Did you know...
Paul Orfalea, founder of Kinko’s and a USC alumnus, called his company ‘Kinko's* because of his curly, red hair.
O-for-UOATheUSC men’s basketball team lost its 10th consecutive game against the Bruins, 68-63, Wednesday night at Pauley Pavilion.	<■ a
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NE W SPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
in
February U, 1999
Vol. CXXXVt, No. 22
Some senators dispute earnings
t. Supporters say more compensation can benefit job; wages partly based on attendance
By JENNIFER MEDINA
Student Senate Writer
Hard work should get good pay - at least that’s what some members of Student Senate claim.
While executive members and directors of Student Senate receive tuition
remission every semester, senators do not And some said it prevents them from devoting time to their position.
“I wouldn’t have worked full time if I got paid," said Viet Tran, a commuter senator and a junior majoring in public policy and management “We have to fight to get senators to get paid. There has to be some mechanism that allows them to get compensated for their time.”
Senate President Kyetay Beckner disagreed.
"I’m kind of bothered by the fact senators are complaining (about not getting paid),* said Beckner, a senior majoring in music. "When they run they know that they are unpaid and that they have to dedicate a
lot of time without any compensation.*
The president, vice president and treasurer receive the largest tuition remission. The student programming fee pays for five, four and three units of their tuition, respectively. One unit costs $706. Directors receive two units for their work.
Senators used to get paid three years ago when they were in charge of committees. But in 1996, Senate was restructured and directors took over the committees.
Pedram Ben-Cohen, a commuter senator and a junior majoring in accounting, said he believes senators should be paid.
“If you have to pay for school and you have to work,’ he said, ‘it’s hard to pay l see Senate, page U I
Senate candidates forum draws students
flection: Organizers happy with turnout; others say they wish constituents had more interest
By JENNIFER MEDINA
Student Senate Writer
Armed with fliers, buttons, stickers and even T-shirts, Student Senate candidates spent Tuesday and Wednesday campaigning in the center of campus. Student Senate held the candidates open forum in front of Tommy Trojan so that candidates could talk face-to-face with students.
Many students stopped to talk to a friend they knew running for office and then stayed to listen to other candidates. Organizers said they were happy with the turnout This was so much better than last year,* said Mike Cavanna, special elections director and a sophomore nugoring in business. *1 was really surprised how many people stopped to talk. It looked like there were a lot of people who really cared and were excited about elections.* Cavanna said that only about 30 students attended last year's debates and candidates forum. Debates for this year’s elections will be held at noon Monday in front of Tommy Trojan. Elections will be held Feb. 24 and 25-Moat candidates said they thought the forum was a good opportunity to get their name out, but said that moat people would just take the fliers and leave.
‘Most students say they have no idea what Senate does,* said Brian Himot, a presidential candidate and a junior majoring in political science. “We really want to educate and empower the student body. Mo6t have no idea what Senate really does.”
Himot said a number of students stopped to ask about his signs, which read *What is a Himot? What is a Huhenius?* Danielle Huhenius, a junior majoring in political science, is running for vice president with Himot They stopped out of humor,* he said. ‘But it gave us a chance to talk to them.*
Joanna NHm I Daily Trojan
Rock tho vote. Student Senate candidates gathered In front of Tommy Trojan on Tuesday and Wednesday to discuss their platforms with students.
Clinton uiges more interest in benefits
Speech: President encourages younger generations to invest in Social Security via satellite
By EDITH CHAN
Staff Writer
President Clinton urged younger Americans to make Social Security a top priority during a speech broadcast live Wednesday via satellite to USC, which was among the 42 different colleges and universities nationwide to receive the feed from the White House.
Several Social Security executives were also present to discuss the issue with students at the
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Auditorium.
Clinton suggested that it is wiser for the nation
to invest in Social Security now rather than receive a tax cut, which will avoid contributing to the national debt
‘Society as a whole has the sole responsibility to make the future better,* Clinton said. The baby boomer generation is really worried that our retirement will cause undue burden on our children, on our children’s ability to raise our grandchildren. If you don’t have to worry about that, that is also a direct financial benefit.’
In his speech, Clinton proposed to take 15 percent of the national surplus to save Medicare and pay down the national debt, which will lower future interest rates.
It was the first time the president has addressed the Social Security issue specifically to college students, said Domenika Lynch, a representative from Americans Discuss Social Security, which was also a sponsor of the event.
The President is taking the opportunity to talk about Social Security - which is a top priority in his agenda — and its impact on young people,* said Linda S. McMahon, regional commissioner of the Social Security Administration. This is why we want to bring this program to students in a university setting.’
Clinton’s speech followed talks by several other senators and the First Lady. Students were not able to ask questions directly to the president.
Social Security can pay full benefits until 2032, Clinton said. At that time, tbe system will be able to pay about three-quarters of benefits if no changes are made in the program.
I see CMm, page 13 I
Signal installed near campus following high number of accidents
tNew traffic light at Jefferson Boulevard and Royal Street to aid pedestrians and drivers
By HILLARY BISCAY
Staff Writer
A traffic signal installed at Jefferson Boulevard and Royal Street will begin functioning soon, police said. The City of Los Angeles decided to install the signal after finding that a high number of accidents have occurred at the intersec-
tion involving pedestrians and drivers.
This area includes a crosswalk many students who live north of campus use, and one of the outlets into this intersection is an on-campus parking lot Department of Public Safety Deputy Chief Bob Taylor said that the installation of these new lights took three years to complete.
Initially, he said, “the city balked because it was so dose to Figueroa (Street).* A signal already exists at Figueroa Street and Jefferson Boulevard.
Numerous campus organizations, especially the Student Senate, lobbied the city to place lights at the intersection, Taylor said. After traffic engineers surveyed the area and looked at accident
records, they informed the city that accidents have been a significant problem at the intersection, Taylor said.
The new signal will make crossing the street safer for students, Taylor said.
This precautionary measure should enhance student safety particularly because we have so many students living north of campus,* he said.
The Los Angeles Department of Transportation could not be reached for comment regarding the exact day the lights will begin functioning.
Students echoed Taylor’s support for these new lights.
“We need the lights,’ said Deana Nassar, a junior majoring in sociology who parks in the Shrine parking lot and
says that she has noticed traffic problems in the area, both as a pedestrian and as a driver. *1 almost got hit two nights ago by two cars at the same time.’ Nassar added that cars often stop just short of the crosswalk and drivers don’t realize pedestrians have the right of way.
‘Drivers get annoyed (at pedestrians),’ she said, ‘and they start yelling obscenities.*
However, some students see the lights as a nuisance.
“I hate the idea,* said Michael Robertson, a junior majoring in history. ‘I don’t want to have to stop walking (at the curb). Every day, I just walk right through. I don’t want to have to sit here and wait for the light (to change).’
Bob Taylor
deputy chief DPS