VOL. 88 | NO. 14
EST.. 1933 EST
WELCOME BACK GSU. WE ARE BACK ON STANDS ACROSS CAMPUS EVERY TUESDAY AND ONLINE.
PRO-TRUMP SUPPORTERS STORM U.S. CAPITOL PG. 03
GEORGIA STATE’S FOOTBALL TEAM JUST GETS BETTER AND BETTER PG. 12
Independent,, impa Independent impactful ctful & impa impartial rtial
PHOTOS BY HARRY WYMAN & ILLUSTRATIONS BY MYAH ANGLIN | THE SIGNAL
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At 3:55 p.m a Georgia State student was a victim of vandalism. Case is still active.
A not so well executed plan
Georgia State police arrested a suspect for larceny and criminal trespass at Landmark Diner at 7:23 pm.
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
You break it, you buy it!
DEC. 31
Losing money at the Green Lot
A Georgia State student was the victim of property damage at the Green Lot at 10:19 a.m. Case is currently still active.
Just trying to “spark” things up
Police Department arrested a non-gsu offender at Sparks Hall for unauthorized person in building at 8:08 p.m.
JAN. 4
Common sense just isn't common anymore
At 4:18 p.m. a Georgia State student was a victim of larceny at the University Commons. Case is still active. JAN. 7
“Below” not “above” the influence
The Georgia State Police arrested a non-GSU offender on a drug law violation charge at 1:05 p.m on Pryor Street.
LOCAL
NATIONAL
GLOBAL
Rev. Raphael Warnock wins one of Georgia Senate seats
Rioters invade US Capitol
Hong Kong police arrest 50 pro-democracy activist
Trump supporters stormed Capitol Hill on Wednesday to express their rage over Democrats' win in the president and U.S. Senate elections. The crowd managed to override Capitol police and breached through the security gates.The Congress members certifying the election of Joe Biden had to evacuate for safety. The FBI have issued statements asking for the public's assistance to find some of the rioters.
Police detained more than 50 people, all of whom were candidates in an unofficial opposition primary in 2020 ahead of the Hong Kong legislature’s election. They are accused of trying to "overthrow" the Chinese government. Yet, the activists claim the new law is designed to remove “dissent”. City leader Carrie Lam later scrapped the election, citing the coronavirus pandemic. Activists called the move a thinly veiled attempt to stop expected opposition gains.
Democrat Raphael Warnock won one of Georgia’s two Senate runoff seats, defeating incumbent Republican Kelly Loeffler. Warnock became the first Black senator in Georgia’s history. He spent the past 15 years leading Ebenezer Baptist Church, formerly where Martin Luther King Jr preached. The results from the senate race are expected to be certified later this month.
NEWS
January 12, 2021
WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM/NEWS
PHOTO BY MATT SICILIANO-SALAZAR | THE SIGNAL
SGA EVP arrested on sexual exploitation of children charges
SGA pledges the organization will undergo 'radical change' MARY A. BRASSFIELD News Editor
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eorgia State student Carlos Porter was arrested on Dec. 8 with felony charges of sexual exploitation of children and possession of child pornography. Porter was the Student Government Association executive vice president of the Newton campus and was a candidate in SGA’s 2020 presidential election for the Atlanta campus. Anthony Jones, a former SGA senator, was accused of three counts of sexual misconduct earlier this year. SGA president Kaelen Thomas issued a statement regarding the news of Porter’s arrest. “This news has upset me deeply, as I’m sure it has many of you,” Thomas said. “We here at the Student Government Association at Georgia State University will not condone
such repulsive and malicious actions by any member,” the letter continued. According to the statement, Porter resigned from his position effective immediately and is no longer a Georgia State student. Before returning this fall semester, Porter, along with other SGA officers, attended a human trafficking and Title IX workshop. “We will look to the Speaker of the Newton campus, Gabriel Pelayo, to take on the role of EVP,” Thomas said. According to the SGA bylaws, if the speaker does not accept the position, it will become vacant. “At this time, I can’t speak to any changes that will be made to the organization, but we will [review] our governing documents during our Winter Retreat,” he said. Thomas pledged that the organization would undergo “radical
change.” GBI investigators led an operation looking into Porter after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, officials stated in a press release. The informant accused Porter of uploading child pornography to an unidentified “popular social media application.” Officials then searched Porter’s home and all electronic devices, finding evidence they determined was enough to make an arrest. Porter was previously booked at the Newton County Jail after his arrest. He is no longer listed in the county’s inmate index. This is a developing story that will be updated when more information becomes available.
Carlos Porter poses in front of the Georgia State Stadium during his candidacy with SGA in 2020
Riots on Capitol Hill following runoff results Democrats win Senate and Trump supporters storm Capitol Building SHARAYAH DAVIS & MARY A. BRASSFIELD Managing Editor & News Editor
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n Wednesday, Georgia elected Democrats Jon Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock to the Senate after defeating Republican incumbents Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue in a run-off election. The win for Democrats gives them a 50-50 majority in the Senate, with Vice Presidentelect Kamala Harris as the tie-breaking vote, marking the first time Democrats have complete control over Congress in over a decade. This win will make it easy for Presidentelect Joe Biden to implement initiatives and quickly confirm cabinet nominees within his first 100 days in office. Progressives are already looking at how Democrats should use their newfound power to pass a more ambitious agenda. We don’t yet know of any plans that Democrats have to move forward as the new Senate majority. Many House Republicans and Trump-supporters still question the election’s legitimacy, with close results in both November and January. After neither party received over 50% of the votes in November’s election, all candidates entered a runoff election on Jan. 5. Each side received many endorsements from high-profile supporters like Organizer Stacey Abrams, super PACs and their parties, making this one of the most expensive Senate races in the nation’s history. The four candidates generated $486
million in campaign ads in the two months leading up to Tuesday’s vote. Having a very tight and narrow race caused both sides to campaign fiercely until the day of the election. Democratic supporters, including Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, former President Barack Obama and voting rights activist and former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams made Georgia a frequent campaign stop to rally voters for the race. Many give them credit for their efforts in helping flip the state blue for the first time in 28 years and get the senators elected. Despite President Donald Trump traveling to Georgia to hold rallies, trying to overturn Georgia’s Election Day results, and threatening to fire election officials, neither candidate from his party was re-elected into the Senate. This news came and caused a disruptive and violent day in Washington, D.C., as proTrump supporters invaded the U.S. Capitol, forcing Congress to recess before certifying the Electoral College votes. On Wednesday, the same day Georgia declared Ossoff and Warnock’s win, the “Save America Rally” saw thousands of demonstrators by 6 a.m. to protest the certification of President-elect Joe Biden’s November 2020 victory. The rally followed a speech given by President Trump at the White House. “We are going to walk down to the Capitol,
and we're going to cheer on our brave senators, congressmen and women, and we are probably not going to be cheering so much for some of them,” President Trump told supporters. “Because you will never take back our country with weakness." Shortly after 2 p.m., protestors started to scale the Capitol building walls and clashed with police. One group of protestors even destroyed the Associated Press' media equipment on site. According to Capitol Police chief Steven Sund in an article for The New York Post, protestors attacked officers “with metal pipes, discharged chemical irritants and took up other weapons against our officers.” The Capitol went on lockdown, and Vice President Mike Pence was evacuated, and Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser ordered a 6 p.m. city curfew as protestors started to bypass Capitol security. The rioters broke windows and doors and made their way into Statuary Hall, toting American flags and some Confederate flags and chanting claims that the presidential election was fraudulent. Some made their way to the dais and took pictures in front of it. As the mob became more violent, they smashed windows and vandalized the representatives’ offices, including Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s. In a now-deleted video posted on Twitter several hours into the riots, President Trump told protestors to “go home now” while
repeating false election fraud claims. Twitter and Facebook locked the president’s accounts and removed the video, citing policy violations. Gov. Brian Kemp denounced the mob’s actions, calling it a “disgrace” and “unAmerican.” Ashli Babbit of San Diego, California, was shot and killed by police while making her way to the house chamber. Three others died from “medical emergencies,” including 34-year-old Rosanne Boyland from Kennesaw, Georgia. Approximately 50 Capitol and D.C. police officers sustained injuries. As of Thursday morning, police arrested approximately 52 people, four on weapons charges. Officers also recovered six firearms, two pipe bombs and a cooler of Molotov cocktails. Because of the influx of photos taken during the riots with few masks to hide identities, the FBI asked for information to lead to the identification of rioters on Twitter. “The FBI is seeking to identify individuals instigating violence in Washington, D.C. We are accepting tips and digital media depicting rioting or violence in and around the U.S. Capitol on [Jan.] 6. If you have information, visit http://fbi.gov/USCapitol,” the tweet stated.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2021
4
NEWS
Perimeter College testing new grade system College officials began testing out plus/minus grades LEAH LI Staff Reporter
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Many customers using USPS found that their packages were delayed because of COVID-19 and the holiday shopping.
PHOTO BY HARRY WYMAN | THE SIGNAL
Increase of package delays during this holiday season
COVID-19 restrictions cause delays within USPS LEAH LI Staff Reporter
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SPS began informing their customers about package delays due to limited transportation availability through their website early in April. As the holiday season approaches, USPS continues emphasizing the importance of mailing packages early. The USPS official website states that they are “experiencing unprecedented volume increases and limited employee availability due to the impacts of COVID-19.” These COVID-related difficulties have caused package delays to become another widely-discussed topic amid the pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has lasted almost 10 months in the U.S., resulting in reduced employee availability due to social distancing and quarantine. Package volume increased rapidly because of an increase in online shopping to avoid gathering in crowds. DHL Express reported a package volume surge of 45% this year. In addition, COVID-19 vaccines are now top priority for shipments, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. As a result, package delays have become the “new normal.” ShipMatrix shows that the on-time delivery rates for
USPS between December 13~17 is only 86.1%. Sites like Wikipedia and news sources like the New York Times and US News dubbed the historic delays as the “2020 United States Postal Service Crisis.” This year’s holiday season heavily contributes to the volume increases since more people are sending holiday gifts by mail. According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, predictions show e-commerce sales will increase about 30% during this time period. Regarding this situation, USPS responded with promises of swift holiday deliveries on their website: “We are committed to making sure gifts and cards are delivered on time to celebrate the holidays.” However, an article from CBS news states that more than 1million holiday orders are not possible to be delivered on time this holiday season. Many Georgia State students had problems with their package deliveries, like senior Charlene Jones. “I’ve been experiencing package delivery delays for over two weeks. I was told to expect my package by Dec. 28 after lots of delays, but now I am still waiting for the package,” Jones said. Emma Dunlap, a freshman, said she
ordered a package on Dec. 4 that has yet to arrive. Many packages, which could be delivered within less than three days before, are now delayed for weeks. Even one-day express mail can take more than a week. Although people want fast delivery, delays are largely due to USPS’s efforts to keep employees and customers as safe as possible while also trying to provide the best service possible. COVID-19 is spreading between USPS employees as well. According to CNN, USPS is adding nearly 18,000 employees onto the quarantine list every day, compared to about 8,000 per day before Thanksgiving. The Jan. 5 runoff election and an influx of absentee ballots added more pressure to Georgia USPS employees. The AJC states that USPS processed 1.2 million ballots, including those sent to voters and returned to the election officials, by Dec.19 alone. Georgia State housing remains open this winter break, but their mailrooms have reduced hours since most students are not on campus. New mailroom hours are weekdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
hile Georgia State’s main campus uses a plus/minus grading system, the Perimeter campuses are still using straight grades only. However, Perimeter plans to change that soon. According to Nancy Kropf, dean of students at Perimeter College, officials at Perimeter are testing the effects of a plus/minus grading system for students in spring 2021. Students at Perimeter wondered why there were two grading systems at Georgia State – a plus/ minus grading system for the downtown campus and the straight grading system at Perimeter. Therefore, they brought this issue to the Provost. “The Provost asked me as Dean to consider a plus/minus system at Perimeter and what that would mean for our students GPA,” Kropf said. “Before requesting that the University Senate Admissions and Standards Committee review a proposal for a change, we are doing an analysis to be sure that a new system would benefit (and not harm) Perimeter students.” There will not be any real change occurring in the Perimeter grading system for spring 2021. However, Perimeter officials will analyze some grades to see how a plus/ minus system will work for Perimeter students. “After [the] spring semester concludes, a random sample of final grades will be analyzed by the Dean’s office that is stratified by academic area to get a representation across all programs,” Kropf said. “The selected courses will have final grades recalculated to see what the distribution would be on a +/- scale.” Based on her prediction, a change to the plus/minus system would cause some
Perimeter students’ GPAs to go up while others’ would go down. “The analysis will also sample a group of students who are on the margin of Satisfactory Academic Progress to see if the +/- grading system would help, harm or make no difference across their combined classes,” Kropf said. Testing the plus/ minus system helps the officials better understand whether this change of the grading system would benefit the students or not. College leadership will then review the data to determine possible next steps. Many Perimeter students think the change is good for Perimeter students. Ashley Hunt, a student at Perimeter College, said she prefers the plus/minus grading system. She believes it prepares students to transition into a fouryear college with college materials and a more recognized grading system. “It also gives students more cushion in a grading system, especially now when most people have to take online courses that are typically not taken online.” Hunt said. “I’m not saying that teachers can use that as a slack system because they shouldn’t, but because everyone must put in the work to fuel success.” Maryam Vakilzadeh, another Perimeter student, also supports this change and thinks it would be beneficial for students, noting that grades between 60% and 70% will not be an F with this plus/minus grading system. Kropf said that if Perimeter chooses to move forward with changing to a plus/minus grading scale, a proposal will be submitted to the Senate Committee on Admissions & Standards. The earliest time to submit it will be fall 2021.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2021
5
THE SIGNAL
Georgia State sent out an email asking students, faculty and staff to take part in an informative survey to help choose the next president of Georgia State.
PHOTO SUBMITTED BY MARY BRASSFIELD | THE SIGNAL
Inclusivity, Diversity and Representation for president Cultural Diversity Committee pens open letter to Presidential Taskforce MARY A. BRASSFIELD News Editor
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n June 9, President Mark Becker and Provost Wendy Hensel sent out a university-wide email, announcing the members of Georgia State’s Racial Equality Task Force. The names of the Task Force for Racial Equality members are as follows: • Chair, Jonathan Gayles, Chair and Professor of AfricanAmerican Studies, College of Arts & Sciences • Gwendolyn Benson, Associate Dean for School, Community and International Partnerships, College of Education & Human Development • Curtis Byrd, Special Adviser to the Provost • Cynthia Lester, Associate Dean of the Clarkston Campus and the Division of Math, Computer Science & Engineering, Perimeter College • Rodney Lyn, Interim Dean of the School of Public Health • Elizabeth Beck, Professor of Social Work, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies • Jennifer Esposito, Chair of the Department of Educational Policy Studies, College of Education & Human Development • Collins Airhihenbuwa, Professor of Health Management and Policy, School of Public Health • Elizabeth West, Professor of African-American Studies and English, College of Arts & Sciences • Natsu Saito, Distinguished University Professor of Law, College of Law • Jennie Ward-Robinson, Special Assistant to the Dean, College of Arts & Sciences (Center for African Diaspora) • Donna Frazier, Chair of Staff Council • Linda Nelson, Associate Vice President for Human Resources and Opportunity Development • Allison Calhoun-Brown, Vice President for Student Engagement and Programs • Kaelen Thomas, President of the Student Government Association • Jessica Siemer, President of the Graduate Alliance The Task Force was created in response to Georgia State University President Mark Becker’s resignation and finding his replacement. Georgia State faculty, students and committees want to see a president that reflects the university population’s racial diversity. At their first meeting on June 8, Hensel asked members for their guidance and advice on how to address and reduce systemic racism and police violence against Black people in the community and at the university. Hensel wants to “identify ways in which Georgia State may best support our Black and other underrepresented students, faculty, staff and community.” The committee used Atlanta-based Parker Executive Search to provide search consulting services. Georgia State will have two high-ranking executives working specifically on their
behalf — President Laurie Wilder and the Vice President of Higher Education Porsha Williams. Initially, Task Force members were supposed to send three to five unranked picks to the Board of Regents for consideration. Instead, on Dec. 8, the Presidential Task Force decided to send out a university-wide anonymous survey to gather students’ feedback. “We’d like to engage the university community in a number of ways to ensure your input in the process and specific qualities you are looking for in the next President,” the email stated. Information will be sent directly to the Presidential Search Committee for consideration, construction and evaluation of the candidates. “As an institution of higher education, it is our responsibility to foster difficult conversations and identify solutions,” Regent Neil Pruitt Jr. said. The Board of Regents’ understands that this is one of their most important tasks, and they wanted students to be made aware of their initial steps in the search for the next President of Georgia State University. Pruitt along with other members of the Presidential Task Force began reviewing initial feedback on Dec. 11, 2020, and will continue to do so throughout the process. This move from Georgia State came at the height of protests and riots taking place in Downtown Atlanta in response to the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmad Arbery and Breonna Taylor. “Let’s be very clear that we at Georgia State stand against racism and violence. It is not sufficient, however, to simply condemn these things,” the email said. Georgia State Presidential and Racial Equality Task Forces are not the only committees on campus calling for change. The Cultural Diversity Committee sent an open letter to Regent Neil Pruitt Jr. and the Georgia State Presidential Search Committee, reminding them of how diversified Georgia State is and how their decision for President should reflect that. “The Cultural Diversity Committee not only focuses on diversifying the students at Georgia State but also the faculty,” Diversify Program Coordinator Tonia Durden said. Durden is a member of the Cultural Diversity Committee. She participated along with the effort of over 75 members on the committee in writing the letter. She also assured that the committee’s major goal is to ensure the university’s faculty and staff remain just as diverse as the student body. Meadows sent the letter to President Becker, Provost Hensel and the President Search Committee. The three parties received the letter before the committee conducted their first meeting, allowing them to review their position and reminders of interest and think about what they wrote. Interests/qualifications committee wants the candidates to have: 1. A poll of diverse candidates and underrepresented groups (i.e., women and people of color)
2. Experience with students 3. Education 4. Background in working with a diverse group of children and urban area communities Currently, the Cultural Diversity Committee has gathered over 200 signatures on the letter. The President Search Committee began their search on Nov. 16, on the Atlanta Campus. The committee contains 23 members, ranging from professors, counselors, undergraduates and graduate students. Members of the Presidential Search Committee are as follows: • Neda Barqawi, Georgia State alumnus, chief executive officer and managing director of Knovalytics • Michelle Brattain, associate professor, Department of History, College of Arts and Sciences • Carol Cohen, assistant vice president for university advising, University Advisement Center • Cynthia Cornelissen, director, Center for Translational Immunology; distinguished professor and associate director, Institute for Biomedical Sciences • Donna Frazier, freshman admissions counselor III; chair, Staff Council • Catherine Henson, Georgia State alumnus, former chair, Georgia State University Foundation Board of Trustees • Kevin Lofton, Georgia State alumnus, chief executive officer emeritus, CommonSpirit Health; member, Georgia State University Foundation Board of Trustees • Rodney Lyn, interim dean, senior associate dean for academic and strategic initiatives, associate professor, School of Public Health • Arun Rai, Regent’s Professor, J. Mack Robinson Chair of IT-Enabled Supply Chains and Process Innovation; director, Center for Digital Innovation; Computer Information Systems Department, J. Mack Robinson College of Business • Sally Robertson, professor of theater, interim chair, Theater/Fine Arts Department, Perimeter College; member, Senate Executive Committee • Todd Shutley, Georgia State alumnus, executive vice president and chief specialty banking officer, Ameris Bank; chair, Georgia State University Foundation Board of Trustees • Jessica Siemer, graduate student and Ph.D. candidate, Chemistry Department, College of Arts and Sciences • Andrew Sumner, Sc.D., associate professor, Joe Taylor Chair in Health Administration, associate professor and director, Institute of Health Administration, J. Mack Robinson College of Business • Kaelen Thomas, university-wide student body president, Student Government Association • Anne Tucker, professor, College of Law; director, Legal Analytics and Innovation Initiative
OPINIONS
WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM/OPINIONS
January 12, 2021
Diversity Equality and Inclusion at Georgia State
Various programs the university has to show inclusion GABBY MILLER Staff Columnist
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ILLUSTRATION BY MONIQUE ROJAS | THE SIGNAL
Revisiting Georgia's problematic election processes
Georgia’s racist runoff system and the Capitol Attack KENNETH LOCKETT III Opinions Editor
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t seems Georgia can’t let go of its racist past. Whether it’s large monuments and statues dedicated to racist historical figures or the state flag bearing a strong resemblance to the first Confederate flag, Georgia has racism ingrained in its existence. The state’s election system is a clear example of this. On Jan. 5, Georgia held a historical run-off election for not one but both of its Senate seats. While the victors, Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff, were faced with a far less burden of required votes. Historically, run-offs have far lower turnout than general elections because people are unwilling to vote for a second time. In many cases, such as in many minority communities, people cannot vote for a second time. Georgia’s runoff system is relatively young, having been created in 1963. The General Assembly created the 58-year-old system in response to the civil rights movement. At the time, the possibility of the Black population rallying behind a single Black candidate scared the General Assembly. If the white vote were split between two or three candidates, then the Black candidate would win. Now, they couldn’t have that, could they? In response, they created a system where if a candidate doesn’t win an outright majority, 50% or more, then the top two candidates will campaign yet again. According to Governing.com, “By
adopting runoff voting, even if white voters split their vote in the first round and an African American somehow made it to the second round, white voters – from both parties – would still have a chance to unite behind the white candidate to ensure victory.” You’d think this is far fetched, right? But look no further than the 2020-2021 Senate Special Election. Rev. Raphael Warnock won the first round of voting in a statistical landslide, beating runnerup incumbent Sen. Kelly Loeffler by 7% (343,821 votes). But because of the runoff system, the two-faced off on Jan. 5, allowing republicans to rally behind Loeffler. However, this time it didn’t work; Warnock beat Loeffler by over 65,000 votes, inching the Democratic Party closer to a supermajority in the federal government. Win or loss, this election has brought yet another aspect of Georgia’s racist systems to the limelight. John R. Dunne, who served as assistant U.S. attorney general in the Civil Rights Division, stated that the runoff system has “a demonstrably chilling effect on the ability of Blacks to become candidates for public office.” He’s not wrong: Not a single black person has been elected to the offices of the U.S. Senate, lieutenant governor or governor in the state’s 233-year history. With the victory of Rev. Warnock, that trend has ended. But that doesn’t mean that this racist system should continue to be ignored.
It’s not just Georgia, however, that made political history that week. On Jan. 6, the day we got the runoff ’s final results, a group of domestic terrorists broke into, vandalized and ransacked the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C. The situation became so dire and dangerous that Congress, who were doing their congressional duty, was sent to an undisclosed location. Mind you; this system only engages if the nation is under an immediate attack. What’s just as upsetting is the fact that this terrorist attack was egged on by President Trump, resulting in five deaths and an undetermined number of injuries. But it could have been far worse had the group been a minority group. Look at June 1, 2020, where National Guard members and other law enforcement members attacked protesters occupying Lafayette Square. Meanwhile, at the terrorist attack, the National Guard was not deployed until hours after the event started. Forget your politics and views on President Trump. The Capitol building — our Capitol building, the symbol of American democracy, history and power — was attacked. People vandalized and robbed the building. They attacked police officers, military personnel, journalists and leaders. And that’s just what we know from publicly available sources! Imagine: What if they got access to classified information? That was no protest; that was the definition of a terrorist attack.
eorgia State is known as a university for everyone. Georgia State supports social change and supports various programs for those who are part of a specific gender, a different race or even your sexuality. For example, the Committee of Diversity, Equality and Inclusion, or DEI, is Georgia State’s hub for all its programs and organizations that address these three fundamental values. DEI’s website describes its purpose: “Georgia State seeks to become a national leader in all that it does, and leading as a model for inclusive excellence is a vital goal for the university part of our work toward creating fair and equitable environments for faculty, staff and students.” Georgia State continues further efforts toward greater diversity by creating programs for minority groups, LGBTQ+ communities, women and more. The university regularly holds events to teach the Georgia State community about race, diversity, equity and inclusion, such as the American International Student Mixer. This event is for both the international students and the American students to get to know each other and build relationships that would create the Georgia State community. In addition to events, there are multiple organizations within the DEI, including an African American Male Initiative (AAMI) with Panther PRIME. PRIME is an acronym that stands for Preparing Retaining and Investing in Males through Engagement. The organization helps AAMI commit to significantly increasing the graduation rate and the number of degrees granted to African American men at Georgia State. PRIME’s primary purpose is to make sure members of the AAMI graduate, and it is a partnership between the
multicultural center and the honors college. The safety net leverages both areas’ resources to provide African American men with identity development, cultural competency and experiential learning opportunities. The Latinx Student Services and Outreach (LASSO) is a unit under student retention and undergraduate studies at Georgia State. LASSO’s primary function is to promote an inclusive community that enhances Latinx students’ success and provides services to aid in that success. LASSO includes student support services, mentoring programs, volunteer and outreach opportunities, and tries to collaborate with students’ social, academic, and personal lifestyles. The Gender and Sexuality Resource Center (GSRC) is an extension of the multicultural center, focusing on providing services, resources and intentional support for LGBTQ+ students. The GSRC offers the benefits of programming, workshops, organizational support and mentoring and supports LGBTQ+ students in a less tolerant community. The Women Lead (WL) program provides students access to faculty, research community partners, leadership skills, networking and strategic career development. The program encourages women to strive for the top leadership positions across various sectors beginning their sophomore year. WL engages women through learning in the classroom, developing mentoring relationships and organizing and leading campus programs. These programs help various students every day by giving them opportunities they might not get to have by themselves. They both seek to recruit, retain, empower, graduate and advance the students in these programs.
OPINIONS
TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2021
7
College students should receive second stimulus
They have been hit hardest by the pandemic, yet receive no aid ASHLAR BYLECKIE Staff Columnist
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ver the past few weeks, social media platforms like Twitter have been in an uproar over Congress’s second stimulus proposal. Many have debated whether it should be $600 or $2,000 and if it should come with Mitch McConnell’s head on a platter. While active discourse on American politics’ current state should always be encouraged, many people are left out of the conversation: college students and those claimed as dependents. Dependents are usually thought of as children under 18 but can go up to age 24 if enrolled in college. The American Opportunity Tax Credit, for college students, allows parents who are more than 50% responsible for their child’s finances to claim up to $2500 in tax credit per year. While the break for our parents is nice, it doesn’t directly benefit the dependent person, and it restricts our eligibility to receive government aid during a pandemic. Even though many college students are almost entirely financially independent and personally responsible for their college expenses, their parents will still claim them as dependents. College is costly, and despite most students receiving an online education this year, tuition costs have remained the same or risen. Professors still require books and online software that reach triple digits in price. Many students also had to find alternative housing and meal plans now that most universities have caps on their housing capacity. During these uncertain times, stimulus money could be the deciding factor for whether or not a student can attend college or live on campus. The CARES Act granted
up to $1000 to students in the spring and early summer of 2020. College students who were eligible averaged about $600 each from this act. While helpful, this was over six months ago, and the pandemic is still raging. Congress finally started discussing a second stimulus package, with several members advocating for the inclusion of dependent college students. This effort was blocked by Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell who would only open up a vote on the bill if irrelevant partisan issues were addressed. Once again, college students have found themselves struggling to come up with the money to survive and pay tuition. USA Today reported an 8% decrease in college enrollment nationwide since lockdown in March 2020, with the economic effect of COVID cited as one of the largest reasons for that percentage. It has become apparent that our current system wants to pick and choose when young adults can receive assistance from the government, which they support. Somehow it is perfectly acceptable for young adults to take out student loans and fuel the economy, but god forbid they receive a stimulus check. College students deserve more. They pay taxes, vote, and many have been essential workers at the front lines of this global health emergency, yet they remain invisible to lawmakers whose job represents people’s needs. College students need to be included in the process. To exclude them from the stimulus relief package is to tell them that they do not matter and that their struggles are trivial. To let that happen would be grossly negligent of our so-called democratic process.
ILLUSTRATION BY XX | THE SIGNAL
Wrap your arms around your seasonal depression today
Tips and advice to combat SAD this winter CALLIE MCNORTON Staff Columnist
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ave you ever gotten extremely upset around the same time every year? Students with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) have faced many challenges, not just in 2020. Along with sleep deprivation and social withdrawal, most individuals experience bouts of depression. These symptoms, paired with the stigma of the “winter blues,” can make it hard to overcome SAD. Tackling mental illness takes many forms, but actor Jeff Bridges passed on some useful advice to comedian Bill Hader regarding his anxiety issues. “That’s your buddy, man. Put your arm around it,” he said. Making your SAD your friend is so important to the process. It may be a challenge to face all the symptoms, but taking your issues by the hand and accepting it may be more rewarding than pushing it down. “What may look like laziness or flakiness to some may very well just
be a person learning to be gentle with themselves and practicing boundaries,” Georgia State senior Stephanie Pimiento said. As we have begun to unpack mental health in the last few decades, many illnesses are overlooked and can make people feel more alone than they already do. Students need to understand that SAD is not just wanting to stay in your room; it is different parts of your brain working out how to respond to each other. Do not feel ashamed if you want to sleep instead of going out or crying instead of laughing. Pushing down these symptoms do not allow you to understand what's happening to you. SAD is something you should approach each day and take care of, not fight. However, according to Georgia State senior Sydney Finn, this level of self-care can be hard to achieve. “Unfortunately, I have never been one to coexist with my anxiety and
depression. Instead of responding, I react [and] I try to ignore it until it builds to a head and I’m dying,” Finn said. “I consistently ignore what makes me upset.” SAD this season looked a little different, and sufferers had many different responses to the trials of 2020. “I told myself that quarantine is relieving me of social pressures and finally giving me the opportunity to make my living space cozy and practice a healthy relationship with solitude,” Pimiento said. However, along with the rest of the world, students lost many aspects of their college experience. Whether they had a long commute, boring lecture or nerve-wracking speech, class time was not always a high point. Now, having a class in-person is a golden ticket. People with SAD are inside for almost a year, and it can be a challenge to see the positives.
This Week’s Spread: ARTS & LIVIN WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM/ARTSANDLIVING
Make your resolutions stick Tips to successfully achieve 2021 goals JANELLE JAMES Staff Reporter
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very New Year's Eve, people worldwide are hopeful and excited for a chance at a “do-over” in the new year. For many people, part of this do-over includes making New Year resolutions. According to a recent Finder survey, 73.76% of men and 74.26% of women in the United States plan on making New Year’s resolutions for 2021. Many people give up on their resolutions because they are too big to achieve. A staggering 45.59% of people make health-related resolutions, whether gaining or losing weight, starting a proper diet or exercise routine. Unrealistic expectations like losing 10 pounds in a week, long term fasting diets and detox diets are an easy way to get discouraged quickly. Without consistent planning to make these dreams a reality, people may fall short of their goals within the first couple of months into the year. Junior Kyra Sheppard spoke about her previous health-related resolutions. “For years, my only goal was to lose weight. And honestly, I’ve stayed within the same 10 to 15 pounds in the last few years, so it just seems silly,” Sheppard said. “Instead, I’m saying specific goals, like ‘I want to exercise at least 30 minutes a day.’” To attain a weight-related goal for the new year, set realistic boundaries. According to the CDC, it’s healthy for the average person to lose between four and eight pounds a month. A way to stick with a weight loss challenge is to start small instead of losing weight fast and getting
discouraged when it rises again. With health-related goals, slow and steady wins the race. There is no way of losing a lot of weight in a short amount of time, and recognizing that is the first step towards progress. Another reason why resolutions fail is a lack of accountability. When there is a goal that someone wants to achieve, it is important to share it with people close to them. It's easy to give up when there is a lack of encouragement and accountability. Keeping resolutions quiet, particularly if someone hasn’t achieved it in the past, is a recipe for disaster. Examples of accountability can include phone reminders, telling friends or family or joining a group of others trying to achieve the same goals. For sophomore Ashton Miller, accountability in her relationships motivates her to be successful. “I get busy with school and work and don’t make things like eating right or working out a priority,” Miller said. “I like having someone to keep me accountable because it motivates me when reminding them of what their goal is so that we can both be successful at the end of the year.” Understanding the reasoning
behind a goal is ess success. Instead of intention, it's imper a valuable purpose. For example, cho $1000 because of v purposes, choose to time with family or scholarships. Pictur and focus on “the w frustration hits alon Sophomore Sierra E how her “why” impa resolution this year “My new year res put myself first mor I have put my heart relationships that h what is best for me have a drive to actu new resolution beca health has suffered A great way to gr about completing a notes around the h year in places frequ the most. Take an e marker and write on the bathroom mirror, or put a sticky note on the TV stand.
NG
k
sential to a goal’s only stating an rative to choose . oose to save vacation to spend more apply for more re that goal why” every time ng the way. Evans discusses acts her new year r. solution is to ore often. I think t and soul in haven’t been e,” Evans said. “I ually fulfill this ause my mental d in the past.” row passion a goal is to leave house all uented expo
For example, if someone burns out from working hard to get extra money, coming home and reading a motivating note while opening the fridge can help them feel like it is all worth it. The key is to add multiple notes to reinforce the passion behind the goal. Habits take from 18 to 254 days to break, and even beyond that, there are still temptations to fall back into previous patterns. Embrace small setbacks, and don’t give in to discouragement. To expect that completing a resolution is going to be done perfectly can lead to disappointment. Discovering and continually remembering the passion behind a resolution is the way to succeed by the end of the year.
“
I like having someone to keep me accountable because it motivates me when reminding them of what their goal is so that we can both be successful at the end of the year.
”
— ASHTON MILLER
Georgia State Sophomore
Another way to make the completion of resolution goals easier is to be aware of and expect temptations. For example, if the resolution goal is to have better time management, it could be tempting to sleep through the day. If that’s a habit that is hard to break, it would be a great idea to expect that challenge and face it head-on. A good way to change that
pattern would be to go to bed earlier, so the urge to sleep through alarms is smaller. Setting a schedule of everything that needs to be done throughout each day, cutting out caffeine and lowering screen time are some examples of how to face and overcome temptations. Sometimes one bites off more than they can chew, which can be another roadblock preventing someone from achieving their resolutions. It is better to finish one or a small number of resolutions properly than to try several different ones and do them all badly or not complete them. Focusing on what is most important leads to higher chances of success. Setting specific goals is good for self-esteem. Checking off smaller successes throughout the year can make the bigger goals feel even more possible. Don’t forget to celebrate the successes no matter how little they are because that is a great motivation to keep going. For the people that want to have a simple resolution to be proud of this year, try creating a happiness jar. When anything great happens, such as a special day or an individual accomplishment, write it down with the date and put it in the jar. Materials needed to make a happiness jar are a mason jar, scraps of paper and decorations to make it look unique. Then, watch the jar fill up throughout the year and read through all of the notes before the next New Year party. Not only is it a little time capsule of memories, but it can also help someone feel grateful for what the previous year brought while looking forward to the future. Sticking to resolutions is tough, but anyone can achieve it with the proper tools and goal-setting skills. Changing life patterns is worth it in the long run, and if discouragement comes knocking at the door, remember some of these tips and power through the upcoming year.
PAGE DESIGN BY EVAN KOENIGS & ILLUSTRATIONS BY MYAH ANGLIN | THE SIGNAL
ARTS & LIVING
WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM/ARTSANDLIVING
January 12, 2021
Debunking COVID-19 vaccine myths
Georgia State alumni dispel false information about vaccines DEENA KAYYALI Staff Reporter
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MARTA’s new protocols include mandatory face masks, sanitation of high touch areas and protective barriers between drivers and passengers.
PHOTO SUBMITTED BY KRISTAIN BATY
MARTA bus driver ensures passenger safety during pandemic
Student reflects on COVID-19 changes to transportation CATHERINE USHER Staff Reporter
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eorgia State junior Kristain Baty started his job as a MARTA bus operator over a year ago. He encounters different people every day. Some of those faces are familiar while others are new. He drives his bus route through Atlanta’s southside, picking up passengers and dropping them off at their destination. He makes conversation with his passengers through a protective glass barrier while also wearing a face mask. Baty manages to juggle school and work by dedicating a certain amount of time to each of them. After a long day at work, he returns home to log in to his iCollege account and complete each of his daily assignments. While this is now his daily routine, Baty can look back and remember when this was all different. Baty remembers when passengers would simply get on the bus so that he could transfer them to their next destination, but all that has changed. He says that this pandemic has made a large impact on his life as a MARTA bus driver, by requiring him to act and do things differently from how he has acted before. “As a bus driver, it’s very important to be aware of all my surroundings and how I physically
interact with people,” he said. “It is important for me to try to avoid catching this virus so that I don’t bring it home to my family”.
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It is important for me to try to avoid catching this virus so that I don’t bring it home to my family.
”
— KRISTAIN BATY
Georgia State Junior
Since he and other bus drivers come into contact with many people daily, MARTA has created many new safety protocols for
drivers and passengers to follow. “To help ensure both our safety as well as theirs, all passengers and bus drivers are required to wear a mask,” he said. “If passengers do not have a mask to use, we even provide them with a mask.” Buses have a limited number of passengers they can take, and passengers are not allowed to sit two at a seat like before. Instead, they have to sit in seats without a “Do not sit here” sign. MARTA also requires the disinfecting of high touch areas, MARTA barriers between drivers and passengers to limit contact, the installment of antimicrobial air filters and UV lights in air conditioning units to decrease the circulation of germs. Baty feels that if these measures continue, COVID-19 cases will drop significantly, but he doesn’t see them ending any time soon. “If we continue to follow protocol, then the number of cases will go down,” he said. “If we can get the number of cases to a controllable state, then it is possible to go back to our lives before the pandemic.” Until the pandemic is under control, Baty wants to follow protocols to ensure that both he and his passengers safely return home to their families.
he year 2020 has finally come to an end, and many hope to leave their troubles behind them. But the difficulties of last year are bound to bleed into 2021. This is especially true concerning COVID-19, specifically distributing a vaccine and concerns of long-term and severe sideeffects. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), two prominent COVID-19 vaccines, Moderna and PfizerBioNTech, are “authorized and recommended in preventing COVID-19”. However, the rushed development and approval of these vaccines resulted in the circulation of unbacked claims concerning their safety, effectiveness and sideeffects. According to the Mayo Clinic, some popular myths that are proven false by science include those concerning microchipping the public, altering people’s DNA and infertility. Humza Baig, a Georgia State alumni with a biology degree, works as an Assay Development Scientist in the Division of Viral Hepatitis at the CDC. “I do not speak on behalf of the CDC, but I can say that I do not have concerns about these vaccines,” he said. “While the vaccine is rushed, the science behind it has been around for quite some time. How this vaccine works is essentially quite different from those we have come to know, such as ones for flu. In fact, its science is much safer than typical vaccines.” Even with this information made known to the public, many are still wary of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.
In a national poll conducted by ABC News, 15% of Americans still say they would refuse to take any COVID-19 vaccination altogether. Matt Hayat, a professor of Biostatistics in the Georgia State School of Public Health, Has been a practicing applied biostatistician for more than 20 years. “ I think that people should get vaccinated as soon as possible. There are competing risks from side effects of the vaccine, and of exposure to SARSCOV-2. When comparing the two, any possible sideeffects of the vaccine are much preferred to those of the virus.” Kim Rissler is a Registered Nurse who has been in the medical field for over 20 years. Currently, Rissler is employed at Soleo Health, working alongside coworkers who received their first dose of the Moderna vaccine. “In my professional opinion, everyone should get vaccinated," she said. “The two vaccines have been shown to be safe and effective with very few serious adverse reactions. There are higher health risks from contracting COVID-19 than there are from these vaccines.” While this past year has been unpredictable and draining, the new year brings sentiments of hope and change. While many are still concerned and frightened, the vaccine is the first step toward placing the virus in the past. “This vaccine is a huge step toward returning to a pre-pandemic lifestyle," Baig said. “Once one is eligible to receive the vaccine, they should receive it. If everyone plays their role in achieving herd immunity, we can end this pandemic together.”
ARTS&LIVING
TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2021
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Georgia State students’ year in review
Students highlight 2020’s defining moments ISA CARDONA Associate Arts & Living Editor
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he year 2020 was an eventful one, with twists and turns occurring on a neardaily basis. These Georgia State students offer their perspectives on the most memorable moments of every month. Sophomore Jazyln Cardoza was looking forward to 2020. But 2020’s strange beginning thwarted her high expectations for the year. “Some things I recall from January were the topic of a possible third world war and President Trump’s impeachment trials,” she said. “As for February, I mainly recall the bushfires in Australia and how devastating it was for the people and wildlife. Around March, people became more aware of COVID-19, but there weren’t many cases in the United States. Then came a “temporary break” from work and school for many people across the country. “I remember getting the exciting news that we would get one to two weeks off from school,” sophomore Chrissi Livingston said. “During that time, I became more active on TikTok and swiped through lots of videos on my ‘for you’ page. It exposed me to cool, crafty ideas to try and different memes to laugh at.” As April rolled in, this temporary vacation seemed to turn into a permanent stay as COVID-19 cases increased since the beginning of March, and the world began to panic. Sophomore Daniel Kumi described May and June as a time of “both heartbreak and pride.” George Floyd’s death brought about nationwide, and global protests fighting for justice for the lives lost to police brutality. “I don’t think anyone can look back at that time and not think about the death of George Floyd,” Kumi said. “For the first time in my life, people really saw [that] black lives matter and not as a threat or a ‘catchy slogan’ but a rallying cry to
help the oppressed.” In July 2020, the United States and the global average of COVID-19 infections were highest since the pandemic began. At this time, it was clear the pandemic was not ending anytime soon. In August, sophomore Arlenica Williams turned to TikTok to maintain social interaction while quarantining. “Some of my favorite trends from August 2020 include the “bayang” phenomenon because I, like many others, cut quarantine bangs out of desperation,” Williams said. By September, talk of the upcoming 2020 presidential election consumed the spotlight. During this time, Williams worked with an organization called Public Citizen to mobilize the college vote. A couple of months later, the United States would see its largest voter turnout in more than a century. Junior Joshua Marshall wasn’t expecting much out of October, especially in seeing family or friends for his birthday or Halloween. He even contracted COVID-19 at the end of the month. He got through this period with video games, specifically the popular game, “Among Us.” “I ended up playing with a few Twitch streamers during my isolation period, and it was honestly a pretty great way to be able to see and interact with my friends without having to be in the same room as them,” Marshall said. The holiday season was very different in 2020, and for sophomore Chanmi Lee, there were many hardships, but friends and families made up for it. “My church friends and I had a Friendsgiving dinner, and we also went hiking,” Lee said. “It’s great to be able to make memories with people you care about, especially at this time.” As students settle into the new year, it’s important to look back at the experiences 2020 provided and use them to learn and grow in 2021.
Despite the hardships from last year, 2021 promises more positive energy into students’ lives as many have self-improvement goals.
PHOTO BY MATT SICILIANO-SALAZAR | THE SIGNAL
Bringing on the new year with new energy
Students lay out their goals and hopes for the new year KARA MARTIN Staff Reporter
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ith 2021 making its grand entrance, many hope this year will be better than the last one. As students embark on a new semester and year, they are bringing a new attitude with them. For some students, 2020 was a year of growth, while others viewed the year as a lesson to do better as a people. After witnessing the consequences of the global pandemic, sophomore Jaylah Dorsey hopes that in 2021 humanity will have a change of heart. “It needs to be known that everybody is struggling whether it be mentally, physically [or] emotionally,” she said. “I expect us to come together and abide by the given rules so that we can find a way to beat this virus.” Dorsey hopes to see some compassion from the education system. After feeling defeated about her academic performance last semester, Dorsey plans to make considerable strides to understand the new material she’s learning this semester. “Despite receiving some of the highest grades in the fall semester of 2020, I feel most frustrated because I never got to comprehend and digest the material I was given,” she said. “During the spring semester of this year, I will make a conscious effort to improve my GPA and further my education.” While some see this past year as a way to bounce back from a rough
semester, others see it as an opportunity to grow physically and spiritually.
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I expect us to come together and abide by the given rules so that we can find a way to beat this virus.
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— JAYLAH DORSEY
Georgia State Sophomore
Junior Jermaine Noble is making this year all about spreading love and peace while building a better life for himself. With a new diet and workout plan, Noble expects his 2021 to be a learning experience. “I want to spread more love and
peace throughout my community and to be at peace with myself,” he said. “Another goal of mine is to do boxing so that I can train my body and mind while also enhancing my reflexes and skills in the process.” While Noble’s main objective is love within his community, he also hopes to find love in the process. “I want to be able to focus on one person and show them the love and care that they deserve, and I want to learn to love myself in the process as well,” he said. “This year, I am definitely getting comfortable with getting uncomfortable.” On the other hand, not everyone expects the same outcome from this year. Junior Sarah Harden doesn’t expect this new year to be very different from last year, but she’s hoping to learn how to roll with the punches. “For 2021, I hope to continue learning how to make the most out of any situation I am placed in, whether it’s with online classes or things in my everyday life,” she said. “Overall, I’m not necessarily expecting change, but better living for the people around me and for this country we call home.” While some focus on physical, financial, mental or spiritual change, it is essential to remember that everyone is on their journey. New challenges and experiences come with every new year, but learning how to adapt and make the best out of every situation can create a better outcome.
SPORTS
January 12, 2021
WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM/SPORTS
The Panthers won a bowl game, but did they earn an A? Grading Georgia State's 2020 football season JULIAN HARDEN Staff Reporter
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he year 2020 saw Georgia State football cancel games and experience COVID-19 scares. But it gave the team something to celebrate as well. The team finished 6-4 overall with a 4-4 conference record, capped off by a 39-21 beatdown of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in the LendingTree Bowl. With the season in the rear-view mirror, let’s see how the Panthers fared in 2020.
The Highs
Georgia State finished with six wins in Shawn Elliott’s third season as head coach. The team also captured their second consecutive winning season, a first for the program. After a seven-win campaign in 2019, this season was supposed to be a rebuilding season, with a new quarterback under center.
The Offense
The offense proved to be a significant high point in the 2020 season. Georgia State’s offense ranked 32nd nationally in scoring and scored 30 or more points in all but one of their 10 games. “I trust our offense to be able to come out and score consistently,” Elliott said.
Quarterback Play
Redshirt freshman Cornelious “Quad” Brown won the starting job in the summer and never looked back. He threw for over 2000 yards and 17 touchdowns and even garnered Sun Belt Player of the Week after throwing for over 400 yards versus Louisiana-Monroe. Brown also led the Panthers to big wins against rival Georgia Southern and East Carolina. “If I did my job in distributing the football, I knew we’d break open, and that’s what we did,” Brown said. Brown's best game was in the LendingTree Bowl. Again, he threw for over 200 yards and three touchdowns against the Hilltoppers. With a year like 2020, it is safe to assume Brown won the starting job for 2021 again.
top 100 nationally for sacks. With the emergence of the pass rush comes new respect from opposing quarterbacks and offensive lines. The pass rush can also become a consistent force in the Sun Belt and possibly beyond if it can maintain its dominance.
The Lows
Unfortunately, the 2020 season saw quite a few bad moments from the Panthers. While some of these problems are easy fixes, others are more concerning and need urgent attention for the next season. Poor Play vs. Ranked Opponents Georgia State played two ranked opponents and hosted both games. Their first game of the season came against the No. 19 Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns, a 34-31 loss in overtime. Then on Halloween, the Panthers hosted the No. 20 Coastal Carolina Chanticleers and lost 51-0. In one game, Georgia State blew a 21-7 lead; they did not even get a field goal in the other one. The Panthers missed two significant chances at making a statement to both the conference and the college football world. While it was their first game, the Panthers had a chance to make history by beating their first ranked opponent after getting their first win vs. a power five program last season. Even with a capacity crowd, the Panthers had a home-field advantage but left the fanbase deflated after leaving the Credit Parc Stadium. “I don’t believe in moral victories,” Elliott said after losing the Ragin’ Cajuns. “We allowed them to get back into the game.” When the Panthers played Coastal Carolina, it was a complete trainwreck. Yes, the Chanticleers are talented, but 51-0 is a tough pill to swallow. The score is the largest margin of defeat in Center Parc Stadium and highlighted the gap between the Panthers and the Sun Belt’s best. While the Panthers are a good team in the Sun Belt, based on the play against ranked conference teams (one
being in their division), they are still far away from scratching their first conference championship game.
Inconsistent Secondary
Georgia State’s secondary never seemed to hit their stride. They performed inconsistently and looked awful sometimes and exceptional other times. More importantly, the secondary cost the Panthers a few wins early in the season. In their second conference game at Arkansas State, the secondary yielded big play after big play as the Panthers fell 59-52. The Panthers also gave up nearly 600 passing yards as the Red Wolves connected on 75% of their fourth-down conversions in the fourth quarter alone. The secondary ranked at the bottom of the nation for most of the season. Those guys are still young and will have more growing pains before they become established. However, Georgia State’s secondary can’t afford more early woes in 2021. They play some great teams, including Army, Auburn and North Carolina. On the bright side, Panthers’ secondary came around in some games, though, including against Appalachian State, holding the Mountaineers to just 17 points. They also picked off the Hilltoppers twice en route to their victory in the LendingTree Bowl. While there are positives to take away from the secondary, more issues need to be solved headed into next season.
Overall Grade: B
Even with the Panthers' struggles against ranked opponents and secondary issues, the Panthers had a solid season. Achieving six wins in a season that saw three games canceled during a pandemic and bowl win is nothing to sneeze at. With new talented recruits incoming for next season, the Panthers should improve in the coming years.
Rise of the Pass Rush
Georgia State’s pass rush also came alive in 2020. The team was seventh in the nation with 35 sacks, led by Hardrick Willis’ six. The junior defensive end was a force in the conference and created pressure on opposing offensive lines. The pass rush kept the Panthers in games and proved a significant improvement from the 2019 season. “Applying pressure to the quarterback allows for our defense to gain more momentum,” Willis said. “It puts our team in a great position to win games.” The pass rush is an achievement, and something the Panthers did not have in 2019. Elliott understands that the defense will win ball games, especially with the front seven. As the team entered the season, the defense’s front seven remained a concern. It’s safe to say they proved the doubters wrong. ‘I love the way our guys have been able to get after the quarterback,” Elliott said. “Seeing guys like Willis getting to the QB is something I love to see as a coach.” With recruits coming in, the pass rush should continue to be a strength for the defense. Georgia State’s pass rush also became the first front seven to place inside the
The team finished 6-4 and 4-4 overall in the Sun Belt Conference, capped off by a 39-21 beatdown of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in the LendingTree Bowl.
PHOTO SUBMITTED BY XAVIER TRICHE
SPORTS
TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2021
Georgia State Football lines up in the panther tunnel before the last home game against Georgia Southern University.
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PHOTO BY MATT SICILIANO-SALAZAR | THE SIGNAL
Fall sports just had one of their best collective years ever Football and soccer thrived, and the rest followed suit AARON WILSON, JR. Staff Reporter
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he spring is upon us, which means that fall sports are in the book for 2020. Just playing and getting a season in was a massive accomplishment for Georgia State student-athletes and the Sun Belt Conference. Some teams may have had the record to support a better than average year. Some may not have had the glamorous records. But every team, athlete, coach and everyone in-between started and finished their reduced seasons. Let’s rewind to 2020 and look at the uniqueness of each team.
Volleyball: 9-11 overall record; 7-9 conference; lost in first round of conference tournament
In the case of head coach Sally Polhamus’ squad, it was not solely about the destination for them this year. “Our team is very unique. Having seven returners and seven newcomers makes the team chemistry a lot more interesting than I have ever been a part of,” freshman Ally Thees said. That dynamic, combined with five seniors and five freshmen (plus redshirt freshman Isabelle Percoco), presents a dual-sided challenge. While the seniors brought a lot of experienced courttime, they knew the program’s younger players could also use the reps. The Lady Panthers always played with pride and spirit, mixing youthful energy with experienced play. Their mentorship and time allowed Ava Vlkovic, Clara Bednarek and Erin Wyatt to come alive, especially down the year’s ending stretch. Thees saw breakout games as well in the early and middle parts of the season, in addition to her other significant contributions down the stretch. As good as the freshmen turned out to be, the seniors steadied the offense. Meisheia Griffin, Cierra Sillmon, Jordan Shoemaker and Leah Wilcox led the way for the team. Griffin led the team with 74 blocks, Shoemaker finished fifth in the conference in assist per set, and Wilcox led the team with 228.5 total points. Graduating one-third of the roster will lead to some
growing pains for sure, but after getting the freshmen significant playing time this year, the future looks bright for the Polhamus’ squad.
Cross Country
Lotte Meyburg was named the Sun Belt’s “Runner to Watch'' and picked up two wins at the 2020 conference championships in the 5000 meter and 3000-meter races.
Football: 6-4 overall, 4-4 conference; won LendingTree Bowl
The Panthers did not open their season until Sept. 19, when they made their Center Parc Stadium debut. The team lost a 34-31 heartbreaker in overtime versus the No. 19 Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns. Georgia State running back Destin Coates notched a career-high 150 rushing yards and was the workhorse all game. The Panthers finished out their regular season with a gratifying, close victory over their rival Georgia Southern Eagles. Redshirt freshman quarterback Cornelious “Quad” Brown capped off his stellar day of 372 total yards and two touchdowns with a one-yard sneak in the last 2:54 of the game. That score set the game at 30-24, which held to the final whistle, finishing Georgia State with a 5-4 record in the regular season. With many teams opting out of bowl games, it could have been the end of Georgia State’s season. But the team had one last game. It was a long season from all aspects. From the physical grind of training camp to the actual season, the Panthers gave it their all mentally and physically. The hard work paid off when they knocked off Western Kentucky in the LendingTree Bowl. The bowl game was the program’s second straight and third under Elliott, pushing their final record to 6-4 and finishing with back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in the program’s 11-year history.
Women’s Soccer: 10-3-2 overall; 6-2-2 conference. 1-1 in the conference tournament The Lady Panthers enjoyed a plethora of success, with five players named to an All Sunbelt first or second
team and a semi-finals appearance in the conference tournament. Ten wins in a shortened season and finishing the season just shy of the finals to the No. 1 seed team and eventual champion South Alabama Jaguars? Not too shabby for the Lady Panthers. Sophomore forward Jimena Cabrero left no doubt that her great freshman year was a sign of things to come, as she followed-up last year’s second-team All-Sun Belt with first-team honors in 2020. Joining her was the 2020 Sun Belt Freshman of the year Maddie Johnston, who became the first Panther to win a Player of the Year award since Jewel Evans in 2010. Three more ladies earned honors as second-team AllSun Belt members: freshman goalkeeper Jaddah Foos and sophomores Kamree Holloway and Jolie Ryff. Another young squad with history backing them, Georgia State will have high expectations for 2021 and, without a doubt, can accomplish them all. “We won 10 games without even playing a full nonconference schedule. They should be proud of that. We're a team of players going towards a common goal, but unfortunately, we fell a little short. But we’ve built a massive foundation for where this program is going moving forward,” head coach Ed Joyce said.
Men’s Soccer: 9-2-2 overall; 4-2 conference; 1-1 in the conference tournament
Deep, talented, well-coached, immeasurable heart and pain: That is the best way to sum up the season for Brett Surrency’s bunch this year. They fell painfully short of reaching the NCAA Tournament after the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers beat them in penalty kicks in the Sun Belt Championship game. It was the fourth time in the last five seasons that the two teams have met, with Coastal Carolina winning three of the four matches. Behind a studded group of seniors Aris Briggs, Paul Tyson, George Proctor and Andrew Miller-Bell, the men fell in one of the best games the program played in quite some time. With a bright future ahead and Surrency leading, the team has the talent to offset some of the voids that will be left behind. But it was an emotional end to the Panthers’
January 12, 2021
UNIVERSITY
STATE
NATIONAL
COVID-19 strikes the men’s basketball team
The Atlanta Hawks’ not-so-private film session
The NFL announces All-Pro teams ahead of playoffs
Less than 24 hours after blowing a 15-point lead to the New York Knicks, Hawks fourth-year player John Collins voiced opinions on the team’s play style, The Athletic’s Chris Kirschner and Sam Amick reported. Collins noted the team’s lack of ball movement and tendency to allow All-Star Trae Young to control the ball for most possessions. Last month, Collins turned down a five-year, $90 million contract, well below the max extension he is reportedly expecting.
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Student STATEments Gerardo Navarro, GSU Freshman
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Less than two weeks after the Lady Panthers paused activity for a week on Dec. 30, the men’s team did the same on Friday. According to the press release, multiple anonymous individuals tested positive for COVID-19, leading to Georgia State canceling its Friday-Saturday series against the Trojans this past weekend. For their first competition since New Year’s Day, the men’s team will be hosting Coastal Carolina this weekend in a twogame series beginning Friday.
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THREE BIG THINGS
GAMES SUDOKU
t statem
all semester was pretty much a failure for me, but I’m hoping spring semester treats me well.
For the first time since 1995, the Browns won a playoff game, a 48-37 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday afternoon. Baker Mayfield, who threw for 263 yards and three touchdowns, was not born the last time the franchise won a postseason matchup. Other teams picking up Wild Card Weekend wins included the Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Rams, Tampa Bay Buccanneers, Baltimore Ravens and New Orleans Saints.
THE KICKBACK
TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2021
GAMES
15
COMIC
Your Comic Should be Here!
UPCOMING EVENTS FRIDAY
The Best Cup of Hot Chocolate 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Virtual Yoga by the Water 6:30 p.m. -7:30 p.m. Georgia Aquarium
Cultural Cafe 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. University Lofts/Virtual Wellness Wednesdays: New Year, New You 1:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. & 6:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Virtual
On-Campus Jobs Hiring Event 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Virtual Atlanta Campus Senate Meeting 7:15 p.m. location TBD
Social Proof Success Live 10 a.m. Virtual Women’s basketball at Coastal Carolina 6:00 p.m. Conway, SC
JAN 15
THURSDAY JAN 14
WEDNESDAY JAN 13
TUESDAY
SUNDAY
MONDAY
Men’s Basketball vs. Coastal Carolina 4:00 p.m GSU Sports Arena Garden Lights, Holiday Nights 5:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. Atlanta Botanical Garden
PRISM: Winter Lights 6:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. Daily Woodruff Park Netherworld’s Escape Room Games 2:00 p.m.- 9:00 p.m. Netherworld Haunted House
38th Annual MLK Day of Service 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Virtual Lunes con Éxito 11:00 a.m. -12:00 a.m. Virtual
JAN 18
SATURDAY JAN 17
JAN 16
JAN 12
THE KICKBACK