NEWS 1
dailygamecock.com UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 2015
Internal review exonerates University action in Feb. 5 shooting
DA
VOL. 118, NO. 01 ● SINCE 1908
2015
Ben Crawford @BENLCRAWFORD
A n inst it ut ional re v ie w i nve st ig at i ng t he u n i ver s it y ’s ac t ion s i m me d i at el y a f t e r t h e Fe b r u a r y shooting of Professor Raja Fayad concluded “that the Universit y’s immediate reactions of the shooting . . . were appropriate.” It com mends t he im mediate act ions of g raduate st udent s on the same floor in which the shooting occurred, a s wel l a s t he qu ic k response of USCPD, USC’s Counseling and Human Development C e n t e r a n d U S C ’s Department of Facilities. However, the review goes on to note t hat “occasional tech nical failures in timely and reliable communication” between the university a nd t he USC communit y may have prolonged fears of an ex ist ing t hreat on campus. Emergenc y sirens and radio alerts were “not deployed i n accorda nce w it h university protocols.” Additionally, some of the Carolina Alerts sent out had errors and the universit y’s homepage wasn’t updated immediately to inform visitors of the shooting. “The greatest lessons of Februar y 5 for t he USC com mu n it y a re that more participation in emergencypreparedness training is needed at USC and t hat technological c apabi l it ies enabl i ng speed a nd rel iabi l it y of emergenc y not ices must be improved,” the review reads. W r i t t e n b y Director of St rateg ic Pla n n i ng Profe ssor Cameron Howell, the rev iew makes several re com mend at ion s to changes in universit y policy including: Offering better training programs and increasing participation in t hem — not ing that about 10,000 new people arrive on campus every year. Assessing and improving emergency notification systems. Reviewing the way the universit y approaches crisis preparedness. Evaluating university buildings and coming up w it h a clea r idea how to sec u re each building the event of an emergency. W hile much of t he review was focused on the future, it made clear t h at “t he Un iver sit y remains solemnly mindf ul t hat t his review stems from loss of life. The University com mu n it y mou r ns the death of Dr. Fayad, who was a gif ted and dedicated teacher and researcher.”
Madison Macdonald/ THE DAILY GAMECOCK
Potential new members (PNMs), along with recrutiment leaders, fill the stage at Colonial Life Arena. Approximately 1,400 PNMs attended.
Patrick Ingraham @THEGAMECOCK
Despite stormy weather and delays, nothing could put a stop to the hectic spectacle that was sorority Bid Day at South Carolina. Every year following the conclusion of formal rush, a new group of potential ne w memb er s ( PN M s) awa it w it h anticipation which sorority will offer them a bid. Meanwhile, on-looking sorority sisters clap and chant at the top of their lungs while dressed in tank-tops, flash tattoos, neon baseball caps, glitter, fanny packs and more while they await their new members with a similar anticipation. In the past, the event has always taken
Madison Macdonald/ THE DAILY GAMECOCK
The ceremony was delayed three hours as a result of “technical difficulties.”
place on campus at t he Horseshoe. This year, for the fi rst time, the venue changed to the Colonial Life Arena. Fourth-year exercise science student and Sorority Council President Brady Newell said the decision to break from tradition and change the location this year was made by executive off icers from each chapter in cooperation with the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life. “While we’ve enjoyed the tradition of host ing Bid Day on t he h istoric Horseshoe, we hope the Colonial Life Arena will provide a safe, comfortable a nd weat her-proof env i ron ment conducive to welcoming new members i nto ou r g row i ng Pa n hellen ic community,” Newell said in an email. Newell also said that more than 1,600 PNMs registered to participate in the primary recruitment process. This is
also the fi rst bid day since adding the 12th Panhellenic chapter, Pi Beta Phi, to campus. The event was originally scheduled for 2 p.m. but was delayed until 4:30 p.m. due to some technical difficulties according to Fraternit y and Sororit y life Director of Student Services Anna Edwards. “We do apologize for any confusion or inconveniences due to the scheduling but we appreciate everyone’s cooperation,” Edwards said. “It was imperative that we reviewed ever ything to ensure it was accurate and that all of these young women go where they’re supposed to.” In addition to providing a dry and weather-free environment, the arena also c ut out a ny potent ial har m to PNMs who, in the past, were prone to tripping on the bricks while running down the Horseshoe after receiving their bid. The change may also break ties with Bid Day’s other, more frowned upon tradition: “The Running of the Pigs”. “To me, the term ‘running of the pigs’ signifies the gross misrepresentation of sorority women everywhere,” Newell said. “Sororities were founded as a place for like-minded women to share in the pursuit of higher ideals as women emerged onto college campuses more than 150 years ago.” D e lt a Z e t a m e m b e r a n d j u n io r Chesney Lyles said although being in the Colonial Life Arena had a new feel to it than being on the Horseshoe, it was still a great way to begin a new tradition. “It’s different breaking from that long tradition of being on the Horseshoe, but I feel like being in this arena brings everyone closer no matter what sorority you’re in,” Lyles said. “It also keeps the energy at a really high level when everyone is screaming and clapping and getting into it.” W hen doors opened at 4:30 p.m. to spectators, the over 1,400 PNMs who participated sat on the floor of the arena in their Pi Chi groups. Pi Chi leaders disaffiliate themselves from their respective chapters in order to take the new members on their journeys through recruitment. S o o n a f t e r f a m i l y, f r i e n d s a n d spec t ators were seated, t he rea l excitement began as sisters from the twelve Panhellenic chapters began to file into their designated sections all while clapping and shouting chants. After all the sorority girls congregated in their areas, the PNMs were instructed to stand up, turn around and circle up as the Pi Chis handed the girls their shirts
Madison Macdonald/ THE DAILY GAMECOCK
Bid Day was not held on the historic Horseshoe this year, a first in USC history.
indicating which sororit y had given them a bid. Finally, after counting down from 10, the girls looked at their shirts and the traditional pandemonium of Bid Day ensued as the girls sprinted in a joyous chaos to celebrate with their new sisters. As the school year kicks off, a new chapter has begun with new sorority members and a new bid day tradition. However, there’s one thing that hasn’t changed — the joy and chaos of another USC bid day.
Madison Macdonald/ THE DAILY GAMECOCK
This year marked the first Bid Day for Pi Beta Phi at USC, which colonized last year.
Want more coverage of bid day? Check out our photo gallery at dailygamecock.com