■ W
5,1994
had the
ity’s his-
est seed-
to reach
1 tourna-
d with a
Source: NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
FTTW Texas A&M "W^ _ _ "W •
The Battalion
)1,93 No. 146 (10 pages)
Serving Texas A&M since 1893
Friday, May 6, 1994
forward
but will
4ity, and
>est job I
finitely a
it will be
:en many
at A&M,
imitment
iwth of
s been a
ihe said,
el to all
en almost
for a new
nediately.
■ created,
assistant
.s ex post
who will
terms of
he said,
eason we
have now,
rd to sell
nt Coach
:andidate
irsue the
iouse approves assault—style weapons ban
e players
ad called {Associated Press
ailies.
ere quiet
e said,
she said.
;roup of
WASHINGTON — The House voted
trowly Thursday to ban 19 types of as-
ult-style weapons, a major victory for
tsident Clinton and law enforcement
oups lobbying for the bill.
Ihe 216-214 vote had a dramatic end-
1, as one lawmaker — Rep. Andrew Ja-
Jsjr., D-lnd. — switched in favor of the
i.
The vote was a crushing defeat for the
aional Rifle Association.
The vote means that both houses now
le passed similar weapons bans. The fi
nal language must be worked out in a
House-Senate conference.
Only last week, backers of the ban were
15-20 votes behind. By the start of this
week, the number dwindled to under a
dozen. And as the vote neared, even as
lawmakers confronted each other in floor
debate, a parade of ban supporters stepped
forward to announce their new positions.
The measure would stop future produc
tion and sale of the 19 weapons, but
would not affect legally owned guns on
the list.
Clinton gave convert Rep. Stephen Neal,
D-N.C, a starring role in a joint Rose Gar
den appearance.
The president called Neal’s change in
position “an act of conviction and
courage,” as he called for “a dramatic
strike against these deadly weapons.”
On the House floor Rep. Tim Roemer,
D-Ind., said he voted against a 1 99T at
tempt to impose a similar ban, which
failed 247-177.
“This bill ... is very different,” Roemer
argued. “It does not take guns away from
anybody in this country. It does not
retroactively go after the guns owned by
legitimate gun owners of this country.”
Debate was punctuated with sharp ex
changes, especially one between ban op
ponent and the sponsor of the ban,
Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., held up a
mug shot of a man he identified as Russell
Obremski, who Hunter’s staff said was
from Oregon.
“Let me show you an assault weapon,”
Hunter said, reciting a list of crimes that
included statutory rape, murder and
sodomy against a 4-year-old girl. “You’re
not going to get a phone call from Russell
Obremski and his colleagues ... saying we
saw that legislation pass and we’re ready to
turn our guns in.”
Rep. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., shot
(instruction causes
parking, traffic problems
Melissa Jacobs
\iBattalion
Alas poor Fido! I knew him, Horatio
i the
ap-
who
be-
vear.
:e of
16th
Lies’
ook
has
The expansion of Texas A&M’s
Ltrmal utility distribution capaci-
which provides heating and
cling to campus buildings, has
used parking and traffic prob-
ms for many residents of north-
le halls.
The construction will continue
id July, and various parking and
iffic changes will be made
iroughout the period of con-
juction.
On May 1, Parking Area 77,
inch provides staff parking, was
iosed and staff members were in-
acted to park in the Wellborn
portion of Parking Area 30,
iich is a residence hall parking
This will continue through
lie 30 and students are not to
ark in this area during business
burs.
In a letter to The Battalion’s
Hal Call, 104 signatures accompa-
' a letter from Ed Williams,
of‘96, complaining about
ie changes.
Blaine Holbrook, parking coun
iat Parking, Transit and Traffic
Jhices, said students are being
sightly inconvenienced, but they
ffien’t had too many students call
aid complain about the changes.
“Staff members are being
moved to Parking Area 30,” Hoi-
kook said. “Unfortunately a lot
if students are having to move be-
ause of this.”
Night privileges will be avail
able for residents with hall parking
permits Monday /through Friday
from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. and
all day Saturday and Sunday.
Vehicles parked in the restricted
area will be relocated or removed
at the owner’s expense. The re
served areas will be strictly en
forced.
“Unfortunately cars are going
to be towed,” Holbrook said.
“We’ve already had some com
plaints about cars that have been
towed.”
For the duration of the con
struction, the University Drive en
trance to Parking Area 7 7 will be
closed. Parking Area 2 and 3 en
trances on University Drive should
be used instead. Left turns from
Wellborn into Parking Area 77 will
be prohibited, and cars exiting
Parking Area 77 will not be able to
turn left onto Old Main. Drivers
on Wellborn Road wanting to en
ter Parking Area 7 7 will have to
circle the Bell Tower and return to
the entrance.
PITS officials suggest that dur
ing peak traffic times, drivers leav
ing campus use Clark Street and
Joe Routt to alleviate traffic con
gestion.
Asbury will be closed from May
16 through June 24 at Hogg
Street. New Street will be closed at
Ireland, which means traffic for
North Side Garage will be unable
See Parking/Page 10
Eateries sign on with A&M
for underground food court
Texas A&M signed licensing agreements with Chick-Fil-A, Whataburg-
trjaco Bueno and Alonti’s Deli that will enable construction of the food
Hurt to begin as early as the end of August.
In a statement released by University Relations, Dr. Rick Floyd, associ-
jte vice president for finance and administration and interim director of
food services, said Texas A&M’s Food Services Department will operate
ie branded food court.
The licensing agreements, which were signed last week, allow the
bod Services Department to use the names, products, preparation tech-
iques, signage, menus and pricing structure of the four nationally and
regionally known fast food chains.
Floyd said renovations of the food court, which will be located in the
bsement of Sbisa Dining Center, will begin shortly.
“We plan to have the food court up and running by the time the stu-
ients return for the start of the fall semester,” he said.
■A :
Tim Moog/The Battalion
^ggielife
Cartoons
Opinion
Sports
Pg.9
Pg.7
Matt Carpenter, a junior biomedical science major from San Antonio, reviews the bones of a
dog's head at Research Park as he prepares for his anatomy final exam.
back, “The whole idea of our bill ... is
very simple — to prevent people like Mr.
Obremski from getting assault weapons.
He should be locked up, but if he’s not
and people like him are not, they will not
have assault weapons.”
“Mark my words, this will turn out to
be a- centipede of shoes dropping,” with
gun control bills coming up every six
months to a year, Rep. Gerald B. H.
Solomon told the House.
The New York Republican cited FBI fig
ures that rifles are used in only 3 percent
of homicides while knives are used in 1 5
percent.
Student candidate for
city council reaches
end of campaign trail
By Angela Neaves
The Battalion
Texas A&M student Jimmy Stathatos’s
campaign for the College Station City
Council will come to an end at the polls
Saturday.
Stathatos, a senior political science
major, said students and non-students
have been receptive to his candidacy.
“The campaign is moving along
steadily,” Stathatos said. “We got a lot of
people registered to vote by setting up
oooths in the MSC and handing out reg
istration cards on the quad.”
Stathatos said he has registered about
1,500 students to vote, but he cannot be
sure of the number because citizens mail
in their own registration cards.
Stathatos said community members
also are showing support.
“A letter from a College Station citi
zen was published in the Eagle support
ing me,’ he said. “It made me really
hopeful because it showed that I am
making an impression on the communi
ty”
Ron Going, a sophomore political sci
ence major and member of Aggie De
mocrats, said having a student on the
city council is logical and needs to hap
pen.
“Students don’t get the respect they
should as residents and citizens,” Going
said. “We don’t need preferential treat
ment, but we do need a voice. Some stu
dents stay here much longer than four
years. They deserve a voice.
Going said although Stathatos is a
strong candidate, the odds are against
him because of student apathy.
“Student apathy is a problem not only
on the local level but also on the national
level,” Going said. “The Battalion’s mail
call shows that students are disgruntled
with the community, but they may not
get out and vote. It is both sad and iron
ic.”
Stathatos is not running as a student.
Going said, but as a resident who hap
pens to be a student.
“Jimmy is not going to only represent
the students,” Going said. “What is
unique about him is that he will equally
represent students and other members of
the community. He will keep all citizens
in mind.”
Jim Gardner, a former city council
member and a candidate in the election,
said having a student on the council is a
good idea as long as they are not the ma
jority.
“A good mix of citizens is a good
idea,”Gardner said. “However, students
don’t usually make College Station their
permanent home, so they should not
compose the council.”
Connie Hooks, of the College Station
City Council office, said 30,764 citizens
are registered to vote in the election.
See Election/Page 3
Spring 1994 Finals Schedule Protecting the environment
ntewatioml hco<r
iratti
7:30-9:30 a.m.
10 a.m. - noon
12:30-2:30 p.m.
3-5 p.m.
8-10 a.m.
10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
1-3 p.m.
3:30-5:30 p.m.
8-10 a.m.
10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
1-3 p.m.
3:30-5:30 p.m.
8-10 a.m.
10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
. 1-3 p.m.
3:30-5:30 p.m.
Friday
Classes meeting MW 5:45-7 or later
Classes meeting MWF 8 a.m.
Classes meeting TR 9:35-10:50
Classes meeting TR 11:10-12:25
Monday
Classes meeting MWF 9:10-10
Classes meeting MWF 12:40-1:30
Classes meeting TR 8-9:15
Classes meeting MW 4:10-5:25
Tuesday
Classes meeting MWF 10:2011:10
Classes meeting MWF 3-3:50
Classes meeting TR 3:55-5:10
Classes meeting MWF 1:50-2:40
Wednesday
Classes meeting TR 12:45-2
Classes meeting MWF 11:30-12:20
Classes meeting TR 2:20-3:35
Classes meeting TR 5:30-6:45 or later
Texas Forest Service
operates through A&M
to help timber industry
By Mary Kujawa
The Battalion
From timber harvest to urban forestation to
wild land fires, the Texas Forest Service serves as a
guardian of the timber industry in Texas. The
state agency operates in the Texas A&M Universi
ty System.
“There axe only six forestry agencies associat
ed with a university in some way in the United
States,” said Bruce R. Miles, director of the Texas
Forest Service. “This provides us an opportunity
to have interaction with the forestry service on
campus. It’s good for our agency and the Uni
versity.”
The agency was created in 1915 because of
concerns of the amount of timber being harvest
ed in East Texas. At the turn of the century,
tremendous amounts of timber were being har
vested as major cities, such as Houston and Dal
las, were being built. Construction of railroads
also was using large amounts of timber.
“We’re in our fourth forest today in East
Texas,” Miles said.
Today, Texas harvests $300 million standing
trees annually. This amount increases to $5 bil
lion as the timber progresses through the indus-
try.
“Our role is to protect the environment as
well as the economy of East Texas,” Miles said.
A major part of protecting the environment
includes education for those in the timber indus
try.
Part of that education includes proper cutting
methods to protect water quality. If timber is not
cut properly, erosion occurs and allows sediments
to flow downstream.
The Texas Forest Service also encourages pri
vate landowners to leave tree seeds when harvest
ing their timber. If tree seeds are left on the land,
replanting is not necessary.
Last year, 37,000 acres were harvested by pri
vate landowners.
“We need to be planting twice that to keep up
with the demand,” Miles said. “The Texas Forest
Service has a responsibility to do that. The Unit
ed States does the best job of replanting.”
At the Forest Service’s nursery in Alto, Texas,
25,000,000. seedlings for trees are provided to
private landowners.
“The industry is moving towards education,”
Miles said. “Texas has no forest practices act.
The educational process will educate landowners
in order not to restrict them in their timber prac
tices.”
The Texas Forest Service received recognition
last year from the Environmental Protection
Agency for their work in educating landowners
in proper methods of timber harvest.
Another important and fast-growing aspect of
the Texas Forest Service is urban forestation. Ur
ban forestry now exists in all the major cities of
Texas.
“We have volunteer tree planting groups in all
cities,” Miles said.
An urban forester is usually employed to help
volunteer groups generate a tree planting pro
gram.
Trees in the urban forest have to live in a harsh
environment. The Urban Tree Program allows
nurseries to take seedlings and plant them in test
areas.
The Texas Forest Service also provides all the
seeds for 400 Christmas tree farms in Texas.
These farms generate a million dollars in sales
each year.
The Forest Service also addresses problems
See Forest/Page 10