Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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-VOL. 94. No. 52 Friday FEBRUARv 9. 2001 Serving the Carolina Community since 1Q08 WWW.DAlLYGAMECOCK.COM University of South Carolina Columbia, $.C. Students lobby at State House ^by Brandon Larrabee The Gamecock Children from the South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind danced in the State House Wednesday, and representatives watched as the children performed upbeat numbers. Outside _ the chambers, W however, the talk wasn’t 4p||S' tvsghtov«uses quite as bright. tSBt flmdlrl< Student leaders from across South Carolina were hoping to persuade state legislators to spare higher education from the 15 percent across-the-board budget cuts proposed by Gov. Jim Hodges. We just wanted to voice our concerns about higher education,” USC Student Government Vice President Corey Ford told Rep. Michael Easterday, R-Greenville. £ Easterday said the input of citizens such as college students was important. “I think having people involved in the process is critical,” he said. The lobbying effort came after a meeting between the students and Reps. David Wilkins, speaker of the House, and Robert Harrell, who chairs the House Ways and Means Committee. At that meeting, Wilkins said legislators “don’t operate well in a vacuum.” “It’s important for you to come and express your views,” he said. “We want your input.” Harrell echoed Easterday’s comments. “It has an impact on us,” Harrell said. “Folks who talk to us have an impact on us.” But Wilkins and Harrell were realistic about the possibility of budget l^uts. “But what you can’t get away from ... [is] when this is over, we’ve got to be $600 million lighter,” Harrell said. Harrell also said the House probably wouldn’t follow Hodges’ proposal. “We just plain don’t agree with across the-board budget cuts,” he said. “That’s just wrong.” Hanell specifically said he didn’t be BUDQET SEEPAGE! use UPSETS GEORGIA Sean Rayford/The Gamecock Antonio Grant slams home two of his 18 points during the first half of Wednesday's match-up against Georgia. USC won the game by two points in the last 2.6 seconds. SG passes anti-discrimination resolution by Valerie Matchette 0) The Gamecock USC’s student government passed a STUDENT SENATE resolution Wednesday to add gay, bisexual, lesbian and transgen der students to the university’s anti- — - discrimination policy. Amid mild contention from student senators concerned about the possible repercussions of the change, the resolution passed easily, 27-3. Sens. Brian Hunter and Brian Phillips disagreed with the resolution’s last line, which said all student oiganizations should adopt the change into their own constitutions. Phillips said ^his would be “unsolicited advice to certain Organizations.” Both agreed that some campus religious oiganizations might find fault with this measure and be uncomfortable implementing the change because many don’t condone homosexuality. After brief debate on the topic, the last line was amended to say the student senate is hopeful that each oiganization in the Carolina community would make the necessary changes, but nothing is actually required of them. Sen. Tyson Nettles disagreed with the resolution. “This bill discriminates against people and belittles the rights that we do have,” Nettles said. He explained that homosexuality is “not equivalent to race or gender” because it is a personal choice, making anti discrimination clauses unwarranted. “I think we’d be sending out the wrong message,” Nettles said. He also questioned “transgender” students, defined as people born one sex who identify with another. Sen. Nathan White, who spoke in favor of the resolution and was one of its main sponsors, said it would be a step in the right direction for USC. “This is progress,” White said. “Let’s pass it and be proactive.” Sen. Chrissy Stauffer was another sponsor of the anti-discrimination resolution. “Students on this campus should not be afraid to express how they love, how they feel or who they are because of fear of discrimination in employment and education,” Stauffer said. “And yet, that is what is happening.” Senate Vice President Corey Ford also spoke on behalf of the resolution, recalling a story of how he was a member of a straight/gay alliance at his high school. He said though he was often criticized for his involvement with the group, he found it to be a worthwhile experience. He called on the student government to fulfill its leadership duties and protect the “basic human rights of a group of American citizens.” Ford said homosexual students deserve to have a safe campus, and they need protection from hate crimes. SG also introduced a resolution which would “require all departments to provide a current online syllabus of every undergraduate course which would include a brief course description, objectives, test schedule and the requirements of individual professors.” Vice Presidential candidate Adam Bourne praised the passing of the resolution Thursday, saying approving the policy would be “a good first step.” “Obviously, it might be a little unreasonable to say, ‘Oh, we’re going to change everybody’s mind on this issue,”’ Bourne said. The university desk can be reached at gamecockudesk@hotmall.com South Tower experiences bomb threat *r ■ Residents believed it to be routine fire drill by Brandon Larrabee The Gamecock Students living in South Tower said they weren’t informed that a bomb threat Saturday was anything other than a routine fire drill. The bomb threat, and the reaction to it, are under investigation, university officials said. According to univeisity crime reports, the Columbia Police Department called USCPD and told them there had been an anonymous bomb threat at South Tower. Ten officers arrived at the scene, and Coordinator of Greek Life Carl Johnson and Director'of Law Enforcement Ernie Ellis were notified, but a search of the building didn’t turn up anything. But students who live in South Tower said they weren’t immediately told the incident was a bomb threat. “I Just thought that it was a routine fire drill. It was only later on in the week that I found out that we had had a bomb threat,” said Erin Morrison, a second-year student in Kappa Delta. Jessica Hood, a third-year student in Zeta Tau Alpha, also said she didn’t know the incident was a bomb threat. “I feel as if the residents of South Tower have not been fully informed about the situation on Saturday night,” Hood said. “I didn’t know that there was even a bomb threat until a couple of days lat er.” Johnson said his office and USCPD “are actively investigating that situation with the police.” Ellis said USCPD was investigating the bomb threat. He wouldn’t comment on whether the call could be traced. “Being under investigation, I really couldn’t comment on that,” he said. Ellis said the university would handle the case seriously. “A bomb threat is a serious event,” he said. “We would prosecute.” Cristy Infinger contributed to this report The university desk can be reached at gamecockudesk@hotmail.com Survey indicates faculty discontent by Brandon Larrabee The Gamecock A survey released at the faculty senate meeting Wednesday indicates a bleak mood among USC’s faculty. The survey, conducted by the Faculty Welfare Committee, indicated that more than half the faculty believes morale is low. Almost 79 percent of those surveyed didn’t agree that USC’s salaries are competitive with those of other state universities or with those of AAU members, and 70.5 percent doesn’t think the university does a good job retaining quality faculty. But while 64.7 percent doesn’t agree that USC’s benefits package is competitive, 65.8 percent agrees that retirement options are ade quate. And almost 62 percent approve of the uni versity’s health-care options. Strong majorities had negative impressions of the university’s parking, child care, graduate stu dent support and physical environment. On the other hand, a majority of those surveyed felt positive about USC’s library, safety and the fund-raising efforts of the administration. But while a majority agreed the university environment was positive in regard to sexual harassment and sensitivity to women’s issues, this opinion wasn’t supported by women. Positive marks in the areas of racial and religious sensitivity were marred by a lack of minority responses and inability to determine respondents’ religious affiliations. “This is to show, again, areas that we think there can be improvement and change,” said Jerald ^lulis, chairman of the committee. In other business, Provost Jerry Odom said University of Nebraska Journalism Dean William Discontent seepages The survey at a glance ■ 85.7% of faculty thinks dean searches have taken too long ■ 96% says USC needs more money from the S.C. Legislature ■ 43.2% agrees that faculty morale is good ■ 94.6% says academic buildings need to be renovated ■ 86.9% thinks graduate stipends are inadequate ■ 78.7% says salaries aren’t competitive with other state universities or AAU members ■ 74.7% thinks parking is inadequate ■ 76.8% says campus is safe ■ 48.4% agrees RH Bookstore meets orders in a timely way ■ 53.3% fears consequences of post-tenure review Weather Coming Up Quote of the Day Online Poll Today 75 59 Saturday 70 42 How steamy is your sex life? Spotlight gives you a test. Valentine’s Day “The attachment to solitude is the surest preservative from the ills of life.” — Albert Pike Should USC include sexual orientation in its anti discrimination policy? Yes: 64% No: 36% Vote at www.dailygamecock.com. * Results will be published Friday.