Vanguard
Serving USA students and the University community since 1963
The
February 28, 2011 |VOLUME 48, NUMBER 24
Campus power outage repairs to cost more than $30k
www.usavanguard.com
To stay up to date with campus news, friend The Vanguard on Facebook and follow USAVanguard on Twitter.
University of South Alabama’s student newspaper
SOUTH ALABAMA BASEBALL
‘Comeback Kids’ Win Again
Admin yet to say how much tuition will cost next year By Cameron Adkins ASSOCIATE EDITOR
It is “too early to predict tuition for next year” because state appropriations for the next fiscal year have yet to be determined, according to Director of Public Relations Keith Ayers. “USA will be watching and waiting as the legislature takes up the budget issue this spring,” Ayers said in an e-mail. “Once the legislature passes a budget, then we’ll be in a better position to plan for next
Alabama Power employees and an electrical engineer are working with USA to determine what can be done to prevent another massive power outage.
see TUITION | 8
By Cassie Fambro OPINION EDITOR
Costs to repair damages from the power outage that caused University officials to cancel evening classes Jan. 31 will be more than $30,000, according to Director of Facilities Management Chris Willis. This is primarily due to electrical and mechanical damage, he said. Alabama Power and an electrical engineer are determining what can be done to prevent future incidents of similar nature. The damage came from a fire that burned equipment within switches at the power substation near the Physical Education building. USA’s main campus power was out for six hours, and all classes were canceled for the evening with the exception of those held at the University Commons, which is on a power system different from USA’s campus. Workers managed to restore campus power around 7 p.m. The next day, a 10-minute planned outage successfully allowed electrical crews to power Stanky Field and surrounding areas. The outage enabled the University to use its Campus Alert system and notify students via intercom, email and phone of the cancellation of classes. Willis said that repairs are already underway.
IPolice Blotter p. 2
inside
Opinion | page
7
Arizona’s New Bill A new bill has been proposed to check patients’ immigration statuses before treating them.
Etc. | page 10 Colin McGee | Photo Editor
South Alabama baseball celebrates a 10-9 victory over the University of Alabama Saturday. The Jaguars trailed 6-1 early and rallied to victory in the bottom of the ninth. To read about the game, see p. 17.
SGA appropriates more than $24k, tackles co-sponsorships By Alex Whalen MANAGING EDITOR
Last week saw the second part of the Student Government Association’s (SGA) budget meeting. Up for discussion were a number of late appropriations requests, ones that were tabled from last week and co-sponsorship requests. The SGA Senate approved $24,157.78 to organizations reHappenings p. 2
questing funding. An additional $14,375.65 was allotted for cosponsorships requests to six different organizations. The SGA also decided to support the Sit On It For Charity project as a Senate project, rather than use appropriations funds. The budget meeting, which lasted about an hour-and-a-half, moved through quickly thanks to the Senate’s ability to mass appropriate funding for most organizations and the work done beforehand by the Appropriations Campus Pulse p. 6
Committee. Appropriations Chair Alan Sells spoke with The Vanguard about these budget meetings as well as what to look for in the future. One major change from past budget meetings that seems to be going well is the ability to mass appropriate funding for clubs. When this idea was first introduced, many were concerned that this money would be allocated without the Senate being
see BUDGET | 8
Distractions p. 18
Musical Charity Alpha Epsilon Delta’s “Sit on it for Charity” combines musical chairs and giving to one team’s charity of choice.
Arts & Entertainment | page 13
Mobile’s Music Scene Locals are trying to revive the local music scene, and those who know it best are optimistic.
Sports | page 16 Spring Practice Begins Jaguar football has begun spring practice, and the date for the spring game is set.
JagLife p. 19