The Signal Vol. 88 No. 13

VOL. 88 | NO. 13

EST. 1933

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GEORGIA STATE GIFTS STUDENTS FOR TAKING COVID TEST PG.08

AND NOW, A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR MEN’S SOCCER’S VALIANT EFFORTS PG.13

PHOTO BY KARA MARTIN | THE SIGNAL

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BLOTTER NOV. 06

The lofty side of things

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At 10:51 a.m., A Georgia State student was a victim of vandalism in the Loft Parking Deck. The case is still active.

“I just want a free education”

A non-Georgia State offender criminally trespassed M Parking deck at 10:55 a.m. Police arrested the offender.

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NOV. 07

NOV. 11

The early bird gets the worm

When there’s unfinished business

NOV. 10

“May I ask your name?”

At 9 a.m., a non-Georgia State offender criminally trespassed through Centennial Hall’s rear exit door. Police exceptionally cleared the case.

Online does not equal safe space

A Georgia State student was a victim of online terroristic threats at 11:30 a.m. The case is still active.

At 1:17 a.m., a nonGeorgia State offender was arrested for failure to leave campus on the T deck.

NOV. 12

A non-Georgia State offender arrested for an unauthorized banned person in school at 4:37 p.m. on the T deck.

LOCAL

NATIONAL

GLOBAL

Westlake High School principal and wife drown

Miami Marlins create history with hire of Kim Ng

Egypt discovers 2,500 year-old tomb

Jamar Robinson and wife AnnMarie Robinson, a Georgia State University professor, died Sunday while vacationing in Puerto Rico. Investigators believe AnnMarie went underwater, and her husband tried to save her. Both unfortunately drowned.

Last night, the football team paid tribute by placing blue and pink wreaths on the sidelines and kneeling on the field.

Kim Ng is the first female and East Asian American to hold the general manager position in Major League Baseball history. Ng has broken records in MLB history before, in 1998 she was hired as assistant general manager of the New York Yankees from at age 29. She was the youngest person and second woman to hold the position at the time.

Egyptian authorities announced Saturday they had discovered close to 100 ancient coffins and 40 gilded statues at a massive burial site south of Cairo. Some of the sealed sarcophagi date back to more than 2,500 years ago. Khaled el-Anany, Egypt’s antiquities and tourism minister, said authorities will move artifacts to three Cairo museums near Giza’s famed Great Pyramids.

NEWS

November 17, 2020

WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM/NEWS

Construction workers have begun work on the adjacent addition to Library North.

PHOTO BY MATT SICILIANO-SALAZAR | THE SIGNAL

Georgia State’s $85.2 million project for Aug. 2022

Online classes and withdrawals may impact student visits to future Convocation Center MARY A. BRASSFIELD & J.P IRIE News Editor & Staff Reporpter

G

eorgia State’s current projects — the greenway, Hurt Park’s renovation and the convocation center — have been criticized after announcing these projects’ budgets. Since last year, Georgia State withdrawals have increased by 10% after students moved to online learning.

The patronage of the projects

It’s not clear if enough students will be on campus to enjoy the projects after crews complete their renovations.

Zuri Nelson, a senior at Georgia State, felt the construction projects would be a good addition to the campus.

“I like that [Georgia State] is adding some features to make going there feel more like the “typical” experience other students at other schools may get,” she said.

As The Signal reported last month, around 9,000 students have withdrawn from classes this semester.

As of Nov. 15, 1,599 students are enrolled in face-to-face classes across all campuses. Out of 4,614 undergraduate classes next semester, 2,893 (about 63%) are completely online.

Campus dining halls have already seen a decline in service, partially stemming from the volume of online classes, albeit on Perimeter campuses.

Many other restaurants near Georgia State have closed down due to COVID-19 causing less traffic throughout the university.

The number of students remaining at home these upcoming semesters has risen, along with those who will take virtual classes.

The convocation center

On Nov. 11, Andrea Jones posted an article to the Georgia State News Hub, celebrating broken ground for the new Convocation Center, which will house basketball events and ceremonies. The project is estimated to cost around $85.2 million.

“The new facility will also include classroom and academic support space as well as the ability to accommodate large conferences and esports tournaments,” the article stated.

The convocation center will provide indoor space for various

large gatherings; it will also be the new home of Panthers basketball.

The center will have the capacity to hold 7,300 people for basketball games, 7,500 for graduation events and 8,000 for concerts. This new renovation is an upgrade in construction compared to the previous center, which had a maximum capacity of 3,500 seats.

Construction for the project began this week. The site will be completed in August 2022.

The center is one of Georgia’s State’s latest construction projects purchased for retail development in 2017.

Progress on the greenway and library addition

The greenway site has not changed much, but the blue fabric that once covered the fences is now somewhat peeled off.

Construction workers have begun work on the adjacent addition to Library North and have constructed a wall surrounding the library’s doors to what used to be Kell Hall.

Adam Porter, a worker on the site, said Macallan Real Estate, based in Marietta, oversees the project. Collins Cooper Carusi Architects, based in Atlanta, designed the library addition.

Library North is still only accessible through Library South because construction for the greenway is not complete.

Construction has also started on the lighted walkway that will soon cross through the greenspace connecting Collins Street to Peachtree Center Avenue.

The finished project will include two new staircases, one that connects the Courtland Street bridge to a revamped ground-level entrance to Sparks Hall, and the other will link Langdale Plaza to the greenway down below. Crews will begin landscaping the communal green space, with benches and a bike trail. Students may use this space to have a place to sit, camp or study.

Macallan has worked with Georgia State before. The contractor also gave House Walker Architecture the job of designing the weight room’s expansion.

Meanwhile, Collins Cooper Carusi has done similar projects for Georgia State, including the CETL and CURVE rooms

in the Library building and the Student Success Center on Georgia State’s Decatur Campus.

In fact, Collins Cooper Carusi is the concessionaire for Corvias, the housing agency for the University System of Georgia; Corvias tasked the architectural firm with adding over 7,000 new beds to nine campuses.

Pond & Co is finishing the adjacent greenway. Based in Peachtree Corners, the architectural company has also done projects for various schools in the University System of Georgia. However, its main specialization is in infrastructure.

Porter is a worker of Porter Steel, a structural steel company based in Lilburn, Georgia, that MacMillan contracted for the project.

The greenway can be expected to be complete and open to the public by the end of the spring 2021 semester.

Progress on Hurt Park

At Hurt Park, the pavement is almost completely gone.

Orange fabric fences surround what will be a centerpiece pavement in the park.

In a budget meeting on Oct. 21, Vice President Ramesh Vakamudi, said the plan is to repair the fountain and redo the paved paths.

A few scattered homeless people hang out in neighboring Woodruff Park, which the Atlanta Urban Design Commission predicted would be one of the renovation’s effects in their 2019 staff report.

In September, Atlantans criticized Georgia State’s renovation for failing to address the issue of homelessness. Homeless people who once lived in the park now sleep on sidewalks or in neighboring parks.

Kimberly Bauer, senior director of Design and Construction Facilities Management, has not responded to media inquiries

by The Signal.

Georgia State has several large projects set for the coming years. If the pandemic continues and, along with it, quarantine and online-learning measures, these projects may not find patrons.

4

NEWS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020

After hosting a virtual commencement, Georgia State will now honor their 2020 graduates with a face-to-face ceremony.

PHOTO FROM GEORGIA STATE NEWS HUB

Georgia State will host in-person graduation in December The ceremony will celebrate spring and fall 2020 graduates MARY A. BRASSFIELD News Editor

D

ue to the COVID-19 pandemic, the university canceled all formal events, including graduation ceremonies for 2020 graduates.

On Dec.16 and 17, Georgia State will hold its 105th inperson commencement ceremony to celebrate all 2020 graduates.

Chandler Brown, coordinator of Administrative Communications at Georgia State, “We wish we were celebrating together in person today, Chandler Brown, coordinator of Administrative Communications at Georgia State said. [We] look forward to seeing everyone at our inperson ceremonies as soon as it is safe to do so,” After Georgia State saw the impact COVID-19 was having on in-person programs, their Division of Public Relations and Marketing began planning and created the virtual celebration event.

“We began planning ways to honor the class in March when we knew that an in-person ceremony would be postponed. Our plans came together in the last couple of weeks,” Andrea Jones, associate vice president of Public Relations and Marketing at Georgia State, said.

As Brown stated, Georgia State wanted to see an in-person commencement happen soon. Now that the university believes it is so, graduates will receive notifications to RSVP for the ceremony.

“We encourage graduates who feel safe and comfortable to attend in December [and] to submit their RSVP before the Nov. 15 deadline,” Jessica Weintraub, director of university events management, said.

Georgia State understands the importance of commencement for its students, and they want to make sure that graduates can celebrate safely.

“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,” 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.

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

Students can also stream the ceremony live online at the date and time posted for each event.

Graduates are not required to purchase regalia for the inperson ceremonies this semester, but if you wish to do so, the deadline to place your regalia order is Nov.13.

Out of an abundance of caution, graduates will be limited to four tickets.

“Trading tickets or giving away tickets is not permitted. This is to ensure that groups gathering at the stadium are no larger than [five] people,” Georgia State’s commencement website said.

Graduates can only sit in the stands with their guests and rise when the speaker announces their name and their picture appears on the screen.

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

Weintraub says this will be a strictly graduates-only ceremony, a faculty processional was also cancelled by Georgia State and no staff will receive tickets to attend.

“Spring deadlines for graduation applications are not until Dec. 6, and those numbers are continuing to grow to date,” she said.

•

Dec. 16 order of service will be as follows:

9 a.m. Graduate Degree Candidates • Master’s • Specialist • Professional • Ph.D. 1 p.m. Bachelor’s Degree Candidates • College of Arts and Sciences (last names A-L) • College of the Arts • School of Public Health 5 p.m. Bachelor’s Degree Candidates • College of Arts and Sciences (last names M-Z)

• •

College of Education and Human Development Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing and Health Professions

“

We encourage graduates who feel safe and comfortable to attend in December [and] to submit their RSVP before the Nov. 15 deadline.

”

— JESSICA WEINTRAUB

Director of University Events Management Dec. 17 order service will be as follows:

9 a.m. Bachelor’s Degree Candidates • J. Mack Robinson College of Business • Andrew Young School of Policy Studies 1 p.m. Associate Degree Candidates • Perimeter College “Earning a college degree is among the most meaningful and significant achievements of your lifetime,” President Mark Becker said at Georgia State’s first-ever virtual commencement.

Many students expressed frustration after the university announced that it was canceling in-person commencement.

Georgia State wants to make sure students feel honored for their accomplishments by host graduation.

5

THE SIGNAL

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020

ILLUSTRATION BY RUQAYYAH MUSLIM | THE SIGNAL

Georgia State students warn about cheating in GroupMe Dean of Students gives guidelines on how to prevent academic misconduct JADA JONES Associate Arts & Living Editor

A

pps like GroupMe could help students keep in touch with their classmates outside of the classroom, reminding each other of upcoming assignments and what happened in class if they are absent from class.

This semester, students relied on GroupMe more than ever due to most classes being online. The app’s increased use led to more cheating scandals and inappropriate messages circulating in an environment meant to be educational.

With the increased use of technology and apps like GroupMe, universities all over the country had to integrate cheating via GroupMe into their academic honesty policies.

LaRonda Brewer, assistant dean of students, said reported cases of academic dishonesty spiked since the university’s closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Brewer broke down the numbers of reported cases for fiscal year 20, spanning from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020, and the current fiscal year that began on July 1 and is still in progress.

According to Brewer, most of the reported cases trace back to students cheating while using LockDown Browser or plagiarism by turning in assignments and answers found on the internet.

“On the Atlanta campus for fiscal year 20, we had 292 cases.

For the current fiscal year, we have had 268 cases through Nov. 5.

This number indicates that work needs to be done to educate our community on academic integrity issues,” Brewer said.

Students use GroupMe to coordinate a small study group to meet in the library and collaborate on an assignment.

Collaborative efforts on assignments are considered cheating, according to the Dean of Students. Sending or discussing the answers to an assignment in a class GroupMe is the virtual equivalent.

“Some students started collaborating on assignments that were designed to be individual work, but may not [equate] these activities [to] physically coming together with other students to jointly write a paper,” Dr. Michael Sanseviro, Georgia State’s Dean of Students, said. “Whether in a virtual space or in-person, the rules for cheating and plagiarism are the same.”

Despite the intentions students may have when creating a GroupMe for a class, students must always be aware of what kind of information is in the chats. The definition of cheating in a GroupMe may be difficult for some students to follow.

Students may think the only individual reported to the Dean is the student who sends the answers to assignments, but this is false. Everyone in a GroupMe can be penalized for academic dishonesty, even if they were not aware of its occurrence.

A student may not consider that as flat-out cheating, but it is considered “preponderance of evidence” by Georgia State’s Policy

on Academic Honesty.

“Even if a student is not involved in cheating activities, simply having access to the information is a violation,” Sanseviro said.

“If you are a part of a GroupMe and witness inappropriate activities, capture the evidence, report it and then leave the group.”

Ashley Scott, junior at Georgia State, became a victim of academic dishonesty after someone in her organic chemistry GroupMe sent answers to a quiz.

She joined the chat at the beginning of the semester and said she kept the group’s notifications on mute. Scott wasn’t aware of the cheating until her professor gave everyone a zero for a quiz and sent out an email explaining the situation.

“

Even if a student is not involved in cheating activities, simply having access to the information is a violation.

— DR. MICHAEL SANSEVIRO

”

Georgia State Dean of Students

“I got an email from my professor saying, ‘There’s been suspected cheating and anyone suspected will get a zero and will be reported to the Dean of Students,’” Scott said. “I never saw what happened in [the] GroupMe. I can’t even tell you what material was in it. I never used it or opened it, and when I tried to go look at it, the whole group was already deleted.”

Now, Scott’s professor adds Georgia State’s academic honesty statement to every quiz and exam in iCollege. Her professor did this to remind students of the concrete details outlined in the academic honesty policy, so no student can attest they misunderstood the policy.

Students usually send GroupMe links to their entire class via

iCollege email, and professors can access the sent messages. So, from the start of the class GroupMe, the professor is aware of its existence.

Carlos Jasso, a sophomore at Georgia State, created a GroupMe for his critical thinking course to communicate and get to know his classmates. Jasso quickly learned that this might have been a mistake.

He explained that people were openly discussing quiz and exam material in the class GroupMe early into the semester. He noticed his professor sent a message to the group expressing his disappointment and anger. As the creator of the group, Jasso described feeling terrified.

He emailed his professor to explain his side of the story, and to his luck, his professor was understanding and stayed as a member of the group to caution further cheating.

“He ended up staying in it for the rest of the semester, which was sort of cool because he would answer all of our questions or just clear things up,” Jasso said.

Jackson Novel, a Georgia State alumnus, explained his run-in with his peers distributing sensitive information in his criminal justice class’ GroupMe. He said his professor was strict on cheating and that students must complete every assignment without notes or student collaboration.

“Early on, someone posted [answers], and someone commented ‘Guys, isn’t that cheating?’ and immediately got kicked [out],” Novel said. “That made it click that I should leave this group, like, right now.”

The professor found the GroupMe and posted to iCollege that he had everyone’s name in the group, and if those students did not confess, the professor would report everyone to the Dean.

Novel said his professor took no further action about the matter.

The procedure to resolve a file of academic dishonesty against a student is a lengthy process full of appeals and committee meetings. More severe cases involve the student, faculty member, department chair, college dean, Dean of Students and provost and can result in suspension or expulsion.

When joining a class GroupMe, students must check the chat to ensure no one is committing academic violations. Because one GroupMe chat can have hundreds of students, students are susceptible to being guilty by association.

“GroupMe cases can be very complex to know for sure who was involved in what specific violations when so many students have access, which is why the university tries to educate students about the standards of academic integrity and the potential consequences,” Sanseviro said.

OPINIONS

WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM/OPINIONS

November 17, 2020

Georgia State needs sensory rooms on campus Neurodivergent students deserve representation FAITH COLEMAN Staff Columnist

I

ILLUSTRATION BY MYAH ANGLIN | THE SIGNAL

Professors are overwhelmed with online courses

Georgia State needs to take staff’s well being into consideration MADI CLARK Staff Columnist

I

magine this: you’re entering the twelfth week of a pandemic-stricken, 2020 fall semester at Georgia State, waiting urgently — for weeks — on email responses from three out of four of your professors. Almost everything you’re assigned feels like busywork, and one of them has yet to grade a single assignment.

How passionate are you about being a student right now?

On the contrary, imagine you are a professor with more assignments to grade and less time to do it now that most classes are virtual (and the in-person ones require extreme social distancing measures). You are overworked, overwhelmed and aren’t getting paid any extra for the stress.

How passionate are you about being an instructor right now?

Bridging the communication gap between students and professors — particularly in virtual class spaces — is a necessary endeavor. After all, nobody should expect students to fully commit to their school work if their professors can no longer fully commit to teaching.

From vague grading to assignment overload and Zoom issues, it seems as though instructors are burning out alongside their students at this

point in the semester. In a poll that I recently conducted on Reddit, 141 of over 200 anonymous Georgia State students claimed that instructor burnout is negatively affecting their ability to learn.

“I don’t even feel like I’m taking classes. [I’m] just filling out worksheets from a mysterious void,” student Mat Shankute said in the comments.

Similarly, an anonymous student thinks it is “infuriating and stressful” to be so far into the semester and yet so clueless about their grades.

Though Georgia State’s first fulllength semester of mostly online learning concludes soon, things are likely to be the same way in the spring. With that said, it is critical to explore ways for the university to support both students and professors during such an uncertain time.

As far as student support goes, the university could incorporate socialemotional learning (SEL) practices into virtual classrooms next spring.

Both Thiel College in Pennsylvania and the University of Wisconsin have tested the SEL method, which would help students with self-assessment, emotional management, decisionmaking and more. Furthermore, it would ideally promote better

communication with professors.

In addition, Georgia State should check in on both parties more regularly — this could mean anything from online surveys to reliable email updates. Whatever the means, university officials need to closely monitor how both their students and employees are faring right now.

It is crucial to recognize that many professors have worked hard to keep their classes alive during this time.

According to The Signal , professor opinions on the university’s new teaching strategies “varied across departments” back in August. Some were ready for a smooth transition to virtual learning, while others faced more challenging obstacles.

“I only have one professor that hasn’t graded a single assignment and has been all over the place,” student Tryphose Asra said in the poll comments, “everyone else has been on it.”

There is real hope for improvement next semester, but the university has to intervene on some level and relieve everyone involved. Professors are working employees and deserve to be appropriately accommodated by their employers; students are paying for their education and deserve to receive it.

n 2018, Adelphi University opened a new sensory room for students with autism spectrum disorder.

Sensory rooms are spaces designed to help individuals with sensory issues learn to regulate their brain’s adverse reactions to external stimuli by developing coping skills for these experiences.

Georgia State ranks second in the nation for innovation and third in commitment to undergraduate teaching rankings. How can we claim to be innovative and dedicated to undergraduate teaching while students with special needs are left with nowhere to focus, relieve stress or feel valued?

Georgia State should invest more funding into special disability services, so there can be a sensory room like Adelphi University.

Students with autism spectrum disorders have extremely acute senses.

Because of this, they can suffer from sensory overload. Certain textures, tastes, sounds, lights and smells can make them nervous, irritable or upset.

Sensory rooms allow students with autism and ADHD to self-regulate their behaviors. They create a calm space for neurodivergent students to focus and relieve stress. Adelphi University’s sensory room has low lighting, a sensory wall, softtextured floors, a porch swing to sway back and forth and oversized bean bags.

Adelphi University was founded in 1896, but students with special needs waited until 2018 to be accomodated.

Other than the disability services that universities

are required to offer, not many universities have sensory rooms for neurodivergent students.

To get another perspective on neurodivergent representation and daily struggles, I interviewed Amaiya Parker, a Georgia State junior with an 18-year-old brother with high-functioning autism.

When asked if institutions have enough policies for students with special needs, she said, “I think the problem is when institutions don’t have the money to accommodate these kids, corners are cut.”

Her brother Jaden, a high school senior, is gathering his options for college. Parker said that a sensory room on campus would make Georgia State a more appealing option for her brother.

We discussed what causes sensory overload for Jaden: bright lights, loud noises and table residue from cups. When asked about how she would feel if Georgia State announced the opening of an oncampus sensory room in 2023, she said she’d be extremely happy and that this decision would be “amazing” and “progressive.”

Adding a sensory room to campus would show the true innovative spirit of Georgia State.

Sensory rooms dedicated to students with special-needs reveal an effort towards neurodivergent inclusivity. Hopefully, Georgia State invests more time and money towards neurodivergent advancement services.

Neurodivergent students are worthy of being heard and valued.

Georgia State’s disability services are not enough.

OPINIONS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020

7

Put on a mask and support small businesses Small Business Saturday matters more than ever CALLIE MCNORTON Staff Columnist

T

he hustle and bustle of the holiday season will look a little different this year. However, this season will still bring light to a tumultuous year with more online shopping than ever before and Zoom holiday parties. As loved ones begin to shop for Christmas presents on Black Friday or Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday is a day shoppers should all but overlook.

Small Business Saturday became a national holiday nine years ago, and since then has cultivated a culture of supporting local businesses. This year continues to be a gut punch to small businesses; with COVID numbers on the rise, the amount of uncertainty since March remains. As holiday shoppers will do the bulk of their shopping online, small business owners may continue to see a decline in sales.

With 64% or less of small businesses having websites, consumers should find COVIDfriendly ways to support them.

Refuge Coffee is a small non-profit business that has been in Clarkston for almost 10 years. In early 2020, it opened a location on Georgia State’s campus. Refuge employs immigrants and refugees and cultivates their mission of “welcome” through coffee.

“Our mission is to provide living-wage fulltime jobs, job training and mentorship to resettled refugees in Atlanta’s backyard,” founder Kitti Murray said. “We work with our trainees to tell a more beautiful refugee story, opening people’s eyes to the vibrancy and resilience of most refugees.”

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Refuge Coffee recognized its vulnerable position as a small business and adjusted to the new normal. When dine-in

was not an option, they opened a drive-thru.

When catering came to a standstill, the recognizable Refuge Coffee Truck did neighborhood visits.

“Small businesses are at the heart of our communities. They celebrate the assets of a community: its people.

They not only create jobs.

They create a way for people to be known and cared for in real time,” Murray said.

According to an Alignable poll, 34% of 7,726 small business owners struggled to pay rent in October. Of those owners, 31% believed that consumer confidence in the fight against COVID is key to this predicament.

Even though Refuge Coffee adjusted in innovative ways, the Sweet Auburn location and catering business took an 80% hit in revenue.

Small businesses are essential to the economy and our communities.

At the height of the pandemic, we found ourselves with no other option but to scroll for hours online. As businesses like Refuge Coffee continue to stay open and safe for customers, it is time for us to give back to those who are always there for our community.

Small Business Saturday falls on Nov. 28 this year.

In Clarkston, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Refuge will be hosting a Shop Refuge event. All donated clothing items will be $2 or less.

There will also be a Winter Market on Dec. 5. Local vendors will be selling their one-of-a-kind art, jewelry and clothes. This event is the opportunity to ditch mass-produced items and start your Christmas shopping off right.

If you find yourself able, support Refuge in Clarkston or in between classes right on campus.

Small businesses are more than just businesses; they’re a part of the community.

ILLUSTRATION BY ROE GASSETT | THE SIGNAL

Arts and humanities majors need to be respected

Forcing a minor is forcing a stereotype on arts majors ALYSSIA HARDGE Staff Columnist

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onsidering I’m paying for my education, I should get a say in what classes I take. There is no reason students within specific majors should be required to declare a minor.

media majors and journalism majors are required to declare a minor, while nursing majors and chemistry majors aren’t.

Is the university trying to send the message that arts and humanities majors don’t take up just as much time and effort as STEM majors? We pay our tuition to receive an education to hopefully better our future lives. When students have to add a minor to the situation, they are left to deal with extra costs for classes that they did not want to take in the first place.

Suppose a student chose to come to a university to study in a specific field. In that case, the university should not force the student to study an additional field that, nine times out of ten, has no real connection to their major.

College is like an aquarium. In this aquarium, there are many varying species of marine life in different exhibits.

Every creature has unique features and a unique way of living; we appreciate these differences. Imagine taking a tiny baby turtle and throwing it with the sharks in the middle of their childhood. That is what the university is doing to arts and humanities majors. If we wanted to swim — ALYSSIA HARDGE with the sharks, we should make that Staff Columnist decision ourselves.

As a journalism major, it’s an annoying reminder that I will eventually need to In a survey I conducted with 10 declare a minor. Being a freshman in a Georgia State juniors, seven of them GSU1010 class, I am learning a lot about mentioned that the only reason they are the university as a whole. Being both a minoring in the field they are in now journalist and a student, I am discovering is because the school required it. Did the untold flaws of the university system. you know that not all majors require a Did you know there is no music minor minor? I know for a fact that film and

“

It is not fair to require students to declare a minor just because the university system may not deem their major difficult enough to stand alone.

”

listed on the Georgia State website? I’m sure I could take some classes on that specific subject, but what about my love for music or playing my instruments?

I would have majored in music if I saw myself pursuing a full-time career in it. I see myself pursuing a career to be a journalist, so being able to minor in music would have been the next best thing for me. I shouldn’t have to commit to music to be able to enjoy it in my college life.

A lot of students find themselves in a similar situation. The university forces students to pick a minor, often one they have no interest in at all. The university neglects to provide options to our students, the opportunity to choose a minor closely related to our careers or passions.

There are options, no doubt: I could minor in creative writing, English or film and media. However, I am not interested in adding on to my workload. I’m only a freshman, and I know between my personal life, school, and work, my future self will not want to add more classes to her schedule.

So, dear Georgia State University, it’s time to accept that arts and humanities majors put just as much work into their desired field as STEM majors. It is not fair to require students to declare a minor just because the university system may not deem their major difficult enough to stand alone. It is our money, our education. We students should have a say in not only what classes we take but what we decide to focus our attention on while enrolled at the university.

This Week’s Spread: NEWS WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM/NEWS

On-campus students receive gifts for taking COVID-19 tests Georgia State offers students incentives to increase accurate reporting LEAH LI Staff Reporter

G

eorgia State housing offers gifts and incentive drawings for students taking COVID-19 tests on Free COVID-19 testing campus to encourage more people to get tested. signage can be found Since Sept. 28, University Housing started to provide $5 located around the vouchers for on-campus dining sites like Chick-Fil-A and Atlanta campus.

Steak ‘n Shake for housing students who take COVID-19 tests on-campus.

To encourage more students to get tested, every week from Oct. 26 through Dec. 4, tested students will qualify for incentive drawings for prizes up to a $500 housing credit.

As a result, they designed a weekly prize drawing, which includes different kinds of gifts beginning November 2, such as gift cards to the bookstore, an Apple TV and an Amazon Fire Stick.

A student waits to be tested at one of the testing locations on campus.

Initially, housing directors decided to give away gift vouchers because of the increasing positive test rates and the decreasing number of COVID-19 tests in September among students who live in the dorms.

Since there are prizes given, more housing students are getting tested. The Georgia State COVID-19 resources website states that the number of tests increased by over 50% compared to September when the testing sites weren’t offering gifts. According to the weekly testing summary, not only are more people getting tested after the implemented gift plan, but the positive test rate also decreased from 5.1% to 1.7%.

However, the percentage of students getting tested is still insufficient to meet the housing directors’ expectations.

“All residents have the ability to get tested weekly,” Shannon Corey, the interim director

and associate director of residence life, said.

“We would love to have 100% of residents participate in the weekly testing.”

Students are taking an active role in maintaining a safe housing environment.

Guilherme Silva, a freshman living in Piedmont North, received a $5 Chick-fil-A voucher from COVID-19 testing here on campus.

“I think they have put [safety] precautions like hand sanitizer stations, floor markings and masks; overall, I would say it’s safe,” Silva said.

From her perspective, Georgia State faculty and students are doing a decent job as the dining halls are sanitized regularly, more people are wearing masks, and temperature checking is required to enter the Recreation Center.

“However, when I go outside, I sometimes see students with their masks down, which concerns me a bit. But I think the efforts are working since I tested negative,” she said.

Georgia State is offering a to get COVID tested.

Although most stude satisfied with Georgia St COVID-19 prevention m some still think addition can be made to make it “Even if the on-camp COVID testing is conve is not completely perfec said. “There is not enoug distancing at the testing this, it is still very safe o As this is only the fir that University Housing implemented the prize d plan, it is too early to rel complete statistics on ho students’ testing willingn However, whether stude motivated or motivated housing directors want t housing residents get tes On-campus students at a higher risk of contra COVID-19, as results sh virus spreads easier on p college campuses.

a $5 PantherDining gift card for students who volunteer

ents are tate’s measures, nal changes better. pus enient, it ct,” Patel gh social g site. Despite overall.” rst week g has drawing lease ow it affects ness. ents are selfby the gifts, to see more sted. s are acting how the populated

A survey done by The New York Times shows that U.S. colleges reported over 210,000 cases, the University of Georgia had over 4,000 cases, and Georgia Tech had over 900. As a result, colleges are seeking effective ways to lower their positive rates.

In response, Corey thinks housing residents have done well at following guidelines and helping to keep the infection rate low.

“The important thing is that we all continue to … take responsibility for both our own and our community’s health and safety,” she said. “Our consistent and persistent efforts to wear masks, social distance and get tested will only aid us in preventing further spread of COVID-19.”

Georgia State will continue to follow the guidelines published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Student Health Clinic is offering testing for students in a tent located outside of the Commons.

“Currently, wearing masks, social distancing and testing remain the primary ways to prevent community spread, Corey said. “University Housing is encouraging all of these methods on a consistent basis.”

Georgia State is also offering free walk-up testing for all students beginning the week of Nov. 9 to understand the COVID-19 condition on campus better.

After a surge of protests all over the country that led to a rapid result of positive cases, the U.S.’s total number surpassed 10 million.

Therefore, Wendy Hensel, the provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, said that Georgia State is continuing the blended model for the spring 2021 semester to maintain a safe campus environment.

Faculties can also request for larger classrooms to ensure safety while encouraging more students to show up.

The Georgia Department of Public Health suggests students who recently traveled to stay home or quarantine for two weeks. The International Student and Scholar Services is prepared to help any international students who have travel concerns.

Amid the pandemic, Georgia State continues to work to provide a safe campus and high-quality academics. There are now three testing sites on the downtown campus located in Dahlberg Hall, Patton Hall and the 75 Piedmont building.

“

Currently, wearing masks, social distancing and testing remain the primary ways to prevent community spread.

”

— SHANNON COREY

Interim Director and Associate Director of Residence Life

The Perimeter campuses have one testing site each. They all welcome every Georgia State student, faculty and staff to take COVID-19 tests, regardless if they have symptoms or not.

PAGE DESIGN BY MONIQUE ROJAS | THE SIGNAL

ARTS & LIVING

WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM/ARTSANDLIVING

November 17, 2020

ILLUSTRATION BY XX | THE SIGNAL

Simply Signal recipes: southern-style sweet potato soufflé Thanksgiving dishes students look forward to most KARA MARTIN Staff Reporter

Cook time: 50 minutes Prep: 20 minutes Total cook time: 1 hour and 15 minutes Yields: 6 to 8 servings Ingredients:

• • • • • • • •

3 lbs of sweet potatoes 4.5 oz of evaporated milk 5 tbs of melted butter 1 tsp of vanilla extract 2 eggs ½ cup of brown sugar ½ tsp of cinnamon 1 cup of marshmallows (topping)

T

hanksgiving is a holiday that many look forward to every year. It’s a time for showing gratitude and spending time with loved ones. There is no better way to celebrate than with a hot plate of delicious food.

When people think of Thanksgiving, it often reminds them of their grandma’s best recipe that they have been waiting for all year. It can also be a time to show off one’s skills in the kitchen.

It can be especially hard to make room for all the different kinds of food during Thanksgiving.

Everyone has their favorites such

Steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and butter a casserole dish.

2. Peel and dice the sweet potatoes and add to a large pot of cold water. Bring the water to a boil on high heat, then reduce to a simmer for 20 minutes or until the potatoes are tender. Pour potatoes into a colander to drain in the sink.

as the sides, the meats or even the desserts. Sophomore Yazmine Borner’s favorite dish is a classic: baked macaroni and cheese.

“I always look forward to my mom’s macaroni and cheese no matter what the occasion is because no one does it better than her,” Borner said. “I really like all of the cheese she puts in there and how creamy it is when it comes out the oven.”

The dressing is one of junior Katelyn Edwards’ favorite parts of Thanksgiving, and she can’t keep her hands off the dish. When her grandmother makes it, it never stays

on the table for too long.

“My grandma’s dressing is one of my go-to sides during Thanksgiving dinner, and it is even better paired with cranberry sauce,” Edwards said. “She makes it her own by adding turkey meat to it. I think that’s what makes it so good.”

For those with a sweet tooth, there’s no better way to finish the night off than with some dessert.

Southern-style sweet potato soufflé topped with marshmallows will be just the thing to cure anyone’s sweet tooth.

3. Mash the potatoes in a bowl and mix in brown sugar, cinnamon, evaporated milk, vanilla, butter and beaten eggs. Put in a blender for a smoother consistency, then pour into a casserole dish and bake for 20-25 minutes.

4. Remove casserole from the oven and top with marshmallows and any other desired ingredients. Place back in the oven for 5 to 10 minutes or until marshmallows are golden brown. Let it cool, then serve.

This dish is a sweet treat that is not only easy to make but is sharable with the whole family.

Whether it’s made by the book or with a twist, it is still a great dessert to end the day.

Happy Thanksgiving from The Signal to the students at Georgia State.

ARTS&LIVING

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020

11

Holidays bring music, food and good company

Students share their favorite parts of holiday celebrations HANNAH ELISE JONES Arts & Living Editor

C

old weather, long-awaited reunions and warm meals define the holiday season. This year may include more computer screens and video calls, but the holiday spirit lives on.

When senior Zuri Nelson considers Christmas, she thinks about holiday music and hanging candy canes on the tree with her family, adding, “I just love everything about Christmas.”

Nelson’s favorite part of the holiday is Christmas Eve. Her family has a tradition of making hot chocolate, hot dogs and s’mores while watching “A Christmas Story.”

Ever since she was a kid, her family has donned pajamas and watched a movie that she “could probably quote word-for-word the entire time [she is] watching it.”

She cherishes the tradition and recalls one year when her parents tried to change the night’s plans.

“There was this one year that my parents were trying to go to a Christmas party that was on Christmas Eve, and I literally started crying,” Nelson said. “[Now I think,] ‘Zuri, you had no business crying at 13 years old about that.’

That was the last time my parents ever tried to break the tradition.”

The pandemic hasn’t altered Nelson’s holiday plans, but senior Sam Cohen plans to stay in Atlanta for Hanukkah and light a menorah over video chat with his family.

A menorah features nine candles. The middle candle is lit on the first night and is used to light one candle each night. In the second century B.C., a group of Jewish rebels known as the Maccabees had enough oil to light a menorah for one night, but the flame stayed alive for eight nights.

For Cohen, the holiday represents “another Jewish miracle.”

He usually goes home to celebrate the first and eighth night of Hanukkah. Otherwise, he celebrates on-campus with the Gamma Alpha chapter of the Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity or organizations like Hillel.

Cohen fills his eight days with songs, gifts and a sense of togetherness. “[At home], we turn off all the electronics and talk for a little bit, and I feel like it’s a good time for all of us to tune out and celebrate the holiday,” Cohen said.

“It’s something special.

It’s probably one of my favorite holidays.”

Reuniting with others is his favorite part of the season, adding, “It’s like a good time of unity between everyone.”

Kwanzaa, founded by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966, emphasizes family, community and culture.

Kwanzaa is celebrated internationally, predominantly by people of African descent. According to the Atlanta Regional Kwanzaa Association, the celebration lasts seven days, ending on Jan. 1, and includes songs and dances, drums and a large traditional African meal.

Every night, families gather to light one candle on the candle holder, called a Kinara. Each candle represents one of the seven principles, which translated are: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.

The holidays are a time to take a well-deserved break, indulge in good food and wish for snow.

Even if there are a few changes this year, take the time to pick out a Christmas tree, grab a menorah or Kinara and fulfill longtime traditions.

Atlanta organizations are building community while advocating for climate crisis solutions such as the Green New Deal.

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY SUN RISE MOVEMENT

Local organizations expand environmental movement’s focus

Social justice and political activism are integral to the effort HANNAH MAY JONES Staff Reporter

D

rastic global sea-level rise. The eradication of coral reefs. Mass desertification leaving 19% of land uninhabitable.

According to a 2018 IPCC report, these

“

No matter who you are or who you vote for, I think we can all get behind the message of sustainable living.

”

— BLAKE FOWLER

Georgia State’s Student Environmental Team Horticulturist are just a few potential consequences of the climate crisis that Earth could see within this century. The report warns that tens of millions could face displacement if governments, corporations and people fail to take radical action within the next nine years.

Local environmental organizations see the importance of building community as they continue to adapt and organize in favor of comprehensive climate action.

Sunrise Movement Atlanta is a group that focuses on environmental activism and social justice while advocating for the Green New Deal. Erica Darragh, their communications team lead, says there are many misconceptions about the Green New Deal.

“The Green New Deal is not a piece of legislation,” she said. “It’s a governing vision to transform our entire economic and energy system in order to address climate change within the amount of time that scientists say we have to avoid catastrophic, irreversible ecological damage.”

The group sees political engagement as essential to the environmental movement. During the general election, they supported Joe Biden, Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff, whom they will continue to advocate for in the Senate runoff election. Georgia State junior Gana Kukkala, the group’s politics co-team lead, says getting these candidates into office is just the beginning of Sunrise Atlanta’s work.

“We have supported these campaigns and will continue supporting them,” Kukkala said. “But after Inauguration Day and once the Senate is in session, we’re going to have to put all the pressure that we can to push these people further left so that we don’t put any more lives in danger.”

Student Environmental Team (SET) is a Georgia State student organization that maintains a rooftop garden at Center Parc Stadium. They aim to fight food insecurity by donating their excess harvests to Panther Food Recovery Network.

Senior Blake Fowler, SET’s

horticulturist, says that practicing sustainability is in everyone’s best interest.

“Right now, in the [U.S.] at least, everything has seemed to become a partisan issue,” he said. “No matter who you are or who you vote for, I think we can all get behind the message of sustainable living, at least to some degree.”

Darragh wants people to know that the climate crisis is about more than just environmental protection.

“Climate change [isn’t] just about polar bears and deforestation,” she said. “It’s about the concentration of wealth and power in such a disproportionate way that it has completely taken over the priorities of governments around the world.”

Fowler says getting involved in a sustainable project such as a community garden is a great way for students to make a difference.

“Something that I’ve been looking into … is the function of community gardening as a way to supplement communities that are struggling with getting food because of [Atlanta’s] food desert issue,” he said.

Although the climate crisis can feel overwhelming, Darragh says that remaining optimistic and participating in activism is a worthy pursuit. “[We must activate] young people to help them see themselves as changemakers because we all have a role to play right now,” she said. “This is history being made right now. When we win, and we get to write the story of how we saved the planet, what will have taken place?”

SPORTS

November 17, 2020

WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM/SPORTS

So, about this Convocation Center: What is it?

Update on new event and sports facility, set to open in 2022 JULIAN HARDEN Staff Reporter

T

Paul Tyson and the Panthers defended home-field well against the Bears but fell to a loss on Sunday afternoon.

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY GSU ATHLETICS

Panthers fall just short of glory in Sun Belt Final Despite the loss, the Panthers should hold their heads high AARON WILSON, JR. Staff Reporter

T

he Sun Belt Conference Men’s Soccer Tournament is over, and with it goes the Panthers’ 2020 soccer season, as the team finishes their season 9-2-2.

The team put together another great year with head coach Brett Surrency collecting his 100th career win as a head coach.

Georgia State led the nation with 24 goals scored and boasts several players with conference recognition.

George Proctor picked up his second Sun Belt Player of the Year award and received his first Defensive Player of the Year Award. Aris Briggs earned his second Offensive Player of the Year award.

Along with those achievements, Georgia State featured on the first-team All-Sun Belt Team: Briggs, Fearnley, Ross Finnie, Proctor, Ramon Munoz and Paul Tyson.

Georgia State hoped to reach its sixth-straight conference championship match with so much achieved in the regular season. They had to get through the third-seeded Central Arkansas Bears first.

An early seventh-minute goal from the Bears (in the last minute) marked the first goal the Panthers conceded in the first half of any game this season.

Georgia State responded with increased aggression from a Georgia State team that looked out of sync with themselves.

Small errors and miscommunication led to visible frustration from all 11 players, most notably the attacking three.

That frustration held over to the second half as the Panthers finally took their first shot of the game in the second half. Briggs and Fearnley also became more involved, but they still trailed, and time went by rapidly.

With desperation setting in, freshman Alex Henderson found the back net at the 87th minute off Proctor’s assist. The Panthers found new life and hoped to save their undefeated streak at home in 2020.

After two 10-minute extra periods, the scoreboard still read 1-1. Thus, additional time decided the semi-final.

Would a home-field advantage hold true as junior Logan Luque thought?

“We haven’t lost on our home field this year, much less conceded a goal. So home-field advantage is definitely a thing for this team,” Luque said before the semi-final.

Gunter Rankenburg replaced Paul Tyson in goal for Georgia State and iced the shootout with a crafty fake to throw off the Bear’s shooter, then ended it 4-2 with a save to propel Georgia State back to the championship match.

After playing 110 minutes plus penalty kicks, the home-field advantage may have been more so hometown advantage, making sense why Luque and team were happy about hosting the Sun Belt

Tournament.

“The idea of a long away trip where you’re staying away from home for almost a whole week is never a fun thing.

So when we heard it was going to be hosted by us this year, we were all happy,” Luque said.

In the finals, the top-seeded team in the Sun Belt, the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers, opposed the Panthers for their fourth meeting in the last five years.

The much-anticipated final seemed like it would end in a closely contested affair. Georgia State played nearly 73 minutes without Proctor after he received an immediate red card.

The Panthers still attacked and faced pressure throughout the match. But, they managed to hold their own each time to outlast the Chanticleers’ strong attacking front. Ultimately, the Panthers made it to overtime, and penalty kicks decided their fate for the second time in two days.

No one can question the Panthers’ fitness as injuries and cramps from the opposing teams halted both games numerous times, while Georgia State kept play moving.

However, fitness and toughness were not enough. In a match of similar skill sets, Georgia State fell in penalties 4-3.

With the loss, the Panthers end a strong season, and Coastal Carolina advances to the spring’s NCAA Tournament.

wo years after Georgia State announced plans to build an 8,000 seat basketball complex near the newly named Credit Parc Stadium, the buzz for the multi-million dollar facility has calmed down. Does that mean it will not happen?

Well, let’s find out, shall we?

First, let’s meet the convocation center, slated for a groundbreaking ceremony today at 10 a.m. Georgia State University President Mark Becker will host the event at 455 Capitol Avenue.

Georgia State originally planned to break ground in summer 2019 and have construction finished in 2022.

As it stands, the stadium will open for the 2022 season to host their in-city rival Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

The stadium will hold 7,300 people for basketball games with the ability to expand to many as 8,000 audience members for concerts.

Ben Moore of 247Sports notes the stadium is not only on track but will also be stateof-the-art. “[Georgia State] is looking to break ground either later this year or early 2021,” Moore said. “The arena will host concerts, something that we don’t have at the complex.”

The convocation center will replace the 3,800-seat Georgia State Sports Arena, giving it the ability to host various events, from concerts to commencement ceremonies. The sports complex built in 1972 served the Panthers’ programs well for decades, but as Georgia State seeks to improve, they need a new facility.

For an up-and-coming basketball program like Rob Lanier’s Panthers, the outdated Georgia State Sports Arena lacks the space to host big-time college basketball games.

“Going in, Georgia State really wanted to make the stadium to be an event center to increase revenue,” Moore said.

The multi-purpose center

will serve as Georgia State athletics’ most vital through its ability to serve as a yearround venue for various events. For Georgia State, having a year-round revenue is pivotal as it rises among the ranks of mid-major athletic programs.

The convocation center will be north of Credit Parc Stadium, at the northwest corner of Fulton Street and Capitol Avenue. The stadium will sit next to the Capitol building and hold classrooms and support other notable events, such as esports tournaments.

However, notable changes are happening regarding the convocation center. Initially, the university announced the venue would cost $79 million, but the budget rose to over $80 million, despite the stadium coming in undersized. The venue will now hold just over 7,500 seats, down from the original 8,000. The stadium decreased from 200,000 square feet to 120,000 but is still a massive upgrade.

The new arena’s current $85 million price tag is the most expensive basketball facility in the Sun Belt Conference. In 2019, Sun Belt coaches ranked Georgia State facilities as one of the worst in the conference, despite the Panthers’ exceptional basketball performance in recent years.

Putting the convocation center close to the football stadium creates more synergy between the football and the basketball programs. Students will also be able to travel to both with more access between the two. Even with the scaled-back design, the new arena’s opportunities to host various events guarantee increased fan support at events.

The only question remaining is the stadium’s name, and there has not been information on naming rights partners yet. The convocation center will be the crown jewel of Georgia State athletics.

SPORTS

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020

13

Joe Jones ready to capture a conference title

Following a tough freshman year, the center is set to bounce back MARQUIS CHAMBERS Staff Reporter

I

n sports, the community can create lifelong camaraderie and friendship among teammates, coaches and even your siblings, for that matter.

Along with the sports and basketball community, some young players tend to mold their game after professional players and look to them as motivation sources. Very few, however, can look in their own homes for that motivation from a former No. 1 overall pick.

Joe Jones III, sophomore center for Georgia State men’s basketball team, is the little brother of Greg Oden, who was selected first overall in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers. On his journey to make a name for himself and play at the next level, his older brother has motivated and inspired him to take the game seriously.

“I would say he motivated me,” Jones said.

“Going to his games, who [doesn’t] want to play in front of all these people [and] top talent? Who doesn’t want to do that?”

Head Coach Rob Lanier and his staff recognized Jones, who was in Canada at the time. They loved what they had seen in the sixfoot nine-inch 225-pound big man when they visited him. The Buffalo native Jones appreciated the interest Lanier and his staff presented him with.

“With Coach Lanier and the staff, it was just genuine,” Jones said. “He always said he cared about us more than basketball … He cares about us as basketball players and men.”

Entering his sophomore season, Jones takes that motivation and uses it to produce on the basketball court. While playing in all 32 games and starting 23 his freshman year, Jones prides himself on becoming the perfect “do everything” type of player.

“The garbage player ... that’s me,” Jones said. “He might not have 20 points

a game … But he’s going to do the little things and bang down low. That’s me.

That’s what people don’t get enough credit for.”

Jones’ statistics did not tell his story: 3.5 points and 3.5 rebounds per game will never bounce off the stat sheet to anyone. But the hard work and motivation he received from his older brother translated into his play on the court and significantly contributed to the program.

“

He might not have 20 points a game … But he’s going to do the little things and bang down low.

That’s me.

That’s what people don’t get enough credit for.

”

— JOE JONES

Georgia State Men’s Basketball Being in the gym every day and showing his dedication to get better has made him a forceful rim protector. He finished his rookie season with 16 blocks.

Jones, along with his teammates, has helped establish a winning culture in the Georgia State men’s basketball program, gearing them up to start the season with one goal on their mind.

“We all just want to win,” Jones said. “We’re all already competitors … We all want to win and win a ring, keep going, get to the

Detroit native, Jalen Thomas, has come a long way from troubled neighborhoods to the perks of being a division 1 athlete.

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY GSU ATHLETICS

Jalen Thomas ready to shine in year two under Rob Lanier

The sophomore big is ready to show his potential MALIKAI COLLINS Staff Reporter

F

or Jalen Thomas, basketball seemed like destiny from the start, as both his father and grandfather played college basketball.

The sophomore forward became the second highest-ranked recruit to sign to Georgia State after an illustrious high school career, featuring a Michigan championship, two final four appearances and numerous awards.

When Thomas was asked about his inspiration to play basketball, he pointed to one special person in his life and a special goal.

“I was always pretty tall and wanted to follow my father’s footsteps,” Thomas said. “I want to be the first in my family to make it to the NBA.” During his freshman year, Thomas started in seven of the 32 games he played, averaging six points, three rebounds and a block in 17 minutes.

But the numbers did not come easy, as he found out quickly.

“In high school, guys weren’t really my size. There were a few guys my size, but the competition isn’t like college, where everybody is pretty good,” Thomas said. “Guys are bigger, stronger [and] faster. The workouts are harder. The practices are longer.”

Being a high school athlete is an extracurricular activity, but collegiate athletes must treat their sport as a full-time job.

In his first start against the Dartmouth Big Green, Thomas scored seven points and grabbed six rebounds in 22 minutes.

“I felt overwhelmed. My coaches told me before the game that I would be starting. I had so many emotions when I found out the news,” Thomas said. “It became overwhelming, but I was ready to get out there and help the team win.”

As a top-250 ranked player in the

Heading into the 2020-2021 season, Thomas plans to take a leadership role on the team.

“Definitely getting that experience last year, knowing what it takes to make a difference, I’m definitely going to be more vocal on the court and not let my emotions show,” Thomas said.

Thomas played against many big men with different play styles last year as a regular starter for the Panthers.

With that experience under his belt, he understands what facets of his game must develop to make the jump in year two.

“I’ve always had the ability to shoot but wasn’t really able to show it last year. I’ve been working on my shot over the summer and hope to shoot a couple of threes in the game this year,” Thomas said.

With the way the big man is evolving in basketball, one who has the skill set of a wing player seems to — JALEN THOMAS be essential in modern basketball.

Georgia State “I also need to work on my Men’s Basketball perimeter game, become more of a wing-oriented player with the passing and ball-handling aspects of my game country coming out of high school, to help me at that next level,” Thomas Thomas felt pressure to make an said. immediate difference for a collegiate Most underclassmen lack Thomas’ basketball program. passion for the game. He balances “I definitely did [feel pressure], but my teammates and coaches helped me being humble with self-confidence to demonstrate his maturity on the court. get comfortable, and being ranked, With numerous weapons on his team, I definitely wanted to come in and he should have every opportunity as make a difference immediately,” Thomas said. the Panthers return to action.

“

I’ve been working on my shot over the summer and hope to shoot a couple of threes in the game this year.

”

November 17, 2020

THREE BIG THINGS

GAMES SUDOKU

UNIVERSITY

STATE

NATIONAL

Men’s soccer loses in SBC Final, multiple players recognized

Falcons win a 34-27 thriller over Broncos in Atlanta

Buckle up for tomorrow’s NBA Draft

After consecutive games testing their stamina, the men’s soccer team fell short in Sunday’s Sun Belt Tournament final, losing 4-3 in penalty kicks. The team had six players named to the first-team All-Conference roster. As Brett Surrency caps off his 11th season with the Panthers, a foundation of hard work and exceptional play on the field continues to spell the team’s success.

Matt Ryan and company did it again, as they knocked off a young Denver Broncos team at Mercedes Benz Stadium on Sunday. Ryan threw for 271 yards and three touchdowns as the team moved to 3-5 on the season and 1-4 at home. On the ground, Todd Gurley added 19 carries for 53 yards and a touchdown. For the Broncos, rookie wide receiver Jerry Jeudy shined, catching seven passes for 125 yards and a touchdown.

Basketball fans rejoice, as the 2020 NBA Draft begins tomorrow night at 8:00. Will Atlanta-native Anthony Edwards go to the Minnesota Timberwolves with the first overall selection? Or will it be LaMelo Ball? Many questions will get answered tomorrow night, and many young men will see their lives change overnight.

The Timberwolves, Golden State Warriors, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers own the night’s first five picks.

THE KICKBACK

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020

GAMES

15

COMIC

Your Comic Should be Here!

UPCOMING EVENTS FRIDAY

Self Care Week: Cold Turkey Tuesday 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Unity Plaza

Wednesday Writing Lab 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Online

Health Equity feat. Angela Glover Blackwell 2:00 p.m.

Virtual

Guided Meditation & Yoga 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Virtual

Native American Heritage Month celebration 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Virtual

Outdoor Trivia Competition 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Student Rec Center, Pool Patio

Atlanta SGA Senate Meeting 7:15 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Student Center West 460/462

NOV 20

THURSDAY NOV 19

WEDNESDAY NOV 18

TUESDAY

Student Abroad Programs - Peer Advising 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Virtual

SUNDAY

MONDAY

Atlanta’s Largest Virtual Turkey Trot Thru Dec. 12 Self-guided 5K

Ice Skating the Station 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Atlantic Station

Swim the Beltline Self-guided Student Rec Center, Aquatic Center

Light the Station 7:00 p.m.

Atlantic Station

International Food Fest Supernatural Culture, 2:00 p.m.

Norcross, Ga.

NOV 23

SATURDAY NOV 22

NOV 21

NOV 17

THE KICKBACK

Virtual Meditation Monday 12:00 p.m. - 12:15 p.m.

Virtual