Page 2/The Battalion/Wednesday, October 19,1983
Letters: Corps
should disband
Editor:
Last September, I joined the United
States Army and this summer, I com
pleted both basic and advanced indi
vidual training at Fort Leonard Wood,
Missouri. When I got back to Campus in
September, the First thing I noticed was
how well decorated the cadets were with
their beautiful medals, belts, boots, and
swords. Now, all my drill sergeants
fought in Vietnam, risking their lives, but
I guess they should have attended sum
mer school here if they had wanted the
really “hardcore” medals that our CTs
wear. Next time you see a CT, ask about
some of those ludicrous medals.
Whether it’s Filling up the yearbook
with a hundred pages of garbage or
allowing the assault of SMU cheerlead
ers, the favoritism that our little toy sol
diers get explains why there is so much
resentment toward them. The student
protests about the 12th Man Kickoff
Team being limited to CTs demonstrated
this.
Personally, my resentment comes
from the fact that you have to join the
Corps to be in the ROTC program here
at A&M. Why is it necessary for an Aggie
who is sincerely interested in becoming a
commissioned officer to do the “Nean
derthal Strut” for four years? Toy guns
and sword waving may impress your local
boot chasing girl scout but they have no
place in the modern military. Any drill
sergeant will tell you that there are no
more hereos. John Wayne is dead. So is
Audie Murphy. The Corp’s saying “Bet
ter dead than non-reg” may be true at
A&M. Yes, Adolf, the Hitler Youth is
alive and well in Aggieland.
The fraternities and sororities receive
alot of undue Criticism here at A&M. It’s
sad to see such an undeniable part of the
college atmosphere ignored in favor of
the ultimate in lower class fraternities,
namely our wonderful Corps of Cadets.
Shouldn’t the First logical step in be
coming a “World Class” University be
Corps disbandment and recognition of
the fraternities and sororities? Think of
all the wonderful publicity there would
be in kicking out the Corps (I feel like
Lech Walesa demanding an end to com
munism in Poland). Good Bull!
The “Corps Mentality” existing here at
Aggieland is, to say the least, irritating.
No doubt we’ve all heard this attitude
before:
“You ain’t a true Aggie cuz you ain’t in
the Corps, but you still gotta stand up at
our football games. Yeah, and keep off
our MSC grass.”
Many Cadets will certainly be furious
and react with childish behavior when
they read this letter. But, on the other
hand, who cares?
In an article on the front page, refer
ence is made to the Board of Regents’
planning to “meet Thursday to discuss
hurricane repair allocations for the Uni
versity of Texas at Galveston...” The arti
cle went on to mention “the Pelican Is
land and Fort Crockett campuses.” These
campuses are, as any good Aggie must be
aware, the sites of Texas A&M University
at Galveston.
I see two possible explanations for this
strange article. The First is that it may be a
blindingly clever expose, brilliantly
masked as a rather dull and innocuous
story, of the Board’s attempt to sneak a
bit of subterfuge past the ever-vigilant
reporter in hopes of spending A&M’s
funds to repair a hurricane for tu’s
medical school in Galveston. The second,
of course, is that this is merely an exam
ple of careless reporting and of terribly
inadequate editing.
Similar examples abound in this issue.
In a front-page story about A&M’s caril
lon we are told that “many of the eastern
schools had a carillon.” Surely it is true
that many such schools have carillons, but
where was the one they shared, and what
ever became of it?
On page three, we are made aware that
Mr. Robert Page “was the First to start the
AGC chapter at A&M...“. It is natural
enough to wonder who the second per
son to start the chapter was.
Finally, in the lead story of the day,
some “officials” (were they poultry in
spectors, or police?) were paraphrased as
saying that some bodies “could have been
laying” in a house for up to an hour.
What, one wonders, might they have
been laying? Eggs, perhaps?
It is obvious that the job of a reporter
or of an editor is one demanding of con
siderable time and energy, both of which
are usually in short supply to a student.
However, if these strange, non-
typographical errors are apparent to a
E oor old Biology student, one wonders
ow many more would be equally ob
vious to any person who had ever taken
classes in editing or in English.
ter and operate a vehicle on campus?
Such a policy should either force changes
in a person’s parking behavior or reduce
the number of cars on campus.
However, in addition to changing the
behavior of drivers on campus, there is a
serious need to change the attitude and
behavior of the University Police. Their
lack of flexibility, sensitivity, and logic
does nothing to promote good relations
with the university community.
It is very hard to feel positive toward
the campus police when you cannot com
municate with them. It is a sad state of
affairs when a trip to the University
Police station to try to clear up a parking
ticket results in frustration, since you will
be insulted, treated rudely, and/or told
lies.
Maybe some of those 6,500 people
with six or more tickets have tried to pay
those tickets but after a conversation with
the police station personnel have decided
that walking on hot coals is less painful.
Steven P. Lewis
Gift shows devotion
Mark Stevens ’84 Editor:
Parking problem
twofold
Editor:
Johnny Jeng ’85
Errors found in Batt
Editor:
It is such editions of The Battalion as
that of Wednesday, October 12 that lead
me to wonder whether the writers of The
Buttalion are perhaps more accurate in
their assessment of the quality of The
Batt than I had at First thought.
Your front page article of the parking
problem at TAMU in the Oct. 13 issue
was enlightening . The statistic on the
number of citations issued in September
1983 is mind-boggling, as is the number
of people with six or more unpaid park
ing tickets. Even more incredible is the
fact that there are individuals with 20 or
30 unpaid tickets.
I applaud the “get tough” policy the
police plan to pursue in penalizing these
blatant violators of campus traffic policy.
Everyone driving a vehicle on campus is
an adult and should be held accountable
for his or her own actions. As a student
that has had to try several lots before
Finding a parking space and observing in
all of them cars that did not belong there,
I feel that habitual abusers should have
their car towed away. Why not forbid
chronic violators from being able to regis
In regard to the Oct. 5 editorial con
cerning Ford Albritton’s gift of a bell tow
er to Texas A&M: the issue is not how Mr.
Albritton can besj use his money. Rather,
we ought to appreciate his thoughtful
ness. The editorial noted that “the money
could be put to better use by providing
academic necessities.” Since when does
The Battalion dictate how a former stu
dent should spend his money?
We feel that the carillon will be remin
der of the continuing devotion of former
Aggies to Texas A&M. This university
already has outstanding educational re
sources, and a bell tower will further en
hance the A&M campus.
Let’s stop being so greedy and appreci
ate Albritton’s Fine gift.
Bradleigh Walters
Patricial Westall
Attitudes unbelievable
Editor:
The Battalion
USPS 045 360
Member ot
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Hoekstra
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Kevin Inda,
Tracey Taylor,
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Scott McCullar
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77843.
I can’t believe the attitudes of the let
ters printed in The Batt. Why is half the
campus rejecting the idea of a former
student donating the generous gift of a
bell tower? Of course A&M has merits,
more than most universities (t.u. in
cluded), and a bell tower can symbolize
these and be a beautiful structure, too!
Jackie Sherrill is doing a Fine job with
what he has. The team is turning around
and building up; things can’t happen
overnight. Remember — it is not his per
sonal fault that there are so many incom-
pleted passes.
And Finally, I couldn’t believe that Bad
Ag that visited here and cited his concep
tions of our traditions. There is no way
that he didn’t notice how friendly aggies
are. I am new here and still get over
whelmed when so many people go out of
their way to smile and say “Howdy” in
one day.
This campus has more spirit and more
unity than all the others combined. If he
went to a quiet game, it wasn’t ours. No
other campus has such Fine yell leaders
that can led the entire etudent section in
one yell at one time. No other campus has
students that practically wear out a pair
of shoes a gamejust to show their Twelfth
Man spirit by standing. I’m proud to be a
member of a group that can rise above
immature acts such as throwing items at
certain games in Lubbock. And they were
winning! I’m proud to be an Aggie and
am looking forward to my next four, Five,
or six years here (however long it takes to
get that diploma) at Texas A&M.
Q
WtlA
N§tf?S :
1§T
' ' ■ "'• v • -v.
/ i v- I H
Jaywalking
dangerous
Editor:
I was recently the victim of a collision
on campus involving my moped and two
hit-and-run jaywalkers, Wednesday at
noon.
Of the two, I would like to thank Rich
for his quick thinking in calling the
ambulance and for staying with me until
it arrived.
As for pedestrian #2, young lady I’d
like to discuss the price of a new headlight
with you! But, because you left so quickly
— no one got a chance to get your name.
After speaking with a campus police
officer, I was told pedestrians DO NOT
have the right-of-way over motorized
vehicles (like a moped for instance!) un
less they’re crossing at designated cross
walks.
I hope this letter helps to clarify the ole
“right-of-way” myth and perhaps pre
vent a few accidents in the future.
Although some may wish to argue or
even ignore this fact about right-of-way
— I, for one, would not gamble with my
life just to prove an ill-informed point by
walking out in front of a moving vehicle
and expecting it to stop!
I was very lucky that I didn’t break
anything but I will have to learn to use a
cane for a little while. This prompts me to
warn all jaywalkers to please at least look
both ways before breaking the law.
Catherine Campbell
Axes damaging
property
Editor:
There seems to be a widespread
amount of inconsideration in several
dorms when cutting day comes around.
What I’m referring to is the yelling and
screaming and beating on doors with ax
handles at 5 in the morning. Not only is
this a big inconvenience for those who are
trying to sleep but it destroys university
property.
It cost the university hundreds of dol
lars to replace damaged doors in Crocker
Hall. In my opinion that is money spent
unnecessarily. I think this should stop.
Robert A. Funk
Greeks earned
stereotype
Editor:
Carol Caldwell ’87
This letter is in reply to Mr.
Beauchamp’s statements in his letter of
Oct. 12. He was complaining about the
stereotyping of Greeks. He was also com
plaining that somejudge his Greek coun
terparts based on one bad experience. I
agree with Mr. Beauchamp. Greeks are
stereotyped and they are judged based
on bad experiences, but I ask you, what
other kinds of experiences have non-
Greeks had with Greeks?
I believe I can speak knowledgeably
when I say that there are no other kinds. I
worked at a major Greek stomping
ground for almost a year. During that
time, a kind word or patient attitude was
rare. Among my fellow worker-B-Greeks
were known for the their rudeness and
refusal to follow normal social customs
such as speaking at a moderate level,
showing consideration for the other cus
tomers, and tipping.
I and my fellow workers have been
yelled at, flirted with, and talked down to.
Greeks can ruin a waitress’ entire section
by crowding around tables, speaking
loudly and disrupting the restuarant
without regard for others.
.'Sr*
Greeks demand all of a waitpti
time: the drinks are never tl
enough, the food always takesi
“why can’t we have 13 separate
and finally, "boy was she grou
not leave a tip.”
I even had two Pikes pickupaci
phone and interrupt a phone call
informed rny caller that I couldn'to
to the phone because I was perft
unmentionable acts on their unmeit
ables! What class! And Mr. Beaudi
wonders why non-Greeks feel sue
mosity toward his fellow Greeks.
I’m sure, if Greeks were poll
followed the normal social custom
others do, the feelings of animosiw
change. Perhaps, Mr. Beauchamp,
you feel there is a problem beti
Greeks and non-Greeks, you
willing to do something about it
problem lies with you and yourfri
not with the non-Greeks.
I l>elieve these feelings will
Mark
archite
unload
before
)f
ot
by Bor
Ba
long as Greeks insist on such to*
behavior. Perhaps you could {o “'
this to your fellow Greeks, whost<|Lk eiK i
think they’ve cornered the marhKjng w jn
class. ™-Carnpus
■0 tonigl
Cathy Sftwer.
|“This w
Preachers part
of college
lon-reg cu
lent Kevi
^e’ve had
Er, with al
nmingout i
EdUOT; fcAista
I would like to submit this Id '
response to Timothy B. Ashmorescju^ f) q_ (
ments on “Preachers Disturbing'f||ticipate i
October 12th issue of the Battaliocbjhe one c
Upon reading your leiteriiThis is
Preacners, 1 immediately foundin( P r 's to get t
tencies which render your com*!
absoultely worthless. As a Christiatli
should know that in Mark 16:15,1^0QTJ
commissions us to go and expose all o
pie to His Good News. Obviously,
who haven’t received the Word 2::vA L)U
going to be in the church building*#
you want to confine the preachers^ revie
disrupting the campus,®
preachers are glorifying God aw United r
Christians, that is our numberonfi AUSTIf
And how can their actions depri'(P 1 ' cs Comr
dents of the “college atmosphere”'®* re yiew
you describe as one of knowledge,t® 151 * 131
and peace, when those are exac ^Ke S for 'thc
qualities provided us by the HolyS|S ony
Timothy, our spiritual leadersajjonal ieleph
integral part of our college experi® Commit
and if they are guiding fellow studeiitaanimousl
Jesus Christ, then we should give initial revi
whole-hearted support. |S el * ler Wi
y]or uneth
Darryl Fuhrnm T d $16 . !
} “ve expens
punittee
Slouch
9^1 and 1'
Wilson \
rjj liable fo
“I’m old enough to rememl/
when we talked about how ha'
ing girls on the campus#
going to improve our dre''
code.’