Image provided by: Texas A&M University
About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (March 24, 2000)
5 l ' r iday,Marcli;|i £ tf YE4H, SU7 Bkouai's /to( Paw 6 L04 bismjtf Ft COAlAl£ft|/)(.5 LITH ft MoAJKEy Mia. STATE riday, March 24, 2000 THE BATTALION Page 5 . delunSMU suspends students for violating rules ipd.homepag e com B-HIPH DALLAS (AP) — Two Southern Methodist Univer- ;ity basketball players are indefinitely suspended for vi- jlating team rules following a Western Athletic Confer- nce tournament game in California. University officials, describing what they called “in- ippropriate and disruptive behavior involving a few stu- lents” after the WAC tourney earlier this month, said Wednesday that two members of the SMU Spirit Squad ,vere also suspended from their team. The university said it took the action after receiving nfonnation from Fresno, Calif., police. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram identified the sus- ended Mustang players as Jeryl Sasser and Renaldo ration. Sasser and Bratton, both juniors, were questioned bout incidents that took place in their hotel room at a arty that included members of the SMU basketball earn and Spirit Squad, according to a Fresno Police De- jartment report. SMU Athletic Director Jim Copeland and Coach Mike Dement suspended the basketball players indefinitely otn participating on the team for violating team rules, e school said in a written statement. But university officials did not return a telephone call today from The Associated Press. According to the Fresno police report, officers were called early on March 10 to a Fresno hotel, where a woman told officers two members of the SMU men’s bas ketball team “touched her through her clothes with their hands.” The woman told police she did not want to file formal charges, the report said. In interviews with police, several basketball players and members of the spirit squad said they had been drinking, but denied the woman had been assaulted, the report said. 1 “We're handling it the same way we would handle any other poten tial violation of student conduct” — Jim Caswell SMU vice president of student affairs The incident allegedly occurred hours after the Mus tangs ended their season with elimination from the WAC tournament in the first round by Hawaii in a 87- 82 loss March 9. Several members of the team and the squad spent the hours after the loss drinking at the Radisson Hotel in downtown Fresno, according to the police report. Sasser, a 6-foot-6 guard, was named first-team all- WAC and led SMU in scoring. Bratton, a 6-foot guard, played a reserve role. The police report includes the names of four SMU players. The Dallas Morning News reported that the uni versity cited privacy laws in not naming the two players who were suspended. Both Bratton and Sasser remained on the team as SMU competed in the National Invitation Tournament against Southwest Missouri State last Thursday. Bob Wright, a SMU spokesperson, told the Star- Telegram the school received the police report Tuesday and did not take action against any players before the NIT game because “the police report contained information not given to us previously.” Darren McCoy, SMU spirit coordinator, voluntarily resigned from SMU in the early stages of the investiga tion last week in which three squad members were ques tioned, the Star-Telegram said. Police noted that McCoy had “bloodshot watery eyes, a strong odor of alcohol” and said he “attempted to obstruct police questioning of one of the spirit members.” University officials began their own investigation of possible violations of SMU’s code of conduct dur ing a school-sponsored trip, including documentation of underage drinking. The report includes instances of a 21-year-old player giving vodka to a 20-year-old squad member. “We’re handling it the same way we would handle any other potential violation of student conduct,” J im Caswell, SMU vice president of student atf airs, said. “There needs to be some determination of university violations and what sort of response we need to pursue from there.” NO, NO,! DOHi - rm rK ARE PRAT MY BAD. I rW those are Jut manholes. i money to send the Olympics, the orgafi Swing has schedu iwing" at the Third R of Swing” will feats ions, a performance: and a dance maratK d Sunday at 8 a.m. . NeoSwing will perfof am their Olympic roil? wing lessons led P >m Austin will be held? d 9:15 p.m. awing lessons will betel .m. to 9:45 p.m.E iSons will begin at llpf on to the event is ents. Supreme Court rules on parental abortion notices AUSTIN (AP) — A pregnant girl who can show that her parents would cut off support and kick her out of the house would qualify for a “judicial bypass” to avoid notifying them be fore getting an abortion, the Texas Supreme Court says. However, the court said that a judge can, within certain legal limits, weigh the girl’s tes timony, which is made in a confidential hearing with no witnesses to contradict her. The decision is the latest in a,series since the state’s new law requiring parental notification of minors' abortions took effect. Under that new law, physicians cannot per form an abortion on a pregnant girl younger than 18 without first telling a parent, unless a judge authorizes it. To bypass the parental con sent, a girl must convince a judge that she meets certain conditions laid out in the law. The law also provides her with a lawyer. The latest case involved a 17-year-old girl. On a 6-3 ruling on Wednesday, the court said a “minor’s emotional well-being, the family structure and the parent-child relationship would be adversely affected if her parents with drew support and severed all contact with her.” The ruling added, “If the minor’s uncontro verted testimony to this effect were clear, pos itive and direct, and not impeached or discred ited by other circumstances, the trial court would have to accept it as fact” and grant the judicial bypass. Man opens fire in church, 4 shot PASADENA, Texas (AP) — A man apparently spumed by a love in terest opened fire during a meeting in a church office Wednesday night, wounding four people before killing himself. Two of tlie wounded were hospital ized in critical condition Thursday. About 25 people were in the Pentecostal church at the time of the shooting, which came after Wednesday services. Police were called to the scene about 9 p.m. Injured were 18-year-old Leslie Contreras, her 38-year-old mother, Angela Contreras, an unidentified 32-year-old man, and Carlos Mata- mores, the 49-year-old pastor of Igle- sia Cristiana Esposa Del Cordero, of ficials said. The pastor and the woman’s moth er were in critical condition at Her mann Hospital in Houston. Mata- mores was shot in the chest, and Angela Contreras was shot in the ab domen. Meanwhile, Leslie Contreras was listed in fair condition at Ben Taub Memorial Hospital in Houston with a bullet wound in her neck. The 32-year-old man suflered a bullet graze and did not have to be tak- “I told myself that if I saw him at church tonight I would call the police.” — Jose Montana church member en to the hospital, said police spokesperson Sgt. J.M. Baird. During a meeting after church ser- News in Brief vices, Baird said, the man professed his love for 18-year-old woman, but she indicated it was unrequited. “What we know is that the suspect was apparently in love with the 18- year-old and found she liked him like a brother,” Baird said. He said the man then told her “something bad was going to happen.” Following the confrontation, the suspect left and then returned with a gun. He then opened fire, injuring the four. He walked outside and shot and killed himself, police said. Church member Jose Montana, 34, said he saw the man in the early hours of Wednesday morning at a nearby Wal-Mart. He said he was making small talk with the man — whom he knew only as “Oscar” — when “he said he was going to kill someone.” “I thought he was kidding,” Mon tana said. “I told myself that if I saw him at the church tonight 1 would call police.” Prison Board Chair: Guards could get raise by September HUNTSVILLE, Texas (AP) — Prison guards who have been complaining about low salaries could be on their way to a $10,000 raise soon, the chair person of the Texas prison board said Thursday. “I think it’s all now just a matter of working out some of the details,” Mac Stringfellow said outside a meeting of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Stringfellow said several plans were under un der review, and he was optimistic some kind of in terim pay boost could be in effect as soon as Sep tember. Eventually, he said, prison guards would be ele vated to the national average of $35,000 to $36,000. Top pay now in Texas is $26,700. Texas A&M University Floriculture-Horticulture Society yyrrxxx^NE^leucxt: F£L±xr AT THE 'TAMU NURSERY/FLORAL CROPS FIELD LAB On Hensel Drive tamu nursery/floral MARCH 25 8:00 A.M. TO 3:00 P.tvl. •Indoor Foliage •Bedding Plants •Perennials • Vegetables •Herbs •And Much More! □ TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY 'ulous Satellite Loufli 1 > Satellite Lounge amily at The Duston Arena The nedy at Aerial Th ouston ulous Satellite s Satellite Lounge ds at McGonigel's n c at Austin md the E Street Ba* :r in Austin VARSITY FORD NOW OPEN FOR BUSINESS AT www.varsityfordcstx.com Check out our specials on F 150’s, Explorers, and Rangers (all rate, rebate, and inventory information is updated weekly) DOWNLOAD COUPONS FOR SERVICE SPECIALS PRE-OWNED SPECIALS ARE CHANGED WEEKLY Questions? - e-mail us at newcar@varsityfordcstx.com March 27-31 http://stulife.tamu.edu/gies/gaw.htm 50’S r VICTOR’S Quality Mens & Ladies Boot & Shoe Repair Custom Hand Made Aggie Senior Boots No Waiting List Necessary - Order at your convenience * Established Dehner Dealer Since 1970 * FREE Taps with free replacement ( s 25 value) Regular Delivery 3-4 months Best warranty in B/CS Senior Boots 3601 Texas Ave. ( at Dunn), Bryan 1 mile north of Texas Ave. & University Dr. Intersection Serving Aggie’s Since 1966 Hours Mon.-Fri. 8-6:30 Sat. 9-3 Deposit 846-4114 VOTE 0 Mar. 29-30 Complaining is Nothing. Voting is Everything. Vote at one of the following convenient locations: MSC, Evans Library, Blocker, Kleberg, Wehner, All Faiths, Commons, Rec Center, Duncan, Zachry, and Bush PROFITABLE NUMBER! 845-0569 The Battalion CLASSIFIEDS ITALY FALL 2000 YOU IN COLLEGE STATION OR YOU IN ITALY WITH A WITH THE SAME 0L‘ ROUTINE WORLD OF EXPERIENCE ENROLL IN A MINIMUM OF 12 CREDIT HOURS ALL CLASSES TAUGHT IN ENGLISH! OPEN TO ALL MAJORS! - ONLY 6 SPOTS LEFT. COME BY THE STUDY ABROAD OFFICE FOR AN APPLICATION - BIZZELL HALL WEST RM. 161,845-0544 CCa 11 Lor INI o111in a t i oi is 2000 AXMentor of the Year Award Dear Student: The ATMentors program will be giving a Mentor of the Year Award at the Division of Student Affairs meeting on May 3th. The purpose of the award is to provide support for mentoring activities and recognition for excellence in mentoring. The winner of the award must be a member of ATMentors who has demonstrated outstanding dedication and commitment to making a difference in students’ lives. If you would like to nominate a member of ATMentors, send a letter to the ATMentors program office at Mail Stop 1263. In your letter please indicate how the mentor you are nominating has “made a difference” in your life. Only currently enrolled students may nominate a Mentor [ for this award. Letters must include the student ID number of the nominating student and be no longer than one page with 12 point font. If you have any questions, call 845-6900 or email atmentors@tamu.edu. A complete list of Mentors is available on the ATMentors webpage at http://mentors.tamu.edu. All letters are due by April 7th at 5:00p.m. Help recognize that special Mentor in your life! ATMentors Texas A&Mfaculty, staff and administrators helping students. APPLY YOURSELF! Bryan/College Station's private dormitories are looking for motivated individuals to be a part of the 2000-2001 Resident Advisor Staff. All applicants must have at least one year of college. Applications can be picked-up at the front desk of University Tower in the lobby and are due Monday, April 3 rd by 5:00 p.m. UNIVERSITY TOWER FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 846-4242 Attn: Graduating Seniors Open House UCS has been in the custom software business for thirty years. Headquartered in Houston with over 1600 employees, we are looking for many different majors and backgrounds for entry level positions including sales, customer service, training, recruiting, accounting, consulting, programming and technical support for our Houston, College Station and other regional offices. For more information, please stop by and visit with our department representatives: Thursday, March 30, 2000 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. 200 Quality Circle College Station, TX This is a come and go event with refreshments provided. Business attire requested. EOE. If you are unable to attend but still wish to apply, please fax or mail your resume to: 200 Quality Circle College Station, TX 77845 979-595-2609 Fax (979) 595-2613 www.universalcomputersys.com UCS hires non-tobacco users only. UCS