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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (April 11, 1985)
Should students care about representation j IM^WGoev om OUR ■UWi yuj*. OR The important question concerning Student Government is not “Does anybody care?” The answer to Jerry Oslin Support wf Goerz 2 VM OP IV v»<3'ihhte5 :.I sense a sliitt in public opinion..." Working for college newspaper invaluable real-world experience The Battalion. Those iwo words can stir up more conflicting opin ions and emotions on campus than most any other subject. I’ve tried lately to imagine myself as the regular A&M student. Ed Cassavoy How would I imagine The Battalion? So I went outside and looked at the Reed McDonald Building in an entirely new manner. It is an ugly red building that squats on the corner of Ross and Ireland Streets. It looked the same as ever. So I decided to try something more. I just read the letters to the editor. In my years at The Batt I have seen it compared to Pravda and the New York Times. Come to think of it, I think both were used in the same letter. I think that one of the problems with the ordinary Ag is figuring out who to complain to. Looking through the staff box, I count 19 editors. Lean understand some of the irate and frustrated callers to the newsroom, “Can I speak to an editor, uh, because, uh it’s about this story, and I want to know what ” Some positions are pretty straightfor ward, sports editor and editor. But looking at the majority of job titles things get pretty hairy. Who, unless you are a journalist, knows what a managing editor is? Or what pray tell, is a makeup editor. I think life would be less complicated if you adapted job titles to daily reality. So next time the phone rings and someone says, “I’ve got a complaint...” immediately the caller would be trans ferred to the complaint editor. Easy. If someone began with “Why doesn’t the Batt...?” the caller would immedi ately be transferred to the Why editor. It is easier for me to joke, because journalists, at least good journalists learn that criticism, complaints and questions are a natural and necessary el ement of their trade. We learn to de velop a thicker hide. Rightly or wrongly, our mistakes are usually all that we hear about. After awhile you learn to temper the critics. Sometimes the reader’s complaints are valid and fair. That’s when we take our lumps. But other times I am proud of what the paper does. Indepth articles, editorial board statements and stories that take a hard look at certain subjects affecting the University are a necessity. In many ways, The Battalion is a very strange beast. Frequently other university newspa pers will send questionnaires asking about our newspaper operation. Most times I end up writing “not applicable” or reel off a long written explanation of the circumstances here. Unlike most college newspapers. The Battalion does not have an official fac ulty adviser. Such an adviser would probably have some editorial control. Except for the wise advice of our hard-nosed journalism profs, the editor makes all the decisions. And much of our criticism is received when we’ve made the decision and the paper has al ready come out. Financially The Battalion is a regular newspaper business. Ads and advertis ing dollars pay our wages. Unlike many college papers, the Uni versity administration has no control over the editorial or news gathering op erations of The Batt. And the students who work on this paper probably have more freedom to say and try new things than they will ever have an opportunity to do on a real world newspaper. And that is why I feel that students should realize what a gem they have here. There are few subjects that The Battalion cannot report or comment on. We have the ability to inform and ex press many ideas and views every day. Best of all, I get paid to do something I love to do. Ed Cassavoy is a senior journalism ma jor and a weekly columnist for The Battalion. that question is obvious when you con sider the low turnout for student senate meetings, issues and grievances commit tee meetings, the recent presidential candidates debate, recent Student Gov ernment elections, etc. The important question concerning Student Government is “Should any body care?” Student Government claims to rep resent and be the voice of the student body. If this were true, the answer to the previous question would be yes. But unfortunately, Student Govern ment does not represent the student body. By denying the student body two very important parts of the election process, Student Government has denied itself the right to say it truely represents the student body. First of all, it has been the policy of the Student Government’s election com mission to withhold the names of candi dates who have filed to run for a Stu dent Government position. The election commission releases the names after the filing deadline. This means that a student who might be interested in running for a position cannot find out through official chan nels who his competition is. The argument to this has been if a student really wants to run, then it shouldn’t make any difference who his opponent is. This would be a valid arguement if it weren’t for one very important fact. ^ Through talk, gossip and other infor mal means, people in Student Govern ment already know who is running and have an advantage on the student who is not associated with Student Govern ment. The election commission has also de fended the closed files by saying the elections would become a popularity contest if the files weren’t closed. Popular (though presumably worse) candidates would be able to pick out a less popular (though presumably bet ter) candidate and beat him in the elec tion. The commission’s desire for good government might be sincere, but its methods for attaining it should be ques tioned. At the very worse, it looks as if the commission is trying to manipulate the elections. At best, it looks as if they don’t trust" the student body to pick the right candi date. • At any rate, the commission is exhib iting an elitist attitude, one that denies the average student the information LETTERS: Poem about Islam offensive to some EDITOR: I was flabbergasted and completely astonished at the shallowness presented in Cathy Riely’s article entitled “Creative drive gives varying results.” A Texas A&M Battalion staff writer should have enough responsibility and developed sense to ensure logic and validity in her journalism. Her capacity to recognize, appreciate and understand the subject matter was not up to par and this was very evident in her piece. The references made to Islam and Muslims in th£ article were rude and disrespectful. Islam, the faith that tea ches respect and justice for all, was treated unjustly. Millions of people in many countries, with diverse cultures and customs, believe in Islam. Some of these customs, however, are not in full accordance with Islam and it would be unreasonable to characterize the reli gion based dn customs and practices of a people in one corner of the world. In the article, Miss Riely lacked the depth and professionalism expected of responsible journalists. I hope that in the future The Battalion staff writers will research to obtain pure facts so as not to be swayed or controlled by other people’s prejudices. thor and her opinions about her experi ences in Afghanistan. The story was writ ten about Norris because she was the au thor of first place poem in the 1985 Texas A&M Writing Contest. Wrong group got credit for work EDITOR: Poet’s views not intended as insults EDITOR: I would like to state that my inten tions when I wrote “Kabul, 1974” was not to insult the Islamic people or their religion. Since I was raised in an envi ronment that encourages one to pursue any chosen goal it is hard for me to ac cept the limited freedom of the Afghan women. I did not and do not imply that these women lead a life of misery. Afg han women are well-respected by the men and community for being good wives and mothers. I only know I would not be content in their place considering my background. Nor do I want to sug gest that Christianity is a better religion. I would like to call attention to an ar ticle that ran in At Ease (Friday, April 5). This article, titled “OPAS Brings Good Music, Comedy” said in error that MSC OPAS instead of Townhall Broad way is sponsoring “Gigi” and “Brighton Beach Memoirs.” Because there are so many different campus organizations and activities, it is essential that we re ceive accurate coverage. We appreciate your cooperations. there is no such thing as a single ticket. We have nothing against couples, we would just like all seniors to feel free to take a part in Senior Weekend. We are not blaming the MSC Ticket Office for this problem, yet this was where we were informed that two girls or two guys may purchase a couple’s ticket; thus entering the Bash as a couple. Jody Boarnet MSC OPAS Chairman 1985-86 Are only couples allowed at functions? EDITOR: Would it be too much to ask that two kinds of tickets be available for the Bash: couples — $5 and singles — $2.50? Technically, two people buying a ticket as a couple is all fine and dandy because it still because it still gives us the opportunity to attend the Bash; how ever, from reflecting on past experi ences, we feel that purchasing tickets under the status of a couple will discour age many single seniors who would like to attend the various weekend func tions. As two single seniors who have at tended Texas A&M University for four years, we would like to address Senior Weekend. Amr Ali EDITOR’S NOTE: Cathy Riely’s story about Therese Norris was not a news story about Afghanistan or Islam; if it had been all sides of the issue would have been presented. It was a profile on the au I wrote of the sights, sounds and fla vors of a foreign land. My poem was in tended to present those memories in such a way as to give the reader a glimpse of another place. It was not meant to be a historical documentary on Moslem women. Just as a painting is only an artist’s interpretation of an image not an exact duplicate. Therese Norris We have no statistics concerning the ratio of couples to singles attending TAMU; however, it appears as though somewhere, at some time in the history of this great institution, someohe de cided that Senior Weekend, in regards to the Bash, Banquet, and Ring Dance can by synonymously referred to as “Couple’s Weekend.” This argument may sound picky and petty, but being seniors, we are hoping to motivate those single seniors who were going to miss out on the weekend (at least the Bash) due to the emphasis on couples. We also hope that those re sponsible for handling the tickets now, and for future events will consider our view of this matter. Who decided that Texas A& M University consists of more couples that singles? Hope to see you at the Bash. people in Student Governmentaln know. Secondly, Student Governmem denied the student body therighti ness the appointment process dent senators. With the high turnover rate it student senate, a special appoint! more than 7(J sponsored anc tions from the U.S. Rep. J upport for la mdget and ci md loans to rr at the College Center Wedne Barton gav that he has eii Barton said proud c thorecl — tl amendment, the federal go getary outlays and also place amount of the “I think th; bullet on the we raise taxes, Even thou] continued pr missile, he s; should be inc Barton recor done by closin process is needed to fill thevacande A student who wants to filla vacancy must be interviewed and approved by a panel of senatorsijjmost proud the internal affairs committee. Student Government has chore close the interviews to the studentl and is excluding them fromtakiiij in this election process. This might not sound too bad, during a recent senate meetinga ator complained about people in dent Government tampering wiii appointment process. She said she overheard twodil Student Government vice presidenm they were going to have their inio itary bases affairs committee members voteap . Barton said a student seeking a senate seat. mail about i The vice presidents from the * 1 | ot ^. r j ssue ' standing committees choose iwoi f ators f rom their committees to sent the internal affairs committee. The senator also complained ih past speakers of the senate andspeil , pro tern trying to use their position I influence the vote of the intemalalig , committee panel. In other words, according to this ator, people in Student Gov were trying to manipulate the a| ment process to get people in the who represented their viewsandnoti views of the student body. Student Government has made sincere efforts to reach out to the dents to find out how they feelon sues, but this is like trying to puu aid on a gun shot wound. If Student Government really*: to represent the students, thenitsl give them the opportunity to more share in the election process. Should anybody care about Sin Government? Without true repress lion, probably not. Jerry Oslin is a senior journalism: j speak^'fbr Senate; Pat Publicity tli ence Society panel discussi dent Governi tion: Does any “Does anyb Alders, 1984- dent asked at meeting. “M; doesn’t care ; ■ ment, but we j mation to the j The panel | made up of ; president foi Murray Milfc jor and a staff writer for The Batti In other words, single seniors seeking a ticket to these events discover that Lisa G. Dornbusch, ’85 Suzanne M. Frybert, ’85 The Battalion USPS 045 360 Member of Texas Press Association South west ) uu rnalism Conference The Battalion Editorial Board Brigid Brockman, Editor "gi . „ Shelley Hoekstra, Managing Editor raezy Michelle Powe, Editorial Page Editor Rhonda Snider, City Editor Travis Tingle, Sports Editor The Battalion Staff P r | for The Batt chairman of committee; E ■ SWAMP; and J The discu? - ing statemei 1 member. N< : president of S moderator o i out questions i Students a Assistant City Editors Dainah Bullard, Kari I Assistant News Editors Cami Brown, John Hallett, Kay Mails Lai Assistant Sports Editor ; mty to void I and opinions p ment at grie 1 not take adv; Roberts said. Artificial keeping info public recort major short Government ChareanWii® | coiumnist foi Entertainment Editors... Shawn Behlen, Leigh-EllenClri Staff Writers RebeccaAd»( Cathie Anderson, 1 Tamara Bell, Brandon Ben), J eff Brady, Ann Cervenit Michael Crawford, MaryCtt Kirsten Dietz, Cindy&), Pete Herndon, Trent Leope" Sarah Oates,JerryOs J tine Pang, TriciaParl# Cathy Riely, Marybeth Rolisw Walter Si# Copy Editors .Jan Perry, KelleySitiii Make-up Editors KarenBloA Karla Marne Columnists Ed Cassavoy, KevinInt Loren Sieti Editorial Cartoonist Mike Lai* Sports Cartoonist Dale Si# Copy Writer ...CathyBenn# 1 Photo Editor KatherineHai 1 Photographers Anthony Casper Wayne Grabein, Bill Hughes, Frank In* John Makely, Peter Rod* Editorial Policy The Battalion is a non-profit, self-supportingnc*if¥. operated as a community service to Texas MU" Bryan-College Station. Opinions expressed in T he Battalion are thost cl^ Editorial Board or the author, and do not necesH/rW resent the opinions of Texas A&M administrators, ffl? or the Board of Regents. T he Battalion also serves as a laboratory nemmpf^ students in reporting, editing anil photography within the Department ol Communications. Letters Policy Letters to the Editor should not exceed 300 length. The editorial staff reserves the right loeitil W for style and length hut will make every effort toniMt^ the author's intent. Each letter must be signed soils*' include the address and telephone iwmberofthe>r0 T he Battalion is published Monday through W during Texas A&M regular semesters, except forhtw, and examination periods. Mail subscriptions are P , /xt semester, f33.25 per school year and f33 pet" 1 year. Advertising rates furnished on request, Our address: T he Battalion, 216 Reed Mchtw, Building, T exas A&M University, College Slaw ifuinuiig, i cxti* uiiivcisny, lauucgc , 77843. Editorial staff phone number: (409) vertisinff: (409) 845-2611. Second class postage paid at College Station, VSM POS I'M ASTER: Send address changes to IhefaV ion, Texas A&M University, College Station, W 77843 Cor pro dev By ROI Corps Cr said Wedne posium tha more pro ft Corps of Ca “The C< building bl< in the right “We mus after we ht from unde military ap professiona Van de want to ch; military ac; hang on tc and the Un “I am nc what the C for,” said V However cadets can t Corps. “We can should be,” Van de \ dets are co where the C “The cac what they c what they Corps,” he