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xlnesday • March 11, 1998
The Battalion
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MRUS CONNECTION
tudents with
isabilities depend
n professors' help
Adam
Collett
columnist
and:
inst
it iv,
my it
While,
rr toe:,
etherC
skyanc^ ojlege professors are charged, among
/omfe other things, with the task of preserv-
ig J ing the academic integrity of student
thes: c. However, instructors at Texas A&M
)PAC 1 to balance this duty with a corre-
omm iding duty to be knowledgeable about
useSfesenlsitive to the process by which stu-
n p :s with disabilities exercise their legal
^on ts to request accommodations,
tsas student has a documented disability
leev -.uspects that he or she has one), the
lent, sees a counselor in the Services
?rshtStudents with Disabilities (SSD) office
lany oldus.
reg; f the documentation or the assessment by the counselor veri-
idem that the student is legally entitled to reasonable accommoda-
thrivs under the law, then the student and the counselor work to-
ter to decide what specifically is needed.
.ccording to David Sweeney, Coordinator for Adaptive Tech-
)gy, extended test taking time, a reduced distraction environ-
it, copies of overheads, electronic or recorded versions of
Ting materials and tests in Braille or large print are among the
ffimon accommodations.
Sometimes,” Sweeney says, “the accommodations are as simple
itting in the front of the class.”
Tom there, the accommodation counselor and the student
pan* letters to identify the student and the specific accom-
dations needed.
•inally, the student takes those letters to the professors where
illy, the faculty member works with the student to see that the
Dmmodations are carried out in a manner agreeable to both
ties. However, it doesn’t always happen that way.
Aickily, according to Sweeney, "in almost all cases their coopera-
i is exemplary. In fact in some cases, they are overly accommo-
ing.”
Umost, however, means there are some out there who are not
ig cooperative. Sweeney says he’s never run into anyone who
steadfastly refused to grant accommodations; rather, the prob-
is the SSD office encounters are faculty who initially complain
iut and deny the request, but eventually comply.
The hesitation on the part of professors seems to come from two
rces: a concern over the loss of academic integrity and a desire
irotect intellectual property.
n the case of the former, Sweeney says, “accommodation does
mean compromising standards.”
n fact, Sweeney stresses by the time a student brings a letter to a
fesgor, the student has been carefully evaluated to ensure that
student qualifies for legal accommodations. And not all stu
ds who think their difficulties are disability-related are approved
accommodations. “We do turn people away.”
ATth the intellectual property argument, some professors refuse
;ive copies of overheads or refuse to let their lectures be tape
orded on the premise that they might use the information in a
ilication some day. While this is a valid concern, it is somewhat
ggerated. A student with a disability makes those requests so
t he or she can have the same barrier-free access to learning as
er students, not to contribute to some black market for Chem-
y 101 lectures.
Contrary to those instances, Sweeney does note with no out-
e pressure, the faculty has uniformly added statements of ac-
nmodations to all syllabi, and some professors have even
rted to announce the statement at the beginning of each se
tter. This, in turn, has brought the SSD referrals and helped
:m serve more students.
Happenings such as these represent an improvement in the fac
e’s understanding of their legal responsibility, but more needs to
done. The students who go through the documentation and ver-
ation process with the SSD office are taking responsibility for
■ir education and exercising their civil rights. They do not de
veto be unduly restricted in this quest.
A&M professors have the responsibility to learn about the
)cess and to treat students in a manner appropriate with the law.
ademic integrity and disability accommodations are not mutual-
exclusive.
STUDENT LIFE
Advertising abstinence
Beutel promotes sexual responsibility, moral choices
Adam Collett is an educational administration graduate student.
John
Lemons
columnist
T here it stood
brazenly in front
of Beutel Health
Center for a week,
screaming, “Hey Ag
gies, check this out.” If
you saw the sign, you
could not help but no
tice it. It advertised
Beutel’s bargain-base
ment prices on con
doms. Anyone who
walked by the sign was
made acutely aware of the fact that at the
health center, 10 condoms cost only $2.
Then, an amazing thing happened. The
condom sign disappeared and a new sign ap
peared, proclaiming a rarely heard message
on this campus — abstinence.
Beutel Health Center should be commended
for promoting sexual abstinence outside of
marriage. It is a conviction many Aggies hold,
but few seem willing to discuss. This happens
because many students on this campus
choose to see sex as a health issue instead of a
moral issue. Sex, however, is first and foremost
a moral issue, and needs to be treated as such
by Aggies.
Margaret Griffith, a Health Education Co
ordinator with the Health Education Divi
sion of the Student Health Center, said the
division exists to help promote healthy
lifestyles lor students. She said the division
presents programs to prevent irresponsible
sexual behavior. Griffith also said the divi
sion incorporates abstinence in their sexual
health programs.
CAMPUS CONNECTION
“We’re trying to let people know that we
support that (abstinence).” Griffith said.
“That’s a thread that goes through all of our
programs.”
Indeed, that was the reasoning for setting
out the abstinence sign last week. The sign
advised that abstinence leaves one free from
worry, free from pregnancy and free from
sexually transmitted diseases. It even in
formed students if they need tips on absti
nence, they should inquire inside.
Funny, I always figured the best tip on absti
nence was, well you know, don’t have sex.
All kidding aside, the sign offers a valid point. Ab
stinence is free. Sex outside of marriage, can be
costly. Of course, students on this campus have
already had the consequences of unprotected
sex drilled into their heads. They know about dis
eases and about unplanned pregnancies.
What they have not been presented with
are die emotional and spiritual consequences
of sex outside of marriage. People are not talk
ing about feelings of guilt that occur from hav
ing pre-marital sex when one has been
brought up to believe it is wrong. No one is
talking about jealousy that can occur within a
marriage when one partner learns that the
other partner did not wait for them.
Nobody is bringing up the false sense of in
timacy that exists in a relationship built
around sex.
' Sex is a moral issue. As evidence, consider
how many services exist on this campus and
in this community to deal with issues like date
rape, sexually transmitted diseases and un
planned pregnancies. Consider how this com
munity was stunned to learn an abortion clin
ic is being built in Bryan. These are all moral
issues that affect Aggies, and they all stem
from the same subject, sex.
When sex is approached as a moral issue,
the argument for abstinence cannot be ig
nored. Because sex is such an important issues
on this campus, there should be more support
for abstinence. This is an area where religious
organizations at A&M could do more.
In 1994, the Baptist Sunday School Board
ran a national abstinence campaign aimed at
high school students, called True Love Waits.
Students were encouraged to sign pledge card
where they promised to wait until marriage to
have sex. Such a campaign could work here at
A&M if campus religious groups worked to
gether to present it. I believe students would
be surprised to see how many Aggies would be
willing to make an abstinence pledge.
Not everyone will choose to remain sexual
ly abstinent until marriage. However, students
who believe sex belongs within marriage,
need to be encouraged in their convictions.
This beats being fed the line that condoms
are the answer to everything, a train of
thought that seems to be prevalent in sexual
health education today.
The health center should be applauded
for offering both sides of the story in sexual
health education, and for showing support
for abstinence.
Students, on the other hand, should re
member that although condoms may be
cheap at Beutel, abstinence is cheaper.
John Lemons is an electrical engineering
graduate student.
Board of Regents deserves thanks for work
Mickey
Saloma
columnist
ear <
I mem
bers of
the Board of
Regents,
Many times
you all must
grow tired of
hearing all the
gripes of many
disgruntled
Texas A&M
students. It
must be espe
cially bothersome when you see
them printed in The Battalion.
As journalism majors know, the
media thrives on exploiting weak
nesses, however, this University has
too many positive characteristics to
look at the few negatives.
Many students came to A&M to
not only earn a degree from one of
this country’s finest universities, but
to gain something more.
They wanted to be Aggies, live the
Aggie dream and to soak in all the won
derful things this University has offered
its students since it was founded.
A&M is considered a world-class
university and in my opinion, it is the
best university in the entire world.
While some people like to com
plain about the arrogance and waste
of Bonfire, the number of tickets they
receive for parking on campus and
the ridiculous sayings used in Ag-
gieland, many students just see all
this University has to offer and love
it for the simple fact they are Aggies.
This University has so much to of
fer all of its students, which is a huge
feat considering the size and diversi
ty of the student body.
With the many organizations as
sociated with this University, it is
nearly impossible for somebody to
feel unwelcome. A&M has organiza
tions ranging from those who are into
Japanimation to those who want to
be military engineers and everybody
in between.
Furthermore, it is almost impos
sible to escape the Aggie Spirit dis
played by A&M’s many students.
One must merely attend an Aggie
football game to find that Aggie iKf-
ing deep inside students’ souls.
Not many other universities can
boast about having a huge pep rally
held at midnight before each home
game. At many universities, many
students do not even have an idea
what their school song is.
Even the least involved Aggie can
recite most of the words of the “Aggie
War Hymn.”
Aggie Spirit can be found through
all parts of our campus from the his
tory of many of our campus’ land
marks to each student that greets a
fellow Aggie with a simple “Howdy.”
It is safe to say Aggies care more
about other Aggies than most other
schools’ students feel about their
classmates. This is proven with the
two greatest traditions on campus.
These traditions are Silver Taps and
Aggie Muster.
No other tmiversity gathers togeth
er to commemorate die loss of one of
their own as Aggies do. The bells of
Albritton rung for fellow Aggies have
touched the lives of countless Aggies
as well as those not fortunate enough
to be Aggies.
Throughout Texas, people discuss
the brotherhood shared by all Aggies.
The Aggie ring has helped people just
as much as the elusive Aggie diploma.
Not all Aggies gain the same Aggie
experience. That just goes to show
that A&M has so much to offer.
I chose to join the Corps of Cadets
and the Fightiri Texas Aggie Band.
My experience differs greatly from
other Aggies, however I share a com
mon bond with many non-regs and
members of fraternities and sorori
ties. This bond is a commitment to
my beloved school.
It is commitments such as these that
push us to say “Howdy,” attend Bonfire
cuts, stand at football games, and cry at
the sound of the bells of Albritton.
The work of the members of the
Board of Regents has ensured that
students are able to gain the Aggie ex
perience and more importantly, they
ensure that countless other genera
tions of Aggies will get to experience
the same Spirit of Aggieland.
I’d like to thank the members of
the Board of Regents and ask them to
continue their hard work in order to
preserve this University as the best in
the world.
Mickey Saloma is a senior
journalism major.
*3:
MAIL CALL
ro-choice does not
lean pro-abortion
This letter is in response to the
cent controversy surrounding
lortion, an eternally volatile issue.
| As a Christian, I am appalled at
e way others malign and criti-
ze in the name of pro-life move-
ent. While it is true many follow-
s of God are anti-abortion, it
ust also be noted that a large
tmber are pro-choice.
What many people fail to re
ember is that being pro-choice
)es not necessarily mean that one
so holds belief in favor of abortion.
One very popular viewpoint
ates that while everyone’s per-
mal convictions concerning
portion differ, every person
lould be allowed the civil liber-
to make their own reproduc-
veriecision.
Another common misconcep-
aniis that persecution is a Christ-
like virtue. This notion could not be
farther from the truth. I do not in
tend to question anyone’s Chris
tianity. I am merely asking people
to stop and examine their thoughts
and actions. To till serious Chris
tians, please look up these verses:
Luke 6:37 and Mark 12:31.
Lynsey Kelly
Class of'01
Accompanied by 15 signatures
Clinic provides cop-out
for immoral behavior
Abortion kills children. Period.
If “up to 80 percent of Ameri
cans support a woman’s right to a
safe and legal abortion,” then the
majority of our nation supports
murder, and you may always
count me amongst “those who
would have women return to the
dark ages” of morality.
As for Planned Parenthood, it
greatly benefits the populace of
our nation who refuses to engage
in pure and moral sexual activity,
which is most often none at all.
“Contraceptive instruction”
provides an excellent cop-out from
the natural consequences of extra
marital sex and “HIV testing” pri
marily benefits those engaged in
sexual activity with sundry anony
mous partners.
For the percent of those “five
million women and men (receiv
ing) reproductive health and edu
cational services at Planned Par
enthood” who do so while en
gaged in monogamous, heterosex
ual marriage, more power to you.
But I seriously doubt that per
centage requires “nearly 900 clin
ics, especially not an abortion
clinic in Bryan.
Carrie Beth Kendrick
Class of’01
Planned Parenthood not
a crusader for women
How quickly anti-life advocates
have forgotten the violence that ac
companies the anti-life movement.
It is ironic that columnists Bur
ton and Schaub wrote of Norma
McCorvey as a violent, money-
hungry, slanderer while their own
ranks consist of the same.
One need only visit the
Planned Parenthood business’s
Web site to see that anti-life advo
cates are more disparaging of pro
life advocates and violent toward
women as the columnists claim of
pro-life advocates.
Extremists on both sides—
those who bomb abortion clinics
and those who build them— are as
misguided as they are ignorant.
Planned Parenthood is the largest
provider of abortions in the Unit
ed States; they do the most to en
sure that the multiple children of
the past become the multiple
abortions of the future. Planned
Parenthood is not a crusading
vanguard of the women’s “rights”
movement; if they were, 80 per
cent of Americans are for abortion,
they are sadly mistaken, anyone
can make up “statistics” to prove
their point (17 percent of all peo
ple know that).
Josh Maskow
Class of’01
Those who want
abortions will have them
John Burton and Michael
Schaub’s column on the Planned
Parenthood clinic cuts to the heart of
the most fervent debate on campus.
The fact is people who want
abortions will get abortions.
Planned Parenthood can offer abor
tion services in Houston and afflu
ent women will travel to them.
However, most won’t travel 100
miles for the substantive counseling
or education that will prevent un
wanted pregnancies. Once estab
lished in Bryan-College Station,
Planned Parenthood can actively
reach out to people who are at risk
and prevent unwanted pregnancies
in B-CS with education and birth
control, instead of a year or two lat
er in Houston with abortions.
Furthermore, studies show that
although affluent women will trav
el long distances to get abortions,
poor women will go to the local
drug dealers and the back alleys
for abortions. Although Planned
Parenthood will prevent many of
these unwanted pregnancies, it
will also offer poorer women their
legal right to a safe abortion.
This is the most important issue
on the Texas A&M campus. Any
one wishing to know more about
abortion rights or Planned Parent
hood should attend one of the
meetings scheduled on campus
this week that deal with the issue.
Jeff Miller
Class of’98
Students taking exams
late do more poorly
Stimulated by Professor Ray
mond Carroll’s remark in March 6
Mail Call that students who call the
day of an exam cl aiming to be ill
and asking to arrange a makeup
generally do worse on the exam
than the class as a whole, I checked
my records for my larger class this
semester and found the following.
Of about 80 students still regis
tered for the class, five (or over six
percent of the entire class) called
or emailed me claiming to have
missed the first midterm exam due
to illness (or, in one case, a failed
alarm) and asking for makeups.
Only one of the five called before
the exam, two called shortly after it
was over, and two did not call until
late afternoon or evening the day
after the exam. Two of the five nev
er returned my messages regard
ing when and how to take a make
up, and the three students who did
take makeups averaged 67 percent
on the exam, whereas the overall
class average was 79 percent.
I, like Professor Carroll, rarely
disbelieve individual students
when they tell me they missed the
exam for legitimate reasons, and I
usually do not require evidence of
illness or a death. On the other
hand, the sheer number of stu
dents who call after each exam
leads me to doubt that all, if even
the majority are physically ill
rather than merely ill-prepared, es
pecially when Professor Carroll ob
served, students who take make
ups tend to do worse than those
who are ready on time.
Gary Varner
Associate Professor of Philosophy
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