“Shark Tank” competitor Johnny Georges will be having a special lecture at VSU to talk about his journey as an entrepreneur. Georges was a competitor on “Shark Tank” where he displayed his product called the tree T-Pee. “The tree T-PEE is a cone shaped, water and nutrient containment system designed for trees that are 1-5 years old,” according to the ...
Read More »AI-generated essays raise concerns about academic honesty
New artificial intelligence technology allows students to generate essays, which leads to concerns about academic honesty. AI are algorithms created within specific limits and rules. However, the boundaries within these limits are vast. AI is able to generate new ideas, problem-solve, make decisions and learn. Webster’s dictionary defines AI as, “the capability of a machine to imitate intelligent human behavior.” ...
Read More »Editorial: New bills across nation strip away rights
This year, numerous bills have been proposed, which would take away many rights that we, as U.S. citizens, currently enjoy. Florida House Bill 991 is an example of an obvious infringement on free speech. This bill lowers the bar on who is considered a public figure for defamation purposes and on what is considered defamation. “[Florida HB 911] weakens state ...
Read More »Editorial: Putting some spring back into your step after spring break
With the beaches, road trips and worry-free attitude of Spring Break now in our trails, it’s time to get back into the groove as we inch closer to the end of the semester. At this point in the semester, many students are overwhelmed, exhausted and ready for everything to be over with. Between school, jobs, extracurriculars and personal lives, it ...
Read More »VSU announces plans to reorganize advising and related programs
VSU announced a plan to drastically alter its advising operation, a move which will shift advising responsibilities from professional advisers to faculty advisers after freshman year. VSU administration announced the reorganization that will eventually reduce the number of employee positions significantly on March 1. President Richard Carvajal opened the Budget Advisory Council meeting on March 7 by explaining the purpose ...
Read More »New art history minor for fall 2023
Starting in the fall, VSU students will have another option in their palate – a newly approved minor in art history. The new minor was given the green light during the Faculty Senate’s Academic Committee February meeting. The minor was proposed by Dr. Glenda Swan in the Department of Art and Design. “Offering a minor in art history shows how ...
Read More »Editorial: Our unfiltered, uncensored voice
While tough and controversial topics may arise on VSU campus, The Spectator editors and reporters strive to be bold journalists and bravely advocate for our rights to ensure our campus is informed. This year, Feb. 23 is Student Freedom Press Day, a national day that raises awareness of student journalists’ work, highlights the censorship that students face and empowers those ...
Read More »South Georgia Film Festival back in March
The seventh annual South Georgia Film Festival returns this year to VSU. The festival celebrates the art and the industry of filmmaking and will be held on March 3, 4 and 5. The SGFF brings the film and movie industry to Valdosta and shines a spotlight on local talent. “My goal was to create an event that would draw creative ...
Read More »VSU desegregation history started in 1960s
February is Black History Month, and VSU is acknowledging the celebration with multiple events. VSU’s own integration history dates to the early 1960s. On Sept. 8, 1963, Valdosta State College, as it was called at the time, admitted its first two Black students. Drewnell Thomas, 17, and Robert Pierce, 18, were Valdosta residents, who had previously attended segregated schools and ...
Read More »Future of public relations program unclear
Despite rampant speculation, no decision has been made on the future of the public relations program, according to the interim dean of the College of the Arts. During the first week of the spring semester, communication majors with an emphasis in public relations received some unexpected news about upcoming changes in the PR program. Public relations students were told that ...
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