We’ve all been there, comfortably settled into a new dorm when we realize we’re out of a much needed item, or gotten half way through a semester only to realize we never really moved into our space.

With limited room, dorm living can be tricky to make the most of, but it’s all about striking a balance between personal preference and practical application. That way, you’ll feel comfortable living there throughout some of the most important years of your life. 

We, at the Technique, have curated some items that you should consider bringing to your dorm to ensure you stay organized while optimizing space for all of your belongings. 

Provided below are some recommendations for items to invest in for your room. While we highly recommend these items, you’ll surely find your own running list of supplies you may need to stock up on throughout the year. 

Invest in an Organizer

An organizer (under the bed organizers, shoe organizers, etc.) is important in a space as small as a dorm. 

A storage ottoman will allow you to put any extra blankets, shoes or other items which you choose to hide out of sight. Bonus points if you can get an ottoman that can double as a seat or step stool to get onto your lofted bed.

Dorm room organizers will allow you to configure all of your items in an optimal way and make good use of your space. 

Under-the-bed clothing cubes will allow you to store any seasonal items that you won’t need at the start of the semester, which we recommend putting under your bed or stacking in your closet. 

If you get fabric storage cubes, you will be able to protect your items from dust and have more storage space to stack multiple cubes on top of one another. 

If you get some clothing storage containers that have clear windows, it will allow you to see which items you have packed away. 

Bedside Accessories

Consider having a bedside caddy or shelf attached to the side of your bed.

If you choose to loft your bed, having a bedside caddy will be very useful to store your items for quick and easy access. 

One option is to get a fabric caddy that you can hang on the rungs of your headboard, but you could also get a bedside shelf instead. 

The bedside shelf works well as a nightstand and is attached to the bed frame. 

A shelf can typically hold up to 15 pounds, and serves as a good spot to keep your books, phone, charger and water bottle.

Kitchenware

Apartment style dorms include a kitchen space that comes with a refrigerator, dishwasher, oven and microwave. Other than that, you will need to bring your own supplies. 

Common items to consider include utensils, cutting boards, oven mitts, cups and plates. 

Additionally, if you plan on cooking it can be helpful to have a basic supply of spices on hand — salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cilantro, cayenne and so on.

Cleaning Supplies

Think of the basics. It’s always easy to forget the small things we become accustomed to having on hand. 

As the semester wears on, you will want to have cleaning items such as bleach, rubber gloves, disinfectant wipes, dish soap and sponges. 

Try to think of the basic items you would use for both touch-ups and deep cleanses. 

Additionally, you will likely need a vacuum to maintain carpets from time to time.

Laundry Basket/Bag

This is a critical item which will allow you to keep your clothes off the floor and take them to the laundry rooms in your dorm with ease, especially if you can get one with wheels.

If you get a laundry bag with straps, you can hang it on the bed frame, in your closet or wherever you prefer it tucked away to create more open space. 

Water Filters

Bringing a Brita filter to college is a nice splurge, as you can always have filtered drinking water to fill your water bottle or coffee maker.  

If you are going to get a Brita, make sure to also bring extra filters. The water pitcher will let you know when the filter is ready to replace.

You want to make sure you are drinking clean water! In the dorms, you will get your drinking water from either a fountain or the kitchen sink, so getting a hand-held water filter will enable you to easily go back and forth to fill it up. 

Hanging Storage for Space

Adding in a cloth shelf system to hang on your closet rod will allow you to have increased storage space alongside your hangers.

The cloth hanging shelf lets you keep the floor space free, leaving a spot for shoes, luggage or boxes. 

Side Table Storage

If you have the space for it, a utility cart will give you a designated spot to put anything you would like from snack essentials, books, a coffee machine, bath products or whatever you would like. A cart with wheels is preferred as it will allow you to move it around for easier access. 

Extra Blankets

Georgia’s weather is oftentimes unpredictable, so having some extra blankets for additional warmth during the colder months will be beneficial.

The bed in your dorm is a twin XL, so getting some twin XL size blankets will be a good investment. 

A bedrest pillow and weighted blanket are also cozy additions for when you want to relax.

Decorations

If you want to make your room festive, you can invest in some lights, decorations or anything that makes the room reflect your personality.

An extension cord is great in case you need to plug in multiple things around your side of the dorm. 

Common decorations include posters, white LEDs (aka “fairy lights”), tapestries, notes from friends and family or anything with sentimental value that reminds you of home. 

For a more ambitious setup, if you can acquire a portable projector and a large white sheet, you can turn your dorm into a mini theater.

Try to make a list of all the things you will need by category to ensure you have everything you want for the semester. For example, things you will use for your kitchen, living room, bathroom etc.

The opportunity to cultivate your own space can be daunting, but we hope that these tips have helped guide you as you navigate the process.

Tech has recently expanded its crisis housing program for students, which is one of four of the programs now a part of the Students’ Temporary Assistance and Resources (STAR) Services department.

The Technique talked about this program with Grace Swift, vice president of the Student Government Association (SGA) and fourth-year EIA. Swift told the Technique more about STAR and how the program has been implemented to help students on campus.

The STAR Services department is a network of programs which helps provide students with the resources necessary to be successful at Tech. 

The programs that STAR provides for students besides the crisis housing program include the Campus Closet, Klemis Kitchen and the Dean Griffin Hip Pocket Fund. Steve Fazenbaker is the program director of Student Life at Tech, and oversees the STAR Services program. 

The main goal of the crisis housing program is to help serve Tech students who become unexpectedly displaced or put under financial stress. The program aims to provide temporary housing. 

Swift told the Technique that “students can go into crisis housing for any reason — mold in their dorms, a domestic violence dispute, feeling unsafe due to their identity, a natural disaster like a flood, unexpectedly losing their housing due to financial reasons and other reasons.” On campus right now, crisis housing has around eight beds on West Campus which are reserved for people who need to seek this program. 

Swift explained that the number of beds available fluctuates due to the number of empty dorms on campus, but there is always a minimum of eight beds which alumni have donated to specifically help aid those in need of the crisis housing program. 

Swift told the Technique that the program has been very effective from the student body perspective.

“Dr. Fazenbaker has been incredibly responsive whenever somebody fills out the crisis housing petition, and people have been able to get housing the night they submit the form if that is what they need,” Swift said. 

SGA has been able to help the crisis housing program to learn about what areas of the program can be improved upon through meeting with students who have been through the program.

Swift said that SGA has been able to gain valuable insight about small changes that can be added to provide students in the program with some additional resources. 

The changes recommended by students who participated in the program were to provide residents with linens and toiletries, as these are resources which make a significant impact in improving students’ overall experience. The students who are participating in the crisis housing program are also able to be put in contact with Klemis Kitchen, which provides students in need with a reliable food source. 

According to Swift, students who were able to gain the support of STAR through this program said that Fazenbaker was “such a great help and amazing resource during a time of crisis in their lives, and they are incredibly grateful for his generosity.” Additionally, crisis housing by STAR is very flexible with students who are using it. According to Swift, past students using the program have said that they do not feel any pressure to leave within a certain number of days. 

When Swift was shown around the crisis housing program space by Fazenbaker, she was able to gain insight on the organizations which have been able to contribute and help with the program. 

She was able to meet volunteers who were helping with the space from the organization Women in Material Science and Engineering (WiMSE) on campus. The volunteers from WiMSE were using “power tools to take out shelves, clean up the space and make the rooms suitable for becoming bedrooms,” according to Swift. 

SGA also has a new committee called the Student Needs Committee, which was created to address housing insecurity, food insecurity, financial insecurity and any other barriers to students’ education. The chair of the committee is Harrison Baro, second-year ENVE, who has been an integral part of the process helping to facilitate the crisis housing initiative. The most important learning process for the program’s success thus far, according to Swift, has been that it is important for the student body at Tech to know about STAR Services. It is critical to continue to promote the programs which STAR Services is able to provide for students on campus.

There has been an increasing number of requests each year for the crisis housing program, and while no one has had to be turned away yet, it is important that STAR continue to expand so that they are able to continue to facilitate and help all students who come to them. In this past academic year, STAR received double the number of requests they had received in the previous academic school year. This increase in requests means it has been important to continue STAR as it is able to provide the resources necessary to help aid the success of students at Tech.  

There has also been a positive outpour of support from the Atlanta community to help provide housing as an extension to Tech’s crisis housing program from places like the Saint Mark United Methodist Church of Atlanta, which has offered four rooms in their basement level to be used by students in need.

Currently, these rooms at Saint Mark United need to be refitted into bedrooms, cleaned, painted and furnished. Swift explained that Tech set aside a budget for STAR to use to be able to fund the refitting, and SGA has worked with STAR to order furniture and make the space comfortable. 

“SGA also wants to make the spaces feel cheerful so people don’t feel saddened by the plain walls, so we put out a call to student artists to see if anybody is interested in painting a mural on the walls,” Swift said.

Swift has been impressed with the amount of student support for this initiative. People who want to be able to help have reached out to aid in painting the walls, building furniture and making the rooms ready for the program. The program showcases the willingness the student body has to help their peers succeed at Tech.

With Homecoming rapidly approaching, let’s take a look at the traditions and history behind Tech’s festivities. The first Homecoming held at Tech was on June 7, 1920. It was sponsored by the Alumni Association and the celebration was initially for the group’s reorganization after having been inactive for several years. Grant Field hosted barbecues and a baseball game between Tech students and alumni back then. 

Today, Homecoming has changed quite a bit- where Tech hosts all the alumni from all over the world to come back to visit and reconnect with their alma mater and friends. Homecoming week is a festive time all around campus where students are working to create large tissue paper decorations (known as “pomp”) to adorn buildings along with painted banners and signs to celebrate Tech’s long standing traditions. The festivities all culminate in the annual Homecoming football game. This year, the Homecoming game is on Oct. 8, with an event-filled weekend leading up to it.

In addition to the decorations and football game, Homecoming has a long tradition of festivities and traditions that envelope the campus for the week leading up to the Homecoming game. 

These events include a variety of Greek sports tournaments followed by staple events like the Mini 500, Freshman Cake Race and the Ramblin’ Wreck Parade.

Homecoming is also when the student body elects two individuals for Ramblin’ Royalty, who are very involved members of the Tech community, both in academics and extracurricular activities.

The Homecoming Gala, held on Sept. 30, started off the Homecoming festivities this year. It was a free event open to all students. There was a formal dress code, and at the end of the gala, finalists were announced for Ramblin’ Royalty: Jacob Lewis, Emmett Halloran, Sean Alexander, Ainsley Ronco, Doug Dillman, Sofia Vainikos, Hrydesh Patel and Elizabeth Wright.

Throughout the week of Homecoming, there were several competitive events students could take part in. These events ranged from aquatic tug-of-war to Mario Kart, meaning everyone was able to find something they liked. Like all years, spectators are welcome at Homecoming events, so everyone can attend regardless of being on a team or not. 

Let’s take a look at the history and workings of the core events driving Homecoming week.

Mini 500

One of Tech’s most notable Homecoming traditions, the Mini 500, is an annual tricycle race dating back to 1969. The event pays homage to a fraternity prank in which pledges had to ride around campus on tricycles, and requires teams of students to ride modified, child-sized tricycles built to support the weight of the rider as fast as they can around Peters Parking Deck on East campus. 

Some campus organizations spend weeks — and even months — preparing their bikes before the race. Tech students have the ability to show off their engineering skills to ensure their bike does not fail them during the race.

A team consists of seven members: four racers and three pit crew members. Teams are required to rotate their front tire three times throughout the race, all while trying to complete eight laps without losing their ride.

The race gets quite competitive, as teams rush to finish in a battle against their peers. 

The event has claimed the title for most unique Homecoming tradition at Tech due to developing the need for engineering skills and team camaraderie to win. This year’s Mini 500 will take place on Oct. 7 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Peters Parking Deck.

Freshman Cake Race

The Freshman Cake Race is a half-mile race that takes place before sunrise, which is usually around 6:00 a.m., on the morning of the Homecoming football game. As the name might suggest, this event is open only to first-year students. 

The Freshman Cake Race has been held since 1911, when it was initially an open cross-country race used to scout out potential members for the team. It only received its iconic name in 1913 when the wives of faculty members, mothers of students and Tech sweethearts would bake cakes to give to the winners of the race. 

The Cake Race was incorporated into Tech Homecoming festivities and became mandatory for freshmen starting in 1935. The race eventually became co-ed, and has been a staple for all freshmen ever since. 

In contrast to its cross-country origins, participants can run, jog or walk in what is sure to be a memorable experience for freshmen students. Freshmen are encouraged to run and receive a cupcake at the end of the race. The overall winners of the race still receive cakes once they cross the finish line, and get the chance to meet the winners of the Ramblin’ Royalty at the Homecoming game.

Students only have one shot in participating in this event during their academic career at Tech, so many make the most out of it by showcasing their competitive sides. The most ambitious runners will do what they can to win, all for the sweet taste of victory. 

This year’s Cake Race will take place on Oct. 8 from 6:30 to 8:00 a.m. at the corner of Fowler St. and 8th St. SW.

Ramblin’ Wreck Parade

Prior to the football game and the last event of Homecoming, the Ramblin’ Wreck Parade is a parade in which students show off their rides while following the Ramblin’ Reck. 

This event originates from a race from Atlanta to Athens in 1929, when it was known as the “Old Ford Race.” In 1932, the event was deemed unsafe and was modified to become a parade, much like the event held today have today. 

Originally, two classifications of vehicles were allowed: classic cars and fixed bodies. A third category was added later, known as contraptions. 

Today, these contraptions are built only by students, showcasing Tech’s mechanical prowess. Students can create floats and contraptions which are paraded down the street, along with classic cars, dance teams and other groups participating. 

This year, the parade will be held on Oct. 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. along Fowler Street.

Homecoming Festival & Concert

Each year, the Student Center Programs Council, or SCPC, seeks to connect the Tech community through an annual Homecoming Committee. Composed of student leaders, the committee strives to help coordinate various activities Tech students partake in all week long. 

The Homecoming Carnival hosted by SCPC arrived on Tech Green Oct. 4, where there were fun activities such as inflatables, trivia, post card decorations, bear and bandana decorating, and paper airplane contests. There was also be an opportunity to collect stamps on the passport to win a voucher for Tech Rec bowling.   

Another event SCPC will be putting on is the famous Fall Concert which will be held Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. on Tech Green. The Fall Concert is always a popular event where student openers will perform and then Tech hosts a nationally-recognized artist who will perform as the main event. 

SCPC has been in charge of choosing the Homecoming theme each year, this year it is “Buzzin around the world.” 

Homecoming week is a spirited week-long celebration of the Institute’s beginnings and how memorable events have become traditions that students can recreate and do each year, and we at the Technique hope that students will get as involved as they can! 

The midterm elections on Nov. 8 are fast approaching. The weeks leading up to the election are especially critical for more engagement with the younger crowd to vote and use their voice for impact.

A new Tech student organization called GT Voters of Tomorrow set out with this exact initiative in mind. 

The main goals of the organization have been to help Tech students to register to vote and provide voting resources to support them.

They aim to be “a non-partisan, pro-democracy organization that seeks to educate, mobilize and represent our generation of voters on the Tech campus” said Alexa Bowman Olay, first-year PUBP and president of GT Voters of Tomorrow.

In every student organization on campus, it is important to have a strong officer team who can lead and work together effectively. 

For GT Voters of Tomorrow, this is a six-person board, with Olay as their president, Lillian Hanson as vice president, Navya Gupta as secretary, Anika Singh as treasurer, Alice Kennedy who serves for graphic design and social media and Ellise Barker as event coordinator. 

The organization welcomes students who are interested in getting involved — they can use a form linked on Voters of Tomorrow’s Instagram, @gatech_vot. 

The entire Voters of Tomorrow team at Tech encourages students to get involved in their organization so that there is more representation of Tech. 

For Olay, the most important part about creating GT Voters of Tomorrow has been helping students to register to vote. 

“The most successful way of getting students involved has been through tabling at Tech Green as well as posting on social media which has expanded the audience of campus members,” Olay said. 

The tabling sessions the organization has been putting on these past weeks has allowed the officer team to see that a lot of students, especially the out-of-state, are unsure on how to register to vote.

One important thing that Olay wants Tech students to realize is that even if you are an out-of-state student, you are still able to vote in Georgia. This can be done by updating your voter registration.

Alternatively, submit an absentee ballot to vote for your home state’s elections.

“The process of informing students that they can participate in voting and also helping them register to be able to vote has been an inspiring experience,” Olay said. 

Voters of Tomorrow will be collaborating with other student organizations to inform students on the importance of voting as well as provide a basis for how to become more involved in the political sphere. Olay hopes to continue to expand the organization through working on increasing the number of members involved with the organization. 

“This is the inaugural year for Voters of Tomorrow, and we want to emphasize the importance of voting and increasing voter turnout in the upcoming Georgia election,” Olay said.    

The primary focus for the organization will be to help students get more involved through joining the club and making the voter registration process more accessible.

In terms of voter awareness, GT Voters of Tomorrow has been providing information on how to register and get prepared for voting on Nov. 8 through their Instagram. They also are working to put flyers out to inform students about the deadline for registration.

The Secretary of State’s website, mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/, allows for easy access to sign-up to register to vote.

This past weekend, Tech had its annual homecoming football game, and the finalists for Mr. and Ms. Georgia Tech were honored on the field during halftime. The newly crowned winners were Kirby Criswell and Jolie Fouts.

The Technique got an opportunity to talk with the two winners to get to know more about them, what they are most excited for and their roles as the newly elected Mr. and Ms. GT.

Kirby Criswell is a fourth-year BA major with a concentration in Supply Chain and Operations. During his time at Tech, Criswell has been involved with the EXCEL program, UJC, FC, KNIT, Ramblin’ Reck Club, Wreck Camp and FASET.

Jolie Fouts is a fourth-year BA major from Peachtree City, Georgia. She has been involved in several activities around campus including the Circle of Sisterhood, Collegiate Panhellenic Council Executive Board, Phi Mu and is a cheerleader for the Institute.

What role do you think Mr. and Ms. GT play on campus?

Criswell: I think the role of Mr. and Ms. GT is to be an ambassador of the Georgia Tech spirit.

I hope that after interacting with Mr. and Ms. GT, people can get a sense of the Georgia Tech community.

That Mr. and Ms. GT can make people feel welcomed, supported and encouraged just as the Tech community has for me these past four years.

Fouts: I think Mr. and Ms. GT serve primarily as role models for students and ambassadors for the Institute.

We are here to let our love for Georgia Tech be known by the people we meet, and we’re also here to help others throughout their Tech journeys. Whether that’s as a mentor, a friend, a classmate or an employee, Mr. and Ms. GT are really just here to help others make their Tech experience everything they want it to be.

What drew you to apply for Mr./Ms. GT?

Criswell: Georgia Tech was not my top college, but after my time here at Tech, I have absolutely fallen in love with this school. The students, the professors, the faculty, the traditions and everything Georgia Tech amazes me. I was drawn to apply to Mr. GT because I wanted to represent this wonderful Institution.

Fouts: Ms. Georgia Tech has always been on my mind ever since I was a freshman. Several of the Mr. & Ms. GT’s in my years were personal mentors of mine in Scheller, so I deeply respected them and knew how much they had poured into this school. They were always so kind and passionate about helping out others.

I think looking up to them so much was the primary driver for me to apply when I was eligible.

What has been your favorite part about being a student at Tech thus far?

Criswell: The people here are by far my favorite thing about being a student. I love being surrounded by such motivated and determined people. It inspires me to push myself to be my best self. I feel so lucky and honored to know the people that are going to go out and change the world.

I get to tell my kids one day that I knew that person that found a cure for cancer, or made it to Mars, or invented the next iPhone. We are all so fortunate to go to a school that encourages us to pursue our dreams and give us the resources to make them reality.

Fouts: My favorite part about being a student here is that [it] is an extremely unique experience that none of my friends at other schools can ever really understand. We have a very distinct culture, we are extremely bright and driven as students, but there isn’t that cutthroat competitive energy that you often see at other high-achieving universities. We want to make an impact, but we don’t just talk about it.

Students here are actually willing to put in the work to make things better for ourselves and our community, and I think that’s pretty hard to come by now. Tech is overall just a unique school, and that’s my favorite part about being a student here.

How do you believe you embody the Tech spirit?

Criswell: Georgia Tech’s motto is ‘Progress and Service.’ I believe I have tried my hardest to embody that in everything I do. I try to make sure that all the things I have been involved with a[re] progressing society forward and serving the community. I think my time on FASET exec is a perfect example. I was able to progress the program forward by creating new events while also serving the student body.

Fouts: To me, Tech is unique and confident in the space it has carved out among other universities. It knows its strengths but is also honest about its weaknesses. Its students work hard, play hard, and support each other along the way. They are resilient and strong but also compassionate and understanding. Our students have big dreams but also have the work ethic and dedication to make these dreams a reality. I’ve tried my very best to uphold the Tech tradition and spirit characterized by these things.

What is your favorite Tech sport and/or tradition?

Criswell: My favorite Georgia Tech tradition is the Mini 500. I don’t know who came up with a tricycle race as a staple of Georgia Tech traditions, but I want to meet them.

I love seeing how excited we get to watch a bunch of people try their hardest to get a tricycle up Freshmen Hill.

Fouts: I feel like I really shouldn’t answer this because given my role as a cheerleader, I love all sports equally, but I will say that I especially love Georgia Tech volleyball.

Those women are amazing, and the energy in O’Keefe during their games is unmatched. I’ve been able to cheer for volleyball games for the past 3 years and meet the team, and I am hard pressed to find a more impressive group of women on campus. They truly are role models, and I am so excited to cheer them on into post-season.

What is your favorite spot on campus and why?

Criswell: Easily the fifth floor of the Clough Undergraduate Learning Commons, specifically the bench to the right of the stairs. This is the place where I first told my dear friend Christina that I was gay. She was the first person I ever came out to, and that moment and location will forever hold a special place in my heart.

Fouts: My favorite spot on campus is the Scheller Undergrad Commons.

It’s a newly renovated collaboration space only open to Scheller Undergrad students, so it’s always quiet and a good study spot.

It also has TV screens that I can connect to my laptop so everyone in my group can see what we’re working on.

I’m also almost guaranteed to see one of my friends there every time I go. Overall, best study space on campus for business majors!

What do you hope to do for the rest of this year in your role?

Criswell: I hope I can be used as an ambassador for Georgia Tech[.] I want to be able to use this role to help make this Institute even better and show other people just how amazing our school is.

Fouts: I really want to educate the general student body about the importance of philanthropy and how to use your resources to serve others in effective and sustainable ways. I feel like that’s been my soapbox since starting at GT, and I really want to share what I’ve learned with other students. There’s a lot of need in our Atlanta community, and Tech students have the ability to meet these needs.

However, not all philanthropy is good philanthropy, and I want to help other Tech students know the difference so that they can align themselves with organizations that are serving others well. I also want to let students know that serving others is easier than they may think, but it is crucial for the continued development of our cities.

If being Ms. GT is the platform from which I can share this information, then I’m excited to get started!

Is there any advice you would like to share to incoming or younger Tech students?

Criswell: Be yourself! It is easy to look around and see what everyone else is doing and compare yourself to them and feel that you don’t belong.

However, it is crucial that you be yourself. You are here at Georgia Tech for a reason, and that is to explore and grow your passion. It doesn’t matter what everyone else is doing. It only matters that you enjoy what you are doing.

Fouts: It’s definitely okay to try everything once, but you don’t need to stick with something you’re not interested in just because it seems like you should or it’s a “good thing to do.”

Being the most involved person on campus won’t make you happy, and it will take away from your ability to love on others and care for yourself.

Try to narrow down your involvements to a few things that you are really passionate about, and dive deep into those things. You will find that you are a better participant, leader, and worker in these things because your heart is truly in them and you aren’t spreading yourself too thin.

What are your plans after college and how do you think this position will help you in the future?

Criswell: I have dual citizenship in Ireland, so after graduation I hope to live in Ireland for a year or two. I want to work abroad and travel some while I am young. After that I would like to start my own non-profit focusing on homelessness and mental health issues within the LGBTQIA+ community.

I believe that this position will help me keep a great network of hard-working people that will help me accomplish my goals in the future.

Fouts: After graduation, I will be working for Chick-fil-A in their Corporate Social Responsibility department on the Community Affairs team.

I’ve been working part-time in this role since May, and I get to coordinate volunteerism efforts between our staff and the Atlanta nonprofit community in the fields of hunger, homelessness and education. It is absolutely my dream job, and I can’t wait to continue with this group.

Being Ms. GT will help me show others that I meet in my job that Georgia Tech cares about its Atlanta community and is committed to the betterment of our city through philanthropy and service.

I am excited about the possibility of being the one who can share Tech’s vision on service with others who currently work in the philanthropy space.

Our Take: 2 Stars

“Cinderella” is a timeless tale that transcends generations. It also has been the culprit of many remakes, some of which are excellent movies while others don’t quite hit the mark. One prime example of this is the new “Cinderella,” starring Camila Cabello, which was just released on Sept. 3 on Amazon Prime. The original Cinderella has lots of good character tropes and a stable theme that can entertain both children and adults. This version feels like a series of TikTok references and a lot of overused Gen-Z commentary throughout the film.

The music throughout the film consists of a lot of covers of original songs that don’t really flow as well as intended, but the constant bursts of rhythmic music are still an improvement on the cheesy script. The movie packs on a star-studded cast with many household names — Idina Menzel (“Frozen”) and Billy Porter (“Like A Boss”) reunite as Broadway legends, and both impress with their voices

The essence of “Cinderella” is one we’re all familiar with: a mistreated but pure young girl gets the makeover of her dreams and ends up with the prince of her dreams. In this rendition of the fairytale, there are moments throughout the film where the traditional story shines through, but for the majority of the film it is overpowered by pop song covers and TikTok quotes.

This movie focuses on how Cinderella, played by Camilla Cabello, has big aspirations of being a fashion designer and financially supporting herself to move out of her stepmother’s basement. The film also humanizes the stepmother, played by Idina Menzel, as it explains her cruelty based on the hardships she experienced growing up in a time where women were not respected. The mean girl element of the two stepsisters is also toned down significantly as they are duller characters who don’t impact Cinderella as much as they do in the original film.

The movie tries its best to be inclusive and the introduction begins with everyone singing a rendition of Janet Jackson’s “Rhythm Nation,” which doesn’t entirely play into the 18th century life of the townspeople getting ready for their day. The film also overcompensates with the girlboss narrative that Cinderella upholds and how her independence and aspirations are what fuel her instead of the idea of having true love and settling down with the Prince. While the film is meant to emphasize the importance of equality amongst men and women, it does so in such a way that the characters around Cinderella have little character development.

The star-studded cast all have one main character quality that they try to portray even if it is in the smallest doses. The king (Pierce Brosnan, “Mamma Mia”) is dictatorial; the queen (Minnie Driver, “Ella Enchanted”) is silenced and frustrated by the King; the princess (Tallulah Grieve, “Our Ladies”) is a political encyclopedia who wants to create effective change; and Porter’s fairy god-person is flamboyant. The town crier (Doc Brown, “Miranda”) raps all of the information being given to the town. Prince Robert is played by budding new actor Nicholas Galitzine (“High Strung”), who does a great job portraying a brooding man who is slightly obsessed with Cinderella.

Prince Robert, like Cinderella, has to find himself and decide what he wants to do with his future. When Cinderella and Prince Robert meet, they help each other realize that they are constrained in lives that they know they should not be living, so they inspire one another to follow their dreams and take agency of their lives.

Although “Cinderella” is awkward and the songs don’t always flow, the overall theme and message about feminism and the importance of gender equality still comes through. The uneven tone of the film can distract from appealing performances by the talented cast members in creative, energetic musical numbers. This retelling of Cinderella needs a bit of toning down that the fabulous god-person could potentially grant in a make-under.

“I’m a Ramblin’ Wreck from Georgia Tech and a helluva engineer!” The crowd roars out of excitement as the Tech sports team is playing their heart out on the field.

Since the 1930s, Tech’s traditions have remained timeless, engaged students and created a sense of belonging as a Ramblin’ Wreck.

The safety concerns of these unprecedented times have raised questions on if and how school traditions can still be maintained. The Ramblin’ Reck Club seeks to answer those questions.

They are doing this with intentional planning alongside 15 of the most-spirited D1 schools across the country.

The Reck Club is dedicated to promoting campus-wide spirit through working relationships with the GT Athletic Association, the GT Alumni Association as well as the student body as a whole.

This year, because of COVID-19, the Reck Club has had to adapt to a new way of engaging the student body.

With so much uncertainty at the start of the year on how campus activities and sports would be conducted, Reck Club had to plan a strategy to continue their mission. This past summer, Reck Club found a way to establish a new network, Collegiate Spirit Organization Network (CSON).

CSON started out with a few Atlantic Coastal Conference (ACC) schools, including Miami, Duke, Clemson and University of North Carolina (UNC).

It has now expanded to over 15 schools and spans five NCAA Division 1 Conferences.

The creation of this network has allowed them to connect with colleges all around the nation. They meet and discuss how each college is able to keep morale and school spirit high during these times.

“They are able to modify Tech’s existing traditions to meet today’s needs,” said Adam Lederer, third-year PUBP and the Reck Club’s CSON Chair.

“Although we are physically distant, we are all still connected through our shared love of Georgia Tech.” As its founding member, Reck Club has facilitated all of CSON’s activities and meetings. There is no formal structure to CSON meetings. However, it is required that at every CSON engagement, member schools send one representative. The organization holds discussions on how to get students involved and engaged with athletic events while working safely with COVID-19 protocols in mind. The spirit network has created a space for schools to be able to collaborate and learn from each other.

Ways that Reck Club has adapted this year expand across all facets of traditions and events on campus. For example, Homecoming, a long-held tradition during football season on Tech’s campus, still went forward but was altered in some ways to remain COVID-19 safe.

The Reck Club successfully ran the Mini 500 race this year.

A larger track at the SAC Fields and spaced out start times complied with social distancing protocols that allowed everyone from campus the option to participate.

Ticketing for football and basketball games were also the product of discussions in CSON meetings.

The intercollegiate spirit network has been a remarkable addition to the Reck Club organization.

Even when sporting events return back to their pre-pandemic normal, CSON will still be able to help Tech and many schools across the country to maintain school spirit and engage with their students.

This year, the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts is adapting to the new normal of virtual environments. Even though prospective students remain unable to come visit in person, Tech provides an opportunity through a liberal arts shadow day to gain insight about campus from the comfort of home – and without dealing with the busy Atlanta traffic!

Shadow Day will be held fully virtual this year. Online webinars will provide prospective and admitted students an immersive experience about the life of a liberal arts Tech student. The opportunity allows students to ask questions about campus and seek out future opportunities for involvement.

The annual shadow day event is held and produced by Elizabeth Miller, the director of enrollment and student affairs, and the Ivan Allen Student Ambassadors. Registration is open to both prospective juniors and seniors in high school.

Students’ schedule for the day is catered towards their interests and their potential major or minor.

The agenda this year includes events about the 12+ majors within Ivan Allen, talks with school faculty and alumni and even class experiences. Students will be able to attend an academic advising panel as well as watch virtual campus tours.

Future Jackets can also visit sessions to learn about financial aid, international experiences and campus life through one-on-one conversations with current students.

In the past, students have been able to take full advantage of this program, using the day to learn about all the opportunities provided in the Ivan Allen College.

Emily Schroeder, first-year CM student, said that her time attending Shadow Day last year was a great experience.

“Dr. Gall sat down at the CM table and told me about the French LBAT and international program, which both sounded like a dream come true to me,” said Schroeder.

“I actually ended up applying to the LBAT for summer 2021. Unfortunately, it got canceled due to COVID, but I hope to do it next summer. I love language learning, and French was my favorite subject in high school, so it was really exciting learning about the opportunities Tech offered that could allow me to explore that part of myself, especially at an engineering school.”

The Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts Shadow Day virtual day-long programs will be held on two days this year, the first on February 26 and again on April 2. Hopefully attendees will leave the experience knowing more about the life of a helluva liberal arts student, even during a pandemic.