Newspaper Page Text
J
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FRIDAY
December 11,1998
Vol. 106, No. 75 | Athens, Georgia
Mostly cloudy and cooler.
Htyh 55 | Ijoui 39 | Saturday 49
ONUNL wwviredandbiack.com
Cow cloner
mooving in,
setting up
By FRANCIA McCORMACH
Thi Rid * hi a, k
Don't have a cow — have two
Bteven Stlce, the cow-cloning researcher, is
here, and he’s setting up shop
Stlce, the newest endowed chair to the
University, now must hire a staff of technicians
and researchers, purchase high tech equipment
and write proposals for grants to raise money for
his research
"It's been a very good transition," Stice said in
an interview "The big thing
right now Is to get those (labs)
set up I'm Just about done
ordering the major equip
ment. and we re going to hire
two more people in the next
month “
Stice plans to work closely
with the veterinary school in
the next six months on joint
projects such as cattle embryo
production
Newer and more advanced
technology is coming to the
University, said Larry
Benyshek. head of the Animal and Dairy
Department Because of Stlce, he said, there is
greater potential for transgenic research here.
“There are still discoveries to be made, and
there's a lot of research to be done before It will
be as useful as It can be," Benyshek said
Media hype has surrounded the scientist
since he successfully cloned two calves in
January Stice's decision to come to the
University in September rekindled the attention,
and since then Stice has spoken to at least 15
newspapers and a few television stations, he
said
“I think whenever you say cloning, it perks up
people's attention." Stice said.
Benyshek said the attention was expected
because of Stice's notoriety.
"Perhaps there's a bit more sensationalism
than there should be,” Benyshek said. "But I
don't see a problem with it.”
When word spread that Stice’s former compa
ny sponsor, Advanced Cell Technology of
Worcester, Mass, experimented with (Using a
human cell with a cow embryo, a storm of ethical
questions brewed that reached as far as the
White House
Stice had no Involvement in the company's
research, which was to be used in humans need
ing tissue replacement due to diseases.
But the legitimacy of the research was called
into question when the company went to the
news media with the findings before they were
published for other scientists.
By sidestepping the traditional methods of
releasing research data. Stlce said companies
and researchers are able to publicly claim intel
lectual property.
“You can never sacrifice your ethics for
money," Stice said "Probably there may be other
people who would."
STICE
An independent studerd newspaper serving the University of Georgia community
ESTABLISHED 1893, INDEPENDENT 1980
\
%
HITS & MISSES^
► A review of the 10 best and
worst movies of the year. PAGE 8 ^
THERE IS A SANTA?
TtWO KHKMS | Tm Rip . Hi*. >
▲ U.S.M.C. Gunnery Sgt. Kevin Kimiak is the Athens area
Toys for Tots coordinator. Toys can be donated at various
| locations including Toys R Us, Georgia Square Mall, Circuit
City, Sams Club, Jiffy Lube, Badcock Furniture, Golden
Pantry and Tate Student Center. There were 7,400 toys
j collected last year, and this year’s goal is 8,000.
Finals mark end
of first semester
Increased course load, longer term has
students starting pre-final cramming
By FRANCIA McCORMACK
The Red a Black
The moaning and groaning continues
as students plunge Into their first
semester finals.
University numbers show that twice as
many students have dropped at least one
class this semester than any term before,
which means many students are taking
fewer than five final exams.
But many have just started
studying for the ones they
have.
Students are expected to
take 15 credit hours, or five
classes, under the semester
system. Under quarters, a
full course load was three
five-credit-hour classes.
"I have finals in all four
classes I'm taking," said
Natalie Lewis, a senior in
social science education.
“I'm just catching up on the
reading. It seems like the
reading is so much more. I've
had 22 books to read this
semester.”
William Barstow, a botany
professor, said the students
feeling pinched right now are suffering
from their own procrastination.
“It’s a human tendency to put things
off,” Barstow said. “A lot of students work
two to three days before the exam. I
think if we break that cycle it'll be better
for everyone.”
Students spending their last late
nights of the semester in the library
admitted to procrastinating, but felt the
load was a lot tougher than on quarters
“I don't think the professors under
stand the workload,” said Erin Ervin, a
junior in Spanish. “They don’t know what
we have to do.”
Some students said they were con
cerned that some professors have expect
ed students to grasp more information
during the 15 week semester.
“Mine aren’t so bad, but I feel bad for
those with comprehensive exams,” said
Jena McGregor, a senior in magazines and
history. “Maybe its too much to ask — you
know, going from 10 to 15 weeks."
Barstow said if students
study throughout the
semester, a comprehensive
exam shouldn't be over
whelming. “If they don't
study, they won't retain the
information," Barstow said.
"We're asking what the stu
dents have learned. Just
keep up with things.”
The main library has
seen a steady increase in
students the entire
semester compared to last
year, and employees expect
a rush this weekend.
“It hasn't been as bad as
usual. I think its going to be
quiet till Sunday,” said
Desere Lewis, a circulation
desk worker. “1 know it's
going to be crazy here because of what it
was like at mid-terms."
Even with extended lounge hours, the
library has received complaints from stu
dents wanting the main library to be open
past 2 a m. during finals week.
“There are a few people who complain
why we don't stay open later, but they
have to understand that we're students,
too,” Desert Lewis said.
MORE INSIDE
►Students give their opinions on semesters. 5
Sixth in a
seven-part series
4 Stephanie
Perl, a
senior from
Fayetteville,
and Vance
S Byrd, a
senior from
Carrollton,
? study for a
I German
I final at
* Espresso
: Royale
-Caffe
' downtown
t Thursday.
A Devin Carfen, left, a freshman from Huntsville, Ala., and Travis
Holcombe, a freshman from Chamblee, recreate one of their skits.
Freshmen
monkey
around
for laughs
By JONATHAN REED
The Rid * Black
Some kids go to college hoping to be
doctors or lawyers. Trevor Williams and
Travis Holcombe Just want to make
sex Jokes and put them on your TV
screen.
Beginning next semester, they'll do
Just that as Housing 12 unveils 'The
Silly Spider Monkey Fiasco," a new
sketch comedy show created by the
two freshmen from Chamblee.
"Monkeys are Just funny,” Holcombe
said, referring to the new show's title.
Williams and Holcombe said the show
will center on monkeys, but beyond
that they wouldn't go Into detai's.
"It's just an outlet for our creative
Ideas more than anything else,”
Williams said.
With four writers and a cast of eight.
Williams and Holcombe have extended
an idea that began back when both
were still In high school.
Wiiile Williams was developing Ideas
tor a slapstick movie, he discovered
Holcombe was taking a class In televi
sion production.
"We decided we wanted to goof off
on TV," Holcombe said. "W? told every
one that we were going to have a show,
and nobody believed us."
Not long afterward, the two had a
show on a public access channel, devel
oping quite a following among the
chemistry club and what they called
"the nerds" at their school.
"My mom thought It was the best
show she'd ever seen, does that
count?" Williams said. “But I don't
think I'll show her the new one. She
might cut off my tuition.”
By moving to the campus network,
Williams and Holcombe have been able
to run the production free of any cen
sors. Thus, much of the humor is sex-
based and bizarre, the two explained.
“It’s just fUn because we get bored
easily. It gives us something to do,”
Holcombe said.
Williams said It didn’t take much to
get on campus TV
“Anyone with a pulse can get on
Housing 12,” he said with a laugh.
“(And) they gave us money, fools.”
Though they premiered the show
this week, the two are looking forward
to doing several shows during spring
semester, preferably every three to four
weeks.
Williams said he knows not everyone
will find it funny, but he hopes people
will watch anyway.
”1 think our ultimate goal is to have
something to put on our rtsunrts," he
said.
“And maybe the girls will like us
more," Holcombe added.
Semester stress results
in some holiday blues
By KATE DOUGLAS
The Red a Black
'Tis the season for stress and finals.
Because school ends closer to
Christmas on the semester system, some
students say they feel more holiday
stress.
And a shorter winter break has creat
ed problems for students who usually
work during the holidays.
“The semester has drained all my
money," said Heather Gossett, a senior
from Lilbum.
Gossett said she usually has time to
earn money for gifts before Christmas,
but not this year.
John Grantham, a senior from
Columbus, said the semester change has
“really thrown me off."
“I quit caring about six weeks ago,”
Grantham said. “I’m used to the whole
10-week thing."
The University Health Center mental
health clinic is “extra busy” right now,
said Liz Rachun, the center’s
spokeswoman “It's always a busy time of
year for mental health," Rachun said. "All
the clinicians are swamped. But I don't
want to discourage people from coming."
The new system may be adding more
strain to a time of year that is already
stressful for many people, not Just stu
dents.
~I think the holidays are stressful for a
lot of people for different reasons," said
Steven Kaye, staff psychologist for
STRESS RELIEF
A Few Tips for Avoiding Stress
from Counseling A Testing
► Relax, have fun and take a break.
► Accept what cannot be changed.
► Avoid taking on too many commitments.
Take one thing at a lime.
► Consider alternative ways of viewing
your situation.
A list of mora stress prevention techniques is
available from the Counseling A Testing office in
Dark Howell Hall. For more information,
call 542-3183.
Counseling and Testing. "Holidays are
stressful because people have to go back
to their families.”
For students of divorced parents, the
holidays are sometimes stressful because
they have to decide which parent to
spend time with, Kaye said.
The shorter holiday break can have
two effects, Kaye said. Some students
may experience less stress because they
don’t have to spend as much time with
their families. But Kaye said some may
feel more stress because they have less
time to divide among family members.
But not all students |re having trouble
adjusting to the new schedule.
“I’m okay with it,” said Mlsook Kim. q
senior from Morrow. “I’m still going on
vacation. I haven't exactly gotten around,
to all of (my gift shopping), but I don't
think it’ll be a big deal."
INSIDE TODAY | News: 2 | Opinions: 4 | Variety: 6 | Sports: 9 | Crossword: 9
