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25, 2010 | V
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D A I L Y
MISSISSIPPIAN The Student Newspaper
of
The University
of
M i ss i ss i p p i | S e r v i n g O l e M i ss
and
Oxford
since
1911 |
www.thedmonline.com
OXFORD ALCOHOL COMMITTEE EXAMINES SUNDAY SALES BY KIRBY BARKLEY The Daily Mississippian
To answer the recent question of expanding alcohol sales to Sunday, Oxford’s mayor Pat Patterson has assembled a committee to explore the options involved. In the spring the Board of Alderman sent a document to the mayor’s office that requested “permission for the mayor to form a committee to research options which could possibly allow Sunday sales of alcohol, define bars and restaurants separately, set limits on hours, dictate percentage of food to alcohol sales ratios, and any other restrictions that might be necessary to ensure tranquility of the city of Oxford.” The new Oxford Alcohol Task Force includes John Currence, Kevin Frye, Jack Dunbar, Josh Bogen, Gerald Gaia, Peyton Self, Steve Cox, Julian Allen, Nicole Boyd, Sonny Johnson, Diane Scruggs, John Adams, and Rosie McDavid. “The task force was created for the express purpose of trying to determine a way to have a partial opening limited allowance of alcohol on Sundays, then make a recommendation back to the board,” Peyton Self, one of the residents Patterson asked to serve on the committee, said. Patterson said that he tried to get a number of people with legal background.
Residents’ opinions that are posted on the city of Oxford’s website are e-mailed the members of the task force to be read. Rosie McDavid, one of the members of the task force, has been a resident of Oxford for 17 years, and her father’s family has lived in Oxford since the 1940’s. She said that she has read overwhelming support for Sunday sales, but she is still undecided on the issue. “We’re getting information from a lot of municipalities that are SEC towns to see what the reality is for them being open on Sunday,” Self said. Self said the comments he read were 10-1 in favor of Sunday sales. “I don’t know what one day of peace and quiet hurts,” Patterson said. “Do you want Bourbon or Beale Street? I don’t think the people of Oxford want that; it’s everybody’s Square.” During weekend of August 13-15 (the weekend the majority of students arrived in Oxford), the Oxford Police Department recorded 33 tickets and 12 arrests, and during the weekend of August 20-22 (the weekend before the start of classes) the number spiked to 151 tickets and 33 arrests. “I think the majority of opposition is concerned about the direction of the community, and the party atmosphere in which it’s heading,” Patterson said.
The Daily Mississippian
Every semester, students are burdened with the necessary expense of textbooks – a major expense that leaves a deep hole in many students’ pockets. Sara Burns, a senior biology major, said she spent $725 on books this semester. This was an increase, she said, from the normal $500 she paid in past semesters. “I guess this year they are more expensive because I’m taking higher-level classes,” Burns said. “It makes sense that the higher the course level, the more expensive the book.” Cory St. John, Ole Miss bookstore manager, said that two years ago the average student spent approximately $325 per semester on textbooks.
St. John explained that there are numerous ways in which the bookstore tries to help students with the high cost. These options include buying used books, renting books, buy back at the end of the semester and price matching with local stores. About two thirds of books sold in the bookstore are used books, and the bookstore’s ultimate goal is to sell more used books, St. John said. Used books save both the students and the bookstore money. Shipping costs associated with ordering new books are often high. The high shipping costs are partly why new books are so expensive. Some students feel that used books are still too expensive. “Used books are way less expensive,” Adam Brooks, an Ole Miss student, said. “But it
still isn’t enough.” Renting textbooks is a new option available through the bookstore this year. St. John said this has proved to be a very popular option. Rented textbooks cost 60% less than new textbooks. However, some students have their own ways of saving money on textbooks. Thomas Schmidt, a sophomore business major said this year he is waiting to buy his books until after he goes to every class. “Last year I had two or three classes where I could have done just as well without buying the books,” he said. Other students share books with a friend in the same class as a way to save money. Another popular choice is to borrow a book from a friend who has already taken the class.
UNIVERSITY MUSEUM
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INSTANT PIANO FOR HOPELESSLY BUSY PEOPLE If you yearn to experience the joy of playing piano, but you don’t want years of weekly lessons, this short course is for you. You can learn enough secrets of the trade to make piano playing a part of your life, learning to play the way pros do–with chords. Wednesday, 6 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Pre-registration required.
inside OPINION
WHY ALL THE LINES?
ELIZABETH BEAVER | The Daily Mississippian
The ever-rising cost of education BY HILLARY GOODFELLOW
this week
St. John said that the main way students can save money is to be smart. He stressed the need to maximize your dollar by not holding onto books and to take advantage of buy back early. “You need to communicate with the book sellers,” he said. “If we think a book will be worth more in a month, we’ll tell you.” High textbook prices have become a part of college life. Students have learned to accept it and make the best of the situation. “I want to receive the best education possible while at Ole Miss,” Burns said. “I would like to spend less on textbooks, but I know my professors pick the books that will best further my education. I think of my textbooks as an investment in my future.”
Congratulations Beta Theta Pi:
on your new house renovations and becoming a new state historic landmark!
From: Your Jackson Alumni
NEWS
OXFORD CLEANS UP ITS GARBAGE
SPORTS
FUND CREATED FOR HASHMAN