JAN. 9 - JAN. 16, 2018
VOL. 85 | NO. 15
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KEEPING THEM OUT
STAY CLEAN IN 2018
CHECK IT OUT!
MID-SEASON ALERT
New Woodruff renovations aim to beautify park and keep ‘unwanted activities’ out.
These five DIYs will help you keep your dorm sparkling and organized all semester long.
New year, new us with a new website that we’d like to hear your feedback on.
Men’s and women’s basketball reaching for top of standings after break.
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Arts & Living 7
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OPINION 11
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NEWS
2
GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM
BLOTTER DEC. 22
JAN. 3
That’s inhumane!
No Trust
A Georgia State staff member reported having their things tampered with and damaged while inside the Arts and Humanities building. The case is still active.
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Christina Maxouris signaleditor@gmail.com
A Georgia State staff member reported being assaulted at the SunTrust building on Wednesday. Georgia State police is still investigating the incident.
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JAN. 4
JAN. 2
False Alarm
Smells fishy...
Police responded to a fire alarm in the A building of the Decatur campus
Members of Georgia State staff in the Urban Life building reported property damage as well as the smell of smoke. The area was cleared and the case was closed.
Deceased person in R Lot
GSUPD sent an agency assist to a report of a deceased person in Georgia State’s Downtown campus near the R-lot. The individual was not affiliated with the university, and police have cleared the case.
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2018
Luxury Apartments on the way Developers turn to Atlanta campus for new student housing project HYDIAH SYLLA Staff Reporter
T
he famous gas station-turned-landmark facing the University Commons that satisfied midnight craving runs for students has closed its doors, and will give way to a luxurious new — and greatly needed — off-campus housing facility. On Dec. 11, 2017, Suntrust Banks, Inc. rolled out a press release announcing they had closed a loan with South City Partners for the development of an off-campus student housing project. The new apartments are estimated to open their doors to students in the fall of 2019 and will cost an estimated $90 million. 120 Piedmont will be located at 120 Piedmont Ave. NE at the intersection of John Wesley Dobbs Ave. The housing will include amenities such as building-wide wifi, a “state of the art fitness center,” a rooftop study lounge/club room, an outdoor terrace, a “resort-style pool and clubhouse,” a spin/yoga studio, an outdoor grilling area, secured indoor bike storage, and a ground floor leasing office and lobby. A parking deck and on-site security are among other features students can expect to come from the project. Students can also expect approximately 8,000 square feet of retail space and a brand new, revamped gas station with an upscale convenience store or market. The units will be fully furnished, which includes living room furniture, a television, a dining table, and a bed. Each unit will also include a washer and dryer and a balcony. The units in this dog-friendly community will not be available based on seniority, but instead on a “first come first serve” basis.
The top floor of the Square on Fifth, the off-campus student housing in Midtown that plans on coming to the Georgia State University campus in Aug. 2019.
to four bedrooms will be available, making the housing an option for a wide range of students with varying budgets. There will be room for about 685 students, which could reduce the amount of commuter students at Georgia State.
TURNING TO GEORGIA STATE
The development company said they are aware that students are looking for affordable, quality housing, and they plan on doing just that. South City Partners has previously developed privately-owned housing near Georgia Tech, The Square on Fifth(SQ5), which includes a variety of floor plans and amenities. Will Casaday, vice president of Development at South City Partners, said they felt it was time to turn their attention to the surrounding Georgia State community. He said that, while prices have not been decided on yet, the partners are considering quality, quantity and pricing that would best benefit the students of Georgia State. Cassaday said that they are making it on of their priorities to keep prices comparable, if not below, market price. “In looking at Georgia State University, there was a need for the same quality project. It goes beyond a building--it is a community, truly an experience,” he said. The architectural firm The Preston Partnership will be working on the project as well as JE Dunn Construction. “We have worked with these companies a lot in the past, including Square on Fifth. By using them, we are able to make use of previous lessons learned in order to get an efficient project,” Sean Rosko, development manager at South City Partners said. A variety of floor plans ranging from one
“For me to consider not commuting, there would need to be a student housing facility that offered more living space and a large outdoor area with tons of greenery and plants.” — FATEMA MOMIN, Georgia State student
A BETTER EXPERIENCE
Many of the university’s part-time and fulltime students drive 30 minutes or more to get to campus. Like almost half of Georgia State’s population, student Fatema Momin commutes to save money and help out at home. “For me to consider not commuting, there would need to be a student housing facility that offered more living space and a large outdoor area with tons of greenery and plants,” she said. Casaday believes that other off-campus housing in the area has experienced challenges
such as “unaddressed resident complaints and overlooked security features.” He believes that their “pride for professional management” and their strong values in regards to safety will set them apart from other existing facilities. “It is hard for students to find well managed student housing. This will bridge the gap between amenities and safety that other communities provide, but give you the location that the dorms provide...the best of both worlds. State of the art access control systems and cameras will serve to make our project a desirable place to be,” said Casaday. The initial conception of the project was two years ago and a major milestone was hit when the buildings onsight were torn down and fenced off in December 2017 right before students left for break. From this point, other major milestones will include pouring all the concrete, the delivery and completion of the shell, the final completion of the project, and the awaited end result — turnover for occupancy. The South City Partners team does not see foresee any possible delays, and they are confident that the project will be complete and ready for occupancy by fall 2019. The Signal spoke to Georgia State’s housing office, which earlier in 2017 had experienced an overflow of students they were unable to accomodate with private rooms. The office said that, while it’s a little too early to recognize the new apartments’ impact on the Georgia State community, it will meet a growing demand of students who wish to live on or closer to campus. However, university said they have no plans to build any further residence halls in the future but continue to “evaluate the need for expansion.”
PHOTO BY VANESSA JOHNSON | THE SIGNAL
Quick facts:
685
spots available for students
8,000 sq. ft retail space
1 to 4 bedroom floor plans will be offered
120 Piedmont is the working name
2019 expected to be ready in Fall 2019
PAGE DESIGN BY KHOA TRAN | THE SIGNAL
NEWS
4
GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM
At-risk students an advisement priority
Georgia State’s boosted graduation rates continue to defy the odds PATRICK PRICE Staff Reporters
O
ver the years, Georgia State’s Advisement Center (UAC) has been applauded and accredited for the university’s high graduation rates among minorities and underprivileged students. Georgia State’s boost even got attention earlier last year from Bill Gates, who applauded the university for raising their graduation rates from 32 to 54 percent in a little over 10 years, one of the “highest increases in the nation.” In his personal blog, gatesnotes, he wrote, “An urban university serving low-income and minority students, GSU struggled with dismal graduation rates.” But instead of getting stricter in their application process to admit only the best and the brightest, Georgia State chose a larger pool of “at risk” students, and worked to understand their perspective, to better address their obstacles towards graduation. Providing resources to students most at need is what’s helped set the university’s advising techniques apart, according to Victor Voelkel-Sanders, assistant director of the University Advisement Center. One of the student groups most at risk is first-generation college students. “The University Advisement Center believes that all students, regardless of their socio-economic background, can be successful at Georgia State,” Voelkel-Sanders said. “Advisers promote financial services provided by campus partners, including reminding students to submit their FAFSA, seek financial advisement at the Student Financial Management Center, and utilize the services provided by the Scholarship Resource Center.” Another way Georgia State cut down on drop-out students was by quickly determining students at risk and focusing on them. Timothy Renick, vice provost and vice president for Enrollment Management and Student Success, told Georgia State’s magazine in 2016 that advisers would reach out to students who popped up as being at risk - either financially or academically- within 24 hours to set up a meeting. He said he “wasn’t willing to accept that low-income, minority and first-generation students are simply less likely to graduate than their peers.” First-generation success According to Voelkel-Sanders, the UAC makes firstgeneration college students a priority at Georgia State. “We work closely with the First-Year Programs Office to design programs that help underprivileged students gain the skills to assist this population achieve student success at Georgia State University,” Voelkel-Sanders said. “Advisers assist first-generation students with transitioning into the college environment and engaging them in conversations and resources that will support their growth as a new college student.”
“As a first-generation college student, getting acclimated to college life is hard, but it’s even harder when you feel like no one understands what you are going through.” — AQUILLAH ROBERSON President of Georgia State’s First Generation Society Aquillah Roberson, president of Georgia State’s First Generation Society, said that although the UAC has been a helpful resource throughout her academic career, there are areas the office could improve on. “Establishing ways for students to connect and establish a network is key,” Roberson said. “As a first-generation college student, getting acclimated to college life is hard, but it’s even harder when you feel like no one understands what you are going through. Creating ways for students in similar situations to network builds moral, motivating students to graduate because they feel supported.” For Roberson, involvement on campus is what allowed her
PHOTO BY JULIEANN TRAN | THE SIGNAL
to venture out and learn more about the possibilities she had access to. “Through my participation in numerous organizations and even some of my classes, I found out more and more about different avenues and opportunities here at Georgia State University and the city of Atlanta,” Roberson said. “I knew that anything I desired was possible because the world was literally at my fingertips.” Kashif Molwani, a first-generation student, believes that oncampus programs and organizations should be accredited for the high rates of underprivileged students excelling at Georgia State. “The TRIO Student Support Services program was by far the best program at the university to help first-generation, lowincome or minority students excel in school,” said Molwani. “They offered everything from free printing to free tutoring and even offered an annual scholarship if we actually participated in the program. It was the lifeline of my college career as it helped me reduce various burdens associated with being a firstgeneration college student.” TRIO Student Support Services is a program offered to eligible students in order to increase graduation and retention rates of students who are first-generation, low income or have disabilities. Sources like TRIO address an important drop-out factor mentioned by Gates, which is financial need. Students who owed even a couple of hundred dollars and stopped school for a semester did not tend to go back, so covering minor costs like tutoring, printing services, and minor scholarships serve to keep those students in class and on track. According to Roberson, similar organizations allowed her to create bonds with students and become more acclimated with college life as a first-generation student.
MINORITY STUDENTS AT GEORGIA STATE ARE MORE LIKELY TO GRADUATE THAN WHITE STUDENTS
GEORGIA STATE’S STUDENT DEMOGRAPHIC:
56% receive federal Pell Grants 60% are nonwhite 30 percent are first-generation college students According to The Atlantic
“Emerging Leaders was the first organization I joined when I came to Georgia State,“ Roberson said. “It was great exposure for me as a first-generation scholar, and it allowed me to create bonds with fellow students that I wouldn’t have gotten otherwise.” According to some students, the professors of Georgia State not only influenced them to be successful, but they also supported them throughout their endeavors. “Professors such as Barry Wood, who led a ridiculously successful career on Wall Street, joined academia to support first-generation students like himself to dream bigger than what society expects them to,” Molwani said.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2018
NEWS
5
NEWS BRIEFS LOCAL Atlanta freeze nearly over
Atlanta, and much of the South, endured temperatures far below freezing beginning Thursday. Temperatures reached down to as low as 10 degrees Fahrenheit, with wind chill. Atlanta opened warming stations overnight Thursday in Grant Park at 537 Park Ave. SE, at Central Recreation Center at 400 Merrits Ave. NE in the Old Fourth Ward, and at Old Adamsville Recreation Center at 3404 Delmar Lane NW. [Frontiers in Biotechnology] students and Dr. Gilbert stand in front of a mosque on a study abroad trip to Chengdu, China.
PHOTO SUBMITTED BY SARA ABDULLA
Lack of study abroad applications
What makes students think twice about studying abroad? SARA ABDULLA Staff Reporter
I
n an increasingly globalized world, more and more employers and admissions officers for universities want to see some international experience on students’ resumes. But Georgia State’s study abroad rates don’t match the national 10 percent of the student body travelling abroad to pursue classes. In 2016, study abroad rates were just over 1,000 students out of a population of 50,000, or about 2 percent of the student body. To understand the reasons behind lack of numbers, The Signal looked at the drawbacks for students. A typical summer abroad program, the most commonly utilized semester at Georgia State, could cost a student between $1,775 for a short trip to over $5,000 for a longer, more immersive experience. These are the costs before tuition, fees,
airfare and local expenses. According to the New York Times, the median family income for a Georgia State is around $60,000, which is average in the US, but not always enough to fund an international excursion on top of recurring expenses. Going abroad for a full semester, however, may be less costly. Students are only responsible for regular Georgia State tuition and fees, airfare, and their own personal expenses, without a program cost. Senior Luis Beltran said he was able to make his trip to Argentina less expensive through the scholarships he acquired through Georgia State, such as the International Education Fee (IEF) scholarship. Along with the IEF and the Global Experience Scholarship (GES), Georgia State offers students other options available on the website and the study abroad office, from both university departments as well as partnering companies. But Caroline Johnson, a third-year computer science major, said she found there’s a lack of variety in the university’s study abroad programs.
Because she came in with so many credits, she didn’t have to take many core classes, and there were only a few computer science-based study abroad programs. “I would have loved the opportunity to study abroad, but to pay for most of it from my own pocket for credits that wouldn’t help with my degree didn’t seem to be worth it,” Johnson said. The majority of students who studied abroad last year were liberal arts or business students, whose credits contributed to their degree program, according to the Study Abroad Department’s website. Alicia Edwards, a graduate student studying biology, nevertheless said that getting out of her comfort zone is what motivated her to visit China last summer. “I think it’s important to learn about different cultures so you can be more compassionate and loving to all people. Especially in today’s political turmoil, sometimes we just listen to the news and make judgments about cultures.”
Georgia State’s president visits Israel
Becker takes a closer look at the country’s university system WILLIAM SOLOMONS Staff Reporter
E
arly December, Georgia State University President Mark Becker visited Israel to gain insight on the practices of its universities and colleges and create a better relationship between them and Georgia State. The trip was sponsored by a nonprofit educational institute of the American Jewish Committee known as Project Interchange, who have hosted other seminars in Israel in the past, all aimed to bring community leaders together to share ideas and create solutions to local problems. Becker was accompanied by five other university and college presidents from California State University Northridge, Hunter College, New College of Florida, San José State University and Wake Forest
University. The visit was primarily exploratory, according to Becker, and was the first one that he had ever taken to Israel. Throughout the visit, the university presidents gathered information regarding the more specific practices that Israeli universities and colleges use to excel, such as local techniques and curriculums. The American group of presidents were able to meet with the deans and presidents from Bar Ilan University, Ono Academic College, Shenkar College of Engineering, Design and Art, the Technion Israel Institute of Technology, the University of Haifa, and Shenkar College of Engineering, Design and Art where they shared ideas and procedures. The university president shared his opinion on what he thought of the overall status of education in Israel. “Not all elements of society benefit from higher education,” Becker said, adding that he hopes that the gap between Israel and Palestine will close so that everyone in the region will be able to
access that higher education. However, he said that the conversations with the other presidents were “forthcoming and open” and that he was “hopeful that progress will be made” in the future. President Becker said he hopes to take what was learned regarding the various practices and procedures of these Israeli universities and colleges back to the deans of Georgia State. One of the areas of discussion that Becker wished to pursue is the establishment of study abroad programs between Georgia State’s colleges and those in Israel. Because the trip was preliminary, Becker stated that it would take some time before these programs were well established. While in Israel, Becker also had the opportunity to meet with Palestinian officials as well during which time he discussed the relations between Israel and Palestine. “Diversity is a main topic of conversation,” Becker said.
NATIONAL Bannon walks back Fire and Fury claims, apologised to Trump
Following the publishing of comments he made in Michael Wolfe’s book Fire and Fury, former Chief Strategist Steve Bannon made a public apology on Sunday, Jan. 7 to the White House and Donald Trump. According to The New York Times, Bannon found himself “isolated from his political allies and cut off from his financial patrons” soon after the release of the book. In defense, Bannon said claims he made regarding Russian collusion and “treasonous” meetings were directed at Campaign Chief Paul Manafort, not Donald Trump.
GLOBAL US-Pakinstani military alliance failing as Mattis pulls aid
Defense secretary Jim Mattis announced Friday, Jan. 5 a plan to suspend over $900 million in security assistance to Pakistan. Response from Pakistani officials has been severe, with Pakistani Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif saying at this point there is effectively no USPakistani alliance, since “this is not how allies behave.”
NEWS
6
Volunteers help feed the homeless hot soup and crackers in Hurt Park at Georgia State University.
GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM
PHOTO BY UNIQUE RODRIGUEZ | THE SIGNAL
Out with the unwanted activities
ADID’s ‘Solution through dilution’ plan for beautifying Woodruff Park CHRISTINA MAXOURIS & SAMUEL PUCKETT Editor-in-Chief & Staff Reporter
In November 2017, The Signal first reported on the feud that had quickly been rising between police and members of the public attempting to feed the homeless. A Georgia State police officer cited Food Not Bombs organization for passing out food to the homeless, citing Georgia legislation that required permits for handing out food in public. Similar regulations implementing food sharing restrictions had been passed by over 40 states in 2014. The case was dropped in court, but lawyers told WABE the police’s behavior demonstrates “callousness toward the homeless.” Furthermore, they said permits are not required to hand out food at no charge. They’re only required for restaurants, food trucks, and festival food vendors. This isn’t just an Atlanta-wide phenomenon. Over the summer, Arnold Abbott, 90-year-old veteran, made headlines in Fort Lauderdale, Florida after being cited twice in a week for giving out food to the homeless. Abbott runs the Fort Lauderdale branch of the Food Not Bombs groups. The 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals heard the case in August but has not made a decision yet. Abbott may face 60 days in jail or a $500 fine. Both Woodruff Park and Hurt Park, where the citing took place, are popular spots for homeless individuals throughout the day, and see an even bigger crowd on the weekends, when food is regularly handed out. But a new initiative focused around the park at the heart of Georgia State’s campus is aiming to beautify it in order to drive away and unwanted activities and individuals.
‘UNWANTED ACTIVITIES’
Atlanta Downtown Improvement District (ADID) is building on a program of renovations in Woodruff Park with funds provided by a Southwest Airlines Heart of the Community grant. The grant provides funds through a mix of a $100,000 dollar cash donation and $100,000 worth of technical support, which could take the form of help in installing Wi-Fi the ADID has
planned. The renovations to the park include landscaping to the northwest corner, new furniture, and most prominently a games cart. The games cart is now in a “soft launch” phase, according to Ansley Whipple, the Woodruff Park Project Manager. “It’s very new. We’re still figuring it out,” Whipple said about what the game cart’s hours will be and how it will be staffed. The goal of these renovations, according to the ADID, is to make the park more accessible to Georgia State students and those who live and work in the area, as well as to make it a more attractive spot for tourists. In the past, Woodruff Park has served as a gathering spot for homeless or precariously housed people in Downtown. The ADID has a motto about navigating the tricky role they face in developing in an area already in use by the homeless, Whipple told The Signal. “We call it ‘solution through dilution,’” she said. Their strategy is that, by beautifying and staffing the park, they can discourage unwanted activities. “Someone will be less likely to, say, shoot up if there’s a family right there.” Eric Wright is a Georgia State sociology professor whose research focuses on homelessness in Atlanta. Wright says Woodruff Park is a valuable resource for the homeless. “[Homeless people] treated Woodruff Park as a social space. Some referred to it as their office,” Wright said. Professor Wright was not surprised by the ADID’s attitude toward the homeless. “It’s certainly a gentrifying initiative,” Wright said. “The idea is you create an environment where business feels they want to be there, then you create a new sort of social pressure to make people who are perhaps less well off less comfortable.” Georgia State’s Police Chief Joe Spillane doesn’t see it that way. He sits on the ADID advisory committee for the Woodruff Park project and believes the development will improve campus safety. “When you make something look better and more people are attracted to it, you have fewer incidents there.” Chief Spillane has been vocal in the past about plans to increase student use of both Woodruff and Hurt Park. “I’ve been talking to SGA about this,” said Spillane. “I was
QUICK FACTS
Dr. Eric Wright is a professor of sociology at Georgia State University. He got his PhD from Indiana University Bloomington in 1994. Wright has published many on many aspects of homelessness; criminalization, public services and LGBT issues. Eric Wright published a count in 2016 that took place over 2015, that estimated 3,000 youth are homeless in Atlanta right now. The Georgia Continuum of Care published a Point in Time count for the year of 2015, which shows a total of 13,790 homeless people in the state, down 19 percent from their count of 16,947 in 2013.
hoping to get more student involvement in activities in the park, whether that’s playing badminton in the park or having reading sessions in the park or even having class in the park.” “But with growing momentum for development in Atlanta, some concerns remain,” Wright said. “The question becomes, you know, where do these people go?”
TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2018
Undiscovered weekend entertainment STEFAN DE LA GUARDIA Staff Reporter
T
he Georgia State campus is a growing neighborhood, and there is no better way to kick off your 2018 than trying out some new spots right outside your door. With the addition of more than five new dormitories within the past 15 years and no less than 6,000 dorm dwellers, much of what you see on campus today has changed drastically since the days Georgia State was looked upon as a commuter school. With an evergrowing student population, entertainment in this expanding urban community of youth has also evolved. Surrounding Georgia State is an abundance of neighborhoods with seemingly endless things to do. Neighborhoods like Little Five Points, Cabbagetown, Old Fourth Ward and Edgewood are just a handful of places to go. Some familiar spots in these areas include Ponce City Market, Oakland Cemetery, Historic Fourth Ward Park, and Two Urban Licks—some of which are accessible via the Beltline. Within these neighborhoods lie gems — hidden gems just outside our doors with great places to get away and unwind.
AGATHA’S A TASTE OF MYSTERY
(161 Peachtree Center Ave, Atlanta, GA 30303) - This place is not your usual dining theatre. Here, you get to enjoy a full five-course meal while participating in an interactive comical murder mystery. For over 25 years, Agatha’s has provided a wonderful atmosphere with an act put on by writers who have written for various films, Fortune 500 companies, and much more.
KROG STREET MARKET
(99 Krog Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30303) - Many people do not know just how close Krog Street is from Georgia
State University’s main campus. Less than a 30-minute walk, the market is a renovated warehouse from the early 20th century that was turned into what Fodor’s Travel considers one of the ten best food halls in the United States. Within Krog Street lies retail shops like The Collective, offering home and garden decor, vintage clothing, and unique jewelry, and one of a kind Mex-Tex cuisine like Superica.
RED PHONE BOOTH
(17 Andrew Young International Blvd, Atlanta, GA 30303) - If you have ever pondered what a Prohibition-era speakeasy was like, then this place is for you. Part of the fun is getting the code for entry by interacting with downtown businesses and locals. To gain access to the speakeasy, you must dial the code into the red phone booth at the entrance. The speakeasy’s selection of small plates and beverages is unique and their “attention to detail” leaves you feeling as if you’ve stepped into a time machine. It’s a wonderful atmosphere but be certain to plan in advance because there is a strict dress code and you must be 21 years or older to enter.
ESCAPE THE ROOM ATLANTA
(72 Broad Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30303) – Escape the Room is exactly as it sounds. A fun 60-minute challenge, Escape the Room requires you to utilize a set of clues to figure out how to successfully escape. A task like this requires more than just one thinking cap, so come with a group of friends and solve the puzzle!
WOODRUFF PARK GAME CART
Woodruff Park has had a series of great improvements, including the addition of a bright blue and green kiosk that’s filled with games! Everything from whiffle ball and frisbees to chess sets and other board games, these recreational items will be available for check-out as soon as spring returns. Imagine how great it will feel to take in the sights and sounds of the downtown hustle while lounging on a blanket on the Woodruff Park lawn with a refreshing iced tea, over a game of Scrabble with your bestie.
PHOTOS BY JULIEANN TRAN & PAGE DESIGN BY DEVIN PHILLIPS | THE SIGNAL
activism around atlanta
how students in atlanta can be agents of change VICTOR SLEDGE Staff Reporter
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ack in 2015, Eric Garner was wrestled to the ground by New York police officers on a Staten Island street. Unarmed but still resisting, he was put in a choke hold by an officer as another tried to cuff him. The whole scene was being recorded with a cellphone. Garner, who suffered from a number of health issues including severe asthma, begged for breath 11 times in that video. His final words—“I can’t breathe”—would become one of the most recognizable pleas in protest movements in the coming years. Garner’s death impassioned his daughter, Erica Garner, to pursue her work in activism. Garner was open in interviews about the harmful health effects from the stress of her uphill battle. After giving birth to her infant son a little over three months ago, she struggled with an enlarged heart. Then, on Christmas Eve, Garner went into cardiac arrest and slipped into a coma until she passed away on Dec. 30, 2017. While the Garner family’s story has been highly publicized, this is not the first case of a story like this. Back in 2016, Venida Browder passed away after her pre-existing heart condition worsened after she took on the stress of activism for her son, Kalief Browder, who committed suicide after being sent to Riker’s Island at just 16. Ever since police brutality deaths began making headlines, Atlanta became one of the greatest hubs of activism in the nation. Family members of individuals lost to the hands of police took to the streets to create one of the greatest protests as part of the continent-wide Black Lives Matter movement. Atlantans had some of the largest representation in the Women’s March last year, and participated in multiple antipresident protests post-election. Students of Georgia State have participated and continued to be members of some of the greatest agents of change in the state. Garner faced a lot of physical and mental stress, but she didn’t die in vain. Groups are still organizing, taking the streets, and fighting for change.
who are they?
Black Lives Matter Atlanta Maybe the most recognizable activist group against issues of police brutality is Black Lives Matter. With chapters all over the country, Black Lives Matter has grown since 2013 after the acquittal of George Zimmerman to push activism for social
change on behalf of families like the Garners and the Browders. What started as a simple hashtag turned into over 20 chapters of their activist organization all over the country. After being officially established in 2015 right near campus at the Big Bethel A.M.E. Church on Auburn Avenue, Black Lives Matter Atlanta’s activism has been a driving force for change around Atlanta. Criminal justice reform is a prominent topic in Black Lives Matter Atlanta, as well as many other activist groups. The group points out the disproportionate arrest and incarceration rates of Black people. They cite marijuana arrests, which at one point was 3.7 times more likely for a Black person than a white person, as just one example for this. At one point in Georgia, 64 percent of marijuana arrests were blacks, and in Washington D.C., it skyrocketed to 91 percent. Another one of their major demands to the authorities in our community is economic empowerment. Their official platform states that they stand against “exploitative capitalism.” They advocate for economic justice by initiatives like their #BlackDollarsMatter in which they encourage citizens to support their local black-owned businesses. By encouraging supporters to pump dollars into Black-owned businesses, Black Lives Matter intends to help close the gap in economics between black and whites that they feel exploitative capitalism has created by only serving the wealthiest of the white population. While they try to pump money into businesses of the marginalized such as Black Lives Matter apparel, the Black Lives Matter group also organizes boycotts to businesses that they feel perpetuate marginalization, such as Stone Mountain State Park, who granted permits for rallies of White Supremacist groups. Recognizing intersectionality in the Black Community and other demographics, Black Lives Matter Atlanta openly and actively supports people of all sexual orientation, gender, class status, religion, and citizenship status. They make their fight against homophobia and transphobia a conspicuous aspect of their activism because they believe that if one sector of Black lives is threatened, all of them are. For example, the fatal violence of trans women of color and the suicide rate of LGBTQ+ youth of color issues they often address. Cop Watch of East Atlanta Cop Watch of East Atlanta is an activist group of regular Atlanta civilians who are committed to police accountability. They are an independent group who take justice into their own hands to record police interactions, such as traffic stops or sidewalk exchanges with civilians that have the potential to turn violent. From a safe distance away from the altercation
and completely compliant with officers’ requests on the scene, Cop Watch’s members just aim to ensure the officers carry out the right procedures with an adequate amount of force. They believe that police exist to be of service to the community, and therefore, the safety methods should be decided by the community to avoid issues from police brutality. By recording police interactions, particularly with citizens of color, the LGBTQ+ community, homeless, and other marginalized groups, Cop Watch of East Atlanta hopes to demand justice with hard evidence of any police abuse. Their group members will take special requests for areas that may have high complaints of police altercations that they should patrol to encourage the police to be more mindful of their procedure. For examples, one video shows them at Woodruff Park to record the happenings where another volunteer group tried to feed the homeless and was harrassed by an officer. The Cop Watch volunteers frequent areas such as this where the marginalized groups mentioned before might be more populous and try to come as often as they see or anticipate complaints. They also conduct “Know Your Rights” trainings. In the trainings, group members would host a workshop for your community that details how you as a citizen can assert your rights in a potentially hostile situation with an officer. They are conducted for free upon request for any group that would like training on how to properly handle police interaction in a way that keeps you complaint and safe. Even if the incident has already occurred, Cop Watch of East Atlanta will also help you learn how to file complaints or take legal action after your situation. They are not law officials, but the process can be strenuous, and they are happy to offer advice for your benefit. Project South For over 30 years, Project South has been organizing for change not just in Atlanta but all across the south. Known as the Institute to Eliminate Poverty and Genocide, Project South focuses their activism against social, political, and economic injustices in our community. The first area they specialize in is education. Project South first helps by giving critical information on politics, ways to rally your community for a cause, and how to form social movements to combat whatever issues are going on. They believe that in order to conduct a social movement, you must know about the lives of the oppressed. They have created spaces for education on people, which can be found at places like University Sin Fronteras, where the education is used as a tool for social change.
The “university without walls” has multiple campuses in places like Puerto Rico, Detroit, and right here in Atlanta. One of the social movements they have helped create is to battle the “systemic social problems” they see in the South’s public school systems. They have initiatives led by youth that work not only in Atlanta’s public schools in communities of color but all across the South. The systemic issues they seek to address could be anywhere from poverty to the quality of education the youth receive in these schools. Advocacy is another area Project South evokes change. They fight in the legal system particularly for immigrant rights. To counteract the legal marginalization that people like refugees or undocumented migrants face, Project South advocates and makes a way for their representation and even attorney training for communities facing this kind of oppression. They will recruit people like law interns and help equip them with the necessary tools to fight for argue for immigrants’ rights in a legal setting. They have already trained over 150 people, including lawyers from Georgia and North Carolina. Lastly, Project South actively helps build and support movements for social justice. After being in activism for so long, they have seen the need for strong organizations in Atlanta and across the South that can help alleviate some of the most oppressed communities in our region. They offer support to those organizations and have created a network of mutual support for the same effort toward fighting injustice.
why activism ?
Activism is a part of Atlanta’s history. Way before any activists of our lifetime had begun, there were people marching the same streets we take to get to class every day. Atlanta has produced musicians, writers,
artists, and countless other influencers that have left their mark on the city and the world with their activism. Even further, college students hold so much power in activism. The Department of African-American Studies here at Georgia State was first created thanks to the efforts of a student activist sit-in. Back in 1968, student activists at the University of Georgia held a sit-in for three days to protest the unfair treatment of female students on their campus. Morehouse and Spelman College, along with other Historically Black College Universities in the Atlanta area, were also heavyweights during the Civil Rights Movement. So, just by your age alone, you are an agent of change in our community. Whether it be police brutality, feminism, racial equality, or immigrant rights, the common fact between social issues is that no change will come to the bystander. Furthermore, the time to act is now because as we have seen in the past, after the damage happens to a family, it has lasting effects. As aforementioned, Erica Garner was 27 years old when she passed away. Kalief Browder was 22 years old when he committed suicide. Browder in particular was walking home from a party, a scene Georgia State students are often in, when his story took a turn for the worst. Young people, people the age of our classmates have suffered from injustice along with their parents and are being affected in our community by issues we can all fight against. Activism against any issue can stop stories like their families’. Speaking out and being proactive against societal structures that perpetuate the marginalization of any demographic is the best way to take a stand.
Here’s Here’saacloser closerlook lookabout aboutthe thedisparities disparities between betweenblack blackand andwhite whitemarijuana-related marijuana-related arrests arrestsacross acrossthe thecountry countryreported reported byby the the American AmericanCivil CivilLiberties LibertiesUnion. Union. — Between 2001 and 2010 approximately 7 — Between 2001arrested and 2010 million people were for marijuana. approximately 7 million people — According to the ACLU’s data, whitewere and arrested for marijuana. black people use marijuana at about the — rates. According to the ACLU’s data, white same and black people use marijuana at aboutblack the same rates. — However, people were 3.7 times more — However, black people were 3.7 likely to be arrested for marijuana-related times more likely to be arrested for crimes, often just basic possession. marijuana-related crimes, D.C., oftenand just In places like Iowa, Washington basic possession. — In places like Iowa, D.C., — Minnesota, blacks wereWashington about 8 times and Minnesota, blacks were aboutthan 8 more likely to be arrested for the crimes times more likely to be arrested for the whites. crimes than whites. — They report 50 percent — They report thatthat overover 50 percent of of Americans support the legalization Americans support the legalization of of marijuana that the United States marijuana that the United States collectively collectively spends over 3 billion spends over 3 billion dollars enforcing laws dollars for every year enforcing laws for every year.
PAGE DESIGN & ILLUSTRATION BY SALINNA PHON | THE SIGNAL
ARTS & LIVING
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GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM
DIY dorm organization for 2018 These five DIYs will keep you on point all semester AUTUMN BOEKELOO
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thursday, jan. 11 Cheers!
1. CHARGER BOX
While in college, receipts from purchasing textbooks or just nights out with friends can pile up. The same goes for flyers handed to you while walking through Plaza, or your monthly bank statements. Instead of throwing them away or trying to cram them into a junk drawer, create and label a separate binder for each subject. For example, here are four label ideas: 1. Receipt Binder 2. Georgia State Info Binder
Students can make their own DIY crafts to make their dorming experiences more enjoyable and organized.
3.
Health Binder
3. STICKY NOTE CALENDAR
A hand-held planner is crucial to stay up-todate on assignments and activities in college. However, having an interactive calendar on your wall will help visualize your tasks for the entire month ahead. With a sticky note calendar, instead of crossing the day off, you can simply remove the sticky note! This sticky note calendar is ideal for students who become overwhelmed with the amount of things to complete each month.
4. REPURPOSED CEREAL BOX HOLDERS
Along with binder organization, students can also repurpose an old cereal box to act as a magazine, folder, or book holder. This is the most effortless DIY of the five to create, but will make a huge difference when organizing a dorm. Step 1: Cut the cereal box into the shape of a file holder. Step 2: Decorate with scrapbooking paper to match the theme of your dorm room. Step 3: Place your items inside.
PHOTO BY JULIAN PINEDA | THE SIGNAL
5. CHORE LIST WITH CLOTHES PINS
Finally, if you share a dorm with other students, establishing a chore chart will ensure the mutual space remains clean throughout the semester. Having a clean space will benefit you both mentally during the school year, and provide a comfortable living environment. Like the previous DIYs, decorate the chart according to both of your styles, and add clothespins with your names to distinguish who does what on the list. Step 1: Use a piece of medium-sized cardboard as a base. (You can cut an old Amazon box, or use a free piece from Costco). Step 2: Decorate accordingly. Step 3: Write out the chores clearly so both roommates can read and understand their jobs. Step 4: Clip on the clothespins. (You can also paint them with different nail polish colors for each roommate). Step 5: Hang on your door and begin cleaning. Using these DIYs to your advantage will guarantee your dorm stays organized throughout the entire semester. Following these organization tips, your 2018 is sure to be free of clutter because remember: a clean room, a calm mind.
Making your new year’s resolutions a reality The keys to keeping your promises to yourself CHRISTINA MAXOURIS Editor-in-Chief
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ew year, same you. The truth we all never utter but still know that after our shortterm gym attendance will be a selffulfilling prophecy. It seems like each new year is a recipe to get it wrong, by starting off on the wrong foot. You know how the saying goes, ‘new year, new me’ hashtag getting started on these resolutions (insert Instagram picture of running shoes). I got an refreshing different perspective this past break, from a friend who has changed their life around, one step at a time. The secret? Baby. Steps. We all have our own aspirations each time January 1st rolls in, whether they’re work, love, or class-related with some of the most commonly shared ones being fitness, better grades, a vegan diet or simpler things like spending more time with our family or friends. But it somehow seems after that first week we always go back to our usual ways, and the vicious cycle never stops. What are we all doing wrong? Speaking from experience, I know kick-starting
Wednesday, jan. 10 Lion King The Musical is kicking off at the Fox Theater for audiences of all ages. Don’t hesitate to sing along to Simba’s birth and shed a tear for Mufasa live with an incredibly talented group of performers!
inging in the new year with a tidy workspace and an organized dorm will ensure the start of the 2018 spring semester begins smoothly. However, students may be feeling overwhelmed with last semester’s clutter dominating their dorm room. Luckily, these five simple organization DIY’s will save your dorm from unnecessary messes the entire school year.
2. A BINDER FOR EVERY SUBJECT (NOT JUST FOR SCHOOL!)
jan. 10 - jan. 16
Hakuna Matata!
Staff Reporter
We all know the struggle of tripping over seven charger wires, or trying to plug your phone into your laptop charger. While chargers are essential tools to keep our devices running, the cords can easily become tangled throughout the semester. No worries, we’ve got you: Step 1: Find an old shoe box you no longer use. (You can decorate the box with scrapbooking paper from Michael’s for a touch of personalization to match the theme of your dorm, but this is optional). Step 2: Cut circular holes into the box to run the cords through. (Cut according to how many cords you have). Step 3: Place an extension cord with sockets inside the box. This will be the powerhouse for all of your chargers. Step 4: Plug the cords you ran through the cut holes into the extension cord. Step 5: Finally, close the box with its original top and begin charging.
events not to miss
on a goal I always go 145 percent on that first day, and that’s not a very sustainable method at all. The advice my friend shared with me was simpler than I expected, and you’ll agree with me, it’s common sense. It’s advice you’ve probably heard before, but yet to implement. There are three keys to help your mind stay on track. Firstly, don’t tell yourself you will change. Our minds take a long (and painful) time to train into discipline, and until that happens, starting off a sentence with “from tomorrow, I’m changing…” is not only problematic but unrealistic. Instead, highlight some areas in your life or character that you’d like to improve and specify aspects that you’d like to strengthen. For example, instead of saying starting Monday you’ll change your diet to solely fruit and plant-based, start a little easier, and choose to strengthen your dietary choices. Cut out junk food, maybe then processed foods, dairy, and cut down on the number of times you eat meat that week. Studies have shown that setting smaller, subgoals towards a main focus is more llikely to lead to success. What’s important to remember is, even with small steps, staying focused can sometimes be draining and you shouldn’t punish yourself for
having a cheat day. Cut yourself some slack every so often, and treat yourself to some good Jeni’s ice cream. Believe it or not, a life factor that has been revolutionary in helping individuals stay focused is meditation. Take ten minutes out of each day to sit still, breathe and clear your mind of all distractions. Not only will you feel less stressed after, but you might find yourself being able to think more clearly. Meditation helps train the mind to stay on task, and while this can be super helpful when it comes to focusing on work or class, it also means that a month or two of practice, you’ll be able to take all your worries away and de-stress on your own. Finally, and my faovrite piece of advice: do something you’re scared of every so often. Take up a new job, try out a new hobby, talk to that someone you’ve been trying to get to know. Getting out of your comfort zone helps you discover more of your strengths and weaknesses, and how you excel in different environments. Take baby steps in every move you make. And don’t be afraid to ask for help or advice when it comes to your goals. Insight from an outsider might sometimes be the perspective you’re in need of.
Get your cocktail game on at the annual Culinary Futures Event in the Ritz Carlton Atlanta. The party is a fundraiser for Les Dames d’Escoffier and a perfect way to kickstart your 2018 social career!
FRIDAY, jan. 12 Back in the game Hype up 2018 with some sports thrill in the Phillips arena this weekend! The Atlanta Hawks will be taking on the Brooklyn Nets. Choose the game for a date, or some quality time with your younger siblings!
saturday, jan. 13 Scandalous laughs Dad’s Garage Theater company is back with their latest improvised soap opera about scandalous adventures of the ridiculous characters trying to navigate through the Dirty South Pole!
sunday, jan. 14 Shh, it’s starting! Get cultured this 2018 with some theater experience down on Ponce. Directed by Zip Rampy, Silence! The Musical is a theatrical comedy-remake of Silence on the Lamb performing in OnStage Atlanta.
monday, jan. 15 Have a dream! Take the day off to celebrate civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. this year! Enjoy MLK day in Marietta with dance and musical performances, dramatic readings and a play at Turner Chapel A.M.E.
tuesday, jan. 16 The Comedy of Errors This Shakespearean spin-off is a hilarious comedy about two sets of twins getting almost everything wrong. The Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse will keep this plot running until January 28!
More events and info at georgiastatesignal.com.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2018
The glass house of the Internet Location devices off? You’re still being tracked!
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PETER TILLY Staff Reporter
Peter Tilly is a writer for the Georgia State Signal. He plays trumpet for the Georgia State Panther Band and is the dedicated secretary of the PA Crew.
Tweet PETER! @pgtilly
he fire of innovation and progress is roaring, fueled by technological and cultural changes that have twisted and turned the world as we know it. The most obvious component of this change is the ubiquitousness of the smartphone: a super-powerful computer that can fit in our pocket and has a larger variety of uses to us than a box does to a cat. But many other components have led us to be tied closer to our phones, and many of these services come at a free or incredibly inexpensive price. Facebook, Google, Amazon, Twitter, Instagram, and many other sites are providing their services like a noble gas, free of charge (for now). And yet, these same companies are some of the most profitable and fastest growing companies that the United States has ever seen as they begin to look like the steel and oil companies of the Gilded Age. Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates and Warren Buffet’s massive accumulation of wealth and power place them up there with people like Andrew Carnegie and Cornelius Vanderbilt as the richest people in US history.And yet, these same companies are some of the most profitable and fastest growing companies that the United States has ever seen. But if the product is free, how are these tech companies making billions of dollars? With the incredible earnings these tech companies make, you could expect that consumers pay a pretty penny for the products these companies sell, or that they sell a product so common and necessary that everyone buys it. Both of these things are true, yet, we are still able to use facebook, google, and other internet services for free. It seems impossible that the largest and wealthiest tech companies have gotten so rich by providing a free product. If that were the case, it would be impossible. Lucky for them, that is not the case. We are not the consumers; we
are the commodity.
SURVEILLANCE CAPITALISM
Shoshanna Zuboff, a Harvard business school professor, describes this kind of business model as a part of surveillance capitalism. Zuboff describes surveillance capitalism as a way for businesses to make profits, by primarily collecting data on what internet users say, do, search, buy, and more on the internet. Then they use that data to influence how we make decisions. That something can be seemingly harmless, like tailoring advertisements we see to suit our wants and needs better. Or something a bit more sinister, like changing what we can see on the internet by showing different Google search results based on where you live, what you have looked at in the past and more. Quartz recently found out that Google was using cell tower data on Android phones to find user’s location even when they had turned their location services off. Amazon tracks what we buy, Google tracks which link we click on, Facebook can see our friend groups, and it feels like nowhere on the internet is free from surveillance. Couple that with the reminder that Congress got rid of rules that required internet service providers (ISPs) to get your consent before selling browsing history and other user-specific data and say goodbye to any private life you think you have on the internet.
ASSUME YOU’RE BEING WATCHED
Information is the key to survival. Knowing the way the internet makes money and how it affects your time on the internet is incredibly important to keep in mind as you browse. There are many ways to react to this information and many ways to combat this issue. You can choose to do whichever fits best your lifestyle, but you should
do something. Don’t think you’re private on the internet. Don’t assume your information won’t be found. Don’t ignore “terms and conditions.” So what can you do? There are many measures you can take with this information, but here, I’ll spell out three to choose from and go over their merits and flaws. The first I’ll call the glass house strategy. The glass house strategy is the one schools typically promote and could be considered the “Abstinence Only” education of the internet. You should pretend that everything you do on the internet is as if you’re living in a glass house. Everyone can, at all times, see what you’re doing so you should act as such.The issue is that it’s pretty easy to mess up, and limits what you can do on the internet. The second I’ll call the underground strategy. The underground strategy consists of using things like Virtual Private Networks (VPN), secure browsers, and intense security programs to hide any tracks you make online. Turn off cookies, location services and use non-tracking social media sites that allow you to keep an anonymous presence. You’ll also have to download a browser that doesn’t track your data.This way is the least limiting to what you can do on the internet but is not 100% secure. Often, even with security features turned on and VPNs in use, ISPs and other internet services will be able to track what you’re doing, even if they cannot connect it to your name or Internet Protocol Address. The third, and last strategy, I’ll call the informed user. The informed user involves the use of certain websites (or a lot of research) to know the “terms and conditions” of every website you use to know what data they’re tracking and what they are doing with it. This gives you the best mix of freedom on the internet and security of the three options but involves the most work on your part.
ILLUSTRATION AND PAGE DESIGN BY PHILIP DURAL | THE SIGNAL
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EDITORIAL
GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM
letter from the editor
Bringing in the new year with the new website! One thing we’re always going to be doing right is growing Happy New Year Georgia State! As promised, new year, new Signal, so stop what you’re doing and check out our brand new website. We’ve (our wonderful, gloriously-talented online editor) taken the time to design a website that is easy to browse through, mobile-friendly and lets you know which are the most important and more recent stories of the day. We’re all very proud of our new creation, and I hope you will give us your feedback on what we can improve on and how we can better it even more. The new website came with The Signal’s need to catch up to its age. It was one of my greatest priorities to transition the paper into a source students could easily access, trust, but also find frequently on their Twitter and Facebook feeds. The digital age has long been upon us, and even though print is not quite yet dead (despite what our journalism professors tell us), it’s not news that most of us get our news from our phones. That is why we’ve changed not only our method of sharing news with you, but the way we work behind the scenes. Members of The Signal aren’t just writers any more. We have a strong team of designers and building our video and online department with students interested in pursuing a multimedia journalism career. We are hiring students to lead marketing campaigns and interact with advertisers interested in working with the newspaper. Our writers are responsible for learning to visually represent their story, getting breaking news on social media as fast as possible, and learning to write stories that will tend to both print and online audiences. We are constantly growing and bettering our ways. I wanted to leave the newspaper as in-touch with the
editorial WeatherWorks Teaching Georgia how to respond to cold weather
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here truly is no better way to start the semester than with no classes at all. Yesterday would have been the start of the 2018 spring semester at most universities across the nation. But we are getting to experience the semester start on a Tuesday this year, after “inclement weather” threatened the commute to work yesterday morning. If you’ve been a student at any Georgia State campus over the past few years, cancellations due to weather are nothing new (not to say they’re common of course…). And we’ll give Georgia State this: students will always complain no matter what. Our crowd of students has done its fair share of complaining for university decisions when it comes to weather. And to be fair, Georgia State has no one to look up to when making these decisions -- both the city and state have failed to close systems when they needed to do so, and have put employees at risk or on the road for hours when roads begun “piling up” with snow. That said, it’s important to understand why we’re complaining today. Someone, somewhere needs to reintroduce themselves to the guidebook on ‘Dangers of Weather’ and understand that cancellations should happen when our community could possibly -- actually -- be in danger when outside. That often does mean that even with light snowfall, staying inside is best, as our state isn’t prepared for weather that cold like other states in the North whose citizens and governments face snowfall regularly. However, a rainy day doesn’t constitute for a day missed. Are students probably pretty content with the decision? Yes. Does that justify it? Probably not.
digital age as I could this last semester. This will be my second semester as Editor-in-chief of this marvelous newspaper, and my third year as a writer. I’ve had the pleasure of working with some of the greatest people of our university’s community, professors, staff, and students, and shedding light on their stories and learning about this community from you. Whether they came from enraged students or concerned professors, the stories we’ve worked on in the past three years have helped us learn this community, university, and city better than I ever could have hoped in this short while. Our goal at The Signal is just that. Learning from you, and telling others about what your voice might not be loud enough to say. We reported on mothers at Georgia State and the obstacles they face, and after the unrest at Georgia Tech we examined our own university’s police training, we told you about the new marijuana legislation, and followed SGA throughout their different initiatives this semester. We said goodbye to 2017 with pride, and we are welcoming this new year with eagerness, excitement and as always, hard work. Thank you for reading The Signal, and don’t forget to tweet us your feedback on our new website!
BEST, CHRISTINA MAXOURIS Editor-in-Chief, The Signal
Tweet christina! @its_xristina
TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2018
PANTHER S ARE READY TO RUN T HE COMPETITION! Georgia State track and field gets prepared to start their season right
Track and Field practice spirits and long distance running in order to gear up for the new season.
TAJ STRICKLAND Staff Reporter
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he track and field season will begin on January 12 at the UAB Blazer Invite in Birmingham, Alabama. The Panthers look to improve upon last season, finishing in sixth place in the Sun Belt indoor championship. Of those returning for another season of Panther track and field is Brianna Archer, a senior who helped Georgia State finish second place in the 4x400m relay in the championship. Archer, along with another returning junior Jahmee Reeves, Tyler Watson and Sydney Davis ran the relay in 3:46:00, third best in Georgia State history. The Panthers set more history in the shot put with Alysiah Whittaker, who threw 16.03 meters in the Sun Belt championship and recorded Georgia State’s third best distance in school history. Returning sophomore, Angela Alonso recorded history herself running the mile. She finished the mile in 4:56:22 and finished fourth at the Sun Belt championship. Alonso’s time became the third best time in Panther history.
MOVING ON WITHOUT PROVEN STARS
With players like Whittaker and LaPorscha Wells who both represented Georgia State in the NCAA track championships in 2017 not returning, the Panthers look to add new firepower with six new freshmen coming in. Of those six freshmen, two are doing shot put, three are running distance and one competes in sprints and long jump.
PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY GEORGIA STATE ATHLETICS
However, with the return of Archer and other record breaking members on the team, experience may not be a huge concern. Most athletes have been at Georgia State longer than new assistant coach Kyle Stevenson. Last year in the UAB Blazer Invitational, returning sophomore Alonso finished fourth in the mile run with a 5:08:14 time. Melanie Hamilt, the returning senior from Peachtree City, finished fifth in the 5,000m run with a time of 18:58:81. However, Wells stole the show with her distance in the weight throw. Wells would go on to throw 15.27m and earn first place honors. Wells reign would not end there as she also set a new record in Georgia State history with her 21.06m throw in the weight throw. Tracy Dorcemont participated in the weight throw as well and finished seventh place Long jump participant, Ashlan Rosier jumped 5.64m for third place in the UAB Blazer.
WHO WILL STEP UP?
With All-American Wells not returning to the team, the Panthers’ track and field team looks for another crop of players to leave their stamp on Georgia athletics. There is plenty of choices to think of when you try to figure out who is next in line. First is Alonso, the mid-distance runner who was named to the All-Sun Belt team in 2016 and finished ninth place in cross country at the Sun Belt championships. Another candidate is Rosier, the returning senior who finished third in the 4x400m relay at the 2016 indoor and outdoor Sun Belt championships. In 2015, Rosier was named All-Sun Belt Conference third team in the outdoor championships. Rosier also has an intensive resume by being a participant in the Georgia
PAGE DESIGN BY KHOA TRAN | THE SIGNAL
Tech Yellow Jacket Invitational, the Tiger Track Classic and winning the 4x100m in the Western Carolina University T&F Invitational.
YOUTH AND EXPERIENCE
Next is Tyler Watson, another returning senior that also has quite the resume when bringing up potential stars for Georgia State. Watson ran the 400m in the 2016 Western Carolina University T&F Invitational and won with a 1:00:83 time. She also ran the 4x400m and won with a 3:46:04 time in the same competition. These returning members are only a portion of what can give more life to the track and field team. A new set of shot put and weight throw members shall emerge with Wells and Whittaker gone. The two freshmen are Cody Chandler, who was second in the state of Georgia in shot put and fifth in the state for disc and Lana Fulcher, a British-born track member who came to Georgia State in 2017. Also are returning athletes, Rashell Reid and Airian Riddick. Airian Riddick, a returning sophomore, will also look to get her first major start come January 12 when the UAB Blazer Invitational begins.
IN REVIEW
After the Indoor championships, the outdoor events begin immediately after. The season has yet to start, but it seems very promising for the Panthers. Mixing young, new talent with experienced and accomplished members is a recipe for success. With a lot of our returning sophomores, juniors and seniors, the freshmen can pick up quickly from them and learn a lot. A huge boost for the track and field team is the new
transfers such as Gabby Irving and Reid that Georgia State has acquired. With time and energy invested, the Panthers may see all the things above this season with coach Stevenson. Track and fields season kicks off this weekend in Birmingham, Alabama at the Vulcan Invite. The Vulcan Invite begins Saturday at 11:00 a.m. and wraps up Sunday.
Last Season Feats • Jordan Townsley had two Top-10 finishes at the Vulcan Invite • Re’Breekia Harrison won the Triple Jump at two meets • Lauren Sims broke the school record in Javelin Throw with 39.51m • Outdoor track & field won the Emory Classic with nine first-place finishes • Sims won the javelin throw at two outdoor meets • Ashlan Rosier first in long jump at Catamount Classic (5.73m) • Rashell Reid threw a personal best (54.88) in the Hammer Throw in Atlanta
SPORTS
14
The Panthers win their last game of 2017 against Western Kentucky on Dec. 16.
GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM
PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY GEORGIA STATE ATHLETICS
Rings not given to football team
Acknowledgement may not come in form of jewelry JERELL RUSHIN Sports Editor
T
he Georgia State football team may not receive rings celebrating the first bowl win in program history. A series of tweets from players suggested there would be no rings commemorating neither the historic win, nor season on Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2017. The link to a GoFundMe page titled “Georgia State Football Bowl Rings” was attached to many of the tweets. Although $60,000 was the goal, only two donations equaling $12 were made. The campaign was no longer active the next day. “When I played [at North Carolina State], the bowls all gave rings to the teams when they played. It’s kind of one of those things that faded through the years. And nowadays it’s a coach’s decision,” Athletic Director Charlie Cobb said. Players on the 2017 team who posted tweets Wednesday night regarding rings were T.J. Arnold, Taz Bateman, Camrin Knight, Remy Lazarus, Trey Payne, Kerryon Richardson, Cedic Stone and Bryan Williams. Running back Bateman tweeted, “Crazy we are in this situation after all the work we put in before and during the season...but please share and donate if you can.” Payne, Richardson, Antreal Allen, Barry Brown, Michael Shaw, Ari Werts and David West liked the tweet. Payne, a member of the most successful team in Georgia State history, was one of the more vocal players on Twitter. Seven tweets from Payne posted between Dec. 27 and Dec. 28 were supposedly made in regards to the situation. A few tweets from Payne’s page include: “This is going to be something…”, “Bet they make something happen now”, “This man really said Participation trophy” and “Them
must’ve been participation bonuses too?!” Arnold and Lazarus both tweeted: “On behalf of our football team, we’d like to ask that we gain everyone’s supports to reach our goal. If you are unable to contribute, please share so that others that might be able to can see. #PantherFamily”. Both tweets were deleted from the upcoming redshirt sophomores’ pages. The Bunker Mentality, a weekday show on 92.9 “The Game” quoted the deleted tweet with eight question marks. Marlon Young, a defensive end commit in the Class of 2018 also retweeted the post and captioned it “SHARE”. Benedict, a host on Atlanta sports radio station 92.9 “The Game” retweeted the post and said, “I’m so confused by this. They got rings two years ago...now they have no money…What about the bowl payout? None of this makes sense.”
NOT ABOUT MONEY
However, Cobb says the decision is not monetary based. Each Sun Belt team playing in a bow ame receives a $250,000 expense allotment for the trip. Travel is taken care of. “At the end of the day, if somebody thinks whether or not you buy championship rings, bowl rings, graduation rings, those aren’t financial decisions,” Cobb emphasized. Between roughly 150 and 200 individuals with the football program made the trip, including scholarship and non-scholarship players, coaches, personnel and trainers. Part of the bowl trip is to stay at a four-star hotel at the Universal Resort and a $100 daypass at Universal Studios. The team attended a Dec. 13 NBA game between the Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Clippers. Hart and cornerback Chandon Sullivan helped present the game ball along with two Western Kentucky football players. “I think if you ask anybody that was there, anybody that’s part of the football program,
that the Cure Bowl and going to Orlando, Florida for three or four days is probably the best bowl experience that the Sun Belt has.” The Georgia State football team’s twitter account posted a photo from the night of the NBA game. One Western Kentucky player to present the game ball wore apparel with the Cure Bowl logo. However, both Hart and Sullivan had on sweats with the Georgia State logo, but no visible Cure Bowl logo. In photos from non-Cure Bowl sponsored events the football team participated in, Cure Bowl emblems did not appear on Georgia State apparel. Under Armour is the sponsor of Georgia State Athletics. However, a remnant of several players’ Twitter accounts is a retweet of Christian Cumberlander’s tweet: “At the end of the day, individuals want and deserve to be rewarded or acknowledged for their hard work or accomplishments...some type of way.” Bateman, Richardson and Smith retweeted the tweet. Charlie Patrick, who announced his transfer on Dec. 29,retweeted Cumberlander’s tweet as well. Williams, the first sixth-year senior in Georgia State history posted: “‘Tis the season of winning,” with the GoFundMe link. He tagged new Mayor of Atlanta Kiesha Lance Bottoms in a reply. Smith quoted Bateman’s tweet, captioning it with: “They getting millions we getting pennies”, deleting it shortly after. Knight tagged Georgia Followers, World Star Hip Hop and Bleacher Report in his post. Georgia State constantly shattered records in 2017 and finished with their best mark in Sun Belt history at 5-3. Cobb says there is a policy where if a Sun Belt Championship is won, rings will be given to the football team. Elliott’s contract includes $50,000, if Georgia State wins conference championship. A $25,000 bonus is awarded for a post-season bowl appearance and an additional $25,000 for a win.
GEORGIA STATE FOOTBALL FIRSTS IN 2017 SEASON • Most wins (7) • First Winning Season in FBS (7-5) • First Bowl Victory (27-17, AutoNation Cure Bowl, Western Kentucky) • Most Road Victories (6) • Fewest PPG Allowed (24.8) • First Shutout (28-0, Coastal Carolina) • Fewest Rushing YPG Allowed (136.4) • Most Points in a Game (47, Louisiana-Monroe) • Most Yards in a Game (670, LouisianaMonroe) • Most Sacks in Season (24) • Fewest Interception in Season (9) • Highest Passing Completion Percentage (64.2)
SPORTS
TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2018
15
Men’s basketball team 7-5 over break
panther of the week
Panthers 2-0 in 2018 after challenging December D’MITRI CHIN
Associate Sports Editor
T
he holiday season has come and gone, and while most people spend time with family and friends during the holiday break, the Georgia State Panthers remained busy. The Panthers played seven games during the winter break, and it is safe to say it has been a bit of a roller-coaster ride for Head Coach Ron Hunter’s team. Here’s how the Panthers fared against their opponents over the past three weeks:
PHOTO BY GEORGIA STATE ATHLETICS
kierra henry
DEC. 12, 2017, GSU (7-3) V. POINT
The first day of the holiday break, the Panthers made easy work of Point University — which, quite frankly, was expected. D’Marcus Simonds had a monstrous 33 points, and Malik Benlevi added 13 points of his own to go along with nine rebounds. The Panthers coasted to a 90-70 victory in the GSU Sports Arena and shot 52 percent from the floor.
DEC. 16, 2017, GSU (7-4) V. DAYTON
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Georgia State Panthers face off Little Rock Trojans on Thursday, Jan. 4.
PHOTO BY JULIAN PINEDA | THE SIGNAL
DEC. 31, 2017, GSU (9-6, 0-2) V. TROY
This matchup between the Panthers and the Flyers was by far the most entertaining game of the season for the Panthers, thus far — it was probably the most heartbreaking, as well. The Panthers held a two-point lead (67-65) with 4:25 remaining in regulation, but foul trouble plagued the Panthers and was the ultimate reason behind them failing to secure a significant win on the road. “It is tough when you come on the road and give up 38 free throws,” Hunter said. “We have to do a better job of not fouling, but I thought our guys gave everything they had, especially with D’Marcus and Malik in foul trouble and on the bench for most of the second half.” The Flyers would win this one 88-83.
“A really good win for our program tonight,” Hunter said. We have had some leads in big-time environments and have not been able to hold on. To finish the way we did tonight is just huge heading into our final non-conference game of the year.”
Well, there is not much to say about this game other than the Panthers simply dismantled their opponent. Shooting 60 percent from the floor and limiting your opponent to just 30 percent from the floor will almost always lead to a massive victory. Georgia State improves their record to 9-4 with a 71-48 win.
The second to last game of the break for the Panthers was a solid outing as they outlasted the Trojans 73-64. Coach Hunter credited his team’s post play that led to the Panthers notching their first win of 2018.
DEC. 20, 2017, GSU (8-4) V. UMASS
DEC. 29, 2017, GSU (9-5, 0-1) V. SOUTH ALABAMA
JAN 6, 2017, GSU (11-6, 2-2) V. ARKANSAS STATE
After suffering a brutal overtime loss to Dayton, the Panthers managed to regain their confidence against a subpar UMass team. Led by Simonds’ 24 points and a collective 16 made three-pointers, the Panthers won 71-63 at the Mullins Center, which isn’t a cake-walk by any means.
DEC. 23, 2017, GSU (9-4) V. CHATTANOOGA
Perhaps the most surprising loss of the season for the Panthers came at the hands of South Alabama. Simonds had 27 points, but the Panthers still managed to lose 64-86.
The Panthers shot a miserable 41 percent from the floor in a game where coach Hunter said, “We had them right where we wanted them.” Unfortunately for the Panthers, they dropped a tough loss to Troy 66-68.
JAN. 4, 2017, GSU (10-6, 1-2) V. LITTLE ROCK
The final game over the break for the Panthers came against a tough Arkansas State team. Simonds had a near double-double of 33 points and nine rebounds to lead his team to a 79-75 win in the GSU Sports Arena.
Panthers struggle over Christmas Break
After 0-4 start, women’s team still looking for first conference win CHRISTIAN CRITTENDEN Sports Editor
O
nce the fall semester ended, most students got the chance to go home, relax and unwind after long semester in the classroom, but members of the Georgia State women’s basketball team were not able to say the same. The Panthers were hard at work on the hardwood during the break. Unfortunately for the Panthers, they didn’t fare so well going 2-6 and dropping their first four games in Sun Belt Conference play. The Panthers lost games against Florida Atlantic, North Carolina Wilmington, South Alabama, Troy, Arkansas State, and Little-Rock. The Panthers were able to win games against North Greenville and Jacksonville State. Conference play has been an issue with the team so far this season, with them struggling from the get go, losing 88-52 to South Alabama. The team played much better in their game against
Troy, but unfortunately, they lost by four points due to lack of execution. “We were good offensively versus Troy, but were not able to make plays in the last couple of minutes. This will help our team as we continue in conference,” head coach Sharon Baldwin said. The last game of the break was a disappointing loss to the Arkansas State Red Wolves, 75-58. The Panthers were in the the game during the 1st quarter, even leading at one point 10-8. But after an Arkansas State timeout, the Red Wolves hit a three to take the lead, and from there, they didn’t look back. The Red Wolves led by four points after the 1st quarter, but a big run in the 2nd quarter aided three pointers from Payton Tennison, and helped the Red Wolves push their lead to12 at the half. The Panthers came out of the halftime break in a press, and it worked as they were able to trim the lead down to seven, but that’s the closest they would get it the rest of the game. The Panthers have struggled all season long with turnovers, and they commited 19 in the game against the Red Wolves. There were some positives to come from the
break. There were several players who continue to emerge as scoring threats. Number one on that list is guard Kierra Henry. Henry has really stepped it up for the Panthers with star Jada Lewis being out due to injury. Henry has averaged 18.7 points over the past eight games, and set a new career-high with 28 points in the loss against Troy. Also, Janessa Murphy is shooting 44 percent from the three point line this season, and she also scored a career high of 25 points this season, going 7-9 from behind the arc. One point of emphasis for the team going forward is not only winning a game to end the losing streak and getting a conference win but winning a road game. The team is 0-7 so far this season on the road. “We played a very demanding road schedule and started conference against two strong opponents. We definitely need to get better and take care of our home court and steal some on the road,” Baldwin said. The Panthers will have two chances to get a road win as their next games come against Appalachian State and Coastal Carolina.
Junior guard Kierra Henry is continuing her breakout year. Henry, hailing from Marietta, Georgia is the leading scorer in each of the Panthers’ four conference games. Her 28 points against Troy is careerhigh. The four steals she racked up was a game-high, a feat she reached in the first three conference games. Henry is the team leader in free throw percentage, free throws attempted and free throw made per game (85.1%, 5.8, 4.9). She went 7-9 from the line against Troy. Averaging 15.3 points a game, Henry is a double-digit scorer in 13 of the 15 games Georgia State played this season.
SPORTS BRIEFS football — Won the AutoNation Cure Bowl 27-17 over Western Kentucky. — The first bowl win in team history. — Finished 7-5, best mark in team history. — Held opponent to -2 rushing yards.
MEN’S BASKETBALL — Won nine non-conference games, tied for the most alltime. — Lost 88-83 (OT) to Dayton. — Defeated Little Rock 73-64 for first Sun Belt victory. — 2-2 to begin conference play.
women’s basketball — Ended non-conference play with 4-7 record. — Went 3-1 inside GSU Sports Arena in December. — Off to a 0-4 start in Sun Belt with two home and away losses.
SPORTS CALENDAR
STANDINGS
BASKETBALL
TENNIS
JAN. 11
JAN. 12
women’s basketball
women’s tennis
APPALACHIAN STATE
Boone, North Carolina
5 P.M.
SMU WINTER INVITATIONAL, DAY 1
SUN BELT MEN’S BASKETBALL school TBA
Conference Overall streak
LOUISIANA
5-1
4-3
W4
GEORGIA SOUTHERN
3-1
12-5
W2
TEXAS STATE
3-1
10-7
W3
Dallas, Texas
APPALACHIAN STATE
3-1
8-9
W1
JAN. 13
GEORGIA STATE
2-2
11-6
W2
TEXAS-ARLINGTON
2-2
11-6
W2
SOUTH ALABAMA
2-2
8-8
L2
LOUISIANA-MONROE
1-3
7-8
L1
COASTAL CAROLINA
1-3
7-10
L3
TROY
1-3
7-10
L2
ARKANSAS STATE
1-3
6-11
L3
LITTLE ROCK
1-3
4-13
L2
Dallas, Texas
JAN. 11
JAN. 13
men’s basketball APPALACHIAN STATE
Boone, North Carolina
7:30 P.M.
JAN. 14 women’s basketball COASTAL CAROLINA
Conway, South Carolina
1 P.M.
3:30 P.M.
JAN. 12
FSU SPRING INVITATIONAL, MERCER
11:30 A.M.
men’s tennis 4:30 P.M.
Tallahassee, Florida
JAN. 14 women’s tennis
women’s track & field UAB VULCAN INVITE
men’s tennis
FSU SPRING INVITATIONAL, LOUISIANA/FLORIDA STATE
TRACK & FIELD
Birmingham, Alabama
TBA
JAN. 13
men’s basketball COASTAL CAROLINA
SMU WINTER INVITATIONAL, DAY 2
Tallahassee, Florida
JAN. 14 Conway, South Carolina
women’s tennis
11 A.M.
SMU WINTER INVITATIONAL, DAY 3
Dallas, Texas
TBA
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