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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 21, 2003)
Forum The Battalion Page 6 • Friday, November 21, Student apathy is hurting A&M A disease is spreading on our campus, but it’s not a pathogen or virus spread ing from one sniffling student to anoth er. It is a lurking, apathetic state of mind that is quickly overtaking Texas A&M. In this crit ical time in A&M's history, students must take advantage of the many opportunities for lead ership and make their voices heard. A&M has long prided itself as a school not only of the agricultural and mechanical arts, but of leadership and service. In 1951, Gen. Omar Bradley of the U.S. Army said “the men of Texas A&M can stand up to any men in the world and compare favorably their edu cation and training for leadership - leadership in the pursuits of peace, and if it comes to war, leadership in battle.” However, the minority of students involved in leadership, positions at this University are baffled by the amount of apathy that is suffocating the campus. A few months ago, when Transportation Services (TS) released its plans for the Southside Garage, the residents of the south side of campus were in an uproar. The Residence Hall Association passed legislation opposing the proposed plans, and submitted a petition signed by more than 1,(X)() students. However, the following week. Student Senate hosted a forum in the Commons, with TS director Rodney Weis present to answer any question posed to him by students. The hundreds of students who disagreed with the TS policy had a great opportunity to question the head of the depart ment face to face, but fewer than a dozen stu dents chose to attend. Weis has even stated in meetings since that he received only a few e-mails of complaint about the proposed change. As students, we must not silently acqui esce to the will of the administrators. In February 2002, after then-University President Ray M. Bowen announced there would be no Bonfire that fall, nearly a 100 Aggies came together on the lawn of the president’s house that night and held a yell practice to voice their concerns and show the administration exactly how much they cared about this University’s traditions. I hes itate to say that, given today’s similar problem, the current student body would show such resolve in expressing its opinion. Student Leader Views I hesitate only because 1 have seen it many times, knockip people’s doors for Silver Taps, and having students tell methatte can’t spare an hour because they are studying. 1 have seen it at fool ball games, when groups of freshmen leave the stands to set if their fraternity’s post-game party, or even worse, when theTwel Man cannot even fill up the stands. 1 have seen it in people who live in my residence hall who ait only at A&M to get a degree, and nothing more. What a shame,to waste opportunities Aggies have to learn skills benefit you in I aspects of life, whether in the top offices of a corporation, or mi tary bases in lands far away. 1 challenge every Aggie to speak out and become involved in student leadership. 1 am certain all will see that many studentsha« learned just as much outside of the classroom as they did in class es. Speak boldly, make change and become the leaders the wodi expects from A&M. Residence Hall Association Pmt Chris Mahdjjrjti senior civil engineeringm' of a tl conjee today, of ma eating to affe Tw rule o every was o numb< for ev male l accorc Psych cent o the nu MAIL CALL An Aggie feeling homesick in Missouri You cannot imagine how wonderful it was to see the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band perform at the Texas A&M v. Missouri football game last Saturday. I spoke with many Mizzou fans after the performance. They all complimented the band. Some fans even thanked me that the band had made the trip. After returning to work on Monday I spoke with many Mizzou co-workers who had also been at the game. Everyone mentioned the Band and how wonderful they were. I wanted to pass these compli ments along to you. I also want to say thank you for bringing the Texas Aggie Spirit to Columbia, Mo. It has been many years since 1 walked past someone and they greeted me with an enthusiastic “Howdy.” It gave me chills and made me homesick. Both of my teenage boys were with me at the game. Both felt the Aggie Spirit and were awestruck by the band. Thanks again for bringing a little bit of home this far north! W. Larry Stendebach Class of 1980 Greenpeace activists were exposing crimes In response to Mike Walters’ Nov. 19 column: Mike Walters’ column accuses Greenpeace of “ignoring the facts,” but Walters himself is guilty of the same charge. First among his omis sions is the fact that the two Greenpeace activists who boarded the Jade were arrested, charged, tried and convicted. The U.S. gov ernment’s indictment of the Greenpeace organization for the actions of members already sen tenced and punished is a historical ly unprecedented action. Secondly, Walters’ support of private-property rights is evidently too narrow to benefit the destitute people from whose land the Jade’s cargo of mahogany was illegally harvested. Nor does his respect for the rule of law, so abundant in his excoriation of the activists, move him to mention that the mahogany’s transport from Brazil to the United States was illegal in both countries. Though acknowl edging that the cargo was contra band, the U.S. government has pressed no charges against the Jade’s corporate owner — only, rather, against the organization that exposed the crime. Wylie Harris Graduate student Bonfire would be safer if held on campus In response to a Nov. 20 mail call: No construction company in the world has a 100-year perfect record of being incident-free, but you don’t see construction companies going out of business just because of one accident. Instead, companies make improvements to their processes and go on to the next job. This is what the students are doing with the rebel bonfire. They are going on to the next job. It will continue this way until the end of time, with orwl out the support of the University.la' tell you that my support will begdi^ towards the continuance of the borfc The Former Students Association no longer be receiving my donations am sure I am not the only former t dent who feels this way. It may not be feasible for fir University to sponsor the bonfire te year but it is outrageous, absurd a puerile to command students to nd attend. The last time I checked,! was still a free country, where weaii all allowed to demonstrate our bei and hold rallies of support for f cause. If you are concerned abort safety of the student body, return the Aggie Bonfire to campus. Wk watch too qu amour happe It i: Unitec der, cc half as disord to ther Relate Wh ing m< AmyMitcti Class ol2df In r Nov. 1 Ms. Adventist Cathode ‘EpiscopaC 9{pn-2)enominationad Pentecostal Seventh Day Adventist 1218 Ettle St., Bryan (corner of Coulter) 775-4362 Pastor Bill Davis English - 11:30 am Sabbath School - 10:00 am www.bryansdachurch.com AssemBCy of Qod Bethel Temple Assembly of God 2608 Villa Maria, Bryan 776-4835 Sunday Worship 10:15 Sunday School 9:00 www.betheltemplebcs.com ‘Baptist Parkway Baptist Church 1501 Southwest Pkwy (979) 693-4701 Sunday Worship 8:15 10:45 & 6PM Sunday School 9:30 AM Wednesday: Meal 5:30PM College Bible Study Wed. 6:30PM www.pbccs.org Fellowship Free Will Baptist Church College & Career Class You are invited to a Bible Study especially for students. Sunday mornings at 9:45 Wednesday night supper at 5:30, followed by Bible Study at 6:30 1228 W. Villa Maria 779-2297 For more information contact Bill Van Winkle: 774-3059 college @fellowshipfwb.ora http://www.fellowshipfwb.org [ To advertise ] on this page call The Battalion today! 1^ 845-2696 J K St. Mary’s Catholic Center 603 Church Avenue in Northgate (979)846-5717 www.aaaiecatholic.ora Pastoral Team Rev. Michael J. Sis, Pastor Rev. Keith Koehl, Associate Pastor - Campus Ministers - Deacon Bill Scott, Deacon David Reed, Martha Tonn, Julia Motekaitis Dawn Rouen, Roel Garza Daily Masses Mon.-Fri.: 5:30 p.m. in the Church Tues.&Thurs.: 12:05 p.m. in the All Faiths Chapel Weekend Masses Sat: 2:00 p.m. (Korean), 5:30 p.m. (English), 7:00 p.m. (Spanish) Sun.: 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 5:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Confessions Wed. 8:30-9:30 p.m.. Sat. 4:00-5:15 p.m. or by appointment. Christian First Christian Church 900 South Ennis, Bryan 823-5451 Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Morning Worship 10:45 a.m. Robert D. Chandler, Minister Church of Christ A&M Church of Christ 1901 Harvey Mitchell Pkwy. (979)693-0400 Sunday Assemblies: 8 a.m., 10:30 a.m., College Bible Class 9:30 a.m. Sunday Night: 5:45 p.m. Mid-Week 6:45 p.m. Aggies for Christ Call for on-campus pick-up info www.aggiesforchrist.org St. Thomas Episcopa/ 906 George Bush Dr. • College Station, IX 696-1726 Services - 8:00 (Rite 1), 9:00(Family Service Rile II) and 11:15 (Rite ll-for late sleeping Ags) 7:30 p.m. Evensong Next door to Canterbury House. the Episopal Student Center Lutheran Sunday 8:1 5 a.m. & 10:45 a.m. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Stillpoint Evening Prayer & Communion 2nd & 3rd Sunday 6:30 p m. COLLEGE STATION. TEXAS Comer of Harvey Mitchell Pkwy and Rio Grande 693-4403 • www.peacelutheranweb.com Methodist A&M United Methodist 417 University Dr. (in Northgate) • 846-8731 Sunday Worship: 8:30,9:45,10:50 College Sunday School: 9:30, 10:45 Thursday Nights: 5:30 - University Choir 6:30 - FREE Supper, 7:00 - College Bible Study www.am-umc.org/college First United Methodist Church Bryan Worship Services: 8:40 am and 10:55 am College Class at 1 0:00 am Rev. Matt Idom, Pastor On 28' 1 ' Street, 1 block east of Texas Avenue in Bryan 779-1324 www.fumcbryan.org Calvary Chapel AGGI* ELAND Feeling a little overwhelmed? God can help! We are a small church that teaches God’s Word verse by verse, and places a high value on worship. We care about you - you’re not just another student. CASUAL ATMOSPHERE Come join us! Currently meeting at: Putt-Putt Golf & Games 1705 Valley View Dr., C.S. Just across Texas Ave. from the C.S. Police Station We’re studying the Book of Acts Services at 10:30 a.m. Sunday Pastor Jeff Hughes ‘95 (979)324-3972 www.aggieland.ee Equipping the saints for the work of the ministry - Heb. 4:12 communityCHURCH Now Meeting Across from Campus in Oakwood Interm. School George Bush & Holik St. behind the CS Conference Ctr. Follow the signsl m ^ every SUNDAY Prayer Service @10 a.m. worship @10:30 a.m. small groups meet throughout the week www.COmQ-IURCH.com 260-1163 Cornerstone Church • On Campus College Bible Study held wttt‘ • Sunday Service at 3:00pm Meets at College Station ConferenceCme (George Bush Drive) 485-8744 Pentecostal Victory United Pentecostal Churcli Sunday 2:00 p.m. Wednesday 7:111) W 1808 - H Brothers (behind the C.S. Wal-Mart) 764-4180 J College Station Korean Presbyterian Church 220 Rock Prarie Rd., CS 696-0403 Sunday Worship - 2:00^ Covenant Presbyterian Chuff' 220 Rock Prairie Road (979) 694-7700 Rev. Sam W. Steele - Pastor Sunday Service: 8:30 & 11 a.m. Sunday School: 9:45 a.m. Students Welcome www.covenantpresbyterian.org To advertise on this page call The Battalion today! v 845-2696 justice Chief, ing the to whe vague Ynlorm Moore Hannil "ttie p< order, of offic Const! ment c Althc live, ir made Moore vnust c \Vie prii innate systerr anothe issue, the co mustc Me for i In re The Judicie do w Christi lost h Suprei Christi but be order f is swe Kinesy stands his re Testan and su Folio could 9al a, regard life or Perpet lowing Fernor in no rights beliefs rerrioy ' n g his fying tl