Hazing Hurts
Greek initiation hazings lead to injuries, sometimes death
—	such brutal practices should end immediately / 5
SINCE 1912
DM TROJAN
Student newspaper of the University of Southern California
THURSDAY
September 26, 2002
Of interest...
Freshman volleyball player Staci Venski left home to concentrate on her game / 24
News Digest	2	Opinions	4
Lifestyle	9	Horoscopes 9	
Roundup	13	Classifieds	20
Crossword	21	Sports	24
vol. CXLVII, no. 22 www.dailytrojan.com
School screens new workers
Staff: Candidates for positions must consent to having backgrounds checked through references, Social Security
By MAUDE WILSON
Contributing Writer
USC recently developed an extensive pre-employment screening policy to “ensure that the qualifications and background of job candidates are adequately screened before offers of employment are extended," according to Employee Recruitment
Services’ Web site.
The forms of screening under the new policy require that final candidates undergo reference checks, verification of previous employment verification of education, confirmation of identity via Social Security number, and a review of local, state and federal criminal conviction records.
USC’s hiring staff coordinates the
series of screening tasks, but the actual fact checking is done by an outside company called Infolink.
Any false information provided could result in a final candidate not being hired, said Charles Lane, associate vice president of Risk Management Career Services.
Lane’s department is in charge of the screening process for USC’s staff but not its faculty.
Because the policy is so new, the department has not been able to do much tracking of the number of peo-
ple who were not hired because of lies on their applications, Lane said.
“But 1 can say that they are very low numbers,” Lane said.
The Human Resources Content Library, however, reported that surveys show 30 percent to 50 percent of job applicants either lie or exaggerate on applications and during interviews, making it more important to investigate and confirm data.
Although employers may want to check every potential employee, the I see Background, page IS I
Bushs mandate to U.N. discussed
Policy: President’s charge to United Nations calls for enforcing Iraqi agreement
By KASHYAP MERCHANT
Contributing Writer
Professors and students were divided over President George W. Bush’s call to the United Nations Security Council last week to pass a directive outlining what Iraq must do to comply with earlier resolutions requiring its disarmament
“The United Nations Security Council must work with the United States and Britain and other concerned parties to send a clear message that we expect Saddam Hussein to disarm,” CNN reported Bush saying. “If the United Nations does not deal with the problem, the United States and some of its friends will."
The call to the Security Council is in line with the new aggressive national security policy, mandated by Congress and released by the Bush administration.
The 33-page document declared that the United States must adapt its forces and planning toward favoring pre-emptive action against hostile states that possess, or are developing, weapons of mass destruction. This vigilance should extend to the war on terrorism.
The Bush administration is pushing for a new resolution that puts teeth into existing ones, spelling out the strong consequences should Iraq renege on its I see Iraq, page 17 I
Experts debate high times and crimes
Controversy: Counterculture journalist and DEA veteran argue over use of marijuana
Mike Fanous I Daily Trojan
Fight on. Steve Hager, editor in chief of High Times magazine, promotes peace during a debate about whether marijuana should be federally legalized.
By ROBB FERRIS
Staff Writer
Straightedge and stoner were pitted against each other at the aptly dubbed “The Great Debate” in Taper Hall on Wednesday, where Drug Enforcement Administration veteran Robert Stuntman and counterculture journalist Steve Hager vehemently debated the merits and flaws of cannabis legislation.
Though both men raised their voices continuously throughout the debate, sometimes growing red in the face, both swore they were close friends.
“He may be counterculture, and I may be a narc, but we respect each other, and that is what is important,”
Stuntman said.
More than 350 students turned out for the debate, exceeding projected attendance by more than 100.
Many students were forced to stand in the back of the lec-
I see Marijuana, page IS I
"He may be counterculture, and I may be a narc, but we respect each other, and that is what is importantf —♦— ROBERT STUNTMAN veteran agent Drug Enforcement Administration
By MERRILL BALASSONE
Contributing Writer
With a career search in full swing, many college graduates are also facing the task of finding affordable health insurance and investing their money.
USC has become part of a trend in colleges across the nation by providing financial services, discount insurance plans and credit cards for their alumni.
The USC Alumni Association, in collaboration with Liberty Mutual and the Marsh Affinity Group Services, offers discounts to alumni on automobile, home and shortterm or group-term life insurance.
“(The Alumni Association) implemented a new plan in 2000 to reach, serve and engage all alumni,” said Judith Blumenthal, associate vice president of alumni relations.
“We look for companies that have valuable products and services that our alumni will appreciate.”
Alumni can receive a 10 percent discount from Liberty Mutual on an auto or home policy through the Groups Savings Plus Program, said Steve Nelson, a senior service representative Liberty Mutual.
“When you market to a mass group, especially a group of college graduates, you have a lot less claims-, so we are able to reward them with a discount,” Nelson said.
The Alumni Association maintains a list of alumni that it uses to solicit offers to its members. The association is also notified when graduates get married or accept new jobs, allowing it to tailor its offers to the alumni’s specific needs.
“Schools already have all of this data on their alumni and can screen
I	see Money, page 17 I
Michael Buckner I Daily Trojan
Slamming. Panu Denskoon, a graduate student in electrical engineering, battles a rival in an action-packed match of pingpong. Denskoon stays undefeated throughout most of the night. ‘
Insurance discounts, credit cards available through alumni group
Point of attack