Concealed Weapons Coming to College Campuses?

-->

Concealed Weapons Coming to College Campuses?

South Carolina could legalize the concealed carry of weapons on college campuses.

 

 USC Professors and Students voice their opinion of the proposed legislation.

-->

            South Carolina always has been on the conservative end of politics, especially when it comes to the second amendment.

            Several bills have been introduced in the state house and one has caught the eyes of many college students and professors.

            The bill would legalize the carry of a concealed weapon along as the person had a permit.

            Many professors at USC are not in favor of the idea because they’re not comfortable with the idea.

            “Being an undergraduate or even graduate student is a stressful time.   We’ve all had instances where students have become somewhat unbalanced because of extracurricular activities, drugs, or the pressure of being a student.  I just assume not have students exposed to someone who might be somewhat unbalanced and have come to class armed,” said USC professor Jay Bender.

            A group of students have advocating to have their 2^nd amendment rights extended to them on campus have formed, and they have actually applied to be recognized as a campus organization.

            They call themselves USC Students for Concealed Carry, and one group organizer said if concealed weapons were allowed on campus it could cause the crime rate at USC to go down.

            “There are multiple states that currently allow concealed weapons on campus.  None of them have ever had an incident where a student with a concealed weapons permit has caused an issue.  At every campus that has allows concealed weapons permits to be carried on campus they have seen a decrease in crime,” said student organizer Kenny Adamson.

            Adamson is quick to point to Colorado State University when it comes to a drop in crime.

            “Before they [Colorado State] enacted their law they had 142 rapes and sexual assaults in the four years prior.  In the four years after they enacted their concealed carry law on campus there was only 24 sexual assaults and rapes.

            It’s hard to relate crime rates to concealed weapon laws, but State Senator Lee Bright, who is sponsoring the bill in South Carolina, said this is about making students less vulnerable to criminals.

            “At USC you guys have had like 17 assaults.  While only 1 on campus the other 16 were just off of campus.  When you’re traveling in between your class, your car, and traveling on campus at night being vulnerable where you can’t defend yourself I don’t think that’s right if you have a CWP,” said Senator Bright.

            While Bright’s idea of students being safer is permit holders being allowed to carry on campus, Bender suggested the best way to be safe is to use common sense safety rules.

            “Don’t walk alone, don’t walk drunk, travel in groups, and if you’re concerned about your safety call one of the shuttle services.  They’re free shuttle service to bring students to Five Points and back.  Take a cab, take a shuttle, don’t take a pistol,” said Bender.

            Safety is ultimately up to the students themselves.

            It should be noted that concealed weapon permit holders are currently allowed to bring their weapon to campus as long as the weapon is in their vehicle in a latching or locking compartment.

            The proposed bill is still being debated in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

USC to Move to New Class Schedule

-->

USC to Move to New Class Schedule

Come this Fall USC Will Utilize a New Schedule to Meet University Needs

 

            In March 2012, USC Faculty gave Final Approval to a measure that would alter the class schedule at USC.

            The new schedule would end 8 a.m. classes altogether. 

Classes would now start at 8:30 a.m.

            Also, students would be given 20 minutes in between classes instead of 15 minutes.

            According to USC Vice Provost Tim Doupnik, the main reason for the later start is to try and have better classroom utilization.

            “I believe that at eight in the morning only about 30 percent of classrooms available are actually in use.  We believe by moving classes to 8:30 that hopefully 50, 60, 70, 100 percent of classrooms available will be used.” said Doupnik.

            Dr. Scott Goode, a chemistry professor, said from a faculty standpoint there wasn’t a need for change, but he sees a need for the students.

            “From the center of campus, for the average student to reach the outer edges, it’s about a 14 minute walk from my understanding,” said Goode.

            With the Faculty giving the go ahead on the new schedule, students seem to have taken to the change before it even take place.

            “I like it,” said Freshman Riley Chambers.  “That extra thirty minutes of sleep means a lot.”

            “I have a that packed of a schedule that with that extra twenty minutes I can run in, go grab something from Russell, and then be on my way to class without being late,” said Freshman Jason Malamut.

            The new schedule will take full affect when students return to classes for the Fall Semester in August.

Another McKie to Play at USC

-->

Another McKie to Play at USC

Gamecock Great B.J. McKie’s son to play basketball for the Gamecocks

USC head coach, Frank Martin, will welcome in his first full recruiting class come August.

            One member of that class will be Justin McKie, the son of the all time scoring leader at USC, B.J. McKie.

            While the McKie name is no stranger to Gamecock fans, the McKie family said that the father and son are not the same type of player.

            “Everybody is going to compare Justin to me.  People think we’re supposed to do the same just because we’re father and son, but every father son are different.  I just want people to look at my son Justin as being Justin,” said B.J. McKie.

            Justin has been ranked as the second best recruit in South Carolina by MaxPreps and fourth best by ESPN.

“I don’t see any pressure.  I just got to go out and use the skills I work on and the skills we work on as a team,” said Justin McKie.

Irmo head coach, Tim Whipple, coached both B.J. and Justin and said Justin has a lot of growing up to do as he moves into the college game.

“It’s going to be a huge adjustment for him.  The physical part of the game is apart of every college game.  I think the staff at South Carolina understands that he will need time to mature, grow, and get stronger,” said coach Tim Whipple.

Justin will end his high school career on Friday at Colonial Life Arena.

The same arena he will play his college ball at, and also has his father’s retired jersey number hanging from ceiling.

“There can’t be [any pressure] because I’ll be playing there for the next 4 years,” said Justin when asked if there was any pressure playing under his father’s retired jersey.

B.J. McKie, is the current an assistant coach at Charleston Southern, and he said that if the Gamecocks showed up on their schedule in the next four years that he will be ready to exploit Justin’s strengths and weaknesses. 

Justin’s high school career will culminate Friday night, as the Yellow Jackets will look to sting Goose Creek for a state title.

McKie hits a 3 pointer.

 McKie drives in the lane for the bucket.

 McKie being introduced at Upper State Finals.

 Preparing to take a foul shot.

Getting advice from Coach Whipple.

Lexington High School Centennial Anniversary

-->

Lexington High School Marks its Centennial Anniversary

Lexington resident’s gather to recognize school’s importance in the community

           Hugh Rogers and George Harmon, Lexington High Graduates, reflect on their days in high school and where the community is now.

            Many graduates, some from as far back as the 1940s, and former faculty members gathered together for a fundraiser at the Lexington Town Hall Saturday night in honor of Lexington High School’s 100^th anniversary.

            Many former graduates including members of the football teams that won state titles from 1948-1950 were in attendance.

            George Harmon, a former football player and 1953 graduate, said a few teams post-1950 could have potentially won state titles.  

Harmon also said, “Our Superintendent didn’t allow us to play in the playoffs because we had our athletic horse ahead of our academic heart.”

            While reflecting on the success of Wildcat football back in the 1950s was part of the program, looking at where the community of Lexington was and is today was the real change of the community.

            “Back then it was farming, one cotton mill, a few saw mills, a few stores on Main Street, and county government,” said Hugh Rogers a Lexington High Graduate of 1947.  

Rogers also said that the economy of Lexington has changed tremendously from back then.  

            There is no doubt that Lexington High is at the heart of the town.  

            Lexington High School principal, Melissa Rawl, said her parents, herself and her children all graduated from Lexington High.  

“It’s like I’m coming home and giving back to my community,” said Rawl.

There are several other families in the community that have students that are third generation graduates of the Lexington High School.  This school has a family atmosphere that, after 100 years, continues to bring the community together.

            This funds raised at the anniversary dinner go the Lexington County Museum to help with restoration to outbuildings and enhancements to exhibits.

Old Lexington High School Administration Building.

 1950 State Football Champions Lexington Wildcats

Main Street Lexington, SC

Lexington High School in 1930

Lexington High School's First Graduating Class