The Collegian 1-14-15 by gpc collegian

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January 14, 2015 VOLUME 31 NO.1 Visit online at www.collegiannews.com

What do you get when you cross a Jaguar with a Panther? "That has yet to be determined," says GPC interim president Rob Watts.

GPC interim president Rob Watts (left) and GSU's President Mark Becker shake hands at the Jan. 6 Board of Regents meeting.

By Farhin Lilywala Collegian Staff

ffective early 2016, GPC Jaguars and Georgia State University (GSU) Panthers will merge into one university. The Board of Regents, a unified governing body for public higher education, made the official announcement at their last meeting on Jan. 6 at 9:30 a.m. GSU will become the largest university in the University System of Georgia in population with more than 50,000 students, overtaking the University of Georgia. GPC’s interim president Rob Watts said he and President Mark Becker of GSU will appoint a

committee to lead the consolidation process. “We will appoint a joint consolidation steering committee consisting of faculty, staff, students and community representatives within the next two weeks,” Watts said. The committee will analyze all campuses of GSU and GPC and determine the best use for each campus, according to Watts. Some campuses may be changed; some campuses will look exactly the same. There are also other concerns, specifically from students. “After having a few days to listen to my fellow Georgia State students’ opinions it doesn’t seem as though a majority of students are in favor of the merger at all,”

said Lanier Henson, GSU Student Government Association (SGA) President. According to Henson, these concerns range from wanting a clear division in which institution they receive their degrees from to upholding GSU’s current admission standards. “I feel like all the options of attending community colleges are slowly dwindling away and there’s not going to be as much access to more affordable education, and that certainly concerns me,” GSU psychology major Anna Yang said. Both Henson and Sri Rajasekaran, GPC Newton SGA President, agree with Yang that this merger should allow students to continue receiving an affordable

education. “It is hard to tell how exactly it is going to affect GPC until the fine details like how the tuition is going to change, and whether any campuses will be closed, and such are given,” said Rajasekaran. “But, I think as long as the tuition remains considerably low; no restrictions are placed on the transfer opportunities; and no big changes are made to the degree programs – our students will be fine.” Watts confirms that GPC’s foundation of affordable education will not be uprooted with this merger. “I would not anticipate any change in that,” he said. “There will continue to be a lower tuition rate for Associate’s degree students.”

Photo courtesy of Bill Roa.

This merger could mean a number of new opportunities and resources for GSU and GPC students. However, the consolidation process will not be an easy feat to overcome, according to Henson. Watts is confident that both institutions will excel as one university and ensures that students will be involved in the consolidation process. “They will be on working committees to implement the consolidation,” Watts said. “Students will have full access to consolidation information. There will be a joint GPC and GSU consolidation website also. Ultimately, this is very good for students and gives them new and better ways to get their Bachelor’s degrees.”

COLLEGIANNEWS.COM

Look cool, keep warm

Jeff Quarterman, a biology major, rocks a cream colored pom pom beanie in the frigid January weather.

By Naya Clark

Collegian Staff

inter is officially in full swing, which means it’s time to layer up with this New Year’s trends. Winters in the past have been times for dull, neutral shades. This winter has a new hue added to the mix... army green. Not only can it can be worn as any article of clothing, but this combat inspired color pairs great with any other color and skin tone. Color hasn’t been the only focus for this winter’s trends. Bulky sweaters are back and warmer than ever. Remember when your

mother used to bundle you up in your thickest scarf before you went in the cold? Now the cozy look is a trend, and your mom will love that you’re staying warm. Another way to stay warm is thick materials, such as suede, which has also made a big comeback this year not only for looks but to keep toasty. Seeing suede boots and coats will definitely not be a rare sight this season. Cable knit has been everywhere so far and has served so useful in blocking the cold winter winds. Cable knit sweaters and beanies have made appearances every year in the past

h i s edition marks the first edition of the Spring 2015 semester. I hope everyone had an amazing break and holiday season. It's time to get back into gear for the semester. My last semester at GPC has begun, and time has flown faster than I could have imagined. Thank you for the rewarding experience of being the editor of the Collegian and representing you, the students, as your student newspaper. Last semester, in the final edition of the Collegian for Fall 2014, a writer wrote an article on the harm bottled water can do. The International Bottled Water Association (IWBA) disputed some of the points made in the article. As we follow up with them to get more information, you are EDITOR IN CHIEF Farhin Lilywala

SPORTS EDITOR Ben Abrams

Photos by Naya Clark

Arabic major Malcolm Dunn spruces up his look by wearing a crimson blanket scarf.

winters and have lived up to their promise to keep up warm this year. Flannel is always on the comeback. Last year everyone broke out their flannel button ups and came to terms with knowing not only are flannels trendy, and great for keeping out the chilly air, but they are easy to pair with denim and boots. As if that isn’t a sign of a great outfit piece, Flannel looks great on both guys and gals. There is no reason to feel as though winter is a time when your true style can’t shine through your layers of clothing. In fact, it’s the perfect time to layer up with the trends you love.

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

January 14, 2015

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

welcome to go to their website at www.bottledwater.org to read their perspective. If you have something to say then be sure to contact us at gpc. collegian@gmail.com. We want to make your voice heard. I would like to thank each and every one of you for reading the content we put so much effort into producing. We hope to exceed your expectations. If you have any story ideas, comments, or questions, please contact us at gpc.collegian@gmail. com. We would love to hear from you!

Farhin Lilywala

Editor-in-Chief

MANAGING EDITORS Alem Giorgis Jabril Titus Naya Clark

Dear Editor, After reading the article entitled “The Criminal Justice System and Forgiveness: Mixed Reviews for Picking Cotton Book and Event,” I felt compelled to give a positive response from a GPC faculty member to balance the negative comments offered by the GPC faculty member who asked to remain anonymous. I taught the book to every one of my classes this semester from the learning-support level through my sophomore-level African American literature classes, and my students had overwhelmingly positive responses to the book. I was able to teach the book to all of my classes, including learning support, because the writing is direct and accessible, which is very appropriate for a memoir that is meant to reach the masses and have an impact on the way real people from all walks of life engage the issues of our time which the book addresses, such as wrongful

incarceration, racism in the justice system, sexism and insensitivity toward rape victims, and problems with eyewitness testimony, to name a few. Many of my students have shared that the book has actually transformed their lives for the better and has helped them understand the power of forgiveness and redemption in their own relationships; furthermore, as a writing and literature professor, I am very pleased that many of my students were able to produce excellent papers and other projects on topics related to this book because the memoir touched them so deeply and helped them think about important issues they might not have otherwise engaged. I am personally grateful to the faculty and staff members, such as Mary Helen O’Connor and Rebecca Rakoczy, who have worked tirelessly to lead the efforts to bring GPC Reads programming to our college through the budget crunch

from which we are finally emerging. This program has helped me to keep my classes fresh and relevant and has supported many faculty members, like me, who are excited about exposing our students to the books and authors to which GPC Reads has given us access. Sincerely, Dr. Valerie M. Dotson Professor of English

The Collegian appreciates any feedback from our audience. If you wish to submit a letter to the editor, please e-mail it to gpc.collegian@gmail.com

DISCLAIMER The Collegian is the student newspaper of Georgia Perimeter College, and is a designated public forum for students, faculty and staff to share their opinions. Comments and views expressed herein are those of the individual writers, and not those of the college or the Collegian as a whole. We strongly encourage students to submit articles and artwork for publication. Single copies are free. More than three copies per person are $.50 each. Editors reserve the right to edit for grammar, space, appropriateness and length. Not all submissions will be published. To speak with a staff member, please call 678-891-3382 or e-mail us at gpc.collegian@gmail.com.

STAFF

January 14, 2015

COLLEGIANNEWS.COM

Campus News

Our Journeys A sit down with Sean

Lost college student finds inspiration GPC alumnus begins his own marketing company By Maurice Raeford through self-help books The C: What inspired you SS: I have gained most of Staff Writer

ean Standberry is a GPC alumnus who started his own marketing company called Lyfe Marketing in 2011. He reached out to the Collegian in an effort to share his story and inspire current and incoming GPC students. We met at his downtown office to get the backstory of his company.

The C: What is Lyfe Mar-

keting?

Photo courtesy of Hannah Yirgu

Yirgu explained, “Mindfulness is living by observing the world without judgment, and it’s a technique that helps you take action right now. This really shifted me in a big way. I stopped being fearful and became happier.”

By Alem Giorgis Collegian Staff

the

elf-help books are a multibillion dollar genre unto themselves, and notable writers have legions of fans. While some discard this movement as newage quackery, others have found success using self-help books in order to live more fulfilling lives. One such individual is GPC student Hannah Yirgu, who wanted to share her journey to help fellow students improve their lives by being present and mindful, something she learned through a popular self-help book. Born and raised in Ethiopia, Yirgu recently immigrated to the United States to join the rest of her family in 2013. She was an architecture student in a rigorous program at the University of Addis Ababa, but she was desperate to change both her program of study and path in life. Convinced that a future in architecture was not for her, Yirgu decided to spend the entirety of her first year in America perusing many books and websites trying to find her purpose in life. She wanted to work and postpone college until she knew in what direction she wanted her life to go. She then stumbled upon an on-

line video of an Oprah interview with renowned self-help guru and spiritual author, Ekhart Tolle. The subject of the interview was Tolle’s teachings, which he detailed within his bestseller, "The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment." Captivated by the interview, Yirgu quickly bought the book and began a very serious journey that has led her to become somewhat of a disciple of Tolle’s teachings. “The book taught me that we don’t have to cling to the past and worry about the future," she said. "I used to be very worried about what would happen next, and I didn’t enjoy the everyday life around me. But now, I’ve learned to not stress and live in the now.” Soon after, Yirgu decided to enroll at GPC in the fall of 2014 as a psychology major. She explained that she was constantly thinking about the future and waiting for the next thing, rather than appreciating everything in front of her. Hence, Tolle’s teachings resonated with her. In "The Power of Now," Tolle explains, “As soon as you honor the present moment, all unhappiness and struggle dissolve, and life begins to flow with joy and ease.” Yirgu encourages fellow students to reflect on their thoughts and practice being more mindful each day.

Soapbox

#GPCsoapbox

SS: Lyfe Marketing is a marketing agency that helps to boost your company through social media. My company helps you find your target audience and from there, we build a rapport with future consumers. I understand that it is hard for company owners to run a business and keep in touch with their consumers. My company bridges that gap between company and audience. It also links students with student housing, making it easier for students to find somewhere to stay while in college.

to start it?

SS: I actually got the inspiration from GPC. At GPC, I had a sense of community. When I was at GPC, the student body was so diverse and most of the students think outside of the box. I wanted to do something different in life so upon graduating I gathered some friends and started Lyfe Marketing. The C: With social media being an ever changing thing, how do you keep up with trends?

SS: All the people that work with the company are users of social media outlets, so they already keep up with these sights for their personal use, but when it comes to hiring that is a big question that we ask. When we are greeting people, we ask what type of social sites do they use and how often do they use social sites. This way when trends change my company knows because it is part of their lifestyle. The C: Are there particular companies that you prefer to work with over other companies?

my notoriety through working with the housing market. I enjoy working with a lot of small and upcoming businesses. I like to help people build their businesses because once it’s starts to grow, it gives him a sense of satisfaction.

The C: When a new client comes to you, are there certain things that they should have in place?

SS: They should have a sense of what they are trying to accomplish and who are they trying to attract. Some of my clients really know how they want to appeal to their future customers. But I have no problem helping the clients figure out how to market their businesses and sit down come up with a marketing strategy for each company. The C: Where do you plan to be in the next two years?>

SS: I hope to hire three full time employees because I want to give other people an opportunity. My company’s motto is to bring “lyfe” to your business.

NEWS BRIEFS By Naya Clark

Collegian Staff

MLK JR. DAY AND DAY OF SERVICE

ll GPC campuses will be closed on Jan. 19 for Dr. Martin Luther King Day. Students can still apply for the MLK Day of Service. Those who choose to volunteer will be given a free t-shirt and snacks. For more information, scan the QR code below.

BOOK ALLOWANCE AVAILABLE

irst Half and Full Term book allowance will be made available for use in campus bookstores for students with eligible financial aid from Dec. 15 to Jan. 26. For more information about the bookstore, scan the QR code below.

When do you take your Christmas lights down?

ANNUAL CHILDREN'S CONCERT

n Jan. 25 at 3 p.m., WSB TV’s Jovita Moore will host and narrate the Annual Children’s Concert, “Peter and the Wolf,” played by the DeKalb Symphony Orchestra in the gym. For more information and to buy tickets, scan the QR code below.

Photos by Alexis Duffey

Name: Amber Davis Major: Communications Campus: Newton

Name: Angel Simmons Major: Psychology Campus: Newton

Name: Jessica Nolley Major: Social Work Campus: Newton

“I take my Christmas lights down a week after Christmas.”

“I keep my Christmas lights up from the day after Thanksgiving till New Year’s Day.”

“I keep my Christmas lights up until New Year’s Day.”

COLLEGIANNEWS.COM

January 14, 2015

Features A new semester, a clean slate The scoop on textbooks

Tips for starting the semester off right By Rangadevi Chakraborty Staff Writer

ome people believe that a good start makes for half the work. This belief stems from the idea that if you get your books and notebooks a good two weeks before classes start, you’ll at least be ahead of the rest of your peers and save some money as well. Nevertheless, reality teaches us that continuous effort is required for most classes. Here are valuable pieces of advice compiled into an easy and accessible list of advice in order to survive college. R5 Ratemyprofessors.com: Before registering for classes or even during the first week of classes, be sure to check this website out. Although all GPC professors are not on there, students’ feedback on there is usually accurate and very helpful. R5 Book osmosis: After buying your books in advance, there are some things you can do to instantly to get ahead of the pack. For instance, look over the table of contents and get an idea of how your book is designed. When you see something interesting, don’t be afraid to check it out before moving on to the next item. Jot down some simple notes in a notebook and get comfortable with specific subject-matter lingo. Whenever you do not understand something, google it immediately. These tips will make your understanding of future lectures a lot easier. R5 Snapshot: Take a screenshot of your schedule and make it your lock-screen-photo. You will start dreaming about your class schedule! R5 Clean study space: Ever had a house where you just couldn’t wait to fill it up with stuff ? Just like that, create a new folder on your laptop titled school, and subfolders titled: notes, homework, projects, etc. Get an inbox on your desk, put your new mail and to-do things in there and empty it every day. R5 Organized backpack: Keep your backpack clean! Organize it with all the essentials needed for a full day in a library. Backpacks tend to get stuffed with receipts, wrappers, crumbled up papers and other trash, which decreases productivity. (It shouldn’t take so long to find your pen.)

R5 Planning ahead: Get yourself a planner, and create productive to-do lists. Set your goal for the day, and refuse to stop until you make it happen. Keeping your important dates and to-do lists front and center will help you check them off faster. R5 Payment options: College tuition is expensive, especially when you are paying out-ofpocket. Having a strong idea of how you or your parents are paying for your education is very important. Whatever you do, consider all options, and do not take out a loan without thinking about it! Educate yourself and know your options. Although a loan might seem like easy cash, if the amount is hefty enough, it can haunt you for the rest of your life and sour your graduation. R5 Study groups: Tackling tough subjects as a team not only makes it more fun, but the information will actually stick better when you have tried to win a discussion on it with your colleagues. Having recurring study group meetings can also help build lifelong friendships (simply watch a few episodes of “Community,” and you’ll get the point). R5 Flashcards: Hole punch and key-ring the flash cards together, so you can efficiently carry them with you everywhere, and whip them out at a moment’s notice. R5 News updates: Try to outsmart your teacher by keeping up with new developments within your subject or field. Set a filter on your favorite news app, and make it a habit to check it once a day. R5 Toss it: If something really doesn’t need to be done, get rid of it all together from your checklist. R5 No procrastination: Do the hard stuff right away. (To-do’s can be incredibly annoying and stressful when they linger in your head for longer than a day.) R5 Timed tasks: Try to increase your speed doing certain tasks: walk, talk, read and type faster. R5 Practice: Try googling “site:edu[subject] exam” to find college exams on a subject to practice for exams and tests. Hopefully we’ll all have a great spring semester. The Collegian wishes you a well-prepared start, and happy spring!

Classified XFIT 90-Day Challenge Free Personal Training Learn The Best Way To Get Fit, Feel Healthy and Look Fabulous for 2015 R5Increased Energy/Performance R5Weight loss R5Healthy Aging R5Wealth Creation Call 770-713-0182 or 678-907-0780 for more information. In Addition an Opportunity To Live Life On Your Terms View on YouTube: STARTYOURLIFE

By Evie Palmer Staff Writer

et’s face it: college is expensive and so are required textbooks. According to U.S. News and World Report, the average college student spends about $1,200 on books each year, not including all other college fees. So, how do we add more “bang to our buck” this semester? 1. Buy used books. There may be an option at the GPC bookstore to buy your book used, however, this option is not always available. I have found that Chegg is an excellent resource to buy used books. They have a good variety and decent prices for used books. However, it is your

responsibility to make sure that you buy the proper edition needed for the course. In addition, you may have to purchase an access code for the course as well. 2. Borrow books. Many students currently enrolled at GPC are willing to share their books. This may save you from buying the book for full price. Ask your friends if they have the specific book required for your course. It doesn’t hurt, especially if you can save some cash! 3. Talk to your professor in advance. Email your professors in advance (using your student account), and make sure that you need to purchase the book. Don’t make the mistake of pur-

chasing a book which may be available with an access code! 4. Sell your books. Another way to save money is to sell your book back to the bookstore, but make sure that it is before the deadline, typically not too much longer than the end of the semester. You can also sell your used book on Chegg and Amazon. 5. Ebooks or renting. Ebooks or renting books can be significantly cheaper than buying the book new, and sometimes even more cost efficient than purchasing the book used. However, make sure that the ebook coincides with the textbook that your professor is using.

'Foxcatcher:' A must-see By James Fisher Staff Writer

ennett Miller’s “Foxcatcher” is the true story of the deadly union of multimillionaire, John du Pont, and Olympic wrestling brothers, Dave and Mark Schultz. The film stars Steve Carrell, Channing Tatum, and Mark Ruffalo. The film centers on the Schultz brothers and their relationship with multimillionaire sports enthusiast, John du Pont, who sponsored Team

Foxcatcher for the 1988 Olympics. The tumultuous relationship of the Schultz brothers and du Pont would culminate in the tragic murder of Dave Schultz by John du Pont on Foxcatcher Farm in 1996. Miller suggests an obsession du Pont has with Mark Schultz. Carrell, Tatum, and Ruffalo shine in their portrayals of du Pont and the Schultz brothers, respectively. Steve Carrell’s chilling performance of the disturbed John du Pont is creepy, yet reserved and

austere. For an actor who has primarily portrayed bumbling fools, Carrell’s character is welcomed and sure to win awards. Tatum and Ruffalo gave awardworthy performances as well. Miller’s true story tragedy of the American Dream illuminates the disturbing crime that was committed by a paranoid schizophrenic heir to a fortune, who thought he was the epitome of patriotism when he promised the Schultz brothers the American Dream which ultimately led to their downfall.

January 14, 2015

COLLEGIANNEWS.COM

Sports

Give me a 'C-H-E-E-R,' please? Why students can't and don't come to GPC sporting events By Ben Abrams Collegian Staff

n Friday, Nov. 14, I traveled to the Decatur campus with another writer to cover the Men’s basketball season opener against Lawson State. We arrived at the campus 45 minutes before the game started and walked into an almost entirely empty gym. As we waited for the game to start, only a few people walked into the gym. When the tip-off happened at 7 p.m. there were an estimated 50 people in attendance to watch the team play. The Jaguars went on to win the game 45-41, but only a handful of people actually witnessed it. A similar result of attendance happened three weeks earlier when the Men’s soccer team played their season finale against Darton State on Oct. 25 which ended in a 2-2 draw. The Jaguars finished the season undefeated with a record of 14-0-1, the best season in the

program’s history. Despite the great season, the only people who were in attendance for the game were the parents of the players. The students may have been down on the team, because they lost their postseason privileges as a part of the sanctions issued by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) in April 2014. This theory became questionable when The Collegian published articles relevant to the postseason ban. The most common response our staff received was the students had no prior knowledge of the NJCAA sanctions or the ban taking place. This begs the question: why is the attendance at GPC games so low? We came up with three possible reasons to explain the problem. The locations of the games can be difficult to find. The basketball games are played on the Decatur campus. Tennis and Men’s soccer are played on the Dunwoody campus. Women’s soccer is played

on the Clarkston campus, and baseball and softball can be seen on the Newton campus. The scattered locations of the athletic programs make perfect sense for the students so they can have a sports team to represent their campus. The downside is that the locations can create a hassle for students to go see the games they want to go to. The staff also wondered, “Do the students actually know about the teams at their school?” While walking to class, the only promotions a student may see for any of the sports teams are a few posters showing the team’s schedule peppered around the campus. The games themselves are free of charge, but they still feel like they are played for a league at a recreational center instead of a national collegiate athletic organization like the NJCAA. The biggest common denominator of the attendance problem appears to be that the students have no time to attend the games

in the first place. “Many of our students are here part time, and they also have part time jobs,” Phil Smith, vice president of Academic Affairs, points out. So asking a student to take time out of his or her schedule to attend a game can be asking for a lot. The Jaguars athletic program is capable of putting a good product on the stage for the student body to enjoy, but the game day experience needs some improvement. Students feel that the atmosphere provided for them is not worth the time or travel to watch the teams play. There is no doubt that GPC has the talent to put a fun and entertaining product on the field. That said, the students will only show up at the games if the school gives them a reason to care about them.

Photo by Ben Abrams

Casey Wells (#5) had 20 points, five rebounds, and three assists in GPC's 61-56 loss to Atlanta Metro State on Jan. 7.

Finding your fitness inspiration By Temarrio Thomas Staff Writer

ne day you wake up, look in the mirror and you are unhappy with what’s staring back at you. Admit it, we have all been there. You then ask yourself, “What do I do to change the way I look?” The motivation to be present at work each day is there. You have the motivation to successfully complete college. Why is this motivation not applied to the goals for your fitness and your health? Sometimes it is hard to drag yourself to the gym on a daily basis. Some people have always been physically fit or into fitness. What

about the people on the opposite end of the spectrum? Some of them are inherently skinny, while others came into the world a little pleasantly plump, as some may call it. Should you just play with the cards you were dealt, or should you strive to change yourself ? This is where people begin to make that change. Many people occasionally have some self motivation to get up and go to the gym. Once there, they are completely motivated and feel that it is go time. However, the challenge is physically taking yourself to the gym. The first step is to find what motivates you. Sometimes a person

is not sure where they need to start or how to get started. Start light and visit your fitness center if one is provided by your apartment complex or homeowners association. If there is not a fitness center in your neighborhood, here are a list of gyms and memberships that you can check out. L.A. Fitness R5 Initiation fee: $99 with a monthly fee of $29.95. R5 Offers a wide range of services including Yoga, Cycling, & Pilates. R5 Personal Training, Babysitting, & Juice Bar. R5 Hours may vary.

SPORTS BRIEFS By Ben Abrams Staff Writer

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

The Lady Jags started the season on a hard note winning four of their first eleven games, bringing their record to (7-10) for the season and (3-2) in GCAA conference play. During the holiday break, the team struggled with losses to Central Georgia Technical College (71-61), Georgia Highlands College (69-57), and Tallahassee Community College (61-44). They also had moments of triumph with close wins over East Georgia State College (58-57), Pensacola State College (74-72), and Atlanta Metro State College (68-66). Keep up the good work ladies. Go Jags!

MEN'S BASKETBALL

The Jaguars, playing with nine freshmen this year, had an impressive start to the season, winning eight of their first ten games. During the holiday season, however, the Jags experienced a rough stretch, bringing their record to (8-8) for the season and (1-4) in conference play. The Jags experienced losses to Central Georgia Technical College (71-63), East Georgia State College (80-69), Georgia Highlands College (79-69), Northwest Florida State College (100-63), Gulf Coast State College (74-56), and Atlanta Metro State College (61-56). Keep up the good work boys. Go Jags!

Planet Fitness R5 No commitment/Initiation fee. Monthly fee of $10 or $19.99. R5 Member benefits dependent upon membership type. R5 Open 24 hours. Workout Anytime R5 $15 month-to-month basic membership. R5 $25 month-to-month premium membership. R5 Premium membership grants you a free guest, tanning, hyrdomassage, monthly fitness evaluation, & react training. R5 Prices may also vary by location. R5 Open 24 hours.

Snap Fitness R5 $34.95 monthly for single membership. $59.95 monthly for joint membership. $74.95 monthly for a family membership R5 No long-term contracts. R5 Personal training available. R5 Open 24 hours. Hopefully this information will help start a fire inside you to get on the right track about maintaining your health and staying in shape. Here’s to you for having the motivation to keeping your fitness resolution in 2015!

SCHEDULE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

1/14- Chattahoochee Technical College, Decatur, Ga.: 5:30 p.m. 1/17- Andrew College, Cuthbert, Ga.: 2:30 p.m. 1/21- South Georgia Technical College, Americus, Ga.: 5:30 p.m. 1/24- Albany Technical College, Decatur, Ga.: 2 p.m.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

1/14- Chattahoochee Technical College, Decatur, Ga.: 7:30 p.m. 1/17- Gordon State College, Barnesville, Ga.: 2 p.m. 1/21- South Georgia Technical College, Americus, Ga.: 7:30 p.m. 1/24- Albany Technical College, Decatur, Ga.: 4 p.m.

SOFTBALL

1/24- West Georgia University- Scrimmage), Covington, Ga.: 2/4 p.m.

Information provided by GPC Athletics website. Compiled by Ben Abrams, sports editor

COLLEGIANNEWS.COM

January 14, 2015

Our Voice Photo courtesy of J.Cole's official website

A rapper's reflections: 'There's no you like you.' By Jabril Titus Collegian Staff

hen it comes to hip hop, there have always been a few conscious rappers that were fulfilling the needs of many listeners. By “conscious,” I mean rappers who were fully aware of the corruption, manipulation, and injustice of the world. Rappers such as Common, Talib Kweli, Q-tip, and Lupe Fiasco, just to name a few, chose to use their social statuses to enlighten their fans on what has been overlooked for the past several years. Jermaine Cole, also known by his stage name J.Cole, released a new album titled “2014 Forrest Hills Drive” on Dec. 9, 2014. He has now become a well known conscious rapper, as well. According to Billboard projections, the album grossed $354,000 in his first week. This is Cole’s third number one album but most successful one to date. 1. Intro- “Intro” starts the album off with a dreamy drop back as the beat begins to build. In a mumbling voice, Cole continuously asks, “Do you want to be happy?” This song is a bit different from

his others. He uses a spoken word sense of style to convey his point. “Intro” is meant to portray a longing of freedom. He’s reflecting on the way how things used to be and how they are now. 2. January 28- January 28 is the day of Cole’s birthday. The beat is sort of a continuation of “Intro” but more developed. This song is a wake-up call to black men in general. He wants people to understand that most rappers fans try to imitate are living a fictitious life. Cole warns his listeners to take control of their own actions. He says if you believe in God, then you should aim high and not low. 3. Wet Dreamz- Cole refers to the time when he had sex for the first time. He was only 14 at the time admitting that he didn’t know much about sex but pretended so he wouldn’t look like a lame. In return the young girl he became intimate was too a virgin. 4. '03/Adolescence- Cole reflects on his younger years of life. He speaks about the hard troubles he had while growing up and how he looked up to a friend who in return

wanted to be just like him. Cole shows that you should always want to be yourself, and if you don’t like the person you are at the moment become the person you want to be. 5. A Tale of Two Citiez -Names after a novel by Charles Dickens, this particular story takes place during the French Revolution and reflects the major themes of rebellion, confliction between rich and poor, and political consciousness. Through this story, he connects two major cities in his life, New York and Fayetteville, which were also predominantly the two main cities in Dickens’ novel. 6. Fire Squad- This song is very important not only in hip-hop but black culture as a whole. Cole expresses that white entertainers robbed a lot of blacks for the only sacred thing they had to themselves which was music. He used a few white artists who are categorized as rappers such as: Eminem, Iggy Azalea, and Macklemore. 7. St. Tropez- Named after the city in France, St. Tropez is speaking about how Cole

rose to fame. He’s pulling us through his journey to fame. This beat is sampled by Mobb Deep’s Give Up The Goods. 8. G.O.M.D- This track is somewhat a letter to his competitors and the people back at his hometown in N.C. He’s basically arguing for a common ground. While many may think he changed and went “Hollywood” he’s proclaiming that he remained the same. 9. No Role Modelz- Cole reflects on his early childhood life and claims there were not and are not any role models. They are either rapping or dribbling a ball. To be clear, there are black men who can be considered role models, but in all honesty the chances of them being projected and glamorized is at an all-time low. He raps about how “Uncle Phil,” from the 90s television show, was his only father figure. 10.Hello- Through this song, Cole reaches out to an old girl he used to be intimate with. He’s reflecting on the times they shared and for the moment he wants to rekindle what they had. He then finds

out that she started a new life and there’s no “looking back.” 11.Apparently- Cole reflects on his wrong doings and working on becoming a better person, because apparently someone believes in him. He has come to the realization that he has more to learn in life, and it’s becoming clearer now. 12.Love Yourz- In this song, Cole claims there is no life better than yours. This goes to say your life is special and you should cherish it. 13.Note to Self- Cole spends a hefty amount of time giving thanks to his whole team and record labels for 14 minutes and 35 seconds. He lets it be known that this would be his last album with Columbia Records. Jermaine also states that the album sales are humbling and he’s just appreciate of the opportunity to make music. This album was definitely one of my favorites of 2014. This album was needed and hopefully this would change the platform of hip-hop and the rappers to come. It is time that we have musicians who talk about things we as a generation can relate to.

January 14, 2015

COLLEGIANNEWS.COM

Our Voice Don't sacrifice your last breath for that last text By Sabrina Jamil Staff Writer

lexender Heit texted, "Sounds good my man,” before he passed away. Do you want to know a secret to reduce and prevent accidents and a way to keep people safe on the roads? There is a simple solution: Don’t text while driving. It is one of the leading causes of distracted driving, accidents, injuries and deaths. There are three major types of distractions which includes cognitive or mental, visual and manual distraction.

Cognitive or mental distractions include a driver not focusing on driving and letting their mind wander. For example, talking on the phone with a friend while driving is considered to be cognitive distraction. Visual distraction consists of one glancing at other areas besides the road, such as checking their phone. Manual distraction encompasses a person only driving with one hand. An example of is when one tries to type a message on their phone. It is quite common to get into an accident while in this state of distracted driving. According National Safety Council, 1,600,000 accidents occur per year due to texting while driving. In today’s society, having the privilege of a smartphone at our fingertips and wheels

in our hands, we may assume we have more control than we actually do. It seems too often that we underestimate the results of texting while driving. As humans it’s natural for us to sometimes have a mindset of “I won’t get a ticket or have an accident. I’m not like the others.” Think about it, people who text while driving do not necessarily think that they will get caught or in an accident. About 25 percent of all car accidents occur due to texting while driving. In fact, based on several experiments, it has been proven that texting while driving is six times more dangerous than driving when a person is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Now that we have established it is distracted and causes accidents, texting while

driving is also life threatening. Most of us value our lives and our loved ones’ lives. Imagine how you would feel if a person’s carelessness led to the harm or death of your loved one. It only takes one moment to lose someone. “No text is more important than your life.” The good news is you can start today simply by not texting when you are driving. We are all capable of making smart choices, and choosing not to text while driving is something we all can do. If more teens and adults would stop engaging in this activity, then we can assume people would be more focused. As a result, the number of crashes will decrease, and the roads will be safer.

Killing Earth with your carbon footprint By Ruth Green Staff Writer

ccording to greenliving websites, ecomii. com and zerowasteamerica. com, carbon footprinting is an estimate of how much carbon dioxide is produced to support our lifestyles. The national average for someone in the US is 7.5 tons per year. From what I know about carbon footprinting, it would be virtually

impossible for it to be completely eliminated. Still, there are ways in which we can significantly reduce it and its impact on the planet. Carbon dioxide, also known as CO2, is a colorless, odorless gas that is present in the atmosphere. Not only do humans release it during respiration, carbon dioxide is also produced by the decay of organic matter and recycled again to be used by plants during photosynthesis. Adopting a green lifestyle doesn’t need to be a traumatic, lifealtering event. There are simple, yet highly effective things that can be done to bring exponential im-

provements to our lives and most importantly, to the environment. It seems that Earth is the only one of its kind, and I for one would like for it to be around for many generations to come. For that to be a reality, however, we all need to make a conscious effort to reduce our consumption of energy, to use more eco-friendly products and to think often about how our use of products adds to our carbon footprint. To do this, the first thing that you could do is make a conscious decision to create more eco-friendly lifestyles for you and your family. To quote Green Diva Meg, “I strive to be more conscious about

everything I do and the potential impact it has on me, my family, my community, animals and ultimately the earth.” Being conscious means making a concerted effort everyday to embrace a green ethic. One thing that can greatly reduce carbon footprinting is eliminating the use of bottled water, which can cost about 10,000 times more than the cost of tap or filtered water. By using your own container, something I’ve been doing now for a number of years, 500 dollars can be saved annually by making this simple adjustment to your everyday life.

If you do not have a water filtering system built into your refrigerator, you can purchase a Brita water system for pennies at any thrift store such as Goodwill and Last Chance or retail shops such as Target. I have gotten into the habit of never leaving home without my water container. If I purchased one bottle of water a day at the cost of one dollar each, I would have spent 365 dollars in one year, probably more since bottled water is a taxable item in most grocery storeswhich is a nice chunk of change, especially if you’re a student.

COLLEGIANNEWS.COM

January 14, 2015