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The Honor's Rail in Heritage Hall has medallions saluting Trojans who have won Olympic gold medals, captured NCAA individual championships or have been named first-team All-Americans.
A different drill: After two months in the Army in South Carolina, junior offensive lineman Phillip Eaves came to USC ready to play football. ^ 24
Feeling the Force: Viewpoint writers react to the video release of “Star Wars: Episode I.”
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NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
April 6, 2000 Vol. CXXXIX, No. 50
New Senate officers are inaugurated
Officers: An air of open camaraderie permeates ceremony placing Pi'esident Dana Parker, among others, in office
By MEREDITH COOPER
Student Senate Writer
With members saying they are looking forward to starting their work, the new Student Senate officially took over following the inauguration Wednesday.
“I’m really, really excited to work with Stephen and the rest of the senators,” said Dana Parker, Senate president and a junior majoring in public policy and management. “We’re going to have a great year.” Parker said she is ready to take office and assume the responsibility of president of Senate.
“I can’t wait to start fulfilling our campaign promises,” Parker said. “I want to reach out to students and do the best we can to represent their needs to the administration.”
Among the crowd of new and old Senate members, family and friends were numerous administrators to wish the newcomers luck in the next year.
“They’re going to do great,” said Michael Jackson, vice president of Student Affairs.
Other administrators waited in line to give business cards to Pollock and encourage him to call them anytime. There was a sense of camaraderie among them as they exchanged pats on the back and laughs before leaving.
“The administration has been very open, as you can see,” said Pollock, a junior majoring in business. “I’m looking forward to working with them, Dana and the wonderful senators.”
The commuter, residential and Greek senators were also sworn into office. They agreed that the incoming Senate would be a good one, and that they hope to work well together for the students.
“The 1999-2000 Senate is renowned now because they got so much done,” said Mike Toofer, Greek senator and a sophomore majoring in business. “But I think the 2000-2001 Senate has just as much potential.
“I know almost everyone on the new Senate and there’s a lot of synergy. I think we can work well together so we can get things done for the students and follow in the last Senate’s footsteps.”
Some said they have already started working, even before taking office, to start fulfilling campaign promises.
Others said they are excited to start now that they can officially call themselves senators.
I see Senate, page 15 I
Festival celebrates Asian heritage
Event Concerts, dancing and community leaders commemorate 20-year anniversary Wednesday
By DANA NICHOLS
Program Board Writer
An oversized birthday cake and a dancing dragon helped celebrate the 20th anniversary of the annual USC Asian Pacific American Heritage Festival at noon Wednesday.
This year, to celebrate two decades of Asian-American recognition, the month of April will feature large-scale events, including a concert tonight and a conference Saturday.
“It’s now cool for us to be Asian American,” said Lily Chen,
former mayor of Monterey Park and chairwoman of the Asian Pacific American Leadership Council for the California Democratic party, to the crowd of about 150 who gathered in front of Tommy Trojan for the kick-off.
Susie Ahn, field deputy from congressman Xavier Beccera’s office, awarded a certificate of recognition to Tu M. Tran, president of the Asian Pacific American Student Assembly and a senior majoring in Asian-American studies, for all the work APASA has done for the community.
“Always celebrate your ancestors’ history,” .Ahn said. “We’ve come so far.”
Chen said the gap between newcomers and old-timers needs to be bridged.
“We know what we’ve achieved, but we still have a lot more to go,” she said.
Asian-Americans are stereotyped as being inactive in society, said Danny Phan, vice chair of APASA and a senior majoring in international relations.
“We’re trying to break the mold,” he said.
The brightly colored 50-foot dragon came from the end of Trousdale Parkway into Hahn Plaza, where it circled around and went down Child’s Way.
A four-member Asian band, At Last, performed two songs for their first-ever performance.
“We want to promote Asian awareness,” said Justin Fong, a sophomore majoring in music recording arts and a band member.
In front of the large crowd who offered much applause, other performers were the Troy Philippines, who did a stick dance, the Hawaii Club, who performed a I see Festival, page 14 I
“It’s now cool for us to be Asian American... We know what we've achieved, but we still have a lot more to go.”
Lily Chen
chairwoman Asian Pacific American Leadership Council
DA candidate Cooley urges truth
Campus Cruiser crash results in bruised knee
Speech: Alumnus speaks to pre-law group about his career and implores keeping system clean
By JENNY J. LIN
Staff Writer
Telling the truth is important at all costs to keep the system honest, said Steve Cooley, the Republican candidate running against Gil Garcetti, to members of the Phi Alpha Delta pre-law fraternity' Wednesday night.
Cooley, a USC alumnus who has worked in the L.A. district attorney’s office since 1972, spoke to about 50 students at Seeley G. Mudd.
“Be true to your oath no matter what,” Cooley said. “It’s important to stand up and tell the truth because the truth will protect you.”
Cooley was hired as a law clerk after passing the bar exam.
“I’ve been in the business all my life," Cooley said.
The district is responsible for prosecuting all felonies within its geographic limits. The Los Angeles district prosecutes 70,000 to 80,000 felonies each year.
Cooley said that one must try and keep the system honest because he believes that the “system is not fundamentally corrupt."
He mentioned that the system is often compromised due to people’s bad judgments and corruption.
While it may be difficult running against such a well-known
name as Garcetti, Cooley said he has worked hard to strategize.
“We have to communicate effectively and efficiently,” Cooley said.
Cooley created a web site stating his position on major issues because he feels that the concept of e-politics is important.
“You have to get people to -al-idate you,” Cooley said. He was able to get endorsements from the media after he and his media adviser went to the editorial boards and presented them with position papers that stated their positions on all issues.
Cooley secured nine major endorsements, which he believed “pointed the way for the election, with the further validation. It separated me from Garcetti.”
I see Speech, page 19 I
Incident: Student driver collides following an encounter with another vehicle Monday night
By YVONNE NGAI
Staff Writer
A collision between a Campus Cruiser and another vehicle Monday night resulted in a bruised knee as the only reported injury, said Bob Taylor, deputy chief of the Department of Public Safety.
Though the accident is still under investigation, DPS and Campus Cruisers have started
piecing together what may have caused the crash, which happened around 8:45 p.m. Monday.
After having just dropped off all of his customers, Cruiser student driver Michael Escoto, a freshman majoring in aerospace engineering, was finishing a three-point turn at the intersection of Royal and 30th streets when a Honda Civic attempted to move in front of the Cruiser.
The Civic, which USC student Bruce Leslie was driving, was traveling westbound on 30th Street when it made contact with the Cruiser on its front right. This caused the Cruiser to swerve left and straight into the North University’ Park apartment build-I see Cruiser, page 15 I
Akeiisa Coleman I Daily Troian
Dragon dance. Students celebrate Asian American Heritage Festival on Wednesday through song, dance, honors — and a giant cake.