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"Che (Samecock University Monday, Feb. 12 ■ Grand larceny, North Campus Housing Office, 902 Sumter St. USC housing employees said someone removed a $920 Motorola hand-held recover, three USC name tags and a set of university keys from a rear storage room. ■ Breach of trust, Patterson Hall, Room 629. Auriale Durham said she gave her laptop to Tavare Clarke. Clarke has failed to return the laptop, claiming it was damaged and stolen from him. The Gateway laptop’s estimated is $3,000. Reporting officer: G. S. Whitlock. ■ Disorderly conduct, Bull Street Garage. Reporting officer J. Rosier observed USC student Samuel Davis tampering with the exit gate. When the officer approached the area, he smelled a strong odor of alcohol around Davis. Davis was later arrested. Friday, Feb. 9 ■ Larceny of debit cards, 1520 Devine St. Student Beverly Briggs said someone removed a debit card from her unsecured car. Reporting officer: R. Whitlock. ■ Lost property, Patterson Hall room 918. Catherine Baab said she misplaced her Wachovia credit/debit card and couldn’t recall when or where she lost it. Reporting officer: J. Coaxum. Columbia Tuesday, Feb. 13 ■ Simple assault, 2025 Main St. Elise Reese said a man, unnamed by the police, struck her in the face during a domestic dispute. There were no visible injuries. Reporting officer: S. Wilson. ■ Malicious injury to real property, 2905 Columbia St. Raymond Lee Hooten said he was awakened at 2:30 a.m. by his car alarm going off. When he went outside to check the car, he discovered that someone had broken the left rear window out. Hooten didn’t see anyone around the area, and nothing was stolen from his car. Monday, Feb. 12 ■ Petty larceny, 211 S. Walker St. Myron Stubley said someone stole a 12 week-old golden retriever from his back porch during the night. Reporting officer: R. Millhouse. ■ Shoplifting, Sam Goody at Columbiana Mall. Store clerks said Sarah Penn concealed two shot glasses valued at $9.99 in her purse. Subject was later arrested and transported to Richland County Detention Center. ■ Found contraband, 321 Greystone Blvd. (Pantry Store). Reporting officer R. Hall entered the location at about 10 p.m. and found a clear plastic bag on the entrance mat containing about 4.6 grams of marijuana. STUDENT GOVERNMENT B Posting Violation Donald Brock received one infraction Monday for allegedly placing a campaign poster in an illegal location in the School of Music. Brock wasn’t present at the meeting to defend himself, and the Elections Commission gave Brock his first infraction. No other infractions were given Monday or Tuesday. ■H. . . Numerous violations filed in vice-presidential race ■ Some say filings are the work of one candidate; count of violations exceeds normal number filed in any other races this year by Brandon Larrabee The Gamecock At least 69 alleged violations have been fded in the Student Government vice-presidential race, a count far exceeding the number filed in any other races this year. Four candidates — SG Sens. Nathan White and Brian Hunter, Institutional Affairs Director Adam Bourne and Freshmen Council Adviser Nithya Bala — crowd the field for vice president. Violations may be filed with the SG Elections Commission by anyone, front candidates and other students. The commission deliberates and acts on the alleged violations at its meetings. Some candidates said they don’t agree with the number of violations that have been filed. “This is just ridiculous,” Hunter said. “I don’t know what the cutthroat attitude is this year.” White said he was disappointed in the number of violations. “It disappoints me, and I think it’s just petty,” White said. “I really want the student body to determine who their officials are, not regulations.” Bourne was also disappointed. “I don’t think it’s a very good way to play the game,” he said. Bourne said he thought any problems dealing with the posting of signs — often a major source for violations — should be addressed in other ways. Candidates aren’t allowed to place posters in certain locations, usually because of rules campus buildings have about posting materials. “I think we should just take it for what it is: an honest mistake,” Bourne said. Many of the candidates said all four knew each other, and several referred to each other as friends. “I don’t think that it’s particularly focused on the candidates,” Bala said. She said she couldn’t think of an “earth shattering” or negative reason so many violations had been filed. All four candidates said they would be willing to ask candidates to remove a sign they felt was against the rules before filing violations. “I would be willing to do that,” Bala said. Two candidates said they thought the violations were the work of one person, but they wouldn’t specifically name who they thought it was. “I would say that somebody or some group is making a concerted effort to get people kicked out of the race,” White said. Hunter also said he thought one candidate was behind the filings. “I believe that it’s the work of one candidate,” he said. But Bala said she didn’t believe one candidate was behind the filings. “I don’t think anyone is trying to get anyone else kicked out of the race,” Bala said. “At the same time, it’s also impor tant for everyone to abide by the rules.” Bourne attributed the number of violations to the large number of candidates. “I guess it’s just a testament to the fact there’s so many of us in the race,” he said. In one incident, a total of about 60 violations were filed against Hunter, Bourne and White. The names of those who file violations are kept secret by the commission, but all three sheets of violations appear to bear the handwriting of the same person. All the charges were thrown out by the Elections Commission as groundless. Elections Commissioner Angie Alpert said she didn’t know any specific reason why the number of violations was as large as it was. “You never know what to expect in any of the races,” she said. The university desk can be reached at gamecockudesk@hotmail.com Faculty survey results not all bad, say faculty committee members by Brandon Larrabee The Gamecock Despite gloomy responses on several issues, a recent survey of USC faculty shouldn’t be seen as a negative view of the university, according to those involved in the study. The survey, released at the faculty senate meeting this past Wednesday, was meant to identify areas that need improvement and was bound to be tilted negatively, according to. Faculty Senate Chair Caroline Strobel. “We were attempting to find out... what issues faculty members have,” Strobel said. Because that was the focus, she said, “what you have on the survey are things you think might be issues.” “We were not trying to elicit the response [to] ‘What do you think is wonderful in the university?”’ she said. Survey questions were posed to focus groups selected from the faculty. Those focus groups created a list of issues that might trouble the faculty. “Anything that’s not negative on there is sort of a surprise as being a positive,” she said The survey indicates several complaints the faculty has about the university. Low grades were given to the university’s physical environment, graduate student support, child care facilities, faculty salaries, parking and benefits. Jerald Wallulis, chair of the faculty welfare committee, agreed with Strobel’s assessment of the survey. “This is to show, again, areas that we think there can be im provement and change,” he said. Survey results will be used to compile a list of five to six faculty goals, which will be presented at the March 7 faculty senate meeting. The goals will be voted on at the April 4 meeting. Strobel said the survey doesn’t apply to faculty members alone. She said some questions touch students, too. “I think many of the concerns... the faculty have would be mirrored by the students,” Strobel said. She said the faculty’s response to the question on salaries might not pertain to students, but “I think all the rest of the goals do.” ) Strobel characterized overall faculty morale as “about average.” Almost 57 percent of the university’s faculty — disagreed with the statement that faculty morale is good. Just more than 43 percent agreed. But the 15 percent budget cuts proposed by Gov. Jim Hoc^es could change that number for the worse. “I think that the budget cuts are not going to help faculty morale,” Strobel said. Wallulis agreed. “I think, actually, you would find the faculty might be more worried,” he said. The survey was taken in the fall before talk of budget cuts began. But Strobel said there were several questions to which the faculty had positive responses. “It’s not all bad at all,” she said. “There are some very good things.” Among the issues that a majority of the faculty was happy with were the university’s fund-raising efforts, the library and campus safety. Other things the faculty views in a positive light might not even be on the survey, Strobel said. The university desk can be reached at gamecockudesk@hotmail.com Watson from page 1 charged with driving too fast for conditions and with driving with a suspended license. Whtson’s license was suspended earlier for not paying a previous ticket. The athletics department wouldn’t disclose whether this was the reason for his suspension. Sources close to the football team said Watson had already dodged a suspension bullet earlier in last year’s football season when the team was allowed to vote on whether to let him play after he disappeared from team practices following the Clemson game. In a divided vote, Watson’s teammates allowed him to remain on the team for the bowl game. Watson’s uncle had passed away during the time he was gone, and Watson missed Fan Appreciation Day, deciding to return the day after. The university desk can be reached at gamecockudesk@holmail.com Draft from page 1 with registering for the draft. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’re gonna be drafted,” Whatley said. “It ain’t gonna hurt anybody.. All you have to do is follow the law.” Whatley served in the Army from 1958 to 1960. “I was drafted,” Whatley said. “I didn’t want to go, but I went.” He said he would go back in a heartbeat if he were needed, and all Americans should feel the same way. Taylor said ensuring registration for the draft is important because, “who knows what will happen tomorrow?” Like many his age, 21-year-old Ron Wiltrout, a third-year School of Music student, isn’t sure whether he’s registered for the draft. “I have never physically signed any form,” Wiltrout said. Wiltrout has ethical questions about the necessity of a draft. < “I don’t support it because I don’t I support war, and they are related,” J Wiltrout said. Though he doesn’t agree with the principle of the draft, Wiltrout said the bill makes sense “because the government takes care of what’s in the government’s interest.” The bill will be considered mid-March. If passed, it will take effect July 1,2001. The city desk can be reached at gamecockcitydesk@hotmail.com Dance Marathon is less than two weeks away! UDic (Samecock wishes you / luck l t t _____ V Apartments might help rejuvenate downtown area by Valerie Matchette The Gamecock Columbia’s downtown will soon be experiencing a much-needed facelift. Several plans to renovate old buildings and build new apartment complexes are in the works. According to Danielle Gadow, a member of the Downtown Business Association, adding new apartments is likely to bring more commerce to Main Street and surrounding areas. The new downtown residents would need a place to buy their groceries-and other commercial goods, potentially bringing new life to an area that has long been financially lacking. “I think you’ll see a new influx of new businesses for people that live downtown,” Gadow said. The city held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Feb. 7 for Kress Apartments, which is in the upper story of the Rising High bakery on Main Street. The site of this project — an old five-and dime store — is an example of how the many historical buildings in downtown Columbia might be renovated for better use. The Kress Apartments, a 32-room complex, is one of many new projects the city has planned in hopes of refurbishing the entire downtown area. The Canal Dime Savings Bank Building, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, will soon be renovated into apartments. Berry’s on Main was nominated to the National Register of Historic Places and will be renovated into a 20-apartment residence. The success of Kress Apartments bodes well for upcoming area developments. “The apartments we already have in place in Kress are filled, with a waiting list,” Gadow said. Keely Fagen, a member of the Apartment Association of Greater Columbia, said some building projects have been proposed in the Vista. According to Columbia Mayor Bob Coble, the residential projects will rejuvenate the entire downtown area. “We are excited to celebrate the grand opening of Kress Apartments,” Coble said. “The goal of expanding the residential element on Main Street is becoming a reality, and it marks the progress we are making in the City Center.” “City Center” is “a rejuvenation of the upper-story living concept,” according to officials. “Partnerships between the City of Columbia, local developers and business owners have played an integral role in promoting this initiative.” Rebuilding the downtown residential district is critical in helping Columbia’s economy, Fagen said. According to Gadow, movement into the downtown area from the suburbs probably represents a cyclical trend. The city desk can be reached at gamecockcitydesk@hotniaiLcom Tattoos from page 1 continue to get tattoos in illegal ways, so it would be beneficial to their health and safety if tattooing were legalized and regulated. “Tattooing will take place, and there’s only so much thought-policing we can do in the state,” Pinckney said “It’s really a no-brainer.” However, some committee members opposed the bill. Sen. John Hawkins, R-Spartanbuig, questioned the value of legalizing tattooing in the state. “I like the fact that South Caroli na doesn’t allow tattooing—I think it speaks highly of us here,” Hawkins said In response to Mescher’s aigument that regulation would provide safety, Hawkins said, “I’m not sure of the log ic in passing a bill that regulates something that we are against.” He said people who want to do illegal things will always find danger ous ways to do them, citing drug users as an example. “When they sneak and do it, they are going to find unsafe ways to sneak and do it,” Hawkins said. South Carolina and Oklahoma are the only two U.S. states that still prohibit tattooing, Mescher said. Sen. Danny Verdin, R-Greenville, regarded this as a positive reflection on the state. “That category that we share with Oklahoma is one that we gladly share with them,” Verdin said. 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