After seven hazing allegations in four years across the country, the national offi ce of Sigma Sigma Rho, Inc. was concerned – not with how to eliminate hazing but with how to cover it up.

In a nationwide email sent to every chap-ter in February last year, the national executive board issued a memo instructing how chapters should seek to do away with all proof of hazing – under threat of penalization.

Rather than condemning hazing, a prac-tice offi cially shunned by the organization, the email detailed how chapter members should eliminate a paper trails that could be linked back to the organization – belying a contradic-tion some Greek organizations appear to have with what they say on paper and what they do in practice.

Further, the memo advises “pledge mis-tresses,” or those charged with membership

recruitment, to avoid electronic messaging, as that might leave incriminating evidence former pledges or other witnesses could use to present to their respective universities.

“Even you should not email/text pledges with things that could be considered hazing,” it tells chapter PM’s. “Either call or do it in person.”

▲ See the timeline of events leading up to the current Zeta investigation

▲ A closer look at each investigation and where it led the organization

VOLUME 79 | ISSUE 24 TUESDAY, MArch 13, 2012

ThE STUDENT NEWSPAPEr OF GEOrGIA STATE UNIVErSITY

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“Do away with all proof...”Greek organizations battle

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GREEK INVESTIGATION

Continued on p. 13 & 14

Twice the athlete,twice the accolades

p. 32

SPORTS

Suntrust Tower to be tested for asbestos

The university may soon have to remove asbestos from the walls of the Suntrust Tower.

The dormant asbestos contained in the walls poses little risk to students or faculty at present, although any construction work that would open the walls might expose oc-cupants to the carcinogen if not properly re-moved, said Jeff Winslett, the project leader of the contracting company that formerly managed the building’s construction work.

He says that, during the building’s re-modeling from 1981 to 1991, asbestos was removed from the space between the build-ing’s fl oors, although the walls were left alone.

He estimates the cost of abating the con-taminated walls to around four times that of ordinary renovation work because of the ex-tra layer of precaution and eff ort involved.

As the project is still in its design phase, the university has not begun testing for as-bestos, which will be done before any con-

ChrIS ShATTuCKNews Editor

Continued on p. 15

The Sweet Life

ALSO INSIDE

Arts & Living

The sugar baby trend is growing. See how Georgia State students feel about the lifestyle.

p. 4 & 5

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Feeling Lucky Fest?Tavern 99 will host a St. patrick’s day party to bring in the holiday, with several live acts set to perform on an outside stage. There will be a March Madness Kickoff that starts at noon, and at 2 p.m., the fest will have beer trucks, seating areas and more outside.2 p.m. // 128 East Andrews dr., Atlanta, GA 30305 // $20

Atlanta St. patrick’s day paradeThe event will showcase Atlanta’s Irish heritage with decorative shirts, lots of entertainers and the worlds largest Irish fl ag carried down peachtree Street by none other than Georgia State students and faculty.12 p.m. // peachtree Street

16th annual St. patrick’s day Festival

Fado Irish pub is hosting a series of St. patrick’s day themed event’s all week, leading up to the festival on Saturday. There are plans to recognize Irish culture with Irish dancers, bagpipes, Justin Astral Freaks and a tribute to u2 by desire.12 p.m. // 273 Buckhead Ave., Atlanta, GA 30305 // $15 cover charge

Luck of The Irish St. paddy’s day pub CrawlThe World’s Largest pub Crawl has taken notice of the lively bar scene in Atlanta and decided to take advantage of it. people will be taken on a tour of the best bars around Atlanta for the weekend, where they can meet new people and mix new drinks.12 p.m. // Tavern 99, 128 East Andrews dr., Atlanta, GA 30305

St. patrick’s day Events

St. p

atri

ck’s

day

pre

view

20

12

St. Patrick’s Day is stereo-typically seen as a 24-hour pe-

riod to drink and be merry, guilt-free. In Atlanta and the Georgia

State community it comes and goes without much attention given to its his-

tory and signifi cance to the Irish immigrant community.

This year our community is more in-tertwined in the holiday than normal. Dr. Pat

Buchanan Ph.D. in the Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality of Administration at Georgia State will

join more than 70 students, faulty and staff in the St. Patrick’s Day parade carrying the world’s larg-

est Irish fl ag.To Buchanan, the holiday is more than

just an excuse for fun and even more of an opportunity to learn about Irish

history. “It’s a wonder-

ful time to celebrate the cultural heritage of

the day,” Buchanan said.Atlanta’s history with St.

Patrick’s Day and its Irish im-migrant community have been

intertwined since the Civil War. Father Thomas O’Reilly, a native of

Ireland, intervened in the historic plot to destroy the city during Sherman’s

march. O’Reilly prevented the burning of many impor-

tant buildings, includ-ing several Catholic

churches and City Hall,

and he

has remained an important fi gure in the city’s person-al tie to the holiday. Because of his eff orts, a statue was erected on the grounds of City Hall in his likeness.

O’Reilly inspired the Hibernian Benevolent Society of Atlanta throughout its history and inspired the organization’s current president, Ed Moran. According to Moran, the society was created to help out-of-work Irish policemen provide for their fami-lies. Since its creation in 1858, it has developed into a pillar of the Irish community.

Although the meaning behind this holiday is hon-orable, many modern stereotypes have tarnished its reputation; the image of the whiskey-swilling Irishman has become pervasive in popular cul-ture. This hasn’t gone unnoticed by leaders in the community.

“We try to stay away from green beer and lepre-chauns,” Moran said.

With the St. Patrick’s Day parade right around the corner and set to draw thousands of people to the city, these misrepresentations of the culture are looming over those involved in the holiday.

Margaret Warner, a press relation’s representa-tive for the parade and assistant account executive at Weber Shandwick, is new to the city but plays an im-portant role in this year’s celebration.

Warner stated that the negative stereotypes around the day are hurtfu,l and the parade does not want to condone the behaviors that many expect from the participants in the celebration.

“We don’t want people throwing up in the street,” Warner said.

Buchanan has similar views and praises the parade for its whole-some stance.

“It’s a

clean event...defi nitely a family event,” Buchanan said. “There is no alcohol be-fore or during the parade.”

In a city that was once known for its large Irish community and popu-lation in the past, this parade and the celebrations bring a life back to the culture that can be underrep-resented other times during the year.

The St. Patrick’s Day parade emphasizes the need for a di-verse group of people to par-ticipate and join the festivity. This holiday provides an experi-ence to learn about the Irish in an enter-taining way and the presence they have main-tained in the city over time.

The Irish population has remained a unifi ed force in the city according to Buchanan.

“It’s a cohesive community in terms of being ac-tion-oriented,” Buchanan said.

The Georgia State community will unite for this celebration, bringing the diverse body of the school with them.

“We come from varied backgrounds, and we are very much a cross-section of the Georgia State pop-ulation and the Atlanta community,” Buchanan said.

Numerous businesses and neighborhoods are taking part in the day. Below is a list of events to get involved with and learn more about this culture.

TUESDAY, MArch 13, 2012 04 ARTS & LIVING | THE SIGNAL

Who’s your daddy?

Tori first met her sugar daddy at a hotel restaurant wearing her best dress and little makeup. When they sat down at the candlelit table, she laid down some ground rules, like no sex on the

first date.“I told him that this was really nice and I know what kind of arrangement this is, but that does

not mean I’m going to have sex with you on the first date.”She didn’t have sex with him on the first, second or third date. “I have a rule that there needs to be at least three weeks of messaging before we ever meet,”

Tori said. “None of the other guys I was messaging ever made it through the three weeks. The sugar daddy I’m with now was the only one that did.”

Georgia State ranks among the top 20 universities in the nation with the most sugar babies. Here’s what we found out about the growing trend.

SABASTIAN WEESenior Editor

AyshA Johnson | the signAlMany young students are using sugar daddies and mommas to foot their tuition bill.

TUESDAY, MArch 13, 2012 05ARTS & LIVING | THE SIGNAL

Tori, who turns 20 next month, is among the nearly 900,000 women currently registered on SeekingArrangement.com, a sugar daddy and mommy/ sugar baby dating site that allows wealthy men or women to seek younger men and women for companionship--sometimes for a price, sometimes for a gift, sometimes for an advancement opportunity for the sugar baby’s prospective career.

The site, launched in 2006, has gained popu-larity and controversy ever since. Now boasting nearly 1.1 million users, with college students as the largest (and most active, at 40 percent) de-mographic on the site.

Seeking Arrangement released a Top 20 list of national universities with the largest num-ber of sugar baby signups in 2011. Georgia State came in number 11 with 74 new members. The University of Georgia arrived at number two with 155.

There are currently more than 100 Georgia State students registered on the site, although this only includes those who have used their .edu email address for the Sugar Baby College Certification.

For some students like Tori, the goal is to get their sugar daddy to pay for school.

Tori attended the Art Institute of Atlanta for a year and lived in an apartment with a couple of roommates. About a year ago, her mother split from her father and moved into a house where Tori and her sister could live.

Tori finished out her quarter but ultimately decided to leave the Art Institute due to the tu-ition costs.

While applying to Georgia State and Georgia Perimeter College, she tried to get her transcript but was told by Art Institute officials that it had to be withheld until her debt was brought down to $3,000 from the $8,000 she owed. They said she could reenroll but would have to pay $4,000 first.

“So I could pay $1,000 to never come back here again, versus save $1,000 to gain more debt. So I said ‘screw it.’ And that began it for me.”

About six months later, Tori took on a part-time dominatrix job, working a few weekends a month. Her mother wasn’t happy when she found out about it, which prompted Tori to keep the sugar baby role and her new phone sex op-erator job a secret.

“My mother has always known I had a kinky side,” Tori said. “When I was 15, I bought my first whip and my sister showed it to her. She knows, she’s not stupid, but I just don’t fill her in on the details. I try to keep that part of my life as far away from my mom as possible.”

She first learned of Seeking Arrangement when a segment covering the phenomenon aired on “20/20.”

“When I saw it, I thought it was awesome,” Tori said. “I registered almost right away and started browsing and messaging guys and just starting the courting process.”

Rewriting the book on dating Brandon Wade, founder and CEO of Seeking

Arrangement, points to the poor economy and pop culture when explaining the rapid growth of the lifestyle.

Celebrities like Jim Carrey, who flies his 29-year-old college student girlfriend from New York to Los Angeles and Jennifer Lopez, who gives her young dancer boyfriend a weekly $10,000 allowance, are now considered “mod-ern sugar daddies and mommies,” Wade said.

Popular reality shows like “The Bachelor” and “Millionaire Matchmaker” are also a testa-ment to the trend.

“There are obviously still some people who are willing to participate in the lifestyle, as long as they remain anonymous,” Wade said. “Because, at the end of the day, there is still that certain negative stereotype that is associated with that lifestyle.”

But how safe is it?“It’s as safe as any other dating website, so

we have a blog write about the lifestyle and what people should do to avoid the pitfalls,” Wade

said. “And members are sharing their experi-ences on our blog. Hundreds and hundreds of people are communicating on this blog, provid-ing their own tips for safety and ensuring an en-joyable experience.”

He has also written a book, “Seeking Arrangement: The Definitive Guide to Sugar Daddy and Mutually Beneficial Relationships,” which expounds on the options people have in-stead of traditional relationships.

“The way we see it, the sugar daddy and the sugar baby relationship is like a boyfriend and a girlfriend, except the boyfriend happens to be wealthy and willing to spend money on the girl-friends,” Wade said. “And we don’t see anything wrong with that.”

Wade himself was no stranger to dating web-sites, as he frequented sites like match.com in hopes of finding a suitable partner. But he found that there were more men than women roaming the sites and responses from prospective mates were few and far between.

“I would spend hours and hours writing hundreds and hundreds of emails in order to just get a few responses,” Wade said. “So I was think-ing back to what my mom told me, which was ‘study hard and when you’re successful, you can be generous and all the women will be there.”

This led Wade to launch Seeking Arrangement. Eventually, he would marry his first sugar baby, Yulyia. They currently live in Las Vegas with their Chihuahua.

“Seeking Arrangement is really turning the tables around,” Wade said. “Women can be scantily clad--they attract attention that way, and, so, as a man, what means do I have if I don’t have huge muscles to flex? I have my wallet, so if I am willing to be really generous, then the odds can really be in my favor.”

Wade said the average age of a sugar daddy is 38 years old while the sugar baby population averages 26 years old.

Tori’s sugar daddy is 47, but dating older men was not new for her.

“I’ve dated older men before,” she said. “When I was 17, I dated a 30 year old. I prefer mature men.”

So she wasn’t nervous on her first date. The correspondence she shared with her sugar dad-dy leading up to the date made her feel comfort-able enough to give him a chance.

“I know that he might have been spouting a bunch of lies while we were chatting, but at the same time, I kinda need this.”

They arranged to meet up once every two weeks, perhaps more. He’d take her out to a nice dinner and pamper her with clothes, makeup and anything related to her upkeep for when they are together.

“I haven’t told him yet about how I need a bunch of money to get back into school,” Tori said. “I’m trying to work my way to that because I really want to be classy about this, especially since we’re just in the dating process right now.”

Now that they are several dates in--they didn’t have sex until the fourth date--Tori has been able to get a better grasp of her sugar daddy.

“He treats me really nice,” she said. “He’s a really sweet guy.”

Sexuality as a commodityThe Signal conducted a small-sample sur-

vey of 50 women and 50 men to roughly gauge Georgia State students’ take on the subject. The study found that 28 percent of women from 18 to 22 years old would consider becoming a sugar baby--depending on the situation. Forty percent of women were sympathetic to the concept of sugar babies but not by much, as 38 percent felt that it was wrong.

The men, on the other hand, showed more curiosity. Thirty-eight percent said they would consider becoming a sugar baby, along with 30 percent saying they don’t mind the concept.

Asked whether the current culture objecti-fies women, about 80 percent of both genders agreed. A majority of the students also agreed that websites like Seeking Arrangement should be legal. (See sidebar for full survey details)

An associate professor of the Communication department, Dr. Marian Meyers, who specializ-es in feminist media studies, agrees that pop cul-ture and a poor economy have played a major role in the hyper-sexualization of women.

However, she disagrees that the sugar dad-dy concept is merely a boyfriend/girlfriend rela-tionship with benefits.

“It’s a form of prostitution,” Meyers said. “And it’s becoming increasingly acceptable. In an economy where there are not a lot of jobs, especially for college students, this is a way for them to make money.”

However, the economy is not the only driv-ing force, she said.

“Women are valued for their sexuality—not their intelligence, not their achievements or their personality but for how hot they are,” Meyers said. “And that sexuality becomes a com-modity you can bargain.”

And with that bargaining chip growing more common and women still struggling to receive the equal pay of their male counterparts, Meyers said it’s not surprising that so many women have turned to the sex industry for jobs.

“Women realize that there aren’t a whole of other options,” Meyers said. “And if this is the best we have to offer our college students, we have a serious problem.”

However, Tori doesn’t have a problem with the stigmas that accompany her line of work.

“I’ve never had a problem with escorts or the idea of prostitution,” Tori said. “Now, if it in-volves a woman having to answer to some vio-lent pimp and getting the hell beat out of her, that’s a different story and that’s a problem. I’ve met real sex workers, and they’re some really nice people.”

Her close friends have been more reserved but very respectful of her decision.

“They know me and have accepted who I am,” Tori said. “As we mature as friends, things like this don’t really matter anymore.”

Tori said she doesn’t plan on looking for an-other sugar daddy, as long as this one continues. And, even though her sugar daddy is nearly 30 years older than her, it was more important that he was single.

“That was one of the stipulations I placed on the men I messaged,” she said. “I’m no home-wrecker. I’ve seen how that tears families apart, even ones in my own family.”

Tori still hopes to enroll at Georgia State, where most of her friends attend but will have to finish some core classes through the College-Level Examination Program as she continues to pool together enough money to pay off her debt.

As for her sugar baby lifestyle, Tori has no qualms about the way society views her.

“If you’re going to do this, then just be pre-pared for what could come with it,” Tori said. “If not, then don’t do it. Because if you’re going to deny it, then you have no business doing it.”

How do you feel about the concept of sugar babies?

It’s wrong

Sympathetic but not your thing

Would consider it

No opinion

Would you ever consider becoming a sugar baby?

Absolutely Not

Depends on the situation

Does the current culture objectify women?

Yes

No

“Women are valued for

their sexuality—not their

intelligence, not their

achievements or their

personality but for how

hot they are.

-Marian Meyers, Associate professor of the Communication Department

Continued from previous page

Survey resultsThe Signal polled 50 Georgia State males and 50 Georgia State females to find out how they felt about the sugar baby lifestyle.

M - 22% F - 38%

M - 22% F - 18%

M - 78% F - 82%

M - 38% F - 28%

M - 62% F - 72%

M - 28% F - 6%

M - 30% F - 16%

M - 20% F - 40%

Prostitution vs. ArrangementGo online to read an excerpt from “Seeking Arrangement: The Definitive Guide to Sugar Daddy and Mutually Beneficial Relationships,” as the author separates the line between the sugar baby lifestyle and the world’s oldest profession.

TUESDAY, MArch 13, 2012 06

Jonathan Daniel Brown, Thomas Mann and Oliver Cooper were laughing as the press walked into the room. The three actors paused their conversation and walked up to us, eagerly introducing themselves and shak-ing hands as we sat down to talk about their new movie, “Project X”, which hit theaters on March 2.

“The movie was like going into war,” Cooper said. The film follows three best friends who are outcasts in high school and want to do something to change it. Cooper’s character, Costa, an outspoken and bold character, convinces his best friend Thomas (Thomas Mann) to throw a party for his birthday since Thomas’ parents are going out of town. Though Thomas expects a small gathering, Costa plans a huge blowout, adver-tised with a posting on Craig’s List and mass texts sent to the entire high school. The re-sult is a huge, disastrous party, complete with DJ’s, a moon bounce and thousands of people crowding Thomas’ house.

“There were so many weird, spontaneous moments,” Brown, who plays the third best friend, J.B., said.

Mann who plays the lead in “Project X”, Thomas Kub, agreed with his co-star.

“Yeah,” Mann said. “And you can’t fake fun!”

Mann said he could really relate to his character, a very sweet and vulnerable high schooler who never partied and didn’t want to, either.

“I was never a big partier,” Mann said.J.B. is a character that was definitely

shaped by Brown’s comic skills; the character is quiet but thrilled to be included in the best friend trio.

“They made [my character] a lot quieter,” Brown said as Cooper and Mann burst out laughing - Brown is clearly a very talkative

person.Cooper joined in the conversation, tell-

ing a story about how the producers thought he was from New York, which shaped his character, Costa, into a confident Northerner from Queens. Cooper is actually from Ohio.

All three actors agreed that their charac-ters changed dramatically as they went on, especially during the script readings.

“We had been a part of the movie for a month before we got the scripts,” Cooper said. The three actors, after going through the casting process of reading the script with different people, were cast the day that they read the script together.

“It was a really nutty experience,” Brown said. The executive of WB would sit in and tell the boys to make him laugh, which was a lot of pressure.

“Short of casting, it was the most pressure I’ve ever experienced,” Brown said.

While Mann has experience with script

reading from his previous work on “It’s Kind of A Funny Story” (2010) and his film that will be released in January, “Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters”, both Brown and Cooper made their screen debut with “Project X.”

“[They thought] I had too much experi-ence,” Mann said about the process of getting cast. “Project X” producer Todd Phillips and director Nima Nourizadeh both wanted to cast unknowns for the film. Brown, who au-ditioned for the movie through an open call audition online, and Cooper, who used con-nections to get an audition, both talked high-ly of their first experience onscreen.

“In your first film, you have a certain will,” Cooper said.

Cooper and Brown weren’t the only two with a debut. Nourizadeh, who is known for winning Best Director at the UK Music Video Awards in 2008, is new at directing movies. The boys all agreed that Nourizadeh had an amazing eye for style and was fantastic to

work with.“It was like working with a Holy mov-

ie trinity,” Brown said about working with Nourizadeh, Phillips and executive producer Joel Silver.

The film, which was mostly shots of the party, includes a scene where J.B. jumps off the roof of the house onto the moon bounce below, with Thomas shortly following him.

“We did no stunts at all,” Brown said. “My stunt man was 65 years old and from Texas.”

Costa carried around a chalice that he re-filled with alcohol throughout the night. As Cooper was explaining an instance where he actually injured Brown with it, Brown inter-rupted him.

“I cut my hip open with [Cooper’s] chal-ice,” Brown said. “I had to use a liquid band-aid.” He literally yelled, “Cut!” since he was cut open.

As the boys talked over and interrupt-ed each other, it was clear that they had be-come good friends during the filming pro-cess. Joking that they didn’t like each other at first, Cooper talked about how the trio had bonding trips.

“Big Bear was our biggest bonding mo-ment,” Cooper said.

They also took a trip to Disneyland and agreed that some of their favorite moments from the movie included the two bodyguards of the party, Everett and Tyler, played by Brady Hender and Nick Nervies.

“There were good moments between Costa and the kids,” Mann said. Cooper agreed, commenting that some of his favor-ite scenes were the ones that included their characters.

“Nick is the funniest kid in the world,” Brown said.

What’s next for these fun-loving, hilari-ous actors?

“Lots of money and lots of movies,” Cooper said, laughing.

LAurA AppErSoN Copy Editor

project Xclusive: A look at the cast

ARTS & LIVING | THE SIGNAL

Beth DuBBer | WArner Bros. Pictures releAse The breakout hit, which cost about $12 million to produced, has earned nearly $40 million in two weeks.

grAhAm roBson | the signAlThe cast of “Project X” reflect on the movie.

The soulful and smooth notes that come from his voice can be distracting from his true talent.

John Stephens, more recognizable by his stage name John Legend, has received acclaim for his vo-cal talent and songwriting. These talents are only complimentary to the rest of his other glorified ef-forts and his quest to continue to change the world.

As a distinguished speaker for the Georgia State series, many students that filled the Student Center Ballroom may not have known about the past that brought Legend to the school, and more important-ly, the life efforts and choices that made him deserv-ing of the distinguished speaker title.

Legend is indeed a Grammy winner, writer and much more, but these identities are only a shallow look into his life and passions.

Through his music, Legend has become an in-spiration to many people, in particular aspiring mu-sicians. Like many musicians, Legend gives credit to many of the greats like Stevie Wonder for lead-ing the way for him in the music business. Legend also acknowledges the inspirations that were closer to home.

“My grandmother was a big inspiration. She was the organist at my church growing up and she was one of the people that motivated me and nurtured me and mentored me as a kid,” Legend said. “There were people like that in my life in my hometown that were big inspirations to me.”

Legend came from a humble beginning, earned an English degree from the University of Pennsylvania and became a humanitarian and char-itable contributor to numerous organizations. Even though he has always had a love for music, he al-ways felt like education was an important part of his life.

“To me it was all integrated. When I was in school, music was very important to me, but my education was important,” Legend said. “You don’t have to separate your passion and your talent from your education.”

He felt not only motivated to pursue further ed-ucation in his own life but even more inspired to al-

low others the opportunity to gain a good secondary education and the chance to pursue further educa-tion too.

In fact, his personal passion has encour-aged many of his humanitarian efforts. One of the most noted of his contributions is his Show Me Campaign, which helps children through scholar-ship and funding for things like education and in-ternational development.

The Show Me Campaign was founded in 2009 and gives scholarships to students who are partici-pating in internships and programs that are targeted towards helping society among other efforts.

He has also partnered with large organizations, such as Teach For America, which affect communi-ties like Georgia State, recruiting recent graduates in an effort to provide better teachers in communities that lack them.

“My passion really is in making sure kids that are living in poverty get a chance to break out of that cycle and are getting a good education,” Legend said. “Right now that’s not the case in America.”

Legend used most of his time talking with Georgia State students about this program in an ef-fort to encourage students to apply and make a dif-ference in their community to close the achieve-ment gap that exists in the country.

Legend has used his fame as a way to help others through charity and actual time spent to make life better for those less privileged in the world. Because of this he has become a symbol of using success as a way to give back to society.

Even though he is accomplished in his musical career and gained numerous Grammy Awards un-der his belt, Legend still has the ability to see room for improvement.

“I’ve gotten to perform with Stevie Wonder. I’ve gotten to meet Michael Jackson, Prince, these are people that are incredible inspirations to me and people that have made amazing music over a long period of time,” Legend said. “When you realize what they’ve done, you know that you have a long way to go.”

The Show Me Campaign Fellowship program is currently accepting applications for its summer 2012 scholarship. To apply visit www.showmecapaign.org.

TUESDAY, MArch 13, 2012 07ARTS & LIVING | THE SIGNAL

in the making

ALegend

ALICIA JohNSoNArts and Living Editor

grAhAm roBson | the signAlSinger and songwriter John Legend spoke to students at Georgia State about his passions and career.

The Distinguished Speaker Series

TUESDAY, MArch 13, 2012 08 ARTS & LIVING | THE SIGNAL

Nearly 200 Georgia State students re-turned back from spring break to the Recreation Center’s first ever Zumbathon event, hosted by Student Recreational services.

According to Anaja Maria Bass, the Facility Operations Graduate Assistant and a group fitness instructor who coordinated the Zumbathon, it was really “a two-hour dance party.”

Zumba is an exercise that combines Latin and international dance with more fitness-inspired techniques.

Bass saw the event as a way to let stu-dents know about the services the Rec cen-ter has.

The event brought Fuze and Paramount Pictures representatives to the school to hand out prizes and free energy drinks. Paramount Pictures was also there to pro-mote their upcoming film, “Jeff Who Lives At Home.”

Participants were able to dance for ei-ther a 30 minute segment or two hours. Bass expected the event to draw in the Georgia State community.

“We have three instructors teaching the event...We expect frequent Zumba enthusi-

asts as well as people who want to try it out for the first time,” Bass said.

And that’s exactly what happened.So what’s different about Zumba?

“Zumba has become a very popular form of aerobics. It is a dance class that incorpo-rates different genres from latin, to hip hop,” Bass said. “Most people feel like they are dancing for an hour and do not realize that they are getting a good workout and burn-ing calories.”

“We want Zumbathon to be fun and ex-citing and most of all a break from a regular workout routine,” Bass said.

One attendee, student Evana Afreen, agrees with Bass. “It’s a way to get a good work out without even feeling like you’re working out,” Afreen said.

Angela Roth, the tiny and energetic in-structor who kicked off the Zumbathon, thinks Zumba is special because it’s more “interactive” than other workout classes.

“You can get into the music,” Roth said.

If students are interested in taking a Zumba class at Georgia State, a 15 ses-sion punch card is available for $10 for GSU students, $40 for Recreation and Fitness Center members and $80 for non-members. For more information and to register, call 708.534.4556 or visit room A1106.

KENdALL hArrISStaff Writer

Are you ready to

zumbA?

sArAh WooDs | the signAlGeorgia State students, faculty and staff danced and exercised with Zumba instructors.

sArAh WooDs | the signAlNearly 200 people attended the event.

TUESDAY, MArch 13, 2012 09ARTS & LIVING | THE SIGNAL

01 K.S. ChithraK.S. Chithra

02 Planet High SchoolMux Mool

03 Young & OldTennis

04 Behold The Profi tBehold The Profi t

05 Django DjangoDjango Django

06 Natural TraitsErnest Gonzales

07 High NoonFunk Ark

08 Dillon Ain’t Playin’ EPDillon

09 VisionsGrimes

10 GlimpseJulien Dyne

11 Cheap PerfumeBare Wires

12 PlumbField Music

13 Mr. MLambchop

14 MaraqopaDamien Jurado

15 NativesBright Moments

16 A Sleep & A ForgettingIslands

17 The ClearingBowerbirds

18 Jones St.Lyric Jones

19 In the YardNeal Morgan

20 A Smart Black Boy | The Sonic Inceptionblctxt contxt

21 Jackson PBisco Smith x Peter Jay

22 Soft Control EPSlava

23 Paralytic StalksOf Montreal

24 Yes On BloodMallard

25 The Bite Marked HeartBrother Ali

26 151aKishi Bashi

27 Love at the Bottom of the SeaMagnetic Fields

28 Keep It TogetherThe Doozer

29 Open Your HeartThe Men

30 Tender OppositesTOPS

RECORD REVIEWS

Atlanta rapper Pill speaks out to set the re-cord straight with The Epidemic, his fi rst mix-tape release since he parted ways with Rick Ross’ Maybach Music label. This 16-track com-pilation, hosted by DJ Holiday serves to re-es-tablish his reputation: squaring classic hood narratives with clever intellect and heartfelt testimony.

Named one of XXL’s freshmen in 2010, Pill fully acknowledges the critics’ anticipation of his forthcoming album. In “Scarface (Freestyle)” he concedes, “Got everybody waitin’ on me like that Jeopardy song.” The lead track “Movin’ Out” unexpectedly opens with a sample of Billy Joel’s 1977 single “Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song)” and discreetly alludes to the hype he feels this release lives up to.

Clinging to his street credibility, numbers like “Parkin’ Lot,” which features Twista and “4Life” are hard-knock narratives

complete with menacing beats and a gritty, hun-gry voice.

But the emcee loses his lyricism to fi nd more force and formula than anything on “I’m So Player” and “Chill Out.” On the latter he lets out like an rhythm and blues crooner saying, “Your body’s bangin’ like a gang member” and “I’m diggin’ you like a grave.” The clichés are slaps in the face for his lyric-applauding fans.

Pill gives a more convincing performance on the “Dear Mama-like” duo “Memories” and “Why It Gotta Be Like Dis (Mama).” He refl ects

on the happiest and hardest times of his childhood with a raw sincerity that few others can deliver.

If nothing else, The Epidemic presents itself with a satisfying sense of range. As with most lengthy mixtape releases, it is safe to assume this will be the last before his highly awaited, long-delayed album hits store shelves. If he steadily puts out quality music, the “Trap Goin’ Ham” rise-to-famer will be in everyone’s stereo system.

CourTNEy BoydStaff Writer

Pill | The Epidemic

Emerging from almost a decade of in-activity, Irish rockers The Cranberries are breathing life into their zombie of a career with a new release, Roses.

It’s clear from the start that the group has picked up very close to where they left off . It could be said that vocalist Dolores O’Riordan’s voice is still in its prime; it’s changed very little since The Cranberries were still making hits. At times it’s even more breathy and airy than it used to be, to the point where O’Riordan ends up sounding like a fairy caricature. However, it’s usually pretty stable.

The most refreshing thing about Roses is that the band sounds very much themselves, even after such a long lull. While it’s nice to hear that they still know what made them special, the only thing missing is the presence of pop hits. None of the tracks could realistically catch on as singles, which will

likely hinder the record’s potential for success. Pop singles are very diff erent to-day than they were in the 1990s, and The Cranberries still seem to be following the old formula.

That’s not to say that the record isn’t good to listen to in itself, but the tracks simply sound like The Cranberries with-out the catchy pop hooks. “Conduct” is a ballad very much in the band’s style, but it’s just not exciting. Later on, the driv-ing heaviness of “Schizophrenic Playboy” serves as some redemption, but it’s fol-

lowed by the sultry, string-fi lled and ultimately uneventful “Waiting in Walthamstow.”

Even though they aren’t churning out chart-toppers like they used to, the question isn’t whether or not The Cranberries still “have it,” but rather whether or not what they have is still relevant. By the sound of this record, the latter doesn’t appear to be true, but even with this consideration Roses is still a well-crafted pop album.

zACK KrAIMEr Associate Arts Editor

The Cranberries | Roses

The Fray should have named their third album If It Isn’t Broke, Don’t Fix It instead of Scars and Stories, because despite what could be seen as an eff ort to try and mix it up on their latest album with a new producer behind the scenes, Brendan O’Brien, The Fray still manag-es to produce the same old pop rock tunes that they’re known for in their fi rst two albums.

In Scars and Stories, almost every song could arguably be taken off of this album and dropped in a previously released album with-out anything feeling out of place. With that said, the quality of the music is still consistently good, even if it’s very predictable and even boring at times to listen to.

And it’s clear that with the lead single of the album, “Heartbeat,” there was an attempt to recreate the sensationalism that occurred with “How to Save a Life” and “You Found Me,” but with only a slightly increased tempo and the same emotional lyr-ics from lead singer Isaac Slade, it’s hard to feel as excited as you did when you heard the former singles in comparison to the latter.

There is a bit of change on the album and that’s with the third

track, “Turn Me On.” The track feels like a mixture of The Fray and Maroon 5, with the funky guitar in the background and a focus on less intense material – for The Fray – in terms of the lyrics. For instance, in the fi rst hook the lyrics are “The way you movin’ oh/ You turn me on, I won’t touch you till we’re burning/ Ohhhh you turn me on.” There’s also a slightly edgier vibe on “Here We Are” than on the rest of the album, as if Slade was channeling his inner Bono. But saying that these two novel tracks are few and far be-tween on the album would be a major under-

statement – these are the only tracks that might surprise you on this album.

Perhaps the most confl icting thing about listening to this al-bum is that it’s still not bad music, just predictable. For a debut album, this album would bring something new and interesting to the table, but as a third album, there isn’t much for a listener to take away. So for those that feel like they don’t need anything else from The Fray, then this album will meet expectations, but for those that don’t want to hear “How to Save a Life 3.0”, you may want to avoid this album.

ThAddEuS MorGANAssociate Living Editor

The Fray | Scars and Stories

Best song:“Memories”

Worst song: “Chill out”

CINEFEST Upcoming shows

Showtime: Monday - Friday: 1 p.m. 5 p.m., 9 p.m.Weekends: 1 p.m., 5 p.m.

Redline Vigilante VigilanteShowtime: March 14 at 3 p.m.

melancholiaShowtimes: Monday - Friday: 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 4 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 9 p.m.Weekends: 1:30 p.m., 4 p.m., 6:30 p.m.

“Project X”, a movie about three high schoolers who throw a massive party to try to gain popularity, was re-leased in theaters on March 2.

Starring Jonathan Daniel Brown (J.B.), Thomas Mann (Thomas) and Oliver Cooper (Costa), directed by Nima Nourizadeh and produced by Todd Phillips (“The Hangover”), this comedy is one that takes the viewer on quite an adventure. The three best friends, J.B., Thomas and Costa, are on a mission to celebrate Thomas’ birth-

day in true party style. Costa organizes a huge party since Thomas’ parents will be gone for the weekend, complete with plenty of drugs, alcohol and a copious amount of advertising. Costa even hires two bodyguards, Everett (Brady Hender) and Tyler (Nick Nervies) to make sure the house is secure while the entire high school parties the night away.

What starts off as a big hit quickly spirals into a huge disaster: as more and more people show up to the party, the house gets invaded, the dog gets lost and the neighbor across the street comes over to complain about the noise. As the night progresses, someone gets stuff ed in the oven, partygoers go skinny dipping in the pool and people start jumping off the roof. After a gnome (stolen from a drug dealer) that contains ecstasy breaks and people start popping pills, everything spins out of control. Someone drives Thomas’ father’s brand new car into the pool and the cops are called to check out the scene. The night ends

with the angry drug dealer, whose gnome Costa stole when he bought drugs from him, arriving at the scene setting the party house on fi re and a SWAT team coming in to control the situation.

This movie was absolutely hilarious - Brown, Cooper and Mann work extremely well together and Costa is one of the most inventive and entertaining characters. I Viewers will be entertained watching the party move from slightly out-of-control to complete uncontrollable. The movie benefi ts from the shocking party scenes, news source clips and aerial views of the party. One of the best scenes of the fi lm is at the end, when Thomas has to drive himself and Costa and J.B. to school in his minivan, which was horrendously burnt and missing several doors.

All in all, this fi lm is a defi nite must-see if you are looking for something that will make you laugh and re-mind you to appreciate the fact that your house is com-pletely intact.

Tyler Perry’s movies often have somewhat of an acquired taste, but “Good Deeds” will probably leave a taste that is either defi nitely bland or defi nitely bit-ter. Starring himself and Thandie Newton, the movie provides a message to inspire others to not only do the right thing but also do what’s right for you.

Wesley Deeds III (Tyler Perry) lives the golden life in San Francisco. He is a fi fth generation Ivy League graduate, runs a successful computer software com-pany and is engaged to be married. But Deeds encoun-ters a mid-life crisis after his fi ancée Natalie (Gabrielle Union) mentioned one night that he was predictable. Meanwhile, Lindsey Wakefi eld (Thandie Newton)

lives a life far from perfect. She works as a janitor in Deeds’ offi ce building barely supporting herself and her daughter. Deeds and Lindsey eventually cross paths one day when she parks in his parking spot at work, but the two offi cially meet each other when Lindsey decides to work the night shift and Deeds works late in the of-fi ce. From that point on, the unlikely pair forms a bond bringing out hidden characteristics in one another.

The casting and acting for this production did the story justice. Thandie Newton was a great choice for the role of Lindsey and her acting was spot on. The chemistry between her and on her on screen daughter (Jordenne Thompson) came across as very believable and moving.

In the end, Wilimena’s soft spot for Wesley almost seemed unreal leaving question marks above heads wondering what happened to the woman who believed the business couldn’t run without Deeds. Brian White plays Deed’s angry and disturbed brother, Walt, whose mission is to sabotage his brother. White’s character seemed very one-dimensional and rather annoying in

the fi lm and in the end seemed to let go of his chron-ic rage all too quickly. Seeing Perry on the big screen without his grey wig, fl oral dress and glasses is always a little strange. It may even make viewers cringe during love scenes. Nonetheless, Perry did an exceptionable job playing the role of Deeds.

Diff erent from the rest of his movies, Perry takes on a more serious subject and runs with it throughout the entire fi lm. Normally, his audiences are used to a few laughs here and there even throughout his more dra-matic movies. It’s almost inevitable that viewers can anticipate the ending within the fi rst 15 minutes of the movie. On the bright side, Perry shied away from one of his usual plot concepts of making women victims of mistreatment from males.

Although the fi lm provides audiences with great in-sight and an inspiring story, the movie fails to deliver a believable ending that ties all its elements and charac-ters together. Just when we thought Perry was getting better, he falls a little short. Overall, the fi lm mimics the personality of Wesley Deeds – predictable.

TUESDAY, MArch 13, 2012 10 ARTS & LIVING | THE SIGNAL

REEL REVIEWS

Good DeedsNICoLE hoLMANStaff Writer

Project XLAurA AppErSoNCopy Editor

Director: Tyler Perry

Stars: Tyler Perry, Gabrielle

Union, Thandie Newton

Release Date:Feb. 24, 2012

Director: Nima

Nourizadeh

Stars: Thomas

Mann, Oliver Cooper and Jonathan

Daniel Brown

Release Date:March 2, 2012

Project X

Good Deeds

Live your Dream... STuDy meDiCiNe• Doctor of Medicine (MD) program with traditional

basic sciences curriculum• Modern state of the art campus • Graduates qualify for licensure in the US and Canada • Qualified faculty primarily from the US and Canada• 100% Placement in Residencies for 2011• Clinical program completed at our affiliated teaching

hospitals in the US • Financial aid available for students that qualify

Visit us online at www.umhs-sk.org/info

University of Medicine and Health Sciences | St. Kitts | North American Administrative Office

460 W. 34th Street | New York, NY 10001 | admissions@umhs-sk.net | 866.686.0380

Applications being accepted for May and Sept. 2012 start dates.

UMHSeDuCaTiNg The NexT geNeraTioN of phySiCiaNS

CALENDAR

SIGNAL SPOTLIGHTS

Students who enjoy running, swimming and biking are the perfect fit for The Triathlon Club at Georgia State.

The club trains together and takes frequent weekend open water swim-ming and biking trips.

The mission statement of the Triathlon Club states, “The Georgia State University Triathlon Club strives to position GSU as a top col-legiate competitor while promot-ing personal fitness and the sport of triathlon. Through coaching, group training sessions and expert resourc-es coupled with the hard work and dedication of each member, every athlete will enhance their perfor-mance as triathletes.”

The goal of this club is to intro-duce the sport to students and pro-vide them with the tools necessary to compete with other athletes.

The club is open to students of all skill levels as all can be accommodat-ed through the leadership and work-outs the team provides.

Although the club is a high ener-gy, challenging organization it also serves as a social outlet for students to bond with others who share a common interest.

The members of the Triathlon Club work out on a daily basis to en-

sure their ability to perform in com-petitions. Although competitions re-quire a high magnitude of prepara-tion, the benefits seem to outweigh any challenges students may face.

Andrew Shanks, current presi-dent of the Triathlon Club, explains there is much to gain while compet-ing in events.

“The biggest gain for me is a sense of accomplishment…within a race you get to push your body to the lim-its,” Shanks said.

Shanks has been involved in the Triathlon Club since 2011 and took over as president in August of 2011.

“I joined the club because I was looking to become a part of the Collegiate Racing scene again,” Shanks said.

He continued to say that the club brings a positive and nurturing at-mosphere that encourages all sorts of individuals to participate.

There are many challenges as-sociated with biking, running and swimming, but one of the biggest challenges the club faces, according to Shanks, is finding female racers.

“Not many schools are able to pro-duce a full female team,” Shanks said.

The club competes year round and has two separate teams, a Club Team and a Race Team. For those who do not want to race but would like to work out with the team they are able to do so with this dual team system.

Triathlon Club

BrITTANy SporNhAuErStaff Writer

Editor’s note: Publicize your event in this calendar! Contact Alicia Johnson at signalliving@gmail.com with the event name, time, date, location and a brief description.

March 13Social Determinants of Health

Georgia State University Institute of Public Health will be holding this lecture for the Georgia State community. This lecture will be presented by Professor Sir Michael Marmot, M.D., Ph.D. Senate Salon Student Center//11 a.m.-12 p.m.

John QuinonesQuinones has been a journalist for ABC News for more than 20 years. He will be visiting Georgia State to discuss “Hispanic people in America: A vision of their lives today and prospects for the future.” Speakers Auditorium//11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

M.F.A. Exhibition: Chris Walter-On Yonder Mountain

This exhibition features students in the Ernest G. Welch School of Art and Design. These students will feature a variety of mediums from ceramics to sculptures. This exhibit will be displayed until March 16. Welch School of Art and Design Gallery//10 a.m. -6 p.m.

March 14

“Vigilante Vigilante”This documentary screening covers the art of graffiti and its effect on society. After the screening there will be a panel discussion with the documentary’s producer Nathan Wollman, and street artists “Hense” and Michi Meko.Cinefest// 3 p.m.

Multi-Modal Passenger Terminal

This will be the first public meeting held at the Georgia Pacific Auditorium.133 Peachtree St.//6 p.m.

March 15Bill Gates: Model for

LeadershipThe student leadership series provides this session that will discuss applying this technological mastermind’s tactics to your life.Lanier Suite Student Center//1 p.m.-2 p.m.

Exhibition 2012This event will be held at Georgia State’s Rialto Center. It features the school’s best drag queens and kings and allows two guests per student I.D. 7 p.m. -9 p.m.

March 16Seventh Annual Women of

Color Arts and Film (WOCAF) Festival

The festival’s opening night feature film, “The Education of Auma

Obama” by Branwen Okpako will be taking place at Walter C. Hill Auditorium, High Museum of Arts. This film looks into the life of President Obama’s half sister and premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.1280 Peachtree St. Atlanta, GA 30309//7 p.m.//$15

March 17Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day

ParadeThis parade will include GSU’s own school of hospitality carrying the world’s largest Irish flag.Peachtree Street and Ralph McGill// 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

March 19Band of Skulls w/ We Are

Augustines Blues-based Brits Band of Skulls have come stateside to rock the Variety Playhouse for the first time. If their recordings are any indication, this will be a monumental performance.1099 Euclid Avenue//7 p.m.//$16-$18

March 20Courtyard Series Concert: Levi

Stephens – Acoustic R&BAcoustic R&B singer Levi Stephens will perform live on the first floor of the Student Center.Courtyard Stage // 12 p.m.

March 22What Does Professionalism

Entail?The student leadership series provides this session that will discuss different aspects of professionalism in the workplace.Lucerne Suite Student Center//2-3 p.m.

March 23Walter Rodney Symposium

This event at the Atlanta University Center Woodruff Library will hosts numerous speakers including Dr. Lewis Gordon of Temple University.111 James P Brawley Dr. SW Atlanta, GA 30314//4 p.m.-8 p.m.

Atlanta Film FestivalThis international, Academy-Award qualifying festival has been held here since 1976, and it shows no signs of slowing down. Past guests have included Spike Lee (“Do The Right Thing”), Diablo Cody and Ellen Page (“Juno”) and more. This event takes place at the Landmark Cinema and lasts until April 1.931 Monroe Drive

Atlanta Exploration Tour: State Capitol

Explore the connections of diversity and the history of the State of Georgia by touring the state capitol. Reserve your space by March 16 in the Office of Student Activities. Lunch will be provided.480 University Center//12 p.m.

March 24Question Bridge: Black Males

RoundtableThe artists of the Question Bridge: Black Males video installation exhibit at the Chastain Arts Center will be discussing their work. They will explain the themes throughout the work.Galloway School//5-7 p.m.

Mind Spiders, The Golden Boys and more

Mark Ryan’s (Marked Men, High Tension Wires) new group, Mind Spiders, are headed to the E.A.R.L. for the first time. Locals The Barreracudas open, among others, for what should be an epic night of garage-punk fury.488 Flat Shoals Avenue//9 p.m.//$8-$10

March 28Open Mic Night

Come out and enjoy our monthly Open Mic Night in the Student Center. Perform your music, poetry or other talents, or just sit back, relax and enjoy performances by your fellow classmates. Cash prizes will be given for the top three GSU student winners!Student Center Courtyard Stage//7 p.m.

March 29

Courtyard Concert Series: Sharaya Mikael – Acoustic

Folk/Indie

Acoustic Folk/Indie Musician Sharaya Mikael will perform live on the first floor of the Student Center. Sharaya’s latest single Far Field calls listeners-both musically and lyrically-to the roller-coaster of the lovesick, to memory’s involuntary ride.Student Center, Courtyard Stage//12 p.m.

Distinguished Speaker SeriesKathryn Stockett will discuss he journey with Georgia State. Stockett is the author of the book The Help, now a major motion picture. This book was based on her real experience growing up in Mississippi.Student Center Ballroom//3 p.m.

Career Workshop with Jerry Stein

Guest speaker Jerry Stein will present the hidden secret successful executives use to promote their business career, often used but rarely discussed. Learn the cutting edge of developing key contacts and deeper relationships most networking groups lack.Georgia State Brookhaven Center//7 p.m.

March 31Bacon FestWho doesn’t love bacon? This outdoor festival at Dad’s Garage theatre promises bands, beer and of course bacon. Enjoy.280 Elizabeth St Atlanta, GA 30307//1 p.m.

The National Council for International Visitors (NCIV) has been opening doors for students since it’s start in 1961. Shakeem Grohmann, freshman and International Business major at Georgia State, was fortunate enough to be one of the many students selected to participate in their foreign relationships pro-gram, the Citizen Diplomacy Program.

The NCIV’s Citizen Diplomacy Program for Emerging Leaders has two objectives: to edu-cate students about global affairs and to help foster future leaders. According to their website, the NCIV members achieve these goals through “designing and implementing professional pro-grams, providing cultural activities and offering home hospitality for foreign leaders.”

Grohmann’s involvement with the NCIV began with an internship in 2011 with the Georgia Council for International Visitors (GCIV). His assignment was to document any significant movements in the GCIV’s history, as well as the number of the heads of govern-ment and chiefs of state that came into their po-sition with the help of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP).

While Grohmann was already sure of his decision to pursue a career in International Business, his experience at the GVIC opened up new possibilities and ideas for his future.

“I now know that I should also strive to pur-sue a career in a foreign region so that I can get a better understanding of the region and its peo-ple,” Grohmann said.

The NCIV’s interim president, Mark Rebstock, stated that his hope for the student

participants is that the program will “instill in the next generation of young leaders the impor-tance of international relations and of being an engaged global citizen.”

Besides giving him the opportunity to learn more about international relations and devel-oping his leadership skills, Grohmann’s experi-ence at the GCIV also taught him that ignorance is most often the reason behind racism and dis-crimination of people of different nationalities and ethnic backgrounds. Grohmann expressed that after he has the opportunity to work abroad he, wants to help others around him become more aware of other cultures and places out-side of the United States.

This rare opportunity to participate in the Citizen Diplomacy Program did not come to Grohmann without a significant amount of hard work and diligence on his part. Because of the heavy workload expected from students, the NCIV searches for students with a perse-vering and resilient attitude and work ethic. Grohmann’s exemplary performance in his GCIV internship led him to be nominated and selected for the Citizen Diplomacy Program.

“The head of the GCIV, Shell Stuart, noticed I had a reputation of delivering and meeting deadlines and I believe in the end that is what got me the position,” Grohmann said.

Apart from his developing interest and background in international affairs, he insists to be just a regular college student.

“For fun I love to play basketball and I’m an aspiring rapper,” Grohmann said. With his German background, he feels fans can expect a twist to the hip-hop sounds they are used to.

“It became a passion of mine and so I stuck with it.”

IMAN NAIMStaff Writer

Shakeem Grohmann

TUESDAY, MArch 13, 2012 11ARTS & LIVING | THE SIGNAL

TUESDAY, MArch 13, 2012 12 ARTS & LIVING | THE SIGNAL

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Continued from front page

If caught in the act, the memo suggests that sisters use a pre-prepared, made-up excuse to justify their actions to throw off suspicious university offi cials or police offi cers and limit what they could be charged with.

“If ever faced with a scenar-io where a cop begins question-ing your activities, always follow what they say, give IDs if they ask and NEVER (sic) discuss the organization you belong to,” the email reads. “Think quick, and always have a local chapter/col-ony plan of the story you can tell anyone of authority in the case something like this happens.”

The email goes further to so-licit help from the national offi ce if facing problems with “prepa-ration,” even saying that the na-tional executive board will pe-nalize sisters and/or chapters for breaking the rules laid out to suppress evidence.

“It is better to be safe and prepare yourself with STORIES (sic) for quick thinking purpos-es, than to be sorry with a sce-nario that turns for the worse because you were not prepared,” according to the email.

The local chapter of Sigma Sigma Rho was placed on a new member recruitment suspen-sion as of Jan. 13 – when the as-sistant dean of students, Pamela Anthony, said the organization’s “new member policies con-done practices that are in di-rect confl ict with Georgia State University’s Hazing Policy and constitute violations of criminal law as hazing is a crime in the state of Georgia.”

Evidence sent to the univer-sity include photos of non-GSU sorority members committing hazing rituals, specifi cally where recruits were forced to kneel and have pounds of fl our and other materials poured on them.

Other examples of hazing ac-tivity include a structured merit/demerit system, forced entries into pledge books and mandato-ry physical exercises as punish-ment measures.

As of press time, the nation-al offi ce was not prepared to comment.

Attempts to conceal or pre-vent certain information from being exposed are not confi ned to Sigma Sigma Rho, however.

In regards to one of The Signal’s recent Open Records requests, the national presi-dent of Zeta Tau Alpha, Keeley Riddle, sent a letter to the Dean of Students and University Legal on Feb. 3 requesting prior re-view of all relevant documents requested.

However, both the universi-

ty Offi ce of Legal Aff airs and the Offi ce of the Dean of Students refused to comply with her re-quest, according to emails they have released.

Riddle did not respond with a statement despite repeated at-tempts for comment.

Secrecy, anonymous letters and lack of evidence

Due to the secretive nature of many Greek organizations, veri-fi cation of events and activities not formally sanctioned by the university can be daunting.

Pledges often must sign con-fi dentiality agreements as a pre-condition of joining Greek or-ganizations and are frequently sworn to secrecy – putting tre-mendous pressure on them to not speak out.

Therefore, fraternities and sororities are not investigat-ed until someone gets hurt or a member or former member comes forward, typically on an anonymous basis.

However, unless that anon-ymous individual is willing to speak on the record, it is ex-tremely diffi cult to investigate anonymous complaints, as the university cannot ascertain spe-cifi c details to move forward, ac-cording to Pamela Anthony, the assistant dean of students.

For example, the Eta Mu Georgia State chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha was investigated last November but was never formally charged due to a lack of evidence.

In that case, the student that reported the organization re-fused to come forward and pro-vide the university with details involving dates, locations or times of alleged hazing incidents nor the names of those involved for fear that she would be re-vealed, the student said.

Her letter alleges that inter-ests were forced to undergo a variety of pre-hazing activities to even be considered. She said interests were required to per-

form acts of servitude, subjected to public ridicule and physically assaulted to the point of bruising – mostly at off -campus locations over the summer or during rush periods.

“Throughout the summer several girls were forced to run errands for the members, buy their lunches, act as their chauf-feurs by driving them anywhere they wanted to go including the airport, packed their luggage, painted their apartments, come to their apartments to be cursed out by members in a line-up, write poems about certain mem-bers, and some girls have even been hit and bruised,” the letter reads.

Despite the serious al-legations, the investigation was dropped due to a lack of evidence.

Angel White, then AKA chap-ter president and former Signal section editor, said that the al-legations against her sorority caught her completely off -guard and denied that any hazing oc-curred while she presided over the chapter.

“I felt like I was blindsid-ed. Nothing like this happened while I was president,” White said.

She said it’s not uncommon for allegations to be made by for-mer pledges or those with an axe to grind.

“This sort of thing happens every year during rush,” White said.

Indeed, as some national of-fi ces are quick to point out, the anonymous nature of complaints received against organizations make verifi cation of allegations problematic. Also, by their na-ture, it’s often impossible to ver-ify the identity of the sender and verifi cation of a person’s motive may be diffi cult as well.

In an offi cial statement to the university, the national offi ce of Sigma Sigma Rho accused the anonymous informant involved in the leak of documents and be-hind the hazing allegations of conjuring false claims about the organization as part of a person-al vendetta to slander the them.

However, anonymous victims claim that off ering up their iden-tity would expose them to an undue amount of pressure and criticism from their fellow Greek life members.

In each of the anonymous let-ters sent to the Dean of Students offi ce in the last year, individu-als expressed universal concern for the consequences of report-ing suspicious behavior against a Greek organization.

The consequences of whistleblowing

Reporting suspicious or haz-ing activity carries some risk to the person responsible for “snitching” or “ratting” out an organization. That risk often prevents complainants from fur-ther testifying on the record in an offi cial capacity, records show.

In the case of the AKA inves-tigation, the student that report-ed the organization decided to “lay low” once she determined that other members had become suspicious about girls reporting them, according to emails.

“I fear that losing my ano-nymity will cause unnecessary backlash for me on campus from the chapter, young women cur-rently on line and interests still adamant about pursuing mem-bership next fall,” she said.

In the case of Zeta Tau Alpha, the anonymous infor-mant claimed she could not give her name “for fear of what some of he sisters might do to [her] if they found out that I was the one that reported them.”

Earlier in the letter, she cited the example of a sister that wrote up the sorority for “dirty rush-ing,” or banned forms of recruit-ing, that has been shunned publi-cally by the sorority.

Following the reporting of the violations in September, re-cords show ZTA sisters cursed at mediators assigned to the case during an informal discus-sion due to frustration stemming from the fact that fellow sister turned them in.

In the past, organizations convicted of hazing or oth-er university-banned activities have had their school charters revoked and social activities banned for a specifi ed time de-pending on the seriousness of the charges.

In rare cases, some Greek organizations at Georgia State, such as the Kappa Theta chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, have been permanently suspended.

An anonymous letter prompt-ed the investigation that led to the Student Judicial Board’s de-cision in June 2010 to hold the organization responsible for maintaining an environment where interests were slapped, punched and beaten with canes, among other hazing rituals.

The chapter’s president and advisor were also found guilty of lying to the university.

At present, seven Greek or-ganizations have been investi-gated in the last year for a vari-ety of code of conduct violations ranging in severity from unfi led paperwork charges to hazing allegations.

Two of those organizations, Sigma Gamma Rho and Delta Phi Lambda, have lost their charters.

“Do away with all proof”

“It is better to be safe

and prepare yourself with STORIES for quick thinking purposes, than to be sorry with a sce-nario that turns for the worse because you

were not prepared.”

-- SSR national executive board

Actions and situations that may constitute hazing may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• forcing or requiring the drinking of alcohol or any other substance;

• forcing or requiring the consumption of food or any other substance;

• calisthenics (e.g., push-ups, sit-ups, jogging, runs);

• treeings (e.g., tying someone up and throw-ing food or other sub-stances on them);

• paddle swats;

• line-ups (e.g., yelling at or harassing people in a formation);

• theft of any property;

• road trips (e.g., drop-ping someone off and leaving him/her to fi nd his/her own way back);

• scavenger hunts;

• causing an individual to have fewer than six (6) continuous hours of sleep per night;

• conducting activities that do not allow ad-equate time for study (e.g., not allowing an individual to attend class, causing one to miss group projects);

• forcing or requiring partial or complete nu-dity at any time;

• performing acts of personal servitude for members (e.g., driving them to class, cleaning their individual rooms, serving meals, washing cars, shopping, laun-dry);

• forcing or requiring the violation of University policies, federal, state or local law.

SPECIAL SIGNAL INVESTIGATION: HAZING AND GREEK LIFE

TUESDAY, MArch 13, 2012 14 NEwS | THE SIGNAL

Sigma Gamma RhoIn February 2011, due to a paperwork issue, Lucille

Whiten told members of the Sigma Gamma Rho so-rority that they could not conduct membership intake during the spring of 2011 semester.

In August 2011, it was brought to the attention of Whiten that an intake of new member had in fact oc-curred the previous semester. The result was a code of conduct violation of administrative or university policies.

Vernika Lawrence, the president of the Zeta Alpha Sigma chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho that ad-vises Georgia State’s Omicron Gamma chapter, said miscommunication led to the violation and that the active chapter president, Nicole Durham, was not at fault for the violation, according to a letter to the Dean of Students office.

“Ms. Durham was not the president or the mem-bership intake chair of Omicron Gamma Chapter at the time of the alleged violation and was unaware of any statements regarding membership intake that were made to Greek Life last spring,” Lawrence wrote in September.

During a due process hearing Durham waived her right to a formal hearing and accepted responsibility for violating Georgia State’s code of conduct, result-ing in a suspension of the university charter for the remainder of the fall 2011 semester.

Georgia State’s Greek community faced challeng-ing accusations last semester. A handful of fraterni-ties and sororities ultimately faced the legal process of the Student Judiciary Board, and many are still feeling the effects of their judgment.

TErAh BoydAssociate News Editor

Greek investigations

Kappa SigmaThe local chapter and president of the Kappa

Sigma fraternity were recently found not guilty of violating Georgia State’s code of conduct for an in-cident involving an open-container “gin bucket” at a non-sanctioned university party.

Advertised on Facebook as the “2nd annual William J. Plett Mustache Invitational,” the Dec. 3 party resulted in the Dean of Students investigating a possible code of conduct violation.

Specifically, the university report says that the Kappa Sigma fraternity hosted an off-campus party in the Bolton community, west of Buckhead. The vio-lation cites “a common-source container used to pro-vide alcohol to guests, some of which were underage.”

The chapter’s president, Philip Hinson, said that the party was not a fraternity-sponsored event and that his roommate hosted the event.

Hinson told the Dean of Students that a female student made the gin bucket, a mixture involving a handle of gin and a two-liter of soda, for personal consumption.

She testified that she tried to hide the gin bucket in a closet but that other students must have found the concoction, leaving it empty.

Kappa Sigma and Hinson were found not guilty Feb. 17.

ke

Pi Kappa Alpha In August, Jacob Pridemore, president of the lo-

cal Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity chapter, submitted an activity form to university officials for a recruitment activity to take place August 25th at the “Spring 4th” event complex. After numerous exchanges between Pridemore, Greek life coordinator Lucille Asborn and Logan Reynolds from the Pi Kappa Alpha nation-al office, the request was ultimately denied because the presence of alcohol would be contrary to Georgia State and Pi Kappa Alpha code of conduct.

On Aug. 25, 2011 Georgia State Police reported that four Georgia State Students, including Pridemore, participating at an off-campus event that resulted in one of the students becoming unresponsive. The four traveled to the Emory Midtown Hospital seeking medical attention for the unresponsive student.

The student that was admitted to the hospital left the University Commons earlier in the evening on a “party bus” to a Pike fraternity house off campus, ac-cording to the report, where he consumed approxi-mately six to seven beers at the house with an addi-tional three to four shots on the bus. After arriving at the hospital, the student became “belligerent and dis-ruptive” and was arrested.

On Oct. 14, 2011, the Student Judicial Board found Pridemore not responsible for violating Georgia State code of conduct but declared the fraternity was at fault. Pi Kappa Alpha was responsible for violation of rules, alcohol use, possession, consumption and distribution, failure to comply with University rules and to follow local and state law. Pi Kappa Alpha was forced to ban all social activities until the end of the spring 2012 semester and was mandated to institute a drug and alcohol awareness program for its members.

nka

Alpha Kappa AlphaA number of email correspondences from a “Jane

Doe” began with Georgia State officials in early November 2011. “Doe”, claiming to be an interest of Alpha Kappa Alpha, feared backlash from sisters of the sorority and was concerned about meeting with university officials. Her allegations against the soror-ity included acts of servitude, purchasing things for the other girls with their own money, being intimi-dated and cursed at, and even being “hit and bruised with wood.”

Doe also stated that she, and other students, at-tempted to contact the national headquarters about the situation and said “the women were tight-lipped and said they would ‘take note’ of the situation.” Doe said her and the other girls felt “hopeless” about their situation. Doe said she had to “lay low” because sis-ters were growing suspicious of her and other inter-ests. Ultimately, Doe and the other concerned inter-ests never came forward in the investigation due to intimidation and fear of “backlash,” according cor-respondence between the Dean of Students and the complainant.

On Nov. 18, Pamela Anthony notified Angel White, then active president of the local Alpha Kappa Alpha chapter, that “the results of the investigation did not reveal sufficient evidence” to proceed with a hearing to examine possible code of conduct violations.

AKA

efP

20112012

July 2011Summer 2011summer WorkshoP

neW memBers Were encircleD AnD sPrAyeD

With silly string.

totAl chAPter retreAt

letter Alleges sisters Were Peer PressureD into tAking their toPs off AnD to get Drunk.

sisters engAngeD in “Dirty rushing,“ As re-PorteD 9/20/11 By the grouP’s recruitment counselor

Sept. 8 2011

Sept.9 2011other violAtions rePorteD

By the recruitment coun-selor, AccorDing to uni-

versity recorDs

Oct.11 2011ZtA fAces college PAnhellenic JuDiciAl ProceDures for eAr-lier rePorts.

violAtions resolveD through meDiAtion AnD requireD to suB-mit neW recruitment guiDlines

Oct.25 2011ZtA ADvisor resPonse

lAurA reDmAn senDs A letter to lucille AusBorn

DisPuting some of the finDings/consequences in resPonse to the heAr-

ing results.

semiformAl

sister thAt others DrAnk With Previously shoWs uP At An event mysteriously AnD is AskeD to leAve After throWing uP. other sisters lAugh AnD mADe fun of her, Ac-corDing to letter. Jan. 12 2012

DeAn of stuDent receives Anonymous letter

lAunDry list

Jan. 30 2012signAl senDs request for letter

Feb. 3 201214:40:00

riDDle cAlls Dos to Dis-cuss hoW/if Documents

shoulD Be releAseD

Feb. 3 20124:37 P.m.

ZtA nAtionAl PresiDent keeley riDDle requests An “AlternAtive ArrAge-ment“ regArDing the releAse of the letter AnD Asks for Prior revieW AnD notificAtion of All recorDs requests

Feb. 6 2012university legAl De-clines riDDle’s offer AnD DisAgrees thAt it WAs imProPer to turn over Documents.

Feb. 21 2012signAl runs the first story

ZTA

Delta Phi LambdaPamela Anthony, assistant dean of students, or-

dered an Oct. 21, 2011 cease and desist of all member-ship and recruitment activities to Delta Phi Lambda Sorority Chapter President Katie Chan after alleged hazing reports.

The organization forced potential members who were late to meetings or for those who failed to know specific sorority information to perform wall sits. The students were also forced into a line-up twice a week where they were required to don matching hair and makeup and wear identical white shirts and tights, according to the university’s complaint.

On Nov. 16, 2011, Chan formally waved her right to a formal hearing on the charges of hazing against the Delta Phi Lambda Sorority, accepting responsibility. The result was the suspension of the chapter’s char-ter for two semesters -- concluding on July 23, 2012. After the suspension has lifted, the chapter will un-dergo educational sanctions about hazing.

AIa

TUESDAY, MArch 13, 2012 15NEwS | THE SIGNAL

MArCh 11Broad St.Officers arrested a Non-GSU individual for Robbery by Sudden Snatching. At 3:39 p.m. officers were advised two unknown individuals approached a Non-GSU individual and snatched her cellular phone. Officers located one of the individuals. He was arrested, processed and transported to Fulton County Jail.

MArCh 8Library plazaA report was filed for Theft by Deception. The complainant, a GSU student stated, at 5:45 p.m. an unknown individual asked to use her phone. She then dialed a number for the individual and handed him the phone. He took the phone and ran from the area. The case is being handled by Investigations.

MArCh 7Aderhold Learning CenterA report was filed for Battery. The complainant, a GSU student stated, at 2:52 p.m. another GSU student choked him after a verbal dispute. The case is being handled by Investigations.

Turner Field parking LotA report was filed for Attempted Theft of Auto. The complainant, a GSU student stated, at 3:30 p.m. officers observed the driver’s side window down on his vehicle and the ignition switch was broken. The case is being handled by Investigations. Turner Field parking LotA report was filed for Motor Vehicle Theft. The complainant, a GSU student stated, at 3:30 p.m. he noticed his vehicle was missing. The case is being handled by Investigations. u parking LotA report was filed for Theft. The complainant, a GSU student stated, at 6:15 p.m. she noticed her helmet was missing from her scooter. The case is being handled by Investigations.

MArCh 6General Classroom BuildingOfficers issued a Non-GSU individual a Criminal Trespass Warning. At 7:48 p.m. officers observed the individual loitering in the building. He was issued a C.T.W. and was escorted off campus without incident.

TIFFANIE SMIThStaff Writer

Georgia State students must constantly be aware of their surroundings and belongings, as evidenced by recent crime records that indicate a rise in thefts involving lost or mislaid property incidents.

One recent report from this month was filed involving a Georgia State student who noticed his backpack containing various items was missing.

Another report filed this month states a Georgia State student noticed her ring was miss-ing. A student leaving their things unattended only to come back and find the items are gone is a growing problem. This is has been happening in several areas around campus, such as the library.

In January, a student stated that he left his cel-lular phone for about 30 minutes in Library South while he went to retrieve papers from a printer. When he returned, his phone had been stolen.

“People I guess get comfortable in the library and leave their purse, wallet, etc,” Director of

Police Carolton Mullis said. “By the time the stu-dent comes back, it’s gone.”

Another report filed stated a student said at 4:17 p.m. she left her wallet in Library North con-taining various items unattended and when she returned at 6:00 p.m. she noticed it was missing. Senior Chris Moore is surprised this has been happening.

“I never thought there would be theft cases happening in the library,” Moore said. “It’s a place for just students and not the public so the fact that this is happening among us students is ridiculous. I would never steal from anyone.”

There has also been a rise of phone snatch-ings on campus. Last month one student stated that at 2:30 p.m., he left his cellular phone on the Panther Shuttle bus and when he returned at 4 p.m., it was gone.

In late January, a student stated, at 8:49 p.m. an unknown individual approached her and snatched her cellular phone out of her hand in the General Classroom Building. According to Mullis, there are two types of cell phone thefts.

“The first type is when one person would come up from behind the person and snatch the phone,” Mullis said. “The second is where two or three women would come up in a car, ask to bor-row a phone to make a phone call, and drive off.”

Police arrested only one person for phone theft in January, although they arrested a non-GSU individual last Sunday for phone snatching.

Mullis said there are additional steps students should take to reduce this type of crime on cam-pus, Mullis said.

“Students should not give their phones to people they do not know,” Mullis said. “They should also not leave their property lying around unattended and keep watch of their property.”

Police are tightening their efforts to eliminate phone thefts on campus. Currently, the depart-ment has undercover police officers as well as security cameras scanning for non-students that seem questionable.

“I would tell students to just be aware of their surroundings,” Mullis said. “If you see anything suspicious, just give us a call.”

Who’s watching your stuff?Mislaid property and theft incidents on the rise

Continued from p. 1

struction begins, according to Kim Bauer, the director of Facilities and Design and Construction Services.

She says the majority of renova-tions will occur with the mechani-cal systems in the building with very few walls being removed or added.

However, if asbestos is detect-ed, the university will have it pro-fessionally removed, which Bauer says will not significantly impact the timeframe or cost of construction.

“Our standard policy is to test for asbestos prior to renovations and if asbestos is found, it is professionally and safely removed and then the air is tested to confirm that it is clean prior to any occupants occupying the area.”

The Physics and Astronomy de-partments will be moving into floors six and twelve next September along with University Relations.

The Communications depart-ment is scheduled to move into floors eight through eleven in December.

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TUESDAY, MArch 13, 2012 16 NEwS | THE SIGNAL

ALEXIS SMIThStaff Writer

Georgia State University is current-ly taking significant steps to better its green-friendly efforts.

The Sustainability Forum held on March 6th focused on ways in which Georgia State is already sustainable – in-cluding using the less styrofoam in the dining halls. Following the discussion, audience members made suggestions to speakers Lenore Musick, director of Panther Dining, and Suzannae Palts, the Piedmont North Dining Hall manager, on ways for Georgia State to further their current environment-friendly protocol.

Michael Black, an advisor of the stu-dent group Sustainable Energy Tribe, was also present during the forum. Black, whose green fee proposal failed before the Mandatory Fee Committee last se-mester, says he is taking a number of steps, with the help of others, to improve Georgia State’s sustainable practices.

“We’re helping Eboni Wyatt and Gabrielle Arrington [members of sus-tainability programs on campus] with Earth Day planning. We’re working with former Mandatory Fee Committee mem-bers and the SGA to pursue funding for sustainability at Georgia State,” Black said.

Black says there is a possibility that the Mandatory Student Fee Committee will incorporate funds for sustainabil-ity into an existing fee, such as student activities.

Black and Student Government President James Dutton have been meet-ing and discussing since the disapproval of the Green Fee proposal.

“[We] have been surveying students,

faculty, and staff on campus to see if there is support for a green roof on the proposed law school building, which seems like it might be next in line for the newly built buildings at Georgia State,” Black said.

Musick agreed that although Georgia State has been eyeing the potential for gardens to be placed on certain roof-tops it would take years to build that. However, he said they were looking to incorporate designs into the future.

Black said that a green roof would not only give students access to green space, but it would also reduce building heat-ing and cooling costs, reduce storm wa-ter runoff, and improve air quality.

Although issues such as recycling and future go-green projects were discussed heavily, the main focus was on Georgia State’s current sustainable practices.

The dining halls use Tork napkins, a brand of napkins made of recycled paper, and dining halls are now tray-less.

“No trays equal less food, and less food equals less waste,” said Musick.

Musick also said that Georgia State breaks down recycled goods on a weekly basis, which independent recycling com-panies pick up.

These practices, amongst others, un-fortunately go unnoticed or unknown to many Georgia State students.

“We’ve been doing so much behind the scenes,” Musick said. “And a lot of people don’t understand why we do it.”

Future sustainability forums are planned as part of a series on green topics a single Tuesday every month at Georgia State, hosted by Greening Georgia State, the Environmental Law Society, and the International and Comparative Law Society.

Sustainability forum highlights green progress

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PAtrick Duffy | the signAlAlthough issues such as recycling and future go-green projects were discussed heavily at the sustain-ability forum, the main focus was on Georgia State’s current sustainable practices.

TUESDAY, MArch 13, 2012 17NEwS | THE SIGNAL

OCCUPY: Atlanta, GSU, the movement continues

SAMArIA SMIThStaff Writer

Over 80 defendants packed into an Atlanta Municipal courtroom last Friday to face assorted charges as-sociated with their occupation of Woodruff Park and surrounding ar-eas last October.

The defendants were most-ly members of the Occupy Atlanta movement—an offspring organi-zation born from the Occupy Wall Street demonstrations in New York that sought to draw attention to the issue of economic inequality, among other issues.

After Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed withdrew permission for the Occupy protestors to continue camping in Woodruff Park last year, many of them refused to leave the park and were later arrested.

At the proceedings, Judge Crystal Gaines expressed reluctance in delib-erating quickly and is seeking more time to make her decision instead, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. However, if Gaines de-cides to leave the charges intact, trial dates were set to begin in the upcom-ing fall.

Meanwhile, Occupy Atlanta’s Facebook page and website show several activities scheduled for this month, including plans to occupy AT&T’s headquarters and a family’s home who is facing foreclosure by Chase bank.

While the Occupy movement has faced some opposition, it has moti-vated many people across the world to follow in its footsteps.

At Georgia State, the Occupy movement has sparked interest among some students to rise up their voices in opposition of what they consider disparity in the decision-making process of an education they pay for.

Marina Bruce, sophomore Journalism major and active member of the Occupy Georgia State move-ment, says that the mission of the Occupy organization on campus is to give students back their university.

“The university belongs to those who use it—students should have

substantial say in the decision mak-ing process of the university,” Bruce said. “The Board of Regents gets to decide who is barred from entrance to the university on falsified facts and have re-segregated schools by ban-ning undocumented students.”

Bruce says that the organization also believes that students should only pay for what they actually get and the things that are most benefi-cial to the collective body.

“Students shouldn’t have to pay for fees that are not benefiting the whole student body,” Bruce said.

This month, Occupy Georgia State has planned several events to spread their message.

“We have several upcoming events, including the March 13th Walk out—we are hoping that as the warmer weather approaches, there will be a bigger student and faculty presence in Occupy GSU,” Bruce said.

The walk out is a call to action encouraging students to walk out of their classes and march to the Board of Regents meeting, according to Bruce.

“The Board of Regents sets the HOPE cuts, bans students from the university and do not represent what the students want whatsoever.”

Occupy Georgia State also plans on holding “teach-ins,” which are free classes on a select topic taught by volunteers.

Aware of some of the appre-hension and criticism that the larg-er Occupy movements has drawn, Bruce hopes that with a major focus devoted to the university, students will realize that they can change things.

“It may seem overwhelming to focus on the problems in our govern-ment at large and that may be why many people do not get involved—hopefully, with the clear focus on the university, more people will get in-volved and feel inspired that they can change things,” Bruce said.

“Students will see as the move-ment continues to grow that Occupy GSU is a true vehicle for change and that we are here to make a difference and to take back our university.”

BrIAN CroWEStaff Writer

The Bureau of Labor Statistics re-leased its latest monthly jobs report last Friday. An additional 227,000 jobs were added in February, but the unemployment rate remained at 8.3 percent. Dr. Barry T. Hirsch, applied labor economist and economics pro-fessor at Georgia State, sat down with The Signal to discuss the report. Dr. Hirsch is the W.J. Usery Chair of the American Workplace for the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies.

Q. Were there any sur-prises in the report?

No. This is pretty much what people have predicted and hoped for. It’s looked pretty similar over the last three months now. We still have a long ways to go, though. We lost about eight million jobs from the peak in 2008. We’ve made up maybe 2.5 million.

Q. Does the report paint an accurate picture of the employment situation?

The employment numbers come from establishments...from payrolls of employers. The unemployment rate comes from household surveys. The household survey is from a smaller sample, so sometimes the two don’t align exactly. Also, the unemployment rate doesn’t include those who have given up searching for a job. No one measure of the labor market is going to give a complete picture.

Q. What sector of the economy is contributing most to the job gains?

Business services. A good chunk of that is temporary hiring, which is actually a good thing. The health sec-tor is doing well. Leisure and hospi-

tality also. Public sector jobs, state and local, had been decreasing. That sec-tor is not decreasing now but is com-pletely flat. All the growth is in the pri-vate sector.

Q. And which private sector is lagging?

Construction.

Q. Is that a surprise, giv-en the mild winter and warm temperatures?

That’s just how weak the con-struction sector is. It probably would have been worse without the unsea-sonably warm weather.

Q. How important psy-chologically is the un-employment rate num-ber, in terms of economic confidence?

I don’t think it affects business’s decisions very much at all. They’re looking at their sales and the over-all prospects for future growth. Politically, it has a big effect. It’s a single number that’s very visible. It’s regarded as a measure of pain in the economy. It will have a big effect on the election.

Q. The unemployment rate in Georgia has been sig-nificantly higher than the national rate. Why?

It’s been hit particularly hard in the construction industry. Losses there were the largest and the recov-ery has been very, very slow. We’re still seeing weakness in new construc-tion. There is such a backlog in fore-closed homes.

Q. What would be a healthy number of jobs be-ing created at this point?

If we grow at a rate of 200,000 plus per month – in a sustained way. You need somewhere around 150, 000 per month just to keep up with popu-lation growth.

Q. How are recent col-lege graduates faring?

Whenever you have a recession, particularly a severe one like we had, new entrants into the job market have a harder time. What you see is a sharp reduction in new hiring. Still, they are doing quite a bit better than those without a college degree.

Where there is a real cause for concern is among African-Americans, and not just among the young. Black unemployment, across virtually all age groups, is roughly double that of whites.

Q. Do you think anything more should be done to help the long-term unemployed?

On the one hand, the good thing about unemployment insurance is it gets money to those who have lost in-come, so it helps the economy at the macro level if people have money to spend. On the other hand, you don’t want overly generous benefits in a healthy job market because that dis-courages people from searching as in-tensely for jobs, and they are pickier about the types of jobs they will take. Because this recession was so severe, most of the estimates indicate that un-employment insurance has not made the unemployment rate substantially higher. It should be noted, however, that as long people are receiving un-employment benefits, they add to the unemployment rate. Unemployment benefits were extended substantial-ly during this recession, and are now starting to be wound down a bit. As the labor market strengthens, benefits need to be rolled back to what they were before.

The jobs report: An economist’s perspective

sArAh WooDs | the signAlDr. Hirsch is the W.J. Usery Chair of the American Workplace for the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies.

stock Photo | the signAlThe walk out is a call to action encouraging students to walk out of their classes and march to the Board of Regents meeting, according to sophomore Marina Bruce.

TUESDAY, MArch 13, 2012 18 NEwS | THE SIGNAL

Name: Marcus Kernizan

Classification: junior

GPA: 3.3

Position: President

Running Mate: Taylor Briggs

Major: Public Policy

College: Andrew Young School of Policy Studies

Semesters at GSU: 6

Activities: Currently is serving as the Vice-President for Academic Affairs in SGA; experi-ence as a 1913 Society Ambassador, Inceptor; Vice president of Fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma

On Parking: “On my platform, parking is a major issue, as it has been for years. My stance on this issue is that students should have better parking op-tions on campus. In the near future, Georgia State will occupy the SunTrust building and its parking deck. This additional parking space will free up space in M- Deck, and G-

Deck for more students to obtain parking spaces. I plan to have a working relationship with Auxiliary and Support Services to ensure that students receive the best services for their money. I strongly feel that we need to revisit the M- Deck passes option for parking in that deck, and think of alternate solutions that will be more effective for the students. Also Student Government is working on a project that will allow students to park near Underground Atlanta free, and I will support this project as well. With these things in place, I believe that the current parking situation will improve over the next school year.

On Tuition: “The vast majority of students disagree with tuition increases, as do I. As SGA President it will be my role to help organize the students’ voice in this situation, so that their message is properly delivered to the decision makers. Being that I am a current member of SGA, I realize that Student Government does not set the price of tuition, nor do we have di-rect control of it. However, we can speak out about the issue, and work with the Board of Regents so that they understand the burden that they will be placing on students. Although we cannot control tuition, we do have an impact on mandatory student fees, which students also complain about. I will not support any fee increase that students do not directly reap the benefit of.”

On Crime on Campus: “During the fall semester, we had many reports of crime on campus. I believe that the SGA should partner with GSU Police and other student organizations to host a town hall meeting or program during Georgia State’s Welcome Week in order to make students aware of this issue. During the program, we will discuss what things to look out for on campus, how to not look like an easy target when walking around campus, how to request a police escort, and vari-ous other helpful topics. I suggest we are proactive and host this event in the beginning of the semester so new freshman and transfers will be informed early on, rather than waiting till multiple incidents occur on campus. Last semester, I imple-mented a program titled “Don’t be the Next Campus Alert”, where we informed students about crime on campus and how to protect themselves better. Since then, the amount of reported campus alerts has decreased significantly.”

On Student Immigration: I feel that all students should be given an equal opportunity to learn and attend school. As a rep-resentative of the student body, it will be my job to seek the feedback of those students that will be potentially affected by HB 59. This is very important because certain actions could cause undocumented students to lose access to all colleges and universities, not just the research institutions, which would be detrimental. On Hazing: First and foremost, I do not believe in hazing. I strongly disagree that students should have to be hazed to join certain student organizations. However, I believe that as a representative of the student body, it is important that we keep personal feelings, opinions, and motives away from business matters. With that being said, I would open this up to the stu-dent body to determine, because the power lies in the hands of the students. Whatever the majority of the students feel, is the position that I will represent.

Name: Taylor Briggs

GPA: 3.85

Classification: sophomore

Position: Executive Vice President

Running Mate: Marcus Kernizan

Major: Speech Comm.

College: Arts & Sciences

Semesters at GSU: 5

Activities: served in the SGA as senator; served on the Student Services Committee; served in church/school leadership; was in-volved with community theatre for 4 years

On Parking: “Parking is the cause of more than its fair share of unrest at GSU. I have lived on campus without a car, relied on MARTA, and used an M-deck pass all in the pursuit of getting to class on time and not los-ing my last dollar doing so. Parking is a long term issue, although it is frustrating, the work to be done today by student leaders is not as glamourous as demanding a parking deck and seeing it built. Student leaders need to con-

tinue to work with faculty and staff to find creative solutions and lay the foundation for new relationships that will lead to a better parking situation. GSU is already working with Underground Atlanta to gain access to hun-dreds of new parking spots, and that is a prime example of a student leader taking initiative. I hope to continue to seek out connections that will benefit students and parking, while also encouraging students who can bike or take public transportation to consider those options. The reality of downtown Atlanta is that GSU will prob-ably always have a parking shortage, but we can work to improve access to parking, inform students about all options and when permits are on sale and relentlessly speak to our administrators about the importance of im-proving the current climate.”

On Tuition: “The affordability of school to the average student is very important. I knew from a young age that it would be my responsibility to pay for my own schooling, and that motivated me to work towards HOPE and apply for other scholarships. Many students find themselves fiscally responsibly for their education as well, and are running out of resources. As a current member of SGA, I aim and will continue to aim to be an advo-cate for the students. That being said, SGA does not directly have any control over tuition costs. There are two things we can do- firstly, to petition our Board of Regents about schooling costs and secondly to steer students towards other resources. Will we always continue to fight for lower tuition? Absolutely. But because that will inevitably be a long-term battle, we need to find viable solutions for students to pay for school. I want to help connect students to better jobs and scholarships, help them find the best loans, and learn about positions on campus that could PAY THEIR TUITION! These really do exist, and we as the students need to continue to utilize our resources and be the best stewards we can until a lower cost is on the horizon.”

On Crime on Campus: “Crime on campus is a two-pronged issue. Students need to use a higher degree of cau-tion and have a better safety network, and also police officers need to be more visible and accountable to stu-dents. On the part of the students, education is one major step. Many underclassmen who aren’t from urban ar-eas don’t understand how certain behaviors or gadgets make them crime targets, and I think that informational programs such as Marcus’ “Don’t Be the Next Campus Alert” can help change that. I think of the police side of things, the students need to create a forum to speak to the officers in a respectful way and discuss safety specif-ics. We need to simultaneously educate and work together with the officers to eliminate behaviors that make students a target and also strive for the best use of our police force.”

On Student Immigration: “I support the right of every individual to receive an education. I don’t think it would affect GSU unless we decide to let it. Apathy is very easy in a situation like this. Most of us are in this country legally, and unless we fight for the education of our peers, we will see this pass during our time at GSU. I strongly encourage anyone who disapproves of the bill to get involved and make his or her voice heard. As a current member of Student Government, my job is to represent the students, and SGA will stand by the opinion of our fellow students.”

On Hazing: “I think the bill is too harsh. Although I am strongly against hazing, making it impossible for some-one convicted of hazing to get an education is also wrong. How can someone try to repair after making a mis-take if all his or her options are taken away? However, I do think there should be some punishment, and I think one possibility is banning someone convicted of this crime from the top 5 schools in Georgia. There are plenty of people on waiting lists for these schools who are very deserving, and shouldn’t lose out to someone who has committed a heinous crime against another student. I think as the student body we should come up with some alternative consequences for this bill and contact our legislators with our thoughts.”

President & Executive Vice President CandidatesSGA Election 2012

ALEXIS SMITh ANd LEAh JordANStaff Writer and Staff photographer

TUESDAY, MArch 13, 2012 19NEwS | THE SIGNAL

Name: Fatoumata Binta Barry

Position: President

Running Mate: Thomas M Roberts

Major: Accounting

College: Robinson College of business

Semesters at GSU: 9 Semester

Activities: is in charge of handling cus-tomers at Café Intermezzo; was over-seeing all the financial transactions and activities at a law firm called Page Perry, LLC. ; was in charge of planning and scheduling different activities at the Tutoring and Learning Center; chair of Events at Beta Alpha Psi-Georgia State University; was the Vice President of the Math Club at- Georgia Perimeter College

Crime on Campus: “Security: will be my number one priority. Our students are being assaulted very often by im-moral and criminal individuals. My goal is to improve safety on and around campus.”

On HOPE: “Grades: will be my oth-er focus. Many students have had time keeping their grades up in order to have a high GPA. That issues is due to many factors, such as work, lack of compre-hension, or/and time management. I in-tend to have a program that focuses on Work-School-Life-Balance.”

Name: Taylor Briggs

GPA: 3.85

Classification: sophomore

Position: Executive Vice President

Running Mate: Marcus Kernizan

Major: Speech Comm.

College: Arts & Sciences

Semesters at GSU: 5

Activities: served in the SGA as senator; served on the Student Services Committee; served in church/school leadership; was in-volved with community theatre for 4 years

On Parking: “Parking is the cause of more than its fair share of unrest at GSU. I have lived on campus without a car, relied on MARTA, and used an M-deck pass all in the pursuit of getting to class on time and not los-ing my last dollar doing so. Parking is a long term issue, although it is frustrating, the work to be done today by student leaders is not as glamourous as demanding a parking deck and seeing it built. Student leaders need to con-

tinue to work with faculty and staff to find creative solutions and lay the foundation for new relationships that will lead to a better parking situation. GSU is already working with Underground Atlanta to gain access to hun-dreds of new parking spots, and that is a prime example of a student leader taking initiative. I hope to continue to seek out connections that will benefit students and parking, while also encouraging students who can bike or take public transportation to consider those options. The reality of downtown Atlanta is that GSU will prob-ably always have a parking shortage, but we can work to improve access to parking, inform students about all options and when permits are on sale and relentlessly speak to our administrators about the importance of im-proving the current climate.”

On Tuition: “The affordability of school to the average student is very important. I knew from a young age that it would be my responsibility to pay for my own schooling, and that motivated me to work towards HOPE and apply for other scholarships. Many students find themselves fiscally responsibly for their education as well, and are running out of resources. As a current member of SGA, I aim and will continue to aim to be an advo-cate for the students. That being said, SGA does not directly have any control over tuition costs. There are two things we can do- firstly, to petition our Board of Regents about schooling costs and secondly to steer students towards other resources. Will we always continue to fight for lower tuition? Absolutely. But because that will inevitably be a long-term battle, we need to find viable solutions for students to pay for school. I want to help connect students to better jobs and scholarships, help them find the best loans, and learn about positions on campus that could PAY THEIR TUITION! These really do exist, and we as the students need to continue to utilize our resources and be the best stewards we can until a lower cost is on the horizon.”

On Crime on Campus: “Crime on campus is a two-pronged issue. Students need to use a higher degree of cau-tion and have a better safety network, and also police officers need to be more visible and accountable to stu-dents. On the part of the students, education is one major step. Many underclassmen who aren’t from urban ar-eas don’t understand how certain behaviors or gadgets make them crime targets, and I think that informational programs such as Marcus’ “Don’t Be the Next Campus Alert” can help change that. I think of the police side of things, the students need to create a forum to speak to the officers in a respectful way and discuss safety specif-ics. We need to simultaneously educate and work together with the officers to eliminate behaviors that make students a target and also strive for the best use of our police force.”

On Student Immigration: “I support the right of every individual to receive an education. I don’t think it would affect GSU unless we decide to let it. Apathy is very easy in a situation like this. Most of us are in this country legally, and unless we fight for the education of our peers, we will see this pass during our time at GSU. I strongly encourage anyone who disapproves of the bill to get involved and make his or her voice heard. As a current member of Student Government, my job is to represent the students, and SGA will stand by the opinion of our fellow students.”

On Hazing: “I think the bill is too harsh. Although I am strongly against hazing, making it impossible for some-one convicted of hazing to get an education is also wrong. How can someone try to repair after making a mis-take if all his or her options are taken away? However, I do think there should be some punishment, and I think one possibility is banning someone convicted of this crime from the top 5 schools in Georgia. There are plenty of people on waiting lists for these schools who are very deserving, and shouldn’t lose out to someone who has committed a heinous crime against another student. I think as the student body we should come up with some alternative consequences for this bill and contact our legislators with our thoughts.”

President & Executive Vice President Candidates

Name: Thomas Michael Roberts

Position: Executive Vice President

Running Mate: F Binta Barry

Major: Accounting

College: Robinson College of business

Semesters at GSU: 7 semesters

Activities: was in charge of important project at Georgia Pacific, LLC; was in charge of overseeing, coordinating activities, and handling logistics for Centurion Private home Building; is about to go to London, England, over the summer for a few weeks to oversee numerous task projects at Deloitte &Touche LLP

On the Environment: “My goal is to educate the student body on what the college is currently doing in terms of the environment. Furthermore, I will provide information on ways to become more environmentally friendly. I will also work on having more recycling bins around campus.”

On Leadership Opportunity: “students must be exposed to the differ-ent organizations Georgia State University has. Additionally, they should be able to occupy leadership role. I provide strategies on how to become a great leader.”

SGA Election 2012

Vote from March 19-23

Meet the candidates on March 15 in

Student Center

For more info visit Suite 400 University Center

PHOTO NOT AVAILABLE

Editors Note: Bios were written by candidates. Space did not permit everyone’s full bio and some were omitted. See www.gsusignal.com for full bios.

TUESDAY, MArch 13, 2012 20 NEwS | THE SIGNAL

Name: Adriana MacchionePosition: Vice President of Academic AffairsMajor: Political ScienceCollege: Arts and ScienceSemesters at GSU: 5Activities: currently Academic Chair for the Delta Beta Chapter of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Incorporated; experience with organizing academic programs and providing academic resources such as study rooms in the library, study sessions, and directing individu-als to the proper departments for tutoring.On Official Transcripts: “All official tran-scripts should be free due to the fact that scholarships, graduate school and law school applications etc require official transcripts.”On Nontraditional Students: “I…strongly be-lieve that there should be more informational seminars in regards to registering for classes, graduate and law school application process, advisement sessions, etc held later in the eve-nings to cater to the nontraditional student or student who have other responsibilities which prevent them from attending during the day circumstances outside of their control.”

Name: Theo MuhumuzaPosition: Vice President of Budget and FinanceMajor: Finance/MarketingCollege: J. Mack RobinsonSemesters at GSU: 6Activities: Name: Deepak NandaPosition: Vice President of Budget and FinanceMajor: Political ScienceCollege: Arts and SciencesSemesters at GSU: 2Activities: Vice President of Marketing at C.E.O. at G.S.U. ; Vice President of the Drama Club at NWACC.; President of Unlimited Records (Company).On Tuition: “[I want] to put a cap on rising student tuition: Allocate funds more effective-ly. To listen to, and follow through with con-cerns students have with regards to budget and finance.”

Name: Danielle R. KleinmanPosition: Vice President of Public RelationsMajor: Journalism/Mass Comm.College: Arts and SciencesSemesters at GSU: 6Activities: Delta Zeta sorority: Vice President of Programs (2010); Public Relations Chair (Spring 2010); Social Chair (2011); Head of Standards (2011); Panhellenic Delegate (2012); Head of Standards (2012); Student Government Association: Senator for College of Arts and Sciences (Spring 2011); Senator for the College of Arts and Sciences (Fall 2012); President Pro Tempore (Fall 2011 – Present)On the SGA: “[I will have an] open mind with freshly cultivated ideas to the Student Government and utilize my own creativity with that of my respective Subcommittee as well as the rest of SGA to promote positive re-lations between SGA and the rest of Georgia State.”

Name: Robert Allan TuschlPosition: Vice President of Public RelationsMajor: Poly sci/Mid east studiesCollege: College of arts and ScienceSemesters at GSU: 4Activities: currently on GSU’s Hillel board and am in charge of arranging student activities; At previous college founded and ran a student orga-nization whose goal was to promote and celebrate student diversity on campus; was in charge of me-diating student complaints about harassment and discrimination on campus with the proper college faculty.Goals: My goal is elected will be to strengthen GSU’s reputation in the local community as well as, with the greater Georgia University system.

Name: Jarell AbramsPosition: Vice President of Student LifeMajor: PsychologyCollege: Arts and ScienceSemesters at GSU: 4Activities: Vice President of Public Relations (GSU Student Government Association); President of Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity; Vice President of Membership of Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity; Founding member of the Student Alumni Association; Student Assistant in the Central Housing Office; Upward Bound CounselorOn The Five Star Program: “[I will] lessen the requirements of “The 5 Star Program”’ because students are students are students first. Therefore, students in organizations shouldn’t be spending countless hours figur-ing out how they are going to satisfy the de-manding needs of the 5 Star Program.”

On The Library: “[Iwill] continue to strive in getting 24hr Library here at Georgia State University.”On Student Organizations: “I WILL work my hardest to ensure that ANY student organiza-tion are aware of their benefits and I WILL work to ensure that they can receive a co-spon-sorship fund.”

Name: Christian HillPosition: Vice President of Student ServicesMajor: Public PolicyCollege: Andrew YoungSemesters at GSU: 1Activities: Prior Leadership: 2009-2010 Director of Social Action (MSU); 2010 Interim vice President (MSU); 2010 Director of Chapter Operations (MSU); 2011 Director of Educaiton (MSU); and 2011 Eastern Regional Collegiate Affairs Committee; 2012 Programing Committee (GSU); 2012 Georgia State Collegiate Affairs Committee; Leadership at Georgia State: (2012) Tighter Grip (2012); A.B.L.E, (2012); The Planning and Economic Development Club (2012); Spotlight Board and Services VolunteerOn the SGA: “[I want to] improve transparency with SGA [and] incorporate more student input with SGA.”On Parking: “[I will] support legislation for new

parking option.”On Library: “[I will] advocate for 24 hour library.”

Vice President Candidates

TUESDAY, MArch 13, 2012 21NEwS | THE SIGNAL

Name: Mona AbdulrabPosition: SenatorMajor: Psychology (Premed Conc.)College: College of Arts and SciencesSemesters at GSU: 4Activities: In high school was in-volved in SGA; was a Peer Leader who worked with the school’s Special Ed. Department and facili-tated the “Lunch and Learn” tutor-ing program for current Freshmen struggling in classes; was a mem-ber of Senior Cabinet where rep-resented the entire Senior class; I was Public Relations Chairman in Delta Zeta; In Junior Panhellenic, led meetings as President with new members from all five Sororities of the Panhellenic council.Platform: “Student Government Association is the fundamental orga-nization at Georgia State University that lays out the bridge between stu-dents and the school. We, the stu-dents, are what the University is about. As the face for the student body, I believe it is important that opinions of students are taken into account at all times for any issues. I feel my experience being President of Junior Panhellenic and being a member of Senior Cabinet game me an insight on what it means to con-sider the opinions and values of oth-ers. Everyone wants to be heard; it is just a matter of the representatives speaking out for those needing to be heard. Being a Psychology major, I will be a liaison between the College of Arts and Sciences and SGA. SGA is the key voice and inside eyes and ears for the student body. SGA is as important to the students as the stu-dent body being the main reason why SGA runs.”

Name: Razi AbrahamPosition: SenatorMajor: Social WorkCollege: Arts and SciencesSemesters at GSU: 2ndActivities: Freshmen Hall 5th Floor Floor Representative, Freshmen Hall Hall Council TreasurerPlatform: “As a Student Government Senator, I would serve as a voice of the student body at Georgia State. I would be a medium between the students and the team of officials of Student Government in which I could help the student body voice their opinions and concerns as well as help the Student Government ad-dress these ideas. I would also be ex-tremely helpful and involved in the Student Government’s endeavors.”

Name: Nikeya S. BellPosition: SenatorMajor: English-Rhetoric and CompositionCollege: Arts and SciencesSemesters at GSU: 3Activities: Student Government Association – Member, Gainesville State College (GSC); Black Student Association – President (GSC); Mediation Club – Secretary (GSC); Debate Forensics Interpretation Club – Member (GSC); Diversity Diplomat (GSC); Georgia Student Leadership Forum – Attendee (2009); Women’s Leadership in Public Service Institute – Member (Rutgers)Platform: “If elected I will rep-resent the student body of the school of Arts and Sciences to the best of my ability. I plan to be pro-active in my approach to repre-senting the students, by carefully addressing each issue and provid-ing creative solutions to suspend future derivatives. I will listen to all student concerns and present such issues with zeal to my fellow board members and the members of the executive board.”

Senator for College of Arts & Sciences

Name: Wajeha AnjumPosition: SenatorMajor: JournalismCollege: Arts & ScienceSemesters at GSU: SpringLeadership: By the age 18 I was al-ready a manager for a corporation. Every position I held after that was a manager. Recently, I worked as a Executive Assistant in NYC. I pride myself in having many skills and tal-ents. I have also been the President of Mock Trail for six years. I have led many corporations and helped them re-establish their holds in Platform: What I would like to bring is a fresh, innovative, charis-matic and skilled official. That not only speaks well but makes sure that every word that I use come from solid facts. I want to help build a SGA that is grounded and involved in the student body. A SGA that’s devoted, hard working, knowledge-able and most of all does what’s best for our school and student’s. I in-tend on attending a prominent law school, this means that I’ve acquired much knowledge in law; have done extensive researches and stud-ies in Public Policies. If we want to build a better SGA we want to start by acquiring the most talented and skillful individuals who know how to govern, be fair and consistent. There is no better candidate for do-ing this than myself. I’m diligent, persuasive, quick thinker, problem solver and most of all devoted to bringing as much perfection as I can to what I put my brain to. After do-ing that I’m unstoppable. All I need is one opportunity. I look forward to meeting with you soon and discuss-ing all that needs to be addressed. Thank you

Name: Chad CoxPosition: SenatorMajor: POLS and PYCSCollege: Arts and ScienceSemesters at GSU: 4Leadership: Senator for the College of Arts and Science, Vice President of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Inter Fraternal Council DelegateRecreational Manager of Pi Kappa PhiPlatform: Students First

Name: Christian HewittPosition: SenatorMajor: HistoryCollege: Arts & SciencesSemesters at GSU: 3rd yearsLeadership: In high school, I was elected SGA 12th grade president, varsity baseball and soccer, and the male 12th grade representative for Homecoming. Here at Georgia State, I have led many outreach programs in the community while working with Safe House, Atlanta Speaks and other service-based organiza-tions. Also, I have been a men-tor to upcoming Freshman stu-dents through the Freshman Institute FLC. I am currently in the process of founding a student organization.Platform: My goal throughout my tenure here at Georgia State has been to connect the students with the community of Atlanta. Many students bypass the oppor-tunity to leave an imprint on not just the university, but also the city in which they study. With the help of the Student Government Association, as a Senator, I will use my position to further pro-mote reaching out to the city we are all proud to reside in. It is not enough to receive a de-gree from a prominent research institution without promoting higher education to children of neighboring public schools. As a representative of the stu-dent body, through the Student Government Association, I will spread the presence of Georgia State University.

Name: James ScharnikowPosition: SenatorMajor: Political ScienceCollege: Arts and SciencesSemesters at GSU: 4Leadership: President – Pi Kappa Phi FraternityInceptorCurrent SGA SenatorIFC Master delegateSpecial event tourguide @ wel-come centerPlatform: Putting students first and representing my college well

Name: Ashley WhipplePosition: SenatorMajor: BiologyCollege: Arts and SciencesSemesters at GSU: 4Leadership: I am currently the Secretary of Minority Premedical Predental Association. I am respon-sible for keeping track of members and informing them on any impor-tant events. I also volunteered at my local Boys and Girls Club. I served as the Torch Advisor for a year and a half. Platform: As a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences, I be-lieve that the students have a few more needs that can be met. I feel like the budget can be expanded in order to hire more SI instructors, better lab equipment, and possibly more space for campus events.

Name: Taqwela WilliamsPosition: SenatorMajor: SociologyCollege: Arts & SciencesSemesters at GSU: 6Leadership: Student Assistant, Enrollment Services (One Stop Shop)Student Government Association, Senator, Arts & SciencesUniversity HousingSofter Touch HistorianAmeriCorps, JumpStart Corps Member and Team LeaderChildren’s Healthcare of Atlanta, College Volunteer ProgramPlatform: To serve as the liaison between the SGA and the One Stop Shop.To improve the overall experi-ence in Enrollment Services.To expedite the process of seek-ing assistance from Enrollment Services.To expand the methods of con-tacting students of deadlines, fees and holds.

Name: Tarrance WilliamsPosition: Senator Major: Biology/Pre-Med College: Arts and Sciences Semesters at GSU: 2ndLeadership: Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society (Fall 2011-)Residence Hall Association Hall Council Programming Chair (Fall 2011-)Panther Breakaway Participant (Fall 2011)National Society Of Collegiate Scholars (Fall 2011-)Dean’s List (Fall 2011)Platform: While holding the position Senator position in SGA, I have a few things that I would like to implement into our student body. First, I would like to create designated smoking areas on campus. There have been many issues discussed about the per-sonal and health issues associated with students being able to smoke anywhere on campus. The non-smoking students have no issues with the other students who make the per-sonal decision to smoke; they have an issue with their personal decisions being imposed on those who choose not to. I think at least 25 feet away from public buildings and entrances would be suitable and more than ac-commodating. Next, I would like to suggest having more staff working in the One stop shop. With our cam-pus steadily growing, student capac-ity wise, I think that there should be more staff to accommodate the needs of the students. This would increase campus expenses, but would enable a flow that would be beneficial to both students and the employees.

TUESDAY, MArch 13, 2012 22 NEwS | THE SIGNAL

Name: Yaki’yah BassPosition: SenatorMajor: BiologyCollege: Arts and SciencesSemesters at GSU: 7*Leadership and Platform unavailable*

Name: Gabrielle BrooksPosition: SenatorMajor: PsychologyCollege: Georgia State UniversitySemesters at GSU: 5Leadership: While in high school I was the Vice President of the JGG club and I was the captain for our Track and Field team. I’m also a SAAC representative for the Track and Field team here at Georgia State.Platform: During my time at Georgia State I haven’t stepped out of the athletic box much. Everything I have done thus far has do with athletics and I feel that shouldn’t be. Being a student-ath-lete makes you juggle regular life and the athlete life, and although that alone is sometimes hard I know I can take on something more chal-lenging. Yes, I attend Georgia State and I’m a proud Panther, but I feel I want to be apart of Georgia State in more then one way. If I have the opportunity to be apart of SGA I know I will be able to contribute to the success of Georgia State and the students that attend here. I’m very creative and hard working. I’m not a quitter and I’m constantly striv-ing for success. With me apart of the SGA team I’m sure success will not be a problem.

Name: Jasmine NewsonPosition: SenatorMajor: Sociology Pre-MedCollege: Arts and SciencesSemesters at GSU: 7**leadership and platform unavailable

Name: Lanier Elsworth Henson Position: SenatorMajor: GeologyCollege: Arts and SciencesSemesters at GSU: 2Leadership: Currently on the executive leadership committee of the Epsilon Omega chapter of Kappa SigmaEagle ScoutMember of Nation Honor ScoutsPresident of High school Marching BandPlatform: The reason I am run-ning for Senator is because I feel it is important that Georgia State’s Student Government Association is comprised of not only individu-als who are properly qualified to represent the student body aca-demically, but the student who are members should also be rep-resentatives to the many dif-ferent subcultures found at the University. With our quickly growing student life on campus the Student Government can play crucial role in actively managing and assisting the organizations in the growth through the proposal of legislation, that is both current and air and in representation of the student body in the various academic and institutional affairs with the university.

Name: Edward NguygenPosition: SenatorMajor: BiologyCollege: Arts and SciencesSemesters at GSU: 3Leadership: GSU:Honors Student Organization (HSO)Grady Memorial Hospital VolunteerST. Joseph’s Mercy Care Services VolunteerHigh School:National Science Honor SocietyBeta ClubScience OlympiadPlatform: A senatorial position in SGA is a special platform that would provide me the best op-portunity to be exposed to differ-ent ideas and opinions of our di-verse student body and to direct voice their hopes and concerns in order to ultimately make their social and academic experience at GSU the best it can be. It is my belief that only fellow students can truly share, understand and are best suited to effectively ad-dress student-related problems, not the university administra-tion. As a student senator, it is not only my responsibility to serve as a voice and vehicle of change for our student body but as the primary source of information for students. I will constantly strive to inform my student peers about the issues regarding student life, institution-al affairs and academics at GSU. In doing so, I hope to make our stu-dent body more informed so that they can dully take advantage of all the opportunities and resources available at GSU and become more actively involved in university life.

Name: James GogginsPosition: SenatorMajor: Law and SocietyCollege: Arts and SciencesSemesters at GSU: 2Leadership: Through experienc-es from school, volunteering, and work I have become well round-ed in understand the core role of leadership. Previously, I have worked for the SGA at my pre-vious school, Georgia Perimeter College. I participated in volun-teer activities, filled in for sena-tors during important voting mat-ters, and served as a student am-bassador for the College. While at my place of employment, I have been appointed team captain and implemented many improvement strategies.Platform: I plan to run a plat-form based on the ability to sus-tain. The idea is to have policies that are sustainable when they are created so that problems do not show up in the future. To be sustainable, so that GSU can be-come more resilient, adaptable, and diverse. GSU would become more resilient by resisting chang-es that do not have the students in first priority. This would place more faith in our SGA from the student body. GSU would be-come more adaptable, by being able to adapt with what is going on around the school with key factors that cause change in tu-ition and or fees. GSU would be-come even more diverse, by be-coming more open and able to take new ideas and actually con-sider implementing these ideas. All of these things would make for a more sustainable University as well as more support and faith from the student body.

Name: Chancellor MackPosition: SenatorMajor: JournalismCollege: Arts and SciencesSemesters at GSU: 4Leadership: Student Government Senator (High School)Leadership unplugged: A CNN Experience InternshipHillgrove High School Football Varsity Team CaptainNational Black MBA Association Leaders of Tomorrow Student AmbassadorChick-Fil-A Leadercast Conference Student AmbassadorNHL.com InternPlatform: I take great pride in be-ing a Georgia State student. I am running for a Senator position in Georgia State student government to uphold our current traditions while embracing our future prac-tices. I am running on the platform of sustainability. I plan to maintain the things that Georgia State is re-nowned for, like low tuition, diver-sity and outstanding school spirit. Also as Senate, I plan to represent the student body in a positive man-ner. Senator to make sure we con-tinue see our identity in Georgia State.

Name: Darrius CooperPosition: SenatorMajor: History (pre-law concentration)College: Arts and SciencesSemesters at GSU: 5Leadership: In my most recent job, I held a leadership position where I supervised and was re-sponsible for various team mem-bers in my area on a daily basis.Platform: Many of my peers do not have faith in the government or politics. In order for the vice of the people to be heard, a rep-resentative of the people must be put in a place where they can lobby for the true needs and de-sires they seek. As a junior at Georgia State, I have been here long enough and made enough connections to know what I want as well as what the ma-jority of my class needs and University. As a Senator of the Student Government Association at Georgia State, I plan to be a strong presence in the student body. I will use my various col-leagues and acquaintances to truly have my ear to the student body’s interests in order to pro-pose legislation to benefit the en-tire student body. It would great-ly honor me to be elected to the Senator position.

Name: Mohammad Hamza HaseebPosition: SenatorMajor: BiologyCollege: College of Arts and SciencesSemesters at GSU: JuniorLeadership: Team Member and head cool at previous job.President of Environmental Club during High SchoolPlatform: I believe that equality is very important, and I plan to de-vote my time and effort to ensure we never go astray from it. My po-sition as a senator for the College of Arts and Sciences is to serve the student community. If I am elect-ed I plan on fulfilling the role of University Senator with a true sense of purpose and dedication to the organization and its cause.

Name: Alexandra Altan DionPosition: SenatorMajor: Journalism/Public RelationsCollege: Arts and SciencesSemesters at GSU: 3Leadership: In high school, I was a representative of my class in student council. As a fresh-man at GSU, I was actively in-volved with Junior Panhellenic and held the Treasurer position. As treasurer, I was responsible for collecting fees from all five Panhellenic chapters, maintain-ing checks, keeping track of the flow of monies, and making sure the budget remains consistent. Additionally, I’m currently a sen-ator for the College of Arts and Sciences.Platform: As a senator for the College of Arts and Sciences, I understand that I’m a representa-tive for not only the 12,000+ stu-dents in the college, but the en-tire Georgia State University stu-dent body as well. Because a ma-jority of students as Georgia State University commute, I want to provide a focus on them and ul-timately get them more involved with the Student Government Association and other organi-zations on campus. As a former commuter student, I’ve experi-ence the difficulties that come with commuting and hope to address any concerns that other commuter student have as well. I believe that my experiences with commuting, being actively in-volved with the Delta Zeta soror-ity and the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, as well as being a current senator for SGA, provide me with a diverse background that will allow me to appeal to the entire student body.

TUESDAY, MArch 13, 2012 23NEwS | THE SIGNAL

ANDREW YOUNG SCHOOL OF POLICY STUDIES

Name: Rhys Owen LutzPosition: SenatorMajor: BS EconomicsCollege: Andrew Young School of Policy StudiesSemesters at GSU: 2Leadership: -Swim Coach in High School-Concessions Supervisor for Aramark at Turner Field-Leader at Operations job for Magic Moments Inc.. (unofficially, but I have been employed longest, train all new workers, and all communication between Manager and operations team goes through myself.)Platform: I would like to run on the “Student’s First” ticket

Name: Brandon RobertsPosition: SenatorMajor: Criminal JusticeCollege: Andrew YoungSemesters at GSU: 6Leadership: Student Government Association (Senator 2012- Present)Conscious Collective (Treasurer) Fall 2011 – PresentNational Society of Collegiate Scholars (Community Service and PR committee) Fall 2009-PresentTighter Grip (Academic Advisor) Fall 2010-Present Platform: During my brief time in the Senate I have developed an understanding of how Georgia State’s Students Government Association works and how it directly aids stu-dents and student-run organizations. I would like to continue to represent the greater student body as a senator for the Andrew Yong school of Policy. With a large and unique network both on and off campus I am in a position of aware-ness in terms of varies student concerns. I also believe there are definitely improvements to be made within Georgia State University and I would relish the opportunity to be an active part of the improvements and serve Georgia State’s student both ethically and efficiently. I am well aware of the responsibility that foe with being a senator and very capable of handling them, In fact, it gives me great honor to representing the student body for Andrew Yong school of Policy.

Name: Kourtney WrightPosition: SenatorMajor: Criminal JusticeCollege: Andrew YoungSemesters at GSU: SpringLeadership: I have worked with different organization, such as The Boys & Girls Club, the YMCA, and many different churches.I am a current member of the organization Softer Touch.I am also a supervisor at my current job.Platform: I can bring dedication and a drive to succeed as a senator. I’ve always been appreciative of what the organizations I have worked for have done for me, as well as what I can do for them. I’m a loyal and dedicated person who wants to do my abso-lute best with anything I do. Also my stron-gest attribute is my determination. I take on every challenge head-on and do what I need to accomplish my goals even when the challenge is difficult.

Name: Aiah YobahPosition: SenatorMajor: EconomicsCollege: Andrew Young School of Policy StudiesSemesters at GSU: 3rdLeadership: National Honor Society (Vice-President)Key Club (President)FLC Peer Mentor/Team LeadStudent Alumni Association Board of DirectorsModel United NationHonors CollegeAlpha Lambda Delta Honor SocietyThe National Society of Collegiate ScholarsPlatform: As a member of the Georgia State Student Government Association, I will serve as a liaison between the Georgia State administration, the Student Government Association, and the Student Body. Not only will I serve as the voice of the student body, I will serve as the voice of a diverse population of our student body. I will work to improve the effectiveness of the Georgia State Student Government Association into one that can make a real difference. I will improve the at-mosphere and operations of the campus by increasing student awareness and participa-tion. I will advocate and act for you day in and day out, and I will actively pursue everything that is brought to my attention. As a student body, you deserve to know where your tuition and fee dollars are going, and I will improve that by promoting fiscal responsibility, trans-parency, accountability.

Byrdine F. Lewis School of Nursing and Health ProfessionsName: Jazzmine Z. AlfordPosition: SenatorMajor: NursingCollege: Byrdine F. Lewis of Nursing and Health ProfessionsSemesters at GSU: One FullLeadership: Student Council committee mem-ber freshman and junior year of high school.

Student Council Executive Board Special Events Coordinator senior year in high school.VolunTEEN member at Children’s Health Care of Atlanta at Scottish Rite.Student Ambassadors member senior year in high school.Platform: I am a first year student at Georgia State and I abso-lutely love this school and love everyone here. Now that I am comfortable here in college and understand the way things work, I am attempting to get involved on campus, as I was in high school. I attended Grayson High School in Gwinnett County and I was always very involved within the commu-nity. I am a mix between small town and city girl, so I hope to make a difference in making Georgia State have that small town feel in the large city of ours. I fully believe that fun is what you make of it and I like to have a good time with the positive people I surround myself with. However, there is a time and place for everything and when work needs to be done or problems need to addressed, I am always ready to lis-ten. I find that is is necessary to be proactive in life and I do not always wait to be told what to so. I am confident that I can make changes by being apart of this team from the help of the entire student body.

Name: Brianna AlvarezPosition: SenatorMajor: NursingCollege: Nursing and Health ProfessionsSemesters at GSU: 6Leadership: I am a sena-tor within the Student Government Association. I am also part of the manage-ment staff at WRAS-Atlanta. In addition, while I was at-

tending Duluth High School I founded 2 sister programs called JUNTOS and CLASE. JUNTOS worked with Hispanic and lower-income students to provide information about college application and scholarships, and CLASE was a group to help Hispanic parents take a greater involvement in their child’s edu-cation. We also provided translation services for parents.Platform: As a representative of the College of Nursing and Health Professions, I will make it my mission to encourage a higher level of student involvement within my college. Last summer the Byrdine F. Lewis college of Nursing and Health Professions was formed, and was under represented with-in SGA; I intend to use this next term to seek out new leaders and bolster GSU pride within my college. I would also like to help make the student body more aware of the assistance that Is available through the division of Student Support Services. Many students who choose to leave the university do so because of barriers such as finances, childcare access, and preparedness for the rigorous workload that is associated with attending a 4-year institution. I believe that if students are better informed about Student Support Services, they will take advantage of the academic, financial, and childcare aid that is available, thus rais-ing retention and graduation rates at Georgia State University.

Name: Alexia IngramPosition: SenatorMajor: NursingCollege: Byrdine F. Lewis of Nursing and Health ProfessionsSemesters at GSU: Currently in 5thLeadership: -President of the Youth Department at my church-Co-Captain of Hancock

Central High Dance Line-First Year Experience Mentor-Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society member-Nursing Students at Georgia State memberPlatform: I am Alexia Ingram, and I would like your support in representing our student body as a Senator for the Byrdine F. Lewis School of Nursing and Health Professions. I believe that my past leadership roles have given me the experience necessary to cooperate with and speak for such a diverse stu-dent group here at Georgia State University. Furthermore, I plan to make sure that the needs and concerns of all groups and individuals are equally adhered to. As a college Senator, I will listen to the interests and suggestions of students and ad-vocate them to GSU’s faculty and administration. Also, I will work to promote a better relationship between the Student Government Association and the student body so that every student can have an active voice in the SGA. Thanks for your time, and Vote for Alexia!

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TUESDAY, MArch 13, 2012 24 NEwS | THE SIGNAL

Institute of Public HealthName: Lucille Chelsea DixonPosition: SenatorMajor: Exercise ScienceCollege: Public HealthSemesters at GSU: 2Leadership: In high school I held

the president position of FCCLA for two years, then I transferred schools and became the captain of cheer squad along with being apart of DECA. While in high school, I had a job and the position that I held there was a team member.Platform: As a freshman here at Georgia State University, I am very involved I a particular orga-nization on campus, National Council of Negro Women, and I am an active resident in Freshman Hall. I am applying to be in the Student Government Association, because I want to encourage more stu-dent body involvement on campus. Through this organization, I hope to make a difference with-in the system, with my energy and bright spirit, I hope to plan events well enough to get the students pumped, because I know college is not easy and ev-eryone needs that down time to do something fun. I want to be the ear to hear the certain issues that we as a body have and work to lift the problem if not completely fix it.

Name:James DuttonPosition: SenatorMajor: Law/MPPCollege: Law/AYSPSSemesters at GSU: 17Leadership: 2 years as SGA President; 2.5 years of Student Advisory Counsel to the Board of Regents, 2 years of the Board of the Atlanta

Downtown Neighborhood Association, 2 years on the Atlanta City Counsel’s District 2 leadership group, 2 years on FACP, Admin Counsel, Mandatory Fee Committee, Student Activity Fee Committee, Served as VP of Student Life, President GSU MUNPlatform: Continuity is key to being able to get students what they need; without year to year continuity things like Repeat to Replace, the plus-minus grading scale, 24hr library access, green roofs, and other such long term project are at the mercy of the administration. Sometime what the administration wants is in line with what the students want and they help make it happen. Sometimes, however, students have to really fight to make their voic-es heard. Once heard, that voice can be silenced by those who do not want to hear it simply by waiting for that stu-dent or students to graduate. this is why I would like to serve as a Senator for the College of Law; so the efforts students have made during the last 3 years do not end when I leave, but are passed on to those that come after us. I hope to help the next President understand who tru-ly is the students’ interests at heart and who is here for the pay check.

College of Education

Name: Rebecca AmmaziPosition: SenatorMajor: Middle Level EducationCollege: EducationSemesters at GSU: 4Leadership: Mentor: LEAD Team. I mentor the freshman in the Emerging Leaders Freshman Learning com-munity. I also help plan the Student Leadership Series out of The Student Activities Center at GSU.Student Ambassador: As a student am-

bassador for the College of Education, I attend convocation and many pres-tigious COE events as the face of the college with my fellow ambassadors.Student Government Association: As the Head Senator for the College of Education, I act as the liaison between SGA and the COE.Platform: As a hopefully returning member of the SGA I intend on con-tinuing the excellence that the SGA has already established this past year. Making the SGA more visible on campus by having more appearances and letting students know that myself and my constituents are there for them is pertinent to my platform. As a second year student I have frown from the SGA in so many ways. That being said, I would like to show students that volunteering with the SGA can not only get them involved on campus, but can open up more doors for them during their collegiate career. Lastly I would like to make it know that SGA has many opportunities for char-tered student organizations at GSU to receive Cosponsorship.

Name: Nika GolshaniPosition: SenatorMajor: Exercise ScienceCollege: College of EducationSemesters at GSU: 2Leadership: Georgia State University:Phi Mu – Theta Beta: Panhellenic Delegate 2011-PresentPhi Mu-Theta Beta Chapter: Sister of the Month January 2012GSU Climbing Club: 2010-PresentCentennial High School:-Vice President of Renasiance Club-Orchestra: 4 yrs-Volleyball & basketball: 2 yrs-Crosscounrty: 3 yrs Platform: As a senator for the 2012-2013 academic school year I would like to work with the Auxiliary and Support Services office to create a new and effec-tive parking system that would benefit the most students. I want to work with the univer-sity to create future opportuni-ties for the expansion of on cam-pus parking. My main goal is to help the Georgia State University transition from a commuter school to a traditional university.As a senator for the College of Education I would like to work with the VP of Budget and Finance, VP of Academic Affairs and the University Senate to open up more class options for upper-level students. Currently there is only one class option for classes vital to taking graduate level courses. These classes are very competitive to register for, and create many class and gradu-ation conflicts.

Name: Chelsea GreenPosition: SenatorMajor: Middle Level EducationCollege: College of EducationSemesters at GSU: 6Leadership: Student Government Association- Senator (COE)Rialto Student Ambassador- TreasurerEconomic Empowerment Initiative- Historian/Banquet CoordinatorPlatform: To be a resource and voice for students in hopes of maximizing the student body’s college experience.

Name: Timothy JohnsonPosition: SenatorMajor: Early Childhood EducationCollege: College of EducationSemesters at GSU: 4Leadership: Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Recording Secretary – Spring 2011 InitiateLead Team/ Emerging Leaders Mentor -2011-2012Resident Assistant- Piedmont NorthCampus Pals Mentor/ Variety Show Coordinator- 2011-2012Platform: I would like to explore more parking options as this is al-ways an ongoing problem. Also improve issues with the Panther Express Shuttle, including a route to Piedmont North. As a repre-sentative I will always seek feed-back on issues and make decisions based off of the students behalf and not my own. Lastly I would like to work with SGA to cre-ate more school spirit within the University.

Name: Cindy ParkPosition: SenatorMajor: Early Childhood EducationCollege: EducationSemesters at GSU: 4Leadership: Grayson High School: Student Council (4 years): Class President (2 years), Class Vice President (1 year), Executive Board (1 year); Student Ambassador (3 years): Vice President (1 year); Principle’s Leadership Council (1 year); DEVA: Parliamentarian (1 year)Georgia State University: Delta Zeta Sorority: Pledge Class President, Slate Committee, Invitational Committee, New Member Educator Head Assistant, Vice President of Membership; Greek Hall Council: Vice President of AdministrationPlatform: If elected, I would like to represent the student body proactively. Rather than reacting to issues as they appear, I believe that SGA should be actively lis-tening to the concerns and sug-gestions of the students. Also, be-ing an early childhood education major, if elected I would be an active advocator to those in the College of Education. Georgia State University exists, after all, for the students, and it is the stu-dents who are responsible for making this institution the best campus it can be. Further, I hope to create a better relationship be-tween the SGA and the student body. Lastly, I hope that I can be the respectable liaison between the student body and SGA.

Name: Latifah WilliamsPosition: SenatorMajor: Early Childhood Ed.College: College of EducationSemesters at GSU: 4Leadership: *Founding Member of Student Alumni Association*Leadership Education and Development (L.E.A.D)*College of Education Ambassador*Alpha Lambda Delta memberPlatform: Vote Latifah Williams for COE Senator! As a member of the Student Government Association, my top priority will be to bring our diverse community together by lis-tening to your input and helping to put your ideas into action. As a sen-ator, I will be a proactive represen-tative for the student body. I will be an active listener to the concerns and suggestions of students and will serve as an advocate for student’s concerns at Senate meetings. I will also do my best to make well in-formed decisions that serve the best interest of the student body. Lastly, it is my goal to help create a better relationship between the Student Government association and the stu-dent body by working toward a bet-ter medium of communication

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TUESDAY, MArch 13, 2012 25NEwS | THE SIGNAL

Name: Umama KibriaPosition: SenatorMajor: MarketingCollege: Robinson College of BusinessSemesters at GSU: 6Leadership: -Student Government Association 2011-Present : Senator for the Robinson College of Business, Student Representative for the University Senate, Student Life and Development, and Public Relations Committee.- Greek Council: 2010-2012: President, Executive Director of Greek Week-Phi Mu Fraternity: 2012-Present: Parent/Alumni relations Chair, 2010-2012: Public Relations Chair, 2009-2010: Pledge Class Vice President, Recruitment AssistantPlatform: As a former Senator for the Robinson College of Business, I’ve seen the need to connect the stu-dents with the University. My plat-form as a 2012-2012 Senator for the Robinson College of Business for the 2012-2013 school year is to ensure that all Robinson students are aware of the many resources available on campus. I plan to implement my platform by working directly with Dean Huss to promote the Robinson Career Connection. I hope to ensure MyRobinson is working efficiently to create the direct line of commu-nication between the students and faculty.I would also like to make student organizations aware of the oppor-tunities the Student Government Association offers for Co-Sponsorship Packets. I want to be sure that student organizations are aware that student fees are allocated directly to the SGA to assist student organization in funding their events. Therefore, those funds should be used properly to support on campus events.

Name: Casey A. VaughanPosition: SenatorMajor: AccountingCollege: J. Mack Robinson College of BusinessSemesters at GSU: 3Leadership: 2012 inceptor, mem-ber of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, member of Student Alumni AssociationPlatform: Student First

Name: Tyler James WiltPosition: SenatorMajor: FinanceCollege: Robinson College of BusinessSemesters at GSU: SixLeadership: At the time of graduat-ing high school, I was vice president of FBLA (Future business Leaders of America), secretary of FEA (Future Educators of America), and an ac-tive member in our physics club. At the first job I obtained in college (lo-cal restaurant chain) I was quickly promoted to management due to my willingness/ability to effectively lead individuals. At the current restaurant I work at, I have been made lead sev-er for the same reasons.Platform: I understand that our col-lective schooling system has its ben-efits, yet there are factors I believe would be greatly beneficial to change. Making important school informa-tion (such as raising student fees and why they are being raised) more publicly accessible is in my opinion a great way to raise both awareness and concern. Making it easier for stu-dents to contact and bring issues “to the table” to school officials 9such as the SGA) is an extremely effec-tive way of both engaging them, and making it a more “hands-on” campus for every student attending. Larger number of council meetings, where a Q&A can be performed would be a great information venue for the stu-dent body. Finally, I believe that par-ticipation is the key to true success; therefore, I would like to create “pep rallies” in order to inspire and en-courage the full engagement of all students.

J. Mack Robinson College of Business

Name: Matt AltmanPosition: SenatorMajor: Accounting and Political ScienceCollege: J. Mack Robinson College of BusinessSemesters at GSU: 1Leadership: -Freshman Senator and Community Outreach Chairman for College of Charleston SGA-Regional President of National Convention of Synagogue Youth-President of Temple Youth Organization-Vice President of Bnai Brith Youth Organization-Founder and President of high school’s Jewish Student Union-Lobbied U.S. Congress at Capital Hill-Assistant teacher for 5 years at Sunday School.Platform: There is one concept that we need to improve: strategic planning is really easy to improve. There are five points that need to be improved.1) Football: more PR will bring in more fan spirit, which can make the players better and win more.2) Campus: We must im-prove the looks of this campus. Secondly, safety is a big concern.. I believe that the Georgia State police should be on call more from the hours of 10:30 p.m.to 2:30a.m. to escort those to their cars, dorms, etc.3) Greek Life: We must involve Greek life with the university, than improvements in Academics and the campus in general will oc-cur. If we improve the little things of each sector whether Greek life, Academics or Campus feel, than the perception and in turn the university will improve.4) Campus Life: We must create a campus that is inviting for stu-dents to attend.5) 5) Housing/Campus expan-sion: Around Broad Street, we can transform the space about the building into affordable housing.

Name: James CrespoPhoto unavailablePosition: SenatorMajor: AccountingCollege: RobinsonSemesters at GSU: 3Leadership: Senior class vice president, Georgia State Honors Program, Pi kap-pa phi Executive Council Historian, Model United Nations President, High School Soccer Team Captain.Platform: I am a very motivated person and I believe that I can bring many in-novative ideas as well as a strong voice to the student Government Association. I have seen and learned through experi-ence that many leaders become encom-passed by apathy; that would never be the case with me. Please consider me as a candidate for SGA.

Name: Joseph DenkPosition: SenatorMajor: Risk Management and Insurance/FinanceCollege: J Mack Robinson College of BusinessSemesters at GSU: 3*leadership and platform unavailable

Name: Bizuneh EshetuPosition: SenatorMajor: CISCollege: RobinsonSemesters at GSU: 5Leadership: Secretary of my fra-ternity, Pi Kappa Phi. Have done many leadership workshops and participated in events and demon-strated leadership qualities through supervising my peers and keeping organization.

Name: Antonio GarayPosition: SenatorMajor: FinanceCollege: J. Mack RobinsonSemesters at GSU: 1Leadership: Transfer student from Georgia Perimeter College· President of Decatur Business Club January 2011 to December 2011· Math Club “Treasurer” September 2010 to December 2011· Decatur News Editor of the award winning student newspaper “The Collegian” September 2010 to May 2011· Orientation “Star Leader” Officer August 2011 to December 2011· Jaguar Activity Group inter-Club Chairperson August 2011 to December 2011 Platform: Representing Georgia State University as a Student Government Senator would be a tremendous ex-perience that I will carry into the future after graduation. This organi-zation only selects some of the most prestige students in the university. As a student, I would love to represent Georgia State University as a student senator I’m passionate, committed and enthusiastic. I have served many leadership roles, recipient of two academic scholarships, with strong communication skills in orally and in writing. I believe I can live up to the expectations and maintain the rich reputation of Student Government Association. Upon being accepted into the program, I would attend all meetings, events and other commit-ments. In addition, this role requires students to be available and flexible at any moment. Being responsible and accountable are essential char-acteristics in taking this position and I plan living up to those expectations.

Name: Shantrice MeadowsPosition: SenatorMajor: MarketingCollege: J. Mack Robinson College of BusinessLeadership: Vice President of my chapter’s line of Phi Gamma Nu Business FraternityFinance coordinator of Eckletick Vybez entertainment

Name: Rob C. MarslenderPosition: SenatorMajor: FinanceCollege: Robinson College of BusinessSemesters at GSU: 2Leadership: As a competitive team sport leader, I learned understanding the “opposition” and my teammates was the most effective winning strat-egy. I know how to understand your needs, and how to lead a team with high energy and direction through example. As a lead server and trainer, I motivated staff while learning con-flict resolution skills needed for suc-cessful team effort.Experience as a leader, by example and practice, provides me with the skills needed to be an effective SGA Senator.Platform: Leadership is the service and practice on uniting a group’s skills to achieve common needs, wants, and goals.My Goal as your senator is to increase academic excellence, extracurricular involvement, and be your voice in the Student Government Association. I will achieve these goals by continu-ally improving my effectiveness as a leader by asking, “What can I con-tribute to our organization and what can I do for our students.”Surrounding these goals are guiding tenants I will use in the capacity of service to the senate body:1. Uphold the Vision and Values of GSU2. Lead the SGA towards achieve-ment of GSU student body goals and objectives3. Represent Graduates’ request for greater assistance finding em-ployment in successful, rewarding careers4. Increase the student body’s involvement and continued com-mitment making Georgia State University a world-class university where students excel academically, personally, and professionally

TUESDAY, MArch 13, 2012 26 NEwS | THE SIGNAL

Name: Collin NaborsPosition: SenatorMajor: AccountingCollege: J. Mack RobinsonSemesters at GSU: 4Leadership: Member of FBLA-Phi Beta LambdaPeer Leader in High SchoolFounder and President of Georgia State Fishing Club (in chartering process)Platform: If I were elected to the Georgia State Student Government Association, I would make sure that students are not only given the best resources to make good grades, but also given them the availability to have a successful social life. Every student should be able to have friends that they can spend time with, social-ize with, and get their studies done. While being Senator, I will make sure that more relationships amongst stu-dents are built by providing incen-tives to students making them want to come to GSU sporting events and other school functions. All relation-ships give students a better chance of succeeding in life, and I believe that success is the highest goal of all people.

Name: Shaheed NasirPosition: SenatorMajor: FinanceCollege: J. Mack RobinsonSemesters at GSU: 7Leadership: Experienced team leader and project coordinator in the sales field. Management of strategic partnerships for a Forune500 company. I am also a husband and father of two, which requires a great deal of humil-ity, listening skills, time manage-ment, organization, and decisive leadershipPlatform: To contribute to the overall student life at GSU in a beneficial/innovative manner. To be a representative of the student body with respect for their needs and wants. To be a partner to my peers and administration in an ef-fort to reach our common goals. To generally make the college experi-ence more rewarding than just re-ceiving a degree.

Name: Theresa NguyenPosition: SenatorMajor: FinanceCollege: Robinson College of BusinessSemesters at GSU: 4Leadership: -Phi Mu Fraternity: Assistant Treasurer-Habitat for Humanity: Volunteer-Sunday school Teach AssistantPlatform: My platform as a Senator for the Robinson College of Business is to work with the VP of Student Service to implement a 24 hour li-brary system. This years After Hours Study Hall in the Freshmen Hall was very effective, however it was not the right setting for final studying. I want to be sure that students fees are allo-cated in the right places to promote the most important aspect of the uni-versity: education.

Name: Marcus RiggsPosition: SenatorMajor: Marketing, minor: HospitalityCollege: Robinson College of BusinessSemesters at GSU: 4Leadership: Currently Special Events coordinator for Campus PALS, 1913 Student Ambassador.Platform: I plan to hopefully make more opportunities available for students pursuing marketing and hospitality degrees within the Robinson College of Business.I plan to team up with the college of Arts and Sciences, School of Hospitality and the Marketing de-partment to make these things hap-pen for our undergraduate studentsI also want to take feed back from the students who feel under rep-resented at the university. Listen and apply what they have to sat and make changes to where they can feel apart of the Georgia State Community and are able to get the most out of their collegiate experience.

.Name: Rion FieldsPosition: SenatorMajor: MarketingCollege: J. Mack Robinson College of BusinessSemesters at GSU: 4Leadership: Emerging Leaders FLC University Commons Resident AssistantCampus Pals MentorVariety Show Coordinator/Master of CeremoniesNew Student Orientation: InceptorPlatform: As senator for the J. Mack Robinson College of Business my main priorities will be focused on increasing awareness of networking services, along with opportunities in the College. I am a proponent of helping RCB students network with-in the Robinson Career Management Center. In addition to representing RCB, I will also represent student concerns of University related is-sues. Finally I will be an advocate for on campus involvement to improve school spirit.

Name: Patrick KelleyPosition: SenatorMajor: Managerial ScienceCollege: Georgia State UniversitySemesters at GSU: FourLeadership: Athletic Chair in Pi Kappa AlphaHead Life Guard during High SchoolCaptain of Basketball TeamPlatform: Hello there, my name is Patrick Kelley and I would like to run for Senator for Georgia State’s Student Government Association. I am currently a sophomore major-ing in Managerial Sciences and a brother of Pi Kappa Alpha. I want to be part of the student government because I would like to see Georgia State continue to grow and I would like to be a part of it. This will one day be a huge part of our community and if their leadership does not led them in the right direction, the com-munity will not be going in the right direction wither. What I would like to implement is more emphasis on the clubs on campus and getting more students involved on campus. One area that I would like to focus on while in office is recycling. I want to know why the recycling program has stopped and I hope to get it im-plemented again.

Name: Tyler LewisPosition: SenatorMajor: AccountingCollege: Georgia State UniversitySemesters at GSU: FourLeadership: Current Alumni Chair in the Pi Kappa Alpha FraternityCurrently making a Georgia State Fishing Club and will become Vice PresidentPeer Leader at Collins Hill High SchoolTook Leaders in Training for three years at YMCA and became coun-selor at summer camp because of itCaptain of every soccer team while growing upPlatform: My name is Tyler Lewis and I am an Accounting major here at Georgia State University. I am currently a sophomore and a brother of Pi Kappa Alpha. The reason I want to run for Senator is because I believe SGA needs leaders that set good examples for their students to follow and I be-lieve I am a very good role mod-el for the students of GSU. Also, I feel Georgia State could use a few changes. I f I was elected to Senator, I would work to improve the relationship between the school and greek life. I feel that the current relationship between the two is not as strong as it could be. I would like to see greeks get more involved with the student body and help the school grow to its full potential.

Date of Event:MARCH 21, 2012

Event Location:Student Center

Proposal Submission Deadline:

February 1, 2012at 5 p.m.

Notification of Acceptance:February 15, 2012

GSURC 2012

Undergraduate students from all disciplines are encouraged to submit their scholarly and creative

projects for presentation at the conference

❚ Drop in your two cents at our Website. Any time, any place.

Global change begins at home

FroM ThE EdITorIAL BoArd refl ects the majority opinion of the Editorial Board of The

Signal, but not necessarily the opinions of individual editors

OpINIONSwww.gsusignal.com/opinions

The Signal has recently produced a number of stories highlighting the criticism and faults of the Greek organizations that practice here at Georgia State. We have also taken a deeper look at some of the legislation that is being debated in this Senate session.

House Bill 659, introduced by Rep. Joe Wilkinson, would bar any student found guilty of hazing from attending school in the state of Georgia. While some might say this bill goes too far, The Signal’s investigation into hazing com-plaints against Greek organizations on campus has revealed a strong need for legislation target-ed at reducing hazing that would impose strong penalties for the behavior – particularly on an individual level.

While hazing is a presently a crime in Georgia, most of the investigations into haz-ing allegations come from a local level at the school and are handled either administratively or through judicial bodies at Georgia State.

Typically, serious violations mean the re-vocation of Greek charters and, perhaps, a tar-nished reputation of the organization. However, most decisions involve some form of total re-demption after the punishment has run its course.

As the national spotlight has shifted from case to case involving the death or serious in-jury of college students across the county, there should be no doubt that hazing is a serious mat-ter, which requires close attention.

As we have sifted through more than 370 of university documents in our own investigation, we did so with care because we understand how serious and sensitive these allegations are.

That said, due to the secretive nature of the Greek community, it has been diffi cult to get the opinions and statements of those involved in the mentioned fraternities and sororities. Certainly, as a news organization, we would like to present both sides of the stories.

Further, as journalists, we don’t like anon-ymous sources and letters any more than most people. However, we are interested in the truth and will use any and all resources available to get to the bottom of things, taking special care to verify every statement we come across or place them in context.

If, due to social pressure, members of these organizations are unwilling to speak on the re-cord, we encourage them to come forward on background. We respect your privacy in these cases and will refuse, as is the policy of most credible news organizations, to name our sources.

We understand that this policy might draw criticism, which we’ve certainly gotten a lot of recently, but we will not be deterred from in-vestigating, discovering and reporting the truth simply because people don’t like what we’re writing about.

The series of articles surely opens an often-avoided discussion in the collegiate sphere. We hope that, through our investigation, we can open the space to allow for discourse. We’d also like to off er up the pages of our publication to serve as a forum for that public conversation – even if all you have to say are negative things about us.

In fact, we invite you to contribute valid, well-reasoned posts on our Facebook page as well as the Opinions section of the paper.

oseph Kony is a bad man. No one in their right minds would dispute that. But if the Jospeh

Kony 2012 campaign is bringing any-thing to light it isn’t the crimes of a Ugandan warlord but the myopic activism of college students. I un-derstand that everyone was moved greatly by the well produced 30 min-ute advertisement for the Kony 2012 campaign with the sad tinkly piano music in the background, but real ac-tivism a true change takes more than linking to a video on your facebook and putting some stickers up on cam-pus. I don’t believe that most of these students who are rallying to the stop Kony battle cry are honestly willing to get off their couches and get out of their comfort zone and risk their own safety to help anyone but themselves. I understand that something must be done. The exploitation of children is one of the most heinous crimes that

it is possible to commit. So why don’t you get off your couch and do some-thing about it? Well before we start sending millions of dollars overseas to be misappropriated by African war-lords, let begin to aff ect some change right here at home on our doorstep.

There is a city in the United States where children who have been kidnapped for sexual slavery are kept in bondage. That city is Atlanta, GA. It has often been called the child sex slavery hub of the United States, and this is happening on your doorstep. The FBI ranked Atlanta as having one of the highest rates of child prostitu-tion in the United States. Do you want to help children from being disenfran-chised and exploited? How about you help a child who is here in your city? Horrible things happen all over the world, but if we really want to make the world a better place, we must have the courage and conviction to begin at

home. Honestly, how can we excuse ourselves to be outraged at child ex-ploitation in Africa when we condone it and allow it to happen right here in Atlanta under our noses? How can we end it? Does it take a 30-minute advertisement? Or does it take true dedication, time and eff ort? Do you want to be an activist or just play ac-tivist? Ask yourself that, and then set about realizing eff ectual and measur-able change here in Atlanta before you start worrying about the other side of the world.

Start doing something: Innocence Atlanta is a non-profi t organization dedicated to raising awareness and eradicating the traffi cking of human being for child sexual slavery. Visit www.innocenceatlanta.org for more information on how you can donate or volunteer your time to help end child sexual slavery.

MILES KEENLySIdE

opinions Editor

J

SIGNAL ‘TOONS

Flex your satirical chops!

Got an idea for a hilarious editorial cartoon? Send in your ideas to

signaleditor@gmail.com and we’ll put our cartoonist to work! Submit as soon as possible.

Two weeks ago, wandering around midtown I happened upon a small group of individ-

uals holding some sort of vigil in front of Colony Square. This small group of about six people was huddled to-gether, leaning over picket signs, and quietly mumbling to themselves. Upon approaching them, the mass parted and they began engaging with people on the street. I instinctually made a telephone call to save myself from being engaged with as I passed. To my surprise, one of them walked immediately in front of me. He was a little boy, no older than twelve, car-rying a sign bigger than him. I saw the sign, and in shock, lowered the phone from my ear. I was face to face with an abortion and found myself at a complete loss for words.

I will probably never become a vegetarian, and I wholly disagree with much of their tactics, but some part of me is happy PETA is able to show their gruesome pictures. The meat packing industry needs to change for the better. Rick Santorum

should spread his hate as far and wide as it will carry, more people should know he’s a crazy person. We as a free people should never lose sight of how far we’ve come in in 80 years; women’s suff rage and the Civil Rights Act are coming to mind. I also know that if we start cherry picking what is and isn’t appropriate that gavel will almost never fall toward the just. It will land in banality or worse, policing language only leads to silence, and the voices anyone who has dared to stand up for what’s right in the face of what’s acceptable will disappear.

Yet there is a line scratched some-where in the sand. If you are having a child wave around a three-foot blow-up of a bloody fetus in public, you are less than a troll. If you are running around the city with a placard read-ing, “(g)od Hates Fags,” or “Straight to Hell…” or any negative thing about dead troops, you are a less than a Troll. I can’t speak for God’s likes or dislikes but, colloquially speaking, you’re an [REDACTED]. Please stop

abusing your fi rst amendment rights and send your kid to a real school. You clearly have found no way to so-cialize a young mind and you joyfully lack enough self awareness of privi-lege, common decency, or taste to formally introduce your child to soci-ety over the kitchen table. In short, return to your bridge.

There are people one can’t reason with and people who are far too ame-nable; but they have their views as I have my own. I respect this set-up. But what do I say to this child? They have their own lenses through which they see the world, as do I. But again, what do I say to this little boy? He’s holding out his “literature” now and it dawns on me that I’ve been stand-ing here for too long. I take the pam-phlet from him and walk away seeth-ing. What more could I do?

On Trolls:JAMES

MCdouGALColumnist

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MISSIoN STATEMENTThe Signal shall provide, in a fair and accurate manner, news of interest and signifi cance to the Georgia State University community and serve as a forum for the expression of ideas of members of that community. Furthermore, The Signal shall provide an opportunity for students to pursue experience within a professional newspaper environment. The Signal shall also provide truthful and ethical advertising of interest to the Georgia State University community.

AdVErTISINGThe deadline for all advertising is 5 p.m. on the Tuesday prior to the desired issue of publication. Ads must be print-ready and in PDF format; fi les must be delivered via e-mail at signalads@langate.gsu.edu. Please visit our website at www.gsusignal.com/advertising for more information, including rates and payment methods.

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SuBMIT LETTEr To EdITorLetters must be submitted to the Opinions Editors via email and must include the text of the letter in the body of the message. Letters should be 200-400 words maximum. The Signal will allow longer letters, but only in rare circumstances. Letters must include the full name(s) of the writer(s) and include their year and major. If the writer is a faculty member, they must include their title and department. Letters will be fact-checked prior to publication. The writer may be obligated to make changes to the letter for publication. Letters will be edited for grammar, clarity, length, factual accuracy and adherence to Signal policy. The Signal reserves the right to modify and/or reject letters at the discretion of the editorial staff .

DISCLAIMEROpinions and Letters to the Editor expressed in The Signal are the opinions of the writers and readers. It does not refl ect the opinions of The Signal.

YOUR VOICE YOUR OPINIONS

“It depends on where it is. Honestly, some plac-es I’ve noticed that graffi ti is art and other places it’s a destruction. So I guess I am tolerant of it.”

TASNIA MALEK– Biology & religious Studies

“I feel like graffi ti is art, but then again gangs and people who tag do graffi ti. It’s not like mu-rals where it’s artistic, but it’s artistic still. It’s a very complicated question. It’s art, but you just gotta know when and where to show your artistic side.”

My-KIM LAI– Media Arts

“I think it’s a good thing that they are trying to crack down on it, be-cause it’s defi nitely some-thing that gets teenagers these days in trouble.”

JoNAThAN FrEdrICK– Music Education

“It adds a sense of feel-ing to an environment, it gives you that urban out-look. It’s something that you can’t get everywhere else. However, it does lead to bad intentions and mixed feelings and emo-tions though. It depends on what sort of stuff they are [painting], if it’s a mu-ral usually they leave it up, but if it’s just tagging and gang wars that’s not good stuff .”

rICKI MoorE–International Aff airs

The city of Atlanta Graffi ti Task Force is respon-sible for locating and removing instances of graffi ti around Atlanta. This has resulted in the arrests of many graffi ti artists here in Atlanta.

How do you feel about graffi ti and it’s affect on your urban environment?

Submit your work!

To submit original paintings, drawings, graphic design, comics, photos or other work, e-mail an image of the artwork as a .jpg to signalopinions@gmail.com. Images will be reviewed on a first come-first serve basis, so make sure to submit as soon as possible.

PICTURE of theWEEK

Got some things of your own to say about gra� ti? Attend the screening of the movie Vigilante Vigilante at cinefest on Wednesday, March 14th at 3pm. There will be a panel discussion following the movie at 4:30 pm. The panel will feature Nathan Wollman, the fi lm’s pro-ducer as well as Atlanta street artists Hense and Michi Meko.

“ʻVigilante Vigilante: The Battle for Expres-sion’ is a documentary about a new breed of crime-fi ghter that now stalks the urban land-scape: the anti-graffi ti vigilante. These dedi-cated blight warriors stop at nothing to rid their neighborhoods and cities of street art, stickers, tags, and posters. Yet several of these vigilantes have become the very menace they set out to eliminate. In their relentless attempt to stamp out graffi ti, they’ve turned to illegal-ly and destructively painting other people’s property. ʻVigilante Vigilante’ is the story of two fi lmmakers who set out to expose these mysterious characters and discover a battle of expression that stretches from the streets to academia.”

TUESDAY, MArch 13, 201228 OpINIONS | THE SIGNAL

TUESDAY, MArch 13, 2012 29OpINIONS | THE SIGNAL

Chris Shattuck argued, in “Three Cheers for (Student) Democracy”, that the SGA poli-cy restricting who may run for its highest office is undemocratic. In his own words, “the SGA con-stitution does not allow for any non-SGA member to run for its top offices, which stifles com-plete participation and does noth-ing except make the institution feel stuffy and elitist.” He is abso-lutely right on that point; having a “representative body” whose membership is restricted cannot be representative in any meaning-ful sense. Shattuck has shown at least one reason why the Student Government Association remains anything but a government.

But as the SGA struggles to resolve its cronyism and opacity, we should wonder what actually causes the SGA to stifle partici-pation of the non-elite. In other words, it is not in doubt that the SGA disallows democratic, stu-dent participation, and can turn the well-intentioned into elitists. What is in doubt is whether the

SGA’s problems are caused by pol-icy rather than its very mandate as a student group. It is plausible that the model itself on which SGA op-erates, that is, the “representative” republic, cannot conduct its busi-ness without stifling participation and corrupting its members.

It is not my business here to pass final judgment on the SGA’s organization; that is a story for an-other day, besides, it is not obvious what the judgment should even be. My business is to suggest that we stop deluding ourselves about the SGA’s ability to represent the student body.

The SGA fails to represent stu-dents in at least two ways. The first failure is the failure to repre-sent students’ voices. SGA is not a forum; and its officers are bla-tantly “more equal” than average students. Whatever your feelings on democratic forums, do not fool yourself into thinking that chang-ing a single bylaw will transform the SGA into one. The second fail-ure is a failure to represent student interests. In the face of austerity

that disproportionately burden students, the SGA, whether due to malice, incompetence, or apathy, is entirely impotent in guarding the student body against the robbery of the Regents.

The second failure is the more worrisome failure, because it ren-ders the SGA a government in name only. A government that cannot uphold its social contract is not a government. And in the presence of nominal government, the responsibility of governing de-volves to the population. Take up your responsibility. Please.

JAMES WEBB

Editors note: Since Chris Shattuck’s article “Three cheers for (student) democracy” ap-peared in print, the SGA voted to remove the bylaw responsible for preventing non-SGA members from running for its executive vice-president and president posi-tions, as reported in the Feb. 14 is-sue of The Signal.

The AJC article released on Friday, 9 March 2012, and written by Attorney General Sam Olens and Jay Powell, includes a direct quote in HB 397 which states: “Open government is essential to a free, open, and democratic society.”

Most Georgians, wholeheart-edly, agree with this direct quote from HB 397, a bill that updates Georgia’s sunshine laws to make them more open and effective and easier for non-lawyers to understand.

What we do not agree with is Attorney General Sam Olens’ legal record of being exempt from the very requirements he is now push-ing in HB 397 to mandate to oth-ers when it comes to many of the cases he and his office defend. My Georgia Whistleblower case is one strong example.

FACT: Attorney General Sam Olens just filed on 2 February 2012 his 2nd “Response in Opposition” to the 2nd Motion that would have finally released all the ethi-cal and fiscal violations by his de-fendants – the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia - and during a time that Attorney General Sam Olens states in his article that he had “spent the last year working to craft a thorough update to the sunshine laws.”

The media continues to not disclose to the public the ethical and fiscal violations by Attorney General Sam Olens’ defendants – the Board of Regents of the USG. One violation alone confirms that appeals by USG faculty, staff or students submitted to the Board of Regents’ Organization and Law

Committee are never even read by the members of the Committee as they are purposely told and im-plied is part of their legal due pro-cess. Yet, Attorney General Sam Olens just filed – during his “last year working to craft a thorough update to the sunshine laws,” his opposition to keep this violation – and many others – sealed from public view.

The AJC, who has been in-formed, has chosen not to report these facts, while, at the same time, posting details about their upcom-ing “annual newspaper commem-oration of open government” on AJC Facebook websites.

Attorney General Sam Olens’ “thorough update to the sunshine laws” does not address mandates for the Office of the Attorney General in the cases he and his staff defend – and neither does HB 397.

The media’s repeated por-trayal of Attorney General Sam Olens as Georgia’s Sunshine Law’s “Knight in Shining Armor” in its reports are extremely misleading to the public and simply not true. Attorney General Sam Olens’ le-gal record for the past year reflects the expression known throughout much of our federal and state gov-ernments, “Do as I say – not as I do.”

Most Georgians agree with Attorney General Sam Olens when he says, “While we have a bill that, while not perfect, is a big improve-ment.” But, HB 397 only addresses the enforcement of Sunshine laws to others. Where is the “big im-provement” when it comes to the enforcement of Sunshine law by

the very person, Attorney General Sam Olens, who is mandating the new rules in HB 397 of others?

This AJC article on HB 397, written, in part, by Attorney General Sam Olens, is entitled, “new bill’s aim to bring clarity to state’s fuzzy sunshine law.” Yes, HB 397 does clarify the state’s sun-shine law - but only for others. HB 397 remains “fuzzy” in the clarifi-cation of this new bill’s mandates when it comes to Attorney General Sam Olens.

I encourage you to contact the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the sponsors of HB 397 this week. Tell them the statement in HB 397 which states, “Open government is essential to a free, open, and democratic so-ciety” should apply to all govern-ment officials – including Attorney General Sam Olens.

Statement in support of E. Denise Caldon:

“GSPHE (Georgia Students for Public Higher Education) ful-ly supports your efforts. Thanks again so much for everything you do. I know I speak for a lot of oth-er students, faculty and staff when I say the information you have already made public and are at-tempting to make public will ul-timately democratize our institu-tions of learning dramatically.”

E. dENISE CALdoN MACoN, GA

MIChAEL ArNdTLaw Student

It is protest season at Georgia State. It is also Oscar season. What better time, then, for a

discussion of the Oscar-nominated documentary about the environ-mental protestors who radicalized and joined the domestic terror-ist organization, Earth Liberation Front?[1] The question is rhetori-cal—there is no better time; you’re welcome, GSU.

Documentaries occupy a weird space artistically, seemingly strad-dling the fence between non-fic-tion and dramatic film. Fitting well in neither, it is sometimes un-clear what exactly we want from the form. A good cry? A stir in the (social activism) loins? Edification without effort? Further, it is not clear how we should evaluate these films. Franz Kafka insisted that a book should be the ax for the frozen sea within us. The problem is that you don’t notice the freeze until af-ter the ax strikes. Similarly, it took a good documentary to come to some unflattering conclusions about pre-vious viewing experiences.

First, there is nothing particu-larly noble about watching docu-mentaries. The viewers are usually not, to twist an Intro to Philosophy favorite, humans who would risk discontentment in search of truth rather than live as a satisfied ca-nine. The films fill other needs. For me, it was a demonstration of my civic virtue. After two hours in a dark room, I felt self-righteous. The film would end with me shak-ing my head at (and patting my back for my non-participation in) some grievous wrong. The film’s subject was bad and avaricious, while I was virtuous and altruistic. Internalized lessons always seem to lose force when reduced to words on a page, but it seems particularly true here: we should be incredibly skeptical of claims of virtue that follow an OnDemand purchase.

Next, the documentaries lacked nuance. In Who Killed the Electric Car, Martin Sheen narrates a corpo-rate conspiracy to halt the produc-tion of electric cars that deprived desiring customers of the good. In Capitalism: A Love Story, Michael Moore (through an equivoca-tion of economic and political sys-tems) warns that our democracy is crumbling. In Born Into Brothels, the viewer marvels at the power of photography to enrich impover-ished childrens’ lives.[2] The un-biased viewer naturally associates with the conscientious consumer, the democrat, and the children pho-tographers, respectively. This is fine, but what follows from such an association?

I do not raise the question to suggest that documentaries should be judged by their ability to cata-lyze or directly inform ethical ques-tions. Rather, we should acknowl-edge that we hardly need a movie to favor thoughtful consumption over corruption or art over the deg-radations of poverty and prostitu-tion. By framing actual events as a good against evil motion picture, we leave the film as we entered it.

There is nothing wrong with this, other than the pretense that we are getting anything other than a high-ly- manipulated product designed to make us feel good. Thus the ro-mantic comedy shares a space with the documentary. This is not, to be sure, a call for absolute objectivity or less compelling documentaries, just something different, heavier perhaps.

Enter If a Tree Falls: The Story of the Earth Liberation Front. The film follows a notorious cell of the ELF principally through the lens Daniel McGowan. McGowan proves an ideal subject since he was a not a lifelong environmen-talist. The viewer tracks his trans-formation from tentative protester to convicted felon, from sitting on sidewalks handing out pamphlets to coordinating arsons. In addition to McGowan, you hear from other ELF members, their victims, and the FBI agents who tracked the group for several years. While it has cinematic elements, such as the classic whodunit excitement which surrounds the FBI’s investigation, no one will mistake it for a major motion picture. The subjects are far too human: appearing homely rath-er than glamorous, preferring to ra-tionalize rather than concede, and possessing multifarious rather than singular desires.

No one emerges triumphant. The viewer will likely not feel com-pelled to take it to the streets. We need not pass the hat nor gather signatures. This lack of a cheer-ing resolution is not a weakness, but the film’s enduring strength. Information is not ineffectual if mulled over rather than immediate-ly acted upon. The film raises issues of perennial concern while address-ing more recent developments. What compels an incrementalist to radicalize? When/how should sov-ereigns respond to protests? How can we explain the increasing ac-cess to information not resulting in more participation, much less more informed participation? Or, perhaps one question encompasses them all: what does adult citizenship re-quire? If our search for an answer to such a question turns up only affir-mation and wish-fulfillment, then I suspect we haven’t even scratched the surface.

[1] Some may wince at the “ter-rorist” label. In the movie, members of the organization rejected the la-bel because they did not physically hurt a single person. Yet, earlier in the film, members explained that, since the targeted organizations valued money more than anything else, property damage was effective means to hit where it hurt. Further they hoped other companies would fear similar attacks if they contin-ued their conduct. Thus they want-ed to use violence and destruction surreptitiously in order to insight terror; this seems to be the very def-inition of terrorism.

[2] This is a random list of rel-atively popular documentaries. They were not picked for any com-pelling reason, but are included solely to avoid the aggravation of an unnamed referent/straw man throughout the article.

If A Tree Falls:a movie recommendation

Letters to the Editor: The Misnomer of the Student Government Association

Ethics and Fiscal Accountability at the Board of Regents of the USG

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Softball (19-6) rattled off fi ve straight wins before splitting a double-header against mercer

this weekend. The team will try to knock off in-state rivals uGA

and Kennesaw before diving into conference play next weekend.

Menʼs Golf earned itʼs only fi rst place fi nish of the Spring at the Wex-

ford Plantation Intercollegiate held in Hilton Head, S.C. Damon Stephen-

sonʼs performance earned him CAA Player of the month honors.

Menʼs Tennis (12-2) has caught fi re, winning eight straight

since losing to NO. 29 ranked Georgia Tech Feb. 8. matias Ha-

temʼs 12-1 start is the best start for any GSu freshmen since the 2007 season. Last week, Thomas Cook

was named CAA Player of the Week after helping the team to a 4-3

victory over South Carolina State on Feb. 29.

Wom-enʼs Basketball (8-22) was

eliminated from the fi rst round of the CAA tournament with a 59-66 loss at the hands of the No. 5 seeded, uNC Wilmington. uNC Wilmington advanced all the way to the fi nal round of the tour-

nament before being crushed by Delaware, 66-39.

Womenʼs Soccer also took on North Georgia this week-

end, earning a 1-0 victory. This was the teamʼs second game of the

Spring season. The fi rst was a 1-2 loss against the menʼs soccer club team. Sunday mar. 18 they will take on

both Davidson and South Carolina in Colum-

bia, S.C.

Menʼs Soccer

kicked their spring season off this Saturday

with a double header at Panthers-ville. The team walked away with a 1-1

tie against uAb and 0-0 tie against North Georgia. Gimel Gordon was the only

Panther to grace the scoreboard this weekend thanks to an assist from Yasser

majluf.

Track & Field started off their outdoor

season in dominating fashion this weekend at the Southern Invitational in

birmingham. The Panthers earned 36 top 10 fi nishes in 17 events. They placed

fi rst in one relay race to go along six individual fi rst place

fi nishes.

It’s been a while since The Signal has provided

you with the Panther sports coverage you have grown

to know and love. To compensate, we have put together a short recap of the past couple of weeks.

JErEL MArShALLSports Editor

❚ Georgia State baseball defeats ninth ranked Georgia Tech, falters in weekend series against Kennesaw State

Spring Recap

TUESDAY, MArch 13, 2012 32 SpORTS | THE SIGNAL

TIFFANIE SMIThStaff Writer

With Mark Hogan being the first scholar-ship football player for the start-up Georgia State

University football program, smashing his way to being the second-leading tackler in the two

seasons he’s played, and graduating this spring, one might think he’s satisfied with

his athletic career. However, there was something missing in Hogan’s life.

Already having a football background, as his father played football at Georgia Tech under Georgia State head coach Bill Curry, Hogan had another sport on his mind, baseball.

At Lincoln-Sudbury High School in Massachusetts, he played on the baseball team for all four years and helped bring the team two state championships, while also starring on the school’s football team.

After a dual-sport athletic career at his old high school, Hogan has made history at Georgia State by being the first dual-sport student-athlete to play football and baseball.

“I’ve always thought about playing base-ball,” said Hogan. “It was definitely not a spur of the moment decision, and I have been keeping my options open to that. I decided to give it a shot and I was able to make the ball club.”

He recently joined the Georgia State base-ball team as an outfielder. He hopes to domi-nate this sport just as he did football back in high school.

But Hogan says one of his main goals is what almost every athlete wants: to win.

“My goal is to be a contributor on the

baseball team this spring and win games,” said Hogan. “Football-wise, we’ve had some ups and downs, but I want to end my career on a positive note here at Georgia State.”

Hogan has been able to balance athletics and academics successfully, as he has earned President’s List recognition, Dean’s List hon-ors and Athletic Director’s Honor Roll acco-lades. To keep these achievements going, he has a routine he goes by in between games and practices.

“After I come back from baseball at night, I get whatever school work I need to get done,” said

Hogan. “I make sure I have my day planned accordingly. The school work has not been too bad being that my work load is much lighter this semester.”

Hogan says his participation in two sports stems from a love for the game, the re-lationships players build among one another and encouragement from his father. As far as Hogan’s relationships with his coaches, Hogan says he fits in well with both of the coaches expectations for their teams.

“I’ve started to get to know head coach Greg Frady and how he runs his ball club, and I think I fit in pretty well with that,” said Hogan. “With Curry, I’ve been here from the beginning. He had a vision of what Georgia State football will be and I want to be a part of that.”

With a business degree in Finance, Hogan plans to enroll in a graduate program in the next couple of years.

“Playing sports is a great opportunity to go to school and represent something big-ger than you,” said Hogan. “You get to repre-sent your institution and state and that’s what drives me to play college sports.”

chris shAttuck | the signAl Mark Hogan’s love of both baseball and football has earned him a spot in the GSU history books.

makes school history

dyLAN rICEAssociate Sports Editor

Georgia State baseball started a week of in-state competition with a solid victory over nationally ranked Georgia Tech before ending the week on a sour note as they were swept by Kennesaw State in a three-game series.

After the battle between Atlanta neighbor GT and the week-end series against KSU, Georgia State‘s early season record sits at 7-9, which is a slow start by the program’s standards.

Georgia State was able to hold on for a 5-4 victory against ninth ranked Georgia Tech this past Wednesday, and Max Schmitz got the start and the victory to improve to 2-1 in his freshman season.

Schmitz tore through a GT lineup that averages nearly nine runs per game, allowing only one unearned run in his five in-nings of work.

The unearned run came in the fourth inning to give GT a 1-0 lead, but this didn’t last long as Georgia State answered with two runs courtesy of singles from Landon Bennett and Roy Seltenrijch.

GT was plagued by poor fielding the following inning, allow-ing four errors, and soon Georgia State had built what seemed to be a comfortable four-run lead.

But when playing a nationally ranked team no lead is safe. And GT made a strong attempt at a comeback. Georgia State all of a sudden found itself in a one-run game clinging to the lead.

Georgia State fans were on the edge of their seats in the ninth inning, when GT’s Mott Hyde made contact with two outs and a runner on third. But Caden Bailey was positioned at shortstop

to make the play and secure Georgia State’s second victory in a row over GT.

Georgia State entered Friday’s game looking to keep up this momentum against KSU, but at the end of the day the Panthers found themselves on the losing end of an 11-5 blowout.

The game was tied at 4 entering the fourth inning when KSU exploded over the next two innings for seven runs over the next two innings.

It was a tough day for Georgia State starter Justin Malone and the rest of the pitching staff as they allowed 15 hits.

Georgia State didn’t have much time to dwell on their defeat as they continued the series the following afternoon. But the day once again ended in defeat as they lost a heartbreaker 5-4 in ten innings.

Jake Dyer took on the starting role and pitched six dominat-ing innings in which he didn’t allow any earned runs, but a rough fielding day cost the Panthers and Dyer the lead and the game.

The Panthers’ luck didn’t change Sunday as KSU completed the three-game sweep with a 7-6 win.

Georgia State starter Ben Marshall pitched six scoreless in-nings, but things went downhill when Tyler Clabum entered in relief.

Clabum yielded four runs in 0.2 innings, and KSU used this momentum to capture the lead in the final innings and collect the win.

After the tough weekend, Georgia State will look to get their season back on track this evening as they take on Monmouth University at 5 p.m. at the GSU Baseball Complex in Panthersville.

Win some, lose someGeorgia State Baseball defeats ninth ranked Georgia Tech,

then falters in weekend series against Kennesaw State

grAhAm roBson | the signAlIt was a week of in-state rivalries as Georgia State took on Georgia Tech as well as Kennesaw State

zAKKIyyA ANdErSoNColumnist

After a dismal soph-omore season, the Georgia State foot-

ball team faces its toughest season since its inauguration in 2010.

The Panthers will play their fi rst ever season in the Colonial Athletic Association conference in 2012, and will have to face their toughest op-ponents to date.

In non-conference ac-tion, Georgia State will play their second regular season game against the University of Tennessee, in Tennessee.

The CAA is one of the toughest college football con-ferences to play in, and the Panthers will certainly have their work cut out for them.

Last season, six of the teams in the CAA fi nished above .600. Georgia State will take on four of those teams.

The Panthers will have their work cut out for them when they host Old Dominion on Nov. 3 for a rematch.

Old Dominion fi nished second in the CAA last year

with a win percentage of .750. The Panthers will have

to test their strengths against two other .750 teams in Maine and New Hampshire.

One of the only hope-ful matchups of the up-coming season is of course the homecoming game in which Georgia State will play Villanova.

Villanova went 1-7 last sea-son in conference play and 2-9 overall.

The other feasible win would be the in the game against Richmond who did not boast any CAA wins last year.

Hopefully, Georgia State will not do for Richmond what Houston Texans did for the Indianapolis Colts this past NFL season--ending up as the only team to lose to them.

With the departure of sev-eral key players on the team, and several new players to the team, the challenge will be even harder.

Senior outside linebacker, Jake Muasau who was voted Defensive Player of the Year two years running, will be graduating and his presence will certainly be missed in the Georgia State secondary.

Muasau racked up a num-ber of records while at Georgia State including 16.5 tackles for a loss, three interceptions and

106 career tackles. And with all the trouble

and controversy surrounding the quarterback situation last year, the Panthers still do not have a stable man at the quar-terback position.

It will be interesting to see what direction head coach Bill Curry goes in concerning who will be under center in the upcoming season.

It’s almost as if Georgia State will be starting all over again, with a few exceptions, this season will be brand new to every single person involved with Georgia State football.

The team signed two new quarterbacks in the off -season, and Coach Curry expressed to Georgia State Athletics that both have very good chances of playing in the fall.

It will be essential for the Panthers to solidify the quar-terback position early on to avoid the same fate as last year.

Another huge departure the football team had to deal with during the off season was the quitting of defensive coor-dinator John Thompson.

Thompson took a position as defensive coordinator at Arkansas State.

Luckily enough for the Panthers, Coach Curry and Director of Athletics, Cheryl

Levick appointed the former secondary coach to the new DC position.

Anthony Midget will be a good fi t since he has been with Georgia State since 2008. But this will be his fi rst ever time holding such a dy-namic coaching position.

And if all that isn’t enough, Georgia State students do not come to games.

Despite all kinds of deals, opportunities, and specials of-fered to fans, the attendance

at Georgia State football games is less than mediocre.

And having a losing season last year does not help student morale.

But that is certainly some-thing that needs to happen in the upcoming season, people need to start coming to games, regardless of the outcomes.

I mean Colts fans did it, and they don’t get in free, get free rides, nor do they get to sit in a dome.

But maybe students would

be more inclined to attend the free games if Georgia State played as an FBS competitor.

A feasibility study was set up by Georgia State in order to look at the possibilities of the Panthers becoming an FBS team.

So far it is simply a hy-pothetical situation with no real moves being made, but still one does wonder what it would mean to our university if we were in the same divi-sion as the “big dawgs.”

TUESDAY, MArch 13, 2012 33SpORTS | THE SIGNAL

sAAkiB ZAffrAniAlthough the recent FBS feasibility report has generated some excitement, GSU football has other problems to iron out.

Column: Football could face another year in the slumps

JErEL MArShALLSports Editor

For the past decade, all the excitement—or lack there of—associat-ed with Georgia State bas-ketball has ended with the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament but an invite to this year’s CollegeInsider.com Tournament has changed that.

“This team deserves to play in the postseason, espe-cially our six seniors, and we thank the CIT for extending this invitation,” coach Ron Hunter told Georgia State Athletics. “Our fans and our students have really support-ed us all season, and we look forward to one more great crowd in the Sports Arena.”

Despite dropping a two-point thriller to George Mason, 59-61, in the second round of the CAA tourna-ment, the Panthers will get their taste of the post-season for the fi rst time since 2002.

The Panthers (21-11) are set to host Tennessee Tech (19-9) today at 7:00 p.m. in the Sports Arena in the fi rst round of the CIT.

Georgia State is currently sitting at 21 wins, the second most in school history and

has an opportunity to earn its 13th home victory which would also be the second highest mark for the school.

Tennessee Tech is com-ing off of a 58-78 loss in the

semi-fi nals of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament. The loss came at the hands of Murray State, who suff ered only one loss all season.

Although the Panthers

will boast home court ad-vantage, the Golden Eagles will also feel at home as eight members of their roster at-tended high school in the Metro-Atlanta area.

Georgia State enters the CIT having won seven of their last 10 games. The team set the record for largest margin of victory in the CAA Tournament by dismantling

Hofstra to the tune of 85-50. With a conference record

of 11-7, the Panthers have had their largest impact on the conference since joining the CAA in 2005. A road-win over CAA tourney champs, VCU and a victory over CAA regular season champs, Drexel will defi nitely be in the minds of conference foes in future seasons.

“I thought our guys played hard all year long,” Hunter said. “It has been a blessing to coach this bas-ketball team. We have prov-en a lot of people wrong and shown that we can win bas-ketball games at Georgia State. We proved that we can be a factor in a great confer-ence and will be a factor.”

Georgia State could po-tentially be matched up against a very familiar op-ponent in the later rounds of the tournament. CAA rival and winners of the inaugural CIT in 2009, Old Dominion, has also accepted an invite to the tournament.

Students can purchase tickets for tonight’s game for $5 at the Sports Arena, but the Panther’s Den will pro-vide tickets for the fi rst 2,000 students who show up.

Panthers primed to participate in post-season

PAtrick Duffy | signAlAfter one of the best seasons in school history, the Panthers are set to participate in the CollegeInsider.com Tournament.

VALENTINA LEEStaff Writer

D e t e r m i n a t i o n is significant in suc-ceeding at anything at any given moment. Determination can be used to push oneself, a friend, or in this case, a fellow member.

Georgia State’s rock climbing club has been a hit this past year. With the increase of members, practices, trips and competitions, the rock climbing club has been extremely pleased.

The cohesiveness of the team and deter-mination of the mem-bers has created a powerful bond. When they practice they push each other to ev-ery limit. The club has regulated levels for each member, from be-ginner to advanced so that no one can be out casted.

“We put everyone at a level of achieve-ment,” said club presi-dent, Melissa Krasselt. “We’ll say, ‘okay you need to climb this route as a goal and

keep trying it until you get it.’”

Krasselt, has been a part of the club for more than two years and continues to show her dedication. She has been excited about the club and the dras-tic changes that have happened since she was elected.

“We didn’t have a lot of outdoor activi-ties, and we didn’t have many members going to competitions at all,” said Krasselt. “Now we have four to five times more members show up to everything.”

Even though the club has been grow-ing in numbers and has been increasing in outdoor climbing and competitions, the club still enforces safety. Safety has been the number one rule in the rock climbing club, just above the second

rule--fun. Members are taught to use prop-er safety before hav-ing climbed indoors or outdoors.

One strength of the club that Kasselt sites is the humility of its members. No one wants to be better than someone else, and they all help push each oth-er to leave their com-fort zone to reach a dif-ferent peak of determi-nation. Also, the mem-bers have received an astounding workout ethic that has escalat-ed their strength for tougher obstacles.

“All of my best friends are a part of the club,” said Kasselt, “I don’t think any of my friends at school are not a part of the club. These are the best peo-ple around.”

As for the weak-nesses, the flaw that the members want to

have a harder trainer. As if the workout they already receive is not enough, they all strive for more. Also, they feel that the gym was too small and lacks va-riety, but the school won’t fund for them to practice elsewhere.

“It would be nice to have somebody like a body builder to train us,” said vice president Bryan Oliver. “It’s also a goal to get all mem-bers to start practic-ing at Stone Summit Fitness Center.”

The team has worked hard at each practice. Some work on techniques while oth-ers work on strength. The fortitude of all of the members comes from being pressed and motivated by the other members of the club. The club has cre-ated a family-like orga-nization where nobody

gets embarrassed on how they performed, and everyone gets a chance to improve with the help of other members.

“We all give you ad-vice and want you to better yourself. It’s all about fun and enjoy-ing one another,” said Kasselt.

The club has com-peted at local colleg-es, such as Georgia Tech and also at Foster Falls, Tennessee and Sand Rock, Ala. With the amount of mem-bers that the club has

received, the competi-tions have been going exceptionally well.

“We go to four out-door trips each semes-ter and next fall we plan on having trips every weekend,” said Oliver.

For more informa-tion joining the club visit gsurockclimbing.webs.com. Everyone has been welcomed to join as long as they are prepared for disci-pline, determination, and being dependable.

TUESDAY, MArch 13, 2012 34 SpORTS | THE SIGNAL

|Club Sport|Rock climbing

club determined to reach the top

gsu rock climBing cluBMembers of the GSU Rock Climbing Club, led by club president Melissa Krasselt (top left), are always looking to challenge themselves.

TUESDAY, MArch 13, 2012 35SpORTS | THE SIGNAL

Lorentzen pacing Panthers during solid seasonISMAEL SuArEzStaff Writer

The members of the Georgia State women’s golf team know that the Danish have a lot more to of-fer than those tasty butter cookies that come in the blue tins.

Denmark-born Charlotte Lorentzen is the backbone of the women’s golf team, and she has shown it by leading the Panthers to place third in the Hurricane Invitational in Miami.

“Charlotte just played awe-some,” Georgia State head coach Cathy Mant told Georgia State Athletics. “She’s been consistent all year.”

These last weeks have been full of great news for the Danish player.

First, she was recognized as the Colonial Athletic Association golf-er of the month in February.

Then, due to the way she played in the Hurricane Invitational this past week, the CAA acknowledged her as the CAA Golfer of the Week.

During the Hurricane Invitational, which was the last time the Panthers were in action, Lorentzen birdied her last hole, to end up with the lowest score of the final day of competition (219), which was enough to earn GSU a third place finish.

This is her third title out of the last six competitions during the years of 2011 and 2012.

Last time Lorentzen competed in the Hurricane Invitational was 2010, where she placed 17th.

The rest of the team also made a huge contribution in order to get third place in Miami despite the lack of experience of three players out of the quintet.

“Freshman Lauren Court had some really good stretches in this tournament, and so did everyone, really,” Mant said.

Senior Charlotte Guilleux placed 22nd in individual stand-ings, sophomore Laura Sanchez finished 27th, freshman Lauren Court was 31st and sophomore Solveig Helgesen ended in 80th place.

“We came away from this tour-nament feeling much better about ourselves than our last event,” Mant said.

Also, Mant said her players’ good job in playing through some obstacles such as the high wind ve-locity that occurred during both days of the competition.

“There were wind gusts of 35-40 miles an hour,” Mant said. “I’m proud of the entire team for hang-ing in there in tough conditions,”

However, there is still room for the team to become better in a few aspects of the game.

“We still have things to work on, but we can definitely build on this performance as we prepare for our next event,” Mant said. “Our primary area of focus is on the short game.”

The team’s next chance to com-pete and show their improvements will be at the SunTrust Gator Women’s Invitational, hosted by the University of Florida.

The competition will start on Friday, March 16 and will go on un-til Sunday, March 18.

Also, March 26 through 27 will be important dates for the team, who will be hosting the John Kirk Panther Intercollegiate.

Coach Mant said that the team is “looking forward to (it).” georgiA stAte sPorts communicAtions

Lorentzen is having another outstanding season, and is leading the way for the Georgia State women’s golf team.

ToM TErry IIIStaff Writer

After a hot start, the Georgia State Panthers seem to be cool-ing off, with a recent loss to UNC Wilmington on the road and los-ing two out of three games in a trip to the West Coast.

These loses would include falling short to Sacramento State 2-5, defeating UC Santa Barbara 6-1 and finally losing to Fresno State in a close 3-4 thriller.

“We know that we play teams that are good or better here in the Southeast,” said Coach Miha Lisac. “Honestly, Southeast and California college tennis are two of the strongest regions (in the country). So it wasn’t a measur-ing stick from that standpoint, but we definitely played tough competition.”

Winning only one of their matches in their visit to California certainly is not what the team hoped for. Lisac said he believes the road trip wore on the team.

“I thought we could have done a better job winning the doubles points,” said Lisac, “That would of put us ahead in matches versus putting us be-hind our opponents. All we can

do is put ourselves in situations where we can have success.”

The Panthers started the season by winning three of their first four matchups. But over the last six contests the team has dropped three games, in-cluding two to unranked oppo-nents. In spite of the West Coast trip the Panthers took during spring break, the Georgia State women’s tennis team has had a reputable season so far.

Earlier this season, the Panthers successfully beat Furman University and No. 62 ranked Wake Forest University to open the season before falling to No. 13 ranked Georgia Tech. The Panthers responded by de-feating No. 43 ranked William and Mary and defeating East Tennessee State at home.

“As a team we played fo-cused and with a lot of energy,” said Lisac. “We had a team that started with a purpose and that showed in the way we played.”

One of the few players that continues to play with that en-ergy throughout the season is Abigail Tere-Apisah, who earned CAA player of the week honors last week.

It was sophomores Tere-Apisah’s second time winning the award this season as she de-

feated a ranked singles oppo-nent last week to improve her record to 10-0 in singles this year. She has also defeated three ranked opponents this season. Lisac believes that she is one of his players he can count on.

“Abigail is definitely a num-ber one player for us and sets tone for the rest of the team,” said Lisac. “Considering the fact that she’s not just a very talent-ed player, also she has a very good attitude towards her work and helps everyone else to be-come better.”

Lisac believes these lessons will carry him well into the CAA tournament. This year, the Panthers will work on trying to take early leads in the doubles points as opposed to having to climb back into matches.

“Number one is we have to win the doubles to be successful at this level consistently,” said Lisac.

“Number two is we have to learn to close out sets when we have the opportunity. During the Cali trip, we had multiple opportunities to close out sets or matches and we didn’t do so.”

The next match is against South Carolina on March 17 in Columbus, SC.

Women’s Tennis team hits tough stretch

grAhAm roBson | signAlThe women’s tennis team is looking to grow after a tough road trip to California.

Styles Spacing Lists

Leadership Development

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENTwww.gsu.edu/leadership

Making the Team: Building Positive RelationshipsWednesday, March 14, 3–4 p.m., 485 University Center

The company that you keep affects your image and spirits. Learn how to carefully choose your “team,” so you are encouraged,

enabled and able to maintain a positive attitude.

Bill Gates: Model for LeadershipThursday, March 15, 1–2 p.m., Student Center, Lanier Suite

Bill Gates successfully led a technological revolution that changed the world in 10 short years. Join us as we explore how a college

dropout became one of the most notable men in the world. Learn how to apply his tactics in your own life.

Accepting Applications for Panther Leadership AcademyApplication Deadline: April 13

For more information, visit www.gsu.edu/leadership

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

All shows free for GSU students, faculty and staff with ID. Guests $3 before 5 p.m. and $5 at 5 p.m. and after.

Tekkonkinkreet, March 12-18

Redline, March 12-18

Vigilante Vigilante, March 14

Q&A with producer Nathan Wollman, street artists “Hense” and Michi Meko to follow immediately after screening.

Melancholia, March 19-25

Visit www.gsu.edu/cinefest for showtimes.

and staff with ID. Guests $3 before

xcinefest movie times

and staff with ID. Guests $3 before and staff with ID. Guests $3 before

http://www.gsu.edu/cinefest

Georgia State University uLearn Facebook TwitterGeorgia State University uLearn Facebook Twitter

Cinefest Film Theatre

and staff with ID. Guests $3 before and staff with ID. Guests $3 before and staff with ID. Guests $3 before and staff with ID. Guests $3 before and staff with ID. Guests $3 before and staff with ID. Guests $3 before

Cinefest Film Theatre

March 12 -March 18, 2012TekkonkinkreetMonday – Friday: 11a.m., 3p.m., 7p.m.Weekends: 3p.m., 7p.m.There will be no 3:00 pm screening on Wednesday 3/14 due to a special event

RedlineMonday – Friday: 1p.m., 5p.m., 9p.m.Weekends: 1p.m., 5p.m.

March 14, 2012Vigilante VigilanteWednesday: 3p.m.Q&A with producer Nathan Wollman, street artists "Hense" and Michi Meko to follow immediately after the screening.

March 19 -March 25, 2012MelancholiaMonday – Friday: 11a.m., 1:30p.m., 4p.m., 6:30p.m., 9p.m.Weekends: 1:30p.m., 4p.m., 6:30p.m.,

All shows free for Georgia State University students with ID.Guests $3 before 5 p.m. and $5 after 5 p.m.For more information visit www.gsu.edu/cinefest

All shows free for GSU students, faculty All shows free for GSU students, faculty All shows free for GSU students, faculty All shows free for GSU students, faculty All shows free for GSU students, faculty All shows free for GSU students, faculty

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Spotlight

SPOTLIGHT PROGRAMS BOARDwww.gsu.edu/spotlight

Amateur NightThursday, March 15Doors open at 7 p.m.Student Center BallroomCome enjoy singing, dancing and MORE! Watch your fellow Panthers compete for prizes and bragging rights! This event is FREE for students and $3 for guests. As always, there is a one-guest-per-student policy.

Panther Prowl: Prowlinʼ Thru the DecadesFriday, March 23, 8 p.m.-2 a.m., Student Center BallroomGet ready to flashback through the ʼ70s, ʼ80s and ʼ90s at Prowlinʼ Thru the Decades Panther Prowl. At the final Panther Prowl of the year, come enjoy airbrush T-shirts, arcade games, create your own glasses, a break dancing contest, a through-the-decades fashion show, a battle for the crown of the rap, and more! Free food will be served, and from midnight to 2 a.m., you can party to your favorite hits from then to now! This event will be EPIC!

For more information, call Spotlight at 404/413-1610.

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Student Organizations

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STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS http://gsu.orgsync.com

Get In Step Spring LeadershipConference featuring Dance Floor Theory Leadership TrainingFriday, March 23, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.Student CenterAll student leaders are encouraged to get in step…and bring your members along with you! For more information and to register, visit http://gsu.orgsync.com.

Thru the Decades Panther Prowl. At the final Panther Prowl of the year, come enjoy airbrush T-shirts, arcade games, create your own glasses, Thru the Decades Panther Prowl. At the final Panther Prowl of the year, come enjoy airbrush T-shirts, arcade games, create your own glasses, Thru the Decades Panther Prowl. At the final Panther Prowl of the year, come enjoy airbrush T-shirts, arcade games, create your own glasses, Thru the Decades Panther Prowl. At the final Panther Prowl of the year, Thru the Decades Panther Prowl. At the final Panther Prowl of the year, come enjoy airbrush T-shirts, arcade games, create your own glasses, come enjoy airbrush T-shirts, arcade games, create your own glasses,

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Spring Concert

Spotlight Programs Board and Campus Events PresentPanther Palooza: Spring Concert Friday, April 6, GSU Sports Arena 8 p.m. • Doors open at 7 p.m.

GSU Students: $10General Admission: $20Day of Show: $25

Tickets Available At: Campus Tickets in the University Center, GSU Sports Arena Box Office and www.ticketmaster.com (online service fees apply)

Information: www.gsu.edu/spotlight or www.gsu.edu/studentevents

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Spotlight Programs Board and Campus Events Present

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Campus Events

Spotlight Programs Board and Campus Events PresentSpotlight Programs Board and Campus Events PresentSpotlight Programs Board and Campus Events PresentSpotlight Programs Board and Campus Events Present

CAMPUS EVENTSwww.gsu.edu/studentevents

Student Concert Series Thursday, March 22 12:15–1 p.m., Unity PlazaCome enjoy live music while eating lunch or hanging out between classes. The Student Concert Series highlights the best musical artists and bands at Georgia State, from rock bands to classical performers. If you are interested in performing, contact Campus Events at 404/413-1857 or campusevents@gsu.edu.

Distinguished Speaker Series: An Afternoon with Kathryn Stockett Thursday, March 29, 3 p.m. Student Center BallroomThe author of the acclaimed novel The Help, now a major motion picture from DreamWorks, will share her experiences about writing and getting published.

SAVE THE DATE!GSU Night at Six FlagsFriday, April 20See full-page ad in this issue for more information.

SPOTLIGHT PROGRAMS BOARDwww.gsu.edu/spotlight

CAMPUS EVENTSwww.gsu.edu/studentevents

Student Concert SeriesThursday, March 22 12:15–1 p.m., Unity PlazaCome enjoy live music while eating lunch or hanging out between classes. The Student Concert Series highlights the best musical artists and bands at Georgia State, from rock bands to classical performers. If you are interested in performing, contact Campus Events at 404/413-1857 or campusevents@gsu.edu.

StylesStylesCourtyard Music Series.jpg

SPOTLIGHT PROGRAMS BOARD

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SPOTLIGHT PROGRAMS BOARDSPOTLIGHT PROGRAMS BOARDSPOTLIGHT PROGRAMS BOARD

Lists

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ListsLists

http://www.gsu.edu/studentcenter

WHATʼSHAPPENINGON CAMPUS! Supported by Student Activity Fees