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Page 13 « Thursday, September 16, 1999
>urnamj
'anked Texa,
arn will at|f|
six-match
t as
ations pledge aid to Indonesia
reign governments set to send peacekeeping troops to East Timor
ims
III, Indonesia (AP) — Closing ranks against
r, countries from France to Thailand
nised yesterday to send soldiers to rescue
sands of starving East Timorese from fur"
laughter.
e United States is offering planes and pi-
Ito get peacekeepers into the province and
Jalso help with logistics, communications
195 with the ■intelligence.
natch 15-tli just weeks, the obscure conflict became
A&M leacBrgent priority for the U.N. Security Council,
fib early yesterday approved a peacekeeping
:os will aisle authorized to use ‘‘all necessary mea-
extend this” against violent militias,
streak andslast Timor’s capital, Dili, was quiet yes-
Rlay, with only a few homes burning and
a Universityl-adic gunfire. Tens of thousands of
ick from laslgees waited in nearby hills for desperate-
y returning leeded food drops from low-flying Aus-
lan military airplanes.
i a 1998 re:|Dili is empty now. There are only ghosts
re defeatec Massacres,” East Timorese rebel leader Jose
the NCAA le.' andre “Xanana” Gusmao said from Jakar-
ie UniversHvhere he is staying until it is safe for him
a Barbara, in turn.
coach jdi seemed increasingly likely Australian-led
ad at Santepcekeepers could find Dili free of pro-In-
n 1990-93
donesian militias when they land and secure the
city, expected as early as this weekend.
The militias, which rampaged across East
Timor shooting people to death and butcher
ing them with machetes, were slipping out of
the capital, said Indonesian military officers
who spoke to the Associated Press on condi
tion of anonymity.
“We have had to learn
independence is not cheap.
We have had to pay."
— Sebastiao Guterres
U.N. volunteer
East Timor plunged into a murderous night
mare after U.N. officials announced Sept. 4 that
voters had overwhelmingly approved indepen
dence in a referendum last month. Hundreds
and possibly thousands of people have been
killed in less than two weeks.
“We have had to learn, independence is not
cheap,” Sebastiao Guterres, a 26-year-old U.N.
volunteer who was among those airlifted to a
refugee camp in Darwin, Australia, said. “We
have had to pay.”
For those left behind, food and shelter were
the highest priorities.
The United Nations was readying huge trans
port planes to drop food packets to the impov
erished refugees as early as today.
The conflict has raged for nearly 25 years,
since Indonesia invaded the former Portuguese
colony in 1974. An estimated 200,000 people
have died in the fighting.
In less than two weeks, an estimated 300,000
or more people have been driven from their
homes by the militias and their allies in the In
donesian military.
Foreign governments, in a show of solidar
ity, have been rushing forward with promises
of troops.
Australia will send 4,500 soldiers. France
pledged 500 soldiers yesterday, while Thailand
offered 700 troops. Malaysia, South Korea and
other countries also promised to send units. A
contingent of Gurkhas, elite fighters who
come mostly from Nepal, also will head to
East Timor.
etanyahu questioned about finances
JERUSALEM (AP) — Police
stioned former Prime Minister
ijamin Netanyahu and his wife
ir more than seven hours yester-
a day after news reports that
jy were under
estigation for
fged financial
gularities.
[The daily
Hot Ahronot
d during Ne-
iyahu’s three
|ars as prime
nister, a pri-
Ite contractor provided free ser
es at the couple’s private resi-
nce, then submitted a bill for
$110,000 to the prime minister’s of
fice after Netanyahu lost the May
17 elections.
Israel television reported police
cautioned the Netanyahus they
may face charges.
The contractor was arrested on
suspicion of fraud, police spokesper
son Linda Menuhin said.
She refused comment when
asked whether the Netanyahus’ ar
rival at the fraud squad headquar
ters in the Tel Aviv suburb ot Bat
Yam was related to the case, saying
an announcement would be made
later in the day.
Crowds of Netanyahu supporters
massed outside the police station
and cried out “He’s innocent!”
They said the allegations were part
of a media conspiracy to prevent
Netanyahu’s return to politics.
Yediot said officials at the prime
minister’s office were shocked by
the contractor’s bill, saying it was
grossly inflated. None of the expen
diture had been authorized by the
office in advance, the paper said.
The bill was for cleaning, repair
and hauling services provided to
the Netanyahus at their official and
private residences, Shimon Stein,
legal adviser to the prime minis
ter’s office, said.
Yediot said the contractor also
polished the floors of the Ne
tanyahus’ private apartment four
times in a single month. Ne
tanyahu rented the apartment af
ter he became prime minister, but
the family never lived in it, the pa
per said.
Netanyahu, in a reaction sent to
Israeli radio stations, denied im
proper conduct and said he, too, re
garded the contractor’s bill as in
flated. Netanyahu said his wife,
Sarah, had pointed out inaccura
cies in the bill during meetings
with officials of the prime minis
ter’s office.
The contractor’s lawyer, Tsahi
Eitan, said the charges against his
client are groundless.
The following information appears in compliance with the 1987 State of Texas Hazing Law:
Texas Hazing Law
Texas A&M University
On August 31,1987, a new law went into effect in the State of Texas regarding HAZING. Below is an abbreviated
summary, in question and answer form, of the contents of that law and the applicability and implications for stu
dents, faculty and staff at Texas A&M University. THIS IS ONLY A SUMMARY. Certain points in the law have been
omitted in this summary for editorial purposes. For the full text of the law, please see Appendix VI of the 1997-98
Student Rules.
What is the definition of Hazing?
“Hazing” means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act, occurring on or off campus of Texas A&M University,
by one person alone or acting with others, directed against a student, that endangers the mental or physical health
or safety of a student for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliation with, holding office in, or maintain
ing membership in any organization whose memberships are or include students at Texas A&M University. The
term included but is not limited to:
(a) Any type of physical brutality, such as whipping, beating, striking, branding, electronic shocking, placing of
a harmful substance on the body, or similar activity.
(b) Any type of physical activity, such as sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements,confinement in a small
place, calisthenics, or other activities that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely
affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student.
(c) Any activity involving consumption of a food, liquid, alcoholic beverage, liquor, drug, or other substance
which subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health
or safety of the student.
(d) Any activity that intimidates or threatens the student with ostracism, that subjects the student extreme men
tal stress, shame, or humiliation, or adversely affects the mental health or dignity of the student or discourages the
student from entering or remaining registered in an educational institution, or that may reasonably be expected to
cause a student to leave the organization or the institution rather than submit to acts described in the subsection.
(e) Any activity that induces, causes, or requires the student to perform a duty or task which involves a viola
tion of the penal code.
In addition, Texas A&M University has also defined hazing to indude:
(a) Misuse of authority by virtue of your class rank or leadership position.
(b) Any form of physical bondage.
(c) Any form of “Quadding”.
How do I commit a hazing offense?
A person commits an offense if the person:
(a) Engages in hazing
(b) Solicits, encourages, directs, aids or attempts to aid another in engaging in hazing.
(c) Intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly permits hazing to occur.
(d) Has firsthand knowledge of the planning of a specific hazing inddent involving a student of Texas A&M
University, or firsthand knowledge that a specific hazing inddent has occurred, and knowingly fails to report said
knowledge in writing to the appropriate University official.
Does it matter if I did not intend to hurt anyone?
No. Texas A&M's polides state that if one of the above occurs, it is HAZING, regardless of the intent
Does it matter if the person being hazing agrees to the activity?
No. The new law and Texas A&M’s policies state that if one above occurs, it is HAZING, regardless of the con
sent or cooperation of the recipient.
What is the penalty if I am found guilty of hazing?
(a) Failing to report hazing:
Fine up to $1,000 and/or up to 180 days in jail.
(b) Hazing resulting in no serious bodily injury:
Fine of $500 to $1,000 and/or 90-180 days in jail.
(c) Hazing resulting in serious bodily injury:
Fine of $1,000 - $5,000 and/or 180 days to 1 year in jail.
(d) Hazing resulting in death:
Rne of $5,00 - $10,000 and/or 1 -2 years in jail.
(e) Except where the hazing results in death, the student may be required to perform community service in lieu
of confinement in jail.
(f) The student may also be subject to University disdplinary action, up to and including removal from the
University, in addition to or regardless of any penalty imposed by the state.
Can an organization be found guilty of hazing?
Yes. An Organization commits an offense if the organization condones or encourages hazing or if an officer or
any combination of members, pledges, or alumni of the organization commits or assists in the commission of haz
ing.
Can I get into trouble for reporting hazing?
No. Any person who reports a specific hazing incident involving a student to an appropriate University official
is protected from civil or criminal liability. However, a person who reports in bad faith or with malice is not protect
ed by this section.
Where do I report hazing?
Office of the Commandant (845-2811) if the hazing was committed by members of the Corps of Cadets.
Department of Student Activities (845-1133) if the hazing was committed by members of a Greek organi
zation or other recognized student organization.
Student Judicial Affairs Office (845-5262) all other incidents of hazing.
The following information appears in compliance with the 1987 state of Texas Hazing Law shown above:
Student Organization Hazing Violations:
Organization name: Squadron 1, Corps of Cadets
Date of Incident: Fall 1998
Descrintion of Incident: Upperclass cadets of the unit periodically mistreated freshman and sophomore cadets by
initiating improper physical contact and requiring excessive physical training in unauthorized locations.
Action Taken: University hearings were held for all involved and individual sanctions were assigned to the perpe
trators. Also, the unit (Squadron 1) was deactivated.
Organization name: Phi Delta Theta Fraternity
Date of Incident: Fall 1998 and Spring 1999 semesters
Description of Inddent: New members forced to consume alcohol during new member activity and physical and
verbal harassment of new members.
Action Taken: Fraternity was put on probation through Spring 2000, required to coordinate and attend two (2) edu
cational seminars sponsored by the fraternity, and attend monthly meetings with Greek Life Advising Staff.
Organization name: Walton Hall
Date of Incident: November 22,1998
Description of Incident: Members were involved in forcing new members (crew chiefs) to hug trees, sing, and run.
Additionally, there were instances of verbal and physical harassment. Alcohol may also have been involved in this
incident.
Acton Taken: Walton Hall is prohibited from participating in Bonfire 1999, the members of the hall council shall put
together an educational program on hazing to be presented to all residence halls, and the hall counsel constitution
must be revised in order to allow for 1) authority over hall assigned Bonfire representatives and 2) approval by the
council of Bonfire-related events.
Organization name: Texas Aggie Bonfire
Date of Incident: November 22,1998
Description of Incident: Members were involved in forcing new members (crew chiefs) to hug trees, sing, and run.
Additionally, there were instances of verbal and physical harassment. Alcohol may have also been involved in this-
incident.
Action Taken: Bonfire leadership shall develop a plan to inform all those who attend cut site events that hazing is
prohibited at all Bonfire-related events.
Organization name: Kappa Alpha Order
Date of Incident: October 14, 1996
Description of Inddent: Pledges were taken to a remote location late at night and forced to undergo a ’lineup” that
included forced exercises, such as push ups, calisthenics, and army tow crawl in the dark. Pledges were denied
any water, were subjected to degrading confrontations by activities and were physically “manhandled” - pushed to
the ground or picked up forcefully. One encounter resulted in severe injury, hospitalization and emergency surgery
of a pledge.
Action Taken: Fraternity suspended until Fall, 1999 - a joint decision of the University and the fraternity’s national
headquarters.
Organization name: Company B-2, Corp of Cadets
Date of Incident: Fall Semester, 1996
Description of Inddent: At the unit Christmas party, an upperclass member of the company hazed freshmen mem
bers by giving them single “licks” with an ax handle. Alcohol was also provided to minors and inappropriate skits
which bordered on sexual harassment were performed.
Action Taken: Hearings were held for all involved and individual sanctions were assigned. A number of the mem
bers left the Corps and others were dispersed to new companies. The unit was disbanded and is no longer a part
of the Cops of Cadets.
Organization name: Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity
Date of Incident: January 8,1997
Descriotion of Incident: During pre-semester work week activities, pledges were forced to participate in calisthen
ics, an outdoor line up where they were hosed down, forced to hold push-up positions and participate in other activ
ities that subjected them to potential harm. Pledges were forced to wear demeaning attire and to violate IFC alco
hol policies.
Action Taken: After appeal, the fraternity was suspended until Fall semester, 1999. The same sanction was applied
by the national fraternity headquarters.
Organization name: Fish Drill Team, Cop of Cadets
Date of Inddent: Spring Semester 1997
Descrintion of Inddent: Members of the Rsh Drill Team were subjected to acts of hazing and physical assault by
the nine upperclassmen who served as advisors (instructors) for the team. Specific actions occurred periodically
throughout the semester and took place during drill practice as well as during night visits to individual fish (fresh
man) rooms.
Action Taken: University hearings were held for all involved, including those advisors from previous years who were
still enrolled in the University. Sanctions ranged from expulsion to deferred suspension. The Rsh Drill Team itself
was suspended for an indefinite period.
Organization name: Squadron 16, Cops of Cadets
Date of Incident: Fall and Spring Semesters, 1997-1998
Descrintion of Incident: Upperclass members of the unit periodically hazed and harassed the fish (freshmen)
through improper physical contact; requiring training in an inappropriate setting and manner; and requiring some
to drink excessive amounts of water to the point of sickness.
Action Taken: University hearings were held for all involved and individual sanctions were assigned. Some mem
bers of the unit were suspended from the University while others were placed on deferred suspension. Additionally,
several upperclassmen were reassigned to other Cops units.
Organization name: Aggie Men’s Club (AMC)
Date of Inddent: October 10, 1998
Description of Incident: During a Big Brother/Little Brother Revelation event, Candidates were exposed by Actives
to participation in calisthenics, an outdoor line-up where they were hosed down, and a scavenger hunt involving
demeaning activities in public places such as a grocery store parking tot and adult book store.
Action Taken: After appeal, the sanction for the organization included the following: organizational probation
through Fall 2001 (3 yrs), develop and submit an article for the Battalion, develop a presentation for student orga
nizations, have all members disseminate and sign “no hazing” agreements, and complete a comprehensive review
of its new member selection process.
Outcomes of Individual Hazing Cases
September 1. 1997 through
August 31. 1998
Rpptnmher 1. 1996 through
August 31. 1997
Total Cases: 66
Expulsion 1
Dismissal 4
Suspension 7
Deferred Suspension 6
Conduct Probation 9
Letter of Reprimand 27
Warning 2
Registration Block 4
No Action* 6
Total Cases: 35
Expulsion 1
Dismissal 0
Suspension 2
Deferred Suspension 5
Conduct Probation 5
Letter of Reprimand 14
Warning 0
Registration Block 0
No Action* 8
September 1. 1998 through
August 3 R..1.999
Total Cases:
Expulsion 0
Dismissal 0
Suspension 1
Deferred Suspension 2
Conduct Probation 8
Hall Probation 1
Letters of Reprimand 13
Warning 1
No Action 9
*No Action indicates that the student was not found to be responsible for the charges initiated.