March 27, 2017 by The Vanguard

If it matters to you, it matters to us.

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA

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MONDAY MARCH 27 2017 VOL 59 ISS 22

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SGA endorses amendements to constitution Full updates on last week’s SGA meeting on March 20.

Student Spotlight Sharon shares how joining multiple student organizations helped her college experience. Page 5

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One, two, three, and you’re out! USA Baseball sweeps a three-game series against Georgia State University. Page 8

Suspect arrested in connection to murder of USA alumna

Is this your hammer of justice? It could be. The SGA candidate forum will be held in the Student Center Terrace Room. Photo by Jake Cannon

The Vanguard to host the SGA candidate forum March 27 By shannon lundgren | Reporter

Pictured on left is USA alumna Kelei Morris who was murdered in 2015. Pictured right is Steven Mason, who was recently arrested in connection with her murder. Photos courtesy of Fox10tv.com By Krisha amin | Life editor

The Mobile Police Department made an arrest in connection with the 2015 murder of Kelei Morris, a USA alumna, on Monday, March 20, according to the Sun Herald. Steven Mason, 33, was arrested in connection to the case. The murder occurred in 2015 outside Morris’s apartment complex on Feb. 2, 2015. She was shot in the head

and died two days later, according to Fox10. Before her passing, Morris briefly dated Mason, according to NBC Local 15. Morris was born in New Orleans and raised in Biloxi, Mississippi. She graduated from USA in 2013, with a bachelor’s degree in cardio-respiratory science. While at USA, Morris was an active member in the university’s Catholic Student Association, accord-

ing to the Sun Herald. Prior to her death, Morris was fulfilling her dream of helping others as a respiratory therapist at the Mobile Infirmary Medical Center, according to AL.com. This is not Mason’s first encounter with the law. In June 2002, Mason, who was 18 years old at the time of the murder, murdered his former girlfriend, Mesha Continued on page 4

SGA candidates will become more than just a name on a ballot. The Vanguard is scheduled to host the SGA candidate’s forum on March 27 in the Student Center Terrace Room. Candidates will field questions from the audience and from Facebook starting at 6:30 p.m. The forum will be split into two parts: officer candidates and senator candidates. Officer candidates will answer questions in a debate-style forum. Senator candidates will answer questions from the audience in a Continued on page 3

Managing Editor | Marissa Mason smm1421@jagmail.southalabama.edu Monday, March 27, 2017

NEWS

anguard SGA endorses 3 constitutional amendments 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 Krisha Amin Jake Cannon

Reporters Ryann Guy Richard Narramore Shannon Lundgren

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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.

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The SGA endorsed three proposed amendments to the SGA constitution in their March 20 meeting. The proposed amendments seek to enlarge the Supreme Court, update language regarding the Board of Student Communications, and remove mention of salary from the senate clerk description. Amendments are proposed to the SGA constitution by the student body. Amendments are not required to have SGA endorsement to be put on the ballot, according to Chief Justice Taylor Davis. The first amendment seeks to add four associate justice positions to the supreme court. Dr. Andrea Agnew, assistant dean of students, requested the SGA consider adding more associate justices, according to Davis. Associate justices serve on the University Disciplinary Committee and hear two cases per semester. Each case can last up to four or five hours, according to Davis. Serving on the UDC can be emotionally taxing and lead to burnout, according to Davis. Adding more associate justice positions will alleviate some of the stress on associate justices, as well as improving scheduling. Two associate justices, one male and one female, will be present for a UDC hearing, as well as USA staff, according to Davis. Associate justices undergo training before they can be present for a UDC hearing. The amendment also seeks to add a 2.5 GPA requirement to the associate justice position. There currently is not a GPA requirement for this position. Davis said any students interested in serving as an associate justice in the next school year should email sga.chiefjustice@southalabama.edu. The second proposed amendment, regarding the Board of Student Communications, seeks to change language in the constitution to include The Prowl and Due South. The Prowl is USA’s student-run FM radio station and Due South is USA’s student-run magazine. This amendment will also clarify that The Prowl will receive funding from the sale of sponsorships and a portion of the student activity allocation to student media. According to Davis, the Board of

The SGA meetings are held in the Student Center Ballroom. Photo by Shannon Lundgren

Student Communications requested these updates. The third proposed amendment will remove the statement that the senate clerk be paid a semesterly salary. No other SGA position addresses salary in the constitution. The salaries of other SGA positions are addressed in the SGA code-of-laws. Students can vote on these amendments as well in the SGA elections online from April 3-5. March 20 SGA meeting recap:

soon. • The Vanguard will host a SGA candidate’s forum on March 27 at 6:30 p.m in the Student Center Terrace Room, immediately after the SGA meeting at 6 p.m. Anyone may attend. • The student organization awards banquet will be on March 31.

• SGA voted to endorse three proposed amendments to the constitution. • Suggestions for the last roundtable of the semester should be emailed to Kinsley Knapp at sga.studentatlarge@ southalabama.edu. • SGA nominated faculty, staff and students for awards at their upcoming SGA banquet. • April 7 is the deadline for appropriations applications. Only appropriations requests by recognized student organizations will be considered. • SGA voted to move the Appropriations Chair position from the senate to the executive cabinet and add one position to the appropriations board. • Ticket Forgiveness Day will be on April 19. Students can donate cleaning supplies to have some parking offenses forgiven. This semester’s beneficiary will be the Mulherin Home. Additional details will be available

OPEN 7AM-10PM M-S KITCHEN OPEN 8AM-6PM 5460 OLD SHELL ROAD

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Managing Editor | Marissa Mason smm1421@jagmail.southalabama.edu Monday, March 27, 2017

The Vanguard to host candidate forum (continued)

SGA met on March 20 to hear Chief Justice Taylor Davis speak on three ballot initiatives. Photo by Shannon Lundgren

Continued from page 1

town-hall style forum. SGA has many responsibilities, including managing a budget, organizing student events, approving student organizations and deciding how much money to grant each organization. The administration gives SGA a budget to allocate as it sees fit. The most recent budget, the spring budget, was more than $250,000. Most of the money in the spring’s budget funded student activities and organizations. The largest student activity SGA voted to fund in spring semester was to contribute $40,000 toward the spring concert. SGA scrutinizes every request for funding they receive. Receiving funding from the SGA is not a right or a guarantee. Deciding whether to approve a funding request is a decision that directly impacts the quality of student life on campus. In addition to managing their budget, SGA also passes resolutions, which are statements to the administration about what the students desire. While the administration is not bound to act on a resolution, they take resolutions seriously. Recently,

the administration took steps to implement the SGA’s most recent resolution. Resolutions are not the only way SGA serves student interests. Members of SGA also serve on university committees, such as the food advisory committee. As the result of a student request, SGA worked with the food advisory committee to replace margarine with butter in the cafeteria in the spring semester. Voting is more than a popularity contest; it is a statement on the direction of the student body. This forum will give students the opportunity to find out where the candidates stand on the issues they care about. Join the debate in person or by participating over Facebook.

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

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

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.

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

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. Claire Burch spoke at an SGA meeting. Photo by Shannon Lundgren

If you SEE something, DO something!

3-13-2017 Criminal Mischief Third Degree Football Practice Fields Multiple fire extinguishers were discharged in the bathroom and ice box at the football practice facility by unknown persons.

Managing Editor | Marissa Mason smm1421@jagmail.southalabama.edu Monday, March 27, 2017

March Events 27 Monday SGA Candidate Forum Student Center Terrace 6-8 p.m. USA College Republicans host Rep. Victor Gastor Student Center room 212 5-6 p.m.

28 Tuesday AKA Natural Beauty Forum Student Center 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

31 Friday Foam Party Student Center Amphitheater 6-9 p.m. University Band Inaugural Spring Concert Laidlaw Performing Arts Center

April 7 Friday

Mega Musical Chairs Student Center Amphitheater 5-8 p.m.

8 Saturday Jerimih Spring Concert Mitchell Center 8-10 p.m.

Murder suspect arrested (continued) Continued from page 1

Anglin, in Mobile County. Anglin was shot in the head as Mason stood outside her bedroom window, according to NBC Local 15. Mason was tried as a juvenile for the murder of Anglin. He was exonerated of full murder charges and instead granted juvenile-offender status, according to Sun Herald. This meant that if Mason was convicted of the murder at that time, he would only have to serve a maximum of three years in prison. In juvenile cases, the “offender status” is given to minors for committing acts of felony that are considered violations of law just because of the youth’s status, according to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Status offenses typically include skipping school, underage drinking and running away from home. Murder does not fall into this category. Yet Alabama law’s youthful offender status policy allows even a class C felony, which entails the consequences of committed murder, to be under the youthful offender umbrella in special cases. In hindsight, the Alabama juvenile offender status aided Mason. Granting youthful offender status seals any records of previous crimes and even if one is found guilty of the offense, it will not show up as a conviction on records. Mason was able to get a nursing job at Singing River Health System Due to his youthful offender status, Mason passed the criminal background check, that all new employees must take prior to being hired, according to the Sun Herald. Mason has been charged with the murder and booked into the Mobile County Metro Jail, according to Fox 10.

NEWS

WE’RE

HIRING ! The Vanguard is currently seeking a sports reporter. Applicants should write a brief summary explaining their interest in USA sports.

Apply with resume and sample of writing to thevanguardeditor@gmail.com.

FOR JAG MEDIA Communication Media Managers Paying positions. Send your résumé and cover letter explaining the position for which you are applying. Saturday,March April 15th. Applications are due no later than Tuesday, 31st. Please send applications to jaucoin@southalabama.edu. Be prepared to interview for the position. Positions Available

Editor-in-Chief, The Vanguard

The editor-in-chief is responsible for the overall operations of the newspaper, ensuring that all tasks, from planning to distribution are completed. Applicants should have strong understanding of journalism techniques and leadership skills. 20 hours per week and scholarship.

Advertising Manager

The advertising manager is responsible for advertising sales in both The Vanguard and Due South. Duties include cultivating and calling on advertisers, overseeing ad designs, overseeing sales staff, and ensuring the quality and accuracy of advertising. 20 hours per week and scholarship.

General Manager, Jag TV

The general manager is responsible for hiring and overseeing the Jag TV staff, ensuring quality of the campus news programs, covering campus events, producing original programming and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the television station. Applicants should be familiar with video editing techniques, camera operation and television direction. 20 hours per week and scholarship.

Editor-in-Chief, Due South

The editor-in-chief is responsible for the overall operations of the magazine, ensuring that all tasks, from planning to distribution are completed. Applicants should have strong understanding of journalism techniques and leadership skills. 20 hours per week.

Assistant Editor, Due South

The assistant editor is responsible for all production functions and operations of the newspaper. The managing editor is also responsible for all layout and design responsibilities as defined by the editor-in-chief. 15 hours per week.

Operations Manager, The Prowl

The operations manager is responsible for recruiting and overseeing Prowl staff, ensuring the quality of the campus radio programs and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the radio station. Applications should be familiar with audio editing techniques, broadcast operation and radio direction. 20 hours per week.

LIFE

Student spotlight on Sharon Williams

Sharon Williams is a human resource management major at USA. Photo by Jake cannon

By Micaela Walley | Copy Editor

Sharon Williams, a junior human resource management major at USA, is an advocate for getting involved on campus sooner rather than later. Williams dedicated her freshman and sophomore year to becoming involved with Chi Omega sorority and the Catholic Student Association. She spent her summers as a New Student Orientation Leader where she showed new students around campus, helped them sign up for classes, and gave out information on what student organizations they too could get involved in. Williams is proof that it is beneficial for students to push themselves further than just getting good grades in college. While some people say they do not have time to get involved because of their busy schedules, she continuously shows that it is possible to find a healthy balance between work, school and extracurricular activities. “Joining multiple student organizations helped my college experience to be the absolute best because I was surrounded by students who loved the University of South Alabama as much as I did,” Williams said. At the beginning of her sophomore year, Williams became a resident assistant in the Delta community. In this position, she became responsible for 80 residents within the community. She organized several events each month for her residents and acted as a student resource for them.

Williams also became a member of Southerners, a 20-member group, at the end of her sophomore year, making her an official ambassador for the university. Through this organization, she works closely with alumni relations, university administration and community groups to promote South. This year, she is the RA and the President of Chi Omega, simultaneously. Williams admitted she never thought as a freshman she’d hold both of these positions within her sorority during her time at South. “I remember going through Recruitment not even being sure if joining a sorority was for me,” Williams said. Though it can be tough holding both of these positions, Williams remains thrilled with the opportunities that come from them. “There are times where it can be stressful, but there are more times that I am so grateful to be a leader for my best friends,” she added. While most people would crack under the pressure of so many responsibilities, Williams handles all of the position’s requirements and continues to go above and beyond for those counting on her. Last spring, she received the resident Assistant of the Year award for her work in the delta community. She has also received scholarships through Chi Omega for her dedication to the sorority, including the Greek New Member of the Year award and the Emily Ulmer Feinstein Scholarship. “I believe the key to juggling busy schedules is knowing how to prioritize and organize,” Williams added. “I make time for things that I must do, but also for the things I want to do. It’s understanding that you can’t do absolutely everything, but that you are capable to do many things well with the help of friends and classmates. At USA, there are more than 200 student organizations to choose from. Williams encourages anyone interested in getting involved on campus to attend all Get On Board days and check the daily digest for information on events.

Sharon Williams is a human resource management major at USA. Photo by Jake cannon

LIFE

6 Fight for your chair and your charity By KRISHA AMIN | life reporter

The fifth annual Mega Musical Chairs fundraiser is scheduled to take place April 7. Musical chairs are a birthright of every childhood experience. It is age-old game void of the stress and burdens that have come to define college. Imagine a day where you can embrace this childhood nostalgia once again, but in “mega” fashion. Mega Musical Chairs is hosted by Alpha Epsilon Delta, the University of South Alabama’s pre-health honor society. The event raises thousands of dollars every year and the proceeds are donated to the winner’s non-profit charity of choice. In 2012, Mega Musical Chairs started with two freshmen, 100 chairs and a simple idea: raise money and awareness for Haiti earthquake victims. In its first year alone, the event raised roughly $1,500 for the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund. Since its inception, Mega Musical Chairs has grown to become one of the biggest events on campus. Last year alone, over 600 students partook in the tradition. They played for various charities, including Little Sisters of the Poor, Make a Wish and Aashray Care Home. However, Camp Kesem was the

grand prize winner of over $5,500. Camp Kesem provides a week long summer camp for children whose parents are battling cancer. Mega Musical Chairs was awarded the Student-Driven Program of the Year at the 2016 ACUI Annual Conference and Outstanding Student Program of the Year at the 2016 USA Student Leaders Awards Banquet. Over the course of its years, Mega Musical Chairs has become more than a fundraising event that promotes philanthropy, comradery and a chance at a second childhood. Rather than provide relief to one organization, the chairs of Mega Musical Chairs wanted to use their platform to promote a far more paramount notion about leadership and moral obligation . The cardinal concept of Mega Musical Chairs is to impart a sense of self-awareness about the pressing issues that encapsulate our world and to use this knowledge to aid someone else’s world of experiences. Following the event’s first year, the proceeds of Mega Musical Chairs have gone to the winner’s charity of choice. Past winning charities have included the Fallen Heroes of America and the USA Children’s and Women’s Hospital. Mega Musical Chairs 2017 will be held April 7, from 5-8 p.m. at the Student Center Amphitheater. This year’s theme is “Rave edition.” Tickets go on sale March 27 for $5 each. Each ticket includes a chair, glow sticks, a T-shirt, dinner, drinks, a chance to win several door prizes, including Jeremih concert tickets. Tickets can be purchased online through www.megamusicalchairs.com. For chances to win giveaway items also starting on March 27, follow the Mega Musical Chairs Facebook page.

Gumbo Chili Showdown

By KRISHA AMIN | life reporter

The 2017 Gumbo Chili Showdown is scheduled to take place on April 8. Gumbo Chili Showdown is a contest among teams of five to award the best tasting gumbo and chili of the day. The tradition is organized by students of the University of South Alabama College of Medicine and sponsored by the USA Medical Alumni Association. The USA spring Red-Blue football game will immediately follow the gumbo chili “tailgate” at noon. The cook-off went on a hiatus following 2013 but returned last year in spectacular fashion. Winners included team “Netflix and Chili,” who were the Grand Champions, “The Gumbologists” for Best Gumbo Award, and “Roux Dat” for People’s Choice. The funds of the showdown directly benefit the Regan Robinson Young Scholarship. Medical students created this scholarship in 2010 in honor of their late classmate, Regan Robinson Young. Young was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer at the age of 23 during her second year of medical school. However, Young did not let her illness get in the way of her commitment to the study of medicine. Rather, she used it as a

means to further devote herself to the understanding and care of patients. She passed away four months shy of graduation at the age of 26. Young’s lionhearted and selfless decision to continue medical school is immortalized through the fervor of the annual event and the scholarship that now bears her name. Last year alone, the event raised over $30,000 through sponsorships and the cook-off itself. At the end of the showdown, the scholarship is awarded to a rising 4th year medical student who echoes the same valence and tenacity as that of Young. Tickets for the event can be preordered for $8 at gumbochili@ gmail.com. Tickets will be $10 the day of the event. The event will feature games for children and live music. GCS will kick off at 10:30 a.m. at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on April 8 and will be immediately followed by the USA spring football game. More information about team sign-ups, sponsorships, ticket purchasing and information, and other questions can be addressed through gumbochili@gmail.com.

SPORTS

Ladies lead in golf

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The University of South Alabama women’s golf sophomores Mackenzie Peyton and Lexi Worrell carded scores of 74 and 76, respectively, on Sunday to lead the Jaguars after day one of the John Kirk Panther Intercollegiate. “MacKenzie and Lexi both stayed patient after rough starts,” head coach Matt Luther said. “Both finished -2 on the last three holes. I’m really proud of them and their work today” South Alabama turned in a team score of 317 (+29) for 13th, 12 strokes ahead of Sun Belt Conference opponent Louisiana-Monroe. Murray State led the field after round one,carding a 293 (+5) — only one stroke ahead of Eastern Kentucky. Eastern Kentucky’s Elsa Mobery holds the top individual spot with a 4-under par 68, besting three other golfers by three strokes that are tied for second. Peyton is tied with six other golfers for 12th after a 2-over par 74 first round. The sophomore teed off on the back nine and recorded two back-toback bogeys to begin the round. Before heading into the turn, Peyton shot two more bogeys, but sunk a birdie on the par-3 16th hole to put her 3-over par. She shot even par for the first three holes before her first and only bogey on the front nine. She shaved two strokes off on the seventh and ninth hole, recording two more birdies to end the day. Lexi Worrell ended the first round with a 4-over par 76, tied with 10 other golfers for 22nd. The sophomore started the round with three consecutive bogeys, but shot even for the next four holes before recording one last bogey on the par-5, 480-yard

18th hole. After the turn, Worrell started with a double bogey, but she was able to shave off those two strokes with two birdies on the par-4 seventh and ninth holes for an even par front nine. Carianne Wright and Elisa Axelsen recorded score of 83 and 84, respectively. Wright ran into trouble throughout the round, carding three bogeys and a double bogey on the back nine. After the turn, the senior started the front with a birdie, but a triple bogey, two double bogeys and a final bogey on the par-4 eighth hole put Wright 11-over par for 63rd. Axelson stands tied for 67th after recording five bogeys, three double bogeys and a triple bogey, which put the senior at 12-over par. “It’s important our players remain positive and have some fight when things aren’t going our way,” Luther said. “That’s what we have to do more as a team. We need positive energy through adversity.” South Alabama will tee off from the 10th hole tomorrow beginning with Axelsen at 10:20 a.m. (CT). Live results will be available at GolfStat. com. For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/ USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872). Join the Chip In Club, the women’s golf specific support club of the Jaguar Athletic Fund. All donations to the Chip In Club go directly to support the South Alabama women’s golf program. For more information on how you can join visit: jaguarathleticfund.com/ chipinclub.

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Mackenzie Peyton swings at the John Kirk Panther Intercollegiate. Photo courtesy of USAJaguars

SPORTS

8 Home Games M Tennis vs Troy Mar. 29 | 2 p.m. Softball vs Troy Mar. 29 | 6 p.m.

Away Games Baseball vs University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, Mississippi March 28 | 6 p.m. Baseball vs University of Louisiana at Lafayette Lafayette, Louisiana March 31 | 6 p.m. April 1 | 6 p.m. April 2 | 1 p.m. M Tennis vs Middle Tennessee Murfreesboro, Tennessee March 31 | 2 p.m. M Tennis vs UAB Murfreesboro, Tennessee April 1 | 10 a.m. M Tennis vs Valparaiso Murfreesboro, Tennessee April 2 | 10 a.m. Track and Field vs Pepsi Florida Relays Gainesville, Florida March 29 - April 1 Track and Field vs 90th Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays Austin, Texas March 31 W Golf vs John Kirk Panther Intercollegiate Atlanta, Georgia March 26-28

Baseball sweeps Georgia State by Marissa mason | managing editor

South Alabama’s baseball team (15-9, 5-1 SBC) swept Georgia State (11-13, 1-5 SBC) in a three-game conference series this weekend, extending their winning streak to six over the weekend. In game one of the series (7-0), Eddie Paparella homered to left field, earning two RBI as he and Will Luft scored in the bottom of the fourth inning. Three innings later, Luft singled to the pitcher earning and allowed Travis Swaggerty and Brendan Donovan to score in the bottom of the seventh. Randy Bell tossed seven shutout innings, allowing only five hits with a career-high 11 strikeouts. Jared Barnes, Hunter Stokes and Dylan Hardy were walked in the beginning of the eighth inning, loading the bases. Drew LaBounty hit to center field, allowing Barnes to score. Donovan singled through the the right side, advancing Hardy to third while Stokes scored. Hardy scored off of a single to the right side by Swaggerty. Game two (16-6) started with Davis hitting a three-run home run, scoring Paparella and Swaggerty along with him. The next inning saw Barnes score as Donovan was walked with the bases loaded. Swaggerty then hit a grand slam to right field, scoring himself, Donovan, LaBounty and Stokes. The game stayed quiet until the top of the sixth inning when Georgia

State’s Justin Jones and Ryan Blanton scored off of a hit by Jarrett Hood, bringing the game to 8-2 in favor of South Alabama. The Jaguars came back with a vengeance, scoring eight runs in the bottom of the sixth. Swaggerty scored on a wild pitch. Davis and Paparella scored on a single by Barnes. Barns and Luft then scored when Carter Perkins doubled. LaBounty doubled down the left field line, scoring Perkins and Stokes. Donovan singled up the middle to allow LaBounty to run the last score by the Jaguars for the remainder of the game. Thomas Huston struck out a careerhigh eight batters without giving a single walk. Georgia State’s Will Kilgore and Jaylen Woullard scored at the top of the seventh, then Darius Sewell and Hood scored in the top of the eighth. The final game to earn the conference sweep (19-9) ended after eight inning due to the Sunday 10run mercy rule. Donovan scored in the first inning off of a double by Paparella. Georgia State reacted, Sewell scoring on a wild pitch and tying the game 1-1 in the second inning. Georgia State took the lead for the first time in the three-game series when Nick Gatewood singled to right field and Romero Greer and Woullard scored unearned in the top of the third. The Jags tied up the score right away when Hardy and LaBounty scored on two separate plays in the

Softball vs Appalachian State Boone, North Carolina April 1 | 12 p.m. April 1 | 2 p.m. April 2 | 10 a.m.

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With the win on Sunday, the Jaguars increase their win streak to six. Photo courtesy of USAJaguars

bottom of the third. South Alabama continued in the next inning. Barnes scored off of Hardy’s single, LaBounty doubled to score Hardy, and Donovan singled to right field, scoring LaBounty. Georgia state scored Jones and Gatewood in the top of the fifth, bringing the score to a close 6-5 in USA’s favor. Barnes scored in the bottom of the sixth off of Donovan’s double to right center. Russo was hit by a pitch, advancing the loaded bases and allowing LaBounty to score. Swaggerty and Donovan scored on Davis’s single to center field. Davis and Adam Wolfe scored as Luft singled up the middle, earning the last points of the inning. The Panthers scored their final three runs for the game in the seventh inning, closing in on the Jags’ lead 12-9. Swaggerty, LaBounty, and Davis scored in the bottom of the seventh. Barnes scored, LaBounty scored, and Donovan scored in the bottom of the eighth, ending the game due to the mercy rule and finishing their three-game Sun Belt Conference sweep. The Jaguars plan to go on a nine game road stretch before returning to Stanky Field April 14, when they face Coastal Carolina. South Alabama next faces Southern Miss in Hattiesburg, Miss., March 28 and will continue conference play in a three game series against the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns March 31-April 2 in Lafayette, La.

SPORTS

Softball falls to Louisiana Lafayette by Ryann guy | sports reporter

The Jaguars fell 8-3 to the No.17 Ragin Cajun’s and remain undefeated in the Sun Belt Conference 4-0. Four runs from Louisiana-Lafayette in the top of the second inning left South’s softball team trying to catch up for the remainder of game one for the weekend series. Game one started with Devin Brown in the circle for the Jags. She gave up seven runs to the Ragin’ Cajuns in over five innings. In the batter’s box, Haleigh Lane went 2-for-4 with one RBI. Morgan Lutticken managed her first career home run with a two-run dinger in the bottom of the sixth inning. Kaleigh Todd, Kristian Foster and Amanda Minahan all had one hit to add to the team’s seven hits for the game. In the top of the first inning, South only allowed three batters for ULL a chance at the plate. To get the three outs, Brown struck out two batters and Minahan had an impressive leaping catch, crashing into the wall in centerfield to save a potential multi-base hit. The Ragin’ Cajuns had five hits in the second inning. DJ Sanders started off the inning for ULL at the plate hitting a double through the left side.

Lexie Comeaux was next as she placed the ball in the right side gap, driving in Sanders for their first run. A grounder up the middle by Beth Ashley was enough for another run by Comeaux. The last two runners to get across home plate were hit in by Kara Gremillion as she placed the ball up the third base line. Minahan scored the first run for the Jags in the bottom of the third. She scored from Lane’s hard hit ground ball past the first and second basemen, making the game 4-1, ULL. Aleah Craighton smashed a home run over the scoreboard in the top of the fifth inning to tack on another run for the Ragin’ Cajuns. The next inning, Gremillion singled to left field running in two more runs in the sixth. With bases loaded, Craighton was hit by a pitch and advanced the score 7-1. South tried to rally back in the sixth inning when Lutticken hit her first career home run, scoring two, but it was not enough to save the game after ULL’s Kassidy Zeringue laid down a bunt and pinch runner Chelsea Lotief scored. For the first of the series, the game was an impressive showing from both teams and a promising weekend to

The Lady Jags cheer on their team as they battle against Louisiana Lafayette. Photo by Brad McPherson

look ahead for impressive softball play. In game two, Louisiana Lafayette’s DJ Sanders double homerun performance, recording 3 for 3 at the plate and three RBIs helped solidify the win over South Alabama for the second game of the series. Kaliegh Todd, Megan Harris and Abby Kryzwiecki managed three hits for the Jaguars throughout the game. Kryzwiecki smashed a shot over the wall in the sixth for the first run of the game for the Jaguars. Harris tripled in the final inning and ran home after Foster popped up to the outfield for their final run of the game. Alex Stewart recorded the win on the mound for ULL. She improved her record to 9-3 after giving up three hits and two runs. In the final game of the series, South Alabama fell to Louisiana Lafayette 9-4 after being within a run of the lead in the fifth inning, the Ragin’ Cajuns managed two more runs to seal the win. ULL was consistent at the plate with key player Sanders who smacked in four runs. Hayden and Sanders shared two hits. Gremillion, Hayden and Craighton each scored twice. Devin Brown is now 9-6 after starting the game and recording the loss. She allowed five hits, walking three and struck out one after just over

three innings. The first run of the game was hit in by Ashley who hit a homerun for the Ragin’ Cajuns in the second inning. Sanders hit a grandslam, shutting out the Jaguars 5-0 in the third inning. Minahan came in clutch her next chance at bat, hitting a double down the left field line. Harris and Foster both scored after previously hitting singles. In the fourth inning, Kaleigh Todd crossed home plate with an unearned run after Foster singled out at first and Todd ran home, beating the throw. Running home from third after a wild pitch, Vicknair scored once more in the fifth for the Jaguars. Mayo had previously singled and MC Nichols grounded to third base. Gremillion singled to third base and Hayden doubled down the left field line for the Ragin’ Cajuns. Gremillion then scored on a wild pitch by Sparkman. Craighton stepped up to the plate next and sailed a ball over left center wall, outscoring the Jaguars by four in the sixth inning. ULL scored one final run in the last inning when Sterling doubled to center field, scoring pinch runner Lotief. South Alabama will return to action for a midweek matchup against Troy on March 29 at 6 p.m. at Jaguar Field.

Softball player prepares to bat against Louisiana Lafayette. Photo by Brad McPherson

OPINION

Rescinding borrower protection paints a scary future for debtors

Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos speaks to congress. Photo courtesy of nbc.com By Joel Goode | Opinion Editor

For many students, financial aid is a short-term blessing that can become a long-term curse. Most students expect moderate, maybe even lucrative, income when we graduate, but not everyone has staked out a money-making career path, and even those who have realize there are no guarantees. Any student who borrows money should do so honestly, with the sincere goal of repaying the loan. However, debt collection agencies must realize the financial unpredictability of postcollegiate life. Last Thursday, Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos issued a policy statement announcing the Department of Education would revoke 2015 Obama-era protections for indebted students. Specifically, students who used the old banking system known as the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP), as opposed to the more recent system of pulling loans directly from the Department of Education, would be subject to a 16 percent interest rate with no recourse, according to The Washington Post. Three days before the policy was released, Senator Elizabeth Warren wrote a letter to DeVos urging her to keep the 2015 protections in place. In the letter, Warren explains that borrowers are given an incentive to avoid remaining in default by entering a “rehabilitation period” within 60-days of being contacted by the collection agency. During that time,

students can repay their defaulted loan without accruing additional interest. The protection encourages students to remain in contact with the collection agency to ensure that, even if finances are constrained, an incomebased repayment plan can be set up. This methodology is not just compassionate towards those who financially struggle after college, but it also saves money by encouraging borrowers to repay their loan as soon as possible to avoid remaining in default. In other words, there is no empirical financial incentive behind the policy, and DeVos’s letter implies as much. The letter simply describes the protections and explains that they will be revoked, with no practical reason as to why other than that there was not a “public referendum” on the amendment to the FFELP. The DOE has not released data showing that the protections were ineffective in encouraging borrowers to repay their loan. “Borrowers who languish in default face severe consequences,” Warren said.“Their Social Security and tax refunds can be withheld, their wages can be garnished, they can lose access to federal student aid, and their credit can be damaged, which makes it more difficult for them to rent an apartment or borrow in the future for a home or a car.” There are a myriad of reasons beyond dishonesty and gaming the system that people’s finances collapse, and all this policy does is place destitute people in even more dire financial straights. FFELP became a defunct method of financial aid in 2010. However, USA students must realize two things: First, the pre-2010 borrowers affected by this policy are still repaying their loans, like most USA students will be doing a decade from now. Second, just because this policy does not directly affect USA students does not mean the policy is not the first in a long series of precedents that will ultimately impact members of the current student body. Allowing legislation like this to chip away at the social safety net of millions of individuals will eventually form cracks that cannot be refilled.

Meisler Hall is where financial aid office is located at the University of South Alabama. Photo courtesy of southalabama.edu

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DISTRACTIONS

Life doesn’t give you answers and neither will we, but ponder this: • Which creature walks on four legs in the morning, two legs in the afternoon, and three legs in the evening? •When you need me, you throw me away. But when you’re done with me, you bring me back. What am I? •What is harder to catch the faster you run? •What has an eye but cannot see? •Who went into the tiger’s den and came out alive? •Tear one off and scratch my head what was red is black instead. What am I? •What is it that’s always coming but never arrives?