Texas A&M President Robert M. Gates can now be seen driving a golf cart around campus.
"I realized after the fact that I had done a very poor job of negotiating my contract when I got hired," Gates said. "Most universities provide a car for their president, sometimes even with a driver."
Gates proposed that the University purchase a golf cart.
"I thought it would be an efficient and cost-effective way of moving around campus," Gates said. "It was becoming difficult to move around campus. Some buildings are too close to drive to, but they are a considerable walk."
The golf cart was not purchased with tuition funds, student service fees or at the state's expense.
"There are several private endowments and other sources of funding that went to pay for the cart," Gates said.
The four-seater, powered by an environmentally-friendly electric engine, is fully decorated with "Aggie" and "Whoop" decals on the rear and a "Howdy, Dammit!" bumper sticker across the front of the vehicle. Along with the "Aggie on Board" sticker on the front windshield, Gates adorned the front windshield with maroon and white Styrofoam dice. To make the vehicle official, maroon and white University seals were plastered across the sides.
"We thought we would have a little fun with it," Gates said. "We wanted to distinguish this golf cart from all the other carts that are on campus."
Gates has turned many heads on campus and caught many students off-guard.
"I think it's hilarious that our president is driving a golf cart around campus," said Brian Vranes, a senior communications major. "At the same time, I think he deserves better; after all, he is the president of our University."
On the cart's maiden voyage, Gates traveled to the University Press building with executive vice president David Prior.
"I looked over my left shoulder to see if I could make a left turn, and I didn't exactly make a smooth turn," Gates said. "Dr. Prior almost ended up being dumped onto the sidewalk."
On the return trip, with Prior holding on for dear life, A&M's two top administrators found themselves in the path of an oncoming bus in one direction and an 18-wheeler truck coming from the other direction when Gates attempted to floor the accelerator and beat the two massive vehicles through the intersection.
"I overestimated the golf-cart's engine power, and luckily everything turned out fine," Gates said. "Texas A&M almost had some new career opportunities."
The golf cart is parked in the Koldus Parking Garage while Gates is on campus.
