Vol. 68, Issue 8

34th Annual Women’s March

By Laynie Clark Editor-in-Chief

WMarch.

Staged in Milam Park, feminists gathered to listen to notable speakers and march alongside fellow supporters. As speakers expressed themselves into the microphone, attendees watched and participated in the discussed topics. Additionally, the event showcased memorable musical performances, an array of food and rituals. Visit paisano-online.com to see the photo gallery.

The state of COVID-19 in 2024

By Faith Koaudio Staff Writer

It has been four years since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic on March 11, 2020.

The week following the announcement, institutions and organizations worldwide shut down to curb the extent of the virus, affecting billions of lives. Much has occurred since daily and weekly reports slowed down, despite WHO maintaining COVID-19 is still a pandemic. Here is a summary of events and the current state of COVID-19 at a city, state and national level.

San Antonio

The first confirmed COVID-19 case in San Antonio — and in Texas — occurred on Feb. 13, 2020, within a group of evacuees from China at Lackland Air Force Base. Mayor Nirenberg proactively declared a public health emergency on March 2, the same day city officials sued the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), demanding the federal agency raise standards for releasing quarantined people. Nirenberg banned future evacuees from entering San Antonio.

Following the WHO’s declaration, the Spurs suspended further games, Fiesta was canceled and postponed until 2022 and many schools and workplaces went remote.

On Dec. 14, 2020, UT Health received 6,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine. By Jan. 9, 2021, mass vaccination sites were created at the Alamodome and the WellMed Elvira Cisneros Senior Community Center on the

south side.

By the end of 2020, San Antonio had 118,057 total COVID-19 cases and 1,538 deaths from the virus. As of March 5, 2024, there were 754,187 cumulative cases and 6,262 confirmed total deaths. Bexar County stopped updating COVID-19 data dashboards on March 12 due to “COVID-19 no longer being a reportable condition as of March 1, 2024.”

Texas “I am at this moment declaring a state disaster for all counties in the state of Texas,” announced Governor Abbott on March 13, 2020. The Texas Supreme Court halted evictions on March 19, and unemployment rates spiked 860% the following week. In June, Abbott insisted that closing Texas would be “the last option.” That November, Texas breached 1 million cases and Abbott reiterated at least twice that there would be no lockdown.

In January 2021, the number of COVID-19 cases passed 2 million. By February, 1 million Texas residents were fully vaccinated, and on March 10, 2021, Abbott removed the mask mandate and re-opened businesses to 100% capacity. Several businesses maintained their COVID-19 policies. After California, Texas had the highest number of confirmed cases in the country. On Aug. 17, Abbott tested positive for COVID-19.

The city of Austin announced the end of the COVID-19 National Public Health Emergency Declaration in alignment with national agencies on May 11, 2023. “The end of the national public health emergency

By Laynie Clark Editor-in-Chief

In compliance with the Clery Act, UTSA keeps a public daily crime log that houses all on-campus crimes. The log summarizes the case’s date, time, location, incident and current status. The crimes detailed below are taken directly from the crime log, showcasing the trends premiered during the first month of classes.

Public lewdness

On Tuesday, March 5, a case of public lewdness took place in the Student Union. The incident occurred from 4:30 to 5 p.m. and was reported at 9:05 p.m. the same evening. The case is still active.

Bodily injury assault

On Friday, Feb. 23, a bodily injury assault took place at University Oaks. The incident occurred from 12:36 to 12:38 p.m. and was reported at 12:38 p.m. The same individual was charged with criminal mischief and the case was cleared by arrest.

Assault by threat

Three different assaults by threats happened on campus from Feb. 23 to March 14. The first took place at the Science and Engineering Building at 8:40 a.m. This specific case was closed by exceptional means. The others took place on the same day, March 14, at the Brackenridge Ave. Lot 1. Both were cleared by arrest.

Assault by contact

On Thursday, Feb. 29, an assault by contact took place at the Activity Center. The incident occurred from 2 to 2:40 p.m. and was reported on Feb. 7. The case was closed by

exceptional means. Duty on striking unattended vehicle

Four different unattended vehicle strikes were reported from Feb. 22 to March 4. The first incident took place at the Tobin Avenue Garage at 11 a.m.; the case is inactive. The second incident occurred on Feb. 29 at Barshop Blvd Lot 1; the case is still active. The third incident happened at Bauerle Rd Lot 1 and is now inactive.

Criminal trespass

On Tuesday, March 12, criminal trespassing occurred at the Science and Engineering Building. The incident took place

On

and is still active.

Theft Dominating the crime log is theft. From Feb. 26 to March 9, six different theft instances occurred. Out of the six, three cases are inactive, two are active and one was cleared by arrest. The most prevalent theft location was University Oaks. To stay in the loop, visit UTSA’s Public Safety website.

unfortunately does not mean the end of COVID-19,” said Dr. Desmar Walkes of Austin-Travis County Health Authority.

Between March 6, 2020, and the latest report published on Jan. 15, 2024, 9,030,821 confirmed and probable cases were reported in Texas. For 2024, 38,018 confirmed and probable cases have been reported. United States

The CDC began investigations into the then-unknown illness on Jan. 5, 2020, following a report to WHO by China two days earlier. The first confirmed infections were reported in Illinois on Jan. 24. On March 27, President Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES), providing $1,200 checks to support Americans financially, expanding funding to state and local governments and more. Other federal acts paused student loan repayments indefinitely. By the end of August, new cases would average over 1,000 a day and total cases were over 5.4 million. On Oct. 2, Trump tested positive for COVID-19. Meanwhile, Pfizer and Moderna progressed in a COVID-19 vaccine, testing to be at least 94% effective after several trials. Both options were authorized for emergency use by Dec. 18. The Department of Health & Human Services had announced in September that vaccines would be free of charge. By the end of the year, the death toll had surpassed 300,000, and 2.8 million people had received the first dose. By the end of January 2021, over 23 million

doses had been administered. In February, the death toll surpassed 500,000 and the Johnson & Johnson one-shot vaccine was approved for emergency use. In January 2022, the United States reported the highest daily total worldwide, with almost 1 million new COVID-19 cases. June recorded over 84 million infections and slightly above 1 million deaths.

As of March 10, the total number of cases is 103,804,263, or about 1 in 3 Americans, who have had COVID-19. The death toll is 1,123,836.

Worldwide, 676,609,955 people have had COVID-19, and 6,881,955 have died. The total number of vaccine doses administered internationally is 13,338,833,198.

UTSA Athletics Department secures $153 million deal

By Haley Aguayo Assistant Sports Editor

The UTSA Athletics Department has been approved to build a new $57 million facility to be used as a player development building by the softball and baseball teams. This new facility will include features such as batting cages, equipment storage spaces, pitching areas, updated separate locker rooms and student-athlete lounges, along with a nutrition-based dining hall that will hire staff to cook on-site for student-athletes as opposed to the previous method of shipping food.

During their campaign to encourage students to vote yes to an increase in their athletic fees paid as part of tuition, Athletic Director Lisa Campos announced last fall that UTSA’s Athletic Department would be building a $35 million facility to house both the men’s and women’s basketball teams along with the women’s volleyball team. Despite the majority of students who participated in the voting process voted against the fee

increase, UTSA has acquired funding from The University of Texas System Board of Regents for three major athletic projects.

“This is just the start. This is the kind of seed money to do these facilities so we are still going to heavily rely on our philanthropic support or our San Antonio community, our donors, our constituents,” Campos said. “Fundraising is going to be a huge part of this moving forward in terms of the basketball and volleyball facility.”

This funding will not only cover the new basketball and volleyball facility but will also cover nearly 75% of the funding for the proposed softball and baseball facility, as well as the previously approved football training facility. While a previous approval for a $61 million facility that is set to be built near UTSA’s Roadrunner Athletics Center of Excellence (RACE), which sits adjacent to the nine student recreational, the Convocation Center and student parking lots, there are plans to place a

new football training facility near the RACE building.

Now, with UTSA’s newest plan approved for the baseball and softball facility, Campos and president Taylor Eighmy look to keep the facility on campus between both the Roadrunner Field and UTSA’s Softball Field, which is currently home to the previously mentioned nine recreation fields used by students. If the Athletics Department cannot build near the fields, they can resort to the additional land owned by UTSA at Park West that is not taken up by the field, track and parking lot.

“We’ve been talking about this for a couple of years, we’ve been doing conceptual designs and we’re getting to the finishing touches right now. I’m optimistic we’re going to break ground by December. Whether it be December 2024 or January 2025, we’re going to have a shovel in the ground,” Campos said. Official facility sites will be announced upon ground-break approval.

Dustin Vickers/The Paisano

UTSA takes initiative to join in federal AI safety

By Alessandra Avila Assistant News Editor

UTSA recently joined a government collaboration devoted to promoting AI safety. The U.S. Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute Consortium (AISIC) aims to bring together government, university and industry researchers, AI creators and users and community groups to ensure the deployment of AI is trustworthy and safe. The AISIC includes more than 200 member organizations and institutions that are working to ensure that future AI systems will positively impact society.

UTSA’s decision to join the national consortium is one of many steps toward the university working to develop career-ready Roadrunners wellversed in the complexities of AI in the workplace. “We are proud to collaborate with this consortium to help lead the way in these cutting-edge fields and to continue to expand the university’s collective expertise for the benefit of the institution and our UTSA students,” says Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Heather Shipley.

Center, position UTSA to play a crucial role in advancing the mission of the consortium.”

According to Interim Executive Director of the School of Data Science and Interim Dean of University College Jianwei Niu, “The university’s combined assets, particularly within the School of Data Science and the National Security Collaboration

Niu added that the former founding director of the School of Data Science (SDS) David Mongeau, Professor of Mechanical Engineering and SDS Associate Director for Academic Programs Adel Alaeddini, Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Gabriela Ciocarlie and Associate Professor of Computer Science and SDS Associate Director of Research Paul Rad each played an essential part in the university’s efforts to join the AISIC. By bringing together government, academia and industry, the AISIC aims to advance AI safety while also developing safe AI systems.“The U.S. government has a significant role to play in setting the standards and developing the tools we need to mitigate the risks and harness the immense potential of artificial intelligence,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. She added, “President Biden directed us to pull every lever to accomplish two key goals: set safety standards and protect our innovation ecosystem. That’s precisely what the U.S. AI Safety Institute Consortium is set up to help us do.” For more information on UTSA’s initiative toward AI safety and the development of its new college of AI, check out The Paisano’s past coverage.

State higher education funding soars in Texas

By Kara Lee Graphics Editor

During the 88th legislative session, higher education institutions in Texas are expected to receive a significant boost in state funding totaling $4.3 billion, according to a national report.

The State Higher Education Executive Officers Association has allocated $13.7 billion towards higher education for the 2024 fiscal year, despite facing a 50% decrease in federal funds.

the policy analyst for State Higher Education Funding, has indicated that the final figures will not be disclosed until after the conclusion of the 2024 fiscal year. She anticipates minimal changes to the numbers.

Commissioner Keller engaged in discussions with Governor Greg Abbott and various Texas policymakers during the session. Their deliberations centered on the legacy of current state funding and the imperative of higher education for Texas.

The funding is seen as necessary to address the escalating job competition resulting from the influx of new residents to Texas, making it increasingly challenging for locals to compete without a degree.

As Harrison Keller, Commissioner of Higher Education, highlighted, this supply of funds is anticipated to enhance college affordability for Texans. There are stipulations attached to this funding. The approval of these funds hinges on the passage of SB 17 by the legislature, which prohibits diversity, equity and inclusion officers in public universities. Additionally, SB 18, which seeks to increase government oversight on tenured professors and staff, must also be passed. Texas universities are required to comply with SB 17 and SB 18 before accessing any of the new funds. Failure to agree to the terms will result in the revocation of all

ITC relocation unveils revitalization plan

By Noah Willoughby Staff Writer

UTSA’s Institute of Texan Cultures (ITC) museum is set to relocate from Hemisfair after the University of Texas (UT) Board of Regents approved a plan to lease or sell the property to the City of San Antonio. The 13.5acre site off of E Cesar Chavez Blvd. will be a part of a potential downtown revitalization project.

The ITC was built for the 1968 Hemisfair celebration and opened first as the Texas State Exhibits Pavilion. After the fair, the building operations were turned over to the University of Texas system so it could continue to celebrate Texas’s diversity, multiculturalism and education. UTSA assumed administrative control in 1973 and the ITC was officially recognized as a campus in 1986.

In 2010, the ITC was established as a Smithsonian Affiliate which granted the institute access to Smithsonian artifacts education, performing arts programs, expert speakers, teacher workshops and resources to complement and broaden exhibitions. This affiliation was pivotal in UTSA, gaining the prestigious Carnegie R1 classification.

In 2023, the Conservation Society of San Antonio nominated the building for placement in the National Registration of Historic Places, but UTSA opposed the nomination.

UT’s Board of Regents unanimously agreed to grant the city the exclusive option to buy or lease the property the ITC sits on. This decision was made in an executive session which is not

open to the public. The decision to sell or lease the property resulted from the institute’s declining attendance.

UTSA entered discussions last fall with 1859 Historic Hotels Ltd. and the City of San Antonio to construct a smaller building on a parking lot behind the Crockett Hotel. With this move, the institute would expect more foot traffic due to its close proximity to San Antonio’s top tourist attractions such as the Alamo, the Riverwalk and the future Alamo Visitor’s Center and Museum.

”We’re really committed to the future of the ITC, and I think this is an exciting opportunity,” saidVeronica Salazar, UTSA’s chief enterprise development officer and senior vice president for business affairs who is leading the latest phase of the museum planning process.

According to preliminary figures, this new construction would be 80,000 square feet — significantly less than the now occupied 200,000 square foot building — and cost roughly $100 million. Plans would also have to gain approval from the Texas Historical Commission since the building site is designated a historic part of the Alamo district.

Although the downtown site is the most favorable, Salazar stressed that UTSA is still looking at other options, such as another location at Hemisfair or other properties already owned by the university.

If purchased by the City of San Antonio, the Hemisfair property is alleged to be the new home of the San Antonio Spurs.

The Spurs are looking to

relocate from the Bexar Countyowned Frost Bank Center because it no longer compares to rival facilities. A move to Hemisfair would return the team to their original roots when they played at Hemisfair Arena from 19731993. A new stadium could cost up to $1 billion.

According to emails and text messages obtained through the Texas Public Information Act, City Manager Eric Walsh, Mayor Ron Nirenberg and other city officials have been discussing relocating the East-side stadium since Jan. 2023. This move would be a part of a downtown revitalization project to revive the city’s central business district, which has struggled because of the pandemic.

The property has also been in the sights of the San Antonio Missions baseball team as a possible relocation site. This comes from the pressure the team is under from Major League Baseball to improve the current Wolff Stadium to bring it in line with new league standards. However, the team has been discouraged from pursuing the Hemisfair property because of the possibility of a new Spurs arena.

Salazar said she has not been approached by either team regarding the property but said that UTSA is focused on where the ITC will continue its mission.

“We are deeply committed to being good stewards of the museum and advancement of its educational mission,” Salazar said. “We want to ensure that the museum reaches as many Texans as possible to tell that story and to be part of the community.”

State of the City

Week of 3/19

By Amber Serio News Editor

Not subscribed to local news but still want to stay up-to-date on the happenings around town?

Look no further. Highlighting notable stories from external San Antonio news sources, State Of The City summarizes the most captivating news headlines of the week. This week’s topics range from a funeral headstone owner facing felony charges to SAPD searching for a woman who hit her date with a car.

Family of 17-year-old mourn

A vigil was held Friday for Kaitlin Hernandez, a San Antonio teen who was recently found strangled in a drainage ditch on the Northeast Side. The vigil was held near where Hernandez’s body was found on Tuesday under a bridge in the 7600 block of Dell Oak Drive. According to the teen’s family, Hernandez went for a walk with her neighbor before later being found by police around 11:30 p.m. The neighbor has been interviewed, but it is unclear whether he will face charges.

A reward of up to $5,000 for information regarding any person or persons responsible for Hernandez’s death is being offered by Crime Stoppers San Antonio.

Funeral headstone owner faces theft charge

An arrest warrant was executed Saturday for Angelic Monuments owner Elena Moreno after accusations she was not providing headstones to her customers, who allegedly paid in full. A total of 12 families have come forward with allegations against Moreno, who has since been taken into police custody. The warrant that resulted in her arrest was issued due to one family who paid more than $8,500 for a headstone. Moreno has been formally charged with theft between $2,500 and $30,000.

SAPD seeks woman who hit date with car San Antonio police responded to a woman who hit a man with her car early Sunday morning on the West Side. When officers arrived at the scene, the 38-year-old man was found unconscious next to a wrecked and abandoned Ford Focus. According to video evidence obtained by SAPD, the incident occurred around 3:45 a.m. on the 2000 block of Hidalgo Street. The video shows the victim running westbound on Hidalgo Street before the Ford Focus strikes him and crashes. SAPD has determined that the 38-year-old suspect is the victim’s partner and she intentionally hit him. The suspect fled the scene and is currently facing a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, which caused serious bodily injury.

“We have to move quickly to educate many more people to a higher standard than we’ve ever achieved before because the vast majority of these new jobs in Texas require at least some education training beyond high school diplomas,” Keller said. The funding can significantly enhance the affordability of higher education in Texas.

“These are positive indicators from all stakeholders who are working towards making college more accessible for was truly a historic session, with the legislature aligning behind the vision of building a talent-strong Texas,” Keller said. “There were rigorous discussions and policy designs leading up to this session, and the investments made will indeed expand opportunities for Texans across

By Ruben Solis Graphic Artist

On April 8, UTSA will stand in the moon’s shadow for two minutes and 25 seconds. The moon will be the exact size as the sun, casting a shadow that covers 135,678 miles. Solar eclipses happen twice a year at most, with the next time that San Antonio will be in the path of an eclipse being in 2044. Join the Paisano in learning more about the total solar eclipse and how UTSA is preparing for it. With UTSA’s Main Campus being in the path of totality, the university has decided to recognize the “significance of this astronomical occurrence” and suspend all classes that occur between noon and 2 p.m.

“We want to provide everyone with the opportunity to witness and learn from this natural phenomenon when the moon will position itself between earth and the sun, casting a shadow on our planet,” President Taylor Eighmy said. Students will have the ability to pick up a free pair of solar spectacles at the Outdoor Learning Environments center outside the Flawn Sciences Building. Students will have the option to view from the recreation field. Dr. Angela Speck will narrate at 12:15 p.m. The viewing party will begin at 12:15 p.m. and will run until 1:40 p.m. The moon will begin to cover the sun at 1:33 p.m.

When the shadow passes over, you can remove your eclipse glasses for a brief period to view the Sun’s corona, a ring of light surrounding the Moon. We can expect to see the brush strokes of solar winds and arching flares erupting from the surface. If you

are not in the path of totality the eclipse will not look the same. The corona will not be visible and solar glasses must stay on to avoid damage from the Sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays.

San Antonio’s local wildlife observers will be using microphones tuned to low frequencies, listening for changes in behavior in insects and other small animals during the eclipse. UTSA eclipse project manager Dr. Lindsay Fuller collaborates with parks in the San Antonio area as part of the soundscape project funded by NASA.

Dr. Fuller oversees the distribution of LightSound devices for the visually impaired. Anyone with visual impairment can enjoy the eclipse with the power of sound. When light hits the device, a sensor sends a signal to the listener’s headphones to create a tone that corresponds to the intensity of the ambient light. Students assembled and distributed these devices to organizations around San Antonio so that more people could enjoy this special event. All parks in the path of totality are taking extra precautions due to the traffic when traveling to these zones to catch a glimpse of this celestial showdown. Lost Maples and Enchanted Rock provide great vantage points because they are closer to the center of the shadow. Viewers can expect to be in darkness for up to four minutes.

To read more about the eclipse, visit UTSA’s 2024 Total Solar Eclipse Campus Viewing Party website.

Dustin Vickers/The Paisano

Dustin Vickers/The Paisano

Alex Dewees/The Paisano

Lauren Hernandez/The Paisano

Stand behind student workers

Student workers do not deserve to be exploited for their commitment to furthering their educa tion

Since the opening of the UTSA Main Campus in 1969, the community around UTSA has grown into a bustling economic center. A variety of businesses already call the area home, with many new developments being planned for the coming years.

These businesses benefit from their proximity to UTSA. They have access to a large population of young professionals looking for valuable work experience regardless of their industry or major. A variety of businesses, while marketing their employment to all prospective workers, employ primarily college students.

Students employed by public and private universities make up a large portion of the student worker population as well. Students can also be employed in “work-study” positions, which are jobs offered to undergraduate or graduate students that allow them to earn income to offset the cost of tuition.

With the increasing number of full-time students

entering the workforce, calls for the protection of these workers’ rights are ramping up as well. Universities across the nation have seen a large number of faculty, department staffers and librarians attempt to unionize — spurred in large part by the COVID-19 Pandemic. The past three years have also seen undergraduate students

RACE to fund athletics

By Selasie Gifa-Johnson Contributor

On Feb. 28, UTSA Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Lisa Campos announced that UTSA would be spending $57 million on new athletic facilities; the first of which would be for basketball and volleyball. Although her announcement included almost no details specifically about the building, it highlighted important details of these projects’ financial aspects.

Campos’ announcement explains that about $2.5 million of the $57 million total came as donations from alumni, possibly meant to be used specifically for this purpose. However, her explanation for the other $54.5 million is ticket sales for sports games and miscellaneous fundraising. Campos continues by stating how these buildings will facilitate further enrichment of other sports programs while going on to highlight some of UTSA’s recent sports achievements, including winning the first bowl game in the program’s history and the school’s NCAA graduation rating reaching a new high of 89%. The vice president’s announcement closes with her reinforcing the importance of a university’s athletic programs and their ability to increase the prestige of the institution, also adding the fact that since her arrival five years ago, the athletic budget has

increased by about 50% and thanking president Taylor Eighmy for his leadership.

When assessing the quality of a university, it is common for the performance of the school’s sports teams to be similarly as high as grades. Since UTSA is an up-and-coming university, spending money to upgrade or build new facilities is necessary. However, there are many ways $54.5 million can be used to improve a university. Potential alternative uses for that money could be additional parking, permanently fixing recurring issues in dorms or other programs that can benefit students more broadly.

The UTSA administration should be more heavily scrutinized over its use of funds, given the fact that there are many other potential uses for tens of millions of dollars that could benefit the student population more evenly and directly. The $54.5 million collected to be used for sports facilities should not be reallocated simply because other issues exist. Alternatively, some of the sources of funding used to collect that money can be diverted to other projects, and the methods used to raise funds can be replicated specifically for other purposes; because if this amount of money can be raised for sports facilities, it stands to reason that a similar amount of money can be used to improve the quality of life at UTSA.

Social media ruins politics

Commentary

By Sofia Mejia Staff Writer

The rise of social media has changed the way people receive information, with people no longer needing to be an active searcher of information to get informed of the news around them. Instead, For You Pages (FYP) bring topics straight to you.

In a new world where we regularly receive our information from an app, it is easy to become misinformed by those who stand to benefit from the manipulation of information. Take for example the 2016 election in which Trump gained mass support from Twitter while spurring hate and lies.

While political misinformation and bias in the media are unfortunately nothing new, social media allows for the opportunity for anyone to be given a platform regardless of their accuracy.

Traditional media outlets such as newspapers, television, and books undergo editorial processes that in theory offer a level of credibility and accountability that social media does not. There is no fact checker for content creators, and users are practically encouraged to post misinformation because should any well-intentioned user comment to correct the poster, the app’s algorithm views all engagement on the post equally and thus pushes out this content for more people to see. How this impacts politicians is that politicians are incentivized to

be controversial to get media attention, harming citizens as they focus less on conveying information about their campaigns and laws and more on what will get their attention.

Furthermore, information on social media spreads like wildfire. While the usefulness of the app’s ability to introduce new concepts to previously unaware users cannot be discredited, we must acknowledge that the mindset of an average social media user is not the ideal place to do so. People go to social media for entertainment and distraction from their daily lives, and so when their FYP decides to show them new information, they are not in a headspace to evaluate if this information is accurate, leaving them susceptible to accepting false or misleading information as truth. Thus, social media becomes a breeding ground for groupthink, the act of thinking or making decisions as a group in a way that discourages individual responsibility, perpetuating ignorance and apathy among its users.

At the end of the day, social media is a tool that can be used to negatively shape American politics through misinformation that does no good for the public. Through outrage garnering the most attention to misinformation being spread into the minds of unsuspecting users, people would do well to research and actively engage in the process of seeking out accurate information to avoid the dangerous age of social media politics.

attempt to unionize as well, with the number of recognized undergraduate student unions jumping from just one, to over a dozen according to Inside Higher Ed.

Being a student worker also provides access to a large array of resources that help with mobility in the workforce. It is important to not only know your rights as a worker, but also to be aware of the available resources to help you succeed. Companies that take advantage of their proximity to college campuses need to take student workers’ wellbeing into consideration, and be cognizant of their work load inside and outside the workplace. Student workers do not deserve to be exploited for their commitment to furthering their education.

You can read more about your rights as a worker in Texas at https://www.twc.texas.gov/services/employment-law.

You can read more about the resources available through the UTSA University Career Center at https:// careercenter.utsa.edu/.

By Jake Mireles Opinion Editor

In a market oversaturated with corporate media and for-profit journalism, the establishment of nonprofit news outlets — such as the Houston Landing — are a much-needed breath of fresh air.

With a stated mission of providing Houstonians with access to a non-partisan news outlet that is “devoted to public service journalism that seeks to strengthen democracy and improve the lives of all Houstonians one story at a time,” the Houston Landing offers an extensive collection of investigative pieces at no cost to the consumer.

The outlet — while in its infancy — bolstered a star-studded lineup during its inception. According to TexasMonthly, first hires included former Houston Chronicle Investigations Editor Mizanur Rahman who was hired as the Landing’s Editor-in-Chief, and Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Alex Stuckey, who became one of the Landing’s leading investigative journalists.

This dynamic duo helped found a result-delivering newsroom of seasoned journalists reporting on pressing issues within Houston’s many communities. According to the Washington Post, as the Landing’s staff grew to a size of 45 and regularly surpassed website traffic goals, many of the reporters who flocked to the Landing did so to work with Rahman.

This exciting growth led to the publishing of major investigative pieces that exposed a string of deaths in Texas prisons or helped initiate a Department of Justice lawsuit against a predatory housing development. This breakout success is seldom seen when it comes to new publications and is normally reserved for the Gray Ladies of news media. The stories produced by the Houston Landing are extremely important to the community they serve and help shine a light on issues that mainstream outlets may overlook.

Despite the publication’s early success and exceptional reporting, CEO of Houston Landing Peter Bhatia announced that the Landing had fired both Rahman and Stuckey — a decision which left much of the Landing’s newsroom “blindsided.” Stucky took to X after the announcement, stating “Today, as part of what the [Houston Landing] CEO called a company ‘reset,’ I was fired. This is not what I wanted. When I asked why, I was given no conclusive answer. I’m proud of the work we’ve done under [Rahman] and [John Tedesco] in the six months since we launched.”

This abrupt and surprising decision has called the publication’s future into question. While one can only speculate about the reasons behind the sudden staff switch-up, the loss of these two heavyweights gives these questions a lot of validity. However, since the firings, many of the Landing’s remaining staff have opted to unionize to strengthen worker protections and advocate for the interests of the staff in company-wide decisions. While the loss of Rahman and Stuckey may sting, the future may look bright for the Landing if it can survive its workplace woes that are not reserved for corporate newsrooms.

“Independent, nonprofit news outlets are essential to the preservation of journalism.”

Independent, nonprofit news outlets are essential to the preservation of journalism. While the industry may be experiencing a radical shift in mediums at a time of declining readership, publications like the Houston Landing provide an essential service to their communities. The decision to fire Rahman and Stuckey was the wrong one. However, the Houston Landing must be preserved and its mission must be upheld.

Dustin Vickers/The Paisano

The Texas Homeless Network reports that as of Feb. 15, an estimated 77,723 people experienced homelessness in 2023, an increase of over 12% from 2022. As of Jan. 2024, over 26,000 people in Texas were registered as unhoused, with Dallas having the highest percentage of unhoused people.

These numbers are not getting smaller, and are especially shocking at a time when the state is booming in terms of new house construction, leading the country with nearly a quarter of all homes built in the

years since 2010. The problem — from a moral standpoint — is that Texas’ corporations are not building these homes with Texas’ most unfortunate citizens in mind, but rather with the influx of wealthy migrants moving into the state.

The entire country is witnessing a critical rise in the number of unhoused people, both with access to shelter and not. Urban centers, in particular, have their streets lined with people and even families, unable to afford a permanent dwelling. Texas is facing a

Sofia Mejia/The Paisano

crisis in the rising number of unhoused people and the state, both its government and citizens, are not doing enough to combat it.

Governor Greg Abbott signed HB 1925 in 2021, making homeless encampments in public areas without consent unlawful under pain of up to $500 in fines. In Austin, Proposition B targets unhoused in and near the downtown area and near UT’s campus, also under threat of a fine. On paper, it is not illegal to be unhoused in Texas; however, widespread criminalization acts target the population mercilessly, making it more and more difficult to simply exist as an unhoused person without fear of fines or jail time.

These bills are a pathetic attempt by politicians to “clean up” their cities and make them look nice without actually addressing the issues that lead to people living in their streets. And for regular citizens who are not interested in educating themselves, these legal measures work just fine. A society cannot function, much less thrive, under these illthought-out conditions. Unhoused people face many dangers, from

Expanding the medium

Commentary

By Naydine De La Fuente Copyediting Coordinator

In a world that has become digitally advanced and dependent on technology as a whole, print journalism is undoubtedly dwindling. Lately, there have been notable layoffs and large shifts in the constantly changing field of journalism, which is concerning for individuals looking to pursue a career in that field. During this time of widespread dismissals, this raises the question of whether it is ethical to continue partaking in institutes that solely focus on journalistic education.

According to an article by Fast Company, one can see the overlapping issues of individuals passionate about pursuing a career in journalism and the alarming statements of these positions experiencing layoffs. According to the article, “Media layoffs have been brutal. Just this year, Business Insider announced it was cutting 8% of its editorial

staff, National Geographic laid off all its staff writers, and the Los Angeles Times slashed its newsroom by a quarter.”

However, individuals like Craig Newmark, the founder of Craigslist, are combating this issue by offering assistance to these journalistic institutes.

In the Fast Company article, it states that Newmark invested $20 million into CUNY Journalism School in 2018 and recently donated $10 million to CUNY Journalism School again, with the intention of starting the 2027 school year tuition-free.

By providing students access to a free education, this allows great opportunities for students to indulge themselves in their passion for reporting while helping the journalism field grow. The dean of CUNY Journalism School, Graciela Mochkofsky, even stated, “Journalism schools, and particularly affordable journalism schools like ours,

open doors to the industry that otherwise for a lot of people will never be open.”

One of the many issues that can be traced to the large decrease in media positions is the constant change and evolution in the journalism world. For these institutions to build up their status and create successful graduates, they must be willing to adapt to the times. There are various mediums where news can be spread, whether through TV broadcasts, social media or other similar means of communication, these institutes must be able to provide practices and teaching to navigate not only through these different platforms, but also issues that can arise in working in such a field.

“Schools must adapt; these are not the journalism schools of the past,” said Jake Nelson, an assistant professor at CUNY. “CUNY prides itself on teaching a multitude of disciplines; I took classes in audio editing, photo, and basic

health problems to proximity to violence. It is easy for privileged people to look down on the unhoused, acting downright cruel and often judging the way they are forced to live their lives. It is critical that the people of Texas work on their compassion and empathy in the face of this crisis, as opposed to supporting politicians who put people in jail because they make their parks look “bad” by revealing the truth of the state’s circumstances. People want to close their eyes to the misfortunes of others, even when they are right next to them.

It is also important to note that a considerable percentage of Texas’ unhoused are military veterans who gave their health and bodies to their country and, at minimum, deserve a roof over their head in return. People in San Antonio can support the fight against homelessness in Texas by donating to city and nonprofit organizations dedicated to supporting the homeless, volunteering at shelters or soup kitchens and checking out the “Get Involved” websites from the city and the Texas Homeless Network.

coding, some of which were helpful, others less so.”

Although it can be terrifying to pursue a career in a field that is diminishing, institutes such as CUNY are a great example of providing an education for a student’s future and shining a beam of hope in the world of journalism.

Given that individuals in the journalism field are facing challenges such as mass layoffs, it is important to recognize the value of journalism programs and educational institutes. Now more than ever, it is important to prepare and train the next generation of journalists who can and will possess the ability to navigate through the constantly changing world of media with creativity and adaptability alongside traditional reporting skills.

Through hard work and determination, journalistic communities can ensure that these professions not only survive but thrive in the years to come.

Another round of political animosity

Commentary By Nicholas Kingman Assistant Opinion Editor

Have you enjoyed this election cycle’s political ads?

Do Zoomers even watch regular television? That premium service offered by streaming services is a godsend from the crude political programming. Let the bitter, older generations get riled up over shallow words spoken by cheap political figures on TV.

The sanctity of American politics is the lowest it has ever been — that phrase feels overused and worn out. Any political commentator since the 1968 Democratic Convention has either thought or written that phrase once in their career. The best or worst part, depending on your political leaning, it continues to get worse.

It has been proven that any Charlemagne with enough capital can run and ascend to any political office they see

fit, all the way up to the White House. Many factors can be blamed for this fright.The advent of televised debates, blastful advertisements that criticize any legislation a candidate supports or endless tweets or posts made on social media for fun-sized servings. We as voters on both sides of the political spectrum are too weak to critically think about the true messages and issues at hand.

The mainstream media is no longer the bastion of accurate reporting it once was. The inherited biases that consume and control the funnel of information are hazardous to the progression of this nation. There should not be left and right-wing media but selective picking and choosing of far more riveting and relevant to these multi-million think tanks. The word compromise, to find a middle ground, is so far gone from the legislative process that when the word is brought up to the modern

politician they convulse into a frenzy and cry like a toddler wanting sole control on the issue.

The folks in D.C. live in a pretend world, claiming they can solve the problems that this nation faces if you elect them into office. When these individuals assume office and experience the riches that come with power, they begin to fall stagnant. It is hard to imagine that these people have souls and know right from wrong but at the end of the day, they are like you and me, a person. But a political party, they are machines; you can not reason with the perceptions of the blue donkey or red elephant. Disobey the machine, and the official is churned out and replaced with a more stable individual.

We are at the dawn of the Semiquincentennial of the founding of the United States, but still, this place and the geriatric figureheads believe that books written by Horatio

Alger could be applied to the current state. Once a place for innovation, America has degraded into a wasteland that holds onto ideas well past their useful shelf life. The twoparty system, for example, is a relic from an age before this country even crossed the Mississippi River. But the corrupted notion of “If you vote for a third party, you’re just wasting a vote, you have to choose between the lesser of the two evils” has remained the supreme law of the land. Do not fret about this otherwise derelict timeline, the race is long and far from over. The time and place will come to assert our free will onto our nation. The old regime will try until their dying breath to grind us until we are malleable dust. The ace in our pocket is time, we have something they cannot purchase. Remain seekers, do not let the vision be clouded and convoluted, and pounce when the day comes.

Arte de San Antonio

By Samantha Ysaguirre Staff Writer

LAn exhibit to explore

‘This Ship is Sailing’ debuts at Blue Star

ocated at the Blue Star Arts Complex, an exhibit titled “This Ship is Sailing” features various local artists who work with contemporary surrealist art with intense undercurrent connections surrounding personal relationships. Artists included are Ricky Armendariz, Maria J. Brown, Libby Rowe and more. The exhibit will be accessible to the public on weekends from March 9 to March 21.

The exhibit’s curator, Vikky Jones, titled the exhibit with the opposite intent on the concept.

In the exhibit’s theme, the term “relationship” is divided into two broken parts; “Relating” is the primary concept of the word, and the word “ship” is a reference to sailing, but what the artists hope to bring to light is “Are you sailing together or apart?’’ Similar to the concept of “is the glass half full or is the glass half empty”; the interpretation of the title is to reveal more about the individual reading.

The surrealist style inherently enforces relationships between different mediums to create unique images and bring new ideas, helping to explore the complexity and fragility of the artist’s relationships.

One photograph in the gallery, “Tinkling of Ideas,” is by artist Libby Rowe. This photograph is featured in a series from Rowe’s “Taming the Chaotic Mind” installation. This work features images cut into shapes that dangle and hang, representing the “noise” in

Rowe’s mind from her roles as a mother, friend, partner, professor, academic, artist, human, etc.

swing set.” Rowe allows others to glimpse her world of inspiration, ranging from friends to family. Her artwork explores sociological, physiological and psychological aspects of femininity and the ideas of identity and sense of belonging through self-societal definitions as domestic constructs.

As an artist, Rowe claims to be curious, a researcher and a scientist drawing inspiration from different aspects of how we exist in the world. Rowe has long been interested in societal definitions.

Among the 26 artists, one can find examples of relationships with oneself, childhood, shared history, dreams, family, loves, objects, nature and habits.

“Each item represents a different aspect of my life: triangle banners are new headlines, birds on a wire are about social media, laundry represents family and friends, swing set with kids shows my children, etc.” Rowe explained. “These mental stimuli are “supported” by trees, laundry, telephone poles and a

SA Gems

The iconic Japanese noodle soup dish, ramen, has become increasingly popular, especially in San Antonio. As our city continues to grow, so do our restaurants. Whether you need a quick pick-me-up or an elevated night out, these top five ramen spots are the places to go.

Bakudan Ramen

Bakudan’s diverse menu offers both creative and conventional ramen selections to suit a wide range of palates. Customers can combine their ramen with complimentary beverages to enhance their dining experience. Additionally, the availability of sake selections and other libations adds to the dining experience.

Suck It: The Restaurant

The restaurant’s dining experience is enhanced by the partnership between Suck It Mixology Bar, its sister company, and the ramen establishment. A greater selection of options is available to customers, including inventive cocktails and drinks to go with their meals.

One of the best ways to accommodate a wide range of tastes and preferences is to take advantage of the customizable option of selecting preferred bowls and adding toppings like smoked brisket, barbecue sauce and more. Suck It lets patrons customize their ramen experience and design a bowl that precisely satisfies their cravings.

‘What the f–ck is up IHOP?’

By Malaki Lingg Web Editor

Local, DIY shows can go awry fast — from violating noise ordinances, technical issues and police intervention, anything can happen. Unsurprisingly, this is what happened at the “IHOP Grandslam,” an homage to the viral Denny’s Grandslam video, held this past Friday.

Announced by @kingofsatx on Instagram, a local punk show was held at the IHOP located at 6831 North Loop 1604.

With an impressive bill featuring the bands Get up and go!, DogMad, Scum and GULT,

takes a turn for the worse

the show was sure to attract some attention. When the doors opened at 8 p.m., concertgoers began to enter the IHOP, pay their $10 entry fee, order pancakes and get ready for the concert ahead of them. Starting the night was Get up and go!, who quickly raised the energy in the room. Within minutes, a large mosh pit formed and enamored fans and pancake lovers alike were moshing and dancing about. However, amidst the dancing, a table was accidentally broken in the middle of their set. This prompted anger from the IHOP staff and the lead of the band exclaimed, “Respect

“When this installation was lit, I noticed the beauty of the shadows on the walls and floor. They felt like the residue of the chaos, a peaceful simplification of the otherwise heavy mental load.” Thus, inspiration struck the artist. “I pulled out my camera, documented them, enhanced the images and made this set.”

Rowe plans to take “Taming the Chaotic Mind” to Louisiana this fall. “With my current job schedule, I am focusing on creating new work and looking for artist residencies.” To view more and keep up with Libby Rowe’s work, visit her website, libbyrowe.com. Viewers can also find more information on her as an artist and where her future work will be exhibited.

5 ramen spots in

San Antonio

Noodle Hut

Located close to the busy restaurant scene along Texas Highway 151, Noodle Hut has a mouthwatering selection of meals. The restaurant offers a variety of options for everyone, whether you prefer classic ramen or are dying to try something new. Start your meal with starters like their edamame, a traditional Japanese snack, or try their nuclear fire noodle fries, which sound like a scorching and dramatic experience. Try the Kimchi Ramyum, a fiery ramen variation with Korean influences, for the main dish. Your tastebuds will be awakened and left wanting more by this dish’s strong flavors and the kimchi’s spicy kick.

Nama Ramen

At Nama Ramen Restaurant, their tonkatsu ramen appears to be a highlight dish, probably because of its tasty and thick pork bone broth. A classic favorite among ramen fans. But there is more on the menu, with tempting choices including shoyu, miso and spicy miso ramen. Notably, Nama Ramen only uses chopsticks as utensils to preserve the authenticity of the dining experience; people who are not comfortable with them may need to practice. Ito Ramen

Offering a unique dining experience, Ito Ramen lets customers pair their bowl of ramen with a selection of well-liked Japanese appetizers. The restaurant offers a variety of dishes to suit every taste, from traditional favorites like edamame to daring canapés like takoyaki. Adding kimchi to the appetizer selections offers a tasty variation and a taste of Korean food in addition to conventional Japanese dishes. With seven different ramen options, customers can discover the ideal bowl to fit their tastes. Ito Ramen offers a variety of options to suit different tastes and preferences, including conventional, spicy, vegetarian and seafood-inspired options.

These places give the experience you are looking for, the quality of food and the atmosphere. Whether on cold, rainy days or even just for a bite to catch, these ramen places can ensure the best quality of their food.

the IHOP, it’s a privilege that we’re playing here.”

Once Get up and go! finished their set, the attendees who were not seated were sent outside while the next band set up and the employees attempted to fix the smashed table.

Coming out second, DogMad somehow hyped the crowd up even more than the opener. With more fans entering the restaurant, it became increasingly cramped, but nobody seemed to care. DogMad played their hearts out with an impressive set and an even more impressive mosh pit, especially for such a unique venue. But after DogMad’s set,

things took a turn for the worse. With over 200 people in attendance, the show quickly became unruly and unmanageable for the event hosts. Broken tables, trash and rowdy guests were everywhere. As the employees tried to clear out the restaurant, attendees became more aggressive. Everything came to a head with a fight breaking out, leading to one of the servers attempting to call off the show, but it backfired. The growing mob outside began yelling “F–ck IHOP” in anger. Unexpectedly, Scum was allowed to play their set to the few fans who were still seated and

eating inside. Scum performed a good, private set for those seated within whilst disgruntled attendees remained outside.

The closing band on the bill was supposed to be GULT, but in the chaos they decided to leave.

Unmanageable guests drove the show into chaos. What could have been a unique experience quickly turned into somewhat of a nightmare. Many attendees refused to treat the servers, manager and event host with respect and decency. If another punk show is hosted at IHOP, hopefully, the experience will improve.

Michelle Segura/The Paisano

Malaki Lingg/The Paisano

Arts & Life

The history of

Cultura

By Armin Suljovic Staff Writer

As the sun rises on the Six Flags Fiesta Texas parking lot, every second Saturday of the month the quiet hours of dawn are swiftly interrupted by the resonant pops of exhausts echoing, signaling the start of another Cars & Coffee event. Cars & Coffee is a free event with local coffee vendors providing drinks for attendees.

From Mustang’s to Ferrari’s, the event holds plenty.

The history behind this event dates back decades and travels back to Southern California. It began in the early 2000s when Barry Meguiar, founder of car care company Meguiar’s, started hosting events from his home for car enthusiasts. Over time and through word of mouth, the event grew from local to international events being held in different cities under “Cars & Coffee.”

In San Antonio, the event is run by Chris White, Taylor Ewing and Tito Ramos. White was available at the event to answer some questions and provide more insight.

Cars & Coffee started hosting meets in San Antonio at Oak Hills Church with an attendance of “probably four to five hundred cars.” Today, the attendance ranges in the thousands.

“Last year, we quit counting at 3,200 cars, not sure where we’re at today,” White said. He mentioned the event is not for profit and is paid for by their sponsors, allowing for “everybody in the community to come out. That’s why we keep doing it, for the community.”

On that note, local vendors came out to the event in support. Businesses such as Dos Perros Coffee, Poppy’s Cafe, Duck Donuts and even Camera Exchange

By Elizabeth Hope Staff Writer

Women’s History Month celebrates and recognizes the incredible achievements made by women in the past, present and future. Women are often overlooked, undermined and unappreciated. The goal is to honor and empower women and to create a future where gender equality is the norm.

According to History.com, “The actual celebration of Women’s History Month grew out of a weeklong celebration of women’s contributions to culture, history and society organized by the school district of Sonoma, California, in 1978.”

The celebration

of Women’s History Week was planned and executed by The Education Task Force of the Sonoma County California Commission on the Status of Women, which is the County of Sonoma Board of Supervisors. They “work to ensure that the issues impacting women and girls are given the necessary visibility to affect positive changes in public policy.”

This idea of Women’s History Week was influential and inspiring to many, and the movement spread across the country, being implemented in other communities to celebrate women.

were present. When asked about plans for upcoming meets, White said, “We like to incorporate new things to try and add value and interest for the attendees. Like today, we have Camera Exchange out here letting people use cameras to take photos. It’s a mutual benefit for the both of us there.” Additionally, SRO Motorsports Group, an international organization promoting racing, is set to unveil their winner series for the next few meets.

Shifting gears, the scale of this event posed some concerns to attendees’ safety.

Upon entry, there were multiple workers guiding traffic with specific areas to go to. Cars were sectioned into areas based on their make and classification.

For example, Porches and Nissans were in a designated area separate from the Lamborghinis. Attendees bringing their vehicles were also prohibited from activities like drifting. That is not to say they are not allowed to do so once they are outside the lot and on public roads.

White mentioned Cars & Coffee in other cities got their meets canceled for car wrecks and emphasized how important safety is for this event to ensure they can keep the meets going. Even if you are not so much of a car aficionado, the event is completely free and welcomes everyone. From restored vehicles of decades past to modern luxury cars you do not see as often in regular traffic, there is something on wheels that is bound to catch anyone’s eye at this sort of event. Every Cars & Coffee is held on the second Saturday of each month in the early morning hours. You can learn more about their upcoming meets on their Instagram and Facebook pages.

By Naydine De La Fuente Copyediting Coordinator

Within the city of San Antonio, only a short 10-minute drive from UTSA lies a hidden gem full of exciting science and technology artifacts. Analytical Scientific, a science-themed store, has been a beacon of scientific exploration since the 1970s and continues to captivate customers and science enthusiasts alike. The store, founded and established by father and son, U.S. military veterans George and Jim Aldrich, continues to be driven by a strong sense of community and family pride.

In an interview with Jim Aldrich, he explained, “My dad and I started the company in about 1970, and at that time, we had a medical laboratory, which we had for about 10 years. He wanted to start a business, so I said, ‘Well, okay.’ We’ve been doing this for about 53 years now.”

Within the shop, patrons can purchase a wide variety of items. Analytical Scientific offers products such as telescopes, test tubes, science posters, gadgets and science knick-knacks that many individuals can enjoy. In addition to

their background in science and owning a laboratory, the store also has various laboratory equipment for customers to purchase.

“We have a lot of laboratory equipment and supplies, cylinders, beakers and just, you know, anything for the laboratory, really,” Aldrich said. “We have chemicals and tubing and all those types of things, so just about everything for the medical laboratory and clinical laboratory.”

With the upcoming eclipse coming in early April, the shop has been busier than ever. Multiple telescopes have already been sold, solar eclipse glasses are quickly being purchased and the store is ready for patrons to line up in their parking lot.

“We had quite a few people here last October during the fire eclipse,” Aldrich said. “We had people on the street lined up, the parking lot was full of cars and we had already sold out of our solar eclipse glasses by that time. We still have about 2,000 pairs left, but we sell those fairly quickly.”

Despite the many years that the shop has been open, Analytical Scientific continues to engage customers with its

innovation and exploration within the scientific world. Due to this, a strong sense of community between the shop and its patrons has formed, making Analytical Scientific a nostalgic place for individuals. Even after five decades, the same family members still answer the doors and greet patrons every day.

“We go through about four or five generations of families, and people come in and say, ‘My dad used to bring me here when I was about five years old’ or whatever, and then that child, you know, grows up,” Aldrich said. “So that’s been going on for quite a few years, but of course, we’re getting old, so we won’t be here forever. But it’s been fun while it’s lasted.”

Analytical Scientific is more than just a science supply store; it is a hub for creativity, research and discovery. You will not be disappointed with what the store offers, whether it is academic resources, unique gifts or just a place that captures your

Women lose in semifinals, men lose in first round

Women’s season success leads to NIT appearance

By Aramis Santiago Staff Writer

The 2023-24 season marked a period of adversity and growth for the UTSA women’s basketball team in their inaugural season in the American Athletic Conference. The onset presented a mix of optimism and uncertainty, with the Roadrunners navigating the early stages of rebuilding under the leadership of head coach Karen Aston. Expectations were measured, yet hopeful, as the squad aimed to carve out a competitive role in their new conference.

The season’s outset was shadowed by adversity with the early loss of senior forward Jordyn Jenkins, a critical figure on the team, sidelined due to an offseason injury. By midseason, with the team’s record at a precarious 11-10, Jenkins made

Junior forward Elyssa Coleman, another central figure, averaged 10.8 points and 7.5 rebounds a game while etching her name in the program’s history books as the all-time leader in blocks during a matchup against North Texas.

Senior guard Kyra White’s veteran leadership was pivotal. Averaging 10 points, five rebounds and five assists per game, her influence was exemplified in her stellar senior day against the Florida Atlantic Owls where she tied her career-high with 23 points.

The Roadrunners concluded their regular season on a high note, securing six consecutive home victories and finishing with a 17-14 record. The last of which, a hard-fought 60-52 victory

a triumphant return against the UAB Blazers, injecting a newfound vigor into the squad.

Jenkins’ impact was nothing short of transformative. Averaging a team-high 15 points and seven rebounds per game, she reestablished herself as a pivotal figure, steering the team through its later stages with a blend of leadership and skill. The narrative of the season, however, wasn’t solely authored by Jenkins.

Freshman standouts Idara Udo and Aysia Proctor emerged as pivotal figures on the team, with Udo being a defensive anchor and delivering multiple double-doubles over the season, while Proctor solidified herself as one of the team’s primary scorers.

Sophomore guards Sidney Love and Siena Guttadauro were key contributors, with Love averaging nearly 10 points per game and Guttadauro coming up big in timely moments, hitting two crucial 3-pointers that pushed the team to victory in their AAC Tournament quarterfinal match.

Roadrunners basketball comes to an end

By Logan Martinez Staff Writer

Capping off its season with a crushing firstround exit to Temple in the American Athletic Conference tournament, UTSA’s men’s basketball season has officially come to an end. Though their record certainly does not show it, the team managed to hit incredible highs throughout the year, captivating fans night in and night out. Whether it was with record-setting nights or electric offensive showcases, the 2023-24 UTSA basketball season was one for fans to remember.

Rice clinched them a double-bye and the fourth seed in the tournament.

In the postseason games, led by Jenkins and Guttadauro, the ‘Runners secured a hardfought 58-56 victory against South Florida in the quarterfinals. The run was cut short when UTSA faced a devastating 55-54 loss to East Carolina, despite entering the fourth quarter with a double-digit lead.

Even with the disappointing tournament end, the women’s program culminated in their first postseason appearance since 2009, and made their first-ever appearance in the National Invitation Tournament. The achievement signifies a landmark moment for the program, reflecting the season’s progress and the solid foundation Aston has established.

Under her leadership, the program has significantly improved over just three seasons, with her influence helping the team to exceed expectations and set a new standard, thereby redefining UTSA women’s basketball and promising a bright future.

Despite an abysmal 11-20 record, the achieve incredible individual accolades

three. With their ability to get extremely hot at any time, UTSA continuously took ranked teams down to the wire. Though the Roadrunners eventually came up short of the victory, they still managed to take nationally ranked teams such as FAU and Memphis into intense overtime thrillers. UTSA continued to keep games against high-end teams close, though they could never pull off an incredible upset.

Suffering a tough seven-game losing streak midway through conference play, UTSA was never able to finish above last place in the conference. Though a late-season three-game win streak seemed to give life to the flailing team, it was cut short by a buzzer-beater loss to Temple on senior night.

Junior guard Jordan Ivy-Curry found himself posting a breakout year while scoring new career highs in points. Coming off the bench, Ivy-Curry led UTSA in scoring with 17 points per game and five rebounds. His scoring continued to shine throughout the year as the guard reached 1,000 career points and scored a career-high 38 against FAU on Jan. 21 in a tough home loss.

Serving as his backcourt mate, fellow junior guard Christian Tucker also had a breakout year and averaged career-highs in points, rebounds and assists. The guard posted three double-double performances, including an impressive 12-point, 14-assist night in a win against Tulsa on Feb. 28. The 14 assists tied an AAC single-game assist record, propelling UTSA’s guard to new offensive heights. Starting for nearly the entire season, Tucker averaged 12 points, three rebounds and five assists per game. The ‘Runners continued to showcase their offensive talent during the season, shooting 40% from the field as a team and 34% from

Headed into the AAC tournament, the team once again faced Temple in a firstround tournament rematch. With Ivy-Curry unable to play due to an injury to his hand, the Roadrunners were powerless to overcome the offensive firepower of the Owls.

Once again finishing with a record below .500, head coach Steve Henson was let go a day after the brutal tournament loss. Announcing their hiring decision a day after Henson’s departure, the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics named Alabama assistant Austin Claunch as the new men’s basketball coach on Sunday.

Though the outcome of the year was disappointing, to say the least, the Roadrunners still managed to excite fans through their individual play and streaky shooting performances. While the season was a definite improvement over the year prior, UTSA basketball still has a lot of work to do in improving the program and building a new culture.

F1 Academy is here to change the racing world

By Marcela Montufar Soria Multimedia Editor

F1 Academy is an all-female racing category dedicated to giving opportunities to talented young drivers who might otherwise be unable to compete in motorsports due to a culture of misogyny. It was created by Formula 1 management in 2023 as a successor to the previous allfemale category, the W Series, which had three seasons in 2019, 2021 and 2022 before going into administration and shutting down. F1 Academy is led by its managing director Suzanne Wolff, a retired racer who competed in various categories but never managed to get a seat in F1, instead acting as a development and test driver for Williams Racing from 2012-14.

As Academy championship consists of seven rounds with two 30-minute races per weekend. There are a total of five teams and 15 drivers competing between the ages of 16 and 25. Each of the 10 F1 teams nominated one driver for the championship, with the remaining five sponsored by other partners. The category is a one-make series, meaning all drivers race with identical chassis models, most similar to Formula 4 cars.

for women to drive until 2018 is massive, showcasing the importance of the Academy’s place in history as a proponent of change.

The Academy is not meant to fuel segregation of the sexes in the sport, but rather to be used as a tool to give

is competing in the FIA Formula 3 category, Sophia Floersch, and there has only ever been one woman in Formula 2, the closest category to F1, Tatiana Calderon. Racing is not an accessible sport, becoming less and less so every year. Aspiring drivers have to rely on strong finances and connections to make it anywhere near a car, much less an F1 vehicle. It is a sport that requires years of dedication and hard work to move up from category to category, with no assurance of a place any point. Historically, men have had priority at every turn, leaving female racers with no way to progress in their careers, whatever their talent.

F1 Academy saw its first set of races in Saudi Arabia earlier this month, competing during the same weekend as F1 and Formula 2. The significance of having an allfemale car racing event in a country where it was illegal

F1, something only five women have achieved before, only one of which — Italian driver Lella Lombardi — managed to score points. Currently, only one woman

Even though it is not guaranteed that any of the young women currently racing in F1 Academy will get to F1, seeing as even male drivers categories struggling to find seats of their own, its existence and continued development is a step in the right direction for motorsports.

With the support of the FIA, F1 and its racing teams, it will only continue to grow and spread the word to girls everywhere that there is a space for them in the world of racing and they will no longer be relegated to the passenger seat. F1 Academy streams its events live for free on their YouTube channel. Round two of the championship will be in Miami, in conjunction with Round six of the F1 season, from May 2-4.

Rylan Renteria/The Paisano

Kara Lee/The Paisano

sports

UTSA baseball picks up series win against Northwestern

Roadrunners outscore Wildcats 18-12 across three games

By Rylan Renteria Distribution Manager

After splitting games in the doubleheader against Northwestern last Saturday, the UTSA baseball rotation pitched a series finale shutout en route to a 2-0 victory on Sunday at Roadrunner Field. Through the slow start of the season, the Roadrunners (10-10) have displayed inconsistencies on defense. However, head coach Pat Hallmark is pleased with his team’s effort in the squad’s second series win over the Wildcats (7-9).

“We’ve pitched pretty well all year but we don’t always play good defense,” coach Pat Hallmark said. “We just kept making the routine plays and that was really nice to see.”

After a combined 28 runs in Saturday’s doubleheader, the series finale was scoreless through five innings. Junior catcher Andrew Stucky got the game’s first run in the bottom of the sixth when he smacked an RBI double into center field to bring Deigo Diaz home. Junior infielder Matt King had a double RBI of his own in the seventh, bringing junior outfielder Mason Lytle in for the 2-0 score.

Senior pitchers Ulises Quiroga and Daniel Garza were the tone-setters on defense, each throwing shutouts. Quiroga started and played through six innings while tossing three strikeouts.

“Today we played good defense,” Hallmark said. “We can do a better job on the offense but overall it was a good game and I’m proud of the guys.”

Quiroga believed the pitching abilities led to the series clinching win.

“We had to attack the zone and deserve to win,” Quiroga said.

The series opener was all UTSA from the start. In the bottom of the first inning, a single from junior utility Broc Parmer combined with an error from the Wildcats’ second baseman pushed senior infielder Alexander Olivio to the plate for an easy score. Three innings later, the ‘Runners tacked on four more runs with an RBI double from senior utility Ty Tilson and a two-run home run from Andrew Stuckey.

Northwestern scored its first runs in the top of the eighth before UTSA responded with three more runs to win 12-2.

The runs flipped in the Wildcats’ favor in game two. After leading 2-0, UTSA allowed six runs in the top of the third which gave Northwestern a lead they wouldn’t give back, winning 10-4. The Wildcats had 15 hits while the ‘Runners had three errors in the blowout loss.

“When you can only throw one pitch for a strike, at this level, they’re going to hit you,” Hallmark said. “That got us in trouble to start and then the defense fell apart.”

In a continuous battle to stay at or above .500, the Roadrunners are still trying to prove they can play good and consistent baseball. The motto for the team all season has been “Pitching and defense,” coined by Hallmark. Yet, through 20 games, the squad has 23 errors and holds a team ERA (earned run average) of 4.76.

UTSA will next face its bitter rival, the Texas State Bobcats, in San Marcos. The single-game series is set to start at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Bobcat Ballpark.

By Rylan Renteria Distribution Manager

UTSA drops AAC series against North Texas

Stuedeman earns first conference win

By Haley Aguayo Assistant Sports Editor

UTSA softball lost its fourth and fifth American Athletic Conference matchups on Friday in a doubleheader to North Texas. The Mean Green (15-12, 5-1) managed 16 runs on the opening day before the Roadrunners (9-21, 1-5) responded with a 4-2 win on Sunday.

“To get the first AAC win, and then it be on Sunday, is the statement that maybe we’re going to turn the page and learn how to start fighting a little bit harder,” head coach Vann Stuedeman said.

Senior catcher Taylor Jensen jump-started the final game, scoring the ‘Runners first run of a two-run homer that tied up the game at 2-2 after the bottom of the third.

“It was definitely rewarding because I haven’t been doing so well,” Jensen said. “But I’ve been putting in the work and it finally paid off.”

With bases loaded, Erykah Guerrero came to the plate in the bottom of the fifth. The senior catcher smacked an RBI single down center field, bringing freshman outfielder Sydney McReynolds home to give UTSA a 3-2 lead.

Junior infielder Camryn Robillard gave the ‘Runners their final run in the bottom of the sixth. After hitting a single down center field and managing her way to third, North Texas made a fielding error to allow Robillard to come across home. Despite winning her first AAC matchup,

Stuedeman has yet to win a conference series after getting swept by UAB over spring break. Since being hired as North Texas’ coach in 2016, Rodney DeLong has won every series against the ‘Runners with a 2813 record against UTSA.

In game one of the series, the Mean Green led 8-3 until a five-run inning from the Roadrunner tied the game in the bottom of the fifth. North Texas held UTSA scoreless in the final two innings while knocking in two runs in the sixth to win the series opener.

The softball team has not had a winning season since 2015. With Sunday’s win against North Texas, the team has officially surpassed their losing record from last year’s (8-41) record, bringing their win column total to nine. “It’s gonna get hard, every game, there is gonna be gonna be a moment or two that it gets hard,” Stuedeman said of facing conference opponents. “We have to stay invested and stay invested in each other and the progress of everybody and stay positive and have positive action, not just positive words, but positive action. And we just gotta keep fighting and we’ve gotta learn how to fight.”

UTSA will hit the road to face new AAC foe Wichita State for a weekend series beginning at 6 p.m. Friday at Wilkins Stadium.

Former Roadrunners shine in front of NFL scouts UTSA holds annual Pro Day

The 2023 season was the last for some long-time UTSA contributors. While their playing days at the Alamodome are over, some will be taking their talents to the next level. UTSA’s 2024 Pro Day had scouts from all 32 NFL teams in attendance. Here is how things unfolded at the RACE building.

With just seven players participating in drills this year, the bench press showcase was fairly short. Defensive lineman Trumane Bell II and former offensive lineman Payne He’bert both benched 24 reps of 225 pounds.

The next highlight of the day came from safety Rashad Wisdom in the vertical jump drill. Wisdom, despite being 5-foot-9, posted an impressive 37” vertical.

“This is what I’ve been training for these past couple months, this day specifically,” Wisdom said.

Wide receivers Joshua Cephus and Tykee Ogle-Kellogg both put up impressive verticals as well, 32.5” and 29.5” respectively. While this drill is not extremely important for defensive linemen, Bell’s 31.5” vertical will only aid him in the draft process.

The broad jump exercise yielded the best results for all participants.

Cephus had the best performance with a 10’2 jump, followed closely by Wisdom and Ogle-Kellogg who both jumped 9’10. You want your wide receivers and defensive backs to ace this drill. The ability to make diving and contested catches are all linked to this exercise. Scouts think of it as something that has to translate for a player to make it in the NFL.

The 40-yard dash was dominated by Wisdom and Cephus. Wisdom had the best time of the day with a 4.49-second official time. Cephus, despite claiming that he “left some in the tank,” crossed the 40 yards in 4.52 seconds.

Following the conclusion of the event, head coach Jeff Traylor spoke highly of a couple of his departing seniors.

“I’m really thrilled for those guys, that’s who both of them [Cephus and Wisdom] are and that’s why they’ll have a real good chance of making a team, because of the people they are,” Traylor said. “They both would never think of opting out of a bowl game, that’s just not how those kids are made up.”

The 2024 NFL Draft will occur a little over a month from now. These former Roadrunners will wait patiently for their phone to ring to see if they will join Tariq Woolen and Spencer Burford on the short list of ‘Runners to go pro.

Rylan Renteria/The Paisano

Rylan Renteria/The Paisano

Rylan Renteria/The Paisano

Tykee Ogle-Kellogg (left), Rashad Wisdom (center), Joshua Cephus (right)

Taylor Jensen goes up to bat against North Texas.

Ruger Riojas winds up to pitch against the Wildcats.