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Veterans plan to lead a young team to glory during men's golf season. 16
Student Newspaper of the University of Southern California Since 1912
www, dailytrojan.cnm
September 16, 2004
Vol. CLIII, No. 17
Conference to [ Fraternal order
discuss politics
USC students will participate in conference this weekend in Cambridge, Mass.
By KARA NICHOLS
Staff writer
Two USC students will discuss techniques for working with the media and creating civil education programs at the third nationwide meeting for the National Campaign for Political and Civic Engagement this weekend.
The campaign, which was established in 2003 by the Harvard Institute of Politics, is a collection of colleges and universities that are working to develop politically and civilly interested students.
Two students and one adviser faculty member from each of the 17 actively involved schools were invited to attend the session.
Lee Sherman, president of the USC Democrats, and Vanessa Rodriquez, fundraising chair of USC Republicans, along with Ann Crigler, director of the Jesse M. Unruh Institute of Politics, will go to Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., to learn about how to plan and bring attention to new political events.
Last spring, Dylan Tredrea, president of Unruh Political Student Association, Audrey Wilson, vice president of UPSA, and Crigler went to a similar training session focused on voter mobilization efforts.
Changing media
Part of the conference will discuss how to target various forms of media, including new forms of media that are rising in popularity, to gain more exposure.
But many of the conventionally used forms of media— like television and print— are declining in popularity, most quickly among youth, according to a study by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press.
The study found that from 2000 to 2004, the number of people from age 18 to 29 who regularly watch television news or read daily newspapers has declined while the number of people who rely on comedy television shows, television news magazines and the Internet has increased.
The same study found that the number of people who said that they regularly learned something from network news dropped 16 percent, for local news it decreased by 13 percent,
I see Politic*, page 13 I
Members.of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. perform a step routine during the NPHC semi-annual "Yardshow" Wednesday.
Online petition wants Bush to end Iraq war
MoveOn Student Action group seeks largest student petition in history.
By JOANNA WU
Contributing Writer
MoveOn Student Action, a student-led political organization, is calling for students nationwide to sign an online petition demanding President Bush end the war in Iraq.
The project is asking for 100,000 signatures by the end of this week, which would make it the largest student petition in history, according to the organization’s Web site, www.moveon-studentaction.org.
The project hopes to publish the final signature count as an ad in The New York Times next week, according to the Web site.
Lee Sherman, president of the USC Democrats, is not sure if people are
aware of this petition but believes that student interest will grow, he said.
“I think from a lot of students that I've talked to, they are very concerned about what’s happening in Iraq and I think that’s what the petition covers," Sherman said.
‘Students are concerned about the statement 'mission accomplished’ when there’s obviously a lot more work to do and as people are seeing the body count go up every single day."
The petition, addressed to Bush, states. “The vast majority of the 8,000 brave soldiers killed or wounded in Iraq have been young people. We have lost friends, classmates and siblings."
It shows concern for a possible draft and asks Bush about his exit strategy, the current mission and how it will be accomplished. Its concluding question states, “Most importantly, when will we know that the last of our friends have died?”
! see Petition, page 6 I
Publisher
offers low cost books
PearsonChoices will produce reduced-cost print and online editions of popular textbooks.
By ALICIA ANDERSON
Contnbutig Writer
Pearson Education, one of the largest textbook publishers in the United States, is initiating a program to make cheaper textbooks available to students this fall.
The new Pearson Education offshoot, PearsonChoices, will give college students and teachers a range of choices and prices for hundreds of leading textbooks.
Formats such as digital textbooks and alternative print editions will save students from 25 percent to 50 percent off the suggested list price of each edition.
“The response is extremely positive and we hope students give it a go,” said Wendy Spiegel, senior vice president of communications at Pearson Education.
PearsonChoices, in a joint venture with Safari Books Online, launched the digital textbook program in August. The new program, called SafariX Textbooks Online, will increase choice and value for college students.
Faculty and students can choose from low-cost alternate print editions, custom editions built around their courses, text/Web combinations, SafariX WebBooks and the traditional textbook.
The WebBooks will offer all the convenience and interactive benefits I see Text, page 6 I
INDEX
Beastie Boys rock Long Beach during Tuesday concert. 7
Bovard Auditorium has an unknown rich history. 7
Newt Digwt 2 Lifestyle--------7
Upcoming.——.2 ClaMifieds....... 12
Opinions..— 4 Sport*---------16
WEATHER
Today: Mostly sunny. High of 81, low of 62
Tomorrow: High 81. low 60.
Students celebrate Rosh Hashana
Students find ways to celebrate Rosh Hashana, the fewish new year, while away from home.
By ALISON GUICHARD
Contributing Writer
Mom’s food is not the only thing some students will be missing during the first few weeks of school spent away from home, as Rosh Hashana has settled upon the Jewish community at USC.
The High Holy Days of Rosh Hashana mark the Jewish new year and represent the birthday of the world, lt is also a time of introspection during which Jews believe their life is inscribed into either the Book of Life or the Book of Death, said Rabbi Jonathan Klein. Allen and
Ruth Ziegler Rabbinic director at USC Hillel Jewish Center.
Rosh Hashana lasts for two days and will end at sundown Friday.
Rosh Hashana also marks the beginning of a 10-day period known as the Days of Awe, a time when Jews pray and reflect on their behavior during the past year. Depending on how Jews fare for their repentance during the time, their fate for the year is sealed on the holy day of Yom Kippur, which falls on Sept 25 this year, Klein said.
An emphasis during the High Holy Days on family gives rise to difficulties for some, especially for new students who might be experiencing I see Holiday, page 13
Joel Ink I My Troj*r
Holy day. Students line up outside the Hillel Jewish Center Wednesday night for Rosh Hashana services celebrating the Jewish new year.