Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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University of South Carolina T7'T)TT_'\ /\\7^ C17 I YA X? XT' T) 1 TAA/1 VoL 98, No. 28 www.dailygamecock.com -T 1 VJlJiLiX I, Z UU^T Since 1908 IN THIS ISSUE j + NEWS T Outdated e-mail warns of possible draft Neither Bush nor Kerry have voiced any support of proposed draft legislation. Page 3 Catch a ride to weekend game USC Parking Services will offer transportation to football games beginning Oct. 9. Page 3 ♦ VIEWPOINTS USC can’t have my digits Erica Kolmin says the university shouldn't require students to provide Social Security numbers. p Page 4 51 II ^ ♦THE MIX Primary colors Campaign supporters take to the streets in politically themed threads, sporting shirts |>) and pins that showcase party loyalty. Page 5 \ ♦SPORTS Tide looks to answer QB questions The Gamecock sports staff takes an in-depth look at USC’s trip to Alabama and their strengths and weaknesses. Page 7 WEATHER SAT. High 86 High 87 Low 69 Low 63 FOR extended forecast, see PAGE 2. INDEX Comics and Crossword. 6 Classifieds. 9 Horoscopes. 6 Letters to the Editor.4 Online Poll..4 Police Report.2 \ DHEC restores Carolina Diner’s A rating By TAYLOR SMITH THE GAMECOCK After three days of operation with a red C printed on its door, the Bates House Carolina Diner received an A rating Wednesday, but the effects of the temporary shutdown might be more far reaching than the stomachs of USC students. According to Mike Scheffres, general manager for Sodexho Food Services, said the inspectors came at about 1 p.m. Wednesday and spent 30 minutes evaluating the changes they recommended last Friday. “If you are given an opportunity to improve your grade, then you would be foolish not to comply,” Scheffres said. “If someone was not to react to the problems cited, then it would certainly not send a good message to DHEC.” The recommendations were followed, but the A on the door could stand for USC’s agitation with Sodexho. “We are insisting that this never happen again,” said Helen Zeigler, director of USC business affairs. “We will be watching the situation closely.” The C rating at the Carolina Diner was the second poor rating in September, which caught the attention of Sodexho, the food management and services provider that operates all the eating establishments on campus. “I have been here three years, and there was only one incident... which was only a B,” Zeigler said. “Because there wasn’t a major change in rating and Sodexho took quick steps to correct it, we didn’t have the same level of concern as now.” All campus restaurants are owned and operated by Sodexho, which has contractual control over its employees, Zeigler said. “The managers also took this very hard,” Scheffres said. “They are embarrassed about it and want the restaurants to be successful.” Scheffres said he plans to meet with restaurant employees and managers to implement some changes and insure that problems would not happen again. “We are developing opening and closing checklists,” Scheffres said. “We are also taking steps to make sure they are followed.” After the closing of the Carolina Diner by USC during Parents Weekend, Zeigler said she had planned having “serious discussions” with Sodexho about the problem. Zeigler said discussions “have gone to the highest level of Sodexho.” “And if we aren’t getting any indication that they are doing what we talked about, then we will have further discussions.” This week, Zeigler said some Sodexho personnel came to campus and assured USC officials the situation would never happen again. “I am just glad that Sodexho took measures to bring back compliance with ♦ Please see BATES, page 3 ~ ~ " ■.~~i ELECTION 2004 -^ EOTonF' »w arr r' PHOTOS BY JASON STEELMAN AND DALIA ALI/THE GAMECOCK ABOVE: Young Democrats cheer on Kerry at Delaney’s Thursday night. BELOW: College Republicans view the debate from co-chairman Randy Dargan’s house in Five Points. Students greet debate with praise, criticism FROM STAFF REPORTS Students gathered around television sets to rain hoots and cheers on President Bush and Sen. John Kerry as the candidates debated the president’s decision to invade Iraq in their first face-ofFThursday. Conservative students gathered in Five Points at the home of Randy Dargan, co-chairman of USC College Republicans, to support Bush as the president extolled the virtues of his administration. Bush’s pledge to continue pursuing terrorists drew the loudest applause. “I think the president did a great job staying 'on message and staying composed,” Dargan said. “He was clear about our mission in Iraq, and he stayed true to his plan to stay the course.” ' Also in Five Points were members of the USC Young Democrats, who packed Delaney’s Music Pub in support of Kerry. For the duration of the debate, loud hisses and boos greeted Bush’s comments, while the crowd clapped and cheered whenever Kerry responded to a question. “I think that Kerry did a really good job in spelling out his vision for America, and unlike Bush, didn’t use little catch phrases,” said Debbie Parker, a fourth-year public relations student. Jennifer De Vita, a fourth-year sociology student, said she was unimpressed with Bush’s responses during the 90-minute debate. “I think that Bush did what he always does — reiterating the same thing over and over again,” she said. Members of the Association of African American Students gathered to watch the debate in a northeast Columbia home. “Watching the debate has strengthened my decision because I realized how much of an imbecile our president has been when considering the war,” said Mark Richard, a third year history and English student. “I think we need a new president with a new strategy.” Justin Williams, former AAA S president, said he also supports Kerry. “I want to know why people are supporting Bush,” he said. “What is it about him that people want to put back in office?” AAAS members also cited that Osama bin Laden is still on the loose, evidence, they said, that Bush’s attention to Saddam Hussein was unjustified. And when Bush said in the debate that he didn’t want to bring U.S. troops home from the Middle East until the allied objectives were completed, many students questioned what those objectives are. The students also said Bush ♦ Please see DEBATE, page 3 Bush, Kerry clash in first of 3 debates By TERENCE HUNT THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Sen. John Kerry accused President Bush Thursday night of a “colossal error in judgment" by ordering the invasion of Iraq. “The world is better off without Saddam Hussein," the president shot back in the campaign debate, adding his rival once said so himself. “I agree with him," the president added sarcastically, emphasizing his campaign’s contention that Kerry is prone to flip-flops. In a 50-minute debate dominated by a war -that has claimed more than 1,000 American lives, Kerry called the conflict a diversion in the broader struggle ♦ Please see CLASH, page 3 Construction worker suspended for entering dorm By JUSTIN CHAPURA THE GAMECOCK • A contractor has suspended one of its construction workers after he entered a student apartment in DeSaussure on Wednesday without permission. Chris Odell, a crane operator employed through Midwest Maintenance, was suspended for a week while his employers decide what • to do about him, said Junior Howlord, foreman of the construction team replacing DeSaussure College’s roof. “He wasn’t told to enter the room; he was looking for an electrical outlet,” Howlord said. Representatives from Midwest Maintenance were unavailable for comment. “It was a mistake on his part. He wasn’t paying attention,” Howlord said. “He thought he had walked into a lobby.” Third-year accounting and international business student Megan Moxie said she returned to her room from class at 10 a.m. Wednesday morning and found a cord plugged into her hallway socket and running out of the back door, which was propped open. Her roommate, pharmacy graduate student Wyatt Adams, said she locked the door earlier V that morning before going to class. Third-year political science student Liz Keller, who also lives in the apartment, said leaving the door open could have endangered them. “Anyone could have walked in and stolen things from the apartment. I was asleep when it happened, and I feel violated knowing that a stranger came in without any clearance to do so,” Keller said. The residents contacted Horseshoe Residence Hall Director Shane Hart and David Northan, project manager for the DeSaussure renovations. Both administrators were unavailable for comment. Housing Director Gene Luna said he was informed of the incident Wednesday. Luna said the project manager group is responsible for enforcing policies regarding worker behavior, but that there is a protocol for what construction workers can and cannot do. “Construction workers are not allowed to talk to students or enter residence halls unescorted,” Luna said. “Anything like die incident Wednesday gets the worker removed immediately from the job he was doing.” ♦ Please see DESAUSSURE, page 3 HHr I 1 THE ASSOCIATED PRESS South Carolina wide receiver Tim “Pops” Frisby makes a catch during warmups before Saturday’s game. rrisby catches limelight By MICHAEL LaFORGIA THE GAMECOCK Tim Frisby is not like the other receivers on USC’s football team, and that’s why Paramount Pictures wants to make a movie about him. The NCAA cleared Frisby, a 39 year-old father of six and former Army Ranger, last week after poring over 20 year-old Pennsylvania high school records to determine his eligibility. While Frisby, a first-year electronic journalism student, saw playing time in the final minutes against Troy last week, he finished with no catches. But since the NCAA cleared him, Frisby’s story has sparked a media frenzy. He appeared on the “Late Show with David Letterman” Thursday night alongside John Travolta and Pearl Jam. He has also given interviews to more than 100 broadcasters and ♦ Please see POPS, page 3 MENINGITIS Vaccine turnout lower than expected 3y ALEXIS STRATTON fflE GAMECOCK Despite the recent meningitis case, fewer tudents are getting immunized than rhomson Student Health Center officials aid they had hoped. Although the health center planned attended hours to accommodate students’ teeds, only a handful of students took idvantage of them Tuesday, said Bill Hill, lirector of USC health services. The health tenter returned to normal hours Wednesday. “I admit I'm a little disappointed," Hill aid. “Although it’s rare, students who live n residence halls ... are at moderately ncreased risk for the illness, and the vaccine s one of the real protections we have.” Hill said about 450 students received the mmunization Sept. 20 and that the health enter screened about 1,400 students for intibiotic treatment, administering it to tbout 1,000 students. Hill warned that the antibiotic treatment s a “one time shot for a one-time exposure” ♦ Please see VACCINE, pafcc 3