The Signal Vol. 85 No. 20

FEB. 13 - FEB.20, 2018

VOL. 85 | NO. 20

/gsusignal

@gsusignal

THE THE SEX SEX ISSUE ISSUE PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY VANESSA JOHNSON & COVER DESIGN BY KHOA TRAN | THE SIGNAL

A PERFECT MATCH

JUST ANOTHER DAY

LOVE WITHDRAWALS

A DIFFERENT WORLD

Dating apps are a convenient place to score dates but don't set your expectations too high.

Don't stress out this Valentine's Day, take time to appreciate yourself!

Scientific evidence suggests heartbreaks have a very real emotional toll.

Women athletes compete with much less attention than their male counterparts.

NEWS | PAGE 5 WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

OPINION PAGE 8

News 3

ARTS & LIVING | PAGE 12

OPINION 7

SPORTS | PAGE 16

Arts & Living 9

Sports 15

Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality Administration

Top 30 in the world

CEOWORLD, 2018

Robinson develops hospitality leaders in a global society Do you see yourself in the largest service industry in the world?

Event planner Convention Sales Manager Hotel Manager

Country Club General Manager Restaurant Manager

If you checked yes to any of these, we’re ready to help you find a career in hospitality. Our academic programs include: › Regynald G. Washington Master of Global Hospitality Management › Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Hospitality Administration › Undergrad minor in Hospitality Administration

Interested in learning more or staying connected:

› Certificate in Hospitality Administration

robinson.gsu.edu/hospitality

Are you ready to join us?

hospitality@gsu.edu 404-413-7615

› Study abroad hospitality programs

@GSUHospitality

› Experiential learning opportunities

@GSUHospitality

› Mentoring from industry leaders

Come see us!

35 Broad Street NW, Suite 315 Atlanta, GA 30303

› Scholarship opportunities

Ever wondered what a major Hospitality Career Meet in hospitality is about?

Be prepared:

Stop by any time between 11:00-2:00 p.m. to meet current students, and faculty and learn more about Robinson’s › Dressstaff, professionally School of Hospitality

› Bring your resume ›› Thursday, 25 2018 - 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Update January your LinkedIn

Thinking about grad school? & Greet

Friday, February 23, 2018 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Saturday,55 January 27th 2018 - 10:00 to 12:00 p.m.

Park Place -a.m.

Lobby

Register to attend the next Road to Robinson event where you can learn more about a Master’s in Global Hospitality Management, along with many other graduate programs offered by the Robinson College of Business.

›

› Georgia State University Buckhead Center: Tower Place 200, › Robinson College of Business: 35 Broad Street NW, Suite 315, 3348 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326 Atlanta, GA 30303 Please note this event is for hospitality major, minor, certificate students, and those currently enrolled in hospitality course(s). › REGISTER: gradapply.gsu.edu/register/R2RJanuary2018 › Door prizes, food and drinks, giveaways

NEWS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2018

www.georgiastatesignal.com/news

Clinic: lack of accessibility and condoms Director Lee-Barber talks about health center's improvements SYDNEY BLOEME Staff Reporter

T

he Georgia State Student Health Center is located across the street from Student Health Promotion, offering free HIV and STI testing as well as supplying free condoms and lube to Georgia State students. Last year, the Health Center provided 232 HIV tests and 223 chlamydia and gonorrhea screenings. The Health Center also provides the lifesaving PrEP pill, a pill that protects HIV negative people when they come into contact with the HIV virus to keep their status negative.

Students can also drop by to receive advice, volunteer and of course condoms while also providing drug and violence prevention education.

The Student Health Center is a great resource for students, if they know about it.

“It’s less accessible than it should be. It’s hard to get in and even when you do, it isn’t always helpful,” Georgia State student Angela Bessho said.

The Health Center and their website lacks a staff directory or any news of changing of staff. Their website lacks information.

The Signal attempted for two weeks to get in touch with the Health Center staff, and Lee-Barber says she realizes staff accessibility is a problem and the website needs work to better have students be able to contact whoever they wish.

She mentions iCollege and how that has been the best way to educate students, such as enforcing freshmen’s completion of a Drug and Safety module as well as a Sexual Violence module.

“With that many students on this many campuses we are using technology to get the information out,” Senior Director of Psychological and Health Services Jill Lee-Barber said, referring to iCollege.

But some students aren’t convinced that the clinic’s efforts are enough to combat the problem.

“Their website is weird. It doesn’t give you many options for your reasoning to visit. Once I went there and had chosen the reasoning closest to mine and the doctor got annoyed that I wasn’t there exactly for what I clicked,” Georgia State student Celine Lagrange said.

Lee-Barber said she understands the website needs some work and told The Signal she also sees the need for a page of staff directory in order for students to have access to clinic staff members. But said she feels confident it’s “an easy fix.”

She said they’re already under way for major changes.

ADDING STAFF AND EXPANDING

The Health Center has recently moved from operating through a private organization to being publicly run. With this change, the Health Center is able to maintain electronic medical records that allow the staff to schedule appointments over the phone and accept walk-ins. The center is also now offering extended hours Tuesdays and Wednesdays, closing at 7 p.m. rather than 5 p.m., and has recently unveiled their new Mobile Health Clinic which will soon offer STI/HIV testing.

Also, following its transition away from private operation, the Health Center has hired more nurses and office staff, seeking to better accomodate the large student body.

“The university is growing, and we needed to increase our staff and so we did a feasibility study over some months to look at what is it costing us. In July 2016, we began hiring our own Georgia State employees and providers which enabled us to double the number of physicians because we weren’t paying a management fee. It also enabled us to get much lower prices on labs for students and the prescription medications we keep for students,” Lee-Barber said.

Lee-Barber told The Signal about the changing of staff as the clinic is under a search for a new Medical Director and Clinical Director. Because of the changes, the Medical Director position remains currently vacant. Lee-Barber explained that once the position is filled, the new director would send out more information such as a welcome letter that could be accessed by students and bring more information to them.

She said the Health Center is committed to keeping students

Student can go to the Student Health Clinic for their sexual health needs.

safe through many comprehensive outreach programs, such as their Healthy State Outreach Student Learning Outcome, which reached 526 students on the Downtown campus and 826 on the Perimeter campuses. The Health Center operates tables during school events and fairs, such as the ones hosted in the Piedmont North Housing parking lot. The Health Center is always seeking to be seen by students and displays ads and information on the TVs mounted around campus to gain attention. The center is also working on developing a Student Advisory Board for Psychological and Health Services to better engage with students' concerns and address their needs.

But despite these efforts, students last semester raised another concern about the clinic’s practices.

A FREE SUPPLY OF CONDOMS

While condoms are now freely offered, they had been held behind the counter since fall semester 2017, a measure that Lee-Barber apologized for.

Last semester, students would have to go up to the counter and ask for a certain number of condoms from the front desk.

Lee-Barber said she apologizes for the absence of the bowl of condoms saying it was a complete mistake.

“The bowl is out now. If it wasn’t out then that was a mistake.

It should be out. It should be out consistently. It should be filled. If it wasn’t out then that’s a problem. That was a mistake and that’s been addressed,” Lee-Barber said.

Georgia State student Celine Lagrange said when the condoms weren’t freely supplied, she resorted to unprotected sex.

“The Health Center was a safe place for a lot of us broke college students to get condoms. They are too expensive for me. When they stopped supplying them, I couldn’t use any. Before, I had no reason to have unprotected sex because they were so available, especially for me because I live right next to the Health Center,” she said.

Lee-Barber said she understands that condom distribution is a problem for the Health Center and told The Signal of upcoming plans to make it easier. Lee-Barber said vending machines around campus could be one solution to make condoms and common "One Per Student Please. medical supplies, such Have Fun. Be Safe." as ibuprofen, easier to - GSU Health Center acquire for the students who don’t always make it across campus towards the Health Center. Lee-Barber said she hopes the vending machine

PHOTO BY AZAM LALANI | THE SIGNAL

SERVING STUDENTS: Atlanta Clinic 15,458 Clarkston Clinic 1,215 Dunwoody Clinic 1,078 Immunization Vaccines Administered 4,676 Urgent Care Same Day Visits 6,970 Prescription Pick up 462 Medications Dispensed 4,843 STI Screening Atlanta: 981, Perimeter: 213 According to Jill Lee-Barber, the Clinic has serviced approximately 17,751 patients from July 2016 to July 2017.

idea can soon become a reality.

Students can now grab condoms from the bowl in the Health Center or swing by Student Health Promotion in the Citizens Trust Building next door for a larger selection of male condoms, lube, dental dams and female condoms with no questions asked.

ILLUSTRATION BY PHILIP DURAL

NEWS

4

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the busiest airport in the country, is one of the major contributing factors allowing sex trafficking to operate rampant in Atlanta.

GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY VANESSA JOHNSON | THE SIGNAL

A slow stand against human trafficking In the hub of the problem, raising awareness may not be enough CHRISTINA MAXOURIS Editor-in-Chief

A

tlanta is no stranger to human trafficking. The city has become one of the greatest hubs across the nation for the commercial use of younger women that often involves sexual exploitation. So it’s no wonder the student body is hyper-vigilant when roaming the streets of Downtown.

Two weeks ago, Georgia State’s campus was shaken up after students alleged being approached by two suspicious women claiming to be a part of a religious group, that many suspected were behind a human trafficking ring. Similar reports had been popping up around the University of Georgia, Kennesaw State University and Georgia Tech campuses as well. Following the report, the Georgia Tech police department released a statement confirming that they had no criminal activity on their campus.

“After numerous Georgia Tech students have come to us with concerns about this organization, and after seeing news stories from other places echoing these concerns, our investigators began looking into the situation,” the statement read. “At this time we have found no criminal activity surrounding this group, and have seen no missing persons reports related to them either.”

Similar findings were echoed by Georgia State’s police chief Joseph Spillane who, alongside the department, had looked into Georgia State students’ allegations. The department came in contact with religious affiliates who were roaming the streets but could only prevent them from being on university grounds, like the Library Plaza.

“We can’t do much about them being on the street,“ Spillane said.

As far as student safety, Spillane said the student body should always be using caution and informing the police when something looks or feels suspicious.

Home to the country’s busiest airport and a rapidly growing entertainment industry, Atlanta is a prime location for human and sex trafficking. And according to Rescuing Hope founder and executive director Susan Norris, it’s a crime that’s often hidden in plain sight. Rescuing Hope is a Marietta-based organization that raises awareness on the issue.

In a Jan. 31 panel on sex trafficking, Norris said predators are often hard to spot as well, because they look so ordinary.

“It’s very difficult to see if you don’t know what you’re looking for,” she said.

In October, the Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested 60 people and rescued four juveniles in Georgia as part of a nationwide human trafficking operation, proving that no matter how quiet, the problem in Atlanta continues to grow.

TAKING A STAND

Sex trafficking is an issue finally starting to be addressed by Atlanta’s leadership, with the recently elected mayor launching a new media campaign to raise awareness around the issue.

According to the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport press release, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms reaffirmed her commitment to the issue by launching a new media campaign titled ‘See Something, Say Something.’

But according to Georgia Public Service Commissioner Tim Echols, a media campaign isn’t enough.

“A media campaign is not enough by itself, but I commend the Mayor for taking quick action and making sure this is a priority,” Echols said. “I am sure she is doing other things behind the scene to make sure the police have what they need to.”

Echols started the Unholy Tours, hosting the latest one on Jan. 29, 2018. The tours take legislators and media around areas susceptible to sex trafficking and aim to educate them on the severity of what has come to be known as “modern day slavery.”

The two-hour tour runs through Atlanta’s most vicious human trafficking hub sites and has even visited Savannah in the past.

“Unfortunately, any area where large contingents of men gather, a demand for paid sex follows,” he said. “The traffickers seize these opportunities and often minors are sold over and over again.

Echols said that while it’s important for law enforcement to keep tagging at the issue, it’s often difficult to track. The way to combat human trafficking should include reducing the demand that is so high in the city, and also, targeting the key areas where it’s a problem.

“I would love to see the city take extraordinary action in areas like Cheshire Bridge Road and Buford Highway to reduce activity,” Echols said. “It is a challenge for everyone though and we need more folks engaging in ways where they are able to help.”

A huge step towards change according to Echols would also come by improving the foster care system.

“I am told that 90 [percent] of prostitutes have come through the foster care system,” he said.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN ATLANTA NUMBERS Five thousand girls are at risk of being sex-trafficked in Atlanta About 374 girls are exploited monthly in Georgia The average age of entry into the commercial sex market for girls is between 12 and 14 years old Over 12,000 men pay to have sex with a young woman in Georgia, and over 7,000 end up exploiting an adolescent female Craigslist is the most used medium for sex trafficking. Ads have as many as three times more hits.

Over 65 percent of men who buy young females for sex do so in and around suburban and metro Atlanta. Nine percent of them are near the airport

According to the Center for Public Policy Studies

And as for Georgia State students, Echols said there’s nothing wrong with being hyper-vigilant.

“Hyper-vigilance is a good thing because it results in more scrutiny of people loitering or doing suspicious things,” he said.

“I am glad to see Georgia State students concerned.”

NEWS

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2018

5

Pro bono lawyers reach out

Black women most vulnerable to eviction, legal clinic finds

LOCAL

SAMUEL PUCKETT

Associate Arts &Living Editor

An easier adoption system

I

t is common knowledge that Atlanta has a housing affordability problem. The city has made headlines for not only its unaffordable rent prices but also its recent eviction problems.

That’s where the Atlanta Housing Court Assistance Center comes in.

The Center began as the Fulton County Answers Clinic in 2016 but closed in August 2017. It reopened Oct. 3, 2017, as the Housing Court Assistance Center through a coalition between the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation, the Georgia State University College of Law Center for Access to Justice, the Lawyers for Equal Justice and the Georgia Law Center for the Homeless.

At the Center, volunteer lawyers and students provide pro-bono legal aid to clients threatened by eviction or other housing problems.

Andrew Thompson is the director of the Center, managing it as part of a collaboration between the Center and the Lawyers for Equal Justice. Through demographic data clients selected during intake, he discovered a staggering 95 percent of clients reported being African-American, and 70 percent identified as women.

In January 2018, 100 percent of clients served were African-American.

He also found eviction rates to be highest in southwest Atlanta, in areas like Union City and East Point. The Center is open to cases from the whole city, but 27 percent of all evictions the Center served came from only two zip codes in the southwest. Thompson hopes in the future the Center can do more targeted outreach to those neighborhoods with the highest need.

“There are these Neighborhood Planning Units.

I’m trying to figure out which ones are in each zip code so we can go down there and say, ‘Look we’re here,’” Thompson said.

The Center receives donations from Eversheds Sutherland and the RentPath Gives Back Foundation, Inc., but is fully staffed by volunteers, many of whom are students at the Georgia State Law school. Thompson joked for the low cost it

House Bill 159, the adoption bill, passed through the Georgia Senate last Monday, sending the hopeful piece of legislation to Gov. Nathan Deal’s office for a signature or veto.

HB159 passed in the Senate with a 53-2 vote and a unanimous vote in the House. The bill would make the adoption process in Georgia easier, shortening the time birth mothers have to change their minds on giving a child up. It also allows parents to reimburse birth mothers’ living expenses and simplifies out-of-state adoptions, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The Housing Court Assistance Center helps connect residents of Fulton County facing evictions to pro-bono lawyers.

takes to run, the Center gives back a lot in value.

“We’re only open six hours a week, but per hour, we return $1,150 to tenants,” Thompson said. “The return on investment on that is crazy.”

Thompson hopes that strides the Clinic has made can inspire similar resources in counties across the state.

“I would love it to be a model we could export,” Thompson said. “Especially with our data driven stuff, the way all these organizations collaborate to make it happen.”

Jessica Hunt Bareis is a frequent volunteer at the clinic, usually putting in a three-hour shift once a week. She became involved with the Clinic through the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyer Foundation

PHOTO BY UNIQUE RODRIGUEZ | THE SIGNAL

while trying to meet the 20-hour a year pro bono requirements of the Georgia State Law School.

She began doing intake and reception but, after coaching from Thompson, grew to conduct interviews and offer legal recommendations on her own. The Clinic has offered Hunt Bareis a new perspective on Georgia law.

“It’s very helpful to see how much the law favors landlords in the state,” she said. “There aren't very many tenant rights.”

Hunt Bareis believes it is important tenants stay informed about their legal resources, should they ever need a defense.

“A lot of people don’t know that they have any sort of defense at all,” she said.

Swipe, like, match, repeat Staff Reporter

O

nline dating services began to pop up with the growing popularity of the Internet, following the 1995 creation Match.com, which inspired the rapid boom of meet-n-chat websites for couples-to-be.

A 2016 study conducted by the Pew Research Center found that 15 percent of Americans use an online service or app to aid their search for a partner, and 59 percent of adults continue to feel that meeting someone online is “a good way to meet people.” The 18 to 24-year-old age group saw a nearly tripled increase of dating app users from 2013 to 2016.

Karla Moore, an Atlanta-based dating and relationships expert, explained that the reason for this influx is the growing amount of people that remain single into adulthood.

“According to the 2014 Bureau of Labor and

Statistics, 50.2 percent of the population is single.

With this many singles, it should not surprise us that technologies have been created to support our biological need to find love.”

Regarding apps like Tinder and Bumble, Moore said the key to avoid disappointment when meeting with another person is making sure you’re on the same wavelength.

“An app like Tinder has a reputation of being a hook-up [app],” she said. “This is not an ideal environment for someone that has a serious point of view about being in a committed relationship.

In the same breath, a person can meet very suitable singles on Tinder.”

Moore said that, even if someone seems “amazing upon meeting,” when it comes to Tinder, it’s important to remember the reputation of the app and set expectations accordingly.

But for Georgia State student Kathleen Yund, Tinder turned out to be more than just a night of fun. She has been with her boyfriend, whom she met through the app, for over a year.

“I expected nothing out of the app except for a few hours of entertainment. I had no intentions

NATIONAL Purdue Pharma stops promoting OxyContin

OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma has decided to stop encouraging physicians to prescribe the painkillers after the company has been continuously involved in lawsuits surrounding the nationwide epidemic of opioid abuse. Starting Monday, the company announced that its sales staff will no longer be promoting the drug to health care professionals according to USA TODAY.

GLOBAL

Finding true love through the Internet RACHEL ANDERSON

LAST WEEK

Russian jet crashes, killing 71 aboard of meeting up with anyone, up until my now boyfriend asked me to hang out,” she said.

Yund said she was hesitant at first about the date, but she ended up having a great time and soon went on more dates with the same person, eventually leading to a great relationship.

“Before the first date, I would have been shocked to think that a Tinder date could lead to all this,” she said.

Yund said that, even though there’s still a stigma about meeting your partner online, she has come to feel less embarrassed about her experience and relationship.

“At first I was embarrassed to admit how we met,” she told The Signal. “I was ready to make up a story about meeting at a party. Over time though, I’ve found that most people don’t think it’s that weird.”

As for those who want to pursue a relationship on such an app, Yund advises to have fun, but to always use caution.

“I would tell people [to] go for it if they really want to,” she said. ”Be careful, because there are a lot of weird people out there, but it can be fun.”

Minutes after takeoff, a Saratov Airlines jet vanished and crashed into the village of Argunovo, south of Moscow. All 71 passengers aboard died, including a child and two teenagers. Investigators and emergency crews are working on the site to find the cause of the crash, recovering one of the flight recorders. Investigators say they don’t know whether the jet plummeted due to weather conditions, human error or technical failure.

According to BBC, contact with the plane was lost four minutes after take-off.

NEWS

6

Georgia proposes making English the official language of the state through Senate Resolution 587.

GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

PHOTO BY UNIQUE RODRIGUEZ & GRAPHIC BY JULIAN PINEDA | THE SIGNAL

One language for all Georgians

A new senate resolution sparks conversation of xenophobia SYDNEY BLOEME Staff Reporter

N

ew proposed Senate Resolution 587 takes another stab at making English Georgia’s official language.

State senator Joshua McKoon proposed the resolution on Jan. 18, 2018, and thinks this piece of legislation will not only reduce taxpayers’ money spent on government translations, but will also push non-native speakers to pursue learning English.

“The idea that there’s going to be state resources provided to accommodate nonnative English speakers is a waste of taxpayers’ dollars.”

— JOSHUA MCKOON, State Senator “There’s obviously a cost associated with the government making written documents available in different languages,” he told The Signal. “If you could avoid that cost, you would be able to redirect those funds to what I believe would be more productive uses of limited taxpayer resources.”

As for his second piece of reasoning,

McKoon said promoting the English language will result in a healthier political climate.

“Research shows that the adoption of English by [the non-native English speaking] population [has] slowed down. The speed in which people will adopt English will increase and the reason that is a benefit is that having a common language is critically important to a functioning democracy,” McKoon said.

Making English Georgia’s official language will change government tests, such as the driver’s test, which is now currently offered in 11 different languages. These tests would now be conducted in English.

“We are offering the [driver’s] test in 11 different languages, but the road signs are only in one language. Why would we offer the test in different languages?” McKoon said.

All government meetings, announcements and agendas would also be provided solely in English, which McKoon said would also help save the government money.

“The idea that there’s going to be state resources provided to accommodate nonnative English speakers is a waste of taxpayers’ dollars,” the senator said.

The bill offers nine exemptions that will continue to accommodate native speakers of other languages. For example, within the healthcare system, people on Medicaid would still be able to receive medical treatment with reasonable language accommodations.

Similarly, within the criminal justice system, there would be no restrictions put on the attornies, and they would still be able to communicate with their defendant in whatever language they choose.

According to McKoon, roughly 80 percent of Georgians are native English speakers, which poses the question of accommodations for a small population of people, like the Hispanic community. But McKoon says

he doesn’t think anyone will be negatively impacted.

“I certainly don’t think there’s a negative impact on any community, including the Hispanic community.”

Democratic Senator Park Cannon feels differently. She worked with the other Democrats to make a Democratic Caucus Press Conference on January 29 in response to the resolution. Cannon said the piece of legislation “simply sends a message of xenophobia.”

“Little will change, but the Georgia Legislature will have said that it does not value and actively intends to close itself off to nonEnglish speaking people. As for its chances of success, I intend to do my best to hinder Senate Resolution 587 from becoming law,” she said. “Our best opportunity is the Senate floor; however, I hope that the people of Georgia will speak up (in whatever language they please) now, and let their elected officials know that this kind of short-sighted intolerance has no place in our government.”

Cannon said she urges everyone to vote in favor of and speak up for inclusivity and reason. She believes “languages other than English being spoken in our state are a benefit to us as a culture and to our business environment,” and voting to limit to one language can ultimately hinder society and not help it.

Georgia State student Roberto Guzman comes from a family of immigrants and said such legislation is disappointing.

“That’s really disappointing, not only because my parents were immigrants—and now citizens—but I thought as a nation we were becoming more progressive. This makes immigrants not feel welcome to a country founded by immigrants,” he told The Signal.

QUICK FACTS 9.8 percent of people in Georgia are foreign-born 61.2 percent are white, 32 percent black or African American, 4.1 percent Asian and 9.4 percent hispanic Close to 8 percent of all Georgia speaks Spanish. This is 19.9 thousand people.

13.7 percent speak another language besides English at home

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2018

Hopelessly devoted to you: A Guide to Settling Down in college My top tips to keep in mind when living together for the first time

W

hen leaving your toothbrush at your partner’s house turns into moving into a small apartment together, or wearing their old sweatshirt turns into a diamond ring on your left hand, you’re probably ready to settle down. Making a legal commitment to someone while in college is a huge step in a relationship. When balancing a job, homework and a social life was once difficult, now you’ve added your partner’s daily activities into the mix. However, being in a steady relationship is one of the most rewarding parts of life I’ve ever experienced. If you’ve been bitten by the love bug and are ready to jump into a life-long journey of compassion and trust, it’s time to know what to expect when settling down.

AUTUMN BOEKELOO Staff Reporter

Autumn is a journalism major at Georgia State’s Downtown campus.

Coming from the small town of Acworth, Autumn has big dreams to write for a major magazine in the city one day. She enjoys home decorating, playing with her dog, and finding new trends on Pinterest.

Tweet autumn! @autumnaboekeloo

MAKE SURE YOU’RE FINANCIALLY STABLE

Before falling in love with an apartment or house and filling your Target online cart with home décor, identify if you are truly financially stable. If rent costs $1000 per month (welcome to Atlanta!) and you can hardly manage to pay your car insurance each month, you may want to re-weigh your options. While it might be difficult, be honest with your partner and tell them as soon as possible if you need to wait until you can afford it. Living on the edge each month will cause unnecessary stress and problems within your relationship.

PATIENCE IS POWER

Now, if you are financially stable, start to consider your new living situation. While living together before marriage used to be looked down upon, it is now becoming a normal evaluation of compatibility, which ethically makes sense. Why would you marry, someone knowing nothing about their habits and pet peeves when you are not around? Sure, it bothers you when your boyfriend constantly leaves the toilet seat up at his house, but can you live with that every day in your shared home?

When living together for the first time, patience and communication is the key to a successful and healthy relationship. If your partner routinely does something that agitates

you, ask them kindly to have a conversation about it. If you barge in the door screaming about the issue, chances are you will just exacerbate the problem you’re trying to end.

MAKING COMPROMISES

Going along with patience, if moving in with your significant other, you should be comfortable enough to speak your mind. If the dishes are piling up in the sink and the trash has been sitting in the same spot for a week, you might want to plan a compromise chart. (Or at least set some agreeable ground rules for your relationship.) Each partner should have an equal amount of work to do so one isn’t drowning in chores.

INVEST IN ALONE TIME

When the honeymoon phase is in full effect, the thought of leaving your partner’s side is unimaginable. However, a few months down the road, you might be feeling a little smothered.

Setting aside personal time is just as important as date nights in a healthy relationship. Even if you can’t get enough of your loved one, remember that you will be spending the rest of your life with them. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a load off watching your favorite YouTuber or going for a run at the nearest trail. Having an hour to breathe and reevaluate your feelings and mindset is essential for a relationship to function correctly. Don’t forget, even in a steady relationship, you are still an individual.

WHAT YOU HAVE VS. WHAT YOU’RE MISSING OUT ON IN COLLEGE

If you live with your partner away from your college, this dreaded thought has most likely crossed your mind before: “What am I missing out on in college?” Unfortunately, you are avoiding possibly one of the most socialized points in your life. However, you can make friends during and between classes. You might also see your friends’ Snapchat stories at parties laughing and having fun. A common misconception that couples living together have

is that they are under house arrest, or they must be with their partner to have fun. This ideology is unhealthy, and you should keep in mind that you can party with your friends and be lucky enough to come home to your significant other later to cuddle. That is something most college students do not experience, and you have the opportunity every single day. The bottom line: you are in control of your schedule, and if you don’t want to miss anything happening in college, make sure to keep up with your friends.

DATE NIGHTS STILL MATTER

A successful relationship will make designated date nights to keep the relationship exciting and interesting. No one wants to come home from classes every single day and just watch TV with their partner. Set one day aside each week as your designated date night. To keep the dates fair, alternate each week on who decides what to do. For instance, if your girlfriend is dying to watch a new chick flick but the sequel to your favorite movie just released, try to meet somewhere in the middle. Offer to watch her movie this weekend, and plan on going together to watch the sequel next weekend.

Especially on a college budget, the same idea goes for spending money. If you purchase the movie tickets, make a pact that your partner will buy the snacks. It may be a new ideology, but it is okay for the girl to pay for a part of the date too.

REMEMBER WHAT MADE YOU FALL IN LOVE WITH THEM

Overall, through the hardships and tears, and the happiness and laughter, always remember why you fell in love with them in the first place.

Was it their wittiness? Maybe their ability to always make you smile when you’re down? Their same undeniable love for Taco Bell that you have? (Hint: that is a big part of mine.) Whatever the reason, always keep this thought in mind.

This can come in handy if you are having a rough day together. Take your significant other back to the place where you first met or play your song and slow dance in the kitchen together. Savor the little moments and remind each other why you love each other daily. A healthy relationship will never let go of what brought them together.

PAGE DESIGN BY DEVIN PHILLIPS | THE SIGNAL

EDITORIAL

8

GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

Can’t find your valentine? Don’t fret!

Valentine’s Day is just another day for many students

V JAMES FOX Staff Reporter

James is a journalism major on the Downtown campus. He likes MMA and being outdoors.

When he can’t get outside he spends his free time reading and writing. He grew up in East Atlanta and loves his city.

Tweet JAMES!

@KingJames21usa

alentine’s Day has been celebrated for over a millennium. The holiday is often written off as an invention of Hallmark to sell gift cards, which is not unreasonable as they usually sell over 130 million cards for Valentine’s Day. The truth is, it’s a very ancient tradition.

Today’s famous Valentine’s Day was created by the Catholic Church to replace a Pagan celebration called Lupercalia or Februa, which is where the month of February got its name. The story of St. Valentine is that he was imprisoned for practicing Christianity and cured the warden’s daughter of her blindness, leaving her a note that read “Your Valentine.” He is the Patron Saint of love and happy marriages. Since the year 496 AD, Feb. 14 is the official day we celebrate Saint Valentine’s martyrdom.

For many, Valentine’s Day is kind of an afterthought of a holiday—it sneaks up on a lot of us, and we find ourselves freaking out about “making it count.” But that doesn’t have to mean spending the day with a partner. Georgia State students, and thousands around the world, have given the day a different meaning, other than love-dipped dates with promising partners. Some enjoy spending the day with family, while others get pleasure from forgetting it’s a holiday at all.

“I just see it as a day to love my family,” Rene Reed said. If you don’t have a significant other, this is the perfect day to show the loved ones in your life, like family, how much you love and appreciate them. “Nowadays it’s sitting with my three-year-old,” student Christy Reichenberger said. “My mom was great with holidays. We always used to wake up with baskets of candy and balloons. I’m trying to carry on that tradition with my children.”

It’s still a significant holiday, whether you spend it alone, with your family or your significant other. Student Josh Horton plans on just taking it easy. “Probably just going to watch Netflix by myself,” he said. “Valentine’s Day is just another day for me,” Heran Mohamed said. “You don’t need to rush to find a date or make a big fuss over it, but it’s still a good day to remember.”

It’s often OK to write it off, honestly. Sometimes, the stress of Valentine’s Day can be worse than allowing to forget yoruself about the holiday. For many, Valentine’s Day can be a painful reminder of recent break-ups or long-lost loves and is a root cause of what we’ve come to know as Valentine’s Day Depression. Oh yes, Valentine’s Day for the Valentine-less can be cruel.

People who freak out over Valentine’s Day

and struggle to get a date can come off as over-reachers, and most of the time, just end up stressing themselves out. The best advice to anyone looking for a date on Valentine’s Day is don’t try so hard. You don’t need a partner, and it’s best not to scramble to find somebody who may not even be right for you. And don’t forget, the ones you love should know year-long, not just one day each year that you decide to remember to show them some good ole appreciation.

There is, however, nothing wrong with celebrating Valentine’s Day the old-fashioned way either. “I normally just go out with my boyfriend,” student Shannon Daniels said. “Dinner and a movie.” It’s a good day to deepen the bond you have with your partner. “We usually try to go out somewhere,” Kyle Simms said. “Try to have like a nice dinner and try find some activity we can do together. Then we go home, watch a movie, maybe with a nice glass of wine.” There’s nothing wrong with taking the day just to kick back and relax with your partner. However you choose to celebrate, don’t let societal pressures get to you. At the end of the day, Valentine’s might just be about taking the day to appreciate yourself. Enjoy it the way you choose fit. Happy Valentine’s Day!

EDITORIAL Singletown Galore!

Make it your mission to have a rockin ‘single & mingle’ Valentine’s day

A

h, the sad anthem of the singletons takes flight with the love season finale this week. Valentine’s Day. The day we told ourselves we’d never spend single again, but here we are, counting down the friends that wouldn’t mind watching Christian Grey’s funky adventures and spending the rest of the night eating leftover burritos and cuddling with your cats and pizza-themed fuzzy socks. It’s tough being an independent singleton these days. Whether you’ve never tasted the glittery satisfaction of waking up to a partner’s sweet morning breath, or have recently gotten dumped or rejected, or frankly, still recovering from a months’ old break-up, finding yourself alone this week can be intimidating.

We’d be lying if we said society isn’t always promoting the perks and specialties of having a hand to hold. Whether it’s the latest movie with that sappy French kiss ending, or your friend gushing about her latest conquer, or literally every happy ending EVER, enjoying the company of another person is not only idealized, but an obsession inside everyone’s mind during college.

In fact, admit it, you’re probably pulling out your

COVER PHOTO TEASE CREDITS

mental “All the things wrong with me” list as we speak to figure out why you’re still single.

But here’s something the newest romantic comedy will probably not tell you. Things can be quite awesome in Singletown as well. So why are “dry periods” so frowned upon? Why are we always pushed towards finding someone to walk alongside, when walking on your own can be so enjoyable as well?

Understanding that the happy ending can come when you’re spending some time with good ole you can be important as well. Time spent single is time well spent when you spend it understanding, appreciating and bettering yourself. More time for the gym, more time with your friends, and more time for homework (you’re right, far-fetched!). But being single and happy, and fulfilled is a life skill that is essential to most of us in order to achieve contentment. At the end of the day, you’ll most likely be less than thrilled to discover that your happiness depends on another person, so try your best to make sure that’s not true. Find things that make you happy, and at least can take your mind off the fact that you don’t have a snuggle buddy for the time being, and work on making yourself the

best damn version of you that you can. When you get there, you’ll be hard to resist anyway.

And show some appreciation to the old dogs you call friends. They’re probably the ones that put up with all the ‘Why am I single” rants, and the ones that act as your wingmen at parties and bars. Let’s admit it, they’re probably the ones you forget about when someone spicy comes along for a week or two. So take this time to show them the appreciation.

And seriously, what they say about the best coming when you’re least expecting it is a hundred percent true. Stop wasting your time stalking that guy on Facebook, or visiting the same bar for a chance to talk to the server you’ve been crushing on-- it might not even work out anyway. Trust life a little, and look around and be fulfilled by the people you do have. Everyone else will find their way into your life when they’re meant to!

So, taken, single, confused or just hungry, go out and experience the world by yourself, with your friends, or simply take the day off and spend it with family. Enjoy this day of love with the people that matter most (and maybe that’s just yourself for a change!)!

ARTS & LIVING

SPORTS

ILLUSTRATION BY SHANCHEZE JOHNSON | THE SIGNAL

PHOTO BY JULIAN PINEDA | THE SIGNAL

ARTS & LIVING TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2018

www.georgiastatesignal.com/artsandliving

College is expensive, and who are we to judge? If you so please, get a sugar daddy, but just follow these safety steps!

1

2

3

NO PHOTO, NO REPLY

Nev and Max have taught us for years that we live in a sea of catfish, so don’t get hooked.

TELL SOMEONE

Although it may be awkward, it’s a good idea to keep someone informed on who you’re talking to and where you meet up with them just in case anything goes wrong.

KEEP PRIVATE INFORMATION PRIVATE

Don’t give them unnecessary access.

Addresses, payment information and other personal details are off limits until you say otherwise.

4

GET TESTED AND USE PROTECTION

If you’re giving up any sweets, just make sure they’re not expired first. And even then, protection is a must.

ILLUSTRATION & PAGE DESIGN BY KHOA TRAN | THE SIGNAL

SUGAR DADDIES How sugar daddies are making our finances a little bit sweeter VICTOR SLEDGE Staff Reporter

A

s student debt continues to grow, students are becoming more resourceful to figure out how to pay for college. One of the easiest ways to get paid is just being yourself and providing someone with that one-of-akind service. Luckily, sugar daddies pay big money for exactly that.

That’s right, sugar daddies are on the rise, just like your bank account, after a candle-lit dinner with them. The media presents them as senile men looking for young girls to give them—well—sugar, but the reality can be a bit more complex.

THE (NUTRITION) FACTS ON SUGAR DADDIES The Atlantic reported on sugar daddies back in 2015 with stats from a popular app to find them, Seeking Arrangements.

Atlanta is home to the highest number of sugar daddies on the site as of 2014. We’re followed by cities like Vancouver, Orlando and San Francisco. What’s more is that Georgia State was ranked number five in the highest growth of sugar baby sign-ups.

Georgia State, with its then 816 sugar babies, could possibly be seeing increases in that number (if not already).

The southern region of the country, Seeking Arrangements reported, had the highest number of new sign-ups. Whether it be by word of mouth or seeing the light at the end of a dark tunnel of debt, students are finding sugar daddies to get their financial problems solved.

FINDING A SUGAR DADDY The Signal reached out to a former Georgia State student to give us the ins and outs of a sugar daddy/sugar baby relationship.

“More often than not, the process of actually getting a sugar daddy and keeping a relationship with one isn’t as hard as one would think,” the source said.

Now more than ever, students can seek out financial help from a sugar daddy openly on social media. The process of starting the risky conversation face-to-face is eliminated because now you can log on to your dating app of choice and

openly request sugar daddies that are openly requesting sugar babies.

“It can be even as easy as getting a Tinder,” the source said.

While the source has only dabbled in the idea of a potential sugar daddy, they explained that they have never had the desperation to go through with any exchange whatsoever. On many occasions, they weren’t even on the dating apps to find a sugar daddy.

“It’s never been with the intent of finding a sugar daddy,” the source told us speaking on joining dating apps. “They just kind of end up in your DM’s.”

NAVIGATING A SUGAR DADDY So, once you’ve found a sugar daddy, there are undoubtedly going to be new things to get used to that are a little different from your average relationship.

Obviously, the age difference is the main factor in the relationship, but it may not be as stark as you’d think.

“Mass media projects an image of a much older man,” our source explained. They said, “but in my experience, the age range is usually between 28 and 42.”

Once you get over the (potentially small) age gap, the whole system gets a little complicated. The source explained that there are different kinds of sugar daddies.

The average “sugar” daddy is someone who just wants company and emotional attachment in exchange for the check for your housing fee this semester or that last textbook you couldn’t afford. A “Splenda” daddy is a more forthcoming daddy who is ready to break open his wallet after you’ve satisfied his sweet tooth. The last daddy is also referred to as a white, powdery substance, but they take services in exchange for drugs. You do the math.

BEING SAFE WITH THE SUGAR There are also some safety concerns with sugar daddies.

While, by nature, they may seem very charming and flattering, they are still real people that could do harm. You should take many steps to vet the person you’re planning on meeting before giving up any significant information about yourself that could put you in harm’s way.

Going into the exchange on a whim is very dangerous when you begin to reveal the places you frequent, the people you are around and even your payment information with finance apps.

“That’s putting a lot of risk in your pocket when it doesn’t need to be there,” our source said about situations like that.

A big safety concern is that in whatever capacity you’re dealing with your sugar daddy, you are still affecting their finances. This makes what would usually be average relationship arguments a lot more volatile because sugar daddies pay a pretty penny for their sugar babies to provide them what they agreed.

“You’re wrapping yourself up in someone’s finances,” our source said, “you’re going to end up poking the bear eventually.”

Aside from that, the truth is that many sugar daddies participate in the exchange for reasons deeper than sex. It’s the connection they can make with their sugar babies that keep them paying. They often get emotionally invested in the situation.

“You have to walk into it saying, I’m not just getting money for this. I’m also filling a void,” our source said.

Regular dinner dates, late night conversations and the trust that the privacy of the relationship brings can make sugar daddies (and babies) feel a genuine attachment. So, altercations can also be fueled by pure passion, which is something else to be weary of.

SUGAR DADDIES ARE PEOPLE TOO The main takeaway here should be that at the end of the day, sugar daddy relationships are real relationships.

“It’s just like any other relationship where whatever you do, there’s consequences for it,” our source said.

If you’re going to seek out a sugar daddy, just remember to be careful, set boundaries and that you can’t treat them as if they can’t act on emotion just the same as anyone else.

The scary thing is that that can be a good thing for your bank account, but also a bad thing for your safety, so be cautious.

UNREALISTIC SEXPECTATIONS SEX

Beware: these common misconceptions could make or break your sex life AUTUMN BOEKELOO Staff Reporter

A

s sexual beings, the longing for stimulation and finding tranquility in a partner begins with identifying erotic preferences. However, with the hunger for sex on the mind, the consumption of accurate knowledge is needed to properly execute a sensual situation. Humans absorb unrealistic sex expectations throughout their pubescent years and on. Whether you missed the awkward day of class where your health teacher talked about abstinence, or you skimmed over the label on how to apply a condom correctly, you should know the facts and identify the myths before experimenting with sex. These misconceptions range from: the first time always goes smoothly, pornography shows what intercourse is really like, and birth control works every time. But, the truth is, these generalizations can leave you in the dark when pursuing a significant other, or even understanding your own sexuality. To ensure the comfortability of yourself and your partner, be able to safely recognize and conquer these five common misinterpreted “sexpectations.”

1 THE FIRST TIME WILL BE PERFECT!

Losing your virginity is a significant step into adulthood in the American ideology.

But is it really as big of a deal as we are told it is supposed to be? Every instance of intercourse, whether horrendous or remarkable, at a party or after marriage, has an unforgettable story attached to it.

According to Georgia State students, it does not always go as planned.

MALE PERSPECTIVE: Phillip Quinones, Senior “My first time didn’t go well. I lost my virginity in a cast and crutches in the backseat of my mom’s car that had no AC with a girl I met at a party. I think losing your virginity should be a funny story to tell and something that shouldn’t go perfectly. It was funny and hilarious and a fun life moment I will remember forever. At this stage having better sex is important, love can come later for me.”

FEMALE PERSPECTIVE: Kailey Autrey, Sophomore “It was in my parents’ house. My parents were really open about sex because my mom got pregnant with me young, because her parents weren’t open about it. But they were gone, and my boyfriend at the time lived in my neighborhood and I was texting him ‘the coast is clear!’ and I was expecting it to happen but not expecting it to happen at the same time. I had my phone on silent, so… it happened, and everything was extremely awkward.

Then I go to check my phone and I had 52 missed calls from my mom. I called her back and she was crying hysterically because she thought I was dead.”

2 SEX IS EXACTLY LIKE PORN!

At the click of a button, millions of videos of sexual acts are at any internet user’s fingertips. But let’s face it, porn is just a fantasy. So why make unrealistic expectations by watching it?

MALE PERSPECTIVE: Ramin Alibeik, Freshman “Porn is just a fantasy and it’s not good for the brain. It makes people view each other in an unrealistic way, and it can be very addicting. People who watch porn will end up actually having sex and they won’t enjoy it as much as they fantasize in their head because it’s totally different.”

FEMALE PERSPECTIVE: December Weir, Sophomore “I tried it, but I stopped because it was just so violent and degrading to everyone. I don’t watch it, but I’ll go out of my way to talk about masturbation just to break the taboo that women can’t indulge in that kind of sexual pleasure.”

PROFESSIONAL PERSPECTIVE: Dr. Kevin Rios, Therapist “Everything is ‘perfect’ in porn. The actors tend to be fit, muscular and have a larger than average penis. The actresses tend to have larger breasts and/or buttocks. One constant seems to be that porn stars are highly skilled at what they do and have no trouble pleasuring their partner(s). This can create an expectation that every sexual experience will be just as great as it is in porn. Sex can be smelly, hot, sweaty, messy and sometimes awkward yet most porn scenes do not portray this.”

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JULIAN PINEDA & ILLUSTRATIONS BY ALEX BROOKS & PAGE DESIGN BY KHOA TRAN | THE SIGNAL

3 BIRTH CONTROL IS THE ALLENCOMPASSING SOLUTION!

Forms of birth control range from the condom to the shot, but depending on what works best for your body and your partner, you can find what will benefit you both.

MALE PERSPECTIVE: Travis Simmons Jr. “Since I have a son myself, I would say the best form of birth control is to use a condom. I’ve had plenty of scares, but I don’t like that stuff [the pill or shot] because I know it affects the woman’s body and I’d rather just use a condom.”

FEMALE PERSPECTIVE: Moya Leung, Freshman “With the pill, I think the most common misconception is that when you’re on the pill you can still have sex without a condom. They do not prevent STDs, and you can still get pregnant if you don’t take it regularly.”

PROFESSIONAL PERSPECTIVE: Dr. Kevin Rios, Therapist “The best forms of birth control tend to be the methods that are longer lasting and require fewer doctor visits. IUDs and hormone implants are shown to be some of the most highly effective forms of birth control. Male and female sterilization are highly effective as well but unlike IUDs and hormone implants, they tend to be permanent. Condoms are effective, but have a higher failure rate due to improper use. Using lubricant that is compatible with the condom is highly recommended.”

4 ROCKIN’ BODIES MAKE FOR ROCKIN’ SEX!

When it comes to comfortable sex, selfconfidence is key. Intercourse will be much smoother and fun if you both can feel free with your bodies, and not worrying about that tiny pimple on your back.

MALE PERSPECTIVE: Nathan Wallace, Freshman “If you can allow someone who is comfortable with their body to be comfortable around you in a sexual atmosphere, it can go a great deal to increase intimacy, and usually any increase in intimacy and passion goes a long way to increase arousal, so, yes.”

FEMALE PERSPECTIVE: Dana Dellapi, Junior “If you’re not comfortable with yourself, how can you be comfortable with someone else getting up in your space? It’s situational. It’s [sex] is different for every person so you can’t go into something expecting it to be a certain way. Then things will get awkward, so giving them compliments during it is really important.”

PROFESSIONAL PERSPECTIVE: Dr. Kevin Rios , Therapist “Some people may shy away from sex due to a fear of being judged, ridiculed, etc.

A lack of body confidence may hold one back from exploring their sexual self. The anxiety associated with a lack of body confidence may prevent some men from maintaining an erection. Many cases of erectile dysfunction are caused by performance anxiety.”

5 FETISHES ARE JUST PLAIN WEIRD!

While the word “fetishes” might sound daunting, establishing your fetishes with your partner openly will eliminate the shock factor during intercourse.

MALE PERSPECTIVE: Dominic Choroski, Junior “I’ve come to realize that I am very much interested in bondage and that pain can sometimes be pleasurable. Truth be told everyone has a fetish, whether you realize it or not. We all have some sort of kink that turns us on more than other things do. It’s something that is natural and apart of growing up and finding out about yourself as a sexual being. It’s something to be proud of in my opinion.”

FEMALE PERSPECTIVE: Anonymous, Sophomore “I like to be choked-- just because it keeps it spicy, but I don’t have to do any work. I guess since I’m getting less oxygen, everything is more intense.”

PROFESSIONAL PERSPECTIVE: Dr. Kevin Rios, Therapist “Clients fear being judged or being viewed as deviant for expressing their fetishes. Fetishes can increase satisfaction in one’s relationship. A common misconception is that fetishes are deviant or wrong. A downside of this is that people with fetishes may internalize these attitudes and feel that there is something wrong with them.

As long as their fetish is not causing psychological distress or difficulties in important areas in one’s life, I do not view it as problematic at all.”

Overall, realizing these common misconceptions will make your sex life a lot easier. So, if you’re planning your first time out in your weekly agenda, or trying to lose ten pounds before your next date, it’s better to face the fact that the more spontaneous—the better. Experiment with your sexuality, but do it safely and consciously with your partner’s preferences in mind.

Happy Valentines Day! Let your freak flag fly!

10 TIPS FOR YOUR BEST SEX YET: • • • • • • • • • •

Wear something you’re comfortable in Don’t forget the foreplay- it makes a huge difference in quality of sex Express your sexual preferences to your partner Have fun and experiment with different positions Take your time- it isn’t a race!

Compliment your partner Indulge in smells- ask them about their favorite scents to enhance stimulation Roleplaying can spice things up if your sex life is getting dull Try having sex in a different place- use your car or the kitchen!

Don’t be afraid to say no if you’re uncomfortable

ARTS & LIVING

12

Heartbreak can cause symptoms much like withdrawals due to the sudden lack of oxytocin that is released while spending time with a significant other.

GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JULIEANN TRAN & ILLUSTRATION BY DAO NGUYEN | THE SIGNAL

Heartbroken? You’re not alone and not crazy Studies show breakups are physically like drug withdrawals SARA ABDULLA Staff Reporter

Y

our whole world collapsing as a result of a break-up is an unfortunate circumstance, but a common one. The pain of a break-up is universal; it’s almost a part of the human condition. She leaves you because the spark is gone, or he leaves because he found someone else, or some other unforeseen circumstance ended up leaving you reeling and your friends telling you, “Stop moping! You deserve better.

Let’s go to the bars and find you someone new!” Yet, experience knows overcoming the pain of heartbreak is more complicated than starting up a chat with a Vodka-filled undergraduate looking for a night of action.

So, the million-dollar question: what makes heartbreak so utterly painful, and how do we make the pain stop?

It’s no surprise that humans are wired to pair-bond.

Evolutionarily, it was optimal for a man and a woman to be monogamous for at least a short amount of time for genespreading (and later on gene-raising) reasons. While the evolutionary basis of pair-bonding is less relevant today and we have evolved to have same-sex and polyamorous partners, the drive and benefit of having a romantic partner is still very much alive. People in relationships are in better physical health, have more positive mental and emotional well-beings, and more likely [to be successful]. In fact, loneliness can be so devastating for some individuals, it triggers “stress cardiomyopathy,” also known as “broken heart syndrome,” a condition characterized by heart muscle weakness.

People find their significant others and lovers in many ways: in college, through mutual friends, or at bars and parties. The actual bonding aspect is more complex: once two people decide they have chemistry and choose to get together in some way, each of their bodies release oxytocin when they’re near the other. Oxytocin release occurs during hugging, cuddling and sex, especially upon both male and female orgasm. Oxytocin is also released in mothers when they are about to start the caring process for their children, presumably so they feel close to their child, and are thus more likely to nurture them and less likely to abandon them. Oxytocin release is significant not only because it creates a sense of “intimacy” and bond, but also because it is theorized to upregulate release of dopamine and endogenous opioids. Dopamine is often referred to as the “pleasure hormone,” and is often co-localized with endogenous opioids that have similar effects to opiates like heroin. Opioids suppress pain and induce a euphoria-like effect. These pleasurable effects become associated with being around your partner and the rewarding feeling of spending time together.

Leaving someone, or being left by someone that you love

can then be compared to drug withdrawal. The dopamine, or pleasure, that their presence once brought you abruptly halts.

The pain ricochets in the absence of your lover. The pain is not only in your brain, but can also be felt physically. You crave “a dose” of your ex, even if they are bad for you, because they satisfy the desire for a surge of opioids deep inside your brain.

In addition to the withdrawal-like effects, the absence of your lover causes, heartbreak causes adverse stress reactions that manifest physically.

These physical effects are evident in multiple body systems.

Studies suggest that one reason broken-hearted lovers feel chest pain and nausea is overstimulation of the vagus nerve, a nerve that begins in the hindbrain and goes through the neck and abdomen.

Indeed, studies have shown that emotional pain associated specifically with heartbreak, and not other feelings, like rage, activate the same regions in the brain, such as the posterior dorsal insula, that are also associated with the sensory components of physical pain. In fact, pain from rejection is so similar to physical pain, researchers found that acetaminophen, aka Tylenol, may mitigate that emotional pain. These findings show that heartbreak is not mere sadness, but a genuine, if temporary, condition that can have physical and mental health effects.

While heartbreak, candidly, feels miserable, it exists because it serves an important function. Pain, whether emotional or physical, exists to let you know that something traumatic has occurred and that you need to address it. In some cases, it may indicate that you need to give yourself time to heal from a nasty split, like in the situation of a malicious or cheating partner.

Studies have shown that reflecting on a relationship gone rotten can help promote recovery. Note that reflection doesn’t mean wallowing for months after the fact.

Heartbreak, of course, also helps you learn what exactly you seek in a romantic partner. The end of a relationship may teach you, for example, that you can’t handle long-distance relationships, or ones that require you to be patient and faithful without seeing your partner for extended periods of time.

Break-ups, regardless of the trigger, can be valuable learning experiences that teach you not only about your romantic and sexual desires, but also ultimately about yourself and what unexpected solitude does to you.

In others, the pain may indicate a need for you to reconnect to others, like your family and friends. When people suffer from loneliness, it is rarely a mere romantic disconnect, but rather, a larger pattern of separation from peers and loved ones.

So next time you find yourself lamenting your lost lover and you think about going to My Sister’s Room or the Georgia Beer Garden, try evaluating why you feel that way. Value the time you spend alone - after all, the time to be young and single is temporary. And most importantly, allow yourself to learn from the time you spend with your partners, and from the time you spend alone.

TOP 5 BREAKUP REASONS • • • • •

Lost Interest Cheating Distance No potential Growing different

ARTS & LIVING

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2018

13

Cuffing season schedule

The month-by-month breakdown of the winter warming phenomenon JALEN JENKINS Staff Reporter

T

he winter months are coming to a close. Were you bundled up with that special someone and prepped through the coldest days of December and January, or were you bundled up in blankets slowly pulling out the Ben & Jerry’s every time your romantic comedy reached a plot twist? The cold months can get pretty lonely and finding someone to hold can make us all warm again.

This phenomenon is what’s known as “Cuffing Season.”

The phrase was coined by rapper Fabolous in his 2013 song “Cuffin Season” in which he says that he’ll be single again in the summer but will be unavailable during the cold months.

MTV did a piece on the science behind cuffing season and put it in Darwinian terms.

“People who coupled up in the winter had better survival rates and, as a result, had more babies than single people did. Over time, all humans evolved to couple up in the winter because it was a behavior that ensured the species’ continued survival and successful reproduction in future generations.”

The phrase has recently taken off, becoming the punchline for social media users entertained by the idea that love came conveniently as a scheduled need. While the original creator remains unknown, a cuffing season schedule has been created and is drawing to its close this Valentine’s Day.

1. SCOUTING: AUGUST 1-31

This is the end of the summer. If you are a planner, you already know what you need to accomplish so you have someone to look after you during those winter months. At this time, you want to figure out your type and just keep an eye out because you’re going to need some options for drafting.

2. DRAFTING: SEPTEMBER 1-30

You made it through scouting with a type of person in mind and you might have even chosen a few you’re interested in, but now you must narrow it down. Get those few special candidates and forget the rest. There’s only room for one boo this cuffing season, and by the end of September, you need to have your

“Cuffing season” refers to the time of year people seek out relationships to keep them warma as temperatures drop.

for-sures in line.

3. TRYOUTS: OCTOBER 1-31

This is where it is definitely narrowed down. Maybe that one person you thought you were really into was acting like a fool at the Halloween party you invited them to, or maybe conversation is not going in the direction you were wanting it to go. This is essentially the grand decider, narrowing it down to just a few candidates to choose from.

4. PRE-SEASON: NOVEMBER 1-30

Give your selected one(s) a true shot. Do they have what it takes when it comes to cuddling, or can you easily swap them out with your mother’s knitted blanket? Better start spending more time together, because the end

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY VANESSA JOHNSON | THE SIGNAL

of this season calls for the major decision-who will you cut off?

5. CUFFING SEASON: DECEMBER 1-JANUARY 15

It has been a hard last couple of months.

Emotionally and physically exhausted, you have finally made it to the finish line. There is one thing for sure, you will not be lonely this winter, because cuffing season has arrived and you (hopefully) have your boo. Bundle up, eat lots of holiday food, meet some family, and just enjoy the company of one another while the snow gently flurries outside. You deserve it.

6. PLAYOFFS: JANUARY 16 FEBRUARY 13

If you think your fling was just a seasonal thing, a little extra warmth, and you will shed

that extra weight after the snow dries up, then it is what it is. However, if you felt something a little more during steps one to five, then you are in the playoffs. Hold on to what you’ve got, because a little action over the summer can’t hurt.

7. CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: VALENTINES DAY, FEBRUARY 14TH

The moment of truth. You’ve either let go of your blanket-replacement or you’re hand-inhand with your something-more. And what better way to celebrate than the holiday of love, Valentine’s Day? Get one another loads of candy and kisses and celebrate the right way.

Cuffing season is over, and whether you’ve scored or not, don’t fret. Scouting season is only a couple months away!

HPV: What you need to know about the most common STI Stay on top of your body’s health by getting checked regularly and staying informed WILLIAM SOLOMONS Staff Reporter

M

ore than 79 million Americans, mainly teens and young adults, have contracted the sexually transmitted infection known as human papillomavirus infection (HPV) according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That number grows by 14 million people every year.

HPV sometimes goes unnoticed due to its lack of symptoms. It’s only one of the strands that provides visible symptoms, like warts located in the area that has contracted the infection. These can occur anywhere on or inside the body, causing an itching or burning sensation, or nothing at all. They may go

away on their own, depending on a person’s immune system, but often require medication which can help expedite the healing process.

The primary issue revolving HPV is that it rarely gets reported, unlike other major STIs such as chlamydia and HIV. “The problem with HPV is it’s not one of the reportable diseases,” said Dr. David Holland, an infectious disease specialist who practices at Grady Hospital.

Because the disease is not reported, Holland said that it is hard to determine how many individuals in the local areas, such as Atlanta, are actually affected. The infection also has no medical test to determine if an individual has contracted it or not. The only way to tell if someone has it is from the presence of warts.

While HPV is generally less serious than other STIs and is extremely common, it can

cause significant damage if you don’t get checked regularly. HPV has been known to cause cancer of the mouth, throat, genitals, and cervix.

Holland said that he recommends that women get regular pap smears to determine whether or not the cells have become cancerous. According to the CDC, 12,000 women get diagnosed with cervical cancer every year. The strain of HPV that causes warts is a different strain than the one that causes cancer, also according to the CDC. This means that individuals may have it and not know until decades later.

Holland and the CDC both recommend individuals who are sexually active use proper protection such as condoms when engaging in sexual intercourse to prevent HPV. Even though it is still possible to contract it

with proper protection, it is still preventable.

Vaccinations are the most effective way to prevent the spread of a certain strand of HPV. “It is effective against the strain that causes cancer,” Holland said.

Children as young as 11 and 12 are eligible to get a vaccination, but Holland said that he would “encourage anyone under 26 to get the HPV vaccine.” He said that this is when it is most effective.

Georgia State’s health clinic administers the HPV vaccine if the student wishing to have it provides a valid prescription. They also provide brochures and other materials in the waiting room for students who want to learn more about it and other STIs. Along with that, clinic administers offer activities on cervical cancer and help teach safe sex to both men and women.

CALENDAR & GAMES

14

GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

things you don’t want to miss Wednesday

Thursday

More events and info at georgiastatesignal.com

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

UniverSoul Circus

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Atlanta Gladiators

Oysterfest

AnachroCon

Fun for the Whole Family

Snow Mountain

February 14

February 15

February 16

February 17

February 18

February 19

February 20

Unleash your inner freak at UniverSoul Circus. This Circus hosts Caribbean dancers, Chinese acrobats, African clowns and exotic animals all in a heated tent located not too far from home at Turner Field.

Curl up with bae for some laughs!

Anderson Theatre’s Musical: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is based on a movie starring Steve Martin, following two con artists and a beautiful, unsuspecting heiress.

Watch as Atlanta’s hockey team, The Gladiators, play the Manchester Monarchs at the Infinite Energy Center in Duluth. It’s Student Night so be sure to bring your ID for a sweet discount!

Get messy at Oysterfest! Enjoy tasty oysters and fried shrimp along with drinks and live music at Park Tavern for everyone 21 and up! It should be a finger licking good time!

Armor up for this year’s AnachroCon. Come dressed up and celebrate your favorite classic sci-fi, Steampunk, science, history and music at Wyndham Atlanta Galleria. Be careful, there may be vikings!

Watch The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, a movie following a lost toy and his fight back to his loving owner while learning a few important lessons along the way, playing at Synchronicity Theatre.

Stone Mountain converts into a winter wonderland offering snow tubing that will be sure to keep you out of breath on your run back up for your next turn!

games easy

SuD0KU medium

HARD

SPORTS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2018

www.georgiastatesignal.com/sports

Panthers baseball look to have “career year” this season Justin Jones pitches on April 11, 2017 against Mercer University.

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY GEORGIA STATE ATHLETICS

Upperclassmen could lead Georgia State back to 30-win season TAJ STRICKLAND Staff Reporter

I

t is that time of the year again. Georgia State aims to start their season on the right foot when they host the Atlanta Challenge on Feb. 16. Their first game will be against Bradley, followed by UConn and Minnesota.

The Panthers have won the last four out of six games in the annual Atlanta Challenge, and hope for another clean sweep after winning all three games last season. With 13 seniors on this year’s team, they possess the experience vital for a winning recipe that head coach Greg Frady and the Panthers need to not only win a Sun Belt Conference championship, but to also make an appearance in the NCAA Division I tournament.

Unlike last year, the Panthers look to have a season full of healthy players ahead of them and finally have their transfers available after sitting out a year. NCAA rules require players to sit out a full season before becoming eligible to play.

The Panthers have a lot to look forward to when also considering how much experience they have with the young, healthy underclassmen on the team. One of the goals for every Panther is to have a career year.

Frady has reiterated time after time that he wants the best for his players, especially his seniors who are possibly in their last season as a collegiate player. After seeing players like Bryce Conley and Joey Roach get drafted into the MLB, Frady would also love to see some of his players take that next step in their careers when it comes to baseball.

He also mentioned that he wants his players to be academically great and well prepared for life after college. “I think that is something that we should all dream about, but the reality is take care of your daily business,” said Frady.

Frady wants the players to commit to “keeping everything in balance” in their lives and finishing up their degree.

Frady also expressed how important it was to have a team full of seniors that the freshmen can look up to. He mentioned how it’s huge to have them on this team and wants them to be recognized as one of the best senior classes in the Sun Belt’s East Division.

“If the senior class is not strong, then you need to have

some major league prospects on your team because talent can overcome that,” said Frady, who believes the seniors create a great atmosphere for the rest of the team.

One of those seniors who continues to generate a great environment in order for the younger players to develop is infielder Will Kilgore. Kilgore has started two years at second base since playing at Georgia State in 2015.

He has a batting average of .261 for his career along with nine home runs and 42 RBIs. Kilgore is excited about the practices that have been going on, but is ready to start the season and get things going.

“The games are where everybody comes out and they love it so I’m pretty excited and I think we have a good team,” said Kilgore.

He’ll gear up for his 93rd game on opening day. Kilgore is excited for the Atlanta Challenge and brought up one particular Atlanta Challenge game during his first year at Georgia State against Western Michigan, where they went to 12 innings to win a close 3-2 game.

“It is an exciting atmosphere and we obviously do not want to go to extra innings, but the first game always brings something exciting like that and I am looking forward to it,” said Kilgore.

Considering them good friends and teammates, Kilgore played with MLB draft picks Roach, who was a senior in Kilgore’s first year with Georgia State and Conley, who was a senior in Kilgore’s second year with Georgia State.

“I think everyone who is playing at this level would want to play professionally, so yeah I would like to continue,” Kilgore said on his future.

However, Kilgore wants nothing but the best for his team this season. He says the biggest goal for the Panthers this season is to win the Sun Belt championship. Kilgore believes the team has the depth for everyone to make 2018 a season for the ages.

Another senior who adds to that depth is Jordan Lee, a righthanded pitcher who transferred from Chattahoochee Valley last season and played 14 games, including eight starts.

“I think the team has been preparing really well through these first couple of weeks of practice and I think we are ready to take on the first week of the season,” said Lee. Lee was dealing with an injury on his non-throwing hand last fall, which he says prepared him for the upcoming season.

Although he had to sit out for the fall, Lee believes that the injury

did not slow him down and helped him prepare more for his comeback.

“We have had a really good base of older guys and we built up for this group of seniors this year, so now it is time for everybody to produce and have a career year,” said Lee. Talking about his future, Lee mentioned that he would love to stay another year to help his teammates create a winning environment.

The regular season kicks off Friday, Feb. 16 at 4 P.M. at the GSU Baseball Complex against Bradley. The Sun Belt Conference Championship begins May 22. Georgia State looks to close out more games on the road this year and have a winning Sun Belt record. Last season, they posted a 6-17 record on the road and a 10-20 record in conference.

2018 BY THE NUMBERS Host the Atlanta Challenge from Feb. 16-18 Thirteen seniors and 10 juniors make for upperclassmen heavy team Head coach Greg Frady begins his 12th season as Georgia State head coach Right-hand pitcher Hunter Gaddis pitched for Team USA Collegiate National Team during the summer of 2017 Shortstop Justin Jones has a career batting average of .288 in three years as a starter Plays Georgia twice (home matchup on March 20) Plays Georgia Tech at home on March 7 and away on April 11

SPORTS

16

GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

One of the challenges female athletes face is lack of enthusiasm during their games.

PHOTO BY JULIAN PINEDA | THE SIGNAL

Women athletes not prominent in sports world Age old factors go into less interest for women’s athletics JERELL RUSHIN Sports Editor

O

ver two thousand more people attended the Georgia State men’s basketball than the women’s basketball game last Thursday. Fan turnout, conversation topics and media coverage are some of the endless differences in women’s sports in comparison to their male counterparts.

The current state of women’s athletics can be traced to how they appear on television. Cassidy Faulk of the Georgia State women’s soccer team sees exposure as a main cause in the enthusiasm or lack thereof in women’s sports.

“I believe that the reason people don't strive to watch female sports is because they haven't been exposed to them the way they are exposed to male sports,” Faulk said. “Meaning it is easier for them to watch a men's game than it is for them to watch a women’s game.”

This has been the case for such long time that many people don’t pause a second to think about it. A 1989 University of Southern California study revealed Los Angeles-based network affiliates spent 5 percent of airtime on women’s sports. Researchers update the study every five years. Women’s participation in college sports nearly quintupled since 1972 with a 445 percent, but the 2014 findings wouldn’t suggest so-- the percentage of airtime now sits at 3.2 percent.

“I feel that media coverage with women today is more farfetched than most of its competition. In order to find something out about a female athlete or a female with any profession, you are more likely to have to google it or search for it in order to find the information you are looking for,” Faulk said. “Versus the alternative being that it could be broadcasted on every media platform known to man. I think women are powerful in so many ways and deserve to be seen in more ways than just to be found by a related keyword in a search engine.”

She went on to highlight the addiction sports fans have with consuming male sports and the lack of appetite for women’s sports. The same USC study “found that the big three (football,

basketball and baseball) have seen a 6.5 percent increase to 74.5 percent airtime from 68 percent in 2009.”

“I see that the women to men fan base ratio is very spaced out with men being the higher of the two. People will spend tons of money to watch a male sport, such as baseball, football, basketball, soccer, etc,. And this comes from the programming on their televisions, where they may have to subscribe to a certain channel to watch it.”

Television networks run off money, and women’s sports’ revenue doesn’t compare to the men’s revenue as Faulk said. The NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Tournament is the most watched event in women’s sports outside of the Olympics. The 2015 championship game had viewership of 3.1 million-- a sliver over 10 percent of the men’s championship game’s 28.3 million viewers.

“As an Accounting/Business Major, I am forced to see the business side of this equation,” Faulk said. “All of this money that the fans place on their sports teams is where the revenue difference comes from. So I see why revenue differences impact the amount of coverage, but that doesn't mean I like the current coverage given to females.”

Despite the skill of opponents, in-person viewership is vastly different as well. During late January, the Georgia State women’s and men’s basketball teams hosted a double-header against TexasArlington.

Arlington has middling teams in both the men’s and women’s Sun Belt Conference standings. Regardless, 1,244 more spectators showed up for the men’s game versus Arlington.

The appearances of women are a far more relevant topic in sports in comparison to men; it’s often seen as a slap in the face, possibly suggesting a woman’s attractiveness must be addressed in any atmosphere, even an athletic one.

However, if the public is looking to view female athletes in the way they think is fair, taking a listen to what they have to say is one way to begin. Empathizing with them is what it could take to understand the less than ideal situations they experience.

Faulk thinks if advertising appeal gets people to tune in to women’s sports, it should be allowed to increase viewership.

However, she knows appeal in media coverage shouldn’t solely

define women.

“We as women want to be seen as equal, if not higher, individuals than men. And what makes us so much better is that we are more appealing to the eye,” Faulk said. “I, for one, am the first to comment on how pretty a girl is before I comment on her athletic ability. I don't think that it should be seen as a negative factor, when someone comments on your looks before commenting on your athleticism.”

These polar opposites are occurring at all levels of the world of sports. Why is it so consistent? The youth may be the ones to change the the disparity between the two genders’ sports.

“I do feel that the youth would be more driven to do something about the situation considering that we have our whole life left to live and to make a difference. As to where older women may see the situation in a way that they shouldn't change what they have been a part of for so long.”

Although major changes may need support from the entire sports world, Faulk knows a woman’s strength is more than enough to be groundbreaking.

“However, at the end of the day, if a girl wants something, she will do whatever she has to do until she accomplishes her goal.

That's how we as women are; we are fighters, and when we believe in something, there's no shutting it down. I believe that a woman at any age is capable of making a change if they set their mind to it.

•

Georgia State has 9 women’s athletic teams, 3 more than men’s teams

•

Women’s softball player Cassidy Faulk is in her senior year at Georgia State

•

Sports networks spend 3.2% of airtime on women’s athletics

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2018

SPORTS

17

Sharon Baldwin, the Players Coach Women's basketball head coach has found good talent in her teure CHRISTIAN CRITTENDEN Staff Reporter

C

hallenging is the word that Georgia State head women’s basketball coach, Sharon Baldwin, used to describe her eight years here at Georgia State.

Baldwin’s tenure here has been one filled with many ups and downs, and like everyone, she has had to deal with her fair share of adversity. But she has always found a way to make it work.

Recently the biggest problem that Baldwin and her teams have had to deal with had been devastating injuries-- the ones that derail a season. The past two seasons the Panthers have lost their best player to begin the season, and it has set them back. During the 2016-17 season, Madison Newby tore her achilles and missed the entire season after coming off a year where she won Sun Belt Freshman of the Year. This season, reigning Sun Belt Freshman of the Year, Jada Lewis went down with an injury.

“I think injuries have been a big challenge for me and it’s something that you really can’t control, and you really just have to move on with it and go,” Baldwin said.

Despite the adversity, one thing that has remained constant throughout her career is her eye for talent and her ability to help develop players. She also can find excellent assistant coaches to help with the program.

Players like Newby, Lewis and Tiffany Holston are just a few of the really good players that Baldwin has recruited or helped develop recently. Dating back to her early days at Georgia State, those players were Chan Harris, Cody Paulk and Kendra Long.

“I think I’ve got a pretty good eye for some people that can also get a lot better if they work at it and they get in the gym, get stronger and those sort of things,” Baldwin said. “I’ve coached a lot of really great players over the years, and the best ones tend to have the best work ethics as well and some of the

Coach Baldwin advising the women’s basketball team on Jan. 20 against Georgia Southern.

best competitors.”

One of her better players, who is now a member of the coaching staff, Jasmine Young played for Baldwin at East Carolina. Young says that Baldwin still has a lot of the same values she did now as she did back at East Carolina.

“I think a lot of the stuff that she taught me as a player is just helping me become a

coach, being around her for four years and being apart of a winning program for four years under her,” Young said. “One thing that I enjoy the most about her is that she can relate to her players, she’s easy to talk to, she has a seriousness about her, but then she has sarcasm as well. So there’s a balance; she’s not too hard, and she’s not too soft.”

PHOTOS BY VANESSA JOHNSON | THE SIGNAL

Now, as her eighth seasons is coming to a close, Baldwin says that she doesn’t have any regrets during her time here.

“Every game, every day, you think that you could have done something better, but no I don’t have any major regrets,” Baldwin said.

“I just kind of take every day as it comes and just go after it.”

Chance for season sweep of Georgia Southern Georgia State goes for their first win in Statesboro since 1996 D'MITRI CHIN

Associate Sports Editor

G

eorgia State is coming off a heartbreaking 90-82 overtime loss to Louisiana Monroe, their first loss of 2018. The Panthers have been uncharacteristically sloppy defensively and have just right the matchup in rival Georgia Southern to get refocused.

Hunter demands great attention on defense and has been visibly upset on the sidelines when it hasn’t been there. The loss to the team with the fourth-worst Sun Belt Conference record is a wake up call-- just in time before traveling to face “That Team Down South”.

“If they need any motivation for that [game] then we’ve got the wrong kids. At the end of the day, you’re fighting, so we gotta come back and get back at it Monday in practice,” Hunter

said. “One thing that I don’t like is the last few games we’ve improved offensively, but we’ve slid a little bit defensively. We’re gonna start getting back at it defensively so we can get ourselves back to who we are. Sometimes you can get happy with your offense and you let the defense slide.”

It’s even more important that the Panthers mend their defensive issues because the they did not face Tookie Brown in January’s 83-66 win. Georgia Southern was not the same team without Brown, and had very little explosiveness. The Eagles shot a dismal 33.8 percent shooting against some of Georgia State’s best defense of the season.

Georgia State’s defense has been falling for the past month according to Hunter. Their high performance from three-point land was a mask— until they went cold against Monroe.

“We had a lot of shots that we normally make, that we just missed. We’re a jumpshooting team and when you get into our legs,

our defense has to step up. That’s what’s been great all year for us,” Hunter said.

That wasn’t the case last Saturday for State nor Southern. The Eagles allowed Louisiana to score 102 points. Coincidentally, both teams lost dramatic overtime games to Louisiana Monroe last week as well.

The Eagles are in a freefall of their own with a three-game losing streak and desperately need a win. With conference tournament seeding still to play for, a recovery is exactly what Georgia Southern needs.

This will make for a tough atmosphere inside Hanner Fieldhouse, where the Panthers haven’t won since 1996. With no momentum for either team, the home-field advantage could prove huge.

However, if Georgia State is locked in how they were in January against the Eagles, points will be tough to come by.

Southern sits well-below Georgia State in the standings, but now is the time to patch

things up before the conference tournament begins in March. Hunter needs his team in a groove to maximize their chances of taking home the title.

“I’ve said it before, one team in the Sun Belt is going to the NCAA Tournament. One,” Hunter said.

This more than just a rivalry game. The Panthers should understand the time to slap a band-aid on their woes is now. They allowed a staggering 182 points in their last two games-- more points than the previous three games combined. Georgia State is still first in the Sun Belt in defensive shooting percentage, and it’d be shocking to see their careless effort continue much longer.

They will face Georgia Southern on Friday, Feb. 18 ESPN2 at 9 p.m. EST. A solid outing could make a good impression on the NCAA tournament selection committee in regards to seeding, should Georgia State win the Sun Belt Conference Tournament.

SPORTS

18

Panther D'Marcus Simonds steals the ball away from the University of Louisiana at Monroe Warhawks on Feb. 10.

GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

PHOTO BY VANESSA JOHNSON | THE SIGNAL

The Panthers’ win-streak ends at 10

Following a dominant win against Louisiana, Georgia State falls to UL Monroe D'MITRI CHIN

Associate Sports Editor

I

t took a 92-80-overtime loss by the UL Monroe Warhawks to snap the Georgia State Panthers' 10-game winning streak.

It was possible to assume that the Panthers would lose this game, considering that they played a highly-emotional match against the number one team in the Sun Belt Conference, Louisiana, on Thursday.

This was considered a trap game, ladies and gentlemen.

Before the mental letdown, the Panthers had against the Warhawks, this is how the Panthers were able to knock off Louisiana:

TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK

The Panthers knew t hat to have an opportunity at finishing the season in first place in the Sun Belt, they would have to beat Louisiana -- especially since they only play once this year. Well, they certainly played that way. Coach Hunter had just a seven-man rotation, and six players managed to score in double figures. With Simonds leading the way with 22 points and nine rebounds, big-man Jordan Session had a career-high 22 points of his own. Malik Benlevi (13 points and 12 rebounds), Jeff Thomas (18 points), Devin

Mitchell (20 points) and Isaiah Williams (11 points) also played significant roles in the upset win.

"We didn’t shy away with what this game meant tonight. We feel like we are already in conference tournament mode and that every game is a must-win," Hunter said.

After defeating a tough opponent in Louisiana, it's understandable that the Panthers would perhaps not play with the same intensity against a less-talented Warhawks team, but a total collapse is was took place at the GSU Sports Arena on Saturday.

from three and 42 percent from the floor. The three-point shooters on this team (Thomas, Mitchell, Benlevi and Isaiah Williams) shot a combined 7-26 from beyond the arc. Not to mention, Simonds, who isn't considered to be a great three-point shooter, went 1-6 behind the three-point line.

DEFENSE WIN GAMES...AND CHAMPIONSHIPS

NO OFFENSE OUTSIDE OF SIMONDS

THE GAME WAS LOST AT THE FREE THROW LINE

Entering Thursday's game, the Panthers ranked first in the Sun Belt in field goal percentage defense (39.1), and it was on full display against the Ragin' Cajuns. The Panthers held their opponent to 43 percent from the floor and 39 percent from threepoint range. Frank Bartley, Louisiana's most coveted player, had 21 points, but the Panthers essentially prevented him from leading his team to victory as he’s accustomed to doing.

FREE THROWS WON THE PANTHERS THE GAME

While the Panthers played exceptional defense and shot the ball very efficiently, many would argue that the final score (106-92) could have been much closer if there wasn't such a wide margin in the free throw column. Yes, the Panthers took advantage of their opportunities at the line, but their counterpart shot just 69 percent. Games can indeed be won or lost at the free throw line, which leads to the Panthers failing to win their 11th consecutive game.

39 points, 12 rebounds and five assists from Simonds was not enough to avoid a crushing upset at home. The Panthers are at their best offensively when Simonds has help from his teammates who are capable of shooting threes at a high rate. Instead, three-point shooters in Thomas and Mitchell failed to create a spark the team desperately needed to win a very favorable matchup. Mitchell shot just 2-11 from the floor, and Thomas was unable to score a single point in 36 minutes.

"We didn't have enough guys, we had some guys that I thought really took the day off," Hunter said about his teams' lack of effort offensively.

YOU LIVE BY THE THREE; YOU DIE BY THE THREE

Georgia State was first in the Sun Belt in three-point field goal percentage (39.0) and second in both field goal percentage (46.2) and three-point field goals made (9.2). However, they finished the game shooting 25 percent

If the Panthers didn't realize how essential making free throws were before this game, they surely do now. While they shot 72 percent as a team from the free throw line, Simonds went 8-12 and missed a crucial free throw that would have given his team the lead with 10 seconds remaining in the second half.

"He [Simonds] was tired; he carried us the whole time, and he's mad right now," Hunter said about Simonds not being able to seal the deal at the line for his team.

Despite the Panthers losing to the Warhawks, they realize that they have the personnel to string together another winning streak that can begin on Friday when they face Georgia Southern. Nonetheless, they will face an Eagles team that will have Tookie Brown in uniform. It's worth noting that Brown missed the last game (Jan. 20) due to a concussion.

Round two of State v. Southern will be played on Friday in Statesboro, Ga. at 9 p.m.

EST on ESPN2.

SPORTS

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2018

panther of the week

19

STANDINGS

NBA ALL-STAR WEEKEND PREDICTIONS

SUN BELT FOOTBALL

JERELL RUSHIN

school

PHOTO BY GEORGIA STATE ATHLETICS

D’Marcus Simonds

MEN’S BASKETBALL D’Marcus Simonds had a week to remember in Georgia State history. In two games, D’Marcus Simonds piled up 61 points on 24-46 shooting, 21 rebounds and 13 assists.

He nearly came away with a triple-double against Louisiana with’ 22 points, nine rebounds and five assists.. On Saturday, Simonds terrorizing Louisiana Monroe with body control, fearless driving and acrobatic finishes all afternoon. The sophomore scored a career-high 39 points and logged a doubledouble. Simonds drew shooting fouls four times within the last three minutes and tied the game on a make with only 10.2 seconds in regulation.

LOUISIANA

11-1

21-4

W1

GEORGIA STATE

10-3

19-7

L1

GEORGIA SOUTHERN

7-6

16-10

L3

UT ARLINGTON

7-6

16-10

W3

TEXAS STATE

7-6

14-12

L4

—Winning streak stretched to 10 with 106-92 win over Louisiana.

D’Marcus Simonds and Jordan Session scored 22 points apiece.

On Saturday, Louisiana Monroe upset State 90-82 in overtime despite Simonds’ 39 points.

Women’s Basketball — Went 1-1 last week and moved to 6-18 overall and 2-11 in Sun Belt. Fell 75-60 to Louisiana on Thursday despite double-digit scoring from three Panthers. Bounced back on Saturday against last place Louisiana Monroe. Janessa Murphy led the team with 17 points. The Panthers shoot 47 percent.

CELEBRITY GAME (TEAM CLIPPERS VS. TEAM LAKERS)

TEAM CLIPPERS

RISING STARS CHALLENGE (WORLD TEAM VS. U.S. TEAM)

U.S. TEAM

SKILLS CHALLENGE SOUTH ALABAMA

6-6

13-12

W2

TROY

6-6

12-13

W3

APPALACHIAN STATE

6-7

11-15

W2

LOUISIANA MONROE

5-7

11-12

W2

COASTAL CAROLINA

5-2

11-15

L2

ARKANSAS STATE

4-9

9-17

L2

ERIC GORDON

SLAM DUNK CONTEST

LITTLE ROCK

2-11

5-21

DENNIS SMITH JR.

ALL-STAR GAME (TEAM STEPH VS. TEAM LEBRON)

L8

TEAM LEBRON

SPORTS CALENDAR SCAN HERE TO JOIN US!

GOLF

SOFTBALL FEB. 14 TIGER INVITE, GEORGIA TECH

Robert E. Heck Softball Complex

FEB. 18 5:00 P.M.

TIGER INVITE, DELAWARE

Auburn, Alabama

TIGER INVITE, ST. FRANCIS

Auburn, Alabama

11:00 A.M. 1:30 P.M.

FEB. 17 TIGER INVITE, ST. FRANCIS

Auburn, Alabama

8:00 P.M.

2:00 P.M.

FEB. 16 GEORGIA SOUTHERN

Statesboro, Georgia

9:00 P.M.

FEB. 17

TENNIS

Women’s Basketball

FEB. 17

GEORGIA SOUTHERN

Statesboro, Georgia

men's tennis CHARLOTTE

ALL-AMERICAN INTERCOLLEGIATE, HOST: HOUSTON, ALL DAY Houston, Texas

men’s Basketball

Women’s Tennis

Jacksonville, Florida

Men’s Golf

BASKETBALL

FEB. 18 TIGER INVITE, AUBURN

Women’s Golf AMELIA ISLAND COLLEGIATE, HOST: JACKSONVILLE, ALL DAY Amelia Island, Florida

FEB. 16

Auburn, Alabama

— Swept both of their opponents on Saturday afternoon at the Woodruff P.E. Center to move to 3-3 on the season. Georgia State was the designated away team against Emory, but used a four single wins in straight sets to clinch their first victory of the day. Defeated Coastal Carolina 7-2 in the afternoon.

LOU WILLIAMS

THREE-POINT CONTEST

SPORTS BRIEFS Men’s Basketball

Sports Editor

Conference Overall streak

1:30 P.M.

2:00 P.M.

JOIN US!