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(11/05/19 6:49pm)
On Oct. 18, Mercer University announced that former Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal was appointed as a Distinguished University Professor. He will begin serving as a government professor in January 2020.
A Mercer alumnus, Deal attended the university for his bachelor’s and law degrees and served two terms as the Governor of Georgia as a member of the Republican party from 2011 to 2019.
At Mercer, the role of a “distinguished professor” is the highest ranking faculty position, recognizing exceptional scholarship and involvement. Deal joins six other professors at Mercer with this ranking, according to the Spring 2018 edition of "The Mercerian."
“These are people who have extraordinary accomplishments in their fields,” Mercer President William Underwood said. “When I look at Nathan Deal’s career and what he’s accomplished… he certainly meets that definition.”
These professors fulfill different roles at the university, with some serving as traditional professors and others as visiting or adjunct roles.
Deal will not serve as a traditional professor; he will instead deliver a series of lectures every year open to the entire Mercer student body, according to Underwood.
“My idea was not that he come in and teach a Government 101 class,” Underwood said. “What I thought would be really interesting for students is to hear somebody who's been as successful and influential in government as he has, talking to students about some of the difficult decisions he had to make over his career.”
The exact content of these lectures is not yet solidified, but Underwood said Deal will discuss his own experiences and about “leadership lessons” that he learned through his time working in government.
“You (Mercer students) are all preparing to be future leaders in one way or another, and I think hearing from somebody that’s had to make difficult decisions and learn lessons from those decisions will make you better,” he said.
According to Underwood, after several of these lectures, Mercer University Press will publish a book.
“I think it’s a unique opportunity for our students,” Underwood said. “One of the things I want you (students) to do is do things outside of their classes that’ll expand their mind and enrich their experience here, and this is just another opportunity to do just that.”
(11/05/19 3:00pm)
There are currently 21 students who have been barred from parking on Mercer’s campus. Mercer’s Chief of Police Gary Collins said that students can be restricted from parking in certain places on campus after accruing too many parking tickets in a single semester.
“We try to catch violators who have five tickets,” Collins said. “I don’t like to call it a ban, though. It’s really a restriction, a parking restriction in place to help the students. It really saves them. We don’t want them to build up a huge amount.”
One of those 21 students, a current junior who asked to remain anonymous, said that he didn’t know about the restriction until he was barred from parking.
“I had around ten parking tickets before I got the phone call, however, according to the officer that issued the ban, you can be banned as soon as you reach five tickets,” the student said in an email.
Collins said that all the information could be found on the tickets the students get themselves, as each ticket has a label that says “Repeat Violator” if more than one ticket is placed on their account. The amount of each ticket also increases by $10 for each ticket given.
“The warning is on the ticket,” Collins said. “Any vehicle that has restricted parking can park in the baseball lot or the upper engineering lot,” Collins said. “We never ban anyone from completely parking on campus. The ticket is the warning.”
The ban isn’t permanent, as the student will be allowed to park on campus again starting Dec. 1. The time in which any student can be banned from parking is not definitive, however, as it fluctuates per case.
“We usually ban them for the semester, but if it’s the very end of the semester, like only two weeks left, it’ll carry over to another semester,” Collins said.
While the restriction of parking does limit where the student can park, Collins said it should never keep a student from having access to parking that aligns with their disability needs.
“If a student’s got a disability, and they have a handicap placard, they can still park in the handicap parking spaces. Besides, most of the time, anyone that has a handicap placard isn’t parked on a yellow curb or a fire lane. And for students who have the disability but don’t have the placard, we offer an escort service. You park in the lot, call us, and we’ll come get you and take you anywhere you want to go,” Collins said.
These tickets can be issued by any of Mercer Police’s 17 officers.
“I think that if you look at Mercer as a whole, we’ve got a good portion of officers in an area that comprises Mercer. You could probably go to other police departments, and you wouldn’t see the number of staff per people that we have,” Collins said.
A total of two to four officers work at once, depending on whether a special event is taking place. Collins said that he believes this is enough to help the students on campus avoid fines and stay safe.
“We give out these tickets and do restrictions to cap that limit out so that fees won’t keep amounting to a high dollar amount,” Collins said.
Collins said that the police station does more than just print and distribute tickets.
“We also investigate crimes and do a full range (of services),” Collins said. “Our priority is to keep you safe.”
(11/05/19 2:56pm)
Anyone who’s seen the “Evil Dead” movies probably knows that the films practically make fun of themselves. Tired horror movie tropes, borderline offensive female characters and H.P. Lovecraft’s “Necronomicon” make for a combination so bad it’s good. “Evil Dead: The Musical” finally delivers the meta, parody-esque rendition we never knew we needed.
The production was put on by Mercer Theatre at the Tattnall Square Center for the Arts. It ran from Oct. 24-Nov. 3.
The music, with lyrics by George Reinblatt, is catchy yet ironic enough for the most pretentious of hipsters. “Housewares Employee” mocks the epic love ballad trope, and J.T. Bloodworth’s performance of the meant-for-greatness white male lead, Ash, was clever without being over the top.
Tripp Kennon and Bloodworth’s homoerotic performance of “What the F*** Was That” got more laughs with every F-bomb. Kennon’s character, Scott, was a perfect curse word-happy comic relief, albeit decidedly misogynistic.
The use of props in this show was near-genius. Talking, possessed moose heads made it impossible to keep a straight face, and the stage blood “splash zone” in the first two aisles kept the audience anticipating every gory injury.
Elizabeth Tammi and Laura Ashlyn Pridgen stole the spotlight in the second act with their performances of Annie and Jake. Pridgen’s solo “Good Ol’ Reliable Jake” garnered big laughs while mocking Jake’s desperation to prove himself.
The penultimate musical number, “Do the Necronomicon,” was a creepy, cute and incredibly funny demon send-off followed by a final demon death in Ash’s beloved S-Mart to close out this absurd, unbelievably enjoyable production.
(11/05/19 5:00am)
Scorpio season is upon us! This water sign is deep, intuitive and unafraid to self-reflect, to dive into the complexities associated with personal transformation. When we’re due for a rebirth, Scorpio energy is what will force us to see it through. Inner power, emotional honesty and regeneration: that’s what this season has to offer us.
Communication master Mercury is retrograde, though, and has been since Oct. 31, meaning that unresolved aspects of our past are likely to re-emerge. We could also face obstacles when it comes to speaking our minds.
The tarot cards I drew this time were intense and sometimes foreboding, which is absolutely in line with this heavy Scorpio and Mercury retrograde energy. The majority were Major Arcana cards, promising true, long-term change; the fall of old power and the rise of new power.
I used a new deck, Marble Moon Tarot, designed by Samantha West of Swamp Witch, LLC. These cards use gender-neutral language in their interpretation of the key figures in the traditional tarot. I’ll note what the correspondences are for the cards that have been updated.
Aries: Moon
What better tarot card to represent the shadowy nature of Scorpio season? Aries, while you are usually quick to act and share your thoughts, this card signifies a need for you to slow down over the next few weeks and look inwardly. There’s something you’re not being honest with yourself about, something with consequences. You need to resolve it before it overtakes you.
There may be something unresolved from your past that’s weighing you down. Don’t be caught off guard if you’re saddled with memories or urged to reconsider issues you’ve ignored; Mercury’s retrograde period is challenging like that. Either way, the Moon is also the card of mystery and of secrecy. Whatever you’re called to work on right now, it’ll be a solitary journey. Don’t share this with others.
Taurus: Hanged
Traditionally known as The Hanged Man, this is the card of self-sacrifice. The image is of an aerialist, hanging upside down. Hanged represents a need to find a new perspective or to become comfortable in your discomfort as you undergo an important, but perhaps painful, transition. Maybe you’re struggling to let something go that does not serve you. Take this as a sign that you really will be better off without it. Be sure, however, not to linger too long in this upside-down state as you contemplate. You risk losing sight of how the world truly is.
Gemini: Two of Wands
This card goes against all advice regarding Mercury’s retrograde period, Gemini, but that probably doesn’t scare you. The Two of Wands signifies the first tangible steps towards a new creative pursuit. In fact, you’re encouraged to think about establishing a new creative partnership. Notice I said “think about” — it’s not time to spring into action, it’s time to come up with a plan for progress that you can follow once you’re sure it’s foolproof. Because we’re dealing with the Twos, the plan on your mind likely concerns your long-term goals and a decision you have to make regarding the path you’ll take to get there.
Cancer: Two of Cups
If you didn’t find love during Libra season, don’t worry! Now’s the time. It’ll be an intense one, though; no easy Libran flings here. The Two of Cups refers directly to the flow of love between people, to deep connections based on shared values, compassion and unconditional support. It doesn’t necessarily signify a romantic partnership, but it’s definitely possible. Otherwise, think of a business partner or other union with an emotional element. Y’all will have mutual respect for one another and a similar vision for the future. However, as we are in the thick of Mercury’s retrograde period, be wary of rushing into any long-term engagements.
Leo: Judgement
What have you been up to, Leo? And who did it serve? Judgement can call for a piercing look into your own actions so you can clean up any wrongdoing before the Universe does it for you. It’s a warning card, through and through. Know this: whatever has transpired is not only putting the folks on the receiving end at a disadvantage, but you’re getting in your own way, too. Being petty or catty limits you from connections that could help you achieve your goals. Alternatively, maybe you’re feeling that someone has wronged you; if that’s the case, take this card as a sign that they will get what’s coming to them soon. However, it’s not you that will deliver it. Let it go.
In a more literal sense, this card could indicate that you feel judgmental towards others, and you need to review why you’re being that way. Then, consider how it affects your perceptions. Feeling as though the entire world is beneath you or crossing you will only cause you to isolate yourself. Where can you start to cut others some slack and open your mind?
Virgo: Divine
This card is Marble Moon’s answer to The High Priestess in a traditional deck. The veil between the physical and the spiritual is particularly thin during both Scorpio season and Mercury’s retrograde period, and you may feel a bit overwhelmed by it all. Try to stay grounded by utilizing your intuition, which Divine suggests is very sharp right now, to discern what truly needs your attention and what emotions are really indicative of something deeper, as opposed to what’s superficial or reactionary.
West, designer of Marble Moon Tarot, says that Divine is also “a call to wait and see. The divine is comfortable in their seat, is patient, and this is a time for us to do the same. Things will come to light. This is not a time for outward energy, but time to look inward.”
Libra: Five of Cups
This is, unfortunately, not a very happy card, but it does imply that you’re creating the sadness for yourself. That means you can reverse the situation whenever you’re ready!
The Five of Cups usually turns up when something hasn’t gone as you’ve hoped or expected, and you’re feeling disappointed or (in typical Libran fashion) as though the failure is all your fault. This card also suggests an influx of old, not-so-positive memories, prompting self-victimization and an inability to take those unfortunate circumstances for what they are: behind you. If memories are what you’re dealing with, realize that the reason they’re cropping back up is to teach you a lesson. You can evaluate them, learn from them and become stronger than before. Don’t let that opportunity go.
In the last Clusterscopes, the Leos got this card, so you may want to seek the counsel of any Leos you’re close with for their advice on getting through this rough patch.
Scorpio: Authoritarian
This draw couldn’t be more fitting for Scorpios during this spooky season! Known as The Emperor in most decks, the Authoritarian represents power: the power to build, the power to create structure and the power to manifest. Now is a time for leadership. You’re offering intuitive advice to those who need it and engaging fearlessly in conflicts that concern your personal well-being. You’re not going to let anyone step on you or your loved ones right now.
You also trust your ability to draw boundaries. You can provide for or help someone else without neglecting your own needs. In the gendered tarot, the Emperor fulfills a fatherly archetype, so this card could also refer to a changing dynamic with a literal father figure or the sense that you’re inhabiting this position for someone close to you.
Sagittarius: Strength
There’s a chance that you haven’t been at your best lately, or, on the other hand, that you’re feeling remarkably powerful. Either way, this Major Arcana card represents internal strength to control our emotional responses so they don’t get out of hand, to build up our resilience to adversity and to exert control over aspects of our lives that previously made us feel insignificant. You’re seeing beyond social structures and getting to the heart of what’s important, and you’re confident about your next move. If you don’t feel that energy yet, this card urges you to think through what you’re experiencing right now so that you can embody your Strength.
Capricorn: Magician
The Magician is the master of manifestation, someone who holds all the tools they need to create a reality that aligns with their Highest Good. You know what you want, as a Capricorn, but you may be hesitating to make it happen or doubting your ability to do so. This card is a reminder of the resources at your disposal and the inherent power you have to use them appropriately. Whatever the challenge is, it’s no match for you. You can do it!
Aquarius: Sun
The Sun is the most positive card in the tarot! It indicates not necessarily that everything in your life is peachy, but that you’re able to see the good in everything right now and move forward with a sense of optimism. According to West, “the sun brings everything to light — good and bad. This is a time of true, radiant clarity. This often comes as our ‘aha!’ moment, when everything suddenly becomes clear. Take a moment to absorb all of the truth you’re seeing, and celebrate the good things.”
Pisces: Nine of Wands
Since the Eight of Wands refers to a period of anxiety, stress or unhappiness, the Nine is a step forward. The struggle will pass, and you will be stronger because of it. The gloom marked by the Eight is over, and you’re working to rebuild what was lost or what you started to doubt during that time. The Nine is the next part: you’re starting to recognize what you need to do to get back in a positive headspace, though you may not be there yet. Have faith in yourself and the world around you to restore balance.
(11/05/19 2:59am)
Mercer University’s College of Professional Advancement received a nearly $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education this past October. The grant will finance students in the Clinical Rehabilitation program who are training to become vocational rehabilitation counselors.
A vocational rehabilitation counselor works with people with a variety of physical, emotional and cognitive disabilities. Program coordinator Kristina Henderson said that their counselors aid clients in seeking employment and creating career goals, as well as provide psycho-social counseling.
“Think about the isolation that comes along with not having a career or occupational goal that you feel proud of,” Henderson said. “Vocational rehabilitation specifically, the government agency, is set up specifically to help people find employment.”
However, in the state of Georgia and nationally, there are not enough trained counselors to meet the need for them.
“We have a lot of personnel shortages,” Suneetha Manyam, the project manager for the grant, said. “There are not enough people with the credentials.”
Part of this is due to an increasing population of Americans living with disabilities, Henderson said.
“More and more people have disabilities … people are surviving things they wouldn’t have before. Medical treatment is so much better than it used to be,” she said. “What this program is doing is preparing people to work with people with disabilities … there are a lot of people with disabilities on campus, that there weren’t before.”
The Rehabilitation Service Administration Long Term Training Grant is intended to address this shortage. The grant will allow RSA scholars to be awarded tuition, stipend, internship and practicum opportunities and the option to travel to a variety of conferences across the country.
“It is a high-impact grant, I think, because it is funding eight scholars for five years,” Manyam said. “I am very proud of this grant and our scholars, and I’m honored to serve as the project director for this grant.”
Students graduate with the ability to become a certified rehabilitation counselor nationally, as well as licensed to work in the state of Georgia. Graduates will be able to enter a variety of jobs in rehabilitation counseling. Students are required to work for two years in a state agency upon graduating, Manyam said.
Henderson said that Mercer’s Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling program is training students that are skilled counselors who are also very passionate about the work they’re doing. The program also works to increase awareness surrounding disability and promote accessibility for people with disabilities, she said.
“A big part of our goal is just that our students are going to come away being advocates for people with disabilities and for making those changes that make our environment more inclusive,” Henderson said. “The grant is a great step forward in helping us do that because it gives some of our students the opportunity to go to school and do this degree that they wouldn’t be able to do otherwise.”
(11/05/19 2:46am)
Fake news is an industry. It has exploded in size since the 2016 election, partially because of the distrust in journalism encouraged by current political powers. Every time a grandma clicks on a fake story about a man who says he hates Christians and then clicks on an ad that says “people born in the 1960’s have to read this,” someone gets ad revenue from her visit to the site.
Because things can become viral so quickly on social media nowadays, it is important to be able to parse the real from the fake. Here are a few ways to ensure that the stories you are sharing on Facebook are up to snuff.
Look at the source of the article
I have seen more than one person on Facebook share an article from The Onion and say things that make it clear they think it is real. Most people know immediately that an article from The Onion is fake because it is a well-known parody website. However, some fake articles are from sites that aren’t immediately recognizable. If you don’t recognize the source, don’t share the article without looking into it further.
Also, some sources are obviously not legitimate. If something is from a website like “flatearth.com” or “climatechangeisntreal.com,” don’t share it.
Check out the original website
Say you’re looking at an article that seems sketchy on your social media feed. The claim made is intriguing, so you aren’t sure whether to believe it, or what to do next. If this happens, click on the article. I understand that in this day and age, waiting a couple of seconds for a website to load is agonizing, but it’s worth it for you to become more informed.
Once you are on the website, take it in and scope it out. Are there ads for hooking up with MILFs in your area? If so, be wary. If everything on the site looks up to date, there’s a staff page or contact us section, and it doesn’t say “parody” anywhere, the source is more likely to be legitimate. Another good thing to do is scroll down to the bottom of the page. If there is information about who owns the site and/or how to subscribe, chances are you’re in the clear.
Read the article, not just the headline
This one really gets my goat. People will share articles with inflammatory headlines that have nothing to do with the actual information in the story. If you are going to share anything on any social media, read it before you do so. There is one article in particular that I recall where Fox News reported that students wanted to ban Chick-fil-A from the University of Georgia’s campus because it is a “white supremacist cult.” To be fair, I couldn’t find a written version of the Fox report, only the video.
Fox News is a recognizable source of news for a lot of people. However, if you read the story from another source, the UGA student newspaper The Red & Black, the story is very different. Students wanted the restaurant removed because it wasn’t sustainably run.
Reading a full article past the headline can also make it apparent whether the people behind it are legitimate. If there are a lot of spelling errors or the article just doesn’t make sense, it probably isn’t worth the risk of sharing it. Don’t fall for the trick that fake news relies on, and actually read full stories.
Fact-check the information using multiple sources
For the above point, I read multiple articles about the same thing, and the articles were from two different publications. If I hadn’t done so, I wouldn’t have been aware of the real story. This is a good practice in general. Instead of just believing what one article is telling you, double check with a completely different article and see how things line up between them. It’s a big deal to say something is being called a “white supremacist cult,” but if no one else is reporting on that, it probably isn’t true.
Sharing wrong information on social media doesn’t seem like a big deal, but over time it can lead to a general distrust of the journalism field. Journalists cannot effectively do their jobs if no one believes anything they say. By being more aware of what you are sharing on social media, you can help cut down on fake news.
(11/05/19 2:34am)
The Mercer Bears continued their winning streak at Five Star Stadium against the Samford Bulldogs. They won by a field goal in triple-overtime with a final score of 36 to 33.
The Bulldogs led the first quarter with the Bears only managing to score a field goal. Mercer came back to tie 10-10 by halftime.
After half time, the Bears came back with a new surge of energy and determination to push them through the game.
The two teams stayed neck and neck up into the fourth quarter. Redshirt freshman Caleb Dowen missed a 35-yard field goal during the fourth, which sent the game into overtime.
In overtime, both teams scored a touchdown with small yardage and a field goal. In a nail-biting turn of events, Dowen again had to get a field goal to win the game. He made the 38-yard field goal, pushing the Bears to victory.
This is the second year in a row that Mercer has beaten Samford and the second home win of the season. This win couldn’t have come at a better time, as the Bears lost to the Citadel the week prior.
Redshirt junior and linebacker Sidney Otiwu set a school record for the most tackles in a single game and continues to lead the Bears this season defensively.
Wide receiver David Durdan played his second game back after sustaining an injury early in the season. He had 63 receiving yards on three catches, according to Mercer Athletics.
The Bears are set to face the Wofford on Nov. 9 for the last home game of the season.
(11/05/19 2:21am)
After three intensely long years since his major project “Blond” was released, pop artist Frank Ocean has finally dropped a new song.
Ocean has received many accolades for his various works. His studio debut album, “Channel Orange,” was named Best Urban Contemporary Album for the year 2012, in which he received a Grammy Award. Pitchfork named his second album, “Blond,” album of the decade, and he has written and produced multiple popular tracks. Ocean’s most recent single, “DHL,” came out Oct. 19, and I’ve had it on replay ever since.
The spontaneous release of this single suggests that there might be a possible new album in the works. The cover art features a photo of Ocean sitting in a chair with a bag over his head. The image also includes silhouettes of other photos of Ocean. One of the silhouettes is highlighted, and resembles the main image on the cover. Based on the cover art, it’s implied that this song might be the fourth on an upcoming album.
Ocean continues to create stellar music even with the hiatuses between his releases. His music is labeled as pop, but he tends to steer away from that genre, incorporating contemporary R&B, rap, electronic and alternative sounds within his music.
In “DHL,” Ocean takes rap and converts it into an almost soft and soothing flow, yet still including powerful bass beats. Ocean uses his voice to show intense passion, enunciating every word as if it’s his last. Although he does use autotune at some points, he uses it in a way that is constructive, and never attempts to hide his calming voice. He uses an almost poetic way of rapping and uses repetition throughout the song.
In the final 30 seconds of the song, Ocean switches to his natural and unhinged voice and ends in a way that makes you want to sing along. Similar to other R&B artists, the vocals combined with the instrumental music makes you feel good and that’s something you’ll always feel when listening to Ocean’s work.
On this track, he takes the opportunity to rap about “packs” he received from the DHL, his “boy toy,” which refers to his bisexuality, Starbucks, Kawasakis and even Paris Fashion Week. The general meaning of the song is unclear, but it’s safe to say that even though the meaning isn’t apparent to us, the song definitely still has one.
Over time, Ocean has proven that he’s a viable rapper, artist, photographer and more. “DHL” marks a new beginning for Ocean, and I can’t wait to see what’s next.
(11/02/19 1:01am)
A meeting to address statements made by economics professor Antonio Saravia during an Oct. 23 debate was held in the Medical School auditorium on Oct. 28.
The debate, titled “Is Social Justice Just?,” was organized and hosted by Students for Liberty and the Center for the Study of Economics and Liberty. Mercer professors Vasile Stanescu and Antonio Saravia participated in the debate with professor Will Jordan moderating. Stanescu argued that social justice is just, while Saravia took the opposing view.
However, Saravia’s statements during the initial debate included repeated denials of the existence of systemic racism, citing the election of former President Barack Obama as a justification. In response, professor Chester Fontenot organized a meeting for students to voice their concerns about Saravia’s comments.
This follow-up meeting was initially scheduled to take place in a Willingham classroom, but was moved to the Medical School’s auditorium as the size of interested attendees grew. The audience mostly consisted of students, though several professors were also in attendance. Genesis Cooper, a student of Fontenot and Junior Senator of Mercer’s Student Government Association, moderated.
“I realize I’m not in friendly territory today,” Saravia said as the meeting began. He then gave a recap of the comments he made at the debate before the floor was opened for students and faculty to address him.
Several students asked him about his statements on social justice, which Saravia said leads to a “partial application of the law.” He frequently referenced alleged sources that he had on hand, listing off supposed statistics and data that backed up his arguments — however, he did not state exactly who his sources were, how he found them or how the numbers were measured.
When students and professors of color gave firsthand accounts of the racist interactions they have previously — and continually — encountered, Saravia said these were examples of individual racism, not systemic racism.
Systemic, or institutionalized, racism is an embedded form of racism found within political, economic and social institutions. It affects everything from employment rates to income levels to criminal justice, and this widespread, ingrained discrimination makes it more difficult for people of color to have the same opportunities as white Americans.
Mercer student Cameron Wade asked if Saravia knew about the concept of intersectionality after Saravia said that class, not race, was the more prominent factor in incarceration.
“Anybody could be poor,” Wade said. “But poverty disproportionately affects people of color.”
Saravia then said that correlation does not mean causation, again citing his research. Later, he said that because he is Bolivian, he understands what it is to be profiled racially and to come from an economically disadvantaged situation.
“You wouldn’t be sitting up there having this opportunity because minorities, almost all of us in this room, didn’t have the same opportunities,” student Nadia Pressley said. “We weren’t able to appeal to a judge … there had to be some sort of social justice movement to get someone to listen.”
Fontenot spoke after several students and other professors expressed their concerns to Saravia, who repeatedly reiterated his debate arguments.
“I’ve been trying to stay out of this,” Fontenot said. “Being black in America is a constant pain. We hurt all the time.”
He said these issues are not simply theories, research or data.
“The constant assault that we experience, even on this campus, this is why we’re here. This is what you misunderstand, Antonio,” he said.
Michaela Jones, Vice President of Mercer’s SGA, said that she has been stopped by Mercer Police before and asked if she was a student here. She brought up Black Lives Matter and similar movements, saying that those movements fight for her to have equal opportunities.
Later, when speaking of the American enslavement of people of African descent, Saravia compared it to inter-African slavery.
“Black people also enslaved other black people in Africa,” he said.
This statement prompted some students to leave the auditorium. Saravia’s words ignored the plethora of differences between the trans-Atlantic slave trade and slavery within Africa historically, while also implying that all black people are African.
“I don’t think you really get it. I don’t think you understand,” professor Michele Prettyman said. “Everything you’re saying is ahistorical.”
Professor Kedrick Hartfield shared his experiences with police mistreatment.
“I know because I have experienced it my entire life,” he said.
During his second year at Mercer, he was pulled over by police on Riverside Drive, and he remembered “the talk” that many black fathers have with their sons about police. He made sure to turn on all the lights in his car, and he was dressed in a suit and tie. He put his hands out the window. The police officer asked for his license and registration, and when Hartfield reached for his back pocket, the officer drew his gun.
“Biggest gun I’ve ever seen in my life,” Hartfield said. “I don’t know of one black guy who doesn’t have a story like mine … I don’t know how that’s not systemic.”
Cooper said she felt like after hearing Saravia’s statements that she didn’t want to go to Mercer, to which student Alvaro Garcia said, “Then don’t.”
Cooper left the room, and the crowd expressed their support on her behalf.
“Enough is enough. I’m shutting it down. We’ve reached a point of diminishing returns,” Fontenot said. “This is over.”
Overall, the event lasted for well over an hour and several students stayed after to confront Garcia and speak with Fontenot.
Student organizations are currently finalizing plans on forward action, and this meeting has sparked discussion among faculty members. Check back here for updates.
This story was updated Nov. 4, 2019, to include information about Students for Liberty. Excerpts from an internal Canvas announcement sent to students by economics professor Robi Ragan have also been redacted. The Canvas announcement was critical of Saravia's statements in the debate and was published in The Cluster without Ragan's knowledge, and we regret that decision. Ragan had offered the debate as extra credit in his course and sent the internal Canvas announcement to apologize to students who had attended.
(10/27/19 6:31pm)
Mercer University’s controversial delayed recruitment policy for fraternities and sororities won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.
Vice President and Dean of Students Douglas Pearson said delayed recruitment was implemented in 2017 to address problems within Mercer’s Greek community. Since then, the administration has observed positive changes on campus.
“We moved to delayed recruitment almost three years ago after experiencing declining numbers, a series of safety issues — primarily related to recruitment violations during the first week of classes — and noted negative impacts on student grades, primarily with the men,” Pearson said. “During the two-year trial period, we experienced less safety issues, increased numbers and noted a slight positive impact on grades.”
Pearson said Mercer will “continue with delayed recruitment for the near future.”
By the numbers: Greek life membership and average GPAs
In 2016, the last year Mercer practiced traditional recruitment, 663 students were involved in Greek life according to the Greek Life Academic and Membership Reports available on the Fraternity and Sorority Programs website. That was 21.93% of the Macon undergraduate enrollment of 3,023.
The all-Greek grade point average at the end of the fall 2016 semester sat at 3.17.
In the first year of delayed recruitment, 2017, the total Greek population climbed to 925 while the Macon undergraduate enrollment increased to 3,192 — a 26% Greek campus.
The Greek Academic and Membership Report for the semester found that part of the increase in numbers was due to the establishment of the new Multicultural Greek Council. The MGC amassed 31 total members in the inaugural semester between Sigma Sigma Rho Sorority Inc. and Delta Epsilon Psi Fraternity Inc.
The average Greek GPA rose to a 3.2 that semester.
GPAs continued to rise during the second year of delayed recruitment. The all-Greek average reached 3.26 in fall 2018.
However, the Greek community saw a decline in numbers. A total of 808 students were involved in a fraternity or sorority that semester of 3,326 total students: 24.29%.
The report for fall 2019 has not yet been released.
Three years later: Reactions to delayed recruitment
While some students support the policy change, Campus Life received formal requests to return to a more traditional rush week at the beginning of the 2019 academic year.
More than 140 women in the National Panhellenic Council — a network of sororities including Alpha Delta Pi, Alpha Gamma Delta, Chi Omega and Phi Mu — signed a petition prior to the 2019 rush week asking to hold recruitment during the first week of classes. They cited social anxiety, animosity between sorority chapters and rules that limit contact between Greek and non-Greek students.
Pearson said the Panhellenic Council appealed to him last year with the same request.
“After meeting with my staff and reflecting on the goals and results that we experienced from the trial period, I advised Panhellenic that we were going to continue with delayed recruitment for the near future,” he said.
Over the past three years, Pearson said he has worked with the sororities to navigate the delayed recruitment guidelines, since many of the rules the chapters must follow are imposed not by the school, but by their national organizations.
“They asked that they be permitted to move in early to prepare for recruitment, and that we move delayed recruitment up a week to accommodate academic obligations. I approved both requests,” he said.
Pearson acknowledged that the 2019 delayed recruitment period saw decreased numbers among sororities in particular.
“I understand that sororities may have experienced a dip in numbers this past fall,” he said. “I plan to look into that, but overall, I believe the numbers over the last three years have been positive.”
Academic stress, time management and Labor Day plans: Student surveys reveal concerns
The numbers may have been positive, but Panhellenic women’s experiences haven’t been.
The Panhellenic Council’s recruitment team administered surveys to new members and initiated sisters across all four chapters to gauge their opinions on the 2019 recruitment period. According to survey data released to The Cluster by Panhellenic President Kellie Wydrinksi, 92.6% of the 54 initiated respondents said they would prefer recruitment begin the first week of classes.
According to another survey given to new members, only 50% of new members said that they enjoyed the current delayed recruitment policy in general.
Of the half who did not prefer delayed recruitment, 40% said the first week of school would be a better choice, while the other 10% wanted to hold it later in the semester or in the spring.
While a major reason for delaying recruitment is so the period before rush week can be used to attract new members to the process, only 30% of new member respondents said they did not know that they wanted to participate in formal recruitment before starting classes at Mercer.
In the anonymous survey responses, one initiated sister said that while delayed recruitment may benefit Potential New Members in some ways, it puts upperclassmen members at a disadvantage.
“I understand having delayed recruitment allows students to get accustomed to college life, yet it severely hinders us rather than helps,” the student wrote. “During the first week, there is less going on with classes and people are actually energetic and able to attend recruitment rather than be exhausted when week three comes around.”
Another student, however, said that delayed recruitment still seemed “appropriate” because of the extra time it offers both PNMs and current sisters.
“It allows more freshmen to adjust to college and sign up when they’re ready,” she wrote. “If recruitment was the first week of classes, it would be a lot on the Panhellenic women to jump straight into recruitment after spirit week.”
Spirit Week refers to the week prior to the start of classes during which Panhellenic women return to campus early in order to prepare for recruitment.
In addition, the first day of recruitment this year fell on Labor Day, a choice that was unpopular among most respondents across both surveys. The new member survey found that 75% did not like recruitment beginning on Labor Day.
One Pi Chi — an upperclassman chosen by the Panhellenic Council to give up her letters from the end of the spring semester until Bid Day and guide PNMs through recruitment week from an objective standpoint — said that PNMs in her group had to choose whether to skip the first day of rush or miss out on seeing their families. For many freshmen PNMs, Labor Day weekend would be their first opportunity to visit home since starting college.
“It’s not fair to force upperclassmen to give this time up, and it’s definitely not fair to the freshmen who want to go home at that point in the semester,” another student said.
However, one respondent said that a Labor Day start is easier on the Greek community than the first week of classes would be.
“The freshmen need to (be) acclimated to the school, and initiated sisters don’t want to jump right into recruitment from summer break,” she wrote.
Holding recruitment events on Labor Day frustrated the majority of women who responded to the surveys, but academic performance was the most common reason students disliked delayed recruitment.
Initiated women said that recruitment events took up between six and eight hours per day, including set-up beforehand and meetings afterwards, neither of which PNMs may attend. Most initiated women reported failing tests or quizzes, skipping classes, losing time to study, suffering from sleep deprivation or a combination of these as a result of the time commitment.
“Recruitment heavily affects my academics,” one student wrote. “I would report around 4 p.m. and wouldn't be back to my room until midnight. I missed SI (Supplemental Instruction) sessions, could never speak to my professors during office hours or study for tests. I couldn't even finish my homework.”
Some said that working ahead or choosing a lighter fall semester schedule helped them avoid dips in their grades during this time, although this wasn’t effective for everyone.
“I stayed up until 2 a.m. or later every day to study for a very hard and important exam that week and still did poorly on it due to lack of sleep and preparation for it. I even started studying a week before recruitment, but the stress made it that much harder,” a student said. “I’m now at risk of having to withdraw from this class I need for graduation in May.”
New members, by comparison, were far less likely to say that delayed recruitment affected their academics.
Greek numbers are increasing nationwide
Although Mercer’s Greek community may have seen a small decline this fall, fraternity and sorority membership has increased nationally in the past several years.
In 2016 — the last year for which statistics are available — over 12% of students entering college for their first year reported interest in rushing, compared to 10% the year before, according to CNN.
In the 2015-2016 year, about 384,200 initiated members and 99,800 new members comprised the Inter-Fraternity Council, and total undergraduate sorority membership was more than 418,000 the next year.
(10/27/19 6:11pm)
Most known for her breakout single “Girls Need Love,'' Summer Walker has been consistently releasing music since 2018. Her signature sultry, soulful sound has made her a stand-out artist in a short amount of time.
Walker’s debut album, “Over It,” was released on Oct. 4 and her fans, including me, are raving about it. Get ready to call your ex and hang up when they answer; her songs make you feel many emotions, from defeated anger to frustrated love.
Walker starts the album by telling the story of her attempt to cut off her ex, and as the album progresses, she dives deeper into the rest of her emotions. In this song, Walker shows a vulnerable side that is raw and human. The song entails a withdrawn, defeated tone as any breakup song would.
The song “Me” evokes a rush of relatable feelings. Walker sings about knowing better but choosing the worst, in the name of love. She dials it back to feel the full extent of her emotions, before spinning the pinwheel of feelings again. This song conveys a feeling of volatility about her struggle to decide how to address her partner. Although, Walker mentions she wouldn’t bring any harm, the instability of her emotions are definitely evident.
Walker features other artists on her tracks such as 6lack and PartyNextDoor. Their verses provide authentic, stereotypical male responses to the situations she sings about in her songs. Walker’s song with 6lack, “Like It” depicts her attempts to believe in her relationship again, while he only talks about his ulterior motives.
Two of her pre-released singles, “Playing Games” and “Girls Need Love,” are the last two songs on “Over It” and feature Drake and Bryson Tiller. Predictably, the two male artists played the remorseful, apologetic partner, ending off the album with the fated reconciliation of both a relationship and the two pieces of a broken heart.
Overall, Walker succeeded in taking us on an emotional rollercoaster we didn’t know we needed. Giving us raw, relatable emotions, she managed to work through a real-life situation in 18 songs. Like many other R&B artists of her generation, Walker took another step in the right direction for soulful music.
(10/27/19 6:10pm)
Mercer cross country runner Ashley McMahon set her personal best at the Queen City Invitational. McMahon placed 15th out of 365 individually, according to Mercer Athletics. This record is something that she has strived for since starting at Mercer.
“It has been a goal for me for a long time,” McMahon said. “It was hard because you have to be there mentally the whole time.”
The team practices throughout the week, with McMahon usually running over five miles a day. From meals to the right headspace, preparation is essential.
“It’s part of our everyday life,” McMahon said. “I will mentally imagine the race in my head so I know how it will feel, and if something goes wrong I know what to do.”
Food is something that can make or break a race, and for McMahon, she found a snack that she stands by.
“As a whole, you try and eat healthy you know, get your carbs and your proteins,” McMahon said. “Oatmeal is one of my main go-tos.”
McMahon ran in all five of Mercer's meets and was one of the top two finishers in all five events last season. She also held Mercer’s second-fastest 5K time for one of her races last season, according to Mercer Athletics.
“The training that we have done has prepared us so well,” McMahon said.
Both the men’s and women’s teams are showing promising results as the Men’s team had their best finish of the year at the Blazer Classic Meet.
Both teams will compete in the SoCon tournament on Nov. 2 and have a chance to also compete in regionals on Nov. 15.
(10/27/19 6:05pm)
Dermot Kennedy has had a slow and steady climb into the music industry. With artists like Taylor Swift and Hozier among his list of fans, Kennedy’s soulful mix of folk roots and electronic beats attracts lovers of multiple genres. Kennedy’s debut album “Without Fear” culminates a decade between busking on the streets of Dublin and streaming to over 10 million monthly listeners on Spotify with heartbreaking honesty.
The record begins with a revamped version of “An Evening I Will Not Forget,” a song that was originally released on Spotify in 2015. Despite the track’s multiple metamorphoses throughout the years, the song carries a certain finality in its album version. Kennedy’s crisp voice and stripped back piano give way to new electronic beats that make certain lines — such as “The angel of death is ruthless” — feel like a punch to the gut.
“All My Friends,” another familiar song originally released in 2017, pays homage to its original version with pop-esque production. Kennedy adds a new depth to the song with heavy drums and updated vocals that feel a bit more mature.
Big, chorus-heavy songs such as “Power Over Me,” “Outnumbered” and “Redemption” give Kennedy a chance to prove his radio-readiness, but still carry his trademark meaningful lyrics delivered by heart-wrenching vocals.
Kennedy’s new love-struck ballads “What Have I Done” and “Rome” are sweet and sad in a way that feels refreshingly simple. The production of these songs leaves something to be desired, but Kennedy’s voice picks up any slack and demands that the listener stop to feel whatever he is conveying.
“Lost,” a song released as a single earlier this year, stops any distractions in their tracks with vivid and compelling imagery. The lines, “Someday I’ll need your spine to hide behind” and, “The sky got red and swollen” are impossible to ignore coming from Kennedy’s earnest voice.
“Moments Passed” remains unchanged from its nearly flawless 2017 version produced by Mike Dean, known for his work with artists such as Kanye West and Travis Scott. The strong hip hop production lures listeners into Kennedy’s impressive depth with lyrics like, “Maybe I’ve lost count of the rooms you’re tall in” detailing a past relationship.
The melody of “The Corner” gets caught in your head just before the lyrics take hold of your emotions. Kennedy uses images of cold weather and a street corner as a metaphor for feeling lost to yourself. The line “Remember who you are, how you were never one for folding” reminds his listeners to stay true to themselves.
Wrapping up the end of the album, “Dancing Under Red Skies” and “Without Fear” feature heavy lyricism emphasized by their production. The tracks have existed only in the depths of Youtube until this album and are long-awaited for many fans. The album’s title track “Without Fear” captures listeners in the universal story of approaching love fearlessly with lines about “first full laughter” and leading with the heart.
Kennedy’s debut album encapsulates his history of lyrically mesmerizing songs delivered by an unforgettable voice. With epic production, howling choruses and stripped back acoustics, “Without Fear” appeals to anyone who has felt something, regardless of genre.
(10/27/19 5:58pm)
A Washington D.C sports ownership company and a British betting firm are attempting to create a legal sports betting environment inside D.C’s Capital One Arena, according to Forbes.
The betting facility would be organized between Monumental Sports, the group that owns both the Washington Wizards and Washington Capitals, and the British betting firm William Hill.
Monumental Sports also owns Capital One Arena, the space where the betting facility would be housed.
Monumental Sports owner Ted Leonsis did not disclose financial specifics to the press but did say to the Wall Street Journal that the partnership with William Hill was to ensure that there were no conflicts of interest in the betting process. Leonsis also said that the facility was intended to span multiple floors, and even offer the option for guests to place bets from their cell phones.
“Think of it as less of a cocktail lounge and more of a modern sports bar and trading desk,” Leonsis told the Washington Post. “We want it to feel like the best Apple store with the Genius Bar because young people are accustomed to that.”
The endeavor is still subject to review from city officials, but could still be a huge step towards allowing legal sports betting inside of sports arenas in the U.S.
Chief Executive of the William Hill betting firm’s U.S. division Joe Asher told the Washington Post that the surfacing of legal sports betting in scenarios like this is becoming a huge boom in the United States.
“You’ve taken this business that has existed but was largely a black market business outside Nevada, and you’ve made it a legal regulated industry," Asher said in an interview with the Washington Post. “There’s a huge legal industry that is in the process of being created and ramping up.”
This ramping up of business would explain the ambitious move to the United States by William Hill. The betting firm has already opened venues in 10 U.S states.
The project is said to be open by 2020, allowing for the legal arena betting in Washington D.C.
(10/27/19 5:53pm)
Welcome to Clusterscopes, a biweekly tarotscopes column. I’ll pull a tarot card for each sign of the zodiac to help guide you through the next two weeks.
Remember, astrology goes deeper than your Sun sign — the one associated with your birthday. Each planet or major celestial body corresponds to a different aspect of life, and since certain areas of the sky are marked by each of the 12 zodiac signs, each planet sits “in” one sign, affecting how you relate to or act in that aspect.
For example, in my chart, Mercury — which guides communication — is in the sign of Leo. Generally speaking that means I talk a lot, I write a lot and I want folks to listen (go figure). So while I’m a Virgo, and the Virgo tarotscope speaks broadly to my general experience, I’d also read the Leo tarotscope to understand how my communication might be affected specifically.
To decipher your astrological birth chart, text your mom for your exact birth time and place, and head over to a website like CafeAstrology to get the scoop.
Aries: Nine of Coins
The Nine of Coins appears after a period of struggle to signify that the rough patch is nearing its end. Whatever has been wearing you down lately, Aries, it’s on its way out, and it’s all thanks to you — your own actions and your own mindset. You identified what wasn’t working for you in the material world and devised a plan to counter it. Whether you foresaw a slip in grades and hit the library until you fixed them, or took on more hours at work after you realized you weren’t managing your finances well, your own determination and will brought you out of that negative space. Take credit for it; you’ve earned this.
Taurus: The Magician
Big things are brewing, Taurus; you just have to take advantage of the resources and tools around you so you can bring them to fruition. The Magician is a healer, a medicine man, an alchemist — someone who is in touch with his own ability to manifest his true desires. That energy surrounds you currently: what are you hoping to bring forth in your life? Make sure that whatever it is serves you on a deeper level and brings you fulfillment in a spiritual or personal sense. Don’t allow yourself to be motivated by money or power; there is something much more important to focus on right now.
Gemini: Seven of Swords
Something’s not right in your relationships right now, Gemini. Whether it’s your significant other, friend group, parents or anyone else, there’s a layer of deception or betrayal in your interactions. You may be the one keeping a secret or hiding something major, or someone else may be trying to pull one over on you.
If you are withholding some of your truth, evaluate how much work you may have to put in to keep that secret. Is it worth it? If you sense something else has gone amiss in one of your interpersonal relationships, it’s time to hone in on your gut feeling. Listen to yourself! Don’t be afraid to confront someone who’s been shady. Geminis are very intuitive; don’t let someone get away with hurting you.
Cancer: Page of Wands
Pages represent a new energy or perspective on an ongoing situation, or a new way of trying to solve a problem you’ve been dealing with for a while. Pages in the suit of wands, then, refer to alternative paths to creative endeavors or spiritual growth through analyzing and using your abundant energy and potential. On a more negative side, there’s a chance that you’re in a rut right now, experiencing writers’ block or an inability to get motivated. If that resonates, Cancer, try looking for alternate ways of getting where you need to go; for example, asking someone you admire for their help or advice. What is meant for you will not pass you by, but only you can drive a dream to reality.
Leo: Five of Cups
Not to be too harsh on you, sweet Leo, but what’s holding you back right now is your own mental block. You’re dwelling on something, whether it’s a past or present situation, that you know you can’t change. It’s important to feel and process your emotions, yes, but Five of Cups represents a period of time when feeling is all you’re doing, and it’s taking the place of moving forward and focusing on where you want to go in the future. There’s an element of self-pity in this card, so if this resonates, consider how you can best let go of it. Understand that by wallowing, you’re only limiting yourself further.
Virgo: Ace of Swords
We love a good Ace card, and if you’re a Virgo, the swords suit probably speaks to areas of your life that are super important to you. The mental clarity that swords bring helps you focus on personal success and professional development.
You’ve got a goal, a new idea and all the power necessary to succeed. Now, your only challenge is to make sure you plan out how best to execute. Don’t lose your motivation in worrying about the details, though. As a Virgo myself, I know how easy it can be to fall into mental traps agonizing over each and every step in your path. Realize that all that you need to succeed is already within you, and envision your future once you’ve started this journey.
Libra: The Lovers
Your season just ended, Libra, so you’re likely feeling refreshed. The Lovers refers not just to romantic relationships and partnerships — although, as we’re in the thick of Libra season, you may be finding these easier and a lot more fun right now — but dualities in general unifying.
Some folks see The Lovers and automatically think it’s time to download Tinder, but keep in mind that the two figures depicted on the card can also refer to two parts within yourself. Self-love may come more naturally, and you may be figuring out who you are or beginning a period of greater self-acceptance. Alternately, maybe you’re feeling called to reconcile with someone you’ve had beef with in the past. Keep it light, keep it easy and remember that this Major Arcana card could signify something with a lasting impact.
Scorpio: The Sun
The Sun is the most positive card in the deck! Scorpio season has just begun -- Oct. 23 to Nov. 22 -- and your natural ability to see the good side of life is enhanced. The Sun doesn’t necessarily promise that something amazing will come your way, but it does suggest that you’re feeling optimistic, and you’re not having too much trouble focusing on what’s going well. You’re identifying any negative thoughts for what they are and moving past them. Keep it up! You’re in your power.
Sagittarius: The Empress
In the traditional tarot, the imagery associated with The Empress is that of a pregnant woman in nature, attuning with the world around her and preparing to contribute to it. She is in tune with her surroundings and spiritually set to “birth” — but of course, this card doesn’t usually refer to an actual pregnancy.
What it does mean, Sag, is that you find yourself in the perfect mental and physical space to “give birth to,” implement or share a creative project, personal accomplishment or new perspective you’ve unearthed with those around you. Often, this card refers to a personal rebranding or shift, and you understand that the people who are important to you will support and believe in you and your work.
Capricorn: Two of Swords
Decisions, decisions, decisions. What’s bothering you lately, Capricorn? You’re either struggling with two outcomes of a choice you could make, or you’re unsure how to proceed in a conflict between two folks you’re close with. This card often refers to someone trapped unwillingly in a mediator role. If it’s not your drama, Cap, you don’t need to force yourself to take part in it. You don’t owe anyone your wisdom, especially if they’re not receptive. And if it’s you that can’t decide what to do or who to side with, maybe the best action is inaction. You know who you are, what you need and where you’re going; don’t let anyone distract you from your vision.
Aquarius: Ten of Cups
This card symbolizes the blissful feeling of completion, luxury and pride in yourself after you’ve worked hard to bring something to fruition — and given that we’re dealing with Cups energy, it has to do with interpersonal relationships or your own mental state and self-image. Whether you changed something about your perspective or got back on good terms with someone you’d been distant from, you’ve taken the reins and resolved something that wasn’t serving you emotionally. In true Aquarius fashion, you saw a problem, you fixed it and you deserve to be proud of that. Take a break!
Pisces: Page of Cups
Intuition is one of your gifts, Pisces, but don’t let your inner knowing get blocked by unprocessed emotional responses to what you encounter. The Page is a well-meaning, excitable figure who often brings a positive or enjoyable surprise. Sometimes, this card really does foreshadow something tangible coming your way or someone giving you a gift! But this card is also known to appear when you’ve been offered a new opportunity, especially a creative one.
In a spiritual sense, you may be receiving more intuitive messages or feeling a strong drive to (re)connect with your spirituality in some way. No matter which it is, you need to stay open-minded. Go with the flow, see what happens and appreciate the good things. Don’t be afraid to let yourself feel and respond with feeling, but be sure to keep that in check, too. Don’t let it cloud your vision.
(10/26/19 6:06pm)
Katina Bitsicas is the current visiting artist at Plunkett Gallery. Bitsicas’ exhibit, entitled “Revive,” explores themes centered around coming back to life even with death edging close. She uses the motif of red thread, commonly associated with human connection, to symbolize loss and longing in her multimedia exhibit.
Bitsicas is a new media artist, a genre that utilizes modern technologies to create artwork. She personally specializes in photography, performance and video, and her artwork has been shown around the world. Currently, Bitsicas is the University of Missouri’s Program Director and Assistant Professor of Digital Storytelling.
Her pieces commonly ponder the effects of trauma, often relating her personal experiences in order to bring widespread societal issues to an intensely human level.
“Revive” is unique in that it not only contains Bitsicas’ traumatic experiences with hospitals due to her father’s struggle with Stage Four Mantle Cell Lymphoma, but relates it to Luci Cook’s transplant-related post-traumatic stress disorder after receiving three heart transplants. Through conveying their shared experiences in art, Bitsicas visually demonstrates the innate need for connection among people.
Her exhibit also clearly illustrates the loneliness and loss felt by people in hospitals.
“Conversation about the trauma and PTSD involved with transplants is seen as taboo,” Bitsicas wrote in her artist’s statement.
Bitsicas’ artwork fights against this taboo to open up a conversation about the trauma of medical issues and procedures. The gallery is almost overwhelmed with grief. In one corner, a series of cloth panels traces a line from Bitsicas’ house to her father’s, a journey she was unable to take when he was diagnosed with cancer. On one wall hangs a triple sequence of embroideries, each uniquely related to Bitsicas’ father’s journey with cancer and on another, several bleak hospital masks hang and spit out red threads.
However, Bitsicas’ pieces also speak to hope. In a previous performance involving the emotionless hospital masks, Cook removed their masks and kissed them on the forehead, “reclaiming the traumatizing medical experiences as well as forming a personal connection” with the physicians who treated but rarely spoke to her.
Three videos are projected onto one of the gallery’s walls, representing the three different hearts Cook has received, and feature Cook beautifully describing the location and feel of each. The third embroidered piece in the aforementioned sequence represents Bitsicas’ coping mechanism.
“Revive” demonstrates Bitsicas’ adeptness in weaving together form and content and trauma and recovery. Her exhibit is breathtaking and forces viewers to consider more deeply their connection to others, particularly to those who have experienced trauma.
Bitsicas’ exhibit will be available to visit at Plunkett Gallery in Hardeman Hall until Oct. 31.
(10/26/19 5:58pm)
While some of us are still saving up for the $699 iPhone 11 (as well as the even pricier iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max, all released Sept. 20), Apple also rolled out iOS 13 for most devices Sept. 19. If you’re more of a tablet person, the software update included a tablet-specific upgrade, iPadOS, finally creating two separate operating systems for the iPhone and iPad.
The iPhone 11: Improved battery life, camera upgrades and... "slofies?"
The iPhone 11 has an improved battery life, but to afford the space, Apple ditched the 3D Touch feature. Otherwise, the primary aspect setting the iPhone 11 apart from previous versions is the upgraded camera, so if you like the camera on your current phone, you might not want to spring for the iPhone 11. The device is otherwise visually similar to the iPhone XS, although there is a new matte finish on the back of the 11.
The iPhone 11 features a dual camera, one ultra-wide-angle lens and another that takes quality photos at night. They’re arranged in a square shape, which helps offer an 85-degree field of view compared to the 70 degrees provided by the iPhone XR, as well as a slow-motion effect to the front-facing camera. I like the idea of being able to add an additional person to a group selfie, but the slo-mo stuff takes it a bit too far: according to Apple, it’s for taking “slofies.” I tried to convince myself that slofies were some kind of joke, but Apple is actually trying to trademark the word, so I guess slofies are becoming a thing for some reason.
In terms of real benefits that people actually care about, the iPhone 11 Pro has an even better camera than the 11, but for a $300 price hike. However, the screen is smaller, at just 5.8 inches compared to 6.1 inches on the 11, so the three camera lenses take up a ton of space. They’re also each raised, and all three are housed in a carved-out section on the phone body. While the pictures it takes are as close to professional as you can get with a smartphone, I don’t think an ugly, bulky exterior is necessarily worth it.
Aside from the camera, Apple claims that the glass used for the iPhone 11 is the strongest ever included on a smartphone, which is an easy selling point for folks like me who can’t go a month without cracking a phone screen. It’s also got improved water resistance, which is a plus for me, too, as someone who once accidentally submerged an old iPhone in an entire cup of coffee. (It was a rough morning all around.)
iOS 13: Updates to classic apps, animated Memojis and Dark Mode
iPhone 11s come pre-installed with iOS 13, which means that another generation of older iPhones will no longer be able to take advantage of future software updates. The iPhones 6, 6 Plus and 5S were able to run iOS 12, but won’t support iOS 13.
iOS 13 is the biggest software update Apple has released to date, and some major changes affect the Maps, Reminders and Photos apps native to the iPhone. Generally, the three are more streamlined and user-friendly than before.
My favorite is the Reminders app. You can add locations, links, follow-up actions and even photos to your Reminders, which could be super helpful for a student. I can see myself attaching screenshots of important emails, links to Canvas assignments or pictures of items I want to remember to buy when I get my next paycheck.
Maps has also received an overhaul, which I’m excited about after being led astray one too many times by the previous app. Unfortunately, the Maps updates aren’t available in every state yet. Georgia is one that will have to wait until 2020 for the new details such as Look Around, which is Apple’s answer to Google Maps’ Street View.
Without a doubt, the best thing about iOS 13 is the introduction of Dark Mode. It inverts white and gray colors for black and dark grey in most apps, which not only extends battery life but also reduces eye strain. According to the Mayo Clinic, eye strain is most commonly caused by screen brightness and extended screen use.
I’ll admit, I’m not really sold on Dark Mode most of the time. That’s why I was surprised that I loved how much easier it is to read texts at night or check my phone when I wake up in the morning. For me, the difference is that iOS 13 makes it available on many apps that I use, while it was previously just an option on a few. For example, the switch from dark Twitter to bright iMessage was jarring, but now I don’t have to worry about it, so it’s overall a simpler and more positive experience.
One drawback to iOS 13 is the ubiquitous Memojis. Technically, Memojis were rolled out in iOS 12, but I didn’t know they existed until this month when I traded in my iPhone 6 for an iPhone XR, since Memojis aren’t available for devices earlier than the X. The most recent update animates and includes Memojis as stickers in your iMessage and Mail apps. They’re cute, but honestly, I think they’re weird and a bit of a waste of time. Why would anyone need to email a massive cartoon of themselves crying or an animated octopus emoji?
As far as drawbacks go, though, that’s pretty minimal, since I can just ignore it. And while the initial response to iOS 13 revealed that the update contained several bugs, Apple released the revised iOS 13.1 within a week, which resolved many of the issues. Overall, this season of Apple products is solid, but the iPhone 11 is probably not worth the investment if your current model will support iOS 13.
(10/26/19 5:02pm)
It’s only Mia Spinola’s second year at Mercer, but she is already a co-captain of the Bears’ dance team.
Spinola loved dancing when she joined the team during her freshman year. However, she never realized how much she would end up loving her teammates.
“I truly love to dance and the fact that I get to do it with 16 of my closest people makes it even better,” Spinola said. “My love for both pushed me to want to become more than just one of their teammates. I wanted to be someone who could lead them not only in practice or at games, but in life, too.”
Spinola shares her captaincy with senior Jaycie Rollins, who she said helped her grow. She also credited her captaincy for teaching her more about herself, because of the opportunities the dance team gave her to grow as a person.
“I’ve learned so much about myself over the past year being a part of this team, and I am truly grateful for this opportunity,” she said. “This is only my second year on the team, so I am still growing and learning, but it is awesome that my teammates believe in me so I could be in this position.”
Spinola described the team as a family and a group that always has fun together. While there were many unforgettable memories during the season, going with the women's basketball team to Iowa last semester was unique.
“It was truly an unforgettable experience dancing in an arena with 15,000 screaming Hawkeye fans. Even though we lost that game, it was an awesome experience for everyone who went,” Spinola said.
Spinola plans to dance for the remainder of the football season and the basketball season, for both the men's and women’s teams.
“It can get a little crazy with the schedule, but I’m always happy to be there,” Spinola said.
(10/26/19 4:55pm)
Each student at Mercer is probably familiar with brochures that boast the glorious autumns of Macon. With the red-bricked buildings blending beautifully with the surrounding orange leaves and the happy students meandering campus in their boots and cardigans, it all seems too good to be true… Well, it just may be.
Yep. The weather is bouncing between 80 and 40 degrees almost on a daily basis. Macon has completely forgotten our beloved cozy season and has jumped straight from summer to winter. What’s the deal? Did Mother Nature not get the memo that Labor Day has come and gone? Even though the weather may be confused, we Bears are not. We want fall!
Don’t you worry, Mercerians. The Cluster has your back with some tips on how to make it feel more like fall until it actually does.
Attempt to intimidate a tree.
As you stroll to class drenched in sweat and humidity or shivering in the sudden cold, take a moment to stare at some trees, attempting to frighten them into changing the color of their leaves. Be careful, though: if you give them a mean enough look, they might just lose all of them!
If that doesn’t work, just bust out the paint.
Show those stubborn trees what Mercer spirit really is and purchase some orange paint from your nearest retailer.
Consume at least one pumpkin spiced good per day.
It’s scientifically proven: a pumpkin a day keeps the summer away. Why else do you think Starbucks started serving this sweet treat so early?
Set your clock back early.
November 3 is just around the corner, and it cannot come fast enough. Why not jump the gun and start your day a little earlier now? It’s chilly in the mornings, after all, so you’ll have an extra hour of fall temperatures!
Tell your phone that you’re in any city north of Macon.
Sure, it’s not exactly admirable to tell a lie, but at the very least, it will offer at least a moment of bliss each morning when you check your phone to look at the weather. Of course, that only lasts until you leave your room.
Pretend to actually enjoy the warm weather.
It’s glaringly obvious that the weather is only acting like this to spite us. If we all go outside throughout the day and dramatically sigh, “Oh, how I wish the temperature would be normal for once!” then maybe, just maybe, the trees will believe us.
(10/26/19 4:46pm)
Mercer Women’s Basketball team hosted a “Tipoff Picnic” on Oct. 17 to let fans get introduced to the players before this upcoming season.
The event took place at Morgan View Farm, which is located thirty minutes from campus. The venue was outdoors and the tickets cost $35 for each person. This ticket covered food and the overall experience of meeting the team.
This event is the first of its kind in which the main goal isn’t fundraising.
“This is just an event for people to meet our team and socialize,” said assistant coach and event contact Sydni Means. “We have been blessed and fortunate to have the same group for the past three years.”
The team made it to the NCAA playoffs last season but lost key players such as Amanda Thompson and Keke Calloway.
“We really do have a whole new team this year,” Means said. “We just want to make sure people know our program and we are really excited about the upcoming year.”
This year’s team has no seniors and only one junior. The event highlighted each individual player and the coaching staff.
Shannon Titus will return this season and shows promising results on the court. She started in 32 of the 33 games last year and averaged 12 points per game.
“We do have a young team and so that means we are getting better every day,” Means said. “Obviously we are not where we want to be yet, but I am happy about where we are going.”
Susie Gardner was named the Southern Conference Women's Basketball Coach of the Year and the Georgia Women's Coach of the Year after last season. She will also be returning to coach this season.
Even with promising players and coaching, how they will perform this season is still up to debate. The first home game is set for Nov. 5 against LaGrange College.