The Signal Vol. 84 No.19 by The Signal

JAN. 31 - FEB. 7, 2017

VOL. 84 | NO. 19

The signal at georgia State University

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A new Georgia bill is trying to have university sexual assault cases handled by law enforcement

News | Page 3

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JADE JOHNSON & DESIGN BY KHOA TRAN | THE SIGNAL

Some universities enforce Title IX policies which leave professors accused of sexual assault unpenalized.

Inside town hall interrupted

CLOSING THE GAP

News | Page 5

A city town hall meeting held on campus was interrupted by USAS protesters.

HELPFUL FOODIES

The kareer of kennedy

What can we do to close the gap between the student body and administration?

A Georgia State organization fights to have food go unwasted on campus.

Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tennis senior Zach Kennedy reflects on his career after leaving Clemson in 2014.

editorial| Page 8

A&L | page 9

Sports | page 15

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NEWS

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

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georgiastatesignal.com

Jan. 24

Caught red-handed

Financial finesser

A Georgia State student complained about bad checks totaling over $1,500 in the Aderhold Learning Center. The case is still active.

Two Georgia State staff members witnessed a non-Georgia State individual attempt to shoplift in Student Center West. The individual was arrested and issued a trespass warning.

Jan. 25

JAn. 26

An under-age Georgia State student and a non-Georgia State individual were arrested at the Shell Station across from University Commons for alcohol possession.

A Georgia State student and nonGeorgia State individual were arrested in the Urban Life Building for criminal trespassing and obstruction of police.

Beer bust

Bystanders welcome

! CK CLI

ICK!

CLIC

PHOTO OF THE WEEK Over 7,000 people gathered at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to protest President Donald Trump’s travel ban, Jan. 29.

PHOTO BY CHRISTINA MAXOURIS | THE SIGNAL

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NEWS

www.georgiastatesignal.com/news

SEXUAL ASSAULT INVESTIGATIONS: TAKE 'EM OR LEAVE 'EM? New bill may jeopardize university investigations and punishments PAGE DESIGN & ILLUSTRATION BY SALINNA PHON | THE SIGNAL CHRISTINA MAXOURIS News Editor

new Georgia bill aims to keep colleges out of sexual assault investigations on their campuses. House Bill 51 (HB 51), sponsored by state Rep. Earl Ehrhart, requires college officials to hand over all information when a sexual assault complaint has been filed to local law enforcement. According to HB 51, “no investigation of such matter shall be undertaken by the postsecondary [university] institution unless such investigation is done by a campus law enforcement agency staffed by law enforcement officers who are certified peace officers by the Georgia Peace Standards and Training Council.” The bill would disallow universities from punishing students until they are found guilty in criminal court, but universities would be allowed to suspend them during law enforcement’s investigation. “The postsecondary institution shall not pursue any financial disciplinary action against any student alleged to have committed a crime which would be a felony under the laws of this state until and unless such student is found guilty (...).” Atlanta resident, Jason Rossiter, contacted The Signal with concerns after speaking with his representative about the bill. “It seemed like no one was talking about it. If you’re denying a university to do any of their investigation, you’re denying them any right of having their own court of conduct,” he said.

Law Enforcement procedures

According to a 2016 study by the Justice Department, only 7 percent of sexual assault victims report it to their university, and only 4 percent report it to law enforcement. Susan Schuenemann, executive director of the Piedmont Rape Crisis Center, told The Signal in spring 2016, the reason behind that is because victims choose to keep the situation secretive to avoid trauma. But law enforcement investigations, which this bill will push for, are anything but secretive. Ehrhart told 11Alive, the switch to law enforcement makes sense, as campus faculty aren’t able to handle such cases. “They’re not trained, they don’t have the capacity, they don’t have the money,” he said. “It belongs with the civil authorities.” But only 3 to 18 percent of cases reported to law enforcement lead to a conviction, according to research funded by the Justice Department. University investigations are legally required to be kept secretive, under the Title IX law, a law which the new Georgia bill directly goes against. Title IX is a federal law which bans discrimination based on gender, and has pushed for stronger sexual assault investigation procedures throughout the Obama administration. On April 4, 2011, the U.S. Department of Education released a “Dear Colleague” letter which provided guidance on how Title IX policies should be enforced in public institutions pertaining

to sexual harassment and assault. Once a complaint is filed to the school, the federal guidance requires the institution to conduct an investigation and take steps to resolve the issue. The letter states that even though law enforcement may get involved in institutions’ sexual assault investigations, a law enforcement investigation “does not relieve the school of its independent Title IX obligation to investigate (...)”. In an interview with BuzzFeed, Ehrhart hinted the policy won’t stand for long in the Trump administration and said he didn’t think the policy will remain once Trump swears in the office. “I’ve had preliminary discussions,” he told the outlet. “I’m hoping to be in DC at the end of the month to meet with the department.” But university investigations under Title IX also guarantee complete anonymity, if requested, by and for both the accused and accuser. A policy which law enforcement investigations do not guarantee. The Title IX anonymity policy calls for a bunch of loopholes in the system.

Title IX loopholes

Marjorie Kirk, the editor-in-chief of The Kentucky, was sued by the University of Kentucky (UK) after filing an Open Records Request (ORR) for the documents of a sexual assault investigations which Kirk said highlights one of the major loopholes in the Title IX system. Two students at the University of Kentucky filed complaints against an advisor who they said sexually harassed them, but before the school’s first official scheduled hearing, the advisor resigned, and so the hearing never took place. Kirk filed Freedom of Information Acts in March 2016, to receive all files related to the investigation, but was taken to court by the university, which denied giving up all documents because of the Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which aims to protect the privacy of student records. Kirk said besides identified documents, the paper is fighting for public records, trying to set a precedent for the types of documents protected under FERPA. “Some universities in Kentucky handed over the documents that UK said are under FERPA,” she said Kirk explained that while Title IX cannot guarantee anonymity for the accused, they are forced to resign if found responsible - without the case hurting their future employment. Kirk told The Signal that under UK’s resignation process, the supervisor of the staff member who’s accused can, if they decide, hide the accusation from their resignation report, even if the faculty member has been found guilty. Even though the professor wasn’t kept anonymous from the paper, his record will show no record of the four sexual assault counts he was accused of. But this wasn’t the only time anonymity got in the way of justice. According to 11Alive, a Kennesaw State University (KSU) student filed a complaint of sexual assault, but was left in the dark

KNOW THE DIFFERENCE According to the National Institute of Justice, the difference between sexual harassment and sexual assault is: • Sexual harassment are degrading remarks, gestures, jokes to indecent exposure and being touched, grabbed, pinched, brushed in a sexual way. • Sexual assault includes unwanted behaviours, which excluding penetration, that are attempted against a victim’s will or consent.

throughout the entire 6-month investigation. But besides being secretive, institution investigations have been criticized for lacking staff that is trained, which is also a requirement under the Title IX guidance. According to Title IX, “schools need to ensure that their employees are trained so that they know to report harassment to appropriate school officials, and so that employees with the authority to address harassment know how to respond properly.” Georgia State recently opened up a office of Student Victim Assistance in the Counseling Center, which among other cases, deals with sexual assault. Jennifer Bodnar, the office senior coordinator, attended the Student Government Association (SGA) meeting on Jan. 19 and brought up the disclosure policies followed by the office. Unlike other departments of the university, the Student Victim Assistance office is not mandated by law, according to Bodnar, to report sexual assault cases once a student tells her about their experience. “If students ask to go to the hospital, get a forensic exam, I’m the person that will go with them, and take them there,” Bodnar said. But the details will not be reported to anyone but herself. In fact, students that go into the Student Victim Assistance office can sign in under a fake name, which according to Bodnar’s SGA presentation, is to ensure full disclosure and that all information that the student provides stay private. The only person who has access to the statistics and information of the cases that students bring in her office, is Bodnar. According to The Huffington Post, there’s another major factor that allows colleges to escape the public eye when they’re under federal investigation for their sexual assault handlings. If they are being investigated for “allegedly mishandling harassment cases,” but not assault, the universities don’t appear on the lists given to reporters by the Education Department. According to the article, one of the institutions that has “escaped public scrutiny” because of this difference has been Georgia State.

NEWS

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

University

New chief, new plans for 2017

GSUPD Chief’s Spillane’s upcoming plans for 21st century policing and new Twitter account

GSUPD Chief Spillane speaks during a monthly meeting with other Atlanta and university police departments. WESLEY DUNKIRK Associate News Editor

he Georgia State University Police Department (GSUPD) has multiple actions planned in the near future to keep Georgia State students safe, according to recently appointed GSUPD Chief Joe Spillane. One component of Spillane’s plan is a new partnership between GSUPD and the Atlanta Police Department (APD) that began in December 2016. Spillane said the partnership is designed to address criminal activity that may not be directly on Georgia State’s property, but is within the 500 yard jurisdiction that GSUPD has surrounding the campus. “[GSUPD and APD] are out there really trying to impact crime on the non-GSU students, to try to keep that buffer between issues that happen in the city of Atlanta and issues that happen on the [campus] property or within our boundaries,” Spillane said. “We’re trying to make sure we widen that buffer so we don’t have students affected by crime.” The chief said he is aware students hang out in areas that are just out of reach of GSUPD, Edgewood, and these are the areas he would like to target with the new partnership. “I’m going on the whole social media platform to make sure we’re doing timely notifications with you guys so you know what’s going on campus, and telling you what’s going on in the neighborhoods you hang out in that aren’t on campus,” Spillane said. “I’ll let you know if they’re having issues over there, or whatever is going on where you guys hang out. The partnership is also aimed toward cleaning up city parks within the Atlanta campus such as Hurt Park and Woodruff Park. Both locations, specifically Hurt Park, are frequently mentioned on the Georgia State Campus Alert notification system as crime scenes. Spillane cited GSUPD’s work with Hurt Park’s homeless population as an effort to improve student accessibility to the park. “We’re enforcing the park rules,” Spillane said. “The littering, urinating in public, sleeping on the benches, [remaining] in the park after 11 p.m. So

we’re enforcing those rules to kind of make sure we have control over the activities in the park and make sure they’re following the rules of the park.” Spillane said his goal is to make the park a more popular gathering spot for students. “I don’t see enough students in that park,” he said. “They should be in there on their breaks studying and hanging out and it should be something that the students take pride in, and so we’re approaching the city and asking them to fix the fountain, to put some more plants in there, to really brighten up the park.” At the Jan. 27 university-wide Student Government Association (SGA) meeting, Spillane said the focus is to get Georgia State’s campus police to go ‘greener’, by using less cars, more bicycles, more officers on foot, and more electric-type vehicles.

PantherCard installment plans

Another portion of Spillane’s plan is to secure certain buildings on campus by installing PantherCard scanners inside to restrict access exclusively to students and faculty, starting with 25 Park Place. “I’ve asked that they put in scanners at the front of the elevator bank,” Spillane said. “You’re going to have to swipe soon to go into 25 Park Place.” Areas of the building such as the SunTrust bank and the upcoming Highland Bakery on the main floor would remain open to the public, but PantherCard swipes would be required to access the academic floors of the building. “I’d like [PantherCard scanners] to happen at all the buildings, but there’s an expense involved with that,” Spillane said. He said the decision of whether or not to spend the money to have a scanner system installed is largely based on factors such as the location of the building. According to Spillane, the 25 Park Place building should be equipped with the scanners because of its proximity to the traffic within Woodruff Park, the large number of people entering the building to use the SunTrust bank and the large number of people expected to attend Highland Bakery, which is set to open its doors soon on the building’s main floor. In an effort to increase crime awareness in

PHOTO BY DAYNE FRANCIS | THE SIGNAL

Atlanta areas near campus, GSUPD attends a monthly meeting with all of the police departments in Atlanta, including all university departments. At the most recent meeting, hosted by GSUPD at Turner Field on Jan. 24, the department reviewed the new initiatives that it was working on to improve campus safety, such as its partnership with APD. Major/Central Precinct Commander Pearlie McKinzie of the MARTA Police Department told the officers at the meeting about an app that they recently released which allows MARTA passengers to report crimes directly to MARTA police, improving the response time of the department to the crime scene. “If you call 911, it goes into the local call center, which has a lot more calls than MARTA does,” McKinzie said. “[The app] allows for a quicker response to your problem.” With so many of Georgia State’s students being MARTA commuters, McKinzie said she believes the app could be a helpful safety asset to the Georgia State community. On university property, the LiveSafe app that GSUPD recently released and currently uses functions similarly to the MARTA app, allowing students to report crimes directly to the GSUPD rather than going through the local call center. Spillane said the app currently has about 2,600 users and averages about 3 or 4 reports per week, numbers which he described as too low. “I want to encourage students, faculty and staff to utilize the app,” Spillane said. “A goal of mine is to at least double the number of registered users.” According to SGA Executive Vice-President Shamari Southwell, the government association is also making attempts to improve campus safety. “We actually plan for a campus safety forum, so we’ll be bringing in the new chief of police and a lot of university officials to allow students to really voice their concerns, not only to the Student Government Association, but also to the university officials to see what measures that we can take to enhance campus safety,” Southwell said. A plan which matches Spillane’s vision for a more community-oriented policing system Downtown, and a more “21st century policing” style.

LIVESAFE APP

Registered LiveSafe users: 2,600 Reports per week: 3-4

OTHER SAFETY ADDITIONS INCLUDE

• GSUPD/APD partnership • More enforcement of city park rules in Hurt Park • Fingerprint scanners in 25 Park Place • Increase awareness of LiveSafe app

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

NEWS

City

Big plans in store for Atlanta

Members talked possibility of a casino in Downtown and future arts district

PHOTO BY LAHAR SAMANTARAI | THE SIGNAL

Three Members of USAS protest a town hall meeting held by the Atlanta Improvement District, Jan. 26. They were later removed from the Speaker’s Auditorium.

DOMINIQUE TIMES & WESLEY DUNKIRK

Senior Reporter & Associate News Editor

entral Atlanta Progress (CAP) and the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District (ADID) held their first town hall meeting of 2017 on Jan. 26 in Student Center East, to update residents about public safety, current construction projects and potential developments including a Downtown casino and bright lights district. The meeting featured a safety briefing from the new Atlanta Police Department (APD) Chief of Police Erika Shields, who was sworn into the position on Jan. 10. Shields said APD has identified two specific groups they want to target to prevent crime – adult and juvenile repeat offenders — and use a more community-oriented approach in doing so. “These issues are really pounding us day in and day out. It’s a relatively small number of individuals driving a disproportionate amount of crime,” Shields said. “I don’t need an abundance of traffic stops so we can get weed. I want to see all of our departments focused on these two areas.” Shields added that APD is currently working with city hall to develop an outreach that brings in juvenile offenders and their parent or guardian to offer social services and connect them as a family unit, which Shields said could provide a source of hope. “If you ask the young folks we’re arresting ‘who lends you a hand?’, it’s the gangs,” Shields said. “We need to insert ourselves as a community so that is not their only lifeline. We may not be well-received, but that’s okay because I’d rather these folks saw us in the capacity other than the bad cop patrol car.” Downtown Atlanta’s Zone Five won the 2016 Crime Reduction Award with an 11 percent reduction in crime. Major Scott Kreher, Zone Five Commander, said he wants to see similar numbers again this year. Car thefts still remain a major problem in the area, and APD is promoting a Clean Car Initiative to remind residents and visitors to keep valuables out of plain sight. The town hall meeting also addressed the possibility of a casino coming to Downtown Atlanta. The controversial topic has been under the city’s consideration, since MGM Resorts International proposed a $1 billion gambling complex in 2015. CAP conducted a year-long, independent study entitled Casino Gaming in Georgia that compared Atlanta to similar cities with casinos– New Orleans, Detroit and Pittsburgh – to determine the impact of casino gaming at both the state and local levels. The research found that although casinos can generate

additional state revenue, the money primarily comes from residents, not tourists, and local communities are likely to see negative social impacts including increased crime, drug and sex trafficking and problem gambling. Project Manager of Economic Development for CAP, Alena Green, said the actual reason behind building a casino downtown is the most important matter to consider. “Given these pros and cons, really taking a look at what is your compelling reason for wanting to bring a casino to your community,” Green said. “Without those objectives, without negotiations with a casino developer, we’re unlikely to see a positive impact from gaming going forward.” Casinos are currently illegal in Georgia, but a bill that would allow the state to issue two casino licenses was filed on Jan 25. In the midst of the presentation, Georgia State students in the group United Students Against Sweatshops (USAS) strode to the front of the Speaker’s Auditorium and stood before the stage holding a banner that read “Becker said NO to:” followed by a list of items related to the Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) that the group has long been campaigning for. Police officers present at the meeting immediately escorted the group out of the auditorium. USAS members who were not removed from the premises continued to ask about the CBA, when CAP/ADID president, A.J. Robinson began the meeting’s question and answer segment. USAS representative, Patricio Cambias, said the protest was intended to put public pressure on President Mark Becker. “We understand that many of his [Becker’s] important business partners were present in the room, and we want to make sure that they’re aware that Georgia State students are protesting their university president,” Cambias said. Becker is a member of the CAP executive committee, but was not in attendance during the town hall. Ryann Elizabeth Flynn, Georgia State student and USAS member, claimed that Becker would have attended if he hadn’t supposedly gotten wind of the group’s protest. “[Becker] literally hid today because he knew something was going to happen,” Flynn said. “They were talking about the stadium project, so he would have had to come see what was going on, and he would’ve flashed his smile and acted all happy about the money he’s taking from students.” Cambias told The Signal that USAS has more actions planned for the future, and that they “will get a response” from Becker. The group also made an appearance at the university-wide Student

CASINO PROS AND CONS • •

•

Pros

A new gaming facility would presumably capture leakage of Georgia’s gambling spending out-of-state. Georgians are currently estimated to spend between $570 to $670 million/ year at casinos in adjacent states; Under the recently proposed legislation, this translates into $90 - $107 million/year in potential tax revenue.

Cons

Out of the four case cities studied, most stakeholders reported that the majority of casino demand was from regional residents. Casino attendance was flat or declining despite broader increases in tourism in the city. There are several types of social impacts that need to be considered and planned for including problem gambling, crime, bankruptcy, political corruption and other quality of life issues. According to the Downtown Atlanta Improvement District Study

Government Association meeting later the same day. The town hall continued with discussion about the new stadium at Turner Field and new apartment complexes under construction this year. Robinson also hinted that Marta stations may see recreational developments similar to the new soccer field above the Five Points Marta station. CAP/ADID has also been working to create an arts and entertainment district that would reach from the Georgia World Congress Center east to Piedmont Avenue, and from Ivan Allen Jr. Boulevard south to Underground Atlanta. The project would illuminate the city’s core with large, neon signs, bright lights and video boards that, according the CAP website, would be similar to Denver’s Theater District or Times Square in New York. “We don’t want this to be your everyday billboards with old technology, we want this to be more like an art project,” Robinson said. He added that no new signs have been added to downtown since the 1996 Olympics. CAP/ADID has been pushing for legislation that would remove restrictions on signage height limits and allow light projection on empty building walls. The proposed district could become a reality as the city prepares to host Super Bowl 2019.

Last Week Local

Top Atlanta official fired for intoxication and confrontation with police

Georgia News Day reported that Anjanete Garden, a top official in Mayor Kasim Reed’s administration was arrested and fired from her position for an alleged intoxication and confrontation with police. Gardner was allegedly so drunk that she was denied entrance to Hooters on Peachtree Street and thrown out of Hard Rock Cafe across the street after swearing loudly at the bar and refusing to leave. Gardner was handcuffed and put in the back of a patrol car where she allegedly told police she did not like the “slave shackles” and attempted to use her position to threaten the police.

National

New bill may allow Georgians to drink earlier on Sundays

According to a WMAZ article, Georgia residents could be sipping sooner on Sundays if Senate Bill 17 passes this year. The bill would allow restaurants to serve alcohol starting at 10:30 a.m. rather than 12:30 p.m., adding an extra two hours of booze to Sunday brunch. The so-called ‘Brunch Bill’ did not pass in the Senate last year, and so far has been assigned to a committee but not voted on yet.

Global

Judge issues emergency stay to immigrants affected by Trump ban

According to The Hill, a New York federal judge issued an emergency stay to temporarily halt the deportation of individuals detained after President Donald Trump issued an order to ban immigrants from seven countries with majority Muslim citizens from entering the U.S. The habeas corpus petition was filed on behalf of two Iraqi men who were detained after the order was signed and appears to be the first successful legal challenge to the Trump Administration. However, the White House stood by President Trump, maintaining the judge’s ruling does not undercut Trump’s executive order. All halted admissions will remain halted. All restricted travel will remain prohibited. The order remains in place.

NEWS

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

SGA

Becker addresses student concerns

University

Spring commencement and Turner Field sale discussed during meeting

Georgia State ranked 14th nationally for best undergraduate teaching

CHRISTINA MAXOURIS News Editor

eorgia State University President Mark Becker made an appearance during the Jan. 26 Student Government Association (SGA) university-wide meeting, with an agenda of addressing student questions on recent university activities. First on the list was the spring commencement set to take place in Georgia Tech’s McCamish Pavilion. “With McCamish we’re going to go with four events, so we can do six tickets per graduate,” he said. “I know for some individuals, six seems to be not enough, I do understand that in the past when it was four, there was actually an exchange between students that weren’t using all their tickets, so I’m hopeful that something like that can happen again in this situation.” He said that while students have asked about Philips Arena, it will not be available during that time, since the Hawks won’t reserve it due to the potential of NBA play-offs taking place there during that time. But Becker assured the crowd the stadium will be converted into Panther ground for the ceremony. “We have a great events team for those of you that have been in Georgia Dome commencements, you’ve seen how we dress it up blue and white and make it Georgia State, when it’s a red and black facility,” Becker said. “The same thing will happen at McCamish, we’ll dress it up blue and white and make it as festive and into Georgia State as we can.” As for spring commencement, Becker said he’s unsure of where it will take place, because of the new stadium’s renovation procedures. The stadium renovations will be broken down into two phases, in order to be ready for next semester’s football season, and will continue once the season is over. “Phase two renovations will start after next year’s football season, and what I don’t know is whether phase two renovations will interfere with commencement in spring of ‘18,” the university president announced at the meeting. Becker said December 2017 commencement will

JAHMAIR STEWART Staff Reporter

G PHOTO BY SYRINA MERILAN | THE SIGNAL

President Becker addresses SGA on what to expect for the rest of the year.

likely once again take place in McCamish. “We’re looking for a better long-term solution, but we don’t have one at this point. When the floor was opened up to questions, Asma ElHuni, who has long protested in favor of a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) with the Turner Field neighboring communities, stood up and asked the president whether he’ll take a questions from her. Once Becker denied all questions from non-senators, she continued talking and was detained by university police. ElHuni was escorted out of the meeting, and eventually barred from campus by Georgia State police for allegedly being “disruptive during a GSU meeting,” according to the police report. According to Georgia State University Police Department (GSUPD) Chief Joseph Spillane, the ban was issued as a temporary safety measure, until the university administration makes a decision on how they would like to handle ElHuni’s actions. Becker also took a question on the university’s current policies towards DACA students, undocumented students who have been granted

renewable legal status permits by the federal government. “Prior to this semester, DACA students could only attend Georgia Perimeter College (GPC) campus. But previously, Georgia State was not admitting all qualified candidates, it now has been for two consecutive years, [so] we wanted to make sure we’re in compliance [with the Board of Regents (BOR) policy],” Becker said. Current BOR policy states that if a Georgia institution has been admitting all qualified applicants for the past two years, it is required to consider DACA students for enrollment. But a group of DACA students recently took the BOR to court over a continuing dispute of whether undocumented students should be allowed to pay in-state tuition. The court ruled in their favor, and the BOR appealed the decision. “The tuition matter is a matter of the courts,” Becker said on the case. “I actually don’t know what will be the ruling.” Read the full story on ElHuni’s barring from campus on georgiastatesignal.com.

University

Georgia State student held in Saudi Arabia airport CHRISTINA MAXOURIS News Editor

eorgia State sophomore Rakhaa Noaman is being detained at an airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia after the president’s recent

ban. On Jan. 27, President Donald Trump signed an executive order restricting immigration from countries Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen for 90 days. Two days after the order was signed, Noaman and her sister, a Clark Atlanta University student, had a scheduled flight back to Atlanta, to resume their semester. But once the sisters arrived at the airport to catch their 4:50 a.m. flight, they were told they could not board, because of Trump’s travel ban. No other airlines agreed to issue tickets. Despite being born and raised in Saudi Arabia, Noaman isn’t allowed to travel because she holds a Yimeni citizenship. “I’m a Yemeni passport holder but I was born and raised in Saudi Arabia and have a Saudi

PHOTO BY CHRISTINA MAXOURIS | THE SIGNAL

Protesters gathered at the Atlanta airport after President Donald Trump’s immigration ban, Jan. 29.

residency,” she told The Signal. “I didn’t come from Yemen, and I don’t live there. I’m only holding its passport.” Noaman said she’s not a refugee, and is confused as to why she’s being held. “I came to the United States with my own money to get my bachelors and planning to come

back again to Saudi Arabia to my family once I graduate,” she said. “My Visa is an F1 student visa, not an immigration visa. I really don’t get why is this happening.” Noaman said she’s contacted the university but has not heard back yet.

eorgia State tied with Duke University nationally in best undergraduate teaching according to a report done by U.S. News and World Report. The universities placed 14th nationally in the undergraduate teaching ranking, along with Wisconsin University, and Washington University in St. Louis. Georgia State ranked ahead of University of California Berkeley, University of Maryland and Worcester Polytechnic Institute. The rankings focused on schools where faculty and staff are educating students in a high quality manner, and where there is an unusually strong commitment to undergraduate teaching. An article published on U.S. News and World Report detailed what methods were used to get to the rankings. And in doing so, the website asked top academics to name schools that they think have the best commitment to undergraduate teaching programs. These academics who opinionated in the ranking survey included college presidents, provosts and administrative deans. In order to be listed, universities had to receive seven or more nominations, and rankings are in a descending order based on the top 10 nominations they received. Todd Leopold, a journalism professor at Georgia State, who prior to his arrival worked at CNN said he finds the statistic intriguing, but confirmed Georgia State holds a number of “fine professors”. Student Isatou Jatta gave a similar assessment of her first initial thoughts to the ranking. “I find it shocking at first that were ranked the same as Duke,” she said. “But when I think about the professors I’ve had, they’ve had a Ph.D., or a lot of experience from other schools, and in their profession.”

Road to Robinson -

Graduate Experience February 9, 2017 11:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. 55 Park Place (lobby) Atlanta GA 30303 Register today! robinson.gsu.edu/calendar

You Say Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re Ready for the Next Step. Prove It. Make a bold career move and earn your graduate degree at the Robinson College of Business. Explore our top ranked business programs and hand-on learning experiences and get ready for your next step. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re invited to join the Robinson College for Graduate Experience Day where you will learn about life after undergrad from Robinson alumni who will share what grad school is really like and the career opportunities it opens up. Faculty and staff will be on hand to meet you, discuss the admission process and program details, and help you get on the Road to Robinson.

Prep for the Test When you visit each booth at the fair, you will earn a FREE test prep session with Dr. Test Prep at 2:30pm following the event.

Lunch will be provided.

robinson.gsu.edu

EDITORIAL

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

EDITORIAL

Closing the gap between Georgia State and its students What can we do to bring this Twitter war to an end?

hursdays’ Student Government Association (SGA) meetings are usually a long, routinely process, reminiscent of class time, couple of yawns here and there, couple bills passed, an applause, nothing too risqué. But last week was everything but routine. You probably heard about the footage of the scene retweeted hundreds of times, and this might have been one of the most intense student reactions we’ve ever received. The university was tweeting about it, SGA was tweeting about it, we were tweeting about it, and chances are, you were tweeting about it too. Student activist Asma Elhuni stood up after Georgia State University President Mark Becker’s speech at the meeting and requested to ask him a question. He said no, and after she continued talking despite him declining to take questions from the audience, she was removed from the room by university police. Elhuni and other students have long been knocking on Becker’s door asking him to sign a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) for the recent Turner Field sale, which they argue would give the neighboring communities oversight of the project and thus help

Illustrator of the week Join the signal! by Erik Reid | The Signal

prevent gentrification and the displacement of the communities that currently reside around the area. So, both Becker and anyone in the audience that hasn’t been living under a rock knew exactly what Elhuni was going to target, and this wouldn’t be the first time. But the biggest issue isn’t what happened Thursday – the police reaction was merely a metaphor of the sparks flying back and forth between the protesters and the university. This finger-pointing from the protesters at Becker, and Becker’s silence has caused a chaotic back-and-forth in which we only hear about from the side that’s doing the protesting. While protesting authority is sometimes necessary when vouching for justice, this may not be the way to do so. What Becker has told The Signal in the past is that he absolutely can not sign the CBA. But that hasn’t worked, and protesters have fought back with their suggestions of what he can do. So maybe it’s time Becker addresses the student body himself, and clear up all our questions, and have a sit-down with the group to resolve the conflict. Detaining the activists is definitely not the way to go. Sure, she was disrupting, but that’s how protests

work. Our job as reporters isn’t to name the ‘right’ and the ‘wrong’ side, but we do have a responsibility to distinguish between fact and fiction. Was Elhuni forcibly removed from the meeting? Fact. Did police issue a trespass warning which essentially temporarily ‘banned’ her from campus? Fact - mostly. The ban is not meant to hold for its entirety of two years, and as our article explains, it’s only a security measure taken by the institution. But was Becker stuck in a situation he hadn’t signed up for? Fact...mostly? SGA president Fortune Onwuzuruike told The Signal he had assured the university president that questions would only come from senators - and it’s likely that that interaction took place to assure Becker he wasn’t walking into another round of CBA protests. Besides, that’s the closest we get to hearing questions answered by the president himself, when he makes these appearances at the student government meetings. So what’s it going to be? More angry Twitter wars? Talk to us, Dr. Becker, we’re all waiting to hear from you. What are your thoughts on this subject? Email your Letters to the Editor at signalopinions@gmail.com

ARTS & LIVING

www.georgiastatesignal.com/artsandliving

PANTHER FOOD RECOVERY NETWORK

Fighting for students to reduce food waste SASHA-GAY TRUSTY Staff Reporter

ustainability is a topic that has increasingly garnered attention, and the amount of advocates have grown tremendously in recent years. Here at Georgia State, implementing practices like switching over to a tobacco-free campus in 2014, aids in reducing harmful effects on the environment. The university’s involvement with environmental protection is a part of a larger trend, as the entire nation has shown interest in doing their part to propel this cause. In a 2010 Huffington Post article, writer Stephen Cohen stated that a 2009 report from polling agency Harris Poll, alluded that most Americans claim they had been active in reducing their ecological footprints. Such practices included recycling electronics, monitoring electricity use and drinking tap water over bottled. One student organization is wielding a different method, though with a similar goal. With its focus on hunger and food waste, the Panther Food Recovery Network (PFRN) is out to leave a constructive imprint for sustainability.

A WORTHY INTRODUCTION

PFRN is the Georgia State spinoff of the Food Recovery Network, a nationwide organization that developed its charge six years ago. “The Food Recovery Network was founded by Ben Simon in 2011 at University of Maryland and since then, we have grown to 198 chapters,” Chapter President Rajah Steede said. Hosting events frequently around campus has allotted the novel foundation an executive team, volunteers and some acknowledgement. However, its good deeds – guided by a set of core goals – is what truly gravitates people to the group. “PFRN is an organization that focuses on sustainability and we are proud to be a part of the largest student movement against food waste and hunger in the United States. Our mission is ‘Fighting Waste. Feeding People’,” Steede said.

This angle of targeting hunger through recycling efforts make the recuperation team the only student-led organization at Georgia State in their realm. Furthermore, the group goes beyond merely handing out food to those in need by extending their work to informing the public on its costly consumption habits. “I would like for the GSU community, staff and students, to know that 40 percent of food is thrown out within the U.S. every year [and] this could feed 25 million Americans,” Steede said. “The homeless population is about 3.5 million, which is equal to 14 percent of the 25 million Americans that the food waste could account for.”

DOING NECESSARY WORK

The Atlanta campus is directly situated amongst an established homeless population, giving the members ample opportunity to do their necessary work. A walk to Aderhold Learning Center shows that extra assistance is needed within the community. The network appears to have recognized this, as it has already taken on the job and partners with another nonprofit to do so. “Safe House is a community outreach organization that is geared to help transition people experiencing homelessness from the streets of Atlanta to self-sufficiency. SafeHouse is the community outreach where PFRN donates the perishable food,” Steede said. With the passion and tenacity to properly serve, PFRN makes doing good seem effortless. At their “Socks for Cocoa” event on Jan. 24, members like Destiny Elliott, the communications coordinator, greeted students with enthusiasm, while encouraging them to donate socks or $1. The trade off was a cup of hot chocolate on a day with strong winds and chill. Their approach is paying off. “Since the establishment of the PFRN in April 2016, we have recovered 8,167 pounds of food that equates to 6,282 meals,” Steede said. “So on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., we unite students on campus to fight food waste and hunger by recovering perishable food that would otherwise go to waste from Piedmont North and

PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY COMMUNICATION COORDINATOR FOR PANTHER FOOD RECOVERY NETWORK DESTINY ELLIOTT Panther Food Network members collect reusable food and donations as well as hold fundraising events Tuesdays and Thursdays in Library Plaza.

Patton dining halls and donate it to a community outreach that [assists] people in need.” In addition to connecting with students, the recovery network is building a rewarding relationship with Safe House and the City of Atlanta. “PFRN has had a major impact on the surrounding community. For instance, when we provide Safe House with food, the money that they previously allocated for purchasing these items can now be used in assisting their customers during their transitional stage whether it be providing clothes, shoes, tools etc,” Steede said.

LEADERSHIP

Even though their presence on campus is less than a year old, PFRN has managed to accomplish remarkable things. The team is still small, but their leadership is impressive. Steede, who was only recently appointed as president, has been involved since August 2016. She manages authentically by conserving the group’s original commitments and strategizing how to spread the word. “We are trying to reach out to students, as we are on the brink of searching for more volunteers. Yes, we are heard of but not known well enough [throughout] the student body,” Steede said. “In the past, PFRN had numerous bake sales and promotional events which [proved] to be beneficial. At this moment, we have not had [many] events as the semester just started but stay tuned because we have a few in store for the GSU community.” Elliott’s public relations chops help bring people in. It works because there is genuine respect for the organization’s aims. “I did not understand that leftover chicken on my plate will potentially save community shelters more expenses than I could imagine,” Elliott said. Now, fighting food waste and feeding people is a slogan that repeats in my head as I walk through the dining hall, watching residents unintentionally dispose valuable resources. Panther Food Recovery Network has become a lifestyle.”

FAST FACTS PANTHER FOOD RECOVER NETWORK • • • •

Fights Hunger Food Waste Education Uses Volunteers Recycles Food from Georgia State Dining Halls • On-Campus Fundraising

Upcoming Event JAN. 31 Catch the network at the Student Org Fair. President Steede encourages students to stop by and learn more about the organization.

Get involved If anyone is interested in getting involved with Panther Food Recovery Network, send an email to pantherfrngsu@gmail.com. Find them on Instagram @pantherfrngsu and Facebook.com/ pantherfoodrecoverynetwork1.

PHOTO BY DAYNE FRANCIS | THE SIGNAL

The International Rescue Committee provides refugees and immigrants new opportunities to prosper in America.

a wall-less

the atlanta international rescue committee s INGA MASIC

Arts & Living Editor

n 1933, one of the greatest minds of history made a suggestion. Albert Einstein proposed the founding of the American branch of the European-based International Relief Association (IRA) to aid Germans suffering under Hitler’s rule. Then, in 1940 the Emergency Rescue Committee (ERC) was formed to aid refugees trapped in Vichy, France. It was in 1942 that the ERC and IRA joined forces, and became International Relief and Rescue Committee, which was later shortened to The International Rescue Committee (IRC). From that point on the IRC has been aiding and responding to the world’s most devastating crisis. They have been the helping hand during some of

worst struggles humanity has faced from conflict and disaster throughout history. They helped Eastern European refugees during the Cold War in 1945, provided food and supplies to the people of West Berlin in 1950, gave Cuban refugees asylum and resettlement fleeing from Castro dictatorship in 1960 and helped over 20,000 Bosnian refugees after Serbia’s ethnic cleansing in 1992. And in 2017, they are helping with the distressing refugee crisis in Syria, the heartbreaking hunger crisis in Africa and in all, continuing to aid the endless fight for humanity across the globe.

q &a

What does the International Committee (IRC) in Atlanta (along with the wider global International Rescue Committee) do in regards to immigration, refugees and humanitarian work? Freeman: The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic well-being and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster from around the world. The IRC in Atlanta, a locally funded office, creates opportunities for refugees and immigrants to integrate and thrive in Georgia. We resettle over 1,000 refugees each year and serve an additional 2,500 refugees, immigrants and asylees with a diverse offering of programs that ensure families are empowered to rebuild their lives in communities throughout the state. We offer safe

housing, basic necessities including health care and behavioral health services, multi-level English proficiency classes, occupational preparation and training, employment services, financial literacy, afterschool and summer enrichment programming for high school-aged youth and immigration and legal services.

What is the IRC in Atlanta’s thoughts on the controversy of refugees coming to this country? Freeman: Refugee resettlement is a long and proud tradition in this country, aligned with our national values of freedom and opportunity. The United States has historically been a beacon of freedom and hope for the world’s most oppressed and persecuted, and our communities have proudly welcomed these families as part of the fabric that make this nation great.

how to help The IRC provides multiple opportunities for anyone to help the cause, and the ways range from donations to hands-on assistance.

temporary shelters out of rope and sturdy plastic sheeting. To help fund for more materials- $54

Warm Blankets

donating There are refugees that need consistent support here in the U.S and in around the world, so one can give a monthly donation or a one-time donation. Go to help.rescue.org/donate

campaigning One can start their own fundraiser, and then add some photos and personal/shared stories through video. They advise to add a small amount or as much as you can to the fundraiser to get the ball rolling, and then the next step is to tell some friends and family so they can get the word out. Go to crowdrise.com/internationalrescuecommittee

rescue gift If one wants to be aware of where exactly the money is going, one can give a rescue gift for multiple purposes at gifts.rescue.org

A Year of School

Girls are denied schooling all around the world due to a current crisis in the country, a family’s tough financial situation or limited resources within the country- $58

Temporary Shelter

When families are forced out of their homes to flee war or unsafe living conditions, they end up in camps where the search for food, shelter and water is imminent. The IRC gives them materials to build

s world

strives to preserve refugee aid Freeman: Refugees are people who have lives you would recognize. Much like us, they were once able to live peacefully; they had jobs, took their kids to school, celebrated family milestones and held their families close and dear. All of this has been torn apart by violence, war and conflict and they want nothing more than to find a way to live a peaceful and stable life. Freeman: We must strive to remember that at the heart of this crisis are human beings in danger who seek only a safe haven and a compassionate and helping hand. I know from personal experience how much refugees value the safety and freedom that America offers, and the opportunity to start a new life here. Freeman: Refugees undergo the most extensive background check of any entrant to the U.S., they are required to pass numerous in-person interviews by trained experts and multiple security screenings by national security, defense

and intelligence agencies based on biographic and biometric evidence. The vetting system has been methodically structured to both safeguard the security of the U.S. and provide protection to those who need it most, and to whom we have a moral obligation to protect.

What are some inspirational stories that the IRC in Atlanta has seen with refugees? Freeman: Our refugee friends and neighbors are all inspirational, it’s an absolute honor and a privilege to work with and support individuals from all over the world who have experienced unimaginable violence and persecution, yet who still arrive here in America full of strength, hope, determination and resilience. I have colleagues who were once resettled by the IRC in Atlanta as refugees, who are now giving back to their community and working hard to help others who

When refugees are sleeping in the cold at night and living in harsh weather conditions, a warm blanket can provide wonders- $84 for 15 warm blankets.

Clean Water

The IRC provides supplies and sanitary aid to refugees living in crowded situations, where disease is more likely. To help reduce dehydration and disease, donate to supply clean water for a year to three people- $110

Emergency Food

Food crises happen throughout the globe, and many malnourished children are the unfortunate result. The IRC provides nutritious and proteinrich foods to get those children back to good health. To give a month’s supply of emergency food packets for at least 50 children- $68

Safe Passage:

When refugees have to unexpectedly flee their home and end up in a strange land, it can be frightening. The IRC provides those refugees with important information on medical care and other services, as well as giving transportation to hospitals or asylum centers. To continue this service for families away from home- $36

volunteering Anyone can have the chance to volunteer and help within Atlanta, one can mentor refugee families and individuals, assist refugees in learning essential interview and job-seeking skills and help maintain a New Roots garden. Go to rescue.org/volunteer to see the volunteer process.

their work at a glance Within the past year, the IRC has made exponential efforts to help those struggling around the world. • Helped 2.1 million people gain access to health care, both primary and reproductive • Helped 2.6 million people gain access to clean drinking water and to sanitation resources • Helped 1.3 million children gain access to schooling and education programing

share in their refugee past. We have refugee clients who are doctors, lawyers, designers, filmmakers – so many talented and educated individuals who come here fleeing persecution, hoping to rebuild their lives here in safety. We have resettled young refugees who went on to become valedictorian of their Atlanta high schools, received prestigious scholarships such as the Gates Millennium Scholarship, and who now attend universities across the U.S., including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and schools right here in Georgia, like Emory and Agnes Scott.

The organization has an event in March, can you describe what the cause is for? Freeman: The IRC in Atlanta are part of a group called the Coalition of Refugee Service Agencies or CRSA. CRSA is made up of 14 refugee serving organizations working in and around the Atlanta

contact 2305 Parklake Dr NE #100, Atlanta, GA 30345 (404) 292-7731

area to help make refugees welcome. CRSA’s mission is to engage a broad coalition to highlight the cultural, social and economic contributions of refugees and immigrants in Georgia. We want to spread the good news to others about what those of us privileged to work with refugees and other victims of forced migration already know: that refugees and immigrants are beneficial to our communities in many tangible and intangible ways and that the hospitality the south has long been known for is still very much alive and well! Freeman: Each year, CRSA holds an event at the Georgia State Capitol called the New Americans Celebration (NAC), this year it’s Tuesday March 7. NAC is an annual day of education and outreach for refugees and immigrants, and for all Georgians who support them. Each year, we welcome more than 200 volunteers to the Georgia State Capitol to engage legislators and show our support for new Georgians.

ARTS & LIVING

12 D.i.y

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

Pimping

your ride

Travel in style with these tips for struggling commuters INGA MASIC

Arts & Living Editor

have sold my soul to I-85. For five days a week, I travel south in bumper-to-bumper traffic, spending up to an hour and a half on the highway. And going back home is no different. The highway has become my best, hated friend through the amount of quality time we have shared together. Now, there are days when the commute doesn’t phase me. I just jam out to some solid tunes and make awkward eye contact with those around me; it’s quite fun. But there are the other days, the days I find myself swearing an uncomfortable amount at the person taking five years to merge over or at my Pandora for playing the same cycle of songs. Those days are rough. And when the traffic makes me late for class, my anger will obliviate everything in my path. The thing is, however, I love driving. Ever since the DMV handed me that temporary driver’s license, featuring the gawky face of a girl ready to take on the open road, it’s always been my desired “me time.” Starting then I found any excuse to get in the car and drive. Groceries? On it. Bank? On it. Painful dentist appointment? On it. I had no limits. And then I became a school commuter. I converted into the most uncomfortable practice one can be part of, for the butt and for the sanity. That being said, even the slightest joys within the confinement of that prison on wheels can make the trip that much better. So I have thought of some quick and easy hacks to add to your car, that will make you not hate being in it as much anymore.

Clean Machine

Driving long amounts of time periods in your car can be taxing, but when water bottles are rolling around under your feet or cupholders are filled to the absolute max with trash, driving can be a bit more uncomfortable. Then you add on the luming smell that you can’t pinpoint the source of, it’s not fun. So here are some quick tips that you can add to your car to keep your car from becoming like that angry dude’s house from Halloweentown, Gort. No? Not a universal reference? Nevermind, just look it up.

Cereal killer of trash

Invest in a cereal canister to put in your car as an accessible trash can. Line it with a grocery bag, and it’s good to go.

Starbucks is life

Being that coffee is life, hold onto one of the many starbucks cups filling up on the floor of your car and make it a tissue dispenser. Keep the top on and cut a slit, then add tissues inside and pull one through the slit. Put it in one cupholder, and now you have a savior when the ketchup spills out of your to-go burger.

Let it shine

If you want to make your super old Volvo or Jeep look like 2017 was it’s birth year, then grab your hair conditioner from your shower and get to work. After washing your car, apply the conditioner and then rinse it off.

A dust must

Take a coffee filter and vegetable oil and rack up all the nasty dust. The combo will wipe it off quickly and easily.

Let there be light

Your headlights can get really dingy and dull after a while, and if you have night classes like me, first of all bless your heart, then you need to have some quality light guiding your path. So to get this, take some toothpaste and an old tooth brush. Using the brush, scrub the toothpaste on the headlights and then rinse it off.

Drip Drop

Grab a clothespin, some tiny fuzzy balls (can be bought at Michael’s, Hobby Lobby and Walmart) and the essential oil of your choice. Glue the fuzzies onto the top of the clothespin, and once that is dry, add drops of the oil onto the fuzzies. This will make your car smell glories for up to a week, and when it’s faded, just add more!

Carpet-diem

Seize the clean! There are simple materials to add together that will clean up those car carpets to pristine conditions. Grab some hydrogenperoxide, water and lemon essential oil, then add them together in a dark-colored bottle (clear bottles will break down hydrogen-peroxide). Then spray the mixture onto the carpet and wait a while. Then use a scrubber to get to work.

PAGE DESIGN BY TAISJAH WILKINS | THE SIGNAL PHOTO BY HANNAH GRECO | THE SIGNAL Make this simple D.I.Y car air freshener with a bag clip and an essential oil of your choice.

Bonus:

Don’t pay for a locksmith! After this hack, I’ll be looking for edibles arrangements at my door, because I’m about to save all your butts. Everyone has or will lock their keys in their car, it’s inevitable. However, I’m about to drop some sweet knowledge on you guys, and it’s the best way to not drop dollars for a locksmith.

Items Need

• Tennis Ball • Lighter • Key or screwdriver

What to do

1. Grab either the house key or the screwdriver, then take the lighter and light the end of either until it is substantially hot. Be careful! 2. Once the tip is hot, start pushing and turning the tip onto the tennis ball forcefully, until you create a hole. 3. Take the ball and push it against the lock with the opening facing the keyhole. 4. Then, using both hands, press the ball against the car as hard as you can. 5. The air pressure will increase inside the ball, which will force the locking of the car to open.

You’re welcome ;)

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

ARTS & LIVING

movie Review

‘The Founder’ is smart when not boring ALEX GRAHAM Staff Reporter

cDonald’s, as we all know, is not really regarded as a fresh or exciting institution. With a location on every busy block in the U.S., it seems like those golden arches and cheap fries are everywhere, all the time, and feel like they have been for most of the modern era (fun fact: they’re everywhere except a whopping 105 countries. Still a lot though). “The Founder,” however, focuses on those long-lost days when McDonald’s was actually pretty inventive. Fast food wasn’t a thing yet and all the obesity stuff wasn’t a deal. People just marveled at getting cheap food in under an hour, and they fricken’ loved it. John Lee Hancock’s biopic is interesting for its recognition of that love, but as a movie it feels more like how we see McDonald’s today: a mediocre throw-away piece that feels straight off an assembly line, kinda filling but mostly something we should avoid for our health. Michael Keaton plays Ray Kroc, a travelling salesman who happens upon a fully automated burger stand in Southern California owned by Maurice and Richard McDonald (John Carroll Lynch and a neatly groomed Nick Offerman). Tempted by their runaway success, Ray convinces them to let him franchise the joint and begins a rampant selling spree, much to the chagrin of the qualityoriented McDonald brothers and Ray’s neglected wife Ethel (Laura Dern.) It’s only a matter of time before the success gets to Ray’s head and he becomes one of those capitalist monsters we see so often now, favoring cheapness over quality, buying

land to lease out to the franchisees he enlists, calling his restaurant the “First McDonald’s” and totally ignoring Richard and Maurice until he’s so pumped full of cash and power that he can push them out. I applaud the movie for letting Ray be a protagonist for a little while. We root for him in the beginning as we watch him formulate the McDonald’s Corporation idea in his mind. Keaton is fabulous as usual, his persistence infectious and his determination is inspiring. This positive energy is necessary to keep the film from demonizing all entrepreneurs as jerk offs— he’s not bad just because he’s a businessman, it’s all the trickery and cruelty afterwards. But the movie can be balanced and still insanely boring. And it is. Aside from Keaton himself, there’s virtually nothing I enjoyed about this movie. The writing and direction are pure amateur hour, with a whole host of crazy choices that I can’t even fit in this one review. The supporting performances are just OK— for all his charms, Nick Offerman can really only play Stern Guy— and I can’t even get started on how the female characters are used (wifey’s just a sad lady and the only other girl’s a casual cheater. Not the best). The cinematography is bland and occasionally weird, and I guess editor Robert Frazen just did the best with what he had. But the nail in the coffin may be the constant montages. Seriously wild. I counted three montages in the last half of the movie, and that’s only after I had noticed enough montages to even think about counting them. It’s lazy filmmaking at its most obvious. That’s a lot of ranting, but basically the good things about this movie are overshadowed by the lame way they’re presented. Don’t waste your money on “The Founder.”

Verdict

Grade

Michael Keaton is great and this movie isn’t the stupidest, but by God, it was a chore to sit through.

Album review

Code Orange’s album hits mainstream music JALEN JENKINS Staff Reporter

ode Orange has officially broken out of the underground and is here to shock the mainstream crowd. After releasing “I Am King” in 2014 on Deathwish records, Code Orange solidified themselves as a force in the hardcore and metal crowds. “I Am King” featured absolutely pummeling songs, sonically and in their meaning, but more importantly it made help move Code Orange to the big leagues. On “Forever,” Code Orange’s latest effort put out by seminal label Roadrunner, who hosts bands such as Gojira, Slipknot, Killswitch Engage and fellow hardcore band and recent signee Turnstile, Code Orange continues where they left off from “I Am King.” The album delivers grinding walls of guitar, that is backed by sharp, poignant drums and the calloused vocals of singer and drummer Jami Morgan. The combination of the jarring instrumentation and the three-vocal attack make for a very intense listen. From the first track “Forever,” which opens with a disturbing vocal

sample into a slow, sludgy riff, which then cuts from fast and slow breaks and vocal changes through the whole song. These cuts from fast verses to low and slow breaks have become a signature of Code Orange that is used well on this album. The album goes on an almost exhausting marathon of heaviness until it gets to “Bleeding In The Blur,” a song driven by guitarist Reba Myers, who also sang in emo band Adventures, clean singing instead of screaming, like the rest of the album until this point. Although at first it catches the listener off guard, because clean singing is the last thing to expect at this point, but it proves to be a good breather and showcases the versatility the band has that allows them to produce radio friendly hits. Another song that shows a different side of Code Orange is “Hurt Goes On.” This song is almost 100 percent powered by synths, and the low whisper of Morgan’s voice is reminiscent of bands like Nine Inch Nails. Although it is not the guitars that power the rest of the album, the song does not lose any sort of dissonance or heaviness, in fact it has an abundance of it. This song continues to push the idea of Code Orange being jarring, but reminding the listener to stay on their toes, because what’s around the corner is not always so easy to call.

Grade

B+

Verdict

Top Tracks “Forever” “Kill The Creator” “Bleeding in the Blur’”

“Forever” is an important album. It is seldom that a hardcore band breaks through to the level of major labels, but bands like Code Orange are making them pay attention.

Who needs netflix? Find us on YouTube

The Signal at Georgia State University

calendar&games

Campus & Downtown Events Wednesday

Thursday

Troubadour

Game-o-Rama

This performance centers around a singer and his band in the 1950s trying to find their sound and themselves in Nashville. The show will be held at Alliance Theatre.

If you are interested in boardgames, panels discussing game strategies and games at flea market prices, then this is the event for some true gamers.

Friday Groundhog Festival

Feb. 2

Feb. 1

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

Puzzle 1 (Easy, difficulty rating 0.45)

Saturday

Sunday

Paint the town

Bach Bowl

If you are a wine connoisseur or just like to get wine drunk, then head to Canton street in Roswell. The event will have wine from Napa Valley and endless art to check out.

Johann Sebastian Bach and the Super Bowl are teaming up! Bachâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s chamber and solo music will be performed on Super Bowl Sunday at the Emory University.

Feb. 4

Feb. 3

The Groundhog Day Jugglers Festival has everything one would want to see: jugglers, juggling lessons, competitions, unicyclists, hoopers, kendama and live music. It will be at the Yaarab Shrine Center.

Monday 9 3

1 Tuesday 2

Atlanta Chamber 6 2 Winds Feb. 6

Feb. 5

Puzzle 2

The Atlanta 4 Chamber Winds is a instrumental 9 ensemble formed in the Southeast. 7 6 8 They feature all the wondrous sounds of trumpets, flutes, oboes, clarinets, trombones and more.

The Grapes of 8 Wrath 9 3 Feb. 7

The famous1story about a family beating economical 8 struggles and gaining strength 9 through the journey is an empowering classic to witness. It will be held in Newnan.

7 4

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SPORTS

www.georgiastatesignal.com/sports

One more run for the

hometown hero

ZACK KENNEDY

RASHAD MILLIGAN

SIGNAL ARCHIVES

Sports Editor

eorgia State men’s tennis senior Zack Kennedy had an eventful last 365 days. Kennedy led the Panthers to a No. 1 seed in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament in the spring 2016 season. As the team’s new No. 1 singles player, Kennedy spoke to The Signal about finishing his college career as a Panther after transferring from Clemson his sophomore season.

How was it coming back to Georgia State after finishing close last year (Panthers lost in Sun Belt Tournament as No. 1 seed)?

Kennedy: It’s been fun. It’s been work. Coming from the pro level to the college level, it’s not that great of a difference. It’s really about focusing and just going out there and doing it. It’s not like they do it a lot better than we do, it’s just the little things. Staying focus and making sure you’re on top of what you need to be on top of.

Now with Georgia State, you guys are rising up in the national rankings. How does it feel to come back home and put the home team on the map, after being overlooked at Clemson? Kennedy: Yeah after being overlooked...Clemson, right now they’re not even in the rankings. So it feels pretty great. It was a wonderful decision that I made, and I’m glad I made this decision. Most people overlook us as a school, as a program, and I think that it’s important that we go out there and show that we can compete with the ACC and SEC conferences. I think it’s important that we keep working hard and try to get into those conferences, because those are the teams we want. We don’t want other teams. We want the top five. The Pac-12, the Big 10, those are the teams we want. Those are the wins that feel good.

Speaking of those wins, where did you guys get the confidence from when you’re going down 0-2 at Florida State?

Kennedy: I think the confidence comes from our coach. Coach Ross is really hard on us. He makes sure we’re focused, he makes sure we’re conditioning every day, he makes sure we’re eating right on the road. We’re focused, no matter what, even when we’re down, we’re focused. Even when you’re down 0-2, there’s still five more matches to be played. So really it’s just getting down and getting gritty, staying in the matches. Knowing that you’re playing for your team, but it’s also an individual thing. You know what I’m saying, I can’t be focused on my teammate’s court. If I focus on my court, and I get my job done and he gets his job done, then we win as a team.

How do you feel about Atlanta right now, just as a city? With the entire TV show getting recognition. Kennedy: Oh yeah, I love it. Born and raised in Atlanta. Never been outside of the city for more than a couple of weeks. This has always been home

for me. It makes me so proud seeing the city and being a part of Georgia State and being a part of the growth of this program. Not only tennis but football and basketball. It’s good to be a part of the building process for the people that are to come after me and the people that are to come after all of the athletes here.

Growing up, was it difficult playing an individual sport, where you usually have to put a little more time in versus a basketball or something, to be great?

Kennedy: Really the thing that I struggled most with was the recognition. Growing up, nobody really looked at high school tennis or USTA matches that I played growing up, and I always struggled with the recognition part because you work so hard and you don’t get any glory. Now, to finally see it pay off to where me and [Georgia Tech junior] Chris [Eubanks] are the storyline of the city, that’s where the happiness comes from. That’s where it’s like, “Okay, we’re getting recognized now. All that work I put in wasn’t for nothing.”

And what does Zack Kennedy represent?

Kennedy: I’d say I represent Atlanta. The kids that look up to me at the tennis center that my dad works at. There’s a lot of kids that look up to me and idolize me. I think it’s important for me to always be on my game and show those kids that, ‘hey, you don’t have to play basketball or you don’t...you know as a black kid you’re taught to play basketball or football, but there’s another way out.’ There are other ways to

get scholarships. Not even like Tennis, not even sports, you know what I’m saying...education wise. I think that that’s important to stress to kids, that there are many ways out. You don’t have to be a football player or a basketball player, or a rapper. Those chances are really slim and it’s really important for them to understand to get your education first. That’s I’m doing. I’ve had many opportunities to turn pro, but my parents have stressed that since I was young, that I would get my education because if I would twist my ankle tomorrow, this is all over.

Did you ever struggle with that, growing up, being from southwest Atlanta and being one of the few black kids really known for playing tennis?

Kennedy: I didn’t really struggle because I had good parents. My mom and my dad were always there to talk to me. The main thing I struggled in was high school. Like not being accepted, being kind of the loser and it was tough at times, but my dad never really gave me the option of quitting. I wanted to play high school basketball and my dad told me, “No, you’re not playing.” Now that I look back on that, it’s like that’s the best decision that he could’ve made and I thank him every day for it.

Read the full interview online! georgiastatesignal.com

SPORTS

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

Hoosier turned Panther

Hollowell says he ‘needed a fresh start’ after playing for the Indiana Hoosier D’MITRI CHIN Staff Reporter

eing recruited by a historic college basketball program such as the Indiana Hoosiers is a dream many high school basketball players would undoubtedly adore, but for Jeremy Hollowell, that moment was bittersweet. Alternatively, perhaps in this case sweet, than bitter. We’ll begin with the sweet aspect of being a part of the Hoosiers basketball program for Hollowell. While one can only imagine the intense school pride that is carried out at Indiana University, Hollowell explained the tradition was unlike any other, which often led to the athletes being held to a higher standard than an average student. “Up there, there was a lot of tradition around the basketball team, so everywhere we went, everyone knew who we were,” Hollowell said. “We were held to a high standard.” Another sweet aspect, according to Hollowell, was life on campus. “It was the best of both worlds, it was like I was in a college town and now I’m in a big city,” Hollowell said as he explained the difference in the college experience he had at Indiana and Georgia State. Now the bitterness starts to kick in. Unfortunately, Hollowell only spent two seasons at Indiana before transferring to Georgia State. While the circumstance seemed to be “golden” for Hollowell, he just wasn’t able to make full use of the opportunity he was given--which is something he acknowledged. Hollowell mentioned that he just wasn’t ready for everything that came with the territory. “I was definitely given a golden opportunity there, just like I am here, I just let certain things get in my way,” Hollowell said. “I was close to home, and like I said, I don’t blame anybody but myself. If I could go back again and do it, I would definitely change some

things that I was doing up there.” Hollowell also made it a point to say that “at the end of the day, I didn’t go there to transfer...I just kind of felt like I needed a fresh start.” It is possible other factors came into play as to why Hollowell did not necessarily perform as well on the basketball court as he or his coaches would have liked. Nonetheless, he had nothing but kind words to say about his former coach, stating that “he knows he still cares about him.” Speaking of coaches, Ron Hunter, the head coach at Georgia State ironically had developed a keen relationship with Hollowell over the years. Outsiders are unaware that Hollowell and coach Hunter’s son RJ Hunter played AAU basketball with one another growing up. Hollowell has referred to the Hunter’s like family and has expressed many times to The Signal reporters his gratitude for being able to play for coach Hunter. “He’s had a tremendous impact on my life,” Hollowell said, while explaining his relationship with his coach. I spent a lot of time with them when I was younger playing AAU basketball with RJ. My first situation when I went to college it just really wasn’t the best fit for me, and at times it could’ve really been taken away from me. Just him knowing me and what type of kid I am, he blessed me with a second opportunity, and I will forever be grateful for that.” Hollowell understands that he was given a second chance to play college basketball for a reason and knows he cannot take it for granted. “I tell you what, I didn’t think I was gonna be in college this long...but I feel like everything happens for a reason and it’s all falling into place,” Hollowell said in regards to hopefully, one day playing basketball in the NBA. “I’m just tryna focus and finish the rest of this season out and focus on being a senior in college, and everything else is gonna take care of itself.”

Read last week’s Q&A with Jeremy Hollowell and his thoughts on how basketball changed his life online.

HOLLOWELL’S STATS WITH

PHOTO BY GORDON CLARK | THE SIGNAL Jeremy Hollowell, No. 1, protects the ball from his defenders against Troy University Jan, 9.

HOOSIERS

PANTHERS

• Started in 15 games.

•

• Averaged 5.7 points and 3.5 rebounds per game.

Started all 30 games for the Panthers during the 2015-16 season.

•

Averaging 14.8 points per game and 4.9 rebounds per game.

•

In Hollowell’s first game with the Panthers, he scored a career-high 25 points, shooting 10-15 from the field against Emmanuel College

•

Earned Sun Belt Player of the Week of Jan. 11, 2016.

•

Most impressive scoring of this season thus far came against UL Monroe, where Hollowell dropped 24 points and shot 8-11 from the free throw line.

•

Been named Sun Belt Player of the week (Jan. 17, 2016) and Sun Belt Student-Athlete of the Week (Jan. 23, 2017) for the Panthers, so far this year.

• Free throw percentage appeared to be his most impressive stat, as he shot 77.9 percent from the line. • Began the season with 16 points and shot 9-10 from the charity stripe in the season opener against Chicago State. • Hollowell was also a defensive presence that game with four blocked shots.

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

Column

Panthers hope to turn around the season

Georgia State women’s basketball team remains to play hard, but the losing continues CHRISTIAN CRITTEDEN Staff Reporter

he Georgia State women’s basketball has hit a wall recently, and it is one that seems unbreakable. The Panthers are currently on a six-game losing streak that spans over the entire month of January. “I think it’s a mixture of things, we’re right there, we’re close in a lot of the games and were not finishing. We’re not finishing on the defensive end, we’ve given up some offensive boards after we’ve played pretty good defense and that kind of deflates you in the last two or three minutes,” Coach Sharon Baldwin-Tener said. “On the offensive end, I think we’ve missed some easy shots and we’ve missed some free throws going down the stretch.” Coach Baldwin-Tener is right over the last few games, the team has really competed and fought until the very end, which there is no quit in this team despite the losing. “This team hasn’t given up at all, which I think is a great thing and it shows the character of the kids. They’re not going to give up. They

want to win too, so it’s been tough because this a great group, we’ve just got to get that one and I think we’ll gain some confidence and we’ll go from there,” Coach Baldwin-Tener said. During the losing streak, they’ve trailed at halftime in five of the losses. That’s a tough way to play because they’re always playing from behind, so you have to exert energy to catch up and then sustain the energy to keep going the rest of the game. That is hard for anyone to do on a consistent basis. You also have to be perfect when playing from behind, which they aren’t always doing. In the games against Coastal Carolina and Appalachian State, they’ve either had a lead or been within five points or less with under four minutes remaining in the game. The problem, like Baldwin-Tener mention earlier, is that they can’t finish their games, which seems to be a sports program thing as a whole, not just women’s basketball. Over the losing streak the Panthers are giving up over 74 points per, and they are only scoring an average of 62.3 points per game. That’s a -12 margin, which is obviously not winning basketball. They do have a slight edge in the rebounding

department. They average 38.1 rebounds per game, and their opponents are averaging 37.3 rebounds per game. Sometimes the desire to end a losing streak is so bad that you can press to make plays, but in return make more mistakes. That’s evident in their 21.3 turnovers per game. “At times yes because I feel like if I’m not producing then I’m not being there for my team, but other times I just try to go out and play hard and play with energy and hope that feeds off everybody else,” freshman guard Jada Lewis said. The losing streak is tough because obviously, no one wants to lose, but it cannot affect other things that go on so the players try to put the loss behind them after the game and don’t allow it to affect them in their daily lives. “Right after the game it does affect me, but I’m a big faith person so if you trust in God, you just gotta keep going and keep fighting every single day. You can’t dwell on stuff like that,” Lewis said. Coach Baldwin-Tener likes to give positive messages after games to help keep the team morale up even with the losing.

PHOTO BY GORDON CLARK | THE SIGNAL Georgia State women’s basketball Coach Sharon Baldwin-Tener gives players some motivation when playing against Georgia Tech, Dec. 3. “I told them good job fighting and fight until the end, but we’ve just got to finish. The reality is, we’ve got to make plays down the stretch on both the offensive and defensive end,” Coach Baldwin-Tener said. There are always teaching moments and those come after games in film sessions and review. “After a couple of days we’ll come back and we’ll watch film and see exactly what happened and how we’ll fix that for the next time,” Coach Baldwin-Tener said. Losing sucks obviously, but it hasn’t been all bad they continue

to work hard, although it may be hard to believe they are playing a lot better. They’ve gotten great individual performances from players like Lewis, and Tiffany Holston, and Astaja Tyghter. They’ve also gotten key spurts from players like Haley Gerrin, and K. K Williams. Now the goal is to play a complete team game for the full 40 minutes of a game. There’s light at the end of the tunnel, because the losing streak won’t last forever, and every team makes the conference tournament, so the key is just getting hot at the right time.

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HIGHLIGHTS

TRACK & FIELD

MEN’S TENNIS

SIGNAL ARCHIVES

Track & Field off to a solid start

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

WOMEN’S TENNIS

SIGNAL ARCHIVES

Panthers lose to Wake Forest

SIGNAL ARCHIVES

Tough start for Sun Belt champs

CRISTIAN CRITTENDEN

RASHAD MILLIGAN

D’MITRI CHIN

Sports Editor

Staff Reporter

he Georgia State women’s track team is off to a solid start on the season winning two of their meets. The individual performances have been very good. LaPorsha Wells has set both personal and school record of 20.64m in the weight throw this season. Alysiah Whittaker set a new meet record for the shot with a throw of 18.57m. The 4X400 team has finished as second in a meet as well. Those are the individual performances that stand out, but overall the team has been good at the start and they look to carry that momentum as they really get the season started. The Panthers will now travel to Birmingham, Ala. for the South Alabama Jaguar Invite on Feb. 5.

eorgia State fell 4-0 to the Demon Deacons in the ITA Kickoff Weekend championship match. The loss brought the Panthers to a 4-2 spring season record as Wake Forest improved to 5-0. Senior Zack Kennedy fell in the No. 1 match against No. 1 Petros Chrysochos 6-0, 6-0. Georgia State reached the championship match after defeating Auburn 4-2. The Panthers defeated the Tigers in both completed doubles matches. Junior Sebastian Acuna and Kennedy also won their matches in singles play. Georgia State returns to Atlanta to face off against Georgia Tech on Feb. 3.

ooking to start the new year with high optimism, the Georgia State women’s tennis team, instead, find themselves with a record of 0-2 to jumpstart the 2017 season. The Panthers suffered their two losses to UL Monroe and Auburn. While the Panthers did not accomplish much through their first two matches, sophomore Daniela Ramirez was the only Panther to secure a singles victory. Other players who earned wins include Anastasia Grosheva, Tarani Kamoe and Taluyenko; They won their victories in doubles play. Taluyenko’s singles victory against UL Monroe Saturday was the only victory secured by the Panthers in singles play. Taluyenko defeated Madalina Grigoriu 7-5, 6-2.

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2017

SPORTS CALENDAR

SPORTS EDITOR’S NBA PREDICTIONS

*CONFERENCE GAME

RASHAD MILLIGAN | THE SIGNAL

Thunder vs. Spurs MEN’S BASKETBALL Saturday, Feb. 4 GEORGIA STATE ATHLETICS

Alysiah Whittaker Track and Field The senior set a meet record with a throw of 18.57m at the Thundering Herd Invite in West Virginia. She set a school record in discus and qualified for the NCAA East with a throw of 49.76m at Aggie Last Chance in 2015. The exercise science major made the Dean’s List in fall 2014 and the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll twice.

North Florida

at Piedmont Park 3 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 6

WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD Sunday, Feb. 5 South Alabama Jaguar Invite

at GSU Sports Arena 7 p.m.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Thursday, Feb. 2 UL Monroe* at GSU Sports Arena 7 p.m.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Standings

PANTHER OF

at Birmingham, Alabama 10 a.m.

UL Monroe*

MEN’S TENNIS Friday, Feb. 3 Georgia Tech at Atlanta, Georgia 5 p.m.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

1st

Georgia Southern 7-1 | Overall: 14-7

Little Rock 9-0 | Overall: 15-6

2nd

UT Arlington 6-2 | Overall: 16-5

UT Arlington 8-1 | Overall: 15-4

3rd

Arkansas State 6-2 | Overall: 15-6

Troy 7-2 | Overall: 14-6

4th

Georgia State 6-2 | Overall: 13-7

Louisiana 5-4 | Overall: 11-7

5th

Texas State 5-3 | Overall: 12-8

Texas State 5-4 | Overall: 10-10

6th

Louisiana 4-4 | Overall: 14-7

Coastal Carolina 4-5 | Overall: 9-10

7th

Coastal Carolina 4-4 | Overall: 9-12

Georgia Southern 4-5 | Overall: 8-12

8th

Little Rock 3-5 | Overall: 12-9

Appalachian State 3-6 | Overall: 8-12

Troy 3-5 | Overall: 11-11

Georgia State 3-6 | Overall: 7-13

South Alabama 3-5 | Overall: 10-11

Arkansas State 2-7 | Overall: 4-17

Appalachian State 1-7 | Overall: 6-13

South Alabama 2-7 | Overall: 7-13

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Timberwolves vs. Pistons

Pistons

Cavs vs. Wizards

Wizards

Super Bowl Well, it’s actually happening Rashad Milligan | Sports Editor As a lifelong hopeless Atlanta sports fan, I lived to see the day of a major sports Atlanta team make a championship game. With all due respect to the Dream, the closest I can remember of seeing a championship was the 2014 Valdosta State softball team losing in the NCAA Division II championship game when I was covering the team for The Spectator. Valdosta’s three and a half hours away from Downtown, in case you were curious. The energy in the send off for these Atlanta Falcons last weekend shows the country how serious the city is of ending its 21-year championship drought. The fans swag surfed in City Hall on Friday, packed out Atlantic Station on Sunday. With Bad & Boujee becoming the No. 1 song on the Hot Charts and the TV show “Atlanta” winning two Golden Globes, the Falcons have the opportunity to take the city to another level. Atlanta Falcons winning the Super Bowl can bring revenue to the city - D’mitri Chin | Staff Reporter Well, here we have it the Atlanta Falcons are headed to the Super Bowl for just the second time in franchise history, and boy is Atlanta buzzing. Of course,

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winning a Super Bowl would be an astonishing accomplishment for the Falcons, simply because in their 51 years of experience, they have failed to hoist The Vince Lombardi Trophy. Let’s not also forget that winning a Super Bowl will also improve the city’s economic standing—a department the city of Atlanta could benefit from given the amount of money they have invested in constructing the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Winning the Super Bowl certainly won’t be an easy task as they face the chosen one in Tom Brady, also known as the G.O.A.T. It is worth noting that Tom Brady has faced the Falcons four times in his 17 seasons in the NFL. So just what were his stats against the dirty birds? Well, let’s just say he put the dirty in the birds throwing for a combined 1,193 yards, nine touchdowns and perhaps the most impressive stat being just one interception, per sbnation.com The odds are stacked against the Falcons, but for the first time in franchise history, they have a legitimate shot at actually winning the big game. Moreover, if they just so happen to win, it will be the return of Hotlanta.the opportunity to take the city to another level.

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