February 25, 2013 Edition of The Vanguard

VANGUARD

THE

PATRICK BIGBIE / VANGUARD ARCHIVES

Mitchell named VP of Student Affairs

By STUART SOX sgsox@att.net

Dean of Students Dr. Michael Mitchell has taken on the responsibilities of the Vice President of Student Affairs, Dr. Dr. Mike Mitchell John Smith.

D r .

Smith will serve as the acting president of USA while President Moulton takes a 90-day leave of absence for health reasons.

“Dr. Smith has asked that I assume the lead responsibility for the entire division of Student Affairs...which includes housing, campus police, dining services, counseling center, bookstore and the post office,” Dean Mitchell said.

As part of his duties as Dean of See VP Page 2

JAYSON CURRY / SR. REPORTER

‘Preacher’ removed from Jury finds Ajizadeh guilty in 2011 USA murder campus The Vanguard responded to a gruesome scene in July of 2011 as the victim’s body was removed from a Delta 6 residence hall room in the afternoon.

By JAYSON CURRY jayson-curry@hotmail.com

I

t took only 20 minutes for the jury in the murder trial of Brandon Ajizadeh to come back with a guilty verdict. Ajizadeh was accused of stabbing his high school classmate and friend James Franklin Dean III 24 times with a butcher knife on July 10, 2011.

“I compliment my investigators on the work they did. There was a lot of work that went in to this. I think we got the verdict we expected and it came quickly. I think that falls back on everything my investigators did from obtaining a confession to the crime scene work

to testifying on the stand,” USAPD Chief of Police Zeke Aull said. “It all came together and we presented the facts and I think the evidence was overwhelming.

Coming back in 20 minutes I think really highlights the work on this case.”

Ajizadeh, Dean and two other friends were supposedly hanging out in Ajizadeh’s Delta 6 dorm room the night the murder occurred. .

According to reports the two other friends, including Kennan Henderson, had left before Dean was killed. Ajizadeh, Dean and Henderson had been friends since attending Murphy High School together but in the time before the death of

Dean, Ajizadeh had felt left out by the other two men.

Ajizadeh was presented as a jealous friend who became frustrated with how close Henderson and Dean had become in the months before the night the murder occurred. The jealousy was the motive in this case.

Former high school classmates of Ajizadeh say there should have been help years before this murder happened for someone with issues like Ajizadeh appeared to have. Jonathan Tapper remembers Ajizadeh being picked on maliciously in high school and points to this

By STUART SOX sgsox@att.net

fter last year’s election debacle, SGA has decided that the rules for running for elections need to change.

The Student Government Association met on Monday, Feb. 18 to vote on amendments to the elections bylaws.

Senate Pro-Tempore Elizabeth McDonald proposed a number of amendments to the homecoming and SGA election bylaws that will update and refine the election process.

Significant amendments include prohibiting verbal campaigning in any

building on campus on election day and using sidewalk chalk under covered areas.

With the amendments in effect, candidates will also no longer be able to use their places of employment for their campaign. For example, students that work at places like Kinko’s, UPS, or even the USA Bookstore cannot use these businesses to run off copies of flyers or make anything else campaign related.

This year’s SGA elections process will begin on March 1 when applications become available at the SGA office in the academic support center on Jaguar drive. Applications are due at the

find us on Facebook “Facebook.com/ TheVanguardUSA”

SGA office by 5 p.m. on March 18.

Those that submitted applications must attend a mandatory candidates meeting on March 18 at 5:15 p.m. at the SGA office. Any applicant that cannot attend the meeting must send a representative to the meeting in his or her place. The elections bylaws and campaign rules will be discussed at the meeting. As soon as the candidates meeting ends, candidates are free to begin campaigning.

The SGA elections committee wants students and candidates to be aware of the elections bylaws when organizing their campaigns. According to the elections bylaws, a violation by

Check out our digital edition thevanguardonline.com

By CASSIE FAMBRO caf707@jagmail.southalabama.edu

S

a candidate results in a fine of $10. A candidate that places campaign flyers on car windshields or on trees, specifically, will be fined $15. A candidate that amasses more than $25 in fines will be subject to disqualification.

Candidates must also have their campaign flyers approved at the student center desk in the academic support center and have sheet signs approved at the SGA office in the academic support center.

In past homecoming and SGA elections, violations have been reported mostly by text message and word of mouth, a trend that Elizabeth Mc-

elf-proclaimed preacher Matt Bourgault was removed from campus on Tuesday after inciting a near-riot in front of the student center. Bourgault travels to college campuses around the country spreading his message of what he deems religion.

Among his teachings are that Mormonism and Catholicism are “cults and false religions,” according to his website cfirecm.com. He also details that the bible has false teachings that should be absolved as well as wine being a sin.

Bourgault stood outside of the food court and told USA students that he would “not come to USA to find a wife” because USA students are “whores.” USA senior Tara Gebhard took his disparaging remarks about Catholicism as crossing the line of free speech. “He said Catholics were going to hell. I’m all for freedom of speech, but when you insult my friends and my religion I do not think it’s appropriate for a college campus,” Gebhard told The Vanguard.

Some of Bourgault’s most controversial remarks were made on the topic of sex. USA student Carlton Warnberg says he called his friends “sodomizers.” “He actually began

See SGA Page 2

See PREACHER Page 4

See MURDER Page 2

SGA makes major changes to election rules A

VOL. 52, NO. 7

“If it matters to the USA family, it matters to us.”

FEB. 25, 2013

Life, Page 5

In this Issue: Sports, Page 8 Opinion, Page 13

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VOL. 52, NO. 7 / FEB. 25, 2013

SGA makes sweeping changes to elections protocol Continued from Page 1

SGA meeting spring 2012.

Donald says must change for this year’s SGA elections.

“We’re asking all students that see a campaign violation to email jaguarelections@gmail.com,” said McDonald, a member of this year’s election com-

the Fresh Food Co. conference room on March 20 at 8:30 p.m. at which candidates will debate and discuss different issues and topics proposed by the elections committee. Any student can attend the event to find out where the candidates stand on important campus issues. This year the candidates forum will be televised on JagTV, channel 63 on the campus cable system.

Primary elections will begin via JagMail on Fambro/EIC Monday, March 25 and mittee. In an e-mail reporting a viola- end on Wednesday, March 27. Once tion, students must describe and give primary elections have been completthe location of the violation as well as ed, the information will be compiled provide the name of the candidate re- by the Institutional Research Office and then sent to the elections commitsponsible.

A candidate’s forum will be held in tee to verify the winners.

Senate races will be decided based on whichever candidate has the greatest percentage of votes. Executive council candidates (president, vice president, treasurer, etc.), however, must win by majority, meaning the winner must have more than 50 percent of the votes.

In the event that a candidate in an executive council race does not get more than 50 percent of the votes in the primary elections, run-offs will be held.

In run offs, the two candidates that received the most amount of votes in the primary elections will be part of another vote to determine the winner.

If necessary, run-offs will begin on April 1 and end April 3. As with primary elections, voting information for run-offs will be compiled by the Institutional Research Office before being sent to the elections committee for verification.

Results of each election will be

Court declares suspect guilty Mitchell named VP Continued from Page 1

Continued from Page 1 Students, Dr. Mitchell will still retain responsibility for the student center, recreation center, multicultural affairs, Special Student Services, student activities and Greek life, and campus media.

Dean Mitchell received his bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from South Alabama in 1994, serving two terms as SGA President during his time here.

After an internship working in news media in Mobile, Dean Mitchell received his masters degree in student personnel from the University of Southern Mississippi. He received his doctorate in higher education and administration from USM before returning to Mobile to work as the Dean of Students at USA in 2008.

“I know that Dr. Smith will do an excellent job in filling his responsibilities as acting president…we’re lucky to have him here,” Dean Mitchell said.

as a possible cause for Ajizadeh’s issues.

“James dean did not need to die, he and his family did not deserve any of this, but Brandon’s family should have noticed something was disturbing him, it was obvious to numerous students, a few friends and I use to always talk about how he would kill somebody if nobody would help him and this is what happens, nobody noticed it, not a parent, not a teacher, not a principal, not a professor, nobody would give him obvious needed help, and now James Dean is no longer with us,” Tapper said on a facebook post in 2011 when Ajizadeh was arrested.

Reports have varied since the initial confession by Ajizadeh when taken into custody by USAPD. He was originally taken in after calling and saying his friend was injured and needed help.

Ajizadeh had locked himself out of the Delta 6 room Dean laid dead in; an accident that Ajizadeh made while attempting to clean up the crime scene according to news reports.

Ajizadeh had changed his story of what happened that night numerous times before making it to court. He had told police that he didn’t know what happened first, and then later recanted that statement and admitting to killing Dean but out of self-defense. He made two separate self-defense claims, the first saying he woke up and Dean was sitting above him holding the butcher knife used to kill Dean, and secondly that Dean had made unwanted sexual approaches towards him.

On the final day of the trial, Ajizadeh changed his story once again. He testified that another friend and roommate at USA Christopher Moore was in the process of moving his belongings out of their dorm room but didn’t return to the car Ajizadeh was waiting in for an extended period of time. Ajizadeh then entered the room to see what was taking so long and found Moore stabbing Dean.

“Chris Moore – he stabbed James. He stabbed James multiple times. A lot of things happened fast. I don’t remember all of the details,” Ajizadeh said in court.

According to Ajizadeh Moore then threatened his life and his

families if he told anyone and then attempted to help Moore leave the room and clean up the scene. USAPD noted that when they arrived to the scene there were blood spatters and hand prints on the walls and that the hand and finger prints at the scene matched that of Ajizadeh.

“I was in the court room when he changed his story and tried to blame someone else and it was the first time I had ever heard it. We obtained a confession and the first time I had ever heard a changed story was when he was on the stand that day.

That was the first time anyone in law enforcement heard that version of the story,” Chief Aull explained.

The guilty verdict resulted in relief and possible resolution for James Dean’s family and more pain for Ajizadeh’s. Ajizadeh’s sister and mother were in the court room and became visibly and vocally upset with the verdict and had to be escorted out of the room.

Sentencing for Ajizadeh is set for March 21st and he faces 10 years to life in prison.

posted on the door of the SGA office as soon as a winner is determined by the elections committee. Each newly elected senator and executive council member will be sworn in and take office at the SGA banquet on April 28.

Also at Monday’s SGA meeting, the senate approved $36,361 for student organization appropriations as part of the second round and final budget meeting of the semester. $83,172 was approved between both budget meetings.

The SGA encourages all South Alabama students to attend their weekly meetings to find out about campus events and have a voice in SGA decisions as part of the student forum.

The SGA meets on Monday nights at 8 p.m. in the conference room at the Fresh Food Co. near the residence halls.

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VOL. 52, NO. 7 / FEB. 25, 2013

PAGE three “University of South Alabama’s Student Voice”

Editorial Editor in Chief Copy Editor Life Editor Opinion Editor Sports Editor Left of Center Senior Reporter Web Editor

Cassie Fambro Alyssa Newton Jake Howell Noah Logan Patrick Herring JT Crabtree Jayson Curry Matthew Strickland

Weather for Feb. 25-3/1

Distribution Distribution Bobby Faulk Manager

Advertising Advertising Wesley Jackson Manager Advertising Mohammad Al-Zarrad Graphic Designer Rex McKay

Management Advising J. Sellers J. Aucoin Accounting Kathy Brannan

Mission The Vanguard, the student-run newspaper of the University of South Alabama, serves its readership by reporting the news involving the campus community and surroun ding areas. The Vanguard strives to be impartial in its reporting and believes firmly in its First Amendment rights.

Send letters and guest columns to: The Vanguard University of South Alabama P.O. Drawer U-1057 Mobile, Ala., 36688.

Or editor.in.chief@usavanguard.com Letters and guest columns must be received by 7 p.m. on the Wednesday prior to the Monday publication. Submissions should be typed and must include the writer’s name, year, school and telephone number. All submissions become the property of The Vanguard. The Vanguard reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for length and clarity. Letters will be limited to 300 words. Letters and guest columns are the opinion of the writer. The Staff Editorial represents the consensus opinion of the Editorial Board, which is composed of the Editor in Chief, Copy Editor, Senior Reporter, and Opinion Editor. All members of the Editorial Board have the same weight.

The Vanguard has a commitment to accuracy and clarity and will print any corrections or clarifications. To report a mistake, e-mail editor. in.chief@usavanguard.com. The Vanguard is published Mondays during the academic year, except for exam periods and vacations, and is published twice each summer. The Vanguard is supported in part by an allocation from student activity fees and operates in the Student Media Department of the Division of Student Affairs.

Issues are available at most University buildings and select off-campus locations. The first copy is free. Additional copies are $1 each. Freelance writers will receive payment at the discretion of the section editor and will be notified.

Twitter: StormTeam4g9wx Facebook: Facebook.com/StormTeam4Gamma9Wx

USA Police Blotter 251-460-6312

2/17/13 14:44- Stanky Field. Property Damage.

Windshield of car.

16:03: Stanky Field. Property Damage.

Wind blew gate shut and hit fender of car.

2/18/13 11:19: Physical Education Building. Lost Property. School textbook.

17:26: The Grove. Criminal Trespass 3rd degree. Domestic Violence 3rd degree.

Victims boyfriend pushed victim into chair, causing physical injury.

4

‘Preacher’ removed from campus Continued from Page 1

to go into detail about sexual acts,” Warnberg said. “I was called a whore and told hell will welcome college students with the gays and homos,” meteorology major Nick Grondin said. Becca Bell was so incensed that she took to Facebook and spoke to local media about Bourgault. “He called one of my best friend’s a crack whore and the other a ‘Justin Beiber’ homo.

He called me a ‘black whore,’” Bell said. Bell went on to state that she believes differently than the speaker. “It doesn’t matter if you are gay, straight or bi or a transsexual.

You are human and you deserve the right to be treated [as a human.]”

It was after remarks like that which prompted students to yell at the

VOL. 52, NO. 7 / FEB. 25, 2013

preacher, some holding back tears.

USAPD responded and removed Bourgault from campus. The Vanguard called USAPD and spoke directly to Chief Aull about the incident. “The speaker on campus did not have consent or clearance to speak here. He was informed about the proper channels to take to receive permission,” Aull said. Vice president of student affairs Dr. Mitchell went a step further in his interview with Local 15.

He said that the front of the student center is a “free speech area” but that hateful speech is not something the USA administration condones. “That type of behavior is certainly not welcome on our campus by students, faculty, staff or visitors," Mitchell said.

Bourgault has a sordid past as other Universities as well with videos littering YouTube of similar instances of his message inciting riotlike behavior.

The University of Florida’s student newspaper The Alligator reported that Bourgault shoved a student as their campus in 2012.

Any time students feel harassed or threatened they are encouraged to call USAPD at 460-6312 or 6-6312 on any University phone.

jagLIFE

VOL. 52, NO. 7 / FEB. 25, 2013

Drama department shines in ‘The Burial at Thebes’

By JAKE HOWELL

jsh803@jagmail.southalabama.edu

T

he USA Drama Department is full of students and faculty that organize and perform in shows that truly outstanding. The opening night of “The Burial at Thebes” was another example of USA’s continuing excellence.

“The Burial at Thebes” is a version of Sophocles’ “Antigone” and opened on February 22 at the Laidlaw Performing Arts Center.

For those unfamiliar with “Antigone,” the play follows the story of Antigone, the daughter of Oedipus. “Oedipus” is another work by Sophocles in which Oedipus marries, unknowingly, his own mother and fathers children by her.

Director of “The Burial of Thebes” and adjunct faculty member Keone Fuqua described the play, “’The Burial at Thebes”, like all powerful tragedies, exposes the light and dark characteristics of humanity in a scope beyond the ordinary story, the pivotal deeds and actions within being more than simple, ordinary, right or wrong…they are heroic. This epic scope takes the story beyond dramatic…it is tragic.”

The play begins with Antigone, played by Ashley Davis, weeping over the deaths of her two brothers, Eteocles and Polynices, and the injustice of King Creon’s, played by Matt Brewer, decree that Polynices not be given the proper burial rites and rituals due to his betrayal of Thebes.

Ismene, Antigone’s sister and played

by Jessica Moore, joins her sister in the temple to mourn when Antigone decides to defy Creon. Ismene pleads with her sister to abandon the plan, but Antigone won’t be dissuaded.

Creon’s guards catch Antigone in the act of preparing Polynices’ body for the Underworld. In his rage at being defied, Creon orders her to be walled up inside a cave in the mountains.

Even when his own son, who is set to marry Antigone and is played by Cameron Bivens, Creon refuses to relent. Only when the famed prophet Teirasias, played by Carlton Warnberg, berates him does Creon choose to free Antigone.

This play is filled with laughs and sorrow, as in many Greek works, with several characters committing suicide in their grief.

Davis’s Antigone was a quite a presence on stage, stealing every scene she was in with her raw emotion and palpable contempt for Creon. Her speech to Creon after she was caught could very well have been a physical assault with the venom lacing her words.

Brewer’s Creon could hold his own, though, barreling through Antigone’s, and several other characters’, words with rage like that of a stampeding bull.

It’s when Teirasias’s harsh words slice through Creon’s bravado and pride that Brewer shines.

Warnberg’s Teirasias was only on stage for a short time, but remains one of the most memorable characters.

JAKE HOWELL, JAGLIFE EDITOR life.editor@usavanguard.com

5

WEEKLY LOWDOWN Monday, Feb. 25 ► 6 p.m. - Asian Art Apprecia-

tion Week Potluck Dinner.

RSVP to hsmiller@southalabama.edu.

Tuesday, Feb. 26 ► 3:30 p.m. - “Speculations on Why Originality Can’t Be a ‘Traditional Chinese Value’ (When It Is)” talk in the Humanities Building, Room 122.

► 7 p.m. - Phi Kappa Sigma JAKE HOWELL | JAGLIFE EDITOR

Everything from the stage and costumes to the performances in “The Burial at Thebes” is a testament to the excellence contained within the USA family.

When the prophet channels the gods the entire mood of the room changed.

This reviewer’s favorite aspect of the character, in a nod to the costume and make-up department, was the way he looked. Everything, down to the way his eyes held an opaque whiteness to show Teirasias’s blindness, was excellent.

The costumes displayed in this show are quite good, especially the creepy masks the members of the Chorus of Theban Elders wear.

The set was also a fantastic display of workmanship. The statue of Dionysus, the Roman god of the vine, was remi-

niscent of a Weeping Angel from “Doctor Who” when the stage lights fell on its face.

All in all, this production is well worth seeing. Fuqua urges students to come out and enjoy the production, saying, “Our production presents a special take on Greek Tragedy, unlike anything most people have a chance to see. This will be a unique theatrical experience that is powerful, epic, and impressionable.”

The play will show for one more weekend on February 28 and March 1 and 2 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at Laidlaw.

presents “The Sarah Percy Band” at the Moulton Belltower.

► 7 p.m. - Fifth Annual Asian

Studies Lecture in the USA Library Auditorium.

► 7:30 p.m. - USA Symphony

Band and Wind Ensemble Winter Concert in the Laidlaw Recital Hall.

Wednesday, Feb. 27 ► 2 p.m. - “What’s on Wednes-

day” He Said/She Said: Dealing with Difficult People.

Location TBA.

►7 p.m. - “On the Wings

of Love” in the Laidlaw Performing Arts Center.

Thursday, Feb. 28

Interested in writing for the JagLife Section?

► 7 p.m. - Rene Culler presents “Han Sketches” talk in the Humanities Building, Room 122.

Friday, Mar. 1 Just send a writing sample to jsh803@jagmail.southalabama.edu You can be on your way to publishdom!

Come to the JagLife side

We drink coffee

► 6 - 8 p.m. - First Friday Art

Walk featuring the work of USA Glass Program Coordinator Rene Culler at the USA Baldwin County Campus.

Want your event featured in the Weekly Lowdown? Email the name, date, time, price, place and a brief tagline to jsh803@jagmail.southalabama.edu.

6

VOL. 52, NO. 7 / FEB. 25, 2013

Friends of Internationals reaching out and aiding students

COURTESY OF DARSHAN RAJ

Friends of International hosts all sorts of events and programs in order to aid USA’s international students. This welcome dinner, held at the beginning of each semester, is only one example of such events.

By STUART SOX sgsox@att.net

W

ith a just a look around South Alabama’s campus, anyone can gather that this is a university with a particularly diverse population. In fact, many students have come from foreign countries just to attend the University of

South Alabama.

Friends of Internationals is a Christian student organization that was started two years ago with the purpose of accommodating such students.

Senior electrical engineering major and president of Friends of Internationals Darshan Raj knows exactly what it’s like to be a new in-

ternational student at USA. “When I came here, I had no idea about anything or how anything works in the United States,” Raj said, adding that this helps him relate to and assist students that are coming to USA under similar circumstances.

According to Raj, Friends of Internationals is for international students that need guidance in getting

used to life in a country different from where they were raised.

In fact, Friends of Internationals offers many special services for international students in their organization.

The leaders of Friends of Internationals, made up of Raj and many other volunteers, offer assistance with rides to Wal-Mart and the airport. They can also answer questions that international students may have about apartment housing, cell phones, banking, social security numbers and much more.

“The biggest goal of Friends of Internationals is to help international students get involved on campus and to help them build long lasting friendships,” Raj said.

Check the organization’s Facebook page, Friends of Internationals-University of South Alabama, for upcoming cultural events and information on how to join.

Whether you’re an international student wanting to meet people or a student wishing to volunteer, room is available for anyone in Friends of Internationals. For more information about the club, email President Darshan Raj at drr802@jagmail. southalabama.edu.

CSA presents Second Annual Maranatha 5K Race and Fun Run

By ANGELINA PIERCE csajags@yahoo.com

H

ave you ever wanted to challenge yourself to complete a 5K run/walk? How about walk a mile for a good cause?

On Saturday, March 2, Mobile is invited to come out for the Second Annual Maranatha 5K Race and Fun Run. The first Maranatha Race, presented by the Catholic Student Association, was a resounding success with over 300 registered participants.

“The Maranatha 5K was a great event last year, it was an awesome way to support the Archdiocese of Mobile.

I was very excited to see such a good turnout in number of runners, sponsors and volunteers. I am sure everyone enjoyed it as I did,” said senior finance major and CSA president Andrea Justiniano when asked about her experience at the first Maranatha 5K. The race, certified and produced by Little Red Hen Productions, will begin at the SGA Pavilion near the Intramural Fields. The 5K race/walk will begin at 8 a.m. and the fun run will begin at 9 a.m.

All proceeds will benefit the Archdiocese of Mobile’s Vocation Office,

COURTESY OF CATHOLIC STUDENT ASSOCIATION

The first Maranatha 5K Race was wildly successful, and the Catholic Student Association is hoping to repeat that success this year.

specifically to aid in the expenses to educate the Seminarians of the Archdiocese of Mobile. Three seminarians for the Archdiocese are former students at the University of South Alabama and were members of the Catholic Student Association.

Interested participants can register to run online and pay by credit card by

visiting southalabamacsa.com/5K or by visiting the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Student Center at 6051 Old Shell Road.

Race forms are also located at McCoy Outdoor and Run-N-Tri in Mobile and Running Wild in Fairhope.

The entry fees for adults is $15 pre-registered ($20 day of race) and

for youth (16 and under) is $12 preregistered ($15 day of race).

Prior to the race again this year, two licensed Zumba Fitness® Instructors will come to start the party and warm everyone up with their easy-tofollow calorie-burning dance fitness.

They’ll keep the party going after the race too.

Awards will be given to runners for the top three male and female overall, and top two male and female in the following age groups: 9 and under, 10-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 3539, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74 and 75-99. Following the race there will be food, drinks, door prizes and awards.

For those who’ve ever wanted to run a 5K, this is a perfect opportunity. Those who’ve never participated in such a race are encouraged to come also; participants can jog or walk if they need to.

Sophomore business major and CSA vice-president Keith Castelin said, “Running the Maranatha 5K was a great experience. It was an opportunity to both support the Seminarians of the Archdiocese of Mobile and for the community of South Alabama to come together for a worthy cause.”

HEY YOU

.

Into the downtown scene in Mobile?

We need a Scene writer.

Bars, clubs, and night life articles are welcome.

Have bad service at a local restaurant?

Excellent service?

Tell us! Write about it and let your peers know.

Email jsh803@ jagmail. southalabama.edu Opinion and Sports need writers too, and you can email fambro@ jagmail. southalabama. edu to find out how to get involved.

Build your resume.

Raise your voice.

Make a difference.

7

VOL. 52, NO. 6 / FEB. 18, 2013

Discover Mobile: Malaga Inn a piece of history

TIMOTHY BORLAND | CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The Malaga Inn offers patrons a unique Mardi Gras experience in addition to a comfortable, historic stay.

By TIMOTHY BORLAND trb903@jagmail.southalabama.edu

T

he Malaga Inn has been a unique treasure to the Port City since opening in 1968.

The building is notable for being located conveniently next to the start and stop location of every Mo-

bile Mardi Gras parade.

The close proximity to the festivities has made the inn the destination of choice for those wishing to celebrate the parades in style. There are even rooms with balconies facing the parades.

“You can’t get closer to Mardi Gras unless you are on the float,”

says Office Manager Chris Boyle.

The building has deep ties to Mobile; the historic rooms were originally constructed in 1862 as a pair of identical residences that were wedding gifts for two sisters.

When the Beem family renovated the location in the 1960s, the two building were joined and additional rooms were built around a courtyard in the back. The inn is still run by the same family, including Innkeeper Julie Beem and her son Jordan Beem.

The building has tall ceilings with hardwood floors and baseboards.

Lacework porch railings surround the pink building on most sides.

Large four-poster beds with luxurious bedding are present in the historic rooms.

Several famous guests have stayed at the Malaga Inn, including President Reagan, Michael Landon, Ed McMahon and Bob Hope.

Underneath a particular stairwell is a hidden room that contains a cot that dates back to the civil war. Just by setting foot in the door, one may feel steeped in rich history.

The Courtyard is frequently used for receptions, reunions, parties and music performances.

March 23-24 marks the second annual Malaga Fest and features local musicians as well as guest artists from bands as notable as Galactic and Dirty Dozen Brass Band.

The two day festival will also include a tribute to Levon Helm of The Band. The hotel is currently offering ticket packages that include one and two night stays with admission.

Largely due to Mardi Gras and Bayfest, the spring and fall are the busiest seasons at the hotel, but during other times the room rates can

be much more reasonable.

The hotel is also happy to offer college students their best featured rates during the slower seasons.

Only a few short blocks separate the inn and the Dauphin Street Entertainment District, making the Malaga Inn a perfect location for friends to have a night out on the town or for a couple to have a romantic weekend stay.

“We offer a unique experience unlike any other in this part of the state. We represent a lot of what Mobile has to offer,” says Boyle.

TIMOTHY BORLAND | CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The grounds of the Malaga Inn include large oak trees, gardens and a beautiful fountain

AGD hosts spaghetti dinner JagLife Spotlight: Langan park cleanup

By SANDRA HUYNH sbh804@jagmail.southalabama.edu

T

he Theta Epsilon Chapter of Alpha Gamma Delta (AGD), an international women’s fraternity, invite you to their Annual Spaghetti Dinner.

The event will take place at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, February 27 at the AGD house located on campus.

Proceeds from the dinner will aid their national philanthropy, the Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation.

AGD was, in fact, the first women’s fraternity to adopt a national philanthropy project.

Through fundraising, the Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation provides grants and loans to help sisters and families in need in addition to focusing on diabetes research and awareness.

Kori Carr, the vice president of finance of the Theta Epsilon Chapter commented, “[The foundation] raises money to help with research and running programs for families dealing with diabetes. They also have programs that help spread prevention.”

Last semester, AGD held their very first dodgeball tournament and raised around $400 for their cause.

The three tournament winners were Kappa Sigma, Chi Omega, and Air Force ROTC. AGD hopes that the tournament will grow in participation in years to come.

“All of the proceeds will be going straight to our foundation and will be put immediately into action, helping our sisters and their families,” Carr said.

“All I can ask of the student body is to help support us by coming out to enjoy a hot spaghetti dinner with the lovely ladies of Alpha Gamma Delta.”

Tickets are $5 in advanced and $7 at the door, and there is the option of taking a plate to-go.

Tickets can be purchased from any Alpha Gammma Delta sister on campus.

For those who may not know an Alpha Gam sister personally, the ladies will be wearing their letters during the week.

A table will also be set up from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, February 25 in the Humanities Breezeway.

“Our philanthropy is a very important part of our sisterhood...I’m really hoping that what we are doing can help make a difference in this world and that the money we raise can really be put to use, and honestly that’s all I can hope for,” Carr said in closing.

COURTESY OF JEFF GILL

The USA Sustainability Council gathered at Langan Park on the morning of February 22nd to pick up litter. Sustainability Council will also be participating in keep mobile beautiful’s Great American Clean up on April 6th. Pictured from left to right are Imran Mohiuddin, Grant Defrancisco, and George Colbourne.

SPORTS

PATRICK HERRING, SPORTS EDITOR sports.editor@usavanguard.com

8

VOL. 52, NO. 7/ FEB. 25, 2013

Senior night is special as Jags drop Mean Green 69-57

By PATRICK HERRING sports.editor@usavanguard.com

T

he Mitchell Center was rocking for the final home game of the 2012-2013 basketball season.

On Senior Night, the Jaguars defeated North Texas 69-57 to snap the team’s four-game losing streak against the Mean Green.

Senior Javier Carter, who came to USA from Dallas, had an explosive night for the Jaguars in his last game in front of the home crowd. He blocked UNT’s first shot attempt of the night, and then scored USA’s first points on a reverse slam dunk on an alley oop pass from junior guard Antoine Allen.

The home crowd erupted and the Jags wouldn’t look back, never trailing after those first points.

Interim head coach Jeff Price liked what he saw out of his team Saturday night.

“It was a good, solid, well-rounded victory,” Price said. “Our seniors played appropriately on senior night.

Wendell, Trey and Javier were outstanding” By the end of the night, Carter had racked up a career-high 12 rebounds to go along with 10 points and 6 blocks.

“It was pretty emotional,” Carter

said. “My parents and teammates were here and all the people who have been supporting me for the past four years were there, so it was really special.”

Price boasted about Carter’s play after the game.

“I haven’t seen Javier that active in a while, just really active on the glass, blocking shots, running the floor. He was just really good,” Price said.

Fellow seniors Trey Anderson and Wendell Wright also had solid outings for the Jaguars. Anderson finished with 6 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal. Wright scored 10 points, including going a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line, as well as 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal.

The final senior and fan favorite, guard Freddie Goldstein had to watch from the sidelines wearing a sling after having broken his clavicle earlier in the season. The smile never left his face during the contest, though, as he cheered his teammates on.

But on senior night, one sophomore had a huge impact. Guard Mychal Ammons came out swinging from the opening tip, scoring 10 of the team’s first 18 points. He totaled 18 points to lead all scorers, also adding 5 rebounds and an assist.

Junior forward Augustine Rubit had a subpar scoring night by his standards, finishing with just 9. He did look like his same old self crashing the boards, though, as he pulled in 15 rebounds, 10 of which came on defense.

He also added 2 blocks and a steal. He moved into a tie for eleventh place on the Sun Belt’s all-time rebounding list with 859. Four more and he’ll be in sole possession of tenth place on the list.

Allen scored 12 points for USA, hitting three 3-pointers and going 4-for-11 from the field.

North Texas was led by sophomore forward Tony Mitchell who had 11 points and 11 rebounds, but he was called for goaltending four times.

As a team, the Jags outshot the Mean Green 40.3 percent to 33.8 percent. USA finished their home schedule on a seven-game winning streak.

They are back in action at Western Kentucky Thursday before finishing the regular season with a road trip to in-state rival Troy.

After the contest against Troy, the Jags will have a little under a week to rest before heading to Hot Springs, Ark., for the Sun Belt Conference Tournament.

BY PATRICK HERRING|SPORTS EDITOR

Senior Javier Carter blocks UNT’s Tony Mitchell. Carter finished with 6 blocks.

Three seniors play big for Lady Jags in 65-61 victory

By PATRICK HERRING sports.editor@usavanguard.com

S

BY PATRICK HERRING|SPORTS EDITOR

Senior Mary Nixon squares up for a 3-pointer against the Mean Green. She finished with 11 points for South Alabama.

enior Night was just that on Saturday as the Lady Jags were led mostly by their seniors to a 65-61 victory over North Texas.

South Alabama (15-2, 8-10 SBC) had three of their four seniors score in double figures, finishing with 44 of the 65 points scored.

The Mean Green (10-18, 9-10 SBC) gave up a 15-1 run over the final four minutes of the first half and were unable to overcome the deficit, but stayed close the entire game.

Head coach Rick Pietri praised his seniors following the victory.

“Seniors can go one of two ways on Senior Night, they can be really good because they’re focus and juice is higher than it normally would be and sometimes the pressure will get to them and it goes the other way,” Pietri said. “But clearly, Camille, Mary and Mansa, from an offensive standpoint, shot a decent, reasonable percentage. They stepped up and

made plays for us, and that’s what you need your seniors to do.”

The Lady Jags were paced by senior guard Mansa El who scored 12 of the squad’s first 16 points. She led all scorers on the night with 19 points. El filled out the stat sheet with 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks and 3 steals. She also led all players with 36 minutes played, including all 20 in the first half. “(Mansa) was the catalyst,” Pietri said. “It’s rare for me to play somebody all 20 minutes of a half, but I couldn’t take her out. She was the one who was creating the positive energy for us on the court. I couldn’t afford to take her out. She has a lot of toughness and stamina, so she could manage that.”

El was all smiles after the game.

“It was a lot of fun. I think we played one of the best games we played all year,” El said. “We finished inside and out, we attacked their pressure and it was a complete turnaround from the last time we met them. I really do think it was one of our best games of the year.”

Senior guard Camille Reynolds was on fire from beyond the arc for USA, hitting 4 of 9 on her way to 14 points. She also grabbed a rebound and a steal.

The last senior Jag to get to double figures was guard Mary Nixon who had 11 points to go along with 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 4 steals.

Veronica Cherizol, the senior center, played well defensively for South, even if her presence wasn’t in the box score. She had 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block, but was a disruptive force all night.

Freshman forward Brianna Wright also came up big for the Jaguars, scoring 10 points and pulling in 5 rebounds to go with 3 blocks and 2 steals.

The teams both hit 24 field goals, but USA made 7 3-pointers, while UNT only made 5.

The Lady Jags go on the road to play Western Kentucky Wednesday before completing their regular season schedule at conference-rival Troy Saturday.

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VOL. 52, NO. 7/ FEB. 25, 2013

Baseball sweeps UNO to remain undefeated

By JT CRABTREE

jtc804@jagmail.southalabama.edu

T

he Jags are off to a hot 7-0 start to the 2013 season, due in large part to a historic game on Friday, February 22, when they defeated the University of New Orleans Privateers 29-6.

South ran the score to 16-4 in the sixth inning, and after giving up two more runs to the Privateers, the flood gates opened. The Jags scored 13 runs in the eighth inning to run the total to 29, a school record for runs in a game. The previous record was 25.

The Jags were actually behind early in the game, trailing 3-1 in the second inning. That quickly turned around when the South put up a five spot in the inning to take a 7-3 lead into the third, when the Jags scored again to take an 8-3 lead.

Nolan Earley led the way for the Jags, going 3-for-3 with two doubles, tied a career high with five RBI and scored a career-high four runs. He also drew three walks. Graham Odom went 3-for-5 with a career-high five RBI. Bud Collura added three RBI and three runs and Drew Cofield went 3-for-4 with two RBI and three runs scored. Cole Billingsley finished 4-for-7 with three RBI and three runs scored.

James Traylor picked up the win working 4 2/3 innings out of the bullpen. He allowed one unearned run, five hits, two walks to go with his career high six strikeouts.

“Traylor did a good job,” head baseball coach Mark Calvi said. “It was a tough night to pitch – it was wet and the air was thick. It was hard to throw breaking balls for strikes.

Want us to follow you?

Tweet us @USAVGSports Graham Odom @graham_odom: Infielder Hmmm.. 100% chance of rain and the sun is out. Only in Mobile Drew Dearman @DrewDearman: Offensive Lineman been up since 5:15... that’s not the Jagtran I hear, that’s the struggle bus.

The scoreboard after USA’s record breaking night against UNO.

New Orleans is a good hitting team.”

A rainy Saturday caused game two of the series to be postponed, creating a doubleheader on Sunday afternoon. The Jags won game one of the doubleheader 4-1.

Designated hitter Dustin Dalken went 3-for-3 with a single, a double and a two run home run. He also walked once. Nolan Earley added an RBI while going 2-for-3 with a double and a walk.

Jacob Noble picked up the win going six innings while allowing one run on five hits. He set a career high in strikeouts to go along with issuing one walk. Brandon Boyle picked up his second save of the season, working three spotless innings.

“We got quality starts (from the starting pitchers), I’d like to see them

go a little deeper,” Calvi said. “It was a good test for our pitchers and I was proud of them.”

In the final game of the weekend, the Jags came out on top 5-2 with stellar pitching from the bullpen.

Dylan Stamey, J.A. Harville, Hunter Soleymani and Kyle Bartsch combined to work 4 1/3 innings of shutout baseball. Jarron Cito started the game and allowed two runs on eight hits while tying a career high with eight strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings work.

“The pen’s been really good so far this year,” Calvi said. “Stamey came out, Harville, Soleymani and then Bartsch was a little shakey. He got up in the first game, but he got the job done. I told the guys it only gets tougher from here and we have to get

BY JT CRABTREE|LOC SPORTS EDITOR

better.”

Earley went 1-for-2 at the plate with an RBI and two walks. Robby Campbell finished 1-for-3 with two runs and a walk. Cole Billingsley led the Jags with three hits from the leadoff spot.

The Jags are now 7-0 to start the season for the first time since 2001, and head on the road for the first time to face Jacksonville State for a midweek series.

“It feels good (to be 7-0),” Calvi said. “But we’ve got a long way to go.

We’ve had some good fortune and the guys have worked hard. We head up to Jacksonville State and then over to the College of Charleston.

We need to get better in some areas, but right now I’m happy with the start.”

Softball continues best start in program history

By PATRICK HERRING sports.editor@usavanguard.com

A

trip to Jacksonville, Fla., was more like a vacation for the South Alabama softball team.

The Lady Jags (14-1) went a perfect 4-0 at the Jacksonville University Tournament over the weekend. They outscored their opponents 28-2, including two wins coming by the mercy rule.

In the first game of the tournament on Friday, USA showed everyone that they came to play.

They outscored Mt. St. Mary’s 12-2 in just 5 innings before the mercy rule ended the game.

Sophomore infielder Blair Johnson led the team, going 3-for-4 with 2 RBIs and 2 runs in the first contest.

A few hours later, the Lady Jags continued their assault with a 7-0 victory over the home team. The game was close early, but USA scored 6 runs in the final two innings to put it away.

Junior phenom pitcher Hannah Campbell allowed only 1 hit through the first four innings of play against the Dolphins.

Saturday brought much of the same for the visiting Jaguars as they again swept their double header.

Seton Hall fell to the Jaguars 8-0 in a mercy rule loss after just 6 innings.

Sophomore pitcher Farish Beard came up big for South, striking out 11 Seton Hall batters on the way to her fifth victory of the season.

Later in the day, Beard was called

upon again when the Blue Hens of the University of Deleware had the bases loaded in the first inning. She came on and retired the side to keep the shutout going. It’s a good thing she did as runs were at a premium in the 1-0 South Alabama victory.

The Jaguars’ lone run came in the fifth inning. With runners on the corners, senior outfielder Britany Campbell reached base on a fielder’s choice, scoring freshman Emily Messer.

The one-point win was good for the closest margin of victory for the Jaguars this season with every other win coming by at least two runs.

On Sunday, the Jacksonville Dolphins were scheduled to come back for more from USA, but weather conditions deteorated and

the game was cancelled.

The Lady Jags will travel to Tuscaloosa on February 28 to play the reigning national champion Alabama before heading to Birmingham to play in the Magic City Classic, where they will play Murray State, UAB and Samford on March 1-3.

Ben Whiteside @B_Whiteside88: Wide Receiver 140 characters isn’t enough to express how hard I’m gonna chill after these classes today..

Brandon Bridge @Air_Canada_7: Quarterback I know I’m not the only one who tried to sweat gatorade after seeing MJ commercial when I was younger Kennedy Helms @MurphHelms: Tight End Mustache March is approaching men.

Who among us has the testicular fortitude to grow the stache and rock it proudly! #murphstache Tommy Hicks @TheTommyHicks Press Register USA Beat Writer Just a thought -- obviously for next yr since this is last home game -- but Jags might consider declaring every game Sr. Night. Just sayin Emily Messer @emily_messer20: Outfielder/Infielder Why must I be forced to read Middle English -__- #britlit #freshmanprobz Nick Zaharion @King_Z10: Outfielder Why does it always stop raining after you cancel the game?

Jereme Jones @j11jones: Wide Receiver Getting money is like turning the lights on in a dark house in the ghetto..it exposes all the roaches and rats..

@USAVGSports COURTESY OF USAJAGUARS.COM

10

VOL. 52, NO. 7/ FEB. 25, 2013

Vanguard shoutouts of the week: 1. USAPD for dealing with the belligerent speaker appropriately.

2. Campus Quarters for changing towing companies in response to a letter to the editor recently in The VG. 3. SGA for reviewing and editing election rules.

It takes courage to change the status quo.

“Like� us on Facebook facebook.com/ USAVGSports

LEFT OF CENTER

JT CRABTREE, LOC EDITOR jtc804@jagmail.southalabama.edu

11

VOL. 52, NO. 7 / FEBRUARY 25, 2013

Men’s golf climbs back to seventh

By KRISTEN GOLIGHTLY Contributing Writer

B

COURTESY OF USAJAGUARS.COM

South Alabama softball has collected 184 wins in its short history

Softball creating winning pedigree

In their short history, Jaguar softball quickly becoming a potential national powerhouse

By JT CRABTREE

jtc804@jagmail.southalabama.edu

Softball at South Alabama is quickly becoming a staple on campus the easiest way possible: winning.

The program has only been around for six years, but it has already captured a conference championship, a trip to the NCAA Tournament and almost 200 all-time victories. All of this happening under the watch of head coach Becky Clark.

You might say, is this really the mark of a program that is going to be at the top of the conference standings year in and year out? Is this a program that is going to make noise on a national scale?

The answer is: at their current pace, yes.

Jaguar softball has had a winning season four out of its six years of existence. In 2012, the Lady Jags won the Sun Belt Conference by defeating the No. 6 ranked UL-Lafayette 3-1 while going 41-17 on the season. They would go on to lose to the eventual national champion Alabama in the NCAA Tournament, their first appearance in the big dance of softball.

In 2012, USA defeated two ranked opponents in the same season, with wins over No. 6 UL-Lafayette and No. 21 Florida State. In 2011, they defeated No. 38 Virginia Tech. In 2009, it was

USA sophomore pitcher Farish Beard

No. 19 UL-Lafayette who fell to the Jags.

The Jags have continually climbed the ranks of the Sun Belt on their way to their first conference championship last season. Since finishing ninth in 2008, Jaguar softball finished higher

each year. The Jags finished sixth in 2009, fifth in 2010, third in 2011 and first in 2012.

Jaguar softball has collected 184 total wins by the program in six years.

COURTESY OF USAJAGUARS.COM

That’s an average of 31 wins a season.

In the 2013 season, the Jags have already defeated two SEC opponents, mercy ruled six opponents and swept two tournaments they have played in.

Currently, they are on a 12 game winning streak and hold a record of 13-1.

Their one loss came to SIU-Edwardsville by a score of 2-1.

Before sweeping the Jacksonville University Tournament, the Jags were ranked 28 in the ESPN and the USA Today polls. Surely after allowing only a total of two runs in four games while scoring 28 runs of their own, they will break the top 25 for the first time in program history.

The Jaguars 13-1 is the best start in program history. They have now won 12 in a row, the longest winning streak in program history. They are 12-1 when holding a team to few than two runs.

They have outscored their opponents this year 96-18.

That’s an average of a little bit below seven runs per game.

The 18 runs allowed averages out to a little over 1.2 runs per game.

Taking this into consideration, Jaguar softball games have an average score of 7-1.

Seven years ago, softball didn’t exist at South Alabama. Now, they have made a splash at the NCAA Tournament and are on their way to being recognized as one of the best teams in the country.

attling Mother Nature, the USA Men’s Golf Team climbed its way to a seventh place finish at the Mobile Bay Intercollgiate.

Along with Parker Jones’s 69 and Lane Hulse’s final round 70, the Jags were able to post a team score of 284 to move up in the field of 16 to finish seventh.

On Monday, the Jags fought against high winds and a slower start due to frost. Due to the frost, the starting times were pushed back and only one round was completed before darkness descended on the Crossings course. In the first round, the team finished with a 304 total to put themselves just four shots out of the top five.

In the first round, the Jags were lead by Michael Garretson, who shot a three over par 75. His round was highlighted by birdies on the second and seventh holes, and then finished with eight straight pars on the back nine.

In the second round, also delayed, the Jags were able to post a team score of 294, including a two under par 70 from Blake Kelley.

The final round saw the team post their lowest round of the tournament with a four under par 284. With the 284 the Jags were able to finish ahead of Southern Miss, Vanderbilt and Kentucky.

The Jags will have the next week off but will return to action on March 4 when they travel to Louisiana to face off against conference rival Louisiana-Lafayette.

COURTESY OF USAJAGUARS.COM

12

VOL. 52, NO. 7 / FEB. 25, 2013

Send a letter to the editor to The Vanguard.

Email caf707@jagmail.southalabama.edu with your issue.

See it in print. Effect change.

The giraffe is irrelevant.

Distractions

Student Health Sudoku

For Student Health appointments, please call 4607151 For Counseling and Testing, please call 460-7051

Mental Health Tip Courtesy of Dr. Robert Hanks

Involvement in a romantic relationship can be a source of great happiness and comfort as well as significant distress, depending upon the quality of that relationship.

There’s little doubt that being in a caring and committed relationship can positively affect one’s mental health.

Some of the characteristics of a healthy relationship include mutual respect and shared decision making; the ability to talk openly about important issues; similar interests, goals, and values; and the ability to have fun and play together while at the same time leaving room for social connections outside the relationship.

On the other hand, signs of an unhealthy relationship would include manipulative and/or controlling behavior, verbal and/or physical aggression, and excessive dependence.

Students caught up in unhealthy relationships often have trouble getting out of them for one reason or another. Reaching out for support from friends and family may help. Additionally, our professional staff welcomes the opportunity to provide free and confidential counseling for any student having relationship difficulties.

Appointments may be scheduled by calling our office at 460-7051.

Opinion

NOAH LOGAN OPINION EDITOR opinion.editor@usavanguard.com

13

VOL. 52, NO. 7 / FEB. 25, 2013

The Vanguard Viewpoint Freedom of speech taken too far This past week, a man identified as a preacher was standing outside of the bookstore shouting inflammatory statements, seemingly directed towards some student bystanders.

Under normal circumstances, free speech is encouraged on our campus. As a public institution funded by public tax dollars, the university is required to abide by the First Amendment right set out in the Bill of Rights, which calls for the freedom of speech.

Therefore, the university must have a location on campus called a public forum where anyone can speak freely and express themselves, even if the language isn’t all pleasant and politically correct.

On our campus, that location has always been the amphitheater, behind the bookstore. But while the student center is under construction, the public forum unofficially moved to the front side of the bookstore at the Jag Tran stop. The preacher was at this location shouting these profane statements when he was asked to leave by campus police.

You see, while the school is required to allow people to speak at this public forum, there is certain protocol that must be followed. Public speakers are required to obtain a permit from the university in order to use the public forum.

The preacher did not have one of these permits. Combine that with the fact that his speech was aimed at inciting retaliations from students, his removal was deemed warranted. He was disturbing the peace, and the campus police have a duty to keep the peace on campus.

Cruising to a Conclusion: Do Carnival Triumph Passengers Deserve More Compensation?

A

fter five miserable days of floating aimlessly in the Gulf of Mexico, Aldyn Miller the Carnival aem1101@jagmail.southTriumph had alabama.edu no functioning toilets, sewage dripped down the walls and air conditioning was a thing of the past. In order to pacify passengers, Carnival offered a full refund to passengers, reimbursement for on-board expenses, free travel home, a free cruise in the future, and a check in the amount of $500.00. Carnival also tweeted that passengers were welcome to keep the bathrobes issued to them in their cabins.

The question is, was it enough?

For many passengers, the answer was no. Cassie Terry, a 25 year old passenger aboard the Triumph, was the first to file a lawsuit against Carnival within 24 hours of arriving back on Mobile shores. She described her time aboard the Triumph as “a floating hell”. This week, in the US District Court of Southern Florida, a class action lawsuit was filed against Carnival on behalf of passengers.

From a legal standpoint, the an-

JagPulse

After the controversial speaker at the student center, how do you feel about free speech on campus and when does it cross a line?

Jim Mather: These types of speakers crave attention. Want to see them move on? Ignore them. The more attention given to a “speaker” like this the more they are puffed up with pride Stephen Purnell: As long as it doesn’t start a riot or cause harm, I believe it is fine. The reason the first amendment was established was to protect unpopular speech.

Bryant Heatherly: There’s a difference between expressing your opinions and shouting that everyone around you is damned.

Tia Scarbrough: The line of “inciting fights” is hard to draw, though, because some people may fight at the words “God doesn’t exist” while others may bristle at “God does exist”. Is it the intention to cause fights or the effect of

causing a fight that determines that line?

Patrick Alexs Collins: This is a place of higher education and should be treated as such. There is a defined line of church and state, and due to USA being a state funded school it should not be allowed.

Hannah Becton: That depends on what’s being said. Hate speech is not free speech.

swer is yes. The amount of compensation that Carnival has offered its passengers is more than what Carnival is obligated to pay, according to the contract-ticket agreement it has with passengers.

When passengers purchase tickets from a cruise line, they rarely read the fine print of the contract (as do many of us in similar situations).

By purchasing a ticket, a passenger is essentially agreeing to expect the unexpected.

In neglecting to read the fine print, they fail to recognize exactly how many rights they are surrendering by entering into this agreement.

Their rights to recovering damages or costs in a court of law are less than that of airline passengers.

Airlines and cruise ships are quite different from one another. Airlines are regulated by the United States Department of Transportation. In comparison, the cruise industry must follow the regulations of the Federal Maritime Commission. Cruise ships are often registered in foreign countries, which enable the owners to dodge federal taxes, safety regulations, and labor laws that exist in the United States. Carnival followed this industry standard practice by registering the Triumph in the Bahamas.

The ticket-contract between Carnival and passengers covers specifi-

cally the particular situation with the Triumph, citing “the proposed voyage is hindered or prevented by . . . breakdown of the vessel.” In the event that the ship breaks down, a passenger is entitled to no compensation. In the terms of the contract, all Carnival is required to do is return the passenger to a safe port of call, and then their legal obligations to the passenger are fulfilled.

Likewise, many passengers, in their lawsuits against Carnival, are alleging emotional distress and mental anguish and suffering. In a court of law, these suits won’t go far. The ticket-contract states that Carnival is not liable for these conditions.

Is the reality of the situation fair?

From a legal standpoint, it is. From an emotional standpoint, it is not.

However, what the Carnival Triumph fiasco does illustrate is how important it is for us, as students and in the years after, to be aware of the fine print of the contracts we enter into.

Reading the fine print is more important now than it ever has been before.

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14

VOL. 52, NO. 7 / FEB. 25, 2013

Letter to the Opinion Editor The new face of Mobile Dear Editor, 2013 is an election year in Mobile, Alabama. It is once again time to elect, among other things, the city’s mayor.

This, however, is not your typical municipal election. I have been a resident of Mobile for my entire, albeit young, life. I have been a close and scrutinous follower of the political process for 10 years now.

Never have I felt such a sense of excitement for any local election. This is due to the much anticipated candidacy of Sandy Stimpson.

Sandy is a highly respected businessman in the region. He and a few family members run the Scotch & Gulf Lumber company. Over the years, he worked his way up through the company, doing anything and everything, including sweeping the floors. Sandy is not your typical businessman, and even less your typical political candidate. Many people recognize this as part of his personality.

He is humble, sincere and as intuitive as you can imagine. His platform is just as sincere as his personality. He doesn’t just spew out nice sounding catchphrases, he says what he means.

Perhaps highest on his list is crime.

Anyone who has spent any meaningful time in Mobile will tell you that there is a problem. Even in groups, you do not always feel safe, even in the Dauphin Street entertainment district. This should never be the case. Crime is especially important to Sandy because his own daughter was attacked during a home invasion.

According to AL.com, the incident has lowered his tolerance for violent crime to zero. “Any crime is too much crime.”

Sandy Stimpson reveals all of his experience and expertise on his campaign website, sandyformayor.com. “Sandy’s

business and civic endeavors are numerous and varied. They include; the Alabama Alliance of Business and Industry, Boys and Girls Club and the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce. He continues to be active with the Alabama Business Hall of Fame Nominating Committee; the Alabama Policy Institute, the Business Council of Alabama and Coastal Alabama Leadership Council. Sandy’s commitment to conservation and wildlife efforts include prior service on the boards of the Alabama Wildlife Federation, Governor’s Conservation Advisory Board, the Alabama Forever Wild Land Trust, and Partners for Environmental Progress (PEP). He also, as stated on his web page, has served on the executive committee of the Governor’s Coastal Recovery Commission.”

To me it’s clear, his experiences in life make Sandy the ideal candidate. He has a history of accomplishing things through teamwork, hard work and collaboration.

Personally, that is something I think the city really needs right now. The election for mayor is six months away (August 27) and you can already feel something in the air. I spoke to a few students about Sandy, and got these responses. “I like that he has taken a strong interest in the university and I also like that he is a businessman,” said Darcy Kaul; Vice President for Communications for the Student-Alumni Association. “I am not a resident of Mobile, but I care what happens to this city,” said Kori Carr of Alpha Gamma Delta. According to Zach GosaLewis, President of the Inter-Fraternity Council; “I believe Sandy represents a positive change for Mobile. He wants to bridge the gaps in our city.”

First Amendment difficulties on campus After a controversial experience with a preacher on campus, First Amendment rights on campus have been put under microscope by students

F

reedom of speech is a right that comes with a plethora of complexities regarding the extent to which Noah Logan a person can Opinion Editor spread his or her message, the content of the message and even the restrictions of speech. For example, I might be guaranteed the right to free speech by our constitution but I’m still not allowed to shout fire in an auditorium if there isn’t one.

The first amendment has long been a topic of debate for lawmakers, philosophers and human rights activists alike. All of this debate is geared towards giving people the undeniable right to voice opinions while protecting the people’s liberty of choosing what they want to listen to and what they want to ignore. How does the government ensure somebody the right to voice his or her opinion while guaranteeing one’s liberty of not being forced to listen to something against his or her will?

The campus of South Alabama saw first hand the controversy involved in this debate with the arrival of Preacher Matthew Bourgault.

Calling themselves Consuming Fire Campus Ministries, Bourgault and his family claim to be home missionaries to the campuses and streets of America and overseas since 1999.

The preacher brought with him one simple message; you’re going to Hell if you don’t wear enough clothes, or you’re gay, or you smoke cigarettes or the clothes you are wearing sag a little bit. He also singled out many students for reasons of race, sex and religion and proceeded

to call these student vulgar names.

Maybe his message wasn’t all that simple but was he not just exercising his constitutional right to free speech? Sure, his message was offensive to many students but does he not have as much right to say whatever he wants on our public campus as anybody else?

The answers to some of these questions might surprise you. Universities, once the place of endless student protests in the 60s, have increasingly been removing first amendment right limits from students and fanatic preachers alike. Recently students at Yale University were even forced to remove t-shirts that contained a quote from an F. Scott Fitzgerald book, “I think of all Harvard men as sissies.”

The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) is an organization with the goal of “protecting the unprotected and to educate the public and communities of concerned Americans about the threats to these rights on our campuses and about the means to preserve them.”

Their website, thefire.org, includes almost every major college campus and gives the university a red light, yellow light or green light based on the policies the school has referring to freedom of speech, legal equality, due process, religious liberty and sanctity of conscience – the essential qualities of individual liberty and dignity.

The University of South Alabama is assigned a red light, meaning it has at least one policy that both clearly and substantially restricts freedom of speech. One of the policies being referred to is the prohibiting of discriminatory harassment. Taken from the student handbook: The term “discriminatory harassment” refers to intentional behavior, including

but not limited to: written, electronic, verbal or physical acts that denigrate or show hostility toward an individual on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, veteran status, genetic information or disability. This is left to the discretion of the university and the conflict is obvious. Denigrate and hostile are very subjective words and content falling under these categories varies from person to person.

So how are all these problems solved? There is no perfect way to make everybody happy but I would advise a couple of things to make situations like these happen less often. If a person is not a student or faculty member and makes no daily contribution, he or she should have to apply through the university to give a speech or make a presentation.

Not to monitor content rather but to monitor individuals who come to share content. Not many were aware that Preacher Bourgault had already been accused of forcefully shoving a student on the University of Florida’s campus and was almost charged with battery after pulling a chair out from a student at Colorado State University.

Also, clear guidelines need to be set to provide students the liberty to not listen. If a student is walking by a speaker or an organization and is obviously showing no interest and simply walking by, they should not be singled out by the speaker and not be made a spectacle of.

For more information about first amendment rights on college campuses, visit thefire.org and for more information about these specific policies from the university, the student hand book and The Lowdown are available on the university’s webpage and in print at Meisler Hall.

Colin Al-Greene Field Coordinator

Anonymous: vigilantes or public enemies?

By MICAH MESSER

mjm1202@jagmail.southalabama.edu

Most of us now-a-days know about the so called internet hacker group called Anonymous. Anonymous claims that they are on a mission of liberating and defending the open internet, a mission of good. But, is Anonymous really on a mission of good? I will leave that for you to decide but I will present the facts.

Anonymous began as an unorganized group of internet users with a fondness for being “unknown” to the other users on a forum. However, this movement quickly caught traction into an interna-

tional hacker activist group. With no real “membership” or way to “join” Anonymous, the potential of members is astronomical, all you have to say is your are a part of it.

Anonymous became famous after its attack on International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) due to the IFPI charging and finding guilty the internet torrent site, The Pirate Bay. Soon, however, Anonymous reached further into the depths of the internet vigilantly world with the take down of the Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Motion Pictures Association

of America, Recording Industry Association of America and Broadcast Music Incorporated websites. Yes, a world-wide group of hackers took down all of these networks in a single day, January 19th, 2012, just following Megaupload’s shut down by the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for copyright infringements. But, both of these attacks were after legal charges were filed and found guilty against these two companies.

However, later in the year of 2012, Anonymous played a role in the Occupy Wall Street movement. As Anonymous

joined the OWS movement, a type of order was established. Soon, the OWS activist were acting in violent manners.

Anonymous went into action. Through Twitter they conveyed their wish for the protests to remain peaceful, and from that point on, they did.

Anonymous also did one great thing, the take down of child pornography. In October of 2011, Anonymous begin, what they called, Operation Darknet.

Operation Darknet was intended to target illegal child pornography on the deep web and eliminate it. Thus, Anonymous did what it set out to do. Shortly after

Operation Darknet began, Anonymous found 1,589 members of Lolita City (A child pornography site). Anonymous immediately launched an attack on the site and effectively took it down.

Though Anonymous has broken many laws and many regulations, many people still find comfort and allegiance with Anonymous. Why does Anonymous keep gaining support? Is it because it is something new, something good? What about the many laws it has broken and the blatant threats against the United States and U.K. governments, does this mean Anonymous is bad? Well, you decide.

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Change your address book: instead of editor.in.chief@usavanguard.com use caf707@jagmail.southalabama.edu

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