University of South Carolina Libraries
Two students receive international grants '• Winners chosen from 1,300 to study abroad in fall2005 By ALBANY GAULT THE GAMECOCK Two USC students have been awarded the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to study abroad in fall 2005. Fourth-year biology and S.C. Honors College student Kenyatta J. Frazier and fourth-year computer information systems student Nhan Nguyen were chosen from more than 1,300 applicants. Frazier will study in Buenos Aires, Argentina, through the Palermo exchange program. Nguyen will study in Shanghai, China, at Fudan University. Nguyens award is co-sponsored by the Gilman and Freeman-Asia foundations. Established by the International Academic Opportunity Act of 2000, the Gilman International Scholarship Program is a competition for undergraduates who want to study abroad. The scholarship awards U.S. undergraduate “d'n“ . .wl” NGUYEN receive federal , Fourth-year Pell grants at computer two- or four- information ,, systems student year colleges or universities. Frazier is vice president of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and co director of Greek affairs for Student Government. l am extremely oiessea to nave received this scholarship,” Frazier said. “It is so wonderful to know that hard work and dedication does not go unrecognized. All things are possible.” Frazier is from Aiken and is the son of Erma Frazier and Isaac Wylder. He attended Aiken High School. His plan for the future is to partake in a career as a neurosurgeon. Nguyen is a member of the Vietnamese Student Association. Nguyen is from Spartanburg and is the son of Tuyet and Tiem Nguyen. The Freeman-Asia Program is designed to support American undergraduates who demonstrate financial need and plan to study overseas in the Far East or Southeastern Asia. “I felt really |_ relieved and glad that I won,” FRA2.eVA "jr “! _ , didnt think I tourth-year biology student would get it because so many people applied. Getting the scholarship was great, then a relief because I can afford to go” Nguyen said he wants to study abroad because he feels learning Chinese will help his career in international business. The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship is a congressionally funded program sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. State Department. Grants are offered to American undergraduates with financial needs but who wish to pursue academic studies abroad. The Gilman Scholarship Program “recognizes that international study is intended to better prepare U.S. students to assume significant roles in an increasingly global economy and interdependent world,” said a USC Fellowship and Scholar Programs news release. The Institute of International Education and the Southern Regional Center in Houston administer the program, which offers 281 awards. Only 2 percent of applications accepted were funded. Comments on this story? E-mail gamecocknews@gwm.sc.edu ■ FILE-SHARING Continued from page 1 happen, and the university does not endorse this,” Luna said. He said in order to post the addresses, “we’d need to post every student who has violated the student conduct code for other offenses as well.” Luna also said if the university is going to consider paying for a legal file-sharing service, it does need to be more effective in disciplining students downloading illegally. wnen tne rvecoraing inaustry Association of America determines someone on the USC system is distributing files illegally, they contact the university and a notification is sent to the user asking that they delete the files from their computer and that they don’t distribute those files again. If the university determines the person is distributing the files again, the user faces the USC Student Judicial Board for further discipline. Punishment for multiple offenses usually includes community service or suspension. Kenny Edwards, a Computer Services employee, said that since Oct. 29, 2004, the university has had 67 cases of students and faculty-staff members notified to discontinue file-sharing. Out of those 67, Edwards estimates only four have escalated to the Student Judiciary Board. Another concern in adopting a university-wide file-sharing system is cost for the university and students. Luna acknowledges there will likely be some cost to students regardless of funding from RHA and the university, especially if students want to download files to CDs or MP3 players. For cost, it really does depend on the service. For one of the systems, there is no server on campus. It is completely Web-based. With another system, (the university) would have to have its own server to house the service level agreement which is $735 a month plus installation and implementation,” said Kimberly South, Computer Services Public Information Coordinator. South said the Web-based system could increase the Internet bandwidth, which could compromise network performance. Luna said he worries that even with a university-provided system, if students face additional costs to download shared files, they may still opt for free services elsewhere. In the race to stay technologically competitive, USC officials are studying other institutions’ file-sharing systems. Luna said Vanderbilt and Penn State pay for Napster’s basic service. The universities have students pay the additional costs to transfer files to devices like CDs and MP3 players. The North Carolina school systems have made arrangements with four services and allow students to pick what they want to use. The universities pay for part of the subscription while students cover the rest of the cost. The University of Virginia directs students to a Web site where all music services are available, but insists whatever route students take must be legal. Students are responsible for the full cost of their file-sharing. Comments on this story? E-mail gamecocknems@givm.sc.edu Don't let | this happen to you! I Why throw money down the drain? South Carolina Student Loan Corporation’s borrower benefit programs save students and parents millions of dollars every year. - No origination or guarantee fees - Interest rate reduction for on-time payments - Interest rate reduction for^utomatic bank draft - Up to $750 credit for graduating www*scstudentloan+or9 800-347-2752 SOUTH CAROLINA mmum CORPORATION r~. .i