The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, February 28, 1992, Page 2, Image 2
Campus
annoy, i
By MELISSA TENNEN
Staff Writer
Heavy breathing, sexual innuendos,
and hang-ups may all be
heard when USC students pick up
their telephones.
Prank calls have been a relatively
small percentage of police
cases this year, but they are still a
problem. From January to July,*
1991, 47 calls were reported, according
to USC police reports.
"Anyone who knows the first
three digits of the USC campus
phones can keep dialing randomly
until they find someone," said Rita
Yarborough, victim witness coordinator
for the USC police.
A female freshman received approximately
15 calls in one night
from a man who said, "I'm beating
my meal."
A USC student, who is a former
prank caller, said those who make
prank phone calls do so because
they are not identified. He said, "It
is a sick sort of freedom. It is a
mystery to be able to talk without
being identified."
The caller would accuse victims
at random of having affairs. Some
A drunk driving dramatizati
Police cadets volunteered as a
When 1
You Give Blood
You Give
Another
Birthday,
Another Laugh,
another hug,
Another
Chance.
+
American Red Cross
Please Give Blood. _
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5 prank
upset sti
times the victim would break down
in tears, fearful of having the affair
revealed. "It gives you a sense of
power," the former prank caller
said.
The FBI began an investigation
when the ex-prankster and a friend
tried to convince companies to donate
money to a fictitious charity.
The two stopped before cashing
the checks and before the FBI
closed in.
"It was immature, but it was
done for fun," the former caller
said.
Typically, students do not report
calls unless they persist. At that
point, an officer will come to the
student's room and issue instructions
on how to handle the situation.
The victim is urged to keep a
log of the calls.
If the calls persist, a USC police
investigation will begin by wire
lapping the victim's phone line,
Yarborough said. The wire tap will
then produce a list of phone numbers
received into the room, with
any unfamiliar numbers being
investigated.
If a suspect is found, criminal
1^*, i jh
Ion was held in front of the Russ
part of the Safe Spring Break Car
Dressed outrageously. Carrot T<
props from four full sized trun
supplement his crazy
antics on stage.
$1 For Student V
$2 For Gene
^ i
CAROLINA PRi
This program is paid for, in pe
s.
i
indepen
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/I faK ?18 8 1 g
Starts
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callers
idents
charges may be filed.
"1 think crank calls are per
verted, and the caller must be sic!
to want to do that," said interna
tional studies freshman Andre;
Prospero.
Many prank calls are made b;
people who know the victim, si
the calls go unreported. In mos
cases these calls are between ;
boyfriend and a girlfriend.
One victim reported getting call
from a male student who kept call
ing because she rejected his offe
for a date. In retaliation, he playe<
perverted music to her over th<
phone.
Students who receive prank call
may try to psychoanalyze th
caller by speaking to them.
"This will only encourage th
caller to keep doing it," sai
Yarborough.
However, some students do no
I 1: 1- 11 _ t a a
ueiieve eianx t;aus are oaa as lonj
as they are random.
Exercise science freshmar
Kristy Walker said, "You just hanj
up on them. It's not that hard t(
do."
i^KSESifii
gipjll WtKttk pil1 Wfj
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Virginia Marshall/The Gamecock
ell House Thursday afternoon,
npaign '92.
larrot Top
londay, March 2
7:30 pm
sell House Ballroom
Vith ID
ral
HP
OGRAM UNION
irt, by student activities fees.
"SMASHING!
-Coryn James, NEW YORK TIMES
REMARKABL
dent animators boldly
nimators have gone b
-Jami fernard, NEW YORK POST
FSili
X P A N D E D ENTER
? Sunday March lstf P\
II House, Daily: 7, 9:00
130 for more informal
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Photo illustration by Eric Glenn/The Gamecock
7
3 Prank phone calls make up a relatively small percentage of police cases, but are still a problem.
Forty-seven cases were reported to the USC police department in the first half of 1991.
I Closing Ceremonies for Black History Month and Opening Ceremonies
I for Women's History Month
I Dr. Sharon Whittaker, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Mary Holmes College.
I Sponsored by: Association of African American Students and Women Students'
I Association. 7 PM, Russell House Ballroom
I Lecture: The Beauty Myth
H Author Naomi Wolfe. Sponsored by: Carolina Program Union
7:30 PM, Russell House Ballroom
Making the Grade: Women in Education
I n 1 rv i kT 'l r*. . C* J , r1 J A U...
J | speaicer: ut. tsaroara iNenson, state superintendent 01 naucauon. spunsuicu uy.
I Women Students' Association and Women's Student Services. 7 PM, Russell House 327
I Living With AIDS - A Woman's Perspective
4 PM, Russell House Theater
I Sponsored by: Open Door/Thomson Student Health Center and Graduate Student Association
Women in Service
I Panelists: Joan Fail, Nurturing Center, Gena Antinelli, Salvation Army, Lyn Phillips,
I Partnership for a Healthy Generation, Velma Love, Director of Big Brothers/ Big Sisters
I of Columbia. Sponsored by: Community Service Programs
I 4 PM, Russell House 306
Going for the Gold
I Speaker: Cathy Rigby, Gold Medalist and Performer. Reception Following Lecture
I Sponsored by: Alcohol and Drug Programs, Open Door/Thomson Student Health Center,
I USC Athletic Department, Women Students' Association, Women's Student Services
I and Women's Studies. 7 PM, Russell House Ballroom
I Making the Transition From College to Life
I Speaker: Dr. Kevin King, USC Career Center. Workshop will focus on changing roles
I and expectations as you move from a student to an employee.
I Sponsored by: USC Career Center. 7 PM, Russell House 327
I Outstanding Women at USC Reception
Presentation of "Most Outstanding Woman of the Year Award"
I Featuring the USC Women's Chorus 4:30 - 6 PM, Campus Room, Capstone
I Sponsored by: Women Students' Association and Women's Students Services
I Sexual Assault: A University Liability?
I Omicron Delta Kappa Forum. Sponsored by: Omicron Delta Kappa National
[ Leadership Honor Society. 7 PM, Place: Currell College Room 107
"The Accused" March 17-18, 7 PM, Russell House Theater
I "Thelma and Louise" March 26-28,9PM, Russell House Theater
Sponsored by: Carolina Program Union
I"hese events arc sponsored by Women's Student Services, Student Life/Student Affairs, and theWomcn Students' Association. Call 777-5780 for more information.
Watch for other events on campus during Women's History Month.
T ? III E HI WI
remiere Engagement Five Days Only! tSpmBtR.j.
pm $3.00 Students/$4.00 General '* | .D8To^77-2433
lon I Call How