Page 2 • The BATTALION SCIENCE Monday • March 6, in Aggie 8 ’ efforts face setback in ]Vtore uses found for ground national Sunrayce competition penetrating radar at A&M /»•-!«** "1 1 "1 1 f* T I I L " ■ 1 II ^ ^ to oI-tII lio t - 1 1 I I d *•“» i I 1 1 1 ■*-» 1/V Q Lack of funding jeopardizes students' project. of industry. Ray Jungmann, senior elec trical engineering major and coordinator of the project’s elec trical engineering efforts, said the Sun - By Brad Dressier The Battalion Texas A&M students and faculty are completing con struction of a solar-powered car for the national Sunrayce ’95 competition. The June competition covers a race route of approximately 1,100 miles stretching from Indi anapolis to Denver. About 30 students from the Departments of Electrical Engi neering, Mechanical Engineering and Management have been working on the car this semester. Dr. Tim Coppinger, professor in the Department of Engineer ing Technology, is helping over see the Sunrayce ’95 project. Coppinger said the project gives students a realistic, hands- on approach comparable to the real world. “The Sunrayce project allows students the opportunity to go from a design concept to a fin ished product with all the frus trations involved,” he said. “This allows them to learn to work together as a team, simi lar to experiences in the world r ay ce project has giv en him valuable ex perience. “Through the project I have been learning to work and co operate with people,” he said. “As coordinator I am learning the best ways to keep everyone happy and build the best car possible.” However, Dr. Tom Talley, ad junct associate professor in elec trical engineering and project faculty adviser, said the project is in serious trouble because of funding problems. We have not had much fund ing from the beginning in com parison to other universities,” he said. “Hopefully our costs will be about $100,000, while schools such as the University of Michigan are supposedly al lotting an almost one million dollar budget.” Although the budget for the Texas A&M team has been di minished, the solar cells still need to be purchased. John Lott, senior in me chanical engineering technolo gy, said the solar panel array is one of the more costly parts of the project. “We will need about 750 total solar cells,” he said “The cost of which will be around $6,000.” Joe Koronowski, senior in me chanical engineering technology, said the project members have been careful with the budget. “We have learned to use all our resources and stretch everything to its limit,” he said. “For instance, through connec tions, we were able to get fiber glass to construct the shell of the car for only $300, when it would normally cost between $9,000 to $12,000.” Even with the students’ ef forts, Talley said, the budget has reached its limit and they have to search for more funding. Q Technology once used only for research now helps to detect underground objects, like dead bodies and lost fortunes. By Brad Dressier The Battalion radar is still used for geological research and grave searches, it also has many other uses. There are two types of ground- penetrating radar: ground coupled and air launch. Each type of radar penetrates the ground and sends up data each time it encounters a different substance. The ground-coupled technolo gy, which typically penetrates up to 40 feet deep, uses antennas iAT Tom Scullion, program ager of Texas Transportation stitute, said that since air-launc radar can only penetrate a sho: distance, it must be used forcoiHrin lecting data on objects near surface. “The air-launch radar canbt used for many subsurface pro jects," he said. “It can be usedtc study bridge foundations line problems, determim pipeline prol Texas A&M students and fac ulty are using ground-penetrat ing radar to detect hidden graves and research other un derground objects. Dr. Robert Unterberger, pro fessor emeritus of geophysics, said that originally the ground- penetrating radar technology at Texas A&M was used strictly for research purposes. “When I arrived at Texas A&M in 1968," he said, "ground penetrating radar was used to explore for underground rocks and minerals." Then the Houston Police De partment asked him to use the technology to search for hidden bodies. 'I had never considered such a use for the radar," Unterberger said. “After consideration, I de cided it might be worthwhile and helped the Houston police with their search." While the ground-penetrating «i "When I arrived at Texas A&M in 1968, ground penetrating radar was used to explore for un derground rocks and minerals." — Dr. Robert Unterberger, geophysics profem that must contact the ground. While the air-launch type does not have to contact the ground, it will generally only give a reading up to two feet. Robert Lytton, professor in civil engineering, said many fac tors are involved in the data sent back by reflected radar. “The radar is reflected when ever it enters a significantly dif ferent soil type or hits a foreign object," he said. "It can also be influenced by how wet the soil is at one point or another." The different radar types are used for different purposes. we< em ly rea pavement thicknesses and locati sinkholes, among other things." The ground-coupled technol ogy is used to locate lost graves or bodies, deep underground openings or disturbances and any foreign objects more than a few feet deep. Unterberger was also in volved in a few uncommon uses of the ground-penetrating rada; technology. He helped use the technology ign- to try to locate two million dollars’ buried in a desert and helped the dwi Toronto police locate the dismem bered remains of a murder victim. lay itti oE itti pe< ion Ei of < ick sti die st as sii il .arc thy Hot eve aboi Knowledge dangers of benefits, important Q While estrogen increases a woman's risk of cancer, anti estrogen can reduce that risk, studies show. By Brad Dressier The Battalion Recent studies show that both estrogens and anti-estro gens can influence a woman's risk of getting cancer. Estrogens, female hormones, can increase a woman's risk of getting breast cancer and en dometrial (uterine) cancer. Dr. Stephen Safe, distin guished professor of veterinary medicine, said that anti-estro gens, which are found in most cooked meats and vegetables, may balance estrogens' risks. According to M.D. Anderson officials, using estrogen to re lieve menopause conditions may increase a woman's risk of cancer. Studies conducted in 1992 by the National Cancer Institute linked. es-trog^en to uterine cancer. The studies show that replac ing estrogen in a woman's body can increase the cahcer risk by two to eight times. A similar study by the Na tional Cancer Institute indicates that combining estrogens with progestin hormones may de crease estrogen's risk. In breast cancer cases, the studies show that estrogen can increase cancer risks by 50 percent. Safe said people should know about both estrogens and anti-estrogens. “There is a controversy about anti-estrogens and relations to estrogens and cancer," he said. "Many people are not even aware about the occurrence of ^anti-estrogens in nature or oth erwise." He said the amount and po tency of both estrogens and anti-estrogens are important. "If you look at all the figures about the risk of estrogens, it just does not add up," he said. "But perhaps it is the anti-estro- gens that are being overlooked and would help to balance the risk of estrogens." Addition: ETSU may join A&M n kes Project: A&M to enter talks with Xenneco “b We’ ret i he“' p co pri aew Continued from Page 1 approval for merging into the A&M System. The Board accepted Baylor College of Dentistry in January. Both ETSU’s and Baylor Col lege of Dentistry’s mergers must be approved by the legislature. Billy Clayton, a Board of Re gents member, said that uni versity systems besides Texas A&M and the University of Texas are disappearing. “By the year 2010,” Clayton said, “there are only going to be two systems in the state of Texas.” Mary Nan West, chairman of the Board of Regents, said she agreed. ‘“So we better get the schools we want,” West said. Continued from Page 1 A&M agreed in September 1993 to allow Tenneco to fi nance, design, construct, oper ate and maintain the power plant. The plant was intended to produce electricity, steam and hot and cold water for West Campus through 2012. Phase I of the project, which was to pr©vide hot and cold wa ter, was completed, but Phase II, which covered all other ar eas and construction of the plant, was not. In February 1994, Dick Lindsay, the System’s vice chancellor for Finance and Op erations, requested that an out side firm review the project in response to questions raised by members of the Board of Regents. The firm recommended that the Board discontinue any ne gotiations with Tenneco. President Ray Bowen term: nated the agreement in June 1994. A management audit re leased in January by the Office of the State Auditor faulted for mer Board Chairman Ross Margraves and former Vice President of Finance and Ad ministration Robert Smith for much of the project's controversy. “Major project activities were handled by Margraves and Smith,” the audit stated. "Their alliance effectively cir cumvented established lines of authority, control processes and the System’s legal, finan cial and technical functions.” The audit said managemen t’s override of System policies increased the risks that the project would fail. Witl jerir DDMNGdiMflb Tuesday, March 7th Offering The Best In Country & Western Dance Instruction •Beginning C&W: 2-Step, Polka & Waltz March 6. 20, 27. April 3 8:30ptn •Beginning 2-Step March 7. 21, 28, April 4 8:30 pm •Intermediate 2-Step March 8. 22, 29, April 5 6:00 pm •Advanced 2-Step March 9, 23. 30, April 6 6:00 phi •2-Step Workshop Every Thursday at 7:30 pm * Beginning Jitterbug March 7. 21, 28, April 4 6:30 pm • Beginning Ballroom March 8. 22, 29. April 5 7:30 pm Advanced Beginning Ballroom March 8, 22, 29, April 5 8:30 pm 1' h hr convenient classes/week * 4 week schedule • Group and Private lessons • Rates begin at $20 / person • Gift Certificates Available 3141 Briarcrest Drive East #511 • 776-8893 (Behind the Shell Station, Near the Brazos Center) COWBOY MOUTH Downtown Bryan from New Orleans, La. (Alternative Rock) w/Sunf lower $6. Doors open at 8:00 p.m. Drink Specials till 10 p.m. C^Aqqie BOOK Store 327 University Drive Northgate 846-4518 30% OFF ANY SWEATSHIRT! STUDENT WORK $10/to start * No door to door or telemarketing * Flexible schedules * Full time over Spring Break * May continue part time during school Secure Your Summer Job Now Will be interviewing Monday, March 6th Tuesday, March 7th MSC Foyer 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. PITS UPDATES PTTS UPDATES PITS UPDATES PITS UPDATES k «.M Odf/,, CO UJ If you have any questions regarding your billing cycle, please contact a parking counselor CO 4* <* Q Q_ at 862-PARK. PTTS hours are Monday - Thursday 7:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. =1 CO cz CO £ Q_ T' co o J> Bus Operations Spring Break Schedule: Bus Operations will stop its regular bus service at 6:00 p.m. March 10, 1995. Bus ser vice will be provided during Spring Break, March 13 through March 15, 1995, from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The schedule is as follows: For on campus transportation there will be 2 Rudder buses in service. To arrange rides to and from campus passengers will need to Dial-a-Ride at 847-RIDE or 847-7433. Passengers requesting paratransit transportation need to contact Bus Operations at 845-1971 before March 10, 1995 to schedule rides. Bus operations will be accepting new driver applications March 27 - March 31. Applications are available at the bus operation facility on Agronomy Rd. *★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★ 'Witch for PTTS updates in the Battalion, each Monday and Thursday! Were doing our best to keep yxj informed of activities and ewnts that could impact your parking and transportation needs. For more information, call our parking counselors at 862-PARK or Shuttle Bus Operators at 845-1971 S3±vadn slid S3ivadn slid <- S3ivadn slid <- ssivadn slid >< Q CL. CO 4* ■o =1 CO Staff Members City desk-— Stephanie Dube, Kasie Byers, Eleanor Colvin, Lynn Cook, Brad Dressier, Cheryl Heller, Lisa Messer, Gretchen Perrenot, Tracy Smith, Wes Swift, and Brian Underwood News desk— Kristi Baldwin, Michele Chancellor, Kristin De Luca, Kristen De Rocha, Libe Goad, Randy Goins, Robin Greathouse, Derek Smith and James Vineyard Photographers— Tim Moog, Amy Browning, Robyn Calloway, Nick Rodnicki, Eddy Wylie, Bart Mitchell, Roger Hsieh and Rogge Heflin Aggielife— Michael Landauer, Amber Clark, Amy Collier, Keryl Cryer, Nikki Hopkins and Jay Knioum Sports writers— James Anderson, Kristina Buffin, Tom Day, Shelly Hall and Robert Rodriguez Opinion — Erin Hill, Drew Diener, Laura Frnka, Zack Hall, David Hill, Kyle Littlefield, Jenny Magee, Jim Pawlikowski, Elizabeth Preston, Gerardo Quezada, David Taylor and Amy Uptmor Cartoonists— Greg Argo, Brad Graeber, Alvaro Gutierrez and Quatro Oakley Office Assistants— Wendy Crockett, Heather Fitch, Adam Hill and Julie Thomas Graphic Artist — Ines Hilde Writing Coach— Mark Evans CO £ Q_ * ~o o 3> m co The Battalion (USPS 045-360) is published daily, Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters and Monday through Thursday during the summer sessions (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 Publication, a unit of the Department of Journalism. Editorial offices are in 013 Reed McDonald Building. E-mail: BATT@TAMVM1 .TAMU.EDU. Newsroom phone number is 845- 3313. Fax: 845-2647. Advertising: Publication of advertising does not imply sponsorship or endorsement by The Battalion. 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: 845-2678. Subscriptions: A part of the Student Services Fee entitles each Texas A&M student to pick up a single copy of The Battalion. Mail subscriptions are $20 per semester, $40 per school year and $50 per full year. To charge by VISA, MasterCard, Discover or American Express, call 845-2611. 't t£ ;hat