Listen to KAMI) 90.9 FM at 1:57 p.m
for details on the
domestic violence call College Station
police received.
• Check out The Battalion online at
battalion.tamu.edu.
With new DNA testing
technology, should
• convicted criminals
be given one
more chance?
Page 5
Weather:
Partly cloudy with a
hiqh of 92 and a low
of 72.
TUESDAY
June 27, 2000
Volume 106 ~ Issue 159
6 pages
HI*'i * i i'i I’k'l Vi IV
roposal for equal protection awaits approval
<e during a training
eparing for the Iron-
t month which com-
112-mile bike ride.
ril Young and Jeanette Simpson
The Battalion
Aproposal that would explicitly guarantee
[otection for all students, including the gay,
;bian, bisexual and transgendered popula-
m, is currently awaiting the approval ofTexas
M President Dr. Ray M. Bowen.
Last year, Faculty Senate submitted a pro-
sal that would have created civil-rights pro-
tions for gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans-
ndered students. However, the proposal
:ated legal risks for the University because,
ider federal law, gays and lesbians are not
otected based on their sexual orientation.
"Last summer about this time, 1 got a pro-
[isal from Faculty Senate which created civil-
hts-like protection for gay/lesbian students,
id there were legal risks associated with that—
that's why I turned it down," Bowen said. "I told
Faculty Senate I would support this word-
smithing, which is now the issue. We obey the
law. If the law does provide a certain protection
and doesn't provide another protection, we don't
go and provide that other protection not provid
ed in the law. That creates legal risks for us."
Bowen said that although there are no civil-
rights-like protections for gay and lesbian stu
dents, there are other protections provided in
the student handbook.
"What we've always done is say we're not
going to create those civil-rights-like protec
tions for gay/lesbian students, but we have a
lot of protection now, short of full civil-rights
like protections, such as access to programs,
jobs, housing. They can fully engage |in cam
pus activities]," he said.
Lorenzo Gonzalez/chair of the student ser
vices committee and a junior environmental
design major, said Dr. J. Malon Southerland,
vice president of student affairs, and Faculty
dir
The proposal put
forth by the task force,
if approved, would
further guarantee all
students the protec
tion of their rights”
. — Lorenzo Gonzalez
chair of the student services committee
Senate appointed a taskforce to examine the in
clusion of sexual orientation in Texas A&M's
non-discrimination clause.
Gonzalez said Brent Paterson, director of
student life,'worked closely with the Faculty
Senate to examine the issue and has always
been supportive of it.
However, Paterson denied any knowledge
of the proposal.
"1 am not aware of any bill being proposed
regarding this subject matter to be going
through any process at this time," Paterson
said. "I am not aware of any proposal awaiting
Bowen's signature."
Gonzalez said the proposal will affect all
students.
"The proposal put forth by the task
force, if approved, would further guarantee
all students the protection of their rights,"
Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez said the proposed inclusion
would use different wording to make the non
discrimination clause more clear.
"People feel threatened when you say 'we're
on an equal level' rather than 'we're on the same
level,'" he said. "The new clause would change
the wording to make it more legal. It would cre
ate same rights instead of equal rights."
Bowen said the "wordsmithing" would in
clude a phrase that was not used in the past.
"One of the phrases which other [universi
ties] use is 'consistent with state and federal
law' which [other universities] condition all of
their statements on. We have not used that in
See Proposal on Page 2.
held captivi
tailroad relocation
orum open to public
lines.
•••
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ions:
ommodation
is to:
sxas 77840
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officials at the presideitl
in Manila. Zulkarnij
ajado flew to Manilaorl
ight aboard a privatejet
> released unharme; Maureen Kane
night by Abu Sayir The Battalion
guerrillas troT. I -I^ t rirrt of five rounds of public
camp on the island! , ,, u . ..
„ . . . , , r meetings will be held this week to sohc-
e impoverished soutl. i b . .
it|pubhcopinion on the possibility of re
locating the railroad that runs parallel to
Wellborn Road. According to Student
ady President Forrest Lane, the forum
an opportunity to give input on the
railroad's location.
1 "The forum is open to the public - for
all Bryan-College Station area residents.
Student government is in support of it
Realise it's very beneficial to the A&M
Immunity," Lane said. "I am in support
)f... moving the railroad tracks. The
'ailroad is in support of moving the
racks as well because it would be quick
er and more efficient."
The meetings will be held to gather
blic comment on a feasibility study
ing conducted by the Metropolitan
nning Organization (MPO). The
'0 is one of 25 federally funded orga-
rations in the state that Tarings togeth-
multiple agencies and jurisdictions to
k about regional transportation needs.
Michael Parks, the managing MPO
rector, said, "The MPO crosses
undaries between Bryan-College Sta-
n and the University, Brazos County
d Texas Department of Transporta-
n. We can talk about what's important
the community." He also said that the
’0 has received both positive and
g.ative feedback concerning the cur-
put location of the railroad.
'We are trying to find a proper loca-
fln for the railroad tracks. This is a fea-
|ility study to determine the needs of
lion Pacific and the community. Union
Icifichas specific needs - we are trying
fdetermine what is best for everybody,
miot.i Pacific has been a very good part-
|r," Parks said.
Lynn Mcllhaney, mayor of College
®tior,i and a member of the MPO, said
iat she has heard both positive and
negative comments about the location of
the railroad as well.
"You can't live in this community
and not hear about it," Mcllhaney said.
The feasibility study will compare the
cost of keeping the railroad where it is,
and the cost of moving it to another lo
cation. The environmental, social, and
economic impacts on the community
will be considered.
Another issue that the MPO must
take into consideration is safety.
"I know that safety has been an issue
with the University and the community
in regards to the cargo that comes
through, and with the location of the
tracks separating campus, the safety of
the students who have to cross on a dai
ly basis is an issue. We're looking at the
impact on the community in the long
term," Mcllhaney said. "We're looking
at this from a totally holistic approach
that will give policy makers information
needed to make decisions. There is a cit
izens committee working with MPO,
and there is a lot of public feedback on
this program, which is important. It's a
good, comprehensive feasibility study."
As for the possible options regarding
railroad relocation, Parks said the MPO
is waiting for the results of the study be
fore discussing options.
"Options under previous studies in
cluded using the existing tracks for low-
track alignment, in a trench in the current
location; putting tracks down FM 2818
(Harvey Mitchell Parkway); putting the
tracks along the Brazos River, along
Highway 47, or along the East Bypass,"
Parks said. "Our study has not evaluat
ed any of these yet. We're focusing on
evaluating criteria to be used wWen we
do get alternatives and suggestions."
Mcllhaney said that the cost of mov
ing the railroad would be partially paid
by the federal government, and the rest
would come from a combination of local
and state funds.
"Funds have not been
■I ■ ■ m a*. hk m s identified. These are all
MLROAD FORUM i things that constituents
S.SDAY
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630 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
UNITARIAN CHRISTIAN
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THURSDAY
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pjra. - 8:30 p.m.
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have to look at," Mcll
haney said.
Lane said that he has
not heard of any poten
tial funding problems.
"L haven't heard that
money is a concern.
Community leaders
won't support it if the
community isn't in sup
port of it," Lane said. He
added that the only a
small number of resi
dents in one of the possi
ble relocation sites close
to the Brazos River do
not support the reloca
tion of the railroad.
"What is important is
that the citizens make
their opinions known,"
Parks said.
Singin’ the blues
Local blues sensation Ruthie Foster sings during the fifth
annual Navasota Blues Festival held in Navasota at the VFW
on Saturday. Foster was one of several acts to perform on
Friday and Saturday.
Minority population to increase
More than 11,000 applicants admitted for Fall 2000
KimTrifilio
The Battalion
Preliminary Fall 2000 student-enrollment figures
show the Texas A&M minority student population will
increase this fall.
A&M accepted more than 11,000 of the 18,000 students
who applied for admission this fall. >
Joe Estrada, director of admissions, said the minority en
rollment this year has changed slightly from last year.
"The African-American enrollment has leveled off from
last year. The Hispanic enrollment has increased about 10 per
cent. International students have increased just slightly, as
well as those students who checked the other/blank catego
ry. With more interracial marriages, more students are check
ing the other/blank category, and that is something that is
happening all over. The number of Native American students
dropped slightly by about a student or two," Estrada said.
Rodrick Moore, coordinator of student retention for
the Department of Multicultural Services, said the high-
Texas A&M Fall 2000
Preliminary Enrollment Figures
18 r 679 total applications
16,748 "4 complete applications
11,054 accepted
6,769 -4 confirmed
i ~
t:
er Hispanic enrollment this fall reflects positively on the
University.
"I am excited about the increase in numbers of Hispan-
ics, and we look forward to a steady increase in the num
bers of all of our minority students," Moore said.
Moore said the Department of Multicultural Services
will continue to work toward keeping minority students at
A&M with the goal of attracting more minority students in
the years to come.
"I think we need to become more creative in our recruit
ing efforts to attract more minority students to Texas A&M
University," Moore said. "Our work starts once students get
here in the fall, and then we have to keep them here."
Gabriela Avila, president of the Mexican Student Asso
ciation and a senior marketing major, said the increase pf
minorities, specifically Hispanics, is great for other minor
ity students at A&M.
"A 10 percent increase is great," Avila said. "It is a won
derful increase for Hispanic people. I think it's great to get
more Hispanic people here at A&M. This will also be good
for the stereotypes that people have of Hispanics. People
think Hispanics don't like to study or finish their career, but
this shows them we do."
Avila said A&M offers many opportunities for Hispan
ics, which helps in the recruiting process.
"Here at A&M, they have a lot of opportunities for
Hispanic people to join, like the Mexican Student Associ
ation. The increase is going to be great for our association,
good for the stereotype of Hispanics, and good for Texas
A&M," Avila said.
Estrada said several other preliminary statistics stood out.
"More males applied than females, but more females
were admitted than males," Estrada said. "Also, the num
ber of graduate applications is running about 2 percent
ahead of last year. A good number of them are internation
al students, and we are very pleased to see that occurrence."
News in Brief
AIDS Services
offers free
HIV testing
Texas A&M stu
dents, faculty and staff
can come by the
Memorial Student Cen
ter Room 139 from 1
to 5 p.m. on Tuesday
for a free HIV test.
The AIDS Services
of Brazos Valley will
have two testing coun
selors available for
free, anonymous/con
fidential HIV testing.
This is the sixth
year AIDS Services of
Brazos Valley has
joined with Student
Health Services to
host National HIV Test
ing Day.
In addition to pro
viding free HIV testing,
information will be
available at Rudder
Fountain about the
prevention of AIDS and
other sexually trans
mitted infections.
In addition, free HIV
testing is available at
the Student Health
Center through AIDS
Services by appoint
ment each Thursday
from 1 to 4:30 p.m.