The Official Student Newspaper of Georgia College & State University
The Colonnade Friday, October 17, 2008
News Left or Right?
An inside Political spread to enlighten you on the issues of this election. Pages 4 and 5
City Council zones out students Residents downtown face fines up to $ 1,000 Next Ordinance Meeting When: Tuesday, October 28 Where: Milledgeville City Hall at 7 p.m. This meeting is open to the public.
Where to find anything you need! A celebration for the Grand Opening of the Multipurpose building at The Village. Page 2
Features What to expect
An indepth preview of the bands playing at the Sweetwater Festival. Page 9
To remember...
The theater department honors those in the Holocaust. Page 11
Sports It’s madness!
The GCSU basketball season kicked off Tuesday night with pancakes and a show Page 15
Atlanta’s savior
Falcons’ rookie QB Matt Ryan is subject of latest Side Line. Page 15
Weekend Weather Fri. Sat.
78 58 40%
71 48 20%
Sun.
73 46 0%
www.weather.com
By Chelsea Thomas Staff Reporter Beginning this November, everyone living in “singlefamily” housing in historic downtown or other designated neighborhoods with three or more unrelated residents will be breaking the law. Approved by the City Council, the Ordinance 0-0609205, otherwise known as the amendments to “The Land Development Code of the City of Milledgeville, Georgia”, places constraint on the number of unrelated persons allowed to reside in houses zoned for single-family use. A significant amount of these houses inhabit the surrounding area of GCSU campus property. Joel Graham, a junior SGA Senator who attended the Oct. 6 City Council meeting, expresses serious concern for the implementation of this ordinance. “I’m afraid (this ordinance) may do more to amplify differences between the students and the community instead
Best College streak now at four years By Stephanie Sorensen Staff Writer To some it is a surprise, but to most it is no shocker that GCSU has been named one of the top 100 Best College Buys in America for the fourth year in a row. A survey was conducted by Institutional Research and Evaluation to determine which colleges and universities displayed the best combination of superior education and reasonable costs. All schools must meet certain criteria to be considered, such as offering bachelor programs, dining programs and having a mean SAT score at or above the national level. Some students seem very aware of this honor. In fact, in some instances it was a deciding factor in their application status. “When I was deciding on a college, someone told us to check out GCSU because it was in the Top 100,” freshman Elaine Denovellis said. “We looked at it and I loved the small class sizes, and it’s more academic and selective.” Denovellis also likes the small town atmosphere, or at least how it affects her grades. “There is nothing to do
here, you have to really look to find something to do, but it kind of forces you to study,” Denovellis said. “I’m bored, I might as well study.” With this added publicity though, we can only expect GCSU’s academic standards to rise, making it that much more prominent. “It’s a private school, for a public price,” Denovellis said. In addition to this honor, GCSU is also on another top value list, Kiplinger’s 100 Best Values in Public Colleges. GCSU holds the rank of eighty-third, UGA is seventh and GT is twelfth. “We should definitely be over UGA. They (GCSU’s staff) cater to the students. The VP of Student Affairs sits on the porch for an hour every week just to find out what we want, I don’t think that UGA does that,” sophomore Laura Cox said. When discussing the actual financial aspect of the award, students had some interesting views on how GCSU is able to keep costs low while maintaining the trademark gregarious GCSU atmosphere. “I didn’t know about
Top College Page 6
Mental Health takes priority By Aubrey Petkas Staff Reporter
18 Days until Election Day as of Friday, Oct. 17.
- www.gcsunade.com - Volume 85, No. 5
At the close of Mental Illness Awareness Week, GCSU recognized the week’s importance by noting its relevance and prevalence in the world and on college campuses. According to a 2004 survey by the American College Health Association, nearly half of all college students report feeling so depressed at some point in time that they have trouble functioning and 14.9 percent meet the criteria for clinical depression. This marks an increase of 4.6 percent in the number of students who reported having ever been diagnosed with depression over a four year time span.
Mental Health Page 6
of actually addressing the residents’ grievances,” Graham said. This ordinance was adopted back in 2006 and has been contested by participating students since. However, many community members desiring “quiet neighborhoods” continue to fight for the ordinance. John Alton, a Milledgeville resident living on Liberty Street, supports the ordinance. “The ‘3-unrelated-person-ordinance’ was passed for the entire city and will be beneficial for the entire city,” Alton said. “It demonstrates the city’s commitment to the preservation of its older structures and its older single-family neighborhoods.” At the Oct. 6 City Council meeting, a new amendment was requested “to amend the Land Development Code to allow group residence as a special use within SFR and
City Ordinance Page 3
Extreme Fire Drill
Bobby Gentry / Senior Photographer Old barracks are burned in preparation for a new prep school on Georgia Military College’s campus.No one was harmed as firiefighters stood by for routine fire handling practices and procedures.
Sober for a change By Warren Johnson Staff Writer
Driving a club car blindfolded can be difficult. Driving a motor vehicle impaired is even more difficult and can have fatal repercussions. Public Safety and the Health Services department hosted Alcohol Awareness week at GCSU as a preface to National Alcohol Awareness starting next week. “Just about 95 percent of all incidents on campus are alcohol related,” said Sgt. Baker of the GCSU Public Safety department. “We really try to crack down on DUI’s more than anything.” Alcohol Awareness Week is an attempt at educating students about drinking and the consequences. “The theme of the week is GCSU decide,” said Rachel Sullivan, the University Health Education. “It goes along with the current election. Students have a choice not to drink or to do so responsibly.” The events were paid for using alcohol sanction money from students arrested in alcohol related incidents. Starting Monday, students and faculty were invited to Magnolia Ballroom for a night of alcohol trivia.
Alcohol Awareness Page 6
Drake Simons / Senior Photographer Sean Kindrick, Senior Management, walks the line as part of Alcohol Awareness week.
Reforms for energy usage By Ryan DelCampo Staff Writer Americans have become undoubtedly aware in the past few years at the everrising cost of energy. Gas seems to reach a record-high price every week. Having the air conditioning reset during the sweltering summer heat to spend as little as possible and the push to buy fluorescent light bulbs, provide ample testament for the economi-
cally hard times we have fallen upon. GCSU has certainly felt these effects as well. Last year, the school spent anywhere between $2.21 and $2.56 million on its electricity bill for main and west campus buildings. So far this year, the school has already spent between $1.68 and $1.94 million. These startlingly large numbers beg the question: does our school do everything
Energy Page 2
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Energy
Continued from Page 1... possible to conserve energy? The school created a Campus Energy Use & Conservation Task Force headed by Doug Oetter in 2006 to answer this very question. They have had a dramatic effect since then by converting light bulbs in several campus buildings to a more environmentally-friendly type, replacing windows in many of the residence halls, and using an adaptive energy pricing policy, which allows the school to negotiate lower than standard rates. We also have one of the most efficient water cooling plants money can buy. Kevin Murner, a former associate director at Physical Operations, now works to monitor and mediate all of GCSU’s energy usage. He told me about all of the ways GCSU has worked to keep its two million square feet of both academic and residential space heated and cooled. Future plans include adding monitors for every building to accurately pinpoint specific areas of high energy waste. Murner believes that GCSU can make further efforts to increase energy efficiency. “One light bulb left on for a month could end up costing the school anywhere from $20-$45,” Murner said. The lights for all the classrooms in the Arts & Sciences building, if left on from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for a five day academic week, would cost the university
$675. A 31-day month would cost nearly $3,000. And that does not even include the hallways or office lights, air conditioning or other appliances. GCSU students could easily find themselves wondering why they should bother to turn off the lights. After all, they do not have to pay their own energy bill in the residence halls. “Just because students aren’t paying directly for energy usage doesn’t mean we’re all not paying for it,” Oetter said. The money spent towards energy usage has to come from somewhere, so if the school pays aboveaverage rates then they will have to cut money back from other important programs and services. The same concept goes for the residential water bills. Other appliances contribute heavily to the overall energy usage that the university pays for. A typical desktop computer uses between 60-250 watts an hour, which would translate to anywhere between $31 and $186 for a month of continual use on our energy pricing. Refrigerators and space heaters are among the other cost-inefficient appliances common on campus. Decreasing our future energy bills could happen with relatively little effort on the part of the students and faculty. Monumental changes could happen by simply turning off the lights before leaving the dorm room or class. “What it really comes down to,” Oetter said, “is someone being willing to flip the switch.”
Check out GCSUnade.com for special online only content: Advising Week by Kelsey Funk, Staff Writer Gem Program by Tyler Bryant, Staff Writer
News
October 17, 2008
Opening showcases new center New amenities highlight new building By Tim Graham Staff Writer Music, prizes and fun were the norm at the grand opening of the West Campus Center last Tuesday at The Village at West Campus. The festivities started with local band Orange Vanessa exuberantly performing in front of a buzzing audience. At points, the music was so loud that it could be heard hundreds of feet away in the apartment buildings. Orange Vanessa consists of three members: Alex Barnes on drums, Bob Titolo playing guitar and vocals, and Rachel Kahn doing vocals as well. Both Titolo and Kahn currently go to GCSU and Barnes is a former student. While not playing at grand openings, Orange Vanessa plays around the Alpharetta area. Barnes said he was impressed with the new building. “It’s a real nice facility, I’m impressed,” he said. “The last time I was here it was just a piece of dirt.” Following a few of their songs, Jen Maraziti, manager for Apartment Living at The Village welcomed everyone for coming out. She also introduced GCSU President Dorothy Leland, who also thanked everyone for coming. The crowd was filled with stu-
Ashley Pugh / Staff Photographer Thunder the Bobcat registers to win a prize during last Thursday’s grand opening activities at the new multi-purpose building on West Campus.
dents from both The Village and the residence halls and Leland addressed them. “About a year and a half ago, you told us what you wanted: some community space and you didn’t want to drive on campus for something to eat.” Leland said. Leland also thanked everyone who
was involved in the project getting completed, including Student Affairs, University Housing, Sodexho, and Physical Plant operations. She expressed even more excitement for the building afterwards.
Grand Opening Page 6
Ashley Pugh / Staff Photographer (Left) Tiffany Payton, junior, psychology major, and Jill Moser, senior, psychology major, spend time enjoying the new building on West Campus during last Thursday’s grand opening. (Right) Anne Trapani, freshman, pre-mass communication major, and Chynna Murphy, freshman art major, enjoy dinner from Sandella’s during the grand opening.
October 17, 2008 City Ordinance Continued from Page 1... SFR1 districts within the historic district.” SFR and SFR1 districts imply the area around GCSU campus. Less than five students attended the meeting, perhaps contributing to the denial of the amendment by City Council 3-2. Most of the supporters for the new amendment allowing “special use” were realtors that owned homes in the downtown historic district that were occupied predominantly by GCSU students. One of these voices that fought in support of the amendment was Robert Binion, the owner of the affected Zeta House on McIntosh Street He disapproves of the ordinance, and thinks the amendment will help the situation tremendously. “I don’t think what City Hall is doing with (Ordinance 0-0609-205) is fair at all. I am going to have 13 homeless girls on my hands,” Binion said. “I feel like we should be grandfathered in, considering the girls have had the house two years before the ordinance was ever presented.” Likewise, Debbie Thompson sympathizes with Binion’s dilemma. An independent realtor with property in the affected district, Thompson is staunchly opposed to Ordinance 0-0609-205 and is still unsatisfied with the proposed amendment. “This ordinance will only make matters worse for the community. What they need to enforce is ordinances that they already have on the books concerning noise, house maintenance and trash,” Thompson said. “I don’t think this ordinance has a right to tell us what we can do in our own house. It’s just not right.” Kelly Truitt, a senior at GCSU and resident in one of the affected houses, agrees with Thompson. “As long as things remain pretty on the outside, I see no reason why (Milledgeville) should bother dictating (who) our household should consist of,” Truitt said. As established under “Design Guidelines MSection5” of the Milledgeville Historic Preservation Commission, historic residences are expected to meet certain standards and appearances externally. Until this ordinance, Milledgeville never had control over the number of residents living inside the house. Yet, Alton and many other community members hold their ground. “The current attempt to pass a follow-up ordinance that would allow ‘special group use’ in approximately 13 single-family zoned blocks of the historic district would, over a very short period of time, destroy what few single-family neighborhoods remain in the historic district,” Alton said. “This action would be disastrous to neighborhoods, tourist trade and overall beauty of the city. (It) would rob future generations of their heritage.” Mervin Graham, the zoning administrator for Milledgeville, is preparing letters to send out to affected houses. Mervin asserts that even before this ordinance, sorority and fraternity houses were not allowed. Alpha Delta Pi, the only “legal” sorority house, was registered with the city over a decade ago. It resides on the corner of McIntosh and Clark Street. Thompson says with proper management and respect the larger houses could be rented to sororities. “Sororities do a great job with the houses. They are good
News
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for them,” Thompson said. “I can promise you this – the ordinance passed will be Binion is proud of how ZETA takes care of their house. enforced,” Mervin Graham said. “The ZETA girls keep their house in good condition. Brad Christopher, a junior majoring in community ZETA’s national chapter requires them to maintain high health, reflects the common reaction of many students. levels of maintenance as well,” Binion said. “I think this law is not right because this town is a colStill, community members maintain that there are many lege town,” Christopher said. “Many students live in the other living arrangements available, such as apartments historical district, and living situations are such a vital part and condominiums. of education and the season of life many college students “The recent growth in available housing in and around are in.” the historic district has been unbelievable,” Alton said. “Therefore, there appears to be no need to destroy what few single-family neighborhoods we have left by allowing ‘special group use’ in the historic district.” SGA Senator Joel Graham says the ordinance will add tension between students and the community. “I think this will effectively eradicate any feelings of involvement or responsibility students may feel toward the downtown community,” Graham said. “I would even fear a possible rise in vandalism cases due to the increased foot traffic to and from outlying apartment complexes.” As the discussion for and against the amendment continues, the November deadline for affected houses to com“The three-unrelatply looms on the horizon. “I’m afraid (the ed-person-ordinance There is little students can do, but pack their bags. Yet, ordinance) may do not all hope is gone. was passed for the On Oct. 28 at 7:30 p.m. in City Hall, the amendment more to amplify entire city and will to the ordinance will be presented again, perhaps for the differences between be beneficial for the last time, in front of Mayor Richard Bentley and Mayor the students and the entire city. It demCouncil. community instead onstrates the city’s Joel Graham hopes more students will show up. of actually address commitment to the “Like with any civic issue, students who have opinions the residents’ preservation of its about this can and should do all they can to express themgrievances...” older structures and selves,” Joel said. “Specifically, you can go to City Counits older single-famicil meetings, Zoning Committee meetings, email your city ly neighborhoods.” officials, and talk with them to help convey your ideas. As SGA, we will be doing all that we can to help make your Joel Graham voice heard and relay your ideas to our civic leaders.” Junior SGA senator John Alton Even with the deadline being incredibly close to stuand affected resident a Milledgeville dents’ finals, Mervin Graham will begin enforcing this ordinance come November. resident living on However, she says she will wait to send letters to see Liberty Street what happens when the requested amendment to the ordinance goes before Mayor Council on Oct. 28. Under the ordinance section 4.4.4 “Prima Facie Proof” the evidence of breaking this law will Contact Milledgeville City Hall Maximum of $1,000 fine for be “four or more vehiat cityhall@milledgevillega.us. convicted resident and realtor. cles with registration to Email the Zoning Every day a separate offense persons having different Administrator, Mervin Graham, occurs is considered a surnames and addresses with your opinions at mervin@ separate violation. were parked overnight at milledgevillega.us. the dwelling unit a majorSentence of imprisonment not ity of nights in any 21-day Attend City Council meetings exceeding six months. period.” and Zoning Committee The penalties for breakmeetings at City Hall. Sentence to work on the ing this law can include a fine reaching up to $1,000 streets or public works for for the renter or individual Submit your thoughts, requests, a period not exceeding 12 inhabitant per night. The and opinions to the SGA over months. person/s convicted of the email at sga@gcsu.edu. crime could even be assigned an imprisonment term or public service by local officials.
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4 The Colonnade
News
October 17, 2008
Decision 2008: What’s in a name?
Two have played this game, but only one can win...
Conservatives
Tend to favor economic freedom, but frequently support laws to restrict personal behavior that violates “traditional values.”
STA
RT
They oppose excessive government control of business, while endorsing government action to defend morality and the traditional family structure. Conservatives usually support a strong military, oppose bureaucracy and high taxes, favor a free-market economy, and endorse strong law enforcement. Centrists August 23 - Obama picks Senator Joe Biden for his vice presidential candidate.
Espouse a “middle ground” regarding government control of the economy and personal behavior. Depending on the issue, they sometimes favor government intervention and sometimes support individual freedom of choice. Centrists pride themselves
September 26 - The first of three debates is held at the University of Mississippi. Polls hand victory to Obama.
on keeping an open mind, tend to oppose “political extremes,” and emphasize what they describe as “practical” solutions to problems. Liberals Usually embrace freedom of choice in personal matters, but tend to support significant government control of the economy. They generally support a government-funded “safety net” to help the disadvantaged, and advocate strict regulation of business. Liberals tend to favor environmental regulations, defend civil liberties and free expression, support government action to promote equality, and tolerate diverse lifestyles.
October 7 - Second debate is held at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn. Obama prevails again. October 15 - The third and final debate is held at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. Polls declare Obama the winner.
Information from the World’s Smallest Political Quiz www.theadvocates.org
Obama on the Issues “I trust women to make these decisions, in conjunction with their doctors and their families and their clergy, and I think that’s where most Americans are.”
Require that all children have health insurance; pay for it by rolling back President Bush’s tax cuts for households earning over $250,000; aims for universal coverage.
Roe vs Wade
Health Care
http://elections.nytimes.com/2008/index.html
Opposed invasion from the beginning; opposed troop increase; wants to withdraw one or two brigades a month to finish within 16 months and spur the Iraqis to reconcile their differences.
Iraq
Immediately enact a set of tax cuts for individuals and businesses to help cope with the current crisis. Ban most home foreclosures for 90 days. Would repeal the Bush tax cuts for households earning more than $250,000.
Economy / Taxes
October 17, 2008
The Colonnade 5
News
The Unofficial Guide Save the dates
August 28 - Obama accepts Democratic nomination.
Oct. 23 Thursday
The Colonnade in collaboration with the American Democracy Project, College Republicans and Young Democrats presents:
The 2008 Presidential Mock Debates 7 p.m. in A&S Auditorium What would you ask? Send debate questions to colonnadeletters@gcsu.edu August 29 - McCain selects Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate.
Oct. 27 Monday American Democracy project in collaboration with GCSU Department of Government & Sociology, Pi Sigma Alpha, College Republicans and Young Democrats presents:
Georgia 12th Congressional District Candidate Debate featuring:
September 3 - John McCain is formally nominated as the Republican presidential candidate.
Rep. John Barrow (D) and John Stone (R) 7 p.m. in Magnolia Ballroom
Oct. 31 Friday Last Day to request Absentee Ballot
Nov. 4 Tuesday
Election Day
FINISH
November 4 - Election Day! Go vote! See sidebar at right for voting information.
WHAT TO BRING: Georgia law requires registered voters to show photo identification in order to vote in person. When you vote in person, you must show one of the following photo IDs: * A Georgia driver’s license, even if expired * Any valid state or federal government issued photo ID, including a FREE Voter ID Card issued by the Department of Driver Services or your county registrar’s office * Valid U.S. passport
Graphic Design by Claire Kersey Layout and Design by Ana Maria Lugo Photos and Images courtesy of the web
McCain on the issues Purchase troubled mortgages directly from financial institutions and restructure them. Cut capital gains tax rate. Blames lobbyists for financial crisis, and favors a new federal authority. Would make the Bush tax cuts permanent and eliminate alternative minimum tax.
Economy / Taxes
Voted in 2002 to authorize invasion, still supportive; favored troop increase, and argues that security allowed political headway; against a timetable for withdrawal, but projected he would have most forces home by 2013.
Iraq
For free-market, consumerbased system; has pledged affordable health care for every American without a mandate; says universal health care is possible without a tax increase.
“I would not support repeal of Roe v. Wade, which would then force X number of women in America to [undergo] illegal and dangerous operations.”
Health Care
Roe vs Wade http://elections.nytimes.com/2008/index.html
6 The Colonnade Top College Continued from Page 1... the award, but it does feel like home here. You get a lot of attention from teachers, but they definitely cut corners with the food. The food here sucks, I’m not gonna lie, that’s one way they are probably saving money,” Elyse Ebert said. When asked the same question, another student,had a slightly different take on some ways to save money. “Compared to a lot of other schools, the town doesn’t cost much to live in, the cost of living here (in Milledgeville) is a lot less than Georgia State (in Atlanta)…There aren’t a lot of public liberal arts
Grand Opening Continued from Page 2...
“I think it’s wonderful,” she said. “It helps create community space. It’s even nicer than I thought it would be.” Dr. Leland credits that in part to the design of the building, which was changed from the original design. The most noticeable change is the corners and angles in the ceiling, which give the building an original look. Following Leland, a few members of the Sassy Cats, GCSU’s popular dance team, performed one of their routines. Afterwards, Juan Pablo Favero, head coach of the women’s soccer team, introduced the team, who was in the audience, as they prepared to take on Georgia Southwestern later in the night. The GCSU cheerleading squad then performed, hyping the crowd up with an impressive perfor-
colleges either, and they (GCSU) budget their money very well for this economic situation,” Ian Bridgeworth said. It seems that while it is one of America’s Top Value Colleges, it’s not always a top priority for GCSU. “I can tell you that many people don’t consciously work to keep us at the top value. We work to be the top Liberal Arts College. We allow the faculty to teach what they are trained in and keep courses down to reasonable size levels, forming natural interactions,” Dr. Mike Digby said. “We have top notch students and top notch faculty, and we try to keep the environment so that we keep both.”
mance. Following that, Orange Vanessa got back on stage to continue their performance. Other activities were going on at the grand opening as well. Sandella’s, the new restaurant in the West Campus Center, handed out free food. A drawing for prizes was also held. Prizes included various GCSU T-shirts, free Bobcat Card replacements and waivers for any parking tickets issued by GCSU. As some might guess, some prizes were selected sooner than others. Many of the head executives from the school, such as Leland, came out to celebrate the new building, and all seemed to enjoy the festivities. Most could be seen chatting it up out on the pavilion, which overlooks the field between the apartments. Leland also said to be on the lookout for future events, as the school plans to hold more concerts and sporting events in and around the West Campus Center.
News
Mental Health Continued from Page 1...
There are many myths about clinical depression and bipolar disorder. Marlene Lovejoy, admissions adviser and author of “Edge of Sanity: Journal of Depression, Bipolar Disorder, and Beyond,” sought to dispel those myths on the evening of Oct. 9, when she presented “Secretive Disorders,” in the Max Noah Recital Hall. “Being in a down mood or being depressed is different from ordinary sadness. During my worst depression, my symptoms disrupted my life completely. My crying was uncontrollable, and I was filled with extreme sadness and guilt. I felt empty, and had no interest in anything. For three weeks straight, I could not even get out of bed to go to work,” Lovejoy said. According to The National Alliance on Mental Illness, of the 6.3 million Georgia residents, approximately 5.4 percent of the resident population is affected by a serious mental illness. “If you cannot ‘shake’ the down feeling after a week to ten days, you
Alcohol Awareness Continued from Page 1... Students celebrated Thirsty Tuesday at Midnight Madness. Basketball alumni took their best shot at shooting hoops. Players wore impairment goggles to simulate the effects of drinking. “They didn’t do so well,” joked Sgt. Baker. “They didn’t even score!” Wednesday’s events included a seminar on lowering the drinking age and a slalom course on front campus. Students took a crack at driving a club car while wearing impairment goggles. Public Safety unveiled a new line of impairment goggles, ranging from mildly intoxicated to fatal. The goggles come in both daytime and night vision versions. The goggles are designed to show its users how the brain interprets movement. “Alcohol doesn’t impair your vision,” said Sullivan. “It impairs your judgment.” Students received pamphlets during Thursday’s activities while enjoying
October 17, 2008
need to seek professional medical help,” Lovejoy said. The mind and body are complex and interconnected. A stressed mind can make a stressed body. There are even pictures of brain scans showing the immense difference between a normal healthy brain and a stressedout college kid brain. Anita Mikita, M.D., clinical director at Central State Hospital, describes mental illnesses as being “very real”. “A worried brain is rigid and shows up quite differently on a brain scan,” Mikita said. “[A worried brain] could be the brain of many college students. This cognitive worry is physical, but can be treated. Things like meditation and relaxation can counteract and reverse that stress.” At Amenclinics.com, a regular healthy brain scan appears as a deep blue color while a stressed-out brain appears to have angry red streaks throughout it. Remember this before your next exam. Fortune telling, or predicting a bad outcome to a situation before it has occurred, is not a good idea. “Your mind makes happen what it sees. Unconsciously predicting fail-
ure will often cause failure,” Mikita said. Anxiety disorders are one of the most common mental health problems on college campuses. Forty million U.S. adults suffer from an anxiety disorder, and 75 percent of them experience their first episode of anxiety by age 22, according to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America. “It’s amazing the number of students on medication,” Dr. James Winchester, philosophy professor, said. “Students taking things like Ritalin and students grappling with psychological issues are astounding. I don’t know if there is a supporting study, but I believe that there are more cases of psychological issues on this campus because of its size. Fragile students are more interested in a smaller institution with smaller class size.” GCSU is equipped with a Department of Counseling Services located in Lanier Hall. Counseling Services provide personal counseling and group counseling. Personal issues, such as anxiety and depression, along with career choices and concerns can be addressed on campus.
the virtual car-crash simulator. “It’s a fun way to get out there and promote awareness,” says Baker. “We understand it’s a college town and we just want students to be responsible.” One way students can ensure everyone’s safety is not to drive while intoxicated. To increase awareness beyond GCSUdecide week, students are invited to patrol with a Public Safety officer. If anyone suspects trouble on campus, students are encouraged to call Public Safety by phone or using the callboxes located across campus. As the Sweetwater Festival approaches, Public Safety is preparing to crack down on reckless drinking. “As long as everything is Drake Simons / Senior Photographer peaceful and serene,” said Sgt. Junior exercise science major, Daniela Nopuente Baker, “they won’t have any drives passenger Kim Owens, senior community contact with us.” health major and puts the “beer” goggles to the test for Alcohol Awareness week.
October 17, 2008
Community News
The Colonnade 7 the vehicle and bicycle did not collide, the rider of the bike herself had the accident. The case was turned over to Milledgeville PD. Breaking into Sodexo
Friday, Oct. 17Thursday, Oct. 23 Friday, October 17 10:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.
Flu Shots, Maxwell Student Union Lounge Faat Kine: A Film from Senegal, Arts & Sciences Auditorium “Music on Tap”, The Wellness Depot Porch
Saturday, October 18 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
iMovie Workshop, Library Instructional Technology Center Fallfest, Front Campus
Sunday, October 19 1:00 p.m.
Bobcats Soccer vs. Lincoln Memorial, Harrogate, Texas
Monday, October 20 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. 12:30 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. 5:00 p.m.
Graduate School Fair, Centennial Center The Good Body: A Body Image Discussion Group, Women’s Resource Center, 143 Maxwell Student Union Reception: International Photo Contest, Museum Education Room
Tuesday, October 21 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. 1:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m.
Sustainability: Responsibility to Protect Government/Private Sector Responsibilites, Arts & Sciences Auditorium You Too Can Get a Fulbright!, Museum Education Room Discover the Arab World in the Sultanate of Oman, Arts & Sciences Auditorium
Wednesday, October 22 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.
Meet and Greet, Dean’s Conference Room, 202 Atkinson Hall International Opportunities Fair, Front Porch of Parks and Atkinson Halls Chocolate Festival, Magnolia Ballroom Times Talk: The Art of Democracy, Beeson Hall, Lower Level Conference Room Photoshop Workshop: The Basics, Library Instructonal Technology Center International Student Forum: Understanding Global Perspectives on the United States, Arts & Sciences Auditorium Opening Reception of the Bergen-Belsen Photo Exhibit, Wooten Garner House Bobcats Soccer vs. Clayton State, Peeler Complex, West Campus Baseball at the Bar, Allen’s Market
Smoking in Found-ez On Oct. 6, at approximately 1:32 p.m. Officer N. Miller was dispatched to Foundation Hall in reference to an odor of burning marijuana coming from the third floor. Contact was made with student, who admitted to smoking marijuana in the bathroom and also in his truck. The student took Officer N. Miller to his truck and showed him the marijuana and a smoking device. The items were confiscated and taken into evidence. The case has been turned over to Student Judicial. Sorority squabble On Oct. 7, at approximately 9:14 a.m. a female student reported that an unknown person(s) wrote derogatory remarks on her vehicle using window paint, while it was parked at The Village. The case appears to be sorority related and will be turned over to Greek Life.
On Oct. 10, at approximately 1:53 a.m. Sgt. Baker observed two males exiting MSU after hours carrying multiple 2 liter bottles and other containers filled with soft drinks. Contact was made with the two males, who advised they found an unsecured door at Sodexo, which allowed them to go inside and fill their containers with soft drinks. In lieu of jail and theft by taking charges, they were instructed to empty their containers and released from the scene. The case has been turned over to Student Judiciary. BOLO On Oct. 12, at approximately 3:51 p.m. Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office put out a BOLO (be on the lookout) in reference to a drive by shooting. Sgt. English and Officer Smith observed a vehicle that matched the description given near Hall and Jefferson Streets. A felony traffic stop was conducted and 3 occupants were removed from the vehicle and held until Baldwin County Deputies arrived. The case was turned over to Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office for further investigation.
Games gone missing On Oct. 7, at approximately 4:54 p.m. a female student reported that an Xbox game was missing from the Student Activities Center. The game was last seen on Oct. 4 at 2:30 p.m. The case has been turned over to Detective Butler. Sidewalk accidents On Oct. 7, at approximately 3:30 p.m. Sgt. English heard over the radio a call involving a bicycle and a vehicle accident at Hancock and Tattnall Streets. Sgt English, EMS and Milledgeville PD arrived on scene and found a female sitting on the sidewalk with minor injuries. Investigations found that
Information compiled by Alana Llewellyn Please go online to gcsunade.com to download the extended Public Safety Report podcast.
Thursday, October 23 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
International Day, Front Campus “The Rise and Fall of Jim Crow”, Museum Education Room GCSU Concert Band, Russell Audition
Please send calendar submissions to colonnadenews@gcsu.edu
Nursing students help combat flu Mikella Procoppic swabbed the patient’s arm with alcohol. She landmarked the deltoid muscle and with a darting motion, injected the flu vaccine. Patient David de Posada rolled down his sleeve without as much as a moan or groan. “That’s my third intramuscular injection,” said Procoppic, a junior nursing student of Warner Robins who holds a bachelor’s degree in biology. “I was a little nervous with my first but felt more confident with my second. The more injections I give the easier it becomes.” A fellow nursing student gave Procoppic her flu shot earlier in the day Friday. “I wanted to see what it felt like so I could empathize with the patients,” she said. Georgia College junior and senior nursing students team each Friday in October to provide the flu vaccine to the public and to practice administering intramuscular injections. The seniors mentor the juniors through the process and offer advice from their experiences.
“In terms of nursing school, I’m the pro,” said senior Annie Geminder who will graduate in December. “My advice is the faster the needle goes into the skin, the less it hurts.” Nursing instructor Debbie Grier collaborated with Director of Student Health Services Alice Loper and health education Professor Barbara Funke to provide the students injection practice. “It’s very important for the nursing students to learn intramuscular injection techniques,” Grier said. “This is one of their best opportunities. Nursing students are available each Friday in October from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. to administer flu shots. Beginning in November flu vaccines will become available at the GCSU clinic daily from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 a.m. The cost is $20. GCSU students walk against cancer Five GCSU students will show their support for Breast Cancer Awareness by participating in the Breast Cancer 3-Day walk in Atlanta between Oct. 24 and 26. The self-proclaimed
Georgia College & State University Girls: Amanda Cheek, marketing and management major; Kim Contigiani, nursing major; Kelley Evans, marketing major; Emily Ewalt, museum studies major; and Julie Warbington, community health major, will make the 60-mile walk during the course of three days to benefit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund. “One great thing that we know we will never forget is how well this campus is united. At this time, we believe we need to unite on a common cause, not just to end breast cancer, but all cancer,” the team said. Each student hopes to raise $2,200 in donations, for a total of $11,000 toward cancer research. By mid September the walkers had raised $7,000. To donate to their cause, visit www.The3Day.org and click “Donate Now.” Look for the GCSU team to make a donation or download the donation form. Or, you can call 1-800-996-3Day. For more information, call Amanda Cheek at (770) 846-3255.
Locking Down Book Prices
other factors, including the increasing cost of production and transportation of Why Do Books cost so books; however, the cost much, and what is SGA goes up exponentially if doing about it? the request for the books is Are you tired of paying not submitted far enough upwards of $700 a semes- in advance. If this happens ter for books that you may then the books have to be end up not even needing rush-delivered to the store, for your class? Are you which results in a later arstill wondering why HOPE rival time for the students. even bothers to send you This problem has gone that check for books when largely unreported until it doesn’t even come close SGA contacted Paw Prints to covering what you about the rising prices and need? Well SGA has heard was told that if the faculty your voice and feels your submitted their requests pain. Upon tasking the early enough, the prices Student Services Commit- would be reduced by a sigtee with the mission of try- nificant percentage. Even ing to help bring text book though this is not the only costs down, your student way to decrease textbooks representatives have gone prices, this was a factor in depth to discover why that SGA could have a sigbooks cost so much, and nificant influence and they what SGA can do about it. decided to tackle it head After looking into the on. situation, the student serArmed with this inforvices committee reported mation, the Public Relatheir findings on the floor tions and Student Services of the senate chambers. committees have passed The cause of the high pric- out text book requisition es of text books is the tar- forms to every single facdiness of faculty members ulty member on campus and administration submit- and have asked them to ting their text book request please have it submitted forms. Of course, there are before the deadline, which
is in late October. SGA believes that faculty have the desire to reduce costs for students, and that faith is well deserved as the results of this requisition drive have already been impressive. The final results on requisitions came in this week, and a whopping 91% of faculty members turned in their requests in on time. This is the largest percentage of requests that have been in on time, and SGA is glad to have been a part of this effort. SGA continues to remind faculty as often as possible to get their forms submitted on time, as the results can only be positive. SGA knows the needs of students, and has made every effort to help with any need the student body has. Reducing the price of text books for a large percentage of classes is just one step SGA is making to help. If there is any other need that is apparent to most students, it’s a pretty safe bet to assume that SGA is either currently dealing, or will be dealing with it soon.
Opinion
The Colonnade’s Forum for Public Debate
Friday, October 17, 2008
www.gcsunade.com
Editor in Chief, Corey Dickstein
The Hard Press by James
Odom
Election 2008 and ignorance in America
Barack Obama, in fact, is not an Arab. Last week at a rally supporting John McCain a woman in the crowd, speaking directly to McCain, referred to Obama as an Arab. McCain acted quickly, calling Obama a “decent family man.” This brings two points to our attention at The Colonnade. First of all, even if Obama were an Arab, or for that matter Muslim, why would it matter? Second, the ignorance surrounding this presidential election is astonishing. Back to the first point. When did being an Arab, or a Muslim, become a bad thing? Does someone’s ethnicity or religion make them the person they are, or disqualify them from holding public office, especially that of the President of the United States of America. The answer is no. Voters need to realize that in this day and age a person’s ethnicity should not be an issue. Unfortunately, it still is. There is no doubt that this country has come a long way recently. Ten years ago the thought of having a black major party presidential nominee would have been laughable. But, the US has apparently not come far enough along. That brings me to point two. Why does this ridiculous amount of ignorance still exist in a country constantly surrounded by information, especially from the media? Anyone can get online, watch TV, or pick up a newspaper and know the facts about both candidates. Obama is a Christian, so is McCain. Obama has now been in the public eye for a rather long time. Those who do not know his story are those who choose to read only the propaganda rooted in racism. This propoganda has floated around, especially through e-mails and on social Web sites like MySpace. Everyone has seen it, but sart people will dig the facts up themselves and find out the truth about these candidates. While The Colonnade does not endorse either candidate it does strive to enform the GCSU community about the truth. We hope you will read this and understand that the facts are out there and easy to find. So, before casting a vote, voters need to make sure they know what each candidate stands for. Not what some people want them to belive that they stand for. Please send responses to ColonnadeLetters@gcsu.edu
Editorial Board
Corey Dickstein Editor in Chief colonnade@ gcsu.edu
Ana Maria Lugo News Editor colonnadenews@ gcsu.edu Ashlee Mooneyhan Features Editor colonnadefeatures@ gcsu.edu Preston Sellers Sports Editor colonnadesports@ gcsu.edu Erin Gish Photo Editor Christa Murphy Ad Manager colonnadeads@ gcsu.edu
Amanda Boddy Asst. News Editor
Signs of humanity still exist
by
Matthew Chambers Columnist
As I was on my way to a nice relaxing fun day in Macon, I witnessed something that stood out to me and struck me in a funny way. Right as I reached the city limits of Macon, a funeral procession appeared on the other side of the four-lane road. Without hesitation, every car pulled over to the side of the road. These were the same cars that just a few seconds ago were speeding around each other and zigzagging just to get to their destination a little bit faster. You have to understand that the general consen-
Chelsea Thomas Spotlight Editor Bobby Gentry Asst. Photo Editor Kim Brumfield Copy Editor
Lee Sandow Webmaster Tyler Anderson Business Manager Macon McGinley Faculty Adviser
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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 478445-2559 or e-mail us at colonnade@gcsu.edu.
had not ever seen. As I was heading into Wal-Mart to shop away my problems, it started to downpour out of nowhere—as it tends to do in Georgia. Unlucky for her, an elderly woman was getting out of her car right as the sky opened and judging by her facial expression she did not have anything to guard her from the weather. What happened next surprised me. I saw a woman, who had finished shopping, taking her umbrella and escorting the elderly woman inside from the parking lot. Then they parted ways without any warm gestures or even a wave. I was not surprised that the old woman stayed dry—I was shocked that a stranger went out of her way to keep this elderly woman dry. I like to consider myself a nice person, but I honestly cannot say that I would do this for a total stranger. No that does not mean I hate old people; I just am not sure I would
make an effort and go out of my way for someone I do not know. These two sights should not have had any affect on me at all, but over the course of my life I have come to know people in general to be rude and inconsiderate. There are exceptions to my massive generalization, but as much as it saddens me, I do honestly believe that most of humanity is not friendly, and frankly quite self-centered. The drivers of the cars and the nice woman with an umbrella both enlightened and reminded me that people can in fact do good deeds and be polite to others, even strangers. If you have given up on humanity, just keep an eye out and pretty soon you will see something that will spark a flame of hope inside you, I promise.
Please send response to ColonnadeLetters@ gcsu.edu
Vote cast: no Obama, no McCain
Kyle Collins Asst. Sports Editor
Claire Kersey Asst. Copy Editor
sus from the people I have heard and talked to is that life is too busy and full of stuff to do. Because life is too busy, people often sacrifice their manners and overall pleasantness towards other people. My grandma even agrees; she is always complaining about how rude today’s generation is and how much more polite people were in the good ole days. They also walked to school uphill both ways back then too. Now in Georgia, it is the law that funeral processions have the right-ofway always, but I felt that since we were on the opposite side with two lanes and a turning median in between us that these obviously rushed people were not going to pull over; they were just too focused on their lives to care enough to yield. Just when my epiphany of how people are not as uncaring as I thought had passed, I witnessed another amazing sight that I
by
Andrew Adams Columnist
It was a two hour drive home and a two hour wait in a long line (an hour and a half of which was outside). But I voted. I guess if I were smart I would have voted via absentee ballot. But I wanted to feel the pleasure of walking up and in person casting my vote for president (for the very first time). Like many GCSU students, I am registered in the district I grew up in, which is Marietta, Ga. And also like many GCSU students, I find it impossible to be able to go home on the actual election day, Tuesday, Nov. 4. This is why early voting exists, it’s people like us who find difficulty in voting during the twelve hour window on Super Tuesday. If you haven’t considered it already, early voting is definitely something to look into. You’re probably won-
dering who I voted for. If you’ve read my previous articles you might have picked up that I write from a conservative/libertarian point of view. In full disclosure, I’m a registered Republican. Sounds like a slam dunk for McCain, eh? Except for the fact that I didn’t vote for him. Don’t think that I voted for Obama either, because I didn’t. Honestly, I despise the way that both candidates view the role of the federal government. This was most recently highlighted by a ridiculous $700 billion corporate welfare bailout. And even worse, McCain is now calling for another $300 billion in corporate welfare. I typically am not a single issue voter, and I can’t even think of any other issue that I would vote for, or not vote for, a candidate because of. But, the economy is the big issue in this election, and I absolutely refuse to vote for a candidate that would vote for such egregious government intervention into the free market. And since past judgment is the only thing we have to go on in terms of future judgment as president, neither is someone that I want as president.
This brings me to the Senate race between Republican incumbent Saxby Chambliss and Democrat challenger Jim Martin. I was a big supporter of Chambliss in 2002. He was very conservative and had great credentials. I was ecstatic when he defeated Max Cleland. Throughout most of his term, I remained a supporter of his and really appreciated his support on such issues as the Fair Tax. Up until a couple weeks ago I was sure I would vote for him, even though I thought Jim Martin seemed like a pretty good candidate…for a Democrat. The natural order of things was in effect, I was planning on casting my vote for Chambliss… until he cast his vote in support of the bailout. It makes me wonder if the power of being in the Senate has gone to Chambliss’ head? Upon learning of Chambliss’ vote, I rushed to Jim Martin’s Web site to see what he thought about this horrendous bailout. Martin’s statement, “$700 billion for Wall Street, while Georgia families get stuck with the bill.” Amen, Jim Martin. And I hope you enjoy my vote. Fortunately, I was able to vote for one Republican for a national office.
My U.S. congressman Tom Price has a great record on economic and social issues, and he has a desire to keep the federal government small. In fact, he stood up to the national Republican establishment of George W. Bush and John McCain among others to vote against both House bailout packages. Maybe there is hope for my party after all. But that hope doesn’t rest in the big government Republicans like McCain and Bush who have been accomplices to the Democrats’ big government ideology. When President Bush took office, the national debt stood at $5.7 trillion. Today, the debt is over 10.1 trillion dollars. I know America can survive these people as presidents, but I’m just not sure if we can afford them. But Barack Obama, who also voted for the bailout, is even worse when it comes to government size and spending. I couldn’t seriously consider voting for him. So, who did I stand in line for two hours to vote for? I wrote in Ron Paul.
Please send responses to ColonnadeLetters@ gcsu.edu
October 17, 2008
Opinion
The Colonnade 9
L etters to the E ditor Response to Fey vs. Palin Dear Editor,
I am writing this letter in response to Evan Allgood’s column lambasting Alaska Governor and GOP VP nominee Sarah Palin. As a fan of both Governor Palin, and Ms. Fey, I have to disagree with his assessment of the two. Clean Energy/The Environment: Gov. Palin is one of the country’s leaders in energy policy. She created a windfall profits tax that taxed the excess profits that big oil companies made and gave it back to the people, creating the lowest gas prices in the nation. She supports alternative fuels, domestic drilling, and clean energy initiatives such as wind and clean coal. She also drives to work, as opposed to taking the jumbo jet that the previous governors of Alaska took, drastically reducing energy costs for the state. Now Ms. Fey on the other hand drives a hybrid, which research shows aren’t necessarily good for the environment either. After all, Hybrid batteries are toxic to the environment when they are disposed of, and a hybrid vehicles requires so much energy to make that the amount of energy used in it’s production is equal to 1,000 gallons of gas, which would be the equivalent of 100,000 miles on a modern compact fully gasoline powered vehicle. Verdict: Palin Educational Background: Sure, Gov. Palin attended five schools, but anyone in our mass communication programs knows that it’s no piece of cake to graduate with a degree in mass communication and journalism. And you’re going to compare that to a drama degree? I think we have a draw here. Especial-
ly since after college, Gov. Palin was a sportscaster and sports correspondence for a newspaper. Verdict: Draw Executive Experience: While I’ll admit that Alaska’s not the biggest state by population, it is a very important state. However, while managing a city budget and a state budget may not equate to writing and directing comedies, I think it’s pretty damn important. But there are several things you should also know about Palin’s executive experience: Alaska is the first line of defense in our missile interceptor defense system. The 49th Missile Defense Battalion of the Alaska National Guard is the unit that protects the entire nation from ballistic missile attacks. It’s on permanent active duty, unlike other Guard units. As governor of Alaska and the unit’s Commander-InChief, Palin is briefed on highly classified military issues, Homeland Security, and counter-terrorism. Her exposure to classified material may rival even Biden’s. She’s also the commander in chief of the Alaska State Defense Force (ASDF), a federally recognized militia incorporated into Homeland Security’s counterterrorism plans. Palin is privy to military and intelligence secrets that are vital to the entire country’s defense. Fey can’t say that. Verdict: Palin Foreign Policy: See No. 3. Verdict: Palin International Appeal: I’ll give Mr. Allgood this one. Fey is popular abroad, particularly because she’s syndicated in countries around the world. Thank goodness that Palin isn’t running for vice-president of the world. Fey really would have her beat. Verdict: Fey
Multitasking: I’m not sure how the mistake made by Palin’s teenage daughter relates to multi-tasking. Sure, her family isn’t perfect, no family is…not even Fey’s. But running a household, raising five children, including one with special needs, managing a state, running for vice-president, doing media interviews, attending presidential debates, and traveling back and forth to Alaska sort of trumps Fey’s modest multitasking skills. Verdict: Palin Understanding of Mainstream America: It was my understanding from listening to the liberals that rich people can’t understand mainstream America. Doesn’t that disqualify Fey, seeing that she’s worth millions? Anyhow, last time I checked, Alaska was still a part of America. Palin grew up as the daughter of elementary school teachers, went to public school, went for a period of time to community college, attended a public university, was a member of the PTA, drove a pickup truck, played basketball, went to her kids hockey games, and made a modest income. That sounds very much mainstream to me. Sure, Fey makes millions of dollars a year, drives a Lexus, and went to a very expensive university as an out-of-state resident, but that definitely doesn’t make her mainstream. Verdict: Palin I believe that makes the score 5-1 for Ms. Palin. Lets weigh all of the information before declaring a winner. Hopefully, the elitists will stop underestimating Sarah Palin when they learn all the facts. Jason White Senior, Political Science
The Colonnade Policy: Letters
The Colonnade encourages readers to express their views and opinions by sending letters to the editor at: CBX 2442; Milledgeville, Ga. 31061 or by email at colonnadeletters@ gcsu.edu All letters must be typed and include: • names • address/ Email address
• telephone number • year of study • major Only your name, year of study and major will be listed. • Unsigned letters will not be printed. Names will be withheld only under very unusual circumstances. • Letters longer than 300 words may be condensed.
to the
Have you dropped a class this semester? “No I don’t really need to” Danielle Clin, sophomore, creative writing
“No. So far everything seems to be going well” Francisco Bide, junior, management
“Yes, public speaking, my major classes were taking too much time.” Lauren Chandley, junior, mass communication
“I dropped some classes at the beginning of the semester because I didn’t like them” Mason Davis, freshman, undecided
“No, classes are going well” Ray Cornay, sophomore, biology
Editor
• 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.
Reported by Bobby Gentry
Corrections and Clarifications
• In last week’s “We are GCSU” Pavielle Ludlow was never presidnt of the International Club, she was just president of the Astronomy Club.
Poll of the Week Graphic by Corey Dickstein
Which candidate has done better in the two presidential debates? McCain 34%
Obama 61%
Unsure 5%
Next week’s question: Will you attend Sweetwater? • Yes. • No. • Unsure.
Let me just say this: if you are wondering what is up with your roommate, why don’t you ask? She will probably talk. Asking her if something is up would be the wiser course. I wish I could learn more about politics in this class and less about the hotness factor of Sarah Palin Anyone wanna go fishing in the fountain? Evan Allgood, will you marry me? It’s so refreshing to get humorous, intelligent, and open minded (columns) from someone on campus. Andrew Adams has swamped The Colonnade with fear-mongering lies, Republican extremism, and backwards propaganda. You’ve restored my faith in the students here! It’s so nice to hear a different side. I love you.... No seriously, I’m single!! To your family: I AM NOT SCREWING HIS LIFE UP HE IS! How could there have been 27 voting in favor for Bill #1 for SGA? There are not but 25 voting members... What the h*** is going on at west campus to cause all of that screaming? Oh wait...it’s a game. It’s a game on a Tuesday night. And it’s midnight. What the ****???? SHUT UP!!!! PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO STUDY!!!!!! I wish they would hire shuttle drivers that do not smoke. I hate getting on the shuttle in the morning and smelling cigarettes. WHY IS THE INTERNET SO SLOW? I HATE TECHNOLOGY!!!!!! WTF!
See story page 11
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Features
Friday, October 17, 2008
by
Ryan Del Campo Staff Writer
The Colonnade’s Guide to Art and Entertainment www.gcsunade.com
Section Editor, S. Ashlee Mooneyhan
Pieces from the past
Milledgeville houses a lot of history within the walls of its buildings. The former capital city of Georgia has buildings, which date back to before Sherman’s famed march. They have been called home by people like author Flannery O’Connor. But, some of Milledgeville’s most interesting history cannot be found in textbooks or museums. Sometimes history is found on the dusty floor of a building in the process of renovation. The old theater downtown has been in the process of being converted to usable university space and has created piles of debris. Amid the piles of wreckage consisting of dusty, broken theater appliances and old wood, a worker found a wallet. This wallet had been left at the theater long before its close on Sept. 8, 1983, with its final showing of Space Raiders. In fact, Mary Ruth Justice, the owner of the wallet, died nearly six years before the close of the theater. The date the wallet was left at the theater is one of many anomalies about Justice’s life. She was born in Milledgeville, then part of Hancock County, on Nov. 27, 1920 to Horace and Willie Justice. However, she was also born an African American into a society largely intolerant to her people. Records of Justice’s birth do not exist in the national censuses for any of the years she would have conceivably lived in Hancock County. She has no school records, probably due to the fact that she would have been required to go to one of 11 area segregated schools for African Americans. Her first public record was her social security card, issued at the age of 19, four years after its
inception as part of Roosevelt’s New Deal. After that, there are records of her marriage application and workers’ license. She married Walter Davis in 1944, another resident of Milledgeville. The marriage license tells us when she was married, but both of Justice’s parents had already deceased. From that point, until the couples’ deaths a year apart in 1978 and 1979 respectively, there are no further records. At some point, the couple moved to Buffalo, NY, where they are both currently buried. Cindy Potts of Public Safety took the initiative of finding out about Justice’s life. The wallet found its way to her desk after being collected at the theater. “I have family who have been in interested in genealogy for years,” Potts said, “so I thought it would be intriguing to research her.” Potts did more than simply research her. She put word out to nearly the entire city about Justice, speaking to other journalists, television, and radio stations. She looked up census reports, social security information, contacted local justices, and searched for any relatives in the area. Potts’s effort to figure out Justice’s life seems to have worked out well for her, too. Early Thursday morning, she met with a relative of Justice. In the coming week, with a photo album, a collection of old family memories, and assorted media representatives from around Milledgeville, Justice’s Photos by Ryan Del Campo / Staff Writer story should be completed. Look for updates in The Colonnade.
FALL 2008 Downtown Events
October:
Sweetwater Festival- Saturday 25 All the fun starts early Saturday as barbecue stands are set up, classic cars show off their engines and horsepower and numerous booths of arts and crafts line the car-free streets of downtown. Once the sun sets, the real fun begins. Three bands take the stage with a blend of folk, rock, and jam. The first to go on are The Blackout Farmers, followed by Bomb Chewey and finally Robert Randolph & the Family Band.
Capital City
Wednesday 22: Az Izz Band- Hiphop, R&B band from Dallas, GA who travel around the southeast playing for fraternity parties or nightclubs in college towns doing covers of the hottest rap to oldies from James Brown. Thursday 30: Capital hosts the seventh annual Halloween Masquerade Ball. This is the biggest party of the year featuring DJ Ritchie and DJ Mays. A cash prize goes to best costume. For maximum capacity both rooms of Capital will be opened.
Buffington’s bands usually start at 10 p.m.
Saturday 18: Failures of Modern Science and Ponderosa- F.O.M.S. from Atlanta blends sounds from the sixby
Katelyn Hebert Staff Writer
Getting ready to rock this year on Oct. 25 for the fifth annual Sweetwater Festival are Robert Randolph & The Family Band, Bomb Chewey and the Blackout Farmers. This year, the Sweetwater Festival is trying to establish a multitude of music genres so everyone can find something they can enjoy. Sponsoring the Music MainStage performances this year is the Bellamy Student Apartments, Miller Lite and Georgia Music Magazine. The group headlining the concert will be Robert Randolph & The Family Band, a Grammy-nominated music group. Their newest album, Colorblind features performances by Eric Clapton, Dave Matthews and LeRoi Moore. This and their previous albums, Live at the Wetlands, and Unclassified, all showcase their unique music style. It was this style that got Jimmy Holder, this year’s Sweetwater Festival Music MainStage chairperson, to consider them to be the headliner. “Robert Randolph, with his mix of gospel and get off your ass and dance, is sure to entertain,” Holder said. “Not to mention he is the master of the pedal steel guitar and ranked in the top 100 by Rolling Stone. His show will be a must see.” The other band members are Danyel Morgan, bass and vocalist, Marcus Randolph
on drums, and Jason Crosby on the Hammond organ and piano. One of the purposes of the album Colorblind is to take the band from being a good live band to being a good recorded one as well. In making this album, Randolph was inspired by famous artists such as Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Wonder. The band is currently on tour and is still set to perform in Boston, Mass. and Baton Rouge, La. before it plays at 9:45 p.m. in Milledgeville. Bomb Chewey, set to play at 8 p.m., is a group that originated in Milledgeville. The current band members are Jon Joiner, Cordell Stalker, Kyle Christmas, Brad Weaver, Andy Pollett, Laura Dees, and Terry Bragg. The drummer, Jon Joiner, is also involved in the majority of the organization and management of the band. “We pretty much play music that people like to dance to, it’s energizing,” Joiner said. “We’re a young, rather new band and we’re honored to be a part of Sweetwater this year.” The band is already getting their name out. Their first gig was February 2007 and since then their popularity has grown. They are influenced by many bands and genres through the individuality of their band members. “The great thing about Bomb Chewey is that we all have musical backgrounds,
Sweetwater Page 13
ties era and classic pop melodies to bring an alternative sound to the table. Ponderosa comes from Athens with a classic rock, psychedelic soulful sound. Saturday 25: Sweetwater weekend: Josh Roberts and the Hinges from Columbia, S.C. to entertain the crowds with its folk and jam band based style at night. Thursday 30: LazerWulf from Athens, Ga. returns to the Buff with its heavy metal instrumental sounds. Friday 31: Annual Halloween party featuring Audience Earth. This band has a unique alternative sound that can only be explained through experience
Amici bands usually begin around 10 p.m.
Friday 17: Earthbound takes the stage playing a combination of bluegrass, jazz, folk, and rock. This band ac-
centuates an eclectic mix of sounds giving the crowd a surplus of sound variety. Thursday 23: Marshall Ruffin- a lone man act. He embodies a blues persona as a self proclaimed singer/ songwriter who travels around the Southeast. Saturday 25: Sol Driven Train- another great band to add to the live play list of Sweetwater Festival weekend. They’re from Folley Beach S.C. with a southern funk and melodic rock beat. Friday 31: Halloween weekend- Scott Baston a cofounder of Moonshine Still (who played at Sweetwater two years ago) comes back with acoustic sounds of blues, rock, reggae, and soul.
November: Capital City
Saturday 8: Luke Bryan, renowned country artist returns to Milledgeville to entertain the masses and country fanatics alike. He always gets the crowds going, especially with his hit single, “All My Friends Say.” Friday 21: Brantley Gilbert, a country artist from Jefferson, Ga. rising quickly in the ranks of stardom makes another anticipated visit to Milledgeville. His songs tell of personal accounts and pull the heart strings of all the girls in the crowd. “Rock This Town” describes the college atmosphere he loves to play in so often.
Buffington’s
bands usually start at 10 p.m. Buffapalooza- a spin off of Lollapalooza features three to four bands that the radio station WGUR usually covers. Saturday 8: The Captain’s arrive with their bluegrass sounds Saturday 22: Playa’s Ball with Villanova- This is an invitation only event. Workers have a certain amount of passes they can give to friends to get in. Bar hoppers can pay fifteen dollars at the door but they must be dressed up in Pimp or scantily covered outfits. The price spikes dramatically if someone isn’t dressed in proper attire. Pricing delivers an incentive to keep the “Playa” theme strong. So come on and play along.
Thursday 6:
Amici bands usually begin around 10 p.m.
Tuesdays are always karaoke night welcoming anyone who has enough guts or drinks to try their five minutes of fame.
Saturday 8: Urban Sophisticates- from Greensboro, S.C. bring out an innovative hip hop sound that include jazz and soul.
Thursday 13: Wormsloew- from Savannah, Ga. Invite the crowd to dance along as they jam out with a rock/
pop alternative sound. Friday 14: Lucas Cates Band- from Madison, Wis. Has named Amici’s one of their favorite venues to play at. They bring an acoustic rock pop sound to life as they return for another visit.
December: Capital City
Friday 5: Matt Stillwell- a self made country artist looking to expand his fan base comes to Milledgeville as a new country entertainer. His single, “Shine” will keep feet tapping and head bobbing. Saturday 13: Graduation Party is held for the seniors as a last big blow out before they hit the real world.
12 The Colonnade Features October 17, 2008 : movie review rating higher than presidential approval rating
‘W.’
“Too little... Too soon” Chris Moskaly Movie Reviewer
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“I’m sorry Ollie, but it was just too soon.” This was the first thing I said to myself as I walked out of the ‘W.’ screening, and after pondering with that thought for the entire ride home, I can’t say that I was able to convince myself of any consolation. Generally it’s easy for film nerds like me to find something valuable in everything I see, and Oliver Stone does have a few comedic kicks to share in his latest presidential biopic, but unfortunately the result comes up a little short of memorable. Chronicling the life of George W. Bush, Stone goes back to Mr. President’s early days as he battles alcoholism, a strained relationship with Bush Sr., and a spiritual reincarnation among many other factors that helped him become the most powerful man in America. With a star studded supporting cast that includes Elizabeth Banks, James Cromwell, and best of all, Richard Dreyfuss as Dick Cheney, Josh Brolin brings his A-game to the set (or maybe in this case, office) as he fills the shoes of one of the most hated political figures in history. Oliver Stone has always been one of the most notorious Jekyll & Hyde directors in Hollywood with plenty of glory to his name (Platoon, Natural Born Killers), along with his fair share of major setbacks (Alexander). For the most part, Stone does know how to take a good look at presidential drama (JFK, Nixon) and create satisfaction for viewers, but in an area that deserves a lot of close examination and research, it doesn’t seem like this particular story was taken as seriously as it should’ve been. And because I’ve been accused of outlining bigger points in smaller stories, I’m calling ‘W.’ a quick skeletal version of what could’ve been an epic biographical piece. The budget was reasonably small, production was rushed, and the quality looks “made-for-television.” I was a little concerned about how Stone would structure this project around his own personal objections to the central character, but I must give him credit; at no point
does the film appear to be taking cheap shots at Bush, or over exaggerating any of the faults his supporters would try to defend at a coffee table debate. And while he clearly displays every little skid mark in the Bush administration, Stone does allow the heavy characterization to sort
Courtesy of the Web ‘W.’ is in theatres beginning Friday, October 17.
Grade: B-
of compliment the segments, which democratic viewers will enjoy most. He restrains from going over the top, but I could tell by the way he built several scenes that it still killed him not to let the dog have the entire bone. While the production and structure come off rather shaky, ‘W.’ gets a lot of redemption from its performances. Josh Brolin (No Country for Old Men) may not quite have the facial look you’d expect, but he does make the tone believable, and the emotion he brings into nearly every scene will grab you in a heartbeat, especially when he confronts his father about living in his shadow as a black sheep. It’s been said that every young man tries daddy at one point or another, but in this case, just sharing a room felt like mixing dynamite with a box of matches. And which man plays which role varies. Being not so attached to politics, it was easier for me to see ‘W.’ for just a film more so than anything else, and despite several production gaps, it does have a good-size audience that should be able to look past all of that. It’s a simple three act show that begins with the rebellious youth, followed by a spiritual rebirth, and concluded with the presidency itself, which if I may point out, completely ignores the controversy of the 2000 Election, and ends right before the pivotal invasion of Iraq. It’s decently paced, and sometimes even funny enough to keep you engaged for 130 minutes, but once it’s over... it’s over. Had it been my job to put this project together, I would’ve easily felt that the story deserved to be told, but much like Stone’s last big show, ‘World Trade Center,’ I feel like it came way too soon. A lot of the people I know have already voted, and are ready to just move past the current election (which is nasty enough), and this film certainly won’t help anyone forget the dirty work that goes on within American politics. Not that I don’t mind sharing current events with my parents, but if it were a decade or two down the road, and all of this were a thing of the past, I would much rather have the privilege of seeing this with my own kids and telling them what it was like to actually see it happen; “I was in college, Bush was the president, a lot of people hated him, and they made a movie about it... while he was still in office.”
Peruvian adventure leads former GCSU professor and almunus to a life changing experience Aubrey Petkas Staff Reporter
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“I opened the door and I found my father huddled on one side of the toilet in the fetal position. His arm was covered in blood and he had a knife in his hand. I went in and sat down next to him and he looked at me and he asked me a question, he said, ‘Am I OK?’ I had no idea what to say-none. Because the truth was that I hadn’t always been that OK myself.” A psychedelic experience in the Peruvian Rainforest is not where the majority of people find their God, but it is exactly where Adam Elenbaas found his, just one year before finding his dad close to death on his bathroom floor. It was 2004. After a 24hour ferry ride down river and a short journey in a dug-out canoe there is a mesa tucked back against the lagoon. The jungle is a symphony and Elenbaas, a GCSU alum and former creative writing professor, is about to drink Ayahuasca, an ancient ceremonial brew, for the first time. Rewind to 2001. A rebellion that led Elenbaas to become a strict Christian Fundamentalist— and also spiraled him into years of drug addiction--
also led him to confront his fears, his insecurities and his father. “It was always confusing for me growing up with this sort of split between Jesusis-the-only-way and Universalism, which I think was really at my dad’s core. I was confused by that and I think my father grew increasingly confused by that,” Elenbaas said. Growing up in St. Paul, Missouri, Elenbaas says his father, a Methodist minister, was the world to him though he embodied conflicting ideologies. “I grew up with my father being the complete idol of my life,” Elenbaas said, “I grew up in the evangelical tradition, (but) my father is what I would like to call a Protestant shaman under-
coined: “Follow your bliss”. In many traditionalist and stricter fundamentalist religions, Campbell’s books are seen as “pagan” or “anti-Christ,” according to Dr. Deborah Van Tuyl, English professor at Augusta State University and a regular at Covenant Presbyterian Church. Elenbaas says his father’s controversial eccentric interests—both academic and personal—extended beyond the United States. “My father led a study tour through Greece and Turkey. I went with him” Elenbaas said. The tour included a visit to the Island of Patmos and into the Cave of the Apocalypse where John the Baptist was said to of have had his vision that became the Book
“Jesus looked at me and said, ‘Adam, love me, but don’t make me into an idol.’”
-Adam Elenbaas, GCSU alumnus
cover or a closet Universalist or something like that.” His father’s favorite author, Joseph Campbell was an American mythology professor and writer. His works cover many aspects of the human experience, and his philosophy is often identified with the phrase he
of Revelation in the New Testament of the Bible. “There were candles lit, it was dark and quiet and all the people on the study tour were very meditative. And I saw my dad speaking to a woman. I just had this feeling in my stomach and in my heart that knew that it
was adulterous, that it was not appropriate,” Elenbaas said. “Later that night when we got back on the ship and left the island, I fell asleep on the deck of the boat and I got back to the cabin that night that I was sharing with my father and found two empty wine glasses and a bottle of wine. The sheets were totally a mess and I knew then,” Elenbaas said. Adultery has at least two major impacts on the lives of the children of the adulterous parent. It cheats the children of their sense of security and it complicates the child’s future and creates life-long scars, according to research by Annette Lawson Institute for Research at Stanford University. An article in a 1997 issue of Newsweek magazine noted that various surveys suggest as many as 30 percent of male Protestant ministers have had sexual relationships with women other than their wives. “My rebellion was to become a Fundamentalist. So I left my father’s church and became a Baptist. So, if you think evolution is correct you’re going to hell, if you’re pro-choice you’re going to hell. I did that whole mind-set,” Elenbaas said. Elenbaas’s walk of rebellion cracked and crumbled before him. He tried to become a youth pastor at a Methodist church but soon resigned as his “secret cannabis habit” got the best of him. Mark Welsch, a graduate of the University of Chicago Divinity School who now works as a social counselor in New York City, believes that cannabis can be “a significant vehicle to self-realization.” “I was like smoking pot when I got home and peddling Jesus to kids,” Elenbaas said. “There was something completely off about the whole thing”. He started experimenting with drugs, lots of drugs. Cocaine, opiates, LSD. “With psychedelics like LSD, what I found in the visionary experience was that the addictions weren’t adding up to the beauty and the sort of oneness and universalism that the LSD visions were showing me, that the mushrooms were showing me,” Elenbaas said. “This is when I first read about Ayahuasca and went to Peru,” he said. Ayahuasca, meaning spirit vine, is made from a vine
Special to The Colonnade Adam Elenbaas is a former creative writing professor at GCSU.
found deep in the Peruvian jungle and has been used by natives for hundreds, and possibly thousands of years to rid the body of worms, parasites and evil spirits. The drink is prepared by shamans and contains DMT, a chemical found in the brain at birth, death, and while dreaming. The brew is ingested during a sacred ceremony. The taking of Ayahuasca has been associated with a long list of documented cures: the disappearance of everything from metastasized colorectal cancer to cocaine addiction, even after just a ceremony or two. “First of all, it tastes wretched,” Elenbaas said. “An hour in though, despite the taste I was blissed out. It was the absolute most amazing thing that had ever happened. “My understanding of the universe seemed to be both expanding at an enormous rate and also exploding at the same time,” he said. Many have out-of-body experiences when working with Ayahuasca. This helps the user to face insecurities and fears in some facet of his or her world. Adam describes his experience. “I found myself kneedeep in water surrounded by a matrix of standing Greek columns. In the distance I saw Jesus walking on water. I doubled over in fear and my whole history with Pentecostalism and being Evangelical and everything started bubbling up.” “I was saying ‘Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you….’ But the words were not filled with
gratitude or light or love, the words were filled withwhat I heard and sensed in the vision-not thank you but, ‘I am no good, God doesn’t love me, I’m a piece of shit, and my father doesn’t love me.’ “Jesus looked at me and said, ‘Adam, love me, but don’t make me into an idol.’ And then he said, ‘My Father is the only one who has the right to judge anything and He never does.’” A year later, after having this vision of Jesus, Elenbaas finds his father huddled in the bathroom his father asks him, “Am I OK?” At first, Elenbaas can’t reply. “I summoned that quality of peace I found in Jesus’ voice. And I said, ‘Dad, there is nothing at stake in the entire universe. You are more than okay, you’re alive.’ And he handed me the knife,” Elenbaas said. Adam’s father quit his ten year regime of anti-depressants cold-turkey after he went down to Peru and drank Ayahuasca. He is now studying at a Buddhist Monastery in Nepal. Elenbaas, 26, holds a BA in Philosophy from the University of Missouri, an MA in English Language and Literature and an MFA in Creative Writing from GCSU. He lives in New York City and is currently working towards the publication of his book, “Fishers of Men,” a memoir based upon his recent years of recovery work with Ayahuasca shamanism in the Peruvian Amazon.
October 17, 2008
Features
Holocaust symposium highlights victims’ hardships during WWII internment by April Argo Staff Reporter
Europe: World War II. It was an unthinkable nightmare. Havoc was being wrecked in all of her cities as Hitler marched through determined to exterminate anyone he deemed unfit to live in his perfect Arian society. The perfect citizens of this utopia had blonde hair, blue eyes and straight noses. Characteristics that not even Hitler himself possessed. People were forced to live in the most unthinkable conditions to escape his evil hand. Those who were caught stood little to no chance of surviving the Nazi grasp. What happened in Europe during World War II was not an isolated event. Genocide has happened and is happening all over the world. It will happen while you are reading this. Bosnia, Rwanda and Darfur are all places that have endured onslaughts of murder and violence based on discrimination. As Americans, we can never know the pain and suffering these bloody feuds bring to the people they touch. Now, through art, perhaps we can gain a better understanding of the plight of oppressed peoples and a better appreciation of our freedom. The theatre department has partnered with other academic departments to hold the “Symposium on Holocaust Theatre: Staging Justice and Diversity in our Global World” in conjunction with its next production “Yours, Anne.” The symposium events will encompass the Holocaust during World War II as well as past and present oppression in other countries. Karen Berman is the chair of the theatre department and the chair of this symposium. “Because we are a teaching institution, we feel that each of our shows should be delivered in terms of both creative and scholarly information,” Berman said. “The creative part, of course, is the performance. We also want to deliver the critical thinking aspect so that we give our students, campus and our larger community a place to learn and deliberate ideas,
as well as enjoying the performance.” “Yours, Anne” is based off of the short life of Jewish Holocaust victim Anne Frank who died in a German concentration camp in 1945 at the age of 15. “‘Yours, Anne’ gives us a marvelous opportunity to talk about important issues of today in terms of diversity and tolerance. For aspects of today, we are very interested in exploring the genocide in Bosnia,” Berman said. “We are also learning about the origins of the Holocaust and what was going on in Germany so that a Holocaust like occurrence will never happen again.” There are 14 events being held over the next month including actual Holocaust survivors speaking about their experiences, music concerts and readings. Tosia Schneider, one of those survivors, will speak before the Nov. 20 performance of “Yours, Anne” in Russell Auditorium at 7 p.m. A photo exhibit called “Bergen-Belsen Revisited: Photographic Memoir of Colonel Charles Curtis Mitchell” is being held in the Wooten-Garner House gallery from Oct. 15-Dec. 15. It is open for visitors all day free of charge. “It is an exhibit of the liberation the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp,” Berman said. “What is meaningful about this liberation is that this is actually the camp where Anne Frank died. It makes it very poignant.” The coming together of this symposium has taken the support of faculty members, student organizations, and religious leaders of the community as well as The Georgia Commission on the Holocaust and the Consulate General of Israel to the Southeast. “There are many organizations interested in bettering out society now and this sort of civic engagement that allows our students to become better citizens of today,” Berman said. All of the events include once-in-alifetime experiences. Everyone is invited to attend. They are all free with the exception of the performances of “Yours, Anne.”
Symposium Schedule
October 15- December 15: Bergen-Belsen Revisited: Photographic Memoir of Colonel Charles Curtis Mitchell Photo exhibit in the Wooten-Garner House October 22: 6:30 p.m. Opening reception of the Bergen-Belsen photo exhibit in Wooten-Garner House October 28: 7:00 p.m. Concert reading of “Long Beach 44” in Russell Auditorium Talkback afterward with playwright November 12: 12:30 p.m. Lecture/performance by Dr. Wendy Mullen “Creation in the Midst of Chaos.” University Banquet Room Focusing on composer Viktor Ullmann who was imprisoned and killed in a concentration camp in 1944. November 17: 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. Israeli playwright Motti Lerner will hold a play writing workshop November 19: 12:30 p.m. Faculty brown bag lunch Max Noah Recital Hall Speaker Sylvia Wygoda from the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust. November 19: 6:30-7:00 p.m. “Yours, Anne” Reception Library Atrium November 19-22: 8:00 p.m. “Yours, Anne” performance Russell Auditorium November 23: 2:00 p.m. “Yours, Anne” performance Russell Auditorium November 19: Speaker Sylvia Wygoda after performance in Russell Auditorium November 20: 7:00 p.m. Speakers Tosia Schneider, Holocaust survivor Dr. Amy Ross on the Bosnian Crisis and Dr. Bill Risch on Holocaust Origins in Russell Auditorium November 21: Diversity panel after performance featuring Yves-Rose SaintDic followed by reception in Library Atrium November 22: Diversity panel after performance with Dr. Jay Hodges and Rabbi Rachel Bat-Or November 23: “In Their Own Words” panel including “Yours, Anne” actors Final event
Sweetwater Continued from Page 11... if you total the number of bands all of us have played in, it’s like 35-40,” Joiner said. “With this many different genres and so many influences coming into the band we are willing to try almost anything.” Bomb Chewey is hoping to be a crowd pleaser at Sweetwater with their local ties and refreshing style. “Anyone who attended our first year knows we have come a long way- I mean a long, long way. Our first year of music was on two flatbed trailers, at separate heights, and we didn’t have any lights,” Holder said. “I wanted to make a nod to our roots and fill the stage will Milledgeville music.” At 5:45 p.m. the Blackout Farmers are scheduled to appear at Sweetwater. The first band of the night is also a band with roots in Milledgeville. The Blackout Farmers band members consist of Bob Yeti, Andrew Cooper, Don Lord and Jason Martin. Influenced by musicians like Neil Young and The Band, the genre the group plays is rock ‘n’ roll and Southern Americana. “This year we have bluegrass with Oconee River Boys, Oldies with 120/80 Vocal Band, Country Alt/Classic Rock with Blackout Farmers, and High Energy Disco Funk Party Machines with Bomb Chewey.” Holder said. With these three bands, the goal this year was certainly to attract bands that play a large variety of music genres. Sophomore Joseph Hoyt attended Sweetwater last year and thinks the variety of bands that were chosen this year will be excellent. “One of the great things about Sweetwater is that you can enjoy it with your friends,” Hoyt said. “I enjoy a lot of music and I feel like Sweetwater is giving such a variety this year that there will be something for everyone.”
Spotlight
The Colonnade 13
By Chelsea Thomas
Amnesty International on campus Amnesty International is composed of people from across the world standing up for the better of humanity. Their purpose is to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied. With more than 2.2 million supporters, activists and volunteers in over 150 countries, and complete independence from government, corporate or national interests, Amnesty International works to protect human rights worldwide. Here at GCSU, the Amnesty International group represents people from diverse backgrounds representing various political, cultural, and religious ideologies. They share one important thing: a belief that people across the world are entitled to the rights enjoyed in America. Amnesty International has successfully secured the release of political prisoners, restored the rights of minorities in foreign countries, abolished the death penalty in several of the United States and continued to provide a beacon of hope for those oppressed. The GCSU Amnesty group is currently composed of 35 active student members, two faculty advisors and two faculty members. Their current efforts revolve around getting new members and expanding their already motivated base of support. They have begun their letterwriting campaign, advocating the passage of the International Violence Against Women Act in the Senate. Amnesty has also decided to help raise awareness of the Troy Davis case in Georgia, which deals with individual rights in relation to the death penalty. Their vision is of a world in which every person - regardless of race, religion, gender, or ethnicity - enjoys all of the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights standards. Anyone interested in joining the Amnesty RSO to help remedy human rights violations should contact Christopher Eby, the Presdient of the GCSU Amnesty group, at Christopher_eby@ecats.gcsu.edu for information, or come to their meeting Thursday at 4:45 in Arts and Sciences 2-40.
Sports
The Colonnade’s Guide to Athletics and Recreation
Friday, October 17, 2008
www.gcsunade.com
Section Editor, Preston Sellers
“Madness” returns to GCSU Scott Thompson Senior Reporter
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It was madness Tuesday night at the Centennial Center, as free pancakes and basketball means only one thing at GCSU: Midnight Madness. Midnight Madness marks the first time that collegiate basketball programs can officially hold team practice. As do many other universities, the GCSU Athletic Department annually holds the event to give its students an opportunity to build excitement about the upcoming season. Men’s and women’s basketball are two of the most popular sports at GCSU, and as a result, hundreds of students and faculty members were in attendance when the doors opened at ten. The excitement in the Centennial Center escalated when both the men’s and women’s teams held the first event, the three-point competition. For the women, sophomore guard Mandi Dudish and junior guard Daniela Nopuente put on impressive shows in the finals, which resulted in a tie after one round. Following the second round, Dudish emerged victorious by a single basket. The men’s final featured two sharpshooting guards in senior Shaun Keaton and junior Jake Rios. Keaton went on to drain eight consecutive three-pointers, and prevailed despite excellent shooting by Rios. The next event featured was the five-minute drunken game, a part of Alcohol Awareness Week on campus. For this contest, former GCSU basketball players, both men’s and women’s, donned “drunk” goggles and played five-on-five with the Thundercats. As a result of the vision impairment, the former Bobcats looked like five-year-old pee-wee players, shooting bricks and airballs while the Thundercats cruised to an 11-0 win in a sidesplitting game. After routines by the Sassy Cats and the GCSU cheerleaders, anticipation grew among those present as preparations were made for the dunk contest. In the contest, each player had one minute to execute as many dunks as possible, with as much style as possible. Guest judges for the event were Thunder, the GCSU mascot, Ryan Greene, SGA president and Preston Sellers, Sports Editor for the Colonnade. This year’s competitors included two freshmen, Marvin Harris and Michael Ross, and two sophomores, Josh Hurst and Reece Wiedeman. In the end, Hurst prevailed as a result of two stylistic slams that prompted judges to award “10’s” before his round was over. “The skills competitions were the best part,” senior Zack Wilkinson said. “The dunk contest was fun and watching Keaton nail all of those threes was amazing. It’s gotten me excited about this season, especially since this is one of our only major sports at GCSU.” As midnight hit, the women’s team began its warm-ups for the inter-squad exhibition game. Guest coaches for the blue and white teams were GCSU Athletic Director Jud Damon and former GCSU Athletic Director, Stan Aldridge. The game was fast-paced and featured good shooting by both sides, especially around the perimeter. It was a good preview of what the formula will be for the women’s team in the upcoming season. “This year, our team is more suited for playing up and down the floor,” Head Coach John Carrick said. “We’re three deep at point guard, which means we can run. It means we’re going
Side
Line
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Ross Couch / Staff Photographer Sophomore forward Josh Hurst soars for a slam in the dunk contest on Tuesday night. Hurst won the event, earning two perfect tens out of the three judges.
to be quicker, faster. We’ll play more pressure defense and more full court press.” As the clock continued into the early morning hours, the men’s team took the floor as many eagerly looked on in anticipation. As with the women’s game, the men’s game featured lots of guard play, including the same type of run-andgun offense utilized by the women’s team. “We have the best group of guards in the conference,” stated Keaton. “We’re going to score a lot of points, shoot a lot of threes and it’s going to be a fast offense.” Men’s head coach Terry Sellers also believes that his team has excellent guards. “Each year it depends on personnel,” he said.
Ross Couch / Staff Photographer Fans were fired up for the events at Midnight Madness and the upcoming basketball season.
THE SHORT STOP
The
“This year we’re experienced at the guard position. We’re going to run a lot, have a lot of perimeter shooting, a lot of threes and let our guards work. We need to play full court press more often and create turnovers.” “This is one of the hardest-working groups I’ve had during preseason,” he added. The men’s season opens Nov. 15 in Alabama at the Tusculum Tournament, while the women open at home on Nov. 21 against Fort Valley State University.
Ross Couch / Staff Photographer Junior guard Shandrea Moore goes up for two against freshman guard Amanda Irwin in the scrimmage.
Upcoming Sports Soccer: Oct. 19 Oct. 22
1 p.m. @ Lincoln Memorial 7 p.m. Clayton St. (Senior day)
Cross Country: Oct. 25
GCSU (PBC Championships)
Quote of the Week “The only thing I call cowardly is when you’re up 10 and do it. That’s a coward move and he (Spurs coach Greg Popovich) knows that and I’ll make them pay for it” – Shaquille O’Neal discussing the Hack-a-Shaq strategy used against him in the 2008 playoffs by the San Antonio Spurs (Phoenix radio station KTAR)
Preston Sellers Sports Editor
Rejoice, Falcons fans. We have our guy, the man who will lead us out of the darkness and into the light. His name is Matt Ryan. Was I skeptical at first? Damn right I was. I’m sure most other Falcons fans were too. After years and years of up-and-down play without any back-to-back winning seasons, capped off by the Michael Vick debacle, it seemed to me like the franchise couldn’t catch a break. I just figured drafting a rookie quarterback and throwing him into the fire was the worst possible solution. Ryan has proven me, and a lot of others, very wrong. I know, it’s only six games into the season, and his career, but this is no beginner’s luck scenario. He has shown us his arm, his accuracy, his pocket presence, but Falcons fans can already see something else that is more valuable than any of those. He has “it”. I’m talking, of course, about that quality that certain quarterbacks have, guys with last names like Favre, Brady, or Manning. “It” is what makes fans stay in their seats when the team is down two touchdowns with two minutes left, because they know that their leader can work magic when the game is on the line. You want proof? Well, just look at Ryan’s latest game. With the Falcons facing a tough Chicago Bears team, he simply torched their secondary for 301 yards, a new career high, completing 22 of 30 passes, none of which more important than the final one. After the Bears scored an improbable touchdown to take a 20-19 lead with 11 seconds left, and their ensuing short kickoff, Ryan led his offense onto the field. Most young quarterbacks would look for a Hail-Mary play, trying to beat the odds on a deep heave. Ryan instead calmly took the snap and delivered a pictureperfect 25-yard pass to Michael Jenkins on the sideline, where he could stop the clock with one second remaining., enabling Jason Elam to kick the game-winning field goal. That is not something that rookies do, it just isn’t. No one, and I mean no one, would have put money on the Falcons being 4-2 after six games this season. A new coaching staff, new running back, and a rookie quarterback seemed to spell disaster for the Dirty Birds. But what no one bet on was Matt Ryan’s talent or his will to win. Man, am I glad we have him. For a long, long time.
Stat of the Week
9 Shutouts this season by the Bobcat soccer team as of the USC Aiken game on Wednesday. This ties a school record.
16 The Colonnade
Sports
October 17, 2008
‘Cats start new shutout streak on road Nationally-ranked defense returns to form as Bobcats climb in PBC Preston Sellers Senior Reporter
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Ross Couch / Staff Photographer Freshman midfielder/forward Megan McAlpin goes all out to win the ball.
The Bobcat soccer team is proving that it belongs among the nation’s best, one test at a time. This week, GCSU took to the road for two games, came away with a win and a tie, and improved their conference standing. The Bobcats were honored for their outstanding play this season with a No. 21 national ranking earlier this week, the first time in GCSU soccer history that the team has been included in the nation’s top 25. The team was thus challenged to defend their new ranking, starting with a tough matchup on Saturday, Oct. 11 against their first-year coach’s former team, Newberry College. The nonconference game proved to be a battle of wellmatched teams, as the 0-0 result after double overtime showed. The defense recorded their eighth shutout on the season, but the Bobcat offense
Senior forward Hayley Ferrell prepares to crush a shot.
Ross Couch / Staff Photographer
was thwarted by a stout Indians back line. The Newberry players seemed to feed off their emotions of facing their former coach. “That game was one of the most interesting of the season, it was such a personal game for them,” junior defender Morgan Cobb said. “They basically did everything they could to keep us from scoring.” The result was the third scoreless tie for the Bobcats this season and did not affect their conference standing, but perhaps prepared the team for their next challenge, another road battle. This time the opponent was the University of South Carolina at Aiken in a Peach Belt Conference matchup on Wednesday night, Oct. 15. Based on their records heading into the game, the Bobcats appeared to be heavy favorites, but the Pacers would not go quietly, holding their own for much of the game. The first half was frustrating for GCSU, as several offsides calls cancelled golden Ross Couch / Staff Photographer Junior forward Jamie Nevin battles a defender scoring opportunities. “Our goal every game is to score in the for the ball. first five minutes. We just couldn’t find it this game, but we had so many chances,” Cobb said. “The ref was flag-happy, as definitely found her home on the field.” Emerson’s current totals of four goals Coach (Favero) said.” The challenge for the Bobcats became and four assists give her 12 points, good converting just one scoring chance, be- for second on the team behind senior forcause the brick-wall defense GCSU is ward Hayley Ferrell. Emerson has also known for showed up against Aiken and recorded at least one point in seven of the negated any and all offense the Pacers last eight games. The 1-0-1 week has the Bobcats sitting tried to muster. at 9-1-3 overall and 3-1-1 in the PBC, tied “They never got inside our 18 (yard box),” Cobb said. “We did a great job for second with the University of North keeping them out of our half and not let- Carolina at Pembroke, trailing only topranked Columbus State University. UNCP ting them build up.” Going to halftime scoreless against a holds a head-to-head advantage after beatlow-ranked opponent could have gotten ing the Bobcats 1-0 earlier this season. into the heads of the Bobcats, but they put GCSU will face CSU in the final game of the Pacers away early in the second period the regular season on Nov. 1. This week, the Bobcats have their work by sophomore sensation Kayla Emerson. Her goal would be all GCSU needed this cut out for them when they travel to Lincoln Memorial College for a nonconfernight. The defender-turned-forward has ex- ence matchup on Sunday, Oct. 19. The ploded in her second year as a Bobcat, Railsplitters are 10-1-1 and recently deand scored several crucial goals when the feated Newberry 2-1. The final home game of the season will offense has struggled. be on Wednesday, Oct. 22 against Clay“Kayla is so awesome. When she plays ton State University. The game starts at 7 (offense), I am thinking, ‘where did this girl come from and why did she play de- p.m., and this will be Senior Night. fense for a year?’” Cobb said. “She has
Lady Bobcats tune up for spring season at Fall Championships
University of Tampa, but was defeated 4-6, 2-6. “It was the toughest match this semester,” Acuna said, “but I was satisfied with my performance and Coach Barsby and I were happy overall.” Lion defeated her opponent, Kourtney Stark from the University of Tampa, 6-4, 6-4 to advance into the semifinals. Ceppo also advanced into the semifinals with a 6-1, 6-1 win against Vuokko Vahatalo of Lander University. Lion was defeated 1-6, 1-6 by Andrea Madrigal in the semifinals match. Ceppo also played a great semifinals match but lost in a match that extended to three sets against Natalia Ramos 4-6, 6-3, 3-6. GCSU’s one doubles team of Ceppo and Lion won their first match against Mary Slade and Kourtney Stark from the University of Tampa 8-2 and advanced into the semifinals. The Bobcats played a great doubles match against Natalia Ramos and Abby Grief of Florida Tech but were defeated 4-8. “We played well and we are Tennyson Mosher / Staff Photographer working hard every day to preSenior Gabby Acuna returns a volley in her first-round pare for spring season,” Ceppo match on Oct. 10. Acuna had a solid run in the Fall Cham- said. pionships, and will be a key part of the Lady Bobcats in Head Coach Steve Barsby is 2009. also looking ahead to the more important spring season, when by Sam Hunt the Bobcats’ results will count toward a Staff Writer possible conference championship. “We are doing well, but we need to work On Friday Oct. 10 and Saturday Oct. 11, The Lady Bobcat tennis team, composed on our consistency and work on playing at of four girls, competed in the seventeenth a high level,” Barsby said. “We have a long annual GCSU Women’s Fall Collegiate break we will use for conditioning, and I think that we will be ready when spring arChampionships. The matches were held at GCSU’s home rives.” The Lady Bobcats will continue to pracat the Centennial Center courts. The other tice and develop as a team on the brief offschools that competed in this event were season this winter. The spring schedule has Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, not been released to date, but spring play Augusta State University, Florida Institute usually begins in the first week of Februof Technology, Lander University, and the ary. University of Tampa. Coach Barsby has stated that he will In singles matches, three Bobcats adbe adding members to the women’s team vanced into the quarterfinals; Seniors Marfor the spring run, so the key for the Lady jorie Ceppo and Gabby Acuna and sophoBobcats will be how these new players inmore Bertille Lion. tegrate with the current squad. In the quarterfinals, Acuna played a great match against Victoria Bell from the
October 17, 2008
Athletic department picks new cheerleading coach by
Taylor Ferrell Staff Writer
As of Oct. 1, GCSU has a new cheerleading coach: Jimmy Redus. The Assistant Athletic Director, Jimmy Wilson, supports the hire. “We are very fortunate to have Jimmy Redus as our new cheerleading coach,” Wilson said. “Several of the cheerleaders have worked with him before and we are very excited that he was able and willing to join us.” Redus has been cheering since 1988, when he was in high school. He went on to cheer for the varsity squad at Mississippi State University from 19901994. After he graduated from MSU with a bachelor’s in fitness management and a master’s in sport administration, he went on to coach the MSU varsity cheerleading squad from 1994-1996. He then moved to Macon, Ga. where he started the area’s first competitive cheerleading squad, Middle Georgia All-Stars. He is now vice president and allstar director of Middle Georgia Cheer Extreme, Inc., which he co-founded with his wife, Jessica, in 1999. Redus also assisted with the Mercer University cheer squad in 1997 and led them to their first National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) National Tournament. “I am excited about getting to know the traditions here at GCSU through the basketball games and hopefully increase the spirit here at the school. I want to start having people come out who want to cheer and help develop their talents,” Redus said. “They may not have the skills that they need to start, but we can help them gain the skills needed.” Redus also has plans to trans-
form the cheerleading program. “I eventually want to have more than one cheerleading squad,” Redus said. “I would like to have one squad that cheers at the games and also have a competitive squad with the best talent on it.” Redus heard about the parttime coaching job opening from a couple of students whom he had previously worked with. “I’ve helped out with GCSU cheerleading in the past and was familiar with the program,” Redus said. “When they called and asked me to come up I felt very honored. I have a couple of kids on the squad that I had worked with before and look forward to working with them again.” Julianna Stradley has been cheering for GCSU for two years and is excited about Redus joining the squad. “Jimmy will bring a lot of experience to the squad. I think that he’ll bring in new, innovative ideas as far as stunting and choreography go,” Stradley said. “I’m excited because the team as a whole this year seems to be very hard working and motivated. I think we have a chance of doing very well at the national competition this year.” The cheerleading squad will start focusing on their routine for nationals in January. The first competition will be at the NCAA Nationals competition in Daytona Beach, Fla. in April. Last season the squad was runner-up at the Peach Belt Conference Championships, but failed to advance to the final round of the Division II National Championships last April. “I want to bring back the tradition of going to nationals and doing well at nationals,” Redus said. “Our goal for this year is to get in the top three.”
Sports
The Colonnade 17
Athlete of the week: Lyric Burnett Preston Sellers Senior Reporter
by
Burnett
The GCSU Athletic Department has named Lyric Burnett, junior forward on the Bobcat soccer team, its athlete of the week for the week ending Oct. 12. Burnett had a goal and an assist in a 5-1 win against Georgia Southwestern, doubling each total on the season and giving her six total points, tying her for fourth on the team. This also gave her 11 career goals, tying her for third all-time at GCSU.
This award is the first for Burnett in her career, though not her best performance. Her standout game was against Lander in 2006, when she recorded the first hat trick in school history. Burnett’s role has increased greatly this season from 2007, as she has started ten of 12 games so far. She had only 5 career starts until this season. Her solid play has helped guide the Bobcats to a No. 21 national ranking and No. 3 in the southeast region poll.
College Football Staff Picks Preston Sellers, Sports Editor (5-4)
Corey Dickstein, Editor-In-Chief (4-5)
Scott Thompson, Kyle Collins, Staff Reporter Asst. Sports Editor (5-4) (1-2)
Missouri
Texas
Missouri
Texas
Michigan St.
Ohio St.
Ohio St.
Michigan St.
LSU
LSU
LSU
LSU