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NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN C A H I F O R N I A
WEDNESDAY
May 17, 2000 Vol. CXXXX, No. 1
Profile on Jacob Chacko
Valedictorian for the graduating class I p. 2
Coverage of Black and Latino gradua-
Graduation: USC’s 117th commencement ceremony included speeches from Michael Eisner and Steven Sample
By DANA NICHOLS
City Fxiitor
Attendees of the 117th USC commencement ceremony were all ears when Disney CEO Michael Eisner delivered a technology-themed commencement speech Friday to the class of 2000.
“What really sets you apart is not that you’re the first class of the millennium,” said Eisner, “but that you’re the first class of e-mail.”
Introduced as one of this country’s greatest business leaders of all time, Eisner’s original speech was thrown away for an e-mail oriented talk, inspired by the recent attack of the computer virus known as the “love bug.”
“E-mail isn’t just about speed,” he said, “It’s about unscreened emotion.Jt’s about ‘I love you’ without the love.”
Eisner used examples of other	\	tion cere-
Disney executives’ experiences to	’■	monies I p. 2
illustrate the effects of e-mail.
“/ have noticed of lute that the	Analysis of the
intensity of emotions within our	main ceremony
competitive company is higher	from the audi-
than usual,” said Eisner, “because	ence I p. 4
of e-mail.”
“E-mail’s veiy virtues also make it dangerous — it’s instant, it’s global, it’s quick and it’s easy...easy to do irreparable harm.”
Doheny Library’s construction zone provided a unique backdrop for the ceremony, as President Steven B. Sample commended the graduates for one of the school’s recent high-profile achievements.
“You have the distinction of graduating from Time Magazine’s College of the Year,” he said.
The president also stated that the retrofit of the historic library is “a sign that USC is ahead” in the current state of technological advancement, which was also apparent by the new large television screens used to project the ceremony into Hahn Plaza and Founders Plaza, allowing guests to get a close-up view of the speakers, graduates, and honorees.
The president also awarded the first class of Renaissance scholars, who were recognized for maintaining a high grade point average in partnered majors in distant fields. Of the 75 students named as Renaissance scholars, 14 were awarded $10,000. Among them were salutatorian Jenny Yiee, a biology and anthropology major, and valedictorian Jacob Chacko, who double majored in biology and gerontology, and minored in health policy and management.
“I thought college was supposed to make you
I see Graduation, page 2 I
We’ve moved.
The Summer Trojan, and Student Publications office, has been relocated to the basement of the Student Union building in the Traditions space for the summer months.
Diversions Film Reviews Classified* Crossword Puzzle
Six professors receive award from local church
Award: Recipients are chosen for the positive impact they've had on students lives at USC
By AARNE HEIKKILA
Editor in Chief
Six USC professors were recognized by the Church of Jesus Christ and Latter-day Saints for their teaching excellence in a ceremony on March 31.
50 people attended the fourth annual Outstanding Teacher Recognition Forum honoring Lynn Bielefelt from	"Many times
the school of music, Gerald	teaching is a
Bender from the school of inter-	thankless
national relations, Norm Corwin from the school of journalism, .John Girvin from the	helps to be
school of music, Erik Johnson	recognized."
from the school of engineering	— n..—m
and Robert Scheer from the	Michael
school of communications.	Parson
“We chose these teachers	Religious
based on teaching excellence	Director
and the impact they’ve had in student lives,” Religious Director Michael Parson said. “It doesn’t make a difference what department he or she is from, we just ask the students which professor has demonstrated teaching excellence to you.”
The professors were treated to a luncheon and were given a plaque commemorating the recognition. In addition, each professor was introduced by the student who nominated them.
“Students are always willing to make the presentation,” Parson said. “They appreciate the teachers and get cxcited about it.”
David L. Gray, a recipient of the award in 1998, says that being recognized by one’s own student is a top honor.
“It’s an affirmation for me (to receive the award) and a sign post which will enable me to confirm my educational commitment.”
According to Parson, The Latter-day Saint Student Association is the only on campus student organization that recognizes teaching excellence and plans are already underway for next year’s Outstanding Teacher Recognition Forum.
“Many times, teaching is a thankless job and teachers often wonder if they’re getting through,” Parson said. “It helps to be recognized.”
Eisner forwards message
Above:
Commencement speaker Michael D. Eisner (left), Disney CEO, with Provost Lloyd Armstrong.
Left: Valedictorian Jacob Chacko humors grads with stories from the dorms.
Students hope to cut costs on books by eliminating tax
%
Money: Bill would allow bookstores to compete with Amazon.com and other on-line merchants
By ANGELA TRINH
Staff Writer
In an effort organized by the USC bookstore to exempt textbook sales taxes, 396 students signed their support for bill ab2348 and 426 students signed for bill ab2l65 during buyback week.
If passed, bill ab2348 would eliminate both state and local taxes
from textbook purchases, while ab2l65 would eliminate only state taxes. These bills would only apply to college students and would only exempt required textbooks.
It appears that those who signed the petitions are in favor of it for the simple reason of lowered costs in buying textbooks, which could get especially high in the science subjects.
Freshman biomedical engineering major Ellena Marshall signed the petitions because she felt it was wrong to be taxed for a necessity. “It’s like food. They’re taxing us for our needs.”
Although Raymond McDermott, manager of bookstore course mate-
rials, has stated that the bookstore is in support of the bills because “[it] would like to do whatever [it] can to save the students money,” the bills would also benefit college bookstores across the nation by allowing them to compete with on-line book merchants, such as amazou.com or borders.com, who sell their already competitively-priced books tax free. ■
But analysts question the bill’s need. Currently, textbook taxes bring in $46.6 million annually for the state. While the bills would save students money, the savings would only account for a minute percentage of total costs
for higher education in comparison to a severe cut in state and local revenue.
Garth Wallace, a junior majoring in east Asian languages and cultures, agrees that the taxes are not so much an issue, “considering textbook [prices] are pretty inflated as it is.” Yet he questions, firstly, where the textbook taxes are allotted and secondly, he points out that the taxes can make a difference for a student who receives financial aid.
For some students, much of tuition is covered by financial aid, while the rest can come out of the student’s pocket, says Wallace. Some of this money goes to neces-
sities, such as rent and food, and required textbooks.
Revenue and tax analyst, Eileen Roush, still points out complications in paperwork that would result for book retailers. In order to receive the exemptions, college students would present their ID's and retailers would have to determine which of their books would be taxable, as well as “retaining sufficient documentation to justify the sales tax treatment.”
Five similar bills in other states have died in committee. But if passed into law, either ab2l65 or ab2348 would not take effect until January 2001.
Early exit: The USC men’s volleyball team failed to qualify for the NCAA for the second consecutive season. _______________________ aJL2.
Virus alert Viewpoint Writer Colin D. Smith highlights why commencement isn’t just for graduating seniors.	a
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