The Battalion

EDITOR'S NOTE

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors and forum participants in this paper do not necessarily reflect those of Texas A&M University, The Battalion or its staff.

MAILCALL GUESTCOLUMNS

Make your opinion known by submitting Mail Call or guest columns to The Battalion. Mail call must be fewer than 200 words and include the author’s name, classification, major and phone number. Staff and faculty must include title. Guest columns must be fewer than 700 words. All submissions should focus on issues not personalities, become property of The Battalion and are subject to editing for style, clarity and space concerns. Anonymous letters will be read, but not printed. The Battalion will print only one letter per author per month. No mail call will appear in The Battalion’s print or online editions before it is verified.

Direct all correspondence to:
Editor in chief of The Battalion
(979) 845-3315 | mailcall@thebatt.com

Top Story

Opinion: The $22 million credit on faith

Robert Carpenter: ‘Student success fee’ sets disturbing precedent

During an on-campus public hearing last week attended by approximately four students and a room full of people who don’t pay student fees, University President R. Bowen Loftin requested, and the board of regents granted, permission to fund what is known as the “student success fee.” At first glance, students should wonder which existing fees aren’t devoted to “student success.” Full story

Top Story

Editorial: Take advantage of freedoms at A&M

We’ve observed passionate response throughout the year to the stories that have filled The Battalion’s pages. Some of this emotion has been constructive — seeking answers, questioning the status quo, even correcting our mistakes when we err. But at the same time, we’ve also observed rash responses from portions of the community that seem uninterested in reaching greater understanding of societal issues. It’s not an issue isolated to The Batt, which is concerning for a collegiate community. Full story

Opinion Story

>>

Editorial: Senate should rectify mistake, confirm Zelaya

Virtually every member of the Student Senate agreed Wednesday that curriculum and instruction graduate student Jose Zelaya was qualified to be Student Government vice president of diversity. Senators recognized Zelaya’s passion for representing marginalized and minority populations on campus, even applauding his commitment to the betterment of Texas A&M.

Opinion: Negative effects

Kori Wilson: Race-based admissions unproductive at university level

When the Supreme Court upheld the use of race-conscious admissions at universities in Grutter v. Bollinger in 2003, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s majority opinion was based on the assumption that a diverse student body produced educational benefits.

Opinion: Spirit of Aggieland complete

Matt McCullar: Renovated MSC reinvigorates Aggie experience

I sat in the newly renovated MSC on a warm Sunday afternoon. Although the building was crowded with students former, present and future, there was a familiar tone in the air.

Opinion: The Aggie War Hymn

Frank Cox: A former head yell leader’s take on a tradition’s future

There are two verses — not one — to “The War Hymn.” For decades, we have sung the t.u. verse and repeated it, and sadly, it refers to t.u. more times than it does the Aggies.

Opinion: Generation split reveals misguided priorities

As my time here draws to a close and I reflect on my years at A&M, I can’t help but feel a disconnect between our generation and those past.

OPINION: Restore US freedoms

Michael Rodriguez: Ron Paul’s message resonates with youth

Ron Paul stopped in Aggieland last week to gain support as he continues his campaign for the presidency. As Paul travels through the country, he has generated most of his support from young voters, a phenomenon that hasn’t gained much attention, but could as the race heats up leading to the Republican National Convention in August.

Guest Column: A tradition of acceptance

Sarin Regmi: Students can make A&M ‘home’ for those studying far from their families

When the plane took off, I felt that I was going to miss something that was dear to me — an environment where I was happy and genuinely unconcerned about my being. I’ve never had such feelings while leaving College Station.

Guest Column: Outsourcing Aggies

Gabriel Clark: A&M should take care of its own, including staff

There was a meeting on March 21 in Rudder Theatre about “Outsourcing Custodial and Dining Staff at Texas A&M University.” As I sat in the room filled with hundreds of people — among whom were University President R. Bowen Loftin, Associate Provost for Diversity Christine Stanley and two custodians who I have known for majority of my college career — I listened to several heart-breaking testimonies.

Better off cloned

Naila Dhanani: Embrace the potential benefits of cloning

Fifteen years after the birth of Dolly, the first mammal cloned from an adult cell, debates still arise over the practice of cloning, particularly regarding the safety of consuming cloned animal products.

Opinion: 70s style is out

Michael Rodriguez: Zachry Engineering Center needs a facelift

Most engineering students, in one way or another, find themselves in the Zachry Engineering Center while at A&M. The structure celebrates its 40th birthday this year, and while it has useful labs, classrooms and department offices, it desperately needs improvement.

Opinion: Less talk, more action

Michael Rodriguez: Respect the ‘student’ in student government

Student Government Association has taken a lot of heat in recent weeks. After the election turmoil, SGA now more than ever needs to step up its campus-wide effort to earn the respect of the students of Texas A&M.

Mail Calls

>>

Mail Call: From Dawn Peterangelo, senior aerospace engineering major

The Battalion, over the past month, has tackled an issue that is extraordinarily difficult to discuss: sexual assault...

Mail Call: From Sarah Szuminski, Class of 2004

Studying abroad in Castiglion Fiorentino, Italy, my junior year at Texas A&M University was easily one of the best experiences of my life, thanks in no small part to Paolo Barucchieri, longtime director of the Texas A&M study abroad program in Italy who died April 9 after battling cancer...

Mail Call: From Joseph Hovsepian, Class of 1950

Ron Paul’s visit was a great example of greatness. Invite people to speak that have common sense — not like Rep. Nancy Pelosi (infamous for saying, I paraphrase, “Pass Obamacare, then we can read it later.”) and President Barack Obama, who were both invited to A&M in the past few years. Glad to see the majority of Ags are on the conservative side.

Mail Call: From Ellen Onderko

I read with great interest the guest column about creating a humane model of acceptance at Texas A&M University, “A tradition of acceptance,” published April 10. My own experience in Silicon Valley, Calif., — where engineers from every country on Earth are rubbing shoulders — may give a wider view to the concept...