<p>I am Menlomom's hubby and I was THERE WHEN THIS INANE STUDENT CROWD CONTROL SITUATION OCCURED. I WATCHED FROM THE IMAX AS MY SON WAS LOST IN THE CROWD AT 2 PM TO GET INTO THE GATE. USC BROUGHT THIS ON ITSELF BY ADOPTING A "DISNEYLAND" PREPAID SPIRIT CARD SCAN APPROACH INSTEAD OF JUST LETTING THE STUDENTS IN! I HAD BOUGHT 2 TIX ON EBAY JUST IN CASE HE WAS DENIED ENTRY. I ENJOYED MY FIRST TIME EXPERIENCE AT THE COLISEUM. BUT THE CINGULAR NETWORK DID NOT WORK AT THAT LOCATION SO I COULDN'T CONNECT WITH HIM. NEEDLESS TO SAY, MY SON LEFT AT HALFTIME BECAUSE HE COULDN'T FIND A PLACE TO SIT! THE USC BRASS COULD HAVE LET THE STUDENTS SIT ON THE GRASS NEXT TO THE BLEACHERS. AFTER THIS UNFORTUNATE EXPERIENCE, MY SON IS THINKING EVEN MORE SO THAT USC IS NOT THE PLACE FOR HIM. HE IS INTELLECTUAL AND JUST FEELS THAT USC IS STILL HUNG UP ON THE "ATHLETIC SOCIAL SCENE" AT THE EXPENSE OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE. HE RELATED HIS EXPERIENCE DURING A WRIT. 140 CLASS IN THE BOVARD AUDTITORIUM WHEN MOST OF THE STUDENTS WERE PREOCCUPIED WITH THEIR CELL PHONE IM'NG INSTEAD OF PAYING DUE RESPECT TO THE DEBATERS ON STAGE. THE FACULTY IS SUPERB! THE PROBLEM FOR HIM IS THAT MOST OF THE FRESHMAN CLASS DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE ENGAGED INTELLECTUALLY! HE TURNED DOWN DARTMOUTH,CHICAGO, POMONA AND BROWN FOR THIS!!!
IT MAY WORK OUT BUT I TOLD HIM SAT. NITE THAT IF HE WANTS TO LEAVE USC FOR A MORE INTELLECTUALLY STIMULATING COLLEGE HE HAS OUR COMPLETE SUPPORT.</p>