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(j*iOAS Total Car Care - From Wiper Blades to Engine Repair AGGIE RING ORDERS ( The Association AUDIT SUBMISSICMU: December 15, 2003 DELIVERY DATE: April 22. 2004 ORDER SESSIONS: 1) Jan. 20-23 2) Jan. 26-29 3) Feb. 2-5 4) Feb. 9-12 5) Feb. 16-19 UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT REQUKEMENTS: 1. 9S cumulative completed undergraduate credit hours. 2. 45 undergraduate resident credit hours completed at TAMU. 3. 2.0 cumulative GPR at Texas A&M University. 4. Must not be on academic probation, suspension, dismissal, expulsion, or on honor violation probation from the university. GRADUATE STUDENT REQUIREMENTS: 1. Defended Thesis • Due to ordering deadlines, you may order at the beginning of the semester you will graduate. Your Aggie Ring will be delivered on Aggie Ring Day if you have defended your thesis prior to the deadline set by the Office of Graduate Studies. If you do not defend your thesis prior to this date, your Aggie Ring will be held until the qualification is met. 2. Must not be on academic probation, suspension, dismissal, expulsion, or on honor violation Master's Non-Thesis Potion 1. 75% of coursework completed for degree program at TAMU. 2. Must not be on academic probation, suspension, dismissal, expulsion, or on honor violation probation from the university . Ph.P. Students 1. Accepted as a Ph.D. candidate at TAMU 2. Must not be on academic probation, suspension, dismissal, expulsion, or on honor violation probation from the university. probation from the university. HOW TO GET YOUR AGGIE RING ON APRIL 22, 2004: If you meet the requirements after Fall ’03: 1. Submit an Aggie Ring audit online at www.AggieNetwork.com/Ring or visit the Aggie Ring office to complete an audit beginning December 15, 2003. 2. The Aggie Ring program will send you an email with the status of your audit and, if qualified, assign you an ordering session. ■ Beginning January 1, 2004. Please allow 1 week to receive your email response. • Contact the Aggie Ring program if you do not receive your email by February 18, 2004. 3. Order your Aggie Ring during your assigned ordering session. • Payment is due at time of order. We accept cash, check or personal credit cards. • Ring loans are available to qualified, currently enrolled students at the Short Term Loan Office, Room 230, Pavilion. Please submit your Aggie Ring audit before applying for a Ring loan. Visit httpy/faid.tamu. edu or call 845-3955 for further details. December 2003 graduates may visit us at www.AggieNetwork.com/Ring for further ordering details or call the Aggie Ring Program at 845-1050. 505 GEORGE BUSH DR , COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS 77840-2918 « (979)845-1050 ■ www.AggieNetwork.com Hey Ags... I *V2i: THE ASSOCIATION OF FORMER STUDENTS ..get your sticker!! Graduates, You're invited to the next J Your Next Move in Life... * ^ Discover the opportunities available to you as a former student! get your sticker! win door prizes! <4 free fajitas! Jh visit with your friends! get your sticker!! (did we say that already??) Wednesday, December 17 5:30 - 7:30 PM The Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni Center The Association OF FORMER STUDENTS* 505 George Bush Dr. College Station, TX 77840-2918 979-845-7514 www.AggieNetwork.com 14 Tuesday, December 9, 2003 Habitat helpers Randai Ford • THE BATTA® Junior communications major Brian Mile Kell left, and jun- other members of the Sigma Chi fraternity wodc on alms ior biomedical sciences major Brent Josselet right, and Saturday in College Station for Habitat for Humanity Seniors face choices in Medicare bl By Mark Sherman THE ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON — The new prescription drug benefit signed into law Monday by President Bush as part of major Medicare changes will confront seniors with numerous and sometimes- difficult choices on their health care coverage. Bush said the new drug insurance “will save our seniors from a lot of worry.” But the bill’s critics said the worries have just begun for Medicare’s 40 million older and disabled Americans. The government will spend nearly $400 billion over the next 10 years to subsidize prescrip tion drug coverage, which begins in January 2006. At the same time, the government will encourage insurance companies to offer private plans to millions of older Americans who now receive health care benefits under terms fixed by the federal government. “Medicine has changed but Medicare has not — until today,” Bush said, explaining that prescription drugs and out patient care have replaced hos pital stays over the past two decades. “Our seniors are fully capable of making health care choices, and this bill allows them to do that.” Republicans generally hailed the signing as a political triumph they could use in next year’s election to neutralize Democrats’ historical advantage on issues regarding the elderly. “Democratic leaders have lashed out at us, at the president and AARP” House Majority Bush signs Medicare bill Presidert Bush on Monday signed irto law efianges to the Medicare system ^® sgnrfkant part of the $400 Mon bd adds prescnption-dfug awerageforiteetth Major provisions Interim drug card In 2004 and 2005. seniors eligiWe to purchase a dis count card estimat ed to yield drug- cost savings of 15 percent or higher Lownnoome senior would get an annu al subsidy of $600. Main drug benefit In 2006. beneficiaries could sign up for a stand alone drug plan or join a private health ptan. They would be charged a pre mium ot $35 per month, or $420 per year After meeting a $275 deduct- tale, insurance would pay 75 percent ot drug costs up to $2,250. Coverage gap—No coverage for iugiffi between $2,250 and $5,100. Catastrophic coverage -Wheno# pocket spending reaches $3,600, insw covers 95 percent of drug costs cneiT a modest co-payment Low-income subsidies-Thep»* dedi iciibte and coverage gap wuldhew-? (or people earning up to $12,123ay&' Retiree coverage — Starting in 2006. if t $70 billion m tax-free subsidies low# who maintain drug coverage for reiffi SOURCE SM to U«dK«t M negotakxt Leader Tom DeLay of Texas said. “But Democrats have no one to blame but themselves for their abject failure on health care. We wanted a bill, they just wanted an issue, and now' the American people know who took their concerns seriously.” Democrats pledged to fight in the Republican-controlled Congress for changes in the law, principally for measures to bring down the price of pre scription drugs. “You sold us out, so we’re going to go all out to repeal what you've done,” Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D- Mass., said. The first tangible result of the Medicare law will be prescrip tion drug discount cards that the president said would take effect in June. He said seniors will receive a mailing in the spring to explain the card, which will cost no more than $30 a year. It will offer discounts that Bush said will range from 10 to 25 percent off retail prices. Critics say the promise of savings is wildly inflated. The president sought sure seniors Monday choices will be them in detail and thattheyJ keep the health care they I* “If you don’t want your current coverage, youte have to change,” Bui that option may not^ for some seniors. Congressional Budget estimates that 2.7 retirees will lose the drag co'f age they now receive mer employers, projections are much smafe And those seniors whom 1 rely on supplemental insitf to defray the cost of prescrijS drugs will be forced to mak change, as these so-erf Medigap policies will be W from offering a drug hew beginning in 2006. Some Medicaid benefit ies, among the poorest of iors, also could see restrict placed on their drug cot# several health analysts said. Better Ingredients • Better Tuesday Special 2 Large m 1-Topping 11 I LARGE I-TOPPING $C 99 pu/only 2 LARGE I-TOPPING $12" S ^Wie nij/rlcliV., 1 EX-LARGE 1 LARGE 2-TOPPING 2-TOPPING & 2 liter drink o LO « O $1 1 99 1 1 • pu/delivery pu/delivery PICK YOUR SIDE LARGE 2 TOPPING AND I SIDE $12 78 I Mm9 pu/delivery FAMILY SPECIAL I LARGE SPECIALTY I LARGE 2 TOPPING $ I6.” Northgate Post Oak Square Center Rock Prairie 601 University Dr. 100 Harvey Rd., Suite D 1700 Rock Prairie 979-846-3600 979-764-7272 979-680-050$ Sunday: 11 a.nra. - midnight Monday - Wednesday: “11 a.m. - 1 a. Thursday: 1 1 a.m. - 2 a.m. Friday & Saturday: 11 a.m. - 3 a.nr oo THE BATTALION