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