Vol. 66, Issue 12 by The Paisano

Vol. 66, Issue 12

Est. 1981

November 14 - November 21, 2023

THE PAISANO

Independent Student Newspaper for the University of Texas at San Antonio Community /PaisanoOnline

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Students call for ceasefire in Gaza at the Sombrilla

Pro-Palestinian activists showed out on the main campus as part of an international campaign for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas

By Faith Kouadio Staff Writer t noon on Nov. 9, more than 100 students assembled in the Sombrilla to stand in solidarity with Palestinians affected by the IsraelHamas war. Students in support of Palestine organized their own “Shut It Down For Palestine” event and walked out of classes to gather and advocate under the Sombrilla. The walkout was inspired by the International Shutdown for Palestine, a decentralized, coordinated event assembled by the Palestinian Youth Movement and other activist groups. The gathering at UTSA was one of many across the nation that were held in response to the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip since the Oct. 7 attacks. The event drew a large crowd, with passersby listening from the surrounding area. Organizers handed out flyers and pamphlets informing readers about the conflict from the Palestinian perspective, most prominently about the federal government’s involvement in funding Israel’s military effort. The pamphlets detailed how San Antonians’ millions of federal tax dollars could have instead been put to use in local housing, healthcare and education. Fahmish Rizvi, one of the organizers of the event, says that the Middle Eastern and Palestinian communities in San Antonio are also affected by Mayor Nirenberg’s ‘friendship pact’ with Israel, citing San Antonio as a “sister city” with Tel Aviv. Allied group, San Antonio Justice for Palestine, has pleaded every Wednesday to the mayor to back out of the pact, which he refuses to do. Governor Greg Abbott also urged schools across Texas to provide informational material and teach

the history of the conflict, supporting the Israeli perspective. Rizvi emphasized that the walk-out was a student-led effort to counteract the “helpless” feeling and misinformation surrounding the issue. “We’re just trying to tell people; we’re just asking for a ceasefire. Stop all the senseless killing, the violence, you know. There’s a lot of children being killed. It’s very encouraging to see people see that this is an urgent humanitarian cause and we need to address it,” Rizvi said. Under the Sombrilla, the crowd responded to the speakers’ many calls: “What do we want? Ceasefire! When do we want it? Now!”; “Biden, Biden, you can’t hide, we charge you with genocide!”; “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” and more. A speaker paused in the chanting to teach Palestine’s history. Students sat and called back important dates and events as they were mentioned. “So, if people try to argue with you about the occupation in Palestine, you will now have the facts,” Kira Stuttr, the speaker, said. Pro-Palestinian calls and responses resumed, followed by speeches sharing their sympathies with Gazans. Speakers expressed their grievances with UTSA for not allowing them to use microphones, crying out, “Shame on UTSA! Let us amplify our voices! Sorry genocide bothers you!” The sensitive topic of the gathering brought out high emotions and attention from students and faculty alike. Some were worried that it would escalate to violence, as seen in protests at other universities. Others were moved by the effort, such as Dr. Jennifer Alexander, a Public Administration and Policy professor who knew students and colleagues affected by

the problem. group felt the university was attempting “People aren’t just victims and just to “censor” them with subtle “red-taping” perpetrators; they’re both,” Dr. Alexander efforts since they were allegedly not remarked. “For me, growing up in a allowed to make reservations for rooms different time, it’s good to see people care. and did not receive much support. I had several students from the West Bank; This semester, SJP tables every Tuesday they were PhD students, and I think about and Thursday under the Youth Democratic where they are right now. I have a very Socialists of America (YDSA) chapter on good friend who is Lebanese, who’s a campus. The group shared that they have director in a school of public policy, and been getting positive engagement from I didn’t realize until what was happening the student body, except for a few prolately that when he was growing up, he was listening to these F-16 bombs. It’s just Israel students. A student from Chi Alpha shared their position on the matter: “I’m a very tragic situation.” The Dean of Students, LT Robinson, pro-Israel. I’m not honestly a whole lot educated on everything, but it is something shared her thoughts about the gathering. “It’s really important to me that students I would like to [look] more into. I’m a know and understand their right to free believer, I love Jesus, [and] I know Israel speech,” she said. “I see the work that is God’s people, so I don’t know how that the students are doing here today, and I’d necessarily affects everything.” Following the walkout and sit-in at the like to encourage our students to continue Sombrilla, the Muslim Student with that spirit as they explore what’s happening in the world, continue Association collaborated with to learn more, use their critical YDSA, SJP and the San thinking skills and learn as much as Antonio Party for Socialism possible so they can make informed and Liberation to host a decisions and have opinions that are screening of “Born in Gaza,” well informed.” a documentary about the During the hour and a half of the effects of the conflict sit-in, the crowd got up twice to on the Gazan walk around the main plaza. children. Classrooms and student On Oct. 12, organizations tabling UTSA shared along the Paseo Principal a message looked on as allies following the marched and Oct. 7 attacks, chanted. offering support Students for and guidance to Justice in Palestine the community. at UTSA, or SJP, According to claimed they shutitdown4paleswere banned tine.org, another infrom tabling last ternational protest is semester and do not know why. The Armin Suljovic/The Paisano planned for Nov. 17.

Football star pleads ‘no contest’ to DWI Tensions boil over on U.S. campuses

By Jessica McLaren News Editor

Star wide receiver for UTSA football, Joshua Cephus, has pleaded “no contest” to his elevated driving while intoxicated (DWI) charge from July. The player has chosen to waive his right to a jury and has instead decided to accept a plea deal that requires probation, community service, DWI education and continued blood alcohol concentration (BAC) monitoring. The plea comes nearly three weeks after Cephus’ bond conditions were modified to better accommodate his school and

Dustin Vickers/The Paisano

football schedules. In accepting the plea agreement, Cephus avoided serving up to 12 months in the Bexar County Jail. In a statement to The Paisano, Cephus’ defense attorney, Desi Martinez, stated that the player “has accepted responsibility for his mistake and is doing what he can to put this behind him and move forward with his life.” Cephus was initially arrested on Dec. 9, 2022, for a suspected DWI after rolling his car over near the main campus. The player was returning from Privat Social Club with fellow UTSA football player, Emmanuel Odetola, when he “lost control of his vehicle” while turning left at Babcock Road and UTSA Boulevard. According to arrest records, the player’s first two breathalyzer attempts read as “Unacceptable” and “Deficient,” so he was sent downtown to provide a blood sample. The blood sample was taken approximately two hours after the crash. Cephus was released after posting his $1,500 bond. He was not charged until the results of the blood analysis were received by San Antonio police in late June, confirming that the player’s BAC was 0.15 or higher, nearly twice the legal limit in Texas. Continued DWI on page 2

as Israel-Palestine violence continues By Faith Kouadio Staff Writer Since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, its subsequent war against the attackers has tallied a death toll of over 10,000 and counting. As civilians and soldiers die in mass, rallies and outbursts at universities nationwide strain relationships between pro-Palestine and pro-Israel students. Student bodies face increasing unrest as institutions take disciplinary action. Many Jewish, Palestinian and allied college students across the country took to the main areas of their campus and online forums to speak up about how the issue affects them, their community and their heritage. However, tensions exploded on several campuses, creating an environment of fear and menacing university operations. In response, universities have been warning students about extending beyond their rights to free speech and protest and attempting to contain the situation. On Nov. 10, Columbia University suspended Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace as organizations on their campus following an unauthorized event on Nov. 9 that “included threatening rhetoric and intimidation.” At Cornell University, a student was federally charged with a hate crime after threatening to harm Jewish students. In

response to the increasing anti-Semitism on campus, Jewish students at Cornell and Harvard have united to sue their universities for their perceived inaction. In Texas, a Jewish sorority house at UT Austin was vandalized in Sept. with a spray-painted swastika. On Oct. 12, students hosting a pro-Palestine lecture event were harassed and called “terrorists” by three other students. Not all university events on this issue have seen violent outcomes or university repercussions. UTSA and TAMUSA hosted their Shut It Down for Palestine events peacefully. On Nov. 7, the Department of Education published a letter reminding universities of their “legal obligations” to protect students from discrimination. Students across the divide say universities are not doing enough to stop and prevent anti-Semitic and Islamophobic backlash against students demonstrating their First Amendment rights. The situation continues to spiral as many students grow increasingly upset at their university, state or the federal government’s financial and diplomatic alliances with Israel. As calls for a ceasefire continue to be ignored, the stifling of protests while letting hate crimes fall through the cracks has some criticizing the hypocrisy of universities and their role in being historical environments that foster intellectual debate and free speech.

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NEWS

TxDOT gives $11.7M to improve walkability and bikeability on campus

By Daniel Scaman Contributor

of Sustainability works to lower the university’s carbon footprint, which with congestion and high traffic, is large. Providing bicycle tracks and pedestrian pathways that are safe and easily accessible is a step toward becoming more sustainable. The walkability grant has been a collaborative project in mind with the connections that the City of San Antonio and the Texas Department of Transportation has been creating for sidewalks and bicycle paths around campus, further influencing riding and walking to school instead of driving. Students should look to see mass transit connections to and from campus in the coming years as alternatives to driving. “The goal isn’t to alienate people who drive their cars, but we have to make accommodations for people who walk and bike.” The construction of the pedestrian and bike paths will occur in several phases to minimize disruptions to pedestrians and traffic. The time frame for changes will be roughly four years, ideally finishing in 2027.

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UTSA has recently accepted a $11.7M grant through the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) Transportation Alternatives program to improve pedestrian and cycling paths on campus. The grant enables changes that will add 12-footwide pedestrian paths and an eight-foot-wide cycling track with barriers to protect pedestrians and cyclists from streets. It aims to make sure all pathways adhere to the standards set by the American Disability Association. These changes will allow all students, regardless of their ability, to safely traverse across campus. “Sidewalks are deficient on campus — these will come with lighting, benches and a nice place to walk,” Director of Sustainability Lani May said. “It will be simpler and more accessible to walk on campus.” Improving walkability and bikeability on campus is a small part of UTSA’s Master Plan, which will guide the main campus through a series of modern improvements. “The larger vision is for us to be a fully walkable campus. We were a commuter campus, [but] that was 25 years ago,” May said. “We want people to be on campus, we want them to do everything here.” The grant also influences

future walkability initiatives. The proposed closing of Brenan Avenue for example, which connects the campus to many of the other parts students frequent, is slated to increase green space and recreational activity on campus by influencing students to be on campus more and to be “proud” of their campus. “It’s supposed to be a grant that makes pedestrians more comfortable on campus along with being able to access different parts of the campus easily.” The changes made possible by the grant look to connect the campus and improve its sustainability by encouraging students to walk instead of driving and by creating safer and more secure paths for biking and walking. The grant will simplify pedestrian connections to major buildings on campus that students typically would prefer to drive to, making walking or biking easier than driving to their destination on campus, and hopefully lowering congestion on campus and single occupancy vehicle use. The UTSA Office

Carnegie Classification redefines R1 requirements By Faith Kouadio Staff Writer A year after UTSA reached R1 status, requirements to meet the designation have slimmed to two factors. Though UTSA’s position is safe, the new standard changes the outlook of other universities. The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education is a tier system that designates universities with high research quality and output with the prestigious R1 status, also known as a doctoral university with very high research activity. In February of 2022, UTSA proudly reached this accomplishment. That achievement was established under a different set of rules. In 2021, universities had to award a minimum of 20 researchbased doctoral degrees, spend at least $5 million in total research and have a high score on the Research Activity Index to meet basic classification. The American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching are simplifying the standard into two measures. From 2025 onward, a university can qualify by spending at least $50 million in research and awarding at least 70 doctoral degrees yearly. Timothy Knowles, President of the Carnegie Foundation, says that previous measures

were “incomplete” and did not reflect the strength or diversity of postsecondary education. “The 2025 Carnegie Classifications will create a more robust picture of higher education across the U.S. and make visible those institutions that demonstrably accelerate educational and career opportunities for students,” Knowles said in a press release. In the previous school year, UTSA awarded 143 total doctoral degrees and spent 141.5 million dollars in research, placing it comfortably above the new requirements for 2025. UT Health Science Center in San Antonio and Houston and the UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas would automatically qualify based on recent numbers. Baylor University faces the risk of losing its status as an R1 university, as it spent less than $50 million in research in 2021 and is quickly trying to catch up on research expenditure before 2025. In addition to Baylor, several universities around the U.S. are attempting to boost research to maintain their status, as others anticipate adopting the new requirements and the incoming promotion to R1. For instance, the new Carnegie classifications also loosen

the restrictions enough that universities that offer a narrower range of doctoral degrees — such as many historically Black colleges and universities and prominent liberal arts colleges — have a chance to be designated as R1. The President of the American Council on Education, Ted Mitchell, says, “The American higher education landscape is incredibly dynamic and complex. However, the Carnegie Classifications, as they are organized today, do not capture that dynamism or the variety of higher education institutions. We are reimagining the Carnegie Classifications to better group and organize like institutions to accurately reflect the broad scope of their work with students, communities, and the broader public purposes of higher education.” The U.S. leads internationally in the number of R1 institutions with 146 schools, making it a worldwide beacon of graduate education. By 2025, the country can expect to shoot higher in the ranks with a more comprehensive understanding of what makes an institution a research powerhouse. For more information on the Carnegie Classification, visit carnegieclassifications.acenet. edu/.

Longtime UTSA supporters Ed, Linda Whitacre donate $1 million to university for Klesse College and athletics By Luke Lawhorn Sports Editor

UTSA announced on Nov. 6 that philanthropists Ed and Linda Whitacre gave a $1 million donation to support the university’s engineering programs along with a new athletics facility. The money, which will be split evenly, will go towards UTSA Athletics fundraising for a new basketball and volleyball practice facility and the Margie and Bill Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design. $500,000 will go directly towards Klesse College’s Student Success Center. The center, which was established in 2016, serves as a central point of contact for industry professionals in engineering, architecture and related fields to help students with networking events, internships and employment. The other half of the donation will go towards the UTSA Athletics department, which Ed Whitacre is a longtime supporter of, along with the engineering program. “In my short time here, I know that [the Whitacres] have continuously supported engineering and athletics,” UTSA Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Lisa Campos said. “UTSA is good for San Antonio and vice versa. They both believe in education and believe in supporting the university here in San Antonio and just making San Antonio a better place.” Despite being a Texas Tech graduate and former Chairman

and CEO of General Motors, Ed Whitacre has significant ties with Alamo City. Born in Ennis, Texas, Ed is the former chairman of the board and CEO of AT&T, formally headquartered in San Antonio. Since retiring in the late 2010s, the Whitacres have continued to support the Roadrunners.

“UTSA is good for San Antonio and vice versa.” The new, not-yet-named athletics facility is set to begin construction in the next calendar year next to the Roadrunner Athletics Center of Excellence [RACE] building. “We are currently fundraising for that facility, and our plan is to make it right next to the RACE center,” Campos said. The RACE Center and the newly built UTSA Park West Athletics Complex, which finished construction in the summer of 2021 and 2023, respectively, the new basketball and volleyball facility will serve as a practice, training and office environment. Games and matches will continue to be played at the on-campus Convocation Center. “We know that the Convocation Center right now is jam-packed, from early morning to late at night, between our sporting

events [and] between academic units and their classes,” Campos said. “We really need a place for our student athletes to be able to train whenever they want, not be so prescribed at a time.” With fundraising still to be done for the project, there are few details about what the facility will include. Campos did state that there will be multiple courts for both the volleyball and basketball teams. “We’re still in [the] ‘design phase,’” Campos said, “but what we’re looking for is a couple of courts for them to practice, locker rooms for the teams, team meeting space, there could be a weight room, and then a sports medicine area as well.” The announcement of the donation comes over two weeks after the failed proposal to raise the athletics fee. With the overwhelming number of students in disagreement with the athletics fee raise, Campos says that donations such as the Whitacres’ will be the source for UTSA Athletics’ advancement. “As we told the students as we were going around talking about the fees, we’re going to continue to find revenue,” Campos said. “Whether it’s through philanthropy, whether it’s through selling out games here in the Alamodome, our objective hasn’t changed. We know that we have great supporters like Linda and Ed in the community. We just need to continue building that revenue and building our budget.”

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Continued DWI

On Thursday, Nov. 9 — exactly 11 months after Cephus’ accident — the player and his attorney stood before County Court at Law No. 1 Judge Helen Stowe and pleaded “no contest” to Cephus’ charge of DWI with a BAC of 0.15 or higher. A plea of no contest is not an admission of guilt, although it has the same legal effect as a guilty plea. As part of his plea deal, the player acknowledged that there is scientific evidence showing his BAC was 0.15 or higher on the night of his arrest. The minimum BAC that warrants a DWI charge in Texas is 0.08. Cephus is required to serve 15 months of probation and 48 hours of community service in addition to a $400 fine, court costs and a monthly supervisory fee. The player must also attend DWI education and a victim impact panel, where he will hear from victims and survivors of DWI crashes, and he must undergo an assessment to determine his need for addiction treatment. Furthermore, Cephus must continue to use his portable alcohol monitor (PAM) during four specific testing windows each day for eight months. If there are any discrepancies with the PAM during the eight

months, he will be required to use the device for the entirety of his probation period. The player is expected to refrain from consuming any alcohol during this time and may be asked to provide a urine sample while on probation. Cephus was suspended from UTSA football following the accident on Dec. 9 and did not attend the Roadrunners’ final game of the season. He was allowed to return to team activities in January. According to Martinez, the player has served the entirety of his suspension with UTSA football. Martinez disclosed to The Paisano via email that he originally wanted to take Cephus’ case to trial, as he believes there is evidence that “would have helped reduce his punishment,” but that the player wanted to accept the plea deal. “Joshua made the right decision for him, his teammates, his school, this city and his future,” Martinez said. “I can’t fault him for his decision. I wanted a better deal for him because I know if he wasn’t on TV on Saturdays, he would’ve been offered better.” According to his attorney, Cephus cannot provide a statement until his probation has ended.

State of the City Week of 11/14

By Kaitlyn J. Grace Staff Writer 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 Veterans Day celebrations to H-E-B’s reported attempt to include e-payments to pay for groceries. Texas cools down, again After a rainy and chilly weekend, temperatures will continue to remain cool throughout the week. It is expected to see highs in the mid to low 70s and lows in the high to low 50s. It is also expected to be partially cloudy throughout the week, with chances of rain on Sunday, Nov. 19 and Monday, Nov. 20. H-E-B to start including e-payments H-E-B will reportedly soon include e-payments such as Apple Pay among its payment options. After many customers expressed frustration at being unable to use e-payments at the Texas-based grocery store, the company responded that they would be considering bringing in e-payments as an option to pay for groceries. “We are actively exploring a broad range of technologies to enhance how customers shop and pay for products,” the company tweeted. “We hope to offer these services in the future.” Dogs maul man, get shot by neighbor On the night of Nov. 8, a man was walking down the 100 block of South San Gabriel Avenue when he was attacked by two dogs from a nearby home. A neighbor who witnessed the attack shot both animals, killing one of them on the scene. The other was taken to an overnight animal hospital, where it died later that night. According to Animal Care Services, this was not the first time the dogs had gotten loose, and the owner has multiple citations. The victim was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries to his legs. Man shot through window near the Westside A man was shot and killed through a window on Friday at 9 p.m. According to SAPD, no shell casings have been found, and there are no descriptions of suspects or vehicles, though they believe the shots came from outside the home. No arrests have been made, and the investigation is still ongoing. Veterans Day celebrations People around San Antonio honored veterans for Veterans Day over the weekend with ceremonies, a downtown parade, discounts and freebies for veterans. The most notable event was the United States Military Veterans Parade, which took place at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11. The parade began in 2000 after Delia Guajardo began organizing the event in 1999. Since then, it has grown and become an annual tradition. Dustin Vickers/The Paisano

Photo courtesy of UTSA Whitacre Labratory

Looking for more news? Texas elections pass 13 of 14 amendments

The processes and costs of DWI

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OPINION Texas Prop 3 supports wealth inequality

Prop 3 prevents lawmakers from creating a wealth tax in the Lone Star State

Editorial

n the elections on Nov. 7, Texas voted on 14 amendments; Proposition 3 was among the 13 that passed. Prop 3 is a constitutional amendment prohibiting the “imposition of an individual wealth or net worth tax, including a tax on the difference between the assets and liabilities of an individual or family.” By approving this proposition, Texas is rejecting what many states call a “wealth tax,” which refers to taxes based on “the market value of assets” one owns. With this change, future lawmakers will not be allowed to tax wealthy Texans. While this proposition can seem positive at first glance because it implies fewer taxes, it ultimately supports wealth inequality in the Lone Star State. Supporters of this change argue that the impact will be minimal, as Texas did not have a wealth tax to begin with. However, this proposition prevents any lawmakers from creating one. Texas already faces significant wealth inequality

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and an extremely weak tax system, and Prop 3 only reinforces that. This amendment will also limit the state’s ability to diversify its revenue sources, as it will prevent taxes on various assets of wealthy Texans. Although it would be challenging to tax these individuals on all of their assets because they can include a variety of luxury items, this proposition indicates that rich Texans will not be contributing a fair share to the state. Since they will continue to be allowed to own luxuries and not pay their equal share of taxes, the wealth gap will remain steady in the state. With the approval of Prop 3, Texas has taken a huge step backward. This proposition in no way benefits the average Texan, but bolsters the ability of the elite to fend off fair taxation. By approving this amendment, the Lone Star State will likely not see an end to wealth inequality anytime soon.

My body type is not a trend Commentary By Luna Infante

Assistant Opinion Editor

Calli Rec

ore/The P

aisano

Bee-stung lips, an all-natural makeup look and a thin waist with a curvy frame; this is the ideal look in 2023, the picture-perfect “it-girl” appearance. But what was the beauty standard in the 2000s or in the 1970s? Women’s beauty standards evolve just as often as Google’s logo design, and it is a tired cycle. Women are more than just their bodies; they are sensibility, intelligence and resilience all in one. Trends are not meant to infiltrate body types. The body is more than an image, more than an outward appearance, and it is time we treat it as such. History Since the beginning of time, we have seen changes in beauty standards. However, in the last 100 years, society has seen a striking back and forth between what is considered the most attractive and what body a woman “needs” to fit the standard. From the 1920s to the 1940s, slim was in, and a small, delicate physique was desired with little to no curves. Women faced a full 180 in the 1950s when Marylin Monroe became the star of the decade, and she spotlighted the poster-perfect hourglass figure. In the 1960s, society underwent another turnaround when Twiggy became the it-girl, marketing a very thin look. In the 1970s, the thin-framed, long-legged look was still idolized. In this decade, we began to see an increase in eating disorders, and as a society, we gained more knowledge about them. In the 1980s, with the popularity of the Jane Fonda at-home workout videos, the

athletic supermodel look became the goal. But in the 1990s, all that muscle had to disappear if women wanted to achieve the look known as “heroin-chic,” which was presented among the top American supermodels of the time. It was in this decade that anorexia nervosa was associated with the highest mortality rate among all mental disorders. In the 2000s, Britney Spears became the standard—a thin but athletic look was what society wanted. Then again, in the 2010s, society saw a huge shift into the curvy look. Kim Kardashian exemplified the modern beauty standard that many women still work for or pay to achieve. In these years, we saw a peak in cosmetic surgeries, including the rise of buttock augmentation, otherwise known as a Brazilian butt lift, or BBL. The modern impact With the constant changes in women’s beauty standards, young girls and women continue to face issues with body image. Body types should not be a trend, as it harms the way we perceive ourselves. Over the last few years, despite having heard more talk of body positivity and inclusivity, we continue to see specific body types being idolized. Although we may not see body types being praised as much on the front pages of fashion magazines, we still see similar patterns on social media. With the popularity of Instagram, our feeds are constantly flooded with images of Instagram models and the “it-girl” look. We now have constant access to what is trendy, how to achieve it and how to show it off. In recent years, we have also seen more internet obsession with aesthetics and fitness. While this content is not inherently harmful, young, impressionable people spend a good portion of their time on social media, and they are prone to falling for a fallacious online presence. Many online influencers edit and photoshop their posts, creating a harmful pattern. These women are idolized for their bodies, yet they are not being honest with their audience, who look up to them. Many influencers have been called out on photoshopping or even exposed for not being honest about their cosmetic procedures. While there is nothing wrong with altering appearance, it is wrong to lie about it on a public platform, especially if promoting oneself as a fitness influencer or an “all-natural” influencer. This pattern can easily create body image issues for young people. Continue reading at paisano-online.com

She is much more than what she was given Commentary

By Misty Olawunmi Staff Writer

The history of women’s representation in media, especially in films, has been relatively flawed and limited compared to men. According to Martha M. Lauzen from the Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film at San Diego State University, only 33% of U.S. top-grossing films featured solely female protagonists. In comparison, 52% of movies featured solely male protagonists. With roles often being ones of romantic interest to the main character, mothers, helpers and damsels in distress, women tend to be supporting characters. That, however, does not mean these roles are inherently onedimensional. Rather, they can open the door to possibly exploring the character’s identity and what values they define as important. What truly matters is how the writing fleshes out the part. Throughout her appearances in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Black Widow showed she could hold her own as a spy and an assassin. In “Iron Man 2” and “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” she supports the titular characters in their missions while having her own objectives. Her actions in “The Avengers” to save

New York prove her capability while also presenting the “red in her ledger” and Budapest as plot threads to explore in future movies. These early movies serve as a great setup for what she can do and where she could go. The depiction of Black Widow falls flat in “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” largely due to the bad writing that plagues the movie. Her main storyline in the film centers around a newfound romance between her and Dr. Bruce Banner, or the Hulk. Their connection is first hinted at through her ability to calm Hulk through a lullaby, and the two appear to bond over their troubled pasts in a scene discussing their inability to have children. The way the scene is framed with its dialogue seems to imply that Natasha feels as though she is a monster because she cannot have children, resulting in the character seemingly being reduced to whether she can be a mother or not. What could have been an interesting storyline about her loss of agency due to the torture she endured in the Red Room and its lasting effects is instead muddled by awkward writing. As a result, a moment that could have been powerful is ruined because of its lack of clarity. Continue reading at paisano-online.com

Failing graduation rate fails students Commentary By Bela Ross Contributor

“UTSA’s graduation rate is a failing grade of 42.1%. While this disappointing percentage can be somewhat attributed to students in the Coordinated Admission Program (CAP) at UT Austin, a rate that low is still unacceptable.”

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Balancing blasphemy Commentary By Allana Llabres

Assistant Social Media Manager The boundaries between religious freedom, the separation of church and state and the principles of public institutions have been debated for years. In the United States, the First Amendment assures the free exercise of any religion, yet it also prohibits the foundation of an official religion. However, in the case of publicly funded campuses like UTSA, students and faculty are often able to create organizations for almost anything they would like, so these boundaries can sometimes completely disappear. Due to this, the concept of religious organizations practicing and hosting on publicly funded campuses can become complex. The First Amendment’s Establishment Clause states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.” Since public schools, specifically colleges, are funded through and controlled by the government, this makes these schools a government entity. Under these circumstances, public schools should not be endorsing or supporting any specific religion. However, the First Amendment also includes the Free Exercise Clause, which

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protects people’s right to freely practice their religion. Permitting religious organizations to gather in public school facilities may be seen as supporting this right by providing a free space for religious projects. In 1981, this issue was brought before the U.S. Supreme Court in Widmar v. Vincent. At this time, the University of Missouri had a policy in place that prohibited the use of university facilities by student organizations for religious worship or teaching. A Christian student organization challenged the university’s policy, insisting that it violated the First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and free exercise of religion. The Supreme Court ended up ruling in favor of the Christian student organization. The Court held that the university’s policy violated the First Amendment as it discriminated against religious speech. They decided that since the public university opened its facilities for student group use, it was not allowed to discriminate against groups based on the content of their speech. They claimed that the university created a limited public forum by excluding groups based on their religious viewpoints. Beyond the legal framework of this issue, community sensitivity should still

Think before you wear Commentary By Naydine De La Fuente Copyediting Coordinator

Do you ever consider the significance of your clothes before getting ready for the day? The history behind the design? Or the significance of the particular hairstyle you are sporting? Traditional attire and styles are worn in many cultures and are deeply symbolic for those who wear them. The fashion industry has used that as inspiration recently in an effort to create “trendy” and “exotic” designs. Like any other art form, fashion design is commonly known to draw inspiration from various

OPINION

sources, including other cultures. However, there have been instances when various designers have appropriated parts of different communities and used them without giving due credit to the original culture or realizing the significance of the appropriated aspects. By ignorantly using elements from other cultures, the industry is seen to be entering the realm of cultural appropriation. Cultural appropriation, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, is defined

be taken into consideration. At UTSA, there is a very diverse religious and nonreligious population, and hosting certain religious organizations on campus may be a sensitive issue. For example, Chi Alpha, a large Christian organization on campus, recently came under fire after it was revealed that the organization had a connection to a registered sex offender who had been on campus in the past. This raised concerns about the safety of students in the organization and the general student body. Many students called for UTSA to take further action, as they were uncomfortable with the organization still being allowed to gather on campus. The institution has not set any boundaries or tried to navigate a balance between religious freedom and the community’s well-being. As of now, Chi Alpha is still allowed to campaign on campus. Another issue that may arise with the idea of religious groups organizing on campus is having equal access for all groups. If public schools open their facilities for community use, they should be required to provide equal access to all community groups, including all types of religious organizations, in order to avoid viewpoint discrimination. Continue reading at paisano-online.com

Join the Paisano | Journalism | Writing | Photography | | Audio/Video Production | | Graphic Design | Magazine | | Advertising | | Marketing | Podcasting | | Website Management | Social Media | General Meetings every wednesday at 6 p.m. Our meetings are held at our off-campus building, located at 14526 roadrunner way as “The unacknowledged and inappropriate adoption of the practices, customs, or aesthetics of one social or ethnic group by members of another (typically dominant) community or society.” This is widely seen within the fashion industry, as traditional attire is

used solely for aesthetics and profits. Gucci displayed cultural appropriation on their fall 2018 runway, which the brand faced backlash for. Continue reading at paisano-online.com

The truth about Costco’s hotdog and soda combo Web Editor

Forty years ago, in 1983, the first Costco store was opened. Since then, the wholesale grocery chain has become a staple in the American home as well as the American diet. As customers leave the checkout area, they can always expect to see the busy food court. Menu options like pizza, churros and smoothies are very popular and affordable, though one menu item rules them all — the $1.50 hotdog and soda combo. Two years after Costco first opened its doors to the public, it began selling the $1.50 hot dog and soda combo. Since its initial release in 1985, the price has not changed once, surviving multiple recessions, stock market crashes and inflation. With the combo being so cheap and a seemingly great deal, is there a catch? While it seems like most companies, especially postCOVID-19, are constantly raising their prices, Costco still has not touched the price of this combo. When the current CEO, Craig Jelinek, suggested to the founder, James Sinegal, that

the combo’s price should be raised, Sinegal said, “If you raise [the price of the] effing hot dog, I will kill you. Figure it out.” In a time when it seems like businessmen have no consideration for the consumer and only for their profit margins, it is a great feeling to have this delicacy protected. With the popularity of Costco’s food court and its similarly priced pre-made items, it seems like they would be making lots of money by the time consumers leave the store — but that is not the case. Costco sells many of these items — especially the hot dog and soda combo — at a loss. In the past, Costco CFO Richard Galanti has stated, “We aren’t making a lot or any profit on food court items.” Costco knowingly sells these products at a loss to incentivize people to come into the store and spend money. Which seemingly works in their favor, garnering them $29.7 billion in profit in 2023. The only caveat to this meal is that Costco requires shoppers to have a paid membership to enter the

Laynie Clark | Editor-in-Chief Editor@paisano-online.com Chloe Williams | Managing Editor Manager@paisano-online.com Jessica McLaren | News Editor News@paisano-online.com Jake Mireles | Opinion Editor Opinion@paisano-online.com Riley Carroll | Arts & Life Editor Arts@paisano-online.com Luke Lawhorn | Sports Editor Sports@paisano-online.com Malaki Lingg | Web Editor Web@paisano-online.com Dustin Vickers | Photo Editor Photo@paisano-online.com Kara Lee | Graphic Editor Graphic@paisano-online.com Marcela Montufar Soria | Multimedia Editor William Barnes | Multimedia Editor Multimedia@paisano-online.com Jenna Taylor | Magazine Editor Magazine@paisano-online.com Sofia Mejia | Distribution Manager Distribution@paisano-online.com Zach Geocaris | Business Manager Business@paisano-online.com

Assistant Editors

Commentary

By Malaki Lingg

Editorial Board

Kara Lee/The Paisano

Voting between a rock and a hard place Commentary By Abraham Roman Staff Writer

Read at paisano-online.com establishment and purchase goods. Starting at $60 annually for a plan, it may seem like the combo is too good to be true, but that is not so. The $1.50 hotdog and soda combo is the perfect meal for a college student or someone who is on a fixed income. With a Costco store located right off UTSA Boulevard, it would be a great idea for students to get a membership. When registering to be a member, two people can be on one account, meaning two faces and two membership cards. When split with a friend, the annual price goes

down to $30. Just imagine how much one could save like that. The combo is the ultimate college meal; a couple of roommates can easily drive down to the location nearest to their campus and have a feast for only a couple of bucks. While it may seem like the main demographic of Costco is wealthier people, excluding all the decent wholesale deals, the $1.50 hotdog and soda combo is a meal for the working class and people with low-income. Continue reading at paisano-online.com

The Editorial is the official opinion of The Paisano editorial board. Commentaries are the opinion of the individual writer. The Paisano is published by the Paisano Educational Trust, a non-profit, tax exempt, educational organization.The Paisano is operated by members of the Student Newspaper Association, a registered student organization. The Paisano is NOT sponsored, financed or endorsed by UTSA. New issues are published every Tuesday during the fall and spring semesters, excluding holidays and exam periods.The Paisano is distributed on the UTSA Main Campus. Additionally, Paisano publications are distributed at a variety of off-campus locations, including Tripoint 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 © 2023 The Paisano The University of Texas at San Antonio’s Handbook of Operating Procedures states in 5.03 that: The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) will not exercise control over the format or content of Student Publications, but will regulate distribution on campus. Student Publications will be free of censorship and advance approval of copy, and their editors and managers are solely responsible for editorial and content policies and decisions. Editors and managers of Student Publications will not be subject to arbitrary suspension/expulsion or removal from their positions within a Registered or Sponsored Student Organization (Student Organization) by the University because of student, faculty, administrative, or public disapproval of editorial policy or content. Student Organizations that distribute Student Publications are afforded the same rights and privileges as Student Organizations that do not distribute Student Publications.

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arts & life UTSA alumnus’ newest short film receives rave reviews Josh Collins’ ‘Gem Mint’ begins its festival run Arte de San Antonio

By Lauren Hernandez

Assistant Arts & Life Editor

osh Collins does not condone violence in his films. This does not mean that his newest short film is void of violence. During an interview with The Paisano, Collins told a story about the production of “Gem Mint” not going as planned. “My assistant director, her name’s Eleanor, is like, ‘Hey, do you want to call cut?’ and I’m whispering like ‘No, let’s just see how it goes,’” Collins explained. “And the guy in the jersey, he just slaps his friend, and we were in shock.” Collins is a film director, screenwriter and producer from San Antonio. He just graduated with a major in communication from UTSA and is now attending St. Mary’s University for his Master of Business Administration. Collins has released two short films this year: “Master Sommelier” in June and “Gem Mint” in October.

Yes, you read that correctly, “Gem Mint” was filmed in one day — 22 straight hours to be exact. Collins shared that his newest short was filmed continuously over the course of a full day. Yes, you read that correctly, “Gem Mint” was filmed in one day — 22 straight hours to be exact. “I wanted to show my friends that on a super tight budget, I can do a movie in ten minutes that takes place in one area — like we don’t leave that little room,” Collins explained. But making a movie is expensive. Collins realized this when learning that he could only afford a sound guy and lens rentals for one day, hence the tight schedule. Making a movie also takes a lot of time. Luckily, Collins got the opportunity to collaborate with The Sauce Productions, a video production company made up of UTSA students. The Sauce provided Collins with Netflix-grade cameras, lights and an entire production team. Unfortunately, all of this extra equipment meant that filming “Gem Mint” was going to take a lot longer than the 12 hours Collins had originally estimated. With the enticements of cigarettes and free food, he convinced his sound guy, Tallon Rock, and the majority of the crew to stay until production wrapped up at 4 a.m., in the middle of the summer, with no air conditioning. “We can’t shoot with a.c., you’ll hear it,” Collins explained. No a.c. and 22 hours of filming can lead to violence. By the time they were shooting the last scene, the two main actors, Jackson Aden, a sophomore majoring in multidisciplinary studies, and Joaquin Ortiz, went off script, one slapping the other. This worried Collins. He had already sent the makeup artist, Elithia Muratalla, home, and now one of the leads had a cartoonish red handprint forming on his face. Collins thought quickly, telling Decker, “He might hit you again, so if he does, hit him back.” This series of events culminated in the intense ending and killer “Breakfast Club” inspired freeze frame that ends the short. Inspirations: Collin’s inspirations are channeled through his film’s storytelling and pacing. For “Gem Mint,” he wanted to recreate the tension and anxiety that the Safdie Brothers create in their movies “Uncut Gems” and “Good Time.” These two films, along with episode seven of “The Bear,” made up the watchlist that Collins gave to his crew. He also explained how tired he is of feeling pandered to by production companies trying to appeal to a Hispanic audience. “Let’s get a movie with Hispanic actors, and have it not be about that,” he explained. UTSA: This journey to the final scene of “Gem Mint,” and all of Collins’ accomplishments, are attributed to UTSA. “My new short film is 100% UTSA,” Collins stated in an email to The Paisano. The majority of his crew is from UTSA, including Sarah Quintanilla, who designed the poster, Max Acosta, who photographed behind the scenes, Michael Smith, the producer and director of photography and many of the production designers, assistants and actors. “I think we’re super talented,” Collins explained. “Why can’t we compete with anyone else?” This confidence is what has pushed him to submit both of his short films to as many festivals as he could afford. Already, “Gem Mint” has won the Best Student Film in Rome at the Roma Short Film Festival and Best Cinematography at the Busan New Wave Short Film Festival. “I think for us UTSA filmmakers and students, the hard work is finally paying off,” he stated. Future: Collins’ future is looking successful. Already, his shorts have gained numerous awards, and he is hoping to strike a deal to get his creations onto streaming services come 2024. Additionally, the script for his third film — about two broke friends who become hitmen — is already written. Thanking the UTSA community several more times, Collins ended our interview with, “I love it, I wouldn’t wanna do it with any other school.”

Photo courtesy of Max Acosta

‘Heaven Knows’ we are not so miserable now PinkPantheress releases beautifully emotional debut album Reviews By Lesley Fuentes

Contributor After its long-anticipated release, “Heaven Knows” proved to be an instant hit. The album has 13 songs and runs for about 34 minutes. Vicky Walker, who uses the stage name PinkPantheress, exploded on TikTok thanks to her highly addictive music with highpitched vocals and catchy beats. Popular singles include “Break It Off” and “Boy’s a liar Pt. 2” with Ice Spice. If you have also been loving PinkPantheress since early 2021, you will notice she revisits the same themes of loss, desire and having unrequited feelings for a lover. These are prominent in her first singles, “Pain,” “Attracted to You” and her first mixtape, “to hell with it.” “Heaven Knows” was a shift from these themes, but the album is great nonetheless. If someone is going to sing about desire, you bet PinkPantheress is going to make a jam. Featured artists on this album are Afrobeats giant Rema, UK rapper Central Cee, alternative R&B

singer Kelela and, of course, rapper Ice Spice. “Another life (feat. Rema)” mysteriously opens the album with a church organ, then catapults the listener into the iconic pitched-

who do not like British rap might skip it altogether, but Cee’s verse is welcomed with a booming bassline and closes the song nicely. By far my favorite feature of them all, Kelela’s buttery vocals start to slow down the first half of the project on “Bury Me feat. Kelela.” “Internet baby (interlude)” continues the transition halfway through the album, leading to the more emotional, downtempo tracks. The song “Ophelia” welcomes the second half of the record with a delicate harp that loops during the song. If you have not realized it yet, PinkPantheress has a talent for pairing sultry, playful instrumentals with somber themes and lyrics. Currently, there is an Mariana Ramos/The Paisano excruciating tie between “Bury me (feat. Kelela)” and “Internet up vocals and drum and bass baby (interlude)” for being the best beats. Throughout the album, the song off the record. While this album instrumentals are the usual drum had many standout moments, it would and bass sound, but change up on have been nice to see PinkPantheress “The aisle” with a playful, disco feel. explore other themes and experiment There are also drill beats on “Nice to some more by making her songs meet you (feat. Central Cee).” Those longer than three minutes.

Inexpensive gifts for the holidays Spare Change

By Chloe Williams

Managing Editor The temperature is dropping, holiday decorations are filling stores and Mariah Carey is preparing to take over the top charts again. With this coming holiday season, it is never too early to start preparing for giftgiving. Whether you are looking for something to gift to a secret Santa, a token of appreciation for your roommate or something for your whole family, we have you covered. Keep reading to check out our guide to cheap and memorable gifts, separated by interest. Coffee lovers For the coffee lover in your life, pick up a unique mug at the thrift store for less than $5, then grab a pack of their favorite coffee or support a local coffee roaster. What’s Brewing has blends for as low as $6.75. Bookworms For the bookworm, Etsy has tons of personalized bookmark options, with most under $10. You could personalize the bookmark with their name, birth flower or a picture of their pet. If your bookworm prefers digital reading, pick out a collection

of stickers for them to put on their e-reader or a sleeve to hold it. Another touching gift idea is to customize a book embosser or stamp with “From

Chloe Williams/The Paisano

the library of” and their name. Self-care devotees A self-care-centered gift is great for those you know who value selfcare, but also for general gifts like a secret Santa. A DIY option is to

make bath salts or sugar scrubs and put together a mini self-care bag. To further personalize, you can use their favorite scents and colors to customize the salts or scrubs. Combined with small self-care items from the dollar store, this is a safe and sweet gift option. Sentimentalists We all know someone who values memories and thoughtful tokens of appreciation over expensive gifts. For this person in your life, there are so many options, each pretty inexpensive. The easiest is thrifting a cool frame and putting your favorite picture in it. This gift is perfect, paired with a handwritten note and maybe a few of their favorite candies. Another more time-consuming option is to DIY coasters using photos. Head to Home Depot, pick up some tiles for less than $1, grab some waterproof Mod Podge and your favorite photos. This gift is great for your mom or your roommate. Fitness enthusiasts For your favorite gymgoer, there are several cheap gift options.

Continue reading at paisano-online.com

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Arts & Life Kara Lee/The Paisano

SA Gems

Best of SA: Tabletop gaming

By Ray Rodriguez

as weekly “Magic the Gathering” tournaments or “Dungeons & Dragons” Adventurers League. There are several local game stores in San Antonio, and finding the right one for you and your group is an adventure in itself, but here are the two best options for nerdy game nights, purchases and hangouts. 1. Dragon’s Lair Comics & Fantasy Despite being a franchise, stepping into one of San Antonio’s two Dragon’s Lair locations will automatically reassure you that you are in the hands of an inclusive local team dedicated to providing the best experience you could ask for. Dragon’s Lair hosts prolific events, including multiple nights dedicated to “Magic the Gathering,” workshops teaching how to play “Dungeons & Dragons” and other tabletop roleplaying games and miniature war games, such as every game in the Warhammer franchise. The stores also feature open-play board games and tables, where patrons are free to pick up a game from the in-store library and play with friends. Dragon’s Lair is also one of San Antonio’s premiere comic book shops, featuring an extensive library of new Kylar Royer/The Paisano releases and graphic

Staff Writer Of the many niche hobbies out there, tabletop gaming might be one of the more difficult to approach. Not only must you go through the process of finding out what games you actually like and how to play each one, but you also need to gather a consistent group and align schedules and availabilities to consistently have game nights with your friends. All these can be successfully curbed by one simple thing — a reliable and friendly local game store. At its best, a local game store becomes more than just a place to pick up new games, it can become a cozy, nerdy oasis for you and your friends. Typically, stores will hold multiple events that welcome their patrons to participate in all sorts of games, such

novels, both mainstream and indie. The diverse and passionate staff are extremely helpful and ready to offer information or friendly recommendations. 2. Knight Watch Games Knight Watch Games’ biggest draw is its atmosphere and ambiance. The store is decorated like a medieval tavern, complete with long wooden tables, weapons and banners adorning the walls, and costumed staff who serve themed food. The tables are free for patrons to use, and the store features a boundless collection of open-play games, but the store’s coolest feature is its themed rooms available for rent. The store offers four private rooms available for private gaming sessions or TTRPGs: a gothic renaissance room, a high fantasy room perfect for sessions of D&D or Pathfinder, a military bunker room ideal for miniature wargaming and the best of the bunch, a room built just like the interior of the Death Star, perfect for sci-fi board games or RPGs. Dragon’s Lair Comics & Fantasy has two locations, one at 5511 W Loop 1604 N Suite 111, and another at 7959 Fredericksburg Rd #129. Check out their event calendars for the Alamo Ranch and Medical Center locations. Knight Watch Games is located at 16350 Blanco Rd #116. Check out their event calendar here.

Catch up with REviews and sa gems at paisano-online.com Photo courtesy of John Pelayo

Celebrating Diabetes Awareness Month

By Amber Serio

Assistant News Editor Every November signifies the start of Diabetes Awareness Month. This month-long observance honors the Nov. 14 birthday of Dr. Frederick Bantling, who discovered insulin in 1921. Diabetes Awareness Month allows communities across the country to spread awareness of diabetes and how it is actively affecting people of all ages. Join The Paisano in recognizing Diabetes Awareness Month and how you can educate yourself on all forms of diabetes. What is diabetes? According to the CDC, diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects how the human body turns food into energy. There are multiple forms of diabetes, but each type involves the body being unable to properly produce or react to insulin, a vital hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates the amount of glucose in a person’s blood. Without proper treatment, this can lead to serious health problems such as heart disease, vision loss, kidney failure, strokes and lower limb amputation, to name a few. Not only is diabetes the eighth leading cause of death in the U.S., but more than 37 million people have it, with one in five of them being unaware they do. The dangers of diabetes are not confined to how they nationally affect individuals, as diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in San Antonio, with one in five adults reported to have diabetes. By learning the different types of diabetes and their corresponding signs and symptoms, you can help in the fight towards better awareness and prevention of diabetes for future generations. Type 1 Type 1 diabetes is believed to be an autoimmune condition that causes a person’s immune system to attack and destroy cells that produce insulin in the pancreas. This happens for unknown reasons and there is currently no cure. Although it is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, type 1 can develop at any age. Common signs and symptoms of type 1 include excessive thirst and hunger, frequent urination, fatigue or blurry vision.

Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in San Antonio, with one in five adults reported to have diabetes.

‘Whodunnit’: a murder mystery

Arte de San Antonio By Kara Lee

Graphic Editor The Rowdy Thespian Association (RTA) has just wrapped up their production and showing of “Whodunnit.” “Whodunnit” is a “Glass Onion” style murder mystery with twists at every corner. The play is set during the 1930s. Before the performance started, RTA Director Felicity Rost noted that clues about the murderer would be hidden all around the scene and even in the characters’ mannerisms. The opening scenes introduce the main characters; Archibald Perkins, the butler; Andreas Capodistiou, the blackmailer; Silas Bazeby, the lawyer and host; Rear Admiral Knatchbull Folliat, the old sea dog; Lady Tremurrain, the dotty aristocrat; Roger Dashwell, a nice Australian man; Lavinia Hargreaves, the sweetheart fiance and Dame Edith Runcible, the eccentric archeologist. In the first act, all are invited to a dinner party deep in the English countryside. Each character has their own disgraceful secret, which Capodistiou exploits, giving each a motive for his murder. With clues to “Whodunnit” sprinkled

throughout the performance, audience members watched attentively for each character’s deliberate wordplay and actions. Some audience members even brought paper and pens to piece together the clues. As act one comes to an intermission, the audience is introduced to Inspector Bowden and Sergeant Standish. These two detectives were brought in to solve the mysterious murder of Capodistiou. In act two, the performance picks up a more humorous tone while the detectives interrogate the suspects. While interrogating, the detectives find a pivotal twist that completely changes the investigation. It is revealed that dinner guests are in fact actors, hired to play out a fake murder mystery that resulted in a real murder. The true murderer had hired these actors to take on these personas and lead them to what they thought was just a game. The killer used this as the perfect cover-up to get away with what they thought was the perfect murder. Just when Detective Bowden thinks the host is a murderer, Bazeby is killed by the true murderer. Bazeby found who the real killer was and when he was just about to inform the detectives, he was found dead. This threw off the detectives and the audience but gave

crucial clues as to who the true killer was. The detectives noted that the killer was left-handed and carefully analyzed which guest would fit that description. Bowden used these clues to reveal who the real killer was. The only left-handed suspect was the butler. In a last effort to get away with the perfect murder, the butler tried attacking Bowden with a sword that was being held in his left hand, confirming the fact that he was the true killer. Overall, the performance was witty and kept the audience members on their toes with every twist and turn. All the actors kept the audience laughing and entertained, and the show was full of life with an amazing script and thoughtful scenery. Blake Persyn, who portrayed Inspector Bowden, brought a comical absurdity to the play, which the audience thoroughly enjoyed. Viktor Ӧstberg, who played the butler and actor with a career worth killing for, brought life to the performance with their lively stage presence. For students interested in theater, the RTA hosts their general meeting on Wednesday from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Richard Liu Auditorium in the Business Building (BB 2.01.02).

Type 2 Representing between 90% to 95% of all diabetes cases, type 2 is the most common form of diabetes. This occurs when a person’s body does not make enough insulin or their body does not respond to the insulin being produced by their pancreas. Type 2 is most prevalent in adults but can affect children as well. The symptoms of type 2 overlap with type 1, but it usually takes longer to diagnose type 2, as a person is likely to feel more symptoms upon being diagnosed. Gestational This form of diabetes develops during pregnancy in women who do not already have diabetes. Gestational diabetes occurs when the human body is unable to produce enough insulin during pregnancy. Pregnancy can cause a person’s body to undergo significant changes, such as an increase in hormone production. These changes can sometimes result in the body’s cells inefficiently using insulin and eventually developing into a condition called insulin resistance. Although insulin resistance occurs for all pregnant women toward the end of their pregnancy, some women develop insulin resistance earlier than others. When this occurs earlier, the chances of gestational diabetes are much higher. In the U.S., 2% to 10% of pregnancies are affected by gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes does not have any symptoms. The City of San Antonio will be hosting its third annual diabetes health fair from 4 to 7 p.m. on Nov. 15 at West End Park. The fair aims to provide support and education as it encourages individuals to learn how to make lifestyle changes and prevent diabetes. For more information on diabetes and how San Antonio is recognizing Diabetes Awareness Month, visit diabeteshelpsa.com/.

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sports UTSA’s dominant defense leads the way in sixth straight win Photo courtesy of Vashaun Newman/UTSA Athletics

More impressive rookie thus far: Wembanyama or Stroud? By Michael Rios Contributor

Senior quarterback Frank Harris finds an open receiver in Saturday’s 34-14 win over Rice.

Pair of forced fumbles keeps Roadrunners undefeated in AAC By Connor Suehs

Staff Writer

AN ANTONIO — The UTSA Roadrunners extended their winning streak to six games as they defeated the Rice Owls in front of 28,245 fans in the Alamodome on Saturday. The game would mark the 11th matchup between the two schools, with UTSA winning the last seven matchups. It was also a special milestone for Roadrunner quarterback Frank Harris as he would compete in his 50th career collegiate start. “It’s gonna be a bittersweet moment for me,” Harris said when asked about his 50th start and his senior night next week. “I’ve been through it all at UTSA so I will live it up for sure.” UTSA’s defense was the star of the show, totaling six sacks and two forced fumbles en route to a dominant win. “It feels great,” Trey Moore said. “We know Rice is a good team so we know we

had to execute.” The Roadrunners kicked off the scoring with Chase Allen knocking in a 26-yard field goal to give UTSA a 3-0 lead. The remaining part of the first quarter saw both defenses dominate the game, not allowing either side to have much success on offense. After a big third down sack by Brandon Matterson, UTSA would get the ball back with 3:30 left in the second quarter. A 16yard catch by tight end Oscar Cardenas gave way to a 6-yard touchdown pass from Harris to receiver Joshua Cephus to extend UTSA’s lead to 10-0. Rice would fire back as quarterback Aaron James Padgett found receiver Luke McCaffery for a 26-yard touchdown to make it a 10-7 game heading into halftime. The start of the third quarter would see Harris and Cephus connect for 39 total yards on four catches. The drive would be capped off by a 1-yard rushing touchdown by running back Robert Henry for his eighth rushing touchdown of the season.

UTSA’s defense and special teams would continue right where they left off as edge rusher Moore picked up back-to-back sacks. Chris Carpenter would then return a punt 49 yards to the house to make it a 24-7 Roadrunner lead with eight minutes left in the third. UTSA would stick to the run game with Rocko Griffin punching in a 1-yard rushing touchdown to make it a 31-7 lead. The fourth quarter would see Tate Sandell make a 48-yard field goal to extend the lead to 34-7 with 5:09 left in the game. Rice would add another touchdown late in the fourth quarter to round up a final score of 34-14. In total, UTSA rushed for 201 yards and threw for 182 passing yards. While the offense started slow in the first half, they exploded in the second, bringing together a more complete performance. UTSA will play its final home game at 8 p.m. Friday at the Alamodome against South Florida.

UTSA women’s basketball wins home opener Freshman guard Aysia Proctor scores 19 points By Haley Aguayo

Assistant Sports Editor The Roadrunners earned their first win of the season during their home opener, winning 58-55 over New Mexico State University at the Convocation Center last Friday night. The ‘Runners were led by MVP of the game, Aysia Proctor, who scored two three-pointers and a total of 19 points, followed by a close second, senior guard Kyra White, who scored two three-pointers as well with a total of 13 points. The game came down to the wire in the final minute as the ‘Runners (1-1) and Aggies (0-2) nearly tied at 56-55. 24 seconds left on the clock and White was awarded a free throw thanks to a personal foul made by Aggie forward Tylie Jones. She missed but made her second to add one more point, creating a twopoint distance between the two teams at 57-55. Proctor was also awarded a free throw after a personal foul from Aggie guard Loes Rozing. Proctor missed her first shot but made her second one, putting the ‘Runners ahead by three points with only three seconds left in the game. The final score was 58-55. Despite missing her first shot, Proctor was able to center herself and refocus her priorities to make the final basket of the game.

To start their respective careers, Victor Wembanyama and Coleridge Bernard “C.J.” Stroud IV have been lighting up the NBA and NFL this past month. In week nine of the NFL season, Stroud threw five touchdowns for 470 yards, both record numbers for a rookie quarterback. It is insane to think about once you put his performance in comparison to other quarterbacks’ best passing games. He made a lot of aggressive throws, especially to rookie wide receiver Tank Dell and veteran tight end Dalton Schultz, down the stretch of a close game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This is not normal for a rookie; to have 14 touchdowns and only one interception halfway through the first season of an NFL career is unheard of. He is going to be special for a very long time. Wembanyama has been great in starting his NBA career as well. In the first two weeks of the NBA season, Wembanyama has averaged 18.8 points, 8.5 rebounds and around two assists a game, which is about an average stat line for an NBA rookie. The things that make him special are his shot creation, the fact that he is 7-foot-3 and moves like he is a wing player and his ability to shoot over every player in the league. We saw a glimpse of the type of player Wembanyama can be during the Nov. 2 matchup against the Phoenix Suns. He

Linton with nine points, along with forward Elyssa Coleman and guard Sidney Love with seven points each. Similar to that of their scrimmage against St. Mary’s, the Roadrunners displayed a largely physical defensive effort thanks to freshman forward Idara Udo and her blocking. “She is fearless out there,” White said of her new teammate. “She wants to be in the line so if somebody is coming her way, I guarantee it is going to either get blocked or she is going make them not want to come back out there.” As for star player Jordyn Jenkins, a major starter last season, she has yet to make her season debut. Jonathan Porter/The Paisano “She is recovering,” coach Karen Aston said. “She is just day to day right now, we do not really know. I mean, “As coach would say, coach Carey and coach KA (Karen Aston), after a shot, you have to forget it. If you miss, no matter there is no question that we are not going to rush her back. We are going to make sure she is really good to go before we put what, just forget it and try to move on,” Proctor said. “I just put her out there.” my head down and thought ‘I am going to make the next one.’” The Roadrunners will play Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at 7 Other top scorers of the evening included forward Maya p.m. Wednesday at the Dugan Wellness Center.

Spurs fall to Timberwolves in NBA in-season tournament

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than Indiana or New York. Nobody likes to lose, but there were all kinds of good things in this game and we just have to keep getting more disciplined, make fewer errors, execute better and it takes time. I felt totally different after the last two [games] than I feel [after Friday’s loss]. I was proud of them.” The long 82-game season will give the league’s youngest team plenty of time to grow and develop. The Spurs’ second and final home in-season tournament game will come against the Sacramento Kings. The game will tip off at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Frost Bank Center.

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SAN ANTONIO – Over two weeks into the NBA’s regular season, the San Antonio Spurs seem to be right on schedule. After sweeping the Phoenix Suns on Oct. 31 and Nov. 2, the Spurs (3-6) have fallen to a four-game losing streak, with the latest loss coming against Minnesota last Friday. The 117-110 loss to the Timberwolves (6-2) came with another big performance from rookie Victor Wembanyama, who dropped 29 points on 12 of 21 shooting. The 7-foot-3 Frenchman was due for a bounce back performance. After dropping 38 points against the Suns in a 132-121 win on Nov. 2, Wembanyama came back to the mean, scoring 20, 13 and 14 points in the next three games. However, that is not to say that the opening of Wembanyama’s rookie campaign is a disappointment. As of Saturday, Wembanyama leads all rookies in points per game with 19.9, over three points ahead of Oklahoma City’s rookie Chet Holmgren. He is also first

amongst rookies in blocks per game (2.6) and is second in rebounds per game (8.6). The 19-year-old, who happens to be on the youngest team in the NBA, knows the early season struggles will propel the Spurs for later in the season. “We’ve had ups and downs, but I think we’re fixing some stuff every time,” Wembanyama said. “We can get much better, but as the youngest team in the league, I think we’re already doing a good job with our intentions. But now we have to do good as a fact.” The four-game skid has come in all phases for San Antonio. Three days after the big win over Phoenix, the Spurs fell 123-116 to the Toronto Raptors in overtime. The team then turned around and lost by a combined 62 points to the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks. Despite the four consecutive losses, San Antonio’s seven-point loss to Minnesota was a positive one for Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich. “I was proud of them. I thought they did a good job tonight,” Popovich said. “It’s a totally different game

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San Antonio slips to four-game skid

By Luke Lawhorn

showed that he could score at all three levels of the court, defend the perimeter against wing players and the rim, and be a playmaker if needed. Once we get deeper into the season, we will see Wembanyama breakout as a rookie, a rare sight in the NBA. Who has had the more impressive rookie season so far, though? Stroud has been more impressive, simply because rookie quarterbacks in the NFL usually struggle in their first season. Look at guys like Trevor Lawrence, Joe Burrow and even Bryce Young, the No. 1 overall draft pick this year; They had to face a lot of adversity. Lawrence was dealing with Urban Meyer, who was the worst coach in the NFL in 2021, Burrow tore his ACL in Week 11 of the 2020 season and right now Young has the worst situation around him compared to all the other rookie quarterbacks. Stroud has not struggled as a rookie this year except for one bad game against the Panthers in Week eight. The NFL is also the harder league to play in compared to the NBA, as it is more physically demanding and it requires more out of its players, especially from the quarterback. Do not expect Stroud to throw five touchdowns every other game, but he will be the best quarterback from the 2023 NFL Draft Class. Stroud’s rookie season will be one for the history books, for sure, as well as Wembanyama’s. Both of these young stars will be great for a very long time.

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