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NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
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March 21, 2000 Vol. CXXXIX, No. 38
Disney CEO to speak at graduation
Event: Michael Eisner chosen for his successful leadership; seniors’ feelings divided about selection
By I*AIA GRINO
Stuff Writer
Graduates will end their time at USC on Muy 12 with words from Michael Eisner, Walt Disney Co.’s CEO and this year’s Commencement speaker.
The 58-year-old is a successful yet controversial figure, at times being described in the press as manipulative, deceptive and aloof.
People’s reactions tend to reflect both perceptions of Eisner - that of a talented businessman who brings children and adults joy through Disney - and that of the head of a company which some said seems to tie taking over the world.
When told that Eisner was to be the Commencement speaker, Fabiana Fassos, a senior majoring in business, said, “1 think that’s awesome."
Fassos, especially as a business major, felt that students could look up to him and admire
his success.
“It’s amazing what he’s done," she said, adding that Eisner is someone you can look at and say, “I want to be close to where he is.”
Her friend, Fajima Bedran, was not so enthusiastic.
‘That’s awful," said Bedran, a graduate student majoring in sociolog)’. She feels that beneath Disney’s image of happiness and success there is “so much negativity” that people do not see.
“Walt Disney is a corporation. (They’re the) owners of everything,” she said, referring to Disney’s 1995 acquisition of Capital Cities/ABC, which Eisner oversaw. “(They’re) big media people feeding people so much bull," she said.
Eisner was born in 1942 and comes from a well-off background. Before becoming chairman and CEO of Walt Disney Co. on Sept. 24, 1984, Eisner worked at ABC and was president of Paramount Pictures Corporation.
In 1996, he ranked No. 5 in Time magazine’s Top 10 Most Powerful People.
Under the guidance of Eisner and the now deceased Disney President Frank Wells, Disney’s annual revenue increased more than $7 billion in 10 years, beginning in 1984.
I see Graduation, page B I
"(Dealing with events ut the Shrine is) ull u lug inconvenience" AVIVA V I LI A LT A, JUNIOR, BUSINESS
Mall Scolt I Daily Ifojrtn
Rampant restrictions. The Shrine Auditorium plays host to a variety of events, though some find them more Inconvenient than exciting.
Shrine squabbles
By GINA VALENCIA
Stuff Writer
As exciting us it may be to know thut celebrities are wondering the red carpet just across the street from campus, for stu-’dents trying to drive on the bordering streets, these award shows are more headaches than glamour.
Cindy Panuco’s mom was supposed to pick her up from her apartment at 10 a.m on a Saturday last December, when her mom was suddenly caught the middle of a parade proceeding down Jefferson Boulevard.
"I think it was the Virgin de Guadalupe parade or something,” said Panuco, a freshman majoring in public policy and management. “My mom does not really know how to get around here
Events at the neighborhood glamour magnet can prove troublesome for some
and so she got lost with all the detours. She was driving around in bumper-to-bumper traffic in the street and had to wait until the parade was over at 12:30 p.m. to pick me up.”
Not only did Panuco arrive at her home three hours later than she expected, but her boyfriend who had been visiting her got a $60 ticket for parking at a place that was closed off for that day only.
Brian D’Autremont, director of Transportation Services, said that the office helps out as much as they can. “When there are any kind of events on
or around campus, we put them up on the electronic signs at the gates," D’Autremont said. “We also have Transnet e-mail where we send to as many students as possible a listing of upcoming events, so people can plan accordingly.”
Aviva Villalta, a junior majoring in business, said she was only trying to be nice to some girls who were on their way to the Soul Train Awards at the Shrine a few months ago.
“I was on my way to my car which was parked on the Row, and I see these two girls all dressed up for the awards," she said. “They were lost though, and I told them I could drop them off since I was on my way back to campus anyway and it was raining.”
It took Villalta 15 minutes to drive
I see Shrine, page 8 I
Purim holiday promotes childhood memories
A column appearing every Tuesday that highlights religious and ethical issues
By LOREN CHIDONI
Assistant City Editor
While many consider Purim a children’s holiday, students continue to participate in the festivities of the Jewish holiday.
“Purim is a holiday that celebrates a near disaster while celebrating the saving of the Jews in Persia,” said Rabbi Susan Laemmle, dean of Religious Life. “But unlike other Jewish holidays such as Rosh Hashana and Yom Kipper, this holiday is observed while still participating in daily activities.”
Hillel Jewish Center is sponsoring activities to celebrate the holiday, by hosting an “open mic coffee house” at 7 p.m. Tuesday to celebrate, said Matt Davidson, Hillel’s program director.
“Members of our a cappella group will be acting out the story of Purim,” Davidson said. “This ‘Purim Spiel’ will be performed to songs from Aladdin, and
free food and coffee will also be served."
There are three main ways to celebrate Purim, Laemmle said. Many Jews go to synagogue and read the Book of Ester (also called the Megillah), the story of Purim. Children also wear costumes and masks, and people traditionally boo at the mention of Haman and cheer for Mordekhai and Ester.
“Purim is the Jewish version of the combination of Christmas and Halloween," said Jeremy Smith, a freshman majoring in political science.
Many find the holiday nostalgic.
“It brings back childhood memories for a lot of people, Davidson said.
The second way to observe Purim is to give a plate of food, which is also called mishloach manot which means food portions, to at least one person, Laemmle said.
“A pastry called a Hamen Tashen is usually part of the food plate,” Laemmle said. “It’s a triangular pastry that is usu-
ally filled with either poppy seeds, prunes, fruit or chocolate.”
Most Jewish holidays promote charity and the third way to observe Purim is to give charity, Laemmle said.
The holiday derived from the Book of Esther and occurred during the destruction of the First Temple and the building of the Second Temple in Persia. During this period, the Jews came clo§e to being annihilated by the evil Haman, advisor to the king, and Achashverosh, the King of Persia.
The conflict between Haman and Mordekhai, a Jew, sparked the situation. Haman wanted the people of Persia to bow down to him, but because Mordekhai refused, Haman declared that he would destroy all of the Jews in Persia.
The king of Persia then decided to throw a banquet, and called on his wife to arrive naked.
“As a kind of early feminist, the
I see Religion, page 18 I
ROTC money may attract new members
Scholarship: Continuing students are now eligible for additional awards, up to full tuition yearly
By JOEL SANDI
Staff Writer
In an effort to attract more students to opportunities through military training and education, USC’s Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) office will begin offering substantial scholarships to qualifying sophomores. The scholarships, which range
I	see ROTC, page 2 I
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