USC fraternities caught breaking rush regulations
(U-WIRE) LOS ANGELES - Fraternity brothers from at least two different houses disregarded Interfraternity Council rush rules on dry houses and events last week, giving underage rushees access to unlimited bar tabs, acess to alcohol and marijuana at the houses, introducing them to sorority girls, and promising at least one rushee cocaine, a Daily Trojan undercover investigation found.
"We have a thing called Moratorium, which is during rush week. It says that no girls or alcohol can be present at the houses," said Paul Constantine, president of Interfraternity Council, the organization that oversees rush at the University of Southern California.
An undercover reporter from the Daily Trojan, who misrepresented himself by lying about his age, major and other personal details, attended rush events and witnessed violations occurring.
Arizona teaches how to tell friends not to smoke
(U-WIRE) TUCSON, Ariz. - The University of Arizona Health Sciences Center is launching an Internet-based research project to teach people how to talk to tobacco users about quitting.
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Similar to a CPR class, in which people learn to save the lives of others who have stopped breathing, Project Reach aims to train ordinary people in effective ways of convincing tobacco users to quit, said Myra Muramoto, the principal investigator for the project.
"Doctors can't reach everyone," Muramoto said.
The specific goal of the project is to test whether Web-based training can be as effective as an in-person workshop in teaching people brief intervention for tobacco.
Stimulant dependence common for students
(U-WIRE) ARLINGTON, Texas - Most college kids depend on stimulants to keep them awake.
Although coffee is the popular tonic for sleep-deprived college students, black tea and Gatorade are just two of the many caffeine alternatives.
For most healthy adults, 200-300 milligrams of caffeine per day - about two to three cups of coffee - poses no physical problems.
Carrie Lutter from the University of Texas at Arlington recommends students stick to the old-fashioned method, which is getting plenty of sleep and eating a variety of healthy foods. Discipline plays a key role in being healthy, she said. It takes time for students to get to the point where they wouldn't have to depend on caffeine to keep them awake. Aside from healthy eating and sleeping, Lutter recommends decaffeinated coffee and herbal teas as good alternatives to regular coffee.
Utah debates permitting guns on campuses
(U-WIRE) SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - No major university in the country permits firearms on campus, but Utah's Legislature is attempting to change that.
For more than three years, the University of Utah has been fighting against various politicians for the right to retain its own autonomous policy prohibiting guns on campus.
Hearings in the gun debate reached the Utah Supreme Court on Monday as the five justices listened to arguments presented by Assistant Attorney General Brent Burnett and the university's representation, Allan Sullivan.
The court is deliberating over two questions in the state action.
The first issue addresses whether the Utah firearms laws prohibit the university from a standing policy. The second regards whether the university reserves special independence from the legislation.
Vanderbilt and Napster offer cheap downloads
(U-WIRE) NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Students soon will have a cheap way of downloading music without having to resort to illegal piracy.
Vanderbilt University teamed up with Napster this semester to introduce VUMix, a program that students may use to obtain and share music.
Starting Oct. 1, all undergraduate, graduate and professional students with Windows PC operating systems will have the opportunity to subscribe to VUMix service and download full-length songs, officials said.
Iowa State dorms to get police officer liasons
(U-WIRE) AMES, Iowa - The Iowa State University Department of Residence has teamed up with the police department to create a police presence in the dorms.
A police officer is assigned to each residence hall as part of the officer liaison program. Capt. Gene Deisinger said the program is an attempt to restore a good relationship between students and the police.
The officer liaison program should create greater visibility in the residence halls, even when officers are not taking action, he said.
