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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 7, 1999)
attalion N ATION ^age^|^Tuesda^^eptember^l999 2 la^ontrolling campuses zndufhool shootings spark debate on student rights z» f injuries ^AIHINGTON (AP] — As America’s children head used anap c t0 school, security-conscious school administra- seat orse ar ^ a * so having to think about students’ rights. ■lolidy tragedies, especially last April’s incident "col officerDf'hiph two students at Columbine High School in riving herj et r n Colo., gunned down a dozen classmates l 11 buckling a f eac her before killing themselves, left an in- ' bid mark. -> me across lS l! resu h, police officers, metal detectors, stu- I pipe is re { ^ car hs and surveillance cameras are part of j (hen the ‘ n f c hools across the nation. So are routine back- & caused ^ fearches, increased use of drug tests, stricter si aren't p ;s c °hos and less tolerance for schoolyard taunts hre us. r ofColti^Ah of this worries Nadine Strossen, national presi- i tories i 1 ^ le American Civil Liberties Union, children'' We r e seeing the equivalent of Fortress America, students’ privacy rights and freedom of speech are .uhtk ,.v. ler attack from within,” she said. [U j s , In the wake of increasing violence, courts seem to < J i i; '. e lecome more deferential to school districts’ gen- e concern for student safety and security,” Cynthia T , j . . ttyman, general counsel for Palm Beach County, ' ' , schools, said. “Students still have rights and I’m ? tl e ACLU will stay on top of this, but any legal Ilenge will face a high hurdle.” n Allen, Texas, senior Jennifer Boccia is back in /Y/y 001 a ^ ter having last spring’s suspension expunged rn ner record. ri 5he and nine other students wore black armbands lags to mourn the Columbine victims and to protest v rules imposed in their school as a result. Jennifer, (honors student, was suspended after ignoring an «er to remove the armband. I 'Tne school district just would not acknowledge it the First Amendment applies to students,” Diana ilip. an ACLU regional director in Dallas, said. “We d to take them to court before an agreement could reached.” , ,, Ray Vasvari, the Ohio ACLU’s legal director, cited two irsomen; ^ jv ^i° ns ot stuc tent rights” that were challenged suc- i n y. jp.', isfully. In one, a Stow boy was suspended from class- ,,‘,, V'j. fora personal Website titled “Stow High School Sucks.” , j,, r , another, a Youngstown area high school sought to ad- 1 j,'.;' nister drug tests for all students participating in ex- ‘ 1 1 “i, curricular activities. ' , ' “The post-Columbine reaction is regrettable,” Vas- Student Rights Q&A Questions and answers about students’ rights: Q: Students are just kids. Why do they have rights? A: Children, like adults, have legal rights. The Supreme Court, dating back to a landmark 1969 decision, has said students who attend public schools do not surrender all constitutional rights at the schoolhouse gate. Q: What about students’ privacy rights? A: The Constitution’s Fourth Amendment, which protects against unreasonable searches and seizures, applies in public schools, but school of ficials get more leeway than police. And school searches of lockers and backpacks, even the use of metal detectors, are much easier to justify when the target is illegal drugs or weapons. Q: What about drug tests? A: The law is still evolving on this issue. The Supreme Court ruled in 1995 that student ath letes could be subjected to random drug tests be cause the athletic programs are voluntary and stu dent athletes are role models. Since then, some lower courts have allowed drug testing of students engaged in other extracurricular activities. vari said. “When rights are whittled away, they tend not to return.” In Mississippi, the Harrison County School Board re scinded a policy that barred a Jewish boy from wearing his Star of David pendant after the ACLU sued on his be half. School officials had considered it a gang symbol. Julie Underwood, general counsel of the National School Boards Association, said school districts are well-served by programs emphasizing culture and cli mate — how people treat each other, whether a re spectful learning environment exists. “We routinely get called for advice after a problem arises, after some policy is challenged,” she said. “We would like to field such calls earlier on.” eacher walkout tailed off avorite i he m lay," Tnimb. federationL DETROIT (AP) — Striking andidateat ; achers and the school board ion said. ‘ S ree d on a tentative three-year oiitract yesterday, ending a reeklong walkout over reforms mton | 1: . roposed by a new school dis- rsinpushto'let chief hired to fix the city’s s that un ruggling schools, mine jobs,atf Teachers could be back in ii will conlirThool by tomorrow, negotia- )rs said. amegenal |p’in going to recommend to ule ’Gore T e |teachers that they accept u hs contract,” Detroit Federa- our succes; been to opi on of Teachers President John lliott said. | 0 ff qul Students missed four days of '■t with lai ass l ast wee k an d would miss ' ' ass again today. The teachers struck in defi- nee of state law, and legislative ■aders had said they would n to receive ,ove to seek sanctions against . „,,ie teachers today, h purchases | ating retails Clinton criticizes GOP tax-cut plan NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — Presi dent Clinton chose an overcrowd ed elementary school yesterday as the backdrop for a renewed assault on the Republican-passed tax cut plan, which Democrats contend would steal mon ey from desper ately needed school construc tion programs. At Coleman Place Elementary School, built in 1924, Clinton called on Repub licans in Congress to “leave politics at the school house door” and em brace his proposal for tax breaks to help school districts repair, expand and modernize schools. Clinton, before addressing parents, teachers and students who had gathered on the school softball field, joined in renovat ing one of the school’s class rooms. Using a cordless electric drill, the president fastened about eight screws to attach the top of a computer table. Then addressing the crowd, Clinton attacked the GOP tax-cut plan, which he already has promised to veto. “It means larger classes, fewer students and more leaky roofs,” Clinton said. “I am not against cutting tax es” Clinton said, but added the Republican’s $792 billion cut over five years would mean sharp cuts in domestic spending including education. The Democrats have suggested a more modest nearly $300 billion cut. Clinton spoke in front of tempo rary trailers used by Coleman stu dents as classrooms because of lack of school space. Clinton said Virginia schools alone use 3,000 such trailers and there are similar classroom short ages and schools in need of re pair nationwide. The Texas A&M Career Center Presents... Poring this seminar you will learn how to put your best foot forward during interviews! Starting in Early September there will be over 1,200 employers recruiting on-campus. Oet the facts about "how to interview" from these expert panelists! Panelists from: Universal Computer Systems Andersen Consulting Ernst & Young Career Center 209 Koldus 845-5139 http. , //aggienet.tamu,edu/cctr WAivrr^ "vou! Tmvn Hail* ci iiro^raiuitiiii"; coiitinittuc ot yimr \1SC * is lookiiu; for yoiiiig able bo«lie«i ugigics to lR*i|> sti[rpm*t Clie cofleeItouse* club* comedy ., and concert scene of jour Texas AiStM I iliversity. Informational ineetintfs nil I Ik* held on September (>tli and Tth in room 212 of the \1SC from 8:30 to 10:00 |jfit. Ask not nhat yon can do lor TA VIl .Just join Town Hall! *0% WHEN: SEPTEMBER 9 th @ 5:30 WHERE: CAREER CENTER LOBBY WHAT: FREE FOOD t FUN WHO: ALL CO-OPS stores Southga le 08 Georg 6 Baf! 409-693*227 ique all 98 Systems Student Counseling Service Division of Student Affairs Texas A&M University What is group counseling and how can it help? Group counseling involves about four to ten people meeting with one or two counselors serving as group leaders. Group leaders work to provide a safe, confi dential environment where group members are free to discuss their problems and concerns. Through the group, members identify with others who are experi encing similar issues and increase their self-awareness by obtaining genuine and honest feedback. How much you talk about yourself depends on what ybu are comfortable with. You can benefit from group eyen when you are saying little because you will learn apout yourself as others talk about their concerns. Make an appointment at the SCS to^ speak to a screening counselor or to help you determine if a group might benefit you. Miitatral onsjuflaMe nions. L.R Henderson Hall 845-4427 www.scs.tamu.edu Biofeedback Workshops Thursdays 5 - 6:30 PM One-session workshops that give an introduction to relaxation techniques, including how biofeedback aids in relaxation. Individual follow-up consultation is available. Facilitator: Carlos Orozco Conflict and Loss in Relationships Mondays 3 - 4:30 PM This group is for students who are currently or have previously experi enced conflict in interpersonal or romantic relationships, or who have recently experienced a loss of a meaningful relationship. Facilitators: Brian Williams & Ronke Lattimore Dissertation / Thesis Support Group Wednesdays 5 - 6:30 PM This group is for graduate students who are struggling in the process of writing a thesis or dissertation. Group topics include issues of competence, procrastination, anxiety, goal-setting, and bureaucratic struggles. Facilitators: Brian Williams & Mara Latts Eating Concerns & Body Image Issues Wednesdays 3 - 4:30 PM The purpose of this group is to increase insight about eating problems and make progress toward recovery. Group topics include daily eating and exercise behaviors, dealing with others about food issues, developing trusting relationships, expressing feelings, and managing stress. A PHYSICIAN’S RELEASE IS REQUIRED FOR GROUP PARTICIPATION. Facilitators: Debbie Rabinowitz & Mara Latts Empowering Yourself Mondays 1:30 - 3 PM A group for men and women with sexual molestation in their pasts. Identifying and exploring aftereffects of abuse will be the focus. Handling relationships, building self-esteem, and gaining personal power are emphasized. Facilitators: Robert Carter & Mara Latts Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, TYansgendered Mondays 3 - 4:30 pm This group will meet on various topics such as relationship issues, religious concerns, self-esteem, and coming out to fami ly and friends. Facilitators: Mary Ann Moore & Arnie Abies International/Multicultural Discussion Group Wednesdays 4:30 - 6:15 PM A discussion group for 1) international students who want to, learn about Aggie culture, U.S. culture, and to improve their English skills by interacting with native English speakers and 2) for U.S. students who are interested in interacting and sharing their cultural heritages with international students. Facilitators: Gisela Lin & Leen Batra Mind / Body Relationship Thursday 3 - 4:30 PM There is strong evidence of the mind / body connection. Through Tai Chi, Yoga, relaxation, and discussion with others this group will allow you to learn about yourself, explore your spirituality, and learn to manage stress. Facilitators: Ron Lutz & Mara Latts Multicultural Issues & Relationships Tuesdays 5 - 6:30 PM The purpose of this group is to increase awareness of multicultural issues and improve communication and self-confidence when dealing with multicultural relation ships. Group topics include, but not limited to, cultural shock,; cultural, religious, and social differences; and bicultural/multicultural relationships issues. The group is open to all students. Facilitators: Gisela Lin & Arnie Abies Texas A&M has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. In that spirit, admission to Texas A&M University and any of its sponsored programs is open to all qualified individuals without regard to subgroup, class or stereotype. Fall 1999 Groups Personal Growth Group Tuesday (Group 1) 8:30 - 10 am Tuesday (Group 2) 5 - 6:30 pm Thursday (Group 3) 1:30 - 3 pm These groups facilitate self-exploration and personal growth through interaction with other students. Facilitators: Ron Lutz & Leena Batra (group 1) Ron Lutz & Heidi Koehler (group 2) Nancy Welch & Carlos Orozco (group 3) Older Than Traditional Age Thursdays 3 - 4:30 PM This group addresses concerns that differ from those of the tra ditional undergraduate student. Potential topics are marriage, divorce, office politics, committee chairpersons, dissertation projects, and dealing with children or partners. Facilitators: Robert Carter & Heidi Koehler Psychopharmacolocial Support Mondays 5-6:30 PM This group will provide students an opportunity to relate to and get support from others who are on psychiatric medication. Potential topics include self-esteem issues, family variables, and coping strategies. Facilitators: Steve Strawn & Robert Carter Women of Color Thursdays 4 - 5:30 PM Join with other women of color to explore issues and concerns related to culture, relationships, self-esteem, body image and other issues pertinent to the group. Facilitators: Ronke Lattimore & Gisela Lin Women’s Self-Esteem Group Wednesdays 3 - 4:30 PM Come together with other women and work on becoming the woman you’ve always wanted to be! Improve your self-confi dence, assertiveness, and relationships. Leave your guilt and self-doubt at the door! Facilitators: Nancy Welch & Ronke Lattimore