VANGUARD THE
“If it matters to the USA family, it matters to us.”
OCT. 14, 2013
INSIDE
VOL. 53, NO. 12
Tuition policy change could have ‘positive revenue implications for the Institution’ Criteria for residency status
► Life: Alpha Kappa Alpha paints USA pink. See JagLife, page 4
► Life: USA faculty to present at Center for the Living Arts. See JagLife, page 5
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Guardian or student lives in Alabama for 12 consecuƟve months before registraƟon; or
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Student works as graduate assistant; or
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Guardian, spouse or student is employed full-Ɵme within Alabama no later than 90 days aŌer registaƟon; or
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Alabama NaƟonal Guard member has enlisted two years immediately before registaƟon and conƟnues throughout enrollment; or
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Veteran is in the reserves with a service-connect disability; or
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Student takes courses within an interstate consorƟum of colleges.
By STUART SOX sgsox@att.net
A
► LOC: Anthony Mostella: The legacy of No. 5 See Left of Center, page 7
revision to the Resident and Non-Resident Tuition Policy could have “positive revenue implications for the Institution,” according to Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. G. David Johnson. This revenue would come from tuition dollars as “out-of-state enrollment grows,” Johnson discussed at the Sept. 13 Board of Trustees meeting when the policy revision was approved. In the past, out-of-state students
SAM ANDREWS | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
The Board of Trustees approve revisions to the Resident and Non-Resident Tuition Policy at the Sept. 13, meeting, which will further regulate those eliglble for instate tuition. could apply for residency and be granted the instate tuition rate after being a student at USA for at least a year and filling out what South Alabama’s Registrar Kelly Osterbind called a “lengthy application.” Beginning in spring 2014, nonresident students can achieve residency only after meeting one of the criteria in the more-restrictive policy. When applying for residency, a student or a student’s supporting person must live in Alabama or USA’s service area “for 12 consecutive months prior to the semester of registration”
and show evidence of “remaining in that location indefinitely … (but) not for the purposes of obtaining an education” alone, according to the new policy. Students who have already obtained residency status will not be affected, but out-of-state students currently enrolled at USA will be subject to the new policy standards. “If they’re currently a resident in Alabama,” Johnson said, “then they will remain a resident of Alabama, so it will not change their status. But if students came in this year as nonresi-
dents, then it will affect them.” According to Dr. Charles Guest, the associate professor and chair of the department of professional studies at South Alabama, some policy changes were made to adhere to new laws from the Alabama state legislature. Guest personally handled the revisions and the language of the policy. Some changes came from legislative mandates through separate house bills 123 and 424, which became active March 31 and April 23 of this year, respectively, according to Guest. “The See Residency Page 3
USA stats show crime reduction By STUART SOX sgsox@att.net
T
► Sports: Freshman leading the way for volleyball team. See Sports, page 13
STUART SOX | SENIOR REPORTER
Officer David Turppa checks records while in a USAPD patrol vehicle on Oct. 11.
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he University of South Alabama’s police department reported improved campus crime statistics for 2012 in comparison with the numbers from 2011. According to the 2013 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, robberies and burglaries on campus were down 66 percent and 33 percent, respectively. The USAPD also experienced an 80 percent decrease in car theft on campus and a 66 percent reduction in non-campus locations, such as USA hospitals
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and clinics. According to Captain Keith West of USAPD, the improved crime statistics in 2012 are the result of a combination of many factors. “Over the years, we’ve improved in a lot of ways,” West said. “One of those is definitely in how we educate the students about how to better protect themselves and protect their property.” At each Southbound Orientation, which all new students are required to attend before enrolling in
In this Issue:
See Statistics Page 3
Life, Page 4 Left of Center, Page 7 Sports, Page 9 Opinion, Page 14
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VOL. 53, NO. 12 / OCT. 14, 2013
We Are
JAG NATION Homecoming October 14-19, 2013
SOUTH ALABAMA vs. KENT STATE OCTOBER 19, 2013
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VOL. 53, NO. 12 / OCT. 14, 2013
Weather for Oct. 14 - 20 “University of South Alabama’s Student Voice”
Editorial Editor in Chief Copy Editor Opinion Editor Sports Editor Left of Center JagLife Editor Web Editor Senior Reporter Staff Reporter
Samantha Andrews
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Stuart Sox Noah Logan
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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: The Vanguard University of South Alabama P.O. Drawer U-1057 Mobile, Ala., 36688. Or thevanguardeditor@gmail.com Letters and guest columns must be received by 7 p.m. on the Wednesday prior to the Monday publication. Submissions should be typed and must include the writer’s name, year, school and telephone number. All submissions become the property of The Vanguard. The Vanguard reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for length and clarity. Letters will be limited to 300 words. Letters and guest columns are the opinion of the writer. The Staff Editorial represents the consensus opinion of the Editorial Board, which is composed of the Editor in Chief, Copy Editor, Senior Reporter and Opinion Editor. 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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Residency Continued from Page One.
part of the state law that deals with resident and nonresident tuition was modified … which provided for resident tuition for members of the Alabama National Guard and veterans within five years of an honorable discharge,” Guest said. “These changes were, I think, an attempt by the state legislature to make all institutions more friendly for veterans,” Guest added. On why USA decided to modify the tuition for out-of-state residents even though the new laws did not require it, Guess said the intent was to be consistent with other state law. “While we were making the changes from the new state laws, we decided to go ahead and modify the policy to make it consistent with the intent of the law. … The law on residency tuition in the state of Alabama in its definition states that, if a person is in Alabama primarily for the purpose of obtaining an education, they are considered a nonresident student,” Guest said. Guest said the revisions for tuition for out-of-state students were also made to make South Alabama on par with the residency tuition policies of larger schools in the state, like the University of Alabama and Auburn University. USA will continue to honor the instate tuition granted to students from nearby counties in Mississippi and Florida. These counties include Escambia and Santa Rosa in Florida and George, Greene, Harrison, Jackson, Perry and Stone in Mississippi, according to Osterbind. “It’s still a pretty generous policy,” Osterbind said. The full Resident and Non-Resident Tuition Policy can be viewed on the Registrar’s website under the “Residency” tab. Editor Sam Andrews contributed to this report.
Statistics Continued from Page One.
classes at South Alabama, USAPD conducts a safety seminar for incoming freshman, according to West. “In our orientation presentations, we cover everything from crime information and prevention to parking and keeping themselves safe on campus,” West said. USAPD also educates new students through presentations in the freshman experiences classes, according to West. USAPD has used the student email system to communicate with students for years. More recently, however, USAPD has been using Facebook. “We don’t use social media in the sense that we are constantly putting things up there,” West said, “but we use it as a tool when necessary.” USAPD’s Police Chief Zeke Aull attributes some improvement to physical adjustments on campus. “There were some robberies that were occurring,” Aull said, “and to me it was just unacceptable. So what we did is we started blocking off some streets during times when the school was closed, like Christmas break.” Aull added, “You might enter campus from one, two or three locations, but this is not just a drive-thru to come shopping while the students aren’t here.” West said the reduction of crime at South Alabama can also be attributed to the Campus Watch Program. “This initiative was started several years ago. … It’s a reminder for everyone to alert police or any other person or authority when they see illegal or suspicious activity,” West said. The Campus Watch Program operates under the motto, “If see something, say something.” The best way to get in contact with USAPD is by phone at 25-460-6312, according to West. “That number is monitored 24/7,” West said. The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is released every year by Oct. 1. The safety information and statistics in the report are compiled by the administration at USAPD. It can be accessed by anyone as a PDF at www.southalabama.edu/police. All students, faculty and employees who work on campus would benefit from reading the report, according to West. “We encourage everyone to read it so they can be better informed,” West said. “There’s a lot of common sense information, but there’s also a lot of useful information.”
jagLIFE
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EMMA MITCHELL, JAGLIFE EDITOR eem1002@jagmail.southalabama.edu VOL. 53, NO. 12 / OCT. 14, 2013
Weekly Lowdown
Domestic violence awareness exhibit at USA
HOMECOMING WEEK:
By NOAH LOGAN
ncl1101@jagmail.southalabama.edu
O
ctober is National Domestic Violence Awareness month. To help spread awareness for this cause, the Penelope House Family Violence Center is bringing a unique art exhibit around Mobile, Ala. According to the Penelope House website, their mission “is to
provide safety, protection, and support to the victims of domestic violence and their children through the provision of shelter, advocacy, and individual and community education.” The “Window Pain” exhibit is comprised of different works of art by domestic abuse victims who have sought help at Penelope House. The
exhibit has been traveling all over Mobile to places like Government Plaza, and it will show at South Alabama on Oct. 21. Shelter Supervisor Melanie Bankhead said these art pieces allow victims to tell their story. “We just want them to be able to have some kind of way to tell their story and their journey. It’s different every year.
Last year, we did the ‘Walk a Mile in my Shoes’ project, and this year we’re doing ‘Window Pains.’ It’s a pretty powerful exhibit.” Of the 1,000 victims Penelope House serves every year, 600 are children. To mirror that, much of the art on display was made my children. One particularly powerful See Exhibit Page 5
Alpha Kappa Alpha paints USA pink By STEPHANIE FEATHER sf1101@jagmail.southalabama.edu
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STEPHANIE FEATHER | CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Students autograph a sign with pink handprints to show their support for breast cancer awareness.
he Epsilon Upsilon chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. hosted an all-day event last Thursday, painting the campus pink to promote awareness for breast cancer. The sorority members set up stations in front of the Humanities Building, Student Center and the cafeteria with breast cancer awareness pamphlets and refreshments. The event encouraged students to sign a mural with their
handprint in pink, and write a message in honor of a breast cancer survivor or someone who lost their battle with the disease. It was great to see all the support shown by students who participated throughout the day. AKA hosted a Skate for a Cure at Sunshine Skate Center Thursday night encouraging all students to participate and have fun while raising money for research. All the donations collected are going toward the University of South Alabama Mitchell Cancer Institute to aid in breast cancer research.
Question of the edition: What gets you most “pumped up” for a game?
For full list of events see page 2
Tuesday > Oct. 15 •
Dr. Peter Wood hosts trumpet recital Laidlaw Recital Hall, 7:30 p.m.; $8 general admission, $5 USA affiliates
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Greensky Bluegrass at Soul Kitchen - $15; 7 p.m. doors open, 8 p.m. show
Wednesday > Oct. 16 •
“Disease as a weapon?” lecture by Dr. Margaret Humphreys - Laidlaw Performing Arts Center, 7:30 p.m.
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Jag Swag Walk and Rally followed by Junk the Jungle Stokes Hall, 6 p.m.
Thursday > Oct. 17 •
15th Annual Undergraduate Symposium - Shelby Hall, 2 to 5 p.m.
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Fun Fest Carnival Night - Mitchell Center, 5 to 9 p.m.
Friday > Oct. 18 •
Homecoming parade followed by pep rally - South Drive, 6:30 p.m.
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Full moon paddle - 7 p.m., $10; call Randy for more information 251-460-6214
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Battle of the Greeks step show - Mitchell Center, 9 p.m.
Saturday > Oct. 19 • Jay Jones #8 - Running back Junior
Ross Metheny #2 - Quarterback Senior
T.J. Glover #24 - Wide receiver Senior
Cris Dinham #22 - Running back Junior
“Being the underdog.”
“Seeing the students in the student section getting excited.”
“My teamates getting pumped up.”
“Looking at the fans in the stands.”
HOMECOMING GAME vs. Kent State Ladd Peebles Stadium 2 p.m.
Want your event featured? E-mail the name, date, time, price, place and a brief tagline (under 10 words) to eem1002@jagmail.southalabama.edu
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VOL. 53, NO. 12 / OCT. 14, 2013
Exhibit Continued from Page 4.
piece, a simple piece of white paper with magazine cutouts, was created by a small child. It reads through words and pictures, “I phoned for help but no one answered my calls.” “When victims do it,” Bankhead explained, “it’s so powerful for them as well because they are able to express themselves and really be able to talk about what is happening to
them.” The exhibit serves as an aide to the victims who participate as well as victims who just happen to see the exhibit Bankhead said. “Victims are isolated. They feel pulled in, and they feel helpless. What this does is show other victims who are living this life that these people survived, and they can, too. A woman might walk by and say, ‘Wow, this woman survived and she feels strong,’ and she’ll then know that we are there to help her.” Starting Oct. 21, the exhibit will
be in the rec center and will be moved to the Marx Library on Oct. 23. On that day, Bankhead will deliver a speech titled “Domestic Violence 101” in the library to help spread awareness to victims and others about the pervasive negative effects of domestic abuse. The Penelope House never closes its doors. They answer the crisis hotline any time of day, seven days a week and 365 days out of the year. The number for the Penelope House hotline is 251-342-8994.
A window from the traveling exhibit made by a Penelope House refugee.
NOAH LOGAN | STAFF REPORTER
Some of the windows in the exhibit as they were displayed at Government Plaza. The exhibit will be in the recreation center beginning Oct. 21.
USA faculty to present at Center for the Living Arts in downtown Mobile
Dr. Philip Carr Professor of Anthropology By MARY BETH LURSEN mel904@jagmail.southalabama.edu
D
r. Philip Carr of the anthropology department will be giving a presentation at the Center for the Living Arts Tuesday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. “My presentation is a consideration of human evolution, especially human biocultural evolution, and using the past as a way to look toward our future,” Carr said. “One of the lessons of anthropology is that humans are unique because of the extent to which we rely on our culture to adapt to the environment. Another lesson is that the two main ways
we adapt, biology and culture, are intertwined such that there is no nature versus nurture debate.” Carr’s presentation, titled “Public Conversation: Future of Human Evolution,” is part of the Futures Project that the Center for Living Arts is holding throughout this year. “Futures Project is a multi-platform contemporary art exhibition exploring the future,” Kim Nichols, design and marketing coordinator for the Center for the Living Arts, said. “This is an unprecedented exhibition for the region, showcasing the work of nationally and internationally noted artists.” “As I have experienced it, the Futures Project is a multi-faceted look to the future of the Gulf Coast by artists and others,” Carr said. “It is not only multi-faceted, including art exhibits and public presentations, but also multi-scalar. My presentation is not Gulf Coast specific as it is aimed at a broader scale, but it has implications for life here on the Gulf Coast.” Carr encourages students to attend for a chance to reach out into the community. “I sometimes hear from USA students that there is nothing to do in Mobile,” Carr said. “Yet, many of them have not visited the Center for the Living Arts and the other great venues and attrac-
NOAH LOGAN | STAFF REPORTER
tions our city has to offer. Do something different. Get off campus and explore Mobile.” The presentation is free, and open to the public. “I hope to see the USA campus well represented,” Carr added. “While it is not game day, wear red.”
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VOL. 53, NO. 12 / OCT. 14, 2013
IMC hosts Richard Buckner By NOAH LOGAN
ncl1101@jagmail.southalabama.edu
A
crowd of about 45 packed the back room of Satori Tuesday, Oct. 8 for a performance by folk modernist musician Richard Buckner. Buckner has been on the scene since 1997 with his first fulllength album, “Devotion + Doubt.” The concert was by no means wild. Only Buckner and his guitar were present on stage. The concert was, however, food for the soul. His lyrics read like poems. He has even written musical versions of works by poets such as Edgar Lee Masters. Buckner’s style is similar to that of emotional psychedelia. Many of his songs come from his album ‘Surrounded.’ Dead dreams and dugup memories appeared to be the central theme. The music allowed listeners to apply the lyrics to their own circumstances for the majority of the night. Buckner uses plain and general language to obscure rather than
specify. He slowly lets out long and slippery phrases that linger seductively on the threshold of resolution. In a way, Buckner provided soothing background music for his audience to reminisce about their own lives. His music set a solemn tone that could you home and lead to a night of chain smoking, watching melancholy movies and calling your ex to see how things are going. The whole show seemed to be a reflected thought, forever just out of the focal range. Sophomore Madeline Trout echoed these comments, saying, “Last time I saw Richard Buckner, he was happy Richard Buckner. He was talking and laughing. Yesterday, he was a sad Richard Buckner. It was just cool how his songs now had new meaning.” The show was put on by a student organization on campus called Independent Music Collective. The main goal of IMC is “to enrich the local music scene by sponsoring a listening-room concert series.”
Dr. Justin St. Clair, an English professor at South, is the faculty adviser to IMC. According to him, IMC has seen a great response since its inception. “The response to the series has been wonderful,” St. Clair said. “We’ve held most of our events at Satori, and the musicians enjoy the intimate space and love playing for the attentive, appreciative audiences that come out to IMC events. As a result, we’ve developed a bit of a word-of-mouth reputation in the roots music world, which, in turn, has allowed us to land some worldclass talent.” The IMC music series is set to continue on Nov. 15 at Satori. The “IMC Thanksgiving Show,” which they hope to host annually, will feature performances by Eric Erdman, Al Trout and Carey Murdock. The shows are usually free for students and $5 for others. The Thanksgiving show will be a pay-what-you-can concert with all proceeds going to fund the spring semester IMC shows.
Breast cancer tribute gives performance, funds research By STEPHANIE FEATHER sf1101@jagmail.southalabama.edu
T
o promote breast cancer awareness, the Joy to Life Foundation and the USA Mitchell Cancer Institute held a fundraising event Thursday at Laidlaw Theater. The event featured a one woman show starring Katie Anderson. The play, “When Life Doesn’t Turn Out the Way You Planned,” tells the story of a single mother diagnosed with breast cancer and the family’s struggle with that diagnosis. The play was written by Dr. Sue B. Walker, the Stokes Distinguished Professor of Creative Writing at the University of South Alabama and the 20032012 Poet Laureate of Alabama. She is an awardwinning poet and has published numerous critical essays and short stories. Dr. Ivan H. Davidson directed the play. The event also featured a beautiful ballet performed by the Performing Arts and Creative Expression studio. Following the play, a panel of medical experts, which included three oncologists, two surgeons, two breast cancer survivors, a cancer research nurse navigator and the director of cancer prevention from the Alabama Department of Public Health,
answered questions posed by audience members. The audience was very responsive and even asked about steps taken to prevent breast cancer and what can be done after receiving a diagnosis. After the session, the Joy to Life Foundation presented a $25,000 breast cancer research grant to Dr. Windy Dean, a medical oncologist at the Mitchell Cancer Institute. Dean has been recognized for her extensive research on the treatment of breast cancer patients. She shared the very personal story about how she found her path to becoming a doctor, attributing her success to her brother, who received medical care for colon cancer but was treated poorly because of their family’s financial status. Dean admits she holds a high concern for the underserved. Joy to Life Foundation was created by Joy Blondheim , who shared her story of breast cancer survival with the audience. After her diagnosis and treatment, Blondheim knew that she was very lucky, and she needed to help the medically underserved women of Alabama. Since starting the foundation in 2001, more than 10,000 mammograms have been provided and more than 30 women have been successfully treated.
STEPHANIE FEATHER | CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Medical experts holds a Q-and-A session after the performance.
COURTESY OF DR. JUSTIN ST. CLAIR
Richard Buckner plays an acoustic song from his newest album during show at story.
LEFT OF CENTER
ALYSSA NEWTON, LOC EDITOR akn1104@jagmail.southalabama.edu
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VOL. 53, NO. 12 / OCT. 14, 2013
Anthony Mostella: The legacy of USA football’s No. 5 The story behind the legacy that shaped the expecations of leadership in the South Alabama football program By ALYSSA NEWTON akn1104@jagmail.southalabama.edu
T
he No. 5 is more than a simple number at South Alabama. It represents a teammate, friend and leader who left this world too soon, but left behind a legacy that will live forever. Anthony Mostella wasn’t just another football player. Mostella’s football career started at Oneonta High School, rushing for 2,055 yards and a school record of 38 touchdowns in four seasons. After high school, Mostella played for the Birmingham-Southern College Panthers football team in 2007 where he was a second-team All-Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference pick at running back. He received this by gaining 222 yards and scoring two touchdowns on 57 carries and 30 complete passes for 297 yards under head coach Joey Jones. In 2008, Jones was named the first head coach for South Alabama football, and Mostella wanted to go with him. According to the Press-Register, within days of being named the head coach, Jones received multiple phone calls from Mostella. Fearing it would hurt BSC, Jones was hesitant. But Mostella persisted. After three months, all it took was one simple phrase for Jones to give Mostella the answer he wanted, “Coach, I just want to play for you.” After sitting out the 2008 season, Mostella became one of the first South Alabama Jaguar football players and is credited with the first tackle in South’s history. Mostella played as a backup running back for South Alabama with 39 carries for 180 yards and three touchdowns and catching three passes for 32 more yards and a touchdown. After the Jaguar’s inaugural season, Mostella was voted team captain and looked forward to playing in the 2010 season for his last eligible playing year. Mostella wasn’t just another football player. But he was human.
On June 13, 2010, the 22-yearold’s motorcycle crashed near his hometown in St. Clair County. The crash took Mostella’s life and broke the hearts of teammates, coaches and the South Alabama community alike. Mostella wasn’t just another football player. He was much more than that. After Mostella’s death, Jones decided not to retire his jersey, choosing instead to memorialize him in a completely different way. Every year, the jersey is worn by a senior who earns it and exemplifies the traits that Mostella displayed on and off the field. Because Mostella wasn’t just another football player. He wasn’t just statistics, yards and touchdowns. He had the personality and character a football player should possess. What qualities does Jones look for? “Number one, you have to care about your team,” said Jones. “Second, you have to be a great leader. And third, you have to be mentally tough. In football, you have to be mentally tough. He (Mostella) exemplified all the qualities we want out of our players.” The first to receive the honor was senior Justin Dunn. Today, Dunn is training in Colorado for the Air Force, but playing football alongside Mostella still impacts his life today. “Football teaches you about persevering,” said Dunn. “About going through and overcoming things you never thought you’d be able to handle.” Perseverance was something the South Alabama team embodied the following fall. After the heartbreaking summer, in the 2010 football season, Dunn
“
STAFF ILLISTRATION
He was here at the beginning and now his legacy will live on forever. -head coach Joey Jones
”
was chosen to wear Mostella’s No. 5. “It meant a lot,” Dunn said when asked how much the honor of wearing No. 5 meant to him his senior year. “A number represents a person. It’s what makes you stand out when others are watching film and dissecting offense or defense. It’s what makes you stand out; it’s who you are. Wearing Anthony’s number, I wanted to go out and be the best person I could possibly be because that’s who Anthony was. Anthony was
Memorial bracelets given to South players by coaches.
He was all about hard work and doing the right thing ... that’s the kind of guy he was. -Bryant Lavender, senior wide reciever
”
ber of a fallen teammate, of someone who everyone looked up to. Everyone wanted to be like Moe in every aspect, whether it be football, personality, work ethic and anything in that nature. It’s important for future players to know who he was.” In 2011, tight end Paul Bennett was the senior chosen to receive the honor of playing with the No. 5 on his back. Bennett now plays for the San Antonio Talons in the Arena Football League. “Receiving that number was an honor,” said Bennett. “I did my best to represent him and South in the right way. I just tried to be a better person like him. Honestly, I wanted to go out and play every play as if it were my last. It helped me through a lot and made me a better player.” Like many other players, Bennett was close to Mostella. They were even neighbors at The Grove. Through this friendship, Bennett recalled some of Mostella’s most memorable characteristics. “Mostella was a good leader,” Bennett said. “He was really outgoing. He always came to practice with his head up, and nothing could really get him down. You could always count on him. He was always a friend and a good friend of mine.” When asked about his favorite memory of Mostella, Bennett reacted just like Dunn; the familiar pause, laugh and phrased followed. “There are a lot of them,” Bennett said. He then recalled a memory that showed a fun and humorous side of the idolized original No. 5. “I remember at practice one day Moe came through the line and (Justin) Dunn smoked him. Dunn went back to his huddle, and after practice Moe came up to him laughing and said, ‘Why’d you do that to me, man? Come on! I’m your boy.’ He didn’t get mad about it. He just laughed about it. He wasn’t all about See Mostella Page 8
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“ COURTESY OF PAUL BENNETT
the guy who would do anything for anybody, the guy who would go the extra mile and do it with a smile on his face.” W h e n asked about a favorite memory that best displayed Mostella’s character, Dunn paused and laughed, needing a minute to think. “There are just so many,” Dunn explained. After a few silent moments, Dunn began to speak. “At the end of our junior year, Moe (Mostella) broke his foot,” Dunn recalled. “He was on the sidelines. He couldn’t play, but he was dressed out in full pads with his crutches and boot on. We were winning, and when you get comfortable winning, you tend to just goof off. Not Anthony. Every person who came out of the tunnel at the beginning of the game whether it be underclassman, senior or whoever, he would highfive them and keep everyone encouraged and pumped on the sidelines. That was Anthony’s spirit. Although he was hurt on the inside because he couldn’t play, he didn’t let that limitation affect him as a person. He was there to support his team and help his team even if he couldn’t be on the field.” Mostella wasn’t just another football player, and Dunn hopes that future players will recognize that through this tradition. “I hope they hold it (the tradition) to the highest respect,” said Dunn. “This was really hard for us. He was the best guy we knew whose life was cut short too early. This tradition should always be given to the person who most deserves it, a person who fits that image … It’s the highest honor to wear the num-
I wanted to go out and be the best person I could possibly be because that’s who Anthony was.
COURTESY OF SAMMYE CRAWFORD
Mostella and fan Ryan Ellison
-Justin Dunn, former Jaguar player
”
COURTESY OF PAUL BENNETT
Bennett has kept his bracelet for more than two years without it breaking.
8
Mostella Continued from Page 7.
competition. That’s just how he was. That day has always stuck out. It was “ funny.” When asked what described Mostella best, one word said it all. “Character,” Bennett said. “He never really got in trouble. He was never late to anything. He was always on top of everything. There are a lot of athletes out there that have the athletic ability, but they don’t have the character to go with it. That was something that was special about him and something that me, Justin Dunn and the other guys chosen to wear his number tried most to exemplify.” Today when you look on the field, the No. 5 is worn by fifth year senior, Bryant Lavender. As the years go by, Lavender is one of the few players left who knew Mostella personally and who knows firsthand the weight and honor this tradition holds. “It means a lot to me,” Lavender said when asked about the honor. “I want to be the leader that Anthony helped me to be, and I want to be the leader I saw in him when he led us. It is a lot of weight put on this number, but I believe that everything happens for a reason. I wouldn’t be given this number if someone didn’t
VOL. 53, NO. 12 / OCT. 14, 2013
believe that I could represent it.” In the end, this tradition is in remembrance of someone who wasn’t just a football player. “We have it to honor a young man who lost his life,” Jones said. “He was here at the beginning and now his legacy will live on forever.” The No. 5 is more than just a number to South Alabama. It’s always doing the right thing. It’s a
constant smile. It’s a laugh after a hard hit in practice. It’s overcoming hardship and heartbreak. It’s being the best person you can be. It’s character. It’s what every South Alabama player should strive to be. Anthony Mostella wasn’t just another football player. He’s a South Alabama legacy and legend who will be remembered forever.
COURTESY OF PAUL BENNETT
Bennett’s jersey with Mostella’s red and blue funeral ribbon attached.
“ THE VANGUARD ARCHIVES
Mostella’s number is not retired. Instead, it is passed on to a senior leader exemplifying the same leadership qualities.
I wore my [Mostella] bracelet every workout, practice and game for the next two years I played at South and after I graduated. After all the beatings it’s never ripped ... as if Moe was with me the whole time, through everything. -Paul Bennett, former Jaguar football player
”
SPORTS
JT CRABTREE, SPORTS EDITOR jtc804@jagmail.southalabama.edu
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VOL. 53, NO. 12 / OCT. 14, 2013
VANGUARD ARCHIVES
South Alabama’s band and cheerleaders are no longer allowed to use the phrase “South in Your Mouth” after it was banned in 2010.
The Origin of “South in Your Mouth” Most South Alabama fans know about the chant, but few know how the phrase started By JT CRABTREE
jtc804@jagmail.southalabama.edu
Y
ou hear it at just about every South Alabama sporting event. Fans shout it, use it as part of the kickoff and free throw chants at football and basketball games, or yell it after a big play. But many don’t know where it started, or what it actually means. “South in Your Mouth,” or SIYM, has been a staple among South Alabama students when it comes to Jaguar athletics. Many students yell it, thinking nothing of it. Most just hear the phrase and include it as part of the culture of South Alabama. But where did it start? Who started it? Was it the band, or maybe the cheerleaders? Was it a drunk fan who yelled something funny and it just stuck? The answer is a combination of all of the above. Three roommates, Patrick Dungan, Jeff Garl and Mike Odair, created the phrase during the fall
2001 semester while attending a basketball game. It all started when a USA player blocked an opponent’s shot. Dungan reacted by yelling, “In your face!” At the same moment, Garl yelled, “Mouf,” which at the time was an equivalent to “in your face.” Odair then combined the two and yelled, “South in Your Mouth.” The rest, as they say, was history. “We started it,” said Dungan, who graduated in 2006 with a degree in anthropology before going on to law school at South Carolina. “And the cheerleaders may have given it more legs by following our lead and incorporating it into the post free throw chant.” “We were so obnoxious about it once we all came up with it that it was more of something to make ourselves laugh than heckle the other team,” said Odair. “Patrick (Dungan) did it during a silent free throw… well, it just stuck to us from then on out. But, because we would cheer it
in our fraternity (TKE) section, and then little by little the cheerleaders, who we had friends on the squad, as well as the Outlaws began cheering it, it just kind of stuck.” Odair graduated in 2004 with a degree in radio, television and film. He is now the executive producer of the popular A&E show, Duck Dynasty. The phrase spread organically among the students, with more and more fans jumping in and using SIYM. “We didn’t go out and campaign it,” said Garl, who graduated in 2006 with a degree in communication. “I assume it started going viral at our fraternity house. From there, it made its way to the mainstream via the Outlaws student pep organization probably the following season. Some of our TKE brothers were influential in that group and orchestrated a bunch of guys painting “South In Yo Mouth” on their chests for a game, and I can only assume it stuck from
there. There was a Vanguard issue with a big picture of the Outlaws all painted up. I remember taking a copy back home to my buddies in Florida, where the ‘in your mouth’ portion originated. They were pretty stoked to see it on a large scale.” The phrase became almost a part of the school’s athletic tradition, and when South Alabama basketball games were televised on ESPN, many commentators would point out the phrase, which was heard clearly through the broadcast. SIYM continued untouched until 2010, when Dr. Joel Erdmann, USA’s athletic director, asked the band and cheerleaders to stop using the phrase “due to the ambiguity of the expression.” The concern was that some people would hear the phrase and think that it means something derogatory. When broken down, however, this is not the case. The phrase “South in Your Mouth” is meant to be synonymous with “South
Alabama, in your face.” Almost like a battle cry, it can be rallying call for fans to stand up and say, “Yea, that’s my university that just did that.” In a story published by The Vanguard on Sept. 27, 2010, fans reportedly were resistant to the idea of not being able to use the phrase anymore. Three years later, a few students still feel the same way. “I think it’s crazy because it’s a phrase students say to support our team,” senior public relations major Dallas Gibbons said. “It’s our thing, like Auburn says ‘War Eagle’ or Alabama says ‘Roll Tide’, we say “South in Your Mouth.” It caused such a stir, even ESPN picked up the story. Despite it being frowned upon, saying that the phrase was banned has almost solidified its place in South Alabama history. “The biggest boost to its legacy See South in your Mouth Page 10
10
VOL. 53, NO. 12 / OCT. 14, 2013
South in Your Mouth Continued from Page 9.
was when Dr. Erdmann told the band and cheerleaders they couldn’t say it anymore and it made ESPN’s website,” said Dungan. “That secured it.” “I personally thought it was ridiculous,” Odair said of the ban. “I mean, it was never meant to be interpreted sexually. Maybe Erdmann knew it was something, but much like a fat comedian making fun of his own weight, he beat everyone to the punch, essentially ensuring college kids would continue to do it.” “If anything, they just assured it will be around until the end of time,” former SGA president Kim Proctor told The Press-Register in 2010. A similar ban was instituted at the University of Alabama, when “Rammer Jammer” was banned in the late 1980s and again in 1994 before the ban was lifted for good. Even though the band and cheerleaders can’t use it, the free throw chant is still used by fans today, with a cadence of “U-S-A, South in Your Mouth, Go Jags.” “I came back to a South game a year ago, and during a free throw, when we made it, this cheer was yelled,” said Odair. “I had no heads up that it lasted and had become a staple chant. My jaw dropped, and I happened to be at the game with Patrick Dungan. Before I could get the words out, he looked at me, smiled and said,
‘I know, right? It stuck.’ Pretty cool moment.” Will “South in Your Mouth” always be banned at the university? Will the ban be lifted? Or will the phrase eventually just fade away? “I think it’s there forever,” said Dungan. “It is entrenched at South as much as ‘Roll Tide’ and ‘War Eagle’ are at those other schools.” “If it does fade out, that’s fine,” said Garl. “No big whoop. It was fun to see it be a thing for a while.” “Until the next drunken college fanatics do it, I hope it doesn’t,” said Odair. “I think it says it all, don’t you?” It is obvious that “South in Your Mouth” is a big part of the culture of South Alabama. When EA Sports recreated South Alabama in their video game, NCAA Football 14, the phrase was incorporated into the team intro and is chanted on third downs when the Jags are on defense. It may always be banned, but it will probably never go away. Cheerleaders and band members will continue to struggle to censor themselves when they are at a South Alabama game. But then again, maybe the ban will be lifted, and the University will embrace the phrase as part of who it is. Who wouldn’t buy a “South in Your Mouth” T-shirt from the USA Bookstore?
Fans painted “South in Yo (Mouth)” last year against Troy.
VANGUARD ARCHIVES
USA Lady Jags soccer defeats Georgia State 2-1 By JT CRABTREE
jtc804@jagmail.southalabama.edu
T
he South Alabama Lady Jags soccer team was able to hold off a late rally from their conference foe Georgia State, winning 2-1 on the road. “All in all, I’m happy with this result,” said head coach Graham Winkworth. “It wasn’t always pretty, but there were moments in the game where we played attractive soccer. On the road, sometimes it’s just about grinding out a result, and tonight’s win was impressive against a talented Georgia State team.” Monique Autmon started the scoring with a
goal at the 22nd minute, with the assist on the goal going to Lauren Allison. Jordan Duncan added a second goal off a cross from Clarissa Hernandez at the 73rd minute. It wasn’t until the 85th minute that the Panthers got on the board, when Margaret Bruemmer found the back of the net on a corner kick, mere moments after Georgia State’s Whitney Ravan was shown a red card. South Alabama goalkeeper Melissa Drish made five saves to improve her record to 8-3-2. The Lady Jags were outshot by the Panthers 13 to 11 shots. South Alabama will face off against rival Troy on Oct. 20 at 1 p.m.
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VOL. 53, NO. 12 / OCT. 14, 2013
Jags look to capitalize on home-field advantage By SAVON MORRIS
scm1201@jagmail.southalabama.edu
H
ome-field advantage has its perks, ones South Alabama is trying to capitalize on
this year. South Alabama Jaguars are 1-1 this season while playing at home. Students and fans swarm LaddPeebles Stadium to support the Jags. “I love the Jags,” Cortney Jefferson, a junior at South Alabama, stated. “I go to every home game and scream as loud as I can in the student section.” She is not alone. Ladd-Peebles Stadium holds 33,471 people, and every home game you will see fans wearing red, white and blue fill the stadium screaming “Let’s go Jaguars.” This fan frenzy dates back to 2009, when South Alabama first began its football program. On Sept. 5, 2009, the University of South Alabama Jaguars defeated Hargrave Military Academy 30-13 in the program’s first ever game in front of more than 26,000 fans. The team completed its first season undefeated at 7-0, outscoring its opponents by a combined score of 321-41. Head coach Joey Jones urged students before this season’s opener against Southern Utah to pack the stadium and support the team. “I want to challenge the students at USA to pack the stadium,” Jones tweeted. “We want an incredible atmosphere! #JagNation.” “Inside Ladd-Peebles Stadium, the energy is electric,” junior defensive tackle Van Golston said. “The fans are always loud, giving us confidence and energy.” With every first down, the announcer begins, “And that’s another South Alabama...” followed by thousands of fans rising from the bleachers with their forefingers pointing to the sky, screaming the end of the announcer’s sentence: “First Down!” The first home game this season was a tough one, which South Alabama lost to Southern Utah by one measly point. The second home game against Western Kentucky, a Sun Belt Conference foe, saw the Jags winning 31-24 in a hard-fought battle. South Alabama’s next home game will be against Kent State on Oct. 19. The last time these two teams met was on Sept. 24, 2011. South Alabama was on the road against
the Golden Flashes. In the first and second quarters, the Golden Flashes dominated the Jags. Running back Anthony Meray, now a junior at Kent State, tacked on the first score with a 3-yard scamper in the first quarter. After that, it was a foot race. Kent State was leading 26-0 going into half time. In the third quarter, it had seemed as though it would be a blow out when Tyshon Goode scored on a 10-yard pass from Spencer Keith. The Jags rallied back to shut the Golden Flashes down in the rest of the game. Demetre Baker scored a 2-yard touchdown and sparked the Jags to fight back. On the next drive, Jereme Jones beat a defender for a 9-yard reception for a touchdown, bringing the deficit to a two possession game. During the fourth quarter, Baker scored again, making the score 33-25. Kent State held the ball in the end, though, and won the game 33-25. Quarterback C.J. Bennett went for 14/36 for 28 yards with three interceptions and a touchdown. His three interceptions came early and often in the game. He was picked off twice by Luke Wollet for a combined 23 yards of return. He was also picked off by Norman Wolfe for a return of 19 yards. Statistically speaking, the game was close. South Alabama had 14 first downs to Kent State’s 16 yard line. On the other hand, South Alabama had more total yards, with the Jags totaling 375 yards to Kent State’s 281 yards. The difference between 2011 and now is that the Jags are better as a unit. They have a rushing attack that averages 158.5 yards a game, according to FBS standings. Kent State allows more than 199.4 yards a game, ranking 95th in the NCAA. In the game against Kent State, the Jags had a combined 93 rushing yards among four people. The offensive line is bigger and quicker, led by right tackle Chris May. Last but surely not least, the quarterback is better. Ross Metheny has already thrown for 1065 yards with five passing touchdowns and six rushing touchdowns. Game time is almost upon us. It’s a new year and a new season. Kickoff will be at Ladd-Peebles Stadium Oct. 19 for homecoming. South Alabama is undefeated all-time on homecoming, highlighted by their 37-34 (2OT) win over FAU in 2012.
WR Bryant Lavender against Kent State in 2011.
VANGUARD ARCHIVES
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VOL. 53, NO. 12 / OCT. 14, 2013
Punter’s unique journey to South Alabama After five years as a Jaguar, Garber completes ‘full circle’ at South Alabama By ALYSSA NEWTON akn1104@jagmail.southalabama.edu
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F
or the past five years, Scott Garber has been the only punter for South Alabama’s football team. Garber has brought laughs and spirit to the young team, but he almost wasn’t a Jaguar. Scott Garber is far from boring. On the field during practice, he can always be seen cracking jokes or dancing to music playing on the loud speaker. Garber is known for working hard on the field and playing even harder off it. But one thing that makes Garber special is his school spirit that he shows by cutting his hair. Garber lettered in high school, averaging 40.3 yards per kick as his team’s punter, a position that doesn’t you allow much playing time. So Garber came up with a way to make the most of his position and do something to make him unforgettable. “My dad actually inspired me,” said Garber. “He did some hair stuff when he was younger. With my position, you’re not on the field that much. It was a way to identify myself and make myself part of the team. The guys recognized me, and I got some attention from it. It was a really cool way just to be Scott Garber.” But it didn’t take the cool hairstyles for South Alabama to see the talent that Garber had to offer. In 2009, Garber was part of USA’s inaugural football team and is credited with the first punt in South Alabama history. It is a reality that almost didn’t happen. Before he became a Jaguar, Garber was supposed to be a Volunteer. Coming out of high school, Garber was committed under Phil Fulmer for the Tennessee Volunteers. Two weeks before signing day, the Vols’ new head coach Lane Kiffin came in with different plans. “(Lane Kiffin) said he couldn’t honor my verbal commitment,” said Garber. “I went through other schools, but then I got a call for South Alabama.” A University of Alabama coach
who had recruited Garber received the special teams job at South Alabama and recruited Garber to join USA’s new football program. “I was on the next flight out,” said Garber. “When I came in, it was all dirt, but the one thing that they could tell me is that we were in 2013.” After shaving in his head everything from ‘USA’ and ‘Go Jags’ to a breast cancer awareness ribbon for a coach’s affected wife, on Sept. 28, 2013, Garber’s journey came “full circle” as he flew to Tennessee with a jaguar holding the Tennessee ‘T’ in its mouth. Garber was ready to show Knoxville, Tenn. what exactly he was made of. “This game had a ton of meaning to me and my dad,” said Garber. “We went through everything together. It was so surreal experience looking up into the stands of Neyland Stadium and seeing my dad in the stands. It was unbelievable, it was one of the main reasons I came back to play my fifth year.” In the stadium Garber was originally committed to, the Jaguars scared Tennessee fans by coming only 8 yards away from the biggest win in South Alabama’s history. For Garber, his first punt was one of the best in his college career. “It was a unique game for me,” Garber said. “My first punt was one of the best I’ve kicked in college, so I was really pumped up and had to reel myself back in.” As for his team, Garber was proud of the accomplishments made that day. “There were a ton of moral victories,” said Garber. “We had a ton of positive attention that was drawn to us, and it was really everything we could ever ask for minus the win.” Garber wouldn’t trade his five years at South for anything. “I couldn’t have asked for a better college experience,” said Garber about his time at USA. “When we started the program, there were a few uncertainties, but I feel like we were able to build a good foundation … And I got a great degree. I am proud to say I am an alumni (sic) of the University of South Alabama.”
COURTESY OF SCOTT GARBER
Garber’s style for the Tennessee game in September had special meaning to the South Alabama punter.
ALYSSA NEWTON | LOC EDITOE
Garber is credited with South Alabama’s first punt.
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VOL. 53, NO. 12 / OCT. 14, 2013
Freshman leading the way for USA volleyball team Daniel takes advantage of the opportunity to play in the US
By PATRICK HERRING pwh802@jagmail.southalabama.edu
I
n Division-1 athletics, it is uncommon for freshman to step in and make an immediate impact regardless of the sport. There’s usually a learning curve when coming from a lower level of competition up to the college ranks, whether it be in football, basketball or, in this case, volleyball. But class standing means little once you step foot on the court, and freshman Mechell Daniel is making her presence felt. Hailing from Chelmsford, England, Daniel hasn’t wasted time in becoming an integral part of the South Alabama volleyball team. With only two seniors on the roster, some fresh faces were bound to stand out. Daniel stepped in to fill the void left by fellow freshman Jessica Lewis who suffered an injury early in the season. Head coach Amy Hendrichovsky likes what she has seen so far from the freshman. “I’m impressed but not surprised,” Hendrichovsky said. “When we recruited her, we knew she would be able to have an impact immediately.” Daniel’s height and her use of it jumped out on tape for Hendrichovsky in the recruiting process. “The first thing we noticed immedi-
ately was her size, and for her size, she is physical and explosive,” Hendrichovsky said. Exactly how tall is she? Daniel stands at 6-foot-3, which makes her the tallest player on the team, a good trait to have on the court. Daniel came to South Alabama in hopes of furthering her volleyball career and honing her skills, something she didn’t feel was possible back home. “The opportunity for volleyball isn’t very big (in England), so I couldn’t really develop or get any better,” Daniel said. “So I thought the volleyball here is much bigger, so I can improve.” And improve she has. Though she is still adjusting to the American style of play, she has proved to be an asset to her teammates. Through six weeks of play, Daniel leads the team in kills (209), kills per set (3.73), solo blocks (3), service aces (18) and overall points (242). “Obviously I didn’t expect to have such a big role,” Daniel said. “But I’m really enjoying it, and I’ve improved because of that. It’s made me a better allaround player.” People around the team aren’t the only ones taking notice of Daniel’s play. Last week, she was named Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Week for the second time in just six weeks.
Daniel leads the team in kills, service aces and overall points. Awards are nothing new for Daniel as she was a decorated athlete in her league in England. She was part of the team that won the Under-14 Nationals in 2009, the U-18 Volleyball England Cup Finals in 2013 and the UK School Games in 2011, during which she was named one of the top six players in the tournament. Daniel was also named her school’s woman of the year in both 2011 and 2012. At the Sparkassen Rondo Cup,
as a member of the England Cadets in 2012, she was recognized as the best hitter of the tournament. Even with all of her success back home and early in her career at South, she knows there is still room for improvement. “My goal for this season is to hit a higher hitting percent, improve on my defense and be more confident on the court,” Daniel said. Hendrichovsky believes Daniel can
BOBBY MCDUFFIE|USAJAGUARS.COM
and will improve as the season and her college career continue. “She’s just going to continue to learn the Division-1 game, and with that, her confidence will increase,” Hendrichovsky said. “She’ll become more physical over the years with our strength and conditioning program here, and she will grow through these four years.” The future is bright for the South Alabama volleyball program and equally bright for Mechell Daniel.
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Professors: Give meaningful assignments, not busy work
By LYDIA CHRISTIAN quietartsytype@gmail.com
E
veryone has a professor who loves the idea of busy work. Now, they won’t necessarily call it busy work, but the truth is pretty evident. Friday, going into fall break, that professor usually says, “Oh, you have a break coming up? Good. That will give you plenty of time to work on these four essays that are due Wednesday when you get back! Good thing mine is the only class you’re taking!” That professor is usually the same one who gives students one day to read a 20-page article on brain-numbing
subjects filled with inch-long words and academia jargon, and then never bothers to go through it in class. For art students, it’s the professor who assigns sketchbook duties with unrealistic expectations of finished masterpieces on every page. The problem with this type of instructor is that, most of the time, they don’t bother to find out what the students are actually learning from the assignments. As the semester progresses, students realize how pointless and time-consuming it is to keep doing the busy work since it’s never actually relevant. If the class is lucky, suddenly at the end of the semester, the professor invariably changes the process and gives one fat test, comprised of all the homework that students were supposed to read the entire semester. Usually when asked why, the professor responds, “Well, haven’t you been reading the articles? Haven’t you been keeping up with your sketchbook?” The whole point of going to a university is to learn. If students are not
learning with every assignment completed, then something is very wrong with the system. Students are paying for an education. If information is being memorized simply for a test, yet soon to be forgotten, then it just isn’t working. Piling on even more information memorization with no means of explanation or reason only distracts from genuine learning and is a waste of time. It seems there is only one thing to do about this type of professor. Students should demand professors’ participation in the work they assign. Instructors should be asked questions pertaining to the homework, either in class, during office hours or via email. They should be asked for their opinions on sketchbook designs—every single class. If everyone was doing the same thing, maybe busy work would keep professors busy enough to assign less mediocre homework. Or maybe, just maybe, students would finally learn something.
KELLY FICARELLI, OPINION EDITOR kficarelli@gmail.com VOL. 53, NO. 12 / OCT. 14, 2013
Celebrate sobriety
By LISA DENHAM lisasdenham@ymail.com
F
ootball season, bonfires, sweaters and chilly nights are among us, bringing along my favorite time of the year. Some of my best memories were made during the fall, and believe it or not, I can remember them all because I found ways to have fun while being sober. At South, we have an entire week dedicated to sobriety, “OctSOBERfest,” which starts Sunday, Oct. 20 and lasts through Saturday, Oct. 26. There are many different social events, including a Dive-In movie at the student recreation pool and a sober social during the intramural football game. You can find all the activities listed on posters throughout the campus. This is just one piece of the puzzle toward alcohol prevention here at
South. Dr. Bob Hanks, director of Counseling and Testing Services, said, “Along with educating the students, we provide activities, enforcement and try to limit access and marketing.” The USA Police Department is also sponsoring a campuswide sobriety rewards program during the week. Prizes and coupons will be awarded to students caught having sober fun. This is an excellent opportunity to realize that there are many things to get involved in without drinking. There is even a canoe trip planned for the last Saturday of OctSOBERfest, which I am personally looking forward to attending. Each year, a committee dedicated to USA students’ sobriety comes together and designs OctSOBERfest. The committee is comprised of housing and residence life, campus recreations, Jaguar Productions, student health, counseling and testing and the USAPD. Hanks asserted, “The most important thing we hope to convey is the fact that one can have fun without drinking.” Hanks hopes this idea sticks with the students after college and throughout life.
By KELLY FICARELLI kficarelli@gmail.com
St
udents are always looking for tips and tricks to help them memorize facts and learn new concepts. One technique is mind mapping, which has been proven effective by the National Institute of Health. This strategy is not new, and it has not necessarily been proven to be better than other methods, such as note-taking or
using flashcards, but it is more creative, very convenient and extremely easy to do. It’s definitely worth trying to see if it’s the method that works best for you. Mind mapping helps students organize information, process it visually, then more easily retrieve the new data from one’s mind. Mind mapping can be done by way of computer software (many paid and free programs are available online), but you can also create maps with your own pencil, paper and markers, so you can create a map anywhere, at any time, about any subject. It’s all about bridging pictures and thoughts together by creating an image and mentally attaching it to an idea. The theory is that the image you draw or upload will help your brain to associate a picture with information, thereby linking clues. These illustrated clues enhance memory and creative thinking.
Your brain is able to recall those colorful images you create, which are connected to the words you wrote, making it easier to recall the connected words or ideas from short-term memory than remembering words alone. Here’s how it works. You start with a main idea, of course, and draw a picture (or upload an image, depending on how you create your mind map, via computer or on paper). You then draw branches to subsets of this main idea and each of these subsets gets its own illustration. Under these subsets, you create twigs, which are more subsets of less importance, with more representative graphics. You continue in this manner until you have covered your entire topic. Using mind maps allows you to visually process, connect and retain a large amount of information. They
are also beneficial for brainstorming, outlining large portions of text, visualizing ideas and presenting a line of thought to others. According to the Institute for Advancement of Research in Education, graphic organizers like this improve reading comprehension, boost achievement levels, increase retention and support cognitive learning. Any study technique that has been proven to expand learning and increase retention is worth trying, and the fact that this method allows you to be creative and artistic is just icing on the cake of knowledge. Mind mapping is fun, unique and effective. Start mapping today, discover your mind’s capacity and channel its strength. You may find that you are more intelligent and more creative than you once thought; you just need a more productive way to study.
Express
Try mind mapping next time you study
Yourself!
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Opinion
Email Kelly Ficarelli at kficarelli@gmail. com to write for The Vanguard Opinion section
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VOL. 53, NO. 12 / OCT. 14, 2013
okt SOBER fest Sunday, October 20 SOBER SOCIAL DURING
â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fun Days without the HAZEâ&#x20AC;?
THE INTRAMURAL
FOOTBALL GAMES.
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Monday, October 21 KNOW YOUR BACS T-SHIRT GIVEAWAY
AND INFORMATION
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USA PIANO ENSEMBLES FALL CONCERT
&!( 3 ".#+.)&*$ .0/ "*0". " &0 ( (( 01!"*0/ 1(04 0 ##
TABLE,
SOBRIETY REWARDS
Tuesday, October 22 DIVE-IN MOVIE â&#x20AC;&#x153;HOCUS POCUSâ&#x20AC;?
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Wednesday, October 23 WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ON WEDNESDAY (WOW) â&#x20AC;&#x153;KEEP CALM, STAY SAFEâ&#x20AC;? 01!"*0 "
),1/ 3&!" .&5"/ +1,+*/ 3 .!"! 0+ /01!"*0/ 6 1$%07 % 2&*$ /+ ". #1* ,+*/+."! 4 +(& " ", .0)"*0
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ALCOHOL
AND
EXERCISE LECTURE
FEATURING
DR. MICHAEL LINDER
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KOSTUME KICKBALL 01!"*0 " ." 0&+* "*0". ,+*/+."! 4 ),1/ " ." 0&+* Thursday, October 24 JAGS VS. UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA, LAFAYETTE + ". %" $" HALL CRAWL "/&!"* " ((/ + '0 &(/ *! 6 .&*'&*$7 )"/
,+*/+."! 4 +1/&*$ "/&!"* " &#" *!
RAVE FROM
GRAVE &0
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THE
DANIEL DRISKELL, FACULTY PIANO RECITAL &!( 3 ".#+.)&*$ .0/ "*0".
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Friday, October 25 FAGBUG DOCUMENTARY
AND
LECTURE 4 .&* 2&"/ &!( 3 ".#+.)&*$ .0/
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JAGS VS. TEXAS STATE +(("4 (( $1 . 4) Saturday, October 26 MAGNOLIA RIVER CANOE TRIP, !", .01." #.+) 01!"*0
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All events are free for USA students unless otherwise noted.
university of south alabama
Schedule of Activities
16
VOL. 53, NO. 12 / OCT. 14, 2013