CANDIDATE PROFILES THE SMIRCLE LIVES
SGA SPORTS FAN
BLOTTER
PAGE 2
Meet the four candidates running for SGA universitywide president.
Atlanta campus Senator Spencer DeHart talks Georgia State Sports.
SUDOKU
PAGE 18
PLANNER
PAGE 23
NEWS
PAGE 8
MAR. 3 - MAR. 9, 2020
How Georgia State’s smoking circle finds a place on campus post-Kell Hall demolition. ARTS & LIVING
PAGE 17
SPORTS
PAGE 19
VOL. 87 | NO. 22
ONE OF FOUR: CARLOS PORTER PHOTO BY MATT SICILIANO-SALAZAR & SHANCHEZE JOHNSON | THE SIGNAL
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CANDIDATE PROFILES THE SMIRCLE LIVES
SGA SPORTS FAN
BLOTTER
PAGE 2
Meet the four candidates running for SGA universitywide president.
Atlanta campus Senator Spencer DeHart talks Georgia State Sports.
SUDOKU
PAGE 18
PLANNER
PAGE 23
NEWS
PAGE 8
MAR. 3 - MAR. 9, 2020
How Georgia State’s smoking circle finds a place on campus post-Kell Hall demolition. ARTS & LIVING
PAGE 17
SPORTS
PAGE 19
VOL. 87 | NO. 22
ONE OF FOUR: NAHOM TAYE PHOTO BY MATT SICILIANO-SALAZAR & BRANDON ZHAN | THE SIGNAL
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CANDIDATE PROFILES THE SMIRCLE LIVES
SGA SPORTS FAN
BLOTTER
PAGE 2
Meet the four candidates running for SGA universitywide president.
Atlanta campus Senator Spencer DeHart talks Georgia State Sports.
SUDOKU
PAGE 18
PLANNER
PAGE 23
NEWS
PAGE 8
MAR. 3 - MAR. 9, 2020
How Georgia State’s smoking circle finds a place on campus post-Kell Hall demolition. ARTS & LIVING
PAGE 17
SPORTS
PAGE 19
VOL. 87 | NO. 22
ONE OF FOUR: NIGEL WALTON
PHOTO BY MATT SICILIANO-SALAZAR & SHANCHEZE JOHNSON | THE SIGNAL
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CANDIDATE PROFILES THE SMIRCLE LIVES
SGA SPORTS FAN
BLOTTER
PAGE 2
Meet the four candidates running for SGA universitywide president.
Atlanta campus Senator Spencer DeHart talks Georgia State Sports.
SUDOKU
PAGE 18
PLANNER
PAGE 23
NEWS
PAGE 8
MAR. 3 - MAR. 9, 2020
How Georgia State’s smoking circle finds a place on campus post-Kell Hall demolition. ARTS & LIVING
PAGE 17
SPORTS
PAGE 19
VOL. 87 | NO. 22
ONE OF FOUR: KAELEN THOMAS PHOTO BY MATT SICILIANO-SALAZAR & BRANDON ZHAN | THE SIGNAL
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SGA DEBATES
HOSTED BY THE SIGNAL Tuesday, March 3 Doors at 5:30 p.m.
THE SIGNAL
2
BLOTTER FEB. 21
Disturbing the peace.
At University Commons, a Georgia State offender was given a judicial referral for disturbance and criminal trespass at 8:06 p.m. FEB. 24
You break it, you buy it.
On the Clarkston campus at 4:16 p.m., a Georgia State student was a victim of damage to property at E Building. The case is active. FEB. 25
Use your own stuff for your DIY projects.
At the Arts and Humanities building at 12:34 p.m., a Georgia State student was a victim of vandalism. The case is still active.
FEB. 27
Everyone has the right to feel safe. A Georgia State offender was accused of terroristic threats at Sparks Hall at 12:02 p.m. The case is still active. FEB. 28
If you don’t have anything nice to say‌
At 1:58 p.m., a non-Georgia State offender was arrested for intimidation and criminal trespass at the M Parking Deck.
GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM
TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2020
www.georgiastatesignal.com/news
Missed last year’s election season?
Here’s your guide: Bribery, new-comers and disqualifications IMANI DENNIS Staff Reporter
L
ast year’s Student Government Association election cycle can be summarized in three words: bribery, newcomers and disqualifications. The elections picked up at the time of the debates when a disqualification led to a win for Kaelan Thomas for speaker of the Atlanta Senate. Competitor Averyona Walters arrived 30 minutes late to the debate due to what she described as a “family emergency.” She appealed the election commission’s decision to disqualify her but was ultimately removed. The Atlanta executive vice presidential debates began shortly after with a faceoff between Hamza Rahman, Gregory Wright and Jesse Calixte. During this debate, Rahman’s past remarks of calling a former student a “daughter of a donkey” in Arabic were brought to his attention by a moderator. This led to Rahman’s public apology on the debate stage. Wright was asked about the roles and responsibilities of EVP but chose not to respond to the question. In an article by The Signal, Wright seemed to look visibly confused by the question asked. Finally, there was the university-wide presidential debate, which consisted of the largest candidate pool in over 10 years of SGA elections. The candidates were a mix of students with previous SGA experience and those who were new to the organization. Anthony Jones, Jazmin Mejia and Nashbi Grand-Jean all had prior Georgia State SGA experience, while Ira Livnat and Shay’na Fields did not. Anthony Jones, who was a junior at the time, turned out to be one of the most controversial out of the candidates. His campaign began with a platform of A.C.H.I.E.V.E. (“Adapt, Challenge, Heights, Innovate, Engage, Variety and Effort”). He sought to create more interactions with student voters by discussing potential bills with them before they were passed. Similarly, he sought to create the Pounce Convocation Walk where students would touch Pounce’s nose on the way to their
convocation ceremonies. Ira Livnat had no prior SGA experience and ran as the only freshman on the ballot. He was also the youngest candidate at 19 years old. Livnat served as the CEO of PantherHackers, and after his time there, he wanted to increase student involvement in SGA in the same way. He also wanted to increase inter-campus transportation with bus routes between Atlanta and Perimeter campus. Jazmin Mejia, who went on to eventually win the presidential election, was a first-generation student and heavily involved on campus. She was also the only sitting SGA senator in the presidential race. Her priorities were to increase collaboration between student organizations in order to foster a sense of community on campus. Mejia wanted to create town halls so that there would be more communication between student constituents and SGA senators. Shay’na Fields, like Livnat, also had no previous SGA experience. Her priorities included on-campus safety, campus cookouts and bimonthly events to increase school spirit. Fields founded a nonprofit called Operation 50 Speaks to help educate young adults and increase political involvement. Fields also worked with the NAACP. Nashbi Grand-Jean, a junior at the time, was an SGA senator in 2017 and 2018. Similar to the other candidates, he wanted to make SGA more accessible to students through partnerships with campus faculty and student organizations. Grand-Jean also wanted to create new traditions to amplify school spirit. During the debate, Jones was questioned for his removal from the Senate in the previous semester due to acquiring too many points for absences during SGA meetings. He showed the crowd a scar on his arm and said that the absences were due to a broken wrist. Mejia was questioned for her inactivity during Senate meetings and lack of debate on the Senate floor. Mejia and Jones made it to the election runoff after none of the candidates in the election received 51% of the vote. Similarly, neither Mejia and Jones received 15% more of the vote than one another. At the same time, a runoff for Atlanta EVP occurred between Jesse Calixte and Hamza Rahman. Jones was unable to campaign for three days after receiving a sanction for violating the election code. However, he was still able to campaign for a portion of the voting day.
In an exclusive interview with The Signal, Newton Executive Vice President Aarjavi Patel of the alleged that Jones attempted to bribe her for her vote. Under the pseudonym “Money Man Ant” on GroupMe, Jones shared images of him receiving and sending thousands of dollars through Venmo. Patel contacted Jones to ask him about the suspicious transactions. Patel said she thought that Jones did not know who she was. She introduced herself and asked if he was running for president. According to their text message exchange, Jones responded, “Maybe. And do you have a Venmo?” He proceeded to say, “Tryna get you this money And if I do, y’all would vote for m (sic).” Patel told him she would only vote for him based on his goals for his presidency. The next day, Patel received a notification that someone sent her $100. Jones told her that his friend sent to her using Bitcoin. In a panic, she deleted her Venmo account. She communicated to him that she wanted to return the money and the two eventually met up for her to personally return the $100 in cash. Patel was unable to provide any other documentation in regard to the payment. “I honestly feel disgusted,” she said in the interview. “Somebody that comes [to SGA] and thinks they can just buy themselves in.” Jones already had three code violations. On April 5, 2019, Jones was disqualified from the race for violating campaign ethics, which did stem from him bribing a student, according to an article posted by The Signal. Jazmin Meija went on to become the first Latina SGA president in university history and the first female unviersity-wide president since the consolidation between Georgia State and Georgia Perimeter. In the runoff, she received 74.69% of the student vote. Hamza Rahman also won the Atlanta EVP election against Calixte with 53.35% of the vote. Mejia and Rahman had a history of working closely together. Last March, Rahman introduced an opinion resolution in opposition to the Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange (GILEE), which was sponsored by Mejia.
Anthony Jones debates on the 2019 SGA debate stage.
PHOTO BY UNIQUE RODRIGUEZ | THE SIGNAL
Your Candidates
for SGA University-Wide President, EVPs and Speakers
PHOTOS BY MATT SICILIANO-SALAZAR | THE SIGNAL PAGE DESIGN BY SHANCHEZE JOHNSON | THE SIGNAL WRITTEN BY BROOKLYN VALERA | THE SIGNAL
PRESIDENT Carlos Porter
Nahom Taye
Nigel Walton
Kaelen Thomas
“In running for SGA president, I seek to increase safety, promote unity and hold your elected and appointed representatives accountable … I love Georgia State and want to build a Georgia State and SGA that all students, past, present and future, will be proud to have been a part of. If I am elected president, that is precisely the SGA that I will create.” • Porter joined SGA as a senator halfway through the 2018-19 school year. He became the speaker of the Newton campus in 2019 and currently holds the position.
“Let’s start a dialogue on how we can make the student experience and the opportunities that our school provides for us better.”
“Let’s make this University different. Let’s set the tone for what a multicultural university in the 21st century looks like.”
“I believe in a student body that is informed because a student body that is informed is a student body that is empowered. I want to empower every student at Georgia State, and I not only want to encourage students to make their voices heard but [also] to create their own college experience. College should be a transformative experience that goes through students and not something students go through.” • Thomas started off in SGA as a senator in 2018 and became the Ad Hoc Safety Committee chair. He was then promoted to head senator for the College of Arts and Sciences. Thomas was elected speaker of the Atlanta Senate in 2019 and currently holds the position.
Sophmore
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He was adopted from an orphanage in Guatemala when he was young and was brought to Conyers. Porter is a pianist and currently works as a full-time bookkeeper and an invoice worker. Porter was recently invited to join the Alpha Phi chapter of Alpha Beta Gamma at Georgia State. He wants to become involved in as many organizations as possible. He is transferring from the Newton campus to the Atlanta campus this year.
Priorities
Promote the safety of all students on all of the Georgia State campuses. Ensure that every campus and every student has a voice. Accountability of campus-wide and university-wide senators, speakers and EVPs to make sure they are serving the student body.
Junior
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Taye doesn’t have prior SGA experience but said he has attended some of the meetings.
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He is a proud Ethiopian-American born and raised in Norcross. Taye wants to get involved with SGA due to their large role in projects and initiatives on campus.
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Taye has held leadership roles through the Eta Beta chapter of Alpha Tau Omega as their health and safety officer, vice president and president. He also serves as a senator representative of the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies for the Georgia State Senate.
Priorities
Improve the career services department as the competition for internships and jobs increases. Make sure students in all majors are ready for their next step, whether that is furthering their education or looking for work. Provide more freedom and opportunity for student organizations to increase the student body participation rate. Make commuter life easier at Georgia State by showing maps of what roads will be closed that day and how to get into a particular deck. Explain the steps involved in getting a parking pass for all levels of students.
Junior
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Walton has been a part of SGA for two years. He joined in 2018 and currently holds a senator position at the Atlanta campus.
•
He is from Albany, Georgia. Walton likes to read, eat, watch basketball and go to the movies.
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Walton joined SGA because he wanted to serve the university by creating programs and advocating for policies for everyone. He is also a member of Phi Alpha Delta.
Junior
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He was born in Decatur but grew up in Loganville. Thomas’s dream to help his community began as a child sharing snacks in his neighborhood and has grown since. He helped create the first standing University-Wide Safety Committee in SGA.
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Thomas volunteers with the nonprofit Open Hands Atlanta in his spare time, which provides meals for people with chronic diseases and disabilities.
Priorities Collaborate with the Student Alumni Association, Georgia State Foundation and the Alumni Connection Council to create a one-of-a-kind student life experience. Work with the university and outside partners to create a financial literacy class that addresses racial wealth gaps. Move toward 65% of the university voting in the upcoming 2020 presidential elections.
Priorities
Increase the number of on-campus jobs. Amend the fee allocation process for student clubs and organizations. Finish SGA’s current initiative to provide free feminine hygiene products for women across all campuses.
ATL EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT • DeHart was elected into a senator position during the 2019 SGA election. DeHart was the only senator for the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at the time so he became the head senator, a position he still holds. He was also appointed as the University-Wide Campus Safety Committee chair during their first university-wide meeting in May 2019. He said he has proposed legislation to cancel classes on Federal Election Day, negotiated a compromise between the University-Wide Senate and worked closely with Georgia State Police Department to ensure the safety of students on campus. • He is a 20-year-old senior at Georgia State, the only senior in this year’s election. DeHart is from Alpharetta but has lived all over Metro Atlanta. DeHart currently lives in Douglasville. • DeHart also serves on the executive board for Habitat for Humanity at Georgia State. Apart from Georgia State, he spends his time volunteering with the Atlanta Community Food Bank, playing tennis and attending college and professional sporting events.
Spencer DeHart Senior
“Georgia State needs leaders that fight for student interests and work to navigate the complexities of SGA to ensure that progress is being made and student concerns are being addressed … I want to work to continue the progress we’ve made in SGA this year and make an even greater impact as the Atlanta EVP.”
Priorities • • •
I mplement a policy to cancel classes on Federal Election Day. Improve the quality and quantity of SGA events on campus to facilitate communication between SGA and students. Increase communication between SGA and government officials to ensure student issues outside the scope of SGA are being addressed.
involved and furthering outreach on campus; we are the literal mediator between the student body and the faculty and advisement above us. We need to genuinely seek out how Panthers want outreach to look like, and shining a light on the resources and potential growth to come from it for those that simply are unaware of the opportunities…” • •
•
Takia Tinsley Junior
“We as a unit need to share the value of community within the organization before we can pus it as a priority within our university. Firstly, SGA must use the different cultures of both our Atlanta and Perimeter campuses to our advantage by comparing what works and what doesn’t, by dissolving walls between our personal relations and by emphasizing the results of engagement to our constituents by example, by being involved in campus activities ourselves. Second, we must provide the spaces for reluctant students to observe the benefits of being
Tinsley joined SGA during fall of 2019 and currently holds the position of head senator for the College of Arts and Sciences. He was born in Minneapolis and was raised in Clayton County. Tinsley had mentors that told him the world would need people from his generation to spearhead the future, so he began to see himself as that leader. Through that, he realized his passion was to help people. Tinsley is a Panther LEAP Mentor, the Social Action chair and next president of the Powerful Pi Alpha chapter of Phi Beta Sigma, a presidential ambassador for 1913, the criminal justice chair for the NAACP, the event coordinator for Realize Truth, a member of the Board of Directors for SAA and a new member of Dance Ensemble. He said he also gains experience within state politics through internships as well as participating in servant leadership through community service.
Priorities • • •
Not Pictured
Re-brand SGA and the impact and influence it has on campus. Make State G.R.E.A.T! (Generous, Responsible, Engaged, Accepting and Thankful) Push for 24-hour library access and advocate for students to use the facility to its full extent.
Cole Greenwood, Alpharaetta Michelle Martinez, Dunwoody
ATL SPEAKER Audrey Abraham
Brianna Bailey
Nia Cole
Peter Minetos
“As speaker of the Senate, I vow to increase the visibility of the Student Government Association and be the guide for the senators and students within our university.” • Abraham has been a senator for SGA since 2018. She was appointed as the Student Engagement chair in 2019. • She is originally from London but moved to Lawrenceville. Abraham also has a twin sister who pushed her to join SGA. She enjoys working out at the gym, cooking and watching Netflix documentaries. • Abraham had trouble finding her way around Georgia State her freshman year. She didn’t know where to go or who to talk to so Abraham wants to potentially use the speaker platform to help others avoid that experience.
“The student body deserves representatives that are entirely devoted and more than capable of advancing their lives here at Georgia State. As speaker of the Senate, I will ensure that each students’ voice is heard and fulfilled the best way possible. The speaker of the Senate position requires one to not only know how to lead but understand how to follow. I may possess a title, but you hold all the power.” • Bailey has volunteered with the Academic Affairs Committee since fall of 2019. • She is from Stockbridge and has the desire to become an attorney and ultimately a Supreme Court justice. • Bailey enjoys singing and dancing. She is currently a member of the Redeemed Gospel Choir and Dance Ensemble at Georgia State.
“I believe I am more than capable of getting what needs to be done accomplished and become an advocate for change in the GSU community. Mahatma Gandhi once said, ‘The future depends on what we do in the present.’ I will take advantage of the present because this future depends on it.” • Cole was elected as a senator during her freshman year in 2019. She ran for speaker pro tempore at the Feb. 13 Atlanta meeting but lost. Cole still holds her senator position. • She was born in Atlanta and was raised in Riverdale. Cole believes she was born to serve. • Cole also mentors young girls in Girl Scouts and girls that she coaches on a youth cheerleading team. Cole has worked with the Walking in Authority Teen Council where she served as a secretary of state junior ambassador.
Priorities
Priorities
Priorities
“I like thinking big. If you’re going to be thinking anything, you might as well think big. Vote Peter Minetos for speaker for real action driven by passion and results!” • Minetos first joined SGA as a volunteer during fall 2018. He has volunteered for the Finance Committee and the Student Engagement Committee. Minetos became a freshman liaison during spring 2019. He became a senator during fall 2019. Minetos also ran for speaker pro tempore at the recent Feb. 13 Atlanta meeting but lost. He still holds his senator position. • He is from Marietta where he began to develop his passion for serving students. • Outside of school, Minetos spends time with family and friends. He is also an avid basketball fan.
Junior
•
•
•
Promote the SGA to become more visible to the student body by increasing participation throughout our committees and decisions within SGA. Allow easy access for students to locate their campus resources and be a guide for the senators and student body. Navigate them in the right direction to a better and even more successful university experience. Be a leader of the student body by exemplifying professionalism in the Senate, accountability and dependability for the students SGA is elected to serve.
Sophmore
• • •
Instill leadership qualities into each senator to ensure adequate representation for all colleges. Build personal connections with students to bridge the gap between the student body and faculty and staff. Promote student interactions with SGA as a whole.
Sophmore
• • •
Take account of student’s concerns to enforce change that needs to happen and promote a safer environment. Strive to make the administrative side of SGA more efficient in this upcoming administration to provide better resources for senators. Work towards creating more transparency within SGA by building a more comfortable relationship between SGA and the student body.
Junior
Priorities • • •
Campus safety Student homelessness Elevating Georgia State’s school spirit
ATL SENATORS Andrew Young School of Policy Studies Hermela Assefa Jack Conner Chinelo Moneke
College of Arts and Sciences Saadh Ahmed Mario Calcagno Ashleigh Cochran
College of Arts and Sciences Matthew Daniel Shelby Horton Morgan Ward
J. Mack Robinson College of Business Matthew Adjin-Tettey John Le Enrique Pujals
J. Mack Robinson College of Business Sarah Saied College of Education and Human Developement Mackenzie Minter School of Public Health Hewitt Mesfin
Not Pictured
Ndubuisi Onwumere, College of Arts and Sciences Betenia Tuwe, Dunwoody Noor Bakhatawar, Newton Jimmy Davis, Newton Lavendar Harris, Newton
PERIMETER
Kyle Kath, Clarkston EVP
Mariya Cummings, Deactur EVP
Dominique Whitehurst, Deactur Senator
Gabriel Pelayo, Newton Senator
CANDIDATE Carlos Porter MARY A. BRASSFIELD Staff Reporter
“
I understand what type of impact and effects a president could have,” Carlos Porter said. He said he wants to ensure that whoever takes this position is someone that is qualified and understands the role very well. One of Porter’s plans for ensuring that he will be an impactful president is being accessible to all students. “One thing I don’t see this administration doing, nor did I see the 89th administration doing is visiting all campuses,” he said. He wants students to know who their SGA officials are by face and to be able to reach out to them. “We speak for the students, so whether the students know it or not, they are all part of SGA,” Porter said. “Many students do not know who their SGA officials are, and that’s something a lot of campuses have issues with.” He joined SGA in 2018 as a senator for Academic Affairs before becoming the speaker of the Newton campus in spring 2019. Porter is a business major, and he believes he can do just as much as a political science major. “My father is a business owner, and I have helped him sell supplies. He is in a management role. All my life I have grown up in the business world,” Porter said. “I understand what it is like to manage other people.” He said the help from his father, and his role as speaker of the Newton campus, has prepared him for
the position as SGA president. Porter’s platform consists of three things he finds most important to contribute to the Georgia State campus: unity, accountability and security. “We have to bring SGA together because that is the voice for the students,” Porter said. “If the voice is not together then how can the students be heard?” Porter plans to have every senator and SGA official held accountable for their actions. He wants to market the SGA university-wide meetings to allow for a larger student presence. According to Porter, if more students are there, then senators will watch how they act and what they say during those meetings. His final plan of action is security. Porter plans on boosting the amount of security that is available on each campus and ensuring that all cameras, inside and outside, are operating. SGA is currently Porter’s only focus because he said it needs to be taken seriously. He did have a message he wanted students to know before deciding their next SGA president. “What I want to say to students is if you don’t just want a different person in office, if you want a change of mindset, I know I have the mindset of ‘students first.’ I have had this mindset from the time I was a senator to now, [as] speaker of the [Newton] Senate,” Porter said. “Normal presidencies are just a change of person, but what I want to bring is a change of mindset.”
Kaelen Thomas NIDA MERCHANT Staff Reporter
“
I want to keep students F.I.R.S.T.,” Kaelen Thomas, university-wide presidential candidate, said. His slogan, F.I.R.S.T., stands for a variety of issues he would like to work toward including free feminine hygiene products across campus, increasing on-campus jobs, reducing student homelessness, increasing sustainability and creating better transportation options. Thomas discussed his concern for students’ lack of interest in the Student Government Association over the years. With increased internal conflict, he worries that students’ issues aren’t given the attention they deserve. If he becomes university-wide president, Thomas’ goal would be to not only work toward mending the issues occurring between the Perimeter and Downtown campus leadership but also to focus on a variety of pressing issues that students face on a day to day basis. In discussing one of his priorities, increasing sustainability, he said he found it ridiculous that the second most innovative campus in the country has given little to no regard for a green lifestyle. “If you ever open up your tuition expenses, you can see that we pay $250 in athletic fees and approximately $5 in sustainability. I think that says a lot about our priorities,” he said. Thomas summarized the importance of this issue. “I don’t know how many football games you go to, but I breathe air pretty often,” he said. Thomas discussed his passion for improving the lack of student housing at Georgia State as well. Last year, he worked on a task-force group within SGA that focused specifically on a number of student housing concerns. Thomas wishes to address
these concerns throughout his term as well. As a third-year political science student, Thomas found a passion for his work from his mother and the black community around him. “It takes a lot being a minority, and I’ve understood the reality of this more and more as I grow up. I haven’t had many role models that looked like me,” Thomas said. And though he gains a great deal of influence from his mother and his group of friends, Thomas wishes to move forward in his career for a cause much greater than his inner circle. “As both a black and queer representative, I hope to open up doors and provide opportunities for those people in my community who feel like they could make it to the place I am at today,” he said. In Thomas’s opinion, the ideal university-wide president needs to account for student priorities first. The policies he focuses on are at the heart of student requirements. Along with student representation, he wishes to ease conflicts within SGA that may have inhibited them from engaging with the common student. One of his greatest accomplishments as speaker of the Atlanta Senate was visiting a number of the Perimeter campuses and understanding why they felt unheard within SGA. “Nobody has been able to do that. So, when I talk about representation, I talk about representation and unity for all,” he said. As Thomas explained his issues and passion toward his work, he emphasized the importance of SGA beginning to work with the students instead of for them. “An SGA President needs someone to stand for something, and keep students F.I.R.S.T., and that someone is me,” he said.
PROFILES
Nahom Taye IMANI DENNIS Staff Reporter
N
ahom Taye stands apart from the other candidates as someone who is not a member of the Student Government Association. Where others may see this as a weakness, Taye sees this as a strength. “I come from different organizations that run differently from SGA. An outsider will see that there is no limit. We can’t hide behind the rules,” Taye said. “I think they are all very involved, but they don’t look out as much with what’s going on with the student body, so you can’t see the students’ wants and needs.” Taye also said that his experience as a student on campus allowed him to see the things that he loves and things that could be better. “There’s a process at Georgia State and that was falling in love with everything more and getting to know different people and experiencing different things,” he said. Taye’s leadership experience primarily stems from the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, where he’s held many positions including health and safety officer, risk management and president. “We did everything for our guys. We raised the average GPA by about 0.2, and we’re the fraternity with the highest average in the North American Interfraternity Conference,” he said. “We’ve also done philanthropy events and beat our previous goal for our Children’s Healthcare fundraiser.” Taye is a junior majoring in public policy. “The opportunity to run for president is important to me because I want to be a part of SGA in my final year,” he said. His platform centers around financial literacy
and assisting students with their careers. “I want to continue the push for financial literacy and career services to students,” Taye said. “Particularly, I want to gear it towards students learning what Career Services can provide as far as resume building, mock interviews and headshots.” He also has an idea to add more campus art to buildings at Georgia State. Taye opened up the comments on his Instagram for students to voice concerns. “I [posted that] because my perspective is limited to my social network of my friends. I should listen to other perspectives of students,” Taye said. He said that students are concerned about safety, particularly when it comes to campus escorts. “People are asking for rides back to their cars from [the Georgia State University Police Department],” he said. “They are getting turned down, and it’s not right.” Taye also wants to bring more events to Georgia State. “We should look into receiving grants so that we can have more events and celebrate students on campus,” he said. Taye recognizes that many students don’t vote during SGA elections because many of them don’t know what SGA does. “We should do a marketing push showcasing what SGA has succeeded in and what they’ve done for students,” he said. Taye said that it may sound cheesy, but he got into politics and the race for president because it’s fun. “It’s the level of competition. It’s like getting to see a score increasing and watching the smiles on people’s faces,” he said.
Nigel Walton IMANI DENNIS Staff Reporter
N
igel Walton describes himself as a person of action who has always had a passion for politics. “I’ve always had an interest in politics and government,” Walton said. “I told my friends I wanted to be president of [the Student Government Association] no matter what college I went to.” Walton is the chair of the academic affairs for SGA. “Whenever a student has a problem with financial aid, their classes, research and professor relations, we handle that,” he said. When placing his previous work on a scale of one to ten, Walton said it would be an eight. “Most of the people on my committee are not senators in SGA, just people that wanted to volunteer and be a part of it,” Walton said. “I’m also starting to work on faculty diversity on campus.” Walton said that his religious beliefs and leadership also play a role in his interest in politics. He leads college ministry efforts at Ebenezer Baptist Church. He also said his majors in sociology and religious studies exemplify this. “I respect and value all religions because they all have some sort of truth to them,” he said. “And I also believe in loving people, and that’s what I try to bring to policy, no matter what color, gender or sexual orientation.” Walton said he feels like SGA is not operating at its full potential. “I believe that with my administration that we will stop running on potential and start running
on action,” he said. Walton referred to the mold issue in housing, which he said still has not been addressed by SGA. “We’ve constantly said that we are going to address it, but no one has. We haven’t put our feet to words, and I know that I’ve dropped the ball as well,” he said. Walton’s long-term goals are creating a better Homecoming with the Spotlight Board and to push for more funding for the Multicultural Center. “There are only three people [servicing] 27,000 students,” he said. “If we say we graduate the most African Americans, we need to do a better job of servicing them.” Walton’s campaign team is run by only black women, including former SGA member Janae Jones, which stems from his experiences as a child. “I grew up in a home with a single mom,” he said. “If you want to get people to do something, you get a bunch of black women around.” Walton summarizes his campaign with two words: purpose and significance. “I don’t do anything just for me to get praise for it or for popularity. I do stuff for purpose,” he said. “I believe that students here have a purpose, whether that’s getting out of poverty or creating a legacy, and I want people to release that purpose through my campaign.” As far as significance, Walton said that aspect is focused on what students get out of Georgia State. “I want students to graduate and say they are one of the most complete human beings they can be because of the people, classes and professors at [Georgia State],” he said.
The four candidates for university-wide president pose at locations across campus.
PHOTOS BY MATT SICILIANO-SALAZAR | THE SIGNAL
BROOKLYN VALERA News Editor
Atlanta Speaker the Senate:
Kaelen Thomas currently fi the position.
PRE-DEBATE ENTRANCE POLL (SCAN THIS CODE BEFORE THE DEBATE)
Unity in SGA
Atlanta Executive Vice President: Hamza Rahman currently fills the position.
EVP Candidates • Spencer DeHart • Takia Tinsley
Tasks:
• A location-rotation bill was presented at a universit wide meeting on Sept. 19 last fall. • According to The Signal’s article covering the Jan. 23 university-wide meeting, “This bill would allow SGA university-wide meetings to rotate through the different campuses alphabetically. This rotation exclu Alpharetta and Newton, as they would host universit wide retreats.” • The bill failed during the Sept. 19 meeting and caused Perimeter senators to protest by meeting on one of the five Perimeter campuses. The protesting senators would then attend the meeting on the Atlanta campus through WebEx, a live video chat platform. • These protests occurred during the past two university-wide meetings, on Oct. 17 and Jan. 23. • The protests have caused a ripple effect in how the meetings run due to audio and connectivity issues. It has also caused a rift between the senators and the campuses regarding how to manage SGA on all five campuses in a way that benefits everyone.
• Report to and assist the president. • Serve as vice-chair of the Atlanta Campus Mandatory Fee Committee. • Co-chair the Student Activity Fee Committee with the Dean of Students. • Work with the Atlanta campus finance director to develop the budget for SGA to help prepare a request for funding to the Student Activity Fee Committee. • Manage the duties of the speaker of the Senate, communications director and finance director in accordance with the SGA Constitution and Bylaws and the president’s requests. • Notify and remove Campus Executive Committee members who violate the attendance policy.
President:
Jazmin
Mejia currently holds the position for the university-wide president of the 90th administration
• Se • Ov • Ho
Presidential Candid • Carlos Porte • Nahom Taye • Kaelen Thom • Nigel Walton
of
fills
ty-
udes ty-
Speaker Candidates • Brianna Bailey • Nia Cole • Peter Minetos • Audrey • Abraham
Tasks:
• Run the Atlanta Senate meetings. • Set the calendar of senate meetings and call special meetings of the senate when necessary. • Coordinate all campus senate committees. • Serve on the Campus Executive Committee. • Ensure legislation is in the proper order before consideration by the campus senate. • Can direct legislation to be reviewed by a committee or request that a certain committee review legislation before it is brought before the senate. • Notify and remove senators who violate the attendance policy. • Perform duties assigned by the EVP in the administration of the Executive Committee. • Can serve on the Perimeter College Committee. • Forward all legislation to the communications director. • Keep up with senator absences from the campus meetings.
SGA Point System :
• Accumulation of points by an SGA officer results in the following: Set the calendar of senate meetings and call special meetings of the senate when necessary. 10 points: a verbal warning, followed up with written documentation. 15 points: a written referral. 25 points: the termination process begins. • Points are given when an officer isn’t present and doesn’t perform their assigned duties. • Points do not reset during an officer’s term.
SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE
Terry Fye currently fills this position. At the Feb. 13 SGA Atlanta meeting, Terry Fye was voted into the speaker pro tempore position with seven votes. Nia Cole received four votes and Peter Minetos received one, according to The Signal’s coverage of the meeting
Tasks of the president:
erve as the official representative of the student body. versee the duties of the EVPs. old and run at minimum two university-wide meetings per semester. • Order special university-wide meetings if necessary. • Visit each campus once every semester. • Serve on the university president’s Fiscal Advisory Committee. • Notify and remove University-Wide Executive Committee members who violate the attendance policy. • Preside over any ad hoc committee responsible for amending the SGA Constitution.
dates er e mas n
POST-DEBATE EXIT POLL
(SCAN THIS CODE AFTER THE DEBATE)
NEWS
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GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM
Impeachment committee order defeated
Most recent Atlanta Senate meeting brings accusation of collusion BROOKLYN VALERA & WILL SOLOMONS News Editor & Managing Editor
F
ive days before the annual SGA debates at the Atlanta Senate meeting, the senate debated articles of impeachment, campaign manager involvement and the responsibilities of an SGA member. A special order to create a committee to investigate articles of impeachment against Sen. Takia Tinsley was defeated at the Atlanta senate meeting this past Thursday. Tinsley is currently a candidate in the race for Atlanta executive vice president. Speaker Pro Tempore Terry Fye drafted and introduced the order, which included what he considered to be several potential conflicts of interest between Tinsley and presidential candidate Nigel Walton. Kaelen Thomas, speaker of the Atlanta Senate, missed the beginning of the meeting to attend his own campaign meeting for his presidential candidacy. He then arrived with his campaign manager and assumed the position of the speaker during the discussion of the special order. “I had a campaign meeting, so I decided to be late for here and let Terry take the reigns … I didn’t think I would be coming back so soon but I heard that the senate might need my presence tonight,” Thomas said. Fye asked Thomas if he’d like to recuse himself because the discussion included Thomas’ presidential competitor Walton. Thomas chose to resume his role of speaker. In an interview with The Signal, Thomas said he didn’t recuse himself because Fye wrote the special order and he saw it as a conflict for Fye. The first conflict of interest in the special order against Tinsley included a violation of Article 5 Section F of the SGA Election Code that states that SGA members can endorse themselves but not each other. Tinsley, as president of Pi Alpha chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Inc., self-reported the fraternity’s endorsement of Walton. The second one included the assumption that Tinsley would be less likely to receive more points for violations if Walton were to be elected as SGA president due to the endorsement. Tinsley has 24 points, one point away from termination from the Senate, due to unexcused absences. The third conflict of interest includes that the endorsement and Tinsley’s role in the fraternity affected Thomas’ chances of receiving an endorsement from the fraternity. Walton argued that Article 4 Section 2(F) contradicts Article 5 Section F in Tinsley’s case since he is both the leader of an organization and an SGA member. “Candidates, or others acting on behalf of candidates, may contact the leader of any student organization chartered with the University for the purpose of requesting … to seek its endorsement,” Article 4 Section 2(F) states. “What if a person is both a leader but also in SGA?” Walton said. Fye said that regardless of a person being in both organizations, they must still recuse themselves from the process. The conversation then became about whether Tinsley is an SGA member first or the president of his fraternity first. “What is the determining factor of what he does first or not?” Walton said. Fye argued that Tinsley became an SGA senator first when he swore an oath to uphold the bylaws. “The fact of the matter is, if you are an SGA officer first, you are a member of every other organization second because you serve every student,” Fye said. Ira Livnat, Thomas’ campaign manager, contributed to the discussion as well, taking the floor. Livnat asked Tinsely if he recused himself from endorsing Walton, which Tinsely replied that he did. “Is that enough to dismiss the charge? I’ve also heard a lot of people talk about ‘Is he a senator first or is he part of the fraternity first?’ I think that’s irrelevant. It doesn’t matter which one should come first. It matters that you’re a part of SGA,” Livnat said. Walton then took the floor, asking Thomas who his
campaign manager was. “I refuse to answer that question,” Thomas said. Walton then turned to Livnat. “To Mr. Livnat, who are you the campaign manager for?” Walton said. Livnat then said he believed it was irrelevant who he was, but he then addressed the senate, telling them that he wasn’t coming to the senate as a campaign manager but rather a concerned student. He followed up saying that if Tinsely was innocent, he would support an investigation to prove his own innocence. Livnat argued in front of the senate that it doesn’t matter which role comes first for Tinsley, SGA or the fraternity, it just matters that he’s in SGA. But when asked in an interview after the meeting about the possibility of a conflict of interest for himself, Livnat said his roles as both a campaign manager and a concerned student isn’t a problem. He also said it wasn’t a conflict for him to speak because Thomas and Tinsely are in separate races and that the bill of impeachment only implicated Tinsely, not Walton. Livnat said that he believed Tinsely was innocent, so that’s why he addressed the senate.
Sen. Takia Tinsley at the Feb. 27 Atlanta campus Senate meeting.
“If my goal was to go up there and reverse that or interfere with that, I would have gone up there and said ‘Impeach him, impeach him. He’s guilty’ … I thought that legislation was premature. And I think that [Tinsely] was innocent. And that’s why I went up there and asked that question,” Livnat said. Because Livnat was not yielded to by any member of the senate before speaking, Gail Sutton, the Atlanta SGA advisor, said that it was considered a parliamentary error. The SGA bylaws list the proper rules to conduct a senate meeting. The rules include how to properly allow students to address the senate. “Anyone who is not a member of the SGA Senate or President’s Cabinet shall only speak during SGA meetings through the process of student forum, or if yielded the floor by a senator or senate chairperson,” Article 8 Section E of vthe SGA bylaws states. The senate ultimately ended up voting down the motion, effectively killing the bill. The final count was 4 for, 5 against and 1 abstaining. Due to debate on the issue running late into the night, and the meeting’s scheduled agenda, other business planned for the meeting was postponed to March 5.
PHOTO BY SHEL LEVY | THE SIGNA;
TUESDAY, 3, 15, 2020 TUESDAY, MARCH JANUARY 2019
www.georgiastatesignal.com/opinions
Analysis: SGA presidential candidate policies Which candidate’s policies are the most feasible? KENNETH LOCKETT III Asssociiate Opinions Editor
I
KAELEN THOMAS ncrease the number of on-campus jobs| Rating: 2/5 This is a policy that should be a relatively interesting project to accomplish, especially with a collaboration with Career Services and other university departments. However, some hurdles that must be overcome include the work-study funding and other financial issues. Earlier this semester, The Signal reported that student employees often don’t receive enough hours due to federal and fiscal constraints. Amend the fee allocation process for student clubs and organizations| Rating: 2.5/5 This is exactly the job of the university-wide president. They should be ensuring the right organizations are receiving the funds they need. But will the university allow him to do something like that? That will come down to how much the University Senate respects the policy proposal. Often times fee allocation is rarely changed, maybe this year will be different Finish SGA’s current initiative to provide free feminine hygiene products for women across all campuses| Rating: 5/5 The University-Wide Senate has already made great strides on this project. If it’s not completed this semester, then it will likely be next semester.
CARLOS PORTER Improve university security in general| Rating: 2/5 Porter wasn’t very specific in what security measures he wanted to tackle. He references some floors in university buildings not having cameras; however, those claims haven’t been confirmed. Student safety is often the most important issue on campus, but it’s such a large issue with so many factors that it will be difficult to tackle without a clear plan. Improve unity in student government| Rating: 3/5 This is a direct response to the issues that plagued the 90th administration. This is a very sticky issue that has been building since the 89th, and it came to a very vocal head at a university-wide meeting, as covered by The Signal. Frankly, if any of the candidates could unite SGA, it would be Porter. He’s a current speaker of the Newton Senate, and he would have an office on the Atlanta campus, which he could translate this into the university as a whole. However, this will still be a difficult thing to accomplish even with Porters ties to the perimeter campuses. Create a system of holding members accountable| Rating: 5/5 Yet another general policy but it’s one of the most important. Porter wants to ensure that everyone in SGA, as former University-Wide President Franklin Patterson often said, “remember their why.” SGA representatives work for the students, not themselves, which they often forget. This should be a relatively easy policy point to enforce, but it’s extremely internally focused. Is he running for the SGA vote or the student vote?
NIGEL WALTON Collaborate with the Student Alumni Association, Georgia State University Foundation and Alumni Connection Council to create one-of-a-kind student life experiences| Rating: 3.5/5 While this should be a relatively simple thing to do, it’s not really his job as president. Each campus’ chair of student engagement and other related positions should be the ones reaching out to departments for events and such. However, there’s nothing necessarily wrong with SGA presidents hosting events. It should be a relatively easy task to accomplish. Work with the university and outside partners to create a financial literacy class that addresses racial wealth gaps| Rating: 2/5 The policy in its current form is extremely unlikely. It’s difficult to change the curriculum of a class or add a new class. That would require new staff who are knowledgeable in that area, new textbooks and creating deals with those distributors to have cheaper textbooks for students. This policy will likely be watered down to an event similar to Up to Us’s Black Wall Street event. Move toward 65% of the university voting in the upcoming 2020 elections| Rating: 5/5 The key is in the wording for this policy: He wants to move toward 65%, not reach 65%, which means even a 1% increase means the policy is a success. With the creation of the first student-run university election booth, this policy should be a resounding success, especially in collaboration with Vote Everywhere (note that while he told The Signal 65%, his public platform says 60%, so it appears a little inconsistent). NAHOM TAYE Improve Student Financial Services and University Career Services| Rating: 2/5 Here we go again — yet another candidate claiming to bring changes to financial aid and career services. And much like previous administrations, he will likely fail. Both of these departments are some of the best performing in the nation. They try their hardest to get your issue resolved in a timely manner. However, speaking about Financial Aid, they are often understaffed when it matters most. The department has great service rates in the middle of the semesters, but toward the beginning of each semester, traffic picks up, the staff is overworked and students’ attitudes shift. Folks, before you head to the office or call, go to Panther Answer first, which you can access from PAWS any day of the week and can answer most of your questions. Improve the experience of commuters| Rating: 5/5 This is a great policy. Taye is a commuter student, so he understands the struggles that the majority of the university faces, not to mention the way he plans to complete this, which is extremely simple: show maps of daily road closures and ways to get to the different parking decks around campus. Taye also plans on showing students how to get the university’s different parking passes. Why SGA and Parking Services aren’t doing these things already are beyond me. Take steps in designing a campus to accurately represent our university| Rating: 1/5 If you pull a random student aside and ask them what our university’s identity is, they most likely wouldn’t be able to give you an answer. Besides painting the area around each campus blue, which is literally impossible because of city codes and private property laws, there is no real way to “design a campus” that accurately represents the university. The Greenway on the Downtown campus took years and millions of dollars to even become an idea on a blueprint. This is an extremely unlikely policy to even be looked at by the university administration.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This writer is a former member of Student Government. He also has maintained multiple connections within the organization. The article has been fact-checked by The Signal’s Managing Editor Will Solomons. Top left: Kaelen Thomas | Top right: Carlos Porter | Bottom left: Nigel Walton Bottom right: Nahom Taye
PHOTOS BY MATT SICILIANO-SALAZAR | THE SIGNAL
OPINIONS
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GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM
The future of student government What the 91st administration needs to get done
executive Interim president & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Ada Wood
KENNETH LOCKETT III
signaleditor@gmail.com managing editor Will Solomons Marketing Manager Julian Pineda
Asssociiate Opinions Editor
A
s the spring semester hits its midpoint, the Student Government Association begins its election season. Election time is all fun and games, but once they are elected by the students, they have to hit the ground running. The future university-wide president and executive vice presidents only have a few weeks to begin working toward their campaign promises. The 90th administration started off on solid footing banking on the success of the 89th to push it forward. But, alas, it was quickly plagued with the hidden curses of the previous administration. From unfilled Senate seats to law enforcement programs, to what was basically a civil war, this year, SGA was fundamentally dysfunctional. But with a new administration coming in, bringing new and fresh ideas, it’s time that we look to the future. What does the 91st administration need to do to be successful? Besides the usual things such as dealing with financial aid and advisement, SGA has to tackle a few things. GILEE The fundamental issue that tore through the 89th administration’s spring semester, the Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange has been on the 90th administration’s backburner. After a heated protest, it’s shocking that there still hasn’t been an official opinion from SGA. It’s time that a decision is reached and a resolution is passed. PERIMETER CAMPUSES This particular issue crushed the current administration for the majority of its tenure. The Perimeter campuses have felt like they’ve been disrespected by the Downtown campus, and in many ways, it has been. It will be up
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to the future administration to truly unite the university. The idea of “Two Systems, One School” has to end with this administration. STREAMLINE EVENTS SGA is known for hosting multiple events throughout the year, chief among them being Constituency Day. The events are so massive and planning happens so far in advance that often times it takes over months of productive time. SGA needs to improve at planning events; they have an entire committee for student engagement, so it should use it. PROFESSIONALISM The members of SGA are student leaders, but they often act like high schoolers. They yell over each other on a regular basis, ignore guest speakers and stray off their set meeting agendas.
SGA meetings often begin late and end even later. Students often complain that SGA doesn’t really do anything, but if they acted like their positions, then maybe they’d actually get work done. All these aspects combined will give the 91st administration a solid footing for the year. STUDENT ENGAGEMENT If you ask a random student in Unity Plaza what they thing about SGA the response you will probably get is, “What does SGA do?” SGA has a serious issue of engaging students. They need an inclusive campaign to spur interest. SGA is supposed to be about the students, but without student engagement, they will continue to fall short. All these aspects combined will give the 91st administration a solid footing for the year.
Students don’t care what politicians say Voting is important but students aren’t paying attention JAMAL LEMOND Staff Columnist
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always thought that when I was able to vote, it’d be more exciting than this. I was too young to vote for Barack Obama, but I had this dream of studying politics and campaigning for my favorite candidate. Unfortunately, I have been disappointed with the reality of politics. The more I pay attention, the less I care. Although we are the future, politicians have little to no interest in attracting young voters. Few candidates have adapted to modern social media and have no relatability factors. Politicians aren’t marketing their campaigns to students and prioritizing the young vote. Voting among 18 to 29-year-olds increased 20% during the 2018 midterms, but sustained overall interest has not. Every opportunity I have had to cast a vote, I have taken advantage of it and voted. I truly believe it is a form of expression. My ancestors were jailed, assaulted and killed for the right to vote, so I will continue to vote. But that doesn’t mean I have any interest in paying close
attention to politics beyond that point. Both of the major elections in which I participated ended in controversy due either to external involvement or outright cheating. The blatant corruption drained the last bit of interest I had in politics, not to mention the fact that the vast majority of candidates aren’t relatable or interesting, considering they are some combination of racist, sexist and classist. Chastity Johnson is a 19-year-old political science major. She admits to not caring about politics prior to college. Although she pays attention now, her peers aren’t that interested. “I was not into politics before. I had to take an American government class as one of my required classes, and I really liked it, so I started paying more attention to politics.” Johnson said. “Most of my friends don’t really pay attention to politics. They just know what they see on social media or if everyone is talking about [it].” Jorge Granados is a part-time student at Perimeter College and was recently elected as the treasurer for the Gwinnett County Young Democrats. Granados acknowledges the lack of interest in politics among students and the candidate’s inability to attract young voters. “There is a lot of focus on older folks since
they tend to have a higher voter turnout,” Granados said. “We want to make sure that political campaigns know that college students like ourselves know that we are starting to pay attention to what is going on around us. We know some of the issues that concern us, but the campaigns tend to not address it to our liking.” Granados thinks there is a solution to this problem. “I believe the best method to attract young voters is to inform and include them in … the decision making [process],” he said. “Reach out to them by going to their schools. Make fundraising events more affordable so many more can attend. And most of all, having someone like ourselves run for office and making sure that we have a seat at the table in the decision making.” Sure, I should take time and learn on my own, but that can be difficult. To blame the ignorant for not knowing while dismissing the wise is counterproductive. It should be the politician’s job to reach out and gain the attention of young people. Maybe I am just a dreamer, but if we are the future, then we deserve more attention from our politicians.
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ARTS & LIVING TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2020
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Men in Violence Prevention’s inaugural year The initiative that tackles gender-based issues on campus HANNA WEILAND Staff Reporter
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hen Georgia State senior Kenon McCollins walked into Assistant Dean of Students Jaray Mazique’s office, he had the intent to combat gender-based violence starting with an initiative. Mazique and McCollins created the Men in Violence Prevention Initiative as a collaborative effort to encourage students of all genders to discuss everyday issues that the male college student tackles. In its inaugural year, MVP collaborated with students and professors who were interested in the concept of the layers of masculinity. McCollins, a journalism major, works as the primary MVP ambassador. In the heat of the #MeToo movement and the general climate of rape culture, he decided it was time to start an action at Georgia State to bring up violence in conversations. Just recently, disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein was found guilty for rape in the third degree and a criminal sexual act in the first degree. The verdict has made significant strides toward justice for sexual assault victims, but the similar issues among regular college-aged women remain standing. On average, one in five college women is raped or sexually assaulted. McCollins believes in the power of conversation and bringing these issues up front will help combat the culture. “It [rape culture] is hard to ignore and so in your face,” McCollins said. “I just figured we should do something about this.” McCollins and Mazique started the program and developed ideas for conversations at the beginning of the fall semester. The two decided on topics based on the awareness of social media and its most common issues brought up by college-age users. Social media and women’s studies classes helped McCollins realize the importance of discussing the topics that are usually steered away from when it comes to the men in college. The student-led initiative hosts multiple discussions and workshops per semester on the following topics: Controlling Your Anger, Consent, Pop’s Impact (in partnership with Black Men’s Dialogue), and Relationships. During the “Controlling Your Anger” workshop, for example, students were able to identify causes of anger and how to communicate effectively when angry. The workshops also included relationship topics, because anger can sometimes lead to violence. The CDC reported in 2015 that one in four women and one in
feel like it gets better and better, and we get more momentum.” McCollins and Mazique know the topics are always something that needs to be discussed and are relevant to what is happening in the social climate. “The last discussion, which was on relationships, was powerful,” McCollins said. Although the initiative is titled “Men in Violence Prevention,”
“[Rape culture] is hard to ignore and so in your face ... I just figured we should do something about this.”
— KENON MCCOLLINS Georgia State Student
members of all genders are allowed to participate. The meetings are always an opportunity for students to use their voices and talk about the issues they have always wanted to discuss. McCollins and Mazique want the conversation to be inclusive.
MVP collaborates with other campuses with similar programs and also worked with the International Human Trafficking Institute to train students and address the concerns of human trafficking. McCollins, Mazique, and MVP plan on hosting events with the institute and have members trained in human trafficking prevention to incorporate the skills into future meetings. “MVP consistently tables around campus, utilizes the campus Visix screens and visits other campuses to spread the word continuously,” Mazique said. For Mazique, the goal of the initiative is to shape local, national and global leaders and promote collaboration with different campus communities. McCollins would like to see the difference in campus culture as this semester progresses and hopes the legacy continues once he graduates. “I am trying to make a difference and make Georgia State aware through MVP and just try to grow it, so it becomes a staple here and at other campuses,” McCollins said. This semester, McCollins, Mazique and the initiative will host two more discussions: “Insecurities and Self-Worth” on March 12 and “Is Fear a Bad Thing?” on April 16. All talks are held at noon on the third floor Student Center East. For students who want to join the initiative and participate in the next discussion, email kmccollins1@gsu.edu.
“MVP consistently tables around campus, utilizes the campus Visix screens and visits other campuses to spread the word continuously.” — JARAY MAZIQUE Assistant Dean of Students
seven men experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner. “We already had a consent circle that we do, and I asked friends that I already knew who would be interested in doing a consent discussion,” McCollins said. McCollins’ friends were eager to join the conversation. He received over 30 responses for attendance at the first session. McCollins and Mazique worked to engage professors and students into joining the inaugural meeting. A group of 10 professors and students attended the first meeting. The discussion made such an impact on the members that the attendance increased as the semester progressed. Each session improved with its discourse as well. Using interesting starting topics, students and professors are given room to expand the conversation and share meaningful stories and experiences. “All of the discussions have been amazing,” McCollins said. “I
Kenon McCollins is bringing awareness to stop rape culture on campus.
PHOTO COURTESY OF KENON MCCOLLINS
ARTS & LIVING
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‘I’m pickin’ up good vibrations’ from these jams Songs that make people happy and the science behind it SHARAYAH DAVIS Staff Reporter
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n the early morning, Georgia State student Serena White walked down the rainy, slick Atlanta streets. Her coat, unfortunately, had done little to protect her. Two speeding cars had already rushed through massive puddles on the road, splashing White. As the initial shock of the wave of water hitting her skin passed, White quickly tried to smile and laugh it off. She’s not going to let a puddle ruin her day. White took out her phone and searched for a song to brighten her mood. She saw the title and the album artwork of Sunday Moon’s single “Mirror”, and a smile already broke out on her face. White turned the volume up, and immediately, her day changed for the better. Music has the power to change one’s day from bad to better. Studies conducted at Bryan Memorial Hospital in Nebraska and St. Mary’s Hospital in Wisconsin show that patients who have just had surgery experience improved immunity when listening to happy music. Pregnant women who listen to happy music have experienced lowered blood pressure and stress levels. Scientifically, the tempo, lyrics and key of a song are all factors in a song sounding happy. Jacob Jolij, a Dutch neuroscientist, conducted a study to put together the 10 happiest songs on earth. Jolij’s formula for determining whether a song is happy included a fast tempo, positive lyrics and a major key. Jolij conducted his study in a survey format, asking individuals what songs made them happy. His goal was to discover a pattern in these songs. It proved to be more difficult since many people may have positive associations or memories attached to a song that may not be particularlvy “happy.” The study did find a pattern in the music, specifically when it came to the tempo and key. The average pop song has a tempo of 118 beats per minute. Jolij discovered that the happiest songs have a tempo at around 140-150 BPM. A fast tempo paired
with a major key results in some of the happiest songs on earth, according to Jolij. With these factors in mind, he created a playlist of 10 songs that he called “the happiest songs on earth.” He took some of the most popular songs over the decades and found that they fit this formula. Some of the songs included “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen, “Good Vibrations” by the Beach Boys and “Uptown Girl” by Billy Joel. The content of the lyrics of the song is also a factor: Most of the songs on Jolij’s list have to do with dancing, partying, love or motivation. The list definitely captures some of the happiest songs of all time, but there are many happy songs to which people listen that are not included. Here are some happy song suggestions from fellow Georgia State students as well as professors. “MIRROR” by SUNDAY MOON This suggestion comes from White. Though the song has a slower tempo, she says that the song gives her a sort of happy calm. “[I think] it’s the tempo and vibes that just make me feel happy and chill,” White said. This song is in a major key and uses all seventh chords. Researchers for The Royal Society have found that seventh chords, whether they are major or minor, are the happiest chords in music. The song is also in the key of D major, which is known to be the “key of triumph.” Many holiday songs and symphonies are written in this key. “SUNFLOWER” by POST MALONE AND SWAE LEE This is another suggestion from White. She explained the excitement she feels when she hears the song or another one of her favorite happy songs. “I think it’s the lyrics with this one. It just makes me excited when it comes on,” White said. “It makes me so happy, [and] I can’t help but to sing along every time.” The lyrics are slightly bittersweet, but the theme of love is common among some of the happiest songs of all time. The theme of love paired with a key in D major makes this song a great addition.
“ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE” by THE BEATLES This suggestion comes from Georgia State journalism professor Donna Krache. “There are a lot of songs that make me happy, but ‘All You Need is Love’ always makes me happy,” Krache said. “The lyrics are just great. I love that song.” Fittingly, “All You Need is Love” is set in G major, which is the key to expressing heartfelt emotions. It is also the key that is associated with friendship and love. “HAWKSHAW” by RYAN BEATTY Georgia State student Manuela Flechas suggested this song, saying that the lyrics and tone of the song never fail to put her in a good mood. “The tone is just very cute, and the lyrics talk about someone he loves that’s stuck on his mind,” Flechas said. “Hawkshaw” is in the key of A major, which indicates innocent love and youthful cheerfulness. The lyrics, though slightly bittersweet, tell a story of young love and infatuation. “TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT” by CAGE THE ELEPHANT Flechas expressed excitement about this song, in particular, noting Cage the Elephant as one of her favorite bands. “This song, and other Cage the Elephant songs, are the kind of songs that I always turn up really loud in my car,” Flechas said. “I will sing it at the top of my lungs, and it always makes the day better.” “Take It or Leave It” is written in C major. This key is often associated with purity, innocence and simplicity. Love, whether it is bittersweet or paired with desperation or longing, is a common theme among happy songs. This song is no exception. Although none of the songs on this list fit the tempo formula created by Jolij, they show the versatility of happy music. Quite a few songs on this list have lyrics that could even be considered somber. But this just shows that the emerging generation of music that makes listeners happy is breaking the mold in more ways than one.
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TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2020
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When students create their own community spaces
Georgia State’s smoking circle persists despite Kell Hall’s demolition BEN PARKER Staff Reporter
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he collegiate experience in teen-geared movies optimizes green spaces fit with hammocks, frisbees and hacky sack. Lacking an official communal area on the Atlanta campus, students have historically created their own space to hang out. Georgia State’s library plaza is currently undergoing an extensive renovation that began last April with the demolition of Kell Hall. Georgia State is constructing a “greenway,” a path that will run through the plaza beside grass and trees in between Langdale Hall, Sparks Hall and the Arts and Humanities Building. The construction will also feature “stairs connecting Courtland Street to a ground-level entrance to Sparks Hall, an addition to Library North with a ground-level entrance and stairs leading from the greenway to Langdale Plaza,” according to the official Georgia State News Hub. Before talks of the green space’s implementation began, Georgia State already had an unofficial communal area for students to sit and talk to one another between classes. The gathering of students sitting side by side outside of the late Kell Hall was informally referred to as the “smircle,” also known as the “smoke circle.” Although Georgia State bans smoking of any kind, those at the smircle would partake in the use of tobacco and even cannabis — two students were charged with possession of the illegal drug in November 2018. The smircle gained popularity due to its collective energy not different from that of the stereotypical college green space, individuals often bringing hammocks of their own to lounge between the few trees atop the mulched island surrounded by concrete. Individuals have also created art in the area of the smircle. Last year, an art installation made up of plastic grocery bags was tied together and attached to the trees within the space. As Kell Hall’s demolition and increased construction have persisted, the smircle faded out, the first months of last fall semester lacking students populating within library plaza. Though as time has gone on, students are finding new areas to hang out and smoke between classroom buildings. Beside the ramp beside the fountain, which has not been filled with water since the construction began, students have housed a new smircle (weather depending). Sources partaking in the new location of the smircle
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cannot confirm or deny that smoking of illegal substances persists, but the legacy of the smircle lives on with this relocation. “[The construction] is bulls---, [but] I appreciate that they’re turning it into a green space,” Nick Channavong, a Georgia State student, said, who finds that smircle creates
a “sense of community” for him, even though he himself does not smoke. “Usually, we just let people come to us,” Channavong said. “You don’t have to smoke in order to be a part of our group. Our biggest pet peeve over there is people walking up the stairs and just not being sociable.”
Music and motivation with Justin Roberts
How this athlete uses songs to prepare and enhance his gameplay KRISTY RIVERA Staff Reporter
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usic holds a large influence in many people’s lives as a source of motivation, relaxation and a way to set their mood. For athletes, this fascination of music is often focused on being able to set the tone for game preparation and performance, to remain focused and enhance game-play. Both factors are crucial to an athlete’s performance on and off the court. Redshirt sophomore Justin Roberts definitely agrees with this sentiment as he goes into detail about the influence music has had on his athletic career and how it currently helps him prepare in a sit-down interview. Kristy Rivera: When did music start to influence your athletic career? Justin Roberts: Around 6th grade because that is when I really got into music, specifically the hip hop and rap genre.
KR: What song currently helps you get pumped up for game days? JR: I would have to say “Ocean Views” by Nipsey Hussle because of the message it has of struggling and being successful in the marathon that is life. This song also just reminds me that every day is a stepping stone towards my end goal. KR: What are must-haves on your workout playlist? JR: The playlist all depends on my mood because usually, it can range from old/new age hip hop to something more calm such as r&b. KR: How do you decide what makes it onto your workout playlist? JR: I focus on the sound, specifically the beat, and what the artist is saying in their lyrics and how it can help to motivate me. These are usually the factors that go into what makes it onto my playlist. KR: Currently who is your favorite artist right now? JR: I would have to say that it’s a tie between NBA Youngboy and Nipsey Hussle. NBA is one of my favorites because he is unapologetically himself and is able to express that. Nipsey, on the other hand, represents
motivation to me and the fact that he was able to influence so many people in his lifetime and currently is fascinating to me. KR: Is there a specific genre of music that you gravitate towards over others? JR: I would say that it falls between r&b and hip-hop. More specifically old r&b and hip hop. KR: Does music affect your mood prior to training or playing in a game, if so in what way? JR: Yeah it often influences the way I think and that is why I choose to listen to artists with a message in their music. Some games depending on my mood I might also choose to not listen to anything and just focus. Music just helps me to remain motivated and in a focused mindset. KR: Does the team bond over music, and if so, are there any shared playlists? JR: We usually have a shared interest in the same genre but not specifically artists. Our focus on what we listen to in the music also varies because some of us focus on the message while others focus on the beat or the vibes in the music.
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SPORTS TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2020
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Spencer DeHart is a bigger GSU sports fan than you
Talking Panthers’ and Atlanta sports with the SGA senator ANDREW FREEDMAN Sports Editor
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n the upcoming Student Government Association election, a variety of candidates from different backgrounds, each with different ideas, will seek a victory in order to implement their strategies and improve Georgia State. In some cases, they even want to improve all of downtown Atlanta as a city. From university-wide president and executive vice president to speaker of the Senate and senators, each position is up for grabs in the elections, which are from March 10-12. One of the candidates for EVP is Spencer DeHart, who has a burning passion for sports. Fans in attendance have frequently seen him at Georgia State Stadium. DeHart regularly attends the football team’s home games. In fact, he has not missed one in two years and were it not for ticket prices being so expensive, he would have made the trip to see the Panthers play the University of Wyoming Cowboys in the Arizona Bowl. “I like to attend them just because you see the impact that student-athletes can have on obviously an athletic view but also [on the] college culture,” DeHart said. Despite growing up a Florida State Seminoles fan, DeHart loves the Panthers. He has stood with them through thick and thin over the last few years and will continue to do so. “Obviously, a lot of people like to turn it into a bandwagon, only coming out when the team is actually playing well,” DeHart said. “In terms of college sports, I would say football is my favorite.” On top of just going to the games, DeHart has had the pleasure of watching some talented football players. When asked who some of his favorites were, he did not hesitate. “I came here in 2018, so for the first year of football, I’d say [current NFL wide receiver and Panther football alumnus] Penny Hart,” DeHart said. “[Senior quarterback Dan] Ellington has been quite a key player. Aside from that, [sophomore wide receiver] Cornelius McCoy [is] also fun to watch.” Aside from football, DeHart is an avid fan of the men’s basketball team. He admires what head coach Rob Lanier has accomplished as his first regular season with the Panthers comes to a close. “Bringing in Rob Lanier has had quite an impact on our team,” DeHart said. “Any time you transition coaches, it’s obviously a struggle to kind of learn the differences of play. I think our team has done an exceptional job trying to transition to Rob’s plan.” Of course, he remembers when writers said Georgia State would not do well in the 2019-20 season. In fact, the Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook picked the Panthers to finish sixth in the Sun Belt Conference. But just a few games remain, and as it stands, the Panthers are in a comfortable spot to finish well above what many had predicted. Coming off an absolutely gut-wrenching 79-70 home loss this past weekend against the Georgia Southern Eagles, the Sun Belt Conference Tournament’s first game on Saturday is just four days away. DeHart spoke on his admiration for the team being able to maintain an exceptional level of play despite losing key
“I don’t personally see a future job aspect or anything just because of the career plans I have. But certainly one of my favorite past times is sports.” — SPENCER DEHART SGA Senator
Despite growing up a Florida State Seminoles fan, Spencer DeHart is an avid fan of the Atlanta sports teams.
players this past off-season. “It’s very promising to see our team pick up where they left off even though we transitioned coaches,” DeHart said. “Our preseason poll had us at the very bottom, which was discouraging, but it’s been very pleasant to come out and see them prosper anyway.” Along with the team as a whole, DeHart has enjoyed watching individuals stand out. His favorite players include junior guard Kane Williams and redshirt junior guard Corey Allen. “Our three-point shooting is, of course, great,” DeHart said. “It’s always fun to come out and see us put in one after the other, of course, Corey Allen has played a major part in that.” He also acknowledged the change of leadership. Last year, the Panthers had D’Marcus Simonds, Jeff Thomas, Devin Mitchell and Malik Benlevi. This year, a new face of the program emerged and continues making a name for himself. “We’ve seen a transition in leadership, as last year we lost Malik Benlevi and a couple of other players,” DeHart said. “It’s been really fun to see Kane Williams come out as a top prospect … and take the entire team on his back and push
PHOTO BY MATT SICILIANO-SALAZAR | THE SIGNAL
them into the season.” On top of his beloved Panthers, DeHart loves the Atlanta Braves, Falcons and Hawks. His best memory as a Hawks fan is being able to perform at halftime with them when he was younger. He talked about a particular day when he had the special opportunity to help the team mascot, Harry the Hawk, with entertainment. “When I was seven years old, I went to a Hawks preseason practice at Georgia Tech, and they had Harry the Hawk come out and do his routine,” DeHart said. “I got pulled out of the crowd to do one. And the person who pulled me out saw that I had potential, so I was a part of the skits in games in 2006-7.” DeHart’s post-graduate plans do not include anything in sports, college or professional. However, athletics will be something he always holds near and dear to his heart. “Through my position at SGA I serve on the University Athletic Council, and so it’s very cool to jump into the technical aspects of [athletics],” he said. “I don’t personally see a future job aspect or anything just because of the career plans I have. But certainly one of my favorite past times is sports.”
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The future of women’s basketball is set How Taylor Hosendove is changing the team GRANT BLEVINS Staff Reporter
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uring a season riddled with injuries, Taylor Hosendove has been a positive force for the struggling women’s basketball team. The former transfer student is leading the team offensively, averaging a team-high 11.2 and nine rebounds. and 1.75 assists per game (second on the team). She has also been a force on the backboard, averaging nine rebounds per game, which also leads the team. “Coming in as a transfer student, I didn’t really think I was going to be able to play. When I found out that I was eligible to play, I just wanted to work really hard and make an impact wherever I could,” Hosendove said. Hosendove is also shooting 42.7% on the season, which is second on the team only behind starting center Shaquanda MillerMccray. With multiple starters and rotations out for the season with injuries, Hosendove made an immediate impact, becoming a leader on the floor for a young team rather quickly, which has been a challenge she has not shied away from and even led her to be recognized for multiple awards. “I don’t mind the pressure; it just brings out my competitive spirit,” Hosendove said. “I try to come to every game ready to play hard and get better with my teammates.” That same competitive spirit is what earned Hosendove both Georgia State student-athlete of the week and Sun Belt Conference player of the week during early February. During that week, she averaged 20.5 points and 9.5 rebounds, earning the Panther’s
two wins. This would ultimately help fuel a four-game win streak overall giving the team muchneeded confidence as tournament play draws nearer. Despite Hosendove’s strong individual performances, the season hasn’t yielded much winning largely due to the inexperience of the team. Currently, there are seven freshmen and four sophomores on the team. This inexperience, paired with the multitude of injuries, has created many challenges for head coach Gene Hill. “When your back is up against the wall, whether it’s due to injuries or other things, players have to make a choice to step up or not,” Hill said. “I think we saw some success there in the middle of conference play where we really stepped up to the challenge and won some games despite not having everyone healthy.” Hill was alluding to the fourgame win streak that has propelled the Panthers to have a chance during the conference tournament. Although the season hasn’t lived up to its potential, Hosendove is excited about the direction of the team and the development of some of her younger teammates, including one who shares the same first name. “Taylor Henderson has done a great job as a freshman stepping in and making an immediate impact in the game,” Hosendove said. “She has a lot of potential, and I’m looking forward to building a legacy with her here at [Georgia State].” Henderson has been another bright spot for the Panthers this season since she was elevated to a starting role due to injuries. She is leading the team in assists per game with 1.77 and second in points per game with 9.7. With conference tournament play right around the corner,
it will be imperative for the Panther’s dynamic pair of Taylors to continue elevating their game if they wish to make a run in the postseason. “As a team, we’re excited we had a couple of wins back-toback which has helped our team morale,” Hosendove said. “We just want to get some more wins to solidify our place in the tournament.” The regular season will come to a close for the Panthers this Saturday against in-state rival Georgia Southern. The Eagles will be traveling to the GSU Sports Arena looking to follow up their earlier season win against Georgia State where they defeated the Panthers 81-56 in Statesboro. Many of the athletes on the team are native Georgians, including Hosendove, a graduate of Westlake High School where she led her team to a 30-2 record as a senior. Home state pride is important to most athletes who call the Peach State home, and Hosendove was no exception. “I love in-state rivalries. Rivalries help bring students and athletes together for an ultimate show of school spirit. It gives me that extra push to perform at my absolute best,” said Hosendove.
Due to the low seeding, the Panthers are not expected to make a deep run in the conference tournament, but in a season where the best players on the team are only first and second-year collegiate athletes, there is no telling where this duo could lead the program. “Next season, I’m looking forward to getting with my teammates and having our chemistry improve,” Hosendove said. “I plan on training in the offseason and just getting back to working on the fundamentals and, of course, winning our conference next year.” Hill is also an advocate of Hosendove’s development and believes this season will be a building block for his team and star player Taylor Hosendove. “I’ve been real proud of this team for how they have grown throughout the season,” Hill said. “The lessons and adversity that Taylor has had to overcome this season will greatly benefit her as she continues her career and after college as well.” The Panthers will play in their season finale this Saturday against Georgia Southern in hopes of improving their conference tournament seeding.
“Next season, I’m looking forward to getting with my teammates and having our chemistry improve ... I plan on training in the offseason and just getting back to working on the fundamentals and, of course, winning our conference next year.” — TAYLOR HOSENDOVE Women’s Basketball Forward
THREE BIG THINGS UNIVERSITY Men’s basketball drops to Georgia Southern Eaglesw Friday’s rivalry game against the Georgia Southern Eagles brought out the biggest crowd of the year. The same fans who were still filing in minutes after tip-off also exited the building before the final buzzer--this was the most gut-wrenching loss of the season. After the game, the players looked dejected and, at times, seemed like they were mentally elsewhere. The final score read 7970, but the game felt like a 20-point blowout. The Panthers trailed the entire 40 minutes and it will cost them going forward in terms of postseason seeding.
STATE Josef Martinez tears ACL Sunday afternoon brought some tough news to Atlanta United FC and their die-hard fans. The team announced Josef Martinez would miss the entire 2020 season with a torn ACL that he suffered on Saturday in the 2-1 win over Nashville SC. Martinez and his squad were hoping for a big year to make up for an underwhelming 2019. However, the news brings the roadmap for a promising team to a sudden pause. Head coach Frank de Boer did not say much to the media following Saturday’s game. He was stretchered off as Marcedes Benz Stadium echoed with silence.
NATIONAL NFL Combine standouts Many NFL Draft prospects improved their stock for the April 23 draft at the Combine this past weekend. Former Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Jalen Hurts looks phenomenal. Jeff Okudah, former Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker, made headlines after schooling a reporter who questioned his “tendency to get kind of sloppy.” Okudah responded back to the reporter and told him to “Put the tape on again; you might see something else.” Also making headlines was former Minnesota Golden Gophers offensive lineman consisted of seven scrambled eggs, a big tub of cottage cheese, grits, peanut butter, a banana and 20 ounces of red Gatorade.
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TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2020
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OPINION: There is another rising star in Atlanta John Collins is the NBA’s underappreciated star Atlanta needs NAJEH WILKINS Staff Reporter
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et say it for the casual fan: John Collins is the underappreciated star in the NBA. He’s one of two players on the Atlanta Hawks averaging over 20 points per game, he also leads the team with 10.8 rebounds. For someone undersized, the six-foot, nine-inch Collins sure is pulling down rebounds at a high rate. His 10.2 per game would rank 11th in the NBA, but he has not played in enough games to qualify for season-long stats due to his suspension early in the season. Hawks head coach Lloyd Pierce noted how important his big man has been this year. “John being able to get some offensive rebounds is tremendous,” he said. To say that Collins is just an anchor for this team is an understatement. He is much more: Collins does the dirty work on the glass, grabbing offensive rebounds and extending possessions. He shoots an efficient clip from three-point range at 35%. Collins never gives up on a play and always puts his best effort forward. “We’re always going to compete first and foremost,” Collins said. Throughout the league, it’s common to take nights off (some may call it “load management”) and maintain that energy in order to compete every night. However, for the Wake Forest product, it is something more than that. His competitive spirit is contagious among the team, just another reason why you can never count Atlanta out of a game no matter the margin. There have been games when star Trae Young didn’t have it going offensively. At times, the offense has looked stagnant and the ball was sticking. Collins has been able to keep the team in the game with timely buckets, rebounds and assists before his point guard finds his rhythm and takes over in the fourth quarter. That is the beauty of the NBA: It is so unpredictable. Some nights, points will be hard to come by. If a team finds an individual who can consistently put the ball in the basket, it bodes well for the for their chances to win. Collins could be what Draymond Green is for the Golden State Warriors: an energizer holding each of his teammates accountable and providing a spark. The NBA needs more players like this. Often, guys get caught up in the hype and glamour the league can bring. Sometimes, one can get lost in the process and the dedication that leads to being in the league. But not the Hawks big man. Collins also embodies the modern big man in the NBA. He is even improving defensively, which bodes as well as he looks to become a dominant two-way player in the league. “He’s definitely improving on the defensive end. I hope he keeps excelling at that,” recently-acquired Dewayne Dedmon said.
John Collins shoots around during pregame warmups before Wednesday night’s home game against the Orlando Magic.
Imagine having a dominant big man who can score, shoot the three, defend at a high level and run the pick and roll to perfection. This will cause defenses nightmares as it will be a pick your poison when defending him. Collins does not always receive the praise he deserves, but he remains humble. He reminds you of a Ben Wallace, who dominated the mid-2000s for the Detroit Pistons: lots of grit and a scrappy player who goes about his business. Collins never clamors for media attention or the spotlight, but soon
PHOTO BY MATT SICILIANO-SALAZAR | THE SIGNAL
enough, he will receive it. In just his third NBA season, he wreaks havoc all over the floor. He is becoming a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses. When the Hawks begin to have consistent success and become a contender in the Eastern Conference, Collins will be the catalyst for the growth and rise of the team. He is an important piece on an upcoming team looking to eventually get over the hump and play in an NBA Finals. John Collins is just getting started.
The crowd came, but the team didn’t show up How the Panthers dropped the year’s biggest game AVERY WIGGINS Staff Reporter
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he Georgia State Panthers men’s basketball team suffered a humiliating and deflating loss to the Georgia Southern Eagles 79-70 on Friday night at the Georgia State University Sports Arena. The loss drops the Panthers down to fifth place in the Sun Belt Conference standings, meaning that they are currently in a position to host a second-round game in the Sun Belt Conference tournament next Monday, Mar. 9. This loss serves as the culmination of the shocking downfall of the Panthers, who at one point held the No. 2 seed in the Sun Belt and a bye all the way into the Semifinals in New Orleans on Mar. 14. The Panthers have now lost three in a row, all to conference opponents.
The final score is particularly misleading. The Eagles led for the entire game and made almost 50% of their shots in the process, including hitting 54% of their shots in the first half. They also attempted 38 free throws in comparison to just 16 for the Panthers. The game was an all-around disaster for the Panthers, with 22 turnovers. Additionally, they scored an underwhelming 18 points in the paint while allowing 42 points on the other end. Senior forward, Isaiah Crawley asserted his dominance against the Georgia State frontcourt all night long. Crawley led Georgia Southern to their first victory in Atlanta since 1992, scoring 18 points and adding eight rebounds. Shooting just 35% as a team for the entire game, every single player with the exception of Justin Roberts having a bad shooting night. Roberts shot 7-10 for 21 points. Corey Allen shot 2-9 for four points. Kane Williams scored 15 points on 4-14 shooting. Damon Wilson had 11 on 3-10 from the field.. Joe Jones lll and Jalen Thomas combined for four points on 1-8
from the floor. Nelson Phillips had 11 points off the bench on 4-12 shooting. All players declined to comment after the game. The players took this loss particularly hard due to it being against an in-state rival. But, head coach Rob Lanier continues to encourage the team despite the hardships they are facing right now to not only persevere, but also, regain, the composure and mental fortitude that they possessed at the beginning of the season. “Tuesday, we need to come and have a really good practice. That’s the most important thing right now,” Lanier said. The Panthers’ final game of the regular season will be a home game on Tuesday, Mar. 3, at 7:00 p.m., against the No. 1 seed in the Sun Belt Conference, the Little Rock Trojans. The game will be a part of Senior Night honoring seniors Damon Wilson and Chris Clerkley. In addition, the Panthers see themselves on a three-game losing streak heading into this bout, and will be desperate to pick up a win and head into March with some momentum.
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Memphis to Atlanta: This is Ryan Boyce A sitdown with the newest Georgia State Panther ANDREW FREEDMAN & ERIK INDRISANO Sports Editor & Associate Sports Editor
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hen Ryan Boyce announced his transfer from the University of Memphis to Georgia State, the landscape of the Panthers basketball program for the next couple of years changed. As a three-star recruit out of Germantown, Tennessee, the six-foot, six-inch guard committed to the University of Alabama at Birmingham in December 2016 as a junior at East High School. But six months later, he enrolled at Memphis. The decision to transfer was easy for Boyce. “I played for Penny since eighth grade, and I transferred my 11th grade year to East High School,” Boyce said. “So it was kind of an easy decision when he got the job at Memphis cause I’ve been with him since eighth grade so I thought I knew the system [and] how he coached.” But Memphis and UAB were just two schools that wanted the small forward: The University of Florida, University of Georgia, University of Maryland, Villanova University and Iowa State were among the sixteen offers for Boyce. “[The recruitment process] was a good process and everything,” Boyce said. “It was a good experience going to different colleges, taking visits, and all that stuff.” His time at Memphis was cut short after just a few games in a Tigers uniform. Boyce ultimately was redshirted his freshman year and, after five games in the 2019-20 season, entered the transfer portal. “I had this guy kind of talking to schools for me when I was at Memphis cause he knew I was transferring,” Boyce said. Boyce remembers his junior year of high school, though. It was not until then that he realized he had a chance to play college basketball and how big the sport was at an amatuer level. “I watched college basketball, I grew up watching the University of Memphis cause that’s my hometown all 20 years of my life,” Boyce said. “It was a good experience. I actually didn’t know it was that big until my 11th grade year when people were blowing it up and stuff. So I was like, ‘OK, people actually care for stuff like that.’” His decision to head to UAB was one that many expected. 247 Sports’ Crystal Ball Predictions gave the Blazers a 57% chance to land him; the next highest team was the Florida Gators at just 29%. Coach Hardaway believed Boyce would be a piece to lead his team’s reserves. A year and a half after committing to Memphis, much has changed for Boyce. But now as a Panther, he feels like he truly made the best decision for him and not one that he will reverse like with Memphis. “It was kind of an easy decision when [head coach Rob After transferring from the University of Memphis, Ryan Boyce is here to help give PHOTO BY MATT SICILIANO-SALAZAR | THE SIGNAL Lanier] called. I talked to him, I got to meet coach Warren on Panther fans another thing to look forward to in the coming years for athletics. the phone. I liked how they were talking about the program. I got interested in it so I told him I wanted to take a visit and not winning games, it can come back to haunt you cause fans Give credit to Lanier and Toppin, but be ready for Ryan everything here,” Boyce said. will come back talking crazy if you don’t live up to the hype, ” Boyce. Beyond basketball and the controversies he witnessed Coming into the season, the Panthers were facing plenty of Boyce said. firsthand at Memphis this past year, there is plenty to look transitions. The team had a new coach in Lanier, a new leader forward to. His experiences shaped him. They turned him One advantage for Georgia State was the prior relationship in Kane Williams and a fan base that was ready for a thirdinto the person he is today. Coach Lanier had with Boyce during his initial recruitment. straight Sun Belt Conference title. “I’m humble,” Boyce said. “Most people think that since Before Georgia State, Lanier was an assistant coach at the Boyce announced his transfer to join Georgia State less I played in Memphis, [with] all the hype and stuff, that I’m University of Tennessee. He signed many high school recruits than two months after the season started. Memphis drew in going to be cocky. I just want everyone to know that I’m a as a member of the Volunteers coaching staff, including the more media attention than most schools. The Panthers were good person. Anybody can come up to me, talk to me, I’ll talk 22nd overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, Grant Williams of undercovered with media; they have always been one of the to anybody. I’m cool, I can get along with anybody.” the Boston Celtics. more undercovered teams in college sports. “I remember coach Lanier, when I was in high school, when Did Boyce come to Atlanta to escape the attention? Maybe. he was the coach at Tennessee, I remember him recruiting Maybe not. The question can be answered in a number of ways. One thing is for sure, though: This guy wants to win ball me there,” Boyce said. “It was kind of an easy decision when “It was kind of an easy decision when he called. I talked to him, I got to meet Coach Warren on the games. phone. I liked how they were talking about the program. I “The media stuff, that’s cool and everything, but if you’re [head coach Rob Lanier] called. I got interested in it, so I told him I wanted to take a visit and talked to him, I got to meet coach everything here.” But it was not just coaches who lured in Boyce. Players Warren on the phone. I liked how they such as sophomore guard Jojo Toppin introduced Boyce “He gave me, like, an inside scoop were talking about the program. I got to a campus like no other and spoke highly of the school on what they do here, so I feel like in Atlanta with little media coverage. In fact, Toppin may interested in it so I told him I wanted to deserve more credit than anyone realizes, including himself. he’s a big reason why I committed take a visit and everything here.” “I kind of knew [Toppin], but I didn’t know him personally, here too.” so it was good to meet him,” Boyce said. “He told me about — RYAN BOYCE the program, how everything worked out here. He gave me, — RYAN BOYCE like, an inside scoop on what they do here, so I feel like he’s a Men’s Basketball Guard Men’s Basketball Guard big reason why I committed here too.”
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