The Signal Vol. 88 No. 1

VOL. 88 | NO. 01

EST. 1933

PEOPLESTOWN ORGANIZES FOR RAYSHARD BROOKS PEACE CENTER PG. 05 OPINIONS

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PG. 07 ARTS & LIVING

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At 12:30 p.m., a nonGeorgia State offender was arrested for possession of burglary tools and burglary at Dahlberg Hall.

AUGUST 6

Oh! Were you not giving out items from your purse?

At One Park Place, a Georgia State student was a victim of larceny at 12:03 p.m. The case is still active.

NEWS BRIEFS

EXECUTIVE PRESIDENT & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Ada Wood signaleditor@gmail.com MANAGING EDITOR Brooklyn Valera signalmanagingeditor@gmail.com MARKETING MANAGER Franky Huang signalmarketingmanager@gmail.com

We’re already wearing masks, so why not?!

AUGUST 11

A criminal cartoonist is on the loose.

A Georgia State student was a victim of vandalism in the A Parking Deck at 4:15 p.m. The case is still active

AUGUST 18

This is more than a mimosa for breakfast!

A non-Georgia State offender was arrested at 9:57 a.m. on a drug law violation.

AUG. 17

Did I park my car here?

At 5:35 p.m., a nonGeorgia State offender was arrested for trespassing and a drug law violation in the University Loft Parking Deck.

LOCAL

NATIONAL

GLOBAL

University of North Georgia students throw a party

The United States Postal Service experiences change

Wuhan citizens throw a gigantic rave

Republican Party fundraiser Louis DeJoy was named Postmaster General in late May 2020. But people are pushing for his resignation as the USPS experiences drastic changes that will affect the November election.

While President Trump discourages vote-bymail elections, DeJoy has laid off thousands of USPS workers. But the pandemic will cause a surge in mail-in ballots and the USPS will need as many workers as possible. Due to backlash and controversy, DeJoy plans to suspend any changes until after the election.

Over the weekend of August 10, citizens of Wuhan, China threw a pool party at the Wuhan Maya Beach Water Park. The rave was filled with lights and music as thousands of maskless people formed a tight crowd. Wuhan, the presumed origin of the virus, held a strict 76-day lockdown to combat the spread of the disease. The lockdown was later lifted in April.

On August 16, a video appeared on social media showing a large outdoor party being held near the University of North Georgia’s Dahlonega campus.

The students and young adults were seen drinking, dancing and maskless, all while ignoring the CDC guidelines for COVID-19. The University of North Georgia is not under much scrutiny because it was the students who held the massive gathering at a privately-owned, off-campus apartment complex.

Photo by XX

NEWS

August 25, 2020

WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM/NEWS

Executive Vice President Kyle Kath

Executive Vice President Takia Tinsley

President Kaelen Thomas

Executive Vice President Carlos Porter

ILLUSTRATION BY BROOKLYN VALERA | THE SIGNAL

Hear from SGA executive officials on how they plan to govern students amidst COVID-19 SGA’s 91st meets COVID-19 this fall NIDA MERCHANT Staff Reporter

“W

e are living in a drastically different world than we lived in before,” Student Government Association UniversityWide President Kaelen Thomas said.

As Panthers prepare for fall 2020 in less than ideal circumstances, members of SGA commented on how they plan for this year to look.

According to Thomas, the administration will go about a multi-prong approach by educating and enforcing CDC guidelines, such as distributing masks and promoting social distancing.

He said that Georgia State purchased 7,000 disposable masks and 100,000 reusable masks, which will be distributed in the first few weeks of campus reopening.

Thomas said that his primary concern in dealing with the pandemic is to not only provide for students from a leadership perspective, but to also provide future SGA students the required information.

In a conversation with The Signal during the elections, Thomas discussed keeping students F.I.R.S.T. in which his priorities would entail free menstrual products, increasing on-campus jobs, reducing student housing and increasing sustainability and transportation.

Despite the pandemic, the administration has made strides in fulfilling that platform. The Flower Initiative will be offering free menstrual products to students on all campuses.

Embark at Georgia State assists students who are facing eviction or homelessness through the Emergency Assistance Fund. The donations are need-based with multiple withdrawals but cannot help with tuition and school fees.

In terms of sustainability, Georgia State has started a Dormroom Energy Competition to promote recycling.

They will be purchasing bins to place on each floor

instead of on the bottom floor of residential houses.

Winners of the competition could get perks like discounts on housing or room TVs. Though Thomas will not be present on campus for his classes, he encourages students to stay in contact by visiting him during his office hours. He also suggests students send their inquiries to the asksga@gsu.edu page for more information.

“I encourage students to be aware and vigilant by contacting people in charge if there are any problems,” Thomas said.

Atlanta

Atlanta Executive Vice President Takia Tinsley commented on this year’s goals and developments as well.

Tinsley admitted that the COVID-19 pandemic has hindered quite a bit of his plans for this semester, but he still wishes to promote policies, such as the library hour extension, GSUPD accountability and a sexual assault task force committee.

Tinsley stressed accountability from the entire student body during the pandemic, strongly urging Panthers to wear masks and practice adequate safety measures.

“I know it’s not ideal, and believe me, I would much rather enjoy my last year of undergrad being social and enjoying the culture of [Georgia State],” he said.

“But at this moment we have to think about … not only ourselves, but the greater Atlanta community.”

Clarkston

Clarkston Executive Vice President Kyle Kath discussed his plans of unity and inclusivity this year.

“The SGA is the voice for students, and I want that voice to be blind to campus association, gender, race

and religion,” Kath said in relation to the cultural inclusivity on the Clarkston campus.

The pandemic has hindered the board from planning events that can keep students safe but still give them a feel for student life. He insists, however, that students attempt to ensure student safety while attending classes.

Though Kath notes that he cannot take adequate measures to keep students safe, he ensures that he and SGA will provide the best response for their students.

“My door is always open, and my email will remain accessible to every student if they wish to share any concerns or provide ways to serve the community better,” Kath said.

Newton

Newton Executive Vice President Carlos Porter elaborated on some of the practices the Newton campus has in place for this semester.

While maintaining the motto of “Students First,” Porter notes that student safety is key while reexamining and canceling many campus-wide events for the semester.

One of the biggest concerns for Newton students is the building layout, which remains open and exposed to onlookers. The campus plans to restrict certain areas and limit the number of students that congregate. Masks are highly recommended and the lawn area between the two buildings will be open for the time being.

“The more prepared we are, the more we are able to serve efficiently and effectively,” Porter said.

Editor’s Note: SGA Alpharetta EVP Muskan Virani, Dunwoody EVP Michelle Martinez and Decatur EVP Mariyah Cummings did not respond to The Signal’s request for comment on the matter.

NEWS

TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2020

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ILLUSTRATION BY MONIQUE ROJAS | THE SIGNAL

Despite campus changes tuition and fees remain the same Everything is changing yet prices are not J.P. IRIE Staff Reporter

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espite Gov. Brian Kemp’s efforts to reopen the state, the fall semester will be a far cry from business as usual.

While many amenities on campus will finally open after several months of quarantine, including the library and the recreation center, dormitories have reduced their occupancy and many classes have switched to either fully online or hybrid models, where the class will meet in-person once a week.

But, to many students, the costs don’t reflect the times. Mandatory fees are still to be paid in full as the price of tuition has not changed at all since before the pandemic.

Tuition and Fees

For a full-time student attending classes in fall 2020 and spring 2021, their tuition is expected to be $4,474 each semester if they’re in state and $13,993 if they’re out of state; their fees are $1,064 in total per semester.

Despite the pandemic, the costs are the same as last year’s.

Though tuition has remained consistent, the policy for mandatory fees has changed. In a recent Signal article, the Communications Manager for the Office of the Provost Jeremy Craig said only face-to-face students would have to pay all mandatory fees. ”For students who are only taking classes taught 100% online, they [would] only pay the online fee and the special institutional fee,” he said. “If a student has a face-to-face class of any kind in their schedule, they [would] be charged student fees as … we [had] done in previous semesters.”

The special institutional fee is imposed by the Board of Regents, which manages the University System of Georgia. The fee is collected from all USG schools, and is then used to cover general education programs, employee salary and benefits, and classroom maintenance.

Now, all students, whether taking face-to-face classes or

solely online classes, have to pay the full mandatory fees.

The Board of Regents approved the fee structure for the semester. Usually, a press release would preface the approval of each year’s fee structure. However, there’s no press release for this year’s fee structure as of August 23.

According to the Board’s policy manual, students could have their mandatory fees waived if they enroll in distance-learning courses or are taking less than fifteen credit hours. They would still have to pay the special institutional fee, however.

The Board of Regents hasn’t responded to media inquiries by The Signal.

The Board of Regents approved the fee structure for the semester.

One Georgia State student, posting on Georgia State’s subreddit by the handle tduong2010, doesn’t believe online classes are worth as much as those that are faceto-face.

“I started to think about this a lot,” the student said.

“Intro classes, such as sociology, history, philosophy … or electives can now 100% be taught online, [so] why do we pay the same amount for those classes just to sit at home watching from the laptop screen?”

They also suggest that mandatory fees should at least be reduced in the fall semester.

“I feel that there is no reason to fully charge those fees during the time when 90% of students won’t be on campus and athletic activities [have] nearly ceased,” the student said. “I’m fine with paying to maintain the campus, but I just see no reason to charge the same amount as pre-[COVID-19] semesters.”

Another student, Lei Canty, agrees.

“I do believe that the fees should be discounted upfront … [since] many students’ … already tight financial situations [are] exacerbated by COVID-19.”

According to University Registrar Tarrah Mirus, as of the morning of August 11, around 43% of Georgia State students (20,487 out of 47,313 students) are set to be taking only online classes in the fall semester.

This is before many students noticed their once hybrid classes were suddenly becoming online only.

This led to frustration among some Georgia State students, expressing their anger on the subreddit.

Let’s Do the Math

Suppose the mandatory fees are reduced to 60%, the same cut that occurred during the 2020 spring semester at the start of quarantine. Mandatory fees usually add up to $1064; 60% of that is $638.4.

If all students paid fees as usual, the revenue would be around $50 million.

If all students paid fees reduced by 60%, the revenue would be around $30 million.

If all students paid only the institutional fee, the revenue would be around $19 million.

If online students paid fees reduced by 60%, the revenue would be around $43 million.

If online students paid only the institutional fee, the revenue would be $37 million.

If online students didn’t pay fees at all, the revenue would be $29 million.

An important note: these figures assume that students are enrolled full-time. Realistically, since part-time students pay less fees, the revenues would be lower.

Regardless, the proportions of the data would remain the same.

The total revenue from mandatory fees would theoretically be about $42 million.

Compared to the revenue expected if all students paid 100% of the mandatory fees — about $50 million — revenue would decrease by approximately 17%, or a little over $8 million.

If online-only students did not pay mandatory fees at all, the decrease would be 43% or about $22 million, effectively slashing revenue that would fund services, such as student clubs, the recreation center, transportation and the library.

In spite of it, students believe it’s worth the sacrifice.

5

THE SIGNAL

TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2020

The letter that demands a change in operation Georgia State faculty stands with BLM OLIVIA NASH News Editor

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group of faculty members at Georgia State took a stand against racial discrimination and the unjust killings of Black lives by sending a letter to Georgia State University President Mark Becker.

On June 10, a letter was sent with a diverse signatory of more than 220 minority faculty members and alumni. Each signature represents an advocate for change at the institution as the letter reflects the concerns and expectations of the Black faculty.

Georgia State has received many accolades for having a large number of Black students, but according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 75% of students are non-white, compared to 68% of faculty members who are white.

The disproportionate lack of diversity within Georgia State’s faculty was one catalyst for the letter.

“We are writing this letter as members of the Black community and as faculty members at Georgia State,” the letter states.

It goes on to express sympathies for Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and other Black victims of racism and police brutality. The letter then acknowledges Georgia State’s past with race relations and the three Black women who fought to desegregate the university in 1959.

Tanya Washington, professor of law at Georgia State, helped draft the letter and gather up signatures.

“There were multiple drafts because once the first draft was written and circulated to a group of faculty that was working on it, we went through editing.

There was substantial input from the community,” she said.

In light of the death of Ahmaud Arbery, Becker and Provost Wendy Hensel formed a task force to promote racial equality.

Many resources were added to the Office of Provost website at the start of this year, and more change is being enacted.

Along with the Racial Equality Task Force formed on June 9, the letter was sent a day after to ensure that the Georgia State community lives up to its motto: “wisdom, justice and moderation”.

The letter includes demands such as: Memorialize the Black women who fought to end Georgia State’s racially discriminatory admissions policies (e.g., erect statues or a permanent marker and name a scholarship, fellowship, classroom or building after them).

End Georgia State’s involvement with the Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange (GILEE) program, which puts Black people and communities at greater risk of experiencing police violence in Georgia.

The GILEE program has been challenged by human rights advocates at Georgia State and in Atlanta. Faculty urged Becker to hold a conversation with “more transparency” regarding Georgia State’s perspective on policing and involvement with the program.

On August 5, the Black faculty had a meeting with the president to discuss the demands and concerns presented in the letter.

Regarding the GILEE program, Becker suggested that the individuals that claim the program promotes violence against Black people “need to come forward with evidence.”

“I’m absolutely opposed to systemic racism and issues of policing that have to do with systemic racism or violence against black people,” Becker said. “As per GILEE … allegations have been made, but nobody has brought forward any evidence to support that the program is promoting violence against Black people or against any other group of people.”

Becker addressed other concerns in the hour-long meeting, but there is still more to be done.

“The meeting, to be clear, [was] a next step; it [was] not the ultimate goal,” Washington said.

Takia Tinsley’s organization participates in this summer’s on-going protest.

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY TAKIA TINSLEY

Go on a Good Trouble Ride with Takia Tinsley, SGA’s Atlanta EVP

The event honors both John Lewis and the Freedom Riders SAMARIA CLAIR Staff Reporter

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n 1961, the Freedom Riders rode buses through the Southern U.S. to protest against segregated bus terminals. This year, the Good Trouble Riders rode buses for 421 miles to protest against police brutality.

The Student Government Association’s Atlanta Executive Vice President Takia Tinsley is the civic organizing chair of the activism group, The People’s Uprising.

On August 7, the group held the Good Trouble Ride event.

The Good Trouble Ride was dedicated to demand justice for the death of Breonna Taylor and the shooting of Reginald Arrington. It also honors late civil rights leader and American politician John Lewis, who coined the phrase “good trouble.”

“Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America,” Lewis said in Selma on March 1.

The ride, beginning on August 7 at 3 a.m., went from Atlanta to Louisville, Kentucky and Chattanooga, Tennessee. It concluded in Atlanta on August 8 at approximately 12 a.m.

Tinsley and his team began

planning the event in late June, following their Juneteenth voting registration rally and the Black Pride March.

“We originally wanted it to be conducted mid-July but when considering sponsorship, [COVID-19] precautions, transportation and overall safety of our caravan, we had to keep pushing it back,” Tinsley said.

The People’s Uprising collaborated with other organized groups such as the NAACP, I Can’t Breathe CHA, Kentucky Alliance and Metro United Way. These organizations gathered together to spread awareness about the mistreatment toward the Black community.

Tinsley said that contracting and connecting with other organizations in each town was a challenge, but it helped him and his team build a rapport within the state borders.

In each city, about 200 to 300 people participated in the ride out. A few people from The People’s Uprising spoke at the event, including Georgia State Representative David Dreyer, Attorney Gerald Griggs and Park Cannon.

According to Tinsley, Tamika Palmer, the mother of Breonna Taylor,

had a few words to say in Louisville, where Taylor was fatally shot by police officers.

Tinsley believes that each speaker challenged everyone to simply care.

“If we want change, we need to care.

Not just the folks protesting, but the average American needs to empathize and understand our hardships. We have to force folks to be comfortable with being uncomfortable,” he said.

“We need a new wave of energy for our generation, one that mirrors the freedom fighters from generations before that we’re willing to die for their rights” Tinsley described the ride out as “impactful.”

“As bad as things are in Georgia, they are exponential[ly worse] in these other states where white supremacists and racists reign in high power positions,” he said. “It’s bad that it takes such inhumane activity to jumpstart a movement, but I guess it was necessary for our country to unite. This fight has been going on long before this summer started, and it’s far from over.”

OPINIONS

August 25, 2020

WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM/OPINIONS

ILLUSTRATION BY MONTENEZ LOWERY | THE SIGNAL

Turning a Wendy’s into The Rayshard Brooks Peace Center Activists promote building The Rayshard Brooks Peace Center SUSANA DURÁN Staff Columnist

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he Rayshard Brooks Peace Center (R.B.PC.), aims to become a community owned home for programs to support local youth, economic development, distribution of fresh food, and peace and strengthening the community say The Sleep-in Activists for the Rayshard Brooks Memorial Site. For two weeks, the Sleep-in Activists have been canvassing the community to inform them of the Rayshard Brooks Peace Center and to sign a petition supporting the Peace Center, in memory of Rayshard Brooks, a Black man who died after being shot by Atlanta Police officer, Garrett Rolfe, in the Wendy’s parking lot.

I met with the activists as they reconvened from the canvass Saturday night, August 8. “Lady A,” the main activist behind the Sleep-in Activists and the R.B.P.C., says they have collected just about 400 signatures in the two Saturdays they have canvassed, totaling 1,200. “Lady A,” her nickname for safety and security reasons, has lived in the area for over 25 years, recounted what they have been up to at the Wendy’s after Rayshard Brooks.

According to her and Leonard Dungee, with Cure Violence Atlanta, they reported sightings of white supremacist agitators and bore arms in response. If you did not get to visit the Peace Center before it was dismantled by order of Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, you would have seen outdoor tents, showers for the homeless, a community garden, neighbors grilling up meats to feed hundreds every week. The community space was working as they intended, refuge for homeless Black boys who sought a safer place to sleep and eat. “But [the media and politicians] won’t tell you the good that did happen when we were at the [Wendy’s],” they say, “only the bad, and that’s why we are canvassing; so far, nobody has heard of it, but once they do, they are all for it and sign the petition. I’d say almost 100% of the people we have talked to signed it.”

Peoplestown has organized before. On August 18, 2016, Georgia State University finalized the purchase of Turner Field stadium, with no commitment to the specific community benefits agreement (C.B.A.) the surrounding neighborhoods

Letter From The Editor

were asking for. As a Pittsburgh resident and Georgia State student, I worked alongside my neighbors and GSU Students to demand that President Becker agree to the C.B.A. Now is the perfect opportunity for President Becker to speak up and stand with our Black neighbors. Even just expressing support for the Peace Center would help elevate the work the Lady A is doing.

Alternatively, President Becker could also spare a few pennies from the $21 million Center Parc Stadium agreement towards the Peace Center. If you want to help, attend their rally on August 29 at 7:00 pm, across the Rayshard Brooks Peace Center, formerly known as Wendy’s.

During our conversation, one of the organizers pointed out a dark sedan that had driven past about five times. “The hood is woke – that’s your story!’’ said Leonard Dungee. Shortly after I left, they called and informed me two Georgia State troopers pulled in on them.

A Welcome, an Introduction and a Farewell

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ADA WOOD Editor-in-Chief he Signal was established in 1933. In October, that will be 87 years of student-driven journalism from the heart of Atlanta. And if you’ve seen our new logo, you might have noticed an addition calling to that — see the new “est. 1933,” right above the A in Signal.

The Signal looks different this year: We’ve rebranded our marketing and social media and redesigned our print product because 2020 wouldn’t be a more fitting year to keep the change rolling. We’ve all heard it before — “unprecedented times,” “times of change,” etc.

But that 1933 is pretty significant because although we are bringing you change, an updated look and reinvigorated vision of what The Signal means, at our core, we maintain our three-pronged mission statement above all else: providing in a fair and accurate manner, news of interest and significance to the Georgia State community; the opportunity for students to pursue experience within a professional newspaper environment; and truthful and ethical advertising.

In our new logo, you might have noticed our new (but not quite so new after you’ve read our mission statement) slogan: Independent, Impactful, Impartial.

While under quarantine over the summer, several members of our team were extremely hard at work to bring you what you see today and what will continue throughout the semester.

Over the summer, I know many of you have faced gripping realities of the age we live in, and this isn’t the first week of school you were hoping for. But I wholeheartedly believe in you, in our generation and the resilience of our communities to come out of this brighter, better and stronger.

As for how we kept busy this summer, I, as editor-in-chief, directed the project, along with Managing Editor Brooklyn Valera as my right-hand woman. Julian Pineda, our former marketing manager, and his successor Franky Huang crafted our beautiful marketing vision that’s clean, quick and exactly

what you want from a news organization on social media.

And without our Production Editor Monte Lowery and our Senior Staff Designer Shancheze Johnson, our new logo and print layout wouldn’t be possible.

I’d be remiss not to mention the more than 75 writers, artists and sales associates of The Signal who all play a part in the paper, website, podcast, social media and video content we provide every week.

This team and these decisions were extremely intentional.

Now, your favorite campus paper will be entirely in color, with new page layouts that bring you the most news in the most compelling way, plus fascinating ways to engage with us and your community (check out the Kickback on the last two pages).

From the bottom of my heart as editor-in-chief and on behalf of our team, we hope you love what we’ve created for you as much as we do — I promise the vigor we put into this rebrand will be evident every day of this new year.

I joined The Signal as a news reporter more than two years ago in April 2018. Throughout my time here, I’ve gained invaluable experience that has provided me more opportunities than I would ever imagine. So many opportunities, in fact, that I’ve outgrown this home I’ve come to love.

While this letter intends to welcome you back to our new school year and introduce you to our new products, it is also a farewell. August 31 will be my last day as editor-in-chief of The Signal as I will pursue a full-time internship at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and freelance work for Atlanta magazine during my senior year.

The AJC was a dream of mine I never thought I could achieve before I joined The Signal. It is extremely bittersweet to find I have achieved that dream but have to say good-bye to what got me there.

Earlier, I made a promise that the passion you see behind

our work from over the summer will continue into the rest of the year, even knowing that I won’t be here to fulfill that promise.

That’s because I wouldn’t want to place my bets on anyone but my successor as your next editor-inchief, Brooklyn Valera.

Brooklyn has it all: tenacity, grit, creativity, journalistic integrity and the leadership capacity she will need to take on this mantle. I made that promise because there’s no doubt in my mind that she will exceed it.

Brooklyn, you’ve been by my side as I laid the foundation for the future of The Signal, and now that future is here, and it belongs to you. Shoot for the stars, and I know you’ll make it.

As for the Georgia State community, it has been an honor to tell your stories, amplify your voices and learn about who you are, where you came from and what you believe in.

Thank you, I couldn’t be more proud to have made the choice to go to Georgia State.

There are a hundred names I could mention and give thanks to for helping me get to where I am. While I look toward the future, I couldn’t write this letter without a nod to the past. Daniel Varitek, who passed on the position of editorin-chief to me, paved a way for me to accomplish so much.

Danny and I have always been suckers for traditions, and I think it’s time we started one together, so I’ll end this letter just as he had when he made his leave.

Goodbye, and good luck, Ada Wood Editor-in-Chief ‘20

TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2020

OPINIONS

What will our new normal look like?

How a pandemic changes college culture ASHLAR BYLECKIE Staff Columnist

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s in-person instruction resumes and students flood back to campus, many wonder what university life will look like in the wake of COVID-19.

Students are eager to get back to their lives and make up for lost time after months of confinement.

Unfortunately, life as we knew it is gone. Now we must learn to adapt or risk serious illness.

Studying in a crowded library, eating dinner with friends in the dining hall and exploring nightlife in the city are rites of passage for young adults. These little moments can make or break the college experience and contribute to personal growth.

Georgia State’s published guidelines for fall semester throw a wrench into many students’ expectations of college life. For campus residents, no guests are permitted in university housing.

For a lot of students, college friends become a second family. Having individual space to host them is important for creating lasting bonds.

Now that students are expected to be alone all the time, a downfall in the mental health of the student body should be expected.

Another guideline states that

students are not allowed to attend parties or social gatherings. Some believe that events, such as frat parties or bar hopping, can still happen while wearing masks. It is unlikely that either of those events will be able to continue for more than several weeks when case numbers rise again.

Those choosing to self-isolate may experience other obstacles, such as an increased desire to use substances when alone to cope with the stress of COVID-19 conditions and the lack of normalcy. While these rules are put in place to protect the well-being of residents, they are bound to create or exacerbate feelings of sadness and anxiety.

For commuter students, this semester brings up an entirely different set of challenges. The blended learning model strips Georgia State of any individuality, mirroring a community college.

Emma Nicholson, a sophomore, said that “[Georgia State] has always been different because it’s a commuter school.”

“We never really had school spirit,” she said. “With no activities on campus to unify students, the disconnect between us will continue to grow.”

Lack of student unity and feelings of isolation were already an issue at Georgia State. Commuter students often get a lot of their social and educational needs met while on campus.

Whether it is at office hours with a professor or grabbing lunch at Chick-fil-A, public spaces are necessary. Those are places where commuter students create their college memories.

It is still unclear if the occupancy rate of places such as Student Center East or the library will be cut. If so, lots of commuter students will be displaced daily and be unable to have their needs met.

The new college culture will be unfulfilling and draining. Georgia State’s approach is not sustainable, given its location and number of students. It is only a matter of time before we are sent home to do online classes. Unfortunately, many college students will not have the coming-of-age experiences that they anticipated.

Perhaps trial and error in the coming months will lead to creative yet safe forms of socialization. If not, COVID-19 could negatively impact students for years to come.

You don’t always know what’s going on Do students criticize the university unjustly?

KENNETH LOCKETT III Staff Columnist

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s August 2020 comes and goes, so does the beginning of the fall semester. Students are unpacking their d… oh, wait, it’s 2020. As many students prepare for the fall semester at home, the university is catching some heat for its response to the global pandemic.

With PAWS being unreliable, an unclear plan and confused staff members, Georgia State has not been handling the coronavirus very well. Since March, the university has played seemingly everything by ear when it comes to students and classes.

Georgia State didn’t alert students that the university will be extending spring break until the day before it was supposed to end, leaving students scrambling to make arrangements.

Then, housing gave students only a few days to pack their belongings and leave the dorms. This last minute decision making led to a frantic dash to downtown Atlanta as students both tried to pack up their lives and protect themselves.

Now it’s August, and Georgia State isn’t doing much better in some students’ eyes. Trust me when I say

that students are making sure the university hears their displeasure.

A gander at Georgia State’s Instagram reveals several comments, such as, “How the hell are we suppose[d] to maintain 6 [feet] apart with thousands of students on campus at any given time on those sidewalks” by user bwyatt54 and “this is NOT the state way, and the lack of communication to your fellow [P]anthers is blatantly disrespectful” by user rtm.228.

While these are very valid concerns, there is a reality that students aren’t realizing: Georgia State is kind of stuck right now.

COVID-19 has proven online classes don’t work all that well. Right now, the university has to balance student safety and student success.

Georgia State’s staff is working from home, but there is a plan to bring them back to campus. That means terrible connection and limited system access, so think about that the next time you complain about the hold time for financial aid.

In the midst of this chaos trying to adapt and overcome comes yet another blow: The state just slashed the university budget, and

the private company that runs the University Housing buildings is threatening legal action. The university is starting the fall semester with 50,000+ students in a very complicated and complex, ever-changing situation.

Again, I completely and wholeheartedly understand your frustrations. It took me the entire summer semester to get into contact with my advisor, so I know financial aid is terrible. That being said, you have to understand that this isn’t the same world from a year ago, or even seven months ago. This is a very different time, with very different challenges.

If you guys are concerned about going to campus, for the few that still have to, contact your professor.

Ask why the class hasn’t been moved to online only and if you are genuinely expected to go to campus.

I doubt any professor is going to deny you the right to protect your health. As for the wait times, remember they are working from home, some with crying babies and terrible internet.

Give the university a break; it’s doing the best it can.

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Reimagining an FLC that’s more beneficial for our students We need financial literacy at Georgia State JENELLE RYAN Staff Columnist

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any students have expressed their frustrations that the FLC is a mandatory course that counts toward your GPA but does not count towards your required credit hours for graduation. The FLC serves to inform students of basic rules regarding topics such as plagiarism and sexual assault, which are necessary to introduce but do not require a semester-long course.

Trueman Massat, a senior film major, vocalized his opinions on the course. “[The course] makes sure people know what they need to do for classes and when they need help, resources to pull from,” Massat said. “[But it is] ultimately used as a vehicle to make friends.”

Massat agreed that a mandatory course that counts toward your GPA should provide a more educational experience that is applicable to all students.

What course would be universally applicable and highly beneficial for every student to take before embarking on their college journey? Financial literacy.

The German Institute for Economic Research published that “financial education significantly impacts financial behavior and, to an even larger extent, financial literacy,” noting that effectiveness is highly dependent on offering such education “at a ‘teachable moment’ i.e. when teaching is directly linked to decisions of immediate relevance to the target group.”

Nearly 60% of the Georgia State student body live at or below the poverty line, and 85% of our student body hold full or parttime jobs. In addition, the estimated cost of tuition, fees, books and supplies per semester is $6,538 for Georgia residents and $16,057 for out-of-state students.

It is clear that some level of financial education

would be linked to decisions of immediate relevance for our students, especially as COVID-19 threw the U.S. economy into a recession as early as February of this year, according to the National Bureau of Economic Research.

The Journal of Personal Finance published that financial literacy plays an important role in “... preventing the youth from engaging in overborrowing, and therefore accumulating large amounts of debt too early in their lives”. Researchers observed that many college students suffer from an “overconfidence effect” which often leads to poor financial decisions and accumulation of debts.

While “for most students, there may be very little options to finance their education if it is not through student loans” it was concluded that, “...teaching financial knowledge to all college students may create the necessary synergy to provide better financial management knowledge as they enter the workforce.”

The reinvented FLC (Financial Literacy Course) would be an incredible step in the right direction for Georgia State, joining universities such as Duke, Yale and Harvard, who have started providing courses on financial literacy.

Georgia State students deserve better access to this information, than a webpage that’s buried in the university library website.

Students like noted that while the current function of the FLC is necessary, our time attending the course could be better spent learning something practical and universally applicable.

“I one hundred percent believe more financial resources being made mandatory in school would be beneficial for everyone,” Massat said.

This Week’s Spread: NEWS

THE TOP 10

BIGGEST COVID-19 CHANGES

WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM/NEWS

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Mask Policy • •

2 3 4 5 6

•

Masks are required inside all universit where a six-foot distance isn’t possible. where social distancing is possible.

Those who do not comply will be deni appropriate conduct code.

Custom Georgia State masks are availa

Getting Around on Ca • • •

Panther ID cards are necessary for ent Each elevator is expected to hold a ma Plexiglass guards have been installed in

Facilities • • • • • • •

To enter the Recreation Center, visitor of less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Communal equipment is no longer av No contact or team sports are allowed The library’s north entrance is undergo library’s south doors.

The tables are arranged for a maximum Most books are available for check-out

Transportation • •

Parking registration, permits and MAR Panther Express will only run the Purp

Campus Dining • • • •

Employees will undergo health checks Seating is arranged for distancing, and Every three to four hours, dining halls The university also plans to implemen

Athletics • • •

The university plans to hold fall sports Georgia State’s stadium can reach 50% The Sports Arena and Georgia State So

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all university facilities (including in dining and at athletic events) and must be worn outside sn’t possible. Masks are not required while alone in a study room or dorm or when outside possible. will be denied entry, and repeated offenses may lead to disciplinary actions through the

d on Campus

ssary for entry instead of the digital finger scanners. to hold a maximum of four people. n installed in service windows, and cash is no longer accepted.

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enter, visitors must answer a series of COVID-19-related questions and have a temperature ahrenheit. no longer available, so students are encouraged to bring personal supplies. are allowed, and select areas of the facility are closed. ce is undergoing construction, meaning the facility can only be accessed through the

r a maximum of two people and a majority of the study rooms are single occupancy. or check-out through the university’s new self-checkout registers.

n

mits and MARTA Breeze Cards will be distributed through the USPS. run the Purple and Blue routes from 7 a.m. to midnight.

ealth checks. tancing, and the occupancy will be monitored to follow the CDC guidelines. dining halls will be closed for 30 minutes to disinfect the area. o implement Panther PickUp, a system to order food to-go.

• • • • • • •

sks are available for pick-up in the Student Center.

g

COVID-19 Testing

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ld fall sports, including football, tennis, cross country, court volleyball, soccer and golf. n reach 50% occupancy, which allows a maximum of 13,000 fans to attend games. orgia State Soccer Complex are also open this semester.

COVID-19 testing is recommended, but not required, for all students, staff and faculty.

The Student Health Clinic is offering two types of tests for symptomatic students.

The university has limited nasal PCR testing, the most accurate form, which is prioritized for students in dorms and those involved in university-sponsored activities.

Saliva-based tests are available for students who are identified as at risk for exposure to the virus.

The clinic will also administer weekly tests to randomized groups of students in the dorms.

The clinic is available to help asymptomatic students schedule local, off-campus tests.

Students who test positive for COVID-19 can voluntarily report through the university’s reporting system, used to track any spread and inform those who may have been exposed. The university plans to keep the identity of the positive students confidential.

Blended and Online Classes •

•

•

Each class type can be found through PAWS by going to “My Registration,” then “View Course Schedule.” A symbol is displayed next to each class: A “O” refers to online-only instruction, a “B” indicates a blended course and a “F” means face-to-face instruction.

In blended classes, the classroom density is reduced to 25% and students are assigned their meeting day based on alphabetical order by last name. Students can check with individual professors or on iCollege for specific meeting days and times.

Students who are uncomfortable with in-person instruction are encouraged to contact their advisor.

Housing Policies • • •

Georgia State dorms have reached about 75% occupancy by altering housing plans.

In the dorms, a maximum of two people share a bathroom, a maximum of four people share an apartment and shared rooms are restricted to Piedmont North.

Students are unable to have guests, including those who live in another dorm building.

Campus Sanitation • • •

The university’s air units already have filters, and Georgia State plans on distributing mobile air purifiers around campus.

The custodial staff has a new sanitation system, including daily door handle disinfecting, elevators and restrooms.

Additional hand sanitizer stations will be placed throughout high-trafficked areas on campus.

STAY SAFE, PANTHERS.

ARTS & LIVING

WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM/ARTSANDLIVING

August 25, 2020

Professors weigh in on the uncertainty of the fall semester Georgia State instructors give their opinion about campus reopening during a pandemic JADA JONES Staff Reporter

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his upcoming fall semester will be one that students and faculty at Georgia State have prepared for but nonetheless are expecting the unexpected. Every university has a different plan for operating during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some have seen success with low infection rates, while others were met with campus closure a week into the new semester.

Most decisions about campus reopenings center around the student body, but professors also have concerns about the execution of COVID-19 safety precautions.

When Georgia State closed in March, faculty had two weeks to figure out how to transition from in-person classes into an online learning environment.

During the summer months, the university used this time to provide instructors with tailored training in online and blended learning models. Georgia State also arranged testing apparatuses around campus and created new learning models to replace exclusively inperson classes.

Georgia State is implementing three classroom models for the 2020-21 school year to accommodate rising COVID-19 infection rates in Georgia.

These models include an online-only teaching strategy, a blended learning model where in-person instruction has a 25% classroom capacity and a faceto-face learning model only for classes that cannot be taught online. Freshman Learning Communities, graduate students and hands-on learning, such as labs, are the first priorities for the face-to-face learning model.

Department chairs were able to recommend which classes should use a specific learning model. Instructors

required permission from their respective department chair, dean and provost to teach a course entirely faceto-face at a higher capacity than 25% if they deemed it more fit.

Georgia State has given instructors a sense of independence in conducting their courses for the semester. Still, just like students, instructor opinions about campus reopening and teaching strategies vary across departments.

Dr. Jill Littrell is an instructor at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies. Her first time teaching online was last semester when Georgia State shut down in the early days of the pandemic. Her instruction model will be entirely online, and she briefly explained her plan to connect with her students and provide online assignments to them.

“It will not be difficult to teach online,” she said.

“I have made recordings of all my PowerPoints and mounted them on iCollege, [and] I will have platform meetings with subgroups of students during class time each week.”

Despite campus offices, facilities and classrooms opening with substantial regard to the pandemic, Littrell thinks returning to campus is “a terrible idea for everyone.”

Dr. James Marton is also an instructor at the School of Policy Studies, teaching a fully online doctorate-level course in health economics. Due to the coursework being mostly independent learning, Marton believes this course will “go smoothly” in an online classroom setting because it will not be his first time teaching online. Marton taught an online master’s-level course on the same topic over the summer.

Marton praised the instruction he received this summer from the Georgia State Center of Excellence in Teaching and Learning and feels confident in his ability to instruct this course. He attributes some of his confidence in teaching online to his class size, as it is only nine students.

“I think it would be more challenging for me personally to teach a larger undergraduate course online,” he said. “I would definitely have to lean more on the great training I received to do that.”

Marton explained that his main concern about campus reopening is him possibly contracting the virus and passing it to his wife.

“I am in my 40s and in good health, so I am not in a high-risk group,” he said. “However,

my wife has an auto-immune disease [and] health consequences for her would be much more serious than for me. Asymptomatic spread among healthy people is a particular concern for me.”

Dr. Erica Akhter is an instructor at the College of Arts and Sciences, leading a neuroscience-focused professional development course in tandem with teaching neuroscience courses.

Akhter has identified the obstacles she may face during her first time teaching a STEM course entirely online and revealed her plans to overcome them. The challenges she discussed included maintaining a “community feel” while conducting a course asynchronously and how to mimic in-person discussions in an online classroom.

“In lieu of live discussions, I’ll be pivoting more to introspective activities and discussion posts that require critical thinking,” she said. “Both of these strategies will need buy-in from the students for them to be the most useful. Even more than when we were on campus, students will get out of [the] class what they put into it.”

Her plan to solve these issues that could present themselves in her classroom is simple: be as available to students as possible.

“My goal is to be as responsive while off campus as I was while on campus — maybe even more so,” she said.

“Because many of the ideas in STEM are complicated and layered on top of one another, I want people in my class to feel like they can always reach out to me, and I’ll get back to them in a reasonable time.”

Akhter does not plan on being on campus frequently throughout the semester but has some faith in the integrity of COVID-19 precautions being implemented around campus. She is confident in low virus transmission on campus only if safety guidelines are adhered to and the community as a whole takes responsibility.

“Within my office building, I’m sure that the safety strategy has been well thought through,” Akhter said.

“My only concern is that people may not follow the plan as closely as they get more comfortable being on campus.”

Her philosophy for a successful school year applies to both community virus spread and how faculty and students conduct themselves in their classes.

“Everyone’s time management skills and flexibility will be tested this semester, students and faculty alike, so taking personal responsibility and advocating for what you need is going to be essential all around,” Akhter said.

ILLUSTRATION BY MONTENEZ LOWERY | THE SIGNAL

ARTS&LIVING

TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2020

Quarantine skin care and focus on self-care How these students unwind during a pandemic KRISTY RIVERA Staff Reporter

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kincare has become a trending topic due to apps such as Tik Tok and influencers like SkincareByHyram, who review trending products and give their honest opinions.

As a buzzing topic, many people have found solace throughout quarantine by focusing on self-care through skincare. Many are utilizing this time to test out new products, establish skincare routines and detox from previous products.

Georgia State sophomore Miyoshi Anderson has gotten experimental with her skincare during the pandemic.

Anderson is a makeup artist, and her skin serves as a canvas for her to showcase her art form, so she is always looking to test out new brands and products. But she admits the process is often one of trial and error.

“The Milk products are something new that I’ve never tried until quarantine,” Anderson said. “During quarantine, I tried to use a different face wash, but it completely broke my face out. Overall, I try to keep my skincare very simple but efficient.”

Although Anderson is all about being experimental with products, other students like sophomore Kaelyn Williams have found comfort in their skin by embracing a more au naturel look.

She has chosen to embrace this new look by taking more time to focus on her skin.

“Actually, throughout quarantine, I’ve seen that I’m wearing makeup-less and rocking my natural skin more and spending more time taking care of my skin with weekly face masks and exfoliation,” Williams said.

Embracing one’s skin and trying new things

are all a part of an ever-evolving skincare journey. From high end to drugstore, there is a wide variety of products to choose from. Although price can be an essential factor in curating a skincare routine, sophomore Nancy Genesis is a firm believer that “you get what you pay for.”

“Investing in your skincare is key. It can be quite expensive, but once you learn about certain ingredients and their jobs, you’ll get why. It honestly can be a hit or miss, but everyone’s skin is different,” she said.

Expensive products can hold many benefits, but skincare fans have found their “holy grail” products at a drugstore price.

Anderson’s holy grail product is on the more affordable side yet still gets the job done.

“My Cetaphil face wash is my holy grail product, and I don’t think I would be able to have clear skin without it! It doesn’t dry out my skin, it doesn’t over-exfoliate and it’s just honestly perfect for my skin,” she said.

Williams, on the other hand, utilizes her holy grail product to target specific skincare needs.

“I think my holy grail beauty secret/product is lip scrubs. [It] gets rid of the dead skin and hydrates the lips. So, I 10/10 recommend getting a couple of lip scrubs,” Williams said.

Skincare, in the end, is all about finding out one’s needs and finding the products that are best suited for them.

“All I can say is research, research, research, what your skin type is and what your needs are, and learn about what you’re putting on your face,” Genesis said.

11

Students call for a reduction in fall semester fees

The largely digital semester has not been kinder to bank accounts DEENA KAYYALI Staff Reporter

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o matter the differences a student body holds, there’s always something that ties the class together: money.

How much students pay for their education and the facilities offered by the university is a concern for many, and that’s especially true today.

Due to the pandemic, the traditional college experience is a thing of the past for the upcoming fall semester. With almost all instruction moving online, an array of limitations placed on the recreation center and the strong likelihood of there not being a 2020-2021 football season, many question why student fees are the same as the 2019 fall semester.

Along with tuition, students are subjected to pay several fees that make up their overall semester bill.

Some of these include a recreation fee ($38), a transportation fee ($57), the activity fee ($85) and an athletic fee ($275).

The fact that there has not been a reduction or a statement issued by the university about a change in costs has left students confused, disappointed and wanting answers.

When interviewing students on the issue, many said that there should be some

sort of price reduction.

Francesca Vranesevich is a junior at the Atlanta campus and firmly believes something needs to be done to lower costs.

“I think it’s ridiculous that we are paying the same amount,” she said. “There is a high chance that we won’t even be able to attend any games, and there’s no point for transportation fees if barely anyone is attending class in person. I wish that they would give us a discount of some sort.”

Not many students are sold on the concept of paying the same fees as they did in past semesters with all that has changed. Many are asking why they should pay the same amount for a completely different experience.

Ariel Barrientos, another junior at the Atlanta campus, is one of the many students who believes you get what you pay for.

“I feel it’s not necessary to be asking people to pay, especially if we’re not getting the full amount of things we’re paying for,” he said.

For some, a reduction in fees is not enough.

Students like

sophomore Nader Mansour believe that they should be seeing a reduction in their tuition costs as well.

“I am very annoyed by it, and I think that it’s a waste of money. I also believe that tuition should be decreased as well,” he said. “Why am I paying full tuition for all online classes?”

The university has not issued a statement involving any future plans in a fee reduction.

Students are united in their views on these issues: Many do not believe in paying the same amount they paid last year, and not many feel like they should.

With so much new territory for education in this unfamiliar time, there’s still a lot more that needs figuring out. Although students can understand the fact that this is a confusing time, they still expect to be compensated for this “new normal” and believe they deserve to hear directly from the university concerning their plan of action.

Barrientos realizes the uncertainty of these times but does not see it as an excuse.

“I really do understand that this is uncharted territory for many of us, and we’re all trying to figure out what the right steps moving forward are,” he said. “However, the university needs to recognize and appreciate the student body’s concerns and come up with a plan for this semester amid the pandemic.”

ILLUSTRATION BY MONIQUE ROJAS | THE SIGNAL

SPORTS

August 25, 2020

WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM/SPORTS

Men’s Basketball taking it ‘one day at a time’ Inside Rob Lanier’s preparation for the unknown of fall sports ANDREW FREEDMAN & ERIK INDRISANO

Sports Editor & Associate Sports Editor

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Shawn Elliot and Georgia State Football lineup pregame against University of Tennessee.

PHOTO BY MATT SICILIANO-SALAZAR | THE SIGNAL

Behind great leadership, Georgia State football waiting for their time For Shawn Elliott, it is all about being strong during the trying times MARQUIS CHAMBERS Staff Reporter

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he second week of March was the last time we were not cooped up in our homes with family in response to the coronavirus. Witnessing both professional and college sports cancel their respective seasons, from the NBA to the NCAA, the most-watched events in sports were canceled one by one.

The essential part of all the events that have taken place was the fight against racial inequality for minorities and the fight against police brutality around the world.

The cancelation of American sports created a domino effect across the world, with different leagues following suit. Georgia State’s athletics department, especially the football program gearing up for the upcoming season, fell right in line. This caused questions about plans for the offseason and what the 2020 season would look like — if there was even going to be one.

Like many other Division I football programs, the Panthers have instructed their student-

athletes not only to take this pandemic seriously but to spend time with their families.

Additionally, they ask that their student-athletes attempt to keep up with offseason workouts as best they can.

Entering his fourth season as head coach of the Panthers, Shawn Elliott remains optimistic about his veteran-led team for 2020.

“We return a lot of players offensively … We have the nucleus back,” Elliott said. “In our receiving corps, we have really good players on the outside, and we have a couple tight ends who are very special.”

A crucial part of having a successful team and season is the players must buy into what the coaches are teaching in everyday practice. Along with that, leaders must step up from players who have been there the longest and bear the challenge of carrying a team.

“Great teams have great leaders,” Elliott said. “We’ve got to see those great leaders rise to the forefront here in the next few weeks. That is

as critical as blocking and tackling.”

Along with having great leaders step up to the forefront like Elliott mentioned, as coaches, they must have the tunnel vision to tune out the outside noises and critics about the team itself.

“As a coach, you have tunnel vision. You appreciate every opportunity to be on the field with your players,” Elliott said. “So you tune out all the outside noise, focus on what you can control and move forward until someone tells you permanently.”

Following their best season yet, the team looks to have a great season this year, but people are expected to continue wearing their masks and taking every health precaution seriously for it to happen.

“We all understand what we’re up against, and we are doing the very best we can,” Elliot said. “It’s something we have to do, and something we will continue to do because the health and safety of our student-athletes and our staff is what matters most.”

hen asked about his team’s preparations for the upcoming season, Georgia State men’s basketball head coach Rob Lanier emphasized two things: taking it one day at a time and building good habits back up.

“No, it’s not a motto. It’s just … just a reality of the circumstances,” he said. “How do you prepare for a season when you don’t know when the season starts?”

The team’s gradual approach to the unknown, which is the 2020-21 season, involves skill work, individualized workouts and open-mindedness. With everyone wearing a mask during workouts, trying to build a routine seems farfetched.

Despite the difficulties, Lanier’s sole focus is on what he can control to push the team in a positive direction.

And for a guy who has no idea when he will be coaching his next basketball game, Lanier continues to keep his sets set on one thing.

“We just have to remain present right now and focus in on what we can do,” he said. “We can just worry about today. And then when we know what the season is going to look like, then we can start setting our sights on that.”

Like the rest of Division I college basketball programs and most fall and winter sports for that matter, Lanier’s veteran-led squad continues to practice individually. Four players, four coaches and four baskets: the only action the Panthers have seen since March.

The Panthers return a number of key players from

last year’s 19-13 squad that got knocked out in the second round of the Sun Belt Tournament last season.

All-Conference guards Kane Williams (second-team) and Justin Roberts (thirdteam) are arguably the best backcourt in the conference.

With Lanier entering his second season at Georgia State, taking the foreseeable future one day at a time is the only option.

“Our workouts are planned and in trying to build consistency with making good decisions, practicing good habits, so that we can eventually get to a point where we’ve got the whole group in the gym having normal practices,” Lanier said.

Among those good decisions: not attending parties, not being around large groups of people and, instead, devoting their time to their craft.

“We’ve tried to do a lot of things with these guys off the court to educate them and enlighten them on what’s going on in the world and to just be cautious with the decisions they make as it relates to the virus,” Lanier said.

As for figuring out the next pieces of the hardest puzzle of his 31-year coaching career, Lanier is not focusing on their inability to play games.

“In general, we just don’t know, in college athletics, what these seasons are going to look like,” he said. “In terms of how I feel about my team, that doesn’t change. But what it looks like as it relates to the season, I’m not going to put a lot of energy into trying to figure that out. Nobody knows. So we have to take it one day at a time.”

COME BACK NEXT WEEK TO READ PART TWO OF WHAT STUDENTS AND FANS CAN EXPECT OF THIS SEASON

TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2020

SPORTS

Panthers destined for the NFL draft

Top three Georgia State Panthers to watch for the 2021 draft JULIAN HARDEN Staff Reporter

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s the college football season creeps closer, the post-Dan Ellington era begins, and for three particular players, the season potentially raises their stock for the 2021 NFL Draft. The fFall could be crucial in deciding their fate beyond a Panthers’ uniform. There are currently four former Georgia State players in the NFL, but these are three more who will hopefully join them in 2021.

taken in the fourth round by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2020 NFL Draft.

While linemen may not be the “sexy” position between the end zones, the position can provide a gem, and Gilmore could be a hidden one for a pro team. Another stellar season will attract many NFL scouts to Credit Parc Stadium to watch Gilmore, who could hear his name called in Cleveland.

1. Shamarious Gilmore, Left Guard

2. Roger Carter, Tight End

Starting off with the best overall prospect, we have Gilmore aka “Quion,” who is, without a doubt, the most pro-ready Panther on the team. The Panthers have been praised for the strength of their offensive line and Gilmore has been a critical part of the success. .

“Without him the Panthers don’t get off to their hot start,” 247 Sports’ Ben Moore said. “He’s one of our best players on the offense right now.”

Like many offensive linemen, Gilmore is overshadowed by fans but has been an All-Sun Belt selection every season at Georgia State. Last season, Pro Football Focus ranked Gilmore as the second-best offensive lineman in the Conference behind Louisiana’s Kevin Doctson who was

At 6’2 and 250 Ibs, Carter has the size and athleticism to impress in the NFL and have a solid career.

His productivity was crucial to the Panthers’ great start in the 201920 season. In his 34 career games at Georgia State, Carter has 53 receptions and six touchdowns.

While those numbers are not eye-popping, he has been one of the better tight ends in the conference.

Carter came into his own at the position after sharing the position with Camrin Knight. There are many teams who could use another tight end on their offense and Carter could develop under veteran tight end in the league.

3. Noel Ruiz, Kicker

If Noel Ruiz is drafted out of Georgia State, the school should be

known as “KickerU” from now on.

A North Carolina A&T graduate transfer, Ruiz will look to raise his draft stock in his only season with the Panthers. During his time in the FCS, he received an All-American nod, nailing 23 out of 27 kicks in the regular season last year.

It also helps that Georgia State has had recent success with their kickers. New Orleans Saints’ Wil Lutz holds a Pro-Bowl section under his belt and, most recently, Brandon Wright being signed by Jacksonville.

While it is rare for a kicker to be drafted, it does happen and Ruiz could be the next kicker from the Panthers to hear his name called.

Moore believes Ruiz definitely has a shot at being drafted come April.

“If Ruiz has another big season in 2020, he absolutely is an NFL draft prospect,” Moore said. “Georgia State already has one of the league’s best kickers in Wil Lutz.”

The 2020 season is set to be a landmark year for Georgia State as they enter a new era in their program. With a big year from each of the players stated above, Georgia State could add to their NFL resume. With the season only weeks away, it is on these players to punch their ticket into the NFL draft.

One-third of a year for this senior

How an unexpected season’s end humbled Dalton Davies AARON WILSON, JR. Staff Reporter

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he COVID-19 pandemic has forced many students and student-athletes to miss significant milestones, especially in their senior years of high school and college. Classes were changed, seasons were canceled and graduation and commencement ceremonies were shifted online. The spring of 2020 that was about to bloom, instead became a spring of gloom and doom; for student-athletes, uncertainty and cancellations became abundant.

Spring is baseball season; players have spent all winter preparing for opening day and the subsequent season with excitement and optimism.

Seniors approach it with a mix of happiness and acceptance. Knowing the next four months is likely to be the last competitive baseball game they ever play for Georgia State.

The four-month regular season (from Feb. 14 to May 16) would provide players with 92 days to make peace with their final seasons. Instead, in 2020 fashion, catcher/outfielder Dalton Davies and the Panther baseball team played roughly onethird of their season (around 30 days) before the pandemic took it away.

“The end of the season didn’t hit me until I came home, roughly a month later, and realized this could be the last time I played baseball,” Davies said.

After years of rigorous training sessions and late-night workouts, it appeared that student-athletes like Davies wouldn’t get closure on their athletic careers. Their eligibility would expire, and they would miss out on being able to savor their final times with their family and experience the camaraderie that comes with being a part of a sports team. As good fortune would have, it was not the case, Davies along with other spring studentathletes were granted an extra year of eligibility by the NCAA. “When the season ended, it came at such short notice that we really did not have time to react. Within a week, we had stopped mid-season and were cleaning out our lockers,” Davies said. “Thankfully, I was able to receive another year of eligibility and am so thankful to the coaches for allowing me to extend my career another year, at least.”

The senior is excited and grateful that he will get to play his senior

season at full length. But like many others, going home was an adjustment for Davies.

“The pandemic has changed my life incredibly. For a while, I felt lost because my ‘safe haven’ if you will, is the gym, and I cannot get enough of it,” he said. “However, I did adjust and started working out from home until the gyms opened back up, requiring masks and gloves, which I was completely fine with.”

His appreciation for working out lies in concert with his major in health, along with his goal of becoming a certified personal trainer.

But, among all things in the personal training field, Davies is looking forward to giving back and using the experiences he has had to help others looking to take a route similar to his.

“Don’t worry about where you go, what division [or] how big the school is,” he said to aspiring collegiate baseball players. “Every level at the collegiate level is competitive, and whether there’s 30,000 people watching you on Fridays or 100, it’s always competitive and always fun.”

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Georgia State football’s top five moments Game-winners and upsets gave fans memories to last a lifetime MICHAEL CUNEO Staff Reporter

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he Georgia State Panthers football program started practicing ten years ago this August, marking a memorable milestone in the young history of the program. The team was officially created in 2010, with then-head coach Bill Curry. While the Panthers spent several of their early seasons trouting through the arduous struggles that most brand-new football teams face, recent years have seen exponential growth both on and off the field. Here are five of the most impactful moments in Georgia State’s first decade of football.

5. September 2, 2010: Inaugural Game Draws 30,000 Plus

It all started for the Panthers in 41-7 victory over the Shorter Hawks in the now-demolished Georgia Dome. Despite the dominant win, the game had a lot riding on the line as many throughout the sports world were uncertain of the viability of another football team in Georgia. 247 Sports reporter Ben Moore remembers feeling the anticipation of that first game.

“You didn’t know how many people cared,” Moore said.You didn’t know how many people would show up on a Thursday night in downtown Atlanta in September. The local media had been hammering Georgia State, saying, ‘Hey, this isn’t going to work. No one is going to show up for games.”

Despite the lack of enthusiasm from the media and the uncertainty of their fan base, the Panthers drew a crowd of over 30,000 fans, including then-governor David Perdue, and topped off the night with the program’s first win.

4. October 16, 2010: First Game-Winning Field Goal

The Panthers’ first gamewinning field goal at home came against North Carolina Central in a 20-17 overtime victory. Kicker Iain Vance nailed a 33-yard field goal to

give the Panthers something to hold onto in the first season of their existence.

The win also proved disappointing for the Eagles as they were the favorite going into the game.

“That was a huge moment”.

Moore said when recalling the game. “Coincidentally, North Carolina Central fired their coach the following Monday. They weren’t exactly thrilled about losing to a startup program.”

3. December 16, 2017: First Bowl Game Victory

Georgia State would concur their first trophy against Western Kentucky in the Cure Bowl in 2017. The Panthers beat the Hilltoppers convincingly with a final score of 27-17 under the new leadership of head coach Shawn Elliott.

2. January 5, 2017: Georgia State Secures Turner Field

In perhaps one of the most influential moments in Georgia State football’s short history, the team agreed to purchase Turner Field, the former home of the Atlanta Braves, for over 19 years. The stadium was completely renovated for football use and received the new name of Georgia State Stadium. Earlier this month, Center Parc Credit Union purchased the naming rights for the stadium in a reported $20-million deal that will span over the next 15 years.

1. August 28, 2019: Georgia State Upsets Tennessee

The Panthers saw their most significant win ever in 2019 as they stunned the Tennessee Volunteers in a dominant 38-30 victory. The upset shocked the college football scene and brought national attention to Georgia State as the team entered as a 26-point underdog.

Quarterback Dan Ellington shined in the game, throwing for two touchdowns and running for one late in the game that solidified the team’s victory.

August 25, 2020

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Panthers football losing freshman quarterback for the season

Atlanta Hawks secure No. 6 pick in 2021 NBA draft

The NBA is letting other leagues know how it is done

Shawn Elliott’s Panthers will enter the 2020 season with one less quarterback after freshman Mikele Colasurdo received upsetting news. The threestar prospect out of Inman, SC announced on his Twitter that he was diagnosed with a heart condition following his infection of the coronavirus. At 6 feet 3 inches and 210 pounds, Colasurdo makes for an ideal quarterback in the Sun Belt Conference. He looks forward to watching his team compete as he prepares to wait another year for his first snap of college.

With a plethora of young talent, General Manager Travis Schlenk find a crucial piece of the next decade for the Atlanta Hawks come October 16. Former Memphis big man James Wiseman will go in the top-3, which will almost certainly include Georgia’s Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball, according to most NBA mock drafts as of Saturday. But out west, another big man made a name for himself. Ball’s former Chino Hills High School teammate Onyeka Okongwu could be bound for the Hawks. An exceptional defender, Okungwu has the ability to play alongside Collins or Clint Capela.

The NBA Bubble is doing its job: None of the 341 players have tested positive for the coronavirus in Orlando campus since the last results were announced Aug. 12. Along with the good news, teams have been lighting up the scoreboards and making highlight plays every night. From the Utah Jazz’ Donovan Mitchell to the Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum, the young guys are making their presence felt.

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Student STATEments Terry Fye, Senior

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THREE BIG THINGS

GAMES SUDOKU

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From a Future Alumni to you, Get involved, go to parties, make mistakes and don’t give up! COVID or not it’s your shot to do it the #Stateway

THE KICKBACK

TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2020

GAMES

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COMIC

You Meddling Kids!

UPCOMING EVENTS FRIDAY

TAKE CARE OF YOU GSU

MULTICULTURAL CENTER OPEN HOUSE

MAKING KEEPSAKE

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AUG 28

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PORSCHE DRIVE-IN CINEMA: BAD BOYS FOR LIFE

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