Vol. 51| No. 1Orientation 2014 University of South Carolina Aiken

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Editor-in-ChiefColleen Welch

Sports WriterConnor Burney

Arts & Entertainment EditorT.J. Wright

ArtistRonnica Golson

Online EditorJoey Gill

Staff WriterBrent Blackmon

Contributing WritersJames PaisleyJulie Radford

AdviserPeggy Elliott

Pacer Times is a weekly publication of the University of South Carolina Aiken. The opinions stated in this paper

are those of Pacer Times and in no way reflect those of USCA.

The student newspaper is distributed free on campus, one copy per student. To purchase an advertisement, parties must

contact the advertisement manager at (803) 641-3517 or by email to pacertimes@usca.edu.Advertisements are subject to

rejection by the staff.

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About our Cover

Orientation 2014

Every wall post, every pic-ture and every search you make is tracked in cyberspace. You can give your profiles a “pri-vate” setting, but social media is far from private. Your infor-mation, everything that you put into your profile, is kept for a very long time, even after you delete your profile.

There are many things that you should not do, but the fol-lowing list contains common errors that could harm your life and your career. Scam artists and hackers are constantly ex-ploiting people online, and you could be a victim and not even know it. 1. Public and private Wi-Fi are not the same. Public Wi-Fi hotspots such as the ones on campus, restaurants and hotels are open networks; they can have five users or hundreds. Private Wi-Fi hotspots are usu-ally password protected, and you need to have the password to access it. Private Wi-Fi servers are extremely protected, espe-cially if they use WPA2 pass-word encryption. This means that you can surf the web and not have to worry about some-one stealing your information. On public servers, you must beware of using social networks, bank accounts and access-ing your email. It’s like getting dressed. On a private server you have blinds on the windows and a locked door that allow you to get dressed. On a public server, it’s like you’re getting undressed in the middle of a crowded shopping mall and everyone is

staring at you. If you do access sites and give personal informa-tion, make sure they begin with the HTTPS: protocol, which means the website is a secured connection. It is far less likely to be able to be hacked. It also helps to access sites using proxy

servers. There are many free solutions available online such as KProxy and vTunnel that allow you to do this without installing complicated software, but beware, as these services are notorious for having tons of ad-vertising banners and pop-ups.2. Beware of scams. Origi-nally, this used to be common knowledge and you would be able to spot a scam from a mile away. In the last 10 years, scammers have found new ways to gain access to your informa-tion and steal your identity. Emails are still one of the most prevalent use of scams. If you receive an email about someone “offering you a job” but do not give any specifics or a phone number, it’s a scam. If you click

on a link to go to your bank site or Facebook and the ad-dress in the address bar is not what you’re used to, then close out immediately! If you get an offer like winning a brand new car or a brand new phone by entering in your information

and filling out special offers and quizzes, it’s a scam. Scam-mers have also found ways to hack into your computer by placing a virus on programs and files you download. Make sure your computer has an An-tiVirus/AntiSpyware solution such as AVG or Avast!. If you use a Mac, don’t just assume that you’re protected; hack-ers have found ways to infect Mac’s closed system, so install a free antivirus solution just to be on the safe side.3. Never physically meet someone you “met” online without a friend. Met this re-ally nice guy or girl online and think they are too good to be true? Truth is, they just might be. This has been happening

for many years, but recently got coined the term “catfish.” When a person catfishes you, they create a fake profile, us-ing pictures not of themselves and lie about many aspects of their life. If you feel that you must meet an online “friend,” bring someone along who can get you to safety if things turn sour. Also, never meet in a quiet, secluded place. Always meet in an open, public place with a lot of people around.4. Never post or send explicit photos and text. Cell phone providers and social network-ing sites, even dating apps, are keeping track of every message and every image you send. So that dirty picture you sent to that person when you were a teenager? What if you go in for a job interview one day and your potential boss shows you that photo you forgot all about? Think before you send.5. Never post or send person-ally identifiable information. Do not ever give anyone your address, phone number, credit card, passwords, tax records or social security number. If it is an accredited and trusted business such as Amazon, and they need information for you to make a purchase, you can provide the information. Never send one person or an unrecognized busi-ness your information. Do thor-ough research about that person or business before you do.

Millions of people are having their identities stolen and their lives tarnished because they didn’t protect themselves virtu-ally. Protect yourself. It’s better to be proactive than reactive.

Protecting yourself online: Five things to never doJoey Gill

Online Editor

USC Aiken has signed a memorandum of understand-ing (MOU) with the govern-ment of Grenada and the T.A. Marryshow Community College in Grenada. The agree-ment is collaboration between the entities where both student and teaching opportunities are exchanged.

Grenada is an island coun-try consisting of the island of Grenada and six smaller islands at the southern end of the Grenadines in the south-eastern Caribbean Sea. T.A. Marryshow College (TAMC College) is a two-year college in the capital, St. George’s.

The primary agreement between the parties allows students from Grenada to come to USCA after they

have completed their first two years of higher education at the TAMC College. Any chosen students from USCA may also be afforded the opportunity to study at TAMC College.

The exchange program will also encourage the exchange of faculty and staff from USCA or TAMC College in the areas of teaching, professional develop-ment and research. Exchange visits of teaching and research

USC Aiken Marketing Department

Interested in joining Pacer Times? Email Colleen at welchcm4@email.usca.edu

staff are intended to promote seminars, courses, conferences, lectures, to carry out joint re-search projects and to discuss experiences in the fields of common interest.

Additionally, efforts will be made to have electronic forums between classes to connect undergraduate students from each school to discuss a specific course topic, problem or re-search project.

Especially when using university computers, be sure to keep per-sonal information confidential online. Never share your password.

Design by Ronnica Golson

Photos from USCA Marketing and Community Relations

Peggy Elliott

USCA signs agreement with Grenada

2 |

Orientation 2014 | 3NEWS

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Tuition on the rise againTuition costs continue to rise

for USC Aiken students for the 2014-15 academic year.

Tuition will be $9,312 for the fall and spring academic year, according to a memo distributed by Joe Sobieralski, vice chancellor for finance.

The new tuition amount is about the same increase as in recent years. Tuition was $9,024 in 2012-13 and $9,258 in 2013-14.

Even with the increase, USCA remains the second lowest in tuition of any of the state’s four-year public institutions.

The technology fee for 2014-

15 will be $120, and the $25 public safety fee includes the student’s parking permit.

The budget, adopted by the University of South Carolina

System Board of Trustees in mid-June, includes other increases as well.

Room and board rates will increase 1 percent and

4 percent “to cover required changes such as salary and benefit increases for employees as well as increased utility costs and inflation on contract services,” according to the memo.

New lab fees will be adopted for certain courses and programs to fund equipment replacement, maintenance and other course and program enhancements.

Funding for the planned MBA program is included in the budget, as are safety initiatives such as new cameras and fire safety improvements.

All permanent employees will receive a 2 percent

pay increase. The required contribution to the South Carolina Retirement System will increase by 0.5 percent to 8 percent of base pay. The budget also provides for the employer portion of health insurance and costs associated with implementing the Affordable Health Care Act.

Allocations were also made for one-time raises to bring parity for employees whose pay has continually fallen below state averages. The total funding plan adopted by the Board of Trustees includes a $59 million spending plan for USCA.

Students will pay 3.2 percent more for tuition this fall than in previous years. USCA remains the lowest cost in the USC system.

Peggy Elliott

Peggy ElliotAdviser

4 | Orientation 2014 SPORTS

When the men’s basketball team convened last fall, it had one goal for its season – to win USC Aiken’s first national championship.

They almost made it, finishing in the NCAA Division II Final Four and putting together the best season in school history.

The team won the NCAA Southeast Regional Championship and went to the nation’s Division II Elite Eight for the second consecutive year.

To get there, they won the Peach Belt Conference regular season title for the third straight year and tournament title for a second year in a row.

The Pacer men set a school record for most wins in a season, compiling a mark of 33-4 for a program-best winning percentage of .892. The Pacers closed the season on a 15-game winning streak, also a school record.

Other team accolades include the total rebounds and rebounds per game records of 1,494 and 40.4, respectively. The team also set school records for total blocks (220), free throws made (737), free throws attempted (1,059), field goals made (982) and field goals attempted (2,070).

In addition to team bests, several players also set individual records. Rick Alderman, Ron Zimmerman, Paul Larsen and Devonté Wright set the record for most

games played at 37.Alvin Brown set the Peach

Belt Conference and school record for blocks in a season with 144 and led the nation in blocks per game at 4.11.

Wright set the school record for free throws made and attempted in a season, going 190-230 on the year. In addition, he set the PBC mark for minutes played in a season with 1,351.

Zimmerman set the school record for 3-pointers made and attempted in a season, going 144-319. He also set the school record for career 3-point percentage after going 344-777 in his career, good enough for a 44.3 percent average. The 344 3-pointers made is also a PBC record.

Larsen set school records for rebounds in a season (326), field-goal percentage (.610) and career field-goal percentage (.598).

Jesse Seilern set USCA records for career games played (127) and games started (111). The games-played mark is also a PBC record.

These six seniors, along with Santoine Butler, Derrick Scott, Shane Porchea and Kinley Branch, have all departed the Pacers’ program by graduating.

The program heads into the new year with almost an entirely new roster, as only Grant Harris, Gavin Stephenson and Hendrix Emu are set to return.

Men’sBasketball

Women’s Basketball

USCA’s women’s basketball team entered last season on a different path than the men’s team.

Instead of having essentially the entire team returning, the women’s squad had several fresh faces.

Carly Gilreath, Courtney Mealing, Tiffany Addison, Kate Duff, Jasmine Coach, Mariah Durian, and Alexis Ware all joined the Pacers last season.

This influx of new faces resulted in the Pacers getting off to a rocky start, as the team started off 2-9.

However, after this rocky start the team began to find itself and went 3-5 in the month of the January.

The Pacers continued this momentum and closed the season 6-4, falling to North Georgia in the first round of the PBC Tournament.

Despite the 11-18 record, several Pacers had strong individual seasons. Porsha Martin, Mackenzie Reese, Durian and Mealing all averaged double-digit points last season.

The team improved throughout the entire season and has set itself up for a promising 2014-15 campaign. All but one of the Pacers from last year’s squad, Martin, will return this season, putting the Pacers in a good position heading into the new year.

Pacers excelduring ‘13- 14

Much like the women’s basketball team, the volleyball team entered last season with many fresh faces.

Nearly half of the team’s roster was made up of freshmen. Amanda Bologna, Katie Toman, Shawn Hotson, Ashley Lind, Taylor Stratton and Danielle Mercer joined the squad last season.

This mix of newcomers and veterans helped propel the Pacers to a 19-13 record, including 9-9 in the PBC. This was good enough to allow the Pacers a spot in the conference tournament, where they caught fire.

The Pacers entered the tournament as the No. 6 seed and squared off against Francis Marion in its first match, 3-2. In the second round the team faced Flagler and avenged its two regular season losses to the Saints, winning 3-1.

This allowed the Pacers to advance to the conference championship game, where they fell to Armstrong, 3-0.

The strong finish coupled with the team’s returning experience (only lost two seniors) has the Pacers in a good position heading into the 2014 season.

Golfers Hayden Letien, Gaines Milliner, Brandan Robinson-Thompson, Kyle Godsman and Andrew Ward led the team to a winning season.

Sports Information Department33-4, 18-1 PBC

11-18, 9-10 PBC

USC Aiken brought new talent along with experienced veterans and strong seniors. This season brought new experiences for runners. The standout star for the Pacers was senior Keely Gillespie. She added more awards to her stellar career and added two more wins at meets in 2013. She came from behind and won USC Aiken’s own Bridgestone-Pacer Invitational. She picked up her second victory of the season winning

at the FMU Invitational. Gillespie was awarded Second-Team All Conference and fellow senior Lauren Hodge was placed on the All-Sportsmanship team. Gillespie also was awarded honorable mention on the PBC All- Academic Team. Gillespie set many 6K and 5K school records. With new advances last season ago, the Pacers are excited to get back to the trail and follow the outstanding 2013 accomplishments.

Softball (34-16, 15-7 PBC)

Softball was on an all-time high this spring completing one of the best seasons ever. The season saw new records and standards set for Pacer softball, led by seniors India Kornegay and Kaitlyn White. Both players earned NFCA All-Region placement. Kornegay earned honorable mention for All-American. Many players got in the Pacer records books in multiple statistics including batting and pitching. Kornegay broke the 1,000 skrikeout milestone in her final year as

a Pacer. Outside of the field, Senior Alyssa Cook was the Peach Belt Conference Elite 15 award winner. This is awarded to the players with the highest GPA participating in the conference tournament. The Pacers returned to the NCAA tournament where they picked up two victories. This season showed tremendous growth in all positions of the field. A strong new incoming class paired with veterans to take the field next spring.

Adding accolades to the history books is something Pacer Golf does all the time. This year was no exception with the squad winning at four tournaments including the Peach Belt Conference Tournament and also competing at a very high level in the NCAA tournament. The Pacers won two Division I tournaments. USC Aiken was ranked as high as No. 2 nationally. The team had two runner-up finishes as well. The Pacers had strong play from many team members including senior Kyle Godsman, junior Brandon Robinson-Thompson and junior Andrew Ward. Robinson-Thompson won the PBC Individual title. Both Robinson-Thompson and Godsman were placed on the PING All-Region Team. Ward received the NCAA Elite 15 award at the national championship. This is awarded to the golfer with the highest GPA in the tournament. The team finished as one of the top 12 teams in the country in Division II.

With a lot of experience on the team in 2013, USC Aiken compiled a solid season that brought many awards. This was concluded with four Pacers being selected n the MLB Draft. Some of the accolades include sophomore Tyler Moore being selected to the ABCA Southeast All-Region team. Junior Rylan Metzler was selected in the NCAA Division II Southeast Region All-Tournament team. Senior Derrick Beasley and Moore were selected to the All-Conference team. Offensive

and defensive records were set this spring. The Pacers were awarded Freshman of the Week and Player of the Week honors on multiple weeks. Senior Ty Barkell and Metzler were award NCBWA Regional Player of the Week. This honor was a first for the history of Pacer Baseball. The team was consistently ranked high and reached No. 2 nationally at one point. The Pacers returned to the NCAA tournament. The team returns many veterans to the diamond this coming season.

The Pacer tennis program showed new growth on the women’s side and strong experience paired with new talent on the men’s side.

The women’s team defeated three nationally ranked teams and had a standout in freshman Nadine Tusiama who was named Peach Belt Conference All-Second team.

Off the court, seniors Franziska Regel and Margot Simon were named to the PBC All-Academic team. The

team set a new foundation for future Pacers.

The men’s team put together a strong season that led to the team being ranked as high as No. 13 nationally.

The team also got a berth in the NCAA tournament, winning one match.

Senior Patrick Stiebinger and freshman Alejandro Andino were placed on the PBC Second-Team All-Conference for doubles play.

Junior Ettore Damiani was

placed on the PBC Second-Team All-Conference for singles play. Stiebinger was named to the Capital One Academic All-District At-Large team. He was also placed on the 2014 Capital One Academic All-America Division II Men’s At-Large team. To top off an outstanding Pacer career, Stiebinger was named the PBC Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year award.

Golf

Men’s Soccer 4-11, 1-7-1 PBC

Women’s Soccer8-8-2, 3-6-2 PBC

Men’s Women’s

11-10, 12-8 PBC

Cross Country

13-10, 6-7 PBCTennis

The Men’s Soccer team added many new faces to the squad after coming off of the Peach Belt Conference championship appearance in Fall 2012. This also brought fresh new talent for Coach Ike Ofoje. With the youth of the team, they found spurts of strong offense and defense. Goalkeeping proved most successful for the team

as both Joshua Possiant and Brandon Jarosz won Peach Belt Conference accolades for their efforts. Both goalkeepers picked up PBC Goalkeeper of the Week. Even though the team was young, the Pacers found many of their matches close in score. With talent returning in the future the team looks for new standards on the pitch.

Milledge Austin

Volleyball

Baseball 36-17, 20-10 PBC

Winning in the Elite 8 of Division II nationally and moving to the Final Four in men’s basketball was the highlight of Pacer Sports in 2013-2014.

Softball 36-17, 20-10 PBC

Softball was on an all-time high this spring, completing one of the best seasons ever.

The season saw new records and standards set for Pacer softball, led by seniors India Kornegay and Kaitlyn White. Both players earned NFCA All-Region placement.

Kornegay earned honorable mention for All-American. Many players got in the Pacer records books in multiple statistics including batting and pitching. Kornegay broke the 1,000 skrikeout milestone

in her final year as a Pacer. Outside of the field, Senior Alyssa Cook was named to the Peach Belt Conference Elite 15, an award given to the players with the highest GPA participating in the conference tournament.

The Pacers returned to the NCAA tournament where they picked up two victories. This season showed tremendous growth in all positions of the field. A strong new incoming class paired with veterans will take the field next spring.

19-13, 9-9 PBC

The women’s soccer team reeled off one of its best years in recent history last season.

The Pacers recorded an 8-8-2 record, including a 3-6-2 mark in the conference. The team also had two of the top

scorers in the conference in Megan Smits and second-team all-conference honoree Hannah Allison.

USCA compiled the third-most wins in school history and the third-longest winning streak in school history, as well.

‘

“Covering Sports” Workshop is Aug. 23The Pacer Times needs sportswriters, and the Sports Information Department needs volunteers to help with games in all 11 of USCA’s sports. A special Covering Sports workshop is planned for all interested students for Saturday, Aug. 23, from 9:30 until 11:30 at the Convocation Center. Guest presenters are Brendan Robertson, Sports Director at NBC26 in Augusta, and Mike Kucharski, reporter for Spurs and Feathers website and weekly magazine. Anyone interested in attending this workshop is asked to register by emailing peggye@usca.edu. Please give your complete name, year in school, email address and a telephone number.

Stories by Nick Terry, Spring 2014 Sports Editor, and Connor Burney, 2014-15 Sports Writer

Orientation 20146 | IN THE KNOW

Alex Oliver Student Body President

Brittany MayVice President

Brooke InmanCommunity Service Senator

Cole JenningsGreek Life Senator

Colleen CirilloSchool of Nursing Senator

DeErica ReddishCollege of Humanities Senator

Erin NicksonSpecial Events Senator

Fateish GrahamPublic Relations Senator

Jimmy LynchStudent Media Senator

Jeremy JonesIntercultural Programs

Senator

Jonathan McCrayResident Life Senator

Ryan RafananSchool of Education Senator

Victoria Louis-JeanProgramming Senator

Vincent AndersonSchool of Business Senator

Not pictured

Jenna BeauregardAthletic Senator

Madelyn WasdenCollege of Science Senator

TJ BrantleyHistorian

Micah HurttParliamentarian

Meet your Student Government Association members

Research will yield the best deals on booksEvery professor chooses

textbooks for his or her course, and you can find the text information at the bookstore webpage under the Course Materials tab. You will need to know the course subject, course number and the professor’s name to get the list of materials needed.

The Pacer Shoppe is always the safest choice for texts, because they have been ordered according to the professor’s specifications. The Bookstore will also have the required lab supplies and course packets. The Bookstore recommends that you buy used books whenever possible, and the sooner you buy, the more likely you are to get the lower-priced

used text. The Pacer Shoppe also recommends that you buy required materials before classes start, but wait until the first day of class before getting optional or recommended texts. The Pacer Shoppe also rents texts, which can be cheaper than buying.

Many students prefer to shop online for their books, and may reap large savings by doing so. The Pacer Times staff recommends that you follow some guidelines if you do this:

1. Search by ISBN number rather than title. Each book has one of these long numbers, and only one, so using this will ensure you the right version.

2. Don’t assume the older

version will be OK. There is a reason it is cheaper. Email your professor to learn if an older edition is acceptable.

3. Check the vendor’s return policy. If you can’t send it back if it’s wrong, you waste your money.

4. Allow plenty of time for shipping. Students who wait until classes start to order their books are behind from the first day.

5. Be sure the package contains all of the e-materials and workbooks that should come with it.

6. Buy your supplemental materials at the bookstore because they are certain to be correct.

For this price comparison, we have chosen the materials for BIOL A121, Bio-logical Science I, taught by Charles N. Hancock. The primary text is Camp-bell Biology in Focus, Ed. 1, with Mastering Biology E-text, by Urry et. al.The course also calls for a lab manual costing $48.95 new or $36.75 used which must be bought at the Pacer Shoppe. The ISBN is 9780321813664.

Seller Purchase Rent ShippingPacer Shoppe $163.70 New

$122.80 Usednot given none

Amazon $162.76 New 30.49 - 59.55 not givenAbe Books.com $107.80 - 157.81 not given not givenBooksprice.com $102.99 - 186.28 not given not givenChegg $138.99 New

$126.49 Usednot given Free till 7/31

When checking out prices on the Internet, be sure to compare the cover photo from the bookstore website to the one provided by the bookseller. This assures that you are comparing costs using the correct edition of the book.

Orientation 2014 | 7Op-edsGoing Greek: One of the best decisions I ever made in college

In my college experience I have never had that feeling of being alone in the crowd.

As a native of Aiken, going to USC Aiken was something that I knew I was going to do. Not long after class started my freshman year, however, it soon became just like high school. Most of the people I talked to went to the same high school as me. That all changed with Get On Board Day in the Student Activities Center.

There were groups from

different organizations that tried to get anyone to take notice and learn about their group. What caught my attention were all the different sororities on campus. All of their tables had different things to grab the attention of students and to urge girls to “rush” the following week.

I never thought I was the sorority-girl type, but it occurred to me it would not hurt to see what Greek life was all about. I went to Greek Forum, where all of the sororities and fraternities on campus introduce themselves. At first, all of this seemed to just be a bunch of random

letters, symbols and terms bunched up together.

Three of the sororities – Zeta Tau Alpha, Phi Mu and Alpha Omicron Pi – allowed us to mingle with the current

members. Soon I became very interested in rushing a sorority.

During each night of Rush Week, there are different parties to attend, during these parties I found out more about each sorority. All of the sororities

were different, but there was something I liked about each of them, which made my decision of which one to choose much harder. Ultimately, I rushed and joined Zeta Tau Alpha (ZTA). The following weeks were intense and wonderful at the same time. I immediately became not only friends with but also sisters with 38 other girls.

One of the reasons I fell in love with Greek life was the philanthropy aspect. For instance, ZTA’s philanthropy is Breast Cancer Awareness and Education. We raise money through different fundraisers such as a golf tournament and

a 24-hour “Rock-A-Thon” in downtown Aiken. Every month we hand out Breast Cancer Awareness ribbons and even handed them out at a NFL football game.

The Greek community has changed me for the better. It has made me better leader and better communicator. The men and women involved in USCA’s Greek community work hard for their organizations and their philanthropies. I never regretted rushing a sorority. It has made me into the person I am today.

1) Repeatedly examine what the risks and rewards of your actions will be. Before doing anything, pause and ask yourself “How will this help?” and “How will this hurt?” If the odds are in your favor, go for it. If not, pull back on the reins. It’s a not-so-simple cost versus profit system. In college, you may find yourself in as many potentially hurtful situations (i.e. drinking and driving) as you do helpful ones (i.e. trying a skateboard for the first time). Take a step back and see what’s been laid on the line before taking any steps forward; it could save your health, reputation or happiness in the end.

2) College is an investment of both money and time. Yes, you’re paying for an education. No, you haven’t bought an automatic 4.0 GPA over the next four years. You’ve got to actually try if you want to get anywhere. You are not entitled to shirk off assignments and rules just because you believe you’re “paying the salaries” of all your professors. Each time you step into a classroom and pick up a syllabus, you and your professors have come to an agreement. The expectations are defined for you, so live up to them. If you’re only here because your parents are “making” you come, then you should probably reconsider your current path instead of mucking up somebody else’s college experience. Go to class. Read assignments. Ask lots of questions.

3) Note what I just said there—that overused phrase you’ll be hearing

countless times during your tenure at USC Aiken: “College experience.” Although you’re expected to behave like a decent human being and perform to the best of your abilities, college is about a hell of a lot more than just making good grades. You’re here to enrich every possible area of your life: Academics, social ability, social awareness, self-sufficiency and leadership. Go out of your way to meet new people and see new sights. The only growth you’re likely not going to achieve is economic growth, and that’s an issue I just can’t help you with. Just remember you’re struggling in an ocean of equally destitute peers.

4) In complete opposition to Rule No. 1, sometimes you’re going to have to trust your gut and roll with the punches. The consequences could be dire, but it just “feels right?” Go on ahead and try it. The concept of “#YOLO” has been and will always be relevant in some situations. After all, that is what the ever-popular “college experience” is all about right?

5) Finally, have fun. Most people only experience college once. Do it right.

True Life: Outside the classroom

I’m amazed how many people I know on this campus, and I’m no social butterfly. I’m convinced I wouldn’t know most of them if I hadn’t become involved in campus organizations.

When I first came to USC Aiken, I had an hour commute and looked forward to being home. I knew no one past pleasantries. Early in the semester, student organizations set out tables to promote themselves, an event known as Get On Board Day. I was surprised to find a poetry club on campus, so I attended a meeting of the Guild of Poetic Intent. I laughed the whole time.

Later that semester, I joined the Fall Fest planning committee, the main focus of which is the Haunted Hike, a haunted house and trail set up and staffed by students. It’s great fun. I definitely recommend watching for announcements from that committee’s meetings, although all are welcome to scare whether or not they’re committee members.

Sometime later, I participated in the reading day where students rate the submissions to the campus visual and literary arts magazine Broken Ink. If you see a copy lying around, check it out. There’s a lot of talent on our campus, and everyone can submit their work or join the staff.

I learned I could act. I played the prince and a dolphin in a production of The Little Mermaid on the main stage of the Etherredge Center. This year, the University Theatre Players’ season will begin with Experimental Relief,

featuring student-written and student-directed plays. It’s a good mounting block for the theatre program, for all you thespians out there.

This past year, I was part of a group that started a new club on campus, USCAnime. If you have an idea for a new student organization, then step into the Student Life Office and talk to the admin, Mandi Welch. There may even already be a club like the one you want to start.

An important thing to remember is that even if you have a bad experience with a particular group or committee, the members and leadership may be different the following year.

When you have finished with general education courses, the faces in your classes start to be very familiar. There’s some infiltration, but the people in the upper level courses probably share your major. Clubs cut across this boundary, as do intramural athletics, fraternities and sororities and the various Student Life committees throughout the year.

In our culture where endless self-promotion is thought necessary to success and happiness, it’s nice to be recognized for the good work you’re doing. Don’t be afraid of taking responsibility for some aspect of your club’s service or promotional work. Artists, writers, designers, communicators, schedulers, event planners and doers are always needed. Even if your only contribution is to hang fliers, your work will be appreciated.

Watch for information about Get on Board Day at the beginning of the semester, and if you see a bunch of tables set up in the quad or Student Activities Center, come say hey! (I’ll be at the Broken Ink/Pacer Times area.)

James Paisley

Contributing WriterBrent BlackmonStaff Writer

Julie RadfordContributing Writer

F Y IFor more information contact Angel Miano at angelm@usca.edu

Have an opinion? Let’s hear it!

Email your op-eds to pacertimes@

usca.edu

Advice from a senior: Fat old geezer lays down the law for fresh meat

Orientation 2014| 8

USC Aiken Student SpecialsBring these coupons & Student ID to receive discounts on tires and services

(803) 642-07041518 Whiskey Rd.

(803) 648-72011019 Richland Ave. W

Two Locations to Serve You

$10 off

any service over $100- one per customer -

bring coupon & student ID

$5 off

any service- one per customer -

bring coupon & student ID

Tire & Wheel Services

• Wheel Alignment

• Wheel Balancing

• New Tires

• Tire Rotation

• Chrome Wheels and Rims

• Tire Repair

Suspension & Front End

• Front End Alignments

• Shocks

• Struts

VOTED AIKEN’S BESTAUTO REPAIR& TIRE STORE

Tyler’s Tire owner and staff pledge prompt, courteous service to USC Aiken students. Call-aheads and appointments encouraged.

We at Pacer Times know how much you all love study-ing, but everyone deserves a break once in a while. To help you keep your social life from dying, we’ve compiled a list of things to do when you’re not

glued to a textbook. Sometimes when we’re stressed out all we need is a little change of scenery. Conve-niently, Aiken is home to one of the largest urban forests in the nation, Hitchcock Woods. Get in touch with your inner tree-hugger. With 70 miles of trails, Hitchcock is enough to put anyone’s mind at ease.

If nature isn’t your thing and skateboarding is, HIC Warehouse could be your new home away from home. HIC is an indoor skate park, skate store and music venue owned by Aiken native and 19-year-old actor Bo Mitchell. It costs only $3 to skate all day and you don’t have to wear any gear (knee pads, helmets, etc.).

From a local: Things to do around Aiken If you’re looking for a more social outing, Aiken holds some really good restaurants and bars (considering that you’re of legal drinking age). Grumpy’s is a nice sports pub to watch a game with your friends. There’s a wide array of drinks and pretty good food. A few other places to satiate your hunger are Pizza Joint, Red

Bowl and Coach T’s Diner, owned by the University’s base-ball coach. There are plenty of other bars and eateries around Aiken for you to discover. Aside from these listings there will be tons of on-campus events for you to take part in during the semester. Just check out our latest issues to stay updated.

Bo Mitchell

T.J. Wright

Arts & Entertainment Editor

HIC Warehouse could be your new home away from home. HIC is an indoor skate park, skate store and music venue with an outdoor half-tube.