March 20, 2017

If it matters to you, it matters to us.

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA

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MONDAY MARCH 20 2017 VOL 59 ISS 22

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SGA hopefuls must announce candidacy All applications are due March 24 and submitted through OrgSync.

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Sex Week

Chyna Ellis

On-campus events are organized for Sex Week to teach about healthy relationships and more.

Let’s shine a light on the women’s basketball player who is the all-time leader

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in career blocks.

USA medical students celebrate Match Day Submission from the USA college of medicine

After much anticipation, senior medical students at the University of South Alabama gathered at the Mobile Convention Center to find out this year’s Match Day results on March 17.

The National Residency Matching Program (NRMP), or Match Day, is an annual event for U.S. and Canadian medical students that announces the placement for their residency training.

Graduating medical students across the U.S. simultaneously opened their envelopes with their assigned matches at 11 a.m.

After interviewing with several different residency programs across the country, students rank their top-choice programs in order of preference. Training programs also rank the students who interviewed.

The NRMP then uses a mathematical algorithm to designate each applicant into a residency program.

The 70 USA College of Medicine seniors matched in 22 different states, with 48 students matching out-of-state and 22 students matching in the state of Alabama.

Twelve students matched at USA hospitals.

“Match Day is the most important day in a medical student’s career,” said Dr. Susan LeDoux, associate dean of medical education and student affairs at USA. “They work so hard to get into the specialty they like, and then

Devin Brown dominates on the mound. Photo by Jake Cannon

Award-winning pitcher finds success on and off field

BY Ryann Guy | Sports reporter

Seventy USA medical students were matched to their residency. Photo courtsey of USA College of Medicine

once they are in that specialty they continue to work hard throughout their training.”

Candice Holliday, a fourth-year medical student and former attorney, was given the chance to change paths in life when she was accepted to medical school at USA. “I became interested in the medical profession because I was not very fulfilled as an attorney in business

litigation after three years,” she said.

Holliday’s family has roots in medicine. Her parents are both psychiatrists, and her twin sister is Dr. Nicolette Holliday, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at USA. “I was inspired by my twin sister, who was a very happy obstetrics and gynecology resident and is now an Continued on page 4

South Alabama pitcher and Mobile native Devin Brown is dominating on the mound this season, with nine wins from 13 games and an ERA of 1.20.

We are proud to have Brown as a part of the USA Jaguars, although she never thought this was where she would end up. In fact, Brown was not planning on attending South Alabama until she visited the school. Prior to her visit, she wanted to travel outside of Mobile to further her education and continue her softball career.

“I really didn’t think that I wanted to come here because it was so close to home,” Brown said. “I came here on a visit and just decided that it would be stupid for me not to go here because it was so close to home. I fell in love with the school and the campus and Continued on page 8

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Managing Editor | Marissa Mason smm1421@jagmail.southalabama.edu Monday, March 20, 2017

NEWS

Vanguard SGA campaigns begin March 24 THE

By Shannon lundgren | reporter

University of South Alabama Alpha Hall South Room 336, Mobile, Ala., 36688 Tel: 460-6898 I Fax: 414-8293 Advertising: (678) 644-7838 thevanguardeditor@gmail.com STAFF

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Copy Editor Opinion Editor Life Editor Web Editor

Alanna Whitaker Marissa Mason Micaela Walley Joel Goode Morgan Parton Jake Cannon

Reporters Krisha Amin Ryann Guy Richard Narrowmore Shannon Lundgren Jennifer Le Ryann Guy Jullian Jackson

Advertising

Advertising Manager Spencer Schuneman Advertising Rep. Tim Holloway Graphic Designer Alex Jackson

Management Advising J. Sellers J. Aucoin Accounting Kathy Brannan

Distribution 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.

Send letters and guest columns to: 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.

To request additional issues at a stand near you, email: vanguarddistribution@gmail.com

Students interested in running for a position on SGA must declare their candidacy by submitting a form on OrgSync before March 24.

SGA general elections are April 3-5.

The SGA strongly encourages potential candidates to attend a candidate’s briefing in Student Center Room 211 on March 24 at 5 p.m.

If a candidate is unable to attend the briefing, they may have someone else sign in for them, according to SGA Coordinator Heather Sprinkle.

General campaigning begins immediately after the candidate’s briefing on March 24 and last until 7:59 a.m. April 3. Candidates cannot campaign before then.

Potential candidates previously had an opportunity to speak with current office holders in an informational meeting on March 6.

All candidates must attend the candidate’s forum hosted by The Vanguard in the Student Center Terrace Room on March 27 at 6 p.m.

The candidate’s forum will be a debate-style assembly where candidates will answer questions from the student body and moderator.

Candidates must have a 2.0 GPA to run for a senate seat.

Students running for an officer position must have a 2.5 GPA and 40 credit hours completed at USA. Officer positions include SGA President, Vice President, Treasurer, Chief Justice, Attorney General and Student-at-Large.

Every position on the SGA is open.

The officer and senate positions are outlined in the SGA code of laws and constitution.

The president’s duties include representing the SGA and student body, serving on the Board of Trustees and working with the Treasurer to come up with the budget each semester.

The president will receive a salary of $675 per month. A handout provided at the meeting says that the president must commit a minimum of 30 hours a week to the position and may not work another job.

The vice president’s duties include presiding over senate meetings, working with the senate clerk to keep accurate records of all agendas and bills, attending all senate meetings, editing The Lowdown,

Chief Justice Taylor Davis, Senator Tyler White and USA SGA President Joshua Crownover discuss the duties of office with students interested in running for office. Photo by Shannon Lundgren

and coordinating SGA retreats and banquets.

The Vice President will receive a stipend of $625 per month.

The treasure is responsible for managing the SGA budget and all funds allocated to student organizations, auditing SGA accounts each semester and overseeing the appropriations committee.

The appropriations committee receives and votes on requests for funding from recognized student organizations.

The treasurer will receive a stipend of $575 per month.

The chief justice presides over the Supreme Court, managing Ticket Forgiveness Day and ruling on parking ticket appeals and serving on the University Disciplinary Committee.

The chief justice receives a stipend of $325 per month.

The attorney general is responsible for coordinating Higher Education day, working with the government relations office and assisting the chief justice with parking appeals when necessary.

The attorney general receives a stipend of $325 per month.

The student-at-large works with

the student activities office, assists with planning Student Organization Leadership Day and hosts a monthly president’s roundtable.

The stipend for the student-at-large is $200 per month.

Senators are required to join two SGA committees, attend weekly senate meetings, and working with other senators in their college to design and implement a senate project.

The stipend for senators is $200 per semester.

Students interested in running for an officer or senate position should attend the candidate’s briefing in Student Center Room 211 on March 24 at 5 p.m. and fill out the application on OrgSync.

Attending the briefing does not obligate one to run for office, according to SGA Coordinator Heather Sprinkle.

Interested candidates can contact the current office-holder of the position they are interested in for more information.

NEWS

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Managing Editor | Marissa Mason smm1421@jagmail.southalabama.edu Monday, March 20, 2017

SGA acquires MCATS for medical students

By shannon lundgren | Reporter

SGA voted to purchase 50 practice Medical College Admission Tests (MCAT) as part of the college of allied health senate project in their March 6 meeting.

The American Association of Medical Colleges updated the MCAT in April 2015 for the first time since 1991.

“Right now, we’re really struggling with the new test,” Dr. Cindy Stanfield, director of the pre-professional office said. “With the old test, we were right at the national average, overall. [On] the new test, we are 15 percent below the national average.”

The new test has twice the information than the old test, according to Stanfield. To help bridge the gap, Stanfield teaches a workshop for students preparing to take the MCAT every Wednesday at 4 p.m.

“MCAT-style questions are nothing like what you see in classrooms,” Stanfield said.

The workshop is open to students regardless of how long they have been studying for the MCAT. The practice tests are computerbased and non-reusable, but students will have immediate feedback on their performance.

The tests are tentatively scheduled to be offered on Saturday in the Biomedical Library Lab with a student proctor, according to Stanfield.

Priority will be given to students who meet the GPA cut-off to take the MCAT, have participated in the workshop and had pre-health advising with Dr. Stanfield.

To find out more information about the workshops or practice tests, email Dr. Cindy Stanfield at cstanfield@ southalabama.edu.

Several other issues were covered at the SGA meeting, including: • College of medicine senators requested SGA funding for the chili/ gumbo cook-off on April 8.

Contact gumbochili@gmail.com for more information on the event.

• The FYC Director position became a cabinet position instead of a senate committee chair position.

• The senate announced the formation of an academic integrity committee.

• The senate discussed issues facing veterans at registration.

• Parking Ticket Forgiveness Day will return this semester. SGA will accept donations of cleaning supplies in lieu of payment for one minor traffic ticket. This semester’s beneficiary will be the Mulherin Home. Tickets eligible for forgiveness will be announced at a future date.

• The chief justice swore in Paul Kossik as the new transfer-at-large senator.

• The senate voted to update code of laws to reflect that voting for SGA candidates is online only.

The next SGA meeting will be on March 20 at 6:30 p.m. in the Student Center Ballroom. Students, faculty and staff are welcome to attend.

USA Senator from College of Allied Health speaking at an SGA meeting. Photo by Shannon Lundgren

USA Crime Report

251-460-6312 03-03-2017 Breaking Into Vehicle The Grove Bldg 17 An unknown suspect broke into a car and stole $13.

03-03-2017 Property Theft – Third Degree Laidlaw Performing Arts Center An employee’s iPhone 6 estimated to be worth $500 was stolen.

03-04-2017 Bench Warrant The Grove Bldg 5 A vehicle was stopped at The Grove for entering the premises without a pass or being let in by a resident.

One occupant of the vehicle had an active warrant with the U.S. Marshal’s Office and was arrested without incident.

If you SEE something, DO something!

03-06-2017 Vehicle Towed Mitchell Center Staff at the Mitchell Center reported that they observed a vehicle run over orange cones and strike a barricade blocking a reserved section of the Mitchell Center lot, dragging the cone across the parking space and parking.

03-08-2017 Leaving Scene of an Accident Stadium Blvd at Old Shell Blvd Unknown male driver struck the victim’s vehicle, from behind, and left the scene.

03-10-2017 Property Theft – Fourth Degree Unspecified Dorm Room An unknown subject removed the victim’s property, valued at $500, from the residence.

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Managing Editor | Marissa Mason smm1421@jagmail.southalabama.edu Monday, March 20, 2017

NEWS

Match Day continued from page 1 Continued from page 1

attending physician at USA.” Holliday matched in obstetrics and gynecology at USA. “I read the envelope on stage and realized immediately that my relationship with my sister will change.

It will be an honor to work with her.”

Jelaina Scott, a fourth-year medical student from Birmingham, Alabama, said that Match Day was a reminder of how far she has come since her first day of medical school.

After attending the University of Alabama and earning her bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering, she was interested in the medical profession because of her background in science and passion for helping people.

As the first physician in her family, Scott is ready to begin her residency.

She matched in emergency medicine at the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

“I want to help people in some of the scariest and worst moments in their life,” Scott said. “Today brings my dream of pursuing emergency medicine full-circle.”

She is ready for the challenges that residency will bring her, and she gave advice to USA medical students in classes below her about pursuing passions in the medical field.

“Don’t pick a field just because you think it might pay well or looks a certain way, but use the tools we are given at USA to engage with instructors and patients to find the field where you will best serve and fit.”

Brenden Ingraham, another fourthyear medical student, was compelled to pursue a career in medicine after working as a medical assistant, transcriptionist and scrub tech during his undergraduate studies at Spring Hill College in Mobile.

“I worked with some fantastic physicians here in Mobile — many of them USA College of Medicine alumni — who were mentors to me before my formal medical education even began,” he said.

Ingraham matched in internal medicine at the Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education in Rochester, Minnesota. He hopes to complete three years of internal medicine and then go on to a fellowship in interventional

USA medical students at celebrated Match Day at the Mobile Convention Center. Photo courtesy of USA College of Medicine

cardiology.

“I thought about pursuing The Mayo Clinic was his first orthopaedic surgery like my father, choice, and he was able to share the joy but found that my interest truly lies in with his family when he opened the general surgery,” West said. “You get envelope. to practice many kinds of medicine in “My general surgery, brother took and you are like The physicians I video of me the ‘Swiss Army opening the knife of health learned from at USA letter, and care’ with all of the look of have taught me to go the the tools you learn excitement from it.” extra mile and care for on my mom’s West matched face in the in general surgery patients in a way that video is at Brookwood even better impacts both the patient Baptist Health than mine,” in Birmingham, and the physician.

Ingraham Alabama. said.

“The physicians Mobile I learned from at mes Lee West IV native James USA have taught Lee West IV knew from an early me to go the extra mile and care for age that he wanted to follow in the patients in a way that impacts both the footsteps of his father, Dr. James West, patient and the physician,” he said. adjunct professor of orthopaedics at Fourth-year medical student USA. Hannah Schrubbe was drawn to After completing his undergraduate the field of medicine because of the studies at the University of Mississippi, opportunity to meet and serve people he thought about where his interest from all walks of life. was in medicine.

“What has kept me interested in

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the field is the fact that I get to use my brain to solve problems while I learn something new through each patient encounter,” she said.

She was raised in Fairhope, Alabama, and earned her degree in marine biology from the University of West Florida in Pensacola, Florida.

“My father is a family practitioner in Daphne, Alabama, and he was a large part of my decision to pursue a career in family medicine,” she said.

Schrubbe matched in family medicine at Florida State University in Fort Myers, Florida.

“I am most looking forward to taking care of my own patients and growing into a competent physician during my residency,” she said. “While I enjoyed being part of a team in medical school, I am looking forward to calling the final shot in situations and learning what kind of doctor I will become.”

Schrubbe feels that USA prepared her for what is to come by placing an emphasis on clinical skills and the importance of good communication with patients.

Hailing from the small town of Ralph, Alabama, Nicholas Tinker always dreamed of becoming a physician.

He first found his place on the football field at the University of Alabama.

“Football gave me discipline and the knowledge that is necessary to put my best foot forward,” he said.

His family learned much about the medical field when his mother was diagnosed with congestive heart failure while Tinker was still in high school.

“We were health illiterate,” Tinker said. “People in my hometown always said that you go to the hospital to die, but from my mother’s experience, I knew that there was positivity in the health profession.”

Tinker matched in obstetrics and gynecology at USA. He credits his education for helping him prepare for his residency interviews.

“From the hands-on training I received at USA, I could tell that I was much more prepared for any residency than students from other medical schools,” Tinker said. “Match Day is the light at the end of a long tunnel we have been chasing for four years.”

LIFE

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Fit Sex Week into your tight schedule By shannon lundgren | reporter

Spring break is over at USA, but Sexual Assault and Violence Educators’ Sex Week is just beginning.

Sex Week is a week promoting healthy sexual relationships and educating students on sexual health, according to SAVE member and Sex Week coordinator Kadijah Oliver.

It is no coincidence that Sex Week is coming directly after the end of spring break, according to Associate Dean of Students and Title IX Coordinator Dr. Krista Harrell.

Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 is a federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in education. Sex discrimination includes sexual harassment and sexual violence, according to the USA Title IX website.

“The students that planned Sex Week, in particular, were very intentional in when they wanted to do it,” Harrell said.

Spring break trips are associated with an increase in alcohol use, according to a 2015 study published in The Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.

Approximately one-half of sexual assault cases involve alcohol consumption, according to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

To bring awareness to sexual health issues, SAVE has ten events planned for Sex Week: • March 20, SAVE is encouraging students, faculty and staff to wear red and post a selfie to Instagram with the hashtag #SexyRedMonday in support of AIDS awareness.

• March 20 at 6 p.m. in Student Center Room 211, SAVE will host a trivia night with questions on sex and Title IX. • March 21 at 2 p.m. in Student Center Room 212, USA’s LBGTQ activism group Spectrum will give a presentation about healthy sexual relationships within the LGBTQ community.

• March 21 at 6 p.m. in the Terrace Room of the Student Center, students, faculty and staff are encouraged to show off their talent with spoken word, song or any performance at open mic night.

•March 22 at 11 a.m. in the Student Center Mall, participants will write letters to themselves about the things they wish they knew before having sex or being intimate with another person.

• March 22 at 5 p.m. in Student Center Room 212, SAVE will host a speed dating event and students will find new friendships and romances.

• March 23 at 5 p.m. in the Student Center Ballroom, there will be a sex forum and sex-themed games, such as Pop the Cherry Balloon, Lubricant Taste Test, Condom Relay and the Sex Wheel.

The forum will answer questions about sex at 6 p.m. and the Mobile Health Department will also give a presentation.

• March 23 at 11 a.m. in Student Center Room 253, International Justice Mission will give a presentation on sex and human trafficking.

• March 24, SAVE will host an allday fundraiser at Buffalo Wild Wings. Buffalo Wild Wings will donate 10 percent of every purchase to the Mobile Rape Crisis Center.

• On March 24 in the Student Center Ballroom, SAVE and IJM will host the Xpress Yourself fashion show. The show will promote self-expression through fashion. The proceeds from the show will benefit the Mobile Rape Crisis Center and efforts to end sex trafficking in the Dominican Republic.

Sex Week will end, but USA’s victims advocacy program provides assistance to victims of sexual assault year-round.

Students, faculty and staff can contact the victim’s advocacy program at (251) 460-7175 during business hours or (251) 341-9884 after business hours.

USA will have various events throughout Sex Week. Photo courtesy of Jake Cannon

LIFE

6 Sex Week 20 Monday Sex Trivia Night Student Center Room 211 6-9 p.m.

21 Tuesday Express Yourself: Life in Color Student Center Room 212 2-3 p.m.

21 Tuesday Grown and Sexy Open Mic Night Student Center Terrace 6-8 p.m.

22 Wednesday “Dear Self” Sex Letter Project Student Center Mall 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

23 Thursday A Human Life is Not an Object Student Center Room 253 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

23 Thursday Late Night Sex Talks: Let’s Talk About Sex Student Center Ballroom 6-9 p.m.

24 Friday Xpress Yourself Fashion Show Student Center Ballroom 6-8:30 p.m.

Future of bathroom rights at USA still uncertain By morgan parton | life reporter

applied to gender identity as well as sex.

Transgender rights activists are worried for the potential harm, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA bullying or discomfort the recent rescinding could cause transgender students.

According to the New York Times, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos initially refused to sign off on the order — telling Trump she was “uncomfortable” and feared the potential harm the order would bring to transgender students. However, India, 1880-1920 after pressure from Trump and Change in Northern Grimm is a 17-year-old high school Sessions, DeVos signed off on the studentEcological from Virginia who was denied order.

Diseases: to use the boy’s bathroom because he Immediately after the recent and Infectious rescinding, hundreds of transgender is a transgender.

AnimalAManagement, lower court has ruled in Gavin’s rights activists stood outside the White Army favor, but the transgender community House in protest. Videos were taken Colonialism, is Hydraulic hoping the U.S. Supreme Court will of chants such as, “No hate, no fear, transgender students are welcome solidify protections for Grimm and students like him across the country. here” and “Trans equality now and The ruling could potentially always.” neutralize the rescinding put forth by The Supreme Court is set to hear the case of Gavin Grimm this month. the Trump administration.

DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY

U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order last month revoking the previous administration’s order allowing transgender students to use the bathroom corresponding to their gender identity.

Trump has now left the decision up to the individual states to interpret the law concerning gender identity.

A letter was sent to school systems across the country about the reverse in the federal guidelines.

While no clear guidance or direction was given to schools regarding the contentious issue, the letter stated, “Schools must ensure that all students, including LGBT students, are able to learn and thrive in a safe environment,” according to The Washington Post.

This letter also stated that the federal government will not rely on the prior interpretation of the Title IX law in the future.

USA will ultimately be subject to Alabama law and any changes made and USA Department ofUSA USA Foundation and USA Department of History USA Foundation Foundation and andUSA USAand Department Department ofofHistory History USA Foundation History USA Foundation USA Department of History on the state level regarding bathroom present the present present presentthe the present thethe rights.

Krista Harrell, associate dean of students and Title IX coordinator at USA, stated, “The University of South Alabama is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse campus present the community in which all of its students USA Foundation and USA Department of History can confidently pursue their academic and extracurricular experiences.”

As far as bathrooms go, USA has no specific policy on this topic.

Instead, USA provides a list of singleuse restrooms on campus in order to meet the needs of all students and Hydraulic Hydraulic Hydraulic Hydraulic Hydraulic employees. This list can be found on Colonialism, Army Colonialism, Colonialism, Army Army Army Colonialism, Army Colonialism, USA’s Title IX webpage.

Animal Management, Animal AnimalAnimal Management, Management, Animal Management, Management, USA will continue to monitor the national and state developments made and Infectious and andInfectious Infectious and Infectious and Infectious regarding transgender and LGBT Diseases: Ecological Diseases: Diseases: Ecological Ecological Diseases: Ecological Diseases: Ecological rights. Any changes will be made Northern Change ChangeChange ininChange Northern Northern Change in Northern in in Northern known to appropriate administration India, 1880-1920 India, India,1880-1920 1880-1920 India, 1880-1920 India, 1880-1920 and an assessment will be made regarding how the information should be disseminated further.

USA will continue to follow a policy that prohibits discrimination, including harassment, based on sexual orientation, sex, or gender identity.

The original law, signed in May, was former U.S. President Barrack Obama’s interpretation of the Title IX law that prohibits sex discrimination UNIVERSITY SOUTH ALABAMA UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF OFSOUTH SOUTH ALABAMA ALABAMA UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA UNIVERSITY OFOF SOUTH ALABAMA in education.

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SPORTS

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USA basketball player breaks block record

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hectic, but she sticks with it by Features focusing on the future.

Community Amenities A native of the east Memphis • Fitness Center suburb of Cordova, Tennessee, Ellis • BBQ Area • Surface Parking sacrifices a lot to achieve her dreams, Fleur • Playground including being more than 320 miles 2 Bedroom Flat • Pet Friendly away from her daughter and not being 2 Bath • Swimming Pool & 1,014 Sq.Ft. Wading Pool able to see her every day.

• Sports Court With her outstanding hardwood Fee: $ on a 6 Pet: $ Rent: $ $50Deposit: OFF per Application month or$ 12 month •lease Dog Park skills at Arlington High School, it was • Nearby Transportation and Refer a move in and receive a $25 rent credit* FLEUR Highways: I-65 & I-10 2 BEDROOM FLAT/ 2 BATH Cherie practically impossible for her to miss the office for more details 3 Bedroom*call Flat Residence Amenities out on college offers. Since joining the 2 Bath • Air Conditioning 1,367 Sq.Ft. Lady Jags and putting on the number • Heating 34 jersey, Ellis has given her all.

• Patios/Balconies • Washer/Dryer Hook-ups According USAJaguars, Ellis • Carpeting averages 8.0 points per game, 7.7 • Vinyl Flooring rebounds and 0.3 assists.

• Full Size Kitchen • New White She is a powerhouse on defense, Shaker Cabinets and her teammates know she can be Pet: $ Application Fee: $ Deposit: $ Rent: $ • Quartz Countertop Throughout trusted, according to head coach Terry CHERIE • Range 3 BEDROOM FLAT/ 2 BATH Fowler. Due to the pride Ellis takes • Refrigerator in her craft and her work ethic, she is • Microwave • Dishwasher Amour destined to be a Jaguar legend.

• Garbage Disposal 3 Bedroom Townhouse As hard as may be to believe, Chyna 2.5 Bath Features Community Amenities Ellis does have a little room in her 1,415 Sq.Ft. • Fitness Center schedule for a few other interests, • BBQ Area especially when they are some of her • Surface Parking Fleur favorites. In professional basketball, • Playground 2 Bedroom Flat • Pet Friendly she’s a big fan of the Atlanta Dream N 2 Bath FIRST FLOOR SECOND FLOOR • Swimming Pool & 1,014 Sq.Ft. and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Wading Pool Pet: $ Application Fee: $ Deposit: $ Rent: $ AMOUR • Sports Court Ellis also loves listening to musical Rent: $ 3 BEDROOM TOWNHOUSE / 3 BATH Pet:COMMUNITY $ Application Fee: $ Deposit: $ •AMENITIES Dog Park artists Migos, K-Camp and Yo Gotti.

• MIRABELLE LEASING CENTER • 6427 Airport Blvd • Mobile, AL 36608 • FITNESS CENTER Nearby Transportation and FLEUR When she’s back in Cordova, Chyna Highways: I-65 & I-10 2 BEDROOM FLAT/ 2 BATH Cherie • BBQ AREA 251-343-6800 • MirabelleMobile.com 3 Bedroom Flat spends time with her daughter, her • SURFACE PARKING Residence Amenities Floor plans are artist’s rendering. Square feet and configuration may vary between individual apartments. Prices and availability are subject 2 Bath • PLAYGROUND mom, her dad and her younger • Air Conditioning and information.

1,367 Sq.Ft.to change without notice. Please contact sales associate for additional details • PET FRIENDLY • Heating brother.

• SWIMMING POOL & WADING POOL • Patios/Balconies • SPORTS COURT Tickets for all Jaguar athletic events • Washer/Dryer Hook-ups • DOG PARK can be purchased by calling • Carpeting & • NEARBY TRANSPORTATION Vinyl Flooring • HIGHWAYS: I-65 &•I-10 (251) 461-1872.

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MIRABELLE LEASING CENTER • 6427 Airport Blvd • Mobile, AL 36608

251-343-6800 • MirabelleMobile.com Floor plans are artist’s rendering. Square feet and configuration may vary between individual apartments. Prices and availability are subject to change without notice. Please contact sales associate for additional details and information.

Chyna Ellis made the third-team and won defensive player of the year last year. Photo courtesy of USAJaguars

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Saying Chyna Ellis is a standout on the basketball court is an understatement. The 6-foot-2-inch center first hit the hardwood for South during the 2014-2015 season, playing in 28 games as a freshman.

She is a defensive anchor for the Lady Jags and recently claimed the title of all-time leader in career blocks during the team’s Feb. 14 win over Appalachian State. Ellis also made the third-team All-Sun Belt Conference after her selection by 12 Sun Belt Conference coaches and members of the media.

This adds to last year’s postseason honors of also making the third-team and winning defensive player of the year.

“She’s just scratching the surface on the basketball floor,” said head coach Terry Fowler. “She’s a rim protectorthat’s what we need.”

Basketball is not the only place Ellis shines. The junior allied health major puts in serious time in the classroom and plans a career in the medical field as an anesthesiologist.

With a course-load heavy on science classes, it takes focus and determination to achieve success.

It also takes hard work, which Ellis knows all too well. Ellis states that math and science are her favorite subjects. Competing as a collegiate athlete while pursuing a Bachelor’s degree means her schedule is often

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jullian jackson | sports reporter

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SPORTS

8 Home Games Baseball vs Georgia State University Mar. 24 | 6:30 p.m.

Mar. 25 | 6:30 p.m.

Mar. 26 | 1 p.m.

Softball vs Louisiana-Lafayette Mar. 25 | 1 p.m.

Mar. 25 | 3 p.m.

Mar. 26 | 1 p.m.

Away Games Baseball vs Alabama State University Montgomery, Alabama Mar. 21 | 6 p.m.

M Golf vs Seahawk Intercollegiate Wilmington, North Carolina Mar. 19-20 M Tennis vs Dartmouth New Orleans, Louisiana Mar. 24 | 1 p.m.

Track and Field vs Samford Invitational Birmingham, Alabama Mar. 24 W Tennis vs Georgia Southern Statesboro, Georgia Mar. 25 | 11 a.m.

W Tennis vs Appalachian State Statesboro, Georgia Mar. 25 | 7 a.m.

Softball vs Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, Mississippi Mar. 22 | 6 p.m.

Devin Brown continued from page 1 Continued from page 1

the program, but no, it was not my intention to come here, ever.”

After attending South Alabama for three years, she has accomplished the following: • Two-Time NFCA All-America Scholar Athlete Selection • Two-Time Sun Belt Conference Commissioner’s List Selection • Seven-Time Sun Belt Conference Pitcher of the Week • First-Team All Sun Belt Conference Selection • Sun Belt Conference AllTournament • NFCA All-South Region Selection Louisville Slugger/NFCA Pitcher of the Week Even after being honored for her work, Brown believes she has yet to complete her biggest accomplishment.

“I don’t know, I haven’t had it yet.” said Brown.

Her ambitious yet humble attitude is something to take note of. She believes that it is not a single person who has made this season’s team chemistry so fluid.

“I feel like this year our team gets along a lot better. I feel like we are really close. We’ve had more experience together, it’s a lot easier.”

Devin Brown has been recognized seven times by the Sun Belt Conference as their Pitcher of the Week. Photo by Jake Cannon

So far this season, the Jags are 15-1 at home and an overall record of 19-8.

Finding an off day for the graphic design major is difficult. The team practices seven days sometimes or 20 hours a week, leaving little room for activities other than school and softball.

For the players, softball is like a part time job, but when she can manage some spare time she says she can be found doing homework or sleeping.

Brown finds herself dealing with many of the same struggles as other students and athletes.

“Trying not to get overwhelmed is the hard part,” Brown said.

“Sometimes it doesn’t matter how well you manage your time, you are just not going to be able to get everything done. Learning to let things go is really hard for me.”

Fortunately, Brown has a support

Devin Brown prepares to pitch. Photo by Jake Cannon

system close by.

“My family, my parents and my fiance are very supportive of me.”

Brown said. She has been playing softball since she was four. Her father is her biggest fan, often informing her of her honors.

Throughout her collegiate career, she has been recognized seven times by the Sun Belt Conference as their Pitcher of the week, selected as firstteam All-Sun Belt Conference, Sun Belt Conference All-Tournament, twice nominated NFCA All-Time American Scholar Athlete and more.

In her opinion, she has not yet accomplished what she wants to at USA. As for her biggest accomplishment, Brown has the rest of her junior season and senior year to continue her performance with the South Alabama Jaguars.

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USA softball defeats Coastal Carolina

Megan Harris snagged bases for USA against Coastal Carolina. Photo by Jake Cannon

ryann guy | sports reporter

South Alabama softball finished its three-game series with a 6-1 win against Coastal Carolina, improving The Jaguars season record to 19-8.

South tied their doubleheader, winning the first and losing the second game on Saturday. Pitcher Devin Brown recorded her ninth win of the season against Coastal Sunday. She has improved to 9-4 with an ERA of 1.20. During the game,bases were loaded four times in five innings and 11 runners were left on base.

Altogether, the Jags ended the game with 11 hits. Kaleigh Todd had three hits from four at bats and scored twice.

Kristian Foster recorded three RBIs. The Chanticleers managed seven hits made by Taty Forbes, Kailey Mellen, Kassidy Smith and Amanda Daneker.

Marissa Landrum warmed up the bases for the Jaguars, scoring the first run of the game in the second inning. The run was reached by the pinch runner for Morgan Lutticken on a bases loaded walk. Lutticken

previously singled to right field.

Two more innings were left scoreless by both teams.

In the top of fourth inning, Coastal Carolina’s Mellen hit a leadoff double to battle back against the Jaguars, but Smith hit a pop up and Adriana Toro grounded out giving the Chanticleers two outs against them. Brown struck out her first batter of the game, clearing Coastal’s chance of scoring that inning.

In the bottom of the fourth, Todd singled and MC Nichols landed a clean bunt making it safe to first and advancing Todd to second. Kristian Foster bunted as well, but could not lay down the ball, receiving the first out of the inning. Amanda Minihan flew out to right field for out number two.

With runners on first and second, Lowe was patient at the plate, watching the balls rack up until she was walked to first loading the bases. Savannah Mayo hit a hard grounder up the middle scoring Todd.

Coastal Carolina called for a

pitch change, bringing in Devin Wallace. Pinch hitter Destin Vicknair showcased her first career at bat for South, but popped up to the catcher for the final out of the inning.

Coastal Carolina’s Taty Forbes received a base hit up the middle as she continued 3 for 3 during the game.

Alexis Alvino hit to shortstop but Foster threw to first for out number one of inning five. Forbes advanced to second. Amanda Daneker hit a line drive through the left side as Forbes took third and home, scoring Coastal’s only run of the game. Timi Tooley popped up to the catcher, Aly Smith, as she snagged the third out.

For South, pinch hitter Megan Harris and Kaleigh Todd both singled and Nichols walked in the sixth. Foster hit in two runs after after smacking the ball into left field, advancing the score to 4-1, USA. Amanda Minahan hit a line drive to the infield and but got out as the second basemen turned it around for a double-play.

Lowe managed a leadoff double

to start the bats for the bottom of the sixth. Savanna Mayo struck out on a changeup for out number one.

Vicknair’s second plate appearance earned her a walk. With runners on first and second. On deck, Aly Smith recorded her first career triple, smacking in two runs.

The Jags took the field one last time. Minahan caught the first out, stepping only about five feet over from her original position in center field. Forbes went 4-4 singling up the middle once again. Alvino managed a single by shortstop Fosters’s fielder’s choice, getting lead runner Forbes out at second base.

Minahan ended the game when she caught the final out, solidifying the 6-1 win over Coastal Carolina, the nineteenth win of the season.

This week, the Jaguars travel to face Southern Mississippi on Wednesday night and then return home to host another three-game series against Louisiana-Lafayette Saturday and Sunday.

OPINION

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Military sexual assault should be addressed through accountability

By Joel Goode | Opinion Editor

Earlier this month, the Naval Criminal investigative Service reported that hundreds of nonconsensually taken nude photographs of female Marines were circulated on social media by a group of servicemen calling themselves “Marines United.”

The revelation is the latest in a series of sexual assault cases in the military that have been exposed to the media in recent years.

In 2012, the seminal advocacy documentary film “The Invisible War” brought light to the overwhelming problem of rape in the military and inspired a series of bills that began appearing in Congress.

A system of corruption was exposed that saw victims ignored or otherwise outright punished for coming forward.

One victim who appeared in the documentary, Jessica Hinves, who had been honorably discharged for PTSD caused by her assault in 2011, had her disability benefits downgraded by the Air Force immediately after the release of the film, according to a PBS article.

The article states that 62 percent of service members who report sexual assault also report some form of retaliation, from physical threats and actual violence to judicial reprimands and discharges.

In May 2013, Donald Trump tweeted, “What did these geniuses expect when they put men and women together?”

Last year, Trump stood by his opinion during a debate with Hillary Clinton: “Well, it’s happening,” said Trump. “And, by the way, since then, it’s gotten worse.”

The president’s attitude reflects a frustrating social trend that assumes men and women inhabiting the same environment together is a recipe for unwanted sexual contact.

One has to wonder whether the issue of sexual assault in the military will intensify given the current administration opinion on the underlying reason for sexual assault.

According to data gathered by the Pentagon, more than 70 percent of sexual assaults in the military have male victims, which immediately

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dispels Trump’s claim that the issue comes from the close interaction of male and female service members.

At the same time, according to the U.S. Department of Defense, more than 20 percent of female service members have been sexually assaulted, while over 80 percent of female service members report sexual harassment.

While only 1 percent of male service members are victims of sexual assault, according to the DoD data, the fact that women are an overwhelming minority means that numerically more men have actually been raped.

Nevertheless, with society at large, the disproportionate victimization of women reveals the prevalence of misogyny in military rape culture.

There were 6,083 reports of sexual assaults in the military in 2015 alone according to the DoD, a number which grows exponentially higher when one factors in the amount of unreported assaults, which the DoD once calculated could be as high as 80 percent.

15 percent of recruits attempted to commit rape before joining the military, which is “twice the percentage of the equivalent civilian population” according to the film.

Women who have been raped in the military have a PTSD rate higher than service members who have been in combat, according to the Dod. The organization also found that more than half of the service members who reported sexual assault have experienced social retaliation.

When it comes to addressing these

issues, institutions of all stripes, from the military, to academies, to corporate offices, have a track record of being misguided and condescending in their approach.

Their efforts reflect Trump’s attitude of not understanding the actual source of the problem.

In “The Invisible War”, Executive Director of the Service Women’s Action Network Anu Bhagwati puts it best when she said: “You cannot prevent sexual assault with a series of pretty posters.”

“These are violent people,” said Bhagwati. “All of the military’s risk prevention money is spent on advertising, which traffics heavily in victim blaming.”

The only way for the military, and public institutions in general, to function healthily is to hold the rapists within their ranks fully accountable by prosecutorial experts who specialize in sexual assault cases.

The most recent bill to address the effort, the Military Justice Improvement Act sponsored by Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, was shot down by the Senate, according to NPR. Trump believes that somehow segregating men from women will destroy the underlying sadism and entitlement that enables sexual assault, when in reality service members will continue to be raped no matter how the genders are organized if the actual cultural and institutional problems remain unaddressed.

We know you have opinions.

Share your thoughts with The Vanguard at thevanguardeditor@gmail.com

A serviceman and a servicewoman march in unison. Photo courtesy of CNN

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