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^The Battalion
Opinion
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September 1, 1995
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The Battalion
Established in 1893
Editorials appearing in The Battalion reflect the views
of the editorials board. They do not necessarily reflec t
the opinions of other Battalion staff members, the
Texas A&M student body, regents, administration,
faculty or staff. Columns, guest columns, cartoons
and letters express the opinions of the authors.
Contact the opinion editor for information on
submitting guest columns.
Editorials Board
Rob Clark
Editor in Chief
Sterling Hayman
Managing Editor
Kyle Littlefield
Opinion Editor
Elizabeth Preston
Assistant Opinion Editor
Editorial
Show yourself
Aggies for a student liaison should
attend today's Board meeting.
Student presence at the
Texas A&M Board of Flegents
meeting today at 3 p.m. in 292
MSC is vital. For 20 years, stu
dent government has attempt
ed to place a student liaison on
the Board.
The Board will vote on the
issue today, and students
should not discount the im
pact they might have on the
decision.
A large student turn-out at
the meeting will show the
Board of Regents the student
body supports the idea of a stu
dent liaison.
The liaison would be an im
portant addition to the Board
of Regents for the simple fact
the liaison is a student. It is
crucial for the students to be
involved in the policy-making
of this University.
While a student liaison
would not share voting privi
leges with the regents, he or
she would be able to make rec
ommendations and participate
in board meetings.
In addition, a student regent
would be able to speak directly
about the students’ reactions
toward many issues.
The Board of Regents has
been removed from the actual
student body for far too long.
The regents make the most im
portant decisions at Texas
A&M, yet they have been with
out regular and direct input
from the students they serve.
More student input was des
perately needed when the
Board was considering the gen
eral use fee increase.
Now the regents have
passed an increase without
completely understanding the
tremendous effect the new poli
cy will have on students. Per
haps a student liaison could
have better communicated that
message.
The Board of Regents
should no longer be an isolated
element of our institution, and
today’s vote marks an opportu
nity for change.
Every student who supports
having a student serve on the
Board should attend today’s
meeting.
We cannot expect to have a
voice in the future if we don’t
have one today.
Overpricing?
The new fees are too much for
students to handle without warning.
After months of arguing,
discussing, debating and hag
gling, the Texas A&M Board of
Regents finally passed a gener
al use fee increase. The agreed-
upon amount was an $8 in
crease now, and an additional
$4 increase in the spring.
The true blame for this de
bacle lies with the ever-cheap
ening Texas legislature, which
hasn’t been increasing alloca
tions for Texas colleges and
universities recently. In re
sponse to inflation without re
lief from the legislature, Texas
A&M decided to raise the stu
dents’ fees.
For the Aggie taking 15
hours this semester, an addi
tional $120 will be tacked on to
this semester’s fee statement.
For some students, this makes
it difficult to pay the rent.
Unfortunately, another in
crease will take effect in the
spring. A student taking 15
hours will pay $180 in addition
to the normal fees.
It is wrong for the Board of
Regents to expect the students
to solve A&M’s financial woes.
Adequate finances are vital
for Texas A&M. Funds are
needed to give the faculty the
raises they deserve, to expand
educational opportunities, and
to maintain one of the largest
campuses in the nation.
In the future, the Board of
Regents should more thorough
ly consider the impact that
such an increase will have on
students. Hopefully, Texas
A&M will always remain an
educational institution accessi
ble to all students, and not only
the privileged.
Our education is too high a
price to pay.
Aggie Football
The Aggies prepare to dominate the
gridiron and earn a national title.
17*1 (A
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■■rC L
1
The scene is set: It is 2:30
in the afternoon, and the sun
is beating down on this swel
tering Saturday afternoon.
And again it starts.
Thousands of Aggies will
fill the stands as their Fight
ing Texas Aggie Football
Team takes Kyle Field with a
national championship title
well within their grasps.
The intensity on
the field will be
matched only by
that in the stands
as freshman
through multi-year
seniors hump it to the
masterful direction of the
yell leaders.
The cannon sounds, signal
ing the start of the Aggies
journey to a national champi
onship.
The offense takes the field
led by the steady arm of the
experienced Corey Pullig.
Suddenly a blur shoots up
the middle. And in the end
zone stands Heisman Trophy
candidate Leeland McElroy.
Of course this will be a fa
miliar sight for the entire
game as well as the rest of the
season.
On the other side of the
ball, the tradition of the most
feared defense in the country
is continued as the new defen
sive coordinator, Phil Bennet
takes charge.
Outland Trophy candidate
Brandon Mitchell and last
seasons leading tackier
Larry Walker will yet
again deliver the
bone-crushing hits
f ’v f\ that has given A&M’s
- 'd. defense the nickname
of the “Wrecking Crew.”
And after the smoke
clears the yell leaders will be
rolling up their pant legs for
the first in a series of many
ceremonial dunkings in the
fish pond.
The usual tidings of good
luck would be expected. But if
the 12th man has anything to
do with it the Aggies will
prove and surpass their num
ber 3 preseason ranking, no
luck needed.
Beat the hell outta LSU!
Can’t put a price on tradition
The selling of monuments around Gill statue cheapens The Twelfth Man
Michael
Landauer
Aggielife
Editor
W e’ve bought the books, and
we’ve stocked up on the T-
shirts and key chains. We
may have even bought a Texas Aggie
license plate. But one thing is miss
ing from our Aggie collection — the
Spirit of Aggieland.
But we should not worry — the
Spirit of the Twelfth Man has been
given a price.
In Old Army days, rumor has it that the spirit was free. Specifi
cally, the Twelfth Man tradition started with E. King Gill, a foot
ball player who had stopped playing football to start basketball.
At The Dixie Classic, a sort of Cotton Bowl of its day — except
that it mattered to somebody, the Aggies were faced with a tough
opponent. Centre College had not been beaten in something like
240 years — legends aren’t always accurate,;»
The Aggies were ahead at halftifne, but they were also beaten
up. In those days players played offense and defenseiihd walked
uphill to and from school in the snow.
Coach Dana X. Bible needed to protect his lead and was worried
about running out of players.
He called Gill down from the stands; suited him >: tip i; !ii :::i art :s m--
jured player’s uniform and asked him to be ready to enter the
game. Gill then had one of the best seats in the house, but he nev
er used it.
Thus began a long Aggie tradition of standing during football
games. Gill never entered the game, and we almost never have to,
but it shows our willingness to be there for our team, f ,.,
Much like all other Aggie traditions, the story of the Twelfth
Man is simple and innocent. Only time has corrupted it,?.-
As we slowly push through the masses outside Kyle Field to-
morrow, we’ll see the molestation of the Twelfth Man tradition. §
No longer will Gill stand alone outside the gates of the stadium.
He has been joined by a supporting cast, including offensive and
defensive squads and a head coach.
Three walls will proudly be displayed by the Twelfth Man
Foundation to serve as monuments to people who have given large
sums of money to A&M athletics.
The wall’s honorary position players all spent $100,000 and the
head coach contributed $3 million to see this wall erected.
After all, some may boast of checkbooks bold ...
There is nothing wrong with supporting A&M athletics, of
course. People have the right to do with their money what they
please. But something is not right here.
People who contribute money do not deserve a monument. Gill
showed with simple actions his love for this school. Gill never ex
pected future Aggies to build him a monument.
And for all of our standing during game, we certainly don’t ex
pect one — even though Gill only stood for one half and we stand
for every game.
The new Twelfth Man Plaza illustrates the clashing values on
this campus. We can’t decide if we value money or spirit more. We
can value both, but we should try to make the distinction clear.
When someone gives money to the University, it is not the same
thing as showing Aggie spirit.
And standing during games for four years isn’t going to provide
anyone with a scholarship.
So we shou 1 d ;; $how our spirit without expecting a reward, and
we should give money the same way.
Maybe our reward will come as time runs out at the Fiesta
Bowl on New Year’s Day. ^
In the meantime, we need to look beyond the self-serving slabs
of granite to the statue of Gill and remember what a simple thing
he did. “
The Aggie Spirit can stay true to its origins or it can go the way
of the money monuments.
If we can keep it simple, then standing during football games
will continue to be one of the most unique and rewarding experi
ences we can have in college.
But if spirit gives way to egotistical self-preservation, then we
should start saving up for our own monument.
Maybe well see a War Hymn fee on our next bill.
We could charge a toll for the Last Corps Trip.
Maybe well have marble monument vending machines that
take Aggie Bucks.
Hopefully, things will never get that extreme, but with this
monument the message is clear. There are two ways to be a good
Ag — have spirit or have money.
If we’re ever asked as old Ags to give money in return for a
monument, we should remember what has happened to the
Twelfth Man Plaza and tell them, “No thanks, I gave at Kyle
Field.”
Michael Landauer is a junior journalism major
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Mom, I love you — can I borrow $50?
Relationship between mother, son gets lost amidst expenses of college
D ear Mom,
Enclosed is the latest
school bill and a list of
expenses for the coming
month.
The first day of class was
long. I stood in long lines,
and oh by the way, I forgot
to order a sports pass back
in April when I registered.
You see a sports pass allows me to at
tend football games and other sporting
events, and well, everyone has one. I usu
ally order one but I forgot — so I ordered
one and stuff, and it was $100 ... and it
would be great if you could reimburse me
for it.
True, that sounds absurd seeing as you
invariably pay for everything anyway,
which reminds me ... can I borrow the
credit card so I can get some shirts? Mine
are getting old.
Love,
Drew
Drew,
Enclosed is the credit card. Don’t spend
too much. Your gas bill was outrageous.
Have you renewed your insurance yet? Bet
ter not get anymore speeding tickets. Gosh,
I shell out a lot of money for your educa
tion, you better damn well be getting one.
Love,
Mom
Drew reads the letter, pays a visit to Fo
leys, and returns home with a couple of
new shirts, a pair of khaki pants and a
belt. When will he talk to his mother
again? When will she call him again? When
was the last time they had a substantial
conversation that had nothing to do with
money?
Like so many other relationships between
parents and their children in college, this one
revolves around nothing more than the allo
cation of a limited supply of dead
presidents. Feeling like every time
he talks to his mother, it’s just to
ask her for something, he decides to
give her a call, maybe turn the tide.
He picks up the phone ...
Mom: Hello.
Drew: Hey mom, what’s going on?
Mom: Nothing much, what do you need
this time?
Drew: Why do I always have to need
something?
Mom: I don’t know, but you always need
something. You know I just sent you the
credit card, paid your gas bill and jeez was
that outrageous?
Let someone else drive for a change.Why
do you always have to drive? I don’t krtow
why you always have to be the one to drive.
You need to learn that I’m not made of
money.
Drew: I know you’re not made of money.
I have that part-time job, you know, to help
pay for some stuff. I could get some more
hours or something.
Mom: No, you just worry about school. I
pray that you’re graduating soon. It’s time
to get your act in gear. You know you can’t
do good in class if you party all night.
Drew: I don’t party all night and it’s “do
well” mother, not “do good.”
Mom: Are you smart talking me? I don’t
need another smart ass in the family espe
cially when I’m paying all this money to
send you to school. You’re lucky you know.
Drew: Yes I know, well I’ve gotta run.
Bye.
Mom: Get to class in the morning, bye.
“All he cares about is money,” Mom
thinks to herself. “Days spent watching
him play till sundown on the beach with
his friends were so long ago. I really miss
him, and will never let him do without. I
just don’t think he realizes that I am his
mother, not just some financial institu
tion.”
“Does she love me anymore,” Drew won
ders. “I don’t think she even knows what
classes I’m taking, what apartment com
plex I live in or who my roommates are.”
Saddened by the realization of what
their relationship has become, Drew de
cides to write his mother a letter.
Mom,
Hey look, no bills! And guess what, I
don’t want anything. Well, I take that
back. I want you to know me and I want to
know you.
I don't think she even knows
what classes I'm takings what
apartment complex I live in or
who my roommates are.
It seems like every time we talk to one
another it always has to do with money.
You probably think I’m some money grub
bing pig that doesn’t care about milking all
the money I can out of you.
That’s not the case at all.
College is expensive, and I appreciate all
the help you give me. But it just dawned on
me the other day that I don’t think you
know who I am anymore.
And I’m certain that I don’t know you
anymore.
I miss you. We need to spend some time
together soon.
Quality time.
Love,
Drew
Drew Diener is a junior
English major
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