November 10, 2017 Volume 103, Issue 14 nique.
net
technique
News 2
ARTLANTA HOSTS VARIETY OF WORK p17
ENTERTAINMENT
Top L: Photo by Casey Gomez Student Publications; Top R: Photo by Stephen Marek Student Publications; Above: Photo by Casey Gomez Student Publications
Okogie, Jackson mired in NCAA violations
HARSHA SRIDHAR
SPORTS EDITOR
On the evening of Nov. 2, the
Georgia Tech Athletic Association
admitted in a press release that
two players from the mens bas-
ketball program had accepted a
combined maximum of $1,275 in
impermissible benefits, a violation
of NCAA regulations. The play-
ers, sophomore guard Josh Okogie
and senior guard Tadric Jackson,
were both projected as starters
before Okogie dislocated a finger
in an exhibition versus Georgia
NEWS
. .
Mental Health Summit p3 Tax bills effects
Opinions 6
State two weeks ago. Both will
be suspended indefinitely until
the NCAA reaches a disciplinary
decision.
In the past week, the story has
broadened to include Ron Bell,
a former friend of Pastner and
the individual who allegedly ad-
ministered these benefits. In an
interview with CBS Sports, Bell
claimed that Pastner was 100
percent aware of these violations
as they happened and that the
Athletic Association underreport-
ed the gifts that Okogie and Jack-
son received when self-reporting
its violations to the NCAA.
Life 10
SPORTS
Bizarre and rapidly developing
as this story has been so far, there
are a number of questions that
must be answered in order to un-
derstand the scope of Tech Ath-
letics involvement, the serious-
ness of the underlying violations
and the consequences the Jackets
might face.
Did Tech give us the full story
or is there more to it?
The advantage of self-reporting
violations, rather than others find-
ing them, is more lenient treat-
ment, at least in theory.
See BENEFITS, page 21
OPINIONS
p6
Entertainment 14 Sports 24
LIFE
Getting to
know Mr. &
Ms. GT 2017
SAMIRA BANDARU
LIFE EDITOR
So you went to Techs 2017 Home-
coming game and watched the half-
time show. You know Sam Medinger
and Renee Copeland as the students
who were crowned Mr. & Ms. GT at
Techs 2017 Homecoming game, but
who are they really? The Technique
had the opportunity to ask them about
their background and the roles they
hope to play on campus.
Technique: Tell us about yourselves.
Copeland: Im from Kennesaw,
Georgia. I never really knew much
about Tech until high school beyond
driving past it when I drove through
Atlanta. However, I did a campus
tour and fell in love. Meeting Geor-
gia Techs students and learning about
the resources Tech had to offer like
OMED: Educational Services sold me
on coming here.
I knew that Tech would give me the
resources that I needed to be success-
ful as a student and in the real world.
While on campus, I have served on
the executive board of the Black Stu-
dent Recruitment Team, Georgia Tech
Society of Black Engineers, Omicron
Delta Kappa, Womens Club Soc-
cer and the Biomedical Engineering
Student Advisory Board. I have been
a Challenge Counselor and EDGE
Leader for OMED: Educational Ser-
vices. Through my extracurriculars, I
really discovered what I am passionate
about, retention and inclusion of mi-
nority groups and increasing diversity
on campus, and how that will pertain
to my career in medicine after I gradu-
ate this December.
See MR.&MS., page 12
Photo by Casey Miles Student Publications
Tech basketball coach Josh Pastner patrols the sideline. Past-
ners program has been implicated in a recent benefits scandal.
News
NEWS EDITOR:
Casey Miles
ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR:
Jonathan Jeffrey
news@nique.net
then escaped by running out of
the house.
The student was caught in
front of Klaus by a security guard
hired by Phi Kappa Theta.
When the GTPD officer ar-
rived, he photographed the sus-
pects hands and the damage to
the wall, which he described as a
small indentation in the drywall
about 4 inches by 3 inches.
The fraternity house manager
completed a handwritten state-
ment that said Phi Kappa Theta
declined to pursue prosecution
JONATHAN JEFFREY against the offender.
ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR
BOOT BREAKER
PUNCH OUT On Friday, Oct. 27, at 8:33
On Saturday, Oct. 28, at 12:59 a.m., a PTS employee placed a
a.m., a GTPD officer was dis- parking boot on a grey car to pre-
patched to the Klaus Advanced vent its movement, and placed the
Computing building in order to car on schedule to be towed.
respond to an offender who dam- However, when the employee
aged property at Phi Kappa Theta returned in the afternoon at 3:45,
fraternity. the car and the $125 parking
Earlier in the night during a boot attached to it were no-
party, a student punched a hole in where to be seen.
the wall in the second floor of the A GTPD officer was dis-
Phi Kappa Theta fraternity and patched at 4:12 p.m. to inves-
E
ach week, this section of
News will include coverage
of different aspects of bills
and resolutions that have passed
through Student Government. This
will include the Undergraduate
House of Representatives, Graduate
Student Senate and the Executive
Branch of both government bodies.
GRANT LARKIN
SGA CORRESPONDENT
BILL SUMMARY
BILL AMOUNT GSS UHR
French Day $527.63 n/a 34-0-0
St Bernard Project Trip $1,506.20 23-0-0 37-0-0
Shaam E Rang Performance $1,888.88 23-0-0 35-0-0
Dance Company Ferst Center Rental $1,439.25 25-0-1 34-0-1
2017 GT Korea Week $1,700 26-0-0 35-0-0
GT Off Road $9,302.47 26-0-0 35-0-1
Berry College Horse Leases $400 23-0-0 35-0-0
ATL Tanishq Fall Competitions $2,262.72 22-3-1 34-2-1
AASU: Black Leadership Conference $2,500 18-0-0 36-0-0
Speed reading workshop $1,500 23-0-0 15-20-1
sliver // your thoughts
nique.net
tbh the biggest not of this year is selena gomez & the weeknd
breaking up
Go Jets!
Congratulations to all of the DEPLORABLES and the mil-
lions of people who gave us a MASSIVE (304-227) Electoral
College landslide victory!
Looking forward to a full day of meetings with President Xi and
our delegations tomorrow. THANK YOU for the beautiful wel-
come China! @FLOTUS Melania and I will never forget it!
NoKo has interpreted Americas past restraint as weakness. This
would be a fatal miscalculation. Do not underestimate us. AND
DO NOT TRY US.
The U.S., under my administration, is completely rebuilding its
military, and theyre spending hundreds of billions of dollars to
the newest and finest military equipment anywhere in the world,
being
The Fake News Is going all out in order to demean and denigrate!
Such hatred!
Monica is a wellness enzyme
O-oooooooooo AAAAE-A-A-I-A-U- JO-oooooooooooo AAE-
O-A-A-U-U-A- E-eee-ee-eee AAAAE-A-E-I-E-A-JO-ooo-oo-
oo-oo EEEEO-A-AAA-AAAA
If youre reading this, youve been in coma for almost 20 years
now. Were trying a new Technique. We dont know where this
message will end up in your dream, but we hope it works. Please
wake up, we miss you.
Slow and steady wins the race, mods cant ban me at this pace.
Living Building Launch technique
This past week Tech launched construction
the Kendeda Building for Innovative Friday,
2
Sustainable Design.44 November 10, 2017
tigate the incident, and after a to the attorney representing the One student, who gave a false
license search through a crime student and also to the Dean of name and date of birth, was issued
database, the vehicles owner was Students office. an additional Student Code of
identified and determined to be a Conduct violation for giving false
Tech student. MY NAME IS JEFF information to an officer.
A reviewal of videotape re- On Friday, Nov. 3 at 12:48
vealed that the vehicle left the a.m., two GTPD officers respond- FRESHMAN FIFTEEN
parking area at 10:34 a.m., after ed to a noise complaint originat- On Sunday, Oct. 29 at 3:15
the booted tire was removed and ing from North Avenue South. a.m., a GTPD officer responded
replaced with a spare. When the officers arrived on to a student passed out in a rest-
After the GTPD officer left a scene, they observed a large group room in Hopkins Residence Hall.
message on the parking offenders of people leaving an apartment The student told the officer
voicemail, an attorney represent- that was hosting a loud party. that he drank approximately 15
ing the student contacted the in- Upon entering the room, the shots while he was drinking with
vestigating officer, inquiring what officers found that five individu- friends at the Towers Residence
parking fines the student owed als remained one of whom was Hall, and that he had thrown up
and whether the student would be pretending to be asleep. However, before the officer arrived.
prosecuted criminally. the student pretending to be asleep The student repeatedly stated
The GTPD officer then fol- gave up and cooperated with the that this was only his second time
lowed up with PTS, who advised police, sharing that she and all of drinking ever.
that the student owed $660 and her roommates had hosted a party After Grady EMS arrived on
that they did not want to pursue that evening. scene and performed a medical
criminal charges because the of- GTPD found several plastic check of the student, they advised
fender was a student. Additionally cups and shot glasses throughout that he did not need to be trans-
if the student did not damage the the room, as well as an empty ported to a hospital.
boot, he could return it for no fee wine bottle and a malt beverage, The student was given a Stu-
and only pay the $435 in parking which were disposed of. dent Code of Conduct violation
fines. Each student received a stu- for Possession of Alcohol under
The investigating officer for- dent code of conduct for the pres- 21, was cleaned up and released to
warded the requested information ence of alcohol while underage. the care of roommates.
BRIEF BUDGET WORRIES We have this issue when we FRENCH DAY FUNDING
The Undergraduate House of overspend and then panic and we For the first year, French club
Representatives had a brief scare cut whatever we think we can, he asked for funding from SGA for
regarding its budget this year. said. These two bills are program their French Day event. The day
Experienced reps were not phased and travel fees. If you cut these, includes speakers and films from
when Carson Silbert, VP of Fi- we will have to cut everybodys students, an Eiffel Tower art con-
nance, mentioned that UHR was because we have to treat orgs test and cultural food. The organi-
currently over budget. the same. zation was asking for funding for
The comments came on a bill Following Smith, Rep Luehm, cultural food, decorations, flyers,
for the MBA Net Impact/Philan- one of the newer reps, made his chalk and Facebook ads.
thropy St. Bernard Project trip, confusion with the budget clear. Much of the debate surround-
an annual trip to New Orleans, I am new here and I am not ing the bill came around whether
LA to help with rebuilding homes sure how this whole budget thing UHR should cut the Facebook
destroyed in Hurricane Katrina. works, he said, ... I was just ads from the bill. Rep Scott mo-
Rep Luehm wanted to pull the bill
from fast track to talk about the
trying to find a way to keep us
on track.
tioned for the cutting of the ads.
This is a new thing, funding
amount of spending on the bill. After that, the discussion re- for Facebook ads, said Rep Siel-
Rep. Sieling raised concerns- sumed and nothing was done ing. I think they have been really
about the amount of money being about removing the bill from the successful in the past. I am against
spent per student on the bill. new fast track. this motion.
We are over budget, but I just Im sorry I scared you guys, If weve already funded a
wanted you to be aware, Silbert Silbert said. We have money Facebook ad in the past, could
said. We usually spend more in that we recapture when orgs dont we get in trouble with precedent?
the Fall ... I think it would be spend some of the money. If an org asked Rep Thomson.
very unfair to this org if we were doesnt spend it, it comes straight Yes. ... We have funded three
to cut it down to a per person cap back to us. We have a cushion. We of these this Fall, the VP of Fi-
of $40. dont want to rely on this cushion nance said.
Rep Smith was unconcerned so we have to be fiscally respon- After coming to the consensus
and tried to make clear what the sible, but SGA is not going to be that this would go against prec-
best course of action would be. like, Sorry were closed. edent, the motion failed.
technique
NEWS EDITOR
Casey Miles
OPINIONS EDITOR
The Souths Liveliest College Newspaper Zahra Khan
Brighton Kamen EDITOR-IN-CHIEF LIFE EDITOR
Samira Bandaru
David Raji MANAGING EDITOR
ENTERTAINMENT
EDITOR
Founded in 1911, the Technique is the student newspaper of the Monica Jamison
Georgia Institute of Technology, and is an official publication of SPORTS EDITOR
the Georgia Tech Board of Student Publications. The Technique Harsha Sridhar
publishes on Fridays, weekly in the fall and spring and biweekly in
the summer.
PHOTO EDITOR
Casey Gomez
ADVERTISING: Information can be found online at nique.net/
DESIGN EDITOR
ads. The deadline for reserving ad space is Friday at 5 p.m. one
Megan Eberle
week before publication. To place a reservation, for billing infor-
mation or for any other questions please e-mail us at ads@nique. LAYOUT EDITOR
net. You may reach us at 404-894-2830, Monday through Friday Beatrice Domingo
from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Copyright 2017, Brighton Kamen, Editor-in-Chief, and the ONLINE EDITOR
Georgia Tech Board of Student Publications. No part of this Zoie Konneker
paper may be reproduced without written permission from the WEB DEVELOPER
Editor-in-Chief or from the Board of Student Publications. The Tristen Allen
ideas expressed herein are those of the individual authors and
HEAD COPY EDITOR
do not necessarily represent the views of the Board of Student Elizabeth Sit
Publications, the students, staff or faculty of the Georgia Institute
of Technology or the University System of Georgia. First copy
EDITOR EMERITUS
free for additional copies call 404-894-2830.
Vidya Iyer
// NEWS
Summit for mental health
POLLY OUELLETTE
STAFF WRITER
For the third year, the Men-
tal Health Student Coalition
held their annual Mental Health
Summit, this year themed Daily
Wellness. The discussion at the
conference-style event focused
around the ways to improve the
general well-being of Tech stu-
dents and how to do so.
Emily Hale, third-year AE
and executive director of the
Mental Health Student Coali-
tion (MHSC), spearheaded the
organization of the event. She
said that it has been in the works
since February.
Last year our theme was sui-
cide prevention, Hale said. That
was a really great day and we got
a lot of great conversations out of
that. When we started looking at
it in February, we wanted to make
sure we were doing something
different this year so that we can
have some more conversations
and get people thinking about
different things.
Speakers from the Mental Health Student Coalition pres-
ent at the Mental Health Summit on Saturday, Nov. 4.
The Mental Health Summit,
held on Saturday, Nov. 4, opened
with remarks from Stacy Connell,
the senior director of health ini-
tiatives. She spoke candidly about
her own personal experiences and
mental health struggles as well
as why she finally decided to get
help. This background is why she
recently took up her job at Tech
that deals with the wellbeing of
each and every student.
I love people, Connell said.
I am a people person through
and through, and I want to share
with you all that we want every-
one. Here at Georgia Tech, we
dont want people to fall through
the cracks.
In addition, she educated at-
tendees about the various dimen-
sions of wellness and how Techs
existing services attempt to serve
each need. She gave attendees a
sneak preview of what is to come
next from Stamps Health Initia-
tives, such as life skill develop-
ment programs, expansion of
online resources, peer health edu-
cator programs and increasing the
utilization of pet therapy.
Photo by Casey Gomez Student Publications
The next events of the morn-
ing were small breakout ses-
sions, where participants formed
groups and talked with different
on-campus experts on a variety
of topics. Each 20-minute session
prompted thoughtful discussion
of concerns such as academics,
sexual violence, diversity, hous-
ing communities and student
engagement.
Following these sessions was
another presentation on I Feel
Safe When, a campus-wide
collaboration focused on is-
sues surrounding feelings of
personal safety.
After receiving insight into the
mental health challenges of those
who occupy Techs campus, at-
tendees were organized into teams
and allowed time to come up with
ideas for beneficial programs or
initiatives in a session dubbed
brainswarming. Afterwards,
people were asked to share their
thoughts with the room of around
100 people.
According to Hale, this por-
tion of the summit has produced
some actionable ideas in the past.
A few years ago, plans for the
KNIT mentorship program were
discussed.
Hopefully out of it will come
some ideas that can be implement-
ed on campus, Hale said. Were
lucky that we have a real variety
of people who have come to be in
this room today. Were trying to
take all those perspectives to cre-
ate some new ideas.
The summit drew to a close
with remarks from Dr. Mack
Bowers, the interim director of
the Tech Counseling Center.
Hale says that in future years, the
MHSC hopes to accommodate
even more individuals who want
to learn how to better the men-
tal health of themselves and their
community.
TEDx holds third
student speaker salon
JONATHAN JEFFERY
ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR
On Tuesday, Nov. 7, TEDx@
GeorgiaTech held its third annual
Student Speaker Salon at The Ga-
rage in Tech Square. Six student
speakers delivered speeches, craft-
ed from their personal stories, to a
live audience of 100 members who
were treated to food and coffee.
Andrew Hanus, a Masters stu-
dent in PUBP and CRP and a vet-
eran of the US Air Force, shared
takeaways from years serving as
a military working dog (MWD)
handler, where he and his team
needed to be constantly in sync
with their MWDs. Hanus said
the most valuable thing learned
during his time handling military
dogs was the virtue of patience.
Karima Alkhalid, third-year
IE, described feeling out of place
due to her mixed Mexican and
Arab ancestry, creating a feeling
of otherness that pervaded when
she filled out other for her eth-
nicity on standardized tests.
And I thought to myself: wow,
am I other? Alkhalid said. Is
that really what people think of
me? To remedy her sense of isola-
tion, Alkhalid actively tried to en-
gage with people around her who
had different backgrounds, lead-
ing to several positive experiences.
Were taught to befriend peo-
ple who are similar to us but
thats precisely whats disconnect-
ing us from people who arent,
Alkhalid said.
William Courreges-Clercq,
fourth-year BA and participant
in the 2017 Co-op and Internship
Carbon Reduction Challenge (CR
Challenge), showed how small
sustainability fixes to a large com-
pany can produce big impacts.
technique November 10, 2017 3
Many folks might not see the
connection between sustainabil-
ity and profit, Courreges-Clercq
said, but his team proved other-
wise. Their proposed reductions
to SunTrust employee travel could
save 1.9 million pounds of CO2
and $2.1 million over five years,
numbers that led the team to win
first place in the CR Challenge.
Azra Ismail, a fourth-year
CMPE, explored how socioeco-
nomic issues impeded delivery of
healthcare across Indias poorer re-
gions, and how innovators should
identify community needs before
developing new technology.
We are working on building
the future, and technology forms
a large part of this. But it is impor-
tant to remember that, finally, it is
people who are inhabiting that fu-
ture, Ismail said. Understanding
how solutions fail within certain
contexts can help create solutions
that are relevant and sustainable.
Ive spent so much of my life
trying to be happy, said Suraj
Sehgal, a fourth-year IE. After
reciting his poem Posters, that
related the pursuit of happiness to
running on an endless treadmill,
Sehgal offered meditation as a so-
lution to allow anyone to step off
that treadmill and begin a more
fulfilled life.
The last speaker, Indra Sofian,
a fourth-year BA, explained how
to overcome personal inertia to
reach ones full potential.
Personal inertia is being un-
able to change your behavior
due to mental and psychological
factors, Sofian said. After read-
ing productivity research, Sofian
developed a method of asking
himself questions about his mo-
tivations for a project, and found
the questions let him complete his
tasks more efficiently.
4 November 10, 2017 technique
Living building begins construction at Tech
CASEY MILES
NEWS EDITOR
Thursday, Nov. 2 saw the of-
ficial launch of The Kendeda
Building for Innovative Sustain-
able Design (KBISD), formerly
known as the Living Building at
Georgia Tech.
In keeping with the spirit of
what the building will be, instead
of breaking ground, President
G.P. Bud Peterson and a group
of others associated with the
launch planted seeds of black-eyed
Susans and various other flowers
and plants.
Additionally, all in attendance
were given a packet of seeds and
encouraged to spread them over
the grassy area bordering the park-
ing lot at the corner of Ferst Dr.
and State St., where the KBISD
will eventually be located.
In lieu of traditional shovels
and hard hats to celebrate begin-
ning construction, said Michael
Bryan II, second-year ENVE and
GT Office of Campus Sustain-
ability Materials Management
Intern, we would like the entire
community to take part in the
launch of the living building, and
so, we have packets of seeds that
are going to be passed out and we
will be planting them.
President Peterson opened the
ceremony, welcoming everyone
to the event, which had been re-
scheduled to Nov. 2 due to Hur-
ricane Irma.
// NEWS
The weather is a little nicer
today than it was on the date that
we originally planned, Peterson
said. I have to tell you, Im a little
overwhelmed with the response. I
think its just one example of how
important this type of project is to
the people of the city of Atlanta,
to the people here in the South-
east, and people across the coun-
try and, in fact, around the world.
The KBISD aims to be the
first Living Building Challenge
3.1-certified facility of its size in
the Southeast. The Living Build-
ing Challenge 1.0 was officially
launched to the public in 2006. In
its current state, the challenge has
20 imperatives ranging from lim-
its to growth to inspiration and
education.
From the Living Building
Challenge 3.1 document, the dif-
ference between this new version
and past are changes to ten of the
imperatives. Among these chang-
es are clarifications, inclusion of Photo by Casey Miles Student Publications
new resources and removal of cer- Earlier this month, President G.P. Bud Peterson grabs seeds from a basket to be
tain requirements depending on planted as a way of launching the Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design.
the classification of the building.
Following President Peterson demonstrate how Georgia Tech As one of the worlds ing Building Challenge enthusi-
was Steve Swant, executive vice practices thoughtful stewardship preeminent engineering univer- astically, and they are already us-
president for Administration and of all of our resources and how in- sities, Georgia Tech is the ideal ing it as a springboard to examine
Finance. novative thinking can transform partner to help The Kendeda other projects around campus.
Georgia Tech is honored to the way we think about and inter- Fund prove that regenerative de- According to the timeline
partner with the Kendeda Fund act with the built environment. sign can and will work in the given by livingbuilding.gatech.
to develop one of the most envi- The Kendeda Fund is provid- Southeast, said Dena Kimball, edu, the construction on the
ronmentally advanced buildings ing 100 percent of design and executive director of The Kend- building is scheduled to finish in
in this region, he said. This proj- construction cost, amounting to eda Fund. Together, we hope to Jan. 2019. However, certification
ect supports our longstanding vi- $25 million. Additionally, they transform how the region thinks, for the Living Building Challe-
sion for the campus and provides a will provide $5 million to support builds, lives, and learns. From day nege 3.1 is not expected until the
unique opportunity to physically activities and programming. one, Tech has embraced the Liv- Summer of 2020.
// NEWS technique November 10, 2017 5

ACTION TEAM RECOMMENDATIONS

MENTAL HEALTH
On Wednesday, Nov. 1, the Mental Health, SHORT-TERM
LGBTQIA+ and Campus Culture Action Teams In the short term, the Men-
submitted their proposals to President G.P. Bud tal Health Action Team wants to
Peterson. The proposals were reviewed by the create a Mental Health Advisory
Council to coordinate mental
president on Wednesday and Thursday before being health support on campus.
posted online for the public to see on Friday. Each Additionally, they recommend-
teams proposal was written in a different format and ed that the interim status of the
director of the GT Counseling
involved varying levels of short-term and long-term Center (GTCC) be addressed, in-
goals for the Institute to achieve. All information is crease staffing in the GTCC and
available online, and these blurbs are simply short resolve inadequate staffing in the
Office of Disability Services.
summaries of topics covered by each teams report. These short term goals are
meant to set a solid foundation.
LONG-TERM
Long term, a large goal is to
look at and adopt quality prac-
tices from peer institutions.
The examples provided are
the iCARE Gatekeeper training
and Wellness Partners and Well-
ness Ambassadors at UPenn, the
Cornell Air Force Model, Purdues
police crisis intervention team,
UT-Austins embedded counsel-
ing model, Cornells counseling
center triage system and MITs
Mind-Hand-Heart Initiative and
CARE Teams.

LGBTQIA+ CAMPUS CULTURE

SHORT-TERM
With perhaps the most chang-
es suggested, the LGBTQIA+
action team had thorough short-
term goals.
The first goal revolves around
bathroom changes and expan-
sions, specifically related to sin-
gle stall bathrooms on campus.
Along with the suggestion came
phases of implementation.
Other suggestions included a
more inclusive housing policy for
students and better healthcare
for the community on campus.
LONG-TERM
The long term goals for the
LGBTQIA+ focus on gradually
changing policy.
First, their report stated that
Tech needs to lead conversation
with the USG office on policy re-
lating to employee and student
health care plans.
Second, more training for staff
in health care and HIV/AIDS pre-
vention is needed.
Third, resources for the LG-
BTQIA+ community should be ex-
panded to match current needs.
SHORT-TERM
In true Campus Culture fash-
ion, their report was centered
around an acronym: TECH.
Their short term goals were
centered on the first three let-
ters in the acronym: Transition
and Integration, Engagement and
Alignment and Classroom, Cur-
riculum and Labs.
These recommendations
ranged from changes to FASET
to integrating design into more
classes to sharing some CIOS re-
sults with the Tech community.
LONG-TERM
The long-term goals for the
Campus Culture Action Team
were mainly focused on the last
letter in the acronym: Holistic Val-
ues and Promotion.
Among these long-term rec-
ommendations are recommenda-
tions to use more qualitative and
quantitative data to understand
campus culture, a reassessment
of campus culture every five years
and further focus on removing the
need for comparison, moving to-
wards peer learning.

Story by Casey Miles, Design by Megan Eberle Student Publications

STUDENT DIVERSITY AMBASSADOR

The vision of The GT Diversity Ambassadors is to connect all
people in order to cultivate an inclusive community that
educates, collaborates, and advocates together.
OrgSync application due Jan.26,2018 https://goo.gl/k1ZMgH
Questions? Contact Karen Liu (yiuk@gatech.edu)
Opinions
OPINIONS EDITOR: Zahra Khan technique

Do you think that doing alcohol
is cool?
Michael Scott Friday,
November 10, 2017
6

OUR VIEWS | Consensus Opinion YOUR VIEWS | Online Comments

New tax bills toll on higher ed Deans duties

Tuition waivers will no longer be scholarships
The new tax bill, introduced as the Tax courage students from pursuing research
Cuts and Jobs Act in Congress, is por- and reduce the socioeconomic diversity of
trayed as reform that would benefit the av- the graduate programs that are currently
erage American. However, there are some in place. It will deter international stu-
clear losers. In most universities, graduate dents from coming to the United States to
students receive a tuition waiver from their pursue their education and in some ways,
institutions. They also commonly receive may shift how the world views the United
a living stipend to allow them to continue States as a place to further their educa-
performing research in their labs. Since tion and research. It means resources will
the stipend is a form of income, it is taxed. be taken away from research programs at
However, the tuition waiver is considered universities, with fewer graduate students
a scholarship. Under the new tax bill, tu- than they may be able to afford to accept.
ition waivers will become taxable income. With undergraduate education being
The United States, as a country, is home debt-ridden as it is, graduate programs
to inclusive institutions. The administra- should not be made to suffer the same ills.
tive and lawful structures encourage and Instead of making undergraduate pro-
reward knowledge and creativity. Gradu- grams more affordable and inclusive, law-
ate and Ph.D. students rely on the waiver makers efforts like these further impede
to afford their education and research, as the education system.
stipends are often less than $30,000 a year. Although it is possible that universities
Having to pay taxes on their tuition means will find ways to continue waiving tuition,
many of the students will no longer be able they should not have to commit resources
to afford their programs. It would both dis- to fend off extractive institutions.
The Consensus Opinion reflects the majority opinion of the Editorial Board of the
Technique, but not necessarily the opinions of individual editors.
technique editorial board
Brighton Kamen EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
David Raji MANAGING EDITOR
Zahra Khan OPINIONS EDITOR
Casey Miles NEWS EDITOR Harsha Sridhar SPORTS EDITOR
Samira Bandaru LIFE EDITOR Monica Jamison ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
Tristen Allen WEB DEVELOPER Megan Eberle DESIGN EDITOR
Casey Gomez PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR Zoie Konneker ONLINE EDITOR
Elizabeth Sit HEAD COPY EDITOR Beatrice Domingo LAYOUT EDITOR
A TECH LOVER S QUARREL BY TONY WU
In 1964 it was easy to see what Dean Dull did ... he was pacing
his office floor trying to figure what we were going to do next on
the Technique.
Deloye Burrell
Techs subpar housing
Yall know the heating/AC doesnt really work in all the
dorms and several of then have janky elevators, right? One
of my friends freshman year took freezing showers ALL YEAR
because for some reason theirs didnt heat up. It snowed that
year (remember the snowpocalypse?).
If the schools going to put money into updates, it should
place the students dorms at a relatively high priority. Just
because older generations had less doesnt mean that newer
generations should settle for what they were given. Buildings
have to be updated with the times and I dont think proper AC/
heating, working elevators, actual counters in the kitchen, etc.
is too much to ask.
I spent the last 2 years living at Tenside (now Arium Westside)
paying just under the cost/month I would have had to pay for
student apartments on campus and got so much more in terms
of amenities etc out of it (tons of counter space, 16x16 living
room, my own room/bathroom/walk-in-closet, etc), so its
really not that ridiculous to expect more for the amount of
money students pay per term to live on campus.
Trishna Chandarana
My first dorm room at tech was in the building the one pictured
replaced. In 1984, Techwood dorm had pretty much none of the
amenities that the dorms today do. It did have a 10 foot fence
surrounding it, however.

Roy Paul

Suffering 2017 style builds character. - ex-Techwood

dorm alum

Raul Pino

Write to us: are responses to or commentaries on

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want to hear your opinion and want
to make it known to all of campus.
We also welcome your letters in
response to Technique content as well
as topics relevant to campus. We will
print letters on a timely and space-
available basis.
Each week we look for letters that
content found within the pages of the
Technique. Along with these letters,
we are open to receiving letters that
focus on relevant issues that currently
affect Georgia Tech as a university, in-
cluding its campus and student body.
When submitting letters we ask
that you include your full name, year
(1st, 2nd, etc.) and major. We ask that
letters be thought provoking, well
written and in good taste. We reserve
the right to both reject or edit letters
for length and style.
For questions, comments or con-
cern, contact the Opinions Editor at
opinions@nique.net.
// OPINIONS technique November 10, 2017 7

Does overexposure to news

ROUNDTABLE
WILL FINCH
STAFF WRITER
Bad news it does not
matter if it comes before or
after good news. No one en-
joys it.
We may live in the In-
formation Age, but to be
well-informed today is to
sacrifice any sense of sanity.
News feeds everywhere are
now supersaturated with
headlines ranging from the
absurd to the outrageous,
and keeping up with it all
is just exhausting. I am
speaking, of course, about
the constant coverage of
President Trump, and this
bombardment of infor-
mation creates an apathy
that only normalizes the
exasperating.
This week marked one
year since Donald Trump
was elected President. The
further we progress into his
term, the more I struggle to
remember a time before a
new headline every day over
a potential scandal the cur-
rent administration could
be entangled in.
To be brief: President
Trump is exhausting. Be-
ing up to date on the state
of him and his cabinet is a
full-time job there is not
enough time in the day to
read all the articles pub-
lished on every finding in
the investigation between
Russia and the president, let
alone anything else in the
media.
Michael Flynns resig-
nation as national security
adviser for lying to the vice
president, reports of Rus-
sian interference in the 2016
election, Trumps firing of
FBI Director James Comey,
the Obama wiretap claims;
the list goes on. Not even
fully into a quarter into the
... actual skepticism
and critique are
undermined in favor of
innumerous bombastic
or damning headlines.
presidency, there has been
enough drama to last a life-
time, and I am not the only
one tired of it.
At this stage of the presi-
dency, Trumps approval
ratings are the lowest of any
president since Harry Tru-
man. While his actions def-
initely speak for themselves,
mainstream media can take
some responsibility for the
publics attitude with their
constant coverage of the ad-
ministration and unrelent-
ing criticism.
desensitize us to tragic events?
Its been a year since the election, and the medias
treatment of the news has often come under fire.
Unfortunately, that cen-
sure can be flawed at times.
Consider the numerous oc-
casions where well-estab-
lished media outlets snatch
up the first chance they get
to report a possible connec-
tion to President Trump
and Russia. The articles ini-
tially explode in popularity,
but because of flimsy con-
nections, they end up fall-
ing apart.
A lack of evidence in
mainstream journalism
makes some of the most
viewed sources of informa-
tion end up crying wolf.
While none of this means
that every Russia claim is
false, it makes it difficult
to find solid accusations
amidst what are little more
than conspiracy theory
blog posts. Retractions in
the news happen, but fewer
people read the retraction
than saw the original head-
line, and actual skepticism
and critique are under-
mined in favor of innumer-
ous bombastic or damning
headlines.
Bad news about Trump
and his administration is
almost impossible to avoid.
While government critique
is healthy for a democracy,
the influx of its supply in
most media outlets news discussion panels reminis-
coverage is depreciating its
value, further enabling a
sense of societal apathy.
VIVIAN WANG
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Harvey, Irma, Maria,
Orlando, Las Vegas. As
the tragedy count in recent
memory climbs, people
seem increasingly unfazed
as new tragedies surface.
This a problem amplified
by both the way we cover
tragedy in the news and by
the current White House
administration.
Regardless of which side
of debates you may be on,
everyone can agree that the
way the press operates is
problematic. Trump sup-
porters wax lyrical about
the prevalence of fake
news, while liberals decry
conservative media with
equal passion to some
degree they are all correct.
In our current politi-
cal climate, every tweet
and squabble is breaking
news, aided by the the-
atre of the administration,
which dilutes the efficacy of
actual news.
Following the lead of the
President, many stories are
covered in a way that will
boost ratings tragedies
are reported by record-
breaking death counts and
mass shootings and target-
cent of NFL broadcasters
on split screens in the wake
of a life-shattering turn of
events for the victims and
families involved. This kind
of traditional media cover-
age is harmful to the col-
lective psyche our minds you will find an abun-
begin to tune out the yelling
and screeching headlines
after a certain threshold.
There needs to be serious
changes and forethought
dedicated to making media
more fair and personalized
to the victims and actual
events, rather than fueling
In our current political
climate, every tweet
and squabble is
breaking news...
misconception, stigma and
animosity.
Even as this opinion
piece is being written, two
tragedies have occurred
within the same week, in
Texas and NYC, both of
which were subject to hor-
rific displays of violence.
There are few other times in
history that come to mind
when the prevalence of
people could start imagin-
ed violence has been so dis-
proportionately high. This
reflects a general sentiment
of growing unease among
Americans today.
Look at any modern
psychology textbook, and
dance of statistics pointing
to all-time highs of anxi-
ety, PTSD and depression
due to the rise of terrorism
and gun violence. The rea-
sonable conclusion, then,
is that even if we are con-
sciously being desensitized,
unconsciously, we are still
feeling its effects.
But the blame cannot
be fully placed on a callous
administration and press.
Some of the blame falls on
us, as readers and consum-
ers of news.
I recently attended a
talk by a professor research-
ing the neuroscience of ex-
treme violence and shoot-
ing perpetrators. As the
family of one of the victims
of the Sandy Hook Elemen-
tary shooting, he encour-
aged people to stop using
the trite saying: I cant
imagine ...
Part of the problem, he
contends, is that people are
not trying hard enough to
imagine, choosing the
easy way out rather than
trying to truly empathize
with those affected. If only
ing that may be a step in
the right direction for com-
batting desensitization.

THE North READ.

THINK.

Avenue
SPEAK.

Review
northavereview.com
8 November 10, 2017 technique // OPINIONS

It is dark, and America is hot

Whats one issue that
you believe hasnt gotten
enough attention over
the past year?
SAVANNAH HORNER
SECOND-YEAR ECON
I think the fact that tax
cuts are going to affect busi-
nesses as opposed to mid-
dle-income families, which
they claim to be helping.
About a year ago, I wrote an
editorial on the dire need for a
return to civil discourse in this
country. It was right around
that time that Former Reality
TV Star Donald J. Trump was
elected to the office of president
of the U.S.
Since then, the vitriolic rhet-
oric, the heat generation has
only been ramped up. Instead
of making any meaningful at-
tempt to moderate the hatred
of our fellow countrymen, we
as Americans have chosen the
steep, slippery path downward,
one surely filled with darkness.
The chief issue at hand is no
longer anything to do with the
economy or corruption. The
only concern now is whether
Americans can be made to live
peacefully in the same country
as their ideological adversaries.
Many among us these days
are willing to dispense with any
type of meaningful conversation
in order to express how strongly
they feel on a certain issue.
Instead of debating ideas on
merits, the individuals purport-
ing them are attacked them-
selves by their opposition.
On the left, calls for restraint
on Russian-investigation hysteria
are met with the McCarthyist
labels of collaborator and
Russian agent. The right slams
those who oppose the agenda
about their preconceptions
of Trump or his administration
with the slurs cuckservative
and libtard.
The intolerance in our
country is flagrant. For one
reason or another, Americans
seem to largely be more worried
about their preconceptions
being validated than anything
else. No one wants to learn
anything or be challenged by
intrepid or foreign ideas.
The de-evolution of human
communication is further seen
in the meteoric rise of meme
culture. While a fun distrac-
tion in small doses, the fact that
some of my friends seem to com-
municate solely through tagging
others in memes can get kind of
depressing. Not only are we for-
getting how to civilly converse
our society is losing its grasp
on conversation altogether.
Perhaps some who exhibit
such disdain for perspectives
dissimilar to their own do not
... Americans seem to
largely be more worried
being validated than
anything else.
DAVID RAJI
MANAGING EDITOR
choose their behavior out of ego-
tism. Many have probably been
trained by the dull constant roar
of our media today.
It is certainly worth point-
ing out that the financial carrots
and sticks are definitely aligned
in such a way to make intense,
angry arguments on hot-button
issues with red-faced and shout-
ing panelists the preferable con-
tent for network shareholders.
The casual viewer is drawn to
this type of news, as it borders
on entertainment. And of course
other stations have to compete
with that magnetic reach.
So maybe it is no wonder it
seems that so many among us
these days seem to only want
to get angry and stay angry
when introduced to any sort of
disagreement. It is what is being
fed to us.
If this has all been a plot on
some level by the powers that
be, I extend my congratulations.
With the populace distracted at
each others throats for a myriad
of trivial reasons, the rich and
powerful are more free than ever
to enact and impose their will.
Truly, if Trumps election has
surely meant anything, it is the
opposite of returning the U.S. to
the common people. Whether
intentionally or no, the common
people have been whipped into
a frenzy unseen since the late
1960s and early 70s.
Regardless, it needs to end
now. If ever there was a need
for a greater level of human un-
derstanding to be achieved, it is
certainly the present moment
rather than any later.
No matter what the cause
is, a solution to the condi-
tions it brings about needs
identification.
If you recognize yourself
or your behavior in any of the
aforementioned descriptions,
please make an effort to listen
to those who might think
differently than yourself.
Letting intense passion on
a subject overwhelm rational
thought and conversation might
be tempting. But stop and
make to effort to ask yourself:
what does it achieve to scream
your opinion at a dissenter? In
a discussion between equals,
has hostility from one ever won
the other?

The schism between Keeping up with yourself

design and engineering through journaling
Ah. The toilet. The por- Yet, despite our top programs Just recently I turned twenty. When you can learn not only
celain throne. That sacred and emphasis on research and Everyone says it is a big stepping from mistakes but also take
place to deposit your personal innovation, design is not incor- stone to finally being accepted them and apply them to the fu-
LILY SANDLER bodily waste. porated in the Institutes engi- as someone with full adult cred- ture, you can help yourself to a
SECOND-YEAR EAS Imagine your pants down neering curriculum and culture. ibility. I am thinking that it is better place.
around your knees. Youre vul- Tech engineers do not know less about other people treat- Let me stop babbling and get
Human rights. nerable. Suddenly, the sen- how to design for people.
sor goes off, and the toilet you We, as a university, need
ing you with respect and more to something interesting. When
about how you learn and grow I was younger, it would take me
trusted flushes without warning, more inter-major interaction. to earn it. multiple times of failing to learn.
exposing your body to an un- The combination of our bril- The day of my birthday, I I do not know what doctors call
wanted spray of liant engineers went out and it but I call it be-
delightful toilet and computer bought myself ... what I can learn ing dumb.
water. Tech engineers do not scientists mixed a journal. This During this
Now, youre with our design journal will be about myself over a period in my
moist in places know how to design for majors would my year as a year can help me grow life, a journal
you dont want produce incred- twenty-year-old was not some-
to be and youre
people. ible results. in recap, which ... thing I thought
cursing out your Howe ver, sounds corny of as a tool. Due
toilet for never ELIZABETH SIT the opportuni- but is some- NOAH BRYANT to that oversight,
flushing at the HEAD COPY EDITOR ties arent there. thing that I can ASSISTANT PHOTOGRAPHY I would continue
right time. But, Programs that learn from. EDITOR to misstep and
VENKATESH MUPPANENI wait. Dont encourage the Each day, I make the same
SECOND-YEAR MSE blame the toilet. Blame John T. intermingling of ideas and con- am writing about how that day mistakes left and right.
Barrett, the creator of automatic cepts between majors are few went and what happened. High- Of course, after a while
Probably the EPA and the toilets. and poorly advertised. lights, thorns, annoyances, joys, I would definitely see that I
Just like most things, auto- For example, allowing engi- happenings and general overall needed to change something,
stuff they should be doing. matic toilets are designed with neering and computer science updates. In my mind, this is but sometimes it would be too
the idea that everyone goes to students to take an architecture something that will be extreme- late. This is what sparked my
the bathroom in the exact same or industrial design studio and ly insightful to look back on, decision now to journal through
way, which is anything but true. vice versa increases awareness and I will be able to learn from my year as a twenty-year-old just
We are not all the same. and communication between my younger self. to see how it goes. Hopefully,
We are different. Engineering the fields down the road and This idea came to me what I can learn about myself
and mass production rely on a also opens up the opportunities randomly when I was thinking over a year can help me grow
simple concept repetition is for unique projects to develop. back to times in high school I in the years to come. Without
efficiency. Repetition implies Another possibility is requiring used to journal. I always seemed consistent continuous learning
uniformity. Efficiency implies a project-oriented class for relat- to find that when I did, I felt in our lives, we tend to fall to
compromise. We should not ed majors, such as ARCH and better and could decompress the wayside.
have to compromise the user CE students. after a long day. Going forward, I want to
when creating the product. No offense, but if youre not a Also, I looked back to see learn all that I possibly can
The way our world is created design student, you dont know how silly I was for thinking from life to be able to grow into
BITLEIGH VU does not reflect diversity in peo- how to design. And in the same something was as big of a deal a better person. I will continue
FIRST-YEAR BCHM ple. A schism exists between the way, I, as an architecture stu- as I thought it was at the time. to write and update you with
engineering and design fields. dent, would never presume to As silly as some people think how it is going. Wish me luck,
Suicide and mental health Here, at Tech, we are an know as much as an engineering
engineering school first, and it student. We need to respect each
journaling is, for me, I have de- because remembering to write
cided to put any pre-conceived journals each day is proving to
awareness. shows. Almost two-thirds of other and work together. Only notions to the side and dive in. be a bigger challenge than I had
students enrolled at Tech are en- then can Tech truly call itself A life lived without retro- previously thought.
Photos by Zahra Khan Student Publications rolled in engineering programs. innovative. spection is a life half lived. Stay classy, Georgia Tech.
// OPINIONS
Inequality in online learning
While every child has an
equal opportunity to attend
school, not all schools are
created equal.
VIDYA IYER
EDITOR EMERITUS
We should always be in pursuit of attending lecture for one pe-
of knowledge, and from the age riod, students taking courses from
of five we embark on this jour- GaVS typically get a period off to
ney through a formalized process complete the online course. Once
known as education. Living in completed, the class will be added
the United States, we have access to the students transcript and the
to a really good public education grade will be averaged into the
system; however, it is certainly far students GPA.
from perfect. What about students who
While every child has an equal want to take courses in addition
opportunity to attend school, not to their normal course load? These
all schools are created equal. There students are also permitted to take
is a disparity between the quality GaVS courses. The only differ-
of education in wealthy and poor ence is that the student must bear
districts. Through this system, the cost of the course as opposed
however, it can be guaranteed that to the school. This difference is
all students attending the same where things become unfair with-
school have access to the same in the school level and should be
materials, resources and oppor- cause for concern.
tunities that is until the intro- Students at the same school
duction of online courses. no longer have access to the same
Established in 2005, the Geor- materials, resources and opportu-
gia Department of Education nities because a student who can-
developed a program known as not afford to take online courses
Georgia Virtual School (GaVS), can no longer compete with the
which provides accredited middle students that can.
and high school courses through- To put it plainly, students now
out the state. GaVSs intention is have the opportunity to buy their
to ensure students opportunities GPAs. Yes, additional work is in-
are not limited by the school dis- volved because grades must be
trict that they attend. earned. But the opportunity to
Georgia is taking a step in the earn these grades can only happen
right direction to make public if money is involved.
education more accessible. Now, Consider two students, A and
students who want to take classes B, who take the same classes and
not offered by their school can do earn the same grades. If student
so. As long as the course is part A is also able to take an online
of the students regular school course, they are able to have a
day, the school will incur the higher GPA and rank higher than
cost of tuition and fees. Instead student B who could only take ad-
technique
Technique
Flags Bldg 137 Writers, Designers, Photographers
technique November 10, 2017 9
vantage of the resources provided
by the school.
Why does this matter? Our
education system relies heavily
upon GPAs and class rank. These
numbers play a large part in deter-
mining the colleges that students
get into and scholarship eligibility.
For example, several colleges,
including Georgia Tech and the
University of Georgia, offer vale-
dictorians and salutatorians auto-
matic admission. Other schools
give preference to students who Basketball Abroad Midtown Brownout
rank in the top X% of their school. The Tech Mens Basketball On Monday, Midtown ar-
There are an endless number of team had the opportunity of a eas near Northside and 14th
merit-based scholarships that are lifetime this week in being able were hit by a sudden power
solely awarded based on these two to go to China and open their outage during rush hour. As if
statistics. This could determine if new season in a game against traffic wasnt bad enough with
a student can afford to go to col- UCLA. The venture will take power, roads near west cam-
lege or not. players to the cities of Hang- pus grinded to a halt without
Not only does this system screw zhou and Shanghai. No mat- functioning traffic lights at
over students from low-income ter the outcome of the game, busy intersections. A Georgia
homes, but it changes the overall getting to be on the other side Power spokesperson attributed
culture of a school. Students must of the planet is something that the power outage to a dropped
become ultra competitive in or- anyone can enjoy, especially dumpster a fitting cause for
der to stay up in the ranks. This when they have the chance to what anyone on the roads con-
trivializes learning into a race for go to Shanghai Disney. sidered a garbage situation.
the numbers instead of the pursuit
of knowledge, which is an insult
to education.
There is a solution to the
problem. Rather than including
online courses into a students
GPA, they should just appear on
transcripts as pass/fail credits.
These courses are not worthless
just because there is no numeric Beltline Budget Voting Woes
grade. Instead, it shows colleges This past week, the mayor On Tuesday, Atlanta held
that a student went above and of Atlanta promised to allocate its Municipal General Elec-
beyond to seek out classes of in- $60 million toward purchasing tion, though to the disdain of
terest. Furthermore, if students the remaining land needed for many Tech students, the poll-
take a courses corresponding AP the Beltline. A project turning ing station in the Student Cen-
exam then they can still get col- a former railway corridor into ter was relocated. No matter
lege credit. a multi-purpose trail, the the purpose, the sudden move
It is not a perfect solution, and Beltline had previously only inadverdently disenfranchised
yes, wealthier students still reap half of the land it needed to any Tech students unable to
the benefits. But, it levels the play- complete the 22-mile vision. go to the new location. A few
ing field for admissions and schol- These steps toward finishing it were able to vote, but unfortu-
arships while maintaining the in- should be exciting for anyone nately, some had difficulty due
tegrity of education, which should looking for a chance to get to not being able to reach the
be pursued not for the grades, but outside and explore the city. new location in time.
for the love of learning.
Join the
Life
Engineering workshop for researchers
SAMIRA BANDARU
LIFE EDITOR
Verbal communication is often
an underrated skill in industry
and academia. So much so, that
three professors came together
to create a workshop that seeks
to strengthen students com-
munication skills, whether in a
media interview, communica-
tion through website design and
the development of a press kit or
simply through the publication
of articles.
The course is called Commu-
nicating Science to the Public: A
Workshop of Engineering Re-
searchers, commonly abbreviated
to Sci-Com, and is comprised
of seven one-hour sessions over
the course of the semester. This
has been the second year that the
course was taught and has been
catered to graduate students and
post-docs who want to make an
impact through the press.
The goal of this course is to
prepare students for the inevitable
and necessary communication
skills that come with any job in
science and engineering, whether
it is industry or academic position,
and to help these students achieve
national recognition, said David
Hu, a professor in the School of
Mechanical Engineering and one
of the three co-founders of this
course. One of the most impor-
tant skills for a scientist is explain-
Thoughts of a prospective Tech student
BOBBY GUILD
STAFF WRITER
You arrive in Atlanta, and
amid the bustle of the big city you
find yourself within the relatively
peaceful confines of Tech.
Like everyone else on campus,
you are full of joy and excitement,
not because you are excited to go
to class, but rather because today
is the day you have had on your
calendar for months: the day you
get to tour the Georgia Institute of
Technology.
Youve heard all the stories
about it; being walked around
campus by guides who are fonts
of pertinent information, parents
asking definitely necessary, totally
not embarrassing questions and
everyone watching you, hoping
you will choose to enroll.
The makings of a perfect day
are at hand.
The tour starts at Tech Tow-
er, and you are overcome by the
beauty of the freshly mown grass,
and the grandeur of the historic
buildings. You think to yourself,
Ill definitely be spending all of
my time here! You even whisper
to your father, I bet all of my
classes will be here.
You have heard from friends
who have gone to Tech about the
legend of stealing the T, but you
know youd never even try to do
such a thing.
Who would want to take such
a beautiful part of Tech? Plus,
LIFE EDITOR:
Samira Bandaru
ASSISTANT LIFE EDITOR:
Hanna Warlick
life@nique.net
ing his or her work to the broader
public. The problem is that this
skill is not taught in any course.
After intending to pursue cre-
ative writing after graduating
from MIT, Hu earned a Ph.D in
Mechanical Engineering instead.
From there, he has been work-
ing in the fields of engineering,
biology and robotics, earning
world-wide recognition for his
work from The New York Times
Dr. Amanda Gable, one of three instructors, speaks at one of the earlier classes of the Sci-Com
workshop. The course is comprised of seven one-hour sessions over the course of the semester.
what would Mr. Peterson think of
me if I did, you wonder.
You then walk down Fresh-
man Hill. Once at the bottom
you walk back up, and can barely
contain your excitement.
This hill is what will kick start
my day and get me ready for my 8
am classes next year! you think
with excitement.
Design by Brighton Kamen Student Publications
No sooner do you think this
than your mother asks a question
thats been bugging you for days.
If my child has 60 credits from
Thanksgiving Break
Sometimes you can't go home for the three days of break
right before finals season starts. Read on to find things to
do if you're stuck on campus. 411
to NPR to Discovery Channel. It
has been a long-time goal for Hu
to establish a science communica-
tion course at Tech.
From the School of Materials
Science and Engineering, Aman-
da Gable is a second co-instructor
for the Science Communication
workshop, teaching technical
communication within the un-
dergraduate and graduate engi-
neering curriculum.
AP classes do you think theyll
be a sophomore by credit hours?
Your guide responds with an em-
phatic yes and you cant help but
allow the largest smile to grace
your face.
As if the day couldnt be any
better, you are then taken to the
Clough Undergraduate Learning
Commons, where your guide re-
gales you with stories about labs
and studying and finals. How-
ever, what excites you the most
is the fact that a scene from The
Internship was filmed on the
very steps upon which
you stand. You are giddy with ex-
citement as you anticipate joking
with your friends on these very
steps just like Owen Wilson and
Vince Vaughn.
My background includes a
Ph.D. from Emory focused on
literature and feminist studies,
teaching technical communica-
tion in several capacities at Geor-
gia Tech over a number of years,
teaching writing and literature at
other universities and experience
as a novelist, Gable said.
Jeffrey Donnell, the Frank
K. Webb Academic Professional
See SCI-COM, page 13
Photo by Mitch Williams Student Publications
After being shown many state
of the art academic buildings
and laboratories, you arrive at the
Campus Recreation Center.
The pictures and stories did
not do it justice, and you are
blown away by just the sight of it.
You walk in and see all the active
people lifting weights, running,
swimming and rock climbing.
You desperately want to join them
and get your swole on, but you
know the crowned jewel of the
tour awaits.
As your guide walks you to
the windows, you know what is
coming. You turn the corner, and
there it is the waterslide. If only
you could ride it now, but alas,
youll have to wait until you get
into Tech.
You are then brought back to
Tech Tower where your great day
began, but theres just one more
thing you need to do before you
are sure that Tech is for you: ride
the Tech Trolley. You hustle to
the nearest stop only to realize
that you just missed it, but thats
okay you want the anticipation
to build. Once the next one ar-
rives you eagerly board. The next
seven minutes of sliding around as
the trolley aggressively stops and
starts are amazing, like a Tech-
themed roller coaster.
You get off where you parked
and head back to your car. As you
drive away you mark on your cal-
endar the start of classes next year,
you are sure that Tech is the place
for you and cant wait to start.
technique
Friday,
10
November 10, 2017
Getting ready
for final exams
HANNA WARLICK
ASSISTANT LIFE EDITOR
With the finals beginning in
less than a month (Dec. 7), it is
time to get down to business to
defeat those exams and finish the
semester strong.
Use these tips and tricks to
guide you through the last month
of classes and get those As (or at
least passing grades) in all of your
classes this year.
GO TO THE GROCERY STORE
Something about studying
in the CULC for hours screams
snacks. Go ahead and prepare
your cabinets now for when you
become a zombie who lives off of
coffee and sugary treats.
While you are at the store, it is
a good idea to stock up on granola
bars or another healthy snack with
a longer shelf life.
You can keep a few of these in
your bag for when that sudden
studying hunger hits you.
Finals are a stressful time and
sometimes comfort food can help
dilute the stress, be it chocolate
chip cookies or a container of
Snapple. Make sure to have what-
ever comforts you on hand.
GET ORGANIZED
Remember how for most of the
semester youve just been shov-
ing papers into your backpack or
throwing them onto your desk?
Now is the time to start com-
piling all of your notes and espe-
cially those old exams. Previous
exams are one of the best re-
sources to use while preparing for
your finals.
Going through old notes and
homework is also a good idea
when studying for finals.
If you get everything organized
now, youve got one less thing to
do when youre frazzled right be-
fore an exam. Plus, having every-
thing organized will help in later
semesters if you need to review
something youve done before.
CLEAN UP
Theres nothing like a clean
home to clear your mind. While
youve got a little bit of time before
the last round of exams and proj-
ect due dates, take a few hours to
clean your apartment.
Go ahead and wipe everything
down with some Clorox wipes so
that you dont do it later in an at-
tempt to procrastinate your study-
ing. Especially take some time to
focus on your desk area so youve
See TIPS, page 13
// LIFE
Making the most of Thanksgiving break on campus
BOBBY GUILD
STAFF WRITER
Thanksgiving invokes thoughts
of spending time with family and
friends, sharing meals, watching
football games and leaving Tech
for just a few short days.
For some, however, leaving
Tech just is not a possibility. With
most people gone and so much
free time, someone in this situa-
tion might be wondering what to
do around Atlanta to have some
fun and to relax during this time
off school.
Fear not, the Technique has
compiled a list of fun activities for
you to do over the break that will
help you fall in love with being at
Tech for Thanksgiving.
One of the easiest things to do
is to just get outside. The beautiful
North Georgia fall weather means
it is the perfect time to head out-
doors. The changing leaves and
cooler temperatures will make it
worthwhile, and the extra time
over break means you cannot use
studying as an excuse.
Explore somewhere close to
home by going to nearby Pied-
mont Park, only a few blocks
away, or the Morningside Nature
Preserve, a nearby park with plen-
ty of fun trails to follow.
If you are looking for some-
thing more adventurous, head
north to the Chattahoochee
National Forest, west to nearby
Sweetwater State Park or east to
technique November 10, 2017 11
Stone Mountain, where a quick delivering meals with either Meals plenty more which can serve as a tions that will connect you to this
hike presents breathtaking views. on Wheels or Kashi Atlanta. day of fun all on their own. great city.
Stop by the Wilderness Outpost If these do not quite fit what It can be easy to dismiss all the If the sheer idea of planning
at ORGT to rent gear, or look at you are looking for, check out typical Atlanta tourist spots, espe- these adventures stresses you out,
maps and guidebooks for ideas. www.handsonatl.org to find on- cially if you have never been, but or even thinking about leaving
While you are outside, it is going projects in the area. many of them are worth visiting your room over break irks you,
a good idea to get moving. The Sometimes you just need to do at least once. then have no shame in keeping
semester might have thrown a something fun to relax and get Places like the World of Coke, activity to a minimum.
wrench in your perfectly planned away from Tech for a little bit. If the Georgia Aquarium or the Head to nearby Atlantic Sta-
workout schedule, but now is the you are not familiar with the At- College Football Hall of Fame are tion to watch a movie or stay in-
perfect time to get back on track. lanta area, Thanksgiving break is classics that will surely impress. side and finish your favorite televi-
The CRC will only be open on a great time to acquaint yourself. Additionally, the High Art sion show. Take the time to make
Wednesday and Sunday of break While all the previously men- Museum, the Atlanta History a home-cooked meal. You could
so be sure to check out some of tioned activities will get you out Center and the Atlanta Botanical always just catch up on sleep, too.
the wonderful options here in At- and about in Atlanta, there are Gardens are all close by attrac- You earned every second of it.
lanta. If you are looking to stretch
out, King of Pops hosts free yoga
every Sunday in the Old Fourth
Ward Skate Park at 7 p.m.
For those looking to be able to
eat all the Thanksgiving food they
want, the Atlanta Track Club will
be hosting the annual Thanksgiv-
ing Day Half Marathon & 5K.
Even if you do not want to race,
you can cheer on runners as they
speed right past campus on Thurs-
day morning.
Maybe the outdoors and exer-
cise are not your cup of tea and
you would rather stay inside and
help those less fortunate. The sea-
son of giving is the perfect time
to give back to the community.
Take some time out of your break
to find a way to get involved and
help spread some joy.
Nearby options include volun-
teering at the Clarkston or Grace
community food pantries, work- Photo by Samta Brahmbhatt Student Publications
ing with seniors at A.G. Rhodes Traditionally seen as a time to spend with family, some students will spend their Thanks-
Health and Rehab or making or giving on Techs campus. Despite this, there are a plethora of activities at and around Tech.
12 November 10, 2017 technique
MR.&MS. FROM PAGE 1
Medinger: My journey to
Tech is a little different from other
students after my first campus
tour at Georgia Tech, I honestly
was not sold on coming here. I
was looking for a big business pro-
gram and on the tour. I did not
even have the opportunity to see
the business school and thus ruled
out coming to Tech.
Spring of my senior year, I was
invited to the Deans Scholarship
event at the Scheller College of
Business. Going into the event I
had already pretty much made up
my mind that I was going to U(sic)
GA to study finance, but it was at
that scholarship event that I fell in
love with the business school and
Georgia Tech.
I heard from the Undergradu-
ate Programming office about
the incredible opportunities the
school and Atlanta has to offer
and met incredible Scheller Busi-
ness Ambassadors who made me
feel at home. Now, I could not be
happier that I had the opportunity
to attend that event and with my
decision to come to Tech.
On campus, I am in a frater-
nity, FIJI, where I have served
in multiple leadership positions
including recruitment chairman
and most recently on the execu-
tive board as Treasurer.
Last year, I was the president
of Scheller Business Ambassadors,
and I am so thankful to have had
an opportunity to lead an organi-
zation that had such an impact on
my life.
I am currently the president
of a program called GOALSoc-
cer which teaches elementary to
middle school aged kids with spe-
cial needs from the Atlanta area
how to play soccer with the goal
of bringing them to the Summer
Special Olympics of Georgia at
Emory to show off their skills.
I am also currently a Scheller
College of Business Representa-
tive within SGA, a member of
ODK and a GT1000 TL.
// LIFE
Technique: What role do you classroom, I have gotten involved how Georgia Tech can impact the Georgia Tech was my opportu-
think Mr. & Ms. GT play on with organizations across cam- surrounding communities. nity to serve as the president of
campus? pus that have given me the op- Medinger: My favorite spot on the Scheller Business Ambassa-
Copeland: Sam and I have portunity to work with so many Georgia Techs campus is sitting at dors. After meeting these ambas-
talked about coming up with an incredible students and leaders. I the tables in the gravel just off the sadors during my senior year of
initiative or something that we have been able to serve the Geor- Skiles walkway near Tech Green high school ... I knew that when I
can contribute to campus as Mr. gia Tech and Atlanta community, ...It is the central place on campus came to Tech, I had to be apart of
and Ms. Georgia Tech. It has yet giving back, and through that where you can observe the beauti- that organization.
to be decided what that will be, learning more about myself. Each ful diversity that is Georgia Tech. During my first semester, I
but that is the hope. and every day at Georgia Tech, I Technique: What has been was admitted to the club and was
For now, I just hope that we am challenged to be the best that your most meaningful experience thrilled to help host events for
can continue to inspire students to I can be, and I love that about our at Tech? prospective students. Two short
want to come to what truly is the school. I could not be more proud Copeland: When I first came years later, I was elected Presi-
greatest school in the world, and to be a Ramblin Wreck from to Georgia Tech, I participated in dent of the very club that helped
show our love for Georgia Tech to Georgia Tech and a Helluva Busi- the OMED Challenge Program. I change the course of my life, and
prospective and current students ness Major. like to attribute a lot my success I was thrilled. This experience as
and alumni. Technique: Whats your favor- as a Georgia Tech student to this president gave me the opportunity
Medinger: The role more than ite spot on campus and why? program and office. Challenge to serve others, work on public
anything when you become Mr. Copeland: Anywhere with as well as the OMED office has speaking, learn how to be a leader,
or Ms. Georgia Tech is to con- a great view of the Atlanta sky- given me some of my best friends make meaningful changes and be
tinue to show school spirit, be a line! I love that Georgia Tech is [and] greatest mentors. They are pushed out of my comfort zone.
driving force on our campus and in the middle of a huge city, yet the people who have motivated Without Georgia Tech and
make an impact. I know that one it has a campus feel. It is a con- and challenged me as a student those ambassadors, I would not
of my biggest goals coming into stant reminder that while there is and a leader. have been given a chance to grow
Tech was to leave this Institute a so much for us to do on campus, Medinger: I think that my myself in such a great way, and for
better place than when I entered. there are so many possibilities for most meaningful experience at that I am forever grateful.
Becoming Mr. Georgia Tech is a
platform in which I can continue
to do that by working with the
various organizations that I am
involved in on campus to make a
positive difference in the student
experience, to give each student
the opportunity to grow and to
achieve their dreams.
Technique: How do you em-
body the Tech spirit?
Copeland: Georgia Tech,
has for me, like so many others,
allowed me to discover and em-
brace who I truly am. As a black
woman, and a member of two mi-
norities groups on campus, I have
been able to use my experiences
and growth in moving the cam-
pus forward in terms of diversity.
Georgia Techs motto of progress
and service is really just a lifestyle,
and I hope to exemplify progress
and service in my career.
Medinger: As a business stu-
dent at an engineering-dominated
university, it is easy to feel like you
dont exactly fit in to the culture of
the school, but I think that dur- Photo by Samuel Stewart Student Publications
ing my time here I have worked to Pictured above are Renee Copeland and Sam Medinger, Mr. and Ms. GT for the 2017-2018
break that stigma. Outside of the year. Copeland and Medinger are both highly involved on campus and share a love of Tech.
// LIFE
TIPS FROM PAGE 10
got a good space to work during
those long evenings.
MAKE A PLAN
Sit down with a calendar and
all of your syllabi. Make sure
youve got all of your finals writ-
ten down on the calendar and
then decide how many hours you
need to commit to studying for
each subject.
The last day of classes is Dec. 5
and the next day is a reading day.
While it may be tempting to go
out and celebrate the end of class-
es, its probably a better idea to
save the celebration for after finals
and plan out your reading day.
If an hour-by-hour schedule
works best for you, make one
that looks like that. If you need
a detailed task list for each class,
decide exactly what you need to
study for each class.
Once you know your schedule
at the end of the semester, you can
make an action plan in order to
give yourself the best chance of
finals success.
GO TO OFFICE HOURS
Ideally, you have already built
a relationship with your profes-
sor by going to them for help and
questions throughout the semes-
ter. But thats not always the case.
Now is a good time to pull that
syllabus back up and see exactly
when and where your professor
will be in their office.
This is especially helpful when
you end the year with a 79.7 and
really need that B. While not as
involved with your final grade, TA
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technique November 10, 2017 13
office hours can also be extremely SCI-COM FROM PAGE 10 pertise, Hu continued. The idea This workshop series is one
helpful for getting personalized is that the attendees would have a among many efforts of faculty
attention in a subject. Chair in Communication Skills is swiss army knife of communica- and our colleagues in technical
the third co-instructor of the Sci- tion at the end of the workshop. communication across the Col-
STAY HEALTHY Com workshop and holds a Ph.D. The experts include Eric Sem- lege of Engineering to help all
Eating well, exercising and get- from Emory University. brandt, the maker of the COE students communicate clearly to
ting enough sleep are always im- Ive always thought scientific webpage; Kim Cobb, an expert other scientists and to the public,
portant. These are also the things writing should be clear, direct on social media for scientists; Ja- Gable said.
that tend to fall by the wayside and accessible; Georgia Tech has son Maderer on speaking to the The ability to communi-
during final exam time. been a great place to teach that, media, making research results cate effectively always makes a
Its not that you can get extra he said. accessible and conducting mock difference, Gable said. If
sleep now to make up for later, but The class is comprised of a interviews; Candler Hobbs, a sci- scientists and engineers clear-
you can make sure youre keeping series of guest lecturers that are ence photographer and Stephen ly convey their results to col-
yourself healthy (and try to avoid scheduled over the course of the Norris on social media. leagues, others can build on
getting sick). semester, speaking on topics from The team hopes to expand their work, which advances sci-
Walk to class instead of tak- mock interviews to photography. the program across the Institutes ence. But if they also can explain
ing the bus to get some fresh air. Experts from Georgia Tech departments and have it run as a the big picture of their research
Eat fruits and veggies to keep generously lecture and review the regular offering with a wide par- to the public, then science is
your body up to speed in the final work of the participants, Don- ticipation of graduate students advanced further by having
stretch before the semester is over. nell said. and post-docs, and possibly ex- more people excited about how
They will give short acceler- pand the program to undergradu- research is done and what it can
FIND YOUR STUDY SPACE ated courses on their area of ex- ate students in the future. accomplish.
While the semester is still rela-
tively relaxed, go ahead and scope
out study spots.
If youre a first-year, you likely
have a natural draw to Clough
(and in particular those comfort-
able booths). If youre in your
upper level courses, you might
be more at home in your majors
building. If youre on the execu-
tive board for an organization,
there might be a quiet office you
can claim to do your studying.
Wherever you decide, make
sure you know ahead of time that
its a place you can get work done.
And make sure it has an outlet.
The worst thing is to get your-
self mentally and physically ready
to study and then realize that
theres no way to charge your de-
vices. Avoid this last-minute prob- Photo by Michael Schneider Student Publications
lem by knowing where youre go- The workshop Communicating Science to the Public aims to develop communication skills in
ing to sit and work. presenting research to industry and media. It is available to graduate students and post-docs.

Entertainment
Humorous Thor fails to break Marvel mold
FILM memorable. There is little direct-
ing style; the soundtracks are ut-
Thor: Ragnarok terly forgettable and the conflicts
GENRE: Action blur into one another.
Marvel is starting to wisen
STARRING: Chris up to the popular sentiment sur-
Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, rounding their films. Yes, Marvel
Cate Blanchett films are still massively successful,
DIRECTOR: Taika Waititi but one must ask: for how much
longer? So Marvel has been trying
RATING: PG-13
to diversify by employing more
RELEASE DATE: Nov. 3 outlandish stories and characters
and by recruiting notable indie di-
OUR TAKE: rectors to add spark to their films.
To a limited extent, it has worked.
MOHAR KALRA Thor: Ragnarok is the most
CONTRIBUTING WRITER recent attempt by Marvel to diver-
sify their portfolio. Marvel tapped
At this point, most moviegoers New Zealander director, Taika
should be familiar with the term Waititi (Hunt for the Wilder-
Marvel fatigue. Almost a decade people and What We do in the
since the first Iron Man movie, Shadows), to direct this film, and
the Marvel cinematic universe his influence is certainly welcome.
(MCU) is steaming onwards, Waititi is known for his quirky,
consistently raking in several hun- deadpan humor that brought him
dreds of millions of dollars with success with his first two films.
each release. His sense of humor makes Thor:
Despite this success, most Ragnarok one of the most fun
viewers would agree that though films to come out of the MCU.
Marvels films are consistently The movie, which is the third
passable, they are uncomfortably in the largely forgettable Thor se-
formulaic at this point. ries, is both a reinvention of Thor
The hero is established; he or and an attempt to reinvent the
she has some big bad villain to de- Marvel movie.
feat; the hero struggles, gangs up Similar to James Gunns efforts
with a couple of quirky sidekicks, on Guardians of the Galaxy,
cracks many jokes along the way Waititi takes Thor, previously the
and defeats the villain in a ballis- blandest character in the Aveng-
tic, CGI final act. ers, and sends him on a wild space
Everything is tied up in a neat adventure where his character can
little bow. Every character gets a fill himself out.
tidy character arc. The villain is The film follows Thor (Chris
destroyed, and a seed is planted Hemsworth, The Huntsman)
for the next film in the MCU. So and Loki (Tom Hiddleston, The
it goes. Night Manager) as they are cast
On top of the marked famil- out of Asgard after their impris-
iarity that viewers experience be- oned sister Hela (Cate Blanchett,
tween films, most MCU films are Im Not There) conquers Asgard
bland, colorless and otherwise un- for herself. Thor and Loki find
The Moth events celebrate true, live storytelling
Photo courtesy of Denise Ofelia Mangen
A storyteller shares at a StorySLAM while the audience looks
on. Mainstage performers are often chosen from StorySLAMs.
themselves lost on the planet of
Sakaar, a trash planet ruled by the
Grandmaster (Jeff Goldblum,
Jurassic Park).
After being enslaved by the
Grandmaster, Thor is forced to
fight in gladiator matches for the
planets entertainment. There,
Thor finds allies in the Hulk
(Mark Ruffalo, Shutter Island)
and an alcoholic former Valkyrie
(Tessa Thompson, Westworld)
as he works to escape and save As-
gard from Hela.
Waititi works intensely to use
comedy to subvert the tropes of
the Marvel movies. Villainous
monologues, epic sacrifices, heroic
exits and entrances are all under-
cut by sharp quips and jokes as
the films heroes literally fall flat
on their faces several times.
But it feels like Waititi has
made two movies: one generic
Marvel movie where a hero must
defeat a villain and the other, an
immensely fun romp through
space with Jeff Goldblum and
a Hulk.
Every scene on Sakaar is so in-
credibly fun. Chris Hemsworth
has added pathos, vulnerabil-
ity and wackiness to the blond-
haired, blue-eyed Ken doll that
used to be Thor. He plays off his
costars superbly.
Each interaction reads like a
scene out of buddy-cop comedy
as he riffs with a childish Hulk,
a cynical Valkyrie and a sensitive,
whiny Bruce Banner. To add to
the entertainment, Jeff Goldblum
has a wonderfully humorous pres-
ence as a nonchalant, oblivious
authoritarian who steals every
scene he is in.
Sakaar has color and feels
different from the other Marvel
worlds because of it. The Sakaar
MONICA JAMISON
ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
In March, the Moth returned
to its Georgia roots by spread-
ing its popular StorySLAMs to
Atlanta. True stories, performed
without notes in front of live audi-
ences, are the focus of the Moth,
which now includes a podcast,
radio hour, two books and educa-
tion programs.
St. Simons Island native
George Dawes Green, a novelist
and poet, began the Moth in 1997
after moving to New York City.
He missed swapping stories on the
back porch with his friends, who
called themselves The Moths
after the insects that shared the
porch with them.
The main events of the Moth
today are Mainstage and Sto-
rySLAMs. The slams are open mic
nights of five-minute stories on a
certain theme. A host keeps the
unpredictable night flowing, and
the audience votes on the win-
ner. Mainstage events feature five
curated speakers who have been
coached by Moth staff to shape
their stories.
Senior Director Jenifer Hix-
son is one of the people who helps
ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR:
Monica Jamison
ASSISTANT ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR:
Joshua Trebuchon
entertainment@nique.net
Chris Hemsworth reprises his role as Thor in the latest
installment of the trope-following Marvel Cinematic Universe.
scenes distract from the fact that
there is yet another cheesy bad guy
waiting in the Asgard plotline.
For all of his efforts to infuse
humor, Waititis humor simply
cannot work in a Marvel movie
if it must also integrate with the
generic Marvel Big Bad plotline
that dominates the scenes with
Hela and Asgard.
The humor feels immensely
out of place every time the audi- humor, style and vision of direc-
ence returns to Asgard; it is hard
storytellers prepare to share dur-
ing the Mainstage shows. She
often finds people to coach at
StorySLAMs. Hixson also is one
of the hosts of the radio hour,
which is aired on over 450 stations.
Stories for the podcast and the
radio hour are chosen from the
StorySLAMs.
Hixson and her team came
to Georgia less than a year ago
to meet with Meredith Wil-
liams, who produces the Atlanta
StorySLAMs, and auditioned
hosts. They found John Good to
guide the monthly events, held at
Dads Garage.
With the theme of First, the
inaugural StorySLAM included
stories of a man on a waterski who
was terrified of the aquatic ani-
mals around him, which turned
out to be dolphins not sharks; a
kid who shared his spelling bee
failure with the word garage and
a womans experience of death in
the family and coming out. The
last story, shared by Theresa Da-
vis, won the night.
You have a great talent pool
in Atlanta, said Hixson. She at-
tended the first Atlanta slam and
left impressed by the heartfelt,
funny and sad stories. She be-
came involved with the Moth 18
technique
Friday,
14
November 10, 2017
Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios
for viewers to take the main con-
flict with Hela seriously. Blanchett
does her best with the character,
but Hela is still little more than
another Marvel villain who de-
cided that she wanted to simply be
evil when she grew up.
Ultimately, Waititis film falls
flat not because of his humor but
because Marvel still refuses to
relinquish its formula and let the
tors like Waititi breathe.
years ago as a volunteer at a Moth
Mainstage show. In these early
days, only a few people were on
staff, and the slam events had not
yet begun.
An overwhelming number of
stories were being pitched for the
Mainstage event, so they began
StorySLAMs, involving the audi-
ence in the decisions. While the
Moth staff will listen to stories
that do not win, there is a beauty
in seeing peoples different favor-
ites, according to Hixson.
Transferring the live, spoken
stories to print for the two Moth
books was an interesting pro-
cess. Some stories work better
on the page than they do live, and
some we love live its so much
the persons personality carrying
the story. Without their inflection
and their vibrancy, it didnt trans-
late well, Hixson said.
The ideal way to see a Moth
story is to hear it live in a room,
if you can. If you cant, then I
think you should hear it [on the
podcast or radio hour]. Because a
persons voice brings so much ex-
tra to a story, Hixson added. The
medium of live storytelling has a
documentary quality, and the lack
of notes removes a potential filter.
See MOTH, page 16
// ENTERTAINMENT
Adult Swims Squidbillies writers talk origins
ZAFIR SHARIF
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Squidbillies, which airs on
Sundays at midnight on Adult
Swim, entered its eleventh season
earlier this year and has released
four episodes of nine planned
so far. Both the success of the
show and its improvement over
the course of time is mainly due
to the devotion of the writers,
Dave Willis (Aqua Teen Hun-
ger Force) and Jim Fortier (The
Brak Show).
Technique: This next season of
Squidbillies is the eleventh season,
and I saw online that Squidbil-
lies is the fourth longest running
show on Adult Swim.
Willis: Well, I know we are the
longest running show for animat-
ed squids. But, we also just broke
through to being the third longest
running show on Adult Swim.
Technique: How did your pre-
vious experience on other shows
lead to the creation of Squidbil-
lies, and how is this work different
from your past work?
Willis: Well before this, Jim
and I were writing Space Ghost
Coast to Coast and through the
show we learned how to produce
good content with a very small
staff. Because Space Ghost Coast
to Coast was funded so little,
us writers had to learn how to
wear different hats. You know,
were editing, were writing,
were producing.
Squidbillies is a little differ-
ent because when we wrote Space
Ghost Coast to Coast, we had
no money. Now, we have a little
money.
Technique: How long have
you guys known each other, and
how did you know you wanted to
work together?
Willis: We went to the same
high school, Heritage High. We
technique November 10, 2017 15
werent buddy-buddy then or any- Willis: Well, primarily, we laughed. Blazo told us to make a just making fun of the South. The
thing. We had a few of the same havent gone to New York or LA show out of it, so we did. show is only 85 percent mocking
classes, but we didnt know that because we havent been invited Fortier: Not only that, I re- and 13 percent reference.
we were going to be writing to- there yet. member we got the inspiration Technique: Which is 98
gether. Everyone changes out of Fortier: LA and New York are from Squiddly Diddly, an ani- percent.
high school. Once we both found mainstream and uninvolved! mated squid created by Hanna- Willis: I know. You guys over
out that writing was an interest we Willis: I think the main thing Barbera a long time ago. at Tech will like that formula
shared, we teamed up. is that we only had a few dollars in Willis: Thats how a lot of right there.
Technique: A lot of the cast is our pocket when we first started, shows get made here. Someone Technique: What episodes
very tight knit, and Squidbillies and when we began producing says a title and it happens. I re- can we look forward to seeing on
has brought on new actors that content locally, we decided to just member after we finished work- the new season?
you both knew from high school. stay that way. And really, were ing on Space Ghost, one night Willis: The Christmas special,
Is this the case for the majority of here for the same reason everyone we went to a bar, and I found premiering on Dec. 10, ignites
the cast? else is the sweet tax break [for this redneck soap opera. That was the War on Christmas. As part
Willis: I dont think so. Some film and TV in Georgia]. something like ten years ago. of the War, everyone must say
of our cast just happens to be Technique: How did you get Fortier: Then Blazo said Merry Christmas, and Happy
friends of ours like Daniel McDe- the idea for the name of the show, Squidbillies, and the show Holidays is no longer allowed.
vitt, the voice of Rusty. When we and what is the significance be- was born. Fortier: It launches an insur-
were choosing voices for the show, hind squids? Willis: When we created this gency on the holiday.
we really just wanted actors that Willis: I remember it as Mike show, we made it authentic. We Willis: Our finale episode will
could pull off an authentic South- Blazo walking down the hall, are all from the South; the actors also be one to watch and premieres
ern accent, not like Forrest Gump. and he said squidbillies, and we are from the South. So we arent the week after on Dec. 17.
For example, the star of the show,
Unknown Hinson [who plays
Earlie Cuyler] was just some ran-
dom guy.
Jim Fortier: In some sort of
the word, Daniel [McDevitt] was
a last resort. I remember when we
were going through the auditions
for the role [of Rusty Cuyler], and
at one point Dave was just like,
you remember that voice that
Daniel used to do? Im going to
get some voiceovers from him and
lets see what happens.
Technique: Do you have a fa-
vorite character on the show?
Willis: I dont necessarily have
a favorite, but Rusty was a charac-
ter that we ended up changing to
have a stronger role in the show.
Initially, he was just this BMX
madman to the voice of reason
because our show needed one at
that point.
Technique: One big plus is that
this show is vertically integrated
all within Atlanta. The writing,
the filming and the producing all
happens here. What does Atlanta Photo courtesy of Adult Swim
provide that other hotspots like Squidbillies airs on Sundays on Adult Swim and is currently on its eleventh season. The
New York and LA do not? show follows the Cuyler family of squids, who live in the Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains.
JOIN THE
Technique
FLAG 137
- Tuesdays -
AT 7:00 P.M.
No Experience
Necessary
WE HAVE FREE PIZZA
16 November 10, 2017 technique
Dark comedy Hand to God delights
SHOWS colorful paper shirts, the show
mocked saccharine Christian cul-
Hand to God ture with cutting accuracy.
WRITER: Robert Askins Before the play began, audi-
ence members were invited to join
DIRECTOR: Mark Masterson the mission crusade and asked
PERFORMERS: Wendy to turn to their neighbors and
Melkonian, Ben Thorpe hold hands. Pastor Greg faithfully
used fake curse words like darn
LOCATION: Alliance Theatre in contrast to the vulgarity spewed
DATE: Oct. 20-Nov. 12 by the puppet and others. Hal-
lelujahs were dotted throughout
OUR TAKE: the performance, most hilariously
during a sex scene.
Like many self-aware commen-
MONICA JAMISON taries on Christianity, the show
ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR opened with the line In the be-
ginning ... . The puppet Tyrone
As the Alliance Theatres lo- delivered a hilarious reconstruc-
cation in the Woodruff Arts tion of human history, prepping
Center on Peachtree St. is being the audience for a night of laugh-
renovated, venues across Atlanta out-loud vulgarity and absurdity
have hosted the companys perfor- rooted in a deeper message.
mances this season. Tucked away As puppet practices progress, it
on a quiet residential street, Dads becomes clear that Tyrone is not
Garage occupies a renovated under Jasons control. The puppet
church. The setting was fitting for speaks without a filter, revealing
the Alliance Theatres latest pro- quiet, well-behaved Jasons re-
duction, Hand to God. pressed thoughts that he wants
The dark puppet comedy near- to sleep with Jessica, that he feels
ly defies explanation but certainly unloved by his mother who has
exceeds expectations. A recently been focusing on her own loss.
widowed mom, Margery (Wendy While representing that darker
Melkonian) leads the puppet min- side all people have, the puppet
istry Christcateers at a Lutheran also proves a positive force in Ja-
church in a Texas town. sons life at times: his assertive
Her students include the actions defend Jason from Timo-
troubled bully Timothy (Patrick thys bullying.
Wade), the girl-next-door Jessica Insightful commentary on
(Alexandra Ficken) and her own family dynamics and loss is tucked
son Jason (Ben Thorpe). Jason below the surface of the sassy pup-
struggles to overcome his fathers pets rants and the humans who
death as he struggles with his pup- interact with him. As Margery
pet Tyrone, who begins to take on processes her grief in an uncon-
a life of his own. The small, tal- ventional, shocking way, Wendy
ented cast is rounded out by Pas- Melkonian makes her characters
tor Greg (Allan Edwards). pain relatable.
From the introduction of the Ben Thorpe executed both
performance by Allan Edwards mental and physical gymnastics
to the sets bulletin board of Je- in his dual performance, which
sus washes our sins away! above made Tyrones independence seem
professional artists series
Adam Ben Ezra
Thursday, Nov. 16 7:30 pm
Double-bass phenomenon, multi-
instrumentalist, and YouTube sensation
Adam Ben Ezra brings the double bass
from its status as a background note to a
dominant front presence.
Performance location: West Village, Room 175
Details at arts.gatech.edu/engage
RAIIN Dance
Theater:
in Human
Friday, November 17 8:00pm
The company co-founded by choreographer
and Georgia Tech student Raianna Brown
explores Black culture through spoken word,
trap music, jazz, and hip hop.
Made@GT!
Tickets on sale now at
the Ferst Center Box Office
DE
GT STU
$
arts.gatech.edu 404-894-9600
believable. Dripping in sweat, he
impressively navigated even fight
scenes with his second self.
The climax of the first act was
so powerful that the audience
would not have been disappointed
if the play had ended right then.
However, as the audience returned
to the Cypress, Texas church for
the second act, the set had been
hilariously ravaged by the poten-
tially possessed puppet.
From defaced Barbies and ed the heightened mood. Special
stuffed animals to the rearrange-
ment of the Scrabble letters
Welcome Hello to We come
to Hell, the drastic and detailed
change fit the productions ability
to keep surpassing expectations.
Just when one thought the
show could not get any weirder,
any more passionate, any more
vulgar, the bar was raised yet
again. The increasingly emotion-
Ben Thorpe stars as Jason the boy and Tyrone the puppet in the
irreverent but deep Hand to God, playing through Nov. 12.
N T TICK E T
10
SO
NLY
ally charged performance was
nearly stressful during the second
act, but the payoff was all worth
it. The blend of physical comedy
whether bloody injuries or the
moves of Margerys suitors
with the verbal humor kept the
show from becoming too heavy.
The change of transition music
from Veggie Tales and Christian
rock in the first act to punky
tunes in the second complement-
share the story. She felt so much
effects, especially in the car scene,
punctuated the acting well.
The larger-than-life ending
came full circle. Even if the audi-
ence was not moved by the exam-
ination of internal demons or the
puppeteering of society at large,
they left with a few new catchy
phrases: Youre so in the closet,
youre in Narnia, balls deep in
love, extracurricular f*******.
Photo courtesy of Alliance Theatre
// ENTERTAINMENT
MOTH FROM PAGE 14
Of course, someone could
read a story to you, but it really
feels different when they dont
have the piece of paper there.
Even if theyre stumbling through
it, it feels more like a conversation.
Though the audience isnt saying
much back, they are with their
presence, with their laughter, with
their silence, Hixson explained.
Hixson, herself, has experi-
enced storytelling on a Moth
stage. Telling a deeply personal
story was scary, but it felt good to
love from the audience, appreci-
ating their silence. She stayed in
the character she was at the time
of the storys events, hoping that
someone will recognize their for-
giving feeling towards someone
who was wronging them.
In todays troubled times, sto-
ries play an important role in
building empathy. Stories help
us connect the dots between each
other. I feel like were at a rift right
now; the country doesnt under-
stand each other, Hixson said.
Hearing a story coming from
someone else, you can think some-
thing about a group this group
is like that but then when you
hear a story directly from that per-
son, its a gamechanger. Ive had
my mind changed a lot by stories,
Hixson added.
To participate in the magic of
live storytelling, on stage or in the
audience, attend the next Moth
StorySLAM at Dads Garage on
Monday, Nov. 27. at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets for the event go on sale
a week before at 3 p.m. and typi-
cally sell out quickly.
The slams theme is control.
For aspiring storytellers, Hixson
suggested considering why the
story is important for you to get
out into the world. More than
just an anecdote, most stories in-
clude a realization or catharsis,
without being formulaic.
// ENTERTAINMENT technique November 10, 2017 17

ARTlanta Fest highlights local arts community

SCPC and Art Matters co-hosted ARTlanta, which featured
student artists and Atlanta artists. The event included art for
sale, henna, printing demonstrations and projects students
could contribute to, like decorating the big T (bottom right)
and cutting out butterflies for the Migration is Beautiful
collaborative art installation (bottom left).
Photos by Casey Gomez Student Publications
18 November 10, 2017 technique // COMICS

LUNARBABOON PEARLS BEFORE SWINE BY STEPHEN PASTIS

LIO BY MARK TATULLI

CUL DE SAC BY RICHARD THOMPSON CHANNELATE BY RYAN HUDSON

SUDOKU PUZZLE
// COMICS technique November 10, 2017 19

TECHNOBABBLE BY MOHAR K ALRA

ITS FOR ENGLISH

INFINITELY NO SOLUTIONS BY MILES HSU

THE DAILY APPLE

MR. LOVENSTEIN BY J.L. WESTOVER IN THE BLEACHERS BY STEVE MOORE

 BREAKFAST FOR DINNER
....
Tuesday, December 5, 2017 | 5-9 PM

Join us for our 3rd annual holiday event at Chick-fil-A West

Midtown to support the Atlanta Mission. Not only will we serve
your favorite meal of the day TWICE, we will also be wrapping
presents to donate to the Atlanta Mission!

When you bring a gift for donation (listed below), we will treat
you to the gift of breakfast on us the next time you visit.*

Backpacks/duffle bags Marta Gift cards

Journals/Notebooks Pens/Pencils
Hand Warmers Watches
New Women's Underwear New Socks
Small Blankets Sweaters/Sweatshirts
Sanitary Wipes Note Cards

*Gift not redeemable night of event.

// SPORTS
BENEFITS FROM PAGE 1
Programs hope that being
forthcoming will ease the brunt of
the NCAA when its evaluation is
complete. If Tech was forthcom-
ing in its report to the NCAA and
the players in fact only received
around $1,200 in benefits com-
bined, the organization would
likely recommend a maximum
suspension of 30 percent of the
season, according to myAJC.com.
That would be painful but ul-
timately bearable for the Jackets;
Okogie and Jackson would be able
to play most, if not all, of the con-
ference schedule.
Guards Josh Okogie (left) and Tadric Jackson (right) play against Florida State. Okogie and
Jackson have both been implicated in an impermissible benefits claim submitted to the NCAA.
But the more evidence that
comes to light, the less likely it
seems that Tech reported the full
extent to which the players re-
ceived benefits from Bell. A WSB-
TV report from this past week,
which included an interview with
Bell, claimed that the benefits
could range as high as $2,500,
double that original figure.
Bell provided receipts of plane
tickets for Okogie and Jackson,
not included in Techs report. If
authentic, these receipts throw a
wrench into Tech athletics story
and will rightly draw the question
of whether Tech was forthright or
not in its report.
How trustworthy is Ron Bell?
The perspective on Bells claims
likely depends on whether one
believes the narrator. Bell has
certainly been unequivocal in his
statements, and none of the alle-
gations he makes are directly dis-
puted by evidence that has been
released (although many, such
as his statement that Pastner was
complicit, are yet to be affirma-
tively supported).
Bell also clearly has a close re-
lationship with Pastner, which
reportedly stretches back to Past-
ners time as a player at the Uni-
versity of Arizona. His support
remained unwavering as Pastner
Photos by Casey Miles Student Publications
technique November 10, 2017 21
headed thousands of miles east to
Memphis. In an unlisted YouTube
video posted by Bell, Pastner calls
Bell and his girlfriend part of our
family. All the Tigers, we love
you both, he adds. Other videos
show Bell watching the handshake
line from nearby after a game and
attending Pastners practices.
In terms of access, Bell is vir-
tually unimpeachable. But he
was clearly emotionally turbulent
enough to be angered by Past-
ner neglecting to call him on his
birthday. There is a credibility is-
sue at stake, and it will color the
way that fans and investigators
view the scandal.
What did the administration
know? When did they know it?
The answer to this question is
perhaps the most important deter-
minant of how severely Tech is hit
by sanctions. If Pastner and the
Tech administration had no idea
that Bell was providing benefits
to Okogie and Stephens, the situ-
ation looks more like negligence
on the Jackets behalf than active
noncompliance. It would certain-
ly play better to the NCAA.
But Bell claims not only that
Pastner was aware but also that he
explicitly asked Bell to compen-
sate players, according to CBSS-
ports.com. In fact, one of his
primary grievances with Pastner
is that he felt that he should have
been compensated for his work.
Logically, the recent report
that Bell also paid for plane tick-
ets for Okogie and Jackson makes
it difficult to believe that the Jack-
ets were fully aware of the extent
of Bells work. After all, the most
strategic move (assuming that
they had all necessary informa-
tion) would have been to admit to
all payments in the original self-
report, those tickets included.
But if these claims are actually
true, and if Pastner and his team
worked to recruit players or keep
players happy once they were at
Tech, the complexion of the last
week changes altogether. Bell goes
from a difficult-to-believe former
friend of Techs head coach with
a grudge to a whistleblower. Past-
ners reputation would be devas-
tated if he is a compliant coach.
What are the reverberations?
For obvious reasons, Pastner
and his staff will be at the center of
the upcoming investigation. Since
Bell claims that his relationship
with Pastner long outlives Past-
ners time at Tech (and given that
he claims that he performed simi-
lar acts for players at Memphis),
the Tigers may also find their past
under increased scrutiny.
Bell himself may not go un-
scathed. In 2015, the Georgia state
legislature passed House Bill 3.
The bill, which passed with broad
bipartisan support, says that no
person shall give, offer, promise,
or attempt to give any money or
other thing of value to a student-
athlete ... to induce, encourage,
or reward the student-athletes
participation in an intercollegiate
sporting event.
The law makes such a viola-
tion punishable by up to one year
in prison and offers academic in-
stitutions recourse to recover any
lost revenue from sanctions im-
posed as a result of such conduct.
It is unlikely that Bell will face jail
time that would be a bad look
if the claims he made in fact turn
out to be substantial but he
will likely face some sort of con-
sequence for inducing Okogie and
Jackson to skirt the rules.
Friday nights basketball game
in China will pit a Tech team
without Okogie and Jackson
against a UCLA team missing
three of its top players, who were
arrested for shoplifting in a Louis
Vuitton store in Shanghai. Both
stories will certainly outlast the
game. Techs will define the direc-
tion of the basketball program in
the Pastner era.
22 November 10, 2017 technique
Womens basketball readies for season
EMILY DYKSTRA
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Coming off a tremendous
win over the Union Lady Bull-
dogs, Tech womens basketball is
prepared to build on the perfor-
mances that led them to last years
Womens National Invitational
Tournament finals. Although
the official 201718 season will
not begin until Nov. 10 at Ap-
palachian State, Tech competed
abroad in Italy over the summer
and has begun preparation for
tough competition within the At-
lantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Jackets lost four players
after the 201617 season Kata-
rina Vuckovic, ChaRon Sweeney,
Simina Avram and Chelsea Gui-
maraes but are reloading with
the talent of powerful freshmen
and a star transfer for the new
season. As head coach MaChelle
Joseph enters her fifteenth sea-
son with the Jackets, she begins
another season of introducing
youngsters to the realm of college
ball while building on her history
as the all-time winningest wom-
ens basketball coach at Tech.
Four freshmen are on the move
to make their mark on the court:
guards Taja Cummings and Ki-
erra Fletcher and forwards Lorela
Cubaj and Daijah Jefferson were
ranked as the twelfth best recruit-
ing class in the country by Pros-
pectsNation.com. The freshmen
were praised by Joseph and their
teammates for their positive at-
titudes and bountiful energy, as
well as the accomplishments and
work ethic that they bring.
Taja Cummings is a 56 player
from nearby Alpharetta with state
championships from her last two
years of high school under her
belt. She understands that college
Womens basketball players cheer on the team from the bench as they defeat Washington State
in the NIT Semifinals. Much of the team returns as the Jackets vie for conference relevance.
sports are played at a quicker pace,
but she is ready to attack the game
along with her teammates.
Kierra Fletcher, who stands at
59, led her high school in Michi-
gan to three district champion-
ships and one state championship
during her junior year. Coach
Joseph sees Fletcher growing into
the shoes of senior Imani Tilford
next season, after Tilford moves
on from Tech.
Lorela Cubaj is a 64 guard
hailing from Italy with vast in-
ternational playing experience,
including playing time with the
Italian National Team. Cubaj was
ranked as the second-best interna-
tional prospect by ProspectsNa-
tion.com and makes an impact
with the two other Italian women
who play the same position se-
nior Antonia Peresson and sopho-
more Francesca Pan.
The most versatile of the new
faces, Daijah Jefferson hails from
Virginia and can be expected to
play an essential role in the defen-
sive portion of the Jackets game.
Like Cubaj, Jefferson was ranked
highly amongst her peers and will
strive to live up to the expectations
her coach and teammates hold.
But Tech is more than its re-
cruiting class. The Jackets are
merely reinforcing the foundation
that they built up last season in
their deep postseason run. Re-
turning for this season is the core
of the Jackets success last season:
Photo courtesy of Danny Karnik
Pan, Seniors Zaire ONeil and
Imani Tilford and Junior Kay-
lan Pugh each averaged nine or
more points per game, and ONeil
and Pugh posted five or more re-
bounds per game. Pan is also the
reigning ACC Freshman of the
Year and looks to improve on her
already stellar 201617 campaign.
The exhibition game hosted
Sunday, Nov. 5 created a positive
feeling for the Jackets moving into
the 201718 season. While the
media anticipates that Tech will
finish a modest No. 9 in the con-
ference standings at the end of the
season, the teams fresh talent and
cumulative experience could lead
to a more impressive season than
has been predicted.
// SPORTS
JOHN EDWARDS
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
BUMP, SET, SPIKE
Tech volleyball officially signed
four high school recruits to Tech
on National Signing Day, Nov.
8. Mikaila Dowd, Kayla Kaiser,
Breland Morrissette and Maddie
Tippett all committed to join the
Jackets for the 20182019 volley-
ball season.
FALL CLASSIC
Techs annual baseball intra-
squad scrimmage, the White
vs. Gold Series, takes place this
weekend. Game one is Nov. 10 at
5 p.m., followed by game two on
Nov. 12 at 1 p.m. and game three
on Nov. 17 at 4 p.m. All games
take place at Russ Chandler
Stadium.
BRINGING IT BACK
Director of Athletics Todd
Stansbury is still attempting to
schedule a twelfth game for Tech
football this season, according to
Kelly Quinlan of jacketsonline.
com. Tech was forced to cancel
their game against UCF due to
Hurricane Irmas impacts earlier
this season.
Tech football is currently 43
on the season. Not having that
game in Orlando looms large for
Tech, who must now win two of
three games versus No. 17 Virgin-
ia Tech, Duke and No. 2 Georgia
in order to reach bowl eligibility
for a second straight year.
// SPORTS
JOHN EDWARDS,
HARSHA SRIDHAR
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR,
SPORTS EDITOR
Theres this old, maybe apocry-
phal story about men sentenced to
die by combat in Roman times. In
the center of the arena, they would
look up to the emperor, who was
watching the proceedings, and
they would say, Ave Imperator,
morituri te salutant.
Hail, Emperor. Those about to
die salute you.
We are surely not the first to
compare American football to the
sport of gladiator fighting, and we
will not be the last, but the com-
parison is still striking. Both are
(or were) violent, brutish sports,
captivating a national audience,
with the competitors putting their
bodies and lives on the line to earn
fame and fortune.
In the wake of evidence that
football is inextricably linked to
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopa-
thy (CTE), a degenerative brain
disease, one must question the
ethics of allowing athletes to put
themselves in such harm.
976 BRADY AVE NW, ATLANTA GA | DONETTOATLANTA.COM |
In todays day and age, we con-
sider the practices of the Romans
using slaves and prisoners to
stage mock battles to the death for
entertainment as nothing short
of barbaric. But given footballs
brutal history, perhaps assuming
such a stance makes us nothing
but hypocrites.
In spite of advancements of
technology in safety equipment
for football players since the sport
began, football is still deadly to
those who play it. Players dont die
a brutal, gory death on the battle-
field, as in Roman times; instead,
they succumb quietly to neurolog-
ical trauma years afterward.
B-back KirVonte Benson is tackled by a Wake Forest defender during Techs homecoming game.
Football is a brutal sport, and recent studies have demonstrated the effects of the violence.
NOW HIRING
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APPLY IN PERSON AT DONETTO
OR SEND RESUMES TO JMURRAY@THEINDIGOROAD.COM
So, we are confronted with the
dilemma: what can we do with
the sport that so many enjoy so
much? Fall Saturdays in the South
are based almost ritualistically
around football. The Super Bowl
is the most watched sporting
event in the United States every
single year, without fail. Entire
television networks have round
the clock coverage of nothing but
football. But we cannot, try as we
might, have football without the
traumas that players must incur.
But football differs greatly
from the gladiatorial sports of the
past in that the players willingly
participate in this activity. They
technique November 10, 2017 23
are rewarded handsomely, and
they can walk away at any time
indeed, many have. Ravens line-
man John Urschel once said that,
despite the dangers football poses
to him, that he played because
[he] loves the game in an op-ed
at ThePlayersTribune.com.
Theres a rush you get when
you go out on the field, lay every-
thing on the line, and physically
dominate the player across from
you, Urschel wrote. That is why
many still play today (though Ur-
schel retired earlier this year after
another CTE report emerged).
Its a risk that players assume,
and they must ask themselves
Photo by Samuel Stewart Student Publications
@DONETTOATL
whether or not the payouts, the
fame and the fortune are worth
the long-term risks.
When bowl season rolls around
this year, well be watching. From
the GOBUYMEFLOWERS.com
Pink Carnation Bowl (were only
slightly kidding) to the national
championship, we will witness ev-
ery moment.
We will cheer for the insane
catches, we will groan as we watch
safeties lay crushing hits on re-
ceivers who have the temerity to
cross the field, we will laugh as
red-faced coaches sputter out ar-
guments with nonplussed referees.
But maybe we will watch it all
with a heightened sense of appre-
ciation for the sacrifice these play-
ers are making not just of time
and opportunity cost but of their
bodies. Maybe we will remem-
ber that the athletes we chide for
dropping passes (or lambast for
missing a key block) are doing us
a great service.
After all, no one is forcing you
to turn the channel to ESPN or
spend hours watching highlights.
In the case of college football, the
22 men on the field at any given
point are earning a combined zero
dollars for their play. The least we
can offer them is some gratitude,
isnt it?
Morituri te salutant. Those
about to die salute you.
No, football players are not
gladiators, no matter how many
are knocked unconscious on the
field of play, how many suffer
from brain injuries or how many
give up their physical primes for
their dreams of being great and for
our entertainment. Its a voluntary
pursuit in which these young men
so boldly partake.
But in the ways that matter,
how big is the difference, really?
Sports
SPORTS EDITOR: Under the Radar technique
Harsha Sridhar
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR:
John Edwards
Tech women's basketball isn't project-
ed as a conference contender. They're
Friday,
24
looking to change that.422 November 10, 2017
sports@nique.net

Jackets. Hokies.
gt factor vt
The Jackets running game Statistically speaking, the
continues to be the bright Hokies offense is like the
spot of their offense as they Jackets offense: Virginia Tech
average 332 rushing yards scores only 0.6 more points
per game, ranking third in the per game (32.6) and goes
nation. They will need to rely for about 15 more yards per

offense
on it to move the chains and game (430). But Virginia Tech
dominate in time of posses- runs a more traditional offen-
sion to win the game rather sive style than the Jackets.
than force throwing the ball in The Hokies feature quarter-
inopportune situations as they back Josh Jackson, throwing
have done recently. for about 260 yards per game
What is arguably more im- (almost triple Techs passing
portant, however, is Tech average), and running back
maintaining momentum late in Travon McMillian, who has
games. In losses to Miami and posted 405 rushing yards this
Virginia, Techs offense came season. But turnovers and big
out dominating in point differ- outputs against weak teams
ential in the first two to three mean that these gaudy num-
quarters but lost steam late. bers are not all they seem.

Techs defense shows flash- Virginia Techs defense

es of brilliance but not con- ranks as one of the best in the
sistency. They played a great country, averaging 13.3 points
first half last week, only allow- per game (tied for fourth best

defense
ing six points (not accounting in the nation) and 122 rushing
for the kickoff return touch- yards allowed per game (sev-
down). After halftime, Tech al- enteenth in the country). The
lowed multiple long run plays Hokies front seven can hold
up the middle and blew cov- back Techs rushing offense,
erage deep. These errors cost and if they stack the box, its
them dearly as Virginia scored over for Tech. Despite the
three crucial 25+ yard touch- Jackets bread and butter,
downs in the second half. Tech Brad Stewart and Ricky Jeune
cannot repeat those mistakes. may need good games.

Tech needs to get off to a For VT, the key to winning is

hot start in order to take this sticking with their style of play:
one. The triple option offense relying on defense to cause
works best when playing from three-and-outs and securing
ahead so that Tech can have good field position for their

the key
control over the tempo of the well-balanced offense. When
game. The Jackets have had they try to change things to
turnover issues in the past, and play up to their opponents like
while they have earned a +1 they did against Miami and
ration in the last two games, Clemson, it backfires. In ad-
they need to sustain that level dition, racking up early stops
of improved play. Defensively, would force the Jackets to
the Jackets need to tighten up play one-dimensional football
in the red zone. VT will score; and would also ease the pres-
holding them to field goals sure on the Hokies freshman
can win the game. quarterback.
Story by Rohan Kansara Student Publications