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.
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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
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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.
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