Cartoon in Texas A&M newspaper draws criticism

COLLEGE STATION, Texas - A cartoon in the Jan. 14 issue of The Battalion that many called racist raised important issues at Texas A&M University.

The cartoon portrayed an overweight black mother, wearing an apron and curlers and scolding her son for receiving a bad grade. The mother warned her son his bad grades would lead to a job in airport security.

The controversy caused The Battalion, the school's student-run newspaper, to gather a panel of student leaders to talk about the history of the school and the feelings surrounding race that still exist.

Texas A&M was founded 125 years ago as an all-male, white, military college, built on military traditions. As the school continues to grow and diversify, student leaders wondered if past issues will disturb the A&M campus.

Some leaders expressed concern because more students were not visibly upset by the cartoon.

Daniel Hernandez, associate vice chancellor and panel moderator, said each individual is shaped by the history and culture from which he or she comes. He said understanding these factors will help students understand the cultures on campus and the events that led to the uproar over the cartoon.

"If you don't know that you don't know, it is not bad; it is history," Hernandez said. "Indifference has come because people don't ask questions about (each others') history."

Indiana U. will not change building's Ku Klux Klan mural

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Amid reporters, cameras, lights and concerned students, Indiana University at Bloomington Chancellor Sharon Brehm held a press conference Monday in the Maple room of the Indiana Memorial Union to make public her decision on the Benton mural featuring Ku Klux Klan members in Woodburn Hall 100.

Brehm stated the mural would not be covered because of moral issues and could not be moved because the painting could suffer irreparable damage.

"I am convinced that moving or covering the mural would be morally wrong," Brehm said. "It would, in effect, do what Benton refused to do: That is, it would hide the shameful aspects of Indiana's past."

After discussing why the mural would not be moved or covered, Brehm talked about the bigger issue that helped to create the mural argument in the first place: The lack of an obvious commitment to diversity at the university. The campus has a black student population of 4 percent.

Colorado bill aims to allow campus liquor sponsorship

FORT COLLINS, Colo. - Colorado colleges with liquor licenses could get financial assistance from the liquor industry after a Senate bill on the issue passed through the state House on Monday.

The bill would allow liquor companies to initiate contracts similar to the one Colorado State University currently has with Pepsi, and currently needs only a signature from Gov. Bill Owens before it takes effect - something the sponsors want to see happen by July.

It is currently illegal for the liquor industry to provide financial assistance to licensed colleges and universities in Colorado.

If Owens signs the bill, manufactures and wholesalers in the liquor industry will be able to provide financial assistance to state institutions of higher education, including Colorado State.

Liquor companies, like locally owned Coors, would be allowed to donate score boards for sports venues on college campus if the bill passes, something currently prohibited. Liquor companies' donations also could display their logos, which could appear anywhere.

"Students drink beer every day; we might as well make money off that," freshman Kerri Haeflinger said.

- Compiled from U-Wire reports by Daily Staff Reporter Maria Sprow.