anguard V If it matters to you, it matters to us.
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA
THE
MONDAY FEB 26, 2018 VOL 1719 ISS 18
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USA gets ready for V-day
Democracy Day
Jags beat University of Southern Mississippi
V-Day plans to return to South for the fifth year this week.
Democracy Day returns to South March 2.
Jags win 10-9 in USA’s first home game of the season.
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Rally for Higher Ed Day
Kiera Lynch onstage with her model. Photo by Richard Narramore
Celebrating hairitage
BY: RICHARD NARRAMORE | ASST. MANAGING EDITOR
Students attended a parade and rally during Higher Ed Day. Photo by Natasha Spradlin BY: NATASHA SPRADLIN | REPORTER
Advocates from Alabama’s fourteen public universities heard from Governor Kay Ivey in Montgomery on Thursday for Higher Education Day, an annual event organized by the Higher Education Partnership. Ivey told students she was proud of the $6.6 billion education budget she proposed to legislatures. The budget passed the Alabama House of Representatives last week and is on its way to the Alabama senate. “This is the largest investment in education in a decade,” Ivey said. “This means each institution is receiving a funding increase in their budget this year.” Ivey announced during her
campaign kick-off in Mobile that the education budget is growing by $216 million. The budget requests an additional $23 million for Alabama’s voluntary, first-class pre-k program and will fully fund K-12 at $144 million. The budget will also provide an additional $50 million to higher education. Every year, students and faculty gather on Higher Ed Day to remind state lawmakers why investing in higher education needs to be a priority. Alabama’s public universities provide students with options to improve their career opportunities, earn more income, gain leadership skills and develop cultural
awareness, according to the Higher Education Partnership. In addition, public universities have a $20 billion annual economic impact, strengthening communities by creating jobs and improving the quality of life for citizens. SGA College of Arts and Sciences Senator Chelsia Douglas is proud of all the work students have done to express the needs and importance of higher education to their legislators. “We have made major moves with the education budget in getting our one third,” Douglas said. The University of South Alabama Continued on page 4
Women of Excellence crowned Kiera Lynch the winner of their first hair show, titled Hairitage: Celebrating The Versatility of Our Crowns. The hair show was held at the Student Center Ballroom Friday, Feb. 24. Lynch is the owner of the hair salon #HairistheKe and was awarded a plaque naming her the Stylish Women of the Year. “The event was awesome and well organized,” Lynch said. WOX President Ingrid Borner said she hopes women walk away feeling more comfortable in their own skin. Continued on page 7