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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 4, 1993)
State & Local Wednesday Page 2 The Battalion Wednesday, August 4,1993 Texas Rangers induct first female officers THE ASSOCIATED PRESS AUSTIN — The first two females promoted into the Texas Rangers in its 170 years Tues day tried to downplay their role in making history on the legendary law enforcement force. Marrie Reynolds Garcia, 39, of San Antonio, and Cheryl Campbell Steadman, 32, of Hous ton were among nine Texas Department of Public Safety officers promoted to Texas Rangers sergeants. "I'm overwhelmed. It's exciting. The job starts now," said Steadman as she held one of her two children following a brief induction ceremony. ' Garcia added, "I'm very proud. This is something that I've been working on for some time." The Rangers are an elite state force now numbering 105 that investigates major crimes and tracks fugitives. Both women on Tuesday were surrounded by proud family and friends. Steadman's husband Steve, a DPS patrol man, said "When you are children playing cops and robbers, you always wanted to be a Texas Ranger. Now my wife is one." "When you are children playing cops and robbers, you always wanted to be a Texas Ranger. Now my wife is one." -Steve Steadman, DPS patrolman Bob Reynolds, the father of Garcia, said, "She worked hard for this. She always wanted to be the first woman." To critics of allowing women in the Rangers, he said, "Watch her shoot. She's tough, she goes by the book." Garcia's husband, Robert, who is a San An tonio police officer, said his wife was "over whelmed with happiness" over the promo tion. A 16-year veteran of the DPS, Mrs. Garcia said she wanted to join the force because "there's something intriguing about the Rangers. It's something I wanted to be a part of." More than 200 DPS officers competed for the nine Ranger openings. Those who were selected scored the highest on their examina tions and then were picked in an interview process. Col. James Wilson, head of the DPS, said the promotions show the agency was opening up opportunities to women and minorities. "The more talent we can get, the better the agency will be in the long term," he said. "We like to think of this as business as usual." The DPS in the past has been accused of discriminating against blacks, Hispanics and women in promotions. The first black lawman to become a Ranger was promoted in 1988. Mrs. Steadman, a nine-year DPS veteran, said more minorities and women will gain higher positions within the DPS and Rangers. It's just a matter of time before they rise up through the ranks, she said. UT-ex sues university for failure to stop rape THE ASSOCIATED PRESS AUSTIN — A woman who says she was raped in her Univer sity of Texas dorm room in 1990 has filed a civil lawsuit contend ing that the school reneged on its contractual obligation to provide safe housing. "There is no question that the university, in its role as landlord and manager of dormitories, knew before Melina Alanna Padilla was raped that other students had been raped on the university campus and that the immediate environs of the Jester Center Dormitory posed a very real threat," says Padilla's lawsuit against UT. Students apparently often taped down locks on hallway doors leading to dorm rooms to ease coming and going, the Austin American-Statesman re ported. Others named in the personal injury lawsuit — which asks for unspecified damages — include the UT System, Jester Center, the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics for Men, and the Texas Longhorn Educational Founda tion, the fund-raising arm for the athletic program. Richard Webb, an attorney for the UT System, referred questions to the state attorney general's of fice. Ron Dusek, a spokesman for the attorney general, defended the university. "The bottom line is that the grand jury and the university's in vestigation determined that this (rape) did not take place," Dusek said. The suit also names the man Padilla contends raped her. A Travis County grand jury in 1991 refused to indict Richard Willis King, a football walk-on from Lufkin, for sexual assault. King has said the couple had sex but that Padilla consented. Padilla has asked for a second look into the case after she found that the fore man of the first grand jury was a UT faculty member. "We felt it was basically an un fair grand jury," said Padilla. She was an 18-year-old freshman at the time of the alleged assault and now is a student at St. Edward's University. Padilla said J. Neils Thompson, an engineering professor and for mer president of the Southwest Conference with strong ties to the UT athletic department, served as foreman of the grand jury that heard her case. Thompson, a professor emeri tus, said, "I remember the case. The additional specifics I don't re call." Because grand jury delibera tions are confidential, he said he didn't feel he could say more. Assistant District Attorney LaRu Woody, now chief of the grand jury division, said in recent letters to Padilla's lawyer that she saw no reason to reopen the case. King tried out for the Long horn football team in 1990 but didn't make the cut. He had suit ed up for one game at the time of the arrest, then-Coach David McWilliams said. Police arrest 1 of 5 suspects for robbery of A&M student By MICHELE BRINKMANN The Battalion One of five suspects who held a Texas A&M University student at gun point Sunday morning at Easterwood Airport has been arrested by the University Police Department. UPD Detective Will Scott arrested a 16-year-old Irving male for ag gravated robbery Monday. UPD has completed its investigation, but Scott said Bryan and Col lege Station Police Departments will continue to investigate. Several of the suspects involved in the robbery have been identified. "The four or five individuals involved in the robbery are believed to be connected with other robberies around this area," Scott said. Scott said the case was broken by a clerk at the E-Z Mart in Bryan where the suspects began following Rob Thomas, a senior journalism major. The clerk recognized the vehicle when it returned the night after the robbery, and the driver failed to pay for gas. Thomas was followed from the E-Z Mart to the airport by a 4-Run ner around 5:15 a.m. Then one of the individuals held a .45-caliber au tomatic pistol to Thomas' head and demanded Thomas give him his money. Police Beat The following incidents were reported to the University Police Department between July 23-29. Dodge pickup truck. The hood ornament was stolen from the victim's 1985 Mercedes. Burglary of Motor Vehicle Minor in Possession of Alcoholic Beverage east door of the building. Criminal Mischief University Owned Apart ments - The victim's 1991 Mit subishi was entered and several items were stolen. University Drive - Two indi viduals were issued citations. Weisenbaker Building - A red Lotus 21-speed bicycle was stolen. Hensel Terrace Apartments - The victim's vehicle was entered, but no property was taken. Spence Street - Citations issued. Misdemeanor Theft Blocker Building - A purple Trek bicycle was stolen. Horticulture Forest Science Building - Some type of projectile broke a window oh the third floor of the building. Assault Parking Area 39 - A Green Machine gas edger, gas powered string trimmer, heavy duty farm jack, and a four-way lug wrench were stolen from the victim's Urban Entomology Building - Someone entered the victim's desk and removed $40 in cash. Spence Hall - A Diebold card reader was stolen from the south door of the building. Bush Library Foundation - MSC Bowling and Games - An employee was assaulted by one of two individuals who refused to leave the area after closing. Dunn Hall - During checks of campus property, a security offi cer discovered a broken window. Dormitory 2 - The rear rim of the victim's bicycle was bent. Indecent Exposure Clements Hall - The victim ob served a nude male at the north- Spence Hall- The Diebold computerized touch key number pad was damaged, and a Diebold card key pad was stolen. I.GHT Grants for r Stiicl^iitvS and Graduating Seniors If you're a U.S. citizen, you can perform research abroad in the country of your choice. To find out more, come to our Informational Meeting (listed below), or come by or call the Study Abroad Program Office at 161 Bizzell Hall West (845-0544). Wed. August 11, from 2:00-3:00 251 Bizzell Hall West SCOTT & WHITE CLINIC, COLLEGE STATION Announcing Weekend Clinic Hours for Urgent Care 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Scott & White Clinic, College Station, is now offering weekend Clinic hours for urgent care by appointment \ only! The Weekend Clinic is conducted from 8:30 a.m. J to 5:00 p.m. in the Clinic Annex building located across the street (Glenhaven Dr.) from the main clinic. By Appointment Only (409) 268-3663 A Scott & White Annex UNIVERSITY DRIVE EAST Scott & White Clinic, College Station Finance Tips Investigate possible options to avoid checking account cost By ROBERT SPOTSWOOD Special to The Battalion It is necessary to understand a few simple principles of finance before setting up a checking account. The best type of checking account is a no-fee, no minimum bal ance, interest bearing account. This is also the least likely type of ac count to be found. It is up to the customer to determine which deal is the best for them. Fortunately, thanks to the Truth in Savings Act (TSA), which took effect June 21, this has become a little easier. Bank patrons must first look at fees when choosing an account Even with an interest bearing account, fees can very quickly eat into an account balance. Thanks to the TSA, when banks advertise free checking, it means there are no fees and no minimum balance requirement. However, free checking rarely pays interest, and cus tomers will probably have to buy their own checks. A word of warning: The banks can still say it is free, if it is free for only a limit ed time, but the ad must state it is for a limited time. If the bank does not have any free checking, most will have ac counts where customers can avoid most, if not all fees with a mini mum balance. In this case, prospective customers have to decide a couple of things. Can a minimum balance be maintained? Because of the TSA, the minimum balance is the balance over the month. If a cus tomer slips below the minimum for only a few days, a fee is still permitted. Second, how much will the fees really cost? If only a few checks are written each month, the check writing fee will not cost much, and often a set number of checks will be given free each month. When an account is opened, a list of fees must be given in accor dance with the TSA, but the list may not include everything, nor does the TSA require all fees be in the list. The final choice is an interest bearing checking account. This will almost always have a minimum balance requirement and will probably have fees too. If the minimum balance will not be a prob lem, and the fees expected to be incurred will not eat up the interest and some of the principal, then this could be the best account. The alternative should also be considered. If a high enough inter est rate can be earned elsewhere, taking a no-minimum fee checking account can still work. Subtract the cost of a lower minimum (this in cludes as minimum of zero) balance account from how much could be earned elsewhere. If the number is positive, go for the lower mini mum balance. Here the higher minimum balance is used as a basis or starting point. For purposes of comparison only, the cost of the high er balance account is set to zero. Richards Continued from Page 1 governor who believes govern ment ought Jo be more responsi ble, responsive and accessible' electing someone we don't know that much about. The incumbent is a known quantity." Although Richards has a 58 percent job approval rating ac cording to the poll, Margaret Jus tus, the governor's deputy press secretary said political polls can not always be relied upon. "These polls are just snapshots of what people are thinking at a given time," Justus said. "You never know the whole picture or background as to why they re sponded the way they did. To un derstand how quickly things can change, you have to look at how George Bush was doing eight to nine months before that years's presidential election." "Bush was extremely popular with something like a 90 percent approval rating coming off the Persian Gulf War then it dropped off greatly," she said. "My point is, you have to be. very careful when you look at poll results. We are not taking anything for grant ed. We plan on working hard." A&M professors said Richards is popular, and the poll shows she has an approval rating unequaled by governors in recent years. "I think she presents herself and is perceived as a populist the citizensjrlill said. "Her posi tion of change and an engaging political personality are important reasons for her popularity." Wiggins said, "She's a moder ate who has been willing to de fend Texas' interests in the nation al political area. She has been a major supporter of the Space Sta tion and Super Collider alloca tions which are very important to a great many Texans." "She hasn't stubbed her toe, that is to say she has not done anything to really make her approval go down," he said. "The one thing that was significant that people have probably forgotten about is her support of Lena Guerreo. When is the last time you heard anyone talk about that?" Economic prospects for Texas, general tax and budgetary policy, school funding and criminal jus tice are the issues that are expect ed to be big during the upcoming campaign. "Tax and budgetary issues are always controversial for a variety of reasons, and I suspect they still will be," Hill said. "My guess is that the campaign will be largely shaped around arguments by the different candidates as to who can provide the greatest leadership with respect to economic develop ment and preparing the state for the year 2000." 1600 University Drive The Battalion JASON LOUGHMAN, Editor in chief MARK EVANS, Managing editor DAVE THOMAS, Night News editor MACK HARRISON, Opinion editor BILLY MORAN, Photo editor STEPHANIE PATTILLO, City editor ANAS BEN-MUSA, Aggielife editor KYLE BURNETT, Sports editor SUSAN OWEN, Sports editor Staff Members City desk — Jennifer Smith, James Bernsen, Reagan Clamon, Michele Brinkmann, Jason Cox, Lisa Elliott, J. Frank Hernandez, Janet Holder, Carrie Miura, and Geneen Pipher News desk - Lisa Borrego, Joe Holan, Lance Holmes and Denise Wick Photographers — Mary Macmanus, Nicole Rohrman, and Stacy Ryan Aggielife — Jacqueline Ayotte, John Bayless, Margaret Claughton and Jennifer Sake Sports writers — Roy Clay, Matt Rush and Mark Smith Opinion desk — Matt Dickerson, Tracey Jones, Frank Stanford and Robert Vasquez Cartoonists — Boomer Cardinale, George Nasr, Joe Reyes, Sergio Rosas and Paul Stroud Graphic Artist - Angel Kan Clerks Grant Austgen, Alishia Holtam and Lisa White 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 class 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 845-3313. Fax: 845-2647. 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. Subscriptions: Mail subscriptions are $20 per semester, $40 per school year and $50 per full year. To charge by VISA or MasterCard, call 845-261 1. five bo they m carpet i Confer, Thre ka, Ge, Texas / Lubbo< Robert magazi respect Teel spect o turning nation. Bee wit Foil the Be open t time h Ins lead t 1993 s< Ree Souths "W confei see ju! ine a just he Ac, presec up th( ence predic In i SWCi have : the co Th< home D U