As the NAACP program hosted by the Office of African American Student Services and Programs attracted a large crowd, a more intimate group of the Georgia State community formed down the hall. Last night, some of Georgia State's Intercultural Relations' Intercultural Ambassadors (IA) gathered for Heritage Months in America, a discussion of various celebratory months, such as Hispanic Heritage and Black History Months.
SGA and lobbyists ‘call to action’
Student Government president James Dutton and Janice Barrocas held a ‘townhall' style meeting last Monday to discuss the potential for students to sway their congressmen's upcoming vote on the HOPE scholarship. The proposal seemed like a simple enough solution: talk to them.
Recently, the Bloomberg Institute along with several financial firms around the world, came together to institute the Bloomberg Aptitude Test (BAT). Designed to assess the potential and strengths of students in 12 major core areas, the Bloomberg Test has already catapulted into Universities around the nation, including Georgia State.
The University Senate voted to amend the definition of what constitutes a "student" last week to allow greater access to university services over the summer. Under the changes, "continuing students" would receive access to university services over the summer, even when not presently enrolled, if they are registered for the upcoming Fall semester.
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Georgia State has begun the first stage of preparing the SunTrust building for the university's needs. The university officially posted a request for qualifications on Jan.
The Andrew Young Career Services and Student Life Department, is hosting a series of career workshops to assist graduate students currently enrolled in the Andrew Young College with degrees in Economics, Public Management, Criminal Justice, and Social Work.
Taking place in the College of Education, the International Student Reception, is a bi-annual event held each fall and spring. The event is held to welcome students from across the globe to Georgia State, and many international students agreed that the festivities were indeed inviting.
On Tuesday, January 17, 2012, the Georgia State Honor Society hosted the Red Cross Blood Drive in the Urban Life building from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Along with volunteers from the National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS), the Honor Student volunteers aided nurses and phlebotomists from the Red Cross with running the blood drive.
On January 16, 2012, more than a hundred people crowded the streets of downtown Atlanta all with a very unified and distinguished purpose; to commemorate the legacy of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. On this day, people all around the state of Georgia gather together and march to the MLK center where they sing hymns and celebrate diversity, progression, and unity.
January 11 Natural Science Center Officers issued a Non-GSU individual a Criminal Trespass Warning. At 2:15 p.m. officers responded to a call of an individual who was no longer affiliated with the university. The individual was issued a CTW and escorted off campus without incident.
As dean of the newly-established Byrdine F. Lewis School of Nursing and Health Professions, Dr. Margaret C. Wilmoth says she will seek new ways to improve and expand the college's impact while still getting a feel for the school.
Atlanta businessman and philanthropist, Parker "Pete" Petit, might be adding another bullet point to his long and impressive resume: inside trader. Last week the Securities and Exchange Commission accused Petit, a Georgia State alum and major donor after whom the university named their newest science center, of leaking information about a company merger to a friend.
While class registration is not typically considered the best way to pass an afternoon, a day or few lost fixing an immunization hold can make it even worse, says senior Ruben Thomas.
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The Office of Employee Development and Wellness, a subsidiary of the Georgia State Human Resources Department, is providing Faculty, staff and students with a series of programs directed towards developing better health.
January 4 Forsyth Street A report was filed for Harassing Phone Calls. The complainant, a GSU student stated, on 12/6/11 at 9:41 a.m. she began receiving harassing phone calls from a previous boyfriend. The case is being handled by Investigations. January 3 Urban Life A report was filed for Harassing Phone Calls.
Up for consideration today by the University System of Georgia Board of Regents is a cost-cutting plan to consolidate eight of the state's public institutions. Proponents of the plan hope to save the University System money with the consolidations through reductions in administrative costs and lay-offs.
The beginning of this spring semester will provide many challenges, and opportunities, for Georgia State's growing student population. But for a great many, unanticipated road blocks and holds can only be solved one way: waiting in line.
Almost all of Georgia State's fire extinguishers were expired at the end of last year, although university officials expect to have all of the the aging safety devices replaced in the next two months. Fire Safety Officer McWhorter now estimates that only 25 percent of Georgia State's downtown campus fire extinguishers are past due and these should be replaced within the next two months, since a building can be completed in one day.
A September Mandatory Student Fees audit report indicates that there are a few "opportunities for improvement" to be in the administration of student fee money. The results of the audit state that the mandatory student fees – or fees that enable the university to provide quality programs and services to students outside of the classroom - were "appropriately administered and adequately controlled" but that improvements should be made in three particular areas, including: the creation of written policies to eliminate loss of revenue, regular reporting on various the statuses of projects funded with fee money and the submission of miscellaneous fees to the state University Board of Regents.
Monday marked the beginning of the spring 2012 semester for most Georgia State professors and students. Students welcomed the new semester of Monday/Wednesday classes by trudging tiredly through the campus, the majority with a coffee in hand.
"If I had kids, I would've trained them to be athletes like me." Despite being a part of the ever-growing homeless population of Atlanta for some 20 years, Fat Mike - the name in which he is known by in the community – still has a strong passion for sports.
December 4 University Commons Officers arrested two GSU students for Alcoholic Possession under 21 Years Old. At 11:00 p.m. officers made contact with the two students and confirmed they were underage and intoxicated. They were arrested, processed and released on a Copy of Charges.
Atlanta Overlook tells the homeless’ side of the story
The courtyard of Mercy Community Church quietly fills up with knit-cap covered heads, each waiting patiently for their turn at fresh coffee. As the Bible study next door lets out, Jeremy Godfrey prepares pens and paper for his writer's workshop class held inside the church.
Georgia State's Office of Civic Engagement offers students resources and volunteer opportunities to help out around the metro Atlanta area. Lovell Lemons, the director of the Office of Civic Engagement, helps coordinate student opportunities for civic engagement and volunteering.
In response to a recent spike in campus robberies, students met to discuss ways to handle the problem in a townhall-style meeting last Tuesday. Hosted by various student organizations, the meeting – dubbed "Don't be the Next Campus Alert" – featured a roundtable discussion with student leaders as well as representatives from the Georgia State University Police Department.
The petition to open the Mega One Stop Shop a week before school starts has passed the preliminary stages of being adopted and has now been passed to the Office of the Registrar. The petition would allow the Mega One Stop Shop to open a week before school starts instead of opening the week that school starts.
Although Atlanta ranks as one of the foremost sex trafficking hubs in the country, the issue seems to be unknown to many students and residents of the city. "Fraud, force and coercion.
In response to this semester's parking permit fiasco, big changes will be coming for Georgia State students who park on campus next semester, according to the Parking and Transportation division of Auxiliary and Support Services.
The most continuous issue discussed at the Student Government Association meeting was its recommendation of moving the concert series held in the courtyard every Tuesday and Thursday.
The passing of a referendum on Sunday alcohol sales last week in Atlanta came with little surprise to many Georgia State students. The Nov. 8 vote, which carried more than 80 percent of the vote, lifted a previous ban that prevented retail vendors from selling alcoholic beverages on Sundays.
The Freshman Dining Hall will be opened for all day study hours the week before finals with an arrangement between the University Provost and the Student Government Association.
Although Academic Team Fee Council leaders stressed the importance of having adequate funds to compete in scholastic competitions, the Student Activity Fee Committee voted to cut their funding for the 2013 fiscal year during their last meeting.
Following the arrests of two student journalists last Saturday while covering Occupy Atlanta protests, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and the Atlanta Police Chief have yet to respond to letters calling for the city to drop its charges.
Officials suspect violations of academic honesty policies underreported
Violations of the university's academic honestly policies are consistently underreported and understated, university officials say.
In a clear show of force, Atlanta police arrested 20 protestors late last Saturday for the second time in about as many weeks .
Georgia State introduced an interactive campus map on Oct. 18 in an attempt to better familiarize prospective students with the campus.
Three students were robbed at various areas around campus within a period of four days, according to campus police. The robberies mark a noticeable increase in serious campus crime at Georgia State for the month of October.
The Kell Hall reroofing project, once feared to finish completion at the end of the year, will be drawing to a close in the coming weeks, university officials say.
Signal photography editor Judith Kim was arrested among 19 others late Saturday night, despite her objections that she was student media.
In October 2005, students and staff were warned of the Courtland St. Bridge's dangerous erosion pattern via email from Georgia State officials.
Senators and Executive Board members criticized the registration agreement process some students had to go through when picking classes last week.
The city of Atlanta is bringing the issue of Sunday alcohol sales to vote on Nov. 8. Voters in other communities throughout Georgia began early voting on the Sunday alcohol sales referendum Oct. 18 after the Georgia legislature passed a bill earlier this year to allow counties and cities to conduct local voting for Sunday sales.
The announcement by President Barack Obama to withdraw troops from Iraq last week means Georgia State can soon expect an influx of student veterans, university officials say.
UNIVERSITY CONDEMNS SGA CLOSED MEETINGS
During the Senate meeting for the Student Government Association last week, President James Dutton addressed The Signal's recent article about the transparency of the SGA and its violation of Open Meetings laws.
After a week of false starts, Mayor Kasim Reed or
Nearly a week after Occupy Atlanta protestors were evicted from Woodruff Park, members of the group have taken refuge in a homeless shelter.
After rappers Common and Rick Ross canceled their appearances a little over a week apart, Campus Events will be seeking reparations for money lost through promotional activities.
Georgia State mulls over adding modified Discover card to PantherCards
Auxiliary and Support Ser- vices are considering yet an- other PantherCard for students to be available possibly as soon as next year.
A petition by the Student Government Association to move the Mega One Stop Shop the week before classes start has begun to attract support.
Despite a vote against a new Green Fee by the Mandatory Fee Committee, supporters have vowed to continue the fight to make Georgia State more green friendly.
Sorority and fraternity members will be required to participate in various activities if they want to remain in good standing at Georgia State, according to Georgia State's new "Five Star Chapter Enhancement Program."
Students may soon have the opportunity to vote on a campus-wide smoking ban in a student referendum as early as next year.
SGA E-Board members refused to allow Signal reporters into its Oct. 5 meeting by saying it was close
The Student Government Association has closed its executive board meetings from the public on a weekly basis, citing "personnel" is- sues as the reason for the closures.
The Mandatory Fee Committee voted against a proposal for a new Green Fee, while approving an increase in the Athletics Fee.
For ordinary riders, MARTA fares increased 25% with the start of October and will now cost riders $2.50 for a one-way ticket.
The Student Government Association meeting opened last Thursday with several of the homecoming court candidates urging SGA members to vote for them.
Upon arriving off the station at Wall Street, I was immediately confused by the empty streets lined with barricades and eerily silent atmosphere.
Student Government to hold Homecoming tailgates and free food events that will cost students nearly
SGA's Vice President of Student Life Ben Williams confirmed that some of its budget funds are being used for Homecoming Tailgate festivities and co-Sponsorships.
Campus crime average for the month of October, according to daily police reports
With all the added festivities and events of Homecoming week, campus police say safety is a "big issue" and will be doing more than the usual to keep students safe.
Founded as the Georgia Institute of Technology's "Evening School of Commerce" in 1913, the school that would eventually become Georgia State initially offered only business classes.
As 400 Occupy Atlanta protesters took their stand in Woodruff Park, the group's team of legal advisers and media personnel scrambled behind them to pick up the pieces.
Students, parents, grandparents, the employed and unemployed joined the Occupy Atlanta protest last Friday in Woodruff Park to make their voices heard.
The Atlanta City Council approved a resolution last Monday granting Georgia State the rights to build twenty- five "enhanced stamped pedestrian crosswalks" at eight campus intersections.
Students may soon begin to see better wireless connectivity and download speeds this week as Georgia State upgrades its primary wireless network, now known as CatChat 2.0
The Student Government Association announced last week that it has spent 26.36 percent of its resources. However, no official document detailing their expenditures has been made available to the public.
Crosswalks receive mixed reactions from students
Students can soon expect to see a lot more of the decorative crosswalks emblazoned with the Georgia State logo at intersections around campus.
Here's a round up of some of the crimes committed on campus last week reported by the Georgia State Police
After brief deliberation, the SGA welcomed eight new Justices and a new President Pro-Tempore.
The Student Recreation Center has seen over four million entries since its inception, and they expect to see more with its upcoming additions. The center first opened its doors in August 2001, boasting four racquetball courts, an aquatic center, a 35 foot climbing wall and a running track in addition to its large inventory of fitness equipment and classes.
Although Career Services provides job-placement opportunities for both current students and alumni, the service has received mixed reviews from students.According to Ramona Simien, the Assistant Director of Career Services, in a briefing to the Student Government Association, less than 30 students have signed up for job interviews this month despite requests from major employers such as Coca-Cola, Proctor & Gamble and Liberty Mutual.
It takes 25 seconds for a fire to start. It takes six minutes for it to engulf a room the size of a dorm. And the fire department's average response time is four to six minutes. This was the message Dobbins Air Reserve Base Fire Department gave to students and onlookers at Georgia State first Fire Safety Carnival on Sep. 27. The event featured a variety of activities to teach students more about fire safety in on-campus and off-campus living. One particular exhibition involved setting a mock dormitory on fire.
In what has become a staple issue for some, students were upset last week after the Turner Field parking schedule was amended, which left them guessing where to park. Turner Field was originally planned to close last Thursday and Friday due to the PGA Tour, the Atlanta Braves games and other events but opened up Thursday afternoon.
"I feel like GSU is proactive in taking steps toward greater sustain- ability, but I think this is happening in individuals and in organized groups. I have seen several groups bringing up issues of sustainability, and I have seen them create partnerships to effect a greater change. ... I think caring for the environment, especially our immediate environment, is our responsibility as individuals and as an academic community."
Emmie Lancaster Junior social Work and Anthropology major
It takes 25 seconds for a fire to start. It takes six minutes for it to engulf a room the size of a dorm.
USG Chancellor looking to control costs with campus consolidation
As one of his first initiatives as chancellor of the University System of Georgia, Hank Huckaby announced plans last week to look into the possibility of consolidating some of the USG's institutions in order to control costs. "I believe it is time for the system to study if campus consolidations are justified and will enhance our ability to serve the people of Georgia at less cost," said Huckaby.
National competition to put debate team to the test
As an audience of judges, spectators and competitors wait for the round to begin, a student approaches the podium lugging a large tub filled with evidence and research. With page upon page of carefully constructed arguments, the Harvard University debator speaks at a nearly incomprehensible pace to describe his team's policy proposal in an early round at Georgia State's thirteenth annual debate tournament.
Here’s a recap of news stories that have caught the attention of students in the first month of scho
16 underage drinking arrests
Festivities to celebrate the start of the fall semester have resulted in 16 arrests relating to underage drinking in various housing facilities
-Donata Borsos, Commons
resident
Troy Davis’ death penalty carried out despite outcries
Despite outcries from legal experts and global supporters, Troy Davis was executed by lethal injection by the state of Georgia last Wednesday. The Davis execution in Georgia has sparked a discussion of the merits of cap- ital punishment in the American criminal justice system.
The MILE may be opening twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week in part of a pilot program led by the Student Government Association and Student Affairs. At a recent Student Government Association meeting, the possibility of keeping the MILE open on a later schedule to benefit students' study time was discussed. The idea proposed by SGA committee members is to keep the MILE open on a 24/7 schedule in place of the University
Construction work involving the renovation and re-roofing of Kell Hall should be completed on time by the end of October, according to university officials. An initial estimate by Chris Hughs, the assistant director for
Despite being a silver level partner with Georgia's Department of Natural Resources' Partnership
for a Sustainable Georgia program, Georgia State's sustainability program has a limited
number of sustainability issues it tackles compared to other universities across Atlanta.
Last week, the Georgia State University Police released two separate campus alerts for a robbery by sudden snatching. On Wednesday, Sept. 7 at 4:39 p.m, a Georgia State student was walking on Decatur St. when she was approached by three black males - one of which she knew. One of the males grabbed her iPad and fled towards the Five Points MARTA station. The student described all three of the suspects as being approximately 18 years old. One was described as wearing a brown jacket, blue jeans and had dread locks. The second was wearing a brown jacket and blue jeans. The other was described as wearing a blue jacket and blue jeans.
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