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{\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\pard\plain \nowidctlpar\widctlpar\adjustright \fs20\cgrid {\fs24 \tab Chris Coray
\par \tab 10/06/2000
\par }\pard \fi720\nowidctlpar\widctlpar\adjustright {\fs24
\par }\pard \qc\fi720\nowidctlpar\widctlpar\adjustright {\fs24\ul \ldblquote Kiss Me on the A\rdblquote
\par }\pard \nowidctlpar\widctlpar\adjustright {\fs24
\par }\pard \sl480\slmult1\nowidctlpar\widctlpar\adjustright {\tab }{\fs24
Once a month (and on special occasions twice), droves of Utah State University students and other twenty-something youths gather around midnight at a statue on campus to partake in a ritual that has become a tradition that w
ill probably never die. Older than Big Blue is the roughly three foot-high statue known as the "A," prominently displayed in front of the Old Main building on the northern side. Brown and white, it is composed of four capital letter A's leaning against ea
ch other, topped by a large cement slab perfect for standing on, and more than wide enough for four people. That is, four people standing very, }{\i\fs24 very}{\fs24 close.
\par }\pard \sl480\slmult1\nowidctlpar\widctlpar\adjustright {\fs24 \tab It is here that men and women alike prove their Aggie-hood by participating in the inauguration that
is commonly called "becoming a True Aggie." The rules are simple, and a fairly easy act to carry out: Stand on top of the A or become part of a chain of people all linked to a couple standing on the infamous statue, and at the stroke of midnight, kiss fo
r ten seconds (or the full twelve chimes of the clock, if you want to make it extremely official, according to some sources).
\par \tab Many of these students who gather like hormone-infested rabbits on the night of either a full moon, Homecoming, or Aggie Day come
with their friends, not having any idea beforehand who they may end up kissing on top of the statue. These meetings, most informal and often awkward, could be just another part of the excitement of reaffirming one's loyalty to one's school and increasing
one's mojo.
\par \tab But do these experiences need to be all that intimidating?
\par \tab In steps technology. With the growth of the World Wide Web and the expanded knowledge about computers and the internet, more and more facets of our lives are benefited by e-commerce. C
lubs and organizations on campus are studied and explored on web pages, even the entire catalog of libraries on campus can be found at one simple stop. Why not aid in the performing of the ceremonial True Aggie rites?
\par \tab
There are many who would question the moral, ethical, and practical ramifications of just such a website, and many who would hail it as the best thing since Utah State came up with an identifiable mascot (no bull!). To get a feel for the reactions of a ma
jority of students on campus, a small
study was conducted to find out the general attitude towards a website designed around the ritual of becoming a True Aggie. Responses were taken at random from sources both orally, from the Forest Gate apartment community and Snow Hall dormitory, and e-ma
iled in from various students. The majority of the students asked in either method spent an average of 30 minutes per day on the Internet.
\par \tab \ldblquote I think we need something like that here,\rdblquote said Sam, a junior at Utah State. \ldblquote Something like }{\fs24\cf1 www.ncmo.org.}{\fs24 Something a little controversial, something to help you get lovin\rquote !\rdblquote
The majority of males asked seemed to be in favor of the idea, although a few commented that they were comfortable enough with themselves that they felt like they could go a few minutes before midnight with no predestined partner and be okay. Markay (who
refers to himself as \ldblquote The Heartbreaker\rdblquote ), a 21-year old freshman, said he would be interested in the services \ldblquote to be able to meet chicks for a one time, \lquote Get-it-on!\rquote basis.\rdblquote
\par \tab Skepticism seemed to be the theme from females, mixed with a few positive views. \ldblquote I think it\rquote s pathetic and desperate,\rdblquote
said Casey, a freshman. The majority of this group said that they might visit the website, as Casey went on to explain, \ldblquote Once just for kicks. If there were a lot of content so I didn\rquote
t breeze through it in just five minutes, I might go back.\rdblquote
\par \tab Is there a difference, however, when students are questioned fairly anonymously? Responses given through e-mail were more in favor of the site. One student who responded in this manner, Becca, said, \ldblquote
Why not? It might get pretty interesting." When asked if she thought any of her roommates would use the site, Brenda typed back the reply, \ldblquote They probably don't think they would, but I might sign them up for it and trick them into using it\'85
MAYBE just MAYBE I would use it.\rdblquote
\par \tab Overall, the negative aspects were the stereotype that a person using the services might seem desperate, or that becoming a True Aggie wasn't that important to the person being questioned. \ldblquote I think [becoming
a True Aggie] was just a dumb tradition made up by horny frat guys to get action,\rdblquote came one response. Positive feedback trended towards, \ldblquote At least I would know that I wasn\rquote
t going to be kissing some psycho, I could get to know the person a little beforehand,\rdblquote
as stated by Lacey. Most students interviewed said they would consider using the site if it were more all-encompassing by providing information on school activities, nights you could go to the A, humorous stories and experiences from the A, and photos
and profiles of other college students, preferably of the opposite sex. Who knows? Perhaps one day }{\fs24\cf1 http://www.trueaggie.com}{\fs24
will become a reality that will herald in a new wave of experiences at Utah State University, but for now, in public at least, most students are content to do things the old fashioned way.
\par }}