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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (July 20, 1990)
The Battalion OPINION Friday, July 20,1990 A&Mfortunate for Stallings’ nomination Texas A&M could have the first female dean in the history of the University, and it’s about time. Dr. Jane A. Stallings from the University of Hous ton will be nominated for the position of the dean of the College of Education next week at the Board of Re gents meeting. If her nomination is approved, she will become the first female dean in A&M history. Minorities, inciuding i women, have been underre presented for years in the higher ranks at A&M. We are, however, taking steps to rectify this situation. Last year, Raui Fernandez was appointed to the Board of Regents. Stallings appointment would bring A&M closer to adequate minority representation at administrative lev els. The search committee and A&M administration should be commended for nominating Stallings. She is qualified, and her list of accomplishments is long. A&M will be fortunate to have someone of her cali ber. The Battalion Editorial Board Battips takes story suggestions New phone line allows readers to provide story ideas After working at The Battalion for almost two years, I have finally come to the conclusion that no matter how the paper looks or how much we work to improve it, people are going to complain about it. I suppose complaining about The Battalion is just another one of our fine Aggie traditions, right up there with bonfire, Yell Practice, Silver Taps and saying “howdy.” It’s just part of going to school at Texas A&M. Debating whether it’s good or bad, liberal or conservative, or representative of the student body is not one of my favorite pastimes. In fact, I usually try to avoid it if at all possible. But, each person is entitled to his or her own opinion — you have yours and I have mine. Cach day the managing editor will check the messages and give the latest tips to the correct section editor. After that, we’ll cal! you back if we’re interested or if we need more information.” Anyway, I frequently find myself dealing with all kinds of problems and complaints, but it seems that the most prominent complaint is that we neglected to cover this event or we didn’t write a story about that person. People are always calling in and wanting explanations — after the fact. Why they didn’t call before the event and suggest the story to someone I’ll never know. Yes, I realize we chose to work here and that it is our responsibility to cover campus life and news completely. But with only eight reporters to keep up with 17,000 students during the summer and about 15 reporters to keep up with 40,000 students during the regular semesters, we have our work cut out for us. This limited number of reporters must stay on top of campus-related issues, organizations, activities and sports — not to mention the faculty, staff, Board of Regents and other parts of the Texas A&M University System we are responsible for. And, in addition to that, we still have to go to school. It is important to us to provide timely information and stories of interest to all of our readers. What is lacking here is not effort, but communication. We continually seek input and search for ways to improve the communication between the newspaper and the students, faculty and staff. What’s Up is offered as an informative service to let people know of meetings and activities, and Salutes announces promotions or recognizes awards. The entries often give us ideas about events and people we might want to cover. Our latest additions to the paper of “We asked and here’s what you said,” and our Battalion poll help to give us insight into what the A&M population is thinking. But, we still need more — more ideas, more information, more communication. So, we’ve come up with a new system to make things easier for you to relate ideas to us and for us to find out vital information. It’s called BATTIPS and it’s a very simple, efficient way of communicating. All you have to do is dial 845-3315 any time of the day or night and leave your name, phone number, story idea, date and time of event or activity and anything else you think may be helpful on our answering machine. By doing this you can suggest stories and ideas in a few seconds without having to worry about getting your information to the right person. Each day the managing editor will check the messages and give the latest tips to the correct section editor. After that, we’ll call you back if we’re interested or if we need more information. Your ideas could be anything from major news stories to feature ideas, or from organizational activities to 8ATT/PS I Bi•BE Graphic byj. Richard Ellis personality profiles of interesting or unique people. The main thing to remember is that it should be something you believe would be of interest to a significant number of the A&M population. There is no guarantee that we will write a story about a suggestion. But you can be sure that if it is really important and we miss it, you will have a legitimate reason to complain because you told us about it. I will be the first to admit that we have made mistakes in the past and I’m certain that we will make them in the future. I don’t foresee BATTIPS alleviating the communication problem; I’m just hoping that if we work together we can help to bridge the gap. Sure we’ll receive our share of obnoxious calls, but certainly the benefits will outweigh the downfalls. I have confidence that a majority of A&M students will have the courtesy to use this to their advantage and not abuse it. So, if you have an idea for a story, give us a call at 845-3315 and let us know. Monique Threadgill is a senior journalism major. KKYS Power Chicken definitely Tor the birds E hi I have heard of the strangest things before, but the latest radio gimmick has got to take the cluck — I mean, cake. Living in Houston almost all of my life, I’ve had the opportunity to listen to a multitude of radio stations that play music ranging from country to alternative dance music. I’ve heard them all. Of course, living in a city of almost 4 million people, you get the chance to hear everything. But, somewhere far away in a distant dream world (about 90 miles from Houston) a loud clucking noise has emerged through the barn radio ... it’s the Power Chicken! Yes, I’m talking about an overstuffed poultry animal. I suppose this is their version of a Texas-sized chicken. By the way, why did the Power Chicken cross the road? I don’t know, but I wish it would stop! For some of you who are lucky enough to possess a cassette player in your car, or if you simply receive radio stations from Houston, you might not understand. Oh, and I almost forgot, there are some who do listen to the other Rudy Cordova Jil H ener hori; Unic two c Columnist Ai ees s plor; tal d on tl stations. Well, here’s the scoop (or the poop), whatever you want to call it. A couple of weeks ago, the Bryan- College Station Eagle wrote an editorial and in it mentioned that there are only two kinds of radio stations in the area. They said that they are either country or chicken rock. For whatever that meant, KKYS (FM 104.7) has taken it upon itself to challenge the Eagle and put on their chicken feet shoes. This is worse than a bad Japanese movie starring Godzilla. As you can see, it is a simple battle of the birds. (Batt not included — it’s not a bird.) What we have here are two mature public communication sources exchanging fowl language. I wonder, though, if they are really two turkeys in disguise. Let’s face it, Big Bird would be ashamed. If I were an official resident oforl of these towns, I too would be ashamed. There is no need for the i| CS Eagle and KKYS to resorttothis kind of plucking — I mean bickerj All they’re doing is hurting themselves and making us have to listen to the Power Chicken at leas j six times an hour. Give us a break! Those of usfroi the city aren’t used to these kindso farm animals, especially oversized ones. I’ve listened to KKYS eversincel came to College Station four years ago. I remember this disc jockeybv the name of Lauren St. James who now working for a radio station in Seattle, but not before workingfor 93Q in Houston. She was really gw and I have a feeling that she would have condemned something likethi I mean, get real.This radiostatioi is big time now. They brag about their 50,000 watts of power and tha: they’re “hotter than Texas chili, it sounds to me that t hey’ve lowered themselves again to a mere central Texas, backwards radio station. Tlif ought to change their slogan to “hotter than huevos rancheros.” Enough of the fowl play. If there are people out there who feel the same way I do, and would ratherbf spared the embarrassment of havini a friend who’s visiting listen tothis garbage, then I urge you to call the radio station and complain abouttli Power Chicken. The number tocall 823-4487. It’s either that, or get cal radio. While you’re at it, ask them if the Colonel approves of this. Rudy Cordova Jr. is a senior theat arts major. P an > 250,i Taj Vary recei agre< Gi said marl into alrea viouj lahoi Chrc Hi Te 01 M cows epis< M no f quin here said. "1 calle. A 1 ersii Tl “1 the mo: The Battalion (USPS 045 360) Member of Texas Press Association Southwest Journalism Conference Associated Collegiate Press The Battalion Editorial Board Monique Threadgill, Editor Melissa Naumann, Managing Editor Damon Arhos, Opinion Page Editor Holly Becka, City Editor Meg Reagan, Lisa Ann Robertson, News Editors Clay Rasmussen, Sports Editor Eric Roalson, Art Director Todd Stone, Lifestyles Editor Editorial Policy The Battalion is a non-profit, self-sup porting newspaper operated as a commu nity service to Texas A&M and Bryan- College Station. Opinions expressed in The Battalion are those of the editorial board or the au thor, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Texas A&M administrators, faculty or the Board of Regents. The Battalion is published Tuesday through Friday during Texas A&M sum mer semesters, except for holiday and ex amination periods. Mail subscriptions are $20 per semes ter, $40 per school year and $50 per full year: 845-2611. Advertising rates fur nished on request: 845-2696. Our address: The Battalion, 230 Reed McDonald, Texas A&M University, Col lege Station, TX 77843-1 111. Newsroom: 845-3313. Second class postage paid at College Station, TX 77843. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Battalion, 216 Reed McDonald, Texas A&M University, College Station TX 77843-4111. FAX All This Talk. PBourr THE Poor Hns f&ALty'GoT I y THE TriiMo neour Fbv£KT c r’ i Uk£: £D.R 4TH€ GREAT ScCUPiL, P&GRAMS. WHY Has Gch'T BGCOtAE A CffTCJH-frLL. For SowETHtsiO Thot's OUR- Fault? OuR Fault? by Brett Bridgemai callu goti “1 feaH Pio You KNbW ThAT rf Costs IfrbSo.&oO roR 3o SSOonCS 'of WHfiT fitVEFTSlNG UURlrtE CAN The super Tr? . T r s Ttil&w QPidT/Jt! > THE W/sIP AhJD GIW <LUtTT££FL . You EUT fl? ■Vow,"<5/V£ FNE" let's# (\U- THAT, MVW Mint# f