Department of Communications.
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should he directed to the editor.
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length, and are subject to being cut if they are longer.®*
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Columns and guest editorials are also welcome,:
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Address all inquiries and correspondence to: Editor,® 1
Battalion, 216 Reed McDonald, Texas A&M UniversilJ'
College Station, TX 77843.
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