April 28, 2014 Vanguard

VANGUARD THE

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

APRIL 28, 2014

VOL. 54, NO. 15

INSIDE

ARREST MADE IN SEXUAL ASSAULT CASE

► JagLife: Four must-see plays in Mobile.

See JagLife, page 6

(Left) Police Chief Zeke Aull provides details at a news conference Friday afternoon, April 25, of the arrest of JaWaun Dawson (right).

By MATTHEW STRICKLAND JagLife Editor

► JagLife: Game of Porcelain Thrones: Find a bathroom that won’t betray you.

See JagLife, page 8

U

niversity of South Alabama police arrested a man early Friday morning in connection with an on-campus theft and sexual assault that occurred at gunpoint earlier in the week.

JaWaun Maurice Dawson, 24, was taken into police custody and charged with sodomy, fraudulent use of a credit card, sexual abuse, robbery and kidnapping.

The arrest took place at 12:45 a.m. April 25 outside of Fam-

ily Place Apartments on Michael Boulevard. After failing to find Dawson at his listed place of residence, the USA police department received some information that led them to this location. Police Chief Zeke Aull described Dawson as “very, very surprised” when officers found him beside his vehicle Friday morning.

USAPD received surveillance footage from an off-campus convenience store Thursday afternoon displaying Dawson’s fraudulent use of the victim’s credit card. Police were able to recognize Dawson

from the footage due to a previous arrest for theft that occurred during Dawson’s time as a student in 2011.

Dawson was also arrested in 2012 for stealing a purse from the Marx Library, a charge for which he was still on probation during his arrest Friday morning.

The police began this investigation after receiving a report Wednesday, April 23, that a woman had been forced into her car at gunpoint, driven to several locations, robbed and sexually assaulted.

“I’ve never seen anything like

it,” Aull said when asked about the abnormal events of the case.

Not only did the assault take place in broad daylight, but also in three different locations, all of which Aull said are typically very busy during the time the assault took place.

The victim was also able to describe the suspect with great detail.

“It’s odd to get that much detail,” Aull said, “but I’ll take it where I can get it.”

After leaving the victim in the See Assault Page 4

Waldrop on the record

► Sports: Top sports moments of the 2013-2014 school

By MARY BETH LURSEN year.

Contributing Writer See Sports, page 10

► Sports: Baseball takes two of three from WKU. See Sports, page 14

Y

ou may have seen a man with gray hair walking around campus. He dons a suit, even though the heat and humidity are pushing students to shorts.

This is Dr. Tony Waldrop, the new president of the University. Tuesday, April 29, marks the fourth week of his presidency, and he’s getting to know all the nooks and crannies of the campus.

“I’ve just enjoyed walking around campus and seeing the different aspects,” Waldrop said. “The bell tower so sets the tone for the whole campus that, in some ways, you always lead back to the bell tower. It directs you if you’re not quite sure where you are on campus.”

Members of The Vanguard staff sat down with

find us on Facebook search “The Vanguard USA”

Waldrop this past week to talk about how he’s getting used to the campus and changes he’s interested in making during his time.

“My pleasant surprise is that people are as friendly as they always are,” Waldrop said, referring to the people of South.

Waldrop is certainly thinking ahead on many subjects including, but not limited to, safety on campus, sustainability, designated free speech zones and many more topics. First, he’s embraced what he believes USA is known for – being welcoming.

“I want us to compete for the best students of Auburn and Alabama,” Waldrop said. “I want a welcoming campus, where people feel like when they come here to interview, that this university wants you.”

He went on to tell a story of him helping some

Check out our digital edition thevanguardonline.com

See Waldrop Page 3

THE VANGUARD ARCHIVES

University President Tony Waldrop answers questions during a media tour April 2.

In this Issue:

JagLife, Page 5 Sports, Page 10 Opinion, Page 17

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VOL. 54, NO. 15/ APR. 28, 2014

Alumni across the nation unite in a day of service

COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA NATIONAL ALUMNI FACEBOOK PAGE

(Left) University President Tony Waldrop helps volunteers at the Mobile Area March for Babies Walk at Geri Moulton Children’s Park. (Right) Volunteers help pick up garbage along Old Shell Road.

By JORDAN KNOX Opinion Editor

T

he JaguarsCare National Day of Service movement brings together the alumni of the University of South Alabama and those recruited by the organization. JaguarsCare is sponsored by the USA National Alumni Association and consists of alumni, students, faculty and staff as well as friends of the University of South Alabama.

On April 26, more than 100 people nationwide and internationally came together to provide hands-on service to their communities.

Projects were led by alumni and were meant to reflect the individual passions of each person involved.

South Alabama alumni from all over the nation assembled together to help their own communities and to also demonstrate that the University of South Alabama commits to serve. Multiple locations in Mobile and Baldwin counties participated as well as communities all across the country and the world.

Assistant Director of Alumni Relations Jessica Callahan said, “JaguarsCare demonstrates that the University of South Alabama is committed to service and to critical community or-

ganizations locally and across the globe.”

More than 22 projects were hosted including several food banks, a walking tour of Mobile and USA campus clean-up. Several alumni participated in the March of Dimes March for Babies in Pensacola, Fla. Some helped with the Cub Scouts at the Cubs Pinewood Derby & Campout. A group went to the Mobile Zoo to paint, clean and help maintain the building, and alumni in the District of Columbia participated in a Christmas in April event.

Groups from all over the state as well as those in Texas, Tennessee and Georgia were among some of the alumni that participated.

This event is a great way for the alumni and other members of the South Alabama community to stay involved in their school as well as their city.

In the past, JaguarsCare has been able to help hundreds of people through community clean ups, building projects, helping other organizations and so much more. The organization’s mission statement says, “While one day of service cannot meet every need in every community, bringing all South alumni together to make a difference at one time can have a substantial impact on both the individuals involved in this shared experience and the greater community.”

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VOL. 54, NO. 15/ APR. 28, 2014

Weather for April 28 - May 4

“University of South Alabama’s Student Voice”

Editorial Editor in Chief Managing Editor Copy Editor Opinion Editor Sports Editor JagLife Editor Web Editor Staff Reporters

Samantha Andrews

Stephanie Feather Meg Lundberg Jordan Knox Alyssa Newton Matthew Strickland Matthew Strickland

Samuel Brown Jenna Munday

Distribution

Distribution Bobby Faulk Alan Smith

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Management Advising J. Sellers J. 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 surrounding 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 thevanguardeditor@gmail.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 the consensus opinion of the Editorial Board All members of the Editorial Board have the same weight. The Vanguard has a commitment to accuracy and clarity and will print any corrections or clarifications. To report a mistake, e-mail thevanguardeditor@gmail.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 off-campus locations. The first copy is free. Additional copies are $1 each. Freelance writers will receive payment at the discretion of the section editor and will be notified.

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Twitter: StormTeam4g9wx Facebook: Facebook.com/StormTeam4Gamma9Wx

Meet your SGA

By NIGEL ASHFORD Contributing Writer

J

acob A. Taylor is a name you may recognize as an SGA senator for the School of Computing.

Taylor has been a senator for the college for the past two years and was just recently re-elected for another term.

Taylor said he joined SGA not to help out his resume, but to be able to help out every one of those 15,000 students – because that's his passion.

He said if you have an issue or a problem, SGA wants to try to help address it and find a solution. “I think most students don’t know how to reach out to us,” Taylor said.

In the past, according to Taylor, SGA has completed a number of projects that have made a difference, not only on campus, but also in the community at large. Some of those projects included the sidewalk expansion by Meisler Hall and a project to send care packages to soldiers.

Another way SGA likes to let students know what it is up to is through SGA week. “I would like to have SGA week every semester,” Taylor said. “It will be a learning curve at first. At least it will get the ball rolling, and students will find out what we have planned for the rest of the semester,” he said.

“In the future, I want to continue doing senate projects, and next year I want more student representation as well as other senators who show as much passion and charisma as I do,” Taylor said.

“SGA also has a Facebook page and Twitter page, and are (sic) continuing to keep it updated, and we need to attract more web traffic through our pages,” Taylor said. “If we can do this, it will also help us spread the word about what is going on to get more involved.”

Taylor concluded that he could see himself working in a political position later down the road, maybe as a state senator, or something local, such as a member of a chamber of commerce.

PATRICK BIGBIE | STAFF METEOROLOGIST

Waldrop Continued from Page One.

visiting potential students find their way around on campus.

When asked about the parking issues, Waldrop offered an idea that is something many students may not consider.

“I don’t favor more parking,” Waldrop said. “I favor looking at sustainability issues and looking at ways where we can do shared driving or have maybe buses to remote lots. That sort of thing, rather than bringing more cars on campus.”

The dry campus topic was also approached, and Waldrop had some ideas for if USA does become a campus with alcohol.

“Education is so important,” Waldrop said.

“Even if you don’t have alcohol on campus.”

Waldrop is also working toward a safer campus while working with what will be convenient for students.

“You absolutely have to be dedicated to security on campus,” Waldrop said.

In addition, Waldrop has ideas about free speech and designated areas for free speech.

“What I will say is that I and everyone in administration believe strongly in free speech,” Waldrop said.

“I would be the first one protesting.”

He continued, “I will say that we are absolutely committed. … Anyone wanting to speak within the designated area now – and we’re looking at whether that is the right place now or not – does not have to ask permission to be there and speak. That’s simply not true.”

In short, Waldrop is hoping to make changes on the campus, and it shows that he is making a push for being a president who acts as the students’ ally.

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VOL. 54, NO. 15/ APR. 28, 2014

Assault Continued from Page One.

Student Health parking lot and before leaving campus, Dawson reportedly returned the victim’s vehicle to the north chemistry parking lot, where the initial abduction occurred. “The car was there, and that’s where we found it, right where he told her it was going to be,” Aull said, although it has not been confirmed if the victim was told where her vehicle would be left.

Aull believes that Dawson, familiar with the campus from his

time as a student, had no reason to be on campus other than to find a victim. “He’s a predator, I guess, so he was preying upon our students,” Aull said at a news conference Friday afternoon.

Many students at South expressed fear of being on campus, calling for more security or a means to protect themselves.

However, Aull thinks the campus is perfectly safe, highlighting this point by expressing hopes that his own children will attend USA. Dawson is being held on a $193,000 bond, the majority of which is due in cash. He will be held until his May 1 arraignment hearing.

School

2008-11 reported number of assaults

2013 Enrollment

City Population

Alabama A&M University

16

5,020

183,691

University of Alabama

13

34,852

91,973

University of South Alabama*

12

15,065

194,914

University of Alabama in Huntsville

7

7,376

183,691

Troy University (similar to USA in enrollment)

1

14,146

18,097

*All accounts reported directly to the police department occurred within the four walls of a residence hall.

STEDMAN BASS

Is the campus a safe place?

School officials react to concerns Should students be allowed to carry guns?

President Tony Waldrop says no

What's been really going on at USA this semester lately?! From students dying on campus to innocent people getting mugged, somebody gotta do something to stop this madness.

DOUG ROBERTS

If you see something, say something... Because campus police won’t be around.

ARIEL O’HERN

We shouldn’t have to say something. It should already be taken care of by campus police. Maybe the thousands of dollars I’m paying just isn’t enough to fund a proper security force. First they shoot one of our own students then they manage to let a student get abducted in broad daylight.

This is ridiculous.

POLICE CHIEF ZEKE AULL

PRESIDENT TONY WALDROP

We want to do everything we can to make this a safe environment, but no matter what we do things can happen.

TAYLOR BROWN

Can we get a petition started to allow us to have a means to protect ourselves? I know many people who would sign it. Just don’t know if USA would pay any attention to it.

Students should absolutely feel safe on our campus, and I think the majority of our students do feel safe. Unfortunately you do have crimes like this, from time to time, that occur… Unfortunately we are not a safe haven.

PHTEVEN PURNELL

And it is for that reason that students need to be able to protect themselves.

ELIZABETH DAY

At this point I do not feel safe AT ALL on this campus. I need to be able to protect myself

PRESIDENT TONY WALDROP

I am very much opposed to that (having guns on campus). ... Can you always be sure you’re defending yourself? Are you always going to recognize it? I would also say, do we really want guns in the classroom?

All quotes, excluding those from Waldrop and Aull, were taken from comments on The Vanguard Facebook page.

jagLIFE

LEAVE COMMENTS FOR JAGLIFE AT thevanguardonline.com/lifefeedback VOL. 54, NO. 15/ APR. 28, 2014

MATTHEW STRICKLAND JAGLIFE EDITOR mattstrickland93@gmail.com

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Adventure is out there!

On Campus

Outdoor Adventures

Glenn Sebastian Nature Trail

Price: Kayaks and canoes start at $20 for one to two days. Tents are $5 for one to two days. See website for more equipment and prices. Prices for trips vary.

Web: southalabama.edu/outdoor

Located off Aubrey Glenn Drive on USA’s property Price: Free Web: naturetrail.southalabama.edu “Over three miles of trails wind through 95 acres of native pine/oak woodlands,” according to their website.

Named after geographer Dr. Glenn Sebastian, a University Professor Emeritus who retired from the University of South Alabama in 2006, this trail is conveniently located on campus. They are also always looking for volunteers to help maintain and improve the trail. Visit their website for more details on how to become a “friend of the trail” and for more detailed directions.

By Karie Fugett

Everything from camping and hiking to hang gliding. Students can attend trips that have already been planned, or they can plan a custom trip with a group of friends. Outdoor Adventures also offers rentals: camping and hiking equipment as well as canoes and trailers to haul them.

“We have some great trips lined up for the summer!”

- Randy Hunter, Outdoor Adventures Coordinator

COURTESY OF RANDY HUNTER

Mobile & Surrounding Area Chickasabogue Park

Downtown Mobile Bike Rentals

Price: Park admission is $1, camping starts at $5, Call for canoe and kayak rental prices. Address: 60 Aldock Road, Eight Mile, Ala., 36613 Hours: 7 a.m. for day use and 24 hours for campers Phone: 251-574-2267 Web: mobilecountyal.gov/living/parks

Price: $20 for half a day Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Address: 260 Dauphin St., Mobile, Ala., 36602 As of March 18, Urban Emporium on Dauphin Street is renting out beach cruisers so that visitors can experience Mobile in a new and exciting way.

Chickasabogue offers a variety of outdoor activities including camping, canoeing, hiking, biking, fishing and disc golf. The park also has a museum “with exhibits and artifacts from various periods of foreign, Indian and local occupation.”

Oak Hollow Farm

Price: Horseback riding is $30.

Skeet shooting is $30 for a round of 25.

Address: 14210 Greeno Road, Fairhope, Ala., 36532 Hours: Horseback riding is available Monday through Saturday at 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Must call four hours ahead for reservations. Skeet shooting is available Monday through Saturday by appointment only.

Phone: 251-928-4840. Web: oakhollowfarm.net Located on 300 acres of beautiful Fairhope farmland, Oak Hollow Farms offers horseback riding, skeet shooting, archery, fishing and pheasant hunting. The farm also caters to parties of any occasion, from business parties to weddings.

Blakeley State Park

5 Rivers Bartram Kayak and Canoe Landing Price: Free to launch. Call for rental and guided tour prices.

Phone: 251-259-8531 Address: 30945 Five Rivers Blvd., Spanish Fort, Ala., 36527 Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Canoe and kayak launch that gives access to the beautiful Mobile-Tensaw Delta. Rentals are available through 5 Rivers Outfitters Rentals. Guided tours are also available upon request. Call ahead for prices and reservations.

Price: $3 for park access, $6 per adult with a minimum of $15 for a campsite, $25 boat tours.

Address: 34745 State Hwy 225, Spanish Fort, Ala., 36577 Hours: 9 a.m. to dusk every day.

Web: blakeleypark.com Phone: 251-981-1063 Trails run throughout the grounds that are great for both light hiking and biking. The park features campsites and access to Fort Blakeley where the last battle of the civil war was fought. Boat tours are also available, but you must make reservations ahead of time.

Beaches Hugh S. Banyon Backcountry Trail Price: Free trail access. Tours are $15.

Hours: Daylight hours only.

Location: Trail access points are located in various places around Orange Beach and Gulf Shores. See their website for a printable map.

Web: obparksandrec.com Phone: 251-981-1063

Perfect for biking, running and light hiking, these trails are beautifully kept, lined in mossy oaks and towering pines, and are all only minutes away from the beach. Nearby you will find places for camping, golfing and tennis, all of which you can get more information about on their website.

Eco tours are also available by reservation only.

Reservations can be made by email or by phone.

Gulf Adventure Center

Orange Beach Flyboard

at Gulf State Park

Price: Starts at $79 per person Address: 5749 Bay La Launch Ave., Orange Beach, Ala., 36561 Hours: Everyday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Web: orangebeachflyboarding.com

Price: $79 to zipline, paddleboard rentals start at $21, and kayak rentals start at $10.

Address: 21101 State Highway 135, Gulf Shores, Ala., 36542 Web: gulfadventurecenter.com Hours: Open seven days a week

The only place to zipline on the beach. Located across the street from the beach and just next to Gulf State Park, they also offer kayak and paddleboard rentals.

COURTESY OF DANIEL BUI

One of Orange Beach’s newest attractions, flyboarding allows the rider to soar above the water by boots with water jets that are mounted to their feet. Owned by USA alumni, Orange Beach Flyboard is the first to bring this extreme sport to the state of Alabama. Though it may seem intimidating, no experience is required. Orange Beach Flyboard’s experienced staff will teach anyone how to fly.

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VOL. 54, NO. 15/ APR. 28, 2014

MITCHELL KAHALLEY

Monty Python’s Pump Boys and Spamalot Joe Jefferson Players, Dinettes 11 South Carlen St.

Little Mermaid Jr. St. Luke’s Episcopal School 3975 Japonica Lane May 1-4 Nightly Performances 6:30 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday Matinees 2 p.m.

T

his summer, Sunny Side Drama Camp Productions will bring the Walt Disney classic “The Little Mermaid” to life with their production of “The Little Mermaid Jr.” This is the junior version of the Disney-produced Broadway adaptation of the 1989 animated feature. Sunny Side is a youth theater group that is a branch of the Azalea City Center For the Arts.

Kate Nichols, one of three actresses playing the role of Ariel, said that the family atmosphere is what makes the theater special: “All the kids and Mr. Paragone and Mr. Brandon are like my family. I would do anything for them, and I’m sure they would all do the same for me. It seems chaotic, but it all comes together at the end.”

Director Chris Paragone said that the show has something to offer everyone, not just parents, grandparents and relatives of the cast: “The best thing about this show is that we have over 100 kids of all ages performing. It’s just a fun experience. When you come see a Sunny Side show, you’re guaranteed to leave with a smile on your face. We don’t keep kids backstage. It’s not a twosecond cameo, they’re always on stage singing and dancing. My reason for coming to our shows is that they’re a lot of fun.”

Tickets to “The Little Mermaid Jr.” can be reserved through email at dramacamp@mindspring.com, or by calling 251-510-1808.

T

THEATERADVISORBLOG

Mobile Theatre Guild 14 N. Lafayette St. May 9-11, 16-18 Friday and Saturday 8 p.m.

Sunday Matinees 2 p.m.

T

he Mobile Theatre Guild will be performing the country western and rockabilly musical “Pump Boys and Dinettes.” The show opened off-Broadway in 1981 and moved to the Princess Theater on Broadway in 1982, where it earned a Tony nomination for Best Musical.

Tickets can be purchased online at mobiletheatreguild.com, or be reserved by calling the box office at 251-433-7513.

May 30 - June 15 Fridays and Saturdays 8 p.m.

Sunday Matinees 2 p.m.

he Joe Jefferson Players will be bringing the absurdist humor of British comedy troupe Monty Python to Mobile this summer with their production of “Monty Python’s Spamalot.” The show is based on the 1975 film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” Ryan Northrup, the president of the Joe Jefferson Players says that while the theater is excited to be the first community theater in Mobile to produce “Spamalot,” the show brought along a fair share of challenges.

Northrup said, “‘Spamalot’ is a show that we have been looking at for a few years, waiting for the right time to put it on our season. Like many modern shows, ‘Spamalot’ was originally designed for production on professional stages and that can cause some unique problems for smaller community theaters. For instance, we have had to build a giant wooden rabbit and get it on stage. When doing a well-known show, there is always an expectation level that patrons bring with them, so there is added pressure on the production crew and actors to meet that expectation.”

Tickets can be reserved at joejeffersonplayers.com, or by calling the box office at 251-471-1534.

Local Theater

By Mitchell Kahalley

This summer promises to be an eventful one on stages throughout Mobile. Here’s a preview of some of this summers can’t -miss productions from Mobile’s vibrant theater scene.

C A T S

Chickasaw Civic Theatre 801 Iroquois St. May 9-11, 16-18 and 23-25 Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m.

Sunday Matinees 2 p.m.

T

o close its 50th season, the Chickasaw Civic Theatre will be performing Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Cats.” The theatre first performed “Cats” in 2006.

Chickasaw Civic Theatre board member Steve Dawson said that the show was such a success, additional performances were added to try to meet audience demand.

The show is based on “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats” by

T.S. Elliot and ran on Broadway from 1982 to 2000, making it the second longest-running show on Broadway. “Cats” is one of the most beloved Broadway musicals, and is a unique theater-going experience.

Dawson said, “If you don’t know the show, you watch intently trying to figure out what’s going on, and if you know the show, you look for your favorite cats, songs

or dances. If you have a real cat at home, you’ll probably find some of that cat’s characteristics in one of the onstage cats. At the end of the show, audiences walk away mesmerized with the whole thing, and many want to come right back and watch the show again.”

Ticket reservations can be made online at cctshows.com, or by calling the box office at 251457-8887.

COURTESY OF CHICKASAW CIVIC THEATRE

The Chickasaw Civic Theatre first began performing “Cats” in 2006 (pictured), and a new series of shows will begin May 9.

VOL. 54, NO. 15/ APR. 28, 2014

7

What does your tattoo mean?

Q E

uestion

of the

Edrick Davis

Brian Lewis

“It’s my mom’s name. I got it on my arm for strength.”

“It was my first tattoo, and it’s pretty cool. I just wanted one as a college gift.”

dition

C.J. Conn

Sheldon Hall

Maddie Eagal

“It’s Hebrew for ‘be strong and courageous.’

I was going through a lot my junior year of high school and I was reading my Bible and this verse stuck out to me.”

“It’s the names of my dad and three brothers written in Tengwar (the Elvish language from ‘The Lord of the Rings’).”

“I got this because I’m a musician. I play clarinet and saxophone.”

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VOL. 54, NO. 15/ APR. 28, 2014

E

By Maria Harden Contributing Writer

Illustrated by Sheldon Hall

veryone remembers their first time. Mine wasn’t very comfortable. It was rushed, it was cold, and it was cramped. And there was a person in the stall next to me.

Had I been aware of the various porcelain thrones scattered throughout University grounds, my first time defecating on campus wouldn’t have been in Humanities.

I understand that when you’ve

gotta go, you’ve gotta go, and an anthill would suffice if you have no other alternative. But what about those times when it’s not knocking on your door, when you have the luxury of taking your time pinching off a loaf into the commode? Now that I’m nearing graduation, I’ve had a long career of sitting on some of the best latrines on campus, and I’d like to pass that knowledge onto you. You

#5 Fourth Floor of Marx Library While it may generate a bit of traffic occasionally (depending on the time of day and semester), this bathroom’s accessibility is a big plus. It’s easy to get to regardless of your location on the fourth floor, and its relatively small size almost guarantees isolated loaf-pinching (unfortunately, there’s a high percentage of walk-ins. A friend of mine recalled nearly having the stall door wrenched off its hinges by an overzealous pooper). Just don’t count on an empty stall during finals week! Everyone and their grandmother are in Marx Library at that time.

Cleanliness: 2 Location: 4 Isolation: 3 Modernization: 2

Verdict: 2.25 Thrones

wouldn’t want to baptize a Snickers bar in unholy water, would you?

Granted, I haven’t explored every bathroom on South’s campus - I’ll give a medal to the first person who does that. That being said, the following are, to my understanding, the top five best places to poop on campus. The bathrooms are categorically rated by cleanliness, location, isolation and modernization.

VOL. 54, NO. 15/ APR. 28, 2014

9

#4 Shelby Hall No specific floor or bathroom for this one. Considering Shelby Hall is one of the newest and most architecturally innovative buildings on campus, virtually every bathroom in the temple of computer science and engineering is a recommendable one (and if you need a little help lubing the poop chute, there’s a coffee shop on the first floor). The only downside is the amount of traffic you’ll probably receive.

Cleanliness: 4 Location: 3.5 Isolation: 0.5 Modernization: 5

Verdict: 3.25 Thrones w

#3 Basement Floor of the Administration Building Ever feel the need to shower after going number two? Then this is the bathroom for you. Fully equipped with a shower and chamber pot, you can evacuate your bowels and rinse off the grime all in the same room. Don’t worry, you won’t be walked in on; the entire room is a unisex, lockable showering/pooping wonderland. The only downside is it’s strictly BYOSAT: Bring Your Own Soap And Towel.

Cleanliness: 4 Location: 2 Isolation: 5 Modernization: 3

Verdict: 3.5 Thrones

#1 First Floor of Marx Library, across from the Old Elevators This one has everything you need. You open the door and reveal an overly large, lockable room in which rests a singular toilet, a mirror and sink, and a conveniently placed desk upon which you can place your belongings.

Whoever designed this bathroom lived by the phrase “less is more.”

Sometimes all you need is a toilet and a lot of space to think while you stink.

Cleanliness: 5 Location: 5 Isolation: 5 Modernization: 4

#2 (No pun intended) Second Floor of the Recreation Center, Next to the Indoor Track

Verdict: 4.75 Thrones

Ever get the runs during a run? That pun was intended. What’s excellent about this bathroom is, while it’s neither exceptionally clean nor modern, it’s off the beaten path. Remoteness is the selling point when it comes to releasing a horde of butt cobras.

Cleanliness: 4 Location: 4 Isolation: 4 Modernization: 4

Verdict: 4 Thrones

I’m sure many readers will have discovered campus restrooms far superior than the ones listed here. I am also deeply apologetic towards those whose cherished bathrooms wound up on this list, and I apologize for the alteration of the vacant status of said bathrooms generated by the buzz of this poop article. Happy pooping!

SPORTS

LEAVE COMMENTS FOR SPORTS AT thevanguardonline.com/sportsfeedback

ALYSSA NEWTON SPORTS EDITOR akn1104@jagail.southalabama.edu VOL. 54, NO. 15/ APR. 28, 2014

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2013 SOUTH ALABAMA FOOTBALL DEFEATS TULANE 41-39; BREAKS 7-GAME LOSING STREAK September 7, 2013

2014 SOCCER WINS SUN BELT CHAMPIONSHIP FOR FIRST TIME IN SCHOOL HISTORY November 2013

SOUTH ALABAMA FOOTBALL DEFEATS ULM WARHAWKS 31-24 September 14, 2013 COLE GLEASON DELIVERS WALK-OFF RBI DOUBLE IN 10th INNING FOR WIN OVER TROY March 15, 2014

HANNAH CAMPBELL DRAFTED 3RD OVERALL IN NPF DRAFT TO AKRON RACERS March 31, 2014

AUGUSTINE RUBIT FIRST PLAYER TO BE NAMED TO ALL-SBC TEAM ALL FOUR YEARS, BECOMES SCHOOL’S ALL-TIME REBOUND LEADER March 2014

HANNAH CAMPBELL THROWS PERFECT GAME; SECOND IN SCHOOL HISTORY March 12, 2014

USA FOOTBALL DEFEATS SUN BELT CHAMPIONS ULL 30-8; JAGS BOWL ELIGIBLE FIRST TIME IN SCHOOL HISTORY December 7, 2013

FARISH BEARD No. 1 ERA IN NATION April 2014

DANIEL LEITNER NAMED MEN’S TENNIS SUN BELT PLAYER OF THE YEAR April 2014

11

VOL. 54, NO. 15/ APR. 28, 2014

Men’s golf team second at SBC Championship

Student Health would like to welcome Candyce Morris, WHNP

South Alabama nearly rallies in championship, nearly completes eight-stroke deficit

By JENNA MUNDAY

Staff Reporter

T

he South Alabama men’s golf team traveled to the Grand Bear Golf Course in Saucier, Miss., for the threeday Sun Belt Conference Championship.

Coming off a pair of top-five finishes, this marked the beginning of postseason play for the USA Jags. “Postseason is here. This is everything you prepare for all year – an opportunity to win a championship,� USA head coach Ben Hannan said. “That’s what every team is striving for; that’s what you work for as a program.�

Day one of the championship, Tyler Klava shot a season-low 4-under-par 68 and helped the USA Jaguars secure the third place spot in the team standings.

Klava was 6-under par on the four par-five holes at the Grand Bear course and recorded birdies on Nos. 2 and 5 while eagling

the 11th and 15th.

This was Klava’s 15th score of par or better on the season, and left him tied for first place in the individual standings. “It was a good day; I was pretty solid from the start,� Klava observed. “I had a couple of bad swings that led to a few bogeys, but any day you can have two eagles and play the par fives 6 under is probably going to be a decent day. I was in the fairways all day – I think No. 18 is the only one I missed – and out here you are going to be hitting scoring clubs coming in on the nonpar fives. You want to be steady on the par threes and take advantage of the par fives.�

On the second day of the championship, Lane Hulse stood out by leading the Jags with a 1-under par 71 and Michael Garretson supplied an even-par 72. Klava recorded a 73, Ryan Pope carded a 75 and

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VOL. 54, NO. 15/ APR. 28, 2014

13

VOL. 54, NO. 15/ APR. 28, 2014

out of our

league NBA playoff predictions

By AARON POIROUX Contributing Writer

T

he NBA regular season is over and postseason is off to an exciting start.

Seasoned teams, such as the San Antonio Spurs, are looking to secure their place in the annals of history, while young teams like the Washington Wizards are vying to establish themselves as legitimate contenders for the title of NBA Champion.

With a postseason as thrilling as this one is shaping up to be, picking clear cut favorites can be difficult. That aside, here are my predictions for the 2014 NBA Playoffs.

The Eastern Conference is definitely the weaker of the two conferences.

Most of the contenders for Eastern Conference champion wouldn’t even be in the playoffs if they were in the Western Conference. With that precedent established, it’s hard to not pick the Indi-

ana Pacers and the Miami Heat for the Eastern Conference finals. This would be an exciting matchup between two wellbalanced teams. In the end, I give this series to the Miami Heat.

The Western Conference is a little tougher to predict, but I think it will come down to the Spurs and the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Led by four-time scoring champion and MVP favorite Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City is a formidable opponent for an experienced Spurs team. I give this series to the Thunder in six games.

The Finals will see the Thunder squaring off against the Heat in a rematch of the 2012 NBA Finals.

This will be an exhilarating series that has the potential to go all the way to the seventh game. Durant and Russell Westbrook have both grown tremendously since 2012, but I think if Dwyane Wade can remain healthy after an injury riddled regular season, the Heat will once again be the NBA Champions.

14

VOL. 54, NO. 15/ APR. 28, 2014

Baseball takes series against SBC Louisiana-Monroe South Alabama takes two of three in Sun Belt Conference series, Jaguars show improvement offensively

By ALYSSA NEWTON Sports Editor

S

outh Alabama baseball collects two wins and a series over the weekend against the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks, taking games one and two and fighting into extra innings in game three.

The Jaguars (19-24, 8-13 SBC) clinched the series after a 7-4 series-opening win Friday, April 25 and a close victory Saturday, April 26, winning 6-5.

Game One – USA 7, ULM 4 The bats caught fire early for the Warhawks in the top of the first as ULM took an early 3-0 lead on a sacrifice bunt from Justin Stawychny and a two-out, two-run homer by Dalton Herrington.

In the bottom of the second with two outs, Garrett DeGallier scored Hayden Jones from second with an RBI double, cutting the Jags’ deficit to two runs.

Davis Knapp reached on a one-out single in the bottom of the third before junior Cole Gleason sent one sailing over the left-center wall for a two-run bomb, his first career home run to tie the Jags and Warhawks 3-3.

South Alabama broke the tie-up, scoring four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Connor Hawthorne started the Jags off with a double, followed by a single by DeGallier to put Jags at the corners. Drew LaBounty smacked an RBI single to score Hawthorne, giving the Jags a 4-3 lead.

ULM’s relief pitcher Josh Leone filled the bags with Jags after walking Andrew Tindell.

Cameron Cummings smacked a grounder to second to score LaBounty and extend the lead to 5-3. Leone again filled the bags by walking Gleason with two outs before Matt Wojciechowski hit an RBI single, allowing Tindell to cross the plate, giving the Jags 6-3 lead. A two-out walk by Jones scored Jaguar Knapp and ended the inning four runs up, 7-4.

The lone run after the Jags’ four-run inning would come in the top of the fifth with a solo home run by ULM’s Ross Moore.

Locke St. John allowed four runs on four hits with two strikeouts and one walk in 6 2/3 innings. This marks his fifth win of the season.

DeGallier finished 2-for-4 with a double and one RBI, Wojciechowski went 3-for-4 and Gleason finished the night with a homer, two RBIs and a run scored.

Game Two – USA 6, ULM 5 South Alabama clinched the series Saturday night with a 6-5 win over Louisiana Monroe.

USA scored three in the bottom of the third to end the scoreless dry spell with a leadoff single to left field by Knapp. He then advanced to third with a Cummings sacrifice bunt that was thrown to center field, allowing Cummings to advance to second.

Gleason followed Cummings with a

ALYSSA NEWTON| SPORTS EDITOR

Garrett DeGallier finished with a career-high three hits, going 3-for-5 a double and two RBIs Sunday. three-run home run, his second in as many games to give the Jags a three-run lead.

After the Warhawks answered with a run in the bottom of the fourth, Knapp reached on a double and moved to second on a Cummings groundout. Gleason comes up to the plate and smacks an RBI double to score Knapp and give the Jags a 4-1 lead.

The Jags would push their final runs across the plate in the bottom of the fifth.

Jones led off the inning with a single to right-center field before advancing to third off a double by Hawthorne. LaBounty then slapped a two-run double to score Jones and Hawthorne, giving the Jags their final two runs of the contest.

The Warhawks threatened in the top of See Baseball Page 16

Track gains 10 victories in Troy, breaks record at Penn USA track and field squads split and compete in Coach ‘O’ Invitational, Penn Relays in Philadelphia

By JENNA MUNDAY Staff Reporter

W

COURTESY USAJAGUARS

Jan-Louw Kotze recorded 53.85m in the men’s discus throw and placed nineth overall in the event.

rapping up the regular season, the University of South Alabama men’s and women’s track and field teams both competed in two events this weekend. The majority of the two teams traveled to Troy, Ala., for the Coach “O” Invitational and three athletes traveled to Philadelphia for the Penn Relays.

For the Coach “O” Invitational, South Alabama throwers controlled the top five spots in the women’s javelin and the top three spots in the men’s category of the same event.

Leah Hixon and David Reinhardt took home the two individual victories of this event.

USA also secured titles in both pole-vaulting events as Garrett Schumacher placed first for the men and Ireland Armstrong took the lead of the women’s event. Schumacher’s 4.90m vault marked a career-best while Armstrong cleared an impressive 3.74m, marking a personal record for the freshman.

The Jags also earned top honors in both the men’s and women’s hammer throw com-

petitions, which were led by Adam Patterson and Bobbie Williamson, respectively.

According to USAJaguars.com, Patterson recorded a personal record and the secondbest throw in South Alabama history with a 59.92m mark to top the men’s field, while Jeff Long was the runner-up with a personal record of his own on a 58.05m measure.

Williamson topped the women’s field by more than five meters with a 57.00m toss.

Jaylon Holt earned a victory and a personal record of his own in the men’s triple jump with a mark of 15.36m, the third-best jump in school history.

Holt also claimed a victory in the men’s high jump when he cleared 1.82m. For the women’s triple jump, Kaitlyn Beans earned the title, leaping 12.02m.

Melissa McCluskey led the Jag sprinters in the women’s 100-meter dash as she clocked a time of 12.23 to place fourth overall. McCluskey also finished fifth in the 200-meter dash with a time of 25.19.

School-record-holder Phoebe Dowson notched a second-place finish in the women’s discus on a 47.43m throw, and Williamson

followed in third place with a 45.24m throw.

Morgan Jones cracked the top five as well with a personal record of 43.60m.

While victories occurred and personal records were being broken in Troy, athletes in Philadelphia were also giving name to the University of South Alabama.

According to USAJaguars.com, Renaldo Frechou surpassed his own all-time school standard in the men’s hammer throw for the fourth time this season when he registered a 63.93m heave on his third attempt. The mark was good for fourth place in the event.

Jan-Louw Kotze, the league leader in the men’s discus throw, recorded a top mark of 53.85m in that event to take ninth place overall.

In the 3,000-meter steeplechase, sophomore Patrick Rohr posted a season-best time of 9:13.02. This time marks the second fastest in the Sun Belt Conference this year and was good for 11th place in the race.

The South Alabama Jaguars will be off next weekend while they prepare for the Sun Belt Conference Championships in San Marcos, Texas, which is scheduled for May 9.

VOL. 54, NO. 15/ APR. 28, 2014

15

Jags softball sweeps SBC opponent Western Kentucky South Alabama clinches the second seed for the 2014 Sun Belt Conference Tournament

By ALYSSA NEWTON Sports Editor

S

outh Alabama softball swept third-ranked Sun Belt Conference opponent Western Kentucky, giving the Jags a head-tohead advantage in league play.

The Jaguars (36-10, 13-5 SBC) sealed the series in a doubleheader Saturday, April 26, winning both contests, and took game three for the series sweep, the Jags’ first since 2011 against WKU. Game One – USA 3, WKU 2 In game one of the series, the Jags conjured up a seventh inning rally after trailing in the game’s entirety. The Hilltoppers gained the lead early in the contest, gaining a run apiece in the bottom of the second and third innings to give the Jags a two-run deficit.

The Jags answered in the top of the fourth with a score from Alyssa Linn, pinch-running for Chloe Rathburn, scored off Emily Messer’s foul out outside the third base line.

In the top of the seventh with a deficit of one, the Jaguars rallied when Amanda Herron smacked a RBI double, scoring Kaitlyn Griffith to tie up the contest. Rathburn then followed suit and sent one out to right center for an RBI

Golf Continued from Page 11

Blake Kelley had an 80 as USA posted a 291 team total for a 36hole 584 score.

“Lane (Hulse) bounced back with a 1-under-par round, and after shooting a 77, Michael (Garretson) came back with a 72 – you expect that out of those guys.

They’re very good players. They are our upperclassmen, and we need them to lead, which they did today,” Hannan said. “Ryan hit it great all day, and if that putter gets hot tomorrow and he can hit it like he did today, he definitely can shoot under par. We’re within shouting distance. We are going to have to play well, but we have a chance and that’s what we want.”

The Jaguars entered the last day of the SBC Championship eight shots behind Georgia State and six behind Texas-Arlington.

double to score Gwen Jones for the lead that would give the Jags the game one win.

Hannah Campbell recorded the win improving her record to 15-4.

Game Two – USA 6, WKU 4 In game two, the Jags would this time gain the early lead starting with Messer’s two-run single to score Amanda Minahan and Rathburn in the top of the second.

Griffith reached on a Hilltopper error in the third, scored on a wild pitch giving USA a 3-0 lead.

WKU then attempted to answer the Jaguars a half-inning later in the bottom of the third with a two-run double to score two Hilltoppers.

In the top of the fifth, Rathburn hit a two-run bomb to score Blair Johnson putting USA up 5-2.

But the Hilltoppers would cut the three-run deficit by two in the bottom of the fifth, giving the Jags a single-run lead.

In the top of the seventh, a wild pitch by WKU’s Emily Rousseau with two outs in the top of the seventh and allowed Johnson to give the Jags 6-4 lead that would lead them to a game two win and clinching the series.

Hannah Miniard took the loss for WKU, giving up six runs on as many hits in as many innings. Far-

ish Beard recorded the win, striking out seven with two walks, scattering six hits and allowing four runs. Beard’s record improves to 19-5 with the victory.

Game Three – USA 9, WKU 5 With the series sweep win Sunday, April 27, the Jaguars clinched the second seed for the 2014 Sun Belt Conference Tournament.

The Jags bats lit up early with a 6-0 lead through three and onehalf innings. It wouldn’t be until the fourth inning that the Hilltoppers would answer with a run in the bottom of the frame. Stephanie Pilkington would extend the lead in the top of the fifth with a two-out RBI double to score Messer.

Two scores in the top of the sixth put the Jaguars ahead by seven runs. After USA loaded the bags on a WKU error and back-toback singles, a second error by the Hilltoppers allowed Rathburn to score. Messer then singled to center field to score Alex Breeden and put USA ahead, 9-2.

Three straight singles in the seventh inning loaded the bases for WKU Preslie Cruce’s RBI groundout to score pinch-runner Amber Williams. Amanda Thomas scored two more Hilltoppers with a two-

South Alabama carded the low round of the tournament and fired an 8-under par 280 as a group.

According to USAJaguars.com, Kelley led with a season-best 4-under-par 68, with Hulse and Klava also below par with rounds of 70. Pope added an even-par 72 while Garretson shot a 74, giving the Jaguars an even-par 864 total over three rounds.

Klava finished with his fifth top 10 performance of the season, which was also his highest individual finish as a Jaguar. Hulse posted his third top 10 result after an opening-round 76, and Kelley ended up among the top 20 for the fifth time this year.

“Golf is a hard game. Sometimes things bounce one way or the other and putts don’t fall and you have to rebound,” Hannan said of Hulse and Kelley’s play.

“The character is in the rebound.

That’s what’s impressive. We can build on 8 under. Hopefully with an at-large bid, this will be a great

stepping stone to the NCAA Regionals and on to the national championship from there. I’m very proud of my guys. It was a great week for us.”

The University of South Alabama Jaguars ended the tournament strong with a second place rank.

ALYSSA NEWTON| SPORTS EDITOR

Chloe Rathburn led the Jaguars at the plate Saturday going 3-for-6 with three RBIs and two runs scored.

Including a game-winning RBI double in game one. out double to score Brooke Holloway and Tiffany Gooch, but could not rally to defeat the Jaguars.

USA’s road record improves to 10-6 this season. Campbell recorded her second win of the series, striking out four, giving up no walks and allowing five runs on nine hits.

USA batted .341 on the weekend and recorded an overall on-

base percentage of .419. The Jaguars outhit the Hilltoppers, 31-24, and outscored WKU, 18-11.

The Jags will close out their regular season at home Saturday, May 3 when USA hosts SBC opponent the Troy Trojans in a doubleheader to close out the series in which USA defeated the Trojans 9-1 March 26.

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16

VOL. 54, NO. 15/ APR. 28, 2014

Athletes honored at Pete Tolbert Night of Champions Metheny, Beard named Student Athletes of the year, multiple athletes receive awards, scholarships

By ALYSSA NEWTON

Sports Editor

A

thletes from all South Alabama athletic programs were honored at the fifth annual Pete Tolbert Night of Champions on Friday, April 24.

The Night of Champions is the annual awards event held by the athletic department to honor the achievments of nearly 400 players in the classroom and in action.

Softball’s junior Farish Beard and senior quarterback Ross Metheny were named the Jaguar Female and Male Student Athlete of the year. This honor is voted on based on scholarship, athletic ability and citizenship.

Also recognized were football’s Trey Fetner, Alex Page and Bryson James. Those honored from softball consisted of picther Hannah Campbell and Kaitlyn Griffith.

Track and field athletes recognized were Derek Westbrook, Noelle Jones and Garrett Schumacher.

Jaguar Male Student-Athlete of the Year: Ross Metheny Metheny has 4.0 GPA and is working towards his master’s degree in educational leadership, The

quarterback lead the Sun Belt in total offense with 269 yards per game and ranked in the top 10 in the league in three other catagories. This past season Metheny was selected for the all-Sun Belt Conference secondteam.

Jaguar Female StudentAthlete of the year: Farish Beard Beard has recorded better than a 3.2 GPA along with being named SBC Pitcher of the week three times in 2014. Beard has been ranked nationally, making an appearence as No. 1 in ERA and ranking in the top 20 nationally in four catagories. After this past weekend against Western Kentucky Beard has compiled a 19-5 record.

Trey Fetner was presented with the Shirley Holt Scholarship Award.

This award is given to the studentathlete who has best examplified “team spirit” and has been a model of character and has shown concern for his fellow student-athletes.

The Jimmy Taylor Scholarship was presented to Alax Page who earned all-conference honors for the past two consecutive years and ended his career as a Jaguar leading the football program in tackles for loss and sacks.

James recieved the Male

Baseball Continued from Page 14

the seventh scoring a run with a Stawychny RBI single to score ULM’s Brandon Hallford. ULM would load the bases later in the inning, but relief pitcher James Traylor would get out of the jam with a flyout caught by Cummings.

Starter Kevin Hill earned the win in 5

Perseverence Award, having overcome being premature, his mother going through brian surgery twice and his experience during Hurricane Katrina and Tropical Storm Issac.

Softball Campbell’s recieved the athletic department’s NCAA Woman of the Year Nominee. She has maintained a GPA 3.4, the senior has been ranked in the top 10 in the nation for three statistical catagories.

Campbell now has a 16-4 record after the weekend series against WKU. According to USA Jaguars, each sport program also presented awards at the event. The winners of those honors included: Eddie Stanky Award (baseball), Bolger; Goldie Ungar Heart of Gold Award (men’s basketball), Augustine Rubit; Jaguar Women’s Basketball NCAA Award (women’s basketball), Rachel Cumbo; Female Distance Award (women’s cross country), Parry; Male Distance Award (men’s cross country), Patrick Rohr; Jim Yance Heart of a Jaguar Award (football), Metheny; Heath Slocum Award (men’s golf), Lane Hulse; Beth Barry Award (women’s golf), Ashleigh Ryals; Lindsay Rogers Award (soccer), Shelby Owen; Extra Mile Award (softball), Julie Moss; Lubel Family Award (men’s tennis), Tuki Jacobs; Marilyn Lubel Award

(women’s tennis), Paula Sanchez; Female Field Events Award (women’s track and field), Jones; Male Field Events Award (men’s track and field), Schumacher; Female Track Events Award (women’s track

and field), Parry; Male Track Events Award (men’s track and field), Tyler Agee; and Jaguar Volleyball Award (volleyball), Jenna Hassell.

Along with these awards 56 seniors were recognized.

USAJAGUARS.COM

Junior pitcher Farish Beard and senior quarterback Ross Metheny were voted as Jaguar Male and Female Student-Athletes of the year.

1/3 innings, allowing three earned runs on four hits with six strikeouts and three walks.

Traylor earned his third save of the season with 1 2/3 perfect innings and two strikeouts.

Gleason suffered an injury in the bottom of the eighth while diving into first to avoid a pick, injuring his fingers. He is expected to make a full recovery but did not play in the remainder of the game or the final game Sunday.

The Vanguard is in need of new writers. Interested individuals should email their contact info and sampled writings to Editor in Chief Samantha Andrews at thevanguardeditor@gmail.com

LEAVE COMMENTS FOR OPINION AT thevanguardonline.com/opinionfeedback VOL. 54, NO. 15/ APR. 28, 2014

Opinion

JORDAN KNOX OPINION EDITOR kjk1103@jagmail.southalabama.edu

17

Tennessee supports bill to bring back electric chair

By LAURA GAIL HAVARD Contributing Writer

T

he dreaded debate on whether a state should use lethal injection or electrocution has been brought back into circulation. The state of Tennessee recently passed a law stating that electrocution can, again, be used as a form of capital punishment.

In 2002, the state of Alabama

was the last state to change from the use of the electric chair to lethal injection as a punishment of capital crime. Now, it has become difficult to obtain the drugs that are needed for lethal injections.

Many European pharmaceutical companies disagree with the drug’s use for such purposes.

This being so, there are not many options to take into consideration.

Although electrocution is not the main source of Tennessee’s capital crime punishment, the idea of using the electric chair again has raised a few eyebrows.

Many see electrocution as an excruciating way to die.

The prisoner is strapped into a chair and then a metal skull cap is placed on the head and forehead above a moistened sponge to ensure that a strong current of

electricity can flow through the body. When the proper preparations have been made, the executioner stands back and orders between 500 and 2,000 volts of electricity to be carried to the body for roughly 30 seconds. The body sometimes jerks and convulses in forms that can break bones as the electricity flows through the human body.

Aug. 6, 1890, was the first recorded time that an electric chair was used. Prior to that, hanging was the only form of capital punishment. The criminal would be strung up by the neck and hanged off a balcony, breaking his neck and finally asphyxiating him more than 30 minutes later.

The first man killed in the electric chair was a man convicted of an ax murder in New York.

It took two separate jolts of elec-

tricity to successfully complete the job. One man present on that 1890 day was reported as saying, “They would have done much better with an ax.”

Over time, the executions became much more regular, and the executioners began learning exactly what to do and how to do it properly. It is human nature to see the killing of another human as a gruesome and grotesque scene.

However, we must be reminded that the people on death row are not innocent bystanders.

They have been found guilty of committing serious crimes, for which they must reap the consequences. No matter if it is lethal injection or electrocution, these criminals must pay for what they have done.

Lethal injection is the more

humane method of terminating a death row criminal. However, with circumstances being as they are today, electrocution is starting to look like a more reasonable option.

With the drugs needed for lethal injections becoming more expensive and harder to obtain, it would seem as though all states would soon return to the use of the electric chair. That returning secondary option would save each state money and time, which could be used for other more important agendas than hardened criminals.

No matter what others may believe, there are no other options than lethal injections and electrocutions for death row criminals unless hangings, gas chambers and firing squads seem like more reasonable options.

Are Southern states sliding back into old habits?

By RYAN WALLACE Contributing Writer

A

couple of weeks ago, The Atlantic ran a story that raised the alltoo-familiar specter of racial segregation in Alabama where we are, understandably, quite sensitive to such issues. In this case, the issue is the segregation of Tuscaloosa’s public school system.

The choice of cities for The Atlantic is no doubt deliberate in the wake of the University of Alabama’s recent Greek life segregation scandal, which involved certain fraternities and sororities on campus excluding black students.

The main point behind the article is indisputable, backed by both well-researched data and the anecdotal weight of just about everyone’s high school experiences. After all, growing up in Alabama means knowing that a certain (public) high school in your area is a

“black school” or a “white school.” The reason for this is obvious: People tend to live around others of their same race.

This is true of downtowns and suburbs in any large city such as Tuscaloosa (or Mobile, for that matter). One only needs eyes to see that races over time have developed “clusters” in certain neighborhoods and parts of any city.

The points derived from the article, however, leave much to be desired. The author notes that there are benefits to both black and white students from forced segregation, including higher test scores and graduation rates. The problem with these statistics is that the data was collected from students born between 1945 and 1968.

Since that time, the black family in America has become a shattered and pitiful entity by any demographic and statistical measurement. While out-ofwedlock birth (a good indicator for myriad societal problems in life, from imprisonment to drug use to teenage pregnancy) is a problem for almost all races, no ethnicity is affected as heavily as the black population. By one study from the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2012 about 68 percent of all black births were to single mothers.

Because high schools are drawn from the area in which they are located, if the makeup of an area is predominantly

black, the students will be, too. After that, the law of statistics takes over, meaning that a large proportion of those students are likely to have the same issues with being the product of singleparent homes that I listed above.

The problem, therefore, is not really one of racism, as the article suggests.

Racism, after all, is the fault of the racist 100 percent of the time. What has occurred in Tuscaloosa, and large cities everywhere, is that black students are the victims of the two-headed beast of modern black societal/demographic issues and poorly managed educational systems.

The Atlantic story features D’Leisha, one of the best students at Tuscaloosa’s predominantly black Central High.

D’Leisha is an honors student, homecoming queen and above-average athlete.

Her resume sounds like certain college material. Yet when it comes time to take the ACT, her scores tell a different story, as she fails to score better than an 18 in four attempts.

The culprit is not a lack of caring or intelligence, but a system that has obviously passed D’Leisha and her classmates through grade after grade and honors courses with less actual education than their white counterparts.

The solutions to an obvious lack of educational outcomes for the average

white and black students are too complicated to list here. In essence, however, it boils down to issues that are not the fault of the students at all. A serious change is needed in black families nationwide.

This isn’t just me saying so; celebrities and study after study echo the same point.

Change is needed not only in the demographic issues, but in how families approach education. How can the families of the children be satisfied with an educational system that produces two students in an entire AP English class who pass the AP exam, as D’Leisha’s does? Parental involvement is needed at every level, and in every race, to produce well-rounded students.

Is a race that is being disproportionately affected by single motherhood likely to feature constant vigilance of a student’s education, and those placed in charge of it? Do people who look at the Atlantic article and cry racism really think that simply placing black students in the same room as whites will automatically make them smarter?

This in itself implies that black people just aren’t born as smart as white people are. Crying racism because of a school’s demographics is easy; actually affecting change at the level at which it matters is much harder, and all too often tragically ignored in our modern society.

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How do you feel about the dining hall? Do you feel that having a meal plan is worth the money you paid?

HANNAH FABBRO I had the meal plan for two years and

REBECCA WHEELER It’s absolutely HORRIBLE!

I felt I was flushing away money. The lines were long, floors filthy, the portions too small, and NO variety, no healthy options (fruit stand, vegetable sides). It’s a very nice facility and brings students together, therefore it needs to be a positive experience.

HARRISON HUDSON NOT AT ALL. I hate that it’s required to have and especially for those who live in the Betas and Gammas with full kitchens. The food is god awful.

CRYSTAL HAMILTON I moved off campus simply because of the meal plan. It was not enjoyable to be forced to eat there every meal.

To post your answers to the next JagPulse, be sure to follow us on Facebook.

not at the best quality, and it is not good at all.

much worse. Meal plans shouldn’t be required, though.

floor plan why complain? Don’t have to rebuild every wall to have quality.

people. The sandwiches and salads are nice. I also never have to worry about running out of food.

BREEANNA TINSLEY I have one, and no I do not.... it is

NICK GRONDIN It isn’t perfect, but many places have it

DOUG JOHNSON If it meets the needs with the same

MATTHEW GREEN I like going there and eating with

Facebook.com/ TheVanguardUSA

TAYLOR ROCKER Full kitchen in my dorm and I’m paying a ridiculous amount to have unlimited atrocious food. My parents get angry when they see where the money is going.

Is the United States really ready to legalize marijuana?

By KAYLA TROSCLAIR Contributing Writer

M

arijuana use is becoming a popular habit in certain states due to the ease with which people can buy and sell it.

According to governing.com, 21 states and the District of Columbia have already chosen to legalize marijuana in some form.

However, 19 of those 21 are strictly for medical use. Washington and Colorado are the only two states having made both medical and recreational use legal.

In fact, a marijuana edibles vending machine was unveiled April 12 and will be located outside a medical dispensary in Eagle-Vail, Colo. The edibles are not for recreational use, though. A valid medical marijuana card will be necessary to use the machine, which is currently non-operational.

There are many benefits to using marijuana as a medical aid. However, marijuana use, whether recreational or medical, also has its risks. Filling your lungs with any substance other than oxygen is never a good thing. It can lead to difficulty breathing, and any substance with chemicals in it can potentially lead to a higher risk of lung cancer.

Not to mention, marijuana use can have many effects on your brain. Schizophrenia Bulletin, an official journal of the Schizophrenia International Research Society, states that one of the biggest issues that studies are showing is memory and reasoning in people who use marijuana heavily. In

teens, heavy use may cause long-term damage due to teens still being in the developmental stage. Even adults who are regular users can have potential issues with memory and neuropsychological decline.

Although there are some major health risks, marijuana for medicinal purposes can be extremely helpful, according to medicalmarijuananow.com. A few of the diseases and/or illnesses that benefit from use are the slowing down of tumor growth, the prevention of seizures and the calming of those with ADHD, ADD, OCD and Tourette syndrome.

With both some of the benefits and risks stated above, I personally do not think that the U.S. is ready for the legalization of marijuana. When more research and information is attained on the effects of this drug, then I think that legalization for medical use only could be very beneficial to some people who really do need it. However, if that were to happen, a lot of thought should be

put into how to keep people who don’t need it from getting their hands on it. Using and giving this treatment only in hospitals and asking the patients to stay a few hours after treatment would be a great way to keep an eye on things, not only for legal purposes, but also for the safety of people undergoing this type of treatment.

Considering the many things that using marijuana could help and/or prevent, I think that when more information about possible side effects is found and it is proven to be appropriate and safe, then yes, legalize it – but strictly for medical use, not recreational.

If you are unsure about your opinion on this rising matter, the sources listed in this article have some interesting facts. Do your own research, think about the pros and cons, and if the time comes for our state to make the decision, give your opinion and be part of the vote. You might just be able to help save some lives.

JORDAN KNOX | OPINION EDITOR

Distractions 19

VOL. 54, NO. 15/ APR. 28, 2014

Horoscopes Aries 3.20-4.19: You’re at the point in your life where being excited to start your career and acting like an adult are at the forefront of your mind. But come on, stop reading your resume to every person you meet. Oh, and by the way, being slightly above average at beer pong isn’t a “special skill.”

Taurus 4.20-5.20: It’s okay to say no, little Bull.

Between finals, your demanding boss and your needy roommate, you don’t have room in your schedule for anything else. So you’re just going to have to tell that girl in your biology class that you simply can’t wear a wig and take her final for her.

Gemini 5.21-6.20: You’ve been struggling lately to keep your lively personality under control so that you can get some studying done. But with finals approaching it’s important to stay positive. Even if it’s only positive that you’re going to fail.

Cancer 6.21-7.22: You’re known for biting off more than you can chew and this past month has only further proved that. But maybe it’s time to take a little break and relax. You’re passing all your classes and the end is in sight. Have some fun!

Leo 7.23-8.22: We know you’re stressed. You’ve only said it about a thousand times on Facebook. But maybe, just maybe, instead of spending all that time on Facebook, you could finally wash those jeans you’ve been wearing for the past two weeks.

Virgo 8.23-9.22: You’ve never been one to openly voice your opinion when it isn’t asked for, but don’t sell yourself short, Virgo. Your opinion is more valued

than you may think. However, you should think twice before you go telling everyone that you think Kanye is the voice of this generation.

Libra 9.23-10.22: I know you’ve been looking for an outlet to display your romantic side and you’re getting a little tired of kissing Harry Styles on your One Direction poster, but don’t worry, the Harry Styles blow up doll is coming soon.

Scorpio 10.23-11.21: Your emotional nature has always been fairly easy to control but with the added stress of finals and having no new Tinder matches, it’s getting harder for you not to hysterically cry during math class.

Sagittarius 11.22-12.21: It’s important that you keep your priorities in order right now, dear Sagittarius.

Maybe a little less partying and a little more studying?

Capricorn 12.22-1.19: Finding motivation might be a little harder this week, but you know you’ll find it.

Even if it is at the bottom of a bag of leftover Easter candy.

Aquarius 1.20-2.18: You’re growing tired of the same old same old. Day after day it seems like you just can’t break out of your monotonous routine. Maybe you could add a little excitement to your day by jumping in front of the JagTran to get free tuition.

Pisces 2.19-3.20: If you feel like a fish out of water this week, go with it instead of trying tirelessly to fit in. People will admire you for your uniqueness and will think it’s cute that you accidentally put your shirt on backwards.

Sudoku

Do you know your Memes?

ADVICE DOG ALIEN GUY AM I THE ONLY ONE BAD LUCK BRIAN CHEMISTRY CAT COLLEGE FRESHMAN

DWIGHT SCHRUTE

PHILOSORAPTOR

FIRST WORLD PROBS

PREPARE YOURSELF

FUTURAMA FRY

SCUMBAG STEVE

GRUMPY CAT

SKEPTICAL BABY

HIPSTER KITTY

SOCIALLY AWKWARD

THAT’D BE GREAT I DON’T ALWAYS CONDESCENDING WONKA LAZY COLLEGE KID YO DAWG CONFESSION BEAR ONE DOES NOT SIMPLY Y U NO CONSPIRACY KEANU PARANOID PARROT

RYAN KELLER | GRAPHIC DESIGNER

ANSWER KEY FOR APRIL 21

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VOL. 54, NO. 15/ APR. 28, 2014