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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 17, 1992)
mam Campus Page 2 The Battalion Thursday, September 17,1 Thurst Bonfire cut classes prepare students for tradition Aggies learn lessons of on-site safety By CHERYL HELLER Reporter of THE BATTALION RANDALL NICHOLS/Tlw Battalion Shannon Caldwell shows how to cut a tree at Bonfire cut classes. Classes to prepare students for this year's cut for Texas Aggie Bonfire were held Tuesday at the Grove at 6 and 7 p.m. The 30-minute classes provid ed students with a humorous look at how to cut down trees, how to dress for bonfire cut and some general safety tips to follow during the cut. Licia Pratt, a freshman general studies major, attended the class to be part of the annual tradition that reflects Aggies' burning de sire to beat the University of Texas in their annual Thanksgiv ing Day football game. "I think it'll be fun to at least attempt to cut down a tree," Pratt said. "The class was very funny, and I think I learned what I need to know." Todd McGehee, a senior mi crobiology major and resident ad viser, attended the class to be in formed if the residents in his dorm have any questions con cerning bonfire cut. "As an R.A., I think it's impor tant for me to participate for the benefit of the residents," McGe hee said. One student, however, did not feel that the classes were informa tive enough. Wendy Dalchau, a sophomore psychology major, doesn't feel that she learned enough to actually cut down a tree. "I attended the class, and it was a lot of fun, but I don't think it was taken seriously enough," Dalchau said. Students must attend cutting class in order to participate in bonfire cut. Students who attend ed cutting classes received cut ting stickers that allow them on the cutting site in Snook. Those who didn't attend a cutting class will be given the opportunity to participate in a class given in the parking area at the cutting site. Dan Tracy, a senior civil engi neering major, is a brown pot in charge of equipment mainte nance. According to Tracy, the first bonfire cut is a "double cut," the weekend of Sept. 26 and 27. Centerpole is scheduled to ar rive at the Texas A&M polo fields Oct. 22 and is scheduled to be raised Oct. 29. RANDALL NICHOLSfThe Battalia Kirk Anderson, a senior Bonfire Climber, watches the crowd at Cut classes held Tuesday night in the Grove. The classes taught students how to keep Cut safe and how to handle the equipment. Educators discuss program to fund international studies for graduates By BRANDI JORDAN Reporter of THE BATTALION Representatives from the state's higher education institutions met at Texas A&M University Wednesday to examine how to best implement the National Security Ed ucation Program. The day-long seminar was an opportunity for higher education officials and business leaders in Texas to make recommendations for implement ing the National Security Education Act of 1991. Texas A&M President Dr. William H. Mobley opened the session with a wel come for those attending, which included Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs E. Dean Gage, repre sentatives from the Mosher Institute for International Policy Studies and the Study Abroad Program. Rhonda Snider, director of Texas A&M's Office of Inter national Coordination, said the legislation is an attempt to correct U.S. deficiencies in international studies. She says educa tors believe it is one of the most impor tant federal initiatives in international ed ucation since the creation of the Fulbright Program in the 1940s. "We hope to be able to develop a net work of higher education officials who can work together and better implement any funding opportunities that may arise," Snider said. The act calls for using an unspecified amount of defense funds to enhance in ternational education of university gradu ates. John Richey, a National Defense Fel low on a one-year assignment with the Mosher Institute, said the grants were an important part of educating students re garding domestic as well as international political issues. "We want to learn about the grants and see if it's possible to obtain some of the money so that we can be a; credited to teach courses." The Mosher Institute provides and opinions concerning what interna tional policy should be in the Unitei States. Under the legislation, a federal trust fund will be established to provide program support in three major areas graduate fellowships, grants to universi ties and scholarships for undergraduate students to study abroad. The Arts So anmvei mance Stars R< Ensem Rudder The 130 act eludes dancer Union's Befo will pr chairs a present will be Wayne The Police arrest man accused of beating informant By MARK EVANS Staff Writer of THE BATTALION The FBI arrested a painter working on renovations in the basement of the Chemistry Build ing Monday morning. Wesley David Whittaker was arrested in response to an indict ment handed down in Sherman, Texas, charging Whittaker with conspiracy and obstruction of jus tice. "Whittaker and others con spired and then, in fact, retaliated against a victim, witness or infor mant by causing bodily injury," said Bryan FBI agent Mike Williamson, reading the indict ment. Whittaker and others stand ac cused of using a baseball bat and a set of nunchakus, a Japanese weapon, to physically harm a federal informant. The victim had been providing federal authorities with informa tion regarding an ongoing inves tigation into violations of the Lacey Act (the act involves the selling of commercial game fish), Williamson said. Det. Sgt. David Villareal of the University Police Department went with the FBI agents to pick up Whittaker. "It went without incident," he said. "He was very cooperative." Whittaker was working on the renovations as a painter for a sub contracting company, Texhoma, when he was arrested, Villareal said. Whittaker was taken to Houston Monday where he was placed in the custody of the U.S. Marshal. He was slated to appear before a judge on Wednesday. If convicted of both charges, Whittaker may face a 15-year prison term and a $260,000 fine. Proper precautions lessen risk of crime By CPL. BETTY LeMAY Special to THE BATTALION Residence hall security and personal safe ty are a shared responsibility. Any time the outside doors to your residence hall are un locked or illegally propped open, no one can regulate the traffic into the hall. Unfortunate ly, not all visitors have friendly intentions. One resident who chooses to prop open an outside door will compromise the safety and security of all the residents in the hall. Small pebbles, coins, paper racks and piz za boxes or any object used to leave the door unsecured could lead to disciplinary charges and even eviction from the hall. Many students develop a false sense of se curity while living in a university environ ment. Texas A&M is a city of over 40,000 and is open to a neighboring community of over 100,000. It is naive to think that we live in a totally safe society. Some things you can do to lower your chances of becoming the victim of a property or violent crime are: Never prop doors open or let strangers into a hall. Always lock your room door. Even when you are only gone for short pe riods. Do not give anyone the keys to your room or hall doors. Report immediately to the University po lice and hall staff: solicitors, strangers, ob scene or irritating phone calls, and all suspi cious activity. Remember clothing description, height, weight, direction of travel and a license plate number are important to apprehend offend ers. If you have questions concerning resident hall policy, talk with your resident advisers. ’ For crime prevention information or to schedule a seminar, contact the crime preven tion unit at 845-8900 or 845-6713. The following incidents were reported by the University Police Department for the pe riod between Aug. 27 - Sept. 11. • 25 cases of misdemeanor theft • one citation for the unlawful carrying of a weapon • 25 Minor in Possession citations were handed out • eight cases of criminal misdemeanor • four cases of DWI • one vehicle burglary • three cases of harassment • one assault • three cases of public intoxication • two burglaries of a habitation • one building burglary • one burglary of a motor vehicle The Battalion ATLANTIS TILLMAN, Editor in Chief STEVE O’BRIEN, Managing Editor GARY CARROLL, City Editor JASON LOUGHMAN, Opinion Editor J. DOUGLAS FOSTER, Sports Editor MEREDITH HARRISON, News Editor CHRIS WHITLEY, Sports Editor HEIDI SAUER, News Editor KARL STOLLEIS, Photo Editor TODD BLACKMON, Arts & Entertainment Editor Staff Members Reporters — Melody Dunne, Mark Evans, Todd Stone, Sean Frerking, Brandi Jordan, Cheryl Heller, Tanya Sasser, Robin Goodpaster, Juli Phillips, Tanya Williams, Julie Chelkowski, Monique Lunsford, and Will Healy. Copy editors — Kyle Burnett, Tracia Newbould, Jennifer Mentlik, David Thomas, Jennifer Smith, Lance Holmes and Lauri Reysa. Photographers — Darrin Hill, Jenny Matlack, Randy Nichols, Sandra Alvarado, Billy Moran, and Robert Reed. Lifestyles writers - Susan Owen, Anas Ben-Musa, Tricia Martinez, Julie Polston and Mack Harrison. Sports writers— K. Le'e Davis, Michael Plumer, Don Norwood and Ruly Medrano. Columnists — Anthony LoBaido, Stacy Feducia, Dwayne Purvis, Shawn Ralston, Matt Dickerson, Robert Vasquez, and Toni Garrard. Cartoonists — William Harrison, Thomas Deeny, George Nasr, and Clay Welch. Clerks — Darra Dees, Pejcharat Harvey, Shelley Rowton and Jamie Anderson. The Battalion (DSPS 045-360) is published daily, Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters and Monday through Thursday during the summer session (except university holidays and exam periods), at Texas A&M University. Second class postage paid at College Station, TX 77840. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Battalion, 230 Reed McDonald Building, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77840. News: The Battalion news department is managed by students at Texas A&M University in the Division of Student Publications, a unit of the Department of Journalism. Editorial offices are in 013 Reed McDonald Building. Newsroom phone number is 845-3316. Fax: 845-2647. Opinions expressed in The Battalion are those of the Opinion Page staff or the contributor and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Texas A&M Battalion editors, student body, administration, faculty or staff. Advertising: For campus, local and national display advertising, call 845-2696. For classified advertising, call 845-0569. Advertising offices are in 015 Reed McDonald and office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Fax: 845-5408. Subscriptions: Mail subscriptions are $20 per semester, $40 per school year and $50 per full year. To charge by VISA or MasterCard, call 845-2611. Class of '93 Committee member applications are now available in the Student Programs Office in the Class of '93 cubicle. They are due Friday, September 18 by 5:00pm Class of '93 Awareness Week September 14 - 18!! Check the What's Up column for daily events!! Guess who’s coming to Garfield’s, For 3 nites in a row... * STEPHEN DALE* Enjoy 2 hours of comedy with Stephen Dale & Scott Holman during Thursday, Friday & Saturday Nite Live at Garfield's. Stephen Dale, seen on Fox T.V.'s ’’Laugh Star Tonight' is regarded as one of the funniest comedians in the country. Show starts Thursday 9:00 p.m. Fri. & Sat. 8 p.m. & 10 p.m. Tickets: in advance at the door $5Qfi entrance J^with this coupon expires 9/19/92 1503 S. Texas * Culpepper Plaza * 693-1736 I