Issue 11 | Volume 105

@TheColonnade

@TheColonnade

The Official Student Newspaper of Georgia College & State University bobcatmultimedia.com

April 30, 2025

Single Copies Free

Wallows headline GCSU’s annual spring concert Mary Ciucevich A&L Editor

Matthew Malkowski | Digital Media Editor

GCSU hosted its annual Spring Concert with band Wallows headlining alongside openers Medium Build and Battle of the Bobcats winner, Subatomic. The concert took place at the Centennial Center, with doors opening at 7 p.m. and music starting shortly after.

During Homecoming week, students voted from a long list of artists on who they wanted to perform at the 2025 Spring Concert. The list consisted of artists like

Are personal essays rigged?

Role Model, Neon Trees, T-Pain and many more.

The concert’s artists, officially announced on the Friday of homecoming week, were to be Wallows and Medium Build. Tickets were sold at GCSU The Den for the low price of $20 each.

Wallows is a popular indie boy band fronted by Dylan Minnette, famous for his role as Clay Jensen in the Netflix show “13 Reasons Why.” The band has popular hits like “Are You Bored Yet?” featuring Clario, “Remember When,” “Pleaser” and “Calling After Me.” With the doors open-

ing, students who were eager to see Wallows had the opportunity to score barricade spots directly in front of the stage.

For those who did not wish to stand the entirety of the concert, there was seating available on the sides of the pit area.

GCSU’s very own Subatomic opened the night with performances of original songs and concluded their set with “Where Is My Mind” by the Pixies.

Cole Smith, a sophomore psychology major and guitar player in Subatomic, detailed what the band tends to lean

See WALLOWS | Page 6

high school, and you are sitting down

missions to see you have what it takes.

to write your personal essay for a col-

Maybe that’s the problem. There’s

lege application. You’ve heard all the

no formula for what works. No mag-

stories about parents, siblings, fam-

ic theme that guarantees accep-

sulted in me going to a speech therapist.”

hearing was real, yet it was inspirational to others. The goal of a personal essay is to have a takeaway and come out of it inspired, so why was she denied her first-choice school?

“I originally wanted to go to UGA, but did not get in. I think even if I did get in with my personal essay and other factors, I am glad I am here at GCSU and was accepted with those factors in this case because I fit better at a school like GCSU than UGA anyway,” Paulk said.

ily members and friends, but you

tance, so why do some heartfelt,

Paulk’s story about her journey to

See ESSAY | Page 8

Molly Goff

want to be different and stand out.

Opinion Editor

When you search online for more inspiration, you’re stumped. You want

OPINION

In

recent

memory,

Picture this: it’s your senior year of

your essay to have personal meaning, but to sound eloquent enough for ad-

unique essays still result in rejections?

towards when it comes to the covers they play or where their inspiration for originals stems from.

“I think when it comes to covers, we kinda just play grunge kind of music and that’s where our inspiration for a lot of our music comes in,” Smith said. “I know Will [bass guitar player] and I take a lot of inspiration from a band called Julie [..] and indirectly from Julie we get some Smashing Pumpkins, Sonic Youth and maybe a little Slowdive.”

“My personal essay was about my journey to hearing,” said Callie Paulk, a freshman elementary education major. “It took me some time to speak as a kid, so in turn my parents taught me a little bit of ASL [ or American Sign Language] until I learned how to speak.

Even then, I was still struggling because I could not hear correctly, so I learned how to say words incorrectly which re-

2025 NFL Draft Navigating on-campus housing Brennan Schmitz Sports Editor The 2025 NFL Draft concluded on Saturday, April 26, with several surprises for football fans.

The first round went as many fans and experts predicted it would.

With the No. 1 overall pick, the Tennessee Titans selected former University of Miami quarterback Cam Ward.

Ward started his college career at the University of the Incarnate Word as an unranked prospect. He then transferred to Washington State University, where he turned heads before transferring to Miami for his final year to make one final case to NFL teams, which turned out to be a strong one.

The next choice was generally agreed upon to likely be University of Colorado Boulder wide receiver/defensive back and 2024 Heisman winner Travis Hunter, and it was, but not to the team that originally held the second pick.

Before making their choice with the No. 2 overall pick, the Cleveland Browns traded spots with the Jacksonville Jaguars, a team that thought Hunter was too good a prospect to let go to another team.

With Ward and Hunter off the board, the New York Giants selected former Penn State University edge rusher Abdul Carter with the third pick. After a dominant regular season and playoff run with the Nittany Lions, Carter seemed like a no-brainer and the best player available.

The Giants would also pick former University of Mississippi QB Jaxson Dart with the 25th pick, a player that teams seemed to like but not many saw being picked in the first round. Dart will likely have time to sit and learn behind recent veteran signees Jameis Winston and Russell Wilson before taking over New York’s offense.

See DRAFT | Page 4

NEWS | PG. 2

RFK JR. AND FLOURIDE WATER REMOVAL The U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services has called for the removal of flouride from public water.

What to know about traditional dorms vs GCSU’s West Campus Madi Hummel Staff Writer First-year housing may seem like a difficult task for incoming freshmen to navigate.

GCSU wants to help alleviate the stress by providing new students with detailed information about housing and a smooth transition into college life.

There are seven residence halls on campus: Adams, Bell, Foundation, Napier, Parkhurst, Sanford and Wells. There are also apartment-style residence halls, called the Village Apartments, on West Campus.

Bell Hall is the designated Honors College residence hall and is the only dorm out of the seven on-campus halls located on main campus. The other six residence halls are all located in the southwest corner of central campus, on W Greene St. and near the Centennial Center.

It is roughly a 10-minute walk from the six central campus dorms to the main campus, and there are

Matthew Malkowski | Digital Media Editor

GCSU West Campus Village Apartment Living Room

bus stops located along W Greene St. that shuttle students throughout the GCSU grounds.

Anabel Kissel, a sophomore mass communication major, lived in Foundation Hall during her freshman year and regularly walked to and from class.

“It’s one of the furthest dorms on central campus, but the walk wasn’t bad at all,” Kissel said, “And if the weather was bad, I’d usually hop on the bus.”

There are generally two students in a room in the central campus residence halls. Bell Hall is unique in that it offers rooms for three students.

All of the central campus

dorm rooms are suitestyle, meaning there is a bathroom in between two dorm rooms that four students share.

While the dorm halls are co-ed, there are no co-ed suites, and the bathrooms are shared by students of the same gender. Each bathroom suite has a main room with two sinks and a large mirror, a room for the toilet and a room for the shower.

“Having multiple racks in the shower room helped the four of us keep our products organized without having to tote things back and forth,” Kissel said. “I recommend getting racks that hang on the backs of doors.”

All of the residence halls have their laundry rooms with several washing machines and dryers that students must pay to use. There are also communal spaces, like study rooms, multi-purpose game rooms and large kitchen areas within each hall for the students to enjoy.

The Village Apartments, located on West Campus, are located two miles west of central campus, off Highway 441. The West Campus Village Apartments are within walking distance of the Wellness and Recreation Center and intramural sports fields.

See HOUSING | Page 2

SPORTS | PG. 5

ARTS & LIFE | PG. 7

OPINION & MISC. | PG. 11

IN DEFENSE OF TENURE

Since the 1950s, this single-seater racing competition has captivated evolved into a gloabl phenomoenon.

Tenure is a protective teaching posistion typically appointed after five to 10 years of service.

FRESHMAN YEAR DO’S AND DON’TS

FORUMLA 1 IN THE UNITED STATES

Take it from someone who has been there and done that.

2 SHADIMON SMITH, NEWS EDITOR RYLEE HOLLAND, ASST. NEWS EDITOR

04.30.2025

NEWS HOUSING

“It was great,” Johns said. “We would alContinued from page 1 ways hang out in the living room, and we beThe Village Apart- came like a little family.”

Both the central and ments of West Campus are more of an apart- west campus residence ment-style residence hall halls include similar compared to those of cen- amenities in each room: tral campus, with the op- full-sized bed frame, tion of a four-person unit dresser, bookshelf, desk or an eight-person unit. and chair. Each room Each unit in the also has a lockable closet for each student.

West Campus first“One thing the dorms year housing complex don’t have that I’d reccomes equipped with ommend bringing is an a fully furnished liv- air purifier,” Morse said. ing room and a kitchen “Everyone had them.” with several amenities.

Those planning on livAri Johns and Sum- ing in the West Campus mer Morse, sopho- residence halls should be more biology majors, advised that the complex lived in the Village is not within a reasonApartments during able walking distance their freshman year. of the main campus,

but given the distance and location, there is a bus system that runs out of West Campus for students’ convenience.

“I chose to have a random roommate and it worked out great for me,” Kissel said. “I filled out a questionnaire and got matched with a girl pretty soon after.”

Incoming first-year students should complete their housing application forms by May 1 of the year they will start attending. The housing application gives students the option of choosing between central and west campus dorms and preferred residence halls.

Students are also able to confirm their desired roommates through

the housing application or fill out a short questionnaire to be assigned a random roommate.

“The sooner you complete the application, the faster you get paired with a roommate and find out what dorm you’ll stay in,” Kissel said. “Don’t wait until the last minute.”

The Central Campus and Village Apartment rates for the 2025-26 school year are available for viewing on the GCSU university housing website.

For both central and west campus residence halls, utilities are included in the rates.

After first-year students complete the steps to live in the residence halls, the fi-

nal step is moving in.

The main move-in dates for the 2025 fall semester first-year students are Aug 1 -14.

Ellen Gunji, a sophomore art major and community advisor in Foundation Hall, will be one of the many helpers guiding new students during move-in.

“Move-in can get a little hectic, but there are always people ready to help,” Gunji said.

The Cat Crew, a group of GCSU volunteers, acts as movers for students who need help getting their belongings into their new dorm rooms.

“The Cat Crew helps out a lot,” Gunji said, “They are only at the residence halls in the

The truth about fluroide in our water Brianna Heard Staff Writer

For decades, local governments across the United States have added fluoride to drinking water to help reduce cavities and improve dental health. Today, nearly two-thirds of Americans have access to fluoridated water, often credited with lowering the rate of tooth decay, especially in children.

Water fluoridation was first introduced in Grand Rapids, Mich., in 1945, after studies showed that children who drank naturally fluoridated water had fewer cavities. The practice quickly spread across the country, supported by decades of research.

But recently, the conversation around fluoride has shifted. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy has publicly called for the removal of fluoride from public water systems, citing concerns over the potential effects

of long-term exposure.

“We don’t need fluoride in our water,” Kennedy said on Morning Edition. “It’s a very bad way to deliver it into our systems.”

Following his statements, some states have begun to take action, moving toward bans on water fluoridation and raising concerns among health professionals and educators.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, community water fluoridation can reduce cavities in children and adults by about 25%. It’s also been recognized by the CDC as one of the ten great public health achievements of the 20th century.

Some critics argue that fluoride, when consumed in high amounts, could lead to negative health effects, including dental fluorosis, which is a mild discoloration of teeth and potential longterm risks, though those claims are still debated in the scientific community.

Still, the fluoride levels used in drinking water are carefully regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency and are considered safe by organizations like the American Dental Association.

Others point to con-

Kitchen Sink

cerns about informed consent, arguing that individuals should have the right to choose what substances they consume, even in small doses. These concerns, paired with growing

VOLUME 105 | NO. 11

Editorial Board

Delaney Derry................. Editor in Chief Paige Blakemore............ Managing Editor Julia Jensen...................... Art Director Shadimon Smith............ News Editor Rylee Holland................. Asst. News Editor Brennan Schmitz........... Sports Editor Benjamin Clark............... Asst. Sports Editor Mary Ciucevich............... Arts & Life Editor Kennedy Welker.............. Asst. Arts & Life Editor Molly Goff......................... Opinion Editor Isabella McComis.......... Digital Media Editor Matthew Malkowski..... Digital Media Editor Rebecca Ocampo.......... PR Manager Kassie Arps....................... Ad Sales Manager Scott Dillard..................... Faculty Adviser

*All Opinion columns are the opinion of the columnist, not of The Colonnade.

skepticism about government-regulated health practices, have pushed the debate further into the public spotlight.

Among students on campus, awareness and opinions about fluoride in drinking water vary.

“I had no idea that fluoride had been added to drinking water,” said Meredith Peyton, a junior psychology major. “I’m not really sure what fluoride is, and I feel kind of uneasy about

it being in my water.”

However, Georgia Barham-Taylor, who is a junior biology major, did not have concerns.

“I personally am not against adding fluoride to the water,” Barham-Taylor said. “However, I do understand why it causes worry in others.”

According to Roselyn Crisp, president of the North Carolina Dental Society and a pediatric dentist, eliminating fluoride could have the most noticeable impact on underserved communities, particularly those with limited access to routine dental care or who may not be able to afford fluoride toothpaste and treatments.

Without fluoride in the water, preventative dental care may become less accessible to large portions of the population, potentially leading to a rise in cavities, tooth extractions and other oral health issues, especially among children and older adults.

“I think it is perfectly fine that the government

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mornings, though, so make sure to come early.”

After move-in days, students will get acquainted with GCSU and their new dorms.

Each residence hall has multiple community advisors, or CAs, on duty at all times.

“As CAs, we’re here to help the freshman,” Gunji said. “We put safety first, but students can come to us about pretty much everything and we are happy to assist them.”

As the next school year approaches, GCSU is overall excited to welcome new students to campus.

decides what is added to our drinking water,” Barham-Taylor said. “As long as these actions are backed by legitimate scientific data and the public remains informed.”

As more states like Florida, South Carolina and Ohio weigh the decision to keep or ban fluoride, the debate is far from over. For now, experts urge students and the public to stay informed and look at the science before jumping to conclusions.

“The U.S. isn’t known for doing well when it comes to public health,” Peyton said. “ However, it is important for the government to have control over what is in our water as they have more knowledge about it than the general public.”

In the end, the future of fluoride in public water might just come down to finding the right balance between science, personal choice and what feels right for each community.

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3 SHADIMON SMITH, NEWS EDITOR RYLEE HOLLAND, ASST. NEWS EDITOR

04.30.2025

NEWS

Georgia announces tuition rates for Fall 2025 Amelia McEwen Staff Writer Georgia tuition rates during the fall 2025 semester have been announced, revealing the usual relatively stable rates, with out-of-state and international tuition rates

slightly

increas-

ing at some institutions.

Online

and

in-per-

son

semester-based

fees will rise at certain Georgia

institutions

and will fall at others.

State legislatures at the University System of Georgia, or USG, have worked

continuously

to keep tuition affordable for undergraduate students in the state of Georgia by integrating scholarships,

such

as

HOPE and Zell. These scholarships play a pivotal

role

higher

in

keeping

“I attend in-person

Georgia State Univer-

dents. Out-of-state and

classes at UGA and the

sity is continuing to keep

Technology is expected

sophomore

international students do

fee increase doesn’t seem

stable tuition and fee

to raise its Master’s online

major at GCSU. “I don’t

not contribute to the tax-

like much of a difference

prices, aligning with the

tuition by 8%. Addition-

understand why the tu-

es being paid in the state

ally, the online fees went

ition prices make a dif-

and therefore, are met

from $107 to $440 per se-

with higher tuition rates

mester. This is the largest

ference based on schol-

to offset their lack of con-

increase across the USG

tribution to the taxes.

system for any program.

Though most in-state

Although these fees may

undergraduate students

be rising, Georgia Insti-

will see no change in

tute of Technology has

tuition,

institu-

some of the most afford-

tions expect changes in

able online programs in

other programs for the

the country, highlight-

upcoming fall semester.

ing Georgia’s dedication

According to USG, the

to affordable education.

26 public colleges and

Various other insti-

universities will see a

tutions, including the

some

2% increase in out-ofstate tuition and a 3% increase for international students concerning undergraduate

studies.

These changes reflect ongoing investments in campus facilities, student services and digital learning platforms, en-

af-

suring that colleges in

fordable for Georgians.

Georgia maintain their

These

education

tuition for in-state stu-

efforts

align

with USG’s mission to ensure that higher ed-

standings as respectable academic

institutions.

Students at the Univer-

Julia Jensen | Art Director

Georgia

Institute

University

of

of

North

Georgia, Clayton State

to me,” said Helen Mc-

overall goal of the USG.

Laughlin, a junior psy-

“Keeping tuition rates

chology major at UGA.

stable is a relief for my

“When I look at other

family and me,” said

colleges outside of the

Keira Jones, a sopho-

state of Georgia, I hon-

more marketing major at

estly feel kind of bad be-

Georgia State University.

cause their tuition is so

“It shows that the state

much higher than ours.”

is really prioritizing ac-

McLaughlin empha-

cessibility for education,

sises how expensive it is

and it gives students

to go to college in other

like me one less thing

states. Georgia works es-

to stress about while fo-

pecially hard to keep tui-

cusing on our studies.”

still a conversation about

University Valley,

and

Fort

should

expect

to see fees rise as well.

Mandatory fees for students at Georgia College and State University, or GCSU, will be reduced slightly, allowing each student to save $2 every semester. Even though there are monetary savings at hand, there is

said Sarah Waldron, a sociology

arship. My family pays taxes and contributes the same amount as other people to the state.”

Waldron

highlights

her struggle, which many other students can relate to. She questions the fairness of tuition rates being influenced by scholarship eligibility,

particularly

when her family contributes equally to the state’s tax system. Her concern is parallel to how equitable it is for the financial burdens placed on students based on their academic

experience.

As of now, Georgia tuition rates continue to stay moderately stable overall, with fee increases for certain programs at certain schools. As Georgia moves forward educationally, the tui-

ac-

sity of Georgia, or UGA,

This tuition stabili-

how equitable tuition is

tion prices remind stu-

cessible to keep Geor-

tion rates down, and even

will have their overall

ty ensures that students

in the state of Georgia.

dents and parents of

gia an educated state.

with a slight increase in

fees rise from $708 to

fees, many students don’t

can focus on their ac-

universities

$729. Additionally, on-

see it as a very large ob-

ademic

rather

HOPE scholarship right

affordability

in the state receive state

line undergraduate fees

stacle, considering the

than financial burdens.

now, and I’m experi-

demands of a thriv-

funding, which lowers

will go from $11 to $422.

circumstances of others.

On the other hand,

encing a bit of trouble,”

ing education system.

ucation

Public

remains

goals,

“I

don’t

have

the

the

balance

between and

the

U.S. - China trade war Hope Martin

Coate, a professor of po-

ment of economics and

Staff Writer

litical science and public

finance. “In this case,

administration. “I don’t

there is a threat of a re-

can relations strain after

know

economist

cession. I don’t think it’s

245% tariffs are declared,

who supports the idea

inevitable by any means

leaving many wonder-

of a uniform trade war.

because the US econo-

ing how this will shape

The way he has rolled it

my is very resilient, but

the American and glob-

out has been a disaster.”

firms aren’t going to hire

al economy in the com-

In American markets,

or expand in uncertain-

the S&P 500 fell more

ty. Even if the trade war

than 20%, something

ends, I worry that Can-

called a bear market,

Chinese and Ameri-

ing months or years.

125% of the tariff is reported to be reciprocal, 20% is to address the fentanyl crisis and 7% to 100% is a Section 301 tariff, according to the United States White House Fact Sheet. Section 301 tariffs refer to any additional tax applied to imports from nations that the U.S. feels vio-

any

President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping

America First Reciprocal

facturers flooded Tik-

international

ada and the EU have

Trade Plan,” the White

Tok and Instagram to

about. It’s being able

and signifies an aggres-

decided to just change

House does not seem

“expose” how American

to get a quality prod-

sive downward turn of

their trading patterns.”

to plan to back down

goods are being made.

uct at the best price

a market – similar to a

When the tariffs were

on tariffs anytime soon.

The volume of Tik-

you can get it. That’s

trade

is

bear’s claw swipe. The

incorrectly

announced

Blanket

tariffs

are

Tok videos urging us-

what our laissez-faire

S&P 500 had its worst

to be paused, the S&P

mutually

harmful

to

ers to source products

free trade is all about.”

week since COVID be-

500 soared 9.5%, though

all countries involved.

directly from Chinese

gan in 2020 and crashed

the index is still below

the

global

economy.

The sudden downturn in global and es-

fac-

factories rose by almost

all

what it was before the

ulty showed wariness

250% during the week

terested

tariff

over

the

and

of April 13, according

from

their

possible

effects.

to the New York Times.

announcement.

While

the

White

Students

and

Students

tariffs

pecially American mar-

House has implied their

“He’s destroying the

kets has made many

tariff plan is well-liked

This decision comes

people scared of a re-

after a universal sweeping

seemed in

disinbuying

manufacturers.

“I’m not sure I would

who

buy from the manu-

human rights promotion

have been exposing the

facturers,” said Barbara

and supported by econ-

of

every-

real cost of goods push for

Durr, a senior art major.

cession or depression.

omists, the actual matter

thing that the past re-

Americans to buy direct-

Many news outlets

tariff initially announced

“Generally speaking,

seems to be more debat-

publican presidents have

ly from the factory, but

also suggested Amer-

to be 10% on all coun-

I think people are too

ed. With titles like “Pres-

stood for,” Coate said.

it’s unclear how truthful

icans buy major pur-

tries, but has steadily ris-

pessimistic about reces-

ident Trump’s Bold Trade

Due to the high tar-

some of the accounts are.

chases, such as phones

en due to rising tensions.

sions,” said J.J. Arias, a

Action Draws Praise”

iffs and tension between

“It depends on the

or cars, now. GCSU fac-

“The tariffs are totally

professor of economics

and

Grows

China and the U.S.,

quality of the products,”

ulty and students rec-

ridiculous,” said Roger

and chair of the depart-

for President Trump’s

many Chinese manu-

Coate said. “That’s what

ommended the same.

late fair trade practices.

“Support

democracy,

Manufacturers

over-

4 BRENNAN SCHMITZ, SPORTS EDITOR BENJAMIN CLARK, ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

04.30.2025

SPORTS DRAFT Continued from page 1 With the 15th pick, after taking an offensive approach in recent first rounds, the Atlanta Falcons selected former

selected University of

one of the most highly

Oregon QB Dillon Ga-

touted high school re-

briel in the third round.

cruits of all time and who

Being the son of NFL

saw lots of success in

legend Deion Sanders,

college, was not drafted

Sanders has been under

ishing the season 31st

the spotlight for his en-

in sacks out of 32 teams,

after the quarterback.

Quinn Ewers, who was

State University, Shedeur

Jalon Walker. After fin-

player who could get

ter the team had already

at Colorado and Jackson

rusher/linebacker

the Falcons needed a

of Texas at Austin QB

who also coached him

University of Georgia edge

round by the Browns af-

2025 NFL Draft Logo

lege

football

season.

the fourth round and

go in the first round.

“I loved the Falcons’

University of Wisconsin

Ward was the first

tire college career, and his draft experience was no different. However, even though the entire

until the seventh round by the Miami Dolphins.

The Ohio State University QB Will Howard and Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard, the two signal callers who competed for the 2025 national

draft,” said Dylan Lewis,

offensive tackle Jack Nel-

a senior marketing ma-

son in the seventh round.

jor. “Our defense was ter-

Coming off of so

rible last season, and it’s

many talented QBs such

a pretty big reason why

as Jayden Daniels, Caleb

we didn’t live up to what

Williams, Bo Nix and

we were supposed to.”

Drake Maye being se-

Rounding out their

lected in the 2024 draft,

selected former Univer-

draft class, the Falcons se-

it would be tough for

sity of Tennessee edge

lected University of No-

this year’s QB class to

second, third and fourth

Other QBs who were

rusher James Pearce Jr,

tre Dame safety Xavier

compete, but there was

rounds went by with-

highly praised through-

free agents or make an

a prospect with No. 1

Watts in the third round,

a consensus that Ward

out him being picked.

out their college careers

impression

overall evaluations go-

Oklahoma

University

and Colorado QB She-

dropped

with

ing into the 2024 col-

DB Billy Bowman Jr. in

deur Sanders would both

Atlanta’s front office continued to show commitment and aggression in improving the defense by trading with the Los Angeles Rams for the 26th pick, where they

player off the board, but Sanders experienced a major backslide. Many were in shock that the first night of the draft ended without his name being called. There was even more shock when the

Eventually,

Sanders

was chosen in the fifth

football world watched him

wait

for

longer

than many thought he would to be picked, he took his selection by the Browns with ex-

title, were not drafted until the sixth round by the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts, respectively.

College players who

citement and an eager-

were not drafted have

ness to get on the field.

a chance to sign with

low

in

the

draft as well. University

teams

as

undrafted on

scouts

workout

invites

to rookie minicamps.

The 2025 NBA Play-In starts off the playoffs Bryan Cohen

enth and eighth seed

score from the begin-

Contributing Writer

game faced off against

ning, outscoring Atlanta

the winner of the ninth

32-17 in the first quarter,

and tenth seed game.

and continued to pile on

Finally, the winner of

after the fact, with the

the seventh and eighth

final coming to 120-95.

seed contest plays against

A 26-point perfor-

the winner of the middle

mance from point guard

game, which is between

Cole Anthony fueled the

the loser of the seventh

Orlando offense in his 20

and eighth teams and

minutes of play, as the

the winner of the ninth

win over the Hawks in-

and tenth seed teams.

stantly clinched a playoff

Due to the Orlando

position for the Magic.

Magic clinching their

On the other side, the

division, they instead

first west-coast battle be-

faced the ninth-seeded

tween the Grizzlies and

Atlanta Hawks, rather

Warriors was a bit clos-

than the eighth-seed-

er. However, a 31-25 first

ed Miami Heat. The fi-

quarter in favor of Gold-

the Heat have ended

phis Grizzlies, looking

potential Cinderella ap-

nal, and tenth seed of

en State helped give the

the Bulls’ season in the

to bounce back after

pearance in the NBA

the Eastern Conference,

Warriors just enough to

Play-In

Tournament.

the loss to the Warriors.

playoffs,

were the Chicago Bulls.

overcome the Grizzlies.

The Mavericks were the

Beginning with the

bounced back from its

game

first of the lower-seed-

Eastern Conference con-

loss to the Warriors.

The National Basketball Association Play-In Tournament started on Tuesday, April 15. The Play-In

Tournament

is the NBA’s version of Major League Baseball’s and the National Football League’s Wild Card.

However,

this

new

addition to the NBA’s playoff bracket is very different

from

conventional

the setup.

In its first appearance, during the 2019-20 season, if the eighth and ninth seeds were within four games of each other, the two teams faced off in two Play-In games.

If the eighth seed

On the other side

A

38-point

Trae Young

as

Memphis

wins the first game,

of the sport, the Gold-

from trade-deadline ac-

ed teams to dethrone

test between the Heat

they advance directly

en State Warriors and

quisition Jimmy Butler

their higher-seeded op-

and Hawks, neither team

eastern side, the Miami

to the next game. If the

Memphis Grizzlies sat at

and a 37-point perfor-

ponent, as they took

was willing to give up the

Heat are down 3-0 to the

ninth seed wins the first

the seventh and eighth

mance

all-time

down the Kings 120-106.

fight, staying even with

Cleveland Cavaliers, who

game, it will advance

seeds in the Western

Warrior Stephen Cur-

Dallas played off of a

an 86-77 score in favor

were the one-seed in the

them

second

Conference, respective-

ry gave the Warriors

dominant 44-19 second

of Miami entering the

conference, and the Or-

round and the winner

ly, while the Sacramento

the momentum for the

quarter, and solid per-

third quarter. However,

lando Magic are just

of that contest will move

Kings and Dallas Mav-

win

formances from trade

with the clock ticking,

behind the defending

on to the next round.

ericks finished off the

deadline

acquisition

Trae Young landed a

champion Boston Celt-

to

the

from

over

The

Memphis.

Miami

Heat

Currently,

on

the

entering

playoffs’ standings as the

quickly put an end to the

Anthony Davis with 27

layup to force overtime.

ics in their series, 2-1.

the 2020-21 season, the

ninth and tenth seeds.

Chicago Bulls’ season on

points and Klay Thomp-

Nevertheless, the Ty-

On the opposite end,

NBA Board of Gover-

The first two games

Wednesday, April 16, as a

son

nors made a significant

bega with the Atlan-

career game from guard

Friday, April 18, held

continued, bringing his

Thunder walked through

change to the layout.

ta Hawks taking on the

Tyler Herro, which de-

the final Play-In con-

point total on the day

the Memphis Grizzlies,

and

Magic in Orlando, Flor-

tailed a 38-point per-

tests with the hot Miami

to 30, as Miami out-

sweeping the series 4-0

eighth seed teams, and

ida, and the Memphis

formance, as the Heat

Heat facing the Atlanta

scored Atlanta 17-8 in

and the Golden State

the ninth- and tenth seed

Grizzlies taking on the

outscored

Bulls

Hawks, looking to stay

the overtime period to

Warriors are currently

teams, opened the Play-

Golden State Warriors

39-28 in the first quar-

alive after the tough

clinch a playoff spot.

the only Play-In team

In with contests against

in Oakland, California.

ter, and 109-90 overall.

loss to Orlando, and the

The Grizzlies put up

with a series lead, as they

each other. Following

In the first game, the

This is the third con-

surprising Dallas Mav-

an amazing performance

lead the series against the

this, the loser of the sev-

Magic ran away with the

secutive season in which

ericks facing the Mem-

to end the Mavericks’

Houston Rockets 2-1.

However,

The

seventh

the

with

23

points.

ler

Herro

dominance

the

Oklahoma

City

5 BRENNAN SCHMITZ, SPORTS EDITOR BENJAMIN CLARK, ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

04.30.2025

SPORTS

Formula 1 in the United States Benjamin Clark Asst. Sports Editor The symphony of roaring V8 engines has captivated American audiences for decades. NASCAR has dominated the American racing scene since its inception in the late 1940s, as the sight of bumper-to-bumper action on oval tracks has defined American motorsports. NASCAR has its roots deep within Southern culture and its all-American driver base; however, in recent years, a new force has begun to gain serious traction from across the pond: Formula 1.

Once considered a niche take on motorsports in the United States, F1 has experienced a sharp rise in popularity in recent years. This growth has been fueled by a mix of marketing, globalism and breakout representations of the sport in American media.

Ford vs Ferrari, Drive to Survive and many other beloved movies and TV shows have increased American awareness towards European racing. Now, with three Grand Prix events on American soil — Miami, Austin and Las Vegas — F1 is no longer

just a European novelty.

It’s becoming a fixture in U.S. sports culture.

“I started paying attention to Formula 1 be-

What truly sets the Miami GP apart is the electric atmosphere. Unlike traditional motorsport venues, Miami trans-

ami Grand Prix is also a major win for the city.

In its debut year alone, it generated an estimated $350 million for

ences and show what the future of the sport might look like in America.

What sets F1 and NASCAR apart is not the lo-

Formula 1 Race Car

cause it felt like the modern version of NASCAR,” said Cooper Treaday, a junior business administration major. “The fact that car brands compete and push the limits of design is really cool for me.

The movie [Ford v Ferrari] definitely sparked my interest in F1 because it showed that racing isn’t just about speed — it’s about innovation.”

The Miami Grand Prix, in particular, has become a spectacle.

Held around the Hard Rock Stadium, the event blends speed with notoriety, drawing A-list attendees and hosting extravagant VIP events.

forms its race weekend into a full-blown festival. The main attraction is in the incorporation of celebrities, athletes, musicians and influencers in the everyday events of the weekend.

The track itself is a 3.36-mile street-style circuit with 19 turns and long straights that encourage overtaking, something that often lacks on tighter F1 courses. It offers a mix of technical challenge and speed, with races frequently defined by how players use the two in tandem.

From an economic standpoint, the Mi-

the local economy and attracted more than 240,000 attendees over the race weekend. Local businesses, hotels and restaurants thrive during the event, each having special deals and later hours to accommodate the influx of F1 tourists.

For F1 as a brand, Miami represents a perfect storm of American appeal — sunshine, celebrity, speed and spectacle.

It contrasts with more established circuits where tradition and history dominate. Instead of this, Miami is flashy, fun, and forward-looking, presenting a race designed to engage newer audi-

cation or the ambiance, but the experience. NASCAR typically features a longer event on an oval track, with heavier close-contact racing, pit strategy, and endurance.

The cars are all stockbased with little to no modifications and are relatively similar in design.

By contrast, F1 presents a global engineering arms race, with 20 drivers, 10 teams and 20 uniquely designed cars all created by the world’s most renowned automotive dealers.

Each car is built for speed, not endurance, with designers pushing the limits on aerody-

namics and innovation.

“I’ve always been a huge NASCAR fan,” said Sean Harrison a freshman history major. “I grew up watching it with my family, and there’s just something about the tradition and the close racing that feels like home to me. Lately, I’ve started getting into Formula 1 too. It’s very different, like the strategy with the pit stops, the different types of tracks around the world, and the whole atmosphere.”

Culturally, NASCAR commands a deeply loyal audience, especially within the American South and Midwest. Its appeal is through accessibility, as it remains cheap for casual fans and families to partake in its grassroots charm.

On the other hand, F1 markets itself as an elite global racing experience, with the barrier for entry being much higher, both in terms of ticket cost and understanding the sport’s intricacies.

The rise of F1 has brought renewed attention to motorsports in general. Some NASCAR fans are becoming dual enthusiasts, appreciating the tactical finesse of F1 alongside the gritty drama of stock car racing.

Caitlin Clark is changing everything for the WMBA Lily Reynolds Contributing Writer Caitlin Clark’s arrival in the WNBA has transformed women’s professional basketball into a mainstream entertainment property and valuable business component. After being first pick overall by the Indiana Fever in the 2024 WNBA Draft, Clark’s professional debut attracted over two million viewers across various platforms, making it the most-watched WNBA contest in over two decades and setting an all-time viewership record for WNBA broadcasts on ESPN, according to a recent report by ESPN. “Caitlin really made me get into watching basketball to begin with in her college era,” said Cristina Ledford, a junior public health major.

“I never really paid attention to the WNBA before Caitlin getting drafted.”

The draft itself drew an unmatched 2.45 million viewers, quadrupling the previous record from 2004 and representing a 328% increase from the previous year, according to the same report by ESPN. Her first ABC appearance in Indiana Fever colors continued this trend with 1.7 million viewers, following with the highest-rated WNBA game in the network’s history.

This rise in popularity has built solid business outcomes across the league. League merchandise sales have soared 236% year-over-year, with Clark’s jersey becoming a top seller.

For the first time, three franchises, the Las Vegas Aces, Dallas Wings and Atlanta Dream, announced complete sellouts of their season tickets as fan interest reached uncommon levels.

Clark leads an exceptional rookie class alongside other popular college stars such as Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso of the Chicago Sky and Cameron Brink of the Los Angeles Sparks. Collectively, they are driving unprecedented interest in the league.

Clark, Reese and Brink rank among the top five in jersey sales during the season’s first week, reflecting their immediate commercial impact.

Clark’s commercial impact has increased beyond ticket and merchandise sales to profitable endorsement deals, as highlighted by a reported $28 million Nike contract. Having already acquired over $3 million in endorsements during her collegiate career, Clark now ranks among the most commercially valuable female athletes in sports, establishing new standards for sponsorship potential in the WNBA. The timing of Clark’s arrival has also been advantageous, filling an important vacancy in the sports calendar

and

transforming

women’s

Indiana Fever Guard Caitlin Clark

viewership climbing 21% in 2023 to

Toks that came up on my feed of all

reach its largest audience in over 20

of her 3-pointers and the comments

years and attendance hitting a 13-year

all talked about how good she is.”

high. Clark’s presence has dramatically

Known for her deep shooting range

accelerated this momentum, helping the

and exceptional passing skills, Clark

WNBA establish itself as the superior in

earned multiple national player of the

the growing women’s sports movement.

year awards before ending her college ca-

During her four years at the Univer-

reer with a loss to South Carolina in the

sity of Iowa, Clark consistently excelled,

2024 national championship game. Her

averaging between 26.6 and 31.6 points

collegiate career equipped her with the

per game while maintaining strong

technique and experience necessary for

shooting percentages. In Feb. 2024, she

her professional journey in the WNBA.

became the all-time Division I women’s

“We’re

scoring leader and broke Stephen Cur-

big

here,”

ry’s NCAA single-season three-point-

missioner

building said Cathy

something

WNBA

Com-

Engelbert.

er record, among other milestones.

With Clark leading the way, the

enue and engagement opportunity

“Last year, when Caitlin Clark was

WNBA is continuing to strengthen

during a traditionally quieter period

at Iowa, that’s when I saw her and

its position within the sports world,

for women’s sports entertainment.

who she was because of TikTok,” said

creating new possibilities and set-

Even before Clark’s arrival, the

Emma Measley, a freshman business

ting higher standards for the future

WNBA was experiencing growth, with

major.” Her fans would make Tik-

of women’s professional basketball.

basketball into a more valuable rev-

6 MARY CIUCEVICH, A&L EDITOR KENNEDY WELKER, ASST. A&L EDITOR

04.30.2025

ARTS & LIFE WALLOWS Continued from page 1 As the winner of Battle of the Bobcats, a GCSU music competition that took place earlier this year, the band was given the opportunity to be an opener for the concert.

“When we finished the whole Battle of the Bobcats process, I don’t think any of us were really expecting us to win just because there were a lot of great bands there,” said Kat Vassileva, a sophomore environmental science major and guitar player of Subatomic. “So when our name was

called, it was more like an ‘Oh my god’ is this real-type moment and then I think we were all just really excited.”

The concert’s second opener, Medium Build, opened the show by discussing his own experience growing up in Georgia and his encounters with GCSU in the past. Medium Build is an indie/alternative band with popular songs like “Never Learned to Dance,” “Crying Over U” and the collaboration with Boygenius member Julien Baker, for their song “Yoke.”

“I thought they [Subatomic and Medium Build] were really cool,” said Odeya Atar, a sophomore biology major. “I had never seen either of

A case for tenure

Days,” “Sun Tan,” “Uncomfortable,” and newer songs like “Bad Dream” and “I Don’t Want to Talk.”

Highlights of the night include Cole Preston, the drummer of Wallows, calling GCSU “Georgia State and College University.”

The concert concluded with “Are You Bored Yet?”, the most popular and wellknown song out of Wallows’ discography.

“Fabulous, fabulous, you know I’m just happy if y’all [students] are happy,” said Cathy Cox, President of GCSU. “And everybody seemed to have a really good time.”

professors,” O’Riordan said. “However, I don’t think it’s generally used that way, and there are some tenured professors who should be fired.”

Wellborn believes that what he calls ‘professor complacency’ happens when faculty who’ve achieved tenure status are not rewarded for continuous productivity and progress due to a lack of enforcement in incentivizing reward policies.

According to Welborn, the lack of rewards for fully promoted positions has to do with the systemic issue in higher education that misallocates funding and resources on administrative window-dressing and recruitment rather than long-termemployedfaculty.

“It’s this larger systemic ill that generally accounts for faculty complacency, either through burnout or lack of motivation, but which is often erroneously blamed on tenure,” Welborn said.

For Welborn, tenure and promotion have been extremely motivating factors in his professorship. The financial stability and security of the position have allowed him to pursue continuous research in his fields and engage in creative teaching practices that would have oth-

erwise been prevented.

“Beyond my faculty role, it has empowered greater public engagement and social activism grounded in my research areas of expertise to inform public dialogues about history and social issues, without fear of reprisal from institutional or political authorities,” Welborn said.

While there are doubts within the student population surrounding the benefits of tenure to the university, students agree that it is a necessary position for job security.

“A positive to tenure would be that a professor who receives tenure can not be fired in response to recent legislation being passed and the current political environment,

including the removal of DEI,” O’Riordan said.

Langston, who has had negative experiences with tenured professors in the past, also understands the importance tenure holds to the university.

“It protects job security in regards to free speech and DEI,” Langston said.

While tenure is a position professors can take advantage of in less than ideal circumstances, it is first and foremost a position that is essential to academic freedom. It is a safeguard against tyranny, whether it’s intellectual, political or cultural.

“Tenure is an essential part of that crucial aspect of real liberty in a truly free society,” Welborn said.

GCSU’s summer plans

the summer, I’m going to

cation Bible School for

go home and give tennis

kids in Romania and

A break with a purpose?

lessons, coaching some

just sharing the Gospel

kids at home,” said Ra-

there. I’m really excited.”

chel Black, a freshman

Campus organizations

Biology major and mem-

like the Baptist Colle-

ber of the Women’s ten-

giate Ministry provide

summer is a time for all students to make a difference in their communities, wherever they are.

“It’s a time away from school a little bit, just to go out into the world and really put in the brightness, the skills that we learn at school,” Black said. “I think it’s important to not only do those in the school environment but to also branch out and to do this wherever, if that’s Romania, if that’s in your hometown, if that’s at your job, wherever that is over the summer.”

From studying and working to traveling and serving, this summer is a time for students to grow, give back and discover more about the world and about themselves. Whether far from campus or close to home, the months ahead offer more than just a break, but also an opportunity to take what has been learned and live it out.

Kennedy Welker Asst. A&L Editor Tenure is a protective teaching position typically appointed to a professor after five to 10 years of teaching and continued research, publication and service to one university that offers invulnerability to terminations except under extraordinary circumstances.

Originally created to safeguard free speech, tenure allows professors to teach in ways most suited to them, express opinions, conduct research and publish works that might otherwise have been prevented or delayed by copious amounts of oversight.

Many students have expressed concerns regarding tenure, how it can lead to professor apathy and negatively affect the classroom long-term, while others agree it is an important aspect of free speech in the university setting.

James Welborn, associate professor of history, was tenured and promoted in August 2021, marking August 2025 as four years of tenure status. Welborn will go up for a promo-

Kate Walker Contributing writer With finals just a few weeks away, students are making plans to get the most out of summer break – whether through vacations, summer classes, mission trips or jobs.

According to the Registrar’s Office, the last day of final exams for the spring semester is May 9, and the first day of classes for the fall semester is Aug. 18, leaving about three months for students to relax, study, work or travel.

Rebecca Whitten, a freshman education major, plans to divide her summer between work, summer classes and vacation, aiming for a balance of rest and productivity.

“I’m taking three classes this summer online, I’m working as a summer

tion to full professor in the next academic year According to Welborn, GCSU has a similarly rigorous tenure and promotion process to peer public higher education and liberal arts institutions.

In the field of history, tenure and promotion require multiple article-length publications or credit for other forms of publication, such as conference presentations of public history work. GCSU does not emphasize book publications as requirements, though they are encouraged and fully credited.

Wellborn believes in general, tenure is beneficial to teaching and student engagement as it incentivizes continued professional development that improves student learning experiences and outcomes.

Wellborn himself claims his classroom has evolved partly due to his tenured status, but mostly as a result of his passion for being a great professor.

“Good teachers evolve as needed when necessary, sustaining what continues to work, discontinuing what perhaps once worked but no longer does, and

camp counselor and I’m also going to the beach for a week,” Whitten said GCSU offers a wide range of summer opportunities and activities for students to participate in, including online and in-person classes, study abroad programs and department-led trips overseas. The university’s select choral ensemble, the Max Noah Singers, is scheduled to travel to Europe in June to perform in Berlin and Prague, and to participate in the Notes of Harmony: Berlin Choral Festival.

“I’m super excited, a little nervous because it’s my first time going out of the country,” said Sophia Tritto, a sophomore elementary education major and choir member. “But I’m more excited than anything,

continually seeking out more effective and efficient means of maximizing students’ success in the classroom and beyond,” Welborn said.

Tenure provides faculty with professional and financial security, but is also essential to fully realizing academic freedom. It enables faculty to continually explore and evolve as lifelong learners and as educators.

“A truly committed teacher never stops learning and instills that lifelong yearning for learning in their students, regardless of subject or discipline,” Wellborn said.

One of the problems many students have with tenure is that it is a position that professors can obtain to take advantage of, as there is no longer a risk of termination except under extraordinary circumstances. Olivia Langston, a junior English major, shares this opinion.

“Tenured positions are in general respected, but when they’re taken advantage of, they’re taken advantage of to the fullest extent,” Langston said.

Ciara O’Riordan, a junior nursing major, also shared similar thoughts on tenure “I see the potential of using Tenure to protect

them perform, so I was really looking forward to it. I even told my friend I had to go early because I’m gonna be in the pit and watch them perform.”

Shortly after the opener’s sets, Wallows made their way to the stage, opening with “Anytime, Always,” then transitioning to “Scrawny.”

“I thought it was absolutely insane that we were able to get such a cool experience for such a low cost too,” Atar said. “I’m more of a casual listener, but it was so awesome. Like, what do you mean Wallows was in Milledgeville? This was incredible.”

Wallows’ setlist consisted of older songs like “Quarterback,” “These

and I’m just grateful to have this opportunity.”

Tritto noted that summer break is the perfect time for students to travel to other places and countries, applying their liberal arts education to explore diverse cultures and communities.

“Students going to other places besides where they’re from or what places they’re used to can bring about a lot of cultural benefits, they can truly understand how other people might live,” Tritto said “It’s just an amazing learning opportunity, and you can make amazing friendships on trips like this too.”

Whether students are returning to their hometowns or heading abroad, summer offers a chance to put the skills and knowledge gained at college into real-world practice.

“For the first part of

Julia Jensen | Art Director

Julia Jensen | Art Director

nis team. “Then at the

students with opportu-

end of the summer, I’m

nities to travel and serve

going to get the chance

others during their sum-

to go through BCM and

mer break, as students

Send Me Now to Roma-

may not have the time

nia, so I’ll be there July

or resources to travel af-

13-30. I’ll spend two

ter they graduate. Black

weeks there doing Va-

emphasized

that

this

7 MARY CIUCEVICH, A&L EDITOR KENNEDY WELKER, ASST. A&L EDITOR

04.30.2025

ARTS & LIFE

CELEBRITIES IN SPACE

thing to say, but there

ing the Earth 48 times.

are so many other things

Sally Ride was the

that are so important

first American woman

in the world right now,”

in space, flying on the

Arguments surround-

Space Shuttle Challeng-

ing the price of eggs and

er in 1983. During her

living have continued to

mission, she operated

be a topic of conversa-

the robotic arm to help

sources went into put-

tion with the space mis-

deploy

ting these women into

sion. The main argument

was

researcher

surrounding the amount

science education and

and civil rights activist

of money celebrities like

inspiring young wom-

Amanda Nguyen and

Perry spend when the av-

en to pursue science.

film producer Kerianne

erage person is struggling

“It sounded cool at

Flynn went to space for

to afford basic items.

first, having an all-fe-

approximately 11 min-

“It is ridiculous,” said

male crew go to space,

utes on April 14. This

Camille Tobey, a sopho-

especially with Katy Per-

trip has garnered back-

more mass communica-

ry, who you would never

lash from other celeb-

tion major. “I don’t think

think would go to space,”

rities, fans and others

that celebrities should

said Shira Funk, a soph-

about the trip’s necessity.

waste money on point-

omore

“I did not appreciate

less trips to space when

science major. “But the

people are starving in

more I think about it, it

the world. They should

would have been more

have put that money to

empowering

something more useful.”

had done something to

While Perry and her

help the planet instead

crew claim to be the

of making it worse.”

best thing for “wom-

The crew’s trip to

en in STEM,” plenty of

space was marketed as

strides have been made

a step forward for fem-

for women in this field.

inism, but several peo-

“What are they do-

Soviet cosmonaut Val-

ple have seen it as a step

Sarah Barnhart

aboard Bezos’ Blue Or-

til the day of launch.”

Perry on TikTok, con-

Staff Writer

igin rocket that crossed

While Perry and the

demning her space flight.

the boundary of space

rest of the crew hoped

“Look at the state

and gave them a few sec-

that this all-women voy-

of the world and think

onds of weightlessness.

age to space would result

Viral videos and pictures

in nothing but positivity,

about how many re-

of Perry experiencing

the women and men of

Pop star Katy Perry, Gayle King, Jeff Bezos’ fiancée Lauren Sánchez, former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, bioastronautics

Katy Perry’s trip to space,”

Blue Origin’s all-female space mission crew

satellites.

passionate

She about

environmental

said Chloe Butts, a junior

weightlessness

while

the internet are furious.

theatre major. “I thought

holding a flower have

All over the social

it was very out of touch

garnered much attention.

media app TikTok, peo-

and bizarre. I did not feel

“I feel super-connect-

like it empowered wom-

ed to love,” Perry said

about the damage done

en. It definitely was an us

in an interview with the

to the world with this

vs. them, the rich can go

BBC shortly after land-

11-minute trip to space.

to space, while working

ing. “I think this expe-

Each passenger on a typ-

families are struggling

rience has shown me

ical space tourism flight

to afford groceries. An

you never know how

of 11 minutes emits at

11-minute space voy-

much love is inside of

least 75 tons of carbon

ing?” Munn said in an

entina Tereshkova was

back. While their inten-

age does not justify the

you-how

into

atmosphere.

interview days before

the first woman in space

tions seemed pure, many

resources and damage.”

you have to give, and

Model and actress Em-

the take-off. “I know this

in 1963, completing a

women saw this as noth-

The six women were

how loved you are, un-

ily Ratajkowski slammed

probably isn’t the cool

three-day mission, orbit-

ing but a publicity stunt.

much

love

ple

are

the

complaining

space.”

Ratajkowski

said in a TikTok video.

“For what. What was the marketing there?”

Actress Olivia Munn also made her opinion known on social media via an Instagram post.

if

they

Making student housing a home-away-from-home

Tips in comfort and organization Allie Smith

just have a designated space for ev-

Staff Writer

erything. As elementary and obvi-

As the fall semester approaches, incoming freshmen and returning students alike are preparing to turn their on-campus living into a place that feels more like home. Wheth-

ous as that may seem, it’s important to really sit down and decide where you are going to keep certain things.”

Decorating for the holidays is a way students add seasonal joy to

er with their own personal style or

their on-campus living experience.

organizational hacks, students are

Putting out mini pumpkins in Oc-

finding ways to make their dorms

tober or a small Christmas tree in

both

comfortable.

December, or a floral wreath on the

Many students living in the tradi-

door in the spring is a great way to

tional dorms or West Campus apart-

make the holidays on campus special

ments focus on multi-purpose furniture

and make campus feel more homey.

and smart storage to keep their places

Students on a tight budget often

cleaner and tidier. Storage bins placed

shop at thrift stores, dollar stores,

make dorms feel more unique and

agree that small efforts go a long way in

under the bed and collapsible crates

and create DIY projects to decorate

custom to students’ personal styles

making the transition easier for them.

are common organizational techniques

their dorms and apartments. Other

Personal touches, organization and

used to maximize limited space, which

stores that are popular are TJ Maxx,

without violating housing policies.

communication with roommates are

is a key aspect necessary for comfort.

Ross, Amazon and even TikTok

“I own fairy lights and a lot of ran-

key to having a homey dorm on cam-

“Finding containers to fit my stuff has

shops, which are relatively affordable.

dom light-up signs that in the eve-

functional

and

helped, along with trying to keep only

“I

shop

anywhere

that

has

Courtesy of José Geneao

ning keep my apartment cozy and warm,” said Jailey Ferrer, a sopho-

pus or at the West Campus apartments.

“I have cat-themed decorations

what I really want with me,” said Mallo-

what I am looking for, but most-

ry Jones, a freshman accounting major.

ly Amazon and Target,” Jones said.

Storage bins under the bed, rolling

Pinterest and TikTok have be-

carts and collapsible crates are just a

come popular sources for inspira-

few of the budget-friendly tools that

tion for those seeking affordable but

students use to maximize their space.

cute decorations for dorm rooms or

Labeling bins and coordinating colors

apartments. Many students see or-

munication is just as important as

also help students maintain a sense

ganizational hacks and must-haves

personal creativity. It’s recommend-

of order without sacrificing style.

for dorm rooms that are perfect for

ed to set clear expectations between

From tiny decor to pieces that

The Huffpost article “How to Keep

creating a home away from home.

roommates early and discuss plans

work as both storage and decora-

Your Dorm Room Organized” stat-

Even small details like removable

together

surprises.

tion, students prove that even a small

ed: “Perhaps a more general rule for

wallpaper, artwork or peel and stick

While moving into a dorm can of-

shared living space can be trans-

keeping your room organized is to

tiles for the desk or dressers help

ten feel overwhelming, most students

formed into a home away from home.

more mass communication major. “I also have pictures of my boyfriend and family hanging around so that I feel like they are still there with me.”

For students sharing a space, com-

to

avoid

any

because I have four cats at home, so having fictional cats by my side keeps me cozy and reminds me of them. My apartment is also Hello Kitty themed, meaning my soap dispenser, my shower curtain and bath mat, practically everything and that just brings so much joy to my life,” Ferrer said.

8

MOLLY GOFF, OPINION EDITOR

04.30.2025

OPINION ESSAY

My personal essay for

say may be the deciding

Continued from page 1 college admissions was

factor if all other as-

story

about how my mom was

pects of their applica-

es-

my biggest role model.

tion are on the edge of

say. It was about find-

Although if the admis-

being accepted or not,”

ing the right place - a

sions counselor reading

said Ellen Sabo, a soph-

school

accepted

the essay just lost their

omore middle grades

her not just for her sto-

mom, that could create

education

ry, but for her potential.

a subconscious bias you

factors such as GPA or

question

would never know about.

standardized test scores

lingers: Why didn’t her

After taking away my

aren’t strong enough,

story, filled with empa-

own bias that admissions

they may look deep-

thy and strength, give

only takes students with

er into the essay and

her a competitive edge?

the “best sob story,” I re-

personal experiences.”

The answer may be

alized what it is all about.

The college appli-

can’t

Your application to col-

cation process is over-

ethically compare one

lege shows a counselor

whelming. Seniors jug-

person’s adversity to an-

who you are and wheth-

gle SATs, ACTs and a

other’s. Everyone fac-

er you would be a good

future that feels too big

es different struggles,

fit for their university.

to grasp, and while stan-

college can feel like

dardized tests quantify

free-falling into a whole

performance, a person-

new world. But take it

Her just

about

that

Still,

that

and

the

wasn’t her

admissions

comparing

pain

is a dangerous game.

“I feel personal as he’s

Ultimately, about

it’s

beating

not

some-

one else’s hardship or

got to have some special

writing what you think

spark to them,” said Ju-

colleges want to hear.

lianna Valcheff, a soph-

It’s about being brave

omore music and mass

enough to be honest.

communication double

“I do not feel like per-

major. “Whether that

sonal essays are rigged, I

be a really great intro-

feel like you have to be

duction that entices the

really good at describ-

major.

“If

My freshman year do’s and don’ts Molly Goff

Sometimes that’s a room-

freshman year, I would

Opinion Editor

mate, other times it’s the

heavily recommend it

professor who holds ex-

since it made my expe-

tra office hours. Don’t be

rience so much more

afraid to ask questions

enjoyable and fulfilling.”

- you’re not supposed

Clubs aren’t just re-

to know everything yet.

sume builders - they’re

DO try new things

where you’ll meet people

— even if you’re unsure.

who share your passions

“A great freshman year

and stretch your per-

is going a little bit out of

spective. Don’t miss out.

your comfort zone, not

DON’T skip the tra-

enough to be scared but

ditions - they matter

life

enough to make memo-

more than you think.

changes, it can be scary,

ries,” said Molly Giusti, a

“My one thing I say

but you learn so much

sophomore elementary

is a must during your

about yourself and oth-

education major. “Fresh-

freshman year is to go to

missions officers see

ers,” said JoJo Garland,

man year is all about

midnight breakfast,” Gi-

our

the

a freshman mass com-

running around the resi-

usti said. “It is the perfect

same way we do — as

munication major. “You

dence halls laughing with

finals week break, and

carefully curated re-

realize you can really

your friends over noth-

just the atmosphere is so

do whatever you want

ing, going to the max,

exciting, which can be

to and that’s awesome.”

talking to that person

hard to find at that time

in class, making friends

of the year. My biggest

to become, and not as

That realization is freeing and a little in-

at the week of welcome,

advice is to get a group

performances, not just

timidating, but there are

joining that club or orga-

together and wait in the

as attempts to impress,

ways to make your first

nization, and saying yes

line for the shirt and

but as stories that show

year more manageable,

to as much as you can

food, you won’t regret it.”

meaningful and even

but making sure you still

Yes, the line is long

magical. Based on my

take time for yourself

and you have a paper

own

and

and your school work.”

due, but those small

advice from upperclass-

Getting good grades

They’re the ones that

men, here are a few do’s

matters, but so does

show strength, heart,

and don’ts to live by.

taking a chance on that

al essay humanizes it.

For many, the essay is a final opportuni-

The

transition

to

from someone who’s made it to the other side — with a little guidance, your freshman

ty to show who they

year can be one of your

are beyond numbers.

life’s most exciting and

It’s where authentic-

transformative

ity, vulnerability and voice

matter

most.

My hope is that ad-

applications

flections of who we are and who we hope

truth, not just trauma.

The best essays aren’t always the saddest.

Julia Jensen | Art Director

Isabella McComis | Digital Media Editor

and a desire to grow.

reader. Or that can be a

ing/painting the picture

I think that ‘sob sto-

great topic that makes

for the reader,” Valcheff

ries’ are what people

the reader have a lot

said. “Because admis-

think colleges want to

of emotions. it doesn’t

sion counselors do not

have to be a sob story

“Our

times.

whole

experience

DO support

moments

are

what

you’ll remember most.

DON’T

isolate.

your

one campus event or

DON’T

system.

awkward icebreaker in

DO be kind to yourself.

build

overextend.

“Having a great sup-

class.

Growth

doesn’t

There will be hard

port system while in

happen

when

you’re

days. You’ll miss home.

freshman year can make

comfortable.

hap-

You’ll fail a quiz. You’ll

hear about, but in reali-

it so much better, espe-

pens by being curious.

wonder if you’re doing

know who you are. So

ty, I believe they want to

cially since this is the

because I think it just

it’s great to give a good

see more about how you

first time many students

has to be a good story.”

amount of information

dealt with hardships and

Valcheff raises a val-

to let them see the full

your experiences, rath-

Applicants

aspect of yourself. Rath-

er than just what hap-

often feel pressure to

er than just the story.”

write the “perfect” es-

DO least

It join

at

one

That’s

normal.

Your job freshman

said Halle Bergstrom, a

loved experiencing my

year isn’t to have it all

junior management and

freshman year was the

figured out. It’s to try,

rhetoric double major.

various clubs on cam-

fall a little and to get up

pened to you,” Sabo said.

“Having friends, class-

pus,”

said.

again - with a few new

Having a more ho-

In the end, it’s not

mates, and faculty that

“They’re such a fun way

friends by your side.

say as something deeply

listic approach to your

about competing for

you can ask questions

to connect with students

Freshman year is as

emotional or even trau-

application

sympathy.

to and rely on makes

outside your classroom

great as you make it. So

matic, but admissions

whether your person-

being seen. Every sto-

it so much less con-

and

halls,

get out there. Laugh in

officers ideally want to

al essay is a “sob story”

ry,

fusing and stressful.”

making the college expe-

the halls. Go to mid-

who

rience so much more en-

night breakfast. Say yes

see growth and intro-

or just a “good story.”

honesty

heart,

make you feel safe,

gaging. Even if you can

and remember to take

spection, not just pain.

I think a personal es-

deserves that chance.

heard and supported.

commit to one club your

care of yourself, too.

id

point.

is

key,

when

It’s

told and

about

with

Find

people

that

right.

I

are away from home,”

“Something

club.

this whole college thing

Bergstrom

residence