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SEMITE • C0(1TinUED FROIDI those students generated in fees. The graduate, law, ^ medical and pharmacy schools each get back about 8 percent of the fees they paid, Russell said. Individual schools then allocate that money. The Senate Finance Committee handles undergraduate fee money. In its yearly budget, the committee first funds all undergraduate organizations that qualify for funding. Usually, thousands of dollars remain after that money is □allocated. During the last session, for example, about $90,000 remained after student organizations were funded. Of that $90,000, $50,000 went to intramural sports, and the remaining funds were split between the graduate schools, with no qualifications on what the money was to be used for. I his is a big deal, Spivey said.. “Undergraduates don’t have access to their money.” But not all senators agree. “If they can’t get what they need above the line, why can’t Student Government give it to them?” asked Melise Cook, a second-year retail student. “We should be able to help them out like they help us out.” Wednesday marked the bill’s first reading, and though it is due for a spcnscR • conTinucDPRomi could serve purposes for both research and teaching,” Miller said. The other editors of the proposed 12-year project are Joseph Loewenstein of Washington University, Patrick Cheney of Penn State and Elizabeth Fowler of the University of Virginia. The project was proposed in 1998 and is under contract with the Oxford University Press. Miller and his colleagues are halfway second reading and vote next week, Spivey said he wanted to postpone voting on the bill for two weeks. This delay would allow his committee to define what “direct involvement” is and to possibly establish guidelines for how the finance committee would decide what constitutes a program “beneficial” to undergraduates. Above-the-line spending is a separate issue, Spivey said — one that “needs to be addressed, and one that I will support wholeheartedly. ” In the meantime, however, Spivey says it’s still a problem that undergraduate funds are being allocated to graduate students. On the Senate floor, Spivey said graduate students haven’t gone to the administration to talk about above-the-line spending. l ney re trying to nx above-the-line problems by dipping into undergraduate funding. They’re saying ‘We’ll just come steal from y’all’s money.’” Fourth-year pharmacy student Megan Womack said she is concerned that graduate student fee money goes toward above-the-line spending that doesn’t target graduate students. “If we pay money to a general fund, why isn’t it coming to us?” she said. Comments on this story? E-mail gamecocknews@gwm.sc. edu through the first volume. Miller’s love of Spenser’s work is far from a recent development. Instead, it has been a lifelong interest and passion that has followed him since he read Spenser in his freshman English class in college. Spenser was Miller’s subject for his senior thesis at Yale University in 1973 and also for his dissertation at the University of California at Irvine in 1976. Comments on this story? E-mail gamecocknews @gwm. sc. edu oonmion • connnucD proitii the community to ask for donations,” Bromley said. Bromley said alumni also contributed money. Sigma Nu has been donating money to the society for more than a decade, with the total amount donated around $100,000, Bromley said. Lyle said the society is very grateful to Sigma Nu for donating every year. “Every year they’re able to help in the fight to end the devastating effects of MS,” Lyle said. Multiple sclerosis affects the central nervous system by destroying the melanin, which helps the nerve fibers conduct electrical impulses. Symptoms of MS vary greatly from person to person. One person might have fatigue, while another might have severe vision problems. Some symptoms vary with intensity, but others might last longer than others. About 400,000 Americans acknowledge having MS, and every week about 200 people are diagnosed. Two-and-a-half million people suffer from MS worldwide. Comments qn this story? E-mail gamecocknews@gwm.sc. edu BALL • I is getting out, people are getting excited and they are starting to purchase tickets.” Phillips said that even though they do not expect to make their goal of $5,000, they have still raised a good bit, and any amount will be appreciated by the charities. Vice President Jonathan Ross, a second-year political science student, said although he does not necessarily agree with the amount spent on the ball, he will be attending and supporting it in any way possible. “I think until another organization hosts an event that everyone on campus attends that pointing fingers at RHA for frivolous spending is unnecessary,” said Terrill Wilkins, RHA president and a second year history student. Wilkins said he believes other organizations run into similar financial troubles. Wilkins said the money could have been •* spent in other ways, but as president of RHA he will support the-endeavor. The ball is to be held on at the Columbia Conference Center on Friday, April 7 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 at the Russell House information desk. Comments on this story? E-mail gamecocknews@gwm.sc. edu STD • I deceiving. “We estimated that this number is probably only half the actual infections of all USC students, because students can use other health facilities like their private doctor, and worse: some students do not even know they are infected,” said Ted Lewis, a graduate assistant from the Office for Sexual Health and Violence Prevention. It might be a long time before students who practiced unsafe sex during spring break show signs of an infection. “It is important to note that some sexually transmitted infections can take weeks, months or even years to show symptoms,” Lewis said. “Several infections are asymptomatic, meaning they show no symptoms." Individuals may not go and get tested if they feel they are not at risk, making tracking sexually transmitted infections extremely difficult.” The health center offers tests for each infection. For herpes and HPV, tests include visual inspections. “(The health center) also (offers) urine tests for chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis,” Lewis said. “HIV tests are administered by blood work.” The Women’s Care Clinic provides pelvic exams and pap smears. Ladies should see a health care provider if they experience a heavy vaginal discharge that itches, burns or smells. There could be sores on the vagina or vulva, heavy vaginal bleeding, painful intercourse, menstrual cramps causing one to miss school or work and any signs of pregnancy. Men often do not experience symptoms from a sexually transmitted infection, but those who do have a need to urinate often accompanied by burning and pain. There can be a white, watery or yellowish and thick drip or a discharge from the penis. Sores, bumps or blisters might appear near or on the penis, testicles or even on the mouth. “Stay STD Free,” a brochure offered by the health center, says many students find themselves taking sexual risks for a variety of reasons. “People are more likely to take risks if they are lonely, anxious, depressed or bored. Or if they are happy and celebrating,” according to the brochure. How should someone go about telling their partner they have been diagnosed with a STI? “Telling a partner about an STI can be extremely difficult,” Lewis said. “We highly recommend any student who finds themselves infected to seek 'advocacy from our office, the Office for Sexual Health and Violence Prevention, or counseling from the Counseling and Human Development Center. Counselors and advocates can practice the conversation with you. It is important to learn all you can about the infection and be prepared to educate your partner of cures or treatments.” Comments on this story? E-mail gamecocknews@gwm.sc. edu f " ■ ^ Study Abroad: a World of Opportunity The Topic Study abroad offers a unique oppor tunityfor students to get to know other cultures, gain a greater sense of independence and increase their career potential. And its not as dif ficult, time-consuming or expensive as many might think. The boundaries of countries no longer can define the limits of our imaginations. The world is becoming increasingly interconnected, and seeing and appreciating the world from the perspectives of others has become a necessity. Though studying abroad provides students the opportu nity to visit foreign locations, - meet people from around the world, enjoy their independence and bolster their resumes, many students never leave their home campus. Too often, students believe the myths about studying abroad and never learn the truth: studying abroad is an experience like no other. Here’s a look at students’top concerns about studying abroad: Expense: Often, study abroad costs no more than taking classes here at USC. Students can pay tuition at USC to attend a school abroad, and they can still use their financial aid toward this _ A * cost. In addition, USC and other sources provide scholarships specifically for students studying abroad. Time: Many students are hesitant to study abroad for fear that they will have to postpone graduation. Students who work with their academic advisers, however, have no trouble creating study abroad academic plans that allow them to study abroad and graduate on time. When studying abroad, most students enroll in 9 - 12 hours. A pre-approved academic plan will ensure that these hours transfer to USC and are accepted as credits toward graduation. Language: For students who aren’t comfortable conversing in another language, study abroad programs in English-speaking countries like England, Ireland and Australia offer a solution. In other countries, classes taught in English are available. Students interested in study ing abroad should start by con tacting the USC Study Abroad Office, which can guide students in every step of the process. Study abroad isn’t as hard as it may seem, and it’s truly the experience of a lifetime. — Meredith David senior management major The Buzz “I'm in a beautiful place with amiable people, deliciousfood, pristine beaches and captivating music and dance. For all this and more, I consider studying abroad to be the best decision I’ve ever made. * — senior Mica Jenkins is studying in Brazil “Being away from English-speaking America is scary only for a few minutes, and then traveling is the most exhilarating feeling...it doesn't get much better than this.' —junior Betsy Curry is studying in Italy “I learned so many things about language and culture while I was abroad that I could never have learned sitting in a classroom. Study ing in Spain gave me a different perspective on the world and taught me a lot about myself." — senior Rebecca Spencer studied in Spain The Numbers Destinations Participation USC students abroad, USC students abroad, by country by semester and year spa,n 1 100 - 50 0 2003-2004 2004 - 2005 2005-2006 ■I Spring j Fall H Academic Year The Facts • The United States Senate has designated 2006 the Year of Study Abroad. • During the 2004 - 05 aca demic year, more than 400 USC students studied abroad in 35 countries. • 26.2 percent of USC freshmen say that chances are “very good" that they will participate in a study abroad program. • This academic year, 53 per cent of USC students studying abroad studied in a non-Eng lish speaking country without knowing the language of the host country. * Each year, USC's Study Abroad Office guides hun dreds of students through the study abroad process. Learn more about study abroad by contacting the office: www. sa. sc.edu/ sa scabroad@gwm.sc.edu 803-777-7557 119 Byrnes Building « Study Abroad: a World of Opportunity was produced by the Division of Student Affairs www.sa.se. edu 803-777-4172 •V.