Wear patched-up clothes and you’ll fit right in on this Hobo Week. But sell the unauthorized Hobo-branded gear, and you could get in trouble with SDSU.

It could be trademark infringement and that’s illegal, said Wes Tschetter, the university’s assistant vice president for finance and business.

He said the university has yet to go to court against trademark thieves, because groups using the trademark illegally have stopped without a fight. But Tschetter said SDSU has every right to issue a “cease and desist” order.

Even something like “Hobo Daze” is crossing the line. If anyone has the trademarked phrase printed at a business, then “that business has the responsibility to pay the royalty fee — even if is just a small number or amount,” Tschetter said.

SDSU will probably not take action against students who print 20 shirts to sell to their friends. But “if they print hundreds of them to replicate the design and look of existing products that manufacturers already pay a fee for use of SDSU trademarked design, then we could issue a cease and desist order,” he said.

Hobo Day branded t-shirts are everywhere during the university’s annual homecoming. This year, the designs on campus range from the traditional “Hobo Day 2006″ to “Where my Hobo’s at?,” “Plowed” and, just like last year, “Hobo Daze.” And not all of them are family-friendly.

The term “Hobo Day” is trademarked by SDSU, said Jenny Crickard of University Relations. “In order to use it on t-shirts or other items, they should be purchased through a licensed vendor,” she said.

SDSU’s Advertising Club did its homework before printing their annual batch of Hobo Day t-shirts.

Both Weary Wil and Dirty Lil are also trademarked by the University. This means that the University Programming Council’s official t-shirts have the rights to have “Hobo Day” and use Weary Wil and Dirty Lil, but campus organizations like Advertising Club can’t use those terms without permission.

“We had to have it (the design) approved by the Hobo Day Committee,” said Krista Noren, the president of Advertising Club. The club’s shirts have “Plowed” on the front, but do not say “Hobo Day.” The shirts do include the Hobo Day theme “Hobos on the Prairie.”

The club has sold Hobo Day t-shirts as a fundraiser for several years.

Advertising Club’s shirts have “really caught on to be the most popular shirt sales, due mainly to last year,” said Kyle Sydow, a senior advertising major and member of the club. Last year the organization sold more than 600 shirts with the slogan “Rub me for luck.”

“We’ve been increasing every year, along with our sponsors,” said Sydow.

This year’s sales have been good so far. “One guy bought 20 at a time. Shirts have been pretty popular,” Sydow said.

This year, they ordered 850 shirts printed at Sports Connection. Jaime Hill, senior graphic design and education major, designed the shirts both last year and this year.

Other t-shirts are available to show your Jackrabbit pride this fall. Caldwell Hall government is selling t-shirts with “Where my Hobos at?” for $10.

Originally, the shirts were intended for residents of 2 East Caldwell Hall, said Adam Dupic, a resident assistant in Caldwell.

The hall government ordered extra shirts, and any student can still buy a shirt at the Caldwell Hall front desk starting Wednesday, Oct. 25.

“We started a sign-up a couple weeks ago. About ninety people ordered shirts,” said Dupic, a junior sociology major.

“We submitted the idea to Prairie Graphics and they came up with the finished product,” he said.

“I can’t stress enough these aren’t official Hobo Day t-shirts,” Dupic said. “They’re a shirt you can buy for your mom. It’s a respectable thing. You could wear (it) for a family get-together.”

Less family-friendly shirts like “Hobo Daze” were sold by SDSU students on campus this fall as well.

University Program Council sells the only official Hobo Day t-shirts. For $10, students can buy the “Hobo Day 2006″ shirts, complete with Hobo Day characters Weary Wil, Dirty Lil and Spot the dog.

Profits from Hobo Day merchandise will help UPC promote Hobo Day next year.

“It goes to fund Hobo Day events, promotions, to buy more shirts and buttons,” said Sarah French, Grand Pooba of Hobo Day. The proceeds from shirt sales last year paid for this year’s Hobo Day shirts, she said.

Jim Taggart, a graphic designer at University Relations, worked on UPC’s t-shirt design.

Where to buy a shirt

The Union

UPC is selling t-shirts at the UPC office in The Union and at tables in the Union from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. until Hobo Day.$1 buttons and free bumper stickers are also available.Ad Club will have a table in The Union from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays, and shirts will be on sale at Cubby’s from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. The last day to buy a t-shirt is Friday, Oct. 27, in The Union. Both accept cash, checks and Hobo Dough.

Caldwell

Any student can still buy a shirt at the Caldwell Hall front desk starting Wednesday, Oct. 25.

#1.884145:2363560284.jpg:Ad Club.jpg:Emily Rooney, a junior advertising major, and Mackenzie Osadchuk, a junior interior design major, members of the Ad Club, sell a “PLOWED” t-shirt to senior Mike Miller, a broadcast major.:

A year ago, most SDSU students didn’t know what Facebook was. Now, more than 7,900 people are on Facebook’s SD State network. But the new technology isn’t immune to problems and is raising new debates of ethics and censorship.

Originally intended to be a giant social networking tool, Facebook’s purposes are constantly expanding, which is causing some students to think twice about what they put on their Facebook profiles.

“People just need to use their head,” said Justin Goetz, a senior political science major. “Last weekend’s liquid contest might look good to one’s friends, but it could have some bad ramifications in the wrong hands.”

Law enforcement officers across the country are using Facebook to catch students in law-breaking activities.

University Police Chief Tim Heaton has one officer assigned to monitor things students post on Facebook.

“Since it is a public forum, if we see something that’s cause for concern, we will look into it,” Heaton said.

Some organizations are leery about the networking tool and are asking members to pay attention to what is put on their profiles.

SDSU student athletes are discouraged from using the Web site.

“We don’t prohibit it,” said Jason Hove, Sports Information Director at SDSU. “We strongly encourage that student athletes do not participate in those type of sites,” Hove said.

The Athletic Department currently does not have an official policy regarding Facebook or other social networking Web sites.

Although users once needed a .edu email address from a college or high school, the Web site is now open to corporations, including Microsoft, PepsiCo, Apple Computer and Daktronics. Employers are now able to research job applicants using Facebook, sometimes by asking a current employee to search for an applicant’s profile.

SDSU’s Career and Academic Planning (CAP) Center reminds students that information they post on the Internet is public domain. Susan Fredrikson, employment development director at the CAP Center, said some employers do use the networking site.

“There’s a lot of talk out there that many employers are using it, but I have heard personally from a couple that they have used it,” said Fredrikson.

Students should keep in mind who sees their information and how itmight be used, she said.

“The employer is looking at your potential to represent them in a professional manner. Even though it might be harmless and fun, it’s best when you’re in the job market to keep things professional,” she said.

Daktronics, which employs approximately 500 SDSU students, has a network on Facebook. But the company does not look at Facebook profiles, said Jan Brockel, of the Daktronics Personnel Department.

Rainbow Play Systems, Inc., uses the networking site MySpace, but does not use Facebook to look at applicants’ profiles. Rainbow employs between 150 and 200 SDSU students for their part-time night shift.

“We do use MySpace, and more and more employers around this area are using that type of tool,” said Pam Hauge, Human Resources Manager at Rainbow Play Systems, Inc.

Yet Facebook does have some major benefits. It presents another way student organizations can keep in touch.

“The mass-message function is especially handy for group leaders to contact every member who signs up for their group list,” said Goetz, vice president of College Democrats.

It can also be used as a recruiting tool. Especially during rush week, Greek organizations use Facebook to promote their fraternities.

Because SDSU’s three women’s fraternities recruit together, women who work with potential members limit their Facebook privacy to friends only, said Trisha Nordaune, program advisor to Greek Life. This hides the recruiters fraternity affiliation and allows them to “answer womens’ questions in a neutral way,” Nordaune said.

The men’s fraternities recruit individually, but are also reminded to keep things clean on their Facebook profiles. Goetz, a member of Delta Chi, said although there is no official policy on Facebook, members are reminded to use common sense when posting photos.

Still, not all student groups have jumped on the Facebook bandwagon.

“Facebook has helped students keep in touch and up to date with organizations on campus, but I still think email is a little more reliable since not everyone at SDSU is a Facebook addict,” said Margaret Liesinger, a member of Navigators, a religious student organization on campus.

Doug Wermedal, assistant dean of Student Affairs at SDSU, has heard mixed reactions from students about Facebook.

“I hear students using it as a way to connect. I know it’s been another tool for students to get to know each other,” he said.

However, Wermedal suggests that students do not post the dorm and room number they live in.

“Every little piece of electronic information you leave could make you vulnerable to identity theft. It’s good to leave those things as clean of private information as you can, things like addresses, cell phone numbers, class schedules.”

Show: Synonymous with concert. A public exhibition or entertainment.

General Admission: Standing room only. No assigned seating.

After attending several general admission concerts, you start to notice a few things. If you have been to a few in the past, you can quickly identify people who are new at it. Much like a college sophomore, junior or senior can quickly identify a new freshman girl in the first week of the fall semester. (Obvious keys are the lost look on one’s face, the unsure steps, or perhaps the large, bright, shiny metallic purse that may be slung over her shoulder.)

There are guidelines, though, that concertgoers can follow. Sadly, many girls don’t observe these rules, which can lead to states of drunkenness, confusion, inconvenience or sore feet.

1. Do not wear flip-flops. Even if it is 95 degrees in July in Omaha, Neb., DON’T do it. You’ll regret it later, when the 6-foot-2 guy in front of you steps on your bare toes.

2. Do not wear high heels to go stand for five hours at a general admission show.

3. Do not bring a huge purse. All you need is cash, your ticket, and your ID – most of which should fit in a pocket. The ID is a must for those of us who are 21. And maybe your cell phone to call the paramedics, if the occasion arises. Or if you want to attempt to take a dark, unfocused, low-quality photo of the band you’re seeing.

Another item to consider leaving in the trunk of the car: your jacket, which is generally a bad idea at general admission shows. You can probably walk the two or three blocks without a coat in the winter, even in Minneapolis, instead of holding it over your arm for the next three or four hours.

4. Consider the benefits and risks of bodysurfing. If you’re a guy, the worst thing that can happen is getting dropped. For girls, you risk getting groped, getting dropped and maybe losing one (or both) of your shoes.

5. Do not talk the entire time a band is playing, even if they’re the opening act for the band you really bought the ticket to see. (I spent my $26 to see the show, what did you come for?) And occasionally, the opening band is actually pretty good.

6. When buying merchandise, know your size. Chances are the merch booth won’t have your size by the end of the show, especially if you want a girl’s small fitted t-shirt. If the booth doesn’t, you can usually try the online store and avoid the line.

7. Be somewhat sober. At least sober enough to remember the show. Besides, drinks usually aren’t cheap. Your friends will probably not be very happy if they have to take care of you while you’re passed out in the bathroom instead of seeing one of their favorite bands play. If one of your friends has had way too much too drink, check on him and make sure he’s OK. (This is the point in the evening that the cell phone could be used to call the paramedics.)

8. Have realistic expectations about the commute. If you drive to Minneapolis or Omaha from Brookings, think about the drive back. Four hours from Omaha northbound on I-29 is not an exciting drive, especially at 2 a.m. Cornfields, small towns, cornfields, Sioux City, Sioux Falls and more cornfields.

Perhaps have a backup plan if no one is awake enough to drive back to Brookings that night. Consider staying at a friend’s apartment or getting a hotel room for the night, if you can afford it.

And one final note. If you and your friends are all 21 (and plan on having a drink or two or three during the night) seriously consider getting tickets for the 21-and-over shows. It is generally a wise decision and usually a more laid-back audience. That way you can avoid any feelings of “being old” because you’re having a beer while standing next to a 15-year-old high-school sophomore.

#1.884443:1000764594.jpg:Alicia Brown.jpg:Ali Brown, Columnist:

Did I miss out on the marriage craze?

What is behind the Midwest rush to marry? Particularly in the case of female college students..

A friend of mine at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln turned 21 on Thursday. He proposed to his now-fianc

Last April construction started on the new student union and the heavy machinery has not left yet.

With a drop in sales at the University Bookstore, organizations’ offices scattered across campus and classrooms doubling as dining areas, union construction has definitely impacted campus life at SDSU.

The project has created some challenges on campus as far as scheduling space for meetings and programs as well as locating offices that have moved.

“Whether an office was relocated or an organization had to make adjustments to their normal routine of scheduling, everyone has had to be flexible this year,” Kathy Lusk said, director of the Student Union and Activities. “Traffic patterns have definitely changed for student organizations and departments.”

Kathy Glanzer, a sophomore who lives on campus, eats at Larson Commons during the change of dining options due to union construction.

“It’s disappointing that the union is closed but I like how there are more places to eat,” said Glanzer, a pre-pharmacy major from Bridgewater. “The only bad thing is that the lines in Larson Commons are so long around supper time that you almost don’t want to eat there. Even though SDSU made it work for now, it will be nice to have the union back.”

The student union is set for completion on about July 1, 2005. The expanded union will include meeting space, program and dining areas, an expanded bookstore, additional student organization office space and more lounge/study space for students.

No major setbacks have delayed construction. The union is approximately 59 percent done and finishing details will be completed this spring, Lusk said.

Lusk said January’s snow and cold temperatures did not slow the construction crews. The student union is enclosed, so the construction company was not affected by the weather.

“I have continued to encourage everyone who was relocated as well as everyone else on campus … think about the finished project,” she said.

Winter Break. That time for selling back your textbooks, shopping for Christmas gifts in crowded stores, spending quality time with your family over the holidays and realizing that “home” doesn’t really feel like your home anymore.

This was my third winter break in my college career. The first one was probably the most awkward. After being at college for a few months, spending a few weeks in your parent’s house can sometimes be described as “an adjustment.”

This year was no exception in the weird winter break tradition. While I spent several days working at one of my part-time jobs, I managed to sleep until noon at least three or four days and do absolutely nothing productive. I also managed to spend every last dime that I got back from the bookstore, probably within the first week of break.

But I did finally see two good movies: “Garden State” (if you haven’t seen it, you should) and “Napoleon Dynamite.” Yes, rental videos played a significant part of my weeks of leisure. As did trips to Barnes & Noble to browse through books and music and wait in line for an overpriced $4 grande peppermint mocha from Starbucks.

I also realized, yet again, that the gap between old high school friends continues to widen as you get further into your college years. If it was awkward the last time you saw your best friend from high school (and that was over three months ago) then chances are winter break will not magically rejuvenate your old friendship. You may start to wonder how you managed to grow into such different people in what seems like a short period of time, since back in the day you could happily spend hours hanging out and doing nothing. Now the conversation dies when small talk ends and the situation becomes more awkward than you ever thought it could be.

The parental units’ oddness also plays a role in winter break. You end up getting frustrated after two days of being home and wonder how you ever lived with these people for the first eighteen years of your life. But hey, while you’re home at least you get all your meals free. I took a break from a steady diet of coffee, Mountain Dew, pizza and Ramen noodles and opted for better meals at home like spaghetti or take-out Chinese food.

However, those idle weeks in December and January do provide a much-needed break from the school year. For the first time in a long time, I was actually not sleep-deprived. I think my record for this year’s break was somewhere around twelve straight hours of slumber. So although winter break was a stress reducer and I have no great excitement to resume classes, I was happy to return to my apartment in Brookings when January rolled around.

Alicia Brown is junior journalism major and philosophy minor.

Close to 300 students looked for places to live at the off-campus housing fair Nov. 23.

Outback Jacks has sponsored the fair for the last five years, but this is the first year Outback Jacks is holding a bi-annual housing fair, with the second fair set for March 1.

Seven property owners had booths in Peterson Recital Hall to show photos and floor plans and give rental rates to students.

Representatives from Skylight Apartments, Southland Court, Village Square, Campus View Townhomes and Moriarty Rentals answered students’ questions about monthly rent, lease start dates and availability of apartments.

Most apartment complexes have one, two, three or four bedroom units. Students can also rent a house.

Stacie Rath, a consumer affairs major, attended the fair to look for an apartment for next school year.

“It was helpful, though I thought it was probably too early in the year because people did not know what was available at the time,” Rath said.

Students and property owners requested the additional housing fair in March, Peters said.

Last year only 250 students attended the off-campus housing fair in the spring semester.

“We already had a big jump from last year,” Peters said.

She hopes this spring’s fair will draw at least 300 students, as well as more property owners.

Students who did not attend the housing fair can find listings for off-campus apartments and houses through the services page on the student union’s Website at http://coldfusion.sdstate.edu/StudentLife/DSUA/och.htm. Information about leases, subleasing and housing budgets are also available online.

#1.885562:2856116034.jpg:offcampusfair.jpg:Carrie Gallagher, a sophomore psychology major and Jason Simons, a sophomore comptuter science major, talk to a representative about off-campus housing.:Jerry Smith

I was one of those evil telemarketers

During the summer of 2003 I had the best — and worst — job on my resume. For about three months, I was a telemarketer.

I am not a salesperson. I have no ambition in business or marketing. I am a journalism major. When I interviewed for the job, I could not picture myself harassing unsuspecting people over the phone. But when I heard the salary, I figured I could survive the job for a few months.

It paid well, close to $10 an hour, better than any of my prior jobs. I would reluctantly answer when friends asked what I was doing for my summer job. Hey, at least I wasn’t cleaning hotel rooms or working at a fast-food place.

The hours were okay, and I always had Sundays off. The dress code was business casual, but blue jeans were acceptable on Fridays. And my daily grind meant sitting at a desk staring at a computer screen for eight hours a day in air conditioning.

I got tired of wearing my headset. And it was frustrating to be hung up on constantly. The half-cubicles we worked in reminded me of Office Space — the movie that co-workers frequently quoted.

Our building even looked like Initech from the movie. The difference was my boss didn’t drive a Porsche, and I never got to knock down any cubicle walls – even though I would have liked to.

After the first month, I was starting to hate my job. But it was a summer job, meant for a few months between my years at SDSU. I survived from June until September, but I was happy to turn in my ID badge on my last day and be escorted out of the building by my boss, as was company policy.

Although it didn’t require a name tag (we had photo IDs instead, much like Office Space) or any embarrassing uniform or funny hat, the job was both the best-paying and the worst job I’ve ever had. I’m not a salesperson, and eventually I didn’t want to be hung up on. I was delighted when the person I was calling wasn’t home.

Working for a good paycheck has obvious economic benefits, but I hated my job so much I counted down the days after giving my two-week notice.

So to any future telemarketer: Be prepared for good pay, crabby people hanging up on you – or swearing at you – or both. But most of all it is a job. And thankfully, in my case, it was only a summer job for three months. I went on to lower paying jobs that were not so hateful. And I developed an “official phone voice” for leaving clear and coherent voicemail messages.

If you do plan to take on a telemarketing job, invest in a copy of Office Space. It will be even funnier after you’ve stared at a computer screen in a tiny cubicle for eight hours a day, five days a week.

Alicia Brown is junior journalism major and philosophy minor.

#1.884443:1000764594.jpg:Alicia Brown.jpg:Ali Brown, Columnist:

Health-conscious SDSU students can take part in Fight the Fat at the HPER Center starting this week.

The Wellness Center is sponsoring a program to help the community and SDSU lose 2,000 pounds by Jan. 24.

Fight the Fat runs from Nov. 15 to Jan. 24. Over a period of 10 weeks the Wellness Center will provide tips on nutrition, exercise, healthy recipes, group activities and motivation.

Individuals or teams can take part in Fight the Fat. Participants set goals for weight loss and weigh in every two weeks at the HPER to track their progress.

One sophomore apparel merchandising major signed up as motivation to stick to her exercise plan. She hopes the program will motivate her to work out on a more regular basis.

For $5 students or Wellness Center members can join Fight the Fat to lose weight by healthy behaviors like dieting and exercise. Non-members, such as Brookings residents, can join for $20.

This is the second year Fight the Fat has been at SDSU. The program started in Minnesota, wellness coordinator Shari Landmark said. Landmark and health promotion major Brooke Dickmeyer are organizing Fight the Fat.

Students can win prizes and coupons for sticking with the program, even if they do not reach their weight loss goal. There’s also a friendly competition between the men’s and women’s teams to keep members motivated.

Last year 40 students participated in Fight the Fat. This year, Landmark hopes for higher numbers.

The program started on Monday, but students can still sign up until Nov. 19, Landmark said. To sign up, go to the Wellness Center Service Desk at the HPER.

Or contact Nutrition, Food Science and Hospitality Department at 688-5161.

SDSU student Shawn Hostler knows what it’s like to be dog-tired at the end of the day.

The public recreation major works full time as K-9 Handler at Brookings County Sheriff’s Office. The 31-year-old from Blunt is also a full-time student.

Hostler focuses on drug interdiction with Deputy Bo, the sheriff department’s certified drug-searching Golden Labrador.

Bo came to the Brookings County Sheriff’s Office in 2002 from a kennel in Minnesota. He was a good prospect and did well in his training, Sheriff Marty Stanwick said.

After completing training in six types of narcotic drugs, Bo was sworn in as a sheriff’s deputy by a Brookings circuit court judge.

In 2003, Deputy Bo assisted in 32 arrests for narcotics violations in Brookings County, Stanwick said.

While most of their time on duty is spent patrolling, Hostler and Bo also work at DWI checkpoints. The K-9 Unit answer calls from Brookings police officers and sheriff’s deputies if a traffic stop involves suspicion of drugs. At the request of area schools, the K-9 Unit has also searched school buildings and vehicles in school parking lots for drugs.

Each month both Hostler and four-year-old Bo complete 16 hours of training to stay effective in their jobs.

Hostler began his career in law enforcement in 1999 as an officer in Sully County. After completing his first year at SDSU in 2001, he started working as a part-time correctional officer at the Brookings County Sheriff’s Office.

When the position as K-9 Handler opened in May 2004, Hostler jumped at the chance to work in such a specialized field.

“It’s an important job, trying to get the drugs off the streets,” Hostler said.

He and Bo are the only canine unit in the area. The Highway Patrol has other units in Sioux Falls, Hostler said.

Hostler completed training at the Criminal Indiction School in Sioux City, Iowa. In 2004 he was certified as a K-9 Handler through the Sioux Falls Police Department.

Although it can be difficult to balance a full-time job with a full class schedule, the sheriff’s department and Hostler’s professors understand his dual role as student and officer.

“The sheriff’s office is very good with scheduling me for shifts, and the professors also work well to balance everything out,” Hostler said.

Hostler is almost finished with his degree, but he wouldn’t mind staying on as K-9 Handler for Brookings County after graduating from SDSU.

When asked about the best part of his job, Hostler came up with three.

“Working with the public, and meeting new people every day, and trying to get drugs off the streets,” he said.

#1.885694:2573985700.jpg:k9portrait2.jpg:Shawn Hostler is a full-time student and a K-9 handler for the Brookings County Sheriff´s Office. He is pictured here with his dog Bo.:Jerry Smith