Page
day • February 11 Jij
The Battalion
n’ returns aflt
ing 11 gam
,00 (AP) — Michael J#
)ttie Pippen no loi
Dennis Rodman, t
oent suspension sto
ago Bulls' stars
cares only about
an returns Tuesdayri
ting out 11 games
i cameraman
ion in 1 1/2 seast
Bulls — and Pippen
iman is willing or at
:him$t
■ hist)
N10 N
Page 9
Tuesday • February 11,1997
New Year, new traditions
Aggies should honor foreign cultures / traditions
The Battalion
Established in 1893
itorials appearing in The Battalion reflect the
iws of the editorials board members. They do not
cessarily reflect the opinions of other Battalion
3ff members, the Texas A&M student body, re-
its, administration, faculty or staff. Columns,
est columns, cartoons and letters express the
inions of the authors.
intact the opinion editor for information on sub-
itting guest columns.
Editorials Board
Rachel Barry
Editor in Chief
Michael Landauer
Executive Editor
Tiffany Moore
Managing Editor
Alex Walters
Opinion Editor
ure trouble.
<now is that Dennis doe
amn about most
lid. “I'm not sure he'sc
iming any lessons frorr
ons. I don’t expect
e because if he did
be the Worm, the pei
invented for himself. | jf students want to ensure the
r Rodman s relati q ua lity of their yell leaders, they
an, We have no rt s j 10U jj vote tomorrow to hold
rdan said. »noff elections.
Yes, this may sound like tarn-
ring with tradition, and at Texas
M that rarely happens without
oourt order. But students have a
ance tomorrow to show that
ER (AP) — HkM is not afraid of change,
iff resigned today as 1 Students should ask themselves
Juggets’ general maTvu) questions before they decide
me head coach ofihich way they will vote. Why is
:on Bullets. Ke implementation of runoffs a
staff, who has serveciood idea? And if it is such a good
tant with Washingtoniilea, why is anyone against it?
85, was to be introif Some people claim they were
ullets' coach ata4flirthe plan until they realized it
5 conference at thete.T/vould not provide a majority,
facility in Bowie, Md iowever, run-offs do not have to
staff, who will turn E: fen sure a majority to make a
was on the sideh (Change. The people who claim this
rstaff leaves i
> coach Built
ach Dick Motta
Tin the 1978
12 Honorable Me
a junior,
love hopes to ini]
re this season and
Referendum now
Students should continue to raise
“voices and vote on yell leader run offs
Bloc thrives on this fact, but if the
voters decide to have runoffs, the
entire electorate could benefit by
the chance to make better choices.
So why are some students
against it? Critics say the issue is
too complex and not easily under
stood by the students. But choos
ing yell leaders is hardly brain
surgery, and the electorate can
smell fear.
Fear of change is the only appar
ent reason for taking a position
against the runoffs. Some nostalgic
students believe that the yell lead
ers should be an all-Corps organi
zation and that blocking runoffs is
the only way to ensure this. Perhaps
that is why the last time the yell
leaders were all Corps members,
they changed the group’s constitu
tion to specifically forbid runoff
elections. Technically, the yell lead
ers could pull out of the Student
Government election process and
conduct their own elections.
Of course, this is not realistic,
and before the yell leaders are
faced with that option, students
must show up to the polls to show
how much they want runoffs.
Some students have been fighting
for this change for years and have
hit Student Government road
blocks every step of the way. For
example, last spring a similar ref
erendum received more votes than
any other item on a Student Gov
ernment ballot but was later ruled
nonbinding. Tomorrow’s referen
dum is the only way to circumvent
those roadblocks. If passed, Stu
dent Body President would be
mandated to change the voting
registrations by the constitution.
This time the referendum is
binding, and if it passes, students
will show they are not willing to
allow the fear of a few to affect a
decision that should be made by
the many.
C ritics accuse the A&M campus
of consisting solely of close-
minded conservatives. Al
though these accusations are not true,
some Aggies do remain close-mind
ed to the traditions of other stu
dents. Typical snide remarks about
another’s attire, hair style, cultural
events or heritage indicate the lack
of respect for other peoples and cul
tures. Although the severity of this
problem is debatable, students
should always try to keep an open
mind toward unfamiliar customs.
Chinese students began the festiv
ities for the year of the Ox last Friday. Celebra
tion for the Chinese New Year includes a host of
traditions that may seem odd, especially to
those unfamiliar with the Chinese culture. Like
wise, Aggie traditions may appear silly to indi
viduals unaware of the unity they foster. We all
know the significance of A&M traditions does
not lie in the actions themselves, but in the
Travis Chow
computer science
graduate student
emotions they create. Sharing this
understanding of others’ customs
will help us live up to the world-class
university standards A&M boasts.
Aggies who think they cannot re
late to cross-cultural students’ immi
gration should recall their own scary
transition into college life. Remem
ber how the Aggie traditions helped
dissolve the insecurities and anxi
eties? Fish Camp’s exhaustive sched
ule of yells, games, skits and other
warm-and-fuzzy activities gave
freshmen feelings of acceptance.
Midnight yells and football games
put us all in the same boat: the Aggie team.
Greetings of “howdy,” though not exercised as
often as advertised, maintain an atmosphere of
openness and friendliness. These customs of
the Aggie culture provide participants with a
new sense of home.
When misunderstood folks dare tease Aggies
about their crazy, backward traditions, Aggies
as a reason for not supporting run
offs are missing the point.
I Although the proposed change
in the voting regulations would
not ensure a majority for yell lead
ers, it would provide a change that
could effectively destroy the Corps
Bloc. For years, the Corps Bloc, a
group within the Corps of Cadets,
has selected its candidates for
campus positions much like a po
litical party. The Corps, which
teaches respect for the chain of
command, stands behind those
candidates, thus giving a small mi-
owertode-
IELOVE
iued from Page?
are expecting Myaiosf
e plate and get soffi®
Evans said. “Shefes
o hit the long Wrf
ng with every pMf
e outside ones. aA
pull the ball to rig--
one over the fence,'* norityon campus the p
ler a threat offensive) cide general election outcomes,
freshman, Truelove; With runoffs, the top four can-
76 games for the 1- didates for junior yell and the top
registered 38 RBIs, five for senior yell would have to
uns and 102 total A represent more than one segment
11 rank in the top lOitW the electorate to win a runoff. It
l-time season records would certainly minimize the risk
received second ly of electing a head yell leader with
th Region honors, ift S s than 15 percent of the vote,
aore year, and ea(i| Arunoff system would help stu-
|ents choose the best candidates
|>rthe job. It is difficult to choose
mdidates from a large field. Corps
stand together because they understand the vi
tal role traditions play. A tradition, no matter
how silly or solemn, is invaluable because of its
emotional ends not its physical means. Those
who have eaten Copenhagen at Fish Camp, giv
en up sleep for Bonfire or shed a tear at Muster
can certainly attest to this distinction. They
know not to judge a tradition merely by the act,
but by the emotional relief and communal
bonding.
With this insight, students should empathize
with others practicing unfamiliar traditions. For a
warm-up, let’s look at a tradition celebrated by at
least one-billion people every year: the Chinese
NewYear.
Festivities last a few days. For the more socially
inclined, they last a few weeks. Families and
friends travel long distances to share old stories
and delicious feasts. Customary food items in
clude “lotus seed candy,” “melon seeds” and a
dazzling array of poultry and seafood. Out in the
streets, children set off strings of firecrackers, and
men dressed as dragons parade through crowds.
Perhaps the most well-known tradition, the ex
change of small red envelopes stuffed with mon
ey, signifies wishes of fortune and prosperity.
These festivities may seem strange to the casu
al observer. Some may even wonder why the Chi
nese need their own new year. Others may associ
ate new-year celebrations with brilliant fireworks
and drunken gatherings, not obnoxious firecrack
ers and family visits.
But to appreciate foreign customs, students
should understand through their own experi
ences, the true significance behind the tradi
tions.
Chinese NewYear festivities provide cross-
cultural students with a sense of home. Practic
ing native traditions with fellow immigrants can
restore the security they left behind. Sentiment
from Yi Li, a Chinese international student, on
her first Chinese NewYear in America, echoes
the feelings of those who have ever reached to
Aggie traditions when times were rough.
“There were so many Chinese students to
gether,” she said. “Even though we are so far
away from home, the comfort was there, and I
felt at home.”
My family and I also rely on Chinese tradi
tions for emotional relief. I went to Dallas this
weekend to pay respect to my deceased grand
father. He passed away without seeing his
progeny for 15 years, except for my father, who
managed to make it back to Hong Kong one
week before his death. Since my grandfather’s
departure, every Chinese New Year’s Eve we
burn incense and papier-mache gold nuggets
as gifts for his afterlife. This custom is the only
way I can remember him.
Whether burning incense or paying respect
at Silver Taps, we all rely on traditions for emo
tional support. The next time someone who
dresses differently walks by, we should keep
this understanding in mind.
ship role,
ig a senior and a
o put myself in a leal
e,” Truelove said
a lot and try to makes-
; never get nervous
? a joke or keeping Iocs
Students should show respect for Silver Taps lest it disappear
fter 99 years of Silver Taps
at Texas A&M, many stu-
. u r - u .Msr —^dents have grown tired
ly o rave n ' u Tfi ig norarL t 0 f the tradition. If
a" thm! *sie“ continue to show a half-
1 ' ! e ' .-Aarted respect for their de-
u pi c ter on ganed peers, perhaps the Uni
team voted Tru o C si (hould consider
.plain because she! a „ ce ) in silverX .
nd great person. | Aro^d campu ( before last
esday’s Silver Taps, there
’ere many startling sights. The
owd began to gather at the
SC’s side entrance around 10
jm. In the next 10 minutes,
is a leader who al"'
up for what she
said. “She is i
g to the team and i\
iy how things should
tion to that, she is
te athlete
Glenn Janik
Sophomore
political science major
ore students joined the crowd and the
. , u , , ,,, (D-oup grew louder. When the lights at the
ove sai a ough went out volume was lowered,
arc nrrvmnpri a iaIMIID
it some students continued to laugh and
atter as they moved towar d the Taps site.
ars provided a
es, her fondest one tf
liman year when she
ball out of the park,
also said she hopes
ill go into postseasj
ven though it is fun" 1
unaments.
past two out of tluj
e have played in the
Truelove said, in os
again we have to
g 12 conference, beca'
imhas eight or nine
yers. You can’t haveal
re Big 12.”
ove plans on
Sessional softball lei
ring the draft this
er her collegiate sold'
: over.
4 Sea&MA- a/
-up. No AuditH
’0 for more info-
Wed. Feb. 12
ing Room 402
91
tf, Uaice.
A freshman organization
gathered at Rudder Fountain at
10:10 p.m. Their leaders began
to shout marching orders to the
vocal troops. Even after the
lights went out the leaders con
tinued to bark out, “Shut up!”
and “Be quiet!”
When the bells began to toll
at 10:15 p.m., some students re
mained less than observant.
On the steps of A.R Beutel
Health Center, a group of stu
dents engaged in a rather fierce
debate about the OJ. civil trial
verdict. And on the street beside them,
cars continued to stream along, seemingly
unaware of the impending Silver Taps.
At 10:20 p.m., numerous lights at
Leggett Hall, the closest dorm to the Silver
Taps site, were still glowing. Some of the
other rooms turned their lights off, but
left their televisions shadowing a blue
glare out of the windows. This allowed
anyone fortunate enough to have a win
dow facing Sul Ross to watch both Silver
Taps and Seinfeld.
Anyone needing a beacon to show the
way to Silver Taps at 10:25 p.m. could have
used the Biological Sciences Building West,
with the entire second floor aglow.
By 10:30 p.m., the steps of the Ross Vol
unteer Firing Squad drowned out the
sound of cars and any remaining conver
sation. The guns fired, Taps was played
and the students paid their final respects
to the departed Aggies.
A description of Silver Taps released by
the Traditions Council said, “Many changes
have been made to the ceremony over the
past century.” None of these changes, how
ever, include turning Silver Taps into a so
cial hour. Although the ceremony gives stu
dents a chance to come together, the
atmosphere on campus should not be akin
to the Dixie Chicken.
Silver Taps gives the student body a
chance to say good-bye to Aggies who will
never see another football game, another
ring-dunking or another graduation. Many
traditions on campus allow students to be
unruly, loud and obnoxious — Silver Taps is
not one of them.
It is reasonable to expect students to re
main silent for less than an hour, or for cam
pus residents to turn their lights off. Silver
Tap’s socialites and glowing buildings make
the student body look uncaring. Imagine
what the parents of an Aggie being honored
think when they pass a group of clamoring
students in front of a lit-up building.
Silver Taps is a tradition unique to our
university, few other colleges in this country
honor deceased students as A&M does. The
ceremony is designed to evoke the sorrow of
losing a friend. The fire of the guns, as they
break the silence, has a dramatic effect, and
the slow cadence of the buglers is emotional
ly stirring.
If students truly wish to maintain the dig
nity and glory of this tradition, they must ob
serve silence before the ceremony begins. All
students and workers on campus should
make sure their lights are off. If the campus
remains loud and the lights continue to
shine, there is no reason to continue Silver
Taps. Next year marks the 100th anniversary
of this time-honored commemoration. If
students wish to carry on with Silver Taps, it
is time to return respect to the tradition.
Little known Internet bookswap saves students cash
K nowledge is power, but it
also could be money when
textbook swapping time ar
rives. This program is an Internet
system programmed by Sam Fleit-
man and set up by Student Govern
ment to enable students to buy and
sell textbooks among themselves.
The system is simple. Every
thing at the site
(http://www.tamu.edu/book-
swap/bookswap.html) is self-ex
planatory. The page even features
tips on how to set prices and con
duct safe bookswap meetings.
The need for such a system has been evi
dent for a long time. Similar systems have been
tried in the past, but have failed for lack of
proper equipment.
Books bought for their weight in gold can be
sold back only for copper, if they can be sold
back at all.
Enterprising students can tack up and
search notices all over campus, but the chance
of finding a needed book is slim.
Bookswap eliminates many of these prob
lems by offering a fingertip, campus-wide bul
letin board for books. Clay Gaspard, a junior
zoology major, said, “It’s an awesome idea. It
Columnist
Joshua Hill
Sophomore
English major
revolutionized my life.”
Gaspard saved $100 with the
system, and he was a bit excited
about it.
The biggest problem with the
bookswap system is obscurity. De
spite a steady flow of publicity over
the last few years, few people know
the program exists.
This lack of visibility has two ad
verse consequences. First, the fee
every student pays is wasted
through ignorance. Second, the pro
gram cannot work as well with only
a small number of books up for
grabs. At times last year, the list of books for sale
was down to two.
Here’s something to think about: If half the
student body used the program, approximately
20,000 students, the system could save each
person about $100, compiling a university
wide savings of $2 million.
Rachel Grasso, a junior mechanical engi
neering major, said, “I wish I’d used it for this
semester, but I was just lazy.
“Unfortunately, convenience is slightly on
the side of the bookstores. Students must de
cide how much time they are willing to spend
on setting up bookswap meetings.
For Bookswap to realize its full poten
tial, textbook publishers must quit milking
the universities.
The basic texts for most subjects have been
the same for at least 10 years, but new editions
still come out every three to five years, gifting
every generation of students with expensive
doorstops. Fourteen editions of a calculus book
are not justifiable.
If important developments do occur in
a field, the instructor should have the re
sponsibility to teach the development in
class himself.
Liberal arts books also change the cov
er every three years. Publishers rewrite
history books and constantly recognize
English anthologies.
A new edition every 10 years would be easi
er to stomach.
English professor, Dr. William Clark, sus
pects publishers “create” new editions to keep
the prices high.
“The profit motive is a driving factor,”
he said.
Students, however, can still save a lot of
money with the Bookswap system if they use it
and spread the word.
Maybe books in the future will be bought
and sold for what they are worth.