VOL. 50 ISSUE 19 | SINCE 1967
FEB. 28, 2017
THE SENTINEL KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY | THE SENTINEL
SNEAK
PEEK
STUDENTS, ALUMNI EXPRESS
‘PERSONAL STRUGGLES’ THROUGH
ART
MODEL NATO TEAM WINS Story Starts On Page 4
University System of Georgia Chancellor Steve Wrigley was among those who testified in opposition to the bill.
SOLIDARITY WITH THE MEDIA Story Starts On Page 5
Cory Hancock | The Sentinel
GA LAWMAKERS DELAY VOTE ON CAMPUS CARRY BILL Madeline McGee Staff Writer
GET IN WHERE YOU FIT IN
Story Starts On Page 7
SOFTBALL SPLITS SERIES Story Starts On Page 15
The Georgia House of Representatives delayed voting on a bill on Feb. 20 that would allow guns on college campuses, a measure that the University System of Georgia chancellor as well as KSU’s president both oppose. The controversial bill, House Bill 280, would allow anyone with a Georgia weapons permit to carry a concealed handgun on public university campuses. Weapons would be banned at athletic events, in dormitories, and in fraternity and sorority houses. The bill is nearly identical to one vetoed by Gov. Nathan Deal in 2016, with the exception that it prohibits carrying a weapon in on-campus preschool facilities. This provision was added in response to the governor’s concerns about bringing
guns to on-campus childcare facilities, according to 11 Alive. The Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee in the House of Representatives heard arguments both for and against the bill on Feb. 20 from constituents and officials from some of the state’s 28 public universities. University System of Georgia Chancellor Steve Wrigley was among those who testified in opposition to the bill. “With respect to campus carry, we feel strongly that current law strikes the right balance to create a safe environment on our campuses,” Wrigley said. “This position is supported by our presidents and campus public safety departments, who are closest to the day-to-day realities and operations of the state’s public
colleges and universities. We therefore respectfully oppose any change to current law.” KSU President Sam Olens voiced his approval of Wrigley’s testimony in an email sent to students, faculty and staff on Feb. 21. “I support Chancellor Wrigley in his advocacy for maintaining Georgia’s existing law as it relates to campus carry,” Olens said in the email. In response to questions about safety on college campuses, Wrigley cited several changes within the last year, including an increase in officers and the adoption of campuswide crime alert apps.
Campus Carry continued on pg. 2
Raychle Wilkinson Arts and Living Editor Students and alumni whose art was featured in “(dis)Connect Art Show” participated in a discussion at the Acworth Library on Saturday, Feb. 18. The art show was curated by senior art major Donte Hayes and featured the art of student Cara Young and alumni Kelly Wilkinson and Ashlyn Pope. The show was intended to feature art inspired by the African diaspora. At the event, Pope, Wilkinson and Young discussed sources of their inspiration as well as their experiences as female black artists. “These four artists authentically address their own personal battles to illuminate the humanity in all people,” Hayes wrote in his curatorial statement. “This exhibition’s goal is to seek to understand the struggles of others while also finding connections that cross all humanity.” During the artist talk, Pope emphasized the importance of sharing her story as a young black woman. Artist Talk continued on pg. 8