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