GAINESVILLE DAHLONEGA OCONEE CUMMING
VOL. 3, ISSUE 2, NOVEMBER 30, 2015
BIG
How
?
can UNG get
Alex Popp News Editor AWPOPP2487@ung.edu
Since fall 2014, University of North Georgia student enrollment has risen by 7.6 percent, making it the second-fastest growing institution in the University System of Georgia, after the Georgia Institute of Technology. But UNG’s growth rate really isn’t anything new. Since the consolidation, enrollment has steadily risen by 18.3 percent. In 2012, the University System of Georgia recorded that the combined enrollment of the newly consolidated UNG was 14,615, and this semester UNG’s enrollment reached 17,289. In addition to new growth in enrollment, UNG posted the largest increase in credit-hour production across all USG institutions. “With an enrollment of more than 17,000 students and five campuses, UNG is the largest institution in the State University sector and is twice the size of most institutions in the sector,” UNG Associate Vice President for University Relations Kate Maine, said. “President Jacobs and the university’s administration have been very focused on trying to close this gap over the past couple of years and have been successful.” As impressive as this progress is, the university could be at a critical tipping point. According to Senior Vice President for Business and Finance Mac McConnell, the steady rate of incoming stu-
dents might be straining campus limits. “The Dahlonega campus is almost at capacity, and the Oconee campus is at or above capacity,” McConnell said recently at the first in a series of town hall meetings outlining the implementation of UNG’s five-year strategic plan. McConnell said the UNG Gainesville campus seems to still have room for growth. Photo By Andrew Smith UNG Students rush to class before break. Dahlonega is in the process of Since July 2014, UNG has also added over 100 building a new dorm to accommodate the rising new faculty and staff positions at the different number of new students, and this summer, UNG campuses to balance the new influx of students, Oconee completed a 14,000-square-foot extenand according to Maine, even more faculty and sion to the 500 Building with new labs, offices and staff will be requested in the next fiscal year. classrooms.
Enrollment increases
Enrollment declines
Enrollment totals
Georgia Tech 8.3 percent UNG 7.6 percent Georgia Highlands 7.1 percent Georgia Gwinnett 5.9 percent U. of West Georgia 5.1 percent Coll. of Coastal Ga. 4.1 percent Dalton State 3.9 percent
Albany State Middle Ga. State Bainbridge State Darton State Augusta U. Savannah State Valdosta State
UGA 36,130 Kennesaw 33,252 Georgia State 32,058 Georgia Tech 25,034 Ga. Perimeter 21,088 Ga. Southern 20,466 UNG 17,289
University of North Georgia Student Newspaper
-10.7 percent -3.2 percent -2.8 percent -2.7 percent -2.3 percent -2.3 percent -2.3 percent
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News Vanguard Staff Listing Volume 3, Issue 2
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Meagan Thoss (MNTHOS9609@ ung.edu) ASSISTANT EDITOR: Hunter Leger (HDLEGE7016@ ung.edu) DAHLONEGA MANAGING EDITORS: Molly Morelock & Haley Potter (MRMORE3289@ ung.edu & HLPOTT3828@ung.edu) OCONEE MANAGING EDITOR: Marah Brock (MABROC3300@ung.edu)
EDITORS: OCONEE COPY EDITORS: Caitlin Powers & Sebastian Anderson GAINESVILLE COPY EDITOR: Hailey Van Parys NEWS: Alex Popp ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT: Noah Hill SPORTS: Matt Green OPINIONS: Emily Primm SOCIAL MEDIA: Sydney Motes WEBMASTER: Jordan Murdock
STAFF WRITERS: GAINESVILLE: Ariana Cervantes, Ethan Austin-Keating, Kyle Funderburk, Caleb Hutchins, Ramou Jalloh, Brent Payne, Lauren Eckert, Emily Elmore, Tanner Farr, Alex Gonzalez, Gibram Herrera, Colin Hubbard, Briana Mink, Chris Mink, Brandon Mobley, Jessica Simons, Andrew Smith, Kale Smith, Brianna Triplett DAHLONEGA: Jennifer Purcell, Caitlin Sanford, Audra Hall, Sarah Eagan, Lea Herring, Kellan Monroe, Nicki Sperry, Rachel Ayers, Jan Willing,Erin Higdon OCONEE: Sebastian Anderson, Caitlin Powers, Natalie Garner, Trey Tiller
LAYOUT/PHOTO EDITING TEAM:
Meagan Thoss, Noah Hill, Andrew Smith, Alex Gonzalez, Alex Popp, Breanna Langston
Photo by Jan Willing
Ben Young sells cupcakes to a student at the barbecue.
Veterans Association raises money and awareness Jan Willing Staff Writer JAWILL6923@ung.edu The Dahlonega Veterans Association hosted a barbecue to honor student veterans and raise awareness about PTSD and suicides on Veterans Day at the University of North Georgia. The event took place in front of the Hoag Student Center and between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., long lines formed in front of the tables that were filled with foods ranging from hot dogs to cup cakes. The event’s purpose was to raise funds for the “smooth transitions” program that is
dedicated to providing support for student veterans and their families. “We are providing another layer of support for student veterans. This is something that affects all of us. We want to create that transitional point between coming back and integration into society,” Ben Young, president of the Dahlonega Veterans Association said. Last week a reservist by the name of Tylor Woody took his life and 10 percent of the proceeds of the event go to his family. “I love that they are doing this. It is important to honor the veterans and the hot dogs are really good,” senior criminal justice major Andrea Nickl said.
LOGO DESIGN: Alex Gonzalez ADS/PROMOTIONS:
MANAGER: Breanna Langston STAFF: Jordan Dockery, Jasmine Ward, Trey Tiller
FACULTY ADVISERS:
GAINESVILLE: Merrill Morris (merrill.morris@ung. edu) DAHLONEGA: Jeffery Johnson (jeffery.johnson@ ung.edu) OCONEE: Dan Cabaniss (dan.cabaniss@ung. edu)
ungvanguard.org Photo by Jan Willing
Shane Large and Walker Dunlap enjoying a game of cornhole.
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Political Philosophy Club gives way to discuss politics Joy Holmes Contributor JLHOLM4244@ung.edu The Political Philosophy Club at Oconee gives students the chance to openly discuss politics and ways to get involved in the community. Political conversation can be uncomfortable for students and young adults developing their own opinions. All discussions are free of judgment and the club welcomes all beliefs. “It’s all about structuring society through student ideas,” Shane Toepfer, assistant professor and faculty sponsor of the organization, said. “We want to be as approachable, respectful and encouraging as possible. If we are talking about an uncomfortable topic, we can make it comfortable.” The club does not focus on political parties, such as Democrat or Republican, and is a way for those who are unsure about where they stand
on the political spectrum to learn about the different viewpoints. The PPC has received incredible feedback because UNG Oconee has never offered anything like it. The club’s first event was held last semester and was accompanied by nearly 30 people. “I’m trying to reach out to UGA,” Will Turner, student and founder of the PPC, said. “That way we can have some contact to find affinity and grow.” The PPC will be connecting with local community groups, such as Athens for Everyone, which is an organization that focuses on equality, social justice and poverty in Athens. Photo by Shane Toepfer “People need to realize politics PPC members, from left to right: Will Turner, Maggie Holland and doesn’t necessarily have to do Erin Smith. with bureaucracy and governthe club was awarded a $500 budget The PPC is always scouting new ment,” Turner said. “It has a lot to this semester. With the new budget, members. Students who may have do with decisions in our everyday the club plans to partake in more missed the Nighthawk Fest are enlife and what we choose to do.” activities as a way to increase stucouraged to join them at one of their The club started with a $100 buddent involvement. The club will have weekly meetings held every Monday get, but because of its steady growth, activities both on and off campus. at noon in room 318.
Get your finals studying done in the library Jan Willing Staff Writer JAWILL6923@ung.edu Finals – many students dread this period at the end of the semester because their procrastination finally catches up with them. To give students the opportunity for more last-minute studying, the Dahlonega library will have extended hours. Students welcome the new hours. “It allows people to study in the busy time before the finals. People who have to work during the day will be very grateful for the extended opening hours,” junior business major Thomas Portier says. Senior criminal justice major Andrea Nieder agreed. “It is definitely a very good idea to increase the opening hours,” she said. “We need to study for our finals and nearly everybody goes to the library for that.” As the library extends hours, so does Java City, the coffee place in the library. However, Java City’s final opening hours will only be available shortly before finals. The library had previously been open until 2 a.m. but door monitoring showed that too few people used the library between midnight and 2 a.m. to justify the extra hours. “When we made the decision to reduce hours we did not receive a single complaint from students,” Dean of Libraries Deborah Prosser said in an email. One month ago, a student approached Prosser with a petition signed by 195 people to extend opening hours again because of UNG’s growing student body. UNG Vanguard, Nov. 30, 2015
Library hours for the rest of the semester Dahlonega Nov. 30-Dec. 1: 7:30 a.m.-midnight Dec. 2-3: 7 a.m.-2 a.m. Dec. 4-5: 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Dec. 6: 2 p.m.-2 a.m. Dec. 7-10: 7 a.m.-2 a.m. Dec. 11: 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Dec. 12: Closed Gainesville Nov. 30-Dec. 3: 7:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Dec. 4: 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 5-6: 1 p.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 7-10: 7:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Dec. 11: 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 12: Closed
Oconee Nov. 30-Dec. 3: 7:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Dec. 4: 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 5-6: 1 p.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 7-10: 7:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Dec. 11: 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 12: Closed Cumming Nov. 30-Dec. 3: 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Dec. 4: 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 5-6: Closed Dec. 7-10: 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Dec. 11: 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 12: Closed
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News
Photo by Gibram Herrera
Sample paper airplane viable for Nesbitt Wing Challenge.
Students shoot for the windows Gibram Herrera Staff Writer GEHERR3049@ung.edu
them stuck on the ledge, of course. It’s become a bit of a trend for the students, and it’s being done almost daily. Avid paper airplane enthusiasts What is it about paper airplanes that from across the campus have come to the makes them so popular? Martha T. Nesbitt building to test their It might be the poetry they create flick of the wrist. when in flight. The motion through “It’s no easy task,” Kevin Gomez, airwhich it glides in the air, it makes us plane enthusiast, said. “I’ve thrown like feel free, but most of all it makes us feel seven of them and all sucked.” young. The “Nesbitt wing” challenge has There is something about the things picked up some haters on its way to that bring out the child in us, and nothfame. The windows are so high, that it’s ing does it better difficult for anybody than paper airto remove the air“We’re not super planes. planes if they make “Dude, I learned it to the ledge. ecstatic about it.” how to build one in “We’re not super —Jeremy Lester, second grade,” Alex ecstatic about it,” UNG custodian Quintanilla, UNG Jeremy Lester, UNG student, said. “I still custodian, said. “I do it with workmean there is nothsheets I don’t get a good grade on.” ing we can do about it so all we can do is Throwing paper airplanes is easier just look at them.” said than done. For some it’s a hobby, for It can be quite the hassle picking up others an art, but for UNG students, it’s a dozens of paper airplanes at the end of challenge. each day, so we at the Vanguard do not If you’ve ever walked the stairs at the condone this challenge. Martha T. Nesbitt building, you might No one is saying that I, Gibram Herrehave stared out the huge windows to get ra, will buy lunch for (no more than $20) a great view of the sky. You might have the first person to manage to land a Vaneven been distracted by a couple origami guard newspaper airplane on the ledge. flying machines. I never said you should try it. You For months now, UNG students have might think I’m challenging you. You been throwing paper airplanes towards might think that’s what I mean. But I the Nesbitt windows. Reason? To get never said it.
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NASA engineer: Schools should teach teamwork Andrew Smith Staff Writer ARSMIT7974@ung.edu
his success and said anyone who has the dedication can accomplish what they want. He also stressed that the ability to work with others was one The University of North Georgia of his most valuable skill sets. hosted NASA’s former chief engineer “You have to learn to work with for the shuttle program, Eric Clayother people,” Clayton said. “Schools ton, Nov. 9. and parents should teach team play During his 30-year career workearly. Not just in sports, but project ing at NASA, Clayton worked with teams at schools that bring together astronauts and engineers alike, and students and teach the application of supervised various aspects of the science and create labs and projshuttle ects to program. promote Along practical “I was always willing to learn with learning.” something new. I always many stoMany volunteered to take extra ries about UNG classes and training.” astronauts students and his had the —Eric Clayton, former NASA own life opportuchief engineer experinity to ask ences, questions Clayton about the also told future of students about his long road to space travel and how to shoot for the NASA that started when he was very stars, so to speak, and land a career young. with NASA. “I was raised with a strong work “I thought the presentation was ethic,” Clayton said. “The practical cool,” Mathew Tucker, math and experience of working with people physics major, who some day hopes in different environments is what got to work in the space industry, said. me my first engineering job. I was “It is nice to have someone who is always willing to learn something actually worked in an industry that new. I always volunteered to take has changed so much in the world. extra classes and training.” NASA has always been in my mind Clayton, who originally majored the dream factory that has always in political science when he attended produced new technologies that college, attributed many things to have changed every aspect of life.”
Special photo
Eric Clayton worked with NASA for 30 years on the space shuttle program. He spoke at UNG recently.
Club shows students how to grow their own food Alex Gonzalez Staff Writer EAGONZ4294@ung.edu Many of us purchase our fruits and vegetables from local grocers, but taking that extra step and growing your own fruits and vegetables from your backyard makes them special (Says who?). If you want to know what it takes to make a healthy and delicious vegetable or fruit, the Organic Gardening/Sustainable Living Club will show you what it takes. “When the club was started up, it had a strong cadre of students who were actively involved and interested in ‘hands-on’ activities,” Al Walters, club advisor, said via email. “We grow a variety of foods UNG Vanguard, Nov. 30, 2015
composting. Every time the soil gets depending on the season and what watered, nutrients get leached out we planted the year before. Squashof the dirt. es, melons, By adding cucumbers, compost, tomatoes, they conpeppers, Follow the Organic stantly beans, peas, replace the collards, Gardening/ nutrients lettuce, carSustainable Living lost. rots, pota“In toes, beets, Club on Facebook: conjunction turnips, and www.facebook.com/ with the strawberengineering ries are just ENSTGSC & physsome of the ics clubs, foods we we have grew this been in the year,” club president, Hannah Schrader, said via process of developing an aquaponics greenhouse using solar power,” Walemail. The key, according to Schrader, is ters said in an email. “Incremental
steps being done with each new year of students. We have also taken soil samples from the raised beds and conduce pH/nutrient analysis.” “I’m leaving this for the students to develop. My philosophy is that the club should be student-driven, since it is funded by the students as a collective,” Walters said. “I would suggest that they liaison with other clubs to enhance their efforts and to increase the club’s name recognition.” “The Organic Gardening/Sustainable Living Club is here to show individuals how simple it is to grow good, wholesome foods and to teach people how to weed, compost, plant, cultivate, and harvest the fruits of their labor,” Schrader said. visit us at ungvanguard.org 5
Cutting into the pres Athens artist displays work at Oconee Sebastian Anderson Vanguard Staff Writer SRANDE3995@ung.edu Sean Dunn is an Athens artist who has been invested in the community for over 10 years. He currently has his new work, When You Cut Into the Present (the future pours out), on display in UNG Oconee’s 700 building. “I’ve always been interested in some of the newer photographers like Stephen Shore and Robert Frank,” Dunn said. “Those kind of people that don’t do very precise photography but it seems to have an emotional punch to it. That is what I strive for.”
Dunn was heavily influenced by the Beat Generation of the 1950s. He believes that their work is the reason he was first inspired and became interested in art. “The artists that attracted me first to any sort of art was the Beats. It was Burroughs, Kerouac, Ginsberg and those types of people,” said Dunn. The title of his new work is a reference to the influence of the Beat Generation on his work. “It is taken from a William Burroughs quote,” Dunn said. “It’s a quote concerning his cutup method. I think I’m trying to get at some of the things that he was getting at with some of the randomness. I mean I’m not cutting up any of my photos…yet.” William Burroughs’ cutup technique consisted of him taking a piece of literature, most often a short story, cutting it into strips and rearranging the pieces to form a new story. Dunn is attempting to do that with many of his photos by presenting them intentionally out of context. “Most of the shots were taken in New Orleans,” Dunn said. Dunn can be contacted through his website seandunnphotographs.com. Background: Sean Dunn (photo credit: Sebatian Anderson) Foreground: Photographic art (photo credit: Sean Dunn)
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Arts & Entertainment
‘Mary Poppins’ draws record crowds for GTA Caleb Hutchins Staff Writer CDHUTC7882@ung.edu The Gainesville Theatre Alliance opened its 36th season with a performance of the Broadway musical and Disney classic “Mary Poppins” at the Brenau University campus in Gainesville. The performance, in Brenau’s Hosch Theatre, drew a full crowd. One of the actors, University of North Georgia student Zach Ivins, said he felt the performance went very well. “I think this show was really fantastic,” Ivins said. “’Mary Poppins’ is an incredibly hard show to mount. The choreography is incredibly complex and there’s a lot of set and costume changes, and I thought we were able to bring the show together in a really interesting way.” GTA Director Jim Hammond said he felt like the crowd enjoyed the performance as well. “When they stand up at the end that’s a good sign,” Hammond said. “The first two weeks are pretty much sold out already, so we have opened up a third week, I think that’s only the third time we’ve done that in the history of the GTA, so we’re
off to a good start.” The GTA will hold several more performances of “Mary Poppins” before moving on to their next play. All of those performances will be held at Brenau University. According to Hammond, the organization has big plans for this season. “What we’re always working for is variety and diversity,” Hammond said. “This is that big family musical that’s starting the season and then we’re going to have something Photo by Simpson Custom Photography slightly less bright, which is “Mary Poppins” has been a huge hit for GTA. ‘Dracula,’ which is going to be in the Ed Cabell Theatre.” from around the Northeast Georgia region. To Hammond also said the group plans to perfind a complete future schedule of performancform other plays, including “The Philadelphia Story,” later this season. es by the GTA and more details on the cast and The Gainesville Theatre Alliance is a collaboraproduction, you can visit their website at www. tive theater group consisting of UNG and Brenau gainesvilletheatreallicance.org. students as well as local theater professionals
Bear Hollow Zoo attracts Oconee UNG students Reno Messler Staff Writer RDMESS9899@ung.edu
want animals that are local, we wouldn’t display anything like a polar bear, but it also comes down to what we have Bear Hollow Zoo is a 15-acre trail housing for.” The animals that find their that is part of Memorial Park located way to Bear Hollow come in Athens. from various sources, and Clint Murphy, coordinator for the zoo, explained that the land was because of the collection plan, turned into the zoo in the mid-1950s not every animal gets a spot. “We also get injured or after the former tuberculosis center confiscated animals from moved to a different location. the Department of Natural “In the mid-1950s, these 15 acres Resources as well as getting a were fenced-in to become the forelot of wildlife through UGA,” runner of the zoo,” Murphy said. Murphy said. Bear Hollow is an excellent place Bear Hollow goes above for families to visit since admission and beyond to help educate is free. children with all the events “Donations are used for maintethat can be found at the zoo. nance and upkeep for the current These events range from their exhibits,” Murphy said. “We also Photo by Noah Hill have projects that the donations help smaller outreach programs to Taxidermied bear that can be found on display at Bear Hollow. with. Currently, we are working on a the big holiday events. “We hold all kinds of project for a new groundhog exhibwith the help of the community and Changes for the zoo will be comevents here at the zoo,” Murphy said. ing in the form of a master plan for it.” local government, we are going to Bear Hollow sets itself apart from “Some of the smaller events would develop a way to make the zoo betall of Athens-Clarke County. be like our princess tea party and other zoos in the state by keeping ter for all the current and incoming “We are working with the city the bear’s birthday. The big events the animals local to Georgia. animals. Many of these changes will and other structures around us to “We have a collection plan, so the would be like Boo at the Zoo, and a help unify and brand Athens. We are take time and not all of them will be animals have to fit that plan and our big tradition has become our yearly going to bring in a zoo planner, and noticeable.” Deck the Hollow.” mission,” Murphy said. “Since we
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Arts & Entertainment
Musical Macabre showcases spooky songs Caitlin Sanford Staff Writer CLSANF0257@ung.edu The wind whistled outside of Gloria Shott Auditorium and the grey clouds that covered the sky like a sheet helped set the spooky Halloween scene of the Musical Theatre Workshop’s Musical Macabre. Lee Barrow, the workshop’s director, explained some of the songs were comical, others were “deadly serious” and they all dealt with a darker subject. Barrow then took his place in the audience as six actors took the stage clad in all black with black barbershop quartet hats. Each member of the workshop came from diverse educational backgrounds ranging from music majors to business majors. The first selection was “Welcome to Transylvania” from Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein. After singing their first number, everyone departed the stage except for junior business management major Mary Beth Handte who sung a selection from Ruddigore.
UNG Vanguard, Nov. 30, 2015
The group also sang songs from Frank Wildhorn’s Wonderland—a musical where the Queen of Hearts isn’t the main antagonist, and the Mad Hatter is a woman. Jonathan Whitmire sang a selection from Bricusse and Wildhorn’s Jekyll and Hyde, and portrayed the stark contrast between Jekyll and Hyde. Each member of the workshop portrayed several characters throughout the course of the show. “Whenever there was a pause between songs, we were scrambling backstage to get changed,” Handte said after the show. Just before the show’s brief intermission, four of the performers entered the stage wearing house robes from the Harry Potter series. The quartet sang “Double Trouble” by John Williams from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. After a brief intermission, Joe Chapman, the show’s accompanist, began the show again by playing a number from Alan Menken’s Little Shop of Horrors. Three of the show’s performers played Chiffon, Crystal, and Ronette from Little Shop of Horrors in two musical numbers. The second piece, Dentist, featured Whitmire
as Orin Scrivello, D.D.S who was portrayed by Steve Martin in the musical’s film adaptation. During the Dentist number, the girls wore Halloween scrubs in the spirit of the holiday. Other songs featured in the Macabre included “Chapel Above” from Assisted Living, “Pore Jud is Daid” from Oklahoma, “Poor Unfortunate Souls” from The Little Mermaid and “What is this Feeling” from Wicked. The show concluded with the ensemble singing “The Ballad of Sweeney Todd” from Sweeney Todd. The ensemble songs were selected by Barrow who said that the talents of the students played a major role in helping him select which songs would be performed. Each performer was able to select a song for themselves in addition to the ensemble pieces Barrow chose, Handte said. Her personal selection was “Poor Unfortunate Souls.”
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Sports
Photo courtesy of UNG Athletics
Sophomore Rachel Van Horn (4) secures a pass.
Women’s soccer wins second place again Kyle Funderburk Staff Writer DKFUND7829@ung.edu
onship game last Tuesday with their 2-1 win over Flagler. The Saints put up more of a fight against the Nighthawks than they did earlier The North Georgia women’s this season when North Georgia soccer team’s journey to a Peach Belt won 4-1 by keeping them out of the Conference championship ended goal in the final 70 minutes. Howevwhere it has so many times in the er, the Nighthawks jumped out to a past against No. 6 Columbus State in 2-0 lead with goals by Jade Pennock a game on Nov. 8 in Evans. (4’) and Jacy Ramey (21’) and kept And a week later, the Columbus Flagler from even taking a shot in State women put an end to the Lady the second half. Nighthawks’ hopes in the NCAA DiJust like in the regular season, vision II Southeast Regional tourna- North Georgia’s game against Armment, as they beat the UNG women strong reached the 90-minute mark 2-1 in a Nov. 15 game in Columbus. with both teams tied, but Ramey The Lady Nighthawks fell to the headed a goal in the 101’ to force Cougars 3-2 to finish as runner-ups the Nighthawks passed the Pirates in the conference tournament for in extra time. the second straight year, and have Armstrong scored first early in lost in the championship game to the second half, then Jessica Allen Columbus State for the third time tied the game in the 70’. Neither since 2010. In that same span of time team could find a goal in the first North Georgia also had a first round 10 minutes of extra time but Ramey loss and a pair of semi-final losses. scored in the second half and the North Georgia (16-4-1, 8-2-1) Nighthawks kept Armstrong from began their run to the PBC champi- attempting a shot the rest of the way
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Photo courtesy of UNG Athletics
Nighthawks celebrate PBC opening win against Flager. to put North Georgia in the PBC championship game. North Georgia and Columbus State were locked in a close game going into halftime with the Cougars ahead 2-1. Columbus State scored eight minutes into the game and Ramey answered just three minutes later to tie the game. The Cougars added another goal in the 28’ to take
the halftime lead. The pressure was on for the Nighthawks in the 59’ when the Cougars added another goal to extend the lead to 3-1. Madison Salters gave North Georgia another goal in the 75’ to shrink the lead to 3-2 but they failed to score the rest of the way to fall in the conference championship game again. visit us at ungvanguard.org
Sports
Experience may be key for Nighthawk men Matt Green Sports Editor MWGREE9370@ung.edu After finishing with a 15-11 season, the North Georgia Nighthawks are looking to improve on that mark and compete for a conference championship this season. “If we can improve our defensive efforts, I feel we have a chance to improve over our record last season,” North Georgia head coach Chris Faulkner said. Junior Shaquan Cantrell was the team’s leading scorer, averaging 13.2 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. “I think the biggest benefit is having players who have experienced the tough level of play in our conference,” Faulkner said. Travis Core graduated this past year. He was the sixth man for the Nighthawks and is the only significant piece not returning this season. Luckily, Coach Faulkner is also expecting an impact from 6-foot-8 Juan Ramon Rivas, who is transferring from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. North Georgia has not won a conference title since moving from NAIA to the NCAA’s division 2, but Coach Faulkner sees no reason why this can’t be the year they finally get it done. “Our goal is to compete for and hopefully win the Peach Belt Conference,” Faulkner said. “We also have a goal to make the NCAA tournament.”
Photo courtesy of UNG Athletics
Junior T.J. Williams returns this year to the UNG men’s basketball team.
Sports clubs raise concerns at SGA meeting Jennifer Purcell Staff Writer JNPURC1367@ung.edu Representatives from various sports clubs on campus voiced complaints about use of the recreation fields at the Nov. 9 Dahlonega SGA meeting. The sports clubs do not have a field to practice on, Gabrielle Niemczyk, president and founder of the UNG Softball Club, said. “It is hard to grow as a club when we can’t practice as a team,” Niemczyk said. Niemczyk said that sports clubs at other universities do not have to pay fees to use sports fields. At UNG, the sports clubs have to pay a large fee to use the fields, and all the dues go towards it. The clubs are also not allowed to contact Yahoola Creek for reservations, Niemczyk said. “It’s easier to practice not as a sports club than as a UNG sports club, which I think makes zero sense,” Niemczyk said. The softball club currently has to use Pine Valley recreation fields, about 30 minutes from campus. “What I’m going to suggest to you is what maybe you should’ve done in the first place: go as a group to rec sports,” SGA representative Rajpal Sagoo said. “You guys need to collectively go to the rec center.” Representative Josiah Mihok suggested that an UNG Vanguard, Nov. 30, 2015
SGA representative report what the sports clubs religious beliefs, political beliefs, etc. are doing, when they are playing and any issues Treva Smith from Residence Life presented on that come up. This position, Mihok said, could be the new dorms. The Commons will feature two similar to the arrangement with Nighthawks Enbuildings and 538 student beds. The suite-style tertainment where an SGA representative attends housing will be available for freshmen and uppermeetings and reports back to SGA. classmen. Because of the new dorm, Smith said, SGA President Michaela the Walker Drive parking Climer also presented a bluedeck will be resident parking print of the new recreation only next year. fields at Pine Valley. There “Next fee we’re talking will be four intramural fields about is for a parking deck,” “It is hard to grow and three softball fields, she said Climer who is on the as a club when we said. mandatory fee committee. Sheila Caldwell, the advisThe new parking will likely can’t practice as a er to the university president be built near the convocation team.” on diversity, gave a presencenter, Climer said. Gabrielle Niemczyk tation about the university’s The Women’s Ultimate goals to increase diversity. It Frisbee Club came to SGA is important to get feedback, seeking recognition. The club Caldwell said. The university was recommended to Stuhas been seeking feedback dent Life. from 1,000 stakeholders, Hunter Stringer, head of including faculty, staff and students. the technology committee, announced that over The top three issues that the university has winter break, the access points in Owen will be decided to focus on is religion, sexual orientaincreased. tion and underexposure. The university hopes to Sagoo, head of the student services committee, promote understanding, mutual respect, reduce said that the school will actively watch flooding in social isolation and ignorance. the parking deck behind the recreational center. Diversity, Caldwell said, is not just defined by For now, the water will be vacuumed. In regards race but also by ethnicity, gender, sexual orientato new library hours, Sagoo said, they are “worktion, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, ing on it.” visit us at ungvanguard.org 11
The Backside Opinion
Should you go into debt for a college degree? Alex Gonzalez Staff Writer EAGONZ4294@ung.edu Choosing a college is the first step many take as they are transitioning out of high school. Unfortunately, many overlook how to pay for college. Many consider students loans a last resort and fear them, even avoiding them at all costs. Are student loans worth it? According to Erin Parrish, a program specialist in UNG’s financial aid office, they are. “I really believe that student loans enable students who would not be able to go to college to pursue and receive their degree,” she said. “No one wants to take on debt, but it’s an option that can be very beneficial at times.” Parrish is in charge of all direct student loans from when they are first accepted and until when the federal government pays the university back for the loan that was accepted. Many students come into college not knowing anything about how loans work and what would be best for their financial situation. The end result: They accept a loan, unfamiliar of how it works, and spend the money. Then they forget about it. Parrish said this is not the right way in how to
approach any loan, and it could mean any student accepting loans can get in trouble for when the time comes to pay them back. “The most important thing is that students stay on top of their student records, know their total of loans, know who provided the loans, and contact them whenever something changes,” she said. “It’s when students forget about their loans and don’t contact someone that they get in trouble. “Taking the responsibility of being on top of your loans will make it all easier at the end,” Parrish said. Staying on top of your loans is something that should be a priority, not just after you graduate, but while you’re in school. Before graduation, decide on a payment plan for your loans. Then try to stick to it. Despite the expense, UNG student Sydney Creamer believes not going to college isn’t an option for most. “Students have grown a dependence on borrowing money to go to school because in today’s society, those who don’t go to college are the underdogs,” Creamer said. “From a young age we are taught to desire to go onto college after high school so that we get better paying jobs. “When we are well-educated, the world becomes open to us,” Creamer said. “The one thing
people don’t tell you is that college is very expensive, and no matter the preparation, unexpected expenses come up.” The fear of not having enough money for school scares some students away. Students may fear getting student loans and at the end, they don’t even attempt to go into college as they decide to find a job instead and attend college in the future. Parrish advises students to overcome that fear. “I speak at orientation for new students, and I often tell them that I’ve made mistakes about students loans, so don’t feel like you will be the only one,” she said. “I learned that I should have eaten more Ramen noodles while I was in college, but because of student loans, I received many opportunities, such as studying abroad, and most important: finished college. “At the end, I still believe to this day that the student loans were worth every dime, “ Parrish said. Borrowing just what you need is key as you become aware that you are actually paying for your education. At the end, running away from students loans is not an option. If you value your education, taking out a student loan can help you achieve your goals and push you closer to reaching to your degree.
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