Vol. 91 No. 2

VOL. 91 | NO. 2 08 / 29 / 2023 EST. 1933

Independent, Impactful & Impartial

We Are The Signal M e e t t h e s t u d e n t s b e h i n d o n e o f G e o r i g a S tat e s o l d e s t s t u d e n t o r g a n i z at i o n s .

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IN THIS ISSUE :

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Green Move-In Initiative Pg. 4 In Opinions : Leave Hawaii Alone Pg.5 Panther's Football Season Outlook Pg. 9

georgiastatesignal.com @gsusignal

EXECUTIVE PRESIDENT & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Adam Duffy signaleditor@gmail.com MANAGING EDITOR Grace Braswell signalmanagingeditor@gmail.com Dir. of Business Operations Ira Livnat signalmarketing1@gmail.com EDITORIAL NEWS EDITOR Raymond Tran signalnewseditor@gmail.com ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR Vacant OPINIONS EDITOR Chandler Groce signalopinions@gmail.com ASSOCIATE OPINIONS EDITOR Vacant ARTS & LIVING EDITOR Amira Daniel signalliving@gmail.com ASSOCIATE ARTS & LIVING EDITOR Vacant SPORTS EDITOR Vacant signalsport1@gmail.com ASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITOR Vacant COPY EDITORS Annalise Ray signalcopyeditor@gmail.com PRODUCTION PRODUCTION EDITOR

Vacant signalprod@gmail.com ASSOCIATE PRODUCTION EDITOR Vacant PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTO EDITOR Trent Legaspi signalphoto2@gmail.com ASSOCIATE PHOTO EDITOR Vacant DIGITAL DIGITAL EDITOR Vacant signalmanaging@gmail.com ASSOCIATE DIGITAL EDITOR Vacant VIDEO EDITOR Vacant signalvideoeditor@gmail.com ASSOCIATE VIDEO EDITOR Vacant PODCAST EDITOR Vacant THE SIGNAL BUREAUS ALPHARETTA BUREAU CHIEF Vacant CLARKSTON BUREAU CHIEF Vacant DECATUR BUREAU CHIEF Vacant DUNWOODY BUREAU CHIEF Vacant NEWTON BUREAU CHIEF Vacant

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THE BLOTTER

August 29, 2023

WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM/NEWS

CRIME BLOTTER

AUG 18TH

“There’s water in this bottle I promise!”

GSU Police Department arrested a non-GSU offender at 6:40 PM on Friday for a liquor law violation at the intersection of Broad St. and Luckie St.

“So you’re telling me this isn’t where the Panda Express is?”

AUG 23RD

AUG 22ND

“A bit early for a morning run…”

On Tuesday at 4:14 AM, the GSU Police Department caught two non-GSU offenders trespassing at Student Center East. This incident ended without arrests.

“Whatever helps you sleep at night…

On Wednesday at 8:41 PM, the GSU Police Department arrested a non-GSU offender for a drug law violation at the intersection of Piedmont Ave. and John Wesly Dobbs.

A non-GSU offender was arrested at 4:34 PM in the Urban Life building for criminal trespassing and obstruction.

NEWS BRIEFS

LOCAL

NATIONAL

INTERNATIONAL

Georgia sheriff pleads guilty to sexual battery and resigns

First Republican primary debate

Wildfires rage in Greece as police arrest dozens for arson

According to CNN, a Georgia sheriff from Bleckley County resigned and pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor sexual battery charge on Monday the 21st. Sherrif Kris Coody pleaded guilty to groping TV Judge Glenda Hatchett in January 2022 and is facing 12 months probation and 400 hours of community service. He has resigned from his position as sheriff, which he has held since 2017. Judge Hatchett came forward to recount her story during a news conference, thanking her lawyers for bringing her justice.

On Wednesday, the first Republican primary debate of 2023 was held in Milwaukee. The eight candidates that took the stage were former Vice President Mike Pence, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley, current South Carolina governor Tim Scott, former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, North Dakota governor Doug Burgum and former Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson. The debate covered a range of issues including abortion, Trump’s indictment and the U.S. involvement in Ukraine.

Greek authorities have arrested dozens of people for arson-related charges amid the largest-ever wildfires recorded in the European Union. The death toll rises to 21 people as wildfires in Mount Parnitha, north of the Greek capital Athens, continue to burn. Authorities have reported that nearly 15,000 people have been evacuated due to the Alexandroupolis area fire. Greek firefighters are spread thin while fighting two major fire fronts while surrounding countries begin to send aid. Germany, Sweden, Croatia and Cyprus have sent aircraft, while dozens of firefighters from other countries, including France, Romania and the Czech Republic, are being deployed.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Photo by Trent Legaspi | The Signal

Thiago Almada and Xande Silva celebrate after scoring in Saturday's game vs. Nashville.

NEWS

August 29, 2023

WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM/NEWS

“Green Move-In” initiative helps The Office of Sustainability hosted a volunteer event to help new students reduce their plastic waste while unpacking into housing.

DAVID HOFFMAN Staff Reporter

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Panther Pantry Lockers are located at several locations on campus

PHOTO BY TRENT LEGASPI | THE SIGNAL

Panther’s Pantry is here for you How you can get food and hygiene supplies on campus!

ROMERO MOURA Staff Reporter

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et to complete its 10th year on campus, Panther’s Pantry re-opened on the first day of classes, August 21st. Aiming to alleviate the burden of food insecurity among the Georgia State community, the pantry distributes food, hygiene and additional supplies for free. Students are limited to one weekly order, eligible for pickup across all Georgia State campuses. Leslie Mack, the Assistant Director of Panther’s Pantry, stated that the organization seeks to nourish, empower and meaningfully support students.

Any student, regardless of income level, can order from the Pantry’s online portal. They can pick between a standard or vegetarian food bag and choose to add a hygiene basket where they can opt for menstrual products. After their order is placed, students have the option to pick it up from the in-person pantry, located on the basement floor of 75 Piedmont Ave, or have it delivered to any of the organization’s fleet of Pantry Lockers, located across all Georgia State campuses. The lockers are easily recognizable with clear doors and the Panther’s Pantry

branding all over them. Students will be notified once their order is delivered and can retrieve their bags by entering their Panther ID into the locker’s pin pad.

Usually predominated by nonperishables, Panther’s Pantry’s supplies have transformed. Stocked through donations, grants and partnerships, the pantry has recently seen an influx of fresher foods. Their Produce to Pantry initiative, available at the Atlanta and Decatur campuses, distribute locally-grown produce. A recent donation from the Summerhill Publix will contribute to this trend.

The pantry was established in 2014 by graduate students in the Nutrition Department in response to survey findings that 68% of GSU students faced food insecurity at some point during their university education. Initially, the organization only occupied a small room on the Atlanta campus before expanding into Alpharetta, Clarkston, Decatur, Dunwoody and Newton. Between August 2019 and March 2020, the pantry distributed over 23,000 pounds of food and over

1,000 pounds of hygiene products.

In addition to food and hygiene product distribution, Panther’s Pantry connects students in need to The Office of the Dean of Students for emergency financial assistance, case management and resource support for long-term needs such as housing, rental, tuition and academic assistance.

While Panther’s Pantry does not exclusively serve lower-income students, in the past, the organization has asked students who aren’t experiencing food insecurity to be mindful of their use of the pantry.

If you would like to donate to Panther Pantry, the organization accepts monetary donations, Kroger and Publix gift cards (to be sent to 75 Piedmont Ave NE) or asks that you buy items off their Amazon wishlist. If you would like to assist the pantry without making a financial contribution, Panther’s Pantry asks you to contact pantherspantry@gsu.edu for possible student volunteer opportunities.

ach year the process of moving in and unpacking results in thousands of pounds in plastic bags, packing foam and cardboard being thrown in the trash instead of recycled. In an effort to help the environment and reduce the amount of trash that goes unrecycled, Georgia State’s Office of Sustainability hosted a “Green Move-In” initiative to aid incoming dorm residents in cutting down on their waste.

“Green Move-In” was held throughout move-in week, starting on Aug.16th and ending on Aug. 19.

The initiative aimed to help more than 5,000 new residents move into the resident halls on campus and reduce their plastic waste.

Volunteers for the initiative included students, members of Greek Life, various athletic teams and student organizations. According to the project’s sign-up website, volunteers were tasked with helping residents and their families sort through their movein waste, and dispose of it into the proper recycling bins. Volunteers also directed residents to recycling stations set up for move-in and educated them on how to recycle in the long term using the Residential Recycling Centers located on-site at certain resident halls The Office of Sustainability also helps support the various rooftop gardens at Center Parc Stadium. According to the office’s website, these gardens are partially funded by student fees, consist of over 30 garden beds and contain over 100 species of plants and produce. These gardens

are capable of growing foods like strawberries, watermelons, figs, peaches and cucumbers. The crops that are grown in these gardens are donated to GSU’s Panther’s Pantry.

Panther Dining has also made efforts to be more sustainable. There have been multiple minor changes to optimize the dining halls to be less wasteful. According to the Panther Dining website, the dining halls currently offer compostable takeout containers as opposed to styrofoam. They have also implemented bulk condiment dispensers instead of sealed packets and optimized their kitchens to reduce the amount of water and food waste.

In addition to the changes made in the dining halls, Panther Dining has also started growing a portion of its own produce. This produce is grown yards from Piedmont North, in Panther Dining’s “Freight Farms”. This hydroponic farm is built inside a shipping container and is capable of growing produce like lettuce, kale and spinach. According to the PantherDining website, the farm uses zero pesticides, has a growing season of 365 days a year and uses 90% less water than traditional agriculture.

More information on the various sustainability initiatives held across campus and how to become involved in volunteering can be found at sustainability.gsu.edu

OPINIONS

August 29, 2023

WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM/OPINIONS

Does Gen-Z have a chance at the American Dream?

The second forgotten generation will struggle to succeed in modern America MAYSA OSMAN Staff Columnist

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ver the past centuries, numerous generations in the United States have come and gone. For the most part, the majority of them had similar norms that they were able to follow. For example, moving out of their parents' homes and becoming financially stable at a certain time in their lives. Gen Z, however, isn’t a typical generation that can be compared to these previous ones in many ways.

The majority of Gen Zs are recently entering adulthood and the state of our economy is making it near impossible for the average Gen Z to thrive.

For instance, postsecondary education is one of the most critical factors in a person’s success, however, at this point, postsecondary education has become out of reach for many Gen Z. According to the Gitnux Blog,” 65% of Gen Z students are enrolled in college, compared to 67% of Millennials at the same age.” This figure isn’t surprising given how the Federal Reserve has been increasing interest rates lately. Many Gen Z have watched millennials and Gen X struggle with student loans as a predominately baby boomer-controlled Congress sits in limbo on whether to pass student loan forgiveness legislation or not. For that reason, Gen Zs aren’t inspired to take on student loans. Without postsecondary education, we are financially illiterate and vulnerable to a life of financial instability because, for 13 years of our lives, we have been thrown into a century-old school system that only teaches us how to be obedient factory workers instead of teaching us crucial life lessons that will help us think out of the box.

However flawed, the majority of generations before us believed in the American Dream and were inspired by it. The Oxford Dictionary defines the American Dream as “ the ideal by which equality of opportunity is available to any American, allowing the highest aspirations and goals to be achieved.” A perfect picture of this dream would be

a middle-class family with a decent house and all necessities and wants met. This is an unrealistic dream for Gen Z given that the majority of us are stuck in our parents’ homes unable to financially live on our own by the age of 18 or early twenties as the generations before us did.

In today’s world, wages do not meet the living standards due to the increased cost of living.

Home and rent prices were more stable in previous decades, however, house prices and rents have become very volatile now. For instance, the national median rent hiked by 16.7% from 2021 to 2022 (June Homes). How does society expect young adults to afford a roof over their heads with these prices?

Other generations are quick to label us as lazy and clueless without taking the time to examine the environment that they played a role in creating for us. We are the first generation to grow up in the digital world, which has its benefits but also harms us in numerous ways that other generations cannot comprehend. We are the generation that is experiencing mental health issues at a high rate while not getting enough help due to financial struggles or given that many of our communities still hold stigmas toward mental illness and are therefore incapable of assisting us.

Gen Zs are always labeled lazy and a failure by other generations because that’s an easy approach. However, I urge the other generations to step up and examine the issues that Gen Zs are facing instead of ranting about us on the internet and elsewhere. Criticizin-g Gen Zs will not fix the economy for us, will not improve the state of our deteriorating planet, or do us any favors. I challenge the generations before us to examine the root causes of our “laziness” and “failures” and take some responsibility because they were before us and they played a big role in setting this environment for us.

GSU Recycling Bin

PHOTO BY TRENT LEGASPI | THE

Leave Hawaii Alone

Maui Wildfire Tragedy Reinforces Native’s Pleas MARIA VICTORIA SPONAR Staff Columnist

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n August 8th, the town of Lahaina in Maui, Hawai’i, suffered its deadliest wildfire in over a century. The grievous effects of this natural disaster took miles of lush land and the lives of an estimated one hundred and fourteen civilians.

Residents who were fortunate enough to not have lost their homes or lives in the fires have been volunteering around-the-clock to help survivors with food, supplies, and water. However, even with the aid of residents and officials, Maui is still suffering from the tremendous blow that left many without power for days, with unsafe drinking water, spoiled food, and no cell service to call for help.

Others who had their homes engulfed by the deadly flames are asking nearby hotels and centers for shelter, and dozens are still desperately searching for missing family members.

The complete devastation that these fires left the people of Hawai’i in led many to reiterate what natives have been begging outsiders to do for a long time: stay out of their islands. The lands that have been dream honeymoon or vacation destinations for millions of Americans are now begging tourists to rethink their visiting of the islands, insisting that their stay will only fuel the various issues that Hawaiian natives have been enduring for various decades.

Homelessness in Hawaii has been an ongoing crisis that many natives feel will only worsen if tourists continue to visit the islands. Over half of Hawaii's homeless population is made up of native Hawaiians. These numbers are even more shocking when one learns that native Hawaiins only make up 10 percent of the state’s population. Statistics such as these have been disproportionate towards the natives ever since the overthrowing of the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1893, when the effects of imperialism and colonization caused many natives to be displaced from their communities or die from disease and starvation.

In an attempt to make amends, The United States Government has in the recent decades passed bills to help Hawaii’s displacement issue. Even with these so-called outdated reparation tactics, there is still much more that the American Government needs to do in order for homeless natives in Hawaii to stop facing the repercussions of colonialism.

However, it is not only the U.S. Government that is enabling the rise of homeless natives in Hawai’i: the tourism industry – including the industries that profit off of vacation rental units – are

very much at fault as well. Vacation rental units such as AirBnB’s have gained extreme popularity in the last half of a decade. With the ever-growing “influencers” that run social media accounts as means to make profit, the promotion of certain locations and homes have reached more people than ever before, inspiring them to rent out a home for a few days and visit remote impoverished islands such as Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and many more.

This industry’s damage is extremely evident in counties such as Maui, where well over 50 percent of residential areas such as condos, apartments, and homes are being bought and sold to people who intend to rent it out to tourists, leaving native Hawaiians with great difficulty in finding homes.

Even in the off chance that they are able to find one, because these vacation rental units directly contribute to the increase of housing costs, most are unable to afford the few homes that are available to them.

These crises are exhausting enough as it is, but add in the willing ignorance of the tourists that still choose to come to the islands and it should come as no surprise that Hawaiians are shedding tears of frustration on social media.

One resident from Maui could not believe that tourists were swimming in the same waters that residents had jumped in an attempt to escape the wildfire’s flames just a few days before. “That says alot about where their heart and mind is through all of this,” she tells BBC News. “[Hawaiin natives] are not having fun in this tragedy.”

So, while natives of their island are suffering the new results of this tragedy and an ongoing worsening homelessness and displacement crisis, tourists are turning a blind eye to their agony and choosing to relax in their condos that remain vacant nearly the entire year, snorkeling in waters rescue teams are still pulling dead bodies out of, and sipping tropical drinks from their resort balcony.

It is time that we realize the negative impact that tourism is giving to the natives of islands like Hawaii. These islands are full of bountiful natural resources, and mainlanders need to recognize that they are ridding the natives of their own riches when they choose to vacation there. So, instead of booking that upcoming summer 2024 trip to O’ahu, choose a destination that you know both you and the local residents of the area can equally enjoy.

Spread: Meet Our Staff!

WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

W

elcome to The Signal, Georiga State's student-run newspaper – your source for almost 90 years of student-centric news, views, and stories. Our publication's roots are firmly planted in the bustling world of student life, and our mission has remained steadfast: to bring you the latest, the relevant, and the most intriguing stories from both on and off campus.

For nearly a century, The Signal has been a labor of love, crafted by students, for students. We understand the pulse of

university existence because we live it, too.

The late nights of studying at the library, the rush to catch the Panther Express after class, the excitement of campus events – it's all part of our journey, shared with all of you.

In our endeavor to bridge the gap between the pages and the people behind them, we wanted to uncover the personalities that compose our dedicated team. We asked our staff a few revealing questions, peeling back the layers to showcase the individuals who strive to

ADAM DUFFY

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

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DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS

WHY DID YOU WANT TO ATTEND GEORIGA STATE?

GRACE BRASWELL

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BIGGEST TIP TO NEW STUDENTS AT GEORGIA STATE?

WHAT OTHER MAJOR DID YOU THINK OF PURSUING

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JOURNALISM/ENGLISH

"FIND YOUR PEOPLE AND KEEP THEM CLOSE. COLLEGE CAN BE REALLY SCARY AT TIMES. IT’S NOT ALWAYS THIS PICTURE-PERFECT THING THAT EVERYONE PAINTS IT OUT TO BE. THE PEOPLE THAT LOVE YOU THE MOST WILL STICK WITH YOU THROUGH IT ALL."

NEWS EDITOR

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LAW

"I WANTED TO GO SOMEWHERE WHERE THE ONLY LIMIT PLACED ON ME WAS THE LIMIT I PLACED ON MYSELF. GSU IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT, FOR BETTER OR WORSE. I KNEW I WANTED TO GET THE MOST OUT OF MY COLLEGE EXPERIENCE AND HERE, I KNOW I HAVE.

MANAGING EDITOR

RAYMOND TRAN

FILM/GFA

"GEORGIA STATE BRINGS TOGETHER A VARIED AND DIVERSE GROUP OF STUDENTS. I’VE BEEN ABLE TO INTERACT AND WORK WITH SO MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF PEOPLE COMING FROM VERY DIFFERENT PLACES. THAT DIVERSITY OF THOUGHT HAS ENHANCED MY EXPERIENCE HERE, AND IT’S A QUALITY I WOULDN’T CHANGE FOR ANYTHING."

WHAT DOES GEORGIA STATE DO BEST?

IRA LIVNAT

bring you engaging content every issue.

Through their words, you'll catch a glimpse of the personalities and aspirations that drive us as students navigating the whirlwind of university life.

So, whether you're seeking campus news, looking for thought-provoking insights, or simply curious about the faces behind the bylines, The Signal invites you to dive into our pages and explore the tapestry of university life from the perspective of students who are, in many ways, just like you.

JOURNALISM

"I ALWAYS CONSIDERED TWO OTHER MAJORS, LAW AND PHYSICS. I AM TERRIBLE AT MATH SO PHYSICS DIDN’T REALLY WORK OUT."

CHANDLER GROCE

OPINIONS EDITOR

WHY DID YOU WANT TO ATTEND GEORGIA STATE?

AMIRA DANIEL

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ENGLISH

"MY FAVORITE PLACE ON CAMPUS IS THE GREEN SPACE AND THE PATIO BY LANGDALE HALL. I LOVE TO CHAT WITH FRIENDS OR GRAB A COFFEE TO DRINK THERE BETWEEN CLASSES!"

PHOTO EDITOR

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE THING TO PHOTOGRAPH?

JOURNALISM/POLI-SCI

"RIGHT NOW, I HAVE BEEN LISTENING TO LOTS OF OTIS REDDING AND BEYONCÉ, AND LOVE THE NEW YORK TIMES PODCAST, THE DAILY."

COPY EDITOR

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE ON CAMPUS?

TRENT LEGASPI

"I WANTED TO ATTEND GSU FOR THEIR ACADEMICS, CAMPUS ENVIRONMENT, AND STUDENT INVOLVEMENT."

ARTS & LIVING EDITOR

WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?

ANNALISE RAY

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JOURNALISM

FILM/GFA

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"MY FAVORITE THING TO PHOTOGRAPH IS CURRENT NEWS AND EVENTS. IT'S REWARDING TO EXPERIENCE, DOCUMENT, AND DISPLAY SIGNIFICANT MOMENTS THAT WE WILL LOOK BACK ON IN HISTORY"

A HUGE THANKS TO THE REST OF OUR AMAZING TEAM!

KAWTHAR ALASAAD | DAVID HOFFMAN | OWAIS KHAN | HUNTER LASERNA | ROMERO MOURA | MAYSA OSMAN | CARTER RIDDETT | EDUARDA SPEGGIORIN | MARIA SPONAR| MACKENZIE SUTTON | MATTHEW TINDLE | EMILY WAHNER | MERISSA WARE IF YOU'D LIKE TO JOIN THE SIGNAL, EMAIL SIGNALEDITOR@GMAIL.COM OR FILL OUT AN APPLICATION ON PIN.GSU.EDU.

ARTS & LIVING

August 29, 2023

WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM/ARTSANDLIVING

Navigating fitness on campus.

Ways to stay physically active on campus.

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KAWTHAR ALASAAD Staff Reporter eorgia State provides an environment ripe with opportunities for students to prioritize physical activity along with their academic pursuits. To support students in maintaining healthy lifestyles, this guide outlines many ways to stay physically active on campus.

By highlighting common spots as well as advice to promote better physical health and provide various creative routes that students can enjoy.

1. Utilize the Campus Recreation Center:

The Campus Recreation Center stands as a cornerstone for fitness and well-being at Georgia State. Equipped with cutting-edge exercise facilities, indoor tracks, basketball courts, group fitness classes and rock climbing.

The recreation center offers diverse options to suit various preferences and fitness levels.

Engaging in group classes or personalized workouts at the CRC fosters a supportive atmosphere, encouraging students to strive for their fitness goals.

2. Participate in intramural sports:

Engaging in intramural sports provides an outlet for friendly competition and camaraderie. Georgia State offers a range of intramural sports such as basketball, soccer and volleyball, catering to both seasoned athletes and newcomers. Joining a team not only enhances physical fitness but also promotes teamwork, communication and social connections.

3. Embrace active commuting:

Leverage Georgia State’s urban location to incorporate active commuting into your daily routine. Walking or biking to campus not only contributes to physical activity but also reduces carbon emissions. Take advantage of designated bike lanes and pedestrian-friendly pathways to make active commuting a convenient and sustainable choice.

4. Engage in fitness challenges and events: Another way to stay active

on campus is by participating in Georgia State’s fitness challenges and events. From step challenges to charity walks, these events provide a platform to set and achieve fitness goals while bonding with fellow students. These activities foster a sense of community and a shared commitment to well-being.

5. Attend Mind-Body wellness classes:

Prioritize holistic wellness through mind-body classes that promote physical and mental harmony. Georgia State’s wellness centers often offer yoga, meditation and mindfulness workshops such as journaling. These classes contribute to stress reduction, improved concentration and overall well-being.

6. Make the most of campus walking tours:

Combine physical activity with campus exploration by taking advantage of guided walking tours. These tours offer insights into the university's history, architecture and resources while providing an engaging way to accumulate steps and enjoy the campus surroundings. This activity can best benefit new students as it also provides a sense of community, by socializing and making new friends along the way.

Incorporating these six strategies for staying physically active at Georgia State aligns with the university's commitment to fostering a well-rounded and healthy student experience. By utilizing the campus recreation center, engaging in intramural sports, embracing active commuting, participating in fitness challenges, attending wellness classes and taking campus walking tours, students can create a balanced routine that supports both their academic and physical goals. These strategies not only promote physical health but also contribute to the overall well-being of students by reducing stress and improving mental clarity. By making use of the various facilities and programs offered on campus, students can enhance their academic performance while maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Getting involved on campus can allow you to create deeper connections

PHOTO BY HUNTER LASERNA | THE SIGNAL

Unleash your inner Panther A guide to getting involved at Georgia State MACKENZIE SUTTON

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Staff Reporter

ollege is more than just attending classes and earning good grades. It's also a time to explore new interests, make new friends and develop valuable skills to take with you into the real world. Georgia State recognizes the importance of extracurricular activities and offers a wide range of opportunities for students to get involved.

From academic groups to sports teams and cultural organizations, there is something for everyone on campus. With over 500 student organizations, Georgia State offers a diverse range of activities for students. These extracurricular activities not only provide students with opportunities to learn and grow outside of the classroom but also help them build a sense of community on campus.

To help students navigate the many options available, we've compiled a list of tips to help them find their place on campus and make the most of these opportunities.

First, take some time to reflect on your interests and passions. Consider the activities that bring you joy and fulfillment, the topics that fascinate you and the skills you would like to develop further. Are you interested in sports, music, literature or perhaps community service? Do you want to improve your leadership, communication or teamwork skills?

Once you have a clear understanding of your interests and goals, begin your research on clubs and organizations that share your values and align with your passions.

You can start by searching online,

talking to friends and colleagues or reaching out to your school or community center. Look for groups that offer opportunities to learn, grow and connect with like-minded individuals.

When you find a few clubs or organizations that interest you, attend some meetings or events to get a sense of the group dynamic and see if it's a good fit for you. Take note of the group's mission, goals and activities and see if they align with your values and interests. Don't be afraid to ask questions or share your ideas and experiences. Remember, joining a club or organization is not only a great way to pursue your passions and develop new skills, but also to meet new people and expand your horizons.

Second, don't be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone. You never know what you might discover about yourself or what connections you might make. Joining student groups can be a great way to make friends who share your interests.

You may also have the opportunity to connect with upper-level students who share your major and can offer valuable guidance and support.

Finally, be strategic with your time.

It's important to balance academics with extracurricular activities and make sure you're not overcommitting yourself.

While academics are important, it's also essential to engage in activities that foster your personal growth and development. This can help you build important life skills, such as leadership, teamwork and time management.

It's easy to get excited about all the

different activities and clubs on campus, but spreading yourself too thin can have negative consequences.

You may find yourself unable to keep up with your coursework, or you may feel burned out and exhausted.

Instead, focus on a few groups that you're truly passionate about and that align with your goals. By doing so, you'll be able to devote more time and energy to these activities, so you'll be more likely to make meaningful contributions to the group.You'll be able to build stronger relationships with your peers and mentors in these groups, which can be invaluable resources as you navigate your academic and professional journey.

By following these tips, you'll be on your way to finding your place on Georgia State’s campus and making the most of your college experience.

Georgia State also offers a variety of events and programs throughout the year. These include concerts, lectures, workshops and service opportunities.

Students can also get involved with the student government association and have a say in shaping campus policy.

To join a student organization or explore various workshops, visit the Panther Involvement Network (PIN) and sign in with your campus ID and password.

Georgia State is committed to providing its students with a wellrounded college experience. By getting involved in extracurricular activities and taking advantage of the many opportunities available on campus, students can gain valuable skills and experiences that will benefit them long after they graduate.

SPORTS

August 29, 2023

WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM/SPORTS

Upcoming Games M

’s en

VS. Rhode Island Home Game vs Rhode Island @ Center Parc Stadium 08 / 31 / 23 7:00 p.m.

Men’s

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’s en

Panthers offense gears up for another season

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PHOTO BY TRENT LEGSASPI | THE SIGNAL

How will Georgia State perform this upcoming season?

MATTHEW TINDLE Staff Reporter

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ast season, the Georgia State Panthers played a disappointing season, finishing with a record of 4-8 and placing last in the Sun Belt conference.

The upcoming season won't be much easier than last, as the Panthers are hosted by opponents such as fifthranked LSU paired with the loss of many seniors including star running backs Jamyest Williams and Tucker Gregg.

According to analysts, the upcoming season is expected to follow a familiar pattern of underwhelming performance. A consensus among experts places the Panthers with a projected record of 6-6, positioning them once more near the bottom of the Sun Belt standings.

The front office has seemed to make up for the significant loss in players and Georgia State was able to sign a total of 30 players including 18 transfers, with edge defender Kevin Swint from Clemson being the most notable of the bunch. Equipment manager Quinn Stockman mentioned Swint’s leadership saying “He’s kind of like a leader in the locker room,

especially from coming from a power five school and just bringing that presence in the locker room.” The senior linebacker came to Death Valley as a four-star prospect and in three years produced 22 tackles and half a sack but looks to improve his resume as he enters his final year of college football.

The Panthers also signed freshman three-star wide receiver Quentin Thomas from Eagles Landing High School. The six-foot-one Georgia Native recorded 65 catches for 1136 yards and five touchdowns during his high school career. Coaches hope Thomas can help fill the void left by number one Jamari Thrash, who transferred to Louisville during this past offseason.

Much of the attention though will be focused on quarterback Darren Grainger. Last season he not only led the team in passing yards, but led the team in rushing yards with 734 and six touchdowns. If the Panthers can pair this dual-threat ability with another explosive rusher such as Marcus Carroll, they could give Troy a run for the top spot in the Sun Belt.

Head coach Shawn Elliot’s approach this offseason following the underwhelming 2022 campaign is to force the team to overcome uncomfortable situations by telling reporters, “I knew our football program had to become uncomfortable for the next six months, from our coaching staff, to our athletic trainers, to our equipment managers, to every single player on our roster, we had to become uncomfortable. We had to find situations that we had to overcome that will better ourselves this fall, and I think we hit a home run.”

Being comfortable played a part in the downfall a season ago as they were 0-5 in one-score games where in each loss Georgia State held the lead at one point during the game.

Georgia State kicks off the season at home against Rhode Island and Connecticut with a determination to send a strong message, signaling to the rest of the Sun Belt that they have returned to compete for the Sun Belt as they did in 2021 and prove doubters wrong.

Home Game vs UConn @ Center Parc Stadium 09 / 09 / 23 7:00 p.m.

M

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Women’s

Outlook for Georgia State Football

UConn

VS. Charlotte

Away Game @ Charlotte 09 / 16 / 23

6:00 p.m.

The Kickback

August 29, 2023

WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM/SPORTS

UPCOMING EVENTS FRIDAY

Pounce Around Hurt Park 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM Hurt Park

Speed Friending 3:00 PM Student Center East Ballroom

LGBTQIA+ Arts and Crafts 4:00 PM Hurt Park

Leaders for a Cause: Interest Meeting 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Student Center West Rm. 474

Study Abroad Peer Advising 11:00 AM - 4:30 PM Dahlberg Hall, 3rd Floor

GSU Panthers vs Rhode Island Rams 7:00 PM Center Parc Stadium

SEP 1

THURSDAY AUG 31

WEDNESDAY AUG 30

TUESDAY

Panther Leap Info Session 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Piedmont North A Lobby (Study Area)

SUNDAY

MONDAY

Enjoy Your Weekend!

All Day

Enjoy Your Weekend!

All Day

Labor Day - NO CLASSES

SEP 4

SATURDAY SEP 3

SEP 2

AUG 29

THE KICKBACK

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