November 8, 2010

Vanguard The

VOLUME 48, NUMBER 15

Friend The Vanguard on Facebook and follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ USAVanguard

Serving USA Since 1965

November 8, 2010

HOMECOMING 2010 Jags Run Reddies Out of Town

See photos from Friday night’s parade and pep rally on pp.

10 and 11. To read about the Jags’ 37-31 Saturday victory over the Henderson State Reddies, turn to p. 13.

SGA

New Non-Discrimination Resolution Still Under Scrutiny

Changes could be coming to USA’s Non-Discrimination Policy due to some students pushing for a resolution that would specifically include sexual orientation and gender identification in the policy.

Alex Whalen

ASSOCIATE EDITOR alexwhalen@gmail.com

The initial phase for making a change to USA’s Policy of Non-Discrimination is underway.

Currently, the Non-Discrimination Policy does not offer protection for students or faculty from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identification.

This week, the Student Government

Inside

Police Blotter p. 2

Been online lately?

Read user comments from our website, www.usavanguard.com (turn to the Jag Growl on p. 2).

Association (SGA) will discuss a resolution to add a sexual orientation and gender identification clause to the Policy.

After the SGA was approached during an Oct. 11 meeting by members and supporters of the Gay Lesbian Bisexual and Transgender Alliance (GLBTA), College of Business Senator Chris Jones organized a committee to draft the resolution.

“We looked at other schools in the state, both public and private, mirrored what they did, and this is the final result,” Jones said at last week’s meeting. “The SGA should support USA’s founding principle acceptance. And it’s in that tradition that it’s time to move into new arenas.”

The “Revision of the Non-Discrimination Policy Resolution,” which was presented at last week’s SGA meeting, calls for the University to amend “the Policy of Non-Discrimination to protect individuEtc. p. 6

Sports p. 13

Do You Walk Most Places on Campus? Don’t Be Oblivious See Etc., p. 6

als from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression.”

The resolution concludes by saying, “Discrimination diminishes community morale and productivity, adding sexual orientation and gender identity/expression to the policy of Non-Discrimination will increase diversity and assure equality.

“The University will benefit from a consistent policy to further enhance efforts to prevent discrimination, to rectify complaints internally, to avoid litigation or damage to its reputation, and to ensure a respectful and support atmosphere for all individuals.”

Among the authors of the resolution was Engineering Senator Sean Ramsey, who said he didn’t think the resolution see SGA | 9

Opinion p. 16

Admin: Bookstore Should Open Next Fall

Cameron Adkins

ASSOCIATE EDITOR cja501@jaguar1.usouthal.edu

The University Bookstore is still on schedule to be open next fall according to Chris Willis, Director of Facilities Management.

“We hope to be done with construction in June so they can spend the summer moving in,” Willis said.

The Bookstore, which is being constructed by the University, is one of the few projects that has remained on schedule.

The 23,500-square-foot Dining Hall, which was contracted out to the South Alabama Group, was scheduled to be open for the beginning of this semester, but weather and other factors have severely delayed con-

Distractions p. 18

What to Expect From Men’s Basketball This Season See Sports, p. 13

see CONSTRUCTION | 5

JagLife p. 19

Tea Party: Here to Stay or Political Fad? See Opinion, p. 17

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University of South Alabama’s Student Voice 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 surrounding areas. The Vanguard strives to be impartial in its reporting and believes firmly in its First Amendment rights.

Submission and Editorial Policies Send letters and guest columns to: Opinion Editor, USAVanguard.editor@gmail.com or The Vanguard, University of South Alabama, P.O. Drawer U-1057, Mobile, Ala. 36688. 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. Unsigned letters will not be published. 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, Managing Editor, Associate Editor, Copy Editor, and Opinion Editor. All members of the Editorial Board have the same weight during weekly Editorial Board meetings.

The Vanguard has a commitment to accuracy and clarity and will print any corrections or clarifications. To report a mistake, call the Editor-in-Chief at 251-460-6442 or e-mail USAVanguard.Editor@ gmail.com.

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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.

EDITORIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief: Daniela Werner Managing Editor: Matthew Peterson Associate Editor: Cameron Adkins Copy Editor: Genny Roman Etc. Editor: Laura Beth Calcote Arts & Entertainment Editor: Cal Thomas Opinion Editor: Alex Whalen Sports Editor: Matt Weaver Photo Editor: Colin McGee Webmaster: Rodney Thompson DISTRIBUTION Distribution Manager: Johnny Davis ADVERTISING STAFF Advertising Manager: Wesley Jackson Advertising Representative: Regi Allen Advertising Representative: Daniel Fordemwalt Graphic Designer: Brittany Hawkins MANAGEMENT Adviser: Jim Aucoin Accounting: Kathy Brannan

Web site: http://www.usavanguard.com Mailing Address The Vanguard University of South Alabama P.O. Drawer U-1057 Mobile, Ala. 36688 Phone Number (251) 460-6442 Article XIV, Section 8 of The Lowdown: The editors of the student publications shall be free from any type of censorship and shall be responsible for the form, content and staff of the publication.

SPLC Statement: The Vanguard recognizes and affirms the editorial independence and press freedom of all student-edited campus media. Student editors have the authority to make all content decisions and consequently bear the responsibility for the decisions that they make.

November 8, 2010

P LICE BL TTER

10/29- Theft of Property, 3rd Degree A student left an iPhone at the HPELS building, and it was gone when she returned.

The item was valued at $300.

10/29- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia/Possession of Marijuana, 2nd Degree/ Minor in Possession of Alcohol An arrest was made at the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity house at approximately 10:30 p.m.

The perpetrator had a clear plastic bag containing a “leaflike substance,” plastic bottle with marijuana residue and a glass pipe on his person.

10/30- Disorderly Conduct/ Public Intoxication/Minor in Possession of Alcohol/ Obstructing Justice by False Identification A student was arrested at the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity

house at approximately 12:50 a.m. for the listed crimes.

10/31- Possession of Marijuana, 2nd Degree Officers were conducting a traffic stop at approximately 2:54 a.m. and made an arrest on view of the substance.

11/1- Harassment Officers were dispatched to a harassment complaint at The Grove 11/1- Harassment A victim reported being harassed over the phone and threatened while in the Delta parking lot.

11/1- Theft of Article From Auto Between 1 a.m. and 3 p.m. an in-dash stereo was stolen from a vehicle near the Student Recreation Center.

The item was valued at $25.

11/1- Harassment At 5 p.m. victims reported being harassed by a known subject at The Grove clubhouse.

11/2- Domestic Violence/ Unlawful Imprisonment Between noon and 2 p.m. a male physically injured a victim and held her against her will.

11/3- Public Intoxication A suspect was charged with public intoxication at the Mitchell College of Business between 8:10 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.

11/3- Alias Writ of Arrest/ Receiving Stolen Property A non-student was detained and turned over to the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office for an outstanding arrest warrant.

Jag Growl

What You’re Saying About “Students: Stadium Closing More Than A Little Inconvenient” by Associate Editor Cameron Adkins “This should have been done last Summer, or at least during the coming Christmas Break.. It only adds to the horrendous Traffic problem at USA.” -doh21 (comments taken from usavanguard.com)

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USA Receives D+ in Green Report Matthew Peterson

MANAGING EDITOR mwp601@jaguar1.usouthal.edu

USA’s grade improved slightly this year for the green report card, up to a “D+” from a “D-“ the four years prior. USA’s administration, though, doubts the report card truly reflects USA’s commitment to being “green.”

“Their assessment is incomplete and misleading,” Keith Ayers, director of USA Public Relations, said. “The University of South Alabama stands behind its solid record of environmental consciousness reflected by an abundance of green practices and initiatives, including our new LEED certified buildings, campus transit system, campus energy conservation policies, and many other areas.”

Ayers said USA worked with the group that put on the report card, the Sustainable Endowments Institute, to no avail.

“USA spent considerable time and effort this summer providing factual information to this organization, but they failed to put this information in their report,” Ayers said.

“This week, they admitted they had failed to add our material, and responded by hurriedly changing their website and assigning this unfair grade to the University.”

Susan Paykin, director of Communications for the Sustainable Endowments Institute, admitted the mistake but defended the survey. see REPORT | 9

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Students Required to Get Meningitis Vaccinations to Live in Dorms Next Year Cal Thomas

SENIOR REPORTER vanguardaande@gmail.com

Student Health Center (SHC) staff have confirmed that USA is going to make bacterial meningitis vaccines mandatory for all oncampus residents next year.

Beverly Kellen, practice director for the SHC and USA Family Medicine, said the vaccine is essential for the safety of students on campus.

“Bacterial meningitis is what every college campus, especially residential, worries about.

It’s really rare but can be potentially fatal.

This is the biggest difference,” she said. “Viral is not usually fatal. Bacterial often is.

“It comes on very quickly. It starts like the flu – fever, chills, headache.

“By the next morning it gets so bad you need to go to the hospital.”

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) and American College Health Association recommend students in dorms and residence halls receive meningitis immunization.

Despite the rare nature of the disease, they reported the highest concentration of cases in areas where people live in close proximity to others – making students in dorms especially prone.

Kellen said that the CDC noted college freshmen as the group with the highest reported number of cases.

“We have highly recommended immuni-

zation for years at [incoming student] orienThis is also the main concern for some stutation,” Kellen said. “Especially because the dents.

University is transitioning more to a residen“Good idea,” said Emily Harry, a sophotial campus, we have already implemented more psychology major. “Nip it in the bud be[measles, mumps and rubella] and tubercu- fore something actually happens. That’s what losis testing and vaccination for international they do with every other vaccine. students.

“But if “This is our next they’re making step to enhancing it mandatory our adherence to they shouldn’t we CDC guidelines.” make it cost so Students citing much – maybe just got hit with a mandatory meal plan religious differences should inthat is hurting people, it’s not going to be they won’t be required clude it in tuto get the vaccine, ition or health attractive. I know it’s a good thing. And she said. fees.” some people just won’t pay attention Students not USA doesn’t wanting to be vacrequire stuunless it’s mandated.” cinated must show dents to have proof of religious health insur-Sean Ramsey exemption, acance.

Senior Chemical Engineering Major and cording to Kellen.

Instead, the Former Epsilon Resident Adviser Students who don’t Univerity ofwant to receive fers insurance the shot but lack at the SHC the aforementioned excuse can be tested for that is more affordable for students. meningitis immunity by SHC staff, she said, “Now with the new [federal] legislation, but “if it comes up that they have no immu- students under 26 are on their parents’ plan,” nity to the disease then they have to get the Kellen said. “Our plan is very reasonable. shot anyway.”

“It covers 100 percent of everything done The vaccine is costly – about $150 – which in the [SHC] and for resident and internais a major concern that kept the University tional students.” from making it mandatory in the past.

Sean Ramsey, a former Epsilon resident

“Considering

adviser and senior chemical engineering major, said he is discouraged by the change.

“Considering we just got hit with a mandatory meal plan that is hurting people, it’s not going to be attractive,” he said. “I know it’s a good thing. And some people just won’t pay attention unless it’s mandated.

“I know there are dorms on this campus that were so dirty I had to turn and walk out – there are some people on this campus that would need the enforcement of vaccination policy.

“But if you’re trying to attract people to campus, you don’t want to make it out that you need the shot to survive – it gives the impression that the dorms are slum areas.”

Kellen said USA health is trying to make the immunization process ‘as painless as possible’ by making it available at next summer’s orientation.

It was available at this past summer’s orientation, and the health clinic has it available all year.

Kellen says students can come by and get it whenever but they should get vaccinated before they move into the dorms.

If students have any questions they should call the USA Student Health Center – they are open five days a week, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

M-W-F and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. T-H. Students can also get information online at www.southalabama.edu/studenthealth.

News in Brief

Moulton Talks Money at General Faculty Meeting At USA’s general faculty meeting Thursday:

-University deans introduced their new faculty members.

-USA President Gordon Moulton told the crowd that the University would continue to draw from reserves to avoid layoffs. Employment is about 3 percent less than it was three years ago, according to him, and that 3 percent is the same throughout the administration, faculty and staff at USA. USA has kept that number down by letting natural attrition take its course, he told the group.

-Moulton said that because of the JagSuccess early alerts program, the University is seeing an improvement in student retention issues.

-Moulton applauded the faculty’s cre-

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ativity and energy in working to maintain quality education at USA despite proration. He gave examples of other schools having to cut academic programs to save money, like Louisiana State University, which recently cut down on its foreign languages program to save money.

“We will continue to do the things we’ve done in the past to ensure that [our academic] programs are successful,” he said.

“In this state, the funding we have … matches the revenues available,” he said.

“There simply isn’t money to allocate.”

Moulton expressed “pride and satisfaction on [USA’s] behalf ” in dealing with an adverse economy.

“It’s certainly an indicator that what we’re doing is working,” he said.

-Moulton announced that USA’s employee health care premium is increasing by $2 million. The president said that is coming out of the University’s operating deficit for this year so that its employees won’t have to pay increased prices.

Vast Mineral Collection Donated to University for Teaching, Research Family of the late Alan Borg has donated 4,000 pounds of geological specimens and related materials that he collected throughout his life.

“With the donation of this collection, the University of South Alabama has inheritated what is likely the best collection of fluorescent minerals on the Gulf Coast,” said Dr. Douglas Haywick, associate professor of Earth Sciences.

Borg’s wife Betsy said she wanted the collection to end up in an educational setting because of her late husband’s lifelong devotion to education and rock collecting.

Students are now in the process of sorting and cataloging the collection. When the process is complete the specimens will be available for instruction in the classroom, research and museum displays.

www.usavanguard.com Go there.

Construction from page 1

Contact Editor-in-Chief Daniela Werner at usavanguard.editor@Gmail.com.

struction.

It could be January before the facility is opened.

Entrance portals to the University are scheduled to be completed in July 2011, according to a construction project timeline provided by Director of Public Relations Keith Ayers.

Construction on the first of the three portals is nearing completion at South Drive. The second portal on Stadium Drive has caused the road to be closed to through traffic, but it should be open for use by the new year.

The third portal will be on North Drive.

Construction on a new dorm is scheduled to be completed in August of 2011.

The 25,000-square-foot facility will be located at the corner of Fraternity Row. Shelby Hall Engineering and Computer Sciences Building is scheduled to be completed in January 2012.

As of print time Sunday, representatives of the South Alabama Group had not responded to requests for comment.

USA Gets No A’s in Trojan Survey Results Daniela Werner

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF danielawerner87@gmail.com

Editor’s Note: This is the second installment out of a few articles looking into the grades USA was given in the 2010 Trojan Brand Condoms Sexual Health Report Card, an annual survey rating the sexual health information and resources available at 141 colleges and universities across the U.S. When Sperling’s Best Places (SBP) fielded the 2010 Trojan Brand Condoms sexual health resource survey, it didn’t figure the demographics of each university or college into its results.

Student demographics cause survey numbers to change, and not including demographics in the study doesn’t paint a complete picture of what’s going on with sexual health resource and information distribution, said Paul Taylor, College of Medicine Public Relations associate director.

Because USA students’ ages average higher than a lot of other institutions, the sexual health issues they face are different than the ones students ages 18 through 22 deal with, he said.

Although Taylor said he acknowledges that the survey is a good “news peg for conversation,” he called it “incomplete data collection.”

When asked why demographical data wasn’t included in the 2010 survey, SBP President Bert Sperling said the subject simply hadn’t come up at his firm before.

“We looked at the schools geographically, by size and by athletic conference,” he told The Vanguard, adding that his staff was enthused about conducting the survey for Trojan because of the dialogue it generates in schools.

How USA Scored This Year USA scored no A’s this year but made B’s, C’s, D’s and two F’s on its Trojan Sexual Health Report Card.

For the hours of operation category, the Student Health Center (SHC) scored a B because it’s not open on weekends. It is open during regular business hours on weekdays.

SBP gave USA a B in the drop-in/appointment category.

According to the survey results, the SHC fell into the group of institutions that accept student drop-ins but don’t recommend them.

“There’s no appointment necessary here,” SHC Practice Director Beverley Kellen said when The Vanguard asked her about SHC’s drop-in policy.

USA’s score for the category rating the sexual health information section on schools’ health center websites was a C. The survey cites an incomplete array of sexual issues data on the SHC’s website as why USA was given the low score.

USA received a C in the website category, which reviews the sites’ usability and quality of information and features.

According to the survey, the website reviewers SBP used were in college or recently graduated. see TROJAN | 12

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Laura Beth Calcote Etc. Editor

vanguardetceditor@gmail.com

November 8, 2010

Walking to Prevent Suicide

CROSSWALKS AND OTHER

IGNORABLE THINGS

Laura Beth Calcote

ETC. EDITOR vanguardetceditor@gmail.com

The great thing about South is that you can pretty much walk to anywhere on campus. The bad thing about South is that people who do choose to walk everywhere on campus are oblivious to everything else around them.

Let’s talk about the speed limit on campus. In most places, it’s 30 mph.

A recent government speeding study found that a person hit by a car going 30 mph has a 50 percent chance of being killed in the accident, and 90 percent of accidents in which pedestrians are hit happen in 30 mph zones. So think about that for a minute.

And then let’s point out the obvious. Yes, legally, pedestrians have the right of way, but that is only true about crosswalks.

If you step off the curb in your Ugg boots talking on your cell phone and flipping your hair, no one legally has to stop for you.

Crosswalks are there for a reason. It is your way to cross the street. Drivers look for these crosswalks on campus as places they will probably have to slow down at.

It is not the driver’s responsibility to be watching for your street-crossing on every single inch of the road.

Even if you have made the intelligent decision to utilize the crosswalk, that still does not save you from this basic truth: in the car-vs.-man game, man will usually lose.

If you are using the crosswalk, don’t just march out there like you are owed the special privilege of life. You aren’t.

Accidents happen every day, and even though people are supposed to be watching for the crosswalks that does not mean that the exact moment you walk out will be the exact moment a careful driver will be driving through.

If you are hit by a car going 30 mph, you better just bend over and kiss your butt goodbye, because you have a 50 percent chance of being killed. At the very least, you’ll get blood all over your new suede boots.

And no one likes blood on their new suede boots. Or on the hood of their new blue car, for that matter.

Now let’s talk about walking at night. It’s this simple: unless you’re a burglar or serial killer, wearing dark colors at night does not work to your advantage.

Go ahead and assume that drivers cannot see you, and don’t walk out in front of them.

If you are a runner, and need to run around campus at night to get your fix, wear light clothing. And don’t run out in front of cars. Simple as that.

Pedestrians around campus: Good for you for caring about the environment enough to leave your car parked at the dorm.

Or maybe you just don’t want to fight every redneck at South for the last parking space in the Central Parking Zone.

Whatever your reason for hoofing it, don’t assume that just because legally you have the right-of-way that you are safe from being run over. Because you’re not.

Laura Beth Calcote | Etc. Editor

Suicide claims more than 32,000 lives annually in America. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's annual Out of the Darkness walk, held on campus on Nov. 7, helps to raise awareness about suicide prevention as well as offer support for those on campus and in the community who have experienced the effects of suicide. With 199 walkers, the event was co-sponsored by USA's Student Government Association and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). It raised $4,800 for the AFSP, which hosts informational sessions at local schools.

USA Career Services: Your Career Starts Here

Timothy Borland

STAFF WRITER trb903@jaguar1.usouthal.edu

There are many on-campus resources of which USA students do not take advantage. The tuition dollars Jags pay every semester fund more than just the new Rec Center, and students should make themselves aware of every resource offered by the University.

Perhaps the most valuable of the resources resides at Career Services in Meisler Hall, directly across from the Student Center. November is National Career Development Month as declared by the NCD Association, so no better time exists to explore your potential.

Beverley Green, director of Career Services, said she believes Career Development is a process and that no collegiate pupil should ever think it is too early to begin preparing for the job market.

Many work-related skills and behaviors cannot be absorbed overnight, and knowing what these traits are is nigh impossible without seeking the advice of experienced professionals.

Career Services has simplified the job search endeavor into three main categories: Explore, Experience, and Engage.

Exploring is the very first step Freshman and Sophomore students begin at by considering possible occupations, addressing uncertainties about majors, and performing a selfassessment.

A self-assessment allows a student to think about their desires and expectations for their career, and whether any of their values may conflict with those goals.

The Career Coordinators provide advising to address these complex questions before a major career path is chosen. The assistant and associate Directors work to help students identify a major that is well-suited for them.

The next step is to gain Experience throughout one’s

FASHION VICTIMS - COMING

Sophomore and Junior Years. Ideally, undergrads should discover the tasks their career will entail before graduation; the job environment might not be what they expected.

Holly Woodall, assistant director of Career Services, says the Cooperative Education programs and internships provide undergrads with an opportunity to work in a real job setting and gain practical experience directly related to one’s major.

An alternative to a short term unpaid internship, the Cooperative Education programs provide a prolonged work experience that is progressive in scope and can involve paid wages. Supervision by professionals will ensure that the experience gained in such a setting is valuable to an intern’s future career goals.

These programs become a valuable asset when aligned with an undergraduate diploma. Eighty to ninety percent of employers expect students to have completed major-related work experience at graduation in order to be considered for entry-level positions.

The final phase for Juniors and Seniors is to Engage. During this vital period students will develop a definitive plan for employment. Career Services aids undergrads with job applications, job search correspondence, resumés and interview experience.

Students need to learn the proper way to interact and perform tasks in business situations. Professional etiquette can affect an employer’s decision and is very important to successful job position placement.

There is even a full semester three-credit course titled The Job Campaign (CP450), designed for the development of these skills and available in three convenient course sections: morning, afternoon, and night.

Students should not underestimate the possible anxiety related to interviews that are crucial for employment; preparation will help an applicant stand out against competition. see CAREER | 19

SOON TO ETC.! NO ONE ON CAMPUS IS SAFE!

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A Day in the Life

Of Bruce Alford, Assistant Professor of English

Laura Beth Calcote

ETC. EDITOR vanguardetceditor@gmail.com

Bruce Elliot Alford was born on Feb. 11, 1966 in Hammond, La., and today is a teacher and an influence on the lives of English students at South, as well as the world of literature.

Alford currently serves as assistant professor in the English department with a specialty in creative writing. He is in his eighth year at South, and his favorite part about the job is the students.

“My students believe in the future. They have dreams and hopes and energy too … enough for me, enough to keep me going,” Alford said.

Alford is not just a teacher though; he is a published author and is currently working on a novel. In addition to wanting to be a scientist and an actor, Alford said he truly felt a passion for writing early in life.

“I have always been a writer,” Alford said. “Although, as a boy, I didn’t think of myself as a writer. I ‘published’ a little book for my third-grade class entitled ‘My First Airplane Trip.’

“In the sixth grade, I published a ‘Mad Magazine’ type comic. I was always writing -- little stories or poems, but at that age, I could not connect writing with ‘making a living.’

To a kid, ‘career’ is a distant concept. The idea that one can have a vocation was even more distant.”

Alford has worked in news writing, editing, photography, and lecturing, and he said, “The spurns I’ve taken culminate in who I am: a storyteller.”

Alford graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism, and his Master of Fine Arts in fiction. He currently teaches a full schedule of classes, including American Literature II and Creative Non-Fiction. He also teaches spin classes at the Rec center and attends various committee meetings, so his days are nothing short of full.

Even when he is home he is working on school projects, assignment-grading, or on his own work: a novel with working title of “Rooster.”

Alford said, “For a decade, I’ve worked on a story. The

Editor’s Note: This is a contribution from USA’s Student Health Center Medical Director, Dr. Heather Cannon. The Vanguard readily accepts health questions of all kinds for Dr. Cannon via e-mail at usavanguard.editor@Gmail.com.

Laura Beth Calcote | Etc. Editor

Bruce Alford, assistant professor in the English department, explains a poem to his American Literature class.

book draws on tragedy in my own family. My wife’s brother was missing for a week. Then we received the call that migrant workers had stumbled on his body in a forest near a field. Over the years, as I wrote and re-wrote, I noticed that his life and death said a lot about what being an American meant.”

He went on to say, “Thematically, the novel is about America’s Cultural Romanticism—our need for heroes: war see ALFORD | 8

Tales of Futures Present: Gabe Grimes

Asteroid Deflection

STAFF WRITER gag701@jaguar1.usouthal.edu

In an article in Universe Today, Rusty Schweickart (the Lunar Module Pilot for Apollo 9) gives a phone interview calling for a deflection campaign for an asteroid with Earth’s name on it. Schweickart calls for two different deflection campaigns: a gravity tractor to “pull” an Earth-bound asteroid off course and a kinetic impactor to “push” the asteroid off course.

In describing the gravity tractor, Schweickart makes numerous references to the Deep Space 1 and Deep Impact missions. In the Deep Space 1 mission, a satellite was sent to do fly-bys of comets. Schweickart says that a spacecraft of similar size could be sent to an Earth-bound asteroid 10 to 15 years before the impact, slowly pulling the asteroid off course.

A gravity tractor works because of Newton’s third law: Every body that exerts a force on another body has that same force exerted on it by that other body. In other words, the force of the Earth pulling on the moon (via gravity) is equal to the force of the moon pulling on the Earth.

A satellite flying in formation with an asteroid, then, would exert a very small gravitational force on the asteroid. The asteroid would also gravitationally pull the satellite slightly off course, too, but the satellite’s course can be adjusted using jets. The end result, over the course of a decade, would be a new course for the asteroid.

The kinetic impactor would also utilize a small track-

Annual Testing Key to Detecting STD’s

www.nasapics.com

Life as we know it may soon be over, thanks to an asteroid with Earth's name on it, according to an article in Universe Today.

ing spacecraft to fly near the asteroid and observe its path (which would give better data than any Earth-based tracking could) while the kinetic impactor itself would smash into the asteroid, sending one billion dollars up in a puff of debris and space dust.

The tracking satellite would then assess the new path of the asteroid and determine if another impactor is needed (or if the tracking satellite can act as a gravity tractor and pull the asteroid the rest of the way off course). The Deep

see ASTEROID | 12

Basic Facts on STDs STDs are divided into two broad categories, those caused by viruses and those caused by bacteria. Viral infections include Human Papillomavirus (HPV), Genital Herpes, and HIV. Bacterial and protozoa infections include Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, and Syphillis.

Bacterial and protozoal infections are much easier to treat than viral inCannon fections.

In most cases, your health care provider will give you a prescription for an antibiotic or an antibiotic injection. In general, there is no cure for viral STDs, but medications and other treatments are available to control symptoms.

STDs are spread by sexual activity, including vaginal, anal and oral sex and can cause infection in not only the sex organs but also in the anus and the mouth.

Some infections, such as HPV and herpes, are even spread through skin-to-skin contact without any sort of penetration.

You can’t always tell by looking at someone that they have an STD. Overall, 80 percent of people with an STD have no symptoms or don’t recognize their symptoms but can infect their sexual partner.

Statistics on STDs Twenty-five percent of college students will contract an STD. HPV is the most common STD in America, with at least 50 percent of sexually active men and women becoming infected in their lifetime. This virus may cause not only genital warts, but also cancer of the vagina, penis, anus, or mouth.

Chlamydia is the second most common STD in America, and over half of those infected have no symptoms. Left untreated, chlamydia infection can result in permanent infertility.

One in five Americans have genital herpes, but up to 90 percent of people don’t recognize the symptoms.

Alabama is ranked in the top five states in rates of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis infections.

How to protect yourself ?

Every sexually active person not in a mutually monogamous relationship should be tested annually for STDs or when starting a new sexual relationship.

If you’ve tested positive for an STD it’s your responsibility to tell everyone you’ve recently had any sexual contact with that they may also be infected.

Once you are treated for an STD, make sure your sexual partner is tested and treated also or you will become reinfected. Three weeks after treatment you should return to your health care provider to confirm that the infection has cleared.

Ideally, you should not resume sexual activity until the results of the testing.

Condoms are the best way to prevent the spread of STDs, but even consistent condom use doesn’t eliminate a person’s risk of becoming infected. Consistent condom use only reduces the risk of gonorrhea and chlamydia infections by 60 to 80 percent and reduces the risk of trichomoniasis by only 30 percent. Condoms provide even less protection against those infections spread by skin-to-skin contact.

A vaccine is available for the HPV virus, which can reduce your risk of developing genital warts and even cervical cancer.

The Student Health Center provides information, testing and treatment for STDs, free condoms, and the HPV vaccine.

8

The

Vanguard

November 8, 2010

Art on Campus: Learning to Manipulate Glass

Above: Senior Occupational Therapy major Christa Evans paints a glass bowl she created after letting it cool.

Photos by Contributing Photographer Aaron Jones

USA’s new glass art program, led

by Visual Arts Assistant Professor Rene Culler, is in its first semester with three classes containing about 42 students. The newly built stateof-the-art, climatecontrolled glass facility’s grand opening is slated to happen Nov. 13-15.

Right: Junior Studio Art major Kerry Parks uses a wood block to center and shape her glass after it was fired at around 2,080 degrees farenheit.

Have an Opinion?

Let Us Know!

Send Letters to the Editor to USAVanguard.Editor @gmail.com

Alford from page 7

heroes, political heroes and so forth. I explore this need from various ethnic points of view during our country’s bicentennial, a historically pivotal year with the emergence of Ronald Reagan as a presidential challenger and the eventual nomination of southerner Jimmy Carter as U.S. President.”

Gaining notoriety in the world of literature and journalism is not easy, but Alford is up to the challenge. “I don’t give up. I wipe away a tear, now and then, but I don’t give up,” he said.

The home-side of Alford is the man who loves his wife, Patricia, his dog, Bronner, and his wife’s cat, James Wood.

He enjoys the cool weather of

winter, and has created a studio in his home for mixing music and poetry.

To say he enjoys coffee is an understatement, as he admitted to drinking six cups of coffee with a protein bar every morning.

He also enjoys The Secrets of Isis and National Public Radio’s All Things Considered.

On a perfect day?

“I’d have time to write, to play with words and sound, and I’d share that sound with those who could hear,” Alford said.

His proudest moment is being told that he had changed someone’s life, and it’s likely that will happen again for this talented writer and influential professor.

November 8, 2010

SGA

from page 1

should be proposed so soon.

“We can send out simple surveys, that way we have numbers and statistics to support the resolution,” Ramsey said. “[The administration] always loves playing with numbers.”

Besides the authors who come up with the verbiage for a resolution, there are also sponsors who function like editors.

Among the sponsors is Allied Health Senator Paige Perry, who told The Vanguard that USA should be proactive, just like other schools in the state who have already adopted a similar Non-Discrimination Policy.

During last week’s meeting, the SGA discussed ways to reach out to the student body and determine their opinion and level of support.

SGA President Kim Proctor suggested to the senators that they go out and talk to their constituents face-to-face in order to get a better read on the issue.

Before the resolution can be voted on, it must first pass a review by legal affairs.

Dean of Students Michael Mitchell offered to have a representative from legal affairs come to this week’s SGA meeting to discuss the legal issues for the current Non-Discrimination Policy and any proposed changes.

John Smith, vice president of Student Affairs, is also part of the approval process should the resolution be passed.

The

Vanguard In an interview with The Vanguard, Smith’s only comment was that the current policy is in compliance with current state and federal regulations.

This sentiment was echoed by Mitchell at last week’s SGA meeting. In an interview, he discussed the Policy and its effectiveness in general.

Mitchell discussed other forms of discrimination, such as baldness, that are also not protected by USA’s Non-Discrimination Policy.

Mitchell’s point was that there are some common-sense protections afforded to faculty and students that USA would not violate.

Just because some basis of discrimination is not included in the Non-Discrimination Policy doesn’t mean the University will discriminate on that basis, he said.

This doesn’t console Patrick Collins, president of the GLBTA, who says he has had faculty and students approach him, concerned about their positions because of their sexual orientation.

“Even a student in a club or organization who is gay could be kicked out of that organization if they [were] found out,” Collins said.

The final decision, according to Mitchell, will rest with USA President Gordon Moulton’s office.

This is assuming the resolution gets approved by legal affairs, passed by the senate, and makes it though John Smith’s office.

Send Letters to the Editor to usavanguard.editor@Gmail.com.

Report from page 3

“That was a mistake on our end,” she said. “We did update that information, but it didn’t get transferred to the web.

“However, we did incorporate that information and re-grade the school, [so] the profile was updated and the information included.”

The grades are assigned based on a combination of public information drawn from sources like school newspapers and websites, and surveys sent out to school officials.

USA returned one out of the four surveys, a fact that Paykin said contributed to

9 the University’s low grade.

“Our information is based on these surveys, so it’s unfortunate that the University didn’t return them,” she said. “We followed up a number of times over the summer.

Hopefully, the University will be able to fill out a survey next year.”

The surveys were sent to Terry Albano, investment manager, Scott Weldon, controller, and Adam Nevill, Dining Services director. Nevill returned the survey completed, but neither Albano nor Weldon said they had even heard of it.

USA’s grade is the worst out of the five Alabama schools that participated in the survey.

10

The

Vanguard

November 8, 2010

Students flock to junk their campus Thursday night. The SGA spent an undetermined amount of money on toilet paper used by the students to give the campus "Spirit" for the week of Homecoming.

The windy weather conditions of Thursday night, combined with the powerfully cascading work light, gave the Jungle what some called a majestic, flowing feel.

Homecoming 2010: Jags Rough Up Reddies Above: Alternative rock band Sister Hazel played a free concert at the Mitchell Center Friday night after USA's Homecoming pep rally and parade.

Left: Students and Mobile community members attended the Sister Hazel concert.

Right: People caught candy and Mardi Gras necklaces at the Homecoming Parade Friday night, which began in the Mitchell College of Business parking lot and worked its way up South Drive to the Moulton Bell Tower.

After Friday’s concert, parade and pep rally, the Jags were “reddied” for success; the next day, USA beat Henderson State 37-31.

Photos by Colin McGee

The

Vanguard

November 8, 2010

11

Top: Homecoming Queen and King Katie Bandy and Christopher Martin take their place on the field in front of the Homecoming crowd.

Below: Coach Jones huddles the team around for a post-game inspirational talk after their close defeat of Henderson State.

Top: Freshman RB Kendall Houston carries the ball into the endzone. Houston rushed 27 times for 140 total yards and one touchdown.

Bottom Left: Freshman Victoria Strange hurls toilet paper toward unsuspecting trees in the "Jungle" Thursday night.

Bottom Middle: Trees were adorned with one-ply by students Thursday night.

Bottom Right: Sophomore DL Kendell Bagnerise takes down the Henderson State quarterback.

Photos by Colin McGee

12

The

Vanguard

Asteroid from page 7

Impact mission used a fly-by satellite to launch an impactor into the heart of a comet, with the satellite then photographing the resulting dust cloud and crater.

Another issue here is “keyholing,” which, according to the article, is when an object passes close enough to the Earth on one pass that it would hit the Earth on a later pass. That is, the act of making the asteroid miss the Earth this time means it will hit the Earth next time.

Schweickart mentions how the effects of keyholing can be negated by using a gravity tractor after the asteroid has left the “keyhole,” pulling the asteroid back off its Earth-bound course.

When anyone mentions this stuff, I per-

Trojan from page 5

Kellen said the SHC has compared its website to those of other institutions.

“We are always looking at upgrading our site,” Kellen said.

She said she felt the SHC website provided students at least most of the information they would need if they were scouring the site for sexual health or sexual assault advice.

In the category rating whether an anonymous sexual health advice column was available for students – whether in the schools’ student newspaper, website or encouraged by the University e-mail

November 8, 2010 sonally can’t help but think of the movie “Armageddon,” where the guy from “Die Hard” saves the world by blowing himself (and an incoming asteroid) up. While I don’t mind Bruce Willis, there are a few celebrities that I wouldn’t mind seeing sent up to an asteroid (the cast of “Jersey Shore,” I’m looking at you).

Schweickart ends the article with a quote, that bears repeating: “We need to demonstrate it because we – NASA, the technical community, the international community — need to learn what you find out when you do something for the first time,” he said. “Playing a concerto in front of an audience is quite different from playing it alone in your house.”

system – USA scored an F. The Vanguard regularly advertises the availability of a health advice column for students who submit health questions, whether they’re regarding sexual health or not.

When Sperling was asked if his firm included this in their findings, he said that his team had not seen anything about it in the The Vanguard or on its website.

If there was something available and his team hadn’t located it, he said, he would be happy to have it recalculated into USA’s original scores.

Sports

Matt Weaver Sports Editor jmatthewweaver@aol.com

The

Vanguard

13

November 8, 2010

Jags Tip Off Basketball Season

Charging the Mound

Preseason Men’s Basketball Thoughts

Matt Weaver

SPORTS EDITOR jmatthewweaver@aol.com

Colin McGee I Photo Editor

Junior Guard Allyn Cooks goes in for the layup Thursday night. Cooks put in 13 points and one rebound for his contribution to the win.

Colin McGee I Photo Editor

Soph. Forward Martino Brock slams it on a breakaway against Mississippi College. Brock scored 20 points against the Choctaws.

Colin McGee I Photo Editor

Senior Guard Gary Redus wins the opening tip off in Thursday's game. Brock scored nine points and gathered seven total rebounds.

South Alabama Football

Jaguars Win Wild Game Against Reddies

Matt Weaver

SPORTS EDITOR jmatthewweaver@aol.com

South Alabama football survived a wild first half en route to defeating Henderson State, 37-31 on Homecoming Saturday night at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.

Jaguar quarterback C.J. Bennett tossed for 280 yards as South Alabama picked up a school-record 542 total yards against a very aggressive Reddie defense.

“I want to congratulate Henderson State for playing a very good football game,” South Alabama head coach Joey Jones said. “We knew from watching them on film that they were a very good team.

“But I probably didn’t do a great job of getting the team ready and that’s my responsibility.

“We can make all the excuses we want, but we just didn’t come out as sharp as we typically are.”

Bennett was sacked three times and the USA defense allowed 465 total yards including a kickoff return for a touchdown.

“This a loss to us,” South Alabama cornerback Anton Graphenreed said. “Any time that we allow this many points, we have to get back to working hard and pick it up in practice. This was a let down and whatever this was, we need to fix it.”

Colin McGee I Photo Editor

Sr. WR Courtney Smith reels in the last minute onside kick attempt by the Reddies, sealing the win for the Jags.

USA trailed 17-13 just before T.J. Glover exploded for an 18-yard touchdown run with 3:43 left in the first half. Lawson McGlon completed the PAT to give South

Alabama their final lead.

Glover was the most versatile Jaguar, picking up a South Alabama record 189 total yards on Saturday. The freshman totaled 42 yards rushing out of the backfield on five carries while also racking up 78 yards on five receptions. Glover also returned two kicks for 57 yards and a punt for 13 more.

“T.J. was exceptional today,” Jones said.

“He’s just so explosive and we’re able to do a lot of things with him that the opposing defense has to prepare for.”

But not everything was ideal for the Jag offense. Bennett was on his toes all afternoon. In addition to the three Reddie sacks, Henderson State’s Jeremy Rodenburg also intercepted Bennett in the endzone on a pass intended for Courtney Smith.

The Jaguars would ultimately rally behind Bennett in the second half and scored just enough to win by six.

“This team just really rallied behind me, despite me being a freshman,” Bennett said. “It’s a real confidence booster for me to know that we all have each other’s back – on both offense and defense.

It’s a total team effort and I have a lot of comfort playing with these guys.” see FOOTBALL | 12

2010-2011 South Alabama men’s basketball began on Thursday night Nov. 4, with a sloppy exhibition victory versus Mississippi College.

On paper, the Jags appear to have been built to hang with the best in the Sun Belt. But on Thursday night, the Jaguars struggled to put away the Choctaws for much of the Jaguars’ first game-action since last season.

Much of South Alabama’s 92-65 victory can be discarded as court rust and a chance for head coach Ronnie Arrow to experiment with lineups and play calling.

Arrow returns an experienced starting five.

Yet the Jags might have a problem in getting last year’s oft-injured starters to gel as a team.

The guys just haven’t played together as a single unit for any consistent stretch of time.

That could make for a long winter with trips to UAB, Alabama and Southern Miss dominating the out of conference schedule.

Would it be a South Alabama defense if they could guard the perimeter and challenge 3-point shots?

The Choctaws didn’t take every opportunity South Alabama gave them on Thursday but did expose weaknesses in the season’s first game.

This should be a priority in practice moving forward and the defense will likely strengthen in time for the season opener against Spring Hill on Nov. 12.

It just might be the same story of years past with South Alabama basketball. This team may have to out-score opponents in the 7080 point range to win but Arrow and the Jags have the personnel to do it.

Senior guard Tim Williams was selected to First-Team All-Conference and may be the best overall player in the Sun Belt.

If he stays healthy and gets help, South Alabama may compete for the championship and an NCAA invite.

The help is already built-in with sophomore forward Martino Brock and senior guard Gary Redus. Each player is a daily double-double candidate and should take this team a long way.

This is the same group that defeated no.

18 Florida in Gainesville last year. They can beat anyone on any given night - it’s all about consistency. Tie up some loose ends on defense and fans just might starting talking March Madness as early as January.

This team is just that talented.

14

The

Vanguard New Orleans Saints

Sports Briefs

Halloween Hysterics Dominate Superdome Josh York

SPORTS COLUMNIST jdy601@jaguar1.usouthal.edu

The Saints entered week eight having lost two of their last three games.

New Orleans entered the Halloween showdown with the Pittsburgh Steelers ready to reveal whether or not the defending World Champions were donning costumes of a mediocre team or if they were still the real deal from 2009.

On a night where 17,777 fans all wore costumes, the Saints looked as if they wanted to join in on the festivities. They looked unlike their 2010 versions but rather like the 2009 Saints.

The first half was a defensive slug fest as Pittsburgh came into the Superdome fresh off a 23-22 win in which Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger passed for 302 yards and two touchdown passes.

But these Saints in disguise would allow none of the sort.

The Saints defense held the two-time Super Bowl Champion to 195-yards passing with no scores and picked him off once. Jonathan Vilma harassed Roethlisberger all night to the tune of three sacks and appeared to have the quarterback uncomfortable all night.

Drew Brees came into the game wearing a costume of a mediocre quarterback who had thrown more interceptions through seven games than he had all of last season combined.

And in the first half, it looked no different.

Brees struggled against a Pittsburgh secondary that came into the game ranked just 23rd in the league. Brees completed 14-of-22 passes for only 114 yards with no touchdowns in the first half.

But when Brees stepped onto the field in

the second half, he dropped the act, becoming the efficient and familiar leader of old that lead the Saints to its first title last year.

Marques Colston finally found his rhythm, too. Coming into the game with only one touchdown catch, Colston matched that with arguably the most meaningful score of 2010.

With the Saints leading 6-3 in the fourth

www.greenascot.com

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees drops back for a pass attempt.

quarter, Colston scored, completing a 10-play, 59-yard drive that transformed Colston into his best disguise yet: The 2007 version of Colston, a Pro Bowl alternate.

Brees threw a pass to Colston’s back shoul-

The

Vanguard Sports Poll LAST WEEK:

Will USA Basketball Compete For NCAA Berths?

No Yes

THIS WEEK:

Will USA Football Win the Sun Belt by the 2020 Season?

* Yes * No

“The men’s team is one of the most athletic teams I have ever seen and coach Pietri always gets the most out of the women’s squad. This could be a real good year for South Alabama basketball.” @WhoDatSayWut on Twitter

Vote Now!

November 8, 2010

der and the 6’4”, 225-pound receiver made an acrobatic catch at the two-yard line and maintained possession just long enough to score.

The Saints would never look back as Garrett Hartley’s extra point stretched the lead to 13-3. But the festivities weren’t over yet.

With just under 11 minutes to play, Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall decided the Steelers would not go down without a fight.

Mendenhall must have put on a Barry Sanders costume because the moment he took the hand-off from Roethlisberger, he ran right off the right tackle, scooted behind the perfect block and sprinted as fast as he ever had. The result was a 38-yard touchdown to put the Steelers back to within three.

After Brees fumbled the ball at the 20 with 8:00 left, Roethlisberger jogged back onto the field, ready to execute yet another one of his patented fourth quarter comebacks.

After Roethlisberger completed a 25-yard pass to tight end Heath Miller, Marvin Mitchell put on his best Ray Lewis costume and slammed into Miller with such force that he forced a Steeler fumble.

Once the ball was given back to the Saints, Brees was a perfect 6-for-6 on an eight-play drive that all but sealed the game.

The Saints beat arguably the league’s best team in the Steelers and showed the dominance, swagger and efficiency that fans have expected since Super Bowl XLIV. Thus far, the Saints have had fans scratching their heads at what this team really is. But on Halloween, the Saints donned a familiar costume. They wore the costumes of the defending Super Bowl Champions.

Football From page 12

Football To Play Final Game of 2010 Thursday Night at Ladd South Alabama is preparing for the final game of the season as they face ArkansasMonticello Thursday night, Nov. 11 at Ladd Peebles Stadium.

The Boll Weevils are bringing a 4-6 record into Mobile under fifth-year head coach Gwaine Mathews. Mathews also acts as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Weevils employ a balanced attack that has worked to mixed results in 2010.

Monticello quarterback Scott Buisson is not afraid to run the ball and is averaging 47 rushing yards per game.

Despite his ground attack, Buisson is at his most dangerous while passing. He comes into Mobile averaging 245 yards passing, a trend that should continue against the depleted South Alabama secondary.

The Jag defense will have to be cautious of the Weevil offense as Buisson has thrown 15 touchdowns to seven different receivers.

Jywin Caesar is likely Buisson’s favorite target judging by his six touchdowns and 53.9 yards per game.

On defense, Royel Johnson is the Weevil’s leading tackler with 80 tackles though 10 games. Vincent Jackson and Carlton Johnson have combined for 104 tackles and should keep the Jags honest throughout the contest.

- Jake Wasdin, Sports Reporter

USA Volleyball Falls In Straight Sets To Western Kentucky The University of South Alabama volleyball team dropped a straight-set decision, 3-0 (18-25, 10-25, 9-25) on Nov. 6 evening on the road to Western Kentucky at E. A. Diddle Arena.

“Going into the match, I felt that we had a good game plan,” South Alabama head coach Nicole Keshock said. “We were passing well and felt Katariina (Kananen) put our hitters in a good position, but we just didn’t execute and follow through with our game plan.

“I have to give Western Kentucky a lot of credit. They are a well disciplined team and it is hard to get them out of system.

Hopefully we can correct the things we did wrong in practice this week.”

Golf ’s Hiluta Named Sun Belt Golfer of the Month Jack Hiluta, one of two seniors on the University of South Alabama men’s golf team, was voted the Sun Belt Conference Men’s Golfer of the Month for his performance in three October tournaments. The announcement was made by the league office Thursday.

It’s the second time he has earned the honor this calendar year after sharing the award in March.

Hiluta opened October with a 68 in the middle of three rounds at the Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate hosted by Alabama, coming in 12th out of 60 individuals with a 213 total and helping the Jaguars finish fourth in a field of 12.

The following week he recorded an even-par 216 to tie for 23rd and help USA place third out of 14 schools at LSU’s David Toms Intercollegiate.

Six Softball Players Earn NFCA Academic Honors Three current University of South Alabama softball student-athletes and three former Jaguars were named National Fast Pitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-America Scholar Athletes, based on GPA’s submitted from the 2009-2010 season.

Morgan Druhan, Christin Crocker and Meghan Collins, along with former Jags Danielle Honore, Katie McGuire and Marissa Boyd, received the honor last week. To qualify for the NFCA award, student-athletes must have a 3.5 GPA or better for the previous academic year.

Last year, five Jaguars received this honor including McGuire.

“This is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our student-athletes,” USA head coach Becky Clark said. “It is impressive when you consider the timemanagement and commitment that comes into play considering their day-today schedules. I am blessed to work with young ladies who understand the importance of their education and take pride in pushing themselves in the classroom.”

Eighteen South Alabama student-athletes have been named NFCA ScholarAthletes in the past three years.

-Wire reports

November 8, 2010

The

Vanguard

15

Opinion

The

Vanguard

16

Alex Whalen Opinion Editor AlexWhalen@Gmail.com

November 8, 2010

OUR VIEW

Time to Revive Higher Ed Funding

C

ongratulations on winning the gubernatorial election, Gov. Robert Bentley. We hope you will use this opportunity to better our state’s current financial situation and guide Alabamians through the wake of this national recession.

People are probably throwing their ideas for change at you left and right, and we have our two cents to put in as well.

The state of higher education funding in Alabama is at a demoralizing low, and universities and colleges are resorting to hiking up tuition costs significantly every year just to cover their operating budgets.

More and more students are leaving school, some graduated and some not, with less money in their pockets and more debt in their names.

The mission of public universities, which is to provide accessible quality education for students, is getting swept up in a wave of proration that strengthens with every fiscal year.

From your campaign website, we learned that you intend to improve the higher education funding dilemma in Alabama by strengthening the economy.

While it’s a noble endeavor, we feel that it is too vague an effort.

Something drastic needs to be done about the way monies are appropriated for higher educa-

tion.

With the economy’s volatility, letting revenues for higher ed funding come in from sales tax is like a gamble; you just don’t know how much money you’re going to get from year to year.

Alabama doesn’t gather higher ed monies from real estate and property tax, and it’s time that this is changed.

Lobbying groups vying to keep taxes down for farmers and companies that own large plots of land are throwing a huge wrench in what should be a balance between sales tax and property tax revenues – one that is beneficial to both Alabama landowners and college students.

Because Alabama relies so heavily on sales tax revenue for higher ed funding, students in other states are getting a leg up on scholarship opportunities while many of Alabama’s students are working second and third jobs to keep up financially.

When you subject higher ed funding to the ups and downs of the state’s financial dramas, you let it fluctuate unnecessarily, and students suffer for it.

Gov. Bentley, show the political wisdom and courage to change the way Alabama funds higher education to keep quality higher education affordable.

USA has a very tolerant policy for allowing non-students to visit campus. But if those guests are here to spread a message that’s seen as offensive or inflammatory, should they be removed?

Yeah, the University should ban certain people. You should be able to speak what’s on your mind, but there’s a line. It doesn’t matter if this is a public university, some people just cross that line.

Taneeka Reed Freshman Business

If the students have a problem with a speaker, the University should ban the speaker. Yes, there’s free speech, but if everyone says what they want, there’s going to be conflict. With 14 thousand students, there’s got to be a line.

Tilting at Windmills

By Matthew Peterson mwp601@jaguar1.usouthal.edu

Expand ‘Junk the Jungle’!

SGA’s “Junk the Jungle” has the right idea about school spirit and stuff, but I think we should, like, totally make it better.

Why, like, confine it to just that area?

I think the perfect way to show just how much we, like, love USA is to trash even more places. Let’s start with the SGA office.

I’m sure SGA would, like, really appreciate it and stuff because it’s obviously just really spiritful and stuff to trash places on campus.

Like a million people or something worked so hard throwing toilet paper in the trees at the circle, so we should like reward SGA for such a great idea by spiriting up their office.

We could, like, string it with red, white, and blue toilet paper (you know, like USA colors!). We could, like, spray it with some water to make sure their decorations really stay for a while – we wouldn’t want them to, like, come off too easily!

Maybe we could, like, make some

Jack Baylor Freshman Music Business

Colin McGee / Photo Editor

Students gathered to “Junk the Jungle” for the second year on Thursday. Maybe we should, like, expand this and junk the SGA office!

teams to trash specific offices.

I’m sure there’s some fairness-and-justice toilet paper specifically designed to like really fit with Michael Baldwin’s office! What about some jaguar print for Kim Proctor’s office?

SGA will, like, help us pay for the highest-grade toilet paper, too, so it will look, like, really high-class and everything.

I’m sure SGA wouldn’t mind, since they’re not sticks in the mud. They know

the value, like, of really trashing some place up for school spirit!

Some fuddy-duddies will probably worry about cleaning up and stuff, and we’ll send a couple of people to do a quarter-ass job of pretending to clean it up. Rakes and gloves, guys!

In the end, it’s all about making this school better, school spirit and stuff guys!

The best way to do that is, like, trashing the SGA office!

Ashley Goodwin Sophomore Elementary Ed.

If the speaker is being sarcastic, then I’d say no. But if they’re serious, then I say ban them. People shouldn’t say whatever they want just to hurt people. And people who are there just to be offensive are annoying.

No, people shouldn’t be banned even if they are offensive. At the very least, it’s entertaining.

As long as there’s no violence or threats, then they’re protected by the free speech clause.

John Goforth Junior Music

Want a soapbox?

Well, here you go!

Just e-mail your campus thoughts, complaints, or ideas to usacampuspulse@gmail.com and we’ll print them right here!

17

The

Vanguard

November 8, 2010

POINT COUNTERPOINT The Future of the Tea Party

Editor’s Introduction: In a relatively short amount of time, the Tea Party has seen a tremendous amount of growth both at the local and national levels.

According to their website, teaparty.org, they define themselves as “a grassroots movement that calls awareness to any issue that challenges the security, sovereignty, or domestic tranquility of our beloved nation, the United States of

Rhetoric and Propaganda

America.” Many voters across the country think the movement too idealistic.

Others worry that the Democratic candidates may get elected because of a Republic split (although last week’s midterm election results may quiet this objection). But what is the future of this fledgling party? Will they become a solid part of the American political landscape, or simply fade away?

Leveling the Playing Field

Move over, Democrats. Make Political extremism on both Fundamentally the Tea Party is a some losing and some winning, the way, Republicans. The Tea Party the right and the left, despite its movement triggered by our national presence and influence of the far is tossing out its proverbial tea inherent blind eye to possibilities financial crisis, which is acknowlconservative right cannot be igaround the country. Emotionally like relativism and differing life edged as being secondary to deeper nored. We are seeing the substantiaintense rallies cropped up across experiences, is nevertheless a sign national health issues. tion of a conservative activist group, America throughout this year, of a thriving society, so long as It consists of supporters who, the likes of which have not been all in preparation for the Nov. 2 there is always someone arguing “are wealthier and more well-eduseen in a long time. elections. just as hard on the other side of cated than the general public, tend It must be acknowledged that Passions are high, but is this the fence. to be Republican, white, male, and there are those within the group current apple of America’s eyes This is where the Tea Party married, and their strong opposiwho are not as suited as others to here to stay? loses its sight and demonstrates tion to the Obama administration be public figure heads. Some truly Laci Tory I wager that once the exciteits true nature as a mere marketis more rooted in political ideology fringe personalities have arisen, Gagliano Albertson Christine O’Donnell being a good ment from the recent elections ing device, than anxiety dies down and the handful of Tea sparked by about their example here; and then there are Party politicians-elect, a.k.a. Republicans, right-wing figures and personal economic wellothers such as Marco Rubio who have risen settle into their newly obtained offices, the advanced by certain being,” according to a the front ranks as a potential political force to movement will sink below the media’s remedia cheerleadNew York Times/CBS be reckoned with. quired hyper-sensational level and become ers, rather than a poll back in April of this This diversity is telling about the nature apparent as nothing more than the cinders legitimate, grassroots year. of the Tea Party. It is a grassroots movement of a well-orchestrated, massive right-wing vehicle of change and A Gallup poll at about of concerned American citizens. With their campaign flame. action. the same time produced main concern being an already-too-big govPolarized political discourse generally What separates similar findings, but ernment taking a too-controlling approach has a media-induced excitement threshold, the Tea Party from pointed out that besides to solving our nation’s dilemmas, a chord has and a low one at that. Once this threshold any other large-scale the strong conservative been struck that rings true throughout the is exceeded, people generally spill over political movement leanings, the Tea Party nation. from rational reasoning to reactionary is the simple fact that was fairly representative Initially, the Tea Party was received with frontpagemag.com fervor. it’s difficult to even of the American “public ridicule and incredulity. Yet, here it is, having Tea Party protestors rallying for smaller gov- at large.” These findings The Tea Party is a prime example. call the Tea Party become a substantial influence in the political ernment and lower taxes. These are the major seem to be reflected The image the Tea Party has garnered a movement. Sure, tensions of our nation. This is another telling talking points for the party and have garnered a by the recent midterm for itself has long since been detached it’s tied in heavily aspect of the movement: although influential, great deal of support for the movement. from any associations with tactful expreswith politics, but it’s elections. it isn’t a true player, or political party. sions of belief. difficult to detect the The overarching Our nation is in deep economic trouble, Tea Partiers abound, and these events presence of anything more than a shell message of the Tea Party is to return to and per the ideological foundation we elect are often replete with everything from deof political digression and anger, led and Constitution-based law development, reducinto power comes the governmental rerogatory and racist name-calling to hopesustained by Republican candidates in a ing the presence and size of the government sponse. With the Tea Party you have people lessly misinformed comparisons of Obama bid to regain power. and becoming much more fiscally conservawho are uncomfortable with both the Repubto Hitler, and even emotionally charged One major issue I take with the party is tive. Due to the perception of the current lican and Democratic use of government. physical intimidation. its agenda - or lack thereof. Whereas typiadministration’s ideological leaning we have Both parties have contributed to our current Protest and grassroots organization are cal extremist grassroots movements find seen an overwhelming conservative response situation. two of the things that keep our democracy problems, determine solutions, set goals, this recent midterm election.

In that light the Tea Party is playing the alive.

Although “Tea Party” candidates did OK, see LEVELING |19 see RHETORIC | 19

Clearing the Air

By Alex Whalen alexwhalen@gmail.com

Now in 3-D!

When is this stupid 3-D fad going to end? I’m sure in the ‘70s it was super groovy, but I wouldn’t know – I’m not THAT old. What I do know is that the citizens of the 21st century should be over it.

First off, it’s not really 3-D, it just looks that way when you wear special glasses that make you look like an idiot. Some of us (like me) already do look like idiots, so we really don’t need any extra help.

If it were really 3-D, like a hologram,

then I’d totally be on board. But even with the glasses, a movie isn’t technically 3-D if it doesn’t look different from different angles.

I rarely go out to movies anymore because they’re expensive and so many of them suck.

So why would I pay an extra three bucks to put someone else’s ear funk on my face?

Plus, once you get out of the movie, they have these bins you’re supposed to put your glasses in so they can be “recycled.” Well screw you, movie theater! I just paid for these things; I’m not giving them back to you so you can rip off some other sucker.

Maybe it’s just me, but the whole 3-D thing just ruins the movie experience for me. I find myself constantly looking at what is supposed to be 3-D and how my visual experience differs from a normal movie rather than paying attention to the story.

I find that most of the time everything looks 2-D, until they make it really obvious by having some lame finger pointing at me or some bubbles floating around.

Sure, these moments are kind of neat. But

then I realize they’re only doing this so the movie will look cool in 3-D – so I’m not the only one who’s lost focus of the story.

Think back to any 3-D movie you’ve seen.

Has a really cool 3-D scene ever done anything to advance the plot?

Now it’s probably true that my visual experience of a 3-D movie isn’t the same as someone else’s. I could never see anything in those Magic Eye puzzles other than a bunch of little dots, so maybe my bad eyesight has something to do with it.

Perhaps this is all just left over resentment from not being able to see the dolphin or Tyrannosaurus Rex that all my friends could see in those Magic Eye things. Even if this is the case, I still maintain my objection that 3-D offers nothing of worth to a movie experience.

If you want your audience to have a stunning visual experience, then use the incredible special effects modern computing has made possible. If you want to show off some kind of technology, then use a technology that isn’t older than I am.

Now I’m assuming that, since most of these 3-D movies are children’s movies, these effects are meant to appeal to the kiddies. “Look Dad! That bubble looks like it’s headed right at me!”

But you know what else looks 3-D? The objects in the actual, physical world.

Maybe, instead of watching bubbles that only look like you could reach out and pop them, we can blow actual bubbles with our kids that they really can chase after. Or you can take your kids to a baseball game. “Look Dad! That ball looks like it’s headed right at me!”

On a side note, someone should inform the vendors at Baybears games that these games take place in the actual world. I have no idea why they sell 3-D glasses to watch fireworks that are three-dimensional.

At the end of they day, if you or your kids really enjoy 3-D movies, then go for it.

As for me, I’m just going to stick with enjoying my 3-D experiences in a three-dimensional world, without the aid of silly glasses.

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Distractions

Vanguard Staff Staff usavanguard.editor@gmail.com

November 8, 2010

Caption Contest

Do hilarious things come to mind when you see this photo? E-mail your funniest caption to usavanguard.editor@gmail.com. The winner will be published next week!

Caption Contest Results

Winner: “Ok everybody! Time to channel your inner Richard Simmons!

Ready? Now 1-2-3-4 squat, squat, squat!”

-Jennifer Tran

Sudoku Sudoku puzzles brought to you by USA’s Student Health Center. To make an appointment, call 251-460-7151.

Rules: Fill each row, column, and square of nine boxes with the numbers one through nine without repeating any. Answer keys provided at www.usavanguard.com/ distractions.

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November 8, 2010

Jag Life

A Comic by Ben Lewis

Leveling

Rhetoric

role of a political conscience. This is exactly the sort of thing that should happen with the system we live under. If there is a concern or problem in the leadership, voices should be raised. Although some unreasonable voices have arisen, the overall tone and caution seems to be a needed one.

As shown by the midterm elections, it is a voice that is being heard. Not producing a landslide win for either side, but evening out the playing field. With this leveling effect, time will tell, as to whether the Tea Party movement will continue or not.

As long as the Tea Party’s message is still seen as relevant, there’s no reason why the grassroots campaigning that is such a part of the movement won’t continue to succeed. If, on the other hand, the current perceived threats to our nation are met and dealt with, there will be no fuel to feed the flames of dissension.

and work toward achieving these goals through active lobbying, protesting, and diplomatically informing others of their cause, the Tea Party seems to have become stuck on the step of finding the problem, then endlessly protesting the problem without offering any real solutions.

Unguided anger then manifests, since it becomes easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of passion and hype built up around the party.

Gradually, it seems, people forgot exactly what they were arguing for in the first place.

Rhetoric slowly crept in to compensate for the lack of a real argument, and bouts of racism, bigotry, and over-generalized expressions of hatred began to fester.

The movement therefore ceases to be a true movement and is reduced to a gathering of very angry and perhaps slightly confused people who rely on propaganda from the political candidates running the show to guide them through their next wave of angry outbursts.

While it’s their right to gather and express concerns freely, it’s also really difficult for those on the outside to take the rally cry of a Tea Party member seriously when that cry insists that our “Hitler-reincarnate, Muslim terrorist” president is dragging the country into socialism and/or communism.

Even if the argument is made that the Tea Party, in all its hype and frenzied fearmongering, succeeded in helping to elect its primary constituents, the test remains as to whether it will work in 2012 or simply prove itself to be a one-trick pony.

I don’t think the Tea Party can or will remain active or relevant in the long run.

After all, rhetoric and name-calling can only go so far.

Now that some of its strongest proponents are in office and the House of Representatives has Republican control, I’ll bet that there will be a significant loss of interest.

In the future, it seems like any uproar similar to that of this year will simply be regarded as yesterday’s news.

from page 17

Career from page 6

“I think students that take ownership of their career development typically are the ones who will be most satisfied and successful in reaching their career goals,” Green said.

Students of all classes and educational backgrounds can benefit from visiting Career Services.

The Explore, Experience, and Engage programs are available to all students, but the sooner the process begins, the more rewards can be reaped.

The path to success is not linear; some undergrads find their field is not what they expected and decide to return to the Explore phase in order to find something more suitable.

Ultimately, USA has designed Career Services to help students bridge the gap between graduation and employment, and all undergrads should take advantage of the wealth of information that is readily available on campus.

For more information, visit www.southalabama.edu/careerservices, call 251-460-6188, or visit the main office at Meisler Hall Suite 2100.

The office is open Mon-Fri from 8am-5pm.

from page 17

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November 8, 2010