From: enw2049@zeus.tamu.edu (WALKE, ERIK N)
Subject: Re: class rivalries at colleges
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41    
Organization: Texas A&M University, Academic Computing Services
Distribution: usa
Date: Sat, 10 Oct 1992 20:28:00 GMT

In article <80924@ut-emx.uucp>, llama@pooh.cc.utexas.edu (sine nomine) writes...
>Anthony Edward Prattico (pratta@rpi.edu) wrote:

>  [regarding nasty aggie hazing stuff]

>:In these days of lawsuits, sexual harassment cases, assaults cases, rapes,
>:and stalking laws, I'm surprised this is allowed to happen. It is nothing more

> 
>you have to understand that texas a&m is very very good-old-boy about
>their traditions. the guys who join the corps[1] know what's gonna
>happen to them, and the corps as a whole jealously guards all their
>lovely little tribal practices.

       It isn't just the Corps of Cadets, although much impetus for 
       TAMU's tradition-mania springs from the Corp's example.
       Most Aggies, whether CT's[2] or not, are fiercely protective of
       thier peculiar traditions.  This can lead to silliness in some
       areas, but usually it's just loyalty of the old-fashioned sort, 
       perhaps like the faithfulness of a good old dog.

>so the people being hazed as she described are pretty much willing
>victims.

       "willing victims" seems oxymoronic to me, but the point is clear.
       Military units in schools do similar things in training to the  
       actual military services, to break down the will to resist 
       discipline (and eventually, orders). How many people have seen 
       _Full Metal Jacket_ or _Platoon_ ?  

       Actually, what goes in here at TAMU seems to pale in comparision
       to the havzing of "knobs"[3] at The Citadel,a military school in South
       Carolina.  There was a article about brutal hazing and violence 
       there in a recent issue of Sports Illustrated. If it's all true, 
       it's REALLY amazing that the Citadel hasn't yet been sued to
       bankruptcy, even in South Carolina.  In one example, a knob was 
       forced to atone for an embarassing loss by the football team by 
       hanging, feet off the floor, legs and arms bent, from the top shelf
       of his closet with an upperclassmen's dress saber propped 
       between his legs.  Pretty cool. . .

>[1] the corps is the texas a&m rotc unit. it's huge, old, and steeped
>in weird little traditions.the only way to be in the school band is to
>be in the corps, i've been told.

       Well, sort of.  Only members of the Corps of Cadets can be in the
       TAMU Marching Band; only Cadets can be BQ's[4].  There is a 
       Symphonc Band on campus that's open to all; it's improving, but
       it used to be awful.

[2] CT = Corps Turd, an affectionate nickname for a Corps member.

[3] The Citadel's term for freshman.  Here at TAMU there are called 
    "fish." 

[4] BQ = Band Queer; used like CT.  It's not that Aggies can't laugh at 
    themselves; they just can't stand to have anyone else laugh along

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  All opinions expressed by this user are well-reasoned and insightful. 
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