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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 3, 2003)
Forum The Battalion Page 6 • Friday, October 3,2( Beyond race International students help redefine Texas A&M’s concept of diversity W hen one thinks of diversity, the first thought that often comes to mind is related to race or skin color, a misconception that must be changed once and for all by the Texas A&M student body. Diversity encompasses much more than just skin Julio Jana color. It relates to everything from gender, age and minority groups to the potential for intellectual growth achieved in a higher education system. When Vision 2020 brought a clearer definition of diversity to the University, many argued that if A&M implemented this idea, the University would lose the sense of uniqueness upon which it was founded. But what many fail to understand is that diversity is not a new concept, nor should it be. Let’s not forget that one of the greatest presidents to ever lead this University, General Earl Rudder, was also criticized dur ing his term when he approved women’s admittance into A&M. Decades later, his decision has proven to be one of the University’s greatest changes. It was certainly a challenge for Rudder to promote diversity then, and it remains a challenge | their home countries and their beloved ones to come to a whole new world? How often has an effort been made to understand a different point of view on the world? There are many things one could do to increase his intellectual potential and awareness of world issues. the International Student a It is up to us, the students of A&M, to help Gates make the vision of a diverse student body a reality. On behalf of Association, I urge you to join us in promoting international awareness during the third week of November by wearing a piece of clothing or jewelry of international origin. Our goal is for you to educate others about the significance of your article of clothing as well as the culture from which it originates. International students are here for many reasons, but 1 believe we all share the same willingness to expose our international point of view. We do this by sharing our customs while at the same time assimilating into the tradi tions found at A&M without vio lating the unique image the University has held for so long. We are all fortunate to be able to exchange our experiences. Let’s hold on to that feeling of being part of one big family. for our current president, Robert M. Gates, to do the same now. It is up to us, the students of A&M, to help Gates make the vision of a diverse student body a reality. More than 3,700 international students attend A&M, and how many times has their presence been acknowledged? How often has anyone stopped to ask why they would leave Together, we can make A&M not just one of the top 10 universities in the country, but the best university in the world. International Student Association President Julio Jana is a senior agricultural economics major. It's time tv act tjour copu. P ICKING UP your 2003 Aggielandyearbook is easy. If you ordered a book, look for the distribution table in front of the Reed McDonald Building. (Goto the Reed McDonald basement in case of inclement weather.) Please bring your Student ID. If you did not order last year's Texas A&M University yearbook (the 2002-2003 school year), you may purchase one for $40 plus tax in Room 015 Reed McDonald. Hours: 9 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Cash, check, VISA, MasterCard, Discover and American Express, Aggie Bucks accepted. 2003 Aggieland MAIL CALL Religion should be taught in schools In response to a Sept. 24 mail call: For nearly two weeks now I’ve read the debates between designer theory and evolu tionary theory, and it occurs to me that the real debate is between science and religion. On that note, there is a funda mental concept many people miss: Science is not religion. Science is the study of the world and universe around us, and it gets its foundation from constant observation and testing. Science doesn’t men tion a god or gods because we have no observational ref erence to ethereal concepts. Does that mean that science supercedes religion? Hardly, but comparing the two is akin to relating apples to oranges. Teaching designer theory in schools as science is, there fore, the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. Should it be taught anyway? I think so, but not as science. I never understood why reli gion isn’t taught in school. “Separation of church and state” is a declaration that those in charge won’t let their own beliefs interfere with their duty to take care of their con stituents. However, I think if people were educated in the religious and social concepts of different cultures we would n’t see the violence between religions that we see now. Thomas Critz Class of 2005 Atoning for the actions of others I recently wrote a letter to The Battalion concerning a theft of Aggie folding chairs after the Utah game at the RV lot. On Saturday after the Pitt game, a gray-haired gentle man from Virginia said to me “You must be Raul, who wrote to The Battalion about the chairs.” He told me th Friday afternoon, a your man named Chris ha approached him and asked he had two Aggie chairs stolen during the Utah week end. He responded “no,”how' ever he had read the letter, too. Chris, an Aggie, had come to the RV lot with two Aggie chairs that he was going to give to me to replace the ones stolen! Thanks, Chris — I am glad to see that at least one Aggie respected the traditions of Texas A&M and was willing to atone for the misdeeds of another. I am sorry I did not get to meet you. Of course, I would not have accepted your offer, as much as it was appreciat ed. I have already replaced the lost chairs, but I was real ly hoping that the thief would have felt bad enough to return to the scene and return the chairs — no questions asked, as I had promised. Raul G. Villaronga Class of 1959 Cloth T exas A& example throughc While the Univer: ments over the ye own support of sv of Latin America aren’t aware that : are manufactured If A&M is truly moral principle ani must play an activi that continue to pr The Memorial 5 A&M logos made l According to the A Industrial Organiza other countries thrc versity logos under BJ&B. the com Domingo in the D work of up to 56 I average baseball c workers earn aroui $1.50 in licensing the pay at these fai wages to provide f ment’s own standa A&M’s Athleti.t uctsmade in repre of Asia. According shoe factory in Vie they were forced t( concluded that wot the age of 25, worl in deplorable work their families. Reasons for In response to St lam not offering as an explanation team win or lose Saturday really did thirddeck, there is deck, nothing to bh Many of the Agg at halftime were ju: to cool down and c ond half. Two of th leave at the begir because they wen that the medics in you that they had £ Yes, Aggies do however, it is also v to point fingers at P' the situation. For t were losing, they £ ihose of you who tr heat, thank you f Aggie tradition. Bus drivers leave game! I would like to spe drivers who attend £ are not “two-pei leave the game whe in the fourth quarter arrive at our buses a when the final cann< am sure every ild be upset if t after yell practice ai e I understand approximately 100 f toward the end of th fact when you leaving the game. Aggies are c After reading Moi further sickened Pittsburgh. The mi was how much ene bashing other Aggie school and environ tions, and I’m not la Monday’s articles, d be exerted ig apart. I staye game, but only beca to yell my loudest tf seethe point in wieli my fellow studenl a few “red asses