Campus police arrested one non-university protestor affiliated with the activist group “Occupy GSU” last Tuesday for disorderly conduct, according to police.

Police say Luke Donavan, 19, stormed into the Library North building and threw a stack of papers around the entrance area.

Donavan received two counts of disorderly conduct and was is-sued a criminal trespass warning valid for two years, according to po-lice records.

Following his arrest, Donovan complained of dizziness and was transported to Grady Hospital for examination. He was released ap-proximately six hours later.

As part of the walkout other protestors chanted, entered class-rooms and dispersed hundreds of papers throughout the General Classroom Building on their way to the courtyard, where they rallied for their march on a scheduled University Board of Regents meeting.

At the meeting, protestors spoke out against tuition hikes, the board’s ban on undocumented students at the state’s top universities and board member’s supposed ties to corporate interests.

They were given a chance to say their piece by the board and asked to prevent further disruptions, upon threat of being escorted out of the building. No further arrests were made.

At least a dozen professors intend to release a letter condemning the arrest of the demonstrator next week, according to Georgia State English professor Ian Almond.

On the go

Georgia State University students are studying in strange places, not very different from students on a national level, a recent survey revealed.

A survey conducted by Follet Higher Education group with the aid of Research now, once known as E-rewards, stated that some of the strangest places students on a national level study are on the way to class, the restroom and even at parties.

Niki Asika, junior and Political Science major at Georgia State, finds herself in similar situations.

Asika says she not only studies on the way to class, but she’s also “…studied in the bathroom while waiting to use the bathroom. But that’s about it.”

Elizabeth Thompson, senior and Psychology major, does not believe that any place is too strange to study.

“[If ] I find a quiet place to study, I’m going to study,” said Thompson.

Marlon McFarlane, senior and English major, admits to studying inside a club.

“That’s probably the strangest place I’ve ever studied,” said McFarlane.

The study also reveals a few more interesting bits of information – students from the South are more likely than other students nationwide to say that the strangest place they have ever studied is the bathroom, for example.

Follet – a privately owned company that pro-vides various educational supplies to educational in-stitutions – generates more than $2.7 billion in an-nual sales, according to its website follet.com

Gary Shapiro, Senior Vice President of Intellectual Properties at Follet, believes that the survey is proof that there are new trends beginning to surface among students.

“They are increasingly going mobile and they want the ability to search hundreds of pages of text with a click of a button,” Shapiro said.

Alexis smithstaff Writer

Continued on page 3

VOLUME 79 | ISSUE 25 TUESDAY, MArch 20, 2012

ThE STUDENT NEWSPAPEr OF GEOrGIA STATE UNIVErSITY

SErVING ThE STUDENTS SINcE 1933

WWW.GSUSIGNAL.cOM

THE SIGNAL

chris shAttuckNews editor

Occupy protestor arrested in walkout demonstrationWalk out with your hands up

Research reveals surprising studying tactics

The

DARK SIDEof collegeSometimes, it starts with just a few drinks.

Page 8

PATRICK DUFFY | The SIgnAl

Pg. 16 Men’s tennis reels off 11 straight

PATRICK DUFFY | The SIgnAl

Vicki B. Escarra, president and chief executive offi cer of Feeding America, will de-liver the keynote address at the May commencement ceremony. Escarra is a Georgia State graduate and for-mer executive vice-president and chief marketing offi cer for Delta Air Lines Inc.

The Tucker, Ga. native gradu-ated from Georgia State in 1976 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. At the time, she worked as a fl ight at-tendant for Delta. She stayed with the company and moved up the ranks, becoming chief marketing of-fi cer in 2001. After a distinguished

30-year career, she retired from Delta in 2004.

After her retirement from Delta, she spent a year working in part-nership with former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin as chair of the Brand Atlanta Campaign. But the Chicago-based hunger-relief orga-nization, America’s Second Harvest, lured her away from Atlanta. Escarra has led a major rebranding of the non-profi t, including a name change to Feeding America.

Feeding America is a domestic charity that addresses hunger prob-lems in the United States through a nationwide network of more than 200 member food banks.

Since Escarra’s appointment as president and CEO in 2006, Feeding America has experienced a 144 percent growth in fundrais-ing, increased the number of people helped from 25 million to 37 million

and forged partnerships with nu-merous organizations, including the television show American Idol.

According to a profi le in the spring 2011 issue of GSU Magazine, Escarra found Georgia State to be a great school for a student working her way through college. Escarra worked at several diff erent jobs dur-ing her time at Georgia State, from selling shoes to modeling.

University President Mark Becker said Escarra’s journey is an inspiring one.

“Her story is very impressive, about her entire career and how she got to be president and CEO of Feeding America. She’s sure to be inspirational for our students,” Dr. Becker said, in remarks to the University Senate.

The commencement ceremony will take place May 6 at the Georgia Dome.

BriAN croWestaff Writer

Georgia State alum to deliver commencement address

NEWSwww.gsusignal.com/news

❚ Daily updates and breaking news. Stay in the

loop on the web.

ESCARRA

Max Williams, junior and Marketing major, agrees with Shapingro.“A lot of times, it’s hard not to think of anything,” said Williams, whose

strangest place for studying was at a party. “[I was] studying on my iphone, while checking my facebook and listening to music at the same time.”

Jessica Parks, senior and Biology major, believes that students don’t have a choice but to fi nd alternative ways to study.

“Nowadays students are fl ooded with school work while trying to juggle other things such as work and their personal life, [so] they have to fi nd creative ways to study in order to excel in school,” Parks said.

Study habits from front page

SARAh wOODS | The SIgnAl

A look at the health inspection scores of campus restaurants

A check-up of the heath inspector scores of some of the restaurants near and on Georgia State’s campus last week exposed some good and bad news for student diners.

As part of an annual health survey, the health inspec-tor checks for a number of potential safety risks, including cleanliness, proper food handling and even the hand-wash-ing technique of the employees of an establishment.

A few student favorites received perfect scores, includ-ing the Roly Poly on Park Place, Willy’s Mexican Grill on Piedmont Ave., Jimmy Johns and Think Sushi on Broad Street. This is the second 100 of Think Sushi’s strait “A” history.

In fact, Broad Street boasts almost all A’s. Tin Drum, lo-cated in the bottom fl oor of the iconic Flat Iron building, is the exception, which received an 87 in June 2011.

The health inspectors have good things to say about Georgia State’s food as well. The Panther Dining Hall in the University Center, including the Chic-Fil-A Express’s 98, shows all A’s. The restaurants in the Student Center also had scores above 90, including Burger King’s 99 and Einstein Brothers’ 95.

Unfortunately, the always full Saxby’s in Library North did not follow suit. A Jan. 31, 2012 inspection gave Saxby’s the second lowest score of the day, an 82.

In March 2011, Saxby’s was temporarily shut down af-ter receiving a failing grade of 64. When they were re-in-spected April 1, their score was a 91.

Little Italy Pizza and Pasta on Park Place received the lowest score of the restaurants observed last week with an 81. Metro Grill, around the corner on Hurt Plaza, was also one of the lowest with an 83.

Metro Grill was also shut down last year after a failing score of a 51 in Jan., 2011. When they were re-inspected lat-er in the month they received a new score of a 92.

A complete list of the restaurants observed last week and their current health scores can be found at www.gsu-signal.com.

A check-up of the heath inspector scores of some of the restaurants near and on Georgia State’s campus last week

terAh BoYDAssociate News editor

Food safety at StateleAh jORDAn | The SIgnAl

Saxby’s hopes to continue improving food safety.

Willy’sJimmy JohnsThink SushiRoly Poly Burger KingSensational SubsState GrillFreshensPasta CreationMoe’sBlossum TreeDa Chicago DogChic-Fil-AAnatolia’s Carving BoardWaffl e HouseAli Baba’sEinstein BrothersGinsing CaféSubwayRueben’sPanther PizzaMama Mia’s PizzaDua VietnameseRosa’s PizzaPounce DeliPlaza CaféPounce GardenLandmark DinerPixel’s CaféTin DrumMetro GrillSaxby’sLittle Italy

Piedmont AvenueBroad StreetBroad StreetPark PlaceStudent CenterHurt PlazaUniversity CenterUniversity CenterStudent CenterBroad StreetPeachtree StreetHurt PlazaUniversity CenterPeachtree StreetStudent CenterPiedmont AvenueBroad StreetStudent CenterBroad StreetBroad StreetBroad StreetUniversity CenterBroad StreetBroad StreetBroad StreetUniversity CenterUniversity CenterUniversity CenterLuckie StreetMarrietta StreetBroad StreetHurt PlazaLibrary NorthPark Place

100100100100999999999898989898979696969595959594929292929292898887838281

Health inspection results

exposed some good and bad news for student diners. As part of an annual health survey, the health inspector checks for

a number of potential safety risks, including cleanliness, proper food handling and even the hand-washing technique of the employees of an establishment. These scores are essential to not only inform diners on the cleanliness of an establishment, but to prevent diners from the risks of food borne illness as well.

A few student favorites received perfect scores. Roly Poly on Park Place, Willy’s Mexican Grill on Piedmont Ave., Jimmy Johns Sandwiches and Think Sushi on Broad Street all received perfect scores on their most recent inspections. This is the second 100 of Think Sushi’s strait “A” history.

In fact, Broad Street boasts almost all A’s. Tin Drum Asia Cafe, lo-cated in the bottom fl oor of the iconic Flat Iron building, is the excep-tion. Tin Drum received an 87 in June 2011 inspection.

The health inspectors have good things to say about Georgia State’s food as well. The Panther Dining Hall in the University Center, includ-ing the Chic-Fil-A Express’s 98, shows all A’s. The restaurants in the Student Center also had scores above 90, including Burger King’s 99 and Einstein Brothers’ 95.

Unfortunately, the always-full Saxby’s Coff ee, located in the bottom fl oor of Library North, did not follow suit. A Jan. 31, 2012 inspection gave Saxby’s a score of 82.

In March 2011, Saxby’s was temporarily shut down after receiving a failing grade of 64. When they were re-inspected April 1, their score was a 91.

“When I fi rst started we had procedures I didn’t even know about,” Michael Fanning, General Manager of Saxby’s said. He maintains that last years failing health score was a learning opportunity for the entire staff .

New guidelines for food safety, along with a mandatory Serve Safe food safety certifi cation for all management are just some of the steps Saxby’s has taken to insure the safety of its costumers.

“We have worked really hard,” Fanning said. “If you don’t pass the safety certifi cation you don’t have a position here.”

Little Italy Pizza and Pasta on Park Place received the lowest score of the restaurants observed last week with an 81. Metro Grill, around the corner on Hurt Plaza, was also one of the lowest with an 83.

Metro Grill was also shut down last year after a failing score of a 51 in Jan. 2011. When they were re-inspected later in the month they re-ceived a new score of a 92.

mArch 15

Decatur st.A report was filed for Theft of Lost or Mislaid Property. The complainant, a GSU student stated, at 10:35 a.m. she noticed her wallet containing various items was missing. The case is being handled by Investigations.

l Parking lotA report was filed for Theft of Bicycle. The complainant, a GSU student stated, at 3:45 p.m. he noticed his bicycle was missing. The case is being handled by Investigations. library NorthA report was filed for Theft of Lost or Mislaid Property. The complainant, a GSU student stated, at 7:13 p.m. he left his laptop computer unattended and when he returned at 7:14 p.m. he noticed it was missing. The case is being handled by Investigations.

mArch 14

kell hallA report was filed for Theft. The complainant, a GSU staff member stated, on 03/08/12 at 4:00 p.m. she noticed an office chair was missing. The case is being handled by Investigations.

library NorthA report was filed for Theft. The complainant, a GSU student stated, at 2:00 p.m. he went to sleep and when he woke up at 2:14 p.m. he noticed his laptop computer was missing. The case is being handled by Investigations. library southA report was filed for Theft of Lost or Mislaid Property. The complainant, a GSU student stated, at 4:23 p.m. she left her laptop computer unattended and when she returned at 4:36 p.m. she noticed it was missing. The case is being handled by Investigations. urban lifeA report was filed for Theft. The complainant, a GSU student stated, at 1:45 p.m. he left his Gateway computer bag containing a laptop computer in an unsecured locker and when he returned at 4:30 p.m. he noticed the bag and laptop computer was missing. The case is being handled by Investigations.

mArch 13

library NorthOfficers arrested a Non-GSU individual for Disorderly Conduct. At 11:39 a.m. officers were dispatched to a protest and were advised one of the individuals threw a stack of papers all over the entrance of the library. Officers made contact with the individual and as officers attempted to arrested the individual he threw himself on the ground and refused to cooperate. The other protestors then began to block the path of the officers. The individual then advised officers he was dizzy. He was transported to Grady Memorial Hospital and later released. He was then issued a C.T.W. and was arrested, processed and transported to the City of Atlanta Jail. Peachtree center Ave.Officers arrested a Non-GSU individual for Robbery by Sudden Snatching. At 6:49 p.m. officers were advised by a Non-GSU individual that he was approached by an unknown individual who snatched his cellular phone. There were no injuries reported. Officers located the individual and he was arrested, processed and transported to Fulton County Jail.

No big movements have been made just yet toward the renovation project for the Indian Creek recreation area lodge set to undergo a major upgrade over the summer. However, officials say plans are in progress and moving forward.

Design contract negotiations are currently in the works, according to Kimberly Bauer, the director of Design and Construction Services,

“We are in the process of contracting with the design firm [and] once we have the design firm under contract, they will proceed with providing design and con-struction documents,” Bauer said.

Bauer says officials hope to have the paperwork side of things wrapped up within the next couple of months.

“Our goal is to have the documents completed by the first part of June,” Bauer said.

Details involving the size and scope of the project have to be properly handled before the project kicks into full swing. Bauer expects that the renovation plans will still be executed by July.

sAmAriA smithstaff Writer

Indian Creek renovation moving forward

University Senate lauds chancellor’s undocumented student stance

The University Senate voted to ap-prove a letter supporting Chancellor Hank Huckaby of the University System of Georgia for his stance on legislation that would permanently ban undocu-mented students from all USG schools.

The letter praises Huckaby for his testimony regarding HB 59 given Jan. 31 before the House Higher Education Committee at the state capitol. Huckaby testified against the bill, which would ban undocumented immigrants from all state colleges.

The letter also encourages a rever-sal of the current University Board of Regents policy that prevents undocu-mented students from enrolling in the state’s most selective colleges, including Georgia State.

“A concern with access to higher education is acutely felt on the Georgia State University campus given an insti-tutional mission to provide world-class educational experiences to an excep-tionally diverse and often nontraditional

student population,” reads a portion of the letter to Chancellor Huckaby.

The letter originated in joint-sub-committee meetings that included the Student Life and Development com-mittee, the Admissions and Standards committee and the Faculty Affairs committee.

Some students in attendance ap-plauded the passage of the motion.

Lowering RCB academic standards

The University Senate voted to lower the minimum grade point average neces-sary for admission into upper level class-es in the Robinson College of Business.

Submitted by the Admissions and Standards committee, the new policy will lower the required minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA to take 3000 and 4000 level courses in RCB to at least a 2.0 cu-mulative GPA.

The new policy will be effective as of Fall 2013.

Possible FBS conference move discussed

In his president’s report, Dr. Becker mentioned that the university has begun a feasibility study to explore a possible move to another athletic conference.

He cited the recent conference re-alignments that have occurred as one of the reasons for this study, as well as the economics of collegiate athletics.

“We can’t rely on ever-increasing stu-dent fees. That would be a mistake. It’s not feasible, it’s not sustainable,” Becker said, in regards to the economic reasons for a possible conference switch.

He did stress, however, that at this time Georgia State has not been invited to join another conference.

Also on the athletic front, a repre-sentative from the Student Discipline committee remarked that the commit-tee continues to work with the athletic department to help student-athletes bet-ter understand the consequences of aca-demic dishonesty. The committee has a mock disciplinary hearing planned for April, which is intended to provide stu-dents with a sense

BriAN croWestaff Writer

TUESDAY, MArch 20, 2012 04 NEWS | THE SIGNAL

chris shAttuckNews editor

The way people consume and under-stand popular culture is shifting, according to the keynote speaker of a sociology con-ference hosted last week.

An associate professor in Georgia State’s sociology department, Anthony Hatch, Ph.D, provided the keynote address that considered the intersection of a vari-ety of theoretical perspectives on the ways pop culture influences society.

He used a variety of media elements, such as John Legend’s “Ordinary People” music video, Spike Lee’s “Do the Right Thing” film and Dave Chappelle’s “Clayton Bigsby” black-white supremacist charac-ter, to analyze how different conceptions of race, class and gender interact to shape constructions of social privilege.

“Pop culture is not just eye candy,” Hatch said. “Pop culture is incredibly im-portant in serving to uphold inequality.”

He also mentioned the ways that mass communication technologies have prolif-erated the sharing of pop culture and what consumers can do to understand what they’re processing.

“Consumers of pop culture should de-

velop awareness of things they choose to consume,” Hatch said.

Following the keynote address, the Sociology Club presented awards to Sam Affholter, Ashley Hayes and Javier Johnson, respectively, for writing the top-three entries for it’s sociology paper contest.

Johnson, a junior, said he only recently switched his major to sociology after find-ing previous major in chemistry to be dull and uninteresting.

“I found myself unhappy with no need to even go to class,” Johnson said.

After switching, Johnson said he couldn’t be happier with his choice.

“I feel more fulfilled. I definitely made the right decision,” Johnson said just be-fore he won his award.

Hayes, a senior psychology major, said she appreciated the conference’s analysis of pop culture, which she said really made her think about the role of race and sexual-ity in the media.

“I thought [Hatch] was really fun-ny and understood the topic. He was re-ally interesting.” White said. “That really helped me think about the role of ads in pop culture.”

Sociology conference highlights role of pop culture

XXXXXXXXXXXX

AnTOnIO ROSAleS | The SIgnAl

A few hours after the March 20 issue hit the stands last week, a group of female students was seen dumping approximately 250 cop-ies of the newspaper into the recy-cle bin.

Within minutes of reporting the thefts on our social media feeds, we received a variety of responses jus-tifying why that behavior was ac-ceptable and not criminal.

Of course, you had the run-of-the-mill reason that “The Signalis trash anyway so it’s being put where it belongs.”

However, there was one argu-ment that I found very disturbing and that I felt needed to be imme-diately addressed.

Some students argued that be-cause student fee money was used to pay for the printing, the students had the right to throw away the newspapers. Since the printing of the newspapers was funded by stu-dent money, no theft occurred, be-cause the newspapers were prop-erty of the students.

A distinction needs to be made clear here. There is a monumental diff erence between through away one newspaper versus throwing out 250.

If you do the math, to cover the $70,000 worth of printing costs si-phoned off each academic year, the cost would average out to $2.12 per person at a university of 33,000 stu-dents. On average, The Signal prints 32 issues in one academic year.

Therefore, each student pays ap-proximately seven cents to cover the printing costs for each issue, which doesn’t even equate to one whole copy of the newspaper. That said, one student does not solely pay for even one copy of the news-paper with the student fee money used to pay for the printing of each issue. If you wanted to get techni-cal, the one student who picked up the one paper to throw away neither solely paid nor owns that paper. The cost burden would be shared by several other students as well. Therefore, even before getting to the legality, the idea that people can throw away newspapers that do not belong solely to themselves is preposterous.

Undoubtedly, students should be able to throw away their own personal copy of the newspaper if they read something they do not agree with. However, by throwing away 249 other newspapers, you are throwing out 249 other stu-dents’ newspapers.

As Tyler McGoff brilliantly ar-gued on our Facebook page, the computers in the library are also funded by student fee money, but that does not mean you can toss those in the trash either. As he plainly stated, “Student fees does not equate to you personally own-ing a fraction of this stuff .” Simply, it provides you with the accessibil-ity and the availability to use these products.

Frankly, all arguments aside, throwing away 250 newspapers represents a form of censorship and should be considered a crime, since newspapers cost money to produce. By throwing away news-

papers, others are being deprived of information and their share of the newspaper product. While Essential Services does cover our printing costs, we pay an editori-al staff to compile the content, an advertising coordinator to sell ads and a circulation staff to distrib-ute. We also pay for any day-to-day expenses associated with keeping the newspaper sailing smoothly like supplies, equipment, and the telephones.

The last argument left to tackle is that The Signal does not cover the positive work that the Greek com-munity does around campus. While certainly the last two issues have housed stories of hazing investi-gations, I would like to point out that we covered the Greek commu-nity extensively last year in a fea-ture story as well as several Greek-related student profi les. We also have a weekly Calendar of Events in the Arts & Living section avail-able for every Georgia State orga-nization – including Greek life – to submit their events to.

Also, we cannot cover events or the actions of the Greek com-munity unless we are informed of them. Several of the features and news stories covered in the pages of The Signal are initiated by some-one making us aware of the event or actions. Therefore, the Greek com-munity might want to think about reaching out to us more so that we can cover the good and not only be tipped off to the bad. After all, that is how the investigation into the Greek community and hazing be-gan – we were made aware of it.

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

SGA endorsements

After much consideration each year, it is the practice of this newspaper to endorse candidates for the Student Government Association that it believes will best serve the students and represent their interests.

And whereas The Signal represents and important voice for the students that it serves week in and week out, we hope our advice serves to temper and guide how students vote in this week’s elections.

But since most of the SGA’s power is concentrated in its executive board, we will only consider candidates for these top offi ces – although we hope students reference last week’s candidate profi les to make informed decisions on their direct collegiate representatives, keeping in mind that each senator represents roughly 1,000 students.

Further, our endorsement of a candidate or group of similar candidates should not be conveyed to mean a political bias towards a certain ticket or lack thereof. It also does not mean that we do not have fundamentally diff erent perspectives in some cases on the issues, merely that they represent the best available option within the limited fi eld of candidates.

For example, for the offi ce of president and executive vice president, we’re hereby endorsing Marcus Kernizan and Taylor Briggs, respectively.

Although we have grave concerns as to recent comments made by senator Briggs, in particular, regarding the funding and editorial status of this newspaper, we believe her leadership within the SGA senate and committees have earned her a place on the executive board.

And as a current vice president within the SGA, Kernizan will undoubtedly off er valuable experience during the leadership transition following the election.

As for both Kernizan’s and Brigg’s platforms, their vision represents a much more reasonable and articulated set of policy goals than their alternatives. For instance, their stances on parking and crime, to name a couple of issues, seem to best understand the needs of students, keeping in mind the limited role of the SGA.

For the vice presidencies of budget and fi nance, academic aff airs, public relations, student life and student services, we we’re endorsing the following candidates, respectively: Theo Muhumuza, Adriana Macchione, Danielle Kleinman, Jarell Abrams and Christian Hill.

Since Muhumuza assumed his role last semester, he has displayed admirable leadership, considering the limited role of the VP of budget and fi nance position.

Although Macchione represents an unknown factor in the race, she is also the only candidate. Her experience within her sorority coupled with her fi ve semesters of time at Georgia State will likely help her for the position she’s seeking.

Without a doubt, Kleinman represents the best option, on paper, for the job of VP of public relations. She has performed admirably as the pro temp of the Senate on the executive board during the past year and will probably do well in this position as well.

Abrams similarly has done well in his present role, although he will have large shoes to fi ll as VP of student life.

Finally, despite Hill’s status as a recent transfer, his reported previous leadership at his previous university as well as what work he has been able to accomplish here at Georgia State already bode well for what he will be able to accomplish with the SGA.

Letter from the Editor:

Girls vs. Boys: Immature games and tactics in congress?

mirANDA sAiNeditor in chiefmirANDA sAiNeditor in chief

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

JAirA Burkestaff Writer

With the recent passage of HB954 that denies women the right to receive abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, the usual di-vide in congress has shifted from Democrats vs. Republicans to men vs. women. This archaic battle of the sexes has somehow crept its way into congress.

Many women of the Democratic Party, frustrated by the passage of this new bill, have pro-posed a bill that will limit men’s ac-cess to vasectomies. The thought behind this is that if one should limit the prevention measures of unwanted pregnancy for women, then men’s ability to prevent preg-nancy in their partners should be limited as well.

It is no secret that abortion and other pregnancy prevention mea-sures are a touchy subject. But, in this case the importance deviates from one’s stance on pro-choice vs. pro-life, to the immature nature of Congress itself.

This entire occurrence proves just how withdrawn from the gen-eral public congress actually is. Politicians are toying with signifi -cant issues to get back at one an-other with little regard to the par-amount ways in which their deci-sions aff ect the public. Changing laws to simply “one-up” one an-other is extremely ridiculous. Interfering with legislation that aff ects the birth of new life as if it is trivial is an outrage. The men-tality, “Since we (women) can’t get abortions then you (men) can’t get vasectomies,” is awfully juvenile.

There is an obvious need for seri-ousness regarding a topic such as the one at hand, which is blatantly nonexistent.

Since when has it become ac-ceptable for the egos of politicians to hold precedence over what is right for the people? Now, what a person deems as “right for the people” is entirely up to them, but I would like to think that there is more consideration towards insti-tuting legislation that aff ects us all than trying to get back at or prov-ing someone wrong.

I don’t know what’s worse: the notion of corruption in politics or the image of our congressmen and women as immature children playing a game of tug of war with public policy in the middle and the American people suff ering the consequences.

THE SIGNALeditorial Department

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TUESDAY, MArch 20, 2012 06 OPINIONS | THE SIGNAL

“I really like Mama Mia’s because I like pizza a lot, and it’s kind of cheap. And I had Reuben’s one time and that was really good. And the Subway close to the lofts because it’s easy.”

Rebecca Keller – Psychology

“Anatolia’s. We like the middle-eastern kind of food. We go after Arabic class.”

Christopher Kanelos – Political Science

“I really like the Korean place on Peachtree. Blossom Tree restaurant. They have this great fried shrimp taco. It’s delicious.”

Elaine Peek – Biology

“Ginsing, down on Broad St. The price is 6.25 for a whole plate of Chinese food.”

Andres Cruz – Journalism

“Tin Drum. I like the food, I like Chinese food.”

Gabriel Gordon – Computer Information Systems

“Near Aderhold, there’s a gyro place that’s really good. They are re-ally nice to you and their gyros are amazing. It’s Ali-Baba’s and I usually eat there.”

Linda Lam – Actuarial Science

What is your favorite place to eat around campus?

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PICTURE of the WEEK

ANoNYmous sAYs:

How is this diff er-ent from a lawyer’s ad-vice? Well, the person in question isn’t a lawyer, for starters. You would think the person in ques-tion would be concerned about conduct. If some-one came to me and said “hey I murdered some-one,” my fi rst reaction wouldn’t be “well...here’s the evidence you need to get rid of,” I’d say “well, you really shouldn’t be murdering people!”

But your point on the defi nition of hazing is well-taken. It’s pretty sad that something that people willingly would do at a party like get sprayed with silly string suddenly constitutes a federal off ense. Heck, next thing you know, all pranks will be deemed illegal.

Guest sAYs:

Misleading. How is this diff erent from a law-yer’s advice to client, or a general counsel’s advice to employees. They’re talking about not re-taining old records that could increase liability in future cases. They say cooperate with law en-forcement but don’t vol-unteer info that will ex-pose the org to legal trou-ble until you’ve consult-ed with the head offi ce and our lawyers. That’s

completely standard in all industries. And at the end of the day, they’re talking about defense from overzealous school employees who often overreach and interfere what are private compa-nies rather than subordi-nate departments of the school. They’re not talk-ing about destroying evi-dence in a criminal case. Sounds like they cer-tainly could have word-ed their internal policy better to avoid it being so badly mischaracterized like this.

The biggest problem with hazing is the defi -nition. There really is very little serious haz-ing that would endanger anyone physically or psy-chologically. When the defi nition is stretched from beating people to also include team build-ing scavenger hunts, it makes it seem like vio-lent dangerous hazing is rampant when that is just simply not the case. It’s morally wrong to move the bar. We’ve achieved as a society the things we needed to in combating real hazing. We need to remain vigilant on that. When we bring in these distractions of stuff that really is not hazing at all then it corrupts our eth-ics and takes away from our student safety priori-ties. It’s just wrong.

Responses from gsusignal.com

In response to Chris Shattuck’s article “Do Away With all Proof…”

“TRIAD - PAInTIngS bY CAROlInA eSTRADA”

While students walk the streets of Atlanta on a daily basis to and from class, many do not think that the per-son walking in front or even next to them could be someone involved in the growing human and sex traffi ck-ing trade business in the city.

If you Google the words “Atlanta” and “sex traffi cking,” you will receive a plethora of information news arti-cles, help groups and YouTube vid-eos about the “chilling statistics” of sex traffi cking in our city.

For most of us, the problem of sex traffi cking seems worlds away. It’s all around us, though, and so are the resources necessary to educate our-selves about it.

Atlanta was ranked one of the top cities in the nation for child exploi-tation. A study done by the Atlanta Mayor’s Offi ce in 2005 said that sex traffi cking is a major issue in sev-eral metro Atlanta areas including Metropolitan Parkway, Moreland Avenue, Vine Street, Peachtree and North Avenue. Some of these streets are just blocks away from our cam-pus, but according to the last poll conducted by The Signal, only 4 out of 50 Georgia State students are aware of the sex traffi cking problem in Atlanta.

According to www.takeac-tion.com, 500 girls are traffi cked in Atlanta each month. 100-150 girls are raped for profi t each weekend in Atlanta. Sex traffi cking is not just something that happens in third-world countries. It’s a problem here today.

More than 400 federal, state and local law enforcement, nonprofi t or-ganizations and state offi cials attend-ed a summit on human traffi cking at Georgia State in 2011. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation felt com-pelled to pass a bill that would start a specialized unit for human traffi ck-ing cases and provide special offi cer training that will teach offi cers how to recognize victims of human traf-fi cking. The training class began this February and they plan to train be-tween 300-400 local offi cers. Since the bill passed in July, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation has initiat-ed more than 125 investigations and made several arrests.

The government and the local po-lice are aware and concerned about making this problem a priority. So, as a society, what can we do to help?

The fi rst step in helping decrease sex traffi cking in Atlanta is to edu-cate ourselves and become aware of what sex traffi cking is; however, it’s incredibly diffi cult to defi ne.

Wendy Simonds, professor at Georgia State and co-editor of Sex Matters: The Sexuality and Society Reader, says there are issues with the way our society thinks about the term.

“The trouble with all the lan-guage around sex work is that it tends to either vilify (“whore,” “pros-titute” -- there are lots of derogatory words for women who appear to be voluntarily sexually available, espe-cially for pay) or victimize …It’s not always clear who “chooses” sex work

and who is coerced into it,” Simonds said.

There are those who do “sex work” as a way to make a living and those who are forced into it. Because of this, it’s diffi cult to sort out the true victims who need assistance.

According to the National Human

Traffi cking Resource Center, victims of sex traffi cking include anyone who is “forced into various forms of com-mercial sexual exploitation,” not just prostitution. Victims could be forced into working at a strip club, a parlor or forced to perform in pornography.

The enactment of the Traffi cking

Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA) allowed for a broader in-terpretation of the word “coercion.” Now the law can protect victims from both physical and psychologi-cal threats and protect the victims for being persecuted.

The TVPA also made sex traffi ck-ing a serious violation of federal law and made it easier to establish that the victims of sex traffi cking are ac-tually victims and not criminals.

The government also has pro-grams to help victims get out of the vicious cycle of sex traffi cking. The programs can help victims who were illegally brought to the United States by helping them adjust their immi-gration status, and victims who are citizens may already be eligible for many benefi ts that may help them escape their situations. The Georgia Care Connection is a program of the governor’s offi ce that is for children and families that serves victims of child sex traffi cking.

Simonds believes that “the lan-guage of “sex traffi cking” is all about coercion and deceit, so its “victims” can be seen as innocent -- this sets up a false, and I think destructive com-parison between them and women who “choose” sex work, who may well have been coerced or deceived at some point…I would rather call it all sex work…I think there is a huge gray area between this notion of complete voluntariness and sex slavery.”

The gray area makes it diffi cult to punish the true criminals.

Simonds says the solution to this gray area, and how we can help, is to “fi ght for legalized or decriminalized sex work.”

This way, laws would be helping the victims and not punishing those who are not being victimized. If sex work were legalized or decriminal-ized, the victims would be less afraid to come forward. Many victims do not come forward because they are afraid of punishment from the law instead of protection.

There are numerous ways to get involved in the battle against sex traf-fi cking in Atlanta. Volunteering and donating money are the two easiest ways to get involved.

Innocence Atlanta is a group that fi ghts against child sex traffi cking in the city and focuses on educating people about the growing problems in Atlanta.

Street GRACE is an alliance of Christian churches, community part-ners and volunteers that supports and collaborates with individuals and organizations dedicated to eradi-cating the commercial sexual exploi-tation of children (CSEC).

Those who want to help can also donate money to one of the many re-covery homes in the city for victims of sexual abuse.

To learn more about sex traf-fi cking, visit www.acf.hhs.gov/traffi cking.

LIVING&ArTSwww.gsusignal.com/campuslife

What you should know about sex traffi cking and how you can help

keNDAll hArrisstaff Writer

AnTOnIO ROSAleS|The SIgnAlPeachtree Street and North Avenue are problem areas for sex traffi cking in the city.

AnTOnIO ROSAleS|The SIgnAlAtlanta serves as a hub for human traffi cking in the country.

❚ For up to date event coverage on and off campus, check our website.

TUESDAY, MArch 20, 2012 ArTS & LIvING| THE SIGNAL08 ArTS & LIvING| THE SIGNAL

The Dark Side of CollegeNicole holmANstaff Writer

With the college spring break season in full swing, college stu-dents all across America are ex-changing their books for some fun in the sun, partying every night and memory-making with friends and new people. Let’s face it, col-lege would not be college without a little partying here or there, but it’s not uncommon for students to cross the line between having a good time and experiencing the “dark side.” A few drinks to light-en up the mood may turn into ex-cessive drinking. A friendly dance might turn into sexual harassment or sexual assault. Some may call that an exaggeration, but maybe it’s just facing reality and bringing the darkness to light.

Junior Corey Ballard believes that the “dark side” doesn’t apply him at all.

“I think the dark side all de-pends on the person,” Ballard said. “Some people honestly can’t han-dle being around alcohol or being in a nightclub where people are smoking. Some people can’t go to a party and be responsible with their intake of alcohol. If you are at the point where you can’t hold yourself up and command assis-tance, then you’ve went too far.”

Drinking responsibly is a prin-ciple that is more often preached than practiced among young adults. College students are noto-rious for underage drinking, driv-ing while intoxicated and binge drinking. Students are often mis-lead about the true definition of binge drinking, but the National Institute of Alcohol and Abuse defines binge drinking as a pat-tern of drinking that brings a per-son’s blood alcohol concentration to .08 grams. This typically hap-pens when men consume five or more drinks and women consume four or more drinks in about two hours. Unfortunately, many stu-dents are unaware that they are binge drinking when they take shots and down cups after cups of liquor.

In addition to the use of alco-hol, college students are also fla-grantly known for their use of marijuana, which ranks as the second-most used drug on college campuses after alcohol. But in re-cent years, new drugs have become prevalent. Students are no longer only using energy drinks and cof-fee to pull all-nighters. They are turning to prescription drugs such as Adderall and Ritalin, general-ly used to treat Attention Deficit Hyper Disorder (ADHD), to take

on writing papers and studying for tests.

Valdosta State University ju-nior, Jasmine Johnson, has wit-nessed a friend using these drugs to study for tests.

“They have crazy names. One of them is called Night Lights,” Johnson said. “She finds some people and...says you can find them in health food stores, but I’ve never seen something like that in a health food store.”

Despite national statistics about college partying, drugs and drink-ing, Georgia State may have es-caped the infamous label of “party school” that other institutions like Georgia Southern University and the University of Georgia have ac-quired. The University of Georgia made number two on the Top 10 Party Schools of 2012 and held the number one spot last year.

Ballard and his friends went to Austin, Texas to get the ultimate party experience with the stu-dents at the University of Texas, which also made the Top 10 Party Schools of 2012 list at number 10.

“Their setup is completely dif-ferent from ours [Georgia State],” Ballard said. “It was a lot more fun. The streets are filled and the bars are filled. We didn’t have to pay to get in [the bars]. We went to like 10 different bars in about four or five hours.”

So what makes Georgia State

so different from other schools that may have made the list? It may be that our university lacks a traditional campus. According to Georgia State Statistical Police reports, sex offenses, vandalism and other reports are significantly low compared to other colleges in Georgia. But don’t be too proud, because what Georgia State lacks in those offenses, they make up for in high reports of larceny, thefts, robbery and burglary. Regardless of our urban setting, students still go to clubs and house parties off-campus, including parties at near-by Georgia Tech Frat houses.

Whether statistical reports of the dark side are soaring or posi-tively low, awareness on campus is still crucial, because not every in-

cident is reported. Johnson is a part of an orga-

nization at Valdosta State called Natural High that focuses on keep-ing students above the influence.

“We have fun events every week and talk about the dangers of drug and alcohol use,” Johnson said. “It makes you aware and lets you know you can have a good time without doing all of that.”

Georgia State also has many organizations that focus on the awareness of drugs, alcohol and abuse that you can get involved with. Some include the Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP), Legal Society of Intimate Violence Education (L.I.V.E.) and Voice for Planned Parenthood (VOX).

Also, here are some helpful tips for going out on the town with friends:• Nevergooutbyyourself,sticktothebuddysystem• Ifyoudodrink,neverleaveyourdrinkaloneorputitdown.• Pleasedon’tdrinkanddrive.• Don’tunderagedrink.• Alwaysletsomeoneknowwhenandwhereyou’regoingandwhenyou’recomingback

home.

References1http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/binge-drinking.htm2http://uncc49er.com/540/buzzed-%E2%80%93-420-marijuana-use-and-college-students/3http://www.universitychronicle.net/index.php/2011/04/25/adderall-college-students-340/4http://www.fastweb.com/student-life/articles/3220-top-10-party-schools-of-2012

PATRICK DUFFY|The SIgnAlMany students engage in binge drinking and are not aware of it.

TUESDAY, MArch 20, 2012 09ArTS & LIvING | THE SIGNAL

Energy and a fresh take on cuisine and trade thrive a few streets away from Georgia State at the oldest pub-lic market in Atlanta. Merchants from different backgrounds share a part of themselves with those who enter.

Entering the Sweet Auburn Curb Market, all five senses become envel-oped in the community formed by more than 20 merchants of specialty items, produce and many others. If the gravitational pull from the smell of burgers, fresh seafood and gourmet popcorn can be put on hold, attention and time can be well spent in one of the market’s specialty shops.

Sisters Vintage Bookshops joined the market nearly two years ago and serves as a unique addition. Owned by two sisters, Pam Culbreath and Caroline Walker, the store is home to a magnitude of books including “Road To Tara,” a biography of Margaret Mitchell, to Dr. Phil self-help books just steps away.

Culbreath feels that this bookstore has a deeper meaning to the market and its customers. They use their love of books to counsel and make a mark in the community.

“We want to do a community con-nection,” Culbreath said. “There’s a lot of opportunity here.”

Not only does the bookstore carry a large quantity of books for the pub-lic but it also provides benefits to col-lege students. The owners are aware of

its proximity to Georgia State and will search for the best deal on textbooks and order them for students.

The appreciation for students is echoed throughout the market.

Jonathan Young is a partner in Yum Diggity along with his brother Carson Young and Ed Hanger. Yum Diggity specializes in its meat qual-ity, using no fillers and ordering their meat from a local meat factory called Wienerz. They offer a special to stu-dents called a Diggity Combo for $5.95.

Although this restaurant has only been in the market about two weeks, they know what makes them unique and love the fact that they can provide a big meal for an affordable price.

Around the corner and in front of another entrance to the market lies a fiery and passionate cook at Miss D’s New Orleans Style Candy.

Miss D, Dionne Gant, hands gour-met popcorn, candy apples and other sweets including her notorious pra-lines over the counter to numerous customers everyday. Gant, who has been cooking since the age of seven, emphasizes her use of a special ingre-dient in all of her treats.

“Much love,” Gant said. “I just want to know it’s made from the heart.”

Gant is a native from New Orleans and found her way to Atlanta after Hurricane Katrina. She always had a love for cooking and felt that she could bring her love to the market.

“That was my way of coming up with a way to give back for all that they gave to the people of New Orleans,”

Gant said.Her contribution has not gone un-

noticed by the many loyal customers that make daily and weekly visits to Miss D’s place in the market. Julian Rosemond Jr., a worker in the human resources department at Grady hospi-tal, visits Miss D’s stand three to four times a week.

“Miss D’s is the best place in here,” Rosemond said.

After tasting her blueberry caramel popcorn or an authentic New Orleans praline using Georgia pecans, it is hard to argue with her loyal customers.

Along with regulars like Rosemond, many students enjoy lunch in the market.

Speech major Carissa Fair has only visited the market twice and loves the variety that it offers. Another Georgia State student and sculpture major James Vincent visits the market fre-quently because of its proximity to the sculpture building across the street on Auburn Avenue.

“I come here all the time,” Vincent said.

Sweet Auburn Curb Market is cur-rently being renovated. This is not only bringing in new merchants like Yum Diggity but also new customers. Afro Dish Authentic African Caribbean Cuisine mixes the old with the new.

This restaurant is a family owned and run business by a family original-ly from Ghana. Vincencia Sarpong, an owner with her husband, has been a part of the market family since 1997.

Sarpong smiled and greeted cus-

tomers from behind the counter while customers glanced at a picture of her and former President Bill Clinton. Sarpong met Clinton during a town hall meeting at the market in 1999. She enjoys the diverse clientle and the di-versity among the market merchants.

All of these merchants and their

businesses thrive from the diverse and unique customers they meet everyday, including Georgia State students and the locals of downtown Atlanta.

“You serve the doctors...to the homeless,” Gant said. “It’s a very hum-bling experience.”

Merchants of passion and diversity A look at Sweet Auburn Curb Market

AliciA JohNsoNArts and living editor

leAh jORDAn|The SIgnAlOwners of Sisters Vintage Bookshops, Miss D’s and Yum Digggity.

TUESDAY, MArch 20, 2012 ArTS & LIvING| THE SIGNAL10

lAurA APPersoNcopy editor

Advertised as “A Night of Fierce Drag,” Exhibition 2012, the drag show held by the Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity, shook the Rialto on the night March 14.

The show, which was held in the Student Center ball-room for years, debuted its first time in the Rialto this spring. The shift in location was much needed, since its au-dience members jumped from 200 at the first show in 2008 to more than 800 this year.

After a sultry opening act from the six drag queens that participated in the show, the performances throughout the night continued to wow the audience with sequins, corsets and stilettos.

Music education major and host Christopher Massie loves that he gets to perform in front of such a huge crowd two times a year.

“I love the performance as-pect of it,” Massie said, whose drag name is Jersey Royale.

Massie, whose concen-tration is in voice, performed in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee last fall and will be in the ensemble of the School of Music’s spring opera, The Marriage of Figaro.

Massie’s love for perfor-mance became even more ev-ident throughout the show. During his persona Jersey’s number “I Feel Like a Woman”

by Shania Twain, Jersey strut-ted the stage in a plaid shirt, blue jean shorts and boots.

Dahshan Velez, who, while in drag is Jersey Royale’s sister, Miami, loves hosting the show with Massie and Mickyel Bradford, whose drag name is Sofonda Cox.

“I really like making the audience laugh,” Velez said. Velez is an art history major and sociology minor.

“I’m graduating this se-mester so this show is really important to me,” Velez said.

Velez, who has been doing drag for four years, is vice pres-ident of the Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity, which is the oldest gay-straight stu-dent alliance in Georgia. The Alliance has more than 600 members and can boast that it is one of Georgia State’s most successful organizations.

The drag show is one of the biggest events that the Alliance puts on, and the Georgia State community is extremely ac-cepting of it.

Students showed support for the LGBTQIQA commu-nities throughout the night and embraced the vivacious, vulgar and fantastic culture of drag that the students brought to the Rialto.

“I love how liberal and open-minded Georgia State is,” Chelsea Weyler, who in drag is known as Jorma

Taccone, said. “I think when it comes to

drag, people who come to the show tend to be very accept-ing,” Weyler said.

And it’s true - the roaring cheers after the opening act were deafeningly loud, and the support system that the show has is very strong.

“It’s nice to perform in a diverse and accepting cam-pus,” Velez said.

Weyler, who is a fresh-man at Georgia State, was ex-cited to be performing for the first time in the show and in drag. Her persona wass one of the Lonely Island mem-bers, and Weyler and her co-workers performed to a mix of “I’m on a Boat” and “I Just Had Sex.”

“All my friends point out how much I love Georgia State,” Weyler said. She’s looking forward to doing the show again next year and is planning on going as Freddie Mercury.

Velez, who loves drag be-cause it gives him a chance to embrace and express his femininity, says that one of his favorite aspects of it is the make-up.

“I want to make a lot of girls jealous,” Velez said.

Exhibition 2012A Night of Fierce Drag

gRAhAm RObSOn|The SIgnAlDahshan Velez transforms into Miami Royale backstage before the drag show.

gRAhAm ROYAle|The SIgnAlStudents cheered as drag queens and kings performe to many popular songs.

Going Green

BrittANY sPorNhAuerstaff Writer

Students “go green” for more than just Saint Patrick’s Day on and off campus. There are a couple main groups on campus that advocate this idea.

One club dedicated to making strides toward going green is the Georgia State University Bikes Project. Gina Maddox, currently in charge of the project, shed light on how the club came to be and what individuals do as members.

“GSU Bikes was created in 2009 when a group of in-terested students and faculty from various departments on campus decided that there needed to be a concerted group effort to advocate for Georgia State to become a more bicycle-friendly campus,” Maddox said.

Although GSU Bikes is not quite a chartered student organization, the club has approximately 75 students who have expressed an interest in taking part.

The goal of this organization is to create a more bi-cycle-friendly environment that promotes bicycling and walking as the main form of transportation on campus.

“Our overall goal is to shift the Georgia State University campus from a motor vehicle-centered campus to a more bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly one,” Maddox said.

She continued to say the group continuously gathers information and opinions from students and others to gage what needs to be done to make this idea a reality. The group works with the university and outside groups to improve facilities and conditions that support bicycling.

One way GSU Bikes has made progress in making Georgia State more bicycle-friendly is by implement-ing the “bike share” program, which allows free bicycle rental through the Student Recreation Center on campus. Through this program, students, faculty and staff can rent a bicycle for up to two nights free of charge.

GSU Bikes also offers ways to make riding a bicycle to campus enjoyable and easy at the same time. For example, the group also offers an easy way to identify bike racks on campus.

“We also offer an interactive map on our website, www.gsubikes.com, that locates all of the bike racks around the GSU campus, for those who are concerned about where to park their bicycles,” Maddox said.

One bike rack, found right outside the Student Center, uniquely spells out the word “Bikes.” This was created by a sculpture student and was sponsored by GSU Bikes.

GSU Bikes is currently partnered with Atlanta Bicycle Coalition and has also worked with the GSU Sustainable Energy Tribe in a continuous effort to go green.

Another organization dedicated to taking steps in achieving a more environment-friendly campus is the Sustainable Energy Tribe (S.E.T.).

SET introduces educational programs to students and host events to entice students to become more open minded to more sustainable practices.

SET focuses on energy conservation, forest, water conservation and recycling. The organization has hosted a variety of events to support their cause, including two solar-powered panel concerts.

According to the organization’s description on the Georgia State website, the purpose of the organization is “to enlighten the campus about the benefits of recycling, reduction of energy consumption, water conservation. Working with staff and students to plan a cohesive work-ing partnership that benefits everyone involved.”

Michael Black, PhD. lecturer in Neuroscience Institute, became an advisor for SET in 2010 and has been involved ever since.

Black describes his opinion of an ideal campus in rela-tion to being more sustainable.

“Students, faculty and staff would all be engaged in making positive sustainable choices and changes in the university,” Black said.

He continued to say that recycling would be campus-wide, convenient and a given. Instead of spending more money on rising electric and water rates, Georgia State would be conserving more and using less than it currently does.

“A sustainable campus would take the energy efficien-cy measures we have implemented so far to the next level and become net zero (zero net greenhouse gas emissions) by reducing electric use and increasing our own sustain-able, clean energy production,” Black said.

There are many ways students can engage in creat-ing a more environment friendly campus and communi-ty, and the first step to achieving this is having the knowl-edge and motivation groups such as GSU Bikes and SEC provide.

“We would be a good global citizen, educating to-morrow’s leaders without burdening future generations through our resource use,” Black said.

SARAh wOODS|The SIgnAlClubs like GSU Bikes make an effort to make Georgia State’s campus more green.

SARAh wOODS|The SIgnAlA more sustainable campus is in the works for Georgia State,

TUESDAY, MArch 20, 2012 11ArTS & LIvING | THE SIGNAL

TUESDAY, MArch 20, 2012 ArTS & LIvING| THE SIGNAL12

REEL REviEwS

Friends With KidsBriAN croWestaff Writer

John CarterYuti Joshistaff Writer

“John Carter” starring Taylor Kitsch, Lynn Collins, Willem Dafoe and Ciaran Hinds is a movie

based on the book A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs. This book was written over a hundred years ago and nothing could have described it more tropical in a day and age when twenty-first century science is all out to crack Da Martian Code by stepping foot on planet Mars.

John Carter, who is played by Taylor Kitsch, is an American War soldier who has superhuman powers: Mars gravity, to name one. That serves as one big rea-son for his transport to planet Barsoom, but there are bigger problems that anticipated his entrance into this

alien world. Carter is caught in a skirmish encounter of prodigious genera after his combat with the four-armed green skinned barbarian tribe known as the Tharks and the red skinned humanoids, the Martians.

Willem Dafoe plays the character of Tars Tarkas and Lynn Collins plays the captivating Princess Dejah Thoris. Carter acknowledges the need for being blessed with all that superhuman power only later on when he realizes that his locals need him to save them from the monsters.

Andrew Stanton’s visualization of the planet in “John Carter” is entirely true-to-life. His cinematogra-phy makes the Martian landscape look not only exotic but also mysterious at the same time. Furthermore, the Martians themselves look more than convincing.

As the movie moves along, the only thought going on is that this movie is about a fierce battle. However, when Woola steps in, the mood mellows down. Woola is John Carter’s ugly yet endearing pet that completely changes the sulk drags of the movie.

As this character adds on to the emotions, the su-perhero Carter’s poignant side comes out when he rescues Dejah from the clutches of the Zodagans. This mysterious yet thrilling love story, with the addition of a 3D effect gives the movie a completely distinctive ambiance. The dragonfly-like aircraft adds on to the romance between Kitsch and Collins.

If that does not take you straight to the movie the-ater, the generic good-versus-evil divergence, the sor-cery style acrobatics and of course the romance with a beautiful warrior princess will lift you from your seats. The same filmmaker who made us fall in love with a waste-recycling robot, Wall-E, will once again take you in a reverie and give you a chance to envision life on an entirely new level.

Julie and Jason are best friends, thirty-somethings who are happily single but would like to have kids before it’s too late.

Seeing what children have done to their friends’ mar-riages, they conclude that romance and procreation don’t mix. So they decide to just do it. Literally. After promising to be committed “one hundred percent, fifty percent of the time” to separate-but-equal par-enthood, the platonic pals have premeditated sex. Wham, bam and Julie gives birth nine months later. Complications, of course, ensue. The biggest compli-cation is that the two friends begin to realize they are soul mates.

Jennifer Westfeldt, who wrote, directed and co-stars as Julie, is essentially updating the 1989 rom-com classic “When Harry Met Sally”, with more raunchi-ness and less charm.

There is a gross-out scene involving baby diarrhea and numerous references to the baby-making body parts, but little attention is paid to the big challenges of raising a child. “Friends with Kids” is more concerned with the romantic tribulations of its characters than with their lives as parents.

Set in a Manhattan untouched by the Great Recession, where the major child-rearing decisions are about nannies and the “right” preschools, “Friends with Kids” offers a Hollywood version of realism. It’s founded on the contemporary demographic reality of urban professionals foregoing marriage but sets the characters in a fantasy world where regular guys like

Jason (Adam Scott ) hook up with hotties like Mary Jane (Megan Fox, miscast as a Broadway diva) after a chance encounter in Central Park.

Fox’s character, like the rest of the support-ing cast, is underdeveloped. Several members of the “Bridesmaids” ensemble are on hand (Kristen Wiig, Jon Hamm, Chris O’Dowd), but they have little to do other than demonstrate repeatedly that parenthood kills the sex and romance in a relationship.

Speaking of a lack of romance: despite its classi-fication as a romantic comedy, there aren’t many ro-mantic scenes in “Friends with Kids”. The comedy half of the formula works better, but squirm-inducing moments trump the laughs. There are some funny bits, but they are no more memorable than the antics in a typical episode of “Modern Family” or “Up All Night”.

Director: Andrew Stanton

Stars: Taylor Kitsch, Willem Dafoe, Thomas Haden

Church

Release Date:March 9, 2012

Director: Jennifer

Westfeldt

Stars: Adam Scott,

Jennifer Westfeldt, Jon

Hamm

Release Date:March 9, 2012

Friends With Kids

John Carter

THIS FILM IS RATED PG-13.Please note: Passes are limited and will be distributed on a fi rst come, fi rst served basis while supplies last. No phone calls, please. Limit two passes per person. Each pass admits one. Seating is not guaranteed. Arrive early. Theater is not responsible for overbooking. This screening will be monitored for unauthorized recording. By attending, you agree not to bring any audio or video recording device into the theater (audio recording devices for credentialed press excepted) and consent to a physical search of your belongings and person. Any attempted use of recording devices will result in immediate removal from the theater, forfeiture, and may subject you to criminal and civil liability. Please allow additional time for heightened security. You can assist us by leaving all nonessential bags at home or in your vehicle.

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BE ONE.

01 Django DjangoDjango Django

02 Young & OldTennis

03 High NoonFunk Ark

04 VisionsGrimes

05 K.S. ChithraK.S. Chithra

06 A Sleep & A ForgettingIslands

07 Tender OppositesTOPS

08 The ClearingBowerbirds

09 151aKishi Bashi

10 Open Your HeartThe Men

11 Behold The Profi tBehold The Profi t

12 Jones St.Lyric Jones

13 GlimpseJulien Dyne

14 Mr. MLambchop

15 Cheap PerfumeBare Wires

16 Keep It TogetherThe Doozer

17 The Bite Marked HeartBrother Ali

18 Soft Control EPSlava

19 MaraqopaDamien Jurado

20 Love at the Bottom of the SeaMagnetic Fields

21 Jackson PBisco Smith x Peter Jay

22 Dillon Ain’t Playin’ EPDillon

23 NativesBright Moments

24 Yes On BloodMallard

25 Break It YourselfAndrew Bird

26 I Love You, It’s CoolBear In Heaven

27 Ogni RiferimentoCalibro 35

28 Death and VanillaDeath and Vanilla

29 FinJohn Talabot

30 SsssVCMG

RECORD REviEwS

Finally, a punk record from a band that wears its other infl uences proudly. The newest release from Brooklyn group The Men, called Open Your Heart, shows that it’s alright to praise the Clash and Led Zeppelin in the same breath.

The record starts with a blast of youth-ful punk energy, swiftly blending the styles of Stiff Little Fingers and the Foo Fighters without missing a beat in “Turn it Around.” Later on, “Please Don’t Go Away” evokes modern groups like Wavves in its style, much more so than on any of the other tracks. The title track is nothing special vocally, but it’s a pretty original melody, which can be said about most of the tracks on the record.

The droning near-psychedelia of “Presence” is a welcome change, but its excessive length and eventual monoto-ny makes it a little diffi cult to listen to the

whole way through. Several of the tracks are instrumental, which seems strange for punk rock. “Ex-Dreams,” which saves the lyrics for the last of its fi ve minutes, is still exciting as a near-instrumental.

The musicianship, as a whole, is fi tting at its best but doesn’t really stray below ad-equacy—these guys have obviously been at it for a while.

Open Your Heart is exceptionally dy-namic. A punk album with two songs lon-ger than seven minutes is hard to come by, but it doesn’t stop there. Infl uences range from 1970s British rock and punk all the way to the drunken swagger of the Replacements, stopping at strategic points in between.

From party-rock to wistful ballad, Open Your Heart doesn’t hold still for even a sec-ond—it’s constantly hopping around, in-dulging in several rock styles before shuf-fl ing back to its punk rock base. As energet-ic and, in some ways, conventional as it is, the record isn’t afraid to get a little weird

when it needs to. Open Your Heart has several ingre-

dients for success—dynamics, original-ity and energy being some of them—but it falls short in trying to seem a little spacier than it actually is. We really can’t blame them for trying, though, since this album seems like it could be the start of some-thing important.

zAck krAimerAssociate Arts editor

The Men, Open Your Heart

Big K.R.I.T. doesn’t disappoint with his latest mixtape, 4eva N a Day, mixing catchy hooks, smooth jazz and heavy beats as he fl exes his skills as both a producer and a rapper.

The element that makes this mixtape so enjoyable is that the K.R.I.T.’s music works so well with his fl ow as a rapper. When the beat is up-tempo, the lyrics and rhythm of the rap is high energy, but when the tem-po is slower, which most of the tracks are, then the pace is slower and the lyrical con-tent is deeper. For example, in the track “Red Eye,” K.R.I.T. talks about being in a relationship full of highs and lows, and the piano and drum in the background compli-ment the lyrics perfectly.

The variety of the tracks is appealing

in that while there are some novel sounds on the latest project by K.R.I.T., there are still tracks that have the same old southern

fl avor that listeners have come to expect. Most notably, in the titular “4evaNaDay,” and “Me And My Old School,” K.R.I.T. speaks to his listeners that want to hear about the candy coated-cars and the strug-gle of a rapper.

The mixtape transports the listener to the streets of Mississippi in songs like “1986,” as the Southern rapper describes the ups and downs of his birth year over a unique funky beat with enough of a bass and clap so that the standard elements in a southern track aren’t lost.

But what sets this album over the top are the features on the album by instru-mentalists. Willie B and Mike Hartnett add their talent to a few tracks, and their contri-butions don’t go unnoticed. The addition of

saxophone and guitar solos helps to change up the pace in an already diverse mixtape.

Overall, 4Eva N a Day brings a fresh outlook on southern hip-hop without straying too far from his path. Combining sultry sounds and heavy beats may not sound like an easy task, but Big K.R.I.T. manages to pull it off without a hitch.

thADDeus morGANAssociate living editor

Big K.R.I.T., 4Eva N a Day

Julia Holter, presents the ambient al-bum Ekstasis to listeners on silver platter. The album in its entirety is an easy album to listen to and enjoy.

She starts the album with “Marienbad.” This track features Holter’s haunting vo-cals, steady repetition and exotic echo ef-fects, making listeners feel eager to hear what’s next.

Throughout the album, her voice and brand become more vivid. She presents this album exactly as you would expect from a 2-step/ambient songstress. Songs like “In the Same Room” allow listeners to fl oat through the fi rst half of the project with Holter feeling careless and unaware of reality.

While she softly shares “I can’t recall this face/but I want to remember your face,” it prompts listeners to want to with her. This is in part due to her signature re-petitive vocals, catching melodies and laid-back approach to the already subdued tem-pos featured throughout the album.

Listeners can also appreciate songs like “Fur Felix” on Ekstasis when Holter is more playful and brings hints of a rock-pop infl uence to her music. Holter masters this blend of genres and widens the range of lis-teners and potential fans of her music.

“This is Ekstasis” serves as a perfect sum for the album. As the title hints, and assuming its placement at the end of the al-bum was deliberate, it describes Ekstasis in its entirety.

This 10-track project not only showcas-es Holter’s ability to stay true to her genre

and fans of her music but also shines a light on her note-worthy vocal ability and range. This, combined with the instrumentation and production, allows listeners to con-tently enjoy her music and look forward to more.

AliciA JohNsoNArts and living editor

Julia Holter, Ekstasis

Best song:“4evaNaDay”

Worst song:“Package Store”

CINEFEST Upcoming shows

Melancholia The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Lady TerminatorShowtimes: Monday - Friday: 11:00am, 1:30pm, 4:00pm, 6:30pm, 9:00pm, 9:00pmWeekends: 1:30pm, 4:00pm, 6:30pm

March 26-April 1Showtimes: Monday - Friday: 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m., 8 p.m.Weekends: 12 p.m., 3 p.m., 6 p.m.

March 29Showtime: Thursday at 9 p.m.

TUESDAY, MArch 20, 2012 13ArTS & LIvING | THE SIGNAL

CALENDAr

SIGNAL SPOTLIGHTS

imAN NAimstaff Writer

Students take action through campus group International Socialist Organization

Since its start three years ago, the International Socialist Organization (ISO) has been working to “build an organization that participates in the struggles for justice and lib-eration today and, ultimately, for a future so-cialist society,” according to co-founder and president of the organization, Tom Gagne.

The ISO has created and participated in movements to battle societal issues such as war and occupation, racism and anti-immigration prejudices and women’s rights and gay rights. Like any organization, their first step in this process is to educate the masses.

“We are committed to helping students be-come more politically engaged, aware and ac-tive citizens,” Gagne said.

To do this, the organization successful-ly started causes like their anti-death penalty movement when the campaign to save Troy Davis became a community effort. They also hosted a discussion this month entitled “The Struggle for Black Liberation.”

The event was aimed at educating students about the Civil Rights Movement, hitting on is-

sues that the ISO is still working to improve. “It’s a great way to meet new people and

make connections,” Gagne said. “You can get into some really awesome, deep conversations

with people.”One of the ISO’s main goals is to make sure

the basic needs of the community—education, housing, food and health—are met.

“We acknowledge that our larger goals start with the small ones; the issues that affect our community,” Gagne said.

This attributes to why the ISO functions mostly on Georgia State’s campus but is con-nected to a nationwide community.

“What we do in our community has to do with the world,” Gagne said.

Despite the controversial issues the ISO takes on, Gagne reports that they don’t receive many negative reactions.

“I feel like people are really perceptive to socialism,” Gagne said. “The bigger problem is getting people to be active.”

He also feels that most people are just willing to listen but not as willing to act. The “Occupy” movements have started to change that.

“Your voice matters,” Gagne said. “Speak as loud as possible.”

Students interested in the ISO’s activity are encouraged to join their meetings every Tuesday at 7 p.m. in GCB 323.

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 20Courtyard Series Concert: Levi

Stephens – Acoustic R&BAcoustic R&B singer Levi Stephens will perform live on the first floor of the Student Center.Student Center, Courtyard Stage // 12:00 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 host numerous speakers including Dr. Lewis Gordon of Temple University.111 James P Brawley Dr. SW//4-8 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 Dr

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//12:00 p.m.

march 24Born in India, Raised in Spain: Flamenco’s Journey featuring

Anoushka ShankarDaughter of Ravi Shankar, half-sister to Norah Jones, sitar player and composer Anoushka Shankar is deeply rooted in Indian classical music even as she forges new connections between Indian music and genres as diverse as electronica, jazz and Western classical music. Shankar has worked with artists such as Sting, Lenny Kravitz and acclaimed violinist Joshua Bell. Now, she brings her ear-opening fusion of Indian and flamenco traditions to the Rialto as the latest stop in her gypsy-like musical journey.Rialto Center//8 p.m.//Starting at $34

Question Bridge: Black Males Roundtable

The 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

Noot d’ Noot w/Carnivores, BOSCO

Noot d’ Noot are pretty eclectic, and their live shows reflect that. The same goes for the Carnivores, who’ll just be coming back from touring and performing at the South by Southwest festival. Come and see these talents at The Basement.1245 Glenwood Ave//9:30 p.m.//$10

march 28Open Mic Night

Come out and enjoy our monthly Open Mic Night in the Student Center. Perform your music, poetry, lyrics 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//7:00 p.m.

march 29Courtyard Concert Series: Sharaya Mikael – Acoustic

Folk/IndieAcoustic 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//12:00 p.m.

Distinguished Speaker SeriesKathryn Stockett will discuss her 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.

Disney Internship Seminar The Disney Company will hold an informational seminar on internships with their organization. Check it out to learn what is required, how to apply and what benefits you would receive while interning at the Disney Company.Lanier Suite//2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

march 31Bacon Fest

Who doesn’t love bacon? This outdoor festival at Dad’s Garage theatre promises bands, beer and of course bacon. Enjoy.280 Elizabeth St//1 p.m.

Entrepreneurship DayThis day will focus on educating students on what it means to be an entrepreneur and the various ways in which a student can get started owning their own business.

There will be a keynote speaker, the Founder and President of WhatCounts.com, an email-marketing company, and breakout sessions for the E-Commerce/Technology/Mobile App/, Entertainment, Hospitality, and many more industries to cover for any student who has an interest in entrepreneurship.Student Center Speaker’s Auditorium//10 a.m.

march 31New Voices in Zydeco and Cajun, featuring Cedric

Watson & Bijou Creole and Feufollet

The Rialto goes back to the Bayou with GRAMMY-nominated Creole sensation Cedric Watson and his band Bijou Creole (whom he debuted on the Rialto stage in 2009) alongside Feufollet, a band deeply rooted in the francophone soil of Louisiana and pushing boldly into unexplored yet utterly natural varieties of the Cajun experience. Watson, one of the brightest young talents to emerge in Cajun or Creole music in years, is a fiddler, vocalist, accordionist, and songwriter of seemingly unlimited potential. Feufollet breaks new ground featuring originals that draw on deep roots tempered by the cutting edge of contemporary life, capturing the spirit of Cajun tradition without mimicking it.Rialto Center//8 p.m.

April 6Noel Gallagher’s High-Flying

Birds w/Mona Oasis shows were kind of like hockey games--you say you’re going for the game, but it’s really for the fights. Expect none of that

drama here, because Noel is here without his brother Liam, for better or worse at The Tabernacle.152 Luckie St// 8 p.m.//$36.50

April 7Montreal w/ Kishi Bashi,

Loney Dear Athens’ most revered indie group is coming to the Variety Playhouse. This is sure to be a strange but interesting experience. 1099 Euclid Ave//7:30 p.m.

April 12National Hospitality

Championship @ The Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality Administration will host the National Hospitality Championship at the Georgia World Congress Center. Formerly known as the Battle for Atlanta, the School of Hospitality is taking this event to the next level for 2012. This event will feature two classes - Meetings & Tradeshow Management as well as Expos, Fairs & Entertainment Management - in addition to the Pineapple Bowl, a competition featuring the Best of the Best in Atlanta.285 Andrew Young International Blvd Hall A-1//8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Tyler Perry’s “Madea Gets a Job”

In the next installment of Tyler Perry’s famed “Madea” series, the title character--you guessed it--gets a job! Find out more at the show presented at The Fox Theatre. This show runs until April 15.660 Peachtree St//8 p.m.//$27-$67

PATRICK DUFFY|The SIgnAlThe International Socialist Organization makes efforts to make a difference in society.

TUESDAY, MArch 20, 2012 ArTS & LIvING| THE SIGNAL14

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Correction:Zumba fi tness classes do not have a fee. They are free of charge.James Dutton is running for Senator position in the College of Law not in the Institute of Public Health.

www.gsusignal.com/sportsSPOrTS

DYlAN riceAssociate sports editor

Georgia State basketball’s sec-ond winningest season in school history came to an end Saturday afternoon as they fell to Mercer 64-59 University in the second round of the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament.

Georgia State, finishing the year with a 22-12 record, got off to a slow start and spent the remain-der of the game playing catch up to a Mercer team who will go on to play Old Dominion/USC Upstate in the quarterfinals of the CIT on Wednesday.

“Although I am obviously dis-appointed by the loss, I told our players to keep their heads’ held high,” said head coach Ron Hunter to Georgia State Athletics. “We ac-complished so much this season and there is so much to be proud of. Georgia State turned a corner this year and will continue to get better.”

Georgia State’s participation in the CIT marked its first postseason action since its 2002 appearance in the NIT, when the Panthers fell to Tennessee Tech in the first round.

Georgia State was able to get revenge ten years later when they opened the CIT with a dominating 74-43 win over Tennessee Tech last Tuesday.

The win was Georgia State’s first postseason victory since the 2001 NCAA tournament victory over Wisconsin in the days when Lefty Driesell was at the helm.

The hot shooting Panthers

looked to carry their momentum into the second round of CIT ac-tion but found that the precision shooting that was key to their large

margain of victory over Tennessee Tech had escaped them.

In the early minutes against MU, it appeared the Panthers

wouldn’t even be able to outscore the school’s baseball team, who won 9-8 over Northeastern earlier that day.

Georgia State shot an unbeliev-ably bad 21.4 percent in the first half and finished the day at the 32.8 percent mark.

Despite MU’s six first-half threes and a sizable lead, Georgia State overcame its shooting hand-icap to work its way back into a game that at one point seemed out of hand.

Down 14 points, Georgia State refused to back down, and before MU knew it, a James Fields’ three-point basket tied things up at 49.

Mercer quickly regained the lead, but Georgia State had a lit-tle fight left in them as Jihad Ali nailed a three with 37 seconds left to bring the Panthers within two at 61-59.

But that was all that remained in Georgia State’s arsenal, and their remarkable season came to an end.

Coach Hunter led the program to a remarkable turnaround this season, improving by 10 wins over last years total, and Georgia State fans have to be feeling bright about the team’s future.

“I am so proud of this team,” Coach Hunter said. “They gave me everything that they had all season and I am so glad that we were able to reward these seniors with post-season play.”

Coach Hunter and senior for-ward Eric Buckner will be rec-ognized by the Atlanta Tip-Off Club March 22, as Georgia Men’s College Basketball Coach of the Year and Georgia Men’s College Player of the Year respectively.

record-breaking run halted by mercer

PATRICK DUFFY | The SIgnAl The Panthers cruised to victory last Tuesday against Tennessee Tech but fell short Saturday against Mercer.

Jerel mArshAllsports editor

It’s been 41 days since the Georgia State men’s tennis team (15-2) last tasted defeat. Since dropping all but one of sev-en points against Atlanta-rival Georgia Tech, the Panthers have dropped only seven points on their way to 11 straight victories.

Before Sunday, the last time the team lost a point was back on March 3 when freshman Jose Ortiz dropped two games at the sin-gles no. 6 slot to Gardner Webb’s Brendan Dempsey. Georgia State has claimed four 7-0 and one 6-0 victories in their last six contests.

Sunday looked to be the team’s biggest test since facing off against, then no. 29 ranked, Georgia Tech, bur Georgia State passed with fly-ing colors. Not only did the team breeze by Morehouse (7-0) in a morning match, they then defeat-ed no. 72 ranked Florida A&M (6-1).

“Our guys did a great job com-ing back after dropping the dou-bles point,” coach Chase Hodges told Georgia State Athletics, “We swept all six singles matches, five of those were in straight sets. To come away with a 6-1 victory over a team like [Florida A&M] speaks

volumes about where our program is.”

With just a month to go be-fore the CAA Championships, the Panthers have found their stride. It’s not out of the ordinary for a player to get hot. But in the case of the Panthers, the entire team

seems to be in a groove. Victor Valente, the no.

14-ranked player in the ITA’s Southeast rankings, continues to shine. His 6-2, 6-4 victory over Salif Kante clinched the match for the Panthers and also gave the ju-nior his first win over a ranked op-ponent. Kante is ranked no. 16 in the Southeast rankings.

Freshman Ismael Lahlou sixth and seventh consecutive wins on Sunday. First the native of Casablanca, Morocco took Noah Terry of Morehouse (6-0, 6-2). Then Lahlou defeated Fabrice Myrtil of FAMU (6-0, 6-0).

Sofiane Chevallier’s two wins Sunday boosted his record to 8-0. The freshman has yet to lose a sin-gles match in his young career as a Panther.

Matias Hatem, also a freshman, is another Panther who is having an outstanding season. He current-ly has, a team-high, 16 singles vic-tories. He improved to 13 straight with a 6-1, 6-0 victory at the no. 1

singles slot and 6-2, 6-0 win at the no. 2 singles spot on Sunday.

“I think this season is very im-portant for me,” Hatem said. “I’m feeling better day-to-day.”

Hatem also said he is looking to keep up this pace for the rest of the season.

The 11 straight victories is the longest winning streak the team has amassed in Hodges tenure and the third-year coach is feeling con-fident about his team’s abilities. The team will get another tough test this Sunday when they take on no. 60-ranked Brown.

“Brown’s got a good team. They are nationally ranked. They have a lot of nice victories. I am looking forward to that,” Hodges said. “But we’ve won 11 in a row. We feel con-fident about where we are. We are 15-2 on the season and we are go-ing to go out there and expect to win again.

Panthers serving up the heat in sensational season

gRAhAm RObSOn | The SIgnAlVictor Valente earned two victories Sunday including his first over a ranked opponent.

DYlAN riceAssociate sports editor

When Lauren Jones grad-uated after last season as Georgia State softball’s all-time leading home run hitter, she left a void on the Panthers roster at fi rst base, but fresh-man Lauren Coleman has im-mediately embraced the chal-lenge of replacing a Panther legend.

As Georgia State softball puts together another win-ning season, Coleman leads a group of freshman oozing with talent that will look to continue the program’s win-ning tradition this year and beyond.

“Lauren Jones is one of the greatest players I’ve ever seen come through softball,” Coleman said. “Big shoes to fi ll, but I like that challenge. I wanted to step up and make it look like she didn’t graduate. In my eyes so far I’ve done a fairly good job for that.”

Coleman, after graduating from McEachern High School in Powder Springs, Ga. as a multi-sport star (softball, bas-ketball and lacrosse), decided to continue her softball career at Georgia State; head coach Roger Kincaid was a big rea-son why.

“I liked Roger a lot when he was recruiting me,” Coleman said. “He’s a great guy. I see how some coaches act with their team, and it just doesn’t look fun. He’s a real-ly fun guy, and he enjoys the sport. He enjoys all of us.”

With the second-highest batting average on the team, it’d be hard to fi nd a coach

that doesn’t enjoy Coleman’s presence in the lineup. But Coleman is never satisfi ed with the results, no matter how positive they are, and re-alizes that she must continue to improve every day.

“I’m really hard on my-self,” said Coleman. “I’m that type of person that’s going to kind of get mad at myself on the inside before someone else says something to me. I look for perfection, which is diffi cult in a game of failure. I can have a perfect game and go three for three. But at the end of the day I’m still one of those that’s going to turn around and fi nd something that I did wrong. I’m never satisfi ed with myself.”

Coleman, who has been an everyday player this year, says every day is a competi-tion, and no matter what she does on the fi eld nothing is going to be handed to her. She has to continue to put in work every day.

She’s also fi nding that there are some diff erences at this level of competition that weren’t present in her high school and summer league playing days that she must continue to adjust to.

“Coaches will go way out of their way to fi nd out what you do as a hitter and try and fool you,” Coleman said. “So I try to stay focused when they do fool me, and say ok well you got me that time. I’m go-ing to get you this time.”

Outside of competition, Coleman said she really ap-preciates the friendships with her teammates. She said that they’re one of the clos-

est teams at Georgia State and they hang out nonstop on and off the fi eld.

She especially appreciates the help of the upperclass-men who are teaching them things that they will someday teach the next generation of Georgia State softball players.

We try to get as much knowledge from them as we can before they leave so that the next people that come in behind us, we can help them,” Coleman said.

Coleman says her fellow freshman are a group of play-ers Georgia State fans can be excited about in the coming seasons.

Callie Alford, who plays third base and catcher, has been another freshman who has contributed to the team instantly. The one-two punch of Coleman and Alford in the lineup has been key to Georgia State’s fast start.

“Callie’s a great catcher and a great hitter who hits be-hind me, and the two of us gel well together,” Coleman said. “We work out great together.”

Emily Clay, Coleman’s roommate, has also been put-ting in some serious work in her freshman season on the mound. When she gets in the game she takes advantage of every opportunity and has yet to give up a run this season.

With young talent like Coleman, Alford and Clay, along with the rest of the freshman class, Coach Kincaid has to be feeling good about the program’s future.

Lauren Coleman leads talented crop of freshmen

Meet Your Recruits: Mark WeidenaarzAkkiYYA ANDersoNstaff Writer

When Head Coach Bill Curry and the Georgia State football team chose to re-cruit former Lakeside High School quar-terback Mark Weidenaar, they just might have struck gold.

Weidenaar was a three-sport athlete at the Columbia County school he played football, basketball and ran track.

In his sophomore season as the starting quarterback for the Lakeside Panthers, Weidenaar totaled more 2,000 yards.

His future looked bright, and all those who were Lakeside fans saw that their fu-ture was going to be bright also with this young man at the helm.

But the road to success came to a screeching halt when the all-star athlete tore his ACL during a scrimmage game and ended up not being able to play at all during his junior year.

During his superb sophomore season, Weidenaar gained the attention of plen-ty of Division I schools, but after the in-

jury, recruiters were worried about the impact it would have on Weidenaar’s performance.

But the young athlete was not dis-couraged; he used his time away from the fi eld to strengthen and to become and even better student of the game.

“It doesn’t aff ect me at all,” Weidenaar told the Augusta State University paper, The Bell Ringer. “It feels fi ne, so I don’t really think about it when I’m playing.”

“He’s just a hard worker, great work ethic, great athlete,” head football coach for Lakeside Jarrett Troxler told The Bell Ringer.

And Troxler does not exagger-ate. After cracking his spine and miss-ing his sophomore season of basketball, Weidenaar returned to the sport his se-nior year like he had never left.

His senior year, Weidenaar threw for 1,671 yards and 16 TDs. The six-foot three, 190-pound QB rushed for 887 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Weidenaar even made a name for himself in the track realm, where he was one inch shy of breaking Lakeside’s high

jump record.“They told me if I worked hard, it

could be stronger than it was before, I could be faster and stronger, and so I was determined to do that,” Weidnaar said in an interview with Channel 6 ABC News.

Weidenaar originally committed to Coastal Carolina University, but after re-alizing he had a better chance of playing QB at Georgia State he had a change of heart and signed a letter of intent to con-tinue his athletic career as a Panther.

“Coach Curry told me he has had quarterbacks that started one year, two years and three years,” Weidenaar told the Columbia County News-Times. Then he said, “Why not four years.”

“He can throw and run, and he is tough as nails,” Coach Curry told Georgia State Athletics.

With the QB situation as sticky as it was last year, it will be interesting to see where Weidenaar will fi t in with the Georgia State Panthers.

geORgIA STATe AThleTICS

geORgIA STATe AThleTICS Mark Weidnaar will look to claim a major role with the Panthers next fall as a QB.

TUESDAY, MArch 20, 2012 17SPOrTS | THE SIGNAL

ismAel suArezstaff Writer

Cesc Fabregas’ departure from Arsenal to F.C. Barcelona was definitely a bummer for all the fans of the British team. Georgia State’s soc-cer team player Jamal Keene’s discontent with the news was very likely to occur since he grew up as an Arsenal fan and had adopted Fabregas as a role model due to their similarities as lead-ers on the field.

“It was a bummer when [Fabregas] left to Barça,” Keene said. “Now, I still follow him on Barcelona along with other great players like [Sergio] Busquets and Xavi [Hernandez].”

While Keene try define the style of his own game on the field, the defensive midfielder at-tributed those players as his models to follow.

“I took pieces from all of those players and put them into my game,” Keene said.

Leadership is one of the most important characteristics that Keene has.

“I talk a lot and give instructions on the field,” Keene said.

Georgia State men’s soccer Head Coach Brett Surrency also attested to Keene’s leader-ship and commitment to the team.

“On the field it is a huge advantage for us, because it is as if we have a coach out there playing,” Coach Surrency said.

Ironically, Surrency saw Keene’s game as somewhat reminiscent of Xabi Alonso from Real Madrid (Barcelona’s rival).

The reason for this comparison is because Surrency sees Keene as a player who plays with “finesse and technic rather than the typical hard-nosed ball winner.”

Surrency and Keene maintain a great rela-tionship on and off the field.

“We definitely have daily chats in the office and for the most part it is always centered [on] soccer,” Surrency said.

Keene has a great relationship with his teammates as well.

“I love this group,” Keene said. “I’m will-ing to work hard for them and they’re willing

to work hard for me because we have a great bond.”

Since the day Keene arrived at Georgia State after transfering from the University of Memphis, where he attended freshman year, the sophomore adjusted really well to the style of the game that the Panthers play.

“The way we played Memphis was very dif-ferent from Georgia State because we played a lot of long balls, which wasn’t very effective,” Keene said. “At Georgia State, we focus more on short passes, which I like more.”

Another reason for why he has blended well with the team is because he knew many of the players from youth soccer programs he partici-pated in before college.

The soccer team is not the only aspect of Georgia State that Keene prefers over Memphis. According to him, the campus life at the University of Memphis was immensely dif-ferent from Atlanta.

“At Memphis I lived on a campus that was next to the city and not right in the city like GSU’s campus is,” Keene said. “I don’t like Memphis’ campus because you only see college students, but in Atlanta, you see other people too.”

At Georgia State, Keene is a biology major and plans on being a dentist in the future.

He does not know if he’ll make a living out of soccer, although he admits that as of right now, soccer takes up most of his life.

However, he has gained some experience playing with professionals. Last year, he trained with the MLS team Philadelphia Union. This gave him an opportunity to learn what kind of life he would get into if he chose a soccer career.

“It was really great to play with profession-als, I learned a lot,” Keene said.

As for his present with the team, he hopes for the Panthers to perform better than last season. Although the team lost one starter and some other players, Keene believes in the team to go further in the conference tournament and the NCAA.

Jamal Keenea chief in Georgia State’s midfield

VAleNtiNA leestaff Writer

Georgia State’s women’s track and field has been staying on top of their game. They have contrib-uted in the top finishes and individ-ual event victories for sprints and distance.

Senior Charlesha Lightbourne has been doing exceptionally well in her sprint races in her last year as a Panther. She finished first in Birmingham, Ala. in the 400m race and in the 200m race at the Georgia Intercollegiate. She has earned two individual event victories since the outdoor track and field season began. She also finished second in the 400m race at the Georgia Intercollegiate.

Hurdler Tamara Moore, 2011 CAA rookie of the year has im-proved. She finished second in the 100m hurdles consistently at the outdoor track and field meets, and has gotten first place in her 60m hurdle heat, later on finishing in fourth place in Birmingham, Ala.

On the distance end, Katharine Showalter finished first in the 3,000m steeplechase and set a meet record in Birmingham, Ala. This gave her the second fastest time in that event in the NCAA Division I. Niamh Kearney and Jennifer Rubel

finished second in the 1,500m and 5,000m race. Niamh Kearney was also constistant in her 800m runs as she finished in second place at the Georgia Intercollegiate.

At the Georgia Intercollegiate Georgia State’s women took four of the top seven spots in the women’s 5,000m. Anna Sinclair led the group finishing third.

The lady panthers have also been performing well in their field events. They took first, second and fourth in the long jump and first and fourth in the triple jump in Birmingham, Ala. Gabby Brooks (long jump) and Mia Adams (triple jump) took first place in their events for the first time.

Throwers Caressa Reeves, a freshman, and Sydney Henry have been finishing strong. Reeves placed third in the shot put and eighth in the discus throw and Henry placed fourth in the shot put at Birmingham, Ala. At Georgia Intercollegiate both girls rank sec-ond and third in the shot put.

Overall, the women’s track team has had a successful outdoor sea-son so far. They topped every week-end off with individual victories in each event. The girls have accom-plished not only victories, but per-sonal bests, season bests, and sever-al meets records.

“We’re right on par on where we need to be,” Coach England told Georgia State Athletics, “Our strength is the outdoor track season”

On the flip side, Georgia State men’s track team has been hang-ing on. Distance runner Valentin Poncelet finished first in the 5,000m. Also, Chris Harper finished second in the 800m for the men in Birmingham, Ala and won the 1,500m race with a time of 3:58.43.

Although the men have not been as dominant as the women have been this past season, the team as a whole has still been earning a wor-thy amount of victories.

In Birmingham, Ala., Georgia State Panthers had thirty-six top ten finishes.

“Even though it is a long sea-son, it’s winding down quickly and the athletes need to be prepared,” England said, “They need to stay healthy and peak at the right time.”

As the season continues Georgia State’s track and field men and women’s teams are expected to do well and improvements are expected.

Next meet is March 23-24 against the UGA Relays at Athens, Ga.

Women’s track & field races by the competition

TUESDAY, MArch 20, 2012 18 SPOrTS | THE SIGNAL

geORgIA STATe AThleTICS Katharine Showalter is just one of many Georgia State track stars having a great season.

geORgIA STATe AThleTICSJamal Keene is equipped with the type of leadership skills that any coach can appreciate.

tiFFANie smithstaff Writer

With two freshmen, four sophomores, a redshirt senior and sophomore and just one senior, many of the Panther golfers are a little short on experience. However head coach Joe Iman sees the team’s youth as an asset.

“We are a very young team, often starting four freshman or sophomores in our line-up,” Inman said. “That makes us very unique. As our players continue to improve, we will become a very good team.”

Some young players are already making a statement by showing their skills on the course. Damon Stephenson was named CAA Men’s Golfer of the month with a 1st place fi nish at Wexford Plantation Intercollegiate.

“Damon is progressing very nicely and for him to win an event as a freshman is incredi-ble,” Inman said. “It was actually only his fourth collegiate event and he played very well. I was glad to see him get the award as he has worked extremely hard this year and he deserves the recognition.”

Despite their youth, the team has still ex-perienced some success. The Panthers had their best round of the year at the Seminole Intercollegiate at Southwood Country Club by shooting a 7-over par 29,.

Star player Tyler Gruca helped the team to their success as he shot 1-under 70 during the Panthers’ low round of the tournament. Gruca, who is currently the top-ranked golfer in the Colonial Athletic Association, tied for 48th and opened the fi nal round with an eagle on his fi rst hole. Head coach Joe Inman was proud of Gruca.

“Tyler has continued to improve from his freshman season and has been playing well during his sophomore year,” Inman said. “There are little things that Tyler is continuing to work on and if he does that, I think he will defi nitely contend for a conference champion-

ship in April.”Gruca paced the Panthers throughout

the event, but the Panthers struggled their fi -nal round with it being their lowest of nine rounds this spring as they shot 9-over par on the last nine holes but 2-under par on the front nine holes. Georgia State fi nished the front nine at 1-under par, but struggled on the back nine, resulting in shooting 29-over par for the tournament.

Other players like Senior Clemens Dvorak tied for 36th, making him the Panthers top golf-er for the event. He shot a fi nal round 1-over 72 along with Freshmen Damon Stephenson who shot a fi nal round of 77. Sophomore Grant Cagle tied with Stephenson for 58th as he shot a fi -

nal round 74 and fi nished 10-over par for the tournament.

“Each player has individual things that they need to work on, like putting or their short games,” Inman said. “That is the best part about golf is that there is never perfection and you can always be improving.”

The team also stands out academically in the classroom, evidenced by their 3.04 team GPA fall semester—their second-highest GPA ever. Cagle and Stephenson earned Dean’s List honors, while Gruca, Victor Lavin and Ross Mclister earned Athletic Directors Honor Roll honors.

With many of the tournaments taking place on Friday and Saturday, many of the players

have plenty of time to focus on school during the week and while on the road. Iman said he encourages his athletes to work on their class work while they travel.

The team is on pace to reach their lofty pre-season goals and Iman seems satisfi ed yet hun-gry for more success.

“I really want our team to continue to im-prove and if we do that, I think we have a great chance to contend for a CAA Championship in April and advance to the NCAA Regional’s,” Inman said. “One of our goals prior to the start of the season was to win a tournament and win the conference championship. We have already accomplished one of those goals and I think the other is within reach.”

Softball3/17 @ Kennesaw W 3-13/17 @ Kennesaw L 1-3

Baseball3/13 vs. Monmouth L 3-8

3/13 @ Mercer L 0-113/16 vs. Northeastern W 13-12

3/17 vs. Northeastern W 9-83/18 vs. Northeastern

M Basketball3/13 vs. Tennessee Tech

W 74-43 3/17 @ Mercer

L 59-64

M Tennis3/17 vs. Southern Illinois W 6-0

3/18 @ Morehouse3/18 vs. FAMU

GSU Sports Scoreboard:

geORgIA STATe AThleTICSSophomore Tyler Gruca is one of the young Panthers showing progress as the season wears on

A young team with a bright future

TUESDAY, MArch 20, 2012 19SPOrTS | THE SIGNAL