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The Rice Thresher
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by LESLIE LIU AND ELIZABETH JARDINA THRESHER EDITORIAL STAFF A car accident that killed one member of the Rice debate team and injured several others has prompted university assistance for affected members of the Rice community. George R. Brown Forensics Society coach Dan West said the university has been incredibly supportive since the accident. Rice organized parents' travel arrangements to Houston. The university also made all travel and lodging arrangements for six Baker students, eight debate team members, West, assistant coach Chris Aspdal, Brown College Coordinator Nancy Henry and the parents of Lovett College freshman Randy Meissen to attend today's funeral for Dan Henning, the Baker freshman killed in the accident, in his home state of Illinois. Meissen, one of the debate team members attending the funeral, was Henning's debate partner. Four of the debate team members involved in the crash are from Brown, and West and his wife Vicki are former Brown resident associates. "I'm glad they're doing this because some kids on the team, they need closure," West said. "The others have dealt with it in other ways, but some kids really need to go." Hanszen College sophomore Brook Ames was seriously injured in the accident and taken by helicopter to Hermann Memorial Hospital. David Ames, Brook Ames' father, said the university has been "nothing short of phenomenal" in dealing with the situation. "They've anticipated our every need," he said. David Ames said he was thankful the university informed them quickly of the situation even without complete information because it gave them time to prepare for the trip. West said Rice has been supportive of him personally. "They told me to come back to work when I'm ready," West said. "You don't get this at other schools." Risk Manager Renee Block said medical bills for students involved in the accident will probably be covered by Southern County Mutual, the insurance company of the contractor that employed Martin Runnels, the 43-year-old pickup-truck driver from Katy involved in the accident. "Given the facts of the case, I would expect the contractor's insurance carrier to review and address each claim that's being filed with them," Block said. She said that all bills should be sent to her office, though, because she will be helping to coordinate the paperwork. Block explained that bills for West and Aspdal are immediately covered by workers' compensation because they were acting within the scope of their jobs. However, Block said that the company that handles Rice's workers' compensation insurance will very likely file a claim against Southern County Mutual also. - back -
This document may be distributed electronically, provided that it is distributed in its entirety and includes this notice. However, it cannot be reprinted without the express written permission of: The Rice Thresher, Rice University MS-524, PO Box 1892, Houston, TX 77251-1892, USA. The Thresher Online Project -- ethresh@listserv.rice.edu |
