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I I unow.dailygamecock.com MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 2005_ Since 1908 FLOOD of support Student organizations pledge to support relief efforts for victims of tsunami By TAYLOR SMITH STAFF WRITER 'X ith worldwide aid estimaced at over $3.45 billion, the tsunami disaster in the Indian Ocean is “ receiving attention from charitable individuals as distant as the USC campus. . Although numerous student organizations have vowed to join in what is being called the largest international-relief effort in history, none have pledged money yet, due to the inactivity of each organization over the winter break. “I have seen this campus come together quite well before, Adam Hark, president of the Residence Hall Association and fourth-year history student, said. “I have no doubt that this campus community can come together to help those in need.” Hark said RHA is motivated to help with the relief effort, but the association is going through some “restructuring,” so they will be unable to initiate any programs devoted to the relief effort until a programs chairperson is appointed. “Not sure this has held us back yet, but would like to fix it before it does,” Hark said. “For all I know, we will get involved head first with this when we head back, but 1 can’t promise it will happen.” Student Government is also looking to help with aid to the region by possibly working directly with other student organizations to contribute monetarily to the victims of the tragedy. “Our first meeting is Wednesday,” Zachery Scott, Student Government president and fourth year political science student said. “One of the topics to be discussed is any assistance with another student organization on campus to help out with the Tsunami relief fund.” Nicki Desai, president of the Indian Cultural Exchange and fourth-year pharmacy student, said her organization has not had an opportunity to meet, but expects support for a fund-raising effort because of moneys that already been pledged by a local Hindu temple that also supports the Exchange. “We probably will donate and work with the Hindu temple here,” Desai said. “But we definitely feel that there will be a number of organizations that will help.” Although, Holly Birkelien, president of the Columbia Global Community and third-year anthropology student, said that though attendance in her organization has dropped 50 percent because of the semester change, she plans on proposing fund-raising operations for survivors as well. “I have not heard about a tragedy this big in a long time and with so many countries involved,” Birkelien said. “That warrants anyone’s attention to help and give.” Charitable giving inspired by the disaster is not limited to the USC campus, though. Several Columbia non-profits have already joined in the relief effort. Serendib organized “Charitable Giving Drive for Tsunami Survivors” to provide water purification systems for the regions in Asia struggling to provide basic amenities to tsunami survivors. The event was held at the Rosewood Market on Dec. 31, and the funds were contributed to Water Missions International, a Charleston organization with experience in water purification systems. Students are also encouraged to donate to local or national Red Cross chapters in order to ensure money goes to fill critical needs. Comments on this story? E-mail gamecocknews@givm.sc. edu Tsunami death toll continues to rise At least 150,640 people have been reported dead from the tsunami that ravaged the shores around southern Asia and East Africa. Tsunami death tolls BflNG o 250 m SAUDI INDIA 2 0 250km ' ARABIA OMAN ^ 1°022 , * *"YAN' YEMEN SRI - I'Iq1; LANKA ETH Indian Ocean , 30,721 ,, i ..SOMALIA i 4fcV? MALAYSIA j 298 MALDIVES | 68 * 82 -L INDONESIA ?ENYA 104.055 As of 5 p m. EST k TANZANIA 10 Sunday __ - ^ j SOURCE. ESRI Apj Graniteville train wreck hits home for USC student By TAYLOR SMITH STAFF WRITER Thousands of South Carolina residents heard of an Aiken County train wreck and chlorine spill on Thursday, but few were close enough to the disaster to discuss evacuating their homes. But first-year accounting student Warren Felkel, sleeping in his Graniteville home two miles from the crash site, was awakened at 7 a.m. His father told him a train carrying poisonous gas had crashed into parked railroad cars nearby, but that the wind was carrying the fumes away from the Felkel’s house. “I was half-asleep,” Felkel said. “And, when I got up that morning and checked the news, it didn’t really occur to the authorities that a huge amount of it could get out and cause a problem.” Since Thursday morning, the Aiken County Sheriff s office has confirmed nine people dead and more than 50 hospitalized. “I thought it was a dream. You don’t expect to hear about something like that at all,” Felkel said. “They started moving people out within a 1-mile radius.” Felkel said that he was surprised when he learned he had slept through the crash, which occurred at 2 a.m. Ordinarily, he said, he could hear the wailing horns of passing trains, but that morning was different. “It was kind of weird, because I didn’t expect something that big to happen at a town this small,” Felkel said. “It just made you feel sorry for the people in Graniteville.” Although relkel s home was only two miles away from the crash site and its toxic fumes, he said the topography of the region saved his home from contamination. “I was more concerned for the people who live near there,” Felkel said. “It is a hard thing to deal with because it has affected people’s lives and the local economy.” Felkel said he expected an influx of vehicles and aircraft to the scene. But on the busy stretch of road where he lives, he saw nothing. “It was kind of an eerie feeling not seeing any one I around,” Felkel said. “Usually in that area there are tons of cars flying to the scene, but there weren’t any that day.” Felkel said that his parents discussed whether to evacuate, but decided against it and even ventured ♦ Please see WRECK, page 11 E-mail used by spammers to steal > By JON TURNER NEWS EDITOR Students and other users of eBay, a popular online auctioning resource, have become the victims of an increasing number of identity theft scams embedded in spam e-mails. The eBay Web site depicts identity thieves in colorful metaphor. “Some thieves on the Internet,” it says, “simply go fishing, or ‘phishing,’ as the practice has come to be known, trolling the sea of online consumers in hopes of netting unsuspecting victims.” The site goes on to explain the pan consumers play in such a scam. E-mails, often bearing the eBay logo, .claim that their recipients’ account information has been lost or has become obsolete. Such information is easily intercepted by identity thieves. “We regret to inform you that your eBay account could be suspended if you don’t re-update your account information,” claims a recent mailer, threatening account termination, “financial obligation or legal liability.” ♦ Please see SCAM MED, page 8 I ■ •N THIS ISSUE ♦ SPORTS Gamecocks have roller-coaster winter break The USC basketball team falls short in upset attempts of «hree top-10 teams* Page 6 ' ♦ THE MIX Stealin’ the spotlight All Good Citizens returns from its Battle of the Bands win with a performance tonight at New Brookland Tavern. Page 14 I I WEATHER _ .. _ * IUUAT High 74 Low 5 1 FOR EXTENDED F< ♦ lULa. High 77 Low 5 8, (RECAST, SEE PAGE?. INDEX Comics and Crossword..... 16 Classifieds..19 Horoscopes.16 Letters to the Editor..13 Online Poll..13 Police Report...V