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The Battalion
Tuesday • September 2, 1997
ExCel promotes diversity among students
By Robert Smith
Staff writer
Incoming Texas A&M students learned about cul
tural diversity and college survival skills at the 9th an
nual ExCel program, held last Friday and Saturday in
theMSC.
Denise Cunningham, executive director of ExCel,
said the program will benefit the students who at
tended.
“They (new students) will have a good head start
when classes begin compared to other students,”
she said.
The ExCel program, which began in 1987 as a mi
nority freshman program, is intended to help stu
dents make a smooth transition to college life, en
hance leadership skills and preserve and promote
cultural identity.
ExCel was attended by 88 students this year, a de
crease from 125 students a year ago and 198 students
in 1995.
Cunningham said the program was a success de
spite the lower turnout.
"This year was the first year the Hopwood decision
really went into effect, so we have fewer minority stu
dents coming in this year,” Cunningham said.
This year’s program included speeches on student in
teraction and college survival tips, an exposition of A&M
and community organizations and social activities.
A&M Student Body President Curtis Childers and
University President Dr. Ray M. Bowen made
speeches Saturday.
Stefanos Ghebray, a senior business management
major and an ExCel team leader, said leaders related
their experiences at A&M to the students.
“The new students are able to interact with other
college students and can talk to someone who has been
there,” Ghebray said.
Each student was assigned to a team leader. The
leaders helped the students learn about the University,
the resources and everyday college life.
Jason Miller, a
freshman electrical
engineering major,
said he enjoyed the
ExCel program.
“I like the net
working and meet
ing minorities and
freshmen,” Miller
said.
Rachel Robinson,
a freshman kinesiolo
gy major, agreed.
“I like the net
working and learn
ing who’s where and
where you need to go
if you want to do
something or have a
Danielle Ross, a freshman computer engineering
major, said she was glad to meet people at ExCel.
“I knew some people before I got here, but it’s good
to meet some new people and just meet everyone,”
Ross said.
“This year was the
first year the Hopwood
decision went into
effect, so we have fewer
minority students
coming in this year/’
DENISE CUNNINGHAM
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
OF EXCEL
problem,” Robinson said.
(from right) Andrie Leday, a senior marketing major, Eric Malonson, a senior wildlife and fisheries major, and
Eric Brooks, a chemical engineering major, explain to students about the two benches outside the MSC, which
are memorials to Reginald Broadus.
Burger Boy owner
By Benjamin Cheng
Staff writer
refuses city’s offer
Burger Boy owner George
Sopasakis rejected the City of College
Station’s $35,000 offer to pay for his re
location costs and said he would take
the city to federal court in Houston
Sept. 16.
“We told them (College Station)
No’,” Sopasakis said. “We’re not going
to give in.”
Last Thursday, the College Station
City Council voted 5-2 to offer
Sopasakis $35,000 in agreement with
U.S. Department of Housing and Ur
ban Development regulations. But
“We told them (College
Station) ‘No’. We’re not
going to give in.”
GEORGE SOPASAKIS
BURGER BOY OWNER
Sopasakis, who was not present at
the meeting, said he wants at least
$45,000, and that relocation proba
bly would cost more.
The two sides differ on their inter
pretations of the Uniform Relocation
Act, the section of HUD regulations
that states what relocation costs
Sopasakis can be reimbursed.
Assistant City Manager Tom
Brymer said the city has negotiated in
good faith with Sopasakis while fol
lowing HUD rules.
“It’s been lengthy,” Brymer said.
“We’re as interested in getting Mr.
Sopasakis relocated in another loca
tion in Northgate as he is.”
Sopasakis’ lawsuit against the city cites
various civil rights and HUD regula
tion violations. He said construction
work on his new location will begin
soon, but he will continue to fight the
city on the settlement.
“We do not trust the city,” Sopasakis
said. “Their goal is to put us out of
business — ours is to remain in busi
ness. It’s as simple as that.”
Mayor Pro Tempore Hub Ken-
nady said the city wants to resolve
this issue.
“We really need to get this behind
us,” Kennady said.
All-U night
Continued from Page 1
“We tried to get the class of 2001 together to show their
support for A&M,” Cox said. “Also, we know that Appelt
Hall is the best on campus, so we had to come prove it.”
Jessica Porrazzo, president of Alpha Delta Pi and a senior
journalism and international studies major, said she was ex
cited about All-U Night, Alpha Delta Pi’s first sorority activity.
“School just started and already bonds have been form
ing in our sorority,” Porrazzo said. “All-U Night is a chance
to meet and get motivated about A&M.”
The yell leaders introduced campus leaders after the
Texas Aggie Band marched into Kyle Field.
Dr. Ray M. Bowen, president of Texas A&M, and Dr. J.
Malon Southerland, the vice president of student affairs,
welcomed the freshmen to A&M.
The night ended with the first yell practice of the year
and an invitation to the Howdy Dance, sponsored by the
Class of ’98 for the Class of ’01.
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