Newspaper of the University of Southern California
Dailylroian
No written excuses for ill students
By Tony Aimone
Staff Writer
After finding the system of written medical excuses ineffective and problematic, staff from the Student Health Center will no longer issue them for missed classes and examinations.
Officials in the department noticed the amount of time and money lost due to students requesting excuse notes for teachers. The health center charges $142 per semester for each student for primary care.
"A majority of students who were coming to the health center were requesting these types of excuses," said Executive Director Larry Neinstein.
To obtain an excused absence for a class because of illness, students have to provide a valid medical excuse. In the past, students would use the
(See Health, page 2)
Searching for answers
Brandan Hancock / Daily Trojan
Los Angeles police distribute flyers to drivers on Hoover Street Wednesday to aid the investigation of a hit-and-run. A 12-year-old boy was hit while riding his bicycle Aug. 21 and died a week later.
Freshman class overwhelms services
Thursday September 5,1996 Vol. CXXIX, No. 5
Washington appeal denied
The NCAA denied USC's appeal to lessen the three-
!>ame suspension of running >ack Delon Washington. Washington will miss Saturday's game at Illinois and Oregon State Sept. 14.
Sports, page 20
The ins of eating out around campus
Quick food on a tight budget... sound familiar? Diversions Editor Keith Caulfield gives a guide to the many fast food establishments that can ease any late night hunger pangs.
Diversions, page 7
A high-flyin' idea that could crash
In light of the recent proposals of constructing megasized Super Jumbo Jets, Editorial Writer Colin Smith contemplates a scenario that could disastrously become a reality, if we're not careful.
Viewpoint, page 4
F.Y.l.
IM-Rec session, cultural events
The Intramural-Recreation Department will offer information about the variety of co-curricular opportunities available to students, faculty and staff at the Engineering Quad today between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Information about intramurals, recreational facilities, club sports, recreation clubs, USC Workout, non-credit leisure classes and masters programs will also be available at the Lyon Center Aug. 19.
For more information, call the Lyon Center at 740-5127 or e-mail the Intramural-Recreation Department at im-rec@stua ff. usc.ed u.
• • •
As part of Black Welcome Week, a convocation will be held in Leavey Library tonight at 6 p.m.
At noon Friday, a step show will be held at E.F. Hutton Park.
A Black Greek Informational session will be held in Topping Student Center at 6 p.m.
By Jin Whang
Staff Writer
The unexpected size of the largest USC freshman class in nine years has led to delays for some students trying to settle housing, financial aid, academic advisement and other matters.
According to Office of Admissions officials, incoming freshmen face a yield system, in which about 6,000-7,(XX) acceptance letters are sent out while only 40 to 50 percent are expected to respond.
However, this year 2,850 students responded, which was 100 more than expected.
"The yield system is not scien-
By Karen Santos
Staff Writer
"Secrets," an AIDS theater roduction presented at ovard Auditorium Tuesday night, informed students ana debunked myths about HIV and AIDS while stressing that complications from AIDS is now one of the leading causes of death among young people.
The "Secrets" script is based on true stories and has been seen by millions of college and
tifically driven, but is based on...the rising and falling popularity of the campus and obviously, this year, il rose," Allen said.
Allen said, however, that many of those in line for financial aid are continuing students who did not turn in applications for aid on time.
Housing Services reported at the end of last week tnat it was unable to place students due to overwhelming demand.
Jeff Urdahl, director of housing and residence halls, said last week his office is still trying to accommodate about 10 students who applied for housing.
"We are certain that housing
high school students in Southern California in its 10-year run. The play was sponsored by the Black Student Assembly and Kappa Aloha Psi fraternity and produced by Kaiser Permanente.
The play followed five people who contracted the virus through different methods. It began by answering several common questions about HIV, then led into a story about a male high school student who (See 'Secret*', page 3)
services (will make) the proper adjustments," Urdahl said.
While there was an increase in the number of returning students who preferred university housing, tne increase in the number of freshmen created the problem of students who were not housed, he said.
Nancy Vickers, dean of Curriculum and Instruction in the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, said the increase in the number of students waiting for advisement was due to the change in the new general education requirements and not necessarily due to higher enrollment.
Allen said he considers the
By Nik Trendowski
Staff Writer
A strategic plan will change the face of Exposition Park, bringing one of the country's largest science museums more green space and more continuity, said officials at the California Museum of Science and Industry.
The first phase of the plan, due to be completed next fall, includes the central section of the new California Science Center and a park, soccer field and greenbelt along Vermont Avenue, said Ann Muscat, deputy director of exhibits and education at the museum.
A county park bond paid the $24 millior. cost of tne nark improvements. The first pnase of the California Science Center's $130 million cost includes $100 million in public funds, with the rest to be paid for by private donations.
"Tnis is one of the finest examples of a public-private partnership," Muscat said.
Later, two more soccer fields will be added along Vermont Avenue in a space now occupied by parking lots.
Parks will also be installed
increase in the amount of freshmen a positive thing.
"The only overwhelming thing for me is that USC is a hot schtxil and there is a very strong interest among students across the nation," Allen said.
Vickers said the admissions office did many things with one-on-one contacts in widely appealing to new students.
She pointed out the USC 2000 book, which she said was brilliantly conceived and sent out to many of the students.
"What strikes me the most as major considerations are that we have a highly motivated, hands-
corresponding with the four themes of the new science center: World of Life, Creative World, World of the Pacific and Worlds Beyond, Muscat said.
The California Science Center, which will be 600,000 square feet upon completion of the plan, is the new incarnation of the Museum of Science and Industry. The building, under construction on the south side of the Rose Garden, incorporates the facade of the Ahmanson Building, one of eight buildings that now form the museum.
Behind the facade, which will be restored, the museum is now building a glass-enclosed entrance pavilion, exhibit space, a conference room, three restaurants with one overlooking the Rose Garden, a larger gift shop and a new 3-D IMAX theater. Construction is about t>0 percent complete.
Exhibits should move early next year, and the museum should open to the public in the fall, Muscat said
"We really took a look at the museum's architecture and program,” she said. "The goal, architecturally, is to get the science center under one nxif We
(See Exposition, page 2)
Troy Witt / Dally Trojan
Performers tell “Secretsn at Bovard Auditorium Tuesday.
AIDS, HIV 'Secrets' revealed in Bovard
(See Freshmen, page 2)
Expo Park museums under construction