By Kathryn Garcia staff reporter A tornado that caused extensive damage in downtown Fort Worth Tuesday evening forced students on campus into basements and lower-level floors of residence halls and buildings. Amateur radio spotters detected the tornado at 6:22 p.m. on West Seventh Street and again at 6:45 p.m. east of downtown Fort Worth, according to the National Weather Service. TCU Police reported that the powerful winds caused no damage on campus. During the storm, police officers evacuated students and staff to the lowest level of each building, said Jon Carter, a TCU police officer.
The majority of the damage sustained occurred in central and northern parts of downtown, according to an Associated Press report. A tornado emergency was in effect for Tarrant County as severe thunderstorms brought rain, softball-sized hail and strong winds, according to the report. Bevin Kurtz, Waits hall director, said she heard about the tornado after it hit the downtown area. "A resident assistant made the announcement, and we all went downstairs sounding airhorns on each floor and knocking on doors," she said. "The basement was packed." Kurtz said she was thankful some of her residents had not yet left for their 7 p.m. classes. Although night classes were not officially canceled, TCU Police advised students calling in not to attend class, said Michael Fazli, a TCU security guard. "We asked all students to stay away from windows in case they were shattered by wind or debris and not to use the elevators," Fazli said. Grayson Lybrand, a freshman fashion promotion major, said about five policemen were at the Student Center to direct students to the basement. They waited about 25 minutes in the basement until they received word it was safe to return upstairs, she said. All the buildings on campus sustained power surges at one point during the storm, said Abraham Walker, control center operator for the Physical Plant. A surge is a brief loss of power, usually not lasting more than a few seconds. "We've been lucky," Walker said. "Nothing real major happened tonight." Pat Henry, TCU Police dispatcher, said the storm also prevented students from making off-campus phone calls at one point during the storm. Don Mills, vice chancellor for Student Affairs, said he was attending an event on the first floor of Moudy Building South when he was informed of the tornado. "These are the kind of things that are hard to prepare for," he said.
Kathryn Garcia
By Jaime Walker Staff Reporter When TCU community members heard that then-senior Robbyn Kindle needed $150,000 to fund her liver and small bowel transplant, they emptied cash out of their pockets, signed checks on her behalf and spread the word. Once the money for Kindle's transplant was in the bank, and her name was on the transplant list, the focus of her family members' battle shifted. Instead of raising money from private individuals, they fought to get it from the government. On March 21, that hope became a reality, said Chris Kindle, Robbyn's brother.
As soon as all the checks can be processed, they will be mailed back to the donors, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs William Koehler said. "The university worked with the Kindles to help them get the legislative help they needed to make this change possible," he said. As Kindle's story gained attention, the bureaucrats who once brushed her off took a second look. Armed with public support, Kindle's brother had the ammunition he needed to take on a monster - Medicaid's red tape. Despite Robbyn Kindle's repeated efforts to qualify for Social Security and Medicaid, the government refused to help fund her transplants because, according to Texas law, they were experimental. Kindle, 32, also had trouble receiving funds because Medicaid funds are only accessible to transplant recipients under 21. Denied by the agencies designed to help her, Kindle turned to the public, which responded with force. "People have done all kinds of things to help Robbyn," Chris Kindle said. "Giving money was only the first step. Without it, we would not be where we are now." Representatives Joe Barton and Kay Granger, as well as the governor and lieutenant governor, all worked together on Kindle's case, Koehler said. Susan Dimaline, special projects director for Congressman Joe Barton, said Kindle's case was an exception to most transplants, so it was harder for her to get the assistance she needed. Dimaline said Kindle struggled for coverage because she had so many unique circumstances, but once the right people reviewed her case, they saw she deserved financial aid. "Robbyn and her family have set a precedent in Texas with this decision," she said. "It remains to be seen how much impact this will have on the state, but it does show that when people pool resources, great things can happen." Chris Kindle said his family can still use the money that is being returned. "Right now, my dad is maintaining two households - one in Texas and one in Nebraska," he said. "We still have a lot of medical bills, too." Because of these expenses, Koehler said cash donations will not be returned. Instead, they will be turned over to Kindle's family to help pay accumulated and future expenses. Money will still be accepted on Kindle's behalf. Those checks should be mailed to "The Robbyn Kindle Family," TCU Office of the Provost, TCU Box 297040. These donations are not tax-deductible. Although Robbyn Kindle is still awaiting compatible organs, her brother said she is doing well. "She is as good as it gets right now," he said. "She was even strong enough to take a few steps today."
Jaime Walker
staff reporters In a relaxed atmosphere, the House of Student Representatives discussed at its regular meeting Tuesday the Student Reachout Program and came to a consensus. Students do not care. "No matter how hard I try, (students) have no desire to know what's going on in House," said Brad Biggs Milton Daniel Hall representative. "The only concern (students) had was with the Napster issue." The Student Reachout Program is designed to bring the House representatives closer to the students they represent. Representatives are encouraged to involve their constituents in a variety of ways such as sending e-mails, making calls or bringing food to a meeting. Commuter Concerns Chairwoman Morgan Landry said the biggest obstacle is reaching off-campus students. "I was able to obtain the e-mail addresses of 4,000 commuters," said Landry. "I have received some concerns from students but definitely not all of the commuters." Landry plans a commuter picnic to reach out to more off-campus students. Jenny Specht, Shirley Hall representative, has placed a box outside of the hall director's office to encourage feedback. "The only feedback we have received is mainly residential," said Specht. "Our biggest complaint is workmen being on the floors very early in the morning." Jill Fox, Colby Hall representative, uses many means to get House information to her hall. "I tape House news on the back of the stalls in the bathroom," said Fox. "I also post House stories on the bulletin board on the first floor. There are even pictures of Colby Hall representatives and how to get in touch with us." In other House business, Steven Parker, University Relations chairman, announced that Channel 47 will be airing a television show. "Mark Bunting, the owner of (SkyTV), is providing Channel 47 with episodes of 'Bunting's Window,'" said Parker. "It is a 15-minute show dealing with technology, and it should appeal to the students." The show is produced four times a month and will be shown frequently, Parker said. During the meeting Brian Casebolt, chairman of Academic Affairs, announced that a survey was sent via e-mail to all students concerning the rearranging of study days during finals. The survey asks students how they spend the break prior to finals and whether or not they want to change the standing policy. Students can register their opinions online until 5 p.m. Friday. House meets at 5 p.m. every Tuesday in the Student Center, Room 222.
Kaitie Smith
Jaime Walker
By Kathryn Garcia staff reporter The TCU Women's Resource Center is sponsoring the Sixth Annual Women's Symposium today and Thursday on the second floor of the Student Center, as well as a Dinner Party from 6:30 through 10 p.m. today in the Student Center Ballroom. The theme, "Women and Community" will focus on what women have done within their communities and how they make up their communities, said Marcy Paul, program coordinator of the center. Today and Thursday, there will be several panel discussions that are free and open to anyone who is interested, Paul said. Some of the sessions include "The Grandmother-Granddaughter Community," "Community as a Source of Support for African American Women" and The Ladies Room: Documentary and discussion with the documentary maker." The Ladies Room workshop will present a documentary by filmographer Cynthia Salzman Mondell about the conversations women have when they gather in the restroom, Paul said. "Just think about how significant some of those conversations really are," she said. Susan Hutchison, a sophomore political science major, said the speakers at the panel discussions should be considered role models by the students attending. Hutchison serves on the Student Advisory Committee, which plans the symposium for the Women's Resource Center, and will also facilitate two seminars, one of which is "Creating Conscious Community: Women as Pioneers." Carol Brice, recipient of the Private Citizen Award for Distinguished Service to State Government and a certified family life educator from Alaska, will be speaking during the "Women as Pioneers" workshop. "She has several awards for volunteering," Hutchison said. "(The workshop) is one of the best ones we have planned." A combined effort from TCU Police and the theater department will bring the "Assault Prevention Theater" workshop for the first time to the symposium, said Sgt. Connie Villela, crime prevention sergeant. "Although it's (a) violent (topic), it's still an issue," she said. "We have to discuss other issues, not just the pleasant things." The actors perform a date rape vignette and stay in character afterward for a question-and-answer period. "I just hope (those that attend) learn to communicate better about the subject and that they'll be able to broach it now," Villela said. Paul said more than 200 people are currently signed up for the "Women and Community" Dinner Party, which is the largest amount of people ever to attend the dinner. "I am overwhelmed," she said. "We have an incredible amount of support from the Fort Worth community and the TCU community." The Dinner Party costs $12 for students, which can be put on their mealcards, and $15 for all others interested. Paul said many departments and organizations at TCU are hosting tables, including the English and political science departments, the Mary Couts Burnett Library and the TCU Press. Judy Alter, director of TCU Press, said she will be hosting two tables at the dinner party and will bring seven women authors and one woman designer to dinner. "I think people forget that literature shapes our community, and women shape our community, as well," she said. "We want to demonstrate that literature is a vital part of our community." The seven authors include Phyllis Allen, who writes short stories, Alter, whose latest book is "Extraordinary Women of the American West," Geralyn Dawson, a romance novelist, Carole Nelson Douglas, author of the Louie the Cat mysteries, Joyce Roach, a folklorist, Eugenia Trinkle, a retired journalist, and Hollace Weiner, who authored "Jewish Stars of Texas." The book-cover designer attending will be Margie Adkins West. Paul said during dinner, Elledanceworks Dance Company of Dallas will perform for the guests. Hutchison said she hopes when students leave, they will feel more motivated to do something in their own communities and volunteer more.
Kathryn Garcia |
"We sent all of the kids down to the
basement of the (residence halls) and in all the buildings," Carter
said. "We just got word of the possibility of severe weather and went
into action."
Chris Kindle said his sister has now obtained the two medical
waivers she needed in order to receive Medicaid and Social Security benefits.
For that reason, any donation checks made out to the Nebraska Medical Center
on Robbyn Kindle's behalf will be returned.| The TCU Daily Skiff © 1998, 1999 Credits |