Vol. 80. Nol. 24

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One life to live Student Fabio Legarda says ‘I told you so’ as his single climbs the Latin pop charts MARCH 12 - MARCH 25, 2013

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A&L | 9

inside Food prices:

VOL. 80 | NO.23

Millennial Job Report part 3:

THE VALUE OF

YOUR COLLEGE

EXPERIENCE You paid nearly

Campus food prices are higher than ever. Would you be willing to pay more for better quality or convenience?

news| 4

worst hangover ever?

Find out Georgia State students’ worst hangover stories in the spirit of Spring Break.

opinions | 7

Road trip ready? in You only have one week left and you tuition and fees for a haven’t planned for Spring Break. worries, your bachelor’s degree. No last-minute dream

$24,000

vacation may be a road trip away.

Yet, you are somehow

$27,000 in debt.

And what are you doing now?

You are waiting tables for some slimy cheeseball who

Game Day Grind

Everybody has a habit, especially athletes. An indepth look into the game day experiences of four Georgia State athletes.

Sports|20

online exclusive

won’t give you a break.

How would you do it all over again to get out of this tough spot?

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A&L | 12 & 13

News 3

Opinions 6

Arts & Living 9

same-sex marriage: a shifting trend?

Data shows a nationwide shift in perception of same-sex marriage. Where do you stand?

news

Sports 20

2

NEWS

TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2013

blotter

last week...

Local

Mayor Kasim Reed is on board for the next step in the Atlanta Falcons receiving a new downtown stadium. On March 7, Reed and Falcons owner Arthur Blank said they are both on board with a plan to feature the city paying $200 million toward the $1 billion cost of a stadium to replace the current Georgia Dome. The Georgia World Congress Center Authority, the Fulton County Commission and the Atlanta City Council must approve first before the deal is officially in place.

Two people were found shot to death around 10 a.m. on Sunday morning in what police believe a murdersuicide on Gateview Way in Marietta. Investigators believe a man shot and killed a woman in the garage of a home, then walked down a block and shot and killed himself in a cul-de-sac. The names of the victims have not been released.

National

Two teenage football players, 16 and 17-years-old, charged with raping a passed out 16-year-old girl in Steubenville in August will face trial next week. The three other Steubenville High School students involved, two of them also football players, who photographed, film and released the attack by the Internet group Anonymous, are not facing any charges. Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine told reporters in a press conference last week charges may be brought to the other teenagers as the trial takes place.

A $13.2 million dollar settlement was awarded to an Ohio man who spent over a decade in prison for a

crime he did not commit. In 2000, David Ayers, 56, was sent to prison for the beating death of Dorothy Brown, 76. With the help of DNA evidence, Ayers earned a reversal of his conviction in 2011 and was released that year. A jury found Friday that the two Cleveland detectives involved with the case coerced false testimony against Ayers. In March 2012, Ayers filed civil rights charges against the city of Cleveland, the housing authority and six city police officers. The charges against the city were dropped, but the rest of the charges will force Ohio taxpayers to pay for the misconduct of the law enforcement.

WED 55/34

After successful medical tests at a hospital in Pretoria, former South African president Nelson Mandela returned to his Johannesburg home on Sunday. Mandela was hospitalized for three weeks in December, where he was treated for lung infection and underwent a surgical procedure to remove his gallstones. He will continue to remain under the care of a medical team, according to presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj.

Photo of the week

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A verbal dispute turned physical by two students.

Police arrived and investigated the incident, but both individuals declined to press charges.

A student said that he left his cell phone unattended and when he returned, he discovered it had been stolen. This case is being handled by investigations.

University Commons

G Parking Deck

Officers responded to a suspicious person call.

When they made contact with the individual, a criminal history check revealed he was a missing person from the Atlanta Police Department.

He was later turned over to the APD.

Turner Field Parking

A report was filed for theft when a student left his laptop unattended for 30 minutes. When he returned, he discovered it had been stolen. This case is being handled by investigations.

A report was filed for vehicle theft. A student said she parked her vehicle at 7:30 a.m. and when she returned at 6:45 p.m. she discovered her vehicle had been stolen. This case is being handled by investigations.

March 5

Turner Field Parking

College of Business Administration

Officers responded to a disorderly student who was upset after he was locked out of an exam.

The issue was resolved with no further incident.

A report was filed for vehicle theft. The student said he parked his vehicle at 9:30 a.m. and when he returned at 10:28 p.m. he discovered his vehicle had been stolen. This case is being handled by investigations.

David Huey gears up for this season during the spring workout session.

MIKE EDEN | THE SIGNAL

STAFF

Editorial Department EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Police responded to a call regarding a nonGeorgia State individual not complying with housing rules and regulations. Contact was made with the individual and he was issued a criminal trespass warning and escorted off campus.

SUN 70/49

SAT 72/51

University Commons

Piedmont North

Fears of commitment to fair trials and civil rights have surfaced in Saudi Arabia after a Saudi Arabian court sentenced to two political and human rights activists at least 10 years in prison. Mohammad Fahd al-Qahtani, an economics professor and co-founder of the banned Civil and Political Rights Association, was sentenced to 10 years in prison and a 10year travel ban. Abdullah al-Hamed, was sentenced to five years and ordered to serve an additional six years. The activists are expected to appeal their sentencing in a hearing next month.

FRI 68/37

A report was filed for theft. A student said a known individual stole $20 and prescription medication from her room. There was no forced entry and the individual left before the police arrived. This case is being handled by investigations.

March 4

source: weather.com

THURS 60/37

This case is being handled by investigations.

University Lofts

Global

Weather

March 2

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NEWS

Job

How employable are you?

Professionals weigh in on what your GPA tells employers ASIA THOMAS

News Editor

S

ome employers have begun to use the grade point average of applicants as the key indicator for employability.

“GPA has always been important, but the post-downturn job market has raised the importance of GPA,” said Jason Aldrich, executive director of the J. Mack Robinson College of Business Career Management Center.

How fields look at GPA Technical and business are the most common fields in which employers hold an applicant’s GPA over job experience.

“Typically, the more technical the field, the more importance employers place on GPA,” Aldrich said.

Fields in non-profit, government and private affairs also look at GPA and sometimes pay employees more for higher GPAs. According to Calvin Green, owner of the Midtown office of Express Employment Professionals, GPA is relevant in positions where companies are “looking for the brightest of the best.”

Most companies utilize a software application called the applicant tracking system (ATS) for online recruitment and applications.

“GPA is one of many valid screening criteria for employers,” Aldrich said.

However, the way companies use the GPA to filter applicants differentiates, according to William Bogner, Associate Professor of Managerial Sciences.

Companies may establish a bare minumum requirement for GPA in order to rule out seemingly unqualified applicants.

“Someone who is making a serious hire may have a mean or low GPA they use as a filter to say ‘if you don’t clear this minimum hurdle, then I’m not going to look at it,’” Bogner said.

Once applicants meet minimum grade point average requirements, companies look at more qualitative measures, such as the rigor of classes and related work experiences.

What a GPA says about an applicant To employers, an applicants’ GPA does not only define the type of student, but also implies the type of employee the applicant will be.

“A GPA is a reflection of ability,” said Maggie Tolan, rofessional and director of Graduate

“

I think within one year or less of being in the workforce, no one is going to give a shit about your GPA.” -William Bogner, associate professor of Managerial Sciences

Career Services and Student Life in the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies. “Your GPA is answering for employers quite quickly what you can do.”

Based upon the skills and tools needed to maintain a solid grade point average, it can showcase skills such as detail, attendance, academic behavior and maturity.

However, a GPA is not always the most accurate indicator of a student or applicant’s skill sets. Throughout college careers, many students undergo situations that force them to make decisions that can affect their grade point average.

In this case, Bogner said looking beyond the GPA and at what “drives that number” is best.

Experience vs GPA Many career fields focus less on the grade point average of an applicant and more on work experience, networking and common knowledge.

The qualification a college graduate going into the business of music industry needs differs from those of a graduate going into the technical, public policy or business industry.

Instead, Bogner said “things that would get [the graduate going into the music industry] into networks, even small part-time jobs that he can put on his vitae” would be more valuable for the student.

What professionals suggest for students After graduation, many college students only have their college degree and GPA for employers to judge in most entry-level positions.

“A GPA is all you have,” Tolan said. “You need it to be good.”

The GPA is also sometimes the only way for applicants to move further in the job search and to receive an interview.

“GPA is in the top three for everyone, in highly technical fields it is number one or two to ensure you are considered for an interview,” Aldrich said. “Once you land the interview, you must continue to demonstrate you have the

skills, experience and interpersonal qualities employers seek.”

The interview is an outlet for the applicant to make a more personal impression on the prospective employer than the GPA would.

Bogner said once students receive the interview, “everything on paper is off the board.”

However, Green said once college graduates make it through the application process, GPAbased or not, they continue to struggle at the next step: the communication.

“In my business, I am shocked at how many college graduates have called looking for work and do not know how to present themselves on the phone,” Green said.

This error stems from college graduates not understanding the actual job search.

“The way you come across over the phone, depending on the culture of the job, may come across as the right fit for it,” Green said.

Ultimately, the showcase of a solid grade point average on a resume is sometimes the only way to enter into entry-level career positions due to the competitive job market.

“I think within one year or less of being in the workforce, no one is going to give a shit about your GPA,” Bogner said.

What are the most important aspects on a resume?

Jason Aldrich, Executive Director of the J. Mack Robinson College of Business Career Management Center: “Employers typically look for a balance between GPA, related work experience and professional development activities.”

Calvin Green, owner of the Midtown office of Express Employment Professionals: “Really how it is put together, because that says a lot about the person. How concise it is and informative it is about the person.

Also your experience and qualifications.”

www.georgiastatesignal.com/news

Degree inflation How valuable will your degree be?

JAMES HUNTER

Staff Reporter

I

n today’s workforce, a number of college graduates with a standard bachelor’s degree is settling on jobs for which they are underemployed.

Graduates are taking jobs that require little or none of the skills acquired in college.

With such a vast amount of college degrees in the workforce, it is nearly impossible for every qualified person to find his intended job after graduating from college.

This change in the workforce now yields the question: Is the bachelor’s degree the new high school diploma?

According to data found in a recent study published by The Center for College Affordability and Productivity, the answer is yes.

The study found around 48 percent of employed college graduates have jobs that the Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests do not necessitate a four-year college education.

Thirty-seven percent of degree-holders currently have jobs that require no more than a high school diploma.

Students are spending thousands of dollars and waiting four years to earn a degree that may potentially yield delayed or undesirable results.

Professor Ryan Thames of Georgia State’s Film Department also agrees the college degree is now the bare minimum to acquire a well-paying job.

“I think especially in this economy it’s definitely a requirement,” Thames said.

“Because of the massive amount of people looking for jobs, it’s the easy way to weed out the number of applicants.”

If hired, employees may have to spend more years in the lower ranks of a particular company to finally reach their desired position.

“It is a little intimidating knowing that a good job may not be available right out of college, but people do have to start from the bottom,” said Carlan Loeb-Muth, a Journalism major. “You have to start somewhere, then work your way up and show you are dedicated. ” It’s difficult for graduates to acquire a job on their field of study.

“If push came to shove, I would definitely take what I could get,” Loeb-Muth said.

Although college degrees seem to have lost some value due to becoming so common, students can take actions that make their resumes more appealing to employers.

According to Phil Rockwell, coordinator of Career Training of Career Services, students might not be doing everything to guarantee success.

“Most students don’t know how to sell themselves in the market to get the job they want, versus just getting something they’re given,” Rockwell said.

Not all jobs can be accessed with just the necessary education. Participation in clubs, internships and university functions that give experience are becoming mandatory.

“That’s one of our main functions here, to help students understand you just don’t get a great job leading to a career with a degree,” Rockwell said. “You have to know how to find those worlds, and how to sell yourself.”

NEWS

4

TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2013

University

Panther Dining: is it worth the price?

ASHIA GALLO

Staff Reporter

G

eorgia State students are speaking out about their dissatisfaction with the prices they pay for food on campus.

There are three main on-campus restaurants: the food court at the Student Center, the food court at the University Center and Panther Pizza, also located at the University Center.

Many students choose to dine at these conveniently accessible restaurants between classes for a quick bite.

Some students, however, are not happy with how much money they are having to pay for those midday meals. With all the student fees, tuition and books for classes, students said having lunch is just becoming another hit to the pocket.

“Considering how much I pay in student fees, the food should definitely be cheaper,” senior Zachoyia Scott said. “We put so much into [Georgia State] already.”

Junior Andrew Whyte agreed, and said in past years, with Panther Points, students did not “physically see their money diminishing as they do now.”

Senior Jennifer Jeboda complained about the lack of variety many on-campus restaurants offer as well.

The pricing at these food courts also rival lower prices at off-campus locations. While a large, onetopping pizza costs $12 at Panther Pizza, Pizza Hut offers two twotopping pizzas for $7.99 each.

While a Chick-fil-A sandwich costs $3.15 at the University Center, the chicken-loving franchise

charges $2.95 at off-campus locations.

“It’s not that much of a difference,” Scott said. “But the lowering of prices should still be a topic of discussion for students who already pay ridiculous prices for everything else.”

Pamela Barr, the interim chair of the Department of Managerial Sciences at Robinson College of Business, said this slightly higher price can be credited to various additional fees Georgia State must pay in order to have food at these facilities.

“Some of [the higher costs] have to do with the costs of facilities, as well as insurance, labor costs and purchase from the restaurants,” Barr said.

She said the comparison between the size of the University Center and the size of an average Chick-fil-A restaurant has to be factored into pricing possibilities.

All three eateries are catered

by Sodexo, the food and facilities server for Georgia State as well as several other colleges and organizations. Non-franchised eating stations such as State Place Grill, Panther Pizza and Pounce Deli are all catered by the same company. Sodexo purchases the food sold from Cisco, our current food vendor.

Head chef and Sodexo employee Maricus Nolley explained how the pricing, selling and buying system takes place.

“Prices are determined through our food supplier, which is Cisco,” Nolley said. “Sodexo, our university caterer, buys the food from Cisco and then prepares and sells it to students in our food courts.”

All approved vendors, such as

Food Price Comparisons

PIZZA Two two-topping pizzas at Pizza Hut: $7.99 each

CHICK-FIL-A SANDWICHES

One large one-topping pizza at Panther Pizza: $2.95

Off campus: $2.95 At University Center: $3.15

Cisco, are based on FDA regulations. Georgia State only buys from approved vendors in order to provide the best quality food for students.

“If the tradeoff to high prices is food that benefits our bodies, I will

pay for that,” Whyte said.

Scott agreed, but also remained adamant on student fees being somehow incorporated to improve food pricing on campus. She suggested that Georgia State put some of students’ fees toward lower food

prices as opposed to services not used by students.

“There should be a survey for student fees,” Scott said. “Everyone doesn’t go to Panther Prowl or to the football games. But everyone does eat [on-campus].”

SunTrust building hosts new advisement center departments DARRIS POPE Staff Reporter

G

eorgia State’s building acquisition, the SunTrust building at 25 Park Place, is the new home of the Student Advisement Center and several other departments of Georgia State. The 27-story skyscraper at the heart of downtown Atlanta is expecting more occupants and completing ongoing renovations as it becomes filled.

“Currently, 25 Park Place’s occupants reside in the sixth through 14th floor and the lower (underground) level of the building,” said Kimberly Bauer, director of facilities of the Design & Construction Services Department.

The layout for tentative and future occupants is still in development as the building welcomes new departments and the new advisement center.

“Near future occupants to the building will be moving in this year,” Bauer said.

Several departments from different Colleges at Georgia State are expected to eventually move into

the building.

Two of the floors of the new building, the 13th and 14th are dedicated to student advisement.

The advisement center has seen an overhaul since the new center opened at 25 Park Place on Feb. 18 of this year. The new location was chosen to increase efficiency and ease the advisement process. Shorter wait times and more appointments are the result of the center adding more than 40 new advisors, according to its website’s statistics (2011 – 1 advisor: about 700 students, 2013 – 1 advisor: about 300 students). The center also localizes advisement for freshmen, sophomores and juniors of all majors into one place.

“It is unknown as to when the building will be full,” Bauer said.

“However, [our] long-term plans include moving more of the departments from the College of Arts and Sciences [into the building].”

Planning is still in the works at Georgia State for welcoming in new and future occupants.

“Renovations must be done for each new occupant on a floor,” said Lachlan Patterson, construction project manager of the Facilities De-

sign & Construction Department.

The prospective list of potential tenants is still being finalized, which will determine which renovations are necessary for which floors.

“Depending on the decision made on what renovations to make and what furnishings to outfit a floor with are typically treated on a case-by-case basis. These decisions are made by the University Planning Center or by the Dean of Arts and Sciences,” Patterson said.

Once the decisions have been made, the floor must be renovated, one floor at a time and furnished.

“A combination of funding sources goes into bringing offices and departments into the building. Furniture may be brought in or borrowed. The university pays for other renovations, and in other cases, the University Foundation, the specific College or department moving in will [contribute funding],” Patterson said.

The SunTrust building complex was purchased by Georgia State for $55.2 million in late 2006.

The university also acquired three smaller surrounding buildings and an eight-story garage for parking access.

25 Park Place Floor Directory

14th Floor Student Advisement Office & University Ceremonies & Events

13th Floor Student Advisement Office

8th – 11th Floor Communications

6th Floor Astronomy Dept.

Physics Dept.

Computer Sciences Dept.

LOWER LEVEL (Sub-basement Institute of Public Health

{

5

NEWS

TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2013

Georgia State continues battling ‘stop and drops’, aims to graduate more students DARRIS POPE

G

Staff Reporter

eorgia State follows a national trend of enrolling fewer students in the spring semester than the fall. Students are facing more financial struggles, rising costs of education and less financial aid grants and awards resulting in enrollment dips nationwide, often in the spring.

This trend has been occurring for the past decade. Now, the university implementing measures to combat student drop-outs, increase retention and encourage those who have left to come back.

Transfer student and Accounting major Anasha Grant wanted to attend Georgia State in the spring of 2012. Due to financial aid mishaps she was not able to transfer from DeVry University until last fall.

“I had some problems with my aid, and it ended up coming in the fall. That’s the only reason I didn’t start in the spring,” Grant said.

Georgia State officials are aware of the harder circumstances students are now facing while trying to get their education. In spite of increasing challenges to accessing higher education, Georgia State sees 50.74 percent of its students graduate within six years, according to the Office of Enrollment Services 2012 Georgia State Completion Plan report.

“There are many initiatives underway that are designed to help students stay in school and make progress toward their degree,” said Dr. Alison Calhoun-Brown, assis-

tant vice president for Student Retention. “Georgia State’s one year retention rate for full time students is nine points above national averages for four-year public institutions.”

At many universities across the nation, spring enrollment typically dips slightly lower than fall enrollment numbers.

The University of Montana saw a 3.4 percent decrease of enrollment this spring from 14,706 to 14,201, according to a Billings Gazette article.

Carl Robert State School in Oklahoma also saw spring enrollment fall from 2,493 to 2,376 a little less than five percent, citing changes in the Pell Grant that make it no longer available for students year-round, according to the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators website.

“The biggest reason students tend to attend only two of the three semesters each year is likely related to Pell,” said Dr. Timothy Renick, vice provost of Georgia State. “Over half of our undergraduates are on Pell, and Pell provides funding for a maximum of two semesters every year. Most of the students who stop out do not do so because of their grades.”

According to Renick, the fewer number of students in spring does not indicate that students are not doing well academically.

“It is the result of their financial situations and personal preferences in most cases,” Renick said.

“The more telling comparison is to compare one fall to the next and one spring to the next. These numbers have grown every one of the

“

Personnel in the One Stop Shop and the Office of Financial Aid proactively reach out to students.”

-Alison Calhoun-Brown, assistant vice president for Student Retention

past seven years for Georgia State.”

Georgia State’s current enrollment is 30,889 students, down from 32,092 students for fall 2012, according to Georgia State’s IPORT data warehouse website.

This reflects a decrease of less than five percent. However, these several thousand students no longer pay tuition and fees. Georgia State mitigates these effects with advanced budget planning projection models.

“The university has very accurate advance projections of the enrollments for every semester during the year, and these form the basis of budget planning, so the slight decline in revenues during the spring is not an issue,” Renick said.

Despite this, Georgia State is increasing efforts to retain students, reenroll students who have left the university and provide resources for all students to help them on the path to graduation.

“Student registration is monitored and academic advisors contact all students who do not register for the subsequent term,” Brown said. “The university awards nearly $2 million in Panther Retention Grant support to

students whose ability to continue at Georgia State is threatened by unmet financial need.”

Unmet financial need occurs when a student’s cost of tuition exceeds their Cost of Attendance and Expected Family Contribution. This can occur for a number of reasons, often tied to the economy and educational spending cuts at the federal level.

Today, the average Georgia State undergraduate lacks almost one third of the resources that are required to be a full-time student, according to the 2012 report Georgia State Completion Plan.

“Personnel in the One Stop Shop and the Office of Financial Aid proactively reach out to students,” Brown said.

To prevent further enrollment decreases and increase reenrollement at Georgia State, the university has programs that reach out to students who have left Georgia State due to academic problems.

The Office of Enrollment Services lists programs such as the Freshman Learning Community, Residence Halls and Supplemental Instruction in the Georgia State University Graduation Report of 2010 as efforts to reduce retention.

national

Following Hugo Chávez’s death, students stay divided JESUS DIAZ Staff Reporter

V

enezuela’s Vice President Nicolas Maduro, holding back tears, announced this past Tuesday what many Venezuelans were dreading: the death of President Hugo Chávez.

Since Dec. 11 of last year, when the Venezuelan president flew to Cuba for further cancer treatment, the Venezuelan government kept his healing process almost completely private, giving very little information on the president’s health.

Months later, Chávez returned to Caracas, Venezuela. He died shortly after, leaving behind a family of three children, a wife and a deeply divided nation uncertain about its future.

“I knew it was coming,” said junior Alany Gutierrez. “More than likely, the election in April may be unfair.”

Despite the advanced stages of his cancer, Chávez ultimately died from a massive heart attack, according to the Associated Press.

“As much as I would like to, I cannot offer my condolences,” said Luis SilvaBall, executive board member of Stu-

dents for Liberties in Venezuela. “May we shed not tears for tyrants but stand boldly against the repression they stood for. “ Yet Hanthony Coello, a student sector of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela member, points out that in Venezuela, “Education is free thanks to the [Bolivarian] revolution. That’s why we say that the [opposition’s] puppet-students are being manipulated, playing a sad role.”

At the open casket viewing, people paid homage to their president while Chávez’s right-hand man, Lieutenant Juan Escalano, sang, “the soul of the Chavista is still in revolution.”

“I mourned for his death because of the effect he had on various citizens, but I’m also optimistic about what the future holds,” said sophomore Rodrigo Flores.

Based on his revolutionary vision, Chávez quickly began implementing socialist ideals in educational reform programs early in his presidency. The government claims over 200 free public schools and universities helped end illiteracy in Venezuela.

But F. Javier Dupla, professor at Universidad Catolica Andres Bello (UCAB) in Venezuela thinks this is impossible.

He admits that the programs “dramatically increased the supply of skilled labor [but that] returns to education will decline if the supply of labor increases and demand does not.”

The demand never came.

“He divided the Venezuelan Community,” said junior Marco Sanchez.

“Chávez made it difficult for businesses but helped the poor a lot. He used the profits of Venezuela’s natural resources to create programs to help those in need.”

Although the graduation rate rose significantly while Chávez was in office, students faced a high unemployment rate after graduation.

This contributed to the 31.9 percent poverty line Venezuela is enduring, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission. When Chávez was first elected in 1999, 62 percent of Venezuela’s population lived under the poverty line, according to the World Bank statistics.

Chávez was born in the small and poor town of Sabaneta in Venezuela’s Barinas State.

Chávez received a baseball scholarship to the Venezuelan Academy of Military Sciences when he was 21 and became an officer of the democratic

Campus Briefs Georgia State recently installed a Northern Fiber Optic Ring that is expected to eliminate internet processing problems. The Northern Fiber Optic Ring, installed by Southern Telecom, will connect to the university’s existing Southern Fiber Optic Ring.

Three Georgia State students Robert Harris, Loren Udwin and Erica Bracey won top awards in an elevator pitch competition sponsored by the Herman J. Russell, Sr. International Center for Entrepreneurship of the J. Mack Robinson College of Business on March 2.

Twelve faculty members were the first to be named Distinguished University Professors. This title, created this year, recognizes dedication to field of study and, beginning July 1, gives them a five-year position appointment.

Beth McKinney, Wellness Program Director at Cornell University, will be presenting a webinar on eating healthy on March 13 at 11:30 a.m. as part one of Wellness Wednesdays’ Blended Webinar Series. The webinar, entitled “Eat Better Feel Better,” will cover food intake and calorie balancing. To join the session, go to https://sas.elluminate.com/m. jnlpsid=221&password=M. /> 5876C8120E4042188EC61A5E1FE75D. The Skillsoft Lunch and Learn information session is March 14 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. in The Exchange room (106) of Library South. A Skillsoft representative will be in attendance for questions about the new e-learning portal. Space is limited and attendees are encouraged to register for the event at https://docs.google. com/forms/d/139tCad2pABik_ ipHLQjv3abbx_xMWEOFXvK9aQT_jS4/viewform. Registered attendees will be served food.

Grammy-winning jazz vocalist Dianne Reeves will perform on March 16 at 8 p.m. at the Rialto Center for the Arts. Tickets start as $38 and can be purchased at the Rialto Box Office.

hugo chavez republic. After his studies, he was assigned to a counter-insurgency unit and started a long and noteworthy military career. He also served as head of a paratrooper unit.

In the army, Chávez formed the Bolivarian Revolutionary Movement and was sentenced to two years in prison after a failed coup d’état against president Carlos Andres Perez, who was later caught in a series of corruption scandals. Chávez was pardoned years later by former president Rafael Caldera and was voted president in 1999.

Douglas Hooker, executive director of the Atlanta Regional Commission, will present a sustainability forum called “Fifty Forward: Our Urban Challenges and Planning for the Future of Atlanta” on March 14 from noon until 2 p.m. in room 170 of the Urban Life Building.

A beginner iMovie class will be offered on March 13 at 1 p.m. in room 403 of Classroom South. The class will teach participants how to import and edit video and discuss related topics. Students need to bring their Panther Cards for admission.

OPINIONS From the Editorial Board

Leave your guns at home Since the Newtown shooting, the issue of gun control has been a hot button issue for many states.

While most states have their sights set on further restrictions on gun use, Georgia has made the first steps to reducing the amount of regulations on gun owners.

Last week the Safe Carry Protection Act, or HB 512, was passed by the Georgia House of Representatives. The proposed law would reduce the amount of restrictions on legal concealed carry permits, and allow registered gun owners with a concealed carry permit to carry a firearm in churches, bars and college campuses.

There is a saying that goes something like “If you outlaw guns, only outlaws will have guns.” While as a maxim it may oversimplify the issue at hand, it speaks to the core of the issue. Pro gun control advocates hold the position that a reduction in the number of firearms will result in a net reduction in gun crime, while those who lobby for lesser restrictions argue that guns in the hands of law-abiding citizens will act as a crime deterrent.

They are both valid arguments and deserve fair consideration. But how would this law affect Georgia State? The bill still needs to pass the state senate, so its effects have still not reached the public, but now is a crucial time for Georgia State as a community to decide what stance it will take on this controversial topic.

At The Signal, although the idea of more guns on campus concerns us, we believe that a law allowing guns on college campuses would not contribute to a significant increase in the number of firearms on campus.

As it is, the law would not circumvent any standing concealed carry laws. That is to say, it would still be the case that concealed carry permits would be restricted to people aged 21 or older, who would still be a subject to background checks.

If there would be an increase in the number of concealed weapons being carried on campus, it would only be among the population of students who already have their permits. Don’t worry, it won’t mean they will let the freshman carry guns.

As of now, only Utah’s concealed carry laws override the rules of individual institutions. In Utah, state universities must abide by the state’s concealed carry laws, meaning that they are not permitted to ban guns on campus when state law permits citizens to carry weapons on state property.

That means even if HB 512 is passed in to law, it will still be up to us as a university to make a decision about guns on campus. The law would give us the framework to allow guns on campus, but still let us have the option to ban them.

We do not believe an increase of the number of firearms on campus would result in a safer environment, but we understand that the law would only encourage legal gun owners to carry their weapons on campus.

Even though there might be plenty of responsible student gun owners, let’s leave the policing of campus to the GSUPD. Let’s not create an environment of suspicion and readiness, and instead cultivate an environment of learning and development.

If the Georgia Senate passes the law and allows guns on campuses in Georgia, we should stand up and say that we don’t need them here. Leave your guns at home, but don’t forget to bring a pencil.

www.georgiastatesignal.com/opinions

Red light for bus drivers

T

JAIRA BURKE Columnist Jaira Burke is is an international economics and modern languages major with a concentration in Spanish. Jaira is also a member of the InterVarsity Campus Ministry as well as the International Justice Mission.

Follow her @JairaTheIcon

wenty-eight Georgia State shuttle bus drivers are unaware as to if they will have a job within the next coming weeks. They have been under heavy scrutiny and surveillance after a newspaper article was published highlighting five written complaints over a 9-month period.

Although the few “bad apple” shuttle bus drivers have been penalized and are no longer working at Georgia State, almost 30 other shuttle bus drivers are at risk of losing their jobs, and very livelihood.

Instead of renegotiating its contract with First Transit, whom Georgia State’s bus drivers are currently employed under, Georgia State is putting its contact up for open bid. This means that the lowest bidder, offering the cheapest price, will take over Georgia State’s shuttle bus services. But at what expense is this cheaper labor?

According to Sandra Stimpson, the Office manager for Teamsters, the union Georgia State shuttle bus drivers are represented by, Georgia State shuttle bus drivers start on an average hourly wage of $11.50, while most other bus companies pay their workers close to minimum wage. Cheaper labor isn’t necessarily better labor and the harsh reality is that when a new company steps in, all of the current shuttle bus drivers can be fired with little to no warning.

This is exactly what happened to bus drivers at Georgia Tech in 2009. This is not just 28 shuttle bus drivers losing their jobs (not to mention managers, dispatchers and other personnel), but also people losing their livelihood with little to no regard at all.

One may wonder how this will influence Georgia State, being that the shuttle bus drivers are not directly employed by the school. But Georgia State must take responsibility for its structural relationship with First Transit as an employing entity.

After all, it is Georgia State’s hesitation to renew the contract that has its shuttle bus drivers in this situation. Georgia State has means of resolving whatever issues it has with Frist Transit, which appear to be virtually few to none at all.

The consequence of hiring the lowest bidding company is not just 28 people losing their jobs, but

harsh working conditions for the incoming shuttle bus drivers. Offering a lower contract means a reduction in labor costs, which ultimately equates to lower benefits, lower wages and no voice for workers.

First Transit allows its workers the right to unionize; many companies do not. And being that Georgia is a “Right to Work” state, who’s to say that workers won’t suffer intimidation, harassment and discrimination for trying to form a union and cohesive representation for their rights?

Georgia State has a role in what is happening to these shuttle bus drivers and its refusal to help the lives of these loyal and dependable people. This shows the university’s inherent apathy for honest, working class people.

A monetary amount of a bid should not be Georgia State’s only concern. Georgia State should concern itself with hiring ethical contractors, not just the cheapest contractors.

Cheap labor comes at a price.

More than 30 people losing their jobs and overall livelihood should not be deemed acceptable or disregarded. Many students have positive relationships with the current shuttle bus drivers.

The shuttle bus drivers are not just workers behind a steering wheel, but are intricate parts of the Georgia State community. It is morally and ethically wrong to not consider the livelihood of these loyal workers in an effort to save a couple thousand dollars.

Workers like Kathy Stafford, a proud, single mother, Teamster member and shuttle bus driver, deserves to keep her job. But instead of Georgia State looking at the lives they are essentially affecting, its only concern seems to be pocket change in the bottom of the wallet of Georgia State’s seamlessly million dollar budget.

Bottom line, the current shuttle bus drivers are providing good service and deserve the right to keep their jobs. With the economy already in the compromising state it’s in, one should be afforded the security and stability of knowing they have their job.

The essential degree in today’s job field

A

MITCHELL OLIVER Columnist Mitchell Oliver is an Eagle Scout studying Finance at GSU to be a top financial consultant or financial adviser His influences for writing include Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner of Freakonomics fame.

Follow him @madmoneyATL.

recent article in the New York Times reveals how one law firm in Atlanta is paving the way for the future of hiring. As we all know, it is becoming difficult to obtain a decent job without at least a bachelor’s degree. What companies are doing now is not hiring anyone for any position without a college degree. Yes, even the $10/hour courier at the law firm of Busch, Slipakoff & Schuh is a recent graduate of Georgia State University.

The logic behind this comprises of two things.

One, those with college degrees are, in their nature, goal and career-oriented. Two, obtaining a degree at a 4-year college takes determination and multiple characteristics that employers look for in new hires.

Not that high school graduates do not or will not ever have these traits, but as executive recruiter Suzanne Manzagol stated, “When you get 800 résumés for every job ad, you need to weed them out somehow.”

This to me sums up the zeitgeist of today’s job field: the demand for jobs is so much greater than the supply that is has become a buyers’ market for employers. They can pick and choose how they

wish, and I think more companies should follow Busch, Slipakoff and Schuh’s lead.

A recent Forbes article showed that 60 percent of college graduates were unable to find work in their chosen profession.

This number would be surprising but, considering that unemployment of college grads is hovering around 6 to 7 percent, this high number reflects more about modern hiring practices than anything else. This shows that there’s almost 50 percent more job seekers with college degrees looking for work among those without degrees.

Any employer who is comparing two prospects will pick the one with a degree nine times out of 10, so it is becoming more and more crucial to obtain a degree.

While the idea that there’s a 60 percent chance you won’t find work in your degree field is disheartening, that number jumps to 100 percent for all non-college graduates. The college degree has become absolutely essential to obtaining a job--not even a great paying one. Now it is only a matter of time before a master’s degree is the new bachelor’s.

From our Twitter feed twitter.com/gsusignal

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columnists

You’ve got the opinion.

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To be a guest columnist, send in your thoughts to signalopinions@gmail.com. To be a (paid) staff columnist, Download application from georgiastatesignal.com/employment and turn it in to Dr. Bryce McNeil at 330 Student Center

TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2013

Food for thought F AMI DUDLEY Columnist Ami Dudley is a junior English major and one of The Signal’s premier staff critics. She was recently published in “The Underground” literary journal.

Follow her @amidudley

just for laughs

JABARI KIONGOZI Resident Humorist Jabari hails from outside the 285 perimeter. He’s thought of as short, kind of cute and theoretically rich.

He’s a comedian, so go to his shows.

Follow him @JoeBraxton

rom the dawn of our college years to the sunset, the Georgia State student will encounter many expenses such as tuition, housing, books, supplies, parking, gas and printing. With these reoccurring costs, we may not be able to catch that concert, purchase that new jacket or get those airline tickets. But we can afford one basic human need and that is eating…or so we thought.

Complaints about the costs of food in Georgia State eateries are circulating around campus. Students and even professors feel they are getting ripped off by marked-up prices.

With that being said, there are two things you must know if you are a student who feels this way: You are indeed getting ripped off and this won’t change. It’s no secret that campus food is overpriced.

So the question becomes: “Why is it marked-up?” The answer is convenience.

Any venue that sells food will have overpriced food because it’s convenient for the customers. No one wants to leave a movie, an amusement park or a concert to get a bite to eat. These places even go as far as prohibiting outside food from the venue. This same tactic is being used at Georgia State.

Students get thirsty and hungry at some point on campus. We’ve already been to a

IDGAF

Y

ou know what the week of class before spring break and American Idol have in common? People stopped caring.

I’m suffering bad. I visited my doctor about it and he diagnosed me with “IDGAF.” My parents were a bit devastated when they found out. Symptoms include procrastination and excessive day dreaming during lecture. Remedies for this ailment are turning up.

I sought treatment over my three-day weekends. But it’s kind of like getting free samples at Sam’s Club. They’re just a teaser you can never really get too hyped off of. I’m sure many of you also do not have classes on Friday. As of lately, it’s simply not enough and keeps you wanting more. So Spring Break is the bulk order of college memories to cash in on.

As anxious as I am for Spring Break to arrive, I’m grateful it’s still a few more days away rather than me writing this article and reminiscing about the liver I almost lost back in February. Remember that? How horrible was it when Spring Break took place so far away from the spring season we were practically sharing Winter Break with grade school? Well, our voices were heard and some change was made about the issue. So thank you to whoever is responsible.

7

OPINIONS few classes and we’ve finally got a break.

The break is all but 45 minutes before our next course begins. Your options are limited and restricted to the campus grounds. If you take your car out then you’ll have to pay for parking again. A MARTA trip could cause you to be late for your class upon returning.

You could walk to a local eatery but once you calculate the walking distance you realize that only leaves you 10 minutes to stuff your face.

So you do what we all do. You eat at one of our very own campus eateries. Georgia State is very aware of this convenience that they provide for you and they’re milking the cow. So what can we do about this?

You’ve got to make food access more convenient for YOU. This may sound elementary, but pack your lunch. Why did we lose this childhood tradition? It’s honestly one of the most valuable things we could’ve learned as a child. Packing your lunch not only saves money but leads to healthier food options. “But won’t my food get spoiled on campus?” That’s why insulated lunch bags were invented. They don’t cost much and will prove to be loyal. There are microwaves on campus as well for hot lunches.

We don’t have to pay for marked-up food.

We just have to rid ourselves of complacency and put the dollar in the right hands.

Don’t feel bummed if you aren’t going anywhere interesting. I’m sure you can still find thanks in not having to listen to that one kid in class that always speaks and gets the “WTF” look from his classmates. Here’s a suggestion to make time spent at home much better. Most important, avoid being glued to Facebook, Twitter and Instrgram. You’ll only feel more pathetic when you see your friends getting Trojan Henna tattoos in PC, letting everyone know they’re available for the week. Or enjoying the lenient dress code in Miami that works more in a woman’s favor to properly even out that t-shirt tan.

And to my travelers, be safe, of course, but you better make the highlight reel. Go hard for those that couldn’t. Annihilate any scrubs in beer pong. No redemption! Fist pump like you’ve never fist pumped before (if you still do that I guess). You might not be able to find a swimming pool full of liquor to dive in, either.

But you can substitute it with a bath tub or at least make a fish bowl. Pour out some libations for your homeboy or homegirl that stayed back to spend more quality time at their nine-tofive. And when Drake comes on, let the world know “we started from the bottom, now we here!”

YOUR VOICE • YOUR OPINIONS In honor of St. Patrick’s Day and Spring Break, this week we talked to students about their worst hangover experience.

“What happened the last time you had a hangover so terrible that you haven’t had one worse since?”

Name: Emmanuel Rojas Major: art “My first hangover was actually a semester ago. I went to my friend’s house. It was a birthday and we were partying and I starting drinking a lot of alcohol. I usually don’t drink but I started drinking a lot of beer. In our Mexican culture they say, ‘Drink some soup and that’s going to help with the alcohol level and drunkenness and help you not throw up.’ That’s not true, dude. The next day, I woke up and felt like shit.”

Name: nick dukes Major: Architecture “I’d have to say probably a couple of weekends ago. I had gotten super wasted and I had to go back to the car and sleep it off for a few hours and woke up the next morning with a crazy headache and throwing up, the usual. I had gone to the club…and I had to sleep that off. That Cuervo will knock you off your feet.”

Name: Michael turner Major: marketing “I went to Tech for a party and I drank heavily. I was drinking gin and tonics and margaritas. I woke up the next day and walked and rode the shuttle back to Turner Field, got back to my house and threw up for the next four hours and my throat felt like a piece of sandpaper because of all the lime. It was bad, I haven’t done it since.”

Name: Danielle Elizabeth Pautler Major: psychology “My friend owns a rock climbing gym and we stayed up all night drinking and climbing. We were doing heavy exercise and drinking way too much, and the next morning we had planned to go to the park so with all the sun and the heat, being hungover was awful.”

The Weakly Comic by william miracle

Name: Lauren Roberts Major: biology “No, actually I don’t drink enough to really have a hangover. It’s mostly go out with friends on the weekend and have a couple drinks then go home… We wanted to go to Savannah because they do a really big St. Patrick’s Day thing, they dye the whole harbor green and they shut down the street and have a parade two weeks before. I don’t know if were going to go, it’s kind of an expensive trip. Might just save some money for summer.”

Name: Alexis Lynch Major: Exercise Science and Education “I don’t typically get hangovers, but my worse intoxicated experience, I drank all day from four o’ clock until two, very heavily. I woke up and was surprised that I even made it home. There was one point where I was sitting in the back of a car and I thought I was getting sold off to a Mexican drug cartel or sex trade situation. I got in the car and we started driving, I was with this French homosexual guy, and this guy that looked Hispanic but I think he was Egyptian, and we were in the back of a pizza delivery guy truck or something. We rode for what felt like hours, but I think it was only 20 minutes. I don’t really remember what happened after that, I just know I woke up the next morning in my bed.”

8

OPINIONS

TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2013

Hugo Chávez: flawed, but wrongly demonized

H ISMAEL SUAREZ

Ismael is a Journalism major with a minor in Economics. Copy editor, NBA reporter and photographer of The Signal. Outside the classroom, Ismael enjoys sports, literature and history, among other subjects.

Follow him @RicoSuarezz

ugo Chávez was the devil.

Under his 14 years as Venezuela’s president, he cut the percentage of Venezuelans living under the poverty from a peak of 62 percent in 2003 to 29 percent in 2009, according to the World Bank statistics. He created programs to subsidize food, benefiting approximately 14 million Venezuelans today.

Also, he alphabetized 2 million Venezuelans who could not read or write. He hired Cuban doctors to assist people in the most precarious places of the country, where medical assistance was inexistent.

He facilitated Venezuelans access to higher education and bettered their health care system.

What a criminal!

Well, at least for American media outlets, who utilized Chávez’s death as an excuse to discredit his revolutionary ideals one last time, those accomplishments seem to not be enough to make him a good leader.

An article by CNN on March 6 (one day after Chávez’s passing) said, “The fervor of his followers, combined with the disdain of the upper classes, created a polarization in Venezuela that runs deeper than anything blue or red in the United States.”

Polarization that runs deeper than in the United States?

Chávez might have been boisterous, sometimes vulgar and firm on excluding the U.S. from Latin American affairs. Can you blame him? Ever since Teddy Roosevelt, Latin America has gained independence from the Europeans only to fall under U.S. control. Since then, the U.S. government has managed to fill the region with leaders that favored its interests. If you don’t believe me, Google “School of the Americas.” You’ll learn all about it.

Anyway, back to polarization.

As the March 6 Reuters/Ipsos online poll showed, President Obama has a 43 percent approval. On March 5, Chávez died with 68 percent approval and the consensus is that Vice President Nicolas Maduro (Chávez’s hand-picked successor)

will attain an easy victory in April 14, when elections are held to find out who will be the next president of Venezuela.

It seems as if when it comes to Chávez, American journalists lose their ability to interpret statistics efficiently. The large majority of Venezuela is Chavista, while not even half of the Americans support President Obama. Which country is more polarized?

USA Today gave Chávez page 2A of their paper that same day with a story that led like this: “Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, the socialist leader who assailed U.S. influence in Latin America in his campaign against capitalism and democratic freedoms, died Tuesday. He was 58.”

His campaign against democratic freedoms?

Apparently, the fact that, for the last four years, Venezuela has led its region in electoral participation is a synonym of “dictatorship.” In 1998, the participation rate was 54 percent. Today it’s more than 80 percent.

Or maybe what he did in 1999 makes him an evil human. He proposed a referendum (something unprecedented in Venezuela) to change the country’s constitution, assuring the indigenous people three seats in the constitutional assembly. For the first time, the Venezuelan population began to have proportional representation in the legislative process. Yet, that same article by USA Today says that by doing this, “Chávez... rewrote the country’s constitution in his favor.”

Do American journalists not have access to a fact-checking system? Are they not good with numbers, or do they just omit these facts because Chávez’s ideals do not serve to the best interest of their bosses?

After all, our media is owned by multimillionaire conglomerates...and, trust me; rich folks don’t really see socialism with good eyes. Why would they want you to like it?

The sad thing is we actually buy this because, let’s face it, when was the last time you sat down to research Venezuelan history for entertainment? It’s

“

Opinions of Chávez should be based on whether or not you agree with a more equalitarian economy, not on misconstrued news. But the facts speak for themselves.

much easier for us to buy the reality the media in our country sell us. Therefore, that’s our only reality and to us, that’s the only truth, sadly.

Opinions of Chávez should be based on whether or not you agree with a more equalitarian economy, not on misconstrued news. But the facts speak for themselves. Our government, through the media, practices a very effective technique when referring to the “enemy.” Chávez wasn’t an exception.

The only freedoms Chávez eradicated were the freedoms the elite exercised by running an economic system based on exploitation.

The wealthiest will never like him. Why? Because he corrected a flawed system and led a revolution that benefited the majority, not just the elites. What they oversee is that, although paying higher taxes might keep them from buying a yacht or new car, millions of other people obtain the right (yes, this should be a human right) to have a plate of food in front of them or a roof over their heads.

What extent can human greed reach to? Chávez has been demonized over and over again because we, as Americans with a higher standard of living, do not know what it’s like to not have something to eat. Lucky us: we were born in the “right” place. But the fact is that the 62 percent of Venezuelans were born on the “unlucky” side. The media might not show it, but they’re there... and Chávez did everything to help them.

ARTS & LIVING

www.georgiastatesignal.com/artsandliving

Te Lo Dije ‘I told you so’

Aspiring Latin pop sensation (and Georgia State student) Fabio Legarda and his devoted crew make their move.

SABASTIAN WEE Editor-in-Chief

F

or Fabio Legarda, it all starts with a melody.

Then it’s riffing back and forth with fellow songwriter Keezy, forming a rough sketch and refining it for the next couple of hours.

What usually follows is a late night phone call to Bryan Anzel, Legarda’s sound engineer, for an impromptu recording session.

Late nights like these led to the creation of “Necesito tu Amor,” one of Legarda’s biggest hits to date, which he performed in front of thousands in Miami last weekend when he opened for Pitbull. The song is also on heavy rotation on 96.5 FM, Atlanta’s premier Latin radio station.

“There was really something spiritual about the way that song came out,” said Legarda, a marketing major at Georgia State.

“Keezy came up with the melody, then we both worked on the lyrics for like a couple of hours, then I just had to call Bryan to ask him if we could come in to record this song we came up with.”

Anzel was on his way out of the recording studio that night, ready to close up shop.

“They gave me a call and I had already been working all day and was ready to go home, but they really wanted to record, so I said ‘OK,’” Anzel said.

Legarda and Keezy, along with Legarda’s primary business partner DJ ET, got to the studio and began working around 2:30 a.m. By dawn, the track was finished.

“We still had to go to class that morning too,” Legarda said.

“One of us had to take a test, I’m not sure. But it was worth it, man.”

For the most part, life has been exactly like that night for Legarda and his crew of close friends/partners.

“It just seems like I’m always in a rush,” Legarda said.

“To seek out a better life”

Born and raised in Colombia, Legarda grew up fascinated by the vibrant Latin music community and idolizing Columbian greats like Carlos Vives and Shakira.

But his parents faced unemployment and saw little opportunity for their family, along with concerns of the spiking crime rate in their area. When Legarda turned 11, they moved stateside.

“We came here like most immigrants, to seek out a better life,” Legarda said. “We really didn’t have much there, and it was really hard.”

Coming to America was an eye-opening musical experience for Legarda.

“I have always loved music. When I was little, I memorized all kinds of songs, always banging on things, mostly to salsa, merengue, bachata—all kinds of Latin music,” Legarda said. “But when I got to America, I was exposed to so much more, like hip-hop, R&B, pop. I just fell in love with it all.”

The culture clash ultimately defined Legarda and his music.

“It became my dream to put both of my cultures together and bring that to the world,” he said.

By the time he turned 16, Legarda performed for any kind of audience he could find. His venues ranged from high school and birthday parties to clubs and Latin festivals.

“I would see these people’s reactions and it just became so real to me and made me realize that this was what I wanted to do,” Legarda said. “I saw how it makes them happy, and so this was how I wanted to spread happiness to the world.”

“I told you so”

By the age of 18, he signed with BME Records, the recording label founded by Lil’ Jon. While a major feat for Legarda, he would eventually part ways with the label and later signed with Flavor Unit, Queen Latifah’s production company. With Flavor Unit, Legarda only had to deal with being managed, without interference in making music the way he wanted to.

“I realized that I was going to have to do a lot of things myself and build a team around me,” Legarda said. “So it’s really been a blessing, because it’s forced me to build that team, a team of people that I trust.”

The pieces began to fall into place once Legarda arrived at Georgia State. He met DJ ET (birth name Joshua Jacques) in music business class and his future marketing and social media manager Michael Stearns in marketing class.

Once the three of them got together, the project began to take shape. They met each Sunday, setting a schedule and goals.

“Having that organization really brought the project together, helping everybody stay on track,” Legarda said. “Because before I knew I had ‘this, this and this’ to do, but nothing would really get done because of how crazy my schedule was.”

The trio eventually created TLD Records, which stood for “Te Lo Dije,” the Spanish phrase for “I told you so.” It’s a saying Legarda incorporates into most of his songs.

“A lot of people feel that the entertainment industry is impossible, making them think they need to stick with something safe, which I understand,” Legarda said. “But my passion is music.

And the more I succeed in doing what I love, the more I can tell people ‘I told you so,’ because it is possible. You can live what your passion is and do what you love.”

With the new label started, one of the first orders of business was to wipe the slate clean. Legarda pulled all of his previously released music from the Web and began to record brand new songs.

Legarda eventually connected with Anzel, a fellow Colombian native who is also a close friend of the family. Anzel job at Triangle Sound Studios, a recording studio in Atlanta owned by Redzone Entertainment, allowed them to record in a high profile workspace that’s hosted the likes of Justin Bieber, Busta Rhymes

CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

SABASTIAN WEE | THE SIGNAL

Top: An avid music enthusiast, Fabio Legarda blends American and Latin pop and hip-hop into his music, citing influences like Carlos Vive and Michael Jackson. Above: (From left to right) DJ ET, Bryan Anzel and Legarda spend about 30 hours a week in the recording studio. (Left) Legarda prefers to keep business out of the studio.

(Below) The orginal trio— DJ ET, Legarda and Michael Stearns. Legarda will be performing at the Copa Cabana on March 15.

Cost: $25 for all three days

The Society of Professional Journalist regional convention Georgia State University March 15 - 17 The SIGNAL and South Florida SPJ present

THE 2013

MEDIATLANTA CONFERENCE Including guest speakers from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Creative Loafing, Student Press Law Center and many more!

FREE workshops on Friday, March 15!

For more information, visit mediatlanta. com or contact Bryce McNeil at 404-4131617 or email at bmcneil1@gsu.edu

BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

What you get: -One-on-one sessions with the pros -Networking with peers -Mock interviews and resume reviews -Personalized critiques of your work

11

A&L

TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2013

Night of the century

Couple Andriy and Veronika Kruglashov hail from the Ukraine and share an intimate moment during Moulin Bleu. After their dance, Andriy Kruglashov said, “[The event] is wonderful. Absolutely wonderful. Wonderful people, very relaxed, they look great and I’m very happy to be here.”

Georgia State’s Moulin Bleu brought an eclectic flavor to the centennial celebration

PHOTOS BY JOSHUA YU | THE SIGNAL

Belly dancers rounded out the entertainment for Moulin Bleu before the DJ entered the stage. The dancer shows dexterity as she moves throughout the ballroom.

The Prince Project, of Modoca and Company, soulfully slaps his bass as the band entertains Georgia State for the night. Traveling with Modoca since 1997, The Prince Project is also a multi-instrumentalist with experience in percussion, vocals and guitar in addition to bass guitar.

Jabriel McIntosh of Spotlight Programs Board (right) and his guest dance through the center of the ballroom. McIntosh said, “[Moulin Bleu] is fairly amazing. The jazz band is off the chain, […]the food is amazing, the décor is amazing. It’s an awesome event.”

Following Modca and Company, can-can dancers took charge of center stage as they seductively entertained Moulin Bleu. As a duet, the dancers drew a large crowd.

ZUMBATHON: where fun and fitness bring people together SAMANTHA REARDON Staff Reporter

H

CANDRA UMUNNA | THE SIGNAL

Zumba class is offered at the Rec Center on Tuesdays from 11-11:50am lead by instructor Nadia.

ave you ever had so much fun dancing that you forgot not to break a sweat?

Zumbathon is back at Georgia State.

More than 200 people participated in Zumbathon last year, and Coordinator of Instructional Programs Stephanie Belcher hopes this year will be even better.

Belcher has been involved in fitness since childhood, and now she’s able to bring fitness events and classes to the students at Georgia State.

“I think the group classes are a good way for people who may not necessarily like to work out on their own,” Belcher said. “But they can still come in and find something they like and get a good work out, and hopefully lead that healthy lifestyle.”

A healthy lifestyle is an integral part of getting Americans more attuned to their own health.

That is where fitness instructors like Nadia Walker-Trotter, who will be leading the dance for the first hour at Zumbathon, come in.

“As we know in this nation, obesity is an epidemic,” Walker-Trotter said. “Especially for students here, it’s not even that they’re obese - they’re just sedentary. They need to get up and get moving. So I’m hoping that that’s going to spark some

interest, some friends will grab their other friends and come at least once or twice a week out to a class and get some exercise.”

Zumba does more than help students watch their weight.

“It’s a great stress reliever,” Walker-Trotter continued. “When you’re studying, studying, studying and you’ve got all these problems on your mind, come take a class.”

Jinel Grey, a junior in the nursing program, attends Zumba classes at the rec center. She likes the fact that classes are fun and work around her schedule. Like all Georgia State students, she pays no additional cost to attend a Zumba class – it’s completely free.

“It’s coming out of tuition. So it’s convenient,” Grey said. “It really sets us apart from all the other college campuses. At Tech they have to pay for classes and on other campuses they have to pay more to use their rec centers.”

Belcher said the classes offered at the Rec Center are like academic classes. If you don’t come, she explained, your teacher notices and that gives you the accountability to keep coming back.

“I think college is a really important time for people. Students get distracted and are pulled thousands of ways or over-commited to everything. So just a break – one hour a day in a group fitness class – is something really important for students to have,” said Belcher.

T D A

O R IMAN NAIM Staff Reporter

There are just a few more days left until Spring Break comes.

All around the country, beaches and bars will be crowded with college students wild with the need to party off the midterm stress.

If you’re one of the unlucky ones who didn’t bother planning for the glorious break and are now regretting it, cheer up! We’ve got a list of lowbudget, high-fun, close-by destinations where you can make your memories.

New Orleans, Louisiana: Drive Time: About 7 hours Activities: Food, bars, clubs, a rich history, a wide music scene, loud and colorful festivals, tourism: New Orleans has EVERYTHING to make an unforgettable trip.

Biloxi, Mississippi: Drive Time: 5 ½ hours Activities: Bouncing back from Hurricane Katrina, Biloxi is full of surprises with its beautiful beaches, jet skiing, deep-sea fishing and other beach activities.

Panama City Beach, Florida: Drive Time: 6 hours Activities: Panama City is known for its beautiful white sand beaches.

Unfortunately, it’s also known for being overcrowded with hundreds of wasted college students on spring break. But PCB also has plenty of bars, concerts, shopping, dining and beach activities like surfing, snorkeling and parasailing.

P I R T

Your Roadtrip Playlist: The Signal staff shared its favorite roadtrip songs to make one epic playlist for the ride to your destination!

Asheville, North Carolina: Drive Time: About 3 ½ hours Activities: This quirky town is full of attractions for the hippie granola in each of us. Organic markets, backwoods hiking and an alternative music scene are a few of the things Asheville has to offer.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina: Drive Time: About 5 ½ hours Activities: Myrtle Beach also has concerts in its House of Blues, bars, shopping, boardwalk, wildlife, dining, zip-lining and the 187-foot-tall Skywheel.

Savannah/Tybee Island: Drive Time: About 4 hours Activities: Jet skiing, paddle boarding, surfing, kayaking, canoeing and biking. The Savannah music Festival is also taking place the week of spring break.

Tampa, Florida: Drive Time: About 6 ½ hours Activities: The dining and nightlife of Tampa and the beach adventures of Gulf Coast beaches make Tampa the best of both worlds for spring breakers.

The coastal area has paddle boarding, sailing, fishing, horseback riding, biking, beachside paths and more.

St. Augustine, Florida: Drive Time: About 6 hours Activities: Not only is St. Augustine an adorable city, but the local beaches give visitors a beautiful place to swim, surf and sunbathe.

1. Highway to Hell - AC/DC 2. Street Fighting Man The Rolling Stones 3. Run This Town - Jay-Z 4. Free Bird - Lynyrd Skynyrd 5. Heart – Barracuda 6. The Gambler - Kenny Rogers 7. Ghetto Musik – Outkast 8. Born to be Wild - Steppenwolf 9. No Sleep till Brooklyn Beastie Boys 10. Learning to Fly - Tom Petty 11. Goin’ Back to Cali - LL Cool J 12. California Love - Tupac

Provisions: Don’t forget to pack these for a relaxing, safe trip!

1. Auxiliary cord 2. Pillow/ blanket for a quick nap in the back seat 3. A cooler with food 4. A camera with extra batteries 5. Check out a couple of travel apps. These are some good ones: a. The Northface- Trailhead: to search for all the hiking and biking routes in your area b.Urbanspoon: look for all the closest restaurants wherever you are c.Kayak: look for hotels, car rentals and tourist attractions 6. A physical map: you never know how good your signal will be 7. Toiletries: if you’re headed to a beach don’t forget the sunscreen and sunglasses 8. A First Aid Kit: band aids, ibuprofen, antiseptic hand cleanser, antibiotic ointment, gauze, and tweezers.

9. A spare tire and an extra gallon of gas 10. A best friend!

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A&L

TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2013

EVENT PREVIEW

Ray Day at Georgia State Sustainability event honors grandfather’s memory y trying to promote a greener campus, the Ray C. Anderson Foundation will be promoting sustainability at the campus event, Ray Day. After Ray Anderson passed away in 2011, he left his foundation to his two daughters, Harriet Langford and Mary Anne Lanier.

“His two daughters run the foundation and it’s an environmental and sustainable research foundation,” said McCall Langford, project coordinator for the Ray C. Anderson Foundation.

“They fund research projects, but they are also trying to educate and change everyone’s mindset regarding sustainability.”

Already having a connection to the foundation, when Langford had a class assignment that involved organizing she automatically thought of her grandfather’s foundation.

“It was really nice it worked out.

Serendipity, you know everything just fell into place,” Langford said.

For this project, there are several different roles each student has to play, such as the public relations role in which Catherine Young is in charge of. This event is not only supporting sustainability for Georgia State, but also the role students can play.

Harriet Langford said, “I’m going SUBMITTED PHOTOS off of the power of one and that each (Top) Ray Anderson is honored by his family continuing his sutainability student can make a difference. It’s what foundation. Below: Harriet Langford, Mellisa Langford Heflin and McCall I call raising awareness about sustainLangford organizing an event at Georgia State. ability.”

Langford is not the only grandchild who is involved with her grandfather’s foundation; two other cousins are as well.

“He would be blown away with what my mom and aunt have done.

They have taken this above and beyond what I think he expected them they to do. I think he would get tickled if he knew the grandkids were involved,” Langford said.

According to Langford, Georgia State is known for lacking sustainability in the Southeast.

“Georgia State is far behind when it comes to sustainability and energy saving techniques, but they are supposed to be making changes and it’s happening now. It really is having everyone come together and making a difference,” Langford said.

A class project turned into a way for students to make a valuable difference on campus and test their business savvy.

The foundation not only wants to spread the word on how important sustainability is, but if this event goes well then they hope to visit other colleges as well.

“If this goes well, if we can make a difference then the foundation will probably take it to other campuses,” Langford said.

The event will have a Q-and-A that will include guests such as, Bill Strang the CEO of TODO, a sustainable toilet company, Laura Turner Seydel, Ted Turner’s daughter and possibly the Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, if all falls into place.

A competition is taking place leading up to the event and will end on

TECH REVIEW

‘FABIO’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

KAYLYN HINZ Staff Reporter

B

Low on cash? There’s an app for that

Students can use their phones to pinch pennies RAVEN SCHLEY Staff Writer

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earning how to manage and save money can be a challenge for many college students.

However, new technology is opening the door to endless opportunities for students to keep the money they have in their pockets.

With the majority of students using smart phones, it has become as easy as tapping a button to get great deals on events and products. Both Apple and the Android Market release thousands of free apps every year, and many of them deal with personal finance.

According to some students, like Oreofe Ogunkanmi, if students used these types of apps more often, it could help them keep money in their wallets.

“It would be helpful. You can download apps that give you coupons, or scan codes to get promotions,” Ogunkanmi said.

Some beneficial apps available are “Key Ring Reward Cards,” “I Love Free Things” and “Foodmatic.” Each have their own unique advantages and each allow students to “ball on

a budget.”

Key Ring Rewards Cards is an app that allows people to keep up with all of their loyalty cards, membership cards, library cards and coupons. It eliminates the need to carry multiple plastic cards or papers by scanning the barcode on them and storing them into the smart phone.

The app also allows users to join new loyalty programs and get exclusive coupons from top retailers.

Keeping up with multiple cards from different stores can be a hassle, so this app would be very good for students because they could access all of their discounts quickly from one place.

“I think I would use the Key Ring Rewards Card app the most because those [cards] are very hard to keep up with,” said Tia Jackson, a sophomore at Georgia State.

I Love Free Things is every student’s dream app. In Jackson’s words, “Who doesn’t like free stuff?”

This app helps people save money by giving them instant access to free samples and freebie offers. It works because companies are always trying to reach new people and they promote themselves by giving away free items.

“I would use the I Love Free Things app because, as a college student, it would be the best way to save money. Where ever you can save money is good,” said Christen Lott, a sophomore at Georgia State.

Foodmatic is a good app for students who may not have a meal plan in the dining hall. When it comes to the diet of a college kid, things can get pretty rough. College is probably the only time when Ramen noodles can be considered a gourmet meal.

However, this app allows users to enter in random ingredients that they may have sitting around the kitchen and it will come up with a recipe for them.

Students normally just have odds and ends in their dorms, so this app could be good when you don’t have much to work with in the kitchen and you don’t know what to make.

Receiving and spending money are two of college kid’s favorite things to do, according to some students.

“It’s just fun to spend money.

Something about money just makes you feel great,” Jackson said.

However, with these smartphone apps students can find alternative and cheaper ways to get the stuff that they need.

and Kelly Rowland.

“There’s a vibe in this place that everyone says they feel when they come in here,” DJ ET said. “It’s the feeling that you’re doing something great. Something real.”

“Flowed like magic”

It was in one of these dimly-lit control rooms at the studiowhere they recorded “Amor.”

With the framework of the song finished, the tired but excited Legardo and DJ ET returned later that day to finish the mixing. The song piqued the interests of hip-hop artists B. Howard and BK Brasco, who happened to be visiting the studio that day.

“We were just working and they just came in, heard the song and was like, ‘man, we’ve got some ideas,’” Legarda said. “And it just flowed like magic. It was beautiful.”

The song will be part of Legarda’s first EP, titled “One Life,” released from his label on March 30. The EP will feature six of the 20 songs he recorded over the past year.

“I spend probably about 30 hours a week in the studio,” Legarda said. “But it’s also the atmosphere of it. When I’m there, I only work on music. Business has to be separate. If we do business at the studio, it’ll throw the whole vibe off.”

Stearns, who manages Legarda’s marketing and business presence, sticks to what he knows best, rarely coming into the studio.

“They’ll listen to the same damn

April 4. Any Georgia State student can participate and submit their work anytime before. The competition consists of three categories: writing, visual arts and video. Each piece of work sent in has to relate to sustainability in some way.

“It’s supposed to be a really cool event there are going to be a lot of sustainability gurus coming to the event.

It’s sort of a networking opportunity for students,” Langford said.

Although the winners will not be announced until two weeks after the event. The foundation still hopes to see everyone who participated there to celebrate sustainability. Students who place in the top three will receive a $500 scholarship.

“I think it’s important for business students to look into it. I feel like this is the way the world is coming and naturally it’s going to affect business. I think it’s cool for all of the students to be involved because we can just know more about how to protect our planet and being sustainable,” Young said.

The Georgia State Foundation is coming together with the Ray C. Anderson Foundation on April 4. Ray Day will be held in the lobby at the Rialto Center from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Ray day At the Rialto Center April 4 Noon - 2 p.m.

song for hours. And the worst part is, I live with them. So they come home and play the same beat all over again. For days, even,” Stearns said. “So I just concentrate on the business side of things.”

“We don’t have to wait on anybody.”

For Legarda, he may have performed in front of thousands of people at more than 300 venues, but graduating this May gives him the same jitters every student gets.

“I do get a little intimidated, because now I must decide what’s going to happen for the rest of our lives,” he said. “I was just talking to a friend the other day who was telling me, ‘man, I’m scared, because I don’t have a job yet and I’m graduating in three months.’ You know, it’s the same for me. Even though I know what I want to do, sometimes you’ll have those days where you’re like ‘man, this is crazy.’”

Stearns and DJ ET (who now attends Morehouse College) are both heading towards graduation as well.

“We’re ready for it,” Stearns said.

“This is what we’ve been working towards these last couple of years.”

Jitters aside, Legarda has his sights set for the future, not just for him, but his crew. While the crew has swelled to about 10 collaborators, the original quartet has become a close-knit family.

“This group here, we’re like family,” Legarda said. “I’m really confident with where we’re heading. For me, I’m learning something new everyday, with the music, with the business. We’ve realized we don’t have to wait on anybody. We can do this, and we can do it now.”

TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2013

columns

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FASHION FORECAST

PANTHER AT LARGE

All retro for Spring Break T

Traveling Solo

ake a trip to paradise! Load up the Bel Air, throw on some Best Coast and pack these 50s-inspired spring break essentials:

1. High-waisted swimsuit: Get those beach-y vibes go-

SAMANTHA REARDON Columnist

Tweet Samantha and share your thoughts on fashion, inspiration and Ryan Gosling, of course.

Follow Samantha Reardon @pinsandplats

ing retro style. The adorable “room and diving board” two-piece ($100) and “beach blanket bingo” two-piece ($90) are wonderfully Grace Kelly-esque (both at Modcloth.com). If you’re more into one-piece suits, American Apparel has got you covered with their nylon tricot halter one-piece ($50). If you want to make a whole look of it, throw on a skinny belt over your suit and you’ll be the queen of Acapulco.

1

2. Cat eye/wayfarer shades: Don’t be a square when it

comes to your sunnies, honey! Throw Nasty Gal’s tortoiseshell prowl shades ($18) on those peepers. If you’re more into wayfarers, the Wallis sunglasses ($18 at Need Supply Co.) are somewhere between classic-Americana and contemporary-awesomesauce. So basically they’re the bees knees.

3. Straw beach bag: Leave the backpack at home! Tote

your towels in something hip and functional that will preferably never be used for textbooks. The 59-Seconds heart-print straw bag ($11 at Yesstyle.com), mar y sol Havana stripe tote ($120 at Bloomingdale’s) or Tantra large fabric bag ($52 at yoox.com) are some of my favorite picks.

COURTESY OF LAURA APPERSON

4. Nautical sundress: Nautical was like, this huge trend

Laura Apperson is an English major studying abroad in Paris. Laura, a lover of all things literature, art and culture, will be keeping us up-to-date on her adventures overseas.

in the 40s and 50s. The “cute clipper dress” from Modcloth.com ($105) is like the absolute perfect 50s-style find. Looking to modify an adorable sundress you already have? Check out my how-to from last week!

What are your spring break essentials? Do you want to be featured in March’s style profile? Were these dumb 50s slang words rattling your cage? Tweet me your style and corny-expression woes @pinsandplats!

LAURA APPERSON Columnist

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COURTESY OF MODCLOTH AND AMERICAN APPAREL

These 50s inspired suits will have you beach ready.

1-2: These cute two-pieces can be found online at modcloth.com. 3: This deep-v suit is by American Apparel.

POP CULTURE

Controversy: under fire

Z

RAVEN SCHLEY Columnist

Raven Schley is a pop culture fanatic.

To read more about what is going on in the world of music, movies and T.V. follow her blog: thevintagebellee. blogspot.com.

Follow Raven Schley @honeybeerave

oe Saldana has been causing quite a stir in Hollywood lately. The starlet has fallen victim to a lot of harsh media criticism for her upcoming role as Nina Simone.

Last August, reports leaked that Saldana would be playing the role of the late iconic jazz singer, Nina Simone in a biopic. Since then, people have not stopped criticizing her for taking it on. The interesting part of the whole situation is the reason why people are so hesitant.

It would seem that in 2013 race would not still be a big issue, but it’s clear that it still is in a lot of ways. Many people, including some celebrities, debated whether Saldana should play the role of Simone because she is “an Afro-Latina actress of Dominican and Puerto Rican descent,” whereas Nina was African-American, according to the Huffington Post online.

People said they felt like someone who could sing and who resembled Simone more should have been casted instead, like Viola Davis or Mary J. Blige, who was initially chosen for the role before it was given to Saldana.

To make matters worse, shortly after the news of Saldana’s new role broke, pictures surfaced of her dressed up as the jazz singer. Because Saldana is naturally lighter than Simone was, she had to be painted in darker makeup to resemble the singer more. She also had to wear an afro-textured wig.

This was unsettling to viewers and people who were close to Simone because it seemed very unrealistic to them and they did not feel like Simone was being represented properly.

“My mother was raised at a time when she was told her nose was too wide, her skin was too dark. Appearance-wise this is not the best choice,” Simone Kelly, Nina’s daughter, said in an interview with the New York Times.

Singer and Songwriter India Arie also shared her opinion on the issue in a post on her website.

“Yes they should have chosen someone who looks

Nina Simone

Zoe Saldana

like Nina Simone, especially since her race played such a pivotal role in who, what and why, she was,” Arie said.

Today, Saldana has continued to face hurtful backlash from her decision to take this role. However, she claims that it doesn’t bother her because she knows who she is playing this role for.

“I did it all out of love for my people and my pride of being a black woman and a Latina woman and an American woman, and that’s my truth,” Saldana said in an interview with Hip. Hollywood.

Personally, I can see both points of view in this story.

On one end, it is important to find someone who embodies who Nina Simone was vocally and aesthetically because it was a big part of her life story.

However, if Saldana has the proper skills to play Simone’s character right, I don’t think her looks should be such a big concern. Although make-up may not completely make Saldana look like Simone, I do think it will get the point across, and I don’t think it’s fair that she is being judged so harshly.

Zoe Saldana may not look anything like Nina Simone, but she should still be respected for her efforts in playing the role. No actor or actress is going to look exactly like the person they are supposed to be playing in a biopic. What matters is their spirit and their determination to bring those people to life on camera.

Follow Laura @LCatAp

L

ast week, I made a very detailed itinerary for myself to make sure I had every address, phone number and boarding pass ready for my trip to Italy. I would be covering three cities in five days, and I would be getting there by myself.

Though I met up with friends in Florence and Milan, I took planes, trains and buses alone to get there. My friends headed to the south of Italy—Rome— and I headed to Florence to spend time with a friend who studies there. And though my vacation was spent with people, I spent a lot of time managing by myself.

And, actually, I learned a lot about myself. I can speak French very well with strangers and when I am lost. I tend to be very early when I am by myself for fear of missing a train or a plane and having no one with me to help solve the problem. I love talking to strangers from different countries (even if the language barrier is so bad that we only smile at each other and point at things—that happened to me on my train from Pisa to Milan). When I am away from home, I always feel like I need to be writing and documenting every moment of my travels. And I didn’t realize how much French I actually knew until I landed in Italy and couldn’t understand anything anyone said. I said «non Italiano» more times than I can count.

At the end, when I flew into Paris and saw the Eiffel Tower out my window, I was thankful that I had a successful experience traveling in Italy all alone.

I met the most interesting people; caught all my trains, planes and buses, and had an amazing time touring three fantastic cities with the best people.

Everyone should travel alone—even if it’s just a weekend away to a neighboring city. You’re forced to talk to so many people and try so many new things, and, in the end, you learn more about the world than you thought you would.

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REVIEWS

TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2013

Spring break movie nights!

NOW PLAYING AT

Cinefest

AMI DUDLEY Staff Reviewer

Spring Breakers

Release Date/Rating: March 15, R Starring: James Franco, Selena Gomez How far are you willing to go to experience a Spring Break that you will never forget? The party-going girls of “Spring Breakers” may have to go all the way. Spring Break is coming up and these college besties have got a little time to come up with a lot of money. They’ll need the help of a rapper played by…wait for it…JAMES FRANCO. With a cameo from rapper Gucci Mane and a cast full of sparsely dressed ex-Disney stars, “Spring Breakers” is sure to be an experience you’ll never forget.

The Incredible Burt Wonderstone

The Croods

Olympus Has Fallen

Release date/Rating: March 15, PG-13 Starring: Kirsten Dunst, Jim Sturgess Twinned worlds with gravities that pull in opposite directions, a freak planetary condition, are what stand between star-crossed lovers Adam and Eden in this futuristic resemblance of “Romeo and Juliet”. Eden resides in the wealthy word and Adam in the poverty-stricken world. But interplanetary-border patrol agents are prepared to do anything in this romantic adventure to keep the two apart and ultimately keep the social order in line.

Release Date/Rating: March 15, PG13 Starring: Steve Carell, Jim Carrey I wasn’t sure if a film could be created with the capacity to harbor the humor of both Steve Carell and Jim Carrey, but thankfully it has. “The Incredible Burt Wonderstone” stars both of the comedy gods who play rival superstar magicians in an “anything goes” fight for the people of the Las Vegas Strip.

If your jaws aren’t sore from laughing, they’ll be sore from the shock of the unbelievable stunts that’ll take place in this film.

‘Killing Them Softly’ Synopsis: TJackie Cogan is an enforcer hired to restore order after three dumb guys rob a Mob protected card game, causing the local criminal economy to collapse.

Showtimes:

Upside down

Release Date/Rating: March 22, R Starring: Gerard Butler, Morgan Freeman Action, action, and more action await action film fans in “Olympus Has Fallen”. The white house has been captured and the President has been kidnapped in this seat-gripper and it’s up to “300’s” Spartan himself, Gerard Butler, to save the day. The acclaimed Morgan Freeman and “Dark Knight’s” Aaron Eckhart join the cast.

Mon. - Fri: 11:00 am, 1:30pm, 4:00pm, 7:00pm

Weekend: 1:00pm, 3:30pm,

6:00pm

Running time: 97 minutes Rated: R

Release Date/Rating: March 22, PG Voice Overs: Nicholas Cage, Ryan Reynolds An animated film is sometimes the best way to deliver a profound message to an audience. “The Croods” will do just that. A DreamWorks production, this film tells the story of the Crood family, the world’s first family who resides in a cave until a natural disaster destroys their home and they are forced into an encounter with the outside world. Viewers will be tickled and touched as they witness this family overcome fear and ultimately survive in this home we call Earth.

Movie review: Meager ‘Admission’ PEDRO ALVARADO Staff Reviewer

A

dmission” was a huge disappointment. It had the potential to be an extremely heart-touching and endearing movie, but it fell short. When it comes to romantic comedies, or in this case dramadies, what makes them work is the depth of the characters and the strength of their relationships. In this film, both aspects were lacking.

Portia Nathan (Tina Fey) is a Princeton admissions officer who risks her entire career to help Jeremiah Balakian (Nat Wolff) get into Princeton. Incidentally, Jeremiah may or may not be the biological son Portia secretly bore and put up for adoption while she was in college.

Portia is introduced to Jeremiah by John Pressman (Paul Rudd) who is Jeremiah’s teacher and Portia’s fellow Dartmouth College alum.

The other principal characters include Portia’s live-in boyfriend, Portia’s mother Susannah (Lily Tomlin), John’s adopted son Nelson (Travaris Spears), Portia’s boss Clarence (Shawn Wallace), Portia’s office rival and several other anGrade: C

Running Time: 2 h.

cillary characters.

Usually, Tina Fey can be counted on to be both cute and funny. While she did have some hilarious moments, they were few and by the time they came around I was already bored with her. Her characterization was lame and it lacked energy and commitment.

The same can be said for Paul Rudd, with one addition. I have never been able to accept Paul Rudd as a leading man. He is very talented and funny, but he lacks a certain quality necessary for a lead. He’s much better supporting roles.

Even Lily Tomlin was a disappointment.

Her performance seemed to be more of a caricature than an actual character.

There were, however, two things that showed who these characters were and neither of them were the performances. They were the costume design and production design. Had it not been for these visual aspects of the film, I would have been clueless as to who these people really were.

The only characters that were ful-

MPAA Rating: PG-13

ly realized were Clarence and Nelson.

Wallace Shawn’s portrayal of Clarence and Travaris Spears’ depiction of Nelson stood head and shoulders above the other actors.

The only thing I liked less than the shallow characters was the weakness of the relationships between the characters.

To me, the two most important relationships in the movie were the Portia/Jeremiah relationship and the John/ Nelson relationship. It seems that someone decided to downplay these much weightier relationships to unnecessarily give Portia and John more screen time together. Additionally, the relationship overload makes me question the editing.

There was a scene, integral to Portia’s development, in the latter part of the movie that would have made a lot more sense and been more powerful, if one or two of the secondary relationships had been left on the cutting room floor.

To be a relationship movie, “Admission” does a meager job of showing any relationships worth caring about.

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VA - THE VELVET UNDERGROUND & NICO BY CASTLE FACE & FRIENDS The Velvet Underground & Nico by Castle Face & Friends

9 8

UNKNOWN MORTAL ORCHESTRA II

7 6

NOSAJ THING Home

5 4 3 2

FALTYDL Hardcourage

1

FOXYGEN We Are The 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace and Magic

NUCULAR AMINALS Start from an End

GLISS Langsom Dans

JACCO GARDNER Cabinet of Curiosities DJ SUN One Hundred DUCKTAILS The Flower Lane

17

REVIEWS

TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2013

Latin cuisine:

Cruzado TERAH BOYD Arts & Living Editor

I

f you drive past Cruzado fast enough, it will blend in with the other quant Midtown homes on Fifth Street. Boasting Cuban-influenced Latin cuisine, the space almost looks like a little house. The spot has a lot of charm and character because of its neighborhood location, but also has a number of parking concerns because guests must rely on street parking.

One thing that is unique about Cruzado is the space is in two parts. A more traditional dining experience is offered on the left side of the restaurant, while a lounge is located on the right. This evening, we opted for the lounge (which is opened a little later than the dining space, for the night time adventure seeker).

The smaller lounge space has a much more attractive décor than the humble dinning area. There are booth spaces that almost feel like beach cabanas, separated by sheer curtains. There is one communal high-top table in the center and a small bar, but the room is surrounded by cozy chairs, benches and sofas.

The small space was charming, but a TV on HGTV in the corner seemed out of place. The dance music was a bit obnoxious and seemed bet-

PHOTOS BY TERAH BOYD| THE SIGNAL Cruzado offers a low-key vibe and tasty Latin fusion bites. ter suited for a trendy clothing boutique.

Service was easy and friendly. The staff was very relaxed and friendly. They were excited to explain menu items and were not scared to make recommendations about the food and drink options.

Cruzado’s lounge offers hookah for its guests.

The price for hookah is a bit much ($20 - $25) but we did receive a complimentary refill. The exotic flavors, like passion fruit mojito and blue crush, could be mixed.

The cocktail menu was nothing revolutionary, but what you would expect in a Cuban-inspired lounge. A fresh mojito is surprisingly satisfying on a cold winter night, if you want to pretend you are on a warm Caribbean beach. The beer and wine list was also infused with many Latin grape varietals and cervezas.

Everything on the lounge side, food wise, was tapas. It was great for the atmosphere and great for a group of friends to share and have fun. Plates range from $5 to $11 and were on par for a traditional tapas serving size. A highlight was the shrimp ceviche. It was served with jalapeños and avocado. Instead of the traditional tortilla chip, it was paired with crispy plantain chips.

The lime chicken wings and the calamari were also highlights. The chicken wings fell off the bone and were very moist and tender. The calamari was not too chewy and was served with a lime and a spicy cilantro garlic sauce.

Although the music is a bit much, Cruzado is a sexy space to take a date out for a fun and trendy evening, but not too much for a group of friends in search of Latin snacks and a good hooka. This little midtown nook comes highly recommended.

cruzado

366 5th St NE Atlanta, GA 30308 (404) 872-0846 Tue-Thu 11 am - 10 pm Fri-Sat 11 am - 11 pm Sun 11 am - 4 pm (midnight Sat.)

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calendar

TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2013

Campus Events “Our Inherently Flawed Produce Supply Chain”

Monday, March 11 11 a.m.

Student Center, Lanier Suite Brian Chew, Second Story Gardens, will discuss ways to optimize production and distribution of fresh produce in urban areas. Chew, along with his Second Story Garden colleagues, recently won the Herman J. Russell, Sr. International Center for Entrepreneurship award given by the J. Mack Robinson College of Business at Georgia State.

Zumbathon

Tuesday, March 12 Students Rec Center 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Students and staff are invited to pratice fun and fit Zumba together in the main gym at the SRC. There will be music and give aways for participants.

Plummer Lecture: Benjamin D. Santer

Tuesday, March 12 4 pm Speakers Auditorium, Student Center Benjamin D. Santer, a senior climate researcher at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, will speak on “The Search for Human ‘Fingerprints’ in Observed Records of Climate Change.” Santer, who has been a recipient of a MacArthur “Genius” grant, was one of the authors of the groundbreaking 1995 intergovernmental report that indicated a “discernible human influence” on global warming. We are expecting a capacity crowd; please reserve your seat at 2013plummerlecture.eventbrite.com.

‘The Voice’ premier Monday, March 25

8 p.m.

Unity Plaza Students can celebrate spring by watching the premier of the hit TV show “The Voice” together. There will be free pizza and giveaways, including tickets to see Kendrick Lamar at this year’s sold out Panther Palooza.

Sustainability Forum: Douglass Hooker

Thursday, MArch 14 noon - 2 p.m.

Hooker, executive director of the Atlanta Regional Commission, presents “Fifty Forward: Our Urban Challenges and Planning for the Future of Atlanta.”

“What’s on your plate?” Plaza booth

Monday, March 25 and Wednesday, March 27 NSN hosts an information booth including a “Nutrivia” nutrition challenge from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Unity Plaza. Prizes and general information on the nutrition program and healthy eating will be provided.

Guest pianist Hajdi Elzeser

Wednesday, March 27 8:00 p.m.

Kopleff Recital Hall Macedonian pianist Hajdi Elzeser has performed as soloist and chamber musician throughout the US, Europe and China. This free concert will feature works by Debussy, Pintscher, Schumann, Delinikolov, Kolarovski and Poulenc. This event is free to the public.

ray day @ GSU

Thursday, April 4 noon - 2 p.m.

Downtown Events The Waffle Palace: Smothered, Covered & Scattered 24/7/365

Friday, Jan. 25 - Sunday, March 17 Times Vary Horizon Theatre Company The show is inspired by real life events at Waffle House restaurants. The Waffle Palace: where everyone is welcome and the only unforgivable sins are throwing waffles and under-tipping. Tickets are $20-$55. Call (404) 584-7450.

Lepre*Con 2013 Irish Fest

Saturday, March 16 2 pm Park Tavern Ever wondered what Atlanta’s biggest St. Patrick’s Day celebration is? Come party with 5,000 other people and find out! Use the promo code “CAV” to get tickets for $5 from https://www.xorbia.com/e/asocialmess/leprecon13. Must be 21 and over to attend. For more information go to http:// asoicalmess.com.

Harlem Globetrotters

Saturday, March 16 1 pm Phillips Arena The “Ambassadors of Goodwill”® have dunked their way into the hearts of basketball fans both young and old. The

Concerts/Shows Orgy with Vampires Everywhere & Davey Suicide Wednesday, March 13 7 pm Masquerade Tickets are $19.40 on Ticketmaster.

five iron frenzy with house of heros Friday, March 22 8 pm Center Stage

The Rialto Center The Georgia State University Foundation teamed up with the Ray C. Anderson Foundation to sponsor this event to promote sustainability at Georgia State. This event is free and open to the public.

2013 Panther Palooza

Saturday, April 6 Georgia State Sports Arena Georgia State Campus Events and Spotlight Programs Board present this year’s Panther Palooza staring Kendrick Lamar. This event is open to Georgia State students, staff and the public.

Soul food Cypher

Wednesday, April 17 7 - 9 p.m.

University Center 470 Georgia State’s version of the Atlanta tradition features local MCs and rappers. Rap debates and reading are some of the activities at this event.

Upcoming Club Sports Events Ultimate frisbee: Hosting Frednik Tournament in Cumming, GA-March 30th & 31st Cycling: Brevard-March 23-24, Virginia InternationalApril 6 & 7 Equestrian: Morehead, Ky-March 23 & 24, Georgia Southern (Regionals)-April 6th Grapppling:Pan Jiu-Jitsu Nationals in Irvine, CA-March 20-24 Men’s Lacrosse: Home vs. Point-March 30

2013 Atlanta Film Festival Calendar: Harlem Globetrotters is an exhibition basketball team that combines athleticism and comedy and they will be performing in Atlanta. Tickets are $26-$166 on StubHub and $30 on Razorgator.

Carmina Burana

Friday, April 12, 2013 - Sunday, April 14 Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center Dazzling and inventive, David Bintley provides an exquisite, modern interpretation of Carmina Burana that is filled with surprises. Set to a resounding original score

by Carl Orff, this North American premiere ballet follows three seminarians as the pleasures of the flesh lead them to question their faith. Featuring the Georgia State University Singers and the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra live in performance. Students can receive a 30 percent discount on tickets.

Sweetwater 420 Fesival & 5K

April 19 -21 Candler Park Local artists, musicians and venders wll be shocasing their goods at the festival following the seventh annual 5K. George Clinton and the Parliament Funkadelics will be headlining the concert series.

MArch 15: “This is Atlanta Shorts Block”Plaza Theatre Upstairs Theatre5:00 PM (90 min)

“Mud” Plaza Theatre- Main Screen 7:00 PM (130 min)

MArch 16: “La Source”Plaza Theatre- Main Screen 11:45 AM (71 min)

“The Suicide Kid”

Plaza Theatre - Upstairs The-

atre12:00 PM (99 min)

March 17: “A River Changes Course” Plaza Theatre - Upstairs Theatre11:30 AM (83 min)

“Not Waving But Drowning” Plaza Theatre - Upstairs Theatre1:30 PM (111 min)

MArch 18: “Between Us” Plaza Theatre- Main Screen 7:00 PM (90 min)

“Concussion” 7 Stages Theatre 7:00 PM (96 min) For more films visit: http://www.atlantafilmfestival.com/

$15 from box office

A Day to Remember with Of Mice and Men, Chunk!

No, Captain Chunk!

Wednesday, March 20 7:30 pm The Tabernacle $42 with ticket fees on LiveNation.

The Rocket Summer with Royal Teeth, Joe Brooks & Tidewater

Thursday, March 21 6 pm Masquerade Tickets are $17.35 on Ticketmaster.

The Black Keys with the Flaming Lips

Thursday, May 2 8 pm Aaron’s Amphitheater at Lakewood Tickets range from $50.35 to $63.85 on Livenation.

games&such

TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2013

Sudoku

Puzzle 1 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.48) Puzzle 1 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.48)

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Puzzle 2 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.48) Puzzle 2 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.48)

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Puzzle 3 (Very hard, difficulty rating 0.83)

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Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/~jdhildeb/software/sudok

Horoscopes The Astrology technique I will be using in doing these weekly Astro-readings will be of the discipline called “VePuzzle 3 (Very hard, difficulty 0.83) dic” Astrology.

Vedic astrology is rating translated with the “sidePuzzle 3 (Very hard, difficulty rating 0.83) real” time of the Zodiac; this is using the “real” time of the rotation of the planets. The Western Astrology system is 37 degrees (37 days) off from the real time of the planets.

What this means is most people in the Western countries are really a different sign than what they are told. I have put the sidereal dates next to the astrology signs so you can accurately see your true sign. This Vedic astrology specializes in predicting everyday occurrences that may affect us in our movements upon this planet in this life-time and beyond.

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Aries Horoscope: (April 13 – May 14) The Moon will be moving into Leo early next week and this will bring a much needed coolness to your intense “hot” mind. The Sun is scorching you at this time and Mercury is having communication problems, this would be a good time to flex your independent nature and get your duties done on your own. Normal people will not be able to keep up with all your revolutionary energy and you do not have the patience for them. So go it alone for a while, things will get done much better this way. Keep a cool head, especially towards the mothers in your life.

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bedroom. The Moon in her own sign makes Cancers want to just cozy up in their beds and hibernate in the dream Puzzle 4 (Medium, rating 0.51) world.

They to bedifficulty served hand and foot; food brought Puzzle 4want (Medium, difficulty rating 0.51) to them in bed, back massages, praises, worship “All glories to the Moon Goddess!” Of course in reality our little Cancers are going to have to make do with what little pleasures they can squeeze out of it. It may not be everything they want, but I am sure they can find someone out there to pamper them this weekend.

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Leo Horoscope: (Aug 14 – Sept 13) With the Moon cruising through Cancer and eventually ending up in Leo by the middle of next week, this will give our Leos some help with the relationship department.

There will still be fiery arguments, but the Moon will help them come to some calm solutions. For our married Leos, who can’t get away from their mates at the moment, this will shed a cool light within all the heat and fire. Until the Sun and Mars exit Aquarius which should be in the middle of March, relationships will be going through the ringer. Be patient, and if you can get things done on your own, this would be best for your “peace-of-mind”.

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Virgo Horoscope: (Sept 14 – Oct 13) Similar to Gemini, our Virgo natives will have to deal with their ruler planet Mercury going retrograde in Aquarius.

Taurus Horoscope: (May 15 – June 13) This makes communications hard on everyone, especially This week Mercury goes “retrograde”, which means com- Virgos, who just love to express themselves. Radical ideals, Generated by problems. http://www.opensky.ca/~jdhildeb/software/sudokugen/ on on SatSat Mar 9 22:07:47 2013 GMT. Enjoy! munication You have had the need to really misunderstandings and arguments are usually theEnjoy! characGenerated by http://www.opensky.ca/~jdhildeb/software/sudokugen/ Mar 9 22:07:47 2013 GMT. express yourself at school and at work. You have been in teristics of having Mercury acting up in Aquarius. Try to “blabber-mouth” mode for the last two weeks and it has save your far-out ideals for the end of March, when peobeen to your benefit. Unfortunately, you still have a great ple will be more opened to them. Now is not a good time need to express yourself, but with Mercury acting up, com- and you will get resistance. It is best to write them down munications will be “going south”. We cannot shut you up, in your personal diary and nourish them through your own so just prepare to explain yourself more often. You will still thoughts. Females will still play a key role in some of your be successful in getting what you need to get done, it will successes, because of Venus in your house of love affairs. just take longer. Be patient.

She will add some sweetness to your life, even if the communications are little off. Enjoy her while you can, she will Gemini Horoscope: (June 14 – July 13) be leaving this house by the beginning of March.

Your ruler Mercury will bring your attention to the fine details of dealing with fathers, teachers, Gurus, and any other Libra Horoscope: (Oct 14 – Nov 13) male authorities in your life. Either these relationships are Things may go reversal on you this period; Saturn has just disturbed by strife and arguments, or the father is sickly. gone retrograde in your sign, which means that things that Whichever, you will have to exhibit some patience in the were giving you problems may finally work themselves matter, at least for the next two weeks while Mercury gets out. Kids are really under attack in your chart with Mars, through his weird communication phase. This may be a Mercury and the Sun in your “house of children”, however very philosophical period in your life, making you attracted Saturn will bring some relief or give you sound solutions to spiritual or religious subjects. There will be a feeling to in handling the crisis. Relationships will have communicawant to travel long distance and see different parts of the tion problems for the next two weeks; try to keep your deworld. Of course, if you are tied down in everyday move- mands to a bare minimum. Motherly people will be a source ments, it is probably best to just watch the National Geo- of pleasure during these hard times, take shelter of them graphic Channel. But, if you can get away for a week or when you can. And as usual, stay away from hard drugs, two, this would be a great educational experience for our violent and depressive images and negative people, at least Gemini natives. for the next 16 months.

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Cancer Horoscope: (July 14 – Aug 13) You will be feeling an extra crabby this week with your ruler the Moon going home to her own sign of Cancer. This will make it hard for you to get out of the house, especially the

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Scorpio Horoscope: (Nov 14 – Dec 15) Scorpions are very busy with looking out for the mothers and sisters in their lives. Being an attentive son, brother, daughter, or sister, they are very good at taking care of

what is needed to protect their love ones. Nevertheless, the Moon is presently transiting your house of partners and you do wish to spend some time with your significant other. But, time is very tight and you are very busy. You may have to wait deep into the weekend to get a little break for some pleasure.

Sagittarius Horoscope: (Dec 16 – Jan 12) Even though Sagittarians are full of communication this month, Mercury is going to be throwing a wrench into it for the next two weeks. You have a great need to let everyone know how you feel, but your thoughts will be way ahead of your mouth. Slow down a bit and let your words catch-up to reduce misunderstandings. This is still a good time for career moves in school and at work. Letting people know about your unique ideals will get you noticed for a promotion or good grades. The Moon will be going into Gemini soon, which will help in getting others to see things your way.

Capricorn Horoscope: (Jan 13 – Feb 15) Capricorns are being sought after by the lovelies, they either want your love and money, or just your money! Watch your finances around the “pretty” people. You should spruce up your wardrobe, get a new hair-do, hair-cut and get all “cute” on us. You are looking and feeling good with Venus encouraging you on. This should be a fun month, even with Mercury and Saturn clowning on everybody.

While you can, enjoy your little rendezvous with Venus.

She will be headed to “wild-butt” Aquarius by next week to fight it out with all those planets in there, so have your fun!

Aquarius Horoscope: (Feb 16 – March 14) With our ruler Saturn and Mercury going retrograde on us, things just went from bad to worse. We Aquarians must chill-out; leave all communications to the other signs . . . literally go crawl up into a cave until the end of March. Of course, this is not feasible, but you get the ideal. Don’t argue. If someone gets in your face wanting to fight, tell them “next month”, because there is a good chance you will lose the fight and get a serious head injury in the process. Try some spiritual meditation, drink relaxing herbal teas, get a deep muscle massage, or exercise your butt off! The best thing is to stay away from controversies. Good luck!

Pisces Horoscope: (March 13 – April 12) The Piscean folks are feeling a lot of energy coming from Mercury who is presently retrograde and bed-time pleasures are on the menu. This should a very sexually experimental time for you. Doing things you might never have thought of doing.

Just the same, Mercury in Aquarius brings in wild and crazy ideals to the bedroom, and Mars gives you the power to execute them. You may have a need to escape the humdrum cycles of material life and dive deeper into the mysteries of life.

You could read books like the “Kama-Sutra”, “Tibetan Book of the Dead”, or have a spiritual reading done about your place in life. Whatever it may be you are diving deeper into the meaning of why you are here on this planet. Enjoy!

SPORTS

www.georgiastatesignal.com

ANATOMY OF GAME DAY Each game is different for Georgia State athletes

A

thletes train for hours, day after day, all year long, for the chance to Those few game days are what make the 5:30 a.m. weight room sessions represent themselves and their teams on the field of competition. and 9-hour bus rides tolerable.

Many more days are spent on the practice field or in the video The Signal recently documented the game day experiences of four Georgia room than actually competing.

State student-athletes.

James Vincent

Kendra Long

Senior Basketball, center Major: Studio art

Junior Basketball, guard Major: Speech

GEORGIA STATE ATHLECTICS

TIFFANIE SMITH Staff Reporter

GEORGIA STATE ATHLECTICS

MIKE EDEN | THE SIGNAL Vincent operates in the post during the Northeastern game.

HUNTER BISHOP Associate Sports Editor

SUMMER JOHNSON | THE SIGNAL Long led the Panthers in scoring with 10.8 ppg.

James Vincent has one goal when it comes to game day– stay calm and relax. The Panther big man said he doesn’t get nervous leading up to tip off because he tries to treat every game the same and has developed a routine that works for him.

Kendra Long, the leading scorer for the women’s basketball team, is very connected to her family on game day. Whether she’s listening to her brother’s music or talking on the phone, Kendra’s first and last thoughts of the day are of the people closest to her.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26

Thursday, February 28

9:40 a.m. – Vincent and the team hit the practice floor. “We go over the plan on

7:20 a.m. – Long wakes up, gets ready and grabs some breakfast.

how to play our opponent and ways to alter their plays in order to get the upper hand,” Vincent said.

11:30 a.m. – Vincent’s lunch includes ginger ale, apple juice, bowl of mixed fruit and two turkey sandwiches.

1:20 p.m. – Hunger strikes again and Vincent grabs three slices of pizza and an orange juice.

5:20 p.m. – Vincent is done with classes for the day.

5:30 p.m. – Vincent eats an apple cider pork loin, carrots and bowls of fruit for supper.

8 a.m. - First class of the day.

11 a.m. - Last class of the day 5:20 p.m. -Long either talks to her mother, father, brother or her friend, Moe.

7 p.m. - Georgia State faces Drexel in their last home game of the season.

Long leads the team is scoring with 15 points, yet the Panthers are defeated 58-49. She records all of her points on five 3-point baskets. Long, the school’s all-time leader in 3-pointers made, has six career games with at least five treys.

9 p.m. – Vincent loves video games, so he plays Dead Space 3 on his Xbox 360.

10:30 p.m. –Bed time.

Wednesday, February 27 7:30 a.m. - Vincent wakes up.

4 p.m. – Team meal before the game. “My pregame routine is to take a good two-hour nap before every game,” Vincent said. “I just eat whatever they gave us at team meal. It normally includes pasta, salad, water, Powerade and lots of carbs.”

6:45 p.m. – Coach Ron Hunter delivers a pregame speech.

“His speeches are used to get us motivated and deserving to win the game because of all the prep work we’ve done,” Vincent said.

7:00 p.m. - Georgia State faces CAA foe Northeastern.

Vincent is the only senior on the team this season and is recognized in a pregame ceremony. The Panthers lose in overtime, 90-84. Vincent contributes eight points and three rebounds in his last game as a Panther.

SUMMER JOHNSON | THE SIGNAL Long and her teammates head to the locker during during the Drexel game.

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SPORTS

TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2013

Victor Valente

Brenna Morrissey

Senior Tennis Major: Business

GEORGIA STATE ATHLECTICS

ALEC MCQUADE Staff Reporter

Senior Softball, second base Major: Art

GEORGIA STATE ATHLECTICS

COURTESY OF VICTOR VALENTE Valente inside the Ken Bryers Tennis Complex before he takes on Georgia Tech.

Victor Valente’s preparation for each match starts the night before and extends all the way up until the first serve. Some may think it’s crazy; some might call it over-preparing. Valente is the No. 81 singles player in the nation. So, whatever he’s doing, it seems to work.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27 1 p.m. - Valente begins his preparation for Thursday by practicing at Ken Byers Tennis Complex, sight of the match versus Georgia Tech.

7 p.m. - Valente gets a deep tissue massage, stretches and takes lots of fluids, something he does before every match on his own.

Midnight- He finally gets to sleep. Valente believes it is vital to get eight hours of sleep the night before game day, but studying kept him up until midnight.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28 7 a.m. - Valente wakes up and gets ready for class. Even though he wants to think about

his upcoming match, he said,“You have to balance the same effort in the classroom and [in] tennis.”

RHETT LEWIS Sports Editor

SCOTT LOWRY Morrissey has yet to committ an error this season in 32 chances.

Brenna Morrissey enjoys the calmness of a game day, especially on the road. She doesn’t have to attend class, visit her academic advisor or meet with classmates to work on a project. This lover of the Caped Crusader keeps her focus solely on the softball diamond and competing with her teammates.

FRIDAY, MARCH 1 7 a.m. - Morrissey is already awake, even though the team bus doesn’t leave until 8:30 a.m.

“I’m an early bird and hate feeling rushed or being late,” she said.

7:30 a.m. - “I’m the first one down at breakfast. It’s either fellow early bird, Lauren ‘Moo’

Coleman or me, and today I beat her,” Morrissey said. “Breakfast consists of lots of coffee and a bowl of grapefruit. I sit and eat slowly while attempting the USA Today crossword and Sudoku.”

8:30 a.m. - The team bus leaves for the Eddie C. Moore Sports Complex in Clearwater, Fla., sight of the USF Under Armour Tournament.

9 a.m. - Warm-ups begin. “Trying to get and stay warm for the day’s 52-degree high is going to be a task,” Morrissey said.

11 a.m. - Georgia State’s first game of the tournament is versus Central Connecticut.

8 a.m .- First class of the day: Managing People in Organizations at Langdale Hall.

10 a.m .- Valente takes an online test in between his two morning classes. Studying for this test kept him from getting eight hours of sleep.

Morrissey and Whitney Phillips split playing time at second base and Phillips get the start.

“When I’m not playing, I like sitting down the end of the dugout with coach Todd,” Morrissey said. “Listening to his insight and witty comments keeps me focused and relaxed. I also notice that the opposing team’s first base coach is a girl I used to play against at my previous college.”

Georgia State wins by a score of 3-1.

11 a.m .- Business Communication and Professional Development class at the Arts and

1:15 p.m .- The team takes on Western Michigan and Morrissey starts at second base. “I

12:15 p.m. - Valente’s last class is over and the transition from student to athlete takes place.

1:30 p.m .- Lunch at Piedmont North.

2:15 p.m .- Valente and the team bus to Georgia Tech. Usually for away matches the team

5 p.m. - The team arrives back at the hotel and is given 30 minutes to be ready for supper.

Humanities Building -- his last class of the day.

travels the night before, but the match is just a few miles from Georgia State’s campus.

had one 16-pitch at-bat, which seemed to last forever,” Morrissey said. “I give a lot of credit to junior Jessica Clifton for giving me signals while she was on second base.” Morrissey walks and the Panthers win 11-2.

“It is extremely difficult for 20 girls to succeed at this with two girls sharing each room and bathroom,” Morrissey said.

5:30 p.m .- The team eats at Ferg’s, a sports bar and grill in Tampa Bay, Fla. Morrissey has

start their team warm-ups, which went well and “boosts [my] confidence for the match,” Valente said.

a turkey club wrap, side of broccoli and a diet Dr. Pepper. “Making good food choices on the road is always something we struggle with, but a lot of the girls keep each other in check so we aren’t eating greasy, fried food all of the time,” Morrissey said.

4 p.m. - Valente’s first match is with his doubles partner, Lucas Santa Ana. The duo faces the

8 p.m. - The team heads to Progress Park to watch the Georgia State baseball team play.

No. 3 doubles team in the nation Juan Spir and Vikram Hundal.

Although it is chilly, Morrissey would rather be there than cooped up in the hotel.

5 p.m. - After an extremely close match, Valente and Santa Ana defeat Spir and Hundal 8-6.

10:30 p.m . – Morrissey and roommate Jordan Brown watch television before falling asleep.

2:30 p.m .- The team arrives at the Ken Byers Tennis Complex and the players immediately

Valente considers this “the best victory in [my] career.”

5:01 p.m. - Valente does not celebrate. He immediately regains his focus to face Spir in a singles match.

7 p.m. - Valente handles Spir, ranked No. 53 nationally, in straight sets 6-4, 6-4. This completes one of the finest days of tennis in Georgia State history.

8:15 p.m .- The team heads home. Even though Valente won, the team lost 3-4 to Georgia

Tech. While he is pleased with his victories, he cannot fully celebrate because “college tennis is all about the team victories.”

8:30 p.m .- The team arrives at Georgia State and goes to Piedmont North to eat dinner and relax.

Midnight- After stretches and a shower, Valente goes to bed. Before sleeping, Valente likes to recap his day. He decides the day’s action should teach the team how to close out matches.

JEFF HURNDON Morrissey has belted two home runs and 11 RBIs this season for the Panthers.

23

TUESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013

PANTHER Of The Week

GEORGIA STATE ATHLETICS

KATIE MADEWELL SAND VOLLEYBALL Katie Madewell made Georgia State history on Saturday by partnering with Lane Carico to win the first sand volleyball match in school.

The duo defeated Stetson’s No.1 team 2116, 12-21 and 15-8 on the first day of the Ron Jon Surf Shop Beach-nBoards Fest in Cocoa Beach, Fla..

Madewell and Carico won both of their Sunday matches for a perfect 3-0 tournament.

They defeated North Florida, 21-15, 21-15, and Jacksonville, 21-12, 21-12.

The team’s first home match is March 12 at 5 p.m. versus Mercer.

Sports Calendar Mon & Tue, March 1112 MGLF Cleveland Golf Palmetto Intercollegiate Aiken, S.C. All day Tue, March 12 SVB (first home match in program history) Mercer GSU Sand Volleyball Complex 5 p.m.

Wed, March 13 MTEN UAB Birmingham, Ala. 3 p.m.

Wed, March 13 BSB Kennesaw State Kennesaw, Ga. 5 p.m.

*CONFERENCE GAMES

Fri & Sat, March 15-16 WTF & MTR UGA Relays Athens, Ga. All day

Sat, March 16 BSB Old Dominion* GSU Baseball Complex 1 p.m.

Fri-Sun, March 15-17 WGLF Insperity Lady Jaguar Intercollegiate Augusta, Ga. All day

Sun, March 17 WTEN USF Tampa, Fla. 10 a.m.

Fri, March 15 BSB Old Dominion* GSU Baseball Complex 6 p.m.

Sat & Sun, March 1617 MGLF Mission Inn Spring Spectacular Howey-in-the-Hills, Fla All day

Sun, March 17 BSB Old Dominion* GSU Baseball Complex 1 p.m.

Mon, March 18 MTEN North Florida Blackburn Tennis Center 10 a.m.

Five qs with...

Karlee Kavanaugh Year: Freshman Major: Communications From: Chugiak, Alaska

GEORGIA STATE ATHLECTICS

Georgia State has . . . sand volleyball?

“It was little surprising to me at first, but I was so exciting because that was the exact combination I wanted for college. I wanted to go to college in the city and play beach volleyball.”

Most athletic teammate

“Lane Carico. She can jump so high and so quick.”

Favorite slang volleyball term

“Cutty, just because it’s my favorite shot. It’s when you cut the ball short over the net at a hard angle.”

Myths about Alaska

“I don’t live in an igloo. I don’t ride a polar bear to school-- no pet polar bears. Those are the two big ones. We actually have real houses.”

Pet peeves

“Probably when people chew with their mouth open or talk too much during movies.” *To find out what fellow Alaskan inspired Karlee growing up and who she would switch places with for a day, visit www.georgiastatesignal.com.

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WHATʼS HAPPENING ON CAMPUS!

STUDENT MEDIA

www.gsu.edu/studentmedia

Marilyn Kallet Poetry Reading Thursday, March 14, 7:30 p.m.

Troy Moore Library

Supported by Student Activity Fees

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CAMPUS EVENTS

www.gsu.edu/studentevents

The Voice Premiere Viewing Party Monday, March 25, 8-10 p.m.

Courtyard, Student Center, First Floor

Watch the season premiere of The Voice, featuring new talent and brand new judges Shakira and Usher. Enjoy free pizza and dress to impress on the red carpet for the Best Dressed Contest for a chance to win two free tickets to PantherPalooza.

This event is free for students, faculty and staff.

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New South, GSUʼs journal of art and literature, will present author and poet Marilyn Kallet here in Atlanta this March. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, including directions and parking details, e-mail newsouth@gsu.edu.

Kallet was born in Montgomery, Alabama, and grew up in New York. She is the author of 15 books, including Packing Light: New and Selected Poems, Black Widow Press; Circe, After Hours, poetry from BkMk Press; The Big Game, translation of Surrealist poet Benjamin Peret, 2011, and Last Love Poems of Paul Eluard, both from Black Widow Press.

Kallet directs the creative writing program at the University of Tennessee, where she is also Professor of English. She teaches poetry workshops in Auvillar, France, for the VirginiaSpotlight Center for the Creative Arts. For more information about Kallet, visit www.marilynkallet.com.

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SPOTLIGHT PROGRAMS BOARD www.gsu.edu/spotlight

Soul Food Cypher

Wednesday, March 13, 7-9 p.m.

470 University Center

The Soul Food Cypher is an open freestyle cypher event. The event is already established and occurs at WonderRoot every second and fourth Sunday of the month from 6 to 9 p.m. GSU is branching the event to its first college campus. This event is young, and we will one day see that we were its first step out of its “home” at WonderRoot into the world.

For more information, call Spotlight at 404-413-1610.

Cinefest Film Theatre

http://www.gsu.edu/cinefest

Georgia State University uLearn

DISTINGUISHED SPEAKER SERIES: America Ferrera Monday, April 1, 3 p.m.

Student Center Ballroom • FREE

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All shows free for GSU students, faculty and staff with ID. Guests $3 before 5 p.m. and $5 at 5 p.m. and after.

Campus Eventsʼ 2012-13 Distinguished Speaker Series will feature America Ferrera on April 1. Ferrera is best known for her fearless portrayal as ʻBetty Suarezʼ on Ugly Betty. She can next be seen in It’s a Disaster and Chavez. Past films include End of Watch, Real Women Have Curves, The Dry Land, How to Train Your Dragon and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 1 and 2. On the West End, Ferrera starred in the musical Chicago, and off-Broadway in BETHANY. Ferrera appeared in PBS's Half the Sky, served as an artist ambassador for Save The Children, and recently visited Honduras on behalf of ONE. The Distinguished Speaker Series events are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Campus Events at 404-413-1857.

Get Ready for GSU Night at Six Flags!

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March 11-17 • Killing Them Softly

Monday-Friday: 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 7 p.m., 9 p.m.

Saturday-Sunday: 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 7 p.m.

March 18-24

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Closed for Spring Break

PantherPalooza For details, visit www.gsu.edu/cinefest.

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Save the Date: Friday, April 19, 6 p.m.-Midnight Free Return Ticket for June 2, 6 or 16 Ticket prices: (Entry/Entry & Meal) $21/$31 until April 5 $30/$40 April 6-18 $35/$45 Day of the event (April 19) No season tickets allowed.

Ticket Purchases Campus Tickets, University Center Open Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

More Information Campus Events, 370 Student Center, 404-413-1857, cespecialevents@gmail.com

CAMPUS EVENTS & SPOTLIGHT PROGRAMS BOARD www.gsu.edu/studentevents

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www.gsu.edu/spotlight

PANTHERPALOOZA featuring

KENDRICK LAMAR and ELLE VARNER Saturday, April 6, 8 p.m.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

GSU Sports Arena

SOLD OUT!