The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, October 11, 1996, Image 1
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INSIDE
3
Lucy Arnold explores the
wonderful world of the
S.C. State Fair.
ETC. looks at John
Mellencamp, who will be
performing at FarmAid.
Hb
Sports profiles Arturo
Freeman, one of USC's
defensive backs.
South Carolina
Happenings
STUDENT ORGANIZATION
LOTTERY TO BE HELD SOON
The "Lottery" for the Russell
House Ballroom and other
meeting rooms for Jan. through
Aug. 1997 will be held Oct.lO
in RH 218. The first drawing
will be at 9 a.m., followed by a
second one at 10 am Academic
classroom space may not be
reserved until Jan. 20,1997.
CINEMA DU MONDE FILM
FESTIVAL CONTINUES
lllicriiaiiuiidi I lugimiu IUI
Students is continuing its Film
Festival, which began in Sept.
On Oct. 20, "Mediterraneo" is
being shown. On Nov. 3,
"When Father Was Away On
Business" will be shown. On
Nov. 17, "Tampopo" is being
shown, and on Dec. 1, "The
fringe Dwellers" will be playing.
Admission to the movies is free.
All movies will be played at the
BA building in room 351 at
7 p.m.
Freedoi
MARTHA HOTOP News Editor
Nine years ago, lesbians and
gays marched on Washington
for equal rights.
A year later, the Human Rights
Campaign (HRC) designated Oct. 11 as
National Coming Out Day.
According to the HRC webpage, "The
Coming Out Project is an ongoing
campaign to help end discrimination by
encouraging and assisting gay people
to be open and honest in their lives."
From its beginning, NCOD affected,
and continues to affect, the lives of
students and faculty members at Ubb.
"Normally, people assume you're
heterosexual unless you tell them you're
not," said Guarv Shroff, president of
USC's Bisexual, Gay and Lesbian
Association.
We often pretend we're something
we're something we're not, he said.
NCOD "is like a festival where we can
celebrate ourselves just like other
s[cultures] have festivals, and we don't
have to pretend."
However, HRC works year-round to
encourage people to be open about their
sexuality.
"HRCs NCOD encourages lesbians,
gay men and bisexuals to be honest about
their sexual orientation all year
long to family members, friends
and co-workers," according to the ??
HRC homepage.
"NCOD organizes and facilitates W
educational and outreach events, ^
resulting in media visibility that <
saves to inspire, educate and inform
gay and non-gay Americans by
presenting the true diversity of the
gay community," the HRC _?__j
homepage also said.
Some members of the gay and lesbian
community at USC view NCOD as a
symbol of encouragement to those who
question their sexuality.
"NCOD is a symbol each year for
closet homosexuals. When they see people,
average people, who they didn't know
were gay, it provides a good viewpoint
and help encourages those who are not
Theses, ref
ANGELA SHEPHERD Staff Writer
Many projects and research topics fo
this year's crop of Honors College senior
are diverse and vibrant, contrasting th<
stereotypical image of dry and stuffy theses
Andrea Baker is writing a rough draf
for an episode of the X-Files and said sh<
hopes to put the completed project int
production.
Her project director, Dr. Benedetto ii
the media arts department, is a recognize!
producer, and Baker said she hopes to ge
her screenwriting project on the air.
Seniors in the Honors College an
required to complete a senior thesis to b
graduated with the honors distinction, am
these may include artistic endeavors sue!
as creative writing projects.
Gary Stork is writing a seven-chapte
novella that deals with the life of a physical!
handicapped man and "the events tha
shape him."
"I thought it was a topic I don't see deal
with much in literature," he said.
Stork, who is handicapped himself, sai<
he both draws on personal experiences am
fictionalizes, and he chose this type of projec
because "it's more of a freestyle format.
Topic ideas have a variety of origins
Amy Kulp said she chose to do her thesi
on "marketing research behind Pizza Hut
to prepare for the ad-team's competitioi
next semester, in which a new ad campaigi
Professors' i
STACEY BROWN Staff Writer
Students at USC may not know tha
their professors are involved in research
Most students know that some kind o
scholarly research is done in ever
department, but they aren't sure how tha
research benefits them.
"My professors, who are involved ii
research, add so much more to the lecture
more than you can get from a textbook,
freshman Valeria McClure said.
Professors at USC say being involve*
in research is just as important as teaching
"A good teacher is a good researche
because the two are interrelated, they g
hand in hand," Professor and Gradual
m, joy g
, . > ;,v. , ^~~~ ^ ,<.?""4Jtv1#
out yet," senior Mike McMahan said. "It Re
also re-enforces those who have come pn
out." Co
For others, today reaffirms that gays pe
its
do exist in the USC community. to
"NCOD helps to the extent that it
emphasizes the fact that homosexuals co
exist. Generally, we're ignored unless fre
we choose to say something," Shroff said, de
"It helps to affirm those who are
questioning their sexuality." fir
The act of 'coming out' is a process rei
that the individual works through. HRCs joy
lecting stud<
_ "The topic is odd, I think,
r because it* an imperfect person
? researching perfection."
. Holly Grant, senior or
t writing her thesis or
e . the subject of perfection
0
will be developed.
1 In addition to spending time researching
1 in the library, Kulp also visits Pizza Hut
* restaurants.
The best way is to go in and see what
e I think can be improved ? taste the product,'
e she said.
^ Other students decided to continue
1 working on projects with which they hac
previous experience.
r Dan Nale interned at a police departmenl
y in Madison, Wis., over the summer anc
t chose to expand on one of the projects he
worked with there ? designing a citizer
t police academy.
In Wisconsin, Nale also had the
1 opportunity to go on ride-alongs and wort
^ with a SWAT team.
* "That was a lot of fun," he said.
Carla Vale also worked with the
' development of organizations.
s She established SALA (Studeni
Association for Latin Americans) and saic
n its purpose is fo "promote cultural awareness
n with regard to Latin American issues
esearch impa
Director in the Department of Religious
t Studies, Donald Jones said.
USC Presi dent John Palms aerees with
j. the importance of having professors involvec
in research.
In meetings with faculty, students anc
the press Palms has stressed the importance
of USC attaining membership in the
1 American Association of Universities.
!> Hie AAU is made up of the top 50 school*
in the United States.
In order to be invited to join, USC need*
3 to have a strong research foundation, a*
? well as a strong teaching foundation,
r However, some students feel it's hardei
o to learn in a class taught by a professoi
e wno s also aoing researcn.
lained i
- Sh
it t
Sal
source guide to coming out calls it "a m?
>cess of self-acceptance and disclosure. ^
ming out is ainerent ior ainerent .
ople and it requires self esteem."
Though there are many an'
different ways of coming out, there
are generally three steps in the ar<
process: Accepting rate's own sexuality, Eg
telling others and integrating B
themselves and their sexuality into
the world around them.
According to HRC, there is not
a particular order to the steps of Ml
coming out, nor do the steps happen
within a certain time span. Rather,
; considered a life-long process of coming
trams with one's sexuality.
Those who have made the choice to
me out talk about the feelings of
sedom and relief that come with their
cisions.
"The chaplains at school were the
st people I told, and I got a positive
3ponse from them. It was a feeling of
r, liberation, like a burden was lifted,"
snt interest:
countries and people."
She called the attendance of sevei
people at the first meeting "ve
encouraging."
i Her thesis is based on a survey "to tr
i the development of Latin Americ
associations in the United States," she s;
However, only three of the 12 survi
that she sent off have been returned.
Students face a variety of problems ?
* obstacles during the completion of 1
' thesis.
Clanitra Stewart, whose thesis de
; with word ambiguities and human respor
to them, said one problem she has had \
that "people have been paranoid; they th
j Fm trying to analyze them."
* Holly Grant's thesis explores 1
possibility of perfection, and she said i
J believes the most controversial quest
will concern when perfection is achiev
"The topic is odd, I think, because
' an imperfect person researching perfectii
Grant said.
Some students have difficulties tl
: make them to change topics; Jason Gre
said he is currently working on his ter
"There are a lot of different type!
; problems," Reene Harrison-Cook, coordin;
of the senior thesis, said.
" Sometimes [the students! procrastin
* sometimes they get sick, sometimes r
' nr /-riplrote Hie snmptimpfi thp nrnfps
? leaves town," Harrison-Cook said.
ets classroon
5 "Sometimes I feel that the profess
who are involved in research teach o
i my head," freshman Cheryl Burnett si
1 i Professors disagree with the notion t
their research interferes with their teachi
[ "Research is the most important th
; that helps a professor be a good teach
; For problems that arise, there are ofl
hours and appointment hours," Jones sj
5 At USC, the majority of professors
expected to conduct research in their fi<
3 However, some professors say teach
3 is the most important aspect of their
while research is a close second.
Teaching and research are both requi
r for promotion and tenure, but better tead
do research for the students," Jones s?
in comi
%
iroff said. "I compare it to resurrection <
d new life. Before I lived in fear afraid 1
ople would find out my secret. This <
is one of the best things I did, because
arything God creates is good, no matter 1
hether one is heterosexual or i
mosexual." ;
No longer having to lie to others about
rJc aovnolifu ic? onrtflioy /v\mmAr> \
W/tJ OQAUCU11J lO OI1UU1C1 l/UiXLLLlUU 1 CliCi I
sociated with coming out. j
"There was a freedom of no longer 1
ving to worry about lying to everyone," s
iMahan said. "My family had some s
spicion prior to my telling them. Most i
i tolerant or supportive pf me."
Making the decision to tell one's ?
nily is something with which many s
ys say they struggle. Gays express a
ir their parents will have a difficult i
le accepting their decision. Choosing
tell one's parents also requires a certain ?
ling.
Shroff said he has told his friends,
t not his parents, who live in India. ?
! intends to tell his parents when the
ht time presents itself, but he expects v
;o be difficult.
"My parents must go through the i
ne process [of accepting it, which took
i seven years]," Shroff said. "They're e
aid for you, think you'll be lonely or c
; AIDS and die. It takes time, energy S
d pain [to get used to the idea]."
As students and faculty at USC and s
mnd the country come out today, (
- V:D:
LA members and friends who supi
lo In front of tho Russell House fo
5 Senate bii
longer lit
nty *
sry
Senators proposed
ace would keep Thomas C
an a day during exam pei
"d' REGINNA GREEN Staff Writer
eys
Legislation introduced in t
ind SG Senate meeting Wednesd
the may keep the Thomas Coop
Library open 24 hours a day dun
>als exam weeks beginning in the 191
ises 1998 school year,
vas Recognizing the importar
ink of time to study during the ex?
periods,that begin at ea
;he semester's end, Senate Pro Te
she Bryan Menees proposed the libra
ion extend its hours hum 7:30 a.m.
ed. 1 a.m. Mondays through Frida;
it's 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Saturdays a
m," 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. Sundays duri
exam week to a 24 hour operati
hat all days of an exam week,
ene "The reason behind 24-ho
ith. operation of Thomas Coop
3 of [Library} is, first of all, that we
itor behind other institutions in regai
to our library operations and hoi
ate, of operation," Menees said duri
ats the resolution's first reading,
sor "There are a great deal
students who rely on the libra
n 1 r i i_v
as a source or quiet, peacerui in
during exam periods, and it he
dramatically because studer
who need to study late withe
having to relocate."
Athletics Committee chairm
ors Sen. Gene Willis introduced V
ver ideas regarding next yea
basketball season, includini
ha* possible "Midnight Madness" eve
nS- According to NCAA regulatio
athletes may not practice a
^er- team until the official NCA
lce recognized date at the beginni
dd. of the season. The commitl
are proposes to elevate the team's fi
-Id- practice of the season to more tt
ing just the first practice,
job "(Midnight Madness] woi
have things like slam dunk, f
red throw contests and a pre-sea:
lers scrimmage among the playei
ud. j Willis said. It gets the crowd hy]
ng out
different people will do different things
to let others know about their sexual
mentation.
"I plan to decorate my bookbag with
puttons and wear a pride t-shirt. Others
vho can't afford to be visible might tell
imend, bhronsaid.
Making a the decision to come out
Denefits not only the individual who's
jay, but others too. As more people
Decome open and honest about their
sexuality, the myths and negative
stereotypes surrounding homosexuals
s expected to dissipate.
According to the NRC's resource
juide to coming out, the following are
some of the benefits of coming out.
It dispels myths and turns ignorance
ind fear into acceptance
It means no longer hiding the truth
ibout one's life
It builds self-esteem and integrity
It makes relationships more open
tnd honest
It gives models to others struggling
vith their orientation
It empowers gays to get involved
n the gay rights movement
"Gays are also involved in issues
weryone else faces, like ordering taketut
and coming home from class tired,"
>hroff said.
Everyone on campus is invited to
how their support for National Coming
)ut Day by wearing blue jeans.
jjl
Special To The Gamecock
?ort them, pictured, will have a
r National Coming Out Day.
11 proposes
irary hours
legislation yesterday that
ooper library open 24 hours
riods.
he up for the season and lets students
ay see the individual players."
er "Midnight Madness" would
ng begin at the stroke ot midnight on
)7- the date of the official start of the
season. The committee hopes to
ice establish strong student spirit and
im support by sponsoring the event,
ch which would begin its first year
im at the start of the 1997-1998
uy season.
to Planning for a Coliseum
ys, students' section tentatively titled
nd "The Cockpit" is also in the works
ng for next year, Willis said,
on SG Vice President Jamel
Franklin praised members of the
ur student senate for their support
er of the Farm Aid "96-related, canned
're food drive. Senators provided the
"ds funds to purchase more than 86
irs canned good items for the collection,
ng "It [SG Senatel can be a force
of good and this is evident of our
of power, even if it's only the power
iry of our hearts," Franklin said,
me regarding student senate support
lps of the food drive,
its In other business, the senate
mt continued its process of filling their
many vacant seats with College
tan of Nursing-seniors Alison Moody
;ey and Lori Moody being approved,
r's Jennifer Byrom, a sophomore in
ga the College of Business
ait Administration and Michael
ais, Phillips, a junior English major,
s a will represent the College of Liberal
A- Arts.
ing The following Senators were
tee not present at yesterday's meeting,
irst
lan BRanell Cheney
Craig Harrison
nld Mike Moore
ree Lashawn Johnson
jon Amy Mason
"s " Richie Estes
ped