2
Opinion
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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