STUDENT MAGAZINE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
Fall 2024
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FIGGY’S FIRST DAY FIGGY AND HIS FELLOW FELINES PREPARE FOR STUDENTS’ RETURN FROM FAMILIAR TO FOREIGN THE UNEXPECTED REALITY OF STUDYING ABROAD AT USC
WESTERN REVIVAL STYLES PERFECT FOR THE WILD WEST (OR YOUR AFTERNOON CLASSES)
STUDENT MAGAZINE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
MANAGING EDITOR
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
KAYLEN PRITCHARD
RIDHA FATIMA
GRACIE BELK
WRITTEN
ARTICLES EDITORS Ahalya Muraleedharan
Raeva Bali
Gus Varallo
Audrey Miller
COPY DESK CHIEF Chris LeBarron
ARTICLES WRITERS
Robin Adams, Amanda Anderson, Aleena Chattha, Olivia Cyr, Sam Emory, Jessica Hallman, Caleb Hargrove, Laura Anne Kay, Sydney Lewis, Dana McCoy, Riley Mekanik
COPY EDITORS
Meghna Dutta, Ainsley Hoffman, Jada Landrum
VISUAL
PHOTO EDITOR Evelyn Esquivel
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Deston Cedillo, Beyza Donmezer, Lazaro Duran, Grace Elliotte, Fernanda Escalante, Erika Farrell, Sydney Flood, Chelsea Gourdine, Corinna Hatter, Tara O’Toole, Sarah Protz, Courtney Rego, Sarah Romero, Asia Spigner, Briellie Turner, Shana Turner
Kylie Kurinsky, Kate Levey, Abigail Romani, Sofia Sabatino, Marisa Tartamella
CREATIVE SERVICES
Chloe Ehlers, Lily Ferguson, Savannah Nagy, David Olsen
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To contact G&B, email sagandbe@mailbox.sc.edu or visit www.gandbmagazine. com. Garnet & Black Magazine is printed twice a year by students of the University of South Carolina and is distributed for free to members of the university community. All editors can be reached via email on our website. The office is located in Russell House University Union Room 339.
DIRECTOR OF STUDENT MEDIA
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF STUDENT MEDIA
ART DIRECTOR OF STUDENT MEDIA
ADVERTISING ADVISOR
FACULTY ADVISOR
Sarah Scarborough
Sydney Cranmer
Krista Larson
John Burbage
Tara Mortensen
SPECIAL THANKS
Jason Porter
COVER PHOTO TARA O’TOOLE DESIGN CHLOE EHLERS MODEL JACK BALLARD
Students share their thoughts on all things election season.
A lesson on how not to grieve.
A student journalist grapples with Uncensored America’s infamous campus event.
An original poem by Ridha Fatima.
Archer is much more than just a service dog.
An original poem by Ridha Fatima.
Figgy and his fellow felines prepare for students’ return.
Where’s the line?
I’m joking... well, kind of.
Styles perfect for the wild west (or your afternoon classes).
Stumped about your next gameday fit? We have a collage for that.
Need an interactive activity that also makes you smell good? Look no further.
How do student drivers’ daily commutes impact their college experiences?
Owners, outfits and their iconic rides.
Navigating meal plans and affordable solutions for USC upperclassmen
The unexpected reality of studying abroad at USC.
The quiz we’ve all been waiting for.
FLETTER FROM THE EDITOR
GGetting older is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. Not because of financial independence or cooking my own food, but because with every passing year, I become more aware of how hopeless the world can really feel. It seems like in 2024, we are more divided than ever as a country but also within our own communities. Of course, election years tend to be more fraught with tension than the years when we aren’t constantly being bombarded with information (and misinformation). But, I honestly think that the issue of divisiveness goes much deeper than simply the election cycle. The older I get, the more I realize just how cruel folks can be to their fellow man in the name of their “differences,” be they political, social or otherwise. Middle school bullies grow into adult bullies, and for those who choose to clue in and really assess the damage being done by modern extremism, the weight of being in such a world starts to kick in. It’s dangerously easy to get bogged down beneath the monstrous human rights atrocities we constantly see in the news and in our own stomping grounds. You feel as if you want to fix everything, and furthermore, that somehow the burden of fixing everything is falling onto you. I’ve really struggled in the past few years to determine my role in the great theater of life. Am I meant to play the king who takes charge, the court jester who lightens hardship with an uplifting word or the handmaiden who quietly serves and hopes that her actions make some sort of impact somewhere? I recognize the analogy is archaic, but I spend most of my time looking at medieval manuscripts, so cut me some slack.
The brutal reality of it all is that no matter how hard you try, you alone cannot bear the weight of the world’s tragedies. You were never meant to. Humans were made to love and be loved, no matter what that looks like for you. I won’t sit here and say that I think it’s responsible to check out from keeping yourself educated about large-scale social issues, but your first mission field will always be your own community, so it makes sense to start there. Take a vested interest in those who surround you every day who may be struggling. Love your neighbor, even those who may be difficult to love. Teach them. Learn from them. An open mind and a heart of humility from both participants in a relationship is where the real fruit of positive change will flourish.
One major truth I’ve had to learn in adulthood is that two things can be true at the same time. The world can be a dark place, but it can also be astonishingly beautiful. Every day, I am blown away by how wonderful people can be. In order to see it, you must put aside your cynicism and your self-righteousness, which I recognize is difficult. You may have to admit you were wrong about something, which I believe is one of the greatest demonstrations of strength a person can achieve. Coming to college has changed my worldview in so many ways about a plethora of topics, but I had to allow it to happen by approaching situations from a place of humility. I am far from perfect and misstep every day, but I am learning. I challenge you to do the same. If we are not constantly growing and changing in love, then why in the world are we even here?
USC students discuss their thoughts on the upcoming election and their participation in what is often their first presidential election as voters.
AUTHOR SYDNEY LEWIS
As the 2024 presidential race slides into high gear, an already unorthodox election is dominating conversations on The University of South Carolina’s campus. Like other colleges and universities across the country, USC is a hub of young voters, and many students are preparing to vote for the first time. Confronted with the power to choose politicians who represent their values and goals for the country, USC students face the decision on who to cast their ballot for in the neck-and-neck race between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Youth voter registration and participation could make a big impact in battleground states, and students now have an opportunity to get involved no matter where they sit on the political spectrum. Opinions of USC students could serve as a window into what to expect from the behavior of young voters and their participation in the upcoming election.
As far as what is seen through that window, many of the students interviewed by Garnet & Black seemed to agree on the importance of voting, though opinions were varied on most other aspects of the upcoming election. Concerns about housing costs and reproductive rights were an additional trend among voters interviewed.
PHOTO EVELYN ESQUIVEL DESIGN
CHLOE EHLERS
Ellie Knight, 18, voted in the primary and has already ordered her absentee ballot from her home state of North Carolina. She is passionate about making a difference through casting her vote, whether that be on the local or national levels.
“I feel like this might come off as mean, but I feel like there are certain people who just shouldn’t be in office,” Knight said. “So really using your voice to make your vote count, that’s important to me.”
As far as what’s at stake at the polls in November, she is concerned about shifts in reproductive health care policy.
“Womens rights, I feel like that’s a big thing—reproductive rights, rights in general,” Knight said.
While Knight supports candidate Harris, she’s unsure about the outcome of the race.
“Honestly, I want Kamala to win, but I’m not quite sure if America’s ready for that.”
Connor Kitley, 18, is a psychology major enthusiastic about the opportunity to vote in the upcoming election.
“My high school was promoting it a lot, and all my family wants me to vote. I want to vote,” Kitley said. “I think it’s important that everyone that’s eligible to vote votes.”
Kitley personally believes that what makes this election unique is its inclusion of a presidential candidate unlike any other in American history.
“I think it’s a culture shock to have a black woman running to be a president,” Kitley said, referring to current Vice President Harris. “But I feel like she has a lot of people backing her, and I think it would be a good change for the country overall to have a new perspective.”
In terms of specific issues, Kitley is focused on what impacts the average student.
“I think a big thing that I haven’t seen a lot is prices for housing, for school,” Kitley said. “I know Biden did the whole loan stuff, and I think that’s just very important to me going into college and seeing how expensive it is and seeing how people can fix those problems.”
Ryan Marinaro, 21, has decided to vote in the November election, but believes social media has brought attention on the race to an unnecessary level.
“People are very divided now more than ever. I would say it’s very pro one side or very against one side,” Marinaro said. “I think especially with social media going crazy now, people think this is the most important election ever, even though it probably isn’t, to be honest.”
Marinaro is most concerned with economic and environmental issues.
“Inflation is obviously up there, but I think global warming is up there as well since that’s been an issue for the last 10, 20 years,” Marinaro said. “But I would also say the housing market as well, because younger people now have such a hard time finding a place to live without going ‘Hey, Mom, Dad, can you give me some money?’”
In addition, he predicts the race will be tight, but that the attempt on Trump’s life will have an impact on voters.
“After the assassination attempt, I would have to say that I think Trump is gonna win, but I can see it being very close as well, honestly,” Marinaro said. “It could go either way, but if I had to say right now who’s gonna win, I’d say Trump.”
Dahlia Pearson, 18, is a freshman criminal justice major who plans to vote but has mixed emotions about the presidential election.
“This is kind of the worst year for it to be my first time voting,” Pearson said. “I’m happy [but] at the same time, my opinion and my vote matters most this year, so it’s kind of stressful, a little bit.”
Pearson does not seem to have a strong party affiliation, but rejects Trump as a candidate.
“I don’t mind a Republican president. I don’t care. It’s just, I personally don’t like Donald Trump,” Pearson said.
Additionally, Pearson is passionate about the fate of reproductive rights, which the candidates have vastly different views on.
“The whole abortion thing, anything regarding women’s laws and rights, I feel like it’s very important to have the right person regulating all that stuff, because I don’t want that to be in the wrong hands,” Pearson said.
Pearson believes Gen Z should show up to the polls as the newest voting demographic.
“Our generation is what’s coming up,” Pearson said. “Since there’s more of us, we generally do need to vote more than others do. We have a plethora of people.”
Wyatt Garrett , 19, is a sophomore transfer student who was previously considering voting for independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. before his withdrawal from the race on August 23. Garrett considers voting a responsibility.
“I hate to say it’s a duty as a citizen to do it, but I think in the history of this country, so many people fought for the right to vote,” Garrett said. “I think that now that so many people have that privilege to, they should take it upon themselves to act on that.”
To Garrett, the most important issues on the ballot are to do with the economy and foreign policy.
“To me, I think the economic status of our country is pretty detrimental right now, and it’s not really a personal thing, but something that interests me is the foreign policy going on right now,” Garrett said. “I have a pretty basic knowledge that we don’t have the greatest relationships with many other countries right now. You could say when the past president was [in office], they were better relationships. Not necessarily allies or anything, but the world was a little more at peace.”
As a first time voter, Garrett is excited to make his voice heard.
“I’m just kind of looking forward to being able to contribute the best I can,” Garrett said.
Phillip Perea , 22, is an environmental science major who believes the right to vote is important because of America’s long, complicated history with voting rights.
“I’ve already registered,” Perea said. “It’s important for us to vote because a lot of people fight for the right to vote in our country, and also a lot of other people don’t really have the opportunity to vote, and I think we should use that opportunity.”
For Perea, his job prospects and access to advancement opportunities depend on the next administration.
“Because I’m an environmental science major, I would say funding for the EPA and also like environmental issues [are important], because I would maybe be going into that field in the future,” Perea said. “More funding for state agencies like DHEC, DES and stuff like that, and having an opportunity for me in the future.”
Perea, though not very politically active, acknowledges the effects of politics in his everyday life.
“I wouldn’t say I’m super huge into politics, but obviously they are important in our life,” Perea said.
COGNITIVE DISSONANCE
A student journalist grappels with Uncensored America’s “Roast of Kamala Harris”
AUTHOR KAYLEN PRITCHARD PHOTO TARA O’TOOLE
DESIGN ELISSA MYERS
Students and community members gather outside of Russell House to protest the event and to condemn the Proud Boys being given a platform on campus.
What I witnessed as a spectator was not a roast of Kamala Harris but rather a display of the most puerile behavior targeted heavily at university personnel. If I had a dollar for every time a speaker insulted a student in the audience, I could pay my tuition. But hey, what do I know? I’m just a “total lefty,” or so I was called for being present in the press area of the event. So much for good discourse and open dialogue.
My heart goes out to all of my beloved professors who found themselves the subject of ridicule during this event. On that stage, you may have been the enemy, but to me, you are heroes.
“You are a homophobic piece of sh*t!” To a student who refused to make out with another student for fifty dollars.
“Ladies, if you wanna make it in this world, I would suck your boss’s d*ck. It works. It’s lucrative.” And then proceeded to act out how to do so.
“She’s got one of those Rihanna five-heads. What a shame.” About a public health professor.
“Let’s not resort to name-calling.” While standing beside a giant sign saying “Cumala Harris.” The irony is eating me alive.
“I’m not saying he touches kids. I’m just saying he looks like he touches kids and he has friends who touch kids.” About a philosophy professor.
Called a Russian professor a “f*cking c*nt.”
“The ‘risk’ is you’ll get raped.” Playing on the name of a history professor.
“Historically the United States has produced second-rate civil rights leaders at best. I think I’m probablyone of the only two civil rights leaders in American history.”
“I gave up the n-word. I’m not giving up r*tard and f*g.”
Milo Yiannopoulos, a British far-right political commentator, prepares to pour a bucket on club president Sean Semanko.
The day after the event, students appear at the Statehouse to protest hate speech on campus that violates the Carolinian Creed.
MONSTER MAN
Much More Than a Service Dog
AUTHOR LAURA ANNE KAY PHOTO EVELYN ESQUIVEL DESIGN KATLIN JEFFCOAT
say a dog is a man’s best friend, and for those with service dogs, this adage takes on a whole new meaning.
For someone like Sarai Deese, a senior in the Honors College, her lovable companion has proved to be much more than a friend. He’s been the door to independence and an incomparable tool to aid with her
Deese introduces her adorable 2.5-year-old black goldendoodle as Archer and makes sure to note that
this “is his government name, but he primarily goes by Monster Man.” It’s obvious they have quite a special connection, one that runs deeper than the usual love between pet and owner.
medication, phones, water bottles, etc., as well as guide her back home in the case of an emergency.
Deese has Hypermobile EhlersDanlos Syndrome, a connective tissue disorder, and suffered a significant drop in her health during October of her freshman year of college. She was experiencing up to eight seizures a day and desperately needed something to help her. Archer was the perfect solution. He can alert blood pressure changes and retrieve items such as
Archer was the tool Deese needed at the time, though as she mentioned several times, not the end all be all. Living with a chronic illness requires a variety of different tools, and Archer filled the specific needs of Deese, ones that couldn’t have been filled by anything else.
“There’s not a lot of other tools that can accomplish what a service dog does,” Deese said.
Deese first met Archer through a company called Diverse K9, which collapsed underneath them when Archer was only 4 months old. Deese self-trained Archer and then placed him with a company called Love in the Lead, with whom she shares immense love and respect. Self-training is an option often taken by those who cannot financially afford to put their dogs through full programs, but it’s not the usual path.
“His story is very unique and not how it usually works,” Deese said. “But, I ended up pulling him out of an original company, doing all his puppy raising and then placing him in a new company.”
By self-training him, she was able to form a unique bond and establish specific skills that pertained to what she needed. Archer is Love in the Lead, Pet Partners and American Kennel Club certified and considered a sighted guide, which means he can guide Deese back home. He is also a medical alert dog, which means he can sense a medical emergency, such as a seizure. Many service dogs have specific skills that are unique to what their owners need.
Through self-training, she was able to slightly shorten the usual timeline for training. The typical timeline of receiving a service dog is two years, and if you’re on a waitlist, this could be extended to five. They have to be trained, and this takes time.
It also takes money. A lot of it.
“Dogs can cost anywhere between $15,000 and $100,000,” Deese said. “They are not financially accessible in any way shape or form and they are not covered by insurance.”
Deese was lucky enough to be supported by her grandparents when purchasing Archer, but this is not the case for many people who are in need.
“Service dogs are inherently a class item,” Deese said. “If you have a service dog, you have a certain amount of class privilege and recognizing that is incredibly important.”
Given that caveat, Archer is still the only way she can get through her day, and this is true for so many service animal owners and those in need of one.
Archer’s main job is as a service dog to Deese, but he also has a special “side gig” as a therapy dog. Service dogs are typically specifically trained to aid just one person, whereas therapy dogs and emotional support animals often can provide emotional support to many people. This means the Monster Man can help virtually everyone, just
elevating his superhero status.
On Archer’s versatility, Deese joked, “We all have to work two jobs in this economy.”
Deese sometimes brings Archer as a therapy dog to special events, like Spark in the Park, which is an autism resource festival. She speculates that Archer actually enjoys his work as a therapy dog much more than his work as a service dog, but he’s happy to do it for her.
“His service work is a resume builder to his retirement as a therapy dog,” Deese said.
depends on him to keep her safe and healthy, and Archer depends on her for the very same thing. This healthy amount of codependence is what makes their relationship so special, and ironically what makes it possible for her to have her own independence.
“I would not be able to live alone without him,” Deese said.
While Deese does not believe that Archer saved her life, Deese said, “He
The Monster Man takes his main job very seriously. Deese is his very first priority. He makes sure she is taking care of herself, even when she cannot tell something is wrong. He keeps her accountable for her health and pays attention to the things that Deese might overlook. Sarai
Having an animal of any kind is a huge responsibility and many people do not realize just how big it is. One way Deese suggests college students learn how to take care of an animal, while also helping those in need, is puppy raising. Students can volunteer to train and raise puppies to be used as service dogs. Through companies like Canine Companions, students can fill out an application to train and raise puppies.
Even though she isn’t fully on board with most college students having dogs, Deese said, “If you are going to insist on having a dog, I do think that puppy raising is a great opportunity for college students.”
Archer, like many service dogs, can help bring a level of understanding to conditions like Deese’s, as it is a visible cue to the general public to what is going on. However, this has its downsides.
“You lose anonymity the second you get a service dog,” Deese said.
Deese often refers to Archer as a “3-year-old strapped to her waist,” and how this is a hard thing for people to ignore in public. She does not mind answering questions from people in public but knows that is not the case for all service animal owners. It is virtually impossible to have a service animal and go anywhere without stares, questions and, sometimes, unwanted attention.
Unfortunately, the very thing that’s improving people’s quality of life also interferes with their ability to anonymously move through their lives. Despite the downsides, Deese is extremely grateful for Archer and the love the two of them have for each other is palpable. It would be hard to meet the Monster Man and not immediately fall in love with him. He is indeed much more than a dog; to Deese, he is a hero.
Figgys FirsT Ay
Figgy and his fellow felines prepare for students’ return.
AUTHOR SYDNEY LEWIS DESIGN CAROLINE CHRISTY
Figaro, mostly called Figgy by the People, blinked his eyes open reluctantly, not quite ready to leave his dreams of under-the-chin pets and especially slow-moving squirrels. Flopping over to extend his nap, a furry paw, which Figgy now registered had woken him up, prodded repeatedly at his side. Even before he gave up and rolled to stand, he knew this paw belonged to his roommate, Eustace.
Figaro gave him a lethargic hiss for his trouble, but quickly softened when Eustace reminded him why he couldn’t sleep the day away—at least not hidden where he was now. Though he was usually content to let the People search for him however long they pleased, today was different. Today the People were coming back.
Well, that wasn’t exactly true. There were People everywhere, every day—old People, young People and the Reverend. But when the air got thick and muggy, and the sun started feeling like Figgy and everyone else had personally wronged it, there were a lot less of them. The peace and quiet was nice for a few days—he was very popular among the People—but he secretly loved the day they all came back.
It was still too early for all but the most adventurous of the People to be up and about, and he assembled with Edmund, Eustace and Sissy on the front porch of the Reverend’s small house. Edmund had a plan for the day, about how to welcome the People back, and Figgy listened dutifully. He was as earnest about it as he was about everything, and there was no harm in letting him think he was in charge.
Edmund and Eustace were stationed
on the small couch on the front porch of the house, as they often were, wrestling between naps, pets and treats. Sissy was curled up in the shade of tree, surrounded by a bed of pine straw, waiting to be discovered by the more observant People. Figgy, the most social and the least likely to listen to authority, was given free reign of the flower beds surrounding the concrete buildings.
The day went off without a hitch. People he recognized remembered his fondness for treats, and he came close to catching several squirrels, who had taunted even through the summer (he didn’t understand why they couldn’t leave with the People). One Person smelled so nervous that Figgy left his flower bed to cuddle up against their large, black boots. Plenty of People held up cameras to which he directed his most natural poses.
As the heat receded and the sun dimmed, Figgy couldn’t help but think all was right in his corner of the world. letting him think he was in charge.
Edmund and Eustace were stationed on the small couch on the front porch of the house, as they often were, wrestling between naps, pets and treats. Sissy was curled up in the shade of tree, surrounded by a bed of pine straw, waiting to be discovered by the more observant People. Figgy, the most social and the least likely to listen to authority, was given free reign of the flower beds surrounding the concrete
buildings.
The day went off without a hitch. People he recognized remembered his fondness for treats, and he came close to catching several squirrels, who had taunted even through the summer (he didn’t understand why they couldn’t leave with the People). One Person smelled so nervous that Figgy left his flower bed to cuddle up against their large, black boots. Plenty of People held up cameras to which he directed his most natural poses.
As the heat receded and the sun dimmed, Figgy couldn’t help but think all was right in his corner of the world.
October 5, 2024 – January 5, 2025
This exhibition is organized by the Brooklyn Museum. Images clockwise: Narcisse-Virgile Diaz de la Peña (French, 1807-1876). Bathers by a Woodland Stream (detail), 1859. Oil on canvas.Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Gladstone in memory of Sylvia Israel. Camille Jacob Pissarro (Saint Thomas, (former Danish West Indies), 1830–1903, Paris, France). The Climb, Rue de la Côte-du-Jalet, Pontoise (Chemin montant, rue de la Côte-du-Jalet, Pontoise) (detail), 1875. Oil on canvas. Brooklyn Museum, Purchased with funds given by Dikran G. Kelekian. Gustave Courbet (French, 1819-1877). The Wave (La Vague) (detail), ca. 1869. Oil on canvas. Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mrs. Horace O. Havemeyer.
MISS COCKY
Located on Main Street, Miss Cocky Boutique is the ultimate fantasy for women’s fashion and gameday apparel. If you love making a statement, these outfits will turn heads with their one-ofa-kind pieces. Gameday’s go-to outfits include denim, cowboy boots and wearing Gamecock signature colors. Do not forget any accessories to ensure your gameday fit is perfect head-to-toe. Which outfit are you picking for game day?
Suede Under-Brim
PHOTO TARA O”TOOLE DESIGN
ELISSA MYERS STYLIST KYLEE STRICKFADEN
UE Harper Bag: $67.50
EL Faux
Feather Mini Dress: $89.75
PE Washed Denim Romper: $79.50
Rhinestone Star Hat: $49.50
QS Striped Gamecock Sweater: $150.00
ARD Garnet Cowgirl Boots: $89.75
YO Rooster Bracelet Gold: $84.00
ZZ Carolina White Bandeau
Tube Top: $42.50
YO Rooster Pendant Gold: $108.00
FE Contrast Trimmed Round Neck Jacket: $69.75
HV Block
C Denim Corset: $59.75
FE Garnet Button-Down
Belted Leather Dress: $94.75
SVM Possession Show: $99.75
VH Celeste 6: $150.00
SY Puff Sleeve
Embroidered Mini Dress: $82.50
VB Dark Stone Pleated Skirt: $64.75
CARS, CLUBS, AND COMMUNITY: THE LIVES OF USC’S STUDENT COMMUTERS
How do student drivers’ daily commutes impact their college experiences?
For many USC students, the school day starts on the road. They pull out of driveways and parking lots, then traverse Richland County’s highways to attend their literature surveys and late-night labs. There can be obstacles along the way: parking shortages, rush-hour traffic, mechanical failures. But it is all part of the routines of USC’s student commuters.
Student commuters make up a significant portion of USC’s student body, a trend that is largely caused by the popularity of off-campus housing. Usually, moving off-campus requires students to commute to their classes, either by car or by bus. Driving to campus can greatly impact commuters’ college lives, especially when students’ homes are far away from the university. Still, choosing to commute does allow students some financial and personal freedom.
Laukhika Kasetty, President of the Carolina Commuters Club (CCC), and Vedi Ganguru, Vice-President of the CCC, commute to USC from Lexington, which is forty minutes away from campus. For Kasetty, driving to her classes makes more financial sense than paying for USC’s notoriously expensive on-campus dormitories.
“It [commuting] gave my family a little bit more financial freedom and me to be able to do other things or invest my money in other things that I found more useful,” she commented.
Driving to campus is also a more sensible option for students whose families live in Richland County, as doing so helps students maintain close connections with their relatives. Ganguru mentioned how commuting
commuters is downtown parking. To obtain on-campus parking, student drivers must purchase permits from the university that allow them to park their cars in designated lots. However, these lots can become crowded during class hours, and since the center of campus has a limited number of garages, drivers often have to park at lots farther away from classroom buildings. Because of this, commuters must be deliberate in selecting their permit and be attentive to the locations and car capacities of these spaces.
“If you get a groove of where campus is and what places you can park at, it’s not the worst thing you can deal with,” said Kasetty.
But, according to Ganguru and Kasetty, the practical challenges of commuting are not the most pressing ones. Socializing can be incredibly difficult for commuters, in large part due to the limited amount of time they spend on campus. Compared to on-campus students, commuters
While this budgeting was challenging, Ganguru believes it improved her time management skills.
“I do think it’s [commuting] made me become better at planning and time manage myself more in that way,” she said.
Additionally, Ganguru ran into some difficulties with socializing in the first weeks of the semester. Lots of interaction among first-years occurs in dormitories, where the close proximity between students and the frequency of hall events incentivize student bonding. Since Ganguru lived off-campus, she was not able to participate in dormitory social life, making socialization a much harder task. Instead of through dormitories, Ganguru found her friend group through a different means: student organizations.
“I found myself having to stay after classes and joining student organizations a bit more to find that community, in the sense of the group of friends I got freshman year,” she said.
Now, Ganguru and Kasetty are the leaders of the Carolina Commuters Club, an organization that helps commuters find their friend groups and connect to the USC community. Socializing is a large focus of the club, and members can interact with each other during CCC meetings. Ganguru hopes that these interactions will lead to future friendships between commuters.
“If they find someone who’s their same major or get to know someone they relate to I think it’s a great way to potentially make friends. Not just being in a club, but also getting to know someone outside of the club and having that mentorship and support,” she said.
In addition, the CCC hosts events that expose members to the extracurricular activities offered by USC, all in the hopes that commuters will feel more familiarized with their university.
Kasetty talked about how a recent Group X class hosted by the CCC introduced many of its members to the Outdoor Recreation Office and the activities it offers.
“We just try to interact our members with different resources on campus so that they feel a lot more familiar with campus,” she said.
While living away from the university can seem daunting, the connection between students and campus is more social than spatial. Through communities like the CCC, students that commute can form these social connections and enjoy their college experiences as much as on-campus students. Opportunities for career development, creative expression, and socialization are available to everyone in USC’s student body, no matter how they get to campus. Whether by foot or by car, all college students can have access to the fun of university life.
To demonstrate how commuters can have an active college life, Kasetty referenced her and Ganguru’s college accomplishments.
“Me and Vedi, even as commuters, we were able to start a club. We’re both involved in research…” said Kasetty. “Saying all of this, no one should be scared to commute to campus.”
No two cars are alike when you drive down the streets of Columbia. This is especially true for students and their rides. For many students, their first car is a milestone in their independence and a luxury to call their own. They can recall the first charm they hung from the rearview mirror or the first sticker they stuck on the bumper. Each car has a story, a unique expression created piece by piece by its owner. In each person, you will see their distinctive fashion in action. Every detail in their outfit is a reflection of the car they drive.
AUTHOR ALEENA CHATTHA PHOTO SARAH PROTZ AND EVELYN ESQUIVEL DESIGN CHLOE EHLERS AND KATLIN JEFFCOAT
As someone born and raised in the U.S., defining the “American” way of life can still prove difficult. The term “melting pot” describes the cultural diversity in this country, but when we examine our ingredients, we notice that flavors don’t mesh together as well as the term suggests.
Many children of immigrants listen to their parents’ detailed stories of the difficult integration into the U.S., but there is often a disconnect between the past and present when having these conversations. We like to think that our country has progressed since “their time,” but alienation and invisibility are still prevalent feelings faced by people moving to the U.S. who are eager for a fresh start.
Specifically, we can look at the expectations of international students who are preparing to immerse themselves in American college culture. “If you are planning to live, learn and grow in the United States, you already possess a well-known American characteristic—a sense of adventure!” is at the top of an advice page from InternationalStudent.com titled “The USA ‘Way of Life.’” International students enter the country expecting adventurous, open-minded people who are going to welcome them and embrace all of their differences. Instead, they are often faced with disorienting feelings of isolation and a strong sense of disconnect from their peers.
Gahssan Mehmood is a grad student from Pakistan who is studying here as a Fulbright scholar, which is a program that offers grants to students to teach, conduct research and carry out professional projects abroad. When asked about the differences in academics here in the U.S. compared to Pakistan, Mehmood discussed how coursework is much more structured, intensive and “demanding” at USC compared to in Pakistan. However, academics were not the main struggle in Mehmood’s transition to college in the U.S. “I was taking 13 credit hours my first semester while struggling with my housing situation
and trying to figure that out,” Mehmood said. “I didn’t have a lot of support.” Mehmood unpacked issues pertaining to residential access for international students due to their visa status, causing the majority of them to live far off campus and commute using unreliable modes of transportation. In fact, Mehmood mentioned living with a ministry host family before he was able to find a more permanent residential area.
These experiences were reiterated during an interview with Gaurav Harshe, a student from India who began studying in the U.S. eight years ago. Harshe studied in Colorado and Florida before coming to USC to pursue a PhD, and he similarly felt that the academic styles in the U.S. can prove difficult for people coming from abroad. Harshe shared that our curriculums are more of a “self-centered teaching style” with no personal connections to instructors.
One interesting pattern that arose was the initial experience that multiple international students had with the ministry and other religious organizations. In Harshe’s experience, the International Student Services office was not very helpful as he tried to navigate the difficulties of things like transportation but that ministry groups seemed to appear at the ISS office often. “I’m used to proselytizing, “ Harshe said. “But, even at the social reception by the ISS office, there were a lot of church-based and Christianbased groups handing out Bible study pamphlets or advertising trips off campus.”
Harshe talked about how this led to his first year on campus heavily revolving around people in Christian organizations while also noting that these groups often required a significant time commitment from students. “I love them helping me out, but it’s coming at a cost,” Harshe said. “When I started to resist, I was faced with retaliation.”
Although Harshe and Mehmood both had experiences with religious organizations on campus, they did not seem to have positive experiences
with organizations of their own beliefs or cultures either. Mehmood mentioned that he was not able to get very involved with organizations on campus because they lacked a sense of relatability, so he tended to spend most of his time with other Fulbright scholars that understood where he was coming from. However, this makes us wonder where international students who are not part of a larger group find their support system.
“People think we’re stupid. Just because we don’t ‘know English’ in the way you think we should know English or our accents are different. We’re not stupid,” Harshe said when asked about his interactions with other students. “Sure, we don’t understand the culture sometimes, U.S. culture can be different, but can students from here understand my culture? Can they survive in my country? Can they take a train and not get hit by a bus in India?”
Harshe talked about getting involved with the Indian Cultural Organization, but he faced certain microaggressions there as well. He discusses a rift where international students tend to receive “shade” and “side-eyes” from IndianAmerican students. Harshe blames the stigma behind “fobs,” which stands for “fresh off the boat,” and is often used to demean immigrants or anyone not born in the U.S. Harshe talks about how this type of intracultural discrimination hurts more than any other judgment. He discussed a specific example when talking about Garba, a ritualistic dance usually performed on the occasion of the Hindu festival of Navaratri. “If we’re doing a Garba circle and one of the ‘Indian’ students gets into the circle, a lot of the Indian American students will leave the circle to form their own,” Harshe said. “I don’t know if they project what their parents are like onto international students, but why don’t they see a little bit of that connection? If their parents have gone through those struggles, why don’t they see us going through that same struggle now?”
However, Harshe has pride in his background and confidence in his merit that allowed him to study abroad. “If the game is assimilation, sorry, I don’t
want to learn it,” Harshe said.
Not all international students struggled with the same issues, though; some were able to find their footing before even setting foot in the U.S.
An interview with Blessing Emodi, a third-year PhD student from Nigeria, demonstrated the positive impact of having a support system across the sea. Although she, like most international students, initially struggled to get acquainted with the difference in teaching styles and cultural norms, a lot of practical issues were evaded due to her connection to Columbia’s Nigerian community.
“We have a good Nigerian community here,” Emodi said. “Once I got my visa approved, they put me through to a Nigerian here and she added me to a group. Whenever I have a question, I ask on the group. When it comes to accommodations, she accommodated me for two weeks, and helped me to get somewhere.” Being a part of WhatsApp groups and online forums with other students from Nigeria allowed Emodi to have more assurance when it came to housing and transportation compared to the majority of international students.
Emodi translated a common Nigerian saying that she thought was indicative of the international student experience: “When a hen gets to a new place, it stands with one leg. But, when it gets to know the environment, it stands on two legs.” While international students may arrive in the U.S. with high hopes for adventure and growth, their transition is often a balancing act between navigating unfamiliar structures and finding genuine support. The journey may start on one leg, but with the right connections and their strong resilience, they eventually find solid ground in their own version of the “American way of life.”
GRIEF & THE ACADEMIC MACHINE
A lesson on how not to grieve.
Death is inconvenient. It creeps up your spine, nips at your ankles, settles at the bottom of your stomach. It doesn’t wait for you, for there is no right time, no perfect place, for death. For me, death came on a Wednesday afternoon. My father passed away early that morning, but my mother wanted to tell me in person. He lived an extra few hours in my memory. Grief doesn’t seem like a heavy word until you’ve felt it, and that night, I was Atlas. The weight of the word fell on my shoulders, caked my skin with mourning sunrise. It was the dawn of a new day, one my father wouldn’t see.
Looking back, it was kind of funny. He’d been sick for a few months, in and out of the hospital, but we never thought it’d be fatal. I visited for my birthday near the end of September, had to celebrate with him in a hospital bed, his room on the third floor. Then I saw him for a day during fall break. He was home by then. He said he felt better. He wanted to cook me dinner; he wanted to cook me breakfast. He made me pancakes, and when I left my jacket, he put it on the coat rack so that I could pick it up when I came back for Thanksgiving. I never found that jacket. It wasn’t in the house when we went to pack it up. I’d like to think he took it with him, that he grabbed it when the paramedics came, that he died with it holding his hand.
So, if there’s anything I’ve learned in the past year, it’s that death is inconvenient.
Because my dad died on a Wednesday afternoon at the tail end of October during my freshman year of college, I could only grieve so much, could only hold so much. There was
a four-day countdown in my head, a self-inflicted time limit for my grief. I had a quiz due the next day, an exam due on Friday.
I don’t think I really got a chance to let any of it settle. For me, there was an unspoken rule that education stops for no one. It’s interwoven with time; it always moves forward, always slithers past things like death and tragedy. Just like death, the future does not wait for you. Nothing seems to wait for you. The world did not stop when my father died. That frightened me.
There’s a reason it’s called the academic machine. There’s no real room for much else, not if you want the grades, th]e clubs, the experience you need to get that job you dream of. I had a plan—a plan to go to college, to graduate, to publish a book, one my father could actually read. I’ll still do all those things, but he won’t be there anymore. He’ll never read any of my books. Now, he’ll only be a dedication.
It’s stuff like this (the deep in your gut, stuck to your skull kind of introspection) that made me realize something: I simply swallowed my grief. I never had a chance to digest it. Even now, part of me still can’t conceptualize the fact that he’s gone, and I truly believe it’s because he’s still there. I never let him leave. I couldn’t. I had a test on Friday.
I couldn’t think about the paranoia, how I used to wonder what it would feel like to lose a parent. I spent a whole year with this irrational thought that my mother would die on the highway, that my father would fall asleep and never wake up. And then it came true. It actually came true. But there was homework due on Sunday.
I couldn’t think about how much I
hated him or how much I loved him or how much he hurt us. Because my father was not a bad man but he wasn’t a good one either. We had problems (me and my dad, my brother and my dad, my mother and my dad). He always seemed to be the cause, the ground zero for family drama. But then he died an incomplete man, an unfinished man. We had too much to fix for him to die like that. There were too many things I couldn’t tell him and he couldn’t tell me. But I had class on Monday.
I couldn’t think about my brother and my mother and the stepfather he was just getting to know and the dog that he loved that we couldn’t keep—I lost her, for she too was inconvenient. Too big and too wild, a product of circumstance. I had no room to grieve for sweet Delilah, not when my father was dead and she wasn’t. Not when I had to get my degree.
For me, school is the only thing I can count on. I’ve spent the majority of my life in school; I was practically conditioned to it. It was consistent when everything else seemed to keep falling apart. So, I clung. I clung to what I knew how to do, knew how to handle, knew how to control. For almost fifteen years, my grades have been the only thing I have to show for myself, the only thing that makes me something. In my head, all that pressure, the years I’ve felt stuck between a rock and a hard place, is all to make something beautiful: a diamond that’s worth something. But education has become an assembly line of ideas, a pass and go of theory, a quantity over quality production. It’s a machine; it can’t consume something like grief. There’s no coding for grief, no setting for sorrow. So, it keeps going
AUTHOR AUDREY MILER DESIGN CAROLINE CHRISTY
and going and going until you either stop or let it take you with it.
But maybe it’s just me. Maybe I let my education take advantage of me. One of my professors asked me something that I still think about from time to time. It was a handful of days after my father’s passing; I went to him after class, told him what happened, and he asked me, “Why are you here?” He seemed genuinely caught off guard, like I had more time than I thought. It’s such a simple question, and yet, I didn’t have an answer. Perhaps it’s the kind of question that’s meant to go unanswered. Even so, I still ask it every single day. Why am I here? Why am I here when my father isn’t? Why am I here when I could be with my mother, my brother, my family who could die in their sleep, on a Wednesday afternoon?
Grief is impossible to navigate. It’s the kind of thing that takes everything from you. Education acts the same way. You must give everything to grief,
black hole do you let consume you? I chose something I’m used to, something I’ve already sacrificed almost fifteen years of my life to. For I am a dog, one that does not learn new tricks, that sits at the foot of a bed I can’t climb. Grief was new, still is new, and anything new is something to be feared, something to run from. And that’s what I did. I ran from one beast to another, chose the bear over the snake. I buried my head in textbooks to drown out the church bells, wrote essays in place of elegies. The time I had left was filled with friends, filled with family, and in late night pockets of spare-change time, I would mourn what I could before morning. Fall turned to winter turned to spring turned to summer. And with summer came time—time to mourn, time to grieve, time to look around and see someone missing. We threw my father’s ashes on a beach, coated the sand in white flakes of father. But I couldn’t cry. So,
brother—and my grandmother—his mother—lay somewhere under sand, entangled in sea oats. I spent the better half of the year drowning myself in my education rather than drowning myself in my father’s grief. At that point, I think I forgot how to mourn. So, I laughed. In a way, it feels like I failed him. But, I guess he failed me too.
Grief is eternal. It’s always going to linger; it sits with you in class, gnaws at your skin and bone and heart and soul, feeds off memory. Grief will always be there, but sometimes you just forget how to grieve. It feels like there should be some kind of rulebook, a step-bystep guide. And maybe there is and I just missed it. And maybe there isn’t, and I just needed one. No one taught me how to grieve. I simply learned to ignore it.
You can’t define grief until you’ve lived it, until you’ve run away from it, until it finds you on a Wednesday afternoon.velitibusBut maybe it’s
I still think about from time to time. It was a handful of days after my father’s passing; I went to him after class, told him what happened, and he asked me, “Why are you here?” He seemed genuinely caught off guard, like I had more time than I thought. It’s such a simple question, and yet, I didn’t have an answer. Perhaps it’s the kind of question that’s meant to go unanswered. Even so, I still ask it every single day. Why am I here? Why am I here when my father isn’t? Why am I here when I could be with my mother, my brother, my family who could die in their sleep, on a Wednesday afternoon?
Grief is impossible to navigate. It’s the kind of thing that takes everything from you. Education acts the same way. You must give everything to grief, and you must give everything to the academic machine. It’s impossible to split it both ways. It’s like cutting a fifty-dollar bill in half and expecting it to matter—you only get paper.
So, which do you choose? What
black hole do you let consume you? I chose something I’m used to, something I’ve already sacrificed almost fifteen years of my life to. For I am a dog, one that does not learn new tricks, that sits at the foot of a bed I can’t climb. Grief was new, still is new, and anything new is something to be feared, something to run from. And that’s what I did. I ran from one beast to another, chose the bear over the snake. I buried my head in textbooks to drown out the church bells, wrote essays in place of elegies. The time I had left was filled with friends, filled with family, and in late night pockets of spare-change time, I would mourn what I could before morning. Fall turned to winter turned to spring turned to summer. And with summer came time—time to mourn, time to grieve, time to look around and see someone missing.
We threw my father’s ashes on a beach, coated the sand in white flakes of father. But I couldn’t cry. So, I only laughed. It was eleven o’clock
on a Wednesday morning. We drove the Jeep two miles up the shore near the dunes where my uncle—his baby brother—and my grandmother—his mother—lay somewhere under sand, entangled in sea oats. I spent the better half of the year drowning myself in my education rather than drowning myself in my father’s grief. At that point, I think I forgot how to mourn. So, I laughed. In a way, it feels like I failed him. But, I guess he failed me too.
Grief is eternal. It’s always going to linger; it sits with you in class, gnaws at your skin and bone and heart and soul, feeds off memory. Grief will always be there, but sometimes you just forget how to grieve. It feels like there should be some kind of rulebook, a step-bystep guide. And maybe there is and I just missed it. And maybe there isn’t, and I just needed one. No one taught me how to grieve. I simply learned to ignore it.
You can’t define grief until you’ve lived it, until you’ve run away from it, until it finds you on a Wednesday afternoon.
An original poem
AUTHOR RIDHA FATIMA DESIGN ALEXANDRA ADLER
i find her between the pine needles cocooned under a nest of snow that never melted. the body is cold, head tucked into her wings held close to her body like a hug. i can carry her in one hand but i use both, shaping them like a prayer, like trying to catch water before it trickles out through the grooves left in the spaces of my palm. there is a scar on her back i should have noticed. it is thin, a hairsbreadth slicing down the length of her spine. it was always there, from the first day she perched on my sill to the last time she came searching for solace. she should have been far away by now, flitting between new branches over a lake that reflected the stars like a second sun, her nest overlooking mountains dusted with snow like powdered sugar, her chirps echoing in the dead of night, calling for her kin who would always answer. but she was here the whole time, and i never went outside to look.
my hometown is a parking lot
we plant seeds in the cracks of the asphalt coaxing them out of the ground between the weeds there are little places like these everywhere, not beautiful but sacred, unknown: vines curling over the edge of a crumbling wall, a clump of dandelions in the field across the Catholic school, the sunset glimpsed over the now-closed Kmart, windows shuttered the outline of its stripped letters still visible like scars like a shell, the last vestige of a bygone era, something we could blow away if only we wished hard enough behind it the sky blazes: crimsons, pinks, lavenders so wide and bright it could swallow us whole but I do not wait for it, do not wait for the light to kiss the pebbles we have just turned instead i ask you to watch the gravel, to wait for the seedlings to push through the ground petals to unfurl from the bulb and reach to your outstretched hand, and then i promise i will come home soon.
AUTHOR RIDHA FATIMA DESIGN CAROLINE CHRISTY
An original poem
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Come see what all we have to offer so you can make your career dreams a reality. To get there — start here!
Make an appointment with your
Where’s the line?
AUTHOR AUDREY MILLER DESIGN ELISSA MYERS
$$$$$$$$$$
It’s easy to get lost in a shopping mall. It’s overwhelming, the options, the store to store deals, the things you want and the things you don’t. You lose the money in your wallet—it slips between fingers, shifts into shirts and jewelry, a nice watch or a game for a little brother. You leave the mall a little guilty but also a little happy.
Now that the world—and, evidently, shopping malls—are at our fingertips, it’s getting harder and harder to resist a culture of consumerism. From eBay to TikTok shops, we’re constantly browsing. Every ad we scroll past is a decision, and every purchase we make is against our will. Overconsumption has reared its head.
Now, this word “overconsumption” has plagued YouTube think-pieces for the past few years, so it has lost a bit of weight. Basically, it is the line that cannot be crossed, the moment materialism makes us bleed. Fast fashion is the most notable example; the fashion industry is a major contributor to rising CO2 emissions and poor working conditions for employees. Somehow, quantity has trumped quality, and it is not just in the clothes we buy. I see it in Stanley Cup hauls on TikTok—there’s an entire market of accessories for these water bottles. It’s hard not to laugh at the matching minibags or the clip for lip balm or the tiny version of the same water bottle for mints. The tiny versions alone cost roughly $10 depending on the seller, while the tumblers themselves average around $40. It’s absurd. It’s ridiculous. Right?
It’s easy to label something like this as “overconsumption.” It’s easy to point and laugh at someone who is clearly rich and bored. But, then I look over at my bookshelf filled with figures and manga that I barely touch, much less read, and I stop laughing.
I deflect. I’m a collector; I collect things I enjoy for my personal pleasure. It’s practically human nature to collect, to hoard, to find comfort in materialism. Museums are a manifestation of this piece of humanity, have existed for thousands of years, proof that collection is an integral part of our history. But where is the line between collecting and overconsumption? How is my mountain of manga any different than a wall of Stanley Cups?
For me, the answer lies in intent and purpose, not just in ourselves but the things we collect. Historical artifacts are not something you can just throw away. They are meant to be kept, to be seen, to prove that we were really there. We preserve pieces of ourselves behind plexiglass, finding new meaning in the past. But that’s an easy one, a bridge between both cases. What about baseball cards? Well, that is easy, too: they are intended for collection, intended for safe-keeping. They exist simply for us, for those who care enough to treasure them.
Books are a little bit harder, but also a little bit easy, for they are written by an author and binded for an audience. Their purpose is storytelling; they are expecting a reader, someone to read them. But then, when millions and millions of people do read, and millions and millions of people still read, there exists a certain tax on time. The older the wiser, as they say, and any book that has stuck around this long is worth a pretty penny. People like a spine from 1865 next to a spine from 1864, people like a shelf dedicated to Austens and Woolfs and Hemingways, and people like mountains of manga tucked in bookcase corners. Books are something to be read, but they’re also something to be loved.
Now, it is time for a challenge: the water bottle-shaped elephant in the room. It is impossible to leave my apartment without seeing a Stanley Cup. Hell, I even have one—it was a gift from my boss, sure, but it is still mine. It quite literally exploded into modern day pop culture, but I never really understood why. Why are people camping outside Targets for different shades of the same cup? Why buy five or ten or twenty of something that is meant to be reusable, that is intended to save energy? This is not an isolated incident; water bottles have been subjects of microtrends since the dawn of tumbler time. From Yetis to Hydroflasks to Stanley Cups and now, suddenly, Owala Sips, water bottles have almost become a kind of accessory. For your first day of school, you want the cool hair, the cool shoes, the cool clothes and, now, the cool water bottle. It is crazy how people treat water bottle drops at a Target like Black Friday before Covid, how they are dressed up in TikToks with minibags and clip on containers, a walking advertisement for Amazon Prime. A good water bottle is an investment, but twenty seems like a waste of money, a waste of space and a waste of energy.
But everyone has their niche—the small nooks and crannies of an
interest they cannot stop hiding in. What does it matter what people buy, what people hoard, if it matters for them? What right do I have to judge someone who is just having fun?
To put it simply: because I can. We could argue all day about what is right or wrong, what is intended and what is purposeful. But in the end, I still think collecting water bottles defeats the purpose, that collecting something like that is wasteful. But you could say the same about me and my books, about me and my figures. To me, water bottles are intended to be reusable alternatives to plastic water bottles. They help conserve energy and reduce waste, and to buy an unnecessary amount defeats the purpose. To me, figures and manga and books, they are all art! In a way, they are meant to be displayed. But not everyone thinks that way, and that is okay. We are all hypocrites; it is only human.
Everyone collects something, whether it be clothes or cups, manga or memories. It is important to remember that there’s always a line that can be crossed, that hobbies can always tiptoe into harmful habits. Collections can easily lead to overconsumption. So, watch those wallets, do not trip on trinkets. There is such a thing as “too much.”
wEsTeRn ReVIvAl
PHOTO EVELYN ESQUIVEL
DESIGN ALEXANDRA ADLER
STYLIST LILY MILLER MODELS
IVANNIA CARDENAS, KHUFU HOLLY, AND GRACE LOWELL
Miss Cocky Boutique, similar boots found on Amazon for $56
Indigo Rd, boots, $69
H&M, vintage top, similar found from Billabong x Wrangler for $90 Bugle Boys , vintage jeans from Pannerpete Vintage, $85
Western is having a moment, y’all! Western aesthetics are celebrated in new and exciting ways, such as television, music, and especially fashion. New York Fashion Week Spring 2025 showcased many cowboyinspired looks with fringe, denim, and statement belts from designers Ralph Lauren and Patricio Campillo. It’s exciting to see Western fashion be embraced by diverse communities that challenge the historical narratives tied to the Western aesthetic. With style icons like Bella Hadid, Beyonce, and Little Nas X, there are so many examples of celebrities incorporating Western aesthetics. Cowboy boots, mixed denim, and vintage florals are easy ways for the everyday person to incorporate Western style into their everyday wardrobe. As Western aesthetics continue to evolve and modernize, it’s clear that cowboyinspired fashion isn’t going anywhere.
Vestique, Wild Ride
Top, $24
Vestique, Feeling
Nostalgic Vest, $30.50
from Pannerpete Vintage, 70s faux leather jacket, $65
Levi’s, vintage jeans from Pannerpete Vintage,
Levi’s, vintage jeans from Pannerpete Vintage, $40
$45
Vestique, Homeward Bound Henley, $32
from Pannerpete
Vintage, 70s White LS Dress, $40
Vestique Columbia, See You
Later Mini Dress, $56
Levi’s, vintage jacket, similar found from Levi’s for $98
Urban Outfitters, Seed Bead Bow Necklace, $22
Chelsea and Violet, boots found on Depop, $125
DIY: How to Make Perfume
Need an interactive activity that also makes you smell good ? Look no further.
AUTHOR AHALYA MURALEEDHARAN DESIGN CHLOE EHLERS
Every college student needs to start their DIY journey, and what better to start with other than making perfume?
Apart from being a fun DIY activity to partake with your friends, creating your own perfume with the right notes can serve as aromatherapy. There is a satisfaction of grabbing the scent you made for a quiet night relaxing or a fun game night with friends.
Ingredients
2-½ ounces of ethanol/vodka/everclear
½ ounce of carrier oil (ex: jojoba oil)
2 tablespoons of distilled/spring water
25 drops of essential oils (adjust to your liking)
Preparation
1. Combine carrier oil and essential oils in bottle
2. Add ethanol and invert the bottle
3. Allow the mixture to rest for 2 days
4. Add water
5. Pour into bottle of your choice
Tips -
Use a dark bottle with minimal airspace to store the perfume Possible Scent Combinations
Everyone knows that college students eat a lot. Whether you’re enjoying a meal at Gamecock Park or ordering Chick-fil-A, we all need to eat. For many upperclassmen at USC, navigating the demands of academics and extracurriculars is challenging enough without the added stress of paying for overpriced meal plans.
Upperclassmen often find themselves stuck between two choices: paying for a full-scale meal plan that far exceeds their needs or skipping out on the university’s dining services altogether. But what if there was a middle ground? Could there be a more flexible and affordable option for students juggling classes, part-time jobs and life off-campus?
Meet Gabi Dissinger, a sophomore civil engineering major and Honors College student living in Harper Elliott on the Horseshoe. Dissinger opted for the 50-block meal plan, which gives her 50 meal swipes and $375 in meal plan dollars—just enough to keep her going on busy days around campus. She is a regular at Wired Cafe, where she stops between classes, but at home, Dissinger takes matters into her own hands.
Dissinger admits that she cooks very often when at home. “I have my own recipe book that I’ve been collecting recipes in that are basically things that I could make in college,” Dissinger said. Her approach? A mix of using her meal plan strategically while balancing
the convenience of cooking at home. For students with similar lifestyles, she thinks an alternative meal plan could be game-changing:
“I could see it definitely being beneficial, especially for students who are commuters and are really only on campus for lunch potentially, and even then that’s a little iffy,” Dissinger said.
Dissinger budgets $50 a week for groceries, adjusting as needed. While having a vehicle on campus, she points out the difficulty of grocery shopping without a car. “I think one of my issues with grocery stores and grocery shopping as of right now is I have a car on campus and that has been extremely convenient to get to grocery store,” Dissinger said. “Otherwise, around the areas that are around the Horseshoe, there’s not really a convenient grocery store close by, especially since if you do go to a grocery store, you’re gonna generally be carrying multiple bags back.” Her advice? Carpool with friends to places like Aldi and Kroger for affordable groceries or splurge a little at Publix. “If you are able to supplement a meal plan with groceries, it’s definitely a good cost alternative,” Dissinger said. “And, I like the flexibility that it gives me over my own eating, because dining halls have limited options, especially for people with dietary restrictions.”
Dani Carson, another Honors College sophomore and biochemistry major living at 650 Lincoln, also navigates the meal plan dilemma.
G&B writer Caleb Hargrove chats with Gabi Dissinger about Meal Plans.
With a 100-block meal plan that offers 100 meal swipes and a $150 meal plan dollars, Carson finds herself cooking more than relying on her meal plan.
“I feel like upperclassmen don’t really go to dining halls to sit down and eat,” Carson said. “It would be more accessible if meal plans had more meal plan dollars instead of swipes,” she says, pointing out a need for more flexibility.
It seems many students aren’t aware that the university offers declining meal plan options, which only offer meal plan dollars. These declining meal plans are offered in increments of $1,625 and $1,000 meal plan dollars per year, with the option to add an extra $500 in the spring semester. However, these two options could be either too much or not enough for students. It would be beneficial for the university to add more increment options for students to ensure all needs are met, especially for dining options.
Carson survives by meal prepping to stay on track and stocking up on essentials like rice and potatoes to keep herself full throughout the week. For her, Aldi and Piggly Wiggly are go-to spots for budget-friendly
groceries, while Sam’s Club is perfect for bulk buys if you have a membership.
“Be very aware of how you’re spending your money, especially on groceries,” Carson said. “That’s been the hardest thing for me.”
There are many stores for students to visit for their grocery needs such as Aldi, Kroger and Piggly Wiggly for lower costs and Publix, Sam’s Club and Costco for those who are able and willing to spend more. It is important to use resources such as apps for grocery stores as many of them provide discounts and coupons daily and allow students to cross-check prices in order to find the best deals. Certain stores also have specials during the week, such as $5 sushi every Wednesday at Publix.
Even without a car, there are ways to make grocery shopping work. Apps like Instacart, Walmart Delivery and Target Delivery offer convenient options for those who cannot make it to the store. And if you are on a tight budget, linking up with friends who have cars can help make those grocery runs easier.
Both Dissinger and Carson emphasize the same key points: upperclassmen need more flexible meal plans, especially since off-campus students may not eat in dining halls as frequently. Cooking is not just about saving money—it is about control over your food choices and health. Whether you are planning for the next semester or just looking to survive this one, striking the right balance between meal prepping and meal planning is essential.
WHICH GAME DAY CHARACTER ARE YOU?
Find out which Game Day character you are!
AUTHOR RAEVA BALI DESIGN CHLOE EHLERS
Q1: What’s your ideal way to celebrate a friend’s birthday?
A) Going somewhere with good music!
B) Plan a fun outing, but bed time still takes priority.
C) Keeping the party going from sun up to sun down (and then some).
D) Doesn’t really matter as long as the party has a fun dress code theme
E) Wish them well from afar—maybe next time!
F) Host a cozy night in together!
Q2: How do you prefer to spend a day off?
A) Gathering friends for outdoor games and music.
B) Doesn’t matter as long as there’s time for a nap.
C) Staying out until the stars come out, making the most of the day.
D) Thrifting and coffee, obviously!
E) Every day can be a day off if you think about it.
F) Catching up on social media while rotting in bed.
Q3: What’s your favorite snack for a gathering?
A) Chips and dip—everyone loves them!
B) Something light, like fruit or veggies, for easy munching.
C) Classic nachos; they’re a crowd-pleaser!
D) Anything that looks good on Instagram.
E) I’ll take whatever’s left over—no big deal!
F) A bowl of popcorn!
Q4: How do you feel about planning?
A) I love being the one to organize everything and get people excited!
B) I’ll help plan but prefer to keep it casual and short.
C) I’m committed to the full experience; I won’t bail early.
D) I’m down for anything, I just need enough time to get ready!
E) I’m not really the planner—I’m just there for a good time.
F) I’d rather chill at home, thank you very much.
Q5: What’s your go-to activity with friends?
A) A high-energy adventure, like a concert or sports event.
B) A laid-back coffee outing, but I won’t stay too long.
C) Whatever activity it is, we’re stayi.
D) Dressing up cute and going somewhere to take photos!
E) I’ll cheer from the sidelines, if I’m even there!
F) A movie marathon.
Q6: When it comes to loyalty, you:
A) Bring the fun and keep everyone pumped!
B) Prioritize what’s important to you, and stick to it.
C) Stand by your friends no matter what.
D) Express yourself while supporting those around you.
E) Often find yourself on the sidelines.
F) Enjoy being comfortable, even if that means missing out.
Q7: How do you handle a rainy day?
A) Make the best of it by doing something fun with my friends.
B) Use it as an excuse to take it easy and plan for later.
C) Stay committed to your plans, a little rain never hurt anybody!
D) As long as you get to wear your fun rain boots, you’re good.
E) Probably sleep through the storm.
F) Binge-watch shows in my favorite sweatpants.
Q8: What’s your favorite way to dress for an event?
A) Fun and lively—something that matches my energy!
B) Comfortable and practical, but still cute.
C) I’ll be decked out in my team’s colors, no question.
D) Fashion-forward and eye-catching, always.
E) Casual—whatever works, really.
F) Something that’s relaxed but functional.
Q9: How do you approach teamwork?
A) I lead with enthusiasm and rally everyone together!
B) I know when to step back and let others take the reins.
C) I’m loyal and dedicated to seeing it through.
D) I contribute creatively and make it all look good.
E) I’ll support from a distance and cheer everyone on!
F) I prefer to work independently, in my own space.
Q10: Which of these traits best suit you?
A) Fun and adventure!
B) Balance!
C) Loyalty!
D) Making a statement!
E) Going with the flow!
F) Comfort and peace!
Count the letters for your answers and see which one you have the most of to find out what Game Day Character you are!
Mostly A’s: Frat Lots Warrior
value a good time. Every game, rain or shine, muddy or dry dirt, you’ll be under those tents with determination and a dream.
Mostly B’s: The “We’re Leaving At Half-Time, Right?” - You know your priorities, and you stick to them! Sometimes those noon games can be brutal, and you want to save yourself the sunburn!
Mostly C’s: You’ll Have to Drag Me Out of Willy B - You’re an incredibly loyal person! There’s no jumping ship after third quarter here… you’ll be there from when Cocky jumps out of the Cockaboose until the final Alma Mater finishes. Bonus points if your Saturday night dinners are exclusively Willy B popcorn and hot dogs.
Mostly D’s: The Game Day Fashionista - Whether or not you’re staying for the full game, going to the lots, or anything else, your game day fit takes priority. You’ll be strutting through the tailgates in garnet cowboy boots while everyone is asking where you got your tops from. The student section is your runway, we’re all just looking at you.
Mostly E’s: Didn’t get a ticket - Better luck next time, my friend. :( Mostly F’s: Watching the game at home! - You value your comfort, and we really respect that!
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