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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 25, 2001)
! TUESDAYSEPTEMBER 25, 2001 Texas A&M University 1 SECTION * 12 PAGES Celebrating 125 Years SERVING THE TEXAS A&M COMMUNITY SINCE College Station, Texas www.thebatt.coin S • THE BATTAIK he New York Cit) L otism, fans onto | k wore white, a/xf rday's game. A Outdoors tor a all on the Rio derness of West the desert and nber 9th, travel lec Members., Event Date Sept. 28-30) Sept. 30 Oct. 2 Oct. /1 Oct. le informational) 26th at 7:00p:'' j ' 11 from 6:00-1 ers and $40 fbt| 8 for more intc I ir newest FRf: r ly at 11:00 a,|i se programs ate I before 5:30pm| Napster strikes deal with music publishers’ agency SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - Napster Inc. on Monday agreed to pay $26 million for distributing unauthorized music in the past and made a deal that could eventually allow songwriters and music publishers to offer their music to paying Napster users. The tentative agreement would settle a lawsuit filed by the National Music Publishers’ Association. It must be approved by a judge, the asso ciation’s board of directors and individual publishers. Napster allowed users to swap music online at no cost until it shut down July 2. The company was expected to begin allowing users this sum mer to get songs for a fee, but Napster chief executive Konrad Hilbers said Monday the pay service will start later this year. The free service shut down after Napster was sued by the Recording Industry Association of America, which represents major record labels that want ed the service to stop users from collecting copyrighted music without permission. The deal announced Monday covers tho publishing rights to as many as 700,000 songs, but Napster also needs an agreement on a song's per forming rights before the com pany can legally distribute it. That leaves Napster with major hurdles to overcome before it can begin distribut ing songs. Performance rights are owned by the labels, some of which are starting their own Internet music services and may not want to help a competitor. Report: removal unfair PUBLIC EYE dW State tax on a pack of cigarettes 41 cents TODAY AGGIELIFE Page 3 Close to home Aggies feel impact of attacks in New York City, Washington, D.C. Aggie ‘O’ r could use Slocum’s speech OPINION Page 11 ig Brother is watching Workers should be aware of intrusive, new technology WEATHER HIGH 80° F LOW 57° F HIGH 82° F LOW 54° F FORECASTS COURTESY OF www.weathermanfed.com TOMORROW By Rolando Garcia THE BATTALION The Memorial Student Center (MSC) Council’s prtx'ess of removing President Josh Rowan was flawed and unfair, invalidating the council's decision. University administra tors concluded last week. In a report detailing the verdict of Rowan’s appeal of the council’s Sept. 3 vote. Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. J. Malon Southerland requested the coun cil correct certain procedures before try ing to remove Rowan again. Rowan resigns, MSC Council begins search for new president ROWAN “In spite of the good faith efforts of the students and advisors, some of the basic protections of fundamental fair ness were not afforded to Mr. Rowan as the students and advisors struggled to create a process where none existed,” the report stated. “As the original process was crafted and as it evolved, perceived time constraints, protection of the organization and perceived concerns about press leaks were the driving force behind some of the decisions that lead to deficiencies in the process.” Rowan, a senior agricultural develop ment major, resigned Sept. 21 rather than contest the council’s decision. His removal was sparked by allegations of misconduct while on a University-sponsored trip to Italy during the summer. Rowan acknowl edged drinking too much on two occa sions, but denied that he made unwanted sexual advances to a freshman woman on the trip or that he used illegal drugs. Rowan said he resigned because it was unlikely the council would reverse its decision. “Part of me wanted to keep fighting, but this ordeal has really taken a toll on me and the people 1 care about,” Rowan said. The report, drafted by Dean of Student Life Dr. Dave Parrott and approved by Southerland, cited three central problems with the MSC’s actions: • Although Rowan was given verbal notice of how the process would proceed, the MSC Council’s actions deviated sig nificantly from that process. • The matter was reviewed by two MSC committees before it went to the council, and at every stage of the process Rowan was not properly informed of the outcome. For example. Rowan was told of the MSC Executive See Rowan on page 6. Parrott takes helm as dean of Student Life By Emily Hendrickson THE BATTALION After a nationwide search. Dr. David Parrott was chosen to replace Dr. Brent Patterson as the new dean of Student Life. Patterson left A&M to fill the position of assistant vice president of Student Affairs at Illinois State University. Parrott came to A&M from Western Michigan University, where he was the assistant vice president of Student Affairs. “The position of dean requires a strong background and experience in Student Affairs,” said Terry Pankratz, assistant vice president of Student Affairs. Parrott earned a bachelor’s degree in management and a mas ter's degree in student personnel service at Western Kentucky University. He then pursued a doc toral degree in student affairs from the University of Louisville. A search advisory committee of 13 people from A&M adver tised the job opening in national publications. The search committee was looking for an individual with a doctoral degree, student skills, a broad background in student affairs, knowledge of strategic planning and an awareness of current issues. "We were looking for the best individual with the best creden tials and experience,” said Dr. J. Malon Southerland, vice presi dent of Student Affairs. “Dr. Parrott was th primary recommen dation for the position. We needed someone who could easily identi fy with the students.” Parrott said his new role will include overseeing the Division of Student Affairs and three associate directors within the department. See Parrott on page 2. Miracle grow Shannon Hajdik, a senior agricultural development major, writes labels for her cabbage plants in a student garden for her horticulture CODY WAGES • THE BATTALION class in vegetable crop production. The students plant vegetables and are responsible for their maintenance throughout the semester. Americanized: Liberal Arts adds new program in American studies By Melissa Sullivan THE BATTALION A major in American studies and minors in film and women’s studies are among those added to the College of Liberal Arts’ catalogue this fall. Three new majors will be added to the College of Liberal Arts —American studies, music and telecommunication and media studies. “American studies is a vibrant field of study, long available as a major at some of the finest private and public schools in the country, including Yale, the University of Texas and the University of California at Berkeley,” said Program Director Larry Reynolds. “This major provides students with the integrated knowledge of the diversity and unity of American life: Its peoples, myths, conflicts and institutions.” The bachelor of arts degree requires 33 hours, including 18 hours of directed elec tives from different areas of interest. “Student reaction has been enthusiastic, at least among those students who have dis covered the existence of the program,” Reynolds said. “At the moment we have six majors enrolled. Students who enroll in American studies can expect a rigorous but flexible curriculum designed to develop his torical understanding of the United States and its role in the world.” Graduates can pursue careers in a broad variety of fields such as teaching, business, government, broadcasting and museum administration, he said. “The degree also prepares students for careers in non-profit organizations and the U.S. Departments of State and the | Department of the] Interior,” Reynolds said. Students can also choose to continue in graduate programs such as law, English, his tory, philosophy, public affairs, sociology and political science, he said. Other recent additions to the liberal arts curriculum include minors in film and women studies. “The student’s reaction has been impres sive,” said Terence Hoagwood, professor of English and coordinator for film studies. “Two years ago, we began with 185 students in our (film) courses, and that number has grown now to 600 this semester and more, we expect, as our program continues to grow.” See Studies on page 2. UWC pushes to improve students’ writing skills By Daniel Bagwell THE BATTALION The new undergraduate University Writing Center (UWC) opened in Sterling C. Evans Library on Sept. 17. The UWC is part of a push to improve Texas A&M students’ writing skills. “Our students’ abilities to write are very important for them to be success ful in any field.” said Dr. Mark Weichold, associate provost for Undergraduate Programs and Academic Services. “Employers look very seri ously at writing skills when hiring our students.” Weichold selected Dr. Valerie Balester, associate professor of English, to be the interim director of the UWC until a permanent director is chosen by a search committee. “Our ultimate aim is to improve stu dents’ writing skills across campus. We provide a place for undergraduates to get help at any step or stage of the writing process,” Balester said. “We eventually plan to help faculty members in design ing their writing assignments.” Balester said the new UWC is taking over and extending the services of the writing center in the John R. Blocker Building, which was funded solely by the English department. In Spring 2000, the Core Curriculum Review Committee made a recommenda tion to the University to implement new writing-intensive courses and to create the UWC. A&M students pay $8 in the form of a student activity fee for use of the UWC. Ashley Murray, a freshman political science major, went to the UWC on Tuesday to receive help on a writing assignment. ”1 think the service they provide is well worth the fee,” Murray said. “I was confused about an assignment, and they helped to clarify it. They make sugges tions, but don’t fix it for you. As a freshman, the writing center is really helpful.” The UWC also provides writing con sultation online at http://uwc.tamu.edu. Balester said they are currently working to expand the UWC’s online services. The Website provides information on writing forms, many links to other writ- See Center on page 6.