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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 18, 1996)
The Battalion uite often myself, he self-controlanj : my vocal outbursiil .s and surroundin oropriate. sroom is notanap' -tting. oes concede that olume 103 • Issue 35 • 10 Pages Friday, October 18, 1996 The Batt Online: http:/, bat-web.tamu.edu lorDS donates to MDA Yeltsin fires security chief ’ MOSCOW (AP) — Sacked The dismissal came just Pegged by many ; The Battalion tuations where® By Laura Olivhira Id not be used,sad ;ional setting like ing. The Corps of Cadets is OK, then.touseiii ning the battle against i? iscular dystrophy today s not consider this] il environment, er re-evaluate his going to college, rims that foul Ian- savior of educafa; <e lectures less ofessors are ut I guaranteethatj n and articulation ; to successfulb : cursing, ses professorsof 'd by contempo! what "contempo-i ge” has come to, mend them forte itude to maintain ecency. xter’s “free-love’ 1 classroom lectin and disrespectful, Dave House, The Battalion ngela Wrigglesworth a j 'as diagnosed with mus- "rlar dystrophy at 1 6 lonths of age. by asking for donations for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The aim of the fund-raiser is to increase people’s aware ness and raise money to fight the disease. Matt Chilek, Corps univer sity relations officer and a se nior computer science major, said they want the fund-raiser to be an all-around success. “It is the middle of the se mester, so we know students are low on cash,” he said. “But if we don’t raise a lot of money, at least we can raise awareness.” Every major unit of the Corps is participating in the fund raiser. All donors will be “tagged” with a sticker to show their support. Angela Wrigglesworth, a sophomore management major, was diagnosed with the disease at 16 months of age and has been in a wheelchair for the majority of her life. Wrigglesworth said past contributions to MDA have been helpful and said she be lieves the Corps’ fund-raising effort will make even more advancements possible. “There have been so many progressions and we are so close,” she said. “I hope peo ple go out there and donate what they can.” Wrigglesworth said her disability is not what makes her unique. “It is so important to have self-confidence,” she said. “I want people to know I have self-confi dence and that is what makes me who I am.” Wrigglesworth became ac tive in Student Government as a Fish Aide her freshman year and said her experiences are ones she will cherish. “Being a Fish Aide was a great experience,” she said. “Now I have 40 awesome friends who were Fish Aides with me.” Wrigglesworth has stayed active in Student Government. She said she does it for self-satisfaction and to prove that disabili ties can be overcome. “It is such a waste not to get involved,” she said. “I do it because I feel a responsibil ity to show people that re gardless of disabilities you can accomplish anything.” Wrigglesworth said her positive attitude about her disability stems from the support of family and friends. “I feel so blessed to have my roommate, Stephanie Hall,” she said. “People say they would do anything for someone. She does do any thing for me. “I have overcome my dis ability but, without the help of other people, I would have never made it.” MOSCOW (AP) — Sacked by a livid Boris Yeltsin amid charges he was plotting a coup, national security chief Alexander Lebed wasted no time Thursday serving his own gruff notice: He will be out to campaign for the ailing president’s job. The Kremlin, rent by power struggles as Yeltsin prepares for heart surgery, turned out to be too small for the aspirations of both these high-powered lead ers, who feuded openly during Lebed’s four-month stint in the Cabinet. Although Yeltsin gained office with help from the widely popular, 46-year-old Lebed, the relationship paid off for Lebed, too. Pursuing his own designs on the presi dency, Lebed increased his popularity by reaching a peace agreement with Chechen rebels; he raised his profile by incessantly criticiz ing — and infuriating — his Kremlin peers. The dismissal came just a day after Lebed’s bitter ri val for authority in security decisions — Interior Minis ter Anatoly Kulikov — ac cused him of plotting to form his own 50,000-man army with sights on seizing power in a “mutiny.” No evidence surfaced to back this sensational charge, and Yeltsin ignored talk of coups when he an nounced Lebed’s ouster on national television. Scowling, moving stiffly but speaking clearly and more resolutely than he has in recent appearances, Yeltsin declared that Lebed’s unilat eral actions, excessive ambi tion and outspokenness were damaging to the country. “I can’t tolerate the situa tion any more,” Yeltsin said, slowly and deliberately sign ing a decree dismissing Lebed. He spoke at the health spa where he has been rest ing up for heart bypass surgery next month. Pegged by many as Yeltsin’s likely successor, Lebed was characteristically unbowed. He announced plans to start campaigning soon to replace Yeltsin, who many suspect is too ill to serve out the rest of a term that lasts until 2000. Lebed denied the coup allegations, and has insisted he wants to gain office only through the ballot box. He said he would not launch his campaign while the president is alive. “Today he’s an elderly and ill person,” Lebed said. “It’s not for me to kick the one who is down.” Lebed’s departure could end, for now, the noisy Krem lin infighting that has created a widespread impression of chaos. But with Yeltsin side lined from full-time duty un til at least early 1997, the gov ernment is likely to remain weak, beset by internal bick ering and external criticism bound to increase now that Lebed is on the outside. Jim Dull Classtl ask force for Greeks formed in encourages letteisto nust be 300 worts oil! e author's name, editor reserves the length, style, and acM e mailed to: attalkm - Mall Call Reed McDonald s A&M University lege Station, TX 77843-1111 npus Mall: 1111 (409) 845-2647 itt@tamvml.tamu,ell lirect your question tilt Courtney Walker and Meredith Stewart The Battalion loan effort to evaluate the ^ek system at Texas A&M submitted in persoull its relationship with the i with a wild student mi iversity, a Greek Life task :ehas been formed for the 00 students in sororities I fraternities. The task force is com- sed of faculty, staff and lent representatives. Stu- task force members in- /etter policy,pfesif 16 members of the Order Omega, the Corps of lets, the Panhellenic noil, the Pan-Hellenic mcil, Interfraternity Beil, and Student Body ident Carl Baggett, ott Lovejoy, former IFC iident and a senior busi- s major, said the task force help unite the three gov- g councils of Greek life. We’ll be having all three groups work together toward common goals,” Lovejoy said. “It will also coordinate all other (sorority and fraternity) groups together.” The task force was formed Oct. 15, and will function until May 1, 1997. The task force will address four main areas: standard excellence, leadership de velopment, new member education and development of the Greek community. Goals and guidelines cre ated by the task force will be used to unite all sororities and fraternities on campus. The task force will also aim to increase relations between Greek organizations and the University. Lanita Hanson, assistant director of student activities, said there was a need for for mal structure because the Greek life involves so many students. “The Greek system at A&M has been in existence for a while, and we need the task force so there are mutual expectations on issues in stead of letting things hap pen by chance,” Hanson said. There are eight predomi nantly black fraternities and sororities, 11 national sorori ties, 23 fraternities and three unaffiliated sororities at A&M. Jan Winniford, associate vice president for Student Af fairs, said the task force is im portant because the Univer sity needs to recognize and acknowledge Greek life as a part of campus. “Sometimes Greek organi zations have problems with hazing, alcohol and risk man agement, so we want to be pro-active and evaluate the Greek life and study the issues involved,” Winniford said. Taking disciplinary action against Greek organizations is not a responsibility of the task force. "We don’t take action as much as we look at the process of things,” Winniford said. “If a fraternity or sorori ty had a problem, we might evaluate if the best way to handle it was going before the Interfraternity Council or if there’s a better way to han dle the situation.” The Greek Life task force is one of three new task forces to be implemented by the Department of Student Af fairs. An MSC Basement task force and Alcohol Abuse task force are also being formed. The MSC Basement task force will evaluate how base ment space is being used in the MSC. Winniford said all the task forces are being established to evaluate and examine is sues, then make recommen dations for improvements. oss Volunteers inducts 72 new members 4 By Wesley Poston The Battalion fhe Ross Volunteers inducted 72 Bbers Thursday evening at the Clay- Williams Alumni Center, e Ross Volunteers is named after first president of Texas A&M, rence Sullivan Ross. The RV was ed in 1887, making it the oldest stu- torganization in Texas, minor Graham, RV executive offi- and a senior biomedical science lor, said each member of the com- iy strives to be “soldier, statesmen knightly gentlemen.” You're a representative not only of state of Texas, but of Texas A&M Uni- lity,” he said. aj. Greg Johnson, military adviser ie RVs and an assistant professor of tary science, said the company is the honor guard for the governor of Texas. RVs also act as the the firing squad and buglers at Silver Taps and campus Muster. The identities of the cadets partic- “You're a represen- tativenot only of the state of Texas, but of Texas A&M University. ,, Connor Graham RV executive officer ipating in Silver Taps and Muster are kept secret, Johnson said. “They don’t want any accolades for what they do,” he said. “They aren’t looking for a pat on the back.” Graham said the details of the two ceremonies are also secretive. “That’s something that’s not dis cussed, even within the company,” he said. Johnson said applications to become an RV are designed by juniors in the Corps of Cadets each fall. Senior mem bers of the company read every applica tion and vote on who will become the new members. Jim Harrison, RV commanding offi cer and a senior business analysis ma jor, said his induction last year was a huge honor. “It’s probably one of the biggest hon ors I’ve ever had,” he said. See Members, Page 5 Battalion TODAY lental Mettle Corps Commandant raises PMC grade requirements By Carla Renea Marsh and Marika Cook The Battalion The minimum grade re quirement for participation in Parson’s Mounted Caval ry has been raised, and stricter requirements for the Fish Drill Team are un der consideration. Maj. Gen. M.T “Ted” Hop- good, commandant of the Corps of Cadets, enforced higher grade requirements for PMC this fall. Chris Clinkscaies, Corps scholastics officer and a se nior biochemistry major, said the change is a move in the right direction. “The primary directive of the Corps is to make grades,” Clinkscaies said. “It shouldn’t be hard to maintain.” Sophomores are now re quired to have a 2.15 grade- point ratio for admittance to PMC. Upperclassmen must maintain a semesterly GPR of 2.0 and a cumula tive GPR of 2.2. The purpose for raising the requirements is to up grade the Corps’ image. Hopgood said grades are the number-one priority at Texas A&M. “I think the current grade requirements are too low,” said Hopgood. "I want to em phasize academics.” The current grade require ment for the Fish Drill Team is a 2.0, but Hopgood said he is still considering raising the prerequisite. Col. Lee McCleskey, chief of operations and training, said the Ross Volunteers, Fish Drill Team and Parsons’ Mounted Calvary are the pri mary Corps specialty units. McCleskey said he be lieves the Cavalry is the only unit with a new grade requirement because sophomores, juniors, and seniors have a better han dle on academics and should have better GPRs. “When considering differ ent grade requirements, you have to consider which unit you’re talking about,” Mc Cleskey said. “It seems logical not to have an unusually high grade requirement for Fish Drill Team." Jason Hansen, Fish Drill Team senior adviser and a se nior marketing major, said what the team has to offer is just as important as grades. "This experience makes the fish year complete,” Hansen said. “We don’t need to babysit these cadets.” Specialty units empha size academics and provide different opportunities for the members. See Grades, Page 5 r Dave House, The Battalion ~T’t Lauren Shofner, a sophomore history major, buys a football tick- I iLfVCri. I 1111^1 e t from David Boerm, a senior finance major Thursday afternoon. Its Atlanta, NY in Fall Classic Braves to face Yankees after historic blowout ATLANTA (AP) — This wasn’t a comeback, this was a wipeout. The Atlanta Braves unleashed all their fury in the biggest blowout in postseason history, trouncing the St. Louis Cardinals 15- 0 in Game 7 of the NL championship se ries Thursday night to complete a startling rally from a 3-1 deficit. Pitcher Tom Glavine hit a bases-loaded triple that capped a six-run first in ning, and 52,067 crazed fans spent the rest of the evening partying as the Braves earned a chance to defend their World Series title. Game 1 will be Saturday night in New York against the Yan kees. The Braves have reached four of the last five World Series, making it this time by outscoring St. Louis 32-1 in three straight games. After Atlanta good-luck charm Francisco Cabrera threw out a first ball — and before the fans started singing “New York, New York” — Glavine shut out St. Louis on three hits for seven innings. He got support from two-homers by Javy Lopez, Fred McGriff and Andruw Jones — at 19, Jones surpassed Mickey Mantle as the youngest player to connect in a postseason game. The painful loss, making the Cardinals the only club to blow a 3-1 edge three times in the postseason, meant the end of Ozzie Smith’s career. The future Hall of Famer, who has an nounced his retirement, fouled out as a pinch-hitter in the sixth inning. The 41-year-old shortstop waved his helmet to a standing ovation, and drew hugs from his teammates in the dugout. Though Marquis Gris som began the rout by sin gling on Donovan Osborne’s first pitch, the Braves’ playoff come back clearly started before then. It may have begun back at Busch Stadium when Dennis Eckersley pumped his fist forcefully in the air after a Game 4 win that gave St. Louis a 3-1 lead. The prompted the Cardinals to put 20 cases of champagne on ice in anticipation of a clincher that never came, and seemed to anger Atlanta. The Braves came out the next night and scored five runs in the first inning on their way to a 14-0 rout behind John Smoltz, sending the best-of-7 series back to Atlanta.