8.27 Issue

VANGUARD

THE

VOL. 51, NO. 5

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

AUG. 27, 2012

HURRICANE ISSAC THREATENS USA

INSIDE

Smoking banned in Mobile  Smoking will now be regulated in the moonpie city

By JAYSON CURRY jayson-curry@hotmail.com

► Should USA cancel class

because of Hurricane Iassc?

Find out what other students think about this question on page 3.

A

directions given by USA officials and pay close attention to the information coming from Mobile County Emergency Management.

Grip also agreed with Bigbie that no one attempt to go out during the storm.

“While there might be a temptation to go outside and experience the storm firsthand, the smallest piece of debris propelled by Hurricane or hurricane force winds can do a lot of damage,” Grip said.

Students should begin to make preparations now, gathering emergency items such as batteries, flashlights, non-perishable food items, a battery powered TV or radio a first aid kit and plenty of bottle water.

The Red Cross advised that residence along the threat area have enough water to last for 5 days, one gallon of water per person, per day, allowing sufficient time for emergency crews and supplies to be put in place.

Also, if students plan to evacuate, they should be sure to let someone know where they are going, and provide alternate contact information

s the Mobile City Council passed a smoking ordinance last week, many people are left scratching their heads. The ordinance covers a lot of ground and is somewhat vague.

According to the ordinance posted on the Mobile City Council website, “The City Council of the City of Mobile finds that secondhand smoke is a form of air pollution, a danger to health, and a material public nuisance, and deems it appropriate to enact the following ordinance to (1) protect the public health and welfare by prohibiting smoking in public places and places of employment, (2) guarantee the right of non-smokers, and (3) recognize the need to breath smokefree air.”

The ordinance bans smoking on sidewalks in downtown Mobile unless you are at least 15 feet away from a building entrance. In cases where 15 feet is not possible, 7 feet is the minimum.

Also the ordinance forces downtown restaurants to ban smoking in outside eating areas until after 8 pm. The ban also includes city owned properties and facilities like parks and stadiums.

“The city ordinance does not affect the campus at this time,” USA Dean of Students Dr. Mike Mitchell said. “Our smoke free policy, with smoking 25 feet away from a building entrance, remains in effect.”

The punishments for breaking the ordinance include fines and punishments for businesses and

See ISAAC ISAAC, Page 6

See SMOKING SMOKING, Page 5

► Do you agree or disagree

with the smoking ban in the Mobile? What do your fellow students think? See Opinion, page 17.

► The ‘Bro Code’ is an event coming to USA. Get guidence from other men on how to deal with harmful situations that you may experience during college. See Life, page

► A loophole in the NCAA rules allow South Alabama an opportunity to play in two bowl games. Read more about this in Left of Center, page 15

SGA kicks off 2012; buys used golfcart

By JAYSON CURRY jayson-curry@hotmail.com

As the start of the Fall 2012 semester is now underway, the South Alabama SGA is now kicking into high gear. The SGA, including SGA President Parker Chastain, are now in the process of planning for the year to come.

“A big part of Fall is appropriations for organizations,” Chastain said. “We are getting those applications in now and that is for their See SGA SGA, Page 5

This is the latest graphic as of press time; updated tracks are posted on our Facebook page.

By KALYN MCCLELLAN kbm1001@jagmail.southalabama.edu

While the future path, location of landfall and area of impact for Hurricane Isaac is still uncertain, one thing meteorologists and media outlets can agree on is that it’s never too early to prepare for a storm.

Hurricane Isaac is expected to strengthen to a Category 2 by the time it makes landfall late Tuesday night into early Wednesday morning.

A Category 2 means the storm will have winds in the range of 105 mph.

The current predictions of the landfall area covers Mississippi-Louisiana gulf coast as of 4 p.m. on Aug. 26. Predictions will narrow as the storm gets closer to the coast.

Forecast models have been shifting westward over the past 24 hours, putting the center of the storm more toward Mississippi and Louisiana.

However, this is not good news for Mobile, as the east side of a storm is always the worst.

Chief Meteorologist Patrick Bigbie, of Gamma 9 Weather Center, says students should keep a close eye

find us on Facebook search “The Vanguard USA”

on this storm and make preparations now.

Bigbie says that the USA Coastal Weather Research Center will be fully staffed during the storm, in order to keep students and clients informed.

Their facility is located inside the Mitchell Center, which is rated to sustain 115 mph winds. They will relocate to another location if necessary.

Bigbie had advice for students who live on campus: “If you plan on leaving, do so before Tuesday night and let your RA know your plans. If you plan to stay on campus, you will most likely be moved to a safe location,” Bigbie said.

Bigbie also advised students to stay off the roads during and immediately after the storm.

Once the storm begins to make landfall, Police, Fire Rescue and Coast Guard may not be able to get to you if you need help.

The Gamma 9 Weather Team will be giving continuous updates via social media.

WALA Fox 10 News Anchor Bob Grip said students should follow the

Check out our digital edition thevanguardonline.com

Courtesy of StormTeam4

Life, Page 9

In this Issue: Opinion, 16

Sports, 12

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VOL. 51, NO. 5 / AUG. 27, 2012

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VOL. 51, NO. 5 / AUG. 27, 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

Distribution Distribution Bobby Faulk Manager

Special edition: Should USA cancel class?

Uriel Galvan: Yes, the weather is going to be to dangerous to drive.

Kaitlyn Williamson: Yes! Im tired of worrying if I’ll be punished for not driving 40 minutes through bad weather to take a quiz or just go to class. It isnt safe for commuting students to risk it.

Advertising Advertising Wesley Jackson Manager Advertising Mohammad Al-Zarrad Graphic Designer Rex McKay

Ashton DeMouy: Yes, there’s double the number of students since Katrina and I don’t know where they would put all the students. Also all the students who aren’t from around here will probably want to go home and why make them wait till the day before and wait in all that traffic and maddness to just get home?

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

Justin Kendall: Yes, some people have to go help their families prepare for any type of tropical storm.

Colin Rains: Cat. 2 hurricane and a predicted 17 inches of rain. Also the eye is supposed to go near if not right on top of us

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!

Deborah Snowden: Well, I would say yes. Students need to have time to prepare for the storm and no one should be out in a category 2 hurricane trying to go to class. It looks like we will be on the east side, which means we will get the most severe weather.

If the University of South Alabama is at all concerned about the safety of its faculty and students, classes will be canceled.

Becky Stuart: Of course they should! How would they feel if someone got in an accident? I have to drive an hour to class and I have 3 children who I know will be out of school.

Jay Lewis: I have to drive across the bay, we’ll see. Hope they do cancel classes however.

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SGA Continued from Page 1

$2000 depending on what they are asking for. We can’t pay for food or school supplies but we can pay for uniforms and travel.”

The budget for the year is one of the most important tasks for the SGA. That includes how and what students fees are being used for, which Chastain says is SGA’s main role.

“We have a couple of things we have already committed to this fall like the college leadership program which is part of our budget but we will plan the rest of our budget after those applications are in,” Chastain added.

The SGA has been able to purchase a golf cart that will be for SGA use, at least to start.

“An opportunity to procure a used golf cart for the SGA was seized by the Senate this summer. For liability issues, it is currently for SGA use only, particularly to amend some of the issues with homecoming last year,” Chastain said. “Particular

events with SGA representation have already used the golf cart, such as the student class tours given in conjunction with STAT this past Sunday. If you have any more questions concerning this topic please do not hesitate to ask.”

A new project for SGA this year is electing a first-year council. The 25 seat council for freshmen has been in the process of starting for a year and is finally in its beginning stage.

“Applications are due by Sept. 10 by 5 p.m. Hopefully, it will create a new group of leaders, and that council is headed up by our freshman-atlarge. All of those applications are out and you can turn them in at the SGA front office,” Chastain said.

Another project for Chastain and SGA is involving students in the Sept. 18 vote over the state budget.

The vote will either allow or deny the use of $145 million from each of the next three years to help fund higher education and medical dpartments in the state of Alabama. The vote will directly affect students across the state and especially at USA. “We are hosting registration drives

not only for the 18th vote, but for the 2012 presidential vote,” Chastain explained. “South is not just educational, but we have so much health care involved here that it would be detrimental to our system.”

Also, SGA has planned to switch the school’s homecoming blood drive to Sept. 24 after being contacted by the Troy University’s SGA. “We are playing Troy this year and that is one of our bigger football games, I was contacted by Troy’s SGA and we are going to do a competition blood drive. On Monday, Sept. 24, we are going to have our USA vs. Troy blood drive which is the Monday before the game.”

All of SGA meets every Monday at 8 p.m. in the new dining hall in the upper meeting room. All meetings are open to the public and students are encouraged to join. Any additional information can be found at the SGA website southalabama.edu/ sga, or by contacting SGA president Parker Chastain at USA.SGA.president@gmail.com.

Smoking Continued from Page 1

citizens.

Businesses can be fined $100 on their first offense, $200 on the second offense and $500 additionally for every instance the ordinance is broken during that same year.

A person can be fined $70, face 6 months community service or even jail time.

The ordinance also affects the people who work at bars or restaurants in downtown Mobile. If smoking is allowed inside a bar or restaurant, workers must be at least 21 years old. This contradicts state law which allows anyone over 19 years old to work in a downtown bar or eatery.

The city ordinance will not go into effect until October 1, 2012.

That date brings even more of a challenge to enforcing the ordinance as Mobile’s music festival Bayfest starts days later. Thousands of people will be downtown for the three day festival, many of who will be smoking.

Have a suggestion for the Vanguard?

Email editor.in.chief@usavanguard.com!

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VOL. 51, NO. 5 / AUG. 27, 2012

Issac approaches Continued from Page 1

in the event they cannot be reached through their primary modes of communication.

Many students are concerned about whether or not the school will cancel classes, and what to do if USA remains open.

Shanoa Reed, a junior majoring in broadcast journalism, said she will not necessarily base her decision about classes on the decision of school officials.

“Depending on the strength and projected path closer to landfall, I will use my own judgment to determine whether or not I will come to class,” Reed said.

Graduate student Blake Cunningham commutes from Mississippi, and will also use his own judgment rather than that of school officials.

“If the school doesn’t close due to the storm, this could be problematic for commuter students.

“Thankfully, there are instructors who realize the danger and care more for student safety than class attendance,” Cunningham said.

“If Isaac does hit the Mobile area, I will look more toward my profes-

sors for their opinion on my safety... rather than he who sits in the ivory tower,” Cunningham concluded.

Jason Smith, meteorologist for WALA Fox 10 had some information and advice for students who may be new to the Mobile area and unfamiliar with these types of storms: “The elevation of the USA property is quite high, so more than likely the only issue would be wind damage,” Smith said.

“Be prepared for power outages, downed trees and gasoline shortages if we do get a direct hit from Isaac or any other major storm,” Smith concluded.

Students need to pay close attention to weather reports and realize that the threat of severe, possibly disastrous weather is real.

The Vanguard will post alerts on Facebook as the local and national media outlets do. Also, important hurricane information can be found on the USA website. Email alerts will be sent to students as needed.

Although there is much uncertainty surrounding Isaac, students should begin to make plans for evacuation if necessary, and should also make sure they have a fully stocked hurricane survival kit.

It is better to be overly prepared for nothing, than under prepared when disaster strikes.

VOL. 51, NO. 5 / AUG. 27, 2012

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VOL. 51, NO. 5 / AUG. 27, 2012

VOL. 51, NO. 5 / AUG. 27, 2012

jagLIFE

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

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Class attendance: students make the call

COURTESY OF SANDRA HUYNH

You never know what you might be missing when you skip a class. Anything from test hints to live animals are fair game.

By JAKE HOWELL life.editor@usavanguard.com

F

or an ever-growing number of young people, college is the place where that exquisite first taste of

freedom is found. For the first time, no parents are around to monitor curfews, eating habits or social lives.

Also for the first time, in many cases, there are no consequences for skipping class.

While some professors, and almost all lab classes, might require attendance, in most cases, attendance isn’t taken in college classes.

There are even the occasional professors who will tell students that they don’t care whether they come to class or not. Thus, many students take this as a sign that sleeping until noon and going out every night won’t affect their grades because they’ll “do the work on their own time.”

Most upperclassmen have already figured out that a promise to study during their normal class time, or even to catch up, almost always gets broken.

Unfortunately for some of these upperclassmen, learning that lesson came on the heels of a tanking GPA. In all actuality, it has been shown that when students attend class regularly, they tend to achieve higher grades than their peers who don’t.

This doesn’t necessarily mean, however, that attending class guarantees an “A.” There are a plethora of factors that influence how well students do in any given class, some of which are out of the direct control of the student.

One thing that students have almost supreme control over, though, is class attendance.

Dr. Nicole Carr, director of Student Academic Success and Retention and associate professor of sociology here at USA, said, “Students can control their choices and need to be aware that they have the power to make the decision to attend class.”

Therefore, even when professors don’t require attendance, students should make it a priority regardless.

Carr added, “Even if it is not required, you pay for class, it will improve your success. Attend if you are bored, if you feel totally prepared or if you feel totally lost, if you hate the class etc...always attend, and then come see us to talk about how we can work on any other problems related to the class.

We can help students make it a more positive experience.”

Dr. Annmarie Guzy, associate professor of English, related class attendance to the work place. “Putting the effort into attending class every day will help students to develop the work ethic needed for today’s highly competitive

workplace. If you don’t feel like showing up to work that day, at least 100 other job applicants are waiting behind you to take your place, so what would keep an employer from firing you and hiring someone else?”

Will skipping the occassional class be the end of the academic world?

Probably not, but one thing students should keep in mind before deciding to skip class on a regular basis is that even if most professors don’t take attendance, it doesn’t mean they don’t notice when someone is absent.

Rest assured they will keep such information in mind when writing letters of recommendation or when students come, begging, for that last half point to get them to the next letter grade.

Students have a limited time here, time that is expensive in more ways than one.

They should remember that the main reason they’re here in the first place is to earn a degree.

One of the easiest ways to ensure that someone walks across that stage in the Mitchell Center on graduation day is to make attending class a habit.

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VOL. 51, NO. 5 / AUG. 27, 2012

Nuggets of Wisdom

By JAKE HOWELL life.editor@usavanguard.com

ed.

W

ake up and smell the highlighters, classes have start-

It’s easy to get swept up in the “Welcome Back” rush of getting routines down, studying, homework and not starving.

By the time things seem to calm down, half of the semester has gone by.

Don’t let this semester get out of control. Establishing a few ground rules can help students keep things in the realm of only partial sleep deprivation.

1. Use the resources the University provides. This university wants its students to succeed and while it may seem like life is trying to bean people with lemons most of the time, there are tools available to help.

The Supplemental Instruction program is designed to help students in historically difficult courses, while the Foreign Language Department offers tutoring in their Language Resource Center.

These resources, and more, are completely free and have been shown to help students do much better than they would have alone.

2. Professors have office hours for a reason. Most professors welcome student visits during their office hours so find some time to go by and have a chat.

This is a great time to get extra, one-on-one help with difficult subjects (yes, even those foreign languages that some people call Organic Chemistry and Physics).

Not only will it help in the long run grade-wise, but students build relationships with their professors this way.

3. Don’t try to be Superman. College students might have the tendency to think they can do anything and everything, when the truth is that they can’t.

Not unless dying at the tender age of 21 of a massive coronary is on someone’s bucket list.

Getting too involved and neglecting schoolwork is a recipe for disaster, and morphing into a creepy shutin who only appears at meal times is only okay during finals week.

Learning how to balance social and academic interests is mostly trial and error unfortunately, but it’s one of the most important life lessons that college has to teach.

Weekly Lowdown

Speaker challenges the place of religion in politics

COURTESY OF SECULAR STUDENT ALLIANCE

Croft’s lecture will examine the growing role that the non-religious play in U.S. society.

By BAILEY HAMMOND baileyh803@gmail.com

O

n Sept. 6, USA’s Secular Student Alliance (SSA) will welcome James Croft, humanist chaplaincy fellow at Harvard, for an evening of discussion on the importance of drawing together despite differences in religion and beliefs.

Croft’s lecture is titled “God is Dead. So what?”

Croft is the first visiting speaker SSA has lined up this semester to spark educated and rational talk about important issues regarding religion’s place in American politics and society.

The lecture will question the role of religion and place emphasis on a “nonreligious value-driven life stance which can draw the religious ‘nones’ together”

under a banner of shared concerns.

Founded in the summer of 2010, the University of South Alabama branch of SSA has hosted a selection of well-known speakers from a variety of differing backgrounds in hopes of promoting “reason, and openness to new ideas as the primary means to understanding the human condition.”

SSA at USA founder Amye Boyles said, “James Croft will present insight into how ‘nearly one in five Americans’ choose to value their non-religious lives; through reason, integrity, acceptance, fairness, and responsibility.”

Croft’s lecture will be held in the Humanities building lecture hall (room 170) at 6 p.m.; come early to get a good seat and win door prizes beginning at 5:30 p.m.

If you’re interested in finding out

more about SSA or want to get involved, shoot an email to southalabama@secularstudents.org or find them on Facebook at Secular Student Alliance at the University of South Alabama.

Members also meet on Fridays at Satori from 5 to 7:30 p.m. for secular discussions and the talks are open to everyone.

Also coming up is Freethought Day, a day where freethinkers are encouraged to bring the discussion to the open air. Freethought Day will take place on Oct. 12.

A bit further down the line will be guest Ed Buckner, former president of American Atheists and former executive director of the Council for Secular Humanism, speaking about his new book “In Freedom We Trust” on Jan. 31, 2013.

SSA will close out their series of events with a debate with Dan Barker, co-president of Freedom from Religion Foundation, on Feb. 24, 2013. The debate is co-sponsored with the Debating Religions Club and is set to be held in the Humanities auditorium (room 170) at 6 p.m.

With a wide selection of events planned, SSA is prepared to welcome anyone willing to participate in rational talk about key issues in today’s society.

So bring an open mind and join in the discussion.

Monday > Aug. 27 •

5:15 p.m. - Organization Informational Meeting for SGA Appropriations in the SGA Office (Academic Support Center Rm 1363).

5:15p.m. - Jaguar Productions board meeting in the Academic Support Center, Room 1369.

•

Tuesday > Aug. 28 •

Wednesday > Aug. 29 •

•

The Bro Code brings real talk to USA students

By RYAN ARNOLD rleearnold@gmail.com

A

s a new semester begins, campus is teeming with events to promote, meeting new people and making friends.

The Bro Code is one such event.

It presents a great chance for guys to come share a night of camaraderie over good food and interesting conversation.

The Bro Code is a great chance for young men to ask questions and receive guidance on how to deal with situations that they may encounter during their college years.

Topics of discussion will focus on building better relationships, such as how to prevent and circumnavigate potentially harmful situations.

This line of discussion can help students to be more aware of, and better prepared for, situations that could become problematic.

Students who attend will participate in brainstorming solutions to different problem situations such as sexual harassment and bullying.

The need for students to be on

COURTESY OF USA COUNSELING AND TESTING SERVICES

The Bro Code seeks to open up a dialogue between young men that will help them connect with each other, respect their peers and prevent violence.

the lookout for crime, such as robbery, and a willingness to report such crime as quickly as possible, will also be discussed.

One topic that Darleen Dempster of USA Counseling and Testing Services feels should also be discussed, particularly with members of the upper classes as pertaining to the

new freshman class, is hazing rituals.

“Our hope is that every student will be assured that they have entered a safe and friendly campus,” Dempster said.

When asked how big of a turnout was expected, Dempster stated, “We are unsure of turnout, because this is the first time we have done this program. However, anticipation is high, so come a few minutes early to get a good seat.”

The Bro Code is sponsored by the Violence Prevention Alliance (VPA). The VPA includes faculty, staff, students and community members concerned about the prevention of violence.

The program will take place in the Fresh Food Company meeting room on Sept. 5 and also on Sept.

12, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. both days.

Dempster added, “Hope to see everyone there! Come show support for your South Alabama! Along with food, there will be door prizes.”

For more information on the event contact USA Counseling and Testing Services at 251-460-7051.

7:30 p.m. - USA Faculty Bassoon Recital with pianist Robert Holm and harpist Katie Ott in the Laidlaw Recital Hall. $5.00 USA Students/ Faculty/Staff.

•

9 a.m. - 3 p.m. - Independent Music Collective Rummage Sale in the Humanities Courtyard.

7 p.m. - Jaguar Football Pep Rally at the Moulton Bell Tower.

Free food, t-shirts, games and more will be available.

7:30 - 10:30 p.m. 7th Annual Welcome Back Block Party at the Moulton Bell Tower.

Thursday > Aug. 30 •

6:30 p.m. - First Football Game: Jags vs. Texas-San Antonio at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.

Friday > Aug. 31 •

Outdoor Adventures: Full Moon Paddle on Mobile Bay. $10 for USA students and $15 for faculty.

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.

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VOL. 51, NO. 5 / AUG. 27, 2012

Recession-proof downtime: Kopecky Family Band going to rock The Shed free things to do in Mobile

By STUART SOX sgsox@att.net

S

JAKE HOWELL | JAGLIFE EDITOR

Langan Park and the Mobile Museum of Art are only a few minutes down the road from USA’s campus and offer hours of entertainment. Students could even spend a day outside at the park studying in the sunshine.

By ALEX WHATLEY

ajw701@jagmail.southalabama.edu

T

hey say nothing in life is free— something a college student knows all too well to be true. Yet every now and then, it’s fun to challenge an established cliché such as this and prove otherwise.

Most free things to do, however, are not offered to you in a flyer or oversized billboard the way most not-so-free things are on a daily basis.

Lower Dauphin Artwalk (LODA) is an engaging night in Downtown Mobile where galleries and businesses open their doors to the public, displaying art of many mediums.

As of this month, there were 23 locations participating, and this special night is usually the best opportunity to catch the opening of new galleries.

Live music and vendors almost always accompany LODA in parks and on sidewalks, and a large number of galleries offer beer and wine for small donations.

Many of USA’s own art talents have had their work featured, often in shows exclusively featuring University of South Alabama students. Art walk is the second Friday of every month, from 5 to 9 p.m.

Also downtown, on the corner of Royal and Church Streets is the Museum of Mobile. The first Sunday of the month is free admission. The permanent exhibit on the city’s history is impressive enough, but nationally lauded exhibits pass through as well.

Exhibits in the past have included “The Working White House,” organized by the Smithsonian, and a 9/11 exhibit with actual relicts of the World Trade Center site from the New York State

Museum.

On the first Monday of the month, there is free admission to the Mobile Museum of Art. This includes both the museum’s permanent collection as well as any traveling exhibits. The Mobile Museum of Art is in Langan Park just north of USA’s campus.

After the fifth inning, admission is free to Mobile Baybears’ games. I’m just saying, extra innings do happen, and Friday night fireworks are always fun.

Many students still aren’t aware of that all home USA sports are free with a Student ID and you can buy discounted tickets for any friends or family visiting from out of town.

You don’t need to go to the zoo to experience nature’s beauty up close. The Glenn Sebastian Nature Trail has just recently opened on campus near USA North Drive. Informative signs along the 95-acre trail will show you that you’re looking at more than just “green stuff.”

Also near campus, across from Langan Park is the Mobile Japanese Garden.

These authentically landscaped gardens and ponds are nice obscure places to find inner peace.

Just a short drive from campus down Hillcrest Road is the Environmental Studies Center. This 500-acre area off of Girby Road houses wolves, bald eagles, alligators and snakes, as well as a large pitcher plant bog, to name a few things.

It is open on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

So there you have it, things to do with no more than the money for gas.

As Jack Handy once wisely said: “If you ever fall off the Sears Tower, just go real limp, because maybe you’ll look like a dummy and people will try to catch you because, hey, free dummy.”

outh Alabama students looking for an invigorating break from the grueling readjustments to the responsibilities of classes should mark their calendars for Friday, Aug. 31.

The Shed on Old Shell Road will be the venue for a magical night of delicious food and live music as Kopecky Family Band will perform and promote their upcoming album “Kids Raising Kids.”

“The Family,” as they are often referred to as, is a six-piece band out of Nashville, Tenn., and has been rising in popularity in recent years.

According to their biography, the band began writing music together in the fall of 2007.

They have since released three EP’s, “Embraces” (2008), “The Disaster” (2010), and “Of Epic Proportions” (2010).

Kopecky Family Band’s 2011 consisted mostly of touring, with impressive showings at Bonaroo Music and Arts Festival and CMJ Festival.

Extended tours flanking the bands Givers and Gomez rounded out a very successful year.

The band has spent most of 2012 working on “Kids Raising Kids,” their first full-length album, and will

JAKE HOWELL | JAGLIFE EDITOR

Grab a seat at The Shed BBQ and Blues Joint at 7 p.m. on Aug. 31 for an awesome show. Sit back, eat, and listen to The Kopecky Family Band.

be bringing their new music as well as some of their older gems for their performance at The Shed. “Kids Raising Kids” is set to come out later this year.

Those who know about “The Family” know why this show is a must see. Kopecky Family Band performs with a sense of passion rarely seen in the vast abyss of today’s indie bands.

Watching them on stage showcases the sense that they truly are like a family. Each member of the band seems to truly enjoy their music, each other’s company and sharing the experience with the audience.

The music itself is interesting to

say the least.

While they are technically rock musicians, their sound is made up of so many instruments that a better word to describe them may be orchestral.

Their songs “Birds,” “God and Me” and “Howling Like the Moon” are some of their most popular tracks on iTunes.

As catchy as their music may sound from your iPod or laptop, though, it is no substitute for their impressive live performance.

Be at The Shed BBQ and Blues Joint at 7 p.m. and be ready for a tasty BBQ dinner and a great show that you won’t forget.

Girls Night Out fosters lasting, trusting friendships

COURTESY OF USA COUNSELING AND TESTING SERVICES

Join Girls Night Out for a night filled with fun, real talk, respect, and friends.

By LEAH PAUL

leahmariepaul@yahoo.com

S

tarting Tuesday, Sept. 4, and running on consecutive Tuesdays through Oct. 2, USA will be hosting Girls Night Out in the Fresh Food Company meeting room.

Girls Night Out, sponsored by the University of South Alabama Counsel-

ing and Testing Center, is a program that focuses on healthy versus unhealthy relationships, self-esteem, personal safety, how to help a friend out and other issues that pertain to college women.

The event starts at 5:30 p.m. and runs until about 7 p.m. This program is completely free.

Girls Night Out should end in plenty of time to get some studying done or hang out with friends.

There will be plenty of food and door prizes, and those who participate and attend four out of the five meetings will receive a free Girls Night Out t-shirt.

The girls will meet in a large group for discussion and then have the chance to participate in smaller group meetings with a group leader. These discussions lead to interesting conversations and provide participants with a comfortable and fun environment.

USA hosted this same program last spring, and a large amount of those participants came to all the meetings earning a free T-shirt.

“This attests to the fact that this is a fun program, and the information covered is relevant to the concerns of col-

lege women,” said Darlene Dempster of the USA Counseling and Testing Center and one of those in charge of the Girls Night Out program.

Zadora Edwards, a senior majoring in sociology, participated in Girls Night Out last year and said, “I loved the program, because it helped me to get a connection with some women on campus that I probably would have not gotten to meet. I also learned to open up and I was able to let go of some of the things that were holding me down.”

Girls Night Out is a great way for young women to get together and have interesting conversations while earning a free t-shirt and eating good food. Freshmen and even returning students should take advantage of Girls Night Out to not only meet new friends, but also educate themselves on issues that affect them daily.

Girls are encouraged to come out to the Fresh Food Company starting Sept.

4 and bring friends.

For more information about Girls Night Out call Darlene Dempster at 251460-7051 in the Department of Counseling and Testing Services.

SPORTS

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

12

VOL. 51, NO. 5 / AUG. 27, 2012

Kendall Houston carries the ball in last year’s 30-27 overtime defeat of the UTSA Roadrunners.

VANGUARD ARCHIVES

Jaguars set to take on Roadrunners in first game of 2012 USA will play the University of Texas-San Antionio at 6:30 p.m.,Thursday at Ladd-Peebles stadium to open the season

By PATRICK HERRING sports.editor@usavanguard.com

I

t has been 283 days since USA’s last football game, a crushing 41-10 defeat at the hands of Cal-Poly.

But now only three days stand between the Jaguars and their first action of 2012.

In their first full season with a full Sun Belt Conference schedule, the Jags will kick off the season Thursday at Ladd-Peebles stadium against nonconference foe UTSA. Last year South went on the road to San Antonio and eeked out a 30-27 double-overtime victory in a thriller.

Much has changed for the Jaguars since then.

Newly hired offensive coordinator Robert Matthews has installed the spread offense.

At USA football’s media day, head coach Joey Jones spoke about the new offense.

“One thing I’ve noticed is that the kids really have bought into it,” Jones said. “You can see it at practice when they’re on the field they’re locked in.”

He also spoke to how incumbent quarterback C.J. Bennett fits in the new offense.

“There’s no doubt the new offense suits C.J. better (than last year’s),” Jones said. “It compliments the tools he has better.”

Bennett believes the new offense will be more effective against the Roadrunners.

“This is a great offense,” Bennett said. “Coach Matthews is a great play caller and a great game planner and I think this whole gameplan will work for their defense.”

The weapons around Bennett have improved as well. Running backs Demetre Baker and Kendall Houston combined to rush for 159 yards and three scores, including Baker’s 25-yard scamper to end the game in the second

overtime.

Both running backs return this season with another year of experience under their belts. Add in 2009’s leading rusher Brandon Ross returning from injury, and Bennett has a full stable of capable running backs to hand off to.

Bennett will no doubt be looking to improve on an 11-17 performance in which he only passed for 176 yards and threw a pick while not scoring a touchdown.

A vamped up offensive line, all of whom now weigh in at over 300 lbs., should give him more time to throw to, arguably, the best wide receiver corps since Courntey Smith graduated.

The top three receivers from last year--Bryant Lavender, Corey Waldon, and Jereme Jones--all return, along with freshman phenom Cameron Broadnax, giving Bennett a plethora of viable receiving threats.

Broadnax is one of the few freshman slated to see some playing time

early according to Coach Jones.

“Cameron has come in and really been a surprise for us,” Jones said.

“He’s still got some work to do to earn his stripes, but I definitely think he will work his way into the fold.”

Playing at Ladd will change the dynamic of the game as well, with the Roadrunners coming to the Jags’ home turf.

“Our kids are excited about playing at home, and we’ve played well here over the years,” Jones said. “But we still have to go out there and produce between the lines.”

Bennett talked about playing the Roadrunners after last year’s win in San Antonio.

“They’ve had us circled on their calendars since last year, and they’re gonna be coming after us with all they’ve got and we just have to be ready for it,” Bennett said. “If we jump on them early and slow their tempo we can match that anger their

gonna be coming out with.”

The defense is also ready to hit the field after a long offseason.

In last year’s contest, the defense came up huge. Linebacker Clifton Crews became the first player in school history to force two fumbles in a game.

Jake Johnson had a game-high 12 tackles, while safety B.J. Scott chipped in with a career high 11 tackles.

All three return this season, along with six other regular starters from last season. The defense looks to play a big part in this year’s game as well.

The offense’s transition to a spread offense has benefited the defense as well according to defensive coordinator Bill Clark.

“I think it’s huge to be able to practice against (Coach Matthews’) offense,” Clark said. “To be able to practice against the type of offenses you’re going to see week in and week out is a See Football Football, Page 14

13

VOL. 51, NO. 5 / AUG. 27, 2012

New volleyball coach set to make Antibig impact on players, program

USAJAGUARS.COM

Volleyball Head Coach Amy Hendrichovsky.

By SKYE MCLEOD Contributing Writer

D

irector of Athletics, Dr. Joel Erdmann, announced eight months ago the hiring of Amy Hendrichovsky as the new Jaguar head volleyball coach. This will be her first head coaching position after previously serving as an assistant at Sun Belt Conference rival Middle Tennessee State under Matt Peck.

A month before Hendrichovsky’s hiring in December, Erdmann broke the news that USA would not be renewing former head coach Nicole Keshock’s contract, beginning a nationwide search for the program’s 13th head volleyball coach.

“The search for our head coaching position was competitive,” Erdmann said. “When we stepped back and looked at the specific needs of the program, Amy’s traits and expertise filled those needs nicely.”

The Boca Raton, Fla. native graduated from North Alabama in 2001 where she started all four years for the Lions. Her team was routinely one of the Top 10 programs at the D-II level.

Hendrichovsky made yearly appearances in the NCAA tournament during her time in Florence, advancing to the Elite Eight twice in 1998 and 1999, and making an appearance in the Final Four in 2000. She led the Lions each season during her four years on campus, finishing her career with 1,279 digs with a record of 153-21 including a 51-1 mark in the Gulf South Conference. She captured four conference titles before graduating.

As a student-athlete at UNA, Hendrichovsky realized that teaching was not her true passion and her coach at the time [Peck] persuaded her to try coaching. He noticed her ability to spot talent and scout opponents, a trait she attributes to what she likes to call her “math brain,” and invited her to be a student assistant upon graduation. During her first and only season on the student assistant staff at her alma mater, the Lions captured a Gulf South Conference championship and earned an NCAA tournament berth, eventually advancing to the Sweet Sixteen.

Hendrichovsky would soon become an assistant coach at Metro State College in Denver. Although the job was farther away from home than she would have liked, she felt up for the challenge.

“They had a good program and I was recently married so I was willing to try something new,” she said.

During her four seasons at Metro State she helped lead the Roadrunners

to four straight NCAA D-II tournaments along with two Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference regular season and tournament titles. The Roadrunners were a familiar face in the Top 15 nationally, posting a 93-36 record during her time on the staff.

In 2006 Hendrichovsky would join Peck on his staff at Middle Tennessee State as an assistant coach. The Blue Raiders had great success in her six seasons on the sidelines, recording at least 21 wins every season and producing 24 players that would receive All-SBC honors.

Hendrichovsky speaks highly of her past coaching experiences as she’s been fortunate to have been with successful coaches, both as a player and coach, and has learned something from all of them. This helped her craft her own unique coaching philosophy.

“I really try to focus on creating a winning mentality,” Hendrichovsky says. “I’m a mother at heart and I show lots of care, but I also push my players.

I try to make them want to win for not only me but for themselves.”

Having the Jaguars in the same conference as MTSU has given Hendrichovsky time to observe the roster and the talent at USA. After competing against them twice last year she noticed they had athleticism, but she felt they didn’t yet know how to compete.

“When the pressure was on and the game got tough they broke, they just fell apart,” Hendrichovsky said. “We have had to work on that a lot because it’s a pattern, it doesn’t just go away with a See HENDRICHOVSKY HENDRICHOVSKY, Page 14

Want us to follow you?

Tweet us @USAVGSports If you don’t have a reason to be pumped for the game against the UTSA Roadrunners yet, just check out some of these tweets by their “biggest fan” who goes by the twitter handle @BIGGESTUTSAFAN:

Less than a week before kickoff and the anticipation is unreal! We train all year around, the countless hours for 60 mins of glory #Aug30 Darrius Morrow@DMorrow_4: Wide Receiver

“Who sponsors South Alabama? Bubba’s redneck towing company?”

“Don’t even bother throwing. My #UTSA #Roadrunners are gonna gets sack and INTs on every play. #SoAlSux” “Just saw the ugliest girl at the strip club. She told me she was a South Alabama grad” “Take a look at the pic. #SACKED #7Tds17ints #SoAlSucks UTSA will win by at least 20. #UTSASwag” (Accompanied by a photo of C.J. Bennett being sacked).

College Football Predictions Editor’s Note: During the 2012 football season we here at The Vanguard Sports Section will be doing weekly predictions of South’s football game, popular in-state games, and one or two nationally significant games. We will keep a running tally of who’s “winning” the prediction game, and may from time to time include a guest picker.

Jayson Curry Senior Reporter

CJ Bennett @_MrOneFive_: Quarterback

Week One

Patrick Herring Sports Editor

JT Crabtree Sports Editor L.O.C.

Tim Gould Contributing Writer

USA vs UTSA

The Jags escaped last year The efficiency of the new Last year’s game went to douwith an OT win on a blocked UTSA’s lack of an offensive offense is the key.

Which ever ble overtime. Playing at home this year, the Jaguars get it done quarterback Coach Matthews line will open the floodgates for kick. Jags keep their fans happy, and Jones decide to start must USA’s defense. Jags win 27-17. barely. Jags win 21-17. in regulation. Jags win 35-20. deliver. Jags win 28-17.

#2 Alabama vs. #8 Michigan

38-17 Alabama

31-13 Alabama

19-13 Alabama in OT

17-14 Alabama

Auburn vs. #14 Clemson

35-14 Clemson

27-21 Clemson

28-21 Clemson

28-10 Clemson

#13 Michigan St. vs. #24 Boise State

31-24 Michigan State

34-10 Michigan State

31-13 Boise State

35-24 Boise State

Worrying about what the next man do will take you from 1st to 2nd place.

Do you & get yours. #StayFocused Jake Howton @Jake_Snake86: Wide Receiver Less than a week away!! It’s been a long summer and camp, about time for hard work to pay off! #jagswag #Aug30 Brittany Fowler @FowlerPowler6 Outfielder Getting sized for our conference championship rings today! Too excited!!! Blessed with the best teammates! #GOJAGS Austin Cole @Cole_World_61: Long Snapper Sitting in the front row of all my classes this semester. Gotta get that gpa up!

Perry Meiklejohn @TheGridironGod I have a serious addiction to burger studio Kyle Bartsch @Kyle_Bartsch: Pitcher Kinda pumped to experience my first Hurricane #yeahbud Ty Bivins @Ty_Bivins_23 Wide Receiver Lost my jagcard!!! I cancelled it so can’t nobody use it

@USAVGSports

14

VOL. 51, NO. 5 / AUG. 27, 2012

Baseball team holds walk-on tryouts

By JT CRABTREE

jtc804@jagmail.southalabama.edu

T

he University of South Alabama baseball team will be holding walk-on tryouts for anyone interested in playing in 2013 for the Jags. Tryouts will be held Wednesday, Sept. 5 at 3 p.m. at Stanky Field.

Anyone wanting to try out must complete a pre-participation exam,

including medical clearance, complete sickle cell requirements and proof of medical health insurance before being allowed to take part in the tryout. All of these forms can be found on usajaguars.com through the “sports medicine” section of the website.

During the 2012 season, a season in which they finished with a record of 23-34, the Jags carried 37 players on their roster. According to NCAA regulations, Division I baseball programs are only allowed to give out 11.7 scholarships to fill their roster, meaning the majority of the team is made of walk-ons.

For additional information on tryouts, contact director of baseball operations Andrew Carden at 251460-6876.

Hendrichovsky Continued from Page 13

new coach.”

Despite the improvements the Jaguars need to make, Hendrichovsky seems optimistic about the program and the upcoming season. Practices have been going well and she can already see improvement. Eight new recruits came in this season, bringing some real excitement into the program.

According to Hendrichovsky, some of these new recruits already have wellcrafted volleyball skills, while some will need a year or so to develop at the D-I level.

“If you’re not a good athlete to begin with, you’re not going to get better at volleyball,” Hendrichovsky said. “But if you’re a good athlete, we can train you to become better in time.”

facebook.com/ theVanguardUSA

One of the new recruits is Jaguar All-American track star Lindsey Schwartz. Schwartz observed Hendrichovsky coach while at Middle Tennessee and is very confident she will do great things for the program at USA. “She [Hendrichovsky] has only been here for eight months and she has already changed a lot of the player’s mentalities,” says Schwartz. “I can see a huge difference in the team’s attitude when compared to last year and I know next season is going to be great for us.”

Hendrichovsky has brought a much needed invigorating philosophy and approach to the Jaguar volleyball program that should make an immediate impact on the players, coaches and fans. Things are moving in the right direction at USA, and there is no doubt that Amy Hendrichovsky’s fingerprints will be all over the Jaguars’ blueprint for success.

Football

Continued from Page 12

clear advantage.”

The Roadrunners are one of the teams who run a similar spread offense under head coach Larry Coker of University of Miami fame.

Special teams made one of the most important contributions last year as Randon Carnathan blocked a 26-yard field goal by the Roadrunners to force the extra period. The kick came after UTSA had driven the ball 67 yards into Jaguar territory.

Overall this game looks to be another thriler between burgeoning programs as UTSA is also in the final year of a transition to the FBS level.

For ticket info visit usajaguars.com or call the ticket office at 251-4611872.

CLASSIFIED 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.

Condo for rent! Cottage Green(Knollwood and Cottage Hill) 2/2 upstairs unit. Balcony, laminate flooring. Pets ok. Appliances include washer/dryer. $750/mo. $600 dep 251-533-4554 k.a.vaughn@hotmail.com Want to place a classified ad too? Contact our Advertising Department at 251-460-6898

LEFT OF CENTER

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

15

VOL. 51, NO. 5 / AUGUST 27, 2012

Learn to be a full Jag fan

By JT CRABTREE

jtc804@jagmail.southalabama.edu

I

Fans pack the seats at Ladd at the 30-8 victory over Lamar Sept. 10, 2011

USAJAGUARS.COM

Jags have outside chance to go bowling Loophole in NCAA rule allows South opportunity to play in two bowl games

By JT CRABTREE

jtc804@jagmail.southalabama.edu

I

n 2007, students of the University of South Alabama got what they wanted: a football team.

Their inaugural game on Sept. 5, 2009 ended in a 30-13 victory over Hargrave Military Academy.

The fans showed their support by bringing a crowd of 26,783, still the largest in school history. The Jags went 7-0 during their first season, and averaged 18,031 fans in attendance at Ladd-Peebles Stadium During their second ever season, South Alabama again went undefeated, going 10-0.

During the season, the Jags played a tougher schedule, with home games against Nichols State and Georgia State, a game where Ladd-Peebles Stadium drew its largest crowd of the season at 23,446.

After playing their seven home games, the Jags averaged 18,765 watching them take the field for only the second season.

Last season, the Jags experienced many firsts in their program history.

Their first FBS opponent and first loss in program history in their Sept.

17 game against NC State. USA

would go 6-4 on the season, ended by a 41-10 loss to Cal Poly, ending a 19-game home winning streak that started all the way back against Hargrave. At the end of the season, the Jags averaged 18,442 in attendance through six home games.

The fans have been consistent in their attendance throughout the history of the program.

The 2012 football season marks the last season South Alabama will be transitioning to becoming a full Football Bowl Subdivision program.

For a program to remain in Division I-FBS, they must average at least 15,000 fans a game, so USA has got that.

They must also play a full conference schedule as well as at least 12 FBS opponents; South also has that.

A FBS football program is also allowed to have 85 scholarship players on; South has that while dressing out over 100 players each week at practice.

In the FBS, postseason play is completed through bowl games.

In order to become bowl eligible, a team must win at least six games that season.

However, this year the Jags are ineligible for postseason play as they

are in their final transitional year to FBS. But there’s a catch there too.

Due to a loophole in the eligibility process, South Alabama has an outside chance to get into a bowl game. There are 70 spots for teams to be selected for a bowl game, which means 70 teams have to have at least 6 wins.

According to CBS Sports, there were only 72 teams last year with at least 6 wins, and now that teams like UCF, Ohio State, North Carolina and Penn State are no longer eligible, that narrows the amount of teams to go bowling.

Enter the South Alabama Jaguars.

Since it is possible that there will not be enough FBS teams to be bowl eligible, the selection committee will turn their attention to the four transitional teams, South Alabama, University of Massachusetts, Texas State, and University of Texas-San Antonio, who the Jags host in their first game of the season on August 30. For the Jags to be able to go bowling, they must win at least six games during their 13 game season.

South Alabama had already scheduled a game to simulate a bowl game atmosphere, travelling to Hawaii on Dec. 1 to end the season. But

now they could possibly have two bowl games in a season.

Even if South has seven losses on the season, they can still go to a bowl game.

Head Coach Joey Jones said during a recent fan Q&A that having a chance to go to a bowl game is “a big motivation for us.”

An even more exciting thought is that the GoDaddy.com Bowl has a Sun Belt tie-in.

Every year, the GoDaddy.com Bowl is played at Ladd-Peebles Stadium, home of the Jags. Just think about it. What if South Alabama was selected to a bowl game and it was on their home field?

Talk about home field advantage.

So let’s review how South Alabama can get into a bowl game. The Jags must win at least six games before even being considered. There also have to be less than 70 FBS teams with six wins. If the Jags can take care of business in Sun Belt Conference play, they have a chance to go to postseason play.

How great would it be for the Jags to make it to a bowl game, and essentially have a seventh home game? Dream big Jags’ fans, after all: It’s Our Time!

n preparation for football season, The Vanguard will provide you with all the chants, songs and other things you need to know in order to participate like a true member of the South Alabama fan base, Jaguar Nation, in next week’s issue.

Part of going to the games is taking part in the traditions, and with South Alabama having such a young football program, many fans don’t know what to do in certain situations. So allow us to “educate” you on how to participate during South Alabama football games.

Several situations are not prompted by anyone, such as chants on defense or the kickoff chant, meaning you just have to know what’s going on. Others, like the first down chant, you will hear a prompt over the PA. The South Alabama Jaguar Marching Band does a great job of leading chants and playing songs that go along with the situation on the field, so if you ever feel lost, just follow what they are doing.

As discussed in the previous issue, athletic director Dr. Joel Erdmann stated that he would like more fans to at least stand and clap, but if you know the words, which we have provided, sing along with it.

So if you feel like being a bit more proactive and don’t mind sharing your singing voice with others, then look for the list next week and have it ready for gameday.

ARCHIVE PHOTO

South Alabama mascot SouthPaw

Opinion

NOAH LOGAN OPINION EDITOR opinion.editor@usavanguard.com

16

VOL. 52, NO. 5 / AUG. 27, 2012

The Vanguard Viewpoint

Making ends meet  Candidate for Mayor of Daphne, Tim Swanson,

promises to cut grocery tax in the city but the budget begs to differ

By Noah Logan

ncl1101@jagmail.southalabama.edu

With the presidential election coming up, most people tend to forget other elections all over the country are also taking place currently. Daphne, home to many students of South Alabama, is hosting an election to decide the town’s mayor. Tim Swanson has put himself in the spotlight in this election by running on a platform that includes cutting the 2.5 percent sales tax on groceries. All other candidates, including incumbent Mayor Bailey Yelding Jr., claim this promise is not possible to reach. The numbers and statistics also show that cutting this sales tax would result in an economic debacle for the city.

The Alabama Department of Revenue reports that 15 percent of the overall sales tax for state comes from the 2.5 percent tax on groceries. For Daphne that would be around $1.7 million, and for Mobile the grocery tax brought in $7.2 million in 2011.

These numbers do more than enough to show that cutting the grocery tax would bring too large of a deficit for the city of Daphne to handle. To offset the grocery tax, Swanson says he plans to raise taxes that have yet to be made public. The only tax that would

be able to cut the slack would be the property tax, but the idea of imposing a new raised tax on all of Daphne’s property owners makes less sense than a sales tax that applies to everyone who shops in the city..

Another reason to keep the grocery tax in Daphne is simple because the city has to. The grocery tax is not a city policy, it is a state policy. State law requires all taxes levied by a city to adhere to the same “definitions, exceptions, exemptions, rules and regulations” that apply to the state’s version of the levy, as reported by al.com. All of the other candidates have come out against Swanson’s stance on the controversial tax.

“I don’t support changing any tax structure in the city of Daphne,” states Yelding.

With growing opposition for the grocery tax, Swanson may very well gain some support for his extreme proposal. Groups like Americans Against Food Taxes have spent plenty of money lobbying the state and federal government to outlaw the tax, saying that too many Americans are struggling for basic necessities to have a tax on food.

However, the tax provides too much income for the city and Swanson cannot promise to remove the tax since it is still part of Alabama law.

A STAFF EDITORIAL

Cancelling class is the right thing to do

Want to write?

Find the VG Opinion Facebook page.

JagPulse The Mobile City Council unanimously passed a new set of smoking policies that include bans on downtown streets and all restaurants until 8 p.m.; how do you feel about this?

Alan Sells As someone who is allergic to cigarette smoke, this is some of the best news that I have heard in a while.

I can breathe in Mobile now? Awesome!

James Schroeder: As someone who’s quit smoking, I still don’t agree with this decision. Don’t ban it. Designate where it can happen. And then actually

enforce the ban with tickets or something to that effect.

Courtney Tuite: I wonder if that will include hookah, because many places such as Ollies, make a ton of their money off hookah. Could hurt Mobile’s economy in the long run if businesses are forced to shut down.

Manda Coleteen: It probably won’t include hookah. They banned smoking up here a long time ago but there are still hookah bars Tammy Gollotte Lyle: Thank goodness! Now I can enjoy a nice dinner without having an asthma attack because of someone smoking nearby.

USA cancelled class for about three hours in the middle of the day when it snowed once.

In 2008, Hurricane Gustav hit and class wasn’t cancelled. With winds in excess of 75 miles per hour, students put on their rain boots and went to class.

This past year, uproar ensued when a tornado warning was issued for Mobile county and no email was sent out by the school. Students sat in class unknowingly.

A student in a humanities classroom read a weather alert and a teacher took the initiative to move students to the first floor and take shelter.

Other classrooms wondered what they were doing.

This is highly unacceptable. We understand that it’s a risk to cancel school. We understand the federal implications, the money and the makeup time for classwork.

We also understand the value of human life. Students are already commenting on our Facebook page

asking if they’ll really have to go to class if a hurricane hits and it hasn’t been cancelled.

Students, the answer is no. If you feel like you are in danger, do not come.

Do not drive from across the street if you feel unsafe, much less Mississippi where hundreds of USA students reside.

Use common sense. Officials need to bear in mind students that commute, but they also need to understand that there are teachers that will still issue a test and call a hurricane an unexcused absence.

We would like to encourage USA officials as well as department chairs to disallow this and to be lenient towards students who don’t show up in winds faster than the speed they travel on the interstate.

USA, use common sense and put safety above all else.

Teachers, bear logic in mind as well as compassion.

This is not a time to be divisive.

Stick together, USA. Be safe.

EditorialBoard

The

Cassie Fambro Aaron Etheredge Noah Logan Jake Howell Patrick Herring

Lyndsie Nicole VanHorn: So glad! Now they need to make campus a non-smoking campus! I can’t tell you how many times I have ran into a cloud of pot smoke by the dorms! All kinds of smoke make me ill. It wouldn’t be such a big deal if people actually followed the rules and did not smoke right outside of the door to a building.

> Editor

in Chief Editor > Opinion Editor > Life Editor > Sports Editor > Managing

Andrew Howard: If you are walking through clouds of pot smoke you should be calling for the cops instead of wanting to ban the use of a legal product, what would you say to a ban on public wearing of perfume, body spray, aftershave, or anything else fragranced.

17

VOL. 51, NO. 5 / AUG. 27, 2012

POINT COUNTERPOINT What do you think of the new Mobile smoking ban?

Editor’s Introduction: This past Tuesday, the Mobile City Council unanimously approved a set of new smoking policies for the city. Some of the new policies include a smoking ban in restaurants, inside and out, and no smoking on downtown sidewalks until 8:00 p.m. Is this action beneficial for the city of Mobile or insensitive to smokers rights?

Point: Public health comes first

“

Non-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke are put at risk through no fault of their own.

Jacques Chouinard In a controversial move, the Mobile City Council implemented the strongest smoking ban yet passed in this city.

As of Oct. 1, smoking will be prohibited on all city property, both indoor and outdoor, within 15 feet of any business, and on downtown sidewalks before 8 p.m.

This ban, while far from perfect, represents a small victory for the overall health of Mobile.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has lists tobacco smoking as a pressing public health issue. According to the CDC, a total of 443,000 deaths every year are caused by smoking, including 49,400 deaths that can be attributed to secondhand smoke exposure.

Tobacco is a carcinogen that contributes to the development of many types of cancer, including lung and pancreatic cancer. The most frustrating aspect of this issue, especially for public health professionals, is that deaths from smoking are entirely preventable. Smoking is a voluntary act that often leads to exorbitant healthcare costs and detrimental effects on society.

The amount of money spent treating smoking-related health issues is astronomical, and this expenditure represents a huge burden on a healthcare system already pushed to the edge of its resource pool.

”

According to the Alabama Department of Public Health, 22.6 percent of adults in Alabama smoke, which is the seventh highest smoking rate in the nation. The Council’s smoking ban is one of the most proactive steps the city government has taken to help alleviate this public health crisis.

Since smoking represents such a problem for the general health of society, the city has a duty to try to minimize the effects of smoking on its residents.

The smoking ban is a step towards showing the residents of Mobile this issue that needs to be addressed on a governmental level.

In addition to the public health aspects of smoking, many will argue that smoking is a personal choice, and for this reason, the city’s smoking ban impedes smokers’ liberty. The fault in this view lies in that smoking affects far more than smokers. Non-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke are put at risk through no fault of their own.

Smokers have the right to smoke; no one is denying that. They do not, however, have the right to endanger the lives of non-smokers who have made a better choice. By banning smoking in public spaces, the City Council has pointed the city towards a healthier populace and a cleaner atmosphere for non-smokers.

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Counterpoint: Freedom triumphs

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N O

I do not particularly enjoy cigarette smoke, but I do not think it should be banned in public.

Colin Al-Greene Vegetables are good, and cigarettes are bad. No one in their right mind would say differently. However, I do not feel that a law banning smoking in all public areas is a good idea.

I do not particularly enjoy cigarette smoke, but I do not think it should be banned in public. There are many other things, however, that are legal and that negatively affect other people. Have you ever seen anyone running by a crowded street? They are inhaling a ton of dangerous car exhaust. That jogger who jogs next to a busy intersection might as well be a smoker himself.

Then there is driving. Some people are very good drivers, and some people are very bad drivers. There is very little in the way of legal protections to save the good driver from a collision with a bad driver. And let us not forget unprotected sex.

Many people engage in unsafe practices, even though they are well aware of the possible consequences.

It is not difficult to engage in safe practices, but many people simply refuse. Unsafe sexual practices may literally kill you.

The facts are everywhere, but far too many people ignore the risks.

They do not give out tickets for being

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“socially reckless.”

Many other things besides smoking negatively affect the general population.

It is legal to eat double cheese burgers with bacon. It is legal to accompany said burger with a large side of extra salted fries. It is permissible to finish your burger and fries with an extra large chocolate milkshake.

You will not receive a ticket for bad diet choices. It is within your rights to go to the bar and drink a bottle of vodka every night. As long as you are not driving, or creating a public spectacle, you may drink all you want.

You may be asking; how does this have anything to do with smoking in public? Well, the public health costs associated with poor diets and excess drinking are astounding to say the least.

We, the tax payers, spend ungodly amounts of money on the poor decision of ourselves and others. As long as we are making it illegal to smoke in public, we should also consider banning car fumes, bad drivers, sex, fast food and alcohol.

As much as we may want to save the world, we have to look at the big picture. Bad choices are all around us.

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