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SG rally to address book costs £ Student Government casts its lot with nationwide textbook price protest Chelsea Hadauiay THE GAMECOCK Student Government officials will hold a news conference and rally outside the Russell House today at 11:45 a.m. on Greene Street, joining a nationwide effort to make textbooks more affordable. According to an SG news release, textbook prices have been an •increasing concern of college students everywhere, and student governments across the nation are taking steps to address the issue. At the rallv. srndpnrc will have the opportunity to sign a resolution that will be sent to the Association of American Publishers, calling on the organization to change its practices. According to the news release, research from the U.S. Congress’ Government Accountability Office found that textbook prices comprise as much as 20 percent of in-state tuition at a four-year university. The GAO also pinpointed two •major reasons for rising prices — bundling and the frequent release of new editions. - The Student Public Interest Research Group has performed research on the rise in textbook prices and found that textbook prices rose at four times the rate of inflation between 1994 and 2004, according to the news release. The research falls at a time when student loan debt upon graduation has reached an all-time high and the federal government is proposing billions of dollars in cuts for higher education. Students at many universities are calling for publishers to make ^Htextbooks more affordable by adopting practices that will lower the overall cost of attending college. The rally is open to everyone. SG leaders and university officials will be i n ffpnrl'i nrp Comments on this story? E-mail gamecocknews@gunn.sc.edu ‘Trick or Treat with the Greeks’ set for Thursday Jess Davis STAFF WRITER USC fraternities and sororities will play host to a Halloween celebration for about 200 Columbia children Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the annual “Trick or Treat with the Greeks” event. Children from two local Boys and Girls Clubs will partake in two hours of carnival-style games and trick-or treating at houses in the Greek Village. “It’s a good way for (Greeks) to get together as a community and give back,” said Jill Ringhausen, a third-year elementary education student and co ^chair of the event. “We want to support Bthe Boys and Girls Club and give them a run night. From 5 to 6 p.m., games will be set up in the mall” area of the Greek Village, with Halloween-themed activities such as pumpkin bowling, a “spooky maze” and face-painting. The trick-or-treaters will also get to throw pies at some of the fraternity and sorority members. Costumed house residents will then prepare to hand out $800 of candy to the trick-or-treaters. Each fraternity or TREAT • 6 Nick Earns nm GAMECOCK Interim law school dean Phil Lacy works at his desk in the USC School of Law on Tuesday afternoon. LAWMAN Newly appointed interim law dean outlines school’s goals GinaUasselli STAFF WRITER Philip Lacy, who will become interim dean of USC’s School of Law on Jan. 1, said he will continue to pursue initiatives begun by former dean Burnele Powell. One of Lacy’s main responsibilities will be to supervise final planning and construction of the law school’s new building on Senate Street. “The biggest goal of the law school is getting the building campaign moving forward,” Lacy said. Lacy said, however, that USC President Andrew Sorensen will be the main supervisor foi construction. “I’m not going to be the lead player in that mission,” Lacy said, adding he will concentrate on the design aspect of the building and fundraising. Lacy said a public campaign will soon be launched to help raise money for the building. While one facet of Lacy’s job will be devoted to the new building, he says the construction will not be his main focus. He plans to “focus on the internal Things with in the law school,” such as recruiting students and faculty. Provost Mark Becker on Friday selected Lacy as Powell’s temporary replacement. Law school administrators and faculty are expected to conduct a nationwide search for a permanent replacement. Lacy said he will look for a new associate dean for Academic Affairs, his current position. “Hopefully, I’ll find someone to step into my shoes,” Lacy said. Lacy said he is in the preliminary stages of his search, which has included contacting possible replacements. Powell stepped down Sept. 9 after holding the position since January 2003. The search that resulted in Powell’s hiring lasted more than three years. Comments on this story? E-mail gamecocknews@gtvm.sc.edu WUKREK INJURED IN BULL STREET ACCIDENT Falling drill impales construction worker at USCparking garage Albany Gault FOR THE GAMECOCK A 19 year-old construction worker was injured Thursday when a drill dropped from the Bull Street Garage construction site struck his left shoulder. Ivan Martinez was transported to Palmetto Health Richland Hospital by EMS after the drill embedded itself 4 to 5 inches into his left shoulder. USCPD answered the assistance rendered call at 4:21 p.m. Reporting officer D. Adams said a construction worker was standing on a concrete beam when the drill slipped from his hand, bounced off a beam and fell toward the street, where it landed on Martinez. Construction foreman Leonard Pritchett said Martinez returned to work Friday after spending four hours in the hospital. “It dropped from the stairs,” Pritchett said. “What happened is the power cord got broke. I don’t know how the cord got broke, but the cord broke on the drill when it slipped out of the guy’s hand. It came down and hit a form and bounced out about 15 feet from the building and hit (Martinez).” Officials had said the Bull Street Garage addition would be completed by this semester. The addition is expected to add 900 to 1,000 student parking spaces. Comments on this story? E-mail gamecocknews@gwm.sc.edu In Wilmas aftermath, recovery begins for millions David Tucker I Dayton Beach News-Jourm Beachcombers, some armed with metal detectors, walk Daytona Beach near th University Approach on Tuesday, searching debris washed ashore following Hurricane Wilma. | Category 3 storm scatters c dllen Breed THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Repair I crews across Florida struggled Tuesday to restore electricity to up to 6 million people, reopen the regions airports and replace countless windows blown out of downtown high-rises during Hurricane Wilmas ruinous dash across the state. Officials said it could take weeks for Florida’s most heavily populated region — the Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach area — to return to / normal. i Water and gas became precious commodities, and people waited for hours for free water, ice and food. Lines 'ebris across South Florida stretched for blocks at the few gas stations with the electricity needed to pump fuel, and arguments broke out when motorists tried to cut in line. More than 500 people waited outside one store for cleanup supplies. But barely 24 hours after the Category 3 storm struck, there were signs of recovery. “We have power! We have power!” several residents of Miami Lakes chanted as they ran out their back doors when the lights came on. The quantity of debris was daunting: Pieces of roofs, trees, signs, awnings, fences, billboards and pool screens were scattered across several HURRICRI1C • 4 Death toll ofU.S. soldiers in Iraq reaches 2,000 Senate observes moment of silence; war opponents step up criticism Robert H. Reid THE ASSOCIATED PRESS BAGHDAD, IRAQ — The American military death toll in the Iraq war reached 2,000 Tuesday with the announcements of three more deaths, including an Army sergeant who died of wounds at a military hospital in Texas and a Marine and a sailor killed last week in fighting west of Baghdad. The 2,000 mark was reached amid growing doubts among the | , V Gregorio Borgia / The Associated Press The 14th of Ramadan Mosque is seen in the background as US soldiers survey the scene of Monday’s suicide car bombs attack in Baghdad. American public about the Iraq conflict, launched in March 2003 to destroy Saddam Husseins alleged weapons of mass destruction. None was ever found. www. dailygamecock. com In Washington, the U.S. Senate observed a moment of silence in honor of the fallen 2,000. “We owe them a deep debt of gratitude for their courage, for their valor, for their strength, for their commitment to our country,” said Republican Majority Leader Bill Frist. Critics of the war also acknowledged the sacrifice, even as they questioned the policies of those who lead it. “Our armed forces are serving ably in Iraq under enormously difficult circumstances, and the policy of our government must be worthy of their sacrifice. Unfortunately, it is not, and the BERTHS • 1 INSIDE Viewpoints Steven Van Haren berates the scrooges of society — bad tippers; Brandt Boidy shares the magical experience of his first NASCAR race 9 The Mix Shirting the issue Web-based clothing company offers affordable prices and witty T-shirt slogans. 10 Sports Horse of a winning color USC’s equestrian team searches for more publicity one year after taking home the national title. 13