August 13, 2012 by The Vanguard

VANGUARD

THE

INSIDE

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e Fresh Food m o c l e gs! Company Ja is going ‘green’

17 DAYS UNTIL JAGUAR FOOTBALL IS BACK! Editorial: --- Financial Aid’s attitude needs to be more accommodating.

By AARON ETHEREDGE etheredge@jagmail.southalabama.edu

See Opinion, page 8.

► Life Spotlight: --- Geocaching. Learn why it’s something worth looking into. See Life, page 20.

► Sports: ---Enrique Willaims

underwent surgery and returns to the field. See Sports, page 28.

New registration process for parking permits By JAYSON CURRY jayson-curry@hotmail.com

he Fall 2012 semester at South Alabama will be slightly different for students who wish to park on campus. USA parking services will be unveiling their new way to register for a parking permit. The website for parking permits isn’t finished just yet but we recently did an interview with Lt. Keith West of the USA Police Department to get the information all students will need when they are ready to get their parking permit.

See PARKING, Page 17

New USA Students flock to the bookstore and to tour campus at Orientation.

COURTESY OF SOUTHBOUND

USA student Xavier Penn remembered By CASSIE FAMBRO editor.in.chief@usavanguard.com

riminal justice major Xavier Penn was struck and killed by a vehicle on July 24. Penn was 18 years Xavier Penn old and a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. Penn was allegedly in the middle of Schillinger Road near Ziegler Blvd. when a car driven by a 69-year-old woman hit him, according to police. The woman was determined not to be at fault. Questions have arisen over why Penn was in the road, and official answers have not been released. Penn’s mother Tanya told officials that a woman contacted her claiming to be

a witness, saying that Penn may have been involved in an altercation. The investigation is ongoing and toxicology reports will not be available for several weeks. One thing that does remain is Penn’s strong legacy built within the short time he was at USA. Penn’s fraternity brothers, friends and family have taken to his Facebook page and local forums to express their memories and support for their loved one they called “X.” “He was an angel among men,” wrote Chris Hames, his fraternity brother. Penn’s brother Nate took to Facebook to say that he “can’t explain what it feels to have to bury your own brother. It’s like a piece from my heart has left me.”

His mother Tanya told the Vanguard that she would like people to remember her son as the “fun, loving, honorable person he was.” She also wished to express thanks to his PIKE brothers and friends that came by their family home to bring food and to help in any way they could and show support. In Penn’s honor, the first Annual Xavier Penn Memorial Flag Football Tournament will take place on August 25, the day after Penn would have turned 19. There is a Facebook group detailing information and you can get more information on how to take part by contacting event organizer Zakary Park-Gosa Lewis at zpg901@jagmail. See PENN PENN, Page 5

Campus Quarters runs into mail dilemma By CASSIE FAMBRO editor.in.chief@usavanguard.com

VOL. 51, NO. 3

“If it matters to the USA family, it matters to us.”

AUG. 13, 2012

esidents at newly-opened Campus Quarters (CQ) aren’t sure how they’re going to get their mail. The facility’s built-in mailboxes are empty, and it looks it

they’re going to stay that way indefinitely. Citing issues with the way leases are issued, the United States Post Office is refusing to deliver mail. At CQ, leases are made with each individual instead of collectively.

find us on Facebook search “The Vanguard USA”

USPS calls Campus Quarters “transient housing” and therefore claims the building is the same as dormitories. Campus Quarters disagrees. CQ property manager Allison

Check out our digital edition thevanguardonline.com

See CQ CQ, Page 5

BY CASSIE FAMBRO | EDITOR IN CHIEF

n today’s world, “going green” has become a much larger issue than it has been in the past. In this uncertain economy that we live in, it’s very important to minimize waste. Recycling plastics and glass, using less and less energy and conserving water are all examples of ways to do this. Fresh Food Company at the University of South Alabama, in an effort to be as green as possible, has started a green “to-go” box program. Rather than getting a Styrofoam togo box every time you come into the cafeteria, you are now able to use a washable, plastic version of the to-go box. “What we do, we charge a five dollar deposit that is refundable if you turn it [the plastic to-go box] in at the end of the semester,” stated Senior Food Service Director Craig Stephan. “Every time you come in, you bring it back with you. You don’t have to clean it. We’d like it rinsed out, but you don’t have to do anything to it. We run it through the dish machine, and we issue you a new one. It’s a swap out. And at the end of the semester, come back and we’ll give you a five dollar refund. It costs you nothing to do it.” Stephan explained that his ultimate goal is to eliminate the 25,000 units of Styrofoam boxes that the Fresh Food Company uses a month, making both less waste and spending less money. Marketing Manager Michael Brown explained that this fall there will be to-go insulated mugs available to South Alabama students. These See FRESH FOOD, FOOD Page 4

In this Issue: Life, Page 10, 15, 20 Opinion, Page 8 Sports, Page 26

VOL. 51, NO. 3 / AUG. 13, 2012

PAGE three

“University of South Alabama’s Student Voice”

Editorial Editor in Chief Managing Editor Copy Editor Life Editor Opinion Editor Sports Editor Left of Center Senior Reporter Web Editor

Cassie Fambro Aaron Etheredge Bailey Hammond Jake Howell Noah Logan Patrick Herring JT Crabtree Jayson Curry Naquita Hunter

Weather for Aug. 13 - Aug. 19

Distribution Distribution Bobby Faulk Manager

Advertising Advertising Wesley Jackson Manager Advertising Mark Crawford II Graphic Designer Rex McKay

Management Advising James Aucoin Accounting Kathy Brannan

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 surroun ding areas. The Vanguard strives to be impartial in its reporting and believes firmly in its First Amendment rights.

Send letters and guest columns to: The Vanguard University of South Alabama P.O. Drawer U-1057 Mobile, Ala., 36688. Or editor.in.chief@usavanguard.com Letters and guest columns must be received by 7 p.m. on the Wednesday prior to the Monday publication. Submissions should be typed and must include the writer’s name, year, school and telephone number. All submissions become the property of The Vanguard. The Vanguard reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for length and clarity. Letters will be limited to 300 words. Letters and guest columns are the opinion of the writer. The Staff Editorial represents

PATRICK BIGBIE | STAFF METEOROLOGIST

the consensus opinion of the Editorial Board, which is composed of the Editor in Chief, Managing Editor, Copy Editor, Senior Reporter, and Opinion Editor. All members of the Editorial Board have the same weight during weekly Editorial Board meetings. The Vanguard has a commitment to accuracy and clarity and will print any corrections or clarifications. To report a mistake, e-mail editor.in.chief@usavanguard.com. The Vanguard is published Mondays during the academic year, except for exam periods and vacations, and is published twice each summer. The Vanguard is supported in part by an allocation from student activity fees and operates in the Student Media Department of the Division of Student Affairs. Issues are available at most University buildings and select offcampus locations. The first copy is free. Additional copies are $1 each.

See something suspicious? Report it to USA’s Police Department and help make a difference!

USAPD Police Blotter Editor’s note: Have a question for USAPD? Email us at editor.in.chief@ usavanguard.com

07/02/2012 11:40 Grove Parking Lot Unlawful Breaking & Entering a Vehicle 07/02/2012 15:44 Admin Parking Lot Theft of Property Third Degree ($500 or less) 7/03/2012 4:49 51 Stadium Blvd Criminal Mischief- Damage to Business Property 07/03/2012 9:44 Stadium Blvd Connector Criminal Mischief Third Degree ($500 or less) Back window of Truck broken out 07/05/2012 23:42 The Grove, Bld. 5 Aggravated Assault Police Officer, Resisting Arrest, Public

USAPD: 460-6312 Intoxication, Failure to Disperse. *Subject was arrested & escorted down to Metro. 07/06/2012 21:09 Recreation Center Theft of Property Second Degree (Greater than $500 to $2,500) 07/07/2012 0:39 Grove Parking Lot Criminal Trespass Third Degree 07/11/2012 7:08 Construction Services Building Theft of Property Second Degree (Greater than $500 to $2,500) 07/12/2012 11:15 Football Practice Fields Theft of Property Second Degree (Greater than $500 to $2,500)

07/13/2012 2:40 The Grove Driving under the InfluenceAlcohol 07/13/2012 13:43 Humanities South Parking Lot Theft of Article from Auto 07/13/2012 16:35 The Grove Criminal Mischief Third Degree ($500 or less)

VOL. 51, NO. 3 / AUG. 13, 2012

Fresh Food Company’s makes green initiatives Continued from Page 1

mugs will allow you to get a 99 cent refill anywhere on campus that sells drip coffee, such as Einstein Bros. Bagels and the new Starbucks in Shelby Hall or fountain drinks from the student center. With the introduction of these refillable, re-washable cups, the need for paper cups will hopefully go down. Brown mentioned that Fresh Food Company will sell a kit that includes one hot and one cold mug, the “green” to-go box, and a string backpack to keep it all together for $30. In addition to the usable to-go items, Stephan went on to explain that there’s a lot that the Fresh Food Company does behind the scenes that most people don’t realize. They use green chemicals in their dishwasher. They recycle cardboard and oil and try to use as much paper cups, as opposed to Styrofoam, as possible. The building is LEED certified and uses LED lights, motion senor sinks and high efficiency dishwashers that separate solid matter out to reduce wasted water. Fresh Food Company even goes so far as to track how much of each type of food is sold. Using an equation, they use mathematics to calculate the projected amount of each food that will be sold. Doing this minimizes how much leftover food there is. These equations become so complex that they actually give the acceptance rating of a food when served against another food; for example, it’s probably not a good idea to serve fried chicken which has an acceptance rating of 80 percent against a food that has an acceptance rating of 5 percent. As time goes on, it’s hopeful that Fresh Food Company continues to develop new and improved ideas that will conserve energy and reduce cost and waste. For those that are more interested in the ways that Fresh Food Company takes the initiative with their go green promotions and ideas, there is a sustainability page on southalabamadining.edu that links to the company’s nationwide practices.

VOL. 51, NO. 3 / AUG. 13, 2012

Campus Gripes The fact that tuition has nearly tripled in 10 yrs. I attended USA in 20012004, not only was tuition reasonable, but we also got to park where ever we wanted on campus. This whole zoned parking makes no sense! I haven’t seen a huge enough improvement at south for them to explain how it no longer cost less than $100 an hour per class! -Claudia Bjork

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(In reference to the parking permit issue) “You’re waiting on an email that will “explain” everything to you “at the beginning of next week” since classes don’t start for another few months.... oh wait... they start in a week too...so there is plenty of time to figure it out so you won’t get a ticket during the first week of classes. We had all summer to do this but its wayy more logical to do it the day before classes start.” -Jessica Battles

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(In reference to the claim that the Grove only delivers mail Monday thru Friday) “... I think that the whole this is preposterous and the postmasters are being lazy. I feel that we are rent paying and tax paying citizens and we are owed that service.” -Zadora Edwards

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People complaining about people complaining -Aaron Etheredge

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Penn remembered Continued from Page 1

southalabama.edu. Friends pointed to a tweet that Penn has written just July 16. “So many people dying in this world left and right. Cherish your life and the people around you.”

USPS refuses delivery Continued from Page 1

Collins told The Vanguard that since they mandate a 12-month lease, they are not transient housing. “It puzzles us. Because we have been deemed transient housing, we are being discriminated against.” CQ has to refuse all mail right now because they cannot legally be the “middle-man” in the mail process. Collins expressed concern for the burden placed on residents. “Many students are waiting on governmentissues mail. There are residents from out-of-state.” Collins stated that it has been suggested they take the USPS refusal to a congressional level. Residents were given a letter explaining the issue and they are obviously displeased. “I think this whole thing is preposterous,” CQ resident Zadora Edwards told The Vanguard. Much confusion has been expressed because The Grove, another non-University affiliated apartment complex, does get mail and also subleases like CQ.

T H E V A N G U A R D O N L I N E . C O M

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VOL. 51, NO. 3 / AUG. 13, 2012

COURTESY OF STEPHEN PURNELL | CONTRIBUTING WRITER

President Chastain, Treasurer Pearson, Attorney-General Gosa-Lewis, former Treasurer Lawkis, Senator Purnell, and Faculty representative Karen Peterson all met with Governor Robert Bentley today at the STARS conference, discussing the importance of funding higher education in Alabama.

Tuition increases: what can we do to stop them? An SGA Senator’s perspective about what can be done about the current issue By STEPHEN PURNELL sdp705@jagmail.southalabama.edu

arlier this month, several members of USA’s SGA, as well as several faculty and administration members attended the annual Student Teams Achieving Realistic Solutions (STARS) leadership and university advocates’ conference in Destin, Florida. The Student Government Association approved participation at the 25 June meeting, and allocated $1,254. While at the conference, student, faculty and administrative representatives from each of Alabama’s four-year public universities meet to discuss one thing: more government funding for higher education. All of us are feeling the effects of the 4 percent cut in the state’s budget toward education. The University of South Alabama was forced to raise tuition by nearly 8 percent for this upcoming academic year. Fortunately, that trend is expected to reverse for the 2013-2014 fiscal year, rising from this year’s education budget of $5.4 billion to $5.8 billion dollars. What is going on here, why are we seeing tuition spikes in the first

place? The big picture is shrouded in complexity and political implications. Contrary to popular belief, these tuition increases are not the result of the construction that is occurring all over campus. These projects were paid for by federal and private grants in 2007 and came with the stipulation that the money must be used for construction. The main cause of the tuition increases are the cuts in funding appropriations from the state of Alabama. Alabama is one of six states that have two major funding accounts. The general fund pays for things that keep our state running, such as government, infrastructure, human resources, emergency management, etc. This fund is backed by a “rainyday” account called the Alabama Trust Fund (ATF). The second fund is the Education Trust Fund (ETF), which is at the heart of our concern. The ETF funds both K-12 and higher education in Alabama. Ideally, the fund would be divided at a “one-third, two-thirds” ratio, with two-thirds of the fund going to the K-12 public education system. The remaining third is to be distributed among all of Alabama’s

higher education institutions. Currently, higher education is only seeing a little over 26 percent of this budget. At the beginning of the economic recession, nearly $700 million was

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Contrary to popular belief, these tuition increases are not the result of the construction that is occurring all over campus

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loaned to the state to be deposited into the general fund. We were given six years to pay this money back. We are now three years into our repayment period and have yet to repay a single dime. A proposed amendment to the Alabama state constitution calls for withdrawing $147 million annually from the ATF to help pay back this loan, prevent cuts in vital services such as Medicaid and prevent a spike

in taxes. This amendment is referred to as “Keep Alabama Working.” More information on the complete implications of the amendment’s failure can be obtained at keepalabamaworking.com. What makes passing this amendment so crucial to us in higher education is preventing the merging of the general fund and the ETF. Nearly the entire general fund is earmarked for spending in certain areas, as decided by each member of the state legislature. If these funds were to merge, education funding in Alabama will be at the mercy of those earmarks, and we can be sure that higher education will be seeing massive cuts in state appropriations. In our case, tuition will jump, and just how high is anybody’s guess. From the start of the semester, the SGA and the University will be holding voter registration drives and question-and-answer sessions with leaders from the state. The only requirements to be able to register are to be 18 years of age and live at the address indicated on your registration form. It is extremely important that we as citizens be involved in the deci-

sion-making process that governs our way of life. Having spoken one-on-one with Senator Vivian Figures, she made it clear to me that elected officials really do want to hear from us, and they value our input in how to run things in Montgomery. Our current representation consists of Representative Jamie Ison and Senator Vivian Figures. Their contact information can be retrieved at legislature.state.al.us. They both know that I do not like paying more tuition, but do they know that you do not like paying more? We are in the midst of a budget crisis and we have been for years. Tough spending cuts have been made to try and ease the strain on the state economy. As a member of the student government, I cannot stress enough the importance of being involved in the decision-making process, not only at the university level, but the state and federal levels as well. I urge you to go to the above mentioned websites, do your research, make your voice heard by contacting your representation in Montgomery. Finally, go register to vote and go vote.

Opinion

NOAH LOGAN OPINION EDITOR opinion.editor@usavanguard.com

VOL. 51, NO. 3 / AUG. 13, 2012

The Vanguard Viewpoint A STAFF EDITORIAL As a new semester approaches, a familiar issue creeps up along the worn path of routine. Attitude. We’re all familiar with the clichés about attitude and altitude, but many choose to stoop and succumb to the pressure of the stress of this time of year. Specifically, financial aid seems to cave under their admittedly intense workload. Seemingly desensitized to the struggles of students, a quick unsigned email acts as a shield between real issues and any modicum of human compassion. In fact, not signing emails is another wall that should be demolished. Hiding behind anonymity gives not just financial aid, but everyone another excuse to act callous and inconsiderate because it’s a veil

of protection. No University office or official should be afforded that protection, and all emails should be signed. Thousands of students need help and the wells are running dry. Emotions are high and tensions flare, but it is the job of the financial aid counselor to do just that.; counsel, understand, mediate and offer further options. Students working in the financial aid office may contribute to this problem. With access to confidential information, students assisting trained professionals may not have the background to understand how to respectively and professionally deal with crisis as they come about. Financial Aid is one of the most appreciated offices on campus and we do not wish to undermine the

magnitude of work they do with such a limited staff. Perhaps the administration needs to focus on what many may consider an essential element to the backbone of the University (the students) and channel more resources into such a crucial office. Regardless, the attitude of that office leaves much to be desired. It should not be a hostile place. It should not make students feel alienated and unwanted. It should not show favoritism or disdain for anyone, and we receive many examples of that happening. We hope financial aid takes a look at itself, its policies, its use of students as workers and its email system. As we start a new year, everyone can evaluate what tone they’re setting. Keep it positive, USA.

JagPulse Have you had any financial aid fiascos? Dennis Mersereau: Their computers keep messing up my information, and every time I call and ask them if they can fix it, they get really rude with me Danielle Davis Vertrees: This is my first semester at South and so far no issues with my financial aid. It shows on Paws what I am getting, how much my classes cost and what it will cover. I hope this post doesn’t mean that typically there are issues. Lindsey Passauer Vázquez: Not the fault of the University Financial Aid staff, but the fact that Financial Aid refunds come so late means that my finan-

cial aid is of NO HELP getting into an apartment before classes start. Sean Ramsey: Never had a problem 5 years running.. they’ve made things easy, with my VA and other scholarships. Emma Estelle Mitchell: I’m no longer a dependent and I messed up my FAFSA bad this year, but the office of Financial Aid has been so helpful in the process of getting it all straightened out! They even made sure I got the entire amount of the Pell Grant that I received last year Chelsey Ruth: It was a nightmare

for me dealing with the financial aid office! While I understand that many things are out of their control, like the amount of aid distributed to students, they were very unhelpful and border line rude to me when I asked for assistance. Sheree Covington: They also used my loans for freshmen year, that I had saved without informing me, and I found out my third semester that they did this with luck on my part. My freshmen year I had no issues, but now they have put me in debt, messed with my summer aid, and there is nothing that I can do about it.

Out with the old, in with the new  The University of South Alabama’s rise to the top comes at a time when many top tier universities are facing grim futures By NOAH LOGAN

opinion.editor@usavanguard.com

ith the beginning of a new school year, the University of South Alabama, like many other schools, is looking forward to a great all around school year of sports, academics and much more. USA is one of four teams entering first year FBS eligibility in football. Renovations have hit the quarter of a billion mark ( yes, that’s with a “B”) and are in full swing with new dorms, class room buildings and the best recreation center in the state of Alabama. Suck on that Tuscaloosa. Students attending the University are at a very unique time right now. South Alabama is still small enough to get involved with everything you could ever imagine on campus, live in the best city in Alabama, all while getting to experience one of the greater population growths in the history of the university. From 2006 to 2011, applications from first time freshman have increased from 2,800 in 2006 to 4900 in 2011 according to “factbook 2010-11” which can be found on the school website. It’s obvious that USA students are coming through at the best time period ever for the University, but while the jaguars are rising to the top, students and faculty at various top-notch institutions are humming a different tune completely. Three top tier schools in academics and athletics, Penn State University, the University of Miami (Fla.) and Ohio State University are all in the process of rebuilding their athletic programs, recruiting base and moral image after selfish athletes, head coaches, AD’s and even university presidents failed to hold themselves to the standard required to be such a high level institution. Penn State was just hit with a four year postseason football ban, $60 million in fines and penalties, voiding all wins

since 1998 and a loss of 90 scholarships as a result of the schools failure to do anything regarding the actions of former assistant Jerry Sandusky. The University of Miami is awaiting the NCAA to hand down punishments after former booster and current inmate Nevin Shapiro openly admitted to giving improper benefits to some 72 student athletes, and Ohio State University has lost scholarships, money, players and a head coach after news of football players receiving cars and tattoos in return for sports memorabilia. All three of these schools were the cream of the crop regarding schools that excelled in academics, athletics and campus life as early as five years ago and now they are looking into a future with dark clouds on the horizon. We can take a lesson from Ben Parker of the Spiderman franchise. “With great power comes great responsibility” is a saying that seems to fit nicely into the scenario that the students of these penalty ridden colleges face today. Students at USA should consider themselves lucky, but in the meantime students and faculty both need to observe how quickly schools can go from the powerhouse to the jailhouse. Our rise to the top will surely come but it must come by methods approved by the NCAA. The rise to the top is a hell of a lot better ride than a crash to the bottom. The actions of one selfish player, coach or department could prevent the growth of USA just like it has done to other schools. It all boils down to accountability, folks. Everyone on campus, from the administration to the students, should be involved in building up this University and making sure that it’s built on correct morals. A house of lies and deceit isn’t a house at all, just a hut waiting for the storm.

VOL. 51, NO. 3 / AUG. 13, 2012

POINT COUNTERPOINT Do you support the boycott of Chick-Fil-A? Editor’s Introduction: Dan Cathy, president of Chick-Fil-A, has recently come against the gay lifestyle and gay marriage saying “we’re inviting God’s judgment on our nation when we shake our fist at him and say we know better than you as to what constitutes a marriage. And I pray God’s mercy on our generation that has such a prideful, arrogant attitude that thinks we have the audacity to redefine what marriage is all about.” Many supporters of gay marriage have taken to boycotting the popular fast food chain. Do you agree with the protestors?

Point: Protest the actions, not the beliefs

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My issue with Dan Cathy and ChikFil-A is the lengths to which Cathy has gone to codify his bigoted beliefs.

Jacques Chouinard

Counterpoint: Don’t protest employees

hick-Fil-A, the well known fried chicken chain, has found itself at the epicenter of the contemporary culture wars. The fight for marriage equality, which has become the vanguard for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) social action groups, is a highly contentious cultural issue. Dan Cathy, the CEO of Chik-Fil-A, publicly stated that he did not support gay marriage and found the gay lifestyle to be contrary to Christian beliefs. I am not going to argue against Cathy’s beliefs. Like all Americans, he is entitled to believe whatever he wants. My issue with Dan Cathy and Chik-Fil-A is the lengths to which Cathy has gone to codify his bigoted beliefs. According to equalitymatters.org, ChikFil-A’s charitable wing, known as WinShape, gave $1.9 million to anti-gay groups in 2010. These organizations, including the Family Research Council (which has been labeled an anti-gay hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center), actively lobby politicians to continue the tradition of denying the LGBTQ community rights that the straight world takes for granted, mainly the right to marry. While these groups are ideologically and ethically atrocious, my argument is not against them. My argument is against Chick-Fil-A. Organizations like Chick-Fil-A make

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the fight against marriage equality possible. Chick-Fil-A has become an emblem of the way political and social issues are addressed in this country. The money that Chick-FilA gives to anti-gay organizations not only allows for the continuance of bigotry but helps that bigotry become law. Through its continued financial support of anti-gay organizations, Chick-Fil-A has contributed to organizations that would deny an entire group of people rights through law. While Cathy may have the right to believe that homosexuality is evil, he does not have the right to subject other people to his beliefs through the apparatus of the law, which must treat all people equally, if not fairly. The calls for a boycott of Chick-Fil-A have been born out of a belief that ChickFil-A’s support of anti-gay institutions is morally and ethically wrong. By boycotting Chick-Fil-A, many people are exercising their right to withhold support for businesses they disapprove of. I support this boycott, not because I disagree with Dan Cathy’s beliefs (which I do), but rather because he has attempted to force those beliefs on the general populace by supporting anti-gay organizations. If I can insure that my money does not support bigotry by abstaining from the occasional fried “Chickin” sandwich, then that’s a sacrifice I’m more than willing to make.

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I’m not supporting the head man in charge... I’m supporting the hard workers in the kitchen.

Robert Fornoff

he first person I thought of when this came up was Antonio Dodson. Dodson is an openly gay individual known for his “Bedroom Intruder” song on Youtube. When asked to speak for the LGBT community to boycott Chic-Fil-A, he posted some very good points in his videos (full article on The Inquisitr here: http://tiny. cc/jgsuiw), “The people at the restaurant are sweet… They treated me well, so how can I fault them?” This is exactly what I experienced at every Chic-Fil-A I visited so far. Good service, clean environments, excellent attitudes and good tasting food. No fault whatsoever, and they are very kind – especially the people at the Chic-Fil-A in the Market at South. Dodson goes on to say the following: “They have good chicken sandwiches and they respect me, I don’t care about what one person thinks… Those people work really hard, and they have families and stuff, and need to keep their jobs and things like that, so I’m not supporting the head man, I’m not supporting the head man in charge… I’m supporting the hard workers in the kitchen.” I mostly agree with what Dodson says. The workers at Chic-Fil-A respect their customers. Workers also

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have families to support. A successful boycott of Chic-Fil-A over the owner’s opinions would detrimentally affect those worker’s jobs and still not change the owner’s mind since he would still have a firmly held belief. I also agree with Dodson’s point that it’s a free country, and if you want to eat there, you can eat there. Dodson also mentioned that beliefs are your own. Follow them and do not get confused or frustrated by other people’s beliefs. I agree. Life is confusing enough on its own. Take what people say with a little objectivity. The majority of Americans are acting idiotic over this. What good will boycotting or supporting Chic-Fil-A do in the long run? Will it feed the poor, homeless or needy? I doubt it. Will boycotting or supporting ChicFil-A show Americans treat each other with respect? I doubt that too. The Good Samaritan approach is the one we should promote. The Good Samaritan was the story about the Samaritan who took pity on a man beaten and left for dead on the side of the road. Regardless of that stranger’s beliefs, the Samaritan took him to an inn and cared for him anyway. That is what this issue should be about. Not some media-crazed controversial event.

VOL. 51, NO. 3 / AUG. 13, 2012

jagLIFE

Finding the right fit: be open to change Starting off a college career as an English major doesn’t mean you can’t decide to be a doctor or vice versa By JAKE HOWELL life.editor@usavanguard.com

s the fall semester gets its wheels turning, the incoming freshmen and transfer students are experiencing the exhilarating change of their first semester at the University of South Alabama. They are experiencing the same rush that comes with that first taste of freedom, but for some students, a different kind of change is brewing. These students know that the course of study they are pursuing, perhaps one they’ve planned on studying since middle school, no longer holds the same interest it once did. They even dread going to classes within their majors because they just aren’t excited about them anymore. Rather than admit that they might need a change of pace however, so many students fall into the trap of thinking they’ll have failed somehow if they change their majors. This, though, could not be further from the truth. College is time of exploration and finding what you are truly interested in. The reason we’re required to take general education classes is to help with this. If you haven’t changed in some ways from the time you enter college to graduation day, your college experience

was severely lacking. A student changing his or her major from a science to history isn’t a failure. It’s them realizing that science wasn’t the right fit for them. Dean of Students Dr. Michael Mitchell has had some experience in navigating the confusing waters of a college career and finding the right fit. In fact, he started his college career at USA working towards a future in Respiratory Therapy. “I changed my major very early after realizing that the science courses required for that particular major were not going to be a good fit for me. After changing my major to broadcast journalism, I had found what I thought was the perfect fit. It was in my final year at USA, after completing an internship, that I realized journalism was not my passion,” said Dr. Mitchell. Most students who enter college change their major at least once, sometimes many times, before finding the right fit. Being open to change, though, is incredibly important for this process. If a student is determined to miserably stay in a major because that is what they believe they have to do or is expected of them, they won’t be able to explore other options. “Throughout my undergraduate career, I had to be open to the experience

SOUTHALABAMA.EDU/JAGTV

By STUART SOX sgsox@att.net

he television and film industries are two of the most difficult fields in which to make a living or gain experience. Countless graduates with degrees in cinema and television have struggled to find jobs in their field of study.

Why? Finding a job in the television and film industries is heavily based on the amount of experience you have and “who you know.” Fortunately for students at the University of South Alabama, there are many ways to gain experience in front of and behind the camera. The most rewarding option for students who need experience with television and film is to

Weekly Lowdown Monday > Aug. 13 •

8 a.m. - Jaguar Marching Band Camp Financial Aid Charges/Text Reservations Begin at the USA Bookstore

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Tuesday > Aug. 14 •

8 a.m. - Jaguar Marching Band Camp

Wednesday > Aug. 15 JAKE HOWELL | LIFE EDITOR

Biology is a great fit for some people but not everyone. The same goes for art majors.

of my undergraduate education and listen to what it was saying to me. And yes, what it said to me was sometimes different from what I had told everyone else about my plan for life - and that difference was ok. Listening to what my experience said to me led me to a career that I have total passion for and that inspires me to make a difference every day,” added Dr. Mitchell. The truth is that not everyone who starts their freshman year as a pre-med or business major will stay that way. Samantha Middleton, a senior majoring in criminal justice, said, “I really owe it to being out on my own and fig-

uring out what really makes me happy and productive. My outlook on things changed tremendously during my first couple of semesters.” Emily Deas, a senior political science major, echoed Middleton’s statement saying, “I changed because once I got into my old major’s program, it was not the right fit for me at all. I realized this on week one.” Changing a major is much easier than changing a career once college is over. Use these years to find out what you, not your friends or family, want to do for the rest of your life. After all, you’re the one who has to live it.

JagTV offers a chance at real world experience

The creators and hosts of the USA Sports show, Michael Brannon and Braden Cheek.

JAKE HOWELL, JAGLIFE EDITOR life.editor@usavanguard.com

get involved with Jag TV. This year, senior Deborah Crabtree will be Jag TV’s general manager and is looking forward to the things she and the rest of the Jag TV crew will accomplish. “Jag TV can be a fantastic way for students to display their talent and creativity. We welcome all types of students that want to learn and have fun at the same time,” stated Crabtree. Jag TV is USA’s own television station operated solely by students. The station airs a wide variety of original television shows that are written, produced and directed by the students themselves. In fact, Jag TV has already provided invaluable experience to a number of USA students. “As a freshman I knew I wanted to get into television and broadcasting and JagTV has provided me with vital experience that I couldn’t have gotten elsewhere,” said Colton Bradford, a televi-

sion and broadcast journalism major. “My freshman year wouldn’t have been the same without Jag TV and I would recommend it to anyone looking to gain experience in television,” Bradford continued. “As far as equipping me professionally, it [JagTV] gave me more on-air experience,” says Michael Brannon, a USA alumnus who recently graduated with a degree in broadcast journalism. Thanks to the experience that Brannon gained through working with local television stations and JagTV, he now has a job working for NBC Local15. Students that wish to get involved with Jag TV should email jagtvusa@ gmail.com and stop at Jag TV’s table at JagFest, which will be held at the Mitchell Center on Saturday, August 18. JagTV airs on channel 63 for students on the USA cable system, on Roku and online at www.southalabama. edu/jagtv.

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8 a.m. - Jaguar Marching Band Camp Residence Hall Check-in for Returning Students 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

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Thursday > Aug. 16 •

Residence Hall Check-in for Returning Students 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Friday > Aug. 17 •

Residence Hall Check-in for Returning Students 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Saturday > Aug. 18 • • • •

JAGFEST 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Move-in 5 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Campus Fair (Mitchell Center) 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. President’s Dinner Buffet (Mitchell Center)

Sunday > Aug. 19 •

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First Annual Students Today Alumni Tomorrow Freshmen Walking Tour 6 p.m. Epsilon Residence Hall. Free pizza and drinks after the tour

Want your event featured? E-mail the name, date, time, price, place and a brief tagline (under 7 words) to life.editor@usavanguard.com. Include “Weekly Lowdown” in the subject line. E-mails must be received at least 7 days before the event.

VOL. 51, NO. 3 / AUG. 13, 2012

“Outdoor Adventures” are a guaranteed blast By ADRIANNA MANIACI amm902@jagmail.southalabama.edu

or many students at the University of South Alabama, the term “Outdoor Adventures” unfortunately does not mean anything. But to others, it holds great value. Outdoor Adventures is just one of the many perks to being a student at USA. Outdoor Adventures is a branch of Campus Recreation that provides countless opportunities to connect with beautiful nature and fun people. Randy Hunter, the coordinator of the Outdoor Adventures trips, does a wonderful job every year of organizing and undertaking these expeditions. He fills each month with various trips to choose from, and he never disappoints when it comes to entertainment. The excursions are of very little cost to students or anyone else who wishes to participate, and nearly every commodity is provided for by the department. Tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, etc. are all available when necessary. One of the most recent trips was the Appalachian Trail / Nantahala River trip. This specific trip took place in gorgeous Bryson City, NC, and was scheduled perfectly—right after the conclusion of summer classes, so you can relax and begin the remainder of your summer vacation on a high note. The trip commences with a ninehour drive up to Bryson City. But time flies when you’re having fun. The ride is full of bonding and anticipation.

After arriving at the trail, you unload and hike the remaining portion to the top of the mountain, from which there is a spectacular view overlooking the surrounding mountaintops. Here you set up camp and spend the rest of the day and night relaxing and socializing, sometimes meeting fellow hikers who cross your path. One extraordinary aspect of this campground is the fire tower. After garnering the courage to walk up the steep stairway, you can spend the night at the highest point of the trail, enveloped in the surprisingly cold summer air with the entire starry sky before your eyes. And you can top all of this off with a glorious sunrise visible at eye level. Following the pack-up and hike/ drive back down the mountain, you arrive at the Paddle Inn Rafting Company where you set up camp a few feet from the Nantahala River. You then meet “Mom” and the other employees of the Paddle Inn while you prepare to raft for a couple of hours on the water. With the rafting sure to work up an appetite, you are then free to choose among the various tourist food spots for dinner and settle in for the final night. Packing up the following morning is a heartbreaking affair, leaving you only with memories and stories to get you through to next year. Clearly, Randy does a great job with assuring these trips are fun-filled. Not one moment can be described as dull. Incoming Freshman Mikayla Sedlacek exclaimed, “I love Outdoor Ad-

By JAKE HOWELL life.editor@usavanguard.com

BY: ADRIANNA MANIACI | CONTRIBUTING WRITER

After camping in the Appalachain Mountains (top), the “Outdoor Adventures” group went whitewater rafting (bottom).

ventures!” on the ride up to Bryson City with her parents, sister, and friends. She and her family, including her dad, Scott Sedlacek, a chemical engineering major, have attended multiple Outdoor Adventure events, including the Appalachian/ Nantahala trip two years in a row, the zip-lining trip and the swim with the manatees.

Outdoor Adventures is a great way to travel to different areas in the South and meet new people who enjoy getting out and having a good time. It is even possible to meet your future best friends on these trips! These adventures are truly some of the greatest aspects of USA that everyone should take advantage of.

“Total Recall” remake isn’t a total loss By RYAN ARNOLD rleearnold@gmail.com

magine you work in a factory that builds robots. Even though you have a smoking hot wife, you have a boring job and a horrible “hole in the wall” of an apartment.

BY: JAKE HOWELL | LIFE EDITOR

In “Total Recall,” you never know what’s real and what’s recall.

It seems like there should be more to your life. So you go to Rekall, a place that can give you a mind holiday and give you memories of yourself being a secret agent. The only problem is, the people do a scan beforehand and start screaming that you’re a spy. The police rush in and before you can even think all the officers are on the ground, dead. You killed them. Reader, you have just experienced the first thirty minutes of the “Total Recall” remake. I feel I should preface my comments by saying that I have not seen the original. My critique is based on this film as a stand-alone piece. The plot takes place in the future. The whole planet, with the exception of Europe and Australia, has been rendered uninhabitable by chemical warfare. People exist in two factions; citizens of the United Federation of Britain and citizens of The Colony. The only way someone can get from

Nuggets of Wisdom

the Colony to the UFB is to ride The Fall, a spaceship that takes riders through the core of the earth to the other side. To the Colonists, The Fall represents the oppression of the UFB. Our main character, Douglas Quaid (Colin Farrell) goes to Rekall, gets called a spy and kills a bunch of cops. Then he goes home and his aforementioned smoking hot wife (Kate Beckinsale) has gotten wind of his exploits and is now trying to kill him. That in itself was refreshing. Usually when there’s a character in a story that wants to bring the hero down it’s a guy. A relentless female villain is something that isn’t seen very often. Doug runs from his not-wife with a girl named Melina (Jessica Biel) who claims to know who Doug really is. Without giving spoilers, the action culminates with Doug meeting with the UFB leader (Bryan Cranston) and the leader of the Colonist rebels (Bill Nighy) and being faced with the decision of whose

side he’s really on. Ellis Hicks, a sophomore computer science major, has seen both the original and remake of “Total Recall” and said, “Compared to the 1990 sci-fi masterpiece, the remake of Total Recall starring Colin Farrell doesn’t quite live up to the success of its forebear.. “I found that the CGI of the film could be quite distracting at times and the acting was either stale or just plain awful. The biggest problem of the film is that it does not necessarily have the ‘heart’ that the original did. But at the very least, Colin Farrell has a better personality than Arnold Schwarzenegger. I would recommend the film, but those expecting a masterpiece like the original will probably be disappointed.” It was a pretty good movie. Not bad, not great. If you want explosions, guns and chase scenes, you’ll love it. If you want an engaging plot, original story and a mind-blowing experience, go to something else and grab this one at Redbox.

ith classes starting back in just seven days, most of you are probably mourning the remains of summer vacation (especially those who took summer classes). You might also be wondering how you’re going to survive another semester filled with books, notes, professors, exams, papers and all the other fun stuff college entails. Here are some golden nuggets of wisdom, from your friendly neighborhood writer, that might help you shed some of that worry. 1. Keep a stash of your favorite snacks for those inevitable all-nighters. Eating, while not necessarily good for the waistline, can help stave off that pesky Sandman. 2. Textbooks are useful for things other than sad attempts at modern art sculptures sitting on a dresser. If you have questions about what your professor went over in lecture, consult the text. There is a reason we buy these things afterall. 3. Record lectures. Nothing is more infuriating than having a marathon study night derailed by not being able to find something a professor said in your notes. Investing in something like a Livescribe Smartpen which records both what you write and what is being spoken, all of which can be uploaded to your computer, could be a major boon to college students. 4. Take advantage of student status. Use every student discount possible. Money is tight for college students and many restaurants and stores offer discounts if a Jagcard is presented at check out. Jaguar Productions also has those five dollar movie tickets, which beats dropping ten dollars on a ticket alone. 5. Go use that big fancy rec center. Never getting any excercise is a sure way to be miserable during the semester. Working out just a few times a week can help improve moods and health. It also can serve as a welcome distraction from studying. 6. Get involved in something off campus. Letting this campus, as great as it is, become the whole of the world is a mistake. Find a church or group you can become involved with. Get a job working off campus, perhaps. This will help you meet new people and carries the potential of future networking, especially if you decide to stay in Mobile for your “real-world job.”

VOL. 51, NO. 3 / AUG. 13, 2012

Parking Services

Continued from Page 1

VG: What is the time frame for students to apply for their parking permit? KW: A campus wide email will be going out in the next few days advising students when the new system is available for selecting their permits. For the first time, students will be able to have their permit mailed to an address of their choosing. The mailing fee is $5.00 and is payable by credit card during the permit registration process. We strongly encourage students to take advantage of this convenience as there will not be any special permit distribution periods at the Mitchell Center as has been done previously. At the time of registration, each student will be able to print out a 14 day temporary permit, to be displayed on their dashboard. This will allow them to park in their designated zone until their permanent hang tag arrives in the mail, typically within 3-7 business days. VG: When you apply for your permit, when and where after that can you pick up your permit? KW: As stated above, we are encouraging students to avoid the long lines and choose to have their permit mailed to them. If they do not choose to have their permit mailed, then they will have to pick up their permit in person at the Parking Services office during normal business hours. VG: What do you need to bring with you to verify you are who you said you were when applying for the permit? KW: Online registration is still required. However, if they do not choose the mailing option, they

will have to bring a valid photo ID to Parking Services during normal business hours to pick up their permit. If they have not registered online, they will be directed to do that. They will still be able to print out a 14 day temporary permit until their hang tag arrives in the mail. VG: Is there any change in the price of a parking permit from last year or previous years? KW: No. It is still included in their fees. Students only need to choose their zone (unless living in the residence halls) and enter a valid address and credit card information to have it mailed to them. VG: Can you still apply for a permit in person? KW: No. Everyone must register online. VG: And can you apply for a permit using a phone or another mobile device? KW: You cannot register for a permit by calling the office. It must be done online at the Parking Services website. Although the website is not specifically designed for mobile devices, registration from some mobile devices may be possible by browsing to the Parking Services website utilizing the link below. VG: And what is the website students need to go to for permits? KW: http://southalabama.edu/parkingservices/ This is the main Parking Services web page. However, until the system is ready, the specific links on the page that launch the registration process are disabled. All other information, including parking regulations and the zone parking maps are available. To start the permit registration system, the student will be required to log in using their JagNet, or Jagmail ID information.

VOL. 51, NO. 3 / AUG. 13, 2012

Geocaching: modern day treasure hunting

“The Near Witch”

By JAKE HOWELL life.editor@usavanguard.com

ave you ever wanted to go on a real treasure hunt and not the kind parents make up for kids’ birthday parties? Thanks to advances in satellite technology and global positioning systems, a worldwide treasure hunt is now being undertaken. According to Geocaching.com, “Geocaching is a real world, outdoor treasure hunting game using GPSenabled devices. Participants navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container) hidden at that location.” That’s right, the GPS isn’t just for directionally challenged college students anymore. By downloading the Geocaching app from Geocaching. com to your smartphone, you can start your treasure hunt immediately. Started in September of 2000, Geocaching.com expanded upon the growing popularity of the geocaching game. According to the website, at the time of its launch there were 75 hid-

den caches around the world. Geocachers can search for caches nearby using their zip code. After picking a cache to hunt, the hunters plug the precise coordinates of the cache into a GPS device to help them locate it. Sandra Huynh, a senior majoring in biology, said, “The Catholic Student Association took a hiking trip to Lake Guntersville State Park earlier this year, and a group of us decided to try out geocaching in the park. “Using the hints given to us by the app, we drove around to find the items, which ranged from small containers to larger boxes. Inside the containers, there’s usually a slip of paper with a list of people who have found it before you.” While this may seem relatively simplistic, the geocaches are often hidden in plain sight and in unusual places. Currently, there are caches located on each continent, including Antarctica. Caches can also be found underwater or on the top of a mountain. When asked about his experiences

geocaching, Robert Fornoff, a senior majoring in computer science, said, “The first one was a message with some trinkets inside a waterproof PVC pipe-ish container behind a bush, in a park, next to a gazebo. Another cache we found was in a magnetic keylock stuck to the back of a stop sign.” Oftentimes, geocachers will leave things behind at the cache for others to find. According to the Geocaching 101 section of Geocaching.com, “If you take something, leave something of equal or greater value in return.” There are also items called “trackables” which are items with codes that geocachers can use to log the locations of each item. Trackables are meant to be moved from cache to cache as part of the adventure of the game. In addition to trackables, premium members of the geocaching community can create “Geocaching Challenges,” which are caches that aren’t physical things. Instead, they’re meant to encourage geocachers to, as stated on the website, “Go somewhere, do something…You might be challenged

to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, sing a song in the middle of Times Square, or take a picture of yourself walking through the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.” Geocaching is an excellent, and inexpensive, way to shake off the dayto-day school life. Getting a group of friends together to go on a treasure hunting adventure seems like more fun than just another trip downtown to the club. You don’t even have to expend that much gas to go geocaching. Fornoff ’s geocaching experience was on Dauphin Island where his group could bike to each of the cache’s coordinates. If you do decide to embark on a geocaching adventure, expect things to take a turn for the odd. When describing her geocaching trip, Huynh said, “We encountered goats, emus, deer, and mountains. And darkness. Our last find was completely in the dark… We used the light from our cell phones until one of our guys finally found it.”

BY: ANGELINA PIERCE | CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

The group of geocachers (left) from the Catholic Student Association left their mark on one particular cache (right) in Lake Guntersville State Park. Inside the cache was a log book which detailed the dates of when other geocachers had located this particular item and explained the rules of the game to those who might’ve found the cache by accident.

Interested in writing for the JagLife Section? Just send a writing sample to life.editor@ usavanguard.com! You can be on your way to publishdom!

By BAILEY HAMMOND baileyh803@gmail.com

BY: BAILEY HAMMOND| COPY EDITOR

Schwab’s novel harkens the reader back to a time of fear and magic long forgotten.

here’s been a lot of talk this past year about fairy tales. Snow White has received her fair share of Hollywood make overs. Yet, even with the cherished old stories that we all know and love taking over the big screen, there is still room for something new. “The Near Witch” by Victoria Schwab is one such story that may one day hold its place among the fairy tales of old. Schwab tells the story of the village of Near. Surrounded by a haunting moor, Near never changes, and no one new ever comes to town. This all changes, however, when a new face is seen on the edges of the moor, and the children start disappearing mysteriously from their beds. Is the Near Witch returning from the grave to get revenge on the villagers for the actions of their ancestors? Or is the mysterious boy who fades into the wind involved in the disappearances? Only one person, Lexi, the daughter of the village’s deceased hunter, is willing to put aside prejudices and age-old fears to discover the truth. Along the way, the people of Near must draw together and fight to create a future free of the mistakes and pain of the past. “The Near Witch” is filled with lyrical language, fantastic imagery and just enough darkness to make you doubt the intentions of the night outside of your window. Rarely do you find a book that can give readers chills and engage the imagination in such a way as to make the book itself feel alive. This reviewer would not be surprised to see “The Near Witch” on the big screen in the “near” future and gives the novel four out of five stars for originality and five out of five stars for readability.

VOL. 51, NO. 3 / AUG. 13, 2012

Local opportunities for dramatic arts majors

COURTESY OF WEATHER ART ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

By KALYN MCCLELLAN kbm1001@jagmail.southalabama.edu

The first question many students in the Department of Dramatic Arts are asked when telling others about their major is whether or not they plan to work in Hollywood one day. While that would be ideal for dramatic arts majors, sometimes beginning locally provides the best opportunity for experience and advancement in the field. One such opportunity is right here on the Gulf Coast. Weather Art Entertainment, an indie film company located in Biloxi, Mississippi, gives USA students and graduates the possibility to stay local. Founded in 2007, Weather Art became a dream-turned-reality for Dustin M. Bergmann and Will Nichols.

Bergmann, CEO of Weather Art, Executive Producer, and Director said for him, interest in the film industry began in college. “I started off with an acting gig in college. Then I did grip work, lighting, and construction,” Bergmann stated. He advised dramatic arts students to get as much experience as possible in all aspects of the business because “the more versatile you are the more likely you are to get hired.” Bergmann said that one goal in forming Weather Art was to show the community, especially students of dramatic arts and film studies, that there are people here on the Gulf Coast that want to make movies. “There is a myth that you must move to Hollywood to make movies. You could get to Hollywood, but why not start here,” Berg-

mann said. With a local film company, students have the opportunity to gain experience as interns while in college, and to build a resume after graduation. For the most part, the entire crew at Weather Art is made up of people who had little to no experience in the film or theater industry, but wanted to learn. Adam Christopher joined Weather Art in January 2012 and quickly became a key player, taking on the roles of company vice president/co-owner, when he was asked to help a friend rewrite a script for a Weather Art project. “I had never worked in the industry, but I had experience writing and a passion for putting words on screen,” Christopher said. “The best part of my job is seeing my words come to life,” he also stated. Christopher has also worked on Weather Art projects as a 2nd Assistant Director and Co-Writer. Jason Cacibauda, Chief Operating Officer and Co-Producer studied film at University of New Orleans and worked on film projects at University of Louisiana Lafayette. He encourages students at USA to make their own way because no one is going to hold your hand and give you a job. He agrees with Bergmann that many peo-

ple overlook local opportunities. “A lot of people who want to do this think they must move away, but it is better to start out in a small company, gain experience, and then, if you desire, move on to bigger projects,” Cacibauda said. Weather Art Entertainment recently wrapped up production on a short horror film titled “Obsessive Reaction.” According to the Facebook page dedicated to the film, the plot summary is as follows: “On the last weekend of the season at the Tolliver Bed & Breakfast, two young couples arrive for what they thought would be the perfect getaway weekend. Upon arrival, the foursome is greeted by what appears to be the loving caretakers, Mrs. Tolliver and her daughter Emily. What they don’t know, is for years, Nineteen-year-old Emily Tolliver has led a sheltered and reclusive life, at the hands of her abusive mother. Forced to a life of servitude, working the bed & breakfast, Emily finds herself completely inept in the ways of social interaction. Picking up on Emily’s “unique” problems, one of the guests, James, offers some kind gestures and words. A mistake that quickly turns into an ‘Obsessive Reaction’!” “Obsessive Reaction” stars Chrissy

Chambers (as Emily), an actress based in Atlanta, who has had roles in major films, including “The Blind Side” and “We Are Marshall.” According to Bergmann, the film is currently in post-production, with a pending Blu-Ray/DVD release date of November 2012, as well as appearances in major film festivals across the country. Weather Art is also currently in preproduction on their first full-length feature film, a drama titled “My Last Goodbye.” According to the film’s Facebook page, it is “a compelling and powerful drama about the struggles of life for a pair of brothers on the Gulf Coast, in today’s world of drugs, crime, and violence. It follows Tommy and Jared Richards, whose loving but trying relationship is based on the conflicts that were endured at the hands of an abusive, alcoholic father. This is the story of a forgotten family with inner turmoil, trying to survive.” “My Last Goodbye” will be released theatrically upon completion. Dr. Leon J. Van Dyke, Chair of the Department of Dramatic Arts said that he would definitely encourage students and graduates to become involved with a local film company such as Weather Art Entertainment. See DRAMATIC, Page 22

VOL. 51, NO. 3 / AUG. 13, 2012

Local opportunities for dramatic art majors Continued from Page 21

“I’m all for us taking part in local indie film.” said Van Dyke. “When our students can get professionally oriented opportunities I’ll support them doing it. We need things such as flexible schedules that accommodate classes, respectful environments for work and decent working conditions, and then we’re happy to work,” Van Dyke continued. Students in the Department of Dramatic Arts are also excited to have local opportunities. Senior, Ryan Arnold, who is majoring in English and theater, understands the value of local film companies. Arnold, who relies solely on a wheelchair, said working locally is more of a possibility for him than moving. “Because of my disability I am unable to drive. I also have to consider accessible accommodations and housing before I move anywhere,” Arnold said. Arnold is a big fan of indie film companies. “I love indie films. There are so many great indie films out there, and I wish they would be given more consideration by critics. Just as much work is put into an indie film as a top billed one,” Arnold stated. Jessica Boyette, majoring in Dra-

matic Arts thinks local film companies can offer opportunities that students would not have without such companies. “I think that it is beneficial to have local opportunities because it’s good to get experience and to have a variety of things on your resume. It gives you the opportunity to learn more during college,” Boyette said. Boyette continued by stating that she plans to stay on the Gulf Coast for awhile after she graduates. “Local companies are great, and if I ever decide to move to a larger city, it gives me more experience.” Several of the film crew members at Weather Art had great advice for students at USA. Production Assistant Pete Lane said that all it takes is determination and a desire to learn. “If you work hard and demonstrate that you want to learn the skills necessary in the business, you can go anywhere,” Lane stated. Eric Balius joined the Weather Art team in March 2012, taking on the responsibilities of Production Assistant on the set of “Obsessive Reaction” as a newcomer to the film industry. Although he lacked knowledge of the industry, he found the on-the-job ex-

perience he received to be very valuable. He said students should never let the fear of their own inexperience hold them back. “Learn all you can about the filming process itself, and the different positions available, and be excited and ready to do whatever is needed on set,” Balius said. “College is a wonderful place for networking, so take opportunities to get to know others and let them know where you are going and what you are planning in life. This can lead you down paths you didn’t know were there,” Balius concluded. Dramatic Arts students, as well as Dr. Van Dyke agree with these crew members, that local companies such as Weather Art are perfect opportunities for students to gain valuable experience while completing their degree at USA. For more information on Weather Art Entertainment, you can find them on Facebook, as well as pages dedicated to both “Obsessive Reaction” and “My Last Goodbye.” Weather Art will list future casting opportunities on their IMDB.com page, at http://www. imdb.com/company/co0300006.

Have a news story you want featured in the Vanguard? Contact Cassie Fambro at editor.in.chief@ usavanguard.com for more information!

VOL. 51, NO. 3 / AUG. 13, 2012

LEFT OF CENTER

JT CRABTREE, LOC EDITOR jtc804@jagmail.southalabama.edu

VOL. 51, NO. 3 / AUGUST 13, 2012

Are you ready for some football? By JT CRABTREE

jtc804@jagmail.southalabama.edu

BY: JT CRABTREE | LOC EDITOR

Head coach Joey Jones address the team after the first day of fall camp.

Fall football camp heats up Jaguars begin final preparations for the 2012 football season By JT CRABTREE

jtc804@jagmail.southalabama.edu

he Jags kicked off fall camp on August 2, exactly one month before their season opener against UTSA Roadrunners on August 30, at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. After a 6-4 record in 2011, a year that included their first ever game against an FBS program and its first ever loss, the Jags play a grueling 13 game schedule. This schedule includes a full Sun Belt Conference schedule, as well as road games to Mississippi State, NC State and a season finale against Hawaii. USA has 15 starters returning from last year, and new offensive coordinator Robert Matthews has changed the look of the Jags offense. Several players had trouble battling the heat and many experienced cramping, something that head coach Joey Jones said is just part of the process. “We came out with great intensity and great effort,” Jones said. “You gotta work on everything individually to make our team better.” Jones also stated that he wants his players to be tough. “We gotta keep pushing,” he said.

“We gotta be a tough football team.” Coach Jones wrapped up the first practice saying he wanted “tough ass people.” The first practice was also the first time quarterback Ross Metheny, a transfer from Virginia, had a chance to participate with his new teammates. “It was fun, I haven’t been on a football field since December,” said Metheny. “It was fun to be out here with the guys and see how practice runs. I’m looking forward to it.” Metheny also said that being at South Alabama was comparable to his days at Virginia. “Division I football is Division I football. Obviously there are differences, but I’m here now and I’m happy to be here,” stated Metheny. Practice continued throughout the week, with the team steadily showing improvement. “I’m happy with the effort. They came out ready to go. They came out and worked hard,” said Jones. Jones also praised the leadership of the team, saying “We’ve got good leadership on this team, and that’s something I haven’t seen as much of in the past.” On August 11, the team held its first scrimmage of the fall preseason

at the practice fields on campus. Both the offense and the defense were put into game simulations and treated the scrimmage like a real game. Quarterbacks CJ Bennett and Ross Metheny each had a passing touchdown. Demetre Baker also contributed with a rushing touchdown of his own. “What we’re looking to do is fill out our depth chart,” Jones said afterwards. “Overall it was good,” Jones said. “Offense made plays; they made plays when they had to. I know our defense is gonna be really good too.” Quarterback CJ Bennett was also happy about how the team performed. “ We walk away pretty pleased with it,” Bennett said. “I thought the offense played it really well. We played with urgency. When asked if there was anything he thought that needed to be improved upon,” Bennett continued. “Nothing that stands out really, we just gotta keep pressing forward.” The Jags will continue to practice throughout the week before classes begin on August 20, and will hold their second scrimmage on August 18 at 8 a.m., and another on Thursday, August 23, one week before their season opener on August 30.

pparently everyone is ready for South Alabama football. In our previous issue, we asked South Alabama fans “What is your favorite thing about South Alabama Athletics? What do you like to do during games?” With the help of a few fans, ranging from incoming freshmen to alumni, we found some answers. With the football season just around the corner, and it being the Jags first season as an FBS program, incoming freshman are excited about seeing some South Alabama football for the first time. “Football, tailgating, going crazy in the stands” are a few things Hannah Becton, a freshman from Mobile, is looking forward to. “I’m excited for the whole shebang that surrounds football here in the south.” Another freshman, Colin Rains from Albertville, expressed his excitement for Jaguar football as well. “I am beyond excited for USA this fall,” Rains said. “And I’m so pumped about the Jags being a FBS team. I’ll be there at every home game and hopefully a few away games too!” Senior engineering major Tim Wicker liked the fan aspect of sports more and being involved. “I like the crowd chants at football games and yelling at the opposing team,” Wicker said. “The right field decks at Stanky Field are also great.” His brother Sam Wicker, a senior physical education major, responded similarly to what his brother said. Sam

also mentioned that “Tailgating and having the fans involved and being loud and crazy makes the game day experience more enjoyable.” Not only are current and incoming students excited about South Alabama sports, it is also the alumni who are excited. Kelly Mosteller, a former member of the track and cross country team during his years at South Alabama, expressed how he always felt welcome by the current staff. “The appreciation that past track and cross country athletes receive from Coach Paul Brueske,” Mosteller said, “He makes us truly feel appreciated.” Mosteller also enjoyed events that “bring the fans together,” listing the alumni tent at football games and crawfish boils at baseball games as examples. All the fans expressed their overall liking of how South Alabama conducts its athletics program. Many freshmen that were asked about the move to FBS football play said it was something they were really looking forward to most of all. While the program is great, just like everything else there is always room for improvement. So that is where readers will come in again. Our question for next week will be: “What would you like to be changed about USA Athletics? What do you want to see more or less of ?” Send in your response to jtc804@jagmail.southalabama.edu and we’ll try to use your response in the next issue.

BY: CARLY BRAGG

Drew Dearman and Chris May line up to protect C.J. Bennett

SPORTS

PATRICK HERRING, SPORTS EDITOR sports.editor@usavanguard.com

VOL. 51, NO. 3 / AUGUST 13, 2012

The Olympics: Why we watch By JAYSON CURRY jayson-curry@hotmail.com

USAJAGUARS.COM

Former Jaguar baseball players Juan Pierre (left) and P.J. Walters (right) head the USA Athletic Hall of Fame’s 2012 Class. Not pictured: František Babej and Cindy Summers.

USA Athletic Hall of Fame set to add four in 2012  Two former baseball players and two former tennis players to be inducted into USA Athletic Hall of Fame By PATRICK HERRING sports.editor@usavanguard.com

he University of South Alabama Athletic Hall of Fame will welcome four new members into an inner circle comprising the most prolific athletes in the school’s history. The 2012 Hall of Fame class will consist of former baseball standouts Juan Pierre and P.J. Walters, and decorated tennis stars František Babej and Cindy Summers. With the induction of these four athletes, the USA Athletic Hall of Fame—founded in 1989—will contain 61 student athletes, coaches and administrators who have made distinctive contributions to the athletic programs at USA. Ferrell Anders serves as chair of the Hall of Fame Council which annually picks up to five individuals

from a pool of 10 put forth by the nominating committee. “All of these former students excelled at their respective sports and had stellar records during their time at the university,” Anders said. Juan Pierre only lent the Jaguars his talents for one year before being drafted into Major League Baseball by the Colorado Rockies. In his lone season he led the team in hits (95), runs (77) and stolen bases (54). Those numbers helped him garner the title of Sun Belt Player of the Year to go along with FirstTeam All-SBC and second-team All-American honors by the American Baseball Coaches Association. Collegiate Baseball and the National College Baseball Writers Association named Pierre a third-team All-American after he led the Jags to a 42-19 record and a regular sea-

son conference title. P.J. Walters was a major contributor from the time he stepped on campus. He gained Freshman AllAmerican honors from Collegiate Baseball after compiling a 10-1 record in a season in which he tossed 119 strikeouts in 117 innings. Following the season he was named Sun Belt Freshman of the Year. His junior season he increased his record to 11-3 while pacing the conference with 166 strikeouts, good for second on the school’s single season record list. He holds school records for career strikeouts (404) and innings pitched (410.1) and is second all-time in wins (31). Walters was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2006. Pierre and Walters continue an 11-year stretch that has seen at least one Jaguar baseball player selected

to the Hall of Fame, bringing the program’s total to 18 members in the Hall. František Babej (pronounced FRAN-tee-schek bah-BAY) made an immediate impact on the court upon his arrival in 2003. In that season he became the first Jaguar to reach the semifinals of the NCAA Championships. He finished the season ranked 17 in the country in singles play and 49 in doubles play in 2003-2004. Babej lettered during the 2004 and 2005 seasons while earning All-American honors from the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. He finished his senior season ranked 16 nationally in singles play after putting together a 32-3 record in singles play, including a 26-match win See Hall Hall, Page 27

ver the past few weeks the entire world has been watching and talking about the 2012 Olympics. It’s amazing how the world of sports can captivate, and in some instances, unite people all over. The 2012 London games has had more viewers than any Olympics since the 1996 Atlanta games. Why is that? Why do people all over the world stop and watch these athletes compete? Some people watch to see someone from their country be dominant. The thought of your countryman being the best at that one specific sport or skill gives you an extreme sense of pride. Other people watch the Olympics just because they love sports. If you’re a fan of basketball or any other Olympic sport, why wouldn’t you want to watch? The Olympics also brings non-traditional sports to the eyes of viewers. It’s not every day you can watch fencing played at such a high level. You also learn of sports you never knew existed but are amazed by. By that I mean specifically the modern pentathlon which consists of pistol shooting, horse jumping, fencing, a 200 meters swim and a cross country run. That’s not a sport you can just make up. But the real reason the Olympics are so special and the reason that people all over watch is to simply see greatness. It’s a human instinct to want to be the best at something and to want to see the best. People want to watch Michael Phelps tie and break the All-Time Olympic medal count with 22 total medals. People want to see Kirani James win his country Grenada’s first Olympic medal in history in the 400m sprint. The greatness at the Olympics even makes it acceptable for grown men to watch and discuss and even cheer for women’s gymnastics.

VOL. 51, NO. 3 / AUG. 13, 2012

Athletics updates Soccer gears up for 2012 The Lady Jags opened Spring practice looking to improve upon a 12-5-3 record in 2011. Head coach Mike Vagra returns a wealth of experience, including three letterwinners in the midfield. The Lady Jags saw their first action of the year in an exhibition match against USA Alumni Saturday.

Track and field athletes receive national recognition for academics The United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches’ Association (USTFCCCA) named four USA student athletes D1 AllAcademic honorees. Connor Smith was the lone honoree from the men’s squad, while Leah Hixon, Bobbie Williamson and Lindsay Schwartz represented the Lady Jags. The women’s team also earned All-Academic status as a team. The Lady Jags finished with a cumulative GPA of 3.35 for the academic year. That was tops among qualifying teams from the Sun Belt. Former Lady Jag sprinter finishes eighth in Olympic competition Ajoke Odumosu set the all-time mark for fastest time by a Nigerian woman in the 400 meter hurdles at the Olympics with a time of 54.40 seconds. That time was good enough to win her semifinal match. However, she was unable to keep up with the pack in the medal round and came in eighth. Odumosu currently holds South Alabama records in the indoor and outdoor 400 meter dash, the 400 meter hurdles and the indoor 4x400 meter relay. During her time at USA from 2004-2007, the native of Lagos, Nigeria was an eight-time individual champion in the Sun Belt Conference. She captured three titles each in both the outdoor 400 meter dash and 400 meter hurdles and two titles in the indoor one-lap sprint. She was the first female to garner All-American honors. In 2006 Odumosu was named to the SBC all-time outdoor team.

Men’s Tennis Fall Schedule released

The men’s tennis program will compete in four tournaments during the fall season according to their schedule which was released last Wednesday. Notable stops on the fall tournament circuit include the Southern Miss invitational and the Crimson Tide Fall Championships in Tuscaloosa. Coach Nick Brochu is looking to have his men prepared to match last year’s accomplishments of finishing the season ranked 52 nationally and reaching the finals of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament. Volleyball starts fall camp under new head coach Amy Hendrichovsky was hired during the spring semester in hopes of turning around a volleyball program that posted an abissmal 1117 record last season. Hendrichovsky brings with her the experience of having been a part of conference foe Middle Tennessee ’s recent run of five consecutive NCAA tournament appearances and four conference titles.

Hall of Fame Continued from Page 26

streak. The Sun Belt Conference named Babej to its 30 Anniversary All-Time Men’s Tennis Team. Cindy Summers was also named to the Sun Belt’s 30 Anniversary All-Time Tennis Team on the women’s side after a terrific career on the hard court. She led the Lady Jags to four straight league titles from 19941997, earning MVP honors in the latter two. Summers earned All-SBC honors in singles and doubles play three times. In 1996 Summers qualified for the NCAA Singles Championships and ended the season ranked 34 na-

tionally in singles and 40 in doubles. The following year, in her senior season, she helped the Lady Jags reach the regional final and record the program’s first-ever wins in finals play. There will be a formal induction ceremony to honor these former student-athletes on Hall of Fame weekend the first weekend in November. The ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 3, at the Laidlaw Performing Arts Center. Later that day, the group will be recognized during halftime of the Jaguars’ football game against Florida International at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.

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Want us to follow you? Tweet us @USAVGSports

Bj Scott HimSelf @Bj_Scott_1: Safety My neighbors and I were cool... until they put a password on their wireless internet. -___Darrius Morrow @DMorrow_4: Cornerback #CampLife been keeping me off this twitter. Been grindin & gettin to this money. Corey Waldon @lilwaldon_81: Wide Receiver Staying focused I know I’ll be good... When my time comes I know I’ll be ready Kolton Peavey @OmgItsPeavzilla: Quarterback Had a dream about a zombie apocalypse and survived. You know it’s gonna be a good day. Jake Howton @Jake_Snake86 Wide Receiver Nothing gets me fired up like the movie Roadhouse. CJ Bennett @_MrOneFive_: Quarterback I don’t know when it happened but somewhere down the line I’ve developed a Heart... I guess college really does change you Jereme L. Jones @J11Jones Wide Receiver Hardest practice of my life! But i garuntee its gone pay off come Aug 30. Drewski @Drewpac72 Offensive Lineman I would do some dirty things for it to rain at about 4 today. My legs are now sponsored by Jell-o Gelatin #2adays

@USAVGSports

VOL. 51, NO. 3 / AUG. 13, 2012

Linebacker Enrique Williams returns after offseason surgery By PATRICK HERRING sports.editor@usavanguard.com

BY: PATRICK HERRING | SPORTS EDITOR

Williams (28) goes through a drill during the first piractice of the 2012 season

ollowing the 2011 Jaguar football season, starting inside linebacker Enrique Williams was forced to undergo surgery on his shoulder to repair a nagging injury. The surgery and ensuing rehab caused Williams to miss all of the team’s Spring practices. “It was hard having to watch from the sidelines as my teammates were out there getting better,” Williams said. The surgery was a success and the rehab went well according to Williams, who appears to be back at full strength. On the first day of practice for

the 2012 football season, there was Williams with the defensive starters, running the drills and not missing a beat. “It feels really good being out there because I’ve been waiting and having to watch since the Spring,” Williams said following the practice. Williams is just one in a slew of returning starters for the Jaguar defense that includes fellow linebackers Jake Johnson and Cliffton Crews, as well as star safety B.J. Scott. He feels the amount of experience coming back will pay dividends once the season rolls around. “I believe it helps us as a whole because we’ve all played in big games before and we know what to do in different situations,” Williams said.

“So I believe we can be people who the other players can look to if they’re having problems with any plays or anything like that.” Williams had a strong season in 2011, coming in third on the team in tackles with 62, including 4.5 for a loss. He also recorded 1.5 sacks and two forced fumbles to go along with a fumble recovery and an interception. He won’t have to wait long to be tested as the Jaguars open the season on Aug. 30 against the Texas-San Antonio Roadrunners at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Williams and crew will try to slow down a Roadrunner offense that averaged close to 150 yards per game last season.

WWW.THEVANGUARDONLINE.COM WWW. THEVANGUARDONLINE.COM Do you love sports? Do you like to write? Do you like to get paid? If you answered yes to two or more of these questions, then writing for the Sports section of the Vanguard may be the perfect job for you! If you’re interested, please contact Patrick Herring at sports.editor@usavanguard. com

VOL. 51, NO. 3 / AUG. 13, 2012

Interested in writing for the Vanguard? Send an email to editor. in.chief@usavanguard.com for more information! Visit us online at www.thevanguardonline. com

DISTRACTIONS VOL. 51, NO. 3 / AUG. 13, 2012

S U D O K U For student health appointments please call 251-460-7151 For Counseling and Testing please call 251-460-7051

CLASSIFIED PRIVATE ROOM FOR RENT Very nicely furnished room in quiet great neighborhood close to campus. Preferred male student, no drug or alcohol abuse, no party animals! International students welcomed (251) 689-3271 Nannies Needed! PT or FT, Mobile & Eastern Shore. Call 665-5180 or favoritenanny@comcast.net Part-time graphic design/web design position is open to build education and business websites using our proprietary software program. Expert knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite including Photoshop and Dreamweaver is required. Intermediate knowledge of additional internet technologies including HTML/XHTML/DHTML, JavaScript and CSS also required. Adobe Illustrator and Acrobat experience is a plus. Applicants should be able to prioritize projects, organize time efficiently and meet deadlines. Attention to detail, good communication and troubleshooting skills are a must. Interested applicants should email their resume to Jobs@ schoolinsites.com.

Want to place a classified ad too? Contact our Advertising Department at 251-460-6898

T H E V A N G U A R D O N L I N E . C O M

HOROSCOPES Aries: 3/21 - 4/19 Your girlfriend cheated on you. It’s no big deal though, because she doesn’t know you urinated on her toothbrush. Taurus: 4/20 – 5/20 This upcoming month is going to be full of you eating plain white rice and baked chicken because the cost of tuition has robbed you of everything you own that’s worth value. Gemini: 5/21 – 6/21 In an attempt to have some last minute fun before school starts back, you tried lighting carburetor cleaner with a match. Now all you have to show for it are the burnt off remains of what used to be your eyebrows. Cancer: 6/22 – 7/22 This month, you’re going to hear your roommate getting intimate in the other room of your apartment with his lover. You’ll have nightmares forever. Leo: 7/23 – 8/22 Because you freak out so much, one day your friends are going to get tired of it and they’re going to slip a Valium into your drink. Say hello to six hours of bliss. Virgo: 8/23 – 9/22 Underwear thieves are prowling the streets of USA again. As the school year begins, their activity has spiked. Guard your underwear.

Libra: 9/23 – 10/22 To afford the cost of gas, you’re going to start making money in unorthodox ways. Unfortunately, your kidneys aren’t worth much since you drink so many carbonated drinks. Scorpio: 10/23 – 11/21 Bunny rabbit migration has increased recently based off of climate change. As a result, all Scorpios must yield to crossing bunny rabbits. Sagittarius: 11/22 – 12/21 You and your girlfriend are going to get into an argument while going down the interstate. In an attempt to win the argument, she will jerk your steering wheel hard to the left. This does not bode well. Capricorn: 12/22 – 1/19 The more Keystone Light you drink, the better your evening will get. At some point, you’ll end up naked on Airport Blvd. Aquarius: 1/20 – 2/18 This is your week to join a nudist colony. It is your calling in life. Drop out of college and join a nudist colony. It is what the stars demand. Pisces: 2/19 – 3/20 You will soon be out of pancake mix. It is time to go buy groceries. Bruno’s has a 5 percent off Monday for all students. Use it well.

VOL. 51, NO. 3 / AUG. 13, 2012