University Press (Beaumont, Tex.), Vol. 72, No. 30, Ed. 1 Friday, February 2, 1996 Page: 3 of 6
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University Press • Friday, February 2,1996 • Page 3
U POpinion
University Press
Tracy Harbin..............................................Editor
Allen Pearson....................................Managing Editor
The opinions that appear in editorials are the official views of the University
Press student management as determined by the Student Editorial Board.
Opinions expressed elsewhere on this page are the views of the writers only and
are not necessarily those of the University Press student management. Opinions
are not necessarily those of the university administration.
Editorial 111 ■™111 1 ———
TSUS not responsible
for institute’s demise
It seems that those who opposed the merger between
Lamar and the Texas State University System are still
seeking to discredit the move through accusations and
distorted facts.
It is illogical to blame the closure of the John Gray
Institute on the TSUS Board of Regents. It is necessary
to review events of the past year.
On March 6, the Texas Legislature, more specifically
the House Appropriations Committee, voted to elimi-
nate $420,000 for the fiscal year 1995-96 for the John
Gray Institute. The Lamar University System did not
become part of the Texas State University System until
Sept. 1. Therefore, how could the board be responsible
for the closing of JGI?
Texas legislators voted to transfer those funds to
hold-harmless monies for educational programs. This
would seem appropriate since Lamar is an institution
of higher learning. Our legislators seemed to think the
money that had been going to JGI, and showing very
little for it, could be put to better use for library
enhancement and better educational programs.
JGI was established in 1981 to help local business.
The institute was designed to be self-supporting. The
local economy took a turn for the worse, however, and
JGI ran into financial difficulty. In 1991, the institute
solicited legislative funds with the understanding that it
would once again return to a self-sustaining institution.
No dates were established at that time regarding the
institute’s return to self-support.
• The John Gray Institute has known since March that
its legislative funding was in question. The institute has
had almost a year to raise the needed funds. How, then,
can anyone accuse the TSUS Board of closing the insti-
tute?
If JGI had been fulfilling its original purpose, it
would never have been forced to solicit state govern-
ment funds in the first place. Few would argue that, in
its later years, the institute has been a source of sorrow
to Lamar, first, by drawing attention with an audit
under shady circumstances and then as a haven for
employees under questionable circumstances.
Those disgruntled with the merger would do better
to get a grip and deal with it. The fact remains that the
merger is. Period. It is sad that some still wish to pout
because they did not get their way. It is sadder still that
those few are willing to distort facts in hopes of gaining
support for their lost cause.
The best thing that has happened to Lamar in a long
time is the merger into TSUS. The next best thing is that
our legislators rechanneled tax dollars into Lamar edu-
cation.
It is time for this community to put away personal
political agendas. It is time for this community to bond
together with a common goal. Lamar has the potential
-to become this area’s greatest asset. The only thing
lacking is community support. It has to start with us, the
, students. We can stand up and say, “Enough is enough.
Stop fighting us and work with us.” Now is the time for
all of us to work together for the good of the whole.
Personal agendas accomplish nothing except power for
a select few.
University Press
Editor............Tracy Harbin
Managing Editor ... Allen Pearson
Features Editor .... Tonya Andris
Sports Editor. Michael Thibodeaux
Copy Editor.....Laura Lee Scott
Graphics Editor .... Liv Lindberg
Staff Writers.....Amber Armond,
Billie Dorman, Will Hughes,
Wayne Meza, Chester Moore,
Holly Simmons, Ginger Sjolander,
Todd Sonnier
Sports Writers......Bryce Darby,
Kelly Kirkpatrick, Owen Myhre,
Derrick Sonnier
Photographers......Mark Smith,
Ken Wiatrek
Graphics..........Pablo Gomez,
Jason Parish, Stephanie Staudt
Ad. Assts........Chris Fontenot,
Allan Prater, Shawn McGraw
Interns...........Vita Gradney,
Samantha McGuire,
Elizabeth Mingledorff,
Danette Mitchell
Director ........Howard Perkins
Asst. Director .... Andy Coughlan
Advertising Director.. Linda Barrett
Opinions Wanted
Individuals who wish to speak out on issues should send a letter fewer than 300
words in length to Letters to the Editor, P.O. Box 10055, LU Station,
Beaumont 77710 or drOp letters off at our offices in 200 Setzer Student
Center. Your name, address, phone number, and social security number must
accompany each letter. Letters received without this information cannot be
pointed. «,
Magic moments
Basketball legend returns, proves victory of spirit over illness
On Tuesday night a miracle happened right
before my very own eyes.
I watched one of the best basketball play-
ers of all time come out of retirement to do
what he does best — love life.
Earvin “Magic” Johnson made his mark on
life by playing the game of basketball so well.
After contracting HIV in 1991, Johnson was
forced to retire. This came as a shock to peo-
ple everywhere. They were watching the life
of a man whom they adored being tom apart
by a deadly disease.
At the hanging of Johnson’s Los Angeles
Lakers retired jersey, you could see how
much the game of basketball meant to him.
As one long teardrop fell from his face, I
found myself feeling guilty that we, as a coun-
try, allowed such a deadly force to come in
and ruin lives.
At this point in time, people everywhere
were very ignorant about AIDS and HIV. It
seemed as if everyone was waiting for some-
one else to find a cure. AIDS patients were
treated like lepers, and many lives were shat-
tered.
Magic Johnson was still feeling well after a
couple of years and tried to come back to play
in the National Basketball Association.
Hearing this, most professional basketball
players scorned the idea, and Magic’s return
did not last very long.
Magic then tried to start coaching the L.A.
Lakers. He began to feel weaker and decided
that this was not such a good idea. I really
think, at this point, Earvin Johnson was slip-
ping into a rejected sinkhole. Coaching was
too close to actually playing for Magic. He
was too young to be a coach, but too “sick” to
compete.
Well, here we are, four years later. Magic is
Opinion
Allen
Pearson
now 36 years old and figures that this is his
last shot at being able to play the game he
knows so well.
The only question he faced was what would
everyone else say?
It is a sign of the times that the public has
had a change of heart since Magic’s previous
return. Not only is his disease now accepted,
but Magic is encouraged to return as a com-
petitor.
Tuesday night, Magic Johnson scored 19
points, 10 assists, 8 rebounds and regained a
life that he had been
deprived of.
This man is four
years older, 27
pounds heavier and
carrying a life-
threatening disease,
but he excited mil-
lions of fans who
were watching his
return Tuesday
night. While I was
watching, I totally
forgot about the dis-
ease that almost
destroyed this man’s
career. I think
everyone did.
This is what
blows my mind. This same disease that people
were so scared of just two years ago is now
being accepted. People are more aware of the
disease and have educated themselves to
ensure their safety. There is reason to hope
that, soon, there will be a cure for AIDS so
that all HIV patients can live life to its fullest
and not be cast into the darkness of the sick.
I hope that people, especially children, who
have AIDS or HIV watched the triumph of
Magic Johnson and will be inspired to do
something that will give them their lives back.
Now that this sickness is not looked upon
as a “quick death disease,” maybe Americans
will realize that AIDS victims are human and
deserve to get a second chance at life, just as
Earvin “Magic” Johnson did.
Allen Pearson is UP managing editor
UPSuruey
If you could change one thing on campus, what
would it be and why?
“Easier instructors. So everyone can pass
easier, make better grades, and get better jobs.”
Tom Nguyen
Vietnam senior
“More money for girls’ sports. Girls’ sports
are not attended like guys’ sports.”
Erin Fontenot
Port Neches freshman
“Book prices. I am a college student working
part time and cannot afford them.
Rich Simmons
Mauriceville sophomore
“Football team. A college or university with-
out a football team is insensible.”
Chris Taylor
Orangefield junior
“Football team. It will bring more money into
school, give us something to do, bring more spirit,
and will get the community involved.”
Gretchen Whitman
| Vidor sophomore
“Move it to Austin and call it UT. Beaumont
is less than a popular place to live.”
Russell Bryan
Dallas freshman
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Harbin, Tracy. University Press (Beaumont, Tex.), Vol. 72, No. 30, Ed. 1 Friday, February 2, 1996, newspaper, February 2, 1996; Beaumont, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth500847/m1/3/?q=%22%22~1: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Lamar University.