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UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA
THE
MONDAY JULY 3, 2017 VOL 59 ISS 21
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Sun Belt Media Day
A leader on the field: Travis Swaggerty
How to deal with a psycho roommate
The Sun Belt Media Day is fast approaching.
Check out Travis Swaggerty, whose athletic and leadership skill has garnered much praise. Page 5
Our advice column, Dear Debbie, is here to help you with your roommate problems. Page 7
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Honors college welcomes Dean Cooke
Dr. Kathy Cooke will serve as the dean of USA’s honors college. Photo courtesy of Bob Lowry By Sara Boone | Life Editor
Dr. Kathy Cooke will serve as dean of USA's newly created honors college. Throughout the past year, USA has worked to create the college to accommodate the growing number of students who have shown interest in the honors program. The honors college will act as an umbrella over the honors program and track honors students. This will allow more students to be involved in previously honorsexclusive opportunities such as courses, national competitions and Continued on page 3
USA unveils master plan
USA released their 2017-2027 master plan, revealing several construction projects for the campus. Photo courtesy of Campus Master Plan 2017-2027 By Krisha Amin| web editor
Are we getting more parking spots? Is another dormitory being constructed? When is the new football stadium going to be ready? If you drive around campus this time of the year, you will probably notice the construction on almost every turn. It is all a part of the University of South Alabama’s 2017-2027 Campus Master Plan, and it’s really not as sinister as the name might insinuate. A master plan is a long-range, detailed plan for the future. The Board of Trustees unveiled its non-binding plan at its June 2
meeting. “This is a guide,” Chairman Mike Windom said during the meeting. “This is not ‘we are going to do everything on this wish list.’” This strategic plan is centered primarily around five major themes and priorities: student success and access, enhancement of research and graduate education, global engagement, excellence in healthcare and universitycommunity engagement. While this 10-year plan covers countless smaller scale objectives, the overarching aim of this odyssey is to develop a long-term plan for the physical infrastructure, safety,
and technology on campus. This is in response to the growth of the university with respect to academics, research, business, and student enrollment in the past seven years. The campus master plan aims to enhance the holistic USA experience for all students, faculty, and staff. Some “wish list” projects that are already underway are the construction of the new residence hall, which is scheduled to be completed in fall 2018, a new parking lot on Aubrey Green Drive, and a controlled crosswalk at the Continued on page 2