Volume 87 Issue 12
November 13, 2014
What to do at VSU #NOSHADE ForumThe National Council of Negro Women will have a forum discussing some of the steroypes associated with different skin tones. The forum will be held in the Odum Library Theatre at 7 p.m. Comedy Show - Looking for a free laugh? The Nema and Double D Comedy show is a great place to go. The event begins at 7 p.m. in the Student Union’s Ballroom B. Flu Vaccines- The Student Health Center has the flu vaccine for $10. They accept flex, cash or check, and you do not need an appointment. They will be providing vaccines from 8:3010:30 a.m and 12-1:30 p.m.
SGA approves grade bill LaShawn Oglesby
STAFF WRITER lsoglesby@valdosta.edu On Monday, the SGA discussed many future events at VSU, including a new academic bill, new food programs on campus, and a fireside chat with President William McKinney,. The SGA voted unanimously in favor of the Academic Forgiveness Bill. If also approved by the faculty senate, this bill will allow students who earned a C, D or F in a course to have the grade wiped from their record if they retake the course and
make an A or B. Sophomore SGA Senator Brittany Williams also introduced new plans that were discussed at a recent dining advisory board meeting, one of which was Palms’ pizza delivery. The program will possibly start this fall during finals week, while the other program, called Eco Clam Shell, will start in the spring. Palms will be delivering their pizza to various campus locations, excluding Centennial Hall. “They’re working on it,” Senator Williams said. “By the spring they hope to
expand their options so you’ll be able to order other things instead of just pizza.” Pizza delivery will be open from 2-11 p.m. seven days a week, and there will be no delivery charge. The Eco Clam Shell program will allow packaging food to go. Participants of this program must pay the first time they get to-go food. The package is a plastic clam shell container, and a meal plan is not needed for this program. The first purchase costs about seven dollars plus the door rate. After the initial purchase, the only thing that has
ASST. SPORTS EDITOR krwhitman@valdosta.edu
Today Cloudy
Alex Tostado/ THE SPECTATOR A Valdosta City Police car blocks off the road near the scene where a VSU student was hit by car. The student is a former Lady Blazer basketball player.
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to be paid is the door rate. The upcoming fireside chat event with Dr. McKinney was mentioned as well. Many of VSU faculty will be in attendance: Provost Hudson Rogers, IT’s Chief Information Officer Brian Haugabrook, the director of auxiliary services, Shannon McGee, the assistant director of housing for resident education, Mark McNally, and the director of housing and residence life, Tom Harding. The chat will be Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. in Powell Hall.
EDITOR-IN- CHIEF ewaite@valdosta.edu As of Wednesday evening, the former Lady Blazer basketball player and current VSU student who was struck by a car was doing fairly well according to VSU’s Athletic Department. The student was hit on Monday in the crosswalk on Sustella Avenue, near the Campus Recreation Center. The student was hit by a white 2006 Chevrolet Impala around 6:40 p.m. She suffered multiple injuries and was taken to South Georgia Medical Center immediately after the accident. On Monday, following the accident, officers from the Valdosta Police Department were seen interviewing the driver of the car involved in the incident. Captain Bobbi McGraw of the VPD told the
Valdosta Daily Times that the Valdosta Police Department’s Traffic Unit is still investigating the incident. No charges have been officially filed as of Tuesday. This incident is the second one this year where a student was struck by a vehicle near VSU’s campus.
The goal became a reality for the Blazers soccer team this past Sunday as they took down the North Alabama Lions for the team’s first ever Gulf South Conference championship title. No. 10 VSU (8-2-1) upset the No. 3 UNA (10-1) team in the South Region rankings. VSU blazed past the UNA in the first half, scoring two of its goals and finishing up with the third goal in the second half to shutout the Lions 3-0. Prior to the game on Sunday, UNA went into the match with seven shutout victories but VSU quickly showed them what they were up against when senior Zahimara Fantauzzi made a connection with a cross from Meagan Doyle and landed her third goal of the season in the first four minutes of play. Lauren Ingram scored in the 24th minute to record her first career goal. In the second half, Ingram showed up again by follow-
ing through with a pass from senior Abbi Edwards and putting the Blazers third goal into the back of the net. “Everybody dreams about being that impact player,” Ingram said after being named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. The GSC championship game made this their sixth shutout game of the season and gave VSU an automatic spot in the upcoming South Region Tournament. “One of my own personal goals this year has been to keep things going as long as possible for these 12 seniors,” first year head coach Rebecca Nolin said. The team came back to Valdosta with a few AllTournament team members along with Ingram, including defender Shelby Jennings, forward Abbi Edwards and goal keeper Olivia Mills, who earned her 26th career shutout at Sunday’s game. VSU will play GSC rival Christian Brothers on Friday in the first round of the National tournament.
Kayla Stroud/THE SPECTATOR
On Feb. 12, VSU student Lizzie Lohmar was struck by a truck driven by another VSU student. The student was charged with failure to yield at a pedestrian crosswalk. Lohmar later succumbed to her injuries.
Tatyana Phelps/ THE SPECTATOR
Senior Zahmira Fantauzzi uses her skills to steer the ball toward the goal. The home game against West Georgia took place Oct. 21.
Growing hair to show you care: Movember at VSU Alex Tostado
SPORTS EDITOR ajtostado@valdosta.edu Grover Cleveland in the 1890’s. Charlie Chaplin in the 1930’s. Rollie Fingers in the 1970’s. Magnum P.I. in the 1980’s. These are great mustaches in history. Movember is in the news again. As a play on words from No Shave November, Movemeber has men grow only mustaches, instead of
Football goes to FIT, playoffs in sight See Sports for more
simply not shaving, in an effort to raise awareness for men’s health. Students can grow mustaches to raise money and awareness for prostate and testicular cancers. “It’s really a great cause,” John Wright, associate director of student life, said. “A lot of the time, (that 18-24 year old demographic) think they are invincible, and they don’t think they need to go get physicals. The highest rate of testicular cancer is
found in that demographic.” Wright held a kickoff for the event at the beginning of November to get students in-
volved. “We give away items concerning men’s health, like testicular exam cards that guys can put in their showers so they know what they are doing when giving themselves exams,” Wright said.
Inside This Issue
- OPINIONS: Black Friday gobbles up a nation’s traditions
- FEATURES: Debate: Award-winning team adds to long list of accolades - SPORTS: Basketball season tips off in Valdosta
Female students can participate by helping a male student fundraise. “A lot of the time, girls feel excluded because they can’t grow a mustache,” Wright said. “The whole cause of Movember is to raise money and awareness for men’s health. Women can do that.” Although participation isn’t as high as Wright would like, there is still some participation.
“Last year we raised about 500 bucks,” Wright said. “As long as we raise any kind of money, or reach one or a couple of students… that’s a success.” Wright, who has been doing the event for four years, has lost four uncles to prostate cancer. “It is something that has hit me personally, so it’s something that I’m really passionate about,” Wright said.
New phone case gives users added line of defense See Features for more
PAGE 2 | VSUSPECTATOR.COM
NOVEMBER 13, 2014
Bill Maher won’t back down Larry Gordon
MCT CAMPUS Los Angeles Times After a weeklong debate over free speech and campus climate, political satirist Bill Maher said he intends to deliver a December commencement address at the University of California, Berkeley despite a controversy surrounding his invitation. “I want to come, I’m planning to come,” the comedian said Friday night on his “Real Time with Bill Maher” cable show. Some students last week sought to have his invitation rescinded because of his on-air remarks last month that they allege denigrated Muslims. But citing free speech rights, UC Berkeley Chancellor Nicholas B. Dirks insisted
MCT Campus Maher plans to speak at UC Berkeley in December, even though his on-air comments have elicited an outcry from some students.
the speech go on as planned. “I’m happy to (speak) because although I never attended Berkeley, I was very aware of their place in the American debate on the far left,” Maher said. A campus student organization that helps choose com-
mencement speakers voted to rescind Maher’s invitation. Its leaders said it took that position not because of Maher’s views but because the debate about his presence would have harmed the celebratory nature of the graduation event. Dirks then overruled the student group and said the invitation will stand. His statement noted that the decision “does not constitute an endorsement” of any of Maher’s views, although it supports the television personality’s right to express them. Protesters wanted Maher disinvited because of statements he made on his Oct. 6 show that they contend portrayed Islam as a violent faith and suggested that most Muslims believe that anyone who leaves the religion should
be executed. The Middle Eastern, Muslim and South Asian Coalition on campus and other groups started an online petition drive seeking to block the speech, calling Maher’s comments racist, divisive and offensive to many students. UC Berkeley should not “invite an individual who himself perpetuates a dangerous learning environment,” the petition said in part. On Friday’s show, Maher insisted that he is not a bigot. He said that students and others who signed the online petition don’t seem to understand the open nature of universities and a democratic society: “That’s how it’s done, kids. Whoever told you you only had to hear what didn’t upset you?”
This week, the VSU Police Department did not make the police briefs available, an act that is required by Georgia Open Records Law. The Media Log containing the briefs is open to any member of the public and can be found at the police office on the second floor of the Sustella Parking Deck.
The sudoku grid consists of eighty-one squares in a nine by nine grid. To solve the sudoku, each square in the grid must contain a number between one and nine, with the following conditions: Each row of nine cells must contain each of the numbers from 1 to 9 once and only once. Each column of nine cells must contain each of the numbers from 1 to 9 once and only once. Each of the nine 3 by 3 boxes of nine cells must contain each of the numbers from 1 to 9 ANSWER ON PAGE 7
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Upcoming Events Canoe Battleship
will feature guest pianist Awadagin Pratt, a wellknown and highly acclaimed musician. Pratt will join the VSO in playing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 in G Major, Op. 58. The concert will also feature music from Beethoven’s Fidelio Overture and Schumann’s Symphony No. 1 in B-flat Major.
Nov. 13 7 p.m. Campus Recreation Pool The goal of this game is to sink your opponents by hurling buckets of water into their canoes. Save a Life: Suicide Awareness Forum Nov. 13 5-7 p.m. Jennett Lecture Hall 1111 The Honor Students Association is hosting this event to teach students how to help those struggling with suicide, even (especially) if that person is you. Personnel from the Hospice of South Georgia and Greenleaf Center will be presenting. Refreshments will be served. Orchestra Performance Nov. 15 8 p.m. Whitehead Auditorium The Valdosta Symphony Orchestra’s second concert of its 25th anniversary season
The Spectator prints free classifieds for current students of Valdosta State University only. These must be no more than 40 words, or a $9.30 charge will apply. Classifieds for faculty, staff, student organizations, studentowned businesses and the general public cost $9.30 for up to 40 words. Ads should be sent to the Spectator or delivered to our office in 1238 Hopper Hall. The deadline is
Tickets are $27 and can be purchased at the Box Office or online at valdostasymphony.org. Student tickets are $10 but can only be purchased at the Box Office, which will open two hours before the performance. Staff and faculty discounts are also available. Senior Art Exhibition Opening Reception Nov. 16 1-3 p.m. Fine Arts Gallery The Exposure exhibition, which will run through Dec. 8, showcases the work of nine senior art students (Christopher Cagle, Audrey Goodale, Caprice Kelly, Sierra King, Jacqualyn Mangels, Chelsea Miller, Astrid Scheib,
Cody Stephens and Brittney Tanner). The exhibition will feature drawings, paintings, photography, ceramics, sculpture, computer animation, handmade furniture and mixed media. Refreshments will be served at the reception. Study Abroad Informational: New Zealand and Australia Nov. 17 12 p.m., 4 p.m. Room 129, Communication Arts and Curriculum Building (Corner of Patterson and Brookwood)
the Student Union Ballroom from 10-11 a.m., and the other in Pound Hall (North Campus) from 4-5 p.m. On Nov. 18, a Community Fraud Awareness Forum will be held from 6-7 p.m. in Room 1107 of the Health Sciences and Business Administration Building. Dr. Candace Witherspoon, assistant accounting professor, will provide information on protecting yourself against fraud and the latest scams. Chat with the President Nov. 18 7 p.m. Powell Hall Auditorium
This study abroad trip will take place May 30-July 1; it is open to all majors and provides the opportunity to earn six hours of credit while traveling.
SGA will be hosting a Fireside Chat with President William McKinney.
International Fraud Awareness Week
Did you lose or misplace an item on campus?
On Nov. 17, two workshops will be held for faculty, staff and students to show the impact fraud has on individuals. The first will be held in
Stop by the VSU Police Department (second floor of Sustella Parking Deck) or call 229-333-7816 to see if your item was recovered.
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NOVEMBER 13, 2014
Are catcalls okay?
Our point of view...
Jordan Hill
Opinions Editor jorhill@valdosta.edu There is a difference between an annoying statement and harassment. Saying, “Hey beautiful,” or, “How are you doing?” is not harassment; it’s a compliment. By complimenting random women and sometimes being vulgar, we desensitize what true harassment is—aggressive pressure or intimidation. Yes, it’s awkward and sometimes creepy, and yes, men should think of a better way to compliment or hit on a woman, but catcalling is
Kenzie Kesselring
MCT Campus
Black Friday gobbles up a nation’s traditions
T
his year on Thanksgiving, WalMart, Target, Sears, and Kohl’s will be opening at 6 p.m., just as turkeys are being carved and plated across dinner tables in Valdosta. It seems that these stores’ employees will have to grab their dinner to go, or else they may lose their jobs. There are also other stores opening even earlier, such as Kmart opening at 6 a.m., Lowes opening at 5 a.m., and Walgreens opening at 8 a.m. The creeping Christmas retail monster has been gobbling at our beloved Thanksgiving dinners for years, but now it seems that he has finally gobbled up one of the most American holidays in one gluttonous bite. Several companies have extended their hours with hopes of bringing in more business and customers, but did they stop to think of the downside of doing so? This not only affects customers, but employees too; not to mention it is intruding on a national tradition. This trend is hurting society in several ways. Employees are being snatched away from their dinner tables to man cash reg-
isters and hang clothes on clearance racks. For many workers, the economic importance of their livelihood takes precedence over spending time with their families. Customers also have an ultimatum of sacrificing family time to catch the supposed jaw dropping deals that are falling off of Santa’s sleigh into the shopping carts of consumers. No one wants to miss out on a good deal, and the competitiveness of out shopping others is hard to ignore. Most importantly, the overwhelming economic needs of the retail sector is overshadowing the true meaning of Thanksgiving. The holiday, which dates back to before Abraham Lincoln, has a deeper significance in the hearts of many Americans—one that is being lost in the lines of retail shopping outlets. We at The Spectator feel as though Thanksgiving should be kept in a shoppingfree zone. Black Friday, hence the name, should start the morning of the Friday after Thanksgiving. Our turkeys deserve just as much attention and appreciation as markeddown televisions and toys.
This editorial was written by a member of the editorial staff and expresses the general opinion of The Spectator.
F-bomb is dropped for good cause
Young girls raise awareness for sexist treatment in society Tatyana Phelps
Copy Editor tnphelps@valdosta.edu Potty-mouthed princesses drop f-bombs to highlight discrimination against women, but they’re not talking about the word “feminism.” FCKH8.com created a twoand-a-half-minute video using girls between the ages of six and 13 to address problems that women face, such as pay inequality, rape and violence, and how society makes girls feel as though being pretty is more important than being intelligent. What these “potty-mouthed princesses” were trying to do is focus people’s attention on the inequalities and discrimination that women face day
after day. So what if they had to use different variations of the “f” word to do so? It definitely got people’s attention, whether it was in a good way or a bad way. One of the princesses asks the question, “What’s more offensive? A little girl saying f---, or the sexist way society treats girls and women?” It was a little disturbing to see girls as young as six years old casually throwing around the f-bomb almost 15 times. However, the message they were trying to convey was more powerful and alarming than any word on the “swear list.” Actors and actresses throw around curse words all the time for no apparent reason at all. That’s exactly what
those little girls were doing — acting. At least they were actually doing it for a legitimate reason. There should be nothing wrong with these young girls using a few curse words to spread the message of female oppression. Maybe it wasn’t exactly necessary for the girls to use vulgar language as much as they did, but let’s really think about it: Most of us wouldn’t have given the video more than 10 seconds of our attention if we didn’t hear a little girl dressed as a princess say,“What the f---?” four seconds into the video. To watch the full, uncensored version of the commercial, go to http://youtu.be/ XqHYzYn3WZw.
not always sexual harassment. Of course there are some men who continue to stalk a woman who is not interested and yell vulgar words at passersby. Those are the men who give catcalling a bad reputation. Then there are other men who are innocently complimenting a woman. A popular video that shows a woman walking around New York City for 10 hours
Asst. Opinions Editor klkesselring@valdosta.edu Catcalling is another way men have been sexualizing women without their consent for ages. It is a degrading act that empowers men and takes even more power away from women. A video that has gained a lot of online buzz features a good-looking woman simply walking down the streets of New York City wearing jeans and a crew neck T-shirt. During the 10 hours, the woman discreetly documented herself walking. She gets catcalled more than 100 times. Men of all ages and races are
trying to talk to her and yelling phrases at her when it is clear that she is doing nothing but walking from one destination to another. If a man sees a woman he finds attractive, there is no need for him to raise his voice in a crowd so she can notice him. Men need to realize that if they see a woman who they find attractive and want to talk to her, they should respectfully and politely approach her at an appropriate time and place. They should not walk past her on the street and say,
has had millions of views. She was “catcalled” by 108 people in 10 hours. The video did not show the men she walked by that said nothing to her. While being “catcalled” nearly 10 times an hour is a lot, many of the men were not harassing the woman in any way. The men said things such as, “Wassup,” or, “You’re beautiful!” We will always be annoyed by the opposite sex, but before we criticize an entire gender for their words and manners, we need to realize that not all men are the same and not all catcalls are created equally. “Hey baby, how are you?” It is rude, clearly unwanted and it is harassment. Women should not have to walk down the street with the possibility of having sexually explicit things yelled at them for absolutely no reason. Men who think catcalling is nothing but harmless banter need to take a step back and think before they act. When a man catcalls a women it is because he is thinking about far more than the fabulous blouse she is wearing; he is thinking about what is under that blouse. Women deserve just as much respect as men. Catcalling women is barbaric and an act that needs to end.
Letter to the Editor
Sociology Club demands Remerton bars’ signs to be taken down The Sociology Club will be continuing the “Diversity NOT Dress Code” petition campaign next week in the Student Union. This campaign is addressing discriminatory dress code signs displayed in three Remerton bars. Many of the items listed on the signs are clothing articles typically associated with black male stereotypes. The Sociology Club observed several nights of activity in each bar over the summer, and members documented and photographed many patrons in violation of the dress code. These patrons were white, while black males were being turned away at the door for wearing the same articles of clothing. The Sociology Club, as well as more than 200 VSU students, started a petition asking the bar owners to remove the signs. The campaign will wrap up next week after the club spends Monday and Thursday in the Student Union offering other students the opportunity to sign the petition and let their voices be heard as well. Remerton exists because of VSU’s students… all of them!
tion lingers over my head, breathes down my neck and is constantly reinforced in the culture, from a local to national level, that I experience around me EVERYDAY! There is a figurative noose that tightens each day with the goal of tensile strength to maintain cooperation and obedience… I Ashlie Prain am to be trained to display the perfect Members of the Sociology behavior of a loyal slave even Club contributed to this letter today, in 2014. I am expected with these final thoughts. from the way I talk down to “It’s only been two years the clothes that I wear to be since Trayvon Martin was something that keeps me from murdered because of the exploring who I really am, clothes he chose to wear. My robbing me of life.” clothing does not determine “These may be simple bars the type of person I am, and it should not prevent me from in a small city, but the dress codes these places support having fun with my friends.” directly reflect the stereotypi“Being an African Americal and discriminatory beliefs can, I find that some of the held by society concerning clothing being described in the rules are more likely to be minorities. And to leave this situation alone, to simply worn by people of my race. It allow these establishments to does affect how I feel about the bars. It’s almost as though continue their practices, is to some of the bars are indirectly be a helping hand in the pertrying to reduce the amount of petuation of racial prejudices and stereotypes.” African Americans who enter “In our society today we them. It’s very irritating to see must look past racial discrimithis.” nation. I am not what I wear!” “The standard of assimilaVSU Sociology Club
The Spectator wants to hear your opinion! Tweet us @vsuspectator using #fbombvsu #catcallsvsu #diversitynotdresscode
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PAGE 4 | VSUSPECTATOR.COM
NOVEMBER 13, 2014
Treat transgenders equally Worry about climate change Jordan Barela
Social Media Editor jlbarela@valdosta.edu Transgendered individuals are constantly being pushed aside when it comes to equal rights. A recent article on CNN told two separate stories of two transgendered soldiers. One is from Britain, and the other is from America - but this is not the only difference between the two. The first solider is Caroline Paige, a transgendered woman who serves in the British Air Force. In the article, she
discusses difficulties at first, but she tells of how she was eventually accepted. Paige was even rewarded for her performance as a solider. Landon Wilson, the transgendered male who served in the U.S. Navy, was not so lucky. After the Navy learned that he is transgendered, Wilson was honorably discharged under the guise of a promotion. How can one transgendered individual be treated with respect and rewarded, while another individual is disregarded? Gender identity is a fluid
concept. What needs to be established and accepted into social context is whatever gender a person identifies as, that is his or her gender. How can “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” be repealed, but a transgendered individual cannot serve openly and proudly? How can the country that a transgendered individual is willing to protect not offer that same protection to that person? If a person, transgendered or not, is willing to serve in the military, what is or isn’t between a person’s legs shouldn’t matter.
Jonathan Koomey MCT Campus
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recently released its Fifth Assessment Report, summarizing the state of climate science and solutions. The report reinforces previous findings that the earth is warming, humans are primarily responsible and rapid reductions in emissions are urgently needed. Our current emissions trend substantially increases the risk of costly, dangerous, irreversible and potentially catastrophic changes in the global life support systems we all depend upon. We’ve dug ourselves into a deep climate hole. Despite ever more dire warnings, greenhouse gas emissions have grown 42 percent since the IPCC’s first assessment report in 1990. Preserving a safe climate means turning global greenhouse gas emissions down this decade and reducing them rapidly in absolute terms during the next 40 years, even as GDP and population increase. It also means keeping three quarters of proven fossil fuel reserves in the ground or safely storing the emissions from burning
MCT Campus
People Poll: What do you think of the dress code signs at Remerton bars?
Kelsey Coates Freshman Undecided “The way I see it, they try to keep others out.”
Ben Mullis Graduate Student Library Science “This is America, and you should be able to wear what you want.”
Zach Johnston Graduate Student Speech Language Pathology “Maybe its just certain people who wear it...they notice a trend of what people are wearing.”
Brandon Greshamgeiger Sophomore Engineering “I never really paid the signs much attention.”
Christi Bryant Senior Biology “I felt as if they were a little bit discriminatory toward a certain group of people because everyone knows a white tank top won’t look the same on an African-American man as it does a caucasian female.”
those fuels. The science summarized by the IPCC gives clear guidance for what we should do next: Stop new digging. The more high-emissions infrastructure we build now, the more we’ll have to scrap in coming decades, so let’s stop building it as soon as we can. That means no new coal-fired power plants, no new shipping terminals to move coal overseas, no more pipelines or rail lines to unconventional oil supplies, and no drilling for oil in the soon-to-be ice-free Arctic. To stabilize the climate, we need policies consistent with a low emissions world (like those now in place in California), including putting a price on greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants. We also need even stricter safety and environmental regulations. Existing clean energy technologies already offer many opportunities in both developed and developing economies. Costs are dropping fast. Energy efficiency remains the cheapest, cleanest, fastest emissions reduction resource, with innovation (especially in information technologies) delivering more and better efficiency options with each
passing day. Retrofitting existing hydropower facilities is simple and cost effective. Cogeneration of heat and power remains underused. And if the nuclear industry can build plants as quickly, cheaply and safely as they say they can, nuclear power might also help. Surviving this stage of human development means we will need to evolve as a species and learn how to face challenges like climate change, trying many things, failing fast and doing more of what works and less of what doesn’t work. We will need to explore changes in our values, our behaviors and our institutions, which can be as powerful as new technologies in improving our future. Today’s technology allows us to move past combustion now, in most applications. But scaling up new technology to meet the demands of a modern industrial society won’t be easy. Not doing so will be harder still, because of the damage runaway climate change will inflict on the earth and on human society. The new IPCC Synthesis Report shows how to climb out of this hole. But first we need to stop digging.
FEATURES
NOVEMBER13, 2014
VSUSPECTATOR.COM | PAGE 5
Whistl phone case gives user added line of defense when in danger Cole Edwards
MULTIMEDIA EDITOR csedwards@valdosta.edu A new smartphone case created to help ease the number of sexual assault cases, particularly on college campuses, will soon be available. The Whistl is described as an iPhone case that aims to prevent sexual assault and violent crime by giving the user a case where one click of a button on the side of will trigger an alarm system (a loud siren and flashing light), notify 911 services and loved ones of danger and automatically begin recording video and audio. LifeShel, the company behind the case, is marketing the Whistl as unlike any other device or software on the market because it does not require the user to have to log into their phone or carry an extra device (such as pepper spray) with them to activate the software. With just a couple clicks of the button, the Whistl case will emit a temporary blinding
LED light and alarm sound at 120 decibels, equivalent to being on front row at a rock concert. A connection through the phone’s Bluetooth system will then send a 911 alert and message to preset family members through a group SMS chat, as well as turning on video and
audio recording. Whistl also contains a check-in feature that will check in on the user every few minutes and automatically activate the alarm and notification features if the user fails to respond by a click of the button. “We want to create a cul-
ture where our community is engaged, emergency services are at the ready, and there is increased reporting and accountability,” said Jayon Wang, LifeShel CEO, said. “The Whistl’s features are designed with those goals in mind.” Whistl has already been
Photo courtesy of Lifeshel
featured on numerous media outlets including C-SPAN and NPR. During a Pittsburg visit with TechShop workers that led to a conversation with Wang, President Obama commented on “the ability for people to alert, using a smartphone, friends, family, law
enforcement quickly if they find themselves in a tough situation.” The LifeShel company was founded in 2013 at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburg by a group of engineering students who wanted to create smarter safety products for other college students following a close friend’s haunting experience as a sexual assault victim. A limited number of Whistl smartphone cases are being offered for $57 through an online Kickstarter campaign though Whistl cases for iPhone devices will begin shipping wide in the summer of 2015, with Galaxy S and HTC One series cases to soon follow. The free app required to use the device will also be available in the summer. “We hope to reach college students, parents, runners, cab drivers, bartenders, anyone especially concerned with personal safety,” Wang said. “The more Whistl cases we can get in people’s hands, the better we can work together to make our communities safer.”
A rich history: First person shooters, a staple for gamers LaMarcus Wilkerson STAFF WRITER lkwilkerson@valdosta.edu
Seeing the action unfold through the eyes of a character is an experience that can be lived when playing firstperson shooters. The first-person shooter has been around since the early 1970s. Two of the first games in this genre were “Maze War,” which was a game in which players rambled around in a maze battling foes and “Spasim,” a space simulation
credited for being the first 3D multiplayer game. Even though these games pioneered the genre, there was one game that popularized firstperson shooters for years to come and that game was “Wolfenstein 3D.” This game was created in 1992 and as it worked its way into living rooms, the expansion of first-person shooters has been rapid.
Nowadays, the video game industry is dominated by the genre. At some point in your life, you have witnessed a first-person shooter firsthand and have personally experienced or seen the emotional effects it has. The genre allows players to experience the action that a character sees through his or
“The firstperson shooter has been around since the early 1970’s.”
her eyes, which gives gamers a personal feel from a firstperson perspective. That’s why your face is distorted after being capped by a peeping tom from a distance in a multiplayer match. Regardless of having vague feelings toward your virtual demise and reincarnation, gamers have been mesmerized by first-person shooters such as “Halo” and “Call of Duty.”
“Halo” and “Call of Duty” have left behind a legacy that is nothing short of legendary. And recently Call of Duty has released “COD: Advanced Warfare,” a title that introduces futuristic warfare to its audience and players have a variety of high-tech weapons and perks at your disposal. First-person shooters have made the video game industry very competitive. The competition is fierce
and the thought of scarcity lingers in the conscious of gamers so they wait in line at midnight to buy a copy of the latest first-person shooter. Once a gamer has the opportunity to play, their time is consumed and they explore a virtual world through the eyes of a character or multiple characters, which is an amazing experience.
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DEBATE:
FEATURES
Award winning team adds to long list of accolades Marquez Slaughter
STAFF WRITER mjslaughter@valdosta.edu
V
SU’s Speech and Debate Team may be considered the underdogs on campus when it comes down to the school’s competitive activities against other universities, but the team brings wins as well as championships to the university. Members of the Forensics (Speech and Debate) Team consider themselves the homecoming champions from their win in the VSU Blazer Classic which took place Oct. 24 and Oct. 25 during VSU’s Homecoming week. The team also won first place in the sixth annual UNG Chicken and Egg Tournament on Sept. 26 - Sept. 28. In the VSU Blazer Classic, the team went up against eight different schools, three of which were from different states. The Blazers were able to
Marquez Slaughter/ SPECTATOR The Forensics (Speech and Debate) Team set up a table for its achievements, which adds up to 20 or more awards and trophies, including Dr. Eaves’ award for winning best speaker in the VSU Blazer Classic that he greatly appreciates.
get five teams to break, which qualified all of the VSU debaters as quarter finalist. The awards won in the tournament were Mercy Dahn with first in IPDA; Erin Taliaferro won first place IPDA
varsity speaker; Hannah Tabriza and Allante Fairlay won
Photo courtesy of VSU Debate Team The Forensics, VSU’s debate team, poses for a photo with coach Eaves. The Forensics have recently won first place at the Chicken and Egg Tournament.
first place MPDA together; and Lexi Outlaw and Erin Taliaferro won semi-finalist MPDA together. “I’m very proud of all my debaters this year,” Keven Rudrow, the forensics team’s assistant coach, said. “I may be their coach, but all of their hard work and dedication is because of their commitment, love of debate, and desire to be better debaters.” Dr. Michael Eaves, head coach of the forensics team, was able to debate for the first time with VSU and won best speaker. All together, the team has at least 20 trophies. During the team’s practice on Tuesday, some of the team members confidently took the stand before their other teammates, and with such speed in their speech, they explained how they simply broke their opponents about the topic of Ebola. The other teammates listened and took notes. They ended by giving their honest feedback to help build their teammates’ debating and speech skills. Eaves invites students to come and join the forensics team. No experience is required, “but it does require a high GPA,” Taliaferro said. Eaves can be contacted at (229) 259-5116 or meaves@ valdosta.edu if interested or in need of more information.
weekly Horoscope Missteps could drop the cake, so walk carefully. Don’t take big risks or experiment with the dinner you’re serving guests. Discipline and creativity can boost your career now. Important associates come to an agreement. It could get chaotic. Make plans before you make messes. Spend your money on your home and family, but not excessively. A new theory doesn’t work as well in practice. Friends offer good advice. Dispel nervous energy through exercise. Blow off chores and follow your heart for a while. Clean up later. Curb the desire to rush forward. Choose your direction carefully. Keep promises already made. Tally results. A romantic moment could catch you by surprise. Work produces unforeseen benefits. Don’t spend on frivolities. Eat well, and nurture strength and endurance. Sacrifice or surrendering works wonders for your love life. Focus on a subject you love, and breakthroughs are possible. An unpleasant surprise could arise, especially if you rush. Keep quiet. Don’t be afraid, or impetuous... go slow and steady. Keep costs down at home. Love could seem intense... work together and keep your focus for great results. Obstacles provoke accidents, so go slow and watch out. Don’t get intimidated by strong competition. Abundance, due to your own thrift, is yours. Finish what you started. Temporary confusion can befuddle, so be careful. Advance with caution. Postpone expansion and travel. Don’t talk about finances if you can avoid it. Quiet productivity allows you to keep your eye on a speeding ball. Finish an old job. Think it through to the end. Postpone a discussion. Avoid reckless spending. Your strength is quite attractive. Don’t get stopped by past failures. Learn from them. Make plans but don’t act on them yet. Postpone a romantic conversation until you’ve thought over what you want to say. Pay attention to the mood. Light candles; add soft music and fragrant flowers. Express feelings wordlessly. Don’t take off on a lark quite yet. Allow extra time for travel. Move slowly to avoid accidents. Acknowledge the limits, and keep to them. MCT Campus
NOVEMBER 13, 2014
VSUSPECTATOR.COM | PAGE 7
NOVEMBER 13, 2014
Football goes to FIT, playoffs in sight Chris Webb
Staff Writer ctwebb@valdosta.edu Six weeks ago, Valdosta State was coming off a crushing 31-29 last second loss to No. 15 North Alabama and had a mediocre record of only 2-2. Head coach David Dean then challenged his football team to something: win its remaining games and give themselves a shot at the playoffs; they’ve done just that so far. VSU has gone on a fivegame winning streak, outscoring their opponents 199-36, only giving up three touchdowns during that span. “I’ve been very pleased with how this group has made this five game run and put us in a spot to win that sixth and get into the playoffs,” Dean said. “I’m even more proud in how we have improved each week. We are continuing to come together as a team.”
No. 25 VSU (7-2, 4-2) will look to make it six in a row and clinch a playoff spot when they travel to Melbourne, Florida, this Saturday to take on an impressive second year program in Florida Tech (6-4, 3-3). Looking at the FIT offense though, it’s easy to believe this program has been around for years. Lead by the seven time Gulf South Conference freshman of the week quarterback Mark Cato, wide receiver Xavier Milton, and fullback Trevor Sand, the Panther offense is a well balanced attack that has given multiple opponents trouble this year. Milton and Sand lead the GSC in receiving and rushing yards respectively. Milton has 1,011 yards on 69 catches and nine touchdowns, while Sand has 1,058 rushing yards on 161 carries. With all these weapons to account for, Dean is aware of the challenges his defense has
ahead of them. “They are always able to match scores which is the sign of a good football team; if their defense gives up a touchdown their offense just comes out and drives it down to score,” Dean said. “They execute really well and (Milton) is very, very good if you give him room.” However, matching the hot play of the FIT offense is a Blazer defense that has no plans in watching their season end early. “We are just going to keep doing what we have been doing,” linebacker and leading tackler Kenny Murphy said. “We are just going to keep buying into what coach (Bubba) Walker is telling us. We all have confidence in each other to make the play and I think its showing out there.” Entering the final week of the regular season VSU’s “Black Swarm” defense has looked just as the name
Alex Tostado/THE SPECTATOR David Dean is on the cusp of a playoff appearence. VSU last went to the playoffs in 2012 when they won the National Championship.
implies. Allowing just less than 16 points per game, the Black Swarm is ranked first in the GSC and 12th nationally in points allowed. Offensively, the Blazers have looked like a well-oiled
Volleyball moves to GSC semis Neil Frawley
Sports Writer ndfrawley@valdosta.edu Nearly 30 minutes after the Valdosta State’s women’s soccer team received a standing ovation at the Complex for advancing to the DII NCAA tournament as Gulf South Conference champions, the volleyball team began their march toward claiming the same honor. VSU defeated the University of Alabama-Huntsville 3-0, to move on to face University of West Florida in the semifinals of the GSC tournament on Saturday in Rome, Georgia at 2:30 p.m. Head coach Mike Swan
earned his first playoff victory as a coach at VSU, and also finished 13-0 at home. “It’s a good feeling,” Swan said. “This is one of our three goals we set out this year: to win all of them at home.” After beating the Chargers 3-0 nine days ago, Swan knew this would be a different UAH team. “I knew Huntsville would put up a much better battle than they did nine days ago,” Swan said. They were really flat that day, and we dominated them.” GSC player of the year, Jessica Codato, kept her high level of play going again by tallying 38 assists, four kills and four digs.
“It’s the first round, so we’re always going to be a little nervous, but I mean we got back in the game,” Codato said. After splitting the season series with UWF, Codato believes consistency will be the key to winning the championship. “It’s mental at this point of the year,” Codato said. “We’ve been practicing, working hard every single day from the beginning of the year, and our team is so great, and we’ve been working every single day, and it’s working. So it’s just mental.” On being the player of the year in the GSC, Codato expresses her gratitude for
the award, but also admits humbly how important her teammates were to achieving the award. “It’s great,” Codato said. “It’s an honor, and that’s still a team award because I’m a setter (and) without them I wouldn’t have gotten anything.” Although it is his first playoff win, Swan is no stranger to needing to win when it counts. His response to exactly how many was simply, “too many.” “I still get a little nervous, but I don’t let a whole lot of stuff get me rattled,” Swan said. Follow Neil on Twitter: @NeilFrawley
machine for a majority of the season averaging over 35 points a game. Dean credits the success to the balance his offense has shown, averaging over 220 rushing yards and 245 passing yards a game.
“Being as balanced as we have has been huge for us,” Dean said. “You’re not able to key on one specific thing. That’s what happened last week with UNC-Pembroke, they tried to stop our run and we ended up passing for over 300 yards. It’s been a blessing to be able to take advantage of what defenses want to give us this year.” Quarterback Kaleb Nobles is expected to get the start behind center yet again with starter Jake Medlock out nursing a knee injury for the second straight week. Nobles stepped up to the challenge last week and thrived in the spotlight finishing the game going 24-38 for 308 yards and four touchdowns. VSU remains hopeful Medlock will be available for the playoffs if they can escape from Melbourne with a win. Follow Chris on Twitter: @CTRSWebb
Sudoku Answer
PAGE 8 | VSUSPECTATOR.COM
NOVEMBER 13, 2014
Basketball season tips off in Valdosta Hill has team prepped for opener Austin Wells
Sports Writer amwells@valdosta.edu
Sierra King/THE SPECTATOR The men’s basketball team huddles during a recennt practice. The season is set to tip off on Friday against Lane College and Saturday against Albany State.
Justice, VSU ready for new season Shane Thomas
Sports Writer shanethomas@valdosta.edu Blazer basketball begins its 60th season Friday night against the Lane College Dragons. With the preseason coming to a close, the Blazers are eager to see a different opponent than themselves. “It’s gotten to the point now where you’re tired of going against each other over and over again,” junior guard Blake Justice said. “It’s nice to see new guys out there. We’ve heard a little bit about Lane so we just want to come out and have a good showing the first night.” Lane, a member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), finished 3-20 last season and struggled defensively throughout. The Dragons surrendered 84.3 points per game and 50.4 percent shooting to their opponents while getting outscored by 10.8 points per game on average. Blazers head coach Mike Helfer has long maintained the present is all that matters when a new season begins. “In these early games, I think you have to throw out last year’s stats,” Helfer said. “Every team can change throughout the course of the year. When you really don’t have a lot of video or knowl-
edge of exactly what teams are going to do, it’s important to make sure you’re prepared to do what you do best and hopefully do that often.” Justice, a sharpshooting transfer from Akron, saw his first season with the Blazers suffer from a frustrating combination of hot flashes and the chills; Justice shot 38.5 percent from the floor and just 31.9 percent from three-point range on the season. Looking noticeably lighter than last season, Justice feels his improved conditioning will make him a more potent weapon as the season wears on and spoke of the expectations for the team this season. “One of my goals personally was to come back in better shape,” Justice said. “It’s a long season, legs get heavy, you kind of go through ups and downs where you’re not as consistent shooting-wise. Being in shape is definitely going to help. “Team-wise, I think we’ve got a good team. I don’t want to say anything too outrageous right now but I expect high things out of us.” Albany State visits The Complex Saturday night. The Rams have developed into a non-conference rival in recent seasons, a rivalry intensified by the Blazers’ 9189 overtime win on the Rams’ home court last season. “There are some positives
and negatives (to the back-toback games),” Justice said. “You might not play well the first night, then the positive is you get to turn around and make up for it the next night. The negative is you get the short recovery and less planning time. “Albany is one of those teams where we went to their place and ended up winning in overtime so it’s an inner rivalry. They’ve got some guys back, we’ve got some guys back—it’s kind of bragging rights for the rest of the year so it’s a big game. We’re preparing for Lane first, but at the same time, Albany’s in the back of our heads.” Helfer is entering his 10th season as the Blazers’ coach. Helfer is 174-90 in his VSU career, including being 112-23 at home. For the coach, the challenge of a new season is exciting and having two games in two days is something to embrace. “I don’t really look at it as my tenth season,” Helfer said smiling. “Each season brings its own challenges and rewards so I’m just looking forward to another season and getting ready for Friday night.” Tip-off for Friday’s game is scheduled for 8 p.m. The Blazers host Albany State at 8 p.m. on Saturday. Follow Shane on Twitter: @ItsaThomasThing
The Lady Blazers basketball team plays their first game Friday against Eckerd, who finished the 2013-2014 season with a record of 1116. As part of the Holiday Inn Valdosta Conference Center Challenge, The Lady Blazers will also play the next day against a Fort Valley State team that finished 13-15 last season. With back to back games looming to start the season, head coach Kiley Hill is focusing on getting his players ready to play. “Right now our focus is getting ourselves prepared,” Hill said. “We’re making sure that everybody’s on the same page. That’s our main focus on offense, defense and in transition. We’re steadily getting better and better.” “We have so many new kids,” Hill said. “Discussing the new challenges the young team will have to face. We haven’t played Eckerd or Fort Valley State. We played some exhibition games but you just never know what you’re going to get from them, just like they don’t know what they’re going to get from us. All we’re doing is trying to prepare based on what has
“We’re
making sure that everybody’s on the same page. That’s our main focus on offense, defense and in transition. We’re steadily getting better and better.” -Kiley Hill VSU women’s head basketball coach happened in the past and be ready to go play.” Hill also discussed the aspect of having to play back to back games and the impact it has on the team. “With back to back games we try to get a lot of preparation in, not only from a mental standpoint but a physical standpoint as well,” Hill said. “Leading up to this week we’ve started tapering
Photo Courtesy of VSU Head coach Kiley Hill enters the season with many new faces. The season begins Friday.
back our workload. We’ve got to have high energy playing back to back games first thing out of the gate.” The Lady Blazers will play Fort Valley State again on the road this Tuesday, and Hill sees this as a good thing for his young squad. “I think you have a little better of an idea of what they’re going to do right out of the gate,” Hill explained. “You see what kind of adjustments they make against you and what adjustments you make against them. For us right now it’s probably a good thing to play someone back to back instead of having to prepare for someone new in a less amount of time, especially for our younger players. Familiarity is a good thing.”