thebattalion l tuesday,
july 23, 2013
l serving
texas a&m since 1893
l first paper free – additional copies $1 l © 2013 student media
Doors to close on health clinic Advocates and supporters maintain their causes Jessica Smarr The Battalion
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lanned Parenthood Gulf Coast announced Thursday in a press release it would be closing clinics in Bryan, Huntsville and Lufkin at the end of August, after almost a 40 year presence in the area. The announcement came as a result of an “increasingly hostile environment” created by the Texas Legislature, Melaney Linton, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast said in the press release. Bobby Reynoso, the executive director for the Christian pro-life organization Coalition for Life of the Brazos Valley, was said he was “excited” and “ecstatic” as his phone lit up with news of the closure. The Coalition for Life of the Brazos Valley began in 1998, Reynoso said, in response to Planned Parenthood’s announcement that they would offer abortions at their Bryan clinic. Rochelle Tafolla, the spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast, said the closures of the three clinics were the result of a “devastating decision” in response to cuts in the state budget for family planning programs. In 2011, legislators voted to restrict beneficiaries of the Texas Women’s Health Program, a Medicaid-like program for women’s reproductive health, from receiving free services at
Josh McKenna — THE BATTALION
The Bryan Planned Parenthood Clinic, which provided patients with sexually transmitted diseases testing, contraception, cancer screenings and abortion services, will be closing in August after increased legislative restrictions affected the organization. Planned Parenthood Clinics. This change in coverage resulted in a 49 percent decrease in patients served at the Bryan clinic from 2011 to 2012, Tafolla said. The coverage change, coupled with the recent passage of House Bill 2 resulted in the closure of all three clinics. The Huntsville and Lufkin locations did not provide abortions and were affected primarily by the 2011 legislature. Yet, Reynoso said Planned Parent-
hood’s exit from the Brazos Valley specifically was a result of more than the effects of restricted legislation. “For them to just exit the scene means that their appeal in the community and the controversy that they’ve brought here just with their name and brand shows they realized that it wasn’t appropriate for them to maintain any kind of a presence,” Reynoso said. Audrey Saltarelli, junior philosophy and
political science major, is a volunteer with the Coalition for Life. She serves as a sidewalk counselor, and stands outside of the Planned Parenthood clinic to provide the individuals entering the building of alternative health care clinics and options. “The women and men around this area deserve better than Planned Parenthood,” See Parenthood on page 3
kyle field redevelopment
Aggies file lawsuit over seating at Kyle Sean Lester
The Battalion exas A&M’s 12th Man Foundation is facing lawsuits from Aggies in Houston and central Texas whose endowed seats at Kyle Field will be moved after the $450 million redevelopment project. A press release Monday announced that Tom and Delma Tullos, along with the family of Chester Young and several other unnamed Aggies, are filing a lawsuit alleging breach of contract and misrepresentation by the 12th Man Foundation. Tom and Delma Tullos endowed a $20,000 scholarship in 1994 to the 12th Man Foun-
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dation and claim they were guaranteed their same seats and benefits for 30 years, without any additional payment. Under the reseating process brought about by the redevelopment project, the Tulloses would have to pay an additional $30,000 plus an “indeterminate additional amount” to keep the same seats, the press release stated. “A deal is a deal,” said Tom Tullos, Class of 1979, in the press release. “I just want the Foundation to do the right thing, which would be to honor the agreements they made in 1994 that prompted us to endow the scholarship. We tried to get them to do so, but they refused. As much as I regret having to sue, they left me no alternative.”
12th Man Foundation President Skip Wagner said the dispute is about seat location, not a guarantee of having a seat in the redeveloped stadium. “We’re thankful for the shared commitment in the redevelopment of Kyle Field,” Wagner said. “What you’ve got is tens of thousands of people who are supportive and excited. Then you have literally a handful — one or two or three — that have chosen to go down a different road.” Wagner said the Foundation guarantees each endowed seat holder a seat in the endowed seating section. That decision was made by a committee that included other endowed members of the Foundation,
Wagner said. “Every endowment will be honored completely and totally,” Wagner said. “If you look at those endowment agreements they entitle people to game tickets, they entitle people to parking and they entitle people access to away game tickets. That’s not being taken away from anyone.” Wagner said the actual seat each endowed member is given is not guaranteed by contract. They are guaranteed a seat in the designated seating area instead. “They are guaranteed a seat in the endowed seating area or a seat in the stadium and that See Lawsuit on page 2
sports
Von Miller faces 4-game suspension, pending appeal ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The latest distraction for the Denver Broncos comes from All-Pro linebacker Von Miller, who insisted Monday he did nothing wrong in the face of reports he could miss four games for violating the NFL’s drug policy. Miller will miss the first month of the season for violating the NFL’s drug policy, pending an appeal, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press. The person did not want to be named because the league hasn’t announced any punishment. ESPN first reported the pending discipline for Miller, who responded on his Twitter ac-
college station
South Nimitz junction closed The south intersection of Nimitz Street at University Drive will be closed through Friday as work continues on the University Drive sidewalks project. Right turns onto Nimitz from eastbound traffic and left turns from westbound traffic will not be allowed. Nimitz north of University Drive will remain accessible.
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count, saying he had seen the reports about the four-game suspension. “I know I did nothing wrong. I’m sure this’ll be resolved fairly,” he tweeted, adding he was disappointed the Broncos have to open training camp with this news hanging over them. Miller and his agent didn’t return messages left Von Miller by The Associated Press. Miller played for Texas A&M from 2007 to 2010. As a junior, Miller led the nation
in sacks with 17 and was named a first-team All-American. After sitting out for the first six games his senior year, Miller came back to post 10.5 sacks and won the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker. The Broncos report to training camp Wednesday with big expectations but a growing number of off-the-field distractions, as well. Shortly after last season’s 13-3 campaign ended with a loss to Baltimore in the divisional playoffs, none other than Miller guaranteed a Super Bowl title for Denver for the 2013 season. Then, just last week, left tackle Ryan
Clady signed a new contract and, during interviews to discuss the deal, said it was, “Super Bowl or bust, for the most part” for Denver. It’s the kind of talk, at least in public, that Peyton Manning and coach John Fox disdain. It is, however, in line with what Las Vegas says (At odds ranging between 9-2 and 6-1, the Broncos are widely listed as the favorites to win the Super Bowl) as well as the roster Executive Vice President John Elway has assembled. He added Wes Welker to Manning’s receiving corps, shored up the line with free See Miller on page 2
campus
Regents’ Scholarships help first-generation students Allison Rubenak
The Battalion fter high school seniors receive their acceptance letters, the challenge of paying for college can sometimes become a daunting reality. Established in 2003 under then president. Robert Gates, The Regents’ Scholarship Program was created to alleviate financial struggles of incoming first-generation college students. It allots students up to $5,000 each semester for up to four years, which can be utilized for tuition, books and room and board. Casey Gros, coordinator of the Regents’ Scholars Organization, said the program will soon see its 10th cohort of students. The program impacts approximately 600 students. Gros noted her excitement for the expected four hundred additional freshmen this fall. “With this program, what we really aim to do is give students an opportunity to have someone here to help them and have someone point them in the right direction,”Gros said.
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Heriberto Rodriguez, junior computer engineering major and Regents’ Scholarship recipient, said although he is a first-generation college student, he has felt “capable of succeeding” in college and “going up to those challenges and passing right through.” “The advisors try to prepare us with seminars and workshops to touch on how to be a successful Aggie,” Rodriguez said. “They want us to have a successful experience here at A&M and try to accommodate to us as much as they can.” The Regents’ Scholarship requires that students live on campus their first year and participate in academic success programs designated by their college. Scholarship recipients are also provided with different leadership opportunities, regionally and within the program itself. “Our slogan is ‘pay it forward,’” Rodriguez said. “That simply means to devote your time to the community.” Abigail Martinez, junior urban See Scholarship on page 4
COURTESY
Lea and Loftus Fitzwater donated $100,00 to establish The Fitzwater Endowed Reagents’ Scholarship, part of a program that benefits approximately 600 students.
7/22/13 10:36 PM