Investigation of Tutors Continues

Although it is permissible for student athletes to pay to have papers typed for them, university officials said Friday it is against departmental guidelines for tutors to type papers, which could be construed by the NCAA as an extra benefit.

USC is investigating the school’s Student Athlete Academic Services department in the wake of charges of improprieties by at least two employees, one of whom is on administrative leave in another matter.

NCAA rules allow schools to pay for tutoring, but specifically prohibit the institution from paying typing costs.

School officials also indicated it would be inappropriate for a tutor to accept pay from a student for typing because that would fall outside the tutor’s intended duties and would blur the line between offering guidance and performing the work.

Receiver Mike Bastianelli will sit out a second consecutive game tonight after telling school investigators that Christopher Cairney, one of the employees who made the allegations, not only typed “the majority” of a paper he turned in two years ago, but also composed part of the paper.

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Freshman Malaefou MacKenzie will start against Oregon at tailback tonight, for the second time. Senior Delon Washington started last week against Notre Dame, partly because MacKenzie was recovering from a sore shoulder and partly because of concerns about the effects of the atmosphere in Notre Dame Stadium. . . . With a day to fill before playing a night game, Coach John Robinson said he was taking the team to a downtown YMCA for a basketball shoot-around to keep the players active instead of cooped up in a hotel, as they were before the Nevada Las Vegas game earlier this month. . . . Traveler V officially takes over for Traveler IV today after a quiet debut against UNLV. Traveler IV is taking early retirement because of a leg injury, but will continue to make public appearances. Traveler IV had been the mascot since 1987. . . . A homecoming crowd of about 50,000 is expected tonight at the Coliseum. Festivities begin on campus at 1 p.m.