4-25-11

Vanguard

Serving USA students and the University community since 1963

The

April 25, 2011 |VOLUME 48, NUMBER 30

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University of South Alabama’s student newspaper

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Counterculture and Controversy

Senate wrapping up projects

By Alex Whalen MANAGING EDITOR

As the SGA prepares to wrap up another semester, the senate is working to find projects worth funding. This semester has seen several “big ticket” items, but according to SGA Treasurer Michael Baldwin, there is still $7,917.64 left in the operating budget.

Once appropriations are over – usually by the fourth week of classes – the Student Government Association (SGA) senate will consolidate any remaining funds into the operating budget. This allows see BUDGET | 2

inside

Opinion | page 7 Appropriations Process

Colin McGee | Photo Editor

Should it be easier or harder for organizations to get SGA appropriations?

Theatre USA actors, called “The Tribe,” roamed the campus Wednesday in celebration of 4.20 and to promote “HAIR: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical.” The show, production members say, brings back the spirit of the tumultuous ‘60s and is expected to raise more than a few eyebrows. “HAIR” opens April 29 and is the Drama department’s final production of the semester. To read more about “HAIR,” turn to p. 10.

Etc. | page 9

GLBTA resolution still in the works

By Alex Whalen MANAGING EDITOR

After the SGA passed what has become known as the GLBTA resolution, nothing much was heard about its progress.

Initially the resolution was intended to amend USA’s Non-Discrimination Policy.

The goal was to protect faculty, staff, and students from discrimination based on sexual orientation and identity.

The Vanguard spoke with several people on the committee overseeing this resolution to see how it is progressing. One of those members is Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. John Smith.

“Right now, the committee is working on the language we want to implement.

There are a lot of legal issues and questions that we have to address,” Smith said.

“Our goal is to have it in place by the fall semester and finished by the end of this semester,” he said.

Although the resolution passed by the

IPolice Blotter p. 2

Student Government Association (SGA) Faculty Senate Chair Dr. Jim Connors, was meant to amend the Non-Discrimi- who also serves on the committee. nation Policy, the committee is currently “When we talked to students and memworking to amend USA’s harassment pol- bers of the GLBT community, we realized icy. what this issue came down to. It was less The reason, accordan issue of discrimiing to Smith, has to do nation and more with complex legal isan issue of harasssues, but this amendnot just a legal issue ment. That’s what ment to the harassment students and facpolicy will still address on paper; it’s a moral issue. It’s ulty were most constudents’ concerns. cerned with,” Cona human rights issue.”

This change is also nors said. meant to accord with According to -Patrick Collins new measures covered Connors, there have GLBTA President

by Title IX, which now been a number of covers sexual violence. rewrites as well as “We need to make reevaluations of alsure our language matches and includes ready-existing policies. certain definitions and standards,” Smith “We have to make sure the language is said. consistent throughout all of South’s poliSmith added that the University is al- cies,” he said. ready in compliance with almost everyConnors also mentioned the hurdle of thing required by these new mandates. having many different views to take into The Vanguard also spoke with former see GLBTA | 5

Happenings p. 2

Calorie Measuring Tips Dr. Cannon talks calorie measuring and how to manage weight.

Arts & Entertainment |

“It’s

Weather p.5

Campus Pulse p.6

page 10

Coastline Chronicles 2 Mobile’s three-day local music festival is set for May 12-14.

Sports | page 14 Baseball Powers Ahead

Distractions p.18

Jaguar Baseball has won 7 or the last 9 games with the Sunbelt tournament looming.

JagLife p.19

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NEWS

April 25, 2011

Vanguard The

University of South Alabama’s Student Voice Mission The Vanguard, the student-run newspaper of the University of South Alabama, serves its readership by reporting the news involving the campus community and surrounding areas. The Vanguard strives to be impartial in its reporting and believes firmly in its First Amendment rights.

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EDITORIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief: Daniela Werner Managing Editor: Alex Whalen Associate Editor: Cameron Adkins Associate Editor: Genny Roman Senior Reporter: Carey Cox Opinion Editor: Cassie Fambro Etc. Editor: Brett Williams Sports Editor: Matt Weaver Photo Editor: Colin McGee Webmaster: Nick Griffith DISTRIBUTION Distribution Manager: Johnny Davis ADVERTISING STAFF Advertising Manager: Wesley Jackson Advertising Representative: Mohammad Ammar Al-Zarrad Graphic Designer: Brittany Hawkins MANAGEMENT Adviser: Jim Aucoin Accounting: Kathy Brannan Website: http://www.usavanguard.com Mailing Address The Vanguard University of South Alabama P.O. Drawer U-1057 Mobile, Ala. 36688 Phone Number (251) 460-6442 Article XIV, Section 8 of The Lowdown: The editors of the student publications shall be free from any type of censorship and shall be responsible for the form, content and staff of the publication.

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

POLICE BLOTTER 4/14- Bench WarrantPossession of Marijuana; Bench WarrantLoitering for Drug Activity During a follow-up investigation a wanted subject was located at The Grove.

4/15- Criminal Trespassing, 3rd Degree; Giving False Identification to Law Enforcement Officer Two non-affiliates were arrested in the Delta 2 area for the listed charges.

4/16- Alisa Writ of Arrest During a routine stop two felony warrants with the Enterprise Police Department and the Pike County Sheriff’s Office were served. Enterprise Police extradited the subject.

mestic Incident A male and a female had a loud verbal argument that was overheard and reported by the neighbors. There was no physical violence, and the male subject left the area.

4/18- Theft of Article From Auto A radio was stolen from a vehicle in the Gamma parking lot. The item was valued at $400.

4/21- Possession of Marijuana A male non-student was arrested on Campus Drive for possession of marijuana.

4/21- Theft of Property, 2nd Degree A backpack containing a cell phone, books and a calculator was reported stolen from the library.

The items were valued 4/17- Harassment- Do- at $580.

Budget from page 1

the senate to fund projects more easily than appropriations or co-sponsorships.

As a result, the kinds of projects vary widely.

The largest expenditure this semester has been to fund an on-campus bike project. Originally started by former senator Tim Powell, the goal is to make the campus more bike-friendly and provide students with bikes and racks around campus.

So far, the SGA has allotted $10,000 for new bike racks all across campus.

Also of note is $5,390 that is going to help fund a refurbishing of the nature trail on campus.

This project is also receiving support from other clubs and organizations as well as funding from outside the USA community.

The SGA also had its share of standard expenditures including Higher Education Day ($1,700), orientation supplies for next year ($2,000), the end-of-year SGA

banquet ($2,500), and the Miss USA Pageant ($5,000).

There have been some new Senate projects this semester; perhaps most notable is one called Take Your Professor to Coffee. Initiated by Vice President-elect Jessica Byrd, this project tries to motivate students to get to know their professors a little better.

Interested students can stop by the SGA office to fill out an application.

Those who are approved will receive a $10 gift card that can be used at any coffee shop on campus.

Students seeking out professors to write them letters of recommendation or who just want to better know their professor or their field of study are encouraged to apply.

The SGA will have their last meeting of the semester this week, although most of the projects that have been suggested have either been funded or simply won’t be.

Any leftover funds will rollover into the summer budget.

The

Vanguard

happenings “HAIR: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical” What: The University Drama department’s production of “HAIR: The American Trial Love Rock Musical” will take the stage as a group of politically active hippies in the “Age of Aquarius” rebelling against the war in Vietnam. The controversial play gives viewers insight into the ‘60s era, complete with depicted drug use, explicit language and possible nudity.

Where: Laidlaw Performing Arts Center When: April 29-30 at 7:30 p.m.; May 1-2 at 2 p.m.; May 5-7 at 7:30 p.m.

How much: $15 general admission; $12 faculty/staff and senior citizens; $10 students For more info: Call the box office at 251-460-6306

Coastline Chronicles 2 What: The second Coastline Chronicles, Mobile’s 3 day local music festival, will host 23 different acts ranging from hiphop to alternative and indie rock to country.

Where: Alabama Music Box and Island Thyme When: May 12-14 How much: $14 pre-order, $20 at the door May 12, or $8 per day.

For more info: Search “Coastline Chronicles 2” on Facebook or visit modmobilian.com.

CORRECTION An article last week incorrectly named Dr. Darleen Dempster of Counseling and Testing Services as an on-campus psychologist. She is actually a licensed professional counselor. The Vanguard apologizes for this error.

The

Vanguard

NEWS

April 25, 2011

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The

NEWS

April 25, 2011

Vanguard

A Moulton Tower first USAPD gleaning feedback

from Dining Hall luncheons USA Police Chief Zeke Aull says he has increased on-campus patrols after hearing student feedback from his weekly lunch forums.

By Carey Cox

SENIOR REPORTER

Daniela Werner | Editor-in-Chief

The Epsilon Upsilon chapter of sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. (AKA) held its spring induction at the Moulton Bell Tower April 19. According to AKA President Ashley Hatcher, it was the Bell Tower’s first induction put on by a USA Panhellenic organization. AKA announced 11 new members that evening, and Hatcher called the event a special one for her sorority.

The weekly luncheons that USAPD Chief Zeke Aull holds at the Dining Hall are giving police insight to problem areas around campus.

The students have been helpful in that they’re able to point out areas that they think aren’t lit well enough, and USAPD are able to forward this information to Facilities Management, Aull said.

As a result of the luncheons, Aull has increased patrols in areas like Housing and Greek Row. The luncheons have not been a complaining session, but more like a chance for students to offer suggestions, Aull said.

“I’m not getting complaints, I’m getting suggestions and that’s exactly what I wanted it to be,” Aull said.

The lunches have also given Aull the opportunity to get to know students on a more personal level.

“What we want to do is make sure that student voice is heard so we can address those issues,” Aull said.

Although student suggestions have not led to any direct arrests, the increased patrol in re-

sponse to those suggestions has resulted in some arrests.

“If a student has requested areas for specific reasons, we have been pretty successful in either preventing or addressing those who are involved in said activity,” Aull said.

The suggestions have led police response for a range of different incidents, from noise complaints to people smoking pot, Aull said.

Most of the students’ suggestions are helpful to USAPD, but some are more bizarre than others, Aull said.

“I’ve had a couple of people that want to be allowed to carry firearms on campus and that type of stuff. I don’t think that’s necessarily a weird request, it’s just one that I wasn’t expecting to get,” Aull said.

Aull will continue the weekly luncheons in the fall semester, and he hopes to expand the department’s involvement with other organizations. He also plans to co-sponsor events with the newly-elected SGA. “They want to work with us, and we want to work with them. I’m excited about having that opportunity for working with the new SGA, [and having] some great partnerships that will benefit students,” Aull said.

With the completion of the new dorm expected in the fall, Aull sees a greater need to expand the Housing officer program.

“I fully anticipate that we’ll have more voices over there and they’ll bring about concerns that we haven’t had in the past. I’m sure there’ll be some parking issues, lighting concerns. New concerns will come up, and we’ll address those as they rear their ugly head,” Aull said.

The

NEWS

Vanguard

News in Brief

Supreme Court denies Waugh’s elections appeal

The SGA Supreme Court met last Wednesday to hear testimony regarding SGA presidential candidate Alan Waugh’s election protest.

Originally Waugh had filed a protest based on the percentage of votes presented by the Elections Rules Committee (ERC). Although Waugh’s opponent, Troy Shephard, received 10 more votes than him, the percentages listed were the same.

After this protest and the subsequent appeal were denied, Waugh filed a protest based on the presumption that many students did not receive their e-mail to vote.

Waugh told The Vanguard that he had at least 75 students who did not receive an e-mail and wanted to vote, but this number could not be verified.

GLBTA from page 1

consideration: students, faculty, administration, and legal affairs. “Once we figured out what everyone wanted, things got moving pretty fast.”

For some insight on how the GLBT community at USA feels about the resolution, The Vanguard turned to GLBTA President Patrick Collins, who has been

Officials in USA’s Institutional Research had told the ERC that some students did not receive e-mails because they had opted out of Zoomerang surveys, which USA uses to poll students.

According to announcements given by the ERC and SGA, this number was less than 10.

Because the hearing was closed and any official transcripts are USA property, The Vanguard was unable to obtain significant details of the hearing.

It is known that the justices who heard the case only deliberated for a short time, however, and that Waugh’s final appeal was denied.

Had the Court found Waugh’s evidence compelling enough to overturn the ERC’s decision, the elections would have been nullified.

This means the ERC would have had to hold another round of elections.

intimately involved with the resolution’s progress since its introduction.

“The administration is not going the extra step [to tackle non-discrimination issues],” Collins said. “But it’s one step closer to a greater change,” he added.

“It’s not just a legal issue on paper; it’s a moral issue,” Collins said. “It’s a human rights issue.”

April 25, 2011

The Vanguard is looking for editors and writers for the 2011-2012 academic year!

Reliable, self-motivated applicants interested in student journalism may send writing samples and resumes to editor.in.chief@usavanguard.com. Those applying for editing positions must be interviewed, and interviews will happen in early May. Some perks of editing/writing for The Vanguard:

-It’s a strong line on your college resume.

-You’ll gain a working knowledge of AP style/journalistic technique.

-You’ll be published in a newspaper with a print readership of about 8,000.

Some of the positions we’ll be hiring: Managing editor Copy editor Senior reporter Etc. editor

Opinion editor Sports editor Arts & Entertainment editor Webmaster

Gamma 9 Weather Research Center

Forecast for April 25-May 1

Patrick Bigbie Student Meteorologist

5

The weather for the beginning of the school week looks to be sunny with highs in the mid 80s and overnight lows around the mid 60s. There’s a small chance that showers will return Tuesday with highs around 85°.

For Wednesday, expect thunderstorms to move in during the day and that evening, some of which could be strong. Thursday and Friday look to be great, with sunny skies and highs around the low 80s and overnight lows around 60°.

The weekend should have highs around the mid 80s and nighttime lows around the mid 60s. Expect sunny skies on Saturday and a slight chance of rain on Sunday.

For more local weather information, visit facebook.com/ stormteam4gamma9wx On Twitter: @metwxpatrick @stormteam4g9wx

Opinion

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April 25, 2011

The

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

www.usavanguard.com/opinion

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

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

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

Coffee, conversation can have far-reaching benefits

I

f there’s one thing we need more of at USA, it’s communication, and a recent Student Government Association (SGA) Senate project is encouraging just that.

The Vanguard was more than pleased to hear about a project introduced by Vice Presidentelect Jessica Byrd called Take Your Professor to Coffee, which encourages students to spend more time with faculty over a good cup of joe.

The rewards of healthy communication between students and faculty would be immeasurable.

Students would benefit intellectually from talking with people who have a wealth of experience in their field of study. Faculty would get a better feel for what students want out of their education, greatly improving the quality of the student’s undergraduate experience.

So not only is this a great way to improve the lines of communication between students and faculty, but it sounds to us like the making of a tradition for this University.

Spotlight:

Megan Heatherly Sponge Cake and Gender Roles I’m a terrible cook.

I’ve known this fact for years and have anecdotes to prove it.

My biggest failure was a sponge cake that had the texture of a rock, yet somehow managed to have a doughy center.

Not only am I bad at cooking, but I dislike the physical act of doing it.

I approach cooking with about as much enthusiasm as cleaning my bathroom, and I really don’t have a desire to improve.

My lack of culinary skills doesn’t bother me, but it does seem to bother other people.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve felt the societal pressure to be more “domestic” and have even had people ask me, “What will you do when you get married?”

I’m never sure what the expected response is. Hope my husband can cook?

Start a collection of take-out menus?

Channel the ghost of Julia Child?

I know that we live in a society with deeply ingrained gender norms, but this one seems particularly antiquated.

Although modern women are much

Oozeball and Homecoming are both excellent ways to bring the University community together. Take Your Professor to Coffee should have wide appeal with clear academic benefits.

A Senate Project is something the SGA should be proud of, not just a reason to spend some money. Too many times we’ve heard the phrase “We have the money, so why not go ahead and do it” uttered during an SGA meeting.

Projects like this and Tim Powell’s bicycle project are the best way for the SGA to benefit the most students while having the greatest impact on campus.

Students, do not let this information fall on deaf ears. The foundation has been laid, but a structure will not take form unless the student body capitalizes on the opportunity.

Go to the SGA office, fill out the form and make good use of the program. If the outing doesn’t meet your expectations, at least you got a free cup of coffee.

more active in the public workforce, they heroically keeps her idiot husband from are still doing the majority of domestic sitting on a dirty floor and eating paste, chores. Married women are reported to all while looking attractive and profesfulfill more than half of household duties, sional. regardless of their working status.

The portrayal of both men and womSociologists Mary Clare Lennon and en in these commercials is ridiculous and Sarah Rosenfield assert that although unrealistic. women perform an unequal amount of Why do we accept such wildly different work, they perceive the distribution of la- standards? bor to be fair beThe majority of cause of societal adults I know, both standards. men and women, This idea of are capable of tak“fair inequality” ing care of themdirectly opposes selves. the idea of genBy limiting what der equality in the interests are appublic sector. Acpropriate for men cording to Canaand women, we dian psychologists limit ourselves as a -Sociologist Lachance-Grzela Lachance-Grzesociety and as indila and Mylène viduals.

Brouchard, womIf in the future I en will never achieve equality in the pub- decide to learn how to cook for myself, lic workplace until it is achieved in the it will be because I want to learn a new home. skill.

These rigid gender norms are not just It won’t simply be because I was born harmful for women; everyone is affected with two X chromosomes. by them.

I can only hope that other people will We are constantly exposed to reinforce- share my view, or at the very least respect ments of these stereotypes in the media. it.

Consider any recent cleaning or cookIf not, I will force feed them some of ing commercial; they are almost all a my rocky sponge cake. variation of some multi-tasking wife who

“Women will never

achieve equality in the workplace until it is achieved in the home.”

As a graduating senior, what do you feel is the most important thing that you’ve learned while at USA? I’ve learned that it is OK to say no. It is not one person’s responsibility to do everything; if you have a title, do your job. I learned some killer time management skills! And, Paige Perry’s signature quote of the year that I learned this year, “You can’t fix stupid!”

Kimberly Proctor SGA President Sr.

People are different and that’s OK. With that understanding, I am more patient and have learned to genuinely appreciate those around me.

Chris Buchanan Physics Sr.

Heidi Koelle European Studies Sr.

Spending more money on a six pack of beer will always be more rewarding than spending less on crappy beer, no matter what people say. It doesn’t matter how many profanities you shout at the parking lady, you are still going to get that ticket.

The most important thing that I have learned at South is either a foreign language (Japanese) or how to assess problems when I hear about them.

Knowing a good approach to problem solving can make all the difference in finding the solution!

Monica Whatley Math Sr.

Ben Cook Intrnl. Studies Sr.

I’ve learned to embrace all the disciplines and pursue my interests by taking courses that I genuinely like, even if not required.

As a math major, I never thought that I would go to graduate school for sociology had I not taken extra classes just for “fun.”

The

Vanguard

OPINION

April 25, 2011

7

POINT COUNTERPOINT Should the Appropriations Process be Easier for Organizations?

Editor’s Introduction: SGA has had its fair share of scandals when it comes to funding student organizations. The classic example is the multiple ROTC organizations that apply for money and are usually awarded appropriations. Many of the same people participate in each club, and with a cap on appropriations, many argue that they get more

Double-Dipping Deserves Stricter Rules

than their fair share. SGA has a newly elected group coming in, and they will decide whether to simplify or complicate the process. Treasurer Nick Lawkis has already said that he seeks to establish stronger communication with student groups seeking funds, and that may be the key to alleviating the negative stigma attached to those long budget meetings.

Simplifying the Process Cuts Red Tape

The member of the SGA whom I Relaxing the rules for approWhen people think about ministration. I say kudos to them. talked to also informed me that other priations is an idea that one should funding, the first things that flash The idea is brilliant and bound colleges in the United States have far barely consider. into their minds are forms, apto be a huge success. more restrictive rules and regulations If anything, the rules for approvals, receipts, and the dreaded Now, if you are part of any of facing appropriations from their SGA propriations should be made more red tape. the aforementioned collection of to student organizations. restrictive in nature to prevent It’s a disaster waiting to be individuals guided by a singular If 95 percent of all groups that potential abuse in the system. unleashed upon the populace. purpose, ideal, or belief, this news were questioned on their funding are A big deal is made about leapDrama aside, the fact remains will make you weep with joy. given the go-ahead anyway, then why ing through the hoops that one that when a group, commitPreviously, getting money out of loosen the rules up even more? is required to go through to gain tee, club or other organization SGA was like trying to squeeze waJames Bailey Do we funding from the Student Governtries to ter from a dry sponge. It was even Fulford need 100 ment Association. squeeze Hammond more difficult if you were a group percent Many must be thinking that it is some that was not, let’s say, mainstream of student groups a feat of heroic proportions to gain funding needed in your activities. receiving the fundand hold onto it year after year. cash out of our The entire Anime Club debacle is one ing they requested?

A quick glance at the rules for gaining governing body, such example of a funding appropriations Arguing that the funding reveals how laughable this notion is SGA has a form wish gone wrong. approval rate needs and the need to add more restrictions to the for that.

When asked about his role in determinto be a 100 percent process.

And that form ing who gets what funding and how much, is implying that the The process of gaining funding from the may or may not re- Sells was enthusiastic and adamant about five percent who SGA is simple and straightforward. Student quire you to sign in maintaining fairness to all groups. don’t receive funding groups send the appropriations committee blood after swear“I feel like I’ve done well trying to make are being deprived a packet that lists what they need and the ing upon your sure all students are represented equally,” of their just due, but reasons for it. life that you will he said. “This new process will help a lot.” a quick trip down Sketchy requests are marked for review, return the receipts The new process Sells referred to is the memory lane will and groups that fail to provide reasons promptly within a use of electronic forms on the SGA site. southalabama.edu/sga/appro show otherwise. for gaining funding are requested to send fortnight of the last No more long walks down the hall to the Fall 2009 data compiled in this graph shows that full moon.

ROTC has conadditional information to the office of the SGA office only to find that the secretary is ROTC clearly has the lead, even over academics, in sistently pushed the treasurer and the appropriations committee.

Actually, it’s five out of appropriations packets. boundary of what is appropriations. This spurs the question of whether days after the start After all of this, packets are sent to the Now you will be able to download a allowed in SGA ap- regulations be tougher.

SGA for a vote in which those that have of the semester fol- copy from the comfort of your dorm room. propriations. Groups passed the hurdles without questions so far lowing the use of In the overhaul planned for the funding like the Scabbard are approved in a mass vote. the funds. process, the deadlines will be enforced. and Blade, Army ROTC, Army ROTC Those that require questioning on the As of April 11, 2011, it has been There will be one week for the proper Intramurals, Ranger Challenge, and Army part of the SGA are voted on individually, deemed necessary by the funding gods forms to be filled out and turned in, with ROTC Colorguard all requested funding but a member of the SGA confided in me on campus that the entire SGA funding an additional week for the forms to be despite the fact that the majority of them that 95 percent of all packets that need process be streamlined and made as close fixed if something goes awry. were the same entity in all but name. more questioning are approved of. to pleasant for all parties as possible.

Prior to the planned overhaul, the deadThey already receive funding from SGA, None of this seems like a massive burden This decision came from the SGA Aplines were merely guidelines. When the so why do they need to funnel more money to bear for student groups. In fact, it seems propriations Committee, chaired by Alan new deadlines go into effect, the approvery straightforward and easy to deal with.

Sells, a graduate student in education adsee TAPE | 11 see MORE STRICT | 11

Cassie Fambro Opinion Editor

SMOKE ON THE WATER

Cruelty is Never Cool:

Kids and Emotional Violence

Taking children on a field trip is a complicated affair. It involves more logistics than a Target sales floor, and more wild behavior than the toy aisle.

I’ve escorted third graders on a field trip to a space center, and most recently, fifth graders to the Battleship and a museum.

I know to be prepared with extra snacks for bribery purposes and armed with threats of telling the teacher, but nothing can prepare you for today’s fifth graders.

The school is primarily middle-class and located in a suburban neighborhood. It receives above-average state testing scores. So, it’s a fairly normal school.

Many of the children there were in kindergarten when Hurricane Katrina hit, and they lost a few of their classmates by moving, and some by death.

I think this group of kids is bonded in an interesting way because of what they’ve been through together.

I also became more and more aware of what they’ve been exposed to. Being the youngest chaperone on the trip, I was recognized as much more of an equal compared to the parents and teachers.

The kids confided in me during the trip.

They let me know that Bob calls Jack fat when he finishes his laps last, or that John likes Jane but John isn’t cool enough for Jane.

Mary’s dad is so mean that she wants her mom to leave him. Mike’s dad hates him, he thinks.

They informed me that Eminem was a great rapper and that they know what sex is.

When one kid hit his hand on an exhibit at the museum, he exclaimed, “What the f---!” Adorned with $100 Nike shoes and American Eagle jackets, these kids showed their age nowhere but their faces.

Faces that still look scared when they can’t see where their teacher went on the ship.

Girls have tight jeans on already, bra straps showing because that’s cool.

I tried to reason with one of the known bullies, asking why she picks on Jack or Jane about their weight or their clothes.

She said she does it because it’s funny, and she’s just playing. John confessed to me they’ve told the teacher, some of them have seen the principal even.

Kids get in trouble with each other for sticking up for one another just as much as they do for “telling,” because that breaks some sort of code.

It’s lost on the kids that you’re supposed to tell when someone is hurt. Jack might not be

bleeding, but his tears show his pain.

In the 10 hours I spent with the kids, I grew disheartened.

I’m not sure if bullying is simply so common that people just look the other way now, teachers included, or if the teachers are desperate for parent intervention that they aren’t getting.

I feel that I listened harder, and it hurt me more to hear what they said. It gets to a point where kids aren’t just being kids.

I know that those fifth graders will one day be at a meeting or in a therapy session confessing that they were called names, provoked, prodded and emotionally abused.

Whether they sought help and didn’t receive it from an authority figure or perhaps the bully was punished, this time in their development is crucial to their long-term selfimage.

Those who would say that the children who are bullied are simply weaklings need to step back, because most people who say that see CRUELTY | 11

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April 25, 2011

What your diploma won’t say about you

Etc.

The

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

www.usavanguard.com/etc

Web development firm sponsors $80k contest for entrepreneurs

The co-founder of Isotope Eleven, a web development firm in Birmingham, Ala., explains the application process for the competition and the importance of business plans in any market.

ETC. Editor Brett Williams explains what future employers will see based on your diploma and why your resume is more important.

By Brett Williams ETC. EDITOR

Undoubtedly, the most important document you hand to your future potential employers will be your resume. Still, congratulations are in order because you’ve managed to sit through four years of desks, parties and community service and soon you’ll be receiving a document that tells employers the same.

You managed.

So, what truths will your resume tell about you?

The last four years you’ve barely managed to hold together a C average, but that won’t translate onto your diploma or resume. So what will?

For starters, a lack of related experience isn’t the end of the world. Being that you’re fresh out of college you can probably expect a little slack when future potential employers look at your background.

For now, having no criminal background and showing that you have been able to maintain at least one steady job are decent enough. I remember being told as a freshman that “my resume was too thin” by an advisor. I took it to heart. So should you.

Not having anything relevant to bring to the table doesn’t benefit you, that’s for certain. Still, it’s better than nothing, so use your resume space to fill in what positives you may have.

The outside world isn’t and never has been particularly hospitable to college grads and don’t expect it to be any different for you.

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, employers are expecting to hire 19.3 percent more graduates this year; but the number of jobs out there are still limited. So, you’ll be competing with other graduates possibly with more relevant experience.

Moreover, you’ll definitely have to find your place amongst the established men and women out there already actively seeking employment who are also willing to take entry-level positions and work their way up.

The bottom line is that you should expect things to be tight and to maybe live off McDonald’s and Ramen for a little longer.

Remember what director Stanley Kubrick said: however vast the darkness, we must supply our own light.

Courtesy of Isotope Eleven

One winner will receive an $80,000 prize including $50,000 worth of software development time and labor from Isotope Eleven, the web development firm behind the competition. Based on their business plans and a panel's impression of their idea, the winner will also receive $15,000 worth of salary for founders and $15,000 of seed capital to spend on expenses related to business such as office space, hosting, etc.

By Brett Williams ETC EDITOR

The finals of the Alabama Launchpad Business Plan Competition included nine of the best university-based startup companies in Alabama including one team from South Alabama.

Only two days before, author John Warrillow wrote “When Business Plans are a Waste of Time” about how inept business plans are steadily becoming.

The Launchpad competition gave winners a total of $175,000, but Warrillow says that banks in the real world are far less likely to give loans based on business plans.

Josh Adams, co-founder of Isotope Eleven, the software development firm behind incubate! (bang), another startup accelerator aimed at providing $80,000 in seed capital to a single startup company in Alabama, said they won’t be inspecting applicants’ every word in their business plans nor will they be extremely strict with the scope in which people may answer.

Adams, the lead architect at Isotope Eleven, spoke bluntly about how they’ll consider each aspect of their application process including business plans.

“We’re not sticklers,” Adams said. “Fill in one word if you think it’s enough or write as in-depth as you feel is necessary.”

Warrillow says that because start-ups have no prior experience for the most part, business plans are based on one assumption on top of another. Adams similarly said he thinks there’s no doubt about how important actually “getting out there and getting feedback” is to business planning.

The incubate! (bang) startup accelerator application process, however, intends to give panelists an accurate idea of what type of startup entrepreneurs are looking to start.

Afterward, they’ll host an interview process with the businesses that make the cut to get a better idea before finally making a decision.

Isotope Eleven’s success as one of the largest Ruby on Rails companies in the Southeast over the past five years has opened the door for the company to gain sponsors and be able to offer $50,000 of software development included in the $80,000 competition.

Despite that success, Adams admits that approximately 50 percent of their business comes from outside of Alabama.

“We want to change it and acknowledge that part of it may be marketing on our part,” Adams said. He hopes that the competition helps to get Isotope Eleven’s name out there and encourage startups in Alabama as well.

“The goal is to get a business off the ground in about three months. The only real requirement is that the company have at least two founders. Adams believes it’s unrealistic that a company will be able to function properly under a single founder.

Adams added that it isn’t inconceivable

for the panel to approve an idea from a single founder who proves to be “gungho” enough to handle a startup on their own. Other than that, anything goes.

The panel will field ideas from any profession or field, any number of ideas per person from anywhere in Alabama.

Isotope Eleven agreed to devote $50,000 of development time and resources in order to develop the software the winning business will need to get started and become self-sufficient as well as further assistance after the grant to find more investments and possible investors.

“We know people who know people.”

Adams said.

The remaining $30,000 the winner receives will be split between expenses and founders’ salaries, respectively, which Adams estimates should be equivalent to about three months’ salary. Adams says they’re expecting a return on their investment, too. Isotope will request a share in the equity of the company. “Nothing major,” Adams adds, but the winner should expect a full workload.

Adams says they’re expecting to find an entrepreneur willing to do 80 hours of work and work without pay in order to get a business off the ground inside of three months if it’s necessary.

Prospective entrepreneurs shouldn’t be expecting anything less either. An 80 hour work week or working without pay is sometimes necessary when starting a business and you probably won’t see any money in the beginning.

An $80,000 investment you didn’t have before is an opportunity not one entrepreneur is in a position to ignore.

The

Vanguard

ETC.

April 25, 2011

Tips on calorie-counting

By Dr. Heather Cannon SPECIAL TO THE VANGUARD

Editor’s Note: Dr. Heather Cannon is a physician at the Student Health Center.

Q: What are the best eating habits that will promote healthy weight without having to deny myself of all the major food groups, like carbs?

Cannon: Maintaining a healthy weight is a matter of “calorie balance,” or the balance between calories consumed in foods and beverages and calories expended through physical activity. You gain weight when you eat more calories than you burn, and you lose weight when you burn more calories than you eat.

A healthy weight is determined by a person’s body mass index (BMI), a measure of weight relative to height. Based on this calculation, a person’s weight is classified as underweight, healthy weight, overweight, or obese. There are many free online BMI calculators that you can use to calculate your BMI. In the U.S., 72 percent of men and 64 percent of women are overweight, with

one-third of Americans being classified as obese. Overweight and obese are classifications of weight that are greater than what is considered healthy for a given height.

The number of daily calories needed is based on several factors, including age, gender, height, weight, and level of physical activity. In general, females aged 19-30 should consume 1,800-2,200 calories per day to maintain weight. Men have higher caloric needs of 2,400-2,600 calories per day.

Everyone should participate in a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week. Ideally, you should do at least 30 minutes of exercise each day.

Moderate-intensity activities are those that increase heart rate, but at which you could still carry on a conversation. These include brisk walking, hiking, dancing, or light jogging. Activities that are not intense enough to increase your heart rate, such as strolling or doing household chores, do not count toward your daily exercise goals.

Understanding healthy eating habits starts with understanding the basic food groups and serving sizes. The basic food groups are grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy,

and proteins.

You should eat about six servings of grains each day, making at least half of these whole grains. To choose whole grains, look for brown rice or whole wheat products. One serving of grains is one cup of cereal, one-half cup of rice or pasta, or one slice of bread.

You should eat about three servings of vegetables each day, choosing vegetables in a wide range of colors to get maximum vitamins and nutrients. One serving of vegetables is one cup of raw or cooked vegetables, one cup of 100 percent vegetable juice, or two cups of raw leafy greens.

You should eat about two servings of fruit each day, again choosing a wide range of colors. One serving is one cup of fruit or 100 percent fruit juice or one-half cup of dried fruit.

You should consume about three servings of dairy each day, such as one cup of milk or yogurt or one and one-half ounces of cheese.

The protein group includes meat, poultry, fish, dried peas and beans, eggs, nuts see BALANCED| 11

Facebook approaching 700 million users

facebook.com Facebook developers like Lee Byron worked to develop different versions of Facebook for each type of phone: touch and standard. According to numbers from Inside Facebook, an independent anaylsis site, their efforts may have paid off.

By Brett Williams ETC. EDITOR

Social Media is the driving force behind most everything we do. It comes largely from the fact that we are social beings, but why is Facebook so good at being social? When Facebook started, a million users was the pinnacle of achievement. Facebook has far exceeded that number over and over again reaching 100 and then 500 million.

Inside Facebook, an independent news and analysis site focused on Facebook, announced that the social networking site “grew by 21.5 million new users in March to reach 661.5 million monthly active users worldwide.”

Msnbc.com technology writer, Athima Chansanchai says these numbers put Facebook on track to reach 700 million by this summer.

How close is the social media giant really? Chansanchai says all of this hinges on Inside Facebook’s numbers, however, which are slightly askew from what other site stat trackers are reporting. “Google’s DoubleClick Ad Planner service shows Facebook with an extremely high 860 million monthly active users” far over what Inside Facebook reports.

“We’re not sure what accounted for the difference.”

Quantcast, another site stat tracker, actually has lower numbers reporting that Facebook actually only has about 136 million monthly users. According to Facebook’s numbers, it has more than 500 million users.

Based on these numbers it’s difficult to tell how far from 700 million Facebook is, but it’s definitely been growing and becoming more streamlined and socially accessible.

Facebook is constantly updating its

mobile site, especially after it hit 250 million users. The new site is designed to be easily accessible for users with either simple feature phones or smartphones and touchscreens.

“Previously, we solved this problem by building multiple versions of mobile facebook: m.facebook.com for less feature-rich mobile devices and touch. facebook.com for touch devices.”

Now, feature phones will each access a site that is customized in each case to deal with whatever issues are presented by individual phones.

The goal is to provide the best possible experience to everyone, according to Lee Byron, a product designer on Facebook’s development blog.

“Today we’re excited to start rolling out a major upgrade to m.facebook.com that delivers the best possible mobile Web experience no matter what device you’re using,” Byron said.

9

A look into the fascination, enthusiasm for body modification

By James Guess STAFF WRITER

In the past few decades, body modifications such as tattoos and facial piercing have become more widely accepted in our nation’s culture.

Now, even citizens of Mobile and students at the University of South Alabama are illustrating this trend.

“If I could afford it, I would get all kinds of tattoos,” 18-year-old USA student Tyler Betancourt said. “Before I die, I want to have tattoos in every possible place I can have one.”

Despite being without any noticeable body modifications of his own, Betancourt’s enthusiasm illustrates the strong change in our society’s perception about body modification.

“Everyone has them now,” says Ranzie Arsenault, 21, a piercer at Kaoz. “People of different races, types, it doesn’t matter.”

According to a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center in 2007, 54 percent of those in generation next have gotten a tattoo or a piercing aside from the ear lobe.

Only 40 percent of Generation X has gotten a tattoo or piercing that wasn’t for their ear lobe.

Generation Next includes individuals who are currently between the ages of 1825, while generation X refers to individuals who are currently between the ages of 26-40.

“I was against a trademarked character for a long time, but I think it illustrates my personality pretty well,” USA student William Brett said. Brett has two large tattoos, a half-sleeve depicting lady justice and another large piece depicting the tardis and characters from the British sci-fi program “Dr. Who.” “In its natural state, my body doesn’t depict my personality very well,” Brett said.

“I think of my body as a temple, and tattoos are like putting a sweet coat of paint on.”

USA student Caleigh Thomas said that “every [tattoo] I have serves as a marker.

“A lot of it is aesthetics. I could have expressed it in another way, but they are more conspicuous, and they are a great conversation piece,” Thomas said.

“I think they say I look at things differently and that I’m an open minded person.

Unfortunately, a large part of the equation is what others think they say about me and how it affects my life, such as ‘You are a godless person and I’m not hiring you,’ so now I have only four,” Thomas said, chuckling.

Regardless of any meaning or connections people have with their piercings, for better or worse, their popularity has grown far beyond the common ear lobe piercing many individuals in the past have had.

Of course, for some, acceptance does not matter. Some people see no reason to have to justify their mods or their wanting more of them.

“It’s my body. I’ll do what I wish with it,” Betancourt said.

10

Arts & Entertainment

The

Vanguard

Carey Cox, A&E Editor ae.editor@usavanguard.com

April 25, 2011

www.usavanguard.com/a-e

Local music festival to reunite local bands

‘HAIR’ revives spirit of ‘60s The controversial rock musical is expected to blow audiences away with its profanity, depictions of illegal drug use, treatment of sexuality, irreverence for the American flag and, perhaps most powerful, its nudity scene.

By Daniela Werner EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Mobile’s local music scene will be getting a much-needed shot in the arm when Coastline Chronicles 2 (CC2) comes to downtown Mobile next month, bringing more than 20 bands together to play three straight nights of music spanning an array of genres.

There are two ways to get the most out of CC2: there are the live shows happening May 12-14 at the Alabama Music Box and Island Thyme, and then there’s the free compilation CD of music by the bands composing the 2011 lineup.

The CD is available at numerous Mobile locations. Around USA, it can be picked up at Satori Coffee House, Mellow Mushroom, and Bubble Lounge.

The music festival was purposefully scheduled to begin on the last day of college finals, according to USA alum and ModMobilian

Colin McGee | Photo Editor

Courtesy of Kris Skoda

To pick up a copy of the free Coastline Chronicles 2 CD, look for this album cover in locations all over Mobile. Near USA, that includes Satori Coffee House, Bubble Lounge and Mellow Mushroom.

This year, the musical festival happens May 12-14 at the Alabama Music Box and Island Thyme.

staff member Kris Skoda. Coastline Chronicles is his brainchild, and the festival debuted last year to almost 900 attendees, he said.

This year’s lineup schedule ranges from singer-songwriters to rappers, including Gregg Fells, The Handsome Scoundrels/ The Old Guard, Edward Appleby, Bay City Brass Band, Too Far From Amsterdam, 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea and Venom (members of The Port Wine Stain and Underhill Family Orchestra).

The variety should keep audiences more than interested, he said.

“They might not like the first band, but the second band they might like,” he said.

Only two of this year’s bands aren’t local.

The Architects, who just finished touring with My Chemical Romance and Circa Sursee MUSIC | 12

"The Tribe," or the cast of "HAIR: The American Tribal Love Rock Musical," roamed USA's campus Wednesday in celebration of 4.20 and to promote the University's first production of the rock musical. The troupe assembled at the Moulton Bell Tower, singing and shouting hippie mantras from the '60s while passing out show flyers to onlookers. The show opens April 29 at Laidlaw Performing Arts Center.

By Carey Cox

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

As the curtain rises April 29 at the premiere for “HAIR: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical,” jaws will drop, and so will some of the actors’ clothes. The Drama department’s production of the controversial play “HAIR”, a rock musical with a book and lyrics by James Rado and Gerome Ragni and music by Galt Dermot, has everyone asking, “What about the nude scene?”

“HAIR” tells the story of the “tribe,” a group of politically active, long-haired hippies of the “Age of Aquarius” living a bohemian life in New York City and fighting against conscription into the Vietnam War. Claude, his good friend Berger, their roommate Sheila and their friends struggle to balance their young lives, loves and the sexual revolution with their rebellion against the war and their conservative par-

ents and society.

The controversial play premiered in 1967, and over 40 years later it still has the power to shock audiences.

“We’re cautioning everybody that the show contains explicit language and shocking stuff,” Dr. Leon Van Dyke, producer and chair of dramatic arts, said.

“HAIR” is the first rock musical that the dramatic arts department has produced during Van Dyke’s time at the University.

While the dramatic arts department has done other shows that are equally shocking, they cannot compete with the popularity of “HAIR,” Van Dyke said.

“A lot of people haven’t seen it, but a lot more people have heard of it,” Van Dyke said.

For Director T. Fulton Burns, “HAIR” is the most controversial play he has directed in his three seasons at the department.

“Is it controversial? Yes. We’ve had the most colorful language this stage has ever

seen. The issues of sexual identity are addressed; drugs, going after political figures and taking political stands are taking place.

Even religious ideas happening within the text are so powerful,” said the Drama assistant professor.

The biggest challenge for Burns was getting into the mind set of what it was like in the 1960s.

“The people, who are in this day and time, cannot relate to the 1960s like we’d want to be able to relate,” Burns said.

Burns prepared the tribe for the show by bringing in Dr. John Coker, chair of philosophy, to speak to the students about all of the issues addressed in the script to bring understanding of what ideas were happening at that time.

“There were all these strong ideas and people trying to come together to stand against these ideas,” Burns said.

“HAIR” will challenge the beliefs of the see HAIR | 16

The

Vanguard

Cruelty from page 7

are weak themselves and compensating for it by acting tough.

Children need to have negative interactions to learn how to deal with people, but what’s going on regularly is beyond that: it is emotional abuse.

Being called fat, slow, or stupid is just like slapping someone in the face.

These kids are slapping each other every day. Teachers, parents and others would punish a kid for hitting another kid.

So why aren’t we doing more to stop the emotional violence?

April 25, 2011

Tape

from page 7

priations committee is hoping to be able to streamline the whole process so only two appropriations meetings will be needed to go over the proposal packets.

Sells said that any questionable requests will be dealt with in the proper manner.

To be clear: questionable requests constitute groups wanting funds to buy things that they would already have to purchase anyway, such as snacks for their meetings.

It’s good policy not to ask for funding for your donuts. A proper request is for something that will be kept on campus (a

requirement for funding, by the way), and will in some way benefit the members of your club.

Conferences where the members will be learning something relevant or presenting a paper are also good uses of SGA funds.

However, if you are going to a conference in Hawaii about the proper use of the piña colada as a method of relaxation, it’s a safe bet you won’t be getting any cash for that trip.

Going back to Anime Club -- the group wanted to purchase anime videos to be kept at the library for their club to watch and discuss.

While some of the SGA members may

11

not have found that request necessary, it was deemed appropriate because that was what the Anime Club was all about: anime.

More information is also available in the Lowdown, easily reached via the USA website under the Student Affairs tab. It’s pretty simple.

If you have any questions, stop by the SGA office. They have candy.

Unless they’re out, which may or may not be my fault.

Balanced from page 9

and seeds. You should choose five to six servings each day of protein, with most choices being lean or low-fat. It’s best to remove skin from poultry and trim excess fat from meat.

One serving is one ounce of meat, fish, or poultry, one egg, one tablespoon of peanut butter, one-fourth cup of cooked dry beans, or one-half ounce of nuts.

Don’t forget to account for calories in beverages when looking at the number of calories you consume each day. Coffee drinks, sodas, energy drinks, and alcohol can all be high in calories and excessive consumption will lead to weight gain.

There is no reason to deprive yourself of any of the major food groups in order to lose weight. Once you understand your “calorie budget” you can “spend” those calories however you choose, knowing that as long as you burn more calories than you consume you will lose weight. Try every day to eat a balanced diet, choosing foods from all the major food groups, and choosing fruits and vegetables in a variety of colors.

There are resources available online for more information on healthy eating. If you have questions or concerns about healthy eating, losing weight, gaining weight or anything else related to your health, make an appointment at the Student Health Center.

More Strict from page 7

into their programs?

Or take the case of the Psychology club and Psi-Chi. According to the same SGA member, both clubs met at the same time, same place, and have the same officers.

Both organizations sent in the same packets for the same things. Again, does the student body really need to be footing the bill for the same club twice?

Removing the minor restrictions and rules that are already in place is begging for more abuse.

Without the minor hurdles already in place, such groups would easily receive double the funding that they normally receive.

Given the limited funding SGA can give to groups and the fact that there are so many student organizations, we simply can’t afford to hand out more money to student groups that are merely replicas of each other.

It only makes sense that we need the restrictions we currently have.

The current rules aren’t confusing or arbitrary by any stretch of imagination, and they fulfill a necessary and vital role for student organizations as whole.

Budgets are needed by everyone, and by forcing student groups to decide what is their priority, we create better organizations.

Sick of wasting time on Facebook?

Forget studying!

Spend your valuable time on The Vanguard’s website!

Visit www. usavanguard. com to read our staff blog, peruse photo galleries from campus events, comment on articles, find the answers to our fun Sudoku puzzles (see Distractions, p.

18,) and much, much more!

12 April 25, 2011 Music

from page 10

vive, will play CC2, as well as Birmingham band Banditos.

When asked why he created Coastline, Skoda said, “I felt like local music needed to be promoted, and in a lot of ways, it wasn’t sufficiently happening.

“It definitely overtakes BayFest in terms of cultural significance,” he said. “When it comes to local music, most people think Jimmy Buffet and Wet Willy. That’s not what’s going on in Mobile now.

“There’s a good chunk of people who don’t go out of town, who don’t go to the Music Box. They don’t know who to see locally. This CD works as a sampler for people.”

CC2 tickets cost $20 at the door May 12, $14 as online preorders and $8 a day for those who don’t want to purchase three-day passes.

Skoda said the money made from show admission will fund the creation of next year’s CD.

Get Your Opinion Published!

The

Vanguard “No one makes any more than free drinks over it,” Skoda said. “The bands don’t make money.”

Skoda said he hopes the sense of unity between last year’s bands carries over into the 2011 lineup.

“Ultimately, I’m trying to raise an appreciation for music,” he said.

Joelle Rosen, a vocalist in Underhill Family Orchestra, a folk/old Western-style band on the CC2 lineup, said she thinks Coastline succeeds in inspiring unity among local artists.

“A lot of us are different genres across the board,” she said. “A rapper will be there that Underhill’s going to sing with.”

Adjacent to the Music Box is restaurant Island Thyme, a Mobile favorite slated to host some of the shows, as well as extend its hours of operation when CC2 is happening and offer a discount for customers sporting admission bracelets. The restaurant will offer a special CC2 menu, according to Skoda.

Local comedian Sir William Masters and other local comedians will host the event,

and “if people want to come out and dance, there are house DJs,” Skoda said.

Skoda said he believes in creating a spectacle, so boredom won’t be an option at CC2.

At last year’s shows, fire twirlers lit up the streets outside of the Music Box. The twirlers will be seen again on Dauphin Street this year, and a “Get to the choppa!”-themed backdrop designed by local artists will be available for guests to be photographed in front of. Those pictures will be available for online download after the festival winds down.

T-shirts created for the bands by local clothing designer Lunatix & Co. will be sold during shows.

For more information about CC2 and a list of locations holding the compilation CD, search “Coastline Chronicles 2” on Facebook or visit modmobilian.com. Pre-orders for the shows can be purchased at alabamamusicbox.net.

Editor’s note: For more information about CC2, see Happenings on p. 2 of this issue.

>>Send Letters to the Editor to editor.in.chief@ usavanguard.com.

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April 25, 2011

Write for The Vanguard!

Send Writing Samples to Editor.in.Chief@ USAVanguard.com

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April 25, 2011

Matt Weaver Sports Editor

CHARGING THE MOUND

PED users should be included in Hall

Manny Being Manny.

Remember when that meant bathroom silliness and playing a comedy-reel left-field for a Boston Red Sox squad that won two World Series championships? Now being Manny means getting suspended 100 games for using performance enhancers and hitting just above a substitute’s pace.

It’s a sad fall from grace that chased the would-be Hall of Famer into retirement and even further from Cooperstown. Ramirez’s personality aside, his PED use should not be a deciding factor in his possible Hall induction in 2016.

The demands of being a Major League baseball player have always been high. Call them overpaid but the millions of dollars invested into them must translate into numbers or their entire life’s legacy is forever tarnished.

Just ask Mario Mendoza, who despite being a gold-glove caliber shortstop, is best known for routinely hitting below .200 and thus creating the mythical Medoza line where hitters are judged, albeit poorly, on their hitting prowess.

No one cares if we fail at our jobs 100 years down the line. We’re barely a footnote in the assembly line of plumbers, dentists, and teachers. Not everyone can have the career of a Dr. James Andrews, whose contributions will be remembered for dozens of decades.

That’s the pressure that drives major leaguers to begin using performance enhancing drugs.

It’s more than the player’s butt on the line – it’s his everlasting legacy. It’s a legacy that could be the difference between the Hall of Very Good and the Hall of Fame.

Media and fans both have the same problem in that they are still tied down to the romanticism of baseball’s past. They want to believe, and many still do, that Manny and Barry should be analyzed in the same manner as Hammerin’ Hank and the Babe.

Just as the dead ball and live ball eras are incomparable to each other, so is the steroid era. Who’s to say what advantage a player could seek out in 1932? Babe Ruth was known to be an overweight alcoholic, not exactly a fair comparison to the sculpted physiques of Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton.

The same can be said of previous-era pitchers who got by with not only finesse and craftiness but also the spitball and eephus pitch, tosses now outlawed by Major League Baseball. Is it fair to compare suspected PED-enhanced pitchers like Roger Clemens to Gaylord Perry?

Probably not.

So in regard to Cooperstown and a player’s long-after-death legacy, let’s compare players in this era only to each other, an era where the Superman exists and he plays baseball.

Sports

The

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

www.usavanguard.com/sports

Baseball surges towards tournament

South Alabama has won seven of its last nine contests, and this time it’s coach Steve Kittrell’s last chance to keep USA at a contending status before he retires.

By Matt Weaver

increased bullpen presence late in games to push the Jags over the top.

Kittrell believes his team is up to the challenge, and so does his team. There might be some magic left after all.

SPORTS EDITOR

South Alabama baseball might be starting to put it all together, and not a moment too soon with the Sun Belt Tournament starting play on May 25.

If the Jaguars intend to make a serious run at the NCAA Tournament, it’ll have to begin with the final stages of the regular season.

No one has to remind Kittrell what this season should mean to him. It’s the 63-yearold’s last season and also his last chance to leave one final magic moment, the last of so many, before handing the reigns over to current assistant Mark Calvi.

For Calvi, 2011 means proving that the former South Carolina pitching coach has the foundations to place USA firmly back into contention once Kitrell departs at the end of the season.

The Jags enter play this week at 22-18 having completed a four game road trip which saw them at one point put together a seven-game winning streak. Could the Jaguars finally be hitting their stride?

Troy has been the cream of the league all spring, racing to a 30-10 record, 14-4 in the Sun Belt. Just behind them is Florida Atlantic and Florida international. The Jags currently rest in fourth with a 9-9 league record.

The top eight teams will make the season-ending tournament with the first seed playing the eighth-seed. The Jags would currently play the fifth seeded team should the season end today.

South Alabama next plays former Sun Belt-rival New Orleans on April 26 with

Baseball Drops Two of Three to Louisiana Lafayette

usajaguars.com

South Alabama infielder Jake Overstreet has been a pivotal part of the Jag lineup in 2011.

their next conference games scheduled against Florida Atlantic and Arkansas State.

If South Alabama can ride the wave momentum through the next month of the season, an NCAA Tournament appearance is not out of the question. As always, it’ll take some clutch hitting and an

T.J. Geith tossed a complete game and allowed four runs while scattering 12 hits to lead the University of Louisiana at Lafayette to a 5-4 series-clinching win over the University of South Alabama baseball team Sunday afternoon at M.L “Tigue” Moore Field.

Geith (4-3) struck out four and did not issue a walk in his longest career outing.

Cory McGinnis (1-1) suffered the loss for the Jaguars in 1 2/3 innings pitched, allowing one run on one hit with one walk. Jaguar starter Carlton Paris pitched 6 1/3 innings and allowed four runs on 11 hits with three strikeouts without factoring in the decision.

ULL (23-18, 10-8 SBC) scored three unanswered runs, one in each of their final three at-bats, to outlast the Jags.

White singled with one out in the top of the ninth and represented the game-tying run, but Geith induced a double play off the bat of Nolan Earley to end the game.

Four Ragin’ Cajuns had multiple hits in the game, led by Lance Marvel who went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Alex Fuselier, Greg Fontenot and Mike Petello had two hits each in the game for ULL.

Men’s Basketball

Arrow recruiting impressive class

By Jayson Curry SPORTS REPORTER

Vanguard Archives

USA men's basketball head coach Ronnie Arrow and staff have been heavy on the recruiting trail.

USA men’s basketball coach Ronnie Arrow and his staff have been on the recruiting trail all off season adding talent to their roster for next season.

If you have been to a USA game lately you know the offense and defense are usually fast paced and they have added a few players to keep that tempo going.

Players like Xavier Roberson, who is a 6-2 guard from Paris Junior College in Texas and Freddie Jones-Goldstein, a 6-0 guard from Motlow State Community College in Lynchburg, Tenn. Both players will help the Jags push the pace and also add to shooting, especially behind the arc.

Roberson shot almost 42 percent from three point land this past season and will hope to keep that hot shooting going in the Mitchell Center next season. Roberson has already gained high praise from the USA staff who say he is similar to former USA basketball player Bryan Sherrer. Xavier played

for former USA assistant head coach Chuck Taylor at PJC this past season so he will come in with knowledge of almost half of the Jags offense and defense.

Jones-Goldstein was a two-time National Junior College Athletic Association All-American and brings a great ability to push the ball on offense.

Freddie’s ability to run the shooting guard position the way USA does is a big reason why Arrow and his staff recruited him so hard. Jones-Goldstein also brings a great shooting ability, making 136 3’s in two seasons. He averaged just over 19 points a game and made almost 50 percent of his 3’s.

USA also has signed National Letters of Intent from three star small forward Mychal Ammond who also had offers from schools like Arkansas and Missouri. Also the Jags will add 5-10 point guard from Bastrop high school in Texas.

Arrow and the Jags will look to add the talented signees with the great talent already in place for next season.

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Men’s Tennis’ Bid For Conference Championship Denied by MTSU

Sports Columnist

CURRY’S CORNER

Pressure is the ultimate deciding factor

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15

Sports Briefs

Jayson Curry

After watching almost every hole of the 2011 Masters I came to the same realization that most golf fans already had – one rough day on the green can absolutely ruin everything.

You know exactly what I’m talking about if you watched the Masters.

21-year-old Rory McIlroy held a late just to have it all blow up in his face on the final day of competition.

That is one of, if not the biggest, reasons that golf is a completely different monster than any other sport.

You’re completely helpless against a bad day.

In baseball, a tired pitcher can give up a few runs and may be replaced by the bullpen. In football, a player can be replaced by any number of players on the bench.

But in golf, you’re solo as it gets. When you’re on the green and the crowd is cheering, the pressure really mounts.

As an athlete, the build-up in pressure forces mistakes. You lose your technique and you start to do worse. If you’re a fan of football movies, The Replacements comes to mind.

In that movie Keanu Reeves describes a proverbial quicksand in sports, meaning the harder you try the farther you sink.

Anything can trigger an athlete’s meltdown.

With McIlroy, it could easily be chalked up as the inexperience of a 21-year old or even the mounted pressure of the spotlight.

Even the name ‘Woods’ coming up behind him on the leaderboard may have rattled his cage and there was no one he could turn to for help. There is no coach waiting for him on the sideline or reliever warming up in the bullpen.

There was only the fairway of perfectly manicured grass and the crowd standing behind ropes waiting for him to do something. Were you McIlroy, could you have pulled it off ?

Golf can put you on an island like no other sport. Sure, there are sports where it is you against others but those don’t have the same feel as golf.

Swimming might be the closest comparison but the hasty nature of the sport dictates that instinct wins over methodology.

Tennis is contested one-on-one, setting the odds of winning at 50-50. Golf has a typical field of over 100 players, and a tournament lasts four days. There’s nothing like it. The pressure mounts and within the amount of time you read this – the one play that ruined your day was made.

April 25, 2011

greenascot.com The Los Angeles Lakers are among the handful of favorites to win the NBA Finals in May. Kobe Bryant has led his team to both playoff success and failure depending on his health.

Secret injuries will likely determine playoff scenario

By Joshua White SPORTS REPORTER

The NBA Playoffs are just heating up, and it’s about time for the speculation to begin about factors that could determine who plays in next month’s NBA Finals.

There are several factors to consider, including home-court advantage, the modern era’s biggest deciding-factor according to winning percentage). Then there are factors like desire, past playoff experience, playoff trends and coaching. These are all important facts to consider as the first round concludes.

However, one very important fact not always listed is injuries.

This goes beyond publicized or injury reserved list injuries.

This is about the non-highlighted injuries that players silently suffer through - the type of injuries that don’t directly show but affect player performance throughout a season or playoff series.

Most recent was Lebron James’ final playoff appearance with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Just a few games before the playoffs began, James sat out with a “not so serious” elbow injury where he returned just as the playoffs began.

Later in the playoffs, in the final seconds of a close Game 5 against the Chicago Bulls, with Cleveland clinging to a threepoint lead, James drained his first free throw with his right hand then switched to his left and threw a haymaker.

He missed, and with 7.8 seconds left on the clock, could have cost his team the game.

After the victory, James revealed that the elbow had been bothering him for weeks. A lot of basketball-types remember just how Cleveland ended their playoff run last year.

More remember how he responded.

James was seemingly nowhere to be found

in close games against Boston in the Eastern semifinals; taking few shots and showing a lack of concern for his team. He followed that losing performance by taking his talents to South Beach.

Who knows how that story would have played out if it wasn’t for that silently-nagging elbow injury. Could we see a repeat amongst one of the top contenders in the 2010-2011 NBA Playoffs?

A similar scenario occurred in this past season’s NFL playoffs. Chicago Bears’ starting quarterback Jay Cutler left a game with a knee injury following the first series succeeding halftime. Apparently he suffered the injury after a hit in the first half and attempted to play through it.

The Bears ended up losing the game 2114, and while back-up quarterback Caleb Hanie fended for himself, they had a much better chance of winning had their starting quarterback been able to continue.

Perhaps “non-serious” injuries to players like Manu Ginobli (elbow injury) and Andrew Bynum (hyperextended knee) will pose a problem to the top-seeded Spurs and Lakers throughout the tournament.

Manu is crucial to the success of San Antonio and is arguably their best scorer.

Ditto for Los Angeles and the ultra-important Andrew Bynum.

Even if Bynum fails to provide points, they benefit from his size and presence alongside Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant.

In Bryant’s own words, “Our size has always been our greatest advantage.”

This season’s Playoffs are destined to one of the most exciting in recent memory.

Each remaining team rests their hopes on one player that could harbor a devastating secret injury.

Their fans can only hope that these nagging ailments don’t come back to haunt them throughout the month of May and their championship run.

Down a set and 4-0 in the second-set tiebreaker, Middle Tennessee’s Shaun Waters rallied to defeat Alexandre Bernard (Soisy Sur Seine, France) at No. 2 singles to give the fourth-seeded Blue Raiders the 2011 Sun Belt Men’s Tennis Championship Saturday afternoon at the Bruce David Lubel Memorial Tennis Courts.

MTSU (13-12) wins the title for the second time in its history and also the second time in three years. USA (9-9), the No. 3 seed, was looking for its league-record 17th crown.

After losing the doubles point and falling behind 3-0, Blue Raiders won the top four singles flights to earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

“Two months ago, looking at the way we started the season with so many injuries, we never thought we’d be in this position,” said USA head coach Nick Brochu. “So we still have to be very proud of ourselves.”

Track’s Baker Shatters 43-Year Old Record at Coach O Invitational True freshman Demetre Baker made a historical day of the Coach O Invitational held at Jesse H. Colley Track at Troy Saturday by surpassing the school’s top shot put mark made in 1968.

Baker posted a 17.17 meters(56-04) shot to move ahead of Tony Petro (16.56 meters/54-05) on the South Alabama alltime list. He finished second overall and first collegiately in the event, while also placing second in the men’s discus throw on a personal-best mark of 51.78 meters (169-10.75) to remain at third all-time on the South Alabama discus throw list.

Joey Torres won the men’s discus throw on a toss of 52.24 meters (171-04) and placed sixth in the men’s hammer throw (46.17 meters/151-05). Jeff Long took sixth in the event on a mark of 44.39 meters (145-07.75) Three other Jags accompanied Torres amongst hammer-throw finishers Saturday, with Steven Nobles taking the crown on a personal-best effort of 58.24 meters (19101), Jarrod Kedzior taking fourth (49.71 meters/163-01) and Long placing seventh (45.60 meters/149-07).

Softball Splits Doubleheader Against North Texas The University of South Alabama softball team split its doubleheader against Sun Belt Conference opponent North Texas Friday afternoon at Jaguar Field. The Jags fell 5-3 in game one, but came back to win 4-2 in the final game of the series.

South Alabama moves to 32-13 overall and 11-8 SBC action with the win, while UNT drops to 32-13 and 6-15 in league play.

-Wire Reports

16 April 25, 2011

The

Vanguard

Hair

from page 10

audience, bringing up questions about feelings toward military conflicts, the environment and other current issues. Constance R. Smith, scenic and poster designer, said the issues in the play foreshadow the issues we are dealing with today.

“It’s an absolutely pertinent piece. Here is a generation rebelling, fighting, paying attention to what’s going on. Here’s this play primarily about protesting this horrific war and their friends being shipped off randomly seemingly. So, they protest this, and they were very vocal about and they fought back. But today, we’re in two or three depending on the day, and nobody is saying much about it, nobody is paying attention,” Smith said.

Smith carefully constructed the set with authentic 1960s memorabilia to give an understanding of how “far out” the tribe was from the societal norm at the time.

“I wanted to stay very true to representing the ‘60s, the whole ‘60s. When most people think of the ‘60s they think of this little hippie group and they sort of color the entire decade that way, which is not the case at all. … I wanted to juxtapose what they were fighting against to remind everyone what the rest of the ‘60s looked like.

The main idea was inspired by looking at ads from the ‘60s from a magazine from 1968,” Smith said.

The infamous “nude scene” was the biggest concern for the faculty. There was no nudity in the first two productions of the play; the inspiration to include nudity in the Broadway version came when the authors saw an anti-war demonstration in Central

Park where two men stripped naked as an expression of defiance and freedom.

“We have to be respectful of Mobile, Ala. There are people in Mobile who absolutely, positively do not want that to take place… but then there are other individuals who are purist and know the piece and their thought is you have to do it, otherwise you’re not staying true to the play either,” Burns said.

“Anytime you get up and do anything in front of people, some people like it, some people don’t,” Van Dyke said.

Members of the tribe have confirmed there is a nude scene, but they refused to go into detail about just how much nudity the audience can expect.

“Clothes will be coming off. Could be a shoe, could be pants, people will have to come see and figure out themselves,” Ellen Johnson, a tribe member, said.

“I think when the audience comes and sees it they’ll find that in many ways we’ve addressed both issues respectfully and artistically, the way that it should take place,” Burns said.

The lobby of Laidlaw Performing Arts Center will be turned into an art gallery displaying student art installations. Rachel Wright’s class and two of Rick Schneider’s classes used “HAIR” as a project, making interpretations in their art pieces based on issues brought up in the play.

“With all of those issues I’m bringing up, I certainly hope that a production like ‘HAIR’ brings those things to light, that we still do need to consider those things,” Burns said.

Editor’s note: For specific time and date information about “HAIR” showings, turn to Happenings on p. 2 of this issue.

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April 25, 2011

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April 25, 2011

Distractions

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Caption Contest

Caption Contest Results

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

Have an idea for Distractions?

E-mail Editorin-Chief Daniela Werner at usavanguard. editor@Gmail. com.

Winner: “Randy Savage, this one is for you!”

-Thomas Cornbread Parker

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

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Jag Life

April 25, 2011

A Comic by Ben Lewis

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