To quote the great Ron Burgundy: “That escalated quickly.” Over a period of about 14 days, millions of Americans have effectively been grounded, including Tech students and faculty. These days good news is scarce.

Perhaps the only silver lining is that the 21st century offers an overabundance of entertainment outlets for one’s home. There might not be a better time to dig into some of the cinema classics that Netflix users have been putting off for years. Here are a few of streaming services’ best options for those trying to catch up on decades of movie history.

“Goodfellas” (streaming on Netflix)

Without a doubt, Martin Scorsese (“Taxi Driver”) is one of the best filmmakers in American history. Before he recently became known for likening Marvel productions to amusement parks, the director was best known for a handful of crime and mob films. Currently streaming on Netflix, his 1990 treasure “Goodfellas” ranks among the best movies of all time.

Starring Ray Liotta (“Narc”), Joe Pesci (“Raging Bull”) and Robert De Niro (“Mean Streets”), the movie chronicles the life of mobster Henry Hill (Liotta). Through his eyes, Scorsese explores the American fascination and seduction with the criminal lifestyle. The iconic opening quote from Hill says it all: “As far back as I remember, I always wanted to be a gangster.” In masterful brushstrokes and brilliant camerawork, Scorsese conveys the electric appeal of such a lifestyle, peaking in the legendary Copacabana scene. But just as quickly as that life brings joys and thrills, it also descends into madness and terror.

“When Harry Met Sally” (streaming on Hulu)

One of the quintessential romantic comedies is the 1989 hit “When Harry Met Sally.” Written by the late Nora Ephron (“Julie & Julia”) and directed by Rob Reinere (“A Few Good Men”), this classic pioneered a slew of tropes that have been commonly adopted by the genre.

The titular Harry (Billy Crystal, “Forget Paris”) and Sally (Meg Ryan, “You’ve Got Mail”) are lifelong friends, although they were not always so close. Sally first found Harry to be a repellant, sex-obsessed bro. Over time and circumstance, though, they grew together and forged an unlikely friendship. When they both become single, the film quickly adopts a classic “will they or won’t they” storyline. The film is incessantly charming and quippy, and it sneakily sparks emotional reactions for most.

“Cleo from 5 to 7” (streaming on Kanopy)

For those who are unaware, Kanopy is a free streaming service that many Americans and Tech students have access to via public and student libraries. Going to its website, students can create an account by following the prompts and logging into their respective library. This cool service offers a number of indie, artsy, foreign language and classic films.

Among its selection is Agnes Varda’s beautiful “Cleo from 5 to 7.” Widely acclaimed for her contributions to the French New Wave film, the Belgium native filmmaker’s 1962 drama follows the eponymous woman through a couple hours of her day while she awaits a possible cancer diagnosis from her doctor. Cleo, played terrifically by Corinne Marchand (“Les evasions celebres”), is a popular singer, so she constantly receives attention from passersby. Acquaintances and strangers fill her time, sometimes with chastisement and others with care. All the same, her journey towards a potentially life-altering diagnosis is a spellbinding portrait of human life.

“The Manchurian Candidate” (streaming on HBO)

Before being reimagined with Denzel Washington in the 2000s, this 1962 spy thriller shocked viewers and critics alike. Directed by John Frankenheimer (“The Island of Dr. Moreau”), the plot details a prisoner of war, who was unknowingly brainwashed and hypnotized by communists into being a sleeper assassin, as he attempts to reassimilate to life in the United States. Laurence Harvey (“The Alamo”) stoically plays the manipulated soldier, Raymond Shaw. Opposite to him, Frank Sinatra (“From Here to Eternity”) is Major Bennett Marco, Shaw’s superior who is trying to unravel the mysteries.

For such an old movie, it is remarkable how tense and thrilling it plays out. Frankenheimer’s direction features intense patience and nuance. Scenes remain still while the wheels in characters’ minds start to turn. The resultant suspense leaves viewers on edge, without any inkling of what will transpire. More than just a thriller, though, the inclusion of Shaw’s politically active mother — the incredible Angela Lansbury (“Anastasia”) — offers social commentaries that feel resonant even today.

“The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance” (streaming for free on Amazon Prime)

Directed by John Ford (“The Quiet Man”), “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance” is a classic American western about a politician who rose to fame after killing the titular outlaw. Where such a plot sounds almost cliche to the genre, the film finds its groove in a dialogue between two visions of America. 

John Wayne (“True Grit”) plays the sharpshooter Tom Doniphon, a stand-in for the old, lawless days of the west. Jimmy Stewart (“Rear Window”) is a civic-minded and politically-inclined senator named Ransom Stoddard. The two egos clash almost immediately, offering different perspectives on how society should look. It is a thought provoking film that does not sacrifice the genre’s hallmarks and thrills.

“Good Will Hunting” (streaming on Hulu)

Even those that live under a rock have likely heard of this popular drama as it has been spoofed and referenced numerous times over, namely in “Step Brothers” and “Family Guy.” The movie was a launching pad for Boston buds Matt Damon (“The Departed”) and Ben Affleck (“The Town”), who co-wrote the script. Directed by Gus Van Sant (“Elephant”), the film follows a secretly genius janitor at M.I.T. who solves complex mathematics problems on chalk boards in the evenings.

Matt Damon is the protagonist, Will, and Ben Affleck plays his blue-collar best friend, Chuckie. The two goof off and hit bars with their unambitious peers, stirring up trouble and picking fights. As a result, Will receives a proposition to attend therapy with Robin Williams (“Dead Poets Society”) and mentee under an M.I.T. professor. He also has a love interest, played by Minnie Driver (“Grosse Pointe Break”).

“Good Will Hunting” has a lot to offer. For one, it is hilarious. The actors shine higher than any of them have since. In brilliant and compelling dialogue, the script is chock-full of monologues and personal conversations. It incites questions of meaning, purpose and ambition. And the narrative explores trauma, psychology and the difficulty in overcoming one’s past. Through and through, “Good Will Hunting” is a masterpiece.

“Bicycle Thieves” (streaming on Kanopy)

Following World War II’s devastations, much of Europe experienced deep poverty. The 1948 Italian classic “Bicycle Thieves,” directed by Vittorio De Sica (“Umberto D.”), portrays and reflects that.

Desperate to support his family, Antonio (Lamberto Maggiorani, “The Last Judgment”) uses the last of his family’s money to purchase a bike that will enable him to commute and work. As the title suggests, that bike is then stolen. Antonio and his son, Bruno (Enzo Staiola, “The Barefoot Contessa”), are then left to roam the streets looking for it and the man who took it. The plot is simple and mundane. Despite this, its realness and the beautiful, patient cinematography keeps the movie compelling and interesting. Without giving anything away, the conclusion sheds a new perspective on the meaning and purpose of the film’s title.

With the future of on-campus instruction being uncertain due to growing coronavirus concerns, the Student Center Programs Council (SCPC) decided to throw together a student center farewell event on Friday, March 13.

 The original event was scheduled for April 27, but since it remains unclear if students will be able to come back to campus in time for a proper goodbye to the student center, which is set to close and undergo renovations this summer, SCPC planned the event earlier to allow students time to bid farewell to the central campus building. 

Josh Thrift, third-year ChemE, who serves as the Vice President of Campus Relations and Recruitment for SCPC explained that their original plans for the farewell event were stalled as news came out about the potential transition to online classes for the remainder of the semester.

“Maybe [the farewell] wasn’t the one we originally expected. We were hoping to have a whole day packed with activities and performances that led into our last Midnight Breakfast in the building for the next 2 years. So instead of putting on the event, which would have been planned over the whole semester, we threw this one together in a few hours. But it was still something I think the students needed,” said Thrift. 

Tech Rec was filled with music, meandering students and messages scrawled on the walls in acrylic paint. The normally plain white walls of the dimly lit tabled area that hosted many trivia nights, bingo games and watch parties throughout the years were covered with painted goodbyes from students and faculty alike. 

Lindsay Rogers, second-year BME, who serves as the Arts and Culture Committee Chair for SCPC commented on the swift changes to campus life and how the event played a part in ensuring students had an opportunity to see the space one last time. 

“Friday was a very bittersweet day. There were so many small things I thought I’d have more time to do: spend time in the Student Center, hang out with my out-of-state friends, figure out final goodbyes to my graduating friends. It all seemed to happen so fast, and the whirlwind of emotions left me, and I’m sure many other students, feeling lost and despondent. But being there, painting on those walls that I might never see again, surrounded by so many other students doing the same, I felt at peace” said Rogers. 

The event served as a break from reality during the stressful past couple of days. With conflicting messages from the Tech administration on the fate of on-campus classes after March 29, students soaked in preemptive goodbyes to the student center which served as a central symbol to some during their years at Tech. 

Imane Mokri, fifth-year ME, has worked at Tech Rec since the Fall 2018 semester and commented on her time there. 

“Even before I worked at Tech Rec, it was a place where my friends and I would go to hang out or play games, especially during Free Play Mondays. We would go there between classes and bowl or play billiards as long as we could. It’s nice to get away from the constant studying and just enjoy ourselves ” said Mokri. 

As the event went on, more and more messages and masterpieces made their way onto the walls of Tech Rec. While some simply just signed their names, others wrote messages that represented their respective organizations on campus. Members of groups including the Muslim Student Association, FASET Staff and Yellow Jacket Roller Derby, left their marks and posed for pictures. 

Many memes and joking sentiments sprawled on the walls showed the true spirit of the student body during these stressful times. Messages such as “It be like that sometimes,” “Corona saved me from ME 2110,” and “H.A.G.S” — an acronym for “Have A Great Summer” — represented the light humor some students shared over a situation that was out of their control. 

“No matter what Georgia Tech goes through, we will always have this community filled with so many unique and wonderful students. Even if the Student Center is gone and we are all online, that will never erase who we are and what this student body is capable of, and I think the art sprawl along Tech Rec’s walls is a testament to that” said Rogers. 

At the time of the event, it was not yet confirmed whether students would be able to return back to campus this semester, but some graduating students were already coming to terms that Friday may have been their last time stepping on campus as a student.

“I think I speak for a majority of seniors when I say the whole farewell — to the Student Center and GT as a whole — was more bitter than sweet. Everyone’s always so eager to get to the end, to graduate, to move on with life, but I hated to see it end like this. I feel like my last semester at Tech was cut too short. … I personally wished I made better use of my last days with all the people I care about” said Mokri. 

“I feel awful for all the graduating students who worked painstaking hours on end to get where they’re at, only to have their final, celebratory months cut short. Saying goodbye is something we all have to come to terms with, but to have it come so soon and so unexpectedly feels like you’ve been handed an old, rusty scrap of metal when you were expecting a trophy,” said Thrift. 

The current student center, as the campus community knows it, will change this summer as the Campus Center Project transitions into Phase II of the nearly two year long project. During this time, critical functions from the student center will transition to new buildings as renovations take place, with essential services being moved to the exhibition hall and a building currently being constructed near the original student center. The student center will not reopen until the end of the construction period, which is expected to last until Fall 2022. 

 “Maybe this won’t be the final goodbye, and by some miracle, we can still come back to campus and host the event we hope for. But just in case, we held this event so that the people who were able to attend could at least have some semblance of a proper goodbye, not just to the building, but to ‘Gech,’ and to all the people we’ve come to love” said Thrift. 

Editor’s Note: This article will be updated as new information becomes available.

Wednesday, March 18

Beginning earlier this week, several institutions within the University System of Georgia have cancelled or indefinitely postponed their commencements due to concerns about coronavirus. The University of Georgia, Georgia Southern and Georgia State University are among the colleges cancelling or moving graduation ceremonies. 

A statement released on the USG website on Wednesday night stated that “Students will still graduate consistent with academic standards, but the actual ceremonies will not be held as originally scheduled.” 

Tech has yet to release a decision or guidance on the May commencement ceremonies. At the time of writing, the FAQ site states that “a decision with respect to Spring Commencement will be communicated as soon as we can.”

Tuesday, March 17

Just after noon on March 17, President Angel Cabrera sent an email to all students and employees informing the community that a decision was finally made to move classes to an online format for the remainder of the Spring 2020 semester in response to the coronavirus public health emergency.

Cabrera reiterated that students would receive an additional week off school after spring break, during which professors would be testing their distance learning platforms and capabilities. He stated that classes would formally restart on Monday, March 30.

This email followed communication earlier in the week from the University System of Georgia, which stated that all institutions would transition to online learning.

The communication from Cabrera concluded with several paragraphs encouraging students and staff to take care of themselves and to continue to learn, teach and do research during uncertain times.

“These are difficult times for everyone. Yet, every day I am encouraged by the dedication, the sense of responsibility and mutual support among members of our community,” Cabrera wrote. 

Monday, March 16

At 7:11p.m. an email was sent to the campus community from the Georgia Tech Corona Task Force relaying USG’s decision to transition all 26 USG Institutions, including Tech, to online learning for the remainder of the spring semester. 

“Students are not allowed to return to campus until they receive permission from their institution, which will be forthcoming soon,” the email stated. 

The email went on to say that on-campus housing will be closed, with “minimal exceptions for students unable to return home, or who cannot find housing elsewhere.” 

Students who left their belongings at Tech are not permitted to come back to campus to move out at this time. “Students will receive specific instructions from campus leaders regarding when they will be allowed to return to campus to retrieve their belongings from residence halls. Students must follow those instructions,” the email emphasized. 

The email also stated that USG would be “providing guidance” to institutions on how to handle housing, dining and other service refunds. 

Sunday, March 15 

Around 2:30 p.m., the Georgia Tech Corona Task Force sent an email to the campus community with another precautionary public health alert. The email notified students and staff of two more cases of potential campus exposures. 

“A person who works in administration at the Campus Recreation Center (CRC) has had contact with a family member who has tested positive for COVID-19,” the email stated. The email went on to note that while the CRC staff member works in an office and does not usually have direct contact with visitors in the building, the CRC will be closed from Sunday, March 15, to the morning of March 17 for deep cleaning.  

The other case was an intern in the Counseling Center, located in the Smithgall Student Service building (the Flag Building). The intern has contact with a friend who tested positive for COVID-19. The email emphasized that both individuals have not tested positive yet for COVID-19. 

As with the CRC, the Flag Building will undergo the same closures and deep cleaning process. “GT Counseling and CARE services will move to the second floor of the Stamps Health Center during this time,” the email stated. 

The email reiterated that the risk to the campus community was low. As of today there are 121 confirmed cases in Georgia, with 27 of them being in Fulton County. 

Saturday, March 14 Update

On the afternoon of March 14, the campus community received yet another update regarding coronavirus on campus. The email from the Coronavirus Task Force indicated that there was an individual who had attended the InVenture Prize Competition on March 11 that had been in contact with a family member that had tested positive for coronavirus. 

The email emphasized that the risk to the campus community was low, as the CDC does not recommend testing or precautionary measures after interacting with an asymptomatic individual with potential exposure to the virus. There are no identified cases of coronavirus on campus at the time. 

“While we understand the concerns and fear around COVID-19, it is extremely important to stay calm and maintain a close eye on your health and any symptoms that may arise,” stated the email. 

Saturday, March 14

Much of March 14 was spent attempting to handle the confusion that arose from conflicting messages. 

Cabrera took to Twitter yet again in order to attempt to answer questions, including what international students should do if they wished to return to their home countries if they felt unsafe in the United States and had already bought a plane ticket based on his previous instructions. 

“If you’ve moved out of your dorm room, don’t change plans at this point. Best thing right now: stay away from campus, hunker down, maintain social distance, wash your hands all the time. We will share updates with you directly should we need to return to campus on March 29,” said Cabrera in a Twitter message. 

At 10:59 a.m. on-campus residential students received an email from the Department of Housing. “Students who are currently on spring break are strongly encouraged not to return to campus. Students on campus are asked to depart campus and to remain away until March 29, 2020. At this time, students are not being asked to move out of their dorms for the remainder of the semester.” 

At 11:04 a.m. the campus community received an email from the Georgia Tech Coronavirus Task Force that laid out an updated FAQ, which can be found at http://health.gatech.edu/coronavirus. The contents of this FAQ greatly differed from the original FAQ sent out on Friday, March 13, which stated that the Institute would be transitioning to online learning for the rest of the spring semester. 

“Decisions on class resumption have yet to be made. Further guidance will be forthcoming. During the next two weeks we will test our business continuity plans and online instruction capabilities should we move to distance based instruction after March 30,” the new FAQ stated. 

Undergraduate students heard from their student body president Pooja Juvekar, who assured students that she was available to listen to and attempt to advocate for undergrads.

“I want to candidly express that this time has been uncertain and trying for many reasons. The lack of certainty has been stressful to say the least,” said Juvekar in her email. 

Juvekar also indicated that she and her colleagues had created a document containing resources for all students, which is hosted here. 

Resources included the creation of an airport shuttle, updated dining hall hours and points of contact for various questions. 

Friday, March 13 Update

President Ángel Cabrera sent out an email on the evening of March 13 at 8:49 p.m.  indicating that there had been some confusion — it remains to be seen if distance learning for the remainder of the semester is necessary. 

“I apologize for the confusion that my earlier guidance may have caused,” said Cabrera in his statement. 

Cabrera acknowledged that many students had already entirely moved out of their dorms, and some international students had already booked one-way flights home.

“International students: at this point we can not guarantee whether we will be moving to online on March 30. Please take that into consideration when deciding whether or not to return to your home country at this point,” Cabrera stated on his Twitter account. 

Cabrera received numerous angry responses to this and his other tweets. 

Not even an hour after Cabrera’s statement at 9:38 p.m., the Department of Housing sent another email to on-campus students clarifying where they were to put their keys if they wish to check out of their housing. “As a reminder if you choose to leave before March 31, your rent will be prorated based on the date you check out of your building for the rest of the term” the email reiterated. 

Friday, March 13

An email from the Coronavirus Task Force confirmed what had been seen in the FAQ previously —that campus would move to a distance learning format until the end of the semester. 

“As President Cabrera announced yesterday, we will move to distance learning on Monday, March 30, with a trial week beginning on Monday, March 23, and we will operate in a distance format through the end of the semester,” stated the email.

Throughout the day, some on campus residents began packing up their rooms and moving out. 

The email also confirmed that all Tech-sponsored events, including athletics, would be cancelled or rescheduled. 

Tech staff were told that they would receive additional confirmation from their supervisors regarding whether they would be required to work remotely or remain to support campus operations.

In late afternoon an official email was sent by the Department of Housing giving student instructions on moving out. On-campus residents were told that if they chose to move out before March 31, their rent and meal plan would be reimbursed with a prorated amount based on when they moved out. Students were given instructions on where to turn in their keys.

The email also stated that for students not choosing to move out, there was a possibility of being reassigned to a different building or room after March 31 in order to consolidate the on-campus population.

Thursday, March 12 Update

After a press conference from Georgia Governor Brian Kemp earlier in the day that indicated each college was allowed to make the choice on whether or not to transition to online classes, the campus community received yet another update. 

President Cabrera stated that “I can finally confirm that we will be moving all instruction to a distance format after spring break. We will use the week of March 23 as a trial and practice run, and will formally restart classes on March 30.”

Students were told to stay away from campus for as long as the end of March, but they were assured that if they did choose to stay, they would be accomodated. 

“These are indeed difficult and stressful times, but I have no doubt we will navigate them successfully with everyone’s participation and contribution,” concluded Cabrera’s email. “I have full confidence in the ability of this exceptional community to respond to this challenge.”

A FAQ page on health.gatech.edu/coronavirus indicated that online classes would begin formally on March 30 and continue until the end of the semester.

Thursday, March 12 

An update from President Cabrera later in the day on March 12 indicated that in response to guidance of the University System of Georgia, Tech would remain open for face-to-face instruction but would prepare for a possible move to online instruction in the coming days. The president gave indications of the areas in which preparation was taking place, including academic, administrative and research concerns.

“While no decision has been made at this point, I advise all students heading out for spring break to also prepare for the possibility that instruction could move to distance learning,” said Cabrera.

The email included a copy of the message that Cabrera had received from USG. 

An email sent from the Coronavirus Task Force indicated that all Spring 2020 international programs had been cancelled, including study abroad and exchange programs and international internships. 

Wednesday, March 11

The Coronavirus Task Force again reached out to the campus community in order to deliver guidance from Dr. Benjamin Holton, senior director of Stamps Health Services. Holton covered information from the CDC about the disease, symptom identification and where to find help if necessary.

The video can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KY7U32c6C70&feature=emb_title

Monday, March 9

The campus community received an email on behalf of Georgia Tech that gave several warnings in advance of spring break, which was to take place the following week. 

Students were reminded of the restrictions regarding travel to countries with a Level 3 designation that required self-isolation, as well as the prohibition of Institute-related travel to these countries.

Thursday, March 5

An email from the Coronavirus Task Force was sent to the campus community on March 5 to inform about the steps the task force had already taken as well as guidance on how to prevent illness on campus. The task force stated that there were no changes to class schedules or work expectations other than in the case of illness. Large scale campus events would increase the health and cleaning protocols before and after all events.

In addition, the task force indicated that if students chose to travel to countries with a CDC designation of Level 3, which discourages nonessential travel, they would be required to notify the Institute and self-quarantine for 14 days following their return. 

Tuesday, March 3

President Cabrera sent an email on the afternoon of March 3 that informed the campus community of the formation of a coronavirus task force in response to the increasing number of coronavirus cases in the United States. Cabrera stated that his chief of staff, Frank Neville, was asked to be the chair of the group. 

The communication also reminded students and faculty that all Institute related travel had previously been cancelled. It indicated the steps that the Institute had already taken prior to creating the task force, such as inventorying supplies and conversing with the University System of Georgia. Cabrera informed students that several spring and summer programs as well as spring break trips had already been cancelled. 

Editor’s Note: This article will be updated as new information is received.

In the wake of the spread of coronavirus closing down many schools around the nation, the University System of Georgia announced that all 26 USG schools, including Tech, will suspend instruction for the next two weeks. 

The announcement came after a long day of emails and updates from the Tech administration and state leaders. Starting in the morning, an email was sent out to students participating in various abroad programs informing them that “effective immediately, all Georgia Tech student programs are canceled for the remainder of the Spring 2020 semester.” Students in those programs are now scrambling to pack up and fly back to the United States or their home countries. 

Students who had plans to study abroad this upcoming summer semester are now going to have to reschedule. In a midday statement released by President Angel Cabrera, the decision to cancel all Tech international programs for the summer was made public. More information regarding the summer program cancelations is set to come out on March 23, according to the message. 

Within the same statement, Cabrera mentioned the original plan USG set forth for the 26 Institutions, which was to remain open and continue with face-to-face instruction. USG stated that the risk of contracting the COVID-19 in Georgia remains low, despite the fact that there are now 12 confirmed cases, 19 presumptive positive cases, and one death from the coronavirus. Three of the confirmed cases are located in Fulton County.

 Cabrera also noted that while an official decision had not been made at that time, students should be prepared to potentially move to distance learning after spring break.

It wasn’t until after 4 p.m. that USG announced that all colleges were to suspend instruction for the next two weeks, starting Monday, March 16. In the email from USG to presidents of the University System, it was asked that students leave campus “by close of business Friday, March 13,” and recommended that students “remain away from campus until March 29.” 

Around 5 p.m., President Cabrera tweeted out a confirmation that Tech would be moving to online instruction after spring break. Cabrera encouraged students who have the means to leave campus to refrain from coming back until the end of March. He also ensured that students would not have to completely move out of their on-campus housing, which has been an issue at other large private universities such as Harvard and Emory, who forced their students to move out on short notice. 

In a longer statement released on http://health.gatech.edu/coronavirus, Cabrera mentioned that students who will need such accommodation should contact the Department of Housing at information@gatech.edu, with the promise that more information for those students in such situations will follow.

The current administrative plan is to cancel all face-to-face instruction until at least March 30. Per the USG announcement, Tech will suspend instruction for the next two weeks, with next week (March 16) being spring break and the week after that (March 23) being a trial run for students and staff to figure out how to use the online instruction programs. According to President Cabrera’s replies on Twitter to concerned students, no formal instruction will occur during this trial period. Online classes are currently scheduled to commence Monday, March 30. 

To stay up to date with coronavirus updates and communications from the Institute, visit http://health.gatech.edu/coronavirus. The University System of Georgia is also providing updates at www.usg.edu/coronavirus.

On Tuesday, March 3, at the Ferst Center for the Arts, the Student Center Programs Council hosted a much-anticipated Spring Comedy Show. Ready to provide laugh-out-loud humor to a sold-out crowd of students were three comedians: a student opener named Ryan Moazzami, professional opener Mekki Leeper and the headliner, Trevor Wallace.

The student opener kicked off the night with several edgy one-liners. Ryan Moazzami, third-year CS, joked about the internship hunt and software engineering salaries. He had interviewed at Palantir, which his friends thought contributed to human rights violations. 

“I can throw kids in cages, as long as we’re both getting a new home,” he responded. Uncomfortable laughs from the audience ensued. He also had less biting content and talked about his Iranian American roots. He claims he learned his fiscal conservatism from his father, who instead of paying $50 to put down his pet hamster, had “yeeted him off the balcony” for free.

Despite some controversial content, the audience raucously supported their fellow student, even noting down a number he read out to support Atlanta’s local stand-up scene.

Mekki Leeper followed, an up-and-coming professional comedian and creator of the “Control Room” on Comedy Central. He instantly called out the audience on the student opener’s political jokes — “I’ll deport kids myself? What the F***. All of y’all were down with that.”

In his approximately 15 minute segment, he joked about hating New York because of how direct people were, constantly letting him know that he looked like a “Little B****”.” While crossing the street at night, a woman said, “Hey hun, about to pass ya — don’t want to scare ya.” He wanted to let her know that as a man, he was supposed to be the predator, but obviously that was inappropriate. He talked about his Moroccan heritage and growing up half Christian and half Muslim, while looking like a white male.

His most hilarious jokes were about his childhood, including how he was bullied for “taking a shit in the bathroom,” while the kid who was “slithering around on the bathroom floor” was not. Originally from Pennsylvania, he joked about how ghosts powered Pennsylvania’s economy. 

He remembers asking his father, “Dad, are ghosts real?” to which he responded, “Damn right they are, otherwise, we’ll be out of business son.” As the segment wore on, his jokes about his ex started to fall flat, but when the Technique talked to students after the event, he was unanimously deemed hilarious and the best comedian of the night.

The final headliner, Trevor Wallace, was a famous Youtuber whose comedy career began when he started making Vines while at San Jose State University. His segment was extremely long for a typical comedy routine, lasting nearly 45 minutes, of which he used the last 15 minutes to answer questions.

His jokes focused on relating to the fraternity community at Tech and nightlife in Atlanta since he had been in a fraternity himself while he was an undergraduate. He also talked about his mother, who frequently doubts his intelligence, a girl he dated who wore her grandmother’s ashes around her neck (which he called an unknown “threesome”) and what it meant when people recognized him for his videos and exclaimed “White Claw!” while he was aboard airplanes.

One of his more popular jokes went back to his days as a theater major, also known as a thespian, which, he said he would have thought was another sexuality if he hadn’t heard the term before. While many of Wallace’s jokes were juvenile, he worked hard to maintain rapport with the audience, continually asking questions like, “What’s the best place for a date here?” and involving the answers in his material.

The night ended with Wallace giving students advice during his Q&A session, especially to one student who asked him, “How do I get a girlfriend?”. As the event ended, most students walked out talking delightedly. The night had been five dollars well spent!

The women’s tennis team transitioned into March by securing two important victories against Clemson (No. 42) and Wake Forest (No. 12) this past week, beating them 5-2 and 6-1 respectively. These two wins moved up their rank two spots from 10th to eighth nationally, according to the Intercollegiate Tennis Association poll. The Jackets’ season record now stands at 15 wins and four losses. 

For those not well versed in college tennis scoring or matches, here is a quick rundown: a game is scored from 0, 15, 30, and 40 to win. These games are counted to determine who wins the set. The amount of games needed to win the set is usually six, and the amount of sets needed to win is usually two out of three.

There are two components to a typical college match: the doubles matches and the single matches. The doubles are first. Each team sends out three two-women teams to play against each other on adjacent courts simultaneously. The goal for each matchup is to reach and aggregate of eight winning games across the three matches. The college team that wins two out of three matches wins the point, making the score 1-0 in their favor. 

After a 30 minute break, the single matches begin. There are six singles matches, with each victory earning a point for the winner’s team. Since there are seven points total, the team that scores the best out of seven wins. Singles matches are therefore more important in Collegiate Tennis because there are six possible points that can be won as opposed to only one possible point for doubles. 

The match against Clemson on Friday was fiercely fought and resulted in a 5-2 victory for Tech. In doubles, third-year Victoria Flores and fourth-year Kenya Jones for Tech defeated Sydney Riley and Tate Schroeder from Clemson. Fourth-year Nadia Gizdova and first-year Sophia Sassoli also won their doubles match, securing the doubles point for Tech. The singles matches featured some great Jackets victories that secured another win. Second-year Gia Cohen, fourth-year Nami Otsuka, Flores and first-year Rosie Garcia scored the remaining points needed to defeat the Tigers.

The Jackets then played Wake Forest on Sunday. Tech swept the double matches, winning three out of three matches. They then went on to win five of six singles matches, resulting in a final score of 6-1. Jones, who is ranked No. 23 nationally, took on No. 29 Carolyn Campana from Wake in the headliner match. Jones crushed the competition, winning both sets 6-2 and 6-3. 

Jones has starred for Tech all season and has been a driving force behind their rise into the top 10. Her performance throughout this season has earned her two ACC co-tennis player of the week awards. This is an incredible honor for her and she is expected to perform exceptionally for the rest of the season In doubles, the duo of Jones and Flores is now 19-2 on the season and leaped to the No. 6 ranked pairing in the nation

The ladies’ tennis team plays against the North Carolina Tar Heels on Friday. This will be undoubtedly their most difficult match of the season but contains massive potential for success. The Tar Heels are undefeated in the 2019-2020 season with a 16-0 record. They are ranked first in the nation in ITA polls. In addition, they have the No. 3, 5 and 6 ranked players in NCAA D-1 tennis. 

Tech’s performance against North Carolina will set the tone for the season and for the championship matches later in the season. The team has already proven that they belong as one of the premier title contenders in the ACC, as they have already picked up victories over teams like Virginia and Florida State that also ranked in the top 10 nationally. The team is preparing for ACC championships in mid-April and NCAA championships in early May. 

For many, it may seem that the NFL season just ended with the Super Bowl last month, but the NFL Draft, set to be held in Las Vegas on April 23, is rapidly approaching. With the draft comes the NFL Combine, which took place this past week in Indianapolis. Every team in the league, including our own Atlanta Falcons, were there scouting college football’s elite players and were hoping to meet their needs in the Draft.

The Falcons are coming off a poor 2019 season, and they are constrained by a tight salary cap looming. The Falcons had a defense that was one of the worst in the league, especially in the first half of the season. This was due largely to a lack of pressure on the quarterback off the edge. The Falcons have attempted to remedy this in recent drafts, but a lack of production from former first-round picks Takkarist McKinley and Vic Beasley have left them in need of more help in this area.

With the 16th pick in the Draft, the Falcons have several edge rushers that performed well at the combine on their radar. One such  player is Wisconsin native Zack Baun, who put up good numbers this past week, running a solid 4.65 40-yard dash and benching 24 reps of 225 pounds. 

Another option is A.J. Epenesa, a defensive lineman from Iowa. Epenesa is larger than Baun by three inches and 40 pounds and is also considered an edge rusher. He put up a slower 40 time at 5.06 and benched 17 reps of 225 pounds. Terrell Lewis, a linebacker from Alabama, weighed in at 6’5” 262 pounds and only competed in the vertical and broad jump, though he performed better than Epenesa and Baun in both. The Falcons spoke with all of these players in Indianapolis and depending on the actions taken by the teams in front of them, may very well take one of these players as their first pick.  

There are a few more edge rushers that are intriguing but are less likely to be drafted by the Falcons. Jabari Zuniga from Florida ran an impressive 4.64 second 40-yard dash, second fastest among defensive lineman, and ranked in the top six of all drills he participated in. Zuniga is lower on the draft board than other edge rushers, but an impressive combine showing could increase his draft stock. Although unlikely, there is always a chance the Falcons trade up in the Draft and go after a star like Chase Young from Ohio State or Isaiah Simmons from Clemson.

Another area that the Falcons may look to address is the running back position. The team had the third-fewest rushing yards per game in 2019 as current running back Devonta Freeman was hampered by injuries and put up career lows in yards per carry. 

One of the best running backs in this year’s class is Jonathan Taylor from Wisconsin. He ran a blistering 4.39 40-yard dash, which is faster than all other running backs in the Combine and faster than Julio Jones’ 40-yard dash. J.K. Dobbins of Ohio State, Cam Akers of Florida State, and Clyde-Edwards Helaire of LSU are also all on the Falcon’s radar. All of these running backs met with the Falcons at the combine and look to be a viable options in the second or third round.

One of the more notable standouts from this year’s combine is Missouri tight end, Albert Okwuegbunam. The 6’5” 258-pound tight end ran a 4.49 40-yard dash, catching most of the media and even scouts off guard. In a league predicated so much on matchups, a tight end of this size and speed could be a nightmare for defensive coordinators. The Falcons recently allowed star tight end Austin Hooper to enter free agency, so they could choose to address this position in the draft. If they do, Okwuegbunam would be a solid choice. 

The Falcons have many needs to fill in order to be playoff contenders in the upcoming season. All of the needs will not be able to be met in this year’s draft, but the combine did provide some hope, as it showed depth at the positions of need for the Falcons, which will give them many options in the draft and hopefully allow them to add multiple players who can make a positive impact on the organization.

The Tech athletic program announced on Monday that they have decided to drop their appeal of the NCAA sanctions placed on them last year. By dropping their appeal, the Jackets men’s basketball team will be ineligible for both the ACC tournament and the NCAA tournament (colloquially known as March Madness) this season. 

Last September, the NCAA placed significant sanctions on the men’s basketball program for violations relating mostly to impermissible benefits that were provided to student athletes. The penalties included a postseason ban for the 2019–2020 season, a four year probation period, which involved the removal of one scholarship per year, a two percent reduction of the program’s budget and the prohibition of bringing in recruits for home games. 

The primary culprits in the investigation were Darryl LaBarrie, a former assistant coach and Ron Bell, a former friend of Pastner whom the NCAA classified as a “booster.” 

LaBarrie was found to have committed a severe breach of conduct, constituting a level one violation. LaBarrie, along with Tech alum and former NBA player Jarrett Jack, was found to have given money to a recruit to go to an Atlanta-area strip club with another member of the Tech basketball team during an official recruiting visit. 

LaBarrie’s attempts to cover up these facts during the NCAA’s investigation also contributed to the severity of the sanctions that were handed out. LaBarrie admits taking the recruit to the club and lying to the NCAA, but he denies knowledge of the exchange of money. He is no longer with the program, having resigned in 2017. 

Bell was also found to have committed a significant breach of conduct in giving money to both prospective and current Tech players (including current NBA player Josh Okogie), buying them clothes and paying for plane tickets. 

Pastner’s personal life has also been affected by the investigation, as his relationship with Bell deteriorated in an ugly fashion. Bell accused Pastner of violations both at Tech and at his other former school, Memphis. Pastner then sued Bell for defamation, but Bell and his girlfriend countersued, accusing Pastner of sexually assaulting the latter. Both lawsuits have since been dropped.

The reasons for dropping the appeal are multi-faceted. By accepting the ban, Pastner can wipe the slate clean for next season. The appeals process likely would have dragged into next season, and the associated penalties would have been delayed accordingly. 

Therefore, the 2020-2021 men’s basketball team, which is believed will be one of Pastner’s best since coming to Tech, would have entered the season unsure if they would be allowed to compete in the NCAA’s postseason tournament. 

Now that the appeal has been dropped, there will be no threat of a postseason ban hovering over the team entering next season. 

Furthermore, although the team had experienced increased measure of success this season, they had a very slim chance of making the tournament and likely would have had to secure the ACC’s automatic bid by winning the conference tournament in order to qualify. While this is certainly not unheard of in a sport that is known for stunning upsets and “Cinderella stories,” the odds of such a run by the Jackets were very low. In many ways, athletic director Todd Stansbury and company were playing the numbers.

Hopefully, this decision on the part of Stansbury, Coach Pastner and Tech athletics will allow the school to move on from this highly regrettable situation. The men’s basketball program will still need to serve the four years of probation, but they can put the postseason ban safely behind them and begin looking forward to next season. 

The Jackets will close out the season on Friday night
at Clemson.

Last week, on Feb. 27, indie singer-songwriter Rex Orange County performed to an overzealous crowd at the Tabernacle. Though he is just 21, he has taken the world by storm and recently released his third studio album “Pony.” This was his first time performing in Atlanta, so thousands of fans came out to support him at this long-awaited appearance. The audience was unsurprisingly composed of a younger crowd and their energy was extremely high prior to and during Rex’s performance.

Rex Orange County garnered recognition in 2016 when he uploaded his album “bcos u will never b free” to SoundCloud. After gaining the attention of musician Tyler the Creator, Rex was featured on his 2017 album, “Flower Boy.” Rex Orange County is known for his half spoken-word, half singing style and basement sound production.

One of the best aspects of the show was the fact that there was no opening act. Rex took the stage right before 9:00 p.m. and played a 90 minute set. His performance opened with his recently released single “10/10.” He sat behind a standard electric keyboard for much of the show, then later behind a Fender Rhodes piano. The latter gave his music a deep, rich sound. 

Rex’s stage presence is similar to someone performing at a school talent show. His nervousness came across as endearing and drew the audience in closer. He wore oversized jeans, an untucked button down shirt and a loose tie that made him seem like an average guy that anyone could relate to.

The following song “Apricot Princess” featured a flute and trumpet solo. This old fan favorite put Rex’s unmatched tone on full display. Although he does not have an expansive vocal range, he made up for it with his lyrics and delivery. Another standout performance was that of “Pluto Projector” off of his most recent album “Pony.” During this song Rex moved from behind the piano and to the other side of the stage with an electric guitar in hand. At the end of the song, the backdrop went from a field sprinkled with sparse yellow flowers to an LED light show featuring a stage-sized cartoon pony.

After the stage set change, Rex covered Alicia Keys’s soulful “No One.” It was a beautiful rendition of a well known song. Rex whistled at the end, putting a spin on the song and making it completely his own.

One of the best parts of the show was when he sang “It Gets Better.” This upbeat song got the crowd on their feet and was hands down the grooviest song on the setlist. The flashing LED pony also helped create the perfect dance atmosphere.

Arguably one of Rex Orange County’s most popular songs, “Sunflower,” was performed as one of the last few tunes of the concert. It was obvious that this was the song the audience was waiting for — the crowd shouted the lyrics over Rex’s vocals. The second to last song Rex performed was “Best Friend,” which was also met with great enthusiasm from the crowd. The show came to a close with upbeat pop song “Loving is Easy.” For those that are mostly unfamiliar with Rex Orange County, this was likely one of the few songs they knew. It seemed as though every single person in the audience knew the words to this track.

Rex Orange County put on a show that was definitely worth the years long wait. His setlist was phenomenal and incorporated songs across his three albums. The order of his setlist was also very well-done and managed to keep new and old fans engaged. Hopefully it will not be too long until he touches down in Atlanta again, but until then check out his newest studio album “Pony.”

Of all of the major motion picture studios, Pixar might be the most consistent supplier of quality films. The Disney-owned animation company produces a yearly stream of critically acclaimed and publicly beloved content. So how do they do it? How do they maintain such high-caliber output? Last week, Kelsey Mann offered some answers.

Mann is a veteran story artist at Pixar. Among other works, he was the story supervisor for “Monsters University” and “The Good Dinosaur.” Prior to that, he animated and wrote for Cartoon Network, Warner Bros. and Lucasfilm Animation. Now, the artist’s title has shifted to Head of Story for the upcoming release “Onward.”

On Feb. 9, he came to Tech’s campus to present to students at the Tech Square Research Building and speak with the Technique, taking students behind the scenes of Pixar and sharing some of their processes.

When asked what sets Pixar apart, he highlighted a single, shared goal: “to make a great film.” Going further, Mann added, “I think one of the major keys to our success is telling stories that are personal.”

Day one for “Onward” was Sep. 17, 2013. For the last seven years, Mann and his team of writers and story artists tirelessly labored, creating and reworking countless scenes and plotlines. What exactly does that process look like?

Mann said the story starts with oneself, which in this case was director Dan Scanlon (“Monsters University”). “Dan looked at his own life for [“Onward”],” Mann told students. “There is a thing Dan realized about his own life” that inspired the movie. However, he noted that “Onward” was not autobiographical in nature, clarifying that Dan “wanted to make sure it was universally relatable.”

While the movie might start with Scanlon, he is not alone in his efforts. 

“Typically, I’ve been there the whole time like helping shape the story with [Scanlon] side by side,” Mann says. They begin by pinning ideas, scenes and plot points to the wall on index cards. Then they enlist story artists who begin to visualize these ideas.

Aside from Mann and Scanlon, there are numerous talents collaborating on this movie. Each contributor uses the story’s universality as an entryway into making a personal movie of their own. Mann explained to the Technique, “The movie is about loss and support, and so you can come to it through multiple ways. You don’t have to experience what Dan experienced, but everyone can experience loss in their life in some form … And so we’re always pulling from our own experiences and trying to put that in the film, because that’s where the real truth comes from.”

In his role, Mann was responsible for overseeing a team of writers whose goal is to tell the most compelling, entertaining story possible. He also had to make sure that everyone is performing well and that the job stayed on track. Elaborating, the head of story told the Technique, “I’m also figuring out how many scenes is it … and I start to figure out who can do what, like casting, figuring out which artist can do which scene.”

The artists are cleverly organized into what Mann termed “the fishbowl.” Sharing one big room allows each of the artists the ability to see all parts of the film while they work. Collectively, they work, draw, collaborate and analyze one page at a time.

Then, all of the writers and artists are invited to pitch their scenes and contributions in one big meeting. After each one, they applaud, discuss and receive notes. Then they rework it again.

At this point in the presentation, Mann shares a sample pitch from “Onward” with students. There are no colors, no music —only Mann and his sketch drawings are on display. He describes a good pitch as one in which the viewer watches the movie, feels for it and is entertained by it.

Once Mann and Scanlon’s teams have completed all of their work, they send it off to editing with temporary voice actors and temporary music. Then it goes to screening day, where the Braintrust — a collection of Pixar’s best and most famous filmmakers — view the product and offer their notes. Taking all of the notes, they begin this process all over again.

This repetitive operation sheds light on parts of the film that might need more attention. For example, Mann discussed the rationale that went into creating a sense of magic in “Onward.” Spells traditionally require numerous components, such as the physical motions and verbal incantations a character must perform. After a few screenings, they concluded that the magic in “Onward” also needed an emotional one.

Mann explained, “Like in order to do this trust bridge spell, you have to trust yourself, and if you don’t trust yourself, then the spell is not going to work. And suddenly, all the spells became

 this growth test in Ian [the protagonist], which is fantastic because Ian is a character that wants to become more confident.” Because of this attention to story and character, the head of story said, “All of those magic spells started to feel more visceral, because you saw the character overcoming something internal, which is always so much more satisfying.”

Clearly, all of the reworking and tinkering is not simply about making a cool movie. It is rather an effort to produce a more personal, resonant story. Through this tireless, collaborative process, Mann, Scanlon and their story artists create the high quality output that fans and critics alike have come to adore from Pixar.