nes ihe
million
mbehil
II help
red to
world
ee sub-
d yout
ncretise
;t more
jrotett-
oldest
IW
Tuesday, October, 15, 1985/The Battalion/Page 3
State and Local
Watering run by radio waves
A&M sprinkler system a winner
By KAREN KROESCHE
Reporter
Around the state, Texas A&M is
nrnvu for mam things. The L'ni-
ersity has the highest paid athletic
lirector in the Southwest Conf'er-
nce, a nationally acclaimed march
ing band and ves, even an award-
inninj*sprinkler system.
The latter accomplishment may
int be well known, hut it is largely
isible in the flourishing acreage of
m.
And Eugene Ray, head of the De
partment of (irounds Maintenance,
nick to point out the importance
if his department and the irrigation
System, which was completed in
11(182, to the University.
A lot of people think that all we
is mow the grass,” he savs. “ They
Tt realize what is involved in our
svstem."
The system employs between
I),()()() and 21,()()() sprinkler heads,
I'hich are centrally controlled, and
irrigates about 500 acres.
I The system was designed by Ray
Rnd Mike (Joldwater, associate direc-
■ir of grounds maintenance, when
lie manual operation of the pre-
pms equipment was no longer f easi-
We got to the |)oint where we
limply couldn't control it (the old
stem)," Ray says. “ The manual
tys are gone."
The new system, which operates
been]Ib\ radio waves, won a fifth place
the Stu ■' va rd from the National Association
..a jyACollege and University Business
II* th B ,1kers an(l L nited States Steel
1 0 nei foundation for its efficiency and
lost reduction, Ray says.
I The system features a rain mea
surement gauge which will automat-
lally shut down the entire system
I fhen the campus receives a desig-
,eie ' ^Inted amount (one-half inch during
- a ' wet lie summer) of rain, he says.
•udgetI The irrigation system also shuts it-
itthegvftl down if the temperatuie drops
>ximatt!vf |eez hig, preventing frozen
1^^
1 2 3 4 5 6
Eugene Ray, director of grounds and maintenance, designates
specific areas of the campus to be sprinkled. Ray is able to turn
on or off the sprinklers through a central timer (see inset).
Photo by MIKE SANCHEZ
s back to
doretht
I under-
dget ttit
sprinkler heads and other ice-re
lated problems, Ray says.
An electronic display map is an
added feature of the system. Irriga
tion areas are lighted up as they are
watered, allowing the grounds main
tenance staff to closely monitor the
system. The display feature also sim
plifies planning for additions to the
system.
In order to create a minimal drain
on domestic water usage and the
least amount of inconvenience to
people on campus, he says the ma-
joritv of the watering is done be
tween midnight and b a.m.
In high pedestrian areas, such as
the grounds around the dorms, the
earliest the sprinklers are started is
12:M() a.m. or 1 a.m., Ray says.
“We have an in-house philoso
phy," he jokes, “that anyone out af
ter those hours needs to get wet.”
In addition to the considerations
to student convenience, the depart
ment also must schedule watering
around sporting events and late-
night activities such as Silvet Taps.
A shortage of staff, student mis
chief and extraneous vehicles (that
is, people driving where they
shouldn't drive), cause additional
problems for the grounds mainte
nance department, Ray says.
He says the department hopes,
sometime in the near future, to com
puterize the irrigation system. Such
a svstem, Ray says, would have the
capability to measure how much wa
ter plants need at any designated
time, but would require a substantial,
increase in f unding.
I n addition to the care of the land
scaped areas of campus, the grounds
maintenance department also is re
sponsible for most of the the streets
and roads, parking lots, test gardens
and ot her public areas on campus.
Igynecel
eat gyotl
iilso bt l
tm otheil
is the pi I
will con-
e gyneett
lave timt
ath pirn-
T the stti-
[. Anyone
use iswel-
leeiingio-
alive
mth and
;lt law to]
roponents
lat it is up
rental to
rough the
s.
eatbeltsdo
who is#
on because
e: airbags
i, airbags
than seat
n with ail
ng them is
he auto in
isporta#
:omproif
>n
wever,
e actual ifr
t does is Id
e our st#
ijuiring #
was si’
een #
rfeciel
i berf
;n then
obv#
sea#
interes 1
Let (Is Cater your next
Party!
1-5,000 people
Bar-B-Que Beef & Sausage, Potato Salad,
Beans, Bread, Pickles, Peppers, Sauce,
Onions, Ice Tea, Plates, Cups, Silverware
Packets
100 or more $3.75 per person
Call for more details 779-6417
810 S. Main
^FARMERS
MARKET
RESTAURANT & CATERING
JAY’S GYM
♦TOTAL FITNESS FOR MEN & WOMEN*
IO BO-minute
Tanning Sessions
£45.00
Fall Special
3 month membership
$69.00 + 5 free Tans
Call for more info
3609 S. College
across from Chicken Oil Co.
846-6272
MSC CEPHEID
VARIABLE
r ” i
’ir
Tues. Oct. 15,1985 701 Rudder
Free Admission 8:30 p " 1
MOVIE: WRESTLING WOMEN
VS.
THE AZTEC MUMMY
Be a Star! Advertise in The Battalion 845-2611
/STUDENT
ERNMENT
S A&M UNIVERSITY
Student
Senate
Vacancies
Now is your chance to be a part of a Dynamic Student Voice with Genuine Influ
ence! If you are concerned about the policies that govern your University and your
fellow students, don’t pass up this opportunity. The quality of student representation
at Texas A&M is dependent upon the quality of legislation our senators enact.
Requirements of a Student Senator:
(1) Attend all senate meeting. Fall schedule: Nov. 6, Nov. 20, Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m. 204
Harrington.
(2) Participate on one of five legislative committees (Academic Affairs, External Af
fairs, Finance, Rules and Regulations, Student Services).
(3) Report to a student organization that is representative of your constituency.
(4) Maintain a GPR of 2.25 or higher and post at least a 2.0 every semester while in
office.
Senate Vacancies:
(1) Hobby/Neeley/McFadden/Haas
(1) Engineering Sophomore
(1) Ward IV
OFF-CAMPUS WARD SYSTEM:
WARD III
WARDI
Pos-Oak
Mali
Texas
| SKAGGS |
Jtamu |
Ward IV
WARD II
Applications can be picked up in Rm. 221 Pavilion. If you have any specific
questions about the senate or student goverment in general, please feel
free to call us.
Laurie Johnson, Speaker of the Senate (696-0760)
Miles Bradshaw, Speaker Pro Tempore (696-4387)
Deadline is 5:00 p.m. Friday Oct. 18th