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Storm displaces residents, halts game

Winds responsible for power outages, damage On Sunday evening, a severe thunderstorm passed through downtown Columbia with 60 mile per hour winds. Destroying part of the The Lofts at USC and killing the power to Carolina Stadium, the storm was unexpected to most. “Who really thinks The Lofts is going to flood or a tornado is going to hit?” asked second-year hospitality student Casey Sharpe, who is one of many who described the storm as a tornado.


Amateur boxing event benefits local youth outreach program

USC students take part in Fight Club University efforts Young boxers had a brawl Saturday night at the Fight Club University, a new Columbia boxing gym, for the MAN 2 MAN amateur boxing benefit. The proceeds from the event, which about 250 people attended, went to benefit MAN 2 MAN, a new youth outreach program.


University recognized for service

National honor awarded for giving back to community. The University of South Carolina made the cut for the annual President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll with Distinction — the only college in the state to do so.


Students earn credit, gain experience studying abroad during Maymester

Some University of South Carolina students spent the first month of their summer studying abroad, earning academic credit while gaining cultural experiences. Participating in a Maymester study abroad program allows students to experience similar opportunities as spending a fall or spring semester abroad without the same time commitment.


New business ventures aim to revive Main Street

City celebrates Mast Store opening, expects renewal of downtown Mast Store — a key tenant in Columbia’s ongoing Main Street renovation — opened its doors in an elaborate ribbon-cutting ceremony last week. Columbia leaders cheered the effort as a keynote sign of progress for the downtown district.


Russell House to host stress-reducing events for exam week

Beginning today, the Russell House will host events in an attempt to lighten the stress of exam week. Today, Carolina Productions will host Carolina After Dark from 10 p.m. until 2 a.m. in the Russell House. The lobby of the building will host a relaxation station, complete with massage chairs and beds, and an oxygen bar as well as sandy candy. In the ballroom, there will be a dome planetarium theatre that organizers have explained as a surround sound/video immersive mind-body experience. In the theater, fourth-year music major and local musician Haley Dreis will be putting on a concert opened by third year english major, Ned Durrett. Durrett was last year’s winner of USC Idol. “I’m really excited because I think it’s going to be a wonderful opportunity for me and also for students who have never heard my music but need that study break,” said Dreis, whose band will perform original songs from both of her albums as well as a few covers. On Tuesday, the Russell House Study Union begins. The program, which was started to offer support and space for students to study during exam week, will run through May 3. Students will be able to benefit from free photocopying services at the Russell House Information Desk, and will be able to use the meeting rooms for studying. Campus Wellness will be relocating its Bean Bag Room into the lobby as well.The Russell House itself, as well as the Horseshoe Deli, will stay open until 3 a.m. from Tuesday to Thursday. On Wednesday, the Union will host “Russell House Review”. The night will have a free late-night breakfast in the Grand Market Place from 11 p.m. until 1 a.m., pet therapy in the ballroom, ZUMBA stress breakers and free massages.


Data on USC salaries and salary increases now online

Following Friday’s story that detailed significant salary increases for some of USC’s highest-paid employees, we received dozens of comments, emails and phone calls from outraged readers. Many of you asked us for more data. On our website, you will now find a database of all USC salaries more than $100,000. In a separate column, labeled “temporary salary adjustments” by USC officials, you can see the raises given in 2010. Why are we doing this? It’s your money, and we think you have a right to know. Government is practiced best under rays of sunshine, and if these employees are getting bonuses of $20,000 or more on top of salaries that are often $200,000 or more, you at least deserve to know who is getting them. USC officials would like you to believe these raises are all deserved. We think it’s your right to think for yourself. We’d like to report more on these salary increases, but today is our last paper of the semester. You’ll see more information next semester.Have a good summer!— Josh Dawsey, Editor-in-Chief