The Daily Gamecock at University of South Carolina

Parking meters should accept credit payment

By Kate Geer | April 19, 2011

Debit card usage would be more convenient, cost-efficient than change South Carolina needs to take a look into revamping the parking meters around the city of Columbia. First and foremost, it’s aggravating that I have to pay to simply park my car in a spot for a certain amount of time. The rate per minutes is ridiculous, and going to a single class can cost upward of $2 or $3. Personally, I pay just about $24 a week in change parking for my 15-credit-hour load.

Students should stick with commitments

By Kate Geer | April 14, 2011

Failing to fulfill responsibilities hurts all members of campus groups Summer vacation starts in a few weeks, and there is more to do now then ever. Classes are coming to a close, friends are getting together and the lucky seniors are graduating and scrambling to find their careers after school. While a plethora of things are no doubt nabbing students' attention, students should not neglect their commitments to student organizations or volunteer work. Many organizations on campus see a swell of enthusiasm at the start of the semester as students come in, eager to get involved, and many students bite off more then they can chew. Organizations shape their projects and work ideas on the amount of sign-ups they get at the start of a semester. But more often then not, as the semester drags on, assignments, projects and lack of energy become pending factors in student participation, and organizers are left with a workload too large for those who have remained to fulfill.

Students should be held to uniform standards

By Kate Geer | April 12, 2011

Athletes, high-profile people deserve as much criticism as ‘average Joe’ Students come to USC for all sorts of reasons. Some come on academic scholarships, some because they have many friends here, some to be on sports teams and some with big dreams. All who enroll in the university are a part of the face of the university and should be held to that standard.

Professors should take on task of advisement

By Kate Geer | April 7, 2011

Academic advisers unable to offer students most insightful guidance This time of year, many students are rushing and stressing over finishing the semester. But preparation starts for the coming semester well before the end of the current one is in sight. There are many issues that come up when a student deals with advisement and registration. My first semester here, I was advised to take a certain amount of classes. Being a transfer student, I did not have much say in my first semester load of classes. But the classes worked out great, and I really enjoyed what I was taking.

Marriage licenses too easy to attain, divorces too difficult

By Kate Geer | March 24, 2011

Backwards system leads to hasty weddings, draws out failed relationships A 2010 study shows that divorce rate is up, and roughly 50 percent of all first marriages collapse. This indicates that either marriage as an institution isn’t doable or that people are marrying before they really know what they want.

Late class cancellations inconvenient

By Kate Geer | March 18, 2011

Students’ time deserves respect Students’ time is valuable. An hour can make the difference between getting a paper written and turning in an incomplete assignment. Time is precious, and professors shouldn’t waste it. The university imposes grade penalties for student absence or tardiness (in most classes). We have to provide proof that our absence from class was “excused” and that it was well worth it to miss the lecture. But when a professor skips out on class, with little or no warning to students, it wastes our time.

Ban on texting while driving won't stop accidents in Columbia

By Kate Geer | March 4, 2011

Using cell phones not most dangerous activity to engage in behind wheel On Tuesday, Columbia City Council banned texting while driving within the limits of Columbia, hoping to curb deaths and improve road safety. But prohibiting cell phone use behind the wheel while the car is in motion is an invasion of privacy, and the legislation should not stand.

Good hygiene necessary for clean campus

By Kate Geer | Feb. 25, 2011

Wash hands, be considerate College students disregard hygiene more than any adults should. Some go to class without showering. Some don’t bother to brush their teeth. Others prefer to wipe their noses then pass the attendance sheet around. Then there are those who

Students have right to browse

By Kate Geer | Feb. 18, 2011

With the recent surge of interest in Facebook, Twitter and other social media, various profile pages can be seen popping up all over students’ laptops in any given classroom. USC faculty have discussed this issue, and the prospect of blocking Internet access to classrooms on campus has been raised. What if you could no longer log in to distracting pages while in class? The quality of learning is questioned while other interactive opportunities are accessible. After all, you don’t need Internet access to take notes.

University parking rules need revision

By Kate Geer | Feb. 4, 2011

It’s no surprise to any student who owns a car that parking on campus is a headache. One can spend a good 20 minutes looking for a spot and scooting into class on time. As the student body grows, available parking space doesn’t.

Kate Geer