Vol. 65, Issue 11 by The Paisano

5 | ARTS & LIFE

3 | OPINION

2 | NEWS Third floor of JPL reopens with floor-to-ceiling Vol. 65, Issue 11

Voters need to look past aesthetic Est. 1981

7 | SPORTS

The Pearl celebrates Día de los Muertos with altars, artwork and live music

UTSA soccer wins Conference USA November 8 - November 15, 2022

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Bexar County Democrats team up with O’Rourke in final efforts to mobilize voters

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New design grants University faculty take part awarded to faculty in system-wide for development of brain health summit open educational resources

more funding needs to be put.” “It’s very unique. It’s going to bring together scientists, governUTSA faculty members are ment officials, laypeople, doparticipating in the first-ever nors, students, staff — anybody University of Texas Systemand everyone who’s interested wide Brain Research Sumin the brain,” Hsieh added. “The mit, taking place in Austin on goal of the summit is really to Nov. 7 and 8. The summit is a highlight how the UT System collaborative effort that aims to institutions are working on the highlight research at UT System brain, they’re doing important institutions. research, and they’re collaboratJenny Hsieh, chair of UTSA’s ing with each other. The summit Department of Neuroscience, [is also] going to be recognizDevelopmental and Regening important donors that have erative Biology and director of supported UT System Brain UTSA’s Brain Health Consorresearch.” tium, explained that the summit Similar to the collaborative aims to bring together individunature of the summit, UTSA’s als involved in different aspects Brain Health Consortium is a of brain research. partnership among UTSA faculObjectives of the summit ty involved in different avenues include sharing “clinical and of research. basic research The consortium advanceaims to integrate ments” across “researchers the UT System with expertise in while fostering stem cells [and] “collaborative precision medineuroscience cine, neurosciresearch in ence, biomedical Texas, espeengineering, cially among psychology and [UT System] behavior.” institutions.” Hsieh exThe twoplained that day sumthe consortium mit features several panel Hsieh, who serves as the Director of USTA serves as a way for faculty at discussions Brain health Consortium, is one of the facfocusing on “a ulty members who is attending the summit. UTSA to come together and broad spectrum Photo Courtesy of the Department learn about each of Neuroscience, Developmental and of neurological other’s research. Regenerative Biology disorders.” “We all have “[With] reour own expertise, but … if we search, we’ve come a long way work alone, we’re only, you to resolving a lot of the brain know, kind of solving or having disorders, but there’s still a lot one piece of the puzzle and we of challenges and … a long way don’t maybe understand the to go,” Hsieh said. “In the Q&A whole picture,” Hsieh said. sessions, we’re [going to] spend As a part of the UT System, a lot of time just hearing the UTSA also has neuroscience respeakers try to address some of search underway on campus. For these challenges and remaining example, one of the more recent questions, and then … the audiavenues of research at UTSA is ence will have an opportunity the development of personalized to ask questions at each of the stem cell models called brain sessions. So, that will be very important, to hear from the audi- organoids to study neurological disorders. ence and … families and careBy Gauri Raje News Editor

UTSA Libraries has been offering grants for OER implementation since 2016. Riley Carroll/The Paisano

By Gauri Raje News Editor

s part of its Adopt a Free Textbook Initiative, UTSA libraries awarded 13 grants to faculty members for the 2022-2023 academic cycle to incorporate Open Educational Resources (OERs) into their curriculum. Four of the 13 grants were awarded to faculty members to develop their OERs. An OER is any openly licensed educational resource that is available free of cost in the public domain, including free textbooks. The Adopt a Free Textbook Initiative, launched in 2016, aims to encourage faculty members to use OERs to defer textbook costs for students. “[The advantage of an OER is that] it doesn’t cost the student anything,” Dean Hendrix, university librarian at UTSA, said. “They have the resource before the class starts, they have the resource during the class and they have the resource after the class.” UTSA faculty members can apply for an Adopt a Free Text-

book grant every year. Applications are assessed based on the course being taught, the cost of the textbook and the number of students impacted. Faculty can apply for individual grants as well as group grants. Awarded faculty members receive grant money which can be “used to support professional development, to purchase materials/supplies that support teaching, or to fund student work on the proposed project.” In return, faculty members must adopt an OER — usually a free textbook — into their course for four consecutive semesters. All OERs used are required to be licensed by Creative Commons, a nonprofit that allows for the open licensing of intellectual content. Until last year, the initiative only offered grants for adopting pre-existing OERs; however, 2022 is the first year that the initiative awarded the aforementioned grants to aid faculty in developing their own OERs.

See Design on Page 2

givers — where their challenges are and what their questions are and where more research and

See Summit on Page 2

UTSA Research conducted by State Demographer and Director of the UTSA Institute for Demographic and Socioeconomic Research Lloyd Potter suggests that the current water rate structure places a disproportionate financial burden on some low socioeconomic households due to increasing water demands in San Antonio. The research supports moving to a tiered water system, which would ensure customers are charged fairly according to their water usage. The San Antonio Water System board met last week to discuss the new water structure, which is estimated to reduce monthly water bills for around 83 percent of residential customers.

Texas Students at Texas A&M University are accusing Brazos County of voter suppression after officials moved on-campus early voting, which previously took place in the Memorial Student Center, to the College Station City Hall. Commissioner Nancy Berry has shared that the decision was partially made in response to low voter turnout. Officials have since expressed that the relocation was a mistake, although they ultimately decided not to restore the original voting location at this time. On Monday, Nov. 7, the U.S. Department of Justice shared that it will be sending election monitors to local voting sites in three Texas counties — Harris, Dallas and Walker. The counties are among 64 jurisdictions in 24 states that will involve federal observation on election day to ensure local compliance with federal voting rights and other regulations.

U.S. Twitter Inc. has reportedly asked dozens of employees, who were recently let go following Elon Musk’s $44B acquisition of the platform, to return. Musk tweeted on Friday evening, “Regarding Twitter’s reduction in force, unfortunately there is no choice when the company is losing over $4M/day.” The mass layoffs were estimated to have reduced the Twitter workforce by nearly 50 percent.

World This weekend, Italian authorities blocked refugees from disembarking Humanity 1, a rescue ship run by the German charity SOS Humanity. The group reports that out of 179 total refugees, they were instructed to only disembark children and sick or otherwise vulnerable passengers. In a series of tweets posted Sunday, SOS Humanity promised to pursue legal action against the Italian government for violating European law and the Geneva Refugee Convention.

Nov emb er 8 - Nov emb er 15, 2022

2 | news@paisano-online.com

State of the City — Week of 11/01/2022

Third floor of JPL reopens with new floor-to-ceiling windows By Gauri Raje News Editor

Chloe Williams/The Paisano

By Dafny Flores Staff Writer

Based on agenda documents, the San Antonio City Council will issue a vote of no confidence against District 1 Councilman Mario Bravo and vote to censure him on Nov. 10. The city launched an investigation into Bravo after he berated Councilwoman Ana Sandoval in a public outburst during a meeting for not supporting his CPS Energy plan. An independent investigator determined Bravo’s actions to be a violation of anti-harassment and violence in the workplace policies. Erik Cantu, the San Antonio teen who was shot by an ex-San Antonio police officer, is no longer on life support. The Cantu family shared an update about his health with KSAT, stating Cantu’s recent surgery went very well and that he is receiving high-flow oxygen via tracheostomy. Vangie Love Vasquez has been reported missing. The 44-yearold was last seen on Wednesday, Nov. 2, in the 4000 block of Pecan Grove. Vasquez suffers from a medical condition, and police consider her endangered. On Nov. 2, the San Antonio Zoo announced the decision to euthanize Lucky, one of the oldest Asian elephants in the country. Lucky was part of a trio of elephants known as the “Golden Girls.” One of her companions

— Karen — died in March, and the San Antonio Zoo is planning to find a new home for the third member, Nicole. The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office has launched an investigation following allegations that former San Antonio Spurs player Josh Primo exposed himself to Dr. Hillary Cauthen, the team’s therapist, during a session in 2021. Dr. Cauthen says the San Antonio Spurs advised her to remain silent back in January of this year. In August, her contract with the Spurs was not renewed. Dr. Cauthen decided to sue Primo and the team. As of Oct. 28, 2022, Primo was released from the team. Parking at the Pearl is no longer free. The property began charging visitors a fee based on the time duration and location of the lot in which they park. Signs with instructions to pay are now posted even in the lot at East Elmira Street and some areas under the highway — two locations that had remained free of cost until now. The first 30 minutes of parking are free, but the fee will begin at $3 on Monday-Thursday and $10 for Friday-Sunday. FinanceBuzz ranked Costco on UTSA Boulevard as the 3rd best location in the nation. The company surveyed over 6,000 shoppers who rated more than 550 Costco locations across the country.

Wellness 360 offers on-campus healthcare By Gauri Raje News Editor

With the arrival of flu season, UTSA’s Wellness 360 clinic continues to offer a wide range of services for UTSA students. These services include primary care services, immunizations, vaccinations, first aid and treatment for acute conditions like sprains. In addition, sexual health services such as STI testing, pap smears and birth control as well as a plethora of mental health services are also available for students. The clinic is led by registered nurses and is operated by UT Health San Antonio. It is one of many services offered under Wellbeing Services at UTSA. The partnership between UTSA and UT Health was first announced in April 2021. In June of the same year, it was announced that UT Health San

Antonio would provide the aforementioned clinical services through its School of Nursing’s Wellness 360 clinical practice. Therefore, starting in August 2021, the university began a transition from services offered by Student Health Services to those offered by Wellness 360. To make an appointment, students can call the clinic at (210) 458-4142. Appointments can also be made online via UTSA’s MyHealth Portal. Both in-person and virtual appointments are offered. For in-person appointments, the clinic is located in the Recreation Wellness Center and is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m Monday through Friday. A complete list of detailed services can be found on the clinic’s official website — https://wellness360.uthealthsa. org/wellness-360-at-utsa/.

The Wellness 360 clinic, located in the Recreation Center, offers students a wide variety of healthcare services. Camila Martinez Rivera/ The Paisano

The third floor of the John Peace Library (JPL) opened for student use last week following an almost year-long construction project. The renovation involved the addition of floor-to-ceiling windows on the third floor of the JPL. As previously reported by The Paisano, the renovation is a part of the larger “Heart of the Campus” project, which is a reimag-

ining of the floor. Along with construction, books stored on the third floor are also under review as the project continues. The project’s “kick-off” was first announced in August of last year when the JPL re-opened the second and fourth floors to students. However, the third floor remained closed as construction continued through the Spring 2022 semester. UTSA Libraries announced the reopening via a post on their official Instagram, adding

that students could find study spots next to the new windows installed on the north and south side of the third floor. This change in particular aimed to make the third floor a “brighter space” while providing students with outside views, much like the library’s second and fourth floors. More information about the project can be found at https:// lib.utsa.edu/about/strategic-plan/ third-floor-reopening-faq.

The renovated third floor features floor-to-ceiling panels that give students a view of the outside, similar to the second and the fourth floors. The space also features a quiet zone. Riley Carroll/The Paisano

Continued Summit

“I think UTSA [and] San Antonio, in general, is very collaborative. UTSA is a younger institution … [and just last year] we got designated by Carnegie as [an] R1 research institution,” Hsieh said. “Unlike some of the other places that have [a lot of history which makes it] harder for them to change and to be collaborative … I think UTSA and San Antonio in general, we

… pride ourselves in collaboration. Our alliances with UT Health San Antonio, the medical school, and Southwest Research Institute and Texas Biomed[ical Research Institute] … I think we all always come together.” Both the summit and the consortium highlight the importance of collaboration. Furthermore, Hsieh hopes that while the summit is the first of its kind, it

becomes a recurring event. “I’m very excited to meet and hear talks from my other UT System colleagues,” Hsieh said. “I hope this is [the] first of … [many] recurring meeting[s].” More information about UTSA’s Brain Health Consortium can be found at https:// www.utsa.edu/bhc/.

has been successful in promoting OERs, resulting in a significant amount of student savings. One of the most common examples of an OER that has deferred the cost of a textbook is the OpenStax Biology textbook that is used for Biosciences I and II gateway courses. “[So far,] we’ve had 138 grants awarded with student savings [that just passed] the $10 million mark,” Hendrix said. “What we have spent is about $200,000 since 2016, but the result of just that little investment has been $10 million, which gives us a return on investment of [approximately] $48 per one dollar spent.” All aforementioned funding is drawn from student fees, which according to Hendrix, makes it all the more important to ensure that funds are being used appropriately. “We’re funded by student fee, so I want to make sure [that student] representatives are okay with what we’re doing. Every single one of them thinks this is … a great innovative program,” Hendrix said. “I have not heard once [that] this is not a good use of student funds. I think you can look at the $48 [return] per one dollar spent impact and say ‘You know what, this is a pretty good use of the fee money,’” Hendrix added. The use of OERs also tends to indirectly affect faculty members’ approach to teaching courses, often resulting in “curricular innovation.” “When you change textbooks or content, it really does make

you rethink the way you teach, and usually that’s a good thing for people to reflect on their teaching practice,” Hendrix said. “So, I think that’s [an] ancillary benefit that we found from this — not only does it save money, improve graduation rates, but our faculty are also becoming more effective teachers.” UTSA has been at the forefront of promoting the use of OERs along with UT Arlington. According to Hendrix, the former sponsored the first OER conference in Texas back in 2017. Hendrix has also chaired a UT System task force dealing with ways to implement OERs across the System. The new design grants are another step towards further promoting OERs at UTSA. While this year’s design grants will be a pilot run, Hendrix hopes it will serve as a learning experience. “One of the things that my staff is really good at is taking those lessons and adapting,” Hendrix said. “Not being caught up in inertia or … caught up in ego … we are looking at the data constantly, to see what’s gonna work and what’s not.” “We want people to graduate,” Hendrix said. “We really believe in our mission [of] producing good graduates. So, this is just one of many ways that the university is trying to get students to graduate with lower debt load and quicker.” More information about OERs can be found at https://lib.utsa. edu/oer/.

Continued Design Faculty that have been awarded the new design grants include Judith Dones, Morgan Grace, Kathleen Laborde and Alyssa Vikesland (University College, Academic Inquiry and Scholarship), David Han (Carlos Alvarez College of Business, Mathematical Statistics), Jude Okpala (College of Liberal and Fine Arts, Introduction to the Humanities I) and Mimi Yu (College of Liberal and Fine Arts, Elementary Japanese). OER Librarian DeeAnn Ivie will be assisting faculty members in developing the OERs. All newly-developed OERs are also required to be licensed under Creative Commons. Since OERs are openly licensed, authors of these resources do not get any royalties characteristic of books sold under publishing companies. This will also be true for OERs developed under the new design grants. Instead, faculty will be compensated by grants. “It’s not a proprietary license, it’s an open license. What that means is [that] anybody can use it … [and the author is not expecting to] get compensated from … the use,” Hendrix said. After joining UTSA in 2016, Hendrix realized the need for OERs, given that many students choose not to take classes with expensive textbooks. Furthermore, the cost of textbooks can prove to be an issue for gateway courses, which are often required for students to pursue certain degrees. Since its implementation, the Adopt a Free Textbook Initiative

opinion@paisano-online.com | 3

Nov e m b e r 8 - Nove mbe r 15, 2 022

OPINION S

Voter intimidation and its impact on turnout

Editorial

ince the results of the 2020 presidential election came under scrutiny over claims of voter fraud and electioneering, America has seen a rise in the population of people who are skeptical of the security of American elections. Far-right fringe organizations who tout the rhetoric of “The Big Lie” have become more vocal in the months leading up to the 2022 midterm election and have come out to ensure its “legitimacy” in force. Many have labeled this mobilization as voter intimidation. Several extreme cases of this voter intimidation have come out of Arizona. Some voters have reported that they were filmed entering or leaving polling locations and filmed at ballot drop boxes by individuals who wore tactical gear. According to The Guardian, some were visibly armed. This has caused many voters in Arizona to feel unsafe in doing their civic duty to cast their vote, a right that should be protected under all circumstances. More cases have been reported even closer to home as well. According to an article published by Texas Public Radio, the Texas Civil Rights

Project has received numerous reports of voter intimidation across the state. One of the most notable was

in Travis County, where a Republican Party Chairman went door to door accusing people of illegal voting by

mail, even though many were legitimately registered to cast their ballot in that manner.

The rise of voter intimidation in Texas and across

the nation during the 2022 midterms is extremely

alarming and should be combated with urgency. Texas

voters deserve to cast their vote without fear of harassment or intimidation. As citizens, we must be vigilant

against those who wish to endanger our right to vote at the polls.

If you see or witness an act of voter intimidation, do

not hesitate to contact your local police department,

report it to the Office of the Attorney General at (512) Kara Lee/The Paisano

Votes need to look past aesthetics Commentary

By Jake Mireles Assistant Opinion Editor As the 2022 midterms have encompassed the national political stage, the face-off between Democratic nominee John Fetterman and Republican nominee Dr. Mehmet Oz for Pennsylvania’s Senate seat has emerged as one of the most important races of the election cycle. Fetterman is not your average, runof-the-mill politician. Towering over his opponent at a whopping 6-foot-9, dawning his signature basketball shorts and Carhartt hoodies, Fetterman has painted himself as a genuine candidate that stands out amongst the suits and neckties of Washington, D.C. Another difference that sets Fetterman aside from everyone else is that he suffered a stroke days before his campaign for senator began, leaving him with auditory processing issues that have since required him to use closed captioning during interviews and debates. Since his career in politics began as the mayor of Braddock, Pennsylvania, Fetterman has championed himself as a man of the people who work day in and day out to support and improve the lives of his constituents. Per an article by The Philadelphia Citizen, during his time as mayor, Fetterman funded the creation of green spaces, urban housing projects and programs to fight poverty and hunger in the streets of Braddock. As a result, he was immensely popular among his constituents in Braddock and continued this trend as he ascended to Lieutenant Governor. But despite the work he has engaged in to support the citizens of Pennsylvania and the reputation he has garnered during his political career, Fetterman is fighting tooth and nail for every vote he can get during the 2022 midterms. Fetterman’s stroke has been a significant point of contention during his race against Dr. Oz, whose campaign has been very vocal about Fetterman’s lack of communication about his health and whether or not the effects will impact his

Commentary

By Regina Robert Staff Writer College is the time to pursue passions, meet new people and make lifelong friendships. Many college freshmen are introduced to Greek life as an outlet to form those connections. Fraternities and sororities sell this gimmick of friendships to cultivate leadership skills and provide guidance to become a better version of yourself. In reality, a membership to these organizations usually includes

performance as a Senator for Pennsylvania. During an interview with NBC, Fetterman was rarely asked about his policy positions and was instead asked more questions about the effects of his stroke, how it has affected his ability to campaign, how it has affected his daily life, and where he is on the road to recovery. Fetterman was routinely criticized during his debate with Dr. Oz, as well as after it had concluded, by Oz and his supporters about Fetterman’s performance as well as his use of closed captioning to accommodate for his auditory processing issues. For many Pennsylvanians, the debate was hard to watch. Fetterman was obviously nervous, made mistakes and did not perform as well as the revered T.V. personality that is Dr. Oz. Although debates between politicians are rarely watched in their entirety, what voters do watch are the highlights — and the highlights do not paint Fetterman in a good light. This framing in the media has been the main contributor to the closee race between Oz and Fetterman. While Fetterman has conducted an immensely successful campaign during his race against Dr. Oz, his health and ability to perform are still under heavy scrutiny. Despite many observable factors that indicate his mental fortitude and cognitive ability have not declined due to his stroke, this is still a clear indicator of how voters use optics, rather than policy and demonstrations of reliability, to decide who gets their vote. As Maria Town, president of the American Association of People with Disabilities, described in an article by the New York Times, “It really does show how we use speech to perceive competence and confidence, when we really shouldn’t.” Fetterman has demonstrated his competence on the campaign trail, conducting himself well and showcasing his progress in recovery. The race for the highly contested Senate seat should be focused on the policies and promises of Oz and Fetterman, but it has now turned into an ableist crusade. American voters need to learn to look past the aesthetics of elections if real change is to be enacted — meaningful change may not always be smartly dressed in a suit and tie but may be masked in a man who is in need of closed captioning devices, yet still wants to work for the good of his constituents.

463-2100, or contact the Texas Civil Rights Project’s hotline at (886) OUR-VOTE or (866) 687-8683.

Realist or racist? Commentary

By Malaki Lingg Assistant Web Editor On Oct. 28, 2022, Elon Musk officially took control of Twitter, becoming the company’s new CEO. In April, Musk originally pitched the idea of buying Twitter so he could make it a digital “safe haven” for those who love free speech and the first amendment. While many support Musk’s efforts, numerous others claim to see past his charade into what is believed to be a terrible business deal and pandering towards his neoconservative following. After Musk purchased Twitter, the use of hate speech began to rise exponentially. According to the Network Contagion Research Institute, the use of the “n-word” rose by approximately 500% on Twitter. Users on the platform are pushing the limits of what is acceptable due to Musk’s tolerance and belief that Twitter needs to uphold the first amendment. Normally this behavior would result in a ban, but this may no longer be feasible. Musk does not believe in permanent bans on the platform and even claimed that former President Donald J. Trump’s ban was “morally wrong and flat-out stupid,” per the British Broadcasting Company. Former President Trump was banned because of the Jan. 6 insurrection that was incited in part by his tweets. Musk’s claim that he did not deserve an account ban sets a

dangerous precedent for the platform going forward, especially with the notion that Musk is considering removing the bans and restrictions on many accounts on the platform in the coming weeks. Kanye West is one of the many people who are now being “encouraged” to spread their hateful rhetoric on Twitter. West’s account was previously restricted due to his infamous and now-deleted tweet claiming he would be “going DEATH CON 3 On JEWISH PEOPLE” and that he cannot be antisemitic because “black people are actually Jew.” In the wake of this tweet, Twitter’s moderation and curation teams, which Musk has since fired, removed the tweet and restricted his account. An account restriction allows others to view the restricted account, but the user of the account cannot interact with others or upload any new media. The removal of Twitter’s

‘‘The removal of Twitter’s curation . . . is a significant loss in protecting individuals on the platform’’ curation and moderation teams is a significant loss in protecting individuals on the platform. The primary responsibilities of these teams were to fight misinformation, approve or remove content and regulate bans and restrictions. Unfortunately, with the majority of the employees on these teams having been sacked by Musk, there is practically no one there to judge whether uploaded content is

hateful, extreme, illegal or dangerous to others. Much of this is shown through the rise of antisemitism on the platform by those like West. Soon after Musk’s deal came through and many of Twitter’s staff members were fired, West’s account seemingly had its restriction removed, which led to West sharing an image of Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving. Irving is stuck in his own controversy, having shared a documentary involving antisemitic and Black Israelite talking points. With this, it is clear that West is still attempting to push the antisemitic messages that he has been obsessing over in the past few months. Anti-LGBTQ+ efforts have also been increasing on the platform since Musk’s arrival to the company. According to The Washington Post, transactivist Erin Reed said, “Almost immediately I noticed an increase in antitrans harassment, it’s very visible,” and “I’m seeing more people in comments with explicit threats, more misgendering, more harmful slurs.” Twitter is quickly becoming a place for the far-right to gather to spread hateful messages with little to no repercussions. Racism, transphobia, antisemitism and more are increasing exponentially on the platform while its new leader turns a blind eye in hopes of creating a “free speech” utopia. Musk’s purchase of Twitter has further revealed his complacency with hate speech and far-right propaganda, and things may only get worse before they improve on Twitter.

Brotherhood until when? large fees, extensive commitment and hazing — which is the imposition of humiliating tasks as part of a program of initiation. Stories like Danny Santulli’s are a painful but eye-opening reminder of what goes on behind the facade of brotherhood. Last fall, Santulli was a freshman at the University of Missouri, where he was rushing for Phi Delta Gamma, more commonly known as FIJI. During his initiation, Santulli and his fellow pledges were instructed to accomplish dangerous activities that led to hospital visits, such as climbing inside a trash can filled with broken glass. Santulli experienced a fatal incident that occured on Pledge Father Reveal Night, when the boys were marched shirtless and blindfolded to the FIJI house basement. Once there, the

pledges were instructed to finish bottles of alcohol that were taped to the boys’ hands. Due to the amount of alcohol Santulli was forced to drink, he became extremely intoxicated and fell, hitting his head. Santulli was rushed to the hospital, but his body succumbed to intoxication and injury. According to the lawsuit filed by his parents, Santulli was left “unresponsive, unaware of his surroundings, unable to communicate and [with] a significant injury to his brain.” Hazing in Greek life has been the topic of ongoing discussion throughout the years due to the extreme harm it has caused to members and pledges, but it is not likely to stop. Hazing has become an integral part of the fraternity system because it stems from tradition, and tradition does not change quickly or easily.

The practice of mistreating the pledges, or lower members, is a prominent part of any fraternity, whether it was having them do errands, clean the house or, in Santulli’s case, drink until blacking out. It is part of the experience and “fun” that comes with joining Greek life. While this does not apply to all fraternities or Greek organizations — some organizations do have strict rules and codes on hazing and the treatment of their pledges and members — it is important to question and examine if they are worth joining. When rushing, be careful, look out for fellow pledges and if something is taken to the extreme, speak up about it. Hazing should not cost you the rest of your life.

No v em b er 8 - No v em b er 15, 2022

4 | opinion@paisano-online.com

OPINION Should Election Day be considered a federal holiday?

Commentary

By Dafny Flores Staff Writer November is a highly-anticipated month for Americans. Future political leaders are making their final presentations across the nation, and organizations are pushing to increase voter participation at polling stations on Election Day. While some Americans cast their votes before Election Day, it takes a village to determine the future democracy of the country. So why not recognize Election Day as a federal holiday? The federal government established Election Day on the first Tuesday of November, which normally falls between the dates of Nov. 2 and Nov. 8 in even-numbered years. While it is not considered a federal holiday,

some states and territories like New York, Delaware, Hawaii and Puerto Rico recognize Election Day as a civic holiday, meaning local offices and state employees recieve paid time off. America has struggled with voter turnout in polling stations. Many factors define the lack of participation, including the type of election,

Caroline Puckett/The Paisano

demographics such as age, sex, race, religion, election candidates and a change in voting laws. Many voting precincts also lack polling stations to accommodate all the residents in the

area. Furthermore, not all states allow Americans to participate in early voting. All of these consequences devalue Election Day for many Americans. In addition, the lack of resources can lead to voter apathy, where voters are not interested in voting or do not feel their voice is valued in a political stance. The proposal for making Election Day a federal holiday has been presented to Congress by the Democratic Party with The Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act, which included election reform efforts such as automatically registering voters and access to mail-in ballots; however, the Act was turned down. President Joe Biden recognized the value of Election Day as a federal holiday but has not yet made an effort to pass the act. The decision to make Election Day a federal holiday can make a difference in voter engagement. The anticipation of an official Election Day will encourage many Americans across various age groups and other demographic areas to turn out.

The justice system continues to fail

On Feb. 25, 2000, Adnan Musad Syed was convicted of first-degree murder, kidnapping and false imprisonment of his ex-girlfriend, Hae Min Lee. In June of that year, the then 17-yearold was sentenced to life plus 30 years in prison. Syed and Lee started dating during their junior year; however, their relationship had to be kept secret from their families because Syed’s strict immigrant parents were culturally conservative and against dating. Lee had broken up with Syed before the winter break of their senior year in December 1998 and went missing after school on Jan. 13, 1999. Syed — an honor roll student, track and football athlete and homecoming prince — was arrested on Feb. 28, 1999, for the murder of Lee. The prosecution painted a picture of a young Muslim boy who put his family and relationships at the mosque on the line for his girlfriend, leaving him with nothing when she broke up with him eight months later. They told the jury to look at what a duplicitous liar he is; he played the good Muslim kid

at home and at the mosque, but he ran around drinking, smoking and having intimate relationships with many girls — though any child of immigrant parents will have many of their own stories about the double lives they have led. The state’s case rested on the statement of their star witness, Jay Wilds, who claims Syed had told him he was going to kill Lee and later enlisted his help in burying the body. They corroborated Wilds’ story with cell phone records that put Syed exactly where Wilds said they were that day on Jan. 13. However, Syed and his family were adamant about his innocence. The older sister of Syed’s best friend, immigration lawyer Rabia Chaudry, was never satisfied with the trial’s results. Chaudry reached out to a former writer for the Baltimore Sun, Sarah Koenig, asking her to look deeper into the case, which would result in one of the earliest true crime podcasts, “Serial.” The podcast would go on to be downloaded over 100 million times in its first year of release, bringing widespread public attention to the case and winning just about every major journalistic award, including a Peabody — making “Serial” the first ever podcast to receive one. Koenig spent a year investigating Syed’s case before the podcast’s release in 2014, uncovering information about a potential

alibi who was not contacted by Syed’s defense attorney, the credibility of the cell tower records, and untested DNA evidence. The release of a documentary series in 2019 on HBO Max, “The Case Against Adnan Syed,” also shed light on other evidence, such as the discovery of Lee’s car and the lividity of the body. Not to mention the complete lack of physical evidence linking Syed to the crime— no DNA matches, no clothing fibers, no matching soil on his shoes — and the many inconsistencies within Wilds’ multiple statements and testimonies. The location where Syed showed him the body varied from outside a pool hall, to a Best Buy parking lot, to outside his grandmother’s house. Additionally, how the police brought Wilds in for a second statement after his first did not match the cell records, but after a three-hour-long, unrecorded pre-interview, Wilds’ story somehow came to fit the cell records better. Last year the Juvenile Restoration Act took effect in Maryland, which states that if you have served over 20 years in prison for a crime you committed as a juvenile, you can ask the court to reduce your sentence. On Oct. 2, 2021 — the day after the law was enacted — Syed’s lawyer delivered his case to the Baltimore City State Attorney’s office for them

to review. As a result, there was a reinvestigation. Notes regarding two potential alternate suspects in the prosecution’s old files were found, about which the defense team had not known — a Brady violation — causing the state to write a motion to vacate Syed’s conviction. The state also no longer has confidence in Wilds’ testimony and the cell records, as multiple experts have declared the incoming calls are insufficient evidence to identify exact locations and corroborate Wilds’ narrative. If that was not enough, one of the lead detectives on Syed’s case, William Ritz, has been accused of misconduct in another case that went to trial the same year as Syed’s. He supposedly manipulated and fabricated evidence, did not follow up on other suspects and did not disclose information to the defense. The Baltimore prosecutors dropped all charges against Syed on Oct. 11, 2022. After spending over half his life in prison, Syed is now free. Unfortunately, I could not include all the curious details of the case that make Syed’s former conviction so confusing, so I recommend you listen to the “Serial” podcast or watch the HBO series to determine whether or not you believe justice has been served.

Should musicians be removed from streaming platforms?

Commentary

By Jenna Taylor Staff Writer With the recent controversy over Kanye West’s antisemitic comments, many have called for streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music to remove his music from their platform. Several companies have already dropped West from their contracts and removed him from their platforms. For example,

Editorial Board

Mason Hickok | Editor-in-Chief Editor@paisano-online.com Laynie Clark | Managing and Opinion Editor Manager@paisano-online.com and Opinion@paisano-online.com Gauri Raje | News Editor News@paisano-online.com Riley Carroll | Arts & Life Editor Arts@paisano-online.com Luke Lawhorn | Sports Editor Sports@paisano-online.com Kaitlyn Rosas | Multimedia Editor Multimedia@paisano-online.com Chloe Williams | Web and Social Editor Web@paisano-online.com and Socialmedia@paisano-online.com Camila Martinez Rivera | Photo Editor Photo@paisano-online.com Genevieve Vega | Distribution Manager

Business Luke DeMario | Business Manager Business@paisano-online.com

Assistant Editors Malaki Lingg | Assistant Web Editor

Commentary

By Carissa Merchant Contributor

The Paisano

Madame Tussauds removed the wax figure of him and Peloton banned his music. In addition, Skechers, Gap, Adidas, Balenciaga, Def Jam Records, Goodwill and TJ Maxx will no longer accept Yeezy — West’s fashion brand — and other affiliated products. On the other hand, Spotify and Apple Music still have West’s entire discography up for streaming on their platform. While it is completely up to the label’s discretion whether they want to de-platform certain artists, it is seemingly hypocritical for apps like Spotify to pick and choose when they want

to act against hate speech. In May of 2018, when R. Kelly was charged with possession and production of child pornography, Spotify responded by de-listing his music from their public playlists and stopped promoting his music. This still meant that R. Kelly was on the platform, but was not officially endorsed by Spotify. Some might think that this is just a matter of whether something offensive is said in their music. However, earlier this year, when country music singer Morgan Wallen was recorded drunkenly screaming racial slurs on video, Spotify removed him

from their platform as a result of the backlash he had received. This calls the purpose of the ban into question when hate speech was never used in the music that he was selling. If Spotify can make the decision to remove Morgan Wallen from their platform, why are controversial artists such as Charles Manson, Morrisey and Marilyn Manson still available for streaming? And why, during such an open and public display of anti-black and antisemitic comments by West, are they hesitating to remove him from their platforms?

Come to our general meetings! Every Wednesday at 6 p.m. Diane Abdo | Advisor Steven Kellman | Advisor Jack Himelblau | Advisor Stefanie Arias | Advisor Sandy Norman | Advisor Sofia Garcia | Advisor 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 the UTSA Main Campus. 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 © 2022 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.

No v em b e r 8 - No v em ber 1 5, 2022

arts@paisano-online.com | 5

Arts & Life

The Pearl celebrated Día de los Muertos with the community on Wednesday, Nov. 2.

Cultura

The Pearl celebrates Día de los Muertos with altars, artwork and live music

By Kaitlyn Rosas Multimedia Editor n Nov. 2, The Pearl hosted one of many free, family-friendly celebrations honoring the traditional Mexican holiday, Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). The Pearl park was filled with a serenade of traditional folk music, decorative Catrinas, Calaveras and adorned ofrendas (altars). The event included a community contributory ofrenda, live music from San Antonio native Tish Hinojosa and dancers on stilts from the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center. A large ofrenda located in the center of the park was created by Hector Garza and his students from the Incarnate Word High School Foreign Language classes. Members of the community were encouraged to include photographs and write the names of loved ones on LED candles provided, to place on the altar for remembrance. While no dress code was required, many were inspired to attend the event in “su mejor vestido,” or “their best dress.” Arthur Cruz actually made his

Kaitlyn Rosas/The Paisano

own Calavera headdress to We didn’t know this was going looking forward to it. So that wear for the Día de los Muertos to take place today, but we were is why we dressed up.” Perez festivities. adds, “it Cruz brings me describes back to my the event as childhood “Amazing, when I beautiful, lived in colorful … Mexico. It it’s a wonmakes me derful thing remember to see … the famEspecially ily times, since San times spent Antonio has with my such a large father and Hispanic remembercommunity. ing people It makes that are me proud no longer to be a San with us.” Antonian.” Altars Gercommemman Perez orating the describes life and his parlegacies of ticipation in Mexicanthe event as American part of his labor orgaculture. nizer and “It is civil rights something activist that we Emma celebrate Tenaevery year. A skull and candles displayed on an ofrenda at The Pearl. yuca and Kaitlyn Rosas/The Paisano

beloved Mexican singer-songwriter Vicente Fernandez were also included for visitation. Surrounding the Fernandez ofrenda was a Catrina garden created with paper mache by artist Regina Moya. For the last 10 years, San Antonio has been celebrating rich and beloved city-wide celebrations of Día de los Muertos. Every year, our community celebrates loved ones from our past and honors them in the present. As the music grew silent and the crowds drew away, the altars remained illuminated by candlelight. Attendee Cecilia Lara said, “It’s a way for us to keep the people that have left us alive.” The celebration of Día de los Muertos makes death, not the marker of the end of your story but a chance to celebrate the life you have lived. This celebration allows us to not leave people who have passed behind but to cherish and champion their life journey in a way that leaves a lasting impression. With every year that passes, we do not leave our deceased loved ones behind. Their memory lives on for generations to come.

Life beyond the scale

Jennette McCurdy unpacks childhood troubles in new book Reviews By Laynie Clark Managing and Opinion Editor Remember the blonde girl from Nickelodeon who liked to eat buckets of fried chicken and beat people up with a butter sock? If you are familiar with the Nickelodeon network, Sam Puckett probably came to mind. Sam — played by Jennette McCurdy — was introduced to the world through the television show “iCarly” and was seen again in a spin-off “Sam & Cat,” both of which garnered an abundance of attraction and shoved the actor into the public spotlight; but every spotlight casts a shadow somewhere. In the newly released book, “I’m Glad My Mom Died,” McCurdy details her life in chronological order, starting with discussions of her childhood and the relationship between her and her mother. McCurdy’s mother — whose name was omitted from the book entirely — was the most selfless, caring person who always put McCurdy first, or so she thought. In the book, McCurdy recalls instances where her mother repeatedly manipulated and assaulted her. The book described how McCurdy’s mother would make her feel like the most special person in the world; she would tell McCurdy that they were best friends and that she wanted nothing but the best for her. McCurdy’s mother always wanted to go into acting, but that dream died, so she suggested that McCurdy give it a try by saying she would “be so proud to see her daughter live out her dream.” Nervously, McCurdy did as her mother asked and stepped into the acting scene. She hated it. Being in the spotlight made her unhappy, anxious and uncomfortable, but when she tried to quit, her mother started crying, saying,

“You can’t quit, this was our chance.” McCurdy hurriedly retracted her state-

making her unhappy. Not only did McCurdy’s mother force

Jennette McCurdy’s “I’m Glad My Mom Died” came out Aug. 9, 2022.

ment about wanting to quit and did as her mother desired because she feared

Laynie Clark/The Paisano

her into acting, but she also condoned an eating disorder — something that

plagued McCurdy for many years. It began with McCurdy’s fear of growing up and getting breasts; McCurdy was scared she would not book any roles if she did not seem childlike — a fear instilled in McCurdy by her manipulative mother. To remedy this problem, her mother suggested that McCurdy try calorie restriction to stunt growth and reduce fat. As an 11-year-old who wanted to please her mother, McCurdy agreed to try and thought it was the perfect solution to her problems — growing up and gaining weight. Together, McCurdy and her mother began a calorie-restricted diet, resulting in worried glances and whispers from others. Eventually, her mother was confronted by McCurdy’s doctor, who said she was losing too much weight and showing signs of anorexia nervosa. Still, her mother quickly dismissed these claims and had McCurdy continue calorie restriction. Anorexia attached itself to McCurdy in a way that felt like a safety blanket — she could not bring herself to let go. As she got older, the anorexia morphed into bulimia, causing a new slew of problems, like sore throats and tooth decay. Throughout the book, her disordered eating habits remained the only constant. She recognized this and acknowledged that she wanted to live a life beyond the scale, beyond the abuse and beyond the spotlight. “I’m Glad My Mom Died” is a memoir filled with profound truths and heartbreaking realizations that fame has its consequences. McCurdy conveys her story in a first-person narrative and uses bits of humor to keep the reader engaged. After reading this book, it is clear that McCurdy’s calling is writing, and acting can stay on the back burner.

6| arts@paisano-online.com

N o ve mbe r 8 - N o ve mbe r 15, 2022

Arts & Life ‘Tangible/Nothing’ at Ruby City Arte de San Antonio labor and the slave trade contrasted with the Miss America pageant. The woman By Sam Wendorf the sense of dance and motion. One of has been removed from the video, leavContributor the largest works in the collection, “High ing only a floating crown and the logos Currently on display in the Ruby City Gloss,” features a wall lined with many contemporary art center, the “Tangible/ of the broadcasting company behind it. old paint cans. According to Guthmiller, Nothing” art exhibit explores themes of The piece highlights the corporatization the names of the chosen colors “connect investigation of materials and the notion and branding around the spectacle — ofto the notions of American exceptionalof erasure. ten, these events are not about the people ism and colonialism,” and they give a Director Elyze Gonzales put they showcase but are instead the exhibit together with about 40 focused on publicity. The projector works of art chosen from approxitouches on the tangible, while the mately 1,400 currently owned by erased woman represents nothing. the art center. Over the 16 months Even the building in which this of closure during the COVID-19 collection is housed is a work of pandemic, Gonzales looked through art. Linda Pace, the mind behind the collection to gather these pieces, Ruby City, based many of her spoke with the artists about their pieces on dreams that she had. One processes and the meanings behind such dream was of a building with their work and arranged them sparkling ruby spires. The sketch throughout the space. she made of this vision eventuAccording to the manager of ally became the art center we have visitor experiences and programs, today through collaboration with Randy Guthmiller, the exhibit was architects and fellow artists who designed to respond to the archibrought her dream to life. tecture of the Ruby City building. Ruby City offers free admission, Small objects such as the “Plumb so it is accessible to anyone and Bob,” a cast iron piece a little everyone who wishes to view the larger than a skull, are contrasted stunning collection. Those who do with large, open stretches of wall. are urged to take their time and ap“Eyes,” a photograph that combines “High Gloss” on display at Ruby City. Sam Wendorf/The Paisano preciate the artwork on display. As the eyes of a man and woman in Guthmiller points out, “the works striking contrast, sits high above a wincommentary on our history and the way reward a patient viewer.” The insights dow and peers down the hall. The placewe frame it in forms we encounter every and knowledge provided by the gallery ment of every piece is deliberate. day. staff, as well as the intricate details and The materials used for each work are A piece Guthmiller points out as particcareful craftsmanship of each piece, also deliberate. For example, a piece ularly thought-provoking is titled “Miss titled “Dance Trance I” uses canvas America.” A projector extending from the make this collection a must-see for anyone interested in truly beautiful art. wall displays a short, looping video of burned with an iron to explore themes of

Tuesday, Nov. 8: Nov. 8 is the last day to vote. Make sure you cast your ballot by today. UTSA’s Main Campus will be a polling site from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 8, in the H-E-B Student Union Ballroom (HSU 1.102). UTSA’s Neuroscience, Developmental and Regenerative Biology Department is hosting “Chew on This: ‘How do we calm the electrical storm that is epilepsy?’ - Chat with Dr. David Jaffe” from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Nov. 8 in the Loeffler Room (BSB 3.03.02). For more information, visit RowdyLink. The “Nation First-Gen Celebration Day and Kick-Off” event hosted by FirstGeneration Transfer Student Programs will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 8 at Food Tabling 6 in the Central Plaza. For more information, visit RowdyLink. Join the Pre-Law Association for their final guest speaker of the fall semester from 4 to 5 p.m. on Nov. 8 online. “We’ll be learning about child welfare law, family law, and juvenile law.” For more information, visit RowdyLink. UTSA Air Force ROTC Detachment 842 is hosting Air Force ROTC GMC Leadership Training which will take place from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 8 at the South 5 field in the Recreation Field Complex near the Recreation Wellness Center (RWC). “Extra flight drill time for Air Force ROTC GMC Cadets will be conducted for continuation in the ROTC program.” For more information, visit RowdyLink. Give the gift of life this holiday season with Tau Sigma and Gamma Beta Phi at UTSA. Volunteer to help save lives in their bone marrow registry drive from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 8, in the McKinney Humanities Portico. For more, visit @utsa.gbp on Instagram. Wednesday, Nov. 9: Do you want to go to the Spurs v. Grizzlies game on Wednesday, Nov. 9? UTSA’s American Marketing Association (AMA) has partnered with the San Antonio Spurs to give UTSA students discounted tickets, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting AMA. For more, visit @utsa_ama on Instagram or purchase

tickets at https://fevogm.com/event/Utsaamerican. Join UTSA Construction Science & Management Alumni Council for food, drinks and networking at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 9, at Dos Sirenos Brewing (231 E Cevallos St.). For more, visit @utsacsmalumni on Instagram. UTSA Campus Recreation is holding “Demo Kitchen,” an interactive cooking demonstration from 6 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 9, in the Recreation Wellness Center (RWC 2.204E-Demonstration Kitchen). The dish being served is sushi. UTSA Wellbeing Services will be hosting “Sex Talk 2.0” as a way to create and promote healthy, inclusive dialogue about sexual health and wellness from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 9, in the Student Union Denman Ballroom (SU 2.01.28). Thursday, Nov. 10: Elsewhere Garden Bar & Kitchen will be hosting “November Markets” from 5 to 11 p.m. on Nov. 3, Nov. 10 and Nov. 17. Explore local businesses the next few Thursdays. For more, visit @elsewheresatx on Instagram. Let’s get rowdy about registration. Meet members of UTSA’s advising team and win free merchandise from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 10. For more, visit @utsaadvising on Instagram. A “Mocktail Etiquette Mixer” hosted by the UTSA College of Sciences Student Success Center and UTSA Career Center will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 10, in the Denman Ballroom (SU 2.01.28). Learn how to engage and socialize with employers and navigate through these situations. Spots are limited to 50 College of Sciences Students. The attire for the event is business professional and will be enforced at the door. Make sure to RSVP through Handshake: https://app.joinhandshake.com/ stu/events/1171374?ref=events-search. In honor of Science Semana, join the UTSA College of Sciences Student Success Center for “Science Rocks!” From 1 to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 10, in the College of Sciences Student Success Center (FLN 2.03.02), enjoy rock painting along with an ice cream sundae

station to celebrate. Friday, Nov. 11: Model United Nations Society is holding its first Alamo Model United Nations Conference in two years at 8 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 11 and Sunday, Nov. 13, in the H-E-B Student Union. There will be three councils: the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council and the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean conducted in Spanish. Saturday, Nov. 12: At 6 p.m. on Nov. 12, Tandem Coffee & Bar will host “San Antonio Covers For A Cause,” featuring local artists Werito Guertio, Dumb Belles and Baldemar. The event will benefit Buckle Bunnies Fund, an abortion aid mutual collective. For more, visit @otheryoumedia and @ bucklebunniesfundtx on Instagram. Roadrunners Triathlon is in need of volunteers for the “Texas Tough Duathlon” event set-up on Saturday, Nov. 12, and for the safety team, parking, finish line, transition and aid stations on Sunday, Nov. 13. For more, visit @ utsatriathlon on Instagram or sign-up to volunteer at https://www.trisignup.com/ Race/Volunteer/TX/Boerne/TexasToughDuathlon. Sunday, Nov. 13: A Veterans Day Concert will take place from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 13, at the Helotes Fire Department. The event will feature a live concert from the Helotes Area Community Band. The event and event parking is free to the public. Monday, Nov. 14: The HCaP Student Success Center is holding a “Mellow-out Monday” from 1 to 3 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 14, in the HCAP Student Success Center (MS 2.02.36). Find space in your week to mellow out with these relaxing activities: Mandala coloring, Play-Doh, Origami and more. Tuesday, Nov. 15: UTSA Financial Success is hosting a FAFSA and TASFA Financial Aid Application Workshop from 1 to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 15, in the Writing Center Computer Lab (JPL 2.01.12C).

Joji releases longawaited LP A review of this winter’s saddest album

Caroline Puckett/The Paisano

Reviews By Malaki Lingg Assistant Web Editor

This summer, Joji released the single “Glimpse of Us.” After trending all over social media, many described the song as the saddest love song of the summer. Following the release of “Glimpse of Us,” Joji began teasing the release of a new project. Finally, after months of waiting, Joji released his third studio album, “Smithereens,” on Nov. 4, 2022. While “Smithereens” is primarily streaming digitally, it is a double album, meaning that the album would traditionally be split between two CDs or LPs, with an A-side and a B-side. The five tracks the A-side holds are “Glimpse of Us,” “Feeling Like The End,” “Die For You,” “Before The Day Is Over” and “Dissolve,” while the Bside includes the four tracks “NIGHTRIDER,” “BLAHBLAHBLAH DEMO,” “YUKON (INTERLUDE)” and “1AM FREESTYLE.” In total, the album has nine tracks with a runtime of 24 minutes and 34 seconds. Starting on the A-side with the album’s best track and the single that started it all — “Glimpse of Us” boasts an impressive vocal range from Joji and classical piano following his vocal pattern. “Glimpse of Us” is a track full of gripping vocals alongside a melancholic vibe, creating something that outshines the rest of the project. The track allowed Joji the opportunity to showcase his range and give fans more of what they loved from the 2018 hit, “SLOW DANCING IN THE DARK.” Honorable mentions from the A-side include “Die For You” and “Dissolve.” While these tracks did not live up to the greatness that “Glimpse of Us” holds, they bring interesting dynamics to the table. “Die for You” brings a return to the Lo-Fi sound that Joji became popular for and incorporates it into his new form of lyrical storytelling. “Dissolve” has acoustic guitar implemented into its instrumental, giving it a much more subtle and personal feel compared to other tracks. While the B-side is not necessarily bad, it is definitely not the album’s strong suit. The only track that stands out is “YUKON (INTERLUDE),” which was the second single released prior to the album. The main issue with the B-side is that the production on some of the tracks is somewhat rushed and lackluster as compared to the beauty that is brought forth on the A-side. Overall, Joji’s “Smithereens” is a good album — nothing more, nothing less. While a few songs, such as “Glimpse of Us,” stick out and show that Joji is capable of making an amazing, gripping, memorable and downright beautiful album, he generally falls short of doing so across the entire project. I recommend giving this album a listen, but I do not suggest setting your expectations too high. “Smithereens” is now available on streaming services such as Apple Music, Amazon Music and Spotify.

No vem b e r 8 - No v em ber 1 5, 2022

sports@paisano-online.com | 7

Sports UTSA sports recap Nov. 1-7 Football

The UTSA team gathers for a photo after defeating FAU in the C-USA Championship.

Photo courtesy of Conference USA

UTSA soccer wins Conference USA championship Roadrunners win first C-USA in program history By Luke Lawhorn Sports Editor No. 6 UTSA defeated No. 5 FAU 3-2 in double overtime in the Conference USA championship match on Sunday afternoon. The Roadrunners beat No. 3 seed UAB and No. 2 seed North Texas en route to winning the first C-USA championship in program history. UTSA advanced to the semifinal round of the Conference USA tournament after defeating No. 3 seed UAB 1-0 on Wednesday afternoon. The Roadrunners played UAB earlier in the season; however, they tied the game 1-1. Needing a decided winner, UTSA took down the Blazers in a second overtime period. Both teams played aggressively, with UTSA outshooting UAB 11-10. Kendall Kloza led the team with three shots. The Roadrunners had six shots in the first period, a corner kick and two on the goal — they just could not get them in the net. No goals were made at the end of the 90 minutes of regulation. Needing a winner, the two teams played in overtime. In the extra 10-minute period, UAB managed to get a shot at the goal; however, it was saved by UTSA goalkeeper Mia Krusinski, who had five saves that day. With the game still 0-0 at the end of the extra period, the teams played in a second 10-minute overtime. Isa Hernandez passed the ball to Avery Chaney, who saw an open Anna Sutter. Sutter sent the ball into the goal in the 108th minute to put UTSA up 1-0. However, the Roadrunners held strong in the final two minutes to survive and advance. Kloza, Sabrina Russ and Deja Sandoval played the entire 110 minutes, needing the extra rest for Friday’s semifinal. No. 6 seed UTSA soccer then

reached the Conference USA championship game as they upset No. 2 seed North Texas 2-1 on Friday afternoon. The Roadrunners lost to the Mean Green 3-1 earlier this season, and with the season on the line, UTSA made sure to play aggressively to move onto the next round. The Roadrunners outshot the Mean Green 16 to 11 and had nine on target to North Texas’ two. In the first half, UTSA outshot North Texas 10 to four while also adding three corner kicks. The first goal came from an Avery Chaney corner kick which sent the ball to Deja Sandoval, who headed the ball into UNT’s goalkeeper. However, the ball was deflected back into UTSA’s possession, and Jordan Walker kicked the ball and scored in the ninth minute. The second goal came from UTSA in the 31st minute. Kendall Kloza earned a free kick and made the shot to extend the lead to 2-0. The Roadrunner offense kept the Mean Green defense at work, keeping the ball on North Texas’ side for 62 percent of the first half. UTSA also did not allow a shot from North Texas for the final 15 minutes of the period. The Mean Green matched the ‘Runners’ level of intensity from the first half, earning four corner kicks in the second period and not allowing UTSA any. North Texas scored in the 60th minute by Madison Drenowatz, which was her first goal of the season; however, the defense held their own, holding the Mean Green to one goal and seven shots and hanging on to successfully pull off the 2-1 upset. Marlee Fray scored two of the ‘Runners three goals in the championship match. The first came in the 32nd minute in the low center to put UTSA

up 1-0. Then, Kiran Singh scored in the 36th minute off an assist from Sabrina Hillyer to go into halftime up 2-0. Both teams had six fouls and two corner kicks at the half. The Owls answered with two goals in the second period. The first came in the 55th minute as Morgan McDonald scored off an assistant from Bri Austin. McDonald assisted on the second goal, which came in the 68th minute by Elin Simonardottir to tie the game. The two teams went to overtime, where Fray scored her second goal with a header into the goal of an Isa Hernandez corner kick. FAU had 12 fouls in the second period to UTSA’s four. The two teams went into a second overtime giving the Owls a chance to tie the game; however, the Roadrunners’ defense stood tall and secured the 3-2 win. UTSA was outshot 15-8 by FAU, 6-4 on shots on goal and had eight corner kicks to the Roadrunners’ four. The ‘Runners’ goals went through the net, and their nationally-ranked defense held down the field when the time came. The Roadrunners looked like their season wasn’t meant to be, finishing 11-5-4 and having a 4-3-3 C-USA record. UTSA closed their regular season 3-1 and carried that momentum by upsetting every team they played and advancing to the semifinals and championship match for the first time in program history. The UTSA Roadrunners 2022 team will go down in history as C-USA champions.

UTSA Football defeated the No. 1 defense in C-USA in the UAB Blazers 44-38 in overtime on Nov. 5. The Roadrunners remain first in C-USA standings. The next game will be on Saturday Nov. 12 against LA Tech at the Alamodome.

Soccer The soccer team pulled off three straight upsets to win the CUSA title, which is the first in program history. UTSA played No. 3 seed UAB and won 1-0. They advanced to the semifinal and beat No. 2 seed North Texas 2-1. They defeated No. 5 seed FAU 3-2 on Sunday afternoon.

Men’s Golf The men’s golf team concluded their fall schedule with a ninth place finish at the Saint Mary’s Invitational on Wednesday, Nov. 2. Jack Wehman led the Roadrunners, tying for 12th place in the 92-player field.

Volleyball The UTSA volleyball team lost their eighth straight game to UAB 3-1 on Friday, Nov. 4. The Roadrunners (7-17, 2-10 CUSA) kept three of the four sets close; however, they were unable to keep up with the Blazers (12-12, 7-5) offense.

Basketball The men’s basketball team won 74-47 against Trinity. The women lost to SFA 68-63.

Athlete of the Week: Madi Henry By Luke Lawhorn Sports Editor Madi Henry is a sixth-year senior at UTSA on the cross country and track team. Henry finished 28th in C-USA and will participate in the South Central Regional race. The UTSA cross country team is gearing up for the South Central Regional race on Friday, Nov. 11. The women are taking seven runners after having their best finish at the Conference USA Championships since 2013. Madi Henry is one of the leaders of our women’s team, crossing the line 28th overall, and hopes to have a good race back at the Dale Watts Cross Country Course. “I definitely just want to have fun and not stress too much about it. I’d really like to break my PR of what I ran at the A&M course last year,” Henry said. The women’s cross team went from a 12th-place finish last season to sixth this season, just two runners away from fifth place and 16 runners from fourth place. Henry, a transfer from UIW, joined Abbygail Balli, an All-Conference runner. With newcomer Luzaan de Wilt, the team could run together, and they hope to do it again on Friday. “We’ve been having some really great workouts and been doing a really great job pack-running,” Henry said. “We’ve been talking about our team goals and that we just want to close the gap as much as possible and place high in the region. I think we’ll just do that by run-

ning together in the race, kind of what we did at [the] conference.” UTSA recently started a pre-Ph.D. pathway which Henry took up, and also had a sixth year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Henry said she has never been a part of a race where she was with a teammate throughout the entire course. Henry is in her sixth year after spending her first five at UIW. Though she had success there, with her current career plan, she had to find a program that UTSA offered. “I graduated with my MBA in May, so I had to figure out what to do next for my degree … I want to be a professor and researcher someday, so I was looking for programs [that] would help me get into Ph.D. schools,” Henry said. As talented as Henry is, she did not plan to run at the collegiate level. However, after running at Texas Relays during her senior year of high school — one of the biggest meets in the state — and talking to who would be her coach at UIW, she realized the opportunity to keep running was just too good to pass on. “I didn’t even think I was going to run in college until April of my senior year, and I ended up signing to UIW in May,” Henry said. “I never thought I would [run] until Texas Relays my senior year and [I] met Coach Reidel there … he started talking to me about coming on a visit and I just started thinking, ‘I’m really going to miss running and the

team dynamic and I don’t know what I’m going to do without running,’” Henry continued. As a sixth-year senior, Henry’s current stage of life may be different than that of an average student-athlete. She is focused on her Ph.D., has a fiance and runs her own business and blog. “I love to travel. Outside of school and running, I love to go to different places. I have been to 12 different countries. Every year I like to go to a new one … I work in the summer, save up money and plan a trip,” Henry said. She has her own travel blog where she gives people guides on her trips, gives reviews and other tips. “The most recent was when I was in Brazil last year. My favorite place to go to is Peru or Spain,” Henry said. Along with her blog, Henry also has her own babysitting business she created due to her passion for kids. “I really enjoy being around kids so me and some other girls from UIW, my old teammates, started a babysitting business, so we were doing that in the summer. We actually added some of my teammates at UTSA to the business too, so I do a lot of that in my free time,” Henry said. The New Braunfels native is not new when it comes to gearing up for a race, as she has run competitively for years. Many runners have superstitions or other practices to make sure they are “locked in” mentally, but Henry makes sure to

trust herself and her training. “I don’t really have anything I do before every race. The main thing I try to do is be calm and I like to tell myself ‘Everything’s going to work out how it’s supposed to. All you can control is your effort and attitude, and that’s really it,’” Henry said. Henry still has her eligibility for the spring semester in both indoor and outdoor track and plans to use it here at UTSA. For now, she is focused on her 6000-meter race in College Station. The UTSA men’s and women’s cross-country teams will toe the line on Friday, Nov. 11.

Photo courtesy of Aaron Fox/UTSA Athletics

N o ve mbe r 8 - N o ve mbe r 15, 2022

8 | sports@paisano-online.com

Sports Athletes are more than their bodies Commentary

By Laynie Clark Managing and Opinion Editor Gymnastics is an easy sport to love. From the dazzling leotards to the risky routines, audiences are enthralled by the intensity of the sport. Due to the high demand and large audience, gymnasts are constantly being weighed down by the pressures of being the perfect performer. This perfect performer mindset pushes them to train harder and win more, resulting in callused hands and strained muscles. But what else does it cause? According to a Sports Illustrated article, the NCAA reported that gymnasts show a significantly higher rate of disordered eating than any other athletes. Unfortunately, many young women struggle with disordered eating as it is — throw in rigorous training, and

you have stumbled upon something dangerous. Disordered eating mixed with intense exercise can lead to a disruption in the menstrual cycle, leaving these female gymnasts with primary amenorrhea — a diagnosis made when a young female has failed to menstruate. When the female body fails to menstruate due to disordered eating, osteopenia — a depletion of calcium in the bones — can take hold. The depletion of calcium in the bones leaves them vulnerable to more fractures as the bones brittle and weaken. Gymnastics is already a dangerous sport due to its high-risk movements. Gymnasts’ bones need to be as strong as possible to prevent injury, which could lead to the death of their athletic career.

As a result of stigma and a need to sacrifice, athletes often ignore their mental health challenges and instead favor hiding them. Mental health in athletes is ever-declining, and it is because those who organize the sport see mental health as a backburner problem. Partaking in any elite sport should mean prioritizing mental health. Gymnastics is a weightsensitive sport because gymnasts must essentially defy gravity, which means that gymnasts are always hyperaware of their ever-changing bodies. Putting forth too much attenGrace Robinson/The Paisano tion on weight and body stature can evoke anxiety and lead to disordered eating. As discussed previously, disordered eating can disrupt the body and therefore disrupt the ability to advance in the gymnast’s chosen

sport. It is a cycle that can be broken by becoming active in mental health awareness. It is important for gymnasts to be surrounded by a sturdy support system that will constantly remind them that they are more than their body, more than a number on a scale. Spending more time focusing on an athlete’s mental state is far more necessary than focusing on their body because they will never truly perform their best while battling inner demons, regardless if they are in a weight-sensitive sport or not. Athletes deserve to be appreciated for their mental capabilities just as much as their physical abilities because it takes a powerful individual to be a healthy, successful athlete. While I understand the importance of an athlete’s body, I will never be okay with the harmful environment that they are forced to endure because of it. No gymnast should ever feel the need to restrict their caloric intake just to land their dismount on the beam or get more height on their double Arabian on the floor. Stop treating athletes like trophies and start prioritizing their mental health.

Volleyball loses eighth straight against UAB By Luke Lawhorn Sports Editor The UTSA volleyball team lost their eighth straight game to UAB 3-1 on Friday, Nov. 4. The Roadrunners (7-17, 2-10 C-USA) kept three of the four sets close; however, they were unable to keep up with the Blazers (12-12, 7-5) offense. Hunter Coppola and Cansu Günaydin led the Roadrunners with 11 kills each. Mekaila Aupiu had 22 assists, her second straight game of at least 20. The next closest ‘Runners were Ava Camacho and Courtney Walters, with four. Camacho had 16 digs in the evening. The most lopsided set was the first, with UTSA losing 25-12. The game was tied 4-4, and then UAB took a 13-10 lead. A 12-2 run would end the first set, with Coppola having a team-high two kills. The Blazers opened the second set strong going up 6-0. The Roadrunners regrouped and closed the gap to one point, trailing 17-16. UAB jumped to a 24-17 lead,

and despite UTSA scoring three unanswered, the Blazers got a kill by Chloe Rodriguez to win 25-20 and took a 2-0 lead. UTSA prevented the sweep by winning the third set. The Roadrunners found themselves in a 3-0 deficit, then 8-4. UTSA went on a 9-1 run to go up 13-9. Each team would exchange points, with neither team getting more than three kills in a row, guiding UTSA to a 25-20 win. Despite the ‘Runners jumping to a 10-5 lead, the Blazers regained control to end UTSA’s hopes of a comeback. UAB took a 13-12 lead and would carry on to win 25-20. Alex Kells and Maia Rackell led the Blazers with 16 kills each. Lidya Caturk had 49 assists on the night, the second-highest total in C-USA in a four-set match this season. UTSA had a .076 hitting percentage for the game and had 53 points to the Blazers’ 71. As a result, UAB jumped to the number four team in the C-USA standings, while UTSA remains at the bottom. The ‘Runners will play their final home game this season at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 10.

Joshua Cephus catching the game-winning 14-yard touchdown pass in overtime. Cephus was added to the Biletnikoff Award watchlist last week. The award is given to the most outstanding wide receiver in college football.

Photo courtesy of Jacob Hernandez/UTSA Athletics

Roadrunners win another overtime thriller UTSA football defeats UAB 44-38

By Luke Lawhorn Sports Editor Quarterback Frank Harris threw a 14yard touchdown pass to Joshua Cephus in a second overtime to beat UAB in Birmingham Saturday afternoon. UTSA (7-2, 5-0 C-USA) came into Saturday’s game as the number-one offense in Conference USA, while the Blazers (4-5, 2-4) came in as the number-one defense. The Roadrunners found themselves in another close ball game, making it their fifth one-possession game of the season. “That game was a lot like life: there’s a lot of good things in life, a lot of bad stuff in life, and whoever has the ability to stick to it — that old word sticktoitiveness — we just stick to it, man,” coach Jeff Traylor said after the game. UTSA was up by 14 points in the fourth quarter and not only let UAB tie the game up, but also scored first during the first overtime. Many teams would have quit giving up 21 unanswered

points, but not the Roadrunners. “There [are] not many teams in the country that blow a 14-point lead with four minutes left, go to overtime, and the other team goes out and scores immediately, and you come right back and answer, and then you answer and then stop them,” Traylor said. The Roadrunners were first on the scoreboard in the first quarter. Harris threw to Zakhari Franklin for a 20-yard touchdown pass. Harris was 22 of 31 with 285 passing yards, the most passing yards UAB has allowed all season. Placekicker Jared Sackett had back-to-back field goals in the second quarter. The first was from 29-yards, and the second was from 31, putting UTSA up 13-0. DeWayne McBride had a 68-yard touchdown run for the Blazers midway through the second quarter. The Roadrunner offense drove down the field; however, they were forced to take another field goal from Sackett, this time for 46-yards. UAB made a field goal of their own to go into halftime trailing 16-10.

UAB scored first in the second half after a long drive. The 2-yard touchdown run by McBride put the Blazers up 1716. Kevorian Barnes had a 1-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter to give UTSA the lead. Barnes had 114-yards rushing along with his single score. Harris went back to Franklin for a 12-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter to give the ‘Runners a two-touchdown lead. The Blazers put together a drive and concluded it with a 1-yard touchdown run from Jacob Zeno. UAB scored with 15 seconds left with a 38yard touchdown pass from Zeno to Trea Shropshire to force overtime. Zeno’s pass to Tejhaun Palmer went 11-yards for a touchdown, making it 21 unanswered points. Harris’ 2-yard pass to Tykee Ogle-Kellogg tied the score at 38. With the Roadrunners turn again to score, Harris threw a 14-yard pass to Cephus to put UTSA ahead 44-38. The defense stood strong and forced UAB to turn the ball over on downs, securing the victory.

UAB had more passing and rushing yards than UTSA, along with more time of possession; however, the Blazers had double the amount of penalties as the ‘Runners and had two fumbles which UTSA took advantage of. This was the first time the Roadrunners won in Birmingham, and now UTSA is two games ahead of Rice in the C-USA standings. The Owls are the only team remaining on the ‘Runners’ schedule that has a shot at playing in the championship game; however, Rice still has to play North Texas and Western Kentucky, who are ranked second and third in the conference standings, respectively. UTSA has already bested both of them. “I hope the Alamodome is rocking. We [have] a beautiful, beautiful football team. We are really injured and really beat up, but whoever we put out there, they find a way to win.” Traylor said. UTSA will host Louisiana Tech at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 12 at the Alamodome.