The Spectator- 12/3/2015

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Inside: Turn around and flip upside down to see list of Fall 2015 Graduates Visit the Spectator website for John Preer’s story on VSU’s diversity Check out a web exclusive by Tresia Bowles @ vsupsectator.com

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December 3, 2015

The Spectator | www.vsuspectator.com

Today

Saturday

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VSU OFFICE OF CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

FULL & PART TIME JOB OPPORTUNITY BULLETIN FOR STUDENTS POSITION

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Upcoming Events Holiday Reception and Lighting of the Palms

Quidditch Club starting at VSU.

Interim President Cecil P. Staton and Mrs. Catherine Staton cordially invite you to a Holiday Reception and Lighting of the Palms 6:00pm Thursday, Dec. 3 on the Front Lawn.

Quidditch Club Team will have an information meeting in Meeting Room 1A in the Student Union.

The interest meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. and end at 8:00 p.m.

The meeting will be held on Dec. 7. The meeting will include an introduction to the different aspects of a Quidditch Club and electing possible leaders. Free pizza will also be given out to attendees. Contact Dylan Volpintesta at dsvolpintesta@ valdosta.edu or Greg Knaus at gwknaus@valdosta.edu for more information.

BraveSpace Forum Join us for an open forum for any member of the LGBTQIAP+ community to come and discuss a variety of relevant topics. We’ll have serious discussions and serious fun, too! This is your chance to let it all out! Faculty and staff are also welcome to attend. The discussion will be moderated by Becca Smith. Thursday, Dec. 3 from 6:00p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in Ballroom A in the Student Union.

Meet the candidates for Vice President of Student Affairs.

The final stage of selecting a new Vice President of Student Affairs is here. All three candidates will have information sessions to get to know more about each candidate. Dr. Gloria Laureano, the first candidate will host the first session in the University Center Theatre on Dec. 3. at 10:45 a.m. Dr. Jennifer Hammat will host the second session at 10:45 a.m. in the University Center Theatre on Dec. 4. Dr. Dewain Lee will host the third session on Dec. 4 at 10:45 a.m. in Ballroom C of the Student Union. Each session will be a Q and A style format and questions for each candidate are encouraged.

Want to have your event mentioned? Tweet us @vsuspectator for your event to be featured or email Editor-in-Chief Jordan Barela at jlbarela@valdosta.edu.

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According to UberFacts, chocolate can help improve math skills. A study found that students that indulged on chocolate benefitted when it came to study for exams. Another reason to enjoy chocolate!

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Starbucks free to do without the ‘Merry Christmas’ on cups

Our point of view...

SGA keeps public in the dark

Transparency in our country, state, local and school government has been on our minds a lot lately here at The Spectator.

Last weekend, The Spectator staff, along with journalism and mass media students attended a workshop about transparency between the media and our government.

The goal of this workshop was to ensure that as we grow as members of the media, we hold our government accountable for the sake of the citizens who are the true owners of the government.

On Monday, one of the members of The Spectator staff was removed from a Student Government Association meeting, along with everyone else in attendance who was not part of SGA, for an executive session. The Spectator has requested the minutes from this session, which SGA is legally obligated to provide, but SGA has yet to comply with the request.

It is important to remember that the student body of VSU elected the SGA executive board to be the liaisons between the students and VSU

administrators, and to do this there needs to be complete clarity between the two parties as to what happens behind closed doors. We at The Spectator feel that the lack of transparency in our SGA could be detrimental to the relationship between students, SGA, and all media on our campus if this continues.

We are troubled that as student journalists we are having the same issues with SGA that our professional counterparts have with federal, state, and local government. However, this challenge has only fueled our desire to work for VSU students and bring transparency back into the Valdosta State community.

It is unfortunate that The Spectator has not covered SGA as frequently this semester as we have in the past; however, SGA does not seem to be fulfilling their obligations to the students currently either.

With this incident and our newfound dedication to transparency, The Spectator pledges to be the eyes and ears for the student body for the foreseeable future.

Julia Rodriguez

Asst. Opinions Editor jlrodriguez@valdosta.edu Every year the holiday season hits with an array of seasonal promotions from various companies. Annually, Starbucks has released a festive version of their cup to celebrate the upcoming holidays and winter. This year’s cup is a simple red ombre design.

As in past years, there have been praises over the temporary looks.

However, there have been a few negative reviews among the approvals.

There is controversy over this year’s cup because some members of the Christian community claim that Starbucks is taking Christ out of Christmas by not writing “Merry Christmas” on its cups.

Starbucks is not an exclusively Christian company and welcomes all customers regardless of their beliefs. Therefore, I believe that it would be wrong of them to have a cup dedicated exclusively to one specific religious celebration. A cup that is simply winter themed rather than the company making it Christmas themed in order to seasonally promote itself seems less offensive.

Check out Tresia Bowles’ article “Trump’s stance offensive to Muslim Americans” on the web at www.vsuspectator.com

Editors-in-Chief: Jordan Barela, John Preer Managing Editor: Tatyana Phelps Opinions Editor: Kenzie Kesselring College Life Editor: LaShawn Oglesby Sports Editor: Kristin Whitman Photo Editor: Stella Henderson Multimedia Editor: Jefferson Leblanc Web Editor: Kayla Stroud Social Media Editor: Tyra Mills Copy Editor: Zenobia Harris

usmagazine.com

It is understandable that Christians would get frustrated at people celebrating Christmas for the greed of presents or for other unreligious reasons, as it is a day meant to celebrate their

Savior. However, I do not think it is right to try and force companies through complaint and protest to take part in festivities.

We are supposed to be free to celebrate whatever we want, however we want including Christmas.

Christians are concerned with preserving the sanctity of Christmas’s true meaning. However, it has become such a commercial holiday— with Santa, presents and candy—that companies are making too much money to want to change their ways.

Rather than trying to get Starbucks to change its cups to read “Merry Christmas,” the community should be concerned because companies do not properly represent all holidays this season.

Yet, in a country so diverse, it is hard to keep up with every culture within.

Perhaps it would be better for companies who do not exclusively associate themselves with one religion to keep the religious holidays out of their campaigns.

Although, as previously said, they simply make too much money to ever want to do that and they are allowed to because this is a free country.

Misguided symbolic gesture unfairly disgraces Jenner Julia Rodriguez

This editorial was written by a member of the editorial staff and expresses the general opinion of The Spectator.

Editorial Staff

December 3, 2015

The Spectator | www.vsuspectator.com

Asst. Opinions Editor jlrodriguez@valdosta.edu Caitlyn Jenner was given this year’s “Woman of the Year” Award from Glamour magazine.

According to BuzzFeed News, James Smith, an NYPD police officer, promptly returned the “Woman of the Year” award given to him in honor of his wife, Moira Smith, an NYPD officer who died in 9/11.

“I was shocked and saddened to learn that Glamour has just named Bruce Jenner ‘Woman of the Year,’” said Smith in his letter to Glamour Magazine, “I find it insulting to Moira Smith’s

memory, and the memory of other heroic women who have earned this award.”

In the letter James continues to refer to Caitlyn as a man and use her previous name. This makes it clear that James finds giving her the award insulting because he thinks of Caitlyn as a man.

James’s actions, however, are an example of what other transgender women like Caitlyn face on a daily basis, and what makes them heroic, powerful women.

I don’t think that Caitlyn Jenner receiving the “Woman of the Year” award is disrespectful to all other women who received it. In addition, I do not think that it is

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fair for Moira to have an award returned that was given to her out of honor.

Many transgender men and women grew up in bodies that they did not feel fit the person that they were inside. As these people aged, they came to realize that they were born the wrong gender, at least according to who they were as a person.

So these women are not heroine in the same way that Moira Smith was, but they are fighting every day and serve as an inspiration for the youth who need to see that there are people out there living their lives for who they are on the inside.

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Opinions expressed in the Spectator other than editorials are opinions of the writers of signed columns and not necessarily those of the Spectator and its staff. All rights reserved. Reprints by permission of the editors. Views in this newspaper are not necessarily those of the Valdosta State University administration, faculty and staff.

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December 3, 2015

The Spectator | www.vsuspectator.com

Letters from the graduating editors: Good-Bye VSU Dear VSU, First of all, thank you for everything. It’s taken me five and half years, but I’m finally graduating. I’ve seen this campus grow and my heart will forever be lit with a blaze. I have truly learned a lot from the different programs here at VSU. Communication taught me to be a better speaker, mass media taught me to be more creative, and journalism taught me that stories should be engaging. I’ll take what I’ve learned and do something amazing.

For the Student Life and Union staff, really more like family, working in that building taught me to be a leader and a team player. The Union is truly the best building to work for.

Trish, thank you for giving me a chance to and giving me my first opportunity to work on campus.

John, Brian, and Mrs. Robin, thanks for giving me the chance to gain leadership roles, and putting up with me. I will never forget the great times I’ve had there, even though I didn’t stick around my last semester.

Future and current students, be proud of our school. Just because we are in a small town doesn’t mean our school isn’t

great. I know there has been some crazy things happening on campus, but that doesn’t mean you should be ashamed or embarrassed. It could be worse. Go to sporting events, join a club, study abroad! Try something new while you are in college.

And finally to The Spectator, what can I say, but thank you and I’ll miss everyone dearly.

The late Wednesday nights, the pizza, and of course the coffee runs to Starbucks. Dr. Miller, thank you for teaching me and making me think more critically.

You made me question why I did what I did, to see if it could be better, and pushed me to make sure I was giving it my all. Ted, you are one of the best professors I’ve ever had. Where would I be if I hadn’t taken your photo journalism class? Probably not the Photo Editor…

And the whole staff, kick butt at GCPA! We are so much better than the Red and Black.

All in all, thank you VSU staff, faculty, and friends. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without everyone.

Love, StellaMay Henderson, Spectator Photo Editor

Here we go. Here I go.

Leaving VSU in eight short days and writing this goodbye letter is probably harder than any project I’ve done or final I will take before walking across the stage.

It’s been real, it’s been fun and it’s been real fun and I am more than ready to graduate but it’s a scary experience. Just thinking about January and not racing across Oak Street parking deck to my first class makes my mind race.

VSU has been my building block for the past two years and I can honestly say I would not have picked another university to write on my resume.

Here’s my “what-you-needto-know-before-graduation” spiel: Internships- one of the most vital parts of my college experience. Try your hardest to get one, two, three or four.

Going to class- it has just hit me that struggling to make it to my 9:30 a.m. class is nothing compared to the struggle it will be making it to work at 8 a.m.

Listening and learning from others- I know it may seem like group projects are the end of the world but I have learned that lis-

tening to multiple opinions and views is a great way to broaden your horizon and set you up for a more open-minded life style.

VSU has helped me break out of my shell and become a person I am truly proud of.

Thank you to all my wonderful co-workers at the Spectator.

I could not ask for better people to endure the long and stressful Wednesday nights with.

I have learned from each of you and have been deeply impacted by your kind hearts and fabulous personalities. You are all fabulous stars.

Thank you to my professors who have made me more confident in myself and my ability to work as a journalist.

I will forever be thankful for my amazing group of friends that have kept me sane through this entire experience. You each mean the world to me.

I guess you can say I am leaving VSU, but a piece of VSU will always be with me through this crazy, wonderful journey we call life.

With that said, heres to you VSU. See ya, BYE. -Kristin Whitman, Spectator Sports Editor

Voices of the Students “What is one question you’d like to ask President Staton?”

Everyone should have the ‘Right to Try’ Kenzie Kesselring

OPINIONS EDITOR klkesselring@valdosta.edu Twenty-four states across the United States have decided to give their dying citizens the chance to regain their health and possibly recover. The opportunity to prolong the lives of these dying patients has come from the Right to Try initiative.

Time magazine describes the Right to Try is a law as a law that

gives patients the chance to use drugs not yet approved by the Federal Drug Administration, but that have been tested in clinical trials and show promise in keeping the patient alive or alleviating their symptoms.

While this is great news and shows tremendous progress in the relationship between the government and the drug companies, there are still 26 states in our country that are denying their dying citizens the opportunity to

recover.

Imagine dying of a disease and knowing there is a medicine in existence that could cure you, and will most likely cure other people in your position in a few years, but by then it will be too late for you. This is an unimaginable situation to healthy Americans, but for some this is a harsh reality.

The medicines and medical treatments approved by the Right to Try laws are safe and are on their way to becoming approved

by the FDA, so why shouldn’t they been used by dying citizens who are willing to take the slight risks that could come with using the drugs?

In 2015 there is no reason people dying from diseases shouldn’t have the chance to use every medical innovation available to them, even if that innovation has yet to jump through every hoop the FDA lays out for it.

Valdosta.edu

“What do you want your biggest change to the university to be before you leave?”

Salem Tennyson Senior Psychology major “Why does it take so long for students to be notified when there is a robbery on campus?”

Deashia King Sophomore Communication Disorders major “Why did we lose so many good teachers when we have so many bad teachers still here with tenure?”

Salena Glenn Sophomore Chemistry major

December 3, 2015

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DID YOU

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KNOW?

A HEALTHY TIP from VSU Student Health Center – “Adults need at least 2 hours and 30 minutes exercise each week.”

Info taken from cdc.gov

SGA calls executive session, comes under fire for lack of transparency Kyle Dawson

CIRCULATION MANAGER kkdawson@valdosta.edu After conducting business publicly for only about five minutes on Monday, Student Government Association went into an hour-long closed-door session for the remainder of its weekly meeting.

Senator Joel Pollack made a motion to go into an executive session, and it passed by a majority vote. Anyone not in SGA was then asked to leave meeting room one in the Student Union.

Pollack declined to comment on the reason for calling the executive session.

“I do not need to give a reason,” Pollack said. “(Robert’s Rules) does not require me to do so in the event of an interview.”

Under the state of Georgia’s Sunshine Laws, SGA is legally required to give a reason for calling an executive session.

According to Robert’s Rules of Order, which recognizes Georgia’s Sunshine Laws and is the system SGA uses for governing their meetings, an executive session can be motioned by any member, and it must be seconded by another member. Then a majority vote is needed to send the meet-

ing into an executive session.

When a meeting enters an executive session, only the executive board, senators, coat of arms and former cabinet members are allowed to stay in the room for the following discussion until the session ends.

No voting can take place in an executive session because all votes must be done in the public eye.

However, after an executive session is closed, an affidavit must be released that states the reasoning behind the executive meeting. Also, the reason must be listed in the minutes.

As of Wednesday evening, SGA has not provided any minutes or an affidavit.

Senator Joshua Rivers said that the matters were to be kept confidential.

“The session was called to address some private issues within the senate and within the organization as a whole,” Rivers said.

Executive sessions are usually kept private in order to keep a member protected when talking about sensitive matters. These matters could range from financial questions to discipline within the organization.

SGA adviser Niki Turley, an associate dean of students directed inquires about the nature of the executive session back to SGA board members. Turley said Tuesday that she

was unaware if minutes had been released.

The gallery was frustrated after being told to leave the meeting. There were about 10 students who had come to the meeting in order to see what SGA was doing and to bring up some concerns of their own. Instead, they were forced to wait outside of the meeting for over an hour, and they were never allowed back in.

Senior business student Taylor Pound said that because the student body elected the members of SGA, students should be allowed to know what is discussed in the meetings.

“Not disclosing what was said after the meeting makes it seem as if they are hiding information or want to escape from some form of scrutiny based on what was discussed,” Pound said.

Some of the topics on the agenda for the meeting were a textbook exchange, midnight breakfast during finals week and a fundraiser at The Mill. However, SGA Vice President Colleen Kavanaugh said that the agenda was essentially abandoned after the executive session was called.

During the first five minutes of the meeting, which were open to everyone, two new senators were introduced to fill vacant spots including sophomore health administration major Devin Spencer and senior biology major Matthew Cowan.

New multicultural sorority finds a home at VSU Tiarra Bell

STAFF WRITER tcbell@valdosta.edu Women at Valdosta State University have greater opportunities to join Greek Life with a new, multicultural sorority, Sigma Lambda Gamma. SLG National Sorority, Incorporated is historically a Latina based sorority with multicultural memberships.

The new diverse sorority was originated April 9, 1990, at the University of Iowa by five founding mothers on the principles of academics, cultural awareness, community service, morals and ethics, and social interaction.

Before becoming Sigma Lambda Gamma, they were an organization called Women of Diversity.

SLG is the founding line at VSU and has been on VSU’s campus since Oct. 31, 2015.

The process began when a group of students proposed the addition of a multicultural colony

at VSU. The students got in touch with other sisters, graduate and current students at VSU, and faculty who devoted their time to get the colony accepted, which was approved in late April. There was also a petition signed by College Panhellenic Council to help the process.

With being relatively new, SLG’s main focus this year is based on the five principles.

“We want to maintain academics, keep our grades up,” said sophomore Molly Berland, who is of an Irish, Norwegian, Welsh, and Native American background.

“We want to give back, support the community. We want to spread diversity by educating about different cultures,” Berland said. “We want to show love and support for our fellow Greeks and other organizations with social interaction. Lastly, we want to maintain a professional image with morals and ethics. We want to make a large impact on this

campus.”

However, by being a new sorority on campus, SLG faced challenges along the way including the initial start of a colony. There was also a great deal of opposition to the idea of a multicultural sorority.

The shocking pink and majestic purple Gamma’s motto is “Culture is Pride, Pride is Success” with the purple panther as the sororities mascot.

Junior Alisha Raynor, a sociology major and Spanish minor, crossed in fall of this year because she felt SLG fits her. “I love what it stands for,” Raynor said. “I

SPECIAL HOURS FINALS WEEK

wanted to be a part of an organization that is working to improve the world.”

The overall mission of SLG is to have a powerful impact on the community and to make the world a more comfortable place for people of all backgrounds which fits VSU’s student mission to “provide a diverse student population with an inspired education, a safe learning environment, a nurturing community, and a wealth of experience that assists students in molding their future.”

Raynor added it’s important to have this type of sorority at VSU so the university can become

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more culturally aware and less segregated.

The sorority puts emphasis on the empowerment of all women by coming together from different backgrounds to be united as a whole. This includes the building of a woman’s confidence, setting high standards for women to hold, and to support each other.

What sets Sigma Lambda Gamma apart from other Greek organizations is the fact when referring to Greek organizations, “a multicultural fraternity or sorority doesn’t come to mind. But we will hopefully change that in the future”, Berland said.

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Page 6

December 3, 2015

The Spectator | www.vsuspectator.com

DID YOU

KNOW?

Emoticons were first used in 1982

by Scott Elliott Fahlman, a computer scientist at Carnegie Mellon University.

Apple may go into electric car market Carlius Williams

Staff Writer carwilliams@valdosta.edu

Photo Courtesy of MGOnline

Highly-acclaimed ‘Steve Jobs’ film fails to draw audience Terrance Johnson

Staff Writer terrjohnson@valdosta.edu Despite great reviews from the likes of the New York Times, Rotten Apple and a few other sites for the critics, “Steve Jobs” has failed at the box office, mirroring the company’s humble beginnings. Directors Aaron Sorkin and Danny Boyle’s movie has been pulled from 2,072 screens nationwide, including Valdosta Stadium Cinemas 16.

After bringing in just $17,712,64 3 in the U.S, “Steve Jobs” is now only showing in 421 theatres. The film’s budget was $30 million. “Steve Jobs” has just barely made more than a similar,

earlier movie starring Ashton Kutcher as Jobs.

“It didn’t look good on Apple, so important people (Tim Cook) were prone to discredit the movie’s authenticity,” Vincent Moore, junior computer science major, said. “Steve Jobs is never held in a positive light in the movie and that may turn off many of his supporters. There wasn’t much story to tell. It mostly shined on some of his relationships with other people but you had to already know who they were to truly follow along with what was happening.”

Boyle offers his own opinion of why the film flopped. The film rolled out too wide too soon, but

Boyle was quick to clarify that he wouldn’t criticize Universal for its strategy.

“The movie had great directing and it accomplished what it set out to, but it had no story to captivate an audience that wanted to know the story behind Apple,” Moore said. “It turned some people’s superhero into a selfish, deadbeat father with anger issues and an obsession over his work. It was a good movie, but I wouldn’t say consumer friendly.”

“Steve Jobs” has been in select theatres in Los Angeles and New York since Oct. 9, yet has only grossed a meager $23,815,464 worldwide.

In recent decades, Apple has been very important to the American tech industry and a leader when it comes to the U.S. economy.

Apple has been leading many companies in terms of research and development. The company has even changed the whole cell phone industry. Apple’s ground breaking apps are top-notched and—with the recent popularity of Emoji—has made it one of America’s go-to brands.

Starting with the iPod, Apple began to dominate markets and became the number-one consumer brand in most foreign countries like Japan. The iPhone hit and kicked off a brand new race of smart devices. It was flashy and faster.

Although it is not confirmed if Apple truly is seeking to launch an electric car, the Apple Car, a post from CNN said that they have hired five high-tech PhD and engineering employees from a Massachusetts company, A123, which makes electric car batteries.

They have reportedly even hired on people from Tesla, who have created a car that drives itself. Apple also hired a longtime auto industry exec from Fiat Chrysler and a lead research and development head from Mercedes-Benz. Apple has also hired people from Ford, GM, and other smaller companies such as Ogin, Autoliv, Concept Systems and General Dynamics.

It seems as though the Apple Car could be more than just a

They have reportedly even hired on people from Tesla, who has innovated a car that drives itself. myth. They even have a secret headquarters located in the Bay Area. The cover up is a market research firm called SixtyEight Research, who has city permits for the construction of an “auto work area,” and “repair garage.”

In May of this year Apple even bought secure facilities in the Bay State Area. Maybe to test the potential car?

Many people are ready to buy into this concept, as Apple is known to break barriers in terms of technology. Some investors believe the switch from being just an electronics company to a car and vehicle tycoon will open more people up to having electric cars and making them more consumer-friendly.

If the rumors are indeed true, Apple may become the ultimate brand once they dabble in the motor vehicle industry and trendset.

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DID YOU

December 3, 2015

KNOW?

Gezelligheid is a word that means: the coziness, warmth and comfort of being at home, or being together with friends or loved ones sharing time in a pleasant and nice atmosphere.

The bottom right image is by Kaylyn Eanes, entitled “Found.” The artist used oil paints on canvas. The top right image is created by Sally Querin, entitled “Untitled Burn.” The artist used digital photography to create the image.

The bottom left image is created by artist Joel Dion. The artist work is entitled “ Vessel.” The work is composed of found wood. The top right image, “Scared Tauras,” is created by artist Nigel Pittman. The medium of work is mixed media. The exhibition is held at Dedo Maranville Fine Arts Gallery in the Fine Arts building. Jyrell Wynn/THESPECTATOR

Seniors showcase their talent in Fall Exhibition Jyrell Wynn

STAFF WRITER jdwynn@valdosta.edu As seniors are about to graduate, we should take a moment to reflect on the works they have produced throughout their school career.

Valdosta State wants to honor graduating art major students by presenting the works of 15 graduating Art students in the exhibition “Things Made By People.”

The student artists are Carolyn Brady, Joel Dion, Kaylyn Eanes, Courtney Gatch, Breyana Jackson, Sasha Kremin, Renee Parham, Logann Pearce, Nigel Pittman,

Sally Querin, Lucas Rocheleau, Holly Roddenberry, Alan Sifuentes, Emily Smith, and Zakk White.

“Things Made By People” has various art forms including paintings, photography, sculpture, mixed media, graphic design, and drawing.

The exhibition is held at Dedo Maranville Fine Arts Gallery in the Fine Arts building.

The gallery will be open Nov. 15 to Dec. 7 and it is free of charge.

If you want to get inspired, it is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Monday through Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday.

Odum Open 24 Hours Finals Week!

Beginning Monday, December 7th

Get the help you’ve earned!

VSU Odum Library will help you stay on course.

Live Chat Service • Media Services • Individual Research Appointments • Archives Librarians will be at the Reference Desk until 10 pm

229-333-7249

VSU Odum Library for the long haul.

BE SMARTE

Page 8

The Spectator | www.vsuspectator.com

Coaching Carousel: With Kirby Smart reportedly set to become UGA’s next coach, former Bulldogs headman Mark Richt will take over the Miami Hurricanes, per ESPN.

December 3, 2015

Blazers basketball hosts UNA in conference opener Valdosta State looks to gain an upperhand in the Gulf South Conference race with upcoming home games Shane Thomas

Staff Writer shanethomas@valdosta.edu

Ray Pack/THE SPECTATOR Blazers guard Blake Justice attempts a floater against Palm Beach Atlantic. The Blazers defeated the Sailfish 84-77 on Nov. 28th. Valdosta State is 4-1 and continues its homestand with conference clashes against North Alabama and Alabama-Huntsville.

North Alabama Lions 3-3 overall 0-0 in GSC

VSU Blazers 4-1 overall 0-0 in GSC

The Blazers have lost nine straight to the Lions.

The Valdosta State Blazers (41) tip off their Gulf South Conference schedule against the North Alabama Lions (3-3) Thursday night.

The Blazers ended non-conference play with a resounding 84-70 win over Coastal Georgia, highlighted by a break-out game by senior guard Blake Justice.

Justice made 10-of-17 shots for 27 points, including a career-best seven three-pointers in the win.

Blazers head coach Mike Helfer has praised Justice’s ability to do other things on the floor when he is not making shots.

“Blake’s a great shooter,” Helfer said. “When he gets looks, he’s confident enough to take them and knock them down. This year, more than any, his game has expanded to doing other things— he’s rebounding, he’s getting assists, he’s defending. That’s probably the most growth I’ve seen in him with his all-around game.”

The Lions enter The P.E. Complex having lost their final non-conference game 90-84 to Miles College.

For the Blazers, they will need to match the balance of the Lions, who currently have five players averaging double figures in scoring. Led by upperclassmen Dimarrio Jackson, John Fletcher and big man Bilal Richardson, the Lions are currently third in the GSC in scoring at 85.7 points per game.

“North Alabama has done a great job in multiple areas the last couple of years,” Helfer said.

“They’re very good at the perimeter positions, and they always have good post guys.”

Helfer added: “The five guys in double figures shows a balance, which is a reflection of a good coach not relying on one or two guys (to carry the load). They do it by committee, and they’re very good at doing it that way.”

An area of strength for the Blazers this season has been their

depth. However, injuries to guards Chris Longoria (hand) and Josh Lemons (undisclosed injury), have forced the Blazers to try new things with their rotation in the early going.

“It’s been hard on us because those are two guys that were playing a lot of minutes in our preseason,” Helfer said. “Chris’s injury occurred the week of the first game so we’ve had to change on a dime and scramble. Now, Josh is out, so it’ll be good to get everybody back and back to a more normal rotation. Those are very good players that are not in the lineup.”

The Blazers aim to raise their level in conference play after finishing just 5-17 in the GSC last season and missing out on the postseason.

According to Helfer, the GSC is one of the best conferences in the country, and his team has to play to that level.

“Our league is as good as any Division II league in the country,” Helfer said. “I don’t think there are any nights where you can’t come ready to play. For us, we’re not going to compare and contrast to last year. We’re just going to look at what we can do and how we’re going to play. You hope that’s good enough. It’s been good enough in the past with teams here so hopefully we can continue it. But, it’s not going to be easy.”

The Blazers will face another stiff opponent on Saturday, when No. 19 Alabama-Huntsville visits The Complex.

“I think Alabama-Huntsville is a marquee program,” Helfer said of the Chargers. “Not only is Alabama-Huntsville good, but you play those (Huntsville and North Alabama) together and it’s a very difficult swing. You have to be ready to go in game one and on a short turnaround, you’ve got to do your best to prepare and get ready for the second one.”

Tip-off for today’s game is scheduled for 8 p.m. Saturday’s game will begin at 4 p.m.

Follow our Snapchat VSUSPECTATOR for highlights and updates in VSU sports for Spring 2016.

Page 9

December 3, 2015

The Spectator | www.vsuspectator.com

VSU’s historic season comes to a close Gabe Burns

ASST. SPORTS EDITOR gcburns@valdosta.edu

Kristin Whitman/THE SPECTATOR Cedric O’Neal leaps a defender in the Blazers’ playoff win over Carson-Newman. The Blazers were eliminated by West Georgia on Saturday, 27-20.

A season that will forever be entrenched in the school record books came to a close on Saturday, as the Valdosta State Blazers (9-3) were eliminated by the West Georgia Wolves, 27-20, in the second round of the playoffs.

VSU was unable to overcome UWG’s 292 rushing yards and six sacks while falling victim to the opportunistic Wolves for the second consecutive postseason.

"Today was not our day," coach David Dean said in his postgame press conference. "West Georgia made a couple more plays than we did and that ended up being the difference in the ballgame."

The Blazers stumbled out of the gate with a 10-0 deficit before Kenny Murphy returned an interception 79 yards to put VSU on the board. Another UWG score dropped the Blazers into a 17-7 hole going into the intermission.

As the team has been all year, the Blazers once again showed their impressive resiliency in the second half. Concluding a quarter that was highlighted by defense, E.J. Hilliard hit Will Johnson for a touchdown with a minute remaining in the third to pull VSU within seven. Hilliard finished as VSU’s leading passer and rusher

here,

experience is brain food.

At VSU, your experience is what you make it. And numbers show that students who make it to eat at Palms or Hopper dining do better in the classroom. So go ahead: grill it, barbecue it, bake it, scoop it, stir fry it, eat it, and own it. Make the most of your V-State Experience today by taking advantage of over a dozen affordable dining options on campus.

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on the day with 247 total yards.

The Wolves opened the fourth with a safety to increase their lead, but the Blazers once again fought back. Hilliard found Cedric O’Neal in the end zone to give VSU a seemingly improbable lead, 20-19.

However, there is a reason the Wolves are 11-1. The UWG offense orchestrated a six play, 72-yard drive in just 2:20 to regain the lead with three minutes left. VSU was unable to answer, eventually turning the ball over on downs.

The Blazers’ 2015 campaign did not end as the team had hoped, but the successes of the season are impeccable. Among the records set this year were the longest touchdown in VSU history, O’Neal becoming the school’s all-time leading rusher and Dean establishing himself as the winningest coach in Blazers history.

VSU’s 9-3 mark continues its tradition of excellence and exceptional play in the Gulf South Conference. While the team did not finish the season on top, it did provide one of the most memorable seasons in school history. For that, this team will have a lasting mark on not just the school, but the entire community. The Blazers will return in 2016 seeking their fourth national championship.