The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, November 19, 1984, Page Page 10, Image 10
Page 10 t- November 19, 1984 Opinion THE GAMECOCK I
Construction delays
hurt mall's appeal
University officials said long ago the Russell
House mall would be open in time for a holiday so
that the grand opening could be tied to a theme.
The hope was originally for Christmas, but it looks
now that any merchants in the mall might want to
stock up on paper and lace hearts, cupids and
Valentine's Day cards.
The mall sounded like a good idea when it was
proposed and planning for it was begun earlier this
year. Businesses that cater to students would prosper,
students would gain convenience, and the
university would profit from rent. But the longer
the mall takes to become reality, the less attractive
it becomes.
a.s witn any construction project, tne man s costs
will only rise as completion is delayed. The mall
will already cost USC about $300,000, according to
Richard Wertz, university vice president for
business affairs, who also said the project will probably
pay for itself in three years. When that three
years will begin is anybody's guess.
That's not to say no one has been guessing. USC
President James Holderman told The Gamecock
last month that the mall would be opening by Oct.
15. But judging by the state of the Russell House
basement, it is difficult to understand how he came
up with such a conclusion. Holderman is often as
much an optimist as any last-place football coach,
so maybe he was just exercising wishful thinking.
Or maybe he wasn't sure. That is likely, given the
conflicting statements other university officials
have made concerning when the mall might open.
Paul Ward, USC legal counsel, blamed completion
delays on distractions from other work, particularly
the summer's Caribbean Conference. But
David Rinker, systems vice president for facilities
__ 1 _ . t r rn i p* ? i ?
planning, saia usl s pari is unisnea, ana tnat
most completion work is up to the merchants. Who
was Holderman to believe? Who are students to
believe? This apparant confusion is the really sad
part of the mali situation.
Some university officials have been hesitant to
talk with reporters about the mall. This may be
understandable, however. Of the mall's 15 spaces,
only seven have been firmly spoken for. Prospective
merchants might not exactly jump at the
chance to locate in a mall that might not be popular
? with other merchants or with students, their
potential customers. University officials wouldn't
want to air that dirty laundry.
The Russell House basement is nowhere near
rpaHv tr* hpfrtrnn a ell Anninn rvioll T Inii/orcit\; rtf
1 1. V/ L/ V W1KV U I1AU11 . VJU1 VV^i oilj W1
ficials aren't sure when it might be, and each one
has a different explanation as to why completion
has been so slow in coming. The available spaces
aren't filled ? physically or on paper. Could it be
that the idea of a small shopping mall in the Russell
House basement isn't such a good idea after all?
Could it be that instead of a grand opening, what is
needed is a grand closing?
Gamecock
Editor in Chief
David Hill
Managing Editor
Leslie J. Dun son
Copy Desk Chief Ron Brackett Copy Editor Lynn Cusick
News Editor John Deiner Copy Editor Tim Surratt
Asst. News Editor Ann Farmer Copy Editor Laura Dannhardt
Entertain. Editor Marisa Porto Copy Editor Crystal Chapman
Asst. Ent. Editor Robert O'Connor Copy Editor Kip Botts
Sports Editor Andrew Miller
Asst. Sports Editor . Tracy Mixson General Manager Ron Emler
Photo Editor Jennifer Wooten Ad Manager Doug Trueblood
Asst. Photo Editor Joseph Garnett Production Manager Mark McEwan
Copy Editor Susan Llewellyn Graduate Assistant .. Ron Buchanan
Copy Editor Hal Hewell Adviser Bill Rogers
Newsroom 777-7181 Advertising 777-4249
Business Office 7773888 Production 7772833
The Gamecock welcomes letters and guest editorials. AD 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 be limited
to one newsworthy subject no longer than four typed pages. Letters and guest
editorials MUST be signed with the writer's name, telephone number, mailing address,
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, Gamecock, Drawer A, USC,
Columbia, S.C. 29208.
A'
(Rtt? Kflr
v- 9~ + .
"well, not everyone xs berrtp
THty were four vtars a<
Student senato
Tn thp FHitnr*
This letter is in retaliation to the
editorial published on Nov. 14 regarding
"Student senators get great
perks." When I read the editorial
about the supposedly wonderful fringe
benefits given student senators on this
campus, I was furious.
As a student senator, I put forth my
free time and effort to make Carolina
a better place for all students, not just
senators.
Y mi ctatp lhaf thp u/HaU Qonoto
"didn't labor faithfully all semester
Dancer makes
To the Editor:
Frankly speaking, I am furious.
Why was there no review of the Fall
Dance Concert in The Gamecock?
My fellow dancers and 1 spent twoand-a-half
months dancing en pointe
preparing for our roles in "Belle of the
Ball," and for male dancers, that's no
small task.
When one of our choreographers
Shoppers' parai
v-:. W , 1 ^
We arrived at the basement of the Rus
around and beheld a wonderous sieht.
Nothing.
With all the confusion as to the oper
House mall, a few members of The Garnec
take a look and maybe get some early Chr
"Oh, look John! That half-empty painl
perfect gift," I said.
"No, no. I like what's in the travel cen
ting to a room with a lone poster on the w;
a folding chair.
We wandered about, marveling at the
been made in transforming a mere basen
expensive, unfilled and uncompleted shop
"Gee, Dave Rinker said (JSC's work wa
dors were to add their own finishing touc
IfCjCA
^ . ?
J? \
: OFf MOW THAN
Letters
irs deserve Clc
distributing tickets, organizing and
surviving the headaches of block
seating, nor did they brave the cold
and rain during the Clemson campout."
Therefore, only those who
U/PTP rl i 1 \i J -?
Uiivbiij 1IIVU1VCU M1UUIU gel
tickets. Give me a break! We are not
paid for the work we do, nor are we
given any fringe benefits besides the
convenience of not having to camp
out.
We pay for our tickets just like
every other student. I might not have
worked directly on ticket distribution,
oointe about
called The Gamecock, she was informed
that there were no reporters
available to cover our concert. Someone
covered Gene Cotton's concert,
and someone else covered Conway
Twitty, a "disappointing" movie and
a Japanese puppet animator. Why
couldn't an event that was certainly
well-publicized in advance be covered?
iUse offers plen
"Those dangling
tractive," I said.
IOur footsteps eel
way into what is su
"Oh, those must
1 punning 10 an empi
room.
An excursion intt
e Dunson us ,o see ,he la,c*'.
there was nothing 1
ging editor i was hungry, so
Inew gourmet eatir
because I'm on a d
except for a stale T
"Not many peoj
isell House, looked glancing around.
"Maybe we cam*
takes time for the
ling of the Russell worry."
ock staff decided to "Of course, ther
istmas shopping in. Maybe the universil
t can would make a for unexpected con
We could envisic
ter," he said, poin- "Got an unexpec
indow, a phone and to the USC Tarp i
buys. Pick up the j
i progress that had As we left, we mi
?ent into an overly- the new mall had b
ipers' mecca. "It's going to be
s done, and the ven- weren't expecting t<
hes," Ronnie said. distant, shining fra
I'VE JUST LISTED A
COUPLL OF THJN65
THE! TOP
ihdi)
v%\ ft 1
imson tickets 1
but my time was spent on other committees
that are just as important for
our students.
Your editorial was completely un- 4m*
fair. In October, we had 17 openings -tfSf
fnr ctnrlr?nt cpnatnrc r\nlu raotr
w> V7vv?v?vi?i UV1 IUIVI O . V/ I I t J IUUI OV U I 3
were filled by elections on Oct. 10. ^gjVery
few students were willing to come
out and devote their free time. Are you
saying they will now? I do not think 4
so. There is a lot more involved in Stu- gt
dent Senate than a one-night campout.
H
Lisa Holzberg
Marketing senior
Fall P.nnnort
* wwaiv*#i ?.
M
Fortunately, the concert sold itsell
i
by audience word-of-mouth, but I still
feel slighted that the entertainment
editor couldn't have exercised more
forethought when preparing to cover
events that are both performed and
produced by USC students and
faculty.
David Hardee
Theater junior
ty of nothing j
wires and unpainted walls are certainly atloed
down the empty hall, as we made out
nnncpH tr* hp Qnnchino rionnnn.
i-.^vuvv- w c/v uuuoiiiiic v^ivau^i A*
be the emperor's new clothes," John said,
:y, revolving steel rack in the middle of the
j School Kids Records and Tapes allowed
releases of air band artists. That's right,
n the store but air.
we decided to stop in one of Saga's two
ig establishments. That was good, too,
iet and there wasn't anything in the store
winkie a workman left on a bench.
)le must know about this place," I said,
e on a bad day," Ronnie said. "It always
se new malls to attract clientele. Don't
e are still six or seven stores to be leased,
ty could open a carpet and tent rental store
ferences," John said.
>n the commercial:
ted conference coming up? Come on down
and Turf Emporium for some real good
)hone! Give us a call!"
arveled at how inexpensive an afternoon at >een.
a gimi v,nnsimas. i nope Mom and Dad
do much," we agreed as the mall became a
gment of our memories.