Daily
Trojan
University of Southern California
Volume LXXII, Number 5	Los	Angeles, California	Friday,	September	23,	1977
Student merchant
By Dave Leon Moore
Feature Editor
Jamil Dada was strolling around the plush Century Square Shopping Center one recent afternoon, casually exchanging hellos and goodbyes with his fellow merchants. He seemed confident and at ease —the quintessential big city businessman.
At a glance, he could be considered an average shop owner. Average, that is, if you consider a 21-year-old USC junior owning and operatinga thriving Century City business typical.
Add to that the fact he has lived in this country for only 15 months and you begin to get the impression that Jamil Dada is not exactly run-of-the-mill.
Home to Dada is Pakistan, where he attended college for two years before moving to Los Angeles. His family in Pakistan is considered upper class with a capital “U.” His father has amassed a sizeable fortune through his dealings in the manufacturing business and other investments.
“In Pakistan you’re either really rich or really poor,” Dada said. Bada’s family is not really poor. “My father has it made for the rest of his life — he’s cruising.”
Dada’s English is flawless and complete with phrases like “screwin’ around.” “far out,” “I’m into that” and
“cruisin’,” which he knows all about due to his easy-going manner, not to mention his bank account.
The degree to which Dada is Americanized is amazing when you consider that he first saw America in June of 1976. The reason, aside from any special adapting talents Dada might possess, is that he attended an American high school in Pakistan.
“I grew up different from most kids (in Pakistan),” he said. “Life there is so family-oriented. I was spending more time with my American friends from school than I was with my family. All my friends came to America to go to college. I wanted to come here too.”
But he remained for two years, attending college and doing some supervising and accounting for his father’s business. Then his desire to come to America materialized. The Southern California area was his first choice when it came to attending a school.
Southern California has a climate very similar to Pakistan,” he said. “Also I had heard so much about Southern California — the fun ...sun...bikinis...the outdoor life...I thought L.A. would be just great.”
Exit Pakistan and enter USC and Woodcraft Treasures, the name ofthe Century City import shop Dada operates on a 50-50 basis along with his
his shelves
24-year-old brother and roommate, Munir.
“My father said when I came over here I might as well invest — start a business or something,” Dada said. “My father said. Why don’t you bring Munir along? It’ll be easier,.’”
So Jamil and Munir Dada came and immediately started looking for space
for their fledgling import shop. But why, one might wonder, would a 20-ye ar-old — fresh out of Pakista n and preparing to attend a strange, new school — want to add to bis tasks by starting a business from the ground up?
(continued on page 2)
TOTAL SALES EXCEED 13,400
500 extra activity books sold out
There won’t be any more long lines outside the ticket office. Activity books are officially sold out.
The extra 500 books made available Thursday have been sold and no more will be made available.
Students who did not buy activity books but wish to obtain punch cards and El Rodeo coupons may purchase them for $9 in November, approximately two weeks before the first basketball game, said Edward J. Partridge, director of the ticket office.
A punch card allows the student to attend basketball and baseball games, as well as some other events. The El Rodeo coupon is for the university yearbook.
Partridge said 13,400 activity books were sold, an
increase of 2,100 over last year. While available, activity books could be purchased with $20 in cash. No checks were accepted.
Partridge attributed this policy change to the substantial number of bad checks received last year.
“We were fairly liberal last year in taking checks,” he said. “But lots of checks were returned to us for various reasons.”
Insufficient funds in the students’ accounts was the most common reason.
“Problemsofthis nature we felt could be avoided by this policy (of taking cash only),” Partridge said.
Dorm council to seek
more effective position
The Residence Halls Coordinating Council will seek to establish a new image and greater efficiency this year, accordingto its members. The main objective will be meeting students’ needs.
The council has set four major policy objectives forthe year. Reorganized and staffed by newcomers, the council is composed of both a vice-president’s and president’s council. Last year only a president’s council existed. The vice-president’s council will assume the responsibility for allocating programming funds.
The reorganization will permit greater involvement with policy issues for the president’s council, said Jane Higa, associate director of residential life.
"We are going to be a very determined group,” said Craig Settles, council chairman, “and very persistent because there are certain things which have to get done.”
This summer the council reestablished communication channels with administrators and sought better relations with the Student Community Council, Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic office.
“We want to start step by step to better dorm-Row relations,”	CRAIG	SETTLES
Settles said.
The first step will be a dance for all university living groups. It is scheduled for Sept. 26.
Since school has started, steps have been taken toward two other objectives — better cooperation between the council, head residents, resident advisers and dorm government and development of solid grass roots support among dorm residents.
Settles appealed to head residents and resident advisers in a letter explaining that the organization is out to improve on the effectiveness of past councils.
“So far, their reactions have been very positive,” he said. “They’re going to cooperate with us.”
Petitions have been distributed to residents to gather support for an appeal to the administration to thoroughly investigate and, if necessary, correct fire alarm systems in the halls.
Concern over the fire alarms was heightened during the blackouts last Friday and Saturday in the men’s and women’s complexes.
“We really need them (students) to stick behind us,” Settles said. “They (administrators) can’t ignore the request of a petition with 1,000 signatures from the student body.”
The new organization also will help the Office of Residential Life evaluate the staff structure in the halls.
(continued on page 2)
A NO NO — With the mass return of students, the number of jaywalking tickets being given along Jefferson Boulevard and its vicinity seems to be on the increase. Students have noticed two motorcycle police-
men waiting to issue tickets to offenders. So, unless you have the money to spare for the fine, walk on green lights—and within the white lines. DT photo by Doug Gray.