The Signal
Interview with Seth Rogen
THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY
page 14
SERVING THE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1933
VOLUME 79 | ISSUE 6 Tuesday, September 27, 2011
GSUSIGNAL.COM
Panthers shutout 56 - 0 saakib zafrani Sports Editor The University of Houston Cougars (4-0) shutout Georgia State (1-3) last Saturday at Robertson Stadium in a 56-0 rout, extending the Panthers losing streak to three. The Panthers gave up 561 yards and three touchdowns through the air, and 171 yards and five scores on the ground. Quarterback Case Keenum, who’s been in the Heisman discussion for the past three years, racked up 415 yards and completed a stellar 85 percent of his passes with zero picks. The Panther offense looked inept from the very first drive as they started the game with a three and out.
Keenum was perfect on the Cougars opening drive with his fourth pass culminating in a touchdown on the six play 52-yard drive. Georgia State’s following drive resulted in another punt, but the Panther defense returned the favor on Houston’s ensuing possession, as they handed the Cougars a three and out. It looked as though Bill Curry’s defense might be able to slow down Houston’s offense, but the Panthers were unable to force the Houston offense into another three and out for the rest of the affair. Quarterback Kelton Hill was the only bright spot in the first quarter and gave Georgia State its only first
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Georgia State Sports Communications
Head Coach Bill Curry was embarrassed by the team’s showing Saturday night.
TABERNACLE FIASCO
INSIDE THIS EDITION
Lupe, Young Marquis
The return of
MUSIC MIDTOWN
and many more
page 13
fire up Atlanta
z News: Troy Davis’ final words
page 16
page 2
z Opinions: Give internet freedom a chance page 6 Wed 9/28 Hi 83
College merger: USG Chancellor looking to control costs with campus consolidation ANGEL WHITE Campus Life Editor As one of his first initiatives as chancellor of the University System of Georgia, Hank Huckaby announced plans last week to look into the possibility of consolidating some of the USG’s institutions in order to control costs. “I believe it is time for the system to study if campus consolidations are justified and will enhance our ability to serve the people of Georgia at less cost,” said Huckaby. “We, in the university
system, should be the first to ask questions of ourselves to make sure we are serving the state in the best way.” Huckaby said that while beginning to review this possiblity was a large step, no plans have been concretely made for any specific institution. “Our task at this point is to develop the evaluative criteria and processes to be used indentifying any potential consolidations,” said Huckaby.
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Discussing The Buried Life page 16
Thurs 9/29 Hi 84 Fri 9/30 Hi 81
INDEX News...........................2 Opinions....................6 Sports.........................9 Entertainment.......16 Campus Life...........21
“I want to see resolve, and I want to see work ethic. I want to see guys who are as embarrassed as we are as coaches...”
SAAKIB ZAFRANI | THE SIGNAL
THE SIGNAL | Tuesday, September 27, 2011
NEWS
EDITOR Chris Shattuck
signalnewseditor@gmail.com
www.gsusignal.com/news
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Sabastian Wee
EXECUTED Troy Davis’ death penalty carried out despite outcries samaria smith Staff Writer Despite outcries from legal experts and global supporters, Troy Davis was executed by lethal injection by the state of Georgia last Wednesday. The Davis execution in Georgia has sparked a discussion of the merits of capital punishment in the American criminal justice system. In an article for the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Michael Radelet, who lectures about the death penalty at the University of Colorado, says that the Davis execution received so much attention because it presented the possibility of executing an innocent person. “I think in general people support the death penalty—but you need people convicted beyond a reasonable doubt… you don’t want any doubt.” Georgia State Law Professor and death penalty expert Anne Emanuel says that, “while we may want a [justice] system that we can always be proud of, one that would not allow execution to proceed in the absence of certainty of guilt and certainly not where the proof of guilt relied on is based entirely on heresay and eyewitness identifications that lack indicia of credibility—that is not the system we have.” Since the original conviction in 1991, seven of the nine witnesses recanted their testimonies, which a large portion of the case was hinged upon because there was no physical evidence linking Davis to the murder. The murder weapon was never recovered and a witness, Quiana Glover, testified that another man had confessed committing the shooting to her. In June 2010, a federal court in Savannah heard Davis’s appeal but accepted only one of the original witnesses’ recantations, although six of them claimed to
have been threatened by police to implicate Davis. “I am not proud for lying at Troy’s trial, but the police had me so messed up that I felt that’s all I could do or else I would go to jail,” one key eyewitness told Davis’ attorneys in an affidavit. After four failed attempts at clemency, including a desperate last minute appeal to the Supreme Court, thousands gathered nationally and internationally at vigils to protest his scheduled execution, including some from Georgia State who rallied by the state capitol. Senior criminal justice major Anna Moore believed that there should have been a retrial given the controversy around the case and that the death should have never been an option. “[The execution] was a grave miscarriage of justice—Troy Davis was a guinea pig of the justice system.” Although the execution was scheduled for seven o’clock, the execution did not begin until 10:53 p.m. and Davis was pronounced dead at 11:08 p.m. In his final words, he continued to maintain his innocence and urged the family of the slain officer to continue their search for justice. Professor Emanuel says that the Troy Davis case may cause some people to reevaluate their view on the death penalty in America. Emanuel hopes that the Troy Davis case will provoke reconsideration of the death penalty. “Much of the opposition to the death penalty is not on absolute grounds, that is, many opponents do not oppose the death penalty in principle but instead oppose it because it is clear that we are not capable of implementing it in a fair and accurate manner,” said Emanuel. “No human system is fail proof. Error is inevitable. When that error is the execution of an innocent person, it is unacceptable.”
His last words “I’d like to address the MacPhail family. Let you know, despite the situation you are in, I’m not the one who personally killed your son, your father, your brother. I am innocent. The incident that happened that night is not my fault. I did not have a gun. All I can ask ... is that you look deeper into this case so that you really can finally see the truth. I ask my family and friends to continue to fight this fight. For those about to take my life, God have mercy on your souls. And may God bless your souls.” Photo courtesy of Georgia Department of Corrections
Hundreds of protesters rallied across the country to voice their support for Troy Davis. Despite four clemency attempts and a delayed schedule for execution, Davis’ sentence was carried out and was pronounced dead at 11:08 p.m. on Sept. 21. PHOTOS BY CAITIE ELLEI
03
THE SIGNAL | NEWS | Tuesday, September 27, 2011
What do you think?
Sustainability Programs on Campus Students sound off their concerns
“I feel like GSU is proactive in taking steps toward greater sustainability, but I think this is happening in individuals and in organized groups. I have seen several groups bringing up issues of sustainability, and I have seen them create partnerships to effect a greater change. ... I think caring for the environment, especially our immediate environment, is our responsibility as individuals and as an academic community.”
Emmie Lancaster Junior Social Work and Anthropology Major
“Kudos to the double sided printing in the library. However, I think that may have been an attempt to save money rather than [save] the environment.”
CAMPUS CRIME September 18
University Commons Officers arrested a GSU student for Alcoholic Possession under 21 Years Old. At 2:48 a.m. officers observed the individual being physically assisted by another individual. The individual admitted to have been drinking off campus. She was arrested, processed and released on a Copy of Charges. She was also transported to the hospital for further medical evaluation. Special Interest Housing A report was filed for Battery. The complainant, a GSU student, stated at 4:00 p.m. she got into a verbal dispute with her boyfriend. He called her names and spit in her face and hair. The suspect had already left the area by the time officers arrived.
September 19
University Commons Officers issued a Non-GSU individual a Criminal Trespass Warning. At 11:05 a.m. officers responded to a call of an individual refusing to leave the building. Officers made contact with the Non-GSU individual who was there to see his girlfriend. The individual was issued a CTW from the University Commons and escorted from the property without incident. Gilmer and Piedmont Ave. A report was filed for Theft. The complainant, a GSU student, stated he secured his bicycle to the bike rack at 8:00 a.m. When he returned at 4:30 p.m. the bike had been stolen. The case is being handled by Investigations.
Erika Lemonds Sophomore English Major
September 20
Student Recreation Center “I’m often frustrated by the lack of available recycle bins in the learning building and would love to see a ubiquitous, well-marked effort to have a more green campus. GSU could do better and replace some of the thousands of trashcans with recycling bins.”
Fiona Schlumberger Freshman Journalism Major
A report was filed for Theft. The complainant, a Non-GSU individual stated, at 4:30 p.m. he placed his cell phone on top of his bag in the Gym and continued to play basketball. When he went to get his belongings at 5:20 p.m. he noticed it had been stolen. The case is being handled by Investigations.
Poplar Street
A report was filed Theft. The complainant, a GSU student stated, at 5:15 p.m. he secured his bicycle to the bike rack and went to class. When he returned at 7:15 p.m. the bike had been stolen. The case is being handled by Investigations.
Decatur & Piedmont
“Georgia State is not doing a good job with sustainability programs. I didn’t even know that our campus was attempting to go green...”
A report was filed for Attempted Robbery. The complainant a GSU student, stated at 10:25 p.m. he was walking west on Decatur Street. He was approached by an unknown subject who attempted to grab his cell phone. The area was checked with negative results for the suspect The case is being handled by Investigations.
Piedmont North
Morgan Stern Junior Economics Major
September 21
A report was filed for Terroristic Complaints. The complainant, a GSU student, stated that she is being harassed and threatened by her exboyfriend. The case is being handled by Investigations.
Student Recreation Center
“I think that a solid sustainability program would be great because it would help GSU as a whole. I would be willing to pay more in student fees if GSU decided to expand its program. Though it would cost more, the outcome would be good in the long run. Until then, recycling more, conserving water and saving paper are all small but really important things that students can do to help even if the school doesn’t.”
Marissa Williams Sophomore Finance Major
Officers arrested a Non-GSU individual for an Outstanding NonFelony Warrant. The complainant, a GSU staff member stated that the suspect was harassing people for money. A criminal history check was conducted which came back with a non-felony warrant from Fulton County. The suspect was arrested, processed and transported to Fulton County Jail. He was also issued a Criminal Trespass Warning.
Classroom South
September 22
A report was filed for Theft. The complainant, a GSU student stated, at 10:54 a.m. she placed her book bag next to her desk. She stepped out of the room and when she returned at 11:00 a.m. she noticed her Ipod and headphones had been stolen. The case is being handled by Investigations.
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Tuesday, September 27, 2011 | NEWS | THE SIGNAL
Chancellor announces efficiency initiatives Huckaby has announced two other initiatives as well that focus on the USG’s process for identifying and constructing new facilities. The USG owns more than 3,100 buildings, which equals to more than 66 million square feet. These buildings are valued at more than $10.5 billion. One of Huckaby’s proposed initiatives will be a study of how the USG is currently using these spaces. “We need to determine what we have, how well we use it, and what else we need,” he said. Huckaby plans for the 35 institutions that the USG oversee will
work closely with the chancellor’s office on proposals for new buildings. “We must carefully balance the need to construct new facilities with the need to rehabilitate, modernize and maintain existing facilities,” he said. The last initiative would require architects to meet with some USG officials in the Systems Facilities Office before work is started. Huckaby says he hopes this will “ensure that we all share the same philosophy about a building’s character, its functionality, and the materials used in it.” The USG will respond successfully to these challenges just as it has to prior ones in the past, he said.
“
“Our predecessors met those challenges with a growth formula: build the buildings, add the faculty, initiate new academic programs, enroll the students – and do it as fast as possible,” said Huckaby. “Today is different. While we as a system continue to grow along with the state, the political climate, the economic realities and the budget constraints mean that the ‘old growth equals rewards’ model no longer works as well. Not only has the climate changed, but so have societal needs and citizen expectations. We seek to change to improve our performance and our outcomes. Everything we do is geared toward improving higher education and creating a more highly educated Georgia.”
Everything we do is geared toward improving higher education and creating a more highly educated Georgia. -Hank Huckaby, USG Chancellor
Friday, October 7th, 2011
Underground, Georgia State’s undergraduate art and literary journal, is accepting submissions for the fall issue. Please visit our website for submission guidelines before submitting. Be sure to send in your art, poetry and prose by October 7th! undergroundjournal.org
Want to write for
The Signal? Go to www.gsusignal/applications!
“
Continued FROM page 1
We are looking for photographers and cartoonists too!
Photo courtesy of www.northgeorgia.edu
X Marks the Spot with CatChat
NEXT GENERATION WIRELESS
Are you ready for more wireless access points on campus? Imagine signing in once, then connecting to surf the web whenever you’d like, without having to sign in again. Georgia State is expanding and strengthening its wireless coverage and will now have easier sign on to wireless with CatChat2x and GSU's next generation wireless access. With CatChat2x, you only have to sign in once to access the Internet wirelessly over and over again while you're on campus, eliminating the need to sign in for each individual session. Along with increased speeds and compatibility with most mobile phones, CatChat2x makes it easier and faster to do classwork and research online!
Coming to Campus Oct 10
THE SIGNAL | NEWS | Tuesday, September 27, 2011
05
Parking turmoil at Turner Field Alexis smith Staff Writer In what has become a staple issue for some, students were upset last week after the Turner Field parking schedule was amended, which left them guessing where to park. Turner Field was originally planned to close last Thursday and Friday due to the PGA Tour, the Atlanta Braves games and other events but opened up Thursday afternoon. Darrius Cooper, a sophomore at Georgia State, believes that Marta is a more reliable form of transportation. “It’s not perfect, but it’s a good option,” he says. According to data provided by itsmarta.com, of the 500,000 daily Marta boarding passengers in 2007, 54 percent were customers going to work and 10 percent used it to get to school. “Marta is a more reliable method of transportation depending on your situation,” says Cordoh Tarr, a senior at Georgia State. “If you live two minutes away from a train station then it is simple to leave your car at home and take the train for the day that Turner Field is shut down.” “But if you have a situation like myself,” continues the biology major, “where you live twenty minutes away from the closest Marta station it’s almost like you might as well go ahead and drive to the city instead of wasting gas money and still having to pay $5 round trip.” Georgia State officials also encouraged students who normally park at Turner Field to park in and around other areas of campus, including a few parking decks, Auburn Street and Luckie Street. “Parking on/near campus is both more reliable and convenient because you can more accurately manage your schedule by not having to wait for and ride the panther express, a process that can sometimes take up to 25 minutes,” says Howard
Chris shattuck | THE SIGNAL
Some students found the “limited number of spots and inefficiency of the Panther Express makes it a hassle to utilize” in trying to manage their daily class schedules. Kelsey, a junior and sociology major at Georgia State. “I think being able to park at Turner Field is a great service provided by Georgia State,” Kelsey continues. “However, the limited number of spots and inefficiency of the Panther Express makes it a hassle to utilize.” Some, such as Kelsey, students think Georgia State has room to improve its parking situation. “I think that by implementing a more concrete Panther Express schedule and making more parking spaces available to Georgia State students at Turner Field would drastically
reduce, if not eliminate, this issue [of Georgia State students confusion over parking],” Kelsey says. “Georgia State could do a text message service for faster response time,” Cooper suggests. But other students believe Georgia State can only do so much. Tarr, who parks at Turner Field on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s, says “I honestly don’t know if there is anything Georgia State can do about the confusion. They are making due the best way they can with what they have.”
THE SIGNAL | Tuesday, September 27, 2011
OPINIONS
EDITOR MILES KEENLYSIDE signalIopinions@gmail.com
www.gsusignal.com/opinions
From the Editorial Board Last Wednesday, Troy Davis was not the only person executed in the United States.
Rui Shi
The crimes Brewer committed were truly heinous, but if he had committed them in another state, he might not have been executed. The same goes for Davis, assuming that one assumes he was guilty for the crime he was executed for. At present, the federal government and thirty-four states have some form of death penalty legislation on the books.
Last week, the White House’s Office of Management and Budget took the first steps in keeping the Internet fair and open. The office finally signed what is commonly known as the net neutrality rules. Net neutrality goes something like this: The Internet is an open medium and you connect to it via Internet service providers (ISPs) such as AT&T and Verizon. Net neutrality is the notion that all websites are equal in terms of connection speed and quality and your ISPs are not allowed to discriminate against different kind of content online. For example, net neutrality ensures that a company such as AT&T cannot make your Gmail work more slowly than your Yahoo! Mail just because Yahoo! is an AT&T partner. Net neutrality has been a hotly debated topic over the past couple of years, and the passage of the regulations will no doubt stoke the flames once again. And while these new guidelines are an important first step toward protecting net neutrality, they do not go far enough. This ideal has created a level playing field for everyone on the web. Sites including The Daily Texan’s are able to compete with sites such as CNN because both have the same accessibility level. Certain telecommunication companies, however, want to disrupt this equilibrium by becoming gatekeepers of the Internet. They want the authority to decide which websites go fast, slow or won’t go at all. Essentially, these ISPs want to tax the Internet by creating a fast lane for their own web content and those of companies that pay them, while demoting everyone else to the slow lane. The Federal Communications Commission’s guidelines offer a temporary sigh of relief, as they prohibit ISPs from blocking or impeding web content on their networks. These new rules focus those providing a fixed wire connection. However, they do not apply to wireless providers, who can monitor various traffic speeds. With the mass proliferation of smart
Putting people to death for their crimes puts the United States in the same category as countries like China, North Korea and Iran. Further, it puts yet another stain on our reputation abroad by hurting our human rights credibility when dealing with other countries. Whether Davis was guilty or not, the fact that the state of Georgia has just executed a black man convicted on questionable evidence for a crime committed 20 years in the Deep South will speak volumes to international observers about the residual systemic presence of racism in the United States. Even if the initial conviction was not directly inspired by racism, the subsequent acts of the state are shameful. Despite the fact that many grievous errors were committed in the Davis case, the state Georgia executed what could have been a possibly innocent man. For shame, on the day of Davis’s execution, the state refused to grant him a polygraph as a last-ditch effort to demonstrate his innocence. Further, the Supreme Court did nothing to stop his eventual execution. Twenty years down the road, it may be impossible to know exactly how exactly off-duty police officer Mark McPhail was killed, but that illustrates one of the main problems with the death penalty: the impossibility of total certainty. Although murder cases require that juries be certain in their verdict “beyond a reasonable doubt” to convict, innocent men and women have been and will always be falsely convicted. That’s why years down the road our descendants will likely look back at the death penalty with the same disdain as we do in regards to the Inquisition, Medieval torture and pre-Civil War slavery. State-sanctioned killing sends a message that killing in general can be justified, provided that it’s done under a certain kind of circumstance. These days we can’t afford that sort of an eye-for-an-eye mentality. The death penalty belongs more to a time where conflicts were settled at the edge of a sword and not the industrialized society in which we live. If we are to call ourselves civilized, we cannot allow one murder to beget another.
FROM THE EDITORIAL BOARD reflects the majority opinion of the Editorial Board of The Signal, but not necessarily the opinions of individual editors
THE SIGNAL Editorial Board Miranda Sain, Editor in Chief • Mishall Rehman, Managing Editor • Chris Shattuck, News Editor • Sebastian Wee, Associate News Editor • Angel White, Campus Life Editor • Saakib Zafrani, Sports Editor • D.J. Dunson, Associate Sports Editor • Brooke Marshall, Entertainment Editor •Paul Demerritt, Associate Entertainment Editor • Bennett Greer, Production Editor • Aysha Johnson, Assistant Production Editor • Brittany Williams, Online Editor • Savanna Keo, Copy Editor • Miles Keenlyside, Copy Editor • Alicia Johnson, Copy Editor • Judy Kim, Photography Editor
ALICIA JOHNSON SAVANNA KEO
Keep the internet free-flowing
A dedicated white supremacist convicted of the murder by lynching of an African-American man eleven years ago, Lawrence Brewer was executed by the state of Texas with little protest because the evidence against him was straightforward and Texas leads the nation in sheer numbers of executions.
But in sixteen states like Michigan, New Jersey and Illinois, the death penalty has been abolished. And in most other developed countries there is no death penalty.
COPY EDITORS
phones and tablets, wireless devices are growing at a very fast rate and the FCC must expand its ruling to ensure that content accessed wirelessly are not regulated in any manner. And don’t expect opponents of net neutrality to go away without a fight. The FCC ruling was passed three-to-two, entirely along party lines with the three Democratic commissioners for the new rules and the two Republican commissioners against them. Companies such as Verizon and Metro PCS are expected to challenge the legality of these soon-to-be laws with aid from lawmakers. These opponents argue that the FCC does not have the authority to regulate the Internet and that the new regulations will hurt consumers. These arguments are flawed on many fronts. The FCC’s goal is to ensure that the Internet remains open and that companies should not be allowed to upset that balance. While Republican lawmakers want to keep government out of regulating the Internet, passing the reins to companies and allowing their regulations to kick in would clearly hurt consumers. It would force us to partake in a pay-per-view version of the Internet as websites would have to charge a fee to stay on the fast lane. Just imagine doing a research paper without the use of Google or Wikipedia because you cannot access or pay for them. Net neutrality protects students by providing us the freedom of choice. Because everything online is equal, we can freely choose between different avenues of entertainment or academic related activities. The loss of net neutrality would severely damage our ability to expand our knowledge. Net neutrality ensures that innovation on the Internet can continue because the next big thing will be accessible by anyone, anywhere. Corporations won’t be able to simply push their way to a top spot on the web simply by paying large sums of money. The beauty of a free-flowing Internet governed by net neutrality is that it empowers the individual. Anyone with an Internet connection has the ability to access huge troves of digital knowledge for personal uses. Internet service providers’ jobs are to move data, not to filter it.
Dedicate more bike parking Miles Keenlyside Copy Editor First, I have to say “Great Job!” to all of the university students and faculty who have been riding their bikes to school this semester. I think that see more bicycles locked up under GCB and the Library than I have any of my previous semesters. It’s refreshing to know that more people are concerned with their health and the health of their community by utilizing “eco-friendly” transport. That being said, I address my second point. Sometimes, there is a bicycle locked to every
object that’s cemented into the ground. The root of the problem I suppose is that there isn’t enough dedicated bicycle parking where it needs to be. Sure, there are plenty of things on campus that are immobile enough to lock up to, but who wants to have their bike locked to a trashcan or somewhere a car might back up into it? There needs to be a better system of parking bicycles for underneath the courtyard. At the moment, bikes are chained to everything that’s chained down, and it can Continued on next page
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Tuesday, September 27, 2011 | sports | THE SIGNAL
The truth about the HPV vaccine
Tarina Quraishi
Presidential hopeful Michele Bachmann drew ire last week when she stated that the human papillomavirus vaccine “could potentially be a very dangerous drug” with serious side effects. Responding to a question on The Today Show about her criticism of Texas governor Rick Perry, who issued an executive order mandating the HPV vaccination for preteen girls in his state, Bachmann cited an incident in which a Tampa woman apparently confided that her daughter had suffered mental retardation after getting the HPV vaccine. The American Association of Pediatrics quickly refuted Bachmann’s implication, stating that there was “absolutely no scientific validity” to her claim, and Bachmann herself admitted in a Fox News interview that she had “no idea” if there was a causal link between the HPV vaccine and mental retardation. Nonetheless, the inflammatory comments prompted public health figures to speculate that already-dismal HPV vaccination rates in the U.S. may decrease further due to the negative publicity, with one expert estimating that the vaccination rate will decline for the next three years due to this single incident. Political fear mongering about important health issues is never warranted, but the potential effect of Bachmann’s statements reflects a greater complication in the public health sector. An alarming proportion of the American public is misinformed about its health care choices, and consequently, bases important decisions
on emotional factors derived from cultural tensions agitated by barelyevinced statements like Bachmann’s— and this is the real danger. The New York Times reports that in the U.S., 44 percent of women in the 20-24 age group have been infected with HPV. It is the most common sexually transmitted infection, yet somehow, it has largely escaped public awareness. If parents are reluctant to give consent for their daughters to receive the HPV vaccine, they are likely unaware that half of sexually active men and women contract HPV at some point in their lives. Some parents point to the relatively low rate of cervical cancer in the U.S. as an indication that the vaccine is unnecessary, but they may not realize that the HPV infection is linked to other sexually transmitted infections and other types of cancer. Others are outraged that STIs should be a concern for pre-adolescent children, but the ideal vaccination age of 11 or 12 makes sense because the drug works most effectively if administered well before a patient becomes sexually active. Because of extensive media coverage, most parents do know that the HPV vaccine was once linked to autism. However, this link was proven false by a recent report by the health arm of the National Academy of Sciences, the Institute of Medicine. Finally, because the vaccine only safeguards against one of the myriad potential consequences of high-risk behavior, there is no rational basis that vaccinating young people against HPV permits or encourages promiscuity. Why is the general public ill-informed about HPV? In short, because politicians, journalists, and even parents choose to focus on more interesting aspects of the HPV vaccine rather
than the more mundane truth about what it can offer. A sensational controversy about the sexualization of young girls, an archaic resistance to the idea of vaccinations in general, and a (now– broken) link to the pressing medical issue of autism all compete for our attention against the facts of the matter. This conscious choice to get caught up in controversy is aided by an exaggerated cultural aversion on the part of pediatricians and parents to approach a topic mildly related to children’s future sexuality. This results in a climate in which parents are hypersensitive about the HPV vaccine and doctors are apprehensive about discussing it in depth. Controversies, like Bachmann’s recent unfounded link between mental retardation and the vaccine, overshadow the presence of credible sources of factual information about the real dangers of HPV. In order for parents to make informed decisions, however, they must set aside emotional obstacles that are motivated by controversies that resonate with cultural and religious factors. Instead they ought to listen to medical experts to truly understand what’s at stake. At the same time, health experts must overcome their discomfort with parents’ emotional concerns and strive to convey the necessary facts in a sensitive manner. Should HPV awareness and vaccination rates increase, the HPV vaccine could serve as a model for public health movements. For patients, it could set the tone of a decision-making process that is largely informed by medical expertise and the bigger picture of public health, not driven by politics, culture or religion. It’s time we distinguish between our emotional comfort and our physical health.
Continued on from previous page be a hassle to find a place to leave your bike. Georgia State should be encouraging students to ride bikes by providing more organized spaces for student and faculty that ride bicycles to campus. Right now under the courtyard, it’s a ridiculous cluster. I understand you are late for class since all of the bike racks are full and you had to pedal around until you
eventually settled for u-locking your bike to an old lady’s hover-round, but please use some courtesy and common sense when you do. Have you seen the mountain bike frame that’s been locked to the bike rack for a few years? Let that be a testament about anything that isn’t tied down. Use a u-lock and make sure your frame is secure, and if you’re feeling frisky,
lock that rascally wheel up with it. Then, once you have ascertained the proper method of locking your bicycle, don’t be an idiot and put it in anyone’s way, please. Space it tight I know, so be considerate. Hopefully soon Georgia State will give us more options to park our bikes, its cheaper than building more parking decks.
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THE SIGNAL | Tuesday, September 27, 2011
SPORTS
EDITOR Saakib Zafrani
www.gsusignal.com/sports
theisignalsport@gmail.com
ASSOCIATE EDITOR D.J. Dunson
dunsondj@gmail.com
Brittany Johnson follows in brothers footsteps Evan Owens Jr. Staff Writer
Georgia State Sports Communications
ohnson was an elite scorer at Fort Wayne South Side High School in Indiana
Humorous, outgoing, and hardworking are three words that describe freshman guard Brittany Johnson of the Lady Panthers basketball team. Growing up in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, Johnson began playing basketball at a young age. In her four year career at South Side High School, Johnson scored 1,230 points and sank 174 three-point shots. Not only was she a force on the court but a leader in the classroom, graduating with a 3.9 cumulative GPA. When Johnson is not practicing or studying for a class, Johnson enjoys shopping, going out to eat, and watching a good movie. “The normal stuff,” she said. “I’ve been to Atlantic station, Lenox mall, and the Chicken and Waffles place.” So far Johnson is enjoying Georgia and the college life away from Indiana. According to Johnson, being a student and student-athlete is not as bad as she thought it would be but she added that she say she must stay focused and work hard. Johnson doesn’t model her game after anyone in particular but she learns from prominent players such as WNBA Rookie of the Year, Maya Moore of the Minnesota Lynx and All-American point guard Skylar Diggins of Notre Dame. When Johnson played against Diggins in a regular season game in high school, Johnson finished with 21 points. Johnson comes from a family of athletes. Johnson’s mother played volleyball and her father played college basketball therefore, she knew playing sports would greatly help her parents. She also did not want to waste her talent and do nothing with her skill set.
Georgia State Sports Communications
Johnson followed in her brother to Georgia State despite receiving offers from Xavier and Western Michigan
She also said that she wanted to get away from home and start over clean. One of the biggest reasons she chose Georgia State was the influence of her older brother Marcus Johnson. Despite hovering at six-footfive inches tall, Marcus played point guard for the Panthers for two years at Georgia State and was the starter last season as a senior. The bond between the two siblings is strong and Johnson has no worries about following in Marcus’ footsteps or being stuck in his shadow. Johnson, who has eight brothers and sisters, says that Marcus is the most influential to her because he has been through the system already. “He has been through everything that I am about to go through, so I can relate to him,” said Johnson. “He is kind of like my second dad.” When times got rough for the Johnson family, Marcus kept her on track and focused on the goal. Johnson explained that her brother helped motivate her to lose weight so that she could get a scholarship to
play basketball for the Lady Panthers. He also helped touch up her game and followed through with her although he was away in college most of Johnson’s high school career. In a game of one-on-one between her and Marcus, Johnson believes she would win. “I done beat him a couple times, he’s just so much bigger than me.” It was all love. Johnson said her brother gave her great advice that she stuck with. “Be on your stuff or you will be stuck in Ft. Wayne” was what her brother told her. Being stuck in Ft. Wayne was not on Johnson’s agenda. Her new agenda is to help lead the Lady Panthers to a successful season as a freshman. “My goal is to grow as a person and as a student as well as helping the Lady Panthers to a good season” said Johnson. No doubt, Marcus will be watching.
Women’s soccer recovers from loss with overtime win D.J. Dunson Associate Sports Editor The Georgia State women’s soccer team (4-7) dipped into the first two game of its conference schedule over the weekend with mixed results. The Panthers first Colonial Athletic Association match of the 2011 season began on Friday evening at Drexel’s home field, in a rain soaked match against the Drexel Dragons. The soggy conditions wreaked havoc upon both teams. “It was the hardest rain I’ve ever had to be outside in,” said head coach Domenic Martelli. “It rained and rained and rained, and then rained some more. There was water standing all over field. The ball was just sitting in puddles and wasn’t traveling well for either team.” Six minutes into the match, sophomore forward Jewel Evans
kicked a shot towards Drexel’s goal but watched in disappointment as it careened off the post and missed the net. At the 7:09 minute mark, Drexel got on the board with a goal by Sam Greenfield. As the game pressed on, standing water on the Dragons’ turf field made it difficult for either team to make a run down the field. Sophomore, Alyssia Feronti and freshman Whitney Ravan both got off shots in the second half but failed to even the score. Ultimately, the Dragons escaped with the win. The Panthers would fare much better on Sunday, Sept. 25, in a thriller on the road against the Delaware Blue Hens. At the 2:05 minute mark, Delaware’s Ali Miller earned a penalty kick, however, senior keeper, Kellianne Collins dove to her left to make the stop and save the goal. The save was just one of Collins’ five saves for the match. Before
halftime, Collins also tipped a potential Delaware goal over the crossbar. After a quiet first half, both teams got on the board in the second. In the 64th minute, Ravan maneuvered around her defender to get one on one with goal keeper and buried a shot to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead. Five minutes later, Miller responded by scoring a goal of her own to knot up the score at one. The score would remain tied through the end of regulation. In the ninth minute of overtime, Bennett booted the gamewinning goal with a long shot inside the left post. It was Bennett’s fifth goal of the season and her second game-winning goal of the season. After the match, Martelli was impressed with the team’s response despite suffering a tough loss in the rain, days earlier. Delaware did not play on Friday and we
played a battle in the worst weather conditions, a downpour of rain that took so much out of us,” said Martelli. “For us to gut it out against a very good Delaware team who was playing their first game of the weekend really showed the talent and determination of our team.” Georgia State’s will play their third road game on the road at William and Mary on Thursday, Sept. 29. Goalkeeper Kelliane Collins made several crucial saves in the Panthers win over Delaware. Georgia State Sports Communication
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THE SIGNAL | opinions | Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Panthers drop third straight in 56-0 defeat Continued from front page down of the quarter after busting loose for a 21-yard rush on his first touch of the evening. Houston quickly adjusted and stopped Hill short of the next first down after three straight rushes. Ultimately, the wildcat proved ineffective against Houston’s defense. After a 34-yard Matt Hubbard punt, Keenum orchestrated another perfect drive and ended the first quarter in the end zone with another touchdown pass to receiver Justin Johnson. The tone was set for the evening, and the Panthers continued to look and play unorganized, while Keenum and company picked apart a football program still in its infancy. The second quarter wasn’t any better for the Panthers, as they started it with another three and out, and Keenum drove his offense down the field with ease once more. On the Panthers next drive, a deep out pass to Danny Williams for 16 yards coupled with a roughing the passer penalty put Georgia State at Houston’s 36, but another three straight rush attempts from Hill resulted in another short punt from Hubbard. Keenum took over at his own 20, and got right back in the drivers seat as he completed four straight passes, but on the fourth, Georgia State’s leading tackler Fred Barnes knocked the ball loose from Patrick Edwards and the Panthers recovered at their 26 yard line. Despite the turnover, the Cougar defense forced another three and out, and running back Bryce Beall capped their following drive with his second touchdown of the half. If their was any doubt, or hope, after the first quarter ended 21-0, that was put to rest by halftime, as the Panthers went into the locker room down by 35.
“Everything we stand for was not executed in the first half,” Curry told Comcast Sports South. The second half was more of the same. There was no inspiring consolation score like in the Alabama game last season, only more Cougar domination as the Panther offense was unable to capitalize on early turnovers. Houston took the ball to the Panther 15 on their first drive and faced a decision at 4th-and-1. Keenum tried to scramble for the yard to keep the drive alive, but was forced out-of-bounds by linebacker Mark Hogan. On Houston’s next drive, Barnes forced another fumble that was returned for 23 yards by Qwontez Mallory to the Cougar 37. Not to be outdone, Houston’s defense returned the favor and sacked Drew Little twice for 17 yards on the drive that followed. On the second sack, Little lost the ball and Houston’s David Hunter recovered. Keenum’s final play of the game came on the following drive as he connected with Tyron Carrier for 54 yards to the Panther 7. Charles Sims punched the ball in for the Cougar’s sixth touchdown, and it was time for their bench players to get on the field. Coach Curry was not at all pleased with the showing. “Their speed really unnerved us, and we didn’t play the fundamentals,” Curry told Georgia State Athletics. “We repeated the mistakes and stupid penalties we made the last two weeks. It’s frustrating and it’s embarrassing, and I don’t know anything else to do except keep working.” Georgia State has not won a game since the season opener against Clark Atlanta, and will look to stop the three game skid when they host Murray State on Oct. 8. The bye week couldn’t come at a better time for young football team that needs to
regroup if they intend to salvage this season. An extra week to get back to fundamentals looks invaluable for the players and coaches alike.
“I want to see resolve, and I want to see work ethic,” Curry told Athletics. “I want to see guys who are as embarrassed as we are as coaches and are ready to go to work and get better.” The Panthers are experiencing something in their second season that most programs have experienced before—a losing record. Fortunately, the Panthers upcoming schedule has a slate of winnable games.
Georgia State Sports Communications
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THE SIGNAL | NEWS | Tuesday, September 27, 2011
October Baseball MLB Postseason Preview
D.J. Dunson Associate Sports Editor
American League New York Yankees: Clinched Why They’ll Win: The Bronx Bombers batting. Not only do they lead both leagues in home runs but Jeter is hitting .333 since getting his 3000th hit. Despite, the Yankees reliance on high priced mercenaries, their hottest hitter right now is, Jesus Montero, a product of their minor leagues. Why They Won’t: Starting rotation. After CC Sabathia, the Yankees have few options to round out their starting rotation and lack a second quality starter with playoff experience. Iván Nova(16-4, 3.62 ERA) is only a rookie, A.J. Burnett is 10-11 and Freddy Garcia is winless in September. MVP: Cano has surged down the stretch while Granderson has faltered.
Texas Rangers: Clinched
Why They’ll Win: This team is hungry. Last season, the Rangers advanced to the World Series but left empty handed. Not only are they hungry but these Rangers hitters can absolutely crush the ball. Why they Won’t: Cliff Lee. Last season, the Rangers bullpen was anchored by Lee, who is now the Phillies ace. By a wide margin, the Rangers, Red Sox and Yankees were the best runscoring teams in MLB this season. Unfortunately, out of that trio, the Rangers have the most inconsistent pitching rotation and lack an intimidating Game 1 starter. MVP: Michael Young may be in pursuit of his second batting title but Josh Hamilton is the unquestioned leader.
Detroit Tigers: Clinched Why They’ll Will: Lost in the dominance of Justin Verlander’s pitching this season is closer Jose Valverde’s dominant pitching feat this season. In 47 save opportunities, Valverde has emerged victorious 47 times. Why They Won’t: Justin Verlander can’t pitch every night. Verlander leads the AL in wins, strikeouts, ERA but contrary to popular opinion, he can’t pitch every night. The Tigers just don’t have the offensive firepower or outstanding pitching depth to compete with the Yankees, Red Sox and Rangers’ vastly superior offenses. MVP: At the plate, Miguel Cabrera’s bat is impressive but Verlander has had a historic season.
Boston Red Sox: On The Bubble
Why They’ll Win: If there’s a team that can find the magic despite a sub-.400 September winning percentage, it’s the Red Sox. This team is streaky. Remember the concerns about their 2-10 start to the season? They could catch fire again. Why They Won’t: Forget the Curse of the Bambino. In the offseason, Boston signed the belle of the free agent ball, Carl Crawford of the Tampa Bay Rays, to 7-year, $142-million contract. In return, Crawford is hitting .259(down from .307 in 2010) and stolen just 18 bases (down from 47). In the midst of an epic playoff collapse, the Sox appear to be in worse shape than The Biggest Loser. On Sept. 2, Boston was nine games ahead in the Wild Card race. Today they are neck and neck with—Tampa Bay. MVP: Adrian Gonzalez leads the AL in batting average.
Tampa Bay Rays: On The Bubble Why They’ll Win: They’ve gotten hot at the perfect time. With any luck, they can carry it over into October. Why They Won’t: Another obvious reason is that they may not make the postseason. Evan Longoria has regressed this season after approaching a .300 batting average in 2010. The Rays also lack a pitching ace in the bullpen. The Rays bullpen is so unstable that manager Joe Maddon called up pitching prospect, Matt Moore from the minor leagues in the heat of their Wild Card race. MVP: If they make the playoffs—Carl Crawford.
Dylan Rice Staff Writer
National League Philadelphia Phillies: Clinched Why they’ll win: Pitching. The offense has been struggling this season by Phillies standards, but youcan’t lose if the other team doesn’t score. Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, and Cole Hamels are more thanenough firepower to get it done in any 5 or 7 game series. Why they won’t: Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins are two fragile dudes. If they go down, and RyanHoward decides to have a strikeout fest the Phillies could be home sooner than expected. MVP: Cliff Lee; It’s a tough decision between Doc and Cliff Lee, and their stats are nearly identical, butwhat gives Lee the edge is his playoff experience/dominance.
Milwaukee Brewers: Clinched
Why they’ll win: They may have the best offense of any playoff team in the league. Throw PrinceFielder and Ryan Braun right in the sweet sport of any lineup, and they’re pretty much guaranteed tobe contenders. Corey Hart and Rickie Weeks provide additional pop, and Nyjer Morgan is a solid .300 hitter. Why they won’t: This is a young group of guys with little playoff experience. Will they be able to contend with the veteran Phillies, who see postseason baseball as a guaranteed part of every season? MVP: Ryan Braun; Sorry Prince, you’re a close second, but Braun’s higher batting average, OPS andlower number of whiffs gives him the edge.
Arizona Diamondbacks: Clinched Why they’ll win: Ian Kennedy emerged this season as a true grade-A ace. This combined with theoffensive prowess of Justin Upton and the desire of a young ballclub yearning to prove itself could lead Arizona to advance a bit further than many expect. Why they won’t: This is another young club with no playoff experience, and after Upton there isn’t another offensive game changer. The same thing goes for the starting rotation. After Ian Kennedy who can contend with those Philadelphia arms? MVP: Justin Upton; This kid does it all, and as he continues to develop into a true five tool player, he’llonly get better.
Atlanta Braves: On The Bubble
Why they’ll win: They have the best bullpen in the playoffs (Although it has been shaky as of late). That combined with the veteran playoff leadership of Chipper Jones and the pop of Uggla and Freeman has to count for something… Right? Why they won’t: The Braves bullpen is fatigued after making too many appearances. The Braves trio of Johnny Venters, Kimbrel and Eric O’Flatery have made more appearances than Mariano Rivera or Trevor Hoffman have in any season. MVP: Chipper Jones; You know when the aging veteran lacks the talent he once possessed, but the club keeps him on the roster anyways because he’s such a good mentor for the young guys. Take out the first half of the sentence and replace it with the old man still has it, and that’s Chipper.
St. Louis Cardinals: On The Bubble Why they’ll win: They’ve been firing on all cylinders as of late and were able to enter the playoff race when people thought the playoff picture was already set in stone. Plus, they have Pujols. Matt Holliday and Lance Berkman are nice to have in any playoff lineup as well. Why they won’t: Often when teams have to fight to the last day for a playoff spot they run out of gas in the Divisional round. Cards also lack a true ace. MVP: Albert Pujols; He got off to a slow start this season, but he’s Albert freaking Pujols. Enough said.
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Tuesday, September 27, 2011 | entertainment | THE SIGNAL
Stars propel volleyball Sports Calendar to shutout victory Zakkiyya Anderson Staff Writer
Wednesday ,Sept. 28
Atlanta Braves vs. Philadelphia Phillies Turner Field // 7:10 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 29
Women’s Soccer @ Williams & Mary Williamsburg, Va. // 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 30
Mens and Women’s Cross Country @ Paul Short Run Bethlehem, Pa. // 10 a.m.
Softball @ Kennesaw State Kennesaw, Ga. // 3 p.m.
Softball vs. Young Harris Kennesaw, Ga. // 5 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 30
Volleyball vs. Virginia Commonwealth GSU Sports Arena // 7 p.m.
Saturday ,Oct. 1
Men’s Tennis - Georgia Tech Invitational Atlanta, Ga. // 9 a.m.
Men’s Soccer vs. Hofstra Panthersville // 1 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 2
Volleyball v. William & Mary GSU Sports Arena // 1 p.m.
Women’s Soccer v. Old Dominion Panthersville // 1 p.m.
Softball @ Georgia Tech Atlanta, Ga. // 2 & 4 p.m.
In a convincing victory, the Georgia State volleyball team(7-11) shut out UNC Wilmington Saturday 25-17, 25-20, 25-20 in their first Colonial Athletic Association battle of the season. The match also featured two of the CAA’s top three serving teams in the Panthers and Seahawks. Despite playing its six starters for the entire match, the Panthers did not lose a single a single set. Opening up with a 17-10 lead in the first set, the Panthers managed a balanced attack throughout. When UNCW threatened to win the set, Georgia State went on a 6-0 run to win the set 25-20. However, Noe killed the ball to secure the set win and finished the night with three kills total and a careerhigh five block assists. To finish the sweep, Georgia State came out in the third set 12-7. Noe also finished with a career-high five block assists in the win, while Andrea Ezell posted a team-high six. Senior Vinceece Verdun helped secure the win with two kills and three blocks. UNCW threatened late 24-20, but Jamie Freeman ended their hopes with a spike to give the Panthers the win, 25-20. Both teams came into the game ranking high in aces per game, with Georgia State ranking second in the CAA and UNCW ranking third. However, there were only two total aces in the game, both from the Panthers. Emily Averbeck led the team with 15 digs in the match. Senior Muki Kangwa, the Panthers top scorer ranks first among CAA players with an average of 4.39 points per set. Kangwa is ranked just ahead of fellow senior Vineece Verdun, the CAA Preseason Player of the Year. The Panthers finished the match with 22 block assists and 13 total team blocks, their second-highest totals of the season.
Georgia State Sports Communications
Georgia State’s Muki Kangwa leads the CAA in scoring.
The Panthers will continue CAA play this weekend as they host Virginia Commonwealth this Friday at 7 p.m. and William & Mary Sunday at 1 p.m. The VCU Rams lost to James Madison (11-4, 2-0) this past Saturday and fell to 0-2 in the conference. “We’ll get to enjoy this one today and then it all resets,” Audia told Georgia State Athletics. “With VCU
and William & Mary coming in we’ll need to defend our home court and get back to work.” The win, marked the Panthers first two game winning streak of the season including the team’s road victory over Kennesaw State in front of a record crowd on Sept. 20 and improved the Panthers to a 2-3 record at the GSU Sports Arena.
Weekly NCAA football matchups and predictions D.J. Dunson Associate Sports Editor
3 Alabama at 12 Florida
8 Nebraska at 7 Wisconsin
14 Texas A&M vs. 18 Arkansas
13 Clemson at 11 Virginia Tech
When Alabama takes the field against Florida, not only will the coaches on the opposing sideline be unfamiliar to Nick Saban but so will the offense. One thing has changed under Will Muschamp. These Gators are a more balanced offensive unit. Tim Tebow was the only 1,000 yard rusher for Florida during the Urban Meyer era. Through four games, Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps are already nearing their 2010 rushing totals. However, this season both Rainey and Demps are on pace to rush for 1,000 yards. However, they’ll be hard pressed to find yards against Alabama’s defense, and John Brantley will have to lead the Gators to victory. Not likely.
The Badgers are a verified national championship contender with Russell Wilson at quarterback. Not only is he the most athletic quarterback, Wisconsin has ever started but he’s arguably the best Wisconsin passer since…ever. The Badgers face their first true challenge of the regular season this Saturday. Nebraska has a versatile weapon in sophomore quarterback Taylor Martinez. Martinez is a homerun threat as a runner but somewhat raw as a passer. Despite starting off the season against a quartet of cupcake defenses, Martinez has only completed a pedestrian 50 percent of his pass attempts. That won’t get it done against Wisconsin’s impenetrable defense.
It’s only appropriate that the Aggies face off against their old rivals on the week, they make their long, drawn out relocation to the SEC official. Texas A&M running backs Cyrus Gray and Christine Michael should post triple digit rushing numbers against Arkansas’ paper mache rushing defense. The Aggies also hold the advantage with the game being played in College Station. Any 11 players, Arkansas runs out onto the field will be outmatched by A&M’s legendary 12th man—its home crowd.
Clemson won’t have long to ride the euphoria of their huge win over Florida State. For the second weekend in a row, Clemson will face the nation’s 11th ranked team. Virginia Tech is better. Clemson has found a gem in freshman receiver, Sammy Atkins and quarterback Tahj Boyd. Virginia Tech running back David Wilson, who has been electrifying since becoming the Hokies feature back and rushed for 132 or more yards in three out of the first four games, will have another big game. However, in his first ACC start, Hokies quarterback Logan Thomas will struggle in the pocket against the Clemson defense, while the more experienced Tahj Boyd will flourish.
Alabama wins: 33-20.
Wisconsin wins 35-23.
Texas A&M wins 31-28.
Clemson wins 34-24.
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THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY
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SERVING THE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1933
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VOLUME 79 | ISSUE 6
TUESDAY, SEPTEMbER 20, 2011
Students may get discounted parking rates at Underground Atlanta If talks between the Student Government Association and management at Underground Atlanta are successful, students may have around 500 additional places to park near the Georgia State campus by next semester. Although the plan is still in its early stages, James Dutton, the president of the Georgia State SGA, is optimistic about a potential deal but wary that bureaucratic processes may hold up it up. “The idea for the 500 parking spaces at Underground is just that. It has to go through Auxiliary Support Services for them to make sure it’s due in the contract and is copasetic,” said Dutton. “We can’t have official parking that hasn’t gone through all the right channels. There is a lot of bureaucracy, but we’d really like it to go forward.”
see PARKiNG page 3
Chris shattuCk | signal the student government association is working to make parking at underground atlanta available to students.
BrIttaNy KNoX Staff Writer
Mon 9/12
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Chris shattuCk | signal the MilE may be open 24/7 during finals week.
Wed 9/13
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Fri 9/15
tinue to study and work late into the evening. The MILE, or Mathematics Interactive Learning Environment, is a computer lab specifically for the use of students enrolled in math courses at GSU that is funded by the Provost’s Office, the dean’s office of the College of Arts and Sciences, and the division of Information Systems and Technology. Students who may not have computers or access to certain mathematical applications at their homes would be able to take advantage of the equipment in the MILE, as the lab is fully outfitted with student tools including computers, printers and a projector system. Math assistance is also provided for students during normal hours to assist them during their work and study time.
See page 14 for NFL predictions by the sports editors
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BAR NONE CHrIs sHATTuCk News Editor
Georgia State considering 24/7 access to the MILE during finals week The MILE may be opening twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week in part of a pilot program led by the Student Government Association and Student Affairs. At a recent Student Government Association meeting, the possibility of keeping the MILE open on a later schedule to benefit students’ study time was discussed. The idea proposed by SGA committee members is to keep the MILE open on a 24/7 schedule in place of the University Library running on this schedule. Changes have already been made in the University Library schedule, now staying open until midnight during the weekday, to help accommodate students who con-
GSUSIGNAL.COM
GSHPE members escorted out of Board of Regents meeting
Summarizing the student-parking situation, Dutton said the SGA will continue to press Auxiliary Services so that all policies and decisions are advantageous for the student body. Prices for the newly available parking space have yet to be worked out, although Dutton says students using PantherCash may get a discount. “The hope is that if they accept PantherCash and you pay in PantherCash you get a discount, just like you do with the vending machines on campus,” said Dutton. Dutton also believes that students using PantherCash would be more secure while parking at Underground. Dutton also says these new parking spaces would do a lot to alleviating some of the parking problems at Georgia State. “I think they will be used. I don’t know if they’ll all be used… Wednes-
JocElyN craWlEy aND chrIS ShattucK Staff Writer and News Editor
A taste of Elevated culture
THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY
SERVING THE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1933 VOLUME 79 | ISSUE 5
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Since its opening, the MILE has moved from the Urban Life Building and is now located on the corner of Piedmont Avenue and John Wesley Dobbs Avenue, underneath the University Commons with a GSU police office conveniently right next door. Benefits to having this study and work facility open for these extended hours would provide students with necessary academic tools and resources and a communal learning environment. Clayton Lynn, a senior and marketing major at GSU can see the benefits of the proposed idea but has some concerns regarding possible costs to the university. “Is it going to cost the univer-
INDEX
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News...........................2 Opinions....................6 Sports.........................9 Entertainment.......16 Campus Life...........21
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Saakib Zafrani | The Signal
The University Board of Regents briefly suspended a meeting last Tuesday when members of the activist group Georgia Students for Higher Public Education began chanting in response to a $34.8 million budget cut proposal for next year. Approximately 16 people involved with the group began chanting things like “no fee hikes, no furloughs” and “chop from the top” to a packed room before the regents took a recess and requested that the students leave. State police then escorted the students out of the building. Once the students left, the regents returned to vote unani-
Georgia State allowed the ODU Monarchs to run for 277 yards last weekend
mously on a proposal to cut 2 percent or $34.8 million out of next year’s budget, including provisions to lay off both fulltime and part-time workers, to implement a hiring freeze for critical positions and to defer long-term building maintenance, among others. Despite increased revenue by the state in the last 14 months, the cuts fall in line with Gov. Perdue’s request to state agencies across the board to develop 2 percent cuts in their operating budgets for FY2012 and FY2013. But to someone like Georgia State alum and GSHPE member Tim Dalton, budget cuts now represent an attack on students. “You look at the seven list see page 4
Panthers on the prowl ANGEL WHITE Campus Life Editor Last Friday, Sept. 16 students packed into Georgia State’s Student Center for the September edition of Panther Prowl, a monthly student social event that’s coordinated and ran by Spotlight Programs Board. September’s theme was “Game Over” and students and their guests could enjoy many arcade games and activities. The Spotlight Programs Board’s goal was to provide a plethora of games to entice even the most adamant video game naysayer. Georgia State sophomore Jona-
than Hawkins said, “I had a lot of fun with all the games, but Pac-Man was definitely a highlight for me… Arcade games like that are always fun and you’ve got to respect the classics.” Students in attendance also enjoyed free pizza and refreshments. “Game Over” took it back to the good days with its arcade game play, but coordinators also made sure to not turn their backs on the modern day juggernauts in the gaming industry either. Students could battle each other in a number of first person shooter games such as “Call of Duty,” “Halo” and others. Attendees also took advantage of
INDEX Tues 9/12 Hi 90
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News...........................2 Opinions....................6 Sports.........................9 Entertainment.......16
the space in the student center and got active by participating in Nintendo Wii games, “Guitar Hero,” “Band Heroes” and “Dance Dance Revolution.” The activities at Panther Prowl were not limited to videogames. Students participated in the set up air hockey table, traded baskets at the mini basketball shot station and tested their skills against one another at the pool table. Junior Brandon Golden was among the pool table participants. “It’s been a very long time since I played pool, I was extremely excited to get to the table and shake off the rust,” said Golden.
Saakib Zafrani | The Signal
Georgia State allowed the ODU Monarchs to run for 277 yards last weekend
Kimbrel vs. Freeman
Panthers fall short See page 9
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THE SIGNAL | Tuesday, September 27, 2011
EDITOR Brooke Marshall
signalentertainment@gmail.com
ENTERTAINMENT www.gsusignal.com/entertainment
Music Mecca
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Paul DeMerritt
pdemerritt1@student.gsu.edu
From the much-antipated return of Music Midtown to the boho revelry of Little Five Fest, Atlanta played host to dozens of bands last weekend. Here are a few of our favorite pics:
Stefan Seville
Coldplay’s performance combined radio-friendly fan favorites and theatrics.
Zack Kraimer | Signal
The Darling Normans rocked it out in their appearance at this year’s Little Five Fest.
Zack Kraimer | Signal
Emily Kemp of the Back Pockets embraces the hippie atmosphere of Little Five Points.
Zack Kraimer | Signal
Stefan Seville
Coldplay slowed it down for introspective songs like “Clocks” and “Yellow.”
Mastadon’s own Brent Hinds shreds on lead guitar in his side project, West End Motel.
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Tuesday, September 27, 2011 | entertainment | THE SIGNAL
For Rogen and Reiser, laughter is the best medicine PAUL DEMERRITT Associate Entertainment Editor Kurt Vonnegut once said that, “laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion. I myself prefer to laugh, since there is less cleaning up to do afterward.” When screenwriter Will Reiser found out he had cancer six years ago, he took a similar approach. Confronted with a diagnosis that called into question any chance of a future, Reiser and longtime friend Seth Rogen (Pineapple Express) did what they do best: make jokes. Instead of labeling himself as a victim, Reiser took those experiences and turned them into 50/50, a film named after the chances the doctors gave for his survival. It’s set to hit theaters Sept. 30. Joseph Gordon-Levitt ((500) Days of Summer) stars as Adam, Reiser’s cinema counterpart, and Rogen co-stars as Kyle, who is basically still just Seth Rogen. I got a chance to join a roundtable interview with Reiser and Rogen, who seemed so far removed from the experience that it’s almost hard to believe it ever happened. How accurately do you think the film portrays the real-life dynamic between you guys? Rogen: It was different back then. At the time it happened to us, I was 23, and he was 25. Reiser: We were much different people then.
Rogen: That was a big six years for both of us. Reiser: I was oversensitive, highly neurotic and worried about everything. And he was kind of an assh--e, and he made fun of me. Rogen: A lot. Reiser: But that was our relationship. Rogen: I think the scene in the coffee shop where we’re talking about sexual issues, and the car ride over where he thinks we’re late and I’m antagonizing him, I think that’s very indicative of what our relationship was like. What kind of funny things happened to you after you got sick? Reiser: Something looking back that’s really funny, when I called Seth to tell him that I had cancer, he was on the toilet taking a s--t. Rogen: Yeah, I was. Which was very surreal, I remember thinking, “I wish I was not taking a s--t right now, this is the worst way to be having this conversation.” I couldn’t even feel that bad for him because I was so distracted by how ridiculous it was. So it instantly was funny, it instantly was different than we thought it would be. It was a horrible thing, because Will really thought he was gonna die because he was misdiagnosed. Even in that moment, I recognized that this was not how I thought it was gonna be and not how it was portrayed in movies.
Reiser: There was never a moment where I was like, “Guys, we need to sit down and talk this out and talk about what we’re feeling.” I basically did everything I possibly could to make everybody feel normal. I probably made more jokes about it then anybody else. And that was how we dealt with it. I think the process of writing the movie was when I was actually able to get out and process some of the really hard things. When I was going through it, I pretty much avoided thinking about the cancer and I would obsess over anything else I possibly could: girls, work, friendships, I mean anything. Were there any scenes that you guys liked but didn’t work in the movie? Rogen: Yeah, did we ever shoot the jerking off thing? Reiser: We did. Rogen: That didn’t work, that was a good example. Reiser: It was too sad. Rogen: When you go through chemotherapy, you can become sterile, so some people put their sperm in a sperm bank so they have their sperm around for afterwards. So we had a scene where Joe was jacking off in a sperm bank, and he starts crying and for some reason we thought it would be funny, but it was just really sad to watch. And we were like, “Nobody wants to f--king see this.” It didn’t work at all. Was it hard acting in the emo-
tional parts of the movie because it involved your friend? Rogen: Honestly by the time you’re doing it, so much has happened, and making a movie is so technical sometimes. I’m not one of those actors who ever feels the things I’m portraying in a movie. It’s never real for me. I’m always pretending. It was never that weird for me, honestly. Reiser: Me neither.
Rogen: By the time you’re filming, you’re so worried about the lights and the camera, “Do we have enough time?”, and “Is that car that keeps driving by gonna ruin our sound?” You almost don’t have time to emotionally connect to the material that much, when you’re a producer and a writer. Usually when you’re an actor, you do, but I don’t want to emotionally connect. [Laughs.]
Courtesy of Allied Integrated Marketing
Joseph Gordon-Levitt (left) and Seth Rogen star in 50/50, a fictionalized — and comedic— account of Will Reiser’s cancer diagnosis.
Broadway favorite Wicked visits Fox Theatre URVI SHAH Staff Writer
Joan Marcus
Wicked gets big laughs when misunderstood protagonist Ephelba (left, played by Dee Roscioli) is assigned to room with the selfcentered Glinda (Amanda Jane Cooper) at witch school.
The mesmerizing Broadway musical Wicked returns to Atlanta this month for a special performance at the Fox Theater. Based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, Wicked explores why evil becomes evil. If you reach the theater just before the play begins, a beautifully designed map of the Land of Oz greets you before the stage. The play opens with Glinda (Amanda Jane Cooper), a blatantly self-centered young blonde witch, addressing fellow Ozians and narrowly avoiding the topic of how she was friends with Elphaba (Dee Roscioli), the emerald-skinned and smart yet misunderstood wicked witch of the west. However, being the Good Witch, she later boldly admits that she was indeed best friends with her. The rest of the story is a flashback, as Glinda recalls how her friend became wicked. In the musical, the two witches — one popular and the other despised — are forced to become friends when a comic misunderstanding leaves them as roommates at witch school. In her attempt to make Elphaba more popular, Glinda’s efforts to make her laugh like she does are hilarious. Elphaba tries to fit in with other classmates but bears the burden of being dif-
ferent. Meanwhile, she discovers that dark powers in Oz are harassing the human-like animals. She takes this case to the great Wizard of Oz (Mark Jacoby) and discovers he is just an ordinary man. In fact, he needs Elphaba’s help in his evil desires. When Elphaba refuses, the Wizard spreads rumors about her. Tensions increase when Glinda begins to date Fiyero (Colin Hanlon), Elphaba’s romantic interest. A nailbiting encounter between Elphaba and the Wizard’s men at the climax keeps the audience on the edge of its seat. Being naturally gifted, Elphaba can read the secret spells, and defies gravity to flee to western Oz. The chemistry between witty Elphaba and blonde Glinda is remarkable, and the lyrics by Stephan Schwartz are full of funny oneliners, — from “Do you just talk or sometimes listen too?” to the excellent comic timing of Elphaba’s oneword reply to Glinda: “blonde.” The Grammy Award-winning cast takes the audience from laughter to thrill effortlessly. The backdrop scenery changes from the simple witch school with ancient green board and white chalk to an eerie prison in a matter of minutes. Even with the humor-heavy beginning and middle, the play blends a serious message at the end: Elphaba does not choose to be evil but is compelled to be. Wicked runs at the Fox Theater through Oct. 9.
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THE SIGNAL | entertainment | Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Lupe Fiasco, Young Marqus play Tabernacle MICHAEL MESSING Staff Writer
Saakib Zafrani | The Signal
At just 11 years old, Young Marqus is realizing his dreams of musical success. He opened for Lupe Fiasco Sept. 20
Girls
Father, Son, Holy Ghost True Panther Sounds
The effects of the Internet on the world of music are undeniable. A band’s ease of location in cyberspace can directly impact their popularity, so by that rationale, it would seem San Francisco indie rockers Girls would have little commercial success. However, their second offering,
You have to be some kind of man to open your performance with a song sampling Jay-Z, considered by many to be one of the greatest rappers of all time. Even borrowing from or imitating Jay-Z takes some courage, but what Young Marqus — who opened for Lupe Fiasco at the Masquerade Sept. 20 — did was much bigger than that. Young Marqus isn’t your typical rapper. While most rappers use the “Lil,” “Young” or “Big” that precedes their names metaphorically, for Young Marqus, the “Young” should be taken literally. At the ripe age of 11, Young Marqus has experienced a lifetime’s worth of trials and tribulations already, but none of that has slowed or stopped him along his road to stardom. The young rapper opened for Lupe Fiasco at the Masquerade Sept. 20, and although he raised more than his share of eyebrows in the crowd, he by no means stole the spotlight. Fiasco’s show, which lasted well over an hour, was action-packed and filled with energy — a pleasant surprise for those who may have expected his performance to match the normally mellow, introspective nature of his content. Performing most of his fans’ favorites from past albums, Lupe mixed publicizing
Father, Son, Holy Ghost, is getting widespread critical acclaim despite the near impossibility of finding their name on Google. Father, Son, Holy Ghost is a distinct departure from the duo’s first release, Album, in that the instrumentation is much more precise and the production has received a considerable fine-tuning. Whether or not this is for the better is a matter of preference — many appreciate the lo-fi edge characteristic of Album, but fans of more traditional rock will likely gravitate toward Father. The record blasts off with its best number, “Honey Bunny,” which is also the shortest track. If the rest of Father were as solid as this Buddy Holly- and Elvis Costello-inspired gem, the album would be a modern classic. Some tracks come close, like the optimistic pop of “Alex” and the epic Pink Floyd ringers “Vomit” and “Just a Song,” but “Honey Bunny” rises above them all in sincerity.
his latest release, Lasers, with the kick-pushing, superstarthemed anthems that have made him the renowned hiphop artist he is today. In keeping with his socially conscious reputation, Lupe even took time out of his set to bring awareness to the Troy Davis situation, changing the words of “Superstar” to mention Davis’s then-impending execution. Fans who came to see Lupe Fiasco put on a show definitely got their money’s worth; what they probably didn’t expect, however, was the attention-stealing performance of opening act Young Marqus. YM, as he is also called, is level headed and humble, and his mother and uncle make sure he doesn’t feel the pressure of being a celebrity at such a young age. Apparently there are haters even in middle school, but Young Marqus takes it all in stride and maintains his A average in school even from the road while touring. “I like school,” the Houston, Texas native said with a smile. Young Marqus and his mother, who has musical aspirations of her own, have been through a lot; at one point they even lived in their car. Having already lived a life’s worth of hardships, Young Marqus has a calm about him that many — young or old — can’t match. Young Marqus is poised to make it big, via the rap game or otherwise.
Lead vocalist Christopher Owens’s voice is meek and a bit restrained, but it’s eerie in a way that somehow befits his past as a former member of the Children of God cult. The original duo is complemented well by the addition of guitarist John Anderson, drummer Darren Weiss and keyboardist Dan Eisenberg — the technical musicianship is leagues above that on Album. The songs are varied within themselves and in overall scope, so Father is not boring on the whole. Some of the songs are too ambitious — three of them are longer than six minutes, and these ones can get a bit dull — but overall it’s dynamic enough to stay entertaining. The heavy incorporation of classic rock and pop elements makes for a unique take on indie, but it’s nothing groundbreaking. Girls may not be fully realized yet, but this record shows promise for their future. —Zack Kraimer, Staff Writer
Saakib Zafrani | THE Signal
Lupe Fiasco performed classic fan favorites, as well as offerings from his latest release, Lasers.
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Tuesday, September 27, 2011 | entertainment | THE SIGNAL
Atlanta Events TUESDAY, SEPT. 27
Tasty Jams
Check out Ella Riot, formerly known as My Dear Disco, before they go on their recently announced post-Halloween hiatus (nooooo!), enjoy Jean Kelly’s pop-infused soul and stick around for Gun Party, a self-described “fusion of indie dance rock and daddy issues [that may] cause uncontrollable seizures of dance.” I couldn’t have put it better myself. Vinyl, 1374 West Peachtree St. // 7:30 p.m. // $5 advance, $7 at the door, 18+
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 28
Ricer, Craters
All anyone can tell about this show is that it’s “calm white noise,” and that they need a new flyer designer. Drunken Unicorn, 736 Ponce de Leon Place // 9:30 p.m. // $5, 18+
Spring Awakening
This coming-of-age story explores the at-times awkward and at-times awesome aspects of discovering sex as a teenager. See it while you can, ’cause it’s closing Oct. 1. Actor’s Express Theatre Company, 887 W. Marietta St., Ste. J-107 // 5 p.m. // $15-$32, 18+
FLUX 2011
FRIDAY, SEPT. 30
34 public art projects spanning the genres — theater, dance, parades, iron pours, puppetry, projections, music, multimedia, and sound and light installations — from artists and collectives like Circle Studios, Dodekapus, gloATL and the Zoetic Dance Ensemble. The evening kicks off with a lantern parade — featuring ghost lanterns chasing cyclists — and ends with iron fireworks at midnight. Seriously, if you only go to one event this weekend, make it this one. FLUX, 360 Nelson St. // 8 p.m. // Free, all ages
Dirty Hotel Sunshine, Mountain Lion, Starfighter
Steve LaBate of Attractive Eighties Woman fame (who could forget their tender ode to Murder Kroger?) is embarking on a new musical project, Dirty Hotel Sunshine. Check out the band’s debut, as well as the folk-rock stylings of Mountain Lion and Starfighter’s spacey, Brazilian surf-inspired psychedelia. The Music Room, 327 Edgewood Ave. // 8:30 p.m. // Free, 18+
SATURDAY, OCT. 1
Taste of AFROBEAT
Featuring Kola Ogunkoya and the Atlanta Afrobeat Orchestra, plus special guests Kenny Nightingale, Eme Awa, Kalakuta Mozak and DJ MC Chillout, this is the perfect opportunity to indulge your afrobeat addiction... or, if you’re a neophyte, develop one. The Atrium Event Center, 5479 Memorial Dr., Stone Mountain // 6 p.m. // $15 advance, $20 at the door, all ages
SUNDAY, OCT. 2
32nd Annual Sunday in the Park
Do you ever find yourself longing for the good old days of Victorian England — no bathing, everyone’s got lice, getting married at 14? Well, that’s not what Sunday in the Park is all about. What it is about, however, is dressing up in your very best Victorian garb, enjoying live music and delicious food and checking out the artists market — all in beautiful Oakland Cemetery. Historic Oakland Cemetery, 248 Oakland Ave. // Noon-6 p.m. // $5 suggested donation, all ages
Want to see an event in this space? Contact Brooke Marshall at signalentertainment@gmail.com with the event name, time, date, location and a brief description.
Disney Enterprises, Inc.
The medium has changed, but the story remains the same: The visually stunning Disney classic The Lion King recently returned to the big screen in 3D.
Lion King 3D adds a new dimension to an old classic ALEXIS SMITH Staff Writer I can’t recall the number of times I’ve seen The Lion King during my young life. Originally released in 1994, most of my peers were barely out of diapers when the childhood classic first made it to the big screen. Now, some 16 years later, The Lion King is back and just as incredible as I remember it being — only now it’s in 3D. The movie hit theaters Sept. 16. Obviously nothing has changed about the actual movie itself, but for those of you who have been living under a rock for the past decade and a half, I’ll give a short run-down: Simba, a young lion cub (Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Wild America), is the prince and son of the mighty King Mufasa (James Earl Jones, Star Wars). The young prince seems to have it made, but young Simba’s life takes a tragic turn for the worst when his evil uncle Scar (Jeremy Irons, The Man in the Iron Mask) cold-heartedly murders Mufasa and scares Simba
out of the kingdom. Simba then embarks on a journey of self-discovery, but not without encountering some interesting characters along the way. (Who could forget the comical pair Timon (Nathan Lane, “30 Rock”) and Pumbaa (Ernie Sabella, “Mad About You”)?) Upon entering adulthood, Simba (Matthew Broderick, Inspector Gadget) is visited by his father’s spirit and urged to return to the kingdom to defeat Scar and reclaim his rightful seat in the throne. Although nothing has changed about the storyline, the visual aspects are, naturally, a little different. The decision to convert the classic childhood movie into the 3D realm doesn’t make the movie any more amazing and moving than it already was. Admittedly, there are some scenes in the movie where I couldn’t help but expect a little more technical boom than I was witnessing. Yet almost every scene that pulled my heartstrings so many years ago — from the birth of Simba to the
return of his father’s spirit — were just as emotionally moving as I remember. With all this in mind, does the 3D aspect of The Lion King work in favor of the original? The answer is yes. Being in 3D only adds on to the masterpiece that is The Lion King. The extra stimulation in general has never exactly excited me or moved me to see a movie anymore than I had already wanted to see it; nor does it take anything away. Perhaps the 3D aspect of the film is aimed toward the over-stimulated younger generation of children, an interesting technique to raise numbers at the box office, I assume. Whatever the reasoning behind releasing it in 3D may be, The Lion King remains one of my favorite coming-of-age family movies. Whether you’re a part of the younger generation, the older generation, or somewhere in between like me, this film will surely move you in a way that will remain with you for years to come.
Cinefest to host horror film fest ZAK MARLOW Staff Writer October has always been a spooky, scary kind of month. It seems there’s always something around the corner, hiding in a pile of leaves or on a crisp, hollow breath of wind. A haunting chill starts to set in before winter comes, jackets start to zip up higher and higher and we start seeing less and less skin, leaving floating heads crouched in hoods scurrying hurriedly from place to place, as if
being outside exposes them to some very real spectral threat in the nature and atmosphere of autumn. It isn’t clear where the reputation for October’s frightful nature began, but it’s events like HorrorQuest that keep that feeling alive. From Oct. 21-26, Georgia State’s own Cinefest film theater presents a festival celebrating the bone-rattling terror film is capable of filling us with. All the films are shown for free, and include such offerings as Night of the Chupacabra, Alien Zombie Inva-
sion and The Speak. So come out the week of Oct. 21 for some eerie chills and warm popcorn. Nestle in your seats as the lights dim, and ready yourself for some truly terrifying independent films. And if you leave the theater on the night of the final screening (which will be held at Landmark Midtown Arts Cinema) feeling frightful and shaken, warm your bones at the free after party at Park Tavern. For trailers and information about the films being screened, visit www.thehorrorquest.com.
THE SIGNAL | Tuesday, September 27, 2011
EDITOR Angel R. White
signalliving@gmail.com
CAMPUS LIFE www.gsusignal.com/campuslife
ASSOCIATE EDITOR OPEN
Hanging with the cast of The Buried Life Suchi Sajja Staff Writer The Buried Life’s Jonnie Penn and Dave Lingwood sat down with The Signal before speaking to students at Georgia State’s Distinguished Speaker’s series. The
Buried Life project started with Jonnie Penn, Duncan Penn, Dave Lingwood and Ben Nemtin making a bucket list with more than 200 items, then slowly crossing each item off once they were completed. “We started The Buried Life to prove to friends that we could
do what we wanted to do,” Nemtin said to a full Speaker’s Auditorium. Their endeavors got the attention of MTV who offered them a reality show in which they cross goals off their list, as well as help fans fulfill their own.
Jamila Dewitt | Signal
The Buried Life cast speaks to the Georgia State community.
The Signal: What do you think of Atlanta? Jonnie: We love Atlanta. We’ve been wanting to come to Atlanta for a long time. Dave: We’re not spending enough time here though, so I’m going to come back for a week. The Signal: You should come back and go to Chow Baby with us. Dave: What’s Chow Baby? The Signal: It’s Chinese and you make your own food and its really good. Jonnie: What are some other names for Atlanta? Hotlanta, A-Town. Dave: ATL. The Signal: What is the weirdest piece of advice you can give college students? Jonnie: You’re gonna die. The Signal: That’s not weird. That’s sensible. What’s the weirdest thing you’ve learned? Jonnie: The only thing you own in this life is the two centimeters between your ears. That’s the only thing you own. Nothing else.
Dave: Anytime that you think twice, you should say to yourself,“[expletive] it and do it.” The Signal: What are your plans for the future? Jonnie: World domination. Dave: Chow Baby. The Signal: Of everything that has happened to you guys so far, what has been your favorite experience so far? Jonnie: It’s different for everyone. I went to Burning Man this year with my dad, two sisters and my brother and that was pretty sweet. Dave: That was cool. Jonnie: You weren’t there. Dave: Greatest experience? Is that the question? The Signal: Funniest, weirdest, greatest. Jonnie: We haven’t really had many of those. Dave: Go to a good music festival and lose yourself for three days and get some silver or gold face paint. Don’t be shy. And don’t be afraid to make out with strangers.
The Buried Life crosses Georgia State off bucket list Jamila Dewitt Staff Writer
The Buried Life, a reality show that has aired on MTV since January 2010, was recently renewed for a second season, premiering Sept. 27. The show is based on an easy, yet hard question, “What do you want to do before you die?” The show has a huge following and is lead by friends Ben Nemtin, Jonnie Penn, Duncan Penn, and Dave Lingwood, who travel across the country in order to complete things on their bucket list. With each item that they cross off of their list, they also help a stranger accomplish a goal of their own. Last Wednesday, Sept. 21, The Buried Life cast was invited to speak at Georgia State during the Distinguished Speaker Series held annually on campus. They spoke to a crowd of students offering advice and insight into the lives of the cast members. Brothers Jonnie and Duncan met Lingwood and Nemtin in high school and their dream started soon after in 2006, in their hometown of Victoria, British Columbia. They decided to travel across the United States to make good of doing all of the things on their list. They traveled in many beat up RV trailers until they purchased “Penelope,” a purple transit bus from a nudist, to participate in amazing, jaw-dropping feats. They
conquered many things that were deemed impossible by others (i.e. kissing the Stanley Cup, becoming a knight for a day, and opening/ hosting the local news). One item on the list was particularly touching. A man named Brent, who used to be homeless, wanted to give back to the community by taking them food. He contacted the Buried Life crew, and after some further investigation, they realized what Brent really needed was a truck for his business because his had recently stopped working. The guys were able to purchase a truck for his business, as well as accompany him to the local homeless shelter to deliver food to the people living there. The Buried Life was offered a TV show in 2007..After much thought, the guys decided to turn down the offer because the producer’s vision for the show was so much different from what they wanted to present. They decided to raise money to hire a film crew to tape their adventures. They were later contacted by MTV, who was looking for more quality shows, and allowed them to keep their original content and air it without editing or changing the format. The Buried Life crew ran into some challenges while producing the show. Playboy representatives threatened to sue and press charges, after the crew contacted them, to let them know that they
had snuck into the Playboy mansion and taped footage that they wanted to air on the show. After several failed attempts by the legal and public relations teams of Playboy to not air the footage, the guys decided to write a handwritten letter to Hugh Heffner. After nearly two weeks, Heffner replied giving them the ok, along with some stern words for sneaking into the mansion. A few things that the guys wish to do before they die is to write a book and play basketball with President Barack Obama. One thing that they are serious about is that MTV does not pull strings for them to be able to make these things happen, it is all done by them and them alone. They have stuck by three things throughout this journey that kept them moving forward: to make a list, go after it and to help others in the process. The second season promises to be more inspiring, because it will include people who enlist help from the cast, as they make their own lists. One can only look forward to the show, as the guys once again touch lives in such a creative way. MTV’s website boasts that the cast will try to raise $1 million in a week, as well as capturing a fugitive--can we say interesting? Be sure to catch the season two premiere of The Buried Life on Tuesday, Sept. 27 at 10:30 p.m. on MTV.
Michelle Asci | Signal
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Tuesday, September 27, 2011 | campus life | THE SIGNAL
Campus Calendar September 27, 2011
Face-to-Face: Meeting with Your Professors
The Digital Aquarium cordially invites you to experience a taste of multimedia and technology as we celebrate 10 years of service to students! Come discover how you can become a digital media guru, and tour the Mac lab, recording studio and equipment checkout center. Free fun, food and music! Student Center – Suite 390 // 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
2012 Inceptor Selection Information Session
Are you one of the few? The proud? Attend a 2012 Inceptor Selection Information Session to learn more about how to become part of the team! Minimum requirements are a 2.5 GPA, good Academic and Judicial Standing before and after selection. Deadline to apply is Friday, October 14, 2011 by 5:15 p.m. To receive an application you must attend and Inceptor Information Session. Capitol Suite – Student Center // 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
September 28, 2011
Child Development Program Consignment Sale
The College of Education’s Child Development Program is hosting a consignment sale on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011, in Veteran’s Memorial Hall, located inside Dahlberg Hall (30 Courtland St., Atlanta). The sale will feature amazing bargains on infant and kids clothing, maternity clothes, indoor toys, puzzles, books and more. Cash is the only accepted form of payment. Dahlberg Hall // 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Changing Landscapes: Immigration and Education
The College of Education is teaming up with Welcoming America and the Georgia chapter of the National Association for Multicultural Education (GA NAME) to screen “Welcome to Shelbyville,” a film about a small Southern town that grapples with a rising immigrant population. Speakers Auditorium – Student Center // 5:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Whitewater Kayaking School
Come out to the Recreation Center and learn the fundamentals of Kayaking in the aquatics center located on the ground floor. Student Recreation Center // 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
September 29, 2011
My Mind Went Blank: Strategies for Memory and Concentration
Make the most of your time in class. Don’t just sit there staring at a blank page of notes or someone else’s lunch. Find out what you can do to concentrate on the lecture and retain the information. Be engaged, participate and succeed! University Center Room 485 // 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Student Concert Series: Midnight Revival
Featuring your very own GSU classmates, the Student Concert Series highlights the best musical artists and bands at Georgia State. Come out during lunchtime and enjoy the music while eating or just hang out for awhile between classes. Hurt Park // 12:15 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Yoga Classes
September 30, 2011
Employee Development & Wellness is sponsoring a series of Yoga classes for Georgia State University faculty, staff & students. Try our 1-hour class of gentle yoga, emphasizing stress reduction and relaxation. Veteran’s Memorial Hall // 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Want to see your event in this space? Contact Angel White at signalliving@gmail.com with your event’s name, time, date, location and a brief description of the event. All events listed in the Campus Events calendar must either take place on campus or be produced by a Georgia State-affiliated organization.
Chief Justice prepares for new year Iman Naim Staff Writer
Meet Allison Renyi, Georgia State University’s Chief Justice of the Student Judicial Board (SJB). Renyi is a double major of Public Policy and Political Science and took on the responsibility of being a Student Justice. Renyi soon went on to become Chief Justice. The SJB is a branch of Georgia State’s Student Government Association (SGA). The SJB deals with student discipline; its Justices are responsible for upholding the Student Code of Conduct and ensuring that fellow students do the same. “The SJB is the only student based hearing and disciplinary option in the University,” Renyi said. “All the Justices, including the two Associate Chief Justices, are students.” As Chief Justice, Renyi represents the Board and the University. Renyi is responsible for leading all SJB meetings and educating students on their rights and responsibilities, and is a member of the Student Government Association Executive Board. Renyi started off looking for opportunities to become involved at Georgia State, and she spoke to a professor who directed her to the Student Judicial Board. “He informed me that the SJB was recruiting and offered to recommend me for the Board,” Renyi said, “I was interested in what the SJB did for GSU and applied to be a Justice.” In 2009 Renyi was accepted and became one of 16 Justices. According to the Georgia State University SJB website, to qualify students need to keep up their grade point average, be in good disciplinary standing, have 30 semester credit hours, and cannot have violated University conduct rules. Nonetheless, the benefits of the experience are priceless. Students will learn skills in listening, communication, assertiveness, and sensitivity awareness. “For my first year as a Student Justice I was fortunate to be mentored by the Chief Justice, Austin Brown,” Renyi continued. Under Brown’s tutoring, Renyi was able to develop skills that led her to take on more responsibilities in the SJB. “I felt ready to take on the responsibilities of Chief Justice.” She said, and proved to be right by acquiring the position in the summer of 2010. According to the SJB website, The University believes the method of having students addressing poor discipline is effective because it encourages misguided students to change their ways. Renyi plans to carry on her ambitious behavior after
Grace Lee
Allison Renyi, Chief Justice of the Student Judicial Board, discussed current issues at a SGA meeting.
college by teaching and researching in the field of International Development Policy. Luckily she will have the skills she gained and perfected as a Justice in the SJB. Because the idea of the SJB is to have a committee of Georgia State students who decide the proper disciplinary actions for a fellow student who violated the Student Code of Conduct, situations can become personal. “Being a Justice involves separating your personal feelings and relationships with GSU students and student organizations from what is stated in the Student Code of Conduct.” Renyi said. While this may be challenging for many Georgia State students, Renyi was able to follow through with the rules while keeping her enthusiasm for Georgia State. “I am proud to be a Panther!”
Open Mic Night returns with a bang Iman Naim Staff Writer Numerous student performers participated in Georgia State’s Open Mic Night that re-opened for the first time in two years last Wednesday. Students were encouraged to sign up to perform with fellow classmates for a promised prize of $25, $50 and $100 for the first three winners. “[I thought] it would be fun for students to showcase their talents and listen to their peers,” says Annette Brown, one of the judges for this month’s Mic Night. “They can perform anything,” she said. “Spoken word, songs, instruments, comedy, poetry and there aren’t many rules for performers, apart of not using too much profanity.”
The first place winner of the night was Candice Burgess, performing her original song, “Runaway.” “I was a little nervous, but I love to sing and my friends convinced to do this,” Burgess said. Raheem Smith was the night’s first performer, with two original spoken word pieces. “The room felt a little empty at first, but once people started clapping, it felt more full,” Smith said. When asked where his inspiration stems from,“My inspiration is the music I listen to. I like everything: jazz, hip-hop, classical,” Smith said. Smith, who has performed before at Barnes & Noble, his previous high school and multiple coffee shops, insisted that he was not ner-
vous. Kingsley Franklin performed a cover of the song “Feel Good Incorporated” by the Gorillas, one of his inspirations. “I came here to have fun,” Franklin, said. “Playing takes away the nervousness.” Aspiring producer, Tessa Hollingsworth, sang an original song accompanied with the guitar. “I was a little nervous and a little excited,” Hollingsworth said, despite having played for open mic nights at bars and performing at the Fox Theater. Fellow participant, Robin Reeves also has performed at public events such as the Battle of the Bands and Georgia State’s Relay for Life. “My inspirations are Michael Continued on next page
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THE SIGNAL | campus life | Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Michelle Asci | Signal
Continued on from previous page Jackson and Stevie Wonder,” Reeves said. “I was a little nervous that there would be a tough crowd.” Friends who showed up to support Franklin rejected the idea of ever performing at the now monthly open mic nights, stating that they would never want to perform. Hol-
lingsworth’s roommate, Anslie Butler, also sings, but would not want to perform. “I’m not good like Tessa,” Butler said After two hours of performances, Brown announced the winners of the night. Another judge, Corey Tanner, was overall pleased with the
show. “I think we had a good variety of performances,” Tanner said, “I really like that people came to sign up while other performances were going on.” “I think the turnout was great for a first show,” Brown said.
Michelle Asci | Signal
TOUGH BUT GOOD
TOUGH
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(404) 963-9930 | www.bccr.edu/2011 Serving Atlanta Since 1972
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WHATʼS HAPPENING ON CAMPUS! Supported by Student Activity Fees
L’Amour Fou, September 26-October 2 Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest, September 26-October 2 Bridesmaids, September 29
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Shows free for GSU students, faculty & staff with ID. Guests $3 before 5 p.m. and $5 at 5 p.m. and after.
www.gsu.edu/spotlight
Homecoming 2011 Royal Court
Thursday, September 29, 12:30 p.m., Library Plaza Join us to hear the Homecoming Royal Court announced!
SAVE THE DATE!
Homecoming 2011, October 17-22 Homecoming Powder Puff Game & Parade Applications Homecoming Powder Puff Game sign-up sheets and Homecoming Golf Cart Parade applications are now available in 380 Student Center. The sign-up deadline for Powder Puff is Friday, September 30, by 4 p.m. Parade applications are due on Monday, October 10, by 5:15 p.m.
For the Love of You, September 30 Kidnapped, October 3-9 For showtimes, visit www.gsu.edu/cinefest Campus Events
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CAMPUS EVENTS
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Student Concert Series: Midnight Revival Thursday, September 29 12:15-1 p.m., Hurt Park, FREE
Join the GSU folk/rock band Midnight Revival as it performs original songs for your enjoyment in Hurt Park. Eat your lunch or just rest under the trees across from the Student Center and enjoy live music from a great band. For more information or to inquire about performing in the Student Concert Series, call 404/413-1857 or email cemusic@gsu.edu.
For more information, call Spotlight at 404/413-1610.
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
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OrgSync User Training (Walk-In) Tuesday, September 27, Noon-2 p.m. and Friday, September 30, 1-3 p.m. 330 Student Center
Organization Roundtable
Thursday, October 6, Noon-1 p.m. Golden Key Board Room, Student Center All organizations are invited to our monthly roundtable — a perfect opportunity to share ideas, seek co-programming Leadership opportunities and ask questions of the Development Student Activities staff.
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Overcoming Micromanagement
Tuesday, October 4, 11 a.m.-Noon, Student Center, Lucerne Suite Have you ever worked with a micromanager? Do you understand how frustrating it is to be micromanaged? Join us as we discuss techniques for dealing with micromanagement and tips for avoiding becoming a micromanager yourself.
Building Teams: A Hands-On Training
Wednesday, October 5, Noon-1 p.m., Student Center, Lucerne Suite Successful organizations recognize the importance of each member being an active part of the team. Unfortunately, we are not always sure how to create a team out of a group of individuals. This session will focus on teambuilding by exploring various techniques and exercises.
REGISTER NOW FOR LEADERSHIP CONCLAVE! Saturday, October 15, Student Center Visit http://gsu.orgsync.com to register.
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Calling all writers and artists!
Want to be published? Underground needs your art, poetry and prose for the fall issue. For instructions on how to submit, see http://undergroundjournal.org/how-to-submit
DEADLINE: Friday, October 7
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