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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 29, 1992)
State & Local Page 2 The Battalion Tuesday, September29,15! Act puts campus safety first Tuesda; Health Tips Requires universities to disclose crime statistics to students By BRANDI JORDAN Reporter of THE BATTALION In November of 1990, the Stu dent Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act was signed into law requiring security and safety to be campus priorities. The House Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education found that although "there was a time when a college campus was con sidered to be a sanctuary, a place where teaching, learning and so cial exchange took place in an en vironment that posed minimal danger to the personal safety of the campus community; crime on campus has escalated from an in frequent occurrence to a subject of major concern for the higher edu cation community." The implications of the law af fect, to some extent, all postsec ondary institutions that receive federal financial assistance. More importantly, it involves the entire campus community, not just the safety and security organizations, in responding to crime incidents on campus. Bob Wiatt, Texas A&M Univer sity Police Department director, said, "This act is outstanding. It requires a security and safety to be priorities for institutions of higher education." Title II of the act. Crime Aware ness and Campus Security, re quires all institutions receiving federal financial assistance to cer tify they have established a cam pus security policy. The legisla tion requires institutions to dis close to current students, employ ees and any applicant for admis sion or employment the following information: A statement of current policies on the reporting of crimes and policies regarding institutional re sponse to such reports; Statements of current policies concerning security and access to campus facilities, campus resi dences; Statistics concerning the occur rence of campus crimes during the most recent school year and dur ing the proceeding two school years of the following offenses: murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, arson; Statistics concerning the num ber of arrests for the following crimes: liquor law violations, van dalism, weapons possession and disorderly conduct. The legislation requires institu tions to provide students with policy statements regarding alco holic beverage and drug use. Additionally, the legislation specifies that all the required re ported information must be pre sented to the student collectively in a single section of a publication. Timely reports must be submit ted to the campus community about crime occurrences to pre vent similar crimes from occur ring. The impetus for the act be gan in April of 1986 when a Lehigh University student, Jeanne Clery, was murdered in her dorm room by another student. Lehigh administrator Marsha Duncan feels the act is a blessing for both academic institutions and students. "College campuses are located on this planet," Duncan said. "They therefore are exposed to crime, just as they are exposed to air pollution." Wiatt said since the Lehigh in cident, universities are more aware of the possibilities for litiga tion. Lehigh University had no trained security personnel and no locks on the outside doors of the dormitories. The university had prior knowledge of the victim's assailant. Wiatt said Lehigh was clearly negligent in protecting their students. See Safety/Page 6 Corporal outlines ways to handle prank calls By CPL. BETTY LEMAY Special to THE BATTALION Most telephone calls are legitimate, but every now and then you may receive a call which is an noying or obscene. Texas criminal laws state that a person commits an offense if he or she "causes the telephone of an other to ring repeatedly or makes repeated tele phone communications anonymously or in a man ner unreasonably likely to harass, annoy, alarm, abuse, torment, embarrass, or offend another." Here are some helpful telephone tips: - If the call becomes obscene, abusive, or profane, simply hang up. What the caller wants to hear is your shocked verbal reaction. - If these calls persist, call the police immediately and file a report. Keep a log of the calls, the times, what the caller's voice sounded like, and what was said. - Don't answer questions you wouldn't respond to if they were asked by a stranger on the street. Never give confidential or personal information over the telephone to someone you don't know, es pecially credit card numbers. - Ask the caller to identify himself or herself first. If the caller asks, "Who is this?" or "What number is this?" - don't answer. Instead ask, "What party are you trying to reach?" or "What number did you qall?" For more information on telephone tips, contact the University Police Crime Prevention Unit at 845- 8900 or 845-6713. Correct posture, exercise help to lessen back pain By KIRK COLE Special toTHEBATTAUON Approximately 80 percent of the U.S. Popula tion at one time or another experiences back pain that severely disrupts work and/or recreation. Back pain is the number one cause of activity re striction. Lower back pain generally reflects minor in jury, overexertion, normal aging, stress, poor pos ture, lack of regular exercise, and/or overeating. However, it can originate from more serious con ditions. It may be coupled with other symptoms, as well. The primary way to avoid back strain is to maintain the natural S-shaped curve of the spine. This can be accomplished through using correct posture while lifting, standing, walking, driving sitting, sleeping carrying packs, and weightlift ing. Here are a few helpful hints for prevention of lower back pain: ♦Lifting: Bend with you knees, not with you back. Lift with your legs hold objects close to your body. Lift objects only chest high. Get help when a load is heavy. Do not twist while lifting. •Standing: stand with one foot propped up, changing positions often. Stand with your back*s three natural curves in their normal, balanced alignment. •Walking: Walk with good posture keeping you head high, chin tucked in, and toes straight ahead. Wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes. •Driving: Adjust seat to keep your knees level with hips. Sit straight keeping both hands on the wheel. To support your lower back, place a lum bar support or rolled-up towel behind your back. ♦Sitting: Sit in chairs low enough to place both feet on the floor with knees level with your hips. Sit firmly against the back of the chair. Protect your lower back with a lumbar support or rolled-up towel. ♦Sleeping: Sleep on a firm mattress. Sleep on your side with your knees bent, or on your back with a pillow under your knees. Sagging mat tresses are a big problem. If you have a sagging mattress, consider plac ing a piece of plywood below the mattress or placing the mattress temporarily on the floor. • Carrying backpacks: Slinging a pack over one shoulder can be a source of problems. This is a common cause of back pain in students. Try carrying your backpack over both shoul ders, but if that is not your style, at least alternate your pack frequently from one shoulder to the other. This also applies to carrying large handbags or purses. ♦Weightlifting: Learn the proper weightlifting techniques from a professional. Never arch your back while doing squats. If you have had back problems in the past, use less weight and more repetition. If you have had back problems or just want to strengthen your back, there are certain exercises specifically designed to improve stretch and strengthen back and trunk muscles. | These exercises can be obtained from a physi cal therapist or your doctor. If pain or discomfort is experienced, stop and seek medical attention. The Health Center has a Physical Therapy department for treatment with physician's referral. Tension is not a primary cause of back ail ments; however, it has repercussions that can do more damage to an injured back, or it can leave you prone to back problems. Some advice would oe to simply relax. If you have localized, minor, lower back pain, give your back a rest. Self-treatment might include heat and/or ice, and over over-the-counter pain medication. If pain persists for a week, medical attention should be sought immediately. As estimated, the occurrence of back pain in our society is quite high. You may injure your back by not following a few simple rules. Therefore, follow the tips .given, exercise, and you will be on your way to maintaining a healthy back. The Health Education Center at the A.P. Beutel Health Center offers a variety of programs on health topics and maintains a resource file of health information in many areas of health. Please visit or call the center in room 016, A.P. Beutel Health Center, (409) 845-1341, if you have general questions about your health or need more information. MSC All Night Fair KTex^106.i COMMITTEE 12 $$044/ presents Sfiwcena, Tuesday, Oct. 6 7:30 p.m. Rudder Theater § $3 singles $5 doubles Incredible evening of illusion you will never forget!! sponsored by POTATO CHIPS A&M Magic Club RESEARCH Skin Infection Study VIP Research is seeking individuals 12 years of age or older with uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections. If you have a skin infection, you may qualify for a four week research study using a currently available antibiotic medication. Participants who qualify and complete the study will be paid $200. Genital Herpes Study Individuals with genital herpes infection are being recmited for a 3 week research study of an investigational anti-viral medication. If you would like to find out more about this study, call VIP Research. $400 will be paid to qualified volunteers who enroll and complete litis study. Acne Study VIP Research is conducting an ACNE research study with a reformulation of a currently available topical anti-acne medication in gel form. If you are 13 to 40 years old and have mild-to-moderate facial acne,you may qualify for this study and receive up to $150 for your participation. No blood drawn. CALL Volunteers in Pharmaceutical Research, Inc. 776-1417 AWIEOTMDN GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN FOR THE AGGIELAND! WHEN: Sept. 7 - Oct. 2, Monday - Friday 9:00 am « 5:00 pm WHERE: AR Photography 707 Texas Ave. next to Taco Cabana The Battalion ATLANTIS TILLMAN, Editor in Chief STEVE O’BRIEN, Managing Editor JASON LOUGHMAN, Opinion Editor GARY CARROLL, City Editor MEREDITH HARRISON, News Editor J. DOUGLAS FOSTER, Sports Editor HEIDI SAUER, News Editor CHRIS WHITLEY, Sports Editor TODD BLACKMON, Arts & Entertainment RICHARD JAMES, Photo Editor Editor Staff Members Reporters — Melody Dunne, Mark Evans, Todd Stone, Sharon Gilmore, Robin Roach, Brandi Jordan, Cheryl Heller, Tanya Sasser, Robin Goodpaster, Juli Phillips, Tanya Williams, Julie Chelkowski, Monique Lunsford, Mack Harrision, and Will Healy. News desk — Kyle Burnett, Tracia Newbold, Jennifer Mentiik, David Thomas, Lance Holmes, Laurie Reysa and Jennifer Smith. Photographers — Darrin Hill, Jenny Matlack, Randy Nichols, Sandra Alvarado, Billy Moran, Jennifer Lockard, and Robert Reed. Lifestyles writers — Susan Owen, Anas Ben-Musa, Tricia Martinez and Julie Polston. Sports writers- K. Lee Davis, Michael Plumer, Don Norwood and Ruly Medrano. Columnists — Anthony LoBaido, Stacy Feduda, Dwayne Purvis, Shawn Ralston, Matt Dickerson, Robert Vasquez, and Toni Garrard. Cartoonists - William Hamson, Thomas Deeney, George Nasr, and Clay Welch. Clerks — Darra Dees, Pejcharat Harvey, Shelley Rowton and Jamie Anderson. The Battalion (USPS 045-360) is published daily, Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters and Monday through Thursday during the summer session (except University holidays and exam periods), at Texas A&M University. Second dass postage paid at College Station, TX 77840. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Battalion, 230 Reed McDonald Building, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843. News: The Battalion news department is managed by students at Texas A&M University in the Division of Student Publications, a unit of the Department of Journalism. Editorial offices are in 013 Reed McDonald Building. Newsroom phone number is 845-3316. Fax: 845-2647. Opinions expressed in The Battalion are those of the Opinion Page staff or the contributor and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Texas A&M Battalion editors, student body, administration, faculty or staff. Advertising: For campus, local and national display advertising, call 845-2696. For classified advertising, call 845-0569. Advertising offices are in 015 Reed McDonald and office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Fax: 845-5408. Q TACO ‘BELL If you are looking for the challenge of running a business^ we would like to have you join our Management team at Taco Bell. Taco Bell is a subsidiary of "Pepsico," a Fortune 500 company. Benefits include: 401K Plan Dental Insurance Health Insurance Stock Option College Tuition Reimbursement If interested. Taco Bell will be interviewing all Majors and MBAs who demonstrate leadership, interpersonal, and administrative skills at the placement center, October 12, 1992. Bid deadline is September 29, 1992, so don't hesitate and RUN FOR THE BORDER. If you have any questions please contact Trena Castle, Kenny Niederhofer, or Todd Smith at (318) 439-0348. Aggie Organizations! We have extended the deadline for contracts! If you have not already done so, pick up a contract in rm. 230 RDMC. Hurry! Spaces are going fast! $50 half page/$75 full page. For more information, contact the AGGIELAND at 845-2682. Sin fan son Wit chang songs the Ke no ord Mcl Sun da count] though terms i glitteri and sil pants, i she op' "So Go Mcl humbh "My she san "Really On' On" a i Likes I energy as the 1 danced Mcl love so gown i backdn Her Broken lection ing wit and al mere irey l "W1 songs : songs t they w told the Mcl Creates ther/d, saying. Andi