DAILY TROJAN
Student newspaper of the University of Southern California
WEDNESDAY
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March 20, 2002
Of interest...
The baseball team suffered its worst defeat ever in losing to Loyola Marymount, 31-7 /16
News Digest	2	Opinions	4
Lifestyle	7	The Buzz	7
Classifieds	12	Roundup	11
Crossword	13	Sports	16
vol. CVL, no. 40 www.dailytrojan.com
‘Ice’ Capades
A trio of prehistoric creatures
romp through frozen landscapes in the uproariously funny 'Ice Age’/ 7
HEALTH & MEDICINE ♦
DEA considers possible ban on hemp foods
By SCOn MARTIN DALE
Health & Medicine Writer
Hemp food products are popular in health stores across the nation, but recent scrutiny by the Drug Enforcement Administration has sparked national debate over the controversial plant.
The DEA declared in October that because hemp foods contain trace amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the pyschoactive ingredient in marijuana, they violate federal drug laws.
The DEA mandated that retailers remove all hemp food products from store shelves by March 18, but a court appeal by the hemp food industry earlier this month has temporarily stopped the DEA ban from taking effect.
The hemp industry expects to permanently defeat the proposed ban in a court hearing next month, said David Bronner, chair of the Food and Oil Committee of the Hemp Industry Association.
Hemp, which is harvested from the same plant as marijuana, is increasingly being used in health foods because its seeds are high in essential fatty acids, protein and vitamins.
Everything from energy bars to pretzels to ice cream has been manufactured with hemp.
“Study after study has shown hemp to be not only safe but nutritious," said Darrel Rogers, national outreach coordinator of Students for Sensible Drug Policy.
Hemp foods account for $5 million in retail sales each year and are the fastest growing segment of the hemp industry.
California-based specialty store Trader Joe’s, for example, sells a hemp granola cereal called Organic Hemp Plus Granola, which contains 800 milligrams per serving of an essential fatty acid from hemp seeds.
“What place do (DEA officials) have getting in the way of a great nutritional resource for Americans?” Bronner said.
Hemp, however, is not the only source of such nutrients.
“Essential fatty acids are important, but you can get the vast majority in a regular diet,” said Blake Rasmussen, assistant professor of kinesiology.
If the DEA ban goes into effect, hemp will be classified as a “Schedule I controlled substance,” the category that includes drugs such as marijuana, cocaine and hero-
I see Hemp, page 13 I
Color guard.
USC President Steven B. Sample pauses for ROTC’s presentation of the colors before the start of the 21st Annual Academic Honors Convocation. The awards ceremony, held in Town and Gown, honored distinguished faculty, staff and students for their achievements in the past academic year.
Teaching skills earn notice
“Peter Countway is one of those rare individuals endowed with a natural teaching ability'
JOSEPH
HELLIGE
vice provost of academic programs
Honor Graduate student receives distinction for biology research, leadership
By Esme Bermudez
Contributing Writer
Bright, articulate and caring are three characteristics that define Peter D. Countway, a teaching assistant for the biological sciences department and winner of the Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award at the 21st Annual Academic Honors Convocation Tuesday night.
Joseph Hellige, vice provost of academic programs, presented the award to Countway in front of 300 guests, including President Steven B. Sample.
“Peter Countway is one of those rare individuals endowed with a natural teaching ability,” Hellige said before presenting Countway with the award.
Countway has the rare ability to assess a students comprehension of a subject and adjust his presentation of the material accordingly, Hellige added.
Countway, a graduate student studying marine microbial ecology, is focusing on his research this semester. He taught thee semesters of microbiology and one semester of biological oceanography.
He said he knew he had to be a T.A. when he came to USC in 1999 to pursue a doctorate degree, and said he looked forward to the teaching experience.
“When I was working on my masters (at the College of William and Mary) there weren't any T.A. opportunities because the graduate campus was separate," Countway said. “It was 20 miles away from the undergraduate campus.”
He said although he does not know what the selection process involves and has no idea how many
people he was up against for the award, he was happy and surprised when a USC officii notified him a month ago.
“1 try to make sure every student in the class understands what we’re doing in a lab setting,” Countway said. “1 try to make myself very accessible so they can ask any questions that wili help them get through and complete the lab work.”
Countway does not set office hours but instead tells students to contact him anytime.
Lisa Miyashiro, a senior majoring in biology, said Countway is one of the best teaching assistants she has had.
“He was wonderful," Miyashiro said. “He was always willing to explain things- and incorporate things that were applicable to the students.”
David Caron, Countway s adviser and professor of biological sciences I see Awards, page 13 I
New computers, printer and scanner for Topping Student Center
Supply
Specs
Two Apple PowerMac G4s
Two 17-inch monitors
Epson Perfection 1250 scanner
Hewlett-Packard LaserJet 1200 printer
Meeting: Senate will provide new equipment for campus organizations
By ROBB FERRIS
Student Senate Writer
Under-resourced student organizations will be able to use two computers, a printer and a scanner in Topping Student Center which will be purchased with extra funds in the Student Senate budget, according to a resolution passed at the Senate meeting Tuesday.
The Allocations Board reserve account has an extra $20,000 which was not spent last year. Residential
Senator Paul Payne and Peer Leadership Consultant Nina Williams took that opportunity to sponsor a resolution that would “return the money to the students,” said Payne, a senior majoring in economics and environmental science.
“The goal is that this will help bridge the gap between underresourced groups, especially in the realm of campus media like the Trojan Horse, (while) those groups like Student Senate and the Daily Trojan (receive) massive support from the university,” Payne said.
Student Senate receives space on the first floor of Student Union from the university and uses money from the $56.50 student activity fee each
semester. The Daily Trojan is fully funded by advertising revenues and has space allocated on the fourth floor of Student Union.
The resolution passed 7-0 with one abstention.
Senate will use $5,815.19 to purchase two Apple PowerMac G4 computers, two 17-inch monitors, an Epson Perfection 1250 scanner and a Hewlett-Packard LaserJet 1200 printer from the USC Computer Store.
The equipment was selected to facilitate production of fliers and other media that organizations might need for publicity, Payne said.
The resolution is a step in the right direction in terms of improving
access to resources for student groups that need the support said Residential Senator Brandon Ahu, a sophomore majoring in communication.
"But it’s just a step," he said. “The converted center is a good temporary fix, but this is not going to the root of the problem.”
The university needs to dedicate attention to building a new student center that will offer better resources for students and student groups.
The new computers and equipment are much-needed tools that can greatly benefit student groups if they are utilized to their fullest capacity, said Residential Senator Amir Shaikh, a junior majoring in gerontology and I see Senate, page 11 I
"But it’s just a step. The converted center is a good temporary fix, but this is not going to the root of the problem —♦— BRANDON AHU sophomore communication