@TheColonnade
@TheColonnade
The Official Student Newspaper of Georgia College & State University bobcatmultimedia.com
February 19, 2025
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GCSU’s new music building A space designed for sound Kate Walker Contributing Writer
Matthew Malkowski | Digital Media Editor
This spring, GCSU plans to finish construction on a new music building, located on the corner of Wayne and Montgomery Streets, a short distance from the main campus. The building will provide a dedicated rehearsal space for the music department’s large ensembles, including the choral ensembles, band and orchestra. According to Don Parker, the chair of the music department, this will be the first music
facility built on campus since Porter Hall was constructed in 1939. Since the construction of Porter Hall, the Music Department has gone through many changes both departmentally and in musicality like the return of the music therapy program from the Health Sciences Department in 2020. More than 75 years later, the music department has grown to require more space to accompany modern sound quality and acoustics. “It will provide us with a larger space that is more sound and more conditioned for what
we need,” Parker said. “Obviously, when you try to create music, you want to hear in that space, and you want to make sure that the instruments that you have are maintained as well.” The new building will include a band and orchestra room, a choir room, practice rooms and studios, storage facilities and a student lounge area. The facilities have been specifically designed for musical purposes with high ceilings, extra thick insulation and climate control features to regulate humidity and moisture levels. See BUILDING | Page 6
What to know about ICE in Georgia Allie Smith Staff Writer Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE, activity in Georgia has recently surged, raising concerns among many. There have been reports of raids in workplaces, neighborhoods and schools that have raised alarms throughout communities. New enforcement and authorities have caused this increase in the activity of ICE operations. One of the more significant concerns is ICE’s ability to enter locations that were not previously
allowed for them to enter such as schools and college campuses. ICE has historically avoided schools, hospitals and places of worship under certain policies. Reports have suggested they have been seen near colleges in Georgia, leaving many students fearful. “I dislike ICE being able to wander into school and detain children,” said Jacub Gonzalez-Labra, a sophomore English, Liberal studies and Spanish major. “The attention and fear the children must get is definitely something that will
haunt them. A school is a haven that provides knowledge. It feels safe to be in a classroom because you are there to learn and gain knowledge not to worry about your safety.” There’s been an increase in raids across Georgia, including Atlanta and Athens, which have been reported to have a higher possibility of workplace and home raids. President Donald Trump put programs like The 287(g) Program to allow Georgia sheriff ’s offices to work directly with ICE. An article was written in Atlanta News
What are the best study spots at GCSU? Molly Goff
Opinion Editor
OPINION
In
recent
memory,
Like many students, I am not the biggest fan of studying. That being said…I love a good study spot! It has taken now a full year of being at GCSU to know what the dos and don’ts are about studying on campus. You may be thinking, “Well Molly, what are the “dos” and “don’ts of studying on campus?” It all boils down to location, level of quietness, activity and personal preference. Personally, I love a study spot where I can lock in for hours but have time pass a lot faster than what is actually occurring in the spot. Here are 10 cool spots that I believe hit all of those marks for a spectacular study
spot, starting with the easiest to access, and ending with my favorite hidden gems: 1. Russell Library second-floor green chairs. These were a personal favorite last year for me because, on the second floor, you can still talk with friends and get work done simultaneously without disrupting any other students hard at work. The chairs also have a great “sky” view of a large part of the library’s first floor. 2. Russell Library second-floor couch and beanbags. Way in the back of the second floor, passing the green chairs, circulation desk, printers and multiple tables hard at work with students contemplating midterms, is a somewhat hidden turn that takes you into a corner with couches and beanbags to - comfortably -
NEWS | PG. 3
CHANGING THE U.S. EDUCATION DEPT. As the Trump Administration announces reforms to the ED, college students question its effects.
work on all of those assignments due Friday. 3. Russell Library third-floor study rooms. I love a study room because you are closed in which means you will actually lock in to do all of the work you set out to do. Study rooms can be easily reserved by going on Unify to the service apps tab, or at the circulation desk on the second floor of the library if you are making one last minute. 4. Russell Library third floor. When you didn’t prepare for a study room, and they happen to be all booked, do not fret! This is what the third floor, or what I like to call the “quiet floor” is here for! On the third floor, it is completely silent with a ton of enclosed type spaces to be quietly hard at work. See STUDY | Page 9
First recording immigrants’ reactions regarding the recent raids. “Reports of coordinated efforts to detain undocumented migrants in metro Atlanta sends shock waves through the immigrant community, leaving some people – even some legal immigrants – wondering what happens next,” said Brittany Ford, a reporter for Atlanta News First. In response to ICE’s increased presence, multiple different communities have different reactions and perspectives on this. Latino communities are fearful and anxious
ICE house raid
about being separated from their family. As well as black immigrants face the same risk but often feel overlooked when immigration enforcement comes up. “I think communities around us and even within the school are ignorant to the reality of what is occurring,”
Gonzalez-Labra said.“ If you take a second to hear from multiple sides and personal accounts you can understand how much hurt this is doing towards a community that has in some way impacted your life even if you don’t realize it.” See ICE | Page 2
Transgender athletes in competitive sports Benjamin Clark
Asst. Sports Editor Transgender athletes in American sports have become a significant topic of discussion, with various perspectives and policies impacting their participation. The debate spans across professional, collegiate and youth sports, as well as public policies and societal debates. Recently, an executive order passed by the Trump Administration has banned trans women, men transitioning/transitioned to women, from participating in sports with girls and women. This executive order has caused upheaval in the trans community, and the larger LGBTQ+ community nationally.
Trans women at GCSU seem to be upset by this executive order passed by the new president and express their concern for the future of representation in sports. “I feel like we need equal representation,” said Kai Williams, a sophomore music education major. “I feel like there should be the opportunity for trans women to be represented in sports, I will say that In some sports I can see why it is seen as a bit of a discourse because I trans woman will have a bit of a strength advantage but I still feel that the options should be there, and in some sports there should be a trans league.” The debate’s main controversy is that trans-women may have a competitive advantage due to phys-
ical differences such as muscle mass, bone structure and endurance, even after undergoing hormone therapy. Critics argue that this could create an uneven playing field. While some who support the order argue that the presence of trans-women in women’s sports could create an unhealthy environment, others argue that the policy is an act of transphobia. “I personally feel that it is an act of transphobia,” Williams said. “This is because, one, most of these legislations have been towards trans-women specifically because for some reason trans-women are used to fearmonger and are the target towards these sorts of things.” . See ATHLETES | Page 4
SPORTS | PG. 5
ARTS & LIFE | PG. 7
OPINION & MISC. | PG. 10
PLAYER OF THE WEEK: CAROLINE POLLUCK
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AT GCSU
ROMANTIC COMEDIES: SOMETHING TO LEARN
GCSU softball’s outfielder Caroline Polluck opens the team’s 2025 season as Zaxbys Player of the Week.
How do GCSU faculty and students feel about the rise of AI? Plus what measures is the university taking ?
As corny as they may seem, there is always a lesson to learn from even the cheesiest of rom-coms.