Sophomore crowned Miss Georgia State

SIGNAL
Q)
Volume 76, Issue 16
Homecoming
press conference
introduces plans
www.gsusignal.com
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Sophomore crowned Miss Georgia State
Next week's events
discussed, Royal Court
members campaign for
students votes
By COURTNEY CAMPBELL
Staff Writer
A press conference was held
last Tuesday evening, Jan. 27 in
the Student Center Speaker's Au­
ditorium to discuss the upcoming
homecoming festivities and intro­
duce homecoming candidates to
students. Georgia State's annual
Homecoming Week begins on Sat­
urday, Feb. 7 with the 2nd Annual
90's Party, and ends on the 13th
with the crowning of the Royal
Homecoming Court.
There is no better way to cele­
brate and express school spirit than
to participate in the spectacular fes­
tivities of one of the most memo­
rable weeks at Georgia State. Nu­
merous students whisper amongst
themselves hints of small details
of their outfits they will proudly
flaunt on Homecoming night. Free
food and free transportation from
the Georgia State Commons dormi­
tory and the Student Center will be
provided in effort to draw students
to the event and show school spir­
it. This free event is a marvelous
thing- especially in the tough eco­
nomic crisis that many Americans
are currently facing. Homecoming
coordinators urge students to wear
their best mask at the coronation
ball since the theme will be royal
masquerade, and the 24 royal court
candidates are hungry for victory.
Candidates campaigned for
student votes last week, sharing
their experiences with the qualifi­
cations for becoming a candidate
in the homecoming race. The stu­
dents had to go through a lengthy
interviewing process and prove to
See HOMECOMING
page 3
Sophomore Kristen Little, above, was crowned Miss Georgia State University 2009 last Saturday night.
Megan Urry | Signal
By BRIANA MARSHALL
Staff Writer
On the evening of Saturday,
Jan. 31, family members, friends
and fans filled the Student Cen­
ter Ballroom to watch 15 pageant
contestants compete for the ulti­
mate collegiate pageant position
of Miss Georgia State University
2009. Sophomore Kristen Little
was eventually crowned and given
this year's title.
The theme of this year's pag­
eant was Breakfast at Tiffany's,
which paid homage to the popular
Audrey Hepburn film. The theme
was carried out through '50's style
jazz music and large replicas of Tif­
fany's jewelry boxes displayed on
stage.
Chasity Hardman, Miss Geor­
gia 2008 winner and Miss America
2009 first runner-up, hosted the
pageant along with Casy Walker,
Miss Georgia State University 2008.
Both ladies made special perfor­
mances; Hardman sang a rendition
of "Home" from The Wiz, while
Walker gave two dance perfor­
mances.
As with any traditional pag­
eant, bathing suits and evening
gowns showed fit bodies and each
contestant had the opportunity to
show off their best talents. Some
chose to sing, while others played
an instrument or presented a
monologue.
See PAGEANT
page 4
Library surveys students, considers staying open 24-hours
By MEGAN URRY
News Editor
The library is now considering
extending their hours to better
accommodate student schedules.
The university sent out a survey to
students last week asking whether
having the library open 24-hours
would make it easier to access
materials and use the library's
research resources, in addition to
allowing more late-night study
time for students.
The Student Government
Association initiated the idea
over a year ago, and is now
working in conjunction with the
library to determine the need
for such a change in the center's
schedule. Right now, extending
their hours during exam sessions
is being considered most heavily;
depending on the student response
to this extension, the library may
consider the 24-hour access.
"The current focus is extending
the hours during peak study times,
like during midterm and finals
weeks," says Jessica Ekhomu,
Chief Justice of the Student Judicial
Board, the legislative branch of the
Student Government Association.
"Eventually, there may be larger
discussion about extending the
hours at all points throughout the
semester."
The survey asks a number
of questions, ranging from when
students use the library the most
during the week to what resources
they use most often. It's all in an
effort to gauge if having the 24-hour
library access would be helpful or a
See LIBRARY
page 4
The Student Government Association and the University Library are
coming together to survey students about possibly staying open 24
hours a day, allowing students more flexible access to the library.
Megan Urry | Signal
NEWS
LIVING
SPORTS
PERSPECTIVES
Safety on-campus a concern; police
reports remarkably high.
page 3
Student's birthday plans turn into
successful philanthropic event.
page 6
First football signings coming this
week.
page 10
Worried about life after college?
You're not alone.
page 12