2 Opinion hursday Thursday, December 6, 1990 The Battalion Opinion Page Editor Jennifer Jeffus 44 Good Lock. Klb..."’ Engineering majors study hard for success while others party p JL/ach semester, I seem to be the columnist whose piece appears on the "reading" day. In the past I realized that, of the 10 or so people who pick up a Battalion on this dead day, I will be lucky if one of them reads my column. So I usually take advantage of that fact, and write something that does not require much effort. This semester, however, I will take it a step further. I will write offensive things and not suffer much reprisal. Here goes. It takes more intelligence to graduate in engineering than it does in any other major. Last year, I had three roommates. One was a civil engineering student; the other two were business majors. The c.e. constantly would joke about how business was a pansy major. Of course I, being the electrical engineering student, would razz him for being a c.e. — and so on. Matt McBumett Columnist have to suffer through hellish finals; I have to prepare for them while I watch Cameron explore the fruits of Milwaukee. w hy is engineering difficult? harder. The funny thing is that he and actually believed, and continue to believe what we said. Our stuff is harder — mine is hardest. Now don't get me wrong. There are plenty of intelligent people studying business, computer science and almost everything else. I completely understand how some people nave interests in these other fields. It is just factual that engineers have it iZ7ince I began school, I always heard engineers chatter among themselves about how their business-major roommates were out drinking and did not have to do a damn thing to stay in school. This subject is usually taboo, though, in conversations between engineers and non engineers, (or between electrical engineers and the other guys). It is hard to explain all of this without sounding self-righteous or cocky. Rest assured that I know mat I am no more intelligent than the next guy — if I am — simply because I am in engineering. In fact, I am jealous of the people who take easier courses and have time to waste without letting their grades suffer. My roommate, Cameron, is a business analysis major planning to graduate in May. Cameron's semester ended this past Tuesday. Granted, he is a smart fellow, but his course load is not that stringent. I have my first optional final ever this semester. All others are comprehensive, as always. So now, not only do I so much more ★ Speaking from an electrical engineering standpoint, the course loads are much heavier. Very few engineers get out in less than five years. ★ The material being dealt with in engineering is simply more difficult. I do not remember the last time my homework consisted of reading instead of doing awful problems. ★ Engineers, especially electrical, often deal with teaching assistants and faculty whose grasp of English is about as good as Reveille v s. Why am I doing all of this bitching? Well, as I mentioned, this subject is often taboo in conversation, but it is in the backs of the minds of any of us who slave away at far-out science concepts. Plus, I hear we will be rewarded for our efforts later. I can hear the clamor now. People will tell me to get out of engineering if it is so bad. Many engineers prefer not to do that. Personally, I like the stuff. I am just stating the facts. Matt McBumett is a senior electrical engineering major. The Battalion (USPS 045 360) Member of Texas Press Association Southwest Journalism Conference The Battalion Editorial Board Lisa Ann Robertson, Editor Kathy Cox, Managing Editor Jennifer Jeffus, Opinion Page Editor Chris Vaughn, City Editor Keith Sartin, Richard Tijerina, News Editors Alan Lehmann, Sports Editor Fredrick D. Joe, Art Director Kristin North, 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 daily, except Saturday, Sunday, holidays, exam periods and when school is not in session during fall and spring semesters; publication is Tuesday through Friday during the sum mer session. Newsroom: 845-3313. 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 77843-1111. 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. the itch Mail Call A&M spirit rules EDITOR: I am writing to commend and congratulate the student body foranot standing victory this weekend. Though not a victory on the field, this wet. end was a victory in spirit for Texas A&M. After seeing ana hearing about the apparent lack of pride and respect students at UT have for their university, my feelings of spirit for and devoir to A&M have increased enormously. I was mortified by the things I heard that went on in Austin. It seems me that so many of the students at UT are motivated more by arrogance hatred than they are by love for their school. Happily, I can say that the 12th Man rises above this. Though not withe, our imperfections, I believe that we Aggies possess a true spirit that cans rivaled by few. I will never be anything but proud to be an Aggie. Stacy Miles '91 Need the for that spe< or parent? 1 udent, tha jome video out A&M. “We’ve h niversal F drps of Ca jus, is ava anks to th lass of ’60. Wisdom, f VGA Teh ie obtained “We’ve Nev pnething b Previous! Push for SWC unity with EDITOR: Howdy Ags! I am a first year transfer student and a very intense footbc j fan. I have a question for my fellow football fans — Why does almost ever one here in Aggieland want t.u. to lose every game they play? Yes, I know the t-sips are our biggest rival, and I feel sick that theybeatis last weekend. My opinion of the annual clash between this state's two pit By MIKeT mier universities is obviously very different than most. It seems that everyone besides me would like for t.u. to be winlessandth Aggies undefeated when they meet. An 18- Bryan Pol I feel the ideal match-up with t.u. would involve both teams enteringthfl 8 a.m. W< game undefeated and ranked very high nationally. Not only would thisbc game to determine the Southwest Conference's Cotton Bowl representafc but there would also be a national-championship atmosphere added to anil ready intense rivalry Throw in 70,000 screaming fans at Kyle Field, and you have themakin? of a great footaball game! Just think of how sweet it would be to hand the t-sips their only loss ever year, and how much prestige the SWC would receive with two great teai consistently in the top 10 Furthermore, I am worried that the SWC is losing its credibility as a con petitive athletic conference I always will support a SWC team when it plays a non-conference gmi because every non-conference game an SWC team wins establishes it as stronger conference This would make the Cotton Bowl a much more lucrative bowl gamethij it has been for quite a few years It is said that the Miami Hurricanes, one of the best teams in college f( ball in the 1980s, had to "settle" for a Cotton Bowl bid. I think it would be great to have teams like Miami, Notre Dame and Mid gan want to play in Dallas on New Year's Day every year. Brya Of The Bat Hospital from his Sgt. Mark Sgt. Doi in the che his home c Ricketsc ently was t the shootii Coburn Austin for the Bryai continues dent, Rick “We’re we’re kinc point,” he gation is a say wheth otherwise. Funeral a.m. Satu hurch of ve. But that will never happen as long as the SWC representative enters ft game with more than one loss. So why not support the SWC in all non-conference games, especially ft Cotton Bowl? After all, the Fightin' Texas Aggies and the 12th Man are going to be the; next year! Brad Jones '92 Get rid of those car alarms EDITOR: Living on campus poses a variety of problems for some people. Little pt vacy, limited visitation hours and too many quiet hours are among problems. Our problem though is different — CAR ALARMS. We live on the third floor of Davis-Gary, facing the parking lot, and just; we were getting used to the late-night trains, car alarms started going off. My roommate and I both realize that not everyone can be trusted, and person has the right to protect his or her property. But how many times do people run out and check on their vehicles wh® the alarm goes off? Never. More than likely they don't even hear thealaffi So what good is a $250 security system if you don't respond to it. Save yourself some money and us some headaches — get a "club." Pa« Harvey recommends it, and that's what I use. Tammy Burt and Jennifer Collins '92 Have an opinion? Express it! Letters to the editor should not exceed 300 words in length. The editorial staff reserves the right to edit lilt for style and length, but will make every effort to maintain the author’s intent. There is no guaranty letters submitted will be printed. Each letter must be signed and must include the classification, adim> telephone number of the writer. All letters may be brought to 216 Reed McDonald or sent to I Stop 1111. the Hosnury and Mysrtr&ipus lac< o? PaR)C//M6 AR