Vol. 91 No. 10 by The Signal

Illustrations by Laura Abbott | The Signal

EXECUTIVE PRESIDENT & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Adam Duffy signaleditor@gmail.com MANAGING EDITOR Amira Daniel 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 Jane Cha signalopinions@gmail.com ASSOCIATE OPINIONS EDITOR Vacant ARTS & LIVING EDITOR Merissa Ware signalliving@gmail.com ASSOCIATE ARTS & LIVING EDITOR Vacant SPORTS EDITOR Matthew Tindle signalsport1@gmail.com ASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITOR Vacant COPY EDITOR Annalise Ray signalcopyeditor@gmail.com

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THE BLOTTER

February 14, 2024

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CRIME BLOTTER

FEB 8TH

FEB 9TH

“Wanna get drunk and nasty?”

“It’s just chocolate for my girl”

A non-GSU offender was arrested for a Liquor Law Violation and Outstanding Warrants in Woodruff Park at 2:38 p.m.

At 8:53 p.m. GSUPD arrested a non-GSU offender for Drug Law Violations at the RaceTrac on Friday.

FEB 10TH

“Two peas in a parking deck? Is that the saying?" Two non-GSU offenders were arrested by GSUPD at the G Parking Deck for Drug Law Violations and Outstanding Warrants.

“V for Valentine's Day” GSUPD exceptionally cleared a non-GSU offender for Criminal Trespassing at the V parking lot at 4:18 p.m.

NEWS BRIEFS

LOCAL

NATIONAL

INTERNATIONAL

Fulton DA faces scrutiny in Trump election case

Trump appeals to Supreme Court for immunity stay amid campaign

Same-sex marriage on the table in Greece

Fulton County DA Fani Willis faces a pivotal hearing in the Trump election interference case. Allegations of misconduct swirl as Judge Scott McAfee considers a motion from defendant Mike Roman to disqualify Willis and drop charges. Roman claims Willis financially benefitted from the case due to her relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade. The hearing on February 15 marks the first judicial intervention since allegations surfaced against Willis. The case involves former President Donald Trump and 14 others. The outcome could significantly impact the trajectory of the high-profile legal battle.

Former President Donald Trump petitions the Supreme Court for a stay, aiming to uphold his immunity claim against criminal charges. Trump's attorneys argue that a trial would hinder his 2024 election campaign efforts against President Biden. The move follows a recent D.C. Circuit Court ruling denying Trump's immunity defense in cases linked to the 2020 election and Capitol insurrection. Trump contends that a prolonged trial would impede his First Amendment rights and voter engagement. The Supreme Court's decision could significantly impact Trump's legal battles and political aspirations.

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Greek lawmakers are currently debating a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage in the country. Civil partnerships for gay couples have been legal in the country since 2015, and many couples are able to travel to other European Union countries to get married. The bill faces heavy opposition from members of Greece's Orthodox Church and conservative political parties. However, if this bill passes, it will be a landmark moment for one of the final European countries that still outlaws gay marriage.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Illustration by Shemar Debellotte | The Signal

This Valentine's Day, we encourage all Panthers to engage in safe, fun and consensual activities.

NEWS

February 14, 2024

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This Valentine's, be well Panthers Georgia State's health clinic and counseling center provide sexual wellness materials to students

DAVID HOFFMAN Staff Reporter

Male birth control options create new options for safe sex

ILLUSTRATION BY JAMARI STOKES | THE SIGNAL

Plan A and male birth control, a new dawn of contraceptives

The rise of male contraceptives provides a promising prospect for sexual wellness EMILY WAHNER Staff Reporter

raditionally, the responsibility for contraception has predominantly fallen on women, but recent advancements in medical technology have paved the way for a more balanced approach to family planning. For a long time, male contraceptive methods have been limited to condoms and vasectomy. However, these options often come with drawbacks such as inconsistency, side effects and the permanence of vasectomy. But now, several innovative approaches are emerging, offering men more reversible and effective alternatives. New male birth control technologies, which include various methods such as pills and injections, offer men the opportunity to take an active role in preventing unwanted pregnancies. This shift marks a departure from the longstanding reliance on female contraceptives like the pill, patches, and intrauterine devices (IUDs). Many promising male birth control options are in development. One popular option is titled “Plan A.” According to Planaformen, the company that developed Plan A, it is a non-hormonal hydrogel that is a long-lasting contraceptive. Plan A is marketed as a safe and reversible option for male birth control that can last up to ten years and can be undone at any time. This kind of contraception is an evolution to longer-term prevention

that doesn’t include any permanent or hard-to-reverse procedures such as vasectomies. Other long-term options include hormonal treatments and implants, but they are often met with resistance due to their drawbacks. The current trend of research, however, is focusing on less invasive and more convenient options. One of the most promising developments in male birth control is the male contraceptive pill. The leader in the development of an everyday, non-hormonal contraceptive pill is Your Choice Therapeutics. The pill, much like female birth control is meant to be taken consistently day by day as a means of long-term and consistent birth control. Your Choice Therapeutics is conducting trials on mice. During preclinical trials, the male contraceptive showed 99% efficacy in preventing pregnancy, was 100% reversible without any side effects and the mice were fertile again four to six weeks after stopping the pill. If the development of the pill proves to be successful, the world could have access to male birth control in a matter of years. The study’s authors and developers, Abdullah Al Noman and Gunda Georg are hopeful about their progress. “If everything goes well and the drug shows safety and efficacy in the human trials, we hope that big pharmaceutical companies will take it from there,” they

said in an interview with Vogue. “We could then see this on the market within this decade, or perhaps as early as in five years.” But why has the responsibility of birth control fallen to women? According to the National Institute of Health, “The challenge with creating new contraceptives for men is the high rate of sperm production. Men produce several million sperm per day—about 1,000 per second. All of these must be stopped from reaching an egg to prevent pregnancy.” The contraceptives for women are higher in quantity but have negatives. The most popular are the pill, IUD and the implant. The pill is notorious for its dense list of side effects and the IUD insertion involves cramping and pain. In the past, male birth control has made it to clinical trials but was halted due to reported side effects. The World Health Organization researched testosterone in 1990 in which it proved effective, but due to side effects such as weight gain and acne, the studies were disapproved and stopped. As we rapidly see more and more contraceptive technologies being developed, the possibility of shifting the imbalance of contraceptive access is higher than ever. With new key pills and treatments, the world can usher into a new age of bodily autonomy, family planning and improved sexual health.

ith Valentine’s Day on the horizon, couples around the world are preparing for their special night together. Many will be going on romantic dinners, eating boxes of chocolate and buying gifts or flowers. Others will be spending their Valentine’s Day in a more intimate way. As we anticipate this upcoming season of love, Georgia State University’s health clinic and counseling center’s Be Well Panthers initiative is gearing up to provide an unexpected but essential service – preparing students with the knowledge, resources and support to have safe sex. The Be Well Panthers initiative is a health and wellness program that is aimed to “help panthers be well and do well.” Many students at Georgia State have come across their work, likely receiving one of their care packages at events hosted across campus. However, the help they provide goes far beyond those bags. The program offers a wide range of health services from nutrition guidance to STI testing. Be Well Panthers emphasizes the importance of safe sex and testing through their #WeGotYouCoveredPanthers student health promotion. They’re able to distribute condoms, dental dams, lubricant and other safe sex supplies to students through mail delivery services, their office at 75 Piedmont Avenue and other campus programming. For students who are concerned about their health after having sex, Be Well Panthers provides sexually transmitted infection testing through the Student Health Clinic. Free HIV and STI testing is offered at events throughout the year on many of Georgia State’s campuses. These events can be found online through PIN. STI testing and treatment can also be found at the

Student Health Clinic’s office on the first floor of 75 Piedmont Avenue. The clinic offers free STI testing that you can schedule appointments for online. Students are also able to receive evaluations and prescriptions for the HIV prevention treatment known as PrEP, and birth control medication. More information on the types of treatment offered by the clinic and how to schedule an appointment can be found at https://health.gsu.edu/. Students who are having a hard time spending Valentine's Day alone, or who are victims of trauma have resources available to them as well. The Counseling Center gives individual and group counseling sessions for students both virtually and in person. They also provide student victim assistance, helping with crisis intervention and sharing information on the next steps they can take. Students who would like more information or would like to schedule an appointment to speak with student victim assistance staff can call 404-413-1965. The Be Well Panther’s initiative also encompasses other physical and mental health services. Programs such as nutrition education, panther pantries, fitness classes and even financial literacy training are available to students. For more information, you can visit the University website dedicated to health and wellness at https://engagement.gsu.edu/ health-wellness. We highly encourage students and all people to have safe sex this upcoming Valentine’s season. We recommend taking advantage of Be Well Panther’s resources to ensure you stay protected. Remember that consent is key and don’t be a fool, cover your tool.

OPINIONS

February 14, 2024

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A digital nightmare for countless women Combating the rise of unconsented AI-generated explicit content

MARIA SPONAR Staff Columnist

s we continue to make our way into the ever-progressing 2020s, innovation and technology also continue to advance, providing us with solutions – and, unfortunately, some negatives as well. The realm of artificial intelligence, commonly abbreviated as “AI, " can now generate completely fabricated yet frighteningly hyper-realistic images of just about anything that comes to mind. This new development has been used everywhere, from social media filters to Vogue magazine photoshoots. However, it has also led to unintended consequences: the spreading of AI-generated explicit photos of real people without their consent, often referred to as deepfakes. This issue has been occurring across the world for the better part of the last half a decade, with 96% of these digitally altered images on the internet being pornography in 2019. These maliciously modified images have become yet another new fear to add to women’s long list of ways that they may be targeted. At any moment, women anywhere are subject to receiving a completely realistic yet completely false — and most importantly, unconsented – nude photo of themselves. This happened just last year in southern Spain, where over twenty teenage girls were horrified to see that they had just been sent undressed photos of themselves. These photos were so scarily accurate, mainly because they technically were photos of these girls – but they had been modified so that they would appear naked. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez experienced a similar situation where an image with her face, juxtaposed with an artificially constructed female body in a swimsuit, circled the Internet. Perhaps the most notable and recent occurrence of a woman experiencing such harassment from AI-generated imaging is the incident involving Taylor Swift. In late January of this year, explicit photos using an AI generator surfaced on the social media platform X. The non-consensual and fabricated nature of these images became a widespread topic across all social media, particularly because many people became aware of the legal loopholes that allow the creation and distribution of such content without severe legal punishment. The calls for decisive action to criminalize this newfound form of harassment prompted a response from the White House itself. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, who responded by declaring that legislative action should occur in order to help stop the circulating of similar, non-consented images in the future. It seems that no matter what age, profession, or status one may be, women are still at a constant risk of being a victim of such a violating intrusion. Women cannot even upload selfies of themselves anymore without worrying that they will once again be a World peace may be far off but hopefully attainable ILLUSTRATION BY LILLI REGNIER | THE SIGNAL target for sexual harassment. They cannot serve in Congress without an image-generation algorithm automatically attaching the half-naked body onto them, and they cannot have famous football player boyfriends without finding explicit deepfakes of them circulating the Internet. Fortunately, public outrage has led to some positive news. There is now an official task force that focuses on online abuse and harassment, as well as a 24/7 national hotline made particularly for victims of this type of online abuse. Rep. Joe Morelle has taken a legislative stance, advocating the “Preventing Deepfakes of Intimate Images Act.” This proposed bill aims to make it a federal crime to partake in the spreading of AI-generated explicit images without the person’s consent. However, there is more to be accomplished to bring about a lasting change, and for this to happen, the voices of countless victims who lack such influential platforms need to be amplified. The wave of outrage sparked by these recent incidents bestows an opportunity for countries all across the globe to take action and address the multiple challenges created by non-consented, AI-generated deepfakes. Hopefully, these efforts will form a global framework that protects all women from this dehumanizing form of violation.

The illusion of world peace

Why our current systems of power prevent us from truly achieving global peace

MAYSA OSMAN Staff Columnist

magine being a seven-year-old student living a reasonably everyday life, or so you thought. Your daily routine consisted of going to school and playing outside with your friends like all the other kids in the neighborhood. However, one morning, you wake up to find the skies filled with fighter jets and their high-pitched whines. In a hurry, your parents package up a few belongings and rush you outside the house without catering to any of the million questions you have for them. Moments later, you find yourself in a large crowd filled with all sorts of noises, and you are all headed to the same unknown destination filled with hunger, thirst, fatigue, and desperation for safety. You don’t have to imagine this because this is not a fantasized dystopia. Millions of children are going through this on a daily basis in our modern society. According to the United Nations Refugee Agency, as of 2024, there are more than 130 million people who are stateless, “forcibly displaced.” Behind this vast number of civilians that once had a life they built for themselves and had no involvement in the events leading up to their displacement. The fact that in 2024, we have had 130 million individuals displaced and numerous ongoing armed conflicts in nearly every continent baffles me. It makes me doubt if we will ever achieve world peace within this century. At school, we are given history lessons for at least 13 years of our lives. We are encouraged to learn our history to avoid repeating mistakes. However, human existence has always been synonymous with conflicts and wars. Starting from the very first civilization in Mesopotamia. Those wars have always yielded the same result: massive loss of human lives and resources.

Wars and their aftermath make up most of the historical texts from the last 200,000 years we have been around. On this note, if we are still teaching history to avoid past mistakes, then we have miserably failed to accomplish that goal. But how can we expect world peace when governments start wars in other countries, specifically developing countries, to take advantage of their resources? How can we expect world peace when we have world leaders who see conflicts in other nations as an opportunity to make profits by supplying the warring factions with deadly ammunition without any remorse about the aftermath and the victims? How can we expect world peace in a biased society in which nations side with allies among warring factions and find every excuse to dehumanize the opposing functions based on race, religion, and other identities? How can we expect world peace when we have international organizations such as the United Nations and the International Court of Justice that are willing to write countless documents condemning a war but putting no resources into taking action to halt the conflict or mediate a peace agreement between the warring factions? Our planet has limited resources, and our population is rapidly increasing. Most of the ongoing armed conflicts are over limited resources such as land and other vital resources. If we don’t find a solution on how to distribute these scarce resources and how to hold perpetrators of wars accountable, world peace will remain an illusion.

Spread : Arts and Living

February 14, 2024

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Navigating the societal perceptions of nudity OBSERVING THE SOCIETAL UNDERSTANDINGS THAT HISTORY AND CULTURE HAVE ON NUDITY written by amira daniel - managing editor

hroughout histor y, whether it be the introduction of shame to the world, Botticelli’s “Birth of Venus,” Michelangelo’s “David”, Miley Cyrus on a wrecking ball or Kim Kardashian breaking the internet, nudity has always sparked an interesting conversation and has often been perceived differently based on culture. Nudity, a noun defined as “the state or fact of being naked,” is often seen in several vastly different ways depending on the setting in which it occurs. All the same body parts are sometimes considered high art and other times considered provocative or offensive. While numerous factors go into this interpretation, it can be said that socioeconomic class, cultural beliefs and a countr y's leadership are all things that can be determining factors of its perception. Consider the difference between the societal controversy of a mom breastfeeding in public versus the large display of a model in lingerie at the mall. “Nakedness is less a descriptive term connoting the absence of clothing than a historically constructed and highly contested state,” said Philippa Levine, Professor of Histor y and Ideas at the University of Texas, in an article from the Institute of Art and Ideas. This emphasizes the idea that not only is the societal understanding of nudity shaped by factors including histor y and culture, but it is also a topic that has been

surrounded by an ongoing debate. Nudity first became prevalent in ancient Greek art where athletes would compete nude. This led to the Greeks celebrating the human body at religious festivals. “Images of naked athletes stood as offerings in sanctuaries while athletic-looking nudes portrayed the gods and heroes of Greek religion,” wrote Art Historian, Jean Sorabella, on the website for the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This Greek celebration of the body differs greatly from the other viewpoints that were prevalent throughout the ancient world. Sorabella continued, “Undress was typically associated with disgrace and defeat. The bestknown example of this more common view is the biblical stor y of Adam and Eve, where the first man and woman discover that they are naked and consequently suffer shame and punishment.” Societal constructs and gender roles have also had an immense impact on the perception of

nudity, prompting questions and curiosity behind the idea of whether nudity is inherently sexual, and if not, why certain cultures and societies treat it that way while taking into account the determining factors within the idea? In the United States, nudity tends to be perceived in a different way than it is in some other countries around the world. Specifically, it differs vastly from how it is perceived in certain parts of Europe, such as France and the

Illustrations by Laura Abbott and Lilli Regnier | The Signal

Netherlands where nudity is seen as less taboo, and it is not uncommon for women to be topless at the beach. Whereas in parts of Europe nudity is viewed as more of a natural and non-sexual thing, in the U.S. many aspects of cultural, societal and even political beliefs have the influences of religion ingrained within, versus France and the Netherlands that tend to have a greater separation between church and state. “This is bemusing to an American living in France, where breasts are routinely bared on advertising billboards, in fashion magazines, and in pharmacy windows, and “le topless” has been allowed on French beaches since the 1970s. Indeed, the French eye seems to take much less offense at unclothed bodies,” wrote Author and Journalist Elaine Sciolino in Vogue. With that, it is to no surprise that there is stricter censorship in the media within the U.S. The way nudity is perceived within the US also differs vastly depending on the specific location. The perception of nudity within New York City or Los Angeles will differ vastly from the suburban view of nudity in a suburban town in Georgia. As art has evolved, there have been many shifts in the way nudity is perceived. From Western cultures in the 18th and 19th centuries tending to focus on modesty, to the mid to late 20th centur y

where there was more of a challenge toward the traditional norms that were held towards both sexuality and nudity, this shift is apparent. Upon the approach of the late 20th centur y, censorship standards within pop culture pertaining to nudity became more prevalent, allowing for more open dialogues surrounding body image. Additionally, globalization and the internet have played large roles in this evolution by allowing for more connectivity and understanding of the ways various cultures see nudity. Within the media, especially social media, it can be said that nudity could almost be described as some sort of “luxur y” or “privilege.” With there being specific restrictions on social media for nudity, and norms within the public that are often easily bypassed by celebrities and those with larger social media followings, leading to their nudity potentially being seen as something closer to art whereas for the rest of the general public, nudity tends to be seen as trashy and often just illegal. When done by celebrities, it tends to be viewed, presented and usually accepted as a means of artistic expression whereas with members of the general public who aren’t famous, they may still attempt to present it as a means of artistic expression, but it is certainly not always accepted, viewed or outwardly perceived that way. Emerging and evolving trends have created space for nudity’s increased prominence on social media and on red carpets with trends such as the “Naked Dress,” seen many times in recent years by Beyoncé, Florence Pugh, Kate Moss and Rihanna. To a certain extent, nudity in public has almost become a new form of exclusivity. “And what they have concluded again and again

ever since is that public nudity is to be celebrated when it is performed with the markings of whiteness and wealth. When nudity is performed without those signifiers, it becomes trashy,” wrote Constance Grady in an article on Vox’s website. A lot of the way that nudity is perceived and often judged, especially on an individual basis has to do with what is expected of a person. Regardless of status or the amount of money someone has, there will inevitably still be some degree of backlash, and it often shifts as a result of the person expressing their nudity’s race and gender. Journalist Clare Thorpe wrote in a BBC article, “Zoe Kravitz responded to trolls who questioned the revealing Saint Laurent cr ystal mesh dress she wore to the 2021 Met Gala, saying: … "It's just a body. We all got em." Thorpe continues, “In contrast, it's notable that when male stars like Iggy Pop go semi-naked in public, it's usually seen as part of the rock-star charm.” One of the other determining factors that goes into deciding the way nudity is perceived by specific audiences often entails whose gaze the “illustration” of nudity is being crafted by. Often within the media, the way nudity is displayed by the female gaze and the male gaze differs. The topic of nudity is deeply intertwined with topics of status, gender and culture, and as a result, societal attitudes remain complex. When analyzing the intricate notions of status, culture and gender, it is clear that nudity is constantly shaped by a plethora of influences. The acceptance or rejection of nudity is a mirror of historical legacies and societal values. The lines that have been drawn between the covered and exposed body, whether for better or worse, ser ve as a reminder of the timeless and continually relevant form of expression found within the human experience of nudity. PHOTO BY NOAH ZECHES | THE SIGNAL

ARTS & LIVING

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February 14, 2024

Hope for a more inclusive GSU

The importance of safe spaces for LGBTQ+ students on college campuses

MACKENZIE SUTTON Staff Reporter n today's increasingly diverse society, the need for inclusivity and understanding on college campuses has never been more important. Among these needs is the establishment of safe spaces for LGBTQ+ students - a factor that plays a significant role in their well-being, inclusion and academic success. Safe spaces serve a crucial role in our educational institutions, specifically for LGBTQ+ students. These spaces provide a secure and welcoming environment where these students can express their unique identities without fear of prejudice or discrimination. They act as a haven, a place of refuge where they can be themselves without any apprehension or fear. These spaces also offer much-needed support systems. They provide opportunities for students to connect with others who share similar experiences, thus helping them build strong friendships and support networks. More than just a physical space, these safe places also serve as platforms for open and honest dialogue. Here, students can engage in meaningful discussions about their experiences, their struggles and their triumphs. These conversations can foster understanding, acceptance and unity, which are all essential in creating a more inclusive society. The impact of these spaces on LGBTQ+ students' well-being cannot be overstated. Studies have consistently highlighted the harassment faced by LGBTQ+ students. Further illustrating this point, a 2019 report by GLSEN identified that 86.3% of LGBTQ students experienced harassment or assault based on their identity or sexual orientation, and 58.3% were sexually harassed., leading to higher rates of mental health issues and lower academic performance. Safe spaces can help mitigate these effects by providing a supportive environment where students can feel valued and understood. At Georgia State University, students are a step closer to creating these safe spaces for LGBTQ+ students, thanks to the tireless efforts of a student group known as the Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity. This group comprises individuals from many backgrounds, representing a vast array of sexual,

Student holds up pride flag among crowd in Unity Plaza

gender and ethnic identities, all united by a common purpose: to be loud and proud. Founded in 1982, the Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity is the oldest LGBTQ+ alliance in Georgia. It was created to cater to the queer student population at Georgia State University and their allies. With over 1200 members, the Alliance at GSU is one of the largest chartered student organizations on campus. The group takes on a range of tasks, from developing educational activities and inciting students into activism to providing premier social events. It has been acknowledged by Channel 5 News Atlanta, the Human Rights Campaign, the Southern Voice and the City of Atlanta for its presentation of “Talk About It: The Power of Being Out.” The group has also won numerous accolades, such as the GSU Royal Flame Award for Organization of the Year, and the Social Program of the Year Award for their annual drag show, “The Exhibition.” Georgia State University also boasts PRISM — PRIDE, RESPECT, INCLUSION, SUPPORT, MOVEMENT. PRISM is the Alliance of Georgia State's Sexual and Gender Minority Faculty and Staff. These initiatives are proactively taking steps to foster safe spaces at Georgia State University, providing hope that other institutions might follow suit.

PHOTO BY TRENT LEGASPI | THE SIGNAL

Beyond providing support, safe spaces also foster a sense of inclusion. They help LGBTQ+ students feel recognized and respected, which is vital for their academic success. Feelings of exclusion can lead to disengagement from school activities and lower academic performance. On the other hand, an inclusive environment can encourage students to participate more actively in their school community, leading to higher academic achievement and satisfaction. Despite the clear benefits, many universities still have room for improvement in creating and maintaining safe spaces. Universities should prioritize establishing these spaces and promoting their existence to students. They should also ensure that these spaces are truly safe by providing proper training for staff members and implementing policies that protect LGBTQ+ students from discrimination. The importance of safe spaces for LGBTQ+ students on college campuses cannot be understated. They are not just a luxury; they are a necessity for the wellbeing, inclusion and academic success of LGBTQ+ students. It is high time universities take the necessary steps to ensure these spaces are available and adequately maintained.

A Rubbery Mixup

ILLUSTRATION BY SHEMAR DEBELLOTTE | THE SIGNAL

SPORTS

February 14, 2024

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Falcons continue to sharpen their talons

Atlanta gets Rams coaches Zac Robinson and Jimmy Lake as new coordinators

GSU's Rec Center has dozens of sports clubs that students can join

PHOTO BY TRENT LEGASPI | THE SIGNAL

Being an athlete, on a student’s schedule

Georgia State offers 25 club sports, keeping students active without the D1 time commitment

QUINN SOCKMAN Staff Reporter

hroughout a college career, student-athletes spend an immense amount of time and energy preparing their bodies and minds for success in their sports. These athletes must maintain the difficult balance between their lives as friends, students, athletes, etc. Over the last four years, more than 7.5 million athletes have graduated high school and set out to find new hobbies, occupations, and studies outside of their high school sport. For that reason, less than 3% of high school athletes go on to compete at a Division I program. At Georgia State University (GSU), Division I athletes account for less than 1% of the student population. With that in mind, GSU Recreational Services offers 18 student-led club sports including tennis, swimming, boxing, volleyball and more. After graduation, a majority of high school athletes enroll in various level colleges, shifting their focus to higher education, new friends, and new homes as they navigate adulthood for the first time in their lives. Unfortunately, many students get wrapped up in their new life and

lose sight of their old passion for sports. However, universities like GSU offer a solution through their club sports programs. These programs provide an avenue for students to pursue their athletic passions while balancing their academics and social life. Club sports, similar to other student clubs at GSU, are established by small groups of students with a common interest in a particular sport or activity. Funded by its students, GSU provides all clubs with access to a plethora of resources such as practice facilities, equipment, and tournament/competition sites. Joining an existing club is as easy as the click of a “join club” button on the GSU Recreation website or simply attending an interest meeting at the Rec Center. One of GSU’s most competitive club sports is the Tennis Club Team. Since 2012, the team has been competing in tournaments across Georgia through USTA (United States Tennis Association) against other college-level tennis clubs and organizations. Funds allocated by members/ alumni of the team give students the

opportunity to travel and play other club-level players at the University of Georgia, Mercer University, and Georgia Southern. Nicole Son, Co-Vice President of the GSU Tennis Club Team, has been a part of the club for 2 years, noting that the club “-helped [her] find love for the sport again.” Son was a high school tennis player, who lost interest in the sport after constantly chasing her high school teammates in their additional years of experience over her. Club sports allow Son and her club teammates to compete in friendly matches on GSU tennis courts, on their own schedule. The friendly yet competitive nature of club sports allows students to play and practice any sport of their choice, no matter their expertise, in a stress-free environment. With the prevalence of social media and technology in the youth, sports clubs are a great resource for students of any athletic ability to stay happy and healthy, putting aside the negativity often spread on smartphones.

MATTHEW TINDLE Sports Editor ew Atlanta a first-drive touchdown Falcons until week 16 against the head coach Colts. The 44-year-old Raheem Morris is already coach was on pace to lead attracting new faces to the Atlanta defense again the organization such as in 2024 but now Atlanta is former Rams coaches Zac set to have a new defensive Robinson, and Jimmy Lake regime under former Rams who are set to be the new assistant head coach Jimmy offensive and defensive Lake. coordinators. Before his lone season in Morris and Robinson LA, Lake spent eight years spent the last three years with Washington and in Los Angeles together, became the head coach helping the Rams win for the Huskies from Super Bowl 56 and building 2020-2021 where he was their resume. Before his controversially fired before time as a coach, Robison the season's end. Morris played quarterback for four and Lake also crossed paths different teams from 2010in Tampa in 2007, both 2013 in the NFL. After his coaching defensive backs stint as a player, Robinson during that season and decided to join Sean McVay again in 2010-2011 before in 2019 as an assistant heading for college football quarterbacks coach for to help coach Boise State the Rams and climbed "I go so far back with his way up the coaching Jimmy Lake, talking about our Tampa days," Morris ladder in LA becoming said, "our core beliefs, some the wide receivers coach of the things we believe in, in 2021, then the passing like-mindedness, his ability game coordinator and to go call it in college, quarterback coach in 2022 really have a real tenure in and 2023. college where you climb The Rams last season the ladder of the defensive ranked 11 in the league in coordinator, going to a passing yards and brought head coach, having the young star Puka Nakua ability to go through hard to the national spotlight. times, fighting through Fans hope the 37-year-old some things." coach can do the same for Atlanta ranked 8 in the Falcons stars Kyle Pitts, NFL in passing yards given Drake London, and Bijan up last season, and with Robinson and do what Lake’s background coaching When asked why defensive backs, fans Robinson, Morris said “I expect the same results, was around the young Kyle especially with the likes of Shanahan, and I saw him cornerbacks A.J. Terrell, develop," Morris said. "I second-year Clark Phillips saw Sean McVay when he III, safety Jessie Bates III was really young, and I saw and second-year Demarcco him develop. Start naming Hellams. names - Mike McDaniel, All three coaches have Steve Sarkisian ... I see him high expectations set on in the same light." The surprise departure of them and fans are tired of mediocrity from the now-Jaguars defensive Falcons. With experts coordinator Ryan Nielsen believing they are a left Atlanta in need of a quarterback away from the new face at the position. Last season, Nielsen turned playoffs, anything short around the Falcons' defense could be considered a failed season. going from 24 in the NFL in 2022 in total yards to 11 in 2023 while not allowing

The Kickback

February 14, 2024

WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

UPCOMING EVENTS SATURDAY

Valentine's Day w/ Panther Dining 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM Piedmont Central Dining Hall

Multicutural Center Survey Tabling 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM Student Center East Lobby

Arbor Day Tree Planting 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM Student Center East Lobby

Enjoy Your Weekend! Having Sex? Stay protected.

Panther-tines Day Event 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM Dahlberg Hall Veterans Memorial Auditorium

Movie Screening: The Hidden Life of Trees 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Cinefest

TUESDAY

Enjoy Your Weekend! Having Sex? Stay protected.

Culture Café at The Intersection- Lunar Year 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Student Center East Room 210

Donuts with Development! 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM 25 Park Place Lobby

FEB 20

MONDAY FEB 19

SUNDAY

Poetic Justice 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM Student Center East Ballroom

VS. James Madison

VS.

Men’s

UPCOMING GAMES

Men’s

THE KICKBACK

Food Truck Thursday 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM Hurt Park

FEB 17

FRIDAY FEB 16

THURSDAY FEB 15

WEDNESDAY

FEB 18

FEB 14

THE KICKBACK

Old Dominion

VS. Coastal Carolina

Away Game vs. James Madison TV: ESPN+ / Radio: WRAS-FM 88.5

Away Game vs. Old Dominion TV: ESPN+ / Radio: WRAS-FM 88.5

Home Game vs. Coastal Carolina GSU Convocation Center

02 / 15 / 24

02 / 17 / 24

02 / 21 / 24

8:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

Puzzle #1

Puzzle #1 THE KICKBACK

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2024

GAMES SUDOKU 9

1 4

8 5

4 3

7 1

6 9

5 6

3 1

9 6

2 3

4 9

9 3

Fill in the puzzle so that every row across, every column down and every 9 by 9 box contains the numbers 1 to 9.

GAMES WORDFIND

Fill in the puzzle so that every row across, every column down and every 9 by 9 box contains the numbers 1 to 9.

E W V M L

X R

C R

11F

L M L

A N

C K G R W B

N M W B

Z W D

D M 8

N N

N G V

N D

X 2G

S 9

E T B G I G X A U Puzzle Y O O #1 M S B U W X X

9 N

7 8

8 6

O M P

V V

G5B

V M

Q O C V5 N N 3 V C R N T K S A X B Y

S 9

U D

Find the following words in the puzzle. Words are hidden and 1

BARBIE MENTALHEALT BUSES PANTHERS Fill in the puzzle so that every row across, every column down and every 9 by 9 box contains the numbers 1 to 9. FALCONS PUBLIX GOSTATE SAXBYS

Created using Word Super Teacher Worksheets (www

GAMES CROSSWORD

Answers will be posted on Instagram @signalgsu at 5PM!!