Vol 80. No. 15 by The Signal

special feature

The Teardown House Revolutionary activist group Food Not Bombs does what it can to fight hunger each week, even if that means dumpster diving for food. Written and illustrated by Miles Keenlyside DEC. 4 - DEC. 31, 2012

VOL. 80 | NO. 15

special feature | page 6

like us! facebook.com/gsusignal

inside

next step for green

Almost over

Green initiative receives student funding after a threeyear battle for an Office of Sustainability.

news | page 5

the right place to be

You know the feeling: youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re the only one left in the classroom, everything you crammed the night before is slipping away and time is running out. Find out what you can do to not be that guy. a&l | PAGEs 10 & 11

Sophomore student Jackie Nash talks about her third year with the Atlanta Ballet.

A&L | PAGE 9

football welcomes new coach

Former Indiana State coach Trent Miles to resuscitate the struggling program next fall season.

sports | PAGE 18

online exclusive sports

here comes RJ hunter

PATRICK DUFFY | THE SIGNAL

DAILY NEWS AT WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

News 3

Opinions 7

Arts & Living 9

The freshman basketball player on being coached by his dad and how he bonded with his teammates.

Sports 18

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

last week... Local

The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety has given Atlanta Police $93,200 in grant money to make city streets safer. The Highway Enforcement of Aggressive traffic, or HEAT program, will focus on speeders and seat belt violations. After an Atlanta train car robbery, federal officials are hunting for more than 100 rifles. The boxcar was robbed while sitting in a northwest Atlanta CSX rail yard. The U.S. Department of Alcohol and Firearms described some firearms as “AK style.” A dolphin at SeaWorld in Orlando bit an 8-yearold Alpharetta girl. Jillian Thomas, who was bit on the hand, received minor injuries.

The West Point Military Chapel housed its first same-sex wedding ceremony last week. A senior Army Chaplin wed Penelope Gnesin and Brenda Sue Fulton last Saturday at the Cadet Chapel.

World

Sparks Hall

National Transportation and Security Board authorities are still not able to access the site of a Paulsboro PA train derailment. A dispatcher to the conductor said it was safe to cross a closed bridge, but the bride collapsed last Friday.

A Taliban suicide bomber killed five last week at a U.S./Afghan airport. The Kabul airport bombing happened shortly after dawn on Sunday. After the bombing NATO officials and bombers exchanged gunfire. Two civilians were killed.

Credits: -The Nov. 27 front page photos (from both section A and B) were taken by Patrick Duffy. -The male/female brain graphic was illustrated by Morgan Brown.

Weather

source: weather.com FRI 59/48

Student Recreation Center

Officers arrested a Non-GSU individual for criminal trespassing. Officers made contact with a suspicious male who was asleep on the property. Information obtained on the individual confirmed he was issued a prior CTW notice. The individual was arrested, processed and transported to Fulton County Jail.

National

THURS 59/44

November 29

An announcer played along as a deer jumped on a horse race track in Washington PA. The deer jumped on to the track during the race and beat the horses on the course. “As they race down the track, Bambi has the lead. Here comes Rudolph from the outside,” said announcer Roger Huston as the deer invaded the track.

A tunnel collapsed outside Tokyo last week, trapping motorists. Last Sunday seven people were feared dead, according to the police. One vehicle caught fire and filled the tunnel with thick smoke.

WED 66/45

blotter

SAT 68/50

SUN 69/48

A report was filed for lost or mislaid property. A student stated she lost her purse at an unknown location. The purse contained $35.00, a Social Security Card, Georgia Driver’s License and a debit card.

Lanier Parking Lot

A report was filed for armed robbery. A student stated on November 29, 2012 at approximately 6:30 p.m., he was robbed at gunpoint. The victim stated he received a ride from an unknown individual and when they arrived at the parking lot the suspect put a gun to his head and told him to give up his cell phone and wallet, before fleeing the scene. The suspect is described as a black male, approximately 5’8” in height and with a neat shaven beard. He was wearing a black shirt, red jacket and red and grey Jordan sneakers. This case is being handled by investigations.

Piedmont Ave. NE

Broad St. /Marietta St.

A report was filed for property damaged. A student stated he noticed his residence door was damaged. The door had scratches and dents on it. This case is being handled by investigations.

A report was filed for theft by deception. A student stated she agreed to purchase a Macbook Pro Laptop from an unknown male who was selling off campus. The student withdrew $435.00 from her account and exchanged the funds for two Fed-x boxes. She later discovered the Fed-x boxes contained books instead of laptops. This case is being handled by investigations.

Marietta St. /Broad St.

A report was filed for a disturbance incident. An angry and aggressive male who was yelling and using profane language approached an officer. The male was arrested after a brief struggle and it was later determined the male was mentally ill; subsequently he was transported to Grady Hospital without further incident.

November 28 Piedmont Ave.

A report was filed for theft. A student stated she was sitting at a table when an unknown male snatched her iPhone off the table and ran. Officers searched the area with negative results. This case is being handled by investigations.

Piedmont Ave

A report was filed for lost or mislaid property. A staff member stated a tool box fell from the back of his truck and when he returned to the area he could not find it.

Student Recreation Center

A report was filed for lost or mislaid property. A staff member stated she lost her Zune and no further information was given

Piedmont Ave. NE A report was filed for suspicious activity. An officer responded to an odor of marijuana call, upon further investigation drug paraphernalia was confiscated.

November 26 Fairlie/Poplar St.

Officers arrested a Non-GSU individual for public intoxication. An officer was patrolling when he witnessed an inebriated individual who was being combative. The individual complained of chest pain; he was arrested, issued a copy of charges and transported to Grady Hospital by EMS.

University Commons A report was filed for terroristic threats. A student reported receiving threatening text messages and Twitter tweets by a fellow student. This case is being handled by investigations

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*NO PURCH NEC. VOID WHERE PROHIB BY LAW. Accrue points towards entries for a chance to win a $100 bookstore gift card. “The Game” is valid at the time of this publication and ends on 12/31/12 at 11:59:59 PM PT. Go to http://play.acmeloyalty.com/rules/termsandconditions-holiday.htm for Official Rules and details on entry instructions, winner selection, prizes, how to obtain an entry without sending a text message, etc. Open to eligible, legal residents of the 50 U.S. states and D.C. 16+.Supported Carriers: Alltel, AT&T, Boost Mobile, Cellcom, Cellular South, Cincinnati Bell, Nextel, nTelos, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, and Verizon Wireless.

NEWS

www.georgiastatesignal.com/news

Back for good After almost losing the fall commencement ceremony, students, family and friends will join grads in the Georgia Dome as they walk across the field.

ANDRES CRUZ-WELLMANN | THE SIGNAL Georgia State’s commencement ceremony, which was almost cancelled, will allow approximately 1,851 students to walk across Georgia Dome’s field on Dec. 18, 2012. TERAH BOYD

News Editor

t is the commencement ceremony that almost wasn’t. Last year, the University Senate Commencement Subcommittee, headed by President Mark Becker, decided to end the December commencement ceremony in an effort to save money and resources. The university said it would save the school money and allow the school to bring out bigger keynote speakers. Students didn’t seem to agree. After much debate, Georgia State listened to student and parents and decided to keep the ceremony for good. “I’m so excited that GSU brought Fall Commencement back,” said senior Brent Yancy. “Commencement to me is like compensation for a student’s hard work during their college experience. It also allows the student’s families to participate in the next step of the student’s life.” Approximately 1,851 students, under the eyes of family, friends and teachers, will sport black and blue robes and take to the Georgia Dome’s field.

“

I’m the first of my siblings to graduate from college and I couldn’t be happier to make my parents proud and start a new chapter or my life.” —Melanie Crain

“The plan moving forward is to have fall and spring commencement ceremonies,” said DeAnna Hines of University Ceremonies and Events. Hines said planning both commencements is a full time job. Aside from the University Senate subcommittee, there is a committee council to plan the ceremony that is made up of approximately 15 members. Preparing the commencement, according to Hines, “is continuous. We have to plan far in advance for Dome reservations, speakers, placing bids for vendors, etc.” Renting out the Dome comes at approximately $200,000 a ceremony. “That cost does not include the cost of preparing and mailing diplomas three times per year,” Hines said. “Also,

that cost does not include the in-kind cost of the time of the Commencement Council members and over 125 campus volunteers needed for each Dome ceremony.” For the students who worked so hard to walk across the Dome’s field, it’s worth every penny. “Commencement is a huge deal to me,” senior Melanie Crain said. “I’m the first of my siblings to graduate from college and I couldn’t be happier to make my parents proud and start a new chapter or my life.” In store for this semester’s commencement is a keynote speech from Gov. Nathan Deal and giving Dennis Lockhart, president of the Atlanta Federal Reserve, receive an honorary degree. Deal, who has a law degree from Mercer University, started a private law practice in Gainesville, Ga. after he graduated from college. Deal moved up the ranks from prosecutor, judge, State Senator and U.S. Congressman before becoming the 82 governor of Georgia. The Governor also served in the U.S. Army at Fort Gordon in Augusta, Ga. Aside from being the President of the Atlanta Federal Reserve, Lockhart is director of the Metro Atlanta Cham-

COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY RELATIONS Gov. Nathan Deal (left) will be the keynote speaker while Dennis Lockhart (right) will recieve an honorary degree. ber of Commerce and is chair of the World Affairs Council of Atlanta and the Midtown Alliance. Lockhart received his B.A. from Stanford University, received a M.A. in international economics and American foreign policy from Johns Hopkins University and attended the Senior Executive Program at MIT. Lockhart also served as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.

Georgia State’s commencement will take place on Dec. 18 at the Georgia Dome. The ceremony will begin at 2 p.m., but doors will open at 12:30 p.m.

uLearn to be Replaced by Desire2Learn Access to uLearn ends Dec. 30 Georgia State University will replace its current learning management system, uLearn, with a new system, called Desire2Learn after Fall Semester 2012. At the start of classes in Spring 2013, Desire2Learn will become the universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s official learning management system. This change will help enrich your learning experience. To prepare for the transition, any course materials or information that you would like to maintain access to should be downloaded from uLearn to another location prior to Sunday, December 30, 2012, when students will no longer have access to uLearn. Visit the link below to view a 2-minute video about the change to Desire2Learn: www.gsu.edu/desire2learn/overview-for-students.html You can keep up-to-date on the implementation process and submit your questions or concerns about the transition here: www.gsu.edu/desire2learn We look forward to introducing this improved service to the Georgia State University community. If you need assistance or have additional questions about downloading your coursework, contact the IS&T Help Center at help@gsu.edu or 404-413-HELP (4357).

IS&T

INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY

Desire2Learn is brought to you by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia in collaboration with GSU's Center for Instructional Innovation (CII) and Division of Information Systems and Technology (IS&T).

NEWS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

Campus Briefs Georgia State hosted a forum this Monday with University System of Georgia Chancellor Hank Huckaby to discuss strengthening support to Georgia’s economic development through institutional research and to showcase some of the research and commercialization in Georgia’s four major research universities. Dr. Amy Wetherby of Florida State University presented her research on the challenges of acquiring language and literacy at Georgia State on Monday. Wetherby’s presentation was entitled “EvidenceBased Early Intervention for Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: What are the Active Ingredients?” Demonstrations of Desire2Learn, the system replacing uLearn next semester, for staff members will be held on Wednesday in the Student Center Ballroom at 2-3 p.m. Participants will have the opportunity to see the system in use and will be able to ask any questions. The Honors College will be hosting “Doughnuts with the Dean” in University Center room 428 on Thursday at 9-10 a.m. The college will provide doughnuts and an opportunity to speak the Dean and to ask any questions about the program. Georgia State’s Health Clinic will be hosting its monthly health check screenings and will be answering any health-related questions on Thursday in Sparks Hall room 332 at 1-4 p.m. Georgia State will hold a program to educate the Georgia State community about Kwanzaa on Friday in the Rialto Center Lobby at noon. Spotlight Programs Board will host “Finals Break Hawaiian Getaway” today in the Student Center Ballroom at 7-10 p.m. Spotlight will provide “mocktails,” an oxygen bar, massages and food for students. The Rialto Center for the Arts will have a self-guided tour of art in the Rialto lobby and mezzanine on Thursday at 5-8 p.m. Karen Comer Love organized the project. The Rialto hosts one tour each first Thursday of each month.

Sustainability Initiatives approved

Student Newspaper Ad

ANDRES CRUZ-WELLMANN

Associate News Editor

unanimous vote by the Student Activity Fee Committee last Friday afternoon ended a 3-year attempt by green initiative proponents to receive funding. The vote created a new Sustainability Initiatives Fee Council geared toward funding student organizations that promote and engage in green activities. In a survey sent out to 34,437 students, of whom 5 percent responded, 53.5 percent were in favor of creating a new mandatory fee for sustainability efforts and 83.1 percent of respondents were in favor of allocating existing funds from the Student Activity Fee toward the sustainability efforts. Because of the high percentage rate of approval for an allocation of existing funds, the committee voted to create the new fee council and allocate it $10,000. In the survey, students were given the option to leave anonymous comments for the committee to review. However, many of the comments asked for efforts that would not be able to be funded by the new council. “[I would like to see] Vegan/vegetarian options in the cafeteria—I bring my own lunch every day because there are no suitable meals for me at the school,” one student wrote. Another student wrote that they would like to see an increase in bike lanes around campus. “The biking options are really key— there should be bike lanes to easily get in and out of that parking garage under the library,” the student wrote. The SAFC also approved the Sustainability Initiatives Fee Council guidelines. The guidelines included the minimum meetings required and the membership requirements for any groups wanting funding. “If you look at them, without having advertised for them, there are about three groups out there,” said Rebecca Stout, associate vice president of the dean of students. “I’d imagine that those individuals would go to the [Sustainability Initiatives Fee Council]. And then when you put your advertisement out, that’s what gets encourages the rest of the groups to submit their applications.” Dr. Michael Black, a lecturer at Georgia State, presented his plan before the SAFC on Sept. 18. He proposed that funding for green initiatives on campus would not only be beneficial for students, but would increase the school’s efficiency. However, even with the additional SAF funding, many Black’s goals will not be funded. Some of Black’s goals included retrofitting the university’s buildings with solar panels and creating partnerships with local green corporations—actions that do not fall under the definition of student activities by the SAFC and, therefore, cannot receive funding from the SAFC. “Having a green fee as a student activity will still serve the student well,” Black said. Depite the funding limitations, student organizations choosing to encourage sustainability can now apply for funding through the Sustainability Initiatives Fee Council. For more information, contact Dr. Rebecca Stout at 404-413-1515 or rebeccastout@gsu.edu.

Do you love your campus? Do you feel that athletics gets too much publicity on campus? GSU (undergraduate and graduate) students can complete a 15-minute online survey below to provide feedback for an academic study about athletics and sense of community at GSU!

www.surveymonkey.com/s/urbanpanther If you have questions about your rights as a research volunteer, you may contact Steven Ericson, Co-P.I., 337 Murray Hall, Stillwater, OK 74078, steven.ericson@okstate.edu or Dr. Shelia Kennison, IRB Chair, 219 Cordell North, Stillwater, OK 74078, 405-744-3377, irb@okstate.edu.

STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Semester Round-up: Smoking ban and grading system were major concerns this semester for SGA ASIA THOMAS

Staff Reporter

bacco use of any kind on Georgia State property; however, smoking is allowed at designated areas in University Housing. Students caught smoking in restricted areas will be “reminded in a professional and courteous manner of this policy.” As weeks progressed, senators noticed that students were still dauntlessly smoking in the policy’s restricted areas. During a full senate meeting, senators agreed to establish a sub-committee for the issue to attempt to institute the smoking ban as a city ordinance in order to have police enforce the smoking ban as well.

Plus/minus grading system President Marcus Kernizan will wait to decided if the SGA will support video gambling.

his fall semester, The Student Government Association has addressed and proposed changes for several issues on campus. As the semester comes to a close, these are the top issues raised by SGA this semester.

Smoking ban After hearing several concerns from students about the excessive smoking and tobacco use on campus, the Planning and Development Committee motioned to approve a policy against it during a senate meeting. The policy, passed this semester, prohibits smoking and to-

The SGA senate also proposed a change in the current grading system to a more standard policy. The plus or minus grading policy will require professors to grade students with a plus or minus in their final grade. Vice President of Academic Affairs Adriana Macchione proposed this change during a senate meeting to promote consistency in Georgia State’s grading system. Before approving the policy, Academic Affairs wanted student feedback to ensure student support. By utilizing Survey Monkey to conduct student surveys, so far, the grading system received mostly negative responses from students.

Video gambling As concerns about the future

of the HOPE Scholarship arise, the Georgia House of Representatives recently passed a resolution that would allow counties to vote on video gambling as a way to fund the scholarship. President Marcus Kernizan first introduced the SGA and Georgia State’s potential exploration and involvement in the current movement of the video gambling legislation. Most recently, Kernizan said that most schools and students in the state of Georgia are not “on the same page” regarding the legislation. Kernizan also said the senate will rest on the issue in order to receive student feedback to ensure the support of Georgia State students.

Homecoming costs concerns During the time of Homecoming events and plans, concerns within the senate about financial expenses and sponsorship that may have negatively affected students were present during full senate meetings. When Spotlight, after assigning a $500,000 programming budget, asked for an additional $5,000 from SGA as a part of a cosponsorship for Homecoming events. Senators grew concerned because the other organizations were not contributing as financially as SGA was asked to but were contributing labor for activities due to the organization’s financial ability. During Homecoming, SGA promotion was welcomed at all events, and all of the cosponsors worked together to make the Homecoming process run smoothly.

NEWS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

special feature

The Teardown House Revolutionary activist group Food Not Bombs fight hunger in Woodruff Park each week.

ocated on a a tiny side street near DeKalb Avenue, the “Teardown House” serves as a base of operations for several local activist organizations. The slogan “Build up resistance, tear down oppression” is written in bold letters across a rainbow awning over the entrance. At first the messy and spray painted exterior of the house might mislead you, but it’s different than other spray painted houses in Edgewood. On closer inspection you will find the graffiti to be empowering phrases such as “Our passion for freedom is stronger than their prisons.” A solitary black flag flies on a pole out front by the message board, and the house’s strict “No Illegal Substances Allowed” policy is posted by the front door.

Reported and illustrated by Miles Keenlyside One of the organizations that calls the Teardown House its home is the Atlanta branch of Food Not Bombs, a group dedicated to feeding the homeless. The group meets every Sunday to prepare and cook a variety of foods to take out and feed to the hungry in Woodruff Park.

The food is usually vegetarian and is obtained in various ways, including everything from donations to dumpster diving. The menu changes week to week depending on the food available, but a few staples in the kitchen are roast potatoes, veggie stir fries and fruit. The food is obtained, prepared and cooked entirely by volunteers. A few charities donate food, and some volunteers “dumpster dive” to obtain the rest. At Food Not Bombs, dumpster diving is justified as preventing waste. According to Food Not Bombs volunteer Marlon Kautz, over 50% of food in grocery stores never makes it to a plate. Dumpster diving is not appreciated by grocery store security, who often fend off potential dumpster divers.

“There are way s to get around suspicion,” said one Food Not Bomb s dumpster diver, “but it’s frustra ting to get animosity for trying to recove r food.”

Dell “Earthworm” MacLean moved to Atlanta in 2009 and bought the house in Edgewood with fellow activist Marlon Kautz in order to “create infrastructure” for activism in Atlanta. “The strategy is to connect to create a movement against poverty,” said MacLean “poverty created by Capitalism and the prison system.” Kautz, a self described Anarchist, is passionate about Food Not Bombs because it is “real work in activism.” Make no mistake in your language either, volunteers will remind you that Food Not Bombs is not a charity but a “Revolutionary Solidarity Organization.”

A letter from ACLU Legal Director Gerald Weber references the decision of Richardson v. City of Atlanta, part of which established the group’s right to distribute food in public parks. This letter, carried by volunteers, mentions Food Not Bombs as well as Woodruff Park and is intended for distribution to help prevent the group being removed by police. The Atlanta City Council has felt pressure to address the “Homeless Problem” in the city in the past few years, and organizations like Food Not Bombs do not fit into the city’s plans. While Food Not Bombs and the City of Atlanta may disagree with each other’s methods of solving the “homeless problem”, there are plenty of options for Atlantans to help by volunteering their time.

At the park a line soon forms in front of the folding serving table and food is dished out onto reusable plastic plates and bowls. Volunteers played drums to attract attention as more people gathered to wait in line for the free meal. Not all of the attention that Food Not Bombs attracts is positive however.

Food Not Bombs says they have conflicted with the Central Atlanta Progress committee, a private nonprofit community development organization, but a CAP spokesperson says otherwise. The CAP is a private organization and is not affiliated with policing Woodruff Park. The CAP is working on fighting homelessness with Partner for Hope, an affiliation of groups who provide services to people in need.

OPINIONS

www.georgiastatesignal.com/opinions

miracle wit

from the editorial board

END OF THE SEMESTER RECAP

Just the tip of the iceberg

e’re here. It’s the end of the semester; we’re knee-deep in finals, scrambling through those last-minute projects and presentations and cramming every last bit of information you didn’t absorb earlier in the semester. By the end of this week, most of us will be crawling into our beds to sleep until the New Year. But not The Signal. It may be the end of the semester, but for us, we’re standing at the beginning of a new era. 2013 doesn’t just mark the university’s centennial celebration (that editorial will come later); it’s also the paper’s 80th birthday. And what a celebration it’s going to be. For years, The Signal operated as a student newspaper—emphasis on ‘newspaper.’ We would work week-to-week, focusing only on our print editions. We would come across a story, write 500 words on it and move on to the next. The completion of a story depended on the student’s whim. Those days are long gone. This semester, as many of you may have noticed, we have taken serious steps to overhaul our organization. We’re no longer just a print edition; our online coverage has doubled, our social media presence has more than tripled and our marketing department finally came into its own. It doesn’t stop there. We launched a successful redesign, released a new website, installed outdoor newsstands on campus, co-promoted events with Campus Events and Greek Life, and (perhaps our biggest news of the year) we hosted our inaugural student-run journalism conference. The Modern Media Conference was a tremendous success, attracting hundreds of Georgia State students and college newspa-

per staffs around Georgia. It ultimately led Michael Koretzky (our keynote speaker and Society of Professional Journalists regional director) to pitch a joint conference with SPJ for their spring convention in March. That means hundreds of professionals and college newspaper staffs from the southeast region of the country will be visiting Georgia State’s Student Center March 15-17. We’re extremely excited about this, as not many colleges can hold bragging rights for hosting an event with a major professional journalism organization. That’s just the tip of the iceberg. This upcoming year, we plan host more events and launch more initiatives, especially our daily online coverage, where we will officially adopt the online-first model. That’s right. The Signal will function like a daily newspaper, but online. Our weekly print editions will continue as a 24-page, two-section newspaper. Ambitious? Sure. But we have to keep up with the times in order to be competitive with colleges around the country. Employers are more favorable if you have daily news grind experience. This has been a really tough road to travel. Rebuilding the paper from scratch taught us first-hand the kind of time and dedication it took to build an organization. Not everything worked, but the ones that did soared. And it doesn’t look like it will get any easier. Regardless, we will continue to strive for journalistic excellence, for better or worse. We will continue to serve our students the best we can. 2013 is the year we officially become more than a newspaper. And still, it’s only the beginning.

WILLIAM MIRACLE | THE SIGNAL

Buy back the book!

Letter to the editor “We are listening to our students, we are responding to them, and we are very excited about this addition.” -Cheryl L. Levick

f the Athletic Department is listening and responding to the student body, then why do they make every decision in the best interest of football, a team that has hardly any support on campus? The creation of the women’s swim team is due to title nine and the fact that more females need to compete to even out the increase of football players-not because students are dying for a swim team. Sure, ask the students if they think it would be nice to have a swim team, and what is there to oppose? But ask them if they want to cut other programs (men’s running), drain the university’s money, and continue with the higher educational costs all in the name of football? Probably a different story. Do students really support their hard earned money going to football player’s ventilated lockers and stays in extremely expensive hotels the night before a home game? Doubtful. Is the student body excited that other

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Note from the editor: Senior runner Katharine Showalter is one of the most successful athletes Georgia State had this semester. She was named the Sun Belt Runner of the Year, forms part of the All-Sun Belt First Team and led the Panthers to win their first Sun Belt Championship in women’s cross country.

AMI DUDLEY Columnist

t’s that time of the year: your final exam is within a couple weeks and, besides winter break, the only thing on your mind right now is money. That’s right folks: it’s almost “buyback books” time on campus. You sit in class, restless, waiting to get your Panther paws on those crisp Washingtons, anticipating the sum like the boa awaits its prey. You’re in line now. You’ve waited for this moment ever since you spent a phone bill’s worth of your refund money to buy the now arguably useless reads. The birds sing, the trees dance and the girl proceeds to scan. “No, nope, no, sorry,

“

The reality, however, is that the bookstore can’t buy back every book. It’s not reasonable or efficient.

vending machines. Can you imagine how much money Georgia State makes off vending machines alone? These services are fair trades. Both parties—student and server—are satisfied, as is not the case with buying back books. So why not just sell the book online? I think the better question is, “why should I have to use my time to try and sell a book in hopes of making at least half of the shelf cost?” We pay the university to convenience us. The reality, however, is that the bookstore can’t buy back every book. It’s not reasonable or efficient. I spoke with staff at the university bookstore and was politely informed that a number of factors are considered when faculty constructs this list of non-refundable book. So what can be done about this? The solution I’m proposing is very simple and will benefit both parties: automatic half-price refund. I get half, you keep half. What will the bookstore do with all the extra books? Sell them back to the manufacturer or, better yet, donate them! Leaving the books with resistant students will only create more book-made coffee tables and dust collectors. Buy back the book!

STAFF

Editorial Department EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

talented, hardworking, actually smart athletes are having their college competition and dreams canceled all for the football team? Football games are barely attended. Single parents, commuters, and students who work all the time make up a majority of the school. A cheaper education takes a lot more priority than a football team that always looses. Ask any student on campus if they care about the football team, and you’ll get an unenthusiastic answer. Or just pick up the newspaper to see peoples’ views on football. No matter how badly the Athletic Department wants our school to be like UGA, they shouldn’t manipulate facts to make it seem like they listen to the desires of the student body.

not this one, annnnd no,” she stoically tells you. All at once, you realize that none of your books have been accepted as a “buy-back”. No crisp Washingtons. Despair crawls up your spine. Your world has just ended. That experience I just shared with you was indeed my experience just a semester ago. The reason for my misfortune: the faculty did not require my book for the next semester. It wasn’t because my books were worn or torn or tainted by highlighters and red ink edits. Even if my books were still sealed in plastic with that new book smell they’d still be rejected. How can this be fair? I have to interject quickly and say that I understand that the university has to make money where it can. But that’s why we have pizza joints, parking permits and

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SPRING 2013

TEST PREP ACADEMY Taught by Dr. Gary B. Cohen (The South’s Premier Test Prep Professional!)

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ARTS & LIVING

www.georgiastatesignal.com/artsandliving

Right where she wants to be The Atlanta Ballet is gearing up for new things this season—and sophomore Jackie Nash couldn’t be more excited.

The snow scene in Act 1 of the Nutcracker welcomes Clara and her prince with dancing snowflakes.

CHARLIE MCCULLERS | SUBMITTED PHOTO

CHATEAUX-CAPRI STOVALL Arts and Living Editor

tlanta Ballet’s 83rd season will again include the classic production “The Nutcracker.” The Company’s 53rd production of this holiday favorite will show Dec. 7-26 at the Fox Theatre with discounted tickets offered to students. If Georgia State students decide to attend, they will see a fellow Georgia State student Jacqueline Nash dancing across the stage during this production. Nash, or Jackie to those who know her, is a sophomore majoring in Business and Marketing. Dancing since age three, she said she didn’t want to do anything else. “My mom signed me up for a little pre-ballet movement class,” Nash said. “I remember in kindergarten we had to do, ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ and I was like, ‘A ballerina!’ So I think even back then I knew what I wanted to do.” Nash has been a company artist with Atlanta Ballet for two seasons. Prior to becoming an official company artist, she went through a training process that started her at the fellowship level. This level is a period of preparation that gave her time to get to know everyone and the lifestyle of dancing for Atlanta Ballet. After some time, she moved up to the apprenticeship level, where she was a part of the company but continued training for a two-year period. “Right now this is where I want to be,” Nash said. “We’re doing some great new stuff and some of the classics, so I think it’s a really good mix.” In “The Nutcracker,” Nash plays Maria, who is the main little girl. She is also a snowflake, a rose and is in a duet where her role is called ‘Spanish.’ Nash said she’s done ‘The Nutcracker’ every year during her four years she’s been with the company. She said the

choreography for this show pretty much stays the same each year, while little details will be tweaked. “We’re adding a lot of new production elements—a lot of allusions and magic tricks,” she said. In preparing for this production, Nash has been rehearsing since September. She said rehearsals are up to six hours a day. “[In the morning] you come in [for] classical ballet warm-up,” she said. “You start at the bar and you do all your exercises. Then you have three hours in the morning of rehearsal… lunch, then three more hours [of rehearsal]. Then it’s time to go to school.” They usually rehearse for multiple shows at one time. Of their six shows this season, rehearsals could consist of anything from “Dracula” to “Carmina Burana,” which are both scheduled for later in the season. “We’ve been learning all the stuff for the rest of the year,” she said. “Right now we’re focusing on ‘Nutcracker’ … so that’s what we’re doing this week.” When reflecting on her past shows, Nash said she’s done newer contemporary productions where she has danced to Johnny Cash music and wore cowboy boots as well as performed the classic “Sleeping Beauty.” Some versions of the “The Nutcracker” are put on entirely by children. Though this production is performed by adults, Nash said children are a really important part of the show. Their involvement allows children who come see the show to be all the more receptive. “Kids come see the show and they look and see the kids on stage,” Nash said. “I think it’s just something different than anything else we do in the season.”

CHARLIE MCCULLERS | SUBMITTED PHOTO

The Atlanta Ballet’s 53rd production of The Nutcracker will include Georgia State student Jackie Nash. This will be her fourth season with the compnay.

STUDY

TERAH BOYD News Editor

Before exams, exam

Study methods vary. What may work for one person may out what allows you to study efficiently and approach fin some tips to help you succeed through your exams and p

Go somewhere new:

Turn down the tunes:

Tu com

A change of scenery can help you remember more, according to the New York Times. Memory is “colored” by location, so if you study in a strange place you might remember more before that exam.

An Applied Cognitive Psychology study in 2010 found that students that listened to music while studying had poor memory recall. Make study time quiet time. But for some students, music helps them concentrate. Student Kristen Williams keeps her mind focused with music playing in the background. “When it’s really quiet in the room, my mind just starts to wander,” said Williams. Romin Amin tries to concentrate with a particular Pandora station: hip-hop. However when the music becomes too loud, it hurts him more than it helps him. “When I can’t concentrate, I turn the music off because I do get distracted easily,” said Amin. Although there is a range of different music selections, Marquia Fisher listens to classical music, agreeing that it helps the brain more than any other genre. “If you listen to music, listen to music with no words,” said Fisher.

Print lighte found time” ing Fa the co if you thing the la reinfo This is if she thing. study said L

Teamwork: Get a study group together and get an A. You’ll make new friends, divide and conquer the work load and reinforce those long lectures. Freshman student Gayle Miller likes to study in groups. However, she believes that only four or less should be in a group or else it gets distracting. “It’s okay to study in groups. If you don’t know something then someone else will,” Miller said.

Treat yourself:

TIPS

Take time out for dinner and relax— your brain needs the break.

MIKE EDEN | THE SIGNAL

Switch you ca bored one te memb to. Try and w there.

mine yourself

KAYLYN HINZ Staff Reporter

y ruin another come test time. Figure nals week with confidence. Here are papers and on to the next semester.

urn off your mputer:

out notes and grab a higher. A Science Direct study d that students spent “study surfing the web and checkacebook. You will have to use omputer for some things, but u don’t have to, turn it off. One students may want to keep aptop on for is videos that help orce lectures and coursework. s something Mai Tran Le does e does not understand some. “I watch videos to help me y. YouTube is my best friend,” Le.

ix it up:

h up what you are studying so an stay focused and won’t get d. Students that cram for just est at a time may not be rebering everything they need y taking a break from Math working on English here and .

Get some rest: Staying up all night and cramming for your final won’t help you out nearly as much as getting some rest and waking up fresh and early. Research proves that students that are well rested have higher GPA’s.

Flash cards: If you haven’t used this tried and true method, run to the bookstore and get some note cards. Even just writing down the material reinforces lectures. Flash cards will also be a great addition to that study group you are going to.

ANDRES CRUZ-WELLMANN | THE SIGNAL

Plan for the unexpected: Your final is in five minutes and you can’t find a parking space? You can’t find that one scantron in your book bag? Getting an itchy throat the night before your final? You should always plan ahead for the unexpected, especially during finals week.

ANDRES CRUZ-WELLMANN | THE SIGNAL

MIKE EDEN | THE SIGNAL

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

A&L

Breakaway for the holidays!

Instead of partying their break away, students help build strong communities, touch the lives of those in need and form new relationships.

Tweet tweet Looking for an account to follow? Here are some more that might interest you. Creepiest: tapthatGSUguy

@tapthatGSUguy_

We are some fine GSU chicks, scoping out the attractive “chaps” to “tap” on campus, snappin photos and postin ‘em for you to look at and admire with your peeps.

Corniest profile desription: karl benson @kbcommish The Sun Belt Conference--the future’s so bright I’ve gotta wear shades........http://SunBeltSports.org

Inspirational coach Jocelyn Wyatt @GSUCoachJ Asst Georgia State Basketball Coach... Excellence is an art won by training & habituation.We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, is not an act but a habit!!

Big Georgia State Fan: Amanda Scott @GSUAmanda Georgia State Alumna. Go Panthers!

Georgia State students have a good time on Twitter. They like to root for the Panthers, express their frustrations and just be themselves. Here are some accounts that show just that.

14 Nov Betsy M. @Betzooks SUBMITTED PHOTOS

(Clockwise from top) Girls enjoying a day at the beach in Orlando, FL after completing a week of service; students read to group of students in Nashville, TN at the Martha O’Bryan center for their Dr. Seuss Day; students stopping after canoeing the Everglades to help clean up and preserve the swamp lands; students help build a home with Habitat for Humanity in New Orleans, LA CRYSTAL GEORGE Staff Reporter

tudents who participate in Panther Breakaway enjoy an all-inclusive break away from home, actively engaging in a city of their choice. Panther Breakaway is a student organization that began with one trip in the winter of 2002, and then another in the spring, but limiting one to two trips until 2007 when Panther Breakaway officially chartered at Georgia State. “Panther Breakaway is not only an educational component for students, but an opportunity to volunteer, and indulge in the fun activities of the city they’ve chosen,” said Eboni Wyatt, executive director of Panther Breakaway.

Students have participated in activities from ice skating in Cincinnati to attending a Hawks game in Atlanta. This year, there will be five trips for students to choose from. If traveling is too much of a hassle, there is a program focusing on sex trafficking in Atlanta. A little farther away are trips to Birmingham, where students will help teens with literacy, and to Nashville, where the focus will be on sustainable food systems. If you’re ready to leave Georgia for the holidays, students will be traveling to Cincinnati to experience the lives of those with HIV/AIDs and learning more about the disease. Lastly, students will travel to New Orleans where they will expose high school students in Louisiana to various options after graduat-

ing high school. “I had fun meeting the kids, and the people I worked with. It felt good seeing how excited the children were to see us every day,” said Angela Cocca, a site advisor for a Cincinnati trip this year. She had the opportunity of helping fourth graders with Louisiana’s standardized testing. In the winter, students leave Wednesday, Dec. 12 and return Sunday, Dec. 16. All trips cost $300; it is all-inclusive, which includes housing, meals, snacks and activities for the trip. “We try to stretch the $300 so students don’t have to pay on trips; however, we encourage them to bring a little extra money if they wish to purchase souvenirs and Tshirts from their trip,” said Wyatt. Panther Breakaway encourages

students to fundraise for their trips by writing letters to friends and family to donate $5, $10, or $20 towards their trip. This is how Wyatt’s first Panther Breakaway trip was fully paid for. In addition, site leaders fundraise to pay for the activities provided on trips. Students will be given 2530 community service hours in the winter, and 40 hours for the spring. There are no specific requirements in order to go on the trips; however, students must apply for their preferred trips and submit a short essay by the designated deadline. Applicants are not chosen based on their essays, but through a random selection process. For more information/ application, check out www.gsu.edu/ service/ and look at Student Clubs under Student Organizations.

Gangnam Style just played on my Pandora. I am all kinds of so not okay with that. #SnobbyTweet

17 Nov Matt Petters @mattpetters “Turn up” is like “Amen” in my house. #turnup

17 Nov THE ambitious Girl @jnewlove Good laughs. Good times. Good friends. New friends. No alarms. Sleep in. Goodnight.

13 Nov ATLien @LilTurnUp Wrote my 5 page research paper, finished my geography project and read a book. BAMM! Ive earned my turn up

games&such

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

Geese! Can you find the differences between these photos? There are ten altogether. ORIGINAL

CHANGED

1.) _____________________________

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sudoku Puzzle 1 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.45)

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Puzzle 1 (Very hard, difficulty rating 0.79)

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Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/~jdhildeb/software/sudokugen/ on Sun Nov 18 17:17:11 2012 GMT. Enjoy!

9 8

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Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/~jdhildeb/software/sudokugen/ on Sun Nov 18 17:16:01 2012 GMT. Enjoy!

solutions

Word search

ANSWERS: LIBRARY HOLIDAYS

A&L

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

Hint: use the words from Scrambler.

TWITTER BALLET VOLUNTEER

HOMELESSNESS BASKETBALL CONCERT

CHRISTMAS COMMENCEMENT

RUDOLPH NUTCRACKER EXAMS

INVITES YOU AND A GUEST TO AN ADVANCE SCREENING OF

Decode this!

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A B C D E F G H I J K L M

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11 7:3OPM

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Stop by THE SIGNAL offices today at

THE _ _ _

33 Gilmer Street, 200 University Center to receive a ticket

SIGNAL _ _ _ _ _ _

(WHILE SUPPLIES LAST)

WISHES _ _ _ _ _ _ YOU _ _ _

A _

First five winners will receive a copy of “The Hobbit” book.

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UNEXPECTED BREAKAWAY WINTER

THIS FILM IS NOT YET RATED. Please note: Passes are limited and will be distributed on a first come, first served basis while supplies last. No phone calls, please. Limit two passes per person. Each pass admits one. Seating is not guaranteed. Arrive early. Theater is not responsible for overbooking. This screening will be monitored for unauthorized recording. By attending, you agree not to bring any audio or video recording device into the theater (audio recording devices for credentialed press excepted) and consent to a physical search of your belongings and person. Any attempted use of recording devices will result in immediate removal from the theater, forfeiture, and may subject you to criminal and civil liability. Please allow additional time for heightened security. You can assist us by leaving all nonessential bags at home or in your vehicle.

IN REAL D 3D, HFR 3D AND IMAX 3D DECEMBER 14 THEHOBBIT.COM

calendar

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2012

Campus Events

Downtown Events

Sport events (basketball)

Thursday, Dec. 6

Nov. 21 – Jan. 2

Saturday, Dec. 8

Doughnuts with the Dean 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. Honors College Office (University Center 428)

Are you an honors student? Want to come meet the Honors College Dean, Larry Berman? Come grab a free doughnut and talk with him. Bring any questions or comments about the honors program or, if you want, just come say “Hi.” Contact the Honors College Office with any questions you may have at 404-413-5577 or honors@gsu.edu.

11 a.m. – 9 p.m. St. Regis Atlanta This will be the fourth consecutive year of the Astor Holiday Rink at the St. Regis hotel in downtown. Bring your friends and families for some holiday fun and seasonal favorite foods such as hot chocolate and s’mores around the outdoor fireplaces. For tickets call 404564-7977; $18-$30.

Nov. 17- Jan. 5

Thursday, Dec. 6

5-10 p.m. Garden Lights Holiday Nights Atlanta Botanical Garden

On the first Thursday of each month on a self-guided tour, experience the magnificent art featured at various venues in historic Downtown Atlanta. Cost: Free. For more information, contact 404-413-9TIX (9849) or www.rialtocenter.org.

Atlanta’s favorite holiday tradition returns bigger and brighter! It glows almost exclusively using more than 1 million energy-efficient LED lights. Hot beverages, holiday cocktails, beer and wine may be purchased at bars throughout the Garden. Peak Night Admission (Thursday - Sunday): $20 adult ($17 Member) | $14 child age 3 -12 ($11 Member) | Children under 3 free. Non-Peak Night Admission (Monday - Wednesday): $17 adult ($14 Member) | $11 child age 3 -12 ($8 Member) | Children under 3 free. Tickets are available online, by calling 1.855.GLHN.TIX (1.855.454.6849) or in person at Garden Admissions during regular Garden hours. Advanced tickets recommended, as there are a limited number of tickets available per evening.

First Thursday Downtown Arts Walk 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Exhibition Hours: Monday- Friday, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The Rialto Center for the Arts at Georgia State University

Friday, Dec. 7

Annual Kwanza Program Noon – 2 p.m. Rialto Center for the Arts

Ever wanted to learn more about Kwanza? Well, Georgia State’s annual Kwanza informational program is back again this year. The purpose of the event is to educate the Georgia State community about the holiday. Contact Tonya Cook with any questions: 404-413-1587 or tcook3@gsu.edu

Friday, Dec. 7

Celebration Mixer 7 p.m.- 10 p.m. SLICE

The Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization (CEO) presents an opportunity for celebration, networking and community. There will be free pizza, compliments of Slice restaurant, located down town. Admission into the event includes a donation of school supplies or $5 for Lindley Middle School students. For more information, visit gsuentrepreneurs.eventsbot.com.

Concert events Wednesday, Dec. 5

Sum 41 at the Masquerade 7 p.m. Heaven $24.25 on ticketmaster.com

Wednesday, Dec. 12

Marina and the Diamonds 8:30 p.m. Center Stage Theatre General admission tickets are $25 on ticketmaster.com

Saturday, Dec. 22 Cartel @ the Masquerade 7 p.m. Hell Tickets on sale now for $18.40 on ticketmaster.com.

Wednesday, Jan. 16 Bloc Party 8 p.m. The Tabernacle $38

Friday, Jan. 18

Ellie Goulding with St. Lucia 8 p.m. The Tabernacle $47

Nov. 17 – Jan. 6

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Times Vary Center for Puppetry Arts Rudolph is back in town for the stage adaption of the 1964 stopmotion animated classic. The show includes other friends from the classic movie such as Hermey the elf, Yukon Corneilus and the Abominable Snow Monster. Tickets are $16.50 and can be purchased at the center or online. Call 404-873-3391 for more information.

Men’s Basketball Georgia State vs. Southern Poly

After almost a week without competing, Georgia State will come back from the road and play Southern Poly at the GSU Sports Arena. The tip-off will be at 2 p.m. and the game will be broadcasted by 88.5 WRAS-FM and shown live by Georgia State athletics’ website.

Thursday, Dec. 13

Women’s Basketball Georgia State at Belmont University

The team will travel to Nashville Tenn. to take on the Belmont University Bruins. The game starts at 1 p.m. and will be broadcasted by 88.5 WRAS-FM.

Saturday, Dec. 15

Men’s Basketball Georgia State at Troy University The Panthers and the Trojans will face at Troy, Ala. for Georgia State’s fourth game of the road so far. 8 p.m. is the tip-off time and the match will be aired by 88.5 WRAS-FM.

Sunday, Dec. 16

Women’s Basketball Georgia State vs. Morehead State Three days after coming back from their game against Belmont, the Panthers go back to the GSU Sports Arena to play the Morehead Eagles at 2 p.m. The bout will be on the radio via 88.5 WRAS-FM.

Tuesday, Dec. 18

Wednesday, December 5

Men’s Basketball Georgia State vs. Southern Miss The Panthers and the Golden Eagles will clash at the GSU Sports Arena at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcasted by 88.5 WRAS-FM and will also be covered live on Georgia State athletics’ official website.

11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Georgia Capitol Museum

Friday, Dec. 21

Lighting of the Georgia Capitol Christmas tree Come watch Governor and First Lady Deal light the Georgia Capitol Christmas tree. The event will take place in the Capitol’s North Atrium and will conclude in the Capitol Rotunda. The Atlanta Boy’s Choir will also be there to perform. The tree will be on display until Dec. 21, 2012.

Women’s Basketball Georgia State vs. Western Carolina Georgia State stays in town for the second game in a row to take on the Western Carolina Catamounts at the GSU Sports Arena starting at 7 p.m. The game will be aired on radio by 88.5 WRAS-FM and online on Georgia State athletics’ website.

Saturday, December 15

Saturday, Dec. 22

The Christmas Handmade Gift Fair 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Gallery 1526, Atlanta

The Handmade Gift Fair is an annual event that provides unique and locally made gifts for anyone who wants an especially special holiday present for a loved one. Local musicians Russian Romance, a balalaika/guitar duo and others are scheduled to perform throughout the day. There will also be children’s art activities, 20 local artisans, henna, face painting and food vendors.

Wednesday, December 19 Coast 2 Coast Music Industry Mixer: ATL Edition 9 p.m. Harlem Nights Restaurant & Ultra Lounge The Coast 2 Coast Music Industry Mixer is back in Atlanta this year. Lil Fats will host the event and the music will be by DJ Cube. Local artists will be performing in a competition judged by Baby Paul (aka Bpzy), DJSpeedy, and LuNeYTuNeZ. Artists can submit a song on their website to win a chance to perform. Purchase tickets on http://www.eventbrite.com/event/4363397038/zvents.

Saturday, Jan. 19

Livvy’s Love Fun Run/Walk 8 a.m. Stone Mountain Park Proceeds go to granting students from age 5 – 21 with scholarships and grants for educational, community, and extra-curricular endeavors. Come out for the second annual Fun Run/Walk and participate in the many options available for adults and kids. There is a 5K and 8K course option, a Kidz Ultimate Challenge course (11 and under). Register at livvyslovefunrunwalk.eventbrite.com, tickets are $25-$35. Use promo code AJC for $5 off through Dec. 25.

Men’s Basketball Georgia State at Rhode Island Looking for a win on the road, the Panthers will visit Kingston, R.I. to take on the Rams. The game will start at 2 p.m. and will be broadcasted by Cox Sports as well as 88.5 WRAS-FM.

Saturday, Dec. 29

Men’s Basketball Georgia State at Georgia Southern Coach Ron Hunter’s squad will reunite after Christmas to play their second away game in a row and last game of the year. This time, the contender will be the Georgia Southern Eagles at Statesboro, Ga. The game will start at 3 p.m. and it will be broadcasted by 88.5 WRAS-FM.

Sunday, Dec. 30

Women’s Basketball Consolation Game Starting at 2 p.m., the losers from the Georgia State versus Mississippi Valley State and UNC Charlotte versus Toledo games will fight for the third place at the GSU Sports Arena.

Sunday, Dec. 30

Women’s Basketball Championship Game The two victors from the games on Saturday will close down the GSU Holiday & Hoops Tournament at the GSU Sports Arena at 4 p.m. The end of the competition concludes both Georgia State basketball teams’ schedule for 2012. In 2010, Georgia State organized a two-day tournament that also ended on Dec. 30. In that occasion, the Panthers made it to the final but fell to the Hampton Pirates 74-44.

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SPORTS

Trent Miles: meet your new coach Georgia State presents new football head coach at press conference

ONLINE PREVIEW TO READ FULL STORY, GO TO GEORGIASTATESIGNAL. COM

Brief Q&A with RJ Hunter

RHETT LEWIS Associate Sports Editor

rent Miles, Georgia State’s new head football coach was officially introduced on a press conference at the GSU Sports Arena on Monday, Dec. 3. Athletic director Cheryl Levick and President Mark Becker sat beside Miles in the ceremony. Levick showed to be expectant towards the changes she thinks Miles will bring to the program. “As Georgia State Football enters its next chapter with the move to FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) and the Sun Belt Conference, we need a program-builder, and that’s exactly what we have in Trent Miles,” Levick said to Georgia State athletics. “He is a dynamic leader, a tireless recruiter, and a talented coach who will take this program to the next level.” Miles, who was the head coach of Indiana State University the last five seasons, becomes the second head coach in school history, replacing Bill Curry who recently retired from coaching. “We look forward to building upon what Coach Bill Curry has started,” Miles said. “He is truly a legend in this profession, and his efforts are greatly appreciated. We are ready and focused to begin the process of taking Panther Football to the next level.” Indiana State gave Miles his first opportunity to be a head coach in 2008. He inherited a program that registered a single victory in the three seasons before his arrival. Miles’ first two seasons at Indiana State were much of the same as the Sycamores went 0-12 in 2008 and 1-10 in 2009. But after those two seasons, despite being in a program with low funding in comparison to college standards, Miles turned the program around. The next three seasons saw Miles and the Indiana State post records of 6-5, 6-5, and 7-4. The 7-4 record in 2012 featured an

With two CAA Rookie of the Week honors under his belt, the freshman guard has become one of the most valuable players for the men’s basketball team.

The Signal: How do you like Georgia State?

ANDRES CRUZ-WELLMANN | THE SIGNAL

New Head Football Coach Trent Miles explains to a crowd at the Sports Arena that he not only wants to be elgible for a bowl championship, but also wants to win one. upset of top-ranked and defending national champion North Dakota State in Fargo, N.D. Miles showed the ability to adapt to his personnel and get the most out of his team while at Indiana State. One of his most effective techniques has been discipline –on his first year as head of the program, he dismissed 41 players from the team. The Sycamores offense was highly ranked in 2010 while scoring over 30 points per game. Their defense was third in the nation this past season as they gave up an average of 14 points per game. The 49-year-old Indiana native played college football at Indiana State

“

We need a programbuilder, and that’s exactly what we have in Trent Miles. He is a dynamic leader, a tireless recruiter, and a talented coach who will take this program to the next level.” —Cheryl Levick

from 1982-1986 and immediately entered the coaching world following his time there. He has made stops as an assistant and position coach at several universities, including Oklahoma, Stanford, Notre Dame, and Washington. He also spent the 2000 season on the staff of the Green Bay Packers. Miles and his coaching staff have their work cut out for them at Georgia State, who will move to the FBS and Sun Belt Conference in 2013. The Panthers have posted 3-8 and 1-10 records in the past two seasons and will be playing a more difficult schedule as they make the move to the FBS next season.

Swimming in, Running out Georgia State adds women’s swimming and diving but downgrades cross country and track and field ISMAEL SUAREZ Sports Editor

ith the addition of a varsity women’s swimming and diving program, Georgia State’s athletic department will remove men’s cross country and track and field from varsity sports by 2013-2014. The change will not have much impact in terms of scholarships awarded by the school because cross country receives the minimum amount (3.5) and track and field did not receive any, according to a press release sent out by Georgia State’s athletic department on Nov. 29. The current student-athlete scholarship recipients will continue to receive the money until graduation. In the wake of the change there are seven athletes who will not get to compete for the school anymore at a varsity level. Sophomore cross country and track

runner Austin Boetje said, “I think it is great that swimming and diving have become a sport at GSU for women, but it will be upsetting to see my team leave Georgia State as a varsity sport for cross country, indoor track and field, and outdoor track and field.” Although Boetje sees on this decision as unfair, he said it is best to not take it personal and move on. “It is times like these where even if the situation is unfair you will have to make the best of the situation and not let it get to you,” Boetje said. Despite the scholarship he will continue to receive, the distance runner said he is already evaluating options to compete at a collegiate level. “[I] have already started making contact with coaches at UGA and Clemson as well as some other SEC programs to compete for them,” Boetje said. According to the statement released last week by athletics, the program has been unable to meet sports sponsorship rules for men’s indoor track, which require a minimum of 14 participants to

maintain NCAA sponsorship. Jamie Boggs, Georgia State senior associate athletics director said the addition of women’s swimming and diving will be good for Georgia State because it is sponsored as a championship sport by the Sun Belt Conference, which the Panthers will fully join on July 1, 2013. “As we continue to transition into our new conference, it could be a great addition and a great fit for Georgia State,” Boggs said. “We are excited about the possibility of adding this team.” The university sent an online poll earlier in the year to all undergraduate students to measure their level of interest in adding swimming and diving as a sport. According to the athletic department, “The survey results showed there is interest among undergraduate students in adding the sport.” Athletics director Cheryl Levick said the inclusion of the new sport is partly to fulfill the students’ preferences shown in the results of the poll. “We spent a significant amount of

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It is times like these where even if the situation is unfair you will have to make the best of the situation and not let it get to you,” --Austin Boetje

time studying the athletics interests of our students,” Levick said. “We are listening to our students, we are responding to them, and we are very excited about this addition.” By offering swimming and diving, Georgia State does not only meet the preferences from the student body, but the addition increases Title IX opportunities for men and women athletes. “Georgia State takes Title IX into account at some level in all institutional decisions,” Boggs said. “We are continuously evaluating potential athletic opportunities for our undergraduate students.”

RJ Hunter: Oh, I love it. I wouldn’t rather be anywhere else. I love my teammates, the city. Everything is going smooth right now.

TS: Have you had anyone on campus go up to you and congratulate you for your performances? RJ: Yeah, I was surprised in the last couple of weeks about how many fans we have. I went to the courtyard on Tuesday since everyone goes up there and I got a lot of love from the students do I appreciate that.

TS: How is your chemistry with the team? RJ: We’re all brothers. Ever since I stepped down the first day we’ve been family. Manny Atkins and Devonta White really took me under their wing, taught me everything and really educated me on how to be a student-athlete.

TS: How did it feel to put up 30 points on your first college basketball game? RJ: That was great, but the better part was my teammates. You know, when you put 30 there’s always some guy in the locker room saying “Man, he shot too much” but my teammates were so happy for me. I think they were happier for me than I was for myself. Again, that’s the family thing going on.

TS: How different do you find college basketball to high school basketball? RJ: Everybody’s bigger, you’re not making the same passes and you go to adjust. Speed’s different. It’s just the physical part more than the mental part. Once you slow down, everything pretty much opens up for you.

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Basketball never stops Despite finals week approaching, Georgia State basketball teams continue to compete AKIEM BAILUM Staff Reporter

Women’s basketball with a bright future Men’s basketball breaks losing streak to last season. With their current 5-1 record after defeating Kennesaw on Sunday 63-42, head coach Sharon Baldwin-Tener’s squad is tied atop the Colonial Athletic Association standings along with Old Dominion and Towson, while last season, at this point the team had a lackluster 2-4 record. Cody Paulk, Kayla Nolan, and Kendra Long are all averaging around double-digit points, with Nolan leading by averaging almost 12 a game. The team is also averaging the highest points per game in the CAA with nearly seventy two and the most blocked shots per game in the conference with six. The team tipped off the season with two road games at Florida. They won their first one against University of Central Florida in Orlando 64-50. Long, Nolan, Paulk and Ashley Watson obtained double-digit points. The team capitalized on great play on the defensive end as well as points on turnovers as they outscored Central Florida 34 to 17 in that category. Traveling to Gainesville and playing Florida from the Southeastern Conference would be tougher than Central Florida. Georgia State was defeated 84-65. Despite productive scoring performances from Kendra Long and Kayla Nolan, as well as 12 rebounds from Kendra Long, Florida turned out to be too much for Georgia State on that day. In their home opener, they’d defeat Jacksonville State 79-50 in where freshman guard Ashlee Cole had 11 points. For the week of that game, she was named CAA Rookie of the Week. She’s averaging seven points a game. The team would play their next two games at home as part of the Georgia State University Thanksgiving Tournament against Georgia Southern, Florida A&M and Kent State. The Panthers won their first game of the tournament 73-48 over Georgia Southern. Paulk had 18 points and 12 rebounds, but the team also received a stellar performance from Cole with 13 points. In the final, they defeated Florida A&M by 19 points despite leading by as many as 33 in the second half. They got a big game from forward Maryam Dogo with 16 points and 13 rebounds. She and Long were the two Georgia State players to earn First Team All-Tournament honors while Paulk was named MVP. Georgia State hopes to continue their winning ways as they will visit Nashville, Tenn. to take on Belmont at 1 p.m. on Dec. 13. Their first conference match will be against Old Dominion on Jan. 6 at the GSU Sports Arena.

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With a few seconds left of the Georgia State against Liberty game in Lynchburg, Va., it seemed like the Panthers would reap their third loss in a row, but junior guard Rashaad Richardson saved the day once again. Just like against Tennessee State, Richardson hit a three-point buzzer beater to put the final score 67-66 in favor of Georgia State. With Richardson’s shot, the Panthers cut a two-game losing streak and stand with a 4-4 overall record. Last week they had encountered losses against Louisiana Tech 86-68 and East Carolina 62-53 at the Georgia State Sports Arena. “There is a lot of adversity, but I think that what’s special about this team,” said coach Ron Hunter after the game against Louisiana Tech. “We’re always close, like no one’s distant from each other. We’re really a family. When things got tough, we didn’t get rattled. We just kept fighting.” It’s no accident that his players have a tough 2012-2013 schedule. “It’s hard on me because I knew the schedule was going to be difficult,” coach Hunter said. “I put the schedule together and you’ve got to worry about the psyche of the kids ... So, I told them one day, and one day soon, we’re going to be a good veteran basketball team.” At first, things were not tough at all for coach Hunter’s squad as they defeated Life University and Albany State on their two preseason games. However, when the official schedule began, the team went on the road and suffered two tough losses. The first one was a 74-55 loss against currently second-ranked Duke on a nationally televised matchup on ESPNU. Georgia State would also lose to BYU 80-62 in their only road game of the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic. The last three games of the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic would be contested at home over Thanksgiving Week. Georgia State won all three by defeating Monmouth 62-49, Tennessee State 59-57, and South Alabama 75-73. Senior center James Vincent would tie a school record with nine blocks in the Monmouth game. Vincent is averaging three points and three rebounds a game. Guard RJ Hunter averages almost 14.6 points a game and has been named CAA Rookie of the Week twice already this season. Devonta White is also averaging almost 15 points a game. Helping out with his stats is the experimented junior forward Manny Atkins as he averages 12 points per game, but it has been an inconsistent twelve thus far. The Panthers will play next against Southern Poly on Dec. 8 at 2 p.m. at the GSU Sports Arena.

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PATRICK DUFFY | THE SIGNAL

ith six games on the season so far, the women’s basketball team has shown a significant improvement in relation

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Finals Break: Hawaiian Getaway Tuesday, December 4, 7-10 p.m. Student Center Ballroom

Stressed over finals? Come and join us on a Hawaiian Getaway! Have a relaxing evening and let us pamper you with a massage, as well as many games and activities, including mocktails, an oxygen bar, robo surfing and making your own sandy candy.

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Friday, December 7, 2012. Any items remaining in lockers after this date will be discarded.

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The Worldʼs Largest Student Film Festival

Campus MovieFest is returning to Georgia State University this February, and we are looking for students to tell their story on the big screen. CMF gives students a Mac Book, Panasonic HD camera and one week to make a five-minute film about anything thatʼs on your mind. Itʼs entirely free for GSU students, and the Top 16 films are shown on the big screen at our red carpet finale.

This May: LIVE JAMS (FOR YOUR EARS) Brought to you by WRAS Atlanta, GSU’s 100,000-watt student voice.

Pick up your movie-making equipment on Wednesday, February 6, Noon-5 p.m. in the Student Center. See you on the big screen! Sponsored by Spotlight Programs Board, Campus Events, GSTV, the Residence Hall Association and the Student Government Association.

Miss Georgia State University Pageant

Saturday, February 9, 7 p.m. Rialto Center for the Arts

Mark your calendars and save the date for the 18th Annual Miss Georgia State University Pageant on Saturday, February 9, at 7 p.m. at the Rialto Center for the Arts. As a part of the Miss America program, Miss GSU will go on to compete in the Miss Georgia pageant this June. For more information, contact 404/413-1610 or missgsu@gsu.edu.

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While youʼre writing gift lists or planning holiday outings, donʼt forget the great discounts available on tickets to movies, theme parks, sporting events and more through the Student•University Center. For a great low price, give gifts of tickets to movies, aquariums or the zoo, or take a holiday trip to Walt Disney World, Stone Mountain Parkʼs Snow Mountain, Biltmore House or Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament.

Most discount tickets can be purchased at the Information Center on the first floor of the Student Center; some are available only online; and some are available at both outlets. For more information, visit www.gsu.edu/ticketdiscounts.

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All shows free for GSU students, faculty and staff with ID. Guests $3 before 5 p.m. and $5 at 5 p.m. and after.

Holiday Ticket Discounts!

Also, online discounts are now available to select home games of the Atlanta Hawks as they take on their 45th season!

Cinefest Film Theatre

Monday-Friday: 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 7 p.m., 9 p.m. (No 9 p.m. showing on Thursday or Friday.) Saturday-Sunday: 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 7 p.m.

December 6 Gimme Shelter

Thursday: 9 p.m.

December 7 Santa Claus Conquers the Martians Friday: 9 p.m.

For details, visit www.gsu.edu/cinefest.