1.10.17 by The Paisano

Vol. 55 Issue 1 January 10 January 17, 2017

BY UTSA students FOR UTSA students

/PaisanoOnline

/ThePaisano

Broaden your horizons

@ThePaisano

@PaisanoMedia

UTSA bowl game recap

San Antonio Coffee Festival review

Opinion Pg.3

www.Paisano-Online.com

Sports Pg.7

Life Pg.6

During Teach and Learn Korea (TaLK) participants spend their free time exploring South Korea at the peak of its cherry blossom season.

Photo courtesy of Alex Poe

UTSA students break from the states

Isaac Serna News Editor

@IsaacRSerna news@paisano-online.com Select UTSA students will not begin their Spring 2017 semester on campus. Instead, their studies will be in Italy, Germany, South Korea and other countries. According to NAFSA

data, 1.5 percent of U.S. students in higher education participate in study abroad programs. Nationally, student participation has increased, and UTSA aims to facilitate the opportunity to more students. COLFA Semester Abroad program leader Dr. Bridget

Drinka is a member of the faculty facilitating the Urbino, Italy trip. Drinka and participating students will leave for Italy Jan. 26. “I would reassure students it’s a great time to study abroad and broaden your own horizons,” Drinka said. “I really regard programs like the COLFA

semester in Urbino as providing students with a grassroots understanding of international relations that will last them a lifetime.” Study abroad programs are more than a change of scenery. Student perceptions of the world develop from personal

experiences during their studies abroad. Drinka recounts an example: “When one young woman broke her arm a few years back, she didn’t have to pay anything for her treatment. That student, and all her peers, learned about Italian socialized medicine on a

personal level and came away with a very positive attitude about how Italy treats foreigners.” Opportunities for UTSA students to travel abroad vary; some provide money instead of school credits.

See Study, page 2

A truly rowdy presidential search forum Caroline Traylor Editor-in-Chief @PaisanoCaro editor@paisano-online.com

Last September, UTSA President Ricardo Romo— who made UTSA history as the university’s first Latino and longest serving president—announced his plans to retire, effective August 2017. To launch the nationwide search for his successor, the UT System established the UTSA Presidential Search Advisory Committee. The group— comprised of UT System officials, UTSA faculty and alumni and other community members— is tasked with making recommendations to the Board of Regents on who will replace Romo. The Board will make the final decision. Dr. Steven Leslie—UT System executive vice chancellor for academic affairs—is the committee’s chair. Other members include: two Board of Regents (Vice Chairman Steven Hicks

and Regent Ernest Aliseda); UT institution presidents (Guy Bailey, president of UT Rio Grande Valley; and William Henrich, M.D., president of UT Health San Antonio); Michael Klein, president of the UTSA Alumni Association Board of Directors; James Bodenstedt, CEO and president of MUY!; Francisco Cigarroa, M.D., director of pediatric transplantation, UT Health San Antonio; Martin Salinas, CEO and director of Phase 4 Energy Partners; Dr. JoAnn Browning, dean of UTSA’s College of Engineering; Emily Bonner, associate professor of interdisciplinary learning and teaching and UTSA Faculty Senate chair; Hamid Beladi, UTSA associate dean of research and professor of economics; Heather Shipley, UTSA associate professor of civil engineering; Hazem Rashed-Ali, UTSA associate dean

of research and graduate studies; Elisa Perkins, associate director for diversity and recruitment and finally UTSA Student Government Association’s

(SGA) President Andrew Hubbard. Hubbard is the only student on the committee. On Dec. 2, the Presidential Search

University Presidents’ Salaries

Tristan Ipock, The Paisano

Advisory Committee held a two-hour town hall meeting in the Main Building Auditorium to receive input from UTSA community members. Dr. Leslie led the forum and opened it by promising more “listening tours with constituents both on and off campus.” The auditorium was packed with attendees who did not hold back in vocalizing their thoughts and described qualities that they wanted to see in the new university president. The perceived lack of Latino/a representation among the committee members was a concern raised by several attendees, including UTSA College of Public Policy Dean Rogelio Sáenz. Dr. Sáenz addressed the panel passionately, describing the committee’s makeup as irresponsible and discriminatory. “Latinos are able to work and study here but

are not included in this process,” he said. Another attendee asked the committee membership to be revisited stating that it did not accurately reflect the demographics at UTSA. Dr. Leslie asked the auditorium, “Is this something that y’all find significant?” to which the crowd erupted, “yes!” “Okay,” Leslie said. “Let me go back and work on this. I sense the significance of this and I’ll give you all I got.” The committee met for the first time on Dec. 9 to receive its charge and a second meeting is scheduled for February. Witt/Kieffer, a global executive recruitment firm, is assisting the UT System in the national search. Comments and nominations on the UTSA presidential search can be made anonymously, and will only be shared with the executive search firm. Visit: http://www.utsystem.edu/ board-of-regents/ut-sanantonio-president#searchcommittee

NEWS UTSA According to a study by UTSA Professor H.R. Rao, many people think they have the ability not to fall for phishing scams via email; but according to Roa, the people behind phishing are becoming better at mimicking logos of popular companies. To avoid becoming a victim of these new and improved phishing methods, Roa advises to be less overconfident and to stay informed on these issues.

Texas

January 10 - January 17, 2017 Study abroad programs offer new perspectives continued from page 1 Particular countries employ and invest in UTSA students, especially those in rural areas aiming to increase their presence in the global economy. Students are recruited through study abroad programs such as Teach and Learn in Korea (TaLK) because of a high demand for English speakers to teach. “When the opportunity for the TaLK program arose, I applied,” Alex Poe, a junior English major, said. “In my head, I knew I would never be chosen.”

Poe had no university degree, certification, prior experience or knowledge about South Korea or its language.

“I had never even tried Korean food before my first day there.” -Alex Poe, TaLK participant “I had never even tried Korean food before my first day there,” Poe admits, “but to my pleasant

surprise, they liked my sense of adventure and my willingness to truly learn about the culture and language.” UTSA and other third-party study abroad programs promote the chance for students to learn, build a resume and discover their place in the world. After graduation, Poe plans to teach in Japan. He said his experience abroad shaped his path and made a big world seem a lot smaller.

Last Thursday, Texas Republicans unveiled S. B. 6, a so-called “bathroom bill” which would require transgender people to use bathrooms in public schools, government buildings and public universities based on “biological sex.” Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick introduced the legislation.

U.S. A federal appeals court rejected a request from the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe to stop construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline on Sunday, though construction may not start any time soon. On Sunday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled that Energy Transfer Partners can move forward on construction of the pipeline; however, three federal agencies still need to approve the project before construction may begin.

World A U.S. consulate official was shot in Mexico. The official remains in stable condition, and an American suspect has been arrested by authorities in connection with the shooting. The suspect will be extradited to the United States. The motive behind the shooting has yet to be revealed and authorities haven’t identified the official nor the suspect.

Science Tilikum, the 36-yearold orca that made waves as a subject of the documentary “Blackfish,” died this past week in Orlando. He was responsible for the death of a SeaWorld trainer and two others. His story and the public outcry following it pushed SeaWorld to stop breeding killer whales in captivity.

2 Know before you go • Prepare six months to a year in advance of the program’s start date, depending on its length. • Acquire your passport. Without a passport, you cannot book international flights or apply for student visas if necessary. • Apply for as many studyabroad-related scholarships as possible. UTSA offers several scholarships, some even program specific. • There will be several essays required for your program and scholarship applications. They can mean the difference between an $800 and a $3,000 scholarship. • Ensure your means of financing your program (such as grants and loans from federal student aid) are organized and are paid out before you leave. Any holds on your account can derail your going abroad. • Acquire textbooks and other class-related materials according to the syllabi and pre-departure package from your program director/coordinator. • Confirm your flights and follow the packing instructions given to you by your coordinator/director Gaige Davila, The Paisano

Photo courtesy of UTSA Education Abroad Services Interacting with locals abroad is an enriching experience the typical classroom can’t provide.

UnDACAmented

Faculty Senate passes resolution to protect UTSA students Isaac Serna News Editor

@IsaacRSerna news@paisano-online.com The UTSA Faculty Senate passed a resolution calling on the provost, president and UT System chancellor to affirm the university’s commitment to diversity. “Many members of the Senate want to show strong and immediate support for students who might find themselves in danger, say if DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) was repealed or set aside in any way,” Writing Program Faculty Senator Greg Hazleton said. The resolution requests that the UTSA administration investigate and implement concrete ways to provide safety and security for all students. The Senate derived the idea from The Immigrant Youth Leadership organization’s (IYL) petition that called for UTSA to be designated as a ‘sanctuary campus.’ The Senate made a point of highlighting “core values” in the UTSA Mission Statement. “The resolution was a way for the Senate to reiterate the fact that inclusiveness and respect are the values we see underlying the university mission,” Hazleton said. Sanctuary campus designation is a solution bound to a heated debate. Modeled after sanctuary cities, a sanctuary campus is a designation for universities to adopt policies to protect undocumented immigrant students.

Texas Governor Greg Abbot has voiced his opposition to sanctuary campuses on Twitter, while UT Chancellor William McRaven released a statement affirming his confidence and support of DACA. “We do not discuss the immigration status of our students. In fact, the law allows and requires us to protect the students’ private information including immigration status,” UT System’s Communications Director Jenny Caputo confirmed in a statement to Texas

Public Radio. The Faculty Senate resolution makes no reference to the term

“It seems to be a kind of trigger word for some state politicians.” -Dr. Alistar Welchman, Faculty Senator sanctuary campus despite a similar goal to protect students: “The resolution the Senate passed is more or

less the same in terms of content,” English Department Faculty Senator Alistair Welchman, one of the authors of the resolution, said. “It just doesn’t use the term because it seems to be a kind of trigger word for some state politicians. There’s no reason to use it if they’re going to find it offensive.” “We are not a sanctuary campus. We don’t use that term,” Hazleton affirmed. The primary distinction between the resolution and a sanctuary campus is the level of inclusiveness.

The resolution calls for not only the protection of immigrants, but also requests the safety and security of all groups who feel insecure on campus. “As the representative body of the faculty, we wanted the students to know that we stand in firm support of those values outlined in the resolution,” Hazleton affirmed. “If the students don’t feel like those values are being upheld, we are an outlet that they can speak to.” To read the full resolution and IYL petition go to paisano-online.com.

Faculty Senate resolution five point request 3 1 Guarantee in-state

Cooperate with immigration enforcement only up to but not beyond the extent required by law.

tuition to DACA students.

Meet with Immigrant Youth Leadership Organization.

Ensure that all students receive a campus, classroom and community experience free of hostility.

Assign a specific office and specific admin to counsel DACA students on a strictly confidential basis. Ethan Pham & Tristan Ipock, The Paisano

OPINION

January 10 - January 17, 2017

Thanks, Obama commentary

Ricardo Rodriguez @ThePaisano

On Jan. 10 in his hometown of Chicago, President Barack Obama will deliver his final public address to the country. After eight years in the Oval Office, Obama has had a consequential two terms as president, and although it is difficult to fully grasp the impact of Obama’s leadership, Barack Obama will be known as one of the most historically significant leaders in American history. Obama entered the Oval Office during a tumultuous time, inheriting many problems from Bush’s presidency. In 2008, after a failed war on terror and a recession, a distrust in government was growing among the American people. In his campaign, the young senator from Illinois promised to

end unnecessary wars, nuclear weapons and climate change. As lofty as his promises were, his charisma and message of hope won over voters who were discontent with the GOP establishment. In Obama’s first term, the country was going through one of the worst financial crises since The Great Depression, and unemployment had risen to 9.3 percent. In response, Obama signed into law The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to stimulate the economy. Slowly, unemployment steadily dropped throughout Obama’s years as president. As of December 2016, unemployment is down to 4.7 percent according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. In 2010, the Affordable Care Act, more popularly coined as Obamacare, sought to provide universal healthcare, following the example of other countries such as Canada, Norway and Sweden. According to a National Health Interview Survey in 2015, the number of uninsured Americans dropped 9.1 percent in that year. As Commander-in-Chief, Obama ended the war

in Iraq and Afghanistan by de-escalating military deployments in those regions. Instead, Obama has authorized more drone strikes as president than did Bush, having authorized 506 drone strikes compared to Bush’s 51. As the first black president, Obama became a model for an entire generation, a redemption of the American dream that illustrates to many young adults, regardless of race or background, you can become president too. Despite Obama’s achievements, the national debt more than doubled under his administration, Congress is as gridlocked as ever, even more so, than when Obama took office, and the war on terror is far from over. Obama was a visionary with ambitious goals that were compromised to half-measures and hollow promises due to a partisan Washington. Regardless, Obama played an influential role in shaping American politics as well as global policy. And although not having succeeded in all his goals, Obama left the country in much better shape than when he took office.

It's a small world

...until you travel abroad commentary

Jade Cuevas @jadecuev

Building walls, defining borders, banning people — America’s current president-elect sounds more like that one child in kindergarten who refused to let you join a soccer game rather than our nation’s future commanderin-chief. The height of the 2016 election, Trump’s win and nationalist ideals are what I was greeted with coming back home after spending the past summer abroad in Europe. After blissful months of experiencing new languages, food, music, lifestyles and people, the election was a drastic— and aggressive—contrast to the life I had been living. The only similarity of the election season to my time abroad was in late June when Brexit, a referendum that passed for Britain to leave the European Union, went down. I met two Brits in Greece a few days after the referendum passed. Exasperatedly, they begged,

“Please don’t think all of us are closed-minded... Nobody thought this (Brexit) was actually going to happen.” I and many other Americans can relate. While knowing one’s roots and finding pride in a hometown, state, or country can be a big part of who somebody is, it doesn’t justify having a xenophobic mindset. It’s important that people not only push themselves out of their comfort zone, but also try to be accepting of what exists beyond it. What better time to hone this skill than to study abroad in college? According to NAFSA: Association of International Educators, a nonprofit organization for international education professionals, the number of U.S. students who participated in study abroad grew to over 310,000, about 1.5 percent of the total U.S. student population, in the 20142015 academic year — an overall increase of 2.9 percent from the prior year. Of these students, 16,605 were from Texas universities. Study abroad does have a diversity issue though. Of the 310,000+ students who traveled abroad, 72.9 percent of them were Caucasian. Second are Hispanic students with 8.8 percent

and third are Asian/ Pacific Islander students with 8.1 percent. And as for host regions, Europe was reported as the most popular destination for study-abroad students. Of all the study abroad students in the 2014-2015 academic year, 40 percent of them traveled to only four countries: United Kingdom, Italy, Spain and France. Latin America came in second; Asia in third. But, one problem at a time. According to the Student Youth & Travel Association (STYA), the second largest social impact of students who studied internationally at 74 percent was an “increase of tolerance of other cultures and ethnicities.” The first being a desire to travel more (no surprise there). Universities that push their students to expand their worldviews not only in the classroom, but also abroad, can lead to students having a better sense of self and appreciation for diverse cultural environments. Absence makes the heart grow fonder— “Absence” being studying abroad and “fonder” being more acceptable and openminded attitudes among college students.

Pete Souza, The White House President Barack Obama jokingly mimics U.S. Olympic gymnast McKayla Maroney's "not impressed" look while greeting members of the 2012 U.S. Olympic gymnastics teams in the Oval Office, Nov. 15, 2012.

Photo Poll

The Paisano asked: “What is your New Year's resolution and how do you plan to keep it?” Photos and interviews by Tristan Ipock

Carlos Graces Art senior

"I signed up for a boxing gym and it's 12 classes for a month. It's something that my girlfriend really liked, and we ended up signing up."

Alejandra Garda Biology sophomore

“Get more work done schoolwise. I'm going to be at school more often and manage my time better than last semester.”

Jasmine Williams Chemisty sophomore “My New Year's resolution is to make better grades. I've bought a planner and it reallly helps. I can see what's going on at anytime, and it puts things into perspective.”

Brennen Jennings Cellular & Molecular Biology senior

"To better myself mentally, and I plan to do this by sticking with a regimen that keeps up my schedule and nutrition."

Tiffany Blohm Elementary Education senior

"My New Year's resolution is to not procrastinate. I'm gonna check Blackboard a lot, check when everything is due and stay organized throughout the semester." Jade Cuevas, The Paisano

January 10 - January 17, 2017 4 OPINION The Paisano Keep students safe with sanctuary status Editor in Chief: Caroline Traylor

Managing Editor: Ethan Pham News Editor: Isaac Serna Arts & Life Editor: Raquel Alonzo Sports Editor: Frankie Leal Web Editor: Ricardo Rodriguez Photography Editor: Tristan Ipock Magazine Editor: Jade Cuevas Video Editor: Kat Joseph Senior Copy Editor: Jessica Salinas Business Manager: Will Stransky

Advertising Marketing Liaison: Jenelle Duff

STAFF Chris Herbert, Aidan WatsonMorris, Anelia GomezCordova, Benjamin Shirani, Danielle Throneberry, Abby Sharp, Jesus Nieves, Josh Zollicoffer, Justice Lovin

editorial “Texas will not tolerate sanctuary campuses or cities. I will cut funding for any state campus if it establishes sanctuary status. #tcot” Governor Greg Abbott’s threat in Dec. 2016 to cut funding from any public campus that declares itself as a 'sanctuary campus' represents a danger to the education for students of any background. While the term "sanctuary campus" is not clearly defined, it is derived from the term "sanctuary city." There is no specific legal definition for what constitutes a sanctuary jurisdiction, but the term is used widely to refer to state and local governments that limit collaboration with the federal government on immigration enforcement. Proponents of sanctuary cities argue that when people aren’t fearful of deportation, they’re more likely to cooperate with

police and communities are safer. Abbott’s extortion disenfranchises student’s ability to pursue an education and faculty’s ability to provide one. UTSA is a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution, and as of fall 2016 Hispanics made up 51.4 percent of the student body—14,889 students. Abbott’s announcement may be his way of attempting to enforce immigration policies, or the way of those who support this policy, but it has far-reaching consequences for all students and UTSA community members. To threaten universities’ funding is to coerce these public institutions to uphold draconian immigration laws—at the risk of reducing the quality of education Texas students receive. Education that represents the future of our nation, state and local communities. Abbott’s threat is a bully

Graphic by Tristan Ipock

tactic aimed at universities across the state. As a university with a core value of inclusivity, UTSA should protect DACA students and our fellow UTSA community members that Abbott’s threat could affect. As the search for a new university president continues, we should

insist upon a presidential candidate that embodies all of UTSA’s core values, a president who would be willing to stand up to threats from bullies, even if those bullies are the governor of the state or the president of the nation. Schools are meant to be sanctuaries of learning. Any rule that excludes

people or restricts access to the classroom doesn’t hurt only those excluded, it hurts the entire university community. Higher education is designed to recognize the perspectives of many voices—including some of our society’s most vulnerable members.

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ADVISOR

Diane Abdo

ADVISORY BOARD

Steven Kellman, Jack Himelblau, Sandy Norman, Stefanie Arias, Diane Abdo, Red Madden The Paisano is published by the Paisano Educational Trust, a non-profit, tax exempt, educational organization. The Paisano is operated by members of the Student Newspaper Association, a registered student organization. The Paisano is NOT sponsored, financed or endorsed by UTSA. New issues are published every Tuesday during the fall and spring semesters, excluding holidays and exam periods. The Paisano is distributed on all three UTSA campuses — Main, Downtown and the Institute of Texan Cultures. Additionally, Paisano publications are distributed at a variety of off-campus locations, including Tri-point and a variety of apartment complexes near the UTSA Main Campus. All revenues are generated through advertising and donations. Advertising inquiries and donations should be directed to: 14526 Roadrunner Way Suite 101 San Antonio, TX 78249 Phone: (210)-690-9301 © 2016, The Paisano The University of Texas at San Antonio's Handbook of Operating Procedures states in 5.03 that: The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) will not exercise control over the format or content of Student Publications, but will regulate distribution on campus. Student Publications will be free of censorship and advance approval of copy, and their editors and managers are solely responsible for editorial and content policies and decisions. Editors and managers of Student Publications will not be subject to arbitrary suspension/ expulsion or removal from their positions within a Registered or Sponsored Student Organization (Student Organization) by the University because of student, faculty, administrative, or public disapproval of editorial policy or content. Student Organizations that distribute Student Publications are afforded the same rights and privileges as Student Organizations that do not distribute Student Publications.

WANT TO GET INVOLVED? • We're looking for writers, photographers, graphic designers, copy editors and social media gurus to join our team! • No previous journalism experience required. • Meetings are every Wednesday at 6 p.m. at the Paisano Media Arts Center: • 14526 Roadrunner Way (Directly behind the Block)

Sexual assault: not exclusively a "women's issue" commentary

Brady Phelps

@bradytphelps On Thursday, Jan. 5, Vice President Joe Biden issued a call-to-action to college and university presidents regarding sexual assault on campus, which he called, “the human rights issue of our time.” A 2016 Department of Justice report showed that one in five women was assaulted at some point during college, a number that has been stagnant for over 20

years. But it’s not just a campus problem. According to a 2014 DOJ report, one in three non-student women aged 1824 reported being assaulted and 43 percent of women in the military reported the same. While institutions should play key roles in responding to cases of sexual assault in college, actually ridding campuses and communities of violence against women will require a change in the attitudes and behaviors of men in general. First, we must make genuine attempts to understand concerns of young women. Then we have to discuss women’s issues with empathy and the same passion with which we discuss our

own interests. We have to understand that many women are often burdened by a fear most of us have never known. And we have to understand how, in so many ways, their body autonomy is regularly threatened or violated. We have to commit not only to ensuring our individual actions don’t harm women, but also to holding each other accountable for the way we treat women and talk about them. Even how we talk about women to each other can either perpetuate or challenge rape culture.

Too often, men blame women—their fashion choices, their behavior, their pasts—for making themselves vulnerable to predators. Some sexual assault survivors are blamed when they meet their assailants online. As if there is any situation in which a women should expect to be assaulted. As if women aren’t routinely assaulted by men they meet at school, work or church. We have to deconstruct whatever engendered camaraderie causes us to automatically support other men and discredit

victims. We must acknowledge that even those we trust have the potential to be abusers, and trying to justify their actions or make excuses for them puts people in danger. Boys and girls alike would benefit from education about consent at an early age. But we have a responsibility to start these conversations ourselves. As the most frequent perpetrators of violence against women, we men have the responsibility of changing the culture which normalizes it.

January 10 - January 17, 2017

ARTS & LIFE

Shave off the pounds, save money Benjamin Shirani Staff Writer

@ThePaisano arts@paisano-online.com Eating right in college can be tough. Last semester, I overextended my budget (and my love handles). I got behind, homework piled up and my stress level shot through the roof. Something had to give. Instead of sandwiches and homemade snacks, I ended up at Panda Express and Taco Taco in the fifteen minutes between classes. I was particularly fond of the Kung Pao Chicken—though there was something about the ratio of meat to vegetables that threw me off. This semester, I decided to resist the lure of Taco Taco and to defy The Panda. I needed to gear up. I needed groceries. I needed Walmart. Oh Walmart, the draw of your convenient hours and locations. The lure of your fluorescent lights, rollback prices, do it yourself checkout lines and poor labor standards and practices. It can’t be beat. Groceries have always

been a problem for me. I tend to quickly forget what I went for and end up making two or three trips more than necessary. I would have all of my groceries unpacked and be ready to prepare a meal only to realize that I didn’t have any milk. Even with the dent in my gas money, I still save money compared to the cost of eating in the cafeteria. With a little preparation, eating cheap can be easy. I tend to deal mostly in sandwich meats and cheeses, but my full grocery list looks like this:

chicken, one piece of sliced cheese, some hot sauce, pickles and mustard. Half it, bag it, and I’m out the door. If I have some extra time on Sunday, I get ahead. Canned tuna or packaged salmon are easily paired with mustard and onions, or mayo and relish. I clean and use the empty sandwich meat containers as tupperware and stack up my MRE’s in the fridge. I eat the delicious fish on sandwiches or crackers whenever I get hungry. To finish the week strong, I bust out the lettuce (yes, let us eat lettuce). A bag of cheap lettuce lasts for about six small salads. Top each one with shredded sandwich meat, crumbled cheese and caesar dressing in a tupperware container for a quick in-between class meal. Thanks for readBenjamin Shirani, The Paisano ing and stay tuned as I recount my food...and I can eat for a related misadventures week. I also usually buy a throughout the semester. bushel of bananas and a variety of apples. Sandwiches are easy. I make a chicken sandwich with three or four pieces of

Photo by Annette Barraza

Surviving the spring semester Annette Barraza Staff Writer

@ThePaisano arts@paisano-online.com College students are back at it again. If you have not had the pleasure of graduating, if you ailed to win the lottery, or could not come up with an idea to make you rich overnight, then you are probably drudging back to the grind of higher education. College is frustrating. It lures you in with the promise you can customize your own career, make lifelong friends and start to live your own life, but it turns out to be one of those commercials that sells you the good points and ignores all the bad stuff in the hopes you will still buy into the very expensive dream. Sure, we will get a piece of paper at the end of four or five,

(really, who is counting) years, but no one told us about the crippling anxiety of finals (30 percent is too much for one exam, people), the self-imposed isolation (count your blessings if you can effectively study in a group) and the bouts of doubts when sacrificing the present seems too high a cost for an uncertain future. Sure, we may make lifelong friends, but nobody warned us we might literally have to pay for them (sororities and fraternities), the sheer stress of getting through finals can render relationships, other than the one with your study guide, void. Do not get me wrong, education can be fascinating. Sometimes, learning about a topic you are truly passionate about from an expert can make the long nights, eye bags and expensive textbooks worth it. Besides, there is honor

among college students. We have countless resources from those who have gone before us to help pick the best professor for a class, buy the cheapest textbook, or even teach us how to make meals and take a break on a budget. It helps even the most bitter students through the semesters and can warm the most caffeinated hearts like no cup of coffee can. After all, only college students can get away with taking on steadily increasing amounts of debt (with the hope that we can one day pay it off), sleep anywhere on campus (the library, in class, in our car) and call Ramen and coffee staples in our limited diets. So here it is: a slightly sardonic, probably sarcastic, yet reluctantly hopeful take on what it means to survive college, one semester at a time.

Sam Shepard’s ‘Fool for Love’ showing at Playhouse Raquel E. Alonzo Arts & Life Editor

@ThePaisano arts@paisano-online.com “Fool for Love,” by Sam Shepard, is the story of an on-again-offagain couple who try to run from their destruc-

tive and scandalous past; it is the latest play to run at The Playhouse Theater. “It’s a really harsh look at an incredibly dysfunctional relationship,” said Damon C. Mentzer who plays Eddie, the leading male character. “And that’s all we’re

telling you,” chimed in Holly Clifford who plays May, the female protagonist of the show. Mentzer said his role as Eddie and the play itself are intense. The play is an hour long and does not break for an intermission. Mentzer lives in Min-

Phtoto courtesy of The Playhouse Theater

Damon C. Mentzer as Eddie and Holly Cliford as May in the play Fool for Love.

neapolis and Clifford resides in San Antonio, and because the play requires the two leading actors to be angry toward each other, the pair had to make their introductions brief. “It’s like ‘Hi!’ Okay, now we’re yelling at each other,” said Clifford. She has years of acting experience; May is not her first leading role. Although Sam Shepard’s play is a contemporary piece, most of Clifford’s training has dealt with classical theater. “But I love this show. And when I read for the character at the audition and when I did research for it, I fell in love,” she said. “This is my first Shepard show, but I’ve seen a couple of other (plays) of his,” said Mentzer. “They are raw. He is an aggressive, raw playwright.” Before director

“It’s a really harsh look at an incredibly dysfunctional relationship. ” Damon C. Mentzer

George Green became involved in the business and directing aspect of theater, both Green and Mentzer had competed as actors in Mentzer’s hometown of Spokane, Wash. Mentzer has been involved with many different theaters and has seen them shut down due to inadequate staffing (but is confident with Green as his director). “I would not trust anyone with a theater more than I trust George Green,” said Mentzer. “The man’s driven, dedi-

cated, and good at what he does.” Although Clifford has not worked with Green before, she likes him as a director. She feels that Green pushes her just enough, and she trusts his direction. Clifford plans to audition for other shows while the play is running. She plans to stay in San Antonio because of her passion for teaching students. She is also in the process of running her own theater company. After the play closes, Mentzer plans to return to Minneapolis to make his way into the local theater scene and has auditions lined up when he goes back home. “Fool for Love” will run at The Playhouse Theater from Jan. 13 to Feb. 5. For tickets and more information visit www.theplayhousesa. org.

January 10 - January 17, 2017 ARTS & LIFE 6 Coffee festival induces San Antonio caffeine buzz Raquel E. Alonzo Arts & Life Editor

@ThePaisano arts@paisano-online.com The Coffee Festival on Saturday, Jan. 7 was packed with 14 different brewing companies. Each shop showcased between three to four of their favorite blends at their designated booths. San Antonians were shaking not only from the 35-degree weather, but buzzing from the coffee they sipped as they waited in line for their next cup of joe. Participants were able to taste four flights of coffee for $5. While the shops and companies brewed and served their coffee to the public, demonstrations took place inside the O’Neil Ford Plaza. These included “Perfecting Your Press” taught by Nancy Maladecki from TAMPZ Coffee by Design; “Coffee Cocktails” by Bryce Jeter from Paramour; and “Honduran Coffee Farming” by Mario Garcia from

Mandarino’s Coffee Farm. Coffee lovers enjoyed music and entertainment while perusing around the local vendor tents or waiting in line for their next brew. Entertainment included Armando Martinez, Noah Peterson, The Native Texans, MC & The Mystix and West Kings Highway. An art mural titled “What Color is your Bean?” asked visitors what they loved about coffee and art activities were presented by Spare Parts, a non-profit arts service organization. Pinot’s Palette hosted a Coffee Painting Party and San Antonio Public Library gathered e-books, videos

and audiobooks related to coffee. The festival also offered coffee cocktails at the concession stand in Maverick Plaza for the adults who wanted to add a little kick to their coffee. People could either order one out of the three cocktails served or they could add a shot to their own cup of coffee. One of the coffee shops that participated was San Antonio’s White Elephant Coffee Co., that offered brews from Kenya, Guatemala and Indonesia. The Ethiopia roast, grown by the country’s only woman producer in the Amaro Mountains, won a Silver

Coffee Festival welcomes particpants at the La Villita entrance.

Photo by Raquel E. Alonzo

Participants stand in line for their cups of hot coffee.

Medal at the Compak Golden Bean Awards. “We found that there (weren’t) a lot of good specialty shops that catered to all markets,” said Dorian Arcos, head barista at White Elephant on the inspiration for the company. According to Arcos, the company opened its doors a year and a half ago. “We wanted something that was open to everybody and I think we found that in our shop.”

Not all of the shops that participated were strictly for coffee. San Antonio’s local tea company, Grandpa’s Tea, offered teas such as Grandma’s Garden, Moroccan Mint and Earl Grey De La Crème. “It’s been a really big hit,” said Phil Haikey, owner and founder of Grandpa’s Tea about how his tea company fit into the coffee festival. “There are more and more tea drinkers every day.” Haikey has been in busi-

Photo by Raquel E. Alonzo

ness for five years and has studied tea his entire life. Grandpa’s Tea ships in tea leaves from all around the world and blends them in San Antonio to be packaged and sold to customers. Be sure to keep San Antonio’s Coffee Festival in your plans for next year and remember to support your local coffee and tea companies.

Making the change: healthy alternatives to guilty pleasures Danielle Throneberry discuss healthy alternaStaff Writer

@ThePaisano arts@paisano-online.com With New Year’s resolutions fresh on our minds, now is the perfect time to

tives to those guilty pleasure foods and beverages that have us sneaking to the refrigerator or making spontaneous late night runs to Walmart. Maybe you are looking to make a change

Making simple changes to your diet can help you become a healthier individual.

in your diet and are curious about your options. Whatever the case, here are a few positive changes conducive with New Year’s healthrelated goals. First, comes the bane of most college students’

existences: that grainy, white substance that manifests itself into our daily lives almost covertly. I’m talking about sugar, people! Whether it is sprinkled into our coffee or disguised in a package of small doughnuts that sparks the thought, “These doughnuts are so small, there’s no way there’s that much sugar in here.” Unfortunately, sugar holds no true nutritional value and is usually consumed in excess. Consider swapping sugar for organic honey. A little goes a long way with this sticky substance, considering it is a lot sweeter than sugar. Try it on toast for breakfast or maybe squirt it into your coffee in the morning. If you’re a lover of all things chocolate, then making the switch to a more nutritious, raw alternative should not be difficult. Aside from being antioxidant-rich, dark chocolate has consis-

tently been shown to lower cholesterol levels as well as high blood pressure. As with honey, a little goes a long way with this sweet treat. It is important to be mindful of how much you are consuming. Moderation is key. Next, if you’re looking to cut some extra calories in your diet, then try unsweetened almond milk as a replacement for regular milk. Made from ground almonds, this alternative milk is free of dangerous stuff like cholesterol and saturated fats. It is also a safe alternative for people with lactose intolerance. Almond milk is a great source of essential vitamins; however, it does not contain protein or calcium as dairy milk does. If you’re looking to make the switch, it’s a good idea to talk to a health professional about other ways to get these nutrients. Lastly, it’s time to banish the other white, grainy

substance that wreaks havoc on blood pressure and the heart: salty foods. Like its sweeter counterpart, salt can become an addiction. The science is simple: both trigger the release of dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter affiliated with the brain’s pleasure center. The more we eat, the more we crave. A great way to start slowly reducing your salt intake is to start with low-sodium foods and spices. Once you have mastered that, you can start replacing salt altogether by experimenting with different spices and foods marked “no salt” or “sodium-free.” Remember that taking things slowly helps with the will to persevere. Health is not just about how you look, but how you feel. If you are making positive changes to your diet, then you are already making great strides toward becoming a healthier you.

Photo by Danielle Throneberry

Ring in the new year with hopeful resolutions Jesus Nieves Staff Writer

@ThePaisano arts@paisano-online.com The skies of downtown San Antonio were filled with bright colors and lights as people celebrated the New Year, welcoming 2017. New Year’s Eve is one of the oldest holidays still celebrated; historians have stated that the “first” day of the year was implemented by Julius Caesar in 45 B.C. The Jan. 1 holiday was established to replace the traditional lunar Roman calendar with the Julian. Despite its Roman dictator origins, the holiday has taken on new meaning and is celebrated in diverse ways around the world. In San Antonio, the downtown streets were filled with carnival rides, food trucks and musical performances (including one by Mexican-American singer Frankie J.). San Antonians gathered to celebrate, along with visitors from Cali-

fornia, New Mexico and Florida. During the night’s festivities, many roads were blocked, and bars along the Riverwalk offered patrons drink and snack specials. In keeping with the tradition that round food eaten on New Year’s Eve will bring good luck and fortune in the new year, grapes, round-cut ham, mini-pork sandwiches and black-eyed peas were among the fare for those welcoming 2017.

“I never take the whole ‘new year, new me’ attitude seriously, but this year seems different. ” Cristina Gonzalez, UTSA senior political science major

While many hotels in the downtown area offered their rooftops to guests — allowing for a spectacular view of the fireworks — some UTSA

students opted for a more low-key New Year’s celebration. “I spent my New Year’s Eve with my family and one-year-old daughter,” stated junior psychology major Marcus Jackson. Jackson’s 2017 resolutions include finishing the semester with a 4.0, staying healthy and keeping a positive attitude about his classes. According to Forbes, an estimated 40 percent of Americans make New Year’s resolutions. However, University of Scranton research suggests that just eight percent of Americans will achieve their New Year’s goals. Junior kinesiology major Maryorie Perez decided to spend the New Year’s Eve with her family at the La Cantera resort. They had dinner and enjoyed the spectacular firework show. This year, she aims to earn higher grades in her classes, maintain better health and find a new job. Senior political science major Cristina Gonzalez

hopes she will accomplish her goals in the new year. “I never take the whole ‘new year, new me’ at-

titude seriously, but this year seems different,” said Gonzalez. “I am 22 years old and getting ready to graduate college.

I’m wondering whether maybe it is really time to grow up and change some of my ways.”

Jesus Nieves, The Paisano

Fireworks explode at midnight on New Year’s in downtown San Antonio.

SPORTS

January 10 - January 17, 2017

UTSA Wide Reciever Joshua Stewart contends with a New Mexico defender for a jump ball in the endzone.

UTSA falls short in Gildan New Mexico Bowl Frankie Leal Sports Editor @panchitoleal05 sports@paisano-online.com After a win against Charlotte in the final week of the regular season, UTSA moved to 6-6 on the season and became bowl eligible for the first time in the program's young history. It was quite a moment as UTSA fans stormed the field of the Alamodome after the clock hit 0:00 and created a sea of blue and orange. Players and fans alike danced in the confetti and sang the school song in celebration, but the season was not over yet. During the first week of Dec. it was announced UTSA would take on The New Mexico State Lobos in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl. On Dec. 17, the Runners made history when they took the field in Albuquerque, New Mexico to play on national television in ESPN’s first round

of bowl games. New Mexico has one of the best rushing attacks in all of college football, but throughout the first half, the UTSA defense was able to hold them in check and allowed only one touchdown during the closing seconds of the first quarter when Lobos running back Richard Mcquarley punched it into the endzone from just one yard out. While the UTSA defense was playing well, the offense was a different story. Despite driving the ball into the red-zone twice, the runners were unable to put the ball into the endzone and were forced to settle for a short field goal both times. At halftime, UTSA found themselves trailing by a score of 10-6. At the start of the second half, the runners offense found themselves struggling again throughout the third quarter as they were unable to put any points on the board while New Mexico scored again

to extend their lead to 16-6 heading into the fourth. Junior quarterback Dalton Sturm struggled throughout most of the game, going only 10-26 with an interception, but he seemed to find his groove in the foutth quarter, adding two touchdowns to his statline to keep UTSA in the ballgame. However, with 2:22 left in the game, Mcquarley scored on another one-yard run to put New Mexico up by 10. The 23-13 deficit proved to be too much for the runners to overcome, although they scored on a pass from Sturm to Jabryce Taylor late in the fourth to make it 23-20, the desperation onside kick failed. New Mexico State took home its second bowl victory in 50 years. New Mexico is known for its effective running game, but it seemed UTSA was running the ball more effectively. Running back Jarveon Williams ran for over 125 yards on 16 carries while Jalen Rhodes added

71 yards on the ground as well. Meanwhile, Josiah Tauaefa led the UTSA defense with 11 tackles and a sack while La’Kel Bass added 9 tackles of his own. Although UTSA lost, there is still plenty to be proud of. The roadrunners defense held the Lobos to their lowest rushing yard totals of the season, as the rushing trio of Mcquarley, Jordan and Gibson combined for a total of only 209 yards. “We practiced against the triple option everyday in practice over and over until we got it right.” Said UTSA cornerback Stan O’ Neal Dye Jr. Also, UTSA doubled their win total from last year en route to making history for the university. It’s safe to say Coach Frank Wilson has done a great job in his first year as the head coach.“He’s turning the program around to have a winning culture, and he's definitely the right man for the job.” Dye Jr. said. “He’s recruiting players

with passion and it's an honor to be a part of it," junior defensive end Marcus Davenport said. After doubling the teams win total, perhaps UTSA can hope for a conference

Photo courtesy of Jeff Huehn/UTSA Athletics

championship appearance next season along with with another bowl game bid. UTSA football has a young, passionate and talented team, and boy oh boy does the future look bright.

Photo courtesy of Jeff Huehn/UTSA Athletics UTSA running back Jalen Rhodes outruns 2 defenders

Looking back on 2016 in sports; the year's biggest moments Josh Zollicoffer Staff Writer @joshzollicoffer sports@paisano-online.com Ah, 2016. What a wild and unpredictable year it was. Captivated by political meltdowns, racial hostility and other crazy events that resulted in a simple sigh and a proclamation usually along the lines of acknowledging the “suckiness” of 2016. Of course, historical moments were acknowledged by every media outlet across the United States and captivated the world. Many people will write off 2016 as a bad year, but 2016 was a big year for the sports world. The Chicago Cubs won the 2016 World Series. Yeah, you read that right. The Cubs defeated the Cleveland Indians overcoming a 3-1 deficit and taking the 7-game series 4-3. Young talents like Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo propelled the Cubs to their first World Series win since 1908, and now 108 years later, the Cubs are World Series champions once again. The Cleveland Cavaliers also overcame a 3-1 deficit to the Warriors. The Cavs,

led by NBA superstar Lebron James , stunned the world as they defeated the Golden State Warriors in a 7-game series. 2016 unanimous NBA MVP Steph Curry guided the Warriors to their best regular season record of 73-9, yet together, the Warriors could not hold off Lebron James and the Cavs from taking home the 2016 NBA championship. The Cavs and the Cubs eclipsed massive amounts of joy throughout the cities fanbases desperately longing for postseason bliss for years. Not just these teams, there were other teams and athletes who represented their cities and countries with tremendous pride.

Rio Olympics

2016 meant the Olympics were back. The games in Rio De Janerio certainly delivered plenty of excitement to sports fans across the world, and Americans had tons to cheer about. Texasnative Simone Biles found herself at the center of USA gymnastics after she earned 5 medals for America. Michael Phelps came back for one more Olympics and proved that he is still the greatest olympian to ever live. He took home 4 gold medals, and 2 silver.

Soccer

British Soccer club Leicester City were huge 5000-1 underdogs to win the English Premier League. However, they ended up shocking the world by winning their first ever Premier League title even though they had been relegated two divisions in 2008. In other news from the soccer world, Chile defeated Argentina in PK’s to win the Copa America and deny Lionel Messi his first international title. Messi’s superstar counterpart, Cristiano Ronaldo, captured his first international title as his Portugal squad defeated the host country France. Iceland also captivated the country of France and others around the world. Iceland, an underdog in the European Championships, tied Portugal and Hungary, they even beat England and Austria before falling to France. The charismatic fanbase with their daunting chants and energetic players that truly played together as a team made Iceland soccer a fun story to follow in 2016. After winning six straight elimination games, Coastal Carolina, another under dog, ended up winning the College World Series in

2016 as they defeated the Arizona Wildcats 5-4 in game three of the College World Series. Fighting became a common theme in 2016. Baseball players Rougned Odor of the Texas Rangers and Jose Bautista of the Toronto Blue Jays had a squabble in Arlington remembered for Odor landing a suckerpunch to Bautista’s jawline.

UFC

UFC champs Connor Mcgregor and Nate Diaz smashed UFC PPV records with their fiery bouts. Diaz won by submission in the first bout while Mcgregor won by judges decision in the second bout later in August. McGregor publically said he was going to “retire” in 2016, but he came back and knocked out Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 in November. The world of UFC also saw the rise and fall of renowned Women’s UFC fighter Rhonda Rousey. Rousey put herself on the world’s radar by knocking out some of her opponents, like Bethe Correia in less than a minute. She was deemed as the “queen of UFC” and was consequently compared to male fighters. However, her reign at the top quickly

plummeted as she was knocked out by her last two opponents Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes. Throughout the year, moments have been forgotten even by the most avid sports fan. Some were thrilling games like the 3-OT thriller college basketball game between Kansas and Oklahoma that happened in early 2016, or the 4-OT Cincinnati vs Uconn game that featured a Jalen Adams half-court buzzer beater to tie the game in the third overtime to set the stage for a UConn victory. The TCU vs Oregon Valero Alamo Bowl game in which TCU railed from a 31-0 halftime point difference to topple the ducks 47-41 in triple overtime even without their Heisman candidate QB Trevone Boykin. As usual, the Men’s NCAA Basketball Tournament provides drama filled and down to the wire finishes! (Last year’s tournament was jaw-dropping, including the final game). In the National Championship Game, North Carolina’s Marcus Paige sank an off-balanced three-pointer with 4.7 seconds on the clock to tie up the game at 74, but Villanova countered with a three-point buzzer

beater by Kris Jenkins to win the National Championship. Other notable games in the tournament: Northern Iowa drained a half court shot to upset the University of Texas in the first round of the tournament, but then blew a 12 point lead in the last 44 seconds in the second round. Wisconsin drained a buzzer beater three pointer against Xavier to send themselves to the sweet 16 for the third straight year. Finally, Stephen F. Austin University, led by fan favorite Thomas Walkup, almost upset sixth-seeded Notre Dame, but lost on a last second tip-in. Of course, 2016 brought tremendous amounts of sorrow and it trickled down to sports too. Boxing legend Muhammad Ali passed away at the age of 74. Golf legend Arnold Palmer died due to cardiovascular problems at the age of 87. NBA broadcaster and fashion icon Craig Seager passed away at the age of 65 after a long battle with cancer. With all the craziness in 2016, I don’t think we will see a year quite like it again.