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NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
WEDNESDAY
April 26, 2000 Vol. CXXXIX, No. 66
Meningitis vaccinations on campus
Program: Outreach in response to the diseases increasing prevalence; cost is $75 for immunizations done today
By NEIL CHRISTOPHER APELES
Staff Writer
Appeasing student and parent fears about meningococcal meningitis, the Student Health Center in conjunction with Counseling Services and VACCESS Health will offer $75 immunizations from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. today in the Lyon Center’s Auxiliary Gym.
Mailings, both to parents and students’ e-mail accounts, have spread the word about the Meningitis Immunization Outreach Program, started in response to increasing prevalence of the disease in the past few years, said Dr. Lawrence Neinstein, executive director of the Student Health Center.
Many students feel that their health outweighs the cost of the vaccine.
“My parents didn’t care about (the cost),” said Renay Marquez, a senior majoring in architecture. “My parents got (the mailer) and they called me. They just wanted me to get the vaccine.”
USC Student Health Services are bringing in extra staff to help with the vaccination event.
Students have heard of the disease, but some expressed the lack of knowledge to make a decision on whether or not to receive the vaccine.
Meningococcal meningitis is caused by a bacteria that leads to inflammation of other membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Spread by direct contact, such as sharing a glass or kissing, the bacteria sometimes infects the bloodstream. This type of infection leads to heart and kidney failure, and sometimes death. Other routes of transmission include respiratory secretion droplets from coughing or sneezing.
Although studies have shown that college students are at a greater risk for contracting the infection than other populations, the reasons are not yet clear or fully understood.
“Studies have shown that smoking and drinking increase the risk slightly for infection,” Neinstein said.
College students may be at greater risk because they are in constant direct contact and live and work together in dormitories and classrooms.
College lifestyle may also play an important role in raising the risk factor. Smoking, exposing oneself to second-hand smoke and excessive alcohol consump-
I see Vaccine, page 18 I
Local hip-hop groups to perform
Concert: Acts such as Living Legends at free ‘Recognition’ show in Tommy’s Place
Underground hip-hop groups Living Legends, L.A. Symphony and Hot Karl & the Masters of the Universe will join forces tonight at “Recognition,” a free show at 7 p.m. in Tommy’s Place open to both USC and non-USC students.
“Let’s put it like this — this is the first show where we’re all together,” said PSC of Living Legends. “And it’s free.”
Living Legends, a Bay Area group that has played to crowds of 800 to 1,000 and toured in Europe, Australia and .Japan, decided to make its first whole-group L.A. performance at USC
because the event is free. PSC made the decision to perform after attending the March “Recognition” show.
“Personally, I like the more intimate venues,” he said.
USC’s third “Recognition” concert, produced for about $3,500 by KSCR and Program Board Special Events, will include a B-Boy exhibition, an open mio, a turntable session and a “graf canvas.”
“We’re making sure we represent the hip-hop side of USC,” said Hot Karl (also known as .Jenson Karp, a junior majoring in communication).
He said due to school groups like himself and rap act Emanon and efforts such as “Recognition,” hip-hop is making a niche for itself at the university.
“I think it’s definitely going in the right direction,” he said.
Piercing can be infectious experience
A column appearing Wednesday that features issues concerning student health
By FRANCESCA CIMINO
Assistant City Editor
With its roots in ancient ritualistic forms of decoration, piercing has not lost its appeal as a form of body beautification. Thousands of people will flock to piercers throughout the country’ this summer to get everything from their earlobes to their genitalia fitted with rings, bars, chains, and other metal objects, despite the pain that sometime accompanies piercing sensitive areas.
It’s often the excitement over the aesthetic appeal of a new piercing, though, that can lead to the most immediate concern for any type of piercing - infection.
“The main reasons people get infections are from being too rough with it, playing with it all the time, and from touching it.” said Cliff Cadaver, the owner of a piercing shop in Studio City
and a professional piercer.
Health professionals also warn of the potential for infection due to unnecessary touching.
“A piercing is an open wound,” said Lynne Little, a North Carolina based registered dental hygienist who has researched piercing practices for over three years. “You don’t want germs and dirt contaminating the site.”
There are over 30 different types of piercings, any of which can take up to a year to heal completely. While the tongue heals the quickest in four to six weeks, it can take anywhere from 10 months to a full year for new skin to form inside a piercing in the ear cartilage or the navel.
Despite the frequency with which many people complain of piercing infections, they actually are extremely rare if a piercing is taken care of properly, Cadaver said. However, potential piercees face additional caveats because
there are hoards of piercers who have little or no training, he said. It is difficult to find a trained professional who will take the proper sanitation precautions and discuss at length the aftercare of a piercing, he said.
“(Piercing) is so popular that many people are trying to cash in on the market,” Cadaver said. “It’s rare to find someone who has the proper training.” One year of training under a master is standard for professionals, Cadaver said, but many piercers have only attended short seminars to get certified or are tattoo artists-turned-piercers.
Ideally, infection or other problems can be entirely avoided if the aftercare is explained thoroughly and if people follow the instructions they have been given, he said. Risk is further reduced if universal safety precautions are taken with all piercings, including the use of latex gloves, disposable piercing nee-
I see Health, page 19 I
Members of L.A. Symphony, which performed at the first “Recognition” in October, said they were also impressed with the scene at USC.
“That people knew of us already, that was pretty cool,” said Btwice of L.A. Symphony. “We’re not on the radio or anything.”
Though donations of canned goods are encouraged, the event’s free admission keeps it unique, organizers said.
“I think keeping it free is really essential to what we’re about,” said Jason Benton, concerts director for KSCR and a senior majoring in music industry-. “We don’t want to make money.”
The artists agree that money is irrelevant to the success of the show. Btwice said that taking a break from recording I see Concert, page 17 i
Two Greek houses get top honors
Recognition: Delta Chi, Kappa Kappa Gamma receive the Presidential Award for achievements
By KIMBERLY TABA
Assignment Editor
i
Acclaimed for their scholastic achievements, philanthropies and member participation, Delta Chi fraternity and Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority were recognized Monday night with the Greek system’s highest honor - the President’s award.
I see Award, page 18 !
Photo courtesy of Program Board
Recognize. Breakdancer Vertigo will perform at tonight's "Recognition” event, which will also feature local hip-hop group L.A. Symphony.