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Program delivers crash course in basic car maintenance, repair Kelly Cauanaugh FOR THE GAMECOCK USC students driving home for the holidays might need to know how to change the oil in their car, swap out a tire or use a jumper cable. Students learned how to do just that Thursday at the “Know Your Car” program, co sponsored by Student Government and USC Parking Services. Officer Mike Gooding, an investigator with the USC Police Department, said students should always have a travel plan in place before they get on the road. He advises students to let people know their travel route and expected departure and arrival times. “That way they’ll know if you’re overdue,” Gooding said. ’Most states also have numbers for roadside assistance, Gooding said, adding that dialing *HP will put you through to the S.C. Highway Patrol. However, *HP is not the number for other states, he said. Gooding said students pack their cars several days in advance in anticipation of the break, and often do not unpack them when they return. He discourages this because it allows cars to become easy targets for break-ins. Derrick Huggins, deputy director of Vehicle Management and Parking Services, said it is important that students make sure they have a flashlight in their car, and that it works. He also emphasized the importance of carrying a cell phone at all times. Michelle Hackett, a fourth year hotel, restaurant and tourism management student, said she attended the event to become familiar with how her car works in case of an emergency, and to learn what to . do if she finds herself in a compromising situation. “I do have AAA,” Hackett said. “But it is important to know how to do it yourself.” When making the trip home to Myrtle Beach, Hackett said she worries something will happen to her car, especially when she travels alone. Hackett learned how to recognize when a tire needs changed, and how to change it. “If they get down to where you can stick your fingernail in them, it’s time,” said Rick Ellis, a USC mechanic. Upon inspection of Hackett’s car, Ellis found that one of the belts needs to be changed. “I’ll get that changed when I go home for Christmas,” Hackett said. SG Treasurer Tommy Preston said this program is part of SG’s overall goal to better assist students. “We’re trying to do everything we can to make sure students get home safe and get back to Carolina next semester,” he said. The event, held in Pendleton Street Garage, was a “huge coordinating effort” between SG, Parking Services, USC Police Department and mechanics employed by the university, said Preston, a third year political science student. “It’s the holiday season coming along soon, and students and faculty will be doing a lot of traveling during that time,” he said. “We just wanted to make sure that they have the techniques and skills that are necessary on the road.” Comments on this story? E-mail gamecocknews@gwm.sc. edu RCDDCRSHIP • connnucD mom I student activity fees before it could actually be implemented. Williams and the other Executive Council members have said they would not approach the board to increase fees without the students’ consent. Sen. Scott Spivey, a third year accounting student, said raising student activity fees deserves an explanation. “Right now, students are paying $66 (in student activity fees). I don’t believe the general population knows where it all goes,” Spivey said. Sen. Chase Stoudenmire, a third-year history student, said some students will vote down the increase simply for the fact • it is an increase. Should that be the case, either the newspaper program'will be discontinued or “drastic cuts” could be made in student organization funds to finance the service, Preston said. The program places about 800 daily newspapers in several locations on campus each class day. At the beginning of the semester, SG matriculated 150 copies of The State newspaper into the system. Other legislation passed in the senate on * Wednesday included changes to the SG code to accommodate the creation of a judicial branch within SG. An amendment to the SG Constitution creating the Constitutional Council was adopted earlier this month. The amendment will also be voted on by the student body in February alongside the fee increase proposition. School of Law Sens. Jarvis Jones and Charles Appleby announced legislation for Nov. 30s session that will try to funnel more student organization funds to organizations aimed at graduate and professional students. Comments on this story? E-mail gamecocknews@gwm.sc. edu I TICKETS • COnTinUCD FROm I during last week’s Florida game. Brewer and McKinney said even though student tickets have been scalped, they’re still useless unless the buyer has a student ID. Several messages have circulated the popular college Web site Facebook.com offering tuckets, and one sold on eBay Thursday for about $75, $35 more than the value of the ticket. One USC student created a Facebook “party” for the purpose of selling his ticket, promising the ticket to “whoever offers me a good price.” Comments on this story? E-mail gamecocknews@gum.sc. edu . ", • “\ 7 Gil* iHHB Venus ^''RgMiinK;; Vi bra nee venusbeacll spring breakl‘06 South Carolina Bookstore 801 Main St. » 1124 Devine St. 2410-C Augusta Rd. And All Domino’s Locations 701 GervaisSt., Ste 110 132 Assembly St.