The Signal Vol. 82 No. 22

MARCH 3 - MARCH 9, 2015

finding their

VOL. 82 | NO. 22

home

Look at that cute face. Don’t you want to take this puppy home?

Read more on how Atlanta Humane Society helps these pets find a home.

PAGES 10 - 11 | A&L

PHOTO BY JADE JOHNSON | THE SIGNAL

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Georgia Sand u

Stay the summer

Mail on waffle, please Songstress of state Waffle House is going to start delivering packages pretty soon. Here’s why this is good news.

Up-and-coming artist India Shawn discusses balancing her budding music career with classes at Georgia State.

The sand volleyball team begins its third season with high expectations after success in 2014.

News | Page 5

Opinions| Page 7

A&L | page 9

Sports | pages 17 - 18

Looking for a place to stay for a summer internship?

Georgia State offers rooms for interns on campus.

DAILY NEWS AT WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

News 2

Opinions 7

Arts & Living 9

Sports 17

2

NEWS

blotter

Police Department. She has since been transported to Fulton County Jail.

Feb. 20

1.

TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2015

No, I did not spend $100 at the Clermont Lounge!

Kell Hall

A student realized several unauthorized transactions were made in her name after her book bag containing her bank card had been stolen. She filed a report for theft and financial transaction card fraud.

The case has been handed over to the Investigations Department.

21 Keep your voice 2. Feb. down! You’ll scare the freshmen!

Hurt Park

A Georgia State officer responded to a verbal disturbance in the area where a non-Georgia State affiliated individual was arrested. After a criminal history check, the individual was found to have outstanding and active warrants from the Clayton County

22 Now how will they 3. Feb. tweet?

E Parking Lot

A Georgia State student reported a robbery after being held at knife point by an unknown Hispanic male. The offender allegedly stole the student’s cell phone. The offender was approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall and was accompanied by a black male approximately 6 feet 2 inches tall. The case has been handed over to the Investigations Department.

2.

1.

4.

3.

24 4. Feb. Wait, you wanted me

to steal the entire car?

Financial fraud

M Parking Deck

A student filed a report for theft when she saw that her BMW emblem was stolen from the rear trunk lid of her car. The case has been turned over to the Investigations Department.

verbal disturbance Theft Robbery

Photo of the week PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JADE JOHNSON | THE SIGNAL Ciara Frisbie, News Editor, took home the award of College Journalist of the Year and received $1,000 at the Southeast Journalism Conference this weekend.

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NEWS

www.georgiastatesignal.com/news

SETTING

PACE

Despite Auburn Avenue’s dwindling presence, business continues to grow for some after Atlanta Streetcar — Business owner Benjamin Graham shares his story

“

hing with Auburn.

somet They need to do

more vibrant.

-Benjamin Graham

TA N A AR L T A TREETC “The development happening today in Atlanta is unprecedented and projects like this continue the momentum and ensure continued growth opportunities for Downtown and the Sweet Auburn neighborhood,” he said.

However, Sam Bugsa, a former Auburn Avenue business owner, said his shop went out of business after construction began for the streetcar in January.

“The city of Atlanta closed the streets for almost three years, so now I am out of business,” he said.

Bugsa also said he wants to lease the property, but it is difficult to get people to invest.

“I have been there 10 years and in three years I have made nothing,” he said. “And I still have three years left on my lease.”

However, Tanya Swann, co-owner of Auburn Avenue Specialty &

enjamin Graham witnessed the fall of the Auburn area while living beneath an interstate bridge. Today he said he watches the Atlanta streetcar chauffeur customers and tourists in front of his convenience store, Auburn Avenue Specialty & Gifts.

After battling a 17-year drug addiction, he now looks forward to watching the area’s revitalization as the owner of a convenience store along the strip.

“When I look back at all I went through and see where I’m at now, not a week goes by where I don’t cry,” Graham said.

However, despite his success opening the store, much of Auburn Avenue businesses are struggling to survive, according to Graham.

Today more than a dozen vacant shops can be found on the

three blocks of Auburn between Fort Street and Jackson Street.

In February 2012 the city demolished a dilapidated apartment complex and sold the property to Georgia State to be made into athletic fields which led to a drastic decline in business for the area, according to Graham.

Although the apartments were then housing vagrants and drug dealers, Graham said the demolition of the complex took a heavy toll on the east Auburn area as many of the stores relied on pedestrian traffic.

“One time Auburn was thriving from that apartment community,” he said. “As those were torn down it seemed like Auburn started to die.”

The property cost Georgia State nearly $3.6 million but has yet to be used.

CITY INFRASTRUCTRUERPEAIR

S

A month prior to the destruction of the complex the city began to implement plans for installing the streetcar, according to Graham.

A.J. Robinson, President of Central Atlanta Progress and the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District, said the streetcar is an innovative manner of stimulating the city and state economy, according to a statement released by the mayor’s office.

“Before even opening, the Atlanta Streetcar attracted $561 million in investment between 2011 and 2014 within a five minute walk of the track alignment and now that it’s officially launched, it will continue to provide significant economic benefits for many years to come,” he said.

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed said the streetcar connects neighborhoods that had long been divided as well as boosts local business, according to the statement.

alty & Gifts

Owner of Auburn Avenue Speci

B

PHOTOS BY JADE JOHNSON | THE SIGNAL Benjamin Graham owns Auburn Avenue Speciality & Gifts, located at 376 Auburn Avenue.

street.

This is historic. This is Dr. King’s

I’d like to see it

Written by: Sean Keenan, Staff Reporter

“

A NEW

Gifts and Graham’s fiance, said the completion of the streetcar has been beneficial for their business.

“We’ve definitely seen an increase in [pedestrian] traffic and we’re really expecting for there to be more during the spring and summer because of the weather,” she said.

Swann also said the streetcar offers a convenient and cost efficient manner of traversing Atlanta.

“People will be wondering where they’re going to park and this will be good for them,” she said.

However, the construction limited foot traffic and Bugsa said he expected some kind of compensation for his suffering.

“There used to be parking in front of my door, but now the streetcar does not allow that,” he said. “The city told me they would not give me money, but they would give me customers; but they did not.”

Three years after Bugsa lost his business, Invest Atlanta implemented a grant program to improve the infrastructure and quality of life around the city, according to a statement released by Invest Atlanta.

The organization awarded Downtown Facade Improvement Grants to four Auburn Avenue businesses totalling around $240,000, the release stated.

Graham said the area deserves to be revitalized due to its cultural value.

“They need to do something with Auburn,” he said. “This is historic.

This is Dr. King’s street. I’d like to see it more vibrant.”

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed said the grants should renew the suffering areas, according to the statement.

“This project brings the largest infusion of federal funds into our transportation system in more than a decade,” he said. “And even more, the streetcar brings more energy, excitement and investment to the neigh-

borhoods near some of our most important historic and tourist sites. The Streetcar will carry us into a vibrant, connected future for the City of Atlanta,” he said.

Graham said he is aware of the renovation grants nearby and he hopes Auburn Avenue will soon be rehabilitated.

“Hopefully by the summer we’ll see it start to mirror Edgewood [Avenue],” he said.

Graham also said he has only noticed these grants affecting Edgewood Avenue businesses so far. The revitalization of Edgewood Avenue brought new restaurants and bars like Bad Dog Taqueria, the Music Room and Panbury’s Double Crust Pies, according to Atlanta Magazine.

“I see Auburn growing, but compared to Edgewood, I would love to see it like Edgewood,” he said.

Auburn Avenue

Continued on page 4

4

NEWS

TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2015

Auburn Avenue Continued from page 3

THE

O G N I N BEGIN

F

M’S A H A R OF G Y JOURNE

Keeping a balance of education and music challenged Graham when he started college at the University of Georgia (UGA) in 1986.

“College was newfound freedom,” he said.

Graham said his musical prowess brought him a lot of attention while in Athens so he decided to leave school to try his hand in the Atlanta music culture but said he regrets leaving before completion.

“It was a big mistake,” he said.

“I left before I got my degree.”

During his time at UGA Graham became well acquainted with Swann, but they parted ways when he departed for Atlanta.

Graham said Atlanta hosts a much more competitive music scene than Athens and his ambitions did not pan out.

“I came to Atlanta to further pursue my career with music and was met with a lot of disappointment,” he said.

Yet Graham could always find a means of getting by and surviving.

“I was always industrious,” he said. “I started working with a temp service and ended up working for the tag office at Dekalb County. I had a chance to work permanently for the Dekalb County tax office too but two weeks into the job I quit.”

Graham said he and a real estate broker friend teamed up to pursue a business venture, creating the Atlanta Social Network.

“It was a singles dating company. We did pretty well for a while. The internet was not very popular and it was more mailorder based.”

Their successes were shortlived as mail-order communication became obsolete, according to Graham.

“Of course as the internet grew, the mail-order businesses died,” he said.

This setback led him to make a life-altering error.

RISING THROUGH ADVERSITY “I made a crucial mistake and wound up trying my luck at the drug game,” he said. “I didn’t want to lose the lifestyle; [I wanted to] try to keep the money coming.”

While selling drugs Graham stayed at the aforementioned Fort Street apartment complex and although it was lucrative he said the plan yielded more harm than good.

“That didn’t work out,” he said. “Three months later I was arrested. I was given a firstoffense for being busted for drugs.”

Graham said the mark on his record hardly compared to the life he was headed into.

“I might have escaped a five year prison sentence but I received a 17-year crack addiction,” he said.

Despite attempts to make money Graham found himself living under the I-75/85 bridge on Auburn Avenue.

“The first night I slept under the bridge I said tomorrow I’m gonna get it together,” Graham said. “And that one night turned into several years.”

Graham said he often worried his addiction was a life sentence and one evening he tried to take his own life.

“I just thought I would never beat addiction and one day something inside me said ‘You are here for a purpose. Pick the phone up and call somebody and I dialed 911,” he said.

Graham said his ambitious nature pushed him through the rigors of drug rehabilitation and he now visits the clinics that once helped him.

“I went through the [rehab] program with flying colors and I have gone back several times to speak to their graduating classes to let them know that recovery does work,” he said.

In addition to running the convenience store Graham now studies for a degree in counseling at the International Career Development Center (ICDC) College, according to the interview.

“I have always wanted to inspire people,” he said. “I always had a thing for motivating people.”

PHOTO BY JADE JOHNSON | THE SIGNAL Benjamin Graham, owner of Auburn Avenue Specialty & Gifts, makes deliveries on a yellow bicycle.

According to him, the bicycle it symbolizes positivity.

AUBURN AVENUE SPECIALTY & GIFTS

Swann said she was unaware of Graham’s condition when she came to Atlanta and the two only became reacquainted by chance.

“I actually saw him on Facebook,” she said. “I hadn’t heard from him in 24 years… I thought he was going to be on TV or radio. I didn’t know.”

They arranged to meet within a week of finding his profile and they have been dating ever since,

according to Swann.

“We met up and within an hour he told me the whole story, which is more than I can say about most people,” she said. “A lot of people hide those types of things but he told me about the addiction and was very open about it.”

With Graham sober and on his feet Swann said he sought out a business opportunity for the

couple.

“I was traveling for work and when I came home he said ‘you need to see this spot,’” she said.

Swann said Graham had found a vacant shop on Auburn Avenue and proposed they start a business there.

“We got the place in April and we officially opened with all the licenses complete in June,” she said.

A COMMUNITY

MINISTRY

Graham said their shop has been prosperous and beneficial to the community.

“The store has made a tremendous statement as far as community service,” he said. “We want to bring back that traditional community business.”

When a disheveled looking man entered the store, Graham knew him by a nickname and offered him something to eat.

“Preacher-man, you want some soup?” he asked.

Graham said his struggles led him to appreciate the trials of others and he tries to lend a hand wherever possible.

“We keep a jug of water and some snacks,” he said. “People can come in from the street if they’re

hungry or thirsty.”

Graham also said he tries to offer opportunities to the less fortunate so the shop employs the needy for jobs around the store.

“We try to keep people doing something; cleaning up or stacking food and I get to counsel,” he said. “My [ICDC] training is not in vain.”

Graham said he purchased a bike and he now traverses the city to deliver groceries and/or aid when needed.

“The store functions as a ministry to help everybody,” he said.

Graham also said one occurrence has stuck with him since they opened the store.

“We had a lady come in wearing a nightgown and she had been out

all night; no telling what she had been put through,” he said. “She relapsed and had been on the streets for about a year ... she came through the door … she saw the flyer with my before and after picture and she started crying. [She] said she was in recovery. We closed the store and we took to her to a rehab facility and they told us to take her to detox. We took her to Dekalb Crisis ...

She wrote us back five months later and told us she’s doing better and we saved her life,” he said.

Graham also said his time on the street had taught him to value life and he feels obliged to help those like him.

“We will close the store to save a life,” he said.

5

NEWS

TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2015

University

Intern housing awareness Rooms available for student interns in Piedmont North and the University Commons LAUREN BOOKER

Associate News Reporter

S

ince the summer of 2009, Georgia State has offered housing for student interns.

However, this fact is not as widely known as university housing hopes for it to be, according to Ty Hill, Coordinator for Conference and Program Services.

Hill said Georgia State’s location is a key area for internships and the department wants to raise awareness of the university’s intern housing.

“We do have room for growth and I want to get the word out there especially just at the rate the university is growing we feel like maybe it is time for another announcement sort of thing to let people know this option is there because we get a lot of students from all over the world who come and do research on campus,” she said.

Interns staying in university housing have interned at the World of Coca Cola, Georgia Lottery and SunTrust. They have also worked at the Bar Association, state capital and law firms in the area, according to Hill.

“Sporadically we even had a couple of students who are interning for Georgia Tech to stay on our campus because they didn’t have the room because they have a very large intern program as well,” she said.

The number of interns using Georgia State’s housing has increased from 42 interns in 2013 to 56 in 2014, according to Hill.

“It has been a continuous growth every year,” she said. “The more and more it is around, the word gets around more.”

The intern housing programs are available at the University Commons and Piedmont North, both of which have free laundry facilities, according to university housing’s website.

In the Commons, interns would pay $28 per night to live in a four bedroom and two bathroom apartment style dorm, according to the website.

Hill also said more interns choose the Commons because they have the opportunity to cook in a kitchen.

“They like to cook on their [own] or have the luxury of having a refrigerator and a kitchen,” she said. “Last year we opened up Piedmont North due to the fact that the Commons was closed down due to renovations. So that’s when we started it.”

In Piedmont North, it costs $30 per night to share a bed space and bathroom with another intern. Since the residence hall doesn’t have a kitchen, a nightly dinner is included in the daily rate, according to the website.

Hill said most interns work full time hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the summer time.

“So, we found that it was based off of surveying interns based on previous years that dinner was the only feasible thing they would use because of them being away so much during the summer hours,” she said.

Some of the other amenities interns staying in housing have access to parking, networking programming and have a gym membership included in their fees, according to Hill.

“We build out a gym in the building for them to utilize,” she said. “It is heavily used. So, I think that is something we used last summer based off of feedback we received from previous summers.”

The price is based on a market evaluation among Georgia State, Emory and Georgia Tech. She said they are the three universities in the area that offer the same program, according to Hill.

“Our location is a very prime location to a lot of the businesses right here in the Downtown area,” Hill said.

Dominique Glover, Georgia State’s University Housing conference manager, said he didn’t know about student intern housing until he began working for university housing. He said he wants to bring the opportunity to the attention of students.

“Our advantage is that Georgia State University is located in the heart of Atlanta,” he said. “Many popular places that students would want to intern at is in walking distance such as the Georgia Aquarium, the CNN Center, the State Capital, Philips Arena.”

Glover also said with his position he ensures that guests have a great experience while staying in university housing.

“Interns from the past have been very satisfied with our services especially with our excellent staff, our competitive and affordable prices and hosting fun events such as mixers with our staff and other interns that made the intern housing experience very pleasurable,” he said.

After living on campus for two years, Crystal Chisholm, Georgia State junior philosophy major, said she hasn’t heard of the program or interned before either.

She also said students would be

“

It has been a continuous growth every year ... The more and more it is around, the word gets out more.”

Timeline for the student intern due dates at Georgia State:

- Ty Hill

Georigia State’s Coordinator for Conference Program Services

more informed about intern housing if the information was made available through student organizations.

“I think they should go through Spotlight, Greek, Campus Events [and] student involvement. Just get those people to put it on their social media,” Chisholm said.

To foster awareness of intern housing, Hill said they are in the process of building an ad campaign for various university departments.

“I do plan on pushing that ad campaign out to the departments here on campus and we are also looking to do the same thing for the various companies here in the Atlanta metro area,” she said.

Hill also said the application for intern housing can be found

online on the University Housing website under Conferences Services.

“We made it very easy where they can do it all online,” she said.

The registration for the intern application process opens up in November and closes on May 8 and a $200 deposit has to be paid, according to the university’s housing website.

University Housing verifies if the intern is a student and the company they are working for, according to Hill.

Those with questions about student intern housing can visit the University Housing Conference Service’s office or email a conference manager, according to Glover.

May 8 Regular registration closes

May 17 Check-in begins at 9 a.m. and first month’s balance is due

June 1

Comparing summer intern housing price per night rates:

Second month’s balance is due by 8 p.m.

July 1 Georgia Tech

$37.50 for a single occupancy bedroom in an apartmentstyle accommodation *according to Tech’s website

Second month’s balance is due by 8 p.m.

Aug. 1 Checkout by 5 p.m.

Emory University

$28 $35 for a private bedroom in 4-bedroom/2-bath apartment

for a private bedroom in 2-bedroom/2-bath apartment

*according to the Georgia State University Housing website

$52 for a private bedroom in 1-bedroom/1-bath apartment *according to Emory’s website

6

NEWS

last

TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2015

city

Women will receive week equal pay for equal work

Local

Grand theft NASCAR

After being stolen from a hotel parking lot, NASCAR’s No. 44 race car was found abandoned roadside in Gwinnett County, according to Yahoo News. Driver Travis Kvapil and team XTREME were unable to compete at Friday’s qualifier for the Sprint Cup race at the Atlanta Motor Speedway due to the incident. Team owner John Cohen said nothing from the car, which is valued at $250,000, was damaged or stolen. However, the truck towing the race car was found a few hours later in Stockbridge, Georgia with a damaged door handle and ignition. The trailer that contained the race car remains missing and it contained a $100,000 spare engine and valuable mechanical equipment.

National

No punishment for insensitive party

A University of Texas fraternity will not be punished for their recent ‘border patrol’ party, according to USA Today. The University of Texas Dean of Students Soncia Reagins-Lilly ruled that the students did not violate any university policies at the off-campus party on Feb. 26. President of the Phi Gamma Delta (Fiji) fraternity said the Feb. 7 party was meant to have a western theme, but he admits some of the guests’ attire could have been considered insensitive or inappropriate. Party attendees were reportedly wearing sombreros, ponchos and construction gear. It is reported that many students are upset that the fraternity is going unpunished and the university’s Latino Community Affairs issued a letter of concern with over 400 signatures.

Global

Fugitive pastor captured

Fugitive Minnesota pastor Victor Arden Barnard, accused of 59 sexual assaults, was arrested on Feb. 27 in Brazil, according to CNN. The dozens of alleged assaults were reported by two women who are former members of Barnard’s River Road Fellowship. The women claim Barnard abused them for over a decade after he convinced members of his congregation to let their first born daughters live with him at a secluded camp in Pine County, Minnesota. Barnard’s former followers said he proclaimed himself Christ on Earth. Barnard is currently awaiting extradition to the U.S. in a federal jail in Lagoa Nova, Natal. Brazilian police were hunting him for five months.

Atlanta City Council unanimously approves equal pay legislation MATTHEW WOLFF Staff Reporter

W

omen working for the City of Atlanta will soon receive equal pay for doing the same jobs as men after the Atlanta City Council voted to pass legislation that will secure their positions as city employees.

The council voted unanimously in favor on Feb. 17.

City Council member and sponsor of the legislation Keisha Bottoms said this vote will begin to balance the pay disparities between men and women, according to an Atlanta City Council release.

“Several months ago, I sponsored a resolution calling upon the City of Atlanta to take the necessary steps to ensure that women throughout our workforce are receiving equal pay for equal work,” she said. “I am honored to have served as primary sponsor of legislation that now allows us to formally take the first step towards making this a reality.”

Bottoms also said many Atlanta homes are financially dependant on the women of the household, according to the release.

“A large percentage of households are led by women. This legislation sends a strong message throughout our city that we not only value the presence of women in our workforce, but most importantly, we recognize the impact that creating pay equity will have on countless families and communities,” she said.

The legislation allows the hire of a consultant firm to research the salaries of city employees and examine wage differences between the genders. The consultant firm will be managed by the City’s Department of Human Resources, according to the release.

The process will be overseen by the department’s Commissioner Yvonne Yancy, according to a report from WGCL-TV. After the vote by the City Council, Mayor Kasim Reed announced he will sign the legislation into law in a City of Atlanta release.

“Women should receive equal pay for equal work. It’s unfortunate that some are still debating what should be common sense

and law everywhere, but I also recognize the systemic discrimination that has held down women’s pay and want to address it proactively,” he said. “I proposed this legislation to ensure that women employees in every department receive fair pay for their work. I applaud the City Council for passing this legislation. We hope this will encourage other cities in Georgia and across America to follow or example.”

Georgia State freshman Rebekah Raegan said she believes women should receive pay equivalent to men.

“I think if they’re doing the same job then they definitely deserve equal pay and it will help the economy too.”

Reagan also said she is excited to live in a city passing such progressive legislation.

“That’s very good because I’ll eventually have a job here too, so I will want equal pay as well,” she said.

However, Reagan also said she is unsure if employees should compare and discuss their wages.

“It depends,” she said. “I don’t think it would be a big deal if they did. It might cause a little bit of tension, but if people talk about it more... maybe it can get solved faster without problems.”

Reed and the City Council both said they support the Obama Administration’s ongoing work to close loopholes in the Equal Pay Act and the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act of 2009, according to both the City of Atlanta and the Atlanta City Council’s releases.

“

WOMEN AT WORK

• Women account for about half of the U.S. workforce.

• Fifty-five percent of workers benefiting from minimum wage increase are women.

• Women account for a higher concentration of workers in low-wage jobs such as food service, sales and personal care.

• Women are the primary earners in 40 percent of U.S. households.

• On average women make 23 percent less than men.

These statistics were collected from the White House website.

The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act was the first piece of legislation signed by President Obama after his inauguration in 2009 and is named after a woman that learned her employer was paying women less than men to do the same job, according to a White House blog.

In 2007 Ledbetter’s case went before the Supreme Court which ruled wage claims had to be filed within 180 days of an employer’s decision to pay a worker less.

After an amendment to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 unfair pay claims can now be filed within 180 of a paycheck and resets after each new paycheck.

In April 2014 Obama signed an executive order making it illegal for federal employers to punish employees that choose to discuss their wages. Obama also signed a Presidential Memorandum requiring federal employers to submit data to the Department of Labor, including employee compensation, sex and race.

Women should receive equal pay for equal work. It’s unfortunate that some are still debating what should be common sense and law everywhere, but I also recognize the systemic discrimination that has held down women’s pay and want to address it proactively.”

- City of Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed

OPINIONS

Scattered,

smothered,

covered, and ...

www.georgiastatesignal.com/opinions

DOLLARS & SENSE WITH MITCH

New Waffle House partnership with Atlanta tech-startup Roadie proves to be promising

delivered?

I MITCHELL OLIVER Columnist

Mitch is a senior finance major and student financial advisor. “My goal is to have more college students financially literate.”

Tweet him @madmoneyatl

n what could possibly be the most random collaboration in recent history, Waffle House President and CEO Walk Ehmer recently announced that the southern breakfast diner would begin offering a new service: Delivering your packages.

But I think the home of scattered, smothered and covered is on to something with their attempt at making the new sharing economy a reality. This seemingly random partnership might just be genius and could pave the way for future “crowd-sourced businesses.”

With the United States Post Office still struggling to remain relevant in the modern age (they’ve officially lost $26 billion in 3 years), startup companies are stepping in the arena to offer package delivery services better, faster and more efficient.

Enter Roadie, Inc. This Atlanta startup has an app that offers an item delivery service for people who are already headed to a certain destination.

On Feb. 24, it was revealed in a press release that Roadie and Waffle House would be teaming up to “provide a convenient meeting location for drivers and senders.”

This is huge.

Contracting out delivery drivers much like Uber contracts out taxi drivers is the next logical step in the future of our sharing economy. This sharing economy is an optimistic future of commerce where businesses work hand in hand with everyday people to help run and operate their service.

To wrap your head around it, just

“

Roadie’s real advantage is that it only selects drivers who are already headed to a certain place anyway. This maximizes efficiency and cuts down on the time you wait for your package.

think of it as the Uber of shipping. Waffle House is making a big investment by joining the recently established delivery platform market to effectively turn the 1,750 Waffle House locations into a sort of post office where customers can rendezvous with Roadie drivers to drop off items they need shipped or pick up items they’ve recently purchased.

Roadie drivers keep about 80 percent of the delivery cost. Plus, Waffle House promises to hook them up with a free drink while on deliveries (you can also grab a free waffle just for downloading the app).

The concept of Roadie could change the way we think of package delivery forever. Roadie’s real advantage is that it only selects drivers who are already headed to a certain place anyway. This maximizes efficiency and cuts down on the time you wait for your package.

For example, say you live in Chattanooga and need to ship an antique lamp to a Georgia State student. With

this partnership, you’ll just go to your local Waffle House and meet up with a Roadie driver who just happens to be heading back to Atlanta after a weekend at the Tennessee Aquarium. Once they arrive back at Georgia State, they’ll meet up with the buyer at the Waffle House here on campus. The driver will make about $40 - $50 and the product can be delivered faster, cheaper and more conveniently. The best part is the Roadie driver was headed back to Atlanta anyway!

Just five years ago we could have never imagined a world where Uber was the smart alternative to getting around anywhere and five years from now we might be asking ourselves why we ever used FedEx or UPS in the first place.

A few issues arise from this, though.

Much like Uber drivers, there’s no way to 100 percent verify that the Roadie drivers will not cause trouble or steal the item. Further, the curious case of

shipping illegal drugs could come from this, with people using Roadie as a drug smuggling front. How easy would it be for a criminal to hide narcotics in that antique lamp I mentioned earlier? This is an extreme example, but when there is a loophole, I guarantee it will be taken advantage of.

But that’s a worst case scenario.

I’m hopeful that this new Atlanta startup will use the reach of Waffle House to help bolster its success. I also applaud Waffle House for taking this leap of faith with Roadie with the hope of creating a long lasting, profitable partnership. Besides, after a long trip, I’m sure the Roadie drivers could use a good All-Star breakfast and Waffle House might see a sales increase.

What’s more, turning Waffle House’s image from everyone’s favorite 24/7 diner to a safe meeting place will help evolve the brand in this new tech era.

8

OPINIONS

TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2015

Differing love languages: Why it’s OK if your relationship ended SANETRA RICHARDS Guest Columnist

W

e all have probably heard something along the lines of this: “If you are still thinking or talking about it, you are not over it.” There is some truth to this statement under most circumstances. However, in my case the falsity outweighs the truth.

Recently, I have found myself thinking about a past relationship a lot, more so than I would like to.

Does that mean I am not over the failed partnership? No. I think it is quite common for many with exes to sometimes have a moment of reflection.

I had a conversation with a friend a couple of days ago and they asked me why I thought the relationship was unsuccessful.

It has been years since. I had not given this much thought because in my mind he and I were both immature when it came to relationships, so I could not fault only him for the breakup. I had to take partial ownership for our dead end drive down Honeymoon Avenue.

After setting aside my pride

and ego, I realized the ‘five love languages’ were pretty existent in our situation.

According to the author Gary Chapman who coined the term ‘love language,’ there are five ways in which you show your partner your affection: quality time, gifts, words of affirmation, physical touch and acts of service. You can tell what yours or what your partner’s is by what they do and say in the relationship.

Although my past significant other was affectionate and easy to talk to with a charming sense of humor, I knew things would never progress because he lacked tremendously in the area of being supportive. Often times, what I wanted to do got swept underneath the rug.

One of my most prominent love languages is affirmation. What I was showing him in the relationship is what I truly wanted him to reciprocate.

If your “love language” is through words of affirmation and quality time, but your partner’s language is more so physical touch, no matter what you do, he or she will not consider it love because you are not speaking their language. So you

are both showing each other love in two different ways although it may not be perceived as such.

You may want a supportive, ‘ride-or-die’ for your goals and dreams. They may want more affection and personal touch.

Ultimately, your languages can go unbalanced, leading to a web of confusion and misunderstanding.

As I look back, I recognize that I do lack the emotion needed for a relationship in its beginning stages.

This does not mean I am nonchalant. Let’s just say I am more fluent in the other love languages.

Those questions mentioned before may resurface, but take a moment to analyze why the relationship didn’t last. You will be surprised how the five love languages played a part and how they can lead to a successful relationship if meshed well.

“

Ultimately, your languages can go unbalanced, leading to a web of confusion and misunderstanding.

The 5 Love Languages from 5lovelanguages.com

1. Quality time: This language is all about giving the other person your undivided attention.

2. Receiving gifts: For some people, what makes them feel most loved is to receive a gift.

3. Acts of service: For these people, actions speak louder than words.

4. Words of affirmation: This language uses words to affirm other people.

5. Physical touch: To this person, nothing speaks more deeply than appropriate touch.

ARTS & LIVING

www.georgiastatesignal.com/artsandliving

India

Shawn Taking it to the outer limits

PHOTO BY BRITTANY GUERIN | THE SIGNAL India Shawn, pictured here singing at the Love Hater Art Gallery, balances her musical and artistic life on a daily basis.

I

TAYLOR JOSEY Staff Reporter

Indie artist India Shawn can frequently be seen making her way from Langdale Hall to Aderhold Learning Center in sweats and a ponytail. Subsequently, she can be seen at local venues singing after class. Shawn is an accomplished songwriter, a singer, a student and above all else, a real girl following her dreams.

Shawn began singing in church choirs as a teenager. She always knew a career in music could be a reality but had no clue where to begin until Big Lo heard her singing in a parking lot. He later became her manager, took her to the studio and her dream became reality.

During Shawn’s first semester at Georgia State, she began to write more songs; her studio time increased and her music career picked up.

“I was up all night in the studio with different producers and trying to get my homework done,” Shawn said. “I was just sacrificing too much on both sides. So I was like I have to choose and the music chose for me because I got a recording deal with Universal Music Group.”

Once Shawn got her record deal, she moved to Los Angeles and dropped out.

In that time she worked with other artists, writing song after song. She came to realize writing is a service where artists want specific qualities from her songs.

“That was hard for me because I found myself compromising and making music that I wouldn’t even listen to myself,” Shawn said. “But because it had placement potential, I was doing it.”

Now she is comfortable releasing music that is up to her standards. Shawn released her first album “Origin” in 2012 and it was a sound that defined her as an artist.

The nature of “Origin” requires listeners to let their guards down and sink into the sound. Tracks like “Sinking In” allow mellow introspection while “No Saint” soulfully shares her direct, innermost thoughts.

“It was super personal for me,” Shawn said. “It was me coming out of the writing situation and putting out music of my own. I was tired of just writing for other people.”

Journalism major Aliyah Moore and political science major Kassa Khouzami find Shawn’s music refreshing.

Moore found Shawn’s music on the internet a year ago. She says Shawn’s clear tone is what made her a fan.

“This sounds weird, but her voice is really clean; it’s so unique,” Moore said.

Khouzami discovered Shawn with a friend when they went to one of her performances at Aloft Hotel this February.

“Her music has such a pure vibe, I could almost see her glow through her lyrics,” Khouzami said. “She’s honest in her songs. It’s relatable and her performance was moving.”

After releasing her sound defining album, Shawn was at a party when Solange approached her to praise her song “All I Have.”

“I just fangirled out,” Shawn said. “It was really crazy because I wrote that song. Sometimes it’s really easy for me to downplay my achievements. Like, ‘Oh I don’t deserve that credit because I only cowrote that,’ but I wrote that song and that song was real for me and she found it without a manager or a publicist reaching out to her.”

Returning to school Shawn was inspired by her fellow artists who were doing music and juggling school and work, so she returned to school determined to persevere.

“I don’t know what year I am anymore,” Shawn joked. “I have dropped out a few times. I come

back and knock out a few hours here and there. I’ve got about 30 more hours to go.”

Now motivated to wake up earlier to fit in homework, Shawn makes the most of her time in the studio with her producer. She also found the best strategy for her daily tasks.

“I write stuff down a lot more often than I used to,” Shawn said.

“I have Google Calendar and white boards. I’m writing things down and crossing them off as I complete them. It’s the only way.”

This semester, Shawn performed at the Aloft Hotel every Tuesday in February as a part of a new music series. On Tuesdays she would leave school at 5:30 p.m to go home to change, then go straight to the hotel to rehearse. Even though it was hectic, she managed.

“Just watching more people come out each week and respond to music they’ve never heard made it all worth while,” Shawn said.

New album Shawn is set to release her new joint album with songwriter James Fauntleroy in March. The album, “Outer Limits,” takes a more funky direction than her first album.

“I really just took my hands off of it and gave someone else the creative reigns,” Shawn said. “It’s because I trust him so much as a songwriter. He’s one of the most brilliant songwriters I know and he knows me on a personal level so he gave me what I wanted.“ Although Shawn is doing what she dreamed of, she is back in school as a personal goal.

“I don’t know how much I need it [school] now,” Shawn said. “But I actually enjoy what I’m learning now. The past year or so has been dedicated to planning, so I had the time to go to school and do the music.”

Shawn’s dream beyond music is to use her degree to open what she calls a human potential center to help inner city residents who don’t have resources available to them. She hopes to use music as a platform to help her community, but she says she is prepared to put school on pause again when it comes to furthering her dreams.

“If I get a call to open for Kanye West tomorrow, I might have to say ‘peace out’ to GSU,” Shawn said. “You just have to sacrifice for what you love. As soon as this album drops and summer hits, I’m just praying that I can go on tour.”

10

ARTS &

Reigning

cats and dogs

D

Pets find shelter at the Atlanta Humane Society Written by Sydney Cunningham

I

n animal shelters around the world, a populace of dogs and cats are left without a home. At the Atlanta Humane Society, employees strive to better pet homelessness and provide animals a home.

“Basically our goal is to help end animal homelessness,” Wendy Hsiao, the Public Relations & Digital Specialist, said. “We try to help anyone in the southeast. We are one of the largest shelters and remain number one in the southeast. Our main goal is to just help as many animals as we can.”

At the Atlanta Humane Society, there is typically a good turnout rate for getting animals adopted.

“Typically 8,000 animals in and according to last year, 7,400 were adopted out,” Hsiao said.

Some pets seen in the Humane Society are not as fortunate to get adopted. When perusing the facility, there are “Forget Me Not” stickers on respective dogs’ windows.

“The ‘Forget Me Nots’ are when an animal has been here longer than six months. Fortunately we don’t have a lot of those,” Hsiao said.

Puppies and kittens get adopted the most frequently at the Atlanta Humane Society. As is the history of animal shelters, a controversial issue is the euthanization of animals. While the numbers have gone down over the years, institutions like the Humane Society make a point to be strict when dealing with an animal’s life.

“We get asked frequently about putting animals down and we won’t do it unless there is a behavioral issue or they are too sick where we can’t do anything,” Hsiao said. “Fortunately, the cases where we have to put an animal down averages around 3 percent a year.”

Due to the stigma of animal shelters and their perceived environment, not everyone is aware that they are encouraged to visit, according to Hsiao.

“People are often surprised it’s so clean and happy here that the dogs and cats are taken very well care of,” Hsiao said. “When people think of animal shelters, they think of run down, dirty and scary places where there are stacks and stacks of cages.”

Recently, the Atlanta Humane Society had a special deal with Uber where instead of taking a ride with them, two puppies would be transported to you by them to pet and play with for up to 15 minutes.

“We basically broke Uber that day,” Hsiao said.

The Atlanta Humane Society a welcoming and warm environment for both hopeful pets and visitors. If interested, anyone can walk into the locale and embrace the pets. As long as they wash their hands between each animal, they can take one out and pet it. If it’s four months or older, there is a play room to spend time with the animal.

“We have people who just during their lunch break will come in to get away from work, spend an hour and then leave,” Hsiao said. “Almost daily, we have regulars.”

Before you add to the family • • • •

•

The Atlanta Humane Society reserves the right to refuse adoption to anyone for any reason.

Adopters will be asked to complete a preliminary adoption questionnaire.

Adopters must be 18 years old with a valid picture I.D. If you lease or rent, get permission from your landlord or the primary resident prior to adoption. AHS reserves the right to contact your landlord for verification.

If adopting a dog that is 4 months or older, Atlanta Humane Society requires you bring in any other dog(s) living in the home for a “meet and greet.”

“The number of dogs and cats euthanized each year in shelters is an estimated 3 to 4 million and 2.7 million healthy shelter pets are not adopted each year. Only about 30 percent of pets in homes come from shelters or rescues.”

- The Humane Society of the United States

PHOTO BY JADE JOHNSON | THE SIGNAL Visitors of the Atlanta Humane Society are allowed to hold a mix of puppies like the labrador puppy pictured here.

& LIVING

11

PHOTOS BY JADE JOHNSON | THE SIGNAL LEFT: Maggie, a terrier blend, plays with Lamar Forest, an Atlanta Humane Society staff member.

RIGHT: The Atlanta Humane Society offers a wide array of breeds for potential pet owners, including two labrador retrievers awaiting adoption.

Occasions Tables For Tails: “April 16, where you go out and eat at one of the restaurants that supports us,” Hsiao said.

Twenty percent of proceeds at each restaurant goes into the Humane Society.

Bark in the Park: “It will be in May, where you bring your dog to the Braves game and buy a Budweiser,” Hsiao said.

For each Budweiser that is sold, $1 is given back.

Walk to End Animal Cruelty: “We used to do a pet parade and now, we are trying to make it more serious and do real change,” Hsiao said. As of now, all that has been decided is that the parade will be in the fall.

Services There are two sites for the Atlanta Humane Society, one located on Howell Mill Road and the other on Mansell Road. The main difference between the two locations is that the Mansell Road place does not have the clinic services. At the locations, the main members of the Atlanta Humane Society commute back and forth.

Animal Admission: Once the policy has been followed, found on the site, if you cannot care for a cat or dog anymore, the Atlanta Humane Society may be able to take it in.

Low Cost Spay and Neuter: All of the surgeries performed are just $35 and include a complimentary microchip and rabies vaccination if necessary.

Put your paws in If you are an advocate for cats or dogs, the Atlanta Humane Society relies fairly heavily on help from volunteers. To participate, it depends on which location you are applying for.

No matter where you are, registration is required and can be done on the Atlanta Humane Society website.

Howell Mill Campus: Attend their Volunteer Training session. You

will receive detailed information about handling animals and the general procedures and policies of the organization. A fee is required to cover the cost of training supplies such as t-shirts, aprons and the leashes. Trainings are held on predetermined dates. Expectations for a volunteer at the Howell Mill campus is a minimum of five hours per month for at least six months.

“Not a lot of people know we spay and neuter and it is given by us at a very low cost,” Hsiao said.

Pet Training Courses: Trainings fall under basic and intermediate obedience classes, first aid, CPR and pet trick classes.

Pet Boutique: Toys, food, crates, cleaning supplies, leashes, collars, shampoos, clean-up supplies and games are offered at the location.

All proceeds go towards the Atlanta Humane Society.

H.E.A.R.T Animal Rescue: “We have a mobile clinic that goes around to the smaller cities and counties that need extra help,” Hsiao said.

Through H.E.A.R.T, they help animals in disasters, puppy mills, hoarding cases and dog fighting raids.

D

Mansell Campus: After a similar process to the Howell Mill campus, also included is a completion of a questionnaire and a short interview with each prospective volunteer.

If accepted, you will be required to complete 16 hours of volunteer service before mentoring for your preferred placement.

Volunteers at the Mansell campus are held to a six-hour volunteering minimum per month to stay active.

Caregivers Club “The Caregivers Club is $19 a month, so $228 for the year. When you sign up to be a ‘caregiver,’ you are helping fund services that the animals need,” Hsiao said. “People are always curious to where there money is actually going, what real impact it has.”

•

•

•

• •

$20 provides rabies vaccination $25 will microchip one animal. $37 provides one day of shelter care.

• • •

•

$50 provides annual heartworm prevention. $65 provides a warm bed and blanket for a senior animal. $100 provides annual flea and tick prevention. $150 provides a kennel lock to keep the animals safe. $250 will spay and neuter three animals. $550 provides the care to prepare an animal for adoption.

12

Kilwins:

ARTS & LIVING

TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2015

Their caramel making process:

Embrace your sweet tooth

Step 1: Start by adding butter, cream and sugar to a small amount of water (they use two different butters: House butter and cream powder that turns the water to heavy cream).

Step 2: Stir the contents until it turns into a cream substance.

Step 3: Slow cook it at 237 degrees Fahrenheit which cooks out all the water.

Then it becomes the light tan known as caramel.

PHOTO BY MARC VALLE | THE SIGNAL Covered in toppings and out on display, Kilwins provides candy apples for the insatiable sweet tooth.

INGA MASIC Associate Arts & Living Editor

I

n the heart of Atlanta lives a place that crafts delectable candy creations to satisfy every dreamer’s sweet tooth. Offering a variety of sweets, Kilwins (located at Atlantic Station) has a rich story.

“We sell confectionery to Atlanta. Our ice cream, chocolates and caramel products/apples are the highest quality,” said John Henry Dallaire, storeowner of the Kilwins at Atlantic Station. “We make it on site for each batch daily.

That’s why it’s good. We have no stabilizers, emulsifiers or conditioners in our products.”

Not Willy Wonka’s Factory but close to it Kilwins takes pride in the fact that they make all of their products from scratch. This ensures everything is prepared properly. Their ice cream is made off site and is distributed to Kilwins around the country.

“We have a private dairy that prepares it [the ice cream] for us, because we have 100 stores. The product that we make in our store is the caramel and that takes about two and a half hours,” Dallaire said.

Kilwins strives to serve the Atlanta community with the sweetest treats possibly. Their store at Atlantic Station has a retro theme to it and is covered with fluorescent colors and lighting. The open environment is the ideal hangout for families and friends and for those who visit, stale candies are not an option.

“Sweet in every Sense since 1947” “A huge amount of students from Georgia State, Georgia Tech and Emory come to our store because we are the only ones using pure ingredients in small batches,” Dallaire said. “We are continually changing our products; we can not make anymore than what we sell.

That’s why people keep coming here, because we keep it absolutely fresh. We have no preservatives.”

Production depends on the amount of business that the store sees. During the warmer seasons, Kilwins’ customers size grows to a larger scale. When that’s the case, in order to be prepared, sweets are made continuously to keep the freshness going.

“When it’s winter weather, it makes us slow; we make less batches, but when we hit March we are making caramels, fudges and other products twice a day,” Dallaire said.

my enjoyment of the ice cream that comes out of Michigan and Ohio. When you have ice cream from Kilwins, you will go into a euphoric feeling and that feeling is from low sugar and extremely high dairy.”

Dallaire’s family takes part in providing treats to people all around the country and have been part of the Kilwins group for a long period of time.

“My brother started in St. Augustine and opened about two stores there and then bought a store in The Villages,” Dallaire said. “I was building houses in Peachtree City and was just watching my brother grow tremendously and when the house market started slowing down, I told my wife that we should open a Kilwins here in Atlanta.”

Raspberry Truffle: Real raspberries are surrounded by creamy dark chocolate.

Irish Cream Truffle: Delectable chocolate filled with Irish cream.

Bleu Cheese Toffee Truffle: Puts together two loved items: Bleu cheese and milk chocolate.

Sea Salted Bacon Maple Truffle: A sweet treat with milk chocolate, and applewood smoked sea salt and natural bacon and maple flavors.

A sweet family tale Dallaire has been around sweets for a majority of his life, so he knew he would one day own a business in the industry.

“I’ve enjoyed ice cream all my life. I’ve been in the amusement business all of my life and I have been making confectioneries since I was 8 years old,” Dallaire said.

“No one has ever come close to

Life’s a Box of Chocolates: Types of Truffles

Milk Pecan Snappers: Pecans dipped in caramel, and covered in delicious milk chocolate.

Dark Orange Cream: PHOTO BY MARC VALLE | THE SIGNAL Chocolate is hard to escape at Kilwins; amongst the variety of options, visitors can choose the bite-size cake pop with chocolate flakes.

Dark chocolate surrounded by scrumptious citrus cream.

15 13

ARTS & LIVING

TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2015

COOP3RDRUMM3R Georgia State’s own Casey Cooper behind the beat

COURTESY OF ZACH STURINO Casey Cooper, GSU Marching Band member gaining notriety online, shows off his drum set.

TROI CHARITY Web Managing Editor

O

ne hundred million. This isn’t the number of hours GSU Marching Band student Casey Cooper spends practicing as a drummer. It’s the number of views he received on his YouTube videos and the views continue to increase each day.

COOP3RDRUMM3R, the name Cooper goes by on YouTube, is a business major with endorsements from Pearl Drums and Avedis Zildjian Company.

When he was 6 years old, Cooper started playing after finding drumsticks in his dad’s old boxes.

“I got my first pair of drumsticks which were an old pair that my dad had,” Cooper said. “He wasn’t really a drummer for long; he wanted to play the drums but never really ended up doing it. I just started banging around on stuff and so my parents got me a drum pad and drumsticks for Christmas.”

Now 23 years old, Cooper has uploaded over 695 videos and currently has over 577,000 subscribers on YouTube. Many of the videos are from years ago, but there are others that are relatively new.

“I really hope to inspire and promote and show how much fun it is to play [the] drums. And hopefully create more drummers and show people what it is I do and how much fun it is to jump behind a drum set,” Cooper said.

Playing with fire YouTube: Replying with During some performances, Cooper will stop for a brief moment during the song to look kindness down. He will eventually continue playing — but with a pair of flaming drumsticks in his hands.

“I’m a little bit of a pyromaniac,” Cooper said [while laughing].

“That probably sounds bad, but I like fire.”

Fire drumming wasn’t part of Cooper’s original theme. He said that when he saw it at concerts, he wanted to incorporate it into his drumming. Cooper wanted to do something special for his channel on YouTube marking the moment he reached his 200 - 250th video.

So fire drumming was his answer.

“I’ve never really been afraid of it,” Cooper recalls. “I know it’s dangerous, so I’m careful with it.”

When Cooper first started fire drumming, the amount of preparation needed resulted in Cooper taking a break from it.

“People kind of assume that’s what I do,” Cooper said. “Which now it is, but it’s been funny how multiple gigs have contacted me and [said] ‘Hey, we want you to come drum.’ ‘Alright.’ Then they’re like, ‘You’re going to do the fire drumming right?’ And I’m like ‘Well, ugh, now that you mention it, I can. It wasn’t necessarily part of the original plan, but let’s do it.’”

Using YouTube as a way to “showcase” his life as a drummer, Cooper has come a long way since his channel creation back in 2007. Cooper recalls when he and a former Georgia State student uploaded their first drumming video onto his YouTube channel.

“We were sitting in a room and we just put together one of our favorite video[s] we’ve ever done,” Cooper said. “We watched it hit that little marker on YouTube that says 301 plus views, so that was the coolest moment.”

However, Cooper has had his share of both positivity and negativity on his channel. There are not only those that support but also those that criticize his music, technique and playing. With experience, he has learned to take it all in stride.

“For me, there isn’t another option but to be positive. It just hurts to be negative to someone even if they deserve it,” Cooper said.

Cooper believes that his audience respects him more when he doesn’t respond with negativity and that they want to support someone who is positive.

“I mean no one wants to follow someone that is brutal or mean to other people,” Cooper said. “They enjoy the respect you have for others and they enjoy when you’re a positive influence on their lives.”

The soul within While watching one of Cooper’s videos, it’s clear on his face that he loves what he does. From the smile on his lips and the crinkles in his eyes to the nodding of his head, he doesn’t simply play but enjoys playing.

“That is one of the things that stands out the most to people is that I have so much fun when I play,” said Cooper. “When I get behind a kit, it’s the most freeing, amazing feeling because I get to do what I love. I get to let that passion and enjoyment for music flow through me onto those drums.”

Cooper does not only think of himself but also of his fans who listen and watch him as well. He enjoys when others are affected by his music.

“To know that what I’m doing right at that moment, either in live performance or in a video, is gonna put a smile on someone else’s face… that’s really what I’m thinking about [when I play],” Cooper said.

Cooper said that there are two types of drummers: Drummers who can learn from teaching themselves and drummers who a have natural talent. Cooper believes the beat lives within him naturally; he spends 16 hours a day creating because there’s ‘nothing [he] love[s] more.’

“I know for a fact that I’m one of those that [has the music] just inside of me,” he said. “It doesn’t take a lot for me to learn something or for me to be able to do something because it just comes through me so well.”

Fire drumming & Staying Safe • Cooper keeps a bucket filled with water at his side Why: Just in case he needs to douse himself or extinguish the drumsticks in a hurry.

• He constantly checks equipment for damage during a performance.

• He keeps the flames far away from himself for safety.

His inspiration DAVE GROHL • WHO HE IS: Lead singer of Foo Fighters and former drummer for Nirvana • WHY: “What it is about his playing that I take to heart is that it was never too insane [from] a technical standpoint,” Cooper said.

columns

14

TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2015

Lifestyle column

STOP

campus life column

Hot Jobs!

NOW HIRING!

Messing Around —

Clean it up!

4. to search through a picture to figure out which one you are.

Your profile picture should be a nice close up of you and only you. And even if you have a nice body and want to show it off, the internet is not the place to do it, so please put a shirt on.

NICHOLE PLACE Columnist Nichole is constantly crafting and is an avid re-decorator. Not only does she have a love of bright colors and patterns, but she is also a pug fanatic. Nichole is the writer of the Lifestyle column and the creator of Sunshine-Somedays, a lifestyle blog.

Follow her @GSUSignalAandL

W

e live in an era where you can share so many parts of your life the world with the simple press of a button. The one downfall to the wonderful world of web using is that you share every aspect of your life with people you don’t want seeing it. And when it comes time to find jobs or internships, it’s important to know what exactly should be shared and what you should just keep to yourself.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when sharing on social media.

1.

Profile Picture

Let’s just start from the beginning. The first thing that people see when they search your name is your profile picture. Now, I’m all for pictures that are full of you and your best friends having a good time, but honestly your boss probably won’t. People who are looking to hire you don’t want to have

2.

Edit your

Pictures

Most people should edit their pictures but I’m not talking about choosing between Valencia and Sierra. Since college is the time to go to bars and party with friends it’s no surprise people want to share their good times with everyone. But there comes a time when it’s no longer okay to post pictures of you drinking and smoking online. No one wants to hire someone who looks like they go out every night. I’m not saying you shouldn’t go out, but for God’s sake, at least make sure your boss doesn’t see it.

3.Mouth

Watch your

Swearing is something that is overlooked. It is great when used with comedic timing and expressing when your feet hurt really bad. However, it is extremely inappropriate on the internet. It’s also a lot different than cursing in person. There is no way to come back and say that you really said something else. We all know you didn’t mean to say “ducking cool.”

Keep the foul language off the internet. It’s unprofessional and doesn’t make you cool.

#hashtag

This basically goes hand in hand with watch your mouth.

You may not say something crude in your caption or status, but your hashtag will say it all.

Also, please stop hash tagging everything in your picture; it’s getting a little excessive.

3.

MIA MCDONALD Columnist Mia does amateur photoshoots, maintains the title of bookworm and hangs out with friends and family.

Follow her @MiaMore09

About me section

Over the years, this section has stopped being a place to talk about who you really are and turned more into a place to pretend to be witty and cute.

It is also hard to find an actual sentence about people in these sections. Instead, you will normally find random words and emojis like: Coffee snob* Sunshine* God* In love since ’10.

To be honest these are aspects of you that no one cares about.

Also, no one wants to take advice from a quote you attributed to wrong.

Being able to share your new dog, friends and those shoes you spent way too much money on with everyone is a great privilege. However, limiting what you post is extremely important. Not everyone should be involved in your weekend festivities. You have social media for a reason; please use it responsibly.

I

bet your eyes lit up when you saw “Now Hiring.” I may not be able to personally recommend a job location to you, but I can tell you about people who can.

As I prepare to graduate, I’m faced with the question, “What’s next?” This is the question I’ve been trying to avoid not because I’m annoyed by it but because I honestly don’t know. We’re fortunate enough, as students, to have the department of Career Services to help students like myself figure out their next move.

Everyone isn’t on the verge of graduation, but you still need help with landing a job. Some of us are just looking for a temporary position to help keep money in our pockets. Career services can help with that too. The staff offers help and assistance to anyone who needs it.

You’ve probably seen flyers around campus for the different job and career fairs but were overwhelmed or couldn’t get to it due to the other millions of postings.

Don’t let that discourage you.

Make an effort to read the information on the flyer; you never know your next job could be waiting for you.

Before you actually get to the interview phase, there are steps in between. University Career Services helps you create a resume or review your current one, assist with

cover letters, host mock interviews and even has a professional attire model. Any aspect of job preparation is covered.

I mentioned before the job and career fairs. That event is very beneficial for a number of reasons. In the age of media and digital everything it’s nice to see people face to face. You could actually look your potential employer in the eye. Don’t be surprised if you’re interviewed right on the spot; speaking from experience it can happen, but you’ll be more than prepared.

If you need a little more persuasion, here it is. My first semester at Georgia State I attended a group interview for Gap and was hired right away. I responded to an email about employers on campus and voila! A job. As a new student I definitely didn’t think I’d get a job and especially not right away.

For those who aren’t able to sit down and speak with a representative, there are ways around it. There are cover letter and resume sample packets available. Also, students who are looking into continuing their education there are these handy purple manuals with a list of all the college and universities by state and the majors they offer.

Another option and the easiest to access is Panther Career Net. You can type it into Google or look on the Georgia State page and it’s there too. If you have a smart phone then their services are only a finger scroll away.

Once all your documents, your resume and cover letter are approved, you can upload it onto Panther Career Net and it will be there until you take it down. See, it’s simple.

After all the money you put into your education and have given to Georgia State the least you can do is make sure you directly and immediately benefit from it. I encourage everyone to visit University Career Services located in 260 of the University Center before you start your next job search. Happy hunting!

reviews

TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2015

15

ALBUM REVIEW

Imagine Dragons, ‘Smoke + Mirrors’ ALEX KUGACZEWSKI

Staff Reviewer

T

hough you’d never know it from the dozens of sold out venues and screaming fans across the country, Las Vegas’ Imagine Dragons sure have been in a pinch lately.

Still scurrying to live up to the promise of EPs released a half-decade ago, the band has also been saddled with the unenviable task of shaking off the muck and grime leveled at their critical reputation following their lackluster release in 2012. That release, “Night Visions,” resounded with the aplomb of a mold-encrusted fruit cake.

“Smoke + Mirrors,” then, has nearly incalculable consequence: it could raise this band back from the creative rut they’ve nose-dived into or it could bury them in an inescapable mound of critical disdain for years to come. Unfortunately for everyone involved, it’s sure seeming like it’s going to be latter.

Really, though, it’s not for a lack of effort. As Reynold’s voice soars out of orbit on the syrupy-ballad “Dream,” there’s clearly some level commitment to the affair, but it’s just so overwrought.

Sure, this band was born for 10,000-

seat stadiums, but this level of bombast doesn’t feel earned given the painfully pedestrian lyrical content submerged beneath his upper-register wail. The cynic among us just might lay claim that this vocal ringwork might be nothing more than a mirage to mask the deficiencies beneath the surface. He might be right.

“Gold,” the album’s second track, begins all alternative swagger with whistles floating above the mechanical percussion below just as the chorus slides into a dulled mix of noise. It’s a head-scratcher not only because this level of instrumentation seems at odds with the lethargic mess beneath but also because that ill-conceived mixture of distortion, samples and feedback ut-

terly fails to energize the song which so desperately needs a shot in the arm.

From the totally inoffensive to the painfully boring, “Smoke + Mirrors” seems wholly dedicated to the band’s particular brand of arena pandering.

This commitment extends into the album’s production techniques as well, ensuring that each instrument sounds squeaky clean, utterly perfect and perfectly massive. It’s all just far too flawless for a record so thoroughly rooted in deficiency as if some illuminati painter crafted a masterwork of slickly engineered deception to hide the reality that, for all of the bells and whistles, this is still just a dumb record. And it always will be. The weak distortion leading “I’m So Sorry” is neither meaty enough to inspire any visceral response nor interesting enough of a production choice to elicit more than a raised brow and frankly, a raised brow would be too generous a reaction.

As harsh as this has been, none of it is to completely disparage a band with obvious potential. If those first EPs taught us anything, it’s that you can’t count this band down. There’s the unshakable sense that, maybe given time and enough failure, this is a group that could consolidate its talent for something, if not special, then at least pretty

“Smoke + Mirrors” Imagine Dragons Grade: D Verdict: “Smoke + Mirrors” might be one of the biggest release this year, but that doesn’t stop it from being one of the most underwhelming. good. Two lackluster full-lengths later though and it’s come down to a series of cruel jokes at the band’s expense – many of them warranted.

Titling their new record “Smoke + Mirrors” may have been an unintentional hilarity if not for the waves of thinly veiled distractions being just as rudimentary as the songwriting they’re meant to conceal. Somewhere, any one of these songs could have been rescued by a momentary wash of intrigue or some unexpected lyrical turn of phrase, but the help never comes. Perhaps Dan Reynolds and company should consider a post-release retitling of the record to reflect the album’s 12th song, “Hopeless Opus.” Now that would have been funny.

FILM REVIEW

‘McFarland, USA’ FERNANDO MATTOS

Staff Reviewer

T

he new movie from Walt Disney Studios hits the right notes a Disney’s picture should. And despite a screenplay that seems formulaic at some points, “McFarland, USA” does well in the mission it sets to accomplish and brings an important conversation to a wide audience.

Starring Kevin Costner as Jim White, the movie tells the real story of a high school football coach who moves to a small California town where the majority of the population is Hispanic. There, Jim finds talented runners and decides to create McFarland High School’s first cross-country team.

“McFarland, USA” plays well in the fairy-tale, zero to winner genre Disney does so well. Rather than trying to fight the genre and its well-known tropes, it is much better to go along with it. The movie then becomes a very enjoyable and light-hearted experience.

Adding a positive to this experience is the fact that neither the director, Niki Caro, nor the writers, Chris Cleveland, Bettina Gilois and Grant Thompson, overdramatize the narrative. In fact, “McFarland, USA” presents

the same level of dramatic intensity as any other Disney film: Despite all the lows, the hero will eventually return for the final battle. And this is a good thing because “McFarland, USA” never tries to become anything beyond what it is meant to be.

Here and there, stereotypes still permeate, such as in the scene where Jim and his family are leaving a restaurant and he confuses a car club with a gang.

The plot’s beginning also resembles the classic Western genre, where the civilized man brings civilization to those that are not like him. To begin the film with this plot device isn’t a dream start, but it is, at least, a start for a conversation. In a positive note, this conflict of races is overcome early, allowing the movie to be truly about the building of a great cross-country team out of kids who had no hopes of a future.

“McFarland, USA” is not only an honest movie. It is also a very courageous one. To present the stigmatized Latino community to a younger audience in a positive light is one of the film’s high points. When Jim’s daughter falls in love with Thomas (Carlos Pratts), the fastest runner in the team, the director never weighs the story down with unnecessary prejudices or drama of an interracial relationship.

These themes have already been over

now playing at

explored under the lenses of prejudice and there would be no reason to restate them here. This choice by both the director and the screenwriters is beautiful and admirable, for it shows this love is just like any other love. And it must be equally accepted.

The presence of Kevin Costner only makes the movie better. Costner is composed and secure, avoiding the trap of the big, constant drama that many inexperienced actors fall into. As a whole, the reactions from all the actors always match the expectations of the story in performances that never exaggerate or underplay the scenes.

It is obvious that the problems of the Latino community in the United States are just brushed upon. Some of them are present such as the parents who see no value in a high school degree while others, like the battle for legal status, are absent. However, those are issues that go much beyond the scope of a Disney movie. The greatest

quality of “McFarland, USA” is to start a conversation that is much needed in the present United States. And for any fair debate where children will someday voice their opinions, it is necessary that these kids and teens grow without any prejudices carried down from their parents. This fair and intelligent debate is a dream. And, after all, shouldn’t Disney movies make us dream?

“McFarland, USA” Rated: PG Grade: B+ Verdict: Touching,

simple and well executed fairy-tale based on an extraordinary true story.

There isn’t much else to ask for in a good Disney movie.

‘Annie’

1

HOT SUGAR God’s Hand

2

JUMO Hylé EP

3

A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS Transfixiation

4

ALEX CALDER Strange Dreams

5

GROENI Hewn EP

6

BEACON L1

7

MICHNA Thousand Thursday

8

MONSOONSIREN Falstrati EP

9

SORROW Search of the Miraculous EP

10

RONIIA

RONiiA

11

JAGA JAZZIST Jaga Jazzist ‘94 - ‘14

12

TANYA TAGAQ Animism

13

V/A - SECRET SONGS V/A - shh#000000 (Black)

14

NOLLORES Never Leave

15

UNTIL THE RIBBON BREAKS A Lesson Unlearnt

SYNOPSIS:

SHOWTIMES:

Ever since her parents left her as a baby, little Annie has led a hardknock life with her calculating foster mother, Miss Hannigan.

However, all that changes when billionaire and mayoral candidate Will Stacks takes her in on the recommendation of his advisers

Wednesday - Friday 1 p.m., 3:15 p.m., 5:40 p.m., 7:45 p.m.

Rated: PG Running Time: 118 minutes

calendar & games

16

Campus & Downtown Events The Dream Share Project

March 3 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Cinefest At this event you will be watching a film that explores the world of inspiration in one’s career.

Once the film ends a workshop commence and the film directors will teach you how to achieve the job of your dreams.

Panthers on the Move

March 4 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Library Plaza and Urban Life Plaza If you want to get ready for spring time and shed some of those unwanted calories, then join in Panthers on the Move!

You will participate in races at different locations, and the bonus is you also win some prizes.

Hearing Without Listening

March 4 Noon - 1 p.m.

430 University Center We live in a busy society, and hearing is an easy thing to accomplish, however listening is what’s difficult. During this event, those who are or want to be leaders will learn how to achieve the power of listening, and focusing on the important small things.

Happy Hour: Multicultural and Special Interest

March 5 4 p.m. - 5 p.m.

460 University Center Students are invited to participate with peers, and they figure out how to get involved in

TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2015

Word Search BASENJI

Multicultural and Special Interest. This event teaches Georgia State that actively participating is the preparation you need for life after graduation.

BASSET HOUND BEAGLE BLOODHOUND BULL TERRIER

Safe Breakers Feud

CHIHUAHUA

March 9 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Email: stuhealthpromotion@ gsu.edu This is the chance for the campus community to be taught and be conscious of spring break dangers. This event is going to be in a easy-going, fun setting and will be super interactive! There will competitions as well for people to see how well they know the culture of Georgia State and Spring Break Safety.

DACHSHUND DALMATIAN GREAT DANE IRISH SETTER KEESHOND MASTIFF NEWFOUNDLAND OTTERHOUND PEKINGESE POMERANIAN SAINT BERNARD SCHIPPERKE

HIV Testing Day

March 10 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

University Commons Get informed about HIV, and also get the chance to get tested for free at the University Commons. Plus, the test is noninvasive.

Wicked

Now - March 8 Fox Theatre Long before that girl from Kansas arrives in Munchkinland, two girls meet in the land of Oz. One — born with emerald green skin — is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular. Watch how these two grow to become the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good. You can see a performance of the classic musical, “Wicked” at the Fox Theatre today. Visit the Fox Theatre Ticket Office to purchase Limited View and Standing Room.

WEIMARANER WHIPPET

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CSLPlasma.com Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/sudoku on Sun Mar 1 15:34:41 2015 GMT. Enjoy!

5 4

SPORTS

www.georgiastatesignal.com/sports

Grand in the sand: 2015 sand volleyball preview Ending the 2014 season 23-9, partners Janson Button (left) and Sara Olivova (right) hone their skills for the upcoming season.

AKIEM BAILUM Sports Editor

T

he sun is about to rise on another season for Georgia State sand volleyball.

The 2015 season will be the third that the Panthers have fielded a sand volleyball team. Its inaugural 2013 season saw Lane Carico and Katie Madewell advance to the American Volleyball Coaches Association [AVCA] National Cham-

Returning players

Twelve players from last year’s squad will be returning to the sand for Georgia State in 2015. Those returning include last year’s top pairing Sara Olivova and Jansen Button. The Panthers’ primary duo, both juniors, notched a 23-9 record in 2014.

“To play with my best friend and someone with the same goal, mindset and ambitions is what any beach volleyball player looks for,” Button said. “Us as individuals are good but as a pair we make each other great.”

The 23-9 mark proved to be an improvement over an 11-17 season that the duo posted in Georgia State’s inaugural sand volleyball season of 2013.

“I can’t be more excited to be back on the sand with Sara,” Button said. “It’s been a long time since May and we are both so hungry to get back out there.

The best part is that we are not even near the peak of our partnership and we continue to get better every time we step on the sand.”

The returning Panthers also feature last season’s No. 3 pairing of Katelyn Rawls and Sarah Agnew. In 2014, the team of the junior Rawls and the

sophomore Agnew earned a 15-9 record. Rawls was paired with Milani Pickering in 2013 and had a record of seven wins and 11 losses.

Rawls and Agnew also have developed a chemistry that can be found throughout the team. Rawls says there can also be a difference between what the team does in practice and when it is time to compete for real.

“When you see us at practice, it looks like we’re struggling, but we’re on it when we’re in games,” Rawls said.

“On chemistry, it’s important. We will even go to have coffee together to talk about non-volleyball stuff.”

Van Fleet credited both pairs with never giving up and always knowing where to be on the sand.

“With both pairs, when you watch them play, they’ll never give up,” Van Fleet said. “They know where to be and have a high volleyball I.Q.” The team is also returning sophomores Natalie Wilson, Jessica Fourspring, and Delaney Rohan.

Returning juniors include Pickering, Karlee Kavanaugh, Alexis Townsend and Alexis Emurr. Georgia State’s lone returning senior is Molly Smestad.

pionship.

Last season in 2014, Georgia State finished the season with a 14-5 record and finished with a Top Ten ranking on the AVCA charts. The Panthers have earned a Top Ten preseason ranking by the

PHOTO BY MARK VALLE | THE SIGNAL

AVCA for 2015.

Georgia State is entering its second season with head coach Beth Van Fleet at the helm. The second-year Panthers coach feels that the 2015 campaign will see her team continue its ascent in the

realm of collegiate sand volleyball.

“We are very excited,” Van Fleet said. “Our team is much more prepared than in years past. The girls are hungry and ready to compete.”

Newcomers In 2015, the Panthers welcomed four newcomers to the team — three of whom are freshmen and one of whom is a transfer. In addition, two of the four are international students.

The three freshmen are Allie Elson, Jessica Swaney and Magdalena Dostalova who comes to Georgia State from Prague in the Czech Republic. Nina Interwies is a junior from Germany. “[Magdalena] brings a lot of height, power and determination.

Nina is smaller, but she’s been helping us with learning new plays. She’s very good at seeing the other side of the net,” Van Fleet said.

Button has also been impressed with the way Dostalova has emerged as a true freshman. “[Magdalena] has so much natural talent and I believe she is a gamer,” Button said. “I’m ready to see her compete. I know she will be in her element competing. I also have to constantly remind myself that she is a

freshman.”

The team says that the newcomers of today are different from those of the 2013 inaugural team in the sense that they can look to the upperclassmen for advice and molding them into the team’s sisterhood.

“When we were freshmen, we didn’t have anyone to look up to,” Rawls said. “We’ve set the groundwork. We’ve been a big sister figure for today’s newcomers.”

Different elements to practice According to the team, it has added different elements to its practice sessions dating back to the fall practice session.

“Coach [Van Fleet] knows how to change it up with different ideas,” Rawls said. “During the fall we had Wednesday Night Lights where we would compete at night under the lights. She also would add different

things to test our distractions. Fall season is a grind.”

Practicing outdoors in the fall and winter months on sand also mean practicing in “the elements.” Frigid temperatures have put Downtown Atlanta in a deep freeze for much of the last few weeks. Despite this, the daunting cold has had no effect on the Panthers.

“With our team, we find positive in any environment,” Button said.

“There is never a time anyone complains about having to practice in a less ideal environment. Weather doesn’t decide how we play, we do.”

Grand in the sand continued on pg. 18

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2013 18

SPORTS SPORTS

TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2015

Grand in the sand continued from page 17

An assist from court volleyball Along with everyone else who is on the team, Georgia State sand volleyball has also received a boost from one of the standout players from the court volleyball team. It has come in the form of junior outside hitter Deidra Bohannon.

This past season, with court volleyball head coach Sally Polhamus in her first year at the helm for the Panthers, Bohannon started in 27 matches and recorded 432 kills for third in the Sun Belt Conference. Bohannon also had 303 digs to put her second on the team in that statistical category and earned All-Sun Belt First Team honors. She led Georgia State to a conference tournament appearance in 2014 as a seventh seed.

The sand volleyball team has been pleased with the fact that Bohannon will be part of the team this season and feels that her talents from court volleyball can translate into the sand game. “[Deidra] is great,” Rawls said.

“She can jump so high and can be a big blocker for our offense. She is also super fast and provides a great attitude.”

Bohannon has been listed as No. 25 on the Georgia State sand volleyball roster for this season.

“I think she is a great addition to our team,” Button said. “She brings more heart and determination to our team. Each time I see her on the sand, she is getting better. I see her as a great tool in our toolbox.”

PHOTO BY MARK VALLE | THE SIGNAL Sarah Agnew serves up a powerful volley during a Friday practice.

Bigger and brighter future Sand volleyball is continuing to grow exponentially as a sport, both at Georgia State and elsewhere across the country. That growth will be accelerated in the 2016 season when the National Collegiate Athletics Association [NCAA] recognizes sand volleyball as a championship sport.

The move to championship status removes the “emerging sport” label from sand volleyball after three years, a testament to the sport’s rapid rise in popularity.

“It is monumental for us,” Van Fleet said. “We’ve been so lucky, thanks to the AVCA that this step was taken. Now the next step will be to get the conferences on board.”

If a conference championship were to occur in the Sun Belt, at least four teams would need to participate.

Among Sun Belt schools, Georgia State and Louisiana-Monroe are the only two with sand volleyball programs. Adding a sand team has also been considered to be on the

radars of Georgia Southern and New Mexico State.

Rawls also sees it as a major step forward for the sport.

“To say when we become seniors that we succeeded to get us to the NCAA level is amazing,” Rawls said.

“This is the fastest-growing NCAA sport.”

Button hopes that the NCAA’s recognition of sand volleyball as a championship sport will also help younger players and will inspire more to play as kids.

“It is important not only for sand volleyball at a collegiate level but at a youth level,” Button said. “So many young girls with amazing talent in the sand are going to be able to have an opportunity to compete at a high level. I know I lucked out with my timing, so I can’t be more excited for the future of sand and being able to end my career at Georgia State as part of an NCAA championship sport.”

FUN FACTS

Georgia State is participating in its third season with a sand volleyball team The Panthers posted a record of 14 - 5 in 2014 Beth Van Fleet is in her second season as head coach Sara Olivova and Jansen Button went 23 - 9 last year Katelyn Rawls and Sara Agnew went 15 - 9 last year Court volleyball’s Deidra Bohannon will wear No. 25 as part of the sand team this year

First things AVCA Preseason Rankings first 4 78 1 5 2 9 3 6 10 Sand volleyball to be a championship sport in 2016

Pepperdine

The 2016 championship campaign is still a year away. In the meantime, Georgia State sand volleyball hopes for even bigger and better things this year after its 14-5 record from last year.

The Panthers have a slogan called “Play for May,” denoting what it will take for the team to reach the AVCA National Championships that month. Van Fleet says that as of

now, its focus is on March 7 at the Carolina Classic in Columbia, South Carolina that will also feature Mercer, Jacksonville and UL-Monroe.

Georgia State’s first home slate of matches will be on March 11 when the Panthers host the Diggin’ Duals at the Sand Volleyball Complex. The Panthers will play the University of New Orleans, Mercer and South Carolina that day.

Southern California Florida State

UCLA

Hawaii

Long Beach State

Loyola Marymount

Saint Mary’s

Florida International

Georgia State

PAGE DESIGN BY JAMAAL HICKS | THE SIGNAL

PANTHER OF THE WEEK

19

SPORTS

TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2015

SPORTS CALENDAR

*conference games

Saturday, March 7 Georgia Southern* GSU Sports Arena 2 p.m.

1340 The Fan 3

GEORGIA STATE ATHLETICS

Ravin Gilbert Track & Field Georgia State track and field finished fifth as a team at the Sun Belt Indoor Track and Field Championships in Birmingham, Alabama. Junior sprinter Ravin Gilbert earned an individual Sun Belt title in the 60 meter dash, timing in at 7.48 meters — the third-fastest 60 meter time in school history.

Gilbert grew up in Florida and attended Wesley Chapel High School in Wesley Chapel, Florida.

She led Wesley Chapel to a conference championship in 2010 and also made the school’s Honor Roll.

In her freshman year at Georgia State, she recorded several personal best performances, including a 41.86 second time in the 300 meters.

Last year as a sophomore, she had the fifth-fastest 200-meter race in Panthers history for indoors with a 24.55 in conference championship qualifying. Gilbert timed in at 11.59 in the 100 meters to finish fourth in the Sun Belt championship for the outdoor circuit and qualify for the NCAA East Preliminaries.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Saturday, March 7 Georgia Southern (Senior Day) GSU Sports Arena Noon

Wednesday, March 11 Sun Belt Championship Quarterfinal at New Orleans, Louisiana TBA

WOMEN’S TENNIS Friday, March 6 Nebraska at Lincoln, Neb. 5 p.m.

Saturday, March 7 Purdue at Lincoln, Nebraska

MEN’S TENNIS Saturday, March 7

Sunday, March 8 at Albuquerque, New Mexico 10 a.m.

WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD Saturday, March 14

MEN’S BASKETBALL Thursday, March 5

Tuesday, March 10

UL Monroe *

Tennessee Tech

Jacksonville State Invitational OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD SEASON OPENER

at Monroe, La. 8 p.m

Piedmont Park 3 p.m.

at Jacksonville, Alabama All Day

1340 The Fan 3

Sun Belt commissioner encourages NCAA to tackle issue of football game length AKIEM BAILUM Sports Editor

I

f the Sun Belt commissioner had his way, college football games would not last as long as they last.

Conference commissioner Karl Benson told CBSSports.com that the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) should have a running clock after first downs Feb. 10.

“I think our fans are expecting shorter games, and I think when you see attendance is down, we need to address it,” Benson said to CBSSports. com.

The NCAA currently has no rule that says the clock must continue when teams gain first downs. It is a rule that exists in the NFL. In comments to The Signal, Benson mentioned that this was an issue that has been brought up to the NCAA in the past.

“Games appear to be getting longer, but college football is at an alltime high for TV ratings,” Benson said.

“We need to think about the younger

generation and how they view games.”

Prior to the 2014 football season, the Sun Belt announced that had signed a new long-term contract for conference events to be shown on ESPN3. The deal occurred as a result of Comcast Sports Southeast (CSS), the previous network that aired Sun Belt sports, shutting down with the debut of the SEC Network.

Benson told The Signal that the conference’s new deal with ESPN did not have anything to do with his wishes to address how long college football games are.

“This isn’t a Sun Belt issue, this is a college football issue,” Benson said.

Commissioner Benson said that it would be ideal for college football games to last an average of three hours long.

“We have seen games go from three hours and 10 minutes to three hours and 15. There have been adjustments made in the past. It’s not the first done it has been done,” Benson said.

Another issue that Benson talked about in a conversation with The Signal is length of halftime. The NFL has a 12-minute halftime period while that of football in the NCAA is 20

minutes. It has been proposed in the past that college football’s halftime length should be shortened to that of the NFL. Halftime does allow for special events for occasions such as Senior Day and Homecoming, potentially extending its period from 20 to 25 minutes. Benson told The Signal that the Sun Belt has adopted a rule going into next year that schools can only partake in this one time per season to extend halftime.

Benson mentioned that there is no specific timetable for the NCAA to adopt any changes to make college football games shorter.

“I don’t expect any changes for the 2015 season, but it is something that should be looked at for the future,” Benson said.

Benson was not the only commissioner of a collegiate athletics conference to say that the length of football games should be looked at.

Larry Scott, the commissioner of the Pac-12 Conference, also said to CBSSports.com that the NCAA should tackle this issue.

“I don’t find it daunting that there are some who would oppose it,” Scott

told CBSSports.com. “I think the job for commissioners is to take a step back and look at it holistically. The health and welfare of student-athletes is first and fans are a close second in terms of keeping games appealing.

Three and a half hours is too long.”

Football games averaged three hours and 23 minutes in 2014, up from three hours and 17 minutes in 2013, according to CBSSports.com. Statistics published by Georgia State Athletics found that Panthers games averaged three hours and 14 minutes long.

The Panthers’ shortest game last season was a road contest in Boone, North Carolina vs. Appalachian State that resulted in a 44-0 rout by the Mountaineers. It lasted only two hours and 47 minutes and was plagued by wintry conditions.

Georgia State’s longest game in 2014 lasted nearly four hours long. The Panthers battled the Abilene Christian Wildcats at the Georgia Dome on opening day of the football season for three hours and 43 minutes on Aug. 27. Georgia State was victorious by a final of 38-37, the team’s only victory in 2014.

Length of Georgia State football games Aug. 27 vs. Abilene Christian (38-37 win) 3:43 Sept. 3 vs. New Mexico State (34-31 loss) 3:19 Sept. 13 vs. Air Force (48-38 loss) 3:16 Sept. 20 at Washington (45-14 loss) 3:03 Oct. 4 at Louisiana-Lafayette (34-31 loss) 3:24 Oct. 11 vs. Arkansas State (Homecoming, 52-10 loss) 3:06

Track and field

At the Sun Belt championships in Birmingham, Alabama, Georgia State track and field finished fifth as a team with 82.5 points, the most in its short history on the indoor circuit.

The Panthers’ Ravin Gilbert won the conference title in the 60 meter dash, timing in at 7.48 meters. LaPorscha Wells finished second in the weight throw and shot put. Hannah Stefanoff placed third in the 5,000 meters. The outdoor track and field season begins on March 14.

Men’s basketball

New Mexico (Match 2) at Albuquerque, N.M. 5 p.m.

Pennsylvania

THE FINAL SCORE

Oct. 18 at South Alabama (30-27 loss) 3:35 Oct. 25 vs. Georgia Southern (69-31 loss) 3:20 Nov. 1 at App State (44-0 loss) 2:47 Nov. 8 at Troy (45-21 loss) 3:00 Nov. 22 at Clemson (28-0 loss) 2:59 Nov. 29 vs. Texas State (54-31 loss) 3:21

After a surprising loss to UALR, the men’s basketball team rebounded from the defeat with a 75-64 win over Troy. The Panthers got 17 points from Ryan Harrow and 13 from Markus Crider. Georgia State’s last two games of the regular season are on Thursday at UL-Monroe and Saturday at the Sports Arena vs. Georgia Southern, both of which are tied with the Panthers for first in the Sun Belt.

Women’s basketball

The women’s team also scored 75 points vs. a Troy Trojans team.

Unfortunately for the Panthers, it came in a 88-75 loss to the Trojans.

Despite 23 points from Makeba Ponder, Georgia State could not take care of the basketball. They committed 26 turnovers which led to 40 of the 88 Troy points. The Panthers’ last two games of the regular season are on Thursday at UL-Monroe and Saturday at home vs. Georgia Southern.

Softball

Eight straight. Georgia State softball won all four of its games over the weekend at the University of Central Florida (UCF) Invitational.

The Panthers defeated Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) 16-2, Eastern Michigan 6-1, East Carolina 4-3, and Villanova 5-2. The Panthers’ record now stands at 11-2 for the season with the only two losses coming against Auburn. Georgia State will play a doubleheader vs. Mercer in Macon on Wednesday.

Women’s tennis

On the women’s side of the tennis ledger, the Panthers played three matches in Virginia over the weekend.

The team lost to Old Dominion. by a final of 6-1 before defeating no. 61 Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), 4-3. Georgia State needed to win the final three singles matches to top the VCU Rams. On Sunday, the Panthers lost to William and Mary by a final of 5-2. Georgia State’s next matches are on the road this weekend vs. Nebraska and Purdue.

Baseball

The weekend slate for Georgia State baseball saw the Panthers host the Ohio Bobcats at the Baseball Complex. The Panthers swept the Bobcats with wins of 10-8 on Friday, 11-4 on Saturday that saw the team score eight first inning runs, and 3-1 on Sunday. The three wins increase the team’s record to 7-4 on the season.

The Panthers play next on Wednesday at 5 p.m. on the road vs. Georgia.

Coming to stands March 24, 2015

d o o h r o b h g V i I t Ne r a P e d i u G

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