By: Jack Lollis

Imagine the year is 2026. It is early July and the United States Men’s National Soccer Team (USMNT) has just come off a quarterfinal win to advance to the semifinals of the World Cup in the United States. There is a general excitement in the U.S. population about the win and a belief that the team will continue to advance.

Now, go back to early July 2018. The USMNT is not present in Russia to represent the U.S., and all of your international friends who have ties to other countries have been trash-talking the USMNT all year. Unfortunately, the second scenario was a reality for every USMNT fan, but the first scenario is not out of the picture for the future.

For many people living in the United States, soccer is not the number one sport, or number two, or even number three. In the America, soccer has traditionally been in the shadows of more popular sports like football, and basketball, and baseball, which is understandable, but not an excuse. This year, American soccer made major news when USMNT failed to qualify for the World Cup, which had not happened since 1990. This news caught the attention of many soccer fans because for the past two decades it has been expected that the U.S. would qualify for the World Cup. The failure to qualify raises many questions about how a nation of over 300 million people failed to put together a 23-man roster able to qualify for the biggest international sports tournament in the world.

For years, there has been speculation about the development process of the men’s national team and how it compares to other nations’ development programs. There have been numerous  and the lack of preparation and development. This lack of preparation and development was brought to the forefront of media this year.

I got a chance to conduct an interview with a current Division III collegiate soccer player, who would like to remain unnamed, so I will call him “Alexan Stewart.” Stewart, who has gone through U.S. development camps, was able to give me a better insight into the development of young soccer players in the United States.

Stewart explains, “The U.S. Soccer Development Academy (USSDA or simply DA) operates with youth up to 18 years of age. It is geared towards a professional career as each youth club plays from August through May. The main reason the USMNT has seen a lack of success is due to inefficiencies in the youth system.”

Stewart says, “For a majority of DA players, they get recruited into collegiate soccer programs. College soccer is inadequate in developing players because it only involves a 4-month season per year. Foreign players are playing strictly in adult leagues for at least 9 months per year.”

This is a major flaw when comparing our development programs to those of other nations, because our developing players spend less time and play in a less competitive setting.

The problem is not that the U.S. does not have development programs, but the problem lies in the level of play and length of development for young USMNT players. USSDA can continue to get the top young soccer talents in America, but if their development programs are ineffective, then the development programs will continue to struggle, and this is what holds the USMNT back compared to other counties.

Stewart says, “This can be seen in the lack of advisement the national organization gives youth clubs in terms of developing future players. Some foreign soccer federations require youth clubs to run certain play styles and systems in order to provide a smooth transition for players joining the national team.”This lack of communication between the national organization and youth clubs is another serious problem, and it causes many problems for players coming up in DA because the national team may not have the same play style as their club team, and that makes the transition for the youth player to the national level more difficult. 

There is a general frustration in America that few people watch soccer because the team can not compete with other powerhouse soccer nations. But this shouldn’t be the case. Croatia made a run to the World Cup final in 2018 and has a national population of under 5 million people. With the right development and front office, the U.S. Men’s National Team can transform from a non-qualifier to qualifying with ease and hanging around with the soccer giants of the world.

The changes have already begun. Last month, Dan Flynn,of the U.S. Soccer Federation, stepped down from the roles he has held since 2000. This did not come as a surprise after the recent failures of the USMNT, but there were questions of why he held those positions for so long with such little success. On this matter, Stewart had this to say, “I think it is important that a change is being made and all we can do is move forward.” This seems to be the mentality many young soccer players in the United States share. Change. It needs to happen. And once change happens, we need to move forward and move on from the past.

Although soccer will never be able to compete with bigger leagues like the NFL, and NBA, it can find success. The men’s national team only gets together on special occasions to play expedition games and tournaments, so being able to rally around a national team should not be a problem, especially if the team can fix its development programs and start to produce soccer stars and wins.

By Michal Patterson

Are you tired of living in your parents’ house? Is dorm life getting old for you? Are your parents kicking you out?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then it’s most likely time to move out. Moving out can be a bittersweet time in a young adult’s life. As you are coming into this new chapter in your life there will be a lot of new freedom. But, with much freedom comes much responsibility. And with much responsibility comes much stress. There will be many more things you have to worry about now like, managing expenses, searching for places and saving money. These keys to success will be useful in making the transition smoother.

Start Early
Whether you are looking to move before the summer, the semester starts, or just whenever, it’s important to start early. After interviewing college students who have moved out on their own, all four students expressed that they wished they had started the process earlier. Starting the process early can help eliminate stress and feeling like you are being rushed to meet your deadline.
“Start saving early. Start building credit early. Start looking for places early.“

Finance Fabulously
Take control of your finances before your finances take control of you. First things first; save your money. Saving money is a major key to successfully finding the right home for you. Opening a savings account can be very helpful with keeping funds out of sight. There are several techniques that could help increase your savings like saving a portion of your paycheck, picking up a side hustle and decreasing unnecessary spending.

A great way to way to keep track of all of your money is to budget. Once you figure out all of your expenses, subtract them from your earnings and see how much you have left over. This will help you figure out how much you are able to spend on your new home. When budgeting, you’ll want to include:

Rent and Utilities
Groceries and household necessities
Car expenses(gas, oil changes, maintenance, emergency issues, parking)
Entertainment & Fun (movies, eating out, shopping, etc.)
Other Expenses (Insurance, cell phone, Netflix, loan payments, etc.)

Your financial state will determine if you get your number one choice on your list of possible places or have to settle with your second or third options. So when it comes to financing make a budget and be disciplined enough to stick to it. This may include eating at home instead of eating out and even cutting back on your daily Starbucks runs.

Search Savvy
Now that you are financially ready to move out, it’s time to find the perfect place. Before you begin the hunt for your new abode you should ask yourself these questions to narrow your search:

What is my price range?
Where do I want to live?
How many bedrooms do I need?
Do I want a backyard or balcony?
Do I want a roommate?
If no, can I afford to live without one?
Do I plan on getting any pets?

Asking these questions will eliminate many places and make it easier to find what you are looking for. The easiest way to start your search is by looking on online. There are tons of websites such as apartments.com and rent.com. These websites allow you to filter your results to see your specific preferences. It might be a bit overwhelming searching through all those websites, so it is wise to seek help and advice from a realtor before going through with your final decision. This is a part of your moving process that should not be rushed. It is very exciting to see all your potential options, but take your time so that you can be sure of your choice.

Make it homey
Congratulations! You have found your spot and now it’s time to make it a home. One thing you will find out is that furniture can be very expensive. The good news is that you are in luck.

There are plenty of resources like Goodwill, yard sales, Facebook Marketplace, and thrifting to help you get great furniture for an even better price. When it comes to homme shopping don’t spend the money unless you have to. Ask around to see if your family and friends have any furniture just sitting around in the garage or in storage that you could have or buy for cheap.

By Zoe Audifferen

When people hear the term RJ, reproductive justice, they automatically think of sex, abortions, and women. Those people would not be completely wrong, but they wouldn’t be completely right either. Reproductive justice is an intersectional issue that extends far beyond sex and its counterparts: it intersects both reproductive and social justice alike. A person cannot begin to exercise their reproductive rights when their basic human rights have not been met due to an array of identities and in result, experiences that make up their life. In this article, we’ll look at two identities, LGBTQ+ people and incarcerated people, and how that affects their reproductive justice experience and rights.

Before we go any further though, let’s take a second to clearly define reproductive justice. The Forward Together organization defines reproductive justice as, “All people having the social, political, and economic power and resources to make healthy decisions about their gender, bodies, sexuality, and families for themselves and their communities.” Right off the bat from that definition, you see how it embodies everything from sexuality to economic status.

So how exactly does being a member of the LGBTQ+ community alter someone’s experience with reproductive justice? Dylan Chenault, a closeted gay man under an alias, and Georgia Tech student, opened up about his health care experience as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, “I am insured under my father and to this day, I have had to hide the fact that I am gay, making doctors appointments such a nerve-wracking thing to deal with,” he said. “I constantly feel like I have to censor what preventive treatment I am possibly interested in out of fear that it will be billed to my mailbox.” “Medicine that could proactively help protect my health, but require being billed to insurance, could end up getting me in a really tough situation.”

This is a distinct health care obstacle that is unique to Chenault, but not to closeted LGBTQ+ members as a whole. This particular identity must be taken into consideration when dealing with members of this community in order to allow them better agency of their gender, bodies, and sexuality. So while members of the LGBTQ+ community might have the option of receiving preventive care, it is the realistic ability to access it that must also be available. This is the very concept of reproductive “rights” versus reproductive ‘justice’- option versus access.

“Reproductive rights don’t always work towards the big picture of the healthcare fight,” said Eshe Shukura, Georgia State URGE (Unite for Reproductive and Gender Equity) organizer, in an interview. “Reproductive justice is concerned with how rights are received by all people especially marginalized communities,” she elaborated.
Some of the most marginalized people in the United States are incarcerated people, whether it be in a prison or in an ICE-detainment facility. They experience a very unique set of reproductive rights.

Since December of last year, ICE has detained more than 500 pregnant women. Reports of miscarriages are increasing, lack of proper medical attention and poorly regulated facilities are becoming far too common. Reports released by the Human Rights Watch found that ICE policies unduly deprive women of basic health services. The reports speak of women who were refused hormonal contraceptives including some who dealt with inflamed ovaries and excruciatingly heavy periods, after the facility refused the women their previously prescribed birth control pills.

Back in July of 2016,  Shadé Swayzer went into labor in a Milwaukee jail cell. Jail staff ignored and laughed at all her requests for medical attention, despite her informing them that her water had broken. Swayzer went into labor around midnight and gave birth by 4 a.m. but did not receive any medical attention until 6 a.m., several hours after her initial request for medical attention. She lost her child later that day.

This is the reality of the obstacles incarcerated people face when it comes to their reproductive rights and justice. The nonprofit organization, If/When/How found that out of the women in state prisons who reported being pregnant at admission, 94% reported having an obstetric exam, but only 54% reported receiving any type of pregnancy care. Women in prison are at high risk for STIs, HIV, and unintended pregnancies. This is the truth that lies behind being an incarcerated women in the United States.

The same ICE facilities that detained over 500 pregnant women previously had a policy that stated, “absent extraordinary circumstances or the requirement of mandatory detention, pregnant women will generally not be detained by ICE.” While the reality was supposed to be reproductive rights that provided options for these women, it is clear the accessibility of those options were not fairly in reach or mandated within the facility. That is where reproductive justice steps in to bridge the gap.

Even when explaining the reality of incarcerated people and LGBTQ+ people one can see the intersectionality of those two identities and how it creates another experience unique to that identity.  

Incarcerated transgender or transsexual people are a perfect example of an intersectional identity. A California study found that transgender people were 13 times more likely to be sexually assaulted than non-transgender people in prison. Self-castration, suicide, and waves of desperation are byproducts of the denial of sex hormones to inmates yearning to switch genders, advocates say, especially for those who are going through withdrawals from previously taking estrogen to transform from male to female.

So, if we were to have an honest conversation about reproductive justice without acknowledging the individual identities that curate individualistic reproductive experiences we would be doing a disservice to the true mission of reproductive justice. It is time we stop looking at reproductive justice through a single lens in order to fully embrace and create accessibility for people of various backgrounds by acknowledging the reality of those identities and the obstacles they bring.

By Dean Wylie

A group of twenty-somethings aggressively play retro games in an arcade type of setting. Their fingers twitch back and forth on the controls as it is clear they are experts at the game. Chimes of defeat are heard across all the platforms, and they dig through their pockets for another quarter before taking another attempt at the game.

The arcade has reached a halt and become a forgotten business with the uprising of mass multiplayer and online gameplay. But with the inclusion of alcoholic beverages, some arcades have now become barcades, and have attracted an older audience to become relevant again. Josh Overstreet runs one of these barcades, Joystick, and he was able to share what it’s like and how he is able to keep an establishment up and running that isn’t so popular anymore.

Overstreet has been maintaining and working the barcade the last few years. He started out doing management work and did some bartending before eventually working his way to where he is now. He’s very proud of the reputation that Joystick has built for itself.

“Joystick is the place where everyone comes and hangs out and nerds out on the video games.”

Joystick holds some of the classic arcade games that include: Mortal Kombat, Pacman, and many others. There’s enough of a variety for anyone who comes in.

The barcade holds other events as well, involving Dungeons & Dragons, Magic: The Gathering card games and even functions involving the Atlanta-based Dragon Con event.

While the barcade is known for catering to its nerds and gamers, Overstreet revealed that the video games aren’t the primary thing that keeps the place afloat. The games are actually a secondary factor.

“We price [the games] pretty much at a point where the maintenance costs balance out with whatever profit we would have,” he says.

“So the alcohol is really what gives us the ability to stay open.”

The addition of the alcohol is a different concept from what is normally seen in arcades because in the past, they never had to rely on anything more than the video games to keep up with profits. This was mostly due to the fact that arcades catered to young children.

But young children do not game the same way they used to.

In January 2013, Laura June of The Verge published an article that discussed the evolution of gaming and how there was starting to become a time where video games would start taking over arcades.

“In 2005, there were about 25 arcades left in New York City, down from hundreds just a decade before,” June says.

When one of the well known arcades in New York City, Chinatown Fair, eventually shut down in February 2011, many of the dedicated gamers that migrated there frequently considered this the “end of an era.”

“It’s a simple truth of the business that all games become unprofitable after a while, so new machines are always a must.”

There are still places like Chuck E. Cheese’s and Dave & Buster’s that are highly popular, but they innovate new methods that don’t qualify them as classic arcades.

The new machines that June speaks of in her article are the consoles and online games that gamers are playing with now. They are more advanced and offer more variety for players to enjoy, so the collapsing of arcades only made sense.

So it’s easy to see why Joystick being around and having the reputation that it has is such a surprise.

Overstreet didn’t shy away when asked if arcades could survive without the bar-type setting.

“I think it definitely helps just in our past experience with the amount of maintenance the older games require,” he said.

“The amount of money you make—if you charge appropriately—of course any arcade could thrive, but its just gonna cost more for the consumer to enjoy the games just because of the maintenance fees.”

And unlike previous arcades, where mostly younger kids came in to play the games, Joystick caters to older audiences due to its alcohol sales. This can be somewhat of a disadvantage because of the limited consumers the barcade is allowed to bring in.

When asked about the most popular game that the players like to come in and play, Overstreet couldn’t help but laugh.

“I would say probably the Jurassic Park shooting game because it’s two player and also because you get to hunt dinosaurs, which nobody ever gets to really do anymore, so I think people will kind of enjoy that.”

Along with that fan favorite, Joystick also holds other cabinets in stock that will be rotated out with the games currently in play, once they are repaired and ready to go. It helps give the gamers a variety and something new to try once they’ve achieved their high score.

When asked about the future of arcades, Overstreet actually showed no signs of worry at all.

“Instead of keeping everything original, they are kind of moving on to computers that can hold millions of games on them, so I think a lot of people are going with that more reliable route, which is more modern.”

Overstreet concluded on an optimistic note, with hopes that arcades are on the verge of a comeback.

“There’s a lot more arcades coming out now I think, than there were ten years ago, especially with the bar aspect. And I think they will do really well.”

By: Manuela Hernandez

   Traveling is too expensive for most college students. With the holidays coming around, many college students go back home but others want to take a much-needed vacation before returning to their studies. There are so many students who claim to want to see the world, but many do not know where to start. Some have never traveled before or think they cannot afford it.

   Saving money is where it starts. If traveling is a priority, then it is possible. Most college students have plenty of expenses, such as tuition, rent, food and other bills. So how are students supposed to travel when they can barely pay the bills they currently have? The first steps to traveling are planning and budgeting. If you know you want to travel, then you may have to cut back on expenses. Eating out every night or buying that cup of coffee every day before class adds up in the long run.

   Applications such as Skiplagged or Skyscanner are becoming popular because of their flight offers and low charges for small bags. If you know you are only traveling for a weekend and are able to pack everything in a backpack, then you are set.

   One of the most popular forms of lodge searching is with the Airbnb application. An Airbnb is usually a home that people rent out for vacationers looking for accommodation. Mapy Prieto decided she wanted a spontaneous trip to take some stress away from college. She found an Airbnb for under $100 that accommodated four people. She said that when it came to eating, they decided to go to the local grocery store for food instead of eating out for every meal.

   For some students, the issue is not knowing where to go. If you go onto Google Flights, you can explore different destinations during the time they are most affordable. Destinations range from cities in the United States to cities in Europe. To many college students, Europe seems like a destination that will cost you thousands of dollars. Although it is more expensive than most places, balling on a budget is possible. During low-demand season roundtrip tickets are available for as low as $400. Also low-fare airlines in Europe, such as Vueling, sell tickets for as low as $9. It is just about being flexible with times and dates.

   College student Alfonso Garcia said that ever since he opened up a credit card with an airline he has been rewarded for being a frequent flyer. He also said that sometimes the airline gives double miles. Another great benefit to this credit card is being able to shop in other countries without being charged the foreign transaction fee.

   If you know the time you would like to travel around, it is important to plan around six months in advance. Planning ahead can save you money. Patricia Granada said she shared a Google document with her friends so they could organize their trip. In this document they mapped out all of the destinations they wanted to visit in Italy, and the cost of traveling. Granada also said that traveling by train was cheaper and that the scenery on the train ride was worth the long trip.

   Hostels all around the world are also becoming a very popular form of accommodation. They generally have lower prices than hotels. When traveling you probably do not want to spend your time at the hotel, so the money you save can be spent on excursions, food or souvenirs. Staying in a hostel is a unique experience where you can meet people from all over the world. You cannot always be promised the most comfortable place, but it can be worth the experience.

   A popular destination for college students is Costa Rica. Alfonso Garcia traveled there with his sister this past summer. He said that he spent the majority of his money on adventurous excursions such as hanging bridges and zip lining through the Monteverde Park. He says that the hostel he stayed at was a little farther from the tourist attractions, but the hospitality offered was incomparable.

   Garcia said, “Every morning I would wake up to a gorgeous view of a volcano and homemade breakfast, nothing beats that.” He said that if you want to save money, then you can just explore the many beaches this country has to offer.

   A unique destination is to the sandy beaches of Indonesia. With a strong cultural heritage and amazing street food Indonesia is a notable destination. Shelby Brynes and a group of friends spent a couple weeks of their summer exploring Indonesia. Brynes said that she would spend only $8 a day for a place to stay and as low as $1 for street food.

   Byrnes said, “Experiencing the culture of these beautiful people was so fulfilling and the scenery was incredible.” 

   Financially, college students are always in a pinch. The cliché of ramen noodle dinners and overuse of coupons still rings true. It also doesn’t help when wanderlust starts to creep in. Hopefully, these few tips will help fulfill that lust of travel, while simultaneously not spending an exorbitant amount. From staying in hostels to finding cheap airline tickets, there are many ways to ball on a budget.

By Morgan D’Amico

Photo by Rosemary Ketchum

           The two-party system is a staple in traditional United States democracy, but in recent years, young Americans show a growing discontent with the traditional cycle of power-play politics. For generations, local, state, and national elections swung between two opposing forces: the GOP and the Democratic Party. Now, the youth of America outspokenly peels back the hide of an outdated political system, exposing a growing need for changes in representation. Here are three reasons why young people are getting involved in third party politics.

#1 Straight-ticket voting limits their beliefs

            Polarization in politics is a divisive side effect of bipartisan democracy. With only two parties to choose from, Americans historically pick one side and steadfastly cling to it, often villainizing the opposition. Results in a 2014 study by Pew Research Center show that in the past 20 years, the portion of the Republican Party with unfavorable views of Democrats increased twofold, jumping from 17 percent to 43 percent. The percentage of Democrats fostering adverse views of the GOP more than doubled as well, hiking from 16 percent to 38 percent. While a growing population of each party see the other as a threat, many younger Americans veer from this black-and-white standpoint. 21-year-old Noah Trepper is among the many young, fiscal conservatives that disagreed with the condemnation of Democratic social views, choosing instead to identify as a Libertarian.

            “From a social standpoint, I consider myself pretty liberal. I’m in favor of less or no religion in politics as well as equal rights and opportunity for all people regardless of gender, race, country of origin, and sexual orientation,” Trepper said. “However, from an economic standpoint I consider myself a little more conservative. I’m a big believer in free market capitalism and minimal government spending, more tax cuts across the board. The Libertarian Party does a good job of encompassing both of these ideals.”

            Like Trepper, Green Party member Mary Deminsky has beliefs that mix both Republican and Democratic standpoints. Rather than take part in the battle between two parties, she and other millennials across the United States are choosing third parties that pick and choose a combination of conservative and liberal stances.

            “I’ve started looking at candidates and not feeling good about the bipartisan model,” Deminsky explained. “The Green Party seems to hit the mark for me. The values are just more consistent in line with my beliefs.”

#2 Major politicians pursue outdated concerns

            During the Free Speech Movement of the ‘60s, activist Jack Weinberg coined the phrase, “Never trust anyone over thirty.” Every generation of voters is faced with a set of public issues in need of urgent action. After the last midterm elections, the 115thCongress proved to be one of the oldest in American history. Statistics showed that the average representative was 57 years old and the average senator was 61 years old. About one-third of all representatives of age 60 and over presided over districts that held a median age of 35 or under. High numbers of young people are represented by individuals who lack context regarding the concern of American youth. One pressing issue that a growing population of millennials wish politicians fought against is climate change. Georgia State University student Oliver Flint cites his worries about the environment as a major factor impacting his decision to shift to a third party.

            “I think that the current climate validates my belief that America desperately needs a genuinely left-wing party that is willing to fight for everyone,” Flint explained. He cites his political ideology as anarcho-communist or libertarian socialist, but identifies with the Democratic Socialists of America. “I would so much rather have a Democrat that doesn’t do enough than a Republican that destroys the planet.”

            Although the two-party system does not suit Flint’s beliefs, he generally sides with candidates of the Democratic Party, as third-party candidates rarely win elections. In the future, Flint hopes that third party politicians will gain the momentum to successfully pursue critical problems facing the United States. Over one-third of students at a New York college felt that politicians do not pay enough attention to the concerns and desires of young people. For many American students, like Flint, third-party politicians provide solutions to the needs often ignored by major party candidates.

#3 Lack of representation

            A major concern among millennials is feeling misrepresented by the politicians they elect. NBC News conducted a poll that discovered a majority—almost three-fourths—of young Americans feel that a third party is needed to sufficiently represent the public. These millennials agreed that the GOP and the Democratic Party do not accurately represent the views of American people. The disconnect between the two major parties and the youth population leaves young voters voiceless and overlooked. As millennial voter rates rise and young people are becoming more involved in politics, third parties show swelling promise for niche representation. Austin Seay is an active participant in local politics, belonging to the Libertarian Party of Alabama, and he is familiar with the struggles of seeking representation on a national scale.

            “I don’t think the United States is cohesive enough to have a strong government at the federal level,” said Seay. “I feel that we’d get along better and run more efficiently if some of the more controversial gray-area matters were left up to the states.”

            Identifying with third parties is now a common way for millennials to achieve proper representation, as well as an outlet to find individuals that abide with their belief systems. Independent parties are an experimental path for the expanding community of unrepresented young individuals, fighting to pursue innovative political ideals.

By: Kara Nelson

Going to the movie theater is a luxury many of us enjoy. It is one of the few places of entertainment that is available for people of all ages, genders and interests. People are able to go to the movies and laugh, cry, scream and even learn! It appears to be an ideal place to many, but not for the deaf community. Many movie theaters are actively discriminating against them by not making the proper accommodations for deaf and hard of hearing people to comfortably watch a movie.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights law that was put into place in 1990. It prohibited discrimination in all public areas against anyone with a disability. The Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ) added Title III to the ADA early 2017, with the Final Rule. The Final Rule requires movie theaters that have been providing digital showings of movies since December 2, 2016, to offer the proper captioning equipment by June 2, 2018. Any theater that started streaming digital has until December 2, 2018.

The Final Rule also requires that theaters are to notify their customers that the captioning devices are available and the staff is available for set-up assistance. The number of devices required are dependent on the number of auditoriums the theater has.

As of today, there are a couple of ways for those belonging to the deaf community to watch movies at theaters. For starters, there is closed captioning, which is an on-screen text that identifies each character and displays the dialogue and sound effects of the movie.

Then there are captioning devices called CaptiView. These are captioning screens that are attached to a flexible arm and It clips onto the back of the chair in front of you. Once secured and turned, the device displays the captions on the transparent CaptiView screen.

Last, there are Sony Entertainment Access Glasses. These glasses are to be worn on the face and the theater transmits the captions to the glasses’ receiver. The moviegoers are then able to see the captions through the lens over the film while it is playing on the screen.

These are definitely steps of progress towards equality, but unfortunately there are still issues in theaters accommodating to the deaf community. Even with the captioning technology, the movie theaters still do not offer a comfortable environment for deaf and hard of hearing people.

Kelsey Mitchell is a 23-year-old deaf woman who lives in Sandy Springs, Georgia. Mitchell typically watches movies on Netflix or waits until her TV provider puts it On Demand. She doesn’t go to the movies anymore because she signs, “It’s disappointing and a waste of time.”

She signs about her past experiences going out to the movies and using all three of the captioning methods.

Mitchell explains how the CaptiView screen was distracting from the movie, because she had to read the caption on the mini screen in front of her, while applying it to the movie screen.

Mitchell also signs, “The captions were delayed, too! I could read the characters’ mouths and notice that the dialogue had already passed.”

She signs that her experience with the Sony Entertainment Access Glasses was about a year ago, and it was even worse. “The first issue that arose was that I wear glasses. It was very uncomfortable to wear another pair of glasses on top of the ones I already had on.” She goes on to express that the captioning glasses continued to shut off, due to the batteries dying.

Mitchell’s most recent attempt at catching a movie in the theaters was earlier this year, for the showing of “Black Panther”. Fed up with the technology issues, she decided to call around different theaters and find out the show times with closed captioning.

“First of all, not every place offered closed captioning. The AMC Southlake Theater offered it, but it was only one captioned show time for the entire week! It was Saturday when me and my friends wanted to see it, and the closed captioned show time was for Wednesday.”

When asked about this incident, the theater’s statement was, “Many of the moviegoers complain about the closed captions on the screen. We try to accommodate all of our patrons by the majority.”

The issues Mitchell and other deaf and hard of hearing people experience are because of the versions of the devices that are being used. Theaters are purchasing the outdated versions of these captioning devices to satisfy the order of the DOJ, not their customers with disabilities. The accommodation issues are also coming from theaters simply neglecting those with disabilities. Despite the Final Rule, there are still movie theaters that are operating without caption devices, and many of those who do offer it are not making them accessible for use.

By: Aletash Wakgira

There are just some things you don’t want to talk about while dining out at a fancy restaurant. And anyone that has ever worked in the service industry can tell you why.

What if you were dining and decided to bring up what happened on spring break in Cancun, just a bit too loudly? Maybe you served a table and accidentally heard something you really wish you didn’t. Chances are, someone around you heard about “that one time,” that people often share over drinks with friends.

Here are some of the most outrageous stories that some waiters in Atlanta have overheard.

In Atlanta’s West Midtown, the staff of Jct. Kitchen & Bar share moments of overheard conversations from guests. For individual reasons, each person asked not to identify their last name.

Newly hired server Taylor says she often accidentally hears her table’s conversations while creating enjoyable dining experiences.

“Sometimes I hear the funniest things while pouring my guests’ water. All I can do is try my best not to bust out laughing,” says Taylor. “Like when I stopped by to drop off straws to a table and heard one blonde lady say ‘…and then I just shoved it right in there. No lube or anything.’”

Waiters like Taylor try their best not to laugh at the racy conversations at tables. Instead, they find themselves running back to the kitchen to share with their peers in privacy.

“I love telling my coworkers what I overheard in real time, so that way they can pass by that table and understand how something so unexpected came from that person,” says Ryan of Jct. Ryan, who has been a waiter for the last three years, claims to always catch surprising moments at tables.

“This really old lady who looked like your typical Southern belle, told her husband flat out, ‘You’re gonna need your magic pill tonight honey. This wine has me hot,’” Ryan recalls.

Over at the CNN Center, employees at McCormick & Schmicks Seafood and Steaks claim guests often are winding down from work and sometimes don’t think to save certain conversations for later. Baillie, a four-year cocktail waitress, says that she regularly hears inappropriate and often offensive chatter.

“I was working a private party of 18 guests who happened to all be young, white businessmen. So I walk in to offer a last round of drinks since they already took shots, and one guy is impersonating a pimp by wearing a hat to the side and saying ‘Better have my money b****, yah-mean.’ The guy saw me and instantly turned beet red. I think that’s why he tipped me an extra $100.”

In one instance, Baillie says she also had a guest complain about the coffee being cold, then overheard him stating, “I like my coffee hot and black like my women.”

Back at Jct., Brooks, who has been with the company for five years, claims to have heard it all as a waiter. He says that since President Trump has been in office, political conversations can either be agreeable or extremely tense at tables.

Brooks says, “When the whole kneeling during the anthem movement began, this white father told his family ‘Colin Kaepernick disrespected our country and since he feels so strongly he should leave the country entirely.’”

Like Brooks, many servers find that the conversations they overhear reveal something about the people they are helping. Some servers are mindful not to take such conversations personally or else it may affect their earnings from that table, as well as the customer relationship.

It’s not just waiters that can recall ridiculous stories, but the rest of the front of house staff as well (those who work directly in the dining area). Jaqueline, the lead host of Jct., describes the moment that she helped a woman prepare a surprise proposal at the most visible table in the restaurant, the “chef’s” table.

“So, the bar manager and I helped her set everything up from the time she made the reservation to setting up the dessert she brought and Champagne and stuff. After they ate dinner, she pulls out the ring to ask him the big question, and he literally says, ‘I think we should get to know each other more,’” said Jaqueline.

In case you were wondering what happened to that couple, they continued to share that not-so celebratory cake and Champagne the woman set up minutes before. Jaqueline was just feet away at the hostess stand, trying to avoid staring at them with a face of complete embarrassment for the woman. No surprise that the story definitely made its way back to the kitchen and continued to be the conversation for the rest of evening.

So what is to be learned when dining out? Be mindful that any embarrassing story you share, or extreme political views you voice, will most likely be heard by someone outside of your table. And if you expect to work in the service industry, it’s likely you’ll witness a failed proposal or hear indelicate comments about the type of women a guest likes. Long story short: Be aware!

Georgia State University recently held the closing celebration for the Burning Bright fundraising campaign. The event was held Nov. 1 at the newly purchased Georgia State Stadium, formerly known as Turner Field. The celebration marked the surprisingly early conclusion of Georgia State’s five-year fundraising initiative.

About 300 guests attended the event. The guest list consisted of donors, their spouses and university officials.

The event began with guests entering the stadium on a royal blue carpet. Each guest was greeted by members of The 1913 Society, undergraduate students that “serve as official hosts and goodwill ambassadors for the university.”

Once inside the stadium, guests took the elevator to the field level and walked through a timeline of milestones throughout the duration of the Burning Bright Campaign. At the end of the visual timeline, guests continued to walk the royal blue carpet onto the field.

The main event took place under a large banquet tent that spanned between each 30-yard line. The tent housed the main stage, dining tables, and multiple buffet and bar options.

Guests were treated to a number of speakers throughout the evening. The first attendees on stage were the immediate past and present Georgia State University Foundation Board Chairs, Deepak Raghavan and Donna Lee. Brad Ferrer and Cathy Henson, Burning Bright co-chairs, provided overall highlights and accomplishments made during the campaign.

After a short break, State Farm representative Kristyn Cook-Turner spoke of the contribution State Farm made during the campaign that allowed Georgia State University to provide 50 full scholarships to Georgia State’s two-year Perimeter campus degree program.

At DeKalb High School, 14 students who applied for the scholarship were placed in a room and under the impression that the number of scholarships being awarded was limited. Every student there received a scholarship.

Georgia State University President Mark Becker introduced three students to speak about their experiences at Georgia State. While each student shared a different story, one common factor united them: each is a recipient of the GSU Foundation Scholarship.

Speaker Josh King said, “It’s a real honor to be able to look at someone who has literally gifted you with support and to thank them face-to-face. Gratitude is one of the most sincere and genuine interactions you can have with someone and being able to show how grateful I am for the donors and what they’ve done not only for myself but for my friends and other students as well was truly a heart-warming experience.”

Once the students finished speaking, Pete Petit, Chair of the Burning Bright Campaign, took the stage to express his gratitude of the success of the campaign. Petit also detailed his experiences while chairing for the Foundation Board.

To signal the end of the event, President Becker and Angie Allen, a member of the campaign steering committee, took the stage. The pair thanked donors for their contributions and prepared to announce the final amount of money that had been raised as a result of the campaign.

Initially, the campaign was supposed to last until the end of 2019.

According to Vice President of Development Walter Massey, “The campaign goal was reached in February of 2018.”

Becker insisted that the campaign end early so that Georgia State could celebrate such an accomplishment. This would be the first celebration of this caliber in university history.

As Becker and Allen announced the figure, it was simultaneously displayed across all stadium screens. The Burning Bright Campaign had raised $322,142,606, surpassing its goal of $300,000,000.

The evening concluded with a grand firework show above the stadium.

Chandler Brown, the director of presidential communications, said, “The event was a huge success, mostly due to the many amazing students who were highlighted throughout the night.”

The $322,142,606 raised will go to fund many different initiatives outlined in the Burning Bright Campaign. Each of Georgia State’s academic colleges will receive funding.

In addition to funding for each academic college, the funds raised as a result of the Burning Bright campaign will also fund the continuation of student success initiatives, transforming the downtown campus and providing scholarships for students.

Two of the major success programs that have allowed Georgia State University to stand out on the national level are the Panther Retention Grant and the use of predictive analytics to increase student success.

The Panther Retention Grant provides a small micro-grant for students who are near graduation and face unexpected financial hardship. The average amount of money given per micro-grant is $900.

Georgia State also uses predictive analytic data to measure and keep track of each student’s daily progress. If a student becomes “at risk,” the system sends an alert to an academic adviser. The next day, a one-on-one meeting is scheduled with an adviser to ensure the student stays on the path to success.

Along with an increase in graduation and retention rates, students and faculty can expect to see some major changes to the landscape of the Atlanta campus. The most important aspect of the plan involves the demolition of Kell Hall in order to transform the Library Plaza area into a campus greenspace.

The final investment comes in the form of providing scholarships to new students at Georgia State University. The money generously provided by numerous donors will ensure that students from all backgrounds can enjoy the everchanging campus and increased overall success of the university.