4-18-11

Vanguard

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The

April 18, 2011 |VOLUME 48, NUMBER 28

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‘Biggest Oozers’ come to out play USA’s ‘biggest oozers’ showed up in 60 teams of eight all day Saturday to compete in oozeball, or volleyball played in muddy courts. To see more pictures from the competition, turn to p. 3.

USA gets new WAVE bus stop

By Amber Beasley STAFF WRITER

USA welcomed a new WAVE bus stop April 11 to its campus near the Student Recreation Center.

“The new WAVE stop was incorporated into the new JagTran stop on Stadium Boulevard at the Student Recreation Center,” USA Transportation/Vehicle Maintenance Superintendent Charles Montgomery said.

For students who live on campus or don’t own a vehicle, this new WAVE stop will provide transporsee WAVE | 4

inside

Daniela Werner | Editor-in-Chief

Al-Greene wins runoff for presidency

By Alex Whalen MANAGING EDITOR

With a margin of victory of only 22 votes, Colin Al-Greene has won the SGA presidency for the 2011-2012 academic year. Al-Greene had 379 votes to Troy Shephard’s 357.

The Vanguard spoke with Al-Greene after his victory about his plans for next year.

“I graduate next May, and I want to leave South Alabama better than I found it,” AlGreene said.

One of the main sources Al-Greene will use to help guide next year’s Student Government Association (SGA) is his past experience. With both positive and negative experiences, AlGreene says he can better identify positives as well as pitfalls.

One major goal for next year, according to Al-Greene, will be to extend the Main Campus Library’s operation to a full 24 hours during finals week.

“I want to explore all the options, but the first step is to meet with the Director of Libraries to see what needs to be done,” Al-Greene said.

Campus involvement is another big topic for President-Elect Al-Greene, who said he feels that education and awareness of how to become involved is key within the first few weeks of school.

As the Student Center begins a lengthy renova-

IPolice Blotter p. 2

tion process, getting information to a large number of students could be more challenging.

Al-Greene says the Humanities Buildings and Dining Hall are becoming the best places to reach large numbers of students. One idea, which Vice President-Elect Jessica Byrd has proposed, is to send out a survey to all incoming students to gauge their interests and connect them with clubs they might be interested in.

When asked about this initiative, Al-Greene said “I don’t care whose idea it is, as long as it works.” He added he thought this was a great idea.

As communication has also been a hot topic throughout this election, The Vanguard asked AlGreene how he plans on improving communication within the SGA, as well as to students. While Al-Greene he offered no specifics, AlGreene said he is keeping open every available option.

“We’re going to have to reinvent how we communicate,” he said. “It’s not going to be one big step that’s going to fix things – it’ll be a bunch of little steps.”

Meanwhile, Alan Waugh, the presidential candidate eliminated from the runoff by 10

Happenings p. 2

Weather p.5

votes, is still pursuing a protest over election results.

Information is mostly unavailable because of a pending SGA Supreme Court hearing over the matter. The Vanguard learned from Waugh that he is filing a second appeal after his initial protest was rejected by the Elections Rules Committee.

Last week, The Vanguard reported that Waugh filed a protest based on the voting percentages that were posted with the elections results. This latest appeal is motivated by student complaints that e-mails containing the links to the voting survey were either never received or reached inboxes after elections had closed.

Because the case is still pending, The Vanguard has been unable to receive any official comment from administration on the matter.

Current SGA President Kim Proctor stated at last week’s SGA meeting that after going over their records, officials in Institutional Research said that all students had received an e-mail in their Jaguar1 e-mail accounts before elections closed, provided they hadn’t configured their accounts to reject e-mails containing Zoomerang surveys.

Zoomerang is an online survey software tool.

No further information could be gained because of individuals’ involvement in the hearing scheduled for this week.

Campus Pulse p.6

Distractions p.14

Opinion | page 7 The Great Debate What should the final ruling be in the pro-choice vs. prolife debate?

Etc. | page 8 USA Bass Team The USA Bass Team could be ranked fairly high, but lack of support has hindered that.

Arts & Entertainment | page 11

‘MythBusters’ at USA Grant Imahara from ‘MythBusters’ talks with The Vanguard.

Sports | page 12 Softball Best Ever Coach Becky Clarks discusses the team’s best record in franchise history.

JagLife p.15

2

NEWS

April 18, 2011

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.

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EDITORIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief: Daniela Werner Managing Editor: Alex Whalen Associate Editor: Cameron Adkins Associate Editor: Genny Roman Senior Reporter: Carey Cox Opinion Editor: Cassie Fambro Etc. Editor: Brett Williams Sports Editor: Matt Weaver Photo Editor: Colin McGee Webmaster: Nick Griffith DISTRIBUTION Distribution Manager: Johnny Davis ADVERTISING STAFF Advertising Manager: Wesley Jackson Advertising Representative: Mohammad Ammar Al-Zarrad Graphic Designer: Brittany Hawkins MANAGEMENT Adviser: Jim Aucoin Accounting: Kathy Brannan Website: 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.

POLICE BLOTTER 4/7- Theft of Lost Property, 3rd Degree A female student lost her Jag card, and someone has since found it and used it at the Library.

credit cards and identification cards was stolen from a vehicle in the Delta 2 parking lot. The items were valued at $70.

4/11- Burglary, 2nd De4/8- Theft of Property, 2nd gree A suspect entered an apartDegree ment at The Grove through A backpack containing a an unlocked door and stole wallet, credit cards, cash, books and an electronic dic- a TV, a laptop and an MP3 tionary were reported stolen player. from the Student Center. The 4/12- Warrant- Breaking items were valued $642. and Entering a Vehicle A male was arrested in the 4/8- Burglary, 3rd Degree Delta 6 parking lot for an A television, Playstation 3 outstanding felony warrant and games were reported with the Mobile Police Destolen from a residence at partment for breaking and The Grove. The items were entering a vehicle. valued at $1,175.

4/9- Theft of Article from Auto A license plate was stolen from a vehicle in The Grove.

The item was valued at $62.

4/9- Warrant-Domestic Violence, 3rd Degree A non-affiliate was arrested at Old Shell Rd. and University Blvd. on an outstanding warrant with the Mobile Police Department.

4/12- Robbery A female Grove employee was robbed of her iPhone in the facility’s clubhouse. The item was valued at $525.

4/12- Theft of Property, 2nd Degree A piccolo was lost or removed from a partially open backpack at Laidlaw Performing Arts Center. The item was valued at $1,950.

4/14- Theft of Property, 2nd Degree A backpack containing three books, a wallet, credit cards and identification were re4/10- Drug Paraphernalia ported stolen from the Student Center. The items were A homemade bong was found on a kitchen table dur- valued at $500. ing a Resident Advisor room 4/14- Theft of Property, inspection in the Beta area.

2nd Degree 4/11- Disorderly Conduct/ A laptop, laptop bag, iPhone and car keys were reported Disturbing the Peace; Hastolen from the Engineering rassing Another Person A verbal argument between Laboratory Building. The items were valued at $615. roommates and family was reported in the Delta area.

4/10- Domestic Incident Two people were involved in a domestic incident in the Deltas.

4/11- Theft of Article from Auto A wallet containing cash,

The

Vanguard

happenings An Evening With ‘MythBuster’ Grant Imahara

What: Grant Imahara, one host of the hit series “MythBusters,” will discuss his experiences on the show.

Where: USA Mitchell Center When: Tuesday, April 19, 7 p.m.

How much: Free For more info: Call Jaguar Productions at 251-460-7144.

Sixth Annual ElectroAcoustic Music Concert

What: Music Assistant Professor Dr. Michael Sammons will perform “Rechargeable Light” for percussion and audio file by Brett Dietz of LSU’s School of Music.

Student composers will also be featured in the concert. Peter Wood, associate professor of Music, will be joined by colleague Randall Haynes for the American premiere of David Z. Durant’s “Occhio peró all’acqua alta!” for two trumpets and audio file.

Where: Laidlaw Performing Arts Center Recital Hall When: Thursday, April 28, 7:30 p.m.

How much: $8 General Admission, $5 for USA faculty, staff, students, youths under 18 and all senior citizens For more info: Contact Music Associate Professor David Durant at 251-460-6695 or ddurant@usouthal.edu.

USA Trumpet Students to Perform Spring Recital

What: Trumpet students at the University will perform in recital, showcasing a variety of styles of music in the culmination of their past several months of hard work. Soloists will perform in collaboration with pianist and Music Professor Dr. Robert Holm.

Where: Laidlaw Performing Arts Center Recital Hall When: Sunday, May 8, 3 p.m.

How much: Free For more info: Contact Music Associate Professor Dr. Peter Wood at 251-460-7821 or pwood@jaguar1.usouthal.edu.

The

Vanguard

NEWS

April 18, 2011

3

OOZEBALL 2011

Students, alumni and faculty competed Saturday in oozeball, an annual USA tradition put on by the Southerners, a student group sponsored by USA’s National Alumni Association and serving as University ambassadors. The top three teams received trophies for winning, and the first-place prize was a tailgating package from USA Bookstore.

Photos by Daniela Werner | Editor-in-Chief

Above: A player returns a volley Saturday at USA’s annual oozeball competition.

Left: Team Wesley Alpha, composed of members from USA’s Wesley Foundation, strikes a pose after competing.

Above right: This year’s Biggest Oozer T-shirts were student-designed. Above left: Players trudge through knee-high mud to keep a volley going.

4

NEWS

April 18, 2011

The

Vanguard

New Arts and Sciences deans named

By Cameron Adkins ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Dr. Victoria Rivizzigno and Dr. Bob Coleman have been selected as the new Associate Dean and Assistant Dean, respectively, in the College of Arts and Sciences.

“We are very happy that Dr. Victoria Rivizzigno was named Associate Dean in the College of Arts and Sciences, “ Dr. Andrzej Wierzbicki, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, said.

“She brings a lot of administrative talent and experience to this position, and we look forward to working with her.”

Rivizzigno said she is “very pleased to be appointed Associate Dean” because it is a recognition of the quality of her administrative work experience at the University.

“I want to continue to improve the College’s undergraduate curriculum services and faculty development,” Rivizzigno said.

“My future plans include expanding the services of the College’s Advising Center to help students on probation and students who have decided to change majors from Pre-Health, Pre-Engineering, or PreNursing to Arts and Sciences majors.”

Administrators said they feel that Rivizzigno will be an asset in advancing advising services at the college.

WAVE

from page 1

tation from campus to inner Mobile.

“The new stop was the result of the Facilities Management department looking for ways to improve the campus life for students and encourage less traffic on campus,” Montgomery said.

“The WAVE will provide access to downtown and the mall for students who do not have cars.”

Because of the new stop, the Wave Transit System has extended two bus routes on the USA campus.

The two wave buses that previously only stopped at the North Drive bus stop, have now extended their routes to the new bus stop on Stadium Drive.

“The Springhill Avenue bus, Route 4, and the Cottage Hill bus, Route 18, will enter campus at North Drive and continue to the Technology and Research Park #3,” Paula Dicks, Director of Marketing at the Wave Transit System, said.

“Both will then proceed to Aubrey Green Drive through campus to Stadium Boulevard to a bus stop near the Beta Dorms.”

Both buses will then continue out onto Old Shell Road.

The Route 4 bus will turn left onto University Boulevard towards Ziegler Boulevard, and the Route 18 bus will turn right onto University Boulevard towards Airport Boulevard, Dicks said.

The new WAVE bus stop will not affect the current stop at the Technology and Research Park, Montgomery said.

“Dr. Rivizzigno will help us to transform and students of the departments and prothe [Arts and Sciences] Advising Center grams that comprise the College of Arts into a new state-of-the-art facility, which and Sciences,” Coleman said. will provide a variety of vital advising serSome current goals Coleman has as asvices to our college,” Wierzbicki said. sistant dean include developing the impact Rivizzigno’s administrative experience of Dean’s Leadership Council and assistat the University includes chair of Faculty ing the College with annual assessment reSenate, acting chair of the Department ports necessary for accreditation, he said. of Visual Arts, Assistant to the Dean, As“A future goal is to help establish a sistant Dean and College of Arts and Interim Associate Sciences Dean’s FoDean of the Colrum lecture series that future plans include would bring interested lege of Arts and Sciences.

[Arts and Sciences] expanding the services of the “We are excited faculty and students that Dr. Robert College’s Advising Center to together a couple of Coleman was name help students on probation and times each semester to Assistant Dean in discuss research and students who have decided to the College of Arts topics to promote inand Sciences,” Wi- change majors from Pre-Health, tellectual fermentation erzbicki said. disciplines,” Pre-Engineering or Pre-Nursing across “He will provide Coleman said. much needed ad- to Arts and Sciences majors.”

Coleman’s adminministrative supistrative experience at -Dr. Victoria Rivizzigno port to the students the University includes Associate Dean, College of Arts Interim Chair of the and faculty in the College of Arts and and Sciences English Department, Sciences.”

Coordinator of GraduAccording to ate Studies for the EngColeman, he is lish Department, Di“delighted and honored” to be in the new rector of the USA Honors Program and position.

Interim Assistant Dean of the College, ac“It is exciting to work with my col- cording to Wierzbicki. leagues in the Dean’s office and the faculty

“My

“The buses at the new WAVE stop on Stadium Drive will arrive at five minutes to the hour and will depart on the hour,” Montgomery said.

“The schedule will start at 7 a.m. and ends at Stadium Drive at 7 p.m. Monday thru Friday, and 7:30 a.m. thru 6:30 p.m. on Saturday.”

The new WAVE bus stop addition was no cost to the University.

“While the WAVE dose not charge the University for on campus service, the normal fees for riders will apply,” Montgomery said.

Get Your Opinion Published!

WAVE Bus Rates: Adult $1.25 Senior Citizen with Wave ID $0.60 Medicare Card with Wave ID $0.60 Disabled with Wave ID $0.60 ADA with Wave ID $0.60 Student with Student ID $0.75 Children, 5 and under accompanied by a fare paying adult FREE Transfers $0.10

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The

NEWS

Vanguard

April 18, 2011

Astrophysicist brings cosmology lecture to USA

By Carey Cox

SENIOR REPORTER

Dr. Michael Turner, director of the Kavli Institute for Cosmological Physics at the University of Chicago, gave a special lecture to physics students April 14 at the Instructional Laboratory Building and a public lecture in the Life Sciences building later that evening.

“Cosmology deals with the biggest questions we can ask: where did we come from? Where are we going? Are we alone? Everybody asks those questions, and it sets the context for our existence,” Turner said.

Dr. Turner’s research focuses on the application of modern ideas in elementary particle theory to cosmology and astrophysics. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and a leading proponent of the theory of the origin of the universe known as the “Cold Dark Matter Theory.”

Dr. Turner’s colloquium, “Cosmic Acceleration and Dark Energy,” discussed the discovery of the acceleration of the universe and how dark energy has played a role in this acceleration.

“We know a lot, but we understand a lot less about cosmology,” Turner said.

The evidence for cosmic acceleration has gotten stronger, and the mystery has deepened in the last ten years since this

USA PR

Astrophysicist Dr. Michael Turner lectured about cosmology at USA April 14

discovery.

“This is really a special time. There are periods of time where they feel that science really takes off. Over the past 10 or 20 years our instruments have gotten good enough so that we can explore the

entire universe. So all of a sudden we have all of these facts in front of us, and now we’re asking really big questions,” Turner said.

Turner chaired the National Research Council’s Committee on the Physics of the Universe, which in 2003 published Connecting Quarks with the Cosmos.

The report assessed the scientific opportunities that occur on the frontiers of research at the intersection of physics and astronomy. Turner completed a two-year term as assistant director for mathematical and physical sciences at the National Science Foundation in 2006.

“The Department of Physics and the College of Arts & Sciences are delighted to bring such a world-class speaker to the University,” Dr. Bob Coleman, assistant dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, said.

Dr. Turner’s public lecture “How Many Universes?” provided information on the development of knowledge and understanding of the universe and speculation on the multi-verse and its philosophical implications.

“You want to make money? Bet someone that in the next 30 years we’ll find life elsewhere in the universe. You’ll be a winner,” Turner said.

5

Intersection

by The Grove opened up

By Cameron Adkins ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Old Shell Road next to the University has finally opened up to four lanes, and the exit at Cleverdon Parkway has received some minor changes as a result.

Traffic coming from Hillcrest Road will still have straight and turn lanes with an exclusive green light, and traffic coming the opposite way from Cleverdon Parkway will still be able to turn either way or go straight. There still will not be any turn lanes on Cleverdon Parkway.

“I think that the city would like us to install a left turn lane on Cleverdon, but as far as I know they’ve never put that in writing to us,” Director of Facilities Management Chris Willis said.

Traffic on Old Shell Road will stay much the same, but there is no longer a right turn lane into Cleverdon Parkway.

“Al DOT expects all traffic lights from Old Shell and University out to Schillinger Rd to be synced up within the next two months,” USAPD Lt. Keith West said. “The lights from Hillcrest west to Schillinger may be synced quicker, and they all utilize a video control system instead of the old style loops embedded in the asphalt to control the lights.”

Gamma 9 Weather Research Center

Forecast for April 18-24

Patrick Bigbie Student Meteorologist

We will begin the school week with mostly sunny skies and highs in the lower 80s with overnight lows in the mid 60s. Tuesday may be breezy but will be mostly sunny.

We have a chance of T-Storms on Wednesday and Thursday with highs around 85° and lows in the upper 60s.

Friday and Saturday look great with sunny skies and highs in the mid 80s. Friday and Saturday Night lows will be in the upper 60s.

While Saturday looks good, we could see showers and T-Storms returning for Sunday.

Highs would be near 85° and lows around 65°.

For more local weather information, visit facebook.com/ stormteam4gamma9wx or follow Patrick on Twitter: @metwxpatrick.

Opinion

6

April 18, 2011

The

Vanguard Cassie Fambro, Opinion Editor opinion.editor@usavanguard.com

www.usavanguard.com/opinion

OUR VIEW EDITORIAL BOARD >>usavanguard.editor@Gmail.com

T

STAFF EDITORIAL Daniela Werner | Editor-in-Chief Alex Whalen | Managing Editor Cameron Adkins | Associate Editor

Genny Roman | Associate Editor Cassie Fambro | Opinion Editor Carey Cox | Senior Reporter

Apathy Not Too High a Hurdle

he newly elected SGA representatives have a challenging year ahead of them. With budgets being slashed, it will be a year that necessitates an unprecedented level of planning, execution and accountability.

With tuition increases looming, transparency will be absolutely essential in how student fees are spent. Efforts such as conservation and supporting Jag Smart in its initiative to save money will be more important than ever.

Senate projects should have a goal of investment instead of just spending money, and effects should be long-term. Buying a computer for a deserving department is much more favorable than purchasing T-shirts for a one-time event.

With tough economic times in mind, the SGA also needs to concentrate on which issues it seeks to focus on. Continuing with the idea of longevity, safety is always a main concern.

Lighting, clearing of dense areas and safer walkways make an immediate and a long-term difference in student lives.

A social issue that continually hampers the SGA’s goal of transparency is student apathy. The SGA needs to make itself more visible to the students that it represents. Having senators hold open forums with students in their colleges and having drop boxes in department offices may prove beneficial.

Senators cannot know what a department needs if there is no established communication. The SGA website needs to be-

Spotlight: James Fulford

Justice Denied at Highest Level A recent United States Supreme Court ruling has set a precedent that will undermine accountability within the justice system itself.

On March 29th, 2011 the Supreme Court ruled in a 5-4 decision that in the case of Connick vs Thompson, the plaintiff isn’t permitted to sue the defendant, Connick, for the fourteen years he spent on death row after being wrongfully convicted of murder and robbery in 1985.

The majority ruled that John Thompson had failed to demonstrate that Henry Connick Sr. was negligent enough to warrant the suing of the state over his wrongful conviction and imprisonment.

At the heart of the case was the fact that evidence that could have thrown out either conviction was not presented to the defense as per the Brady rule.

This in turn deprived Thompson of his constitutional rights to defend himself in a court of law.

Writing for the majority opinion, Justice Clarence Thomas wrote that a single instance of a Brady right violation does not

come a hub of up-to-date information for appropriations questions, co-sponsorships, and how to contact each senator.

Having 10 percent of students vote in SGA elections is unacceptable. Instead of encouraging students to come to the office or meetings, senators need to go to the students. In lieu of cramming office hours in at the last minute, senators could go to club and organization meetings to earn their hours.

Currently, the main interaction that students have with SGA is when an organization with which they are affiliated is seeking appropriations. Making this process clearer and communicating effectively will serve to create more student interest in SGA. Apathy plagues the entire USA community, but SGA can combat it by promoting traditions that garner student participation, such as Homecoming and oozeball. Senators and elected officers also need to keep in mind that regardless of their position, they are representing the entire USA student body.

They will be held to a higher standard because of that, and professionalism is not just expected, but demanded from them.

We’re growing into a larger, more publicly known university and we need our elected body to put their dress shoes on and articulate intelligently.

Listen to the students, establish a strong relationship with administration, and stand up for the greater good -- this is what we expect of you as our representation, SGA.

constitute willful neglect on the district at- implies they are not fit to be in the positions torneys part and is therefore not a sign of a they were in and should be subject to some pattern of abuse in the system. form of punishment.

In the case of Thompson, however, his The Supreme Court’s ruling shuts the Brady rights were violated three times. door on innocent men and women gaining First was the DNA evidence that showed some form of justice from their years of imthe suspect had type B blood; Thompson prisonment, for states are loathe to punish has type O blood. The second was the fact prosecutors with high conviction records. that the person who turned him in had To say that this is a worrying ruling is done so for a reward. a massive understatement. It would be far Finally the description of the murderer more accurate to describe it as a stupid the eyewitness gave and utterly heartless did not match that of ruling made by the Thompson. ve conservative jusour other men convicted fitices In all three casof the Supreme es, the prosecution by prosecutors working under Court. failed to hand over Obviously if the such evidence to the Henry Connick Sr. were also plaintiff had won defense. A single viohis case then district lation is bad enough, attorneys would be and three merely under far more stress compound the flaw. than they are now.

Four other men But we expect our convicted by prosecutors working under district attorneys and their staff to know the Connick Sr. were also shown to be innocent law and the constitution. by evidence the prosecution had withheld We expect them to only convict those from the defense. who are guilty of the crimes they are acIn fact, he acknowledged his own igno- cused of and we certainly hope they are rance of a defendant’s Brady rights and the honest and forthright in the prosecution of fact that many of his prosecutors were ig- defendants. norant of those rights as well.

We can only be reasonably certain that In other words, the district attorney and they are doing their job if they are also held his prosecutors were ignorant of the consti- accountable for their failings. tutional rights of defendants. This, in turn, see DENIED | 15

“F

shown to be innocent...”

University of Southern Mississippi is experimenting with a 24hour library and coffee shop operation during finals week. What are your thoughts on a 24-hour library on campus?

Rodney Boughton Psychology Jr.

I think it would be helpful to have the library open later, especially when it comes to finals. I am so busy during the day that it would benefit me to be able to stay later into the night.

People love the idea of a 24-hour library.

In fact, people love the idea of anything being open for 24 hours, but how many people will actually study from 1-6 in the morning? A select few will actually take advantage of those late hours.

I would use it. If I weren’t an Honor’s student with access to the Bethel, I wouldn’t have anywhere during those late hours to go. Local businesses close, and the Grove isn’t the quietest place to study!

Nick Lawkis Business Graduate Student

Basia Smith Communication Junior

Jessica Nix BMD Junior

Not necessary! It would cost too much.

Midnight or 12:30 is a good time to close, or it will become an environment for potential bad things. Remember what mom always said: “Nothing good ever happens after midnight!”

The

OPINION

Vanguard

April 18, 2011

7

POINT COUNTERPOINT The Classic Pro-Choice vs. Pro-Life Debate

Editor’s Introduction: Whether it be Roe v. Wade or on the streets near a Planned Parenthood, the issue comes to light time and time again. Religion, philosophy, morality, science and political beliefs all mingle to set the perfect fire storm of controversy and hurt feelings.

These hurt feelings often derail policy, such as the recent government

Pro-Choice

shutdown in regards to funding Planned Parenthood. It’s a pervasive, emotional and extremely personal issue. Rev. Valladares was told his article would not be edited, so it is published here in its’ original entirety.

These are the opinions of each individual and not of The Vanguard. As with all opinion-based articles, facts may be loosely-based. Read both.

Pro-Life

abortions is not a moral issue, it’s a If you’re going to ban something “Respect for human life is not the right to choice, but they cannot legal one. completely, you’d better give me an just a Christian obligation” (DPA, substitute or place ahead of that right This would mean convincing the awfully good reason first. #8). Respect for human life is the the right to life. courts of the basic premise that life The burden, then, is on the Profirst and most innate characteristic With regards to abortion, the key begins at conception, a question which Lifers to convince me that banning of being human. lies in the recognition of the child that the Supreme Court has famously abortions outright is a good idea.

Human reason in and of itself is already alive from the moment of refused to speculate on.

I’ve only seen one seemingly convicts us of the inherent value conception.

It’s a good thing, too, because acconsistent reason to hold any and all of all human life from conception If a human person evaluates life cepting this notion of life would mean abortions – that as a living person, a until natural death. in the womb from the perspective of accepting the underlying religious (or fetus has an inherent right to life.

Yet, we struggle as human beings the biological and medical sciences, Alex Rev. at least spiritual) commitments.

Rather than wasting my time to separate the inviolable dignity of there is sufficient evidence to support Whalen I don’t want to suggest that these addressing the number of logical every human person’s right to life Valladares that a human child, once conceived, if aren’t good fallacies given to motivate this claim, from the right allowed to gestate to birth, can only be reasons for not having I want to focus on the actual argument. to personal a human child. an abortion. If you The only way to argue that abortion is freedom.

Does a person have the right, the freedom, believe that a fetus has murder is to argue further that the fetus is However it is clear, and the choice to kill this child? an inherent right to alive. Not only that, but it has to be alive from from reason alone, that “However, if the reasons given to justify an life – with or without the moment of conception. the first and most undeabortion were always manifestly evil and valreligious reasons – then If you’re going to ban abortions altogether, niable right is to life, not ueless the problem would not be so dramatic. that should be enough then you have to ban all of them, not just choice. Life presupposes The gravity of the problem comes from to convince you to not ones that are more than some arbitrary numall else. Life is the prem- the fact that in certain cases, perhaps in quite have an abortion. ber of weeks. ise of freedom. a considerable number of cases, by denying But you have to Now, what would the reason be for holding Life is fundamental abortion one endangers important values to allow that there are that life begins at conception? and sacred. Freedom which it is normal to attach great value, and people who don’t I’ll give you a hint: it’s not biological. The becomes a reality when which may sometimes even seem to have accept your basic overwhelming reason people hold this belief we are alive. priority” (DPA, #14). now.org premise. Of course, is because of their religious commitments.

“It does not belong You cannot deny these very great difficulThe great debate finds its way to the legislature to society, nor does there’s nothing wrong For these people, life in this sense is underties. with saying that a fetus from time to time: should a woman should be it belong to public stood as the union of soul with body. Thus, It may be a serious question of health, has an inherent right to legally told what to do with her body? This car- authority in any form to sometimes of life or death, for the mother; life begins at conception and ends at death. life while still allowing Even if we grant that life begins at conceptoon reflects the apparent intrusion. recognize this right for it may be the burden represented by an adfor abortions. tion (for whatever reason), that doesn’t exsome and not for others: ditional child, especially if there are good reaSuppose a couple plain why a fetus has an inherent right to life. all discrimination is evil, sons to fear that the child will be abnormal or This may seem cruel, but I’m certainly not learns their baby will be born with a severe whether it be founded on race, sex, color or retarded; it may be the importance attributed and debilitating defect, they know that will convinced that a rape victim who gets pregreligion. in different classes of society to considerations affect the quality of life that fetus has an nant should have to carry the baby to term.

It is not recognition by another that constiof honor or dishonor, of loss of social standinherent right to.

If we’re saying that fetuses have an inhertutes this right. This right is antecedent to its ing, and so forth” (DPA, #14).

I can see terminating a pregnancy like this ent right to life, that’s what we’re stuck with. recognition; it demands recognition and it is Even in the face of these grave problems, as a difficult but compassionate choice; no one All this is to argue that we shouldn’t have strictly unjust to refuse it” (DPA, #11). no human being has the right or freedom to wants their child to suffer. This idea of quality abortions – in other words, that they’re Herein lies the problem for many people take innocent life, especially when it is just morally impermissible. But the banning of of good will who rightly and justly esteem see LIFE | 15 see CHOICE | 15

Cassie Fambro Opinion Editor

SMOKE ON THE WATER

College Supposed to Expand Horizons

Recently, I got into a debate with someone who has a different view than I do of what college is supposed to be.

I always thought that college was where you were supposed to go and figure out what you wanted to do. Explore interests, hobbies, and extracurricular activities.

It seems that college for others has indeed become the new high school diploma. With that high school stain comes rigid criteria

and a lack of overall interest.

Students latch on to the train of a major and are so afraid of derailing that they stick with it even if they hate the ride.

They just want to graduate in four years and go start a real life.

That concept strikes me the most offensively. News flash, this is real life.

The choices that you are making set a path, and so do the choices you don’t make.

Our professors and our parents will tell us that in 10 years, we will regret not studying abroad or taking tennis when we had time.

They’re right.

Taking two or three classes just for fun is an essential part of what the college experience is supposed to hold.

Many people in professions will say that they had no idea that they would end up where they are.

Often times, it’s a business major who takes a geology class that ends up a geologist, or a nursing major takes a social work class and becomes a social worker.

There are dozens of examples of the exploration of one’s horizons being a positive experience.

So, why are students so afraid? I attribute it to money. Money is ruining that opportunity to explore and learn about ourselves because a tennis class isn’t worth hundreds of dollars of tuition.

Most majors have built in elective hours and I feel that all of them should. I don’t advocate taking 15 electives, but all of us need to step outside of our comfort zone at least a few times.

I’m on track to graduate on time with my degree, my minor and with honors. I’ve taken karate, and I intend to take sign language next semester.

Classes like that re-establish why we’re here. We are supposed to become wellrounded, critical thinkers.

Maybe I’m jaded, but I would rather take advantage of the time I have in college now than end up 10 years down the line with regrets.

As far as sticking with the major you’re in, most people change their major at least once.

Perhaps I have a “carpe diem” style attitude, but I would rather learn and choose to do what I love than just sticking with a major that I don’t enjoy.

I am good at a lot of things, but I get the most joy from psychology and journalism, so I choose both. I will integrate them in my career as I have done in college. Everyone can find a way to combine your passions.

Being stuck in a cubicle or in a lab that you dread going to is not going to make the next 60 years of your life enjoyable. You shouldn’t dread going to work.

Now is the time to figure out what you love and avoid disliking your job.

Like most students, I don’t have much free time. It may be hard to believe, but this is the most free time we may ever have.

Now is the time to take bowling, study Japanese film, or whatever you like.

College is your time, and this is real life.

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April 18, 2011

Etc.

The

Vanguard Brett Williams, Etc. Editor etc.editor@usavanguard.com

www.usavanguard.com/etc

Non-profits Lack of support keeping South’s not the best bass team from scaling the ranks businesses A nonprofit organization requires a balance between altruism and being able to make a living while doing what’s beneficial for the greater good.

By Brett Williams ETC EDITOR

The University of South Alabama has caught the do-it-yourself bug. I think it’s because little by little we are realizing that we’re getting closer to the real world as the months roll by. May is almost upon us, and students are seeing flashes of the rest of their lives.

One by one they’re resolving not to spend the rest of their lives working for someone else.

The idea of independence is not a bad one. How independent should we be?

I’ve noticed in my observations of the entrepreneurial side of students, that we are more likely to start nonprofits. Contrary to stereotype, our generation does seek to benefit those less fortunate.

The first thing I noticed is that student life is made up of four main components: work, school, social life and community service.

The amount of time or how heavily any one area is emphasized is arbitrary.

One has to consider that South Alabama has a healthy number of part-time students who are here taking one or two classes while managing an established professional and personal life outside of school.

The latter two components seem to be what is driving students’ decisions about what type of business to start.

It’s understandable that students want to start small and stay within their comfort zones. An altruistic criminal justice student may start a free private investigation firm.

Students have been attending and planning community service events and trying to improve the community for a long time.

In fact, all students should consider community service because an involved approach has its advantages.

Being students and living in a state of perpetual uncertainty is tumultuous. Unless you can find a way to make money, your company won’t be around long.

I hate to sound callous, but it’s true. Too many people ask for handouts, and it drains the well pretty quickly.

Every nonprofit can’t depend on membership, donations and a sense of responsibility to convince people to help; it has to come from within.

southalabama.edu/usabassfishing

In February, Taylor Ramey (pictured above) and the South Alabama Bass Team received a sponsorship from Earth Sports after finishing third in a tournament. However, the team's inability to travel to additional tournaments has greatly diminished its rank in the national spotlight while teams like Lousiana State University Angelers reign supreme.

By Brett Williams ETC EDITOR

We are scholars, activists, volunteers and we’ve even become football enthusiasts in the last two years, but we aren’t “reel” fans.

We attend basketball games, haven’t missed an opportunity to watch football and have been behind our baseball team since before some of us were even considering college, but we haven’t lifted a finger to support our anglers even though apparently they’re pretty good.

The South Alabama Bass Team placed third in a recent college fishing event involving 55 other boats according to team captain Taylor Ramey. The team attracted the attention of EarthSports, a social networking website where anglers can get tips from professionals and follow their college rankings, and has been sponsored by the site ever since. They have to post content frequently to the site, but are donated supplies and money.

It still isn’t cutting it though because EarthSports.com only ranks the South Alabama Bass Team 116 out of 206 registered college teams. This is significant because EarthSports hosts the only known ranking system that lists teams based on where they place in each of the three major college fishing tournaments.

The South Alabama Bass Team has only participated in one of the three major tournaments, and even though they fared well, Lenny Rudow, an EarthSports blogger with 25 years of experience writing in the fishing world, says the team’s lack of participation in the other two are probably the reason why the team is listed so low.

The team’s EarthSports sponsorship only opened some doors. According to Rudow,

each team has to consider their expenses before registering for any one of the three tournaments. If they were considering attending the Bassmaster Classic, they have to consider the expenses not covered by their EarthSports sponsorship like gas for truck so the team can make the four hour drive to Shreveport and back, the full tank of gas they can expect to use in their boat in a single day of the tournament which usually lasts two to three days plus living expenses like hotel rooms and food.

Rudow says that most teams raise money from fans in order to attend tournaments, but with the notoriety the South Alabama Bass Team has on campus they probably couldn’t afford a bus ticket to Mobile Infirmary. According to Rudow, no teams that he is aware of have contacts with any other sponsors outside of EarthSports.

So, since the team isn’t getting support from home, the South Alabama Bass Team isn’t going to get anywhere, and students will have one less thing to cheer about other than professional football and our basketball team.

The

Vanguard

ETC.

April 18, 2011

Cryptozoologists tell final tale of the Crypt

By Patrick Senn STAFF WRITER

We left Friday morning for Slidell, La. at 7 a.m. in our quest to find the creature that many people called Bigfoot’s Southern Cousin, the Honey Island Swamp Monster We first went to the home of Dana Holyfield, granddaughter of Harlan Ford, the man credited with first bringing the Honey Island Swamp Monster to the world’s attention by producing the documentary, “The Legend of the Honey Island Swamp Monster.”

She told us her grandfather’s story of seeing the Honey Island Swamp Monster and showed us a plaster cast of an inhuman footprint; she said her grandfather made several casts from strange footprints he discovered in the swamp.

After leaving Holyfield’s house we ventured into the heart of the swamp to meet our next contact, Denty Crawford.

Crawford was a large man. He rustled a forest of gray beard with one hand whilst laying ham slices flat onto bread with the other.

“She showed you the plaster cast, right?”

Crawford shook his head. “That’s that shoe business.”

The shoe business to which Crawford referred involved a shoe that had been outfitted at the bottom with a four-toed reptilian rubber foot. With such a shoe a person could leave a distinctively odd, and fake, footprint, similar to the one in the plaster cast we had seen earlier in the day. Crawford confirmed that the shoe was currently in the possession of the Holyfield family.

Crawford motored his boat past a weedy patch of trees and said, “That’s Goat Island.

Patrick Senn | Staff Writer That’s where the hairy people used to live at.

Ain’t there anymore; hadn’t been for a while A product of the ‘shoe business,’ casts like the one pictured above fool tourists and keep local lore now. I’ve known about the hairy people since alive.

I was a kid.” early one morning. He was right there. He We arrived at one of Crawford’s many a secluded swamp fortress.

Crawford pointed to a dock connected to went running right back into the swamp afhomes scattered along the swamp. He has built them himself over the years, each one the floating hut. “Right there, I saw one real ter we turned the lights on.”

9

The next day we trekked for several hours into the thick vegetation. I stopped and gestured to a mass of wet fur and excrement on the ground.

“Looks like a squirrel or a chipmunk,” I said. “There’s a predator here somewhere.”

Sure enough, a short distance away I found a set of footprints that looked strikingly similar to the Holyfields’ plaster cast, each print spaced several feet apart. We all agreed that this would be the best place to set up the meat station.

We decorated the surrounding trees with ornaments of raw meat, high enough off the ground to be unreachable to any predator not human-sized. A motion-activated camera was positioned nearby.

The next day to further attract the curiosity of local carnivores, we dug a fire pit and used it to barbecue turkey legs. The aroma of cooked meat spread throughout the swamp.

John Michael Greer, Grand Archdruid of North America, had informed us through his book “Monsters: An Investigators Guide to Magical Beings” that if the monster were a certain type of supernatural entity (see Cryptozoologists search for infamous cryptid) it could be enticed with tobacco. We placed a cigar in the trees amidst the meat.

An inspection of the meat station the next morning revealed that, although the meat remained undisturbed, the cigar had vanished. There were no new footprints and the camera had recorded nothing.

Our investigation had been thorough, but still we were left with few conclusive results.

Was the Honey Island Swamp Monster of supernatural origin? Was there once a band of primitive humans dwelling within the swamp?

There have not been any confirmed sightings of the creature in decades, indicating that whatever once roamed the swamp has most likely moved on. Regardless, speaking with eyewitnesses in the case has proven that the mystery of the Honey Island Swamp Monster is far from dead.

USA Students March Against Violence, Sexual Abuse

By Carey Cox

SENIOR REPORTER

USA participated in the “Men’s and Friends March Against Violence” April 13 at 12:15 p.m. at the Moulton Tower and Alumni Plaza.

The walk was followed by a Violence Awareness and Prevention Day event at the Student Center Amphitheatre, which featured speakers, a Hopeline telephone drive and photo exhibit, showcasing messages of love and hope written to sexual assault survivors.

Students and faculty displayed signs with violence facts as they marched along USA Drive South and through the Humanities Building. One sign read, “81 percent of sexual assault and rape victims are female.”

Dr. George McMahon, assistant professor in the Professional Studies department in the College of Education, spoke to the crowd at the Student Center Amphitheatre immediately after the march.

“Students I work with are constantly talking with me about people who are still dealing with the effect of violence,” McMahon said.

McMahon told the crowd that he believes that domestic violence is a male problem. “We take

responsibility every time it happens,” he said.

He challenged male students to change their attitudes and the way they speak about women among their friends as ways to prevent violence. “Anything you can do to stop it just at the small point can have a huge effect later on. You also never know who is listening and that can be very powerful too,” McMahon said.

Reverend Jim Gable of the Mobile County Police Department also spoke to the crowd about his experiences with domestic violence and read the first few stanzas from the song “A Few Good Men” by the Gaither Vocal Band.

“You have to have a change in men’s hearts,” Gable said. A Penelope House representative and prevention education coordinator gave the crowd a female perspective of domestic violence.

She said that we as a society need to stop blaming the victim and hold the perpetrators accountable. She told a story about a middle school girl that was in a class that she spoke to about domestic violence.

The girl came up to her after class and told her that she must have been talking about her dad when she was speaking about abusers in general.

When the education coordinator asked Morgan Glusman, student body represenabout what her dad was doing at home she re- tative at large for Violence Prevention Alliplied, “Well he has to hold a gun to my mom’s ance, one of the sponsoring organizations, head because if he didn’t she wouldn’t obey said the main priorities for the events were to the rules.” “Do you think that happened on raise awareness and promote education and the first date? ... You all need to be so care- male intervention, as well as show support for ful when you’re datsurvivors of sexual assault ing and know those and abuse. warning signs like “This is a unique opjealousy, that green portunity for males to show is a unique monster.” their support,” Glusman “If you see that opportunity for males to show said. Glusman believes green monster, jealthat domestic violence does ousy, you need to their support.” concern males, but there get away from that are still male victims of vio-Morgan Glusman person because the lence. longer you stay in “It’s a community probStudent Body Representative at domestic violence, Large, Violence Prevention Alliance lem at large. Education and the harder it is to get awareness are two main out,” she said. ways of combating it. Re“I talked to someporting incidents, male inone yesterday who had been in a relationship tervention, meaning making respect to womfor 20 years, and she felt worried because if en a cool thing within their group of friends she leaves, her perpetrator is going to kill her [are ways men can contribute to ending vioelderly mother,” she said. “Instead of saying lence],” Glusman said. why doesn’t she leave, say why is he allowed to “The Men’s and Friends March Against get away with that and why hasn’t the police Violence” was part of USA Violence Awarebeen called and why isn’t he in jail,” she said. ness and Prevention Week.

“This

10 April 18, 2011

ETC.

The

Vanguard

Sexual Assault Q & A: Informing, equipping students

By Dr. Darleen Dempster SPECIAL TO THE VANGUARD

Editor’s Note: With sexual assault being a prevalent issue on college campuses, USA Sexual Assault Coordinator and campus psychologist Dr. Darleen Dempster discusses legal issues surrounding sexual assault, as well as what action victims should take.

1. Why are college aged women most vulnerable?

Perpetrators of sexual assault look for opportunities to get away with the crime. They may see college women as more vulnerable because they are younger, may tend to be more trusting than older women, because they might be experimenting with alcohol and drugs at the time, and because they may be away from their primary support system (such as family).

As well, acquaintance sexual assaults or date rapes are much more commonly found than stranger rapes.

Unfortunately, men can be victims of sexual assault as well. When men are victimized, they suffer similar types of trauma as women do, but often have a much harder time seeking help, because these crimes are rarely spoken of.

2. Why do police react with suspicion so often instead of compassion?

Let me first say that I have been involved with our police officers (USAPD) in dealing with survivors of sexual assault over the time that I have been employed here at USA, and in all interactions that I have been witness to as a counselor/ advocate, our police officers have been very appropriate with survivors.

In situations that involve questioning that

I have been witness to, the line of questioning was appropriate and at the survivors’ own pace.

In those cases where the survivor did not want to press charges, they did let the survivor know that they are available should she/he change her mind. They did allow the survivor to make that decision.

However, I am aware that many victims fail to come forward after a sexual assault for fear of dealing with hostile or unbelieving police.

Reasons for poor police response to sexual assault include the “unit” being overworked and understaffed, inadequate training and supervision, inappropriate facilities, especially for working sensitive cases such as child abuse and sexual assault, as well as burnout and secondary traumatic stress 3. What is the media’s role in sexual assault?

The media can play a key role after an alleged assault to notify the public. In cases such as this, it is better to err on the side of caution to protect other students, so long as the survivor’s identity is not revealed. In high profile cases, it is important for the media and for the general public to remember that they are getting only essential information.

Therefore, the media and consumers of the media should be careful not to make assumptions. As well, the primary focus should remain on the safety of the crime victim and the general public and not on sensationalizing sexual assault.

The media should take advantage of the opportunity to educate the public about sexual assault. This education should seek to increase awareness that these crimes happen on a regular basis.

These crimes flourish under the radar

when they are not spoken of. Cases that are publicized can often be the most damaging ones for the survivor. Journalists and reporters should be aware of this and seek to minimize damage whenever possible.

4. What can men and women do to protect themselves?

I do think that it is important to say explicitly upfront that the responsibility for sexual assault lies squarely on the perpetrator’s shoulders, regardless of whether the survivor acted naively or irresponsibly. It does not matter what the victim was wearing, where he or she was, whether they were drinking or doing drugs, or anything else.

Even after the fact, under the influence of trauma, a survivor may not always make the best decisions. Regardless of all of this, no one is responsible for sexual assault besides the perpetrator.

No person asks or deserves to be sexually assaulted. We all have the right to our bodily integrity.

When we focus on the perpetrator, especially a serial perpetrator, we are looking at a person who tends to not listen to his or her conscience, to act selfishly and impulsively, to manipulate easily, and to look for opportunities that he or she can get away with sexual assault.

We cannot expect that people like this will change or that they will go away. However, we can take steps to protect ourselves.

We can avoid those things that would make us vulnerable, such as drinking to excess or underage drinking, going out alone at night, not watching our drink when at a party or in a bar, and trusting other people and allowing them into our space. Meet your date out and drive your own car.

Don’t allow the other person to pressure or threaten you to do anything that you do not want to do. Express your limits clearly and emphatically. If you feel threatened, loudly protest, leave, or go for help.

Bystanders and friends can also make a big difference in preventing sexual assault.

Some ways to help include intervening with vulnerable persons (such as people under the influence), confronting people who express rape-supporting sentiments (such as that they would like to “hook up” with someone who is clearly too drunk to consent), and by reporting suspicious activities and persons to the police.

Many sexual assaults occur when either or both the perpetrator and/or the victim have been drinking (or using drugs).

A person who is attracted to someone and interested in engaging in sexual activity with them should be certain that they have a clear and sober “yes” from their partner before engaging in any sexual activity, and before moving from one activity to another one, simply asking something like, “is it OK if we _____?” Questions like this are respectful and will not “spoil the mood.”

5. What should they do if they are raped or assaulted?

There are several aspects of care to be considered--health, legal protection, and then reestablishing a feeling of safety. However, before going into these, let me make a few initial comments.

Often after such an incident, the survivor is confused and may not even immediately identify the situation as a sexual assault, especially if the person who did this to her/him was someone that she/he knew. see DEMPSTER | 15

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Arts & Entertainment

Vanguard Staff editor.in.chief@usavanguard.com

11

April 18, 2011

www.usavanguard.com/etc

International students perform at festival ‘MythBusters’ coming to USA

By Nick Griffith WEBMASTER

Colin McGee | Photo Editor

Students performed dances (above) and modeled clothing (left) from their respective cultures in the talent and fashion show of the USA's annual International Spring Festival Friday evening. The Council of International Student Organizations and Office of International Student Services hosted the festival this past week, which is held to promote knowledge about foreign cultures through the work of USA's international faculty, staff and students.

“The Emmy-nominated series MythBusters aims to uncover the truth behind popular myths and legends by mixing scientific method with gleeful curiosity and plain old-fashioned ingenuity to create a signature style of experimentation,” goads Discovery channel’s website.

But the “MythBusters” series doesn’t need such a grand introduction. Made popular by visual effects-masters Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage, the 8-year-running hit science show is expanding its audience through co-host and animatronics engineer Grant Imahara.

Imahara is currently touring the nation to spread the gospel of the making of MythBusters in addition to hosting recent events such as Robogames. Imahara’s expedition will bring him to USA to debut at the Mitchell Center April 19. In anticipation of this event, The Vanguard had the opportunity to ask Imahara about his show.

The Vanguard: Can you give USA students a preview of your show?

Imahara: It’ll be an insight into how we make the show and some behind-the-scenes stories. I’ll also talk about my career in special effects working on movies.

V: Before MythBusters, you worked for Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) on major film productions such as “The Lost World: Jurassic Park,” “Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace,” and “Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines.” What inspired you to leave ILM for MythBusters?

I: ILM was a great place to work [that was] full of talented people. Toward the end of my career there, computer graphics became more popular, and thus traditional miniature models became [scarcer]. I was sad to leave ILM, but looked forward to working on MythBusters.

V: What is the best part about your job?

I: The variety. You never know if you’ll be feeding crocodiles by hand or jumping out of a plane. It just depends on what the see IMAHARA | 15

Sports

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April 18, 2011

The

Vanguard Matt Weaver, Sports Editor sports.editor@usavanguard.com

www.usavanguard.com/sports

Softball Prepares for Tournament Run

Matt Weaver

South Alabama Concluding Best Season in Program History

Sports Editor

CHARGING THE MOUND

By Jake Wasdin SPORTS REPORTER

Rival racing factions could learn from one another Talladega, Ala. -- I went to an IndyCar race at Barber and NASCAR broke out. Double-file restarts, fender-benders and foul tempers were par for the course.

And in the mild-mannered IndyCar Series, that’s not a bad thing.

You see, IndyCar and NASCAR have a lot to learn from each other. Indy-types hate admitting it but NASCAR is the most popular form of motorsport in North America. Even the Daytona 500 has taken over as the most prestigious race in the United States.

As a result, IndyCar traditionalists look down on anything that NASCAR has done en route to surpassing them in popularity.

Meanwhile, new IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard has taken a bullish approach to rebuilding North American open-wheel racing.

That pun’s fully-intended for the former Pro Bull Riding Association CEO and founding member who took that niche sport and placed it firmly just on the outside of the mainstream.

Indianapolis Motorspeedway hired him to bring IndyCar back.

His methods thus far have been highly effective and yet deemed inexcusable by Indy car traditionalists.

Bernard was hired in November 2010, taking over for Indy Racing League founder Tony George. Since then he has been vocal about increasing the sport’s visibility amongst a mass audience, expanding the schedule to larger markets, and achieving a 50/50 split of oval and road course races.

The latter move frustrated Indy purists, a subset of fans who pushed the Series into a split with the Champ Car World Series in 1994. IndyCar contested its races primarily on ovals while Champ Car raced on all but just a few road and street courses.

He’s also overseen the selection of a new engine and chassis package for the 2012 season, which has led to the return Chevrolet and engine/chasis competitions.

To long-standing fans, this is all gravy.

It’s his most unorthodox decisions that have drawn the ire of IndyCar’s traditionalists. They say Bernard is obsessed with NASCAR and its drivers while he courts the likes of Kyle Busch and Jimmie Johnson to participate at Indianapolis or his new Las Vegas season finale.

Scorns were also directed at Bernard for see RACING | 13

On Thursday, The Vanguard was granted an opportunity to speak with South Alabama softball head coach Becky Clark. The head coach, who has coached at South Alabama since 2005, has the Lady Jaguars playing at their best overall pace in franchise history as South Alabama has cruised to a 29-12 record.

When asked about her team’s current success Clark reiterated the desire to keep improving one day at a time. The following is a transcript of that interview.

The Vanguard: What are your thoughts on this season thus far?

Coach Becky Clark: We’re excited!

The girls put in work every day, so they deserve it. I’m happy and excited for the student athletes.

VG: How do you feel about holding the best start to the school’s best record?

BC: It’s a great achievement, but we are just trying to get better every day.

Getting better every year gives us a better chance at winning more games. Our recruiting has gotten better as well, giving us a better chance to succeed on the field.

VG: You guys have played very well down the stretch. What are the keys to maintaining that overall success?

BC: We are very good. We have a group of players who want to work hard together and for each other. They play hard in every game, so I cannot question the intensity they bring to every game. Another key is the depth we have. We have more depth in our lineup and more in our

Colin McGee | Photo Editor

Freshman pitcher Hannah Campbell has been named ESPN's Rise Southeast Player of the Week and was named Mobile Press Register’s 2010 softball Player of the Year. With 121 innings pitched she holds a 3.50 era and 14-5 win-loss record.

pitching rotation than in years past.

VG: Is there anything that you can do to improve on the season?

BC: We have a tendency to play from

game to game. We try to take care of today and let the rest just come to us. We don’t try to get caught up in the future.

VG: How is competition in the Sun Belt Conference?

BC: The Sun Belt is very tough, always atop the nation in rankings. When there is a Sun Belt team in the schedule for the week, there is no relaxing on this team.

Every squad is going for the same thing at the end of the season. It is fun competition, but very tough.

VG: How are you and your team going to prepare for the Sun Belt Conference Tournament?

BC: We just need to stay focused, go in and work hard. We need to emphasize the little things. If we emphasize the little things, everything else will take care of itself. We are going to take care of each game, day by day.

With the Sun Belt Tournament just weeks away Clark has her players ready to play for the conference title.

To prepare for the Tournament, Clark reemphasized dedication and persistence.

The Jaguar head coach is not that concerned with the talent. That’s already there.

It appears as if the Jaguars are ready to play behind a very confident coach. Her mentality on and off the field have kept this softball team competitive and focused on bringing South Alabama an SBC Tournament championship and possibly an NCAA championship. Look for the Jags to make some noise in the postseason this year.

Commentary

Erdmann: Student athletes earn their scholarships

By Matt Weaver SPORTS EDITOR

South Alabama athletic director Dr. Joel Erdmann “respectfully disagrees” with the assessment that athletic scholarships should be discontinued to level the playing field in both the classroom and recruiting trail.

Consumer advocate Ralph Nader called for the elimination of college athletic scholarships, saying the move would be necessary to “de-professionalize” college athletics.

Erdmann agrees with the official NCAA response that read: “The 145,000 student-athletes who receive athletics related financial aid each year are in fact, students first — as evidenced by the fact that in almost every demographic they graduate at higher percentages than their counterparts in the general student body.

Moreover, less than two percent of them will ever play professional sports.”

More to the point, these athletes are students first and should be rewarded with academic aid for their extra effort and responsibilities.

“With all of the merit-based scholarships available, student-athletes work hard and diligently in return for their scholarship,” Erdmann said. “Athletics finances their education.”

Nader, a former presidential candidate, argued that his plan would also help reduce the “win-at-all-costs” mentality in high schools, by reducing the incentive of college scholarships.

“With all respect to Mr. Nader, I’m not sure I understand where he’s coming from,” Erdmann said.

“Our student-athletes are highly disciplined and highly motivated to achieving their academic goals. Removing that option Erdmann for a percentage of students would have almost an aristocratic effect on college athletics where only privileged students receive an opportunity to play sports on campus.”

Erdmann added that it’s likely that Na-

der’s suggestion was just one of several to better clean up college athletics. This has been a prominent issue ever since the NCAA encountered scrutiny for basketball and football programs falling prey to “pay-for-play” scenarios and heavy agent involvement with student athletes.

The South Alabama athletic director does not feel a change is likely but considers the changes it could bring to his program, calling the possibilities “catastrophic.”

“The other issue here is the perception that the NCAA has this massive amount of money from television contracts just floating out there to pay college athletes as professionals and that’s not true,” Erdmann said. “The money’s just not there.”

The top student-athletes will continue to get paid despite increased regulation thus the desire for lower-tier players to receive similar privileges. Nader has not yet addressed Washington but has remained steady on his ambitions to find like-minded lawmakers to further his cause.

For the time being, South Alabama officially stands on the opposite spectrum.

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April 18, 2011

13

Sports Briefs Women’s Tennis Sweeps Xavier of Louisiana in New Orleans

Talladega

The University of South Alabama women’s tennis team blanked Xavier of Louisiana 7-0 Saturday afternoon at Goldring Stadium in New Orleans.

With the win the Jags improve to 2-11 while the Gold Nuggets fall to 3-16 on the season.

“It was nice to get a win today,” USA head coach Jaco Keyser said. “We have to get ready for a tough Tulane team tomorrow.”

USA picked up wins at No. 3 doubles and No. 6 singles by default.

South Alabama started the day strong with wins at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles giving the Jaguars the 1-0 advantage.

In singles action, the Jaguars secured points on courts 1-5 in straight sets.

Courtesy of Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR, 2011 Getty Images

TALLADEGA, AL - APRIL 17: Clint Bowyer, driver of the #33 BB&T Chevrolet, Jeff Gordon, driver of the #24 Drive to End Hunger/AARP Chevrolet, and Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, lead Kevin Harvick, driver of the #29 Budweiser Chevrolet, Mark Martin, driver of the #5 CARQUEST/GoDaddy.com Chevrolet, and Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 National Guard/Amp Energy Chevrolet, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway April 17 in Talladega, Ala.

‘Johnson by 0.002 Seconds!’

Defending Champion Overtakes Bowyer to Win First Race of Season

What a finish!

Jimmie Johnson snapped a 15-race winless streak by passing Clint Bowyer and Jeff Gordon on the front stretch of the final lap to win the Aarons 499 on Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway.

The 88 lead changes (among 26 different drivers) tied a record as did the 0.002-second margin of victory, originally set at Darlington in 2004.

Johnson’s win didn’t go over well with the Talladega-faithful.

A winless Johnson started to give the sport an air of hope, a sign that his fiveyear reign over the sport might be nearing it’s end.

As it stands, Johnson is the Cup Series seventh different winner in eight races (Kevin Harvick has two wins) and the five-time champion is back in the hunt.

-Matt Weaver, Sports Editor

Racing from page 12

using NASCAR-style double-file restarts or his flirtation with the “Lucky Dog” free pass rule. Bernard’s response was that under previous administrations, Indy car racing had dropped in popularity, and the old rules and driver just wouldn’t cut it.

While it’s hurt a lot of feelings, Bernard has a point. Under the new rules, TV ratings are up and interest is at a decade-long high. It seems that IndyCar is back.

This brings me to NASCAR them-

Following the Aarons 499, it’s safe to assume that two-car breakaway racing is here to stay.

So is Jimmie Johnson.

The race had everything a fan could possibly want including three wide racing, a last lap pass and a ton of lead changes.

The race is now tied for the closest finish in NASCAR history and snaps Jimmie Johnson’s 15-race losing streak.

Following the race, Jeff Gordon said that this style of racing is here to stay and that he likes it.

He added that a drastic change to the cars would be needed in order to prevent this style of racing and NASCAR just isn’t prepared to do that at this juncture.

-Shaun Burke, OnPitRoad.com

selves.

If open-wheel types are too mild-mannered and traditional, the fans I’ve encountered at Talladega this weekend are in mild contrast. NASCAR’s competition and rule-set are just fine the way they are save the Chase taking place at Jimmie Johnson’s best tracks.

Look up the terms “Waffle Bellies” and “Pit Lizards” if you’ve never been to Talladega or just don’t know what I mean.

The culture in most NASCAR circles is just repulsive and sleazy. It’s vastly improved since the sport’s westward expansion, but in regards to its southern base,

This race has always shown why races in the Sprint Cup Series must be shortened by an average of 100 miles.

Longer races like Talladega shouldn’t have the long lulls where nothing really happens. This was an all-too common sight on Sunday where fans and onlookers were just counting down the hours until the finish.

Watching the drivers lay back and ride for 150 laps just doesn’t add up to on-track excitement.

And with the current aero package, that’s pretty much the end result. It makes more sense now to save your car for the finish.

And frankly, for a sport built on going faster, Sunday’s race was not in the spirit of racing competition.

-Brett Hatfield, SB Nation

the stereotypes only exist because they are largely true.

Open-wheel caters itself to a more sophisticated and technical crowd while NASCAR is the lowest-common denominator of motorsports. If NASCAR has to abandon its southern roots and traditional fan base to evolve, then so be it.

The same thing goes for the IndyCar diehards. Motorsports are evolving into something bigger and better. It’s time to get on board with that or get left behind.

And that’s something both sides could learn.

South Alabama Baseball Drops Drops Two to Florida Atlantic CollegeInsider.com has announced its 2011 Mid-Major Freshman All-America Team, and the University of South Alabama’s Augustine Rubit is one of 21 players on the list.

Rubit is the only Sun Belt Conference honoree. He was the SBC’s Freshman of the Year and a third team all-SBC pick as well.

He averaged a double-double with 13.1 points and 11.0 rebounds per game.

His rebounding average led the Sun Belt, ranked sixth in the nation and was tops among Division I freshmen. His scoring average was second-best on the team and ranked 13th in the league.

The Houston, Texas native also ranked first in the Sun Belt in offensive rebounds (4.5 rpg), second in defensive rebounds (6.5 rpg), third in field goal percentage (.559) and seventh in blocked shots (1.1).

Rubit is the first South Alabama player to earn the league’s top rookie award since Jeff Hodge in 1986 and the first-ever Jaguar named to an all-conference team as a freshman.

Baseball Completes Three Game Sweep of Arkansas Little Rock South Alabama (20-16, 8-7 SBC) completed a three-game sweep of the UALR baseball team with an 11-5 victory on Sunday afternoon at Stanky Field. The Jaguars ran out to an 8-1 lead after three innings and never looked back to hand UALR its fifth-straight loss.

USA’s top four hitters did the majority of the damage on Sunday, as the group combined to score eight of the team’s 11 runs with five RBI. Outfielder Taylor White went 3-for-5 with two runs scored, while Jordan Patterson added a 2-for-4, three-RBI performance. Leadoff hitter USA starter Carlton Paris improved to 2-3 on the year by limiting the Trojans to three runs off nine hits over 7.0 innings. UALR starter Calvin Drinnen (3-4) suffered the loss after surrendering five runs off three hits and three walks over 2.0 frames.

-Wire Reports

14

April 18, 2011

Distractions

The

Vanguard Vanguard Staff editor.in.chief@usavanguard.com

www.usavanguard.com/distractions

Caption Contest

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

Caption Contest Results

Winner: “Silly athletes, t wister’s for kids!”

-lml904@jaguar1.usouthal.edu Runner Up: “Left foot, femur!”

-Roxy Houston

Sudoku Sudoku puzzles brought to you by USA’s Student Health Center.

To make an appointment, call 251-460-7151.

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

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Jag Life

April 18, 2011

Follow VanguardJaglife

A Comic by Ben Lewis

Dempster from page 10

Because a friend may be the person that the survivor may confide in first, a friend may need to help the survivor to get help.

One myth that prevents many students from reporting or getting help after a sexual assault is that they will get in trouble for underage drinking.

If a report of sexual assault is made, neither the university nor the Normal Police will cite the survivor for underage drinking.

If the survivor wants to collect evidence for legal proceedings, he or she should not shower or throw away her/his clothes prior to talking to the police or seeking medical help. Many survivors do shower afterwards, though, because they are confused and do not immediately identify the incident as a sexual assault.

We have an advocate program here at USA, and we provide services similar to those services that Rape Crisis provides to the city. For example, an advocate can guide the survivor to services available, such as receiving medical care, collecting evidence, working with the police or with campus disciplinary system, working with housing to change rooms if necessary, and advocating with professors to allow for healing time and accommodations necessary to succeed in school.

The advocate can also accompany the survivor to the hospital, sit in with him or her while meeting with the police, etc.., if the survivor wishes. It is up to the survivor whether they want to be provided with an advocate or not.

A student can request that an advocate be assigned to them by telling the police, the Student Health Center, or the Counseling Center that they have been sexually assaulted, and they need help. Specify when going to these offices that it is an emergency so that you can be seen ASAP. They can also call the Advocate program directly, which operates 24/7, at 251-3419884. Just tell the call center that you are in need of an advocate, and they will tell you what to do.

For more information about campus resources, look on the Violence Prevention Alliance webpage (on the A-Z index) under the link Resources. The Mobile Rape Crisis Center is also available at all hours for advocacy, assistance, etc..

Their 24 hour hotline is 1-251-473-7273.

The National Sexual Assault Hotline is 1-800-656-HOPE. There is also an online sexual assault hotline available: www.ohl. rainn.org/online.

6. If a boyfriend or husband rapes you, is it still legally rape?

Of course it is. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-650-6522.

7. How should victims go about the healing process?

Immediately following the sexual assault or rape the survivor will be in a crisis state and may need help with making decisions and getting medical and other assistance relating to the incident. It is important even in this phase that the survivor is allowed to make key decisions regarding pressing charges, telling or not telling loved ones, and other aspects of their care and personal life.

It is ideal during the crisis phase for the survivor to seek out the support of friends, family, and a trained sexual assault counselor or advocate.

The survivor is often overwhelmed with very strong feelings and has extreme difficulty focusing It is very common for survivors to blame themselves or to endlessly question themselves with “what if ” scenarios.

Sometimes other problems emerge such as increased alcohol and drug use, self-mutilation, panic attacks, disturbances in eating, including eating disordered behavior, nightmares and other sleep difficulties, and suicidal thoughts.

Counseling is available free for all students through Counseling and Testing Services. All counseling is confidential and is not connected with your student records.

Many find resolution by becoming involved with education, prevention and support groups. Here at USA, we have Violence Awareness and Prevention Week (focused on sexual assault, as well as other forms of violence, such as domestic violence and bullying) in April, which is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

Through coming together with survivors and others committed to nonviolence, telling their story, and offering support and encouragement, survivors often find meaning and purpose, in spite of the suffering they endured. This is extremely healing for all who are involved.

As well, people that have not experienced sexual assault can send an important and loving message to survivors through their involvement that survivors are not alone and that they (survivors) are cared for. The White ribbon campaign is a campaign initiated by men and boys to seek to raise awareness and prevent violence against women and girls.

They have a pledge stating, “I pledge never to commit, condone, or remain silent about violence against women and girls.”

15

Denied

Imahara

While it would be absurd to claim that this ruling will increase the conviction rates of innocent men and women, it is not unreasonable to claim that it will reduce accountability in the office of the district attorney.

We are often told that ignorance of the law is no excuse for violation of the law. In this case, ignorance is a protection for those in the position of district attorney.

By only focusing on the failure of the prosecutor to hand over DNA evidence to the defense council, the conservative judges managed to present a terribly narrow view of the violations that had taken place.

Without an effective means of punishing negligent district attorneys, how can we be certain that their subordinates are doing their jobs properly?

next myth is.

V: If you weren’t working for MythBusters, what would you be doing?

I: If I wasn’t working on MythBusters, I [would] probably be working in some form of robotics research.

Similar MythBusters tours by show hosts Hyneman and Savage offer the opportunity for question and discussion sessions, so come prepared to ask your Mythbusters question.

The tour hits the Mitchell Center on Tuesday, April 19 at 7 p.m. with free admission.

You can also follow Imahara on twitter: @grantimahara.

from page 6

Choice from page 7

of life also explains why a couple might choose to have an abortion, because they know they can’t provide for the child.

The suffering the child would endure, either bouncing around foster homes or being neglected by its parents, would make for a very poor quality of life.

Now here’s where someone might twist my words and turn the question on me: What if your mom decided you weren’t “worth having?”

The answer is pretty simple: I wouldn’t be alive right now. I have no idea what it would be like to have never been born. I imagine it wouldn’t be like much of anything at all.

You might as well ask me what it would be like to be a kangaroo. Someone may also question how we could hope to know what kind of a quality of life a person would have.

If it turns out my child will be born with a rhinoceros head, I have no idea what that would be like. I also don’t know what it’s like to be shot in the face and live, but I know I don’t want to find out.

Whenever life begins, it is constituted by the experiences we have while we’re living. Some experiences (like playing with a box full of kittens) are wonderful; others (like being tortured) we wouldn’t wish upon anyone.

Because we know what it’s like to experience things, we are in a pretty good place to decide when potential suffering outweighs a right to life.

It’s our ability to assess these factors as well as our own personal commitments and make a rational choice that is at the core of what makes us human.

from page 11

Life

from page 7

beginning.

Life is too sacred, too fundamental a right to leave to any human being to decide upon no matter how grave the circumstances may be.

“Human life is sacred and inviolable,” (EV, #81) a gift from God. We, as fellow human beings, must place all our power, technology and reason at the service of human life, to defend it and to protect it.”

No woman who has ever had an abortion testifies to experiencing anything but anxiety and heartfelt suffering for the gravity of the loss she has experienced. Direct abortion is always wrong and cannot be made licit by any law or any body of persons.

I appeal to the conscience of every person who reads this article. I appeal to your experience of human life, of a newborn child, of an infant, of your very self, who once experienced the meaning of being in the womb.

You are here because your mother believed that your life was sacred and inviolable, not because she made a choice.

We can choose many things, but to choose to kill is not a choice at all. It is a tragic failure to be human and to recognize the truth of human life in the womb.

It is a decision motivated by the claim that my freedom and my rights are greater than the life of an innocent baby, a baby I once was in my own mother’s womb.References: Pope John Paul II, Evangelium Vitae (EV), 1995.

Francis Cardinal Seper, Declaration on Procured Abortion (DPA), 1974.

16 April 18, 2011

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