Aug. 22, 2016 by The Vanguard

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anguard V

If it matters to you, it matters to us.

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UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA

MONDAY AUG 22 2016 VOL 59 ISS 2

Inside

Supplies for flood victims

Letter to the edtitor

USA atheletics department hosts event to gather supplies for those in need. Page 12

Are liberals discriminating against conserative speech? Page 15

LGBTQ+ welcome ceremoney USA welcomes, outlines resources for LGBTW+ students; USA president in attendance. Page 9

NEWS

USA restrooms now gender inclusive

USA raises tuition nine years in a row

Title IX-compliant universities protect student’s choice of restroom.

By Jason Ruffin | Life Editor

Isabella Heart, a transgender student at USA, may now enter the bathroom that matches her gender identity. Photo by Jaccob Hearn. By Megan McDowell | Copy Editor

The University of South Alabama’s Title IX department sent out a school-wide email announcing new measures to make the school more inclusive for all students Aug. 5. The email stated that starting immediately, USA would allow students, employees and visitors to use whatever restroom, locker room, etc. that best suits their gender identity. According to USA’s Title IX website page on gender inclusion, the policy change was due to a U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Justice issue that made it required under the guidelines for recieving Title XI funding. Title XI is under the Education

Amendments of 1972. It is meant to prevent discrimination based on sex or gender from effecting educational environments. The policy change will include all USA properties, including central cavmpus, the student health center and any other branch campuses. USA is one of many universities across the state and across the country to make the change to better accommodate students of all genders. Isabella Heart, a third-year sociology major and transgender student at USA, said, “The new bathroom policy makes me feel like I can get the most out of my education. Instead of missing classes because I have to go to my dorm just to

use the bathroom I can now just use the women’s bathroom and not have to worry about what I am missing.” “I’m happy and excited that this will no longer be an issue for our university,” Brittany Waddell, third-year biology major, said. “Even if the change doesn’t really affect me, I believe someone should have the right to use whichever bathroom they feel most comfortable using in regards to their gender identity, and to feel safe in doing so.” While other students also expressed similar excitement to Heart’s and Waddell’s, some also showed concern

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The University of South Alabama Board of Trustees approved a 3 percent increase to student tuition in June 2016. USA has seen a tuition increase every year since 2008, when the state of Alabama cut appropriations to universities. In all, tuition for USA students has increased more than 40 percent. The result is a $9 increase per credit hour for undergraduate in-state students, and a $12 increase per credit hour for graduate in-state students, according to board meeting notes. USA students can also expect to see a 2.1 percent increase in some room rates, and a 2.5 percent increase in meal plans. According to the board notes, tuition will icrease $270 for a full academic year for undergraduate students, and $288 for graduate students attending from in-state. “One of the things that I absolutely feel that we have to do is always maintain the quality of education,” said South Alabama President Tony Waldrop when asked about the reason for the increase. Waldrop claims even with all these increases, the university is still short of their projected budget. He told WKRG News 5 that, even with tuition increases, USA has generated $251 million less than what it would have if the state not cut funding. USA made drastic cuts after the state cut funding, including cutting back on staff. The USA has just restored staffing

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Vanguard

tured Photo

THE

Students tried their best to conqure the mechanical bull at the Kickoff Cookout. Photo by Jaccob Hearn.

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NEWSUSA settles free speech lawsuit with Managing Editor | Alanna Whitaker acw905@jagmail.southalabama.edu Monday, Aug. 22, 2016

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Students for Life By Joel Goode | Opinion Editor

A federal district court ruled against the University of South Alabama in a lawsuit filed by Students for Life in April 2014. The group claimed USA was violating its First and 14th Amendment rights. The lawsuit was prompted by a series of requests made on behalf of SFL that were continually denied by USA. The group was prohibited from using “no-speech zones,” that, prior to the ruling, restricted public displays that ould be described as “advocating for a position that involves political or social controversy.” The display erected by SFL was a “Cemetery of Innocents,” a series of crosses staked into the ground that were meant to represent fetuses that were terminated by bortion. In an article published on AL.com prior to the filing of the lawsuit, SFL president Katherine Sweet detailed her grievance towards mistreatment by the University. “As a college student, I can’t think of a part of the First Amendment that’s more significant than our freedom to speak,” Sweet wrote. “To be sure, speaking, discussing, debating and engaging is at the core of education, and a reason that many enroll at a higher education institution at all.” The lawsuit, filed on behalf of SFL by an attorney for the religious advocacy group

Alliance Defending Freedom, described an overly restrictive policy which severely prohibited political expression on campus. The core issue was the limited use of space granted to SFL. Their right to display content and share literature was restricted to the area around the flagpoles outside the Student Center. Another issue that the lawsuit cited was a three-day-prior authorization policy. In order to put up their display and hand out literature, student groups were required to obtain permission from USA three days prior to theoutreach. This policy had two problems cited by the SFL. First, there were no deadlines or timetables placed on the administration to respond in a timely manner, which obstructed and delayed group activities. Second, issue-oriented student groups were unable to “respond to spontaneous or unfolding events” that were occurring in the media which were relevant to the group’s interests. Michael Mitchell, dean of students and vice president of student affairs, explained the original intention of “free speech zones”. “In most cases you need to have regulations in order to protect the integrity of the environment,” Mitchell said. “In this case, it’s an educational environment, and policies, procedures and codes - those

types of things – are typically designed to protect the integrity of the [institution].” “The new policy has opened up the vast majority of the campus to free expression. However, there are still some exceptions to that openness, which include the perimeter of campus. That area includes North Drive to the intersection of University Boulevard and Old Shell Road, all the way down to the Recreation Center – the area from the grass of the sidewalk back to the University facilities. ... Also, within 100 feet of academic buildings are restricted. But the remainder of campus, with the exception of a few places like the Alumni Tower and the Bell Tower, are free speech zones.” Mitchell also clarified that while free speech has broadened on campus and students are welcome to a more communicable environment, the university still maintains a policy against hate speech. “That’s the task, really, of the folks who administer the policy,” Mitchell said. “To decide not necessarily whether the message is good or bad, but to decide whether the message is in violation of a law or policy that exists for the campus or for the community.”

Campus-wide gender inclusive restrooms

call the police if there is violence. If we don’t know, we can’t do anything about it. This is a cultural shift and this will take some time for everyone to accept the change and we are here to address anything that happens.” Harrell went on to say that the next step in the process of helping students and faculty become more comfortable and accustomed to the new policy would be education, providing people with information on transgender people and gender inclusion in their college setting. To start, Harrell said that faculty will be invited to Safe Zone trainings held by the Title IX department. Students who are willing to talk about their experiences will also share to help their professors and other educational staff understand how they can best make them and other like students feel safe and comfortable at USA. Harrell and the Title IX department are not the only people on campus looking to support and education in order to make this transition smoother. USA Spectrum, USA’s campus LGBTQ+ outreach and activism group, is one of several campus organizations that is already working and planning for future events that will help facilitate conversations on what it is like for transgender students at USA and why it

is so important that USA be taking steps towards including them and allowing them their rights on campus. Christopher Courtney, USA Spectrum president and USA nursing student, said, “We’re going to be doing some more panel meetings in collaboration with other groups which will include some talks on transgender issues. From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Aug. 31 we will be partnering with HRC and Alabama Pride to host an event at Satori to explain LGBTQ+ rights and activism for anyone wishing to learn.”

Cont. from page 1

Go Jags!

about potential backlash from unaccepting persons towards the bathroom inclusion policy. “My concern is though that many will not comply to this rule and will cause disruption or even violence,” Piwat Klomkaew, a junior chemical engineering major, said. “Transgender students need admin, staff with authority and the law to be on their side so they feel comfortable in their self-acceptance and public expression.” “I hope USA stands their ground. Progress isn’t always easy or unchallenged. USA has a responsibility to protect everyone on campus,” Jonathan Scott, a junior biology major, said. “If there is backlash it’s going to stem from a lack of understanding gender and sex.” In response to these concerns, Dr. Krista Harrell, associate dean of students and Title IX Coordinator, said, “If people are experiencing harassment we encourage them to report it so we can address it, or

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NEWS

Monday, Aug. 22, 2016

Tuition increases for students Cont. from page 1

levels to where they were after 2008, but since enrollment at the university has also increased. This leave more part-time faculty to pick up the slack. “If we’re going to grow, for us not to hire more faculty, means the quality of education will go down,” Waldrop said. “I’m very mindful. I don’t want to raise tuition, I really do not, but I also don’t want to give you less than what you’re paying for.” According to Waldrop, USA is still one of the least expensive four-year universities in the state, and while many universities are seeing a decline in enrollment, USA’s continues to grow. “We’re going up so that says to me people are starting to look at South as a really good place to go,” Waldrop said. Transfer student Alfonsa Kyles listed the low tuition as one of the main reasons he chose to come to USA. “I was going to go to Morehouse in Atlanta, but their tuition is a no-go,” Kyles said. Despite promises that tuition is being used to increase the quality of education, there are many students who are annoyed with the yearly increases. Communications major Rachael Mastin called the increases a nuisance. “I feel like it’s unnecessary and it’s definitely inconvenient, because it goes up every year,” Mastin said. With possible plans to build a football stadium, President Waldrop estimated at $85 to $115 million earlier this week in an email sent out to students, some may ask where that money is going to come from. However, Waldrop reiterated in an interview with WKRG News 5 that no tuition dollars would go toward the new football stadium. As with most cosmetic improvements

A pie chart describing USA’s sources of revenue that was created from notes provided by USA’s Board of Trustiees. Image by Jason Ruffin.

around campus, grants and private funds usually pay for development, such as Shelby Hall, which was built using federal money. Tuition really only makes up 20 percent of South’s total revenue, and President Waldrop stressed that most of that money goes directly to paying faculty and staff. According to Nick Lawkis, USA assistant director of governmental relations, in 2008 the university received $32.5 million more than it did this year alone. A reduction of about 23 percent over one year, or almost a quarter in USA’s revenue. Other universities across the state are seeing a tuition increase this year as well, most within the range of USA’s increase. “I won’t sit here and say we’re not going to do any more increases for a while,” Waldrop explained, “because we’ve always got to look at what’s happening with the

USA President Tony Waldrop promises tuition will not be spent on the football stadium if it is approved. Photo by Jaccob Hearn

state budget and what our needs are as a university.” Waldrop stressed the importance of students reaching out to local officials, and urging them to make education a priority in the capital. USA regularly attends Higher Education Day, which is being held on February 23 this year, and meets with representatives to discuss education and funding.

As for tuition, President Waldrop had some advice for students looking to leave USA without the mountain of debt now associated with a college education. “The single biggest thing that students can do to reduce tuition is to graduate in four years.”

LIFE

Life Editor | Jason Ruffin jwr1321@jagmail.southalabama.edu Monday, Aug. 22, 2016

USA hosts second annual Kickoff Cookout

USA students line up to spin the wheel and win prizes at the Kickoff Cookout. Photo by Emily Rodrick By Hannah Blackburn & Jessica Tillman | Contributing Writers

The University of South Alabama hosted its second Kickoff Cookout behind the Student Center as part of its Week of Welcome on Tuesday, Aug. 16. The Week of Welcome is for new and returning students to participate in fun activities, meet one another and learn about campus living. The cookout was held by Jaguar Productions in conjunction with the SGA and the sorority Pi Ki. The event was considered a success. Plenty of students came to fill the steps and tables at the Student Center. “It’s about a cook out where we invite all the freshman and current students to socialize,” said graduate assistant Jon Felschow. “They can meet up, make new friends, and join greek life.” Hundreds of students came to enjoy free food, give-a-ways, music and even a mechanical bull. Madison Hunter, sophomore and member of Jaguar Productions, said the cookout was one of the events she was looking forward to. “I joined Jaguar Productions so I could get involved with everything that goes on around campus,” Hunter said. “I think it is very important for students and teachers alike to come out to these events because it helps bring a sense of community. If you come out to these events, I promise you will have fun.” The Kickoff Cookout is one of the biggest events where Greek sororities and fraternities can rush new members coming in to Greek Life to be a part of sororities and fraternities. Sororities wore letters to show their pride, as did fraternity members. This is the biggest recruiting event before Greek recruitment registration ends. Jaguar Productions also set up a photo booth. It is the second year the cookout has been held at the Student Center since

its renovation. Last year, more then 700 students were in attendance. This year, expected numbers were close to the thousands. AirMart was responsible for donating the food. USA junior Morgan Tooles has attended the cookout for the second year in a row. “It gives everybody a good way to meet new people, eat good food and ride a mechanical bull,” Tooles said. “It’s a good event for people to get together and just pig out.” Tooles, along with several other students, participated in the festivities by playing a game and riding the bull. Prizes included frisbees, Jag Swag, coin pouches and keychains. There was a personalized license plate-making booth, and Spanish Fort Inflatables provided a mechanical bull to allow everyone to test out their rodeo skills. For one particular game, students lined up single file to spin a color wheel. If that wheel landed on USA colors, winners were able to select a prize from the prize table. Students had the option of choosing items such as a tote bag, water bottle, Frisbee, shirts or snacks. Freshman Gabriel Dickerson said it was a great way to help people break out of their shell. “I was excited to come to South and have the college experience everyone looks forward too, however being new can make it difficult,” Dickerson said. “There was no pressure and meeting people was an easy experience, plus what college kid doesn’t like free food?” Chemical engineering major Justin Harvell also had much to enjoy about the cook out. “It’s the beginning of the year,” said Harvell “I’m back to seeing friends you haven’t seen in a couple of months.” Andrew Collins, although not a student of USA, used the cookout as a way to minister to others. Collins, who works at Campus Ministry, said they came to the

USA Students gather to enjoy complementary items at the Kickoff Cookout. Photo by Maegna Baldwin

event to meet students and to engage in a relationship to minister to them. “It’s a great opportunity for the beginning of the year for the students to come together to commune, share a meal, and get to know one another,” Collins said. “For example, I am having a conversation with a student I have never met before simply by sharing a meal.” Along with the food provided, the mechanical bull seemed to be an extremely popular attraction. Students crowded around to either take videos and pictures of their friends or try their own luck at hanging on for as long as they could. “I got really dizzy,” USA junior Ben Morris said. “It’s also really loud and there are a lot of people here at this event.” Morris has also attended many other school functions including movie nights and honor society and says that he is happy to be a part of anything that involves free food. For the sororities, this was a great opportunity for recruitment in a less stressful environment. Sorority Pi Ki organized everything, from the food to the activities. “We wanted to make sure we had someone at each booth so that when

people were getting food or having their Jag card swiped, they had someone to talk to,” said USA senior Emily Sanders. “We want to make sure that no one gets left out and that everyone can feel included and get involved and more importantly feel like they belong in this community. This a great event to encourage girls to ‘Go Greek’ because it is one of the best things you can do on campus.” USA junior Caroline Cassidy, a member of the Pi Ki sorority, said, “I think this is a great way for people to meet current sorority members without the pressure of a formal recruitment. It also lets other groups come out so that they can meet and mingle in a not so intimidating way and that’s my favorite thing about it - getting to meet the new students that are coming in. Our sorority does a lot of campus community service and this allows us to reach out to the campus community to look for others who wish to do the same.” This is one of the many activities that the SGA, Jaguar Productions and the sorority groups have planned for the upcoming year. A list of all upcoming events can be found on the USA website.

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LIFE

Monday, Aug. 22, 2016

Karaoke night and ice cream social presented by Jaguar Productions

Students showing off thier voices at the karaoke night. Photo by Jaccob Hearn. By Jaccob Hearn | Editor-in-Cheif

Jaguar Productions held its annual Week of Welcome karaoke night and ice cream socail at the student center last week. This was the first of many karaoke nights scheduled to encourage students to make friends and get on stage, according to sophomore Zane Patterson, music chair, Jaguar Productions. Patterson’s hope with these events is to build up a family between the student community. “My goal with all the Jaguar Productions events is to really build a sense of

community,” Patterson said. “Really to have people from all over to come and sing and relax and have a good time.” A variety of songs were sung throughout the night and performers of all skill levels got on stage. “It’s an environment with a good energy,” senior Kevin Vanterpoon said. “You get to get up on stage and let loose and have fun without being judged.” More than 150 attended throughout the night, according to Patterson. “I’ve been so excited with the turnout,” Patterson commented. “There’s a lot of

Students took thier pick of flavors and toppings at the ice cream social Photo by Maegan Baldwin.

energy out there and it’s kind of exciting.” “This is the most people I’ve seen at one of these events,” Vanterpoon said. “This event is annual so if you haven’t had a chance everyone should come out and do karaoke at least one time.” Patterson wants students to keep their eyes out for other Jaguar Productions events throughout the year. The ice cream social was an event new students have a chance to meet their resources on campus such as, library staff, financial aid, bookstore staff, and many more.

A view from the stage at the karaoke night. Photo by Jaccob Hearn.

LIFE

Monday, Aug. 22, 2016

Jaguar Productions hosts Bingo for books

A green bingo board from this year’s annual Bingo for Books. Photo by Casie Carr

By Casie Carr | Reporter

Bingo for Books was one of many events hosted by Jaguar Productions as a part of the Week of Welcome this year. The event was held in the Fresh Food Company meeting room within the dining hall on Wednesday, Aug. 17. “It’s an event that gives students a chance to win a free book rental as well as other Jag Swag items and gifts,” Alexsondra Walker, sophomore biology major and special events coordinator for

Jaguar Productions, said. The Bingo for Books event consisted of 12 rounds. For the first nine rounds, whomever yelled “bingo” won. If there was a tie, then rock-paper-scissors was played to find a winner. The 10th, 11th and 12th rounds had special rules because these rounds included the best prizes. The prizes awarded included school supply kits, Wal-Mart gift cards, a laundry kit, a movie night kit, movie vouchers, Bellingrath Gardens tickets, survival kits, a Jag Swag basket and

USA students play games at Bingo for Books. Photo by Casie Carr

a free book rental. A Smoothie King gift card was also given away to the person who could point out and name Dan Currie, the Vice President of Jaguar Productions. Jake Cannon, fifth-year bassoon instrumentalist and music business major, is the social media coordinator for Jaguar Productions. “We used social media such as Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, as well as on-campus fliers to

promote this event,” Cannon said. After Bingo for Book’s success this year, the event should continue to remain a part of the Week of Welcome. Be on the lookout for Bingo For Books in the coming semesters. Stay up-to-date with upcoming events hosted by Jaguar Productions by following jpsouthal on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

LIFE

Monday, Aug. 22, 2016

Actors from Wizard of Oz after their show. Photo courtesy of Playhouse in the Park..

Attendees of the AASA annual party dance to the rythem of the music.. Photo by Albert Terry III.

USA students in the community: Playhouse in the Park

African American Student Association kicks off the new school year

By Casie Carr | Reporter

By Albert Terry III | Reporter

The Playhouse in the Park theatre company wrapped up the summer showing of “The Wizard of Oz” on Sunday, Aug.14. Aryn Carr, a sophomore theatre major with a concentration in costume desivgn at USA, has been performing at Playhouse in the Park for the past three years. She has participated in the productions of “Cinderella,” “Annie,” “Pippi Longstocking,” “Mary Poppins” and “The Wizard of Oz.”

“I’ve loved my experience at Playhouse. I’ve learned so much and made many friends,” Carr said. Payton Fulford, a senior fine arts major with a concentration in musical theatre at USA, has been performing at Playhouse for two years. Fulford described the staff at Playhouse as welcoming and helpful in

See page 10

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The African American Student Association held their annual backto-school bash on Aug. 20. This year’s extravaganza brought more than 300 people out to start the year with a good time. The party, called “The Roll Call Part 2: Back in Session” by the AASA, was part of University of South Alabama’s Week of Welcome taking place from Aug. 13 - 26. For AASA, it was their way of welcoming students back to campus and building on the success of their first Roll Call party last year.. “We just like to welcome students in a fun, exciting way,” Carl Thomas, AASA president AASA, said. Dominique Saxton, AASA treasurer, said, “We had the first one last year and it had big turnout so we decided to do it again.” According to Thomas, AASA was founded five years after the founding of USA in 1968. AASA’s mission is to promote and cultivate black culture and society on campus. It also serves as a gateway for AfricanAmerican students coming to USA to find new friends. “AASA is one of the first organizations people join when they get here and it becomes their first home,” Thomas said. Friday’s event was just the first in what AASA plans to be a big year. Saxton says that the organization is trying to widen its horizons this year and Thomas hopes to do this with the launching of a new brand, “It All Starts Here.” Thomas said he has been planning this brand for years, but was inspired to launch it this school year after seeing USA launch its “We Are South” brand. Thomas wants this brand to promote community involvement and legacy building, as well as to help students come

out of their shells and develop leadership skills. Accompanying the launch of this brand will be several high-profile events still in the works. Saxton says AASA will hold a talent show and a bid-off - an auction in which the highest bidder gets a group date with members of AASA. These events are annual occurrences, but Thomas has new events in mind as well. “I would like to have a ‘Support Black Business Week,’” Thomas said. “We want to spotlight their hustle, give them a platform to collaborate with other black student unions to promote a huge social or concert.” Thomas would like to start a forum for mental health in black communities, and would like to team up with the Mobile County Health Department for a health and wellness seminar, among other things. These plans have yet to be finalized, but nonetheless represent the innovative approach that AASA plans to take. The vision, creativity and strong leadership skills of the members of AASA will carry the organization, and all of USA, to new heights this year.

LIFE

Monday, Aug. 22, 2016

USA holds first LGBTQ+ Welcome Ceremony By Jason Ruffin | Life Editor

The first LGBTQ+ Welcome Ceremony was held at the Student Center terrace on Thursday, Aug. 18. Speakers outlined various resources in and around campus for students, as well as a new LGBTQ support group run through the Univesity of South Alabama’s s counseling and testing services. Before speakers even took to the podium, people had started introducing themselves to one another and chatting naturally. Students congregated naturally among themselves as well as with faculty and staff as music played through the loudspeakers. USA President Tony Waldrop was in attendance, as well as other members of the university community, including representatives from campus police and Mobile Pride. SGA President Joshua Crownover delivered the first remarks. “Receptions and programs such as this one remind us of the support the University of South Alabama has for, fostering the differences between and among us, and allowing us to learn from each other,” Crownover said. Some speakers talked about USA’s continuing strives to include everyone in its policies. “In November of 2010, SGA President at the time, Kim Proctor, and all but two senators in SGA passed a resolution for the university to include

USA faculty and staff pose for a picture at USA’s first LGBTQ+ Welcome Ceremony. Photo by Jason Ruffin

sexual orientation in the nondiscrimination policy, and they were pressing the administration to do so. So students can make change,” Martha Brazy, associate professor and director of gender studies, said. “Winning hearts and minds is the toughest part.” The event was hosted by USA Spectrum, USA’s LGBTQ+ organization for activism and outreach. According to the organization, the group is devoted to bringing students together, no matter their background or sexual orientation. “We are promoting the education, normalization and acceptance of all LGBTQ in the community and throughout Mobile south Alabama,” USA Spectrum President, Chris Courtney, said.

“The more comfortable you make people, the more they’ll be like, you know ok I can open up to these people.” Members of Spectrum said the importance of events like these are to show students they are not alone, and South has a vibrant LGBTQ+ community. USA Spectrum also hosts a number of other events throughout the year, including a Pride Prom at the end of the school year. On Aug. 31, USA Spectrum is partnering with Mobile Pride and HRC to hold a community event at Satori Coffee House designed to help students meet others in their community.

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10 Playhouse in the Park Cont. from page 1

the exploration and development of her talents. “I hope to one day teach children’s theatre. ... My heart has found its home in theatre and at Playhouse in the Park,” Fulford said. Jordan Nocon, a senior mathematics and statistics major at USA, has been performing at Playhouse for 10 years. Nocon has participated in nearly 30 shows. She described her personality before becoming a part of the Playhouse family as quiet and shy, but that learning to perform boosted her confidence tremendously. “My mentors Danny and Pam Mollise have shaped me into the person I am today,” Nocon said. Pierce Cleveland, a freshman theatre major, started performing with Playhouse in 2005. He participated in a few shows when he was younger before taking a break from the stage. Upon entering high school, Cleveland rediscovered his love for theatre. Cleveland credits his change of heart to the professionalism of Playhouse, as well as the generosity and kindness of Danny Mollise. “The Wizard of Oz was phenomenal… because Danny is a true artist and understands the movements of theatre,” Cleveland said.

LIFE

Monday, Aug. 22, 2016

Student Spotlight: Maryanne Morata By Megan McDowell | Copy Editor

Maryanne Morata, a senior electrical engineering power systems major at the University of South Alabama, is a student who has moved around and switched environments many times throughout her life. From Tokyo, Japan, to several cities across Mississippi, to finding her own place here in Mobile at USA, Morata has seen her fair share of the world. Likewise, she has experienced how great a struggle moving from one country to another can be. “Before I came to America from Japan at age 11, I knew little English. Just the basic hello, goodbye, and thank you,” she said. “My older brother and I went through three years of ESL. I got some stares from few sixth graders seeing me Maryanne Morata says she is happy that USA has given her the oppurtunity to continue her education. Photo courtesy of Maryanne Morta.

with a low level book because a lot of kids were already reading books like Narnia or Harry Potte.” She said that the inability to communicate to these people so different from the place she’d been raised inhibited many parts of her life for the first few years living in Mississippi. “I tried not to care about it, but it did hurt me a little,” Morata said. “One time I won first place in human behavioral science category for a science fair in my seventh grade year. My science teacher wanted me to go to the semi-regional science fair up in Starkville, Mississippi, but I was too scared to talk in front of people.” Morata explained that she wasn’t confident with her speaking and the teacher had assigned her a student to help her with her presentation. “I still remember to this day, she said to me ‘you can’t even speak English so why bother presenting?’,” Morata said. “I understood the ‘You can’t even speak English’ pretty well because I’d heard it so many times.” Morata has learned so much and grown immensely since that dismal day in her middle school years. Now fluent in English and very proud of her Filipino heritage and first home in

Japan, Morata is tackling arguably one of the more difficult fields of study in her university years. She’s been honored and awarded with scholarships like the USA Link Scholarship, Phi Theta Kappa Transfer Scholarship, and the Electrical Engineering Endowment Scholarship. She’s taken on leadership roles as the president of Eta Kappa Nu, the USA Engineering Ambassador, secretary for IEEE Student Society, webmaster for Tau Beta, and a member of DayZero Cyber Competition Team. She’s been able to find valuable experience as an Ingalls Shipbuilding student electrical engineer intern and working as a teaching assistant within the engineering department at USA. “Seeing where I am today, I’m proud of myself,” she said. “Anything is possible, if you work hard for it.” Learning English seemed impossible as well as going to college with no money according to Morata. However, now she is at her final year at South. “It’s so exciting and I’m just so blessed to have the support from my family and friends,” she said. “I'm happy that South has given me the opportunity to continue my education. I'm glad to be a Jag!”

LIFE

Monday, Aug. 22, 2016

USA Honors Program annual shrimp boil raises funds to send scholars to Seattle By Megan McDowell | Copy Editor

The University of South Alabama Honors Program hosted their third annual shrimp boil fundraiser at Grand Mariner Marina at Dog River on Saturday, Aug. 20. The shrimp boil raises funds for the USA Honor Program’s academic conferences and conventions. The program sends students and faculty to the National Collegiate Honors Council Conference every year in different cities in the U.S. to share with other college honors programs what USA is doing in regards to research, service and community building. This year, the conference will be held in Seattle, Washington. Honors students, faculty, parents and other USA students were welcome to stop by to grab a plate of Cajunstyle shrimp, sausage, corn and red potatoes with dessert, beer, and other beverages. “We’ve made a lot of money to send kids to Seattle already,” Dr. Michael

Doran, USA Honors College director, said. The idea for the shrimp boil first came from two twin brothers within the honors program, Caden and Matthew Moore. They tested out the idea at a tailgate at football games for the first year and started making it an official fundraiser event the year after. “Our family didn’t have to think that hard on the fundraiser idea,” Caden Moore, USA alumni, said. “We get together most weekends, have a shrimp boil, crawfish boil, fish fry or whatever else we can eat anyways. Getting together with family and friends is always a blast and is why my brother and I came back this year even though we are now alumns. Even if we didn’t make that much money, though we’ve made well over $1,000 in the past years, I think it would still continue for everyone usually has a good time.” Outside of the financial benefits of the annual shrimp boil, the event also

Delicious food from the USA Honors Program’s annual shirmp boil. Photo by Megan McDowell

USA students and faculty enjoy shrimp, corn and potatoes at the USA Honors Program shrimp boil. Photo by Megan McDowell.

serves as a great way to welcome new freshmen and their parents, returning students and faculty at the university to the honors program. Parents can talk to students and honors faculty about what the program is planning for the upcoming year, and students can network with professors and alumni. Everyone can become reaquainted with each other as the school year is getting started. USA President Waldrop and his family as well as Dr. John Steadman, dean of engineering, were a few of the prestigious faculty faces that made an appearance. Everyone in attendance seemed to be engaged and enjoying the festivities, including USA junior and chemical engineering student Benjamin Siu. “I thought of it as a fun social way to fundraise more for the honors department since we want to be involved in a lot of academic conferences and stuff,” Siu said. “It was good seeing some of my professors and faculty and friends while getting to eat and talk with them.” The honors program will hold

additional fundraising events such as shrimp boil tailgates before football games and the annual Twelfth Night performance night during winter break. To find out about dates and times for these fundraisers, go to http:// www.southalabama.edu/departments/ honors/. Look for flyers and social media promotions throughout the semester.

Sports Editor | Shawna Mason smmtheii@gmail.com Monday, Aug. 20, 2016

SPORTS

USA athletics gathers supplies for Louisiana flood victims

Vounteers gather supplies and load trailers for the Louisiana flood victims. Photo by Jaccob Hearn. By Shawna Mason | Sports Editor

The University of South Alabama athletics department hosted “Block Party for Louisiana Flood Victims,” a week-long event, at Stanky Field to collect supplies for Louisiana flood victims this past week. The donation drive ran all week collecting several trailers worth of food, water and other charitable donations. “We just felt a calling to be involved in this and to do anything we can to help our friends,”Daniel Mccarthy, associate athletics director, said. “I’m amazed at what we’ve done in such a short amount of time. The response has been amazing.” Campus Outreach joined the athletics department in support of Louisiana.

Many of their members handed out fliers for the event and praised the Athletics Department for its generosity. “I’ve been most impressed with the campus administration and the athletics department,” Justin Hawarah, USA campus outreach director, said. Everyone jumped on board with the event, everyone wanted to help promote it and get the word out.” Students were able to bring donations to Stanky Field throughout the week. The donations were collected by the athletics department staff and volunteers from various USA sports teams. Many students provided donations and then hung out in Stanky Field’s parking lot and to listened

Students line up to donate goods and get their raffle cards. Photo by Jaccob Hearn.

to music and played games. “It’s really unfortunate what happened in Louisiana with the flooding… It’s significant to see students of all types at South all coming out and giving to one cause,” USA baseball player Matt Bolger said. “Being from the southern part of Mississippi, this really hit close to home,” USA baseball player Randy Bell, said. Just seeing all the people come out and come together and bring all these items has been encouraging. It’s really awesome to see that.” “There are so many people in need of all these goods. I think it’s a great thing that we’re all able to be here and donate to help those people out,” Connor Best, sophomore member of Sigma Chi, said. Every person that donated was given a ticket and at the end of the event, a raffle was held for a new TV. Tommy Blevins won the TV, who was visiting from offcampus. “I’m new to Mobile and South Alabama, but I’m really just starting to see the connection between South Alabama and Louisiana,” Blevins said. There’s a lot of the same culture, and it’s really awesome that the South Alabama athletics department would want to reach out and help. I heard Dr. Erdmann say on the radio it was part of our civil duty to help out and I really wanted to be a part of that.” “I have to really give a great thank you to the students, to the staff, and to the community for coming out like they have,” Mccarthy said. The USA athletics department finished

taking donations Sunday, but donations cans still be made through other organizations including the American Red Cross at www.redcross.org/mo3h, or The United Way of Southeast Louisiana at www.unitedwaysela.org/flood.

College of Arts & Sciences University of South Alabama

Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work 5991 USA Drive North, Room 34 307 University Blvd., North Mobile, Alabama 366880002

Department Phone: (251) 4606347

Fax: (251) 4607925

Dr. Phil Carr: (251) 4606907

Email: pcarr@southalabama.edu

SPORTS

Monday, Aug. 22, 2016

Coaches take selfies to meet students, promote teams

USA sports coaches take selfies with students. Photo by Shawna Mason

USA Head Soccer Coach, Graham Winkworth, dabs with students. Photo by Shawna Mason

By Shawna Mason| Sports Editor

Selfies and sports coaches are two usually mutually exclusive. But Head Soccer Coach Graham Winkworth was at the University of South Alabama Student Center ready to take selfies with students this past Wednesday, Aug. 17. The event was geared toward raising awareness of the sports teams at USA and to encourage students to attend the games. â&#x20AC;&#x153;First of all, we have to make sure everyone here on campus knows we have a soccer team,â&#x20AC;? Winkworth said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These young ladies work their socks off day-in and day-out for me, so itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important that we try and get the whole South community at our games to cheer

them on. Having extra fans at the games will help push us over the line to have a successful season again.â&#x20AC;? Winkworth and many of the soccer players were in the Student Center talking with students and inviting people to the first game against Samford University on Aug. 19, 2016. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We hope to get more fans out at our games, to come watch what we work all week for,â&#x20AC;? sophomore defender Jemma Purfield said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great that theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re becoming active in the community and engaging with us,â&#x20AC;? junior English major Joseph Kaiser said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to have an athletics

program that reaches out to its students to encourage attendance.â&#x20AC;? While the event is a good opportunity to promote the game schedule, it was also a chance to have some fun with the team and the coach. The USA Soccer team was asked what pose they would like to see Coach Winkworth do. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d love to see him pout,â&#x20AC;? sophomore defender Hannah Godfrey said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Maybe â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;duckface.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dab. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d have to do the dab,â&#x20AC;? Purfield said. Though it seemed unlikely, Winkworth complied and got into the pose for a

picture while Godfrey and Purfield stood beside him. The team and several students passing by shared a laugh, snapped some pictures and grabbed soccer schedules. Next Wednesday is set to feature another #Selfiewithcoach day with Head Volleyball Coach Amy Hendrichovsky from noon to 1 p.m. in the Student Center mall area. Season tickets for the USA Soccer team and other USA sports teams can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1872. For more information about USA athletics, including 2016 schedules and rosters, visit www.usajaguars.com.

USA football players tests abilities in scrimmage By Casie Carr| Reporter

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USA football players had a scrimmage this past Saturday to test their skills and abilities for the upcoming 2016 season. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As a head coach, you want everything great to happen on offense and defense,â&#x20AC;? Head Coach Joey Jones said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think we have a chance to be good on both sides of the ball. The negatives today were the mental mistakesâ&#x20AC;Ś We canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t jump offsides or have 12 guys out there on our field-goal unit. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not going to make mistakes like that anymore. Those are the things that will get you beat,â&#x20AC;? Jones said. USAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s offense posted a total of 451 yards in 96 snaps and defense finished with nine tackles for loss with four recorded sacks. Linebacker Riley Cole also had a major safety in the first half of the scrimmage. Four quarterbacks managed to drive 345 passing yards of the 451 offensive yards. They completed 29 of 51 passing attempts. The 29 completed passing attempts were to 15 different players. Nine out of these 15 caught at least two passes. Wide-receiver Jordan McCray completed two touchdown catches and quarterback Evan Orth connected eight passing attempts. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The two touchdowns were exciting to

have as a freshman, but I still need to work on blocking and coming out of my breaks,â&#x20AC;? McCray said. These are two key players to look out for at the start of the season. Along with Orth, quarterback Dallas Davis has been performing well. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a leader and is doing really well out thereâ&#x20AC;Ś Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in the [quarterback] mix,â&#x20AC;? Jones said. Considered for the â&#x20AC;&#x153;plays of the gameâ&#x20AC;?

were Jordan McCrayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 40-yard touchdown reception on the second drive of the second half of the game, and Evan Orthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 55-yard pass to DeShawn Applewhite. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re doing some good things in our blocking, our quarterbacks are throwing the ball better and the defense is just a little bit ahead of the offense right now,â&#x20AC;? Jones said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think we are on the right track.â&#x20AC;?

USA football players show heart and practice for hours in the intense heat. Photo by Shawna Mason

SPORTS Monday, Aug. 22, 2016

USA Women’s Soccer team shakes off stalemate, loss

Tiina Trutsi looks out at the field after the game. Photo by Jaccob Hearn.

By Shawna Mason | Sports Editor

The University of South Alabama Women’s Soccer team kicked off its season with a stalemate against Samford and a loss to Auburn this weekend. USA vs Samford ended with a 0-0 tie in double overtime, and USA vs Auburn resulted in a 1-0 loss in overtime. Jaguar fans shouldn’t let this small loss shake their enthusiasm for the season, though. “I asked for 11 heroes today and I got them,” Head Soccer Coach Graham

Winkworth said. “The girls were fantastic. When we went down to ten players, I asked for an extra ten percent from everybody and they gave it.” “I think if we play like we’ve done these last two games, I think we’ll have a better season this year than last. We’ve been unbelievable this weekend. We just haven’t had any luck whatsoever,” Winkworth said. “The game against the Auburn Tigers was definitely a challenging site to see,”

junior Brandon Lyman said. “Overall, this game proved a great challenge for the lady Jaguars and a good time for me to cheer on my team.” Auburn is ranked No. 12 in the NCAA while USA is ranked No. 17. “Defensively, the whole team has been fantastic all weekend,” Winkworth said. “We defended . … against two of the best teams in the southeast region.” The game became tough for USA when forward Charde Hannah was issued a red

card and expelled from the game. This forced the USA team to defend against Auburn with 10 players instead of 11. “It’s very difficult when you’ve played 110 minutes on a Friday night to ask ten players to go 110 minutes again and get a result against No. 12 in the nation.” Winkworth said. “Extra things went against us today that we’re not in control of. It was unfortunate, and hopefully we’ll get a little more luck next week.”

OPINION

Opinion Editor | Joel Goode jdg908@jagmail.southalabama.edu Monday, Aug. 20, 2016

Letter to the editor Submitted by Wayne Lela

As a result of a ridiculous complaint filed with the Alabama Judicial Inquiry Commission by a liberal hate group, the notorious Southern Poverty Law Center, a trial date was recently set for September to decide if Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore should be permanently removed from the bench because of actions he took in response to the U.S. Supreme Courtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sharply divided (and irrational and unjustifiable) decision in favor of so-called â&#x20AC;&#x153;gay marriage.â&#x20AC;? The world liberals are trying to create is so upside-down and backwards that they actually believe itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s okay to discriminate against and make criminals of decent moral business people who merely donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to bake a wedding cake for heterophobic homosexuals, or donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to make floral arrangements for heterophobic homosexuals, etc. (Thinking people have known for centuries that homosexual activity is immoral and a bad legal precedent.) Unfortunately, this kind of discrimination isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t new. On college campuses all across America liberal bigots have been discriminating against conservative speech and conservatives for years. The legal group acronymed FIRE (Foundation for Individual Rights in Education), which defends conservative teachers and students who have been discriminated against by ignorant liberal bigots on various college campuses, could provide you with a lengthy list of such cases. Citizens of Alabama, please rally around Justice Moore. We need to start a major push-back against these discriminatory liberal bigots. Wayne Lela (630-964-4678)

USA Persident Tony Waldrop and other faculty at the LGBTQ+ Welcome Ceremony. Photo by Jaccob Hearn.

Response to letter By Joel Goode | Opinion Editor

The University of South Alabama is a progressive school with a large LGBTQ+ population. To support Chief Justice Roy Moore in his Jan. 6 decision to oppose the U.S. Supreme Court would not only deny the constitutional supremacy of Federalism, but would also deny the civil and human rights of members of our own community. Organizations like the Southern Poverty Law Center and the ACLU were specifically formed for the protection of minority groups from discrimination, which is the case with both Moore and the baker who refused to serve a gay couple. Businesses as a matter of both law and ethics have a responsibility to accommodate members of the community independently of race, gender or sexual orientation. If someone is unable to serve a public function because they believe it goes against a set of beliefs they have instilled within themselves, then that person must occupy a role in which their beliefs do not obstruct the lives of others. There is a mentality which believes -- religiously in the case of white supremacist Christians -- that it is justifiable to hang NO BLACKS signs in front of business windows. Bigotry has a self-preservation / rationalization technique, which is to accuse â&#x20AC;&#x153;liberal groupsâ&#x20AC;? of being â&#x20AC;&#x153;prejudicedâ&#x20AC;? against racists and homophobes, to claim injustice for â&#x20AC;&#x153;discriminationâ&#x20AC;? against a discriminator, or to become selfrighteously indignant towards the â&#x20AC;&#x153;oppressionâ&#x20AC;? of an oppressor.

Is Chief Justice Roy Moore the Victim of Discrimination? For this reason, the phrase â&#x20AC;&#x153;liberal hate groupâ&#x20AC;? seems to mean the same thing as â&#x20AC;&#x153;antihate group hate group.â&#x20AC;? Whether or not there exists such a thing, here at USA, we should all discriminate against hate.

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