Vanguard The
VOLUME 48, NUMBER 8
September 20, 2010
Jags Smash Nicholls State 39 - 21 Serving USA Since 1965
Rec Center Officially Open To read more about the Jags’ victory this past Saturday, turn to page 10.
Colin McGee / Photo Editor
CRIME
USA’S new Student Recreation Center officially opened Thursday, though students had already been using it for weeks. The University held a dedication ceremony and gave about 500 students free T-shirts commemorating the $116,000-square-foot addition to USA’s campus life.
USAPD: Campus Garbage Can Fire Could Be Arson
MONEY
Admin Anticipating Tighter Budget After Federal Stimulus Budget Money Runs Out
Dean Harrison
ASSOCIATE EDITOR millhaven1982@yahoo.com
The University of South Alabama is tightening its belt in anticipation of the hit it will take once the $10.8 million in federal stimulus expires come the 20112012 fiscal year. The stimulus money is spread throughout the budget, according to Wayne Davis, vice president for Financial Affairs. The current stimulus started during fiscal 2010 and the next one will begin this October, the beginning of fiscal 2011. “It’s an important amount of money,” Davis said, adding that they have known about the loss for some time and have been planning on how to deal with it by implementing strategic cuts. For example, USA plans to close the Brookley Center, which includes lodging services, Middle Bay Café and education programs that the University had offered. The USA Foundation is
Inside
Police Blotter p. 2
Want to know what SGA is doing with your money?
The Student Government Association has set aside $20,000 more than last fall for student organizations during the appropriations process. See more on p. 4.
buying the property for $20 million, a decision the Board of Trustees approved Friday. “It was costing [USA] $800,000 or $900,000 a year,” Davis said. And while the University hasn’t made wholesale layoffs, salaries have not increased. Davis compared the tightening of the budget to managing one’s home money. “You got a little bit less to live on right now,” he said. “Thankfully, we’re big enough that we can keep strategic positions vacant if somebody leaves or retires.” Tightening the budget, however, will not absorb all the hits that will come from losing stimulus money, according to Happy Fulford, executive director for Governmental Relations. “We’ll do what we can, but we can’t continue with these cuts,” he said, pointing to a drop in the state appropriation numbers — without the Arts & Entertainment p. 6
Cameron Adkins
federal stimulus money — since fiscal 2008. According to Fulford, in fiscal 2008, USA state appropriation was about $138.17 million. In fiscal 2009 the number was about $108.45 million, and in fiscal 2010 it was about $97.86 million. According to Keith Ayers, director of Public Relations, the federal stimulus has been very helpful during this economic recession. “We’re trying to be very conservative with our money so we’ll be able to cope with the loss in stimulus money,” he said, adding that administration is waiting and hoping for the economy to turn around. Fulford said that the University cannot count on a second stimulus to plug the holes in the budget. “It’s too risky,” he said. Davis agreed, adding that he’s not banking on a second stimulus. Sports p. 10
To see shots from Saturday’s game, visit our gallery at usavanguard.com.
ASSOCIATE EDITOR cja501@jaguar1.usouthal.edu
A garbage can in the men’s bathroom on the bottom floor of the Life Sciences Building caught on fire twice Thursday morning in what appears to be an attempted arson, according to University police. “We have several reports of fires being started in the downstairs bathroom of the Life Sciences Building,” USAPD Lt. Keith West said. “The only damage done was to the contents of the trash can.” Two suspects have been identified using video surveillance footage from the building, but West was unable to provide details on the case because it is under investigation, he said. The fire was extinguished by a Geology student, Leland House, who walked into the restroom before the fire could spread past the garbage can. “I walked down to the bottom floor to smoke a cigarette, and then I smelled something burning. They cook food in that building so much I see FIRE | 2
Opinion p. 12
Why Go Pay to See Improv Comedy? Find out inside
USA Tennis Starts Strong on Fall Schedule
See Arts & Entertainment, page 6
See Sports, page 11
Distractions p. 14
Are Plastic Bags Really that Bad? See Opinion, page 13