The Signal Vol. 83. No. 2

SEPT. 1 - SEPT. 8, 2015

VOL. 83 | NO. 2

More Than A Count Living on the streets isn’t the only form of homelessness. Many may find “home” on couches, in cars, or in youth shelters.

PAGE 3 | NEWS

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The war on HIV

Work In progress

“Zen it out”

Cinfest is in bad shape.

Here’s how we can make it better.

Get an inside look at the variety of different yoga classes at Georgia State.

#StateNotSOUTHERN

News | Page 4

Opinions| Page 7

A&L | page 9

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Atlanta is fighting to stop the spread of the virus.

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Opinions 7

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Men’s soccer looks to avenge Georgia Southern loss en route to Sun Belt tittle.

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2

NEWS

blotter

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015

1.

24 1. Aug. Aderhold assault Aderhold Learning

26 3. Aug. Hittin’ then splittin’ Patton Hall

Center

A person not enrolled at Georgia State was arrested for allegedly assaulting a student. The incident occurred around 11:30 a.m. at Aderhold Learning Center.

Georgia State police are on the lookout for a driver who fled the scene of an accident. The hit and run occurred at 2:30 p.m. outside of Patton Hall.

3.

4. Aug. 27 Fuzz took my fire

2. Aug. 25 Rec Center theft

Collins Street

Student Recreation Center

A Georgia State student reported possessions stolen from the Student Recreation Center. Less than $500 worth of belongings were taken that Tuesday afternoon.

A student was jailed on Thursday around noon for holding less than an ounce of weed. The student was picked up around Collins Street.

CTW Theft Possession Hit-and-run

4.

2.

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Making the

invisible

visible

57%

According to Covenant House Georgia, a homeless youth shelter, 57 percent of homeless youths spend a minimum of one day without food

Atlanta’s homeless youth have been underrepresented in past years but Georgia State students sought to correct that.

50%

are homeless due to physical or intense conflicts at home

PHOTO BY BRITTANY GUERIN | THE SIGNAL Georgia State student, Chris Vidnar, discusses unaffordable housing and unreliable subway system in the city. Vidmar said, “there are over 100,000 homeless youths in Atlanta.”

MIRANDA HAWKINS Senior News Reporter

Georgia State students part of Professor Eric Wright’s sociology class banded together this summer scouring the streets of metro Atlanta with one goal in mind - to count the city’s marginalized homeless youth.

For four weeks, students traveled to shelters, extended stay hotels and some rough streets - like a high-crime area about a half-mile from the Georgia World Congress Center dubbed the “Bluffs”. They approached youth ages 14 to 25 to ask if they had an “adequate and safe place to stay.”

Chris Vidmar, Georgia State grad student and site leader, said the original estimate of homeless youth was in the low hundreds. But he said the students tallied more than 1,000 youths without shelter in Atlanta and they’re still sifting through the data.

“We had started talking about this homeless youth count about a year and a half ago,” Wright said.

The miscalculations of how many homeless youth wander throughout Atlanta was part of the reason Wright and Georgia State decided to take matters into their own hands.

Piecing it all together Wright, who redesigned and relaunched Indianapolis, Ind.’s homeless count in 2006, said Georgia State created the Domestic Field School within the sociology department to offer a chance for students to learn and gain hands-on experience in their own backyard.

The Atlanta Homeless Youth Count and Needs Assessment - the official name of the study - was the “kick-off ” for the field school, according to Vidmar.

Georgia State senior, sociology major and participant Kara Tsukerman

said students administered the survey from the middle of June to late July with a break on July 4.

Wright said the City of Atlanta, the county and 75 different organizations collaborated with Georgia State’s field school to put together the homeless count. “[Georgia State is] the lead agency, and that’s partly because of all the politics around homelessness and the difficulties that some of the agencies and state agencies, city and county government have in terms of working together on these issues,” he said.

Everyone involved is committed to alleviating homelessness, but a lot of competition exists between agencies for funding, according to Wright.

Tsukerman said she loved the broad definition of homelessness the survey used, because it challenged what it means to be homeless.

“Most people, including me, prior to this, think of people who are unsheltered, who are sleeping outside,” she said. “But in our survey we included anyone who didn’t have a place of their own to stay. So even if they slept on their friend’s couch for a month, they counted.”

Tsukerman also said the word “homeless” was not used when talking to the youth, because it could be considered insulting.

“We approached people by saying, ‘We’re students from Georgia State and we’re out trying to find youth between the ages of 14 and 25 who don’t have a place of their own to stay. Do you know anyone who falls in that category?’” she said.

Students were split into different groups to scatter throughout the city to cover as much ground as possible.

Vidmar said there were two data sweeps and each were held during a two-week time period.

In the first sweep students stuck to shelters but quickly realized they were missing large chunks of the city, according to Vidmar. For the second sweep he and two other site leaders de-

viated from the plan and led groups to extended stay hotels along I-285.

Ten dollar gift cards along with resource kits, which included information on where homeless youth could seek help, were given to those who took part in the survey, according to Tsukerman.

She said she never realized how youth homelessness is integrated into every corner of Atlanta.

“Some of the surveys were conducted in my neighborhood,” Tsukerman said. “I live right by the East Atlanta Village. I don’t think about homeless youth in my neighborhood.

I look at people totally different. I feel like now all these people are visible to me who definitely used to be invisible.”

It’s more than just a count Wright said every year Atlanta and cities across the nation are required by the federal government to conduct a Point-In-Time count.

“It’s a way they collect data on basic homeless statistics,” he said. “So every year in January, the city and counties do a count and send the numbers to Washington D.C. and the [federal government] compiles them in an annual report to Congress on the state of homelessness.”

Wright said the problem with previous surveys is they undercount unaccompanied youths.

Homeless advocate Marshall Rancifer attributed the misrepresentation to a group of people from outside of Atlanta who were brought in by the city to conduct the count last year.

“They missed more people last year during the count than they ever had before,” he said. “These folks had no clue about the city of Atlanta. They were just so unorganized.”

Rick Westbrook, executive director of Lost-n-Found, Atlanta’s only LGBT youth homeless shelter, said since the count was conducted at the shelter he has seen a boom in homeless youth

walking through their doors. Typically volunteers see roughly 65 to 70 kids a month but now they’re seeing more than 300.

“We’re having to search for people just to staff the drop-in center, because there’s been so much going on,” he said.

“I’ve even gone to, when we’re full, putting kids up at the Salvation Army.”

Vidmar also said homeless youth tend to avoid the chronically homeless.

“Actually a lot of the research shows that if there is older, chronic homelessness, generally homeless youth will not be in the same areas, because they’re more likely to be victimized by the chronically homeless,” he said.

Wright said the group of researchers purposefully tried to address the culture of homeless youth because of their separation from the older homeless.

“We incorporated a number of questions that really were designed to do a better job at exploring who these youth are,” he said. “The report is actually going to be both an estimate of the number of youth and also a description of who they are as people with a goal of really trying to provide a basis for a need assessment.”

A call to action Wright said he hopes the data will rationalize the conversation, improve community interest in shaping new policies and develop new services for homeless youth.

“I’m a big believer in using research to help inform and shape policy and I’ve partnered a lot with politicians, state and local governments [and] community outreach organizations over my career to use science for best practices and best policies,” he said.

Vidmar said focusing on the city’s housing standards and affordability could help combat youth homelessness.

“A vast majority of this population isn’t homeless in the sense they are sleeping on a street,” he said. “They are homeless in the sense [that] they are

40 percent of the homeless in the United States are under the age of 18.

paying $89 a week at an extended stay, because they can afford $350 a month to stay at an extended stay hotel. But they can’t afford $850 for an apartment.”

Vidmar also said he believes the city needs to address the problem for those who are on the brink of being chronically homeless, because they can’t pay their rent or don’t have a means to reach their job.

“If we’re going to have the kind of city where you can’t live in the city on minimum wage then we need to have the kind of city where you can live outside the city and pay your rent on minimum wage and get in the city on public transportation,” he said.

John Weber, spokesperson from Mayor Kasim Reed’s office, said in 2012 Reed launched Unsheltered No More, a program that “successfully housed more than 1,000 homeless Atlantans.” Weber also said Reed announced this past May his push to end Veteran homelessness.

“The City of Atlanta does not have a specific initiative targeted at homeless youth,” Weber said. “Rather the COA, Continuum-of-Care seeks to provide support to homeless families and individuals.”

The count this summer is proof the issue is bigger than what people initially thought, according to Vidmar.

Wright said his immediate goal is to complete the report and provide it as a public document for “anyone interested in learning about who our homeless youth are in Atlanta.”

He said his long term goal is to use the report as pilot data to focus on additional research projects. “[For example] I know a group of people who are interested in sex trafficking and sex work among this age population,” he said. “So that group, which will include myself, will go after pilot funding to study the problem more completely.”

Wright, Vidmar and Tsukerman expect to repeat the project next year, but nothing has been set in stone.

4

ATLANTA’S WAR ON HIV/AIDS

Citywide prevention initiatives aim to combat HIV infections SEAN KEENAN

Embracing the afflicted

IV/AIDS has plagued Atlanta for decades. But Mayor Kasim Reed announced July 30 that he has joined a fight to stomp out the deadly pandemic, once and for all.

The mayor signed Paris’ declaration to join the Fast-Track Cities group, a coalition of cities combating the spread of HIV/AIDS in problem areas, according to a news release from the mayor’s office.

The initiative strives to eradicate HIV/AIDS by 2030. But while the group snowballs into something more globally effective, it hopes to achieve 90-90-90 status for all infected patients by 2020, according to the statement.

This means Atlanta must now implement various outreach programs to ensure 90 percent of those infected with HIV know of their condition; 90 percent of the afflicted should receive anti-retroviral treatment, and 90 percent should see substantial viral suppression.

But Georgia State journalism student Tyler Karstensen said he doubts the viability of the declaration’s ambitions.

“I don’t know if eradication that soon is plausible,” he said. “It’ll cost a lot to get so many HIV patients their meds and it seems unrealistic that 90 percent of these people with [HIV] will go out and get tested.”

The Fast-Tack Cities program endorses more than just research and prevention efforts.

Each signee of the Paris declaration vowed to “end the stigma and discrimination” surrounding HIV/ AIDS and its causes. In signage, Reed pledged “to build and foster tolerance,” among the taboo of sexually transmitted diseases within the community. In doing so, the city hopes HIV diagnoses will slow drastically.

Millions of people are infected by HIV each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fast-Track cities hope to decrease the number of new infections to 500,000 for 2020 then 200,000 in 2030.

To do so, cities have to reach out and engage the community to help the needy and encourage healthy lifestyle choices, according to the Fast-Track declaration.

City officials will be focusing their efforts on at-risk demographics, such as “slum dwellers, displaced people, young women, sex workers, people who use drugs, migrants, men who have sex with men and transgender people to build and foster tolerance,” according to the declaration.

Donna Smith of Georgia State’s School of Public Health has long researched and advocated for HIV/ AIDS prevention. She said the city can accomplish these arduous tasks only with the proper backing and legislative influence.

Associate News Editor

H

90%

of those infected with HIV would know of their condition through Atlanta’s outreach programs.

NEWS

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015

“I don’t know if eradication that soon is plausible. It’ll cost a lot to get so many HIV patients their meds and it seems unrealistic that 90 percent of these people with [HIV] will go out and get tested.”

-Georgia State student Tyler Karstensen “I believe that this Fast-Track declaration is very ambitious, but doable with political will and appropriate resources,” she said. “I’m glad to see Mayor Reed and his administration putting energy behind this effort.”

For the moment, Atlanta’s FastTrack initiatives are in the preliminary sketches, according to a spokeswoman from the mayor’s office.

“We’re just at the beginning,” she said. “One of the first meetings [about declaration plans] is this Friday.”

In the meantime, Smith has been facilitating the work of Georgia State’s Linkage for Care organization.

“The Linkage to Care Peer Guide Training Program trains HIV positive persons from groups hardest hit by the epidemic in Atlanta -- African Americans, young Black gay men, transgender women, persons who have overcome addiction and often incarceration-- to help link to care the approximately 40 percent of persons who are HIV positive and not in medical care,” Smith said.

One peer guide, Necaela Penn, said she joined after friends enticed her to do so.

“At first I wasn’t going to apply,” she said. “But they said it’s a linkage program that would be good for HIV patients and a lot of activists are trying to get those [prevention and care] programs implemented.”

Since enrolling in the guidance program, Penn said her role entails reaching out to HIV positive patients to connect them with help in a more intimate fashion.

“I talk to the person to get a feel for them so I can direct them to the right location,” she said. “Then I keep in touch with them and keep them encouraged until they receive the care they need. We would find emergency housing, call homeless shelters to see if there are openings.”

Penn has taken up this responsibility to ensure HIV patients can receive a friendly helping hand, rather than a bureaucratic trudge toward treatment.

“It’s a good thing to have peer navigators,” she said. “It makes the patient more comfortable.”

Smith said Georgia State is very involved in the city’s fight against the HIV epidemic. She cited other projects carried out in tandem with Georgia State’s Dr. Richard Rothenberg, the director of the university’s Center for Excellence on Health Disparities and Mary Anne Adams, the Center’s director of community research.

Smith contributed to a HIV/ AIDS relief program funded by the Elton John AIDS Foundation in 2013 with the Center. The CEHD’s main focus in such projects is engaging the problem areas where these infectious diseases thrive.

The university was also granted $1.48 million by the National Institute of Health to investigate why HIV is making people go blind, as reported by The Signal in July.

Student’s discourse with Georgia State’s STD screens Georgia State offers free HIV testing through a partnership with the Fulton County Health Department. But Georgia State junior Nick Sheridan said the school doesn’t market the service well.

“It should be advertised,” he said. “Testing should be offered and promoted like, ‘Hey! Are you not doing anything right now? Come get a fucking STD test!’”

He said better advertising will draw attention to the more morbid realities of intercourse.

“If a [free testing] service was publicized and announced to the

90%

people, they’d be more aware and more willing to address the fact that sex can be dangerous and they need to take care of themselves and check up on themselves,” he said.

But the university offered tests are only free for HIV screening. Sheridan said the school should foot the bill for STD tests of all kinds.

“I just called the clinic asking for an STD check and [to check] for HIV and most other STD’s. It cost $50; over $70 to check for herpes too,” he said.

The clinic told him he’d get the same deal elsewhere, but Sheridan said he thinks student fees should cover such vital services.

“Georgia State students are not receiving necessary benefits from visiting the school clinic,” he said.

And students have to pay on the spot, Sheridan said.

“You can’t bill to your Panther account. You have to write a check or bring cash,” he said.

Karstensen said the free contraceptives offered by the clinic indicate the school has acknowledged the student body’s sexual activity.

“Why wouldn’t it be the same for STD checks?,” he asked. “You pay all these fees at Georgia State for all these random services that some use and some don’t. Especially in a college environment, where people have sex a lot, [that setting] is something that should warrant free tests with the fees you’re paying.”

Sheridan said he planned on getting tested but claimed the clinic was booked for most of the week.

“Nothing matched up with my schedule,” he said. “But I was going to go.”

Karstensen said, regardless of cost, vital questions about one’s health should not go unanswered.

“Ignorance is bliss,” Karstensen said.

“But some things, you just need to know.”

90%

of the afflicted should receive anti-retroviral treatment

should see substantial viral suppression.

The initiative strives to eradicate HIV/AIDS by 2030. But while the group snowballs into something more globally effective, it hopes to achieve 90-9090 status for all infected patients by 2020, according to the statement.

News Editor

J

ob availability in metro Atlanta is increasing, along with the amount of people moving to the growing city.

Atlanta’s employment increase landed it in second place for the fastest growing city among other U.S. metro areas, according to the Atlanta Regional Commission’s (ARC) recent report.

Jim Jaquish, senior communications coordinator at ARC, said most of the new jobs are in the City of Atlanta’s employment centers, Downtown Atlanta, Midtown and Buckhead.

“When companies expand or new jobs are created, a large percentage of that activity will, naturally, happen

in these same centers where jobs already exist,” he said.

From May 2014 to May 2015, Atlanta created more than 79,000 jobs, according to the report.

Madison Hellsten, Georgia State senior psychology major, said metro Atlanta’s job increase makes her feel more secure about finding a job after graduation.

“Being a senior, I am looking into figuring out what I want to do,” she said. “I really like living in Atlanta and knowing that there is a lot of job opportunities coming.”

Most of the job increases were in professional and business services, leisure and hospitality and construction, according to the ARC. Jaquish said these areas have been traditionally strong in metro Atlanta, which may be why the sectors grew.

“As the economy has returned, it

SG A

15,700 residents 10,500 residents

According to the Atlanta Regional Commission.

Cobb County

nt y

Gwinett County

Co u Fu lto n

METRO ATLANTA’S JOB MARKET ON THE RISE LAUREN BOOKER

5

NEWS

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015

12,300 residents

The top three metro Atlanta counties with job growth from April 2014- April 2015

has diversified some into bio-tech, entertainment and other fields, but much of that growth has come in areas of strength, like these,” he said. “Plus, as our recent population estimates show, the region’s population growth is also returning, meaning that residential construction is on the upswing.”

While more doors were opening in the job market, 60,300 people became residents in metro Atlanta’s 10 counties from April 2014 to April 2015, according to the ARC. The ARC stated the county with the most residents was Gwinnett, with 15,700 residents.

Jaquish said Gwinnett has been a leader in population growth for years.

“As the second-largest county, it will, by births alone, be a population leader,” he said. “But because of schools, access to jobs and overall

quality of life, it boomed in the 90s and 2000s and continues to lead the way in population growth today followed by Fulton and Cobb.”

He also said ARC estimates that two million more residents will come to metro Atlanta’s 20-county region by 2040, along with more jobs.

“We also anticipate changes in the region’s demographics, such as a population that will be much older than today’s and much more diverse,” he said.

Jaquish said ARC will be preparing and helping local jurisdictions for the influx of people by predicting trends.

“As the metropolitan planning agency for the region, the Atlanta Regional Commission is developing The Region’s Plan, a living document, updated every four years, that forecasts and helps local jurisdictions plan for changes between today and 2040,” he said.

The top three metro areas in the U.S. with job growth from May 2014- May 2015 were: Dallas: 3.4 percent Atlanta: 3.2 percent Miami: 3.1 percent

Atlanta’s job growth potential should also increase steadily over the next 10-20 years in the logistics, leisure, hospitality and business services sectors, according to Jaquish.

To prepare students for the growing job market, Anderson said the university system should bring companies into the classroom.

“But really it’s bridging the gap between community partners, as well as, corporations inside of the school [and] having those informationals [to] really have the students understand the career paths that the companies, because you hear about the same jobs, which is a lawyer, a doctor or a business professional,” she said.

ROUNDUP Five new initiatives students should look for in the new school year LAUREN BOOKER News Editor

W

hen Georgia State’s Student Government Association (SGA) conducted its first Senate meeting of the academic year on Aug. 27, new plans were revealed that will affect students this year.

Consolidation brings slight curriculum changes In preparation for Georgia State’s consolidation with Georgia Perimeter College (GPC), the University Committee on Academic Programs met with the GPC council last Tuesday to discuss changes to the core curriculum, according to David Jackson, SGA’s VP of Budget and Finance.

“We have a core curriculum that you are supposed to satisfy before you get to take your major classes,” he said. “With our merger with GPC, they have certain core classes and we have certain core classes.”

The core curriculum will have minor changes, such as name changes and additional courses, according to Jackson.

“There are a few name changes to courses, and there are one or two additional courses in some of our humanities areas,” he said. “But there’s nothing really changing to the fundamental curriculum that we already have at Georgia State.”

New organizations snag cash SGA VP of Budget and Finance Tobi Soyebo said last week his committee approved funding for new organizations.

“Even though they missed the FY [fiscal year] funding for FY15, for FY16 they will get a lot of money so that they can start doing programs and hit the hills running,” he said.

The NAACP, Anime Club and Her Campus GSU each received $500, according to Soyebo’s Officer Report. The International Association of Exhibitions and Events and Be You! both received $450, and EmpowHer was paid $375.

PHOTO BY RALPH HERNANDEZ | THE SIGNAL SGA held their first meeting where leaders discussed and agreed on a higher budget for the fiscal year.

SGA offers students free goodies

The newly sworn in SGA VP of Public Relations Anthony Nguyen said SGA has created new sticky notes and pens with their funding so far.

He also said the association has teamed up with Athletics to create a new t-shirt for freshmen.

“This is for freshmen to instill Panther pride,” he said. “They are going to have 500 or so freshmen...and they are going to run on the football field for the first football game.”

SGA VP of Student Life Corey Sams said the association has helped Spotlight Programs Board get 10 tailgate starter packs complete with a grill, utensils and tent that will be available at all football home games.

“It’s definitely starting off with football this year and spring semester [we] have some more initiatives that we will be working on,” he said.

Athletics gets an upgrade The football team was recently awarded a large sum of money by a pri-

vate donation, according to Sams.

He said the funds will be used to build a new workout facility for weightlifting and strength training to help alleviate their strain of walking from student housing to their workout facility and practice space.

“With them to have their own facility right there where they practice to be able to work out, it cuts out a large amount of time from them walking...and also it cuts down on the wear and tear of the team and on the players as well,” he said.

New position holders were named SGA Senator Nicholas Smith of Policy Studies became the association’s Pro Tempore with a unanimous vote. With the role, he will be lead senator, in charge of freshman liaisons and stand in for the president if both the president and vice president were gone.

During his speech for the role, he said this is his second year in SGA and has experience through serving in committees.

“I feel like I know my school inside

and out with a good understanding of setting the vision that SGA is trying to set here at Georgia State University,” he said.

During the meeting, head senators were selected. Senator Justin Brightharp of the College of Arts and Science, Senator Juan Ruiz of the College of Business and Senator Aquillah Roberson of the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies were among them.

Roberson said she is excited for the opportunity and greatly appreciates the support she’s received from her fellow senators.

“My plans are to make Andrew Young School of Policy Studies more prominent on campus by making sure students know what majors we have and the services we provide,” she said. “I also plan to make connections with the surroundings of GSU.” Senator Jasmine Cunningham also became the head senator of the School of Public Health, along with Senator Vanessa Gilbert of the School of Nursing and Health Professions and Kevin Marinez of the College of Education.

6

NEWS

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015

GEORGIA STATE RECEIVES

SIX-FIGURE GRANT TO RESEARCH EFFECTIVE

ANTI SMOKING MESSAGING

CHARLES BAILEY Staff Reporter

I

n an effort to raise awareness about the harmful ingredients of cigarette smoke, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USDA) granted Georgia State’s Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science (TCORS) more than $370,000 in grant funds to develop helpful, informative cigarette pack labels, according to an Aug. 11 press release.

The USDA granted the funds to support the study, which will help the FDA properly inform the public of the poisons inside their cigarettes, according to the press release.

Pam Redmon, administrative director of the TCORS at Georgia State’s School of Public Health, said the research will test different media “in a way that is accurate, understandable and not misleading.”

Other research concludes that smokers typically have poor knowledge of the harmful ingredients found in tobacco smoke. Most smokers know cigarette smoke contains carbon monoxide, mainly be-

cause it is mentioned on warning labels, according to the press release. Little known ingredients include cyanide, arsenic and mercury.

Alex Marquardt, Georgia State psychology major and three year smoker, said he is aware of the risks and ingredients in cigarettes but smokes as a stress reliever between classes.

He cited his home as the social smoking area that led him to smoking.

“Both of my roommates smoke, and it turned into this social house thing to smoke cigarettes,” he said.

Cody Ribolla, Georgia State spanish major and social smoker, agrees smoking is harmful. He said he is aware of the risks, but smokes at social gatherings.

“It’s an anxious need. [It’s] something to do with my hands,” he said.

TCORS researchers will explore how different designs can reach smokers of different education levels, and whether it is more effective to present information with exact amounts of different toxins, or ranges, according to the press release.

Reading the fine print The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act requires the

FDA to include warning labels on cigarette packages and cigarette advertisements, according to the FDA. On June 22, 2010, the FDA reissued a final rule requiring color graphics depicting the negative health consequences of smoking, according the FDA. In addition to causing more than 480,000 deaths in the U.S. each year, tobacco use is a major cause of cardiovascular disease, and 1 in 3 cancer deaths are from smoking related causes. However, it remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the U.S., according to The Impact of Tobacco Use. Ashlyn Bell, Georgia State sociology major, said she thinks smoking is a nasty habit, citing family history as part of her conviction.

She said word-of-mouth is a way to promote non-smoking, especially at Georgia State.

“It’s hard to promote [nonsmoking] on an open campus,” she said. “I think people are going to make their own decisions at the end of the day.”

Every day, 2,900 youth try their first cigarette and more than 700 become daily smokers, according to FDA Public Education Campaigns.

The Tobacco Control Act is committed to making tobacco products less accessible and attractive to youth, according to the FDA. Georgia State prohibits smoking on campus, and all staff and students are encouraged to courteously promote the health and safety of the campus community, according to Georgia State’s Student Code of Conduct.

A Georgia State sociology major who wishes to remain anonymous, thinks raising awareness is a good cause.

“I’m definitely not against advocation, I don’t think it’s [smoking] a good habit to get into,” he said.

He said he smokes for a variety of reasons, including the high and common ground in conversation.

“Stress is a big contributor.

Chasing a buzz. I find it easier to start a conversation with other people if they’re also smoking. When I’m drinking it helps to sober me up,” he said.

His post graduation plans include trying to quit.

“I’m gonna make some efforts to quit after I graduate, God willing,” he said.

EACH YEAR IN THE U.S.

2,900 ADOLESCENTS TRY THEIR FIRST CIGARETTE

700

YOUTH BECOME DAILY SMOKERS

1 in

CANCER RELATED DEATHS ARE LINKED TO SMOKING

last week Local

West Nile virus carrying mosquitoes found in Avondale Estates

The West Nile virus was found in mosquitoes in the Avondale Estates neighborhood in Dekalb County this past week, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The sample was collected from Lake Avondale. Though the transmission of the virus spreading throughout the metro area exists, the positive finding presents a higher risk particularly in the Avondale Estates area. Currently, Georgia is in the peak West Nile season which takes place between Aug. 15 and Sept. 15, according to University of Georgia Extension mosquito specialist, Elmer Gray. The Georgia Department of Public Health confirmed the state’s first human case on Aug. 7. The health board said the patient recovered.

National

President Obama defends decision to support Arctic drilling

President Barack Obama in late July gave Shell the green light to drill two oil exploration wells in the Chukchi Sea about 70 miles off Alaska’s Arctic coast, according to The Washington Post. The decision has been criticized as contradicting his agenda to confront climate change. He has since defended his decision by stating that while the U.S. is making initiatives to become less dependable on fossil fuels, the economy is still reliant on fossil fuels and gas. He said that as long as this is the case, he believes this country should rely more on domestic production than foreign imports, according to The Guardian. The president is set to visit Alaska this next week for examination of climate effects. Meanwhile the state is split on the issue of further drilling.

Global

Police in western Nepal are killed by spears and axes

Proposals for a new constitution sparked violent riots and the death of at least seven officers in the western part of Nepal, according to CNN. In the district of Kailali, far west Nepal, thousands of people took to the streets Aug. 25.

A mob surrounded officers using axes, scythes and spears to attack officials attempting to enforce restrictions. A child was also killed during the attack, according to Raj Kumar Shrestha, chief district officer of Kailali District. One police officer was burned alive. The attack seemed preplanned, according to Home Minister Bam Dev Gautam. The proposed changes to the constitution, which have been under review since 2008, plan to federalize the country and

OPINION CINEFEST IS STILL NOT LIVING UP TO ITS POTENTIAL WHY THE BELOVED STUDENT-RUN THEATER IS AN INVALUABLE PART OF CAMPUS & SOME SUGGESTIONS ON HOW IT CAN BE IMPROVED

www.georgiastatesignal.com/opinions

JOHN MILLER Columnist

What is Cinefest?

C

inefest is a dull, pointless husk of what it used to be.

Forgive me for the acrimonious opening, but I expect a great deal of students who’ve attended Georgia State since 2013 or years before will agree.

For those who don’t know what Cinefest is, it’s the school’s studentrun movie theater. You can find it on campus in Student Center West, suite 262. It can also be identified by its meager neon sign which sadly overlooks Decatur St., just beside the Courtland St. overpass.

Founded in 1991, Cinefest was, from its inception, designed to show films that student employees selected, including, “cult classics, foreign films, documentaries, independent films and Atlanta premieres,” according to its home page.

It also attracted “premiers of international hits and film festivals not commonly seen outside specialty art house theaters,” according to an earlier article by The Signal.

Today, it shows none of those things. What does it show? Whatever’s premiering in monopolistic mega-theaters like Regal and AMC. That means Cinefest premiered Fast and Furious’ millionth sequel, only they did it a few weeks too late.

To some of you, that might not sound like such a bad thing. You might like the idea of getting to see the latest blockbuster for free simply because you’re a student, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

But that’s exactly what Spotlight was banking on when they made changes to Cinefest last year.

Spotlight’s ill-advised changes The Spotlight Programs Board is a student organization sponsored by the university that hosts events like the “Distinguished Speaker Series, Panther Prowls, Homecoming festivities, the Courtyard Music Series, Campus MovieFest, Georgia State Nights at local Atlanta attractions and the Pantherpalooza spring concert,” according to their home page.

Last year, they reduced Cinefest’s days of operation from seven days a week to three. Now, the theater is only open for eight hours (1-9) on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

They only show one movie during those three days, and only have time to play it four times a day.

That means that the only studentrun movie theater in the metro Atlanta area played “Unfriended” twelve times and called it a week.

Embarrassing.

The Signal article explained these changes are an attempt to save money in lieu of low ticket sales, but that the then-employees of Cinefest said “the decisions aren’t being made by students but by people who don’t have a vested interest in the future of the theater.”

Of course, Cinefest had been functioning more or less the same for more than twenty years, so what went wrong? Did attendance really suddenly drop?

Also, why wouldn’t Spotlight administrators have interest in the future of the theater? It’s hard to find any reason why members of

an organization dedicated to “providing social, cultural, educational and entertainment events on campus” would disdain a resource so integral to their cause.

Perhaps it’s just a fundamental disagreement about how Cinefest’s space can best be used. On one hand, it can be a haven for independent films to be premiered and share, and on the other hand, it can be a place where large titles can be showcased to a broader interest.

The problem is, both of these alternatives have been attempted, and neither one functions desirably. This past year, we’ve witnessed the latter attempt to make up for the former and fail.

It seemed that even early on in the reinvention process, Spotlight was grasping for new ideas, going so far as to suggest the space be used for poetry reading and open mic nights.

But something everyone can agree on is that Cinefest is not very visible on campus. Many incoming freshmen don’t have any idea that Cinefest even exists until they stumble upon it on their way through the Student Center.

The visibility has been a recognized issue in the past, and Cinefest has even set up “huge seven-foot stands” around campus advertising the theater, to little effect.

I’ll now venture to suggest a few changes of my own.

Other changes that might be made The neon sign overlooking Decatur St. is small and easy to miss. It is, in fact, the only outdoor indication that Cinefest exists, apart from its mention on directory posters.

Giving Cinefest more of a presence on the sidewalk of Decatur St. would remedy this. Installing back-lit poster boxes would give people the impression that there was a theater inside.

It would also help the theater’s traffic immensely to get people wandering in off the street, even if they’re not students. I’m sure more than a few people would be willing to fork over the requisite 5 dollars for general admission, especially when they’d otherwise pay twice as much to see a blockbuster at Regal or AMC. And showing these blockbuster movies is fine, as long as they don’t homogenize what’s supposed to be a heterogenous theater showing a wide range of productions. One Hollywood money machine can be good for the theater as long as the staff doesn’t lose sight of what the theater was originally intended for.

It would also help if Cinefest could partner more with Campus MovieFest, allowing them to use the theater space for their end-ofcompetition screening of their contest’s finalists.

Of course, it would take someone with more ingenuity and knowledge of the inner workings of Spotlight and Cinefest than I have to come up with other, viable solutions, but I’ve offered my four ha’pennies.

I’d really hate to see Cinefest go, but it seems like it’s a real possibility considering its disuse. Perhaps incoming students and other cinema-minded people will see the what Cinefest is lacking and dare to improve it. I hope they do.

8

OPINIONS

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015

EDITORIAL

TO SHARE OR NOT TO SHARE WHEN IS THE LINE DRAWN BETWEEN REPORTING TRAGEDY AND CAPITALIZING ON IT?

W

hen something tragic happens on camera, it’s understandable that the first inclination is to watch it. Human curiosity is a force to be reckoned with, especially in the face of tragedy.

Video has given us an opportunity history hasn’t, the ability to watch events as they occur and to re-watch it over and over again. But in some circumstances the question is, should we watch it?

When a live broadcast from a Virginia local news station showed a WDBJ7 news reporter and cameraman shot on tape, a video surfaced showing the shooter’s perspective.

Shortly after, the video was taken down from the alleged shooter’s Twitter page and Facebook page by the social media sites.

All news media outlets went ablaze, reporting on it with urgency, as it should be.

However, the majority of media outlets circulated the videos, whether linking it or hosting it themselves.

On the day of the shooting, WDBJ7 Chief

Meteorologist Brent Watts posted to Twitter asking “do not share, or post the video.” His request was retweeted more than two thousand times.

Thousands since have witnessed the perspective of a dying cameraman crashing to the ground. Thousands since have watched the shooter film his victims as he riddled them with bullets.

The Atlanta-Journal Constitution (AJC) shared it. CNN shared it. WorldStar HipHop shared it. The public shared it.

Around the same time last year, ISIS released a graphic video featuring the beheading of American journalist James Foley.

Again, thousands shared the video and people huddled around their screens to witness the atrocity.

Some, however, regret watching the firstperson perspective of the shooting,” according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The question remains, is it good journalism to post and share these videos for the public audience? It is a question that divides

the journalist community.

Before video, pictures and words were the only tools journalists had to tell a story, and it was enough. It doesn’t seem to be anymore.

Digital storytelling has facilitated access to a wider audience and fast too.

One AJC article covering the Virginia shooting read like this, “The WDBJ camera was rolling when a gunman…approached and opened fire, killing reporter Alison Parker and cameraman Adam Ward and injuring their interview subject.”

The sentence is strong and honest. Still, the AJC posted the video and removed from their website shortly after.

Technology has opened doors for both journalists and the public. It has enabled media outlets worldwide to share and expose heart wrenching and humorous stories at the click of a button. But it is a double-edged sword.

Every day media outlets are pushed to be first, to be the best, to pack stories with a punch just to satiate their audience. As much

as reporting is about truth and information, it is also about numbers. And the higher those numbers are, which can translate into clicks and internet traffic, the higher the cash stacks.

So when it comes to sharing the brutality of being gunned down on camera, is it to expose truth or is it for the numbers?

Do we have to witness death to know the overall emotion that is attached?

What angle or point is being made by showing murder? The answer - there isn’t.

As a journalist, what goes on in our world should be made available to the public. What needs reporting should get reported. However, the possibility of witnessing two people getting slaughtered doesn’t constitute a front seat attached with a “share” button to hundreds of others.

There is a fine line between reporting on tragedy and capitalizing on it. Posting the video, because you know people will click on it does journalism no favors.

ARTS & LIVING

www.georgiastatesignal.com/artsandliving

DOWNWARD PANTHER: Georgia State at Yoga

SYDNEY CUNNINGHAM Associate A&L Editor

H

oused in Georgia State’s Recreation Center, various exercise classes are taught to no expense of the students. However, for passionate fitness-minded students, a more in-depth type of class can be taken that progresses throughout the semester, something as skilled as yoga.

Yoga is one type of fitness that requires practice and over time, is built upon. Through Georgia State’s Instructional Clinics, specific types of yoga classes are begun and as the semester advances the yoga becomes more and more experienced.

Inside the Yoga Ron Young teaches Yin Yoga and Flow Yoga. Susan Wells teaches Vinyasa Yoga. No matter the style, the center of yoga has the same essential goal.

“The main focus of yoga is to bring the nervous system to a state of calm, or a parasympathetic state,” Young said. “In the act of accomplishing this, the body, mind and senses receive a necessary and thorough stretch.”

While stretching brings to mind very elementary yoga practices, it is within every exercise, the most important building block.

“Stretching is important to maintain the gift of movement. Students do become more flexible as a result of practice and due to the aging process of the body needs to stretch daily,” Young said. “The goal of yoga isn’t to touch ones toes in 6 weeks, rather it’s to enhance and maintain the body’s natural ranges of joint movement and sustaining comfort with ease in the body throughout one’s lifespan.”

For Susan Wells, yoga is a sure fit for any type of athletic or athletically interested mind.

“Adrenaline junkies get impatient with yoga because they don’t naturally slow down, but they may be the ones who can benefit the most,” Wells said. “Strengthening the connection between body, mind and breath almost magically leads to vitality and confidence.”

Yoga is one of the popular exercise avenues that has such a detailed and long history behind it. Changes to what yoga used to be have happened over time, but it is still as practiced in its roots as to be expected.

“The ancient practitioners of Yoga believed that in order for mankind to be happy and live in harmony with himself and his environment, he needed to use innate intelligence to integrate body, mind and spirit,” Wells said. “They found a way to achieve this through observing certain ethical principles, exercise, breathing and meditation. If we practice meditation, we open doors to self-understanding, intuition, and wisdom.”

For students curious in a new hobby, for students waiting to learn a new skill, for students willing to work towards a change in their body and mind, yoga is completely doable.

“Select a class time that suits your day and commit to it,” Young said.

“Yoga is unique in that it can be practiced daily, regularly. Whether you take a class every day, or just take one or more classes per week you will discover that regular yoga practice enhances and adds quality time to your life.”

“It’s (Yoga) for both men and women, college students, athletes, aging and elderly. It is time tested from the traditions of ancient masters,” Young said.

“Yoga is an ancient body of knowledge dating back thousands of years.

The word ‘Yoga’ comes from the Sanskrit ‘yuj’ which means ‘to unite or integrate’,” Susan Wells said. “The big idea of Yoga is about the union of a person’s own consciousness and universal consciousness.”

The Different Clinics Iyengar Centered around vigorous postures done at a slow to modest pace.

Iyengar is the style developed by BKS Iyengar in India, and it emphasizes correct body alignment and the use of props to make the asanas accessible to everyone.

Yin Yin Yoga practices long held asana (postures). Holding postures for 3 minutes or more experiencing the effect that time, the effect of gravity on the anatomical shape, focus on breath and exploring meditation.

Hatha Hatha is a term that encompasses all physical yoga practices. This includes pose, breath practice and mediation. The other various styles are branches of Hatha, and all of these styles have been popularized in the 20th century.

Power Power format based on flowing with emphasis on more challenging, athletic and aerobic sequences.

Vinyasa Vinyasa is a style of Hatha Yoga.

In Vinyasa, we learn the basic poses (asanas) with correct body alignment, and then practice them in a sequence that flows from one pose to the next smoothly.

Flow Considered a compliment or opposite of Yin Yoga. It involves movement and is based on structural alignment, sequencing, mediation, hip and shoulder stretches, sun salutations, standing poses, backbends and more.

PHOTO BY NADIA DELJOU | THE SIGNAL

“It’s (Yoga) for both men and women, college students, athletes, aging and elderly. It is time tested from the traditions of ancient masters.”

Yoga Mix Yoga Mix is a hybrid that includes several elements from various different styles of yoga.

- Ron Young

HOW TO REGISTER at Georgia State

For $20, students can build on their skills each week.

“Classes are less than $2 a session for students,” Stephanie Belcher, the Coordinator of Instructional Programs, said.

Through the Instructional Clinic program, it isn’t simply yoga.

Yoga, Martial Arts and Dance clinics of different types are available.

Registration for Instructional Clinics ends Sept. 21.

“Classes fill fast,” Belcher said.

“Get signed up soon if you are interested.”

More can be found on the rec center’s website.

AGet YourSecret Garden Thumb Green T

Written by: Chante Foster, Staff Reporter

he Outdoor Activity Center of Atlanta located in Oakland City creates an environment where locals can learn how to grow fresh herbs, vegetables, and fruits while connect with the community.

Established in 1975, owned by the city of Atlanta, it’s an outdoor

nature reserve with 26-acres of land.

The community garden is a part of that land with 1.5 acres of green space. There are 3 hiking trails that lead up to the main office, an interactive team build rope course, a playground for the children and an aquaponics system.

Connecting to the Community Locals come from all over Atlanta to help cultivate the garden. It’s a learning process and most volunteers learn on the go.

Imran Battla started as a volunteer in 2009. Today he manages the garden and helps out at the center where ever he is needed. While volunteering for the center, Battla worked as a contractor for the Atlanta workforce development agency. In 2011, he worked with a group of students who participated in the mayor’s youth program.

During the spring and summer ,the students worked by helping to keep the trails clean. The idea for a garden emerged. after the group of students visited a previous community

garden. They were inspired and decided to make their own garden, because they wanted to add something nice in the community.

The garden became a new project that was a part of The Outdoor Activity Center.

“It was a great program, loved it, [I] didn’t know anything about gardening, [and] [we] just started with what we could,” said Battla.

Since the garden first opened, program funding was cut and now materials and maintenance are running on volunteer work and donations.

“My focus is community involvement, this garden is making[a] way for people to educate themselves in not

just gardening, but giving back to the community,” said Battla.

Battla says he is currently looking for ways to bring in more financial resources and he needs volunteers that are willing to do service learning at the center.

The service learning allows volunteers to participate and learn how to care for the garden.

“We’re very committed to ensuring [that] we have strong environmental education programing, [and] we are able to do all of this great stuff because of the structure and processes in place,” said Battla.

PHOTO BY RALPH HERNANDEZ| THE SIGNAL The Outdoor Activity Center can be found in Atlanta’s West End.

Get Your Hands Dirty Volunteers start by learning how to remove invasive plants. Knowing the difference between invasive and healthy is important because the invasive plants hinder the healthy plants from growing.

A good tip for spotting harmful plants is to know that they spread rapidly outside of their native area, according to The United States National Arboretum.

When it comes to planting seeds, the size of the seed will determine the debt of the hole. This can be done by measuring the size of the seed and digging three times that size.

There are multiple ways to plant a seed, but the best way to learn is through practice. Volunteers are en-

couraged to participate in service learning if they want to learn more about the different techniques for gardening.

The types of plants in the community garden are very diverse ranging from vine tomatoes to the fragrant basil. The garden has more than one species of tomatoes such as sweet cherry tomatoes and bright green tomatoes.

The basil comes in all sorts of sizes and species as well such as Chinese Basil, Lemon Basil and Thai Basil.

When working in the garden dressing accordingly helps to keep the bugs and sun off and wearing shoes are important for protecting feet.

PHOTO BY RALPH HERNANDEZ | THE SIGNAL Haddock Darry, checks up on what may be the last vegetation to grow this season.

The Benefits The herbs have amazing health benefits. Once dried, it can be used for tea. Each plant has a specific health benefit, such as lavender, which is great for alleviating stress and increasing blood circulation.

The flowers that attract the pollinator bugs are very important to the garden.

Without the existence of pollinators, a lot of plants cannot grow or produce seeds according to The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services.

The benefits of organic food is simply removing pesticides, chemicals, waste and genetically engineered organisms from the growth process of the plants, according to Organic.org.

There is a recently increasing trend of buying food from local farms. In 2012, 163,675 farms were marketing food locally, and from those there was a 5.5 percent increase in sales between 2007 and 2012, according to The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 2015 Report to Congress.

PHOTO BY RALPH HERNANDEZ | THE SIGNAL Residents are able to have the privilege to grow their own local vegetation.

Behind the Scenes The Oakland City Outdoor Activity Center has great history in Atlanta. The property is stewarded by a non-profit organization known as the West Atlanta Watershed Alliance, or WAWA. “You have all this beautiful forest on the Westside of town [and] all of these great creeks,” Darryl Haddock, Director of Environmental Education, said. “WAWA was a group started by African Americans on the Westside who were worried about the environment and the water quality in this neighborhood.”

The purpose of WAWA is to help preserve the environment at The Outdoor Activity Center, by protecting green space and keeping water sources clean and educating the community about environmental help, according to the West Atlanta Watershed Alliance, Inc. “We do creek clean ups, water testing and evaluation, and we also did a lot of environmental education,” said Haddock. “We found that the residents really didn’t understand how pollution was impacting the creeks”

The Outdoor Activity Center is striving to make the community a better place by teaching residents how to care for the environment. The center offers a wide range of outdoor activities. Volunteers can participate in cultivating the garden. There are 3 hiking trails, a playground and a team build rope course.

“This is free, it’s a resource, so come and use it. There is lots to do here,” Evonne Blythers, the Environmental Educator, said.

PHOTO BY RALPH HERNANDEZ | THE SIGNAL

No Costs, So Go! • •

• • • •

Location of the Center: 1442 Richland Rd, SS Atlanta 30310 Volunteers are needed. The WAWA team is looking for marketing students and volunteers that are willing to help work the garden, invasive plant removal and cleaning the trails.

Service learning Saturday is the second Saturday of every month at 10 a.m.

Location of the Garden: 1094 Loma Linda SW Atlanta, GA 30310 The Outdoor Activity Center is free and open to the community For more information Contact the center at 404752-5385 or email info@wawa-online.org

PAGE DESIGN BY DARIAN MATTHEWS | THE SIGNAL

columns

12

Roll your a$$ out of bed Waking up on mornings when you ‘just can’t’

NICHOLE PLACE

Associate A&L Editor

I

t can be difficult to be a morning person. Waking up early and dealing with people is not what everyone wants to do first when they wake up. Unfortunately, when it gets too hard to wake up for classes and you start to miss them, grades can be pretty unforgiving. So here are a few tips for getting your tired self out of bed.

1.

Caffeine: Like any great

television show or movie the main character(s) never seem to be able to take on the day without coffee. And although the love for this warm drink can quickly turn into an addiction, talking from experience, there is nothing like waking up in the morning and enjoying a caffeinated cup of coffee. There is no better addiction than Joe.

2. Start a routine: It can be unbearable pulling yourself out of your bed when having no idea where to even start. If you create a routine, you will have a little timeline to base your mornings off of. Start with picking out your clothes or eating breakfast.

3.

Get Moving: Once the alarm goes off your body instantly begs you to just lie there in a half conscious haze. But if you fight against that urge you will be able to start your days faster.

You can start by waking up and getting ready to go for a morning workout; but if you aren’t insane you can start by brushing your teeth or grabbing a glass of water. Moving around allows you to break the funk fast.

4.

Plan Ahead: When you have a plan for the next day you are more inclined to get up in the morning. You don’t have time to just lie around. So make a to-do list the night before or potentially plan something that makes you excited and looking forward to the day.

5.

Find a Morning talk Show: The morning is way better when

you get a chance to enjoy a cup of coffee or breakfast while watching a great TV show. Some of the best morning talk shows are “Good morning America”, “Live with Kelly and Michael”, the “Today” Show or “Kathy Lee and Hoda”.

Morning talk shows allow you to get a cheerful and funny version of what’s going on in the world before you start the rest of your day.

6. Setting an Alarm: Have several alarms set. Common sense right?

Well, something that a lot of people for-

get is to make sure that they are set every night and that the alarm tone is loud.

Don’t pick a relaxing alarm that can find its way into your dream; it’s not doing it’s job.

7. Alarm Distance: Along with having an alarm set, a good way to force yourself out of bed is having your alarm on the opposite side of the room so it’s out of your reach. You don’t need to have your phone right next to you.

You don’t want it to be easy to turn your alarm off. This is also a great way to make sure you don’t distract yourself with Instagram and Twitter. Not being on your phone all night will allow you to fall asleep sooner.

8.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER1, 2015

Great Songs to Use as Alarm Tones:

Best places on and around campus to get coffee:

Seven Nation Army

by The White Stripes

Saxby’s ( Library North)

Maad City

by Kendrick Lamar

Starbucks ( across from Aderhold)

Black Skinhead

by Kanye West

Try these out!

Dunkin’ Donuts ( Behind the Starbucks) Dancing Goats (419 W Ponce de Leon Ave)

Places to Grab Breakfast On or Near Campus: Chick- fil- a (in University Center) Kenleys (75 Piedmont Ave NE #152, Atlanta, GA 30303)

Uptown Funk

by Bruno Mars Uma Thurman

by Fall Out Boy Birth In Reverse

by Saint Vincent Norf Norf

by Vince Staples A quick morning workout: 15 squats 10 push ups 20 jumping jacks 20 crunches 5 push ups stretch

Waffle House (under One12) Rising Roll (113 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30303)

Morning Shower:

Sometimes you just need a morning shower to really wake you up. Cold water can be the shock your body needs in the morning. If you have no time for a shower, try just splashing cold water on your face.

Mental Health Research at Emory University

9.

Eating Well: Looking forward to events is great. Looking forward to breakfast; that’s better. Planning to have a great breakfast can be initiative enough to get out of bed.

The Mental Health & Development Program is now accepting participants for an NIMH research project concerned with identifying factors that contribute to mental health problems.

10. Face the Windows: Try sleeping towards or next to your window with the blinds open. Having the sun in your eyes in the morning may be annoying, but it can wake you up.

Volunteers may be eligible if

MHD Program

11. Go to Bed Early: A lot of the time people will go to bed at 12 a.m. or later and then wake up in the morning, wondering why they are so tired. Well folks, the answer is simple, you aren’t getting enough sleep. Try to go to bed a bit earlier. It may not be fun but your body needs it.

But what about if you absolutely need the extra few minutes of sleep?

Here a few ways that allows you to stay in bed a little longer.

Have a simple breakfast: Either a breakfast bar or cereal in a bag, as long as it can be eaten on the go, it’s good.

Make sure your bag is already packed: Simple enough.

Plan your outfit ahead: Don’t rush around trying on every single thing in your closet, know what you’re wearing the night before.

Getting out of bed can be a pretty difficult thing to do. You just need to know how to motivate yourself and if that doesn’t work, find someone to pull your ass out of bed.

Project Director: Dr. Elaine Walker

they are 16 to 30 years of age and are experiencing unusual thoughts, perceptions, or increased suspiciousness.

Participation includes diagnostic and cognitive evaluations, MRI scans, EEG, and blood work. There is no charge for the assessments, and participants are compensated for their time.

For more information, contact the Mental Health & Development Program:

(404) 727-7547 mentalhealth.research@emory.edu

reviews

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER1, 2015

13

ALBUM REVIEW

“Disturbed” reaffirms its membership to Weenie Hut Jr. with “Immortalized” ALEX KUGACZEWSKI

Staff Reviewer

Do you remember the Spongebob episode where our hero ventures to the Salty Spittoon with Sandy the Squirrel? Of course you do. You also remember Spongebob’s humiliating attempt at manly swagger, an error in judgment that led him to the ultimate defeat: a barstool seat inside the Weenie Hut Jr. complete with a sundae to top off his emasculation.

I bring this up only out of necessity (am I really looking at this band through a critical lens of aquatic cartoon adventure?).

Disturbed has long occupied the Weenie Hut Jr. seat in the minds of “serious” metal fans around the world.

They’d have you believe that if you listen to Ten Thousand Fists you’ll forever be condemned to windmill your dread-locked mane alone in your parent’s basement.

They’d have you believe that your dream job behind the counter at the guitar shop will never happen because the guy currently behind the counter thinks you’re a doofus.

Personally, I’ve tried my best to avoid these kinds of juvenile judgments. I’m neither a metal-head nor someone who really cares that much, but for once I have to take a stand. Disturbed finally crossed

the line that breaks my Swede-like attempt at neutrality. Their new album “Immortalized” is pretty lame.

Honestly, that’s not breaking news. The band’s best material might win eighth place in a 2002 Hot Topic playlist, but it hasn’t aged well. “Disturbed” sounds tired even by their own lackluster standard.

Of course, wisdom often comes from aging nu-metal musicians, so the band decided to combat creative lethargy with a lethargic tribute to lethargy in grass-form.

I’m talking about weed, and, sadly, so is the band. Sure, “taking a puff ” from “the leaves of the devil” sounds super spooky, but even the down-tuned guitar crunch can’t turn me into a Satan-worshipping pothead if there’s zero substance (ha) to back up the bark.

“What Are You Waiting For” continues the pseudo-cool angst brigade with chugging guitars and a quasi-rapped chorus that calls to mind anything but this latest addition to Disturbed’s canon. You’ll find yourself recalling a moment when you heard this exact song before, and then you’ll high-five yourself because you realize the song answered its own question: “we’re just waiting for the album to end, guys.”

You’d probably expect something, namely clever production tricks, to break the monotonous cavalcade of up-tempo rockery; you’d be wrong. Metal’s finest of-

ten use engineering boards and sound rooms to create punishing, ruthless atmospherics. But that’s not who we’re talking about.

When you’ve sterilized the sound on your album to the point that it’s rendered as ruthless as pre-packaged pancakes, you have a problem that needs immediate attention. “You’re Mine” just might be the new poster-boy for songs in distress (if you know a song in distress please call the help line).

Soaring choruses, pounding beats and grim-serious swagger hit less like bricks and more like wet pool noodles. This is dandy if you want metal for the summer swim party, but it’s not so spiffy if you’re looking for, well, metal.

The band’s audacious cover of Simon & Garfunkel’s “The Sound of Silence” doesn’t fare better. It’s hard to shake the impression that Disturbed thought this rendition would make eagles cry. Unfortunately, you’ll likely give the band the sound of silence for their effort.

In other words, Disturbed is still the same lovable pop metal band of yesteryear we’ve all come to sort of remember. You’re not going to find any substance here or anything resembling a heartbeat, but if you’re looking for a seat at Weenie Hut Jr’s, you’ve got your ticket.

“

Disturbed is the same lovable, terrible band of yesteryear we sort of remember” - Alex Kugaczewski The Signal

Immortalized Grade: F

Verdict: “Immortalized” is

the perfect metal album for people who don’t like music with teeth, grit, or a pulse.

FILM REVIEW

‘Hitman: Agent 47’ : Avoid it as you would a real hitman FERNANDO MATTOS

Staff Reviewer

T

here is a difference between a movie that leaves you speechless and one that leaves you with nothing to say. The first type includes the films that blew your mind away, and after your silence ends, you feel compelled to discuss, argue, speculate, philosophize and more. The second type leaves you with nothing to say because it’s put together in a way that eliminates any chance to think or talk about it.

When there is nothing more to say, the film becomes a vague memory, ready to completely fade out of your brain as soon as you leave the theatre. “Hitman: Agent 47” is one of those films. It does nothing new and, worse, throws characters right into the line of bullets without giving the audience any reason to care and cheer for them.

The film, based on a popular video game franchise, ­­tells the story of a genetically programed assassin who was created together with other 46 clones and then abandoned.

These killers were supposed to lack human fears and possess unprece-

dented strength and skills. When the government decides to restart the cloning after many years, Agent 47 (Rupert Friend) knows he must stop the creation of the deadliest army on Earth.

The movie condenses all this plot into a rushed voice over during the opening credits. The film goes straight into a “chase and fight” sequence, followed by Agent 47 trying to kill a woman. There is no reason to care deeply for these characters because the audience isn’t told anything about them. This lack of narrative exposition results in scenes that have no dramatic tension, since we don’t know what is at stake until fairly late into the film.

When we finally learn that this woman, Katia (Hannah Ware), is the daughter of the scientist who engineered the agents, we seem ready for the movie to truly begin. Suddenly, however, Hitman chooses not to kill her. Even more inexplicably, she begins to trust him, hoping he can help her find her lost father.

It is in this sea of confusion where the viewer stands after thirty minutes. Characters are undeveloped and there is no reason to care for a woman whose story is unknown and whose friends and enemies change from scene to scene.

now playing at

The killer, who should be a fantastic anti-hero, is “purified” by Hollywood. The result: he becomes politically correct, which turns him a boring character very quickly. He and Katia engage in philosophical discussions of why we act in certain ways and if we can be changed. And, even worse, these conversations affect what was supposed to be an emotionless character. Impossible not to miss the Hollywood of the 1980s and 90s, which gave us, for example, a limitless Robocop and an uncompromised storyline, without having to preach to us about fate and responsibility.

The scenes themselves are wellshot, but editing is not on par all the time. Sometimes “chase and fight” scenes have few wide shots of the action, which makes the viewer wish that more was shown. The quick cuts between close ups get tiring as the whole thing begins to feel staged.

The prologue of the film works well because of its fast pace, but it’s a exception.

The acting is good, given the circumstances. Rupert Friend captures well the essence of a cold killer, who seems affected by nothing. His distant stare and serious expression is perfect for the role. Hannah Ware’s strong facial features are also im-

pactful on screen. Ware never overdoes the drama, which allows the audience to see a strong, independent woman.

“Hitman: Agent 47” is a movie to be avoided, at least on the theaters still charging full price for it. It’s too politically correct and just a tiring sequence of action scenes.

Hopefully a reboot can be made where these characters are better developed and where Hollywood is not afraid of making an anti-hero stay true to its origins. Some stories intrigue us for showing the darkest aspect of a soul and all the intricacies that make a person tick. These are the unforgettable villains and antiheroes. This new “Hitman”, however, isn’t that type of movie. Stick with the video game for now.

Agent 47

Rated: R Grade: C Verdict: Too bland, too

politically correct and very forgettable, “Hitman: Agent 47” is one film you don’t want to play full price to see

Jurassic World SYNOPSIS: DINOSAURS

RUN FREE IN THE NEW JURASSIC PARK SAGA. IT’S UP TO CHRIS PRATT TO SAVE TWO BROTHERS AND THE REST OF THE RESORT.

1

ECHO 6 ROSETTA EP

2

FAKE FLOWERS WONDER WAVE

3

LIANNE LA HAVAS BLOOD

4

MOKA ONLY MAGICKAL WEIRDNESS

5

SLANG SLANG EP

6

MAC DEMARCO ANOTHER ONE

7

VICTOR ST. BALOO ODES

8

LA LUZ WEIRDO SHRINE

9

MY PANDA SHALL FLY TOO

10

NOVELISS TOONAMI TSUNAMIS EP

11

SIR SEVEN SUNDAYS

12

STRANGE WILDS SUBJECTIVE CONCEPTS

13

WESTKUST LAST FOREVER

14

THE INTERNET EGO DEATH

15

WHITE REAPER WHITE REAPER DOES IT AGAIN

SHOWTIMES:

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

Rated: PG-13 Running Time: 127 minutes

calendar & games

14

Puzzle 1 (Easy, difficulty rating 0.40) Puzzle 1 (Easy, difficulty rating 0.40)

11

Campus & Downtown Events Sports Club Recruitment Fair

Sept. 1 5 p.m.- 7 p.m.

Recreation Center Lobby

If you are someone who enjoys sports this is the recruitment fair for you. Come out and join other sports lovers as you get to see what fun sports clubs are at GSU.

WITHDRAW NOW Sept. 3

By this date, all classes should be withdrawn from. The period begins at 8 a.m., via PAWS. Classes must be withdrawn from if you are expecting a refund.

No refund will be given if it is a partial withdrawal.

Join other Georgia State students for free food and games at a back to school luau. Summer doesn’t have to fizzle out. Say goodbye to summer days with a celebration.

Meet The greeks: multicultural greek Panther city council football tailgate Sept. 1-2 6:30 p.m.- 9:30 p.m.

This is an opportunity for anyone who is interested in joining a Fraternity or Sorority for this year. Its a great way to get to know other students who want or do participate in the Greek life here at GSU. Keep an eye out for the location to be announced on the Georgia State event calendar.

Sept. 4 TIME TBA Blue Lot, across from the Georgia Dome

The first student tailgate will be for this year’s first football home game. Sponsored by Spotlight Programs Board, Student Government Association and Athletics. There will be free food, games and music.

77 33

11 Sudoku

77 55 88 66

99 55 33

14 14

7 7

1 1

72 27 3 3

3 3 6 6 79 97 5 5 8 8 68 86

98 98 5 5 3 3

2 2 5 5 28 82

45 45 9 9 7 7 34 3 46 69 9 4 4 82 82

Labor Day Luau

Sept. 7 1 p.m.- 3 p.m.

Indian Creek Lodge & Recreation Complex (at the pool)

Puzzle 2 (Hard, difficulty rating 0.69) Puzzle 2 (Hard, difficulty rating 0.69)

Puzzle 1 (Easy, difficulty rating 0.40) Puzzle 1 (Easy, difficulty rating 0.40)

77

55

5 5

11

82 28

2 2

4 42 2

1 1

22 44

33 77

66 11

Puzzle 3 (Hard, difficulty rating 0.61) Puzzle 3 (Hard, difficulty rating 0.61)

2 2 77

99 66

6 7 7 11 36 3

57 57 1 1 1 1 76 76

6 6 2 2 14 41 9 9 98 98 6 6 66

77 55

11 33

11

55

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1 1

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11 5 5

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4 41 1 1 1

77

7 7 24 42 4 4

69 96 1 1 8 8 73 37

7 74 4

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22 66 55 11 44 33

Puzzle rating 0.41) Puzzle 4 (Easy, difficulty rating 0.41) 9 4 (Easy, 6difficulty

9

9 9

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6

44 66 2 2 6 6 5 5 77 3 34 3 3 1 14

9 9 22 6 6 99 4 46 6 22 33 3 3 2 2

2 23 3

22 55 5 5 9 9 66 11

7 7 88 2 255 5 5 95 95 4 4

9 9 88 66 11 6 6 1 1

Generated http://www.opensky.ca/sudoku Aug 15:56:50 2015 GMT. Enjoy!

Generated byby http://www.opensky.ca/sudoku onon SatSat Aug 2929 15:56:50 2015 GMT. Enjoy!

77

44

Puzzle 4 (Easy, difficulty rating 0.41) Puzzle 4 (Easy, difficulty rating 0.41)

11

1 1

22 44

88

Puzzle 2 (Hard, difficulty rating 0.69) Puzzle 2 (Hard, difficulty rating 0.69)

3 3

Puzzle 3 (Hard, difficulty rating 0.61) Puzzle 3 (Hard, difficulty rating 0.61)

55 11

99

88 66

2 25 58 8

559 97 74 4

22

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015

8 8

5 59 94 4

8 86 61 1

Generated by by http://www.opensky.ca/sudoku on on SatSat Aug 29 15:56:50 2015 GMT. Enjoy!

Generated http://www.opensky.ca/sudoku Aug 29 15:56:50 2015 GMT. Enjoy!

5 5

SPORTS

www.georgiastatesignal.com/sports

#StateNotSouthern Men’s Soccer hopes for Conference title

JEREMY JOHNSON

Staff Reviewer

G

eorgia State’s men’s soccer team was one game away from the Sun Belt Championship in 2014. Georgia State went 8-10 overall and 3-2 in the Sun Belt.

The Panthers made it to the semi-finals only to meet their arch rival the Georgia Southern Eagles. Georgia Southern would end Georgia State’s 2014 season with a 2-1 defeat.

The end to the season in the semifinal game has ignited the fires of an already festering rivalry between Georgia State and Georgia Southern.

“I mean everyone knows it’s the state v southern. The modern day hate. But it’s definitely state not southern and we’re ready. I think they’re one of our last away games of the season going into the tournament,” senior midfielder Corey Plasker said. “We’ve got something special for them and we’re ready to take it to them.”

The Panthers will travel to Statesboro seeking their revenge on Nov. 7 in the last game of the season in what is sure to be a marquee matchup for positioning in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament the following week.

Despite the bitter end to a promising season the Panthers see the Sun Belt semi-final appearance as a building block for a fairly young, but experienced team can gain momentum off of and maybe take aim at taking another step and winning the Sun Belt Conference Championship in 2015.

Key Departures Goal Keeper CJ Cochran Cochran started 48 matches over his four years at Georgia State. The Panthers lose Cochran to graduation, and he signed a professional contract with the Atlanta Silverbacks in March. Cochran owns Georgia State’s record for goals with an average of 1.33 per game.

Potential Replacement: Cochran has been a mainstay in between the pipes for the Panthers, his graduation leaves a hole in an important spot for the panthers. The Panthers have a three way battle between last season’s backup sophomore Luke Oesterle, sophomore Greyson Walldorff and junior college transfer junior Jon Nelson. For now the panthers are using a trio to replace Cochran

and will continue with a shuffle throughout the year.

“I’m confident with whoever wins the job will do a great job for us. They’ll continue to battle throughout the year,” head coach Brett Surrency said. “I don’t think whoever wins the job this weekend is necessarily going to be the guy that has it all year. I could be wrong. I think that’s going to continue to be a competitive spot and I’m looking forward to seeing it playout.”

Stephen McGill Midfielder McGill lead the Panther’s offense with 10 points which included four goals and two assists while logging 1,511 minutes of playing time for the Panthers last season which was second on the team.

Potential Replacement: The Panthers will look to replace McGill with some players that are already proven and have experience, and will be asked to carry more of the load. Players such as sophomore Rashid Alarape, senior Cory Plasker, sophomore Jad Elkhalil, junior Amriri Abraham and redshirt sophomore Jake Bingham are among the group of front line players that saw significant playing time in 2014. There are also some new faces that are looking to make some noise and provide some punch to the Panther’s offensive attack and creating a little competition.

“The new guys are also talented as well so they’re coming in, and I don’t know if rocking the boat is the right term but they’re providing a good level of competition,” Coach Surrency said. “So it keeps everybody on their toes and understanding that each and every day you have to perform to be able to either earn or maintain a position.”

Aaron Jones Defenseman Jones transferred to Clemson in the spring where he will play for the tigers and has two years of eligibility remaining. Jones appeared in 36 games in his two seasons with the Panthers. Jones scored two goals and had two assists for the Panthers in 2014.

Potential Replacements: Senior Conor Acheson is experienced and will be ready to take up any slack left by the transfer of Jones. Junior Salomon Lorenzano is a transfer from Middle Georgia that could be looked to play key minutes for Jones. Also sophomores Liam Fitzsimmons and Everick Little and freshman Macus Holm could also play key min-

utes on the defensive end for the panthers.

Key Players Rashid Alarape sophomore Forward Alarpe racked up the honors and awards as a freshman for the Panthers in 2014. Alarpe was named first-team All-Sun Belt in 2014, College Sports Madness Sun Belt Freshman of the Year. Alrape scored four goals and recorded one assist.

Alarape started only 11 games in 2014. Alarape’s production may only go up in 2015 with more playing time and a year of college experience under his belt.

Alarape is becoming a vocal presence on the pitch in his second season.

“He’s constantly barking at guys and organizing making sure that he’s more or less a leader on the field even though he is a younger guy.

He does bring that sense of a spark,” Plasker said.

Amiri Abraham junior Forward Abraham scored three goals along with two assists in only five starts last season. Abraham is expected to see an increase in playing time and paired with Alrape could be even more dangerous.

Conor Acheson senior Defenseman Acheson started all 18 games last season for the Panthers and led the team in minutes played with 1,602 minutes played in 2014. Acheson will again be counted on to steady the back end of the defense while the Panthers will be looking to replace Jones and Cochran.

The Final Take The Panthers have a blend of young experience and new talent with a few steady veteran players.

The team will have to jell together early as they will be bringing in 11 new players. The team will open the regular season against coach Surrency’s alma mater Jacksonville on Aug. 28, before facing North Florida on Aug. 30 in Jacksonville.

PHOTO BY NADIA DELJOU | THE SIGNAL

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2013 16

SPORTS SPORTS

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015

Women’s Soccer looks for

BIG

turnaround in 2015 Team expectations equal, regardless of classification

The women’s soccer team are well on their way to turning around fortunes this season.

JEREMY JOHNSON Staff Reporter

T

PHOTO BY JADE JOHNSON | THE SIGNAL Forward, Lauren Harriman, as a top returning point scorer is leading the ladies this season to a current 3-0 season.

he Panthers will be looking to replace the production of Whitney Ravan with the upperclassmen in the 2015 season.

Georgia State women’s soccer finished 2014 with a record of 6-10-4, and were tied for sixth place in the Sun Belt Conference in 2014 with 13 points. The Panther’s ended their season in the first round of the Sun Belt Tournament with a 1-0 loss to Texas State.

Statistically the Panthers were led in scoring by then senior Ravan. Ravan scored eight goals, two assists and 18 total points in 2014.

Ashley Nagy was second on the team, in goals. Lauren Harriman was second with six total points for 2014.

The Panthers are very well battle tested, as the team will have 11 seniors out of the 27 players on the roster.

“We’ve got a lot more leadership on the team. A lot of seniors carrying a big load” Head women’s soccer Coach Derek Leader said. “We’ve learned from mistakes in the past, we learn from mistakes every day and really it’s about the leadership from within the team that is helping us excel so far.”

Coach Leader believes having that veteran leadership has allowed his team to grow and change their mentality for attacking opponents. The roles of the upperclassman are now understood and the younger players know who to look to in tough times and go to for advice.

“Not much has changed in their roles, I think their mentality has gotten better,” Coach Leader said. “I think there’s a lot of players playing with more confidence, taking people on any chance they get. Our speed of play is a little bit faster. Certainly our speed of thought, our movement, our

PHOTO BY JADE JOHNSON | THE SIGNAL actions are a little bit better.”

Ultimately, the Panthers are a very senior laden team, but will be counting on some younger players to play big roles as well. This has created a team atmosphere where class doesn’t matter and the expectations of being a Panther are universal among all players.

“The girls know what the expectations are and they’ve sat down and created their own covenants and what’s important to them,” Coach Leader said. “And part of that is it’s not about.”

The Panthers have positional battles all over the field heading into 2015, the biggest being the battle for the goalkeeping duties.

The position is up for grabs among three players in which two players have a good amount of experience from last season.

“It’s always up in the air. We actually have three fantastic goalkeepers. All three have already gotten time so far. It’s a long season with ups and downs and injuries and really it’s up for grabs as all the positions are,” Leader said.

Junior Brie Haynes has started 30 matches over the last two seasons for the panthers. Senior Christa Fox has started 22 matches over her three seasons in college. Fox started 16 games for Memphis in 2012 as a freshman and made six starts for the Panthers in 2014.

The other third of the competition is sophomore Anastasia Swift who could be the future for the Panthers in the net.

Key Players for 2015 Senior Forward Lauren Harriman Harriman is in her fourth season and is also the top returning point scorer from 2014 and is one of the senior leaders heading into 2015. Harriman had six points in 2014 which included one goal and four assists in 20 games last season.

Senior Forward Ashley Nagy Last season was an abbreviated season for the 2014 preseason Sun Belt Player of the Year. Nagy played the first 12 games of the season where she was sidelined for the rest of the regular season and returned for the Sun Belt Conference Tournament.

Nagy, despite the injury, was able to finish third on the team with five points which included two goals and one assist.

In 2015, look for Nagy to potentially return to her 2013 self. In 2013, Nagy was First-Team All-Sun Belt Conference player when she put up 19 points for the season with eight goals and three assists.

Junior Midfielder Suzanne Arafa Arafa is in her second season at Georgia State after spending her freshman season at Kennesaw State, where she started 10 games and posted three points with one goal and one assist.

Arafa played in 19 of the 20 games with one start, and a is potentially the breakout player of 2015 as she has seen increased playing time in the preseason. She is already delivering a hat trick in the Panther’s scrimmage against Alabama State on Aug. 21. Look for Arafa to be a dangerous threat to add punch to the offensive attack next to Nagy and Harriman.

Final Take

The panthers will be experienced and will be a competitive team in the Sun Belt in 2015. Nagy’s return to full health coupled with the emergence of Arafa will make for an interesting and exciting 2015. The Panthers will open the season on Aug. 28, against Jacksonville and will remain in Jacksonville to face North Florida and then face Jacksonville State.

17

SPORTS SPORTS

TUESDAY, 1, 2015 TUESDAY,SEPTEMBER DECEMBER 10, 2013

Panthers volleyball expecting to win Sun Belt Conference Volleyball team begins season

Georgia State Volleyball team prepares for season with a blue vs. white scrimmage on August 22, 2015.

JARED OLIVER Staff Reporter

S

econd year coach, Sally Polhamus and the volleyball squad, opened their season on the road losing a nail biter against Western Carolina in five sets Aug. 28.

The team had a blue and white scrimmage on Aug. 22 which was open to the public. Coach Polhamus stressed that technique and discipline is important for the team to work on. Last season, the squad was unable to play with discipline throughout an entire match.

During the scrimmage, the Panther players switched back and forth from white squad to blue squad. The blue took the win out of three sets played in the scrimmage. (23-25, 25-21, 25-19).

Freshman Crystal Lee finished with 10 kills and 14 digs, while Sarah Renner followed suit finishing with 26 assists.

One of the six senior leaders, Deidra Bohannon finished with double-digits in kills and digs.

“We were very focused in the spring on the technique and in the summer we’re not allowed to work with them,” Polhamus said. “So they [volleyball team] had the idea to come to the gym three times a week and do individual work, team work and even really pushed each other.”

Coach Polhamus alluded to the team having consequences even without the supervision of the coaches.

“They would have consequences if they didn’t execute a drill, and to have a group out there with no coach is pretty awesome,” Coach Polhamus said. “The team has its eyes set on becoming a top contender at the top of the Sun Belt rankings. The team has something unique, the girls can use as an asset, leadership and experience.”

The team has a bunch of leadership this year with six seniors on the team led by outside hitter Deidra Bohannon and blocker Eliza Zachery. Certainly, the team is planning to give all the they have

to conclude their senior campaigns.

“Our motto is ‘Together We Will’, so just playing as a team and together and working hard,” Bohannon explained.

“The things we can control is our effort, just like getting after it and being disciplined.”

The team is looking to compete to become the Sun Belt Champions of the upcoming year.

“Our ultimate goal is to win the conference championship and go to [the] NCAA [tournament] and be ready to work,” Bohannon said.

The Panthers made a run when it counted most, resulting in a seventh seed bid into the Sun Belt Conference Tournament. The girls were eliminated in the first-round against Texas State. This year the team season is picked to finish sixth in conference, according to the Pre-Season polls, but the expectations are higher.

“Seeing that we haven’t been to the tournament in a long time, we were so excited to get there,” Coach Polhamus said. “That’s not good enough this year, so we want to go and push for the final game (Sun Belt Championship matchup).”

Last year, Deidra Bohannon led the team in kills finishing with 432 (third in the Sun Belt). She was named a pre-season All-Sun Belt player.

Returning senior Eliza Zachary led the team in hitting percentage with .306 (sixth in conference). Her 357 kills in 2014 also made her top 10 in the hitting percentage category.

Zachary is expecting the team to develop and flourish with the six freshmen.

“I really think that we’re a top team in the Sun Belt Conference and that we can definitely win the Sun Belt Tournament,” Zachary said. “Having six seniors it’s really easy to gel with the---it’s really easy to pick up their tendencies, it’s a matter of knowing the feel of each other’s game,” Zachary said.

Four key players are returning who combine for a total of 100 digs. Senior Gabby Serafin with 340, Bohannon (303), senior Natalia Nieto (252), sophomore defensive specialist and setter, Syd-

PHOTO BY BRITTANY GUERIN | THE SIGNAL

ney Mauer (168).

Five freshmen specialist Kaityln Dachs, right side /outside hitter, Crystal Lee, middle blocker Shae Chapman.

2014: The team finished their season 5-6 at home and 3-9 on the road.

The Panthers must improve their defense from last year. The girls only averaged 1.41 blocks as set. Coach Polhamus’ team managed to finish last in opponents hitting percentage. Opponents hit .239 vs.

Panthers last year.

The Panthers are looking forward to getting back to the Sun Belt Tournament and staying longer than just the firstround.

In-state rival Georgia Southern is the home of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament this season.

PHOTO BY BRITTANY GUERIN THE SIGNAL Coach Sally Polhamus is in her second year and has a main goal of working on technique and discipline for the team to focus on this year.

“I really think that we’re a top team in the Sun Belt Conference and that we can definitely win the Sun Belt Tournament.”

- Eliza Zachary

PHOTO BY BRITTANY GUERIN | THE SIGNAL Coach Sally Polhamus provides support to #14 Shae Chapman and other players during the scrimmage game

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2013 18

SPORTS SPORTS

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015

Panthers football opens season against Charlotte on ESPNU

Crystal Clear

Panthers Face Charlotte in Home Opener Friday Sep.4.

JARED OLIVER Staff Reporter

T

he Georgia State football program opens the 2015-16 season against the Charlotte 49ers in the Georgia Dome Sep. 4. The game can be seen on ESPNU at 3:30 p.m. ET. Trent Miles brings enters his third year team as the head coach.

Despite their 1-11 finish in 2014 the teams has improved physically and has more talent. During the off-season the coaching staff made it imperative the defense improves in size and skill.

UAB transfers Bobby Baker (FS) and Alonzo McGee (ROLB) are expected to solidify the presence of the new front seven of defensive coordinator Jesse Minters new 3-4 defense. Kaleb Ringer, transfer from Ferris State (Mich), is expected to make immediate impact to help All-Sun Belt linebacker Joseph Peterson.

Brad Lambert, Charlotte’s head coach, who has 20 years of coaching experience, finished his fourth season in Charlotte 5-6 last year. The offense averaged 38.8 points per game. The 49ers had some of the same problems the Panthers had last year, defense.

Charlotte gave up an average of 31.6 points per game. The 49ers can put points up in a hurry, but stopping the opposing team on defense seems harmonious to the Panthers problems last season.

Leading receiver Donovan Harden suffered a broken foot during a non-contact drill in the summer and is expected to miss 6-10 weeks. We will being seeing a big dosage of Nyiakki Height, Glenn Smith and Todd Boyd at the start of the season. With Harden out, Smith and Boyd will have bigger roles in the game than most expected.

Nick Arbuckle is entering his second year with the program and looks to have a similar year or better. Arbuckle led the Sun Belt in passing with 273.6-yards per game. Arbuckle was ranked the number 16 passer in the NCAA and number 22 in touchdowns (23). The senior set the all-time passing record at Georgia State throwing for 3,283-yards. Arbuckle tied the touchdown record for a single game (4) against Abilene-Christian University.

Freshman Crystal Lee is a talented young player looking to make an early impact.

PHOTO BY BRITTANY GUERIN | THE SIGNAL Freshman athlete Crystal Lee, #45, makes an early impact in Georgia State Volleyball with a starter position, while adjusting to college.

JEREMY JOHNSON Staff Reporter

G

eorgia State’s volleyball team will be very young in 2015.

The Panthers return six seniors, but the team also have six freshmen entering the fold and are going to be asked to make immediate impact.

Head Coach Sally Polhamus applauds the young group’s maturity and ability to fit into the culture of the program that already exists and she feels there will be no problem with the young players sliding into the rotation to contribute.

“It creates an environment where the seniors have been excellent leaders and role models and the freshman have just melded very quickly right in with our team. Our freshman are pretty mature. So that has helped that transition process,” Polhamus said, “With six seniors leaving we needed to have people that would try to make impacts on the floor early and be okay with that responsibility.”

There will be a lot asked of the young group. The group includes a potential gem in outside hitter Crystal Lee. Lee is going to play a lot early for the Panthers and will bring aggression to the outside for Georgia State.

“She works hard for every point.

She is an aggressive athlete. She is a strong, power outside hitter and she’s working hard to become a six rotation player,” coach Polhamus said.

Lee comes to Georgia State from Lansing, Illinois where she attended Thornton Fractional South High School.

Lee lead Thornton Fractional South to the regional championships in 2013 and 2014, which included a 25-6 record in 2014.

Lee was a highly sought after prep prospect. Schools such as Bradley, Butler, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois State and Indiana State recruited Lee. Coach Polhamus was able to leave an impression with Lee as well as current players reaching out to Lee and offering guidance.

The family feel of the program is

what ultimately brought Lee to Georgia State.

“They really make you feel like a big family here,” Lee said. “Like my family away from home is what it feels like being on this team.”

Now that Lee is on campus, the freshman has more responsibilities on and off the court than in college.

This could be an overwhelming reality for most young student athletes. The level of competition and the demanding schedule are the main challenges.

There has definitely a little bit of an adjustment period for Lee. “First getting here and learning the campus, [then] learning the volleyball schedule was a little difficult, [also] getting all the rules and regulations down pact,” Lee said. “But then when school started, getting my school schedule together, and also transferring it to volleyball is kind of, not difficult but different than high school had been.”

Lee is contending with the pressures of being a college freshman, being a student athlete, being pressed

into action early for the team and the challenge of living in a completely new city.

This is enough to give any freshman the chills. However, not this freshman. Lee is adjusting well to the urban living while attending Georgia State.

Lee has found comfort in her teammates and having a little family close by.

“I’m actually not that bad. I’m better than I thought I would be. Because I came from the suburbs so coming to the big city is different, but I like it,” Lee said. “I have family out here for one, [and] that was a big step for me as far as getting home sick.”

That maturity and comfort will help Lee embrace the role she will be asked to play as a young player.

Lee’s journey into what will be many games in Georgia State white and blue begins with the Western Carolina Tournament which runs through Aug. 28-29 as the panthers face Western Carolina on Aug. 28 then have a double-header with Fresno State and Murray State Aug. 29.

PHOTO BY BRITTANY GUERIN | THE SIGNAL

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Royal Court Applications Available Submission Deadline: Thursday, September 10

Ideal candidates for the Homecoming Court will be enthusiastic, energetic, goal-oriented, involved, in good conduct standing and academically successful students. Court candidates will be well-rounded, exhibit leadership skills and possess the ability to work well within a team setting and will be influential in their involvement in organizations and the university.

Apply at homecoming.gsu.edu

Homecoming Golf Cart Parade Applications Available Submission Deadline: Thursday, September 24

Promote your organization and show your school spirit by applying to participate in the Homecoming Parade, which also promotes unity among students, staff, faculty, alumni and the surrounding community.

Or watch the parade as we motor through downtown Atlanta on Thursday, October 1, 12-1 p.m.

Apply at homecoming.gsu.edu

Coming to Cinefest Film Theater

Jurassic World, September 2-4 | Pitch Perfect 2, September 9-11 Georgia State Students: Free | Guests: $5 Cinefest Film Theater screens a wide variety of films for the community, including cult classics, foreign films, documentaries, independent films and Atlanta premieres.

More Information: spotlight.gsu.edu/cinefest

Woodruff Arts Center Season Passes Available Only to Georgia State Students: $25 Ticket Sales: Campus Tickets, Third Floor, Student Center West

Georgia State students can get unlimited access to the High Museum of Art and the ability to reserve free tickets to performances at the Alliance Theatre and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra for 2015-16 with a PAW Pass (Panthers at Woodruff Pass), made possible by a partnership between Georgia State University and the Woodruff Arts Center.

More Information: 404-413-1610

New Dining Options in The Courtyard Burritobowl and Freshens Café and Bakery, featuring Starbucks® We Proudly Serve, are now open in The Courtyard food court on the first floor of Student Center East. The two offer expanded hours with breakfast, lunch and dinner options. Burritobowl’s menu includes antibiotic-free chicken, beef, pork and veggie burritos, rice bowls, quesadillas, salads and breakfast burrito bowls, all completely customizable without extra charges, and any rice bowl can be made as a burrito. Freshens offers fresh-blended smoothies, bagels, pastries, muffins and a selection of Starbucks® coffees.

The Tradition Keeper App Download the new Tradition Keeper app and start building your own Georgia State University traditions. A collaborative effort of the Student Government Association and Student Alumni Association, the app launches today with about 75 traditions for you to experience and plans for more to come.

Contests for completing the most traditions are in the works; be sure to upload your photos as you try them out!

To request disability accommodations at these events, please contact Disability Services at 404-413-1560.

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