Vol. 66, Issue 6

THE PAISANO

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

Jazz is more alive than ever: Jazz’SAlive historic 40th anniversary Read at paisano-online.com

UTSA works on SB 17 internal review process

University releases website with plans and timeline

By Jessica McLaren News Editor

Senate Bill 17 (SB17) was signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott in June, requiring colleges and universities in Texas to close their diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) offices by Jan. 1, 2024. UTSA is currently in the process of reviewing current DEI-related operations and has been working with UT System since May to finalize its strategy.

Originating in the 88th Texas Legislative session, SB17 amended Texas Education Code 51.3525 to prohibit DEI offices, duties, training and statements in higher education institutions. Any kind of preference based on sex, race, ethnicity or national origin is prohibited.

UT System released working guidance regarding SB17 on Sept. 15, detailing the specific restrictions, requirements and

exceptions included in the law. According to the document, SB17 “specifically states that the bill’s restrictions do not apply to academic course instruction.”

The prohibitions also do not apply to data collection, scholarly research or creative work, short-term guest speakers and performers, recruitment and admissions processes and all functions of student organizations. Specific definitions for each exception as well as guidelines regarding hiring and training processes can be found at utsa.edu/ president/documents/SB-17UTS-FAQs.pdf.

After receiving this guidance in August, UTSA committed to “develop[ing] an engagement strategy to review programs, activities and initiatives that may be impacted” that is “broad and transparent.” In the statement, which was shared with all faculty, staff and

students via email on Aug. 28, UTSA stated that “[they] are committed to adhering to [their] core values and supporting academic freedom while creating a strategy that aligns with UT System guidelines.” In another email sent out in September, UTSA stated that they have “begun a process to collect, screen and review current operations” and provided a website where the university will share its ongoing plans and address frequently asked questions developed by UT System.

The review process includes an Executive Leadership Review Committee, a Working Group of appointed campuswide stakeholders and a Program, Activity and Initiative Review (PAIR) team.

The process also involves consultation with an SB17 advisory group, featuring representatives from the faculty

How to vote in the 2023 Texas amendment elections

By Amber Serio Assistant News Editor

The 2023 Constitutional Amendment Election will occur in Texas on Nov. 7. Texans will have the opportunity to vote on 14 different constitutional amendments that have been approved by state lawmakers. Read on to discover how voters can ensure they are registered and prepared when they head to their local voting location in early November.

Amendment details

According to the Texas Tribune, many of the proposed amendments will produce or alter funds that would support higher education research, water infrastructure, gas-fueled power plants, broadband infrastructure and maintenance and creation of state parks.

Several other amendments are associated with taxes and propose raising the homestead exemption for homeowners from $40,000 to $100,000, creating some tax exemptions for medical equipment and child-care facilities and

banning lawmakers from applying wealth taxes without voter approval.

Texans within certain occupations could also be affected by the amendments that propose granting retired teachers cost-of-living raises, raising the mandatory retirement age for state judges and protecting commonly accepted farming and ranching practices from state and local regulation.

Two of the amendments would directly impact Galveston and El Paso. If passed, Galveston County would be allowed to eliminate the position of county treasurer and El Paso County would gain access to using bonds for parks and recreation development.

How to register According to Ballotpedia, “To register to vote in Texas, an applicant must be a United States citizen, resident of the county in which he or she is registering and at least 17 years and 10 months of age.”

Texans interested in voting on the proposed amendments must be registered to vote by Oct. 10.

Early voting Texas permits an early voting period for all registered voters. This will begin on Oct. 23 and end on Nov. 3. Early voting locations can be found online or voters can contact the Early Voting Clerk for State and County Elections within their county. Accepted forms of ID

When arriving at a polling location, voters will be asked to present one of the seven acceptable forms of photo identification. This includes a state driver’s license, a Texas election identification certificate, a Texas personal identification card, a Texas handgun license, a U.S. military identification card with the voter’s photograph, a U.S. citizenship certificate with the voter’s photograph or a U.S. passport. Voters between the ages of 18 to 69 must display a current form of identification that has not expired for more than four years before being presented at the polling place. For more information on the amendments and what they entail, visit texas.gov.

and staff senates as well as UTSA’s Student Government Association. President Eighmy will make all final determinations based on the recommendations provided in the review process. The implementation timeline, which spans until SB17 becomes law on Jan. 1, states that the “internal review process is intended to move swiftly to provide the Roadrunner community with timely guidance” and that “regular communication will be provided throughout the process.”

For more information and future updates regarding UTSA’s internal review process and timeline, visit utsa.edu/president/ campusandcommunity/SB17. html. Further questions and feedback can be directed to the PAIR team at pairteam@utsa. edu.

ASAP transitions to myUTSA

By Adine Bahambana Contributor

Last week, UTSA officially moved away from the ASAP system and introduced the myUTSA system with an updated website for students to access all of the university’s resources in one place. Previously, students would use ASAP to register for classes, pay tuition, accept financial aid and more. In addition to all of these capabilities, the myUTSA system will add access to resources from other UTSA apps such as DegreeWorks and Canvas.

it easier for students to find what they are looking for. In addition, the platform has responsive design capabilities, meaning the interface will adapt to the device that is used whether it is a laptop, phone or tablet.

Students will still be able to use the original ASAP system throughout the launch.

“We wanted to slowly roll out upgrades so that students can leverage them now instead of having to wait. But with that, we have to kind of navigate between

platform at my.utsa.edu/, selecting the orange “Modern View” button and entering their myUTSA ID and passphrase.

“We’[v]e rebrand[ed] the [ASAP] student portal to a nomenclature that makes more sense to students, versus this random acronym that does stand for something, but has no meaning to students,” Associate Vice Provost of Enrollment Marketing, Communications & Systems Tina Garza said. “Students already have a myUTSA email address, students have a myUTSA ID, so this sort of wraps it all together under myUTSA account because students also have various accounts to manage.”

According to One Stop Enrollment, the new platform has streamlined navigation with a more user-friendly design that will make

two existing systems,” Garza explained. “[The] old ASAP is now going to be the ‘Classic view’ of your student portal, and this new modernized view is going to be called the ‘Modern view.’”

While it might seem unfamiliar at first, the key components of ASAP will be consistent with myUTSA.

“They’re directly correlated to the tabs [on ASAP], but we have way more now. Think of these tabs that are essentially menus, and what we’ve done is, you know, expanded them out,” Garza said.

Getting used to the modern view is important for students because it will become the primary platform in the future. “Basically this is just the first step into many more future iterations. Over the next year, eventually, [the] classic [view] will go away.”

See myUTSA on page 2

Kylar Royer/The Paisano

Chloe Williams/The Paisano

Federal court overrules drag ban

By Faith Kouadio Staff Writer

Last Tuesday, United States District Judge David Hittner published a ruling stating that Texas Senate Bill (SB) 12, nicknamed the “Drag Ban,” is unconstitutional. According to Judge Hittner, the bill’s definition and methods to target and regulate “sexually oriented performances” imply content restriction, which would be in violation of the First Amendment right to freedom of speech.

SB 12 — passed on Sept. 1 — prohibits “a sexually oriented performance on public property in the presence of an individual younger than 18 years of age.” The bill explicitly targets any “male performer exhibiting as a female, or a female performer exhibiting as a male, who uses clothing, makeup, or other similar physical markers and who sings, lip syncs, dances, or otherwise performs before an audience.” Commercial business owners hosting drag performances and anyone involved in the production and performance are also liable. Texans charged with this offense face up to $10,000 as a civil fine and a separate fine of up to $4,000 or up to a year in prison as the punishment for a Class A misdemeanor.

Several drag queens and organizations collaborated to challenge SB 12 to protect their right to communicate “messages of celebration, equality and acceptance.” The party of plaintiffs worried that under the broad language of SB 12, private venues visible to the public, such as patios, pride parades, the use of body props such as packers and breastplates in performances and other inadvertent showings in front of minors may be interpreted as “sexual gesticulations” and “imitating sexual acts” and could result in criminal and civil charges.

The defense of the Attorney General of Texas is that despite the allegation of content restriction, the state reserves the right to enforce SB 12 in the interest of protecting children from “prurient interest in sex.” The Attorney General states that “a neutral person of ordinary intelligence would not understand the message.” The state stands firm that SB 12 is purposely broad to protect children from other harmful, sexually-oriented performances that exist or may replace drag someday.

Judge Hittner maintains that the right to perform drag shows is in order under the protections

of the First Amendment and that SB 12 is unconstitutionally overbroad, vague, and poses a risk of irreparable harm due to its restrictions of content. The ruling finds “it is evident drag shows express either pure entertainment or, like most types of expressive art, an underlying deeper message,” listing examples such as music or theater. It finds it within possibility that SB 12 could come to conclude activities like cheerleading could become a violation of SB 12.

Continued myUTSA

“But there’s no date yet for when it’s truly go[ing] away,” Garza said.

Personalization options

Students will now be able to personalize their myUTSA platforms by favoriting and reordering the cards that are most relevant to them. “You’ll notice how everything has a more upgraded user interface. It’s a little cleaner, [and] more modern. No more tabs; everything is cards. But the best part of all is you can move things, you can remove things, you can add things. So it truly is like a personalized experience throughout the fouryear journey,” Garza said.

Another addition to the interface is the “my” cards that present personalized insights in an easyto-understand format. “These ‘my’ cards are pretty much cards that will only show data about you,” Garza said. “So your degree work progress will look different than mine, and so these are at a glance without having to go into Degree Works or go into other applications to give you summary information.”

Centralized resource hub

Digital modernization at UTSA

The transition to myUTSA is just one of UTSA’s steps towards modernizing the digital tools that ‘Runners have access to. Considering the digital overhaul that took place in institutions of higher education throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, digital modernization is crucial to the overall student experience. This semester, UTSA switched to Canvas for its Learning Management System (LMS) after using Blackboard for 11 years. “We used the pandemic to understand how people were using Blackboard and what they needed and what they wanted,”

Vice Provost for Academic Innovation Melissa Vito said. “We surveyed students and faculty actually, multiple times to try to understand what they were looking for. Like what was important to them, regardless of what tools we might be using.”

Judge Hittner notes that if the state truly had the best interest of children independent of parents in mind, the bill would be more narrowly tailored and “would possibly include punishments for a parent who takes their child to a ‘sexual oriented performance.’”

Plaintiff Brigette Bandit, an Austin-based drag queen, stated after the release of the ruling: “I am relieved and grateful for the court’s ruling. My livelihood and community has seen enough hatred and harm from our elected officials. This decision is a much-needed reminder that queer Texans belong and we deserve to be heard by our lawmakers.”

Texas Senator Bryan Hughes condemned the ruling: “Surely we can agree that children should be protected from sexually explicit performances. That’s what [SB 12] is about. This is a common sense and completely constitutional law, and we look forward to defending it all the way to the Supreme Court if that’s what it takes.”

Several state representatives and senators shared Hughes’ sentiment and intend to appeal and escalate the ruling to the Supreme Court in the following months.

Students discuss experiences in the Archer Fellowship Program

By Jada Thomas Staff Writer

Founded in 2001, the Archer Fellowship Program is an internship based in Washington D.C. The program provides undergraduate and graduate students in the University of Texas system the opportunity to learn and grow in their respective career fields during the fall or spring semester.

The motivation to apply to this program is different for each student. In the case of Brandon Hobza, a recent Archer Fellowship recipient, he applied for the unique opportunities it would grant him.

“I applied to the Archer Fellowship Program to gain a unique insight into how legislation is created,” Hobza said. “I also looked forward to the opportunity to intern in our nation’s capital to increase environmental protection across the country.”

Applying for the Archer Fellowship Program takes dedication, as applicants must submit a resume, personal statement, policy essay, list of potential internship sites, two letters of recommendation, an official transcript and a signed disclosure statement. However, when students discover they have been accepted into the Archer Fellowship Program they are delighted, like Spring 2023 Archer Fellow Madeline Aguilar.

“I was so excited,” Aguilar said. “I had started working on the application a few months before. I had some help from the UTSA Honors College with preparing my written materials, practicing for my interview, and getting letters of recommendation. I was so happy to get to tell my advisors and letter writers that I had been accepted.”

Participating in the Archer Fellowship Program allows students to do activities such

as taking classes on the site of national monuments or experiencing firsthand how policy is formed.

“The highlights I had during my time in the Archer Fellowship were having class on the National Mall while debating about important social issues that affect the entire United States,” Hobza said. “Additionally, I had the opportunity to see firsthand how policy is created through my internship at the White House Council on Environmental Quality.”

Along with highlights of their time with the Archer Fellowship Program, these previous fellowship recipients also have their own views on why students should apply for the program.

The Archer Fellowship is a

have recently been accepted into the program, or who may be accepted in the future.

“I would definitely start the internship search early,” Aguilar said. “It really takes up a lot of your time the semester before you participate, but it’s so worth it, and the search teaches you a lot before you even get to D.C.”

When their time in the Archer Fellowship Program is over, the knowledge and experience that students gain in their respective internships continues to benefit them long after they return from Washington D.C. The program helps hone skills they will need for their career, and helps them realize passions they had not considered prior to joining the program.

The new streamlined platform brings UTSA services from across multiple apps into one hub. “It helps curate all of the resources that can be very overwhelming to students at UTSA to just take a moment and then read through the card, to find the things kind of in a summary as another sort of organized way to kind of just help navigate all of that. If academic support services is important to you, you can just bookmark it,” Garza said.

Students may even discover resources they may have not realized were available to them.

“As students, you guys have tons of applications that you can take advantage of, and so all of those app applications are big blue cards. Hopefully by the way things are organized so the app launches here. If you ever want to know all the applications that students have access to, you can find them here,” Garza said.

“You have access to download antivirus software if you need it, your health portal website, your library account, your parking portal. Tools like the Adobe Creative Cloud that you have as a student, Canvas obviously is a really big one. So anything that’s an application, not a website here can really be found in this inventory.”

The overwhelming consensus from the survey was that students wanted a mobile app. However, Canvas has so much more to offer. “The calendar feature has a to-do list that we didn’t have in Blackboard before and it can be synced with other calendars. So students can actually sync it with their personal calendar and create their own to-do list,” Associate Vice Provost for Teaching, Learning & Digital Transformation Marcela Ramirez said.

Canvas offers a number of features that can help students navigate their courses, including a “what-if” feature that allows them to see the effects of different grade outcomes. The LMS also boasts plenty of online help options that include 24/7 online assistance along with an online help center for students that includes all of Canvas’ capabilities. Faculty also have access to a help center specific to their needs that includes workshops, and one-onone guidance.

For clear instructions on how to use the new myUTSA system, students may watch the tutorial video on the One Stop website. Alternatively, a PDF form of the instructions is located right under the app launcher on the myUTSA website. For additional support, students can schedule an appointment with the Tech Café by calling (210) 458-5555 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or by emailing techcafe@ utsa.edu.

State of the City

Week of 10/3/23

great way to get introduced to the world of policy and governance for anybody who thinks they may be even a little bit interested in that,” Brianna Diaz, a previous Archer Fellow, said.

“Before I did Archer, I think I had a very limited view of what working in policy could look like — aka, working on Capitol Hill — but now I understand that there are all sorts of ways you can influence policy and your community, so it really broadened the pathways I was considering for myself.”

“I really appreciated the opportunity to explore different ways into education policy, through my own internship and through talking with other education-minded folks in my program,” Diaz said. “Even though I’m no longer considering a career directly in policy, Archer helped shape my passion for youth civic engagement and civic education, which is what I study now as a doctoral researcher in developmental psychology. Hopefully, as I continue my career as an education researcher, I can produce research that helps policymakers and educators understand what our young citizens need in order to thrive. Being an Archer Fellow helped me realize how important civic education programs are for young people finding their places in the world.”

For more information on the Archer Fellowship or to apply for the program, visit archercenter.org or honors.utsa.edu/ programs/archer-fellowship. html.

Not subscribed to local news but still want to stay upto-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 the discovery of an underwater cave to a bomb threat scare at a San Antonio high school.

San Antonio Zoo makes breakthrough

The San Antonio’s Zoo aquarium team has become the first in the world to successfully reproduce the Conchos Pupfish in human care. The Conchos Pupfish is a threatened species that faces many challenges, including habitat destruction, drought and increased water usage. This groundbreaking accomplishment comes after a collaboration with biologists for the Inland Fisheries at Texas Parks and Wildlife. With combined efforts, both teams were able to successfully breed and propagate a population of Conchos Pupfish from Devils River in West Texas. Hemisfair redevelopment makes progress downtown

There will be a new public space opening in San Antonio’s Hemisfair called Civic Park. The seven-acre park has been redeveloped and hosted its ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 30. The redevelopment includes water features and a large grassy area that will host future events. The first event was San Antonio Parks Foundation’s Jazz’SAlive festival, which took place Sept. 29-30.

Underwater cave discovered at Canyon Lake

The low water levels and ongoing drought in Comal County have revealed an undiscovered cave in Canyon Lake. The lake was 90% full a year ago but has since seen a significant drop that has resulted in the closure of all the lake’s boat ramps. The cave was discovered on Saturday by a resident and is located near Canyon Lake’s “party cove.”

San Antonio high school experiences hoax calls

The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office and FBI responded to two hoax calls this week for East Central High School. The high school received a fake shooting call on Monday and a fake bomb threat call on Wednesday, leaving parents and students feeling disheartened by the panic it caused. The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office and FBI believe the calls came from the same group and are currently investigating the calls.

By Amber Serio Assistant News Editor Dustin Vickers/The

Former students Bharath, Brianna and Madison from the Archer Fellowship in Washington, D.C.

Dustin Vickers/The Paisano

San Antonio became the second city in Texas to install a rainbow crosswalk in 2018. The crosswalk was installed between Evergreen Street and Main Avenue just before the city’s pride parade.

Photo courtesy of UTSA Honors College Special Programs

Partisanship continues to inhibit justice

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton acquitted on all charges

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton — who was accused of abusing the powers of his office, eventually leading to impeachment charges — has been acquitted following a two week long trial. The impeachment proceedings were initiated by the Texas House of Representatives, who voted overwhelmingly to investigate and charge Paxton.

The trial focused on Paxton’s efforts to assist Nate Paul, a real estate developer under investigation by the FBI. According to the Associated Press, former Deputy Attorney General Blake Birckman testified that he “witnessed Attorney General Ken Paxton do brazen things on behalf of Nate Paul. He abused the entire office of the attorney general of Texas to benefit Nate

Commentary

By Carley Martin Staff Writer

Paul.”

Kara Lee/The Paisano

The trial racked up a sizable bill levied on the taxpayer, with the prosecution lawyers being retained by the state

Radical extremism takes hold in Texas

On Sept. 21, the Anti-Defamation League published a report following the instances of extremism in Texas since 2021. The report includes important statistics highlighting anti-semitic incidents, extremist plots, murders and events, white supremacist propaganda, hate crimes and insurrection attempts. Along with the statistics mentioned, there are numerous instances throughout 2021-23 of these kinds of extremism ranging from hate speech to property damage to murder. The report then concludes with recommendations to policymakers on how they can combat the rising level of violence and hate.

A crucial statistic to mention is the rise in antisemitism.

From 202122, the amount of anti-semitic incidents increased by 89%, bringing the total number of such incidents to 365. That is an incident for every day of the year, but that is not all.

In an FBI report from 2021, there were 542 reported hate crimes in Texas. It makes you wonder, how many hate crimes were not reported? But the statistics only get worse. In 2021 and 2022 there were two murders and six terrorist plots relating to extremism. Following these events was the tragic 2023 shooting of nine people by a man in Allen, Texas who bought into extremist ideologies.

As a result, the ADL adamantly urges policymakers to embrace these five initiatives: for

Governor Greg Abbott to meet with other leaders across the nation to come together to come up with a solution, to utilize their PROTECT Plan, to hold social media platforms and users accountable for the hate that is spread, to improve Texas’ response to hate crimes and to protect civil rights.

at a rate of $500 per hour, according to KXAN. Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick recently announced that the state will begin an audit into the total cost of the investigation and impeachment of Paxton.

If the House of Representatives knew that Paxton would be tried by a majority of Republican senators, why did they initiate the trial? The trial to impeach Paxton represents not only a clear instance where justice was not served due to the extreme partisan nature of the jury, but also an egregious misappropriation of taxpayer money. Texans deserve better. Paxton needs to be tried in front of an unbiased, impartial jury — not one made up of his Republican colleagues.

Commentary

By Ahavah Kirwan Staff Writer

On Tuesday, Sept. 26, the Student Psychology Association held a meeting over Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy with guest speaker Sarah Powell. Powell is a behavior analyst who works with Little Spurs Autism Center, a clinic in San Antonio, Texas, that provides ABA therapy to children on the autism spectrum. What Powell did not mention, however, is the harm that ABA therapy does to autistic children.

ABA is a form of psychological intervention that aims to diminish or change behaviors associated with autism spectrum disorder. The therapy is commonly practiced in the early years of an autistic child’s life. There is extreme controversy surrounding ABA therapy, especially among members of the autism rights movement, as there is a history of the use of electric shocks, as well as aversives, in some forms of ABA. In addition, individuals exposed to ABA therapy are more likely to show increased post-traumatic stress disorder symptomatology.

ABA therapy’s purpose is to eliminate and suppress behaviors that are natural to people on the autism spectrum, such as lack of eye contact, selfstimulation, et cetera. It is callous to expect and force autistic children to fit the standards of and act like a child who is not autistic. More than often, non-speaking autistic individuals report horror

While it sounds like a lot of work, it is imperative that important leaders in Texas listen and react accordingly. So far, the only law recently enacted relating to discrimination is the CROWN Act, which prohibits racial discrimination relating to hair by employers, in schools, and within housing policies, enacted on Sept. 1. While this is an important step in the right direction, it only addresses a small part of the larger problem. This report suggests a high level of violence and other extremist behavior being exhibited in the state. In this situation, inaction is the same as condoning the actions of these individuals. We can already see what happens when this kind of behavior goes unchecked — people die. If our leaders continue to do nothing to address the rampant radicalism sweeping the state, it will continue to spread and people will continue to die for their beliefs or who they are. Our leaders need to take action now in order to protect the vulnerable members of our population that are being discriminated against.

MarianaRamos/ThePaisano

End ABA therapy at UTSA

stories of ABA therapy.

The guest speaker of the aforementioned event, Sarah Powell, is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). It is important to note that the BCBA certification does not require any autism training. Furthermore, on the Instagram page of the Student Psychology Association, an individual commented the following: “This is so sad, and I say this as someone on the autism spectrum, and as someone who was in ABA therapy. The general consensus in the autistic community, which is backed by updated research, is that Applied Behavioral Analysis has been linked to trauma and negative psychological effects due to the use of punishment and the suppression of behaviors that come naturally to autistic people, such as self-stimulation. Perhaps instead of teaching and promoting a harmful type of therapy, actually listen to the autistic community and promote their voices on matters such as these.”

The comment has since been deleted by SPA. Afterwards, another individual posted a comment saying that it is “not a good look” for the organization to delete comments that disagree with the narrative that they attempt to project, prompting a reply from the president of SPA, Grace Johnson, who stated that SPA will continue to delete any comments that claim that they platform misinformation, making it clear that they would rather encourage the use of a damaging therapy instead of listening to the voices of the autistic community.

Continue

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The internet is here to stay

By Yasmin Molina Contributor

Over time, society has become dependent on the internet. We use it as our maps, newspaper, weather report along with so many other essential daily tasks. Having access to the internet is a necessity in order to perform essential, daily tasks. It is clear that the internet has shifted from a luxury to a necessity.

Over the past few decades, the internet has grown tremendously, becoming one of the most convenient things humans have access to. In

just a few seconds, you can search anything and get over a million results. According to an article from Open Mind, the internet started as a tool for research centers and universities, but it eventually made its way to the public for everyone to access. The internet comes with endless opportunities for both entertainment and professionalism, making it the number one source to get work created by people out there for everyone to see. A vast number of people have produced and launched their careers on the internet, bringing in massive checks.

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Protect the earnings of child influencers

Commentary

By Luna Infante Assistant Opinion Editor

As we dive further into the digital era and our addiction to social media intensifies, the creators behind our screens profit. There are a variety of creators catering to our interests, making content we want to see. But as the social media industry grows, we begin to see younger influencers, some even as young as two years old. And yes, these minors are able to earn money from being influencers; but are they actually accessing what they earn?

Instagram, TikTok and YouTube are all platforms where content is available to us anytime, any place, anywhere. Influencers can create content for their viewers and earn anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars, and this is not limited to adults. Any parent can create an Instagram account for their child, and many have. Influencer families, such as the Ace Family, have made content creation a part of their everyday lifestyle. With their children in the limelight, the parents, Catherine and Austin McBroom, are able to earn money off their personal accounts.

Because there are not enough laws to protect these children –– similar to how child stars were financially exploited back in the day –– there is no telling how these children’s earnings are being distributed. However, in 1939, a protective law was established to keep child actors from enduring financial abuse. This law, known as the Coogan Law, unfortunately does not extend to child influencers. The Coogan Law, otherwise known as The California Child Actor’s Bill, requires that a percentage of child actor’s earnings are placed into a trust that the child can access once they turn 18. This law also extends to child models and voice actors.

The Coogan Law goes by other names in other states, but the rules stay the same. “15% of a minor actor’s earnings must be saved until they reach

This would not have been possible if the internet did not exist or if it were not easily accessible. Influencing has become some people’s livelihood, but it does not stop there. Social media has created many opportunities for companies starting small businesses as well. It is so simple to set up meetings or job interviews online, which brings convenience to both consumers and advertisers.

Communicating with customers can happen within a few minutes. The internet is full of ways to grow and we would not be able to function

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adulthood –– and these accounts are required in New York, Louisiana, Kansas, Nevada, Illinois, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and New Mexico.” These states all have different requirements for these accounts.

These protective laws should be altered and extended to child influencers.

Not every minor is as lucky as Charli D’Amelio was. Over the years, she has continued to make and access the millions she has earned. Many young influencers are being taken advantage of as their parents continue to use them and their content for their own financial and personal gain. If these children are constantly being filmed or being used for online content such as YouTube videos, TikToks and Instagram stories, they are being stripped of the ideal childhood they deserve. Like many child actors who were overworked for years by companies such as Disney and Nickelodeon, these children too, deserve access to their earnings. Change can be made if we raise awareness and advocate for the Coogan Law to apply to child influencers. Illinois has already begun the movement, so it is not impossible, it just takes effort.

Based on the Coogan Law, Illinois has passed a law that will begin on July 1, 2024. Illinois’ new child labor law will entitle influencers under the age of 16 to receive a percentage of their earnings. This law will apply to influencers “who feature in videos on online platforms.” The parents of these individuals will be obligated to place 50% of the earnings of such videos into a blocked trust fund. If Illinois can make the change, other states can, too.

Although extending the Coogan Law to child influencers would begin the movement, 15% is not nearly enough to be placed in a trust fund. It would be beneficial and wisest for the rules of

today without it. Some may argue that the internet is taking away basic life skills like communicating and socializing. This fear mostly stems from children being exposed at such a young age. However, these concerns do not account for all the benefits that the internet brings. There are so many different ways that kids can grow their creative skills, communication abilities and possibly get ahead in their learning due to the programs available to them online.

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Affraying Academics

Commentary

By Allana Llabres Assistant Social Media Manager

The controversial relationship between athletes and academics is nothing new, but it is something that should be talked about more and on a larger scale. In the past, schools have been put under fire for having a lenient policy for athletes and their academics. So why is it that these schools often put academics on the back burner as long as their star players stay on the field?

The basic reasoning behind this is that in our society, we tend to put some abilities above others. Many colleges market their football and athletics teams far before they market any type of academic outreach. Essentially, they create lenient policies that favor a better football team over better academic statistics because football is more marketable. In hindsight, most people know if a school has a good football team or not before they know what the academic state of the college is.

This situation can even be tied to the funding for certain facilities or activities. Most colleges are willing to drop millions on new sporting centers, but have a hard time justifying the same amount for a laboratory facility. In most states, college football coaches are paid more than the average doctor.

the trust accounts to differ by age. For example, the younger the child actor or influencer, the higher the percentage of their earnings should have to be placed in a trust, and once 18, they should be allowed to access their earnings. We are in a new era and it

This being said, studentathletes surely do not have it easy, as they have to balance their classes and their practice schedule. Oftentimes practicing for more than one sport. Being good at these sports will surely benefit them in the long run since they can make a very successful career out of it. However, this does not justify the tendency to put their athletic state above their academics. Giving student-athletes passes on poor academic work because of their circumstances completely discredits the students who are actually putting in the work, especially the other student-athletes who are still maintaining good faith in their academics. This also creates a stigma for athletes, making them believe that their athletic abilities are good enough to get them handed anything they want without having to do the work.

It is time that we hold more accountability for student-athletes’ academic states and the professors and schools that bend their academic integrity for these students. These students need to hold themselves to a higher standard and consider what their true value to their college is.

is time for new laws. Child influencers are being taken advantage of the same way child actors were for many years. Child labor laws need to be updated and extended to child influencers as well. It is time to protect these minors and their earnings.

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arts & life

A masterpiece does not have to make sense

40 years later, Talking Heads’ ‘Stop Making Sense’ is still a classic

By Lauren Hernandez Assistant Arts & Life Editor

On a dark and dreary night, let Talking Heads show you why enormous suits are the new fashion, why lamps are the best dance partners and why music is created specifically for having a good time.

Forty years ago, Jonathan Demme collaborated with Talking Heads to capture their out-of-thisworld, ahead of their time and utterly unique essence. Talking Heads’ tour for their 1983 album “Speaking in Tongues” was filmed over the span of four nights at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood. Originally released in 1984, in 2021, the concert film “Stop Making Sense” was selected in 2021 for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for being “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant.” A24 recently remastered and rereleased this masterpiece, and now you can catch it in a few theaters around San Antonio. Playing their first gig opening up for the Ramones at CBGB in 1975, it is a heartwarming sight to see Talking Heads grace the stage with such a large audience and dynamic presence less than a decade later in “Stop Making Sense.”

The film is more than just a revolution; it is an evolution. One of its kind with the way it pioneered early digital audio

How to live a more sustainable life as a Roadrunner

By Elizabeth Hope Contributor

Can college students live sustainably? A lot of students are very conscious of the mark they are going to leave on this world and believe that certain resources will be taken away from them when they arrive at college. It turns out that UTSA has everything Roadrunners need to live an eco-friendly lifestyle on campus.

- Recycling program

UTSA has a great recycling program, and at every dorm, there are dumpsters and recycling bins for your trash. “In an effort to reduce our impact on the environment, UTSA has adopted all-in-one recycling and the mini-bin program to enable waste reduction and increase campus recycling,” UTSA Facilities said.

- Roadrunner Café

The Roadrunner Cafe has a multitude of vegan and vegetarian options in the Plant Forward and True Balance sections. Last semester, they added Babylon Micro-Farm, which supplies sustainable farming right in the cafeteria to help reduce the amount of emissions that occur while farming. You can watch the plants bloom and grow and then see them on your next dinner plate.

- Alternative transportation

UTSA provides a range of alternative transportation options to help reduce your carbon footprint from the VIA

By Laynie Clark Editor-in-Chief

“Can the ugly, untalented gays please report to the principal’s office?”

Upon the release of “Bottoms,” a 2023 lesbian comedy, audiences have been leaving the theater feeling giddy with laughter. Bringing light and severity to serious social issues through satire, “Bottoms” provides relatable content for members of the LGBTQ+ community to enjoy and feel seen by.

Setting the scene in high school, this film spotlights two women who are outcasted as the “ugly, untalented gays” while they navigate life as gay women in a crowd of arrogant male classmates. The women decide to start a fight club — with the intention of connecting with their crushes — under the facade of “female solidarity.”

As their female classmates begin joining the intense fight club, they start to feel safe again at their school, claiming that everyone was in need of a little female empowerment. As expected, things take a nose-dive as the members find out the truth behind why the club was formed.

techniques, “Stop Making Sense” also utilizes brilliant cinematography. The band’s performance itself is wildly entertaining, and the word “energetic” can never be enough to describe the insane and eccentric dance moves that every band member showcases.

The film ends with lead singer David Byrne drenched in sweat with tousled hair, stripped of his absurdly large business suit, surrounded by all the members of his band chanting, “I’m still waiting” while the crowd spins, dances and smiles. It starts with a lonely Byrne, an acoustic guitar and a cassette player.

During the opening scene, Byrne is seen singing “Psycho Killer” alone on stage. During the next song, “Heaven,” he is joined by Tina Weymouth on bass. For each successive song, more equipment is pushed on stage and more members join him. Besides the four original members of Talking Heads, Byrne is also joined by backup singers Ednah Holt and Lynn Mabry, keyboardist Bernie Worrell, percussionist Steve Scales and guitarist Alex Weir.

This concert can never get boring. The lighting, cinematography, backdrops and outfits evolve throughout the 1.5-hour performance, meaning no two songs are even remotely the same. At one moment, Scales is grinning into the camera as it zooms up on his face. At the next, Byrne runs in sync with the band and then sprints four laps around the entire stage.

Link bus system to BeakCycles. The UTSA campus and VIA Metropolitan Transit collaborated to issue students, staff and faculty with free bus services, including the new on-demand rides through VIA Link. The BeakCycles were implemented through UTSA’s Office of Sustainability to help reduce the campus’s carbon footprint. The bikes are completely free, are located all over campus, and rides are unlimited.

- Walkable campus

UTSA’s Office of Sustainability has been working on an initiative to make Brenan Avenue a greenway by making it specifically for pedestrians and cyclists. A greenway is a strip of undeveloped land set aside for recreational use and environmental protection. For the office, making campus as safe as possible is the utmost priority, and one way we can do that is by improving the air quality. Ground-level ozone pollutes our earth, damaging human health and our environment. If we cut down the amount of emissions we produce as humans, like driving cars, our overall health will improve.

The Office of Sustainability has also installed new illuminated crosswalk signs that were funded through a grant to improve walkability and remind motorists to make a complete stop for students at crosswalks. Making Brenan Avenue less car-centric will make campus more

Spare Change

By Chloe Williams Managing Editor

sustainable. We will be reducing ground-level ozone, enhancing our air quality and as a whole our health and safety will improve.

- Tips to live sustainably on campus

When you walk around campus, most restaurants are promoting sustainability. Starbucks has signs about cutting down on straws, using reusable cups and they provide free coffee grounds for your garden. In the UTSA bookstore, they encourage you not to use plastic bags and they have a sustainable clothing collection. When walking around campus, take note of all the sustainable actions being made. There is sustainability on every corner here at UTSA.

Here are some additional tips to live a more sustainable lifestyle as a college student: Recycle, carpool, bike, walk, thrift your clothes, cut down on plastic use, use reusable water bottles, use recycled material notebooks, conserve electricity, join sustainable clubs on campus and vote.

Director and co-writer Emma Seligman uses satire to illustrate real-world social injustice. This film depicts how men’s needs are consistently prioritized over women, which often leads to inhabiting a deep sense of superiority and can morph into anger and violence toward women.

It was inspiring to see the fight club turn into a bonding moment for the women. Not only were they becoming stronger and more willing to fight back, they were building relationships with each other that could last a lifetime. Unfortunately, true female solidarity is seriously lacking today. Rather than standing together, women often put each other down to climb to the top.

Without giving too many details away, the movie ends with men realizing they need women. It also ends with women realizing they need women. In no world do we benefit from pitting women against each other. We are stronger together and “Bottoms” reminds us of that. Seligman is for the girls, and her first major film was a smashing success that proved it.

Keeping track of your day-to-day life can be difficult, especially as a college student. Thankfully, the digital age has opened the door to many mobile apps with the sole purpose of making your life easier. Stay tuned as we cover 10 free apps to download to help your time management, scheduling and everything else in between.

1. Flora - Green Focus — time management

Flora - Green Focus is an all-in-one time management app with features including a to-do list and timer. The unique part of the app’s timer is that you plant virtual trees and they grow as the timer reaches the end. If you open different apps, the tree will die. This app is one of my most recommended for time management and staying off your phone while working. Other cool features include friend capabilities and with their premium options, real trees can be planted for your studying. Flora is available for free on the App Store and will be coming soon to Google Play and Chrome.

2. TimeBloc — time management

TimeBloc is a streamlined personal daily planner. This app allows you to set up daily plans and routines and block them into events. TimeBloc also syncs

with your calendar and allows you to set different routines based on days. TimeBloc is free on the App Store and Google Play Store. The application offers the option to upgrade to premium for $59.99 annually and open up unlimited routines, calendars, statistics and advanced notifications.

3. Flow — time management

Flow is an app designed on the foundation of the Pomodoro timer. This technique includes structured work and break periods at a 25:5 minute ratio. This timer is said to better structure your work, increase productivity and reduce stress.

‘Bottoms:’ A lesbian knockout

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Arts & Life

Where to watch the solar eclipse next week

By Jessica McLaren News Editor

Get ready for a spectacular sight in the sky next week. A rare annular solar eclipse, also known as a “ring of fire,” will be visible in seven states on Saturday, Oct. 14. San Antonio is directly in the eclipse path and will be one of the best places to see the phenomenon.

An annular eclipse happens when the moon passes between the sun and Earth while at its furthest point from Earth. The moon appears smaller than the sun, creating what looks like a ring of fire in the sky. The next annular eclipse will be in Oct. 2041, although San Antonio will see another eclipse — a total eclipse — on April 8, 2024.

Solar eclipses are rare on their own, but to see them on land is even more rare. This year’s eclipse crosses paths with 29 national parks from Oregon to Texas and is aligned with 18 state parks and natural areas in Texas.

The partial eclipse will begin at 10:23 a.m., and the annular phase will start at 11:52 a.m. The maximum eclipse, when the moon is closest to the center of the sun, will happen at 11:54 a.m., lasting about four minutes and 21 seconds. The entire eclipse will end at about 1:33 p.m.

It is not safe to look directly at the sun at any point during an annular eclipse, even through a camera or telescope lens. To prevent eye injury, viewers will need to use specialpurpose solar filters like eclipse glasses — not just sunglasses. More information about how to safely view a solar eclipse can be found at eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety.

If you do happen to own a pair of eclipse glasses by Oct. 14, feel free to catch the eclipse wherever you happen to be during those four minutes or head to your favorite open-sky park. If not, there are a number of events happening in San Antonio where you can safely view and learn about the solar eclipse.

Mission San José Education Center

Missions National Historical Park will host free solar viewing from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at “Queen of the Missions,” located at Mission San José. The park will provide a limited number of eclipse glasses for event-goers. There will be a 20-minute presentation with an astronomer from UTSA’s Curtis Vaughan Jr. Observatory at 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m. and

1 p.m. where viewers can learn about the science behind solar eclipses.

Eisenhower Park San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department will be hosting a free eclipse viewing party at the Eisenhower Park Mass Pavilion from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., offering eclipse glasses while supplies last. Visitors will be able to experience the eclipse by looking at sunspots through a telescope equipped with a solar filter. The event will also include educational seminars about the sun, solar radiation and the greenhouse effect.

Witte Museum

The Witte Museum invites visitors to watch the annular eclipse at their museum campus starting at 10:30 a.m. Visitors during the eclipse will receive eclipse glasses while supplies last. Afterward, they will host a “last contact” party, referring to when the moon no longer touches the sun, where visitors can create eclipse-inspired art and learn how to create their own eclipse viewer for the 2024 total eclipse. The event will last until 4 p.m., and museum admission is $15 per person.

Government Canyon State Natural Area

Government Canyon State Natural Area is open for visitors to watch the eclipse, take a guided hike or even go camping. They will have a limited supply of eclipse glasses for sale in their visitor center. The park will also host “come-and-go” educational booths in parking lot C and a guided post-eclipse hike at 12:45 p.m. for those who wish to enjoy the scenery further. Park admission is $6 per person.

Scobee Education Center

The Scobee Education Center will be hosting a free eclipse viewing festival, with educational activities, food trucks and other vendors from 10 a.m. to noon. They will distribute a limited number of eclipse glasses to guests. The event will also include a planetarium and hands-on activities inside the center. The website notes that visitors should use the Valero address as a navigation guide and park in the parking lot across the street from Valero.

The annular solar eclipse is a unique and memorable experience that everyone should try to see at least once in their lifetime.

Seven things to do this fall in San Antonio

By Kaitlyn Grace Contributor

After months of severe heat, the fall season is finally upon us. With temperatures slowly cooling off, you might be itching to find activities that get you into the fall mood. From hayrides to haunted houses, here are seven things you can do this fall right here in San Antonio. South Texas Maize: If you are looking to lose yourself in a huge cornfield maze or pick out a pumpkin to carve, then the South Texas Maize is just the place for you. These are not the only attractions they offer. Visitors can also rent fire pits to roast hot dogs and marshmallows, see farm animals at the petting zoo and have some fun with an apple cannon.

Halloween-themed escape room: If you are more in the mood for something to get your adrenaline pumping, a Halloween escape room is an excellent option. There are plenty of escape rooms to choose from in San Antonio, such as Extreme Escape. Whether you have a close call with zombies or are being stalked by a killer clown, race against the clock to escape.

SeaWorld Howl-O-Scream: Every year, SeaWorld brings Howl-O-Scream to San Antonio. From Sept. 15 to Oct.

Slab Cinema Arthouse: San Antonio’s champion of independent film

By Ray Rodriguez Contributor

This past week, I attended a screening of “Inland Empire,” a dizzyingly opaque three-hour psycho-thriller nightmare, at Slab Cinema Arthouse, a small theater in the Blue Star Arts Complex in Southtown. Oftentimes, experiences at movie theaters frustrate me, typically because of certain types of people who disrupt the theater experience by talking with their friends or going on their phones. There are types of films that demand your undivided attention, and David Lynch’s “Inland Empire” is certainly one of those. My first experience viewing the film at another theater was less-than-ideal for this exact reason.

The screening took place almost two years ago, but I vividly remember that sitting directly behind me, a couple began to fight during the first hour of the film. Their discussion was whispered, at first, but as the film went

on, they gradually got more aggressive with each other. During the final half-hour of the film, one of them stood up and stormed out of the theater, and the other followed quickly. I am a bit ashamed to admit this, but at that moment, I was so entranced in their domestic dispute that I had begun to completely ignore the film.

The reason I bring up this anecdote is because a theater like the Slab Cinema Arthouse is specifically designed to prevent situations like this. The theater cultivates an intimate atmosphere. Everyone sitting around you is just as interested in watching the film as you are. When you enter the theater, you will be greeted with a spread-out assortment of chairs and tables and a few more velvet theater seats set against the back wall. Also adorning the viewing room is a beautiful glass sculpture hanging from the ceiling and annotated photographs decorating the wall.

The Slab Cinema Arthouse is an extension of Slab Cinema, a local company owned by Angela and Rick Martinez, who specialize in showing family-friendly films outdoors on large inflatable screens. The Arthouse

29, you can take part starting at 7 p.m. until the park closes. The event includes themed bars, haunted houses and more. Please be aware that Howl-O-Scream is not recommended for children 13 years or younger.

Six Flags Fiesta Texas Fright Fest: Fright Fest is another annual event put on by Six Flags Fiesta Texas. With numerous haunted houses, scare zones, live performances and rides in the dark, this is the perfect place to get the fright of your life. Fright Fest runs from Sept. 9 to Oct. 31. Like Howl-O-Scream, Fright Fest is not recommended for children 13 years or younger.

Circle N Maze: Nothing says fall like hayrides, petting zoos and corn mazes. With so many haunted houses and other frightening attractions in San Antonio, it is nice to have places a little more child-friendly. Circle N Maze even has a “dog day” on Oct. 29, where you can bring your furry friend. Be sure to bring a flashlight with you if you are looking for a spookier time since the cornfield is not lit at night.

Camping: Grab your camping gear because San Antonio is home to many great camping spots. Whether you set up a tent in a designated parking ground or your backyard, be sure to prepare in advance.

location in the Blue Star Arts Complex functions as a permanent home to “independent, foreign and classic films.”

The Slab Cinema Arthouse is not just a place to watch movies; it is a community hub for local cinephiles, musicians, artists and art appreciators alike. They have hosted many installations, karaoke and open-mic nights, and later this month, they will host an album release party for local psych-punk band Powdered Wig Machine.

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UTSA football enters bye week 1-3 after nonconference schedule

Now in their bye week, can the Roadrunners flip the script in conference play?

By Luke Lawhorn Sports Editor

For most high-level college football programs, the real season begins after nonconference play. Though for UTSA football, the team finds itself with the worst record (1-3) through four games in the Jeff Traylor era. Now entering their bye week before gearing up for league play in the American Athletic Conference, will the Roadrunners be able to flip the script in their 2023 campaign?

In Traylor’s four seasons as head coach for UTSA football, the team has had just one winning record in nonconference play. The season came in 2021 when UTSA played a schedule consisting of Illinois, Lamar, Memphis and UNLV and went 4-0.

“I know our fan base is very used to seeing us being more productive, and I understand their frustration,” Traylor said. “Their head coach shares the same frustration.”

The Roadrunners are not unfamiliar with slow starts. In 2022, UTSA finished its nonconference schedule with a 2-2 record before entering play in Conference USA. Of course, the ‘Runners went on to win their conference, and yet Traylor feels better about this year’s team than the one prior.

“Coming off of this game compared to the Texas game last year, we’re way better off,” Traylor said. “And we’ve got a bye week. We’ve got some offensive line issues that we’ve been addressing throughout the year. But we should get a couple of those guys back, which will help our depth and maybe move some positions around.”

Along with the tough schedule, the Roadrunners are also playing without some of their top contributors. Veteran receiver, De’Corian Clark, is still nursing the knee injury he suffered last season, while several

linemen and star linebacker Trey Moore have also missed time. Most significantly, though, is quarterback Frank Harris who is battling turf toe from the week two game against Army.

Despite Harris battling a plethora of injuries and missing several key players, Traylor is counting on the quarterback to return sooner rather than later.

“I’m not sure if we’ll see him at full speed again this year,” Traylor said, “but I think there’s a good chance he’ll be good enough.”

UTSA entering its bye week is some good news for both the players and coaching staff. In seasons past, the Roadrunners waited until the first couple of months before their week off. Taylor believes the ‘Runners finally caught a scheduling break with this year’s idle week.

“If you’re beat up and not doing so well, there’s not a better time in the world for a bye

Predicting the UTSA Men’s Basketball AAC schedule

By Connor Suehs

Staff Writer

There are many question marks regarding the state of UTSA’s men’s basketball program after a tumultuous 2022-23 season. A 10-22 overall record including an awful conference total of 4-16 raised many eyebrows among Roadrunner fans. The disastrous campaign led to the loss of 13 players either through graduation or the transfer portal, meaning that head coach Steve Henson would have to completely rebuild the roster. If it was not already difficult, many fans have called for the firing of Henson after yet another

a solid basketball conference in the American Athletic Conference and ranking dead last in the revamped conference in program expenses. However, there will still be a sense of excitement at UTSA as new opponents and a completely new roster will give the Roadrunners some optimism.

UTSA will start their inaugural AAC season at home facing a familiar foe in the UAB Blazers on Jan. 2. Making a deep run into the National Invitational Tournament last season, the Blazers finished the season with a 29-10 record and will be a tough test to open the conference schedule. Steve Henson’s squad will then face

on January 6th, followed up by one of the toughest games on the schedule against former NBA All-Star Penny Hardaway and the Memphis Tigers. This is one of the featured games on the schedule and will show the quality that the AAC has to offer. Next we will see the Roadrunners return to the Convocation Center to face Charlotte on Jan. 13.

A quick turnaround sees them on the road at Tulsa on Jan. 17 which is followed up by a blockbuster back-to-back set of home games against Florida Atlantic and Tulane. Coming off the best season in program history, the Florida Atlantic Owls were perhaps the biggest shock of the college basketball

week to show up,” Traylor said. “This one being so early and us still struggling in so many areas, I think it’s a perfect time for us to continue to practice like we do today.”

It would be easy to assume the team’s attitude and overall mood on the season is shaky after the first month of the season. However, according to coach, the players and staff are still optimistic about their season.

“We’re good,” Traylor said. “Focused. Angry. Disappointed. But, told them I had good news and I had bad news. Only one time we’ve ever had a winning record going into conference. So, unfortunately, we’re pretty good at being bad in nonconference, and we’re pretty good at being good in conference.”

There can be positive takeaways in losses that can help a team going forward. Of course, nobody wants to start their season with a losing record. But Traylor has been impressed with his team’s battle through adversity

and believes it will guide the team for the remainder of the year.

“We got an amazing group of kids. That’s how we’re gonna battle out of this,” Traylor said. “We’re gonna fix this thing. I don’t know what that means [with a] win and loss record. But we’re gonna look better. We’re gonna put a better product on the field.”

Though the ‘Runners do not necessarily play a more talented team than a couple they have already played, UTSA still enters a new conference rather than the familiar C-USA league. The AAC will present new competition as well as some familiar faces. Nonetheless, the Roadrunners will make the proper accommodations one week at a time, starting with Temple on Saturday.

“We’ve got to be able to really evaluate ourselves, as coaching staff first, and as players next, and make the necessary adjustments to get going in Temple,” Traylor said.

UTSA soccer loses to North Texas in second-consecutive loss

By Haley Aguayo Assistant Sports Editor

UTSA soccer lost its second-straight game, falling 2-0 against North Texas Thursday evening at Park West Athletic Complex. The Roadrunners (5-5-2, 0-2-1 AAC) played their final home game for a three-week stretch as they played three-straight road conference matches.

Sabrina Hillyer tumbled into a Mean Green player and forced the ball out of bounds, rewarding North Texas with a corner kick.

Defender Madi Starrett went in to take the corner kick. She launched it to Rachel Roebuck, who made an excellent cross to Sheeley, who sent a header towards forward Summer Brown, who knocked the ball through the top center

“Right before half, 15 seconds to go, the one thing you can’t do as a goalkeeper is let the ball go over your head,” Pittman said. “It’s definitely not [Jasmine] Kessler’s fault, by any means. She’ll grow, learn, she’ll respond, and she’ll bounce back and find the next game,” Pittman said of the freshman goalie.

UTSA took 11 shots against North Texas, showing that the team worked to score against the Mean Green throughout the game. They could not put any of those shots in without getting stopped by

midfielder Jenna Sheeley at the sevenminute mark was declared offsides, giving the ‘Runners a second chance to be the first to score. UTSA was 0-2 for shots against North Texas to this point.

awarded a free kick, goalkeeper Maddie Ogden stepped up and kicked the ball straight into the top left corner of the goal from halfway down the field to give North Texas a 2-0 lead in the 44th minute.

“Unfortunately, right now, we’re just lacking confidence or lacking courage to take the responsibility that it requires to go and score goals and put those moments on our back and to do our job,” Pittman said. “And I thought it was better tonight than it was against Memphis. We’ll be better for it come Saturday and Sunday as we get ready for SMU.”

UTSA’s next three soccer games will be on the road. The first will come against the SMU Mustangs at 7 p.m. Thursday, at the Moody Coliseum.

for more sports scan here

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UTSA head football coach Jeff Traylor watches the Roadrunners from the sideline against Tennessee on Sept. 23.