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_Vol. 94, No. 45 Wednesday January 24, 2001_ ina Community since 1Q08 B" .", I ' .. . ."............ Sf.0AlLYGAMBCOCK.COM U N IV ERSITY OF SOUTH C A R O LINA COLUMBIA, S.C. % Palms orders freeze on hiring ■ President's action affects full-time, state-sponsored positions; administrators say threat of budget cuts was cause by Brandon Larrabee ” The Gamecock USG President John Palms has ordered a freeze on the hiring of most employees while the university waits to find out how much money it will have after the state finishes its budget process. Palms will meet with the faculty Wednesday to discuss the freeze. The move comes in response to Gov. Jim Hodges’ plan to cut the university’s budget by 15 percent as part of an effort to avoid a $500 mil lion budget shortfall statewide. “Dr. Palms said it was the prudent thing to do to try to get a handle on the situation,” USC spokesman Russ P/\y^§ McKinney said. He said the university didn’t want to hire employees only to have to “unhire them” after the budget goes through. “The safest thing to do is... a freeze until we get a better picture as to what we might be dealing with,” McKinney said. The freeze applies to all full-time, state-funded positions, according to McKinney. That includes 384 empty slots at the university’s eight regional campuses as of Jan. 15, he said. Those positions funded by grants, as well as part-time positions, are exempt from the freeze, McKinney said The only exception to the freeze would be if a department believed the po sition was “mission critical.” The decision on whether to fill that position would be made by Palms. “No one can be hired unless the president okays it,” McKinney said. He said such exceptions would “conceivably” include the hiring of a dean for the College of Journalism and Mass Communications, but he stressed that “no decision has been made.” “I think Dr. Palms would probably approach it on a case-by-case basis,” McKinney said. Faculty Senate Chair Caroline Strobel said the move wasn’t unusual. “This particular step is one that is very often taken by other universities,” she said. Strobel said the move was necessary because the university couldn’t depend on state funding. “[USC] can’tcount on funding from year-to-year,” she said. Freeze see page 2 y Part Two in a series Lamentations After joining the Columbia Church of Christ, Melissa Martin's life changed... ^ by Brandon Larrabee The Gamecock I ! Melissa Marlin thought she had found what she was looking ' for in a church when she was baptized on Oct. 1 as a mem ber of the Columbia Church of Christ. It was her first year at USC, and she had been praying for a church family for more than a year. I Icr mother was disturbed by the church, but stayed silent after Melissa’s baptism. “Then came the eye-opening part,” Melissa said. The rigid church standards required her to participate, evening after evening, in re ligious services, “discipling” and dates f i limited to church members. “Four evenings out of my seven-day week were tied up with the Columbia Church of Christ,” Melissa said. Each of those evenings consumed three to four hours of her time. On Tuesdays, Melissa said, she would have her weekly “discipling” time, where she would meet with her “discipling part ner.” Each member of the International Church of Christ—except leader Kip McK ean —has a partner, who is supposed to help them grow in their faith. But Melissa’s part ner was on “a different level,” she said, and the two had trouble communicating. “I couldn’t get another discipling part ner because I was told she was chosen by God to lead me,” Melissa said. *’ Wednesdays were the church’s midweek meetings. Members were expected to ar rive 30 to 45 minutes before the services actually began so they could talk to one an other. For an introverted person like Melis sa, it “was very unsettling,” she said. But she didn’t have much choice. “If you were tired or didn’t feel like it, you were told to be ‘more giving,”’ Melis sa said. Not talking to others in the church was labeled “selfish” or “prideful.” On Thursday, Melissa would attend a Bible study. On Fridays, the various groups of the church — such as campus groups and teen groups — would meet. f r On many of these evenings, Melissa wouldn’t get home until 10:30 or 11 p.m. She would then have to do her homework — something that wasn’t easy for someone who needs at least eight hours of sleep to operate. Church gee page 2 —" . .. .————i Shuttle picks up 125 riders a night by Rebecca Whitehead The Gamecock USC’s evening shuttle service may not be picking up as many people as they would like, but those involved remain optimistic about the program. “I’m really glad students are starting to use it,” Student Government President Jotaka Eaddy said. Eaddy pushed the system as part of her “Contract with Carolina” platform. She said she feels that it’s now more effective with darkness coming earlier. “Due to the fact that there is high crime, I think this is really helpful,” she said. Organizers set the goal at 300 passengers per night between two vans, according to Director of Parking Services Derrick Huggins. While they haven’t met that goal, Huggins said he is happy with the program so far. “The system is going great,” he said. Huggins estimated 125 riders take the shuttle per night, and hopes for 200 to 225 riders by the end of the semester. Cold weather could also increase the number of riders. “The only way we can continue to provide safe transit is for them to use it,” Huggins said. “We are wanting to expand the system.” Lindsey Wise, who drives a shuttle, said she was picking up only four or five passengers when the program began. Bui she said the program is growing. “We’ve been gelling around 150 per night,” said Wise, a third-year student in the College of Science and Mathematics. “I think more advertising will help out.” Huggins credits university organizations for pushing departments to advertise. He said he is happy with the results so far. Shuttle seepage! Valerie Matchette/The Gamecock According to Parking Services, the evening shuttles pick up about 125 people per night. Organizers are hoping to raise that number to 300 per evening. Police arrest three in Benedict death by Charles Prashaw The Gamecock Columbia police have arrested three men in connection with the Jan. 15 shooting death of a 20-year-old Benedict College student. Lucius Staten was arrested at about 6:30 a.m. Tuesday morning by Columbia Police and Richland County deputies at 7126 Zimalcresl Road, an apartment in the St. Andrews area. Also earlier Tuesday morning, police arrested Dushun Staten, 21, also of New York and Shakeem Wilson, 19, of Geor gia for their possible involvement in the murder. The incident occurred about 9 p.m. when the victim Phillip Lee Jr. was con fronted by Staten and at least three other people in front of an apartment at 2414 Haskell Ave. After a brief verbal altercation, Lee turned to leave and was shot once in the back of the head. All of the suspects fled the scene, and Lee was later transported to Palmetto Richland Memorial Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead as a result of his injuries. Subsequent investigation identified Staten through eyewitness accounts and other physical evidence. All of the suspects have formally been charged with murder, and a bond hearing will be scheduled at a later date. Police are continuing their investigation, and further arrests are expected. “We got them on eyewitness descriptions and trace evidence that we Attorney seepage* Today ^ 55 32 Thursday > 52 21 Preview of men’s rematch with Florida. Friday ■w , “I’m not in to working out. My philosophy: no pain, no pain.” — Carol Leifer Are the police doing a good job patrolling the Five Points area? Vote at www.dailygamecock.com. Results will be published Friday.