by Jamel Shorter At SGA’s April 6 meeting, President William McKinney’s resignation was the dominant topic of discussion, and many senators expressed their sadness at his planned departure. “I don’t want him to leave, because he can really have a high impact on the future of the institution,” Senator Nydrah Wright said. “I think he is a great president, and ...

by Cole Edwards A week after the surprise resignation of Dr. William McKinney, the Board of Regents has tapped a five-term Republican Georgia senator to take over the helm of VSU for the foreseeable future. University System of Georgia Chancellor Hank Huckaby announced in a press release released late Wednesday afternoon that Dr. Cecil Staton would take over as VSU’s ...

by Kristin Whitman SGA learned at its March 30 meeting that VSU’s freshman enrollment will likely drop for the third year in a row, a trend that is wreaking havoc on VSU Housing. Dr. Tom Hardy, director of housing and residence life, told SGA that VSU is predicted to be down in freshman enrollment for the third year, making it hard ...

by LaMarcus Wilkerson In an attempt to counteract decreasing student enrollment, VSU is now offering in-state tuition to three border states. On March 30, the Board of Regents agreed to allow VSU to offer in-state tuition fees for Florida, Alabama and South Carolina residents. This policy will go into effect at the beginning of the 2015-2016 academic year. “(The goal ...

By Cole Edwards A member of VSU’s administration resigned March 23, three days after an encounter with campus police. Dr. Kimberly Luse, former VSU Chief of Staff, had a run-in with police around 11:45 p.m. on March 20 following the President’s Scholarship Gala at VSU, according to police. VSU Police said they noticed that Dr. Luse appeared to be under ...

by Lia Armistead VH1’S “Hot GRITS,” Girls Raised in the South, premiered last Wednesday, showing the world Valdosta’s southern hospitality and what (some) people here are all about. The show follows a group of born-and-raised South Georgia girls – Emily, Bear, Rachet, Sarah, Hailey, Jenna and Jennifer – as they go about their business in Valdosta. “The South is more ...

Written by LaShawn Oglesby, Staff Writer The new VSUPD Chief Oz Armour and President William McKinney were guest speakers at SGA’s meeting this past Monday. Armour, who served 45 years in law enforcement, opened the discussion with his visions for the VSUPD by first going over the mission statement for the department. The mission statement, which can be found on ...

by Kristin Whitman VSU President William McKinney and his wife Dr. Dacia Charlesworth understand the struggles first-generation college students face, and they are working to help these students succeed. The President’s Scholarship Gala, taking place March 20 at 6 p.m. in the Student Union Ballrooms, will feature an evening of dining and dancing to raise money for a new scholarship ...

by Lia Armistead The Valdosta Police Department responded to an alert one March 15 at 1:15 a.m. off Baytree Drive near the Gates apartments after gunshots were fired in a large crowed of people. According to Adam Floyd of the Valdosta Daily Times, police are now looking for the person who supposedly started shooting in the crowd of people. The ...

by LaShawn Oglesby President William McKinney addressed SGA about the capital campaign which is part of the Valdosta State University’s Strategic Plan that started in 2013 and will continue on until 2019. A study was conducted last year which led to this campaign that launched in July 1. This is VSU’s “first ever” public comprehensive capital campaign. According to McKinney, ...