Homecoming Issue Vol.82 No.7

OCT. 7, 2014 - OCT. 13, 2014

It’s the fifth year of our annual fall Homecoming. Flip back the pages with us to take a look at old and new traditions.

VOL. 82 | NO. 7

g n i g

PHOTO BY RAVEN SCHLEY | THE SIGNAL

Br i

n

e m o h it

Sports| Page 9

Inside Inside Section a like us! facebook.com/gsusignal

follow us! twitter.com/gsusignal

Meals for commuters major change SGA may have an alternate to lessen the strain on commuter students’ wallets.

Having degree indecision? Get help picking your major with three simple tips.

News | Page 5

Opinions| Page 8

DAILY NEWS AT WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

News 2

Opinions 7

rematch at home

get in the spirit

Panthers will take on Arkansas State for the big game Oct. 10 after a close loss last year.

Check out our annual Homecoming issue for what to do and see this week!

Sports | page 10

A&L | section b

Sports 9

Arts & Living section b

2

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2014

Local

National organization pushes for gun bans in grocery stores

Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America (MDA), a national organization founded after the Sandy Hook school shooting took place, told management of DeKalb County’s Kroger to ban ope-carry guns in stores on Oct. 3. The group cut their Kroger Plus cards and delivered a petition with more than 270,000 signatures to the manager, according to WSB-TV. MDA has had success at other chains. However, a company spokesperson released a statement stating Kroger’s policy is to follow state and local laws. Georgia law allows anyone to carry a gun in aisles.

National

Fewer abortion clinics to be found in Texas

A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals in New Orleans (Fifth Circuit) upheld a portion of

Texas law that will close the doors on many abortion clinics by requiring all units to be regulated under the same standards as hospitals, according to CNN. Abortion rights activists said the decision would result in over 1 million women in the state having to travel at least 300 miles round-trip to have an abortion. The U.S. Supreme Court previously refused to intervene when other sections of the law were challenged in court.

Sept. 29

Global

A report was filed for theft from vehicle interior after a student said she parked her car on the K Parking Deck and later discovered the vehicle’s door unlocked. Her GPS navigation system had been stolen. The case is under investigation.

Venezuelan lawmaker and partner buried in Caracas

Robert Serra, a 27-year-old member of the National Assembly for the Socialist Party (PSUV), and his partner Maria Herrera were found stabbed to death in their home in Caracas, Venezuela on Oct. 1, according to BBC News. The motive behind the murders is not clear and the act occurred 10 days after the country’s president, Nicolas Maduro, announced a governmental plan to disarm civilians.

Not paying for books Edgewood Avenue

A report was filed for theft by shoplifting at the Georgia Bookstore. The individual was arrested, processed and transported to Fulton County Jail.

Hide your things (and lock your car!)

K Parking Deck

Oct. 1

The (not so) social network Piedmont North

A Georgia State student said he met a male on a social media site and invited the individual to his

dorm room at Piedmont North.

The individual stole the student’s wallet. A report was filed for theft and the case is under investigation.

Oct. 2

Office thefts continue Kell Hall

Another report for a criminal trespass warning was filed on Broad Street Northwest. Georgia State officers escorted a male off the property. He was also issued the CTW.

Two reports were filed for theft.

A Georgia State staff member said her computer issued by the school was stolen from her office. In a similar case, a Georgia State staff member said her cell phone was stolen after she left it on her desk.

Both these cases are under investigation.

Unauthorized individuals on campus College of Education

Georgia State officers made contact with a male loitering at the College of Education Building.

A report was filed for a criminal trespass warning (CTW). He was issued the CTW and escorted off the property.

Unauthorized people on campus... continued Broad Street Northwest

Watch your surroundings Decatur Street

A Georgia State student said she was walking when two unknown black males approached her. One of them attempted to grab her around her waist as the other bent down. A report was filed for simple assault. A campus alert was also sent out to students. The case is under investigation.

Photo of the week PHOTO BY RAVEN SCHLEY | THE SIGNAL Performers swung through the air on ropes, poles and hoops as they showed off their ability to balance during Cirque du Soleil’s new touring show “Amaluna.�

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www.georgiastatesignal.com/news

s g n i n n i g e B w e N Georgia State creates a new universitywide homecoming commitee LAUREN BOOKER Associate News Editor

H

omecoming’s new supervising body and altered events will make the Oct. 6- Oct. 12 celebration different than past years.

The new university-wide Homecoming Committee will supervise this year’s homecoming festivities, according to Kirsten Soriana, assistant director of the University Events Management and new leader of the committee.

Soriano said the committee has the responsibility of managing events created by Spotlight and other groups.

It was created to increase enthusiasm for Homecoming Week and bring together representatives from across Georgia State for the planning, according to an April 2014 Campus Broadcast.

“Working together, this committee aims to increase faculty/staff participation in Homecoming events, build on alumni events and support student groups as they produce annual events,” the broadcast stated.

“Everyone in the university community can get involved. We’ll have future announcements about volunteer opportunities.”

Colleen Geary, director of University Events Management, said the committee’s purpose is to provide structure to the celebration and to ensure all involved are working towards a common goal.

She also said the committee hopes to build school spirit, foster alumni relationships and strengthen affinity within the university. They also want to make new traditions and build upon old ones.

In the committee there are different groups involved including: Spotlight, Athletics and Student Government Association. Some departments participating in Homecoming are the Office of Civic Engagement, Office of Parent Relations and the Byrdine F. Lewis School of Nursing and Health Professions, according to Geary.

“Because all faculty, staff and students are encouraged to participate in the Homecoming celebration, there are numerous events throughout the week which could be anything from a campus-wide event to a college hosting event to a department holding an

THIS YEAR’S

budget for

LAST YEAR’S

budget for

9 events: 10 events:

$33,700 $38,000 office celebration,” she said.

Various departments will contribute differently depending on what they are involved with, according to Geary.

“Some groups are volunteering to help with the food drive,” she said.

“Some are working to create/manage an event to build school spirit. Some are working on events to build alumni relations.”

Before, Homecoming Committee events were planned independently by departments and student organizations. Now the committee will supervise all promotions of Homecoming, according to Geary.

The Office of University Events Management will manage the Homecoming Committee, according to the campus broadcast.

Georgia State’s Office of University Events Management offers event assistance for the planning of events, according to their website.

Boyd Beckwith, director of Georgia State’s Student*University Center, said he does not have a direct role in the planning of Homecoming activities but says “Panther Parties” are a new Homecoming feature for this academic year.

With the program, homecoming parties registered on the Homecoming website are eligible for a Panther Party Pack. The pack’s supplies range from streamers to a t-shirt for their Panther Party, according to the Homecoming website.

The host receiving the pack then must post #pantherparty on their social media with photos and messages, according to the website Registration is now closed and a select amount of hosts were chosen, according to the website.

Phillip R. Smith, assistant director of Programs for the Student*University Center, said

Homecoming’s funding comes from Spotlight’s annual budget and not from sponsors.

This year the budget is $33,700 for nine events but last year Homecoming received $38,000 for 10 events.

The Homecoming game after party will not be included this year, according to Smith.

He also said extra funds for Homecoming from Spotlight’s budget will be used for other events.

In addition, University Events does not control individual units and what is spent on events, according to Geary.

Of the nine events budgeted for the ‘Where in the World is Homecoming?’ themed event, seven are on Homecoming Week’s flyer.

On Monday, there was the French themed Good Morning GSU and a Rio, Brazil themed Field Day/Powder Puff Football Game.

On Tuesday there is the Caribbean themed Spirit Plaza and an Asian themed Block Party, according to the flyer.

The Egyptian themed “Night on The Nile” Royal ball will be the only event on Wednesday and will cost students $10 to attend at the Fox Theatre. On Thursday, there will be an around the world themed Golf Cart Parade, according to the flyer.

Saturday’s Homecoming game will be a match between Georgia State and Arkansas at the Georgia Dome, where Homecoming royalty will be crowned. The Homecoming website also states on Saturday there will be a President’s Brunch and Alumni Association Tailgate.

Homecoming continued on page 4

Homecoming Events: Tuesday, Oct. 7

Spirit Plaza | 12:15 p.m.

Block Party | 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 8

Night on the Nile Royal Ball | 9 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 9

Homecoming Golf Cart Parade | noon

Saturday, Oct. 10

Homecoming Football Game vs. Arkansas State | 2 p.m.

4

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2014

Campus

Jaywalking incidents continue on Georgia State campus Campus police have issued three tickets to students in 2014 AQSA MALIK Staff Reporter

S

tudent Courtlyn Montgomery witnessed an individual being hit by a car after they had been jaywalking earlier this semester.

“I saw he was trying to walk really fast and there were two cars coming. One of them made it but the other one had to hit brakes which caused a change of reaction,” she said.

Montgomery said the individual had not been hurt but there had been two vehicles involved.

Another student who wanted to remain anonymous said she witnessed a driver running over a curb near Aderhold and hitting a pedestrian. She said the incident took place a couple of weeks ago at 5 p.m.

“I was surprised to see ambulance arrived there within a minute.

Police arrived few minutes after the ambulance,” she said.

She also said she did not receive any information about the victim but that he was taken to the hospital.

However, Kiawana Wilborn, record office manager at Georgia State Police Department (GSU PD), said there have been no jaywalking accidents reported for 2014.

The Georgia State University Police Department Pedestrian Safety Traffic Team was formed in spring 2002 to assist with pedestrian safety and traffic enforcement on campus, according to the GSU PD website.

Wilborn said there are no statistics about jaywalking incidents.

However, Georgia State officers are on the streets to maintain pedestrian safety.

Freshman Luke Owen is among several students who said they have

Students continue to jaywalk despite efforts taken by Georgia State’s Pedestrian Safety Traffic Team.

jaywalked in the presence of a cop.

“I jaywalked a couple of times and a cop was there; I didn’t get written up,” he said.

Owen also said there is a potential danger of jaywalking but you weigh that risk every time you cross a street.

Wilborn said Georgia State’s officers give citations to jaywalkers and law offenders. They have given three tickets to students so far this year.

“We had several complaints that our officers are too strict on jaywalkers. It depends on the situation and who is out there,” she said.

Some students said they have never seen police taking an action against jaywalkers but student Abeer Shakir said GSU PD cannot enforce laws against them.

“It’s a waste of time to stand there and not walk even when there is no car coming towards that direction,” she said.

PHOTO BY RUTH PANNILL | THE SIGNAL

Montgomery said jaywalkers make themselves victim to car drivers and risk their lives.

“Pedestrians do have a right on the street, but you have to understand it’s human vs. a car,” she said.

“Watch out for yourself.”

Owens said he admits to jaywalking but only when the streets are empty. Owens also said student and pedestrian safety is an issue.

“I have never witnessed an accident but I can see how that will be a

bad idea to have distractions while you are crossing [a] street, especially here in downtown,” he said.

Owen also said that when students jaywalk, they do it on their own risk and should not be handed a citation.

Montgomery also said safety should be a top priority over trying to travel to another area quickly.

“Save yourself from getting hurt in order to get somewhere on time,” she said.

Homecoming

University

continued from page 3

SAMUEL ROTH Staff Reporter

G

eorgia State joined the University Innovation Alliance (UIA), a nationwide group of 11 public research universities aiming to provide degrees to low income students Sept. 16, according to a University release. Georgia State President Mark Becker is the vice chairman for the UIA. So far, UIA has raised and will match $5.7 million to help with the exchange of ideas to develop a national ‘playbook’ that will help these low-income and firstgeneration students, according to the release.

“High-income students are seven times more likely to attain a college degree than are low-income students,” the release states.

“The American economy will face a shortage of at least 16 million college graduates by 2025.”

Georgia State has pioneered specific programs, starting at the advisement level, and began offering peer tutor opportunities and bridge grants to encourage continued secondary-education for students. These students are at risk of dropping out, losing scholarships or failing classes, according to the release.

“Georgia State successfully used predictive analytics and proactive advising interventions to increase its semester-to-semester retention rates by 5 percent and reduce time-to-degree for gradu-

ating students by almost half a semester,” the release states. “This means 1,200 more students are staying in school every year, and the Georgia State Class of 2014 saved $10 million in tuition and fees compared to graduates a year earlier.”

Student Lauren Zottarelli said she has high hopes for the help UIA can provide for students.

“I think that it is an amazing initiative and it will help so many people that can’t afford college achieve their dreams,” she said.

Also participating in the UIA is the University of California, Riverside, Iowa State University and the University of Central Florida.

For more information about the alliance visit UIA’s website.

Khadeeja Rayner, a sophomore journalism major and member of Quiet Storm Steppers (QSS) and Mentorship, said her club will be participating in the Golf Cart Parade and assisting with Homecoming Court campaigns for former members of QSS and Peerless Perfection Steppers and Mentorship.

“Sisters Joy Nwoke (Edition 17) and Ajhan Richardson (Edition 18) are running. Joy is running for princess and Ajahn is running for Queen,” Rayner said. “Former P2 Brothers Jovan Paige (running for King) and Fortune Onwuzuruike (running for Prince), they are both in a number of student organizations on campus as well.”

Rayner also said she hasn’t faced any challenges while planning for Homecoming. The event she said she is most excited for is the Homecoming Royal Ball because attendees get to dress up like it’s prom.

“Homecoming is honestly my favorite part about Georgia State! It’s so lively and refreshing!” she said.

Other events for Homecoming not

on the Homecoming flyer are Dine out Day and Day in the Park, according to the University Events Management’s website.

During Dine Out Day students, faculty and staff can receive at least a 10 percent discount at participating restaurants when showing their Panther ID on Oct. 8, according to the website.

Landmark Diner, Miss D’s Pralines and Moe’s Southwest Grill are some of the participating restaurants, according to the website.

Day in the Park is Oct. 10 and faculty and staff can bring their lunch to Hurt Park and listen to music and participate in games, according to the website.

Spotlight’s Traditions Committee of 15 students began preparing for Homecoming in May and planned some of Homecoming’s traditional events, according to Smith.

Georgia State’s Student Affairs hopes to build school spirit in current and past students, according to Smith.

“With a school with few traditions, homecoming does provide a sense of pride for all,” he said.

5

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2014

SGA

Meal plans for commuter students may become a reality next year

Student

V X What do you think of the new commuter meal plan?

Daniel Camacho ILLUSTRATION BY MORGAN BROWN | THE SIGNAL

T

he Student Government Association (SGA) may have new dining options designed to put less of a strain on students’ wallets.

SGA is currently coming up with a plan to create a meal plan option for commuter students to purchase beginning in fall 2015, according to SGA’s Vice President of Student Services Teara Mayfield.

“Wouldn’t you pay $300 for 35 meals for a semester?

There are several days as a college student where you just do not have any money and having a pre-paid meal plan would be great,” she said.

Mayfield is one of the organization’s officials who proposed the idea.

SGA Senator Joash Thomas said each meal would cost approximately $4 if a commuter student was to purchase the plan.

“We’re trying to value each meal around $4 so as to provide students with an affordable option that is unparalleled by any other meal service provider on/off campus,” Thomas said.

There would be many options available for these students as several plans would be offered and would start at difference price points, according to Mayfield.

“Some students would only want one meal a day whereas others may want two or three,” she said. “We are currently working out the kinks through my committee.”

The plan primarily focuses on commuter students but an extension for all students is not out of the question, according to Thomas.

“I don’t think this would be exclusive to commuters. But the plan is to make an alternative option for cheaper meals available to commuters because as it stands right now, we have a serious shortage of affordable options,” he said.

Justin Brightharp, Gregory Lafortune and Kyael Moss are additional SGA members who support this proposal.

Senator Beau Evans also supports the plan, according to Thomas.

“A good chunk of our committee is comprised of commuter students, so we understand the challenges that commuting students have to face on campus, especially when

“

Ashton Brasher English major,

“

Senior

“

Senior Reporter

it comes to how expensive a simple lunch can be,” he said.

Mayfield said SGA is modeling the program after plans at locations such as Georgia Tech, Valdosta State University and the University of North Carolina.

“Tons of institutions across the nation have several meal plan options and that is just what Georgia State’s dining facilities are lacking-options,” Mayfield said.

SGA is looking to include small businesses and restaurants around campus into the meal plans, according to Thomas.

Rebecca Heikkioa, junior neuroscience major, said she finds it expensive to eat on campus and supports the idea of commuter meal plans.

“I think it’s a great idea because when I have back-toback classes all day and I’m commuting. You can’t bring food that needs to be refrigerated. You don’t have time to prepare something,” she said.

The SGA organization is still working through the early stages and processes of the concept, according to Mayfield.

The current 7-Day Meal Plan at Georgia State costs students $1,863 per semester and includes breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday through Friday. On the weekends, students have brunch and dinner.

The other option for students is the 5-Day Meal Plan, which includes breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday through Friday. The price for this plan is $1,762 per semester, according to the university’s website.

Schools carrying similar plans charge higher prices than the figure estimated by Mayfield. Georgia Tech charges $993 for 75 meals per semester at its three Resident Dining Restaurants. The All-Access plan with unlimited access to these restaurants comes at the figure of $2,176, according to the college’s website.

The University of North Carolina prices its All-Access Plans at $2,050 per semester. The university’s most basic plan, which provides eight meals per week, costs $1,276, the university’s website states.

Senior Javie Pacheco said the plan would be welcomed despite finding food prices on campus normal.

“Just a bit of inflation but nothing out of the ordinary,” he said. “I think having a flat rate would not only help the students save money, but it will also make the line a bit faster at the register since sometimes they want to see what you’re buying sometimes.”

Senior

I personally have no interest in it considering that my apartment is practically next door to campus. However, 4 dollars seems a little low per meal and if I were a commuter, I’d likely pass on it. I’d be more interested in a gas plan instead of meal plan for commuters, especially considering that there are several students who are commuting from places like Gwinnett county which are about an hour away from campus.

“

FERNANDO MATTOS

Film major,

I had a meal plan my freshman year and loved it.

I do think most people can shop for cheaper than $4 per meal. However, it would be an excellent option for someone who eats out frequently during the week.

So for those not in the habit of shopping and packing a lunch and snacks, I could see it being very beneficial!

6

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2014

Crime

City

Man killed by MARTA train

Two fatal shootings take place near Georgia State campus APD believes shootings were potentially planned AQSA MALIK Staff Reporter

T

wo separate fatal shootings took place in the downtown Atlanta area Sept. 23, according to the Atlanta JournalConstitution (AJC).

Fulton County Medical Examiner’s office identified the first victim as 26-year-old Deonte Rogers. He was shot near Piedmont and Auburn avenues and later died after being transported to a hospital, according to the AJC. Two suspects were seen running from the scene and authorities are searching for those who they believe targeted the victim, according to the AJC. “We don’t believe it was random,” Atlanta Police homicide unit commander Capt. Paul Guerrucci told the AJC. “We believe that the victim was specifically targeted for one reason or another.”

Hours later, another man was found dead inside of a car along Campbellton and Stanton Roads.

Fulton County Medical Examiner’s office identified him as 29-year-old Antonio Clements, according to the AJC. Student Idalia Vazquez said she is concerned about her and her sister’s safety as violent incidents such as stabbings and shootings move closer to campus.

“I don’t feel secure because anyone can walk in and out of buildings and no one is there to stop them,” she said. “First [the] Woodruff Park incident and now this shooting and honestly, I don’t see any security around campus.”

!

Biology student Christopher Patterson said we are in the middle of a major city where violence can occur during the day, endangering students’ lives.

“We are in the middle of giant city where there are a lot of people,” Patterson said. “Campus is not blocked off to people who may be carrying around weapons.

It wil be great if they do something to block those who are not students.”

Investigators have not released the motive behind the shootings yet, according to the AJC.

!

IMAGE SOURCE: GOOGLE MAPS Locations of shootings near Georgia State campus.

TAYLOR JOSEY Staff Reporter

A

55-year-old homeless man, Mahendra Kumar Ghelabhai Patel, was struck and killed by a MARTA train at the Georgia State Station Oct. 1, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC).

MARTA Manager of Communications Alisa Jackson confirmed the incident happened at approximately 5:30 a.m. when an Eastbound train made contact with the individual who was in the trackway at the Georgia State station.

“The train was brought to a halt and the MARTA Police Department was contacted,” Jackson said.

The station was gated and blocked off with yellow police tape for approximately five hours, according to the AJC. MARTA police directed people to the Jesse Hill Jr. side of the sta-

tion for a bus bridge between the Georgia State Station, Five Points and King Memorial.

Monique Harris, biology major, rides the train to campus everyday from the Hamilton E. Holmes train station.

“I was coming from the H. E. Holmes station to the Georgia State station and I didn’t know why the train was behind,” she said.

A trip that usually takes 20 minutes lasted 40 minutes that day, according to Harris.

“I was almost late for class but it’s a good thing I left my house early,” she said.

Jackson confirmed the investigation is still underway and there are no further details about the incident available at this time.

“Mr. Patel’s next-of-kin has been notified and MPD’s investigation into this incident — including Mr. Patel’s unauthorized presence on the trackway — is ongoing,” she said.

www.georgiastatesignal.com/opinions

Smiling face, shattered heart A look at emotional abuse and the scars it leaves

A NICOLE MOTAHARI Opinions Editor Nicole is a double major in biology and English.

When she’s not writing, she enjoys listening to musical theater and watching British TV with her family.

Follow her @SignalOpinions

buse hurts. Whether it’s emotional or physical, a friend, a boss, a coworker, or a lover, the blow of words or a hand pierces your soul like nothing else ever can.

It’s the person you love, that person who’s your everything, that person you’re slowly starting to feel bitter hatred towards every time they come up in your thoughts taking your trust and love, and ripping them to shreds.

We see celebrities like Ray Rice or Chris Brown popping up on the tabloids for hitting their girlfriends, and it makes a splash for a week or so, but after a few fines are imposed, and some sponsors are dropped, the topic dies down into being a hushed taboo, not mentioned in polite company.

Women experience more than 4 million physical assaults and rapes because of their partners, and men are victims of nearly 3 million physical assaults. However, when the issue gets swept under the rug and not discussed, people aren’t aware of what constitutes abuse, and how to deal with it when it happens.

In simple terms, anything that repetitively makes you feel uncomfortable or hurt, physically or emotionally, is abuse. Whether it’s the snide comment every so often that makes you feel like dirt, or someone pushing or grabbing you, if it hurts you repetitively, it’s not healthy.

Three in 10 women and 1 in 10 men in the USA have been through physical abuse or stalking by a partner to the point where their day to day lives have been impacted negatively.

Victims of abuse tend to get labeled as ‘broken’ or ‘attention hungry’, especially if the abuse they experience

isn’t physical.

Emotional abuse is real, and it can be just as difficult to cope with as being hit. Nearly half of all men and women have experienced some form of emotional abuse in a romantic relationship.

You ask, “Why don’t you just walk away?”, as if leaving someone was the easiest thing in the world. Just because your significant other has turned from Prince Charming into a dementor, sucking all the happiness from you, doesn’t mean you stop loving them.

Actually what could happen is you keep pushing yourself harder, desperately trying to be better, determined to ‘fix this’, as if it’s your fault, when in reality, it’s the other person who needs to be fixed.

And it hurts, every time you smile, every time you fool yourself and ignore that niggling conscience in the back of your mind that tells you: This isn’t good for you.

You look happy to the others, so happy your heart could burst. They don’t know, they can’t see that your heart will burst and shatter- just not from joy, but rather from the ache inside you that won’t go away.

Your jaw hurts with the effort to keep up a good face, until one day, you crumble. Either you finally listen to your own heart, or someone else does it for you.

It’s painful at first, like pins and needles when your leg is waking up, but soon, you get this overwhelming relief, as if the shackles and the weight weighing you down have finally been removed from your body, letting you breathe freely after so long.

ILLUSTRATIONS BY UDUAK ITA | THE SIGNAL

The statistics on people who experience physical assault or rapes:

More than

4 million women

More than

3 million men

Who to call if you’ve been a victim of abuse: The National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 Domestic Abuse Helpline Services for Men and Women: 1-888-743-5754

Editorial

You shouldn’t jaywalk — but if you do anyway, do so with courtesy

A

t a commuter university such as Georgia State, we all rush to get to our destinations and take as many shortcuts possible. One of the most frustrating obstacles in the way is a crosswalk light preventing you from getting to the other side of the street.

One person crosses against oncoming traffic, a few follow and pretty soon you follow too.

Why is that?

Jaywalking happens almost unconsciously — we do it without a second thought. With everyone else around us jaywalking, the action becomes a socially acceptable group behavior — it’s considered normal in our downtown neighborhood.

However there are several implica-

tions for jaywalking. The act is a civil infraction and may cost you up to $200 if ticketed. Not only could you be involved in a pedestrian accident, your behavior may encourage others to copy those actions, resulting in fatal consequences.

Drivers can also be blamed. In our busy city we have speeders, lane-hoggers and people who turn the corners without looking first. At the end of the day, we all have somewhere to be, and we forget that others have somewhere to be too.

Because of our fast-paced lifestyle, we only want to think about the current situation and the immediate goal. We need to remember we are not invincible.

It has been a dreary week; there have been a few deaths and injuries in Downtown. In our article on jaywalking (page 4

in section A of our print issue), students recalled some observations, a couple of which involved pedestrian accidents.

In 2011, 4,432 pedestrians were killed in traffic accidents and roughly 69,000 were injured, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

It’s a pedestrian against the oncoming, 2-ton car, and the implications are just not worth taking the chance.

So what is the solution?

We need bigger and more visible crosswalks, walk signals that last for a longer period, and slower speeds for cars at the more busy crosswalks. Having better infrastructure on the streets will help both parties involved in pedestrian accidents.

By revamping our crosswalks it will

be more clear for cars to see areas to stop for pedestrians. And for our pedestrians this will give everyone more room to get to their destination. All of this will make it easier to opt in and follow traffic laws.

We also need more awareness during Incept for new students. Fully teach them the laws and legal consequences of jaywalking in a university setting such as Georgia State.

In return, we need to all cooperate as everyday commuters and pedestrians. We are not entitled to the right of way at all times.

If there’s any lesson to learn from this week’s issues, it’s that we should be considerate of one another and even ourselves. Some shortcuts just aren’t worth it.

8

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2014

The major decision

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

Follow her @MiaMore09

rowsing through a friend’s blog, I read that the average college student goes through at least three major changes before settling on the one they’re going to pursue. I’m not sure how true this is for the mass majority, but for me this estimation was dead on.

I also noticed that this was true for a lot of my friends. But why are so many of my peers falling into this unofficial statistic? And what are universities doing to address this popular academic trend? More effective advisement earlier in our collegiate careers, perhaps?

When I first began my collegiate journey, I was studying to be an actress with a major in performing arts and though I’m still very dedicated to my dream, acting isn’t a sure career path for me right now.

There’s major change number one. When I transferred to Georgia State, I was a film and video major because I still wanted to be involved in the arts but more so behind the scenes. Georgia State has a great department, but I was expecting something a little different.

There goes my second major change. I figured I’d go back to studying the performing arts, but I learned State doesn’t offer a direct acting degree program. So I was forced to change my major yet again. So here I am now as an English Major.

That’s how I underwent three major changes. But how do you prevent yourself from going through the same thing? Let’s look a little deeper at the issue.

The primary reason I think students go through so many major changes is because when you’re in your first year in college, you’re not really sure what you want. We get so caught up in the social aspect of college that we forget we’re here for our academics.

Comic: ‘Brunch’ by william Miracle

Dollars and sense with mitch

Once more into the fray MITCHELL OLIVER Columnist

How to choose your major in 3 steps:

Mitch is a senior finance major and student financial advisor. “My goal is to have more college students financially literate.” Leave your questions for him online at georgiastatesignal.com

Tip 1.

Narrow Your Decision

Ask yourself: “Do I see myself paying tuition to study my interest?” The last thing you want to do is spend money on something you aren’t going to use.

Tip 2.

Ask Around

The upperclassmen in your major didn’t make it there by simply labeling themselves as such; they had to fulfill certain requirements. If there’s anyone who knows the ins and outs of a major, it’s the students who constantly have to adjust to the changes. Communication in college can get you very far.

Tip 3.

Audit Classes

If you approach almost any professor ahead of time and ask to sit in on their class, they’ll more than likely allow you the experience. This way, you can get an idea of the professor’s teaching style and an overview of the class’ difficulty. Most the classes I’m currently registered for are a result of taking the the time to find, email and research my professors. My enthusiasm has paid off.

After my second major change, these are the steps I made to make my last one. I was successful in my approach and am now very satisfied with my decision.

I’m a firm believer in everyone having their own paths, but this is just a simple guide to get you started. Good luck to those going through this academic struggle!

W

Follow him @madmoneyATL

hether you are ready for it or not, Atlanta is becoming the place to be in the South.

From the new Falcon Stadium expected in 2017 to the growth of downtown via the Streecar.

Atlanta seems to be on the up and up. Just looking at the Bureau of Labor Statistics, you will see that the median income for Atlanta residents has jumped from $34,770 in 2000 to $46,466 in 2012. Atlanta is enjoying the spotlight of the south as business is recovering from the recession and hopes are high.

Because of this, the city government and Mayor Kasim Reed have fast forwarded plans to grow the city’s tourism and make the city a prime destination for anyone visiting the state.

There is an issue with this fervent push to become a tourism hub and it is two-fold. Not only are there infrastructure and social issues currently plaguing the city, but there are also almost 500,000 people living in Atlanta that would love to see improvements to the city other than additions to boost tourism. The concept of building a tourist hub from a city riddled with other issues just creates an unrealistic image of Atlanta.

Yet the mayor and city planners are so gung-ho about getting more and more tourists to come to Atlanta in order to enjoy these trappings provided for them. This includes just the handful of stuff to do around Centennial Park. (A majority of the tourists, I assume, will not dig much deeper into the city than the simple attractions offered around Pemberton Place) With the new Falcon’s stadium being built, this issue is just getting worse. Mayor Reed is quoted on the official new stadium’s website saying, “This new stadium will keep the city of Atlanta at the forefront of the hospitality industry in America as we pursue our goal of attracting 40 million visitors annually.”

So here we see that the goals of Atlanta include being at the forefront of the hospitality industry and attracting 40 million visitors annually. This can be translated as saying, “This new stadium will hopefully bring in revenue for the failing hotels and will pump temporary revenue into popular tourist-focused ventures.”

What needs to happen is focus placed on mending and building solid foundations and infrastructure in the city. Instead of putting so much time, energy and money into things focused on appeasing tourists, Atlanta should first appease it’s inhabitants.

For one, Atlanta has crime rates that rank it sixth in the nation, according to a Forbes study. Assault and robbery in the city has been on the rise and I fear this can only get worse by pumping more tourists into the city.

Further, the October issue of Money magazine just gave Atlanta the dubious honor of having the third worst commute in America behind Washington, D.C. and New York.

For perspective, it takes on average only 4 minutes longer to go from mainland New York to New York City than it does to go from OTP Atlanta to downtown. This is a huge issue facing the city that I guarantee won’t be fixed by again pumping more and more motorists into town.

While the idea of a bustling city sounds great to think about, on paper it won’t work out if changes aren’t made. Here’s to hoping the city developers understand this before breaking ground on any new downtown developments anytime soon.

www.georgiastatesignal.com/sports

Looking

Back

Homecoming before and after football began AKIEM BAILUM Sports Editor

A

nother homecoming week has commenced at Georgia State. From the Homecoming Ball to the Golf Cart Parade to the big football game, this week in October is a time that the university and its alumni look forward to on an annual basis.

But at Georgia State, homecoming was not always an October affair.

Prior to 2010, Georgia State held its Homecoming festivities in the spring semester in February. Many of the events surrounding Homecoming at Georgia State still exist today, but the week-long slate of events would always culminate in a men’s basketball game that took place at the Sports Arena.

That same year was also the inaugural season of the university’s new football team. With it, Georgia State moved its Homecoming events to the traditional fall season.

Dave Cohen, who has served as the “voice of the Panthers” on radio for 32 years, said, “At most universities, homecoming is usually held in the fall with the culmination of everything being the football game. We didn’t have a football team prior to a few years ago, so it made sense for Georgia State to have the more traditional homecoming revolving around the football game.”

The final spring homecoming

The year 2010 was an especially busy year for the university’s homecoming festivities. In addition to a newly redesigned Pounce, it was the year Georgia State held its final spring homecoming as well as the inaugural fall event with the football team’s debut.

The Panthers played William and Mary on Feb. 6 in 2010 at the Sports Arena. Georgia State, as members of the Colonial Athletic Association [CAA], lost 59-56 to the visit-

THE SIGNAL ARCHIVES

ing Tribe before 2,347 in attendance. Panthers Senior Guard Trae Goldston led the home team with 15 points that game.

Quinn McDowell led the way for William and Mary with 17.

Rod Barnes, who posted a 33-61 record in three seasons at the helm for the Panthers, was the head coach of the team that year. He declined to comment on this story.

The new program

The Panthers began its football saga in 2010, and the first Georgia State homecoming football game took place Oct. 2 at the Georgia Dome as the Panthers took on the Morehead State Eagles. A crowd of 15,264 saw the Panthers defeat Morehead State by a final of 37-10.

The Panthers’ passing, rushing and receiving leaders that game were all freshmen on a team where freshmen made up well over half the roster.

Starting quarterback Drew Little threw for 287-yards and four touchdowns along with completing 21 of his 29 passes.

Travis Evans, who was also a freshman and played runningback, led the Georgia State rushing attack with eight carries and 62-yards.

Danny Williams led the Panthers’ receiving corps that game with eight receptions and 101-yards. Albert Wilson also saw playing time and finished with three catches for 78- yards.

Cohen, who also works in Georgia State’s Alumni Office, recalled that the move was looked at very warmly from the basketball side of things.

“From what I remember, there wasn’t any objection to it,” he said.

Chinara “C.C.” Thomas is currently the administrative coordinator for Spotlight Programs Board. She graduated from Georgia State in 2006 and has worked in the Student*University Center since 2007. She remembers

how hectic 2010 was.

“That was a very busy time,” Thomas said. “I remember having to do two homecomings that year. We had the spring event in February then had to turn around [in October] for football.”

Thomas said since the two homecoming periods occurred during different school years, organizing the homecoming festivities was not any more expensive. Homecoming events can be organized by Spotlight, the university or the athletics department.

Something more “traditional”

Part of Georgia State’s aim in adjusting the homecoming festivities was not only to make its event more traditional.

While many of the events taking place on homecoming week still occur in fall as they did in spring, they also hoped to foster new traditions.

These included the Alumni Association shifting its Distinguished Awards event from a spring luncheon during the commencement period in May, to a dinner on the Friday night of homecoming week. According to the Alumni Association, the event only garnered approximately 50 attendees when associated with the spring commencement happenings. But since its move to a Friday night during the fall homecoming week, roughly 175 people attend each year.

The association said it also previously hosted a reception at spring Homecoming during the basketball game, which brought out around 300 people.

But the organization’s tailgates at the football games gather between 500-600 people.

This year, the Alumni Association scheduled tailgates prior to three home football games— the season opener vs. Abilene Christian on Aug. 27, homecoming vs. Arkansas State, and

the Panthers’ much anticipated in-state tilt on Oct. 25 vs. Georgia Southern. One is also scheduled for Georgia State’s Nov. 22 matchup on the road at Clemson.

The Alumni Association has stayed involved with basketball as evidenced by its Feb. 27 trip to Arlington, Texas for the men’s basketball team’s road matchup against Sun Belt foe UT-Arlington. The Panthers were victorious by a final score of 77-49.

Other changes came with the switch from spring to fall as well.

“Our amateur night and talent show that we put on every year was once an event associated with homecoming when it was in spring,” Thomas said. “It was one of the events we did not move when homecoming went to fall for football, so now it’s its own event in the spring.”

She said that with homecoming week already full of events including the pep rally for the sports teams, the week was full enough without the Amateur Night and Talent Show.

The move could have been interpreted at the time as another step in Georgia State’s transition into becoming a more traditional campus, including moving from a commuter-based to a residentialoriented campus. Of course, the move in 2010 from fall to spring also had an athletics element.

“I think Georgia State is trying to become more of a football school,” Thomas said.

Ever since the move from to fall from spring, the jury is out on how successful it has been.

Thomas believes that homecoming at Georgia State will always be the event it is regardless of what month it is on the calendar.

“I’m not sure that one can say that one has been more successful than the other,” Cohen said.

PHOTO BY RALPH HERNANDEZ| THE SIGNAL

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2013 10

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2014

The Homecoming Game

Georgia State (1-4) vs. Arkansas State (3-2) Georgia State Game Recps 8/27: 38-37 win over Abilene Christian

PHOTO COURTESY OF GEORGIA STATE SPORTS

Nick Arbuckle Passing yards this season 8/27 vs. Abilene Christian

413

9/6 vs. New Mexico State

294

9/13 vs. Air Force

414

9/20 at Washington

194

10/4 at Louisiana-Lafayette

276

Georgia State Statistics

3rd in Sun Belt in Scoring Offense (30.2 points/game)

3rd in Sun Belt in Total Offense (456.8 yards/game)

1st in Sun Belt in Passing Offense (331.5 yards/game)

8th in Sun Belt in Total Defense (452.0 yards/game)

9th in Sun Belt in Pass Defense (255.5 yards/game)

In a nationally televised matchup on ESPNU, Georgia State kicked off the 2014 football season in style with a 38-37 victory over the Abilene Christian Wildcats to snap at 16-game losing streak dating back to 2012. Wil Lutz’s 26-yard field goal with four seconds left sealed the victory for the Panthers. Nick Arbuckle threw for 413-yards and four touchdowns in his Georgia State debut.

9/6: 34-31 loss to New Mexico State

In spite of an early 17-0 lead, the Panthers suffered defeat to New Mexico State by a final score of 34-31. A late Arbuckle TD put Georgia State ahead by four, but the Panthers defense could not muster one last defensive stand to stop the Aggies’ offense.

9/13: 48-38 loss to Air Force

Sports Editor

T

his year’s homecoming matchup features Georgia State taking on Sun Belt rival Arkansas State. The Panthers are currently 1-4 for the season as the team was able to earn a season-opening 3837 victory over Abilene Christian but have since lost their last four contests including to conference rivals New Mexico State and Louisiana-Lafayette.

The Red Wolves have begun the season at 3-2. They kicked off the season with a 37-10 win over Montana State before losing on the road to a pair of Power Five conference foes in Tennessee and Miami.

They rebounded in week four with a 21-14 overtime victory against Utah State and a 28-14 win over LouisianaMonroe.

9/20: 45-14 loss to Washington

The Panthers played their first road matchup at Washington in Seattle—the longest trip the team has taken in its five-year history. Georgia State led the Pac-12 power 14-0 before the Huskies stormed back with 45 unanswered points to take the game.

10/4: 34-31 loss to Louisiana-Lafayette

Georgia State played a hard fought football game against a Louisiana-Lafayette team prior to the start of the season was a unanimous pick to win the Sun Belt Conference. The team had a huge opportunity to win the game late in the fourth quarter before a pair of illegal formation penalties hampered the Panthers’ last offensive drive.

blocked a Matt Hubbard punt which was recovered by Raziel Young in the end zone to give Arkansas State the lead at 21-17.

Shortly afterwards, Georgia State regained the lead with a 17-yard touchdown pass from Kelton Hill to Wilson to make the score 24-21, but the Red Wolves responded with a fiveyard run by Michael Gordon to pull ahead 28-24.

A field goal from Lutz to begin the fourth brought the Panthers within one at 28-27. Arkansas State senior quarterback Adam Kennedy found J.D. McKissic for a five-yard TD pass to go ahead 35-27. With over two minutes left in the game, Hill connected with Wilson for a 70-yard touchdown pass to bring Georgia State within two, but the Panthers’ two-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful, sealing the game for the Red Wolves.

Arkansas State Game Recaps 8/30: 37-10 win vs.

Montana State

The Red Wolves opened the season in defense of their co-Sun Belt title last season with a 37-10 victory over Montana State. The game was close between the two squads through the third quarter until 24 consecutive Arkansas State points allowed the Red Wolves to cruise to their opening victory.

9/6: 34-19 loss at Tennessee

Arkansas State’s record fell to 1-1 with a 34-19 defeat to Tennessee in a nationally televised matchup via the SEC Network. The Red Wolves scored the first points of the game as they went ahead 6-0, but the Volunteers’ offense led by quarterback Justin Worley and wide receiver Marquez North was too much for Arkansas State to handle.

9/20: 21-14 win vs. Utah State (OT)

PHOTO BY ANDRES CRUZ | THE SIGNAL ARCHIVES Last year’s homecoming game against Troy ended in an upsetting defeat of 35-28.

HOMECOMING HISTORY Since the debut of the football team and its transition to a fall homecoming, Georgia State has played a homecoming football game every season. This will be the fifth in the short history of the program. The Panthers notched wins over Morehead State and eventual Sun Belt foe South Alabama in their first pair of Homecoming matchups, but have fell to Villanova and Troy the last couple of years.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ARKANSAS STATE SPORTS

Qushaun Lee Tackles this season 8/30 vs. Montana State

5

9/6 at Tennessee

9

9/13 at Miami

9/13: 41-20 loss at Miami

The team’s game the following week at Miami was also nationally televised via ESPNU. The result was a 41-20 defeat at Miami. Hurricanes freshman quarterback Brad Kaaya threw for four touchdowns and 342-yards. Senior wide receiver Phillip Dorsett was the recipient of 201 of those yards along with a pair of touchdowns.

In a matchup that saw a huge Air Force contingency at the Georgia Dome, the Falcons defeated the Panthers 48-38. Air Force led 31-10 at the half before the Georgia State offense fought hard to come within striking distance of the Falcons. It was not enough as the Panthers finished their opening homestand with a win and two losses.

Last year: loss to Arkansas State 35-33 With the Panthers’ move into the Sun Belt commencing in 2013, last year’s matchup between Georgia State and Arkansas State was the first time the two teams have met. It ended with the Panthers coming up just short as the Red Wolves bested Georgia State by a final of 35-33.

Arkansas State took an early 7-0 lead before the Panthers went ahead 10-7 with a field goal from Wil Lutz and a touchdown run from quarterback Ronnie Bell. Albert Wilson’s 80yard touchdown run in the second quarter increased the Georgia State lead to 17-7, which is what it would be at halftime.

Wilson then fumbled on the first possession of the second half for the Panthers, which turned into a 21-yard touchdown by Red Wolves free safety Sterling Young to bring the score to 17-14. Defensive back Brock Barnhill

AKIEM BAILUM

The Red Wolves got back in the win column with a 21-14 overtime triumph over Utah State at home.

Arkansas State trailed late in the fourth quarter 14-7 before tying it with just over five minutes remaining in regulation. A blocked field goal attempt along with a 24-yard touchdown pass from Fredi Knighten to Dijon Paschal capped off the Red Wolves’ second win of the year.

10/4: 28-14 win vs.

Louisiana-Monroe

Last week’s matchup against the Warhawks was Arkansas State’s homecoming game. They won by a final of 28-14 to win their 11th of their last 12 homecoming games.

Knighten finished with three rushing touchdowns along with a passing touchdown on 284-yards passing.

Michael Gordon added 168 yards on the ground.

4

9/20 vs. Utah State

13

10/4 vs. Louisiana-Monroe

3

Arkansas State Statistics

7th in Sun Belt in Scoring Offense (24.2 points/game)

7th in Sun Belt in Total Offense (380.8 yards/game)

8th in Sun Belt in Passing Offense (220.0 yards/game)

5th in Sun Belt in Total Defense (386.0 yards/game)

8th in Sun Belt in Pass Defense (249.8 yards/game)

Interview with Matt Stolz Arkansas State play by play radio voice: Initial thoughts on the game: MS: I’m looking forward to it. It will be fun for our players to take the field at the Georgia Dome and they’ll know they’ll have their hands full with an improved Georgia State team. The Red Wolves also remember last year’s game very well when they had to come from behind to win in Jonesboro.

How much of a challenge will it be for Arkansas State to play on the road at Georgia State’s homecoming after coming off its own?

MS: Homecoming is always a fun atmosphere to be a part of and the Red Wolves expect Georgia State to be ready to play. However, one big reason that Arkansas State has been able to win 3 straight Conference Championships is their ability to win on the road. The Red Wolves have lost just one conference road game over the last three seasons.

What are the Red Wolves

coaching staff looking at that could present potential matchup issues?

MS: Well, it’s impossible not to be impressed with the start of Nick Arbuckle. He’s leading the Sun Belt and is in the Top 15 in the nation in passing yards and total offense. Linebacker Joseph Peterson is also among the national leaders in tackles with over 13 per game. Anytime you have a couple of players averaging numbers like they are, then opposing teams have to take notice.

Is Georgia State a better team this season than last year when Arkansas State barely beat them?

MS: They seem to be more a complete team. The entire Sun Belt has a lot of respect for Trent Miles and what he’s trying to do. Georgia State will be winning a lot of games very soon as they become more of a complete team on both sides of the ball. Last

year, Albert Wilson had one of the best individual efforts I’ve ever seen from an opposing player. The Panthers played well that day, but Wilson took that team on his shoulders and almost upset the Red Wolves on the road. Our fans were very happy to see him graduate.

Now that this is the second season playing them, is that familiarity through being Sun Belt competitors an advantage or disadvantage for A-State?

MS: We’ll probably have to wait to find out. Both teams were unfamiliar with one another last season and now have a better idea of what to expect as far as personnel. That said, the Red Wolves have another new coaching staff this year that wasn’t able to see the Panthers play in person in 2013.

With a new coaching staff, comes new philosophies and we’ll see at kickoff how both teams adjust.

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 201410, 2013 TUESDAY, DECEMBER

STAFF PREDICTIONS

PANTHER OF THE WEEK

GUEST PICK OF THE WEEK GEORGIA STATE ATHLETICS

Student Picker

Oregon vs.

UCLA

NATIONAL Oct. 11 Auburn vs.

Mississippi State

Stella Christoforou Cross Country

Senior cross country runner Stella Christoforou finished second with a time of 17:51.47 as Georgia State put in a dominant outing at the Jacksonville State University (JSU) Invitational.

The Panthers swept the event to finish first among seven schools and had five of the top six finishers.

Christoforou hails from Limassol, Cyprus, Greece and earned her bachelor’s degree at Georgia. She is Greece’s national record holder in both the 800 and 1500 meters. She finished sixteenth in the 5K Georgia Cross Country Invitational. Because of a medical redshirt, she did not compete in cross country or track and field events in 2011.

She finished third with a time of 17:18.68 at the Georgia Invitational. During last year’s indoor track and field season, she won the Razorback Invite with a time of 4:48.87.

Christoforou won all-SEC honors during her four years with the Bulldogs. She is now pursuing her master’s degree in Sports Administration at Georgia State.

FOOTBALL

Melanie Fields

SUN BELT UL Monroe vs.

Kentucky

Georgia vs.

Missouri

T

he perception of Georgia State’s football program seems to be dismal so far since its inaugural season in 2010.

The homecoming game is around the corner as the Panthers will battle against Arkansas State.

However, some students don’t seem to care.

Football at Georgia State has improved since its first years but is still encountering its share of growing pains as it continues its foray into Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) competition.

Students of Georgia State have various opinions about the football program, while some seem disinterested.

The first few weeks of the fall season have seen the support from the student body fluctuate for football.

The opening game of the 20142015 season against Abilene Christian brought a huge crowd that filled up the student section in the Georgia Dome.

Some students at Georgia State say that the opening game of the season is the only one they will attend all year.

“Honestly, I’m not going to sup-

Arkansas State vs.

Georgia State

Idaho vs.

Georgia Southern

STAFF:

Akiem

Bryan

Jeremy

Jared

GUESTS:

Melanie

BRIEFS Men’s Basketball

Georgia State began practice this past Friday with a bit of inauspicious news regarding its starting center. Curtis Washington will miss two weeks of practice after undergoing hernia surgery. T.J. Shipes will start at center until Washington heals. The Panthers’ first exhibition game will be

on Monday, Nov. 3 against Georgia College at home before starting the regular season on Nov. 14 vs. Tennessee Temple at the Sports Arena.

Volleyball

The Panthers, in their third game at the Sports Arena this season, fell to the South Alabama Jaguars in four

sets. Georgia State took the first set before the Jaguars would prevail in the following three sets. Their next match will be on Wednesday night at the Sports Arena vs. Georgia Southern.

Football

The team fell to 1-4 on the sea-

son with a 34-31 loss to LouisianaLafayette at Cajun Field in Louisiana.

Marcus Caffey, in his first start at runningback finished with 90 yards and three touchdowns. The Panthers had a chance late to win the game on offense, but two illegal formation penalties wiped out a pair of big plays converted on offense.

Student

V X

Georgia State football: For or against?

Staff Reporter

vs.

Troy

Sports column

JARED OLIVER

New Mexico State

port a horrible team and waste my time, but I haven’t seen them play yet, so I can’t determine if they’re a good team or not,” said sophomore LaReesa Threatt. “I think the team needs to work on playing better as a team. Obviously our defense sucks, so that’s why we’re losing.”

Threatt says that she would make the time to come see the Panthers football team if they were consistent winners. But she does expect to attend to the homecoming game to show school spirit.

As Georgia State’s program continues to grow and victories become a more frequent occurrence, the program will likely gain more respect not only from the student body but from other football programs around the nation.

Former Georgia State quarterback and wide receiver Kelton Hill weighed in on the program, now looking from the inside out.

“They’re still learning,” Hill said.

“They still have a ways to go. It was good to get that first win into the season to build momentum. Outside looking in, it’s a work in progress.”

“I guess you can say they’re putting more points on the board,” he continued.

Hill believes the reason games are not being won is because they don’t really know how to finish out a game yet. However, Hill believes

Head Coach Trent Miles has the capabilities to turn this new program into a competitive team.

“I actually kind of wish he was there my junior year so I could have two years with him,” Hill said. “He’s a player’s coach and he seems like a fun coach to be around if the team’s winning.”

Georgia State football remains, at this point, a young program.

Coaches and players have hopes of continuing to build and improving it as time goes on. As the team finds itself in the win column with increased consistency, the support from students on campus may also become more consistent.

This year’s homecoming game is this Saturday against the Arkansas State Red Wolves — last year’s coSun Belt champions. The Panthers suffered a slight defeat against the Red Wolves last year by a score of 35-33 with the margin of defeat only occurring via a failed twopoint conversion attempt.

Over 17,000 were in attendance at the Georgia Dome for last year’s Panthers homecoming game against Troy. Georgia State was defeated by its Sun Belt rivals with a final score of 35-28.

If Panthers football is to be successful as time goes on, successfully sustaining support from the student populace can potentially be one ingredient for a winning recipe.

Are you attending Homecoming festivities this year?

Rico Johnson Sophomore

Alesa Barron Senior

Melanie Fields Junior

Nursing

Studio Art

Journalism

I will attend the homecoming game because I want to experience the school spirit that day. The only events I really know of are the Royal Court Ball and the game on Saturday. I’m not planning on going to the Ball, though.

I’m going to the homecoming game because I want to keep up tradition. If it’s any game that I intend to go to, it’s the homecoming game. Also, I’ll be at the homecoming dance as well. Being part of Spotlight Programs Board, this will be a busy week for me.

This is my first year here at Georgia State being a transfer and I want to experience my first homecoming.

I just found out about the Royal Court Ball and I’m on the fence about the game.

Don’t Worry.

We’ve got your back With our live Twitter feeds, breaking Facebook statuses, and full online stories, you’ll never have to leave that comfortable futon of yours. @gsusignal

/gsusignal /signalsports

@gsusignalsports @signalopinions @gsusignalAandL georgiastatesignal.com

Meet The Royal Court www.georgiastatesignal.com/ artsandliving

See what the royal family has to say as to why they should win this year’s crown.

Page 2B

into the Groove of Homecoming

Not sure what’s going on or what to hit up for Homecoming festivities?

We’ve got you covered.

PAGE 5B

An unforgettable Experience

Last year’s Homecoming previous festivities and how it’s affected them.

PAGEs 6B - 7B

WHAT NOT TO WEAR

This year’s Homecoming ball will be a blast style guide to help you decide!

PAGE 4B

Kings Michael Samuel

Samuel is a double major in economics and risk management who hopes to one day work on Wall Street. Samuel belongs to SGA, 1913 Society and is a Resident Assistant.

“I’m here to represent my university to the utmost at all times and be the face of Georgia State,” Samuel said.

Meet the Royals

Drake Greer

Greer never expected to end up where he got to at Georgia State. After high school, Drake found himself working at a daycare center. But at Georgia State, he found a home. Greer is a script writer and film major and is very active in his Greek community.

“My platform is based on empowerment.

I want people off their butts, working on themselves and doing the best that they can do,” Greer said.

Jovan Paige

Paige said he is involved in redefining what “success” really means. Collegiate success is usually defined by what circumstances they come from; Paige comes from hardships, problems ranging from homelessness to witnessing a murder, he explained.

“I’m a first generation college student. I’m a 2013 Homecoming Prince, a 2013 Rising Star of the Year, but most importantly, I’m a black man on the track of success and ambition,” Paige said.

Princes

Gregory Lafortune

Last year, he didn’t win Homecoming Prince. This year, he is at it again. He is a nutrition major and putting in efforts to take home the title. Gregory is involved in SGA, The 1913 Society and Georgia State Marching Band.

“Last year this time, I though I would be at Morehouse,” Lafortune said. “Morehouse would have taught me how to be a greater man. Georgia State taught me how to be a greater person.”

“I’m not another face. I’m a candidate for the Royal Court. I’m telling you right now there’s only one fit for being the Homecoming Prince.”

SYDNEY CUNNINGHAM

I

Staff Writer

n preparation for the forthcoming week of Homecoming events, Georgia State’s Spotlight Programs Board held a press conference Sept.

30, showcasing the nominees for this year’s Royal Court.

Aside from providing information about the various events of Homecoming week, the press conference allowed students to finally meet the Royal Court nominees. The 12 nominees for the Royal Court are required to have a 2.75 GPA, be in good academic standing, attend every Homecoming event, and represent a student organization.

There are four categories, with three nominees each: Prince, Princess, King and Queen. The nominees used the press conference as an opportunity to better acquaint themselves with the student body. Take a closer look at the nominees for this year’s court.

Onwuzuruike is a sophomore respiratory therapy major with a concentration in health administration. Fortune wants to be a part of football’s homecoming because of its longstanding tradition “I want this opportunity to be more than photo ops, Instagram bios or Twitter bios,” he said. “I want to use this platform to implement workshops, programs, community service and mentoring young men around the community.”

GSU

Fortune Onwuzuruike

Ajahn Richard

Queens

Richard is a senior sociology major who is focused on what to do with your love for your school.

“I believe what you do with it is to service and help other people,” Richard said. “I really focus on helping and being a change in people’s lives. It’s either from smiling at someone or giving advice along the way.”

She came to Georgia State a shy person and said through her experiences came out a confident woman. With a passion for service, she’s working towards gaining the crown.

Karishma Lakhani

Lakhani is a senior psychology major who makes a point to define diversity. In her experience, it’s gained her the opportunity to learn five different languages.

“Diversity has allowed me to host a university fashion show that’s [honored] cultures from every region of the world. My goal is to promote cultural awareness and competency,” Lakhani said. “I’m striving to be the first Homecoming Queen of Indian descent and hoping to inspire other students to embrace their differences. Many diversities, one university.”

Briana Harris

Harris is a California born senior exercise science major who is using this opportunity to promote desire and passion to obtain her goals.

“I came here an out-of-state student,” Harris said. “I was shy and confused. I never thought I’d obtain my 4.0 all through senior year or be in a dance team with zero dance training, I never thought I’d be a student leader 3,000 miles from my home.”

While this is out of her comfort zone, that is precisely the point. Briana believes in crossing new territories and always reaching for more.

Princesses Jessica Mitchell

Mitchell is a junior at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies. She describes herself with her acronym ACEO: Ambitious, Charismatic, Enthusiastic and Optimistic.

Mitchell works with Georgia State’s Athletics Program and is a member of the Pantherettes. If she is to be championed Homecoming Princess, she would like to use the chance to promote literacy for recently incarcerated juveniles.

“As a student, I think it’s important to give my education back to the community, especially to those who have lost tools in society,” Mitchell said.

Prince Asumadu

“He prospers who most serves best,” Asumadu said.

Prince lives by this and believes that serving at Georgia State can allow you to gain a lot as a student and as a person. Even if he doesn’t win, he wants to help people to get involved on campus and with the school. Asumadu gained leadership skills and friendships through this process and wants you to remember: ‘Prince for Prince.’

www.georgiastatesignal.com/artsandliving

PAGE DESIGN BY DARIAN MATHEWS PHOTOS BY ALLYSON BUSCH | THE SIGNAL

Joy Nwoke

Nwoke is a sophomore chemistry major who is driven to pursue a career in Pharmaceuticals. Joy wants to win Homecoming Princess because she truly loves the university.

“I was like I have to leave a legacy that is bigger than myself,” Nwoke said of the moment she found she had been nominated. “I’ve done that by being involved and staying on the President’s list. I hope to influence my peers to leave a legacy larger than themselves.”

Domonique Marseille

Domonique is a junior speech major originally from New Jersey. She was a 2014 Inceptor, giving up a part of her summer to help prospective students. Marseille was also a Fire Mentor, helping out freshman students on campus. While working under the office of the President, she is a member of the 1913 society, a student ambassador program.

“I would be able to give back at a greater capacity,” Marseille said.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2014

3B

The many ‘tongues’ of Pounce ENDIA MATHEWS Staff Reporter

H

omecoming is a week-long celebration that welcomes back alumni to the school. It’s an American tradition. However, for international students, homecoming might be something new.

In celebration of this year’s homecoming, Spotlight Programs Board brings awareness to the school’s diverse student body in their segment called “The Many Tongues of Pounce.” The segment allows Georgia State students from different backgrounds give their perspective on the school’s diversity.

A few students shared their reasons why they think the schools’ diversity was beneficial to them.

Nathaly Echeverri

SUBMITTED PHOTOS

A new experience in the same place: Karen Hernandez Mexico/America

Yue Yin

From listening to interacting: Yue Yin - China Yue Yin is a graduate student spending her first time studying abroad in the West at Georgia State. A Chinese native, Yin lives in a small coastal town in the city of Qidong.

So how did she find Georgia State?

“I chose Georgia State because I heard they were very helpful to international students,” Yin said. “I wanted to do something different but still feel welcomed.”

Yin has never attended a school that had a homecoming week or anything similar.

She said all her ideas about American traditions came from movies and television shows which are completely different from what she has experienced in person.

“Everyone here is very expressive but not as dramatic as the shows I watched,” Yin said.

“The situations in the movies were too extreme. Everyone is very friendly in real life.”

Even though she’s only been here for a short time, Yin has been trying to dive into Georgia State’s on-campus clubs and activities as best she can. Although she hasn’t done a lot of work, she seeks to be

involved more with Campus Events, the Multicultural Center and ISAC. “What I really like about this school is that there is so much diversity here,” she said.

“I can fit in anywhere and people are very welcoming.”

Yin said she would like to do anything where she can meet and interact with new people.

“I’ll volunteer for any activity,” Yin said. “I would like to talk with different people and learn more about them because I can’t do that back home.”

In these past two months Yin has noticed the difference in the way that people interact with each other in America than how they interact in China.

“When I go to class I can actually share my opinion and hear other people’s opinions,” said Yin. “At home there is no discussion. You just take notes.”

The freedom to share opinions in and outside of classrooms is one of the qualities of Georgia State that Yin said really made her feel welcomed.

“People actually listen to you here. They don’t really do that back home,” Yin said. “I love that the school takes time to listen to everyone no matter how they look.”

Karen Hernandez

The best of both worlds: Nathaly Echeverri Colombia Nathaly Echeverri was born in Colombia and has been living in Georgia for the past eight years. This means Echeverri, a junior, has been able to experience both American and Colombian cultural and educational styles.

For this year’s homecoming, Echeverri enjoyed talking about the benefits of the school’s diverse student body in a promotional video for Spotlight. In the video, Echeverri shared her thoughts on why being a diverse school is good for the students and the community.

“I wanted to go to State because it was so diverse,” Echeverri said. “I feel that if you don’t go to a diverse school you don’t really get to grow up because you don’t know about all the dif-

ferences in the world.”

One of her favorite moments of any homecoming week is usually the powder puff games. The powder puff games are football games that allow girls to participate in a match of touch-football.

“I don’t plan on participating in the game, but I do like to watch it,” said Echeverri, “I look forward to those every year because it’s nice to see the different students coming together just to have fun even if they aren’t good.”

Echeverri noticed that in Colombia there aren’t games like the powder puff game nor are there many big school celebration events.

She said she feels that celebratory events in Colombia are more festive than in America.

“There’s always a reason to celebrate. Americans are really passionate but there’s a lot more dancing and more music in Colombia,” said Echeverri.

Unlike the other girls, freshman Karen Hernandez said that she was unable to compare American-style events to anything else.

“My parents are from Mexico, but I’ve lived here my whole life,” said Hernandez. “Even though I’ve gone to school in Georgia I really have no idea what homecoming is.”

Despite her American citizenship, Hernandez has never really celebrated a homecoming event. Even today her idea of what homecoming really is has not fully been established.

“I thought homecoming had something to do about football, but then my friend told me that it was for alumni. I’m not really sure,” said Hernandez.

Although Hernandez doesn’t really understand what the meaning behind homecoming is, she has plans on learning more by attending the homecoming dance, taking place Wednesday at the Fox Theater.

“I’m really excited for the dance because I never really went to one back in high school,” Hernandez said. “So I kind of expect it to be formal like a high school dance but I’m still not sure.”

Hernandez likes the fact that students of different backgrounds are able to come together during homecoming events like the dance. Although she doesn’t know what’s going to happen at the dance, Hernandez said that if she was the one

creating the dance she would make sure that all ethnic groups were represented.

“I would throw a cultural ball where the students can dress up in their ethnic clothing and there would be music from each person’s region and everyone could share their country’s dance,” Hernandez said.

Regardless, Hernandez feels that the school is doing a great job by providing students of different cultural backgrounds with many opportunities to be a part of the campus community.

“There is seriously a group for every different race which is a great thing to have,” Hernandez said. “I’m involved with the LASSO Association which is an oncampus Latin American organization.”

Having a large variety of cultural organizations to choose from was one of the reasons why Hernandez wanted to attend Georgia State.

“I honestly didn’t know much about GSU except the fact that it was very diverse.

I wanted to attend a diverse school, it was very important to me to broaden my horizons,” Hernandez said.

Overall, Hernandez said that the school has given her the diversity that she was looking for and that she enjoys the open-minded attitude that many of the students seem to have.

“No one just assumes who you are, they actually ask you about yourself and consider your opinions,” Echeverri said. “I feel very comfortable here knowing there are others who look like me and that I’m free to get to know people who don’t.”

4B

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2014

To wear. . . or not to wear?

That is the question, and here are the answers ENDIA MATHEWS Staff Reporter

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go for a shorter heel that you can stand in for more than two hours without crying out in agony. When looking for heels, ankle straps, pumps and platforms are all appropriate styles to consider wearing.

Usually most men’s shoes are comfortable so worrying about taking your shoes off in the middle of the dance should not be a problem. However, guys should still leave their trendy sneakers at home for the night.

Men should wear dressy loafers and slippers instead of the high-tops and athletic sandals.

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his year’s homecoming dance theme is “Night on the Nile.” Students are encouraged to put their personal twist on Egyptian-inspired fashions to help set the mood for this year’s homecoming.

While there are certain clothing pieces and accessories that will add to the theme of the dance, there are some that just should not be worn to this occasion. Here are some tips to follow when planning your outfit.

HAVE FUN WITH ACCESSORIES:

Accessories are the one thing that really show off your personal style and really bring an outfit together. To fit the Egyptian theme, ladies should definitely shoot for gold accessories such as bracelets, necklaces, clutches and even hair jewelry.

Men can also play with the gold color scheme by having cream, rubies and other jewel tone add-ons. Men can play it up with their dress socks, ties and pocket squares to really bring out their personal style and to fit the dance’s theme.

THINK ACADEMY AWARDS NOT YOUTUBE AWARDS:

The homecoming dance is a formal event, not a casual day at the mall or a night at the club. Ladies should go for wearing formal, elegant dresses instead of mini dresses and miniskirts. Although the trend these days is to go for a deep, plunging neckline, ladies should not reveal so much cleavage. Backless and strapless dresses are all appropriate. Just make sure your breasts and cheeks aren’t out for the student body to see.

Men should go for sumptuous fabrics like silks and satins when picking out their outfits. Wearing a tux wouldn’t be overdoing it but harem pants or slim fitting trousers are equally good options. Stay away from jeans, khakis and t-shirts.

DON’T BREAK THE BANK:

Just because this is a formal event does not mean you have to spend a lot on your outfits. There are many clothing stores that sell high-quality items for low prices. You can find outfits and accessories for under $50 in stores like Macy’s, ZARA, H&M, Aldo, Charlotte Russe, Claire’s, Forever21 and Dillard’s.

If you really don’t want to spend much, just find something out of your closet and alter it yourself or hire someone to make adjustments. Plus you can always find unique pieces at thrift stores.

GO FOR COMFORT NOT FOR TRENDINESS:

This mainly applies to the ladies. Women have a tendency to wear heels that are six inches or more in height. Six inch heels are fine if you’re not going to be doing a lot of standing, but because this is a dance, try to

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5B

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2014

Homecoming events preview

A week of activities for pouncing Panthers

START HERE

WOODRUFF PARK

GILMER STREET

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DECATUR STREET

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PIEDMONT AVENUE

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tips to the greatest Homecoming ever

JOHNNY AVERY GIPSON Arts & Living Editor

H

omecoming is once again upon the students of Georgia State. Although there are many different ways to experience this annual tradition, there are a few things you can do to help ensure that you have the best experience ever.

Check out these tips on how to make this Homecoming the best one yet:

1

Claim a spot somewhere along the parade and enjoy the marching band, golf cart floats and homecoming court.

PEACHT REE CEN TER AVENUE

Dressed up and turnt up is how Georgia State Panthers will be arriving at The Fox Theatre for the annual Royal Court Ball. From 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. students can attend this homecoming dance for $10 and bring a guest for $15. The homecoming court will be introduced at this event as well. For info on how to dress, check out The Signal’s Homecoming style guide (page 4B).

REET

Blossom Tree Mama Mia’s Moe’s NaanStop Reuben’s Deli Willie’s Mexican Grill Landmark Diner Grindhouse Killer Burgers, inside the Sweet Auburn Curb Market (SACM) Panbury’s Double Crust Pies, inside the SACM Miss D’s Pralines, inside the SACM Le Metro Creperie, inside the SACM

ROYAL COURT BALL NIGHT ON THE NILE

6

HOMECOMING PARADE

A COMPLETE LIST OF PARTICIPATING EATERIES:

E ST HTRE C A E P

SPIRIT PLAZA

The craziest plaza of the year will take place on Oct. 7 at 12:15 p.m. at the Library Plaza. Amongst the chaos of students pumped with pride will be carnival dancers and music to help celebrate Georgia State’s Homecoming.

A great spot to watch this pep rally is from the library windows overlooking the plaza. But if you really want to get the full experience, right in plaza is the place to do it.

Celebrating Georgia State and diversity is the Block Party in Unity Plaza on Oct. 7 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. With a performance by the Dragon Dancers and Asian-inspired food, any student and a guest are welcome.

As the sun goes down and the music turns up, students will fill the plaza as the evening goes on.

STREET

Staff Reporter

BLOCK PARTY

DINE OUT DAY

Georgia State students will be able to eat at participating restaurants with a discount all day on Oct. 8. Take advantage of this opportunity to eat at your favorite pizza place like Mama Mia’s or try a new downtown treasure like Le Metro Creperie in the Sweet Auburn Curb Market.

Make sure to have your Panther I.D. card ready to present at the restaurant.

BROAD

BECCA LONG

GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE

Although Homecoming often features unusual events that you may not normally be interested in, trying something new may teach you a few things about yourself as well as help you meet some new people. Go to an event that intrigues you or even better, go the event that makes you the most uncomfortable to think about. Overcoming fears and doing something different improves confidence and makes you more well-rounded.

2

DON’T OVERINDULGE

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Don’t spread yourself thin trying to participate in every event on the bill. Remember, your classes don’t stop just because you’re enjoying yourself and responsibilities still must be accounted for. Use the events to release stress, but don’t abandon your everyday obligations.

Don’t show up overly-intoxicated to events like the Homecoming Ball. Overdrinking can not only cause potential health risks but also prevents you from fully remembering all of the memories you make. Drinking can be fun for social situations, but getting black-out drunk will leave you embarrassed and unable to remember why the next morning.

3

CARRY ALL OF YOUR POSSESSIONS ON YOU AT ALL TIMES

With the multitude of events for students to enjoy, it’s easy to lose personal possessions during activities. From Powder Puff to the Royal Ball to the parade, you’ll be brushing shoulders with a lot of people each day. Keep track of your possessions and keep them in a central location during your excursions.

4

5

TIPS FOR STUDENTS STRUGGLING TO FIND ACCOMPLICES:

6

GO TO THE EVENTS WITH FRIENDS

Homecoming is a social experience and it’s important that you enjoy the events with the right people. Whether its your significant other, best-friend or simply a classmate you just met, memories made during Homecoming are much better when they’re alongside someone special.

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If there’s someone you’re interested in going with, be upfront about it and be honest. The worst that can happen is that they say no.

If you haven’t met anyone yet at school and live in student housing, go with the residents on your floor. Someone will surely go with you.

Go with a group if you can’t find a date.

You won’t notice the lack of a significant other if you’re with your best friends.

SHOW UP TO THE EVENTS EARLY

Homecoming events always have a large turnout, so showing up early gets you in good position to experience each one. Also, since many of the events provide food, showing up early will guarantee you a free meal before the festivities begin.

SOCIALIZE!

The whole point of Homecoming week is to get out, get active and meet people. Homecoming is meant to boost school spirit and unify the student body; the best way to do this is to get to events and meet someone new. If you mingle, you may meet your new best friend, a potential career connection or even a significant other.

Regardless of how you choose to spend your Homecoming week, just enjoy yourself and try something new. You’ll learn more about yourself and improve your experience at Georgia State. Get out there!

6B

Q &A with your 2013 Homecoming King and Queen

by Becca Long

How did you decide you were going to run for Homecoming King/Queen?

How was the experience of running for King/ Queen?

KING: I’ve always wanted to apply, and I tried my sophomore year, but I never actually got through the application so I decided that I had to do it before I graduated.

KING: It was great. I learned a lot about myself, and I learned a lot about Georgia State. I got more involved than I’d ever been involved.

I was able to experience something new.

QUEEN: I looked at other young ladies who I saw run for Homecoming Queen before and I was like, “I look up to these young ladies. They’re doing amazing things on campus.” And I came to Georgia State my freshman year, and I wasn’t involved in anything. I just went to school and came back to my dorm. My senior year I decided I was going to go out on a limb and run for Homecoming Queen. I thought that would be an amazing end to my college career.

QUEEN: My friends got together and made cupcakes. They got in Plaza in pink tutus and t-shirts with my name on it. I get choked up thinking about it because it shows how much your friends and the people around you love you.

My mom actually came down and was knocking on doors at Piedmont North saying, “Vote for my daughter.” So embarrassing but shout out to my mom and shout out to those people who voted for me. It was the highlight of my college career.

How did you prepare for this new experience?

KING: I wasn’t prepared, actually.

That’s why I think it was the best experience for me, because I really wasn’t prepared. I didn’t know what to expect out of Homecoming or running for Homecoming. But, I will say that it was just really cool to go with the flow and get involved in things.

QUEEN: I talked to my family first about it and they were really supportive. And then I told my roommates. From there it was like a wildfire. My roommates were very supportive. I started to see how many people I had impacted, talked to and grown to love. It was an amazing pool of support. I just wanted to be an inspiration to people and share my story.

Why is the experience important to you?

KING: I think it is important to me because I gained a lot of insight. I was able to appreciate myself a lot more.

When it began, naturally I was a little insecure at the time and I didn’t have that much confidence. I knew that I wasn’t as involved as I wanted to be.

I usually was a leader but I just did things. I never really did things for myself. I never experienced the fun side of doing things or being involved.

It was really good to see that side of it.

QUEEN: I think the experience was important to me because I learned a lot about myself, I learned a lot about my university and I learned a lot about the community at Georgia State. It wasn’t just about getting a nice crown and sash. I felt accomplished. Like I said, I learned a lot about Georgia State and our community and how it’s different from any other university where you see people off in their own set of race or culture.

7B Charis Hanner 2013 Homecoming Queen BA in Journalism with a concentration in Telecommunications.

Currently a student at Georgia State’s School of Business.

Femi Bab-Oke 2013 Homecoming King BA in Journalism with a concentration in Public Relations.

Current graduate student at Georgia State studying Sports Administration.

PHOTO BY RUTH PANNILL| THE SIGNAL

What does being How has it impacted Homecoming King/ your life?

Queen mean to you?

KING: I walk around with my KING: Being King means to have character. That’s just being who you are when no one is around to see it. Being able to uphold that crown and what that means to Georgia State. What it means to me is that I’m someone that people look up to, that I’m in a leadership role.

QUEEN: Being Queen means being an example and when I say that I don’t want people to say “Oh she’s pretty” or “oh she’s probably smart.”

I want people to look at me and know that there is a story behind the crown. I want people to look at me in the Queen title and say “I can do that too.” And not just limiting it to Homecoming Queen but whatever you want to be. It sounds very cliché, but that’s what queen means to me. It means being an inspiration.

crown. It’s imaginary, but I walk around with a higher demeanor and a higher purpose. It means so much to me.

QUEEN: I think it has taught me a lot of humility. It taught me humility because I knew where I came from. It taught me to appreciate humble beginnings. I think it was important in my life because it showed me that when you push towards a goal and when you have your mind towards something you really can do it. Being Homecoming Queen was my mom’s words put in real life. You can do anything you put your mind to.

What should students look out for next week?

KING: The Homecoming Ball was great. I love the themes every year.

The parade was pretty cool too; I didn’t know they shut down the streets. Like I said earlier, I wasn’t really involved beforehand so I always walked past it but never stopped and saw to what magnitude it was. The actual game was pretty cool too.

QUEEN: The block party is going to be a lot of fun. The Homecoming Ball is Egyptian Themed. It’s going to be amazing. It’s completely magical. The Homecoming Court is going to have a performance.

Get there early you don’t want to miss it. Get your tickets early because they sell out. Those are two of my favorite events along with the Homecoming Parade. If you’re out of class at 12:15 and you have time, go on Peachtree St. I will wave at you and throw you same candy.

Enjoy everything that Georgia State has to offer next week.

How did you feel when you won?

KING: I still replay that day in my head. I never believed they were going to call my name that afternoon.

I literally had the biggest grin of surprise on my face. I remember holding the person’s hand next to me and I was like ‘I’m not going to let go no matter what happens’. As soon as they called my name I let go because I was that surprised. If I could have passed out on the field I would have passed out.

QUEEN: I think it really resonated with me when I saw my dad crying at the Homecoming Game. Like, he was crying. I’ve never seen my dad cry in my life and he was crying. I was holding one of the Homecoming King candidate’s hands next to me when they were calling the names. When I heard them call my name I was like whoa. I didn’t expect to win, this it was just something fun to do. But, it was an amazing experience.

8B

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2014

(NSFW) The great debate about male circumcision Sex column

RACHEL KINGSLEY Columnist

Rachel believes even though society has become more open about sex, it’s still a highly taboo subject.

To become more open and accepting, she believes we need to start with education. Rachel shares her experiences.

Follow her

@rachelkingsley

Editor’s Note: This week’s column is #NSFW (not safe for work). Read at your own discretion.

M

ale circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin from the penis which dates back to ancient Egypt.

Circumcision was very common (but not universal) among the Jewish people, but cultural changes during the ruling of Alexander the Great lead to circumcision becoming more and more rare.

In the United States during the last 30 years, circumcision has dropped from about 65 percent to only about 58 percent according to the Centers for Disease Control.

In Scandinavia, circumcision is so rare that less of 1 percent of men are circumcised.

There seems to be different attitudes between the US and Europe about the pros and cons

of circumcision. In Europe, it is seen as “abnormal” to have a male circumcised.

And to complicate matters more, there is not one medical organization that recommends either circumcision or noncircumcision for all males. The position on circumcisions range from having no medical benefits and being a painful procedure for boys, to having a medium benefit and seeing the procedure as slightly painful.

In America, we seem to be stuck in our own ideas of what is “normal” when it comes to penises.

Here, uncircumcised penises to be weird or unclean, when in fact, they are the most natural and when washed daily are just as sanitary as circumcised penises. Also, there is evidence that uncircumcised penises have more feelings during sexual experiences than that of uncircumcised ones.

I’m not one to judge a penis’s power (or the lack thereof ), whether it’s circumcised or not.

I’ve had the experience of both,

“

In the United States during the last 30 years, circumcision has dropped from about 65 percent to only about 58 percent according to the Centers for Disease Control.

and it’s really about personal preference on which type of penis you enjoy the most. Since circumcised penises are more common in the US (especially in porn) we kind of don’t know what to do when we come into contact with one.

I was definitely one of those people. I just stared. I had no idea how to perform oral or what would feel better for my partner.

So I just gave it the old college try and figured it out the best of my ability. When it comes to actual intercourse, an uncircumcised penis is actually gentler on the vagina and ass.

Since the foreskin around the penis stays almost still while the head of the penis goes in and out, lube is usually not needed during vaginal sex and pain for the woman is usually less than having sex with someone who is circumcised. Whether or not the penis is circumcised or not make sure to always use protection.

If you’d like to ask any questions about this column or any other, you can submit your questions anonymously at ask.fm/ rachelkingsley.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2014

9B

ALBUM REVIEW

Thom Yorke ‘Tomorrow’s Modern Boxes’ Release Date: Sept. 26, 2014 Grade: B+ Verdict: Tomorrow’s Modern Boxes may not be anything new, but it certainly doesn’t lack for quality.

ALEX KUGACZEWSKI Staff Reviewer

B

y this point, the iconic sounds of Radiohead and Thom Yorke shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone. The ever-shifting mixture of alternative rock and abstract electronica has made waves throughout the music kingdom, earning peerless acclaim from fans and critics alike.

And honestly, it’s been well-deserved. Okay, computer shattered listner’s expectations of just what indie rock music could be and Kid A broke the very fabric of the band with a complete genre

switch to experimentalism.

It’s been years since those records, but in that time Radiohead and Yorke have kept a prolific game going strong with a string of formidable releases. That trend continues with Yorke’s second solo record “Tomorrow’s Modern Boxes,” the most downbeat electronic record in the Radiohead canon yet.

Much like Radiohead’s “The King of Limbs,” Yorke’s second solo album is dominated by keys, knobs, dials and beats. Unlike its predecessor, however, the album utilizes these tools in a cohesive, consistent manner, creating a uniform, icy atmosphere throughout.

This is achieved by the frigid, distant nature of the instrumentation and no song better encapsulates the record than the album’s opener “A Brain in a Bottle” whose bouncing swells of noise pair brilliantly with the muddied drones of synthesizer and quirky, danceable beat. It may be textbook Radiohead, but the strength of Yorke’s composition gives the worn and weathered aesthetic a lasting power it may not otherwise have.

Deeper into the album, however, is when Tomorrow’s Modern Boxes truly begins to show its strengths. Take the comparatively upbeat “The Mother Lode” which dances across the speakers

with its staccato-ed beats. It’s an infectious groove but an even better song thanks to Yorke’s smart use of sampling throughout.

Of course, this wouldn’t be a Thom Yorke project without the trademarked ghostly croons. They drift like apparitions between the cracks of “Nose Grows Some,” one of the record’s most hauntingly chilled cuts.

Sure, Yorke’s singing has always been ethereal, but paired against the minimalism of the composition gives it a power heard only in the artist’s most vulnerable moments. It’s a stark, stunning moment for an album so clearly built around the fringes of human emotion.

“Tomorrow’s Modern Boxes” isn’t a revelation for anyone whose heard an electronic-styled album featuring any major involvement from Yorke.

Whether its the danceable apocalyptic frenzy of “Idioteque” or the surreal psychedelics of “Bloom,” fans have been down this road before.

Even so, it’s hard to argue with an album so competently executed. It may not bring anything revelatory to the table, but Yorke’s second solo album is full of passion, intellect and grace — and really, it’s hard to ask for more from an artist so deep into his career.

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ODESZA In Return

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VANILLA Sweet Talk GENERATIONALS Alix

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KING TUFF Black Moon Spell

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THE ASSYRIANS Tundra

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MNDSGN Yawn Zen

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MR TWIN SISTER Mr Twin Sister

STATIK SELEKTAH

What Goes Around WAND Ganglion Reef COVES Soft Friday

MOVIE REVIEW

The Equalizer

NOW PLAYING AT

Cinefest

Rating: R Running time: 131 mins.

Grade: A Verdict: When the numbers don’t add up... Call in “The Equalizer” PEDRO ALVARADO Staff Reviewer

W

hen Hollywood turns to TV for new script ideas, it is always a huge risk.

One way to minimize the risk is to develop a script around the basic premise of a mildly popular show, hire a visually astute director and cast an A-list celebrity in the starring role.

That’s exactly what Sony Pictures does with “The Equalizer” and it works.

On the big screen, the film is a prequel to its small-screen predecessor. It shows how Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) gets started helping those who find themselves in sticky situations with gangsters, pimps and other outlaws, fight back and get out.

In this installment, a very young Russian prostitute named Teri (Chloe Grace Moretz) is in one such situation, in trouble with her employers for a customer service violation. She is in this line of work against her will and wants to get out but doesn’t know how until she meets Robert McCall.

McCall is a retired Intelligence Officer at the point in his life where his physical prowess has begun to decline even though his mental abilities are as sharp as ever. Washington uses his maturity and experience as an actor to create a character who can defeat his enemies by using his brain against their brawn.

Washington never ceases to bring to the screen masterful performances and Robert McCall is no exception. What makes Washington’s performance so good is his ability to demonstrate what Robert McCall is experiencing internally.

With just one look, head nod or other seemingly insignificant gesture, Washington physicalizes McCall’s emotional states and inner thoughts in a way that is understandable to the audience.

But an action hero is only as awesome as his enemy is formidable. Teddy (Martin Csokas) is a certifiable sociopath. In fact, he’s the worst kind of sociopath. Not only does he have no regard for the outcome of his actions, he’s extremely intelligent.

Csokas himself delivers a visceral performance whereby one look sends chills down your spine.

Csokas’ subtlety is so tremendous that as Teddy is killing, his face reads that he’s doing nothing more

than selling an insurance policy. Teddy is the most disturbing antagonist since Heath Ledger played the Joker.

Impeccable performances notwithstanding, the direction of Antoine Fuqua is nothing short of genius. His shot choices and camera movements add as much to the feeling the audience gets as any of the acting. Every frame is visually gritty and each shot moves the audience closer to the edge of their seat. In a very real way, the camera makes the audience an unwitting eye witness to the chess game between McCall and Teddy.

In addition to the direction, the soundtrack also adds to the feeling that the audience is not just watching a movie but participating in it. In most movies, the soundtrack is used as background music or to underscore the emotion of the scene.

This is also true in “The Equalizer,” but the soundtrack goes a step further -- the songs become an unseen character and the lyrics of the songs add dialog that draws the viewer deeper into the onscreen world.

This three-fold combination of performance, direction and soundtrack make “The Equalizer” an unequaled cinematic achievement.

The Purge: Anarchy Synopsis: One night a year, all crime - including murder - is legal for 12 hours. A man heads out into the chaos, intent on killing thugs as revenge for his son’s death, but ends up rescuing a stranded couple.

Showtimes: Wednesday- Friday 1 pm, 3 pm, 5 pm, and 7pm Rated: R Running Time: 104 minutes

10B

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2014

Campus Events Community Service – Food Collection Drive

Oct. 6 - Oct. 12 All Day Participate in the “Fill A Bag, Fill Someone’s Spirit” campaign by donating to the Food Drive as part of an outreach to the community. There are several opportunities to give: 1) Request food bags to be delivered to your department or campus organization on Friday, Oct. 3 and picked up on Monday, Oct. 13.

2) Stop by “Day in the Park” on Friday, Oct. 10 between noon and 2 p.m. and drop off your items.

Only non-perishable items can be accepted.

Spirit Plaza Carnival Oct. 7 12:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.

Library Plaza Enjoy the Caribbean theme of the Spirit Plaza this Tuesday, listening to reggae and dancehall music between class.

Use this time as an opportunity to unwind and get a unique cultural experience on campus.

Block Party

Oct. 7 7 p.m. - 11 p.m.

Embark on a trip to Asia to celebrate the Chinese new year. Join the marching band, spirit squad and football team as Georgia State bleeds blue across the globe. Students will be able to enjoy music, games, refreshments and prizes of all kinds.

Royal Ball

Oct. 8 9 p.m. - 1 a.m.

The Fox Theater Join Spotlight on a voyage to Egypt for a “Night on the Nile.” An Egyptian theme will encompass the event and there will be a few surprises in store for attendees. Enjoy the food, fun and refreshments of Egypt in your finest clothing. Formal dress is required and shuttles will provide transportation from campus.

Homecoming Golf Cart Parade

Oct. 9 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.

Hurt Park/Georgia State Campus Enjoy the festivities of Georgia State’s annual Homecoming Parade as it travels through the streets of downtown Atlanta.

Student organizations will show off their hand-crafted floats as they journey through the streets with a police escort.

Greatest Minds Society “American Promise” Documentary Screening

Oct. 9 5 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

West Exhibit Area - Urban Life Come out to the Urban Life building for the “American Promise” documentary screening and campus discussion on educating Black male students in the United States.

Honors College Homecoming Open House

Oct. 11 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Centennial Hall Meet and greet with the Honors college staff and student ambassadors. Join us for a tour of the college and hear the latest Honors College updates from Dean Larry Berman. Parking available in W Lot.

CAREERS at the NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY

NSA IS COMING TO YOUR CAMPUS Remarkable career opportunities.

Recruiters ready to chat.

Mark your calendar now!

Georgia State University Fall Career Fair Monday, October 6

Downtown Events A3C Hip-Hop Festival

Oct. 8 - Oct. 12 All Day Varied Locations The A3C Hip-Hop Festival returns to Atlanta, spanning a wide variety of locations in the downtown area. Enjoy performances by some of the best up-and-coming artists in America as well as panels and art exhibitions by some amazing tastemakers.

Wine tasting at the aquarium

Oct. 9 7 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Georgia Aquarium Sample 200 wines from around the world, taste local restaurant food and enjoy an auction at Aqua Vino in the ballroom and galleries of the Georgia Aquarium. Television host, author and biologist, Jeff Corwin shares his support of the conservation efforts of the Georgia Aquarium by hosting this year’s Aqua Vino event.

Underground Film Festival

Oct. 9 - Oct. 11 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. dooGallery The 11th annual Underground Film Festival returns to Atlanta.

Located at the dooGallery in Reynoldstown, the festival will feature some of the most intriguing independent films produced in Atlanta.

Hip Hop Legends: DMX, Ja Rule & Rakim Oct. 11 8 p.m.

Atlanta Civic Center

WHERE INTELLIGENCE GOES TO WORK® U.S. citizenship is required. NSA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants for employment are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, or status as a parent.

Concerts Atlanta Symphony Orchestra: Beethoven Oct. 9 8 p.m.

Atlanta Symphony Hall

Search NSA to Download

Boyce Avenue Oct. 18 7:30 p.m.

Tabernacle

11B

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2014

Puzzle 1 (Hard, difficulty rating 0.70) Sudoku

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Word Search

Puzzle 2 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.53)

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on Fri Sep 26 18:05:14 2014 GMT. Enjoy!

PHOTOS

BY NADIA DELJOU, THE SIGNAL