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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (March 3, 1988)
Thursday; March 3,1988/At tase/Paee 7 Student's position involves more than a title By Leslie Guy “My preacher told me the Sunday before 1 left for A&M, ‘I never doubt that you’ll make a lot of friends; you’re the Idnd of person who can talk to a wall.’ But 1 didn’t know whether to take that as a compliment or not. ” Mason Hogan should probably take that as a compliment, because since he came to A&M five years ago, the animal science major has done more than make friends. He has gained the support of many students and is the current president of the A&M student government. One would expect someone with such an important political position to stay in politics for the rest of his life. But this is not the case for Hogan. When he graduates in May, he’s planning to go to Army aviation school in Alabama. But until that time, he will have to concentrate on school and representing the students on important issues. Dressed in faded jeans, a western shirt and boots, Hogan does not fit the picture of the politician. But his friendliness surpasses that of many public figures. “I’m about the furthest thing from a politician,” he says. “You’ll have to beat me to put a suit and tie on unless we’re going to church. ” But for Hogan the position is much more than just a title. His priority was not getting elected, but doing something worthwhile after he was elected. “We have tried a lot of things this year and have not just been hiding in the corner, " he says. “We stick with what we think are the issues. I’m not here just to make friends but to serve the students. ” A down-to-earth person. Hogan has no trouble communicating with people — a good trait for a person who spends so much time with them. “I’m the kind of person who gets along with anybody,” he says. “I may not like everybody, but I can adjust and be flexible. 1 think a vital part of the learning experience is to be diverse and get to know a lot of people.” Realizing how much one grows by being exposed to many different personality types. Hogan has been very involved in his college years, participating in agricultural organizations, student government and the Corps of Cadets. Hogan says he looks at a person as a human being and does not stereotype everyone he sees. “When someone walks through the door. I don’t look at them as a 'good ol’ country boy.’ ” he says. “I don’t judge somebody when they walk through the door. I can be sitting in a room with three whites and three blacks and not know the difference. I would hope the majority of people are like that, but I don't know. ” This trait is essential for someone who leads a large organization, because for the group to be successful, the people within the group must have teamwork and cooperation. And before the group can even attempt to solve outside problems, they must first solve problems within the system and have a good working relationship with all the members, he says. “A good leader has to surround himself with good folks.” Hogan says. “If you keep praising the people below you. you won’t have to worry about what they are doing for you. ” Hogan appointed the vice- presidents on his council and together they chose the committee chairmen below them. “I don’t care who is appointed as long as they are interested and don’t have an attitude problem, ” Hogan says. “If someone comes in during the By Leslie Guy Government: a political body which controls and directs the making and administration of policy. It exists on national, state and local levels, as well as within educational institutions. And in a democracy, people expect their views to be made known through their representatives. The Texas A&M student body is so large that students may often wonder if their views are actually being heard. So this week At Ease asked students if they believe they have a say in Student Government and the responses were varied. Many students think they are uninformed about the issues raised before the government and wish the activities were more publicized. Sophomore journalism major Patricia Arthur does not believe she has a say in Student Government because she never even knows what issues are before the group. “They never tell you how to get involved.” Arthur says. “They don’t really publicize how to get involved and don’t tell everyone what they are doing. I don’t even know how Student Government works, but 1 guess I don’t pay enough attention. ” Mike Rocha, a junior economics major, does not keep up with the activities and believes it needs to be easier for students to get involved and feel like they are a part of Student Government. Junior accounting major Tricia Lyles wishes she could feel more involved, but does not believe students know enough about the organization and duties of the government. “I don't feel like I have a place to go if I need to talk about something 1 believe, ” Lyles says. Senior petroleum engineering major Dan Rayes does not believe he year and really wants to do something and will work hard. I will find something for that person to do. ” Hogan believes the leaders of student government need to start at the bottom and work up to higher positions. His own political activities began in high school, but he did not become involved here until a friend encouraged him to run for student senator for the College of Agriculture. He took that position his junior year and was elected president of student government last spring. “If a guy comes into an organization and becomes the head of it and didn’t do the lower part of it, it’s hard to be respected,” he says. “When you get to the top you can’t lose sight of them. You need to know would have to work too hard to be involved. “I have chosen not to participate, but if I exert myself I probably could have some say in student government,” Rayes says. “I never tried because I was always too busy. People can always find better things to do. but they could be involved if they want to. ” Paul Figel. a senior petroleum engineering major, believes his schoolwork requires so much time that he does not have an opportunity to do much with student government. “The opportunity to get involved is there, but I just don't have time.” Figel says. “I really don’t think voicing my opinion would have solved anything though. ” Free time seems to be a problem for many students, especially those in upper level classes. Kyle Yardley, an architecture graduate student, says his course load is not especially tough, but the work required for each class is very time consuming. “I'm so busy, that I really wouldn’t have time to be involved. ” he says. Some students believe the issues must be publicized before an action is taken so they can give their input to student senators. Brenda Holland, a junior political science major, says she never knows what happens until after the decision has been made. “I never find out until it is too late. ” Holland says. “What I would try to prevent has already happened by the time I hear about it. ” Junior finance major Kristy Underwood says the senators should try to have more contact with the groups they represent, because many times people don’t even know who the senators are. She also thinks Student Government should try to what they are doing and go to committee meetings. That’s hard when you want to try to study, and it’ll make you grow old real fast. ” Taking a position with as much responsibility as Hogan’s requires dedication and a lot of perseverance. He expects the valuable experience he gained at A&M will help him later in life, but he won't realize how much until a few years from now. “The positions you are put in and the stress you are put under will always help you later, but I don’t think that knowing some of these people won’t get me a promotion in the army,” he says. “I’m not going to go in as a captain just because I was in student government. ” publicize their activities more often. “The senators should try to communicate more with the people they represent. ” Underwood says. “I don’t have any say, because I don’t usually read the Batt to find out what is going on. ” Gina Soldovere. a senior sociology major, believes she has a say in Student Government because she is on the class council. However, she does not think most students know how to contact senators to make suggestions. “Students don’t know any of the people on Student Government.” Soldovere says. “They know they elected Mason Hogan, but they don’t know who he is. ” To make people more aware of government actions, she thinks the dorm councils should send a representative to student council meetings. They could then report back to the dorm students. Soldovere also says the student government bulletin boards across campus are not updated, and news from last semester is still posted on the board in the Commons. Sophomore political science major Mike Campbell also has some say in Student Government because he is vice president for the class of 1990. Although he has not directly influenced an issue, he did know about the OF Sarge mascot before it was presented. “I could see why people wanted to do that, but I didn’t like the costume. ” Campbell says. Billie Bowen, a sophomore general studies major, believes she is a vital part of Student Government. “I vote and choose the officers. ” Bowen says. “If I don’t have a say it is my own fault for being unaware of the issue. It’s my responsibility to become informed and tell the senators what I think. ” QA1M0M4 What do you think of Student Government?