Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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.opinion Dnnn r.rn + n? + :/>? nape piuicuuun left to students No rapes were reported to the USC police department during the 1982-8? *ohool year, said Carl Stokes, systems vice preside nt or law enforcement and safety. This statistic may seem reassuring, but it can be misleading. It does not include attempted rapes and assaults, and, more importantly, unreported rapes. Attacks on individuals are generally referred to as assaults, whether sexual or not, if a rape does not take place. Eight women claimed to have been assaulted on or near campus in the past three months. All attacks had sexual overtones, whether the assailant attempted to fondle his victim or, as in one case, the assailant was partially nude. The attacks occured after dark, although one happen ed at 8 p.m., hardly a late hour to walk across campus. None of the women said they knew or had ever seen the attackers. Several of the incidences occured in usually populated areas, such as the stairwell between Calcott and the Russell House. Attacks happen just about anywhere and anytime. The USC campus and the immediate surrounding area are not safe places for women after dark. Campus police does as well as can be expected with its limited manpower and diverse duties, but remains unable to provide the necessary protection to every student at all times. Althnnoh it trrncclv liniiict fnr wnmpn tr> hp fnrrprl into limiting their travel on campus at night, it is a necessity for safety. This is 'not to say all girls should hide in their dorm rooms behind locked doors after 8 every night. Rather, it suggests women become responsible for their own safety as much as possible by refusing to take unneccessary chances. Extra precautions are inconvenient and timeponsuming, but they are prerequisites to insure safety. Women should travel in groups of three or four and/or ask a reliable male friend to escort them home. Don't make the mistake of assuming that "It can't happen to me." Fair or unfair, it remains a fact that women are more likely to be assaulted, either for sexual reasons, or simply because they are considered weaker and, therefore, easier prey. The danger is very real, but it can be lessened considerably by using common sense and taking some safety precautions. A little extra time and a little inconvenience might just prevent a terrible, frightening experienc;. bot an opimonr Write us a letter Ticked off about something, or want to give kudos to something or someone: the tuition increase, Reagan, the crisis in Latin America, student government, the Gamecock? This is an invitation to write a letter to the editor or ?r t? i ?i?* tUHUildl LU UOV/ ? MUUCUl IlCWJ>p<tpCI . The Gamecock encourages letters, limited to a newsworthy topic and a 300-word maximum. Letters and guest editorials should follow the paper's guidelines. Send your opinion to: Opinion page editor, Gamecock, Drawer A, (JSC, Columbia, S.C. 29208. L? ? ^hvii i ^?wsni Editor in Chief Johnny Boggs Copy Desk Chief Curt Cottle Copy Editor Allison Stein News Editor John Vaunhan Asst. News Editor Susan Muir General Manager Ron Emler Sports Editor Sammy Frotwell Ad Manager Linda S. Haines Wire Editor Leslie Katz Business Manager Jean Hatched Opinion Page Editor Janet Edens Production Mgr Mark McEwan Photo Editor Dave Grimley Graduate Asst Wanda M. Hite Copy Editor Leigh Jones Adviser Mark Ethridge Jr. Newsroom 777-7181 Advertising 777-4249 Business Office 777-3808 Production 777-2833 The Gamecock welcomes letters and guest editorials. All letters and guest editorials must be typewritten, triple spaced on a 65 space line. Letters should be no longer than 300 words and guest editorials should he limited to one newsworthy subject no longer than four typed pages. Letters and guest AHU/trinie MIIQT ha cinnaH uuith tha uuritor'c namo tolonhnna niimhnr maiiinn oH duiiuiioio mwv r uu aiyuwu " iiuimo, idiopnuiid muiiiudi , iiiaimiy au* dress, class standing or faculty position and major. Pseudonyms are unacceptable, but the writer's name may be withheld upon request if the circumstances warrant. We reserve the right to edit guest editorials and letters. Address letters and columns to: Opinion Page Editor, Gamocock, Drawer A, USC, Columbia, S.C. 29208. mmmmmnmmmmmmmmmmmmmummmmmmmmmmmmmMmmmmmmmmamnmm Wh v ' jmmw Mite J llP^i $wwa\ter "M J* Cranston Threepio Jetters Flriril/Snn rflrSirSnn ti VI 11111111^1 Ul I VllltJ 11 heavier penalties fi To the editor: About a year-and-a-half ago, a terrible tragedy occurred, involving three of my girlfriends who v^re driving down a two-way highway one night on their way to a college basketball game. Before anything could be done, they were hit headon by a drunk driver. Sadly enough, they lost their lives. In todav's societv. social drinkine has inrrpaspH trpmpn dously in popularity. I feel that a major problem with drinking is driving while intoxicated. Operating a motor vehicle while inebriated needlessly endangers lives and property. I feel very strongly about the senseless deaths and injuries caused by drunk drivers. In most cases, the victims are innocent people. The recent increase in alcohol-related accidents has brought national attention to the problem of drunk drivers. Organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Drivers have urged Congress and state legislators to stiffen laws and ?...? i i ayiu icmpeiiiiuics in two USC buildings waste energy, money To the Editor: As most are awaie by now, the university has been moved to a four-day work week. One of the motivations behind this manuever was to cut expenditures on electricitv bv shutting s c clown the air conditioning system during the three day weekend. By the temperature in the Russell House and the Thomas Cooper Library, I am led to believe that this is just talk and the university is not trying to lower the amount of money spent but are trying to lower the body temperature of staff and patrons. The thermostats that are visible in those buildings are not adjustable, many do not even have temperature readouts, and some have signs that indicate the temperature has been set by the physical plant in accordance with federal guidelines. I was under the impression that the federal guidelines for icuipcicuuic cumrui in puouc Dunuings sei oy iormer president Jimmy Carter about five years ago were still in effect. Whether they are or not, the ideas expressed by those guidelines are still relevant. A survey of thermostats in several locations in Russell House show that the room temperature is, in most cases, below 70 degrees. The remainder do not show any numbers at all, and none are adjustable. I think those responsible for this needless refrigeration should adjust the temperature to something warmer and more comfortable. The whole theory behind 'air conditioning' is not to ireeze tne occupants ot tne building, but to make them comfortable in hot weather. We shouldn't be forced to bundle up as if we were going on an expedition to the Artie wastelands . . . it's summertime, for goodness sake! A.L. Stein Journalism junior i Jl\ ""* llTIIV w?kk l| F * Hart Astew D2 ragrdies needless; Dr offenders urged penalties concerning those caught driving under the influence of alcohol. I share the concern of MADD and support its cause. Human life is far too valuable to be endangered or lost in cnph an u/av Extensive amounts of property are destroyed each year by drunk drivers. Because of the ignorance of those who drive while drunk, cars, utility poles and mailboxes are severely damaged. I think these drivers are insensitve to destroy this property, especially since destruction can be avoided. Those who drive while intoxicated can face heavy legal penalties. The victins, as well as law enforcement officials, can levy extreme legal punishments through imprisonment, revocation of driving privileges or fines. I feel that the penalties should be stiffened and the offender prosecuted to the maximum extent of the law. I think these heavy penalties and prosecutions of offenders would impede and deter driving under the influence. There are several alternatives to drunk driving. Instead of endangering your life, the lives of others and property, provisions can be made to avoid driving while intoxicated. Arrangements should be made to stay overnight at the home of the host. Another alternative is to have the intoxicated individual call a friend to pick them up. Some organizations have developed "escort" or drive-home services to drive inebriated individuals home. I know it is almost imnnssihl#? tn Itppn npr?r?1p frr?m HrinHno 1 * 4 Will U1I1IJ\1U&, but it is not impossible to keep them off the roads. If everyone would work together, we could eliminate drunk drivers. Please seriously consider asking Congress for harsher actions against those caught driving under the influence. Name withheld by request DUNAGIN S PEOPLE 1M) Yh? OfWvJO $T*Hn4 Fwtfd M**r*p*p+f Syrv2>cM* /'OH, VJE'RE BIPAKTI5AM...^E VOTE A6AIM4.T PEOPLE >M BOTH PARTIES'."