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asggggssag1” Wednesday, april 16,2003 Airlines, .banks let students pay less BY ALYSON GOFF TIIKtiAMKOOOK. College students seeking discounts are normal ly directed to movie theaters and museums, but banks and airlines are also among the businesses that offer a world of student savings. Wachovia offers a plan that requires no mini ^num balance apd no monthly service fee. South Carolina Federal Credit Union offers the same, but also rewards students by paying dividends on a balance of $150 or more. Students also receive a credit card with no annual fee, which allows them to build credit. ♦ DISCOUNTS, SEE PAGE 5 Housing to put freshmen in upperclassman halls BY ALEXIS STRATTON THE CJAMECOCK * USC plans to avoid using hotels for freshmen housing next year by reserving spaces in generally non freshman residence halls, includ ing Capstone House and McBride Quadrangle. Gene Luna, USC Housing di rector, said that guaranteeing freshmen on-campus housing is “fairly standard,” but “last year, there was not enough space re served for them.” “We’ve had this guarantee for freshmen for some time,” Luna said. “We actually have a rule on the books that says freshmen are required to live on campus unless they are commuting from home.” Luna said that USC makes this guarantee to first-year students be- ■ cause they, more than anyone, *ieed the structure and support provided by on-campus housing. In order to keep the freshmen on campus and out of hotels next year, USC is reserving four to five floors in Capstone and 225 spaces in McBride and South Tower for freshmen only. Tim Coley, residence life direc tor, said the construction of the Greek housing would ensure these freshmen spaces would not be tak en from upperclassmen. “It’s not so much that we’re taking spaces away from anybody else for fresh men,” he said. Coley also said the number of seniors and juniors applying for ♦ HOUSING, SEEPAGE 4 PHOTO BY JOHNNY HAYNES/THE GAMECOCK By reserving rooms In typically non-freshmen residence halls, University Housing promises not to place freshmen in hotels. USC services, local shops offer bike protection BY MARY PINCKNEY WATERS TUB (iAMKCOCK While bicyclers usually don’t worry about finding a spot on the bike rack, the threat of bicycle theft remains a concern. Statistics from Factory Enhancements Corp., a security company, show that more than 1.5 million bicycle thefts occur each year in the United States, with only 20 percent of bicycles recov ered. According to the USC Police Department, 27 bicycles were stolen on the Columbia campus last year at a total value of $5,897. “What we’ve found is that it ^doesn’t necessarily have to be one of those high-quality mountain bikes for it to get stolen. It can be the biggest piece of junk, and somebody will still want to steal it,” said Lt. Henry Garbade, of the USCPD's Crime Prevention and Community Relations Programs. “The thieves that really want to take your bike are going to find a way somehow or another,” said USC alumnus and bicycle-riding Beezer’s delivery man “Turbo” Tim Moser. “I’ve heard of a bike stolen that was attached to a sign post, and thieves pulled UP the en tire post just to take the bike.” Although bike thefts are not un common, bicyclers can take pre cautions to ensure the safety of their property. “The first thing is to lock your bike up, but there’s more to it than that,” Garbade said. “A lot of times, we’ll see a $500 bike with a cheap $10 lock that can be cut with bolt cutters. The more expensive the lock, the more durable.” Bicyclers can take advantage of a variety of theft-prevention bi cycle locks, depending on the amount of protection they want and the price they are willing to pay. Columbia’s Cycle Center, at 616 Harden St., sells U-locks, ca ble locks and huge chain-shackle locks. “U-locks are definitely the most ♦ THEFTS, SEE PAGE 5 PHOTO BY DAVID STAGG/THE GAMECOCK U-locks, like the one shown above, are generally more expensive than other kinds of locks, but many say they provide the best defense against bicycle theft. PRO-TROOPS RALLY PHOTO BY DAVID STAGG/THE GAMECOCK Stacy Ryan, left, a first-year biology student, pins a yellow ribbon on first-year psychology student Kristin McCraw at the pro-troops rally yesterday on Davis Field. Supporters at the rally shared opinions on the war, protestors and the future of the Iraqi government. USC rally shows support for troops BY WENDY JEFFCOAT THE GAMECOCK Around 100 USC students and Columbia residents showed their support for American troops at the Yellow Ribbon Rally on Tuesday evening in front of the Thomas Cooper Library. The rally, sponsored by the USC College Republicans, was originally scheduled for this past Tuesday, but was postponed be cause of rain. “We think it’s important amidst all the anti-war protests that they (the troops) know the majority of us are behind them,” said Wes Donehue, political ad viser for USC College Republicans. Supporters displayed yellow ribbons and American flags as several speakers took turns at the microphone to show their support for the men and women serving the United States in the war with Iraq. “Without the soldier, we would not be free,” said Sen. Jake Knotts, R-Lexington. “It’s not the press that gives you freedom of speech; it’s the sol dier,” he said. Knotts, who served in Vietnam, said “freedom is not just a one man show — it’s a community ef fort,” and the citizens of America need to make sure they protect that freedom. Speakers shared their views on the war in Iraq, protesters at home and abroad, and what should be done now that Saddam Hussein has been removed from ♦ RALLY, SEE PAGE 4 No strings attached BY ALEXIS STRATTON THE I1AMECOCK . From its name, one might ex k. i pect Punch and Judy or Pinocchio; however, USC’s Puppet Regime produces and per forms a number of plays every year — with no strings attached. While the name has caused confusion about the group’s pur pose, the 20-year-old student-led theater group was created to give students more hands-on theater experience. “The original founders were dissatisfied with the structure of the Theatre Department because they used to have a lot more con trol over what the group did or did not do,” said Alison Hogue, Puppet Regime president. “At some point, they really tried to set themselves apart and form their own puppet government, so that’s how it became the Puppet Regime.” The organization is open to stu dents of all majors, and the 40 to 50 active members vary in age and experience. “There are a lot of theater ma il jors in the organization, but it’s open to everyone,” said Hogue, a fourth-year theater student. “We view our productions as a learn ing experience, and we encourage people to take risks and do what they want to do and have fun with it.” Independent of the Theatre and Dance Department, the Puppet Regime produces plays that are often pre-published or student ♦ REGIME, SEE PAGE 3 Index Comics and Crossword12 Classifieds15 Horoscopes12 Letters to the Editor 9 Online Poll _ 9 Police Report 5 Weather TODAY High 81 Low 54 TOMORROW %**&JT High 80 Low 55 I In This Issue ♦ NEWS A fire that killed five Ohio college students is thought to be arson. Page 5 ♦ VIEWPOINTS Brook Bristow gives students the reci pe for dressing successfully at Carolina. Page 9 ♦ THE MIX Seize the summer! The Gamecock taste-tests Columbia’s ice cream. Page 10 ♦ SPORTS A look at three divers who have led USC to top | 25 finishes in the NCAAs. Page 13