Veto Shoots Down Change in Wording
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10 baylorlariat com A&E p. 4 Virtual reality in video games becomes a possibility with the Oculus Rift. Baylor Lariat WE’RE THERE WHEN YOU CAN’T BE Friday | November 1, 2013 Court Veto shoots restores most down change of new in wording abortion Vote of 22-25 leaves ‘homosexual acts’ in Baylor Sexual Misconduct Code rules By Shelby Leonard “My veto was an action of love By Chris Tomlinson Reporter and care for the university and our Associated Press students,” Hodges said. “I understand The phrase “homosexual acts” that human sexuality is a topic that is AUSTIN — A federal appeals will remain in the Sexual Misconduct very important to our student body court on Thursday ruled that most Code after a Student Senate vote in and I do not want to limit our conver- of Texas’ tough new abortion restric- executive session Thursday night. sations on this topic. I deeply respect tions can take effect immediately — a Student Body President Wesley our students and their respective decision that means as least 12 clinics Hodges vetoed the Sexual Miscon- views. I just want to make sure that won’t be able to perform the proce- duct Code Non-Discrimination Act whatever is represented in the student dure starting as soon as today. on Wednesday. government is an accurate represen- A panel of judges at the 5th Cir- The act, which was originally tation of the majority of students and cuit Court of Appeals in New Or- passed during the Student Senate seeks to further the mission to protect leans said the law requiring doctors meeting last week, had proposed to our students.” to have admitting privileges at a remove the phrase “homosexual acts” The veto by the student body pres- nearby hospital can take effect while and replace it with the phrase “non- ident was returned to Student Senate a lawsuit challenging the restrictions marital consensual deviate sexual in- to be voted upon, in accordance with moves forward. The panel issued the tercourse.” the Student Body Constitution. ruling three days after District Judge In order to override the veto, a The Student Senate vote followed Lee Yeakel said the provision serves two-thirds vote by the Student Sen- an open forum debate with alternat- no medical purpose. ate was necessary. According to two ing pro and con speakers. In its 20-page ruling, the appeals members present for the vote, the fi- A major concern expressed by court panel acknowledged that the nal count was 22-25. those in favor of the veto was that the provision “may increase the cost of Hodges has the authority to sign proposal was unclear and unneces- accessing an abortion provider and or veto any piece of legislation. sary. An additional concern was that decrease the number of physicians Hodges said he decided to veto the the media publicity would potentially available to perform abortions.” bill based on two arguments. First, continue to affect the reputation of However, the panel said that the U.S. Baylor has a right to determine what the university in a negative way. CONSTANCE ATTON | LARIAT PHOTOGRAPHER Supreme Court has held that hav- it does and does not value. However, other students expressed ing “the incidental effect of making The second was the concern that disagreement with the motion to veto it more difficult or more expensive Saaaaaaaaaaanta!!!!!! due to the lack of preparation and the proposal. Major points expressed to procure an abortion cannot be extensive student studies, if this bill by those opposed were that the pro- enough to invalidate” a law that were to pass on to the Board of Re- posal would create a more caring, lov- New Paltz, N.Y., sophomore David Ackert shows his Halloween spirit by dressing up as gents Hodges did not expect it to be serves a valid purpose, “one not de- Buddy The Elf during Baylor lacrosse practice Thursday on the Baylor Sciences Building SEE page 10 signed to strike at the right itself.” practice field. Paltz has been playing lacrosse for six years. implemented. VETO, The panel left in place a portion of Yeakel’s order that prevents the state from enforcing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration protocol for abortion-inducing drugs in cases where the woman is between 50 and 63 days into her pregnancy. Doctors LLC made for testifying before the court had said such women would be harmed if the protocol were enforced. After Yeakel halted the restric- students with tions, Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott had made an emergency ap- peal to the conservative 5th Circuit, arguing that the law requiring doc- love of outdoors tors to have admitting privileges is a By Ada Zhang constitutional use of the Legislature’s Staff Writer authority. “This unanimous decision is a For some students at Baylor, being stuck indoors and buried in vindication of the careful delibera- books is not enough. They crave fresh air and don’t mind getting tion by the Texas Legislature to craft a dirty. law to protect the health and safety of The Baylor Outdoor Adventure Living and Learning Center COURTESY PHOTO Texas women,” Abbott, a Republican unites students through a common interest in the outdoors. Oprah Winfrey presents sisters Britney and Bethany Wekesser with a $300,000 check for college. who is running for governor, said in Incoming freshmen can apply for the 2014-2015 school year a written statement. starting Nov. 15. Lawyers for Planned Parenthood There are 32 spots in the program, said Jeremy Yarbrough, Out- and other abortion providers had door Adventure Living and Learning Center program director, half BU twins pursue dreams, argued that the regulations do not of which are reserved for incoming freshmen. protect women and would shut down Yarbrough said most of the upper division spots have been filled. a third of the 32 abortion clinics in However, a current student may still apply to be put on the waiting college thanks to Oprah Texas. list. In a statement Thursday, Planned “A lot can change between now and August,” Yarbrough said. Parenthood said the appeals court The Center’s mission statement is: “To provide like-minded stu- By Maria Brockman, Crystal Dyer They were told Oprah was recognizing stu- decision means “abortion will no dents an opportunity for personal growth, intellectual stimulation and Eryn Mattox dents who had overcome challenges. Both Brit- longer be available in vast stretches and leadership skills through outdoor adventure experiences.” Contributors ney and Bethany had a learning dissability that of Texas.” Typically, there is a balance within the Outdoor Adventure Living they struggled with from first grade to middle “This fight is far from over,” and Learning Center of students who are experienced and inexperi- When Lincoln, Neb., twins Britney and Beth- school. Planned Parenthood President Ce- enced, Yarbrough said. any Wekesser arrived on “The Oprah Winfrey “We had trouble comprehending colors, cile Richards said in the statement. Houston senior and third-year Outdoor Adventure Living and Show” on May 10, 2005, they received the biggest knowing our ABCs, reading. We just didn’t make “This restriction clearly violates Learning Center member Jimmy Britven said he had camping expe- surprise of their lives — a $300,000 check to pay sense of education like our peers,” Bethany said. Texas women’s constitutional rights rience before joining the program from Boy Scouts. for college. “It required a lot of hard work and extra school- by drastically reducing access to safe “Coming from Boy Scouts, I had a pretty good base of outdoor They never expected it. They didn’t ask for it. i n g .” “We were just two normal Nebraskan girls,” SEE ABORTION, page 10 SEE OUTDOORS, page 10 Britney said. SEE TWINS, page 10 Inside WEB NEWS p. 3 SPORTS p. 9 Dan and Greg Take a walk down Cross country gears predict the future memory lane with up for the and preview the Discover Waco’s Big 12 championship NBA season. Listen Past on Monday in meet this weekend on baylorlariat.com. the SUB Den. in Waco. Vol.116 No. 35 First copy free. Additional copies 50 cents each. © 2013, Baylor University OpinionFriday | November 1, 2013 2 Survey Results U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel struck down one provision of Texas House Bill 2 on Oct. 28 that would have placed restrictions on abortions and abortion clinics. Do you agree? Your responses: “There are hospitals all over the state in all sizes of communities. Abortion providers and clinics can meet the need of women seeking abortions by meeting the basic health and safety standards. Those that have closed have chosen not to adhere to these standards and have created the undue burden they now claim exists.” “It would close most of the facilities in Texas. That seems a little undue, at the least.” Do you think that doctors should be required to have admittance access to hospitals in order to perform an abortion? Yes: 52.8% No: 47.2% Your responses: “Abortion is an invasive medical procedure that can cause unexpected complications or bleeding re- quiring advanced medical care. To provide safe health care to women, doctors must be able to quickly access hospital care.” The Lariat endorses “It seems to be an unnecessary and tedious requirement.” Do you think women should be able to undergo a medication abortion at home? Yes: 37% fart-filtering undies No: 63% Your responses: bowel syndrome. Shreddies will “There are no evident dangers associated with medical abortions that demand immediate doctor’s su- “People needed ways to help these people ease their most pervision. Requiring women to take the medicine under doctor’s supervision simply requires further Editorial overlooked symptom: embarrass- hospital time, with all the associated costs that low income mothers will struggle to manage, for no get around, so Henry ment.