The Signal Vol. 86 No. 16

FEE INCREASE

FROM THE PRESIDENT WHAT DID YOU SAY? PANTHERS PEN TROY

Students claim housing costs increased — University Housing denies it.

President Becker reflects on his 10-year anniversary at Georgia State.

NEWS

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OPINIONS

PAGE 7

Sorry, I can’t hear you over how sleek and functional my AirPods are.

A&L

GSU Sports Arena witnesses No. 1 Troy go down at the hands of the women’s basketball team.

PAGE 13

SPORTS PAGE 17

VOL. 86 | NO. 16

JAN. 22 - JAN. 29, 2019

SAVANNAH’S SON, ATLANTA’S STAR

SPORTS | PAGE 15 Malik Benlevi, captain of the men’s basketball team, is an easy man to root for — on and off the court.

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NEWS

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GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

BLOTTER JAN. 14

Back-to-school blues

A Georgia State student reported lost or mislaid property at Langdale Hall at 3:52 p.m.

Panhandles aren’t limited to Florida

An individual was arrested for aggressive panhandling and disorderly conduct at 6:18 p.m. at the corner of John Wesley Dobbs NE and Piedmont Avenue.

Patton down the hatches

Misplaced textbooks

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Daniel Varitek

editor@georgiastatesignal.com executive editor (atlanta) Vacant executive editor (perimeter) Vacant

A student reported lost or mislaid property in Langdale Hall at 5:42 p.m.

Editorial NEWS EDITOR Will Solomons

news@georgiastatesignal.com ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR Ada Wood news2@georgiastatesignal.com OPINIONS EDITOR Vacant opinions@georgiastatesignal.com ASSOCIATE OPINIONS EDITOR Vacant opinions2@georgiastatesignal.com ARTS & LIVING EDITOR Sydney Bloeme

JAN. 9

Should’ve signed up for the class

An individual was arrested through an agency assist and a trespass warning was issued at Aderhold Learning Center at 3:52 p.m.

living@georgiastatesignal.com

ASSOCIATE ARTS & Living EDITOR Vacant living2@georgiastatesignal.com SPORTS EDITOR Jerell Rushin sports@georgiastatesignal.com ASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITOR Joshua Fife sports2@georgiastatesignal.com COPY EDITOR Vacant copy@georgiastatesignal.com

A Georgia State student reported a theft of less than $1,500 at 6:56 p.m. at Patton Hall.

Production PRODUCTION EDITOR Devin Phillips

productions@georgiastatesignal.com ASSOCIATE PRODUCTION EDITOR Vacant production2@georgiastatesignal.com

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Patrons gather at The King Center in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTO EDITOR (ATLANTA) Unique Rodriguez photo@georgiastatesignal.com PHOTO EDITOR (PERIMETER) Vacant photo2@georgiastatesignal.com ASSOCIATE PHOTO EDITOR Vacant

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PHOTO BY UNIQUE RODRIGUEZ | THE SIGNAL

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NEWS TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2019

www.georgiastatesignal.com/news

BIOSAFETY LEVEL 4 FACILITIES IN GEORGIA

Research expansion includes CDClevel bio lab

ILLUSTRATIONS BY SHANCHEZE JOHNSON | THE SIGNAL

Students also take a stand against Georgia State’s use of animal testing Associate News Editor

associate communications director for university research, said.

“With eight floors of biosafety-commissioned labs, the third phase of our Science Park will allow Georgia State to greatly expand its biomedical research, particularly in the infectious disease space.”

tlanta has long been home to the leader in biomedical research, the Center for Disease Control, which received $8.25 billion in funding in fiscal year 2018.

Joining the CDC in biomedical research is Georgia’s largest public research university, Georgia State.

The Institute for Biomedical Research at Georgia State received the fourth largest amount of funding of all university colleges, nearly tied with second and third place, with $18.96 million in grant money for fiscal year 2018.

Despite the potential for discovery and economic gain, research funding has dropped in recent years, nationally and at the university level, as seen with the National Institute of Health. The NIH, a heavy contributor to biomedical research and provider of 380,000 jobs and $65 billion in economic activity across the U.S., is also experiencing a decline.

Recent research led by Georgia State in the field of health and medicine include new insights on how to fight the Ebola virus and prevent it from reproducing and the discovery of a promising RSV vaccine and delivery method.

“As Georgia State continues to recruit new scientists and grow its research portfolio, it’s vital that we develop advanced spaces for our faculty to conduct their work,” Jennifer Marquez,

THE SCIENCE COMPLEX AND THE BSL-4 LAB In the future, more discoveries can be made as the evergrowing downtown campus is receiving yet another addition — the Science Complex. Designated to house advanced labs for a biomedical research center, the center will be 84,000 square feet in total.

The structure will contain several highly specialized laboratories including biosafety level (BSL) two, three and four labs.

Level two labs traditionally work with human diseases that provide moderate health risks, such as HIV and staph infections. Level three labs prioritize microbes that can pose serious danger when inhaled including West Nile virus and tuberculosis.

Georgia State has operated a BSL-4 lab for nearly 20 years, which is reopening soon from its renovation. These laboratories are extremely limited in quantity, according to the most recent data from the Federation of American scientists, there were only 13 of these labs across the U.S. By providing a second lab of this type on campus, extremely rare and life-threatening microbes for which cures do not exist can be studied, including the Ebola virus.

ADA WOOD

A

BIOSAFETY LEVEL 4 FACILITIES IN THE US

FREDERICK,

Kimberly Bauer, senior director of facilities design and construction services, expects construction to begin late December 2019 and construction completion is tentatively set for October 2021, while the project received approval from the Board of Regents in December 2017.

“We are currently starting schematic design and the drawings will progress to final construction documents that can be used to solicit bids from contractors,” Bauer said.

The building will have nine floors in total, with approximately two and a half set aside for the mechanical equipment necessary to support the building.

ANIMAL TESTING With this advanced center, Georgia State research on these highly infectious diseases can expand, providing information on prevention, treatment and the development of future drugs and vaccines.

To make make these discoveries, biomedical research often employs the use of animals for testing research, commonly done with mice. The animals experimentally contract a disease or infection and then researchers attempt to cure the malady, simulating a human case.

At Georgia State, this is no exemption, as this was the case in the RSV vaccine discovery mentioned earlier.

“Animal research is critical in advancing medicine, and the use of animals not only improves our understanding of diseases, it allows us to develop vaccines and treatments with the potential to save untold lives,” Marquez said. “Like all research universities, Georgia State labs comply with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s standards for animal research established under the Animal Welfare Act.” One organization at Georgia State, the People for the End of Animal Cruelty and Exploitation Club, has taken the stance of clear opposition to the use as animal testing.

“I’ve always been passionate about being against vivisection.

Animals are not on this earth for human use,” Gina Kim, founder of the PEACE club at Georgia State, said.

Kim identified this as an example of where she calls “speciesism,” the result of the human species superiority over all other beings.

“I think all researchers should follow the IRB rule that says that they should not test on any subject who does not or cannot give ‘informed consent.’ Because nonhuman animals cannot give informed consent, they should not be subjected to experimentation practices by humans, no matter what the results may yield,” Carrie Freeman, the faculty advisor for the PEACE club, said.

“If GSU is innovative as it preaches, animal testing should be banned,” Kim said.

Freeman included that she hopes to see Georgia State set a standard in pioneering ethical non-animal research methods.

“If we think other animal species are like us enough to be used as models, then they are like us enough to be respected as sentient beings who don’t want to be sacrificed,” Freeman said.

NEWS

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GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

Vice president of Student Affairs steps down University calls for student involvement in filling empty position ADA WOOD

Associate News Editor

T

he Division of Student Affairs is one the most influential administrative positions on student life. Departments under the division include Black Student Achievement, the Counseling and Testing Center, University Housing, Spotlight Programs Board, Student Government Association, Student Media and the Dean of Students.

And now, after 12 years of administrative service, the head of this department has stepped down. Former Vice President of Student Affairs Douglass Covey is returning to a faculty position this semester, at the College of Education and Human Development, teaching current students how to be the best educators when they move into the field.

“After nearly forty years as an administrator and twenty years as a Vice President, I’m excited at the prospect of returning to the College of Education as a faculty member with an opportunity to teach and contribute to program development. It’s a great capstone to a long administrative career,” Covey said.

Before an official replacement for Covey’s position is found, Allison Calhoun-Brown will serve as interim vice president for Student Affairs. Prior to this, Calhoun-Brown has had oversight of the Academic Advisement Center since 2008, where she employed the use of predictive analytics.

Previously, Covey would report to Timothy Renick,

senior vice president for Student Success who would then report to Provost Risa Palm, but as she is also changing position, the chain of command is shifting.

“Everyone who reported to Dr. Covey will report to Dr. Calhoun-Brown. Dr. Calhoun-Brown reports to Dr. Renick. Dr. Renick reports directly to President Becker,” Jeremy Craig, communications manager for the Office of the Provost, said.

Renick said the university will conduct a national search to find a replacement, although the exact timing of this has not yet been determined. The selection process will involve staff, faculty and even students.

“We will have student representation on the search committee, and we will have finalists for the position present and answer questions in a public setting on campus and invite students to attend,” he said.

Covey acknowledged the weight of the department on the day-to-day university experience for students and the importance of finding a qualified head that truly represents the students.

“Student Affairs touches student lives in virtually every aspect of co-curricular life,” he said. “The chief student affairs officer is a student advocate and a partner with students in building the sort of student life experience they wish to have.”

Although his time is at an end in shaping student life and campus culture, Covey acknowledges the department’s achievement during his time as vice president.

“Our greatest success has been in developing a comprehensive student life experience,” Covey said.

This list of achievements includes the expansion of student services, such as the establishment of the Multicultural Center, Victims Services, Panther Food Pantries as well as a clinical model in the Counseling Center.

Twelve years ago, housing options only consisted of The Lofts and an apartment complex, but since then, student affairs has added over 4,000 new beds, allowing them to now house 5,400 students on campus, according to Covey.

“This has undoubtedly contributed to the enormous growth in the community of recognized student organizations which has tripled in size to approximately 500 groups,” he said.

He also prides the increase in campus activities including the addition of national speaker series, arena scale concerts and events at venues such as the Georgia Aquarium and Six Flags.

“During his tenure, Dr. Covey has made major contributions to the success of students, leading initiatives that have improved student services and introducing programs that have greatly enhanced the student experience,” President Mark Becker said in an email that went to all Georgia State students to notify them of the change.

Covey knows the department isn’t a one-man show and emphasized this at his leave.

“Everything that we’ve achieved during the past twelve years can be attributed to the support and hard work of our dedicated staff,” Covey said.

Mystery Housing bill raises concern

University Housing unsure of where $500 charge came from ZACH SALLING Staff Reporter

N

umerous students residing in Georgia State Housing have complained about a $500 bill increase from Fall 2018 to Spring 2019, however Georgia State Housing denies these claims.

“I’m honestly upset by the increase. $500 is a lot of money when you already pay for the overpriced housing in commons,” stated Ashley Thao, a senior psychology major at Georgia State. “My private loans were supposed to cover for spring, summer and fall, and now this extra $500 is coming out from my loans, and I’ll have to pay out of pocket for summer or fall.”

Other Georgia State students echoed Thao’s frustration.

“I noticed the price increase in December and mentioned it to one of my roommates, but she said that the price increase wasn’t possible since we signed a contract that locked the price for the year. She was wrong,” said an anonymous Georgia State student. “I was frustrated at housing for the sudden price increase because I was depending on the refund to help fund a spring break study abroad trip. I had to take out loans—for the first time—to cover my study abroad trip.”

However, Director of Georgia State Housing Randy Brown said the prices didn’t increase.

“Housing rates have remained the same for the Fall 2018 and Spring 2019 Academic terms as outlined in the Housing Contract,” Brown said.

Fees and payments, based on the Fall 2018 and Spring 2019 Housing Contract, breakdown into nine categories: Housing Fee, Other Fees, Late Fee, Failure to Pay Housing Fee by Due Date, Guarantor, Failure to Pay Sums Due, Damage to Assigned Room, Common Area Damages and No-Reduction Abatement.

The “Other Fees” category states that the “resident agrees to pay those other fees shown on Exhibit A to this Agreement, which shows the due date of such fees.” Exhibit A, which is titled “Housing and Other Fees 2018-2019” in

the Housing Contract, has a $500 cancellation fee for the period between October 16 and November 1, 2018 in the Fall 2018 Housing Contract, but a $500 cancellation fee does not exist in the Spring 2019 Housing Contract. No other fee or bill totaled exactly $500 in both Contracts.

On the $500 increase, Brown said that he was “not able to explain how that would have happened without looking into their individual situation.”

Brown urged students experiencing a $500 increase to contact the Housing Office.

He also said the breakdown of Housing fees cover “the operational budget for the housing department that includes programming, equipment, and student and staff salaries.”

Based on the Housing Contracts, it’s unclear how “student and staff salaries” influence the listing of Housing Fees.

“My private loans were supposed to cover for spring, summer and fall, and now this extra $500 is coming out from my loans, and I’ll have to pay out of pocket for summer or fall.”

— ASHLEY THAO senior psychology major at Georgia State

Despite student complaints, Brown said Georgia State Housing seeks to accommodate students financially in three ways: “providing varying price points, single to shared rooms; increasing financial literacy and improving financial management.”

Georgia State Housing helps improve students’ financial literacy and financial management by collaborating with the Office of Financial Aid, the Financial Management Center

and the Scholarship Resource Center. Brown said that this collaboration offers programs on topics including “FASFA completion, how to cover current or future balances, credit and debt, college budgeting and forecasting costs and scholarship searches.”

“The Housing Department supports students proactive outreach to those who may be experiencing financial difficulties. The Housing Department makes referrals to the Student Financial Management Center, the Office of Financial Aid, and the Scholarship Office to assist students and help them navigate their situations successfully,” Brown said. “Housing has also provides opportunities for housing residents to earn housing credits for participation in housing initiatives.”

Georgia State Housing encouraged student residents to voice their praises and concerns in an annual Resident Satisfaction Survey. The 2019 Resident Satisfaction Survey reported a 47 percent response rate and resident’s overall satisfaction in their learning program had a .35 percent increase.

Georgia State Housing incentivized participants in the annual survey with gifts such as movie tickets, Apple TVs, Amazon Fire Sticks, gift cards, free housing for Spring 2019 and (ironically) $500 Housing credit.

Georgia State Housing has recovered from the overflow debacle in 2017, and Brown said there is “no student overflow [in] Housing this semester.”

The financial programs in addition to the Resident Satisfaction Survey work to curb previous mishaps in Georgia State Housing—and, so far—appear successful.

Despite Georgia State Housing’s efforts to accommodate students by way of gifts, credits and programs, many Georgia State students feel out of sync.

“I went from having a $50 refund to owing $450. This was the final straw with housing for me,” said a Georgia State student. “I’m a little disappointed we didn’t get any sort of email from Housing about this.”

For the upcoming year, prices may, or may not, change.

“Housing rates for the next fiscal year have not been finalized,” Brown said.

But until then, Brown encourages students with unknown charges on their account to contact Georgia State Housing.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2019

NEWS

5

FORMER STUDENT KILLED BY ISIS BOMB ATTACK

BY ADA WOOD

ILLUSTRATION BY DEMETRI BURKE | THE SIGNAL

Georgia film industry under attack Brian Kemp’s win causing boycott considerations ADA WOOD

Associate News Editor

T

he ever-growing Georgia film industry could be under threat, due to recent online protests to “Boycott Georgia.” Many Hollywood names took to social media following the midterm elections, condemning any future business in the state after Gov. Brian Kemp took the victory against Stacey Abrams.

The trend can be traced to HBO executive producer for “Veep” and “Succession”, Frank Rich.

“If Kemp wins in Georgia, Hollywood should put its money where its mouth is and pull all production out of the state,” Rich said in response to a tweet about Kemp’s use of robocalls that claimed Abrams wanted to steal the election with undocumented votes.

Following this, a dialogue between Abrams and Rich began on the impact of a boycott.

“The Georgians who make a living and take care of their families through entertainment are not to blame for the gross mismanagement of our democracy here in Georgia,” Abrams said in reply.

Some students agree with Abrams sentiment; just because people aren’t happy with Georgia politics, a boycott will hurt those just trying to pay their bills the most.

“As much as I believe a lot of people despise Kemp and didn’t want him as governor, why make the whole industry in a state suffer?” student Drenay Dreanna said.

Although Rich was one of the first to call for a boycott, other stars chimed in as well.

“Is the entertainment industry willing to support the economy of a totally corrupt state that suppresses democracy; where the winner isn’t the best choice for the people but the best schemer or crook?” actress and liberal activist Alyssa Milano said.

Ron Pearlman, who is featured in the film “Hellboy” and TV show “Sons of Anarchy,” refuses to participate in any future production in the state and even furthermore, refuses to work

with anyone who does.

“To all my friends who are studio and network executives if you choose to shoot movies and TV in Georgia, don’t bother to call me,” Pearlman said.

Pulling production out of Georgia certainly would hurt the economy, as the industry has generated $9.5 billion a year for the state.

But these benefits extend beyond the government — Georgia residents see the profit as well. According to the Motion Picture Association of America, the Georgia industry includes 92,494 jobs and $2.15 billion in wages.

The industry is growing each year; in 2017, there were 65 films produced in Georgia, up by 14 films from the previous year and 83 TV series, up by 16 series.

The boom is contributed by many to the state’s generous incentives including the film tax credit, The Georgia Entertainment and Industry Investment Act. The Fiscal Research Center at Georgia State found $228 million in tax incentives used for tax year 2013. The study concludes that this is one of the more competitive and giving incentives, especially in the Southeast.

During the campaign, Kemp said he would preserve the film tax incentive as governor and keep Georgia the top filming location in the country.

Following the growth of Boycott Georgia online, 11Alive reports that Kemp was preparing with his transition team to move into the governor’s office when he said he would continue toward the claims made during the campaign.

“I’m not worried about what some activists from Hollywood are saying about the elections process in Georgia,” Kemp said.

However, this isn’t the first time the Georgia film industry has been threatened because of political action.

When the religious liberty bill made its way to Gov. Deal’s desk in May of 2016, many film leaders threatened to pull production out of the state if signed. Critics of the bill said that it would virtually allow discrimination of LGBT people based on religious beliefs, a state version of the

federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Kemp has also vowed to sign a religious liberty bill during his campaign, should one come to his desk. Although, he has walked back exactly what he would sign as well.

“Boycott won’t be a problem until Georgia decides to sign a “religious freedom” bill into law,” student Rashard Leonard said. “Kemp plans on signing a religious freedom bill. Thus the preemptive boycott.”

With the growing industry, many students have taken to pursuing a career in the field and Georgia State’s School of Film, Media and Theatre hopes to prepare them just for that.

Philip Lewis, associate director of the school, commented that they have been teaching on the industry long before any Georgia incentives were set in place.

“I don’t believe the boycott will have any real teeth in removing the industry from here,” Lewis said. “I believe only the new policies of the new governorship can motivate people to ‘stay calm and keep making movies,’ or make them ‘question the state of Georgia’s dedication’ to keeping this clean, high-profile and lucrative industry here at home.”

Lewis said that even if the boycott takes hold of the Georgia industry, the industry will still exist.

“If the movement has any impact on the Georgia industry and the industry fails or waivers here, it must move to another place,” Lewis said.

“The jobs don’t disappear.”

Lewis said politics can play a role in a producers decision on where to film.

“What I would like to see is the governor publicly assure the industry and the people of Georgia that $9 billion a year is more important than petty politics,” he said.

While the incentives are important, Lewis sees one key necessity for the Georgia industry moving forward.

“If we want to sustain this industry in Georgia in the long run, we need to build local infrastructure that supports local industry and allows local filmmakers to make their films here at home,” Lewis said.

On Wednesday, Jan. 16, a suicide bomb attack in Syria took the lives of 14 irreplaceable people.

Ghadir Taher, a former Georgia State student, was one of the four American lives lost.

Taher, 27, studied international business at the university, but this was only one piece of her story. Taher was born in Damascus, Syria and immigrated to the U.S. when she was a child in 2001, alongside her parents and her brother, Ali Taher.

Itzay Francl is a friend of Taher and met her at Tri-Cities High School.

She said Taher was hardworking and enjoyed being involved in school, and the two were class officers together. Taher could be friends with anyone, no matter who they were or where they came from, according to Francl.

“She was hard-working.

She loved to travel. She was very brave,” Francl said. “She lit a room when she came in to it.”

Francl said that her principle from Paul D. West Middle School was planning a candle lit ceremony in her honor.

“That’s how much of an impact she had on people,” Francl said.

Taher returned to Syria to be an interpreter for U.S. troops. She wanted to help people and she did.

On Dec. 19, President Donald Trump declared in a tweet that the Islamic State, also known as ISIS, had been defeated in Syria. The same day, he announced a plan to pull U.S. troops out of the region.

Mere hours before the attack Vice President Mike Pence spoke to a group of U.S. ambassadors and said, “The caliphate has crumbled, and ISIS has been defeated.”

The horror that ensued that afternoon did not leave the world the same, as it took a woman who only wanted to make the world better with it.

“She is an American hero. She did lose her life serving her county,” Francl said. “She deserves to be honored.”

NEWS

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GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

SGA president rejects protesters’ demands Following trip to Israel, Patterson stays firm in his position ADA WOOD

Associate News Editor

T

he second half of the Student Government Association’s 89th term has begun, surrounded in conflict as protesters confronted the leaders face-to-face at the first university-wide senate meeting last Friday.

The protesters, some representing chartered organizations like Faces for Feminism and Panthers for Black Feminism, brought a list of demands based on their concerns regarding the attendance of four SGA members on a free trip to Israel over winter break.

The free trip was funded by the Maccabee Task Force, which the student protesters called “a Zionist nonprofit that was created in response to pro-Palestine activism on campus.”

At the meeting, the following demands were made by the protesters: • The passage of pro-BDS legislation which “works to end international support for Israel’s oppression of Palestinians,” • The resignation of the entire SGA executive board and • An apology from SGA for attending the trip.

The resignations demanded included President Franklin Patterson, Atlanta Executive Vice President Ayesha Iqbal and Communications Director Kalisha-Lourdy Lazare.

On Wednesday evening, the Office of the SGA President issued a press release, which can be viewed in full below, responding to these demands.

In response to the first demand, the release pointed to Georgia Senate Bill 327 as a reason behind why SGA cannot pass anti-Israel legislation.

The bill, which went into effect in July of 2016, has been referred to as the “anti-BDS bill,” and prevents the state from entering into contracts with companies that boycott — or plan to boycott -- the state of Israel. The BDS movement seeks to promote boycotts, divestments and sanctions on the state of Israel.

With this bill in place, SGA doesn’t have in any ability to pass pro-BDS legislation, as Georgia State is a state-funded school, according to Patterson.

“The decision in regard to actionable BDS legislation either supporting or disagreeing will be determined by to the Board of Regents and our state legislators,” the release stated.

The press release firmly rejected the protesters’ demand for resignations.

“Neither I, EVP Iqbal, or Communications Director Lazare will be stepping down from our SGA positions,” Patterson said in the release.

If the entire executive board were to resign, as the protesters had hoped for, the replacement of these individuals would have become rather complicated.

Under the circumstance that the president can no longer serve, according to the SGA Election Code, one executive vice president would be appointed through a university-wide senate meeting to the position.

Given that the protesters requested all EVPs resign as well, this process wouldn’t have been possible. To fill the vacancy of an EVP, the speaker of the senate would have to assume the responsibilities of that EVP’s remaining term, yet there are six

EVPs and only one speaker.

Patterson also withheld any apology for attending the trip.

The only mention of an apology was one given previously by Sen. Hamza Rahman regarding his choice of language during a heated conflict after the Friday senate meeting.

“Instead of seeing this trip as a means to offend, it was used to gain insight into different mindsets, which would have been normally overlooked,” Patterson said.

Aside from addressing the demands, Patterson also used the release to reflect on the weight upon student leaders, their duty in upholding high standards and the importance of representing the views of the student body.

Moving forward, Patterson said this conflict has propelled the administration toward completing the Inclusivity Initiative that began the previous semester.

“We are one of the most diverse campuses in the world, however we really don’t tap into that diversity and people tend to stay with people that they feel comfortable with,” Patterson said. “We want to change that at GSU.” Patterson outlined the importance of inclusion alongside diversity.

“How are you supposed to learn different perspectives and see things from a different point of view if you don’t interact with people that do not look like you or believe the same things you do?” Patterson said.

He said the issues brought forward by the protesters have shown him the importance of seeing all views and making every student voice heard.

“You don’t have to listen to be understood but you do have to listen to understand the other side,” Patterson said.

Scan the QR code to read the full statement

Atlanta City Council flips the Bird at scooters

Atlanta now regulating the number of operating scooters within city limits BEN COLETTA Staff Reporter

T

he Atlanta City Council placed strict regulations on the usage on electric scooters, which many residents have come either to love or to hate.

The different companies which provide the scooters and the usage of their scooters in the past have remained largely unregulated. On Monday, Jan. 7, the City Council passed the legislation which put in place heavy regulations regarding the usage of these scooters in a 13-1 vote.

The newly passed legislation requires that the scooters be parked upright in a manner that leaves ample space for pedestrian traffic. Additionally, riding the scooters on the sidewalk is also prohibited — to prevent conflict and accidents with pedestrians.

The council is now also requiring the companies that own the scooters — primarily Bird, Lime and recently Uber and Lyft — to purchase operating permits from the city. An operating permit costs $12,000 and only allows the company to operate up to 500 scooters. In the event that the company wants to operate more than 500 scooters, each additional scooter operating within the city limits of Atlanta will cost the companies an additional $50.

Nima Daivari, a representative for Lime, claimed that the regulations and fees placed on the amount of scooters allowed to be operated is not consistent with the population of Atlanta. Daivari said that Santa Monica, California has a cap of 750 scooters per operator company and a population of 90,000 while Atlanta has a cap of 500 scooters and a population of 490,000.

“Please do not enact legislation that only disadvantages those of us that are either trying to make the world a greener place or, simply, cannot afford the luxury of car ownership,” Daivari said. “I strongly advocate for legislation of shared E-scooters, but this legislation is not it.”

While no official incidents with E-scooters have been reported to the Georgia State University Police Department, GSUPD Officer Eric Aguiar said he has personally seen incidents resulting from reckless scooter riding.

“I have seen Bird Scooter operators drive erratically and in total wanton disregard for pedestrian safety breezing by pedestrians peacefully trying to walk on the city sidewalks,” Aguiar said. “I have seen Bird Scooters almost cause accidents by traveling the wrong way on the street or go through red lights. I have seen Bird Scooter motorists traveling at unsafe rates of speed on the sidewalk while fully engaged in their cell phone.”

Additionally, Aguiar also said that many of the new regulations — like parking the scooters — are “largely

a code enforcement issue and not necessarily a law enforcement issue until how they are being parked affects the public’s safety.”

Neither the Bird nor the Lime scooters provide any form of protection in the event of a scooter crash, leading to safety concerns. The Washington Post reported that ER physicians in a dozen cities around the country reported seeing an increase in accidents involving electric scooters.

The Post also reported doctors in seven of those cities are regularly seeing severe injuries — primarily head injuries.

There have also been several deaths resulting from accidents with these scooters. A man in Dallas died due to blunt force trauma to the head after a Bird Scooter accident, and a DC resident was killed after colliding with an SUV while on a Lime Scooter.

With the already apparent safety concerns surrounding the scooters, Atlanta’s decision to limit scooter usage to the streets and bike lanes may not be adhered to due to safety concerns and lack of bike lanes.

Rebecca Serna, the executive director of the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition, argued that scooter users will continue to occupy the sidewalks as long as there is no location for them to ride safely in the streets. According to Serna, building safe infrastructure is the “most important thing we can do to protect the safety of people as they are traveling throughout the city.

OPINIONS TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2019

www.georgiastatesignal.com/opinions

Reflections from the president

Dr. Mark P. Becker reflects on his tenure at Georgia State

H MARK P. BECKER

Georgia State University President

Mark P. Becker was appointed president of Georgia State in January 2009. His predecessor, Carl V. Patton, retired in June 2008 after 16 years at the university.

as it been 10 years? That decade went by in a hurry.

I’m not one to spend a lot of time thinking about the past. I am far more interested in the future and thinking about where we go from here.

But if I must look back at my first 10 years as president here at Georgia State I do it with great fondness and appreciation for the faculty, students and staff whose dedication, talent and plain old hard work have transformed our university.

Some have said no university has come as far as fast as Georgia State, and I take great pride in the trajectory we’re on. We’re recognized nationally and internationally for the important work our faculty and staff are doing in fostering student success. There is nothing more important than graduating students who are ready for the so-called “real world,” and as an institution we’re deeply committed to that principal mission.

We’ve made tremendous progress in student retention and graduation rates, and we’ve led the nation in eliminating disparities in graduation rates based on race, ethnicity or income. But there is so much more to be done, and I expect in the next 10 years we will be pioneering new and even better ways to serve students.

With the addition of Perimeter College a few

years back, we’re now one of America’s largest higher education institutions and the largest in Georgia. We have embraced the opportunity to help students at all stages of their academic careers, and we recognize with our extended influence comes the potential for an even greater impact on society, our state, the nation and the world.

Georgia State is widely recognized as a major catalyst in the revitalization of downtown Atlanta. Through adaptive reuse we’ve converted office buildings into vibrant centers for teaching, learning and research. We’ve built new research facilities to serve the faculty who have made us one of the fastest growing research universities in the U.S. We’ve remodeled and reconstructed classrooms to accommodate advanced teaching and learning environments. We’ve introduced the Creative Media Industries Institute at Woodruff Park, symbolic of our entrepreneurial spirit and willingness to pursue new directions to serve our students and the industries they’ll enter. We now have a football stadium and plans for a new convocation center nearby.

As I have traveled throughout Georgia, across the country and around the world I have been gratified to hear that our university is recognized as a leader in transforming higher education for the 21st century. That reputation pays off for

all of us--students as they enter their careers, faculty who pursue support for their important work and the university as it seeks philanthropic commitment and public support for its vision.

Looking back over the decade I feel blessed that I work at a university that re-energizes me every day. Our students never fail to impress me with their talents, their accomplishments and their perseverance, their willingness to confront and overcome obstacles as they pursue their dreams. Our faculty have set new standards of creativity and discovery and have excelled in the classroom. (We’re No. 2 in the nation, after all, in the U.S. News & World Report ranking for undergraduate teaching.) Our staff has introduced new programs and initiatives aimed at better serving our students and the university community.

I am perhaps most proud that we have become an institution that embraces innovation, a willingness to explore new and different directions, to take calculated risks and go after a better way. Innovation is embedded in the Georgia State culture, and the people who’ve made it that way made my first 10 years fly by and make me look forward to my coming years with great anticipation and confidence in our future.

EDITORIAL Separating the art from the artist

What to do when your favorite actor or musician commits sexual assault

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constant debate has buzzed for years, growing in size with each year it continues and now, it’s hitting close to home: When considering allegations of sexual assault against popular celebrities and public icons, should you separate the art from the artist?

Artists from a variety of mediums, including music and film, have been publicly exposed and accused in the past year. Following allegations against Harvey Weinstein, the #MeToo movement grew at rapid pace as more names were added to the list of the accused.

While many of these artists live on the national stage, local artists are no exemption.

Months after the fifth season of the Netflix hit series “House of Cards” was released, Anthony Rapp told Buzzfeed News that Kevin Spacey had assaulted him when he was 14.

Spacey was immediately pulled from the sixth season of the show.

As much as we’d love to see more manipulation and criminal activity by Frank Underwood, actions of the same kind by Spacey mean that he no longer deserves the

position he once had, even in the hearts of fans.

Should “House of Cards” be removed from Netflix? We don’t think it should. Many others worked to build the show into a masterpiece.

Robin Wright, who plays Frank Underwood’s wife, Claire, is also an amazing actor who would be impacted negatively by the removal of the show.

Over the winter break, Twitter was flooded with debate on R. Kelly as allegations of sexual assault against multiple victims, including minors, were made. These drew even more attention after the release of the documentary, “Surviving R. Kelly,” and many took to support him while others denied him any forgiveness.

The example of R. Kelly differs from that of Spacey in the sense that he is his music and the two are inseparable. Other than the producers and music executives, nobody else contributed to R. Kelly’s rise to fame and his voice in his music. By boycotting him – and why not Chris Brown while you’re at it – it helps to diminish his presence as a perceived positive figure in society when in reality he isn’t one.

Locally, an Atlanta muralist has come under fire for sexual assault allegations resulting in many of his murals coming down across the city. Ray Geier, who creates art under the name Squishiepuss, is watching his work not only be removed, but painted over by local female artists.

As noted in an article we published on Jan. 15, in the case of local artists, the victims are often locals as well and the continued presence of their art is a constant reminder of the pain the artist caused.

We wholeheartedly agree with the sentiment made by Krystal Alavarez in the article: “Every time [victims] see/hear their work they’re implicitly/explicitly being told that their traumas aren’t as important as their abusers aesthetics.”

At The Signal, we believe the art cannot be separated from the artist. However, the entire artwork should not be thrown out if other artists contributed significantly to the piece.

But, when it comes to that individual’s profit and popularity, they should no longer receive support from the public, or even long-time fans.

OPINIONS

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GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

Another semester, another new password Is your new Panther ID password a security risk?

ZACHARY VINSON Staff Columnist

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elcome back to another great semester at Georgia State. Classes have begun, sports are back in season, and your email is getting spammed daily to let you know that your student ID password needs to be changed… again. It’s those bothersome IT guys trying to make sure your account is secure. Don’t they understand you can’t even remember the password to your phone because you use Touch ID? We’ve all had that moment where you want to smash something because you have to change your password. There was nothing wrong with the old one; in fact it was really secure, and you could remember it, but now you’re done. From now on your password will be simple: “newpassword123”, 124,125, etc.

Maybe you understand the problems with a simple password and make it extremely secure like “jBR]=W3$rDd!v)Vw.” The only problem is that you won’t remember that random string of digits, so you put it in your phone or write it down on a post-it note. That very secure password is now stored in an extremely insecure location, defeating the entire purpose.

It may be that this policy is simply not effective, contrary to the perceived “best practices.” The traditional wisdom is that if a password is changed often, then it is more secure because it is more difficult to obtain the password. Even if a hacker were to gain access to an account without alerting anyone, the password

would be changed every few months, locking the hacker out. In Georgia State’s case though, this traditional wisdom does not hold, because students don’t consistently use strong passwords or industry best practices.

Due to these oversights by students, this measure forced password resets do very little to control phishing or social engineering attacks. Phishing is when an attacker masquerades as a reputable entity or person via email or other communication channels. Alternatively, there is no need for social engineering because your password is probably written down in an easy-toaccess location. Seeing as 91 percent of cyberattacks and ensuing data breaches begin with phishing attacks, a student can be left incredibly vulnerable.

So, where did this password change policy come from?

Ren Flot, chief information security officer at Georgia State, told The Signal the policy has been in place for several years and “is periodically reviewed to ensure it meets best practices recommended by government regulatory agencies,” but that “specific policies” are “set by the University System of Georgia Board of Regents.” The Georgia State IT department obviously has the best interests of students and their information in mind, but in attempting “to ensure protection of individual information and university data,” there have been unintended consequences.

Those exact same policies set by the Board of Regents also outline how passwords “shall not be stored in clear text” and that “users shall not write passwords down or store them … on any computer system, including smart devices, without encryption.”

Understandably, the university can’t enforce these rules, which leaves students to make poor security decisions.

As one of those bothersome IT guys, I believe it would be better to simply enforce length and complexity standards while reminding students not to use the same password on any other site. In this way, students can remember their password and won’t have to change regularly.

Fortunately, there may be hope. When asked about future plans to secure information at Georgia State, Flot said that “multifactor authentication is beginning to be introduced…to further secure university accounts.” Multifactor authentication, or MFA for short, is often eyed by security gurus as the gold standard for security, because it requires a password and physical access to another device.

“Duo multifactor authentication has been made available to faculty, staff and those students who are currently employed by the university,” Flot said.

MFA could be the extra step in security that solves the problems of short and insecure passwords. Every student has a phone that doesn’t leave their side, so receiving a text code to prove your identity will not be a problem.

Hopefully we will see large-scale rollouts of this feature in the near future, but when asked, Flot said that “expansion” will “depend on factors associated with adoption of the current rollout and the needs of the university community.”

For those who need a techno speak translator, that is code for “I really can’t say a timeframe at this moment, because I don’t know.” MFA may be the future, but for now, guard your passwords closely and make sure that you have a long, complex password that isn’t written on the back of your hand.

ILLUSTRATION BY AMBER KIRLEW | THE SIGNAL

Government shutdown leaves airport crippled

Plan for much longer wait times at the airport. TSA is understaffed and underpaid SHARI CELESTINE Staff Columnist

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hile the U.S. government tries to get itself up and in working order again, Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is experiencing the longest security check lines in history. Go ahead and toss the unspoken rules of arriving three hours early for an international flight and two hours for a domestic flight out the window.

While the president fights for a wall either made of concrete, barbed wire or steel slats on our southern border, he’s forgotten that a shutdown of this length and magnitude also affects other agencies, like the Transportation Security Administration in our airports. The few TSA agents that are working are working longer hours and without pay. With so few numbers it’s become impossible to catch all security risks.

Hartsfield-Jackson is one of the busiest airports in the world.

With only five runways, it still managed to see 103,902,992 passengers pass through in 2017. But many TSA employees are reporting that they are unable to come into work due to financial limitations. Government workers have not been paid since Dec.

23, but more than 51,000 TSA agents have been working unpaid since the government shutdown.

Transportation to Hartsfield-Jackson was thwarted further on Wednesday, Jan. 16, when an out-of-service MARTA train somehow got stuck on the tracks near the airport, thus impeding rail service in both directions.

With no signs of a compromise from either side of the aisle or the president, this shutdown will continue to affect TSA workers and air travel for what could be weeks — or months. With an employee absentee rate hike of 4.3 percent, TSA is experiencing a higher-than-normal number of call-ins. This is prompting Hartsfield-Jackson to close some of its terminals and consolidate security checkpoints.

But with all these changes, long lines and overworked TSA agents, it became clear on Jan. 3 that Atlanta’s airport wasn’t as secure as we thought. A woman on a Delta flight to Tokyo, Japan managed to not only pass through the TSA standard screening checkpoint with a firearm but she also carried the firearm onto the plane for the entirety of the international flight. It was only discovered by Japan’s Transportation Ministry.

This was only two weeks into the government shutdown.

We’ve since passed that threshold and and a full 30 days with a partially shut down government. Even if the passenger forgot they had a firearm in their carry-on luggage, it still slipped past

a critical security checkpoint. If a gun can get through, just imagine what else may have gotten through without detection.

The TSA assistant administrator for public affairs, Michael Bilello, took to Twitter and said, “Security Standards will NOT and have NOT been compromised.”

Keep in mind that in a little over two weeks, Atlanta will be hosting Super Bowl LIII. Hundreds of thousands of people will be pouring into our city for this event. Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is already asking citizens to be cautious during this time, with the number of fans and tourists passing through Hartsfield-Jackson and TSA during the government shutdown.

Atlanta Councilman Michael Bond is trying to fund a temporary solution for TSA agents working without pay during the shutdown. Bond proposes the city use the same funding that’s keeping police patrolling the airport to pay TSA agents. It sounds simple enough but Bottoms doesn’t think this would be feasible.

In just a few short weeks all eyes will be on Atlanta’s airport as we host one of the most watched events in the country. Serious concerns surround the functionality of the airport with the lack of TSA agents. I just hope the government shutdown will be over by then and government workers get the back pay they deserve for working above and beyond.

ARTS & LIVING TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2019

www.georgiastatesignal.com/artsandliving

Once permanent abuse written on skin, now erased Atlanta Redemption Ink gives survivors new hope

ILLUSTRATION BY EVAN STAMPS | THE SIGNAL

SYDNEY BLOEME Arts & Living Editor

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any survivors today not only deal with the painful memories of the past, but also with physical markings on their bodies, whether those be branding and tattoos from sex trafficking or scars from physical abuse or drug addiction. These marks left behind serve as a constant reminder and often stand in the way of their progress. Atlanta Redemption Ink is a public program changing this.

Nicky is a recent participant who got involved with the program after hearing about it from a friend. Today, where once was a symbol representing a prominent and well recognized Atlanta gang, now lies an anchor representing hope.

“It was healing,” Nicky said.

Nicky recounts that before the cover up, strangers on MARTA would recognize her tattoo and try to speak to her about it, bringing up the painful past that she was trying to move on from. She found it hard to look at herself in the mirror and couldn’t shave her legs without seeing a stark reminder of her past. She was forced to wear long pants and socks even in the summer, but after two weeks and a brief 45 minutes, she was finally free.

“I pulled over on the side of the road and just cried,” Nicky said. “It was really amazing.”

Started in 2017, Atlanta Redemption Ink is a survivor-led, non profit program providing survivors free tattoo removals and cover-ups for scars or tattoos from sex trafficking, gang violence, addiction and self harm with more than 27 artists across the state of Georgia and 34 throughout the country.

“They’re immediately judged by their past instead of the potential for their future,” Jessica Lamb, Atlanta Redemption Ink founder and director, said. “To have that covered up to

something that depicts beauty and transition, [people don’t] have to wear that label. It’s so awesome to see people be free from that.”

ARI is one of a kind, being the first organization in Georgia to start “turning painful reminders of the past into depictions of hope, freedom, and recovery.” They inspire participants to design tattoos that are, as Lamb said, “meaningful to them in their recovery.”

The program works within other public initiatives such as anti-trafficking programs/movements, in/outpatient rehabilitation facilities and within the court system and law enforcement agencies across Georgia.

ARI works with local tattoo artists to not only build professional connections but to create lasting relationships.

Making participants feel comfortable and safe is one of ARI’s main priorities. They have artists undergo an interview process and participate in trauma informed training before interacting with any program participants to guarantee a safe environment.

Crystal Boyd owns Pur Ink Tattoo, a tattoo shop in Atlanta.

She first found out about ARI through Instagram and has now performed around 20 tattoos mainly for survivors of trafficking. She knew she wanted to be involved but didn’t realize how big of an impact she would be making.

“As a tattoo artist, it’s such an honor. It’s an honor to be a part of people’s lives this way,” Boyd said. “Helping someone feel good and confident about themselves is an amazing thing to be a part of.”

Boyd remembers a cover she did for a young woman that affected both of them significantly.

“When we were done, she went to go look at it in the mirror, she said, ‘Now I can look at myself and not think about my past,’” Boyd said. “Helping her was probably the first one that really touched me.”

When it comes to choosing a cover-up, tattoo artists collaborate with participants for a final design that represents hope, growth and recovery, without any hints of the past.

“When doing a cover-up, I want to make sure that the person doesn’t see the old tattoo at all. It’s always custom,” Boyd said.

ARI, committed to survivor’s recovery, offers not only covers, but also provides counseling services, job readiness and faith based rehabilitation among others.

“We are not just the cover and the removal,” Lamb said. “It’s so much more than just the tattoo, we build a relationship with them to see them through the entire process.”

Jessica recounts a previously incarcerated young man who had the gang markings on his face removed. On that day, he also received his GED and become HVAC certified.

“We’re taking a mark off of someone and giving them a new chance,” Lamb said.

HOTLINES Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888 Mental Health/Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-8255 Self Harm Support Line: 1-800-273-TALK Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233

TRAVELING THROUGH TIME EXPLORE THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY’S SPECIAL COLLECTIONS FOR A GLIMPSE OF THE PAST WRITTEN BY SYDNEY BLOEME & JOHN PRESTON CORBIN ARTS & LIVING EDITOR & STAFF REPORTER

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tudents who are willing to journey to the 8th floor of Library South might be surprised to find featured exhibits featuring photos and artifacts from “primarily people and organizations in the 20th- and 21st-century American South.” The Special Collections includes 9 collecting areas, 7 faculty, 5 full-time staff, many student workers and GRAs and over 27,000 cu. ft. of materials in three buildings. They unveil a new exhibit each year including historic photojournalism and Georgia activism to greater paint a portrait of who and what makes up the state of Georgia and Georgia State.

Today, the Donna Novak Coles Georgia Women’s Movement exhibit is displayed

by Special Collections at the Georgia State library as part of an ongoing installation.

The Signal recently interviewed Morna Gerrard, an archivist for the Women and Gender Collection who played a major role in assembling the current display.

How did the current exhibit come about?

Whose idea was it?

We curate a Women’s Collections exhibit annually, and each year, we highlight new collections and/or anniversaries or issues that are of current interest. We also host an event each Spring that reflects the subject matter covered in the exhibit. I started collecting oral histories and materials related to the Women’s March immediately after the marches took place. Since the issues around the marches were still resonating locally and nationally, and we had a great deal of materials to work with, it was easy to decide to create this particular exhibit.

It was my idea.

Was it difficult acquiring the artifacts for the exhibit? About how long did it take?

The oral histories and artifacts we used came in quite swiftly after the marches took place. We have conducted over 100 interviews and many of the interviewees donated

photographs and ephemera (we have over 400). Also, one of my well-established donors worked with her niece to gather together an outstanding collection of march and antiHillary materials. All of these were able to be used in the collection. To be honest, we have a lot more materials than we were able to use.

The exhibit was largely curated by one of our Graduate Research Assistants, Caitlin Harris. A staff member, Hilary Morris and myself did some of the work too. We began working on the exhibit in the fall of 2017 and it was completed by April 2018.

Do you have a favorite artifact that is part of the exhibit or is there one you think deserves special attention?

I actually love that we were able to make the oral histories be such an integral part of the exhibit. It brought the exhibit to life.

How does this exhibit compare to the one that came before it? I believe there was a display of artifacts relating to the history of Delta Airlines.

The exhibit is actually somewhat related to the previous one, which was called “Feminizing Politics in Georgia”. That exhibit looked at the history of women running for office in our state.

In 20017-2018, Special Collections hosted an exhibit about Eastern Airlines, but there may have been some Delta items included.

Starlight drive in Marquee of the Starlight Drive-In, 1958

What will the next exhibit be?

The exhibit we are currently working on – “The Milk of Woman Kindness” highlights altruism and the activities of women and women’s organizations that serve or help other women/families. This new exhibit will be completed by mid-April 2019.

We are also working on an exhibit about the history of Georgia’s LGBTQ communities.

That will open in early October.

Buckhead Theater, 1940s

“SPECIAL COLLECTIONS AND ARCHIVES WILL SHOWCASE DIFFERENT TYPES OF PHOTOGRAPHY, FROM COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHY TO PHOTOJOURNALISM, AND EXPLORE THE CHALLENGES OF PRESERVING NOT ONLY PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTS AND NEGATIVES BUT ALSO DIGITAL IMAGES.” The varsity Envelope description: Varsity; North Avenue; For H. J. Heinz Company; Interior showing service counter and customers, 1958

UPCOMING EVENTS MARCH 26: FEMINISTS: WHAT WERE THEY THINKING - FILM SCREENING 3-5 P.M., 8TH FLOOR LIBRARY SOUTH The film seeks to capture the impact of photographs recovered from the 1970’s showcasing women’s lives throughout that time and compared to current conditions. The film includes interviews from Jane Fonda, Gloria Steinman and Lily Tomlin.

CURRENT EXHIBIT: A RACE AGAINST TIME: SAVING ATLANTA’S PHOTOGRAPHIC HISTORY, SEPTEMBER 2018-AUGUST 2019 PAST EXHIBITS: PASSING THE TORCH OF ACTIVISM, 2015-2017

“Georgia State University Library’s Special Collections and Archives are filled with information documenting individual and grass roots activism, from correspondence to protest signs.”

THE HISTORY OF RADIO BROADCASTING IN GEORGIA, 2013

“This exhibit documents the history of radio broadcasting in the state of Georgia over a 50 year period from its inception in 1922 through the 1970s.”

COLLECTIONS INCLUDE: SOUTHERN LABOR ARCHIVES

Starlight drive in Marquee of the Starlight Drive-In, 1958

MUSIC AND RADIO BROADCASTING COLLECTIONS PULP LITERATURE AND ZINES COLLECTION

APRIL 22 TO MAY 3: QUIET STUDY FOR FINALS WEEK 8:30-5:45 P.M. Join Special Collections in their quiet study space while preparing for finals.

WOMEN’S COLLECTIONS GENDER AND SEXUALITY COLLECTIONS SOCIAL CHANGE COLLECTIONS PHOTOGRAPHIC COLLECTIONS

APRIL 23: MILK OF WOMAN KINDNESS - THE 2019 GEORGIA WOMEN’S MOVEMENT PROJECT SPRING EVENT 5:30-7:30 P.M., 8TH FLOOR LIBRARY SOUTH The Georgia Women’s Movement is held annually highlighting the University Library’s Women’s Collection and displaying lessknown activists responsible for social change in Georgia.

Georgia State University student demonstration against raising the students’ athletic fee, Georgia State University Student Center, Atlanta, Georgia, May 29, 1980.

Jesse Jackson, Coretta Scott King, John Lewis marching through Atlanta, 1987

MAY 11: ORAL HISTORY PROJECT PLANNING 101: CLARKSTON CAMPUS LIBRARY 1-4 P.M. The Clarkston Campus is hosting a workshop providing assistance to students interested in creating a project plan for their own oral history project.

PAGE DESIGN BY DEVIN PHILLIPS | THE SIGNAL

ARTS & LIVING

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GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

Thank you, Earl Sweatshirt’s mom Challenging industry standards, one malt-liquor milkshake at a time EUGENE RUBINCHIK Staff Reporter

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ntroduced in 2010 as Tyler the Creator’s malt-liquormilkshake drinking, deviant MC sidekick, Earl Sweatshirt has challenged industry standards through an eight year long battle against chapped lips and his own psyche.

His 2018 album, Some Rap Songs, arguably concluded Earl’s nearly decade long search for independence and self-peace.

Following the departure of his father, a South African poet, the tense relationship with his UCLA Law Professing mother and circumstances foreign to anyone but Earl himself, the West Coast artist set off on a cathartic rap career attempting to introduce his lost thoughts into the world.

“You get committed with what you put in songs. It made me wary of who and what I include, because that’s there forever,” Earl said in an interview with Pitchfork.com.

The release of Earl in 2010 introduced his “kill people, burn s---, f--school” mentality – a mentality that dissolved along with his teenage years yet remains a large component of his permanent image.

Earl, or Thebe Kgositsile, was only 15 when “Earl” dropped, so people naturally questioned themes such as murder and vandalism, Earl’s mom especially.

Earl’s rap collective, Odd Future, as well as his legion of suburban middle class listeners supported Earl’s entrance into the music industry. Earl and his group fit the “shut up mom” persona, yet Earl’s maternal mending was a theme that would persist in future projects.

Following Earl, his mother sent him to Samoa to rearrange his delinquent attitude. His second album, Doris, is a direct reflection of Earl’s new life perceptions.

Now with the help of industry specialists such as RZA, The Neptunes and then upcoming artist Vince Staples, Earl was less artificial in demeanor and prepared to lift his mask.

Released under his own label, Tan Cressida, Doris featured a darker side to Earl — a side comparable to the abrasive side of the sponge. MF Doom and Eminem are credited as the source of Earl’s lyrical style, and Doris was Earl’s lyrical target practice.

Going deeper into his paternal absence than ever before, Earl details the swamp of thoughts that is his conscious. He also picks up where Earl left off yet with substantially more purpose to his guttural remarks.

“The bags packed, roadside with the thumb out. Toe tagged, don’t gag, spit your gum out.”

“Food was always optional. Eating nothing but hard punches to that abdominal.

Closed fist chronicles, sold sniff, Momma knew. Baggies laying ‘round, peanut shells at a carnival.”

Doris presented a side of Earl showcasing that he

acknowledged his outwardly destructive attitude — especially toward his mother. Future projects would consist of Earl’s more conscious side as well as his war with himself. His record label change made it seem that Earl had grown out of Odd Future and its sound altogether.

ILLUSTRATION BY SHANCHEZE JOHNSON | THE SIGNAL

Separation from Odd Future, his grandma’s death and his girlfriend, in which he coveted in the song Sunday off of Doris, left Earl hibernating, waiting for a spring shower that would never arrive. Living in his own shadows, Earl released I Don’t Like S---, I Don’t Go Outside.

“This is the first thing that I fully stand behind, like the good and the bad of it. I’ve never been behind myself this much,” Earl told NPR ahead of the release of I Don’t Like S---, I Don’t Go Outside.

One to describe his music naming process as whatever first comes to his mind, Earl wanted I Don’t Like S---, I Don’t Go Outside to replace the image that Earl never wanted. Having soaked in the media more than he could handle, Earl wanted nothing more than to live in solitude with nothing but his music to personify him.

Starting with Erykah Badu sampled Grief, a title more dignifying of Earl’s emotions than any previous song title of his, Earl relapses into dread after realizing he had ignored mourning his grandma as his career began to take off. He continues to discuss his mom’s influence on his life armed now with a broader vocabulary and a less egocentric attitude.

“Out the toaster, I gotta focus on my family problems.

Shrunk and widen up with the bumps in my personal filings. It hurt cause I can’t keep a date or put personal time in. A reverse of the times when my face didn’t surprise you,” Earl said on Faucet.

I Don’t Like Sh*t, I Don’t Go Outside was Earl’s audible reflection. Earl allows others to inhabit his thoughts flooding them with vivid life experiences. Noting numerous times how music allows him to do so, Earl is enabled the ability introduce himself to his fans.

“As hard as finding me a, a common thread between us. Raised different, my momma, she born readily. To get s--- poppin’ like the gun’s off safety,” Earl also said on Faucet.

Two years after the real Earl was revealed, without warning he released Some Rap Songs. Apologizing to his mother and then deceased father, the album was Earl’s gift to those he hurt mentioning abundantly how he has found peace within himself.

“Mind workin’ like the water when it rush.

Growin’ from my father, bitter to his touch Now I’m solely honor, livin’ is a must.

All this for my momma ‘til I’m dust,” Earl said off The Mint.

Earl’s mother came out after Some Rap Songs and expressed her love for Earl and his music- a gesture Earl has worked his entire career for. The song Playing Possum featured a vocal recording of Earl’s mother at an award ceremony and one of the poems of Earl’s deceased father. Remorseful instances such as these are what drive Earl’s listeners to him.

Earl doesn’t sugarcoat his lifestyle — he is who he says he is.

“I think Earl’s music is still low key cus of how different his lyrics, beats, and style are. His latest album has been a really positive, comforting one. It’s really relatable and most of the themes and s--- have been present in my life at the moment, so it was cool to hear someone going through similar shit open up about it.” said Georgia State freshman Teddy Bockhop.

Well a part of daily rotations nationally, Earl has dealt damage far from his native West Coast. Atlanta locals Teddy Bockhop and Imani Harvard are just two of Earl’s many fans, yet Earl’s impact is both apparent and life altering.

“Some Rap Songs is one of the best sounding albums I’ve ever heard in my life! Yes, my LIFE. This album shows you Earl found a new way to approach his sound. Running those filters over his voice was a bold move and his beats are unbelievably good. Azucar is my favorite song off his last album which should be considered for album of the year,” Kevlar Rose model Imani Harvard said.

ARTS & LIVING

TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2019

13

AirPods: defending meme-worthy tech Why it’s more than being rich or looking funny JOSH WINSTON Staff Reporter

A

irPods were originally released in December of 2016 after being announced during Apple’s September hardware event alongside the iPhone 7’s notoriously omitted headphone jack. In doing so, Apple hung all of its dreams for wireless music streaming on the tiny white stems of it new Bluetooth headphones and the world hasn’t been the same since.

They were almost universally criticized for their appearance, their resemblance to dental floss and their high price. But these criticisms gradually faded as more and more people were able to test them out for themselves. For almost a year, AirPods quietly became one of Apple’s most loved products.

In December of 2018, AirPods’ notoriety reached an apex as internet memes abounded, criticizing wearers of the controversial bluetooth headphone for their extravagance and the way they look.

These memes painted a picture ultimately concerned with the economic status of AirPods users with many of them poking fun at the wealthy for their perceived acquiescence to Apple’s high price for convenience.

However, what these memes also portrayed was recent and widespread adoption of AirPods into the mainstream. A cursory glance down any street corner reveals that AirPods have now become almost commonplace. What was once a foreign and vaguely threatening device is now the de facto mascot for modern music listening.

This new found favor with the general public is not unwarranted either. AirPods are the most compelling product Apple has released in years. If Apple’s slogan “It just works” is anything to go by, AirPods represent the most “It just works” product Apple makes.

than their wired counterparts, and do so without the inconvenience of requiring users to be physically tethered to the source of their music.

“In the category of truly wireless earbuds, the AirPods are the best I’ve yet heard,” Verge tech reporter Vlad Savov said.

Apple accomplishes this with its proprietary W1 chip set.

This allowed them to integrate AirPods into iOS in ways other bluetooth devices could not accomplish. For example, it’s possible to easily switch from one device to another without digging through bluetooth settings menus. Tech reporter Sean O‘kane said, “Each AirPod is actually receiving its own Bluetooth channel independently at the same time, and it’s the W1 chip that handles the syncing. The result is very low latency and also a very reliable connection.”

The W1 chip is also responsible for power management and the host of sensors on the AirPods that allow them to do things like pausing music when they’re pulled out of ears or pairing with devices automatically when in close proximity. There’s a great deal of sophisticated tech packed inside of their tiny stems.

And tech that’s not contained in the stems is stored in their charging case which is just as well designed. AirPods will last

97%

PRICE One of the highest barriers to entry into the AirPods’ kingdom is their steep price. This can indeed be an eyecatching change from the free headphones that come with a device which most people use. But, AirPods, when considered within the larger market of wireless bluetooth headphones, actually have a pretty competitive price.

Google’s Pixel Buds are $159, Samsung’s are $179, and Beat’s are around $100 but are not totally wireless. For comparison, AirPods are $159.

Wireless headphones are a relatively new development for mainstream audiences, and while they still aren’t perfect, they’ve come a long way in their short existence. Of course, people are always apprehensive about adopting new technologies, as the AirPods memes have revealed, but the future of music listening probably lies in this product category.

And AirPods happen to be some of the best people can buy right now.

Air p

97%

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on average around 5 hours on their own, but paired with their charging case can last for over 24.

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION FOR APPLE PRODUCTS IN THEIR DEBUT YEAR:

AIRPODS CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ife ry L tte

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY UNIQUE RODRIGUEZ | THE SIGNAL

iPa

FUNCTIONALITY The overall functionality and simplicity of AirPods is what makes them such a good product. The ability to listen to music in a discreet, comfortable and cord-free way cannot be overestimated. Apple delivered a surprising amount of audio quality in a compact and highly portable form factor and it should be applauded for doing so.

It’s true that Airpod’s’ sound quality cannot match a nice pair of over-ear headphones, but in a world where most people are fit to use the earpods that come with their phones, it doesn’t matter.

AirPods sound inexplicably more robust and well balanced

AirPods have risen to the top in the past year, quietly becoming one of Apple’s most loved products.

Apple W

DESIGN The overall look of the AirPods is a highly controversial matter with some believing they look futuristic and sleek, while others think they resemble tiny toothbrushes. One reviewer, Ben Sin of Forbes, said, “wearing these will make you look like you have soggy cigarettes sticking out of your ear.” But no matter what they look like or what Apple wants people to think they look like, they’re a fairly unassuming design.

The glossy, all white sticks dangling from the ears of everyone in Starbucks might seem obnoxious, but the stem that hangs from them actually makes them much better at picking up voices and handling Siri requests. AirPods are also essentially the same design as earpods were before, just with the cord cut off.

(2007) ne

92%

ARTS & LIVING

14

GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

things you don’t want to miss

More events and info at georgiastatesignal.com

thursday

wednesday

tuesday

saturday

friday

monday

sunday

$4 Pints at Monday Night Brewing

Seinfeld trivia about nothing

Learn Excel Charts and Formatting!

Leave unicycling to the pros

GSU Night at Snow Mountain

Puppy Yoga

D&D at Joystick

January 22

January 23

January 24

January 25

January 26

January 27

January 28

Bring your best tie and enjoy Atlantabased craft beers at a reduced price at Monday Night Brewing! Pints range from $5.50 to $6.50 so drinking four beers could save you up to $10.

Come play trivia about nothing at Guac y Margys on Auburn Avenue.

Tickets are $20 and get you two tacos and a margarita!

Maybe leave your four disk complete series collection at home.

Georgia State is hosting a free Excel charts and formatting workshop in Classroom South from 121:30 p.m. Basic Excel experience is recommended.

See jugglers, unicyclists, hoopers, kendama, live music and family fun at the 41st annual Juggling Festival at the Yaarab Shrine Center from Jan. 25-27.

Last month was 60 degrees and there wasn’t a snowflake in sight. Luckily, you can enjoy some festive weather at Stone Mountain for a discount.

Downward dog gets a whole new meaning! Join the Northside Humane Society for yoga and then playtime with some adorable puppies. You may just leave with a new friend for life.

Play Dungeons and Dragons at a bar! Make some new friends at this arcade-style bar and enjoy playing Dungeons and Dragons. Entry is free and beginners are welcome.

games

SuD0KU medium

easy

HARD

1

games

crossword

2

4 5

6

9 11

7

8

10 12 13

14

15 16

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18

this week’s theme: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 19

With MLK Jr. Day this week, we’ve chosen to honor the civil rights activist with a crossword. We hope you enjoy!

To suggest a topic, email us: signalprod@gmail.com

across

1. In what city was King assassinated?

5. This U.S. president signed Martin Luther King Jr. Day into law.

6. What city was King born in?

10. Martin Luther King Jr. attended this Atlanta college.

11. King married ___ Scott in 1953.

14. King studied medicine and ___ while in college.

15. King was assassinated by James Earl __.

16. Both King and his father worked as ___.

17. King’s philosophy of nonviolence was inspired by this Indian activist.

18. One of King’s first major civil rights actions was leading

the ___ Bus Boycott.

19. The attack on Edmund Pettus Bridge during the march to Montgomery is known as “__.”

DOWN

2. King was a preacher at ___ Baptist Church here in Atlanta.

3. King helped organize the march from this city to Montgomery.

4. Growing up in the segregated south, African-Americans had to abide by ___ Laws.

5. The Montgomery Bus Boycott began after this woman was arrested for not giving up her seat in the front of a bus.

7. How many times was King arrested?

8. King’s last speech was his “I’ve Been to the ___ Top” address.

9. King was assassinated at the ___ Motel.

12. In addition to earning a Nobel Peace Prize, King was also awarded the Presidential Medal of ___ and the Congressional Gold Medal.

13. King gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech in this city.

19. King went to ___ University for graduate school. This is where he met his wife, Coretta Scott.

3

SPORTS TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2019

www.georgiastatesignal.com/sports

T HE U N S U N G HE R O : MALIK BENLEVI, “THE CAPTAIN” G EOR G IA GREG HOLLIS Staff Reporter

T

he Georgia State men’s basketball team is off to great a start due to a big contribution by senior forward Malik Benlevi.

Being one of four seniors on the roster, Benlevi has been with the program all four years of his college basketball career. He has put forth the effort that helped this program become the best college basketball team in the state of Georgia.

Team captain is an impressive award that can only be given by teammates, to which Benlevi is familiar. Benlevi has been team captain for the past two consecutive seasons, showing the immense respect those around him hold for him.

Besides his 6’6”, 225-pound frame, the first thing you may notice about Benlevi is his illuminating smile, lighting up any room.

On the court, he is as hard of a worker as there is in sports.

He brings his energy and leadership to the team – at every game and at every practice.

He’s the Draymond Green from the Golden State Warriors, but on the Georgia State team. And he’s a lot nicer to his teammates.

STATE’ S

G LUE

Benlevi’s love for basketball began inside his own family.

“My older brothers, I grew up watching them play football and basketball,” Benlevi said. “I started off playing football at first, then I started playing basketball when I was ten, fell in love with it, and I stopped playing football after that.”

The family he speaks of is big; his parents, Gladys and Mark, plus a total of seven brothers and sisters make an immediate family of 10.

He hails from Savannah, Georgia, where he played at Jenkins High School. During his senior season he accumulated many accolades.

He received All-State First Team honors, won Region 1-AAA Player of the Year, was ranked the 20th best player in the state of Georgia by hoopseen.com and helped lead his school to its first state title.

He chose Georgia State because after all his high school accomplishments, it was one of his only offers.

“Actually I didn’t have that many offers,” Benlevi said. “I was slept on man, but Georgia State showed a lot of love on the AAU circuit.

They was at a lot of my tournaments at the front row at every game, so I was like I gotta show love back, and then it’s close to home so my family can make the games, so yeah that was the reason why.”

O N

T HE

With Georgia State’s program showing so much interest in Benlevi, in addition to the school being close to his family and not having many offers, his decision was easy. And even four years later, he believes it’s one of the best decisions he has ever made.

In addition to the respect and love his teammates have for him, the coaching staff does as well. In fact, their respect came early because they saw the type of person he was during the recruiting process.

Assistant coach Claude Pardue has been with the program for eight years, beginning as a graduate assistant. He had a memorable experience on the recruiting trail with Malik.

“The first time I saw him was the summer before his senior year, he came to a team camp with his high school team,” Pardue said. “The one thing that stood out among all the teams and athletes was Malik was playing the hardest he wasn’t the most skill but he always made the right play and brought energy.”

As much as it has been a joy on the court coaching him, the coaches say it has been the same joy off the court. Malik is a great leader and his teammates love to be around him, as well as the coaching staff.

“Malik is a great leader he always shows up on time to everywhere been doing that since his freshman year, led by example and made sure he is in the right place,” Pardue said. “Then junior year and this year he has embraced that captain role by making sure his teammates are on time and on top of things, and he admits he has made some mistakes but lets the freshmen and sophomores know how it’s going to be, he’s just our leader all the time, when we are on the road, in the airport and

COURT

even socially with his teammates because the guys gravitate to him, and he really shows you how to be a Georgia State student athlete.”

It is obvious that Benlevi has put in the hard work to improve his game on the court and to improve as a person off the court. Every year, his production on the court has gone up and it shows through his statistics, such as shooting a career a high field goal percentage of 48 percent and averaging a career best with 13.6 points per game.

“His energy level is he always had the best effort, he was always talking and flying around,” Pardue said. “You can tell watching once didn’t do him justice, but after several games of seeing him he was amazing to watch and you could see what type of player and teammate he was.”

When Benlevi was asked about how the coaching staff has helped him improve year by year, he gave high praise and said that head coach Ron Hunter challenged him after his freshman year in a one-on-one meeting to get better because it was all on him to fight for his playing time on the court. It is safe to say Benlevi meet that challenge head on.

When asked to describe himself in a few words, he replied with a huge smile.

“Malik off the court is chill, laid back,” Benlevi said. “I like to have fun and laugh, I be joking around all the time, I’m a people’s person. I like to see people happy, I love seeing people happy, I don’t want no bad vibes around me.”

Benlevi is a great leader, great teammate and a great person. He is a hard person not to root for.

PAGE DESIGN BY DEVIN PHILLIPS | THE SIGNAL

SPORTS

16

GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

Should the Group of Five have its own playoff?

Insight on the division between Power Five and Group of Five JULIAN HARDEN Staff Reporter

I

t’s been over three decades since the last non-Power 5 program won the the national championship in college football. The Power 5 is made up of the biggest and most popular conferences the SEC, Big Ten, Pac-12, Big 12 and ACC. The Group of 5 are lower-level schools in Division I NCAA FBS football. They consist of the Sun Belt, Mountain West, Mid-American and American conferences. These schools, while still Division-I, aren’t as large nor as profitable as their Power 5 counterparts.

The Power 5 teams consist of the most recognized and profitable schools such as Alabama, Clemson, Oklahoma and University of Southern California. The Crimson Tide alone are worth $930 million according to a study done by the Wall Street Journal in 2017.

In 1984, Brigham Young University won the championship representing the small Western Athletic Conference and remains the only non-Power 5 to win the championship. The Western Athletic Conference discontinued football after the 2012-13 season. The division between the Power 5 and Group of 5 has grown.

Not one Group of 5 team has qualified for a national championship berth since BYU and the most play in the least import bowl games. Many who dispute that a Group of 5 program should get into the playoff have claimed that it would be more or less a handout. Joel Klatt, a college football commentator is one the many people who share such sentiment.

During the 2018 season, Central Florida completed their second consecutive undefeated regular season (11-0), but they still weren’t given serious consideration for the playoffs mainly

Georgia State quarterback Dan Ellington rushes against Western Michigan on Saturday, Sept. 22 at the Georgia State Stadium.

because they are not a Power 5 program. Central Florida, while being in a Group of 5 conference, still throttled Power 5 programs such as Auburn and Pittsburgh.

“I can see this gonna be a common theme for the rest of the year everyone who is a UCF fan is gonna complain about college football and say it’s unfair and they want a handout,” Klatt said.

Central Florida is not the only Group of 5 program to not be taken seriously due to being in a smaller conference. In 2016, the Houston Cougars beat Power 5 programs such as Florida State and the Baker Mayfield-lead Oklahoma Sooners.

With the widening division between the programs, some Group of 5 schools have explored the possibility of having their own playoff, exclusive to Group of 5 conferences. Schools such as Georgia State, Central Florida, Boise State and others could not only have a shot at a championship, but also have the eyes of the nation solely on their school.

Georgia State, a member of the Sun Belt Conference, would also be apart of such a movement if it came to fruition. A Sun Belt would have a worse chance at joining the playoff than Central Florida and Houston. Both schools are some of the most well-known teams in the Group of 5 conferences and have a long history against Power 5 programs. Georgia State football, which isn’t even a decade old, would also be less appealing to make the playoff.

Former Georgia State player Nathaniel Paxton was the team captain that lead Georgia State to its first bowl game victory in program history.

“I feel like we should have our own playoff,” Paxton said.

“You have great teams in our conference like Troy and Appalachian State. They should give these teams the chance to show off on national television.”

The ability for smaller programs to be able to have wider appeal on national television would greatly help NFL prospects form Group of 5 schools. Georgia State doesn’t get much coverage on television, but if a playoff were created it could

have the attention of the whole nation. This would also give the university more exposure as a whole if the Group of 5 create a playoff system for themselves.

“I feel like the [Group of 5] deserve to show their talent just like Alabama, Clemson and all these other schools,” Paxton said.

However, many players including fellow Group of 5 players have the opposite opinion when it comes to a Group of 5 playoff. Georgia State safety Dartez Jacobs believes that the system is best as it is currently.

“Honestly, I like the playoff system as it is,” Dartez said. “I think the bowl games are a good system to get guys exposure…

I think recreating the playoff system would be unnecessary.”

The opinion shared by Dartez is a common one. While Group of 5 teams aren’t largely represented in huge bowl games or national championships, many do appear in nationally televised postseason games. All mid-tier bowls such as the Dollar General Bowl, Gator Bowl, Armed Forces Bowl and others broadcast many programs in the Group of 5, giving the players on their respective schools plenty of exposure for NFL scouts.

Moreover, there those of Group of 5 schools that want no part of a playoff because they want the opportunity to play against Power Five programs. Former Western Michigan head coach P.J Fleck was one Group of Five coaches that was against such a proposition. Fleck’s point was also benefits Group of 5 programs to be doubted as it makes the reward of beating a Power Five program even better.

The widening divisions of between Group of 5 programs and the Power 5 aren’t just noticeable, but should be alarming to all college football fans. While the idea of a playoff system exclusively for the Group of 5 might now be in the cards now the continuing divisions between the programs will only fuel such an idea.

PHOTO BY CHRIS YOUNG | THE SIGNAL ARCHIVES

TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2019

SPORTS

17

GSU ends week with upset win over Troy

Women’s beats Troy inside Sports Arena thanks to clutch Jada Lewis JERELL RUSHIN & JOSHUA FIFE Sports Editor & Associate Sports Editor

W

omen’s basketball is .500 after splitting games against the Sun Belt Conference’s Alabama twosome at home last week. The Panthers downed 14-win Troy 84-80 to end the week after South Alabama rallied to beat Georgia State 68-59 on Thursday.

Jada Lewis scored 34 points in the two games and made the game-winning basket to hand Troy its first Sun Belt loss.

The Panthers sit in the middle of the pack in the conference standings, eighth place with four more 3-3 teams in Sun Belt action.

SOUTH ALABAMA, 68-59 (L)

Inconsistent offensive and defensive performances were the cause of Georgia State’s loss to South Alabama (14-3, 3-3).

What looked like a game that Georgia State would win against a team with a much better record quickly went in the opposite direction.

The Panthers built a 33-29 team going into halftime, but they were severely outplayed in the third quarter. South Alabama took the lead 45 seconds into the second half. Georgia State broke its cold spell with a Lewis 3-pointer, but gave up a 3-pointer on the next possession, making the score 37-36 in South Alabama’s favor.

The Jaguars would lead for the final 17 minutes of the game, a solid turnaround performance for them. Georgia State, on the other hand, lost a great chance to make noise inside the Sun Belt.

“We played well I the first half,” head coach Gene Hill said.

“The third quarter, we came out of the locker room and I thought we had some great opportunities… Any time you come out and [your opponent] has a positive play and then you come down on the offensive end and you don’t convert, sometimes that deflates you, especially when you do it four times in a row. Just recovering from that, that was too much for us.”

After getting outscored 22-9 in the third quarter, Georgia State climbed back into the game. Allison Johnson led Georgia State’s comeback with a strong fourth quarter where she scored eight points. Johnson’s last made field goal trimmed the game to 56-55 “I started really slow,” Johnson said. “I couldn’t really hit my shots, and I just kept going. I just kept it strong.”

The Panther defense, however, never returned the level it played in the second quarter where it allowed 10 South Alabama points. Georgia State’s offense simultaneously became stagnant and made its last field goal with 3:56 remaining. South Alabama ended the game on a 12-3 run.

“In the fourth quarter defensively we had some breakdowns there where they kinda got behind us in the zone., they got some open looks, some easy ones there,” Hill said. “And that really hurt us in the crunch time when you’re trying to make that comeback… you’ve got to be able to get some stops, and we wasn’t able to do that.”

The highs and lows were too much to keep up with the Jaguars scoring place in the second half.

Three Panthers, Lewis, Walnatia Wright and Johnson, scored in double-figures. Wright had a double-double of both 13 points and rebounds. Lewis and Johnson scored 14 and 12 points respectively.

“We still haven’t played a 40-minute game yet this season,” Hill said.

Although Hill’s team won its next matchup of the week, it still wasn’t a complete game.

TROY, 84-80 (W)

A game is never over until the final buzzer sounds – no matter how insurmountable a lead may seem. Evidence of this was shown when the Panthers (9-7, 3-3) came back from 18 points down to defeat the Troy Trojans (14-3, 5-5).

“Coach Hill always says to keep fighting and keep fight, and you have to make a choice, either you’re going to give up, or you are going to keep going,” Lewis said. “And we made a choice to keep going and come back to win.”

When looking at the stat sheet, it’s hard to wonder how the Panthers won a game where they only lead for 1:05 of game time, were outrebounded 49-35 and gave up 26 offensive rebounds.

Janessa Murphy guards against University of South Alabama in a home game on Jan. 17.

Georgia State made all of the right plays at the right time, including some clutch plays from Lewis who finished the game with 20 points, but seven of those came down the stretch when the game was on the line. Down seven, Lewis hit a 3-pointer and then a floater to bring the Panthers within two, and a few possessions later Wright made at teardrop to tie the game at 76.

However, Troy would regain the lead and go up by four after a couple of jumpers from Sky’Lynn Holmes.

The Panthers would tie it again after layups from Madison Ervin and Janessa Murphy. With 25 seconds left, Hill drew up a play for Johnson, but things broke down, Lewis saw an opportunity to attack, and she scored the game-winning layup with 16 seconds left.

“I was fine because what we talk to our players about is being a basketball player and taking shots within the offense,” Hill said. “That was a play that was in the offense, she was open, and she can hit that shot, so I was okay with it.”

After a Trojan timeout, the Panthers were able to get a steal, and a Victoria Middlebrooks layup sealed the victory.

Middlebrook’s effort off the bench was a big factor in this game. She scored 11 points and four rebounds. She was everywhere on defense in the game causing havoc for Troy. It was also important for her to have this game after she made a mental error last week against Louisiana fouling late in the shot clock.

“It’s about what sports are about being able to recover and rebound and keeping your head up even through adversity,” Hill said. “And that was huge for her to be able to come out and make a contribution in that important time. I’m so proud of her and all of the kids who made big plays tonight.”

The Panthers had three other players in double-figures scoring, Ervin with 12, Johnson with 11 and Wright with 10.

They all made crucial plays down the stretch for the team. Ones that if they were not made the team would not have made the game.

Early on in the game Troy was dominating the glass, grabbing every 50/50 ball and making tough 3-pointers, but in the fourth quarter, they shot 6-20 from the field and 2-7 from deep. That was the most significant difference in the comeback.

Georgia State shot 11-17 from the field and 2-5 from deep.

The Panthers return to action on Jan 24 against Texas State.

PHOTO BY UNIQUE RODRIGUEZ | THE SIGNAL

SCHOOL

CONF. OVERALL

TROY

5-1

16-3

LITTLE ROCK

5-1

14-5

UTA

4-2

12-7

TEXAS STATE

4-2

8-11

APPALACHIAN STATE

3-2

10-7

LOUISIANA

3-2

10-8

SOUTH ALABAMA

3-3

11-7

GEORGIA STATE

3-3

8-9

ARKANSAS STATE

3-3

9-10

ULM

1-4

8-11

COASTAL CAROLINA

0-5

7-12

GEORGIA SOUTHERN

0-6

5-13

SPORTS

18

Georgia State’s men’s basketball team gears up for games against UT Arlington and Texas State while maintaining its No. 2 status in the Sun Belt Championship.

GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

PHOTO BY UNIQUE RODRIGUEZ | THE SIGNAL

GSU hosts two Texas teams after first Sun Belt loss The Mavs and Bobcats will come to the Sports Arena looking for revenge CHRISTIAN CRITTENDEN Staf Reporter

T

he month of January is very good to Georgia State men’s basketball. The Panthers (14-5, 5-1) continue to roll and win games to begin their new years. They had won 18 straight games in January dating back to the 2016-17 season until they lost 77-75 to Troy last Saturday.

It was the first conference loss of the season, something that last season’s team did twice to begin their Sun Belt Conference slate.

SOUTH ALABAMA, 69-68 (W) Georgia State grabbed its 18th consecutive January win when it avoided an upset at South Alabama (9-10, 2-4). The game was a close contest from whistle-to-whistle. The largest lead either team held was 11 points, and Georgia State only held it for 37 seconds.

South Alabama took a one-point lead on a Josh Ajayi jumper with 1:39 remaining, its first lead since midway through the first half. Kane Williams put the Panthers back up with two free throws, and Georgia State’s performance from there on forward was impressive.

Big plays down the stretch lifted the Panthers to victory.

On the next possession, the Panthers turned over Ajayi, who wreaked havoc for them all game with 24 points and 11 rebounds. Senior Jeff Thomas responded with a big 3-pointer, quickly applying pressure to the Jaguars with a now four-point lead.

Malik Benlevi missed two free throws while Georgia State had a 69-66 lead, giving South Alabama a chance to tie the game. Thomas stepped up again when he blocked Ajayi’s 3-point attempt into the stands with a second remaining. The Jaguars missed the final attempt, and Georgia state left unscathed.

“It’s hard to win on the road and unfortunately we made it a little harder on ourselves tonight,” head coach Ron Hunter said.

“You can’t miss 12 free throws, especially not so many in the final minutes, but as I have said before, championship teams find a way to win and we did that tonight.”

TROY, 77-75 (L) After winning a game on a last-second basket two Saturdays ago, Georgia State was on the wrong end of one this time.

Troy’s Jordan Varnado made a deep 3-pointer with 1.7 seconds remaining to end the Panthers’ seven-game winning streak and give the Panthers’ their first conference loss of the season.

Troy (10-8, 3-3) is a middle of the road team in Sun Belt play, and Georgia State didn’t have an impressive game. This game was also one where Georgia State never had a meaningful lead — their largest was six points. It came in the second half, where they rarely trailed.

Still, the Panthers found themselves in trouble late again because of free throw struggles. D’Marcus Simonds missed a free throw on the first attempt of a 1-and-1, and Troy pushed the ball down the floor. With no good opportunities to create a play for a teammate, Varnado shot a 3-pointer in desperation in front of Benlevi and made it.

“Obviously we are disappointed with the loss as we had an opportunity at the end,” Hunter said. “However, we still managed to split on the road so we need to keep that in perspective. We know teams are going to give us their best shot and Troy did that today. After opening league play with four of the first six on the road, we are home for the next three.”

The Panthers are 11th in the conference in free throw percentage at 64.1 percent. They were 5-of-12 in the game and 20-of-39 for the week, 51.3 percent.

PREVIEWS: TEXAS STATE (16-3, 5-1) & UTARLINGTON (8-11, 4-2) Heading into a two-game set with Texas State and UTArlington on the road, the Panthers will look to start another winning streak.

Georgia State won both previous matchups this season, defeating UT Arlington 63-58 and Texas State 73-69.

“I actually don’t think we are even close to peaking just yet,” Hunter said of his team after they played these two teams the first matchups.

“On this last road trip alone, although we played some really good defense, I didn’t think we did well on the offensive side of the ball,” Hunter said. “I think we are on pace to be playing our best basketball in February and March which is exactly when we want it to happen.”

Hunter’s teams are known for peaking at the right time – at tournament time. The current version of the Panthers is winning games by player stellar defense. They are allowing 73 points per game, and opponents are only shooting .33 percent from three. It is important to shoot the three well against Georgia State because of how well they shoot from behind the arc.

Another reason the Panthers are playing so well is senior Benlevi, who has really upped his play this season. Benlevi is averaging a little over 12 points per game with five rebounds and shooting 42 percent from three. But more importantly the leadership he brings on the court is irreplaceable.

“Malik is a team captain because he is truly a leader on and off the court. He has done everything our coaching staff has asked him to entering his senior year, and he truly is giving everything he has for this program,” Hunter said. “He gives so much more than just a boost to this program. He runs our team when he is out on the court. He also is working with the younger players to make them better every day. He is an invaluable member of our program.”

Last season the Panthers squared off against UT Arlington in what turned out to be three good matchups. The Mavericks are now missing former stars Kevin Hervey, Erick Neal and Johnny Hamilton. As of result, the Mavericks are currently under the .500 record mark. This season UT Arlington is only averaging 64 points per game and shooting 28 percent from deep. Their opponents are averaging 70 points per game.

By contrast, Texas State is playing well this season; they are second in the conference behind Georgia State with a 3-1 conference record. That one loss came to Georgia State so they will be more than ready to return the favor when they enter the Sports Arena this weekend.

The Bobcats are led by Nijal Pearson and Tre Nottingham who are averaging 17 and 13 points per game respectively. Texas State’s defense has to lead the way for them this season; they are only limiting opposing teams to 61 points per game and 29 percent from deep, which is what Georgia State loves to do.

The Panthers shot 36 percent from deep in the first matchup, but had a 1-10 start. They were able to even it out in the second half shooting 8-15. In this next matchup, it will be interesting to see which side prevails.

SPORTS

TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2019

SPORTS BRIEFS Men’s Basketball •

•

• •

Took its first loss from Troy after a 3-pointer with 1.7 seconds left to snap their 7-game winning streak Simonds, while finishing with 28 points, missed the front end of a one-and one that could’ve given Georgia State a Simonds moves into third place in all-time scoring list Panthers haven’t lost a game in January since losing to Troy back in 2017

Women’s Basketball •

•

•

•

The Panthers rallied back from an 18-point deficit in the third to upset Troy 8480 on Saturday Jada Lewis hit the final go-ahead basket with 16 seconds left off of a steal that sealed the deal They cut the 18-point lead down to just six before heading into the fourth quarter The ladies improve to 9-8 on the season, 3-3 in the Sun Belt, and hand the Trojans their first loss in the conference

Women’s tennis •

• • •

•

The reigning Sun Belt Champions lost their season opener 4-1 to Florida Gulf Coast Daniela Ramirez won 6-0 in her singles match for the only Georgia State point On Saturday, Jan. 19, they got their first victory of the season against Cornel Freshmen Eva Chivu and Andreea Stanescu earned their first collegiate singles wins New head coach Alex Leatu earns her first victory as head coach after assuming the position last fall. Leatu served as assistant coach last season

19

SPORTS CALENDAR BASKETBALL

TRACK AND FIELD

JAN. 24

FEB. 1-2

women’s basketball TEXAS STATE

San Marcos, Texas

8 P.M.

KENTUCKY

Arlington, Texas

3 P.M.

Statesboro, Georgia

men’s basketball

8 P.M.

JAN. 26 atlanta hawks PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS

Fort Myers, Florida

GSU Sports Arena

9 A.M.

Moda Center

women’s basketball

TEXAS STATE

CHICAGO BULLS

United Center

FEB. 1

JAN. 24

3 P.M.

Atlanta Hawks

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

2 P.M.

ORLANDO MAGIC

JAN. 23

JAN. 26-27 LSU JERRY SIMMONS INVITATIONAL

women’s basketball

Atlanta Hawks State Farm Arena

men’s tennis

FEB. 2 GEORGIA SOUTHERN

TBA

TENNIS

women’s basketball UT-ARLINGTON

JAN. 21

Lexington, Kentucky

JAN. 26

ATLANTA SPORTS

NORTH FLORIDA

5 P.M.

10 P.M.

JAN. 18 Atlanta gladiators

7 P.M.

ORLANDO SOLAR BEARS

Infinite Energy Arena

7:35 P.M.

JAN. 26 men’s basketball UT-ARLINGON

GSU Sports Arena

SUN BELT CONFERENCE FOOTBALL STANDINGS

1 P.M.

FEB. 2 men’s basketball GEORGIA SOUTHERN

GSU Sports Arena

1 P.M.

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EAST DIVISION school

conf

overall

streak

TEXAS STATE

5-1

16-3

W4

GEORGIA STATE

5-1

14-5

L1

GEORGIA SOUTHERN

4-2

12-7

W2

UTA

4-2

8-11

W4

ULM

3-2

10-7

W1

TROY

3-3

10-8

W1

LOUISIANA

2-3

8-9

W1

COASTAL CAROLINA

2-3

8-9

W1

SOUTH ALABAMA

2-4

9-10

L4

ARKANSAS STATE

2-4

8-11

L3

LITTLE ROCK

2-4

7-12

L2

APPALACHIAN STATE

0-5

5-13

L6