VANGUARD
THE
“If it matters to the USA family, it matters to us.”
SEPT. 23, 2013
INSIDE
VOL. 53, NO. 9
Gilbert envisions the presidency at USA By NOAH LOGAN
ncl1101@jagmail.southalabama.edu
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► News: Ann Sirmon is named Alumni Association president. See Campus News, page 4
► Life: Tau Kappa Epsilon hosts an outdoor movie night for St. Jude. See JagLife, page 5
MIKE KITTRELL | PRESS-REGISTER/AL.COM
Dr. Jerome Gilbert, the first of the three presidential search finalist to visit campus, speaks on his vision for USA at the Mitchell Center Thursday, Sept. 19, 2013.
r. Jerome Gilbert of Mississippi State University arrived at USA’s campus Thursday, Sept. 19, for his two-day visit as a finalist in the search for USA’s next president. Gilbert was named one of the three finalists by the Presidential Search Committee and the nominations were approved the USA Board of Trustees. Gilbert attended Duke University, where he received his Ph.D. in biomedical engineering. After graduating, he taught mechanical engineering courses at North Carolina State University for a year before working at the University of North Carolina. Gilbert returned to MSU, from which he received his undergraduate degree, to serve as head of the department of biological and agricultural engineering. During his tenure at MSU, Gilbert has served as provost of the university and executive vice president. Each presidential search finalist’s two-day visit inludes an open forum in which the general public meets and voices their concerns to the finalist. At the first open forum, Gilbert presented a powerpoint titled, “Envi-
sioning the Presidency,” which contained his six plans to take the University of South Alabama to the next level. Members from the Board of Trustees, faculty, staff and students showed up to hear what Dr. Gilbert had to say. His first and main point focused on increasing the national stature and image of the University. He likened the University to a “hidden gem” and was “bothered” by the hidden aspect of it. “I do think there is a level of quality of this institution that is up here” Gilbert said while holding his hand up at eye level. “But I do think there is a level of image and perception that doesn’t quite live up to that quality.” Along with a marketing campaign to broadcast the quality of the University, Gilbert also explained he would encourage involvement of the faculty, administration and students in national and international activities to get the University’s name out there. Student life was also a recurring topic throughout his presentation. “I would also continue to work on the student life here and making the campus a very attractive place to come study and also utlitize the athletic department as See Gilbert visits campus for presidential public forum Page 2
Employee budget to increase by 4 percent ► LOC: Dr. Joel Erdmann explains the attendance concerns brought up by students. See Left of Center, page 8
► Sports: Patrick Rohr takes first place for men’s cross country at Azalea City Classic. See Sports, page 12
By NOAH LOGAN
ncl1101@jagmail.southalabama.edu
T
he USA Board of Trustees has approved a 4 percent merit raise for employees of the University. The raise is scheduled to go into effect on Oct. 1 of this year. The raise applies to all faculty, administration and staff members in every department of the University, except health care employees, who saw a raise in June of this year. According to a South Alabama memorandum, this is the first proposed increase for the University General Division since October 2007. A 2.5 percent raise was given in October 2011 but only as a result of a 2.5 percent increase in the Retirement System of Alabama deductions. The the same
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memo also includes, “This is possible because of the continuing diligent management of finances at all levels of the University, some growth in enrollment, a small increase in state appropriations, and modest tuition increase.” A 4 percent raise seems simple and straightforward, but in reality, the planning and details of this raise require further explanation. Vice President of Financial Affairs Steve Simmons was able explain the raise in detail. According to Simmons, the raise comes after former President Gordon Moulton promised the faculty that he would do his best to see a raise be put into place in the 2013-2014 fiscal year. This promise came before his unfortunate illness, but the Board of Trustees felt it still needed to be done. See USA salaries Page 3
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NOAH LOGAN | STAFF REPORTER
The 4 percent raise for the USA employee budget takes effect Oct. 1 for administration, faculty and staff, like Sheila Tolbert (pictured) in Dining Services. In this Issue:
Life, Page 5 Left of Center, Page 7 Sports, Page 9 Opinion, Page 13