University of Texas Austin - Cactus Yearbook (Austin, TX)

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While not specifically listed on the map as one of Texas ' main points of interest, the West Mall could easily claim the slightly pretentious title The University ' s melting pot by JOANNA VAGUE and BRIAN VANICEK ATTERED, and tasteful, looking as if it had been cast by a moneyed producer with an odd interest in fashion, the West Mall ' s characters ' dress reflected their lifestyles. Hare Krishna devotees draped in flowing orange robes, soft-shoed dancers in close-fitting danskins, modified cowboys in boots and button downs and a liberal assortment of mismatch- ed students pleaded the issues of the day. A resident of Monterrey, Mexico, Rober- to Baez studied at the Technological In- stitute of Superior Studies of Monterrey for two years before he arrived at UT in January of 1982. His decision to attend UT was based on the need to improve his English and his desire to compare the two cultures. While Austin may have afforded Baez the chance to observe Americans in their native habitat, the West Mall surely gave him the opportunity to inspect people from all over the world. Baez expressed surprise at one of the prevalent American costumes which was so visible at the University. What confound- ed him was that many apparently well-to-do American girls wore Mexican dresses. To me that ' s a stupid thing because in Mexico you buy those dresses on the streets, Baez said. It ' s ironical because the Mexican girls who wear those dresses are the peasants. The University ' s official enrollment in 1982 was 45,825. Of that number, 37,776 or 82.4 percent were Caucasian; 3,576 or 7.8 per cent were Mexican-American and 1,160 or 2.5 percent were black. Foreign students like Roberto Baez ac- counted for 2,541 places or 5.5 percent. The remaining percentage points were filled by 701 Asian-Americans and 71 American In- dian students. West Mall scenarios pictured any number of students gathered together for one reason or another. For some, the Mall afforded a place to eat lunch or to consume mass quan- tities of soft drinks or caffeine between classes. For others, the Mall played a more idealistic role that of an open forum where all were free to express ideas and ideologies. Between September 1981 and May 1982, the West Mall was the scene of dozens of rallies and performances, touching such varied subjects as equal rights, fair housing, El Salvador, nuclear energy, reproductive freedom and Mexican dance. Roberto had his own impression of this academics-oriented melting pot. When the sun was out, everybody just lay there in shorts and bathing suits ... I thought, well, O.K., what about the sun? In Mexico we always have this weather. Here, just because a little ray comes out, everybody goes out. I thought they were crazy. Lisa Long, a sophomore advertising ma- jor, tagged the West Mall as a learning center. You never know what you ' re go- ing to see when you ' re out on the West Mall, Long said. Long added that the West Mall provided her with exposure to many different types of people including the Iranians, Hare Krishnas and evangelist Sister Cindy Lasseter. I always like to go out and see Cindy, Long said, I think that it ' s free entertainment. While Long felt right at home at the University and on the West Mall, Baez had to make a few adjustments. He particularly objected to Americans ' imitation Mexican food. What I mainly hate about Tex-Mex is the cheddar cheese, he declared. A taco with any cheese, but especially cheddar cheese, is not a taco. Moreover, Baez expressed surprise at the differences between American sexual at- titudes and those in Mexico. Mexican men are brought up to be very macho, said Baez. The worst thing that could ever happen to a man is to lose his feeling of masculinity. Baez perceived the overall student body as courteous, but not friendly. He explained that Latin people were more expressive, speaking emphatically and using their hands. The Americans are wonderful people when you get to talking with them, but it ' s hard to establish a relationship, he said, continuing, I ' ve met many friendly people and I like that, but I wish they would try a lit- tle harder. You can ' t expect a foreigner to act as every American does, but that ' s what you seem to expect from us. You don ' t understand that we are from another country and have different ways of saying things or doing things smiling, talking, laughing; everything is different. Everything. 12 West Mall

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one Mall title ifS ot H aM H Minis I fa Up tact. I ,r K t Ctth, long . MMM IB t bent it the . . . BK y i BBD He puwaiarly oi ant fccin . ' ' - . ,- ' - ' ' e opsi. Brilliant spring colors, brightly-hued balloons and rainbow-clad students blend to form the kaleidescopic diversity of the West Mall. West Mall 13