04.21.08

Vanguard The

Volume 45, Number 33

April 21, 2008

Out with the old, in with the new -say goodbye to The Vanguard outgoers the proper way see pages 18 - 21

Serving USA SinCe 1965

University-owned Hillsdale homes to be vacated Devi Sampat SENIOR REPORTER dss608@jaguar1.usouthal.edu

Renters in all university-owned Hillsdale homes were notified earlier this month that leases would not be renewed beyond Sept. 30.

A total of 165 houses, including rental and vacant properties, will be demolished by year's end, according to University officials.

The vacating and demolition of the University’s last Hillsdale rental properties will complete the University’s long-stated plan to get out of the single-family rental business, leaving some students upset.

“It was a complete shock when we had received the letter,” said Meredith Davis, a freshman student. “We had expected to live here all four years of school.”

Davis currently lives in the front section of Hillsdale with her husband, Chris, and baby son, Bryant. To make the transition easier, the University has offered a discounted rate for students to live in on-campus dorms, but many Hillsdale renters will not be eligible to live.

“I know some of our neighbors who will have some problems,” Davis said. “The man next door works for the school, and he is an adult, so he will have to find something new, because he is not eligible to live in The Grove even if he wanted to.”

Even students like Davis won’t be able to take advantage of the University’s offer of discounted rent in the resident halls.

“They [University officials] offered for people who are eligible to live in campus housing, but if you are married or with kids, you are with no option,” Davis said. “So basically it’s only for single people who wouldn’t have lived in Hillsdale anyway.”

USA's renters on Hillsdale's west side were not asked to leave. The non-profit group X

see HILLSDALE, page 22

Leigh Patton / Managing Editor

USA students are being forced out of their homes in Hillsdale after their six-month leases were not renewed. Families like Meredith, Chris and five-month-old Bryant Davis are having to find somewhere else to live.

OOZEBALL 2008 What the hell is tenure?

Devi Sampat SENIOR REPORTER dss608@jaguar1.usouthal.edu

Marzieh K. Atigh / Photo Editor

USA students dug in the mud playing volleyball April 19 for the 2008 Oozeball tournament hosted by the USA Southerners.. SEE PAGE 6 FOR FULL STORY.

Inside

Lifestyles pg. 6

Fine Arts pg. 8

Since last spring, the University of South Alabama has seen protests, circulation of petitions and student opposition due to two recent high-profile cases involving professors being nonrenewed at the University of South Alabama.

Dozens of students have pledged their support to Dr. John Kline of the department of psychology and Dr. Moira Amado Miller of the department of English.

“We Heart Kline” T-shirts and large “We Heart Kline” sheet signs can currently be seen around campus. Students in support of Kline have even taken their fight to the popular socialnetworking site Facebook, forming a protest group called “We Heart Kline.” Currently, student petitions are circulating imploring the University to reconsider its decision to nonrenew Kline.

Last spring, students showed their support for Dr. Moira Amado Miller by performing a protest play in the Humanities Courtyard, proudly wearing “A” T-shirts and circulating a petition in support of Amado Miller.

Both professors have had their contracts nonrenewed and will be leaving the University at the end of this semester.

Entertainment pg. 10

The Vanguard P.O. Drawer 25100 Mobile, Ala. 36688 Newsroom - 460-6442 Fax 414-8293 Advertising - 460-6898 Letters, press releases, announcements - vanguard@jaguar1.usouthal.edu

Sports pg. 13

While many students are clear in their support for these professors, many students are unclear about what the tenure process actually is.

In its most basic form, tenure is simply the expectation of permanent employment. With this expectation comes greater job security and greater levels of academic freedom.

According to the University of South Alabama Faculty Handbook, “Tenure is a means to the freedom of teaching, research and of extramural activities and is a sufficient degree of economic security.” The handbook also recognizes that “freedom and economic security hence, tenure, are indispensable to the success of an institution in fulfilling its obligations to students and to society.”

The majority of the University of South Alabama professors are hired as tenure-track employees.

“We do have some positions that are nontenure, but the vast majority of them are tenure,” said Dr. Patsy Covey, vice president of student affairs. “Instructors and someone devoted solely to research and funded to grants may be nontenured.”

The tenure process is one that starts as soon as a tenure-track professor is hired to a university.

Professors, including tenure-track professors, X

Opinion pg. 16

see TENURE, page 24

Classifieds pg. 26

Vanguard online The

http://www.usavanguard.com

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April 21, 2008

USA breaks ground for new recreation center Hannah Skewes SENIOR REPORTER hks502@jaguar1.usouthal.edu

On April 23, the University of South Alabama is giving students and community members an opportunity to participate in the groundbreaking ceremony for the new recreation center. The ceremony begins at 4:30 p.m. and will take place on the corner of Old Shell Road and Stadium Boulevard, across from Stanky Field.

The new recreational center will be a state -of-the-art, 116,000-square-foot establishment.

Construction is set to begin soon after the groundbreaking ceremony.

The amenities the new center will provide include an indoor and outdoor pool, both heated along with a sauna and a whirlpool. The building will also include a set of rooms dedicated to weight and strength training, aerobic exercising and cycling. It will also include three basketball courts, racquetball courts, an indoor track spanning one-eighth of a mile and a rock-climbing wall surrounded by glass.

“The new Student Recreation Center will be one of the finest facilities of its kind in the country,” said Dr. John Smith, vice president of student affairs. “As it offers a fitness and social center for our students, it will enhance our student life for years to come.”

X

Courtesy of Public Relations

A groundbreaking ceremony for the University of South Alabama’s new recreational center will be held April 23. The facility will include an indoor and outdoor pool, a sauna, whirlpool, weight rooms, three basketball courts, racquetball courts, an indoor track and a rock-climbing wall.

see CENTER, page 24

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P LICE BL TTER 04-12-08 Criminal Mischief An unknown person(s) slashed two tires on a vehicle belonging to a female student, causing $400 worth of damage.

The vehicle was parked at the Alpha Omicron Pi House. No suspects were identified, but an investigation is pending.

04-12-08 Criminal Mischief The crime of Criminal Mischief 3rd Degree was committed at The Grove building 5. $400 worth of damage was done. No suspects were identified. An investigation is pending.

WEATHER

04-14-08 Burglary A Playstation 3 and a 32 inch flatscreen TV were stolen from a male student’s apartment in Beta 4. Together, the two items are valued at $1,300. No suspects were identified. An investigation is pending.

University of South Alabama’s Student Voice Mission

04-14-08 Criminal Mischief An unknown person(s) cut four tires on a vehicle parked near the Delta dorms. The offender(s) caused $500 worth of damage to a female student’s car. Two black males were identified in the crime. Police are investigating.

04-14-08 Criminal Mischief A female student found $2,000 worth of damage to her vehicle that occurred while it was parked in the Delta 6 parking lot. A white male was identified as a suspect. An investigation is pending.

The Vanguard, a student-run newspaper at the University of South Alabama, serves the student 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, vanguard@jaguar1.usouthal.edu or The Vanguard, University of South Alabama, P.O. Drawer U-25100, 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. z 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. z The Staff Editorial represents the majority of the Editorial Board, which is composed of the Editor in Chief, News Editor, Opinion Editor and Lifestyles Editor.

All members of the Editorial Board have the same weight during weekly Editorial Board meetings. z 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 email vanguard@jaguar1.usouthal.edu.

04-14-08 Harassment A male student reported being harassed by a non-student near the Delta 4 dorms. The victim identified a white male. Police are investigating the incident.

z

04-14-08 Criminal Stimulation A male subject passed a counterfeit $20 bill at the library to pay fines. Police are investigating.

z

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 all University buildings and select off-campus locations. The first copy is free. Additional copies are $1 each.

z

EDITORIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief: Jason Shepard Managing Editor: Leigh Patton Associate Editor: Anna Chapman Lifestyles Editor: Ashley D. McGee Fine Arts Editor: Ashley Gruner Entertainment Editor: Stephanie A. Hudson Opinion Editor: Matt Flanagan Sports Editors: John Kenny, David Hopper Senior Reporters: Hannah Skewes, Devi Sampat Photo Editor: Marzieh K. Atigh Copy Editor: Jeremy Daughtry

DISTRIBUTION Distribution Manager: Jolyn Picard Distribution: Brandon Phillips

ADVERTISING STAFF Advertising Manager: Glen Aikman Assistant Advertising Manager: Patrick Senn Graphic Designers: Jennifer Manning, Rajesh Chindurala

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-25100 Mobile, Ala. 36688 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.

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CAMPUSGRIPES To voice your campus gripes or praises, e-mail us at campusgripes@yahoo.com, or anonymously mail us at The Vanguard, U-25100, Mobile, Ala., 36688

S.A.J.A.E, enjoy your time It seems that the S.A.J.A.E. (Students Against Just About Everything) are up to their old hijinks again. Last week's edition said the SGA was "inherently immoral?" I literally laughed out loud at that one. The SGA uses a part of the student fee to promote student interests, to provide funds for philanthropic events, and to help promote and organize social events on campus that serve campus life. We have a great campus that is expanding and improving, students and student groups that are becoming more and more involved with the University and a SGA that is there for and open to all students. The S.A.J.A.E. should enjoy their time at South instead of wasting it away with frivolous, retaliatory campaigns.

Congrats to USA mascot I was impressed that our mascot won best mascot. Our mascot is full of spirit and gets the crowd rolling during any Jaguar game. No wonder he won first place. GO JAGS!

Don’t we have a voice?

I think that we as students should have a voice on whether or not a professor should leave. Aren’t we the ones being educated and spend more time with the professors? There are other professors here on campus that should leave and not those who actually DO care about us, like Dr. Kline.

Enjoyed review of Newk’s I enjoyed reading the Newk’s review in the last issue. I’ve always wanted to eat there, but didn’t know what it was like. Now I have an idea.

Not fair for students to move I think it’s heart breaking to see those students being forced out of Hillsdale especially those with families that depend on a low rent. I read the Press-Register article about the young lady with the baby. I think they should let her stay until she graduates.

A great day supporting Jags The baseball games this past weekend were a lot of fun. My children enjoyed the game on Saturday and it was a beautiful day.

April 21, 2008

Renowned surgeon to speak at commencement Doug Little STAFF WRITER slayertidus21@aol.com

Dr. Benjamin S. Carson, a professor of neurosurgery, oncology, plastic surgery and pediatrics at Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, will be the University of South Alabama's spring semester commencement speaker.

Carson will address the USA graduates and offer his inspiring story of hope, courage and determination. He is a highly regarded motivational speaker who has addressed various audiences from school systems and civic groups to corporations and the President's National Prayer Breakfast. USA will honor him with a doctor of humane rights degree.

Carson's career highlights include the first separation of Siamese twins joined at the back of the head in 1987, the first completely successful separation of type-2 vertical Siamese twins in 1997 in South Africa, and the first successful placement of an intrauterine shunt for a hydrocephalic twin. Carson is interested in all aspects of pediatric neurosurgery, but is especially interested in trigeminal neuralgia [severe facial pain] in adults.

As a child, Carson grew up in a single-parent home. Though challenged with poverty and poor grades in elementary school, he would not let that interfere with his dreams of becoming a physician.

Carson attended Yale University after high school where he received his baccalaureate degree in 1973, then proceeded to get his medical degree at the University of Michigan School of Medicine in 1977.

World-renowned as a surgeon, teacher, medical scientist and the author of numerous scientific books and book chapters, Carson also holds 46 honorary doctorate degrees, and is a member in numerous prestigious organizations such as Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and the Horatio Alger Society of Distinguished Americans.

In 2001, Carson was named by CNN and Time magazine as one of the nation's 20 foremost physicians and scientists and also selected by the Library of Congress as one of 89 “Living Legends” on the occasion of its 200th anniversary. He was appointed in 2004 to serve on the President's Council on

Courtesy of USA Public Relations

The University of South Alabama’s commencement speaker for the spring 2007 semester is Dr. Benjamin S. Carson, a professor of neurosurgery, oncology, plastic surgery and pediatrics at Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions.

Bioethics by President George W. Bush.

Carson is married to his wife of 30 years, Candy, and is the father of three sons.

May 3 marks the beginning for 1,208 graduates when they walk across the stage during commencement. USA will award 839 bachelor's degrees, 248 master's degrees, 13 educational specialists' degrees, 65 doctor of medicine degrees, 33 doctor of physical therapy, six doctors of audiology and four doctors of philosophy degrees.

Commencement will take place at USA's Mitchell Center at 2 p.m.

Learn Alabama culture with AFA Hannah Skewes SENIOR REPORTER hks502@jaguar1.usouthal.edu

The Alabama Folklife Association III is invited educators and researchers to participate in the Alabama Community Scholars Institute, a training program designed for anyone interested in researching, documenting and presenting aspects to Alabama’s traditional culture.

These traditions would include the music, food, crafts, stories, celebrations and work traditions of their own community.

The training program is nine days long and will be held at the USA Student Center from June 20 to June 28.

The Alabama Folklife Association is a statewide nonprofit organization with a purpose of promoting appreciation and knowledge of Alabama folklife. The group organizes festivals, fieldwork seminars and occasionally publishes “Tributaries,” the AFA Journal.

Dr. Kern Jackson, director of African American Studies and English professor, is helping to coordinate the event along with Nick Spitzer, host of American Routes on Public Radio International and Michele Forman, a documentary filmmaker who instructs at the University of Alabama in Birmingham.

“It's all interesting--you learn a lot of things you didn't know about Alabama culture, you get to spend the week with wonderful people who are interested in the same sort of things you are, you get to interview amazing people who are mas-

ters of Mobile Mardi Gras traditions like float building, costume making and playing in Mardi Gras bands,” Jackson said.

According to the Web site, ACSI may be of interest to schoolteachers, college students, museum workers, festivalgoers, people involved in cultural tourism and people in general who are interested in folklore and Alabama traditions.

“You get to interview amazing people who are masters of Mobile Mardi Gras traditions like float building, costume making and playing Mardi Gras bands.”

- Dr. Kern Jackson Participants will be trained to conduct field surveys, log and transcribe interviews, record, photograph and video tradition bearers.

Community Scholars will be studying Mobile’s Mardi Gras traditions as well as other traditions such as Sacred Harp singings, fishing, hunting, traditional crafts and community celebrations.

This is the third Alabama Community Scholars Institute, the first occurring in 2004 and the second in 2006. During the nine-day training program, participants will discuss projects being worked on, document their findings and learn how to apply them.

“We expect about 20 people,” said Jackson.

“When You Want The Best” More than 70 great tasting all natural smoothies including: • meal replacement • low fat • weight gain • low carb • malts & shakes • high protein •speciality • high energy

Be good to yourself!!!

310 S. University Korbet Square at the Loop HWY 98, Daphne

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April 21, 2008

USA student earned prestigious award

Health center accepts students’ insurance

T.R. Risner

sr510@jaguar1.usouthal.edu

STAFF REPORTER wxman08@yahoo.com

University of South Alabama meteorology student Meghan Mee has been awarded the prestigious Ernest F. Meghan Mee Hollings scholarship from The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Meghan is a junior in the meteorology department and came to South Alabama because of the uniqueness of the department.

“I chose the University of South Alabama for its unique advancements in atmospheric excellence, its in-house research institution [The Coastal Weather Research Center], seasoned staff and its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico,” Mee said. “Dr. Bill Williams made me and my family feel right at home when we came to the USA meteorology department open house.”

The scholarship is named after former South Carolina Senator Ernest F. Hollings and awards $8,000 per year during the award

winners' junior and senior years.

Award winners are also required take a 10-week, paid internship during the summer with NOAA. Housing and travel expenses are paid while interning.

“I would like to intern with the National Weather Service,” Mee said. “The NWS offers students the opportunity to learn more about careers in operational meteorology.”

The Ernest F. Hollings scholarship has many purposes including education, increasing public understanding and support of the ocean and atmosphere and increase training.

The purpose of the scholarship is to train undergraduates in atmospheric and oceanic science, research, technology and education. It also prepares students to educate and teach in subject of oceanic and atmospheric science.

Mee contributes her love for weather to an experience she had during a land falling hurricane.

“I encountered my first impressive weather experience in 1998 with Hurricane George, this is the catalyst where my journey as a meteorologist unfolded,” Mee said.

“I experienced many hours of a X

see AWARD, page 23

Sidra Rasool STAFF WRITER

With all the expenses anticipated upon entering college, students will no longer have to worry about economizing on their health. Effective June 1, the University of South Alabama’s Student Health Center, which specializes in the health care for college students, will begin accepting payments from a student’s private insurance to cover the cost of health care.

The Student Health Center, located in Building III of the Research Park, is fully-staffed to educate and promote the medical welfare of all students at South Alabama. With a licensed physician at the facility, students can seek medical help and advice from broken bones to STDs. Contrary to previous notions, the student health fee that every student has to pay each semester is not insurance. This fee only covers doctor services, and not illness, injury, lab fees, medicine and the like.

USA does provide its own insurance plan, which some of the student population choose to purchase.

“The majority of students have existing coverage under their parent’s private insurance institutions,” said Beverly Kellen, practice director at the Student Health Center. “For approximately the first year, students with private coverage in the ‘big four’ companies—Blue Cross/Blue Shield, HTH Worldwide [for international students], Markel and United Healthcare—will have the ease of having any medical claims filed directly; otherwise, students with private insurance in any carrier not of the four will be provided with a receipt for payment during their medical visit and then they or their parents will file a claim personally.”

X

see HEALTH, page 22

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Ashley D. McGee Lifestyles Editor ladypoeticsoul@aol.com

April 21, 2008

Just a thought ...

Ashley D. McGee LIFESTYLES EDITOR ladypoeticsoul@aol.com

When I began to notice that I was trying to balance classes, work and trying to run a mentoring program take a serious toll on my body, I decided to do something about it. Since I love everything all of my extra curricular activities and school is definitely a top priority, I did not want to let anything go.

At the women's leadership workshop that was sponsored by the YWCA and Career Services in March, I bought a copy of Valerie Burton's book “How Did I Get So Busy.” This book has a lot to so with the new aura of calm that is now hovering over me.

Burton focuses on, not eliminating activities from an individual's life, but coming to the realization of what a person need to do for themselves, as opposed to the things they want to do to please other people.

This life-altering book contains several exercises for the reader to complete to help them visualize just how cluttered their life is of unnecessary tasks. Once I wrote down my day-to-day routine on paper, I noticed just how much extra time I could have if I simply rearranged a few thing, not cut them out completely.

“How Did I Get So Busy” can be purchased at any Barnes & Noble for around $12.95, and most large bookstores around the country. For more information on lifestrategist Valerie Burton, visit http://www.valerieburton.com.

Ooozeball tournament keeps it grimy Southerners host successful day of dirt and fun

Kassie Everrett CONTRIBUTING WRITER klassy_kassie@hotmail.com

This past Saturday, University of South Alabama students, alumni and faculty once again had an opportunity to get down and dirty as part of the annual Oozeball tournament, sponsored by the USA Southerners. Oozeball is volleyball in a pit of mud.

“It’s exactly what I expected, and I loved it,” said Lauryn Davis.

New southerner Alisha Williams stated, “I didn’t realize how many people were involved in Oozeball.”

This year marked the 20th anniversary of Oozeball at South Alabama, which explains one of its catchy themes: “Mudslinging for 20 years.” The 20-year tradition had some big change incorporated this year.

Due the building of the new recreation center, the oozeball playing area had to be moved to a new location. The new home for the courts is between The Grove and the JagTran barn.

“I like the new location a lot,” said former southerner, Holly Peek. “I think the new site has better accommodations.”

In addition to the new site, there were five courts versus the four that were common in past years, and 56 teams rather than 48.

The new location of the event did not come without any troubles. There were several occasions where the courts would begin to leak and loose considerable amounts of water. However, that never distracted the oozeball players. Other minor problems came up through out the day but nothing that could not be handled.

Anytime an issue aroused, a southerner was working hard to fix it.

Sam Says: “Dr. Sam” CONTRIBUTING WRITER vanguard@jaguar1.usouthal.edu

Okay, so my boyfriend and I are supposed to be moving into an apartment together when the semester ends. We have been together for four years, and I am certain that I want to spend the rest of my life with him. The only problem is I always thought I would be married when I finally moved in with a guy. I feel like if he is ready to make this step, then he should be ready for the BIG step. What do you think?

First of all, I think you should stop thinking so much.

Marzieh K. Atigh / Photo Editor

Two Oozeball players show off their sportsmanship and “game faces” at the 20th annual Oozeball Tournament on April 19. The event, which is hosted by the University of South Alabama Southerners, brought a lot of students and members of the community to the main campus for the highly anticipated event. Money raised from the event is used to sponsor southerner events throughout the year.

Oozeball is also a special time of fellowship and farewells for the 16-member southerner group.

It marks the beginning of the incoming southerners, and the departure of the one who have served their two-year term. It is the last bonding experience with the leaving southerners and the official welcoming in the USA southerners.

The 2008 Oozeball champions were the members of team Oozey. The team began with a good start and dominated all the way to the very end.

Honestly, just because someone is ready to share their living space with you does not mean they are ready to spend the next 60 or so years with you. From what you have said, I am certain that your boyfriend really does love you because I know I would not be moving in with someone I did not deeply care about.

Have you told him how you feel about this? If you have not, then you cannot blame him for not seeing anything wrong with it. If you have, he might be a little confused about what you really want because you have agreed to these new living arrangements. Aside from what you may want to believe, he cannot read your mind.

While I was on the phone with my dad a few days ago he decided to slide into the conversation that he and my mom got separated while I have been away at school. When I went home for winter break they seemed fine, so I really do not know where all of this is coming from. I did not even get a real reason why from my dad.

What I do know is that I really do not want to go home for the summer anymore. Should I go home and face reality, or try to stay here a little longer to avoid it?

I want to start by saying I am sorry to hear about your parents. I honestly think you knew the answer to this ques-

“It was a team effort, and we had no weak players,” said collectively by the members of team Oozey. Oozey defeated the Wildcats placing them in 2nd place.

Teams White Chocolate and Yellow Fever came in third and fourth places.

The southerners had several co-sponsors and helpers to make the big event a success.

They included SGA, the Echsner Family, the Trophy Shop, Mobile City Fire Department, USA Landscaping and Maintenance, Dirt, Inc, Coke Company and Domino’s pizza.

tion before you even asked me. You have to go home.

There are some serious decisions being made without you that affect your life. Though several parents may disagree, I feel your parents owe you a full-length explanation. You definitely cannot stay here and act like it is not happening.

No matter how hard we try, we cannot hide from reality.

I have recently realized that one of my closest friends is not the one for his girlfriend. I'm so tired of seeing him dog her because she is really a cool chick. Is it my place to let him know I feel?

No, it is not out of place for you to speak your mind. If he is really your friend, he should respect what you have to say. He is basically wasting his time and his girlfriend's time, so you being a good friend by pointing out that the relationship will never go anywhere if he keeps behaving the way he does is okay.

Now, what you cannot do is tell the girlfriend how you feel. No matter what, your first loyalty is to your friend.

Unless you actually like the girlfriend for yourself...and that is a completely different matter entirely!

ASK DR. SAM! Send your questions to vanguard@jaguar1.usouthal.edu

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Top places to study for finals on, near campus Miranda B. Scorver STAFF WRITER MissScorver@aol.com

Finals are a week away and most people just want a quiet place to try and cram all of the information needed to make a descent grade. The most obvious place is the library, but this does not work for everyone.

Some people cannot stand the fact that the library is so quiet. If they are anything like me, after about thirty minutes of reading the words start to run together and your mind starts to wander. People say that this can be eased by listening to soothing music. Though it might not be “your thing” on an everyday basis, music without words works best. So, feel free to turn down the One Republic and crank the Miles Davis while studying for your final exams.

If a student if on the main campus, they could also try studying in the Student Center. It is a little more energetic than the library and has a few extra amenities, such as The Daily Grind (coffee is a necessity to some when studying subjects that do not interest them). The downside is that people know they do not have to be quiet in the Student Center. This could be a problem for people who are distracted easily.

If a student chooses to study in the student center, they are close to The Market, the campus bookstore and Southpaw Services. So, if hunger is calling your name, the need for a boost of energy way too apparent or forgot to

http://www.marywood.com

Finding a good place to study for finals may be require a little more thought than finding a place to read a good book, but it is not impossible. There are several places on, and around campus, that are perfect for early morning, afternoon and late night study sessions.

pick up some extra note cards, just what you need is less than four minutes away.

Another good place to finally crack the seal on that textbook that got ignored all semester is the study rooms located in the housing offices of each dormitory. These are quiet little rooms where classmates can gather and have small study sessions. The best thing about these is they are in walking distance from the bothersome roommate that may not be taking finals as seriously as they should.

One might also want to look into checking out the local coffee houses. Luckily, several surround the main campus, and there a new Starbuck’s was built a few months ago on Government Street, not too far from the Springhill Avenue campus. It is easier to gather a few friends and get together at a coffee shop, Dr Java’s for example, and grab a table, as opposed to asking them to meet up at the library, which prefers you do not eat there. At coffee houses, an individual has the luxury of having beverages and snacks there. Also, many of them have free wireless internet so do not forget to bring a laptop.

Finally, my personal favorite is one’s very own bedroom.

In the privacy of your own home you can be as comfortable as you like. You can wear your pajamas, lie in your own bed, sit in your favorite chair and use your own computer. There are, however, a few downfalls to this. Mainly, being that it is very easy to get distracted at home; can you say television, Internet and unexpected visitors?

History is definitely at bay U.S.S. Alabama is smart vacation stop for families and tourists Ashley D. McGee LIFESTYLES EDITOR ladypoeticsoul@aol.com

http://www.arideacrossamerica.org

Members of the African-American Student Association belts beautiful music into the heavens during their annual spring Concert which was held on April 17. Several who attended described the show as being "a life changing experience". Students and community members poured into the Student Center Ballroom to see the energetic group express their love and dedication to God. This concert was the last performance for the group before the semester comes to an end.

The Battleship Memorial Park is a favorite amongst on history buff and any child with an endless imagination. The WWII battleship U.S.S. Alabama and the submarine U.S.S. Drum have made the Mobile Bay area their home for almost 40 years and draw in thousands of tourist a year.

Battleship Memorial Park Director of Sales and Marketing Karen Conner attributes the U.S.S. Alabama’s popularity to its rarity.

“There aren’t many places in the U.S. where you can visit an actual WWII battleship,” states Conner, mentioning the closest one to this region, after the U.S.S. Alabama, is in North Carolina.

The U.S.S. Alabama has several aspects which tourists of all ages find appealing. Children often get lost in make-believe games of “navy soldier” or scream in amusement while riding the flight simulator located in the Aircraft Pavilion, while parents become informed about an intricate piece of our nation’s history.

“Personally, I like the softer side of the ship. I love touring the actual living quarters. A person who has never served in the military doesn’t really know what it’s like, but looking at where the soldiers ate and slept allows me to relate it to my own life,” added Conner.

Also, any history fanatic is guaranteed to enjoy themselves. Not only are informative and interesting

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stories about the ship’s time at sea posted throughout the floating museum, books about the ship can be bought at the park’s bookstore. Along with official navy apparel.

Battleship Memorial Park is located at 2703 Battleship Parkway (about a four minute drive from downtown Mobile), just off Interstate 10. During the summer touring season, it is open from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. Tickets for visitors ages 12 and up is $12, $6 for ages 6-11 and children under age six get in free.

http://www.tripadvisor.com

The U.S.S. Alabama is a floating museum that has rested in the Mobile Bay for almost 40 years. The once active WWII battleship now serves a walk through our nation’s history for thousands of tourists from around the world each year.

People Travel are limitless.

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If you’re interested in writing, e-mail the editor at Fitness Health ladypoeticsoul@aol.com or call 460-6442.

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Ashley Gruner Fine Arts Editor amarie588@gmail.com

April 21, 2008

Gulf Coast welcomes Broadway Daniela Werner STAFF WRITER danigirl6013@gmail.com

Anyone who has seen two dancers perform the tango knows that it’s not a dance for the faint of heart, or the conservative.

Upon hearing the word “tango,” one usually imagines a seductive Spanish woman in a red dress dancing with a dark, handsome man donning a tux. A rose in one of their mouths may or may not be present, but that is at the discretion of the imaginer.

Harmony Artists, Inc. will present Luis Bravo’s “Forever Tango” on Wednesday, April 23 at 7:30 p.m. at the historic Saenger Theater.

The cast of 14 dancers, who also choreographed the production, is primarily from Argentina.

Luis Bravo, creator and director of Forever Tango, had a love for music early in his life. At age four, he began guitar studies and later began learning to play the cello.

Bravo, who has won numerous awards, has performed with a number of prestigious orchestras such as the Los Angeles Philharmonic Institute Orchestra.

A patron and performer of Argentinean music, Bravo has toured through several countries and is “deeply involved in promoting talent through his company that specializes in Argentine tango and folkloric music.”

According to “Forever Tango’s” Web site, the dancer and dance captain Jorge Torres leads the troupe of dancers with “a refined talent and style [that] place him among the outstanding choreographers and dancers of Argentine Tango.” In 1998, his choreography in Forever Tango won him a Tony Award.

For ticket information, call (251) 2085600. To view the production’s touring schedule, visit http://www..forevertango.us.

Courtesy of Daniela Werner

Luis Bravo’s “Forever Tango” will be performing at the Mobile Saenger Theatre on April 23.

MSO to end season with ‘Classical Fire’ Daniela Werner STAFF WRITER danigirl6013@gmail.com

The Mobile Symphony Orchestra will present its season finale “Classical Fire” at Mobile’s Saenger Theater on Saturday, April 26 at 8 p.m.

MSO Conductor Scott Speck will lead the orchestra in works composed by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, John Adams, Composer-In-Residence Kevin Puts, and Joaquin Rodrigo. Spanish guitarist Pablo Sainz Villegas will join the MSO in Rodrigo’s “Zealous Concerto for Guitar.”

http://www.mobilesymphony.org

Spanish guitarist Pablo Sainz Villegas will be performing with the MSO in the season finale.

Tchaikovsky’s “Symphony No. 4, in F Minor, Opus 36” was commissioned by the wealthy widow Nadezhda von Meck in 1876, which sparked an intimate correspondence between the famous composer and his commissioner via letters.

Even though they never met face-to-face for over fourteen years, the two became quite intimate through letter writing.

Tchaikovsky even visited von Meck’s estates, but she was always absent when he did.

The composer, longing to meet his long-time commissioner, was torn between his love for von Meck, his marriage to another woman and his own homosexuality. Tchaikovsky dedicated his fourth symphony to von Meck, with this message: “How much I wish to prove... all my gratitude and sincere love for you!

I have only one way - my music. I shall inscribe on the [Fourth] Symphony, ‘Dedicated to my friend.’”

The piece reflects Tchaikovsky’s feelings towards fate, which he ardently labeled as “the force that prevents our hopes of happiness from being realized, that jealously watches to see that peace and happiness not be complete”.

One critic called John Adam’s spirited “Short Ride in a Fast Machine” as “furiously driven, an outgoing depiction of an exhilarating but risky ride in a sports car pushing its mechanical limits and barely under control.” Adams called himself “a minimalist who is bored with minimalism,” and this is evident in his varied use of two synthesizers and 15 different percussion instruments.

“Classical Fire” will be the world pre-

http://www.mobilesymphony.org

“Classical Fire” will be the world premiere of Kevin Puts’ “Horn Concerto.”

miere of the “Horn Concerto” by Kevin Puts, whom the Cincinnati Enquirer called “an emerging young composer who is turning heads around the country.” Puts’ works have been commissioned and performed by many prominent orchestras, including the Atlanta and Baltimore symphonies, the Tonhalle Orchestra in Zurich and the New York Philharmonic.

Puts received his bachelor of music at the Eastman School of Music and was X

see MSO, page 23

Upcoming book features local photographs Amanda B. Johnson STAFF WRITER amanda_b_johnson@yahoo.com

On April 15, in celebration of National Library Week, authors Carol Ellis and Scott E. Kirkland were pleased to present images from their upcoming publication, "Historic Photos of Old Mobile.”

Several of the 40 plus photographs discussed during the presentation are part of an accrual found at the University of South Alabama's Archives collection.

The Archives, established in 1978 on the ground floor of the USA Springhill Campus, holds one of the largest photographic collections in the region with negatives documenting late 19th and 20th century Mobile, Southern Alabama and our university.

The history of Mobile, told through over 200 black-and-white photographs, portrays life in the Azalea City through imagery spanning over 100 years. Photos from "Historic Photos of Old Mobile” were selected from the Clarke County Historical Society, Harris Photo Company, Library of Congress, Mobile Public Library, Museum of Mobile and the University of South Alabama Archives. They recount Mobile Mardi Gras, the devastation of hurricanes, our cities shipyards and scenes on Dauphin Street.

"I think these photos remind us of what we've got but can also engender pride in a city that is older than the United States and has a rich cultural and political history,” writer Scotty Kirkland said. “Mobile has an almost unparalleled photographic record for a city of its size, and I think that preserving, disseminating and discussing those images is a high and worthy calling.”

Several images from the USA Archives are on display on the first floor of the USA Library. These nostalgic photographs, like those included in "Historic Photos of Old Mobile,” invite us to explore what a great city Mobile once was and continues to be.

From images of the installation of the Bankhead Tunnel in 1941 to Carnival Queen Margaret Lyons of Mardi Gras 1935, Old Mobile is remembered through the camera’s lens and through the hearts of past and present Mobilians.

Street scenes of Dauphin Street reintroduce us to buildings that have been both restored and destroyed: VanAntwerps Drug Store, Mobile Sporting Goods and local hardware stores have been replaced by modern day bars, restaurants and art galleries.

“I think these photos remind us of what we’ve got but can also engender pride in a city that is older than the U.S. and has a rich cultural and political history.” - Scotty Kirkland Photographs of a thriving shipyard, filled with Snapper twice the size of today's catch, capture one of Mobile's most prized attributes: its fishing industry.

From agriculture to civil rights, each memorable image takes a step back in time to what the City of Mobile is best remembered for and to a generation long gone.

Carol Ellis, who originates from Frankfurt, Germany, moved with her family to Mobile in 1970. She currently serves as archivist for USA. Scott Kirkland, a graduate student in American history at USA, also serves as an assistant at the University Archives.

"Historic Photos of Old Mobile,” part of Turner Publishing's Historic Photo series, offers a collection of large scale imagery, accompanied by commentary from the authors, and is sure to be a delightful reminder of our beloved city.

9 Group of artists displays Southern heritage The

Vanguard

April 21, 2008

Kathryn Garikes STAFF WRITER daffodilkg2@aol.com

The Mobile Museum of Art is now featuring the exhibit “Gen X, Post Boomers and the New South.”

“Generation X” is the term used to define and represent the group of baby boomers born between 1940 and 1964, during the Vietnam War and the draft.

All of the artists in this exhibit were born after 1964 and have lived in the South. The emphasis of this exhibition is the collection of the varied experiences that these artists felt.

The age of the computer and new technology came during this generation’s time and the Old South economy and population was booming, meaning that artists no longer had to reside in New York City to prosper.

The focus of these works is to enforce the idea that with the aid of the internet, the world is shrinking and that regional location is no longer a factor in contemporary art work.

Overall, the works capture elements of realism from the 1960s to the present. These works emphasis the new technology and media wave that has been brought on by the use of the computer.

This mixed media show is extremely moving and controversial. Several themes including religion, politics, race and discovering oneself can be found in this random array of art work.

http://www.mobilemuseumofart.com

The Mobile Museum of Art is now featuring “Gen X, Post Boomers and the New South,” putting a spin on contemporary artwork.

Artist Chris Scarborough from Nashville, Tenn., created a digital C-print of a female sprawled out in the snow. The figure is upside down and appears dead. Her eyes are extremely piercing and wide, giving off only a blank stare.

Carlos Betancourt, a Puerto Rican artist currently living in Miami, created a piece titled “Los Arrecifes.” The photo is of an orange figure resting between large rocks and it appears very disturbing.

Maggie Evans from Savannah, Ga., created a piece titled “Vibrating Light” with charcoal. Although the image looks as if it was done with oil paints, the charcoal drawing is fascinating and exhibits perfection.

Monica Cook, also from Savannah, Ga., painted “Rue De Bons Enfants.” The painting is of a female nude with an unclear and distorted face. Her body contains pale acidic greens and blues, giving the impression of death or fear.

Anthony Goicolea, an artist from Athens, Ga., created a C-print titled “Still Waters.” The woman in the image appears to be getting baptized and the men surrounding her are visions from the past. Overall, the photograph is precise and clear.

This exhibition at the Mobile Museum of Art will be displayed through June 15. The museum is open Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. - 5p.m. and Sunday, from 1 - 5p.m.

Admission is $10 for adults and $6 for students. For more information on the museum, visit their Web site at http://www.mobilemuseumofart.com.

USA Jazz Ensemble performs at Laidlaw Ashley Gruner

Upcoming Events at the Laidlaw Performing Arts Center

FINE ARTS EDITOR amarie588@gmail.com

Smooth jazz and outstanding performers, all in a relaxed environment, signaled the beginning of yet another great jazz performance at the University of South Alabama.

On April 15, the USA Jazz Ensemble, conducted by Dr. Tracy Heavner, performed their spring concert at the Laidlaw Performing Arts Center.

The concert proved that jazz exemplifies a variety of forms for big band and small ensemble including swing, jazz, latin, funk and the blues.

The recital hall was quickly filled by students, faculty and several locals. The audience showed their enthusiasm throughout the entire performance.

The ensemble opened the concert with Doug Beach’s “Cutting Edge,” an upbeat tune that quickly captured the audience’s interest.

With several shouts and continuous clapping from the audi-

USA Percussion Ensemble Spring Concert April 21, 7:30 p.m.

USA Choral Ensembles present “Highlights from the Mozart Requiem” April 22, 7:30 p.m.

Ashley Gruner / Fine Arts Editor

The concert featured several jazz favorites, performed by some of USA’s talented music students.

ence, the group’s gospel and blues arrangement of “Jesus Loves Me” was by far an audience favorite. The tune included a piano solo as well as a saxophone solo, in which Heavner captured the audience with his outstanding talent.

Some of the other tunes at Tuesday’s concert included Jerry Nowak’s “Down Under Shuffle,” Sammy Nestico’s “The Joy of Cookin,’” Quincy Jones’ “For Lena and Lennie” and W.C. Handy’s “St. Louis Blues.”

“For Lena and Lennie,” a Count Basie style tune, was a moderately slow ballad that featured several students.

The night closed with an Egyptian feel in Michael Mossman’s “The Dance of Denial.”

The concert, while providing solid entertainment for the audience, was able to show the limitless talents of the students at USA. The performance was a great way for the community to experience jazz music one of America’s greatest art forms.

The USA Jazz Combo will be performing their next concert Ashley Gruner / Fine Arts Editor in July, before their long-awaited trip to Switzerland. For more The Laidlaw Performing Arts Center hosted the USA Jazz Ensemble’s spring information on upcoming events at the Laidlaw Performing Arts Center, call the music department at (251) 460-6136. concert last week.

USA Guitar Ensemble Spring Concert April 23, 7:30 p.m.

USA Symphony Band Spring Concert April 24, 7:30 p.m.

Concerts are $5 for general admission and $3 for students, faculty, staff and seniors For more information, contact the music department at (251) 460-6136

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Entertainment

In Theaters

Chan, Li bring laughs to epic kung fu tale Stephanie A. Hudson ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR stephanieahudson@gmail.com

“The Forbidden Kingdom” opened last weekend just in time to beat the Memorial Day weekend movie flood.

The tale offered comedy and, best of all, the first pairing of martial artists Jet Li and Jackie Chan. As expected, the two actors inspired laughter from the audience and provided their usual astounding martial arts skills. Chan played Lu Yan, a drunken fist martial arts scholar; Li took a dual role in the film, portraying the Silent Monk and the Monkey King. The movie also introduced a newcomer to martial arts films, actor Michael Angarano who played the role of Jason.

Summary In the film, Jason travels back to early China to return a staff to the Monkey King, who has been trapped in stone by the Jade Emporer, portrayed by Deshun Wang. Returning the staff to the Monkey King will mean the defeat of the emporer and an end to the his tyrannical rule.

Along his journey, Jason meets Lu Yan and the Silent Monk to help train him in kung fu.

Acting Jet Li’s performance was by far the strongest of the movie, as he stepped far outside the limits of the stoic characters he usually portrays in a film. Newcomer Angarano was a strong martial artist in the film but his personality did not mesh well with the character he portrayed in the film.

Choreography Woo Ping Yuen choreographed the fighting scenes in “The Forbidden Kingdom.” He is well known for his work on the choreography for “Kill Bill” and “The Matrix.”

The fantastical nature of many of the fights scenes, i.e. flying and floating during battle, seemed to hinder the choreographer’s usual extraordinary ability to create intriguing fighting scenes. Many of the fighting sequences were repetitive. However, the choreography style was consistent throughout the film, keeping the fantastic nature of the story in mind.

Conclusion “The Forbidden Kingdom” was a comedic mix of “The Karate Kid” and “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.”

The director of the film, Rob Minkoff, just could not seem to make up his mind whether to present a truly epic tale or a farce of kung fu masters gone awry.

Overall, most Chan and Li fans may enjoy the film, but the strange storyline and weak lead character played by Angarano may hinder the its success with moviegoers.

Stephanie A. Hudson Entertainment Editor stephanieahudson@gmail.com

April 21, 2008

Croc’s Tour satisfied concert crowd Kiara Glaude STAFF WRITER ktg701@jaguar1.usouthal.edu

One Republic came and rocked the house at the USA Mitchell Center last Wednesday night. The concert capped off the end to a long spring semester, allowing students and others to let loose and jam. The house was packed and filled up quickly; there was not empty seat in the place.

Local band Ugly Sticks got the crowd pumped as opening act.

The next performer, hip-hop MC Fabolous, featured as special guest, was well received by audiences. The Brooklyn native got the crowd hyped with all of his past and present mega hits such as, “Holla back Youngin',” “Can’t Deny It” and “Make Me Better.”

After taking a hiatus in 2005 and 2006 due to an injury, he introduced his current album, "From Nothin’ to Somethin’" that dropped last year.

Upon their entrance, OneRepublic owned the stage as the main event. Known for their classic alternative rock vibe, the group is often compared to Coldplay for use of classical instruments such as piano. They exploded on to the New Year music scene with the gigantic hit single, “Apologize” which was a collaboration with producer Timbaland. OneRepublic performed the hit single on popular television shows such as, Cold Case, Smallville and Gossip Girl. The alternative band rocked everyone to their feet with the bands’ latest single, “Stop and Stare.” They also performed an encore of the hit “Apologize.”

The atmosphere was electric and vibrant. The audience members were seen rocking and singing along with the various musical acts. Most people went crazy when Fabolous hit the stage and started to sing along with his “Can’t Deny It” and “Make Me

Marzieh K. Atigh / Photo Editor

A full house greeted the nationally acclaimed group OneRepublic last Wednesday night at the USA Mitchell Center.

Better” hits, but there was an overwhelming response when the DJ scratched a little Alicia Keys’ “No One.” However, nothing could overshadow the loud echo of applause for OneRepublic’s “Stop and Stare.” The performance got the most praise and feedback of the night.

The concert was sponsored by USA Jaguar Productions and the X

see OneRepublic, page 25

Fairytale film leaves room for change Depp, Farrel, Law take over Heath Ledger’s former role in Gilliam movie Michael Winters STAFF WRITER michael.m.winters@gmail.com

At the time of his unfortunate and untimely death, Heath Ledger was busy filming The "Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus," the latest film by acclaimed filmmaker Terry Gilliam.

Christopher Plummer stars as the titular character, who is the leader of a traveling theater troupe who, through a deal with the Devil, played by musician Tom Waits, offers audience members a chance to go beyond reality and explore their imaginations through a magical mirror in his procession. When the Devil comes to collect on the arrangement, he targets the doctor's daughter. Heath Ledger plays a mysterious outsider named Tony who joins the troupe, and with them, embarks through parallel worlds to rescue the girl.

Ledger passed away on Jan. 22 in the midst of production.

http://drparnassus.com

While Heath Ledger played the lead role in “Dr. Parnassus,” actors Jude Law, Johnny Depp and Colin Farrell will take his place in the magical story.

However filming had been completed for scenes taking place in the real world. Production was disrupted and the film's future had suddenly become uncertain. Ledger's involvement had been a key factor in the film's financing which, at $30 million, was considered an unusually high budget for an independent film. Though production was suspended indefinitely by January 24, writer and director Terry Gilliam was determined to finish the film. He initially considered using computer-generated imagery to make Ledger's character magically change his appearance, perhaps into another character; nevertheless, the idea was always to keep his final work in the film.

"Terry was a very good friend [of Heath's]," adds Plummer.

"He very wants to go on with the movie, and I can very much understand why. Because he wants to dedicate it to Heath, of course."

The remainder of scenes yet to be filmed consisted of the troupe's travels through the magical realm in which they undertake a mission to rescue Doctor Parnassus' kidnapped daughter.

According to Variety, because of the fantastical nature of the story, Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell and Jude Law have been enlisted to play physically transformed versions of Ledger’s character, Tony, when he passes into the other worlds.

"Since the format of the story allows for the preservation of his entire performance, at no point will Heath's work be modified or altered through the use of digital technology. Each of the parts played by Johnny, Colin and Jude is representative of the many aspects of the character that Heath was playing," the producers said in a statement issued about the movie.

Gilliam was especially appreciative that the situation had been resolved in such a way that the finished film, Ledger's last film role, would be a tribute to him.

Plummer described his co-star as a "terribly like-able and obviously enormously talented...and the combination was terrific." In addition, Gilliam added, "I am grateful to Johnny, Colin and Jude for coming on board, and to everyone else who has made it possible for us to finish the film."

With the role recast, filming resumed in Vancouver in March.

"The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus" is currently scheduled for a 2009 release.

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April 21, 2008

Online games offer free entertainment for summer Brendan Davis CONTRIBUTING WRITER thater@gmail.com

It's that time of the year. Summer's tantalizing promise of liberation is dangling before our eyes, just beyond the prison bars of final exams. Finals week is a time when students will do just about anything to avoid studying for the exams that their entire future depends on. If you want some real quality time-wasting distractions do not settle on reality television or expensive liquor. Curl up with your laptop or home computer and dig into some of these free games available online. There's something for everyone.

Kongregate – http://www.kongregate.com Kongregate is a flash games aggregate site. Games are submitted by users and promoted to the front page through a peer voting system. The extensive library of puzzle games, RPGs, action, strategy and multiplayer games, is sifted through by other more patient players long before you see them so only the better quality games make the front page. Beyond just games the site features community features. Your profile tracks your gaming achievements and gives you points much like Xbox LIVE. You can maintain friend lists and chat with people while you play.

One of the most popular games is Desktop Tower Defense, where the player strategically places defensive towers in an attempt to defeat increasingly powerful marauding creatures which are desperately trying to cross your desk.

Ikariam – http://www.ikariam.com Ikariam is a Web-based massively multi-player persistent world strategy game which combines elements of tamagotchi toys with Sid Meier's "Civilization" series. You begin with a fledgling society which you must nurture and organize into a world conquering empire. This game is unusual in that there is really no way to win but there is immense satisfaction to be had by simply expanding endlessly within the game world. You can sign treaties and organize beneficial trade agreements through the forums,

http://www.ikariam.com

The online game “Ikariam” is one of the many free Internet based games available to PC gamers. “Ikariam” is is world strategy game that is similar to the Sid Meier’s “Civilization” and “Pirates” in scope and time consumption.

which is integral as your island has only one of four necessary resources in the game. You can also build armies and pillage other people's cities, but you run the risk of angering more powerful players if you behave undiplomatically.

It's a very protracted and somewhat passive gaming experience in that it takes hours and even days to accomplish certain things. So like a tomagotchi pet you have to check in every day or so and organize your civilization and make sure everyone has what they need but there is really no incentive to sit and play for more than a few minutes a day.

Informatist – http://www.informatist.net/ Informatist is a game that only business majors can really enjoy, let alone understand. It is a very deep business simulation game where you compete with other capitalists and entrepreneurs in a virtual persistent economy. It's not pretty but if you're into number crunching and the cut through world of business strategy then there's nothing better. Ironically it is totally free to play.

Collector’s set offers extended features David Hopper SPORTS EDITOR DSH401@jaguar1.usouthal.edu

They’re young. They’re in love. And they kill people.

Meet Bonnie and Clyde. American history’s most notorious criminal lovers, Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker tore through the South and Midwest during the 1930’s Great Depression robbing banks, holding up stores and leaving 12 dead in their path.

“Bonnie and Clyde” was re-released March 25 on DVD as an ultimate collector’s edition and a two-disc special edition, commemorating the 40th anniversary of director Arthur Penn’s 1967 film. The ultimate collector’s edition, which retails for $39.95, is intended for movie buffs and “Bonnie and Clyde” fanatics.

In addition to the same two DVDs include in the special edition, the fancily packaged collector’s edition has a reproduction of the original movie press book and a hardback photo

http://www.digitalbits.com

“Bonnie and Clyde” now comes as a collector’s set, including special-feature discs and a photo book.

book filled with images from the movie and behind-the scenes shots. The special edition sells for roughly half the price.

All the special features are worth checking out. Included is a three-part documentary “Revolution: The Making of Bonnie and Clyde,” a History Channel doc “Love and Death: The Story of Bonnie and Clyde,” Warren Beatty wardrobe tests, two deleted scenes, and the original trailers. “Revolution: The Making of Bonnie and Clyde” is about an hour long and is broken up into the segments “Bonnie and Clyde’s Gang,” “The Reality and Myth of Bonnie and Clyde,” and “Releasing Bonnie and Clyde.” The feature consists of new retrospective interviews with all the major players involved with the film.

Everything is covered from changes made with the screenplay to costume design to filming the graphic scenes of violence. “Love and Death: The Story of Bonnie and Clyde” is fascinating as it separates the mythology from the actual exploits of the infamous duo Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty star as Bonnie and Clyde in the groundbreaking film.

Gene Hackman is funny as Clyde’s brother Buck, and Estella Warren won an Oscar for her role as Buck’s high-strung wife Blanche.

Michael J. Pollard is C.W., the young mechanic who joined Bonnie and Clyde in their crime spree. Also, look out for legendary comic actor Gene Wilder in his first movie role.

Among the most important films of the 1960’s, films like “Bonnie and Clyde” and “The Graduate” ushered in an era in film history known as New Hollywood. The movement marked a shift from the classical studioera Hollywood. New Hollywood films often had more stylistic French New Wave-inspired X

see DVD, page 25

TrackMania Nations Forever http://www.steampowered.com Unlike the other games on this list TrackMania is a hefty download at 730MB. However it is also the most absurd and fun series of racing games ever. The emphasis in TrackMania is on fun rather than realism. It's a very arcade style racer and the physics are really exaggerated but easy to pick up on. You can play online and it tracks your stats and position globally as well as locally by state. It has a very in depth customization system in which you can paint your car, create tracks and challenges, and edit and share replays. If you perform exceptionally well on a specific course you can send your performance to your friends and they can compete with your car and try to beat your time. The game comes with 65 tracks but it's infinitely expandable. An analog controller, such as a Gamepad, is recommended.

Hip-hop tour storms Mobile Civic Center May 3 Kiara Glaude STAFF WRITER ktg701@jaguar1.usouthal.edu

The nationwide E & R Smoke tour brings Mobile to a halt with hip hop artists Flo Rida, Rick Ross, Lil’ Boosie and Trina.

They will receive the house hype at at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 3 at the Mobile Civic Center.

Flo Rida, a native of the Sunshine state, will be busting out his latest head knocker hit, “Low” along with the help of singer-lyricist and producer T Pain. His debut album, "Mail on Sunday," includes a monster hookup with superstar producer Timbaland on his most current single, “Elevator.”

Rick Ross, also a native of Florida, broke out in mid-2006, with his gigantic singles, “Hustlin’”, and “Push It.” The Boss introduced his sophomore album- Trilla that features some r&b hit makers, R. Kelly and T Pain.

Louisiana born artist, Lil’ Boosie is most famous for his hit featuring Webbie, “Wipe Me Down.” Hatch is now signed with Universal Records and is currently driving up the charts with his huge collaboration with Webbie on the hit single “Independent.”

Local

Event

Diamond Princess and Florida native, Trina, broke the mold with her certified gold debut album, "Da Baddest Bitch" in 2000. The self proclaimed ‘Queen of the South’ who had a high charting hit with Destiny’s Child’s Kelly Rowland on “Here We Go,” released her latest, "Still The Baddest Bitch," the first of this month. Currently Trina is working in the studio on her fifth album.

For ticket information, visit http://www.ticketmaster.com.

http://www.atlanticrecords.com

Flo Rida headlines the E & R Smoke Tour at the Mobile Civic Center on May 3.

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April 21, 2008

Sports

John Kenny & David Hopper Sports Editors vanguard@jaguar1.usouthal.edu

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April 21, 2008

Ragin’ Cajuns take series 2-1 Matt Weaver SPORTS REPORTER punkbrokenlove@aol.com

The University of South Alabama baseball team faced two tough challenges over this past week. The Jaguars defeated Auburn 7-1 on Wednesday night before losing two of three to Sun Belt Conference preseason favorites Louisiana-Lafayette. South Alabama now stands at 22-18 (9-9 SBC) and is fourth in the conference standings.

ULL 8, USA 6 The Jaguars battled back from two separate deficits but gave up two runs in the top of the ninth, dropping the rubber game of a three-game set to Louisiana-Lafayette 8-6 Sunday afternoon at Stanky Field.

The Jaguars entered the bottom of the eighth inning, down 6-4 when Ryan McCrory blooped a two-out, 2 RBI double in the centerfield gap to tie the game heading into the ninth.

South Alabama closer Greg Johnson (11), who was brought into the game in the eighth inning trotted back out to pitch the ninth and led off the inning walking lead-off man Dillon Guillory. A well executed sacrifice bunt by Cajun shortstop William Long placed the go-ahead run in scoring position.

Back-to-back singles from Josh Logan and Matt Goulas scored two runs and gave the Cajuns their final lead of the night, as South Alabama was unable to complete one last comeback in the ninth.

Justin Robichaux (1-0) picked up the win in relief of Cajun starter Michael Cook.

Cook gave up four runs on seven hits in five

innings of work.

USA 9, ULL 2 Sophomore Lance Baxter received a surprise start for Kevin Nabors and responded well, allowing five hits and two runs over seven innings as the Jaguars hit three home runs en route to Saturday's 9-2 victory over Louisiana-Lafayette.

Nabors, the announced starter was unable to pitch for the Jaguars due to an illness before the game and Baxter was notified half an hour before the first pitch that he was to take Nabor's spot in the rotation.

"You can't say enough about Lance," head coach Steve Kittrell said. "He did a great job, and I tip my cap to him. I was hoping he could go five or six innings because Louisiana-Lafayette has been pretty good against lefties.”

The Jaguars were led by the slugging Ray Kruml, Ryan Bohannan, and Jake Overstreet who were a combined 6-for-12 with three home runs and RBIs. ULL 9, USA 3 Louisiana-Lafayette starter Hunter Moody dominated South Alabama hitting, and the Jaguar lineup stranded 11 runners on the way to the way to a 9-3 loss Friday night at Stanky Field.

Moody was brilliant in eight full innings of work allowing three earned runs on nine hits. Moody struck out five while forcing the Jaguars to leave 9 men stranded on base.

South Alabama held a 2-1 lead going into the sixth but Jaguar starter Eric Gonzalez (54) imploded, allowing five runs on four hits,

Christopher Rowe / Sports Photographer

Junior first baseman Ryan Bohanan gets a lead off second base in USA’s loss to ULL on Sunday

including a lead extending three-run home run to ULL third baseman Matt Hicks. The home run ran the Jaguars deficit to 6-2.

South Alabama would score a single run off a Ryne Jernigan solo shot to left center, X

see JAGUARS, page 14

Lady Jags end FIU series with 8-2 FIU win Staff Reports vanguard@jaguar1.usouthal.edu

Christopher Rowe / Sports Photographer

Senior outfielder Evelyne Pare slides into third base in USA’s loss to the Golden Panthers on Sunday.

FIU 8 USA 2 The South Alabama softball team fell 8-2 in their Sun Belt series finale to Florida International Sunday afternoon at Jaguar Field. With the loss, the Jaguars fell to 20-26 overall and 5-13 in Sun Belt conference play.

FIU improved their overall mark to 25-30 with a 9-9 Sun Belt record. Next up for the Jaguars is Southeastern Louisiana on Tuesday night at 6 p.m. at Jaguar Field.

With the game scoreless after two innings, FIU put up six runs in the third. The Golden Panthers loaded the bases and Ashley Falk singled up the middle to score Desiree Fink and Kim Rodriguez. FIU added two more runs on a two-run double to left center by Jessica Landau. The Golden Panthers increased the lead to 6-0 after Carolina Rojas ripped a double that scored Amanda Cox and Landau. The six runs allowed in the inning were the most the Jaguars had given up in a single inning all year.

South Alabama put up their only two runs in the fifth. Autumn Hudson came in and scored the first run on a FIU throwing error. The second run came when Kristen Hayes hit an RBI single to right.

FIU scored two runs in the fifth when Monique White hit a two-run home run, her 14th of the season. The two runs were unearned due to a Jaguar error earlier in the inning.

Hudson, Evelyn Pare and Jenny led the Jaguars with two hits each. The Golden Panthers were led Landau, who went 3-for4 at the plate.

The winning pitcher was Holly Satterfield who pitched a complete game for the Golden Panthers. Amanda Leggett received the loss, giving up six runs in 2.1 innings of work.

USA 4 FIU 2 After dropping the opener, the Jaguars were victorious in the second game of Saturday's double header with a 4-2 win over FIU. FIU drew first blood with a run in the second inning on a solo home run from Kim Rodriguez. South Alabama struck back in the bottom of the inning, tying the game at 1-1. Krista Rodden started off the inning with a walk and moved to third on a Kristen Hayes single. Rodden then scored on a wild pitch.

The Jaguars took the lead in the third with three runs. Hudson lead off the inning with a single to left. Rodden knocked a tworun double to left center to give USA a 3-1 X

see SOFTBALL page 15

14

The

Vanguard

April 21, 2008

Let the playoffs begin ...

David Hopper SPORTS EDITOR dsh401@jaguar1.usouthal.edu

They're here at last. The grueling regular season is finished, and the always exciting NBA playoffs have officially begun.

The 16 best teams in the league, eight from each conference, will now battle it out for the next month and a half in hopes of reaching the NBA Finals, set to start on June 5. The Eastern Conference has some championship caliber teams and interesting first-round matchups, but the real competition lies in the Western Conference. With the 8th seeded Denver Nuggets losing only seven more regular season games than the top seeded Los Angeles Lakers, the West saw the closest playoff race in recent memory. The Western Conference playoff teams are so close in talent level that fans could potentially see all the first round series last at least six games. The Eastern Conference is a different story, though. The Detroit Pistons and the Boston Celtics, who compiled a league best 66-16 mark, are the pre-eminent forces in the Eastern Conference. The third-seeded Orlando Magic were the only other Eastern team to exceed 50 wins during the regular season.

With first round playoff commencing this past Saturday, the highlight of the day was the San Antonio Spurs 117-115 victory over the Phoenix Suns in double overtime. After Michael Finley knocked down a trey to send the game into overtime, another buzzer beater three came from

the unlikeliest of sources. With three seconds remaining, 7-footer Tim Duncan drained a 3-pointer, his first of the season, to put the game into double OT. Expect the Spurs-Suns games to make for an exciting hard-fought series that could easily go seven games.

Another noteworthy game Saturday was the two-seeded New Orleans Hornets come-from-behind win over the Dallas Mavericks with MVP candidate Chris Paul pouring in 35 points and dishing out 10 assists. After winning only 38 games the previous year, the Hornets have been solid all season en route to a 56-26 record. The Hornets have their hands full though as they lack the playoff experience the Mavericks possess.

The Rockets-Jazz series is another compelling matchup. The fourth-seeded Jazz are the favorites and took the first game Saturday, but the series is expected to go down to the wire. The Jazz have been virtually unbeatable at home, posting a league best 37-4 mark, but their road record was a dismal 17-24. The Rockets are as dangerous as any team when they are on top of their game, as evidenced by the 22-game win streak earlier in the season, but their work is cut out for them with big man Yao Ming sidelined.

Kobe Bryant and the Lakers should cruise past the Nuggets in the first round, and the power trio of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce and the top-seeded Celtics should sweep the sub-.500 Hawks.

Many would be thrilled to see the Lakers and Celtics play each other in the finals, a

throwback to the golden age of the NBA when the rivals faced off in the 1980s. It could very well happen, but the Lakers road to the finals is clearly much tougher than the Celtics. Not to take anything away from some of the Eastern teams, the Pistons have the depth and experience to get the job done and you can never count out the Cavs and 23-year old phenom Lebron James.

For those who have not paid much attention to the NBA, now is the time to tune in. Playoff time is here and every team is upping the intensity level because it's win or go home. From now through June, expect to see some of the most fiercely competitive, thrilling NBA games in years.

As it stands: Los Ang les Laker s lead 1-0 Lakers New Orleans Orleans Hor nets lead 1-0 San Antonio Spurs Spurs lead 1-0 Utah Jazz Jazz lead 1-0 Boston Celtics lead 1-0 Philadelphia 76ers 76ers lead 1-0 Orlando Orlando Ma gic lead 1-0 Clev s lead 1-0 Clev eland Cavalier Cavaliers

Jaguars X

from page 13

but would get no closer, falling 9-3.

“Moody did a good job on the mound, Kitrell said. “He was steady and made only a few mistakes.”

USA 7, AU 1 The Jaguars finished off their six-game road trip by defeating the Auburn Tigers 7-1 Wednesday night at Plainsman Park.

The win gives South Alabama the series sweep over Auburn after previously handing the Tigers a 4-3 loss in Mobile on April 4.

A game knotted at one run a piece was suddenly blown wide open by the Jaguars when Ryan McCrory and Bunky Kateon hit back-to-back-home runs in the seventh inning. McCrory's shot went over the right field fence following a Ryan Bohannan lead-off double. The back-to-back jacks were part of a six run inning that also saw contributions from the Jaguars big three in Raymond Kruml, Clint Toomey, and David Doss.

Michael Raia (1-0) picked up the win in relief of South Alabama starter Chris LaGrow. Taylor Thompson (2-4) took the loss for the Tigers.

15

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April 21, 2008

Women’s defeat ULL, men’s advance past MTSU Staff Reports vanguard@jaguar1.usouthal.edu

Women’s Tennis South Alabama's women's tennis team ended the Sun Belt Conference tournament in third place on Sunday in Monroe, Louisiana. The Lady Jags defeated Louisiana-Lafayette in the consolation match after losing in the semifinals to Florida International. South Alabama made it to the semifinals after defeating Arkansas State.

The Jags 4-3 victory over Louisiana Lafayette improved the team to 19-5 on the season. USA won two out of the three doubles matches, 8-6 and 8-4, to take the early 1-0 lead. In singles competition, Adrianna Solarova, Michaela Babicova and Jelena Krivacevic each won their match to give the Jags the four points needed for victory.

South Alabama had to settle for the consolation match after Florida International defeated the Jags 4-3. The lady Jaguars won two out of three doubles matches, 8-2 and 84, to take the first point of the match.

Sylvanie Spangenberg and Erica Krisen each won their singles match, but Krivacevic dropped a close singles match to lose the final match of the day.

The Lady Jaguars made it to the game against FIU after defeating Arkansas State 4-1. USA took the early 1-0 lead after winning their first two doubles matches, 8-2 and 8-3. Krisan, Krivacevic and Babicova each won their singles match to give the Jags the win.

Men’s Tennis The Jaguars men's tennis team advanced to the Championship game after defeating Middle Tennessee in the semifinals 4-1. The Jags won their first point in convincing fashion. USA took the point for doubles competition after outscoring MTSU 16-5 over two matches. In singles competition, R.J. Nagel, Robert Hodel and Marek Sramek each won their singles match to end the competition with a win.

To make it to the semifinals, USA had to defeat Troy. Troy fell to the Jaguars 4-0.

USA got their first point after winning two of the three doubles matches. For the points

Ashley Salley / Sports Photographer

USA’s Katie Welch returns a serve at the Bruce David Lubel Memorial Courts on the USA campus.

in singles competition, Hodel, Sramek, and Nagel each won their match to assure the Jag win.

SOFTBALL SBC STANDINGS

Compiled by: Staff Reporter T.R. Risner

Softball X

from page 13

lead, and Rodden added another run with she scored on a wild pitch again.

Rodriguez cut the Jaguar lead to 42 in the fourth with her second homer of the game. That would be the last run of the game. USA pitcher Amanda Leggett recorded a careerhigh nine strike outs and held the Golden Panthers to just three hits.

FIU 7 USA 5 The Jaguars jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning in the first game of the double header but were unable to hold on to win, falling to the Golden Panther 7-5. The first of the three Jaguar runs came on RBI single to right by Autumn Hudson. Jenny Stevens ripped a triple to right center to bring in Fallon Fisher and Autumn Hudson.

The Golden Panthers answered with a run in the second when Ashley Falk hit a solo home run deep over right center. The Jaguars added an unearned run in the second. Evelyn Pare belted a double down the left field line to score Julie Morton, giving the Jaguars a 4-1 advantage.

FIU cut down the deficit with a couple unearned runs in the fourth.

Amanda Cox and Carolina Rojans both hit RBI singles to trim the Jaguar lead to 4-3. USA added to their lead with a run in the bottom of the inning to put the Jaguars up 5-3. Hayes double to left center and then scored when Pare hit a triple to left center.

The FIU shortstop crushed a homer over center in the fifth to cut the lead to 5-4. FIU blasted another home run in the sixth inning, giving the Golden Panthers their first lead of the game. Katie Bell jacked a threerun shot to left to give FIU a 7-5 lead.

Holly Satterfield got the win in relief, allowing just one run on three hits. Pilgrim took the loss for the Jaguars. Pare led the Jaguars at the plate, going a perfect 3-for-3.

Compiled by: Sports Editor David Hopper

BASEBALL SBC STANDINGS Conference Record

Overall Record

1 Louisiana-Monroe

14-4

24-12

28-21 29-18

2 Troy 3 Florida Atlantic

10-5 10-6

22-16 21-13

9-8

18-24

4 South Alabama

8-7

21-16

5 Florida Int’l

8-9

24-30

5 Middle Tennessee

9-8

20-14-1

6 Louisiana-Monroe

7-8

17-27

6 New Orleans

7-7

23-12

7 North Texas

9-11

24-27

7 W estern Kentucky

7-8

20-16

8 South Alabama 9 W estern Kentucky

5-12 3-13

20-25 17-26

8 Louisiana-Lafayette 9 Arkansas Sate

8-10 5-10

18-18 16-21

10 Florida Int’l 11 UALR

5-10 4-12

12-27 8-25

Conference Record

Overall Record

1 Louisiana-Lafayette

11-2

33-10

2 Florida Atlantic 3 Troy

10-5 12-6

4 Middle Tennessee

Team

Team

Opinion

The

Vanguard

16

Opinion Editor

pufferfishx@gmail.com

April 21, 2008

OUR VIEW

I

Matt Flanagan

What a year it has been

T MUST BE said that this has been an extraordinary year for the University of South Alabama. As students of this institution, we are surrounded - in some senses, literally so by the improvements made throughout the University this year.

This year has seen the beginning, groundbreaking or approval of many important buildings on campus.

Among those construction projects begun this year, perhaps the most significant is the construction of the new Health Science Building, which will bring the College of Nursing and College of Allied Health Professions under one roof, and even more importantly, will bring students from these colleges back to the main campus.

This year has also seen the groundbreaking of the new Recreation Center and the Bell Tower. Both structures will serve to improve student life and beautify the campus. The University has also seen the recent approval of funding that will go toward the construction of a new, state-of-the-art science and engineering complex.

This year has also seen continued improvements and expansions in academics. From the start of classes for the first graduate-level pharmacy program offered at USA to the approval of the University's first ever Ph.D. program in clinical and counseling psychology, from added concentration in the College of Engineering to the new environmental toxicology interdisciplinary program, from the first-in-state revamped principal education program to the various new tracks and programs added throughout the University, it is clear that the University is making serious efforts to expand and improve upon its academic offerings.

In related positive news, the University has also seen a promise of additional support from the USA Foundation, promising to provide a grant of $471,000 a year for the express purpose of increasing graduate aid. This grant should go a long way in helping the University attract quality students to its graduate programs.

Arguably, the most historical news of the year was the approval of the University's first NCAA-sanctioned football program.

This year has also not been without its problems and controversies.

Among the events of this year, perhaps, the approval of the University's first NCAA-sanctioned football program could also be lumped into the controversial category. However, even with the mild controversies surrounding the program's approval, it is sure to prove to be a long-term asset for the University and the community.

Perhaps the two most salient events of this year that clearly belong to the problems and controversy category has been the University finally making good on its promise to get completely out of the single-family rental business and the on-going tenure controversies.

Most would agree that the University has long needed to do something with the properties it owns in Hillsdale. That “something” they decided to do was to get rid of them.

With this decision comes potential hardships for students with families.

Many of these students depend on the low rent in order to afford to continue their education. Now some of these students are going to force tough decisions, as they see their rent double and transportation cost increase.

In order to stay true to the University's mission of accessibility and for the University to continue to serve our large non-traditional student population, the University must reconsider a plan to bring low-cost family housing back to the University, even if it is through a near-campus private provider.

This past year or so has also seen two major tenure-related controversies.

Both professors Dr. John Kline of the department of psychology and Dr. Moira Amado Miller of the department of English were tenure-track professors who had their contracts nonrenewed.

While there is nothing in itself unique about a tenure-track professor not having their contract renewed, it is unique to have large numbers of students visibly protest a non-renewal decision. It is a testament to a professor's ability to positively impact the lives of their students when so many students come out to forcefully protest the decision to not bring a professor back.

These cases also point to a need to reform the tenure process. Every professor whose contract is not being renewed deserves a formal explanation in writing, and every professor who is non-renewed deserves the opportunity to appeal the decision. Both of these reforms have been pushed by the faculty senate this year. Hopefully, the University administration will adopt these recommendations.

Equally as important, the students who are affected by these decisions deserve to know that their favorite professor was not let go for trivial, non-justified reasons. As it stands now, due to privacy reasons, students are only privy to one side of the story - the side coming from the non-renewed professor who they are sympathetic to.

Though students may not ever be able to be privy to the real reasons why any given decision to not renew a professors contract was made, students may be more willing to show a greater degree of good faith toward those making the unpopular decision if they knew there were checks on the process that would help ensure that tenuretrack professors could not be nonrenewed for trivial, non-justified reasons. Again, it is hoped that the University administration will adopt the recommendations made by the faculty senate.

Hillsdale evictions are unfair According to the USA Central Housing houses will be vacated by the end of September.

Office, the people living in the University-owned This decision will ultimately have an adverse Hillsdale houses were recently notified that they effect, intentional or not, on both current and needed to make other future non-traditional students arrangements for housing. with families that wish to furMost of these were students, ther their education, but will some with families, who had not be able to due to the lack of Patrick Senn the affordable family housing been living there for somethat the University has made time. Also according to Staff Writer available for years through University employees I spoke these homes that were located with in the Central Housing in the Hillsdale area.

Office, there are no plans to Many students are already build anything on the majority of the lots that are being vacated, but instead experiencing difficult times due to the sudden this was an arbitrary decision made by the notification that they must find other housing University to get out of the “single family hous- arrangements. I spoke to one student who has ing business” that had been made years ago been forced out of his home by the University before the football program was approved. The and was homeless for a short time due to the University actually only has plans to demolish decision of the University to “get out of the famthe houses and build over 19 of these lots. ily housing business.” These are real people who X see EVICTIONS, page 23 However, all of the University owned Hillsdale

Gas tax relief not what it seems

I must admit that I am one of those who wait is the time when gas prices typically hit their peak until I am practically running on fumes before I fill and relief would be welcomed. McCain believes up my gas tank. I don’t know why I procrastinate. this will also give the economy some much needed I know that oil prices will not magically plummet stimulation as gas prices affect pretty much everyin a day’s time but I keep hoping I can catch it just thing else. As good as this may sound initially, a few cents cheaper. This many experts believe it will not sometimes works against me make much difference to the and when I do finally concede economy and could actually hurt it. The federal gas tax supdefeat and go to a pump, they Jennifer Harris ports the Highway Trust Fund, have risen. It is like my own which funds road repairs as well personal crapshoot. It is just Staff Writer such an unpleasant task that I as provides tens of thousands of want to wait as long as possijobs, and who is already facing a ble. So when a candidate heavy deficit. Additionally, the utters those magic words-“lower gas prices”- my more oil we import, the higher the trade and fedears perk up and my hopes rise. eral budget deficit becomes. McCain’s proposal Presidential hopeful John McCain knows that may give motorist a little relief initially, and I think this tactic will play on the many strapped motorists everyone would take what they could get, but it who dread watching their money pumped from seems to me it would just be a band-aid on a gushtheir wallets into their gas tanks. The senator has ing wound. I think the last thing we should do is proposed removing the 18.4 cent federal tax rate try to dig ourselves deeper into debt. on gas from Memorial Day until Labor Day. This X see GAS, page 25

Plagiarism is rampant among teachers, too

As students most of us are probably used to the beyond that the controversy soon died before it lectures and lessons of plagiarism, the temptation ever seemed to begin. and the watchful eyes on the other side. I can hardIn fact most people have never heard of it, and ly remember a class where that same old paragraph probably never will. Many of those who do know, didn’t lay it’s head on the pages of a syllabus or the and those that read this article, probably won’t ever lips of a stern teacher. And most of us tend to look know what to make of it: a few bad apples out of at those teachers as the ever so many, so what’s to make a fuss vigilant enforcers, which is reaabout? But it touches on somesonable I suppose. Academia thing, and something no just limafter all, is built on the idea of ited to the sciences, but that cuts Matt Eveland the teacher as an authority, across the entirety of academia. and its one we all like to So much of our schooling, and so Staff Writer believe, more than that want much of our world as a whole is to believe. rooted in the idea of infallibility, Earlier this year an article the idea of an authority figure came out on a little program that it seems we don’t want to let designed to search through academic journals; the go of it. And the fact that not much else will probpoint being to give scientists a tool to allow for ably ever come of this just helps to bury our heads rapid searches of scientific papers to save time, deeper. Looking good is always more important until a grad student came across the idea of using than doing what’s right, a truth most people seem it to search out the less reputable sides of science. unfortunately apathetic toward.

In just a handful searches they turned up dozens of What to take away from this is admittedly hard instances of double publishing and more than a to say: should we loose the trust, should we let it go? handful of articles out right plagiarized. A few To even look its self it seems would destroy much heads I suppose rolled, and at least one prominent of that trust we rely on, but may be in the end that’s scientist is looking at a career quickly falling, what needs to be done.

17

The

Vanguard

April 21, 2008

POINT COUNTERPOINT Are we out-growing our natural resources?

We are too many!

Laura Ledger STAFF WRITER lnl601@jaguar1.usouthal.edu

Our species is currently faced with an obvious and ever-growing problem – a dire case of overpopulation! It is the root cause behind a suffering environment, a failing economy, and the increasing miseries of humanity. It is surprising that many people choose to ignore this main issue, or are unaware that it is one.

It is simple ecology that there is a carrying capacity for every species on this Earth, and humans are no exception.

When a species exceeds that carrying capacity, then the species uses resources faster than can be replaced and produces more waste than the environment can handle. Eventually the species will exhaust the resources and degrade the environment to such a degree that numbers are forced to decrease, as well as the carrying capacity. Humans think that because of their intellect this doesn’t apply to them. It is true that we can delay nature’s attempt to fight off our numbers, but it is a futile attempt because there is a finite amount of resources and space on this Earth.

Earth currently contains over 6.5 billion people. Our population size is expected to double in just over 50 years.

For many of us it will occur in our lifetime. Under what kind of conditions will we be living in then? Under what kind of conditions are we living in now?

In present times we pay for the treatment of air and water when it was once provided for free by nature. Valuable resources are gone that technology does not equate with. We are also witnessing the mass extinction of plants and ani-

Technology can offer some help

mals. Why? Because humans are conMatt Flanagan sumers, and more humans mean more OPINION EDITOR pufferfishx@gmail.com consuming which inevitably leads to the destruction and depletion of ecosysOverpopulation is a large-scale issue tems—the system we are apart of and on affecting everything we know and love. which we rely. Is it surprising then that No, I am not melodramatically placing a almost half of our population is dealing weight on a random issue and telling you with water scarcity, and around 852 milto stop hiding from it and accept it (but lion lack enough food and water? Also 2.6 yes, you probably don’t want to hide from billion people lack basic sanitation, and this one), nor am I insinuating that there over one billion people is some easy, care-free are living in immense solution to this problem poverty. And the catch that someone working is, as population doutoward a B.A. in bles, so do these numEnglish can squeeze out bers. in one or two carefullyThere are not suscrafted sentences. tainable means to feed a Although, that would population of our size. be awesome.

Again and again farmInstead I’d like you to ers destroy forests for take a few assumptions farmland, for food to in mind. I’ll start this feed hungry people that argument at the very will produce even more basics. hungry people.

Number one: We Exhaustion of soil have one and only one and the increasing popplanet called Earth, our ulation has forced farmhome, which is a rather http://www.trueu.org/ ers to use land that is dear home to me and not suitable for farming, Overpopulation can adversely affect our you. In no way would I which calls for more natural resources if we do not discover imply we “jump ship” water and more distribu- more efficient means of producing them. and head to Mars or tion of poison. Farmland the moon, as that would uses a whopping 70 perbe ridiculous. cent of fresh water withdrawn. When Number two: We need to take care of humans began using water from Lake our planet in any way we can, while takMono of California in the 1940s, it began ing care of ourselves and each other. dropping about a foot per year. Not only Number three: I believe, somewhere was the lake being dried up but sandy down the line, there is a way to allow us beaches became mud, wetlands were to take care of ourselves, our planet, and altered, plants and shrimp disappeared, each other. All it takes is a little intellect X see OVERPOPULATION, page 23 with an eye on the future.

There are two main schools of thought concerning the problem of over-population: in my Population sociology class, we referred to them as the “doomsters” and the “boomsters,” or those who think we will eventually out-grow our natural resources, and those who think we’ll develop newer resources as we grow, respectively.

Is infinite growth and development possible in a finite world? Of course it’s not. The earth wouldn’t be able to handle such growth. This is why we’re discussing the problem in the first place.

However, I and some economic theorists believe it is possible to create more and more efficient ways of using our resources until we have an infinitesimally small amount of growth. Cato Institute economist Julian Simon theorized that even under-developed countries with little technological advancement could adopt strategies to allow growth for up to tens of billions of people.

I believe, however, that the main concern for us in this matter is how we obtain the mechanisms available to improve our technology. It appears that the majority of environmental development in most of the First World countries comes from political lobbying, which is not at all a reliable mechanism.

Our environment must be at the forefront of all issues, whether economic or political, in order to succeed in this matter. Only then will we have the sufficient sources and ability to improve our technologies. And if we continue to improve our state of life, we will continue to improve our chances of surviving on what little we will then need.

Question of the week: What are your summer plans?

“School and the beach!”

“I’ll be hanging out and working all summer.”

“Graduating, and then coming back to school.”

Christian Smith Junior Therapeutic Recreation Josh Goff Senior Psychology

“Graduating and finding some work!”

Richard Williams Junior Psychology Candace Bryant Senior German/ Philosophy

18

The

Vanguard

April 21, 2008

Out with the old ... in with the new What an odd journey it has been Introducing ... Ashley Jones As this academic year comes to a close and my editorship comes to an end, I cannot help but look back and be awestruck.

Position: Outgoing I was one of those kids who never Editor-in-Chief thought they would make it to college, let alone have the opportunity to be the editorMajor: Philosophy, in-chief of a university newspaper. Yet here History, Psychology I am.

There are so many people that deserve thanks and recognition for making this unlikely journey possible that it is hard to Plans for next year: I am looking forward know where to begin.

I guess the natural place to start is with to my last year at the University. I plan my family. I would like to recognize my to concentrate on my research efforts and wonderful six-year-old son, who is absolutely preparing for grad school. I also look the best son any father could ask for. I would forward to serving the student body as like to thank my wife, who I have found your SGA treasurer. strength and stability through. To my mother, I am forever grateful to.

I would like to give special thanks to my “other family” throughout Mobile. Let me just say that there were times in my young adulthood that were very rough, but there were always very special people that welcomed me into their homes when I had now where else to go, looked out for my safety and well being when there was nowhere safe to turn, and shared whatever they had with me when I had nothing at all.

And then somehow I found my way to college. I am still trying to figure out how that happened, but to those forces of nature, whatever they may be, that brought me here, I am forever thankful. Returning to my education has made all the difference in the world.

I would like to thank The Vanguard’s two previous editor-in-chiefs, Jeff Poor and April Havens. If it was not for Jeff, I never would have even thought about getting involved with The Vanguard. And if it wasn’t for April taking a chance on me, I never would have made it this far. Everything I have learned about journalism, I have learned on the job, and the two of them have been a big part of this learning experience.

I, of course, would like to thank the entire Vanguard staff this year. It has been a great learning experience for us all. Thank you for putting up with me and making this a wonderful year.

Throughout the year, there have been many faculty members and staff that have openly communicated with us when we needed information. Though I cannot individually name everyone, I would like to recognize Dr. John Steadman, dean of the College of Engineering for being especially helpful and for always being glad to be a part of the conversation, Dr. Eric Loomis for always being willing to talk about faculty senate issues when no one else on the senate would return our phone calls, and the entire public relations department for being the most wonderfully nice and helpful people.

I would also like to recognize Dr. Mir Zohair Husain for his regular contributions to The Vanguard and for his excitement and passion for all that he does.

There are also a few professors who have made a huge impact on my academic development I would like to briefly thank: Dr. Jerry Williams, Dr. Dan Rogers, Dr. Mara Kozelsky, Ms. Rebecca Williams, Dr. Philip Theodore, the entire philosophy department, especially Dr. Kevin Meeker, Dr. Eric Loomis, and extra thanks to Dr. Ted Poston. I also would like to thank all my fellow philosophy students, especially Anthony Shiver and Justin Litaker.

Best of luck to The Vanguard next year. I trust that my successor Ashley Jones will take The Vanguard to a whole new level, beyond what I was capable of doing.

Jason Shepard

Being selected to take over the role as edi- Ashley Jones tor-in-chief of The Vanguard is one of the most gratifying, and honestly frightening, Position: Incoming things that has ever happened to me. I go into the position realizing the responsibility I Editor-in-Chief have to inform students and faculty about issues and events, and also to ensure everyMajor: one has an equal opportunity to be heard.

Communications In my time as a student at South Print Journalism Alabama, I have witnessed the continual improvement of The Vanguard. Each new editor-in-chief has added their own talents to Plans for next year: I plan to decrease the newspaper. Over the years the best of the gap between students and faculty. I these additions have accumulated in what makes up the current Vanguard. This places hope The Vanguard will be a better representative of the diversity at South great expectations on me to not only mainAlabama. tain The Vanguard’s state, but also make it the best it has ever been. Upon my entrance as editor-in-chief, I promise to do everything I can to give you the best Vanguard South Alabama has ever had.

With Jason Shepard as my predecessor, I certainly face even higher expectations. This past year he has enhanced the paper with diverse coverage of educational policies and student achievements and has improved the relationships between students, organization, departments and administration. He has improved the overall objectivity and symmetry of The Vanguard by encouraging a variety of stories and opinions. My plan is not to stray from his direction and endeavors, but rather expand upon his efforts.

My ultimate goal for the upcoming year is to decrease the gap between students and faculty. I want to encourage the idea of a university in which the students and faculty play an equal part in its welfare. If we work together to achieve a common goal, we will have a better chance of succeeding.

The students at South Alabama are diverse and have a wide-range of interests. As editor-in-chief, I hope to reflect this diversity in The Vanguard by covering a variety of topics in all sections. With each issue, I will try to develop the overall balance of the newspaper.

I intend to include more Greek life coverage in the lifestyles section and performer highlights in the fine arts section. In the entertainment section, I would like for students to be able to tell what new music they are listening to. The opinion section will include topics which are relevant to students and include contrasting viewpoints.

However hard I may try, I realize journalism cannot be done without offending at least one person. Any issue that is worth writing about often comes with debate and controversy. I pledge to do my best to cover both sides of issues and to be as objective as possible. I want The Vanguard to mirror the diverse perspectives our university has.

The Vanguard is not only available in print but online at http://www.usavanguard.com. There are comment boxes to post thoughts and opinions about articles. I encourage students to interact online and give feedback to our staff. If there is something you enjoyed or thought was distasteful, let us know.

To The Vanguard Staff, thank you for allowing me to be a part of a great publication this past year. I am blessed to have such ambitious people to surround myself with and learn from. I hope many of you return as I assemble next year’s staff.

In these last weeks of school, I will be searching for students to fill all positions including editors, news staff, photographers and staff writers. I encourage everyone who is interested to contact me at kaj401@jaguar1.usouthal.edu. Even if you just have suggestions, I would love to hear them. I look forward to meeting and working with you.

The Vanguard provided a rewarding end to my college career As the year comes to a close, I want to thank everyone for such a great year. This was my first year to be on the editorial board of The Position: Outgoing Vanguard and has brought me a great deal of Managing Editor experience. As a communication print journalist major graduating May 3, I feel like this was the best way to complete my senior year. Being the Major: managing editor was rewarding to see a team of Communications writers, reporters and editors working together Print Journalism to complete a final production each week.

Although it is not an easy task to accumulate articles you want published every week, howevPlans for next year: Pursuing a career er I really understood the pressure as an editor as a journalist. of what to do in situations like that. But, without that experience, I wouldn’t know what to do in the “real world.” That is why I try to encourage print journalism majors to at least contribute to The Vanguard to really get to know the experience of a journalist. I truly believe it could either push you toward or away from journalism. My experience being an editor brought me the realization that working for or Leigh Patton

with the media is what I really want to do post graduation.

First of all, I want to thank Jason for giving me the opportunity to be a part of The Vanguard, when at first I didn’t even apply to the news section. He felt confident enough to hire me to cover news, that it gave me the confidence to do it. I’m glad I stuck with news because to me it’s more interesting. To my awesome senior reporters, Ashley Gruner (fall semester), Devi and Hannah, who worked hard and diligently to get the news covered and the interviews needed to make the stories come alive. Thanks to my staff writers, Sidra, Doug, April and T.R. and anyone else that came in and out. You guys are awesome. Not only did you all eagerly volunteer for assignments, you tried to make them come through efficiently and effectively. Thank you Anna, the associate editor, for backing me up when the news needed you. We can’t live without the police blotter. Marzieh, you have been a great aspect and contribution with the beautiful photos you took over the course of the semester.

Thank you for all your hard work.

I also want to thank the faculty and staff at the University for supporting The Vanguard and being prompt on responses needed for stories.

Not only did I work at The Vanguard, but I also worked in the public relations office here on campus. Thank you so much for the support all of you have given me. With words of wisdom, kindness and great inspiration, I was able to put forth my best work. Not only were you all flexible with my time, but allowed me to pursue each job to the best of my ability.

Good luck everyone next year, I know The Vanguard will be spectacular!

The

Vanguard

April 21, 2008

19

The year has been filled with many surprises, life lessons I must say, working with The Vanguard this year has definitely been full of surprises. Some of them were bad, but even more of them Position: Outgoing taught me life lessons that I will never forget.

Everyone who knows me understands just how Lifestyles Editor much writing is apart of my identity. It defines me in so many ways, so being the editor was Major: almost like an inherent duty I had to fulfill to Communications help me get to my final destination in the world of journalism.

Print Journalism Several writers came and went this year, but I had a few (my faithful writing staff) that Plans for next year: I am looking forward to another challenging and excit- remained true to the end. Jamie, Miranda, Patrick and Latoria...a thank you is due to each ing year with The Vanguard and look of you. Even though a few deadlines were forward to serving the student body as missed and sometimes articles came in just a SGA’s attorney general. little short of what was asked, whenever I needed either of you to cover an event at the last minute or go take a few snapshots at an on-campus event, someone was able to lend a Ashley McGee

helping hand. I hope that each of you plan on returning to The Vanguard staff in some form or fashion.

This article would definitely be incomplete without a heartfelt thank you to Jason and Leigh. Both of you have done a great job with the newspaper this year. Classmates were constantly telling me how much more they enjoyed reading the paper this year compared to previous years, and much of that credit goes to the two of you. Jeremy, I did not forget about you. I know that you have often joined in on those Monday morning 2 a.m. editing sessions, and your time was greatly appreciated.

I would also like to thank all of the student organizations that always sent me e-mails (or flagged me down in the halls) to let me know about an event they were hosting. Without your cooperation, my writing staff could have easily missed out of some of the best articles we had this year.

Last, but certainly not least, I would like to welcome yet another Ashley to the editorial staff. I have faith that you will make an excellent editor-in-chief.

I am looking forward to an eventful, challenging and prosperous future with The Vanguard, as I begin to prepare myself for my upcoming term as the SGA attorney general. But I know that every ounce of sweat, and every cup of coffee, will be worth it.

Goodbye, good luck to all in the future

Well we only have one week left until exams, students, so it’s time for this opinion editor to say all of his traditional shout-outs/goodbyes.

Position: Outgoing First I want to thank Rob Holbert and the Opinion Editor Communications department for keeping this paper up; it’s a valuable service to the students and I know they (and yours truly) appreciate the Major: English/ work and quality of effort that goes into it. The Creative Writing ability to inform the public is a powerful thing which requires a strong will and sense of responsibility; I believe this Vanguard staff has been able to do that this year.

Plans for next year: I am graduating I definitely need to thank my fellow editing this summer and pursuing a career in staff: Jason Shepard for being able to run everyjournalism. thing and actually make calculus, getting a 4.0 and taking care of a family look easy; Leigh Patton and Jeremy Daughtry for the hard work ethic on those weekends when I was probably the only one not finished – possibly including this issue, unfortunately; Anna Chapman for writing/researching some stuff so I wouldn’t have to; Ashley McGee (good luck with the SGA next year), John Kenny and David Hopper, Matt Flanagan

Nathan Brock and Stephanie Hudson, and Susan Pruitt and Ashley Gruner (who is definitely job-shadowing me, somehow; I’ll see you this summer at Mobile Bay Monthly, possibly!).

Our advertising staff is second to none, thanks to the work of Glen Aikman and his crew.

These individuals have given their all in the spirit of providing the students a valuable and noble thing – a news source by them and for them, upon which they can rely. And regardless of the stress deadlines can bring, they have always come together on issues and put forth a consistent dedication to this paper. I believe you can’t find dedication like that just anywhere.

I also must thank the staff writers and photographers for making this job so rewarding and remarkable. I couldn’t (and wouldn’t) have been here if it wasn’t for you guys. Especially the following: Robert Berra, Amber-Marie Isenburg, Patrick Senn, Jennifer Harris, Hannah Skewes, Matt Eveland, Angela Langster and Noel Richey.

Those of you who have made this list have responded at least more than a handful of times and given me vital constructive criticisms over the year. I could not thank you enough, and I wish you the absolute best in all that you do!

I need to say my goodbyes to the University: the students, the staff, the faculty and the wonderful inspiration they’ve given me over these years. These individuals know who they are, and know that we will not forget each other.

Our University continues to grow, and with this growth new challenges will come to face it. It’s no burden, but a fact of life – and one that I know future opinion editors and writers (as well as other Vanguard staff members) will face with dignity and courage.

Goodbye everyone, and good luck in the future!

It has been an ‘eye-opener’ of a year And the Oscar goes to ...

This year at the Vanguard has been a huge eye opener. It seems unbelievable that another year has come and gone so quickly, but I am so thankful for Position: Outgoing everything that I have learned and experienced.

My job as senior reporter last fall and fine arts Fine Arts Editor editor this spring has given me the opportunity to meet several new people and become much more Major: familiar with the University of South Alabama Communications campus … my home away from home.

I have had to make many important decisions Print Journalism this year. Through it all, I have learned that you Plans for next year: I plan to be back at should always follow your heart and do what you know is right …

The Vanguard next year, but unfortuI want to thank several people who made this nately next year will be my last. I’ll be year the fantastic year that it was.

To Jason and Leigh – The Vanguard would not graduating in May! be what it is today without you! Thanks for all of your encouragement. You both give great advice, even though my stubbornness would sometimes ignore it …

To all my writers – Amanda, Daniela, Susan, Amy, Kathryn, Shea and Amber-Marie – Ya’ll are amazing and I couldn’t have done my job without your hard work! Thank you for helping in every way possible and thanks for always getting your articles in on time. Well … almost always!

Last but not least, to my family and friends – I love you all. Special thanks to Caleb, for getting me through those incredibly stressful nights with nothing more than a laugh and a smile …

As this semester is quickly coming to an end, I am already looking forward to yet another year at The Vanguard. I am excited to say that almost all of the fine arts writers will be returning to The Vanguard next year in some way or another, and I know they will do a fantastic job.

For those who are graduating, you will be greatly missed!

Thanks again, and have a great summer everyone!

Ashley Gruner

Writing a goodbye column feels a bit Stephanie Hudson like preparing an Oscar award speech. I do not want to say too much, but there Position: Outgoing are so many people to thank.

Entertainment Over the last year I have worked with some of the most dedicated editors and Editor writers at USA. The editorial staff has been there to give me pep talks when Major: those late nights working at the office Communications seemed too dreary. The editors and copy Technology editors of the Vanguard are truly some of the hardest working people I believe I will ever know. Each one of you give up a sig- Plans for next year: After graduating, I will seek employment specializing in nificant portion of your time every week small business public relations. to turn out one of the best university newspapers out there.

I have also been truly lucky to have such an outstanding team of writers. I can say, without a doubt, I have some of the most talented and interesting writers on USA's campus. I hope it does not seem too boring a compliment, but I cannot tell you how wonderful it is to have a dependable team. I knew every week I would have great content to fill the entertainment section. I am thrilled that so many of these writers are returning to write for the Vanguard next fall. I know you will make the new entertainment editor's job easier by always presenting new and unique writing ideas.

This year with the Vanguard has been an amazing learning opportunity and one of the most rewarding times of my life. I know my time with the Vanguard will mean a better future for my career and my life. But, most of all, I will miss the people I have worked with over the last year. However, the paper must be put in to the hands of more students, so they learn the same lessons that those of us leaving the Vanguard this semester have learned. I look forward to reading the first issue by the new staff at the Vanguard.

20

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April 21, 2008

The end brings mix emotions It all ends so quickly

Wow, the end of the year: It is a time of the year that brings along mixed feelings of emotions, from sadness to joy, reminiscing to Position: Outgoing dreaming, and bringing you one step closer to Sports Editor your dream. My year as the sports editor at The Vanguard has been one to remember.

When the year first started, I counted on it Major: being another good year for Jaguar athletics. I Communications counted on the basketball team prevailing, and Print Journalism they exceeded my expectations.

I never would have predicted that we would get a football team. I have grown up in Mobile Plans for next year: I plan to continue and always wondered why USA never had a my career at The Vanguard and to football team. I always wanted to see it haphone my skills as a sports journalist. pen, and it will always be a part of me that I was the sports editor during the announcement of football. With that said, this year would not have gone as well as it did if it were not for my staff.

My staff came from everywhere to provide their services this year. T.R., I never realized that the guy wearing the Tony Stewart gear with the radio scanner at Five Flags and Mobile would eventually write for me. Thanks for all the help and the funny random pictures. Matt, may your Cubs have another good year and turn the sports world upside down. You both have been a big help in lending your opinions and support throughout the year.

David, I could not have done it without you. People can say what they may, but two sports editors is a huge help. Thanks for your last minute help when things got hairy, you made my job easier. Tiffany, your love for USA volleyball is one to be admired. Your versatility was extremely helpful. Ashley, your pictures are phenomenal. I think every week how much it makes my life so easy to have great pictures at my disposal. All you guys have helped make my year a lot of fun and a lot easier. I look forward to returning with you guys next year. Although, my staff is not the only ones I want to thank.

Jason, you have done a great job with the paper and in making me what I am as an editor. Good luck as treasurer next year and I hope you don’t give The Vanguard anything negative to write about. Leigh, sorry about all the late Sunday nights, but I do appreciate the hot fudge sunday runs from McDonalds. I will now always be sure that I check my spelling in my headlines and never misspell “loses” again. Jeremy, maybe next year you will change your mind and come back and do the job you love so much.

In the end, this has been a great year. It will always be one that I remember. To everyone at The Vanguard, my fellow kitchen comrades at BDC, my neighbors and friends in Delta 6; I say, have a great summer, Roll Tide! Go Jags! Harvick is number one, go Seahawks and let the good times roll.

John Kenny

Just a little deus ex machina Nobody likes to be the bad guy. And few enjoy working way behind the scenes of a production -- you know, pulling toggles, honkPosition: Outgoing ing horns, whirling wheels and the like. Sure, the nameplate says you're the wizard, but Copy Editor when the smoke diffuses, you're still just the man behind the curtain, a lever-pulling soand-so, a glorified button-presser. But, Major: English, metaphors aside, copy editors have an Psychology “unmistakable” (couldn’t resist) part in it all.

I'm happy to say that working at The Vanguard has given me the ability to analyze Plans for next year: After graduating in how people write and, most importantly, how they think, which is a skill that can't be May 2008, I plan to attend graduate bought for any dollar amount in the world. school for my M.A. in English.

It's not easy for a greenhorn English major to strap on boots, don a hat and mount an obtuse, frenzied work-mule of a newspaper, but once the ride is over, you know you've got it. The truth in the adage about never forgetting how to ride a bike is coming to me now.

I'm grateful to my advisers in all things AP for getting me ready for the undertaking and teaching me that leaving out a comma here and there doesn't necessarily make me a bad person -- and that if I can cut out a few words every now and then, for the simple sake of clarity, I've done my part in the assembly line.

That said, paramount thanks and praises are due to Mrs. Jo Ann Sellers, the gracious Southern Belle of Journalism who once told me, long ago, loud and clear, “Boy, you use too many words. I'll fix that yet.” For telling me to get off the cross, he needed the wood, Mr. Larry Perdue (If Jesus went to high school, Perdue, he'd have let me stay there, rentfree); to April Havens, a darling who both inspires and transpires creativity - my muse and B.F.F; to Truman Capote and his uncanny sensibility -- it didn't work then, friend Truman, and it ain't gonna work now (inside joke); and maybe last and least, the 2007 AP Stylebook, both the thorn in my side and the spider in my tea (MLA, I'm coming home to you, baby!).

To the returning members of The Vanguard, the new editor-in-chief and the outgoers, keep on keeping on. Words are the most powerful things. Use them (correctly, please, and no fragments) or lose them.

Jeremy Daughtry

It’s hard for me to believe my time at The Vanguard is already over. It seems like I just David Hopper started. Choosing to write for The Vanguard was one of the best decisions I Position: Outgoing made during my college career. I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of The Vanguard staff, Sports Editor and I feel the experience I gained will prove invaluable later down the road.

Major: Sociology, There are many people to whom I owe much thanks. First, I’d like to thank Daniel Criminal Justice Boyette, who currently reports on sports for the Press-Register, for giving me a chance to Plans for next year: I plan to attend Ole write for The Vanguard back in 2006 and for helping me to become a better sports Miss and pursue a graduate degree in reporter. I would like to thank my closest journalism. associate, sports editor John Kenny, for all his hard work and for doing an outstanding job every week designing the section. I owe much thanks to sports reporters Matt Weaver and T.R. Risner for sticking with it from the start and for consistently producing quality work. I also must recognize Jim Stephan, Kevin Beasley and the media relations staff for their helpfulness and expertise with all things related to USA athletics throughout the school year. Thanks to entertainment editor Stephanie Hudson for allowing me the opportunity to occasionally contribute articles to the entertainment section. Last but not least, thanks to editor-in-chief Jason Shepard for his professionalism and leadership all year.

I’d like to encourage every USA student with an interest in writing and those with plans of pursuing journalism to seize the opportunity to write for The Vanguard. It is an excellent way to build a resume and get hands-on experience. I wish the best of luck to Ashley Jones, the new editor-in-chief, and the rest of The Vanguard staff involved in the upcoming school year.

The end is near to say bye The end is near . . .

Anna Chapman As most of you would agree, it’s been a long year! College life is so fast paced and mine is no exception. But in this year, South Position: Outgoing Alabama has accomplished a great deal of Associate Editor things to be proud of. We will soon have a football team, something students have Major: fought for years. I hope it will turn out as Communications successful as they wish for it to. We’re mak- Broadcast ing progress around campus and the recreation center should be a sight to see once it Journalism is complete. Altogether, South Alabama is Plans for next year: I want to graduamoving toward progress, which is a good tion and move out of here! thing. But I will be glad to say goodbye when my time comes. I dream of a day when I won’t have papers and various other assignments due. I should graduate at the end of the next academic year. After doing so, I want to make a move. I plan to move out of Mobile. I have spent my time here and 20 years is long enough to stay in one place. I am curious to see what the new Vanguard will look like. Every editor puts their own twist on it. Jason and Leigh have done a great job keeping things running this year. Thanks to Mrs. Kathy and Rob for doing their work behind the scenes. Thanks to everyone else on the staff, because no one could do their job without the other. Thanks to Keith Ayers and Jen Ekman and all of their staff who are indispensable in helping with our work. They are always helpful and always dependable. Thank you to Dr. Smith and his office for keeping the students in mind and to the SGA for representing us. We can all now take a much needed and much deserved break and come back next year ready to do it all again.

Interested in contributing to The Vanguard?

The Vanguard is now accepting applications for all positions for next year.

If interested, please contact incoming editor-in-chief Ashley Jones at kaj401@jaguar1.usouthal.edu.

The

Vanguard

April 21, 2008

21

Coming from ‘My ATL’ to ‘My Mobile’

Mobile, in its entirety, is completely poles apart from my hometown in Atlanta, GA. While most people flock to clubs and the term “ballin’” is used frequently in my ATL, drinkPosition: Outgoing ing sweet tea on a porch is the event of Senior Reporter Mobile. While one’s neck may soon give out while attempting to look up at the towering buildings in abundance in my ATL, Mobile is Major: Biomedical a more picturesque, less industrial city. Life is beautiful due to the weather here (with the Sciences exception of those rainy days in which case I’m more than delighted to strap on my red Plans for next year: Hopefully stay on rain boots), sweeter than the sweetest of staff as a senior reporter, enjoy life and Southern sweet tea due to the people, and more comforting due to the scrumptious not fail organic chemistry aspects of the University of South Alabama.

And while I did not realize this several months ago, I have gradually forgotten the term “my ATL” and acquired a new term that is also what I believe to be linguistically pleasing due to alliteration. I have coined my new favorite home as “my Mobile.”

In hopes that this does not sound like a tourist pamphlet, I will keep from citing an abundance of aspects which make Mobile a hot spot, but I cannot disregard how grateful I am that I was able to adjust so well to the place. I am also quite worried that I may start to sound cliché and readers will roll their eyes at the hackneyed expressions flowing throughout this page. But, as my favorite novel the Kite Runner puts it, “I always thought cliches get a bum rap, because often, they’re dead on.” So this is how I will presume to speak of my freshman year here at South Alabama, through a series of clichés that I hope will do some justice.

To the Honors Program “heaven on earth”- My first family here quickly became the honors program. The beginning of the year retreat where I unfortunately secured the Devi Sampat

name “Flava Dave” is a memorable experience. I also thank Dr. Coleman, the honors director, for being the most prompt individual I know at responding to e-mails. Your dedication to all of us is revering. I also cannot go on without mentioning Ms. Patty Davis for her, for lack of better words, patience and tolerance. Thank you for putting up with my weekly dances in chem lab and for suppressing laughter when I tried to light my Bunsen burner with a test tube holder.

To my college chums “the best thing since sliced bread”: To my college family Thomas Hughes, Brittany Schon and Ayesha Jaleel, thank you for putting up with my lingo and overall loquaciousness. Thomas, the boy who before college never knew, as you put it, “many brown babes,” I have never respected a Southern boy who was more open minded than you. To Ayesha Jaleel, thank you for showing an only child what an immature sister is like. To Sonia Savani, the South Alabama goddess in my opinion, thank you for always, always being there and wanting this little freshman to distract you. What would the world do without your cell phone list? Thank you to Donny Kakati for being my witty pal and although this statement is not so witty, I learned a lot from you. See, you ARE finally mentioned in The Vanguard! And finally, to Varun S., thank you for the car rides home and for being just plain gangly.

To teachers and advisors “the wind beneath my wings”- This is an official thanks to Dr. Justin St. Clair for pushing a girl who thought she could write, to write better. Thank you to people like Ms. Sally Cobb, Mr. Mike Rhodes and Dr. Sykora, for helping me the second I needed them.

To the Vanguard “the apple of my eye”- More people should read The Vanguard.

That’s the plain and simple truth. I want to thank Jason Shepard and Leigh Patton for working so hard on a daily basis and putting up with my late assignments paired with weak excuses.

And finally, to the JagTran “can’t live with it, or without it”- I often cite the beloved Jag Tran as a metaphor for our moments through college. You can more than often find me chasing the JagTran and cursing its existence. And while some days, we might just feel too tired to continue learning and making those grades (or chasing that stupid tran) we know that doing both will give us success and provide us with the dreams that we desired the moment we stepped onto this campus.

Interesting start to hopeful career

It all ends where it all began

It's been an interesting year. From the NCAA football battle to SGA controversies, and even personal struggles, I think I've probaPosition: Outgoing bly realized more this year than ever about Senior Reporter myself, the school and just how the world operates in general. If anything, it's been humbling to realize that perfection is a lot harder Major: to achieve than I previously thought. I've Communications missed deadlines and written some not-soPrint Journalism great stories. But I think the experience I've gotten this year is going to push me into something great if I can learn from it.

Plans for next year: I am representing I finally solidified this as my career choice. the SGA as chief justice and would like All the improvements I need to make toward to continue to work for The Vanguard. myself are slightly overwhelming. On the other hand, I'm not really sure if I could imagine myself doing anything else. The media seems like the best fit for my voice, so I might as well follow it.

I should probably thank Jason and Leigh for putting up with my lateness in the spring semester and occasional mistake in print. Also, thanks to Matt for letting me throw an opinion article toward his section. It's going to be odd not working with the same people next year. I hope I met your expectations. Also, thanks to anyone and everyone who I've done a story on or let me quote them for the paper. You make life a little bit easier.

All in all, I think it's been a good year. I'm looking forward to see what happens in the future. And maybe report on it.

With the school year finally coming to T.R. Risner an end, it is time to reflect back on the many stories I covered this year and the Position: Outgoing numerous things South Alabama taught Staff Reporter, me.

In June of 2007, I began writing meteWeather Man, etc. orology stories for the Vanguard, while gaining some forecasting experience by Major: forecasting the weather each week. The Meteorology, year started with hurricane preparations Geography and an article about Dr. Keith Blackwell’s groundbreaking finding of a second eyewall in Hurricane Katrina. While the hur- Plans for next year: I plan to acquire a meteorology job that incorporates GIS ricane season was slow and uneventful for the Mobile area, other news and basketball work. took center stage for this writer.

I spent many weeks waiting for the money for the engineering department to make its way through Washington, D.C. By February the funding was finally approved and the engineering department relieved $50 million for their new building.

Incorporated in the same bill was funding for another program I wrote about during the fall semester. Dr. Sytske Kimball’s CHILI program received funds to increase the number of weather observations along the Gulf Coast in order to get better data from a land falling hurricane.

At the same time, South Alabama basketball was having one of the longest winning streaks in the country. It was refreshing to sit in the press conference and finally hear a coach tell it like it is. I covered just about all the regular season games for the Jaguars, and it was amazing to see the success of the team.

By the time graduation rolled around in December, I was sitting in the ILB building and talking with a man that I really admire. Dr. Glenn Sebastian was the commencement speaker at the fall graduation, and the interview I had with him will be something I will never forget. Another thing I will take with me is the stories Dr. Mimi Fearn told me about the once Park Ranger.

Later, through the spring semester, the engineering department received more money, this time from Alabama Power, while the meteorology department welcomed meteorologists from all over the nation to SeCAPS. Now, at the end of the semester, I am going back to where I started: the weather.

The forecasts are a little more accurate, because of the knowledge gained from Dr. Blackwell and the meteorology department, and my part of the news this week is about a fellow meteorology student, who received a prestigious scholarship from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. I guess some things will never change: It is all about the weather.

I would like thank everyone that has helped with information for articles this year.

Special thanks to Dr. John Steadman of the engineering department and Keith Ayers for the easy access to the information they had over the past year. Thanks to my fellow staff at The Vanguard for making my senior so much fun.

Hannah Skewes

Interested in contributing to The Vanguard?

The Vanguard is now accepting applications for all positions for next year.

If interested, please contact incoming editor-in-chief Ashley Jones at kaj401@jaguar1.usouthal.edu.

22

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Hillsdale X

from page 2

DASH for the Gulf Coast is planning to buy all those lots by December 2009.

DASH is a nonprofit agency that began in LaGrange, Ga., with a mission to revive dilapidated neighborhoods. It is offering Hillsdale renters $10,000 toward a down payment on one of the houses it is developing, according to David Johnson, executive director of DASH.

“We don't need the land right away. It may be 10 years before we need any land.”

- Wayne Davis Centers in Hillsdale houses sold to DASH can continue to lease there for two years while DASH tries to help them become homeowners in the community. This will officially end USA's involvement with rental properties in the neighborhood northwest of the campus and could also discontinue USA's decade-long effort to focus on low cost and accessible housing for all students.

In her letter, Davis said there was no mention as to why the houses would not be rented out anymore. The University intends to keep most of the land east of Hillsdale Middle School, but destroy the houses there. Some of this land will be given over to

Health X

from page 5

“Students also should come prepared to pay the copay that is associated with their insurance plan,” Kellen said.

All services provided at the Student Health Center, of which the individual’s insurance covers, will be accepted. The medical services that are provided by the Student Health Center are rather quite low, with a physical examination for only $20. An array of services from stitches, casts and immunizations ranging from HPV, allergy and influenza, cost an average of $25.

practice facilities for USA's new NCAA Football team, but other portions might accommodate an expansion of the USA Technology and Research Park, according to Wayne Davis, USA vice president of financial affairs.

"We don't need the land right away. It may be 10 years before we need any land," Davis said.

Davis also commented that USA’s plans have been well-publicized so that everyone in Hillsdale could receive plenty of notice.

He also reinforced that the University will get the property of those who wish to sell appraised and pay a fair value.

"We're not trying to run anybody off," Davis said. "We'll be good neighbors that way, and we'll treat them fairly."

Regardless, many South Alabama students, who now comprise of about half of Hillsdale residents, are students that now must find new places to live, according to Keith Ayers, director of USA public relations.

While the situation for families and single mothers or fathers is difficult and finding houses for such inexpensive rent will be a hard task, University officials are saying they are willing to work with everyone.

Still, the cost of Hillsdale rent may be hard to match. USA's Hillsdale properties typically have two or three bedrooms and rent for less than $500, school officials said.

Hillsdale was developed nearly 50 years ago as a part of an urban renewal project. USA bought about 750 of the 950 homes from the federal government and individual owners in a series of deals in the late 1960s.

The Student Health Center’s main goals are to provide and care for a healthy student population. Therefore, no student is turned away because they may lack university or private insurance.

“We have always encouraged all of our students to obtain health insurance because one catastrophic accident or illness that is beyond the scope of care offered by the Student Health Center,” Kellen said. “It could not only affect their financial well-being but could delay or prevent students from completing their college education.”

For more information regarding the services and insurance plans provided at the Student Health Center, call (251) 460-7151.

April 21, 2008

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April 21, 2008

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Evictions X

from page 16

are being negatively affected because our University has deemed it not cost effective to make these students’ educational dreams a reality. However, new purely recreational programs that could potentially also lose the University money are being approved. It is disgraceful for our University to even think about adding entertainment programs while dashing working families’ hopes of improving their lives through education by supplying affordable housing.

Many times when working in sterile office buildings in ties and suits, many forget that these were not simply houses, but instead this affordable housing supplied by the

MSO X

from page 8

the first undergraduate to be awarded a Charles Ives Scholarship from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. He was selected as the American Composer-In-Residence for the Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival in 2007 and has won numerous prestigious awards.

His residency is made possible by Meet the Composer and Music Alive, a residency program of the American Symphony Orchestra League.

Overpopulation X

from page 17

which caused birds and aquatic life to drop off. It is a chain reaction, spreading out like a disease in the web of life, only to come back and knock off the ones who ignorantly set it in motion with their relentless growing numbers.

We are a part of nature’s web of life. As we deplete these ecosystems, we are depleting our resources, and natural disasters become more frequent. Devastating fires, flood, and pollution overrun an environmental system that has degraded and become less resilient. And with a falling environmental system comes a falling economy,

and at the rate we’re growing the systems will soon collapse and the destruction of the majority of our species will follow. The population has to shrink either way, but if nature has to take drastic measures, it will not be in the least bit humane.

I am not the voice of one who sees the terrible fate of too many people; rather I am an advocate of common sense with a vision to leave a healthy Earth for my descendants.

You cannot escape the basic equation: there's a limited space on this planet that offers resources in limited amounts. That doesn't combine with an unlimited population growth. If the problem of overpopulation is addressed first, then many other problems will fix themselves.

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University is what made many peoples' educational dreams possible.

Ultimately I believe that the question that must be asked of the people that made this decision is: if the University doesn't have any plans in the immediate future to develop the majority of this property in some other way, then why force students to leave their homes?

Why is this progressive idea of making affordable housing available to all students, even those with families, being abandoned and the students who depended upon this to make their dreams a reality being told that it's simply too expensive. The timing seems especially heartless when new recreational programs are being adopted. Using simple logic, how can the University claim that it is more cost effective to forego the incoming revenue of rent without even planning on using the vacated land?

Pablo Sainz Villegas, one of the world’s leading classical guitarists, will perform Joaquin Rodrigo’s “Concierto de Aranjuez” along with the MSO. Villegas’ many impressive accomplishments include capturing the gold medal at the inaugural Parkening International Guitar Competition, winning more than 28 international awards and teaching at illustrious universities such as the Royal College of Music in London and the National University of Australia.

Tickets for “Classical Fire” can be purchased online or at the door on the night of the performance. For more information, call (251) 432-2010 or visit http://www.mobilesymphony.org.

Award X

from page 5

hurricane's fury on both sides of the eye wall and then experienced the peace and tranquility in the middle of the eye.”

The hurricane gave Mee the determination to inform people of how to stay safe during severe weather.

After graduation Mee plans to attend graduate school in hopes of receiving a master's degree in meteorology.

Broadcast meteorology is the current field she is interested in, but the award winner may be leaning towards operational meteorology in the future.

The meteorology student contributes much of her success to two of South Alabama's instructors.

“Ryan Wade and Gina Wade have been great mentors, and they have given me great encouragement in my pursuit in the meteorology field,” Mee said. “I want to also thank my dad and mom who have always supported me in everything I have pursued.”

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Tenure X

from page 1

are usually hired to work at a university on the basis singleyear contracts. Tenure-track professors are hired with the additional expectation of working toward receiving tenure, or permanent employment. The pre-tenure years of a tenure-track professor's career are referred to at the University of South Alabama as the “probationary period.”

Usually during the application process, it is clearly stated whether a position is a tenure-track position or not.

Professors hired to a tenure-track position are not guaranteed to receive tenure. Precise terms and conditions of what would be considered adequate progress to meet the University's requirements to achieve tenure should be clearly conveyed in writing upon the hiring of any tenure-track employee. In most cases, the probationary period cannot exceed seven years. Normally, a pre-tenure review is conducted at the departmental level for all tenure-track professors no later than the completion of their third year of service. This process is referred to as mid-tenure review.

The handbook specifically states that tenure acquisition requires specific procedures and approvals. It is never automatic, regardless of the number of years of service.

Once a faculty member has reached the final year of his or her probationary period, the review process for awarding tenure is conducted.

According to the handbook, the process begins in the department and includes administrative and peer recommendations at both the departmental and collegiate level.

The departmental tenure committee, normally composed of all tenured faculty members in the department except the chair, examines supporting information and materials of the candidate.

track employees usually have their contract renewed every year until their final year of their probationary period, which is usually their seventh year of employment.

During the final year of the probationary period, tenuretrack professors face the prospect of being “up or out.”

“Up and out” is a colloquial term that refers to the fact that in the final year of a professor's probationary period, the professor is either tenured or non-reappointed.

If a faculty member's contract is not being renewed, he or she is usually given advanced notice.

According to the handbook, when a decision not to grant tenure has been made, a letter shall be forwarded to the affected member no later than Aug. 15 of the year that the faculty member would have been eligible to receive tenure.

“Once you go up for tenure you are either tenured or non-reappointed, and then the faculty is given a whole year of notice,” Covey said.

What shocked Dr. Amado Miller the most is the second portion of the non-reappointment process. According to the handbook, “no reasons, oral or written, need be given for non-reappointment of untenured faculty.”

“I want to know why wasn't I given any warning,” Amado Miller said. “If I was failing every year that I was reviewed, then someone should have told me. I got notice of non-reappointment April 9, 2007 just after a good mid-tenure review.”

Amado Miller believes that the tenure process at South Alabama needs some reform.

“You must provide reasons, and there should be a mentoring type system,” Amado Miller said. “There should be mentoring where you implement a system to help your people get tenure.”

Amado Miller acknowledges that tenure plays a vital role in the University, but those without tenure suffer.

“Tenure is about achieving academic freedom. Folks that have tried in their profession and contributed to their line of research, enriched their own university, and that have shown that they can be trusted as scholars in their fields - they should have the freedom to say anything they want without fear of retribution or retaliation.”

- Dr. Moira Amado Miller Next, a collegiate committee is formed each year to examine faculty members who are eligible for tenure. The collegiate tenure committee is limited to tenured associate and full professors. After a member's records are passed through the collegiate committee, the vice president for academic affairs proceeds to formulate recommendations to the president. The president then takes final actions on recommendations. Finally, tenure is then subject to the approval of the board of trustees.

Even once a faculty member is granted tenure and the expectation for continual employment that accompanies tenure, he or she can still be terminated.

According to the handbook, “after the expiration of a probationary period, teachers or investigators should have permanent or continuous tenure and their service should be terminated only for adequate cause.”

“Some of the public does not understand what tenure really is,” Covey said. “It is a 30-40 year serious decision and it involves peer reviews, record review by the committees, vice president, the president, departmental chairs and deans. It is a very careful process and reflective of our institution.”

Prior to receiving tenure, tenure-track employees can be non-renewed at any time. In most cases, though, tenure-

“Tenure is about achieving academic freedom. Folks that have tried in their profession and contributed to their line of research, enriched their own university, and that have shown that they can be trusted as scholars in their fields - they should have the freedom to say anything they want without fear of retribution or retaliation,” Amado Miller said. “I believe that you have to be able to achieve academic freedom.”

While both tenured and non-tenured faculty members would agree with Amado Miller, many students ask how non-tenured teachers are able to educate students if they have little freedom. Students see this as a threat to instructors and academic professors who are in their probationary period.

“Assistant professor means you are on the tenure track, and I say applied not achieved because it is an up or out issue,” Amado Miller said. “You have six years with a really significant mid point which is the mid-year review. During this process we are turning in faculty activity reports which describes in both quantitative and qualitative ways about what we have accomplished.”

Amado Miller argues that while she may have chosen what would be considered controversial topics to lecture on during class, that “isn't enough to get someone fired.”

Center X

from page 2

An outdoor recreation facility would be available adjacent to the new center offering kayaks, canoes and camping equipment for loan.

Officials have anticipated that the building process will end in late 2009 to early 2010 within a budget of $30 million.

“As our society becomes more health conscious, it is important for our students to strengthen both their minds and their bodies,” USA President V. Gordon Moulton said.

“The creation of this Student Recreation Center demonstrates the University’s commitment to the development of the whole person.”

The groundbreaking ceremony will be open to the public, students and community members alike. Admission is free. The first 500 attendees will receive free South Alabama Football T-shirts. A free meal will be provided as well, including hot dogs, popcorn, peanuts and beverages.

April 21, 2008 TENURE TERMINOLOGY TENURE - expectation of permanent employment achieved conferred to an employee who has successful met some predefined criteria; tenure is usually associated with a greater degree of academic freedom and greater stability.

TENURE TRACK - an employee who is hired with the express expectation to be working toward permanent employment, or tenure.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD - the pre-tenure period of a tenure-track position; at the university level, probationary period normally last for seven years; during probationary period, tenure-track employees usually serve renewable one-year contracts.

NON-RENEWED - the decision to not renew a tenure-track employee’s contract “UP OR OUT”- a colloquial term that refers to the final year of a tenure-track employee’s probationary period, in which employee is expected to have met qualifications for tenure or to be non-renewed.

Another concern brought up by Amado Miller and other faculty is that some aspects of the tenure process at South Alabama are different from the American Association of University Professors guidelines.

When she received her letter of non-reappointment, Amado Miller contacted the AAUP. “The AAUP cannot tell universities what to do, but it's the organization that protects university professors, and I corresponded with them for a long time until members finally sent a formal letter to President Moulton,” Amado Miller said. “And the letter has been ignored. And they have the right to do that.”

The faculty handbook specifically states that “the University supports the AAUP on principles of academic freedom and tenure, but if the University policy differs with the AAUP policy, the University policy supersedes and prevails.”

This year the University of South Alabama Faculty Senate made it one of their top objectives to bring the University's tenure policies in line with the AAUP's recommendations. Earlier this year, the faculty senate passed a resolution endorsing the revision of policy and procedures for probationary faculty non-reappointment.

“We have requested by change that people know why they are being non-reappointment, because there is currently nothing like that,” Dr. Eric Loomis, chair of the faculty handbook and policy committee, said. “I have supported the resolution that has been approved by faculty senate, and now we are waiting for the administration to report on it, and they can reject it or amend it.”

The key points of the procedure will be similar to AAUP purposes. It allows the person non-reappointed to receive a written explanation as to why he or she was non-reappointed. The resolution would also set up a faculty review committee, which could review non-reappointment committee upon appeal. The committee itself cannot appeal, but it would have power to recommend reconsideration.

“My feeling is I think it is good with the University to match the AAUP guidelines as best as we can because it makes recommendations as to how universities conduct tenure,” Loomis said.

In the end, Amado Miller hopes her case will help others in the future.

“My hope is that this will draw attention to the fact that our tenure process needs some change,” Amado Miller said.

Newly appointed South Alabama football coach Joey Jones will be in attendance to autograph free photos. Speakers will include Moulton, Jones and current Student Government Association President Jennifer Edwards.

“I think a lot of students are excited about the new rec. center. They’ve been waiting a long time for this facility,” said Sally Jarvis, current SGA attorney general. “ It’s one of the many improvements coming to campus.”

The idea of a new recreation center has been talked about for a year or so. The administration sent out an e-mail referendum to gauge student support for the new facility in the 2006-2007 academic year.

“I think it’s a great addition, and it will serve the students well,” said Caitlin Collin, current SGA chief justice and SGA president-elect.

A baseball game will follow the ceremony, and 500 more football t-shirts will be given out to the first attendees. After all the events, there will be a fireworks show for the crowd’s entertainment.

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April 21, 2008

Gas X

from page 16

There are arguments being made that focusing on decreasing gas prices is not the route America should be taking. An economist at the Energy Policy Research Foundation believes that the government should be more focused on promoting conservation than consumption. This sounds like an ideal solution but it is difficult to practice. How far can a person scale back? People have places

OneRepublic X

from page 10

Croc's Tour. Audiences could venture down to the floor where advertising vendors showcased products such as Crocs shoes and Microsoft products. Customers could register to win a car in association with Microsoft, or they could rock out to guitar hero in an Xbox gaming setup. Just before OneRepublic was come on stage, copies of a newly released Xbox game were thrown into the crowd. They were also giving free guitar hero t-shirts into the audience.

As a part of Jaguar Productions, I received the privilege of

they need to go and it often takes a vehicle to get there. I have made efforts to scale back my driving and try to eliminate unnecessary trips. However, I still get that sick feeling in my stomach whenever I see that little needle in my dashboard approaching ‘E’.

I don’t have an answer to what will solve our oil issues but I don’t think John McCain’s subpar solutions are it. He wants to be the next President and he is pandering to the people’s desperation in order to help achieve this goal.

meeting OneRepublic. But much to my dismay, the Colorado based band was not friendly or personable. When the JP crew arrived for a picture and ‘potentially’ a meet and greet, the band was not prepared. Five minutes later, the band scurried to take the picture which took about 10 seconds. Then they left. No goodbye, thanks for helping out with our show. After the disappointing encounter, all of my hopes were depending on Fabolous to say a brief “hi” or “wassup.” But he did not even come out of his dressing room. But the good news is that the JP crew was presented with pre-signed posters. Score!

Overall, the OneRepublic/ Fabolous concert satisfied hungry concertgoers that craved live action tunes.

Interested in contributing to The Vanguard?

The Vanguard is now accepting applications for all positions for next year.

If interested, please contact incoming editor-in-chief Ashley Jones at kaj401@jaguar1.usouthal.edu.

DVD X

from page 11

cinematography and narratives with edgier themes that starred cynical antiheroes. In addition to director Penn, the 1960s and 1970s was a time when many young ambitious filmmakers rose to prominence, among them Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppolla and George Lucas.

Though initially largely panned by critics, “Bonnie and Clyde” was a hit with young audiences in 1960’s, who seemed to identify with the stylish, rebellious bank robbers. Despite being over 40 years old, “Bonnie and Clyde” remains entertaining today. With its starcrossed romance, action-packed shootouts and humorous dialogue, “Bonnie and Clyde” has something for everyone.

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April 21, 2008

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