Sept. 26, 2016

If it matters to you, it matters to us.

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anguard V THE

MONDAY SEPT 26 2016 VOL 59 ISS 8

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Inside Online Classes

Student Spotlight:

Students give their opinions on the quality and cost of online classes. Page 4

Tyler Brandon, a music major, talks about his love of music and composition.

Page 6

USA win vs NSU Nail biting second victory by USA football. Page 7

LIFE

NEWS

Heathers: delicious, dark, fun Musical opens Theatre USA Season

Vice President nominee for the Green Party of the United States Ajamu Baraka speaks to supporters at the Toulminville Branch Library. Photo by Jaccob Hearn.

Veronica (Emily Ericson) and J.D (Jeremiah Sims) react to relentless news coverage of the “suicide” of one of the Heathers, in the Theatre USA’s production of ‘Heather’s: The Musical.’ Photo by Jaccob Hearn.

By Jaccob Hearn | Editor-in-Chief

By Jaccob Hearn | Editor-in-Chief

Were any of us truly popular in high school? What did it take to reach such heights to be admired by your peers?

Heathers takes a look at this typical high school drama and cranks it up a notch while also going to some very dark places.

The first show of the season by Theatre USA, it is a rowdy and guilty pleasure musical that opened Friday and is based on the 1988 Winona Ryder movie.

“Set in a high school in Sherwood Ohio in 1989, Heathers follows the story of Veronica Sawyer,” senior Josh Alter, supporting actor said. “She befriends the Heathers who are the most popular and influential students in the school. At the

Third Party candiate visits Mobile, talks politics, education

beginning of the show she believes the Heathers have no problems, by the end of the show she comes to understand their problems are as real as hers are.”

Also included is a budding love affair with a new bad boy, Jason “J.D.” Dean, completing the recipe for a wild, musical ride.

Heathers presents a gleeful grotesqueness when you present dark and horrifying situations with bubbly music and comedy.

According to Alter, the production spent around 120 hours preparing for the two-hour experience.

Their hard work is easily recognized

by audience laughter, and onstage performances. The actors pulled off a brilliant retelling of the movie it shares its name with.

Tatom said the show contains adult language and situations, and some violence, and is not appropriate for children under the age of 16.

The production will run Sept. 29-30 and Oct. 1 with a curtain time of 7:30 p.m.

Alter encourages students to come see the show, promising a good time and lots of laughs.

He also hopes eeing the show will interest more students in drama and musical theatre.

See page 5

The Vice President Nominee of the Green Party of America’s visited supporters from Mobile to discuss their plans for the rest of the election cycle the Toulminville Branch Library, Thursday.

Ajamu Baraka, third-party candidate and Jill Stein’s running mate, discussed the hardships of third party politics as well as issues with higher education during his visit.

“We have a two-party monopoly and have constructed processes which make it almost impossible for third parties to operate on a national level and even a local level,” Baraka said. “The choice of democracy in this country is just the

See page 3

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Veronica (Emily Ericson) sneaks into J.D’s (Jeremiah Sims) room and engages in coitus, in the Theatre USA’s production of ‘Heather’s: The Musical.’ Photo

by Jaccob Hearn.

STAFF Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Copy Editor Opinion Editor Life Editor Sports Editor

Jaccob Hearn Alanna Whitaker Megan McDowell Joel Goode Jason Ruffin Shawna Mason

Reporters Albert Terry Casie Carr

Upcoming Sept. & Oct. Events

Advertising

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Management

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Advising J. Sellers J. Aucoin Accounting Kathy Brannan

Distribution

Presidential Debate Watch Monday 8:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Location: Student Center Room 203

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Pizza with the President Wednesday 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Location: Student Center Ballroom

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Heathers: The Musical Thursday 7:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Location: Laidlaw Performing Arts Center

Distribution Cory Judkins Cameron Hall

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

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Movie Showing Selma: The Bridge to the Ballot Tuesday 4:45 p.m. - 8:15 p.m.

Location: Marx Library

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Bro Code Tuesday 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Location: Student Center Ballroom

Glow-in-the-Dark Dodgeball Wednesday 4 p.m. - 11 p.m.

Location: Student Receration Soccer Center

Girl’s Night Out Wednesday 5 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Location: Student Center Ballroom

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Ten Sixty Five Music Festival Thursday, Sept. 30 Sunday, Oct. 1 Downtown Mobile

USA Football vs San Diego State Saturday 7 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Location: Ladd-Peebles Stadium

Find out what you missed www.thevanguardusa.com The Vanguard USA’s Student Newspaper

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NEWS

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Managing Editor | Alanna Whitaker acw905@jagmail.southalabama.edu Monday, Sept. 26, 2016

Green Party Cont. pg. 1

choice between two parties.”

Baraka argued that this often leads people to think they are just voting for the lesser of two evils and do not have a choice at all.

“The American people should be exposed to alternative ideas, analysis and proposals,” Baraka said. “We want people to understand that if you want to have a viable democracy that you have to have a real choice.”

Baraka claims third-party politicians are beginning to make a bigger impact in the country and said that the Green Party will be on the ballads in 46 states.

He still believes that harsh regulation from Republicans and Democrats who control the national debates and media will continue to make it difficult for thirdparty candidates.

“A poll came out recently saying that 70 percent of Americans think the debates should be opened to third parties,” Baraka said. “If a party is able to be competitive in the majority of the ballads in this country then the American people deserve to hear what they have to say.”

Baraka saidthat young people are are making the change in the counties politics

Vice President nominee for the Green Party of the United States Ajamu Baraka speaks to supporters at the Toulminville Branch Library. Photo by Jaccob Hearn.

and that many young college aged people are turning to third parties.

Baraka also discussed the Green Party’s objectives for the election, and said their main goal is social change.

“We’re geared toward restoring democracy in this country and creating economic policies, social policies and political approaches that will re-empower the people,” Baraka said.

He also talked about rising tuition rates

USA Crime Report

If you SEE something

251-460-6312

SAY something!

09-19-2016

Lost Items Intramural Field Reportee’s wallet fell out of his pocket and was not found 09-20-2016

Theft The Grove One student’s bicycle was stolen from the Grive overnight. Valued at $50.

09-21-2016

Unoccupied Vehicle Hit Biomedical Library Unknown subject(s) struck a vehicle in the parking lot of the Biomedical library and failed to leave information.

09-21-2016

Outstanding Warrant & Drug Paraphernalia One non student was arrested outside of Allied Helath for an outstanding warrant and possession of drug paraphernalia 09-22-2016

Theft Dining Facility Student’s bicycle was stolen from the bike rack outside the dining hall. It was a Diamond Back Axis XE and valued at $600.

and college debts around the county.

“Tuition for college should be free in the wealthiest nation on the planet, Baraka said. “We believe that we should eliminate student debt. Since we can bail out big banks we can bail out young and older people who are burdened with debt they will never be able to pay back.”

Win or lose, the Green Party will continue to build, according to Baraka.

Baraka ended with this: “Students

should never allow themselves to become cynical or fall prey to the notion that we can’t make change to society. Don’t believe there will always be corruption and that individuals only look out for themselves.

Young people who make a commitment to a vision, those are the people who really make change.”

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NEWS

Monday, Sept. 26, 2016

USA students question online fees

By Megan McDowell | Copy Editor

The University of South Alabama has a variety of subjects available for students to take online. USA even offers a few select degree tracks that can be completed entirely from the comfort of one’s laptop.

But in order to take a class online, both undergraduate and graduate students have to pay an average of $112 more per credit hour than they would for an on campus class.

Online classes allow students to learn and do classwork, have learned discussions with professors and students, and take exams and quizzes all from the comfort of their home. This convenience allows students who may not have otherwise had the time to attend college on a campus to still pursue a college degree.

But a more convenient education does not mean a quality education. Elizabeth Baker, a third year mechanical engineering and math double major, explained why she found her online class experience to be less than satisfactory.

“I do not learn as much or in as much detail as if I did in class,” Baker said.

“There is no real individuality brought in by the professors. No random topics

that help with the understanding of the lecture. No one is really there to explain things properly. Online is no different than reading a textbook and teaching yourself.”

“I feel like you actually cover more in online classes, which isn’t necessarily a good thing,” Maegan Baldwin, a third year entrepreneurship and accounting double major, said. “But even though I feel like more information is covered, I believe that on campus class sessions are more in depth and focused on the information.”

According to USA’s website, the higher cost of online classes is to pay for student’s “online interconnectivity,” meaning the resources used to make the classes available on the web rather than in a classroom.

USA has partnered with “some of the most widely recognized providers of online educational courses” in order to make online classes possible. Career Step, World Education.Net, and JER Online are a few examples. However, Baldwin said she doesn’t believe that this is worth charging the extra dollars.

“Most of the time it is run on Sakai, which we get for normal and blended

classes anyway, and if it is run on another platform we already have to spend extra for an online code,” Baldwin said.

When asked if they thought the convenience of an online class justified the lower education quality and higher price, USA students across the board said that they didn’t.

“Most of the time, I don’t think the convenience outweighs the downsides of online classes,” Marie Mcelyea, a third year biology major, said. “The only time I think it outweighs the cons is when there is a time constraint in the student’s schedule so that they cannot make it to the in class sessions, or if the location of the class is just too out of the way.”

“The convenience did not outweigh the cons,” Baker said. “If anything, I actually think the class was less convenient. It made things harder to schedule because there wasn’t any set time, or in my case, I got sick and could not meet the time requirement for one lesson. My professor understood but I could not go back and help me learn the material.”

For many students however, online classes are the only option they have. Full-

time employed students, students with children, students who are physically or mentally disabled in a way that prevents them from being able to function in a traditional college campus setting, and other “non-traditional” students have to take online courses in order to fit school into their lives at all.

Because these online classes are their only option, these students may be getting a less than quality education because of the problems discussed above.

Students agree that if online classes are going to remain an option at USA, some changes should be made to improve the quality of education online college students are receiving.

“One big thing I would change is to have the teachers be more interactive with their online classes,” Baldwin said. “Have them check up on them and send out reminders about due dates.”

“I think there should be offered video sessions as an option for pre test studying,” said Mcelyea. “There should also be a first meeting so that the student can meet the professor in person to help not feel quite as isolated from the class.”

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LIFE

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Life Editor | Jason Ruffin jwr1321@jagmail.southalabama.edu Monday, Sept. 26, 2016

Student Spotlight: Tyler Brandon

Tyler Brandon, a junior in USA’s music education program, plays music on his trumbone in the Laidlaw Perorming Arts Center. Brandon has been playing the trumbone more than nine years. Photo by Jaccob Hearn.

By Megan McDowell | Copy Editor

The music department at the University of South Alabama is among the most rigorous degrees offered at the university.

Tyler Brandon, a junior in the music education program, has experience performing, conducting and composing music. Brandon is a prime example of how hard work and dedication pays off.

Originally from Long Beach, Miss.,

Brandon said he chose to attend USA because he liked the community.

“When I first toured here, I noticed that the music department was a really close-knit group, and they treated each other like a family,” Brandon said. “I really admired that and wanted to be a part of it.”

Now in his third year as a prominent member of the music department, he

Heathers musical

has two years of experience with the Jaguar Marching band under his belt, and performs with other USA instrumental ensembles.

Brandon said that music has always been his passion and pursuing a different degree never crossed his mind.

Brandon explained how composing impacted his life, his view on music and his performances.

“Composing has been one of the greatest experiences of my life,” he said. “I can still remember standing on the podium at that first concert and hearing my piece played live. I was able to hear something of my own creation being realized by perhaps 30 musicians, and it blew me away.”

Brandon said that after that experience, his family was eager to support his composition and music pursuits.

“I became addicted to composing. My grandfather saw this and invested in very expensive music notation software for me to use. Since that time, I have been fortunate enough to hear seven of my pieces played in concert, and I was invited to conduct six of those.”

Though Brandon enjoys performing and exploring works by other composers, he explained how his first experience

conducting as a senior in high school furthered his passion for conducting.

“My experiences conducting my own pieces led me to be invited to conduct a piece with the middle school band my senior year of high school that I did not compose,” he said. “That was one of my first experiences teaching something I did not write, and I loved it.”

Brandon continues to work with younger school bands today at Chickasaw High School.

“It’s given me a great deal of hands-on time teaching, and I learned so much about teaching and running a band program,” Brandon said of the experience.

Of course, Brandon is doing just as much learning about music, if not more, as he does teaching it. Brandon said his undergraduate research work within the music department is especially rewarding.

After graduation, Brandon intends to earn his master’s degree and potentially his doctorate in music.

“This college has provided me with opportunities and experiences that I never thought I would have. I consider it quite a blessing to be able to attend a university that does so much for me.”

USA Foundation and USA Department of History present the

Cont. pg. 1

2016 N. JACK STALLWORTH LECTURE “If you’re interested, you don’t have to be a drama major to come and audition for these shows,” Alter said. “Please come and audition, we love having diversity on this stage” All performances will be on the main stage of the Laidlaw Performing Arts Center on the University’s main campus.

Communications major Emily Ericson plays Veronica, criminal justice major Jeremiah Sims portrays J.D. and theatre and dance major Cassidy Dangler will be Heather Chandler.

Additional cast members include Josh Alter, Will Ballard, Desmond Bozeman, John-David Burkart, Tiffany Byrd, Aryn Carr, Pierce Cleveland, Trenton Davis, Payton-Brooke Fulford, Shanna Hornsby, Samantha Jefferies, Brady King, Jessica Moore, Abigail St. John, Blake Waters and Lily Webb.

Dr. Lars Tatom, chair and associate professor of theatre, directs with musical direction by Dr. Thomas Rowell, professor of music; and choreography directed by Katie Felis, adjunct instructor, theatre and dance.

For more information on the production, or for ticket sales, contact the Theatre and Dance Box Office at (251) 460-6305, or visit the Box Office, located in the lobby of the Laidlaw Performing Arts Center.

John Boles of Rice University

“Thomas Jefferson and the Dilemma of Slavery” September 29 7:00 P.M. Laidlaw Performing Arts Auditorium Veronica (Emily Ericson) and J.D (Jeremiah Sims) embrace after dealing with their most recent victim, in the Theatre USA’s production of ‘Heather’s: The Musical.’ Photo by Jaccob Hearn.

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Sports Editor | Shawna Mason smmtheii@gmail.com Monday, Sept. 26, 2016

SPORTS

Gut-wrenching victory vs. Nicholls State University

USA saftey Kalen Jackson and USA quarterback Quinton Dent make contact with NSU wide reciver C.J. Bates.

Photo by Briana Cunningham.

By Casie Carr | Reporter

The University of South Alabama Jaguars Football team beat Nicholls State University in overtime 41-40 this past Saturday.

After many turnovers throughout the game, and an evenly matched possession

time, NSU risked it all for an unsuccessful first overtime drive with an attempted two-point conversion.

“In overtime, when they decided to go for two and we knew it was risky, we talked about it and decided that if

everyone did their job and no one tried to be a hero that we could stop them,” defensive end Randy Allen said. “This was a big win, because it got us off of the losing streak, and gave us a little more confidence going into conference teams and up against San Diego next week.”

USA did a better job of running the ball, with 208 net rushing yards compared to NSU’s 161. USA completed 24 first downs, 8 third down conversions, and 2 fourth down conversions. NSU completed only 12 first downs, and 2 third down conversions. They had no successful fourth down conversions in this game.

“At half-time, we felt pretty good, but we just needed to fix our mistakes,” head coach Joey Jones said. It’s sickening to watch only 97 yards of offense and you’re down, but it’s never over till it’s over, and that’s transferred into a couple of wins for us. Our kickoff coverage was horrible and we still need to work on running the ball, but offensively our guys really stepped up second half. Real proud of the offensive line tonight.”

Although USA received more penalties, and threw more interceptions, NSU fumbled the ball more and got sacked more. “I was fortunate that coach called my number, the only thing that surprised us was that first 2-point conversion,” Allen

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said. “Everybody makes mistakes, but at the end of the day we fought back and won,” “One of the things we’ve emphasized this year is character,” Jones said. “The chips were down towards the end but our guys kept fighting and believing. You see what happens when all the players and coaches believe. It was ugly, we made enough mistakes to get us beat, because NSU has a good football team, real scrappy.”

In the last 16 seconds of the fourth quarter, Davis threw a nine-yard pass to Williams for a touchdown, tying up the scoreboard at 34-34. In overtime, NSU won the coin toss and deferred to receive second. On USA’s drive, they managed to score and get the extra point, making the score 41-34.

NSU had to score and either successfully complete a two-point conversion to win, or kick the extra point good to continue overtime. NSU decided to risk it all and could not make a two-point conversion with our defensive coverage.

“I knew I had to make a big play, we needed it,” senior wide receiver Tyrone Williams said. “This win showed our character, and that we’re not going to quit.”

OPINION

Opinion Editor | Joel Goode jdg908@jagmail.southalabama.edu Monday, Sept. 26, 2016

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Between the Humanities and Sciences: Perspectives on General Education Requirements from the Student Community

By Joel Goode | Opinion Editor

The question of whether general education requirements are necessary stems from disagreements over the purpose of college. The debate separates into two sides: those who believe core requirements are necessary to fulfill students as well-rounded intellectuals, and those who believe general education is the function of high school, not college. Per this mindset, a university setting should be a space for students to focus solely on areas that interest them.

This latter idea is reflected by Michelle Rodgers, a USA graduate who majored in anthropology.

“If you want to become a science fiction writer and your major is English, then you may want to concentrate in biology and chemistry unlike many of your peers,” Rodgers said. “You should have the freedom to do that.”

When discussing the usefulness of general education requirements, a common view among both sides is that in a well-functioning campus environment there will be no throw-away courses. Easy A’s are department boosters and seat fillers, but not much else. Every course should be challenging and engaging, with a lecturer who not only has the confidence earned by years of research and practice, but the curiosity and humility to know they are on a journey of exploration alongside their students.

In the popular mindset, coursework has been divided into two categories: technical work and abstract work.

Technical work requires memorization

“I believe core requirements are necessary in our current educational model, but at the same time they remain a barrier for students who want a better chance to mold themselves as individuals.”

“To keep our minds open to exploration, we should be engaged with material that fulfills us, not work that is forced upon us.” and practice of rule-based systems like math and chemistry, whereas abstract work focuses on interpretive systems like communication and art.

The problem with this distinction is that math and art both rely on the same thing, which is critical thinking.

Students believe that technical work is more challenging than non-technical work. In reality, all coursework should be an integration of technical rule-based and non-technical interpretive systems. When we make a discovery, first we create rules to capture that new-found knowledge, and then we spread those rules through education. The caveat is that rules alone can only tell us what we have already discovered. The goal of college should not be to teach us rules, but to show us how to make new discoveries.

To keep our minds open to exploration, we should be engaged with material that fulfills us, not work that is forced upon us.

Rodgers believes such guidance is the key to a personalized education.

“For example, if you want to be a sociologist, then I think you’d do well to take American Civilization, because sociology in America focuses largely on where our social systems came from,” Rodgers said. “On the other hand, if you want to be an anthropologist and archaeologist, then I think you should take World Civilization, because that has a more global focus. “ Third-year USA student Meg McDowell, an English creative writing major, believes general education requirements can work

sometimes, but not always.

“I found my social sciences, fine arts, and literature requirements helpful,” McDowell said. “They all kind of intertwined with each other since fine arts and social sciences are often used to contextualize or analyze literature and writing.”

“My sciences and math classes, not as much,” McDowell continued . “I don’t necessarily think I shouldn’t have been required to take some science and math, but definitely not as much as I am required to take. The only science I feel I’ve really benefited from was my biological anthropology class.”

Arguments for core requirements still have merit, however. Math professor and USA graduate David Mullens looks back on his general education requirements as a good thing.

“I had a pretty well rounded education, honestly,” Mullens said. “I remember being required to take Chemistry. I [now find] most of my general education requirements beneficial, but at the time chemistry seemed like a waste. But now I suppose I do have a basic knowledge of chemistry, so it wasn’t that bad.”

Joshua Plummer, a USA graduate with a Physics degree, had a similar experience.

“I was often times annoyed with [core requirements], because I believed they were just something extra I had to do when I wanted to focus on something else: my major classes, or even my social life,” Plummer recalled . “But I certainly understand the importance of them now.

“I remember being required to take Chemistry. I [now find] most of my general education requirements beneficial, but at the time chemistry seemed like a waste. But now I suppose I do have a basic knowledge of chemistry, so it wasn’t that bad.”

“I don’t necessarily think I shouldn’t have been required to take some science and math, but definitely not as much as I am required to take.

The only science I feel I’ve really benefited from was my biological anthropology class.”

Without going too much into it at this moment, it’s far better to be well rounded than have an immense knowledge in just one topic.”

This view accommodates the reality that many current high-school curriculums are flawed and ill-equipped to prepare students for college. For example, my own chemistry courses taught me formulas, but not application, and my math education was poor. Students who already have that foundation can test out of core coursework.

Colin al-Green, a USA graduate with a Political Science degree, also advocates for maintaining core requirements.

“I received credit for a couple classes through the CLEP program, and I tested out of one or two,” said Colin. “The ones I took were very interesting, and gave me a broader perspective than I would have had. I particularly enjoyed the psychology and geography classes I took.”

With these views from the student community in mind, I believe core requirements are necessary in our current educational model, but at the same time they remain a barrier for students who want a better chance to mold themselves as individuals. A greater focus on the role advisors play in our college careers could offset the need for core requirements, because advisors have the ability to see what students need on an individual level and tailor their curriculum accordingly. Of course, good advising comes as a mutual relation, and the onus would be placed on students to communicate with their advisors regularly.

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