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VALDOSTA STATE UnIVErSITy’S InDEPEnDEnT STUDEnT nEWSPAPEr
Thursday 9, February January 2012 19, 2012
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Inside This Issue
OnWeb the Web On the
Check page 6 for the new sports column: Stonewalled with Chad Stone.
- OPInIOnS: “Cut the Net, Cut our freedom” - FEATUrES: “program improves literacy in kids” - SPOrTS: “Mistakes fueling losing streak”
VOLUME VOLUME 83 83 ISSUE ISSUE 17 20
w.tvosr.ucsopme c ta t o r. c o m w w w. v s u s pw ew c ta Check out the web for this week’s SGA meeting, to find out the V-State Experience tour and Pop Addict. Follow @BlazerSports on Twitter for live scores and updates! Check out page 6
Search narrowed to final four Jennifer Gleason A S S T . f e AT U R e S e D I T o R
jlgleason@valdosta.edu
After months of nationwide searching, VSU has found four presidential candidates to potentially take Dr. Louis Levy’s place in July. The VSU presidential Search and Screen Committee will spend the duration of february interviewing the four finalists to become the ninth University president. A search began on Sept. 8, some months after Dr. patrick Schloss resigned to take the position of the University System of Georgia’s Assistant to executive Vice Chancellor. Since Schloss’ resignation, Dr. Louis Levy has been serving as the university’s Interim president. “[The search] is a process of announcing the vacancy in as many places as possible, soliciting applications and evaluating against our criteria which are posted in the position description,” phyllis Holland, professor and Head of the Department of Management, said. After the Search and Screen Committee reviewed the applicants, the campaign narrowed to the four finalists. The candidates will visit VSU within the next
Dr. Michael Lane Dr. Bill McKinney Dr. Cheryl Norton Dr. Ray Alden Prior Credentials 2000 – 2005 Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Mansfield University
2005 – 2006 Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs/Provost University of Arkansas – Fort Smith
2006 – 2011 President Emporia State University
Public Campus Visit: Monday, February 13, 9:00 to 10:00 AM
Prior Credentials
Prior Credentials
Prior Credentials
1993 – 2001
2004 – 2010
1982 – 1997
Chairperson, Department of Philosophy and Religion Southeast Missouri State University
President Southern Connecticut State University
Director, Applied Marine Research Laboratory Old Dominion University
2001 – 2008
2010 – 2011
1997 – 2006
Slippery Rock University
Sabbatical/Administrative Leave K-12 Education Reform and the Changing Needs for Teacher Preparation
Dean, College of Sciences / Executive Vice President and Provost University of Nevada
2008 – Present
2011 – 2012
2006 – Present
Dean, College of the Humanities, Fine, and Performing Arts
Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Indiana University – Purdue University Fort Wayne
Senior Fellow American Association of State Colleges and Universities
Executive Vice President and Provost Northern Illinois University
Public Campus Visit: Tuesday, February 14 1:30 to 2:30 PM
Public Campus Visit: Thursday, February 16 9:00 to 10:00 AM
Public Campus Visit: Monday, February 20 9:00 to 10:00 AM
Graphic by Jacob McWhorter/The SPECTATOR
couple of weeks so the university community may meet and interview each nominee. one candidate, Dr. Michael Lane, was the president of
emporia State University from 2006 to 2011. While president, he worked hard to reach out to the student body on a personable level and connect with other
universities, according to his resumé. Dr. Lane plans to visit VSU on feb. 13. He will speak and answer questions from 9 to
10 a.m.in the Student Union Theatre. Another candidate, Dr. Bill McKinney, has served as Vice
Chancellor of Academic Affairs at Indiana University – purdue University fort Wayne since 2008. Dr. McKinney will visit VSU and take questions from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in the Student Union Theatre on feb. 14. Candidate Dr. Cheryl Norton worked at several universities and educational associations. Dr. Norton served as president of Southern Connecticut State University from 2004 to 2010. She will speak and answer questions at VSU from 9 to10 a.m. in the Student Union Theatre on feb. 16. Dr. Ray Alden worked at several universities, holding numerous positions and is the executive Vice president and provost of Northern Illinois University, a position he has held since 2006. Dr. Alden has a long list of professional service to both education and environmental studies and preservation. Dr. Alden will visit the campus on feb. 20, from 9 to10 a.m. in the Student Union Ballroom A. After the campus interviews, the Search and Screen Committee will recommend candidates to the Special Regent’s Search Committee, which will then begin the second phase of the process. The committee hopes to have a new president by July 1.
Coffee shop gets spiked Hall flood Starbuck’s Coffee stores in cities such as Atlanta will be adding alcohol to its menu later this year. Megan Harris
Students were moved to Hopper Hall after a pipe burst in Langdale Hall Saturday.
S TA f f W R I T e R megharris@valdosta.edu
Jacob McWhorter/THE SPECTATOR Students posted a sign wishing Dr. Larry Etling their best wishes on his office door. He is in stable condition at Shand’s Hospital.
Professor injured, admitted to Shand’s Amanda Usher A S S T. o p I N I o N S e D I T o R amusher@valdosta.edu
Dr. Larry etling, associate professor of mass media, is in serious but stable condition at a Shands hospital in Gainesville, fla., after being injured in a head-on collision Saturday near his home. etling was airlifted and admitted into Shands after being briefly treated at South Georgia Medical Center in Valdosta. everyone was asked to not contact the hospital for any information. Mass media assistant professor Brian Day, Mass Media instructor Michael Taylor, Speech Communication assistant professor for David Nelson and Mass Media head frank Barnas are covering Dr. etling’s classes while he is out. “each of these faculty members has either taught the course before or has extensive knowledge about the subject matter,” Barnas and Dr. Carl Cates, head of Communication Arts, said in
an e-mail. The course outlines will still follow the timelines that etling created. Christine Jones, senior mass media major, and Christi Holliday, IT student technician and senior mass media major, sent an email Monday asking everyone to place letters including words of encouragement or support on etling’s office door. Cards are also appreciated. Travis Colwell, a junior mass media major, expressed his emotions concerning this incident. "Right now, I don't have him for any classes, but he is my adviser and he knew what he was doing,” Colwell said. “To be honest, I really don't know what's going to happen at this point.” etling spent the beginning of his career with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, CBC News. He is what his colleagues call a “pioneer in radio studies.” His book “Radio in the Movies: A History and filmography, 1926-2010,” was released by Mcfarland & Company last year.
Question of the Week What do you plan on doing for Valentine’s Day? A. Going out on the town with my man/woman B. Eating candy-the best part C. I don’t believe in commerical holidays.
Starbucks Coffee Company will sell beer and wine in Atlanta, Southern California, Chicago and pacific Northwest area stores later this year. Customers expressed a desire to have more options for relaxing in an evening setting. “We recognize the importance of continuously evolving with our customers’ interests, lifestyles and values in order to stay relevant over the long term,” a company spokesperson said. “our customers have told us that this is a natural extension to our coffee menu and our third place experience.” The company targeted stores where it is relevant to create an atmosphere that lets customers relax with a friend, have a small bite to eat and a cup of coffee or a glass of wine. “As our customers transition from work to home, many are looking for a warm and inviting place to unwind and connect with the people they care about,” Clarice Turner, senior vice president of Starbucks Coffee Company, said. The option for alcoholic beverages along with a new premium food menu and the incorporation of flexible seating to accommodate individuals and larger parties will all serve to enhance the company’s evening-setting atmosphere. Despite all the changes, topnotch coffee will remain the focus of the Starbucks’ experience. “As we introduce new expressions of the Starbucks experience, we’ve stayed true to our original vision and values, with
Shambree Wartel Copy eDIToR
snwartel@valdosta.edu J. Daniel Young/THE SPECTATOR While Starbuck’s locations in places such as Atlanta will sell alcohol, the VSU location in the Student Union will not.
the same commitment to premium quality coffee, passionate partners and a rich customer experience,” a company spokesperson said. As expected, concerns have risen over the mainstream coffee company’s ability to ensure that only safe and legal consumption of alcohol will take place in their stores. However, according to Starbucks’ media relations, all of the partners who work in those store locations serving wine and beer will be at least 21 years of age and will be trained to spot and assess customers who may have had too much to drink. Service will be refused to anyone who is visibly intoxicated. “partners are trained to call law enforcement as situations arise,” said Starbucks’ media relations. “We continuously review our procedures and we will continue to work closely with law enforcement to be sure our stores continue to provide a welcoming atmosphere for all customers.” VSU’s on-campus Starbuck’s will not be serving beer or wine, according to Chris Valdas, student union manager.
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"We did receive word on this; however, it is against our policy to sell alcohol on campus in a university setting,” he said. Students have conflicting views on whether the change will have a positive or negative influence on their Starbucks experience. Some students, like Jonathan Landrum, senior accounting major, don’t believe alcohol belongs in a coffee shop. “It doesn’t really go with the whole coffee thing. you can go to the gas station and get beer,” Landrum said. “I don’t want to go to Starbucks and take out my laptop to do homework around drunk people.” other students, like Stuart Taylor, english graduate student, are more open to the idea and are excited to see Starbucks evolving and keeping up with the times. “I think it’s definitely a good idea to try and see what happens,” he said. “There’s definitely a market for it and in this economy any business really needs to try new things to keep old customers coming and gain new ones.”
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Approximately 45 students were relocated to Hopper Hall late Saturday night after a rupture in a hot water pipe on the 5th floor C Wing caused them to be flooded out of their rooms in Langdale Hall. Dean of Student Affairs, Russell Mast, was there to quickly assess the situation. “The majority of the damage was done to the fifth and first floors,” Mast said. “We are still assessing interior walls and pipes to see if there are any other damages that we are not aware of.” Sophomore, undecided major Nicki Burrell remembered being confused the night of the flood. “I had just walked in and I didn’t know what was happening, but my hall mate called me and told me the hall and the rooms closest to the bathroom were flooded,” Burrell said. “I didn’t know if it was any of my stuff, but I went to check just in case.” Students, including Kimberly Roney, were not happy with the aftermath. “Books, clothes, shoes, and other stuff was ruined,” Roney said. “Nobody has even said anything yet, they’re just moving people to temporary rooms.”
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Get Help with your Resumé Get quick feedback on your resumé draft on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Contact Career Services at 3335942 for times or more information.
Feb. 9 Free Urine Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Testing Student Health Center, 3-4 p.m. Must show valid VSU ID and attend a 10-15 minute educational presentation prior to receiving the free test.
Flood
A night of karaoke and dancing co-hosted by South Georgia pride and the Accepting Difference project. There will be door prizes and couples giveaways.
Continued from Page 1 According to Mast, VSU will handle subsequent damages. “It appears that the water affected student clothing that was on the floor of their room,” Mast said. “We had their clothes professionally cleaned and returned to them.” Serv-pro, a corporation that specializes in these types of cleanups, was called to assist in water removal as well as to clean damaged areas. “They left their dryers on for the next two days to dry the entire building,” Mast said. “They finished cleaning around 5 a.m.” While some students settled into their temporary housing, others felt inconvenienced. “I think the whole thing was ridiculous,” Burrell said. “I felt like nobody took responsibility for what happened. They need a new procedure or something.”
Grand Opening Shenanigan The Brass Quill Gallery - 704 N. Ashley St., 2-6 p.m. Raffles will be held at 5:30 and winners must be present. A portion of all proceeds will be donated to the B.A.R.C. Humane Society.
Feb 12 Student Union Theater, 7-9 p.m. Movie: paranormal Activity 3
Cap Night The Complex, 6 p.m. Ball caps will be given away to the first 750 fans at tonight’s women's basketball game.
Feb. 13, 14, 15
Feb. 9, 10, 11 “Leading Ladies” Dosta Playhouse, 7 p.m. A comedy about two Shakespearean actors turned bumbling con men. All seats $13. Call the box office at 247-8243 or visit theatreguildvaldosta.com for tickets.
Feb 10 Speed Dating Center of International Programs Office, 2 p.m. Society of International Students brings you fRee speed dating. Cupcakes and roses will be available for purchase. for more information call 333-7413. Cosmic Climbing Student Recreation Center, 9 p.m. - midnight Come to the climbing wall for climbing in the black lights. paint, dance, listen to music and climb! No charges or fees.
Feb. 11 Rainbow Mixer Unitarian Universalist Church 1951 E. Park Ave., 7-11 p.m.
V-day bake Sale Pedestrian Mall, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Women’s and Gender Studies will host your 1-stop Valentine’s Day shop to benefit the Vagina Monologues. Visit Carswell Hall or call 249-4842 for more information.
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There have been some ideas as to the cause of this sudden incident. According to Mast, a faulty pipe connection may have caused the problem. “plant operations is currently in the process of selecting an independent consultant to conduct testing of the plumbing system and figure out what happened,” Mast said. University police were the first to respond and contacted the appropriate VSU personnel. Director of Housing, Dr. Tom Hardy felt the situation was handled as well as possible. “I want to extend my appreciation for all the help in this unfortunate occurrence,” he said. “I even had two other senior members of Housing who stayed all night to ensure every student was relocated properly.” Students affected have now been given the decision to move back to Langdale or stay in Hopper Hall.
“We are giving students the opportunity to take some time to make their decision,” Mast said. “We won’t have final numbers of who will stay where until next week.
Police Briefs Feb. 2 A silver ipod touch was reported stolen from Jennett Lecture Hall. A student reported that a fellow student will not return her calculator. Shoes were reported stolen from the Student Recreation Center.
Feb. 3
Meet our winner! Tiera was the first to guess the correct number of hidden groundhogs in our last issue, which was 11.
Name: Tiera Johnson Year: junior Major: speech communications From: Stone Mountain Fave Color: pink
An incident with one of the VSU vans was reported in the Sustella parking Deck. A bike was reported missing since Dec. 9.
Feb. 6 Damage to the glass on a printer was reported in odum Library. A phone was reported stolen from the shower in Langdale Residence Hall.
(Photo by: J. Daniel Young)
Feb 13 - MaR 02 artists of Railroad Square Multi-Media Invitational exhibition Fine Arts Gallery An opening reception will be held on feb. 13 from 7-8:30 p.m.
Feb 15 Spring Presidents’ Council Meeting Student Organization Office Space, 7 p.m. please RSVp to Doel parrilla at daparrilla@valdosta.edu for this meeting. Spaces are extremely limited. Greeks In black History UC Cypress Room, 7-9 p.m. The NpHC will inform the public how members of their organizations influenced the progression of black history. Comic by: Garrison Muelhausen /THE SPECTATOR
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Cut the Net, cut our freedom o
n Jan. 19, Megaupload was shut down by the federal government; just a day after many major sites across the Internet protested the anti-piracy acts by blacking out their content. Megaupload was a major file sharing site that accounted for 2-3% of the entire Internet’s bandwidth. The government’s decision is an attempt to cut down on the piracy of copyrighted material in the United States. According to an article on www.billboard.biz, the files of users hosted on the servers that Megaupload rents could potentially start to be destroyed as early as today. While the circumstances of this elimination were, we will admit, unwise on the part of the owner
of the company, such as paying third-party websites incentives for hosting copyrighted material that received large amounts of downloads, the majority of the site’s content was perfectly legal according to a statement released by the company shortly after the site was shut down. In the aftermath of this knee-jerk attempt at curbing online piracy, many other sites including fileSonic, fileServe and BTjunkie have either shut down or greatly altered the sharing functionality of their services. people who were using these sites to steal copyrighted material have just moved on to similar file-sharing services to continue their pirating ways. on top of that, users who were
using the sites as a legitimate file-sharing service have been blocked from retrieving their data and are being forced to use much less efficient services to achieve the same tasks. Many users preferred Megaupload because of the ease of use, generous server space to store files (200 gigabytes and the ability to upload files up to two gigabytes in size for non-paying users) and fast upload and download speeds. All these services could be improved for a small monthly fee. The point we are trying to make is that the scope of the Internet is far too great to effectively end piracy once and for all (at least not at this point in time). The methods that the US govern-
ment are employing to slow pirates down are simply not working. The collateral damage of these broad accusations is hurting legitimate tools that greatly increase the functionality of the Internet across the world every day. The fact that a celebrity endorsed file-sharing site (just check out the controversial Megaupload Mega Song on youTube from a while back; yes, that is Kanye West telling us what an amazing tool for Internet users Megaupload is) got completely shut down in order to cut down on a small percentage of piracy that is happening on the web is a scary precursor to the future of our much coveted Internet freedom.
Garrison Muelhausen/The Spectator
This editorial was written by Chad Stone (cstone@valdosta.edu) and it expresses the general opinion of the editorial staff.
People Poll:
Tying the knot, gay or not J. Daniel young pHoTo eDIToR jeryoung@valdosta.edu
In light of Tuesday’s landmark decision by the California Supreme Court, I am reminded of a comment by a female friend who once had this to say on gay marriage: “Why should straights be the only ones to suffer?” Apparently California gays will be allowed to suffer matrimony first hand, now that the state’s appeals court decision to declare the hotly contested proposition 8 as unconstitutional—a decision that has already been marked for appeal by gay marriage opponents. proposition 8 is the referendum that passed by a narrow margin in November 2008. The referendum took away the right for gays to marry - a right given to them by the California Supreme Court earlier in the year. I am understand the opposition to gay marriage, but when Gop presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich tweets that it is “another example of an out of control judiciary,” I have to take offense. After all, Newt is on his third marriage and his track record has
been fodder for both the press and his Gop opponents. How disappointing that he’s had three and will not allow gays one. Mitt Romney also opposed the decision. In a statement released by his camp, he said that he would “protect traditional marriage and appoint judges who interpret the Constitution as it is written and not according to their own politics and prejudices.” In a quick reply tweeted by obama’s campaign press secretary, Ben LaBolt, Romney was reminded that he said he’d “do more for gay rights than Sen. [edward] Kennedy.” His outright opposition to the effort to level the marriage equality playing field is at odds with this statement. Rick Santorum also tweeted his opposition to the decision, stating that “7M Californians had their rights stripped away today by activist 9th Circuit judges.” What Santorum fails to realize is that there were 18,000 married couples that had their rights threatened by those seven million. Ultimately, this will end up in the U.S. Supreme Court, because groups opposing marriage equality have already stated they will
How do you feel about Valentine’s Day? Jacqueline Ruffin senior criminal justice major “I think it’s single awareness day.”
Associated Press A gay couple smiles right after getting married. The end of Proposition 8 will give more gay couples the option to legally marry in California.
appeal. Certainly they have that right, but one thought I have to propose: When do the gays get to vote on their marriage? Marriage has come a long way. We have moved away from the days when arranged marriages were the norm. We have moved even further from the days where blacks and whites were not allowed to marry.
No matter on which side of the marriage fence you sit, the California Supreme Court is telling us that you cannot give people rights and then take them away, simply at the whim of the masses. Unless we go back to the archaic ways of thinking on marriage, it’s time to realize that the future is here and it’s covered in rainbow weddings.
VSU celebrates Black History Month with true commitment Quasha ross S TA f f W R I T e R qlross@valdosta.edu
VSU kicked off Black History week the right way with activities such as a Unity Cookout, Catwalk fashion Show, and a Meet in Greet, all with the common purpose of celebrating the past and embracing the future of Black History. Americans have recognized black history annually since 1926. It was first referred to as “Negro History week” and later Black History Week. We have Dr. Carter G. Wood-
son to thank for the celebration and study of black history. While Dr. Carter studied at Harvard University, he was shocked to see that the black American population had been ignored in the history books. Later, in 1916, he founded the widely respected Journal of Negro History and in 1926 he launched Negro History Week in hopes to bring attention to the contributions of black people throughout American history. Black Americans certainly have contributed with movies and books dedicated to black history. organizations and
establishments have been created in honor of black history and the people who contributed to it. We march and conduct parades in honor of our civil rights activists. our black history has finally made it into the books and received more coverage than many of us expected. Now, Black Americans and their contributions are frequently recognized. Black Americans now have organizations and establishments that document and support their efforts in society as well as establish a since of community within the black race and
“I want more buses to run around the college or at least for them to take less time coming and going from stop to stop.” -Jennifer Drawdy, middle grades major “I’ve officially decided to move off campus for my senior year!VSU has too many roommate issues going on. There could be a lot more Housing could do to avoid all these problems.” -Monica Childress, junior, psych major
community. Black Americans have the benefits of historically black colleges, the United Negro College fund, NAACp and much more. VSU senior Brian Teller felt that VSU has definitely done their part in Black History coverage. “I can honestly say we do have enough coverage,” he said. “ even here on campus, Black History is extremely covered throughout this week.” Hopefully, VSU will continue to provide insightful coverage on Black History events.
“I like Valentine’s Day. I think it’s a day you’re supposed to show your affection to loved ones.”
Kassie Harper sophomore marketing major “I think it’s a nice holiday to spend with the people you love.”
Tyler Goodman freshman business major
“Is it me, or is the need increasing for some sort of dress code on campus?I’m seeing too much of peoples’ butt cracks and stomachs for this to be an academic establishment.” -erica Strong, health science major
“It sucks when you don’t have anybody to spend it with.”
“It’s not often that you have to avoid being run over by a golf cart-rather, not often as long as you don’t go to VSU.” -Sierra boyd, business major
Contacting Us
Spectator Staff editor-in-Chief: Stephanie Turner Managing editor: Amber Smith business Manager: Lori paddock advertising Manager: John pickworth Circulation Manager: Morgan Mcfarland Opinions editor: Mikayla Beyer Features editor: Ariel felton
“I think it’s a really great holiday.”
biancco Gardner freshman computer engineering major
Rant of Rants of the the Week Week “I think there should be more trashcans available and locations for smokers to place their cigarette butts.” -Catherine Carmichael, early childhood major
Yuri McGhie junior exercise physiology major
Sports editor: Chad Stone Photo editor: J. Daniel young Multimediaeditor: Jacob McWhorter Web Designer: Rebecka McAleer Copy editor: Shambree Wartel Cartoonist: Garrison Muelhausen Faculty advisers: Dr. pat Miller, Dr. Ted Geltner Reporters/Photographers: Trevor Smith, Maya Kellam, D,
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Program improves literacy in kids Denise Pleasant Staff Writer dnpleasant@valdosta.edu
Blazing Through Books is in need of VSU student volunteers to help community children improve their reading and writing skills as well as their social and confidence level. The program brings together Valdosta State students and children from pre-K to elementary school grades and offers the kids a mentor through the process of improving their literacy skills. Dr. Gina Doepker, Assistant Director of early Childhood and Development programs, first started Blazing Through Books due to frustration concerning turning kids away. The Blazing Through Books program started last semester, and resulted in 28 children transferring into the L.e.A.p. one-on-
one tutoring program. “I basically eliminated the waiting list for the L.e.A.p. program,� Dr. Doepker said. According to Tiffany Long, early childhood major, graduate student and assistant to Dr. Doepker, the children are excited to enter the program and to be able to work with VSU volunteers. “They are able to enhance their reading and writing confidence,� Long said. Long felt the program also helped increase social skills. “They come from different parts of Valdosta and are able to interact with others.� Through a survey provided last semester, the parents were able to voice positive feedback. one parent told her personal experience to Dr. Doepker. “After joining Blazing Through Books, her son just started picking up books and
reading them himself,� Dr. Doepker said. Not only does Blazing Through Books benefit children, but it also benefits the parents as well. Many opportunities are offered through the program; stress management, a parent education series and a nutrition seminar, are a few programs offered for parents. Libby Trogdon, also an early childhood major and graduate student, and assistant to Dr. Doepker, helps assess the children’s progress. “I have not seen one child that hated it up there,� Trogdon said. “The program improves their confidence and motivated them to improve their social skills.� Blazing Through Books is in the middle of redesigning its program to better improve the children’s reading and writing skills.
“We used to analyze their reading and writing skills, and make four goals for the child, Trogdon said. “But the goals were too broad, so now we’re focusing on finding their reading level.� Dr. Doepker has been recruiting dorms, athletes and student organizations, but any student who wants to help is welcome to come and volunteer. “As soon as the kids get into it, they love it. They love getting to know the volunteers,� Trogdon said. Blazing Through Books meets every Monday and Wednesday in room 2156 in The Sullivan Literacy Center (located in The Dewar College of education) from 4 to 4:50 p.m. Arriving at 3:50 is recommended for new volunteers. for more information, Dr. Gina Doepker is open to e-mails at gmdoepker@valdosta.edu.
Titletown jazz bands unite for concert Shaundi McDaniel Staff Writer sjmcdaniel@valdosta.edu
Today the Valdosta State University Department of Music is hosting the 4th annual Titletown Jazz ensemble. The event is free and starts at 7:30 p.m. in the Whitehead Auditorium. The Titletown Jazz ensemble will feature the VSU jazz ensembles as well as the jazz ensembles from Lowndes and Valdosta High Schools. “The Titletown Jazz concert serves as a showcase for the outstanding local jazz programs and also celebrates this exciting and unique American art form,� said David Springfield, the director of the VSU Jazz ensemble. The performances will consist of the New Jazz ensemble, (which is made up of both non music and music majors) direct-
ed by Joren Cain, the VSU Jazz ensemble directed by David Springfield, Lowndes High School Jazz ensemble directed by Jon Bowman and Valdosta High School Jazz ensemble directed by Andrew Hill. “I also hope it will celebrate the role that music (specifically jazz) plays in our educational institutions, and will demonstrate the enthusiasm and dedication exhibited by all the students involved,� Springfield said. Both VSU jazz ensembles offer a great melodic experience that uplifts the atmosphere into a wonderful musical performance. overall, the program is designed to prepare students for a profession in jazz education, jazz composition and performance. The VSU Jazz ensemble has made many noteworthy appearances and has opened up for the Buddy Rich Band. These jazz performers have
Denise Pleasant / THE SPECTATOR Dr. Gina Doepker started the Blazing Through Books program last semester. The program strengthens the literacy confidence in children from Pre-K to elementary school.
even toured overseas to places such as europe, Netherlands, Switzerland and Germany. The group performs four times a year on the VSU campus. The New Jazz ensemble performs at least two concerts a year on campus. This group is for students who would like to improve skills in jazz performance and experience. If you are interested in being a member of either VSU ensembles, auditions are at the beginning of every school year. Students can also visit their department website, valdosta.edu/music/jazz/. for more information about the Titletown Jazz ensemble and/or the Valdosta State Jazz Studies program, please contact David Springfield at (229)-3335805 or daspring@valdosta.edu.
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Redbox, Verizon team up against Netflix
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his week Netflix should start getting worried, iphone classes, and say goodbye to the playStation Network name. In an interesting move, Verizon and Redbox have teamed up to have a new streaming service and even possible downloading of movies. The standard DVD kiosks will remain, but you will be able to stream movies to your smartphones, TV sets and maybe game consoles or streaming boxes like Roku. This could have a huge impact on Netflix if this new partnership will allow new movies to be streamed, which is Netflix’s weakness. This service is expected to launch in the second quarter of 2012. Google’s prototype HUD glasses might have been spotted in the wild. These glasses have head-up displays which can use Google’s cloud-based location services and give the wearer information about their surroundings. It gathers information by using a tiny front facing camera and is reported to only use HUD information in one eye, not both. 9to5Google reported that this product is nowhere near complete, so we won’t see these for a few more years. London’s Kensington and Chelsea College is now offering
classes to learn iphoneography. The course is designed to teach students how to take photographs with their iphones, sending them to different postproduction processing apps, and
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finally creating stunning pictures “With the right apps and skills, the iphone can be a powerful creative tool,” professor Richard Gray said. He will teach basic photography theory, composition, lighting, and color skills. This course will start next month. If you have a playStation 3 or a Japanese import of the playStation Vita, you might have noticed something different as of Tuesday; the playStation Network has been changed to the Sony entertainment Network. The company was quoted, “This helps us get closer to our goal of establishing a global comprehensive network platform of services across games,
Check out more features online, including events from the VSU music department!
movies, music and more, all accessible from one convenient account.” Users will not have to change their usernames or passwords. oddly this change did not come to the playStation portable. The latest build of Windows 8 is missing something we’ve all gotten used to, where the heck is the Start button? Instead of a start button, the empty space will be replaced with a “hot corner.” If you hover your mouse or swipe your finger over that spot it will transfer you between the Metro UI and the desktop. The super bar from Windows 7 will remain. Windows 8 will include an enhanced “charms bar,” which are transparent icons that have the action to search, share, devices, and settings panels, all of which the Start button did. I’m going to start a new end section where I ask you guys a question. This week’s question is, “What do you think about the iphoneography class? Would you take it if it were offered at VSU?” you can email your answers to me at smsetser@valdosta.edu or comment directly on the online article at http://www.vsuspectator.com/category/features/. Have a great week!
Check out Pop Addict on the web to see what Tom Brady’s lady has to say about the Super Bowl!
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STONEWALLED with Chad Stone
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unday night in Indianapolis marked the end of a fantastically dramatic NfL season, and another notch in the career belts of both star quarterbacks that participated in the big game, but all this legacy talk is happening a bit too soon. We all know that eli Manning and the New york Giants took home the Lombardi trophy, but Tom Brady isn’t doing so badly with five total appearances. Is it better to have two wins in two Super Bowls or three wins in five total appearances? Sure being perfect is a great thing, but getting to the big game five times is impressive to say the least. Brady is also just one win away from being tied with alltime greats Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana for most Super Bowl wins as a quarterback (4). Manning has proven that he is a fourth-quarter monster with two late-game performances that displayed his clutch ability to put the ball where it needs to be; not to mention that he broke the NfL record for most fourth quarter touchdown throws in a season this year with 15. How much of that was luck we will never know though (we all re-
member the “helmet catch” of the 2007 Super Bowl). Brady on the other hand has shown, with the help of an amazing coaching system under Bill Belichick, that in the right system he cannot be stopped (unless of course he has to face the Giants in the Super Bowl). This season alone Brady threw for 5,235 yards, completing 39 touchdown passes with only 12 interceptions. Along with this season’s amazing stats, he is sporting two Super Bowl MVps (tied with eli). Both of these amazing quarterbacks will most likely be in the Hall of fame one day, but what about the rest of their careers? Manning is still relatively young (he just turned 31 in January) while Brady is going to be turning 35 in August. There is still plenty of time for these guys to keep adding on the accolades and make those ring fingers even harder to lift. Judging them now would be like taking a bite out of a completely raw porterhouse and saying it the best steak on the planet before even letting Gordon Ramsay throw it on the grill. for more stunning analysis from your own Spectator sports editor tune in next week as I continue to tackle the hottest topics in sports both local and nationwide.
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Mistakes fuel losing streak Mac Ingram S TA f f W R I T e R
kmingram@valdosta.edu
The VSU baseball team lost 73 against the Albany State Golden Rams last night to open their season with a 1-3 record. After defeating Lindenwood to open the season, the Blazers have dropped three in a row at Billy Grant field. Senior Spencer Butler started on the mound for the Blazers and pitched four very solid innings only giving up three hits and one earned run, while striking out five batters. It was in the fifth inning where things started to fall apart for the Blazers. Albany State began the 5th inning with a double to deep left field, and Butler was replaced by Benjamin Weil. Weil walked his first batter and struck out the next two, but a single, a hit by pitch, and a pick-off error proved costly. After the fifth inning the Rams led the Blazers 4-0. The Blazers were able to get one run back in the seventh inning after junior Austin Lawrence hit a single over first base to score Chaz Bagwell from second.
However in the top of the 8th inning, the Blazers had bullpen trouble once more as Junior Jarod Carrolton replaced Weil and the Rams put up another 3 runs making the score 7-1. The bullpen seemed to be struggling and it was frustrating for VSU Coach Greg Guilliams. “Spencer threw exceptionally well today, but that’s the fourth game in a row where we’ve had a good start and our bullpen has just collapsed,“ Guilliams said. “Good teams have good bullpens, and right now that’s an area that’s really hurting us.” A consolation prize came in the bottom of the ninth for the Blazers when pinch hitter, Bryant Hayman, hit a two run homer over the fence in left center, but the damage had been done already. “Certainly it’s been very disappointing,” Guillaims said about the lack of runs to start the season. “I know it’s early, but you would hope you’d see a little more offensive production at this point than what we’ve demonstrated.” The team will get another chance to end their losing streak when they face florida Tech at home on friday at 4 p.m.
Mac ingram /THE SPECTATOR Senior Spencer Butler pitches against the Albany State Golden rams during last nights 7-3 loss. Spencer pitched four innings allowing only three hits and one earned run while striking out five.
Lady Blazers fate in own hands tonight Eric Jackson A S S I S TA N T
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epjackson@valdosta.edu
The Lady Blazers basketball fate in the Gulf South Conference will be decided with a three-game home stint over the next week, and it all starts tonight with a huge game against No. 1 GSC ranked opponent, Alabama-Huntsville. The team will face the North Alabama Lions in the second game of the stand on pinkout Saturday. The Lady Blazers are seeking redemption after falling to both teams earlier this season. out of the three teams, UAH is the biggest threat to snap
VSU’s current 10 game winning streak against conference teams at home. The talented Lady Chargers barely beat the Lady Blazers winning by just four points earlier last month and come into this rematch riding a four game winning streak. UAH is a young squad with no seniors on the roster, but their success this season has put them into championship contention. The Lady Chargers are led by All-GSC standouts Jasmine Hammon and Jordan Smith. Smith dropped 26 points in the thriller victory last meeting. Coach Hill understands Smith’s ability and plans to contain her better this time around. “Jordan does a great job,” Hill said. “So our focus is to keep her
under her average, and the only way we do that is not individual, but team defense.” VSU forward Brittney ferguson speaks for her team when she says they are looking for “revenge” tonight and knows that a defense first mentality will make that possible. “I’m excited,” feguson said. “That’s one thing here at Valdosta State we pride ourselves on is defense, points will come. As long as we score one more point than the other team. We just got to get stops. That is our main goal.” ferguson, who has received four player-of-the-week honors this season, tallied up 27 points and 19 rebounds in the loss to UAH last month. UAH shot an impressive 42.9
“This time a year all these games become magnified. This week does have some implications from a league standpoint, seating standpoint, but also from a national perspective.” HEAD COACH KiLEY HiLL percent behind the arc that night and VSU desperately needed scoring help down the stretch. The Lady Blazers best shooter Sczeny Hartry was restrained all night long shooting 1-9 finishing
with only three points. The senior point guard emphasizes the importance of finishing games late and making key plays which they failed to do last time. “I think if we execute the proper way well be fine,” Hartry said. “We just got to work on finishing. I don’t think we have to be overly aggressive. I think as a team we have a roster full of players who can step up at any given time. If I can continue to do my job as being a leader on this team we’ll come out with a win.” The Lady Chargers look to sweep the Lady Blazers in regular season for the first time ever in 19 seasons. one more win for UAH will mark the most wins in a single season since their 1984-1985
season. The Lions, like the Lady Chargers, are looking to make a regular season sweep of their own against VSU too. fans attending the game Saturday are encouraged to dress in pink attire to help raise awareness of breast cancer. “It’s a big weekend,” Head Coach Kiley Hill said. “This time a year all these games become magnified. This week does have some implications from a league standpoint, seating standpoint, but also from a national perspective.”
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