The Signal Vol. 88 No. 12

VOL. 88 | NO. 12

FOLLOW THE SIGNAL ON INSTAGRAM, TWITTER AND OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA @GSUSIGNAL

CAROLYN BOURDEAUX PULLS OFF A SURPRISING UPSET IN ATLANTA’S 7TH DISTRICT PG.01

PREPARING FOR BLACK FRIDAY AMID THE PANDEMIC PG.10

EST. 1933

Independent, impactful & impartial

COVER DESIGN BY BROOKLYN VALERA | THE SIGNAL

@gsusignal

georgiastatesignal.com

BLOTTER OCT. 30

EDITORIAL NEWS EDITOR Mary A. Brassfield signalnewseditor@gmail.com ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR Vacant OPINIONS EDITOR Raquel Croston signalopinions@gmail.com ASSOCIATE OPINIONS EDITOR Vacant ARTS & LIVING EDITOR Hannah Jones signalliving@gmail.com ASSOCIATE ARTS & LIVING EDITOR Jada Jones SPORTS EDITOR Andrew Freedman signalsport1@gmail.com ASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITOR Erik Indrisano COPY EDITOR Miro Georgiev signalcopyeditor@gmail.com PRODUCTION PRODUCTION EDITOR Monique Rojas signalprod@gmail.com ASSOCIATE PRODUCTION EDITOR Vacant PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTO EDITOR Matt Siciliano-Salazar signalphoto2@gmail.com ASSOCIATE PHOTO EDITOR Vacant DIGITAL DIGITAL EDITOR Caitlin Whisby signalmanaging@gmail.com ASSOCIATE DIGITAL EDITOR Vacant VIDEO EDITOR Andre Walker signalvideoeditor@gmail.com ASSOCIATE VIDEO EDITOR Vacant PODCAST EDITOR Timo Clark THE SIGNAL BUREAUS ALPHARETTA BUREAU CHIEF Vacant CLARKSTON BUREAU CHIEF Chris Bryant DECATUR BUREAU CHIEF Vacant DUNWOODY BUREAU CHIEF Vacant NEWTON BUREAU CHIEF Vacant ADVERTISING STUDENT MEDIA ADVISER Bryce McNeil bmcneil1@gsu.edu BUSINESS COORDINATOR Wakesha Henley whenley@gsu.edu PERIMETER STUDENT MEDIA ADVISER Zoana Price zprice@gsu.edu ADVERTISING The deadline for all advertising is 5 p.m. on the Tuesday prior to the desired issue of publication. Ads must be printready and in PDF format; files must be delivered via e-mail at signalmarketingmanager@gmail.com.

Please visit our website at www.georgiastatesignal. com/advertise for more information, including rates and payment methods.

MISSION STATEMENT The Signal shall provide, in a fair and accurate manner, news of interest and significance to the Georgia State community and serve as a forum for the expression of ideas of members of that community. Furthermore, The Signal shall provide an opportunity for students to pursue experience within a professional newspaper environment.

The Signal shall also provide truthful and ethical advertising of interest to the Georgia State community.

COVERAGE REQUESTS Requests for coverage and tips should be subwmitted to the Editor in Chief and/or the relevant section editor.

SUBMIT LETTER TO EDITOR Letters must be submitted to the Editor in Chief via e-mail and must include the text of the letter in the body of the message. Letters should be 400-500 words maximum.

The Signal will allow longer letters, but only in rare circumstances. Letters must include the full name(s) of the writer(s) and include their year and major. If the writer is a faculty member, they must include their title and department. Letters will be fact-checked prior to publication.

The writer may be obligated to make changes to the letter for publication.

Letters will be edited for grammar, clarity, length, factual accuracy and adherence to The Signal’s policy. The Signal reserves the right to modify and/ or reject letters at the discretion of the editorial staff.

DISCLAIMER Opinions and Letters to the Editor expressed in The Signal are the opinions of the writers and readers. It does not reflect the opinions of The Signal.

OFFICE INFORMATION The Signal Student Center West, Suite 250 P.O. Box 3968 Atlanta, GA 30303 Phone: 404-413-1620 Fax: 404-413-162

At 11:31 a.m., a Georgia State student was a victim of larceny and financial fraud at Library South on the Atlanta campus. The case is still active.

OCT. 31

Thou shalt not park here.

A non-Georgia State offender was captured criminally trespassing on the University Commons parking deck at 6 p.m. The case was exceptionally cleared.

NEWS BRIEFS

EXECUTIVE PRESIDENT & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Brooklyn Valera signaleditor@gmail.com MANAGING EDITOR Sharayah Davis signalmanagingeditor@gmail.com MARKETING MANAGER Franky Huang signalmarketingmanager@gmail.com

“Euros, dollars and yens!!”

Common sense is not always common.

“The one who conceals is just as bad as the one who steals.”

It may not be mine, but I want it.

No trespassing without permission.

NOV. 02

A Georgia State offender was arrested at 11:17 p.m. in The University Commons for criminal trespass. The case was exceptionally cleared.

A Georgia State student was a robbery victim at 7:16 p.m on the corner of Courtland St and Ellis St. The case is still active.

At 1:02 p.m. near Urban Life bike rack, a Georgia State student was a victim of larceny. The case is still active.

NOV. 06

A non-Georgia State offender was criminally trespassing in the University Commons at 6:05 p.m. The case was exceptionally cleared.

LOCAL

NATIONAL

GLOBAL

Poll worker flees after claims of ballot shredding

One trial for ex-cops charged in George Floyd’s killing

U.S. officially withdraws from Paris climate agreement

Rick Barron, the Fulton county election supervisor, told WSB-TV on Friday that local citizens threatened a poll worker from State Farm Arena for falsely throwing out an election ballot. “He is in hiding,” Barron said.

A viral Twitter video filmed of the employee at an envelope cutting machine, where poll watchers say the employee shredded a ballot.

The county is reviewing whether it should protect the worker or not.

Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill denied a defense request for a change of venue in the trial of four former Minneapolis police officers charged with George Floyd’s death.

Cahill also decided that the ex-cops will be tried simultaneously on March 8 for multiple charges related to Floyd’s murder, which sparked nationwide protests decrying police brutality.

President Trump announced the decision in June 2017, but under U.N. regulations, the move takes effect on Nov. 4, one day after the U.S. election. Paris drafted the agreement in 2015 to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change. The deal aims to keep temperature rise below 2 degrees Celsius and pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

If a president decides to rejoin the agreement in the future, they can at any time.

NEWS

November 10, 2020

WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM/NEWS

Democrat Carolyn Bourdeaux won Georgia’s 7th Congressional District.

PHOTO FROM CAROLYN BOURDEAUX’S CAMPAIGN WEBSITE

Carolyn Bourdeaux pulls off upset in Georgia’s 7th District Democrats flip top-target House seats on election day MARY A. BRASSFIELD News Editor

D

emocrat Carolyn Bourdeaux has flipped Georgia’s 7th Congressional District, defeating Republican Rich McCormick.

After incumbent Rep. Rob Woodall announced his retirement, the open seat became a top priority for Democrats seeking to expand their majority in the House.

She grew up in Roanoke, Virginia, and the daughter of public school teachers.

Just like many others during the 1990s, Bourdeaux’s family suffered during the recessions.

Thanks to federal loans and public grants, she earned a bachelor’s degree from Yale University, a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Southern California and a Ph.D. in public administration with a focus on public finance from Syracuse University.

“My dad told me when I graduated, ‘Carolyn, this country has invested in you. Now, you must give back to your country,’” the Bourdeaux campaign website stated.

Early in her career Bourdeaux had a nonpartisan role in helping the state balance the budget during the Great Recession.

For four years, Bourdeaux worked as a political aide to Ron Wyden when he served in the House of Representatives and then in the Senate.

Bourdeaux is a two-time Democratic candidate and became a college professor at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State in 2003.

From 2007 to 2010, she served as director of Georgia’s Senate Budget and Evaluation Office. Following her time there, she returned to the Andrew Young School, founding the Center for State and Local Finance, because she wanted to teach the next generation of leaders about responsible and compassionate public policies.

As a top issue in her campaign, she emphasized expanded health care and used the momentum she built two years ago to push past McCormick.

“I got into this race because I believe all Georgians deserve affordable, quality health care and because we need to get control of COVID-19 to get our children back in school and our economy back on track,” according to an official press release.

McCormick is an emergency room physician and Marine veteran making his first-ever bid for office. His campaign has

yet to concede and says it will seek legal options after his team noticed a glitch in a batch of ballots in Gwinnett County.

“Dr. McCormick has no plans to concede this election until all votes in the [7th] District are tabulated, reported and certified,” the statement stated.

Carolyn Bourdeaux narrowly lost her 2018 bid for Georgia’s 7th District, by fewer than 500 votes against Woodall.

The district includes parts of Gwinnett and Forsyth counties that had once been fertile ground for Republicans. Since President Donald Trump took office, suburbs across the nation have become increasingly diverse and have been shifting toward Democrats.

Woodall held the seat for five terms. Woodall is one of the thirty-three Republicans who are leaving the House, an increased amount correlating with the president’s unpopularity in the suburbs.

Bourdeaux faced six other candidates for the Democratic Party nomination in her previous bid for office but came in first place in the May primary. She went on to win the primary runoff on July 24 and won the Democratic nomination.

She then faced Woodall in the Nov. 6 general election, in which she received more attention after raising over $1 million, and Democrats picked up momentum nationwide.

The election continued to be close through Election Day. On election night, the race was too close to call, and the winner of this race was still unclear. Just a few hours after the Bourdeaux campaign filed it on Nov. 15, U.S. District Judge Leigh Martin May denied an emergency motion to force Gwinnett County to count previously rejected absentee ballots in the razor-thin 7th District race.

After a recount on Nov. 21, 2018, Bourdeaux conceded defeat.

It was the first time a Democrat has won the seat since Democrat Buddy Darden lost to Republican Bob Barr in the 1994 GOP House takeover.

On Feb. 7, 2019, Bourdeaux announced that she would run again for the same seat in 2020. Key Georgia politicians endorsed her early in the race, including the late Congressman John Lewis and voting rights activist Stacey Abrams.

Within months of her campaign announcement, she outraised all other congressional challengers in the country, with a total of over $350,000.

“I’m excited [about] the overall progressivism of [Bourdeaux] for winning spaces that often haven’t been won,” community organizer Evan Malbrough said.

Malbrough is an alumnus of the Andrew Young School, and he also attended a few of Bourdeaux’s campaign events this year.

Democrat Lucy McBath was re-elected Tuesday in the neighboring 6th District, defeating Karen Handel in a rematch of the 2018 election. Handel, a former Georgia secretary of state,

“

My dad told me when I graduated, ‘Carolyn, this country has invested in you. Now, you must give back to your country.’

— CAROLYN BOURDEAUX U.S. Representative-elect

”

was the incumbent in the district, which covers parts of Cobb, Fulton and DeKalb counties.

Georgia saw another challenging senate race as Rev. Dr. Raphael G. Warnock and Democrat Jon Ossoff entered battled for district 13 two senate seats.

In January, both will run-off against incumbents Rep. Kelly Loeffler and Rep. David Perdue.

The Democrats’ “red-to-blue” program targeted 38 Republican seats as potential pickups.’ Bourdeaux’s seat was their first win.

Bourdeaux gathered other key endorsements from Presidentelect Joseph R. Biden Jr., former President Barack Obama and civil rights activist Andrew Young.

Georgia became a focus state for many candidates this year.

As the polls showed a tight race between both presidential candidates, analysts expect it to remain a critical state for both parties.

4

NEWS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2020

Georgia State held a virtual ceremony last spring to safely honor its graduates.

A new in-person ceremony is officially scheduled for this December.

PHOTO FROM THE GEORGIA STATE COMMENCEMENT WEBSITE

Alumni tell students to take their time with graduating Georgia State still plans to hold socially distanced spring 2021 commencement ceremony MARY A. BRASSFIELD News Editor

“W

hat if I don’t graduate on time?” is a thought almost every college student has had before. A serious fear that strikes students when they ask themselves this.

Getting valuable experience while in school can determine if a student is prepared for life after graduation.

The pandemic has caused students to stress over graduating more than usual.

Many students didn’t land the internship they were hoping for, or it got cut short because of COVID-19, leaving them wondering about their future.

Withdrawal rates have spiked again, with students not sure how to proceed with their education.

While Georgia State has tried to help students stay on track, students question how to make this happen.

“If I took the route of just trying to graduate in four years and not care too much about experience, I probably would not have a job nor have the necessary skills needed to be successful,” Anfernee Patterson, a Georgia State alumnus, said.

Patterson feels students shouldn’t stress too much about graduating on time but instead focus on gaining reliable experience for your career.

“It is best to graduate at your pace but also be ready and fully prepared when you’re done,” he said.

Patterson believes it’s not all about being the best academic-wise but just completing your program and gaining experience while in college.

“Whenever you graduate, if you are not fully prepared however long it took you, it will be a steep hill to climb as you navigate and look for jobs,” he said.

Many students’ primary objective is to “only focus” on academics and obtain their degree. However, there are other factors to consider for their lives after school, like networking.

Patterson landed himself a job as a sports reporter with The Atlanta Voice after attending an Atlanta Association of Black Journalists workshop and making a bond with one of their editors.

“I mainly got this job because I started there as an intern,” he said. “It was all through networking, being involved and just explaining my interests.”

Being a student who comes to class and then goes home every day is not the best plan for graduating. Getting involved during a pandemic may be challenging, but students can also take this as an opportunity to figure out

their next steps.

“Line up internships, network with business leaders or work on applying to grad school if that’s what you want to do. Make sure you’re also working hard in the final stretch so that employers and recruiters can see your dedication and count you as a favorable candidate,” Will Solomons, former managing editor of The Signal, said.

As a recent graduate, Solomons’ advice to students is to “do what you want to do, not what you’ve been pressured to do. This, in the end, will make you a lot happier.”

No one’s college path will be the same, because different majors require different workloads from students.

“I was a political science student, and my workload was much less than my friends who are doing biology or premed or pre-law,” Solomons said. “I think that especially with programs that are a segue into others, such as premed, you’ll see more students having higher workload if they’re pursuing higher education after their bachelor’s degree.”

Each student should take time to figure out what they want out of their education before graduating.

“I worked at the campus newspaper and television station and was heavily involved in [the National Association of Black Journalists],” Patterson said.

One of the critical factors recruiters look for in student interns is involvement with campus activities. To increase your chances, find organizations on-campus that share your interest then get involved with them.

“I always just wanted to make sure I was a full-time student, though just because if you are not, that affects your aid and many different things,” Patterson said.

Potentially taking away time from classes is a reason many students can’t participate in extracurricular activities. If students take less classes it also results in less aid.

Working around this by getting internships during the summer can still help you graduate prepared for your field. “[S]how or tell that you want to do this and go full force with pursuing it. No such thing as doing too much, and if you are, you are likely achieving everything you want and are in the right place,” Patterson said.

Georgia State understands the importance of commencement for its students, and besides preparing you for graduating, it wants to make sure your graduation ceremony happens.

“We wanted to celebrate the achievements of our graduates and believe we can now do that safely by following the same protocols we use for those working and learning across our campuses,” Jessica Weintraub, director of university events management, said.

Due to COVID-19, Georgia State canceled its in-person commencement for spring and summer 2020 graduates, and held a virtual ceremony instead.

“While we are concerned we have seen slightly higher than normal fall withdrawal rates, we have not seen a major change in the overall number of students eligible to graduate to date for spring or fall,” Weintraub said. “Spring deadlines for graduation applications are not until Dec. 6, and those numbers are continuing to grow to date.”

Weintraub says this will be a strictly graduates-only ceremony; faculty processional will not be held this year, nor will any staff receive tickets to attend.

“Graduates who RSVP before the Nov. 15 deadline will be given four guest tickets,” she said.

Graduates can only sit in the stands with their guests and rise at the announcing of their name while their photo and name appear on the screens.

“We encourage graduates to bring guests who will arrive and leave together,” Weintraub said.

The ceremony will enforce the CDC guidelines that follow: • Graduates must wear masks at all times.

• We will have hand-sanitizing stations.

• Seats will be zip-tied closed to allow people to be seated with their pods and enforce social distancing.

• We will indicate which gates are for entry and which are for exit to prevent crowding.

• We are not providing shuttles this semester to reduce groupings.

“We encourage graduates who feel safe and comfortable to attend in December to submit their RSVP before the Nov. 15 deadline,” Weintraub said.

Those students who are not comfortable attending an in-person ceremony can view the ceremony online on Dec. 18.

“Graduates who are not comfortable participating in this December’s ceremonies will be invited to participate in the spring 2021 ceremonies,” Weintraub said.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2020

5

THE SIGNAL

BROOKLYN VALERA Editor-in-Chief

PAGE DESIGN BY BROOKLYN VALERA | THE SIGNAL

OPINIONS

WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM/OPINIONS

November 10, 2020

Students worry about coming back after break

Universities prioritize profit over student health CALLIE MCNORTON Staff Columnist

T

ILLUSTRATION BY MONIQUE ROJAS | THE SIGNAL

University Webex meetings for healing and therapy Students need the space to breathe FAITH COLEMAN Staff Columnist

S

tudent stress, anxiety and depression have increased since the pandemic began.

Universities must give students time to breathe and provide resources for good self-care and opportunities for talk therapy.

Despite the significant drop in oncampus students, I interviewed three graduate students employed by the Black Student Achievement center.

Michael Kimble, a graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in sociology while teaching undergrad students, believes that students need a break. “[S]tudent engagement is low because students are apathetic. They’re tired of Zoom meetings and Webex meetings,” Kimble said.

Georgia State counselors should host talk therapy sessions for students battling depression and anxiety.

Counselors should also host Webex sessions where they discuss different self-care and relaxation methods, practice these methods weekly and offer them in both group and individual settings.

After being asked if students could use Webex for talk therapy and self-care, he responded, “Yes, I think you can replicate some of the aspects of cathartic, stress-relieving group setting.”

Webex is the common platform used for online class meetings, but students can also use the platform for talk therapy and self-care meetings mediated by Georgia State counselors. Talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy, is what mental health professionals use to communicate with their patients, help them identify issues that cause stress and educate them on how to deal with negative feelings properly.

Derek Akpuchukwu, a graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in public administration, believes Georgia State should require mandatory weekly check-ins with professors to decrease student stress.

Jasmine Clay, a graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in public administration, said that her professors were “less accessible” despite this semester being mostly online. She went on to say that her motivation is lacking and she feels drained.

During these turbulent times, students would greatly benefit from online counseling services. However, what services are available to students may not be appealing to those needing them.

Georgia State’s counseling center has integrated health services and wellness programs online. These events, however,

are group settings, and typically do not touch on personal issues. Looking to counseling specifically, counseling services are available online with appointments. Students can call the office for a consultation, as well as reach the crisis line for after-hour emergencies.

Georgia Tech has implemented a virtual counseling program, “Let’s Talk”.

In an effort to stay socially distanced, Georgia Tech counselors invite students to a weekly 15-minute virtual consultation. These meetings take place on Webex. The consultation is private, brief and exactly what many students are seeking during this time.

Georgia Tech’s “Let’s Talk” is a nopaperwork-needed opportunity to have an informal but supportive conversation with a professional during these turbulent times. This optional support is one of many suggestions Georgia State may want to consider going into the spring semester.

Webex is an excellent tool for class meetings, but universities should refrain from limiting its capabilities. Although most students are off-campus, Webex still allows them to encourage others and receive advice from counselors about promoting and practicing good mental health behaviors.

he 2020 holiday season came quickly but not fast enough. COVID-19 has left many awaiting the holidays even more than usual during these recent months of tribulations. As students everywhere prepare for finals in these abnormal times, some are preparing to go entirely online.

Universities prepared for the fall 2020 academic calendar in the spring, and the second wave was a topic of discussion for all. The University of Georgia will conclude in-person course work after Thanksgiving break. Students going home and staying home may be the best move to avoid a resurgence on campus.

“There’s Thanksgiving, and then they’re back again and then home for Christmas — we wanted to avoid all those dispersals and reunions,” Paul Browne, vice president of the University of Notre Dame, told The New York Times after taking a similar approach.

COVID-19 has thrown us uncertainties since March, and now we see the effects of a second wave. Countries are preparing for lockdown as numbers rise. Limiting travel is a critical step in prevention that has been tossed to the side as the U.S. tried to move past COVID19’s initial hit.

Georgia State decided to follow a regular academic calendar, with students coming back to campus after traveling for Thanksgiving, just to go right back home after finals.

With all of this unnecessary travel, we may see a surge in Atlanta.

Sierra Pickering, a sophomore at Georgia State, is concerned about traveling during the holidays.

“People are going to be traveling to meet other people who are possibly infected, then travel back and infect other students on campus,” Pickering said.

It is essential to realize that all of these decisions have not been easy. Universities had to figure out how to handle thousands of students, and misjudgment is more than likely.

Georgia State may have taken a different approach, but it does have something in common with UGA: students pay full fees.

Even though they claim to be providing resources for students, many students are unhappy with what is actually being provided and at what cost.

“We are paying the same amount of money we would if we had all activities [and] classes operating at full capacity when, in reality, there is nothing going on around Athens and on UGA’s campus,” UGA junior Anna Brogan said.

Furthermore, with students going home for Thanksgiving, they pay fees for weeks they will not even be on campus. While this logic may be valid for some, students believe that these decisions benefit the universities financially at their expense.

“I feel they are confident about getting their money, but not about the safety and well-being of their students,” Brogan said.

Both universities are financially motivated, even though only 31% of their revenues come from tuition and fees. Even though these COVID-19-related decisions are not easy, students are not money machines.

COVID-19 is out of the universities’ control, and sometimes hard decisions need to be made. However, students are completely in their control and are at a loss when they continue to cut corners.

Universities need to be confident in the decisions they make for our safety and well being, even if they walk away with their pockets empty.

This Week’s Spread: ARTS & LIVIN WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM/ARTSANDLIVING

Meditation for college students: a beginners’ guide

Experienced meditators discuss how to start a fulfilling practice

HANNAH MAY JONES Staff Reporter

I

magine setting aside time each day to practice a habit that brings calmer emotions, greater mental clarity and better decisionmaking. Meditation makes a notable difference for students facing stressful situations throughout their days. Adopting a meditation routine is worth considering this semester.

This year has brought many stresses, especially for students adjusting to new routines and worrying about the future. Meditation can help to reduce stress and improve mental clarity during difficult situations.

Misconceptions prevent many from trying meditation. Many students hesitate because their schedules are too busy. Some people are intimidated because they think they need to “stop” their thoughts to see benefits. Others think meditation must be a spiritual practice.

Research and guidance can help new meditators understand why these stereotypes are false. Several benefits of meditation have been scientifically proven. An article from the National Institutes of Health cites research showing that regular meditation decreases blood pressure, reduces anxiety levels and lessens depression symptoms.

Assistant Dean of Students Ronald Mazique was first inspired to try meditation after

PAGE DESIGN & ILLUSTRATIONS BY MONIQUE ROJAS | THE SIGNAL

hearing Jay-Z praise the benefits of visualization.

Mazique has found great value in practicing meditation over the past 12 years.

“We rarely get a moment to just sit with our own thoughts and check in on where we are personally,” said Mazique. “I know that we’re dealing with a lot right now, as a world, so anything you can get in your arsenal to help you manage that is something you should look into.”

Oliver Moreno is a Ph.D. student at Georgia Tech and a leader of the GT Meditation Club.

He started meditating regularly after facing unexpected health issues in 2015. “[I spent] about 10 months having recurrent bouts of bronchitis, and I developed allergies,” Moreno said. “It was a bit confusing to me because I had never suffered from any health issues like that, but it prompted me to look for hobbies that were more gentle on the body … That’s what really pushed me to start being consistent with [meditation].”

Senior Arthur Tao has meditated since childhood and follows the Quan Yin Method. He says that meditation helps him with his studies.

“When I have no clue what I should do while I’m studying or thinking about the future of my career, I’ll do meditation first and then go back and reconsider,” Tao said.

The basics of

Meditation aims to cl emotions by focusing on engaging with distractio arises, attention simply r the meditation.

New meditators shou for their practice. Then, point of focus will be du focus on a specific objec own breath. During med aim their attention on th return to it whenever dis as nagging thoughts or o When choosing a pla should go somewhere re find a comfortable, upri

Beginner tec Focus on breathing

One of the simplest w to meditate is by focusin one’s breathing. Beginne concentrate on each inha and exhale to avoid distr thoughts.

Heartfulness meditati

During heartfulness meditation, meditators on a symbolic “light” in heart rather than their and worries. Moreno is instructor and facilitato heartfulness meditation GT Meditation Club. “[It’s] about breaking person away from think

free resources

NG

Meditation Mondays

meditation

clear the mind and calm n a specific focus without ons. Each time a distraction returns to the original focus of

uld start by setting an intention they should decide what their uring meditation. One could ct, a particular thought or one’s ditation, meditators he point of focus and stractions arise, such outside noises. ace to meditate, one elatively quiet and ight sitting position.

Meditation Mondays are monthly virtual meditations facilitated by Mazique as part of the Office of the Dean of Students’ programming. Mazique started the program to meet with students and personally connect them to resources.

“We created it as an opportunity to continue to engage with students around issues that weren’t necessarily rooted in conduct or the need for assistance,” he said.

“It was a way for us to take a more holistic approach to addressing the needs of students.”

Mind-Body Wellness Workshops

The Georgia State Counseling Center offers students a variety of opportunities to practice mindfulness and meditation each week. Their Mind-Body Wellness Workshops include feelgood meditations, moving meditations and one-hour mindfulness classes. All workshops

chniques

ways ng on ers can hale racting

ion

s s focus n their thoughts s an or of ns at the

g the king,

visualizing and having a more active mental process and toward a more feeling, passive process,” Moreno said.

Focus on a specific thought

Those who find it difficult to quiet their minds should try to concentrate on specific thoughts or concepts during meditation.

Using positive affirmations such as “I am whole” or expressions of gratitude such as “I am grateful for my friend” can help. Tao recommends that beginners identify one thing that they believe and focusing on it during their meditation.

are currently held virtually.

Sahajayoga Meditation Club Postdoctoral student Sunitha Basodi is a Sahajayoga Meditation Club leader, a student organization at Georgia State that offers virtual meditation classes every weekday. The group practices Sahaja Yoga, a unique meditation method focused on awakening one’s inner energy and working toward self-realization.

Meditation apps Moreno suggests trying the HeartsApp for those interested in heartfulness, and the Insight Timer app, which has basic meditations and a gentle timer for self-guided meditation.

Mazique recommends the Headspace app and YouTube, which has hundreds of meditation videos covering nearly every technique.

Advice Try meditation for a set number of days

Basodi said that hesitant students should treat meditation like an experiment at first. This way, beginners feel less pressure to “succeed” at meditation, and they can enjoy the process more.

“I did a three- or four-week course, and I saw that there was a difference between when I started and where I currently was at,” she said. “So, don’t be scared or prejudgmental about what it’s going to be. Just try it as an experiment.”

Define a specific reason for meditating

Moreno suggests that new meditators should choose a specific purpose behind pursuing meditation. Having personal reasons to meditate helps people stay motivated and consistent with their practice.

“The more powerful and personal [the purpose is], the more it’ll be powerful in order to help us stay persistent with [meditation] during those very difficult times,” Moreno said.

Hour-long meditations aren’t mandatory

People are sometimes intimidated by meditation because they think short sessions don’t bring results.

Mazique says that’s not true.

“I think there’s a misconception that you have to meditate for a long time like you have to sit in silence for hours and hours, and that’s not the case,” he said. “You can meditate for 30 seconds; you can meditate for 5 minutes, 10 minutes. Whatever you have time to do, you can do, and that’s something that you can learn.”

Be part of a community

Tao and Moreno both recommend that students join a meditation group to be held accountable and engaged in their practice.

“Find other people who [meditate] and work with each other,” Moreno said. “Share the practices, keep each other accountable [and] talk about it.

That way, we have that positive reinforcement, and it doesn’t occur as this heavy chore or this difficult thing, but rather as something we really look forward to doing.”

ARTS & LIVING

November 10, 2020

WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM/ARTSANDLIVING

Amid the pandemic, select stores begin preparing for Black Friday.

PHOTO BY MATT SICILIANO-SALAZAR | THE SIGNAL

Preparing for Black Friday amid the pandemic Some aim to avoid in-person shopping while others prepare for long shifts KARA MARTIN Staff Reporter

A

fter spending Thanksgiving with friends, family and a plate of food, many look to wrap up the holiday fun with Black Friday deals.

Black Friday deals cover everything: toys, gadgets and apparel.

It’s not hard to find something for everybody in the family to enjoy.

Some of the most popular big-name brands that Black Friday shoppers empty their pockets for are Walmart, Target and Best Buy. These stores are well known for their great Black Friday deals and outrageous lines stretching out the door.

Walmart brings in crowds every year with some of their discounted doorbusters such as televisions, headphones, tablets and gaming consoles. With such low holiday prices, Walmart has saved its shoppers a decent amount of money.

Year after year, people line up outside of these big-name stores overnight and wait to buy their discounted products. Now, masked holiday shoppers are filling the lines six-feet apart from each other.

Many stores, including Walmart, Target and Best Buy, will extend their sales to online, in-person and curbside pick-ups.

With these new options, stores hope to cut down on the crowds and promote more contactless shopping.

Although this time of the year is especially exciting for shoppers, it can also be stressful for those behind the register.

From impatient shoppers to lengthy lines and even longer shifts, working at a shopping center during the holidays can be notably difficult compared to the offseason.

Walmart employees take on Black Friday

Senior Taniya Paylor has worked at Walmart for four months.

Although she hasn’t worked there during Black Friday, she has experienced the event while working at Target and has an idea of what to expect.

“I usually worked the morning shifts during Black Friday, and that was super hectic because the lines would always be super long, and once we opened the doors, our inventory would be sold out in no time,” Paylor said. “I know that I will be working more evening shifts this year, so I’m hoping that I don’t have to deal with as much mania and craziness that the morning crowds bring.”

Co-worker Dymesecia Taylor has worked at Walmart for

only a few weeks, and she already has an idea of what she will be facing during her long shift.

“The shift that I will have is a night shift, but [I] probably won’t leave till later because of how messy the store will look after the chaos,” Taylor said. “I will still be doing some Black Friday shopping for my son because I want to get all of his Christmas gifts early.”

Paylor and Taylor understand the risk of working through the COVID-19 pandemic and described some of their employer’s steps to ensure that both customers and employees are safe.

“Walmart is having more in-person deals compared to online, so I already know the crowds and lines are going to be outrageous,” Taylor said. “Luckily, we have staff that focuses primarily on cleaning and sanitizing the store around the clock.”

Although cleaning is a necessary part of the job, people like Paylor are essential to maintaining the store’s cleanliness so each guest can feel safe to shop.

“My task for that day was called ‘touchpoint,’ meaning at every other point of contact that guests had with the store, I would go behind them and sanitize that area,” Paylor said. “It’s a tedious process, but if it ensures that everyone is safe and clean, then it has to get done.”

Target employees tackle the holiday excitement

Unlike Walmart, Target has already started to roll out their Black Friday deals weeks before Thanksgiving. They have not only given shoppers an early start on their Christmas lists, but they are continuing their sales throughout the whole month of November.

This head start has already brought in crowds, but nothing will compare to Black Friday.

Senior Summer Borders has worked at Target for almost two years and feels that it has given her enough experience to work her way through the holidays.

“I work at a Target in Atlanta, so it is always busy, especially with it being a college town. I get to see a lot of people, but around the holidays, the amount of people I see is multiplied by ten,” Borders said. “It is not my favorite time to work, but as a struggling college student, getting paid time and a half is always good.”

Working during the holidays can be hard to handle, especially

for people like Borders, who work long shifts back to back.

Although Target is celebrating Black Friday all month long, she will finally be able to see her hard work pay off once the excitement dies down.

Yakzari Cantillano has worked at Target for over a year and feels equipped to get through her Black Friday shift.

“I’ve worked every Black Friday since I got my first job,” Cantillano said. “Whenever it comes around, it hasn’t mattered what retail store I work in because one store is pretty much the same as all of them,” Cantillano said. “I grew up going Black Friday shopping with my aunt and cousin, but after working so many of them, it has really made me dislike the consumerism of it all.”

Student shoppers Black Friday plans

Now that some big-name stores have extended their Black Friday deals online, shoppers can fill up their carts in-store or in the comfort of their own home.

Junior Givanna Romero hasn’t always been an extreme Black Friday shopper, as she prefers the Cyber Monday deals, but this year she will participate in both occasions.

“I hardly ever shop [on] Black Friday because I can’t deal with the lines and all the people, so online shopping is my go-to,” Romero said. “This year, Black Friday deals are mainly online, and I will most likely do my shopping like that simply because we’re well into a pandemic, and it would be irresponsible to go shopping during this time.”

Junior Mya Amos similarly plans on catching these deals instore while taking advantage of the deals online.

“My mom and I are mostly shopping for Christmas gifts, so we are only going in-person shopping for the deals that aren’t available online,” Amos said. “The deals are so spread across different days, so it makes managing social distancing much easier. Masks are required, so I’m expecting to see some big changes from the previous years.”

As easy as it is to forget that COVID-19 still exists, shoppers and employees need to mask up and avoid getting caught up in all of the holiday chaos.

“If you plan on going in the store to do your Black Friday shopping, please wear a mask because Ms. Rona is still in the building,” Paylor said, referring to the coronavirus.

ARTS&LIVING

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2020

11

Rebrand means new concerts as early as Nov. 13 Local venues unveil the ‘Clean Concert Experience’ JADA JONES Associate Arts & Living Editor

F

ans wait all evening in Atlanta concert halls, filled with anticipation to see their favorite band live after having their tickets for months. In March, excited concert-goers were met with massive show reschedulings and cancellations when the COVID-19 pandemic reached Georgia.

Luckily for concert connoisseurs, venues like the Coca-Cola Roxy, Tabernacle Atlanta and Buckhead Theatre are bringing back live shows with a COVID-19 friendly rebranding called the “Clean Concert Experience.”

The “Clean Concert Experience” incorporates the same safety guidelines across the board for all venues sponsored

by Live Nation. These guidelines include making hand sanitizer available to guests throughout the venue, increased sanitation, staff clad in personal protective equipment, reduced building capacity and social distancing. Guests are required to wear masks except when eating or drinking.

The CDC does not provide a specific number of recommended concert attendees to determine a safe capacity. The CDC makes it clear that indoor venues should consider not allowing guests to remove their masks, as doing so increases the risk of disease spread.

Despite the new regulations, Georgia State’s avid concert-goers doubt the venue’s newly unveiled health precautions.

Junior Berenice Chavez attended 20 live shows in 2019. Before the pandemic, concerts were an opportunity for Chavez to relieve stress, hang out with friends, meet new people and see her favorite bands perform.

As much as Chavez misses concerts, she doesn’t feel comfortable going to crowded venues despite the announcement of

the “Clean Concert Experience.”

“Even if it was a socially distanced event, I feel like people won’t take it seriously like the Chainsmoker’s drive-in show,” she said. “Everyone ignored all guidelines and were extremely selfish.”

Junior Elizabeth SantaMaria shares the same sentiments as Chavez.

Santa-Maria doesn’t attend concerts often but has seen her favorite bands multiple times. She believes “there is no way” to adequately provide a socially distanced indoor concert.

“Unless they got rid of the general admission and used seating arrangements, I don’t think it would be safe at all,” she said. “Smells like a super-spreader [event] to me.”

Junior Grace Yund agrees with both SantaMaria and Chavez. She is another concert enthusiast who attended 11 concerts in 2019 and has traveled to different states to see her favorite bands like Catfish and the Bottlemen. But she still doesn’t feel it is safe to attend an indoor concert.

“I don’t think there’s any way to fully enforce masks in [a venue], especially because they’re allowing [masks] to come off for eating and drinking,” she said. “If the events were outside, I think that would be much safer.”

Yund and Chavez agree that the best part about attending concerts is being packed into a large crowd, bumping and jumping against strangers.

For them, without that element, shows are not something they want to attend anytime soon.

The “Clean Concert Experience” is a way for Atlanta’s venues to welcome concert-goers through their doors once again. Unfortunately for these venues, a pandemic is just not the right time to join a mosh pit for some concert attendees.

The Atlanta School of Burlesque wants to highlight the art’s true nature and make it accessible to the community.

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY THE ATLANTA SCHOOL OF BURLESQUE

Empowerment through the art of burlesque

Atlanta School of Burlesque creates inclusive space to dance

B

ISA CARDONA Staff Reporter

lack chairs, intricate choreography, feather fans and fishnet tights are all iconic parts of the art of burlesque. Performers and instructors of the Atlanta School of Burlesque want to highlight the art’s true nature and make it accessible to the community.

The school’s establishment was in 2013 and is home to the award-winning troupe, The Candybox Revue.

Roula Roulette, Ursula Undress and Talloolah Love are all burlesque performers, instructors and equal owners of the Atlanta School of Burlesque.

In 2016, the school found permanent residence in a community space called Metropolitan Studios, Inc. It is the only burlesque school and studio owned and operated by real burlesque performers and professionals in Atlanta.

Burlesque is a genre of variety show that is both provocative and theatrical. It can feature solo dances, intricate group choreography, slapstick skits and songs.

The school is an inclusive and safe space for people where self-expression is accepted. The owners grew tired of seeing a lack of representation of all body types and people in burlesque.

They decided to be the change in the burlesque community.

“You can be plus-size and proud to get up on stage and just own your body, own your sexuality, own yourself and be just as hot and as accepted as anyone else that were to get up on that stage,” Undress said.

The classes focus on getting comfortable with one’s body and

sensuality. They incorporate cognitivebehavioral techniques such as positive affirmations and re-addressing negative thought patterns.

“

You can be plussize and proud to get up on stage and just own your body, own your sexuality, own yourself.

”

— URSULA UNDRESS

Part-owner of Atlanta School of Burlesque

“I first just started teaching fundamentals, and my class slowly started to evolve because of the kind of people that came into our space, people who had forgotten the kind of power that lives within them because society has broken them down,” Roulette said.

Many of the school’s students have experiences that have led them to struggle with their self-worth and confidence.

“It made them feel like they’re not enough, or that they should apologize for the space that they take up or that if

they look [a certain way], they would be beautiful,” Roulette said.

Roulette, Love and Undress want their students to learn to be themselves and not think they need to find permission to be sexy.

Some misconceptions about burlesque include the idea of ownership with performers. Many people think burlesque performers need to be a certain age or size to get jobs or that they aren’t allowed to pick their names under someone’s management.

“Anyone thinking that they can own a performer and their art needs to go away.

Burlesque is an individual’s piece of art about their authentic story,” Love said.

The classes are currently virtual and in-person with limited occupancy. The studio offers various courses outside of burlesque, including yoga, Wicca studies, fitness and many other programs showcasing Atlanta’s diversity.

On Sundays, the school has an introductory burlesque course where attendees learn the art form’s history and practice different short choreographies every week.

The school also offers a discount for Georgia State students, giving them a 15% discount for classes. The owners want their classes to be accessible and have a program for people to work for the studio in exchange for time in class.

Metropolitan Studios, Inc. also accepts donations that help keep the studio alive during the pandemic. The owners hope those within the Atlanta area will help preserve this fresh and unique space to fuel the city’s artistic vibe.

SPORTS

November 10, 2020

WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM/SPORTS

Marine Garnier can only speak highly of her team How the XC leader prepared for the SBC title race MARQUIS CHAMBERS Staff Reporter

R

George Proctor, a defender on the Georgia State men’s soccer team, hails from Leeds, England, a city in northern England known for its beautiful historic environment.

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY GSU ATHLETICS

George Proctor knows there’s more to life than just sports From Leeds to Atlanta, the differences in soccer culture MEADOW BARROW Staff Reporter

W

ith over three billion fans, soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world.

But in England, it is more than just a game.

With soccer’s origins buried in England’s history, it has been embedded in European culture for hundreds of years and has since become a way of life for most of its fans.

George Proctor, a defender on the Georgia State men’s soccer team, hails from Leeds, England, a city in northern England known for its beautiful historic environment.

“I live just [outside] of the city,” Proctor said. “It’s a lot quieter than Atlanta, but Leeds itself is a busy city, and there is always plenty of things to do.”

For most, coming from a quiet, reserved city to a more hectic and busy city over 4,000 miles away can be a cultural shock. But moving around the world brought better opportunities for the young star.

“I wanted to move here to be able to carry on my soccer career while pursuing a degree,” Proctor said. “There aren’t many opportunities like this in England where you can play soccer at a good level and pursue a degree at the same time. In England, it is either one or the other.”

But while soccer has recently become

a surprisingly popular sport in the U.S., American football tops the charts in overall popularity. Some would say that a college football rivalry game in the south is equal to a soccer rivalry game in England.

“

There aren’t many opportunities like this in England where you can play soccer at a good level and pursue a degree at the same time.

”

— GEORGE PROCTOR

Georgia State Men’s Soccer

“Back home in England, soccer means everything to the majority of people,” Proctor said. “If their team loses, that

means they will be in a bad mood for the rest of the day. Whereas here, soccer is still growing, and you have a lot of other sports that are more popular. Also, back home, the games are a lot more intense.”

But Proctor sees no distinction between the two nations as far as being a studentathlete in the States or England.

“There are not many differences between here and England,” Proctor said.

“Just perform well in the classroom and perform well on the field.”

And Proctor stands true to this, as he has made the Dean’s List for the past two semesters.

“I try to find the right balance between enjoying my social life and getting my work done,” Proctor said. “And I think I do that pretty well.”

Proctor has made a home for himself in Atlanta. But going back to his roots in England could be a possibility for the young star’s future.

“I plan to play soccer either here or back home in England after I graduate,” Proctor said. “If that doesn’t work out, I will go on to coach soccer.”

Maybe Proctor will pursue a career in soccer after Georgia State as a player or coach. If he does, it marks a dream coming true for one who grew up around England’s exciting soccer culture.

unning cross country or track is a task that many hate, but some see it as freedom. Many people have a hard time believing runners find joy in running in circles or run for so long.

Marine Garnier, a junior cross country runner, first started playing sports when she was seven years old.

Though she began with gymnastics, a year of both gymnastics and running presented her with a choice.

“I did seven years of gymnastics before I started running. I did a year of both, but it was clear I enjoyed way more being outside and running.”

“

Outside we are also taking care of each other, making sure that everyone is doing well physically and mentally.

”

— MARINE GARNIER

Georgia State Women’s Cross Country Despite suffering a nasty injury last year, Garnier is making the most out of this season by accumulating dedication to her hard work.

“I was pretty badly injured last year, so this year is really important for me,” Garnier said. “I want to put in a lot of work physically and mentally to come back where I was and even better.

Before her injury, Garnier

was named country district champion three times, won the regional and interregional champion in the 2018 season and placed top-20 in the French Cross Country Championships.

Garnier is looking to regain her strength to hit her personal best in the upcoming Sun Belt Championships, which their coach has prepared them for all season.

“We had a new coach this season, Coach Douglass.

She prepared the season with several races, but most of them were canceled due to coronavirus restrictions,” Garnier said. “She made us do time trials instead, to simulate races. We also [did] hard workouts two to three times a week.”

Ahead of the Oct. 31 Sun Belt Championship, Garnier and her teammates shared the strong bond they have for one another.

“We are a close team.

We help each other every day at practice by pushing the most out of each other and encouraging. Outside we are also taking care of each other, making sure that everyone is doing well physically and mentally.”

Garnier and her teammates stick together and work in unison with one another, making it easier for her and her running mates to be excited about the upcoming Sun Belt Championship. A team that enjoys running together and pushing one another can make all the difference in preparing and performing for that particular day.

“We are excited to run the Sun Belt Conference. It has been a tough year for everyone. We worked hard every week without knowing if our races were going to happen,” Garnier said.

“We also had to face some injuries and positive tests for [COVID-19], so it is a joy to be part of this team and compete while most of the country cannot race.”

SPORTS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2020

13

Norcross native ready for season two with Hawks

Brandon Goodwin’s back home and living out his NBA dreams NAJEH WILKINS Staff Reporter

B

randon Goodwin plays for his hometown team, the Atlanta Hawks, where just a few short years ago, he starred at Norcross High School and won Georgia 6A Player of the Year.

Goodwin averaged 6.1 pts, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in his 2nd season in the NBA. “Playing in your hometown is a dream, and for me, it was to take advantage of the opportunity now,” Goodwin said.

Goodwin’s journey in Atlanta started as a two-way player for the College Park Skyhawks and Atlanta and was called up against the Golden State Warriors in December but got limited action. He continued to impress his coaches and signed a multiyear deal with the Atlanta Hawks that gave a nice security blanket for his NBA career going forward.

Goodwin knows nothing is given out and prides himself on playing hard for his teammates.

Goodwin does not put up gaudy stats or numbers, but his heart and leadership off the bench are critical for the Hawks moving forward.

Last year, Goodwin stepped in and provided a nice spark to back up Trae Young. He even recorded a career-high 21 points against the Boston Celtics in February while Young was out.

“I think those games just gave me a lot of confidence moving forward,” Goodwin said. “Knowing I can have that poise to be a leader for the team behind Trae.”

With a team’s sights set on the playoffs, timely and productive bench play is imperative when the starters go out. As seen throughout the NBA, the bench sometimes has to carry the team’s load in a long, 82-game season with back-to-backs in play. A team’s best players have to contribute to the team most to benefit.

“I am willing to do whatever it takes, either scoring the ball or getting stops on defense,” Goodwin said.

Goodwin has shown flashes of his ability to hit

perimeter shots and slash to the rim for easy buckets. He even provides an excellent complement to Young when they are both on the floor, even when the lineup is undersized. Atlanta’s best scorer off the bench was Jeff Teague, who averaged 10.9 a game. Goodwin has more upside going forward, at only 25 years old.

The chip on Goodwin’s shoulder gives him another dynamic.

He went undrafted after solid seasons with the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles.

But, in September 2018, the Memphis Grizzlies signed Goodwin before assigning him to their G-League affiliate, the Memphis Hustle.

A month later, they waived him, and he later signed with the Denver Nuggets but was assigned to the Iowa Wolves in the G-League. With Denver, Goodwin appeared in 14 NBA games during his two-way contract.

But his big break came last August when the Atlanta Hawks signed him to another two-way contract. Six months later, he reached the pinnacle of professional basketball, and the kid from Norcross had his contract converted into a full NBA deal with guaranteed money.

Opportunities don’t always come in the NBA, and Goodwin knows that “any opportunity given, I have to take advantage of it.”

Goodwin knows his role well and only wants to contribute to the team. To win in the NBA, egos must move aside as the 12-man roster each night comes together for a common goal. He embodies that well, and most importantly, this young player is hungry for an opportunity to continue to prove himself. The Hawks will give him plenty of such opportunities.

Their season opener for Mens Tennis will be at home against the Charlotte 49ers on January 30th, 2020

PHOTO BY MATT SICILIANO-SALAZAR | THE SIGNAL

Georgia State men’s tennis can taste their Jan. 30 start

Hear from Coach Wolff ahead of offseason’s homestretch

T

ANTWANE WILLIS Staff Reporter

he Georgia State men’s tennis team is preparing for their upcoming season this spring. During the offseason, the team experienced changes from the coaches to the roster.

Bailey Showers’ transition from student-athlete to the coaching staff preserves a piece of last year’s team culture. Showers joins the staff of thirdyear head coach Jonathan Wolff.

The Panthers’ long-awaited season opener against the Charlotte 49ers will come on Jan. 30. The date seems far out, but the year has flown by. Their last match of the 2019-20 season came against the 49ers on March 8, so almost 11 months separate the program’s last taste of real competition.

Following the 49ers, the Panthers will finish their opening weekend with a match against Tennessee Tech on Jan. 31 and begin February on the road versus Liberty University on Feb. 5 “This upcoming schedule has been a little tricky, but I feel competition-wise, it’s pretty good,” Wolff said. “It’s the first year since I’ve been here that our first couple matches are at home, and they are all winnable matches to get off to a good start.”

Last year, the team ended a shortened 13-game season with a 5-8 record.

Currently, only upperclassmen make up the roster.

Shower’s expected immediate impact on the coaching staff is to offer guidance to the players. Shying away from experience and focusing on youth is something to which Wolff is no stranger.

“We did the same thing with Sebastian Acuna the previous year, and it’s always a huge benefit to have someone who is familiar not only with the players but also the comfort level and the trust the guys have in him,” Wolff said.

Wolff loves having a lot of familiar faces for the 2020-21 roster.

With the multiple veteran studentathletes returning, Wolff also expects the team to maintain strong chemistry, which will play a significant role in the team’s stability as they gear up for a full season.

“I wanted to reinvest a scholarship in my current players, and I took a pass on recruiting other players,” Wolff said.

“You can do this in tennis mainly, but other sports, you really need to have a recruiting class, and we’re a small team so we can get away with eight or nine guys.”

Wolff’s excitement lies with the competition laid out for his team this season. They have a much-improved schedule that includes Auburn, LSU, South Florida and North Florida. After an intense match against Auburn last year, Wolff is anticipating their rematch.

“They are right down the road, and we played them really competitive last year,” Wolff said. “The score might not have reflected it overall, but at one point, we were a few points away from winning, so I wanted to give ourselves a second chance.”

Since the season ended abruptly last year due to COVID-19, the Sun Belt Conference has taken extra precautions to ensure all the teams are protected.

All players and coaches participating

in a tennis match must take a pregame COVID-19 test.

They will also have to wear a medical mask, with social distancing also enforced.

Georgia State prohibited the tennis team from participating in fall

“

It’s the first year since I’ve been here that our first couple matches are at home, and they are all winnable matches to get off to a good start.

”

— JONATHAN WOLFF

Men’s Tennis Head Coach

tournaments to reduce players and coaching staff’s exposure.

Other Sun Belt schools were able to play but under certain restrictions. The play of these other schools only increases the chances for a full 2021-2022 season next year.

November 10, 2020

UNIVERSITY

STATE

NATIONAL

Shawn Elliott’s Big Three Shine on Offense

Bulldogs lose in Florida-Georgia annual football tradition

And down goes Clemson in double overtime to the Irish

While the Panthers rolled over Louisiana-Monore, redshirt freshman quarterback Cornelious Brown continued to impress Saturday afternoon. The heir to Dan Ellington threw for 241 yards and three touchdowns and ran for another 57 and a touchdown. Destin Coates also thrived with 20 carries for 102 yards and two touchdowns. On the receiving end, Cornelius McCoy returned from injury in brilliant fashion. The junior wideout caught seven passes for 118 yards and two touchdowns.

A tradition that began in 1904, the Florida Gators and Georgia Bulldogs met in Jacksonville for their annual football game. Although it’s one of the biggest rivalries in all of college football, this past weekend made it seem anything but: Dan Mullen’s Gators knocked off Kirby Smart’s Dawgs 44-28. The loss moves UGA to 4-2 on the season and, more importantly, out of the country’s top-5 teams. The Bulldogs stand at No. 12 in the Associated Press’ new Top-25 rankings and the Gators moved up to No. 8.

The Clemson Tigers and Notre Dame Fighting Irish went into a juggernaut battle for four hours, and the underdogs came out on top. The No. 4 Fighting Irish knocked off No. 1 Clemson in a 47-40 double-overtime thriller. The loss marks Clemson’s first in the regular season in 36 games, dating all the way back to Oct. 13, 2017. Potential NFL Draft first-overall pick Trevor Lawrence did not play for the Tigers, but Dabo Swinney should have his star sophomore quarterback ready next week following his COVID-19 diagnosis on Oct. 28.

ts

en

en

-

J

ud St

Student STATEments Uriel Ruiz-Aguillon, Georgia State Freshman

H

E S I GNA L

-T

THREE BIG THINGS

GAMES SUDOKU

t statem

ust because there is a “better” [president] doesn’t mean get complacent. Continue to advocate for equality.

THE KICKBACK

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2020

GAMES

15

COMIC

Your Comic Should be Here!

UPCOMING EVENTS FRIDAY

International Education Week Events all week Virtual Talk Tuesday: Business Meets World 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Virtual

Off-Campus Housing: Leasing 101 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Virtual Last DJ Standing 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Student Center East Ballroom

Women at Work: Forming Healthy Habits & Planning for Success 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Virtual Panthers Around the World 12 p.m. - 2 p.m.

Student Center Ballroom

Trans and Gender NonConforming Awareness & Ally Training 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Virtual Taste the World 2:00 p.m.

Virtual

NOV 13

THURSDAY NOV 12

WEDNESDAY NOV 11

TUESDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

Artist Pop-Up Market 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Pine Lake Football: Georgia State v. Appalachian State University 2:30 p.m.

Game at Appalachian State, online audio and stats available

West End Grab & Go Open Air Market 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Best End Brewing Company Queer Threads: A Pop-Up Shop 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Georgia Beer Garden

Monday Mile All day Self-guided Hot Wings Hot Topics 4:00 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.

Virtual

NOV 16

SATURDAY NOV 15

NOV 14

NOV 10

THE KICKBACK