09_10_02

The Official Student Newspaper of Georgia College & State University

THE COLONNADE Friday, October 2, 2009

NEWS Flu vaccines a hit among students Health Services runs out of flu vaccines Page 3

Laptops newest item for checkout Library now making laptops available to students at no charge Page 2

Make your room a little greener Students see some benefit from adding plants to rooms Page 3

FEATURES Looking to smile?

Karla Jennings premieres her award winning play at GCSU Page 10

No decision on proposed student fee

BY CLAIRE DYKES SENIOR REPORTER

Wellness center advocates and opponents came away from this past Wednesday’s Student Government Association Senate meeting without either of their preferred outcomes. The $175 proposed student fee for a planned new wellness center for West Campus was briefly discussed, but no final decisions were made.

A proposal was constructed by the planning commit-

Students share and listen to poetry at Blackbird Coffeehouse Page 13

SPORTS

Four fall titles for women’s tennis Bobcats take two singles and two doubles championships last weekend Page 14

GCSU runs through competition at Macon event Top five for women, top-ten for men at Mercer RunFit Page 14

www.GCSUnade.com

- Volume 86, No. 6

An open forum will be held Monday Oct. 5, at 5 p.m. in Magnolia Ballroom for students to make further statements to the Senate.

tee and if SGA feels any amendments are necessary for implementation to be successful, the bill will not pass. Upon rejection, the bill would be redeveloped to be resubmitted to the

ALEX TAYLOR / STAFF WRITER GCSU alumnus J. Raymond Vinson catches some air over Lake Sinclair this past weekend. See page13 for additional information about the GCSU wakeboard club team.

Wellness center page 6

Riding the waves

SGA continues debates Web site fighting on smoking ban issue plagiarism gains BY

Students come out for Poetry Jam

-

ZARA-GRAY ROWE STAFF WRITER

A proposed smoking ban for the GCSU campus appears to once again be under consideration by the Student Government Association.

The proposed policy, which would ban smoking on campus except in certain designated areas, was sent back to an SGA committee last April. But, the committee is now set to meet again to reconsider making GCSU a smokefree campus.

SGA President Zach Mullins, a junior management major, is a voice for the students of GCSU. “The issue of smoking on campus has yet to be decided,” Mullins said.

“The committee has begun to meet once again and discuss further actions the ban will partake, but it’s still in the planning stages.”

There are five different standing committees of the University Senate, but the RPIPC committee, which consists of seven students and faculty members, is the working group that has taken on the smoking-ban policy.

The process began with SGA passing a resolution and deciding that it was an institutional policy, therefore it was sent to the Re-

sources Planning and Institutional Policy Committee or RPIPC. Dr. Doug Oetter, an associate professor of geography and a committee member, said he knew the process was going to be a big deal. Oetter said he knew the policy would be an issue because certain

Jump page 5

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY BOBBY GENTRY/ SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER

new popularity BY

SCOTTY THOMPSON STAFF WRITER

In an effort to combat plagiarism on campus and make students more aware of their writing, the Web site Turnitin. com is gaining more publicity at GCSU. The Web site, which has a database located in Modesto, Calif., is a resource tool that checks papers submitted by students for plagiarism.

Faculty members can set up accounts on the Web site, and then once students have submitted their papers to the site, the database scans the papers and checks them against the Internet to search for any potential plagiarism issues.

“It really is a wonderful tool for our faculty and students to use and I have more and more faculty contacting me about using it,” said Wesley Smith, Director of Web enabled resources at GCSU. Smith said that last year approximately 1520 percent of faculty members used the program and he would like to see it grow on campus.

“We don’t use it as much as I would like here. It hasn’t been highly publicized until recently,” he said. “It saves (the professors) a lot of the labor of looking for plagiarism on their own,

Turnitin.com page 4

Campus effort aims to prevent sexual harassment CHELSEA THOMAS SENIOR REPORTER

BY

Looking to end all sexual harassment on the GCSU campus, the Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity has teamed up with the Women’s Resource Center to campaign for awareness against the problem. Students have numerous resources to stop sexual harassment, yet many do not realize the options available to them.

“Our job as an office is to create a sexual harassment free envi-

ronment,” said Yves-Rose SaintDic, the Director of Institutional Equality and Diversity. “I believe our policy we enforce is the best.

SaintDic refers to the rules regarding sexual harassment and the Sexual Harassment Resource Team, a specially trained group of faculty and staff at GCSU who are a safe ground for students to voice any issues with sexual harassment, abuse or inappropriate behavior.

For the fall semester there are 12 designated faculty composing the Sexual Harassment Resource

Team. The faculty personnel discern whether or not the voiced dilemma classifies under all of the three requirements for sexual harassment before assuming it does.

The first requirement for sexual harassment is whether an action was based on submission to a sexual request that could directly affect an individual’s employment or academic standing. Secondly, the response to this request is used to affect students with their grading and employment. Lastly, sexual harassment is interfering with

“an individuals work or academic performance.”

Sexual harassment can include “unwelcome sexual advances,” requests or demands for “sexual favors,” and other behaviors.

“Part of our job is to resolve problems,” SaintDic said. “People are usually looking for (sexual harassment) to stop, not to sue the offender.”

There are two ways to address

Jump page 7

New wireless Internet expands Milledgeville’s horizons ALEX TAYLOR STAFF WRITER

BY

19 the number of new GCSU student ambassadors

INFO.GCSU.EDU

Milledgeville residents have a new option for wireless Internet service. Clearwire Communications has started providing a low-cost Internet service option covering about 70 percent of the city.

According to its Web site, Clearwire strives to be simple, affordable, portable, fast and reliable. City planner Russell Thompson has

been the project manager and helped out with the grant funds.

“We sure do hope that it will be successful,” Thompson said. “The mobility and fast speed will be a huge advantage.”

The original plan for Milledgeville going wireless was part of a 2006 plan to stimulate the economy in rural areas. A working group was put together and a grant was created.

The city of Milledgeville

was awarded $862,000 to help with the start up of wireless Internet, the largest grant of six cities.

After the grant was awarded, the working group hired a consultant to find a service provider that was interested in the project. After several companies declined, Clearwire agreed to provide the services. The company already has projects in Las Vegas and Atlanta.

Internet page 4

GRAPHIC BY CLAIRE KERSEY AND MATT CHAMBERS

2 THE COLONNADE

Flashback:

NEWS

OCTOBER 2, 2009

Library allows students to check out laptops MATT DUNCAN STAFF WRITER

BY

GCSU LIBRARY SPECIAL COLLECTIONS Long before Georgia College had an official golf team, the GSCW Health Club promoted the game as a fun form of exercise for young women. Prior to the construction of an athletic building, the land currently occupied by the Arts & Sciences building was used for intramural sports like archery, basketball and tennis.

Many new buildings and renovations were completed at Georgia State College for Women by October 1949. One of the then-new buildings, Parkhurst Hall, was a $35,000 model residence used as a home management house by the home economics division as well as a faculty apartment building. It included 12 family-sized apartments, four efficiency apartments, and three single rooms.

The Ina Dillard Russell Library had a ground floor added which houses the museum, storage rooms and an office. Other buildings, including Bell, Parks, Terrell, Mansion and Atkinson Halls, underwent renovations.

Oct. 4, 1949 Vol. 24 Issue 1 Issues of The Colonnade from 1925 to 1975 are now available to be viewed on microfilm in the library.

Imagine the following: It’s 2 p.m. on a Thursday and you have an 800-word essay due for a class in an hour. As you step past the circulation desk of the library you gaze at the computer area and every computer is taken. The entire library is full of students doing last minute printing, browsing Facebook or watching YouTube videos with their friends. Starting to panic, you try to think of a friend who BOBBY GENTRY / SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER might be at the library whose Sophomore biology major Shawn Rodrigo and junior envilaptop you can borrow, but ronmental science major Brittany Flanders take full advannobody comes to mind. There tage of the check-out system for laptops in the library. you are, computer-less and running out of time to write first floors. Each laptop comes equipped that last-minute essay for with basic software programs that include class. Panic begins to set in.

Fortunately, there’s a solution — the Internet access through either Microsoft’s GCSU library offers laptops for check- Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox and out at the circulation desk. The program, Microsoft Office, allowing students to acwhich started this past summer, offers cess the resources they need in order to students the ability to checkout library- work.

While the laptops allow students the owned laptops for academic use. Though the area these laptops can be used in is freedom to move around the library and limited to the library premises, they offer a useful alternative to the stationary — Laptops page 7 and limited — desktops on the second and

Students turn out to see plans for wellness center BRITTANY HENDERSON STAFF WRITER BY

The Student Government Association met in the Magnolia Ballroom Sept. 30 due to the high student body attendance about the new West Campus wellness center. The meeting consisted of passing two bills and a reading of a third bill before the

debate of the wellness center began.

SGA allotted S.N.A.P., the Student Night Auxiliary Patrol, $840 for new polo shirts and jackets. The S.N.A.P. program is “to provide university escorts to the GCSU commuters in the evening hours.” The S.N.A.P. program only has 10 official officers.

To pass the bill, sophomore SGA Senator Andrew

Whittaker asked to suspend the rules based on a 2004 SGA resolution mandating no more than $650 for any group consisting of less than 12 members.

SGA suspended the rules based on S.N.A.P.’s campus wide service. The bill was approved by a 230-2 vote.

SGA page 6

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October 2, 2009

Katelyn Hebert / Senior Reporter Junior nursing major Blake Southerland administers a flu shot to freshman Spanish major Brittney Drummond.

Seasonal flu shots run out of stock quickly by

Courtney Murrah Staff Writer

Surprised at how quickly the department ran out of flu shots in only one day, Alice Loper, the director of Student Health Services and a family nurse practitioner, saw a definite change from previous years.

“Last year we ordered 450 to 500 doses and practically had to beg students to take it because they didn’t want to take a shot,” Loper said. “We had no idea what our response would be or we would have ordered more initially. We’ve always had many more faculty and staff taking it than students, but this year that’s been reversed.”

Loper said she knows why the flu shots disappeared so quickly.

“The reason they did was because we’re offering them at no charge to students,” Loper said.

“Normally we charge students, faculty and staff.”

The school thought it best to make the flu shots free for students for

Amanda Boddy / Senior Reporter Junior Nursing student Kathleen Dickens prepares one of the flu vaccines offered to GCSU students, staff and faculty last week.

this flu season.

“We don’t know what’s going to happen when the regular flu season hits if the H1N1, or swine flu, is still around,” Loper said.

“We don’t know how that’s going to mix, so we wanted to protect as many people from seasonal flu as we could.”

Sometimes the nurse

The Colonnade 3

News

practitioners of the health center give the flu shots, but the second order of vaccinations this term was administered by nursing students. The students were overseen by faculty members at all times, according to officials.

Jayne Feinberg and

Flu shots page 6

Plants can add life to resident hall rooms by

Mollie Holmes Staff Writer

The industrial and practical designs of college spaces do not easily lend themselves to a cozy feel. Movie posters, bulletin boards full of tickets and postcards, and personal books propped up on standard issue bookcases do not reach the level of uniqueness and life some say a leafy, green, thriving plant can bring to a room.

“I think (a plant) makes a room warm and inviting,” said Janie Watson, Department Head of Houseplants at the East Cobb branch of Pike Family Nursery. “It’s fun to watch it grow.”

The benefits of having plants in living spaces can be numerous, but they’re not always obvious. Plants excel as air filterers, Watson said. According to the Georgia Department of Agriculture, plants filter out toxins through photosynthesis. When a plant absorbs carbon dioxide, it also absorbs other pollutants and “cleans” the air.

But what plant would be able to stand up to the rigors of college life? From near drownings to dehydration, temperature fluctuations, inadequate light, long absences of caretakers and an occa-

Mollie Holmes / Staff Photographer Sophomore political science major Callie Heisner takes care of her bamboo plant.

sional beer spillage are most likely inevitable occurrences for the collegiate plant.

Some students remain wary of taking on the responsibility of a living plant and would rather have the aesthetics of

Plants page 7

Philanthropy Cup competition kicks off by

Rachel Moldovan Staff Writer

There’s a new competition on campus that can win students money while also serving the community with their favorite Registered Student Organization. The Philanthropy Cup competition, sponsored by the GIVE Center, kicks off for the first time this year to raise awareness and attendance

of service projects in and around campus.

Returning RSOs at GCSU can sign up to be a part of the competition as late as today and new RSOs can sign up within one month of being recognized by SGA. The competition awards points based on attendance at service and awareness events, setting up an information table about the group’s philan-

thropy, fundraising, collecting items and other service events. The group with the most points by April 19, 2010, will win a first-place prize of $500.

Kendall Stiles, director of the GIVE Center, worked with Paul Stiles, assistant director of the GIVE Center, to make the point system and guidelines for the com

Philanthropy page 5

4 The Colonnade Internet Continued from page 1...

The wireless signals will be provided by a small device that looks similar to a flash drive. Once the wireless modem is plugged into a laptop, the services will automatically be recognized. Since Clearwire is now in Atlanta, Milledgeville residents will also be able to use their wireless service in Atlanta, too. As long as the device is connected to the laptop, Internet service will be available in any Clearwire service area.

Interim CIO Ed Boyd was part of the working group involved in the numerous city meetings that were held regarding the wireless Internet project.

“I am excited for the flexibility it will provide,” Boyd said. “It might have potential for GCSU too, perhaps for writers at soccer games at West Campus. This won’t be replacing the GCSU wireless network, but it might be cheaper to buy from Clearwire for that purpose because it is very expensive to install new equipment.”

Not only will Clearwire benefit

Turnitin.com Continued from page 1... and it forces the students to be more conscious and aware of their work.”

“It’s a different system, but I think it’s a really helpful tool,” Katie Dunn, a junior psychology major, said. “I think it’s effective because it helps me see how well I can rephrase ideas and put sentences in my own words.”

The program will cost the university approximately $6,000 to $8,000 according to Smith.

“It’s based mainly on the number of students using the program, and the more that use it, the more that cost will go down,” Smith said.

When the program checks submitted papers against the database, a color coding system is used to check the degree of plagiarism. The colors range from

residents, it will also benefit the police, as officers will be able to connect laptops in their cars for direct access to the Internet.

Clearwire will start out using five radio towers to broadcast a signal in Milledgeville. Once the project is up and running, the company plans to invest in more towers to create a broader signal.

Clearwire sees Milledgeville a favorable market because of the large number of students from the Atlanta area that attend GCSU. Those students could be more likely to use Clearwire because they will be able to have wireless Internet in both cities.

Junior Cameron Wellman is excited to see how many students will take advantage of the new wireless Internet service.

“I think it is a really good idea to go wireless in a college town,” Wellman said. “I might get it after a few months if it is successful.”

Clearwire planned to have advertising tables around campus this past week to try to persuade students and staff to buy their service. GCSU students and staff will get a special rate of $25 per month.

GCSU is not endorsing the services.

News

October 2, 2009

Oct. 8 event to promote CW television shows The CW Television Network and the students of Public Relations Student Society of America are hosting an event Oct. 8 from 4-8 p.m. on Front Campus to raise awareness for the CW’s shows "90210" and "Melrose Place."

raffle of items from Milledgeville businesses such as Villane’s, The French Vill’edge, Pig in a Pit, Chili’s, Kuro Shima, Deano’s, Oxford's, a Flair for Hair, Toucan Tans, Fitness Plus and more. Food will be provided while supplies last and the raffle will be drawn at 7:30 p.m.

The event, “TV to Talk About and Music to Jam About,” is in honor of the two CW shows, and it will feature PRSSA looks to make this an event the Blake Whitworth band. Whitworth to remember as well as something that is a musician out of Nashville, Tenn., will encourage students to go watch and Athens. His music has an acous- the CW shows. tic, soul sound to it that will be sure to make audiences sway.

“We are really excited to be able to partner with The CW for this event.

“Blake is one of my good friends They have a great fall line-up that is and I am really excited for him to come worth seeing. Plus, who can turn down here and play. I think everyone will free food, music and prizes?” Ashley love him,” senior Katie Farmer said.

Murphy, a senior PRSSA member, said. “We think this event will be a lot PRSSA will also be holding a reverse of fun.”

blue, meaning no plagiarism, to for them.” posed to a two-year school. The red, meaning severe plagiarism.

Smith said that overall, pla- students are more mature, and The colors in between are green, giarism does not seem to be the junior and senior students are yellow and orange. much of a problem at GCSU. good role models for the fresh“It could be men and sophomore something as little students.” as a student forget“I think it’s harder ting to close a quote “We don’t use (turnitin.com) as than ever now to plaor not formatting much as I would like here. It hasn’t giarize,” Dunn said. something proper“There is just so been highly publicized until rely, or it could be as much out there and severe as copying cently. It saves (the professors) a lot so many ways of desomething straight it.” of the labor of looking for plagia- tecting from the Internet,” While senior Engrism on their own, and it forces the lish major Olivia Smith said.

The penalties students to be more conscious and Dowd thinks the profor plagiarism are gram may be helpaware of their work.” usually pretty seful, she said it can vere at most colbe confusing as well —Wesley Smith, director of leges. Plagiarism because some proWeb enabled resources is a stated violafessors use more than tion of the GCSU just Turnitin.com as Honor Code. a method for submit“It’s really up to ting papers. the individual professor to deter“It’s nowhere near as bad here “When there are different mine the real degree of plagia- as at other schools,” he said. “I ways used, it overcomplicates rism in the paper,” Smith said. think a lot of that has to do with things some,” Dowd said. “It “The Web site is a guiding tool it being a four-year school as op- would be much easier to have

the professor stick to one method instead of having three different options used. So I didn’t get a great first impression of the program.”

Another problem with the tool is that it is seen by some as being too picky with details.

“It actually might even highlight words such as ‘of’ or ‘the,’” Dunn said. “Those aren’t words that can be plagiarized. So it’s a little bit of a funny system.”

Still, the program is seen by many as helpful.

“The students here are more aware,” Smith said. “Many students may not have a grasp on what plagiarism is, so we’re hoping this Web site will help educate them on that.”

Smith said that faculty members looking to use the program should contact him for the necessary passwords to set up an account. Workshops for the program will be held this month.

OCTOBER 2, 2009 Smoking ban

Continued from page 1... people want to be able to defend their right to smoke, but aren’t vocal about it in public because it’s just one of those things.

“We had to look at what policies were already there,” Oetter said. “As it turned out the University System of Georgia already had a policy in place.

We weren’t enforcing it and it didn’t appear that we were aware of it.”

Almost a year ago, the committee held two open forums and it became evident that there were smoker activists and non-smoker activists, but that

a policy limiting smoking on campus was desired.

“There are places on campus where students and faculty come together and smoke heavily,” Oetter said. “If a non-smoker happens to walk through those areas they become very uncomfortable and offended.”

According to an SGA campus-wide wellness survey, 60 percent of respondents would like GCSU be a smokefree campus.

Caitlin Wright, a senior nursing major, voiced her opinion on having a smoke-free campus.

“I cannot stand walking behind someone that is smoking on the way to class,” Wright said. “I know that second-hand smoke is deadly and

I don’t want to die just because my campus wasn’t smoke free.”

Many students, like Wright, know the health guidelines stating that smoking can cause cancer and other health problems, not just for smokers, but also for others around them.

The next step for the RPIPC committee is to designate specific smoking areas and conduct a universitywide survey to accurately determine the percentage of university personnel and students who are in favor of or against the proposal.

The results of the survey, along with the clarified policy, will then be forwarded to the RPIPC for consideration and, if warranted, submitted to the University Senate for a vote.

Sigma Alpha Omega’s Bounce Out Cancer event raises money, awareness

ALL PHOTOS BY

DRAKE SIMONS / SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER

Sigma Alpha Omega supported its philanthropy on Front Campus on Tuesday, Sept. 29. In an effort to raise money for the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, Sigma Alpha Omega rented inflatables and charged $1 each to anyone who wanted to play on them. Over $180 was raised for the foundation.

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THE COLONNADE 5

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Philanthropy

Burning through the numbers

22 percent of Georgians smoke 23.5 percent of U.S. men smoke 18.1 percent of U.S. women smoke Source: American Heart Association and the Georgia Department of Human Services

“It’s our thing, it’s our passion, but this competition documents it. It shows people what we’re doing.

We aren’t doing anything different for the competition,” Gaylor said.

Other RSOs such as Phi Mu, Delta Sigma Pi, Circle K, Kappa Delta, Pi Kappa Alpha, Alpha Delta Pi and Zeta Tau Alpha are competing as well.

The minimum number of

GRAPHIC BY KATELYN HEBERT

RSO. “Here’s the kicker,” Stiles said, “it’s about a Continued from page 3... group, not an individual.

It’s about getting your group together and doing petition. The Philanthropy service.”

Cup competition is new The competition althis year, but it is based off lows for students who do an old competition called community service to get the Dean’s Cup that ended credit for their work withthree or four years ago. out volunteering directly “The Philanthropy Cup with the GIVE Center. is an old service version The cup takes a lot of of the Dean’s Cup,” “headaches, hard Stiles said, “we work, and time,” on tweaked it for stupart, but what dent groups and (the “It’s our thing, it’s Stiles they get in return is GIVE Center).” our passion, but this “so much bigger than Gamma Sigma Sigma often won competition documents headaches or time.”

“We do a lot,” the Dean’s Cup, but it.

It shows people Stiles said, “but (the not necessarily the service portion. The what we’re doing. We cup) is to track (sergroup has signed up aren’t doing anything vice) and focus on group effort and beto be a part of the Phiing involved allows different for the lanthropy Cup this us to know what’s year. Gamma Sigma competition.” going on and letting Sigma is a national people know what community service students are actually -Beth Gaylor, Service sorority, with Stiles doing.” serving as faculty adRepresentative for part of the visor for the GCSU Gamma Sigma Sigma cupAnother is the service rechapter. fl ection project.

Each The group works group receives 10 actively with the points for each serGIVE Center. groups to have the compevice refl ection. The reflecBeth Gaylor, service tition is about 20-25 and tions can be in the form representative for Gamma Sigma Sigma, said that the groups can sign up in the of essays, poetry, movies, pictures, songs and other sorority signed on to the GIVE Center.

There are points awardcreative pieces. competition because “it’s ed to groups for individu“The reflection was stuff that we are already doing,” in the service as- als that are active in the added to provide insight GIVE Center, but the and make a difference,” pect. point is to work with your Stiles said.

6 The Colonnade

is set to be apWellness center students proximately $63 million,

including the interest being paid on the bond.

The cost of the building Senate. Voting is set for is $29 million without inthis Wednesday’s sched- terest but increases due to uled Senate meeting. the bond.

If approved, the $175 Groundbreaking is set per semester student fee to begin in April of 2010 would be imposed to stu- and is expected to be comdents for the next 30 years, pleted in September of starting in fall of 2010. 2011.

The center’s total cost to Counseling services and the health center are planned to relocate to the West Campus facility in effort to bring all forms of wellness together in one location.

President Dorothy Leland attended the Senate meeting and gave answers to questions from the administration’s perspective.

Sarah Giarratana/ Senior Reporter “If this (fee) Junior sociology major Jessica Tatt doesn’t get speaks hermind in front of the Student Continued from page 1...

Government Association.

Flu shots Continued from page 3...

Lauren Windham, both junior nursing majors, were two of the students giving flu shots.

Windham gave 11

shots, while Feinberg gave 10.

“I think that was about the average,” Feinberg said.

“Some people did more. Some people did less. We were trying to make it even so we all got equal practice.”

Seasonal flu shots are used to fight a certain flu strain that scientists believe will be the most prominent for that season. The flu shots administered do not protect against swine flu.

“The Southern Hemisphere of the world has their flu season before the Northern Hemisphere,” Loper said, “so the scientists try to figure out what the strains were in the Southern Hemisphere and they base the vaccine off that. It’s not a guarantee that it’s going to fight whatever strain we have. It’s sort of a best guess at what the virus may be.”

While Health Services has ordered more doses of the vaccine and is on several waiting lists, it is becoming more difficult to get a hold of the shots.

“It’s getting harder to get the seasonal vaccine because a lot of companies stopped producing it and started working on the H1N1,” Loper said.

There is no telling when the next order of vaccination

News enough support, then we’ll go back to the drawing board,” Leland said.

If the fee passes, specifics such as relocations of parking, rock wall details and general layout will be further developed. Visit GCSUnade.com for the proposed map of the center.

Plans for the 100,000-square-foot center to replace the parking lot directly outside the Village Market and West Campus pool, include an indoor pool, three gymnasiums, a roller hockey rink, basketball courts, a rock climbing wall, a classroom, a multipurpose room and other resources for physical activities.

Wellness center propositions started two years ago when Leland initiated a Wellness Planning Committee.

See pg. 2 for more information on what was discussed at the weekly SGA meeting.

October 2, 2009 SGA Continued from page 2...

Sarah Giarratana/ Senior Reporter SGA Senator Robert Aycock and GCSU President Dorothy Leland express their opinions at the meeting Wednesday.

Sarah Giarratana/ Senior Reporter Students wait in line in Magnolia Ballroom for a chance to speak about the proposed wellness center.

will be delivered. The second order of doses that were given out Sept. 23 took more than a month to arrive.

“Our first order came quickly because we had it or-

“We don’t know what’s

going to happen when the regular flu season hits if the H1N1, or swine flu, is still around. We don’t know how that’s going to mix, so we wanted to protect as many people from seasonal flu as we could.”

—Alice Loper, director of Student Health Services dered for many months,” Loper said.

The students were supposed to give shots every Wednesday until they ran out, but it only took one day to go through all of the vaccinations.

Also, SGA unanimously approved $900 for the Race For Your Rhythm on Oct. 10 to promote healthy living.

The event is open to GCSU and Milledgeville communities. Coca Cola, Kroger, and Amici Italian Cafe and other sponsors will be funding the race.

Finally, SGA discussed a bill to appropriate $14,000 for Sociology Club to find finance their 2009-2010 events. The club’s mission is “to create awareness about issues that affect society and culture in order to promote.”

Officials from architectural firm Menefee & Winer presented plans for the wellness center. GCSU community turn out to voice opinions. No action was taken on the bill at this time. SGA will host an open forum next monday at 5 p.m. at Magnolia Ballroom.

Complete story on West Campus wellness center on page one.

“We were supposed to be there until 4:30 p.m.,” Feinberg said. “At 2:15 p.m., one of the students was like, ‘we only have nine shots left.’ We waited about 30 minutes for them all to go.”

They are unsure about when they will be able to give flu shots next.

“It just depends on when Health Services gets in the batch of vaccines,” Windham said. “They’ve ordered them and they’re on the way. It’s hard to tell.”

The flu shots are open to all students for free and for faculty and staff for $20. Those with certain allergies should not get the vaccine.

“The major reason someone should not take it is if they’re allergic to eggs, because the vaccine is made in an egg base,” Loper said.

There are possible side effects, but they are often not severe enough to deter most people from getting a shot.

“Some people, their arm gets sore,” Loper said. “They might feel a little bad, but it’s not a live virus and that’s important for people to understand. It can’t really give people the flu. There are people that swear they got the flu from the shot, but probably they’ve already been exposed to the flu. They can have redness at the site or soreness for a day or two.”

Even with the side effects, students are making the most out of the opportunity for free shots.

“I’m really pleased that so many students are taking advantage of this,” Loper said.

iCan iCare

iChoose iDecide iSupport Georgia College Alcohol Awareness Week 2009 Monday, October 5 “Dizzy Driver” – Golf carts and impairment goggles – Learn about impairment while testing your driving skills – 1 pm - 4 pm Front Campus

Tuesday, October 6 “Eric’s Personal Story” – Hear the story of how alcohol affected a college athlete – Speaker in Peabody 7 pm – FREE Ice Cream

Wednesday, October 7 “Reason Respect & Responsibility” Times Talk – 12 pm Beeson Hall – Topic: Binge Drinking – 12:30 Beeson Hall Basement – FREE Pizza “Food for Thought” – Impairment goggles and activities in Sodexho – 5-7 pm

October 5 - 8

FREE Movie – “Ferris Buller’s Day Off” – on the courtyard between Parkhurst and Foundation – 8 pm

Thursday, October 8 “Boozin & Cruisin” – Front Campus 2 - 6 pm – See how your choices to drive under the influence affect others: Dunking Booth, Impairment Goggles, Virtual Simulator, Mark the Magic Man “Knock-out DUI” – FREE Bowling (at Baldwin Bowling Center) for the first 150 students with valid Bobcat card – Bowl from 10 pm - 1 am – FREE Shoes – FREE Drink – FREE Pizza – a “Thunder Cup” Event “All that Rave” – Come party with us!! FREE Dance Party!!

10 pm - 2 am MSU Lounge

Sponsored By: American Democracy Project, Counseling Services, GOHS Young Adult Grant, Parking Services, Public Safety, RSA, Student Affairs, Student Health Services, The Wellness Depot, Pride Alliance, Parking and Transportation Services, Louie Herron Toyota of Milledgeville

OCTOBER 2, 2009 Laptops

Continued from page 2... make research and working more convenient, there are some drawbacks. The selection is limited to Windowsbased Dell machines, so Mac users are out of luck for the time being. At the moment, printing wirelessly to the library’s printers is also not available, but SERVE, the campus tech center, is working toward enabling the feature for future use.

The only other caveat to working with the laptops is that, because they are for public use, the computers run on temporary sessions which end when the student logs out.

“While these laptops are available for full use by students, no data is saved on the computers and the computer will be reset when they are restarted,” said Sonny McKenzie, Technical

Harassment Continued from page 1... sexual harassment in campus procedures — an informal process and a formal process. The informal process addresses the individual the grievance has been brought against and seeks to resolve the problem with a series of meetings.

The formal process is filed with the dean of students and involves a full-blown investigation. The person filing the complaint puts their grievance in writing, which aids the investigation and the accusation against the defender.

“I think this program is effective,” said Jennifer Graham-Stevens, the Women’s Resource Center Coordinator.

On average, approxi-

Support Specialist for the GCSU library.

Despite the program’s lack of advertising, checking out a laptop is as easy and convenient as checking out a book. In order to check out and use a laptop students must have a valid GCSU ID and library account, and have no outstanding fines on their account. Laptops are available for a two-hour time period before they must be returned or renewed at the circulation desk. Currently only a handful of laptops are available to use, but a growing demand for their use could help spur the program into making more units available.

The program, while still in its infancy, is expected to continue to grow as the demand of students increases.

And as it does, students will be allowed the opportunity to take their academic experience — no longer tethered by desktops — to new places and new heights mately 12 students a year report sexual harassment incidents at GCSU, but many times the matter is not serious enough to classify as sexual harassment.

The policies and processes enforced by GCSU also are in place for faculty members.

“Anybody can be the harasee and anyone can be the harasser,” Graham said. “There is typically one person who inflicts the power control. It can be a professor, but it can also be a student. We have had it in both situations.”

The policies for a professor to report sexual harassment are the same as for students. The person filing the complaint discusses the issue with someone on the Sexual Harassment Resource Team, and then proceeds to complete an informal or formal process.

THE COLONNADE 7

NEWS Plants Continued from page 3... a plant without the work of a real one.

“Fake plants make me happy, and I don’t have to water them,” said Alexandra Oakley, a 19-yearold Atlanta apartment resident.

“I already have two dogs, I can’t take care of plants, too.”

Many students sympathize with Oakley and agree pets take a lot of work, whether they are furry and barking or green and leafy. “I can’t trust myself with something like that,” freshman Katherine Austin said, cautious of owning a plant that would need care.

Some students, though, see the benefits of owning a plant outweighing the possible disappointment of it dying.

“I prefer real plants, I like taking care of them,” said sophomore Callie Heisner, who takes care of her bamboo plants on her desk and who grew mint, lavender and tomato plants among others last year. “(I like) keeping them alive,

In order to protect the complainant, retaliation is prohibited. According to GCSU policy, it is “unlawful to retaliate against an individual for filing a complaint of sexual harassment.”

GCSU has promised to take strong responsive actions if there is retaliation.

The Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity, and the Women’s Resource Center are located on the bottom floor of Maxwell Student Union near Chickfil-A. Walk in students are welcome.

Officials hope that by raising awareness, sexual harassment will be better reported and that it will eventually diminish altogether. Yet, there is much work still to be done, as many students are not aware of the established policies and procedures.

it’s kind of like a pet.”

Watson suggests a few plants that are best for busy college students and first-time plant owners.

The “zz” plant is one of the best plants for a forgetful owner, Watson said. Pike Family Nursery describes it as one that “thrives on neglect,” needs very little watering, and is practically foolproof.

The shade-tolerant, brilliant green plant is sometimes called the “eternity plant” because it can last so long without care.

Another plant Watson suggests is the peace lily, a plant abundant in large green leaves with distinctive white flowers. It is one of the most popular houseplants, which does best in low light areas and usually only needs watering once a week.

The peace lily is also one of the top plants NASA lists from its Clean Air study that excels at filtering toxins from the air.

A third plant Watson suggests is the snake plant, also called “mother-in-law’s tongue” because of the sharpness of its leaves which are wide and blade like, and give a room a lot of green for little care.

Watson recommends this plant for

“I don’t know what to do if I were sexually harassed,” Arielle Pileggi, a junior marketing major, said. “I have never heard about any issues regarding sexual harassment here, but then again, its not really one of those things people like to talk about.”

By raising awareness about sexual harassment on campus and offering confidentiality in all situations, measures are being taken by the Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity and the Women’s Resource Center to provide a safe ground for students and faculty to continue learning in a safe environment.

“Our dream is to create a campus where we are free of sexual harassment and levels of gender inequality,” SaintDic said.

people short on time because it can handle irregular watering as well as low light areas.

Because of this tolerance, the Georgia Department of Agriculture lists it and the peace lily as two of the “easiest (plants) to maintain indoors.” The snake plant is also on NASA’s list of air purifying plants.

The biggest tip Watson had for first-time plant owners is to “stick your finger in (the soil), if it’s wet at all, don’t touch it.” She says the easiest way to kill a plant is to overwater it, which rots its roots.

A few small plants can be a minimal but meaningful investment for a student’s overall health and act as a significant addition to the healthy lifestyles of students.

Aesthetically, a plant instantly adds life to a room and creates a green oasis in the brick and mortar of standard college buildings.

Plants can be a benefit to students’ bodies and minds, and make a perfect roommate who does not hog the shower.

Types of Sexual Harassment Hostile Environment Victims are made uncomfortable by sexual comments or conduct.

Quid-Pro Quo When sexual conduct is bargained for a favor. “Do this for me and I’ll do that for you.”

Source: stopvaw.org GRAPHIC BY KATELYN HEBERT

Opinion

The Colonnade’s Forum for Public Debate

Friday, October 2, 2009

www.GCSUnade.com

Editor in Chief, Claire Dykes

Independent Satire

by Ian Bridgeforth

Lack of student apathy toward proposed wellness center student fee noticed On Sept. 28, the Student Government Association met for a session that addressed a variety of issues, including a proposed fee to fund a planned new wellness center on West Campus.

The meeting was held in Magnolia Ballroom to help accommodate the number of students that showed up to voice their opinions. Our staff was pleased with the student turnout.

The debate over the wellness center began even before SGA held its meeting. Facebook groups were created by those in support and opposed to the proposal. Students aligned with each other and discussed the pros and cons of the plan electronically.

Students also sent letters via e-mail to their SGA senators sharing their point of view so that they could contribute to the conversation. Other students met directly with their SGA senator to share their stance and ask questions regarding the issue. University Communications posted a letter from SGA President Zach Mullins online, as well as a frequently asked questions section regarding the wellness center.

All over campus, students talked with each other about the issue. We’re excited to see the student body so engaged in a controversial issue.

Perhaps, too often students are accused of being apathetic or oblivious to issues surrounding their lives. The meeting proved that students do turn out for issues they care about. The legislative process is at its best when a large number of individuals provide their input and feedback on a topic.

The meeting ended Wednesday before all opinions could be heard, but to ensure that the voices of the campus community are taken into account, SGA will be holding a Student Wellness and Recreation Center Open Forum on Oct. 5 at 5 p.m. in Magnolia Ballroom. Our staff encourages everyone to attend and share their opinions on the wellness center plan.

We also recommend you keep discussing the wellness center proposal and contact your SGA senator to share your voice on the issue.

Please send responses to ColonnadeLetters@gcsu.edu.

EDITORIAL BOARD

Claire Dykes Editor in Chief Colonnade@ gcsu.edu

Amanda Boddy News Editor ColonnadeNews@ gcsu.edu Claire Kersey Features Editor ColonnadeFeatures@ gcsu.edu Preston Sellers Sports Editor ColonnadeSports@ gcsu.edu Lissa Speer Photo Editor Elise Colcord Ad Manager ColonnadeAds@ gcsu.edu Katelyn Hebert Asst. News Editor Special Section Editor Sarah Giarratana Asst. Features Editor

Sam Hunt Asst. Sports Editor

Matt Chambers Special Section Editor Designer Chelsea Thomas Writing Coach Allen Luton Copy Editor Allison Bramlett Asst. Copy Editor Ryan Del Campo Community News Editor Stephanie Sorensen Spotlight Bobby Gentry Webmaster Matt Rogers Asst. Webmaster Tim Graham Podcast Manager Erik Olney Business Manager Macon McGinley Faculty Adviser

AD DISCLAIMER

COPYRIGHTS

The Colonnade is not responsible for any false advertising. We are not liable for any error in advertising to a greater extent than the cost of the space in which the item occurs. The Colonnade reserves the right to edit or reject any advertising copy submitted for publication. There is no guaranteed placement of ads. The Colonnade does not accept advertising concerning firearms nor guarantee ads concerning alcoholic beverages.

All stories and photographs appearing in this issue and previous issues, unless otherwise noted, are copyrighted

by The Colonnade.

CORRECTIONS The Colonnade wants to correct mistakes appearing in the newspaper. If you believe we have made a mistake, please call us at (478) 445-4511 or e-mail us at colonnade@gcsu.edu.

Obama ‘loves the little children’

A

recent video was posted on YouTube showing students at Bernice Young Elementary, a public school in Burlington, N.J., singing songs overflowing with campaign slogans and praises for President Barack Obama. The students are shown repeatedly chanting the president’s name and celebrating his accomplishments including his “great plans” to “make this country’s economy No. 1 again.”

The most controversial of the songs include one that is allegedly to the tune of “Jesus Loves the Little Children.” The song replaces Jesus’ name with Obama’s.

The song now says, “He said red, yellow, black or white … all are equal in his sight. Barack Hussein Obama.”

Children at this school are being indoctrinated to view this president in a positive light. The very people who want to take God out of everything including the pledge,

TYLER BRYANT government buildings and public schools are teaching students a song meant to be about Jesus to honor our president. It’s a little creepy.

A few parents are reportedly horrified about this, according to FOX News. “I’m stunned,” one parent said. “I can’t believe it’s our school.”

The parent stated his 8-year-old son was one of the students in the video.

According to CBS News, parents who supported the use of the songs stated that many other songs were sung about other presidents, including Washington and Lincoln. There’s one big difference about these former heads of state,

however. They served as president many years ago. The legacy they left behind has been engraved in history. Obama has been in office for only nine months and his history hasn’t even been written yet. Heck, we’re still writing the legacies of former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.

It’s hard to argue Obama’s plans are great when he has yet to fully show them.

Do you think the teacher, or teachers leading these songs for the students thought for one second: “Gee, I’m not sure how happy I would be about my child singing songs about Bush. Maybe this isn’t a very good idea.”

This is what we’re going to be forced to endure for the next four years. Unless, however, people finally wake up and realize what’s up and stand up and fight. You can count on me to lead the pack. To quote Obama, “I’m fired up. I’m ready to go!”

Holbert’s life as the black Power Ranger

7

a.m.: Power alarm goes off! I destroy it with my power ax and take a power nap!

8 a.m.: Open my closet. All my clothes are the same color. I’m colorblind, so I don’t notice.

8:15 a.m.: Read the power paper, and discover the pink and yellow rangers are forbidden to read. Turns out they also make 76 power coins to my dollar 8:30 a.m.: Pop power Prozac to make it through the day.

9 a.m.: Hang out at the juice bar with the same four friends, wearing the same colors as the power rangers. Nobody notices.

9:05 a.m.: Sneak rum into the pink ranger’s juice.

9:07 a.m.: Learn the stanky leg.

10:00 a.m.-noon: Facebook. It’s addicting.

12:30 p.m.: Meet girlfriend for lunch. For lunch, I don’t eat. Have to stay in shape to fight evil.

12:35-12:55 p.m.: Girlfriend complains and I pretend to listen.

12:56 p.m.: Hug crying girlfriend.

1 p.m.: Get a call from headquarters.

1:01 p.m.: Finish up with girlfriend, and become a beam of black light and arrive at headquarters.

1:10 p.m.: Snort crack off Alpha’s bum.

1:15 p.m.: Ask Zordon if he could give me a hand. Everyone laughs – except Zordon.

1:20 p.m.: Teleport to pictur-

STEVE HOLBERT esque park to fight among the children.

1:25 p.m.: It’s morphin’ time! I morph — like sailor moon, I get all naked. Feels like bubble rap and herpies all over my body.

1:26 p.m.: Reflect on how father never loved me and take my anger out on the Puddies. (They sound like turkeys with turrets.)

1:27 p.m.: Show off stanky leg during battle. (Teammates are not impressed.)

1:30 p.m.: Fight freaky monster, with the same body as a monster we defeated during season two, but the head is totally different. We have the option to destroy it, but let it get away. I named him Frances.

1:45 p.m.: Go back home to look at power porn.

3 p.m.: Finish looking at power porn — it’s almost as addicting as Facebook.

3:05 p.m.: Giant Frances attacks the city.

3:06 p.m.: Call upon my mighty Mastodon zord. It’s in the shop.

I quickly call my backup — the Indian elephant. It’s endangered.

3:10 p.m.: We combine and my stripper zord becomes the megazord’s bird finger.

3:15 p.m.: I have to pee in uni-

form — complicated. Wish I was the yellow ranger right now.

3:20-3:23 p.m.: Battle epically and destroy half the city. The citizens don’t mind as long as we win.

3:35 p.m.: Pink ranger gets DUI in megazord. Ha ha!

4 p.m.: Interview candidate for new ranger position. He calls himself the Fusha ranger.

4:10 p.m.: Fusha ranger hits on me.

4:18 p.m.: Tell Fusha ranger he’ll find out about the opening — meaning the job position — in two to three weeks 4:20 p.m.: Take a cold shower and teleport home.

4:30 p.m.: Binge on Cool Ranch Doritos and Kryspy Kreme.

4:35 p.m.: Force myself to throw up.

4:40 p.m.: Get a Facebook message from Zordon saying evil has been destroyed by the Beetleborgs and there’s no need for Power Rangers anymore.

4:41 p.m.: Join the rest of America’s 12 percent unemployed.

4:42 p.m.: Get wasted on Smirnoff to hide the pain.

5 p.m.: Show up at haunted mansion to seek drunken revenge on Beetleborgs.

5:03 p.m.: Killed by Blue Beetleborg.

5:03.5 p.m.: Arrive in heaven.

ETERNITY: Partner with Jesus and beat the crap out of the Devil — and Darwin.

CORRECTIONS

•In the Sept. 25 edition of The Colonnade, the “Thunder Cup provides competition, fellowship” article, the section “Justin Stubbs, vice president of Registered Student Organizations” should read: “Justin Stubbs, vice president of Resident Student Association.”

•In the Sept. 25 edition of The Colonnade, The Poll of the Week should have read: Do you follow GCSU sports?

No, 9%; Yes, NCAA teams, 64%; Yes, intramurals, 9%; Yes, club teams, 9%; Yes, all of them, 9%.

•The Colonnade strives for accuracy. If you feel anything we’ve printed or posted online at www.GCSUnade.com has been reported in error, please contact an editor or send an e-mail to ColonnadeNews@gcsu.edu.

OCTOBER 2, 2009

OPINION

THE COLONNADE 9

The

Hammer Times

by Michael Christopher

“How do you feel about professors using Turnitin.com to check for plagiarism?”

“I think teachers can use their time more wisely then copy and pasting all their students papers to a Web site.”

SevenAteNine by

WesAllen

Ansley Tiller, junior, mass communication major “ I think it is a good idea because it keeps students accountable for doing their own work.”

Erin Boddy, freshman, psychology major

“I think it is a good idea for checking purposes; however it is a big pain to have to submit our papers ourselves.”

Katie Sklenar, sophomore, undeclared major “I don’t think they should use it because ideas are shared. Plagiarism is objective. Unless it is really detailed, I don’t think it would be very accurate.”

Mark Talgo, freshman, undeclared major

L ETTERS

The Colonnade encourages readers to express their views and opinions by sending letters to the editor at: CBX 2442; Milledgeville, Ga. 31061 or by e-mail at colonnadeletters@gcsu.edu.

All letters must be typed and include: • names • address/ E-mail address

TO THE

E DITOR P OLICY

• telephone number • year of study • major Only your name, year of study and major will be printed.

• Unsigned letters will not be printed. Names will be withheld only under very unusual circumstances.

• Letters longer than 300 words may be condensed.

• All letters will be edited for grammar, spelling and punctuation errors.

• All letters become the property of The Colonnade and cannot be returned.

• We are not able to acknowledge their receipt or disposition. Letters will be printed at the discretion of the editor-in-chief.

“I feel like they are going out of their way to find out what they already know is going on.

They could be doing other things, like helping those students.”

-John Gose, junior, community health major Reported by Mandy Ellis

POLL OF THE WEEK

GRAPHIC BY CLAIRE DYKES

Do you support the proposed student fee for a new wellness center?

51%

A $50 parking ticket for confusing residential parking with resident parking?

I grew up in the suburbs!

I just love the construction at the village! NOT. They bang on our walls at 9 a.m., close off our stairwells. Will it never end?

Yes

Doing a barrel roll on StarFox 64 never gets old, even ten plus years later.

I’m convinced this campus thinks the Broadcast II students are out to steal souls. Everyone looks so sad when they see us filming.

40%

No

9% What

student fee?

Why should we have to pay $175 in student fees when we already have good wellness centers already? Can’t they just expand them? West Campus students use the 400 building and central campus students use the Wellness Depot. Just expand, don’t make us spend more money.

I’m glad I got to spend three hours in the organic lab on the most beautiful afternoon of the year.

OH MY @#%@#$%^$%^@#$%@#$%#@$%^#$%^#$w%^$%#%&^$# BRAVES!

Next week’s question:

Are you stressed about midterms?

• Yes • No • I don’t have any midterms

Vote online at GCSUnade.com Got more to say? Let us know with a letter to the editor! Send them to Colonnadeletters@gcsu.edu.

If the Braves make it into the play-offs, I think I may s*** bricks. I would definitely pay over $100 to see them in action.

Reverse Facebook stalking is my favorite past-time. I love looking back through my friend’s photos and seeing them in high school with frosted tips.

It reminds me of Pacey Witter. from Dawson’s Creek.

Want to vent about something? Send us a message about what’s bothering you to screen name ColonnadeVent using AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), e-mail colonnadeletters@gcsu.edu, with the subject ‘Vent,’ or Tweet to @VentGCSU.

Features Friday, October 2, 2009

The Colonnade’s Guide to Art and Entertainment www.GCSUnade.com

Section Editor, Claire Kersey

T

he GCSU Theatre program kicked off its season Wednesday night with “The Smiles,” directed by Iona Pendergast. The play is a crime drama about a dysfunctional family.

“The Smiles” will be performed at 8 p.m. Oct. 2-3, and at 2 p.m. Oct. 4 in Russell Auditorium. Tickets are $5 for GCSU students.

DRAKE SIMONS / SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER Buddy, played by Jordan Hale, testifys against Keeter for the murder of Mr. Smiles.

DRAKE SIMONS / SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER Gary Smiles, played by Brian Jones, left, befriends Keeter McKree, played

by Nic Marrone, and takes him to a hotel.

The

Smiles

DRAKE SIMONS / SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER Mr. Smiles is killed by Buddy in the church where Mr. Smiles works.

Buddy was persuaded to commit the crime by Keeter.

DRAKE SIMONS / SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER Mr. Smiles alludes to biblical references to try to justify his decisions while Donna Smiles, played

by Elisha Hodgin, listens to his reasoning.

DRAKE SIMONS / SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER Mr. Smiles tries to persuade Keeter to stay at his home. Donna was reluctant to let him stay there, but later changed her tune.

Art gallery opening creates Model African Union preps ‘Common Ground’ at GCSU for SEMAU Conference

BY MATT ROGERS STAFF REPORTER

Blackbridge Hall almost burst at the seams to a point which the fire marshal probably wouldn’t have approved last week. On Sept. 24, GCSU students, faculty, staff and other visitors packed into the tiny hall to hear what Boston artist Cheryl Warrick had to say about her exhibit “Common Ground.”

Warrick’s acrylic artwork dating from 1999 was a colorful collage of everyday items such as ladders, houses, boats and chairs infused with proverbs from cultures around the world.

“The patches talk to each other and become a conversation,” Warrick said.

The use of patches also stemmed from Warrick’s love for quilts. Quilt making is a hobby that she enjoys with her daughter.

There are no correct interpretations with Warrick’s work. The viewer holds that power.

“Everyone has a different response to each different thing (in my art),” Warrick said.

Warrick was chosen by senior museum studies major Emily Ewalt to fulfill a project in which she had to curate an artist’s work.

“It was truly love at first sight with (Warrick’s) work,” Ewalt said.

Students who attended the event were astounded

by Warrick’s art.

One interesting aspect of SEMAU is the reality of the impact of student involvement, as resolutions students Driven by a contagious passion to propose are debated among the Heads see change and resolve conflicts with- of State. Those approved are compiled in African affairs, GCSU students and and sent to Washington, D.C., to the faculty have begun preparing propos- ambassador of AU who will then send als for the 2009 South East Model Af- the resolutions to Addis Ababa, Ethiorican Union Conference where GCSU pia, where students’ resolutions will participants will play the role of del- be considered for use by African presiegates from South Africa and Nigeria. dents. In fact, at last year’s conference, SEMAU is a program held every GCSU students experienced this sucyear in which the University System cess as a resolution they wrote was African Council arranges a reproduc- proposed and presented to the Heads of State. tion of the annual Alongside the Presimeeting of Heads dent of African Counof State of the SEMAU meets Mondays cil Eustace Palmer, African Union. from 12:30-1:30 p.m.

Charles Ubah recogStudents from nized the necessity for a variety of unistudents to have the opversities and colThe Southeast SEMAU portunity to align themleges will act as selves with the rest of delegates for one conference will be held at the world by taking on or more African the new Convention Center the role of a delegate countries and in Macon from Nov. 5-7 for a foreign country. are expected to “What we do here in have conducted Georgia has far-reachin-depth stud- SEMAU allows students to ing implications; what ies, obtaining step in to the roles of we are learning here, vast knowledge African leaders African presidents get of their counto see what we do here,” try’s perspective Ubah said. “They have and position on sought counsel from us, numerous issues facing Africa, GRAPHIC BY SARAH GIARRATANA they are really aware of what we’re doing here.” prior to their SEMAU is a rewarding opportuarrival at the conference.

Participating in SEMAU for her nity for students of all academic and fourth year, senior accounting major, cultural interests to network with Lilliane Awiti expressed much joy these prominent figures in the politiwhen speaking of the program. Awiti cal scene. Even if politics isn’t your is a native of Kenya and said she sees choice of study, students are reassured they will greatly benefit from exposure great potential in Africa.

“The rules that they use in SEMAU to the social and cultural influences of are the ones they actually use in the the SEMAU conference.

Dr. Olufunke A. Fontenot, a profesreal African Union, just like in Parliament; so you have to respect the rules sor of modern language and culture of the AU and constantly be ‘in role,’ ” Awiti said. “It’s really an adventure.”

SEMAU page 12 BY

MATT ROGERS / STAFF REPORTER Cheryl Warrick talks in front of a captive audience, answering questions about her art and explaining what inspires her. Warrick’s exhibit, “Common Ground,” will be on display in Blackbridge Hall until Oct. 23.

“I love her use of layers to create incredible texture,” Megan Sullivan, a sophomore art major, said.

“The way she puts it all together is courageous.”

Some faculty members found viewing the artwork to be a great teaching opportunity.

“Each paint has different aspects but somehow still cohesive,” visiting Assistant Art Professor Cynthia Brinich-Langlois said. “I can apply her use of familiar symbols in my classes.”

Warrick’s art is her way of exploring other’s viewpoints on the world around them.

“I use my art as a search for wisdom,” Warrick said. “I want to see how

we come to know about the world around us.”

Warrick had advice to give that could also apply outside the strata of the arts. People doubted she could have success in art, she said. Warrick was a registered nurse for 18 years before she went to art school. Warrick said she had a fellow unnamed nurse that said if Warrick didn’t succeed in art that Warrick could paint the nurse’s bathroom.

Warrick has had her art featured in 30 to 40 exhibits, 50 corporations and Oprah Winfrey owns a couple of pieces of her work.

“Common Ground” will be on display until Oct. 23.

KELLEY BOWERS STAFF WRITER

OCTOBER 2, 2009

FEATURES

Carrying on the legacy of ‘Shaun of the Dead’

Spotlight

By: Stephanie Sorensen

where the two men never agree on strategy, and viewers can practically mouth their words right out of the script as they argue George A. Romero may have conceived about caution and toughness. Luckily for the premise of flesh-eating zombie mov- the script, Harrelson and Eisenberg are both ies long before any of us were old enough gifted actors, and because they bring all the to watch them, but I don’t think even the right qualities into every scene, it’s easy to pioneer himself could’ve ever guessed that just sit back and let them have fun while the the idea would eventually turn into its own script goes by the numbers.

Things get a little more interesting when sub-genre with a comedic edge. I can’t even remember the last time I went into a they come across a pair of female sisters zombie movie expecting to be scared, but who are just as hell bent on surviving as it never hurts to have a little mindless fun, they are. At first sight, the gung-ho dames and “Zombieland” is one movie that plays actually take their car and weapons away like there’s no tomorrow. It’s like watching from them, but as with any mix of sexes in a the cast of MADtv survive a game of “Left zombie flick, someone must fall in love before one of them needs to be “saved” from 4 Dead.” a growing infection. The While it may be a shaky bigger story, however, is choice for his directorial the presence of Abigail debut, Ruben Fleischer Breslin as the pre-teen constructs “Zombieland” Little Rock. If one had to in a very unique style guess two years ago, they that has never been done might have laughed at the before. We already know thought of “Little Miss that an uncountable numSunshine” acting in a zomber of undead characters bie movie, but the young will either be splattered or talent really pulls through squashed, but in an openin a few scenes where she ing prologue that sets the and Tallahassee become right tone of comedic suslike father and daughter. pense, the narrative of the It’s hard to say whether film comes off more like or not the idea was meant a survivor’s guide to zomto be serious, or if it was bie invasions. just to provide a balance The main protagonist is to the teen romance, but it played by Jesse Eisenberg, works nevertheless. and in his first encounter The biggest advantage with the undead, a beautito “Zombieland” is that ful neighbor comes over to his home, takes his virginCOURTESY OF COLUMBIA PICTURES it knows we don’t care about the “why” or “how” ity, and then wakes up the in its plot, so rather than next morning as a hungry RADE waste time explaining it, monster. I know, it sounds the movie just throws the hilarious and scary all at once, but it isn’t until the lonely wuss gets “what” right into our faces. Some would say picked up by a hunter named Tallahassee that is a recipe for idiocy, but in my humble (Woody Harrelson) that the film really takes opinion: if you’re not willing to cut off your off. It is also at this point that Eisenberg’s brain and just let these zombies munch on it character gets the name “Columbus,” from for 90 minutes ... well then, you’re the idiot his savior. Evidently his parents are still who bought a ticket in the first place.

There is also a special feature of “where” alive in Ohio, and in order to avoid getting too attached to other survivors, Tallahassee both in and out of the story as the playwould rather talk less and slaughter more. ers make their way across the country to a Maybe it’s because Harrelson has always theme park believed to be zombie-free. The been a fearless player, but at one point in the story tells us its a trip to Los Angeles, but film, I actually wrote down in my notepad: Georgia natives will quickly recognize the backdrop of several local cities, and to cap “the Natural Born Killer is back!”

The unlikely combination of charac- it off with a big shootout at Wild Adventures ters serves the typical odd couple scenario is just icing on the cake!

BY CHRIS MOSKALY REVIEWER

G

THE COLONNADE 11

: A-

ABLE PROVIDES ENCOURAGEMENT DURING DISABILITY AWARENESS MONTH “We all have things that challenge us. The point is we’re all college students and really not that different from each other.”

—Erin Breedlove, ABLE president The Registered Student Organization ABLE kicks off Disability Awareness Month by raising awareness across campus of students with disabilities at GCSU. ABLE aims to promote the abilities of disabled students and encourage the student body to look past the physical differences. ABLE is working toward awareness and acceptance of disabilities on and around campus. Along with Disability Awareness Month, ABLE hosts small projects to help out disabled students.

The last week in October is ‘No Boundaries Week,’ in which GCSU will play host to a number of organizations for the disabled to provide games and activities such as modified volleyball and dodgeball.

Oct. 8, 6 p.m. in Peabody Au ditoriu

m

Bipolar Aware ness Night Charles Willis, director with G A mental Health Consum er Network spe aks on his experience with mental illn ess.

Sponsored in p art by ABLE.

Pepetone presents Education majors pursue passion, musical talents at enjoy hands-on work experience faculty recital BY

MICHAEL FORSYTH / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Dr. Gregory Pepetone plays piano in Max Noah on Sept.

21. Pepetone is a classical pianist who has performed in England and the United States.

October Music Events Oct. 4: Emory World Music Ensembles, Echoes of Asia, 7:30 p.m. A&S Auditorium Oct. 17: Mendelssohn Bicentennial Celebration 7:30 p.m. First Baptist Church Oct. 22: Concert Band, 7:30 p.m., Russell Auditorium

ZARA-GRAY ROWE STAFF WRITER

A lot of work goes into being a teacher. The cohorts of the education department at GCSU are very competitive. If you manage to make the cut for the cohort then your days become filled with the laughter of children, the understanding eyes of a child and even the class troublemaker that can wear your patience thin. If you make it through that and 18 hours of classes then you’re experiencing the life of an education major.

Hayley Stokes is a junior early childhood education major and she finds herself constantly having to manage her time. Laura McEachern is a junior middle grades education major who’s constantly reading and preparing for a full load of classes, as well as student teaching. Lindsay Rhinesmith is a junior special education major often exhausted after a long day in the classroom with students that have special needs. The life of an education major is packed full of hours of reading, student-teaching days, hard work and time management. Oh, and if time permits, fitting in an occasional nap.

Stokes said the key to a satisfying day in the classroom is to have patience.

“I find that for my students to respect me I have to respect them,” Stokes said. “I spend two days a week in the classroom helping my host teacher with whatever she needs. If she needs me to teach a lesson, grade some papers or make copies, then that’s what I do.”

Stokes still has to prepare for her time in the classroom even though there are no lesson plans for her to write yet.

“I don’t know the last time I thought about simple predicates was,” Stokes said. “I bet you can’t even remember what they are too. I had to Google what they were that night to make sure I had taught a kid the right stuff.

“It’s hard to have a life, because I sleep, eat, go to class or student

“It’s hard to have a life, because I sleep, eat, go to class or student teach, take a nap, and then I start homework. Then I wake up and do it all over again.”

—Hayley Stokes, junior early childhood education major teach, take a nap, and then I start homework,” Stokes said. “Then I wake up and do it all over again. I have assignments due in every one of my classes and sometimes I have to read chapters for every class, every single day.”

McEachern finds that a successful day of classes and student teaching revolves around her time-management skills.

“I have classes all day on Tuesdays and Thursdays and student teaching on Mondays and Wednesdays. I have a class that teaches me about how to teach math and not how to just do it, a class that teaches new technologies for teachers to use, and a class that teaches me different theories in teaching,” McEachern said.

“For me to have a life I have to use time management,” McEachern said.

“This is my priority so everything I do outside of my cohort I can’t do unless I plan accordingly.”

McEachern is also in a sorority and has to manage that into her schedule too. “I’m already planning ahead,” McEachern said. “I hope that I will be able to attend socials, but I don’t want to compromise my top priority, which is my cohort.

“I love it though,” McEachern added. “The kids are so rewarding to be around.”

Rhinesmith really enjoys being in the special education cohort, because it’s what she loves to do.

“The classes are really laid back and we will spend part of the class time talking about our placement,” Rhinesmith said. “We have to do a lot of reading, but its never too difficult — it’s just a lot.”

Rhinesmith talked about how nervous she was when she first found out where she would be teaching.

“I have been placed at a school for kids with emotional and behavioral disorders,” she said. “I’m learning lots of classroom management and discipline from my first placement. At the same time though I was excited. I like a good challenge and this will definitely be one. My students are all very sweet, but you have to know when they are about to cross the line.

They will go from sweet to devil child like that.

“As far as going out or having a social life — yes, you can have one, but you’re going to be tired because you have to get up early the next day,” Rhinesmith said. “I think it’s possible, but you have to use time management.”

Revel Wylly Pogue has been a liaison for the John H. Lounsbury College of Education for six years. She works to help education students find field placements and with the host teachers so the students get the experience they need.

“When our students graduate from the school they have over 1,000 hours in the classroom,” Pogue said.

“When they get hired they are treated like it’s their second year, because of all their experience.”

There are two junior and two senior early childhood education cohorts with 20 students in each. The special education and middle grades cohorts have one junior and one senior cohort with 20 students in each.

“We are very proud of our reputation,” Pogue said. “Nationally, the average for teacher retention after five years in the field is approximately 50 percent. Our students are still in the field after five years at 91 percent.

We couldn’t be prouder.”

12 THE COLONNADE

FEATURES

OCTOBER 2, 2009

Art as an Agent for Change waxes poetic, hosts events at Blackbird and on campus

BY CLAIRE KERSEY SENIOR REPORTER

MANDY ELLIS / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Jennifer McCuen performs her poem “Assumption City” at Art as an Agent for Change’s poetry jam at Blackbird Coffeehouse. Blackbird holds poetry night every Wednesday, with AAC sponsoring the event on the third Wednesday of each month.

“I am anticipating to be very entertained and I expect nothing else than this to be an amazing poetic experience,” Youmans Creative students flocked to Blackbird said.

Coffeehouse to enjoy a cathartic Poetry Other students had been to the event Jam on Sept. 23. The event was hosted many times before and came to find seby the organization Art as an Agent for curity in speaking freely to their fellow Change, which has been a Registered Stu- college students. Senior Jennifer McCuen dent Organization since 2006. The base- loves to express herself in a way that she ment of the coffeehouse flooeds with all does not normally do. sorts of interesting people who had a lot “I usually keep my poetry to myself so of things on their mind, and consequently its fun to be in a welcoming environment a lot of things on paper that they had pre- like this one,” McCuen said. pared to speak about.

She wrote a powerful, concise poem “People just love the chance to express called “Assumption City,” which received themselves. I personally love bringing ev- loud applause from her audience. eryone together, free of charge, to laugh Seasoned writers like Brandon Kennon and (enjoy) fellowship with one another.” saw Poetry Jam as a way to perfect their Paul Ayo, leader of AAC, said. craft. He said that he loves the rhythm of The event was the first in a series of Po- poetry and that he would love to eventuetry Jam sessions for the year; the next one ally make his poems into songs. will be held Oct. 21. For some students, “I am inspired by life lessons and love, like senior Ariana Youmans, the event as far as love in general and love in relawas the first time attending a Poetry Jam. tionships,” Kennon said.

Youmans knew Ayo from the organization There were some students who enthuPride Alliance and was interested in seeing siastically spoke out about racism today, what a poetry reading would be like. some angered by relationships gone wrong and others who painted their poems with fantastic imagery. Jerome German wrote a poem about poetry itself, ending with: “The poem is the epitome of poetic prowess.”

Some recited their verses from memory and many received concurrent snaps given for powerful phrases spoken. Each person had something unique to say, heeding the audience to relate to their story and see life the way that they do.

There is something quite special about “getting to hear different pieces of art,” Kennon said, and Poetry Jam is a perfect opportunity for that.

Anyone is welcome to attend the event whether one sits or shares his or her poMANDY ELLIS / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER etry. The Poetry Jam events Jerome German recites his poem in the basement of Blackbird happen the third WednesCoffeehouse. He performed a poem about poetry itself. day of every month.

BY JOANNA SULLIVAN STAFF WRITER

GRAND OPENING! October 1st Icy Treats and More!

1820 N. Columbia St. Milledgeville

College is a “major in sex and a minor in money.” Or at least it is in a poem read by sophomore business major Antonio Davis at a poetry slam event coordinated by Art as an Agent for Change.

AAC presented “Majors and Minors: The Ups and Downs of College” on Sept. 21. Eight performers slammed for an intimate gathering in the Pine Lounge, creating a noncompetitive, expressive environment.

“We love when we have a small audience.

We can feel the audience,” Paul Ayo, founder of AAC, said.

The small audience found shelter from the stormy weather on the night at the event. People watched as the performers, such as Jerome German, a sophomore biology major, brought their talent to the stage.

German performed two poems, “Poetic Perfection” and “War Torn.” “(Poetic Perfection) is more of a poem about myself and my poetry,” German said.

German’s performance segued into the passionate poetry of Joshua Braswell, whose two pieces, “Smile and Dance” and “Sacrifice” drove him to raise his voice. He incorporated dances into his first piece and tied in some commentary about social issues. “Sacrifice,” which was written just the night before the show, spoke of his mother’s sacrifices for him to be the first in his family to attend college.

“I refuse to be average,” Braswell said in his poem.

Davis debuted with the AAC performance. He is a fast writer, composing his first poem of the night, “Change,” in less than an hour, writing whenever he had the time at work, he said. “(Change) is talking

DRAKE SIMONS / SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER Joshua Braswell emotes through his poetry at the “Majors and Minors” poetry slam Sept. 21. The slam was hosted by Art as an Agent for Change, and featured particpants from all over Georgia.

about how people try to talk down to you … and the negative things we do in life. There’s always a possibility for change,” Davis said.

Not all the performers were from GCSU. Emmanuel Little performed pieces from his album, “The Public Speaker.” He spoke of life beyond college and his work toward a master’s degree. Chris “K.P.” Brown is a Mercer University alumnus who has released a book and a CD and is currently touring Georgia.

Tanesha Douglas hailed from the University of Georgia and drew some inspiration from her activism in HIV/ AIDS awareness. In her poem “Sexuality Cannot Define Me,” she spoke of rejecting labels and standing up for personal beliefs.

A popular poem of the night came from Ayo, who summed up a lesson from his college experience: “In college, we produce more drama than

SEMAU Continued from page 10... and associate dean of GCSU, spoke very highly of SEMAU and its’ role in advancing education.

“Participating in SEMAU will not cost the student anything financially; it’s an opportunity to broaden your horizons and really emphasizes learning outside the classroom,” Fontenot said.

In the past, students from GCSU have had very rewarding experiences through representing Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Liberia,

scholars, got to work harder on knowledge, in college.”

“My favorite was Paul’s poem about producing more drama than scholars. It’s relevant to some of the things I’ve seen,” Karla White, a senior economics major, said.

AAC has a big year planned. While the Sept.

21 event was the first geared toward GCSU students this school year, the group recently performed at the Early College.

“All the teachers and students loved it, and we loved working with them,” Ayo said.

Some other plans include bringing slam poetry to the residence halls, participating in the Kwanzaa celebration in December and diversity programs in February.

AAC is also working toward gaining status as a nonprofit organization.

So it’s time to “drop out of drama, and enroll in college” with AAC.

South Africa and the Sudan among others. GCSU even hosted the conference on campus in 2004.

This year SEMAU will be held in Macon and will be hosted by Mercer University from Nov. 5-7. It will mark the first time a school outside the University System will host the conference.

“We only meet one hour every week, Monday from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

You can even bring your lunch and just listen. It’s nothing scary because the professors are there, it’s just like a class,” Awiti said. “This is good for you, really it is.”

Community News Friday, October 2, 2009

www.GCSUnade.com

Milledgeville Weekly

Editor, Ryan Del Campo

Public Safety Report Ridin’ dirty

On Sept. 29 at approximately 12:42 a.m. officer Wesley Ransom observed a female riding a bike on Jefferson Street on the wrong side of the road.

According to Ransom, the biker was nearly struck by a passing vehicle, and she then crossed all lanes of traffic, entering the sidewalk. According to a police report, contact was made with the biker, who authorities said was under the influence of alcohol.

Investigations also found that the bike did not belong to her, according to a report. The bike was confiscated and brought back to GCSU Police Station for the owner to pick up.

Passed out

On Sept. 29 at approximately 2:04 a.m. officer Wesley Ransom observed a male lying in the grass in front of the Old Courthouse. Contact was made with the student, who, according to authorities, was intoxicated and under 21 years of age. In lieu of arrest, the subject was referred to Student Judiciary.

O-fence-ive

On Sept. 28 at approximately 12:19 p.m. Justin Gaines observed a male moving part of a fence in a shopping cart on West Thomas Street. Contact was made with the male, who stated he found the fence in some bushes on North Columbia Street.

It was later discovered that the subject had outstanding warrants through the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office. The warrant was verified and the subject was arrested and transported to the sheriff’s office for processing.

Give me that back!

On Sept. 26 at approximately 2:11 a.m. Sgt. Tamara Pissott observed a male walking south on Clarke Street carrying a cooler and bottle of lighter fluid. When the subject saw the patrol car, he threw the items in the ground and walked into The Grove parking lot. According to police, contact was made with the man, who said he found the items on the side of the road. Upon further questioning, he admitted he took the items from an apartment on Franklin Street because he was drunk and upset that someone had taken his cooler the other night.

According to police, he also stated he took the fluid because he came to the realization earlier in the day when his friend was cooking hamburgers that they needed lighter fluid, the report stated. He was arrested and charged with public drunkenness.

Information based upon a submission to The Colonnade by Public Safety.

Friday, Oct. 2 - Thursday, Oct. 8 Friday, Oct. 2 2 p.m.

6-8 p.m.

Rosie the Riveter: We Can Do It Series- Basic Carpentry- Physical Plant The Big Read: Macon Kickoff- Thomas Jefferson Building, Macon

11 a.m.-1 p.m.

4 p.m.

Parent University Kickoff- South-side Piggly-Wiggly Bobcats soccer vs. North Georgia- West Campus

7:30 p.m.

Guest Art Recital: Emory World Music Ensembles- A&S Auditorium

1-4 p.m.

Alcohol Awareness Week: Dizzy Driver- Front Campus

7 p.m.

Alcohol Awareness Week: Eric’s Personal Story- Peabody Auditorium

12:30-1 p.m.

12:30 p.m.

5-7 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

8 p.m.

Times Talk: Substance Abuse- Beeson Hall Lower Level Internal Business Club Monthly Meeting- 206 Atkinson Hall Alcohol Awareness Week: Food For Thought- Sodexo Wesley Foundation meeting - MSU Alcohol Awareness Week movie: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off- lawn behind Parkhurst

2-6 p.m.

4-8 p.m.

10 p.m.-2 a.m.

10 p.m.-1 a.m.

Alcohol Awareness Week: Boozin & Cruisin CW’s TV to Talk About, Music to Jam About Alcohol Awareness Week: All That Rave- Front Campus Knock-Out DUI- Baldwin Bowling Center

Saturday, Oct. 3

Sunday, Oct. 4

Monday, Oct. 5 Tuesday, Oct. 6

Wednesday, Oct. 7

Wednesday, Oct. 8

Please send calendar submissions to colonnadenews@gcsu.edu.

Sports Friday, October 2, 2009

The Colonnade’s Guide to Athletics and Recreation

www.GCSUnade.com

Section Editor, Preston Sellers

Bobcats run to top 5 at Mercer Women’s cross country takes 5th, men ninth at RunFit Invitational Kelly Bowers Staff Writer

by

Drake Simons / Senior Photographer Junior Erik Ottoson pushes the pace ahead of his competition at the Marcer RunFit Invitational on Saturday. Ottoson finished 86th in the 8K run in 34:35.

Women’s tennis takes four titles at Fall Championships

by Sam Hunt Staff Reporter

The GCSU women’s tennis team hosted the 17th annual Windstream/ GCSU Women’s Fall Championships last weekend, and took two singles titles and two doubles titles.

In Flight ‘B’ singles, freshman Kayla Barksdale advanced to the semifinals where she defeated Augusta State’s Luiza Pires 6-1, 6-3.

Zara-Gray Rowe / Staff Writer Freshman Kayla Barksdale serves in the GCSU Women’s Fall Championships this past weekend. Barksdale took home both a singles and doubles title, and was named GCSU Co-Athlete of the Week for her efforts.

THE SHORT STOP

Barksdale then proceeded to the finals where she faced Caitlin Fell of Lander University and defeated Fell 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 to earn the Flight ‘B’ title.

The title for Flight ‘C’ singles came down to a battle between two Bobcats. Freshmen Michelle Lingner and Linda Mosa were both victorious in their semi-finals matches, thus matching them for the title. After a well-played match from both GCSU athletes, Lingner took the Flight ‘C’ title over Mosa with a score of 7-6, 6-2.

Lingner and Barksdale made up the Flight ‘B’ doubles duo and made their way to the finals after defeating their semifinals opponents from the University of Tampa 8-2. Linger and Barksdale then shut out another doubles team from Tampa 8-0, earning them the Flight ‘B’ doubles title.

The fourth title came from the Flight ‘A’ doubles team of junior Bertille Lion and freshman Mara Rojas. The duo’s victory in the semifinals was left up to chance.

Due to the weather, the Bobcats’ doubles team and their opponents from Tampa, had to flip a coin for the tiebreaker of the semifinals match. Tampa called heads, and the result of the coin landing on tails sent Lion and Rojas to the Flight ‘A’ doubles finals. The GCSU duo took the finals victory when their opponents withdrew due to the second weather delay, giving the Bobcat’s the Flight ‘A’ doubles title.

Both the women’s and men’s teams will take select players to a tournament in Augusta this weekend as an additional tune-up for the spring season.

Barreling past their competition at the Mercer RunFit Sports Invitational in Macon, the GCSU cross country teams came through with an impressive performance despite the choking humidity on the morning of Sept. 26.

The women’s team took fifth place out of the 20team field at the competition in the 5K race, placing second among the five Peach Belt Conference schools with a 179-point total.

Pacing the squad for the first time this season, senior Virginia Balkcom finished in 25th place with a time of 22:16.

Coming in two slots later at 22:27 was PBC Runner of the Week and senior teammate, Heather Raines.

Sophomore Sarah Balkcom expressed her contentment with the outcome of the team’s victory over the 2008 PBC champions, Columbus State University.

“I’m really proud of my sister for doing so well in the meet. She has been really consistent all season and is continually improving,” Balkcom said. “I’m

Soccer:

Oct. 3 Oct. 7

Golf:

Person / Staff Photographer Senior Heather Raines followed fellow senior Virginia Balkcom to the finish on Saturday.

also proud of the top girl and guy finishers for finishing so close together.

That just shows how competitive our team is and how much stronger we are as a team compared to last year.”

Other top finishers for the Bobcat women’s team were three sophomores, Karissa Ekstrom (22:54), Victoria Dobson (22:57) and Alycia Hayes, who rounded out the Bobcat

Cross Country page 15

Wakeboarding club flips into its season this weekend

Alex Taylor / Staff Writer Members of the wakeboarding club team have been hard at work over the summer and early this semester, taking advantage of the practice space available on Lake Sinclair, just a few miles from campus.

Pulled behind a boat at high speeds, the wakeboarders perform aerial maneuvers such as the one pictured above.

The athlete in midflight is J. Raymond Vinson, who was the team’s captain last year but has since graduated and assists with practices. Senior Stephen Rhodes is the current captain.

The team opens its season this weekend.

4 p.m. vs. North Ga. 3:30 p.m. @ AASU

Oct. 5-6 all day AFLAC/Cougar

Invitational

Side

Line

by

Head over heels, over water

Upcoming Sports

The

Quote of the Week “Thank you every1 4 all the love and support.”

— USC running back Stafon Johnson’s first Twitter update to friends and family after his seven-hour throat surgery.

Johnson was bench-pressing 275 pounds when the bar slipped out of his right hand and onto his neck.(ESPN.com)

Preston Sellers Sports Editor

The current sports thorn in my side is the insanity of college football polls. For something that goes a long way to deciding which teams get to play in lucrative bowl games and add to their legacies, the polls are very obviously flawed and leave too much to opinion and assumptions versus results.

The main problem with the system is the ridiculous use of preseason polls. We’re going to rank teams, No. 1 through No. 25 and sometimes beyond, without them having taken a single snap in a game?

Absurd.

So now, the great almighty Tim Tebow and Co. down in the Swamp, based solely on what they did last season, will stay No. 1 until they lose. Even if there are other teams with better wins and better claims to the spot. It’s almost like the voters are giving certain teams a break because of past accomplishments. What they should be doing instead is treating each week as if teams are applying for jobs, with their current season as their résumé.

So if we can get past how incredibly awesome and unbeatable Florida is, the poll should have Alabama at No. 1, Texas at No. 2, and Florida at No. 3. Bama took care of Virginia Tech and has not struggled in any game this season, like Florida did with Tennessee. They also crushed a solid Arkansas team that nearly beat Georgia. Bama is simply the best team right now. I’m not saying they would definitely beat Florida, or even Texas, but that’s not the point of the polls. The polls are a reward for playing well, week in and week out, which somehow college football “experts” have forgotten.

Also, I hate to break it to you, but Boise State is for real. So is Houston.

And TCU. They deserve their high rankings. We have three legitimate BCS busters at this point, and if you ever want to see a playoff system in college football, you’ll be cheering for them right along with me.

Send your feedback to colonnadesports.gcsu.edu or on Twitter at VentGCSU.

Stat of the Week

3 Consecutive NL East titles won by the Philadelphia Phillies, the longest such streak since the Atlanta Braves’ 11 straight from 1995 to 2004.

OCTOBER 2, 2009

SPORTS

Intramurals: field project up for bids, new football playoff format kicks off league playoff bracket. But Beau Washburn, their team captain, had a different take on the new system.

Last week, the Student Activities Budget Com“It almost makes the regular season feel like a mittee approved $20,000 for repairs to the intramu- pre-season, and I’m not a big fan,” Washburn said. ral fields.

“Our team didn’t play as seriously before playoffs, Now, the project has received the final approval because we knew we would make it either way.” necessary to continue from Dr. Bruce Harshbarger, Sportsmanship: More important than ever vice president of student affairs.

Men’s C and Coed/Women’s B leagues must have Bert Rosenberger, director of intramurals for at least a 3.8 sportsmanship to advance to playoffs.

GCSU, said he received an e-mail confirming the This year, only two out of six teams made it because funds had been earmarked this past Monday. they didn’t receive a high enough rating. In fact, “Now, we bid out the project to the lowest bid- only the first and last place teams qualified for what der,” Rosenberger said. is now a one-game playoff to determine the chamThe project consists of scraping off the old dirt pion. on each infield, and laying new dirt that will drain “I don’t like the high level you need to advance,” more efficiently, as well as laser-grading each one Dylan Penick said. “If you receive one unsportsto ensure they are level. New equipment will also be manlike penalty, you’re done, and the rest of the purchased for better maintenance in the future. season is worthless.”

New season, new playoffs Penick’s season ended when a teammate wrapped The potential for upsets in the flag football post- up an opposing player with the football while goseason is higher this year. ing for the flag, drawing the 15-yard penalty that That’s because this seaautomatically deducts son, every team advances one point from a team’s Come out to Championship Night! from the regular season to sportsmanship rating. the playoffs, increasing the The highest possible - Free T-shirts and food number of chances for an rating is a four. upset in the postseason.

Chris Russell, Intra- Last three championship games will be “I love the new format,” mural Program Assisplayed between bleachers on the practice Joey Nipper said. “It gives tant, said C-league is field, which is larger to give the games a everybody a chance; you for teams that want to better atmosphere never know what you’re have a good time play- CAB likely to host a raffle of some kind going to get in a matching football, where winup, and some lower-seedning and losing is not as (Atlanta Falcons tickets are rumored) ed teams have already big a deal.

- Cheerleaders also a possibility matched-up well with “Simply put, it’s a - Date: Wednesday, Oct. 7, beginning at 7 higher seeds.” non-competitive league. p.m. at the intramural fields In the first round of the That’s why we expect men’s B-league bracket, better sportsmanship; two teams in the top 10 if you want to be more have already been upset, competitive about it, and two others escaped the first round with 1-point then you need to play in a higher league.” victories.

Russell also said referees were trained to be a bit “It adds excitement,” Chris Russell, intramurals more lenient with sportsmanship ratings for co-ed program assistant, said. “Teams get better as the B, women’s B, and men’s C-league games, as all season progresses, so it gives every team a chance require a 3.8 average sportsmanship to advance into to put it all together for a postseason run.” playoffs. In all, seven teams failed to maintain a One team that benefitted, Boats and Hoes, upset high enough average among the three leagues. the 10th-seeded squad to advance in the men’s BCALEB RULE STAFF WRITER

THE COLONNADE 15

Soccer earns tie with Lander after Tampa loss

BY SAM HUNT STAFF REPORTER

BY

The GCSU soccer team had two road games over the past week, with end results of a loss and a tie.

On Sunday, the Bobcats’ three game winning streak came to an end when they were shut down by the University of Tampa.

The Bobcats defeat to the Spartans came in Savannah at Armstrong Atlantic State University’s AT&T Field.

The only goal of the game was scored 14 minutes into the first half when Tampa earned a corner kick. Megan Torbin took the corner, which was retrieved by teammate Samantha Kay who kicked it into the Bobcats’ net for 1-0 lead.

“Our energy level in the first half could have been a lot higher,” senior midfielder/ defender Daria Owen said.

“We had a lot of opportunities and it is disappointing that we lost.”

Even though the Bobcats battled hard for the remainder of the game, they were unable to find the back of the Spartans’ net and Tampa held on for a shutout victory.

“They knew what they wanted to do and they knew what they had to do to win,” defender/midfielder Becky Knoll said. “They capitalized on their chance, we made a mistake and they put it away.”

In the GCSU defense, senior goalkeeper Mary Rob Plunkett was able to stop four shots from entering the Bobcat net and allowed just the

one lone goal.

GCSU was back in action this past Wednesday at Lander University, and fought to a tie with the Bearcats.

Both teams started off the first half playing hard with numerous scoring attempts, but neither squad was able to put a shot into the net.

At the start of the second half, both teams continued to play aggressively. Even though the Bobcats were able to outnumber Lander in shots taken, they were unable to score and the game went into overtime.

After two intense 10-minute overtime periods, the game ended a scoreless draw.

GCSU out-shot the Bearcats 15-12 in the game. The Bobcats also had twice as many shots on goal as Lander, 6-3.

Senior forward Jamie Nevin led GCSU with four shots.

Following Nevin in shots taken was senior defender Kara Teresi, with a total of three taken. Both Nevin and Teresi had two shots on goal.

For the Bobcat defense, senior goalkeeper Mary Rob Plunkett stopped three shots from entering the net.

The Bobcats play at home this Saturday when they face North Georgia College & State University at 4 p.m.

“I think we’ve made progress over the last two weeks, but we’re still struggling to score some goals,” head coach Juan Pablo Favero said. “At some point that has to kick in. In practice, they’re scoring and they’ve got to do it in games. I believe they can and they will.”

Cross Country Continued from page 14...

DRAKE SIMONS / SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER Senior Virginia Balkcom led her team to the finish on Saturday.

top five in 48th place.

Placing ninth out of 16 teams overall, the Bobcat men ran the 8K race aggressively enough to earn second place among PBC schools at the race with 240 points.

Leading the Bobcats for the first time in his running career was junior Tim Cary, who crossed the line at 28:49, taking 37th place. One slot and 10 seconds behind Cary was sophomore Travis Knight.

Following close behind were three sophomore teammates; Rob Manning (29:12), Colin Conroy (29:38) and recording a personal best was Michael Heuett (30:21) in 78th place.

“I think our team has potential to bust out a good score at our final meet,” Cary said, “and I know we can place well at regionals if we train hard for this last month or so.”

GCSU runners will be focused on achieving both personal and team goals as they compete Oct. 10 at the Southern Challenge in Marietta.

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