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www.dailygamecock.com _WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2003 Since 1908 Bicycle thefts sweep across USC campus Students have reported 10 bikes stolen since start of fall semester BY IRA M. KLEIN THE GAMECOCK Just two weeks into the semester, the USC Police | Department said that nine to 10 * bicycles have been reported stolen, just a few shy of last fall’s total. Most USC students who use a bicycle to get around campus are aware of the risk of having it stolen, but with a recent escala tion in the number of bike thefts across campus, the risk might be bigger than ever. USC Law Enforcement and Safety director Ernie Ellis said the thefts have all occured since the beginning of August. Those numbers are quickly approaching the total of thefts for fall 2002; at least 11 bicycles were reported stolen between August and December of last year. Ellis said the thefts have been occurring at bicycle racks all across campus, but the greatest number have occurred outside the Bates Housing Facility. Ellis said a characteristic of all of these thefts is that, to steal the bi cycle, a cable or chain was cut, most likely with a bolt cutter, which can be purchased rela tively cheaply at any hardware store. The common thread seems to be the type of lock that has been cut; it has always been a chain type lock, a cable-type lock or something fastened with a pad lock. Ellis said these types of lock ing devices are not secure and should be avoided; instead, stu dents should use a U-bolt lock, which is usually black with a hard U-shaped piece that fits into another, cylindrical piece and locks. These types of locks are more difficult, if not impossible, to cut and not a single person who has reported a stolen bicycle this year had been using one. Ellis suggested several other tips for keeping bicycles safe from theft. “Just like people do with a car, the owner should record basic in formation on the bike, including its make, model, year and serial ♦ BIKE THEFT, SEE PAGE 2 John Edwards campaigns at Law School BY KATHERINE HALLORAN 'HIE (iAMECOCK Senator John Edwards cam paigned at the USC Law School on Tuesday for the Presidential Democratic Primary, which will be held Feb. 3. The campaign stop was held by the USC Law School Democrats. Edwards spoke on ways to strengthen America in front of about 300 students, local residents and business people. After receiving a standing ova tion, Ed wards be gan his speech by saying he supports the hard work of working claSs Amer icans. He Edwards also said he is a product of public schools and ♦-EDWARDS, SEE PAGE 2 Green space project to take away more parking Construction has begun behind the Preston Residence Hall to convert most of the parking spaces to green space. The project is part of the USC master ) plan that calls for more green spaces to compliment the Horseshoe. Construction of West Quad Residence Hall also took away student parking spaces from Sumter Street. PHOTO BY MORGAN FORD/THE GAMECOCK BY LAURA MOSS THE GAMECOCK Much of the parking area be hind Preston College and Woodrow will be replaced with green space this fall as part of USC’s plan to expand and beauti fy areas surrounding the Horseshoe. The $1 million project will in clude a walkway from the Horseshoe to the Russell House and a plaza at the smokestack tow er, a historic landmark from the original energy plant. “The goal of this project is to create a more green environ ment,” said Facilities Planning and Construction Director Charles Jeffcoat. The university’s master plan, developed in 1994, calls for the ad dition of more green space to com plement the Horseshoe. The area surrounding the new pathway will be enhanced with trees, shrubs, flowers and more lighting. Drives behind Preston and Woodrow will be rerouted to pro vide a straighter path for traffic and better entry for service vehi cles. This renovation leaves little room for parking in the area. “No additional parking will be put in, but access will be better for traffic and pedestrians,” Jeffcoat said. Jessica Mattison, a first-year bi ological sciences student and Preston resident, is unhappy with the loss of parking. “Right now, the closest parking I can find is at the Coliseum. At night I’d like to be able to park be hind the building because it’s safe and convenient,” she said. Many students began parking in the stafflot behind Preston and Woodrow after the parking lot near the Russell House was re ♦ PRESTON, SEE PAGE 3 A GREENER CAMPUS OR MORE PARKING? “We already have a problem with parking. Those people back there (who use the Preston lot) - that’s ridiculous. Where are they going to be able to put their car, you know?” KATRINA ROBINSON ; SECOND YEAR PRE-PHARMACY STUDENT “I guess more green spaces because if they’re not going to build like a garage, it would be pointless... Parking’s crappy right here, but like if it’s just going to add ten spaces, I wouldn’t worry about it.” CASEY HANKS FIRST-YEAR PSYCHOLOGY STUDENT “I’d rather have parking because there’s no room to park anywhere.” EMILY TANKERSLEY FIRST-YEAR MARKETING STUDENT “Greener campus. It just looks better. I like to do my homework outside and just relax.” TIM WILLIAMSON FIFTH-YEAR ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING STUDENT > Admissions policy might include race JON TURNER officials said. THE (.'amecock In recent history, USC has been blind to race and ethnic USC might adopt a comprehen- background when considering sive admissions plan that would students for admission, but it consider more sociological and might change that stance in the economic factors in prospective students’ backgrounds, USC ♦ADMISSIONS, SEE PAGE 2 Index Comics and Crossword 10 Classifieds 13 Horoscopes 10 | Letters to the Editor 7 Online Poll 7 Police Report 3 Weather TODAY TOMORROW # & High 95 High 93 Low 72 Low 70 f---—jt-t——— Inside ♦ NEWS NASA takes the blame for space shuttle Columbia explosion. Page 4 ♦ VIEWPOINTS John Rabon encourages girls to look next door for their knight in shining armor. Page 7 ♦ THE MIX Got Mod? From Mini Coopers to mini skirts, swinging ‘60s style is back en vogue. Page 8 ♦ SPORTS Lou Holtz has more questions than answers heading into season. Page 11 Bed and bakery BY ROBERT CLENDENIN THE BAMECOC.K Nestled in Five Points, unno ticed by most students, stands an old warehouse-looking build ing that has entertained some of Columbia’s most honored guests. The weathered slab among the bricks that reads Claussen’s Bakery is a sign from yesteryear that draws attention away from the smaller sign below that tells what the building is today, Claussen’s Inn. This bakery-turned-bed-and breakfast was one of six region al bakeries that provided baked goods throughout the Southeast, with locations in Savannah, Charleston, Spartanburg and Greenville as well as headquarters located in Augusta, Ga. In 1928, Claussen’s Bakery opened its doors at 2003 Greene St. The Columbia branch con tinued to serve the people of Columbia and the surrounding area until 1978, when the bakery closed. For the next eight years, the building was dormant, except for a bi*ief period when it played host to the South Carolina Rehabilitation Department. The old Claussen’s Bakery re opened its doors as Claussen’s Inn in 1986. The exterior struc ture remained the same, but the interior had been completely re modeled to make the inn more suitable for guests. ♦ INN, SEE PAGE 2 i PHOTO BY MORGAN FORD/THE GAMECOCK Claussen’s Inn, formerly Ctaussen’s Bakery, Is an Inconspicuous bed and^>reakfast on Greene Street.