oice V
the
Gainesville State College Oconee September 17, 2012
T he F uture of GSCO
10-11
Volume 8, No. 1
Page
2
September 17, 2012
September 17, 2012
The Voice
Matt Davenport Editor-in-Chief
924235898@gsc.edu
first word
The Beginning of the End Welcome back! The end of this semester will mark the end of GSC as we know it and the birth of the University of North Georgia. The advent of this institution seems to bear great promise for us here at Oconee. This is the first issue for me as the editor-in-chief so naturally I’m slightly nervous and excited. I hope that we at The Voice can serve as the eyes and ears of the student body. We worked really hard on this issue. We interviewed everyone coming and going to get the best possible coverage for you, the students. That being said, I have a question for you: Do you read recreationally? If not, why not? This paper isn’t dense. It’s not rough and it’s never been accused of being verbally aloof. This is your paper that your fellow students wrote for you. Read this, give us feed back, and participate. If you haven’t figured it out yet, part of being a student is caring about the place where you study. GSC is so much more than a 2-year GPA build and transfer school. It is a safe place to learn, a place to grow, a place to figure out who you want to be and how you wish to contribute to society. Your journey starts here. Your time to grow up is now. If you are reading this then it is incumbent upon you to take your education into your own hands. Enjoy this issue we’ve got so much more coming in the following editions.
the Voice contact information website: www.gscvoice.org email: voice@gsc.edu address: 1201 Bishop Farms Parkway Watkinsville, GA 30677 meetings: Rm. 503 MW @ 12 advertising: Cody Palmer 924221835@gsc.edu Cover Graphic by Thomas Reisigl
the
3
Page
INSIDE SCOOP
A& E
Nuçi›s Space
5
Xbox or PS3? Skipperdees Nuçis space Dear Taylor Swift
4 4 5 5
7
New Counselor Sunday alcohol sales New Writing Tutor Desire2Learn Eleanor Crawford Award Winner New Parking Lot Registr to Vote
6 6 7 7 8
By Amenda Sali
NEWS
New Writing Tutor By Robbie Robertson
FEATURE
10-11
SPORTS
12
LIFESTYLES
14
CLUBS
16
OP/ED
18
The Future of GSCO By Matt Davenport
Consolidation Athletics By Brett Fowler
‘Doc’ helps cope with stress By Caitlin Powers
Habitat for Humanity at GSCO By Andrews Steel
Consolidation pros and cons By Sydney Bhame & Taylor Waters
vs
8 8
The Future of 10 GSCO Let’s talk tuition 10-11 Hybrid registration 11 system
Consolidation Athletics Local Olympians Bowhunting Double Oaks Golf Evoshield Intramural flag football ‘Doc’ helps with Stress Tailgate Chili Weeks of Welcome Student Success
GSCO Habitat for Humanity Young Democrats Club fair galleria
Immigration Consolidation Consolidation: Pros Cons Claiborne Pell GOP Power Grab Why Vote?
12 12 12 13 13 13 14 14 15 15
16 16 16
17 17 18 18 18 19 19
Page
A&E
4
September 17, 2012
Students battle it out over Xbox 360 vs. PS3 By Darren Wilkerson A&E Staff Writer 924234260@gsc.edu
Do you have an XBOX 360 or a PS3? This question is inevitable when the topic of video games arise. The follow up question is either a request for a gamertag or a quick fact about the game console they own. The biased factoid is said with a tone insinuating stupidity for purchasing the opposite console. The advancement of technology established the competition between rival companies to release the best product. These products are put into stores each year with the claim that this model is significantly better than the last. Although these claims are glorified truths, these consoles do provide a gamer with the latest, most up-to-date pixel quality, motion fluidity and an online community that connects millions together. The 360 and PS3, being the latest models, are two clashing giants in the video game industry and provide the characteristics that satisfy a gamer’s entertainment needs. Microsoft’s XBOX 360 and Sony’s PS3, although closely similar, have distinctions that cultivate numerous arguments with one central theme. Which console
can be named alpha? Cost is a significant, if not the most important, factor when determining the selection of a game console. “It’s just way more expensive”, says Ronald Bercik, a student at GSC Oconee talking about the PS3. Which holds truth seeing as the XBOX 360 costs only $199 in its cheapest form, compared to the PS3, which is $249. When asked, a majority of students at GSC own an XBOX 360 because of the price comparison alone. “Why would I want to pay more for the same thing?” Sean continued to say, “I’m a broke college student… cheaper is better.” With both of these game consoles, it is assumed that a person plays online. Either on XBOX Live or on the Play Station Network. XBOX Live however, costs around $50 per year compared to the free access bundled with the PS3. Most students took that aspect into account when making their decision, and said that they make this purchase because playing with others is a better gaming experience. Because these two companies are competing, they will never allow for there to be a joint gaming network which results in friends owning the same consoles to compete online.
Josh Jones/The Voice
GSCO students playing some games on the campus’s public Xbox 360 in the lobby. Most students at GSCO agree that they play with their friends more frequently than they play solo. John Morgan, another GSCO student who owns both an XBOX 360 and a PS3, says he finds himself playing the 360 more often solely because his close friends own them and he “like(s) to hurt them on the sticks!” When asked what games he usually plays, they were all sports
games such as “NBA 2K” and “FIFA.” Tripp did want to add that the Blu-ray attachment on the PS3 is nice, but he will “stick with [his] 360’s high definition.” The common occurrence at GSCO is that most everyone has an XBOX 360, and nobody enjoys playing on their own. Unless it is trying to finish that Call of Duty or Assassin’s Creed campaign that has
seen countless hours of attention. “Halo made my decision”, says GSCO student Sean Monahan, referencing the fact that the Halo franchise is exclusively for XBOX. Whether the decision was influenced by peers, perks that each had or the games that are exclusive for each one, it seems that XBOX 360 is more commonly owned than PS3.
Skipperdees: Twin Takeover By Michelle Correll Voice Staff Writer 924188308@gsc.edu The Skipperdees, a folk duo in Athens, are all about transcendent experiences and superhuman music. Comprised of twin sisters Catherine and Emily Backus, The Skipperdees split their time between schoolwork at UGA and crafting culturally relevant folk music. The duo has created a distinctive sound with songs that showcase their clean harmonies and provocative lyrics. They describe their music as, “The Everly Brothers meets Indigo Girls” citing tight harmonies as their secret twin language. Their music carries a strong southern influence, having been originally from Oakridge, Tennessee. Oakridge, also called the “Secret City”, is best known for supplying uranium for the atomic bombs that America used in WWII. In their hometown there is an
uncommon mixture of technology, religion, and Appalachian traditions. The duo admits the convergence of cultures from their upbringing has definitely affected their work. Though their sound is undeniably folk, their influences vary from Beethoven to The Spice Girls. They are also avid readers enjoying poetry and the prose of William Faulkner. Musicians with a sense of humor, they describe themselves as “comedy nerds” always up for watching the first five years of Saturday Night Live. This comedic aspect shines as a feature in their stage banter at live shows. “We’re going to break your heart but then you’re going to laugh a little bit,” said Emily, to which Catherine added, “You’ll release some endorphins either way.” Being twins, it may be easy to initially overlook their distinctive personalities when in fact, it’s the balance of their qualities that makes the band. The combination of Catherine’s focus on their music
and Emily making sure they are not taking themselves too seriously keeps their work relatable. Their love of connection with their audience is evident in a preference for more intimate venues. During their senior year of high school after attending a Brandi Carlile concert, they witnessed a song played completely unplugged. The duo was swayed toward the raw effect the acoustic sound had on them. At a recent show of a little over 50 people, they were able to play an entire set with no amplification. Having someone approach them after the show to say, “I heard every word you said,” was an incredibly gratifying moment for the band. Another comment, “That’s Hot,” being yelled from a member of the audience during the same set has been largely considered the dawn of a new era for The Skipperdees. Their spunky nature can be explored through their songs on music.skipperdees.com or their live show at the Go Bar here in Athens, on Monday, Oct. 1 at 9 pm.
Michelle Correll/The Voice
The Skipperdees at Hendershot’s Coffee
Page 5 A&E Nuçi’s Space offers safe place for musicians
September 17, 2012
By Amenda Sali Voice A&E Editor 924238564@gsc.edu
Most Athens dwellers know Nuçi’s Space solely as a place to rent music practice spaces. What Athenians may not know, is the long list of other surprising and beneficial community services it provides. Nuçi’s Space was founded by Linda Phillips mother of Athens musician and University of Georgia student Nuçi Phillips. As a teenager, Nuçi became withdrawn from his family and battled painful emotional depression on a day-to-day basis. “Nuçi’s depression was relentless. He did his best to hide it. But finally, he ran out of energy,” Linda Phillips wrote for Nuçi’s Space’s website. On Thanksgiving Day 1996, Nuçi shot and killed himself. He was 22-years-old. Four years later Linda Phillips opened up the doors to Nuçi’s Space in memorial to her late son to help prevent similar tragedies from befalling other Athens musicians. Volunteer Shauna Greeson is just one of the many people who’s lives were changed for the better by finding a “safe place” at Nuçi’s. “I am alive and standing in front of you, because of this place,” said Greeson from behind the coffee counter. “I was in a bad place. A friend of mine had written down the number to this place on a card for me.” Recalling the memory from 10 years ago, Greeson describes her attempt to reach out to Nuçi’s for help. “I called at three o’clock in the morning and it went to voicemail and I left a voicemail,” said Greeson. “Then like 20 minutes later, Linda Phillips called me back… I couldn’t even really talk and she helped me calm down. She stayed on the phone with me until she knew I was okay.
That very next day I was in an office talking with a therapist, I was seeing a psychiatrist. And for the last 10 years any time I’ve needed any kind of help like that, it’s a phone call away.” According to Greeson, Phillips still plays an active role at Nuçi’s Space even though she handed the reigns over to Bob Sleppy who is now the executive director. Greeson not only volunteers at Nuçi’s Space but she is also an instructor for “Camp Amped”, a band camp for teens ages 11 to 17. When asked the details surrounding the camps, Phillips said, “There’s an afterschool camp and there’s also a summer camp. The kids get put into bands and play rock and roll together. We teach them a lot of life skills as well as fine-tune their instruments… A lot of the mission statement for Nuçi’s as far as awareness and prevention is really plugged into Camp Amped.” Other services at Nuçi’s Space include professional mental health counseling, support groups, Alcoholics Anonymous, and Grief resources. Nuçi’s also provides patrons with low-cost local Physicians and Optometrist. As a more recent healthcare addition, local ER doctor Dr. Kip Hicks sees uninsured musicians once a month for the treatment of nonurgent illnesses. The mission statement, rental prices and more detailed services can be found at www.nuci.org. Though the practice space is based on a nonprofit organization, donations are accepted via website to keep their doors open to the public and to ensure Nuçi’s powerful message of mental health stays prominent in the Athens community.
Amenda Sali/The Voice
Shauna Greeson (far left) and coworkers at Nuçis
Amenda Sali/The Voice
N uçi’ s Space
Dear Taylor Swift, Please Shut Up I often find myself wanting to write a letter to Taylor Swift, the first line being “Dear Taylor Swift, please shut up.” Everybody with half a brain can see how modern country music has gone to shit. Need proof? Look up how old your average male country singer is and then think of that next time you hear their new single hit single on the radio. Sorry, folks, but Google is not deceiving you, Toby Keith is fifty-one years old. This would be a little less creepy if he didn’t recently come out with a song called “Red Solo Cup” then filmed a music video for it at a wild college party where he dances with girls more than half his age. If I was at a party and Toby Keith walked in, I don’t care how many red solo cups he offered me; I’d call the cops on his old ass. Also, Brad Paisley, asking a girl to check her for ticks is anything but sexy. And have you ever seen anything sadder than
girl, I know everything that went wrong in her relationships by listening menda to her whiney songs. ali The second line in Voice A&E Editor my letter would be, “If 924238564@gsc.edu you’re going to write a shitty breakup song, 50-year-old Trace Adkins make it less obvious who you’re singing “Brown Chicken, writing it about.” Brown Cow” referencing sex in After her first album dropped, a barn surrounded by a bunch “Drew” from “Teardrops on my of muppets? Guitar” was probably hiding his Its quite clear, most country face in hallways. music has come down to old Taylor Lautner was probably guys with minimal talent that asking, “Is she talking about don’t write their own songs and my tan skin?” And it’s not like will sing anything to keep their anyone was wondering who she jobs. was talking about in her newest, Where does Swift fit in all “Dear John”. of this? Nowhere. She is not a Pretty soon, guys are going to country singer. The only thing have to sign disclaimers when “country” about her songs is the they start dating Swift. The occasional steel guitar riff. She document should read, “I am is a pop singer. Calling Swift’s in no way responsible for the albums country is like calling humiliation and public tongue Britney Spears a gangster lashing I give you via song after rapper. you screw me over. Sign here.” Swift is just a glorified blonde As a woman, I will say that bimbo with a guitar who got nine times out of ten, men are hugely famous off of her teenage wrong. However, I’m siding diary entries, which leads me to with the boys on this one, T. Swift. All you’re ever gonna be my second point. Without ever having met the is mean.
A
S
Page
News
6
September 17, 2012
Justin Earnest new counselor at GSCO By Tyler Akins Voice Contributor 924241015@gsc.edu
list, behind teaching. Once he completed his schooling, Earnest completed a year’s worth of internships at As of summer semester Augusta State University and 2012, GSC Oconee has added Serenity Behavioral Health Clinic a new Personal Counselor and dealing with high-risk patients. “I Wellness Specialist, Justin Earnest, knew counseling was right for me whose office is located in the after my actual intern experience administration building in room was completed,” Earnest said. Earnest explained his reasoning 111. Earnest was born and raised for coming to GSC Oconee by in Augusta, Georgia, where he saying, “This is actually my dream attended both grade school and job, and my long term goal is to college. After completing high become a teacher.” He described school, he entered Augusta State his experiences since coming to University where he was able to GSC Oconee as having a “family earn his Bachelor’s Degree in closeness” amongst the teachers “I love the small Psychology followed by graduate and staff. school for his Master’s Degree in community atmosphere and the small school aspect of the town,” Counselor Education. Earnest said that one of the said Earnest. Along with the other counselors biggest influences for becoming a counselor was his grandparents. at GSC, Earnest welcomes all “My grandfather was a counselor,” students with no appointment Earnest said, “so that ultimately led necessary. “Everyone should feel me into it.” Earnest admitted he free to come talk to me because I did not know he wanted to become can assist students in achieving a counselor at first, but when asked their life goals and finding their to list three potential careers, life purposes. And I love doing counseling came in second on his it,” Earnest said. He went on to
say that being a counselor is part of his “purpose in life” and he thoroughly enjoys the opportunity he was presented with. Throughout the semester, there are Wellness Events that any student at GSC can take part in. As Earnest settles into his job, he has become more involved in these events. For the month of October, there are three events to watch for: “Let’s Talk About Sex” Monday, Oct. 1 at noon, “The Health Fair” Monday, Oct. 22 at noon and the “Georgia-Florida Pregame Party” taking place Wednesday, Oct. 31, also at noon. Each of these events will have free food and all presentations will be held in the Student Resource Center at GSC Oconee, room 522. There are also events during the month of November which can be found at the Wellness Calendar of events on the GSC website.
Josh Jones/The Voice
Justin Earnest is eager to work with GSCO students.
Student opinions split on Sunday alcohol sales By Lauren Pratt Voice Staff Writer 924233863@gsc.edu Remembering to stock up on Saturday or waiting until the following Monday to buy your alcohol is no longer a concern beginning on Sunday, August 26, 2012 in the Athens Clarke County area. On July 31, voters approved package sales in liquor and grocery stores as well as alcohol by the drink in restaurants on Sundays. However, this does not begin until 12:30pm and ends at 11:30pm each Sunday. According to the Red and Black, out of a 24 percent participation rate of registered voters, 71 percent approved the alcohol sales while 28 percent voted against it. The opinions of many Gainesville State College students were somewhat divided on the approval of Sunday alcohol sales. “I don’t have a problem with it. I believe that you should have the right to sell alcohol,” said Josh Pratt, a sophomore at GSCO. “We have individual rights to sell what we want,” Pratt added, “but we should be taking the right precautions as this law is being passed.”
Brett Fowler/The Voice
GSCO student Matt Davenport buys beer at the Watkinsville Publix. Morgan Langford, a junior, echoed Pratt’s opinion. “Although I personally don’t believe in drinking on Sundays,” she said, “I don’t see why package stores and grocery stores shouldn’t be able to profit from alcohol sales on Sunday when restaurants can.” Langford says that regardless of its approval, if people wanted alcohol badly enough, they
would buy it on Saturday or go to a restaurant on Sunday. Langford added, “I know people that have driven all the way to South Carolina to buy it on a Sunday, too.” On the other hand, there are students that do not look as favorably on the approval of this law as their fellow students. “I would say that I do not approve
because of my beliefs,” said Lydia Campbell, a third year student at GSC, “Sunday is the Lord’s day so that’s also completely diminishing the day that people are in His house.” Daniel Crumbly, a junior, said that he “can only see such approval encouraging more partying and irresponsibility, which are not
always the results, but should be expected.” Crumbly also said that “as a believer in Jesus Christ, I don’t believe that under these circumstances Sunday can be kept holy as God commands us to do in the Bible. For some people, allowing alcohol sales on Sunday may seem to be a silly issue but for others this is very serious. The bottom line is I believe it’s an unnecessary risk for many.” Some students were not as biased as others. A fourth year student at GSCO commented, “As a college student in my 20s, I am indifferent about it. I realize that with this new approval, it adds more tax dollars to Clarke County, which it desperately needs! On another note, I have a lot of friends who drink and for some of them their livelihood revolves around the sale of alcohol. So for that I’m appreciative of the approval since it helps with jobs and better income during these economic hardships.” “I am indifferent because it does not affect me personally,” said sophomore Lauren Glenn, “but people have the right to do as they please.”
September 17, 2012
News
Page
7
New writing tutor happy to be at GSCO By Robbie Robertson News Editor 924195398@gsc.edu This semester, GSC Oconee has employed a full-time writing tutor, further bolstering the academic assistance available to all students on a daily basis and giving them the opportunity to work closely with a well educated and experienced writer. Stationed in the back office of the library, Jonathan Barefield is excited about his new position and the opportunity to work with college writers. Barefield, an Augusta native, returns to Georgia after a stint at Central Michigan University, where he went to obtain a Master’s Degree in English Language and Literature. While working toward his master’s, Barefield served as a writing consultant for CMU before accepting his current position with GSC. Along with his M.A. from Central Michigan, Barefield also earned bachelor’s degrees in both religion and psychology at the University of Georgia. A creative writer at heart, Barefield loves working with student writers as it gives him a chance to simultaneously teach the students and learn from them. “I’m interested in assisting
young writers in finding their voice,” Barefield said, “To me, that’s part of what being a writing tutor is all about.” Whether a student needs help with a literature paper, a critical essay, or a piece of creative writing, the writing tutor’s office should be a part of the process. “I have worked with every possible kind of writer so I’m prepared to do anything, even if a student just has random ideas they want to work on,” Barefield added. While his previous job provided experience, Barefield plans to learn from his new colleagues and the writing tutors who worked at GSC before him. “I’m still figuring things out around here, but I’m trying to learn from the systems that former tutors used here. I have ideas of what I want to add and where I want to go with it,” he said, “The faculty and students have been so incredibly inviting and nice. I look forward to working here and helping students achieve their goals however I can.” While many GSC students and faculty members have been concerned for months about the upcoming consolidation, Barefield has lost no sleep over the matter. Although he was unaware of the situation before taking the position, he says he will remain with GSC through the consolidation.
Josh Jones/The Voice
Jonathan Barefield came to GSCO from a job at Central Michigan University. He is from Augusta. “I know things are in the process of change, but my understanding is that I will be remaining here at the Oconee Campus. If they offer me a
private jet, maybe I’ll think about traveling to the other campuses,” Barefield quipped. With no private jet purchases planned in the
near future, students can expect Barefield to become a mainstay as the GSC Oconee writing guru.
Desire2Learn to replace old eLearning software By Ileana Hamilton Voice Contributor 924239051@gsc.edu
GSC, along with the other institutions within the University System of Georgia, is preparing to abandon the old eLearning software and adopt a new one in spring 2013. John Williams, eLearning and media support expert at GSC Oconee, explained the software change as “a statewide initiative.” Williams said, “We’re sort of at [USG’s] liberty in terms of what software we use. They call it a learning management system.” Williams said the decision to change was not because of issues with the software, but because “Blackboard vista is no longer planning to support [the learning management system] so USG was looking at
possibilities to replace it.” After having students, faculty and, administration explore five other learning management systems, USG chose the software entitled Desire2Learn. According to Williams, “The decision was made partly for ease of use and economic sake.” Desire2Learn has some different elements that instructors and students might find beneficial. “There are some things like newer tools and fewer issues with the web browsers and Java base,” Williams said. He also stated that Blackboard Vista had some issues supporting Mac users in the past but “Desire2Learn will be less browser dependent.” In regards to the differences between the two systems, Williams said, “There’s some differences in terms of how it’s laid out but it terms of the basic structure of being able to
Venturebeat.com
do discussions, take tests, and reading assignments, it’s pretty standard in every system.” Williams noted, “it will take a little getting used to, but the change will benefit everyone in the long run.” Since many professors use eLearning to teach online courses, changing software
right before consolidation raised concern. Williams said, “We were trying to get it pushed back to the summer mainly because of the consolidation but it doesn’t look like were going to be able to push it back so it will be spring.” There were also concerns about teaching the new software to professors and
administration. “The Distance Education Committee is trying our best to get everybody up to speed,” Williams said, “We will be having Friday sessions at the end of the semester so teachers can come in and work and do one-on-one ask questions. It might take instructors a little longer to get used to,” In regards to the students, there is not much concern about adapting to the change. Williams said, “We’re still trying to figure out how to help the students with it. I think there are some self-paced tutorial modules in Desire2learn so you can kind of see what its like. If you’ve had some experience with eLearning, it should be somewhat familiar to students at least.” Williams assured that the change should be seamless and both faculty and students should be able to get used to the new software fairly easily.
Page
News
8
September 17, 2012
Benson wins 2012 Eleanor Crawford Award By Charles Chow Voice Contributor 924221140@gsc.edu Erin Williams Benson, GSC Oconee’s Coordinator of Testing, won the 2012 Eleanor Crawford Award. The award has recognized staff members for their services to Gainesville State College since 1990. Before receiving the award at the annual GSC Welcome Back Luncheon on Aug. 5, a video about Crawford was played. As Benson recalls, the video showed “her pride in her role at the institution and her legacy” that is represented in the award before the announcer goes on to talk about the award winner. Benson was unaware that she was the winner before the presenter announced her name. “The thing I enjoyed the most from it is having this support from everybody,” she said. “It’s just been so sweet and the nice things that people say and… it makes me feel like I chose the right place to be at GSC. I’m happy to be a part of it. I’m happy to be recognized as being a part of it.
“And it’s neat because when they read out the award they start talking about the person and I didn’t realize it was for me until halfway through because you can use these words to describe any of the people I work with. It was very heartwarming and it’s nice to receive that recognition from your peers and these people that you really respect and look up to.” Benson first started working in 2006 as the Student Service Associate in the front office before switching to Coordinator of Testing. “My office offers a variety of services,” she said. “We do placement testing. It is used for admission purposes if your SAT/ ACT test is below a certain point. It is used for course level placement. We used those test scores to determine where you need to start in school. I get to work with prospective students and I also get to work with students through disability services who get testing accommodations. We do assistant technology training and we provide a quiet space for their test here.” One aspect of Benson’s job that she enjoys the most is having daily interactions with people that
Josh Jones/The Voice
Erin Williams Benson says the greatest pleasure of her job is working with GSCO students and faculty. she works with. “It can get very routine, but each day you’re talking to somebody different,” she said. “I really enjoy working with students.
New parking lot to add 67 spaces by late fall
By Peyton Winters Voice Contributor 924248590@gsc.edu
Parking at GSC Oconee is soon to improve with the addition of a new parking lot. Mark Jones, GSCO Director of Business Services, reported that the new parking lot will begin construction in late fall and will hopefully be done by January. Jones said that the new lot will add 67 new paved parking spaces to the already existing 540 spaces. The new parking lot will be built where the current volleyball court sits. The volleyball court will be moved to the front of the campus on the “grassy knoll” adjacent to the main parking lot, according to Jones. “There was very little available space,” Jones said, “and it is accessible from the road.” Jones said he did not know how much the parking lot will cost, but that it will be completely bid through the state system. The money for the parking lot is state appropriated money coming out of the GSC budget. Jones said that GSC is not using student fees to pay for the parking lot and that
josh jones/The Voice
Current volleyball court is the site of the future parking lot. this appropriated money is an important part of the budget. The company that will take on the task of building the lot has not yet been decided. Jones explained that a few companies are pitching their separate bid packages to GSCO. When asked if this is the final improvement to parking at Oconee, Jones replied, “More changes are coming.” According to Jones, there had previously been a plan to build a parking deck that would add 180 parking spots but due to the
current economic downturn this plan had to be cancelled. Even with consolidation with North Georgia College & State University, there is still hope for this parking deck. Jones said the lot is just a shortterm measure and GSC only wants to progress. This process was so slow because of the budget, Jones adds. GSC has had budget cuts every single year for the past three years, but once the money became available and they found the space, plans for the parking lot were able to begin.
I really enjoy working with the faculty. I made the switch from working the front office to working here because I wanted to develop
more of a core with the students and the faculty and have really valued that I’ve gotten to build from that.”
It only takes 10 minutes to get registered to vote By Ryan Poe Voice Staff Writer 924243429@gsc.edu With the General Election approaching fast, many students are unaware of how to register themselves to vote and give back to our community. The time required to complete an easy task like this is less than ten minutes. Making the process even more convenient is the option to do it all from home. The only items necessary are an envelope, a voter application form and a postage stamp. Eligibility requirements to vote in Georgia include being 18 years of age, being a U.S. Citizen and Georgia resident, and having a valid state or school issued ID or a recent paystub. Convicted felons serving time or on parole are prohibited from registering. Voting can also be done in person for those enthusiastic students who would rather get out of the house and head down to the Athens-Clarke County Tag Office, Athens-Clarke County Board of Elections Office, State Patrol Office, or the Athens Regional Library. With the most recent General Primary Election already passed, students should look forward to the October 8th deadline in order to be eligible to vote on November 6, 2012. For those unable to vote on Election Day, there are alternative ways of voting. The absentee ballot serves as the most convenient option for many students whose permanent addresses are far from their current residence. Although registration is required to submit an absentee ballot for the upcoming election, they are available until November 2, 2012. Early voting also helps students who are incapable of getting to the designated voting destinations on Election Day. Governor Nathan Deal recently passed a bill stating that the early voting time frame will now be shortened from 45 days to 21 days.
Page
Please visit our website at
www.kinnucans.com
for much more information on our company and a full listing of our store locations, brands, services, and customer loyalty program benefits. Or join us on facebook at:
www.facebook.com/kinnucans
REINVENTING THE OUTDOOR STORE
September 17, 2012
ATHENS AREA LOCATION NEXT TO KROGER 191 Alps Road, Unit 13A Athens, GA 30606 706.433.0652
9
THE FUTURE OF GSCO Page
10
By Matthew Davenport Voice Editor-in-chief 924235898@gsc.edu
The closing of this semester sees an end to Gainesville State College, and what is hoped to be a prosperous beginning in the birth of The University of North Georgia. The Oconee campus hasn’t always been a part of GSC back before 2003 this campus was a branch campus of Truett Mcconnell, a Christian university based in Cleveland, GA. With the addition of the Oconee campus GSC began to pick up steam, largely due to its steady annual increases in enrollment bolstered by a T90 form that would impress even the shrewdest of accounting majors. In the wake of the present economic collapse some universities especially in the state of Georgia were simply, unable to cope with hard economic times. The board of regents, after many clandestine meetings had finally worked out a solution to curb the cash hemorrhaging in the university system of GA, several schools including GSC and NGCSU would be merged in an effort to control spending and unify the collegiate system. Dr. Venable had some final thoughts to express regarding the future of GSC, NGU and more importantly the future of the students who make up both institutions. In the midst of this transition Venable remains optimistic, what follows is the first in a series of interviews concerning the consolidation, this particular interview was a question and answer session with Venable.
years to come I believe because we fill a special niche in this area of the state because we are so efficient and effective”.
Q: Are there any plans for expansion at Oconee? A: “There are no CURRENT plans for expansion at the Oconee Campus because we have such limited facilities and land, but the new University will work with the University System of Georgia and the Board of Regents to develop a plan to determine how we can best serve the needs of this area. I feel certain that looking for opportunities to serve additional students will be one area that will be explored. At the very least, we will need to determine better ways to accommodate the existing numbers of students we serve. Can you spell PARKING? We also really need additional office space for our current faculty and staff and we need additional space for student activities such as club meetings, tutoring services and studying spaces”.
Q: How will this consolidation benefit Oconee students?
A: “Although I don’t think we will suddenly be able to add additional courses and programs at the Oconee Campus, I do expect that we will see additional programs added at the Gainesville Campus much sooner than we would have without this
consolidation of institutions. We already see Oconee students continuing their studies in fouryear degree programs with GSC by attending the Gainesville Campus, so I hope students will feel that it is easy to continue in Gainesville, Dahlonega or Cumming with programs offered at these other locations by the new University. Furthermore, being part of a larger institution that offers everything from associate’s degrees to graduate degrees is a good thing for all of us because it brings more resources and clout to all of us. We will be the seventh largest institution in the University System of Georgia, offering multiple pathways for academic completion for students all over North Georgia. “As you may know, the new University will offer everything from associate’s degrees to graduate degrees. Students will be able to start in associates degree programs and pay the lower state college tuition rates and then transfer seamlessly into baccalaureate degree programs (at the state university tuition rate). Both tuition rates are very affordable and a great value for a high quality education”.
Q: Will there be any grandfathering in of the tuition rate paid by current students? A: “I think the details of this are still being
Gen Sp February 1, 2012
determined, but the decision has been made that current students will be grandfathered in as far as tuition is concerned. In other words, students admitted in the future to baccalaureate degree programs will pay the state university tuition rate (which is higher than our state college tuition rate), but students currently enrolled at GSC in baccalaureate programs will continue to pay the state college tuition rate for some period of time that is considered appropriate for completion of the degree program (i.e., not necessarily forever). Students enrolled in associates degree programs will always pay the state college tuition rate, which is the tuition rate that GSC students currently pay. “The consolidation it seems, if done smoothly, and fairly may yet bring a great number of political clout and academic prestige to GSCO, if however it is miss handled in any way the results could be disastrous.”
Ou
DN
Q: What is the future of GSC Oconee?
A: “This is such a philosophical question and yet I assume you are looking for a more pragmatic answer. Once again, I feel as if I must dust off my crystal ball to try to answer such a question, but with the disclaimer that I can only make predictions based on my instincts I will say that I think the future of GSC Oconee is bright. I think we offer something that student’s want. We are in a desirable location; we offer high value quality education at an affordable cost. We will continue to do that for
Let’s Tal By Amenda Sali Voice A&E Editor 924238564@gsc.edu After long hours of deliberation, the consolidation committee has developed a tuition model for the soon-to-be North Georgia University. Margaret Venable, vice president and CEO of GSC Oconee, says she is “excited to have a basic plan to preserve as many options for students as possible.” Describing the multi-faceted plan, Venable adds, “Tuition and admissions will be tied closely together since we feel both are what make us accessible currently to GSC students. Meanwhile, we will continue to offer additional degree programs that students in the north Georgia region want and need.” In a recent press release, students were informed that the dollar amount they will pay would be determined by which academic degree they are
interested in obtaining. H enrolled in two differen themselves in the exact mean they are paying the Simply stated, the ne affect students in diffe in two basic ways: raisin “Students will apply to be admitted as an assoc baccalaureate degree stud or part of the military of these pathways offe criteria and tuition ra Students enrolling for program will be admitt admissions policies and w GSC tuition rate. How admission into the bacc face higher admissions tuition rate that NGSCU
ne plicing: ur future NA? February 1, 2012
lk Tuition
However, if two students nt degree programs find same class, it does not same amount for tuition. new tuition model will erent degree programs ng or staying the same. o the new university to ciates degree student, a dent, a graduate student y corps program. Each ers different admissions ates,” Venable explains. the Associate’s degree ted under current GSC will also pay the current wever, students seeking calaureate program will policies and the higher U students currently pay.
The only loophole applies to students currently enrolled at GSC in baccalaureate programs. Those students will be eligible to keep paying their current tuition rate, but only for a certain amount of time. The timeframe for these students remains unknown for the time being. Switching from one academic program to another will be allowed, according to Venable, however the process in which a student can do so, has not yet been determined. Concerning transferring from one campus to another, Venable had this to say: “At the Oconee Campus, we currently only offer associates degrees, but baccalaureate students may choose to attend the Oconee Campus for their first couple of years of coursework, just as students already do now before transferring to complete their baccalaureate degrees.”
Page 11 New registration system to be ‘hybrid’ of the old ones By Alexander Popp Voice Contributor 924255032@gsc.edu With the consolidation looming right around the corner, students of both GSC and North Georgia College & State University can certainly count on seeing more and more serious changes in student life and academic policy as the year progresses. Most decisions and issues will be resolved when the new University of North Georgia is officially established this January, but some issues like those concerning registration policy will likely carry over into the spring and fall when the inevitable mad rush to register for classes begins. Due to the differences in how the two schools select and allow students to register for courses, the new registration system for UNG has been created specifically to accommodate the diverse student body and mission of each school. “It’s a hybrid of both systems,” says Tom Walter, the new vice president of student affairs, “containing pieces of both schools existing registration policy.” Walter explains that under the new registration system, associate level registration requirements will be taken from the existing requirements at GSC and requirements at the baccalaureate level will be taken from NGCSU. He is confident that at the associate degree level, students of Gainesville State will see virtually no difference in policy, “Students will apply for a degree level and a
campus. To be accepted as an associate degree student, the student will need to meet the current admission requirements at GSC and will pay the state college tuition rate,” said Walters. Walter points out that the only exception will be an Associate Degree in the Nursing Program, because of its more competitive admission process, and any GSC students wishing to pursue this degree will be required to follow the existing NGCSU guidelines and requirements. Walter goes on to expound that the new transition between an associate and baccalaureate degree is where GSC students will likely encounter the most change in how and what they can register for. He clarifies that while the registration process itself hasn’t changed too dramatically, the new degree requirements may give some students pause. Many of the existing baccalaureate degree programs offered at GSC are shared by both institutions, but in several, the requirements for a baccalaureate degree from NGCSU are at an admission standard much higher than GSC. Many people would at this point complain that higher admissions standards means more work to get the same degree, and yes, to some extent the shift in admissions standards will lead to more being asked of students for the same degrees. But ultimately the heightening of standards will be in the students favor, granting them the prestige of NGCSU’s own admission standard, under the name of a completely new university. With the help of the academic advisors and staff available at all GSC locations, there is little doubt that any problems students will have with registration during the next year will be as painless as possible.
Page
Sports
12
September 17, 2012
Consolidation brings with it new athletics Brett Fowler Sports Editor 924222072@gsc.edu With the consolidation of GSC and North Georgia College and State University right around the corner there are still many question being asked by students, one of the concerns that comes as more of a pressing issue for students at both schools is the question of what will happen in regards to athletics at the newly consolidated school. Currently NGCSU has many of the generic NCAA athletics that most colleges have. These sports include men’s and women’s soccer, tennis, basketball, golf, and rifle teams. NGCSU also has a baseball team for men as well softball and cross country for women. “As of right now we really don’t know what will happen with the athletic department,” said NGCSU Athletics Director Lindsay Reeves. “Right now it’s really open for
discussion. We will have athletics once the colleges are consolidated for sure, we just don’t know exactly which ones yet.” While there are still many question that must be addressed before the consolidation is finalized there are some things that Reeves did say would be certain pertaining to the Athletics program at the new University of North Georgia. “We do know that the athletic teams will compete in the Peach Belt Conference, which NGCSU currently resides in,” said Reeves. Also as far as I’m aware our current coaches will keep their same positions after the consolidation. ” Reeves also noted that she didn’t know if any other athletic teams would be created in addition to the teams that NGCSU already has. “That will be up to the students, and what they want,” said Reeves. Reeves went on to say that there were some requirements made by the NCAA that students will have to meet to play intercollegiate
Contributed
In January 2013 the current NGCSU field will get a facelift with a new name and a new mascot. athletics. “To be eligible to play intercollegiate athletics a student must be enrolled in a four year degree program, which is NCAA policy,” Reeves noted. “We really
Local athletes shine in Olympics By Kalupe Booze Staff Writer 924248288@gsc.edu The 2012 Olympics were held in London this summer and feature 500 Americans athletes. From this talented bunch of Team USA participants; the state of Georgia boasted 25 members. Most of which derived out of the metro Atlanta area but Athens and UGA, more specifically, had a few of its own. In arguably the most exciting Olympic sport, Swimming and Diving had eight participants from the state of Georgia, but the most noticeable hailed from UGA. Allison Schmitt was the most successful Georgian at the 2012 Olympics, bringing home five medals, three of which were gold and she also set one world record in the 4x100 medley relay. Originally from Canton, Michigan, Schmitt crushed the competition during her prep career at Canton High School, thus earning a scholarship to the UGA. While at UGA, Schmitt won seven national championships. The 6’1” 22 years old competed in her first Olympics in Beijing (2008), winning silver and bronze medals. Since then, she has trained alongside Michael Phelps by way of having a mutual trainer and it showed in London.
Schmitt’s teammate, Shannon Vreeland also took home a gold medal after the 2012 Olympics. She was on the winning 4x200 freestyle relay team that also included Schmitt, Dana Vollmer, and the surprise of the 2012 Olympics, 17 year old Missy Franklin. Vreeland, also a UGA grad, is a current resident of Athens, GA. Her prep career began in Overland Park, Kansas, where she stared at Blue Valley West High School. She has already claimed two NCAA titles in just two seasons at UGA. Another sport that boasted a few locals was Track and Field, but the most noticeable athlete was Reese Hoffa. Hoffa, a UGAv graduate of ‘01, didn’t win any national championships as a Bulldog, but was an All American for four consecutive years. He competed in the 2004 and 2008 Olympics, but did not place. However, fortunes turned for him at 2012 Olympics. A throw of 21.23 meters (69.65 feet) earned him a bronze medal. Hoffa currently resides in Athens,
hope that there will be a lot of students who want to participate in the athletic program at the new university.” As with many other questions
about the new university, students will just have to wait for answers as they come about.
Bowhunting experience more than killing Bambi Fall is upon us and with fall comes my favorite time of the year, hunting season. September 8th marked the start of bow hunting season for deer in the state of Voice Sports Editor 924222072@gsc.edu Georgia, and as I sat in my tree stand that morning I had many thoughts going through my head. What if I see a big buck, will I see anything at all, what if I can’t get my bow drawn in time, what if I shoot and my arrow misses. While all these questions are going through my mind I start to realize that I just need to relax, I have been shooting and preparing for this day since the end of last hunting season. See while sitting in the middle of the woods on a warm Saturday morning I realized something; that hunting is a lot like life, in that if you always dwell on the little things and always uptight you might just miss what’s going on around you. I sat in the stand for just two hours when I saw two baby fawns come in from out of the blue, I found myself so caught up in watching them before I knew it two more hours had passed, and I had thought about nothing more than the two fawns in front of me. I write all this to point out that sometimes we as humans just need to sit back and take some time to enjoy the little things in life. We get so wrapped up in everyday life that we miss the little details that make life so great. Whether its going out and sitting in a tree stand for five hours like me, or something like hanging out with friends downtown, everyone needs to step back and take a break sometimes.
BRETT FOWLER
Contributed
UGA student Allison Schmitt, won Gold in the recent London olympics. GA with his wife of six years. Other Bulldogs that competed in this year’s Olympics include: Chris Colwill (Diving), Hyleas Fountain (Track and Field), Andrew Gemmell (Swimming), John Isner (Tennis), and Kara Lynn Joyce (Swimming).v
@
The VOice
Please visit our website
www.gscvoice.org And don’t forget!
Find us on Facebook and Twitter!
September 17, 2012
Sports
Page
The clubhouse at Double Oaks golf Course, located just a short ride away from downtown Athens.
Double Oaks Golf Course perfect for students By Tyler Deloach Staff Writer 924227126@gsc.edu Located just twenty miles from the heart of downtown Athens in Commerce, Georgia, Double Oaks Golf Course is the perfect course for college students on a budget. This par 72 course features 6,800 yards of golf from the farthest tees. Double Oaks is a great place to play for students looking to save money. One great thing about this course is it’s “play for your age” deal that is valid at any time during the weekdays, and after 3pm on weekends. This deal includes 18
holes of golf and a golf cart for no extra charge. Other than the low rates for students, Double Oaks features many different lunch specials, including the two hot dogs, chips, and a drink deal for only $4. Another great deal that this course offers is 50 cent recycled golf balls. Don’t waste money buying brand new balls, Double Oaks has it covered. Double Oaks is great for any level of golfer. It features wide open fairways with minimal hazards off the tee. On both the front and back nine, there are two par 3s, two par 5s, and the rest par 4s. If the player
is shooting from the blue or gold tees, (the two farthest), many of the par 3s stretch over 200 yards. The course opens up with a par 4, which is the hardest hole on the course. If the player does not advance the ball down the hill in the fairway, the player will have a blind approach shot. The tree line also comes into play off the first tee for right handed players who often slice their drives. The main reason the first is the hardest is because of its slightly elevated green. If the player is long or short, the ball will roll off of the putting surface, leaving them with a difficult chip shot. The second hole that could cause
Local start-up hits it big By Chris Raimondi Staff Writer 924233663@gsc.edu Six year old Athens-based sports protection gear company EvoShield, founded by four former UGA athletes, is now being endorsed by the likes of Robert Griffin III, Matthew Stafford, and Gordon Beckham due to their “gelto-shell” technology. EvoShield was founded in 2006 and since that time, the company’s name has grown tremendously due to its patented material that allows athletes to custom mold their protective gear. Rather than a onesize-fits-all protection, EvoShield and its technology allow athletes to shape their wrist, rib, ankle, and elbow guards to their pleasure. “We want to give all athletes pro gear” said part-founder and National Sales Manager Stan Payne. In a recent interview Payne, former UGA pitcher from 1990-1992 and Oakland Athletics pitcher from 1992-1997, explained the company’s drive to provide all athletes with gear that would allow them to “not sacrifice
protection for comfort” and also so they would not have to use gear that was “outdated and old” in its technology. The “EvoShields” are made up of a material that begins in a permeable, soft state and when exposed to air, hardens and permanently stays in the form that it is molded into. “It is air activated,” explained EvoShield employee Stephen Martin-Rolsky. “It comes in air-sealed packaging and takes about 20-30 minutes to form.” EvoShield has been lab proven to protect athletes adequately, labeling the company as “comfortable, yet durable,” Martin-Rolsky added, making it one of the reasons this product is preferable to many of today’s biggest athletes. “We make gear that the pros wear,” explained Martin-Rolsky. That statement isn’t just a fancy slogan for this gamechanging company. EvoShield is worn by players on every MLB team, including Troy Tulowitzki, Alex Gordon, Yadier Molina, and EvoShield athlete Gordon Beckham. Heisman Trophy winner and quarterback of the Washington
players problems is the difficult par 4 11th hole. Playing 443 yards from the farthest tees, this dog-leg right is an uphill challenge. With the uphill drive, the player will lose great distance off the tee, causing the second shot to be rather long. Other than it’s uphill tee shot, the 11th hole has a blind second shot, not matter how far you drive the ball. The green is hidden by numerous ridges, causing the player to improvise. The player must use the tree line for a good vantage point in order to find the green. There is a tall oak tree that is clearly taller than the others. If
13
Contributed
the player aims their shot just right of the tall oak, they should find the green. Though other holes can cause the player problems, these two holes cause the most issues. With this being said, this course gives the player the opportunity to shoot a low score. The fairways on this course are wide open, making it very forgiving. The greens, depending on the weather, are not very fast, but the breaks do play true. Overall, this course is a great place to for golfers to shoot a low score, for a low price.
Intramural flag football set to begin play By Brett Fowler Voice Sports Editor 924222072@gsc.edu
Contributed
Redskins, Robert Griffin III recently joined the EvoShield family, wearing their product and becoming the face of their football department. Lacrosse player Ned Crotty and hockey player Shane Doan also endorse EvoShield. EvoShield offers protective gear for several sports such as, baseball, softball, football, hockey, soccer, lacrosse, and even hunting/ shooting. They also have a custom medical department in which they can create personal shields for customers with specific medical conditions. Sports Authority, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Academy Sports, as well as many small sporting goods stores, carry EvoShield products.
Many students are not aware that there are intramural sports at GSCO, but within a few days one of the biggest intramural sports will start up. Flag football is just around the corner and student life specialist Lindsay Bailey is ready to get the ball rolling this year. “Registration ends on September 5th at midnight and we have a limit of 14 teams,” Said Bailey, “14 teams is really all our resources can handle and it is what we had last year and it worked out really well.” For those who don’t know what flag football is, it is similar to tackle football but instead of tackling a player, a belt of flags is wrapped around a player’s waist and has to be pulled off to end a down. There are many variations of flag football with different amounts of members on a team such as nine on nine, eight on eight, or seven on seven (which is what is played at GSCO).
“To participate in our league you need at least seven players, but no more than 14,” noted Bailey, “the biggest thing is that you have to show your student ID to play, carry at least a 2.0 GPA, and be enrolled in classes at GSC.” Each team will have four games during the regular season, and how a team does during the season determines how they will get seeded for the end of the season tournament. Once the tournament starts a team can play anywhere from 1 to 4 games. The winning team of the tournament will receive intramural t-shirts as well as bragging right for the year. The season starts September 10th, and all games will be played on Monday and Tuesday evenings between 5:30 and 7:30 at the YWCO in Athens. “We definitely tried to make it easier for students with night classes to participate this year.” Said Bailey, “If a student can only come one day or the other, then we try to schedule around when people can come.”
Page
Lifestyles
14
September 17, 2012
‘Doc’ helps students cope with stress By Caitlin Powers Voice Staff Writer 924242319@gsc.edu Stress and anxiety are common problems amongst college students. GSC’s Director of Personal Counseling and Wellness Melinda “Doc” Hawley said she has seen so many students stressing. “It’s normal,” said Hawley, “It’s expected.” She went on to say that if a student doesn’t expect to stress they will think something is wrong with them. There is normal everyday stress that a student deals with, but Hawley stated that it becomes a problem when the degree of stress is greater than the individual’s ability to handle it. Luckily, GSC offers counseling services for new and existing students that will help them cope with the stress they are dealing with. “That’s why counseling can be helpful to college students,” said Hawley, “We can make them distress.” New students can easily get stressed with being in a new educational institution after graduating high school, moving
out of their parents’ home, and getting use to living in a different environment. Hawley said, “You add each one of those stressors together, and the mind and body may not be able to cope with that much stress. That’s when it becomes a problem.” Symptoms of a stressed out student include irritability, increase in emotions, and forgetfulness. Hawley states that these symptoms might be caused by accumulation of stress. She said that stressed students should make a list of all the changes in the last six months of their lives, and try to understand each change is a stressor. Then, they should figure out ways to decrease the amount of stress. Hawley suggests doing breathing exercises or yoga, getting a massage, or even going out with friends, without drinking or smoking, to help decrease stress levels. She stated that drinking and smoking only numb students, and do not help get rid of stress. At GSC, there are wellness programs that specifically aim to help students deal with stress. Hawley suggested, “Students can
also come to the counseling office, and I can show them the amount of stress that’s in their body. They can watch themselves lower their stress by doing some of the techniques I show them.” This process is called “biofeedback.” She added, “In town, there’s a wonderful class called ‘Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction’, and that’s at the Mind Body Institute at Athens Regional Medical Center.” Hawley is an evening therapist there. This class has free meditation and Tai Chi open to anyone needing a stress reliever. Anxiety is the outcome of an individual unable to cope with stress well. Hawley adds, “The root causes Melinda “Doc” Hawley, Director of of anxiety, in addition to stress, are what people are Hawley said students should be thinking.” For students to deal with around people that are helpful to anxiety, they need to start asking them, and students need to focus “What can I do?” instead of “What on the solution, not the problem. if…?” Students will also benefit Hawley encouraged support from seeing if there are any outside sources influencing their stress, groups for testing anxiety but either increasing or decreasing it. mentioned that it was hard to
Personal Counseling
create groups on a small campus. However, students can meet with Hawley, by appointment, in Room 113, or they can go to the testing lab to see Erin Benson who can teach them how to decrease testing anxiety.
Liz’s Lovely Bulldawg Tailgate Chili INGREDIENTS • • • • • •
1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 onion (chopped) 3 cloves garlic or 1 tbsp dry garlic 1-4 ounces of can diced jalapeno peppers 1-4 ounces of chopped green chili peppers 2 teaspoon ground cumin
• • • • • •
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper 2-14.5 ounces of chicken stock or broth 3 cups cooked chicken breasts (chopped) 3 15 ounce cans white beans
1 cup monterey jack cheese shredded salt & pepper to taste
Directions 1. Use extra olive oil over medium heat 2. Sauté onions until tender 3. Mix garlic, jalapenos, green chili peppers, cumin, oregano and cayenne 4. Mix all ingredients til its tender (in 3 minutes) 5. Mix the chicken broth or stock, chicken, and beans 6. Simmer 15 minutes longer 7. Stir occasionally 8. Remove from heat and stir in the cheese til melted 9. Ready in 30 minutes and serves 4. Enjoy!
The Voice
September 17, 2012
Lifestyles
Page
15
‘Weeks of Welcome’ kickstarts semester Anna Gillespie (bottom) hands out T-shirts while Nelly’s Echo (right) plays at the Weeks of Welcome event during the second week of school.
Student Academic Success office helps students By Catherine Wilson Voice Staff Writer 924238280@gsc.edu Success as a student is a subject on most college students’ minds as the start of the Fall Semester moves forward. The Student Academic Success office at GSC Oconee encourages students to become active participants in their education, become engaged throughout their college experience and make progress towards graduation. “The thing that helps me in achieving success as a nursing student is my motivation. I am motivated because I am pursuing a degree in a field that I love, enjoy and see as a career that I want to do most,” says Caroline Payne, an Athens-area student of the College of Nursing at Georgia Health Sciences University. It is the importance that Payne sees in nursing education that marks her key towards success. Payne is making significant progress towards achieving her desired result of a nursing degree. Here at GSCO, there are multiple resources offered to aid students in achieving their goals. Tips and resources for student success can be found on the GSC school website. The website sets aside a section pertaining to college success where lists of instructor resources are provided as well as important contact information
students may find useful. The college success tips found on the website offer a basic summary of a successful student and list eight particularly important characteristics of a successful individual. These characteristics include acceptance of personal responsibility, discovering a motivating purpose, taking
purposeful actions, demonstrating independence, gaining selfawareness, becoming life-long learners, developing emotional intelligence and believing in oneself. GSC’s resources provide an answer to the question of how to succeed as a student, emphasizing the importance of being an active
participant in education, reflecting upon and monitoring progress, seeking help and knowing resources available, and making connections with students, faculty members, staff, and others. GSC’s resources also include questions and personal opinions for students to consider answering and thinking about when working towards
student success. The assumption is typically made that the majority of college students attend college with intentions of being successful. This is something all students should take into consideration. Ways of achieving success, as a student, rely on the act of finding the individual’s personal key.
Page
Clubs
16
September 17, 2012
GSCO Habitat for Humanity thriving By Andrews Steel Voice Contributor 924248488@gsc.edu
Habitat for Humanity at GSC Oconee has record attendance at meetings, showing for a promising year. Habitat for Humanity, according to their mission statement, is a non-profit ecumenical Christian ministry built on the idea that everyone deserves decent, safe, and affordable housing. Here at the Oconee campus, students meet in room 530 every other Wednesday at 12 P.M. to discuss future projects, such as “Habitat Hustle”, the club’s top fundraiser for the year, and building projects. The club is headed by Randy Parish, although he states, “The kids really run the show; I am just the teacher who sponsors them.” According to Parish, more students this year are rising to the occasion, attending meetings in full force. The club focuses on trying to accomplish at least three building projects a semester, not including their annual spring break out-ofstate building project. “It is really
remarkable that these kids would give up their spring breaks for a service trip”, Parish comments. Habitat for Humanity has had successful fundraising through both “Habitat Hustle” and selling eco-friendly rain barrels. “Habitat Hustle” is a run hosted by the organization, and is one of their highest grossing fundraising techniques. The organization also plans on having a booth at the Oconee Fall Festival taking place in October. Habitat for Humanity on a national level positions itself as an organization based on religious fundamental values. “Here, people of all religious backgrounds are invited to become volunteers,” says Parish. “Also, there is no basis of one’s religion when choosing a candidate for a building project.” However, Parish says he will often begin a meeting by leading the group in a prayer. Parish notes, “We are not exclusive to any one type of person, yet we are still serving Him.” According to Parish, Habitat for Humanity has especially made an impact on the homeless rate, which
is astonishingly high. “Athens has the worst housing in the country, the poverty rate is nationally ranked,” remarks Parish. According to the American Community Survey held by the United States Census Bureau, 33.5% of people in Clarke County were living below the poverty line from 2006-2010. Also, the Athens Banner-HeraldOnline states that the per-capita income in Athens is $17,123, about $4,000 less than the state average. Habitat for Humanity is exclusive to the Oconee campus. The organization came to be known here because the University of Georgia wanted to reach out and help create a separate branch. Once the branch had gained steam and seemed self-sufficient, the UGA Habitat for Humanity club cut all ties. GSCO and UGA clubs have the eventual collaboration, but for the most part work as separate bodies. New visitors are always welcome at club meetings and are averaging twenty students each meeting, which is a record high.
Young Democrats focus on politics By Brent Payne Voice Contributor 924148117@gsc.edu GSC Young Democrats brings college students together to learn the ways of not just democratic politics but politics as a whole. Whether it’s learning how the election process works or understanding democratic politics at all stages of government, GSC Young Democrats offers valuable information that students can take with them at any stage in life after college. “This club is for any student new or already involved in politics,” Kelly Manley, head advisor of GSC Young Democrats said. Regardless of past experience with politics, this club is here to mentor and tutor students on different elements of politics for both beginners and those with more experience. “I have had members get jobs working for political campaigns,” said Manley. This is not just a club that can benefit the students on campus but this is information that can be taken outside of school and put it use for the future. “We even go to state conventions that are held by a state organization,” said. Manley. There are many colleges in the state that have a club for Democrats and they each meet together for a statewide convention to learn from other students as well as teaching new
information to other students. “We have done workshops featuring both members of the College Republicans and the Young Democrats.” Manley said. Not only is this a great place to learn about some of the nation’s policies from a democratic perspective but also to learn new and original ideas from a republican perspective that may be a new, fresh idea to some club members. However, don’t think the Young Democrats don’t have heated debates amongst themselves because not every democrat will see Josh Jones/ The Voice eye to eye. “We even Kelly Manley, Young Democrats have debates between advisor at club fair. democrats at this club,” Manley said. Debates the electoral process and reviewing can be between certain democratic videos of debates from old elections candidates that are running against each other to vie for the to help get a better understanding last congressional spot or even the of how the process works. This is more than just a club; this presidential nomination. For students who are worried is part of learning about the history about sharing their political beliefs of politics in the United States. in fear of stirring up controversy Whether supporting democrats or with other students need not fear republicans. Manley has made this about that as everyone is open to club the best way to get involved all ideas, similar or different, not in politics at the campus as well only are ideas discussed between as teaching students new ideas to students; but learning the ways of make them successful in the future.
Josh Jones/The Voice
GSCO’s Habitat for Humanity at Club Fair.
Club Fair galleria
B C M S I F E S G A
September 17, 2012
Editorials
High hopes on consolidation The consolidation of GSC and North Georgia College & State University brings promises of many shiny new things: a more prestigious academic program, a new name and mascot, and new interested students due to our new credibility as a university. All of these are wonderful examples of progress and growth, and most can agree that they are all positive changes. But even though our school is about to be showered with many advantages, there still comes a feeling of ineffable loss. We are losing our identity as the Oconee campus of Gainesville State College, a small college that means a great deal to so many people. Gainesville belongs to everyone, and we accept everyone. GSCO is a beacon of hope for those who are unable to get into what might have been their first choice of school. Many have found their home at GSCO, because sometimes things just don’t go the way we originally planned. Gainesville could easily be compared to the Island of Misfit Toys from the original
film version of “Rudolph.” Many of us are academically broken in minor ways, and that is what has kept us from going to larger or more prestigious schools (or by getting noticed by Santa). This common bond of being scholastic misfits has banded our campus together in a strange kind of camaraderie is what sets GSCO apart from other schools. Most GSCO students are united in our efforts to finish our time at GSC and move on to somewhere else. While this could be seen as a negative thing, it has created a student body of completely different individuals who all want the same thing. The downside to the consolidation is that the structure of our school will change, and with that comes the fear that our students will lose their special bond. Hopefully the influx of students will not also bring a mass uniformity. We should always strive to be different and embrace our weirdness. Fancy new titles and mascots shouldn’t force us to dress ourselves up. We are a band of misfits.
Dream Act a positive change Im migration has been a controversial topic in the U.S. for decades. Some believe that immigrants should be allowed to come into our country and have a better chance at life, even if they have no documentation and are illegal aliens. Others think that immigrants must be documented and become citizens, and a faction thinks that immigrants should not be allowed in at all. Here at “The Voice” we support equality for all, despite our myriad differences in religion and political beliefs. We now have students here at GSC Oconee who are immigrants trying to get an education, so the executive order that was passed in June allowing certain immigrants to stay was welcome and encouraging news. The act was an executive order, and states that immigrants who arrived in the U.S. before they turned 16 and have not yet turned 30. This order does not grant them citizenship, but gives them immunity from deportation for two years. During that time they can obtain work permits. The stipulations for staying in the country are they must have no criminal record, and have either graduated, gotten their GED, or joined the military. This act gives great opportunity to many innocent illegal immigrants, as many as 1.7 million youths. Some have never been in their home country, and do not know the customs or speak the language. Now they can stay in
the country they call home and continue their education, and then work after they have completed it. This gives illegal immigrants the same advantages that all American’s have. Unfortunately, these advantages won’t last forever. In two years, a new order will be need to insure immigrants keep getting their provisions. If Barack Obama isn’t re-elected in November, then another order will more than likely not be signed by Romney, who has indorsed strict immigration policies. It will be a shame for young immigrants to lose their chance at an education and not to mention life in a country that they consider to be home. The flipside to all of this progressivism is that many Republicans do not support this act. They see it as allowing people that have broken laws to obtain jobs in an ever shrinking job market. Not enough Republicans approved of the bill for it to become a law, and that is why Obama passed it as an executive order bypassing Congress. Whether you are a Democrat or a Republican, the executive order allowing certain immigrants to stay in the US for a set period of time is positive change. Our country has been struggling for years, and the allowance of bright, educated young people to continue living here can only help us build toward a better future.
Page
17
oice V
the
Editor in Chief Matthew Davenport
Section Editors
News - Robbie Robertson A&E - Amenda Sali Opinions - Taylor Waters Sports - Brett Fowler Lifestyles - Brandon Smith Clubs - Austin Oller
Copy Editor Frank Guest
Layout
Photo Editor - Josh Jones Web Designer - Thomas Reisigl Layout Designer - Obed Pacheco
Staff Writers Mathew Beaver Sydney Bhame Kalupe Booze Michelle Correll Tyler Deloach Adam George Elizabeth Langley Arthur McKay
Ryan Poe Caitlin Powers Lauren Pratt Chris Raimondi Brittany Smith Darren Wilkerson Catherine Wilson
Advisor
Dan Cabaniss
Est. 2005 By Students, For Students
Page
Opinions
18
September 17, 2012
Consolidation pros and cons
Merger creates opportunities The merging of GSC and North Georgia College & State University has been a conversational topic ever since it was announced this past January. The initial reaction to this consolidation has been primarily negative. I believe the positives to the consolidation out weigh the negatives. Students at GSC will now be able to get a degree from a university without having to transfer to a different school. Starting in January of 2013 our new name will be The University of North Georgia. On a résumé this has the potential to look more credible than Gainesville State College while also putting that extra feather in your cap; you’ll now be graduating from a university after all. Merging with NGCSU has the potential to bring a Greek life to GSC, as well as sports teams, and a wider variety of clubs. While it is yet unsure whether or not any of these things will be in effect immediately following the consolidation, this merger will no doubt up enrollment at GSC and therefore bring about the funding required for these activities. UNG will offer a wide variety of associate, bachelor and graduate. Also, after the merging is complete there will most likely be a wider variety of majors available at UNG to choose from. This ties in with my first pro as it is likely that more students will now be able to stay in a small school
Sydney Bhame Staff Writer
924240704@gsc.edu
setting but still get the education, and degree, they want. Not having to transfer to a new school will allow students to stay in the classes, clubs, and activities they have grown to love, as well as stay with the friends they have made over their semesters at GSC. These are some of the major pros that will come about with the consolidation of GSC and NGCSU. Many of these pros will potentially change whether or not students will transfer in order to complete their education. The additions of a Greek life and sports could increase enrollment to our college and make student life more enriching and our student body closer together as a whole. I believe that we should embrace this change to our wonderful college. After all, this consolidation is going to happen whether we like it or not, we might as well stop the whining and start the welcoming. Who knows, this consolidation could be one of the best things to ever happen to GSC.
GSC losing its identity
As everyone is aware, GSC will soon be consolidating with North Georgia College & State University. Many people are thrilled with this merger, and see it as a great opportunity for GSC. While there are many opportunities available to GSC once the consolidation is complete, there are still disadvantages that most don’t consider. The most personal disadvantage to the colleges merging is that we as GSCO students lose our identity. Our small campus already feels lost in the shuffle between the Oakwood and Winder campuses, and now that we are being absorbed by another school, some fear that we will completely lose our sense of self. Even this paper that you are currently reading will be gone and replaced by a larger paper that will represent all of our separate schools, united as a whole. While unity is a good thing, GSCO will lose its way of representing ourselves. We are made up of a wide variety of personalities, and that is reflected in our paper. It will be a shame for our diverse voices to be silenced. Another disadvantage to the colleges merging is that students here are given very, very close attention, and the faculty goes out of their way to make sure that a students is getting all the help we need. We have a wonderful, caring faculty here, and with the consolidation comes the chance that some of them could be fired and replaced with new professors. Our campus is proud of the fact that its faculty takes
Taylor Waters
Opinions Editor
924236390@gsc.edu
care of its students, and this is one of the things that makes GSCO the college that it is. Bringing in a new staff and faculty could ruin the cohesive learning environment that we currently enjoy here at GSCO. There have been some complains from the NGC about the merger with GSC. Since GSC has a reputation of being very accessible to students that weren’t necessarily the best high school students, some at NGC feel that their academic credibility is being marred. This is not true. GSC may have a very lenient admissions policy, but their curriculum is just as challenging, if not more so, than other schools. It is hard to be overjoyed about consolidating with a school that seems to look down on us. The final and most lethal negative outcome of the consolidation is that tuition will rise. Many people attend GSC because they support themselves, and GSC’s tuition fits into their budget. With the rise of tuition, some will no longer be able to afford to attend school anymore, and cost should be the last reason that people don’t attend college.
Claiborne Pell: Students should know the name Lets be honest, how much do you read? Not much; certainly nothing about politics? What do politics have to do with you, you’re just a student, right? Just keep reading, I’m going to educate you. Pell was a senator from Rhode Island who invented a grant to fund the education of impoverished college students. Back then it was called a “Basic Educational Opportunity Grant”, but today it’s known as the Pell grant. Pell served in WWII as an officer in the Coast Guard before returning home to a career in politics. Pell’s biography entitled “AN UNCOMMON MAN: The Life and Times of Senator Claiborne Pell” reads, “With 36 years in the U.S. Senate (16th longest ever) and a long list of legislative accomplishments that included the Pell Grant collegeassistance program, establishment of the National Endowments for the Arts and Humanities, fastspeed passenger rail service, and a
education, hence the grant, but he also believed in humanity. Here was a man who said, “you know what, honest hardworking poor people and their children Editor-in-Chief need a chance in this 924235898@gsc.edu country, so lets fund their education and then they ban on nuclear testing on the ocean will reward us with a better place to floor, the late Claiborne Pell had few equals. But he was much more live as a result.” In Pell’s day, this grant paid for than that -- a quirky and colorful well over 90 percent of a student’s man born into great wealth who total coast of attendance. Let me say spent most of his life in service that again: 90 percent! That is not to the people, a true example to say that poor people should get of noblesse oblige. Pell was a a free ride. However, poor people politician of unfailing courtesy, need a leg up in this world and to even during contentious times, a ask them who, by definition, “have skilled legislator who worked both no money” to pay for something is sides of the aisle with dignity and asinine and therefore moot. grace”. I am the Editor in Chief of this With a considerable amount newspaper and I sit here today of wealth, Pell first set off to war because Pell was brave all those to defend the freedom of the years ago. oppressed peoples of the world, Apathy, ladies and gentlemen, and then returned home to build is unbecoming and cumbersome. a better America. Pell believed in If you have ever received so much
Matt Davenport
as a nickel of federal aid, then you undoubtedly owe it, at least in part to Pell, and his tireless efforts. I never want to hear, “politics are stupid. Why vote? It’s useless any way,” or “politicians always lie, and when have they ever done anything for us college kids anyway?” No, no, no I will not have it! Political Science is a required course for a reason. Temporary ignorance is understandable, but self-ordained ignorance defies the concept of education. The simple fact that you are reading this and are attending this institution, speaks volumes of the value of education. Pell woke up everyday and fought for education, equality and the arts. He did this for decades and we in the academic community barely recognize his name. I move that Pell was a hero and, as such, deserves to have his story heard. I have made my point so that you can now go forth and do, not for me, but for Senator Pell. He did,
Photo by gwaynemiller.com
“The strength of the United States is not the gold at Fort Knox or the weapons of mass destruction that we have, but the sum total of the education of our people”- Claiborne Pell
after all, pave the way so that you could be here today.
September 17, 2012
Opinions
GOP demeans Libertarians Ever since the drop out of Gingrich and Santorum back in April, the GOP rallied around Romney as their choice for the Republican nomination. Networks like Fox News and CNN declared him as the presumptive nominee months ahead of the convention. And when Rand Paul endorsed him in June, it was almost inevitable. Yet throughout this campaign the GOP has successfully robbed Ron Paul out of his bid for the Republican nomination, and the networks have done nothing to help. If the party and these networks “knew” Romney had it locked up, why did they consistently bend and break every rule they could to keep Paul down? These problems in the GOP revolve around the selection of delegates. Delegates are selected in each state, through either a caucus or primary, to attend the national convention and vote for the Republican nominee. In states delegates are “bound” to a particular candidate. The trouble is how these rules “bind” certain delegates to a candidate when many of these binding rules seem to contradict one another. A Russia Today story states back in 2008, a Utah delegate wanted to vote for Mitt Romney instead of John McCain. When he referred to the RNC council they told him this: “[The] RNC does not recognize a
national convention. A San Angelo Standard-Times article says the proposed change would have allowed GOP leaders and presidential candidates to Staff Writer hand-select delegates and 924233382@gsc.edu reward donors. This would essentially remove the state’s binding of national delegates, grassroots and create a top down but considers each delegate election process. The rule change a free agent who can vote for was fought off by people of the whoever they choose. The national convention for a not much better convention allows the delegates compromise. to vote for the individual of their The GOP and Romney campaign choice, regardless of whether the have been breaking and changing person’s name is officially placed the rules to send more delegates his into nomination or not.” way and keep Ron Paul delegates RNC rule 38 clearly states: “No out of the convention. delegate or alternate delegate shall Many people don’t know the be bound by any attempt of any actual rules and processes involved state or Congressional district to in selecting the Republican impose the unit rule.” nominee, which makes it easy Rule 40(b) says that for a for the GOP to bend and break candidate’s name to be placed into its own rules. What I can’t seem nomination at the convention, he or she must have a plurality of to understand is why all these delegates from at least five states. Republicans would stand behind a By the time the convention rolled campaign that breaks these rules, around, Ron Paul had that plurality, and look down on a man who and even had the petitions of six follows them. Why should these Ron Paul states for his name to be placed into nomination. Yet somehow, at the supporters be removed from the convention, the rule was changed party when they are following all of the RNC rules? This is causing from five to ten states. Perhaps the most stunning a complete tear in the GOP. And attempted rule change imposed that if the GOP keeps these supporters in future GOP elections, candidates down instead of embracing them, would have the power to vet and well surely see another four years choose their own delegates at the of Obama.
As Sean Penn famously said in the film “All the Kings Men” “if you don’t vote you don’t matter.” This rings true for many college students around the country that do not participate in the voting process. College students make up the lowest percentage of voters in the United States at 19.6 percent compared to the 71 percent of senior citizens that vote. Throughout history, social change has been brought about when younger generations rebel against the establishment. Civil Rights and the end of The Vietnam War were brought about when younger generations decided to take a stand. When college students vote and are out spoken about their political views, the government has no choice but to listen. Many college students argue that they don’t have time to vote or the government is not affecting them, so why vote? What is going to happen when you are out of college and looking for your first real job? If college students do not take up the mantle and vote, nothing
are not easy to find, even for someone that has a college degree. Politicians know that that they do not have to listen to college students, because they are not going Copy Editor to vote them out of power. 924181088@gsc.edu They only have to listen to the people that vote and will change. The recent occupy the largest voting demographic is movement has been a prime 65-74 years olds. Do they really example of younger generations know what is best for younger trying to take a stand. generations? Politicians are able to Protesting can bring about play the same old political games, social change, but the fastest way where they try not to make voters to change things is by voting mad. This is a lesson that Missouri new people into power. Many rep. Todd Akin needs to learn. congressmen have held their It doesn’t matter which side of seats for years with little fear that the fence you are on. Republicans they will lose them. Imagine the and Democrats are equal in their enormous power someone has if disrespect of college students. They they have no fear of being voted have nothing to fear and so they will out of office. continue to run the government as Many college students have they see fit. student loans that are going to take It is time for college students them years to pay off after they are to take a stand and exercise their done with school. Wouldn’t it be rights as citizens of the United nice to know that you can actually States and vote. The laws that are find a job once you graduate? In passed today are guarantied to the present economic climate jobs affect college students tomorrow.
Matt Beaver
Page
19
What grinds your goose? h
avanag C n o n Shan ” “Bears
“Traffic
Andre wQ leaving uiron the par king lot “
all Chad H one week“ in y tests oo man
“T
‘If you don’t vote, you don’t matter’
Andre w Cruz “No pa rking“
Frank Guest
son Ander n e r ek“ u La one we in s r e p Two pa
“
Ben N olan “Todd Akin“
September 17, 2012
Page
20