Opinion
Thursday, March 31, 1994
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The Battalion Editorial Board
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The Battalion
Page 11
JULI PHILLIPS, Editor in chief
MICHAEL PLUMER, Managing editor KYLE BURNETT, Aggielife editor
BELINDA BLANCARTE, Night news editor DENA DIZDAR, Aggielife editor
_8a. Sot; |HEATHER WINCH, Night News editor SEAN FRERKINC, Sports editor
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ONI GARRARD CLAY, Opinion editor WILLIAM HARRISON, Photo editor
JENNIFER SMITH, City editor
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■ As elections for student govern
ment and yell leader positions be
gan Wednesday, the University saw
what is fast becoming an annual
Aggie tradition — campaign viola
tions by members of the Corps of
Cadets. Certain cadets’ use of bal
lot-tampering and blatant lies to
promote their political agenda not
only breaks the rules but also sub-
Kits honor, fairness and democra
cy itself.
I The Corps must learn that it
cannot operate outside the con-
Iraints placed on every other stu
dent organization. To mandate that
lesson, the University administra
tion should create a method to
hold the Corps accountable for its
actions. At present the election
commission cannot do anything to
punish non-candidate perpetrators
of any violations.
■ The attempt to rig the election
by fraudulently removing the name
" t?< soir- reg- y-all l^adsr~*s»K.didat&-
from ballots pomis out some
cadets’ refusal to respect the non-
reg members of the student body,
his sort of behavior is not a fact of
political competition — it’s an act
of prejudice and discrimination.
I Corps Commander Will Har-
Ivay circulated to all Corps mem
bers a list of candidates’ names
with instructions that it be taken to
the polling places. This led to elec
tion commission fines against all
the listed candidates because the
names of two cadets who openly
support non-reg candidates were
omitted. The name of another
cadet candidate — who also sup
ports candidates from outside the
Corps — was placed in a list of
non-regs just above the name
“Benedict Arnold.”
Through a breakthrough in cre
ative logic, Haraway claims that the
Corps’ actions were designed to
promote civic interest. When ques
tioned about the candidate list, tire
former public relations sergeant
said, “I can say whatever the hell I
want because I know I’m within
the bounds of the law.”
The Corps suffers terrible pub
licity every time abuses are ex
posed, and often reacts by accusing
the media of sensationalism. But
the facts in this case need no exag-
- deration. If the Corps wants to stop
receiving bad press, then it needs
to stop ignoring its own ideals.
Undoubtedly, the great majority
of the cadets in the Corps had
nothing to do with the attempt to
rig Wednesday’s vote. But the
cadets, particularly the leaders,
who continue to corrupt student
elections will continue to sully the
entire organization.
there and why. Because there was no way of
knowing what the stars were or the sun was, or
why the rain fell — or even a host of other natur
al phenomenon — early man invented answers.
Through the transference of information from
generation to generation, societies came to fully
believe these explanations. Rehgion was born.
Every culture of humans in the world, from
primitive island societies to present continent
wide civilizations, have had gods to explain the
unexplained and provide direction in human life.
This god or gods was not only responsible for the
safety of their followers, but expected strict
homage as well (or else).
Because we all live in something of a reli
gious subculture, it is important to be familiar
with some of the reasons behind a “deviant,”
non-religious perception of religion. Hopefully
we might better be able to understand why
someone may choose an unpopular religion or
none at all. I realize that as with most religions,
there are as many subtle and not-so-subtle dif
ferences in particular beliefs as there are believ
ers, but 1 am reluctantly forced to be grossly
general in my descriptions.
Religions are all similar in that they contain
moral codes, provide emotional fulfillment and
are socially conesive, not to mention explaining
stuff like why we’re here on Earth and where the
sun came from. But a person doesn’t need a par
ticular faith to have these things.
Contrary to popular thought, religious morali
ty is unnecessary for a society to function. Al
though such morality can have effective results,
societies antedadng or ignorant of Jesus, Mo
hammed, or Buddha had — and still have —
moral codes of behavior that work also. It stands
FRANK
STANFORD
Columnist
to reason that if a particular religious morality
was the only true morality, other cultures would
be non-functioning from a moral and legal
standpoint. This is simply not the case. These
codes are basic and fundamental for all social
functioning and are called “The Social Contract.”
Believers have told me they can feel their god
with them and that he provides much comfort.
But those of other religions will say the same
thing of their gods, which are clearly different.
How can this be? It appears the human psyche
yearns for the feeling of being protected and
loved, and this is quite understandable.
Especially in times of great emotional pain,
but even during stability, a belief in a loving pro
tector is very soothing and fulfilling and there
fore makes religion quite helpful and powerful.
But any religious belief will do, not just a partic
ular one. It is important to realize that the power
of a belief lies in the believing and has nothing to
do with whether or not truth is involved or even
if there is a choice.
Rehgion is culturally relative. This statement is
ridiculously obvious. If you are born in a pre
dominantly Christian (or whatever) nation, in a
Christian society to Christian parents, and are
surrounded by Christian peers, you are highly
likely to become Christian and therefore perpetu
ate the religion. Everyone truly thinks they have
their own reasons, but this formula still works
quite well in other states or countries and reli
gions around the globe. There are more Protes
tants in Alabama than there are in Nicaragua or
Turkey, and this overwhelmingly seems due to
social influence. Few believers will admit to this
influence however, insisting on objective person
al decision as the primary motivator.
Finally, explaining the creation of the universe
is a really tough one. Even the Big Bang Theory
had to start somewhere with something (I
guess). Because we just can’t really know the ori
gin of the universe or its purpose (if there is
one), religions help us out with some of the
most ridiculous answers I could ever imagine.
Just think, making a woman out of a bone and a
man out of dirt (the Mayan Indians thought of
this also) and damning the entire future human
race because someone ate evil fruit seems mytho
logical to say the least. Not to mention shoving •
millions of animals and a bilhon or so insects on
a boat during a major rainstorm and starting
anew (Mayans again). A virgin giving birth and
someone walking on water seem equally “fairy-
taihsh.” All of this would sound preposterous if
you didn’t already believe such occurrences and
ideas, wouldn’t it?
The above concept of religion has a scien
tific, psychological, sociological and philo
sophical basis. I, and many others here at
A&M, have a problem chucking all of that
thought right out the window.
But although religious belief is usually
easy to explain, it’s still impossible to prove
— or disprove.
Frank Stanford is a graduate philosophy student
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pfes, Virginia, there is a medical school at Texas A&M
s a public service to my fellow
Aggies, let me clarify some
things. I am not a vet student. I
n not a pre-med student. And by no
means am I a nursing student. I am a
medical student. Here. At Texas A&M.
I And for the 3 7,872 of you who are
about to ask; Yes, there is a medical
school here at A&M. We’re not big.
We’re not all A&M grads. (I am, but
some of my 47 classmates weren’t that
liicky.) But we definitely exist. It’s the
gig black building next to the Medical
Sciences Library on West Campus. As a
(flatter of fact, the medical school has
existed since 1976. Almost 20 years lat
er, it continues its near anonymity
among the majority of people here.
Actually, we’re a well-kept secret only
here. As an undergrad, I didn’t know
anything about the A&M medical school.
When I applied and got an interview, I
it would be just practice for my
Ireaf’ interviews at other schools. How
ever, I was pleasantly surprised.
It seems that word about A&M
had gotten out elsewhere. Between
PAM
OVERMYER
Guest columnist
1,200 and 1,400 applicants vie for
about 350 interviews. Of these, only 48
become members of the incoming class.
(For the math-impaired, that’s less than
4 percent of those who apply.) The t.u.
system usually has 2,500 applicants for
the 800 spots at their four schools. (I’ll
let the math wizards figure that one.)
Part of the interest in the A&M med
ical school is that it consistently ranks in
the top few schools in Texas on licens
ing exams. Most years, it has been at the
top. The small class sizes allow extensive
personal attention from professors. Not
only do we really know our classmates,
but our profs know us as well — our
names as well as the days we skip class.
It’s also very easy to ask questions and
snag profs in lab to clarify stuff.
We also do not have the cut-throat at
mosphere that affects other places. Grades
and rank are not publicized. (I’m in the
top 50.) We take out our competitiveness
on the intramural fields. If you’ve ever
played a team called “Encephalitis” or
‘The Amygdalas,” it was us.
But med school is not all fun and
games. We really do cut up dead bodies.
And school really is hard. And stressful.
And time-consuming. We also study a
lot — even on the weekends, which is
something partying neighbors don’t
seem to understand. I never studied this
much as an undergrad. We can’t get by
with cramming the night before a test
because there’s just too much material.
And some of it is actually important.
But even in our relative obscurity to
the general population of A&M, there
are two groups that are quite familiar
with the medical school. One group is
the delivery people of every restaurant
in this town. We eat many meals up at
the Learning Resource Unit in the same
building as the Med Library. The LRU is
our own personal library, computer cen
ter and nap area. Just ask any Burger Boy
deliveryman about the LRU, and he
could get there blindfolded.
The other group is the gaggle of ser
vice and social organization members
who have mandatory “study” hours at
the Med Library. We get free entertain
ment watching the matching T-shirts
and bowheads as they engage in study
ing (each other). It’s more interesting
than happy hour at the Dixie Chicken.
And now that mating season is here,
“last call” at the Med Library should
Yes, there is a medical
school here at A&M. It
consistently ranks in the
top few schools in Texas on
licensing exams. Most
years, it has been at the top.
look like a feeding frenzy. All in the
name of education.
But besides the obvious social bene
fits of having a medical school next to
the main campus, this is an excellent
academic opportunity for students. The
Med Library is a valuable source of jour
nals and on-line searching. There are
also many positions for undergrads to
do research at the medical school. Some
pay money and some simply pad your
resume.
The school also offers summer pro
grams in the medical sciences. For those
who wish to apply here for medical or
graduate school, stop by. You can visit,
tour and get lots of fascinating informa
tion about the school. We’ll even sell
you a T-shirt. Get the word out. We real
ly are here.
The more people that know, the less
I’ll be asked; “Large animal or small?”
Until then, I’ll just keep answering:
“Two-legged.”
Pam Overmyer is a second year medical student
Hooray for PTTS
In my four years and three parking
tickets at A&M, I have never heard, read
or said anything positive about the PTTS.
That changed recently after A&M hosted
the tenth annual Texas Triadilon. In or
der to secure permits for the event, I had
to wade through red tape and bureaucra
cy of numerous state, local and campus
agencies. One agency went above and be
yond their duties to help us. Believe it or
not, it was the PTTS.
They helped close off Olsen Road, as well
as supplied us with barricades and officers
o monitor them. All of this was done to
add to the safety of the 225 triathletes who
Participated in the event. If your organiza
tion is holding an event on campus, don’t
be afraid to contact Sherry Wine and her
staff at the PTTS. They’ll be happy to help,
more so if you give them plenty of notice.
Matt Raines
Class of ‘94
Accompanied by 7 signatures
Best man for Council
I couldn’t be happier to hear that Mr.
Jimmy Stathatos is running for College Sta
tion City Council. I find it hard to believe
that with students making up almost one
half of the population of College Station, we
do not have a voting seat on the council.
We are an important part of this city, and we
should have some real representation in the
dty government.
Almost everyone is dismissing Mr.
Stathatos as a serious candidate. This just
makes more evident the attitude of “real”
residents in this town toward us. We all
should take Mr. Stathatos seriously. Who
better to represent us than one of our own?
Karen Seman
Graduate student
Driving the drunk
When you encounter a fellow student
who is drunk, you would think taking
them home is tne best answer, but as I
learned this weekend, this is now means
for removal from the University. Excuse
me?, you may ask. I believe the exact
words from the campus police officer
were, “Would you like to remain a student
at this university, Andrea?”
The reason for this: my boyfriend and I
had given a friend a ride to his dorm be
cause he had obviously had a rough night
out on the town. I am a reasonable person
and in no way object to correctional ac
tion when a situation gets out of hand,
but my only crime was seeing that a
friend made it home safely. If the campus
police wants improved relations with stu
dents, then the officers with attitudes like
I encountered should learn that their
badge is just a badge. We are all adults
here, and unless the situation warrants
this type of harassment, the students
would appreciate being treated as such.
Andrea Bingaman
Class of ‘94
Corps members need
to get off power trip
It is not an unknown, fact that the Corps
will typically encourage its members to vote
striedy for Corps members; however, they
have now gone to lengths that cross any
lines of ethical standards.
The motto, “Aggies don’t lie, cheat or
steal” is supposedly the ideal of all stu
dents, yet by illegally campaigning as an
organization they are proving that this
university has not even been able to in
still that truth within the longest stand
ing student group.
Why must the Corps of Cadets feel they
need to scratch the names of non-regs on
the election ballots? It is the fear that they
are not the most influential group at Texas
A&M. Why must they pass out a flyer in the
Quad that has a list of what names to vote
for (Corps members) and names not to
vote for (non-regs)? It is the realization that
maybe the whole student body here at Texas
A&M does not think of them with some
great reverence.
I feel it’s time for the members of the
Corps to get off their ego trips and come to
grips with the fact that they are just another
part of this university that can be outnum
bered in any fair and clean election!
Todd Rice
Class of ‘96 President