opinion
Letters
Parking problems
Editor:
The new parking spaces on New Main
have exacerbated the hazardous traffic
conditions on that drive. I’m referring to
the unpleasant mixture of bicycles and
automobiles. One of the very few campus
bike paths has been eliminated, forcing
bikers either to inch their way between
the parked and driven cars or to become
kamikaze stuntpersons and compete with
the hurried drivers going to school and
work.
It’s only a matter of time before an
accident involving a bike and a car results
from this dangerous mixture. The Uni
versity will have to bear the responsibility
for such an occurance by their negligence
in not attempting to ameliorate the prob
lem created by the building expansions
into Lot 7.
There is an easy solution which, if
implemented, would help change the
University’s image as an institution that
does not take into account the environ
mental impacts of its expansionistic
plans. This solution is to construct a bike
path and a pedestrian walkway on both
sides of New Main from Texas Avenue to
Lots 54 and 55. (The need for a pedes
trian walkway is self evident. When it
rains where are the people leaving their
parked cars supposed to walk? In the
street?)
The costs of these paths should be
allocated to the new wing of the Halbouty
Geosciences Complex. The total con
struction costs of these paths surely
would be less than the human cost of a
serious accident. Anybody having ideas
Fraternity
Editor:
On behalf of the Kappa Sigma frater
nity, I would like to express my regret
over the party we held Tuesday night in
conflict with Silver Taps. This was purely
an oversight on our part, and had we
been aware of the ceremony, we would
have postponed the party to a later date.
All of the brothers believe very strongly
in Aggie traditions, especially in grieving
the loss of the departed. There is no
other ceremony more solemn and impor
tant than Silver Taps, and I can assure
every Aggie that this mistake will never
happen again.
Will Symonds
Kappa Sigma President
Editor:
This is in reference to the article in the
Sept. 9 edition of The Battalion concern-
of how we can get these pathways built
can call me at 764-8592.
Bruce Babcock
College Station
Editor:
I am writing this letter in protest of a
certain policy of the University police. It
concerns the parking lot across from
Zachry Engineering Center.
I have always been reluctant to write to
the Battalion, but I believe my argument
is justified. I paid good American dollars
for my parking sticker as did many other
good Ags (more than there are parking
spaces), and I’m tired of paying addition
ally ($10 a whack) due to inconsiderate
people whose cars don’t belong in the lot
at all. These people take my spaces and
consequently, I have to park on the grass,
or be late to class.
The trouble is that the policepersons
ticket legal sticker holders in the grass
before they ticket cars parked in the lot
without legal stickers. To me, this is a
violation of principle and it’s occurring, I
assume, for the convenience of the
officers.
I realize it’s easier to walk down a line
of cars and ticket each one than to search
for real offenders. I believe the police
could get their daily quota without this
injustice, and I don’t think one single leg
al sticker holder on the grass should be
ticketed until the true violators are
punished. Also Ags, be careful and con
siderate when opening your car doors in
small spaces - paint jobs are expensive.
Scott Montgomery ’83
apologies
ing the criticism of frats and in reference
to other numerous articles criticizing
people.
All of this criticism really bugs me.
Somebody always has to be criticizing
somebody else, whether it be Reagan,
profs, coaches or frats. Why don’t we take
some really great advice from the wisest
of all, who said: “Don’t condemn some
body for the splinter in their eye, when
you may have a log in yours.” And “Do
unto others as you would have them do
unto you.”
Frats are not secretly conspiring to
abolish tradition. In fact, how do we
know that they aren’t just as, or more,
dedicated as other Aggies? In a fraterni
ty, brotherhood is stressed. Maybe we
could take some lessons from them.
Rob Shull ’85
Hammock explanation
Editor:
We, a few zips from companies I-1 and
E-l would like to tell the University why
hammocks are strung out in the middle
of the quad.
First of all, we would like to say that
Barry Stevens is neither a zip in 1-1 nor
E-1, and did not participate in our “hang-
in” protest.
T here are several reasons for our
hang-in. The main reason was fun. It
started as a protest against overcrowding.
Company E-l was split up between two
floors of Dorm 9 and even had three
rooms in Dorm 7. Company 1-1 was in
worse shape. All upperclassmen except a
few seniors were tripled up.
After we moved into our “room on the
quad” (5-story hammock condo), we
found out that girls that live in Briggs
were not going to be able to eat lunch at
Duncan without having to pay. Well, we
were a little miffed. Now they can eat at
Duncan without paying.
Now, we would like to thank some
people. We would like to thank Corps
housing in the Trigon for solving the tri
pling problem. You done good, guys
(and gals). We would also like to thank
the girls that supported us. Especially
Becky, Carol, and Kelly. They lent moral
support as well as Becky’s tape player
which blared Jimmy Buffet all night.
Thanks
P.S. Thanks for the anonymous
elephants!
Kurt “Koz” Miller ’83 E-l
Joe “Speedy” Garcia ’83 E-l
Brian “Putz” Petruskie ’83 1-1
Doug “Igor” Lance ’83 1-1
Hadley “Buzzy” Foster ’83 1-1
The Battalion
USPS 045 360
Member of
Texas Press Association
Southwest Journalism Conference
Editor Diana Sultenfuss
Managing Editor Phyllis Henderson
Associate Editor Denise Richter
City Editor Bernie Fette
Assistant City Editor Gary Barker
Sports Editor Frank L. Christlieb
Entertainment Editor Nancy Floeck
Assistant Entertainment Editor Colette
Hutchings
News Editors Rachel Bostwick, Cathy
Capps, Daniel Puckett, Jan Werner,
Todd Woodard
Staff Writers Jennifer Carr, Susan
Dittman, Beverly Hamilton,
John Lopez, Robert McGlohon
Hope E. Paasch, Bill Robinson,
Dana Smelser, Joe Tindel, John
Wagner, Rebeca Zimmermann
Copy editor Elaine Engstrom
Cartoonist Scott McCullar
Graphic Artist Pam Starasinic
Photographers . . . David Fisher, Octavio Garcia,
Jane Hollingsworth, Janet Joyce,
John Ryan, Colin Valentine
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Battalion/Par
September 10;
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Wearing hats in Kyle Field
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Editor:
After attending the last football game I
was exasperated. Not only were a num
ber of people wearing hats in the Cathed
ral of Kyle, and leaving before “the end,”
they also failed to wear the maroon and
whites. Heathens, barbarians, individual
ists.
So what if the real world consists of
differing people with differing opinions
and lifestyles. This is Texas A&M and
students will act, dress, speak, think and
follow only that which we good Ags de
cree or they can just leave “our” univer
sity.
I shudder at the thought that some of
these 36,000 students may only want to
come to A&M, get a good education and
live their lives the way they please. Gag.
It certainly was easier when there were
less students and us good Ags were in the
majority.
All is not lost, but only if we act quick
ly, Aggies (good) gather together and
listen.
Obviously the tradition-laden Fish
Camp is not lengthy enough, too many
are becoming deprogrammed too easily.
This is where we can take advantage of
our faithful Corps.
If we make it mandatory that all enter
ing freshmen attend a six week summer
camp, heads shaven, with maroon and
white fatigues and yell leader drill in
structors, we can weed out potential bad
Ags. Gig ’em.
This camp should of course be man
datory for all bad Ags (two-percenters)
presently on campus before they are
readmitted to A&M.
If successful, and I’m sure it could be
here, maybe we can expand the camp to
include some other undesirables around
campus, say, people who don’t love
C&W, how about non-Christians, or non-
Americans maybe. Don’t forget those un
impressed with alligators or khaki, and of
course the nerds who would rather pass a
test than decimate a small forest for bon
fire.
The list goes on and on of people who
just don’t make it at this University, and if
you damn individualists keep it up we’ll
keep cluttering up The Battalion with all
the mistakes you’ve made.
concerning traditions at Texas A&M.
I do agree that Texas A&M has some
legitimate problems deserving attention
to which any Aggie can attest, but to say
that our traditions are “asinine and chil
dish” borders on ignorance.
C
We would also like to add that!
nine childish traditions” are whaillp
lish a sense of belonging and a unimp
fellow students. ac
Jordan, we
Mr. Jordan, we do not wear hats in
Kyle Field simply to honor those Aggies
who died fignting for their country.
our
In closing, Mr
to bring up the old saying aroun
pus, “Highway 6 runs both ways.'
way are you going??
I
fighting tor tneir country.
That’s right! They died to insure that
there would still be things such as Aggie
football games for us all to enjoy. Think
about that.
Editor:
Jenifer Coll^ , ^
Angie Wat*
damaj
If you find it too hard to remove your
hat for four hours in the “hot” sun, then
maybe you shouldn’t attend Aggie foot
ball games. They can be very demanding.
Why, you have to stand up and even yell
sometimes, too. Gosh! (They put football
games on television for people like you,
Mr. Jordan).
oncerning
This insistance on tradition has not
turned people away from attending
Texas A&M. To the contrary, it has
attracted people to the University. Ask
students why they chose Texas A&M and
four out of five will say ... the traditions.
David C. Brown ’84
Editor:
We were nothing short of horrified to
read the letter in the Sept. 8 issue, by
William Jordan, whose theme appeared
to be “Texas A&M: Help it change or
watch it die.”
This is a letter
Jordan’s views of our great Ur
and the fine traditions that oursn®
body upholds. As far as I’m concdfl
he doesn’t belong here.
If all you came here for is tow
your education, that’s fine. I’llhavtB
one thing though; you’re in Aggieif'
try and standing up at footballgamel
not wearing a hat in Kyle Field
with the territory.
I have a word of advice for all®
people who left the game earlyamfl
for those people who refuse to sui|j
take off their hats in Kyle Field. Goia
other side! By going to the othersd
the field you can sit down with all®
old folks and wear your hats witli®
the people who don’t understand.|S
tradition. By the way, you can also*
early and complain about how your#
let you down. Don’t ask what yourl
can do for you, ask what you cand'l
your team and University.
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R.W. Jones ’83
Editor:
I am writing this letter in response to
William Jordan’s letter appearing Sept. 8
Contrary to Jordan’s belief, the tradi-
tionsf of Texas A&M are not killing it, but
keeping the University alive. These tradi
tions, of which speaks so dispargingly,
are, and have always been, the backbone
of the campus, for students and faculty
alike.
We realize that there is no university
that is comparable to Texas A&M, and
that Jordan would have to settle for a
lesser school were he to leave College Sta
tion, but there are a variety of institutions
he could attend where the “traditions”
would not interfere with his “peaceable
enjoyment” of a football game.
As for his belief that the customs of
Texas A&M are “turning people away,”
we would like to point out the fact that
enrollment at Texas A&M is higher than
it has been in previous years. (It is also the
fastest growing university in the nation).
Editor:
In reference to Mr. Jordan’s lefl :
J
Sept. 8; BRAVO!
P.S. Ditto for me.
a
Randy K. Watkini
Editor:
In regard to William Jordan’s letlf;
The Battalion (Sept. 8) in which hesif
that not wearing hats in Kyle Field^
asinine childish tradition, wereply:^
Bull!
Sergio Davila
Charles Rennspies
Jim Schickel
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ties,
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Sistir
Trudeau’s strip will be missed
Vvill
strut
Will
the i
abot
The
finis
by Marilyn Richardson
Battalion Staff
“Garry, speak to me! Tell me you’re not
going to leave us, as my little brother used to
say, ‘in suspenders’!”
Along with millions, or at least thousands,
of “Doonesbury” fans, I was devastated to
learn that Garry Trudeau plans to take a vaca
tion — or something — for a year or maybe
more.
At first, I panicked. “But, Garry, what ab
out Joanie? Are you just going to leave her
pregnant?” Clutching the newspaper in
trembling hands, I struggled to regain con
trol. “Of course, he wouldn’t be so cruel. Oh,
the strip is to continue until Jan. 2, 1983.
That’ll give Joanie time to have the baby.
“But what about Zonker? Michael? B.D.?
Duke? Honey? What’ll happen to them?”
Reading the shaking print, I discovered that
Trudeau plans to “reappraise” his characters.
“Sounds sinister. Just what does he mean by
‘reappraise’?”
The article explained Trudeau plans to
bring his characters up to date. He said Zonk
er, et al, created 15 years ago, were trapped in
a time warp and it was unfair to stretch their
formative years from Vietnam to Preppy.
“What? Their ‘formative years’? Of course,
they’re still students. I’m still a student. Oh.
Not everyone is still in school. Some people
graduated and got out. I just graduated and
then came back for a master’s. That’s why
Michael and Zonker seem like such close
friends. We’ve been through a lot together.”
With blurring vision, I read that Trudeau
plans to give his characters $20 haircuts and
three-piece suits. “Oh, no! No way! Michael,
maybe, but Zonker, never!” These
bury denizens are relics of the ’70s, “hip?
or “flower children”, as it were. Verys[
people, gentle, kind, intelligent pt 1
Somewhat sarcastic, sometimes cynical, lt
misunderstood. Marching to the beatofi
ferent drummer.
I realized then why I felt so bereft. A’
beginning of the “hippie” years, I, likef
E eople, was afraid of what we saw ash
aired radicals, dangerous people who 1 *
drugs and rejected materialism. It took'
turn to college and some shared sufferii?
understand that these gentle long-haired! 1
pie were my kind of people.
Trudeau’s characters had become m):
sonal friends, too. We’ve had a brief visit^
ly every day for 15 years. I’ll miss them
“Hurry back, y’all!”
ques
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