Julia Jensen | Art Director
“Money Talks”
Shadimon Smith News Editor
“Money Talks” is a financial literacy program that is hosted by Georgia’s Secretary of State, Brad Raffensperger. This program works to educate students on budgeting, saving, investing, maximizing income, credit, loans, retirement plans and entrepreneurship.
GCSU is hosting a “Money Talks” panel discussion on Wednesday, Oct. 9, in the Arts and Sciences Auditorium.
The first session starts at 10 a.m. and ends at 11:30 a.m. and the second session starts at 1 p.m. and ends at 2:30 p.m..
According to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, financial literacy is being able to understand information about money services.
The panel comprises a moderator and financial professionals from different parts of Georgia. The moderator for the panel at GCSU is Art Terrell, a radio personality. The five professionals coming to speak as a part of their panel are Sile-
ta Bell, Leanne Francis Craport, Ebony Francis and Cait Howerton.
Sileta Bell is the president of Bell Consultants, a company that provides professionals with templates to create their desired work documents. The company was created in 2023 and has a team of professionals who range from copy writers to business plan writers. They also review business plans and provide certifications for grant writers.
A Roth IRA is an individual retirement account that one can put money into that gets taxed upfront and can then be invested in stocks or bonds. Then when one wants to withdraw funds from it later, they do not get taxed on the money they are pulling out. There is a certain amount people can put into their Roth IRA each year, and that is called a contribution. This year the max number that can be put in is $7,000 dollars, but one does not have to max it out.
& State University
Allison Everett 5K Run
Mary Ciucevich Asst. A&L Editor
The Exercise Science Club hosted the 6th Annual Allison Everett 5K run in memory of past GCSU alumni Allison Everett.
The race took place at GSCU’s West Campus on Oct. 5th, 2024.
The 5K event honors the memory of Allison Everett who was a GCSU Alumni, an exercise science professor and a Wellness and Recreation Center employee at GCSU. Everett had been involved in the races previously and in turn, the exercise science club dedicated the race to her passing.
The event, while promoting exercise, also raises money for the Allison Everett Scholarship
fund. The race gives students and locals insight into the passion Everett had for exercise and the exercise science program.
“This is what she believed in,” said Ken Everett, husband of Allison Everett. “She loved it. She loved her students. There were a lot of personal things that students would come to her with. She always had open ears to who had a problem.”
The event started bright and early, with registration taking place at 8:30 a.m. and a sponsor market that occurred all throughout the event. Running and walking began at 9:20 a.m. with the one-mile Fun Run and the 5K officially started at 10 a.m.
“I like that they give you the
WHAT OFFENSE?
NFL offense is on the decline.
Hudson Taylor Staff Writer
The first few weeks of the 2024 NFL season are in the books, and the biggest surprise this early in the season has been the lack of offensive production compared to recent years.
The 2024 NFL draft produced four rookie quarterbacks expected to immediately take on a starting role for their teams, which has historically not turned out well. The jump from college football to the NFL can prove to be a challenge for young QBs, and being rushed into a starting position is not always the best formula for putting up points.
However, this class of rookie QBs may be starting to push against that stereotype, as they seem to have gotten better and more comfortable in their offenses, especially Jayden Daniels, the 2023 Heisman trophy winner, who is playing lights-out football for the Washington Commanders and has led them to a 4-1 start to the season.
Daniels has put up 1,135 yards and four touchdowns in the air along with 300 yards rushing and another four touchdowns on the ground, starting the season off very strong as a rookie.
opportunity if you’re not a real athlete and you just want to try the one mile,” said Kate Powell, a freshman exercise science major.
“I think the reason why we’re doing both the one mile and the 5K is because the one mile is more accessible for people and it can just give you a soft start into exercise.”
Ukrainian rockstar joins war effort
OPINION
In recent memory, Delaney Derry Opinion Editor
I love rock and roll… so put another dime in that jukebox, baby. Something about that seems familiar, but I can’t quite place it…
I don’t know about most people, but I personally love music and truly do love rock and roll. It is one of my favorite genres. Music just transports you to a different place, and there is nothing quite like a jam session to some rock music, especially when you’ve had a really hard day and need to let go and regain some energy. That is exactly what a particular Ukrainian celebrity did. In case you have forgotten, let this be a little reminder to you that Russia and Ukraine are still currently at war. It’s a horrific thing, and I think a lot of people have stopped talking about it because there has been so much craziness happening in the world. But, let me give you an interesting tidbit on something I recently found. Serhiy Zhadan, a poet and rockstar from Ukraine, joined in on the fight back in 2022 by raising support for Ukraine.
Matthew Malkowski | Digital Media Editor Jack Sisk, all around winner of the 5K
FINANCE
Continued from page 1
“I try not to spend on a bunch of food when I have food at home, that is a big thing for me,” said Bailey Inmen, a junior nursing major. “I have not heard about them (Roth IRA) in classes but I have heard about them (Roth IRA) from my parents. I should look into setting up one (Roth IRA) when I get
my own income like a steady income.”
Leanne Francis Craport is a senior consultant at Deloitte Consulting, a firm that works with businesses to find solutions for any problems by providing information on how to navigate mergers and the modern world with Artificial Intelligence, or AI.
“I have my savings account, obviously,” said Sophie Bryant, a junior marketing major. “I try not to
eat out to save money, in that way. I need to get a lot better at it. I need to go to that (Money Talks Event).”
Ebony Francis is a chief executive officer and accountant at AvestiCorp, an accounting firm that works on tax preparation and maintaining businesses’ financial records.
Cait Howerton is a certified financial planner at Earned Wealth, a wealth management firm that takes all areas
In Defense of Democracy Week
Ryan Grant Staff Writer
GCSU hosted In Defense of Democracy week with hopes of sharing broad opinions and educating students and staff through historians, political scientists and sociologists. The week started on Monday, Sept. 30, and ended Friday, Oct. 4.
The events are all part of a larger organization and are supported by The Center for Georgia Studies and the Rural Studies Institute.
The five events of the week were been planned by Stephanie McClure, a sociology professor at GCSU.
“The value of a liberal arts education is to think deeply and three-dimensionally, to be broadly trained and to be a decent human being,” McClure said.
The first event, “Frontline Defenders,” on Mon-
day, Sept. 30, was held in the Peabody Auditorium at 6 p.m. Professor Claire Sanders hosted the event and what was discussed was the polarity of the po-
any person, any team of people could uncover the amount of disinformation that there is,” said Gabriel Sterling, the chief operating officer in
litical world today, local politicians and their part in the community, and how a voter should educate themselves, fairly.
The second event, “The Threat of Disinformation,” was held on Tuesday, Oct. 1 in the Pat Peterson Museum Education Room at Heritage Hall.
“There is no way that
VOLUME 104 | NO. 4
Editorial Board
Kate Verity.........................
Paige Blakemore............
Julia Jensen.......................
Shadimon Smith.............
Emma Eslinger................
Brennan Schmitz...........
Benjamin Clark...............
Kylie Rowe.........................
Mary Ciucevich...............
Delaney Derry..................
Isabella McComis..........
Matthew Malkowski.....
Rebecca Ocampo..........
Kassie Arps.......................
Eva Galova........................
the Office of the Georgia Secretary of State.
Sterling spoke about how misinformation was being spread by both political parties and offered advice on how to combat it.
Sterling recommends speaking and listening to people on both sides and taking a critical analysis of the parties while us-
Editor in Chief Managing Editor Art Director News Editor
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Opinion Editor
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Faculty Adviser
ing the values that a person already has. A large goal of this event was to educate future voters and help them navigate politics in a world dom-
of peoples financial life to create the best environment for them to thrive.
Students and staff can register by scanning the QR codes on the posters around campus or through the text message sent out Tuesday, Oct. 1, and clicking the link. There will be a break in between sessions and lunch will be provided for those who came and the panelists.
“Times Talk: Democracy on the Brink? A Global Update,” was held in room 241 in the library at 12 p.m. Professor Elliot Gower, an associate
inated by such polarity.
“It was really nice hearing a republican talk about both sides,” said Olivia Crawford, a sophomore liberal studies major.
Olivia was appreciative of Sterling’s catering to both sides despite the separation caused by politics
The third event,
professor of political science, spoke on why 2024 is the biggest year for large democracies.
The fourth event, “Lowndes County and the Road to Black Power,” was held on Thursday, Oct. 3 in the Peabody Auditorium at 6 p.m. Professor McClure, a sociology professor and Professor Mark
Huddle, a history professor at GCSU co-hosted the event.
The event spoke on the story of how a Black majority in Lowndes County had zero voters at one point. The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee helped inspire Black power in the community.
The fifth and final event, “How do we Respond Today?” occurred at Allen’s Market on Oct. 4 at noon.
Hosted by Veronica Womack, this final event aimed to reflect on the week’s past discussions and summarize suggestions for future actions for citizens and potential voters.
This week highlighted the ways democracy benefits multiple different communities and helped to inform students and staff of the current political climate.
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Matthew Malkowski |Digital Media Editor
Matthew Malkowski |Digital Media Editor
GCSU ranked No.6 Public University in southeast
Chloe Sanders Staff Writer
U.S. News & World Report recently released their 2025 Best Colleges Guidebook. Out of all the Top Public Universities in the south, GCSU was ranked No. 6. This is a huge accomplishment for not only the faculty but also the students of GCSU.
Seventeen factors are taken into account when ranking the top schools. Some of these include graduation rates, faculty salaries, standardized tests, peer assessment and more.
In addition to ranking factors, U.S. News & World Report grouped colleges and universities with the same academic mission.
Along with receiving
the ranking for public universities in the south, GCSU received multiple other distinguished titles. These include No.1 in Undergraduate Teaching programs, No.1 in Undergraduate Business Program, No.15 Best Overall Regional University in the South, No.1 in Most Innovative and No.2 in Undergraduate Nursing Program.
This honor highlights how special and unique GCSU is and reflects the hard work of both the students and staff.
“Georgia College has both amazing students and staff that make the school what it is,” said Charis Philo, a junior mass communication major. “I am so proud of what this school has accomplished and I have no doubt that Georgia
College deserves this award. I think it really just highlights how special and dedicated students and staff are here. I cannot imagine a more deserving school.”
a testament to the hardworking faculty, students and administration.
In addition to the achievements of the business program, the teaching and nursing
In addition to being ranked No.1 in Undergraduate Business Programs, GCSU was ranked No.281 in the nation according to U.S. News. This recognition is
programs are just as gracious and proud; including the students.
“This award shows me that I made the right choice in going to Georgia College for their
nursing program,” said Mariam Putell, a sophomore nursing major.
“It reflects a curriculum and staff that are dedicated to doing their job and excel in teaching future nurses. Their hard work will certainly attract the attention of future students who want to be nursing majors. I believe this award was well deserved and will only cause the nursing department to further thrive and improve.”
These accomplishments have a profound impact on the future of GCSU. With these published rankings, the university is getting some well-deserved recognition. The staff and students have worked hard for this and the future of GCSU is looking bright with these honors.
Safety First: Who decides to close campus?
GCSU canceled classes for two days due to Hurricane Helene. There are a lot of factors that go into the decision to have classes canceled.
“It starts in the president’s office and through Cathy Cox’s cabinet,” said Amanda Respess, director of public affairs at GCSU.
GCSU President Cathy Cox has a team where they handle different parts of the school. The team will all come together to collaborate with each other on the information they know to then make their decision on whether closing the school is necessary or not.
The cabinet consists of Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Holly Roberts, Interim Vice President for Finance and Administration Susan Allen, Vice President for Student Life, Dan Nadler, Vice President for University Advancement, Seth Walker and Chief of Staff Monica Starley.
“There are multiple people who have to give input into the decision, two very important people are: Chief Harden, who is the chief of police and director of public safety and Jerry Nobles who is the emergency manager who works in public safety,” Respess said. “They get information from the National Weather Service and are included in those
special briefings that the service does for emergency managers like stating the conditions at hand.”
There are levels that the decision goes through and the first level deals with the people who directly work with the National Weather Service.
The National Weather Service, or the NWS, is an agency of the United States Federal Government that provides warnings for bad weather to help keep the public informed and safe. When Hurricane Helene hit, the NWS reported that it was a category four and that it was in the Florida Big Ben area. Before that it provided information on the winds and how deadly they will be. Its report said that the winds will get up to 140 miles per hour.
GCSU Awarded Silver Seal for Voting
Emma Jow Contributing Writer
The ALL IN Campus Democracy challenge shared the results from a competition comparing 520 universities’ student voting rates on Sept. 17, and it spells out a huge accomplishment for GCSU. As the deadline for voter registration is approaching on Oct. 7, it is all the more prevalent that GCSU has obtained a Silver Seal Award from the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge.
This award celebrates the university’s achievement of having a student voting rate 5% higher than the national average.
According to the National Study of Learning, Voting and En-
gagement report, which was released by Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, GCSU had 30-39% of enrolled students participate in the 2022 midterm election. This amount is required for a campus to obtain the Silver Seal.
Emily Wright, a sophomore political science major, believes it is very important for students to be involved in elections.
“Oftentimes, those who are younger see themselves as less important when it comes to voting,” Wright said. “However, that could not be further from the truth. By voting, students are exercising their power as United States citizens and engaging themselves with
the issues around them.”
In a democratic nation, the more kinds of people who vote, the more accurately elected officials represent the needs of the majority. Therefore, as GCSU students, it is vital to contribute to elections, and the Silver Seal Award recognizes this value.
“It is so important for students to vote because they are creating their own post-education future,” said Alexis Muoka, a freshman mass communication major.
“Our generation is the future of this nation in so many ways, so we must stand up for what we believe in,” said Wright. “Higher youth turnout sends a message to politicians that they
cannot simply look past the younger generations. By exercising this right, we hold those in power accountable and make ourselves heard. Every vote counts and contributes to a better future.”
With the Silver Seal Award obtained, it is the perfect time for GCSU students to continue the school’s reputation for high levels of student election involvement.
“Voting is power,” said Hannah Deal, a freshman mass communication major. “I think GCSU values this award because it means our values of critical thought and civic duty are being passed on to its students.”
As a liberal arts institution, GCSU is focused on giving students a
“Getting recognized as the No.2 undergraduate nursing program is such a fantastic and well-deserved award for the school,” said Morgan Deatherage, a senior nursing major. “I think this award will continue to give the Georgia College nursing students a good reputation when it comes to clinical experiences and applying to jobs in the future.”
After making the top 20 last year, with improvement in student and staff participation and effort, GCSU scored No.6 in top Public Schools. With improvement in all categories from the previous year, GCSU will continue to grow. The future of GCSU is looking bright and better than ever.
“Academic affairs has to think about the impact of the conditions on the faculty and classes,” Respess said.
The next step deals with the actual school part to determine what will happen if the classes get canceled. Before canceling, the university must consider the following: Can the school afford to cancel classes with impending midterms? How many more hurricanes have the potential to hit GCSU before the end of the semester?
“Then it goes to our student affairs folks like residence life, VP of Finance which is like our dining and housing,” Respess said. “They will think of the forecast like Hurricane Helene and the main concern is the safety of our students, so when we cancel we think about if the students will be traveling home and build in time for traveling on the road.”
Heavy rains can make it hard for students to make it to class, slick roads can be dangerous for drivers and students who walk to class can have school supplies damaged during the walk to and from in the rain.
“I think it was necessary but my major being biology it set us back a chapter in class which makes our teacher rush through the lecture to get back on track so it’s hard to keep up,” said Izzy Caiazoo , a sophomore biology major.
There are many of factors for faculty to think about when canceling school and the safety of GCSU’s students, faculty and staff are the top priority.
well-rounded education they can apply to decision-making in the real world, as stated on their official website. Deal explores the idea that by voting in government elections, GCSU students uphold the school’s mission and put their education to its intended use.
“Not only does it bolster the importance of civic engagement on campus, but it exhibits the liberal arts curric-
ulum at work,” Wright said. “Georgia College tasks itself with developing students into well-rounded adults who engage socially with the world around them, and this award really shows the fruits of that labor.” By voting in the upcoming 2024 and 2025 elections, students are exercising the right to use their voice in government and continuing GCSU’s high voter involvement.
Kate Briesemeister Staff Writer
Isabella McComis | Digital Media Editor
Matthew Malkowski | Digital Media Editor
Football Ticket Prices
Bryan Cohen Contributing Writer
The University of Tennessee’s NCAA football has decided to add a 10% talent fee to the price of tickets to games for the 2025 season, in addition to a 4.5% price increase for each ticket.
The players need to “remain flexible,” according to Danny White, head athletic director of Tennessee.
Christopher Clark, an economics professor at GCSU, offered his perspective to help get a better understanding of why teams like Tennessee may increase ticket prices.
“College football fans are fanatics,” Clark said. “The Tennessee Volunteers have an inelastic demand. Mostly able to pass their costs off to the consumers, and most of the time, those consumers will continue to purchase tickets.”
In terms of elasticity,
NFL
Continued from page 1
This year, QBs like Joe Burrow and Kirk Cousins sat out for the preseason because of major injuries they sustained last year. They not only missed out on playing time but also on building chemistry with their teammates on the field.
Joe Burrow, who was a Heisman winner and played in the Super Bowl, did not look great through his first four games of the season, but showed improvement in week five, playing at a level that NFL fans have
an inelastic demand relationship is one in which the demand for a product remains relatively constant even when economic factors change. As in this case, even with just the 10% increase in ticket prices, ignoring the other almost 5% increase, the Volunteers will most likely not need to worry about fans no longer purchasing tickets.
“If the Volunteers pull this off and their fans continue to sell out stadiums, other teams will likely follow in Tennessee’s footsteps,” Clark said.
With the way the Volunteers have played throughout the past few years, their fans will not start attending fewer games; however, smaller teams most likely will not be able to implement an extra fee on top of their already high ticket prices.
Students at prominent universities can often get into games for as little as
been used to from him.
Cousins also bounced back in week five, becoming the first QB to throw for 500 yards in a game this season and leading the Atlanta Falcons to a Thursday night win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Oct. 4.
Many teams like the Falcons and New York Jets have tried to focus their offenses more on the run game with running backs like Bijan Robinson and Breece Hall. Some of this may have to do with the ages of their QBs, but that has been a big part of the
$10; however, that’s no use for non-student fans who still want to cheer on their favorite team live. For example, University of Georgia non-student fans can purchase season tickets for a little over $500 or $80 per game.
Retail ticket sites like Ticketmaster have been known to add on extra fees to bring in revenue for their business. Resellers will take that supposed price of $80, and because the demand is so high, increase its price. Add on the extra fees reselling applications place upon the tickets, and fans could spend even triple the ticket’s original price.
With an additional cost coming from the talent fee, Tennessee fans can only imagine how much resellers may start selling their tickets for. This allows for ticket resellers to make a better profit, turning a simple 10% tax into what-
game plan for both teams.
Aaron Rodgers, who has been unstoppable in
ever the resellers want to increase their price.
“I think it can be good for the sport until it starts getting abused by, like, free agency,” said Mason Etter, a sophomore marketing major.
The ability to sign college players to NIL [Name, Image, Likeness] contracts began in the summer of 2021, and many teams have started to treat the opportunity of signing players to NIL deals a bit like a college-free agency. Getting paid significantly influences which team a player will choose to join, but this impacts smaller programs heavily.
“I still think that the college degree should be the number one factor for a lot of guys and not necessarily the money,” Etter said. “Many players may disagree depending on why they are playing for a specific team, but the degree should
all in the preseason. He also came off an injury like Cousins, both with
past years, has not played like a four-time MVP so far this season. Some of that may be due to age, but he was another QB who did not play at
also be an essential factor in which college a team chooses. Less than 2% of college athletes go pro in the long run.”
“I don’t think all sports should be paid, I think the most viewed sports should be paid,” Etter said. “A lot of funders want to fund sports that they want to watch.”
More prominent sports will make money on the side depending on how popular the department is. This money is not necessarily supposed to be put towards NIL deals for players, yet multiple teams have been looked into on the subject.
“NIL, in theory, is a good thing, yet colleges use Name Image and Likeness in the wrong way, more just to pay the players,” said Ty Soukdhaysong, a freshman finance major.
“The UNLV situation kind of exposes NIL. There are many loop-
other before the season begins,” said Aidan Smith, a senior finance major. “An example of this is with Aaron Rodgers’s slow start with the New York Jets.”
With players signing contracts that seem to break records every year, fans expect these athletes to play at a level that reflects what they are paid.
holes in the NIL system.”
This hints towards the current drama that took place between freshman QB Matthew Sluka and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in which the athlete decided to redshirt the current season after four games due to not receiving the NIL money that he and his agent agreed upon with the organization.
“You should get “X” amount of money for games played,” said Soukdhaysong, explaining how he believes NIL should be restructured.
NIL deals have possibly given students a little too much. Yes, the NCAA is a business, and yes, it is extremely easy to impose the costs of NIL deals onto the consumer, but the price of these deals could be considered too much by the average fan.
Courtesy of Julia Jensen | Art Director
the same Achilles injury.
“Preseason matters for NFL teams, especially quarterbacks, because it allows teams to form chemistry with each
“Offenses in the NFL this year have been underwhelming, to say the least,” said Luke Parris, a senior exercise science major. “I’ve seen this reflected in fantasy football as well as watching
my own team. Deshaun Watson is one of the highest-paid players in the league and has done nothing to back that up. It is extremely disappointing as a fan, but it makes me wonder if defenses in the league are getting better or if quarterbacks and their offenses are just not what they used to be.” Many offenses that struggled early in the season are finally showing signs of life in their production and must continue that trend to make a run for the Super Bowl.
SUDDEN OPT-OUTS SHOCK COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Brennan Schmitz Sports Editor
In a move that stunned the college football world, University of Nevada, Las Vegas quarterback Matthew Sluka announced recently that he would be redshirting the rest of the 2024 season and entering his name into the transfer portal at the earliest opportunity.
This choice allows Sluka to retain a year of eligibility, as any player who has appeared in no more than four games in a season is eligible for a redshirt, which allows them another season to play.
Sluka’s decision reportedly came after promises made to him by UNLV were not kept, with the general assumption being that he
was referring to name, image and likeness, or NIL, commitments.
His NIL representative, Marcus Cromartie, claims that a UNLV assistant coach ver-
bally promised Sluka $100,000 to transfer there from Holy Cross University, yet no plan was ever put in place to fulfill that agreement.
Although there was reportedly never a written agreement for financial compensation, many argue that UNLV
should not be trying to take advantage of a college student, and Sluka was not the only player on his team to face this dilemma. Running back Michael Allen, who had 19 carries for 108 yards on the season before opting out, left the team and school for similar reasons.
Before his announcement, Sluka had thrown for 318 yards and six touchdowns with only one interception through three games. He also
ran for 253 yards, making him the team’s leading rusher, and picked up a touchdown on the ground, leading the Rebels to a 3-0 start with realistic playoff hopes.
“I get that the school didn’t keep their end of the deal, but I don’t think I can get behind leaving in the middle of the season,” said Cole Lazich, a senior management information systems, or MIS, major.
“He made a commitment to his team just as
Historic Varsity Sports at GCSU
Claire Peterson
Contributing Writer Today, there are 11
NCAA Division II varsity sports at GCSU that are recognized and funded by the university. However, there are two that have been retired at the varsity level: women’s gymnastics and men’s soccer.
There is very little information available about why the men’s soccer team dissipated in 1985. With the popularity of the sport, likely, the team was permanently suspended from campus due to behavioral misconduct like hazing or drug/alcohol use, similar to the expulsion of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity in 2022. It is also possible that the team was cut due to a lack of available players, and coaches or low funding from the university. Fortunately, there is still a mens soccer team on campus at the club level. The club level is best described as “in-between” the intramural level and varsity level. Unlike varsity teams, club sports
stand on their own apart from GCSU.
“We are almost completely independent of the Wellness and Recreation Center,” stated Jones Martin, a junior biology major and co-captain of the men’s club soccer team. “They can definitely restrict us, but we are self-governed.”
The primary difference between
much as he made a commitment to the school.”
Sluka and Allen would not be the only two players in college football to opt out of the rest of the season. Some other players to do the same include University of Notre Dame cornerback Jaden Mickey and University of Southern California defensive lineman Bear Alexander, although there is no information to suggest that their departures are NIL-related.
College football has undergone a lot of changes over the past few years, and fans would hope to have already seen the most unexpected effects of those changes. However, this new trend seems to be yet another symptom of a broken system, and many fans are hoping to see greater restrictions to NIL rules within the NCAA to limit instances like these.
given scholarships to play at the varsity level. The university provides and maintains the facilities, hires a professional coach, provides team transportation to away games and provides the team with uniforms and equipment.
“There would be more publicity and exposure,” said Martin, regarding the
club and varsity sports is funding. At GCSU, the club teams receive a small club budget from the Wellness and Recreation Center that covers equipment, uniforms and travel expenses for away games. Whereas varsity teams bring a lot more attention and visitors to the school, so they are largely funded by the university. Athletes are often
club team being reinstated to the varsity level. “I think that would attract a lot more people and make the team better, and therefore give us better funding.”
Although players finally seem to be getting properly imbursed for the money they bring in for their schools and the NCAA, there may have been an overcorrection, as players now hold essentially all the power, and college football may be losing its essence as an amateur sport. There is still much progress to be made in the NIL era of college football in order to ensure that players are treated fairly, while also upholding commitments and putting an entertaining product on the field for fans.
The university would also largely benefit from the addition of a soccer team through publicity for the school and more annual visitors to campus, both from recruitment camps and spectators from opposing teams. The men’s club soccer team is quite popular among the student body. The team has a high volume of potential new players every fall when they hold their annual tryouts. This season, they had 45 men try out, when there are only 24 members of the team each season, meaning that they can only take about five to six new players each season. Without a professional coaching staff, the existing players are the deciders in picking the new members from tryouts. Men’s soccer is the most popular club sport at GCSU, with over 1,500 followers on their Instagram account and a regular crowd of students and faculty that attend their home games.
Given the popularity of the GCSU men’s club soccer team, it is possible that with the right funding and attention, they could be reinstated to the varsity level.
NCAA logo
Courtesy of GCSU Athletics
Broadening Horizons
Study Abroad Opportunities at GCSU
Kate Walker Contributing Writer
Studying abroad is a special part of the college experiences, as students leave their homes to engage cultures and communities around the world while gaining valuable career and industry skills, as well as class credit.
Sydney Zeff, a third-year mass communication major and intern at the International Education Center, knew from her first study abroad experience in London, England, that she wanted to continue studying abroad during her time at GCSU.
“It was a really transformative experience,” Zeff said. “It was the first stepping stone into my love for travel and really broadened my global perspective.”
Zeff spent three weeks during the summer of 2023 studying marketing at the University of Westminster, where she collaborated with other students from all over the world, including Thailand, Brazil, Germany and Spain. Her experience in London left her with a passion for working internationally. In the summer of 2024, she returned to Europe, this time for a two-
month internship in Dublin, Ireland.
“I was placed with a public relations agency in Dublin, Ireland, and it was an awesome experience,” Zeff said. “I feel like I gained so much professional experience from it.” Through working with an international public relations agency, Zeff was able to connect with clients and branches of the company all over the world.
“When you’re studying abroad, you’re pushed to talk to new people, experience new things, get into an environment that you may have never been in before and really be in a
different part of the world,” Zeff said.
Many GCSU students have had similar experiences. Wiley Bundy, a current biology graduate student, traveled to Zambia in the summer of 2022 with GCSU hydrology and geology professor, Samuel Mutiti, during her time as an environmental science undergraduate. Bundy spent six weeks in Zambia working on a project funded by the National Science Foundation to research the use of plants to remove heavy metal pollutants from the soil and how those plants could then be reused.
“My favorite part was being submerged in a different culture for six weeks,” Bundy said. “It was amazing to be there for so long, and since Zambia is a younger country. We got to talk with government officials, and they were really open to us coming and talking to them.“It was also so cool to be able to apply my knowledge from school for my research.”
Rachel Spayd, a senior English major, journeyed to Paris, France this past summer as part of a three-week program with GCSU philosophy professors, Sunita Manian and James Winchester. Spayd’s favorite part was the various field trips the students participated in, including excursions to the Louvre Museum and Musée d’Orsay.
“I think in general being in another country surrounded by another culture
ARE PROFESSORS ON YIKYAK?
Kylie Rowe A&L Editor
YikYak, the anonymous social media platform, is used by students to share funny comments, ask pressing questions and contribute general complaints about life. However, after a recent update where the anonymous app started encouraging usernames, a few users came forward as professors, changing the app’s dynamic.
Though students have always assumed that faculty and staff have been on the app, it has never been confirmed or announced. With the introduction of usernames posters like “theprofessor” and “another_professor” have started posting asking for class opinions and even contributing their own humorous thoughts.
“Have a wonderful Saturday, students!” said @another_professor on YikYak. “Please refrain from adding to the population. Most definitely don’t
5K
Continued from page 1
The sponsor market included a food truck of local favorite Morning Grind and tables from organizations like the Exercise Science Club and the GCSU Activities Center. The market included the Animal Rescue Foundation, which brought out dogs to promote adoption.
The race brought out GCSU school spirit with the appearance of the school mascot, Thunder.
Thunder made rounds drawing energy into racers and taking pictures with kids and college students.
The run welcomes students and locals alike
subtract from the population.”
While this post has 637 upvotes, or likes, clearly showing a general appreciation of this joke there were also a couple of inappropriate comments that would certainly not have been made in front of a professor in person.
These comments can call into question the appropriateness of an admitted professor posting and
to embrace healthy exercising. The GCSU Exercise Science Club aims to promote the use of exercise in keeping oneself healthy.
“Exercise is important because you’re so busy focusing on studying all the time you need to make sure you get outside and focus on fueling your body for all the things you need to do,” Powell said.
The event promotes healthy habits within the GCSU and Milledgeville communities. Students and locals both old and young join the race for reasons including, healthy exercise habits, in the memory of Everett, or just for the fun of running/walking.
“We also want to pro-
receiving these responses.
“I think that when faculty or staff encroach on a student space that is concerning because students are on there for a reason, it serves a need for them,” said Amanda Respess, Director of Public Affairs. “So it’s kind of interruptive for faculty, staff or non-students in general, I think, to be there if they are going to comment.”
However, the use of YikYak
mote community and have a chance for loved ones to come together and not only connect but honor the memory of someone who has such an impact on our department and community,” said Addie Lacotti, president of the Exercise Science Club, a main organizer for the 5K event and a senior exercise science major.
The Exercise Science Club partnered with GCSU’s “Exercise is Medicine Initiative,” which Lacotti says she feels is a cause Everett would have been passionate about. The “Exercise is Medicine Initiative,” or EIM-OC, is a collaborative effort between the Wellness and Recreation, Student-Care and Out-
gives you so many more opportunities to learn that you never would have had staying in the States,” Spayd said.
According to the International Education Center’s website, students can study in over thirty countries all over the world, even Antarctica. Programs range from just three weeks to an entire academic year, with programs for core and major-related classes, internships, research and service learning.
There are many scholarships and funds available to students, as federal and state financial aid programs, including HOPE or Zell Miller scholarships, can be applied to study abroad programs. Including GCSU’s New Horizons Scholarship which offers support to any GCSU undergraduate student of under-represented study abroad populations who may be participating in any type of study abroad program.
In addition to GCSU’s New Horizons scholarships, GCSU’s National Scholarship Coordinator Anna Whiteside is available to help students apply for national and state scholarships.
Any students interested in studying abroad can attend one of the information sessions hosted by the International Education Center at the Bone House, directly across from the Old Governor’s Mansion, every Tuesday at 12:00 pm and Thursday at 2:00 pm.
by faculty and staff has been around for a long time, and it is mainly based on wanting to be in touch with the students, and their opinions on things.
Professors have been active on YikYak without commenting, and it has not been a topic of discussion since they have assumed a watcher position.
Having professors actively posting on YikYak does not seem to have harmed the amount or content of what students post on the app. Instead of just observing they have started to ask direct questions to GCSU students.
“Hey students, How can I make my classes more engaging for you guys?” said @another_ professor on the platform. “I’m having a hard time getting my students to participate in class and I know you guys don’t like getting called on. What do you guys suggest for me? Thanks.”
This post got 11 comments of mostly helpful advice for this professor to improve their class engagement. Using YikYak in this way could be considered one of the most beneficial uses of this platform
reach, Student Health Services and Counseling Services that offers students a way to boost their mental health, create connections and develop new habits.
According to the “Exercise is Medicine” page on GSCU’s website, the initiative encourages students, faculty and staff to improve in the campus community’s health and well-being.
since it has also been known to produce a lot of negativity.
“I think they’re cutesy,” said an anonymous YikYak user, referring to the professor’s posting.
Since YikYak is an anonymous app, there is no way to know who these professors are, and therefore what they post cannot be monitored or controlled unless the University System of Georgia, USG, decides to step in with an addition to their “better practices” guidelines.
“I think if they make the choice to post on YikYak and identify themselves as a professor, they are assuming a certain amount of responsibility,” Respess said.
An inclusion of whether professors can or cannot post on the anonymous app would still be difficult to monitor and could encroach on the professors’ freedom of speech.
Determining if faculty posting on YikYak is appropriate is not only just a personal opinion but could be seen as a nonsense battle to begin.
The initiative provides students with the tools necessary to strengthen healthy physical activity habits that can last a lifetime and aim to make movement a part of the daily campus culture.
The promotion of exercise and healthy habits in students and locals in Milledgeville by the Exercise Science Club and the “Exercise is Medicine Initiative” is an import-
ant part of the well-being of the community. The race continues to honor the memory of Allison Everett while continuing to showcase the importance of exercise.
“It brings people together, it brings people out for a common cause, a good cause, for remembrance and brings generations of age groups together,” said Peggy Pullian, a friend of Everett.
Paige Blakemore | Managing Editor
Matthew Malkowski | Digital Media Editor
Julia Jensen | Art Director
SPOOKY SCARY BOBCATS: student Halloween costumes
Jaylen Mahayag Staff Writer
As Halloween creeps closer, GCSU students are gearing up for “Halloweekend.” This time of year, many students look forward to the multi-day celebration where costumes, creativity and fun-themed parties take center stage.
Costumes range from throwbacks to the latest icons such as Chappell Roan. This year’s Halloween costumes are expected to feature a variety of both classic and modern looks. From popular movie characters to traditional choices like ghosts, students are preparing a range of creative costumes for the upcoming festivities.
Costume trends are ever evolving, with students at GCSU looking forward to seeing this year’s most anticipated outfits.
“My favorite costumes are the ones that are really creative,” said Ally Burns, a junior marketing major. “I like it when people think outside the box and do
something unoriginal. I also like scary costumes, but not on myself.”
For Halloweekend, Burns plans to dress as a mermaid and a Hershey’s Kiss, with her third costume still undecided.
“Apparently Strawberry Shortcake will be a big thing this year, and obviously Barbie. Burns said. “I feel like that is always a repeat costume.”
Madelyn Agostini, a junior mass communication major, whose birthday falls on Halloween, is set to be a black cat this year. She is excited to celebrate both the holiday and her birthday.
“My favorite part about Halloween is seeing everyone in their costumes and pretending to be their favorite characters for a night,” said Madelyn Agostini, a junior mass communication major. Agostini predicts that Game of Thrones couples’ costumes will be popular this year, alongside a surge of mermaid-themed outfits. Costumes that bring fantasy and nostalgia to life continue to res-
onate with students.
Halloween at GCSU is not just a one-day affair, as students often wear various costumes from Thursday to Saturday. With three nights to celebrate, creativity runs wild, and this allows students to show off their costume-making skills.
“I think I’m gonna dress as an espresso martini,” said Anna Hunger, a senior political science major. “Probably the scary movies and candy corn.”
Halloween is not as exciting as it is for others. Various factors can include personal beliefs, past experiences or even a dislike for the holiday’s darker themes.
“I don’t really like Halloween because I’ve never been interested in it,” said Zeke Hull, a senior nursing student. “It’s all kind of boring to me.”
He fondly recalled past costumes from his childhood, including Superman and Spiderman. While not dressing up himself this year, Hull anticipates seeing a Buzz Lightyear on campus, which taps into nostalgic
Hispanic Heritage Month
Isabella Young Contributing Writer
Hispanic Heritage
Month is Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 and is a time to celebrate Hispanic and Latin people’s history, contributions and culture.
This month focuses on the hardships and history of Hispanic and Latin people, but it also spotlights the current culture. Latin culture differs from country to country, but there are notable similarities uniting them. Some common examples include dancing, like the bachata and salsa, or food, like tamales and empanadas.
Not only does this month celebrate dancing, food and family, but it also highlights contributions made by Latin and Hispanic people. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s contributions to art and theater with “Hamilton,” “Moana” and In the Heights,” activist Cesar Chavez and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are modern examples of recognizable Hispanic and Latin contributors.
Hispanic and Latin people celebrate this month, but all races and ethnicities also recognize
it through appreciation and acknowledgment of the struggle, resilience and culture they have cultivated for centuries.
“Hispanic Heritage Month is an annual celebration that pays tribute to the rich and diverse cultural contributions of Hispanic and Latinx Americans in the United States,” said GCSU’s Office of Inclusion & Belonging website.
“September 15 holds historical significance as it is the Independence Day of five Latin American countries.”
These 31 days allow for the celebration of the Hispanic and Latin people. Although they are only celebrated for a short time. Latin culture impacts people’s everyday lives. It allows Latin and Hispanic people to highlight the accomplishments of their ancestors.
Maria Justo is a senior psychology major at GCSU. Her family is from Acapulco, Guerro, Mexico, and she serves as director of diversity, equity and inclusion for the Eta Chi chapter of Delta Gamma.
“Truly sit down and appreciate the people that you have around you,” Justo said. “There
themes of classic films.
Although Halloween is targeted more towards students and kids, the Halloween spirit also reaches local businesses in Milledgeville that are keen to join in on the fun.
Ivan Manoylov, owner of Shima Sushi Bar and Grill, among many traditions, loves the tradition of dressing up.
“Candy! The variety of candy this time of year, especially from trick-ortreating.” Manoylov said.
Manoylov, whose goto costume is the Brawny Man, also predicts popular costumes for this year. His daughter, Mila, will be dressing up as Minnie Mouse, adding a sweet, family-friendly touch to the celebration
“For the kids, I think there’s gonna be a lot of Elsa and Bluey costumes. Manoylov said. “Then there’s always the classic witch and playboy bunny,”
Pop culture continues to play a significant role, with costumes from major movies and shows leading the way.
The new sequel, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is
are things I do in my daily life that are related back to my culture and that are so cool, and other people don’t get to experience that.”
Both Hispanic and Latin people as well as those from other cultures can understand the importance and signifi-
serves as an opportunity to truly learn and allow people in the culture to have a voice.
Family is an important cornerstone of Latin and Hispanic culture, and there is a focus on being there to support one another through the ups and downs of life.
“The big thing with being Hispanic is that it is so family-orient-
cance of this month. All people have the opportunity to learn and embrace the culture. Latin or Latin-inspired food and drinks are very popular in Georgia and can be an example of how Latin culture affects all people.
“Everybody loves to go get margs,” Justo said.
Anyone can appreciate the culture, but this month specifically
predicted to be a massive hit, with fans gravitating towards both Beetlejuice himself and Lydia’s iconic outfits. The Barbie and Ken craze from last year is also sticking around, making the vibrant pink aesthetic a Halloween favorite, yet again. Other highly anticipated costumes include Wednesday Addams and new emotions from “Inside Out 2.”
Social media platforms impact Halloween costume trends, with influencers sharing costume ideas. Platforms like TikTok have in-
“No matter if you’ve known each other for two months or been there your whole life for each other, there’s always a big team that will always rally around you and show up for you to celebrate you.”
“I think asking them about their experiences as a person of color in a majority white school,” said Ava Cartes, a senior mass communication major from Chile.
“It’s an important conversation to have, especially as a white person.”
In Fall 2023, GCSU’s Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness found that out of 5,681 enrolled undergraduate students, 4,665 identified their ethnicity as white while only 400 students were reported to be Hispanic or Latin.
ed,” said Justo. “I just remember there always being a big crowd, and it was not just family.”
A pillar of the Hispanic community is that they are usually known to be very tight-knit and supportive of one another. Many who are raised in this culture are positively shaped into family-centered individuals.
“It’s such a strong community,” Justo said.
Since GCSU has primarily white students, informing students about Latin and Hispanic student experiences could be beneficial to the development of the liberal arts education that the university strives for. This month is the perfect time to educate and pave the way for students to feel empathy among many cultures.
“I think those are the things majority of people overlook, and they don’t really notice how
spired costume ideas, stemming from videos gauging viewers with titles such as “Niche Halloween Costume Ideas” or “Basic Last Minute Costume Ideas”.
Costumes like Strawberry Shortcake, classic horror icons and popular pop culture figures are anticipated to be popular choices among GCSU students and locals during this year’s Halloween festivities. Social Media continues to influence the choices of students as each year they aim to be unique in their costume pick.
certain things, certain looks, words or gestures that they do can come across as discriminative,” said Cartes. “And sometimes being the single person in your class with brown hair can feel very targeting. I’m the only person here in this entire room who has a different experience and it can make it hard to connect to others.”
Part of becoming an empathetic and supportive person in the world involves learning about other cultures and the experiences that they live through. Developing that understanding creates a more accepting society altogether for people of all cultures, and Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity for that to become a priority.
“A white person who wants to get connected with people from different backgrounds should ask them about those things, and what their opinion is and how they can make the environment better,” said Cartes.
As Hispanic Heritage Month comes to an end on Oct. 15, students should continue celebrating the culture, history and contributions of Hispanic and Latin people, continuing the conversations that this month inspires day-to-day.
Julia Jensen | Art Director
Kylie Rowe | A&L Editor and Kate Verity | Editor in Chief
OPINION
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“When reports first reached Zhadan about Russia’s invasion, he was on a train heading west from Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, for a concert,” said Amanda Coakley, a writer for Time Magazine. “Zhadan and his six bandmates turned back; they wouldn’t abandon the city in its hour of need.”
Zhadan’s dedication and love for his country is honorable. It’s admirable that he and his bandmates would give up one of their concerts to turn back and fight for their country in a time of need. I mean, that is a really great thing for him to do, especially since
Ukraine is obviously going through a really hard time. They could use all the help they can get.
Zhadan has written over a dozen poetry books and seven novels and is the lead singer in his band Zhadan i Sobaky which translates to “Zhadan and his dogs.”
According to Aliide Naylor, a writer for The Times, “The Ukrainian poet and musician Serhiy Zhadan is set to join the ranks of the Ukrainian National Guard’s 13th Brigade, Khartia, and even plans to create a military radio station.”
would do this because it is so dangerous, but he feels it is his responsibility to help his people.
Music brings people together. Zhadan’s efforts in helping to acquire supplies or get protection for the people of Ukraine are not the only thing his music is doing. It can also brighten the harshness of war and help people see that there is good in the world, especially with his radio station underway. It’s going to help a lot of people. So, please don’t stop the music. WAR
More recently, Zhadan and his bandmates have rolled up the sleeves of their leather jackets to help with volunteer efforts for the war. They have performed concerts for people sheltering from Russian bombs in the city of Kharkiv’s metro. Zhadan spent lots of his time in the city organizing cultural events and fundraisers for Ukraine’s war effort.
I think it is very interesting that this group of men who are quite popular in Ukraine are out there risking their lives to make even a small impact of good for their people. Unfortunately, fans of theirs have not been all too happy that they are doing this, but Zhadan believes that it is his duty as a Ukrainian citizen to help. People have even said it is heartbreaking that he
It is truly a really amazing thing that Zhadan is doing. He has provided a lot of help to refugees and war efforts. It may seem odd to musicians or others to take part in something so dangerous, but not to this guy. He is all in for his country.
It is incredible how his efforts can help lift spirits, not just among soldiers but for the people in Ukraine and others affected by this war. Music is an amazing tool for boosting morale and promoting enthusiasm and loyalty.
“Music is a crucial element of everyday life and
To My Sister, I’ll be there for you
Delaney Derry Opinion Editor
Stolen sweatshirts, fighting over who gets the remote, cute coffee shop outings and endless amounts of sarcasm, there is nothing quite like spending quality time with your sister.
If you have a sibling, then you can understand where I’m coming from when I say that you can both dislike a person but love them at the same time. How is it that we can go from fighting until we are both red in the face to sharing a milkshake and watching “Friends” the next moment? I guess there is nothing quite like sibling love.
I think it’s because there is just this mutual understanding that you and your sibling have that you will always be there for each other (someone queue the “Friends” intro). It’s a loyalty like no other. When you have a healthy relationship with your sibling, I think it could possibly be the most important relationship you’ll ever have. Sometimes, I don’t like my sister very much, but I always love her. She is just like me: stubborn, annoying and chronically independent. I think that’s why we butt heads so much. It’s like sometimes I want to smack her in the face, but if someone ever tried to hurt her, I would seek vengeance like no other. Anyone else get me?
My sister is my best friend first and my partner in crime. She gets me like no one else because, let’s face it, she has known me the longest. Throughout our lives, we have friends that come and go; our parents leave us too soon, and our spouse arrives so late, but our siblings are by our side throughout our entire lives. They are
plays a central role in all human cultures: it is omnipresent and is listened to and played by persons of all ages, races, and ethnic backgrounds,” said Lavinia Rebecchini, a writer for the National Library of Medicine.
“But music is not simply entertainment: scientific research has shown that it can influence physiological processes that enhance physical and mental wellbeing.”
been weeks since you saw them last and you finally get to reunite. They just bring out the best in everything, whether we want to admit it or not.
“Some research indicates that having a sibling in adulthood helps alleviate depression and anxiety,” said a review in Psychology Today. “People are altogether happier when they
the biggest chapter in our stories. There truly is nothing like being with your brother or sister. When you are together, it is almost like you transcend time. You leave reality behind and nothing in the world matters except for being in the moment. All worries fade into oblivion, and there is this overwhelming joy and sense of completeness, especially when it’s
have positive sibling relationships.”
Hear that big sis? We can actually help each other with overcoming anxiety. Oh, and by the way, I totally did not steal any of your fries. I’m not sure why there are any missing, actually that’s really silly…please don’t hit me.
In all sincerity, I don’t know where I would be without my sister. Despite a sibling’s power to infiltrate a fury
within you like no one else can (seriously what is up with that?), they are the longest-lasting relationship most of us may ever have. There may be others who help shape us to be who we are, but no one else knows us from beginning to end like a sibling will. No one knows me like my sister. No one is as fun as my sister. No one makes me laugh like my sister. No one takes care of me like my sister. There is no one like my sister. She’s my partner.
Through the years, we have watched each other change into the people we are and have yet to become. As the younger sibling, I have watched my sister transcend into my favorite person. I have watched her while we were just kids jumping around on the trampoline all the way to this past weekend when I watched her walk down the aisle. You may grow apart for a while. You may go through different things. You may live totally separate lives, but you always have each other. I think it’s safe to say that if you pick up the phone to call your brother or sister, whether you need something or are just calling because you miss them, please just don’t forget that they really are always there for you because I know first hand that it’s true. To my sister, Casey, I’ll always be there for you because you’ve always been there for me too.
Delaney Derry | Opinion Editor
