trojan
Volume XCVII, Number 55	University of Southern California	Tuesday, November 20, 1984
GEORGE LUCAS
Cinema school opens with glittery celebration
By John Kirby
Assistant Editorial Director
In a celebration marked by balloons, glitter and entertainment by the Trojan Marching Band, the School of Cinema-Television officially opened the new cinema center Sunday evening.
Over 1,200 people attended the ceremony and ensuing party, including some of the major donors responsible for the center, and other film industry leaders.
Among the guests were Steven Spielberg and university alumnus George Lucas, each of whom have a building named after them in honor of their contributions. Other guests included writer Ray Bradbury, actor James Brolin and actress Susan Anton.
The dedication was emceed by actor Bruce Davidson, who began the ceremony by emphasizing the importance of the people behind the camera in the film industry. Russell McGregor, the acting dean of the Cinema School, then thanked the administration for its support and also for the support from the film industry itself.
University President James Zumberge also addressed the crowd, recalling the small beginnings of the cinema program and applauding the progress it had made.
"The school was originally started because Rufus Von Klein-Smid, a predecessor of mine a couple of times removed, used to fence with Douglas Fairbanks," he said.
Zumberge went on to say the school had added to the prestige of the university by its growth and the excellence of its students.
Davidson then introduced "a former actor, governor of the state of California and current President of the United States, Ronald Reagan."
Reagan, in a videotaped message, praised the film industry and the Cinema School, which he said has already "gained international fame." He also expressed his view of the importance of film.
"People like George Lucas and Steven Spielberg have given so much pleasure to so many people," he said.
Reagan invoked the remembrance of his "good friend" John Wayne, who attended this university in 1929.
"The Duke was above all a professional," Reagan said, adding, "I'm sure he would have been happy to see his old college building such a facility."
Los Angeles City Councilman John Ferraro was also on hand to present the Cinema School with a special certificate to commemorate the dedication, and three representatives from the Harold Lloyd Foundation presented President Zumberge with an $800,000 donation to the school.
The culmination of the dedication was a ceremonial ribbon-cut-ting by Lucas, Spielberg, Marcia Lucas, film producer Gary Kurtz and McGregor. As the ribbon was cut, hundreds of multi-colored balloons were released, an explosion of glitter showered both the ribbon cutters and the audience, and Susan Anton broke into a rendition of "I'm So Excited" with the Trojan Marching Band playing accompaniment.
After the dedication ceremony ended, a massive party began in the cinema center that lasted into the early-morning hours.
Cinema-TV takes 1 of 3 applicants
By Dana Glad
Staff Writer
About one of every three students who satisfactorily completed applications to the School of Cine-ma-Television was admitted for next semester, a member of the admissions committee said Monday.
The Student Affairs Office said that no exact figures would be available until early next week because they are still going through individual files in alphabetical order and sending out letters.
Roughly one in 10 students has historically been admitted to the production program, but one office worker said the number of available spaces was dramatically different than usual.
The admissions committee member, who requested anonymity, said he had evaluated about 50 applications. Therefore, the five members of the full committee probably read about 250 to 300 completed applications, he said.
Approximately 85 students — about 35 undergraduates, 35 graduates and 10 to 15 freshmen — were admitted from this pool of applicants, the committee member said.
According to these figures, about one in every three or four students was admitted to the cinema school.
The number of applicants for spring semester is usually lower, said the committee member, who added that for the fall semester the number is "sometimes triple that."
Students expressed mixed opinions about the rumored figures. Some said they believed the process was more competitive, while others thought the school was expanding because of budgetary considerations.
"They have to pay for that (new cinema) building," said Brad Vanderburg, a cinema student, who added he believes the number of students admitted "will increase dramatically."
Others, however, such as Martin Schenk, also a cinema major, estimated that the figures will show "more like one out of 10" students was accepted. The committee member said factors such as students' grade point averages, test scores, personal statements, recommendations and portfolio lists were taken into consideration.
"We recommend that undergraduates finish all of their GEs (general education requirements) because the program is so time consuming," the committee member said.
He added that the department also "took a number of foreign students" and students from all over the United States.
House decorating winners chosen
By Richard Hatem
Staff Writer
Theta Xi fraternity, along with members of the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, took first place in the house-decorating contest by
constructing a huge float dexisting Steve Jordan kicking a field goal at the Rose Bowl.
"Alpha Gamma was our first choice,” said Steve Capone, chairman of the social committee for Theta Xi. It is customary for the fraternity house to approach a sorority to help them with the project.
"First we voted on whether or not we wanted to do a float. Then one of the brothers came up with a great idea (the goal kicker). Since we'd worked with Alpha Gamma before and had a good rapport with them, we decided they'd be who we asked," Capone said.
Groups making floats had from 9 p.m. Monday to 11 a.m. Friday to complete their projects, at which time the finished product would be judged.
"About 60 to 70 people worked on the float at one time or another. Everyone just worked on it whenever they
could. Mostly we put together crepe paper to cover the wood and chicken wire," said Marvee Corona, a member of the sorority. The wood and chicken wire provided the foundation for the float.
"Late Thursday night we had to move the float indoors, like a lot of other people, because we didn't want it to get wet in the rain. Then about 4 a.m. that morning we moved it back outside," Corona said.
Capone collaborated with Shelley Winnaman, social chairman of Alpha Gamma Delta, in preparing for building the float.
■"Shelley and I began organizing hours for people to work, how much money would be spent, etc. A lot of the end product, however, wasn't planned. People had ideas all the way along, and we added them in. For instance, the idea of having blimps on the float was a spontaneous suggestion that we liked and used," Capone said.
The judging of the floats was based on creativity, originality, theme, spirit and dedication. The three judges were faculty members: Thayer Weddle, assis-
tant director of annual giving; Shari Thorell, executive director of alumni relations; and Robert Mannes, dean of student life.
"We weren't really aware of the judging criterion when we started. All we knew was that it (the float) had to incorporate the theme, 'Bruin Busters,' and that everything on the float had to be handmade," Capone said.
Both houses remain unsure of what the first place prize will be, but trophies have been presented in the past.
"I'm not sure what the prize is, but we just had a lot of fun doing it. The girls were great to work with. They brought over brownies and cookies when we worked, and did a fantastic job on the float," Capone said.
The total cost of the project was estimated at $600, but "that doesn't include the party on Thursday night," Capone said.
"It was really fun. In fact, we plan to do it again next year. We've already got the plans made," he said.
The house decorating contest was sponsored by the Panhellenic and Inter-fratemity Council.
While students study frantically for midterms, felt pins and a cartoon book quietly entertain this little girl at Heritage Hall.