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Student Newspaper of the University of Southern California Since 1912
August 31, 2005
Vol. CXLVll. No. 8
Student Senate announced additional funding for student organizations and improvements for the Lyon Center.
Senate discusses year ahead Student
brightens troops' spirits
After a U.S. soldier asked for a visual fireworks display, one USC student responded to complete his request.
By JOANNA LIN
Staff Writer
Student Senate President Jessica Lall addressed students and administrators Tuesday night at the first Senate meeting, emphasizing Senate's commitment to being inclusive and accessible.
"Hopefully, each one of you can contribute to our vision in some way ... (and) learn how Senate can help you realize your goals," Lall said to about 100 attendees at Upstairs Commons.
Lall said that Senate’s goal for the year is to be more efficient, engaging and effective.
She gave credit to last year's Senate, which, under the leadership of President W. Joe DeMiero and Vice President Tessie Shih, strove to reform itself after being placed on probation and was challenged by a series of internal conflicts, she said.
“They did a phenomenal job taking an organization that was on probation and rebuilding bridges and re-establishing Senate as a respectable
campus organization," Lall said. "It made it very easy for us to take office and immediately begin getting things done.”
Senate is committed to both fiscal and time efficiency, Lall said. "We have the special honor of managing $2 million of student funds, and it is up to us to use money efficiently,” she said.
Senate and Program Board passed a new budget this summer, increasing funding to a number of student organizations, including a 50 percent increase for KSCR radio station and a 30 percent increase for Recreational Sports.
More funds will be made avail-
able to student organizations as the semester continues and enrollment figures are finalized, Lall said.
Helping students use Senate resources is also a major priority, Lall said.
“The students' agenda is the primary focus of this administration," Lall said. “We would be doing a disservice to the student body by advocating and programming events students do not find engaging and necessary.”
Chase Tajima, Senate vice president, said that another goal is better attendance at Senate’s weekly meetings.
“We want there to be open dia-
I see Senate page 3 I
By JOSHUA SHARP
Contributing Writer
Michael Tockstein is, in many ways, your average college student.
He balances multiple jobs and engineering classes during the school year, works as a lifeguard during the summer and enjoys a few hobbies on the side.
But what sets this 25-year-old USC electrical engineering graduate student apart is his main hobby:
fireworks.
“As far back as 1 can remember, I've loved fireworks,” he said.
Tockstein, who completed his undergraduate degree at California State University, Long Beach, is the manager of several Web sites and the creator of www.pvroinnovations.com, a site that hosts videos of several of Tockstein’s fireworks shows.
He put his expertise to work last June when an American soldier e-mailed him from Sadr City.
Iraq, requesting a virtual "fireworks display” to show the troops on the Fourth of July.
But given the time restrictions, he couldn’t mail a DVD to Iraq in time for Independence Day.
So instead, he put together a high-quality video from one of his previous fireworks shows — a 20-minute display executed at Ventura College in 2004 — and uploaded it to his Web site, attaching a thank-you I see Firework* page 3 \
INDEX
A new virtual reality program might help soldiers with post traumatic stress disorder. 5
King/Drew needs more than band-aid measures. 4
NewsDtgnl______2	Spurts--------12
Upcoming ......2	Classifieds----•
Opinions.______4	l.ijestrle-----B
WEATHER
Today: Mostly sunny. High of 81, low of 61. Tomorrow: Mostly sunny. Highof79,lowcf60i
Kathenne becfc I
DM you brush? Frederick Larry Moses IV gets his teeth extracted Tuesday by the USC-Union Mission Dental Clinic, a School of Dentistry health program.
USC program provides free dental services
The USC-Union Rescue Mission Dental Clinic provides free dental care for low-income residents living on Skid Row.
By JUST1NA LY
Contributing Writer
A routine trip to the dentist may cause some people to squirm. For many homeless individuals in Cos Angeles, however, a visit to the dentist is the first step to a new life.
USC has partnered with the Union Rescue Mission, a non-profit organization located in Skid Row, to provide free dental services to the homeless since May 2000. The USC-URM Dental Clinic is just one of several outreach programs under the USC School of Dentistry Community
Health Programs.
Other programs include the USC Mobile Clinic, Neighborhood Mobile Clinic and Queenscare Dental Mobile Clinic, which all provide free dental services.
The USC-URM Dental Clinic is the first treatment center in Skid Row to provide comprehensive dental care to homeless adults and children. Services include exams, cleanings, fillings, tooth extractions, root canals, dentures and emergency care. All services are free to patients. The program has approximately 3,000 patients.
"This is an eight-chair clinic.
Everything is modern and nice. We work in a secure environment" said Dr. Charlie Goldstein, director of USCSD Community Health Programs.
URM screens patients before receiving treatment
"They are given a brief medical checkup by physicians. Many people have addictions or other health problems," Goldstein said.
The physical checkup ensures that patients are healthy and stable enough to receive dental treatment Goldstein said. "We don't want to cause anyoi\f unnecessary trauma." he said.
Upperclassmen dental students, dental hygiene students and general-practice residents staff the dime. Students are required to work a
seven-week rotation at the clinic.
Students work under the supervision of Dr. Armando Lopez, director of the clinic. Dr. Kathleen Elizondo, co-director of the clinic and other USCSD faculty members.
"On a daily basis. 20 patients are seen at the Dental Clinic," said Rachelle Bautista, administrative secretary with the Dental Ginic.
The clinic operates five days a week during the year.
Students see one or two patients in the morning and another couple in the afternoon, said Scott Nevin. a fourth-vear dental student.
“I was attracted to the program because of the work in dimes." Nevin said.
Nevin said that it's the first
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