Image provided by: Texas A&M University
About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 18, 2004)
\TION 'ALIOK uel on der am to jel tank Opinion The Battalion Page 9 • Wednesday, February 18, 2004 es into risk of S ammalili iks. a formei wen! le seve is will t allou evelop) an. was net- ygen to) ined (foil rel tank it oxygen ced to 11 atheisll r ered thu n in tk nated tk :ofo >uch as will k ithers :ir fli if Boe Voicing concerns Students must utilize avenues of communication for their voices to be heard R ; IVl ecently, the student government committee, Texas Aggies Making Changes (TAMC), released its new student input boxes, nhich enable students to initi- iie change on campus. However, the effectiveness of tee boxes remains to be seen, since they are entirely dependent on student participation. They can iilherprovide students with an active voice on tampus or simply clutter the halls of the Student Center. Regardless, the input tees have the potential to do a lot more than loststudents understand, including members of !A, and they should be utilized. Suggestions obtained from the boxes essen tially work to assist SGA in identifying issues or (loblenis around campus that otherwise might unresolved. This is a positive step, since it’s no secret SGA lacks feedback from the stu- Jeotshere. In fact, one could argue these “rep- ttsentatives” only represent the interests of a itigleconstituency: themselves. This is not meant to be a lengthy criti- m of SGA members by any means, in fact far from it, because most of them mk extremely hard to consider what le majority of the students need. , though, a time comes when lese representatives run out of ideas to or problems to address. As a ,ideas become uniform and actions routine. It is the hope of TAMC that the sug- itionsobtained from the boxes will improve SGA’s effectiveness in address- s that are truly relevant to tie students. However, students should recognize oneier aspect: They now have a per- iMtforum at their disposal that the potential to influence the HiJhdministration. Consider some of the issues that have made it onto the administration’s recent agenda. If one needs his memory refreshed, simply look at a tuition bill, listen to a diversity debate or talk to a journalism major. It appears that the administration can simply implement any policy it wants without seriously considering the students. And why should it? Only a pigmy amount of students shows up to address these issues when meetings are held. Since few speak out, it’s easy to overlook them. Recall the tuition increase meeting held over the summer where SGA President Matt Josefy addressed University President Robert M. Gates and the A&M Board of Regents in an attempt to persuade them to consider tuition increases only as a last resort. Josefy tried to convey to the board that A&M students were indeed concerned about the proposal by stating, “Whereas past tuition hearings have had mea ger turnouts to say the least, 35 students partic ipated in the question-and-answer sessions with Dr. Gates on Monday... and that’s in the mid dle of the summer.” Indeed, it was during the summer, but arguably 35 students out of 40,000 did little, if anything, to sway the board’s decision. Most likely, the board thought, “big deal; the students will get over it.” Who knows if Josefy’s address would have had a greater impact if a list containing the names and opinions of a significant number of Aggie students was presented to the board? Would it have changed the decision to raise tuition? It’s hard to say, since many salient reasons exist for increasing the University’s funds. But one thing is for sure, the board would have regarded the students as being not only concerned but motivated enough to speak out. This shows intensity and enough of it can be very persuasive. The Diversity Plan that will change the cam pus atmosphere we know today, marks another opportunity for students to speak out. New Vice President for Diversity James Anderson told The Battalion last fall that he will work with faculty, administration and student leaders to determine what their needs are. So put Anderson to the test. See if he really does care what the students think. By all means, sugges tions should not emanate completely from the Young Conservatives of Texas or SGA’s diver sity committee. Here’s the deal. It’s easy for the admin istration to humor the opinions of a few SGA representatives, but it’s not easy to humor and overlook a large group of students. There is power in numbers. If one doesn't believe the administration listens to the opinions of a substantial number of future A&M alumni, who hold potential donation dollars, they are surely mistaken. Indeed, students should give this new resource a chance. After all, it may be surprising what gets accomplished. Nicholas Davis is a senior political science major. Graphic by Tony Piedra parents’ 96 mi so\t le of labels® enl were pe ent jstobat' \ FCIC committed to racial discrimination' In response to a Feb. 17 news Ttie Faculty Committed to an Inclusive Campus (FCIC) denies that e a hidden agenda. Then uliy didn't they name themselves the Faculty Committed to Quotas and kial Discrimination?” Our guess is tiat it wasn’t catchy enough. The organization’s goals as stated (i its Web site outline its desire for racial quotas in admissions, hiring and scholarships at A&M. This poli cy does not promote “diversity;” ither, it promotes “division.” The FCIC claims to have the sup port of University departments and lop administration officials, includ ing Vice President of Diversity James Anderson. While it is not clear if the Texas A&M administra tion really has reversed course from a “merit only” policy by align ing themselves with this group, is clear is that FCIC’s dream olrace-based quotas in hiring and based scholarships at A&M already exist. The documents prov ing this can be viewed at ktpV/yct,tamu.edu/quotas.asp. In the spirit of looking beyond skin color and judging students based on iir character, the Young mservatives of Texas at Texas iM today are proud to announce creation of $10,000 in race-neu- scholarships for Texas students. ions are available at Wamu.edu. We encourage stu- lents to apply for the scholarships idto reject the racist doctrine of le FCIC. Weston Batch Brannon Kroll YCT A&M Affirmative Action co-chairs Appelt Hall mourns loss of Chris Lawler Appelt Hall was struck with a great /on Sunday evening. Chris kiler, the RA for the third floor, ksetotake his own life. Chris was dirRAand a friend to all of the resi- | toils of Appelt. We would like to kk everyone who prayed for us k more importantly, for Chris and MAIL CALL his family. We also extend our prayers to Chris’s family, his room mate and his friends. Thanks to all the Aggies who called to support us during this trying time, and for the Aggie network who had hundreds of people lifting Chris up in prayer. Daniel Nieswiadomy and The Appelt Hall Residents Class of 2007 Battalion has history of questionable photos In response to a Feb. 17 photo graph: I, along with everyone else in the Aggie family, was very saddened by the news of the death of Christopher Anthony Lawler. While I did not know Christopher, I was shocked to hear of his death and the circum stances surrounding it. I was even more shocked to see the picture that The Battalion chose to print along with the article. The picture printed was not an old photo of Lawler, not a picture of him with loved ones or friends, but of a UPD officer carrying away the firearm that killed him. I, as do other students who I have talked to, feel that printing this pic ture was in poor taste, immoral and above all disrespectful to Lawler and his family. I would hate to think of Lawler's parents, family or friends picking up a Battalion and seeing that picture associated with the per son they loved. And what's worse, this is not the first time the Battalion staff has committed this injustice. Several years ago, before I was a student at A&M, I remember my older brother showing me a similar picture in The Battalion. An A&M student had committed suicide by jumping off of the roof of the Northside parking garage. The pic ture that accompanied this article was of a physical plant worker cleaning the portion of the street where the student had fallen. I also remember reading the mail call sent regarding the poor taste in which the picture was printed. I guess that the staff and editors of The Battalion have not learned from their mistakes or the mistakes of others before them. While it is always unfortunate when a member of our Aggie family dies, it is revolting to see them remembered in such a way by our school newspaper. Hopefully we will never have to see something like this again. To the family and friends of Christopher Anthony Lawler, I am sorry for your loss, the Aggie family is with you and you are in our prayers. I will also apologize for those who found it necessary to print such a picture. It is hard to be proud of something like that being associ ated with the school I love. Kyle Bading Class of 2004 Running picture was insensitive to Aggies I pick up a Battalion on Tuesday, excited to read the article about The Price Is Right, which I was quoted in. After looking at the front page, I did n't even want to open up the paper. I was very disheartened to see the picture you chose to place with the article about the Southside student’s death. Instead of placing a picture of the Aggie that we lost, or even a pic ture of the dorm where the incident occurred, a completely inappropriate picture was put in its place. I realize that this is a newspaper and you must state the facts, but let’s not for get about the Aggie family and all the values that each Aggie embraces. I may not have known Mr! Lawler personally, but my heart sank when I saw that photo, and my thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends who are grieving for the loss of their son, their friend and their fellow Aggie. Katy Peterson Class of 2004 Photo fed Battalion's iust for ... morbidity' I am outraged that The Battalion chose to print the picture they did with the article about Christopher Lawler's death. It was crude and tasteless. No picture was neces sary, and this one was certainly out of place. How horrible for his family and friends to not only have that image burned into their memories, but also to have to answer questions from the many who did not know how Chris died. The police state ment said nothing about manner of death other than that it was "self- inflicted." Apparently The Battalion wanted to satisfy its own lust for sen sationalized morbidity by printing a picture that is sure to feed the already disgusting wave of gossip that has consumed our campus. Aggies, let’s come together during this difficult time and support one another instead of adding to the grief of Chris' family and friends. Diana Sherrouse Class of ‘06 Column lacked some needed information In response to Collins Ezeanyim’s Feb. 16 column: In his latest opinion piece, Ezeanyim spends around two-thirds of the text expressing matters that should cast doubt on the major con clusion of the article, and half of the remainder (the bit about white areas) in a poor attempt to recover. Not only is the data cited woefully incomplete without Tier 2 reports, as he argues so well, but the known agendas of the study's commissioners makes one wonder about the results even if the needed information had been available. In the end, this report revealed nothing new and further failed to cre ate a solid case for systematic unfairness in the activities of police departments. I do, though, invite the researchers to try again when mean ingful data is available. Chris Carlin Class of 2003 Attack showed an absence of Aggie spirit In response to Jon Steed’s Feb. 16 column: There are two widely-held views of Texas A&M. The first, professed by administration, alumni, and those indoctrinated at Fish Camp, stresses the tradition-oriented, fam ily atmosphere of the campus, com plete with “Howdy,” yell practices and E-Walks. The second image, however, is not only more negative, but more prevalent than most would like to think. It is a picture of a close-minded and ultra-conservative institution and student body, to whom any thing — or anyone — who is even remotely different is not to be tol erated, let alone accepted. I want to believe in the first of these images, but the recent attack on a homosexual man at Northgate, as commented on by Mr. Steed, does not give me much confidence that this second image will soon be overcome. The guilty parties at Northgate are but a symptom of a larger underlying sicknbss within the stu dent body of A&M. For example, there are certain well-organized and visible factions on campus who, through such bigoted activi ties as “Straight Pride” days, per petuate this atmosphere of close mindedness and hatred of all things different. Although they were not throwing the punches, their discriminatory “political actions” on this campus set the stage for the violence of the recent past. It also speaks volumes that the camaraderie of the Aggie spirit was absent when this horrible attack was taking place, as evidenced by the fact that no one stepped up to help the party being assaulted. For these things to occur any where would be shameful. But for them to occur in a place and among people who label them selves a “family” is absolutely rep rehensible. It is time to completely disprove and renounce this second image of A&M—along with all its organizational relics—and once again promote the true spirit of Aggieland for ALL people. Joseph Abel Graduate Student The Battalion encourages letters to the editor. Letters must be 200 words or less and include the author’s name, class and phone number. The opinion editor reserves the right to edit letters for length, style and accuracy. Letters may be submitted in person at 014 Reed McDonald with a valid student ID. Letters also may be mailed to: 014 Reed McDonald, MS 1111, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-1 111. Fax: (979) 845- 2647 Email: mailcall@thebattal- ion.net. No attachments are accepted.
