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r* The University of South Carolina Wednesday, March 1, 2006 Vol. 99, No. 69 • Since 1908 • • Third time’s the charm for Guest SG treasurer race ends in nailbiter after first runoff was thrown out Justin Chapura NEWS EDITOR After two elections, the first •having been rejected because one of the candidates illegally solicited votes at apartment complexes, third-year math and education student Jennifer Guest was elected Student Government Treasurer Tuesday afternoon by a razor-thin margin of 12 votes. Elections Commissioner Chris Gainey, a second-year biology student, said it was the closest executive council race in recent memory. When the result was announced, Guest jumped up and down as her campaign staff hugged her and By the numbers Guest 986 votes; 50.31% Setzler 974 votes; 49.69% Source: SG Elections Commission cheered. “I’m just really, really excited right now,” Guest said. “I was really nervous. I wasn’t that far behind in the first place ... and I knew I had strong support the first time. I just tried to get out and see everybody.” Guest said she spent Monday and Tuesday on Greene Street campaigning and had a representative at “every chapter meeting” in the Greek Village Monday. “It was definitely worth it, because I just wanted people to know that I’m here, and I care about it,” Guest said. “I can’t begin to thank the university and everybody enough ... this is something I’ve been really passionate about. I just can’t wait to get to work,” Guest said. “I’ve got the background, and I’m ready to jump in with both feet.” Campaigning methods ended up disqualifying the first runoff election last week. 6UEST • 5 B/jpr' •* jl Jackie Alexander / THE GAMECOCK tffcTheresa Sulkowski, right, helps Neil Travis sign up for a ^^gun drawing Tuesday on Clemson's Cooper Library Bridge. The drawing has sparked massive protests on campus. Clemson newspaper suspends donations in AK-47 drawing Fights, protests, ‘terrorism cause editor ^ to change controversial sweepstakes Tuesday Jackie Alexander and Alorgan Harris THE GAMECOCK CLEMSON, S.C. — A Clemson student newspaper suspended donations in its drawing for an AK-47 rifle after students opposed to the promotion used a state law to enter the raffle for free. In a news release issued Tuesday night, The Tiger Town Observer said it would no longer be accepting donations for tickets for a Romanian AK 47 WASR-10 after opposed students “slanted the odds” of the drawing by entering multiple times. “Out of respect to students of Clemson, as well as employees and community members who cicmson • i • Price might be right in Housing game show Kim Ruprecht THE (JAMECOCK Excitement echoed through the Russell House Sunday night, “Come On Down! You’re the next contestant on The Price Is Right!” exclaimed USC’s own “Bob Barker,” Pokey Bowen. Otherwise known as ^^the Showcase Showdown, the gathering was the culmination of 15 “Price is Right to Live On-Campus” events hosted by Housing aimed at promoting living on campus. “Traveling to students was the best way to go,” said Kate Houston, a graduate assistant in Housing who works with special events. On-campus living was encouraged with the motto PRICC • 5 Justin Chapura / THE GAMECOCK SG Treasurer-elect Jennifer Guest dances on a table Tuesday afternoon after winning the second runoff election in as many weeks. Civil rights attorney speaks about racism | JoshuaRabon THE GAMECOCK Students, community members and hate group leaders gathered at the Koger Center on Monday night to hear Morris Dees, the founder of the Southern Poverty Law Center. Kaitlyn Pruitt, Ideas and Issues commissioner for Carolina Productions, Dees’ appearance draws animosity outside Koger TlclalDarhosky THE GAMECOCK Four men gathered with a toilet Monday ' a night on the corner of ^ Greene and Assembly m streets to protest Spectrum speaker Morris Dees. The men, representatives from various local Southern heritage groups, were PROTESTS • 3 introduced Dees and cautioned the audience against engaging in boisterous behavior. “Any behavior which is disruptive will not be tolerated,” Pruitt said. First-year business student Courtney Whitfield came to the event out of interest rather DCCS • >1 Ralph Meets protests the Morris Dee speech outside the Koger Center on Monday night. ap^B _ Q a a gf A i ^ ^ " . t^#i -• PR students use Habitat for room makeover Nick Cordon / THE GAMECOCK Kat Salters, left, and Alisha Coopers help makeover a room in Douglas. Katie Boucher THE GAMECOCK Imagine leaving your room one morning, only to return and find it completely transformed. Mike Miller, a first-year undeclared student and winner of The Merlin Group’s Dorm Room Makeover, was wondering what he would find once he returned to his room in Douglas. “Now I know why you are called the Merlin Group,” Miller said to the girls as they introduced him to his newly designed room. Miller walked in to find a new lofted, blue bed, a wooden futon with a blue cushion and a set of storage lockers. Vinyl records and their cases were displayed on one wall, and the room was adorned with street signs. The Merlin Group, a set of journalism students who joined with the Public Relations Student Society of America and Habitat for Humanity in hosting the makeover, performed magic by transforming Miller’s room from a typical guy’s dorm into one that he never expected. Everything used in the makeover came from the Habitat for Humanity Resale Store, which collects furniture and household items to sell to Habitat homeowners and community members. Merlin group member Jean Triskett, a fdurth-year journalism student, said the group wanted to expose the Habitat store to USC students. “Through this makeover we want mmm • 5 Viewpoints Liz White says one-night stands are OK with the right precautions; Tim McManus compares George W’s rise to power tc a kid’s education,. The Mix Have a heart Headliners is set to play host to a benefit concert Thursday night to help pay for a local shopoivner’s surgery. Sports Ready to roll USC’s women’s basketball team will take on Auburn in the first round of the SEC Tournament. ’ Index Comics & Crossword..9 Classifieds.12 Horoscopes.9 Opinion.6 Police Report..2