Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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College Republicans bring state lawmakers to campus for rally By JACOB DAVIS THE GAMECOCK The USC College Republicans sought to improve their reputation Tuesday night as they hosted a back-to-school event in the Russell House Ballroom. The organization, which was embarrassed after internal bickering forced its withdrawal from the S.C. Convention of College Republicans in March, is seeking to recast its image and garner support for President Bush at USC. New chapter president Randy Dargan was on hand Tuesday to introduce the guest speakers that included U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, R S.C., and state Sen. John Courson, R-Columbia, as well as Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer. The speakers focused on the need for students at the local college level to become involved in politics, especially in an election f . • l . together to have fun, as well as engage in on-campus activities.” Dargan said grass-roots activism is one key to the group’s activities. In addition to the “envelope stuffing and phone calls,” the group announced community service projects that include handing opt stickers at football games and a Saluda/Congaree River cleanup and CUVJRU U l. Ull y L . 4 and the Irmo/Chapin Saluda Shoals cleanup. D a r g a n outlined plans to work closely with local high schools to strengthen community ties. The idea of the College Republicans as an active and community oriented group is one the organization would like to promote in an effort to “get the message out and get students excited,” Dargan said. Coner Mclaughlin, an Irmo High School senior, said he “enjoyed the message and was looking forward to volunteering in some activities.” Another student, Sallie x y auv iiuiu uuiu > “o11) said she also enjoyed the message and “heard a lot of good things.” Dargan pointed to the enthusiastic turnout, as well as the strong turnout at last year’s final meeting, as signs that people at USC and in the Columbia area are getting the picture about the group.. “The year hasn’t even started yet. There are a million other things that could have distracted these students, but they came out to our event anyway,” Dargan said. In perhaps the most telling sign of change, the USC College Republicans unveiled their new mascot, a large elephant named J.C. in honor of Sen. Corson. The comical character posed with the guest speakers as the speeches were presented and got his own special introduction to his namesake. Comments on this story? E-mail garnecocknews@gwm.sc. eda V Ldl Uglll races. D a r g a n stressed the need for students to get out and be politically active. He said the College Republicans’ goal was to provide “a place were students can come JOHN RABON/THE GAMECOCK Congressman Joe Wilson, left, Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer and state Sen. John Courson, R-Columbia, speak for the College Republicans’ back-to-school event Tuesday night. i . r.„. i i .1 • £_ i ti:_L “The year hasn’t even started yet. There are a million other things that could have distracted these students, but they came out to our event anyway.” RANDY DARGAN COLLEGE REPUBLICANS CHAIRMAN Second-phase delay JASON STEELMAN/THE GAMECOCK The former Hardee’s at the corner of Assembly and Blossom streets, used as a faculty parking lot, will be the new spot for part of the research campus. ■ RESEARCH Continued from page 1 said. From Sorensen to the faculty members, a combined effort is underway to promote the initiative to potential corporations that would be willing to invest financial and human capital. “All of us are dedicated to this endeavor,” he said. Soon, at a date yet to be determined, Sorensen said, a capital fundraising campaign is scheduled to begin to gain private support for university needs, including the proposed campus. Buccanfuso said since external grants and contracts now exceed total state appropriations, it is crucial for the university to promote its research focus. “The 150 million number reflects well on our faculty, who are out there trying to guard our funding to continue to do such projects.” Sorensen said despite the magnitude of the research campus initiative, he isn’t intimidated by the responsibility. He said he had a budget of more than $1 billion when he was a university dean and that while teaching in medical schools in half a dozen states he never saw such support for a costly project. “In none of those states was there anything approaching this kind of an initiative,” he said. “We are establishing a historical precedent in the nation with this campus.” The precedent is coming in the form of the health sciences collaborative that is expected to combine funds from USC, the Medical University of South Carolina, the Greenville Hospital System and Palmetto Health to provide $2 million each for at least ten years toward university research and faculty hires. The state will match those funds with revenue from the S.C. Education Lottery to create a projected total of more than $160 million. The university is expecting as many as 600 new hires over the next six years to replace only a little more than 100 retiring faculty members. About 100 of those new faculty members are expected to report directly to Vice President for Research Harris Pastides because of their emphasis on research within the university. That news combined with the expectation of the first budget year without a cut in state appropriations in the last three cycles could mean that the research campus might also become a legislative priority. Comments on this story ? E-mail gamecocknetos@gwm.sc. edu use Back to School SALE! Mary Kay Cosmetics Present this ad at time of purchase to receive a 30% discount. Enjoy up to an additional 20% OFF when you host a SKIN CARE class in your dorm or home! HAVE FUN! ENJOY FRIENDS! SKIN CARE! COLOR! FREE GIFTS! MAKE-UP! 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