This my presentation for the 5th annual Atlanta Studies Symposium on Wednesday morning, April 26, 2017, where I gave a brief synopsis on the trials and tribulations of being displaced while attending college classes simultaneously. Negative stereotypes, family history, studying approaches, religious institutions' influences, and possible legal and political solutions were discussed.

1. Resilience: How Displaced College Students
Develop Strategies and Coping Mechanisms
by Snotti (“snah-TEE”) Prince St. Cyr, Exercise Science Major at Georgia State University ('19), Self-
Directed Learner, and Displaced Student Advocate

2. My Objectives
• Explain the “tipping point(s)” and mentality resulting in my
current position;
• address the impact that my personal history has on this
social problem;
• explain the stereotypes and issues I am currently
combating; and
• actions I am taking to repair my life

3. The SparkNotes Version of My Timeline
• Summer 2014—Reinstated to GSU
• June 2015—Displaced after housing scam
• August 2015—Reprimanded by GSU Officer at Classroom
South; displaced while attending classes until October
• November 2015—Conversations with friends, therapist, and
Office of the Dean of Students about circumstances
• Spring 2016—Failed Bridge to Higher Mathematics
• Fall 2016—GPA under 2.0; violated Satisfactory Academic
Progress mandate
• March 2017—Moved out of University Lofts

4. The Signal (GSU student-
run newspaper) Cover
Story
• Spring 2016 semester (Volume 83, Issue 17)

5. Why is Being a Displaced Student So Weird, Yet Troubling? What Does
My Displacement Situation Look Like?
• “'Homeless college student' seems like a contradiction in terms” (Paul Toro via New York Times)
• Logistics, time management, and paying attention to the streets (word of mouth)
• I’m seen as another statistic and wasted potential
• Multiple prejudices from LEO’s, private security, faculty, and students alike
• People look at me as an experiment or charity case instead of a fully autonomous human being with
talent and goals
• I fear coming off as an opportunist to my friends, some family members, and professional or
networking acquaintances
Key question: How can displaced students exist in America, the wealthiest
country in the history of the world? (inspiration: Wisconsin HOPE Lab
study)

6. The David Pakman Show Episode (January 2016)

7. The Self-Sufficiency Path: Steps I Am Taking to Re-enter Georgia State
• First Step Staffing
• On- and Off-Campus Job Search Resources
• Mental Health Counseling at Grady (searching elsewhere)
• Graciousness of friends, current students, and alumni
• Creating new crowdfunded citizen/independent journalism
platform
• Seeking volunteering opportunities
• Open courseware/MOOC enrollment

8. The Self-Sufficiency Path: How Atlanta’s Institutions Can Help
• Encourage students to speak on how being displaced and/or serving the displaced
affects them
• Expansion of McKinley-Veto Homeless Assistance Act to all college and vocational
students, regardless of age or level
• Financial aid offices, housing departments, counseling centers, and admissions
departments can merge similar to UCLA’s Economic Crisis Response Team
• More student- and department-ran food pantries and clothing closets
• More dorms should be open year-round
• Annually reviewing community impact of Turner Field and Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• United Way, real estate agents, apartment complex managers
• Politicians ensuring survival, proper funding of U. S. Interagency Council on
Homelessness
• Address religious organizations’ monopoly on services, culture

9. Religious Monopoly
on Addressing
Displacement
Ivy Taylor, Mayor of San Antonio, victim-
blaming disenfranchised and slandering
atheists and agnostics

10. Questions and Comments? Contact me!
Snotti (“snah-TEE”) Prince St. Cyr
(404) 793-3207
sstcyr1@student.gsu.edu
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