The Daily Gamecock: November 2023 by Garnet Media Group

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

NOVEMBER 2023 NEWS MAGAZINE

03 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

18 CLUB WATER POLO COMEBACK

32 INCLUSIVE HAIR SALON

Editor-in-chief Sydney Dunlap reflects on her support team as she rounds out her term as editor.

Gamecock Club Water Polo sees team growth with first season in Southeastern Division.

Vivid: Color Cut Style works toward creating comfortable and welcoming enviroment for employees and customers.

21 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SEASON PREVIEW

35 VIEWS FROM THE FAIR

05 FINLAY PARK RENOVATIONS

South Carolina women’s basketball will be looking to returning veterans to take on vacant leadership roles.

A collection of photos from the South Carolina State Fair’s annual stay at the State Fairgrounds.

Columbia community members express concern over removal of the homeless population at Finlay Park.

06 STUDENT GOVERNMENT STRATEGIC PLAN

37 AFFIRMATIVE ACTION IN HIRING PRACTICES

Executive Student Government leaders give updates on their campaign promises and goals for the year.

Companies should keep affirmative action in place to ensure diversity and encourage a variety of ideas in the workplace.

07 ANNUAL FIRE AND SAFETY REPORT

39 RISING ‘SAFE RIDES’ PRICES

University releases annual report detailing how many and which crimes occurred in 2022.

Student-led GroupMe helps make rides more affordable for female students, but rising prices could put safety at risk.

08 POTENTIAL GREEK VILLAGE EXPANSION USC looks to secure Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center fields to accommodate Greek Life housing.

40 THANKSGIVING WITH COCKY 22 LOCAL FRESHMEN ON THE COURT

11 NIKKI HALEY FILES FOR PRESIDENCY

Pair of Columbia freshmen will be taking on their first collegiate season but are feeling confident with a strong home fan base.

Former Gov. Nikki Haley files for the South Carolina Republican primary at the Statehouse.

25 MEN’S BASKETBALL SEASON PREVIEW

13 IN-STATE SCHOLARSHIP

South Carolina’s men’s basketball team is entering the season with low expectations, but it is hoping to block the noise.

USC to cover tuition and academic fees for rural and lowincome students through new program.

13 GET TO KNOW US Editorial staffers share their favorite aspects of their job at The Daily Gamecock.

Comic portrays Cocky’s visit with a Gamecock family and his first run-in with Thanksgiving dinner.

40 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE The Dos and Don’ts of shopping for loved ones this holiday season.

28 THIS MONTH IN GAMECOCK SPORTS HISTORY A look back at notable moments in South Carolina sports history during November and against Clemson.

29 FIVE POINTS GIFT SHOP REBRAND Gibson’s Gifts will rebrand to La Boheme with a goal to attract a younger crowd.

42 IMPROVING ONLINE CLASSES Online classes are still prevelant after the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s time for the university to make them better.

COVER CREDITS

14 CAMPUS-WIDE SURVEY University housing asks students to participate in survey that will help plan future renovations.

COVER DESIGN BY: Clay Laucella

17 MEECHIE JOHNSON RETURNS Gamecock men’s basketball junior guard Meechie Johnson begins his second season after withdrawaling from the Draft.

30 ARTS STUDENTS CALL FOR IMPROVEMENTS Students at McMaster College detail the wide array of facility issues that are leaving them feeling left behind.

COVER PHOTO BY: Sam Schorr

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR:

THE TEAM BEHIND ME SYDNEY DUNLAP | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ll the letters I’ve written during my almost-year as editor-in-chief focus on something important to me. As a reporter, a letter is a rare chance to express myself through my writing. I’ve loved the opportunity to share my worries, goals and accomplishments with readers throughout the Columbia community. It feels surreal that this will be the last time my signature will sit at the bottom of a page in a print edition. For a while, I’ve tried to think about what I wanted to write about, and I finally decided that it would be best to finish with what I’m proudest of — my team. You may see my picture and name on the newsletter, but all of our content — the articles you read, the photos you love, the designs you are fascinated by and the Instagram reels you repost — are made possible by a fantastic group of Daily Gamecock staffers. I want to commend my leadership team especially. I don’t think many people realize the hours and hours these students spend working on content for the newspaper on top of school, jobs and other responsibilities. They’re often in the newsroom until the early morning, working on everything from student senate recaps to page design. If there is anything you take away from my letters and The Daily Gamecock’s work this past year, I hope it is an understanding of how dedicated everyone on staff is to providing you with the best content possible. Not only are my leadership team members some of the most hard-working and talented journalists I know, but they’re also my best friends and the part I’ll miss the most when I leave my position this semester. Those long hours in the newsroom are tiring, but they’re worth it when I have such a great group of people by my side. Writing my last print edition letter isn’t so sad when I know many of them will continue to build and improve this paper even when I’m gone. Good luck to my team and friends. I’m excited for everything ahead! Forever to thee,

Sydney Dunlap

Residents express concern for homeless population displaced from Finlay Park during 2-year renovation Bradley Alford | News writer eva flowe | state & city politics beat writer

olumbia has started a more than $20 million project to renovate Finlay Park, but some people close to the homeless community are concerned about the impact the remodel has had on the city’s homeless population while the park is temporarily closed. The City of Columbia’s project to revitalize Finlay Park includes repairing and expanding its spiral fountain, adding office space for hospitality workers and park rangers, constructing a band stage and incorporating other amenities, such as bathrooms and pathways. The city broke ground at Finlay Park, located between Gadsden and Assembly Streets, on Sept. 14. Construction is expected to take around two years. The park has been a gathering place for the homeless community in Columbia, with homeless residents often spending their nights sleeping in the area. But homeless people now need to find other places to sleep with the construction. Victor Thomas, a homeless marine veteran, frequently spent nights at the park before its temporary closure. Thomas plans on staying at a bus stop while the park is closed. The new location exposes him to theft and forces him to keep a closer eye on his belongings, he said. One way the city could help, Thomas said, is by setting up a tent to pass out meals or adding a portable bathroom while the park undergoes renovations. Otherwise, homeless people have to clean themselves at the library, with the nearest one being two blocks away. “That would help a lot,” Thomas said. “If we were clean (or) we had somewhere to eat, somewhere to sleep.” Tracy Shelly, a local who lives near Finlay Park, walks her dog there every day and has gotten to know some of the homeless people. She said she doesn’t

know where the homeless should stay but doesn’t think the park is a good solution. “We’re concerned about what’s going to happen to them and where they’re going to go,” Shelly said. “Overall, the city needs a better plan. The park is not the place for the homeless, and feeding them at the park is not a cool deal. I mean, it’s just not a good setup.” While the city is focused on revitalizing the park, Assistant City Manager Henry Simons said there are also options from the city and the community that people can choose to access. “We don’t specifically tell the homeless population where to go. We do have services that we provide to the homeless population. There are also partners around the city that provide services to the homeless population Photo: Savannah Robinson as well,” Simons said. “There are multiple A sign indicates that Finlay Park is closed while under reconstruction on Oct. 10, 2023. Through its opportunities for them to receive service, revitalization program, the city plans to repair and enhance the park. and we of course leave it up to those individuals who decide what services an ordinance that alters a city law on urban “The antagonism towards homeless they will choose.” camping, which the signing groups said will people in the city, by city council, by the city Columbia People’s Programs, a do significant damage to the livelihoods of manager and by the police directly should local group that distributes food at local homeless people, according to The really be ramped down, and the focus the park, has also been concerned Post and Courier. should be less on criminalizing and more on about the city’s handling of the local A person must recieve a warning before providing assistance,” Sobotowicz said. homeless population. they can be arrested for urban camping, Rickenmann said in an email to The Daily Columbia People’s Programs member the act of living in a public space over long Gamecock that he recommends homeless Jacklyn Sobotowicz said shutting down the periods of time. Columbia residents to use Rapid Shelter park for renovation, on top of introducing The updated ordinance specifies that Columbia, a city initiative that houses people more legislation that criminalizes the these warnings can be issued at any location, in miniature homes. homeless, has made it harder for the group as the law refers to the behavior of urban “(Finlay Park) is the crown jewel of our to find people in need of assistance. camping itself and does not consider it a city, and we are going to restore it and “The population of people has not location-specific offense. maintain it,” Rickenmann said. “For safety, we diminished. They have simply been hidden The closure of Finlay Park has also made have to close the park to all while it is under from public view, so people are still there support organizations find other places to construction, but we encourage anyone that who need our help,” Sobotowicz said. “They hand out food. needs help and is experiencing homelessness are just not easily found because the city has Columbia People’s Programs began to reach out to Rapid Shelter Columbia or actively been pushing them out of the city.” feeding the homeless outside of Richland other service providers in the community Advocacy groups, such as the South Library Main, Sabotowicz said. But the for assistance.” Carolina American Civil Liberties Union, group has faced conflict with the city signed a letter in September to Columbia police for handing out food without a large Mayor Daniel Rickenmann protesting recent gathering permit, according to an article policy choices. The propositions included from The State.

Student Government strategic plan covers wide array of internal, external goals including on-campus parking MARLEY BASSETT | STUDENT GOVERNMENT BEAT WRITER

tudent Government executives released their plans to fulfill campaign goals and propose new initiatives such as improvements to parking, Wi-Fi and game day safety - through the 202324 strategic plan. The plan is released every year by the current executive officers of Student Government and details their priorities and proposals for the year and how they plan to achieve them. “This is our way of honing in on what our goals were for this year,” Student Body President Emmie Thompson said. “We laid out not just what we want to do, but how we want to do it.” The strategic plan also serves as a way for the student body to hold Student Government accountable for how its goals have been accomplished throughout the academic year. “All of these are super, super attainable,” Speaker of the student senate Cameron Eubanks said. “And so it’s a way for students to be able to look at what we want to do this year and hold us accountable on certain pieces.” One of the main priorities addressed in this year’s plan is issues with parking, which the executive officers said was one of the most frequent complaints they receive from the student body. The plan details a change to the current parking system that will offer a limited amount of discounted parking passes to students who demonstrate a financial need. Student Government wants to have a parking guide created for both first-year and off-campus students that showcases the best places for them to park based on the college where they have a majority of their classes, Thompson said. They also are advocating for an increase in communication from the parking office to the student body about the availability of parking passes and when they go on sale for the next school year. The executive officers said that another major priority for the rest of their term is the Wi-Fi situation on campus. The university is in the process of completing its network

modernization plan that would upgrade existing Wi-Fi infrastructure across campus, according to the university website. The modernization plan is divided into three phases. Phase one, which was completed in 2020, was for the oncampus residence halls. Phase two, which is in progress, is for on-campus buildings, and the areas covered in phase three have not yet been announced. Phase two is expected to be completed by the fall of 2024, with updates at Thomas Cooper Library and Russell House proposed as being completed last during the summer of 2024 due to heavy foot traffic, which Thompson said is frustrating to the large volume of students that frequent the two buildings. One of Thompson’s biggest personal goals and a cornerstone of her campaign was to increase game day safety. Thompson said she hoped to add chargers and charging stations at the stadium as well as partner with Uber to offer discounted rides to and from the stadium. The addition of chargers and charging stations were piloted for the home game against Mississippi State on Sept. 23. “I’m super excited that all the chargers were checked out,” Thompson said. “So it meant that every student who needed a charge, needed their phone to be charged, had the opportunity to, and they were turned back in which is also important,” There are also plans in place with Student Government and university officials to pilot the Uber program during the final home game against Clemson on Nov. 25, Thompson said. The success and response from the student body will ultimately determine whether it should be permanently implemented in the future using administrative funds. The proposed plan with Uber would offer discount vouchers on an application basis to create safer transportation to and from the stadium for students on game days. The financial portion of the plan focuses on making student funding more equitable and making funding requests more user-friendly in large part due to

PHOTO: elian gonzalez New student senate members (Left to right) Abby Spitler, Brandon Miller and Camden Kaye are sworn in on Sep. 27, 2023, by Speaker pro tempore Ian Herd. Halfway through the semester, Student Government officials are focused on converting campaign goals and making progress on new initiatives.

Student Government running out of funding for student organizations at the end of last school year. Student Body Treasurer Hannah Augsbach Lamma said her focus is on working with the student senate to pass legislation to level the playing field for student organization funding and ensure that funds will be less likely to run out. Adding more comptrollers was important to creating more outreach to student organizations and increasing the number of treasurer’s workshops, she said. “We’ve been working hand in hand with the senate a lot to try to get legislation to pass in order to make funding more equitable, but then also just focusing a lot on outreach,” Augsbach Lamma said. “I think by reaching that broader number of organizations and people, that’s going to be what makes funding more equitable.”

Internally, both Thompson and Eubanks said Student Government is not meant to be a political organization, but that it is a service organization. A major goal for the organization this year, Eubanks said, is rebuilding relationships with students, administration and other university stakeholders after receiving a negative response for the amount of politicallycharged legislation that was passed in the senate in recent years. “It’s definitely been a building year for (the) senate, rebuilding back our bridges with faculty senate, with staff senate, with the higher ups in the administration, even with the board of trustees themselves — making sure that we’re passing legislation that actually will impact the student experience,” Eubanks said.

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report released, students weigh in on uptick in on-campus rape, burglaries CAITLIN DEE | CRIME BEAT WRITER

he Annual Security and Fire Safety Report for USC’s Columbia campus was released Sept. 29 and showed an uptick in on-campus rape, burglaries, robbery and other offenses in 2022. Despite a national decrease in oncampus crimes from 2010 to 2020, USC also saw some increase from 2021 to 2022 in cases of aggravated assault, dating violence and stalking as well as disciplinary

to be committed or the reporting of that crime would be much less.” Elissa Myers, a third-year visual communications student, said she has seen the uptick of on-campus crime around her. “I’ve noticed a lot more burglaries and a lot more shootings and breakins for different apartments,” Myers said. “I didn’t

First-year graphic design student Kalyn Jones said that, aside from the annual reports, she feels there is a lack of communication about the increase of oncampus

referrals for drug law and liquor law violations. The report showed a decrease in other measured areas, such as domestic violence and illegal weapons possession. The university also reported that crimes such as non-negligent manslaughter, manslaughter by negligence, incest and statutory rape have all remained at zero cases throughout the past three years. USCPD Capt. Eric Grabski said the increase in on-campus crime can be attributed to the influx of students living on campus following the end of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. “We had fewer people on campus. You saw that drop, I think in 2021,” Grabski said. “We had few people on campus, so obviously the opportunity for that crime

know there was more rape. That’s really scary. I feel like now I’ll probably think about it more.” Grabski said that while the report shows a rise in the number of rape cases reported, this increase does not necessarily mean that the crime has become more prevalent. “Just because there are more reports of rape, doesn’t mean there’s an increase in that crime,” Grabski said. “People are feeling more comfortable coming forward and reporting, and that’s a good thing. That’s a very good thing.” Myers said the increase is not necessarily reflected in how USCPD relays information about crime to students, however. “I feel like they do a good job of making us feel protected but probably not informed about different things that are going on and how to stay safe,” Myers said.

crimes such as burglaries and rape. Jones said that when she does learn about those incidents, it is through her peers. “I didn’t hear that from any official source,” Jones said. “I heard it from a friend telling me about it the other day.” Other students, such as first-year sport and entertainment graduate student Katie Adams, said they have been satisfied with communication about threats on campus. “I’ve definitely been warned, especially in places like at my apartment complex, to always lock your doors,” Adams said. “So that’s definitely a concern, that there is present crime in the area.” While Adams said she stays informed about potential dangers, she doesn’t recall witnessing many USCPD officers on campus. “I haven’t really seen their presence or felt their presence necessarily since I’ve been here,” Adams said. “Obviously,

there’s the blue emergency light towers, so if there was an issue, there’s hopefully help nearby.” While students voiced concerns about the lack of communication regarding crime on campus, the report stated emergency communications through Carolina Alert, emails, texts and social media are used to send out warnings and keep the campus community up to date. “The University of South Carolina makes timely warnings to the university community regarding certain crimes considered to be a serious or continuing threat to students, faculty, staff, and visitors when reported to the Division of Law Enforcement and Safety (DLES), and such warnings will not compromise an on-going criminal investigation,” the report states. The annual report is released by the beginning of October each year. Data from 2023 will be included in next year’s report.

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USC looks at allocating more space to Greek Village EMMA DAVISSON | INFRASTRUCTURE BEAT WRITER

SC is looking to expand Greek Village by building more houses on Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center’s fields. The area is currently being used as three recreational fields and consists of land plots owned by USC and leased from nearby railroad owner Norfolk Southern Railway. University architect Derek Gruner said the most logical area for expansion on campus is next to the Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center. A USC 2018 Master Plan shows four houses intended to be placed on university-owned land and two on leased land, totaling more than three acres. The university submitted a request for recommendations from the Commission of Higher Education on June 1, 2023, to examine acquiring new parcels. The initial phase requested $20,000 from

institutional funds and did not list dates for the project. Almost 30% of the student body is involved in Greek life. In April, two sororities lost their leased houses, causing an increased demand for accommodation. Because of this, Gruner said the university is contemplating possible locations for expansion. “I understand from student affairs that there are certain chapters that desire to have a house that don’t have a house,” Gruner said. “We’re trying to be responsive to them.” But, Gruner said acquiring the l e a s e d land from Norfolk Southern R a i l w a y generates difficulties for the project. The company has indicated it could be willing to sell, but the university must go through the process of investigating what the land is worth, he said.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA A master plan outlining the proposed location for new Greek Village houses. To bring more fraternities and sororites into Greek Village, USC is hoping to build new houses on the Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center’s recreational fields.

“The two challenges with that are that we don’t own all that land,” Gruner said. “We lease it, and we use it for rec fields.” Grant Howard, a fourth-year sport management student and the president of the South Carolina men’s rugby club, said his team uses Strom Thurmond’s recreational fields for smaller, less official practices. “It’s difficult because, for us, we use the space predominantly as a captain’s practice space and a place just to gather and go for a run, which would stink if that went away,” Howard said. Removing the area could be harmful to the larger student body, Associate Director of Campus Recreation Michael Potter said. “We are dead last in the SEC in field green space for students, and so taking away two major fields of student usage would significantly impact (the

student body),” Potter said. “If those were taken up, that would pretty negatively impact the student body and campus recreation programs.” There are no “immediate plans” for expansion, Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life Carli Mercer said in an email to The Daily Gamecock. Mercer said the department is receiving feedback about the project through conversations with chapter leaders. If the current recreational fields were to be removed, Gruner said other areas would be used as replacements. “I can’t speak in great specifics, but just know that we are also trying to look for opportunities for rec fields elsewhere on campus,” Gruner said. “If we were to repurpose some of those rec fields, we would try to replace them with rec fields somewhere else on campus.”

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Presidential hopeful Nikki Haley signs onto South Carolina primary ballot with Statehouse event eva flowe | state & city politics beat writer

ormer South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley held an event at the South Carolina Statehouse to officially file for the South Carolina Republican presidential primary in February. Haley is currently polling second in South Carolina, Iowa and New Hampshire — the first states to hold Republican primaries — behind former President Donald Trump. The event marked a return to the state for Haley, who held her first elected office as a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives for three terms from 2005 to 2011 and served as governor of the state from 2011 to 2017. Haley was introduced at the Statehouse by former colleagues from her time in office, including state Rep. Nathan Ballentine (R-Lexington), state Sen. Tom Davis (R-Beaufort) and United States Rep. Ralph Norman (R-South Carolina). Ballentine said that he knew Haley was a hard worker when he met her 18 years ago and that Trump felt the same when he made her the United States Ambassador to the United Nations in 2017. “I knew then and there the hard work ethic she had, how she would see a problem, how she would fix it. She’d roll up her sleeves,” Ballentine said. “She’d put on those high heels because she would have to kick the good ol’ boys to get things done and to make a difference, and that’s what she did for our state.” After thanking Ballentine, Davis and Norman, Haley talked about her successes during her time in South Carolina. She said that the unemployment rate dropped from 11% to 4%and that South Carolina now has the lowest recidivism rate in the nation, following reforms passed while she was governor that dropped the rate of repeat offenses from convicted criminals. Haley also said Israel should lead the strategy efforts in the ongoing conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas, while the United States should focus on Iran, Russia and China, which is the top threat to national security, according to Haley. “I’ve been very clear that America should only play a supporting role. Let Israel do what

Photos: xavier martin Nikki Haley officially signs to get on the South Carolina Republican presidential primary ballot inside the lobby of the South Carolina Statehouse on Oct. 30, 2023. The former South Carolina governor is running for the GOP nomination in the 2024 presidential election.

Israel needs to do,” Haley said. “Don’t talk to them about a ceasefire. Don’t talk to them about restraint. Don’t talk to them about humanitarian aid, and don’t talk to them about whether there’s internet connection.” Trump remains the front-runner for the Republican nomination, leading Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis by 27 points in Iowa, according to the Oct. 30 poll from the Des Moines Register, NBC News and Mediacom. Iowa residents will be the first to cast a vote in the 2024 race with the Iowa Caucuses on Jan. 15.

Haley said she could beat Trump the same way she has defeated everyone else who has ever run against her. “I’ve always been the underdog. I enjoy that. It’s what makes me scrappy. But no one’s going to outwork me in this race. No one’s going to outsmart me,” Haley said. “I’m now in second place in Iowa. We are now second place in New Hampshire. We are now second place in South Carolina. I’ve got one more fellow I’ve got to catch up to, and I am determined to.”

South Carolina’s junior U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, who Haley appointed to the position in 2013, is also competing for the Republican nomination in 2024. Scott criticized Haley during the last Republican primary debate on Sept. 27 about her spending as U.N. ambassador and support for raising the gas tax. “As far as I’m concerned, I’m not focused on him or any other candidate,” Haley said. “I’m focusedon saving our country, and that’s what I’ll continue to do.”

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USC announces new scholarship program for South Carolina’s rural, lowincome students WIN HAMMOND | ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

SC announced that it will cover tuition and fees for in-state students who graduate in the top 10% of their high school class and whose family has a household income of fewer than $80,000 a year starting in 2024. The new scholarship program, the USC Commitment Initiative, will reward scholarships to students beginning with next fall’s freshman class. The initiative will cover four years’ worth of tuition and academic fees for eligible students and will expand on a program announced in August to admit all in-state students who graduated in the top 10% of their high school class. The program will be funded in conjunction with other aid programs, such as Pell Grants or Palmetto Fellows Scholarships. Money for the initiative was approved by the South Carolina General Assembly last legislative session. University leaders said they want the program to make USC more accessible to students from rural parts of the state as opposed to making them attend other universities or go straight into the workforce or military. Last year, USC received 30 or fewer applications from students applying from Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Fairfield, Jasper, Lee, Marlboro, McCormick and

Union counties, said vice president for enrollment management Scott Verzyl. USC admitted 350 eligible students in the past admissions cycle, and Verzyl said he hopes the number will continue to increase. In fall 2023, in-state tuition at USC’s Columbia campus was $12,688, and the average of academic fees added up to $1,572, according to a press release dated Oct. 13. “What we did on Aug. 1 was address access, but access without affordability, in many cases, is meaningless,” USC President Michael Amiridis said in an interview.

Get to know us

What is your favorite part about your job at The Daily Gamecock?

Anna Ottinger Assistant engagement director The best part about being on the engagement team is getting to interact with our audience and being able to creatively engage with our readers. We are always thinking of better ways to amplify the work of our writers and get our articles out to the student body and the city of Columbia. I always love to see how a post we create on socials gains the attention of our students and starts a conversation.

Griffin Goodwyn Assistant sports Editor My favorite part of my job is the sense of community I feel whenever I’m in the newsroom or in meetings on Sundays. I joined the newspaper during my first semester freshman year to grow as a journalist and find people who shared a similar passion for sports and storytelling. Since then, I have made lifelong friends and countless memories that have defined my college experience, and I can credit my love of The Daily Gamecock to all the people I’ve met along the way.

Savannah Nagy Creative director My favorite part of my job is the fastpaced, creative atmosphere. I thrive in an environment where I am challenged to develop creative solutions for the daily problems we face as a publication. I also love to create alongside like-minded individuals who always push me to be my best. Of course, nothing could be better than the friends I’ve made along the way. ILLUSTRATION: CLAY LAUCELLA

USC asks for student input as it plans for years-long dorm renovations: ‘These things just take a lot of time’ EMMA DAVISSON | INFRASTRUCTURE BEAT WRITER

SC asked students to take part in a survey during October to help assist in the renovations of several on-campus dorms. The project, designed as a partnership between different public and private entities, is part of an effort to create a centralized development plan for university housing. Developments are expected to last many years and include renovations to multiple buildings, including Capstone, Columbia Hall, McBryde, Bates West and South Tower. The university released an updated version of the campus master plan — a document that outlines

plans for future projects — in 2018. The master plan includes the major development plans for the university to undertake within the next 10 years and is updated as new projects are added. This new addition to the master plan aims to consider different areas of campus and conduct housing

improvements on a rolling basis, university architect Derek Gruner said. “What’s different (about this effort) is that we’re looking more broadly at developing a plan that sequences many projects, many buildings across campus,” Gruner said. To receive student feedback, the university has partnered with Sasaki Associates, an architectural design firm from Boston. Sasaki developed a survey that was distributed to various student organizations on Oct. 13. Student Disability Resource Center, Fraternity and

Sorority Life and Multicultural Affairs were among those asked to include the survey in their newsletters. The survey was posted to @UofSC students on X, formerly known as Twitter, and on Instagram, in addition to being emailed to various student groups. The survey was designed as an interactive map and allows students

to outline their walks around campus and which areas they use the most. Students will have the option to choose where they study, live, workout and go to class. There are also options to highlight their favorite and least favorite areas on campus. Short demographic questions, as well as options for year and major, are located at the end of the survey. Gruner said information from students is necessary in order to expand the best parts of campus. “It’s important for planners

to know where students like to eat on campus, where they like to study, where most of their classes are, where students feel safe, where they feel like an area could be better,” Gruner said. “That’s what the survey is geared at trying to do. We hope that students will go on that survey and address some of those issues.” But students living in some of the dorms central to the project

said they have yet to take the survey. The Daily Gamecock spoke to 10 freshmen from South Tower, Capstone and McBryde who all had no knowledge of it. Finney, a first-year Abbie advertising student living in South Tower, was unsure if she had received any information about the plan despite living in one of the dorms highlighted in the project. “I don’t know. I might have gotten an email or

something,” Finney said. “If I got something that was like, ‘Hey, take this,’ sure.” The survey is designed to gather information from students, but many of the most prevalent housing issues are problems the university is already aware of, according to university spokesperson Jeff Stensland. “We anticipate the survey will just reinforce what we already know from maintenance experience,” Stensland said in an email.

The survey is just one of the first steps of the project. The university is considering students’ current needs for housing, both in terms of renovations to housing and possible construction of future facilities, said J. Rex Tolliver, vice president for student affairs and academic support. “(We’re) trying to see what really are students’ needs, desires today, as we plan for this future phase of housing,” Tolliver said. “Both in terms of renovations of existing facilities as well as the possible construction of new facilities.” The project will require a more extensive development plan due to its large scale, Gruner said. Buildings have been updated in the past as individual projects, with a specific company designing the plans for just that building, Gruner

which was originally used as fraternity housing, was constructed in 1955. New locations are being considered as possible future student housing in addition to the updates on older, existing dorms. These areas include Carolina Gardens next to Campus Village and the Byrnes building next to the Horseshoe. Development of those buildings is contingent on evaluation from the university, Gruner said. “The process that we’ll go through — we’ll look at those buildings and decide, ‘Does it make the most sense to replace those buildings … with a new structure or renovate them?’” Gruner said. These new spaces are not expected to cost significantly more than current available

semester. McBryde is the cheapest at $3,205, but a one-bedroom unit in Park Place is more than double that price at $6,955. Most housing is around $4,500 to $5,000. Shyann Lee, a first-year civil engineering student, said that for her, the experience of living in Bates West is not worth the price. Lee said that while her room only has minor issues, dorms in the basement have mold on the ceilings and broken air conditioning units. Multiple residents complained of the broken elevators and lack of available washing machines. “Honestly, I don’t think any of these dorms are worth $4,000 or more dollars for a whole year,” Lee said.

Currently, there are no dates set for when the project will begin. The university plans to go through the solicitation process, where a Request for Proposal is issued, in the first quarter of 2024. That document will allow developers to approach the school about plans and provide information about funding. “These things just take a lot of time. Everyone just has to be patient,” Gruner said. “We’re pleased that the university is taking this step.”

PHOTOS: XAVIER MARTIN

said. The new effort aims to examine housing more broadly and create a sequence of renovations. “We acknowledge that we have some housing buildings that are really new and are wonderful, and then we (also) have some buildings that are older that need to be renewed or replaced,” Gruner said. “What this is about is trying to (update) housing in a more integrated, broader way.” Many of the dorms listed in the project were built in the 1960s and have since undergone little renovation. The McBryde building,

housing. The university considers the feasibility of housing prices for students and does not wish to dramatically increase them, Tolliver said. “Historically, the price of housing always changes from year to year (depending) on inflation,” Tolliver said. “We don’t anticipate this new housing being wildly out of line with the existing housing that we have. It may be a slight difference but it won’t be a big variance, because affordability still matters.” Dorms on campus vary in price from $3,000 to almost $7,000 per

While the university outlines a plan for renovation, some students feel that their dorms don’t need to change. Gavin Curran, a first-year sports management student, said he is happy with his experience in South Tower. The location on campus and his friendships with other residents have made it enjoyable, he said. South Tower, which was built in 1965, had renovations made to various bathrooms in 2015 and a roof replacement in 2012, but there have been no other major updates to the structure since, besides the continual routine maintenance by Housing.

Left - Bates West stands beside the newlydeveloped Campus Village on Nov. 2, 2023. The first-year and ROTC student residence hall was constructed in 1974 and is part of a decade-long, multi-renovation project being developed between the university, public and private entities. Middle - South Tower during sunset on Nov. 2, 2023. The residence hall, which was built in 1965, underwent bathroom renovations in 2015 and had its roof replaced in 2012. The building is set to have several other renovations completed within the next ten years. Right - The McBryde building on the evening of Nov. 2, 2023. The all-male residence hall holds 260 students and is part of the decadelong renovation project being developed by the University of South Carolina.

Meechie Johnson returns to Gamecocks for his junior season after withdrawing from NBA Draft ANNIE POTEAT | athlete features beat writer

unior guard Meechie Johnson said he has more room to improve as he returns to the South Carolina men’s basketball program this year after withdrawing from the NBA Draft at the end of last season. Johnson said he returned for a second year with the Gamecocks because he wanted to “be remembered for something,” and South Carolina is where he wants to do it after starting his college career at Ohio State. “Honestly, I wanted to give myself another chance to be a higher draft pick,” Johnson said. “I wanted to win more. That was one of the biggest things. I’m not a loser.” Johnson was the team’s second leading scorer in his first season with the Gamecocks, trailing only former forward Gregory “GG” Jackson II, who was the 45th pick in May’s NBA draft after one season at South Carolina. Jackson averaged 15.4 points per game, and Johnson averaged 12.7 points per game. However, the men’s basketball team went just 11-21 last season, winning only four games in the Southeastern Conference. Johnson played in 30 games and started 29, tallying 999 total minutes on the court. Redshirt senior forward Benjamin Bosmans-Verdonk said he’s selfishly glad Johnson opted to return so that the team could once again count on Johnson’s scoring ability. “Meechie’s my boy,” Bosmans-Verdonk said. “I just love being on the court with him. I love the improvement he’s made. Just to be able to share another year of great memories with him, I think is very exciting.” Johnson said his personal goal this season is to be named to the All-SEC First Team, and he wants to help the team get to at least the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament. South Carolina’s men’s team has not appeared in

March Madness since 2017, when it lost in the Final Four. “The chemistry, the love, the talk, the affection — it’s all there with these guys,” Johnson said. “I feel like this team has a chance to be special and be remembered for something. It’s not easy, don’t get me wrong, at all. It’s a lot of good teams out there, but this team has a chance. If we can continue to piece it all together, we will be remembered for sure.” Senior forward Josh Gray said Johnson is great for “team camaraderie” and boosts everyone’s spirits when they’re

low. Johnson is a “good glue guy,” who helps bridge the gap between the team’s freshmen and upperclassmen, Gray said. Johnson is preparing for his fourth season of college basketball and his second season as a Gamecock. During his time as a Buckeye, Johnson played in 17 games during his first year and 26 games during his second year, starting five. South Carolina head coach Lamont Paris said he’s noticed Johnson’s growth as a transfer player. Instead of focusing on proving Ohio State head coach Chris Holtmann wrong, Paris said

Johnson has matured past that mindset. “I think he’s just out of that mode, in terms of trying to prove something, particularly to me and our staff,” Paris said. “He’s just trying to flourish, and it’s happening. He’s growing as a player, and he’s growing as an individual.” Paris said during the preseason Johnson has played well and looked more comfortable with his personality as one of the team’s leaders on the court. Johnson said he hopes he will get his chance “to be remembered for something” as the season progresses.

PHOTO: HANNAH FLINT Junior guard Meechie Johnson high-fives his teammates after being subbed out during South Carolina’s scrimmage against Mars Hill on Nov. 22, 2023. The Gamecocks defeated the Lions 80-41.

Gamecock Water Polo Club begins to grow with move to competitive league: ‘It’s just everything we could dream for’ jacob phillips | SPORTS EDITOR

eteran Gamecock Water Polo Club players Nate Windham and Ben Kistler were struggling to build the program up since its resurgence in 2020. Semester after semester, the team faced turnout, commitment and funding issues, making it even more frustrating for Windham and Kistler, who felt the club was like their “baby.” “Seeing what we could be and seeing other clubs around us just be at exponential numbers, and we have maybe five people on the team that were committed, it was tough,” said Windham, a third-year finance and entrepreneurship student. “There was definitely a lot of just emotional distraught and just times where I’ve thought about my commitment to the club.” But things may be looking up for the organization this semester after the club saw an increased number of new players and landed a spot in a competitive league. The water polo club competed in a league for the first time since its revival and had a shot at winning a Southeast Division Championship on Oct. 22 in Knoxville, Tennessee. “It’s super exciting. I mean, it’s just everything we could dream for,” Windham said. “There’s still stuff to look forward to. We’re still working towards getting that

natty, working towards winning the Southeastern Conference.” The Gamecocks are one of seven teams in the league. It joins fellow SEC schools Alabama, Auburn, Kentucky and Tennessee, plus two teams from Georgia Tech — an A team and a B team — to form the Southeastern club division of the Collegiate Water Polo Association. South Carolina sent a team of new and returning players to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, for its first tournament on Sept. 30. The Gamecocks struggled in the pool, going 1-3 with a forfeit win over Kentucky. Kistler said he was impressed with the team’s performance, despite the unfavorable results. “A lot of our new players took a lot — learned a lot from these games and were able to kind of adapt on the fly,” said Kistler, a fourth-year marine science student and the team’s goalie. “They were able to adapt to playing these games without doing too much scrimmaging.” Third-year marketing and management student Maria Elena Smith is one of the team’s newer players, having joined the club in the spring. She said the games in Tuscaloosa gave her a better understanding of the rules and flow of the sport.

PHOTOs: BRIANNA ARROWOOD Third-year Conor O’Shea and fourth-year Christian McCormick practice with the Gamecock Water Polo Club on Oct. 3, 2023, in Blatt PEC’s pool. The rise of club sports has helped boost the team’s attendance numbers.

Members of Gamecock club water polo gather at the edge of the pool while practicing on Oct. 3, 2023, at the Blatt PEC. The club competed in its first conference matches since its resurgence in 2020.

“I was unaware of the majority of the rules of water polo. I basically just know how to swim,” Smith said. “I always like to say ‘adversity equals success,’ and we have a lot going against us and our small little squad. But I feel like if we all put 100% effort into it and really show our love for each other and the task at hand in the sport, we could really do some damage.” Smith has become a regular member of the team, attending any practices and events she can. She discovered water polo after injuries forced her to give up other sports competitively. “I had two surgeries on my knee,” Smith said. “It was really upsetting because I wanted to be the one that was on club soccer, on club swim, and I did not have that opportunity freshman year. And I was kind of isolated.” Smith said the team has become a group she can depend on. Joining the club has also provided her with a way to stay fit and competitive — two things Smith said she loves about sports. “Being in the water and swimming and having this, it gives me something to do that isn’t so hard on my joints,” Smith said. “It’s great for my overall fitness, and it has been an incredible experience learning from, obviously, Nate and the other leaders, but also from my other teammates, and it’s something that I actually attend practice. I enjoy going there every day.” Devoted players such as Smith give Windham hope that the club will continue to grow beyond his time at South Carolina. Kistler said the commitment shown by

younger members has improved from previous years, with them being more willing to come to practice and learn. “A year from now, I’m not going to be here, and I don’t want this club to just dissolve once I’m gone,” Kistler said. “I wanted to see a little more initiative from the newer guys. I think we’re seeing that for the most part.” Even with the commitment from new members, Kistler said he still worries about the club’s future beyond next semester because of the lack of commitment from some of the veteran members. “Hopefully, some other people’s semesters are clearing up, so we can finally have some of our veterans back. I know it’s a very case-by-case basis, but I’d say there’s been some pretty crummy semesters with attendance and stuff,” Kistler said. “It’s not perfect at all by any means.” Windham said he is optimistic about the club’s future and believes it is just getting started. He said the club doubled its social following in less than a year, and he has noticed an increase in general interest from students on campus. “We started out pretty rough,” Windham said. “I mean, it was two to three people on average at the practice, but we’re at a point now where we can safely say or expect to have at least 10 people at practice, which is obviously — to most clubs, that’s a silly number. But for us, in two years time, that’s pretty exponential growth.”

A member of Club Water Polo practices drills at the Blatt PEC Pool on Oct. 3, 2023.

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PREVIEW: South Carolina women’s basketball team begins 2023-24 season eager to create new legacy emma edwards | OFF-season sports beat writer

he South Carolina women’s basketball team will lean on a mix of veteran leadership and young talent in the 2023-24 season as it looks to build a new legacy with its refreshed core. Head coach Dawn Staley said the “slate is wiped clean” for the Gamecocks’ 202324 team after the departure of one of the most decorated women’s basketball recruiting classes, the Freshies, which featured 2019 recruits Aliyah Boston, Zia Cooke, Brea Beal, Laeticia Amihere and Olivia Thompson. This year, South Carolina will look to its remaining veterans to lead the new-look team. Staley said players cannot ignore the success of the last four years, but this team must start anew and create a new identity for itself. “It’s not a rebuild for us because we are very talented. We’ve got talent on our team,” Staley said. “We just lack a little bit of game-day experience.”

Redshirt freshman guard Raven Johnson locks in on Iowa junior guard Caitlin Clark during a Final Four game on March 31, 2023. The Gamecocks fell to the Hawkeyes 77 – 73.

Senior center Kamilla Cardoso, junior guard Bree Hall and redshirt sophomore guard Raven Johnson are among the veterans expected to step into leadership roles and guide the younger players. Cardoso, the 2023 SEC Sixth Woman of the Year, is developing a more energetic and communicative role as she steps up into a leading role for the Gamecocks, Staley said. “I think she’s playing with a zest of wanting to dominate,” Staley said. “That’s what we want. We want you to understand that domination is a process

that everybody has to go through it if that’s what they want.” Staley said Hall has been trying to be more consistent and navigate the load of being a team leader. Last season, Hall appeared in 35 total games off the bench for the Gamecocks — including 15 SEC matchups and eight postseason outings — and scored at least 10 points in four of them. Johnson had a similar role to Hall during the 2022-23 campaign, appearing in 36 games and starting on three occasions. In her 674 minutes of action on the court last season, Johnson showed off her passing skills, which helped her rank 17th in the nation and second in the SEC with a 2.37 assist-to-turnover ratio – the fifth-best mark in program history. Johnson said last year the Freshies served as role models to this year’s “scrappy, young group” and will push the team to achieve a similar level of success. “They played a major part in this community at South Carolina, so we’re just going to follow in their footsteps — not even that, try to do better than them,” Johnson said. Staley said she believes the one person that balances out Johnson’s pace the best is senior guard Te-Hina Paopao, who transferred from Oregon during the offseason and has two years of eligibility remaining. Paopao averaged 12.5 points, 3.6 assists and 3.9 rebounds over the course of three seasons at Oregon. Paopao, although new to the team, has already developed into a team leader for the Gamecocks, Staley said. The team has a family and culture that immediately made Paopao feel accepted and welcomed at South Carolina, she said. “I felt that family when I came here and that culture when I came here,” Paopao said. “They’ve definitely accepted me, and I’ve accepted them. They have been great so far.” With Johnson and Paopao likely playing the majority of minutes at point guard, Staley said she finds herself in an unprecedented situation with so much talent at the position. “I don’t think I have ever had two lead

PHOTOs: SAM SCHORR Head coach Dawn Staley high-fives freshman forward Chloe Kitts during the team’s warm ups against Iowa before the Final Four matchup on March 31, 2023. Kitts joined the Gamecocks earlier in the season after originally committing as part of the 2023 recruiting class.

guards of this caliber on our basketball team in all of my years of coaching,” Staley said. True freshmen, such as guard MiLaysia Fulwiley, will embark on their first collegiate seasons under the leadership of the team’s veterans. Staley said Fulwiley has shown strong signs of potential already. “I think she’s a generational talent,” Staley said. “She does things that I haven’t seen a women’s basketball player do. The moves that she makes, the shiftiness, her ability to shoot the long ball, get to the basket at will.” Staley said that Fulwiley, along with freshman guard Tessa Johnson and freshman forward Sahnya Jah, need to move past some of their high school habits and adapt to the quick pace of college basketball. The team has little time left to make those adjustments, however, as the Gamecocks face a tough early season slate of opponents before starting conference play. South Carolina will open up its 2023-24 season on Monday, Nov. 6, at 1 p.m. when it takes on No. 10 Notre Dame in

Paris, France. The Gamecocks will then face No. 14 Maryland in game two of the campaign and play two more ranked teams, No. 16 North Carolina and No. 5 Utah, after Thanksgiving. For the first time in two years, South Carolina is not ranked No. 1 in the AP preseason poll. The Gamecocks are instead ranked No. 6, but that does not change the team’s preseason message, Staley said. “We’re in a position where we’re not the hunted. We’re hunting,” Staley said. “That’s not a bad place to be.”

Junior guard Bree Hall signals a change of possession during a Final Four game against Iowa on March 31, 2023, at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. The Gamecocks lost to the Hawkeyes 77-73.

Freshmen duo excited to play for hometown Gamecocks jacob phillips | Sports editor

scoring more than 1,000 points in his career. He averaged 21.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game during his senior season and was the consensus No. 3 overall recruit in South Carolina. Still, Conyers’ transition to college ball has not been perfect, he said. The increased pace at the next level challenged the incoming freshman. “I had to adjust to the speed of the game coming from Westwood to a Power Five school,” Conyers said. “I am adjusting. I know it’s my freshman year, it’s going to take a little minute to get everything down, but I’m working. That’s why I work.” Murray-Boyles began his high school career across town at A.C. Flora in Columbia. He played three seasons as a member of the Falcons and helped lead the team to the state title game in his junior

he University of South Carolina offered one thing to men’s basketball freshmen Arden Conyers and Collin Murray-Boyles that made their college decision a no-brainer — its proximity to home. Conyers, a guard, and Murray-Boyles, a forward, are both from the Columbia area and said the opportunity to play near home held a lot of weight in their commitment. “I just love being 20 minutes away,” Conyers said. “Being around people that support me, it’s a great experience.” Conyers’ played at Westwood and left his mark on the program,

PHOTO: COURTESY OF gamecock athletics Freshmen forward Collin Murray-Boyles sprints down the court on a break away during a Gamecock Basketball scrimmage. Murray-Boyles led his high school team by averaging 15 points per game.

season after averaging 18.3 points, 11.4 rebounds and 5.3 blocks per game. Murray-Boyles did not stick around the Midlands, however. He transferred to Wasatch Academy in Utah for his senior season and averaged 15.0 points and 8.8 rebounds. Now, he’s back in Columbia and ready to play in front of his family — which is full of devout Gamecock fans. “It really was a no-brainer,” MurrayBoyles said. “My family is a South Carolina family. My mom graduated from here.

My dad is an avid USC women’s basketball fan. We always go to games. So, I already knew what the crowd was like and how the environment was, so I already knew what I was getting myself into.” The addition of Conyers and MurrayBoyles brings the total number of in-state players to five. Junior guard and Fort Mill native Jacobi Wright said repping his state gives him an added sense of pride. “When you have your state across the front of your jersey, I feel like it means a little more to us,” Wright said. “We’re playing for something. That’s part of the reason we come here, so our families can come to the games, so we can represent our state. So, it’s always just extra little motivation when we step on the court being from South Carolina.” The five players from South Carolina — plus

graduate-student forwards B.J. Mack and Stephen Clark from Charlotte, North Carolina — mean almost half of the team is familiar with the region. Murray-Boyles said his comfort with the area allows him to help his other teammates, which includes three international players, acclimate to the region. “I think that adds a lot of culture, just knowing what South Carolina is about,” Murray-Boyles said. “Just knowing how the crowd gets, just knowing how the fans like to interact with the players, I think that’s really good. And we can teach some of these (international players) we got more, teach ‘em how we roll down here.”

Conyers and Murray-Boyles joined the program in a better position than most players thanks to their local support system, head coach Lamont Paris. “They came in here, I think, ahead of the game, not only physically, but just in terms of their knowledge of the game,” Paris said. “Really excited about them, as well as our other freshmen.” The two had their first opportunity to put their skills on display in a live game scenario during the preseason. The Gamecocks traveled to the Bahamas for two exhibition games, beating teams from Argentina and Lithuania Murray-Boyles put up a solid stat line in the first game, recording 4 points, two rebounds and two assists. Paris praised the freshman after the game for his explosiveness. “Collin was really good,” Paris said after the game against Lithuania’s Žalgiris-2 on Aug. 4. “He’s active, he rebounds,

he’s got a natural instinct to pursue the ball as a rebounder. He’s got really good hands. That’s a hard thing to teach. And he’s turned into an explosive offensive player in the last 365 days. He’s changed his body composition, and he’s explosive, he’s explosive now. And so, just really excited about what he can bring.” Both freshmen made an impact in the second game against Argentina’s Club Obras. Conyers scored 10 points and grabbed four rebounds. Murray-Boyles was the team’s third-leading scorer with 16 points on a perfect 7-7 shooting and added six rebounds. “I love our young group,” Paris said after the Aug. 6 game. “They both still have some growing pains defensively, that’s par for the course f o r

yo u n g guys. But man, I’m super excited about what the future looks like for both of those guys and the impact that they’ll have moving forward for this team and this program.” Conyers’ goal for the season is to get through those growing pains defensively, he said, and he has been working closely with Paris in practice to improve. “He’s been teaching me a lot of things defensively,” Conyers said. “That’s where I need to improve, I feel like I need to improve. So, defensively we’ve been bonding, talking a lot. Just getting to know each other.” Murray-Boyles said he wants to limit his mistakes this season, understanding they could cost him playing time. “As a freshman, you don’t got that much wiggle room,” Murray-Boyles said. “So, just being able to do the right things on the court and off the court is going to be really big this year.” Murray-Boyles will have some catching up to do before he steps on the court for the first time this season. He did not start the season with the rest of the team after

being ruled out for an indefinite time due to mononucleosis, but when he returns, he is expected to play a vital role, according to a team press release. Regardless of how they play this season, both players’ family will be close by to root them on. Murray-Boyles said he expects to see his family cheering him on from the stands often. “100%, every single game,” MurrayBoyles said. “No matter where it’s at, they’re going to be there every time.”

PHOTO: courtesy of GAMECOCK ATHLETICS BOTTOM LEFT - Freshmen forward Collin MurrayBoyles jumps into the air before a slam dunk in Colonial Life Arena during a fall practice session. The four-star recruit ranked 64th in ESPN’s Top-100 prior to his commitment to the team.

PHOTOS: SAM SCHORR MIDDLE - The back of the jerseys of freshman guard Arden Conyers and graduate student forward Stpehen Clark on Oct. 25, 2023. Conyers joins the Gamecocks after scoring more than 1,000 points during his time at Westwood High School. TOP RIGHT - Freshman guard Arden Conyers and the Gamecock men’s basketball team during open practice at Colonial Life Arena on Oct. 25, 2023. Conyers was the No. 3 player in South Carolina for the class of 2023.

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Coaches, teammates say Gamecock wide receiver’s breakout season comes down to work ethic: ‘He works harder than anybody I’ve ever seen’ ANNIE POTEAT | ATHLETE FEATURES BEAT WRITER

eading into the 2023 campaign, fifthyear Xavier Legette was not the South Carolina football team’s top option at wide receiver. That distinction belonged to senior wide receiver Antwane Wells Jr., who returned to the Gamecocks after making the All-SEC First Team last year. But during South Carolina’s first game of the season against North Carolina, Wells suffered a foot injury, which forced the team to embrace a “next man up” mentality for the position. Legette was called on to fill the top receiver role and has since emerged as a breakout star and one of the Gamecocks’ top producers on offense. Legette’s teammates and coaches said his hot start to the season is representative of the work ethic he has shown in practice after a career filled with setbacks and bright spots. “He just continues to work and get better, and you see it,” head coach Shane Beamer said. “You’ve seen it

come all together this year in a lot of ways.” After being recruited from Mullins, South Carolina, Legette appeared in 11 games his freshman year, including three starts. He caught nine passes for 80 yards and scored one touchdown. Legette started in all six games he played during his sophomore year, recording 113 yards on seven receptions, but his season ended prematurely due to injury. Legette found himself sidelined with an injury again the following year — this time from a motorcycle accident which forced him to miss two games in the middle of the season. Despite still having multiple wounds, Legette capped off his return to the field with a game-winning touchdown on the final drive of a 21-20 victory over Vanderbilt on Oct. 16, 2021. “It was very exciting. I ain’t had a moment like that since my freshman year, so I wanted to take full advantage of it,” Legette said.

Legette returned to full strength in 2022, and despite only catching 11 passes during the regular season, he found a way to contribute in a big way on special teams. Legette set the tone early against Texas A&M by returning the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown. The game finished as a 30-24 win for the Gamecocks. Legette has brought similar energy to South Carolina’s offense so far in 2023. In the Gamecocks’ opener, Legette caught nine passes for 178 yards, which was not only a single-game career high in yards but also surpassed the highest yardage total he had accumulated in any season with the team. He followed up the game with two more 100-yard performances over the next three games. Against Furman, Legette found the end zone for the first time all season and totaled 118 yards on six receptions. Two weeks later, he caught five passes for 189 yards, scoring twice.

PHOTO: SAM SCHORR Fifth-year wide receiver Xavier Legette resets during a timeout during the Gamecocks match-up against Mississippi State at Williams-Brice Stadium on Sept. 23, 2023. Legette finished with 189 yards on five catches.

Through the first four games of the season, Legette led not just the SEC, but the entire country with 556 receiving yards. Graduate student tight end Trey Knox said Legette’s recent success is a testament to the hard work he puts in each day at practice. “What he’s doing right now is nutty, but, I mean, it’s no surprise to anybody,” Knox said. “Dude works his butt off day in and day out, practices the right way, takes care of his body and (is) just always in the film room. So, there’s no surprise to anybody — he works harder than anybody I’ve ever seen.” Freshman defensive back Judge Collier said he sees Legette’s dedication when he has to defend him in practice. “His work ethic is crazy,” Collier said. “He just works at his craft. He perfects his craft, and going against him in practice every day makes me a better DB. So, I mean, what he does in practice, it translates to the field on Saturday. That’s just X.” Legette’s hard work caught the attention of a number of coaches on South Carolina’s staff, including offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains. Loggains said he makes an example of Legette for the younger players on the team, telling them to “watch how 17 practices.” While Tennessee put a damper on Legette’s early season surge — holding him to just five catches for 50 yards — Legette ranked fourth in the nation for receiving yards heading into South Carolina’s bye week. Legette’s production returned after the break to the tune of five catches and 110 yards in a loss to Florida, but it took a plunge the next week against Missouri, when he left the game with an upper-body injury after just one catch for 20 yards. The lingering injury limited Legette’s involvement again against Texas A&M in week eight, when he had 20 yards on three catches. Legette has 756 receiving yards heading into the team’s final homestand, despite his midseason struggles. “I feel like I’m playing at a high level right now,” Legette said. “I put the time in for it, and I’m still at it. Every day, I still come back and just do something little, just working on little fundamentals.”

PREVIEW: Gamecock men’s basketball looks to use experienced roster, sharper offense to battle lower expectations EMMA EDWARDS | OFF-SEASON SPORTS BEAT WRITER

PHOTO: sam schorr Head men’s basketball coach Lamont Paris pulls his players in for a timeout with 2.3 seconds left on the clock with the team down by 2 points on Feb. 4, 2023. The Gamecocks fell short and lost to the Arkansas Razorbacks 65-63 after a hard-fought comeback.

he South Carolina men’s basketball team will be looking to curb low expectations with a revamped, yet experienced roster for the 2023-24 season. Head coach Lamont Paris begins his second year at the helm with a roster that features just seven players who have stepped onto the court in a Gamecock jersey. Paris said he utilized the transfer portal to add seasoned veterans to the roster. “You can do two things because of the portal. You can get older quicker, and you can also recruit to play your style of basketball quicker,” Paris said. “You can change what the makeup of your team is pretty quickly.” Paris looks to add experience through three graduate student transfers – forward B.J. Mack, forward Stephen Clark and guard Ta’Lon Cooper – as well as junior guard transfer Myles Stute. The four transfers, paired with the returning players and newcomers, have a greater capacity

to learn and grow than the group he coached in his first year, Paris said. But expectations aren’t high for the Gamecocks ahead of the season. SEC media members voted for South Carolina to finish last in the conference for the regular season. This is the second season in a row that the Gamecocks are projected to finish last. Stute, who transferred from fellow SEC East school Vanderbilt, said he knows what it will take for the group to defy the odds after playing in the conference for two years. “I think (playing in the SEC) takes an attitude, a certain mentality, to not take any play off, not leave a stone unturned,” Stute said. “I think that’s exactly what every single guy on this team brings.” South Carolina’s returning players said they are optimistic that the new additions can help this group make its mark on the program. After withdrawing his name from the NBA Draft at the end of last season

to return to South Carolina, junior guard Meechie Johnson is confident the group will be different than last year. “The chemistry, the love, the talk, the affection is all there with these guys,” Johnson said. “I just feel like this team has a chance to be special and be remembered for something.” Along with the rest of the team, redshirt senior forward Benjamin BosmansVerdonk returned to Columbia eager to turn the program around. “I am on a mission, just like coach Paris is and just like any of these guys (are),” Bosmans-Verdonk said. “I hope to see it to completion.” The group will need to form a new identity between the veteran and freshman players to see success in the SEC, Paris said. But he said he hopes other coaches and teams will view South Carolina as a disciplined and competitive defensive unit. While the team has made practical offensive adjustments,

Paris said the new group has a lot to make up for on the defensive side of the ball. But he will not put a ceiling on this group’s potential, he said. “I would never cap what I think these guys are capable of doing,” Paris said. “We’ve got a lot a work to do, especially on the defensive end, but we got a lot of guys that can put the ball in the basket.” The Gamecocks have an opportunity to develop its team identity before opening up conference play, as it will not face an opponent ranked in the pre-season AP Top 25 men’s basketball poll. South Carolina will participate in the Hall of Fame Series against Virginia Tech, the Arizona Tipoff tournament and the ACC/SEC Challenge against Notre Dame before facing an opponent in the SEC. The Gamecocks will look to squash doubts and improve upon its 11-21 overall record from the previous season.

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This month in 1988 Gamecock sports history

The Gamecocks finished the season 6-0 in the ACC and 7-4 overall. National Goalkeeper of the Year Charles “Charlie” Arndt records the final shutout of his career in a 1-0 tournament quarterfinal win for the South Carolina men’s soccer team over SMU on Nov. 27. Arndt holds Gamecock records for career goals against average (0.70) and combined shutouts (29).

will kronsberg | managing editor

ovember means three things in college athletics – the end of fall sports, the beginning of basketball season and college football rivalry week. Take a look back at some of the most notable Gamecock sports moments from the month of November, with a special focus on rivalry games against Clemson.

1969

South Carolina football secures the ACC Championship, its only conference title to date, with a 27-13 win over Clemson on Nov. 22.

2002

Both Gamecock basketball teams played final exhibition games at the Carolina Coliseum before the Carolina Center, now known as Colonial Life Arena, opened on Nov. 22.

2004

“The Brawl” breaks out during the fourth quarter of Clemson’s 29-7 Palmetto Bowl victory on Nov. 20. Fighting between players started with shoving before the game and culminated with a six-minute stoppage as both teams’ benches cleared. Both schools removed themselves from bowl eligibility, making this the final game of Lou Holtz’s tenure as South Carolina’s head coach.

2007 Gamecock men’s basketball beat The Citadel Bulldogs 103-42 on Nov. 12. The 61-point victory is the largest winning margin for the men’s basketball team since Colonial Life Arena opened in 2002.

2013

No. 10 South Carolina football defeats No. 6 Clemson 31-17 to capture the fifth series win in a row for the Gamecocks on Nov. 30. Senior quarterback Connor Shaw led the team with 152 passing yards, 94 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns.

2016

The men’s basketball team completed an undefeated first month of the season with a 64-50 win over Syracuse in the Brooklyn Hoops Holiday Invitational on Nov. 26. South Carolina started the season 9-0 on the way to an appearance in the 2017 Final Four.

2018

Gamecock volleyball made its return to the NCAA tournament after a 16-year absence with a five-set win over Colorado on Nov. 30. South Carolina

finished the season 20-10 under first-year head coach Tom Mendoza.

2019

Women’s basketball players Aliyah Boston, Brea Beal, Laeticia Amihere, Zia Cooke and Olivia Thompson made their official Gamecock debuts on Nov. 5 in a 103-43 win over Alabama State. The group, nicknamed “The Freshies,” helped lead South Carolina to 129 wins overall in their four seasons, three Final Fours and the 2022 National Championship.

2022

Freshman forward Ashlyn Watkins became the first Gamecock women’s basketball player and just the ninth player in NCAA Division I women’s history to dunk in a game during South Carolina’s 85-31 win over Clemson on Nov. 17.

2022

Gamecock football broke a sevengame losing streak to the No. 7 Tigers, with a 31-30 win on Nov. 26. Redshirt junior quarterback Spencer Rattler threw for 360 yards and two touchdowns in the game, one of three more than 300 yard passing games Rattler had in his first season at South Carolina.

Local gift shop hopes to attract Five Points’ younger crowd through fresh, colorful rebranding initiative MACAILA BOGLE | ARTS AND CULTURE WRITER

ocal business owner Ima Thibodeaux said she has seen the mood around her Five Points store transform from formal and mature to young and eclectic in recent years. Potential customers who pass by Gibson’s Gift are more often college students now than middle-aged or older patrons. “A bunch of young ladies in April — they were passing the store, and they said, ‘And this is the granny store,’” Thibodeaux said. “I died when I heard that.” Located on Saluda Avenue, Gibson’s Gifts was established in 1955. The store originally sold gifts, cards and stationery with a diner located in the back. Now, Thibodeaux is rebranding the store, starting with selling everything that belonged to the Gibson name. “I sat down in this chair for a whole week, studying my audience … I see piercings, blue hair, tattoos all over. They will not come (for) traditional Caspari paper goods,” Thibodeaux said. “I put everything on sale, 50 and 75% sale, for nine weeks. Everything Gibson’s, gone.” Thibodeaux will rename the store to La Boheme — French for “The Bohemian” and the title of her favorite Giacomo Puccini opera — to match the more eclectic vibe that she plans to bring to the store. Thibodeaux said she hopes that this rebrand will allow her store to align with Five Points’ atmosphere while still maintaining its authenticity. “What represents Five Points, Saluda Avenue? And I thought, ‘La Boheme,’” Thibodeaux said. “A lot of customers complained about the name, and they said, ‘So what, you’re going to be another hippie store?’ So I have a problem with those people. I said, ‘Hippies and Bohemians are different species.’” The store caters to people of all ages, genders and backgrounds, store sales associates Cappy Boswell and Mary Hahn said. The store already has a kitchen section, a baby section, a

men’s section, a stationery section and a gifts section. “Bridal gifts, anniversary gifts, birthday gifts, that sort of thing, for all age groups, really,” Hahn said. “I think we probably ... were appealing to everybody from babies to children to older people.” Boswell said that shoppers can come in and find gifts for any budget. “We have all price points,” Boswell said. “We have, what I would call, things on the more expensive side. But we have plenty of gift options on the less expensive side.” Thibodeaux said she sets out to provide unique artisan products, which sets Gibson’s Gifts apart from other gift shops in the area, by sourcing stock from global markets rather than mass-produced suppliers or regional vendors. “I don’t go to the (Atlanta) market. I go straight to the European markets online, and I have (products) from New Zealand,

Gibson’s Gifts employees Mary Hahn (left) and Geneva Mobley (second to left) joke with Micah Peroulis (second to right) and William Miller (right) on Oct. 12, 2023. The store will rebrand to La Boheme in early 2024 to appeal to Five Points’ younger demographic.

PHOTOS: XAVIER MARTIN Boutique clothing, handmade crafts and other artisan products are on display at Gibson’s Gifts on Oct. 12, 2023. Store owner, Ima Thibodeaux, said she takes pride in selling handmade and nonmass-produced products from around the world.

to South Africa, to Guatemala, to Greece, Italy … everywhere,” Thibodeaux said. Thibodeaux said she celebrates being in a place where she can provide this unique set of products and still fit right in. “Five Points was, is and it will always be eclectic and colorful, and people can be here themselves,” Thibodeaux said. “Anybody can come to Five Points.” The newly-renamed La Boheme will remain at 743 Saluda Ave. and be open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

McMaster College students feel left behind, say building is out of date, needs significant upgrades AMANDA PETTY | ARTS AND CULTURE EDITOR

hen students walk into McMaster College, they see a building with historic brick walls, natural light, eclectic sculptures and the two galleries that hold rotating exhibits and student art. But a closer look reveals creaky floors, out-of-order bathrooms, faulty electricity, malfunctioning air conditioning, safety concerns and plumbing issues that sometimes result in flooding. Built in 1911, McMaster College is home to the School of Visual Art and Design. There are four major programs inside the school — art history, art education, studio art and media arts — which include 568 students for the fall semester.

PHOTOS: SAM SCHORR A large hole is covered in the corner of a printmaking studio in McMaster College on Oct. 31, 2023. Some holes and other leaks throughout the building have created issues for students who must utilize the space.

As the building has grown older, students said they feel inconvenienced by the numerous facilities issues. Students said they have seen leaky sinks in painting classrooms and general plumbing problems in bathrooms. Amy Chalmers, a graduate student in the Masters of Fine Arts program, said issues with the bathroom on the third floor have persisted for the entire semester. “It can create an uncomfortable environment for work and study,” Chalmers said. “So obviously, there are some things that need fixing in our beautiful buildings.” For fifth-year art studio student Alexander Jones, there have also been multiple issues with flooding in the printmaking studio. While using the equipment, he said he had to clean and mop the overflow up himself. “It’s the hydrobooth, like the plumbing under it,” Jones said. “You have to literally take out the ink trap (and) fix it. And then the one under the sink, you can’t even access it. And then so there’s a flooding issue in the print room.” Despite submitting a maintanence request, the issue was not fixed until the next week, Jones said. Since July, the Facilities Department has received 17 maintenance requests from students and faculty for McMaster, said university spokesperson Jeff Stensland. Stensland said that when a faculty member files a complaint, Facilities will come in, assess the damage and then make the changes needed. “It’s an older building, and it’s heavily trafficked,” Stensland said. “It’s going to have some maintenance issues. However, McMaster really has some minor maintenance issues.” Facilities, Stensland said, has made other routine repairs throughout the building, including

A dated thermostat sits in the stairwell of McMaster College on Oct. 31, 2023. Many students said they find it difficult to be productive within the school due to its fluctuating temperatures.

changes to light bulbs and the HVAC system. Students also said heating conditions are unreliable and that it is either too hot or too cold. Multiple students said there was a time period where the air conditioning was not working. Issues with flooding and HVAC are just a few of the problems students said they have encountered in the building. Fourth-year media arts student Lilli Kozlowski said she has had similar inconsistencies with the building’s electricity. “We just had a power outage issue in here,” Kozlowski said. “And we have to have

three extension cords plugged into each other to get enough power to run two heaters and a lamp. I mean, it’s kind of an issue for a class where we need to have specific direct lighting.” These electrical problems can be detrimental for students in figure drawing classes, said Mallory Taylor, third-year media arts student There needs to be enough power to keep the model warm and show the person or object being drawn, she said. Without this, students have trouble participating. Brandon Glover, an adjunct professor of Media Arts and USC alumnus, said he

ARTS & CULTURE | 31 doesn’t remember any significant changes to the building since he graduated in 2010. The equipment and facilities need an update, he said. “(We) probably need to address those things,” Glover said. “Especially if students are paying the same amount of tuition to be a part of this school versus another school.” But due to its historic nature, faculty and staff at McMaster College are not allowed to make renovations or improvements without the approval of the Facilities Department, said Laura Kissel, the director of the School of Visual Art and Design. With regard to the size of the building, some students said McMaster can’t fit students’ needs without increased space. They would like to see the gallery space, classroom space and community space enlarged. “I think (McMaster) definitely could use some improvement and some love,” said Christina McCurry, a fourth-year art education student. “I don’t think there’s enough space for all of the programs that are offered in the art department, and that

we should be able to offer more if we had more space.” First-year art studio student Shakenya Franklin said she believes the art building needs a larger layout to increase the amount of art surrounding the school. “I feel like they could do a lot more with art,” Franklin said. “Put a little bit more art around outside, inside, make the gallery a little bigger so it can really represent us as art major students.” Being overlooked is a familiar feeling among arts students. Some said they don’t feel as prioritized as other majors, and others said they feel the school doesn’t look after them. “I feel like the arts, and especially this building, is neglected,” said Adeline Lamb, a second-year media arts student. When students find issues in the building, Jones said it’s hard to reach the people that could help them get fixed. “I don’t think they care. But it’d be great if we at least knew who was making decisions because we don’t even have a face to a name,”

Jones said. “We’ve never met the dean of the school — never met any of the head people.” As needed, Kissel said the Facilities Department will come in to make upgrades to classrooms and change the paint on the walls. Other projects can take longer, however, and may need to be done when students are not on campus. For any students who are seeing issues within the school, she said she wants them to be comfortable enough to come and tell her. “I want people to feel at home here,” Kissel said. “And if that’s not happening, then I need to know.” Lamb said that while she pays a lot of money to be an arts student and works hard to maintain her GPA and scholarships, she still feels like she doesn’t receive the credit she deserves. “Even with all of these efforts and exhaustion, I feel like I’m not valued as highly here at McMaster and as a visual arts and

sciences student in comparison to other, more popular majors,” Lamb said. Chalmers said that while she is grateful for McMaster College, she believes it is in need of updates. She said that compared with other buildings on campus, arts students deserve improved conditions. “While I do think it’s in bad need of updating, I want to express my gratitude for the building that we have,” Chalmers said. “I think there’s a lot of room for improvement. And I look forward to seeing that improvement in the years and months to come.” Any students who see or are aware of any maintence issues in McMaster should report them to the Facilities Department, Stensland said. Students can file a complaint on the department’s website.

Editor’s note: Kate Robins contributed to the reporting in this article.

A second-floor lab room sink sits inactive in the McMaster College on Oct. 31, 2023. Some sinks such as the one in the lab have become backed up with paint.

Vivid: Color Cut Style brings inclusivity, acceptance to Five Points through unique haircuts, customer care Stephanie Hubler | arts & culture

nderstanding how vulnerable getting a haircut can be, Lydia Catherine and Kayla Turnage said they wanted to bring an inclusive and customer-focused hair salon to Five Points. Catherine, the owner of Vivid: Color Cut Style, and Turnage, her business partner, opened their salon 10 years ago under the Cornell Arms Apartments on Pendleton Street. They said they understood the need to have a freespirited environment for workers and clients, which led them to where they are now in their business journey. Catherine and Turnage graduated in the same cosmetology class about a decade ago, but the two said they did not know each other well and went their separate ways afterwards. Catherine went to work at a salon that was “disintegrating” while Turnage worked local runway shows, including helping with Charleston Fashion Week. “My salon was falling apart that I was working at,” Catherine said. “So then, I was like, ‘I think I’m going to open a place’

because I couldn’t really find a place that I wanted to work.” The pair said they first discussed going into business together while working a wedding, and Turnage’s boss suggested they buy out her business. Catherine said she wanted to create a business that she enjoyed working at, so the two decided to open Vivid: Color Cut Style. “It was really funny,” Catherine said. “I would never do that now. Somebody randomly calling me like, ‘Do you want to go into business with me?’ Like, no.” Catherine and Turnage said they found it important to create a work environment that values the needs of their clients and employees, which became the core of their brand. “We just wanted a place to work. Really, we were like, We just want a comfortable place for people to come and get what they want,” Catherine said. Vivid: Color Cut Style also offers bridal hair and makeup services called Pretty & Pinned, which Turnage started in 2017. Its bridal service boomed as

Photos: Delany kral The front entrance of Vivid: Color Cut Style at 910 Harden St. in Columbia, South Carolina, on Oct. 30, 2023. The salon is located in Five Points after moving over from Pendleton Street.

Vivid: Color Cut Style, a hair salon specializing in punk-style, alternative haircuts, sits at 910 Harden St. in Columbia, South Carolina. It also has an adjacent business for bridal and event services called Pretty & Pinned.

soon as it began, which Catherine said was due to Turnage’s experience and efficiency. “My second year starting Pretty & Pinned, I had 53 weddings,” Turnage said. Catherine said that several past clients of Vivid: Color Cut Style had been turned away from other salons for requesting certain hairstyles or bright-colored dye. In one case, they said, a client requested purple hair from another stylist and was turned away when they did not have the right dye. “We made a point to keep (certain dyes) in the place. And no matter who walked in the door, we could service whatever hair they wanted, and that was so revolutionary,” Catherine said. Vivid: Color Cut Style advertises on its website that is is a safe space for LGBTQIA+ individuals, which the pair said helps to assure clients that their hairstylist will not judge them when they come in.

“We do a lot of gender-affirming hair, and it just goes back to me just wanting to give people what they want. When you stop asking if someone wants a boy haircut or a girl haircut ... then they start to affirm themselves,” Catherine said. Vivid: Color Cut Style is not only a safe space for clients, but for employees as well, Catherine said. She said she values her employees’ mental and physical health and encourages them to take care of themselves first. Kristen Greene, a stylist at Vivid: Color Cut Style, has worked for Catherine and Turnage since the salon was at Cornell Arms and said she enjoys working in a place that allows her to explore her own style, such as experimenting with color theory. “It’s really nice to be able to work somewhere where it feels like I’m cared about. It feels like I can have fun,” Greene said. “It’s a very safe space in here. Honestly, I couldn’t say enough good things about working here.”

The location in Five Points is about a year old and is decorated with bright yellow furniture and opportunities for each stylist to show off a part of themselves at their station. Some have a Pride flag, while others have their supplies decked out in stickers. Vivid: Color Cut Style gears more toward clients that are interested in colorful hairstyles and imaginative cuts. Catherine said that rather than trying to get the most clients in the day, their staff cares about understanding the clients’ wants and needs. “My hair is ridiculous,” Catherine said. “I literally shaved my bangs off. I love bad hair, but the definition of bad hair is different for everyone.” Vivid: Color Cut Style is located in Five Points at 910 Harden St. Hair products are placed on a shelf within Vivid Cut Color & Style at 910 Harden St. on Oct. 30, 2023. The hair salon focuses on specialty hair cuts, fashion color, balayage, blonding and corrective color.

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ARTS & CULTURE | 35

Fair returns with rides, shows, festivities for all ages XAVIER MARTIN | SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER

he South Carolina State Fair returned to the fairgrounds for its 154th year at the end of October. The fair featured carnival rides, concessions, live entertainment, a petting zoo, a circus and a wide array of food options. More than 400,000 fairgoers typically visit the annual event during its two weeks at the fairgrounds.

Zach Mayfield, 25, spins a basketball on his finger in front of his carnival game at the South Carolina State Fair on Oct. 18, 2023. Mayfield is from Ocala, Florida, and has worked at two fairs in the United States and one in Canada.

PHOTO: NICKOLAS HILL A view of one of the ferris wheels and the rocket at the entrance of the South Carolina State Fair on Oct. 20, 2023. This year’s theme was “Meet Me at the Rocket,” paying homage to the decommissioned intermediate ballistic missile, “Columbia,” which was donated to the fairgrounds in 1969 and has long since been a symbol and meeting point for fairgoers throughout its time at the fairgrounds.

The South Carolina State Fair took place from Oct. 11-22, 2023, at the South Carolina State Fairgrounds across from Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C. The annual fair features events, such as carnival games and rides, fair food, live entertainment, a petting zoo, a circus and more.

Columbia residents Lyndsey (left) and Courtney (right) Lyman laugh while feeding a camel and goat at the petting zoo of the South Carolina State Fair on Oct. 18, 2023. The petting zoo features camels, goats, sheep, zebu cattle and donkeys for fairgoers to feed and interact with.

Donna Gonzales, 22, pours cinnamon on an elephant ear at the South Carolina State Fair on Oct. 18, 2023. Gonzales is from New Jersey and has been working with the Sugar Shakers food stand for four months while getting ready to attend college in January 2024. Fairgoers can find a plethora of food stands at the fair, serving everything from elephant ears and funnel cakes to savory items such as corn dogs and Mexican street corn.

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Column: Affirmative action in hiring practices brings needed diversity. That perspective can reap big benefits Varsha Gowda | Opinion editor

he U.S. Supreme Court banned affirmative action in the college admissions process in June 2023, upending a tool that was used to diversify college campuses. But the court has set a precedent that doesn’t just impact universities. Companies nationwide are worried about whether the Supreme Court will also ban affirmative action in their policies. action should have Affirmative a place in hiring practices because without it, there wouldn’t be any definite measures to assure diversity in the workplace. Affirmative action is a program or policy used to promote equal employment opportunities and prevent discrimination on the basis of race, sex, gender, religion, national origin and disability, according to Vox. Affirmative action helps diversify the workforce and make sure that everybody has an equal opportunity to be hired for a job. A 2013 study from Harvard saw that the removal of affirmative action in hiring practices decreased employment by 7% among Hispanic men, 4% among Black men and 37% among Asian women in local and state government jobs. “5% of the attorneys that are in the United States are African American,” said George Rogers, a member of USC’s National Black Law Students Association. “The fact that it’s going to be more difficult now for people of color to get into law schools without affirmative action, that means it’s going to be harder for them to become lawyers. It’s going to be harder for them to go into that career path.” When affirmative action was banned in colleges in California in 1996, minority enrollment decreased by 50% immediately, according to Bloomberg Law. The court’s ruling on college admissions limits opportunities for underrepresented groups, and in removing affirmative action in hiring practices, diversity in the workforce will further decrease. Without having

these diverse forces, workplaces will be riddled with groupthink mentality without having any contributions from people with different perspectives. “I think that affirmative action is necessary for ensuring that we have diversity not just in the way people look but also in diversity of thought,” said Rogers. “I think affirmative action is something that we need as a society to ensure that no voices are left behind.” Diversity is important to bring in people who have a variety of perspectives, backgrounds and opinions so that workplaces can be more creative and efficient. With affirmative action helping

to keep the workplace diverse, firms have access to a wider range of sources and experiences that allow them to make better strategic decisions. Diverse companies are 35% more likely to receive better financial returns compared to non-diverse companies, according to Bloomberg Law. As companies aim to diversify themselves through affirmative action, the environment also becomes more welcoming for minority employees. This results in employees that are happier and more loyal to the company. “I definitely feel like it will benefit me in just knowing that these companies are trying to make a spot for me. And not just make a

spot, but make sure that I feel comfortable,” said Destinee Earl, the president of the Black Business Student Association at USC. “And make sure that I feel like I have a place where I can express my ideas and express my opinion and my voice.” Affirmative action overall benefits companies and underrepresented groups in the workforce. By removing this practice when hiring people, companies would limit themselves from growth and prevent so many people within minority groups from reaching their fullest potential in their respective fields. The result is a workplace that would not be desirable for anybody, regardless of race.

Illustration: Allie dunlap

Column: Getting home safely shouldn’t be expensive. But according to ‘safe rides’ group, peace of mind is pricey Jenna Swenson | Opinion Writer

he University of South Carolina’s campus nightlife is lively, to say the least. With three out of the seven days of the week — Thursday, Friday and Saturday — dedicated to nighttime activities, there came a call for reliable transportation to and from city hotspots. And students were able to make that happen, creating a “safe rides” GroupMe. But the recent hike in “safe rides” prices is appalling and could drive users towards potentially dangerous rideshare apps. Ideally, students should be riding with fellow students, despite the various rideshare apps available. But cheap rides are the most appealing when finding transportation home after a night out in Five Points or The Vista. One option is Lyft, since students are able to use a special code that discounts up to $8 off of the price of a ride from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. But on Sept. 1, the codes were found to be “inactive,” leaving the price of a five-minute drive upwards of $15. The alternative is a student-managed system, “safe rides,” that operates via GroupMe. Created by women for women, this transportation service was crafted to create a safer environment for women in potentially vulnerable states traveling back from a late night out. The exact layout of the system is designed to provide cheap, safe rides, and all transactions are typically through the GroupMe chat or other contact information provided by members. But there are stipulations. Per the written guidelines of “safe rides,” the GroupMe’s profile states that “fair prices, safety, and respect of property are high priority” as well as no tolerance for harassment or bullying. Individual drivers of the GroupMe set their own rates, but prices are meant to be comparable to that of rideshare apps. For example, if a 10-minute ride with a Lyft or Uber is $10 then a “safe rides” for the same route should be at or

Photo: Savannah Robinson A photo illustration of two girls in their car simulating “safe rides” on Oct. 25, 2023. “Safe rides,” a predominantly female GroupMe of drivers, has increased prices.

around $10. Prices are communicated between drivers and riders before a “safe rides” is ordered via text or when riders first enter the vehicle. The months of September and October have seen an increase in prices for “safe rides.” Typically, a ride ranges from about $5 to $10 but due to the increase of women choosing “safe rides” over Lyft, prices have nearly doubled that of a standard ride, coming out to $20. A $20 ride is incredibly steep for a short ride through Columbia. And the fact that college students are the ones choosing the prices is baffling, especially when they are also consumers of rideshare apps and familiar with expensive rides.

This is just about the cost, if not more, of a Lyft without the code. Avid “safe rides” user Frankie Macchia, a third-year political science student and deputy secretary of safety for Student Government, said she has recently even been up-charged during a ride, despite agreeing on a set price beforehand. “When it’s done the way it’s supposed to be done, it works great,” Macchia said. “It’s just those times when it’s not done the way that it’s supposed to be done that steers people back to those rideshare apps.” The increase in prices is frustrating. One would think that college student providing late-night transportation to other college students would be understanding and put forth reasonably

priced rides or “fair prices” as the rules state. But, despite this, women should still utilize the system rather than ordering a Lyft. Safety is of the upmost importance, for men and women alike. But the truth is women have to be more cautious and more observant than men. The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network is the nation’s largest antisexual violence organization. The group reports that 26.4% of female undergraduate students experience rape or sexual assault through physical force, violence or incapacitation. “Safe rides” provides a safe space for women to feel at ease when traveling home after a night out when they are potentially vulnerable. It’s important to remain safe while venturing out on the town late at night as well as keeping a set of safety tips in mind, such as staying close to your friends or giving them your location. “The buddy system, it goes without saying ... If you ever do wind up alone, phone a friend,” Macchia said. “Don’t think that you can get home safely on your own, even if you can, even if you have before. That doesn’t mean that you’re going to this time.” The best thing to do is remain safe. If staying safe translates to accepting a $10 to $15 ride from a fellow female student over a similarly priced Lyft ride from a total stranger, then that is the choice students must make. But that shouldn’t have to be the case. Rides should not be expensive. An organization designed by students for students like the “safe rides” GroupMe operates with one goal in mind — keeping students safe. Those students shouldn’t be dissuaded from choosing the safest option possible in favor of sparing a few bucks for a ride with a stranger.

Column: Ace the holiday season with our gift guide Catherine Pruitt |Assistant arts & Culture

here is a chill in the air, and the leaves have begun to fall upon the Horseshoe. As fall fades into winter, the holiday season is just on the horizon. Regardless of what holidays you celebrate, here are some great gift options for the special people in your life and some presents you should steer clear of during this season of giving.

Do: Gamecocks Gear What better way to share the love than by sharing your love for the South Carolina Gamecocks? This is an easily accessible gift. Before heading home, simply make a pit stop at the bookstore in Russell House. For an even larger selection, the Addam’s University Bookstore is located right off campus at 152 Assembly St. Note that the gear will be especially well-received by your Clemson fan family members.

Don’t: Mugs Every year during the holidays, it’s unavoidable that you will at one point receive a mug. That mug will sit on a shelf for months or even years before heading to its new home in a Goodwill box. Mugs are a no-go. They are impersonal and usually end up crowding your kitchen cabinets.

your loved ones. Simply print out a photo of you and the recipient and pop it into a frame. To take this gift one step further, you could decorate the printed photo with paint pens, add cute stickers around the frame or write a sweet message on the back.

Don’t: Journals or Notebooks It seems that for almost every holiday or birthday, there is some sort of notebook or journal included in the haul. Random notebooks just collect dust in someone’s room. Plus, in this day and age, everything is online. There just isn’t any need for countless notebooks and journals anymore.

Do: AirTags Imagine this: You’re trying to leave for a nine-hour family road trip to your relative’s house. You’re all in the car and ready to go, but your parents can’t seem to find their car keys. We’ve all been there. Take the opportunity this year to give your loved ones an AirTag. They can attach the small device to items they often misplace, such as wallets or keys, which will eliminate the stressful process of finding them at the last minute. In some ways, this could end up being a gift for you as well.

Do: Question-Based Games A great gift that can be enjoyed by friends, families and even strangers is question-based games, such as “We’re Not Really Strangers” or “For the Girls.” These games can liven up any room or party, and they also help you get to know your friends and family better.

Don’t: Candles Candles are in the same boat as mugs. They are presents that just never seem to work out. The scent is almost never to the recipient’s liking, there’s no personality involved and they usually end up just being regifted or donated.

Do: Photos This season raises the age-old question: What do I get the person that has everything? The simple answer is a memory. Photos are a perfect, easy gift for

Illustration: Gillian Thomas

Column: Online classes are nothing new. It’s time for universities to invest in making them better for students Varsha gowda|opinion opinion

nline classes spiked at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and have persisted until now. These classes added a whole new dimension to the way that students learn by using a different form of teaching. The number of students taking hybrid courses — courses that combine online and in-person classes — accelerated in 2020 by 92% because of the pandemic, according to McKinsey & Company. In 2021, 60% of college students took some form of online classes, according to Forbes.

Because of the sudden increase in online classes, universities have revamped how these classes are taught. Universities should continue to have these classes and improve on teaching through online tools in order to better suit the needs of its students. This new platform can create new opportunities for expanding and transforming education, but universities and professors must be willing to learn and adapt to the new online way of learning to maximize its benefits. There was a lot of uncertainty at the start of the pandemic about how

classes would be conducted and how professors would shift from their current teaching methods to a full-fledged online platform. James Hardin, a professor in the Arnold School of Public Health, had the opportunity to teach an in-person biostatistics class in Doha, Qatar, through a joint program with USC and a university in Qatar. But he switched to teaching the class online after the pandemic hit. “I basically just transitioned my PowerPoint slides from what I would present

while I was in front of someone to what I presented online, and I didn’t change my behavior very much,” Hardin said. “It was not very successful.” Professors’ lack of experience with teaching remotely has led some students to struggle in online courses. Hardin said he found it difficult to communicate what he really wanted to say in his lectures. Later, Hardin changed his teaching methods to better complement the online system. “I made a very conscious effort. About six months ago, I contacted the university and said, ‘I’m going to completely rewrite this course, to be an online course. It’s going to be immersive,’” Hardin said. “And so it turned out to be a really enjoyable challenge. I enjoyed teaching again. It was fun to sort of create content.” Hardin started adding more video content into his slides and integrated software he uses for his biostatistics class into his lectures. He also posted his recorded lectures on YouTube, so that students could revise the class material. This adaptability has helped Hardin succeed in educating his students and made the education process much more streamlined, he said. ”You can’t just take an existing course that’s written down in some fashion and put that writing on the internet and expect to get the same result,” Hardin said. “There has to

be something else. And so that’s the challenge.” Although there were online programs before the pandemic, they were not as widespread as they are now. Now, multiple

types of students, such as students employed full-time and commuter students, can better organize their time through the use of online classes, Hardin said. USC has continually increased its online programs in master’s and undergraduate coursework, Hardin said. It helps people in the workforce achieve a type of balance that they wouldn’t get from an in-person master’s program. USC now offers fully online epidemiology and health administration master’s programs. This helps create more accessibility for students who may be commuters or who are in the workforce. For a commuter, it is tedious to show up to lectures that only last 50 minutes, especially with the time it takes to get ready and drive up to the university. Having the option to take the class online helps save time and energy for commuters. Online courses also creates flexibility for full-time students to incorporate their education based on their schedule and gives them the freedom to complete assignments on their own time. “Online, you can decide when you want to do it, and you can plan your day easier,” first-year undecided student Katrine Risvig said. With USC and other universities around the country offering a mix of both online and in-person classes, people can now choose any option in how they want to be taught . “It really depends on the class, too. For example, if it’s a class that I don’t really care about, (if) I don’t really care about the subject matter or getting a specific professor, I’ll definitely do convenience,” said Tatum Greene, a master’s student of international business. “But if it is a really sought after class, I’ll definitely go for (in-person classes) more.”

Whether it’s asynchronous, hybrid or face-to-face classes, students can choose classes based on how it best benefits them. Tactile classes — such as sociology, philosophy and political science courses — tend to be better suited for in-person classes rather than online, because they use more discussion-based learning that would flourish in a classroom setting. “I think it really depends on the subject matter. For example, if it’s more hard skills, rote memorization, I think that’s better for online classes,” Greene said. “But for more discussion-based learning and more Socratic seminar classes, it’s definitely a hindrance to be online instead of in-person.” Some classes seem to be better fit to be taught online instead of in-person. Courses that are information intensive, such as biology and chemistry, would benefit more if they were offered online. This allows students to follow the lectures at their own pace and make better notes. Although there are disadvantages to having some courses being online, the benefits of these courses definitely outweigh the drawbacks. Universities are becoming more versatile in their teaching methods as professors adapt to the new online form of teaching and more of a variety of course options are offered. Students and professors get to experiment with different learning and teaching methods and figure out what is best for their needs now that there is a more conscious effort to offer courses online. As the years go by, universities are still developing ways to improve education through more online tools. The system has come a long way since 2020, but there is still a lot of work that needs to be done to fully benefit students from online learning.

Illustration: Gillian Thomas

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