Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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University of South Carolina T7T>TTAAV T? D Q 1 ClClA VoL98,No.31 www.dailygamecock.com J7 XvX i '/\l ^ V/ '—j X lJ FyXv Oj Z UIJ I Since 1908 — IN THIS ISSUE | ♦ NEWS * Homecoming recognition Homecoming is more than Greeks. Find out who else participates. ^ Page 3 ♦ NEWS Anarchy in Afghanistan Attacks are escalating just before native elections are to begin as rockets hit near U.S. Embassy. ^ Page 4 ♦ VIEWPOINTS Election Daze Steven Van Haren digs up dirt on some lesser known political parties and tries to make sense .of the pre-election madness. Page 7 ♦THE MIX Beach boy album release Brian Wilson releases ) 'Smile,' an album during the Boys’ heyday. Page 6 ♦ SPORTS t Gettin’ ready for the Rebels The Gamecock staff previews Saturday’s game against the Ole Miss Rebels, and Charlie Walker gives us the story on the men’s soccer team’s upcoming clash with Clemson. Page 9 WEATHER ♦ TODAY ♦ SAT. High 73 High 77 Low 55 Low 49 FOR EXTENDED FORECAST, SEE PAGE 2. INDEX Comics and Crossword.8 Classifieds.11 Horoscopes.8 Letters to the Editor..5 Online Poll..‘....5 Police Report.2 4 ? % • Students can use old IDs at football games Officials decide against phasing out white ID cards because of costs By TAYLOR SMITH STAFF WRTTER Talks among Student Affairs, Student Government and the Athletic Department resulted in USC taking no action to prohibit the use of the older white IDs at football games. / Before the season began, officials considered prohibiting the use of white IDs at stadium gates after they found some former students Were using student tickets. Seniors typically worry about which graduate school to attend or which jobs they are going to hold. But for some seniors, their worries boil down to a piece of plastic and the respect that comes with it. “I think the white ID is the mark of an upperclassmen,” said Ben Hood, a fourth-year criminal justice and political science student. “It is a status symbol.” That “symbol” appeared to be in danger at the beginning of the semester when the USC Athletic Department and a number of other departments considered forcing students who still have white IDs to change to the newer black counterparts. USC switched to the black IDs in the fall of 2002, so the only class that could still have a white ID would be fourth-year students and graduate students who attended USC’s undergraduate program. “The white IDs have been around for a number of years,” said Chris Massaro, assistant athletic director in charge of ticket operations. “And we talked to the people who distribute the cards and they said that there were still many students who are still using them.” “We considered it briefly,” Massaro said. “But there are still a large number of students who still have IDs, and it would not be fair to switch them at this time.” Amanda Mills, student services program coordinator for CarolinaCard, said USC has not switched to the sole use of black IDs because of the expense of the change for the more than 1,000 students that she estimates still have white cards. “It is kind of neat,” fourth-year advertising student Tracy Hunter said. “Because the younger kids look at it and are like, how old are you, when really we aren’t that old.” “I did catch some flack (in having the white ID) for the last football game,” Hunter said. “They said ♦ Please see IDs, page 4 SARAH ZILINKSY/THE GAMECOCK Rachael Dodgens, student services program coordinator, gives a new ID to Jordy McKever, a third-year electronic journalism student. Students don’t need to get a new ID to get into football games. SWING INTO FALL JASON STEELMAN/THE GAMECOCK The South Carolina State Fair opened Thursday evening and brought together its traditional mix of lights, color and people. Officials consider admissions changes By KEVIN FELLNER THE GAMECOCK USC officials are considering a more comprehensive admissions plan that could include requiring a personal essay and taking into account the mean and range of high school GPAs and SAT scores. Under the modified system, the concept of a “points-based” system would be eliminated. USC is considering the change because of the rising number of qualified applicants and the specifics of college admissions at the forefront of national legal debates. The purpose is to go beyond the typical quantitative analysis of grades and test scores to consider background aspects of an applicant’s life, much like recent initiatives at large universities such as the University of Michigan. “A diverse population usually makes people think of race, but it goes way beyond that,” said Vice President for Student Affairs Dennis Pruitt, who added that USC could be ready for the new rr*<-v/-l/»l ic Pirltr 1C fill The trend of competitive universities finding ways to increase diversity among its entering freshman classes is playing out through last year’s Michigan affirmative action case decided at the U.S. Supreme Court, changes to the structure of the SAT and a new understanding of what might influence applicants in their previous experiences. While Pruitt confirmed that past academic achievement is the best predictor for success in college and would continue to be USC’s primary admissions factor, he said factors like past leadership experiences and overcoming difficult situations, such as growing up in poverty, greatly reflect the character of a potential student. Admissions Director Scott Verzyl, who has been on the job less than a month after following USC President Andrew Sorensen from the University of Alabama, said admissions officials are looking to find ways to best get to know students as individuals rather than just their academic statistics and said USC is considering adding a personal essay requirement to the application. “But what we won’t do is decrease the standards for admissions,” he said. “Students will still have to meet an absolute floor in terms of ♦ Please see ADMISSIONS, page 3 A fair to remember State Fair experience includes football, roller coasters andfunnel cakes By KELLY CAVANAUGH THE GAMECOCK The South Carolina State Fair opened Thursday near Williams-Brice Stadium, and after last year’s event attracted 600,000 people, organizers say this year’s turnout will depend on the weather. “Good weather equals a good turnout,” said Betty Amick, administrative assistant for the State Fair. Thursday night fairgoers included high school sweethearts holding hands, elderly couples people watching and kids begging their moms to let them go on just one more ride. The fair also attracts USC students. Allison Wardley, a first-year electronic journalism student, said she plans to go to the fair Friday. “It sounds like something fun to do around « Columbia. Not being from the area, I’ve never been to a state fair,” she said. But some can’t go because of upcoming midterms and other school-related obligations. Jimmy Griffin, a third-year religious studies student, does not plan to attend the fair. “I have an ungodly amount of homework to do,” he said. Becky and Graham Houghten, a middle-aged couple from Lexington, have been coming to the fair for 10 years. Becky Houghten said she came “to eat.” Husband, Graham Houghten, attends “Because I make him,” she said. “It’s my duty,” Graham Houghten said. Peggy Howard, who works in ticket sales, said young people visit the annual event for the rides, walk through the buildings and see the crafts. “The older men like the cattle barns,” she said. Howard Pringly, director of operations, said the fair is a great place to work if you are a people watcher. “There are some of the most oddest characters roaming around the fairgrounds,” he said. Pringly sought to dispel some of the stereotypes associated with people who work at the fair. “People call us ‘carnies,’ and to tell you the truth, there hasn’t been a real ‘carnie’ since the 1940s,” he said. “Most of these people are just college students looking to make a little bit of money.” Pringly has escorted Madonna, Gloria Estefan, Tom Cruise and various country stars around fairs in the past. ♦ Please see*FAIR, page 3 -1- L Politics push into pulpits across country By PATRICK CAULEY THE GAMECOCK From voter drives in churches, to people being denied Communion, to priests and pastors telling congregations how to vote, politics has taken a front seat in churches across the country. “It would be nice if preachers could be objective from the pulpit, but everyone has a political bend,” said the Rev. Jayson Samuels, an Episcopalian youth minister from Pittsburgh. “When preaching, politics should usually not be addressed a'i,all,” Samuels said. “Many people know that in social situations one should not discuss religion or politics, but it seems this year that the two have actually merged into a cultural war for votes,” third year public relations student Melissa Beazer said. So which candidate should Christians choose? “We as priests are not suppose to tell people who to vote for,” said Father Timothy Lijewski, a Catholic priest at USC. Ide said that the best advice is to be informed about voting records, platforms and to make sure the candidates are who they say they are. • The main forces driving many religious voters towfi/d the Republican Party are their opposition to abortion and gay marriage. However, Lijewski said it is not always that easy. “It makes me mad when people base politics on one issue,” Lijewski said. “There is much more to being Catholic than being anti-abortion, such as being anti-death penalty and having an affection for the poor, among other Catholic social justice teachings that typically end up being supported more by the Democratic Party.” Lijewski recalled hearing about a person wearing a Kerry pin in Myrtle Beach who was denied communion by a Eucharistic minister. Lijewski called the occurrence “hideous.” Samuels agreed. “I personally do not find legitimacy in one-issue voting. I equate that to being uninformed. One-issue voting is a shortcut to not thinking. “Discussing politics is something that should be talked about in a personal, one-on-one conversation with someone, not in a professional setting, and especially not from the pulpit,” Samuels said. Samuels stressed that it is not just Republicans who gain from the blending of religion and politics. He cited the fact that many Democrats preach or are preached about in many black churches » ♦ Please see POLITICS, p^ge 4