DAM TROJM
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Student newspaper of the University of Southern California
MONDAY
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April 15, 2002
Of interest...
Nobody is stranded at the drive in with the latest editions all over the Los Angeles region / 7
News Digest	2	Calendar	2
Opinions	4	Lifestyle	7
The Buzz	7	Classifieds	12
Crossword	13	Sports	16
vol. CVL, no. 59 www.dailytrojan.com
Students unaware of online critiques
Senate: Lack of advertising may be why students and advisers do not know the coursfrguide exists
By SHERRY ANNE RUBIANO
Contributing Writer
Because of a lack in advertising, many students and advisers do not know about Student Senate’s online course guide, which senators developed to help students learn about USC professors and classes.
Although Matthew Weir, Senate president and a junior majoring in economics, said many students have used the site, Senate has not been able to advertise it because they are going through a transition in administration.
Student Senate publicized the Web site through Daily Trojan advertisements and e-mails in February when they first launched the site, but not much publicity has continued, Weir said.
Megan Krempels, a freshman majoring in fine arts, said she has not heard about it. It would be useful, though, because many times professors make or break a class, Krempels said.
Other students’ reviews would be useful for registration, especially for general education courses, said Joanna Mamey, a sophomore majoring in business administration.
Some students who know about the site have not looked at it, but also said it is useful.
"I heard about the Web site after one student talked about it during my freshman seminar,” said Daniel Wind, an undeclared freshman.
The Web site would be helpful for choosing future classes since it is easier than just asking people. Wind said.
On senatecourseguide.com, students comment on and rate professors on a scale of one to 10 in five different categories: effectiveness, difficulty, concern about student learning, availability outside of the class and overall recommendation.
Some academic advisers have not looked at the Web site or recommended their students to use it
Jeffrey Tennis, academic coordinator for biological sciences, said he used to recommend the publication that Student Senate published.
“It’s nice to know they put the same thing on the Web,” Tennis said.
Other advisers said they think it is a helpful tool.
“Anything that helps students make informed choices about their classes is a great resource,” said Stephen Schrader, an undergraduate adviser for computer science.
Professors also have mixed reactions about the site.
I see Senate, page 11 I
Slufffest at Stanford
USC wins 16-11 at Sunken Diamond, as the Cardinal give up 11 runs in the first two innings /16
Reporter says news hides truth
"I hate stories that leave out the 'what' and 'why" —♦— ROBERT FISK journalist The Independent (of Britain)
Event: Robert Fisk, a Middle East correspondent, discusses the importance of asking “why” when reporting
By SOPHIA KAZMI
Assignment Editor
When he wanted to find out why a group of angry men beat him over the head in Afghanistan and left him to bleed, instead of writing the men off as anti-Westernists, his colleagues from around the world called him a self-hating multiculturalist When he proposed theories
about why the Sept 11 hijackers committed crimes, he said he was called a terrorist sympathizer and a “nutcase” by international readers.
When he wrote stories that criticized Arab regimes during the Gulf War, political cartoons in an Arab newspaper showed an image of him as a rabid dog being put to sleep — a statement that should be taken as a personal threat.
But Robert Fisk, world-renowned British journalist who now works for The Independent told at least 300 people at the Seeley G. Mudd building Saturday that instead of burying the truth in language, journalists have an obligation to report events as they
occur. Journalists especially need to investigate why the events in the Middle East are happening, he added.
Fisk, who has been reporting on the Middle East for 26 years, said the explanations of “why” events in Middle East are occurring are often missing and that the side with the most power or support often uses softer or misconstrued language instead of reporting the facts.
“I hate stories that leave out the ‘what’ and ‘why’,’’ he said.
Fisk said Western journalists, specifically American journalists, are afraid of the implications of giving an accurate portrayal of the Middle I see Fisk, page 111
Annual event has amassed total of $3 million
Fundraiser Swim With Mike, which allows disabled athletes to attend USC, did not reach this year’s target goal of $420,000
By RENEE HASLETT
Staff Writer
Mason Poole I Daily Trojan
Swimming success. Joey Pulford, of Redondo Beach, swam six laps at Swim with Mike Saturday with help from USC yell leaders and Trojan Knights. Pulford, who plans to enter USC next fall, was paralyzed two years ago after diving head-first into a sandbar while swimming in the ocean.
“Swim With Mike” has gone beyond Mike Nyeholt's wildest dreams.
“I honestly didn’t think it could go on the way that it has,” Nyeholt said.
About 1,500 swimmers, spectators, recipients, volunteers and staff participated in the 22nd annual “Swim With Mike” at the McDonald’s Swim Stadium on Saturday. Participants raised $375,000 for scholarships for physically challenged athletes, $25,000 less than last year.
Although this year’s goal of $420,000 was not met, Ron Orr, assistant athletic director, said the day was still very successful.
Often individuals donate more money after the event, which is what the organization hopes will happen, Orr said.
Last year $400,000 was raised, and this year’s event has brought the total money raised since 1981 to $3,575,000.
Children sporting swimsuits gathered around Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse for pictures, student swimmers laid out in lawn chairs and caught a few rays between events and spectators supported the fund in exchange for a 15-minute massage while alumni and families of recipients chatted on the bleachers.
A band called the Coveralls provided entertainment throughout the day along with appearances by the USC Sirens, the USC Trojan Marching Band and SoCal Vocals.
"I’m absolutely thrilled,” Nyeholt said about the day’s events.
Talking to the recipients and seeing the quality of the young men and women re-energizes him each year to continue the tradition, Nyeholt added.
He hopes to see the event gain further recognition and expand to provide money for recipients to attend schools closer to their homes, since USC now has more competitive admissions standards.
The students start out with a big disadvantage, but this program builds up their image of themselves, said Mai Johnson, a 1957 alumnus who has attended the event for the last 18 years.
“It’s great to support able kids, to give them a second chance,” Johnson said.
Recipients said they could not have afforded USC without the scholarship.
Jason Hetzer has always dreamed of playing football for USC. A former high school football player and captain, his aspirations were cut short after he was paralyzed in a diving accident.
I see Swim, page 13 I
"It'sgreat to be support able kids, to give them a second chance" —♦— MEL JOHNSON alumnus