Got Problems?
NEWS
Page 2
I UK BATTALION
Census goes door to dooi
By, April 27.
See Dr. Drew and Adam at
LOVELINE
APR. 29 - 8PM
G.ROLLIE WHITE COLISEUM
GREAT SEATS AVAILABLE
MSC Box Office
Brought to you by MSC ICONS with assistance from
own:
nil*
The views expressed are not necessarily those of Texas A&M
University, The Memorial Student Center, MSC ICONS,
or MSC Town Hall.
Persons with disabilities please call 845-1515 to inform us of
your special needs. We request notification, three (3) working
days prior to the event to enable us to assist you to the best
of our abilities.
to record all U.S. citizens
CHANTILLY, Va. (AP)
Phil Vargas is ready for the icy
glares and the slammed doors.
I le is one of440,000 census-
takers who on Thursday will fan
out from Maine to California to
track down approximately 42
million households that did not
return a census form.
Vargas, who attended a three-
day training session at a library
in suburban Virginia, pored over
training manuals and heard pep
talks from his superiors.
He knows some people
think the Census Bureau asks
too many questions, and that he
might not be welcomed with a
smilg and a handshake when he
comes knocking on doors.
“I'm not intimidated by that
but you have to respect that be
cause it's their home.” Vargas
said. If someone feels the ques
tions he asks “borders on in
truding someone’s privacy, it
should be respected.”
Exactly how many people
feel that w'ay remains to be seen
as the census moves into its next
phase. In light of recent criti
cism from citizens and congres
sional Republicans that some
questions on the 53-question
census long form were too in
trusive, Census Bureau Director
Kenneth Prewitt is uncertain
about w hat type of response
enumerators will get. But he
says he is optimistic.
“The enumerators are what
this w hole enterprise rests upon
now — the quality of work they
do,” Prewitt said. “But it’s hard
to tell right now just how many
households will not cooperate.”
The job may be more diffi
cult in rural areas, where more
people got a long form. The gap
in the response rate between the
long and short form is 12 per
cent, twice as much as in 1990.
About 78 million of the 120
million forms mailed were re
turned to the Census Bureau.
Now, it’s up to people like Var
gas to get information on the
missing 42 million households.
Most census-takers will be
sent out alone, assigned to lo
cate people in a specific area.
In places where safety may be
an issue, they w ill be sent out
in teams.
The Census Bureau made a
big advertising push earlier this
year to recruit workers for the
part-time jobs, which pay from
$8.25 to $18.50 per hour. Pre
witt said they wanted to ensure
there were enough census-tak
ers who were familiar w ith spe
cific areas, instead of sending a
stranger into an unfamiliar
neighborhood.
Some are retirees like Vargas
looking to fill their time. Others,
like Peggy Washington, a nurse's
assistant from Falls Church, Va.,
are seeking extra income.
"I did my civic duty and I
think everyone should too,”
Washington said.
Julian Romero of Santa Fe,
N.M., retired from his govern
ment consulting job recently to
become a painter but decided to
take a census job first. After
enumerating mral areas for the
last couple months, he will
sen e as a field superv isor in the
Santa Fe County census office.
“Most census-takers are
aware they may come across
uncooperatis e people but aren't
intimidated b\ it,” Romero said.
This phase
the costliest diuall
billion operafaij
spent on the i
count. For the k J
home visits are si
from Congress,!
Dan Miller, R-FM
the House Govet
Committee’s ce®|
At least one a
Rep. Tom Cobunjl
encouraging peof::|
about privacy wk |
by a census wort;:
decline" to m»'\
they believe are ir
If they coma
cooperative pen
nannon Eli
°ie. The a<
|cary mov
[native, Eli
said “we train tkjpm high sel
polite and courtr.MPook time r
ble. My person;. > ich Te discus
to take it p®5;,ft
smiling,’
I am
Access
Continued from Page 1
LOOKING FOR
AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE
AN ETERNAL IMPACT?
haven't specified an amount, but we're
looking at [the fee]. Parking Traffic and
Transportation Services (PTTS) is look
ing at it and students arc looking at it. if
we do such a thing, it won’t be done un
til September.”
Miller said the Task Force is consid
ering a $30 to $50 fee per semester, but
also said it is premature to say that there
will definitely be a mandatory fee im
plemented. There is no set date to vote
on the transportation fee yet.
“We're in the preliminary stages. You
might say we're in the concept stage
right now,” Miller said.
The Campus Access Task Force has
“If the trans
portation fee is
improving our
campus, and
people getting
around ... I'd
pay it.”
— Theresa Farrington
senior marketing major
discussed including options to the
transportation fee, such as availability
of daily bus passes or bhie commuter
parking passes to students for an addi
tional charge w hen they pay the trans
portation fee.
“We need to fund the system better,
we need to provide better service and
w e need a sound funding base.” Miller
said. “We also want to discourage peo
ple f rom bringing cars to campus. Traf
fic gets worse e\ cry year, and if you arc
paying a fee already, it might encour
age people to ride the bus rather than
bring your own personal vehicle every
day,” Miller said.
The idea of a transportation fee has
been discussed for the past 13 years, ac
cording to Miller. She thinks that if stu
dents arc shown what the fee could do
for them, they would support it.
Theresa Farrington, a senior market
ing major, is one of the students who
would support a transportation fee.
Oh, cool. You
Yeah.
Heartlight Ministries
News in Brief
Has career opportunities for qualified
individuals* who have a heart for kids,
and want to work in a relaxed, fun
atmosphere while making an impact that
will last a lifetime. If this sounds
interesting to you and you would like to
find out more information, then visit us
at our website at:
Math grad student dies
from food poisoning
www.heartlightministries.org
or email us at
heartlight@aol.com,
or contact Blake Nelson at
(903) 668-2173
Math graduate student Marcel Kelly Suche-
ston died Monday night at St. Joseph Region
al Flealth Care Center.
Dr. Jay Walton, graduate adviser for the
mathematics department, said that Suche-
ston “appears to have died from an allergic re
action to some type of food he ate.”
According to Walton, Sucheston would have
received his doctorate in less than one year.
“Fie was a warm-hearted person who cared
a lot about what he was doing here,” said Wal
ton. "Fie wanted to go on to teach at the uni
versity level.”
According to a family friend, Sucheston at
tended Upper Arlington Fligh School and was
very involved in activities there.
“This is a tragic loss for the department as
well as the University, and for all the students
here,” Walton said.
Sucheston’s mother was en route to Texas
to make memorial service arrangements and
was unavailable for comment.
Sucheston will be honored at the Sept. 5
Silver Taps.
Forrest Lane appoints
new executive council
Student Body President Forrest Lane pre
sented his appointees for his executive coun
cil to the 53rd session of the Student Senate
Wednesday.
Lane appointed Rob Ferguson to the posi
tion of executive vice president, Jessica
Williams to executive vice president of Pro-
“If the transportation 6
ing our campus, and pra
around — because this is sufi
pus. I'd pay it. I think any;
wants to improve the;n
pay. Farrington said. inatisaweso
However, Farringtont.fe s where I v
dents w ho do not ndetteh. | n t i 0 A& M I
a problem with thetofV' yeryiiiing.
“’The results of the fee
o ('hard to see if you doni. I | Sowh
ev If you hit over$30,psA/ . model
annoyed, especially peopkjlp' W aco'
use it. But it it’s a littleliWjuade thing
people aren’t as inclined
Farrington said. I really never
Schulte added thatifsti just kind of fell
any questions abouttkaR^s to do tl
Campus Access Task Forceivailab I e in Wac
should contact PTTSotliiB the local ch
jit with the me
ip the acting. I
frustrating is
grams. Phillip Drake to vice pwekhanccsthere. We
nance. Robbie Blakely to vice(Wtentfi department,
velopment and Erin Blaney tomff|§
for Public Relations. All meappro : \
Student Senate.
"We are excited and ready to nicTP'
and contribute to the future of the I®j
campus,” said Lane, a seniorpolfei)
major.
Also on the agenda for'
ing was the election of chairpersotii!
External Affairs, Student Services3ri;|
mic Affairs committees within
Senate. Bobby Robbins, ajuniorpolj
ence major, was elected the Externa]
chairperson. Lorenzo Gonzalez,sd
environmental design major, was elk:]
demic Affairs chairperson. MelissaKi?
nior English major, was elected Externa 1
chairperson.
1
IN
Thursday
Campus Calendar
Graduate Christian Fellowship of Irv
terVarsity Christian Fellowship (Grad
IVCF): Grad students meet at
7:30p.m. for Bible study, prayer, fel
lowship, and snacks. Please see our
web site at http://stat.tamu.edu/~in-
low/ivcf.html for locations and more
information, or call Jen or Mark at
764-1552.
University Undergraduate Fellows
Symposium: There will be presenta
tions of the fellows’ completed re
search on Rudder 5th floor at 7 p.m.
Sigma Chi Fraternity: Derby Days -
Queen’s Entrance for sororities pa
rade/pep-rally type event. Commu
nity and university representatives
will be judging, families invited at 500
Fraternity Row, at 4 p.m.
Texas A&M University Women’s
Newcomers Club: fte
Evening Potluck Social town'
semester will be on Frida); 1
at 7 p.m. Hosts will beCa'.'
Gregory Zaniewski at 220:
Oak.CS. Please RSVPto(|
6808538 by April 28th.
JW&w
the other education
foi* recognized student organizations
“Passing the Baton of leadership”
Thursday, April 2V
CSeneral Session
7 - 8:15 p.m. Rudder <50 I
Introduction to Officer Success:
“Passing the Baton of headersF»ip’
featuring Or. Kevin Jackson
.
.
Interest Sessions
8:30 - <7:30 p.m.
Pundraising and Advertising
JPIscal VVorlcsh opt fulfills requirement)
Risk Management Issues
IVTedia Training
stuact.tamu.edu
Scfilumberger
Mech?nical Engineer Position
Scfilumberger in Sugar Land, TX is looking for a
Mechanical Engineer to join our team. The
Engineer will be involved in the complete "cradle
to grave" product development cycle of oilfield
equipment geared towards the completion of
new wells.
Requirements;
• A Master's or Ph. D in Mechanical
Engineering, Engineering Mechanics, or
Aerospace Engineering
• Summer or Coop experience in Mechanical
Engineering tasks is a strong plus. Prior full
time employment is not required.
• Eagerness to take on very aggressive
objectives. Willingness to tackle widely
varying technical and managerial challenges,
very often outside one's immediate academic
training and background. Openness to
significant travel within the United States and
abroad in the execution of one's
responsibilities. Strong team spirit.
• Solid mechanical engineering background -
strength of materials, design methodology,
fluid mechanics, etc.
• Numerical methods - Finite element methods,
finite differences, etc.
• "Hands on" experience in fabrication,
assembly of school projects and in other
activities is a plus
Strong teamwork and communication skills.
Mail resumes to:
Jean-Louis Pessin
110 Scfilumberger Drive
Sugar Land, TX 77478
Or email to ilDessin@slb.com
THF
I
celet
Marium Mohiuddin, Editor in Cli
Beverly Mireles, ManagingEditoi
Meredith Might, Communin’Edit#
Stuart Hutson, Campus Editor
Kyle Whitacre, Aggielife Editor
Veronica Serrano, Aggielife Editor
Mariano Castillo, Opinion Editor
Eric Dickens, Opinion Editor
Jeff Kenipf, Night News Editor
Doug Shilling, Sports Editoi
Jason BennyhofF, Radio Producer
Brandon Payton, Web Master
Ruben Deluna, Graphics Editoi
Guy Rogers, Photo Editor
JP Beato, Photo Editor
Dave Amber, Science and Tedinolo/
11:0
The Battjuon (ISSN #10554726) 6 pi^l
through Fnday dunng the fall and spring n***'
through Thursday dunng the summer session
idays and exam periods) at Texas MU IJnWj
Postage Paid at College Station, IX 778# 6
address changes to MattataTexasMUItBC]
College Station, TX 77843-1111.
News: Ihe Battalion news department is imafxl!!®
A&M Univeisity in the Division of Student
Department of Journalism. News offices aie in Ml ^
Building. Newsroom phone: 845-3313; Far JF- j
Theb3ttalion@hotmail.com; Web site: http://M
Advertising: Publication of advertising does not Hf) ^
endowment by The Battalion, For campus.W
advertising, call 845-2696, For classified atWsrifJj
Advertising offices are in 015 Reed McDonaldaxl$ J
m. to 5 p.m, Monday through Friday. Far 1 8
Subscriptions: A part of the Student Setvices fee
additional copies254.Mailsubscriptionsattffflinq
for the fall or spring semester and $17.50
by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American