Issuu

LAST ISSUE OF THE SEMESTER | HAVE A GOOD BREAK! VOL. 82 | NO. 14

DEC. 2, 2014 - DEC. 8, 2014

Red Bulls, cram sessions, scattered textbooks and indecipherable notes: It’s time to bring it all back. Here’s to Finals Week Hell.

THE FINAL

STRETCH

PHOTO BY RAVEN SCHLEY | THE SIGNAL Just keep pushing. The semester is almost over.

Inside Inside like us! facebook.com/gsusignal

Two under par

miles per class

the f words

Final Fantasy

Here are our financial columnist’s final big five financial topics to help you transition into the new year.

You can tackle all those assignments and exams! Find out how to have the best study session ever.

Twin brothers Alexander and Max Herrman support each other while staying competitive for men’s golf.

News | Page 3

Opinions| Page 7

A&L | page 9

Sports | page 18

How long are you willing to travel for class? Some education majors say they drive more than 50 miles.

DAILY NEWS AT WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

News 2

Opinions 7

Arts & Living 9

Sports 17

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014

Nov. 17

NOV. 18

Rialto Theater

University Commons

Ride and ditch

War of the words

A non-Georgia State affiliated person left and refused to pay his taxi fare. This individual was arrested by officers for disorderly conduct and theft of services. He was later released on a copy of charges.

A mistaken identity University Commons

After further investigation, a female Georgia State student learned she provided her information to someone she believed was her bank but wasnâ€™t. A report was filed for identity fraud.

NOV. 18

Staff members robbed Andrew Young and Rialto Theater

In the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, a report was filed for theft by a female Georgia State staff member who left her laptop unattended. Another Georgia State staff member filed a report for theft in the Rialto Theater for a bag she left behind. Both cases are being handled by investigations.

Two or more people were engaged in a verbal confrontation resulting in Georgia State officers having to halt the hostility. After the intervention, there was no further incident.

NOV. 20

Weed and a warrant donâ€™t mix 5 Points Garage SW

A non-Georgia State person was arrested, processed and transported to Fulton County Jail for possessing marijuana and having an outstanding warrant.

KEY

NOV. 21

Theft

Disrespecting the environment

Battery/assault

Hurt Park

A Georgia State staff member was said to have damaged a tree. A report was filed for property damage unlawfully.

Property damage Intoxication

Photo of the week PHOTO BY SAMUEL ROTH | THE SIGNAL Two religious protesters took to stage, preaching condemnation and salvation in the University Plaza Nov. 17.

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Falling short Education majors say mandatory placement program falls short

“

My time is valuable and we have a lot that we have to get done. Our program is a very rigorous program and there’s always something to do.

-Tyler Weaver Senior education major

CIARA FRISBIE News Editor

espite Georgia State education majors saying their overall program has received numerous amounts of praise over the years, there is one aspect they say needs to change — placements of their required in-classroom teaching practicum. Tyler Weaver, a senior education major with a dual special education certification, said education majors begin their practicum by reaching out to the Office of Placements and telling them where they live and which county or system they want to be placed in. This practicum, required for all students wishing to be future educators, involves hands-on experience going into classrooms and teaching younger students, according to Weaver. “I live in downtown at the Pencil Factory Lofts so I’m pretty close to all of this [campus] and I walk to class on Wednesdays and Thursdays,” he said. “But on Mondays and Tuesdays when we have our placement, I have to drive to Sugar Hill, which is far North Gwinett, and that is 52 miles from my apartment to the school.” Weaver also said this accumulates to over 100 miles a day (between $35 - $40 in gas) with a vehicle that only gets 17 miles per gallon. “The first day that I had this placement in Sugar Hill was the day that I emailed you [The Signal]. It’s when I emailed President Becker, Dean Stout, Provost Palm... everybody because it took me an hour and 45 minutes just to get home that day and I think that is ridiculous,” he said. “My time is valuable and we have a lot that we have to get done. Our program is a very rigorous program and there’s always something to do.” In addition to traveling times, these students are still expected to be on-time to attend their regular lecture sessions, according to Weaver.

“So I’ve taught all day, I’ve been up since 6 a.m. and then I have a night class too. I have to get back down here, go to that class, sit in it till 7 o’clock at night after I’ve taught children all day,” he said. “It’s exhausting to sit in a car all of that time.” Nicole Acevedo, who is an early childhood special education major, said she drives about 60 miles roundtrip a day to go to her placement school as well as to come to campus for class. “On Tuesdays and Thursdays I do not get to my house until 11 p.m. and that’s with me not having a break because I am teaching and then we are down here [at Georgia State] all day,” she said. “I still have to go home and do all of my homework or do all of the things that we need to do for our program... This is our last block for teaching so there’s zero time.” In addition to the time constraints, the students must pay for traveling expenses out-of-pocket by having weekend jobs to fulfill their program’s requirements, according to Weaver and Acevedo. “You know it takes a lot of hours just to be able to afford the gas to go to this placement. I think a lot of people who are not a part of the College of Ed. were like ‘You have an internship and that you don’t get paid for at all?’ and that’s not our beef because we understand that’s part of this program,” Weaver said. He also said although he loves the opportunity of hands-on experience to teach younger students and that it sets Georgia State apart from many other universities, the placement could still better suit the College of Education’s students. “I did a little research and within 10 miles of my address there are 59 middle schools,” he said. “I do not believe that a partnership could not be forged with one of those schools to make it where I don’t have to drive over 100 miles a day.” School Digger, the website Weaver used to do his own research, allows individuals to search both the per-

ROAD TRIP

Senior education major Tyler Weaver says it once took him an hour and 45 minutes to get back home from his practicum location. The location is 52 miles away from his apartment, according to Weaver.

formance and locations of U.S. K-12 schools. There are approximately 90 elementary, middle or high schools located within five miles of Georgia State’s campus, according to School Digger. In an attempt to contact the Office of Field Placements, The Signal could not reach a representative by press time as of Nov. 24. Both Weaver and Acevedo said they do not foresee any changes being made this semester as it draws closer to an end, however they would like their experience to be shared for the upcoming spring 2015 semester. “I transferred to Georgia State because I went to Georgia Gwinnett next to my home [which was] a way easier commute. I wanted Georgia State on my paper,” Acevedo said. “I wanted to know and other people to know I have what it takes to be in this classroom.”

PHOTO BY BRITTANY GUERIN | THE SIGNAL Nicole Acevedo, early childhood special education major, expresses her frustrations with the current education practicum placement program at Georgia State. Weaver said there should be an overall change in the university’s placement practices in a letter sent to members of the College of Education. “Georgia State University is a school that cares about its students.

We have a large body of nontraditional students who are working class just like I am. I would like to see that sort of thing taken into consideration by the staff that works with us,” he said.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014

university

Andrew Young appoints 11 new faculty members TAYLOR JOSEY Staff Reporter

T Richard Wright

Criminal Justice and Criminology

Prior to joining Georgia State, Wright was a Curators’ Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. “I moved to Georgia State and the Andrew Young School in particular because it is emerging as a national leader in urban education and research and I wanted to be part of that. But there’s a personal connection too; my uncle, John S. Wright, was Chair of Marketing at GSU for many years so it was always on my family’s radar,” he said. He is currently collaborating on research that examines the effect of the declining use of cash on street crime and drug-related deaths, according to the Andrew Young School website. “As for what I hope to bring to Georgia State, I guess the simplest answer would be my life-long enthusiasm for the criminological enterprise,” Wright said. “Crime and crime control have always presented significant challenges to the maintenance of a free society. That’s what makes the study of criminal justice and criminology so important.”

Musharraf Cyan

Bryan Bride

School of Social Work

Bride directed the School of Social Work’s Ph.D program at the University of Georgia prior to joining Georgia State. He is an expert in the field of secondary traumatic stress, according to the Andrew Young School release. He also currently serves as Editor-in-Chief of the quarterly journal Traumatology, an international journal published by the American Psychological Association.

he Andrew Young School of Policy Studies appointed 11 new faculty members this semester, according to the Andrew Young School website. Mary Beth Walker, Dean of the Andrew Young School, said the school has been fortunate to win approval for some Second Century Initiative hires. She also said that some of the new hires are replacements for faculty members who recently left or retired. “We have been very fortunate in hiring such talented researchers and teachers,” Walker said.

Garth Heutel

Assistant Economics Professor

Thomas Mroz

Professor of Economics

Mroz is a health and labor economist and his research includes economic demography, program evaluation and transition / applied economics. He has studied the economic determinants of diets in China and Russia and explored the importance of family planning programs for reducing fertility in Tanzania, according to the Andrew Young School website. His recent publications include a study of how parents make decisions about where to live and how much to work and the impacts of these decisions have on their children’s intellectual development.

Heutel studies the following: energy and environmental policy, behavioral economics, public economics, and the economics of non-profit organizations. Andrew Young’s website states his research has been published in various publications such as the Journal of Public Economics, American Economic Journal: Economic Policy and Review of Economic Dynamics. Before working at Georgia State Heutel said he was working at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro for five years. Before that it was Harvard University. “I came to Georgia State because the economics department here at GSU has some very good researchers including in my field of environmental economics and I like the city of Atlanta,” he said.

Debra Klausner

Clinical Associate Professor

Klausner has worked at Georgia State’s School of Social Work for over 10 years in various capacities, according to Andrew Young’s website. “In my new position as lecturer I will continue to teach BSW and MSW social work [to] students and serve in the role of faculty liaison to them at their internship sites in the community,” she said. Klausner also said she chose to work at Georgia State because of its diverse student body and an urban setting where there are many needs for social workers to fulfill. “My passion is mentoring students to become professional social workers who are inspiring collaborators of change with people, the policies that impact them and the communities in which they live,” she said. Klausner’s area of expertise includes program development and implementation, clinical practice and supervision in both community-based and residential private and nonprofit settings, according to the website. “[I] love what I do and that can’t get much better for a day job, can it?” she said.

Martin is a clinical associate professor in the Department of Public Management and former Georgia legislator. He also served as an elected official as a member of the Georgia House of Representatives from 19832001, according to Andrew Young’s website. “Before working at Georgia State I was a member of the Georgia General Assembly and had served as Commissioner of Human Resources for the Georgia Department of Human Resources and as Chief Legal officer of the Georgia Public Defender Standards Council,” Martin said. He has also authored and passed more than 60 pieces of reform legislation in areas such as family law, healthcare and tax policy. “I plan to bring a commitment to a quality educational experience for our students and to public service,” he said.

Nicolas Harvey

Visiting Assistant Professor

Research Assistant Professor

Musharraf Cyan worked for 20 years in public services, tax reform and development planning. He also worked in Pakistan before coming to Georgia State for his Ph.D in 2005 while working on public sector reform and policy in the following locations: Nepal, Egypt, Macedonia, Nigeria and Rwanda, according to Andrew Young School’s website. Cyan said he chose to come back to Georgia State because the Andrew Young School is well known for its international work. “I wanted to be part of this international mission,” he said. His goal is to maximize research gains that help build feasible and affordable solutions for public health systems. “I plan to bring interdisciplinary research to work in global development challenges, particularly in the area of public health,” Cyan said.

Reynold Galope

Visiting Assistant Professor

Daniel Kreisman

Muhammad Husain Visiting Instructor

Husain previously taught at Atlanta Metropolitan State University and his research interests are labor economics and development economics, according to Andrew Young’s website. He also received the Theodore C. Boyden Excellence in Teaching Economics award while teaching as a graduate student at Georgia State, according to the release. Husain is working towards his Ph.D. while he serves as a visiting instructor, according to the website.

Jim Martin

Lecturer

Assistant Economics Professor

Kreisman worked as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Michigan before coming to Georgia State and his research has been published by The Review of Economics and Statistics and the Brookings Institution, according to the release. The release states theses works have also been cited in the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. Kreisman said he chose Georgia State for an opportunity to do good research in his field with an outstanding group of colleagues. “I plan to bring new ideas for research and enthusiastic teaching,” he said.

Galope is a recipient of the Andrew Young Excellence in Teaching Award and a former Fulbright Fellow at Georgia State. His research interests include public policy analysis and program evaluation. His research has also been published in the Journal of Technology Management and Innovation and the American Review of Politics, according to the website.

Harvey is now a visiting assistant professor after two years as a part-time instructor at Georgia State, according to the Andrew Young School website. “Working at Georgia State is a homecoming for me as an alumnus. I received my PhD in Public Policy through the joint-degree program with Georgia Tech and also a Certificate in Nonprofit Management,” he said. His research focuses on understanding faith-based non-profits and their issues related to executive compensation and fiscal accountability, according to the release. Harvey said he brings expectations for himself, his department and the Georgia State community. “I hope to inspire and equip the students to have a vision for their lives beyond GSU for transformation and impact in the world,” he said.

GET BUCKS FOR BOOKS IN-STORE OR ONLINE AT

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014

University

Veterans helping veterans Volunteers at Georgia State’s veterans’ clinic MATTHEW WOLFF Staff Reporter

fter Georgia State’s veteran legal clinic opened earlier this semester, many volunteers said veterans are benefiting from its services in a multitude of ways. At the clinic, veterans can find help with domestic issues, disability claims and pension claims. Some volunteers said they are gaining experience and finding it personally rewarding to work with veterans in need. Army veteran and Atlanta attorney Steven Shewmaker is one of the clinic’s volunteers. He said during the opening ceremony on Veteran’s Day that he was glad to see long-term change in the attitude towards men and women of the armed services. “You all have volunteered to be here because you want to help veterans because something happened and you believe personally or your family cultivated in you that this is a good thing to do,” Shewmaker said. “And it wasn’t always that way.” Benjamin Lynde, student assistant at the College of Law and former Georgia National Guard member, said when a veteran calls the clinic, he asses their legal issue(s) and directs them to a student attorney and a volunteer attorney. “The program is really cool because all of our volunteer attorneys are veterans as well [as] experienced attorneys,” Lynde said. Lynde also said the clinic had been operating and seeing veterans weeks before its official opening. “We have been making sure we have the right structures in place to get aid as effectively as possible for students,” he said. “This is us officially opening our doors and letting the school know we are here.” Lynde said the mantra of the clinic is “veterans helping veterans.” Lynde said the clinic is also helping veterans with family issues, Landlord-tenant law and Veteran Affairs disability benefits. Services offered can help veterans with

“

We’re getting older every day. Some day it’ll be your turn... In counseling with veterans that have real problems, it will be beneficial in ways that will surprise you.”

- Norman Zoller, Army veteran and lawyer

domestic issues including divorce, child custody and visitation. Additionally, Lynde said he would like to help student veterans with their military service discharge upgrades. “Upgrades are sought by veterans in order to get access to other benefits that their current level of discharge does not allow for, such as VA benefits,” he said. “It’s a service that we are offering but not one that we have dealt with yet.” More than 70 law students have offered to volunteer in the clinic with the exchange of course credit. Many are also veterans, according to Shewmaker. At the clinic’s opening, Steve Kaminshine, Dean of the College of Law, said the new resource is a way for volunteers to find inspiration through representing veterans. He also said the clinic came about at the insistence of Army veteran and lawyer Norman Zoller. Zoller is the coordinator of the Georgia State Bar Military Legal Services Program. He previously approached the College of Law about opening a veteran’s legal clinic on campus and the college wasn’t ready, according to Kaminshine. However, Zoller was passionate and patient enough that when he re-approached the College of Law, the school was ready. Zoller said he is excited about the clinic and for the students that have volunteered there. “We’re getting older every day. Some day it’ll be your turn,” Zoller said at the opening ceremony. “So what you learn by virtue of taking part in this program I think will be beneficial to you for the rest of your careers and you will learn things as a part of this. In counseling with

veterans that have real problems, it will be beneficial in ways that will surprise you.” There are more than 800 veterans enrolled at Georgia State, according to Zoller. The legal clinic is the newest addition to the services offered to veterans by Georgia State. Information about the office of disability and counseling center can be found online at the Georgia State military outreach page. Student veterans can make an appointment for a consultation at the legal clinic on the College of Law website at law.gsu.edu.

PHOTOS BY RALPH HERNANDEZ | THE SIGNAL The Georgia State Reserves Officers Training Corp office has teamed up with the College of Law to create a veterans legal clinic, launched Nov. 11.

Local

National

Global

An 86 year-old Atlanta woman, Gertrude Ogletree, claimed the Georgia Lottery Jackpot of $250,000 last week, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Ogletree won the money from a holidaythemed Giant Jingle Bucks that she purchased at Riverside Chevron on Bolton Road but has yet to make any public comment about her winnings.

Florida State University alumni Myron May returned to the university with a gun and opened fire in the library wounding three people on Nov. 12, according to CNN. May was shot and killed by Tallahassee police after shooting in the unit’s direction. Police are currently investigating his motive. One student is in critical condition.

The bodies of Honduran Beauty Queen María José Alvarado and her older sister Sofía were found six days after their disappearance on Nov. 13, according to the New York Times. Maria was found on a riverbank shot twice in the back of the head. Honduran authorities have arrested two men suspected to be involved in the murders. Alvarado was crowned Miss Honduras in April.

Atlanta jackpot claimed

Campus shooting

Pageant queen found dead

www.georgiastatesignal.com/opinions

Dollars and sense with Mitch

The final countdown W

ith finals approaching, I thought it would be a great time to talk about 5 big things that happened in the financial world this semester. The world has been a busy place and it’s important to know what’s been going on. I’m here with my top 5 to help get you caught up.

MITCHELL OLIVER Columnist

Mitch is a senior finance major and student financial advisor. “My goal is to have more college students financially literate.” Leave your questions for him online at georgiastatesignal.com Follow him @madmoneyATL

#5 This tech giant had the largest US IPO ever — $21.8 billion back in September. You might not know much about this company, but it will have a huge impact in the future. This is big news for the highly skilled workforce of tomorrow, you and I included. The Chinese tech industry is a powerhouse and is quickly moving away from the “cheap labor capital” to demanding highly skilled workers from all over the country, America included. Before too long, foreign tech companies like Alibaba will be pulling talent from America in order to compete on a global scale like never before.

#2 Forget Target and JCPenny, Home Depot was under fire this semester for its security breach of thousands of customer’s personal credit card information. These breaches have resulted in large sales declines in these companies. They are scrambling to change their image before the holiday season is underway, but it might be too little too late. How companies handle their identity theft protection measures will be huge in whether they succeed or fail. Other companies are paying big bucks to make sure their security measures are able to hold up to whatever comes their way. Otherwise they’ll be in a PR nightmare like Target and JCPenney.

Yes, this is still ongoing. Tuition is still increasing by an average of 8 percent per year, according to a Forbes.com study. Thankfully we’re already here, because it’s just going to get worse for future students. This is an ongoing issue that is going to take a while to solve, but until then we can start thinking of policy changes that need to be made. While the government needs to increase the supply of affordable private loans to incoming students, there also needs to be a philanthropic push to get more grants and scholarships out there. Either way, the current system has got to change.

This is big, people. Forget human rights; the buzz this semester has been internet rights! The idea that the internet will be treated equally might sound to you like the beginning of a computer uprising, but it’s really an important ethical dilemma that we’ve been facing. Should all internet be free at the same speed? Should governments allow some providers to allow “fast lane” sites versus “slow lane” websites all based on financial incentives? These questions will continue to unravel in the coming months, but this semester the idea jumped in popularity and now has the critique of public opinion. My take? Equal internet for all, of course!

#1 Ahh, the old unemployment level. What has it been up to this semester? Well, by watching the news you would think we are reaching depression-level unemployment with all of the negative coverage of everything from job growth to the political election.

The truth, though? Unemployment has been decreasing every month since the semester started! Unemployment has reached a 3 year low of 5.8 percent as of October 2014! This is amazing news opposed to the 8.2 percent unemployment as recent as July 2012. Things are looking up and it’s great to know there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. All of this coming right when we are approaching graduation means higher chance of landing a great job out of college! So have a great finals week and know that while things might not be too great with your grades, at least the economy isn’t doing half bad!

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014

editorial

A MIA MCDONALD Columnist Mia does amateur photoshoots, maintains the title of bookworm and hangs out with friends and family.

Follow her @MiaMore09

s I wrote in my first article for this semester, I had a specific list of goals. And as finals week approaches, I find myself either checking off or crossing out those goals. I spent so much time trying to accomplish everything on my “to do list” that the first half of my senior year just flew straight past me. That’s when it hit me. Finals week isn’t only about your last attempt at a good or decent passing grade; it is a time to reflect on your semester. If you’re like me then you have some work to do. Academically you should ask yourself “Did I get the most out of each class?” We as students often rely on a test, primarily the final, to determine our success of the class. Yes, that’s an approach, but it’s not the only one. Did you actually learn anything? I’m sure you’ve crammed a lot of information in and probably

have studied a lot of notes, but have you retained any of that information? Something from each class regardless of the relevance to your major should have stuck with you. If all you did was follow the syllabus and memorize PowerPoint presentations, then you’ve failed the class. On the opposite end we have the more popular goal: the social aspect. If you went to every club, attended every party, signed up for all student organization and only lived through your Instagram pictures, then you have once again failed. While it is important to have a social life and make friends, it’s equally important to make sure you’ve balanced that life with your academics. If you can stand in line for a party that will be over in a few hours, then you can wake up and take yourself to class that’ll determine your graduation date; after all, you are paying for it.

So what is the “perfect” goal then? The answer is there’s no such thing. The goal is to find the balance between the two; a stable and sensible study schedule that allows you free time as well. My problem in the past and this semester is that I over-commit and if I’m not working on something then I’m doing something wrong. I’m way too hard on myself and I’m sure I’m not the only one. Allow yourself some breathing room. If you aren’t satisfied with your fall semester, you have another chance; spring semester is right around the corner. Don’t only note what you did wrong; recall your successes and things you excelled in. Surveying both will give you a better outlook on the upcoming semester and you’ll have a better handle. Work hard, play hard. Good luck on finals and I’ll see you in the library!

Finals week = hell week TRAJON BIBB Columnist

he time that we dread but are also excited for is coming up. And it is finals week! Now I am sure I am not the only one wondering if I should have just dropped the class I was struggling in. Instead of dropping, which I am sure you considered, you may have said to yourself, “I am going to study harder and pass these next test,” or my personal favorite: “The first test was not even worth

that much — I got the next ones.” We need to learn how to spot a sinking ship and get off board faster then the people in the Titanic movie. Now I wish I would have dropped that class because I know I am not going to come out with the grade that I wanted. I think that some people like myself do not drop the class because we have something to prove. I have come to the conclusion that we do not have something to prove. I know why I stick with a hard class. It’s because I want to prove to my friends that I

can handle it. Now finals week is coming and I am thinking, “I should have dropped that class,” and/or, “My GPA! Why would I do this to myself?!” I should have just listened to my friends and dropped my hardest class before it was too late. I always want to prove people wrong and I let my ego and pride get in the way. Now I am stressing like I am sure other people who are in my boat are doing as well. We are figuring out how we are going to pass these finals. The only thing we can do? Cram, cram, cram all night until the final, which means

we cannot hangout with our friends all the time during our week off. Sorry, it is a sacrifice we have to make if we want to pass. We need to see this hell that we brought upon us as a sign for next time. We need to listen to our friends and put our ego and pride to the side and just drop the class. Next time, ask a friend if they took the class and know an easier professor for next time. The lesson is: finals are stressful enough, and we are just going into hell when we decide to stick it out in a class we know we should have dropped.

Letter to the Editor Dear Residential Students, I am writing in response to the Signal article from October 28, 2014 entitled: Housing missing/loses director and maintenance concerns are raised. As Director of University Housing I would like to assure our residential students that facilities quality and service is a top priority for me and the staff that work in University Housing. While the position of associate director for facilities operations is currently vacant, there is staff in place to manage the areas of responsibility that were currently held by Larry Uphoff, and no area of facilities maintenance or

planning is being neglected. As mentioned in the previous article (and the Editorial), we do have a lean maintenance staff of 11 full-time employees, but we also have a staff of 19 full-time custodial employees who are responsible for cleaning of our residence halls. Both staffs do a fantastic job of addressing student concerns and managing the upkeep of our facilities. Year after year, facilities is one of the areas of service that our residents have consistently rated highly on our EBI student satisfaction survey. At the same time, we know that a small number of students do experience longer than usual waiting times on certain repairs. In these instances, we often are awaiting parts in order to complete

the work, or it may be a case in which the staff have to address larger maintenance issues first. Whatever the circumstance, we take each and every work order and facilities concern reported seriously, and want our residents to continue to inform us using our work order system. We also conduct regular inspections of our facilities and immediately develop plans to address concerns, such as washing machines and dryers that malfunction from time to time due to their constant and regular use. However, if residents feel that an issue has gone unnoticed or is taking an unreasonable amount of time to be addressed, we welcome a call to our Housing Office

at (404) 413-1800 so that we can assess the situation and provide an expected timeframe for repair or replacement. We also encourage residents to get involved in their building’s student hall council or contact the Residence Hall Association, with whom we regularly work, to provide suggestions or ideas for improvements and upgrades to our residence halls.

- Dr. Marilyn De LaRoche Director This letter is in response to the article, “Housing loses director and maintenance concerns are raised” and relating editorial published in the Oct. 28 issue.

We don’t deserve hell

he religious protesters in the University Plaza — they suck. They are extremely rude. They anger us. But that’s exactly how they’re trying to make us feel. They want to incite anger and violence within us so they can turn around and use that to drive their mission. As long as you are angry, they will continue to live and flock among us. Their presence has arguably been more and more clear and some say it’s because it has gone too far. There is a bunch of ‘he said, she said’ that one of the protesters have gotten physical with the students. But what if we are also contributing to the street preacher’s growth in numbers? Sometimes when they are on campus, you can see students and bystanders banding together and staring them down ferociously. Others confront them directly by getting in their faces. The retaliation against these protesters only adds hostility to our campus. It worries some and it makes others fearful. And that’s exactly how they want us to feel; they want us to be fearful. We need to not let that take a hold of us. We are strong and there are other ways to fight them than get in their faces. There is currently a petition going around asking that the street preachers be removed from Georgia State campus. It currently has 283 supporters. While we understand the intention and support behind that, aren’t we also infringing on the protester’s rights by shunning them away? These protesters are only allowed to be in the free speech zones on our campus. Sure, it’s our right to petition, but we would also be taking away the street preachers’ freedom of speech and assembly if we just completely remove them from campus. Taking away their right would set concerning precedents for everyone else. It would speak more if we made them stay away from campus by choice. As savvy urban commuters, we can navigate the streets to avoid the street preachers. If you’ve been on campus for a while — and it’s been a whole semester now since the preachers have been here — you may know where they tend to flock in the University Plaza, Courtland Street and anywhere near Langdale Hall -- all places where many students are passing by. Let’s allow them to practice their freedom of speech and let’s practice our own freedom of speech without infringing on them. You could, instead of walking through the University Plaza to get to class, walk underneath the plaza and go to the first floor of your desired location. By physically avoiding them, you are showing them that their presence is pretty much futile here. They won’t get to feed off your emotions which halts their movement in the protesting. Also, it’s just more convenient to navigate class and completely avoid the University Plaza rush. So now you’re staying away from all the extra downers — hostility and unnecessary traffic. It’s a win-win! If you are feeling a little more active, you can be like our peace promoters and sit in the Courtyard showing signs aimed to unite the community. Several weeks ago, we covered the efforts of one of these peace promoters named the ‘Love Samurai.’ “Either what you’re doing is out of fear or it’s out of love, whether it be for yourself or for another,” he said. One of his messages is that we are all one in this world and should accept each others’ differences — even if the person on the receiving end isn’t returning the gesture. We should show the street preachers that we aren’t hostile, that we aren’t weak, that we aren’t afraid. And that we don’t deserve hell.

CRAM SESSION

ESSENTIALS: LIVING THROUGH FINALS WEEK

www.georgiastatesignal.com/artsandliving

he countdown has begun. It is time to open our books, sharpen our pencils, and brew some coffee, because finals week is upon us. The days leading up to finals week are some of the most important of our lives. We have all managed to slide by — until now. This is when we really buckle down and prepare for all-nighters. It’s time to figure out what is good, bad and necessary to have when studying for finals.

WRITTEN BY NICHOLE PLACE

POWER SNACKS DESK TOPPERS These are the item that need to be on, under and around your desk when you sit down to study.

B o o k s /n o t e s /p r ev i o u s test study guides: Duh! These items are the base — no — the back bone of your cram session. You have to find anything and everything that has to do with the subject you are studying, especially if your final is cumulative. Even if you have to dig note cards out of the trash, you find them!

Pens/pencils/highlighters: Don’t you dare get up from that desk to “look” for

a pen. We all know that is just a lame excuse to get distracted. Be prepared and have them uncapped, sharpened and ready to go.

Laptop (HANDLE WITH CAUTION): These items are either a hit or miss. The only thing that should be pulled up on them are power points or online notes. Don’t even think about having Tumblr, Twitter or Facebook on your screen. If you do you’re just asking to fail.

Cell phones: This was a test and you have failed. If you believe for one second that you can have your phone next to you and study, you are lying to yourself and need to get help.

Most people like to eat a lot. I personally like to eat a lot — a lot. What can I say? It’s America. But when you are trying to study it’s hard to find time to cook an adequate meal, making it important to have snacks around you. Quick foods that take little to no time to make are important to have on hand. You don’t need to starve to create time to study, but you don’t need to prepare a five course meal. Here are some ideas:

1. Popcorn 2. Grapes, strawberries, apples, other fruits 3. Pretzels (get fancy and choose pretzels that have different flavors) 4. Yogurt 5. String cheese

STRESS RELIEVERS Studying is hard and can leave you with a ton of stress. Sometimes the stress can be good and will push you to study harder; but sometimes it can take a toll on you. It can really harm your health and even cause headaches. Luckily there are a few tricks to take the stress off for a little while.

Stretch: I know your butt probably hurts from sitting down for too long; so get up and stretch. Bring out your inner yoga instructor for five to ten minutes, then get back to work.

Move it around: We are not robots; there, I’ve said it! So we need to get up and walk around sometimes. Stick to just a walk around your room though. Don’t go on a ten mile hike; running away from your problems solves nothing. You can even multi task by reading your notes and walking around your room. Get that blood-a-flowing!

Study party: Being in groups can be a big help. You are able to quiz each other and learn from one another. But save the drinking for after finals week.

ILLUSTRATIONS BY EMILY LASHER | THE SIGNAL

Take these next few days to fully prepare for the week of hell you are about to endure. Take no chances when it comes to studying. You need to be on your toes for any questions that can be asked on your finals. We all know how teachers like to pretend they taught us something, but we can swear by the book that they didn’t. So drink some coffee, prepare your notes and I’ll catch you on the flip side.

GOOD LUCK!

New Year, New You

Ways to accomplish your own goals for the year

WRITTEN BY MORAYO OYEWOLE

hen the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Day, many people seek an entirely new beginning. It is time to think of resolutions for the new year. Whether it’s getting that fit

body, making bank or snagging a cute new boo thang, everyone has a list of goals they strive to achieve in the new year. Unfortunately, not everyone can stick to them. The spark started on Jan. 1 soon fizzles.

e t t e n i o A nt

Richards Junior

1.) How did you keep up with your resolutions from last year? “I just tried to be very active about it — getting together with people to go to the gym and finding ways to make it more entertaining.”

2.) What does a resolution mean to you? “Something you’re suppose to dedicate to in order to make you a better person.”

3.) What do you do to accomplish your goals for the year? “How I keep up with my resolutions from the beginning to the end of the year is constant reminders and my close friends motivating me to push through.”

4.) How do you think resolutions affect you? If you actually stick with resolutions, you feel better when you actually accomplish your goals.”

PHOTOS BY RUTH PANNILL | THE SIGNAL PAGE DESIGN BY TAMMY HUYNH | THE SIGNAL

According to Forbes.com, only 8 percent of people achieve their resolutions. These Georgia State students share their outlook on New Year’s resolutions and how they try to accomplish their goals.

Georgia State students share their outlook on New Year’s

oo w g n u o Y GIM S o ph o m o r e 1.) Do you believe in making New Year’s Resolutions? “ I do and I don’t. First of all, whenever I make a resolution at the beginning of the year I say to myself, ‘don’t worry too much.’ I think about it when I’m in a predicament. I think about the phrase ‘don’t worry to much’ and it will help a lot,” she said.

Daniel Copelan d Sophomore

2.) What were your Resolutions for 2014? “My resolutions for last year were to study hard, talk to more people and get to know them better and try to find myself within the community. In order to achieve my goals, I tried to get involved more so I could interact with people.”

3.) How do you try to maintain your resolutions through the year? “I get peer pressured so I’m going to do what people are doing around me. For instance, my friends ask me to study with them and it motivates me to want to do better.”

4.) What are your resolutions for the upcoming year? “I change my resolutions every year. For 2015, my resolutions will be to find out what I want to do and don’t be afraid to be independent. As I’m getting closer to graduating from college, I need to find what I really want to do. In order to do that, I need to think optimistically about my future.”

1.) What is your opinion on resolutions? “I think all types of goals are really healthy to have, new year resolutions especially, just because it gives you a chance to reflect on the previous year and move forward with the next knowing what you can do better.”

2.) Have you made resolutions for yourself next year? “I haven’t made any resolutions for the next year. For this last year my resolution was to go the gym more. I did because when you don’t go to the gym at all, it’s easier to go more. For this next year I really haven’t thought about it yet but it will probably be getting more involved in school; on and off-campus stuff.”

The from

Happy Holidays

New Year’s resolutions do not happen overnight. However, it is possible to accomplish your goals in the span of one year. Here are some ways to get everything you want out of 2015.

Health Resolutions Take Baby Steps Do not overwhelm yourself at the beginning. You might make the mistake of buying a gym membership on the first day of the year and then end up sitting on the couch eating a whole sleeve of Oreos three weeks later. So instead of going full throttle with a new work out schedule, take it slow. For instance, start by taking the

stairs to get to your classes. Try to exercise one to two times a week for 30 minutes. Once you’ve kept a steady routine for a month, increase your time to 45 minutes. Once you start keeping a schedule for yourself, you can record your times in an exercise log and see the results on and off the paper.

change your eating habits Do not fall into the trap of fast and easy dieting, such as fasting or taking supplements. Instead, gradually change your eating habits by cutting back on your grease consumption and replacing that with better alternatives, such as raw fruits and veggies and foods low in sodium.

Put down the late night chip. These late night snacks and meals can stagnate your progress. This can be difficult when you’re trying to pull an all-nighter for a midterm, but after 2 a.m. your metabolismslows. Stick to three square meals per day to maximize your energy.

get a buddy It is easier to accomplish a goal if there are people doing it with you. Find a like-minded friend you can buddy with to keep each other motivated to stay on track. If the gym offers sessions with personal

trainers, make an appointment with one so you know exactly what areas to focus on in your work out and not over strain yourself. Having other people believe in you makes it easier for you to believe in yourself.

Don’t fixate on the numbers Often, people fixate on the number on the scale instead of thier health. Don’t be one of them! After a workout, take a look in the mirror and give yourself a big

high five. Who cares about the scale? You did it! Be confident in yourself for going after your goals and results will come.

Signal

Social Resolutions Get Involved

The easiest way to meet more people is be around more people. Go to a club fair when the new semester begins; most clubs at Georgia State will have a table set up so you can talk to people in the differ-

ent organizations. Do not be afraid to join a club you do not know much about; it could end up being really fun. Go after clubs that align with your interests.

Step away from Technology

Yes, sometimes it may seem like a better idea to finish a whole season in one day on Netflix instead of socializing with the outside world, but you cannot do that for a week straight. Stop being a slave to social media. Unshackle yourself from your

phone or laptop for a few hours. When you are out to dinner with your friends, do not to look at your phone throughout the whole conversation. Dedicate more time in the day to making a deep connection in person, not just liking someone’s picture on Instagram.

Stop Saying No Get out of your comfort zone a little bit by trying new things. You shouldn’t necessarily go skydiving if you are not ready, but do not be afraid to try a new fun thing if someone asks you to join them.

Think about an activity you always wanted to try and do it in 2015, of course if it is completely safe and legal. This can be the year to stop making excuses.

Financial Resolutions Budget

This may be one of the hardest because most young adults are financially inept. Start at the beginning of the year and prioritize what to spend your money on. Is that new leather jacket amazing? Absolutely. Do you need it? Most likely not.

Set weekly goals of how much money you would like to spend. Having cash in hand is a better way to actually know the amount of money you have because you can keep track of your spending easier than swiping your credit card.

Write It Down

Take a minute to write down your financial goals to make them appear more realistic. When you write out the resolutions, it is easier to visualize them actually happening. If you want to save up money for Spring Break, know how much you

need to save each month in order to reach your goal. Put your resolutions on post-it notes and place them in noticeable spots such as your bathroom mirror or bedside table so you can have a daily reminder of your goals.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014

The choice is clear Planned Parenthood offers affordable health services to students SYDNEY CUNNINGHAM Staff Reporter

own the student-tenanted Piedmont Avenue, among Georgia State housing lies the Citizen’s Trust Bank building. Inside, there are different places of business on each floor. On suite 800, Georgia State students and residents have access to the Downtown location of Planned Parenthood, which offers priceless aid of various health care services to those in need. “Planned Parenthood Southeast believes in the fundamental right of each individual to manage his or her fertility, regardless

of the individual’s income, marital status, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, national origin or residence,” said Nora Spencer, Planned Parenthood’s vice president of external affairs. “We believe that respect and value for diversity are essential to our wellbeing.” With roots going back to 1916, Planned Parenthood is a nonprofit voice for pro-choice legislation advocacy, intersectional feminism, comprehensive sex education and affordable health care. At the Downtown site, citizens have been treated for 50 years. Across the country, Planned Parenthood is picketed. However, thousands of supporters and patients are what keeps Planned Par-

GET TAKEN CARE OF SIDE

NOTE

Check out the following services offered at Downtown’s Planned Parenthood:

General Health Care

LGBT Services

For all genders, the health care involves anemia testing, cholesterol screening, diabetes screening, high blood pressure screening, physical exams and more.

For many members in the LGBT community, certain resources are hard to come by. Planned Parenthood offers education and a referral for the LGBT orientated services.

Men Specified Health Care

STD Testing and Vaccines

Routine physicals for men aged 12 and older, testicular and prostate cancer screening and the testing and treatment for urinary tract infections.

Women Specified health Care

Breast exams, cervical cancer screenings, colposcopy, cryotherapy, pap tests and mammogram referrals.

Planned Parenthood tests for STDs like bacterial vaginosis, chlamydia, genital warts, gonorrhea, herpes, syphilis, trichomoniasis and more. Along with the tests, the curable ones can be treated with an offered vaccine.

Morning After Pill

For those in need of emergency contraception, the morning after pill is offered along with pregnancy test and if necessary, rape crisis counseling referrals.

Birth Control

Various birth control methods are offered, including condoms, diaphragms and the pill.

HIV Testing

To see if if you have HIV, Planned Parenthood offers referrals, education on it and the test.

Pregnancy Related Services

There are abortion and adoption referrals, pregnancy planning services and more for any pregnant patient wanting to weigh their options.

enthood strong. The Downtown location offers non-judgmental, confidential and affordable services related to sexual health and is within walking distance for students. “[The] primary benefit to a Planned Parenthood health center being located close to campus is convenience,” Spencer said. “We offer another option to Georgia State students to help them stay healthy and safe.” This year, Planned Parenthood’s Southeast locations received 753 education sessions and 18,289 patients. This may be due to Planned Parenthood’s policy, which advocates for public health and the privacy of its patients. “We believe that reproductive

self-determination must be voluntary and preserve the individual’s right to privacy,” Spencer said. “We advocate for public policies which guarantee these rights and ensure access to such services to provide educational programs which enhance understanding of individual and societal implications of human sexuality.” No matter the service and advocacy that Planned Parenthood takes out for the community, the tendentious nature of abortion clouds their image rather than highlighting it. “Abortion is a deeply personal and often complex decision. It’s best made by a woman for herself,” Spencer said. “It is her situation alone where she knows what she

needs and can accomplish. We’re not in her shoes. Only she can say what’s right for her health and well being.” And though Downtown’s Planned Parenthood does not offer abortion services, patients can go to the organization’s website at plannedparenthood.com to find a location. “Planned Parenthood staff provide a patient with accurate information about all of her options and support her in making her own decision based on what she believes is best for her health and well-being,” Spencer said. “Some people only associate us with abortion, but Planned Parenthood offers so much more.”

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014

The Atlanta movie tours

ATL’s best-kept secret Written by Jade Johnson

tlanta is becoming a boom town for films and television shows. If you go back and look at season one of The Walking Dead, you may notice a few Georgia State logos hanging around, but have you ever wondered where the other scenes of The Walking Dead were filmed? Or maybe where scenes from The Hunger Games were shot? The Atlanta Movie Tours is a company centered on just that, showing tourists and residents of Atlanta the precise filming locations of The Walking Dead, The Hunger Games, Gone with the Wind and much more. Those who purchase their tickets will be able to take a ride on a luxury bus for about 3 hours and get an in depth look at the very places they’ve seen their favorite characters in. The tour is led by a guide who knows Atlanta movie and television history. They have knowledge about what it’s like to be an extra on set, where scenes were filmed and what characters were involved in each. Patrons don’t sit on the tour bus and take pictures through the window either. There are several opportunities to get off the bus. The amazing feeling of knowing that where you’re standing is right where your favorite characters stood is better than the closeup shots you can get of your favorite scenes. Replaying the each in your head will even amp up the excitement.

What you need to know The Atlanta Movie Tours building is located at 377 Nelson St SW, Atlanta in the neighborhood of Castleberry Hill. Each tour is 65 dollars plus a 3 dollar ticketing fee and are 3 hours long. There are three different tours to choose from. First is the Atlanta Film Sites Tour. On this tour you’ll be able to see places that were filmed from movies such as What to Expect When You’re Expecting, Good Deeds, Driving Miss Daisy and some of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire spots. The Big Zombie Tour Part 1 and 2 focus on The Walking Dead locations and a little bit of Zombieland’s. During Part 1 you’ll see the downtown areas that were used as well as some spots in Cobb County. Part 2 is a tour of where they shot scenes in Senoia, Georgia. The Gone With the Wind Tour takes you to locations of Atlanta seen through the eyes of Margaret Mitchell, the author of Gone with the Wind. You’ll get a chance not only to see The Margaret Mitchell House, the place where she wrote Gone with the Wind but also see important belongings and achievements of Mitchell.

‘The Walking Dead’ courtesy of the Zombie Tour Part 1

Zombie extras in the Walking Dead are ranked from A to D. Zombies who are A’s get the best make up and more on screen time, whereas D zombies are farther away from the camera and if you look closely most zombies don’t have any make up on, just dirt thrown on them.

If you want to be a zombie extra in The Walking Dead, you probably won’t be getting paid that well. The pay is close

to minimum wage and the summers are brutal.

3 4

This is the actual shot of the CDC taken by the filmmakers forThe Walking Dead! COURTESY OF DEADLOCATIONS.COM

Q&A I was able to talk with coowner Patti Davis about the Atlanta Movie Tours and get a little more insight into the company.

How did the idea form to start The Atlanta Movie Tours?

about

QUICK FACTS

PHOTO BY JADE JOHNSON | THE SIGNAL The Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center, located in Atlanta, was depicted as the Centers for Disease Control in “The Walking Dead.”

If you look closely at the clocks in The Walking Dead, one hand will be at the 5 and the other will be at 4. The clock indicates that this is Season 5, episode 4. Zombie replicas from Dawn of the Dead, as well as 1980s horror movie props, can be found hidden throughout episodes of The Walking Dead.

Patti Davis: Carrie Sagel Burns and I decided to check out a new restaurant in town on Jan. 4, 2012 when we started discussing our mutual love of The Walking Dead. Carrie told me that when friends were in town for DragonCon, she would take them around to the filming locations. I thought that was a great idea for a business and the next day we incorporated Atlanta Movie Tours. We ran our first Big Zombie Tour on March 21, 2012 and opened to the public to a sold out tour on March 31, 2012.

When did you realize Atlanta was becoming a boom town for Films? P.D.: When we started Atlanta Movie Tours we were already connected with film crews, as Carrie is the liaison between the film crews shooting in Castleberry Hill, and the neighbors.

with Patti Davis, co-owner of Atlanta Movie Tours And we’ve always enjoyed picking out the local filming sites movies and shows we know are produced here in town. With the tax credits starting in 2002, Georgia is now just third in our nation’s filming, behind California and New York.

Out of all the tours, which one is the most popular? Why? P.D.: The Big Zombie Tours are our most popular tours right now, but our Atlanta Film Sites and Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With The Wind are gaining plenty of fans, too. You can’t deny the massive appeal of The Walking Dead, and we are giant fans, too.

How does the company find the scenes that were shot in tv shows and movies? P.D.: We watch everything we can that’s filmed in Atlanta. We have a massive database of filming locations which we have curated by watching shows and movies, folks approach us with info about filming and we’re constantly searching what’s filming where.

How do you advertise this business? How do you get

people to know about The Atlanta Movie Tours?

P.D.: When we first started, we hosted a media tour and the initial word went out. TripAdvisor has been a massive marketing tool for us. With a start up you need to get creative. We’ve engaged zombie and horror fans on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Let’s speak about your title, “Head Television Fanatic.” It’s quite ingenious; why did you choose to go with that title rather than say CEO or President? P.D.: Our business is all about fun. We wanted our titles to reflect that. My title, “Head Television Fanatic” fits me to a tee. I love television and seeing Atlanta show many programs, from Constantine, Red Band Society to Chrisley Knows Best and so many more. It’s never gets old!

Do you offer a discount for students? P.D.: We certainly do! GSU students can use promo code: PANTHERS for $5 off each ticket.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014

Lifestyle column

Event preview

The sacred stimulant

ZACH ITZKOVITZ Columnist About Zach: “I like to learn. To me, every answer is a potential question. When I can escape these questions, I play the guitar and piano—creation helps me.”

tudents who study for final exams find themselves in one of two groups: students who start early and study a bit at a time and students who start late while attempting to absorb months of class notes in a matter of hours. Faculty members should understand that many students don’t care about class concepts. Earning a degree does not take understanding nor does it require intelligence, a reality that compels students to maximize grades and minimize effort. Students display ironic focus on their noble quests for a shortcut. Cheating probably won’t work while paying someone to take the test for you is risky. What if there was some kind of pill like cheap and widely prescribed cocaine that would make studying fun and easy? I like fun and easy. Adderall is widely used to treat ADHD and narcolepsy, challenging the distractions and sleep that complicate last minute cramming. With schoolwork, I don’t procrastinate as horribly as I used to — I’d like to attribute this to better study habits or a surge of motivation and I could. However, my Adderall prescription is likely a factor. I scored this “ticket” after repeated visits to many psychiatrists over the last five years. My main complaint was and is anxiety that distracts me from clear thought and scares me into stagnation. Many people will say that you need an ADD or ADHD diagnosis to receive a prescription. However, I was never diagnosed with a formal disorder unless my psychiatrist kept this from me (I don’t think that’s the case). By increasing my focus, Adderall has helped me tremendously with eliminating (or marginally disrupting) the seemingly endless chain of silly

and troubling thoughts that I subconsciously think. When I don’t take my 20 milligrams, I’m detached and distracted from anything around me—people included. This introduces a bit of a slippery slope between use and dependence because the effects of the drug have become common to me, even expected. I don’t have any withdrawal symptoms, but when you use a substance to feel a certain way (or not feel a certain way), you can easily become dependent on it, like a crutch. Recreational use could be described as using a drug when you don’t need it. However, need is a subjective idea because some people have a higher threshold for dealing with their problems than others. The more resilient among us hesitate to label themselves in need even with intense chronic anxiety or other symptoms. The less resilient will throw around the word need flippantly. This hints at a larger problem: the inability to distinguish needs from wants. David Wallace, a personal writing hero of mine, traces the term addiction to its Latin root addicere which refers to religious devotion or sacrifice. He equates this devotion with modern addictions to culture or television in the sense that we all worship something. When I compare drug addicts suffering terrible withdrawal symptoms to religious followers prostrating in devotion, I notice the obvious physiological differences; i.e., prostration does not inhibit neurons from reabsorbing dopamine. However, they both seem to give themselves to something else. It may seem like a stretch to equate them, but is the religious person truly more independent than the cocaine user? Can the genuine religious worshiper run from God more successfully than the drug addict can run from cocaine? Anxiety and its close relative, procrastination, are mechanisms of self-defense. Studying is a stressful experience. This tricks us into associating the stress of studying with the act of studying—mistaking the solution for the problem. Stress festers into dread that catalyzes another ride around the vicious cycle. I’m no exception as procrastination seduces me occasionally. However, I don’t substitute medication for discipline. Those that do will self-destruct when they get what’s coming to them.

INGA MASIC Staff Reporter

uring the holiday season, families are always searching for new activities to do together. This year, they are able to take a magical journey through luminous foliage known as Atlanta’s Botanical Gardens “Garden Lights, Holiday Nights.” This enchanting landscape will be filled with various color schemes and an appearance of giant butterflies, a unicorn and frogs — all from imaginary worlds. There will also be a radiant rainforest and model trains to make the experience unforgettable, along with other forms of entertainment. Georgia State has the honor of hosting this year’s event on Dec. 4. Tickets go on sale Nov. 17 and will be $10 for Georgia State students and $15 for non-students. “There will be a live pop DJ. There will also be a Decoration Station for Holiday crafting as well as “make your own s’mores” kit that you can purchase and enjoy by the fire pits,” said Gene Hunter, Campus Event’s around Atlanta director. Even though this tradition hasn’t been around long, families will still find it a joyous adventure that they would be able to cherish for a lifetime.

“I hope that students and guests take away a new sense of tradition; this is not an ordinary event and not something that you can experience everyday or every holiday. This is also not your typical venue to have a show such as this (with lights and decorations),” Hunter said. What is it exactly that makes this so unique to the other holidaythemed events occurring in the city? The concept is a creative twist on the simple tradition of hanging lights, with the Gardens adding characters and story lines to the mix. The most fascinating thing about this entire experience is that the visitors are surrounded by beautiful flora throughout the venue. “I think the most interesting thing about The Gardens and the lights show is how they completely transform every aspect of The Gardens for the holidays,” Hunter said. “For example, one of the most famous sculptures, ‘The Earth Goddess’ goes from trees and flowers to a an array of bright lights.” The amazing part about this creation is that the plants within the Botanical Gardens are not the only thing “going green” — this entire event will be conducted in an environmentally friendly manner. Given the surrounding and concept of the gardens, it only seems fit. “One interesting fact about the gardens is they actually have a green aspect to the show,” Hunter said.

“They use energy efficient LED lights which are illuminated solely by the movement of electrons in a semiconductor material rather than a traditional filament,” Hunter said. The lightbulbs consume up to 80 percent less electricity than household bulbs and last roughly five years. And given the experience is at such a low cost, it won’t burn a hole in patrons’ wallets. “I definitely think people should attend this event because first, we are offering a great discount for the students as well as faculty and other guests,” Hunter said. “And it is something new that we are bringing to Georgia State and hopefully if there is a good turnout we can possibly make this a tradition every winter.” Being that this is the initial time that Georgia State will be involved with the event, students, staff, alumni and families will more than likely be more invested in attending this year. When they do, it is almost a guarantee that what they find in that vast, green wonderland will be nothing short of spectacular. “This will be my first time attending this event and I’m most excited about just seeing all the lights and watching the gardens transform into a holiday extravaganza,” Hunter said. “I’m also most excited to just see the students and guests enjoy themselves with all of the different activities that the venue has to offer.”

Got questions? WE’VE GOT answers. Why wait in line or on the phone for answers when there’s PANTHER ANSWER.

What is Panther Answer? The resource for your registration, financial aid and student account questions. How do I access it? Log into PAWS and look for the icon. When can I use it? 24/7. Whenever you have questions, you can find the answer. The system that keeps getting better. The more you use it the better it will become. Questions and answers are monitored to enhance and create new answers — all to serve you better.

ENROLLMENT.GSU.EDU

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014

ALBUM REVIEW

Taylor Swift: ‘1989’ Release Date: Oct. 27, 2014 Grade: BVerdict: “1989” is a new frontier for Swift and a muchneeded breath of fresh air into a stilted catalog. ALEX KUGACZEWSKI

Staff Reviewer

ountry music is dead. No, Taylor Swift never actually says this on her latest record, but her songs speak louder than those words ever could. Listeners expecting the pastoral hum of strummed guitars are sure to be sorely lost throughout Swift’s “1989,” a collection of songs entrenched in dance beats and soaring hooks. This shouldn’t come as a surprise though. 2012’s “Red” found Swift embracing dance and pop in earnest for the first time, but her newest record isn’t just a shallow toe-dip; it’s the headfirst plunge into the deep. If that insipid, middling album left fans worried about Swift’s artistic direction, those

fears can, for the most part, be shelved. “1989” may not be a revelation, but it’s a focused, undeniably fun way to burn 50 minutes. Speaking of focus, it’s important to note that “1989” feels like more than just a slew of singles padded together with throw-away cuts. Swift’s songwriting has never been stronger and this is clear from the first few tracks alone. “Welcome to New York,” for instance, sports an infectious, stomping beat along skysoaring vocal melodies, effortlessly launching itself through the speakers. The track works wonders as a mission statement for Swift who quickly scorches earth on her tired acoustic aesthetic. Welcome New York, goodbye Nashville. This stylistic shift might alienate the country fringe in Swift’s corner, but the tradeoff is ultimately worth it given songs as compelling as “Out of the Woods.” The ultra-sheen polish of the production lends the track a crystalline clarity that only heightens its impact as a pristine piece of throw-back pop. Tracks like this should quickly strike down any naysayer’s objections that Swift’s artistic style was better left with cowgirl boots and wide-brimmed hats. This isn’t to say that “1989” is entirely painless, because it’s not. “Shake It Off,” one of the year’s most effective singles, is almost irreparably derailed by its hilarious bridge in which

Swift pats herself on the back for her “sick beat.” It’s a shame, too, because the track is otherwise one of the album’s strongest. Elsewhere, “How You Get the Girl” feels like the last survivor of an ancient era in Swift’s career with its awkward acoustics backed by an electric, fuzzed-out bounce. It almost feels as if Swift is suffering from last-minute reservations about her thorough rebranding, unable to fully commit to her new self. These moments creep in throughout the record from time to time, but fortunately they never overwhelm. “1989” may not be one of the year’s best albums, but it’s certainly Taylor’s finest achievement to date. Abandoning her tired, rustic stylings for a refreshing trip back into 1980’s dance and pop, Swift’s latest release breathes a rejuvenating wind into a stilted catalog. More than that, it’s sure to please the fans who’ve been craving a new frontier.

FILM REVIEW

Gilroy’s debut ‘Nightcrawler’ stuns

LES SINS Michael

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ABJO Vibração Comigo (Vibe With Me) EP NOTS We Are Nots

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ABSOLUTELY FREE Absolutely Free

CLARK Clark

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DEERHOOF La Isla Bonita ELIOT LIPP Watch the Shadows

FRANCISCO THE MAN Loose Ends

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MEDICINE Home Everywhere

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Grade: B Verdict: Not brilliant but competent: “Nightcrawler” is one of the interesting offbeat stories of the year and the debut of a promising director.

Cinefest

FERNANDO MATTOS Staff Reviewer

he first images of “Nightcrawler” show a different Los Angeles. Instead of the sunny beaches and palm tree boulevards, the shots show a city surrounded by dark deserts and industries working to support the frantic urban life. What follows is a simple yet well-executed crime thriller that marks the directorial debut of Dan Gilroy (co-writer of the Bourne legacy). The story follows Louis Bloom (Jake Gyllenhaal) as he looks for ways to survive in L.A. After being turned down a job, Louis sees an accident on the highway and decides to stop. He notices a man who arrives with a camcorder to record the scene. Bloom learns the man sells his material to TV stations around Los Angeles. The episode gives Louis the idea to buy his own camera and provide videos of news events breaking during the night. Louis begins moving from crime scene to crime scene, mastering the craft of reporting during the process, and gaining money and admiration from Nina (Rene Russo), news editor of the KWLA station. The opening scenes of the film move with agility. They quickly reveal all the information necessary for each viewer to dive into the story. On the other hand, Louis’ character is never

overexposed. Throughout the film, viewers are unable to grasp the complete figure of this man. This incomplete picture sets the suspense and mystery of a story that mostly takes place in poorly lit city corners; anything can be lurking in the enveloping darkness. Gilroy’s makes a competent debut as a director in a movie featuring an inspired performance of Gyllenhaal who proves his versatility by playing a cold, selfish character - a role that little resembles the emotional Jack Twist in Brokeback Mountain for which he earned an OSCAR nomination in 2006. Gilroy provides viewers with action scenes worth watching such as the main chase sequence of the film which displays clever cuts between exterior and point of view shots that help increase the sensation of speed and danger. The scene is motivated by the plot rather than just standing in as a gimmick, resulting in a moment of actual tension and suspense. The movie never stretches far beyond what the story can sustain, avoiding the exhaustion of current high budget films. However, the crime that powers the story to its main conflict comes unusually late. The action is broken by this delay as the movie becomes repetitive at points.

This crime is a home invasion followed by double homicide that Louis captures on video. However, he chooses not to report the criminals as he plans to find them first and stage a dramatic police arrest. Louis ends up causing a shootout that injures several bystanders and a dangerous chase around downtown L.A. When the repercussions of this main conflict begin to unfold, the movie picks up the pace it had at its opening. Although it works well enough to propel the story forward to its climax, this conflict fails to stand out in a genre that has already seen some of the all-time movie classics. The developing relationship between Louis and Nina contributes to the conflict, aided by solid performances by both actors. The complexities of their characters give them plenty of material to work with and the differences as well as similarities between these two spark powerful scenes. Overall, the movie presents a strong criticism of journalists breaking the line between news and entertainment and this message is well-built into the screenplay. Thankfully, this criticism never hurts the entertainment value of a simple yet entertaining movie. And there is a undeniable value in simplicity.

GSTV and Team Fuzzibox present:

Santa vs Elves! Live Performance: Written and Directed by Casey D. Williams.

Starring: Kadeem Johnson, Joseph Aguado, Ben Aubrey, Caleb Flowers, Michael Ellison, Romel Taylor, and Santaneisha Battle

Showtimes: Dec. 6 and 7

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014

Campus & Downtown Events

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Dec. 2 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. Callanwolde Fine Arts Center Enjoy hot cocoa and caroling outdoors in the Callanwolde Amphitheater. Sing along with three local school choirs. Food trucks and cash bar available. The event is free; admission to tour the mansion is $20.

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Dec. 4 8 p.m. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre John Oliver is an Emmy and Writer’s Guild Award winning writer. His HBO show, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, presents a satirical look at the week in news, politics and current events. On his occasional breaks from television, John returns to his first love of stand-up and plays to sold out venues across the U.S.

Reimagining Ferguson: Art as Resistance

Dec. 4 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. 250 Student Center, The Multicultural Center This event will include art and media related to and responding to Ferguson, including but not limited to topics such as race, space, policing, poverty, diversity, and/or contemporary. How do you use art to make sense of what you see on the news? What artistic mediums give voice to your concerns, critiques, questions, frustrations, and anxiety?

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Dec. 3 New American Shakespeare Tavern Witness storytelling come to life in a special adaptation of the classic Charles Dickens’ play about Scrooge, the three ghosts he meets and a little boy named Tiny Tim.

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s ’ l a n g i S The s

www.georgiastatesignal.com/sports

t r o p s l l fa

here is a beginning and an end to everything in life. Sports and college are two of those things. After spending their last few years in Georgia State blue and white, senior athletes are preparing to say goodbye to their days as a Panther. The Signal had an opportunity to sit down with several athletes from fall collegiate sports to talk about their Panther careers and what they will miss most about wearing the Georgia State colors.

R O I N E SOUNDTABLE R

nson, an Joh ohnson y r B y yJ nb Writte m and Jerem u l i Ba Akiem

PHOTO BY GEORGIA STATE ATHLETICS

JARRELL ROBINSON Football

PHOTO BY BRITTANY GUERIN | THE SIGNAL

ANDREA BOOK Volleyball

PHOTO BY GEORGIA STATE ATHLETICS

LINDSAY LEONARDO Women’s Soccer

e most about What do you remember th your career at Georgia State?

out being at What will you miss most ab Georgia State?

ur Georgia How would you describe yo State experience?

First game of course. It was just a big moment for us. It was a big moment for me just being part of a team that was the first ever in the school. Honestly I can say that was the biggest moment I’ve ever had.

I think what I’ll miss most about Georgia State is being able to hang out with my teammates. I’ll miss all the really fun times we had on the road and traveling, and also conditioning with them. Going through the battles of collegiate athletics. It’s been a really great experience.

I would describe my experience at Georgia State as a positive one. I believe that being an student and an athlete has prepared me well for life after college.

What was the most memorable momen t at Georgia State? Going to the University of Washington. Traveling all the way to the west coast, going to visit Seattle. Without football, I would have never went to Seattle. So, that’s just something memorable, something that I will always remember that football and Georgia State brought me.

the most after What will you miss graduation? My teammates. I grew close with a lot of these guys over four years. Some guys who just got here maybe a year. But I met a great group of friends, guys that I know I can talk to for the rest of my life and that’s what I’m going to carry out of it. The teammates and the bond.

What would you sa y has been your mos t memorable momen t as a Panther? I think I’m looking forward to this upcoming weekend. It’s my senior weekend and we’re also battling for a spot in the conference tournament. The girls are all really excited. It’s going to be a great weekend for us. [said prior to final weekend of the regular season]

st nored prior to the la When you were ho e? lik , what did that feel on as se e th of e m ga It didn’t really hit me until that moment that this is my senior year. It’s just been such a great experience and I just felt overwhelmed by the support of my teammates and my coaches and my family being here today. It was incredible. [said after the last game of the regular season]

What would you sa y is your most memorable momen t as a Panther? My greatest moment at Georgia State was when we got a 1-0 win against Texas state on senior day this season. It was really nice that the whole team contributed in the win especially for us seniors in our last game at Panthersville. My toughest moment at Georgia State was when I got injured going up for a header. The other girl hit my eye and it busted open. I had to go the hospital and get seven stitches. I had a big black eye the next day and it was swollen shut for about a week.

s after graduation What are your plan ect your post & did the injury aff graduation plans? It has not affected my plans after graduation. I now know that they will be more achievable, because I can push through anything if I can be a student-athlete at Georgia State. After college I plan on going on leisurely runs and hopefully one day I can play in an adult league, because I love soccer.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2013 18

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014

BROTHER’S Freshman twins Alex and Max Herrmann

KEEPER JEREMY JOHNSON Staff Reporter

eorgia State’s men’s golf team has received a boost from two freshmen this fall. The twin brother duo of freshmen Alex and Max Herrmann have been near the top in every category for the Panthers so far in the fall portion of the season. The Herrmann brothers came to Georgia State from Woerthsee, Germany where both were wellaccomplished young golfers. Both have been solid for the Panthers as they have played in three tournaments during the fall season. Max has the most top-25 finishes on the team at this point in the season with three. Alex has one top-25 but also has one top-10 which is tied for the team lead. The only other top-10 finish belongs to sophomore Nathan Mallonee.

Getting started

The Herrmann brothers were both active athletically as youths back in Woerthsee. Both participated in sports such as soccer, basketball, tennis and golf. As the years progressed, so did the interest in the sport of golf until the twins decided to focus completely on golf. “Our parents, they don’t play any golf. So it was kind of during holidays when we were younger we were like, ‘Why don’t we try to play a little golf?’ As soon as we got on the driving range, we never wanted to leave it,” Alex said of how the

two got introduced to golf. For Alex, the injury risks of soccer really helped push him into golf more. “We used to play lots and lots of soccer. We loved playing soccer. But when the first injuries came we more and more got into golf. I think one injury then was a turning point for me where I was like, ‘Okay, I’m definitely going to put my focus on golf now,’” Alex said.

Sibling rivalry?

Both of the Herrmann brothers admit that despite being so active athletically, they never have ignited a sibling rivalry. In fact, the two have always just pulled for the other to do well. The brothers root for each other and see the other’s success and strive to be just as good and even better. “I really want to see him do well. Whenever he plays good and beats me I’m really happy for him. But on the other side, you don’t want to lose to him. I really want to play at the same level as him or be better. That’s my goal,” Max said. “It’s really not that much of a competition. It’s more like we want to see each other do well but do well on our own.” The brothers share a bond that allows them to push each other’s growth on and off the course. Through all the athletic competitions in their lives, the brothers have rarely competed against each other. Max recalls that one of the only head-to-head clashes between the brothers was not on a golf course

away from home or basketball court but on the tennis court. “Our dad was a tennis player so we played tennis. We had some matches against each other. Those were probably the only sports competitions that we actually competed against each other,” Max said.

A shoulder to lean on

The Herrmann brothers are not only getting adjusted to being student-athletes, but they are also adjusting to a new country as well as to life in the city. But having a brother there to go through the change with them has really helped to accelerate the adjustment and help make each other more comfortable. “Every day you have so many experiences and if you were on your own and you would have to come home and think about them on your own,” Max said. “But if you actually have someone to talk to, have a second opinion, you can kind of discuss what you experienced and maybe get a better overall picture of what has happened.” The Herrmann brothers’ bond has given them an advantage over many freshmen entering into college sports from other countries. They brought a piece of home with them to create comfort. It also helps that both are very skilled players and have another skilled player to look up to. The Herrmann twins and the rest of the Panthers’ men’s golf team will return for the spring portion of the season on Feb. 14 for the Sun Trust Gator Invitational in Gainesville, Florida.

PHOTO BY RALPH HERNANDEZ | THE SIGNAL German natives Max and Alex Herrmann add strength to Georgia State’s golf team.

Tai Chi: Meditation in motion YAO SEIDU Staff Reporter

t is just a thought. But if the practice of Tai Chi — the most popular morning exercise in the world — were added to Georgia State’s men and women’s athletic program, it is possible that athletes would be healthier and discover a new sense of balance that adds agility and strength. There is a warning here. Tai Chi is difficult to learn and master, but scholars, physicians and researchers all swear there are many health, medical, physical and psychological benefits. The exercise, described as “mediation in motion” by the Chinese among its population of 1.35 billion people, is known to strengthen, stretch, balance and coordinate the integration of the left and right halves of the body with the body core and its extremities. “Tai Chi is a very particular kind of exercise that impacts the internal organs rather than the muscles themselves,” said Tyler Purner, 23, a computer information systems student. “It’s not an easy class and requires a lot of homework.”

The art in motion

Georgia State students — non-athletes — who take Tai Chi classes twice weekly through the Department of Physical Therapy only imagine the benefits that university athletes could achieve if exposed and trained to this Eastern exercise that includes choreograph movements and positions, some lasting 45 minutes. Purner, no newbie to the long, continuous exercise, said, “I’ve seen Tai Chi previously. I never imagined that it would be this difficult. I didn’t know there was so much focus required to maintain balance and shifting your weight in the correct way. It is a workout.” During this fall semester, Purner claims to have benefited from “improved balance and coordination” and has no plans to stop practicing Tai Chi. “These are great skills to have. I would absolutely recommend this class to others, primarily for health benefits. I’m taking the class because I have a heart condition and I am hoping that Tai Chi — in time — will help strengthen it.”

The form at best

Tai Chi differs from a workout at the spa or gym in that the movements are usually circular and never forced. The muscles are relaxed rather then tensed; the joints are not fully extended or bent. Tai Chi is easily adapted to anyone from persons using wheelchairs to those recovering from surgery. “It’s important to introduce Tai Chi at the university level,” said Fumin Xue, who teaches the single class of ‘Tai Chi: Therapeutic Exercise’ at Georgia State. Xue, 50, born outside Shanghi, China, is also the executive director at the Taichihitos’s Health Science and Culture facility. He practices alternative medicine and came to Georgia State as a visiting scholar at the University’s Center for Integrative Healthcare Research. Xue says Tai Chi has cured his 10-year stomach illness over the years. “In China, it is common knowledge that this traditional exercise relieves chronic conditions, but that’s not well-known in the West,” he said. “Before the research studies and clinical trails

in America and European medical facilities, the Chinese people knew that Tai Chi improves balance control for older adults; is good for cancer treatment, heart problems, fitness and wellness and is good for almost all of the chronic conditions.”

A lifestyle for a journey

Marjorie Bennett, a family nurse practitioner from Marietta says Tai Chi is something she can incorporate in her fitness routine for the rest of her life as Tai Chi trains her mind. “Professor Xue says [our difficulties] are related to that part of our brains that are changing and that is how Tai Chi works on our nervous system,” she said. “It is sort of reprogramming the synaptic in our brain to talk to each other a little bit better to help our memory to focus.” Bennett says Tai Chi is almost like an aerobics or dance class with academic and didactic aspects integrated into the art. “You have to keep up; it has been a challenge,” she said. “But one that has been worth the undertaking.”

PHOTO BY YAO SEIDU | THE SIGNAL Instructor Fumin Xue leads the ‘Tai Chi: Therapeutic Exercise’ class at Georgia State.

For the full version of this story, visit www.georgiastatesignal.com | Key search terms: Tai chi, exercise, health

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2013

PANTHER OF THE WEEK

STAFF PREDICTIONS GUEST PICK OF THE WEEK Student Picker

GEORGIA STATE ATHLETICS

GEORGIA STATE Dec. 3 Georgia State

Brianna Jones Volleyball

In what was a hard-fought match on Nov. 21 at the Sports Arena vs. the Troy Trojans, Brianna Jones provided the game-winning kill in the fifth and final set as the Panthers completed a 5-0 run down 14-11 to defeat Troy 16-14 in the set and 3-2 for the match. Jones had eight kills overall for the match in addition to a hitting percentage of .538 as the Panthers clinched a Sun Belt tournament berth. Before arriving at Georgia State, she played her high school volleyball for Dunwoody High, where she also played basketball. Jones would then play for Pfeiffer University in North Carolina beginning in 2012. That season, she placed third on the team in the kills category with 153 in addition to 35 blocks. She put in 26 out of the Falcons’ 66 kills in a match against Limestone for a school record. Earlier this year, the junior transfer put in a seven-kill performance against Georgia Southern at home for the team’s first win at the Sports Arena in 2014.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

vs. Kennesaw State

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL NATIONAL Dec. 6 U Conn vs. Notre Dame

Travis Smith

Class: Senior Major: Film and Video

STAFF:

vs. South Alabama

Akiem

SUN BELT Dec. 6 Appalachian State vs. Furman

Jeremy

NATIONAL

GEORGIA STATE

Bryan

Dec. 6 Gonzaga vs. Arizona

Dec. 7 Georgia State

Jared

GUEST PICK: Travis

Volleyball

Georgia State was eliminated in the first round of the Sun Belt tournament in San Marcos, Texas after being defeated by host school Texas State in straight sets. Kristina Stinson led the Panthers with nine kills. The season ends with a record of 10-20 along with a 8-12 record in Sun Belt play.

Women’s Basketball

The Panthers finished as the runnerup in the Georgia State-hosted Thanksgiving Tournament at the Sports Arena. The team defeated Samford 61-56 before losing to Liberty by a final of 7371. Instrumental in the Panthers’ loss to Liberty was rebounding, as Georgia State was outdone 46-24 on the boards.

Men’s Basketball

SUN BELT Dec. 6 Middle Tennessee

THE FINAL SCORE

vs. Morehead state

The team won the final three games of its portion of the CBE Hall of Fame Classic as they defeated Chicago State, Western Carolina, and Oakland. Georgia State then topped IUPUI 66-63 in what was a homecoming for head coach Ron Hunter and his son, junior guard R.J. Hunter. On Saturday, Nov. 29, Hunter put in 27 points against the IUPUI Jaguars to lead the Panthers to victory.

Softball

Head coach Roger Kincaid had announced that the team had signed six newcomers in the early signing period. They are Lexi Bates, Amanda Chance, Ambria Derry, Remington Hasty, Arden Jobe and Reagan Morgan. Bates and Derry are infielders. Chance is a pitcher. Jobe plays the catcher position while Hasty and Morgan both play outfield.

Sun Belt Standings STANDING

VOLLEYBALL

1st

UALR 20-0 | Overall: 28-5

2nd

Arkansas State 15-5 | Overall: 21-10

3rd

Texas State 15-5 | Overall: 23-12

4th

UT Arlington 14-6 | Overall: 25-9

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10 7:3OPM

5th

Appalachian State 11-9 | Overall: 21-10

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6th

UL Lafayette 9-11 | Overall: 20-13

7th

Georgia State 8-12 | Overall: 10-20

8th

South Alabama 7-13 | Overall: 12-19

9th

Georgia Southern 6-14 | Overall: 7-23

10th

UL Monroe 3-17 | Overall: 9-24

11th

Troy 2-18 | Overall: 10-22

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