Independent Student Newspaper for the University of Texas at San Antonio
UTSA The results of the Business Auxillary Service’s (BAS) peanut butter parking capaign are in. In total, 702 pounds of peanut butter were donated, 548 meals were provided to the San Antonio Food Bank and students saved $9,750 in parking tickets. The campaign will be repeated next fall.
{SINCE 1981}
Volume 52
Issue 8
October 6 - October 13, 2015
Hypothesis: STEM has a sexism problem
U.S.
Oklahoma has granted a stay of execution to convicted murderer Richard Glossip and two other death row inmates after officials discovered that they did not have the correct chemicals to follow through with the procedure.
World
Doctors Without Borders reported that 12 of its staffers and 10 of its patients were killed following a U.S. air strike on a hospital run by the organization in the Northern Afghan province of Kunduz. The strike comes as fire fights between the Taliban and Afghan Security Forces have again broken out.
Science Chinese scientist Dr. Youyou Tu has won a Nobel Prize in medicine for her work in the 1970s fighting against malaria. She began her research in the 1960s because American and North Vietnamese soldiers were suffering from drug-resistant malaria. The mosquito remains the world’s deadliest animal.
Health
A fire set to a Thousand Oaks, California Planned Parenthood facility has been ruled an arson according to local authorities. The health center has faced public and congressional backlash for its practice of supplying tissue from aborted fetuses for scientific research.
“Spend more time talking about how to be your best self (even if that self is a high- heels wearing, red-lipstick-touting feminista,” says president of Society of Women Engineers, Barbera Kennedy.
Marina Vences Staff Writer
@ThePaisano news@paisano-online.com At UTSA in 2014, female students represented 17.4 percent of the 3,089 students enrolled in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields. While the ratio of male to female students can be influenced by a number of factors, such as student interest and enrollment, the empirically observed gender gap raises concerns. Olivia Ybarra, a recent UTSA graduate with a B.S. in environmental science and a minor in biology, has often seen the effects of this
gap first hand. “Being a female minority and studying a subject that is often under appreciated and misinterpreted, especially in Texas, it can seem like the odds are stacked against you,” she said. Ybarra stated she has often encountered sexist remarks said casually in her study groups and classes and attributes this to the gap between men and women enrolled in STEM. “I had female classmates, especially engineering majors where females are overwhelmingly outnumbered, who have been in study groups with only male students when the conversation would sud-
denly drift to misogynistic comments about the women nearby.” Although female students today do receive a lot of support, these occurrences are not uncommon. Barbara Kennedy is the president of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) at UTSA, and a civil engineering major. Although the society’s purpose is to highlight the contributions of women in the engineering program, she notes the difference in treatment between the sexes in the area of wardrobe. “I have personally been to half a dozen workshops that focus on what not to wear to career-related
events. It took me every one of those experiences before I asked myself, ‘Do men have these workshops?’ Of course they don’t.” Kennedy believes the workshops should “spend more time talking about how to be the best version of yourself (even if that self is a high-heels wearing, red-lipstick-toting feminista).” Ybarra describes an example of sexism professors faced by STEM students. Before her 8 a.m. class, a professor in the biology department began the class by giving his personal outlook on marriage. “He decided he wanted to share his ideas of mar-
Fabian DeSoto, Paisano
riage and the roles of a wife. His views about his wife were demeaning and belittled her integrity. While I do respect other’s opinions, I think it was inappropriate to have that discussion, especially in a class that did not warrant such dialogue,” Ybarra said. Dean of the College of Engineering Dr. JoAnn Browning says that the key to reducing these types of comments and actions in her field are strong female role models. “I feel that women need to be continuously educated and encouraged to consider careers in STEM fields. They share the same interest and talent as men to be successful in these See Women, page 3
Active Minds hopes to reduce stigma surrounding mental illness Anusha Hussain Contributing Writer
@ThePaisano news@paisano-online.com In the Neolithic Era, mental illness (also referred to as “abnormal behavior”) was thought as evil spirits taking over the mind. In hopes of removing malicious spirits lurking in the skull, part of the afflicted individual’s skull was removed in a surgical procedure called trephination. This outdated ritual has been abandoned; however, the stigma surrounding mental health is still strong today. Mental health is ingrained in society, which makes it difficult to remove. Enter Active Minds, the
national non-profit organization that promotes mental health awareness and seems to dissolve the stigma surrounding mental illnesses on college campuses. Melina Acosta, president of Active Minds, was inspired to establish the organization after she lost her father to suicide. She realized there were many warnings that she had overlooked due to ignorance about mental health. Determined to make a change, Acosta began her search and found an organization with the objective of educating the UTSA community about mental health and helping someone who may be struggling. See Student group,Page 2
Active Minds opens a dialogue about mental health encouraging students to usethe hashtag #ReasonISpeak. Photo courtesy of Active Minds
2
October 6 - October 13, 2015
NEWS
Center for Collegiate Recovery’s reach limited by lack of support Brady Phelps Sports Assistant
@bradytphelps news@paisano-online.com This excerpt is from an article published in Recovery Campus magazine in March of 2015: “For many years, UTSA—observing the rise in college students seeking help with substance use disorders— worked to develop services specifically for those students. The Center for Collegiate Recovery (CCR) is
one of the tangible results of those efforts.” It is misleading to suggest that the establishment of the CCR was strictly a result of an effort taken on by UTSA. The program was established when the UT system’s Board of Regents mandated that every university institute a program to help students balance recovery and college life. At this point, UTSA’s involvement in the implementation of this program has been minimal.
The university does provide a room (Recreation Wellness Center 1.808) that houses the program. However, all of its guaranteed funding is provided by the UT system, and that only covers its employees’ salaries. This includes Assistant Director Clayton Sponhaltz and one graduate research assistant. The center relies on private donations for all events, promotional materials and supplies. It is difficult to find a mention of the CCR
Student group promotes mental health awareness, suicide prevention See CCR ,Page 3
continued from page 1
According to the American College Health Association, more than 25 percent of college students have been diagnosed for a mental condition in 2015, and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration states that one in four adults between the ages of 18 and 24 has a mental illness. Mental illness is tough to talk about, but this only perpetuates the stigma. Suicide is prevalent on college campuses, and according to the American Psychological Association, suicide is the second leading cause of death
for college students (after traffic accidents). Through initiatives like these, Active Minds want to raise awareness and encourage more students to discuss mental health issues. Active Minds faces numerous challenges, such as overcoming the idea that mental illness is a joke. Most people are guilty of accusing an individual or themselves of “being bipolar,” “so depressed” or “having ADD.” These small statements add to the trivialization of mental illnesses and discourage individuals from seeking help. Active Minds wants to
ensure that all students know that they have resources available, namely the UTSA Counseling Center, and that there is no shame in reaching out. This year, Active Minds launched Suicide Prevention week, in which 1,100 white flags were placed in the lawn across the McKinney Humanities building to represent the number of college students who commit suicide every year. Active Minds has meetings every other Tuesday (the next one is on Oct. 13) in the HUC Hidalgo room at 6 p.m.
The Easiest Way to Sell a Car HASSLE-FREE FAIR PRICE
800-709-8851
Licensed — Professional 2000-2015 Vehicles Running or Not Cash Paid on the Spot Nationwide Free Towing
Photo courtesy of Center for Collegiate Recovery
NEWS
3
October 6 - October 13, 2015
Kyoto University of Foreign Studies President Discusses U.S. - Japan Relations Rob Avila
proved legislation remilitarizing the state and the U.S.-Japanese alliance. Matsuda began by addressing the new security bill, which reinterprets Article Nine of the national constitution, allowing Japanese forces to fight abroad under the pretest of “the right of collective defense.” He continued, “What better choices could there be in the spectrum of Japan’s diplomatic strategies other than the longstanding U.S –dependent military alliance?” This remilitarization of Japan’s national security posture has created anxiety among Japanese citizens, who view the country’s long-standing pacifism as a cultural tradition. Moving
Staff Writer
@rockets100 news@paisano-online.com In 1986, Dr. Takeshi Matsuda worked as UTSA’s first Fulbright Professor, teaching a course in the history of American EastAsian Relations; Twentynine years later, the now President of Kyoto University of Foreign Studies returned to promote further collaboration between UTSA and KUFS. Last Thursday, he presented his research in a lecture entitled “Drift or Mastery Revisited: A Path to Human Co-Existence” to a crowded room. In it, he discussed current Japanese politics, the recently ap-
on to the big picture, he stated, “I do believe that there is no more ennobling human aspiration than to choose a path toward human coexistence based on non-militarism.” Japan’s pacifist constitution, drafted in 1947 by occupying forces following WWII, has created longlasting peace between Japan, the U.S. and its neighbors. Matsuda described the varying views of Japanese politics from the proto-conservatives who believe in upholding an emperor system revolving around national security, to the issues of foreign policy surrounding a Japanese diplomacy that continues to rely on American power and authority.
Women succeeding in STEM
continued from page 1
careers, but they may not be able to visualize themselves succeeding without the availability of a strong female role model,” Browning said. Senior lecturer at UTSA for the Environmental Sciences Dr. Karen Engates points to her doctoral mentor as a major influence in her Teaching style. Her mentor (a woman) understood the responsibilities she faced and pushed her in a way no one else could. Her mentor, she says, “understood the need for balance of research, course work, outside interests and obligations, and sanity.” Though Dr. Engates respected her male mentors as well, it was the female mentor that most pushed her to new heights and encouraged her the most. Another factor that might explain the low numbers of women in the STEM fields is the work-life balance women struggle with. Associate Professor of Research, Dr. Afamia Elnakat says, “I believe we can do it all. I think if you ask my daughter, she is very proud of me and engaged in what I do. Yes, I have failed when it comes ● ● ●
to being engaged with her in school events such as carving pumpkins for Halloween, but because she is engaged in my work. She thinks her mom is a super hero saving the world one environmental source at a time.” Ybarra reminds women in the STEM fields to look to role models such as Dr. Elnakat and Dr. Engates, “My advice to future female scientists and engineers is to never feel undervalued and to look at your female professors as models of success in STEM fields... It was very empowering to see these extremely accomplished women take on roles of mother, wife, scientist, and teacher and to excel in a traditionally male-dominated field.” Dr. Browning’s department tries to ensure that all students feel included through programs such as SWE (Society of Women Engineers), women specific workshops, programs such as the Women’s Professional Advancement and Synergy Academy (WPASA), UT System initiatives such as the UT System Women Senior Leaders Network, and others. She emphasizes the
importance of encouraging these students. “It is not just a preference that I am stating, but a need, for in a country where there is a deficit of STEM professionals, we must actively recruit and educate a talent pool that includes both genders.” Otilia Webb, environmental science senior and president of the Women in STEM organization on campus feels that despite the afore mentioned instances UTSA does well at including female scientists. “I think that my peers respect that I am just as smart as any male student. I feel that I am empowered by the faculty to do my best in college and then after I graduate. I think that has to be my favorite part about UTSA and especially the ES Department. I am so grateful to be in a university that has given me this chance.” Despite disparity in numbers, Dr. Elkanat encourages young women to continue and has one thing to say about success: “Go for it…have fun. Be like me! I wouldn’t do it any other way.”
Dr. Takeshi Matsuda presents to a crowded room.
Photo courtesy of East Asian Institute associate director Mimi Yu.
CCR wants to make its presence known
continued from page 2
in any official UTSA publication. Dr. Thomas Baez, director of counseling services since 2006, asserted that more funding designated for the organization would increase its reach and stability. Baez also mentioned that efforts were made to provide options for students struggling with addiction before the CCR was established. But until Sponhaltz (a licensed chemical dependency counselor) was hired in 2014, there were no counselors on staff who were qualified to treat addiction. Because of the nature of the services offered and the importance of peer support in the recovery process, the clinical setting is not the most conducive environment for students in recovery: “Counseling Services can not be a spe-
cialist for substance abuse,” Baez stated. There is still plenty of confusion about the relationship between Counseling Services and the CCR, which is detrimental to students’ understanding and awareness of the CCR. “We have encountered lots of difficulties increasing awareness of our program as we’ve been hidden under the Counseling Services umbrella,” Sponhaltz explained. There is evidence of this on the university’s website, where the CCR’s homepage (utsa.edu/recovery) can only be found by searching for it specifically or through a drop-down menu on the Counseling Services site. Jaswanth Kintada—treasurer of the Student Government Association and head of its new Student Health Advocacy Committee—acknowledged the
need for the committee to address addiction. He then deferred to the partnership with Active Minds, a student organization promoting mental health awareness, and the expertise of the professionals at Counseling Services. This indicates the lack of synergy between counseling services and student government, who both exist to serve the student body. While the allocation of resources among UTSA’s programs is subjective, it is undeniable that greater financial support and awareness of one program comes at the cost of another. In this case, the opportunity surrendered is the expansion of support for a growing, yet historically ignored population: those who suffer from a disease called “addiction.”
Advertise In The Paisano! » We can do it all! » Logos » Coupons » Full ads
Past Lives, Dreams, Soul Travel
Learn to Remember and Interpret Your Dreams Uncover Past Life Connections with People in Your Life Travel Consciously in the Heavenly Worlds
Free Discussions (booklets included!) and Community HU Chants
Each Thursday in September and October 7:00-8:30 p.m., UC 2.01.30 (Magnolia Room)
Info: Mitziani (e-mail): RBD233@my.utsa.edu or call Justin: 832-244-6502 www.Eckankar-Texas.org Sponsored by the Eckankar Student Organization
COLLEGE SKI & BOARD WEEK Breckenridge
•
Vail
•
Beaver Creek
•
Keystone
•
Arapahoe Basin
breckenridge
For more information contact paisano.ads1@gmail.com
20 Mountains. 5 Resorts. 1 Price. FROM ONLY
plus t/s
Or check out our media kit at paisano-online.com/advertising
WWW.UBSKI.COM 1-800-SKI-WILD • 1-800-754-9453
4 {The Paisano} Editor-in-Chief: Jakob Lopez
Managing Editor: Mia Cabello
News Editor: Caroline Traylor
Arts & Life Editor: Brayden Boren
Sports Editor:
Shabazz I. Dawkins
Web Editor:
Michael Turnini
Special Issues Editor: Jade Cuevas
Interim Photo Editor: Fabian De Soto
Business Manager: Lizzette Rocha
Distribution Manager: Patrick Martinez
Senior Copy Editor: Kate Kramer
OPINION Guns: A problem that keeps shooting October 6 - October 13, 2015
Editorial
In the 1950s, Bert the Turtle showed American school children how to “duck and cover” in the event that the Soviet Union used nuclear force against the United States. The duck-and-cover approach — diving under a tree, desk or into a mottled shell in the fetal position — is and would have been an ineffective safeguard against an atomic bomb. Nevertheless, the occurrence of these schoolyard bomb drills demonstrates that the public threat was significant enough for mainstream society to accept even the most absurd ideas as legitimate preventative measures. Little has changed since, and America continues to flirt with models of mutually assured destruction. Politicians and gun stalwarts who support and excuse pro-gun
legislation and a loose interpretation of the Second Amendment are imparting an equally absurd message to students and educators: duck and cover — or shoot. On Oct. 1 in Roseburg, Ore. a 26-year-old gunman killed nine students at Umpqua Community College, where he was a student. Perhaps inspired by the Oregon massacre, four high school students at Summerville High School in Tuolumne, Calif. were arrested on Oct. 4 for planning, what Tuolumne County Sheriff described as, “(the four) were going to come on campus and shoot and kill as many people as possible at the campus,” reported The New York Times. While the Summerville High School students’ plan was thwarted, on Sept. 30 in Harrisburg, S.D. a 16-year-old high
school student, who according to his father had taken gun safety courses and regularly practiced target shooting, shot his principal. The student has been arrested for attempted murder. Gun violence — including campus massacres, school shootings and random malicious acts — are forms of domestic terrorism. Furthermore, these cowardly social transgressions have swelled in the last decade. According to an FBI study on active shooting occurrences between 2000 and 2013, the number of active shootings in the country has nearly tripled since 2007; on average 16.4 active shootings scenarios have occurred per year from 2007 to 2013. As the majority of gun holders in the United States live in the South, this problem is immediate; but still,
Texas leaders and legislators insist on shooting themselves in the foot, seemingly oblivious to the growing and present danger of guns — evinced by the new legislation that will allow guns on university campuses. Civilians who bear weapons in a public place (such as a church, business, hospital or school) whether legally or illegally, overtly or covertly have the ability — the gun and the control — to massacre. Should they be trusted? Prior to being cold-blooded killers, these shooters are generally law-abiding citizens, practically indeterminable from the next gun aficionado having a bad day. Christopher Harper-Mercer, the Umpqua killer, purchased all 14 of his firearms legally from a federally licensed firearms dealer. Likewise, Vester Lee Flanagan
One more run
I’ll just sit here by Christopher Breakell
Commentary
Marketing Director: Randi Gilmore
{Assistants} Kat Joseph, Anelia Gomez-Cordova, Claudia Jimenez, Annette Barraza, Christopher Breakell, Alex Birnel, Brady Phelps, Andrea Velgis, Alyssa Gonzales, Urub Khawaja, Allison Gayda, Diego Ramirez
Jakob Lopez
Editor-in-Chief
{Staff} Robert Avila, Darryl Sherrod, Robert Allen, Gaige Davila, Matthew Frost, Marina Vences, Quentin Hemphill, Adrian Bermudez, Amanda Camacho, Sonia Mata, Cindy Hurtado, Madeline
{Contributors} Katie Sanchez, Jacob De Hoyos, Matthew Gil, Max Edelman, Lindsey Revel, Sabrina Perez, Bryant Andrade Meza, Anusha Huissain, Colton Hveem
Girls, dumb is not cute Commentary
{Adviser}
Diane Abdo
{Advisory Board}
Steven Kellman, Jack Himelblau, Sandy Norman, Stefanie Arias, Diane Abdo The Paisano is published by the Paisano Educational Trust, a nonprofit, tax exempt, educational organization. The Paisano is operated by members of the Student Newspaper Association, a registered student organization. The Paisano is NOT sponsored, financed or endorsed by UTSA. New issues are published every Tuesday during the fall and spring semesters, excluding holidays and exam periods. The Paisano is distributed on all three UTSA campuses — Main, Downtown and the Institute of Texan Cultures. Additionally, Paisano publications are distributed at a variety of off-campus locations, including Tri-point and a variety of apartment complexes near the UTSA Main Campus. All revenues are generated through advertising and donations. Advertising inquiries and donations should be directed to:
14526 Roadrunner Way Suite 101 San Antonio, TX 78249 Phone: (210)-690-9301
{Letters to the Editor} Letters must be fewer than 400 words and include the writer’s name, classification or title and telephone number. The Paisano reserves the right to edit all submissions. Send letters to: editor@paisano-online.com
© 2015, The Paisano
II — the forty-one-year-old gunman who shot and killed a cameraman and broadcast journalist during a live recording in Roanoke, VI in August — had no criminal record or history of mental illness and obtained his murder weapon, a Glock handgun, legally. The FBI’s Crime in the U.S. report cites 8,124 homicides by gun in 2014. There are neither ample days in the week nor pages in a newspaper to pay due respect to each loss of a life (approximately 22 per day). As long as innocent lives are shot short and the public is irresponsibly subjected to absurd gun legislation, the topic of guns in America is relevant. To our national, regional and local leaders: this is a problem. And that is an understatement.
Marina Vences
Staff Writer The “pretty-but-dumb” female character stereotype has been overdone in movies, TV shows and books for years. From a young age, women are taught that, in order to be perceived as desirable and fit into the typical female ideal, they must act in a way that does not threaten a man: not demonstrating any level of intelligence that might make a man feel stupid. From a young age, girls are exposed to the nerdy, “ugly,” smart girl stereotype. She is unsuccessful with the opposite sex and the only way to break out of that shell is to break herself free of her glasses, her messy, unkempt hair and ridiculous outfits and move on to ‘fixing herself’; the intelligent girl is painted as an undesirable and ‘ugly’ concept. On the opposite hand, the dumb, ‘pretty’, ‘damsel in distress’ stereotype is painted as a desirable and unintelligent concept. On popular adolescent shows such as ‘Liv and Maddie’ a Disney Channel show, twin sisters are completely opposite. Liv, embodies the ‘ugly’ intelligent, stereotype—right down to un-
kempt hair and glasses; her sister, Maddie, is the desirable, beautiful, dumb stereotype. Seeing these two opposites on such a popular show for young girls is only one example of the media forcing these ideals onto the next generation of women. These stereotypes teach girls that intelligence and femininity are mutually exclusive and that both cannot exist in one person, because in order to be one, you must sacrifice the other. Then as the girls grow up, these harmful ideals follow them into adolescence, and eventually, adulthood. These stereotypes can be seen in popular shows such as “The Big Bang Theory,” in which the ‘ugly’, nerdy girl, Amy Farafowler, a successful biologist, is portrayed as having trouble with the opposite sex, while her friend Penny is pretty and dumb, a community college drop out and aspiring actress; these women enforce the idea that intellect and beauty cannot mingle. As women age, these ideals move from being constricted to Hollywood and moves into schools and real life situations. In high school, girls are bullied for being smart. The nerdy girl in the corner that doesn’t speak very often is pushed aside, while the pretty, popular girl pretends to be dumber than she is to make friends and fit in. Often times, the people doing the bullying do not include just men— women are doing it to their own gender. When Megyn Kelly attacked Donald Trump on stage at
the first round of the republican debates, several people disagreed with her. Though she has become extremely successful as a journalist (a male-dominated field), she was immediately attacked by both men and women as a blonde bimbo who didn’t know what she was talking about. Had it been a man who had attacked Trump, looks would never have been brought into the situation. But because Megyn is blonde and beautiful, instead of attacking her intellect, people tried to discredit her by pushing her into the ‘dumb blonde’ stereotype that they have been raised to believe. In order to change the rhetoric that has been so prevalent in our society for so long, women (and men) need to stop putting beautiful women down and branding them as idiots. Shows such as “Doctor McStuffins,” a show about a little girl who serves as a doctor for her stuffed animals, and “Scandal,” a show about a successful female lawyer, need to be lauded over shows where this pretty, but dumb idea is enforced. More shows need to exist for adolescents that show young, beautiful, and most importantly, intelligent girls who are not social outcasts as a result of that. The only way to stop the stereotype is stop using it and showcase the opposite. In this way, girls will start to see that being smart is not something to be ashamed of, but something to celebrate.
San Antonio Spurs fans must be dreaming. For the first time in the organization’s history, the Spurs nabbed the top marquee free agent on the market, LaMarcus Aldridge, during the off-season. And they didn’t stop there. The Spurs rounded out their roster with veteran free agent and noted NBA leader, David West. It took some cap room movement and player trades — Tiago Splitter, Aron Baynes and Marco Belinelli all notably moved on to different teams — but the Spurs managed to get it done. The player moves during the off-season give San Antonio one of the stoutest rosters in the league — and perhaps the biggest expectations. While it’s every team’s goal to ultimately win the NBA Championship, anything less in 2016 is a failure for San Antonio. In addition to their bold off-season moves, the Spurs maintained their dynasty nucleus of Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan while retaining one of the NBA’s best sharp shooters in Danny Green, a spark plug in Patty Mills and the reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year in Kawhi Leonard.
The moves will help prolong the career of Tim Duncan — San Antonio’s cornerstone — whose career appears to be coming to an end. The proverbial “rock” upon which the Spurs’ championship dynasty was founded upon, “The Big Fundamental,” continues to stave off Father Time admirably, year after year. San Antonio’s roster moves enable them to compete with the likes of the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors, two of the best teams in the NBA, and the two teams who competed in the 2015 NBA Finals. The bold roster moves have seen the team ranked second and third in various NBA preseason polls, while Vegas Odds rank San Antonio at 7/2 to win the NBA title — second only to Cleveland 5/2. In theory, it’s a roster that should be one of the best in the league. But making it all work will be a daunting task (see 2003-04 Los Angeles Lakers and 2010-11 Miami Heat). The Spurs, though, continue to employ the best coach in the NBA — Gregg Popovich. The coach, affectionately known as “Pop” to fans, has continually led the NBA landscape in tactics and creativity; the 2016 NBA season should be no different. And, with their once in a generation talent still being productive, the sky’s the limit. It’s all or nothing this year for San Antonio — brace yourselves Spurs fans.
October 6 - October 13, 2015
l l o P Photo
Campus squirrel population soars Satire
is the use of technology by other students in class a distraction ? A study conducted with Princeton and University of California Los Angeles students shows that taking notes by hand promotes a more meaningful understanding of the subject as opposed to typing notes. Many professors at UTSA prohibit cellphone and laptop use in the classroom so that way they are not a distraction to themselves and other students.
OPINION 5
Robert Avila Staff Writer
food, these squirrels are now terrorizing students who seek to eat lunch under their turf. Courtney Pines, who specializes in rodent-based wildlife of top-tier universities in South Texas counties, believes that this type of aggressive food-seeking squirrel has become the new norm on college campuses. “These squirrels have tasted the delicacy of Chik-Fil-A, Subway, and Papa Johns. How could they go back to eating bits of dry grass?” Pines further states that as their taste for finer dining grows, so will their need to satisfy their cravings. Students have started to notice increasingly aggressive behavior from squirrels, with reports to Campus PD increasing by 40 percent in this year alone. “It is dangerous to go out with food, especially at night,” said student Cia Lantro, who found herself cornered by a gang of three after
walking through the Sombrilla returning to the JPL after a late-night Chipotle run. “They began squeaking at me intimidatingly, then one of them struck me with its tail.” The attack, which caused Lantro to drop her burrito and assorted salsas, is only one small example of the number of increasing incidents that have led many students to avoid the Sombrilla all together. Tension is growing as the UTSA administration is continually pressured to resond to the issue. Small bands of students have begun to fight back against the squirrels, choosing to yell loudly in their direction, and many now carry brooms to shoo them away. Since the issue is still not resolved, students are encouraged to avoid the Sombrilla altogether with recommendations to eat in confined, windowless, indoor places.
“No, because technology provides access to information outside of class and it is readily available.”
Over the past few years, UTSA has seen an increase in wildlife population, most notably the squirrel population around the Sombrilla. These are not the same timid, fearful of humans, squirrels found in earlier years at UTSA. Fueled by cracker-wielding, selfie-seeking students, these second and third-generation Sombrillian squirrels have become bolder and more dangerous than ever before. Tired of their usual diet of nuts, seeds and fungi and encouraged by students who have offered them bits of
Wesley Wolfe Freshman, Business and Biology
Avoid confrontation, no conversation
“Phones don’t bother me so much, but computers do. It’s really hard to focus on a lecture when someone in front of you is using their laptop.” Kirk Owens Senior, Mechanical Engineering
Satire “No, because a lot of people use technology to take notes and study.” Merrik Hetherington Sophomore, Psychology
“Not at all, because I actually use it a lot in class myself.” Angel Mendoza Senior, Civil Engineering
“Personally, it doesn’t bother me. I feel like if you’re concentrating on the class, then it shouldn’t bother you what others are doing.” Abigail Chaparro Freshman, Public Policy
“No, I mind my own business and focus on the class and not others. As long as it’s not a distraction, then I am fine with it.” Jolynn Hall Freshman, Geology
Brady Phelps Staff Writer
Brady Phelps Satire: Topics to Avoid In order to maintain peaceful relations on campus, all students should avoid discussion of the following topics: Evolution, revolution, Revelations, Elevation (the U2 tour), legalization, deglaciation, overpopulation, gender socialization, immigration, gender discrimination, economic segregation, cultural appropriation, annexation, fund allocation, prison privatization, shadow organizations… Scientology, misogyny, petroleum geology, restoration ecology, ufology, gender psy-
chology, gynecology, psychobiology, gender fluidity, marriage equality… Human rights, health care, human rights in relation to health care, sexual orientation, sexual education, sexual orientation in relation to human rights, sexual orientation in relation to sexual education, abortion, contraception, abortion and contraception in relation to healthcare, abortion and contraception in relation to human rights, abortion and contraception in relation to sexual education, abortion and contraception in relation to gender discrimination… Fundamentalism, autoeroticism, atheism, agnosticism, terrorism, eco-terrorism, social constructivism, feminism, the metric system, the justice system, the prison system, the banking system, the voting system… Sony hacks, WikiLeaks, Daryl and Carol, Nicki and Meek… Nicki and Drake, Nicki and Miley, Nicki and Mariah,
Nicki and Iggy, Nicki and TSwift, Nicki and Queen Bee, Nicki and Tyga, Nicki and the Catholic League, Nicki and the Anti Defamation League… Race of any kind, including: Nascar, arms races, The Amazing Race, Race for the Cure, pod races (or any other aspect of The Phantom Menace), boat races, horse races, “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” the rat race, the social construct… Race (the social construct) in relation to human rights; race (the social construct) in relation to information and opportunity disparity; race (the social construct) in relation to economic segregation; race (the social construct) and the justice system; privilege… Mulder and Scully, Han and Greedo, Weezy and Baby, Dez and Romo, Hope Solo, Google logo, Australians’ guns, top buns, hot dog toppings, Bono (or his alter egos), color-changing dresses, “Scandal” spoilers, “Netflix and chilling,” ice hockey,
Crossword: This week in print
Photos and quotes by Claudia Jimenez, The Paisano
Letters to the Editor
Letters must be fewer than 400 words and include the writer’s name, classification or title and email address. The Paisano reserves the right to edit al submissions.
Send Letters to the Editor to: editor@paisano-online.com
Answers online! paisano-online.com
Across
5 A mark of disgrace with a particular circumstance, quality, or person 8 (of a habit, belief, or attitude) firmly fixed 9 A person who believes in pacifism or is opposed to war or to violence of any kind 10 Belonging or relating to a college or its students 11 In anatomy, a horizontal cut or section of the body dividing it into superior and posterior portions
Down
1 A Russian Astronaut 2 To leave a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle 3 Dislike of, contempt for, or ingrained prejudice against women 4 Also known as frontal, in anatomy, a cut straight down the body dividing the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions 6 Blood that has been shed, especially as a result of violence 7 The plural from hypothesis
Crossword creator: Annette Barreza, The Paisano
6
Arts & Life Events Calendar: Wednesday 10/7 7 p.m. “Hocus Pocus” Quote-Along Whether you’re a kid or a kid at heart, “Hocus Pocus” is basically the cinematic equivalent of trick or treating, which is why The Alamo Drafthouse Park North (618 NW Loop 410) is holding a quote-along to go along with the film. You’ll be encouraged to say your favorite witchy lines, belt out “I’ll Put a Spell on You” and interact with this classic Halloween movie using themed props along with an ecstatic audience. To buy tickets, visit drafthouse.com/san_antonio/ park_north.
Thursday 10/8 6 p.m. “La Verbena de la Paloma” Showing
Time to put your Spanish language knowledge to use. Sigma Delta Pi will hold a showing of “La Verbena de la Paloma,” a Spanish Opera as part of the Latino Heritage Month. The showing will take place on Thursday in MH 3.01.28. Tapas will be served after the showing, along with a discussion on the film.
Friday 10/9 12 p.m. Oktoberfest
Bier steins, lederhosen, polka music and plenty of German fare mark Alamo Beer Company’s First Oktoberfest (202 Lamar St)! With a bier garten, bier hall and bier brewed using German methods, the three-day celebration inaugurates a new South Texas tradition. Entertainment includes The Tubameisters and New Braunfels’ German-Czech inspired group Bohemian Dutchmen. Food trucks will be on site and the company’s new beer, ALAMO Oktoberfest, will be available. Visit alamobeer.com for more details.
ARTS & LIFE ‘Bodies Revealed: Fascinating and Real’ October 6 - October 13, 2015
Witte Museum peels back skin on newest exhibit samples and full bodies displayed in motion. In addiAnnette Barraza tion, there are entire bodies Editorial Assistant cut into transverse or coro@ThePaisano nal sections. The specimens arts@paisano-online.com are fixed with chemicals to Ever wonder what’s go- temporarily halt the decaying on inside your stomach ing process, while all of the after a meal, or what the water is removed by placing human brain looks like be- the specimen in acetone. Then, silicone polymer is neath the boney skull? “Bodies Revealed: Fasci- applied for hardening purnating and Real,” the new poses. Once hardened, the reexhibition from The Witte sult is a dry, odorless and Museum, features real hupermanently preserved man bodies donated to scispecimen that doesn’t conence education. They are tain toxic chemicals. Mcdisplayed respectfully and Dermott noted that a full artfully in a variety of posibody specimen could take tions in an effort to answer the question: “What does up to a year to prepare in the process, while a small the human body do?” “We were personally organ could take only a awe-inspired by the people week. In addition, special care of this exhibit that have inwas taken to describe distentionally donated their plays in which a healthy bodies for science,” exorgan was placed next to a claimed Marise McDerdiseased organ. One display mott, President and CEO showed a healthy lung juxof the Witte Museum. taposed with a significantly McDermott explained the smaller, darker and sickly “Bodies Revealed” exhibit smoker’s lung. A container was a beautiful homage to to throw away cigarette the human body. Each body boxes sat between the two display, including one exospecimens. skeleton riding a bike in “In the past, we didn’t just striking detail, is intricately have families come with modeled and positioned, their little ones. People with reflecting the passion and scrubs, rehabilitation specare that went into creating cialists, doctors and nurses the displays. This year’s exhibit intro- all showed up,” McDermott duced a number of changes explained. “They said to since the exhibit was last us, ‘We had our cadaver in shown over eight years ago. medical school a number of Featuring six main rooms, years ago, but here we have each titled after a differ- so many questions and are ent part of the body, such able to get coherent and exas circulatory and respira- plicit information from this tory, the exhibit also show- exhibit.’” The exhibition opened cases a new prenatal room. Oct. 3 and will close Jan. 31, The displays are made up 2016. of individual organs, tissue
Annette Baarraza, The Paisano Brains and a preserved human face is shown on display at the Nervous system room at the “Bodies Revealed” exhibit at the Witte Museum. “Bodies Revealed” features real human bodies donated for public education, and then preserved, dissected and respectfully and artistically displayed.
Annette Barraza, The Paisano The human anatomy and its inner workings are revealed through a variety of displays at the “Bodies Revealed” exhibit. Each body is displayed in a different manner, such as a muscled athlete, stripped of skin, pitching a baseball.
Friday 10/9 5 p.m. GamEXpo
Gamers, come meet other members of the gaming community this weekend. Whether it is board games, roleplaying or videogames, GamEXpo is the thing for you. Founded by Vince and Colleen Guzman, owners of independent gaming companies in San Antonio, the gaming convention is a three day event that brings together the gaming community of San Antonio. The convention will take place at the Hilton San Antonio Hill Country Hotel in Westover Hills Blvd. Tickets range from $15 to $40.
Saturday 10/10 6:30 p.m. Opera In the Park
Ever seen an Opera performance? This is your chance. Presented by Opera Piccola of San Antonio, an arts group looking to build a professional opera chamber in the city, Opera in the Park is taking place this Saturday. Travis Park will also be offering a life-size chess board to play on, an artisan market and plenty of food trucks to feast at during the day.
Fabian DeSoto, The Paisano Both graduates and undergraduates turned out to compete in friendly competition in UTSA’s 4th Annual “Name That Author” event. The top three winners in the first round moved on to the second round, and the first prize winners in both categories received $200, $100 for second place and $50 for third place.
Students ‘Name That Author’ for fun, cash prizes
Annette Barraza Editorial Assistant
@ThePaisano arts@paisano-online.com Do you know what the term ‘hydriotaphia’ means? Do you know what the structure of a ‘Tanka’, a specific type of Japanese poem is? Maybe you don’t know the answers, but the contestants at last Friday’s 4th annual competition of “Name That Author” at UTSA might have. Split into two groups, undergraduate and graduate UTSA students, the contestants were asked questions of every sort imaginable as they pertain to literature. Dr. Steven Kellman, professor of comparative literature at UTSA, was the moderator and questionnaire of
the night’s festivities. The questions Dr. Kellman asked ran the gamut, from the names of poets, critics, playwrights, Nobel Peace Prize winners in Literature, places and characters in works of literature, important time periods and major players within the history of literature. Dr. Kellman also switched up the questions at points, asking for the name of works of literature based on a few lines of a book, stanzas of a poem or of a unique stage direction of a play. Contestants were awarded 10 points for every correct answer and deducted five points if they answered incorrectly. Prizes were awarded to the top three scorers. The game-show feel of the event was complement-
ed by the use of buzzers by each contestant. Tough questions, like identifying obscure writing structure and little-known literary terms were met with prolonged silence, eased only when the moderator turned to the audience for the correct answer. All of the undergraduate winners were English majors. Aidan Watson-Morris, who competed last year for the first time and won, attained first place again this year. When asked how he prepared for the competition, Watson-Morris said he didn’t spend any time formally preparing for the competition. “Almost every class within my major helped me learn what I needed to know,” explained Watson-
Morris, who plans to buy books with his prize money. Of the graduate winners, Shawn Keeney won first place by a large margin, making this his fourth win in a row. “I attribute my win to paying attention in class, with the help of some online trivia,” said Keeney. His love of reading is attributed to the way that, as Keeney states, “it teaches us some of our own history.” During the undergraduate competition, second place was decided by a tiebreaker between Eric Pitty and Jordan Smith. Ultimately, Pitty secured the second place slot after answering the tiebreaking question correctly. Pitty is part of the Honors College, and considers his decision to be an English major one
of the best he’s ever made. “Majoring in English is a romantic way to make a living,” explained Pitty, who plans to become a professor, filmmaker, actor or possibly a motorcycle rider. “The money is nice, but really, it’s a great networking opportunity to show your stuff and to meet professors.” The full list of winners are: Graduate 1st: Shawn Keeney 2nd: Calvin Hoovestol 3rd: Chris Guzman
Undergraduate 1st: Aidan Watson-Morris 2nd: Eric Pitty 3rd: Jordan Smith
SPORTS {Sports Events}
UTSA breaks four-game losing streak UTSA FOOTBALL
Friday, Oct. 9
Adrian Bermudez Staff Writer
UTSA soccer (home) The Roadrunners will be competing with conference rival UTEP in a match that is set to begin at 7:00 p.m. at the Park West Athletics Complex.
UTSA volleyball (away) The volleyball team will look to knock off top-ranked WKU in a crucial conference match-up between the two top-ranked teams.
Friday, Oct. 10 UTSA softball (home) The Roadrunners will be competing in a double-header against Navarro JC to open the 2016 season.
UTSA football (home) UTSA will face off with conference rival Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. The game, which will be held at the Alamodome, is set to begin at 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 11 UTSA volleyball (away) The Roadrunners will compete against the struggling UTEP Miners. The match will be the third of a four-game roadtrip for UTSA.
Monday, Oct. 12 UTSA golf (away) The men’s team will be in Pearland competing at the Bayou City Collegiate Classic. The tournament will begin on Monday and wrap up the following day.
7
October 6 - October 13, 2015
@bermudezmedia sports@paisano-online.com
On Saturday night in a rainy Sun Bowl Arena, the UTSA football team defeated Texas-El Paso, earning its first win of the year to begin conference play 1-0. The 25-6 trouncing of the Miners was a showcase for UTSA’s “hard hat defense,” which forced five turnovers and nearly shutout UTEP in their homecoming game. “It’s the start of a new season,” UTSA Head Coach Larry Coker said. “We’re 1-0 and away we go.” After a slippery first half that was postponed by two 30-minute lightning delays, UTSA took over the game with 22 second-half points while holding the Miners to only one touchdown. Defensive starters Marcus Davenport and Drew Douglas returned to the Roadrunners’ lineup after spending some time out with injuries. The two disrupted UTEP’s backfield on back-to-back stops to force a safety early in the third quarter. The play sparked a 15-point scoring spree that took the Roadrunners less than three minutes. Douglas — a linebacker — and free safety Nate Gaines led the defense with nine tackles each. Gaines caught two highlight-reel interceptions in the second half. The first was a diving grab in the UTEP end zone halfway through the fourth quarter
that sealed UTSA’s victory. “I knew what the tight end was going to run, so I broke on the ball and dove for it,” Gaines said about the catch. His second interception was a play for the ages; with just two minutes left, Gaines caught a tipped pass at the 22-yard line and sprinted toward the end zone as fellow safety Michael Egwuagu followed. Egwuagu, who was not wearing his mouthpiece, shouted, “Hey, Nate! Pitch it back!” Gaines lateraled the ball to him at the 15-yard line and then set the block to help Egwuagu get in the end zone. Gaines said it wasn’t the first time that happened. “At practice one day, I got a red zone interception and he got behind me and said ‘lateral it!’” “We have a lateral drill (that) we work on in practice. We were in a perfect pitch relationship,” Egwuagu said after the game. The score was actually Egwuagu’s second of the night. His first came on a 40-yard interception return for a touchdown in the third quarter. With superb play from defensive tackles Brian Price and Kevin Strong, the defensive line held the Miners to just 59 yards rushing. Strong, a redshirt freshman, recorded three tackles and a batted pass in only his second start. UTSA’s defense read UTEP’s offense all night. “They did everything we
Shabazz I. Dawkins, The Paisano
had seen on film,” Gaines said. “We were calling out motions and (Egwuagu) was calling out routes.” Starting rover safety Mauricio Sanchez was out with an injury. Freshman safeties C.J. Levine and Darryl Godfrey filled in and combined for seven tackles. “Those guys are stepping up,” Coker said of the 14 freshmen that played Saturday night. On the offensive side of the ball, starting running back Jarveon Williams had another record game with a program-high 28 carries for 133 yards. He also had 45 yards receiving on five receptions. Williams continues to be the offensive engine; Coker calls him the kind of running back “you can hang your hat on.”
Wide receiver Kerry Thomas led receivers with three receptions for 50 yards. Tight end David Morgan had three receptions for 45 yards, including an acrobatic one-handed grab along the UTSA sideline in the third quarter. Not everything went well for UTSA, however, as quarterback Blake Bogenschutz faced immense pressure throughout the evening and was sacked five times. The offensive line has been blocking well during run plays, but has struggled with pass protection. Center Austin Pratt had several bad snaps, including one that flew over Bogenshutz’s head and resulted in the quarterback taking a hard hit that knocked him out of the game in the fourth quarter. Backup
Dalton Sturm filled in and gained 59 yards rushing on three attempts. Kicker Daniel Portillo also had a rough evening, only making one of his four field goal attempts and missing an extra point. He missed every attempt that was greater than 40 yards. The Roadrunners will not have to worry about inclement weather as they come back to the Alamodome to play against C-USA-Championship-favorite Louisiana Tech this Saturday. “They’re really good, they’re going to test our metal. There’s a reason they’re picked as the favorites,” Coker said of the upcoming opponent. Watch UTSA take on LA Tech this Saturday at 6:00 p.m. in the Alamodome.
VOICES Of TheWEST
Briscoe Western Art Museum’s Distinguished Lecture Series Join us as we illuminate unique perspectives on the history and future of the American West.
Tuesday, October 13 6:30pm Nick Kotz, Pulitzer Prize-Winning Journalist American Family Histories: Lost, Forgotten, Found Historian and author of The Harness Maker's Dream: Nathan Kallison and the Rise of South Texas, provides a moving account of his ancestors, the legendary Kallison family, and their search for the American dream. FREE admission for all UTSA Students, Faculty and Staff with ID
Space is limited, RSVP to: shernandez@briscoemuseum.org or 210.299.4499
210.299.4499 | BriscoeMuseum.org 210 W. Market Street, San Antonio, TX 78205
Bris_10.5x10.25_Lecture_Ads01.indd 3
9/26/14 10:00 AM
8
SPORTS
October 6 - October 13, 2015
{Recent Results} Tuesday, Sept. 29 UTSA men’s golf 6th/12 at Mark Simpson Colorado Invitational
Friday, Oct. 2 UTSA volleyball W, 3-0 at UAB
UTSA cross country (men) 5th/7 at Longhorns Invitational
UTSA cross country (women) 4th/7 at Longhorns Invitational
UTSA soccer L, 1-2 vs. Marshall
Saturday, Oct. 3 UTSA football W, 25-6 at UTEP
Two-sport athlete finding early success PLAYER PROFILE Shabazz I. Dawkins and Claudia Jimenez Sports Editor and Staff Writer @PaisanoSports1 sports@paisano-online.com
After a top-five finish at the Longhorn Invitational, the UTSA cross country team looks to be in great form heading into the Broncos Invitational on Oct. 17, the final meet of the regular season. Through three meets, UTSA senior and two-sport standout athlete Dusan Makevic has led the Roadrunners. Makevic, who also competes in long distances with the UTSA track team, has finished in the top five of every meet he has competed in this season. “I worked hard during the summer,” said Makevic of his early success. “I was running by myself. I would practice whenever I could to stay in shape. In previous seasons I didn’t start that well (or) I got injured, so this is looking like a good season.” For Makevic, the work he put in over the summer has been apparent. He finished second in a 6k at the Aggies Opener in September with a time of 18:02.05 — 3.3 seconds behind individual winner Cameron Villarreal of Texas A&M (17:59.9). His strong performance at the Aggies Opener garnered him Conference USA CoAthlete of the Week honors — the first Conference USA weekly accolade awarded to the team in program history. “I was able to maintain a
FEATURED FILM
good place with them (the Texas A&M cross country team), and at the end, their best guy beat me,” said Makevic of his strategy at the opener. After missing the second meet of the year, Makevic came back with a fourthplace time of 25:30.60 in an 8k at the Longhorns Invitational. As one of only a few upperclassmen on this year’s roster, Makevic’s strong performances have been important for the relatively young team. “I think in the next (few) seasons they can be good,” Makevic said of his young teammates. “At the season opener, (the sophomores) made insane results. If they continue improving, we can expect more and better.” For a two-sport athlete, it can be difficult managing training hours. As an NCAA athlete, Makevic is required to stay underneath 20 hours of official training each week, so to supplement, Makevic often spends time training in his spare hours. “My teammates are also working hard and they help me a lot,” Makevic said. “We go on long runs together a lot. We are all good friends; we spend time together outside of practice. It’s a good atmosphere and I wouldn’t change it.” Although Makevic has been impressive early, he will have to wait until track season in order to display his ability to a home crowd. The cross country team has no home meets slated for the remainder of the season.
“Track season is in the spring and we usually have more intensive stuff (training),” Makevic said. “(Cross country) helps me to build a pace for the track season. We do low aerobic workouts to build a pace for the spring.” Makevic will look to continue with his early season success in Sunnyvale, California when the UTSA men’s cross country team competes in the Broncos Invitational on Oct. 17.
Photo courtesy of Texas A&M Athletics
SPECIAL ENGAGEMENT
SIGNATURE EDITION STARTS OCT. 1
OCT. 4 @ NOON AT PALLADIUM | SILVERADO
FEATURED FILM
SPECIAL ENGAGEMENT
extended edition OCT. 5 @ 7:30PM AT PALLADIUM | SILVERADO
VISIT SANTIKOS.COM FOR SHOWTIMES & TICKETS! PALLADIUM IMAX (IH10 at La Cantera) 7 MINUTES FROM UTSA’S MAIN CAMPUS
IMAX - AVX - Laser - D-BOX - Gelato - Cafe - Agora Bar Dolby Atmos - VIP Auditoriums - Reserved Seating FEATURING BARCO ESCAPE
SILVERADO (Loop 1604 at Bandera Rd.) 7 MINUTES FROM UTS UTSA’S MAIN CAMPUS
D-BOX - Reserved Seating - Cafe - AVX - Starbucks FEATURING BARCO ESCAPE
NORTHWEST (IH10 West near Callaghan Rd.) 10 MINUTES FROM UTSA’S MAIN CAMPUS
Beer & Wine - 2D Shows are $5 between 4-6pm!
BIJOU
(Loop 410 & Fredericksburg Rd.) 12 MINUTES FROM UTSA’S UTS MAIN CAMPUS
Art Films - In-Theatre Dining - Age Restricted
MATT DAMON
THE
M A RT I A N STARTS OCTOBER
1 AT SANTIKOS THEATRES
EMBASSY (Embassy Row near Hwy 281 at Bitters)
15 MINUTES FROM UTSA’S MAIN CAMPUS
Starbucks - 2D shows are $6 between 4-6pm!
MAYAN PALACE (Hwy 35 and SW Miliatry Drive) 18 MINUTES FROM UTSA’S MAIN CAMPUS
AVX - D-BOX - 2D shows before noon are $4 everyday!
RIALTO BREWHAUS (Loop 410 and Perrin Beitel) 18 MINUTES FROM UTSA’S DOWNTOWN CAMPUS
In-Theatre Dining - Full Bar - 2D Shows are $5 between 4-6pm!
GO ROADRUNNERS, GO!