Vol. 78 No. 3

NEWS • 03

Rising student to campus

LIVING • 07

body leads Campus crowding. ride

SPORTS • 11

cyclists Panthers tie USC-Upstate Dragon*Con benefits. in their home opener. to downtown

SIGNAL

the

with

ENTERTAINMENT • 15

PERSPECTIVES • 19

comes Glenn Beck takes on Martin Atlanta. Luther King’s message.

VOL. 78 • ISSUE 3 • SEPTEMBER 8, 2010 REGISTER ONLINE FOR BREAKING NEWS AT

w w w. g s u s i g n a l . c o m

WITNESSES TO HISTORY

Panthers win 41-7 in front of 30,237 fans

By D.J. KUNOVAC Staff Writer Under the gleaming Georgia Dome lights on Sept. 2, 2010, the Georgia State University football team introduced itself to college football with a 41-7 win over Shorter University in front of 30,237 fans.

While the margin of victory might not have come as a surprise to some, the fan turnout certainly did, as Georgia State served notice that the school and its fans are serious about college football.

To put it into perspective, Georgia State is second only to the Big East’s University of South Florida in terms of first-game attendance record by a college football start-up.

“I am shocked and excited to do 30,000,” said Cheryl Levick, Georgia State’s Director of Athletics.

Levick was not the only one in shock, as the talk of the town that night was the fact that Georgia State, a start-up college football program, outdrew the Atlanta Braves by roughly 5,000 fans.

The first-place Atlanta Braves are currently in a heated pennant race and have had one of the highest attendance averages in recent years, in part due to Rookie of the Year candidate Jason Heyward.

The turnout was so big that Georgia State’s senior associate athletic director, Kosha Irby, noted in an e-mail that the athletic department is taking measures to improve ticket operations because ticket lines at the Georgia Dome were so long that some fans gave up and went home, according to the Atlanta-Journal Constitution.

Gov. Sonny Perdue, former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young, Sen. Johnny Isakson and a number of other dignitaries were just some of the impressive names to grace the stands, but perhaps the most remarkable fan turnout was by the 11,000 rabid Georgia State students.

Cont. on page 14

Football

Beau Torres

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NEWS

News Editor Daniel Beauregard gsunews@gmail.com

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Rising student body leads to crowding

By ESTHER J. LEE Staff Writer The number of students attending Georgia State has been on the rise for the past few years and this year there are about 31,200 students enrolled. In 2008, there were approximately 28,000 students, and the increasing number of students every year is causing an overcrowded campus.

“I don’t think our campus size is sufficient enough for the number of students we have. The most problems I have are on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the courtyard from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m,” Elease Kim, student said.

The swarms of people make it difficult for students to find their way from the classrooms surrounding the courtyard to destinations such as the library or Student Center.

“It is especially crowded in front of GCB where everyone is waiting for the shuttle,” Shana Choi said.

The flock of students in front of the bus stop near the entrance of the General Classroom Building make it hard to get from the bottom of the steps into the building itself.

Besides the issues at GCB and the courtyard, it is also difficult to find parking at Turner Field and even some of the parking decks.

During the first week of the school year, there were stories of students who circled Turner Field for an hour before finding a parking spot.

Also, the wait in food lines at the Student Center and the

Esther J. Lee Georgia State’s crowded courtyard between classes.

University Center make it seem like people are in line at an amusement park. What’s supposed to be fast food is delayed and waiting to pay for food takes even longer.

Another issue is with the Internet. The wireless Internet bandwidth needs to increase because it is nearly impossible to connect to CatChat or CatChat 2 from a laptop in the afternoon. If a laptop does connect, it takes a long time to load even a simple Google page.

The school is definitely taking into account the growing campus and has tried to accommodate the growth. Georgia State has opened many new dormitories in the past few years, such as the Commons, Freshmen Hall, Piedmont North and Greek housing. The school has also purchased the former Wyndham Garden Hotel and the Baymont Inn & Suites, which will both become dormitories.

It’s not just the housing that is expanding. Recently, the school

opened up the Petit Science Center and plans on expanding to create new classrooms.

Tim Renick, Professor and Associate Provost for Academic Programs, said the school purchased the SunTrust building two years ago and plans on opening it up to the students for classroom use within the next 18 months to two years.

He also said that Georgia State is planning on renovating Sparks Hall, which is one of the oldest classroom buildings on campus, into a taller building so it will make more efficient use of space, but this is a more long-term plan.

Georgia State has undergone many transformations within the past few years, but these “makeovers” are to serve the students with a better college campus.

Kappa Alpha Psi permanently suspended

By SHEENA ROETMAN Editor in Chief On Fri., June 4, 2010, the Student Judicial Board at Georgia State ruled that Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. would be permanently suspended from campus due to alleged hazing.

The Board concluded that on Dec. 16, 2009, a student was “slapped in the face three times and punched in the stomach, an area of his body that had a surgical scar from a previous injury.” Due to the stomach injury, the student fell to the ground, coughing up blood.

When the injured student and another interest (a student who has expressed an interest in joining the fraternity) reported the incident to the chapter’s alumni advisor, both students were provided with the name of a doctor and told to speak with the “Dean of Pledges” if there were further concerns.

According to the Student Organization Hearing Results released by the Board, a formal complaint against the Kappa Theta chapter of Kappa Alpha

Psi claimed that hazing incidents occurred between October 2009 and February 2010.

Kappa Alpha Psi’s official stance on hazing , according to the national fraternity’s website, is to report incidents to the University’s Office of Student Activities, local authorities or campus police or to the fraternity’s international headquarters (for which a phone number with a Pennsylvania area code is provided).

On Dec. 10, 2009, an anonymous student reported in a letter to University officials that Kappa Alpha Psi interests had been subjected to physical harm in the form of being “slapped, hit by hand and with a cane, kicked and punched,” according to the hearing results.

Although a Cease and Desist notice was issued by the University to the Kappa Theta chapter on Dec. 18, 2009, in regards to their tactics, the fraternity continued to participate in such activities.

Kappa Alpha Psi Interests were also required to “drink an alcohol beverage called ‘Nupe

Juice’ and eat a mixture of random food compiled on a plate called ‘Kappa Koncoction’” and to “to complete “missions” that included running errands, picking-up food, and driving members to and from work, school and social events.”

The fraternity’s president and alumni advisor were also found to have “made false statements and provided misleading information, including by omission.”

The hearing results, released on June 18, 2010, cited a total of six violations of Georgia State’s Student Code of Conduct, including “violation of published […] policies,” “Verbally threatening, physically abusing, or threatening physical abuse, intimidation, coercion and/or conduct which threatens or endangers the health or safety” of members of the Georgia State community,” false statement to University officials, “Engaging in, supporting, promoting or sponsoring hazing,” “Commission of any offense prohibited by federal, state or local law,” and “failure to comply with University officials or law enforcement.”

Jhoni Jackson Fans attending Dragon*Con pump millions of dollars into Atlanta’s economy.

Dragon*Conomy

By DANIEL BEAUREGARD News Editor Every Labor Day weekend thousands of sci-fi fans from all over the country descend upon Atlanta to attend Dragon*Con, one of the nation’s biggest science fiction and fantasy conventions.

The convention, which was started in 1987 by a local gaming group founded by Ed Kramer, has snowballed into what is now one of the largest conventions of its kind in the U.S. and the world.

This year Dragon*Con had four host hotels: The Hilton Atlanta, The Hyatt Regency Atlanta, The Marriott Marquis Atlanta and the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel, all of which offered special rates, busses back and forth to the convention, 24-hour Dragon*ConTV, and were all conveniently located near MARTA’s Peachtree Center transit station.

Around 35,000 members and attendees came out this year, up from 20,000 in 2007. The numbers have been steadily rising annually since the convention started and each year it continues to offer new, exciting attractions, as well as being an enormous boom to Atlanta’s economy.

According to a study done by Georgia State’s Robison College of Business, in 2007 Dragon*Con raised around $21 million; this year it was expected to make around $25 million or more.

“This is an estimate that could change based on attendance, but I would expect an economic impact of around $25 million based on attendance of approximately 30,000,” said Debra Cannon, associate professor at Georgia State’s Robinson College of Business and director of the college’s Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality Administration.

Michelle Harding, coordinator of public relations for the Atlanta

Convention and Visitors Bureau, gives a more conservative estimate of expected revenue - around $15 million or so. However, Cannon explains that this might just be an estimate for the convention-goers actual direct spending over the 3 ½ days.

“Most estimates for this group have been in the $20 million to $25 million range for the last three years in terms of economic impact.

However, economic impact studies include a multiplier effect,” says Gannon, who goes on to explain that some studies tend to include things like buying plane tickets and other transportation costs.

Most likely the numbers will fall somewhere in the $15 to $25 million range, depending on what one considers revenue generated by convention-goers.

This is still a very significant portion of revenue for the city, and many businesses and hotels in the downtown area rely on large conventions like Dragon*Con as a part of their yearly income.

Every Labor Day weekend Atlanta also hosts the SEC kickoff game and the Black Gay Pride Festival. These events also bring a large amount of business to the hotels around the city, and some SEC and Pride goers stay in the Dragon*Con convention hotels, which always makes for an interesting hodge-podge of personalities.

“Dragon*Con certainly benefits both large and small businesses in Atlanta. Four of our top convention hotels host the majority of the attendees who dine in our restaurants, visit our attractions and shop in our stores.

It’s a win-win situation for both the city and our visitors,” said Harding.

It seems that this year, despite the near double economic dip, convention-goers set aside frugality for a weekend of fun in Atlanta.

04

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

STAFF INFORMATION EDITOR IN CHIEF

Sheena Roetman signaleditor@gmail.com NEWS EDITOR Daniel Beauregard gsunews@gmail.com LIVING EDITOR Noël Hahn signalliving@gmail.com SPORTS EDITOR Kirkland Carter signalsports@langate.gsu.edu ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Jhoni Jackson signalentertainment@gmail.com PERSPECTIVES EDITOR Syeda Hira Mahmood signalperspectives@gmail.com INTERIM PRODUCTION EDITOR Elijah Sarkesian signalprod@gmail.com INTERIM ASSISTANT PRODUCTION EDITOR Beau Torres signalprod@gmail.com ONLINE EDITOR Jeremy Galloway signalwebsite@gmail.com COPY EDITORS Emma Harger Shelby Lohr ADVERTISING MANAGER Elijah Sarkesian signalads@langate.gsu.edu CIRCULATION MANAGER Brian Echols signaldistribution@gmail.com OFFICE ASSISTANTS Jared Cate Michael Glass STUDENT MEDIA ADVISOR Bryce McNeil bmcneil1@gsu.edu

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NEWS

Student orgaizations come out to gain members

By NICOLE SCHIMMEL Staff Writer Students gathered on Gilmer St. and in Hurt Park to attend the annual Organizational Fair sponsored by the Office of Student Activities. The event began at 11:30 and ended at 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 31.

120 organizations had tables set up with information for those interested in joining. Included in the 120 were the Catholic Students Association, the Georgia State Crew team, the Wakeboarding club, Intervarsity Organization and many more. There was also free cotton candy, which was a main draw for senior Andrew Martin.

“I am looking for intramurals, something with not a heavy commitment,” Martin said. “The Rec Center has a ton of things here.”

Martin did get his cotton candy and some information about activities he can participate in before he graduates. For junior finance major Elizabeth Greene, the fair had only recreational activities and philanthropy, not really want she were looking for.

“I noticed that what I wanted wasn’t really present,” Greene said. “I would have liked to see more academic clubs. I only see things like wakeboarding and philanthropy.”

Both Martin and Greene said the fair seemed beneficial for underclassmen or transfer students looking to get involved.

According to Greene, she had to hear about the event by word of mouth. According to sophomore Eric Reynolds of the Office of Student Activities, each organization or club at Georgia

State is e-mailed and if they are able to participate, they respond.

According to Ebony Rose, the Student Organizations Advisor, this year’s fair was a huge increase from last fall’s, when only 92 organizations were able to participate. She attributes this growth to the new location because the school was able to use Hurt Park as well as Gilmer Street, so more organizations were able to participate.

The Office of Student Activities sponsors and organizational fair every fall and are planning to host one in the spring. For more information about clubs at Georgia State, visit the Rec Center website www.gsu.edu/recreation, or visit the Office of Student Organizations in the Student Center.

Nicole Schimmel Andrew Martin, senior Psychology major, waits in line for cotton candy at the organization fair, held Aug. 31 in front of Sparks Hall.

Muslims around campus celebrate Ramadan

By MISHALL REHMAN Staff Writer

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With the sound of Adhan, the Muslim call to prayer, Halima Ahmad breaks a long day of fasting at a campus Iftar.

“I feel calm and at peace when I open my fast, like I’ve accomplished something,” Ahmad said.

Like Ahmad, hundreds of Muslims both on campus and around the world, are doing their Islamic duty of fasting during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

The month of Ramadan, which began on Aug. 11 this year, is a time when Muslims fast from dawn until dusk and concentrate on how to become better people. For Muslims, a big part of Ramadan is to keep in mind the less fortunate.

“Fasting helps you to feel for those less fortunate than you because we eat in the morning and eat after the fast is over but some people in the world don’t even get to do that,” Ahmad said.

Keeping this spirit of Ramadan alive, the Muslim Students Association (MSA) is sponsoring a National Eid Toy Drive. The toys collected from this drive will go

to children of low-income families across the country.

The MSA is also collecting money and non-perishable items for the flood victims of Pakistan.

Some of the items being collected are medical supplies, canned foods and toiletries.

“We want people to be aware of what’s going on in Pakistan and donate since the media isn’t portraying it as much,” MSA President Safia Ansari said.

Several other religious organizations have joined the MSA’s effort in collecting items for the people of Pakistan.

Besides charitable activities during Ramadan, the MSA is also sponsoring Iftar, the meal Muslims eat after breaking their fast, on campus daily Monday to Thursday.

At Iftar, the Muslim students break their fast with a traditional plate of dates and then pray together in the Muslim Prayer room located in the University Center. After prayer, the students go to the Panther Dining together, where the eat dinner provided by different volunteers.

The dinners range from Indian and Arab fare to traditional American foods.

The MSA’s annual Fastathon

was postponed this year due to an insufficient time to prepare. The event will now be held on Oct. 26.

“We fast and ask other nonMuslims to join in with us to fast.

It gives us a chance to explain why Muslims fast,” Ansari said.

Ramadan not only allows Muslims to self-reflect and improve moral standards, but also has social benefits.

“Ramadan has a social aspect as well because you see people from the whole community at the Masjid [Mosque] and you pray together,” Ahmad said.

After Ramadan, Muslims will be celebrating Eid, which signifies the end of Ramadan. Most Muslims, like Ahmad, celebrate Eid by dressing up and visiting family and friends. To celebrate Eid on campus, the MSA will be holding a picnic at the Centennial Olympic Park on Sept. 17.

Before the celebrations of Eid begin, though, Muslims are still concentrating on reaping the benefits of Ramadan.

“It helps you to become a better person. I’m more conscious of what I do and more focused,” said Ahmad.

NEWS

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Wednesday, September 8, 2010

05

CALENDAR OF EVENTS September 7 - September 14, 2010

DATE Tuesday

SEPT. 7

EVENT Georgia State Intramurals: Flag Football Referee Training Session #I Student Recreation Center, Room 215 6:00 p.m.

Welch Gallery Exhibition: Metaphysical Materiality Art Galleries, Welch School of Art and Design All day; runs through Sept. 24

RésuMania! Face to Face Résumé Reviews University Center, Room 245 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Neuroscience Institute Seminar Series: Michael Decker

Christopher Cooper Discounts on rental books is a new incentive for students.

Bookstore issues abound at beginning of semester

By CHRISTOPHER COOPER Staff Writer Campus bookstores have their biggest rush at the start of the fall semester. However, despite larger student bodies, a higher demand for more books and supplies and the growing threat of online textbook websites and e-books, many campus bookstores are providing inadequate service and delivery.

The new rent-a-book program at many universities, including Georgia State, has been the focus of many promotions for the upcoming school year. This new focus on renting or buying used textbooks has caused bookstores to neglect buying new editions of other books.

Georgia State has had a student boom this August. Its freshmen class was the largest in the university’s history. The student population growth offers more business for the university bookstore, but due to high textbook prices, many students have turned to buying used books online. However, this fall marked the beginning of the textbook rental program at the Georgia State bookstore.

The program allows students to save 50 percent on books by renting instead of buying textbooks. This new program saves students money and attracts more business to the bookstore, although flaws still exist. Several new editions of certain course books were not available doing the first week of school. The bookstore did provide, however, 2009 editions of the missing 2010 editions on the shelf.

Several History 1111 students could not get their textbooks until the second week of school. “I went to the bookstore, and asked for a History 1111 textbook,” a History 1111 student said. “A bookstore clerk told me to buy the 2009 book until the 2010 copy was available.”

Professors placed booklists orders as early as May, yet bookstores still can’t seem to stock new editions on time.

Bookstore issues seem to stem more from profit lost than time management. University bookstores buy less new editions as publishers profit the most from the purchases. Bookstores make more money selling used or rented textbooks. Small classes with particular book needs are also ignored when placing book orders, leaving some students to place individual orders and wait longer to receive books.

Some professors have noticed the bookstore’s reluctance to buy new books and offer students alternatives to dealing with the bookstore.

“If you can’t get the textbook from the bookstore, I can provide you with a copy directly from the publishing company,” Sheila Miller, a Bedford St. Martin publisher, said. Publishers like Miller are capitalizing on student needs by eliminating bookstores and dealing directly with the buyer.

As the rent-a-book program grows, many bookstores are focusing too much on profit and not enough on the student. While the program helps bookstores compete with online textbook sellers and e-books, customer service suffers from lack of concern for the student’s needs.

By offering solutions that better suit themselves, and not the students, bookstores are losing students to other competition.

Amazon has recently added a new feature for college students concerning book shipping. The site now offers college students who sign up for a free Amazon Student account free two day shipping for textbooks. Koofers, another website, provides a directory for college students listing other sites that offer used books or a rental program.

College textbooks are expensive, leading students to search for the cheapest, simplest and quickest method for obtaining textbooks. Unless current customer services relations change, university bookstore, once campus centers, may became campus novelties.

Petit Science Center, Room 255 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday

SEPT. 8

SCUBA Info Session

Student Recreation Center Lobby 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Georgia State Intramurals: Flag Football Referee Training Session #2 Student Recreation Center, Room 215 6:00 p.m.

RésuMania! Face to Face Résumé Reviews University Center, Room 245 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Wellness Wednesdays

One Park Place Room: HR Conference Room, Basement 12:00-1:30 p.m.

Research Wednesday Speaker Series featuring Stephen Billett College of Education 1030 12:00-1:00 p.m.

Résumé Skills Workshop

Career Resource Center, University Center Room 245 3:00-4:00 p.m.

Thursday

SEPT. 9

Touch the Earth: Whitewater Kayaking School - Short Course Student Recreation Center Pool 7:00 - 10:00 p.m.

RésuMania! Face to Face Résumé Reviews University Center, Room 245 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Friday

SEPT. 10

Biology Graduate Research Seminar Series General Classroom Building 600 9:00-11:00 a.m.

RésuMania! Face to Face Résumé Reviews University Center, Room 245 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Complimentary Yoga & Meditation Session Location TBA 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Saturday

SEPT. 11

Golf the Trail: Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail Trip Auburn, Alabama All day Continues through Sunday Sept. 12

Touch the Earth: Ziplining! & Nantahala (Raft and Zip) Trip North Carolina TBA Continues through Sunday Sept. 12

Tuesday

SEPT. 14

Touch the Earth: Whitewater Kayaking School - Short Course Student Recreation Center Pool 7:00 - 10:00 p.m.

Want to see your event in this space? Contact Daniel Beauregard with your event’s name, time, date, location, and a brief description of the program. All events listed in the Calendar of Events must either take place on campus or be produced by a Georgia State-affiliated organization.

CORRECTIONS/RETRACTIONS

From the August 31 issue: • “Get to know your letters: a guide to sorority life,” pages 8-9: Delta Sigma Theta is a member of the National Panhellenic Council, not the Panhellenic Council.

• “Georgia State law professor reviews case that hits close to home,” page 10: Perry Binder is the Assistant Professor of Legal Studies at the Georgia State College of Business, not Associate Professor for Legal Studies at the Georgia State College of Law. • Student Vox, page 20: The last photograph is not of Mike Burke, but of Claudio Dehelean, who is a junior studying pre-nursing.

06

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

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NEWS

Troop withdrawal brings mixed emotions

By SUCHI SAJJA Staff Writer The 2008 presidential election brought many promises, including an end to the war in Iraq. President Obama promised that American troops would be brought back from Iraq within 16 months of his inauguration.

In Feb. 2009, one month after his inauguration, he pledged that the U.S. combat mission in Iraq would end by Aug. 31, 2010. This date came three months later than promised in his presidential campaign.

Operation Iraqi Freedom began when the United States invaded Iraq in March 2003. The government had reason to believe that Iraq harbored weapons of mass destruction. Though no WMDs were found, the U.S. occupied Iraq and captured their President, Saddam Hussein. The United States has been pushing for a democratic government ever since.

Obama spoke in Atlanta on Aug. 2 at the Disabled Veterans of America conference. In his speech, he thanked the veterans for their service, but his reiteration of the troop withdrawal by the end of the month is what got the most attention.

“Shortly after taking office, I announced our new strategy for

Iraq and for a transition to full Iraqi responsibility,” Obama said. “And I made it clear that by Aug. 31st, 2010, America’s combat mission in Iraq would end. And that is exactly what we are doing--as promised and on schedule.”

American families with loved ones fighting overseas are overjoyed that their families and friends are coming home. With over 4,000 American casualties and billions of dollars spent, the war has caused much distrust in the government.

Though the troop withdrawal plan has given many Americans a reason to celebrate, the Iraqi people feel shorted. They still have not declared the winner of the March parliamentary elections, and they fear the increasing terrorist attacks will spark a civil war.

In a quote to a British newspaper, The Guardian, Iraqi foreign minister Hoshyer Zebari said, “…it is embarrassing for them to withdraw and still we don’t have a government in place, because all the achievements, all the sacrifices that have been made, could be in jeopardy.”

Georgia State students have differing viewpoints on the President’s withdrawal plan.

Rosina Skaria, a sophomore, believes that troop withdrawal is a “definite progression.”

“Although the troop

Capt. Paul L. Greenberg Soldiers heading home from Iraq

withdrawal will be a slow process, Obama’s mind is in the right place, and America can no longer complain about our troops being overseas for nothing,” she said.

Sam Uddin, a fellow sophomore, agrees with Skaria, saying that the withdrawal “is long overdue.”

Despite the relief some students are feeling over Obama’s withdrawal plan, there are many who are hesitant as well.

“I feel like we should give them time to rebuild,” Georgia State junior Tina Tran said. “If we pull them out now, and leave the situation unstable, everything will

get worse.”

Lindsay Wilson has mixed feelings concerning Obama’s plan: “I agree that we should leave, but I think it’s sad that we haven’t tried to provide them with a stable government.”

“I am happy that they are moving out because my sister was overseas, but I’m afraid that all the hard work our military put in will go to waste, and Iraq will go back to the way it was,” John Garrett said.

According to the withdrawal plan set by officials in Washington, 35,000 to 50,000 troops will stay

in Iraq to aid the government.

Remaining troops will continue to work on counterterrorism operations and protect the Iraqi citizens. They are expected to be home by Dec. 2011.

On Aug. 31, President Obama gave a speech from the Oval Office, declaring the Iraq combat mission over. He asked Americans to “turn the page” on the Iraq war and stated that focus needs to be on restoring the domestic economy. He said that he hopes to begin withdrawing troops from Afghanistan by next summer.

Using the recession and economy to your advantage

By KAREN POWELL Staff Writer The economy has endured many changes in the past few years, including layoffs, cutbacks and closure of many companies.

Students and recent grads have felt the pain as they try to enter the workforce with a hopeful feeling.

Harold Vasquez, Research Specialist at the Economic Forecasting Center in the Robinson School of Business, gave his insight on the economy and what students can do to keep their heads above

water and how to use the time they have to their advantage, despite the economy.

Vasquez graduated with a Masters in Economics from Georgia State and is currently working on his Ph.D at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies. He graduated summa cum laude in 1998 and received a B.A. in 2000 at the Technological Institute of Santa Domingo. He also received his Masters in Finance at the University of Carlos III of Madrid in 2002.

He speaks both English and Spanish and is currently working on

his dissertation. He has been with the Economic Forecasting Center since 2008 and his job involves researching, writing and publishing quarterly reports on the state of the local economy in Georgia and Atlanta. He also responds to special requests and questions from his directors. His studies and passions are Public Finance, Applied Econometrics, International Macroeconomics and Time Series Analysis.

Vasquez believes that the economy will affect students in many ways. He forecasts that it could take at least one to two years be-

Harold Vasquez Harold Vasquez, Economic Research Specialist at Georgia State, has many tips for students regarding the economy.

fore a student or recent grad finds a job in their field. He advises students to get as much education and experience as they can and stay in school as long as possible, at least until they can get their feet in the door. Translation: if you are working on your Bachelors, then go for your Masters, and if you are working on your Masters, then work on your Doctorate.

“Students should pay more attention to their grades in competition so they can differentiate themselves from other students,’” Vasquez said. “So you can sell yourself better.”

Does he feel that the economy has recovered from the recession?

Not really, but Georgia is doing better than a lot of other states. Mainly due to many companies migrating to Georgia in the last few months, jobs such as car manufacturers, high technological plants and energy jobs, the green jobs. These companies will bring jobs to a lot of Georgians and should improve the economy over time.

Vasquez thinks students should get as much training as possible and find options available to them. When asked about students who are dependent on financial aid and may not be able to continue school, he had a suggestion.

“It’s tough, I know. But you got to use your resources,” Vasquez said. “You can get training without being in school, try learning other

languages, they’ll open up new possibilities for you.”

Vasquez also suggested networking and working with someone in your field. He feels it is important that students participate in networking activities related to their fields. It is also important that students try to make close relationships with professors working in the student’s field of interest. Professors can be a good help for students who are looking for jobs, and also can write good recommendation letters, also important when competing in this economy.

The key is to maintain a positive attitude and gain experience and as much knowledge while job searching and know that it will be difficult at times.

“Do a smart search when looking for a job,” Vasquez said.

“Students need to be aware of the economy.”

The Economic Forecasting Center holds quarterly conferences in the Student Center Speaker’s Auditorium. Conferences are free to students and prior online registration is recommended. The next conference will be held on Nov. 17.

Students wishing to gain more information on upcoming conferences, who have questions about the economy or want to get email alerts can contact the Economic Forecasting Center at www.efcgsu.com.

www.gsusignal.com/news

NEWS

was a possible carjacking. Despite numerous versions of invalid reports about Robinson’s murder, police are still investigating the crime scene.

Many of Robinson’s coworkers and friends spoke highly of him. When questioned about working with Robinson, his busi-

Traxx Durand Robinson

Atlanta black gay pride organizer shot and killed

By LASHONDA EDWARDS Staff Writer Durand Robinson, age 50, organizer of Atlanta’s annual Black Gay Pride Celebration and coowner of the club Traxx, was shot and killed on Aug. 26. His body was found around 1:30 that morning, lying in the middle of Hadlock Street in southwest Atlanta, according to the Atlanta police.

Reportedly, Robinson was kidnapped from Greenbrier Mall and driven a few blocks away to the scene of the shooting. A local resident called police after hearing a heated argument and a scream followed by gunshots. When police arrived, Robinson was pronounced dead at the scene. He appeared to have been shot in the chest and was presumed to have died on impact.

According to Atlanta police, Robinson’s case will undergo further investigation. They may know the motivation for the murder but have yet to confirm any suspects in the case or concrete motives.

As the organizer of the Black Gay Pride Celebration and co-owner of the Traxx nightclub, Robinson was well known throughout metro Atlanta. In addition to his active role in the gay community, he also raised five of his nieces: his deceased brother’s daughter and his sister’s four daughters, whom he was given full custody for. Robinson was the eldest of six siblings.

According to Southern Voice, Robinson’s brother, Prince Robinson, claimed his recently deceased brother was in a relationship but had no plans of getting married.

He also said that “Everyone who knew him says he had no enemies and was loved by all.” Robinson was in the middle of organizing the annual celebration the morning he was shot. He had less than a week before the event would take place.

The celebration was held from Sept. 1-5 and was hosted at the Loews Hotel in downtown Atlanta.

Robinson’s family members and friends were devastated by the news of his tragic death. They now mourn the loss of their loved one but encourage the police and Atlanta residents to join them in helping find Robinson’s killer.

WSB-TV reported that Robinson’s family members believe the crime

Wednesday, September 8, 2010 ness partner, Philip Boone, told WSB-TV, “This was devastating for our community and the Traxx family. He was an angel ... we will miss him.”

Robinson’s Life Atlanta group also testified to his kindness in the community on their website: “His light will be missed, but his spirit

and the shared memories will live on in our hearts and the hearts of his family, friends, loved ones and those in the community who knew him.”

A candlelight vigil was held Sept. 1 at the Metropolitan Community Church of Atlanta on Tullie Road. His family Facebook page

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has been made into a temporary memorial for him. The public will be allowed to leave their condolences on his wall at a date that is still undecided. A funeral and memorial will be held soon. Robinson’s family has not yet verified any details about whether or not it will be open to the public.

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Wednesday, September 8, 2010

www.gsusignal.com/news

NEWS

FROM THE E D I T O R As many readers know, The Signal has recently been profiling all Greekletter organizations in order to promote these chapters and their members and the many contributions these organizations make to their communities. A profile on Delta Zeta sorority was published on Aug. 31, and some members of that chapter, in addition to Signal staff members, felt that the profile did not do justice to the chapter and its members.

The Signal offered to run a new profile, written by Delta Zeta sister Katherine Marks, on the sorority in order to correct any misconceptions or confusion.

- SHEENA ROETMAN Editor-in-chief

Raheb Homavandi Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (L) and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin (R)

A nuclear-powered Iran

By JACK CULLER Staff Writer Iran’s Vice President and nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi recently confirmed that Iran has proposed a deal with Russia that, if accepted, would create a “nuclear consortium.”

Iran has asked Russia to agree to jointly produce Iran’s nuclear fuel for their newest nuclear plant, Bushehr, and any other future nuclear plants.

“We have made a proposal to Russia to create a consortium under Russian license to do part of the work in Russia and part in Iran,” Salehi told a state-run Press TV. “We should show the world our capability in uranium production and its conversion into nuclear fuel.”

Though this proposal is still being reviewed and studied by Russian government officials in Moscow, it is clear that Russia has shown interest in being involved with Iranian nuclear development.

Bushehr, which Russia assisted in building since the mid-1990’s, has already been stocked with Russian uranium fuel, the element that is converted to nuclear energy.

Russia will supply all the uranium fuel for Bushehr.

They began to fuel the plant on Aug. 21 and have agreed to do so for the next ten years. Though the reactor is currently considered

a nuclear facility, it will not be fully operational for another six months, according to Iranian officials.

Iran remains adamant that their nuclear program is peaceful, but the United States and other United Nations countries initially feared that Iran was enriching the uranium fuel to produce nuclear warheads.

However, because Russia is both supplying the fuel and taking away the waste, it makes it doubtful that Iran can use the reactor to make fissile material for a nuclear weapon.

“Despite all pressure, sanctions and hardships imposed by western nations, we are now witnessing the startup of the largest symbol of Iran’s peaceful nuclear activities,” said Salehi last week at Bushehr’s official launch ceremony.

Russia initially pledged to handle all of the nuclear fuel that would be used at the Bushehr reactor, which lowered the United States’ suspicion that Iran would shift materials from research to weapons programs. Nonetheless, Iran’s latest proposal to Russia suggests that Iran will have at least a somewhat significant role in the nuclear fuel process at Bushehr.

In June, the United Nations Security Council imposed a fourth round of sanctions on Iran for refusal to discontinue enriching uranium fuel. Despite the sanctions, Iran continued to push forward with its nuclear

campaign. Salehi told reporters that Iran has produced 55 pounds of uranium enriched to 20 percent since February.

Salehi has recently made it known that Iran is in the “final stages of finding suitable locations for 10 new uranium enrichment facilities,” which confirms that Iran is active in nuclear fuel production.

Iranian officials say the additional enriched uranium is needed to fuel a medical research reactor.

Russian officials have reserved little comment on the matter. An official at the Russian Nuclear Agency told the Associated Press that the two countries have also discussed the possibility of creating a facility to assemble the fuel rods needed for Bushehr. In principle, the Russian official said, the facility would operate under Russian license on Iranian territory.

Although Iran’s newest nuclear reactor is gaining a lot of national attention lately, it has actually been in the upstart process for more than 35 years. Groundbreaking ceremonies for the reactor began in 1975, but were cut short in 1979 during the Islamic revolution of Iran. Bushehr is currently the only active nuclear power plant in the Middle East. When the reactor is fully functional, it will account for nearly three percent of the nation’s electricity supply.

Delta Zeta was founded in 1902 by six women at Miami of Ohio.

Today Delta Zeta has enriched the lives of over 220,000 alumnae and collegiate members.

The Delta Delta Chapter of Delta Zeta was founded here at Georgia State on Jan. 15, 1955. Since then, Delta Zeta at Georgia State has grown immensely and continues to enrich the lives of its members and the Georgia State community.

Delta Zeta’s colors pink and green and the mascot is a turtle. Each spring, Delta Zeta holds a week-long philanthropy event called Turtle Race, in which other fraternities and sororities participate and compete in events in order to raise money for one of Delta Zeta’s sponsored foundations, including include the Starkey Hearing Foundation, Gallaudet University, and the House Ear Institute.

Each fall, Delta Zeta holds a Dodgeball Tournament that raises money for another pre-selected philanthropy. This year the tournament will be held at the Omni Gym on Sept. 25 at 10 a.m.

Delta Zeta also founded a camp in Los Angeles, Ca., called the Painted Turtle. Its mission is to provide a year-round, life-changing environment and authentic camp experience for children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses.

Delta Zeta’s Georgia State chapter also supports ovarian cancer research. “Philanthropy is only one of the amazing things about being in a sorority,” Alexis Levine, Delta Zeta sister, said. “The bonds of sisterhood are everlasting, and Delta Zeta is full of sisterhood, laughing and love.”

The sisters of Delta Zeta enjoy attending mixers with other fraternities from Georgia State, Georgia Tech and Emory. Delta Zeta also holds a Date Night every semester, in addition to many sisterhood outings. Last year the girls went out for dinner and a movie, went to a Braves Game, and held Date Night at Six Flags Fright Fest.

The sisterhood continues to grow each year. Delta Zeta holds one of the largest houses in the new Greek community and looks forward to showing off its new home in the Greek Housing Tours. The last tour is today, September 7, from 12 to 1 p.m.

The chapter looks forward to growing even more after formal recruitment next week. “We encourage girls to choose the sorority they feel most comfortable with,” President Elyssa Jacob said. “I knew Delta Zeta was where I belonged.”

Delta Zeta encourages all girls interested in joining a sorority to sign up for recruitment at gsupanhellenic.org. The last day to sign up is September 8 and recruitment begins Thursday, September 9.

For more information on the Delta Delta Chapter of Delta Zeta, visit www.deltazetagsu.com.

Delta Zeta

LIVING

Living Editor Noël Hahn

signalliving@gmail.com

w w w . g s u s i g n a l . c o m / l i v i n g

Not in an FLC? Log into the Virtual Interactive Plaza

By IRIS EBEN Staff Writer This academic year marks the official launch of the Virtual Interactive Plaza (VIP) program for Georgia State freshman students.

For the approximately 1,500 first year students who chose not to participate in a Freshman Learning Community (FLC), VIP keeps them connected to valuable tools for academic success. Academic Director of Student Retention, Allison Calhoun-Brown said, “The purpose of VIP is for students not participating in a FLC know that they are supported by Georgia State.” Registration for VIP is automatic for a freshman who is not registered for an FLC. A student simply needs to log into his or her uLearn account and a link to the VIP platform appears below classes listed. Each student is part of a cohort of 25 students, which is led by a peer mentor.

Peer mentors, some former Incept leaders, lead discussions and provide information to students throughout the semester.

“Forty percent of our students are first generation college students,” said Calhoun-Brown. “This means they do not have someone to tell them what a career center is or how to meet with professors.” Personal messages and group emails sent by mentors include tips to leading a successful collegiate life and updates about events on campus.

The Virtual Interactive Plaza curriculum includes resources for students to succeed academically during their first year and beyond.

Dhanfu Elston, Director of the Office of Undergraduate Studies, said, “Students don’t know what they don’t know.” The VIP program provides a student with the knowledge that he or she may be unaware of.

Each week, a new topic is released. Students can now click on the “Surviving your classes” link to learn about time management and establishing effective studying habits. Students may also access testimonial videos from students

recounting their first year experiences via iTunes. Interactive games, like one that asks a user to prioritize schoolwork, socializing and chores virtually train students how to stay organized.

Last year, a pilot of the program was administered to a group of 200 students. In response to student feedback, VIP now includes Facebook in order to keep peer mentors and cohorts connected.

“Students commented that they used Facebook more than they used anything else,” Elston said.

Peer mentors have official Georgia State pages to remain connected with VIP users.

For first time students at a university with over 30,000 students, establishing and maintaining connections can often be difficult. “The program connects students to other students, so they do not feel alone,” Elston said.

For students who are not convinced of program’s usefulness, Elston responds, “Just log in and see what’s out there.”

An added incentive for participating in the program is maintaining HOPE. The tuition funding of many incoming students is provided

by Georgia’s HOPE scholarship program. High school students who have achieved a 3.0 or above grade point average qualify for HOPE. “The trends in the past years show that 80 percent of incoming freshman start with HOPE; by the next fall, half of those freshman have lost HOPE,” Elston said.

The Virtual Interactive Plaza includes many of the same resources provided by a GSU 1010 class, which is the introductory course of an FLC. Those students who participate in FLC’s are more likely to graduate and 50 percent more likely to maintain HOPE. Both Elston and Calhoun-Brown hope that the VIP program will yield similar successes.

Calhoun-Brown said, “Every student can succeed at Georgia State, it’s not a lack of ability.”

University System of Georgia To join a VIP, simply log on to uLearn and click on the VIP link under the class list.

Annabella Jean-Laurent Georgia State has bike racks located around campus for students traveling by bicycle.

Campus cyclists ride with benefits

By ANNABELLA JEAN-LAURENT Staff Writer Georgia State’s downtown location allows students flexibility in choosing how they travel to and from campus. While many commuters drive, there are a growing number of student bikeriders who have found that cycling to school is not only good exercise but also cost-efficient.

“I ride [my bike] because it’s cheaper than driving,” Carlos Morales, a junior, said, “I like being able to save on gas and parking and still get a good workout.”

With gas prices on the rise and parking fees as much as $400 this semester, many students have become frustrated with the time and money spent driving to school.

“When I do drive, I almost never find a lot that isn’t full,” Wendy Brighton, a senior said.

“I am glad I live close enough to campus that I can just hop on my bike and go, because driving has never been an easy task.”

Georgia State offers over 15 bike racks in and around campus for students to use. Two are located inside the courtyard adjacent to Sparks Hall and multiple racks are offered inside campus parking decks.

Racks can also be found in front of Aderhold Learning Center, the Georgia State Police Station and the Student Recreation Center.

GSU Bikes, a student-run

Georgia State Bike Rack Locations • • • • •

Piedmont near Gilmer: Rack is on Piedmont in front of the Recreation Center Gilmer between Piedmont and Jesse Hill: Rack is off Gilmer between S Deck and Student Recreation Center Piedmont near John Wesley Dobbs: Rack is on Piedmont in front of Panther’s Den at Citizen’s Trust Building Auburn near Courtland: Rack is on Auburn in front of Auburn Research Center Edgewood near Pryor: Rack is on Edgewood, in front of the Georgia State Police Station Bike rack locations retrieved from www.gsubikes.com.

Georgia State bike rack map can be found at www.gsubikes.com/tipsandtricks.html

bike coalition at Georgia State which “provides information and other services for bicycling and improving the environment,” suggests a U-lock as the best lock to use for securing a bicycle.

Graduate student Kelsi Arlington learned this the hard way, “I used to use a cable lock and my bike was stolen right in front of Aderhold. U-locks are the best.

They’re almost impossible to cut through.”

Samantha Glover, a senior, says however that she doesn’t worry too much about her own bike being stolen. “My bike is pretty crappy, so I don’t worry too much about where I park it,” Glover says.

Glover, who parks her bike in the courtyard, says for her it’s about convenience, “Most of my classes are in GCB, so this is where

I like to lock my bike.”

When students were asked where they felt the safest bike racks are located, many agreed on the racks in the courtyard or where they are the most visible, such as in front of buildings or near busy streets.

“Places where there is a lot of foot traffic work the best,” Mark Brighton, a junior said. “I never park my bike in a secluded location.

That makes it too easy for a thief to try and steal it.”

While the benefits of student cycling are plenty, it’s important that bike riders also follow safety laws when riding on the road with drivers.

These can be found in the Georgia Bicycle Safety Laws Handbook at www.gohs.state.ga.us/ gabikelaws.html.

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Tuesday, September 7, 2010

www.gsusignal.com/living

LIVING

Get to know your letters: a guide to sorority life (part 2)

Header photo by Meg Buscema. All other photos provided by the individual organizations.

By NOËL HAHN Living Editor

Last week, we focused on six of Georgia State’s 13 on-campus sororities. This week, we focus on the rest of the sororities on campus, in anticipation of Panhellenic Recruitment Week, Sept. 9-12. Check back next week for a look at campus fraternities.

Zeta Phi Beta The Lambda Nu chapter of Zeta Phi Beta was founded in 1986 by five women at Georgia State. It is a historically black Greek-lettered sorority and part of the National Pan-Hellenic Council. Zeta Phi Beta was originally founded at Howard University in Washington, D.C. in 1920.

Zeta Phi Beta’s motto is “Scholarship, Sisterly Love, Service and Finer Womanhood.” The colors are royal blue and true white. White is a theme among the sorority: the symbol is a white dove and the flower is a white rose.

Philanthropy is a large part of Zeta Phi Beta. Nationally, they partner with many organizations including March of Dimes, American Red Cross, American Cancer Society and the 50 Million Pound Challenge. Zeta Phi Beta is known for their organization Z-HOPE, which stands for Zetas Helping Other People Excel. Z-HOPE is an international outreach program that helps the community.

“I was interested in the sisterhood, the many connections. Also, helping other people, but the volunteer work is what really drew me in,” President Tai Shell said.

There is no specific recruitment time for this Zeta Phi Beta. “We are looking for ambitious women who know what they want. Women who are focused, diligent, and willing to put in work. Balancing is important too,” Shell said.

Interested parties can check out the many events coming up in Zeta Phi Beta’s future. Information sessions will be held a few times each semester. Blue and White week, from Sept. 13-18, will contain many events for those interested in the sorority. On Sept. 15, at 7:20 p.m., there will be an informative meeting in the Lanier Suite of the Student Center.

For more information, e-mail Tai Shell at tshell1@student.gsu.edu.

Alpha Omicron Pi The Gamma Sigma chapter of Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority is a sisterhood that was founded at Georgia State in 1956.

Alpha Omicron Pi was founded nationally at Columbia University’s Barnard College in New York City in 1897. It is an organization that promotes friendship for a lifetime, inspiring academic excellence and lifelong learning and developing leadership skills through service to the fraternity and community, according to their website.

The official color is cardinal, which is representative of the sorority’s jewel, a ruby, and flower, a red rose.

Alpha Omicron Pi’s national philanthropy is arthritis research, more specifically juvenile arthritis. Many events are held throughout the year to raise money for the Arthritis Foundation, including Strike Out Arthritis, Alpha Omicron Pi Athletes, and the Mr. Alpha Omicron Pi pageant. They also participate in other sororities’ philanthropic events.

“The women in this organization have held me up when I felt I couldn’t stand on my own and they have dried my tears, but they have also shared some of the best moments of my life. Rain or shine, best day or worst, Alpha Omicron Pi’s will always be by my side. Each one of my sisters holds a special place in my heart and I will be dedicated and loyal to each of them and my fraternity forever,” President Morgan Harkrider said.

As part of the Panhellenic Council, Alpha Omicron Pi participates in Panhellenic Recruitment Week.

“Alpha Omicron Pi is always searching for new sisters. We look for women who possess leadership qualities, school spirit, high academic standards, and an outgoing nature. As a whole, our chapter is outgoing, goofy, and loyal to Alpha Omicron Pi; therefore, we want our future sisters to mesh with the group,” Harkrider said.

For more information about Alpha Omicron Pi, visit their website at www.gsaoii.com.

Sigma Sigma Rho Sigma Sigma Rho is a historically Southeastern Asian-based sorority. It is the first sorority of its kind on the East Coast and the only South Asian-based sorority in the state of Georgia. Sigma Sigma Rho was founded by ten women at St. John’s University in New York in 1998.

Sigma Sigma Rho is a small sorority with only six active members on campus. They are new to Greek life, with the chapter at Georgia State having been established in 2005.

The colors are blue, black and silver and the motto is “Maan, Atman, Dharam. Together they are one, we will not fall, forever we are one.” The sorority is built on three pillars: sisterhood, society and remembrance.

The national philanthropy is domestic violence. This philanthropy was chosen based on the prominence of violence towards women in the Southeastern Asian culture. Raksha, Inc. is Sigma Sigma Rho’s local philanthropy.

“We make it a point to connect back to our roots,” Vice President Lalita Balakrishnan said.

Raksha, Inc. is a nonprofit organization for the South Asian Community based in Georgia. Raksha’s mission is to promote a stronger and healthier South Asian community through confidential support services, education and advocacy according to their website.

While Sigma Sigma Rho is based on Southeast Asian culture, anybody is welcomed to join. There are many events coming up for anyone interested in this sorority. For a full list of events for Rush 2010, check out Sigma Sigma Rho’s website.

To find out more about this sorority, check out their website at www.wix.com/EEPGSU/EEPGSU or e-mail Lalita Balakrishnan at flare@sigmasigmarho.com.

LIVING

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Sigma Gamma Rho Sigma Gamma Rho was organized in Indianapolis, Ind. in 1922 by seven women. This historically black Greek-lettered charter was granted in 1929 at Butler University.

The Omicron Gamma Chapter at Georgia State’s purpose is to uphold all principals set forth by the International governing body of Sigma Rho Sorority Inc., according to their website. These principals include displaying at all times leadership, service, sisterhood and scholarship as well as being a visionary in service to humanity and providing a foundation of growth for its members.

Sigma Gamma Rho is an international sorority with 500 chapters and over 85,000 members in the United States, Bermuda, the Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, Germany and South Korea.

Sigma Gamma Rho’s motto is “Greater Service, Greater Progress” and the colors are royal blue and gold.

There are three foundations that are affiliated with Sigma Gamma Rho. These organizations include the National Education Fund, SPEAR (Sigma Public Education and Research Foundation) and Seven Pearls Foundation. Some of the other services that Sigma Gamma Rho has participated in include Project Africa and Project Mwanamugimu.

Requests for comments from members were declined.

For more information on Sigma Gamma Rho, check out their website at www.sgrho1922.org.

Theta Nu Xi Theta Nu Xi was founded in 1997 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill by seven founders.

The Zeta Chapter at Georgia State was founded in 2000. There are currently ten active members in the Zeta Chapter. The choice of having a smaller chapter helps with sisterly bonds, according to President Breonna DeLoach.

Theta Nu Xi’s mission statement is “To promote leadership, multiculturalism, and self improvement through academic excellence, involvement in and service to the campus and community, as well as being living examples of sisterhood across different races, cultures, religions, backgrounds, and lifestyles,” according to their website.

This sorority’s sisterhood is based on diversity. Anyone is welcomed and encouraged to join no matter what your religion, background or lifestyle may be.

The colors of Theta Nu Xi are lavender, Carolina blue and black.

“Girls for A Change” is the national philanthropy of Theta Nu Xi. “This program is about mentoring young girls about development. Girls have adolescent problems and through that corporation we try to build up the self esteem of young girls,” DeLoach said. Many fundraisers are held throughout the year to raise money for this philanthropy.

The minimum requirement to join Theta Nu Xi is a 2.5 GPA, but a 3.0 or higher is encouraged because of the scholarship. Potential recruits must be taking fifteen credit hours.

Anyone interested in this sorority must attend an informal interest meeting. Dates for upcoming meetings are posted on the Zeta chapter’s website.

For more information about Theta Nu Xi, visit www.tnxzeta.com.

Zeta Tau Alpha The Delta Lambda Chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha was founded in 1969 at Georgia State. Delta Lambda is part of the National Panhellenic Council, along with four other sororities on campus.

Zeta Tau Alpha was originally founded in 1898 at the State Female Normal School in Farmville, Va. The nine founders were only 14 and 15 years old and their desire for permanent friendships after college lead them to the founding.

The purpose of Zeta Tau Alpha is to intensify friendship, to promote happiness among its members, to perform such deeds and to mold such opinions as will conduce to the building up of a purer and nobler womanhood in the world, according to their website.

Community service is a major part of being in a sorority and Zeta Tau Alpha does not fall short. Their national philanthropy is breast cancer education and awareness. Many fundraisers and events are held throughout the year to raise money for this cause. The annual Think Pink! Picnic at Grant Park will be held this year on Oct. 23 to raise money for Zeta Tau Alpha’s philantrophy.

The Delta Lambda chapter works closely with several partners including The ZTA Foundation, which partners in the fight against breast cancer with Yoplait Yogurt, the National Football League, Self Magazine, Lifetime and Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Zeta Tau Alpha will participate in Panhellenic Recruitment Week. “We look forward to meeting you during the Fall 2010 Formal Recruitment and having the chance to talk to you about our sisterhood,” President Katie Oskey said on their website.

To find out more information about Zeta Tau Alpha, visit info.theginsystem.com/websites/zta_ga.

Phi Mu Phi Mu was founded national by three women in 1852 at Wesleyan College in Macon, Ga. It is the second oldest secret society for women and started out as the Philomathean Society until 1904, when it changed its name to Phi Mu Fraternity.

The Theta Beta chapter of Phi Mu Fraternity was chartered at Georgia State in 1987 and is part of the National Panhellenic Council.

Their motto is “The Faithful Sisters” and their colors are rose and white. Sir Fidel the Lion, who is their mascot, was adopted in 1973.

Phi Mu provides personal and academic development, service to others, commitment to excellence and lifelong friendships through a shared tradition. Phi Mu promotes vibrant living encouraging members to achieve their personal best, according to their website.

Service to the community is a large part of Phi Mu. They are a corporate sponsor of Children’s Miracle Network and their National Philanthropy Day is recognized by all Phi Mus on the third Monday of each October.

This day is solely dedicated to local community service and philanthropic work. Phi Mu was the first sorority to establish this National Philanthropy Day back in 1999. Hoops-A-Palooza is one of Phi Mu’s signature fundraising events. Phi Mu will be participating in Panhellenci Recruitment Week.

Requests for comments from members were declined.

For more information about Phi Mu, check out their website at gsu.phimu.org/index.php?page_name=start.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

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Tuesday, September 7, 2010

www.gsusignal.com/living

The rec center launches a new free service

By MISHALL REHMAN Staff Writer

LIVING

HEALTH & WELLNESS

with Gretchen Cannon

Before going for a quick workout, junior Jessi Lin-Diaz signs up for the rec center’s newest free service: Hothand’s Mobile Rec. “This is a helpful service [for you to] sign up for classes [that] you do not know about, or [to] join new classes,” Lin-Diaz said.

The new service, launched this summer, is a service that allows students to access a mobile webpage for the rec center from their cell phones. It also allows students to receive timely text messages and emails about different activities and programs at the rec center.

Students choose which groups they are most interested in and would like to hear from. The groups include: aquatics, intramural sports, outdoor programs, sport clubs, facility information, fitness classes and clinics, fitness nutrition services and special events.

Georgia State first found out about the service when several rec center employees, including Kendra Bayne, marketing graduate assistant for the rec center, were approached by the Hothand company at a conference. Bayne soon began to research the service by trying it out and talking to other schools already using the service, including Ohio State.

“Because students are always

By GRETCHEN CANNON Staff Writer

Beau Torres Students can now get updates about the Rec Center on their phone.

on their cell phones, they are more apt to know about what we have going on because of this service, and the students will be more involved,” Bayne said.

The director of Georgia State’s recreational services, Scott Levin, also saw many benefits for signing up for the service. “Many other schools are using it. It’s no cost to us and it’s no cost to the students, so it’s a win-win situation,” Levin said.

In addition to Ohio State, some of the other big universities using this service are Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech and Ole Miss.

The rec center has also started other initiatives this year, including increasing hours to 11 p.m and sending out monthly podcasts. The

rec center is also offering a total of 162 activities and classes this semester.

Besides being informed and up-to-date about the rec center’s activities, those who sign up early also qualify for a drawing to win numerous prizes. Some of the prizes include a Braves ticket, free instructional classes and even a grand prize of a Touch the Earth Whitewater Trip for the winner and three guests.

“I signed up for this service because I like to get information about all the upcoming events and activities at the rec center,” LanDiaz said.

Students can register for the new service at www.hothand.com/gsu.

STRONG ONE DAY. ARMY STRONG THE NEXT.

What makes the Army Reserve different? It’s training close to home but always standing ready. It’s being able to work your job while serving your country. It’s the strength that comes from being a citizen one day and a soldier the next. To find out more, visit your local recruiter, log on to goarmyreserve.com or call 1-800-USA-ARMY.

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STAY IN COLLEGE. PAY FOR COLLEGE. ASK ABOUT EDUCATION CAREER STABILIZATION. To learn more, call 1-877-259-6506 today.

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Most students in U.S. colleges are just plain stressed out, ranging from everyday worries about grades and relationships, the changes in our economy to darker thoughts of suicide, according to a poll of undergraduates from coast to coast. The survey was conducted for the Associated Press and mtvU, a television network available at many colleges and universities.

Jill Lee-Barber, Ph.D. Director of Psychological and Health Services at Georgia State, has taken an extremely proactive approach to the stress college students face today. The counseling and testing center at Georgia State has recently unveiled a new mind-body clinic.

The clinic includes a relaxation room for students, complete with a massage chair, a collection of DVDs and CDs for students to use on a range of topics (including mindfulness and meditation, treatment of headaches, chronic pain and insomnia) and resources for stress and anxiety management.

Additionally, there is state-of-theart biofeedback equipment that will allow students to learn to use their breath and thoughts to control their body’s responses to the environment so that they are physically less stressed.

Students can schedule a free consultation to learn to use the equipment or simply to enjoy the resource of the massage chair and DVD collection. I recently had the pleasure to sit down with Dr. LeeBarber and discuss these important issues many college students are facing in today’s world.

Q: What is the biggest source of stress college students face today?

A: It is difficult to name the single largest source of stress for college students in general, and it is certainly so for students at a university as diverse as Georgia State. In general, psychologists conceptualize stress as the response that humans have when we question whether our resources are going to be enough to meet the demands of a situation. For many students, that can include negotiating academic demands, financial demands, the challenges of balancing working while in school, relationship struggles, health care issues and figuring out how to navigate one’s career path in a changing economy.

Q: What suggestions do you have for stress reduction?

A: I generally advise students to first control those issues which are within your scope of control, [such as] your own nutrition, sleep, exercise, intake of substances and schedule. Making sure that you are hydrated, not taking in too many toxins such as too much caffeine, alcohol or other drugs and that you are getting enough rest gives your body a fighting chance against the

Gretchen Cannon

demands of stress. Also, taking a realistic look at your schedule and assessing whether or not you have allowed enough time for some rest, exercise and play is important.

Every spiritual tradition in the world has some concept in it of Sabbath, the necessity of rest for people. I have seen many highachieving students near the edge of burn-out and honestly illness due to forgetting that our bodies need rest and balance or they cannot continue to perform in the way that we would like for them to do.

Q: What signs should students and others be looking for to ensure that they are not reaching a dangerous level of stress?

A: This varies by personality type and culture, but in general, notice changes in your own patterns of sleeping, eating, relationships with others, ability to concentrate and your own overall satisfaction with the way your life is going. Catching stress early and intervening with yourself is a sign of emotional intelligence and will really help you be successful.

Q: What stress level management services are available through the Counseling Center and are they free of charge for students?

A: The Georgia State counseling and testing center offers consultation for students every day during business hours so that students can meet with one of our psychologists and make a plan of action for what will meet their needs. The consultations are generally available within a day or so of the request and will last about 30 minutes; they are free of charge for enrolled Georgia State students.

The plan of action may include attending a series of seminars in our Be a Better You program (some of these include Stress Less, Black and Blue: For African Americans on Depression, Relationships Solved, Communication Skills, and Enhancing Personal Effectiveness), short-term individual counseling, group counseling, individual stress management consultation, nutrition consultation and use of our mind-body clinic.

Q: How can students call to make an appointment?

A: Call our receptionists at 404-4131640. Also visit our website at www. gsu.edu/counseling.

SPORTS

Sports Editor Kirkland Carter

signalsports@langate.gsu.edu

w w w . g s u s i g n a l . c o m / s p o r t s

Panthers tie USC-Upstate in home opener

By WILL HOLLAND Staff Writer Settling for a disappointing draw, the Georgia State men’s soccer team tied South CarolinaUpstate 1-1 to remain unbeaten on the year. The Panthers faced an obstinate defense in the form of the Spartans. USC-Upstate came into the game off a similar double overtime stalemate against Gardner-Webb, who just a few days earlier, the Panthers hung a late loss on in the Panthers’ opener away from Atlanta on Sept. 1 in Boiling Springs, N.C. Sophomore Alex Reyes found the net nearly two minutes into stoppage time off a rebound from a Gimel Gordon shot to win the Panthers’ opener in stunning fashion.

Back home in Atlanta, however, the Panthers were unable to find any last minute heroics before the referee signaled the end of overtime. The game petered out after a fairly erratic, back-and-forth regulation period with Georgia State creating far more clear scoring opportunities. Squandering good chances and 60 percent of the ball’s possession, the Panthers will feel they should have done more to secure a victory.

The Panthers came out with the energy in the first half with sophomore Yasser Majlut, #10, controlling the ball in the midfield and distributing nicely from flankto-flank. Sophomore Eric Lawrence combined with Majlut to form a dynamic midfield combo, fluidly knocking the ball along the back line and within the Georgia State midfield. In the early minutes, there was hardly a third touch on the ball. All the Panthers were doing their best to move the ball forward and get possession to their marksmen, sophomore Gimel Gordon and junior Ayokunle Lumpkin.

Sophomore Victor Nkhoma and freshman Evan Scott also contributed to the attack off the bench, adding a much-needed spark to an increasingly frustrated team as the first half wore on. Eric Lawrence took more control as the half wore on, using good body position to shield and ping the ball throughout the Georgia State squad with a powerful left foot.

He would go on to find three shots, putting one on goal.

Gordon did well to pull runs out wide and receive the ball on either flank, while Lumpkin

dominated Upstate’s middle defensive third, taking ball after ball on his chest with pin-point control. He typically found himself surrounded by two or three defenders, but was easily able to find supporting Panthers like Reyes on the flank or defender, sophomore Alex Vivanco storming forward from his right-back position.

In the 52nd minute, Lumpkin took up his usual center striker position and flicked on a nice kick by the goalkeeper Vincent Foermer. Gordon took it in stride, the ball stuck to his foot, beat one defender in the corner and cut the ball back to make an incisive run into the Upstate penalty area. A trailing defender made a desperate attempt at the ball and only ended up getting Gordon’s calf instead.

Vivanco was given the opportunity to put his team ahead at the penalty spot and he converted to give the Panthers the advantage.

Vivanco had an especially busy day, playing more like a wing-back at times, making long powerful runs down the Georgia State right side, bringing attackers into play and launching crosses into the box.

He finished with three shots, one on goal and three crosses.

Georgia State continued to dominate, holding the ball well and operating largely through Eric Lawrence and Lumpkin. They simply lacked a cut-and-thrust in the final third and Upstate often outnumbered the Panthers once Gordon or Lumpkin gained possession up field.

Nkhoma and Scott came on around the 67th minute to put the game away, but USC-Upstate had other ideas.

After nearly conceding on a sloppy piece of play by the Georgia State defense, the Spartans took advantage of the Panthers’ tired legs and minds with a cross into the box that wasn’t cleared and eventually was put away by Upstate to equalize in the 73rd minute.

After the goal, the Panthers appeared fatigued, perhaps the after-effects of a hardcore conditioning program, and never looked like they were going to score at the end of the second half.

Nkhoma held up the ball for Scott to run off of him, but the two didn’t have enough time to develop an understanding. Even when they did find space in the Spartan’s half, the midfield runs

Georgia State Sports Communications Senior Joe Castaldo throwing the ball in with Coach Surrency watching.

that seemed relentless in the first half were nonexistent by the end of the second. Majlut became more and more active toward the end of the game, earning a few free-kicks, but it was too little too late for the Panthers.

Georgia State finished the second half with seven shots to Upstate’s three and they took the match to sudden-death overtime.

The Panthers dominated the first period of overtime, taking seven shots, two crosses and earning one corner. Again, Vivanco was extremely active with passing, defending, dribbling, shooting,

and crossing. Vivanco put the best chance of overtime just high in the 97th minute off a Majlut shot.

Majlut also regained some of his legs in overtime and was fairly active offensively.

Both teams seemed content to leave the game with one point during a lackluster second period of overtime. At the death, Gordon beat two defenders and shot wide, deflected off an Upstate defender.

The Panthers would then contrive to fail to convert on three straight corners and the referee mercifully whistled the game dead.

In the Panthers’ defense,

Upstate looked impotent in the offense from the second half on and never really looked to challenge a dominant Georgia State back line.

Transfer Michael Nwiloh and sophomore Peter Vania put in especially excellent performances in the defense.

Coach Surrency was unavailable for comment after the game.

Georgia State will test their unblemished record away from home against Florida Atlantic on Sept. 10 in Boca Raton, Fla.

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Football

Cont. from page 01

“They’re electric down there,” Levick said from the press box.

“They finally have a team, and they’re proud of them.”

Panther pride was in full display as the students did not sit down or let down before and during the game. The lower-bowl student section of the Georgia Dome was filled almost an hour before kick-off, and the overflow of students had to be directed into the mezzanine level.

“Our student section was already full, their bodies were painted and I’ll never forget the excitement of those kids,” Georgia State President Mark Becker said.

“The students have been behind this program. To see the student excitement and to see them fill the student section straight away will be with me forever.”

Beau Torres Freshman Drew Little served as the starting quarterback, completing 13 out of 17 passes.

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SPORTS

Over two years of anticipation for Georgia State football reached a boiling point when the fans erupted as the first-ever Panther football team ran out of the tunnel, with thousands of camera flashes lighting up the Georgia Dome.

“The team was shocked by what they saw,” said Georgia State’s safety Brandon Jones.

“The team really came together when we saw all that fan support.”

The Panthers fed off of the fans’ energy, opting to receive the ball after winning the coin toss, and capping off the program’s firstever, 63-yard drive with a 4-yard rushing touchdown by running back Parris Lee. The momentum from that opening drive carried on throughout the game, as the Panthers piled up 366 yards of total offense, including 212 yards rushing, while allowing Shorter

offense inside the red zone just once for the entire contest.

“You always hope and pray that it all manifests on the field when the lights come on,” Georgia State’s head coach Bill Curry said in his postgame radio interview immediately after the game. “I had no doubt that we would dominate this game.”

The Panthers never let up after the first drive, as Georgia State scored three times in the second quarter on two Iain Vance field goals and a touchdown drive of 30 yards after the Panthers recovered a Shorter fumble.

Quarterback Drew Little, who turned down an offer from Boston College to jump-start the brand new program in Atlanta, etched his name into the record books when he found tight end Emmanuel Ogbuehi for an 8-yard score and the Panthers’ first-ever touchdown

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Wednesday, September 8, 2010

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Beau Torres

through the air.

At the start of the second half, quarterback Kelton Hill took over the offense for the first drive, which resulted in the first of the period’s two field goals.

Lee’s second touchdown of the game was a 10-yard run into the corner of the end zone with 2:12 left in the third quarter.

Little would end up finding wide receiver Jordan Giles from 16 yards out for the Panthers’ first score of the fourth quarter and his second passing touchdown of the night.

Little, who beat out former University of Alabama quarterback Star Jackson for the starting role, completed 13-of-17 passes for 135 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions on the night.

“I wish it was 17 for 17,” Little said with a smile after the game.

Hill capped the scoring in the game with a 24-yard touchdown

run with eight seconds remaining on the clock.

Perhaps the most important statistic for the young Panthers was the number zero in the turnover category.

“When you don’t turn the ball over and you get some turnovers you almost always win,” Curry said. “That is an incredible coefficient of victory that we have hammered and preached so hard.”

Defensively, safety Brandon Jones led the team with six tackles on the night, followed by outside linebacker Jake Muasau with five.

Shorter’s lone score came with 8:14 left in the game with a 1-yard touchdown run by quarterback Ben Williams.

When the dust settled and the final whistle was blown, the young Panther team rushed onto the field as the fans cheered Georgia State’s first-ever football victory.

The key now for Georgia State is to carry the momentum into the next game against Lambuth on Sat., Sept. 11.

“The fans come back when you have a quality product, so the biggest challenge is going to be to build a great program that the fans keep coming out and keep coming back for,” Becker said.

With a student turnout and first-game attendance numbers that already rival established FBS programs, Georgia State seems to be on the right track of building something special in one of college football’s most fervent regions.

“I hope they all come back,” Curry said about the fans, “and bring their friends.”

Those that do come back can say, even if for just one more week, that their Georgia State Panthers football team is still undefeated.

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SPORTS

The fans come out for the premiere of Georgia State football David Keller and his daughter Rebecca Keller were at the game immersed in classic father-daughter bonding. As the game went on, David Keller would fill in his daughter about the nuances of the game.

David Keller is an alumnus of Georgia Tech, but he says he came to be with his daughter and because he “didn’t [wanna] miss the first game.”

“I also wanted to support Bill Curry,” David Keller said.

“He coached at [Georgia] Tech while I was there…Curry is probably the best person for this program, he’s a good mentor.”

Rebecca is a freshman at Georgia State majoring in psychology.

These ladies were cheerleaders at Georgia State. They said they wished they could come back and cheer for the football team.

“I’m very excited! We all used to cheer. I really like all the school spirit, because when we cheered, we didn’t have this [before.],” said Shayna Rasin, a recent Georgia State graduate.

Daniel Elliot is a junior and criminal justice major at Georgia State, and he was more than ready for the inaugural game.

“We’re no longer a small college; we’re a big college now [because of the football team.] We have a sort of David and Goliath story… most people don’t expect us to do well, but we’re [going to] stand our ground,” Elliot said.

By ZAKKIYYA ANDERSON Staff Writer Photos by JUDY KIM Staff Writer/Photographer Top Photo by BEAU TORRES Assistant Production Editor

This “young man” is Jim Roberts who left Georgia State in 1974. Roberts was quick to tell how happy he was just being able to witness history.

“The new team is great for the community…it will pull us [Panther fans] together, Roberts said.

“The team will also add more school spirit.” Alumni like Jim were a big part of the attendance numbers from the Georgia Dome Thursday night.

SPORTS

www.gsusignal.com/sports

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

17

Georgia State Sports Communications

Men’s basketball gets a boost in the Bahamas

By JEREL MARSHALL Staff Writer The Georgia State men’s basketball team has become a new team after five of the six 2009-2010 starting line-up graduated, with head coach Rod Barnes bringing in a talented recruiting class and preparing for the 2010-2011 season with an active off-season.

Barnes believes the loss of the seniors does not seem to have affected the team’s confidence.

“They got a little swagger about them,” Barnes said.

“They are a very confident group of young men.”

Still, Barnes has to adapt to having a whole new cast of players.

“Obviously we are a different team than last year,” Barnes said.

“I’m glad that all of our seniors graduated, but now we have eight new players that we have to work in.”

Barnes has seen 11 of his players earn degrees while at Georgia State, according to www. georgiastatesports.com. In his four years, every one of his seniors has graduated.

After the 2009-2010, the Panthers graduated leading scorer and assist-man Joe Dukes, sharp shooter Trae Goldston, post players Trey Hampton and Xavier Hansbro, energetic sixth-man Ousman Krubally and wing Kevin Lott.

Marques Johnson, the only starter returning to the team,

earned a degree in sociology this summer but will suit up in 20102011, his final year of eligibility.

The Panthers enter the 20102011 campaign without last season’s top five scorers and top four rebounders.

Barnes and his staff prepared for the impact of the graduations by assembling one of the most impressive recruiting classes he has had as the Panthers’ head coach.

“I like to judge after wins and losses,” Barnes said. “…I’m excited about the guys we brought in this year.”

Barnes said he has been recruiting for this season for the past two or three years and that this allowed the staff to pick up the “main guys” they wanted.

“We have guys that are ready to come here and move this program forward,” Barnes said.

“This recruiting class is one of the best I’ve had and one of the best at Georgia State in a long time.”

Barnes scored two talented freshmen guards this year with Javonte Maynor and DeVonta White joining the team. Although both of them are small in stature, they have the potential to make a big impact, especially on the offensive side of the ball.

Maynor is athletic, but he is known for his lights-out shooting ability.

White received a lot of attention this year with his performance at the Flyin’ to the Hoop Boys High School Invitational in Dayton,

Ohio.

White’s 27 points and 5.5 assists per game had Slam Magazine calling him “the biggest sleeper” of the tournament, which featured top recruits from all over the nation.

Harold Doby is another freshman that stands to make an immediate impact.

Doby, a 6-foot-6-inch, 210-pounder from Augusta, Ga., is a solid ball handler and passer. His combination of size and athleticism should prove to be a great asset for Barnes.

The Panthers also added some top junior college players.

Forwards Eric Buckner and Brandon McGee, along with guard Josh Micheaux, have all worked to improve for the upcoming season.

Barnes said he expects redshirt junior Jihad Ali to step up and lead the team. Ali said he feels comfortable with his new role.

“Last year, I was more of a spark off of the bench,” Ali said.

“Now I’m more of a leader. I’ll be looking to score and rebound more. I’m ready to do whatever I can do to help the team.”

Barnes said at the end of last season that he sat down with all of his returning players to set goals and map out areas to improve.

So far, Barnes said he has seen promising results.

“Marques [Johnson] is shooting the ball better,” Barnes said.

“James Fields is more mature

and has a better understanding of the game. He could be one of the better defenders in the conference.”

Barnes also said that James Vincent has improved his conditioning and consistency after being injured much of last season.

The team has been busy this off-season as they voyaged down to the Bahamas to play three games from Aug. 12-17. The trip marked the first time that the team has taken an off-season international trip, according to GeorgiaStateSports. com.

Barnes’ Panthers spent 10 days practicing, as permitted by NCAA rules, before heading down to Nassau, Bahamas.

The Panthers earned a 78-75 win over the Grand Bahamas AllStars in the first game of their offseason road trip. Redshirt Junior Jihad Ali led the way, scoring 14 points and pulling down six rebounds.

Senior Dante Curry and Maynor added 11 points apiece.

Doby also snagged six rebounds.

Ali led the way in the second game as well, scoring 15 points, leading the Panthers to an 8887 victory in their second game against the Grand Bahamas AllStars.

Doby had a strong showing, scoring 14 points, shooting 5-of-6 from the field.

Micheaux scored 13 points, shooting 6-of-6 from the field to complement his six steals. Vincent had a big game as well, flirting with

a double-double with 10 points and eight rebounds.

McGee had the most dominant performance of the trip in the Panthers’ third game. His 22 points and 21 rebounds carried the team to an 82-76 victory over the Common Wealth Giants.

Freshmen White and Doby also had solid games. White scored 12 points while Doby pulled in 11 rebounds. Ali was pleased with the performance of the new recruits.

“Doby is a great rebounder and White moves the ball well in transition,” Ali said.

The Panthers out-rebounded every team they faced during their trip, showing off the team’s new and improved length and athleticism despite playing without Buckner, who Barnes said is the best rebounder on the team.

Barnes said the trip helped the team in many ways, including giving the team an opportunity to learn about different cultures.

Ali said the trip helped the team’s chemistry and confidence.

“Confidence is as at an all-time high,” Ali said.

“The trip to the Bahamas helped a lot.”

Barnes said that he thinks the Panthers will be entertaining, and he is hoping that the fans pack the stands later this fall once the season kicks off.

“We just want people to come out and show support,” he said, “[the team] will be young, but they will be good and exciting.”

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SPORTS

ATHLETIC CALENDAR September 7-14, 2010

DATE Tuesday

EVENT Women’s Soccer vs. Alabama A&M

SEPT. 7

Panthersville 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday

Volleyball vs. Mercer

SEPT. 8

Sports Arena 5:30 p.m.

Friday

Women’s Cross Country at Georgia State Invitational

SEPT. 10

Hampton, GA 3:00 p.m.

Men’s Cross Country at Georgia State Invitational Hampton, GA 3:00 p.m.

Volleyball vs. Radford at DePaul Invitational Chicago, IL 3:00 p.m.

Men’s Soccer vs. Florida Atlantic Boca Raton, FL 7:00 p.m.

Women’s Soccer at South Alabama Gulf Coast Tournament Mobile, AL 8:00 p.m.

Women’s Tennis at Thomasville Invitational Thomasville, GA Time TBA Continues through Sunday, Sept. 12

Men’s Tennis at Thomasville Invitational Thomasville, GA Time TBA Continues through Sunday, Sept. 12

Saturday

SEPT. 11

By KIRKLAND CARTER Sports Editor So the inaugural Georgia State football game’s 30,237 in attendance outdrew the Atlanta Braves. Big deal, right? Absolutely.

The fact is that the Braves are enjoying one of their best seasons in the last decade, both in terms of team performance and ticket sales. The Panthers, like the Braves, are enjoying an exciting time in Atlanta sports with young, talented superstars like Matt Ryan of the Falcons, Josh Smith of the Hawks and, of course, the Braves’ Jason Heyward.

Several key factors, including the Braves’ best home record in baseball, are playing into the Braves’ sudden success in ticket sales and fan support. Without a doubt, one factor would have to be legendary Braves skipper Bobby Cox’s announcement that 2010 will be his last season at the helm.

The future Hall of Famer will retire fourth on the all-time wins list with somewhere in the neighborhood of 2,500 wins and will most certainly be missed by

the Braves’ faithful.

But Cox isn’t the only baseball legend calling it quits in 2010.

Left-handed fireballer Billy Wagner has indicated that 2010 will be his final season as well. The Braves signed the free agent prior to the 2010 season, a signing that has contributed greatly to the Braves’ success as Wagner had converted 32 of 39 save opportunities before Sunday’s game at Pittsburgh.

Chipper Jones, another future Hall of Famer, has mentioned the “R” word a time or two in 2010, but the aging slugger indicated after his season-ending ACL surgery that he would attempt to play again in 2011, health permitting.

With all these legends leaving, it seems that the fans would be worried about the future of their franchise. After all, who could replace a dominating reliever like Wagner?

It looks like one of the Braves’ two Rookie of the Year candidates, Jonny Venters, is the frontrunner.

The left-handed Venters has proven both durable and effective in his rookie campaign.

The Pikeville, Ky. native leads all

Georgia Dome 1:00 p.m.

Volleyball vs. DePaul at DePaul Invitational

Tomahawk Talk Heyward’s number 22 jersey has become a common sight at Georgia State.

Panthers, Braves part of Atlanta’s bright sports future

Football vs. Lambuth

Chicago, IL 8:30 p.m.

Sunday

SEPT. 12

Men’s Tennis at Landfall Wilmington, NC Time TBA

Men’s Soccer at Florida Invitational Miami, FL 1:00 p.m.

Women’s Soccer vs. Troy at South Alabama Gulf Coast Tournament Mobile, AL 1:00 p.m.

Softball at Georgia Tech (Fall Exhibition) Georgia Tech 1:00 p.m.

Tuesday

SEPT. 14

Volleyball vs. Georgia Sports Arena 5:30 p.m.

rookies with an ERA of 1.77, 65 appearances, and a measly .182 batting average against. His hard sinker and lively fastball are sure to plague hitters for years to come, and Venters looks to be a lock to take the closer job next year.

While all of these names have combined to give fans plenty of motivation to come downtown and support their team, none have had the same effect as Jason Heyward.

The much ballyhooed Atlanta prospect has made the transition from the minors to the majors seamlessly and is enjoying a season that won’t soon be forgotten.

With all of the hype surrounding one of the most anticipated pure hitting prospects in decades, many were worried that the pressure would get to the

quiet Henry County native.

The 6-foot-5 inch, 240-pound lefthander was not fazed, however, and made that plain for the world to see when he sent a Carlos Zambrano fastball over the wall and into the bullpen to give the Braves a 6-3 lead over the Cubs in the Braves home opener back in April.

The swing was his first as a major leaguer and the Atlanta fans will be privy to many more of the homegrown phenom’s feats as the years march on.

“It was the first of many career highlights for him,” Chipper Jones told NBC Sports. “That was impressive, that was very impressive.”

As someone fortunate enough to have been there for the rookie’s

first game, the atmosphere was positively electric. While Hall of Famers like Hank Aaron and Dale Murphy commented on the young superstar’s instinct, physical ability, level head or plate discipline, the Braves fans were listening, and many were there to see history.

“I don’t know that I’ve ever heard this stadium that loud,” Jones said.

Like the Panthers’ inaugural football game hero, Drew Little, Heyward is the pride of Henry County High School, just a few exits down I-75 from Turner Field and the Georgia Dome. With homegrown heroes like Little and Heyward, the city of Atlanta is destined to become one of the best sports towns in the nation.

ENTERTAINMENT

Entertainment Editor Jhoni Jackson

signalentertainment@gmail.com

www.gsusignal.com/entertainment

Local artist creates a realm of superstitions

By SAVANNA KEO Staff Writer

Late-night parties take the cake at

Jhoni Jackson Jake Schrier (R) and his brother traveled from Norfolk, Va., for Dragon*Con.

By JHONI JACKSON Entertainment Editor Last week, I was sure I’d been to Dragon*Con before. A couple of years ago, three friends and I party-hopped through a Saturday night at Dragon*Con, trailing Storm Troopers and other characters to random dark hotel rooms where drinks were flowing, DJs spun remixed pop songs and Con-goers danced. We even sat in on a mesmerizing drum circle jam for what felt like hours (it was really around fifteen minutes).

In the days approaching this year’s fest, I feared I actually hadn’t been to Dragon*Con. I’d just roamed the hotels as a nonticketholder, and enjoyed myself, of course, but never actually participated. Only hanging out at a few parties at a four-day convention, I thought, was like going to a five-star restaurant and only ordering the crème brûlée. By only ordering dessert, no matter how delicious it tasted, the overall experience was missed.

The annual sci-fi extravaganza draws tens of thousands of fans of all things fantasy to Atlanta, and offers more than 400 guest and band appearances throughout the weekend. Each day, about 20 events are happening simultaneously inside the five hotels the Con spans.

Naturally, the program guide is thick and overwhelming.

I checked out Pimp My Zombie, a panel discussion that included the co-owner of Netherworld (the self-proclaimed number-one haunted house in the country) and other folks with a vested interest in the walking dead. Many of the guests expressed

a clear aversion to vampires, and one speaker swore zombies’ time in the cinema spotlight was fast approaching. I wanted to raise my hand to say I thought the 21st-century zombie trend happened right before the surge in popularity of vampires (beginning sometime around 28 Days Later and continuing with the Dawn of the Dead remake, until venturing into more comedy-inclined films like Shaun of the Dead and Zombieland), but I didn’t. Maybe it was the intimidating zombie-faced girl on stilts looming over me that kept me from speaking up. But more likely, I was just afraid I wouldn’t exude the confidence of a hardcore follower (I’m not one).

I wondered if anyone was, like me, more a fan of the costumes and socializing than of the genres the Con celebrates. Jake Schrier, who traveled to Atlanta from Norfolk, Va., admitted he was a first-timer.

His brother, who’d been before, talked him into coming. “[He said] it’s a hell of a lot of fun,” Schrier explained. Midway through his first day, Schrier was already convinced that the trip and cost were worth it. “I have to agree with him,” he said.

Schrier was dressed, along with his brother and a friend, in full military get-up, G.I. Joestyle. When I asked about what determined his outfit choice, he said he’s in the military, so he already had the necessary supplies.

Jennifer Hepburn, a plainlydressed Cincinnati, Ohio, resident who attended in 2008 but skipped the Con last year, said the costuming and various events— the panels in particular—were the biggest reason for her to come. The

We’ve all done it. Knees covered in dirt, noses in the earth searching for four-leaf clovers that will ensure good luck. We’ve scrupulously avoided stepping on cracks to assure that we don’t come home to find our mother with a broken back. Whether in our childhood innocence or if the practices have become habit, we are all guilty of playing into irrational oddities.

Sanithna Phansavanh (pronounced suh-neat-nuh pon-suhvon), an artist in the burgeoning local art scene, has taken his superstitious tendencies one step further. He’s created a visual conglomeration of irrational thought from around the world.

“The psychology of it really intrigued me, so I started looking into different superstitions that people had and as I started researching it, these images started popping up in my head,” Phansavanh said.

These images became the foundation of the artist’s first solo exhibit. Phansavanh will be breathing life into age-old adages that have followed most of us since childhood, and some you may not have heard of.

“Everyone, no matter their culture and creed or geography, all have fears and we all have things that we worry about, so we use superstitions to quell anxiety,” he said.

“Knock on Wood,” the aptlytitled art exhibit will explore cultural superstitions from all over the world. The artwork for this show has been created using only acrylic paints on canvas and colored pencil. The featured pieces will archive commonly used actions, attitudes, and objects to placate apprehension over common shibboleths.

The show will run from Sept. 11 to Sept. 26 at Young Blood Gallery, the foremost truly independent spot to showcase art in Atlanta.

Along with the art, another main focus of the opening reception on Sept. 11 will be the music.

“Music is always a piece of the process, it colors the feeling of any piece I do,” Phansavanh said.

Modern Skirts, an indierock band from Athens, will be playing a scaled-back acoustic social interactions, however, were still a plus.

“We’re shy,” she said, motioning toward a friend sitting beside her. “But the atmosphere is very cool.”

Of all of the Con-goers I spoke with, Hepburn was the only one to mention panels and guest appearances (she loves Stan Lee, co-founder of Marvel Comics and

Beau Torres Sanithna Phansavanh creates art based on people’s superstitions.

set for the reception. Phansavanh has worked closely with the band before, providing the artwork for their sophomore album. The band provided the artist with their demo tracks and Phansavanh weaved a visual narrative around the tracks.

His design won Best Album Cover Art at the Flagpole Awards in Athens.

The soundtrack for the gallery viewing of the show will be provided by Alex Goose, a close friend of Phansavanh.

Goose produced The Blueprint 3 Outtakes, a collection of beats created for Jay-Z that did not make the album but created enough buzz that he decided to release his work.

Also making an appearance at the opening will be StreetLocal, one of Atlanta’s highly respected streetwear brands. The King of Pops will also be providing handmade popsicles to the crowd.

Phansavanh, who traces his cultural lineage back to the Southeast Asian country of Laos, attributes not only some of his superstitious beliefs, but also his work ethic and some artistic inspiration, to his mother.

Working for years as a senior web designer for Phillips Design in Atlanta, Phansavanh began to feel the pang that a career devoid of authentic art created.

“It had drained a lot of energy out of me and it felt like going in and flipping digital burgers all the time,” said Phansavanh. “It was not fulfilling. Doing that kind of design is soul-less and my heart was always in art.”

After leaving Phillips Design, Phansavanh sent out various proposals to underground galleries, some of which were familiar with

his work from various group exhibitions that he has participated in. Finally, Young Blood Gallery took advantage of the offer and granted use of their space to house this exhibit.

Phansavanh’s work deals with the wide spectrum of the human condition.

Anything that is part of human existence, running the gamut from death to love is figuratively documented in Phansavanh’s art. Preferring to be a voyeur than mix in with the crowd, the artist is drawn to interactions between people.

“I’m inspired when I take MARTA and I’m seeing the interactions of people. Seeing how the city breathes is my inspiration,” he said.

A self-proclaimed “lowercase a” artist, Phansavanh is steering his art towards a more classical and less contemporary feel, much like the “uppercase A” artists such as Henri Matisse and Egon Schiele that he ’s influenced by.

“I had delusions of grandeur when I was young,” he said. “Now I want to feed my family doing what I love to do. I feel like an emerging artist with a little bit of experience.”

Phansavanh graduated from Georgia State with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts in 2003, and now, along with his up-and-coming career as an artist, is teaching an introductory graphic design class on campus.

creator of many of its best known superheroes) as logic to attend.

Everyone else was mainly just hyped about the parties.

Dressed as a joker (like the playing card, not the evil Batman character), second-time attendee Lauren Carter said one of her favorite parts of Dragon*Con is just “people-watching.”

But most importantly, she

noted, is the shindig happening on Saturday night. It’s a party for fans of Firefly, a space western TV series that’s garnered a strong cult following since its 14-episode run in 2002.

“It’s the most fun part,” she said excitedly.

Another newbie, Jerry Pang,

Don’t miss the opening reception party at Young Blood Gallery, 636 North Highland Ave., on Saturday, Sept. 11, from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. The exhibit will be on display through Sept. 26.

Cont. on page 22

D*C

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Wednesday, September 8, 2010

www.gsusignal.com/entertainment

This Piano Plays Itself, but the bills aren’t so self-sufficient

By CHELSIE ROHLEN Staff Writer Local indie rock act This Piano Plays Itself is expanding beyond its strong Atlanta fanbase. With nearly 47,000 hits on their MySpace, they’re poised to explode. The quartet released their debut fulllength, As the House…, an album rife with guitar-heavy and synthladen tracks, on locally-based Adair Park Records last May. Their heaviest influence lies in the instruments of Canadian post-rockers Godspeed You! Black Emperor, and in Radiohead, which has had cult following since 1992.

“What Happened,” a near eightminute track, resonates with the same emotion and distinguished instrumental quality of the iconic English band’s “Paranoid Android.” Minus Thom Yorke’s haunting, persistent voice, of course.

But Yorke and frontman Eric Bouthiller’s voices are not so different. The freely flowing temperamental tone they possess is similar, and both make you believe in every lyric sung.

The passion for the band is not only evident in their hard work— it’s also something they readily admit.

“This is what we’d love to do, first and foremost,” said Bouthiller.

However, it’s not their only interest, and they’ve got to pay their bills.

“We are starting to work in film,” he said. Bouthiller graduated Georgia State film major proudly revealed. “Hopefully, we’ll start working in film anyway.”

Drummer Justin Newton is not as secure with the prospects of a music career.

“Last night, I had a panic attack and sent out my resume to every person I knew that did film stuff. I’m like $900 in debt with Georgia Power,” he said.

The band self-released an eponymous EP in 2008, and said their latest work is a clear turnaround in comparison “It’s a lot more thought out, a lot more cohesive,” says Bouthiller.

Unsurprisingly, it matches what most evolved, post-college students would say about life after graduation—growth is imminent.

Most TPPI members are recent college graduates from Georgia State, and they’ve since learned more about eachother, what each of them stands for and each player’s particular contribution to the overall sound.

But the evolution of the band hasn’t been a quick journey—some of the members have been playing together since their early teenage years.

“Before, we were just a young band, trying to find exactly what we wanted to do,” Bouthiller said.

“This one, it’s a progression of where we’re headed.”

So, where are they headed, exactly? While they admit to loving the thriving Atlanta music scene, the band is trying to take their music nationwide, heading out of town more often than playing in homebase. Their favorite venue isn’t even in Atlanta—nor is it actually a certified venue—but is, instead, a filthy house in Detroit.

“Leading into the basement, people were just throwing glass bottles down,” said Bouthiller.

“They would shoot guns in the basement,” recalled bassist/ guitarist Doug Saylor, a childhood friend of Eric’s.

“We showed up and there were a ton of people there. They don’t really have anything to do in Pontiac, Michigan, so people just hang out and go wherever. It made it one of the coolest shows ever,” he said.

While Michigan has their hearts, they cited Atlanta spots 529, Drunken Unicorn and Star Bar as close seconds. An agreeable non-favorite? Lenny’s Bar. Or any small town that doesn’t like music.

Living in Atlanta, that’s hard to imagine.

When not making music, the guys spend their time just trying to earn some income, sometimes in semi-outlandish ways.

“I work in restaurants, freelance,” said Bouthiller. He then nonchalantly added that he gambles, too, and excitedly recalled winning thirty bucks right before the interview.

“We were in St. Louis last year and we were at the Arch right near the river, and saw a river casino.

Jayson [Nix, guitarist] and Eric made a beeline to it,” For these guys, it was to hell with sightseeing.

“Oh! The Arch! No…let’s gamble,” joked Newton. “The Arch is stupid.”

This Piano Plays Itself will be at the Drunken Unicorn with Candy Claws and Living Rooms on Saturday, Sept. 18th. The show costs $8 and is restricted to ages 18-and-up. Look for another new album from the band in the spring of 2011.

Kevin Griggs Formerly a five-piece, this Atlanta quartet is moving on up.

ENTERTAINMENT

The top five coolest local pizzerias

By EMMA HARGER Copy Editor

I love pizza in all its various forms, from gloriously gooey deep dish to crisp, crackly flatbread, Papa John’s to Panther Pizza and everything in between. Although Atlanta has no specific pizza style that it can define itself by, unlike New York or Chicago, perhaps the city’s diners are better served with a huge variety of options for every kind of diner and every kind of hunger. For a darn good slice, check out any of these five places.

1. MELLOW MUSHROOM (Many area locations) Mellow Mushroom is an Atlanta-based classic with locations in 15 states, including many Georgia outposts ranging from Snellville to Hiram and everywhere in between. Since it was started by college students, the prices are student friendly. The menu offers specialty pizzas with names like Kosmic Karma and Magical Mystery Tour, plus an option to make one custom with standard toppings or more unique ingredients like barbecue sauce or pesto instead of tomato sauce, sun dried tomatoes, feta cheese, jerk chicken or barbecued tofu. The menu also boasts a variety of salads with the same build-your-own customization option, calzones, deli or grilled hoagies and munchies, including soft honey and cinnamon pretzels, that can serve as a wonderful dessert. Each location has its own theme of décor—for example, Decatur’s is ‘50s sci-fi movies—and a variety of beers from local, national and international breweries.

Locations closest to campus: 931 Monroe Drive, 400 West Peachtree St. www.mellowmushroom.com

2. VINTAGE PIZZERIA (Chamblee) Vintage Pizzeria is housed in the ground floor of a small condominium building just off Peachtree Road near the Chamblee MARTA station. The building feels warm and inviting on the inside, especially when servers usher child-free parties to the adults-only area. No, this is not where porn plays on the TVs and explicit rap music blasts from the speakers, but it is half of the restaurant, separated by the bar from the family friendly area. The menu at Vintage has the requisite variety of pizza, pasta, sandwiches and salads, but ask for something that does not appear on it: the Traditional. Basil, tomatoes and cheese, a simple combination, works so well together on dough baked fresh daily. The bar also has a wide variety of beers, wines and cocktails. Desserts are pricey and there is little variety, so cross the street and hit up the Frosty Caboose, housed in a train caboose, for some ice cream—try the Birthday Cake.

5434 Peachtree Road, Chamblee, GA 30341 678-646-0400. www.vintagepizzeria.com.

3. NANCY’S PIZZA (Midtown and Buckhead) The two Atlanta-area Nancy’s locations are the only ones outside Illinois or Indiana, which is a good sign for a place calling itself the home of the original Chicago-style stuffed pizza. Chicagoans pride themselves on serving their pizza essentially inside-out, with sauce and other toppings atop a mass of gooey cheese.

The way Nancy’s website tells it, this style is the brainchild of Rocco Palese, who opened the first Nancy’s back in the ‘70s with his wife, Nancy. (Awww!) Nancy’s serves two-and-a-half-inch thick slices of stuffed pizza, offering a bevy of toppings with a mostly Italian bent or the build-your-own choice. There is also a half-as-thick “stuffed pizza lite” feature, plus thin and super-thin crust options—a complete spectrum of pizza thicknesses. Fair warning: stuffed pizza is far too hot, thick and messy to eat without using cutlery. Appetizers, sandwiches and pasta are available, desserts include cannoli and “chocolate-drenched cheesecake,” plus they deliver and cater.

265 Ponce de Leon Ave., Atlanta, GA 30308 and 3167 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, GA 30305 404-885-9199 and 404-842-9997. www.nancyspizza.com.

4. PIZZERIA VESUVIUS (Old Fourth Ward) Located on Edgewood Avenue, a short walk from Georgia State’s campus, Pizzeria Vesuvius features wood-fired pizza and a jaunty volcano-themed logo based on the name. The specialty pizzas have names in keeping with the volcano theme, including an Asian-themed Fuji, the Hawaiian-tinged Mauna Loa and a chicken alfredo St. Helens. Custom pies are also available with many options, including goat cheese and house-smoked meats. There are a few sandwiches, calzones, salads and appetizers, but the main focus is on pizza. A college friendly lunch special offers a small slice for $5. The beer and wine offerings include many whites and reds, plus a collection of local and international brews including Asahi, possibly to go with the Fuji pizza. Vesuvius offers free Wi-Fi and free delivery after 6 p.m., a plus for hungry on-campus students.

Vesuvius is closed on Mondays.

327 Edgewood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30312 404-343-4404. www.pizzeriavesuvius.com.

5. EVERYBODY’S PIZZA (Decatur and Virginia Highlands) For Georgia State students wishing to spy on their Emory brethren, a visit to Everybody’s Decatur location will provide just that: it’s located in the Emory Village area right across from the campus. The other location is in the eco-friendly carbon-neutral Virginia Highland. Both locations are cozy neighborhood joints where people can get a slice and a brew, relax and watch sports or just hang out together. Notable among the specialty pizzas is the Cheeseless, which, as the name says, does not feature any cheese. There are five columns of ingredients customers can use for building custom pizzas. Pizza-crisps with names like Key Largo, Savannah and Thai are built on a very thin crust, while Pizza Salads are pizzas with salads on top and were invented (and trademarked) at Everybody’s. Another trademarked unique menu item is the Pizza Sandwich. For an after-dinner sweet fix, Paolo’s Gelato is nearby in Virginia Highland and Octane Coffee is right next door in Decatur.

1593 N. Decatur Road, Decatur, GA 30307 and 1040 N. Highland Ave., Atlanta, GA 30306 404-377-7766 and 404-873-4545. www.everybodyspizza.com

ENTERTAINMENT

www.gsusignal.com/entertainment

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

21

Crystal Castles take on techno for sophomore album ALBUMS IN HEAVY ROTATION 01

Ritornano Quelli Di...

Calibro 35 (Nublu)

02

The Budos Band III The Budos Band (Daptone)

03

Transit Transit Autolux (TBD)

04

The Way Out The Books (Temporary Residence)

05

Crazy for You Best Coast (Mexican Summer)

06

Tall Hours in the Glowstream Cotton Jones (Suicide Squeeze)

07

Fortress Miniature Tigers (Modern Art)

After five years, the seasoned folktronica duo samples their way into our hearts again

This D.C.-based rapper’s mixtape features appearances from Wale, Raheem DeVaugh and GZA

08

A Place Called Stardom Tabi Bonney (Independent)

09

The Drums The Drums (Downtown)

10

Mines Menomena (Barsuk)

11

Church With No Magic PVT (Warp)

12

Disconnect From Desire School of Seven Bells (Vagrant)

13

The Suburbs Arcade Fire (Merge)

14

5:01 Overtime Laws (J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League)

15

Sand & Lines Venice is Sinking (One Percent Press)

16

So I Ate Myself Bite By Bite Dreamend (Graveface)

17

Black City Matthew Dear (Ghostly International)

18

More Than Your Money’s Worth Forbidden Dialect (Independent)

Soft, tinkling indie-pop that’s delightfully childish.

19

Music for Paradise Armor Instruments of Science and Technology (Asthmatic Kitty)

20

Hidden Lands Candy Claws (twosyllable)

21

Crown of Thorns Rakaa (Decon)

22

Trust in Numbers Lake Heartbeat (Service)

23

Made the Harbor Mountain Man (Partisan)

24

No Ghost The Acorn (Bella Union)

25

WEAREALLGOINGTOBURNINHELLMEGAMIXXX3 El-P (Gold Dust)

Airy pop with plenty of freakish twists, coming to the Earl on Sept. 18

26

The Orchard Ra Ra Riot (Barsuk)

27

Strange Weather, Isn’t It? !!! (Warp)

28

Lisbon The Walkmen (Fat Possum)

29

Jesu: Pale Sketches Demixed Pale Sketcher (Ghostly International)

30

All We Grow S. Carey (JagJaguwar)

Dance-demanding jams punctuated with intricate guitar work.

By PAUL DEMERRITT Staff Writer If you were asked to reminisce on your 14-year-old mentality, chances are you’d remember a mostly quiet mind, free of stressful worries. If you were to ask Alice Glass, the vocal half of Crystal Castles, the same thing, she might reply with affectionate tales of leaving her house to live with junkies, or possibly warm stories of screaming in the damp bars of Toronto’s noise-punk scene.

On Crystal Castles’ second fulllength, II, Glass yells indiscernible lyrics entirely devoid of melody.

But somehow, she still leaves you with a sense of understanding and a feeling of calming peace.

Across the schizophrenic expanse of II lies a sense of serenity that’s at once soothing and blood-chilling.

From the first onslaught of eightbit scratches until the last synth washes, you feel sucked into the darkness of midnight, left with just a cold breeze.

Glass is one of the most underrated lyricists around. While the content of her words share a consistent theme, it is delivered with a tone unique to each song so that her message of pathological sexuality and existential angst

Fiction / Last Gang / Universal Motown Records

never feels tired. While Glass unceasingly captivates the dusky parts of your mind, the beatsmaking side of Crystal Castles, Ethan Kath, seems to be trapped beneath a musical block.

On the duo’s self-titled debut, his melodies were nightmarishly captivating. His fractured rhythms drilled the songs into your psyche.

Unfortunately, his talent doesn’t quite reach that peak this time around. An annoying reliance on familiar beats constantly reminds you that the entire album is stuck in a conventional four-four time signature, and is driven by cliché,

thumping dance rhythms found floating out of any mediocre techno club.

Thankfully, the techno influence doesn’t bog down the album entirely. While all of the tracks have a relatively constant melodic scheme, they’re all close descendents of “Magic Spells,” the previous album’s most obvious standout track. Glass’ morbid sincerity is a welcome shake-up for the techno-tinged tunes, and coupled with Kath’s haunting phrases, to the combination propels the duo past the typical electronic act.

Robyn delves further into ‘Body Talk’ project

By ELIJAH SARKESIAN Advertising Coordinator After taking over three years to roll out her self-titled 2005 album, which included the addition of new tracks in various markets and only made its way to the States in 2008, Swedish pop artist Robyn decided that her follow-up project would be best made in pieces throughout 2010. June saw the release of Body Talk, Pt. 1, the first part of a trilogy of albums planned for release this year. Three months later, Robyn releases Body Talk, Pt. 2, the second album in the Body Talk series.

Where Pt. 1 dealt more with heartache (“Dancing on My Own,” “Cry When You Get Older”), Pt. 2 finds its voice in softer tones. The album begins with “In My Eyes,” which begins with the line “It’s gonna be okay...” - a far cry from Pt. 1’s opener, “Don’t F**king Tell Me What to Do.” Over the course of its eight tracks, Pt. 2 is a decidedly less experimental, more focused project than Pt. 1. While Pt. 2 features some interesting and slightly unusual dance tracks in “We Dance to the Beat” and “Criminal

Konichiwa Records / Cherrytree Records

Intent,” nothing quite compares to the blissful absurdity of Pt. 1’s “Dancehall Queen,” which managed to make dancehall music fit into a wholly Swedish sound.

It’s not that the album is bad - far from it. Tracks like “Include Me Out,” “Love Kills,” and “Hang With Me” are glistening dance pop tracks that rate among Robyn’s best tracks.

There’s also the hilarious “U Should Know Better,” which features Snoop Dogg collaborating with Robyn as repayment for

her assistance with the Fyre Department remix of his 2008 hit “Sexual Eruption.”

Ultimately, Pt. 2 is a morethan-solid entry in the Body Talk series. The album’s closing song, an acoustic version of the upcoming Pt. 3’s “Indestructible,” hints at grander things for the series’ closing album. Judging at the current rate of release, look for Body Talk, Pt. 3 to hit stores around December.

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Wednesday, September 8, 2010

D*C

www.gsusignal.com/entertainment

Cont. from page 19

was dressed adorably as Russell, the wilderness explorer in the Disney-Pixar film Up. Pang had flown in on a Thursday night redeye from San Jose, California. He said so far, Dragon*Con was a great place for new friendships, and maybe even dates—he seemed both surprised and impressed with himself when he revealed he’d already snagged several phone numbers.

“It’s nice to make instant friends,” Pang said with a smile.

While we talked, three separate groups approached with praise and requests for photos.

After my first full day as a proper Con-goer, I realized it hadn’t mattered that I’d never been a full-fledged attendee until now. According to the guests I talked with, socializing has been, and will always be, the greatest part of the weekend. For most, the spectacular parade that consumes the downtown area, the sci-fi tastemaker-led panels and even the celebrity appearances can’t trump the chance to meet-and-greet with likeminded folks. The late-night parties and the intimate socializing they enable are the Con’s crème brûlée—they’re part of a larger experience, but they’re easily the weekend’s tastiest treats to savor.

Visit us online at gsusignal.com/ entertainment for more photos of this year’s Dragon*Con.

ENTERTAINMENT

LOCAL EVENTS

September 7-13, 2010 UPCOMING ATTRACTIONS

DATE Tuesday

September 7-12 The Runaways

EVENT The Charlatans In-store at Criminal Records

SEPT. 7

1154-A Euclid Ave. NE Free 7 p.m.-11:30 p.m., all ages The British indie rock band with a penchant for ‘90s alternative sounds plays a free show at Criminal Records in Little Five Points. Their latest album, Who We Touch, will be for sale—an entire week before its North American release!

Wednesday

Crystal Castles at the Masquerade

SEPT. 8

695 North Ave. $22 7:30 p.m., all ages Check out page 21 for Paul Demerritt’s review of this chaotic dance-pop duo’s latest album.

World Domination Improv Festival at Dad’s Garage Theatre

September 7-12 Anvil! The Story of Anvil

September 13-19 The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

Cinefest is located on the second floor of the University Center.

Admission is free for Georgia State students, faculty, and staff with valid Panther ID. General admission is $3 before 5:00 p.m. and $5 after 5:00 p.m. For showtimes, please visit www2.gsu.edu/~wwwcft or e-mail cinefest@gsu.edu.

280 Elizabeth St., C-101 $2.50-$19 8 p.m., all ages Continues through Sept. 11 Starting today, teams from all over the nation— yes, Canucks too—will compete in an improve showdown at Dad’s Garage. Check out www. dadsgarage.com for showtimes.

Thursday

Life and Style Expo at 103 West

SEPT. 9

103 West Paces Ferry Road Get all gussied up for this fancy shindig, where local special occasion purveyors will teach guests how to throw the ultimate bash. Raffle tickets will be sold for $2, and proceeds benefit Sport Girl, a nonprofit that advocates for minority girls by helping fund nontraditional sports.

Friday

Best Coast In-store at Criminal Records

SEPT. 10

Best Coast In-store at Criminal Records 1154-A Euclid Ave. NE Free TBA, all ages The LA fuzz-pop band’s show tonight at the Drunken Unicorn has long since sold out, but Criminal Records has non-ticketholders covered with a free, all ages performance. Be sure to visit www. criminalATL.com for more information.

Hypnosis Comedy Fundraiser

515 North McDonough St. Watch local personalities undergo hypnosis for charity at the Hypnosis Comedy Fundraiser. The event benefits One Love Generation, an Atlantabased nonprofit that matches teen artists with professional mentors for studio products intended to spread awareness about various social issues.

Saturday

COLUMBIA PICTURES PRESENTS A GARY SANCHEZ PRODUCTION COEXECUTIVE “THE VIRGINI T Y HI T ” MATT BENNETT ZACK PEARLMAN PRODUCER AMY HOBBY PRODUCER OWEN BURKE PRODUCED

BY WILL FERRELL ADAM McKAY CHRIS HENCHY PETER PRINCIPATO PAUL YOUNG WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY ANDREW GURLAND & HUCK BOTKO 6" X 6.5"

CAMPUS NEWSPAPER - BW

Knock on Wood at Young Blood Gallery

SEPT. 11

636 North Highland Ave. Free 7 p.m.-10 p.m.

Sanithna Phansavanh showcases his superstition-inspired artwork at Young Blood. Athens-based indie rock band Modern Skirts will perform, Alex Goose (creator of The Blueprint 3 Outtakes) will provide the soundtrack and the King of Pops will be on hand with delicious handcrafted popsicles. The exhibit runs until Sept. 26.

Sunday

Sleepy Sun, Balmorhea at the Earl

SEPT. 12

488 Flat Shoals Ave. SE $10 8 p.m., 21-and-up The California-based sextet brings their spacey, captivating psych-rock to the Earl, with Balmorhea, a pretty, folky instrumental act from Austin, Texas, opening.

Monday

The Pixies, F—k Buttons at the Fox Theatre

SEPT. 13

660 Peachtree St. NE $37-$70 8 p.m., all ages The iconic rock band plays the Fox Theatre, supported by up-and-coming act F—ck Buttons.

PERSPECTIVES

Perspectives Editor Syeda Hira Mahmood

signalperspectives@gmail.com

www.gsusignal.com/perspectives HOPE needs to be reevaluated

By MIRANDA SAIN Staff Writer The economy has delivered the University System of Georgia a series of harsh budget cuts and tuition increases, but Georgia’s lottery-funded scholarship, HOPE, has not escaped unscathed either.

According to Business Week, the program is facing a $550 million shortfall.

Several suggestions have been offered for remedying the funding problem. Lawmakers have suggested covering 70 percent of tuition instead of 100 percent or raising the 3.0 GPA requirement to 3.5.

Many students like me rely on HOPE to cover tuition costs in order to attend college. Lowering this coverage could cause numerous financial difficulties for students who rely on HOPE to cover their tuition.

Academically speaking, some institutions are also more challenging and have a more rigorous curriculum than others.

For example, a 3.5 GPA at Georgia Tech is more challenging to maintain than a 3.5 at Valdosta State University.

If you were to increase the minimum GPA requirement, the majority of the scholarship funds would go to students in these lower-tier schools.

According to the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement, some Georgia high schools are giving out A’s to students who can’t pass “end of course” tests to get them the HOPE scholarship so they can attend college. Raising the GPA requirement would only make this problem worse.

A problem resulting from this grade inflation is poor academic quality in the university system itself.

In my basic introduction to media writing class during my freshman year, the professor spent three 50-minute class periods teaching the parts of speech. You know, those important things that you use to construct a sentence:

nouns, verbs, and adjectives, for example. If you don’t know your parts of speech and how to construct a decent sentence, you sure won’t get far in journalism.

If the grade inflation continues or worsens, more college students will be taking remedial classes to learn what they should have in high school. Some may not even be prepared for college-level classes, period.

The Atlanta JournalConstitution stated that 40 percent of entering freshmen will not graduate college. It is not unreasonable to assume that HOPE plays a role in this. If a student loses HOPE after their freshman year, they will not be able to afford school.

There is some accountability that the high schools of Georgia must take in preparing their students for college. We cannot automatically set them up for failure.

However, it is obvious that our lottery-funded scholarship program is in need of some major financial reconstruction if it will continue to be a value asset to Georgia students.

In an article published in Creative Loafing, Mara Shalhoup alludes to a portion of the problem.

She says that Georgia students with a 3.0 GPA feel entitled to HOPE. Seeing as I graduated from an unaccredited home-school program, I did not receive HOPE for my freshman year at Georgia State. In order to get the HOPE scholarship, I had to prove my academic worth by achieving a 3.0 GPA by the end of 30 credit hours and then applying.

So while most freshmen lost their HOPE scholarship in their first year, I was striving to prove myself to get HOPE just because I didn’t graduate from an accredited program.

As it stands now, a student whose GPA dips below the golden 3.0 minimum can win back HOPE once their grades recover.

Cont. on page 25

HOPE

Robert S. Donovan The HOPE program is facing a $550 million shortfall.

Jonathan Ernst Glenn Beck’s beliefs are contradictory.

Glenn Beck takes on MLK’s message

By PAUL DEMERRITT Staff Writer I believe that it is a safe and reasonable claim to state that Glenn Beck is, at the very least, a little bit insane. One could use other adjectives such as ‘hatemonger’, ‘racist’ or ‘xenophobe.’ But really all of those become unnecessary when you take away Beck’s only power of being taken seriously. If you happen to idly come across his unintelligible yelps, baffling claims of logic and awkward emotional displays of ‘patriotism,’ just understand that he is simply crazy.

From there on every viewing of Beck becomes a crude mixture of hilarity and pity. Yet there exists a special audience who takes every word spewed from his perpetually open mouth as a new prophecy to cling onto with every fiber of their being. This is the audience that camped out at the Lincoln Memorial on Aug. 28 to hear Beck’s loud irrationalities for themselves.

If you were to walk among the vast contingent of Beck’s rally, as many reporters did, you would find everything to be exactly as expected. There are hordes of American flags, Constitutionbased clothing, and every kind of pro-American attire imaginable.

Everyone has a deep-seated passion for this country, which they sincerely believe is being uprooted right from underneath them. In their world, freedom of speech is being dismantled, taxes are at their peak, Obama is a staunch Muslim and God is becoming a subtle anecdote in society.

Many are moved to tears, so at this point laughter becomes

difficult and one is forced to consider the urgency of their feelings. Reality proves that America is not falling into a state of communism or even barely touching socialism. But, reality is not a prominent feature of Glenn Beck’s teachings. It is also notable that Sarah Palin chose to make an appearance, yet her hollow rhetoric seemed almost mild in comparison to Glenn Beck’s radical banter.

If I were to sit at night and shut myself off to nothing but Beck and the rest of Fox News’ like-minded pundits, I would probably grab the nearest American flag and be right alongside these people with equal amounts of disgust and passion.

So you come to the conclusion that all of his teary supporters are not bad people, not stupid people, but merely people that are grossly misinformed by the inane perceptions of Beck.

Roughly three miles away from the roar of the Tea Party you would find another, vastly different rally. Here people are not preparing to battle Marxism, but are fighting to continue a dream put forth 47 years ago. At the head of this rally stands Al Sharpton, who proudly proclaims that “This is our day and we ain’t giving it away.”

Numerous current civil right leaders took to the stage to praise progress and to express their keen desire to push it all the way. Here, people are fighting to finally close the racial gap in education and to fulfill the wishes of MLK. In truth, Beck really wishes to do the same and give people the chance to fulfill their own dreams. But all of these claims raise an important question: why does everyone think they

know what Martin Luther King Jr. would want for this country?

Glenn Beck and Al Sharpton are essentially both just speaking for a man who hasn’t been able to speak in decades. It seems as if this is less about a brave man’s legacy and more about furthering personal political agendas. Instead of sheepishly following the precise movements of a hyped figurehead, people should take up the authority and nobility of deciding for themselves what individual dream they want to make a reality.

While Glenn Beck is clearly using his rally as another ridiculous gimmick among his infinite list of ridiculous gimmicks, he is not the only one doing a disservice to the heroic legacy of MLK. Every person there stands in cold opposition to his words by failing to think for themselves. The greatest form of patriotism is to stay informed about the country that you want to change. Knowledge is the greatest weapon of our time, and with the widespread deluge of information unique to the 21st century, we have no excuse to be anything but informed.

Perhaps then Glenn Beck could hold grandiose rallies to speak about the endless depths of his deluded mind only to find himself speaking alone. Maybe then people would link arms to march upon D.C. with a clear goal firmly inside of them instead of vague snippets from the last speech that blared in their ears. With this unclouded goal, a personal dream can cease to be realized as only a longtime musing and become a reality.

24

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PERSPECTIVES

SIGNAL SURVEY MARTA prices are going up for students and faculty. What do you think about the increase?

Answer online at gsusignal.com.

Results wll be published on September 14.

STUDENT VOX Did you have any problems with registration this semester?

“I’ve been waiting for the football team since it was announced in 2007, so it was great to see that take off.”

- Arefeen Chowdhury

Amir Bar-Lev Pat Tillman, left, served with brother Kevin in the Army.

What happened to Pat Tillman?

By SYEDA HIRA MAHMOOD Perspectives Editor boy.

He was the Iraq War’s poster

He was the most famous man in the military. He was the all American football player who gave up his dreams of the NFL to fight for his country. Out of loyalty, responsibility and goodness, Pat Tillman enlisted in the US Army in September 2002.

For those of you who don’t know, Tillman was a football player who walked away from a milliondollar contact with the Arizona Cardinals after having previously played for Arizona State. While playing as a linebacker for Arizona State, Tillman maintained a 3.84 GPA. He enlisted in 2002 along with his brother, Kevin.

In November 2004, Tillman was killed by one of his own in Sperah, Afghanistan. The term for this is a friendly fire, or “fratricide,” meaning the act of killing a brother.

Gen. Stanley McCrystal and other high ranking officials, however, reported Tillman’s death as being by enemy fire and awarded Tillman the Silver Star to mislead the public and Tillman’s family. Tillman’s death caused a huge stir in the US, and all coverage of the story made Tillman out to be a hero who saved his men in combat against insurgents. This was a complete fabrication. According to one soldier present at Tillman’s death, there were no enemy forces there.

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The true circumstances of Tillman’s death are still unknown.

Tillman became an icon for President Bush’s wars. His allAmerican appeal and natural charisma was encouraging for the Bush administration or for anyone who needed a ray of hope for such a bleak time in America. The Bush administration twisted the arm of anyone that was involved in Tillman’s death to keep this story under wraps. For example, members of Tillman’s squad were forced by their superiors to lie to Tillman’s family at the funeral about his death. Pat Tillman’s brother Kevin even said “The military tried to spin [my] brother’s death to deflect attention from emerging failings in the Afghan war.”

The interesting thing about Tillman is that he wasn’t the traditional iconic American soldier everyone made him out to be. Tillman was an atheist.

He continuously questioned the legalities of the two wars, but followed his duties as a soldier.

He read Chomsky, Emerson and Thoreau. At his funeral, his younger brother Rich said, “Pat isn’t with God. He’s f**king dead.

He wasn’t religious. So thank you for your thoughts, but he’s f**king dead.”

Listening to the audio recordings of the Tillman family speaking at his funeral is difficult to hear, to put it lightly. It’s hard to imagine that someone with

the brilliance, star quality and dedication that Pat Tillman had could meet such a devastating end.

His family did not receive notice that he was in fact killed by friendly fire until weeks after his memorial service, though at least some Army officials knew the true details of the situation prior to the service. Members of his unit burned his body armor and uniform to hide the fact that he was killed by friendly fire. A journal that he kept while in Afghanistan was also burned.

The circumstances of his death continue to be under heavy scrutiny, and perhaps now more than ever with the release of a documentary film called The Tillman Story and a new book by the prolific Jon Krakauer titled Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman.

The Bush administration and other high-ranking Army officials have not officially clarified on their purposeful errors or retracted their statements.

Six years after Tillman’s death, his family still does not know the truth. It is not about government conspiracy theories, poor army practices or the brutalities of war.

This is about a family trying to make peace with the death of someone very dear to them. This is about a young man who made sacrifices for us, but important questions circulating his death still remain unanswered.

Graduate Student, Biology

“We were in the fourth row, so we had great seats. It was great to see the students so into it.”

- Amy Gregg

Freshman, Undecided

“It was completely awesome.

I feel like I’m having the same experiences that other friends from high school had, and the level of school spirit has changed.”

- Marcie Richardson

Sophomore, Chemistry

“I notice a lot more school spirit. Now that we have a football team, people actually give a crap.”

- Michael McCann

Sophomore, Film

The following guidelines must be followed when submitting a Letter to the Editor. Failure to follow them will result in your letter not being considered for publication.

Letters must be submitted either online at www.gsusignal.com/perspectives or directly to the Perspectives Editor via email and must include the text of the letter in the body of the message. • Letters should be 200-400 words maximum. The Signal will allow longer letters, but only in rare circumstances. • Letters must include the full name(s) of the writer(s) and include their year and major. If the writer is a faculty member, they must include their title and department. • Letters will be fact-checked prior to publication. The writer may be obligated to make changes to the letter for publication. • Letters will be edited for grammar, clarity, length, factual accuracy and adherence to Signal policy. • The Signal reserves the right to reject letters at the discretion of the editorial staff.

PERSPECTIVES

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25

Can we find valid news sources?

By SARAH BALTER Staff Writer I thought I knew a lot about news before I started making my way through a journalism degree at Georgia State. I thought I knew, not what was going on ‘in the news,’ but about the presentation of news itself. A story was a story.

Facts were facts. Journalists were generally reliable authorities on whatever might be interesting and on whatever I might need to know.

I read print newspapers and online news and I could tell the difference between the news section and the opinion columns. I favored CNN’s online website and broadcast news channel to maintain my general news knowledge and the local paper for local news. I did this for years and considered myself well informed.

Then I started taking these journalism and history courses. After nearly three years, and in my final semester, my habit of news consumption is totally different, and so is my understanding and value of news presentation. What do I mean by that? News presentation, to me, is how the news writer and the news organization I am patronizing decides the order, format, content and importance of the news I read. My education taught me to think about that, probably because I have to start thinking about presenting my own news contributions. When I started to think about presentation, I started to check out the way other news organizations present news.

That move opened my eyes.

It made me realize that looking to a wide selection of news outlets is important for all consumers of news. It made me feel and actually be a lot smarter about what I knew, how I knew it and what I thought about it. My opinion on things pre-

viously regurgitated and framed by the media I followed developed into an informed opinion derived primarily on my own.

Here’s how it works: If you use one news outlet, you’re absorbing one version of a story, one set of facts and one context, if there is any context. Even if it is a straight news piece supposedly devoid of bias or opinion, something might be left out. Perhaps only one angle will be considered. That angle will teach you something, and you’ll rely on not just what was said or written, but the way it was said or written in order to be and stay informed.

You’ll go to the same news source for the same contexts over and over again.

The brightest, shiniest political candidate is depicted without flaws, with your best interests at heart. The scariest, most alien foreign country, with its foreign scary threatening religion and its super alien, seemingly uncouth customs is depicted in terms of all of its stereotypes as well as solely from the point of view our society, not its own. A terrorist is depicted as a persecuted national hero, and heroes are vilified as bloodthirsty, dirty, backwoods renegades.

As a reader who never compares one set of contexts and facts with another, you are vulnerable to all kinds of garbage that gets printed and broadcasted in and on even the most respectable publications, news websites and broadcast news channels. You can’t know if it’s the truth because you haven’t checked out what else is out there on the subject, and since you can’t know if it’s the truth, you can’t know what you really think about it.

If you take everything from Fox News, for example, at face value, you might start to notice the obvious conservative bias. If you’re conservative, great, enjoy Fox, but

Comedy Central Comedians like Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert are considered sources of news for many college students.

don’t forget to compare! A bias means something is left out! Don’t let one news organization alone tell you what matters. Go to three or four, and start to get a better picture. Don’t go to CNN or MSNBC and click ‘U.S.’ news and expect to find all of the news that matter in the U.S. Check out news organizations in Europe and the Middle East, and you’ll find out about news you’ll never see on any American news channel, and plenty of it affects you. How? Well, your tax dollars fund all kinds of U.S. interventions abroad. What do you know about the Iraq war? Can you rationally answer the oft-repeated question: “What does invading Iraq have to do with protecting American security?”

When the terrorist organizations are primarily based in Afghanistan, what have we been doing in Iraq? Does history reflect America to be that sacrificial of the lives of its citizens out of pure concern over the dictatorship of a people thousands of miles away?

(If so, why have we given billions of dollars to North Korea instead of ‘deposing’ Kim Jong Il?) Or are there economic reasons to be in

Bob Andres Georgia lawmakers have the power to restructure HOPE.

HOPE

Cont. from page 23

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, nearly half of students lose HOPE after their freshman year because they failed to meet the 3.0 minimum after 30 hours.

To save money and the academic integrity of our university system, we should eliminate the second chance to get HOPE back.

Those who work hard in high school and continue to work hard in college are the ones who deserve the HOPE scholarship. These are the students who should be entitled to the money.

By having a “use it or lose it” mentality, students may be more inclined and motivated to work to keep their scholarships.

In its restructuring, lawmakers need to be tougher when it comes

to selecting HOPE recipients. In order to establish and increase the academic quality of Georgia public universities, those who are not serious about their educations need to be weeded out from those who excel academically.

Demanding more merit from college students is a reasonable expectation when supplying a 100 percent tuition-covering scholarship.

Iraq? What does history say about the U.S. role in the development of the oil industry in the Middle East?

How does that connect to the price you pay for gas? How does all of this connect to your friend or family member who was deployed or killed in Iraq?

How about that conflict in New York? If you haven’t heard about it, or heard someone’s opinion on whether that Islamic community center should be built ‘that close’ to Ground Zero, chances are you live under a rock. If you’re not a Muslim, chances are that you don’t know that much about Islam, and what you do know happens to be based on a very limited context of stereotypes and fear. Are those stereotypes justified?

Is Islam, and are all Muslims, a homogenous mass of anti-American, Taliban-style fundamentalist extremists, or is Islam an extremely diverse group of various takes on the Muslim faith, most of which don’t exactly entertain notions of violence or harming Americans?

Has a primarily Muslim secular republic with a strong enforcement of the separation of church and state ever existed? (It does exist and it’s called Turkey.) Does it matter that several Muslims died on 9/11, that there are several thousand Muslims in the U.S. military and that a 2007 Pew Research study numbered the size of the Muslim population in America as greater than 2 million?

Many of you rely on a politician, a close friend, a family member, your church official, or someone else to tell you all of these answers. What if you actually don’t happen to agree with any of them, but you don’t even know it, because you haven’t taken the time to find out? Would you prefer someone else to tell you what to think, or would you rather think for yourself? Do you KNOW how little is actually fact-checked and properly sourced in today’s wide world of news media?

Renowned Washington Post sports columnist Mike Wise has made a fool of himself proving a very good point about the very news media I’m talking about.

According to another Post sports blogger, Dan Steinberg, Wise intentionally used Twitter to misinform the public about the length of Ben Roethlisberger’s suspension in or-

der to show that bloggers and news organizations don’t verify sources when they report.

Sure enough, his false tweet was repeated and passed around without being fact checked by NFL bloggers and news organizations until it was exposed as a hoax.

Wise lost his credibility as a journalist, but he made it evident that it is up to you as a news consumer to be careful with the quality of your news supply. The more varied your selection, the easier it is to sniff out any unethical shenanigans.

When you read on your own about these issues from many different sources, and do a little Googling of names, dates, places, and history, you can put the facts into context and make your own decision on what you think. You can see who you disagree with, and why, and when someone asks you about your opinion, you can defend it intelligently if you need to. You won’t have to say, “Because Senator So-and-So said so” or “uhhhh… ” or “I don’t know.”

The great thing is that, after as little as a few months of following news like this, you start seeing connections between industries, between government and the private sector, the economy, the effect local and national government decisions have on your life, on your neighborhood and so much more.

Following news more responsibly leads to news serving you a lot better, and helps you to stress the importance of the ethical accountability of journalists and news organizations in their presentation of the news.

It’s a lot better learning on my own and truly knowing what I think about current events and issues. It helps me be more involved in the news process, and it helps me to be a better journalist.

You don’t have to be a journalist to be a part of the growing modern media news atmosphere. Social networking allows you to reach out and touch even the loftiest broadcast and print news media entities.

Check out my method, check out different news sources for the same stories, do a tiny bit of research, and see how interesting actually learning and thinking for yourself can really be.

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PERSPECTIVES

POLITICAL BEAT

with Emma Harger

Jocelyn Augustino Five years later, New Orleans is still devastated by Hurricane Katrina.

Forgotten, Hurricane Katrina damages remains August marked the five-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and its devastation. Five years later, it seems like it happened just yesterday to many Americans.

Some are still going through the effects of the natural disaster today and have been living with the consequences of Hurricane Katrina ever since.

When Hurricane Katrina hit, images of corpses floating in water and thousands of Louisiana residents losing their homes were displayed everywhere. This was also when the Federal Emergency Management Agency drew criticism. As Katrina victims were shown continuously struggling, FEMA was nowhere to be found and criticized because of its slow response.

Progress has definitely been made in Louisiana, but many people have still been left in the dust and forgotten by both the government and fellow citizens. When Haiti suffered an earthquake earlier this year, no one could watch any news program without seeing or hearing about the damage, but when was the last time that the current status of Haiti was reported? Not recently, that’s for sure.

Only now is the issue of the progress being discussed because of the anniversary, but it’s been a distant memory to those not directly connected to New Orleans in the past 4 years. But who would show concern for a place that

doesn’t even seem to have the support of its own community?

Right now in New Orleans, tours show the aftermath of the disaster.

So how can the damage from the storm be expected to be repaired if it’s used as a tourist attraction to gain both attention and revenue for the government?

One of the most popular locations shown on this tour is the Lower Ninth Ward. This area was not only one of the most damaged neighborhoods, but it was also one of the most poverty-stricken areas of New Orleans prior to Katrina.

Also, the lower-income areas of New Orleans were the last to get reconstructed, so with the addition of the Lower Ninth Ward being a tourist attraction, it would be no surprise if this portion of New Orleans never gets repaired and permanently becomes known as simply Katrina’s aftermath.

Many Katrina victims relocated, creating new lives and attempting to pick up where they left off. Now, many Louisianans have adapted to their new environments, but some are still struggling to return to the only home that they know – New Orleans. Even those who have adjusted to their new environment still won’t be able to raise a family in touch with their roots, Hurricane Katrina having disrupted their lineage.

Now, with the recent oil spill on the Gulf Coast, it seems as though Louisiana’s luck hasn’t changed. The economic damage done by the oil spill, along with

Louisiana’s struggling economy, has put the well-being of this state’s economy in more jeopardy.

This unfortunate circumstance is definitely hard hitting on an economy that primarily relies on seafood like crawfish and catfish.

However, do not assume that nothing was accomplished after Katrina hit. Other portions of New Orleans had been fixed after the disaster and in some areas, you would have no idea that a catastrophe occurred just a few years ago. Some natives of Louisiana affected by the hurricane even took it as a learning experience.

When Hurricane Gustav hit 3 years ago, a mandatory evacuation of New Orleans was ordered and not one person stayed behind to ride out the storm. Also, organizations like Habitat for Humanity helped to rebuild the damage, in addition to the aid given by celebrities and volunteers alike.

Hurricane Katrina will go down in history as one of America’s most devastating natural disasters, putting the economy and the government into perspective. The natives of New Orleans are nothing else if not fighters. From enduring a massive destructive force to relocating all over the country to being a memory in the minds of some fellow citizens, New Orleans has persevered. Even with all this strife and despair, New Orleans’ is still bursting with life every day through its lively jazz music, distinct Cajun food and jovial natives who love life and all it has to offer.

now the battle of the political ads all over the Peach State comes down to Barnes vs. Deal.

Barnes was eager to portray Deal as a corrupt relic unfit for office, so while some of his more positive ads have faded away or play exclusively on his website, on TV the ads call for Deal to release his income tax records. Barnes has done so, placing more than 25 years of his tax records online and on Sept. 2, Deal responded by putting his personal 1040 forms online. 1040 forms do not represent his entire portfolio of wealth, but perhaps is a start—the Barnes ads worked.

Another set of ads features a gravelly male voice telling us that, just as President Obama is traveling the world “apologizing for America,” Barnes is traveling Georgia apologizing for what happened last time he was

governor. The voiceover accuses him of being arrogant and ignoring the will of the people before declaring that Georgians desire results over anything else.

While this ad does not explicitly recommend a vote for Deal, it is heavily implied.

The ad (along with a colorful one that compares Barnes and Obama using descriptors like “ruled with an iron fist” but tries to come off as not comparing them) is by the Republican Governors Association. As its name states, the RGA is dedicated to electing to and keeping Republicans in gubernatorial offices nationwide.

While these RGA ads might seem serious at first, the fact is that if they need to intervene in an election in ruby-red Georgia, there is a problem. The RGA is pumping ad money and other support into this election cycle because they feel

there is a serious chance Barnes could actually win this.

Libertarian candidate John Monds never enters into the equation at all or even has any ads on the air.

On a recent 11 Alive news story, the reporter continuously asked a Barnes spokesperson if the Democratic Governors Association would come to his aid with campaign ads and money just as the RGA has done on the other side. The spokesperson was hesitant to answer. With three more months of the election season, though, anything could happen on either side of the fight.

In the meantime, to avoid seeing political ads, watch cable or satellite TV instead or simply turn off the TV, although that may be impractical considering there are still three full months of the election season!

By THADDEUS MORGAN Staff Writer

Roy 2010, Inc. Former governor Roy Barnes released ads calling for his opponent, Nathan Deal, to release his tax records.

A metric ton of political ads

By EMMA HARGER Copy Editor Labor Day weekend is the traditional start of the political campaign season, although, with campaigning starting earlier and earlier each election cycle, don’t be shocked if Memorial Day becomes the traditional start, or April Fool’s Day, or the day after Election Day. Still, political folklore has it that this is when the airwaves will be deluged with political advertising, and Georgia is no different.

Watching local channels, no matter what time of day, leaves viewers vulnerable to commercial breaks filled with ads featuring dramatic black-and-white, intense music and voiceover artists who sound like they are in dire need of a throat lozenge. Accusations and challenges are tossed around, rhetorical questions asked and, in the end, either your opinions are reinforced or you wish there was a way to block political ads.

The primary season gave us a taste of what was to come.

Out of the formerly wide range of Democratic candidates, only former governor Roy Barnes and attorney general Thurbert Baker had any ads appear on TV. Barnes had many more ads than Baker and in the end Barnes won with a large majority while Baker took second place.

Interestingly, insurance commissioner John Oxendine was considered the frontrunner on the Republican side, and had a large share of ads in the primaries, until he finished a dismal third in the primaries and disappeared from the airwaves. The battle of the political ads then shifted to former congressman Nathan Deal and former secretary of state Karen

Handel for a time.

Some of these ads spotlighted rigid gender conventions: Handel’s ads depicted her as “[carrying] a purse” while Deal “carries baggage” from his stint in Congress. Her ads boasted of her endorsement by Sarah Palin, which ended up not helping her win. Issues of gender are becoming more and more common in political rhetoric. See also, for example, Palin’s labeling of conservative women as pitbulls with lipstick, grizzly bears and pink elephants.

A Colorado Republican Senate primary even gained national attention when the male candidate, Ken Buck, told a woman that she should vote for him instead of rival Jane Norton “because I don’t wear high heels.” I could write an entire article in and of itself about the use of gender roles and stereotypes in politics, but that is for another day.

In the primary season, Deal’s ads took the folksy, down-home Southern grandpa approach, featuring his grandsons fishing while he wore a denim shirt and talked about how “liberals won’t like” the way he would run Georgia, invoking the term “illegal aliens” at least three times and mentioning the Republican buzzword for health care reform, “Obamacare.”

When anyone says that phrase, it is basically a shortcut way of declaring they are Republican.

It’s also wrong, considering that if we’re going to label health care reform by the parties responsible for creating it, it should be called “Congresscare.” Obama simply signed it into law. He did not shape it.

This approach must have worked, however, because Deal ended up winning the runoff, so

PERSPECTIVES

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Wednesday, September 8, 2010

27

How Facebook changes our relationships

By CHRISTOPHER COOPER Staff Writer Facebook is a tool, and any tool, whether simple or complex, can be abused. Many relationships that begin offline are affected by online issues stemming from Facebook. The site’s popularity and ability to connect various aspects of one’s life onto a single medium also allows relationships to change, grow or even end.

Before asserting some of Facebook’s shortcomings, I admit it does have uses and purposes. Facebook, like other social networking sites such as Skype and Twitter, has helped bring society into a greater age of communication by offering people who may be geographically distant ways to easily communicate and connect.

“Social networking sites offer some benefits, from additional resilience or greater fulfillment from being a part of a larger group of friends,” said Scientific American Mind magazine, suggesting some positive effects of social networking. However, this also causes some to lose their individualism, believing what others think or feel is more important than their own beliefs and thoughts.

However, Facebook has quickly become less of a social networking site and more of a

proving ground for relationship alliances.

Relationship status updates, friend requests from family and multiple accounts, each for personal and work life, make separating real life from social networking near impossible. While the site is merely another way to socialize, relationships suffer from constant pressure to publicly proclaim formerly private thoughts and actions.

Facebook publicizes your relationships with everyone and anyone that has one as well, using information tabs displaying your dating status, relatives and job history. The friend request application has destroyed the link between families by undermining the family bond with that of friendship. Family members take rejected friend requests as personal insults, although whether or not family members are friends on a social networking site is irrelevant to familial closeness. The line between family and friends is easily crossed on Facebook, causing rifts between family members.

The basis of Facebook, the friend counter, is perhaps also its biggest misconception. This application allows a user to measure the amount of “friends” he or she has. The biggest problem with this is that it mistakes causal and close friendships for the same.

Facebook does offer connection between causal friends much easier

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but not close friends one meet see routinely.

However, romantic relationships seem to suffer perhaps the most from Facebook.

Couples may feel to validate their relationship due to the “relationship status” tab, causing romantic relationships to become more and more public. “It isn’t Facebook official” is a growing phrase regarding relationship clarity. Alerts show relationship changes between couples, making fights and disputes more public. Facebook’s privacy issues negatively affect couples by forcing them to routinely display happiness while online or risk allowing the internet to view them at their worse.

Issues of secrecy and lost trust are common among couples on these sites as well, with monitoring a partner’s activities or comments leading to possible issues from innocent content. The daily news feed detailing all your Facebook friends’ actions and comments on display, however, allows for content to be seen much faster and frequent.

Content can be filtered, but the option to block postings creates more problems than it solves.

Filtering content from certain “friends” defeats the entire purpose of Facebook. If information needs to be hidden on a public website, perhaps the content should not

Stuart Turton Facebook has established itself as an authority over our social lives.

have been posted.

The work office has also been affected by social networking sites.

Employers now use the sites to evaluate possible job candidates for positions. Job interviews now begin the minute you apply, and what content is posted has never been more important to yourself and those involved in your personal or work life.

Due to its immense popularity and notoriety, Facebook offers a simply unique way to connect with hundreds of people daily. The difficulty dealing with Facebook is separating social networking from personal life. People are reorganizing their lives to expand their communication media, says Keith Hampton, an assistant professor of communication at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

“We’re not replacing everyday personal social networks with

everyday online social networks,” he said. “That’s not the way it works.

We’re not substituting online for offline. We’re augmenting.”

Facebook publishes daily life, but the solution is as simple as noting the issue. Simply thinking before posting thoughts is the best way to solve the privacy problem.

Filters can be used to block certain showings, but also strain relationships by pacing the need to hide details from certain friends.

The rise of social networking sites has led to the decline of privacy and need to constantly publish every detail of daily life.

While these sites place possible strains on relationships, privacy is not completely destroyed but rather made more difficult to keep.

As social networking becomes more prominent in society, lessening access to private matters must be a conscious effort made by all Facebook users.

Wednesdays, September 29th, October 6th, &13th 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

245 University Center

Get a FREE certificate of completion!

GSU students and Alumni only • Must attend all 3 days • Must contact Roslyn Davis at 404/413-1831 or Stacy Smyk at 404/413-1843 before attending

What’ s Happening on Campus!

!

Y CELEBRATION A D N O I T U T I T CONS mber 16 Thursday, Septe 12:15 p.m. - 1 p.m. ium Speakers Auditor e Honorable Leah h T r: e k a pe S e ot Keyn f Justice of the ie h C , rs a e S rd a W eorgia (Retired) G of rt ou C e m e Supr t udent Governmen Sponsored by St ts and Campus Even

Association

Jam ie Hy ne m a Ad am S av ag n & e

OrgSync Training for Student Organi zation Leaders 1.5-hour training se ssions at the follow ing times: • *Wednesday, Se ptember 15, 9 a.m., 2:30 p.m. or 5 p.m.

• *Thursday, Sept ember 16, 9 a.m., 12 :30 p.m. or 2:30 p.m Room 200, Arts and .

Humanities Building Session registratio n begins Septembe r 1.

Need more informa tion?

Visit the Student Activities Office, S tudent Center, Roo m 330.

velopment Leadership DeWAY: MODEL THE PREPARING TO LEAD OTHERS Wednesday, September 8, Noon Lucerne Suite, Student Center When modeling the way for others, you need a clear sense of the values that guide you. In this session, we will spend time examining your values and considering how they play out in your life.

ALISMU: IT N O I S S E F PRO RE THAN A S IT S MO tember 9, 3 p.m.

Sep udent Center , y a d s r u h T ite, St al, Lucerne Su of being a professsiounit ink of a business e h t u o y n e Wh robably think owever, ther you p great career. H a professional and a t more to being wear. This is a lo the clothes you ess a variety than ntation will addr g you carry prese ts, thus ensurin nal manner. of poinelf in a professio yours

Co-Hosts Channel S of the Discovery Monday, how “Mythbus ters” Septembe 3 p.m r2

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by Campu

s Events

Spotlight Programs Board Prowl: Western Nights in Pantherville r the Pan et Gre & t Spotlight Mee Friday, September 10 Tuesday, September 7, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

8 p.m. - 2 a.m.

Senate Salon dent Center Ballroom rn Looking for a way to get involved on campus? Stu ht for an evening to remember at Weste tlig Spo n Joi s nitie rtu oppo y man the over Come and disc rville, this month’s Panther Prowl. the Pan in hts Nig rd.

Boa s ram Prog t available with Spotligh style foods and snacks, inflatables rnste We e fre oy Enj g alon le, ilab ava Free food and drinks will be stern-themed attractions, including bingo, We and s. ship ber mem ee mitt com for ions licat with app th and even casino-style games, an antique photo boo med movie at M a line-dancing instructor. A Western-the spotlight@gsuor.eed info: 11 p.m. will wrap up the evening.

Student Cen u - 404/413-1610

ter, Room 380

SSepPtemOberT6L- 12:IThGe RuHnawT ayCs INEFEST Monday - Friday: 11 a.m., 3 p.m., 7 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday: 3 p.m., 7 p.m.

September 6 - 12: Anvil! The Story of Anvil Monday - Friday: 1 p.m., 5 p.m., 9 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday: 1 p.m., 5 p.m.

State eorgia .

G r fo e ith ID ws fre All sho ity students w .m. s r e 5 iv e r p Un $3 befo Guests after 5 p.m. , and $5 mation re infor For mo du/cinefest. .e visit gsu