April 12, 2010 Issue

Vanguard The

VOLUME 47, NUMBER 30

Serving USA Since 1965

April 12, 2010

Proctor Elected President Brendan Davis

ASSOCIATE EDITOR thater@gmail.com

Kimberly Proctor has been elected SGA president for the 2010-2011 academic year with 1,105 votes, more than 72 percent of the ballots cast for that office. Todd Fowler got 411 votes.

Colin Al-Greene also came out far ahead of Laventrice Ridgeway with 993 votes to 494 for the office of vice president.

Troy Shephard edged out Basia Smith for the position of chief justice with 737 votes to 624. Michael Baldwin ran unopposed for treasurer and collected 1,418 votes.

Devi Sampat and Cameron Macon will continue to fight for attorney general after neither were able to secure a majority in the three-way race with Jean-Pierre Arditi.

Macon got 717 votes while Sampat received 419, and the runoff will take place April 1214. Arditi received 275 votes.

Ashley Pittman managed to keep her seat as student-at-large with 1,002 votes, compared to Sid King’s 375.

This year the College of Nursing lost two seats on the Senate due to the fact that students taking their online courses exclusively don’t pay student activity fees. One of the seats was given to the College of Arts and

Daniela Werner

MANAGING EDITOR danielawerner87@gmail.com

see SGA, page 4

Financial Aid: Apply for It ASAP Daniela Werner

MANAGING EDITOR danielawerner87@gmail.com

USA Director of Financial Aid Emily Johnston has one simple message for South Alabama students who will need financial aid in fall 2010 and spring 2011: Fill out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms. Now. President Barack Obama’s health care bill removed private lenders from the financial aid process, ushering in direct lending for colleges. Private lenders will no longer award students loan monies; the U.S. federal government is doing all the lending now.

The University of South Alabama wasn’t exempt from this mandate, which came from the U.S. Department of Educa-

Inside

Police Blotter p.2

A Look Into The Life Of A Homeless Mobilian

See Etc., p. 6

Engineering Professor Hospitalized

tion.

“The loan program that South Alabama students have known forever is gone as of July 1,” Johnston said.

Johnston and her staff have been working to make the University’s transition to direct lending a smooth one, but Johnston said she needs student cooperation to ensure that financial aid monies aren’t awarded late into the fall 2010 semester.

Johnston, who has been trying to get students’ attention by sending Jaguar1 account e-mails, said her largest obstacle is getting students to fill out their paperwork before this semester is over.

On April 8, Johnston e-mailed 4,733 USA students who received financial aid this semester but haven’t applied for aid for fall 2010. The same day, she e-mailed

Etc. p.6

Arts & Entertainment p.8

Four USA Students’ Art On Display At Mobile Arts Council See Arts & Entertainment, p. 8

3,103 students who filled out the FAFSA form for the 2010-2011 academic year but still need to complete other paperwork to finish the application process.

Most of the FAFSA applications the Financial Aid Office has received are from new students “shopping around for schools,” Johnston said.

The financial aid application process is electronically completed, so it’s simple for students, she said.

“The three things they need to be doing are filing their FAFSA, checking their Jaguar1 e-mail account and PAWS, and [completing the electronic signature],” she said. “If [students] can do those three things, they’ll be good to go.”

Johnston expects to mail out the first

see FINANCIAL AID, page 4

Sports p.11

Opinion p.14

USA Softball Steps It Up See Sports, p. 11

USA Civil Engineering Professor Dr. Joseph Olsen has been hospitalized and several Civil Engineering faculty members have taken over his classes, according to Department Chair Dr. Kevin White.

Olsen, who has been teaching at USA since Olsen 1987, is “unlikely to return this semester,” White told The Vanguard.

Civil Engineering major Jeff Brooks is enrolled in Soil Mechanics (CE 340), a class Olsen was teaching before his hospitalization.

College of Engineering Associate Dean Dr. James Laier is now teaching the class, Brooks said.

“The transition has been about as smooth as it could possibly be with a transition of this magnitude in the middle of the semester,” Brooks said. “No two instructors teach exactly the same, but I don’t foresee any real issues with adapting to Dr. Laier’s methodology.

“Due to the unpredictability and severity of Dr. Olsen’s condition, one class was canceled as the department worked to devise a suitable solution for continuing the course,” he said. “Class cancellations are a pretty common event in all courses throughout the semester, though, and the syllabus has been adjusted to compensate for the missed time.”

“We all wish Olsen a speedy recovery,” White said, calling Olsen “instrumental” in the Department of Civil Engineering’s ABET accreditation process in 1991.

ABET is the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, a federation of 30 professional and technical societies representing the fields of applied science, computing, engineering, and technology that accredits college and university programs in these fields, according to the ABET Web site.

Distractions p.17

Letters p.19

‘In God We Trust’: Religious Or Patriotic? You Decide See Opinion, p.15

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The

Vanguard

Vanguard The

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.

April 12, 2010

p lice bl tter

4/3 - Criminal Mischief, 3rd Degree Between 4/2 at 2 a.m. and 4/3 at 10 a.m., an unknown suspect entered an unoccupied room in Epsilon 2 and did minor vandalism by writing on the walls with peanut butter and breaking some dishes.

4/5 - Criminal Mischief, 2nd Degree A John Deere excavator was stolen from the Grounds Dept. storage area between 4/2 and 4/5.

The item was valued at $1,000.

4/5 - Theft of Property, 3rd Degree 4/5 - Driving Under The victim reported the Influence/Open that an unknown Container - Alcohol in suspect entered the a Vehicle recital hall at the At 1:30 a.m., an arrest Laidlaw Performing was made for driving Arts Center and stole under the influence of a set of keys on 4/2 at alcohol. approximately 7 p.m.

Ask Norm

Q & A with USA Chief of Police Normand Gamache

Q: Do USA police officers use their patrol cars while off duty?

A: No. We do not have take-home cars like most departments do.

The Vanguard is a member of Collegiate Presswire and U-Wire, which syndicates to a national audience.

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: Matthew Peterson Managing Editor: Daniela Werner Associate Editor: Brendan Davis Etc. Editor: Greg Gulbranson Arts & Entertainment Editor: Bradley Turner Opinion Editor: Alex Whalen Sports Editor: Matt Weaver Senior Reporter: Laura Beth Calcote Senior Reporter: Cameron Adkins Senior Reporter: Jessica Heddings Photo Editor: Simon Reinert Copy Editor: Johnny Davis Webmaster: Rodney Thompson DISTRIBUTION Distribution Manager: Brendan Davis Distribution: Jolyn Picard ADVERTISING STAFF Advertising Manager: Wesley Jackson Advertising Representative: Regi Allen Advertising Representative: Daniel Fordemwalt Graphic Designer: Jennifer Manning Graphic Designer: Brittany Hawkins MANAGEMENT Adviser: Robert Holbert 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.

Students Show Off at SpringFest Cameron Adkins

SENIOR REPORTER cja501@jaguar1.usouthal.edu

The annual International Spring Festival culminated Friday night with the Nepalese Student Association being announced as the overall winner of the festival games after a fashion show and a talent show at The Mitchell Center.

The fashion show gave attendants a look at the clothing worn in India, Africa, Vietnam and Nepal. Both traditional and modern dress were showcased. The Vietnamese Student Association took first place in the contest followed by the Nepalese Student Association and the Indian Student Association.

Following the fashion show was a talent show where the Indian, African, Japanese, Vietnamese, Nepalese, Saudi, and Latin American student associations demonstrated dances and answered trivia questions about their respective cultures.

The Vietnamese Student Association also won the talent show. Second place was awarded to the Japanese Student Association, and third place was a tie between the African Student Association and the Nepalese Student Association.

The festival also featured 10 booths in the Student Center on Thursday and Friday afternoon. Each booth represented a different international student association: Vietnamese, Latin American, German, African, Japanese, Turkish, Nepali, Indian, Muslim and Saudi Arabian.

The booths featured facts about countries, artifacts, religious text and holy items, games specific to the students’ country, flags, historical information, photos of different regions of the countries, and traditional clothing and architecture.

Dishes from around the world were

Simon Reinert / Photo Editor

Japanese Student Association members perform at SpringFest on April 3. The Nepalese Student Association was the overall winner of the annual competition.

also served. The Saudi student association offered samples of Saudi coffee which includes spices like saffron and cardamom.

They also offered tamr, which are also known as dates. The German student association offered Nutella and pretzels.

“It’s a popular snack in Germany,” German student Ariane Weidner said.

The Japanese student association wrote students’ names in Japanese. And, the Nepali student association put tika (red spots made of rice and yogurt) on students’ foreheads.

“We put it on our foreheads every morning as a blessing,” Nepali Association president Pashupati Shrestha said.

Aside from showing students different cultures of the world, the international festival also gave international students the opportunity to dispel stereotypes. African Student Association founder Stephane Dabakuyo said he wanted to let students know that Africa is not a continent of poverty and disease, but a continent that focuses on community outreach.

A Day in the Life Laura Beth Calcote

SENIOR REPORTER laurabethcalcote@gmail.com

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The

Vanguard

April 12, 2010

When asked who would play him in the movie of his life, Brian Catlin answered simply, “The kid with the glasses who kisses the lifeguard in ‘The Sandlot.’”

If you remember the film, you remember the character “Squints,” immortalized for the courageous moves he puts on the woman of his dreams, and also for the smarts he brings to the group of backyard baseball players.

Catlin, a taller, more bearded, adult version of “Squints,” is USA’s director of bookstores, and although his job requires a hectic schedule and more planning and coordinating than an impromptu baseball game, there’s still courage, brains, and laughter behind his glasses.

Born in Mobile, Catlin recalls his childhood with memories of vacations at the Gulf and aspirations of becoming a hurricane-chasing meteorologist. He spent the summers working alongside his father, who worked as a contractor.

He graduated from John Shaw High School then went on to receive his B.A. from USA. He began working at South during his time as a student.

Of his job now at South, Catlin said, “With a great staff at the bookstore conducting duties in their individual areas, I spend a lot of my time with our assistant managers planning and coordinating upcoming bookstore activities such as beginning of term-rush periods, textbook buyback, sidewalk sales, grad fair, remote sales, commencement rentals/sales, sales at USA football and basketball games, etc.”

As if that’s not enough, he also works closely with other faculty members.

“I enjoy working with University staff and departments and helping them meet their needs,” he said. “And like all other University department heads, I push a lot of paper!”

Of Brian Catlin, Director of Bookstores

His day is long, typically from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and he prepares for his day with “Bible study and a cup of coffee.”

Catlin’s favorite part about the job is the interaction with his co-workers and customers, and he says, “I enjoy what I do for a living.”

It’s not always easy, though. Catlin said the hardest part about his job is “problems with text refunds. Students pay a lot of money for textbooks and having to deny a refund can create hardships for them.”

But Catlin is able to see the brighter side, saying the best part about the job is “seeing the newest graduates at commencement and knowing I contributed to their success.”

After everything is done at the end of the day, the first thing he does is “hurry home to see grandbaby before her mom picks her up.”

His granddaughter, Kassie, is the smallest member of Catlin’s family, joining his daughter Katie, his son Nicholas, and his daughter-in-law, Carmen. And, in true “Squints” fashion, Catlin got the girl, his wife of almost 23 years, Katrina.

He cites family time as his relaxation time, saying that college football in particular brings them together. He equally enjoys time spent with his wife and also looks forward to days visiting a hunting camp.

He said that on a perfect day, “I wouldn’t have to look at the clock.”

Honorary family members are the four dogs: Skip, Baby, Buster, and Georgie.

Catlin’s parents have been the biggest influence in his life, his hero is his “Paw Paw,” and his proudest moment has been his children beginning college. Laughingly, Catlin said, “Maybe one day they’ll finish!”

Ten years down the road, Catlin said he sees himself, “Enjoying my family with less hair and more belly.”

Ten years beyond that? Catlin said, “Hopefully retired,

Courtesy of Brian Catlin

USA Director of Bookstores Brian Catlin, who treasures time with his family, said he loves interacting with co-workers and customers at his job.

enjoying extended family with even less hair and even more belly.”

Knowing that this modern-day “Squints” has a few jokes up his sleeve, the question was posed inquiring about any unusual sights Catlin has seen in the bookstore.

He answered, “A student sleeping on the floor in the aisle of the bookstore.”

You’re killing me, Smalls.

Most USA Crimes Happen in Dorms Cameron Adkins

SENIOR REPORTER cja501@jaguar1.usouthal.edu

Crimes committed on campus tend to happen “predominantly in the residence halls,” according to USA Police Chief Normand Gamache.

Incident reports from January to printtime show that the majority of criminal acts in that time frame have been the most frequent in the Delta area and The Grove.

Reported incidents in both areas range from harassment and possession of alcohol to stolen vehicles.

The Delta area (including parking lots) has yielded a slightly higher value in stolen goods than The Grove.

Approximately $11,055 worth of stolen items has been reported in the Deltas, while The Grove has had a value of approximately $10,300 stolen.

All other on-campus housing has been subject to a significantly less amount of crime. Epsilon, Beta, and Gamma residence halls have had two reports of theft, an attempt at breaking and entering a vehicle, and harassment. Stolen items were valued at approximately $655.

Greek housing has reported a total of five incidents, including a broken car window, attempted burglary, burglary, assault, and a domestic incident.

Recently, the Recreation Center has seen an increase in theft. Since January, there have been seven reported thefts.

The value of the items that have

Graphic by Simon Reinert / Photo Editor

This graphic shows the value of property stolen by area of campus since January. Statistics bear out the common perception that property crimes happen primarily in the dormitories.

been stolen from the Rec Center is approximately $1,892. Items in the reports include cell phones, wallets, keys, and gym bags.

The remainder of criminal acts on campus has been at sporadic locations.

The Health, Physical Education, and Leisure Studies building (HPELS) has the most reports since January with three: a broken office window ($150), a stolen phone ($350), and a broken vending

machine where snacks were stolen ($70).

Other areas where crimes were reported include the intramural fields, Cleverdon Parkway, Stadium Boulevard, the Mitchell Center, the Mitchell College of Business, the Engineering buildings, north Humanities parking lot, and the Moulton Tower construction site.

Most of these locations reported one incident.

www.usavanguard.com

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Football Financially On Track

The

Vanguard

April 12, 2010

Barefoot for a Cause

Jessica Heddings

SENIOR REPORTER jah802@jaguar1.usouthal.edu

When the Board of Trustees approved the new USA football team in December 2007, they agreed that funding for the team would come strictly from the additional $150 athletic fee, and administrators say they are holding to that promise.

Davis The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) requires every university affiliated with it to have an external audit of the athletic departments.

The audit of South Alabama’s athletic department by independent auditing firm KPMG for the 2009 fiscal year was presented at the March 2010 Board of Trustees meeting.

The KPMG report revealed that USA’s football program used more than $320,000 of funds from the University general budget, which is funded by student tuition dollars and state appropriations.

However, according to Wayne Davis, vice president for Financial Affairs, and Stephen Simmons, senior associate vice president for Financial Affairs, this year’s audit showed that projections for the new football team are on target.

That $320,959 allocation from the University is the only funding the football program receives outside of the student fee.

The allocation pays for employee fringe benefits – including health insurance, retirement benefits, and social security.

According to Davis, it is University policy that this is paid from the general budget for every department, not just football.

Aside from this, the report shows the year ending with a surplus of about $1.5 million for the team, which is almost on target with the $1.7 million projected before the football team was approved.

Student athletic fees paid $4,003,706 of the total income for the football team, accounting for 80 percent of the money raised. The additional money came from ticket sales, support from alumni and the community, and allocation from the general budget.

“We are financially right on plan,” Davis said.

SGA

from page 1

Sciences, giving them 10 seats total, while the other was simply done away with.

The senators elected are: College of Allied Health: Jessica Mahaffey, Paige Perry, Ian Rodgers, Michael Wheat College of Arts and Sciences: Josh Arrowsmith, Eric Beovich, Sara Breland, Jessica Byrd, Lauren Gessner, Zain Husain, Amber James, Brett Miller, Tim Powell, Megan Woodward College of Business: Jenna Berglund,

Simon Reinert / Photo Editor

USA’s Center for Academic Service-Learning and Civic Engagement sponsored a day without shoes April 8 to raise awareness for people in thirdworld countries who cannot afford shoes. About 50 people participated in the day, posing for a picture in the amphitheater.

Get Your Opinion Published!

Send Letters to the Editor to USAVanguard.Editor @gmail.com Christopher Jones, Kimberly Ringsdorf, Julie Tanner College of Computer and Information Sciences: Stephen Purnell, Justin Schneider College of Continuing Education: Ashley Johnston, Will Pearson College of Education: Emily Carlson, Carly Hall, Jennifer Norton, Alan Sells, Greg Youngblood College of Engineering: Michael Pruett, Sean Ramsey, Will Thomas College of Nursing: Alexandria Hilliard, Savannah Swindle, Nina Wilson, Coleman Wolf

Financial Aid from page 1

batch of award letters at the end of May, something she said she had hoped to do sooner; because of Obama’s bill, Johnston has to wait for information from the U.S. Department of Education.

While there is no direct effect on the amount of monies students can receive through Pell Grants and loans if they turn in their paperwork after this semester, the timeliness of their financial aid will suffer if they wait until this summer to file for it, Johnston said.

“It’s like a funnel,” Johnston said. “If you have 3,000 students turning in their documents at the last minute, 14 people can’t get it through the funnel. There are only 14 of us [in the Financial Aid Office].”

Last August, Johnston and her staff received around 9,900 phone calls from students with questions about their paperwork.

“You get your money later, and then you’re stressing out,” she said. “You can’t buy your books. You can’t pay your rent.

You’re freaking out because you just didn’t [apply] early enough.”

Any student applying for work-study or a supplemental grant should remember that timing is a critical component in the application process.

“The early bird gets it,” Johnston said.

While Johnston’s staff can work “all the overtime in the world” come August, it doesn’t diminish the immediacy for students to submit their FAFSA applications before this summer, Johnston said.

Johnston has done everything she can do to make the process electronic so that students don’t have to visit or call the Financial Aid Office for assistance.

Johnston, who has worked at USA for 21 years and has worked in financial aid since 1985, said students have been procrastinating more lately, and their dependence on technology is to blame.

“Students are so used to … [having] everything at their fingertips, and everything happens instantaneously, so they don’t understand that when they turn in a bunch of bureaucratic paperwork to our office that it doesn’t happen [immediately].

“When you’re dealing with the federal government and paperwork, it just doesn’t happen that fast,” she said.

Every year, Johnston and her staff examine the previous year’s productivity and look for ways to speed up their own work to help financial aid disburse more quickly.

Johnston said sometimes the Financial Aid Office gets calls from students saying, “I just faxed a document. Did you get it?”

“If they would just give us about an hour, they would see on PAWS that it had been received, and it is in review,” Johnston said. “As soon as we review it, it pops into complete [status], or it’ll pop into incomplete if we need something else. If it’s incomplete, we send them an e-mail.”

Students can watch this entire financial aid process unfold on PAWS, Johnston said.

Johnston had five new computers installed in the Meisler Hall lobby to accommodate students who need a computer with which to sign paperwork electronically. A banner hangs over those computers to provide e-sign directions.

Johnston said she ordered two more banners about financial aid deadlines to hang around campus.

“If I could climb over the top of the Bell Tower, I’d hang them right there,” she said.

The

Vanguard

April 12, 2010

News in Brief

SGA Makes Nominations for Annual Awards

The Student Government Association made their nominations on April 5 for this year’s annual SGA awards.

Senator Fall Semester Paige Perry – Nominated by Hannah Sanders Senator Spring Semester Christopher Jones – Nominated by Basia Smith Alan Sells - Nominated by Paige Perry Carly Hall – Nominated by Ashley Guy Emily Carlson – Nominated by Lauren Gessner Sean Ramsey – Nominated by Cameron Macon Greg Youngblood – Nominated by William Pearson Basia Smith – Nominated by Eric Beovich Senator of the Year Paige Perry – Nominated by Alexandria Hilliard Sean Ramsey – Nominated by Alan Sells Christopher Jones – Nominated by Lauren Gessner Alan Sells – Nominated by Sean Ramsey Ashley Guy – Nominated by Greg Youngblood

Committee Chair of the Year Jeremy Johnson – Web Committee – Nominated by Alan Sells Coleman Wolf – Athletics Committee – Nominated by Greg Youngblood Jessica Mahaffey – Social Development Committee – Nominated by Paige Perry Sean Ramsey – Appropriations Committee – Nominated by Lauren Gessner Laventrice Ridgeway – Multicultural Affairs Committee – Nominated by Alexandria Hilliard Barbara Shirvanian Staff Member of the Year Lauren Gulsby – Epsilon Area Coordinator – Nominated by Alan Sells Robin Jones – Student Center Director – Nominated by Paige Perry Michael Rhodes – Delta Area Coordinator – Nominated by Eric Stewart Joey Jones – Football Coach – Nominated by Coleman Wolf Joel Erdmann – Director of Athletics – Nominated by Basia Smith Lloyd Meyers – Assistant Director of Marketing for Athletics – Nominated by Paige Perry Dr. Glenn Sebastian Faculty Member of the Year Dr. Sally Steadman – Engineering – Nominated by Will Thomas Dr. Leonard Macaluso – History – Nominated by Greg Youngblood

Ward Miller – Music – Nominated by Justin Schneider Dr. Annmarie Guzy – English – Nominated by Alan Sells Mary Murphy – English – Nominated

by Alexandria Hilliard Dr. Jim Connors – Geology – Nominated by Benjamin Kuyk Dr. Andrzej Wierzbicki – Dean of Arts and Sciences – Nominated by Priscilla McCants Karen Peterson – English – Nominated

by Eric Beovich Dr. Cindy Stanfield – Biomedical Sciences – Nominated by Daniel Reid Kathryn Kelly Witter School Spirit Award Kimberly Proctor – Nominated by Ashley Guy Doug Little – Nominated by Basia Smith Justin Thornhill – Nominated by Greg Youngblood Alexandria Hilliard – Nominated by Alexandria Hilliard Michael Brown – Nominated by Paige Perry

Hangout Music Festival Announces Schedule Single-day passes for the Hangout Music Festival being held in Gulf Shores, Ala., have gone on sale. Organizers for the event

5 have also finalized the daily schedule of the event, which is being held May14-16.

Three-day tickets are available for $159 while single-day passes are $79.

The event will have 47 acts performing from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. each day.

FRIDAY, MAY 14: Zac Brown Band, Alison Krauss and Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, The Black Crowes, North Mississippi Allstars Duo, Girl Talk, Pnuma Trio, Orianthi, Brett Dennen, Jeff Austin & Friends featuring Larry Keel, Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam, Rachel Goodrich, Kirsten Price, El Cantador, Ben Arthur and Hightide Blues.

SATURDAY, MAY 15: John Legend, The Flaming Lips, Jakob Dylan and Three Legs featuring Neko Case and Kelly Hogan, Gov’t Mule, Funky Meters, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Jerry Jeff Walker, Ozomatli, The Whigs, Toubab Krewe, Moon Taxi, A.A. Bondy, Wild Sweet Orange, Jon Black and Rustlanders.

SUNDAY, MAY 16: Trey Anastasio, Ben Harper and Relentless7, Ray LaMontagne, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Guster, NEEDTOBREATHE, Matisyahu, Keller Williams, OK GO, Blind Boys of Alabama, Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears, ALO, Matt Hires, Kristy Lee, Roman Street, Rollin’ in the Hay and The Cary Laine Band.

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Etc.

Greg Gulbranson Etc. Editor

huddledmass@gmail.com

April 12, 2010

Broadly Meaning: Homeless in Mobile: Portrait of a Man Homelessness: A National Perspective

Greg Gulbranson

ETC EDITOR huddledmass@gmail.com

It was a big night for the family business.

Election day, the year 2000.

On a brisk November night, the Japanese owners of the family business’s biggest color suppliers were in New York on a visit. My entire family would be meeting them in Little Italy for dinner at my Grandpa’s favorite Italian place in Manhattan.

As my parents and I got out of the taxi on Mulberry Street, we spotted an older man in a long, gray jacket, wearing gloves and an old hat. He pushed a grocery cart.

“Don’t make eye contact,” my mom said. “Don’t look at him.”

As we walked by he stopped and asked my dad if he could have some money. We just kept walking. As instructed, I tried not look at him or acknowledge the old man’s presence.

As we walked away, I asked my parents a simple question: Why didn’t we give him anything?

We lived in an affluent commuter-heavy suburb in Orange County, I went to a private school, and my parents prayed that George W. Bush would get elected so he could lower the financial burden on our tax bracket. What’s $5?

“Even if I gave him something, it wouldn’t help him. He would probably only spend it on booze or drugs. How do you think he got like that?”

I didn’t know.

“We work hard for the money we have. Do you think he works hard?”

Homeless people are often considered “undesirable.” Those who find themselves forced to live on the streets are not looked upon favorably in New York, Mobile, and elsewhere.

The old American adage of “work hard, get ahead” blinds some people to the fact that, sometimes, it just doesn’t work out that way.

Take the story of Ken Frederick, which can be read to your right.

Actually, you know what? Go ahead and read it. I’ll wait here.

Done? OK. So, an at least somewhat college educated man cleans parking lots for food and sleeps in a broken down car, and we think we’re so much better?

I don’t blame my parents for not giving that man money, but I don’t like their reasons either. Sure, $5 would not have made a difference, and it is entirely possible that the man we saw was only going to spend the money on a 40 of Colt 45 or a nickel bag, but we can’t say for sure that he deserves to be in that predicament.

Actually, how could anyone deserve to be homeless?

The dehumanizing attitudes people have toward the homeless seem to be getting out of control.

Reports of teenage “sport killings” of homeless people are coming out of places from Milwaukee to Los Angeles. Florida alone experienced six such incidents in 2006 alone.

Anti-panhandling laws and city-ordinances against outdoor lodging seek to criminalize the state of homelessness. Some cities are even making it illegal to offer assistance to the homeless in public. These places are revealed in the National Coalition for the Homeless’s annual list of the “Top 20 Meanest Cities.” Last year, Los Angeles topped the list.

Instead of spending money on police officers and jail cells, cities should be building more shelter facilities for the homeless.

Not only is it more humane, but several studies conclude that it is also more cost effective.

According to a 2007 study by UCLA, the $6 million that Los Angeles was spending on enforcing anti-homeless laws was more than the $5.7 million it was spending for homeless services.

That money could have been used to shelter more than 225 people.

Who knows what a little compassion could be capable of ?

Lauren Donaldson / Contributing Writer

Ken Frederick, a homeless man who spends much of his time in Memorial Park in midtown, is seen setting up one of his many "blueprints," in which he lays out his plans for stuctures like the "Homeless Hilton."

Lauren Donaldson

CONTRIBUTING WRITER ldk502@jaguar1.usouthal.edu

He spends his days drawing blueprints and his nights listening to Michael Savage on his transistor radio while he falls asleep in the front seat of a broken-down car. Ken Frederick can be described as happy, hardworking, and one of the many homeless who call midtown Mobile home.

On any given day, Frederick can be found in the same bulky University of Alabama windbreaker and baseball hat with his unruly gray hair poking out from underneath.

Though Frederick is, in reality, a relatively thin man, the front pocket of his jacket contains so much that he appears a lot larger.

Frederick’s apparent size comes from not only the many cans of food that find home in his jacket’s front pocket but also a handful of smaller things: various bent and rusted earrings that Frederick has found, an Allen wrench, a poptop, oddly shaped coins and pieces of metal, a penny, and a dime.

“I use all of these to make different shapes on my drawings,” Frederick said as he pointed to the dime and explained the need for it when making small circles. “You never know when you’re gonna need any of these [objects].”

Frederick normally sits at the same picnic table in Memorial Park and uses his canned food as weights for his poster drawings. He can be easily spotted among the many park-goers; just look for the garbage bags. Frederick carries these large garbage bags with him everywhere, and at first glance many may assume it contains food or clothing.

But Frederick’s bags contain his drawings. He spends hours with a pencil and a 50-cent ruler, drawing blueprints of his plan for a “Homeless Hilton,” as he calls it. “[Homeless people are] everywhere,” Frederick said.

“Yesterday I saw a lady with two kids. She was homeless.

There just isn’t enough places for all of us.”

According to Sgt. Armand Campbell of the Mobile Police Department, there are hundreds of homeless in midtown alone.

“They’re all pretty harmless,” Campbell said. “Our primary role is to help them. There are a few who try to steal and all, but for every one that does there is a hundred who don’t.”

Campbell met Frederick at a gas station near Memorial Park a few years ago and has stayed in contact with him since.

“He gives good information,” Campbell said. “He knows a lot of people, and he’s real observant. Ken’s helped [Mobile Police] solve numerous crime cases [in the midtown area]. If we don’t come to him, he comes to us if he’s seen anything.

“He doesn’t steal or panhandle,” Campbell said. “Anybody that talks to him can see that he’s brilliant. You know, you grow up having this idea about all homeless people, and you run into somebody like Ken, and those ideas completely change.”

Frederick, 55, grew up in Ramsey, N.J., in a one-car family.

“My father worked as an engineer, so he would drive to work, and my mother would walk the mile to my school to watch all of my games,” Frederick said. His heroes were Chuck Norris and Joe Namath, and his eyes shined as he reminisced about wanting to be as good as Namath.

As Frederick talks about his life stories and his views on politics and religion, it seems as though he is happiest when he has someone to listen to him.

After graduating high school, Frederick attended college at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) where he majored in Architectural Engineering Technology. As a brother of Sigma Chi Fraternity, “I studied a little bit and partied a little bit more,” Frederick said.

After two years at EKU, Frederick transferred to Roger Williams University in Rhode Island, where he continued studying Architectural Engineering Technology. “The ‘technology’ word is what messed me up. In the ‘70s they needed those people, but today computers do all that,” Frederick said. He went on to say that he received a degree from Roger Williams after a brief leave to fight in the Vietnam War. Frederick moved back to New Jersey for a while before moving to North Carolina to be closer to the beach. He worked as a firefighter, construction worker, and lastly, a chef. He proudly wears his firefighter’s badge on his baseball hat, eagerly wishing to flaunt it to anyone who glances his way.

During his time in North Carolina, Frederick experienced tremendous tragedy. He explained that his parents fell ill and soon died. Soon after, Frederick’s only sibling, his brother Bill, was killed on the job as a policeman. He explained these events almost methodically and without emotion.

He then began to talk about Diane. It was in North Carolina that Frederick met Diane Grissett. After dating for a while, the two became engaged. Soon after the engagement, Grissett was killed in a car accident.

“That kinda changed my life,” Frederick said. “You know what I mean?”

Frederick looked straight on in a blank gaze for a moment, before looking away. A tear welled up in his eye.

After this life-altering change, Frederick checked out of life. He purchased a bus ticket and moved to Mobile. Although the only identification he brought was an expired see HOMELESS, page 7

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April 12, 2010

Dr. Dye: Too Much Sodium Can Be Harmful In our modern, fast-food world, sodium is everywhere. But is it bad for us? Dr. Hilary Dye says it’s more harmful for those who are “sodium sensitive” than for those who are not.

Q: Dr. Dye, it seems like everything I eat has a lot of sodium in it, and I’m getting much more than my daily recommended value. How could this affect my health?

A: The main effect of high salt intake is on blood pressure. The development of hypertension, or high blood pressure, is seen more often in societies of high salt intake, and this observation appears to be an independent risk factor.

Also, how sensitive your blood pressure is to salt intake varies from person to person.

Groups who are more “salt-sensitive” are African-Americans, obese individuals, and patients with metabolic Dr. Dye syndrome or chronic kidney disease.

High salt intake can lead to increased volume in your circulation.

Maybe you have noticed after eating a lot of salt that your fingers and ankles seem puffy. This increased volume may be a result of high salt intake, and makes your heart work harder recycledperspective.wordpress.com because it has to pump harder to move the extra volume.

It has been noted that people who are salt-sensitive might Shake it like a salt shaker? Better not. It could increase your blood be at higher risk for other abnormalities, including insulin- pressure, making your heart work harder. resistance and elevated cholesterol.

I recommend you start reading the labels on the foods you buy to keep a watch on your daily intake.

Remember, a lot of processed foods and fast foods will have a high salt content, so try to limit these as much as possible.

E-mail questions for Dr. Dye to usavanguard.editor@gmail.com

Have a story from USA’s history that would make a good ‘Blast From The Past’?

E-mail jdavis251@gmail.com

Homeless from page 6

driver’s license and a birth certificate, he was immediately employed at Bilotti’s (which is now Cannon Bar and Grill) as a cook.

“We knew he didn’t have an I.D., but we got to know him and just let him work in the back,” Dave Mobley, a fellow Bilotti’s cook, said. “I felt kinda sorry for him. He was a smart guy – a good, consistent worker. I tried to look out for him.”

Soon after moving to Mobile, Frederick was robbed and the birth certificate was one of the things taken. The only way he can now identify himself is by his expired driver’s license from 2004, a copy of his fingerprints Campbell made for him, and Campbell’s business card for anyone to call and verify that Frederick is who he says he is.

“I need an I.D., but to get an I.D. you gotta have a Social Security card,” Frederick said. “To get a Social Security card you gotta have a birth certificate. Since I don’t have an address, New Jersey won’t send my birth certificate. They say they can’t verify who they’re mailing it to.

They say I gotta go to New Jersey and get it from them in person. It’s all a circle, see. That’s my problem.”

Frederick left Bilotti’s to work for nearby restaurant Hungry Howie’s for a few months.

Tales Of Future Present: Gabe Grimes

Neptune: Destoyer of Worlds

STAFF WRITER gag701@jaguar1.usouthal.edu

Before Galactus, the world-devourer of Marvel comics’ lore, had his first planetoid snack, the planet Neptune might have already been dining on celestial orbs. According to an article in NewScientist, a new hypothesis is being debated that says Neptune might have swallowed another planet.

Consider the facts: Neptune’s moon Triton orbits in the opposite direction that Neptune spins, the only large moon in the solar system to do so. Triton’s composition is more like the formerly-known-as-a-planet Pluto than Neptune, and Neptune seems to have the same surface temperature as Uranus, despite being 1.5 times as far from the sun.

Arizona State University’s Steven Desch published a paper postulating an extra proto-planet could possibly have been produced from remaining particulates during the production of our planetary system.

According to the article, Triton would have to have slowed its velocity considerably in order to be captured by Neptune.

An older hypothesis states that Triton was paired with a similar-sized buddy, and said buddy was kicked to the curb like a prom-night dumpster baby once Triton got a look at Neptune.

The older hypothesis, authored in part by the University of Maryland’s Douglas Hamilton, is still plausible, since smaller objects were more common during the solar system’s younger years. Of course, it would be easier to slow something down if a large part of the kinetic energy (in this case, in the form of a large planetoid) was removed, which is what the new hypothesis states.

If Neptune really “ate” a large planetoid, approximately twice the size of Earth, it would account for not only the crazy orbit and composition of Triton compared to Neptune, but also for the excess heat that Neptune seems to have – the excess heat would be a byproduct of the explosion between an object twice Earth’s size and Neptune, which is about four times as wide and more than 17 times as heavy as Earth.

I should note, before people get any wild ideas about

Lauren Donaldson / Contributing Writer

Frederick's "closet," located in the back of the immobile car where he sleeps, contains many of his personal belongings.

nasaimages.org

Neptune may look like a harmless orb of gas, but watch out.

There are some PRETTY weird things going on out there.

colonizing Neptune because it has so much extra heat, that Neptune’s temperatures still hits in the negative 270 degree range, and specifying Celsius or Fahrenheit doesn’t really matter when the temperature is in the negative triple digits. So while it is hotter than it SHOULD be, given its position in the solar system, it is nowhere as hot as it NEEDS to be to support any kind of life. But I digress ...

The new hypothesis also borrows from a 2005 hypothesis in which Neptune was originally out much closer to the sun, and eventually came to rest in its current orbit.

This hypothesis is based on the “dust cloud” idea of solar system formation, where more of the planet- and star-forming ingredients lie closer to the center of the cloud, and therefore larger objects are formed closer to the center while smaller objects form further outward. In this model, Neptune would have formed closer to the sun, possibly swallowing the “superEarth,” as the article calls it, during its migration to its current orbit.

“He was a good worker,” John Pearlman, Hungry Howie’s night manager, said. “He’s never a jerk – especially considering the situation he’s in.”

Due to circumstances beyond Frederick’s control, he was laid off at Hungry Howie’s.

Frederick is now spending his days drawing blueprints and trying to find work until he gets on his feet. He sleeps across the street from the park in a man’s broken down car. He sleeps in the front seat, and uses the back seat to store his clothes and cans of food. A transistor radio sleeps beside him.

“I love Mike Savage’s talk show. I listen to it every night,” Frederick said as he moved the radio into camera view in an effort to make sure it got captured, “my way of communicating with the outside world.”

Frederick considers the midtown businesses that surround Memorial Park his neighbors.

“They all know me,” Frederick said. “I know a lot of the people who live in the neighborhoods around here, too. Just this morning I helped a man paint his garage.”

During interviews with several surrounding businesses, all spoke very highly of Frederick.

“He’s always smiling,” Michael Falla, a Hungry Howie’s employee, said. “He never asks for anything.”

“Most homeless people that come around here panhandle and annoy our customers, but Ken doesn’t,” an employee of another midtown restaurant said.

Several businesses leave garbage bags outside for Frederick to clean up their parking lots in exchange for food.

see HOMELESS, page 10

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Arts & Entertainment April 12, 2010

NOTHING SPECIAL:

‘American Idol’ is Unrad

Bradley Turner

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR BradTurner88@gmail.com

The other day, “American Idol” decided to send some free stuff promoting the show’s current season to me, personally.

OK, that’s kind of misleading. Apparently, The Vanguard is on some sort of press mailing list for FOX, and we occasionally get random PR crap from them. So, Simon probably didn’t have me in mind when these packages were shipped, BUT for my celebrity status’ sake, we’ll stretch the truth.

Now, for some reason, FOX is the only television station that sends us anything. I find this offensive because, honestly, FOX is by far my least favorite TV station.

I’d rather be getting stuff from NBC because, despite what they did to Coco, they still have my top two current shows: “The Office” and “Community.” (Hint for the big wigs at NBC: Maybe you could send me some “Scranton the Electric City” neon signs? Or, just some autographed headshots of Chevy Chase? Or, a coupon for a free date with Erin or Britta?)

And what does FOX have?

(If you answer “Family Guy,” then I’m breaking up with you. Of course, the mere mention of the show probably has you spending the next hour quoting your favorite lines from the show [which is kind of ironic considering nearly the entire show consists of random quotes from other shows, movies, etc.], causing you to be too preoccupied to take offense to this).

A very wise member of The Vanguard’s staff once said, “Quoting ‘Family Guy’ is the cultural gaffe of our generation.” Well, that and visors. Those things set us back years.

At least ABC has “Lost.” I’d kill for an inflatable replica of Mr. Eko’s Bible verse-clad, killing-people stick, or even a John Locke Chia Pet. But no. Instead, I get random stuff from FOX, like this bizarre press kit for the show “Fringe,” which was essentially a cardboard box filled with fake straw, a bottle of hot sauce, strange pictures covered in Arabic writing, and a couple of the show’s episodes on DVD. While I’m guessing all this mystery was supposed to inspire me to watch the DVD, I could never bring myself to do it.

I guess that I’m still holding a grudge against FOX, even despite classic FOX shows like “The Simpsons.”

I hate FOX because they killed the greatest comedy of all time: “Arrested Development.”

At least NBC gave Conan nearly two decades and tons of money. FOX, on the other hand, only gave “Arrested Development” three seasons and did everything they could to make sure it was television’s best kept secret, despite the show’s critical acclaim.

I will say, though, that I was pleased with the promo gear from “American Idol,” once I got over the shock and awe of discovering that the show is still on the air, and people still watch it (I started avoiding those people years ago).

Basically, the folks at “Idol” sent a piece of cardboard (with magnets so you could stick it to your fridge), some stickers with pictures of all 12 finalists, and a bunch of stickers with red X’s. You’re apparently supposed to put the pictures of the finalists on the board, and each time one gets eliminated, you cover them up with one of the X stickers.

I found this odd/awesome for a number of reasons: A) The little plastic baggie that the stickers came in looked like it was a perfect baggie for cocaine, which would have made for a way more interesting press kit.

B) They were actually hoping members of the press would follow the show for the entire season. I guess this would work if a majority of journalists were middle-aged churchwomen. I’m not really in the world of journalism, but I know that The Vanguard only has one middle-aged churchwoman on staff (cough, cough, Matthew Peterson).

C) What on earth would “American Idol” want journalists to write about the show? Or better yet, why would they see IDOL, page 10

Bradley Turner A & E Editor btt601@jaguar1. usouthal.edu

‘Twelfth Night’ Not Your Typical Shakespeare Daniela Werner

MANAGING EDITOR danielawerner87@gmail.com

When I first heard that USA’s Department of Dramatic Arts was putting on “Twelfth Night” this month, my thoughts were, “Cool, another good show.”

Not so.

“Good show” is an insult to what Director of Acting and Performance Fulton Burns and his superb cast and crew are bringing to the table this time around.

If you don’t make it out to one of the several show times, you’re going to miss out on the riotous merriment that is the department’s last show of the semester.

Penned by William Shakespeare, “Twelfth Night” is set in the exotic, far-off land of Illyria and thrusts lovesick romantics and mischievous rabble-rousers into a twisted game of love and tricks, making for a very entertaining spectacle. Burns’ cast has an energy unmatched by any other I’ve seen perform in a while.

I so enjoyed the cleverness of their rehearsal performances. I can only imagine the electricity and chemistry they’re going to convey to audiences on performance nights.

“It’ll be different each night,” Burns, the play’s director, said, “depending on how the audience reacts to [the actors]. The way a joke may play one night may play differently another night. They’ll see a great build in tension a lot of great sense for comedy.”

Audience members shouldn’t dread the thought of being made to listen to the lofty, flowery words that comprise Shakespeare’s play lines, because Burns has cut back on a lot of the lines, taking a play that’s normally three hours long and turning it into an hour and 15 minutes’ worth of scathing hilarity and fun.

Burns is taking great care to make the actors’ lines intelligible to the average person, he said, because he understands he’s directing a play for modern audiences, most of whom are accustomed to the humor of sitcoms.

“I took what was common for audiences back then and put it into modern context,” Burns said, adding

Daniela Werner / Managing Editor

This month, go see “Twelfth Night,” the Department of Dramatic Arts’ last show of the semester.

that he wanted to “get [the play] short enough so people don’t feel like they’re bring drug through Shakespeare.”

Because there were no set grammatical rules for English when Shakespeare wrote his plays, the lines can be jarringly complex at times, Theatre and Communication major Miranda Culpepper said.

Cast as Fabia, a “sassy, sneaky” servant, Culpepper said Shakespeare was all about the flow of words, thus his creation of iambic pentameter.

“Shakespeare pretty much had free reign to write whatever he wanted and make it mean whatever he wanted,” she said. “One of the things Fulton told us going into it was ‘Think children’s show. Try to make

see SHAKESPEARE, page 10

Four USA Students Featured in ‘5’

Courtesy of MAC

Left: "Speak with the Rose" by Aubrey Pugh, senior at USA. Right: "Nourish" by Ashleigh Barkley, junior at USA. The MAC's "5" exhibit will feature works by four USA students.

Bishop State) is the brainchild of artist and teacher Wanda Bradley Turner ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR BradTurner88@gmail.com

Four USA students are featured this month at the Mobile Arts Council (MAC), as part of the MAC’s second biannual “5” exhibition.

The exhibition, which is open to submissions by students from each of the area’s five colleges and universities (USA, University of Mobile, Spring Hill, Faulkner State, and

Sullivan. The first edition of the event took place in April 2008 under the name “Take 5,” and its success prompted MAC to host the show biannually (with a shorter name).

The USA students featured are juniors Ashleigh Barkley, Adam Burges, and Rikki Rhodes, and senior Aubrey Pugh.

The exhibition will remain on display at MAC’s offices at 301 Dauphin Street through Friday, April 30.

April 12, 2010

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Vanguard

This Week in GEEk

Dean Harrison

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR millhaven1982@yahoo.com

Some people don’t understand the appeal of horror as a genre. Some people turn their noses up to it and label it as trash. Some people hold the view that it has nothing to say about the human condition, that it teaches no values or moral lessons that can benefit society.

Those people are wrong.

From William Shakespeare to Stephen King, storytellers have used their talent to shine a light on the darkness within us all, a darkness some people are too afraid to face, and therefore turn away from and reject.

Nick Mamatas, author of “Northern Gothic,” said in an article published in The Writer that horror “is the most expansive of genres, encompassing everything from those lurid paperbacks at the drugstore to Alice Sebold’s ‘The Lovely Bones.’ Cheap scares are one thing, but the best horror also makes us think.”

I concur.

“When we look at the extremes of the human experience,” Mamatas added, “we find out what we are made of.”

In horror, a character is put in a situation where they must confront their worst fear or else suffer a terrible fate, such as – but not limited to – death. Those kinds of stories reflect the good and the bad of human nature. They expose what a human being is capable of doing when put under extreme situations, and the heroic acts one performs when pushed to the brink.

They are, in effect, character studies.

Just look to such writers as Jack Ketchum (“The Girl Next Door”), Brian Keene (“The Rising”), and J.F. Gonzalez (“Survivor”), and you will find stories of human beings forced to rise up and confront evil, to fight for the survival of those they love and the things they care about.

Even classics written by the likes of William Faulkner (“Sanctuary”) or Oscar Wilde (“The Picture of Dorian Gray”) have something to say about the dark side of human nature, and therefore fall beneath the broad umbrella of horror.

April 18, Exhibit Closings: An Adventure in the Arts: The Permanent Collection of the Guild Hall Museum, East Hampton, N.Y. Run Sheep Run: The World of John Austin Sands Monks (1850-1917).

Successions: Prints by African American Artists from the Jean and Robert Steele Collection. biro-art.com

Just because Kris Skoda's mom, Cthulhu Skoda, likes to have a good time at the beach, doesn't mean that horror fiction is all fun and games. They is smart sometimes too.

But why exactly are people drawn to these stories? Why do they enjoy such tales that have them leaving the light on at night when they go to bed?

When asked that very question, Ty Schwamberger, author of “Night School,” said, “I think, at least to some degree, that all people like to be scared. It is just part of human nature ... some people say we as humans are inherently good ... but we all have a ‘bad’ side.”

And it is that side on which the genre is focused. It can be seen in the writing of the late Richard Laymon (“Endless Night”), Robert Louis Stevenson (“The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”), and William Shakespeare. For anyone to deny such a side is real is to make a grave mistake (pardon the pun).

In conclusion, I challenge anyone who hasn’t given the horror genre a shot to do so. Even if it’s a novel by such brand names as Stephen King (“Bag of Bones”) or Anne Rice (“Interview with a Vampire”); I promise, not only will you find entertainment as thrilling as a rollercoaster ride, but a story as intellectually compelling as anything you will ever read in an American literature class.

On a Scale of One to ‘Roadhouse’:

‘Black Dynamite’ Destined to be Parody Classic

Kris Skoda

STAFF WRITER toweliewantstogethigh@hotmail.com

Like many reasonably intelligent people, I love dumb comedy. Whether it’s written to be deceptively smart by being stupid, or it is just stupid for stupid’s sake, I will always have a soft spot for the parody.

I watched enough of Leslie Nielsen, the first three “Scary Movies,” and “Hot Shot” flicks to know my parodies. I’ve also read enough Jonathan Swift, Kurt Vonnegut, George Orwell, and “Calvin and Hobbes” to know my satire.

I say this so you can understand fully how well-crafted and hilarious a film “Black Dynamite” truly is (and so you know how cool I am).

A tall, ripped black man with a huge Afro walks into a room filled with pimps. He speaks. “I’m declaring war on anyone who sells drugs to the community.”

Pimps look around frantically. “But Black Dynamite, *I* sell drugs to the community!”

And so goes “Black Dynamite,” a movie I can honestly say is one of the funniest movies I have ever seen.

“Black Dynamite” is a spoof of blaxploitation films in the vein of parody-classics like “Airplane!” and “The Naked Gun” series.

The film was co-written by and starring Michael Jai White,

Upcoming Events: Mobile Museum of Art

who I quickly recognized as the guy who played Spawn in the aggressively mediocre live action movie. Watching “Spawn” I never would have suspected White was capable of writing the best parody to come out in years.

I simply cannot review this flick without using quotes and using them often. “Fiendish Dr. Wu, you done F***ED UP NOW!” There, I feel better. It’s one-liner heaven, but the film is much more clever than just that.

This parody comes complete with boom mics hitting people in the head, rhyming sidekicks along the lines of Dolemite, and actors reading direction with the dialogue, such as “Sarcastically, I’m in charge.”

Michael Jai White, who is predominantly a direct-to-video action star, plays every scene pitch perfect and does his kung fu pretty well. Just don’t interrupt him.

Black Dynamite karate chops, kicks, and struts his way through his faux 70s world. His quest to clean up the streets leads him into a conspiracy that goes all the way to the top, involving a malt liquor designed to make black guys’ ding dongs shrink. Yes, I know, it’s brilliant.

One of the film’s more clever jokes involves one of Black Dynamite’s crew who starts going on and on about how he will retire and start a family after this one last mission. Right in the middle of his spiel, a spear gets thrown into his chest.

Without missing a beat, Black Dynamite screams, “Who saw that coming, I mean, who saw where that came from?!”

The joke doesn’t end there, as the rest of his crew points in the opposite direction the spear came from, and then run in yet another wrong direction.

Bottom line is this folks, the highest review I have ever given is a 9/10, and I’ve only given it once, ‘till now. “Black Dynamite” earns a 9/10. Do yourself a favor and check it out on DVD, and soon.

April 21 and 24, Walk-In Tour, 2 p.m.: The weekly guided tours, which began in January, are now a permanent feature at the Mobile Museum of Art. Nearly 400 people attended the docent-led tours during the trial period from Jan. 7 to April 11.

Participants will be taken through the museum’s special exhibits and/or highlights of the permanent collection with each tour being tailored to the guiding docent’s knowledge of the artwork and interests of each group.

April 24, Outreach Program at Earth Day Mobile Bay, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.: This year’s Earth Day will host many environmental displays and activities, a Regional Earth Day Science Fair, and a wide variety of interactive educational opportunities for children and adults, as well as an exciting live music lineup, all in a family-fun atmosphere.

The Mobile Museum of Art will be on hand offering a variety of environmentally friendly art activities. Ecofriendly guests can create their favorite bug using recycled egg cartons, “brush” up on your French watercolor painting technique to capture a fantastic outdoor scene, or sign up to experience our high-intensity and fast-paced Creation Station!

April 30, Exhibit Opening: “Shoot’n Southern: Women Photographers Past and Present.”

Claudia DeMonte: Mapping Beauty.

Kate Clark: Give and Take.

May 1, “Shoot’n Southern” in Focus: Lecture

by Julian Cox, Curator of Photography, High Museum of Art, 2 p.m.: Julian Cox, Curator of Photography at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, will give a lecture on contemporary photography and an informal gallery discussion about the exhibit “Shoot’n Southern:” Women Photographers, Past and Present (April 30 through July 18). Cox will discuss how the exhibit relates to current trends in the photography world.

May 2, Meet the Artist: Claudia DeMonte, 1:30 p.m.: Join exhibiting artist Claudia DeMonte for the opening reception of Claudia DeMonte: Mapping Beauty (April 30 through July 11), where she will discuss her life, work, and perspectives. After the lecture, she will autograph copies of her self-titled book, the first retrospective of her work, featuring more than 100 images.

May 3, Free Admission: The Mobile Museum of Art is pleased to offer free admission on the first Monday of the month. Come stroll through the Museum’s permanent collection galleries and visit the current temporary Exhibits.

May 5, 8, 19, 22, Walk-In Tour, 2 p.m.

May 27, Market in The Park, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.: Enjoy live music while strolling the Museum grounds, where vendors will be on hand selling flowers, produce, and other locally made goods at this open-air market. Pick up market favorites such as wine, honey, fresh seafood, organic soap, and a variety of locally grown fruits and vegetables.

Stop by the children’s activity center and let the little ones paint en plein air, or try one of the make-and-take art projects. Admission to the Museum is free during market hours.

10 Homeless from page 7

Frederick will eat what he can, and take the left over portions to the surrounding businesses for the employees to have.

Frederick gleamed when he talked about giving a box of Valentine’s Day candy to a midtown employee that he talks to regularly.

“She’s always real nice,” Frederick said.

“So I went to Dollar General the day after Valentine’s, because then the candy is half off, and I got her a box. I pretended like I went into her work the day before, but she wasn’t there – she never knew the difference.

So I gave her the candy,” Frederick said, nodding his head as his teeth shone between his large smile.

Casey Marston, a Foosackly’s employee, said that it seems like Frederick really doesn’t have anybody.

“He use to carry this stroller around with these baby dolls in it,” Marston said. “It was almost like they were his companions. It was really sad.”

“That’s part of my problem. I got nobody,” Frederick said, referring to his lack of a family.

After stumbling upon a phone number for a policeman in North Carolina named Bill Frederick, a surprised and very alive Bill responded to a question about a man name Ken Frederick by saying, “That’s my brother. I thought he was dead.”

Bill went on to ask where Ken was now, and admitted to not having spoken with his brother in over four years while not being able to recall the last time the two had seen each other. Although Bill took down a phone number and agreed to call back after leaving work, he never called.

Ken admitted to having lied about the death of his brother after being confronted

The

Vanguard with the phone call to Bill. “I’m sorry ... I’m sorry,” Ken said.

Ken went on to explain that Bill had gotten into some trouble with his job, and Ken thought Bill was guilty of the accusations.

“After I said I thought he was guilty, my family quit having anything to do with me,” Ken said.

A tear fell down Frederick’s face as his hand began to tremble. “I loved my brother,” Frederick said through trembled words.

“When I was little I told my mom I wanted a little brother – Billy, and his name was Bill.”

Frederick then confessed to never having fought in Vietnam and only attending Roger Williams – never receiving a degree.

“I wanted to make myself sound better than I was,” Frederick said as his head lowered to reveal his fireman’s badge on his cap.

“For the most part, the homeless get treated horribly,” Sean Taft, a social worker for the Salvation Army, said. “People forget that the homeless are people, too. I’m no better than they are.”

According to Mobile Homeless Coalition’s annual count, 560 Mobile residents were homeless in 2009. Lyn Manz-Walters, an employee of 15 Place, a homeless shelter in Mobile, said statistics show that most people are two paychecks away from homelessness; some are only one.

Frederick has now obtained his brother’s phone number, and is planning on calling him.

“If I can just get a valid I.D., I’ll be good to go,” Frederick said. “Until then, you gotta have faith. You know that poem, ‘Footprints in the Sand,’ about there always being two sets of footprints – yours and God’s? That pretty much sums it up. Those times when you feel like there’s only one set, well, that’s because God is carryin’ ya.”

Idol

from page 8

want them to write? Is there anyone who hasn’t heard of this show and who, upon reading an article about the show, will decide to start watching?

The nicest possible thing I can think of to say about “American Idol” is “Yeah, so last night on ‘Idol,’ some generic-looking attractive person butchered some classic songs but wasn’t eliminated because some other generic-looking attractive person

April 12, 2010 butchered some other classic songs even more. And then some pop singer performed and they told us we should buy their album.” I could write the same thing for every episode.

At any rate, I am glad that FOX sends me stuff, and I hope they don’t stop. No hard feelings?

Also, my “American Idol” cocaine bag went missing. And the only other person in the office at the time of the disappearance was a certain editor-in-chief of this certain school paper. You do the math.

www.usavanguard.com

Shakespeare from page 8

a child understand what you’re saying,’ which is difficult for Shakespearean [plays].”

Burns said Shakespeare’s plays are sometimes difficult to portray to modern audiences because of the “stigma” surrounding the words and ideas in the productions.

“Being aware of that, I think it’s our responsibility … to do the work that’s necessary to get the tightest show possible,” he said, “because we do know when people walk in there, there’s a dread for Shakespeare.”

Burns has ensured that the fourth wall is broken, that is, that some cast members directly address the audience at certain points throughout the play, making the production feel a lot more personal.

It makes you feel like you’re in on their jokes.

Because Illyria is made-up, the show’s costumes, set, music, and even its weaponry are a fusion of multiple cultural influences, making for a colorful, unpredictable sight.

“We’ve taken a little piece from Indian culture, Moroccan culture, some of the Russian ideas, as well as some of the Asian communities,” Burns said.

He and the other theatre faculty members decided the play’s visual influences wouldn’t go “any further west than a hint of Spain.”

Stylistically, there’s nothing you’d see in England or the U.S. in the show, he said.

The costumes are an original and detailed aspect of “Twelfth Night,” because they’re all designed within the department.

“Because [Illyria is] our own world, we’ve pulled maybe three capes and two pairs of pants [from the department’s costume supply],” Department of Dramatic Arts Associate Professor Rebecca Britton said. “We’re making everything else.”

Theatre major Evan Wilson, cast as the impish Sir Toby Belch, spearheaded the composition of the show’s music, which the actors will perform live with instruments like the viola, acoustic guitar, finger cymbals, timpani, and tambourine.

“Every single thing I started with had to be changed,” Wilson said of his compositions.

His thoughts about the world of Illyria changed as rehearsals progressed, he said, causing his outlook on the music to evolve into what it is now – an eclectic fusion of Middle Eastern-sounding percussive structures with some tasteful melodies.

For some pre-show fun, attendees can take shots at each other with the Shakespearean Insult Game set up in the lobby.

The display, which shows numerous words and phrases from Shakespeare’s works, instructs you to put “thou” in front of the derisive phrase of your choice: “Thus shalt thou have a perfect insult to fling at wretched fools.”

You can’t go to the show without taking a minute to try it out.

It’s a great opportunity to call someone an “odious, pale-hearted weasel” without being taken too seriously.

“Twelfth Night” is showing at Laidlaw Performing Arts Center April 16-17 and 22-24 at 7:30 p.m. and April 18 at 2 p.m.

For more information, call 251-4606136 or visit southalabama.edu/drama.

Sports

Matt Weaver Sports Editor jmatthewweaver@aol.co.uk

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11

April 12, 2010

Football Dept.

Creating Road Travel Plans Stephen Newhouse SPORTS REPORTER st2new@msn.com

During their inaugural football season in 2009, the South Alabama football Jaguars took a giant leap forward by going undefeated.

For 2010, the Jags will look to continue their success with a tougher schedule that includes three contests away from friendly Ladd-Peebles Stadium.

“Our coaches and players want to move up the ladder from a competitive standpoint,” Coach Joey Jones said. “This schedule is a good one as we transition to the Division I level. It will be a challenge for the kids, but it’s a big step in the process.”

In addition to the student-athletes hitting the road next season, plans are also in the works for students to accompany the Jags away from home.

“We are working on a plan that would allow several students to accompany our team to all three road games, and we hope it will be very exciting for both the students and our guys,” said Jones.

After opening up their schedule with two home games, the Jags will hit the road for the first time in school history Sept. 25 to play Edward Waters College. The game is officially scheduled to be played in Jacksonville, Fla., though rumors have the game being moved to Dothan, Ala. Edward Waters is an NAIA school that went 1-10 last year, but Head Coach Kevin Clark has been conference coach of the year for two of the last three seasons.

In October, the Jags should be tested as they hit the road for back-to-back road games.

On Oct. 16, USA will play Lamar in Beaumont, Texas. Lamar, in its first season since disbanding in 1989, is transitioning back to the FCS level and should be an early test for Jones’ team.

“Right now, the plan for the [Edward Waters] and Texas games is to have students take buses to the game,” Jones said.

The following week, the Jags will head west for a showdown with UC-Davis in Davis, Calif. Davis finished 6-5 last season and won the Great West Conference in 2009. Davis played Boise State close for most of the game, something not shown in the 34-16 final score.

“UC-Davis will be a very tough opponent, and that’s the type of test that we want for our kids,” Jones said.

“A bus would be a stretch for students, so right now a plane is in the plans on a first-priority basis,” Jones said. “It should be a good experience to go through the procedure of flying on airplanes and staying in hotels.”

After winning their first seven games in program history, Jones believes that his team needs to be tested in year two.

“We feel like we need to move ahead from the junior-college level and play a strong variety of NAIA and four-year schools.”

As a student-athlete at Alabama, Jones played road games in the tough SEC. He stated that playing in those exciting stadiums created memories that he’ll never forget “I remember going to LSU and the atmosee FOOTBALL, page 13

Baseball Drops Key SBC Series Matt Weaver

SPORTS EDITOR jmatthewweaver@aol.com

South Alabama baseball salvaged the last of a three-game set on Sunday afternoon, defeating Western Kentucky, 7-5, at Nick Danes Field in Bowling Green, Ky. Left-hander Lance Baxter (5-0) went the distance, striking out six and walking only one.

“There was a lot on the line this game, and I felt like there was a lot riding on my shoulders,” Baxter said. “I felt like I needed to dictate the tempo and pace of the game, and communicate well with the infielders and keep everyone in the game.”

And that's exactly what No. 13 proceeded to do, scattering 13 hits over nine innings pitched.

“It was a huge game for us,” USA Head Coach Steve Kittrell said. "We couldn’t afford a sweep. We needed to break that three-game losing streak, and Baxter threw a heck of a game.

usajaguars.com

27th-year baseball head coach Steve Kittrell.

“He just kept bowing up and getting out of a jam, and he just did a good job for us – he’s a great competitor.”

The win preserves a virtual tie for the Sun Belt-leading Jaguars over WKU (268, 9-3), as the Jags look to win their first SBC Championship since 2004.

The Jags were outscored by the No. 21 Hilltoppers 30-14 over the weekend but still had a good showing against their

SBC foe.

Friday’s loss came on the hands of D.D. Hanks, who in just 1.1 innings allowed eight runs on seven hits while striking out one. South Alabama did not recover and lost that game, 13-3.

On Saturday, Western Kentucky scored eight unanswered runs, breaking what was a more-than-competitive game. The Jags lost game two, 12-4.

“D.D. just didn’t have his good stuff on Friday," Kittrell said. "Saturday was a well-played game until the fifth inning when it fell apart. We just picked a really bad time to go into an offensive funk.”

South Alabama did win a game, taking more games than most baseball pundits gave USA a chance for.

“It was a big series,” Kittrell said.

“We’ll give credit to Western Kentucky’s pitching. But our guys are more than capable of swinging it better, and we’ll come back from this weekend.”

USA (23-13, 11-4 SBC) returns to action Tuesday when it hosts Nicholls State at 6 p.m. at Stanky Field.

USA Softball Seeing Improvement Kaitlyn Thacker

SPORTS REPORTER kdt901@jaguar1.usouthal.edu

South Alabama’s softball team has witnessed several performance fluctuations during its first four years of competition.

The progress has mostly been positive, and the 2010 version is not much different.

The Lady Jags currently stand at 18-16 and 5-5, good for seventh in the Sun Belt Conference.

Despite positive individual performance, the Jags and Head Coach Becky Clark still see room for improvement.

The season has been riddled by several injuries so far, but Clark views the roster openings as motivation for several players to step up.

“The first half of the season has taught us to be a little more resilient and a bit tougher,” Clark said. “The obstacles we’ve overcome can make us a better team as long as we approach them with the right attitude.”

Senior starting pitcher Beth Pilgrim has been the key player in the early going.

Pilgrim currently stands in at 3-2 in SBC play and has allowed only four runs, good for a 0.57 ERA. Clark is more than satisfied with her ace’s performance in 2010, believing that Pilgrim is the catalyst for the Jags’ success this season.

“Success begins on the mound,” Clark said. “And Beth gives us a great shot to win every time she’s out there. We’ve relied heavily on her throughout every season she’s been here, and she has consistently come through.”

Other standouts include utility player Haley Hopkins, infielder Christin Crocker, catcher Marissa Boyd, and infielder Brittany Fowler.

“These four players have been our main offensive weapons all year,” Clark said.

“They are leading us in almost every offen-

Matthew Peterson / Editor-in-Chief

University of South Alabama senior catcher Danielle Honore batting for the Lady Jags in 2010

sive category and have been the most consistent each weekend.”

Fowler, a freshman, remains a positive influence and is optimistic about the rest of the season.

“The year has gone really well, and everyone is working hard toward trying to win our conference,” Fowler said. “The mentality is to play every game as hard as we can and try to win each Sun Belt game.”

Fowler was quick to point out that Jaguar Field is hosting the 2010 SBC Tournament and hopes that her team will represent as the No. 1 seed to close out the year.

Her coach noted that her high school numbers have translated to the college level and that she has done a great job on both sides of the field.

“Brittany’s provided such a spark for us at

the top of the lineup,” Clark said. “And she’s remained an all-out-effort kind of player on defense.”

With 13 games (11 in-conference) remaining, the season is almost closed. The Lady Jags still have Louisiana-Lafayette, Florida International, Western Kentucky, and Troy remaining, and Clark keeps high expectations for the remainder of the season.

“The rest of the season looks positive,” Clark said. “We’ve played much of the season short-handed because of injuries, and it looks like we are about to get some of those players back. I have confidence in this team, and I know that they are always working hard to move our program forward.”

South Alabama will next host Florida State on Wednesday before continuing Sun Belt play against FIU over the weekend.

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April 12, 2010

Track and Field

Meet Micah Tirop: USA’s Elite Track Star

Jayson Curry

SPORTS COLUMNIST jayson-curry@hotmail.com

Before running for the South Alabama athletic program, Micah Tirop was living in a small village just outside of Eldoret, Kenya.

That village’s chief industry may have been farming, but Tirop was born to run.

Tirop migrated to the United States in 2006 after being recruited by fellow Kenyans and USA runners Samson Kipchirchir and Philip Lagat. The two convinced Micah that USA was the place to go and with that, Tirop enrolled.

Tirop has not looked back, despite the cultural differences found from living in the U.S. “I grew up in a family of 13 kids,” Tirop said. “The thing at home that I miss most is my brothers and my sisters and the rest of my family.”

Tirop has experienced a whole new life since leaving his village for the Port City. Tirop uses the phrase “culture shock” to describe his American experience, citing food as his biggest challenge.

“The food here is completely different,” Tirop said. “I often don’t know the names, so I have to use pictures.”

Even the Internet is a novelty to Tirop.

“You would have to walk a long way to use the Internet at home,” Tirop said. “And the American pace and sense of time is a shock.

Everything is just fast, fast, fast.”

Fortunately for South Alabama, Tirop is faster. Tirop has even improved since coming to USA but not in ways that you would think.

“I’m an improved runner but not physically,” Tirop said. “It’s all mental. I feel that I have all the physical tools, but running is such an emotional sport that you need more than tools.

usajaguars.com

South Alabama senior track sprinter Micah Tirop competing in last year's Troy Invitational.

Tirop is competing in his final season at USA and hopes to build awareness for Kenyan women and children.

“There are days where even I feel like I’m just out of shape,” Tirop said. “But even then I have to believe that I can [achieve my goals].”

Micah began running in high school, but had to stop one sport to focus on running.

“I had actually played volleyball in high school,” Tirop said. “I only ran because of a friend in Kenya.”

That friend is now a professional and runs track on the European and American circuits.

“Since I could keep up with him, my family wanted me to run, too,” Tirop said. “But they wanted me to go for the right reasons. They wanted me to study and to earn an education.”

That friend also purchased Tirop his first professional shoes and shorts, and encouraged Tirop to follow in his footsteps. And with that encouragement, Tirop embarked on a trip to South Alabama.

Sports Briefs Lady Jags Split Doubleheader Versus ULM The University of South Alabama softball team split its Sun Belt Conference doubleheader vs. Louisiana-Monroe Saturday, rallying to take the opener 7-6, but falling 4-2 in game two at Jaguar Field.

In the opener, ULM got to Jags starter Beth Pilgrim, touching her up for six runs – four earned – on six hits in 2.1 innings pitched. Sophomore pitcher Katy Neal (4-2) pitched in relief and limited the Warhawks to three hits in picking up the victory.

Freshman outfielder Britany Campbell led the Jags at the plate with a 2-for-3 performance, scoring one run and driving in the game winner in the sixth. Christin Crocker went 2-for-4 at the plate, also scoring a run and driving in four.

In the second game of the doubleheader, the Jags fell 4-2. Crocker and Hopkins again provided the offense for USA going a combined 2-for-4 and driving in two runs each.

Bussieres Leads USA Golf in Final Event of Season Marc-Etienne Bussieres was one of only 14 individuals among the field of 128 to shoot below par Saturday as he led the University of South Alabama men’s golf team in its final event of the 2010 regular season.

Bussieres carded a 1-under par 70 at the 6,992-yard, par-71 University Club of Kentucky Big Blue Course, ending the first round of the UK Bluegrass Invitational in

a tie for sixth place. Play was called due to darkness with two holes remaining in the second round.

Jack Hiluta and Chris Piumelli each recorded a 73 in the morning, leaving them in a tie for 42nd at 1-over par. Blake Kelley and McClain Leberte each shot a 75, giving USA a 291 team score – good for eight place in the competition.

Tirop’s main inspiration is Kenenisa Bekele.

Bekele is of Ethiopian descent and is a longdistance runner who holds the world’s record in the 5,000m and the 10,000m sprints.

“He’s by far one of the strongest long-distance runners to ever compete,” Tirop said.

“He’s been running for a long time and has been doing so great. He just keeps winning.”

Tirop has several people who have made him a winner, too.

“Before I came here, my cousin encouraged me,” Tirop said. “He would tell me, ‘You can make anything Micah.’

“I used to have a fear that since everybody is running, I may not make it,” Tirop said.

“But my cousin would just tell me to ‘have faith’ and here I am.”

The coaches at South Alabama have mimicked that sentiment, calling Tirop’s drive and heart unbeatable in becoming one of USA’s all-time best athletes.

Tirop won the 2008 Sun Belt Conference Indoor MVP in 2008, winning five medals in the competition, including first-place finishes in the 3,000m and 5,000m sprints.

He also won the 3,000m run at the 2010 LSU Invitational, right before a top-five at the SBC Indoor Championship. Tirop currently ranks eighth in the Sun Belt in the 3,000m and fourth in the 5,000m. Tirop, much like Bekele, is a winner.

“The 2008 Indoor [Sun Belt Championship] is one of my proudest moments,” Tirop said. “I won the 3k and the 5k that day and also won the Conference MVP. I’m really proud of what I was able to do that day.”

Micah has big plans in his future that include track as well as the professional world, as Tirop is majoring in Sports Management.

“My [immediate] plan is to run several good times in the marathon and hopefully

Things I Think I Know PGA and The Masters

The Big Reveal I have absolutely no use for professional golf and the PGA. It’s an aristocratic tee-party that spits in the face of what sports should be – a blue-collar and workman environment.

Instead, we get the PGA’s most prestigious culprit – The Masters and Augusta National Golf Club.

The place is a joke, and that’s putting it politely. It’s a relic from antebellum days gone by, and it’s too apparent that Sherman missed a spot during his March to the Sea. Augusta is the same organization that does not allow female members and until 1990, not a single member of color.

The problem has even been breached by the International Olympic Committee when deciding golf ’s possible inclusion as an Olympic sport.

Some inferred that golf, via its most traditional event, does not meet “without discrimination, and with the spirit of friendship, solidarity, and fair play.”

There’s nothing fair about Augusta or The Masters.

And yet, the world descends on Georgia each April, believing the hype of “A Tradition Unlike Any Other.”

Very few journalists share this sentiment, and that’s a shame. Most publications would prefer to keep their rapport with Augusta, and with it their true feelings about what this tournament really is …

- Matt Weaver, Sports Editor

see TIROP, page 13 The

Vanguard Sports Poll LAST WEEK:

THIS WEEK:

How Many Teams Should the NCAA

Are You Interested In a Football

Tournament Invite?

Travel Package for Road Games?

* Yes * No

Lady Jags Lead Track and Field to Three School Records at Home The USA men’s and women’s track teams combined to collect five wins at the USA Invitational at Jaguar Track Saturday during its last home meet of the season, posting three school records in the process.

The women grabbed three of the four team victories.

Leading the Jags were Latifah Johnson and Angela McCord. Johnson secured first place in hammer throw with a 54.17m/177-8.5 toss, shattering the second place mark by over 18 feet.

McCord topped the competition in the javelin with a 4.20m/145-00 throw to tie her school record set at the Louisiana Classic earlier in the year.

Several mid-majors have used the NIT to spring into later NCAA Tournaments. The NCAA can hardly afford to lose the NIT or their New York stronghold. Having Madison Square Garden is only a positive. So keeping the NCAA tournament at 64 (and keeping the NIT) can only be a positive.

Baseball Splits Weekday Series Against Auburn, SE Louisiana South Alabama baseball split its weekday slate, defeating No. 18 Southeastern Louisiana, 13-12 and losing at Auburn, 6-2.

Vote Now!

-Wire reports

-Anonymous, thunderjags.com

www.thunderjags.com

April 12, 2010

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Tirop

Football

help USA win,” Tirop said. “I really want to help my teammates get better, because success is just a matter of training.”

Outside of school, what Tirop wants most is to help his country. “I really want to open children’s and women’s hospitals,” Tirop said. “Back home, we really need to focus on helping them the most.”

Micah cites his faith as his chief inspiration and motivation. “For everything I hope to do good, and for everything I may not see at the moment, I always believe that good things will happen,” Tirop said.

That’s Micah Tirop in a single sentence.

He is a consummate family man that does not take a single thing for granted. As good as Tirop has been as an athlete, the senior is even better as a human being.

sphere was amazing, and I really enjoyed going to places like that,” said Jones.

Even though the Jags aren’t playing the equivalent of SEC road games yet, Jones still sees a reason to be concerned about his team’s lack of experience.

“We have guys that have been there and have experience, and they will mentor the younger guys,” Jones said.

However, there is one thing that erases all of the nerves for the Jags.

“There is nothing like hearing our students roar, and it gets us excited and ready to play,” Jones said.

If everything goes according to plan, Jaguar Nation will be heard from coast to coast in 2010.

from page 12

from page 11

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Opinion

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Vanguard

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Alex Whalen Opinion Editor alexwhalen@gmail.com

April 12, 2010

O U R

V I E W

We’re Still Watching, SGA

D

uring his campaign, Todd Fowler made no secret of the fact that he felt current SGA President Glenn Gardner was made into a scapegoat by The Vanguard.

First let’s define the word. According to Webster’s dictionary, a scapegoat is someone who is “made to bear the blame for others.”

Gardner was simply held accountable for his own actions, and for the most part it was for his lack thereof.

He failed to represent students at multiple Board of Trustees meetings, he failed to represent students at multiple SGA events, and he was often not available during his posted office hours to speak with students.

When he failed to do the president’s job, we wrote about it. We don’t get our jollies by pointing out the failings of Gardner or anyone else.

It’s simply our job to report on people in positions of power when they fail to live up to their responsibility. It’s the job, not the people, that we criticize.

That’s what any newspaper worth its weight in dead-tree pulp is supposed to do.

Even a simple little home-grown student-run school paper like The Vanguard.

Tilting at Windmills

By Matthew Peterson

Why You Should Like Meal Plans

You’ve seen the signs stuck in the ground around the dorms, and you may even have noticed the advertisements in The Vanguard.

USA Dining Services has launched a campaign to make mandatory meal plans more palatable to students.

Colorful, hip signs give us numbered reasons to have a meal plan, though I can’t figure out the logic of the numbering system. It’s probably some highfalutin logarithm we simple minds cannot begin to comprehend.

Anyway, each of these signs includes a pithy little reason why we should buy a meal plan. Space is money, though, so obviously Dining Services cannot include the entire explanation on every sign and ad.

That’s why, this week, I’ve dedicated my column to clarifying those reasons. Here’s what they would say if the signs had enough room: Reason #92 to have a meal plan: No Grocery Shopping! Instead, pay six times as much for worse food!

Reason #21 to have a meal plan: Every once in a while, you need a meal that doesn’t come in a bag. Why not enjoy our meals in space-age technology Styrofoam!

And now that we have elected a new president, Kimberly Proctor can look forward to facing the same scrutiny and accountability that her predecessor did.

When someone is elected to an office where his or her duty is to represent and serve the students, you will be watched like a hawk and called to task when you fail. It isn’t fair to the students who pay for the $600 a month stipend the SGA president receives when they shirk their duties.

Proctor made a number of promises for her term as SGA president next year, and we fully intend to follow up with her every step of the way and make sure that she’s doing her job.

We don’t mean to sound threatening, of course, but as long as they know they’re being watched they might put that much more effort into doing a good job. With the astounding support the students at USA have shown Proctor, we have every hope that she will be a good president.

We will print every failure, as well as every success of next year’s SGA. And of course we wish them every success, because we’re students here, too.

Reason #76 to have a meal plan: No Dishes to Wash!

Instead, our under-paid, exploited workers will wash them for you!

Reason #32 to have a meal plan: Eat Meals in Your PJs! Because everyone knows that Waffle House now requires formal dress!

Reason #18 to have a meal plan: No Need to Carry Cash! Instead, now you can use a small plastic card to buy things, an innovative technology invented by ARAMARK! I don’t know where the rest of the reasons are, but these are the only ones I’ve seen. Just for good measure, though, here are some more reasons I thought up: Reason #85 to have a meal plan: $6 Pieces of HourOld Pizza Never Tasted So Good! Yeah, you can get an entire fresh-cooked, special-made pizza for about the same price at other places, but this has that fresh, justmicrowaved taste! And who wants to support a massive, overbearing corporation like Pizza Hut! Reason #45.76 to have a meal plan: Convenient Location! The new dining hall will be just a 45-minute JagTran ride away!

Reason #π to have a meal plan: Dining Hall to be Completed Soon! (Assuming our secret Pagan rituals will be successful in giving us good weather for construction) Reason #-34 to have a meal plan: Money That Expires! Tired of those Bonus Bucks sitting in your account? Don’t worry: We’ll clean them out for you at the end of every year!

Reason #z to have a meal plan: Enjoy the Finest in Cuisine From Our Chefs! They even wear real chef suits sometimes!

But here’s the most important one: Reason #1 to have a meal plan: You Don’t Have a Choice!

Optimistic About Student Loan Reform

Despite the numerous inadequacies in the newly passed health care reform bill, the portion of the reconciliation bill pertaining to student loan reform is a logical step in the right direction.

As the battle over health care reform raged on for months, the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act (SAFRA) escaped notice as it was gently tucked within the reconciliation bill.

Kaitlin The objective of SAFRA is to allow Webb the U.S. Department of Education to give loans directly to students instead of relying on banks to do the job. Allowing the federal government to be in the lending position, as opposed to banks, will save the government a projected $68 billion over the next 11 years.

This serves as an alternative to expending funds whose earned interest only serves as banking industry profits.

The funds would now be used directly to improve the affordability of education.

Rep. Tim Bishop, D-N.Y., said a minimum of $40 billion of the savings will go into increasing the funds available for Pell Grants. The intention of the current plan is to award significantly more grants as well as increasing the funds bestowed upon recipients.

With the economy in its current state of disarray, the increase in Pell Grants could not have come at a better time, especially considering the steadily rising cost of tuition. The majority of the impact of the Pell Grant aid will be directed at community colleges.

Simply having an associate’s degree makes a significant difference when applying for jobs. Potential employees with any college experience whatsoever have a drastically increased probability of acquiring a job.

Likewise, going to a community college is considered highly advantageous to everyone from the young to the old as well as those hoping to eventually continue to a four-year university.

In fact, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, merely obtaining an associate’s degree increases an individual’s pay by an average of $7,800 per year. Since the applicants for Pell Grants come from predominantly economically challenged circumstances, even the pay increase associated with a degree from a community college can have life-changing benefits.

While increasing the funds to support college students helps citizens on a personal level, the potential increase in the number of college-educated persons also helps all of society. Allowing for a more educated general public is like an investment in the people of the United States, primarily those in the most need of help. Like any typical investment, we can expect to reap benefits from a more educated workforce.

Having a more educated nation is necessary in order to remain competitive in today’s global economy.

The opportunities that arise from garnering a higher education are immense. SAFRA will help more people than ever before take part in these prospects.

The opponents of SAFRA highlight some of the admitted problems of the act. Since the federal government will now be the sole lender of federal student loans, banks will no longer have any part of the lending process. Stripping the banks of their ability to make private student loans will result in the cut of an estimated 30,000 jobs in the industry.

However, the figure of 30,000 jobs lost might be inaccurate due to a resulting increase of activity through the U.S. Department of Education that will most likely create new governmental jobs in the arena of student loans. Even so, while every job is important, especially with the current rate of unemployment, some sacrifices are necessary for the betterment of society as a whole.

Another complaint held by those in opposition to SAFRA is a purported “take-over by the government” of another segment of the private sector. However, this see OPTIMISTIC, page 19

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April 12, 2010

POINT COUNTERPOINT ‘Under God’: Religious or Patriotic?

Editor’s Introduction: The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled back in March that the phrase “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance is one that invokes patriotism rather than religious notions. This reverses a decision made by the same court back in 2002 that ruled the phrase to be unconstitutional. Behind all this is

A Part of History, But Not a Tradition

To say the phrase “under pledge or “under God” either.

God” is patriotic sends all the There is always the possibility wrong messages to the citizens of that if they choose not to say the United States. that phrase or the pledge in The reasoning by the Circuit general that they will be verbally Court of Appeals in California or physically assaulted much like is that our natural rights are Jehovah’s Witnesses were in the endowed by a “power greater early 1940s. than the government.” It is true It does no damage to delete that everyone’s rights are not just the phrase “under God” from granted by the government on a the Pledge of Allegiance. “But Genny whim; we are born with them. it’s a tradition! It’s part of our Roman However, the problem is that history!” Well, a part of our histhis power, as implied by the tory it may be, but it isn’t really a Court of Appeals, falls under the realm tradition. of God. In a way, it means that humans Many seem to ignore the fact that this are not put in a position with the ability to particular part of the pledge was added in think about our situations and say, “Hey, I 1954 during McCarthyism. Those darn actually have the right to say controversial commies were an actual threat back then, things, to protest the government, to use so our legislators found it necessary to my unalienable rights to the best of my add the phrase in hopes that those godless ability and to their fullest extent.” heathens would recoil with disgust and The power in giving natural rights not say the phrase, thus making it easier belongs to God, while humans just have to pick them out of a crowd. them. They have no choice in the matter.

Some say the phrase is no big deal and It’s a little counter-intuitive, isn’t it? that it encompasses everyone, yet this Natural rights are a concept that every is simply not true. We find the pledge human being can agree on no matter their substantive enough to have U.S. children religious beliefs, or lack thereof. It isn’t learn it in school at young ages. necessary to attribute them to a higher It’s important enough for federal cases power. to be made about the constitutionality of What about that whole “separation of the wording. It is a symbol, but one that church and state” thing? The court denies is worth fighting for. Also, it does not enthat “under God” is religious, but there compass everyone, because if one chooses is nary a word that invokes religion or not to say those words, it makes them spirituality more so than “God.” unpatriotic.

This phrase alienates not only those Patriotism is not contingent upon reliwho do not believe in God, but also those gious affiliation; atheists, as well as Jews, who do not have the same concept of God Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, and evas do those who think the phrase should eryone in between can be patriotic. While be kept in the Pledge of Allegiance. the pledge itself may be seen as a sign of And it’s not that easy to say that these patriotism, the words “under God” should individuals can choose not to say the not be.

Clearing the Air

By Alex Whalen

Let’s Move On

Constance McMillen was just your average high school student until she decided one day that she wasn’t being made fun of enough at school.

Seeing all her friends getting picked on and harassed made her feel left out, so she decided to become a lesbian and bring her girlfriend to the prom in order to get attention.

At least, this is what the ignorant ass-clowns in McMillen’s Itawamba, Miss., community

would have us believe.

McMillen’s high school, after hearing her request to bring a date of the same sex and wear a tuxedo, decided they would just cancel prom altogether, although the school says they were considering this option long before McMillen’s request.

Then, local parents decided to have prom at a “secret” location, and sent McMillen to a fake prom with fewer than a dozen invited guests.

I’m not going to go into how wrong the school’s actions were. McMillen and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) are suing the school, and I suspect she will win this case hands down.

What’s most disturbing to me is a new Facebook page titled “Constance Quit Yer Cryin.”

I realize our society has a long way to go before we can really consider ourselves a gayfriendly country, but such hatred for someone who hasn’t done anything wrong has no place in this day and age.

Here are some of the more heinous and

Michael Newdow, an outspoken Sacramento, Calif., atheist. Some charge that Newdow is just pulling a publicity stunt, but this misses the point. This latest court ruling adds a new facet to a 50-year-old argument. And while the court’s ruling makes the phrase constitutional on a trivial level, we can still assess the court’s decision.

Acknowledgement Is Not Unconstitutional

I suppose this all began in 1864 but a surprise. Citing the precwhen “In God We Trust” began edent set by Aronow v. United appearing on United States coinStates, it was likewise decided that age and currency. By means of an “under God” “is of a ‘patriotic act of Congress, the idiom became or ceremonial character,’ has no the official U.S. national motto ‘theological or ritualistic impact,’ in 1956 during the Eisenhower and does not constitute ‘governadministration. mental sponsorship of a religious According to the U.S. Treasury, exercise.’” “the motto ‘In God We Trust’ The Supreme Court has consiswas placed on United States coins tently upheld the constitutionality Michael largely because of the increased of the U.S. motto because it has, Winters religious sentiment existing during as decided in 1984’s Lynch v. Donthe Civil War.” nelly, “lost through rote repetition Secretary of the Treasury Salmon Chase any significant religious content.” received many letters from devout individuAs such, in the former case and 2004’s als throughout the country urging that the Elk Grove Unified School District v. NewUnited States recognize the deity on U.S. dow, “In God We Trust” and “under God” coins; as a result, the implementation of the were respectively ruled to be examples of idiom on U.S. currency soon became codi“ceremonial deism,” a legal term used for fied as federal law. nominally religious statements and practices In 1970, Aronow v. United States chaldeemed to be merely ritual and non-relilenged the constitutionality of the motto gious through long customary usage.” and its placement on U.S. currency and Most likely informed by the 1971 coinage. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the landmark decision Lemon v. Kurtzman, Ninth Circuit ruled: “It is quite obvious that Justice Sandra Day O’Connor offered that the national motto and the slogan on coin“government can, in a discrete category of age and currency ‘In God We Trust’ has cases, acknowledge or refer to the divine nothing whatsoever to do with the establish- without offending the Constitution”; in ment of religion. specific reference to “In God We Trust” “Its use is of patriotic or ceremonial and “under God,” she believed that “their character and bears no true resemblance to history, character, and context prevent them a governmental sponsorship of a religious from being constitutional violations at all.” exercise.”

In accordance with her sentiment, the Furthermore, when read together, the Supreme Court held in 1952’s Zorach Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise v. Clauson that the nation’s institutions Clause of the First Amendment expounds “presuppose a Supreme Being” and that that “Congress shall make no law respecting government acknowledgment of God is not an establishment of religion, or prohibiting an infraction of the separation of church the free exercise thereof ...” and state.

The California Supreme Court’s ruling In the aforementioned Lemon v. Kurtzupholding the “under God” in the Pledge man, the Supreme Court ruled that governof Allegiance as constitutional is anything see ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, page 19

ignorant posts I’ve come across: - “I hope she’s gunned down by a school shooter.”

- “She CHOSE to be gay, yes I said CHOSE… and now she’s getting what she deserves.”

And my personal favorite: - “Traditional marriage has gotten us this far ... why change [things] ... this is Palin Country.”

Not long after this Facebook page was started, it was “hijacked” by McMillen supporters posting encouraging words for her and berating the people who started the page.

While it’s nice to see the entire country isn’t as ignorant as some rural Mississippi town, this is ultimately a dialogue that doesn’t need to be perpetuated. It’s simply the case that someone who would attack another person simply on the basis of their beliefs is not someone we need to try to engage in a debate.

The only argument that even begins to hold water against a gay or lesbian lifestyle is a religious argument, and this will only apply to those who accept the tenets of a particular

faith. You can have whatever opinions you want about homosexuality; you can believe it’s the most disgusting and abhorrent thing ever. Just don’t try to impart your beliefs or opinions on someone who obviously doesn’t agree with you.

What can someone who tells a homosexual that their lifestyle is a sin possibly expect to gain out of this? Whether you believe that homosexuality is a choice or not, it’s clear that someone living a gay lifestyle simply does not accept these arguments.

I hold those who believe they can make gay people straight just as irrational as someone who thinks writing with your left hand is a sin. It’s just not even worth our time talking to these people, and if they want to relegate themselves to the fringes of society, I say go for it.

Society for the most part is, at the very least, becoming tolerant of homosexuality.

But we can’t engage those who want to punish people for being in a healthy relationship, even if it is with someone of the same sex. It’s

see MOVE ON, page 19

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Vanguard Staff Staff USAVanguard.Editor@gmail.com

Sudoku

Distractions

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April 12, 2010

Crossword

Crosswords by Myles Mellor

Across 1. Accord 6. Flub 10. Certain reptiles 14. Birthplace of Columbus 15. Parrot 16. Islamic division 17. Mary 20. “Mârouf ” baritone 21. ____ pendens 22. Gives up 23. Turn to crime?

26. “ ______ Row” 27. Treat for the idle rich?

29. Singer Lenya 30. “Encore!”

31. Harmony 32. Andy Warhol painting 35. Jack and Jill 39. Affranchise 40. Clip 41. Whimpered 42. Beth’s preceder 44. Misrepresents 45. Presidential favors 48. Traction aid 49. 2002 film

50. Baby’s first word, maybe 51. Bow 54. Little Jack Horner 58. Cave 59. ___-Altaic languages 60. Fiats 61. Meets 62. Gerbils, maybe 63. Senior member Down 1. Eastern pooh-bah 2. Buffet 3. In a snit 4. “Sesame Street” watcher 5. Cry of disgust 6. Arctic 7. Wood sorrels 8. Law man?

9. Clock for the pocket 10. Radiant 11. Treat rudely, in a way 12. Pied one 13. Pert 18. Flamboyance 19. Lean to one side

24. Final notice 25. 007 26. Drawing medium 27. Reprimand, with “out” 28. Arch type 29. “Blue Velvet” director 31. Trades 32. Aggressiveness 33. Away from the wind 34. Goes with mobile 36. Cut surgically 37. Cutlass 38. Sinuous dance 42. Conforms 43. Balcony section 44. Alliance 45. Metallic sounds 46. Mites 47. Move, as a plant 48. Barbecue fuel 50. Beach nuisance 52. Ending for disc53. __berry 55. Fury 56. Like some socks 57. Duran Duran girl of song

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Caption Contest Rules:

Send us your funniest caption to the picture. Send submissions to USAVanguard.Editor@gmail.com. We’ll print the funniest ones in the next issue.

Have a picture you think would have a funny caption?

Send it to us at USAVanguard.Editor@gmail.com

April 12, 2010

Caption Contest Results The funniest captions submitted for last issue’s pictures, decided by the Editorial Staff.

“Feel them, they’re real, and they’re spectacular!”

- David Rudolph

April 12, 2010

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Letter to the Editor

Send Letters to USAVanguard.Editor@gmail.com

College of Education Change Hurts Students Dear Editor, When I decided to return to school and major in elementary education, I chose the University of South Alabama based on its College of Education’s reputable program.

Due to the fact that I had been out of school for almost 25 years, I momentarily doubted my ability when I enrolled in the Spring of 2009 as a “Special Freshman” attending full time. I was not sure if I could handle the academic challenge that lay ahead of me.

However, the decision to face that challenge head-on, my diligence and determination, along with being blessed with instructors who genuinely seem to care, have led to accomplishments I never would have conceived. Besides ending my first year at South as a sophomore, I am a member of several honor societies, and presently have a 3.92 GPA, of which I am very, very proud.

Since entering the University, my courses have been geared toward following the curriculum and guidelines for elementary education (K-6) as indicated in the 2008/2009 Undergraduate and Graduate Bulletin. Because of my age (will be 46 in August), my primary goal has been to do the best I can, take as many classes per semester that I could handle, in an effort to graduate as soon as possible. I was beside myself when I realized that at the conclusion of the 2011 Summer semester, not only would I be able to enter into pre-candidacy, but I would also have enough hours (96) to qualify as a senior.

However, all of this changed when the College of Education decided to change the curriculum in order to merge the elementary education and special education programs.

According to a memorandum issued by the Dean of Education Dr. Richard L. Hayes on March 5, 2010, the decision to merge the two programs is being done “To prepare our teacher education graduates for the 21st century [as well as in] response to significantly

Acknowledgement from page 15

ment may not “excessively entangle” with religion. As a result, the Lemon test was established, which details the requirements for legislation concerning religion. The law in question must have a legitimate secular purpose, must not have the primary effect of either advancing or inhibiting religion, and must not result in an excessive entanglement of government and religion. If any of these three criteria are violated, the government’s action is deemed unconstitutional under the Establishment Clause.

It is popularly believed – though incorrectly – that the Founding Fathers of the United States, in part or as a whole, were atheists; in short, none of them were. Their religious beliefs, however, varied greatly.

Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin, for instance, were, among others, deists, influenced by the naturalistic and reasonbound religion espoused during the Enlightenment, but nonetheless maintained a belief in God. Most, if not all of the Founding Fathers, shared secularist views as well, meaning that they adhered to the doctrine of separation

expanded Alabama state certification standards and increasing demands for teachers who are prepared to work in today’s inclusive classrooms.” This means that upon completion of the new program, students will be certified in both elementary education and special education. I support the merger wholeheartedly since it will allow me to be a more effective teacher and enhance my marketability.

The merger, however, creates some very serious issues. In his memorandum, Dr. Hayes states that the collaboration will not “[lengthen] the time to degree completion [or add] additional credit hours to the curriculum.”

For me and many, many others, this statement does not hold true. Eight new classes have been added to the program and ten classes have been thrown out, eight of which I have taken, and two in which I am presently enrolled.

Out of the eight I have taken, two are being accepted under the new program, two were placed under “electives” since I need two electives, and obviously the other four were a waste of time and money.

On one of several hand-outs issued by the College of Education explaining the changes in the curriculum, below the section labeled “What Happens to the Old Classes?” is a picture of an elderly lady who appears to be throwing something out of a window. I hope this was not meant to be amusing, because when those classes were thrown out of the window, my time and money went along with them.

According to Dr. Hayes, “All students who are currently in the University of South Alabama but who have not been admitted to candidacy [by Spring 2011] in one of the undergraduate teacher preparation programs will be able to complete the current program with some modifications upon admission to candidacy under the condition

of church and state. Despite this, as evident in the U.S. Declaration of Independence, the Founding Fathers believed that certain inalienable rights are derived solely from the Creator, which they identified as God. It is for this reason that I find it detrimental to the legacy of the Founding Fathers to disagree with the Supreme Court’s decisions, as they relate to the republic’s continued sense of patriotism, upholding the philosophy of the Founding Fathers, and reinforcing the theory of American exceptionalism.

In deciding Elk Grove Unified School District v. Newdow, Judge Alfred Goodwin remarked that “a profession that we are a nation ‘under God’ is identical, for Establishment Clause purposes, to a profession that we are a nation ‘under Jesus,’ a nation ‘under Vishnu,’ a nation ‘under Zeus,’ or a nation ‘under no god,’ because none of these professions can be neutral with respect to religion.”

Therefore, Goodwin’s assessment and the ideal conveyed by E pluribus unum – Latin for “Out of many, one” – certainly lends credence to the melting pot mentality, in that out of many disparate components – racial, religious, ancestral, etc. – we have emerged a single people and nation.

in force at the time of their application to candidacy.” What exactly does that mean?

During a recent advising session in the College of Education, I was told I would have to follow the new curriculum because I would not be eligible to enter pre-candidacy before the cut-off date.

I was also informed that four classes, including two in which I am presently enrolled in would not count toward the new curriculum. SPE 400 and EPY 351 are now considered as my “electives.” Believe me, although very informative and useful, these are not classes I would have chosen to take as “electives.”

To say that I am livid as well as disappointed is an understatement, because now I have to take these classes again, along with the other four which have been either combined or renamed. Because I take anywhere from 12-13 hours each term, it appears I have wasted a semester taking classes I cannot use as well as spending an unnecessary $3,000 for tuition, fees, and books.

As a full time student having taken 12 hours the spring, summer, and fall semesters of 2009, I began as a freshman and ended it as a sophomore with thirty six hours.

Since I am presently taking 13 hours and will take twelve this summer, I will end the Summer term with a total of 61 hours, only three hours short of being a junior. Following the curriculum under which I enrolled, by the end of the 2011 summer term, I would have not only completed all the requirements to enter into pre-candidacy, but also would, and still will be, a senior, having taken all the classes under my curriculum with the exception of the seven classes listed under “teaching field.”

Those seven classes which total 21 hours and include the additional special education classes which have been added to the curriculum, along with my internship and evaluation, would have been all that remained in

order for me to graduate.

Again I ask the question, what modifications are being made for students in my situation? Dr. Hayes states that “we are mindful of the considerable economic burden already placed upon many of our students,” but I guess “they” do not mind adding to that burden.

As stated in the Undergraduate and Graduate Bulletin, “The University reserves the right to make changes, as required, in course offerings, curricula, academic policies, and other rules and regulations affecting students, to be effective whenever determined by the University.”

In their effort to better prepare students for the “21st century,” they are doing quite a number of students a disservice by having allowed them (myself included) to take unnecessary classes in which valuable time has been wasted, not to mention the money that has been spent, plus the additional money that will be spent in having to retake courses.

Why were students majoring in elementary education not notified of the impending change in progress which would affect certain classes, namely the ten that were thrown out the window since this “change” has been in the making for the past three years?

I applaud the University’s commitment to the “preparation and ongoing professional development of educators who can ensure that every student is provided the opportunity and support necessary to stay on the path to graduation from high school to meet clear standards for post-secondary education or initial employment in a 21st century economy.”

However, the callous treatment and lack of consideration towards students affected by this change, is a critical issue that needs to be immediately addressed.

Daphne Bettis-Dudley

Optimistic

Move On

argument is weak since allowing the government into this division will make more people less dependent on other government-funded programs by enabling them to make more money and enjoy more success in life by possessing the more enriching jobs that follow from receiving a higher education.

Modifications to the management of society, even when the modifications are genuinely beneficial, have historically been met with resistance.

My only hope is that this change will be allowed to have an impact on the lives of the potential students within this country without hindrance. The United States of America should be a country where anyone, regardless of their financial circumstances, has the opportunity to acquire as much education as they desire. SAFRA is now a contributing factor in assisting us achieve this goal.

hypocritical to try to force those who believe differently from us to stop forcing their beliefs on people.

Instead, let’s move on. We should focus on the future and where society is headed. By getting caught up in a dialogue with people who still think it’s the 1950s, we are holding ourselves back from being truly progressive.

from page 14

from page 15

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