The Battalion
OPINION
1
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Wednesday, January 24,1990
Opinion Page Editor Ellen Hobbs
845-33K
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Research, teaching at A&M:
not only separate, but unequal
We will not forget that teaching and
knowledge dissemination are co-equal to
the knowledge generation and research
mission of this institution. ... Both ... will
be emphasized, rewarded and
recognized.
— President William H. Mobley
Texas A&M is one of the top research
institutions in the United States and
aspires to “world-class” status. In recent
decades it has changed its main
emphasis from undergraduate teaching
to research. The administration insists,
however, that teaching is just as
important as research.
Sure it is. Everyone who believes that,
stand on your head.
Anyone who works in an academic
capacity at any BSU (Big State
University) knows what the situation is:
Publish or perish. The explosive
proliferation of scholarly journals in
recent years is a testimony to this simple
fact: Research is king. The key questions
in hiring and firing are: Who brings in
grant money to the university? Who
publishes the most? Do they have a large
number of graduate students working
for them?
When was the last time a good
researcher was fired for rotten
teaching? Compare that to the many
who fail to make tenure for not doing
enough research, regardless of the
quality of the instruction they provide.
Now it’s probably true that if all other
factors are equal, a person’s teaching
will be considered in deciding tenure or
promotion.But make no mistake,
research is the bottom line.
The administration also claims that
teaching and research goals do not
conflict. Not so. Spending a lot of time
and energy on research does not
significantly enhance undergraduate
teaching; moreover, working hard as a
teacher means that one will have even
less time for research.
I’m not claiming that professors don’t
care about teaching; on the contrary,
many professors, instructors and
graduate students fulfill their duties
very well. The number who care is
actually quite surprising considering
how poorly they are rewarded for it.
Universities lobby state legislatures
for money under the guise of
education; they speak of the importance
of our economic competitiveness and of
providing educational opportunity for
all. Money is then spent attracting
research faculty who do little or no
Jeff
Farmer
Columnist
teaching; when things get tight, class
sizes are increased.
I know that what I’m saying is pretty
controversial; I’ll probably catch a lot of
flak*for it. If there is a student out there
who thinks I’m wrong, and that A&M
really does emphazise undergraduate
teaching, I hope they write me a letter.
In fact, I encourage those who agree
with me to write me as well, with
suggestions on how to improve the
situation. (I’ll listen to anything, from
eliminating grades to eliminating the
administration.)
This sorry state of affairs is certainly
not entirely the fault of the
establishment. It’s a general rule in
politics that people will get the worst
possible government that they will
tolerate; likewise, students receive
mediocre education largely because
they do not demand better.There are a
few simple things that any student can
do to improve his or her own
experience at the BSU (and to improve
things for those who follow as well).
Take classes from good instructors.
Find out who is capable and who isn’t,
and don’t sign up for a class from Dr.
Boring.
If you are stuck with someone who
doesn’t know their stuff, or can’t make it
clear, find out about their qualifications.
If they violate ethics or university
regulations, complain. If students create
enough trouble for the department
head, maybe teaching will get a higher
priority in the future (but don’t hold
your breath).
Be a quality student. Don’t say stupid
things in class, like, “We don’t want that
fancy explanation, just give us the
formula.”
This encourages your professor to
lower the level of instruction. Instead,
inquire about their research, on which
they are undoubtedly an expert.
Be a conscientious evaluator. Many
professors look at their evaluations
later; we can always hope that someday
deans will as well.Don’t trash the
instructor because you spent the
semester at the Chicken, or praise him
or her because you got an easy A. If you
have a problem with the instructor,
don’t be too emotional or your opinion
will be disregarded. Be fair and
accurate, as well as ruthless.
Help your state legislator understand
the issues. Make sure that your
representative understands that
throwing money at a university doesn’t
ensure that undergraduates get a good
education.The supercollider is sexy and
will provide jobs, but it may not improve
education just by its presence (though
the research environment will be
superb).
Confront the administration. Next
time you meet with a dean or a
president, ask them how many people
have been denied tenure for poor
teaching in the past two years.
Make them back up their rhetoric
with some facts. Talk to the alumni;
they attended at a time when teaching
had a higher priority. After all, you are
a student — this place supposedly exists
for your benefit.
These are a few things that anyone
can do, but they are not enough. Much
more serious reforms are needed. If
you think you have a good idea, write
me.
Let’s refuse to settle for mediocrity.
Mail Call
Violence was heart-breaking
EDITOR:
January 20, 1990 is a date that shall always pain my heart. I saw a heart
breaking display of violence, stupidity and cowardice. There was black-on-
black violence at a party sponsored by Alpha Phi Alpha. This should not hap
pen again, therefore I make this plea: Change your ways, everyone. If we do
not come together we shall never overcome ourselves.
The second point I shall make concerns the Alpha Phi Alpha’s attitude
following the fracas. I understand that they all were upset, but that is non-
cuse to verbally abuse me personally. I deserve a refund on the party fee I had
paid only six minutes before the party was terminated. When 1 requested a
way to contact them at a later date to discuss a refund, I was met with a bar
rage of curses. This is inexcusable for a group t)f so-called gentlemen.
Therefore, unless this problem is rectified, I personally do not foresee a
time in the immediate future when I will be giving donations to attend any of
your functions. That’s a promise.
Roy David Jr. ’91
Pageant party was a fiasco
EDITOR:
In regard to the fiasco which occurred at Alpha Phi Alpha’s Ms. Black &
Gold pageant and party, I don’t think that all of the blame should he placed
on the football players who thoroughly embarassed the fraternity members, A
lot of the blame should be placed on the member of the fraternity who does
not attend this school. He was taunting the players about a skit performed ai
the pageant aimed at depicting the players as mindless flunkies that never go
to class.
This was a blatant example of stereotyping and was utter disrespect for
those players that do go to class and get an education. How would the Alpha
Phi Alpha’s feel if someone did a skit depicting them as “A Phi Gay!!”
The Alpha Phi Alpha’s should strongly consider making restitution to
those poor, cheated partygoers who were “gypped” out of their money when
the Alpha Phi Alpha’s made off with it at the first sign of trouble.
Think about it: Why should everyone else have to be treated unfairly be
cause of the actions of a few?
Ernest G. Hayes ’91
Columnists need lessons in altruism
EDITOR:
In the last few days, some columnists have been discussing capitalism. All
of these columnists have made one error in their analyses. Their error was the
widely held assumption that the ethics of altruism and Christianity are the
only valid basis for morality. One of the columnists made a further mistake by
trying to integrate capitalism with the ethics of altruism.
Altruism is the ethics of self-sacr jfice. The basic principle of altruism is
that man has no right to exist for his own sake. The opposite of altruism is not
greed and thievery; taking from others is just the other side orf the same altru
ist coin. This altruist coin is flawed because it only allows us to view men at |
either sacrifices or as profiteers-of-sacr ifice.
In order to step out of this moral trap we must allow a concept of a man
who supports his life by his own effort, neither sacrificing himself to others
nor sacrificing others for himself. Phis is a man who does not give the un
earned or take it, a man who deals with others by trading, that is, giving value j
for value.
The true opposite of altruism is the ethics of individualism, which holds
this kind of man as a possibility and advocates the code required for a rational
human society. This ethic of rational selfishness was first discovered by Ayn
Rand, and is part of her philosophy called objectivism. If you have an active
mind and care to see a unique defense of the ethics of egoism and the real
moral basis of capitalism, read some of the essays by Ayn Rand.
Kevin Copps
Graduate student
Corps commander sets things straight
EDITOR:
This letter is sent in the hope that it will clarify the position of the Corps of
Cadets on campus unit runs.
Most runs occur before 6:30 a.m. These runs are for the physical condi
tioning of cadets and there is little interference with traffic. Clapping and “jo-
dying” in the immediate vicinity of dorms or the Health Center is prohibited
at these times. On the rare occasion that the entire Corps conducts a run on
campus it can lead to traffic congestion; therefore, these runs are held only
after 5:30 p.m. and only three or four times each semester.
Some units (specifically the Ross Volunteer Company and Fish Drill
Team) must conduct drill practice at various areas on campus in the af
ternoon, often before 5:30 p.m. and do interfere with campus traffic. How
ever, these units run in a block of no more than 50 people and don’t take any
more than a few seconds to dear through an intersection.
Being considerate and understanding towards all Aggies is something the
Corps of Cadets takes very seriously and we apologize for any inconvenience
We also greatly appreciate the considerate and understanding attitude the
majority of students and faculty members take towards unit runs on campus.
1
Matt Poling
Corps Commander
Adventures In Cartooning
by Don Atkinson Jt.
The Battalion
(USPS 045 360)
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Scot O.Walker, Editor
Monique Threadgill,
Managing Editor
Ellen Hobbs, Opinion Page Editor
Melissa Naumann, City Editor
Cindy McMillian, Lisa Robertson,
News Editors
Richard Tijerina, Sports Editor
Frederick D. Joe, Art Director
Mary-Lynne Rice, Lifestyles Editor
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