Rich Cheapskate Uses Big Event for Free Labor
For the past 40 years, The Big Event has allowed students to give back to those in need in the Bryan-College Station community and exemplify the Aggie Spirit through helping residents or organizations with various chores. However, not all of the jobs are quite in line with this spirit.
One family being selflessly served during The Big Event is the Owens family. Steven and Tasha Owens, both Texas A&M graduates, currently work in the oil and legal fields as an oilfield owner and a defense attorney, respectively.
“We’ve really enjoyed taking part in The Big Event since moving back to the area a few years ago,” Steven said. “It saves me the hassle of hiring someone to take care of the yardwork, and best of all, it’s free.”
The only limit on student work is a four-hour time limit and an inability to use power tools or ladders over six feet. With that in mind, Tasha wanted to ensure that she and her husband got their money’s worth from the unpaid volunteers. “I had them start out by cleaning the bathrooms and bedrooms in the first hour, and then I sent some to vacuum and the rest to the laundry room,” Tasha said. “I’d also given our chef this week off, so I put the students to work meal-prepping in the kitchen.”
While not required, it is common for volunteers and residents to sit and share a meal or a snack around lunchtime. This was not the case at the Owens household. “Nowhere does it say we have to give them any food or refreshments while they’re here,” Steven said. “In fact, I think that would go against the spirit of The Big Event if we did; the whole purpose of the day is for them to give us their labor, not for us to give them a free meal.”
Even after a full morning of labor, the Owens remained unsatisfied with the results of the volunteers’ efforts.
“It would’ve been great if they could’ve gotten on taller ladders and dusted our antique crystal chandeliers or stayed longer to clean our guest house,” Tasha said. “Maybe they should look into changing that for next year.”
― Batt for Both Teams
A softball extraordinaire, Batt for Both Teams was an up-and-coming player of Texas A&M’s own. One fateful day after too little sleep under a too-bright sun, Batt for Both Teams stumbled from the outfield and into the batter’s box. She hit a home run that day, but for the wrong team. Now, neither of her partners will let her live it down. We just hope the sun doesn’t get too bright for her to write something for some other newspaper on campus… But that probably won’t happen… right?