As a participant in the International Scholar Laureate Program Delegation on Diplomacy and International Relations, I traveled to Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai and Hong Kong for a two-week whirlwind of diplomatic briefings and group discussions.
In America it’s a hygienic faux pas for women to go too long without the blade. In Europe and other parts of the world, people care less about a little fuzz. Besides, it’s kind of a double standard, isn’t it?
To wake up an extra 20, 30 or 45 minutes early to get to school precisely in time for class to begin may seem like a hassle, but it’s reality for many students at the University of West Georgia. While UWG may house a ton of residential students, the university is also home to many commuter students.
Every year the university receives a new group of students labeled as freshmen. These people are young, inexperienced and most of all in need of some guidance from upperclassmen. Reading this article may help freshmen who struggle to become acquainted with the college life.
“Miss, your driver’s license and proof of citizenship please,” the trooper said.
“Here’s my driver’s license officer, but I don’t have anything else with me,” Maria Gonzales said.
“Please step out of the car, miss,” the trooper replied.
It’s the beginning of another school year and the beginning of many new chapters for freshmen and employees alike at the University.
I assumed that since UWG is the quintessential apex of education, a radiant bastion of unity in diversity, and the crème-de-la-crème of academia I would find riveting debate and cutting-edge insight in her student paper. All I found was content that was unabashedly beige.
A letter from Student Body President Curtis.
Put away your winter clothes and bring out your bathing suits, tank tops and flip-flops. That is – if you have time to enjoy the nice weather that has finally arrived.
Letter from the Job Expo Coordinator in response to "Job Expo" article.
To my surprise, an email in my inbox read, “SPRING BALANCE DUE IMMEDIATELY!” This caught my attention, because I thought that I had paid all my fees at the beginning of the semester. I have never had to pay fees in the middle of the semester in the three years I’ve been at UWG. I opened it and it said that I had a $15 fee to be paid in full before I can register for fall semester 2010 classes...
It’s ridiculous that Carrollton, a college town, doesn’t have a Starbucks. Yes, Bella Coffee and Gallery Row cover the scene, but they just about cover it. Although I feel supporting local businesses is great, I still think if I’m paying for something—be it coffee or car repairs—it should be of quality.
A letter from SGA President-Elect Fredrick Curtis to the UWG student body.
Director of Health Services responds to TWG's "Pregnancy on Rise" article from last week.
I love my home state of Georgia, but let’s face a bitter fact: Businesses aren’t exactly flocking here and neither are educated people.
No one really knows what your situation is like in college. Every student’s story is different from the next; especially when it comes to withdrawing from classes.
It is time, once again, for students to decide if they want to withdraw from a class. However, there may be students who want to withdraw, but can’t, because they need to have at least 12 hours to remain a full-time student. So how do students stick it out for the last half of the semester?
A born realist – or pessimist, as some prefer – I’ve never been a believer in “energy,” someone who believes in things like chi and karma. I suppose I’m just not metaphysical enough to believe, well, such hooey, but this past week I realized that if you put ‘good’ out there, sometimes you get ‘good’ back.
All students have those days where their daily schedule begins to seem monotonous. They tire of waking up early for a boring class and it becomes increasingly easier every day to shut off the alarm and go back to sleep. Making up an excuse seems harmless – after all, it’s just one day. Or so they think.
Once again, it’s time for students to begin filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid for the upcoming summer, fall, and spring semesters. Here are some things students should keep in mind when filling out their FAFSA.
What an eventful week: I left my car unlocked overnight on-campus, locked myself out of my room, almost cried in my foreign language class and, to top it off, was diagnosed with my second case of Mono.
I present this week an all too familiar story that has for some reason escaped the very basic foundations of our West Georgian society. I’m submitting this anonymously as I’d rather not get a bad reputation with the staff and faculty at our school. However, I think it’s also better this way, because now I feel like I could potentially be speaking out for a lot of you who feel the same. The events of this story are based on real situations, but I thought humor would be my most effective means of getting my point across so, without further adieu, enjoy.
The Weekends at West Georgia program started off the spring semester by screening the wacky comedy
Todd Brown, a graduate assistant who works for the Weekends at West Georgia program, knew “The Hangover” was a big hit because many students at UWG had been asking about it. Brown asked students to fill out surveys for other events that Weekends at West Georgia threw in the past and asked their opinion about future movie preferences. The survey results showed that “The Hangover” was the most popular choice.
For students that enjoy reading, here’s one possible solution to boredom: join a book club!
Some University of West Georgia students may feel like there’s not much to do in Carrollton, leaving them searching for something to do to occupy their time. For students that enjoy reading, here’s one possible solution: join a book club! Carrollton’s Neva Lomason Memorial Library, located on the corner of Rome and Spring Street just off the square, is the perfect place to strike up a discussion about your favorite novel.
Last week an important event happened that shook up the Senate and has the potential to reshape the U.S. political landscape – the special election of Republican Scott Brown to the long-held Democratic seat of Massachusetts. This improbable victory has been felt down to the state and local levels. Many Republicans are considering challenging Deomcrats in House races, as well as the people sending a broad message of discontentment and outrage to Washington.
Haitian Relief
The U.S. government should not involve itself financially in the Haitian relief effort, or so a friend of mine believes.
Who, What, Where
So you’ve registered for your classes and made your way through the drop/add period. Now it’s time for you to stay on top of all of your class work.
Loud neighbors and the Kroger Lady.
Between the bump, bump, bang coming from the room above mine and the premature scanning of items at a Kroger self-checkout, my tolerance is ebbing.
Drinking Fully From the Fountain
It is now apparent to me after some life experience in college that most of us here are actually more akin to ghosts walking among the living than anything worthy of esteem. Forgive the odd metaphor...
Answering Students
With your busy schedule of work, school, and significant others, it can be difficult to keep up with school deadlines. However, spring semester almost here and there is one thing standing in the way between you and ...
As Seen By
Happiness is the goal for which I aim. Until the age of eleven, I grew up in West Africa; my parents were missionaries, so my brother, sister and I were drug along with them—if called, to the ends of the earth.
Obama Deserved the Nobel Prize
I have had enough of hearing the same stance over and over again everywhere I go about Obama receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. No, it is not the same as if the college just gave you a degree for enrolling.
As Seen By
Through a summer class in Advanced Communication Skills—one the teacher said would be more aptly named “Basic Communication Skills”—I put a finger on the rapid, simultaneous transaction they call communication.
Drinking From the Fountain Fully
In my time writing for the paper’s Opinion section I have been confronted many times with personal attacks in an attempt to dismantle my arguments. What these attackers are hoping for is that I will be dismayed from...
He Deserves the Recognition
Last week, President Obama received the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize awarded by the Norwegian Nobel Committee. Since the announcement, there has been a whirlwind of attitudes and opinions questioning...
If Obama got nominated for a Nobel Prize after 2 weeks in office and having largely accomplished nothing during his life thus far, shouldn’t I getan award for working three jobs, keeping a girlfriend happy, and taking a full class load?
After reading this sad excuse for an article, I can now say that I’m officially disgusted with the West Georgian newspaper. I was completely blown away by the audacity of Lauren Williams to basically take Lynde’s business and...
While you may think your days are done as midterms creep closer, don’t give up just yet. Here are a few simple solutions to what one may consider a potential crisis. Showing up for class is probably the best advice any...
Georgians wait for Obama to act
President Obama was supposed to give us back our confidence in government by cutting red tape and getting rid of inefficiency. But in light of the administration’s lackadaisical and tardy response to what is being called a 500-year flood...
As Seen By
Realization for the week: Just because life goes on, it does not mean it wasn’t for a purpose. The day after the death of Lynde Nix in the Humanities building, I saw no oddity around campus.
Drinking from the Fountain Fully
There is a tension in the art world between selling and creating art devoid of the instinct to sell. Perhaps this tension has been there since art’s conception or maybe we created it out of our diverse need for entertainment.
Who, what, when and where: Answering Students
How can I earn a little extra money while in college? This is a very common question because as college students studying and partying can really get in the way of working. However, there are several ways to make a little extra income without...
As Seen By
It seems that popular culture promotes overly much the cessation of relationships when “the going gets tough.” This to me is apparent enough by the divorce and annulment rates, the official ruler by which relationship might be measured.
Eight years ago, one of most horrific acts of violence on civilian lives occurred. The United States had never experienced such a violent blow by a faceless enemy than it did on that day, September 11th, 2001.
A Rant on "Policy"
After a earning an anti-UWG rant last week, administrators found yet another way to earn an angry opinion piece. This time, it’s directed towards Housing and Residence Life for a rather blatant display of apathy and disregard for students.
The Wolves Need Us Cheering Them On
I’m the first person to tell anyone that I’m not the one to go to for that in-depth hardcore sports knowledge. That title goes to Mitch Gray, who is just a phenomenal guy working at our Sports Information department and doing the play-by-play each week.
Drinking From the Fountain Fully
In 'Beyond Good and Evil,'x Nietzsche takes on many traditionally held presumptions about society, morals, and knowledge. One of his important concepts is the idea that what humanity has cultivated is a “herd mentality.”
As Seen By
Having an opinion apparently is not the cool thing to do—at least not if it is about subjects that actually matter. It’s apparently hilarious that one would have an opinion about freedom of speech technicalities.
UWG has never qualified as a “top school” or even a “first-choice” for many students. Examine the athletics, the academics and the general school populace, and UWG falls short from an ideal place.
Drinking from the Fountain Fully
Recent surges in violence across our southern border in Mexico have caused the deaths of over 11,000 people, 1,000 of which have been police officers. With fear of a drug war spillover it looks like now is an important time to have a conversation over the legalization of marijuana.
Who, What, When and Where: Answering Students
E-mail etiquette is very important especially when sending e-mails to professors. The correct format for an e-mail can determine either a positive or a negative response. According to university policy, professors can only accept and answer e-mails from a student’s official West Georgia account.
As Seen By
Technology is both friend and foe. It’s no new development that technology has ingrained itself into American lives in vast quantities. Radio, television and the Internet are standards in American households, work places and schools; personal cell phones are almost a given.
Okay freshman, you have survived your first few weeks here at UWG and now it is time to buckle down and hit the books. College is more than just parties, fraternities, and football games- it takes work to succeed here. Not only do you need to maintain good relationships with your friends, but also with your professors. A good communicative relationship helps your professor understand you better, and also makes it easier to go to them with questions and concerns. This list of the top 5 ways to earn brownie points will help you stay on your professors’ good side and hopefully earn a better grade.
It is a slap in the face of education to consider our professors work days expendable but to not consider building projects in the same way. The current furlough crisis is a question of priority. While our teachers and mentors are forced not to prepare for their classes and not to grade our exams or essays during furlough days, construction ends and begins again all across our campus.
Who, What, When, and Where
Question:
I have a night class, and although I live on campus, I still feel unsafe walking home in the night by my self. Where do I go, or whom should I call if I feel unsafe on campus?
As Seen By
Take into consideration the following scenario: Each person in the world—for one day, one week, one month, whatever—were placed in the body and life of another individual. Several movies have run through this or similar plots—All of Me, Freaky Friday, Down to Earth, etc.—each coming to a similar conclusion that there are stresses, pressures and difficulties in all walks of life and therefore, each should be given genuinely equal respect. Despite lapses in logic as to the feasibility of these body-swapping plots, they’ve expressed an idea of equality that now dominates mainstream, American culture.
West Georgian Star of the Week
Why did you start working for the West Georgian?
I have always been drawn to journalism and free speech. Since my freshman year, I have been a big fan of TWG’s open-mindedness and anti-censorship views. My good friend, Ellis Smith, actually helped me realize my potential, and gave me a chance to grow in this field and in my confidence.
As Seen By
In a place where supposedly intelligent people have gathered to further enlighten themselves, it’s stunning to see those same individuals light up cigarettes and inhale deeply into their lungs hot, toxic fumes, which only wreak havoc on their own bodies, not to mention the bodies of simple passersby.
Answering students
Question:
The semester has just started and I am already stressed. Watching T.V. and playing video games isn’t cutting it anymore, there has to be something to do around here. What leisure activities are available for students in on campus and in Carrollton?
Drinking From The Fountain Fully
Often we are told that politics and religion should not be discussed-- as if these two topics, of which I would argue are the most critical and most relevant to us, can be avoided for the sake of quiet and serenity in the public sphere. These conflicts are not avoidable or even unwarranted, we are told time and time again to avoid the conversation altogether in the name of tolerance.
Drinking from the Fountain Fully
I am a fifth year senior here at UWG and have spent much of my college career wondering what I would do once it was over. Had I known then what I know now, I might have saved much of my lost time and regained some of my sanity. For this reason I want to offer my experience and advice to the incoming class.
SGA Senator Speaks Out
Yet another school year has been crept up upon us all. The dog days of summer will soon give way to the crisp, colorful evenings of the fall. Our customary wake-up times of two in the afternoon will slowly but surely transform into habitual nine in the morning dashes to the TLC or biology building.
Terrence Rushin, Photographer
I started working for the West Georgian freshman year, wanting to get involved on campus, meet new people, and keep up with taking photos like I did in high school with the yearbook staff.
You’ve finally received your high school, your excellent SAT or ACT score, and your acceptance letter to your dream school-an exciting time in your life. As you move into your new dorm, you meet your new roommate and prepare for the first day in a new chapter of your life—the college years.
As Seen By
The West Georgian will strive for quality, accuracy and honesty. It will not shy from difficult situations if they crop up, but will handle them with care to ensure fair and equal coverage.
Hopes to strengthen the UWG campus community accompany the aforementioned guarantees. It is not only the job of a newspaper to inform a community, but to meld that community into one whole. In all sincerity, the West Georgian extends a new hand to all campus organizations and departments.
The Loudmouth, with Ellis Smith
The University of West Georgia is a unique school. As Dr. Sethna says, "it provides educational excellence in a personal environment." He's right. But with enrollment planned to reach 14,500 by 2015, this college also has a lot of growing up to do if it wants to achieve the "robust" tier status it so desperately craves within the University System of Georgia.
After yet another controversial opinion piece in The West Georgian, questions should be raised about the student body's knowledge of the newspaper medium and its tolerance for opinions dissenting from the status quo.
A Letter to the Rob Kelly Administration from the UWG Ombudsman
Apparently, the officers and senators of the SGA deigned themselves to be above dealing with a mere plebian as myself. I was above their notice, and their silence in the face of my call for complaints said everything I needed to know. For them, they knew I was looking to make the paper better, and that was counter to the goals of the SGA. They came not to improve the paper, but to bury it.
