Campus
Page 2
The Battalion
Thursday, September 16,
University to install
new computer system
By Mark Smith
The Battalion
Networking on Texas A&M University's computer system will be
come much faster and more reliable in the next few months, said the
director of computing and information services Wednesday.
The network, which now uses the Ethernet system, will be com
pletely switched to a system built by the Office of Computing and In
formation Services. The new network will be based on the Fiber Dis
tributed Data Interface media, or FDDI.
"The (old) network had basically just grown out of control and ex
ceeded all of its capacities," said Dr. Dave Safford, director of comput
ing and information services. "This project, which is about halfway
done now, is a complete rebuild of the system."
"The (old) network had basically just grown out
of control and exceeded all of its capacities...
this project, which is about halfway done now,
is a complete rebuild of the system."
-Dr. Dave Safford,
director of computing and information
Dr. Willis Marti, director of computing services for the computer sci
ence department, said the improvements will aid students and faculty
because it will operate smoother and faster.
"It (the new network) will effectively relieve congestion," he said.
"It's like expanding Texas Avenue to six lanes."
The installation of the network is being set up parallel to the existing
system. Some of the network services have already been switched over
to the new system.
The new network will be 10 times faster than the old system and
will also provide for a more stable and reliable network.
"In the past, if a single building lost electrical power, then the whole
campus network went down," Safford said.
The new system proved its reliability when the Zachry Computing
Center, one of the main campus computing centers, lost power several
weeks ago with no effect to the network.
"That was an actual stress test to the system," Safford said.
The network provides a number of access services to students and
faculty. Electronic mail is the most popular service, Safford said, fol
lowed by news and file transfer. News is a service where subscribers
can read stories about a particular subject area they are interested in.
Marti said he receives more than 100 messages by E-mail everyday.
"It's a lot easier to exchange E-mail than to play telephone tag,"
he said.
The network also has access to a number of databases that run
through a system called Gopher. Through the Gopher system, a user
can view the policies and procedures and see the calendar of events for
the University.
Marti said by using the resource utility on the network, students
and faculty can access lists of documents at Sterling C. Evans Library
as well as several other libraries around the state. Students can also see
copies of documents instead of just the bibliographic information.
A&M Christian organizations unite students
Aggies For Christ
recognized by
A&M after 26 years
By Jan Higginbotham
The Battalion
Aggies For Christ (AFC), a
non-denominational Christian
organization at Texas A&M Uni
versity, offers students of any
background, even those who
don't attend church regularly, a
chance to hang out with other
students in a relaxed Christian
atmosphere.
Katie Beauchamp, a member
of AFC, said the new club cannot
be considered an organization
but instead a "group of people
with a common goal."
"We want to provide a place
for students who want a Christ
ian influence, but wouldn't nec
essarily go to church,"
Beauchamp said.
"Everyone and anyone is wel
come," she said. "There are no
restrictions and no boundaries.
This is a real diverse group of
See AFC/Page 1 V
Students from various campus Christian organiza- Wednesday. Christians from around the country
tions prayed around the Academic Plaza flag pole gathered at 7 a.m. and noon to pray for the world.
Freshmen gain leadership skills through student groups
By Jacqueline Mason
The Battalion
Four Texas A&M University student orga
nizations are preparing freshmen not just for
their first year of college, but also for the rest
of their college careers.
Sonya Masten, a counselor for Aggies Lead
ers of Tomorrow (A.L.O.T.), said she likes to
pinpoint freshmen and let them know exactly
what A&M has to offer.
"It gets them ready to take over A&M," she
said.
Other associations exclusively offered to
freshmen include freshmen Leaders in
Progress (F.L.I.P.), Student Government's
freshmen Programs (Fish Aids) and the Aggie
Fish Club.
Aggie Fish Club, created in the spring of 1992,
is the newest of the freshmen organizations.
"The purpose of Aggie Fish Club is to create
a group of freshmen dedicated to leadership
training, group strength and unity," said Ag
gie Fish Club Director Steven Mathews.
The group distinguishes itself from other
freshmen organizations by emphasizing
broad-based leadership training, he said.
The other groups teach students leadership
skills for particular positions, Mathews said.
Marisa Baie, a former Fish Aid, said Fish
Aids get the upper-hand on Student Govern
ment activities.
Fish Aids are required to work three hours
a week in the Student Government office and
join another Student Government group such
as Big Event or Muster.
One disadvantage is that the freshmen Pro
grams cannot choose more than 40 Fish Aids,
she said.
"Only 40 freshmen get picked," she said.
"There are usually about 300 applicants."
Likewise, the other freshmen groups limit
the number of members.
Masten said A.L.O.T., which prepares stu
dents for positions in the MSC, has decreased
the number of members from 100 to 56 to en
able the group members to get to know each
other better.
Mathews said in big groups, students tend
to lose their motivation and drop out. "We
start out with 50 freshmen and we want to end
with 50 freshmen."
Through organized meetings and social re
treats and activities, members create relation
ships they will keep through their college years.
"It's like we are all best friends," Mathi
ewssaid.
(foaibrn ICtij Naftmtal
Mnwr
Campus Awareness Information Booths:
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Wednesday, Sept. 15 - MSC Hallway
Thursday, Sept. 16 - Zachry Lobby
Friday, Sept. 17 - Blocker Lobby
First Meeting: Tuesday, Sept. 21st
8:30 pm Rudder 402
| \ €
I |
I V | I
For More Information:
Call Cl. ns Mason at 847-0879
Come Grow With Us!
BACK TO SCHOOL BLITZ
BUY YOUR BIKE WHEN YOU GET TO A&M
Save on Close-Out bikes at the largest Trek dealer in the area.
We have the lowest prices on Trek Bicycles in the Nation. Shop
and compare and you will find unbelievable prices on high quality
Trek Bicycles at
VALLEY CYCLERY
Trek 800
• 18 Spd. Shimano Index
• Alloy Rims
• Chromoly Frame
• Available in three
different colors
• All sizes available
Men and Women
Reg. $ 334 00
U-Locks at $ 19 95
3122 S. Texas
College Station
(409) 764-2000
693-8880
CYCL-EFnr
Valley Cyclery Price
f SELECTED FOR THE DIRECTOR'S FORTNIGHT 1993 CANNES FILM FESTIVAL
“ABSORBING MD
RELENTLESS...
After this Film about a ymm^ African
American man tiTtnj to break out of hie existence
r as a hustler on the mean streets of Watts you might
feel as If you've done a tour of duty.
* Welcome to LA. - the other LA."
-D«rnDJ»otoon,DnAnSMAQiZIBl
mt
e naac mr m mucrm jc all eights hssiivk > f » i. me cinema
MSC
FILM
SOCIETY
OF TEXAS A&M
Persons with disabilities please
call us 3 working days prior to
the event to enable us to assist
you to the best of our ability.
Thursday @ 8:00
Friday® 7:00 & 9:30
Saturday @ 9:30
Presented in Rudder Theater
Complex
ADMISSION: $2.50
Advance tickets available at MSC
Box Office
Questions? Call...
MSC Box Office 845-1234
Film Society Hotline 847-8478
MSC Student Programs Office 845-1515
.jyL. ^ Memorial Student Center
Student Programs Committee
DOLLAR
SHOTS!
Attention all classes:
From Sept. 6 to Oct. 8
just $1 gets your shot in
the 1994 AGGIELAND yearbook.
Pictures are being taken at A R Photography,
located at 707 Texas Avenue S. near
Taco Cabana, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday through Friday.
For more information, call 693-8183.
If you did not purchase your shot in the
Aggieland during teleregistration, it can
be purchased in 230 RDMC. Yearbooks
can be purchased in 015 RDMC.
A 1994
/Aggieland
We need
52 ACE's.
Could one
of them be
YOU?
A
atm
ACE
Aggie
Counseling
Experience
WJ.V
Student
Counseling
Service y
Aggie Counseling Experience
Student Volunteer Program
The Aggie Counseling Experience is a student volunteer program
-at the Student Counseling Service. ACE volunteers represent a
variety of majors and interests. If selected, you will be given
training in presentation skills and listening skills, and you will learn
how to help students improve their academic performance and
explore information about possible majors and careers.
Interviewing NOW !
Application DEADLINE Friday October 1, 1993
Pick up an application and brochure on the
third floor of the YMCA Building.
Student Counseling Service 845-4427
...A Department in the Division of Student Services
The Battalion
CHRIS WHITLEY, Editor in chief
JULI PHILLIPS, Managing editor MARK EVANS, City editor
DAVE THOMAS, Night News editor ANAS BEN-MUSA, Agg/e//Ye editor
BELINDA BLANCARTE, Night News editor MICHAEL PLUMER, Sports editor
MACK HARRISON, Opinion editor WILLIAM HARRISON, Sports editor
KYLE BURNETT, Photo editor
Staff Members
City desk - Jason Cox, April Arias, James Bernsen, Michele Brinkmann, Lisa Elliott, Cheryl Heller, Jan
Higginbotham, Jennifer Kiley, Mary Kujawa, Kevin Lindstrom, Jackie Mason, Kim McGuire, Jennifer Mentlik, Carrie
Miura, Stephanie Pattillo, Geneen Pipher, Melinda Rich, Jennifer Smith, Mark Smith and Michelle Tremblay
News desk Robert Clark, Jennifer Petleway, Khristy Rouw and Heather Winch
Photographers - Mary Macmanus, Tommy Huynh and Nxole Rohrman
Aggielife - Dena Dizdar, Jacqueline Ayotte, Margaret Claughton, Melissa Holubec, Lesa Ann King and Joe Leih
Sports writers Julie Chelkowski, Matt Rush and David Winder
Opinion desk - Toni Garrard Clay, Tracey Jones, Jenny Magee, Melissa Megliola, Jay Robbins, John Scroggs,
Frank Stanford, Jason Sweeny, Robert Vasquez and Eliot Williams
Cartoonists Jason Brown, Boomer Cardinale, Clifton Hashimoto, George Nasr, Gerardo Quezada and
Edward Zapeda
Graphic Artist - Angel Kan
Clerks Grant Austgen, Eleanor Colvin, Wren Eversberg, Carey Fallin and Tomiko Miller
The Battalion (USPS 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 77843,
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 numlter is 845-3313. Fax: 845-2647,
Advertising: For campus, local and national display advert sing, 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.
Thursday, 5
H<
By Marj
i
"A slinky
festof funk c
That's ho
singer of tl
House of L
band's music
Indeed H
does seem t(
tain Funk ap
according to
800 people
Charlie's Ur
tertower evt
to see them p
"We get
sponse whei
said Charlie
of Charlie';
Watertovver.
sound and g
play the crov
House c
Piper so mu
mance at a K
made them
Charlie's.
Kevin B<
ducer of Air
was equally i
"I've hear
to impress i
had a good f
Usher from
have a cleanc
Peppers but
appeal."
Bomar rc
with House