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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 13, 1997)
TODAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1 99“7 “Money Gras” Financial Aid Open House Second floor, Memorial Student Center 10AM to 7PM Informational Booths, Music, Free Gifts, & Informational Sessions Door prizes given away every 30 minutes Register for a $500 Scholarship Drawing Drawing will be held at 6:45 PM For info, call the Dept, of Student Financial Aid at 845-3981 and (Classic /^etwotk ^>tesent dowboxf d~{<xLl 0$ *~f'4tne T i f TSob jZiUxf. /PXeet p'lo-’fjootbatl Legend ^>ob /Zillif and register to win an autographed football. YOhere: dabU 4114 <£. zqtk Street, 7Sr\{an YOhent 3:30 p.m. - 5*00 p.>n. on Thursday, ^bebruartf 13 WHAT’S IT LIKE AT THE PLASMA CENTER? To the staff of the Plasma Center, I would like to start by saying thank you to each and every employee for making the past three years enjoyable in a professional, efficient and courteous environment. As a donor since 1993, I have been more than satisfied with every aspect of your operation, which allows myself and others to contribute what we can to community service, all the while being serviced by diligent, but relaxed, workers. Everyone at the Plasma Center, from those behind the front counter to the phlebotomists to the supervisors, have made great efforts to insure that each donor feels hy- gienically safe, as well as keeping the atmosphere light. Like most, I started coming to the Plas ma Center for monetary reasons, but I soon de veloped acquaintances that appealed to me al most as much as the original need for money, enabling me to look forward to each donation, not only for my wallet’s sake but also to see my friends. Like I commented to someone recently, talking to people at the Plasma Center was like getting mail from a far-off friend that you don’t get to do much with, but who you can talk to as often as you write. For those acquaintances and for your continual services. I would like to thank all of those I’ve come to know and appreciate over the past three years - Emily, and Tracy, Heath, and Marty, Ada and Josie, etc... more I can’t remem ber or those who have gone on to better things. So, as I graduate from this great Univer sity, I bid you all a fond farewell and strong com mendations on such a successful blend of quali ty medical practice and friendly service. Thank you all and have a great summer. Thanks, C.F. 700 E. University Dr. 268-6050 4223 Wellborn Rd. 846-8855 iIOLOGICAL! THE PLASMA CENTER Abe said, "Honest.. .they're great! Gandhi said, "They made my diaper shiver!" Question: Mother Brady said, "/-/ere's the story" How long did 4.0 & QO TUTORINQ Located at 700 East Unlv. Dr. Suite # 108 The week of February 16-20 ^ Acct 229 Parti Mon Feb 17 9pm-H pm Part II Tue Feb 18 7pm-9pm Part III Wed Feb 19 7pm-9pm Part IV Thu Feb 20 7pm-9pin Acct 209 lilllli Part 1 Tuc Feb 18 5pm-7pm Part II' Wed Feb 19 5pm-7pm Part III Thu Feb 20 5pin-7pm Test Review Sun Feb 16 6pm-9pm > Acct 327 Coming Soon Acct 230 Tiger Manufacturing Acct 328 Test Review Sun Feb 16 9pm-12am Practice Problem Time and Date to Be Announced . . . . Bana 305 Anthony Test Review Sun Feb 16 6pm-9pm Tickets Go on Sale Sunday 5:00pm 4.0 & Go Is located next to Golden Corral Bana 305 Wichem Test Review Sun Feb 16 9pm-12am ana sstaepoexets on tne Centerpole Bus Route 846-Tutor (8886) Econ 322 Part I Sun Feb 16 6pm-9pm Part II Sun Feb 17 6pm-9pni I || B 846-TUTOR (8886) http://www.4.0andGo.com the " 100 Years War" last? (First 5 to call with answer get free review!) Answer appears Monday Last Mondays answer: A camel's hair brush is made out of squirrel hair. /fiUon j H / TAMU Program aids disabled studen Computer technology transfers textbooks to audio format, Braille By Jackie Vratil The Battalion Thanks to adaptive technology, disabled students have many new resources at their disposal to help them succeed in college. David Sweeney, the Department of Student Life’s Co ordinator of Adaptive Technology Services, works with the adaptive technology revolution. Adaptive technology programs enable students with disabilities to listen to their textbooks via computer or read their textbooks using Braille. Sweeney has taken the program, which at one time owned only two computers, and built it into a re source that owns more computers, a Braille type writer and numerous computer software programs to convert text to speech. "We have only been online for about a year,” he said, “but we have over 150 textbooks on the Net.” Jason Sparks, a student worker in Sweeney’s office and a sophomore environmental science major, said listen ing to textbooks on tape is a reasonable answer for stu dents who do not have regular access to a computer,. "We ask people to volunteer to come in and read textbooks into a recorder,” he said. "That way people who do not have computers can be helped as well. These types of recordings also help the students who have any attention disorders because it keeps them focused.” Only students with disabilities’can use these services. Shane Hecker, a sophomore management infor mation systems major who uses the adaptive tech nology programs, said all the texts are put on the computer’s server. “Only the person who is supposed to have access to the text will get access,” he said. "The access is granted using a password.” Sweeney said when students come to him they dis cover what services would be most advantageous. “We make accommodations on a case-by-case ba sis,” he said. “We tailor solutions to certain disabilities. We base our knowledge on working with previous stu dents with similar disabilities.” The heart of this program is the E-Text, or electron ic text, system which scans textbooks and converts the text into sound. Sweeney said he knows of no other uni versity in the nation that has this program online. “We have pioneered this program,” he said. “Plus, we have gained national recognition from Netscape for our E-Text program.” Hecker takes advantage of the opportunity to get his text Brailled and uses the E-Text system every day. “I used to use David’s (Sweeney’s) scanned text,” he said. “But now, not only can I scan my own textbooks, but I am a student worker in David’s office and I scan other people’s text as well. I only use David when I need stuff Brailled.” Sweeney said only 10 percent, or about 400, of the legally recognized disabled students on campus are registered with the accommodations coordinators. “There are many different reasons why not more students are registered with our office,” he said. “One being a possible social stigma. I think students are ELECTRONIC TEXT Students vc idnesday af have the rel Out of of 1, 'orofyell-le re opposed Jason Jayr d a junior < edWednes st in the M! le decision uy Kipe, se Itural devel icourage st imes said. Of the 378 \ lames Palmer, The Bar afraid to ask for help because they think their dis( ty will some how end up in writing somewha record when, in actuality, it comes nowhere closed ing put on a permanent record.” Sweeney said only about 5 percent of disabled! viduals were born with their disability. The others cent acquired their disability at some point duet accident or aging, he said. “Because some students just acquired theirdisi they may still be in denial,” he said. “And that may!) other reason why students do not register with ouro! “Another reason why students may be afraidisf may feel their professors will discriminate ag) them. On the cont rary, they are more apt to! issue is brought to their attention.” Sweeney said it is a mistake for students® afraid to register with the office because so mi I options are offered. "1 want to allay their fears because our officer the forefront of adaptive technology and we hi) number of resources available,” he said. As for the future, Sweeney said it is very excite! see all the new perspectives on disabilities. “There is a new social awareness about disablefj dividuals,” be said. "People are learning moreandiir; about adaptive technology. In addition, newlegislac is being passed in this session of Congress regard copyright laws for adaptive technologicalpuiposes. Sweeney said online adaptive technologfhash come a hot commodity across the nationmW should be proud to possess such extensive res* “A&M is very lucky to have a staff that is del? to disability services,” he said. “Most universitii only one professional on staff, whereas we bar professionals, two assistants and about twent dent assistants.” mm Ballet Muster Continued from Page 1 Overflows watch Muster on a movie screen in Rudder Complex. Leslie said the elaborate and solemn ceremony held at A&M is the largest of the Muster cere monies held around the world. Leslie said each Muster has equal meaning. “In no way do we want to make the Texas A&M [campus] Muster seem better than any other Muster,” she said. The Muster roll call may be ex tended when the event is held in Reed Ar ena, which will hold 12,500 people. Jones said although future Musters will be held in Reed Arena, it is still undecided whether the roll call will be larger or not. “It (expanding roll c take away from the otherindiv': Musters,” Jones said. Leslie said Muster is a time ored tradition reminding stud they will always be a partofA “We know we will be one day,” she said. “It is ourdiii! Aggies to honor the peopled being called now.” See the three most beautiful women in all of ballet. : ; Giselle, Carmen and Paquita performed by the Moscow Festival Ballet Vme -WASHING! »6s officials Mil i i ■ . w 1111 !i§ iiiitifsil "legendary dancer Sergei Radchenko’s vision has brought together leading dancers from the famed Bolshoi and Kirov Ballet companies to form the Moscow Festival Ballet. This exciting independent company will be Staging all-new, full- length productions of the timeless classics ‘'Giselle," “Car men" and “Paquita." With grace and beauty to spare, this remarkable assemblage of talent is sure to astound even the most ardent ballet aficionado and make fans out of the unini tiated. Don’t miss it! -[•gaining Th I,their pilots’ i f an approa J iday. Presid jies to “reacT |ttle their dif] We have a J 116 to do it h j 3 nald Carty, t hand, said; ’th sides exp Mr. Cov defensive ■ visited TC Rudder Auditorium February 13, 14 & 15, 1997 8:00 p.m. For tickets call 845-1234 ■ Oftrs Prntlmio/ /tetSw* http://apas.tafnu.Mj A 9gielife oons To learn more about the Stars of die Bolshoi/Moscow Festival ballet and the performances of Carmen andPmi- lOninir to. attend the Patricia S. Peters Lagniappe Lecture Series, February 13, 14 & 15 • 7 pan. • MSC Room292B ■ • Admission to the lecture is free...sponsored by the OPAS Guild. ^ Persons with disabilities please call 845-8903 to inform us of your special needs. We request notification three (3) working days prior to the event to en- . able us to assist you to the best of our ability. Now accepting Aggie Bucks ■Toons |0pini< r