Vol. 66, Issue 7 by The Paisano

Vol. 66, Issue 7

Est. 1981

October 10 - October 17, 2023

THE PAISANO

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

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UTSA improves its commitment to campus safety after Clery Act audit

By Faith Kouadio Staff Writer

Since enacting plans to address issues in reporting compliance, the Main Campus reported reduced rates of liquor and drug law violations, burglary and rape in 2022 from their three-year peak in 2021. Each year, UTSA releases a security and fire safety report in compliance with the 1990 Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. As per the Clery Act, UTSA publishes statistics of reported crimes on or around campus and information related to fires on campus from the last three years. This year’s report follows the announcement that UTSA settled a $670k fine with the Department of Education for inadequately reporting crime statistics between 2015 and 2017. The report describes fire statistics at various dorms. There was one fire at Laurel Village in 2020, two fires in 2021 at Laurel Village and University Oaks and one at Chaparral Village last year. The report also includes crime statistics from both the Main and Downtown Campuses and details various offense types committed from 2020 to 2022. On and around the Main Campus, there were 13 reported cases of rape in 2021 and 12 in 2022. Drug law violations resulting

in arrests decreased slightly from 44 in 2021 to 42 in 2022. Another crime that decreased was burglary, which went down from 25 cases in 2021 to three in 2022. The most significant crime decrease was in liquor law violations resulting in arrests, from 120 cases in 2021 to 32 last year. There were also 12 reported cases of dating violence and 16 of stalking in 2022, a change from the six cases of dating violence and 18 of stalking in the previous year. In 2021, the Downtown Campus and areas around it saw 40 cases of liquor law violations resulting in arrest, 11 cases of drug law violations resulting in arrest, three of fondling and a single case of arson and burglary. The following year saw no instances of fondling or arson but consistencies or upticks in other crimes: there were 16 cases of liquor law violations, six drug law violations, seven burglaries, three aggravated assaults and a single robbery. When President Eighmy assumed his role in Sept. 2017, he made a commitment to rectify prior negligence in reporting in accordance with the Clery Act. Some of the changes that have since been made include the development of a Safe Campus website, daily crime log data management through the ARMS Record, regular updates to the campus community to

prevent sexual assault and misconduct and more. The changes in procedure began in 2018, and generally, reported crime and fires have been lowered since. This year’s

SGA discusses strategic plan refresh By Kara Lee Graphic Editor

The Student Government Association (SGA) gathered on Thursday, Oct. 5, for their fourth general assembly of the semester to discuss UTSA’s strategic plan refresh. Associate Dean of Students for Student Activities Jessica Dawson presented and answered questions about the new plan. The refresh is “a year-long process that UTSA has been embarking upon to revise and make sure we are heading into the right direction with our strategic plan,” Dawson said. UTSA initiated the refresh to acknowledge and celebrate all that the university has done in the last five years and to improve inclusivity among students, faculty and staff. Feedback from different communities and stakeholders will be collected and used to understand what should be constantly improving. UTSA started the reflection process by looking back at past struggles and running surveys to collect feedback and concerns. It was also noted that there were over 50 listening sessions on campus to gain additional feedback. According to Dawson, the surveys and listening sessions found that a large majority of respondents thought

UTSA was on the right track. Minor improvements were suggested by 94% of respondents, and 100% of people who were part of listening sessions agreed with UTSA’s progress over the year. The most common recommendations voiced were communication and transparency, a place for innovation and success and a larger focus on peer

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institutions. “We started out with our steering committees in August, and we have been on a tour of communicating all of these recommendations to our stakeholders to let them know where we are,” Dawson said. The refresh plan will be presented to the UT Systems Board of Regents in November to be approved or critiqued.

After the refresh plan was discussed, SGA went on to new business, including nominations for functional committee and deputy speaker. Different chairs went over what the positions are, what they demand and how they fit into the process of running SGA. During the nominating process, candidates talked about how their interests may align with their positions. After each candidate introduced themselves, they answered questions from the committee regarding their opinions on different topics and how they would solve various issues. This allowed candidates to give their input on operations. After questioning was completed, the candidates left the room so that the chairs could evaluate each candidate, and SGA members voted for each position. Ryan Faidey was elected deputy speaker of the senate and Fritz Houston was selected for the functional committee. Once new members were appointed to their positions, SGA jumped into future events they will be holding. SGA’s next general assembly will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 19 at the Harris-Travis Room (2.202 and 2.212), and all UTSA students are welcome to attend.

University shares guidelines for possible government shutdown By Kara Lee Graphic Editor The looming threat of a government shutdown has come to a brief pause after President Joe Biden signed a temporary funding bill following Congress’ hurried approval of a bipartisan deal. This temporary bill will only hold until Nov. 17, when Congress must come to an agreement for funding to prevent a shutdown. A shutdown is the product of Congress not passing any funding bill that can be signed into law. U.S. lawmakers have to pass 12 different funding bills for agencies

to be kept open, but this can be a rigorous and time-consuming process. During a government shutdown, most government entities would close, and around two million government workers — not including two million active-duty military members — would go without pay. Some entities would be exempt from a shutdown. For example, Social Security would still be mailed out, but Head Start programs that serve more than 10,000 children and national parks would close immediately. Other businesses that work closely with the federal government would

report is available on the UTSA website under the “Institutional Compliance and Risk Services” tab. Next year’s report for this year’s findings should be available around Oct. 1, 2024.

Art Institute of San Antonio permanently closes its doors By Chloe Williams Managing Editor The Art Institute of San Antonio permanently closed its doors on Sept. 30. The closure happened in conjunction with all remaining Art Institutes campuses and branches, including The Art Institutes of Austin, Dallas and Houston. This shutdown came as a shock to students, staff and parents, as many are left unaware of their next steps. The Art Institute of San Antonio was a 4-year for-profit college located at 10000 I-10 Ste 200. According to Niche, the university taught 174 undergraduate students and received a Niche grade of D. Students and staff were notified about the closure via email on Sept. 22 — the final day of the quarter. With eight days’ notice, many students were left with few options for the 2023-24 school year. In an interview with the San Antonio Current, Celali Lopez — a senior at the institute — shared that the school’s financial aid office did not have any details on how she should handle loan payments. “To tell you how much we were

see a downturn in work and pay. If a shutdown were to happen, Congress would continue to work and get paid, while any staff that serves Congress would be marked as non-essential and face not getting a paycheck. While a hypothetical shutdown would have detrimental effects on federal employees, it would have very little effect on UTSA. Many grant-making federal agencies would be restricted to working with limited staff and resources. It is mandatory for every federal agency to have backup plans to continue operations if a shutdown were to occur. Impact on research at UTSA UTSA’s Office of Vice President for Research, Economic Development and Knowledge Enterprise is carefully monitoring backup plans for agencies that

surprised, I had just received my fall schedule two days before,” Lopez said to the Current. According to the New York Times, the institution began experiencing low enrollment during the pandemic. They also paid a $95 million settlement for fraud allegations in 2015, which led to the initial closing of 18 campuses three years later. The Art Institutes system has declined to comment, and every previously existing webpage links to a closure notice. Listed on the page is information regarding transcript requests, transfer agreements, diplomas and links to information from the Department of Education on school closures. “The Art Institutes will mail each current student five official copies of their transcripts, at no cost to the student on or after October 1, 2023,” the website states. The institute encourages students to continue their education and will update the website with more transfer opportunities as they become available. To view information as it is updated visit artinstitutes.edu/closedschool-information-page-1.

work to provide funding to UTSA and will continue to update faculty and staff about updates. Pre-existing grant awards and programs will continue to operate if the government shuts down. Researchers should continue to work on grants and contracts without any interruption unless program officers advise them to come to a pause. Researchers are urged to adhere to deadlines for grant applications that are already being worked on since they are unlikely to alter, and submitted applications will be added to the queue for consideration when a shutdown is lifted. UTSA Research Service Centers will be available to assist anyone with federal grant proposals, awards and queries during a shutdown. See Shutdown on page 2

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NEWS

San Antonio receives $1 million climate planning grant By Noah Willoughby Staff Writer The City of San Antonio was awarded a $1 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) earlier this month to prioritize climate planning. The grant is part of the EPA’s $4.6 billion Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program created by the Biden-Harris administration and will allow San Antonio to put money towards reducing its greenhouse gas emissions. The grant will be used to fund three climate-centered initiatives. First, the Office of Sustainability will update the City of San Antonio Climate Action and Adaptation Plan with new science-based and prioritized gas emission reduction targets. Second, the Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG) will lead the effort to broaden the geographical scope of climate

planning and action to include its 13-county service area. Third, the City of San Antonio will prioritize emissions reduction strategies that can be implemented on a regional scale and are competitive for future implementation of EPA grant funding. Executive Director of AACOG Diane Rath is excited about the new funding. “This project allows us to further develop strategies for implementing San Antonio’s climate action plan,” Rath said. “[We can also] begin working with the 12 surrounding counties on plans to reduce their greenhouse gases and address their climate challenges.” Chief Sustainability Officer Douglas Melnick shared that the Office of Sustainability is “pleased to work with and support AACOG on regional climate planning.” Even Mayor Ron Nirenberg

voiced his appreciation for the EPA grant by sharing that “[San Antonio] applauds the EPA for providing resources to strengthen local partnerships to address this global issue.” San Antonio’s goal is to decrease its greenhouse gas emissions by 10 million metric tons, or 38%, by 2030. To reach this goal, the city will need to reduce its emissions by 5% each year. These emissions decreased by 3.46% from 20192021. While the downward trend from 2019-2021 is a step in the right direction, the City of San Antonio hopes for the EPA’s grant to push them forward in hopes of reaching or even surpassing their 2030 goal. To learn more about San Antonio’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, visit https://www.sasustainability. com/category/climate-changein-san-antonio.

Chloe Williams/The Paisano

Brackenridge Park Guest Panel addresses environmental and cultural setbacks By Naydine De La Fuente Staff Writer The Urban Bird Project hosted the Brackenridge Park Guest Panel on Thursday to bring awareness to the environmental crisis that has been occurring at the park due to the Brackenridge Park bond project. Although the project aims to restore several historic structures and redevelop the park, panelists spoke out about the environmental and cultural setbacks that the Brackenridge Park Bond project has caused. The panelists included Alesia Garlock, a citizen scientist and community defender, Gary Perez, minister of education, training and research for the Indigenous Government of Coahuila, and Greg Harman, Writer and Co-Editor for Deceleration News. The panel began with all three guests introducing themselves, explaining their roles in fighting against the ongoing project and going into deeper detail about its detrimental impact on the park. One of the main concerns that was brought up in the panel is the local government’s approval to remove around 40 trees in the park despite objections from activists and residents in the area. It was discussed how this would impact the park’s landscape and water source as well as the wildlife that resides in those trees.

Garlock presented her own documentary-like video portraying the Department of Agriculture causing harm to the park’s avian species. The video showed birds being shot at with cartridges and individuals using wooden blocks to chase them out of trees, causing a major disturbance to the park’s wildlife.

“The general public wasn’t supposed to know this stuff outside of our culture or the ceremony for that matter, but we had to let it out, we had to say it. Right now, that puts us in a vulnerable position.” “[Brackenridge Park] is a birding place that birds have come for years, and they just want to wipe them out,” Garlock said. “It is a working ecosystem, and they’ve cut out one big piece which is the birds nesting. Somewhere along it’s going to collapse.” Another significant issue that was brought up within the panel was the destruction of a sacred

place for indigenous people. Earlier this month, Harman published an article speaking out about an ongoing lawsuit between the city and fellow panelist Perez, who shared that the removal of these trees would waive the protection of their religious rights. Perez spoke out about the difficulties that came with fighting for their rights at Brackenridge Park. “[The city] is now having to fight us in federal court because they’ve violated our civil right to pray in a very special place in the world,” Perez said. “The general public wasn’t supposed to know this stuff outside of our culture or the ceremony for that matter, but we had to let it out, we had to say it. Right now, that puts us in a vulnerable position.” The panel provided information on Brackenridge Park, shed light on the environmental crisis that is currently transpiring and asked for support from UTSA students and the public to help spread awareness on the issue. “We need citizens, regular citizens and residents, to be involved in these decisions. People who have been fighting this,” Garlock said. If you are interested in supporting this issue, follow the Save Brackenridge Park page on Facebook or sign the petition at change.org/OurParkSAT.

Lauren Hernandez/The Paisano

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

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Continued Shutdown Requests that are still pending, such as requests for permission to re-budget, should be reviewed with an RCS director and may be delayed. Impact on financial aid Federal financial aid programs are completely funded through the federal fiscal year. There will be no issues with filing and receiving federal aid if there is a shutdown. Benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) should not have any effects on current UTSA students who are using military benefits. Impact on veterans at UTSA Veterans Integration to

Academic Leadership and VetSuccess on Campus would continue to operate if a shutdown were to occur. A shutdown might have an impact on new students who are requesting VA benefits due to slower processing time. Although the shutdown has come to a pause for now, Congress will need to come to an agreement by Nov. 17 to resume funding for federal agencies and programs. For more detailed information on UTSA’s guidelines for a federal shutdown, visit utsa.edu/ today/2023/09/story/guidelinesin-anticipation-of-federalgovernment-shutdown.html.

State of the City Week of 10/10/23

By Amber Serio Assistant News Editor 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 cooler temperatures in San Antonio to a new hunger campaign being launched by the San Antonio Food Bank. New COVID-19 shot brought to Texas The updated COVID-19 shot is becoming increasingly available in Texas after weeks of distribution problems. Although the shots are now approved for people six months and older, hospitals, pediatricians and pharmacies are still experiencing limited availability due to working directly with drugmakers rather than the state and federal government. As a result, the doses are not being distributed to providers’ offices throughout the state. This form of protocol is a regular system for annual vaccines but is new for the COVID-19 vaccine. San Antonio Food Bank launches new campaign A new campaign called Hunger-Free November is being launched by the San Antonio Food Bank. The effort will provide meals for around 50,000 seniors experiencing food insecurity in Bexar County. The fundraising campaign will start throughout October and extend through mid-November if needed. Weekend weather in San Antonio chills out San Antonio woke up Saturday morning to temperatures in the low 60s after months of drought and high temperatures after a cold front brought nearly two inches of rainfall to the county on Thursday. The cooler temperatures are not here to stay, as Monday’s forecast brings San Antonio back into the upper 80s. Wounded Warrior Project hosts 5K The Wounded Warrior Project held its Carry Forward 5K at Mission County Park on Saturday. Proceeds from the event will be used to ensure veterans and their families continue to receive help if it is needed. Participants in the race were asked to carry a flag, weight or another person, symbolizing the responsibility veterans have carried on their shoulders to protect the country. Dustin Vickers/The Paisano

Blackboard to Canvas: campus perspective By Bria Collins Contributor UTSA has officially completed the transition to Canvas as the university’s online Learning Management System (LMS) after using Blackboard for 11 years. Benefits of the new platform include a mobile-friendly interface, personalization options and a centralized resource hub. At the beginning of the semester, many students opened their laptops on the first week of classes to an unfamiliar setup. For senior Betsy Addo-Mensah, adjusting to Canvas was not as easy as checking items off her todo list. Her first attitude toward the change was complete disinterest. “I felt annoyed seeing [that] I have used Blackboard since my freshman year, and I did not want to relearn a new system,” Addo-Mensah said. “I feel like [Blackboard] was easier to navigate group messages and discussions for a class.” Despite her unfamiliarity with the LMS, Addo-Mensah said Canvas is more user-friendly, easier to navigate and offers a better mobile experience. She also believes that it is easier to locate course feedback on Canvas than it was on Blackboard. “I think Canvas is definitely a better choice for the students,” Addo-Mensah said. Her favorite feature of the LMS is the “Dashboard” tab, as the to-do list feature has helped her better

organize assignments and due dates. Unlike some students who have never worked with the Canvas LMS before, many professors at UTSA had the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of Canvas before the transition went live. As a result, their experience with the LMS was a little different. “There are not any disadvantages that come to mind,” Associate Professor of Public Health, Dr. Jeffrey Howard, said. According to Howard, the technology involved with Canvas is more convenient compared to Blackboard. “I think the integration with some of the technology is a little smoother. Some of the assignments and quizzes that I do in my classes are just a little more efficient in the Canvas environment than they were in the Blackboard environment,” Howard said. One feature in particular that Howard believes enhances the efficiency of assigned work is the “Student View,” which allows professors to double-check modules and see that every item is where it needs to be before making their changes live. If you or anyone you know is having trouble with Canvas, check out the Canvas Student Guide or the Getting Started Videos, use the “Help” menu in Canvas to access 24/7 Support or schedule an appointment with the UTS Tech Café by calling 210-458-5555.

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OPINION Build peace, not walls

Biden Administration constructs more border wall, waives 26 federal laws

Editorial n Oct. 6, the Biden administration announced that a section of the Texas border wall would continue construction. Biden claims that the border wall will continue to be constructed using funds that were appropriated during the Trump administration and that lawmakers have refused to reallocate the funds for a different purpose. This decision comes after Biden ran a very outspoken campaign against his predecessor’s pet project. During his 2021 campaign, Biden said that — if elected — “There will not be another foot of wall constructed on my administration.” Instead, Biden vowed to take a more focused approach to border security — such as more investment in high-tech tools as well as a greater focus on ports of entry. However, while the Biden administration may not have made the final decision to resume construction,

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they are ensuring that the plans have a clear path to move forward. According to the Texas Tribune, 26 federal laws are being waived in order to pave the way for

the construction of the wall in Star County, including the “Clean Air Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Endangered Species Act.” This move has shocked many of Biden’s allies, some of whom showed support for his strong stance against the border wall. Many have criticized the move to continue construction, as the border wall has proven to harm ecosystems and local residents, all while being largely ineffective at deterring migration. As citizens, we cannot allow this extreme transgression by the Biden administration to go overlooked. The move is a costly one, and an extreme change from Biden’s usual tune when it comes to border security. The border wall has been firmly criticized — and for good reason. Texas does not need more border walls; it is extremely harmful to the local environment and a waste of both resources and taxpayer money.

End the playhouse quarrel Commentary By Allana Llabres

Assistant Social Media Manager For the first time in United States history, the Speaker of the House has been voted out. Kevin McCarthy, a Republican representative from California’s 20th district, served as the 55th Speaker of the House of Representatives for 270 days before he was voted out on Tuesday, Oct. 3. This action was led by the right-flank Republicans and supported by Democrats. The House is not voting to replace McCarthy until later this week. House Republicans currently have no obvious leader, which is proving even more strenuous as they cling to the majority. McCarthy was voted Speaker of the House under specific guidelines that were agreed upon both by McCarthy and the House. The one that continues to stand out during this voting is that McCarthy agreed to appoint the right-flank Republicans to important committees within the House. Essentially, the rightflank radicalists would be able to control bills and amendments passing with these positions, and with just the right number of them, would be able to bend either with the majority or minority. Another big term that McCarthy agreed upon in order to become Speaker of the House was to increase taxes and make it easier to block new spending. McCarthy was recently accused by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) of working and creating side deals with the minority party to increase funding for Ukraine. Gaetz and McCarthy have had a heated rivalry since January, when both ran to become speaker. This came right before Congress passed a bill that funds the government for 45 days at current

spending levels and adds money for disaster relief. This being said, it did not directly provide any more assistance for Ukraine. Ultimately, McCarthy was voted out due to speculation that he was working with the minority party discreetly without letting his own party know. McCarthy won thanks to agreements he made with the rest of the Republican-ruled House but was destined to fall due to the impractical nature of these agreements attributable to the Democratic president and Democrat-led Senate. In all, working in conjunction with Democrats was inevitable, as it is the only practical move in such a bipartisan system. Gaetz saw an opening to remove McCarthy, to call his collaboration a weakness and to possibly get himself that gavel. In reality, what we saw from Gaetz was egocentric and somewhat immature. McCarthy avoided a government shutdown by working together for the better of our government and country, so did he truly deserve to be voted out? McCarthy did a few good things while he was Speaker of the House. Not only did he avoid a government shutdown, but he also helped raise the debt ceiling and aided in declassifying the information related to the COVID-19 Pandemic. While he did adequate work for Americans, many things that he pushed were directly intended to spite the Democratic president. McCarthy attempted to pass laws like the Lower Energy Costs Act, multiple appropriation and spending bills, all of which would generally act against the interests of the American people. McCarthy also opened up various investigations into both President Joe Biden and the U.S. Justice Department. Many of the things that McCarthy enacted as Speaker of the House were to spite the Democrat-led Senate and Democratic president. McCarthy did not act in the best interest of the common people; he only wanted to further himself and his party’s radical interests. While this was not the direct reason that McCarthy was ousted, it could Mariana Ramos/The Paisano justify his removal.

The SAT is going digital

Commentary

By Luna Infante

Assistant Opinion Editor For decades, high school students have taken the SAT — a standardized college admission exam. Throughout time, it has seen many changes, and as of Spring 2024, the SAT will be switching to a digital format. Will this change make the SAT easier for students? In January 2022, College Board announced that the SAT is going digital. Beginning 2023, the SAT will be digital for international students, but for U.S. students, the format will change in 2024. The new format brings many key changes, the first being that the SAT will be completely digital. Students must take it on their laptops or school computers inside their school or at a designated testing center. Another change will be that the questions will now be adaptive. The duration will also change from about two hours rather than three, and there will be more time per question due to the questions being shortened. The math and reading sections will also

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be different, as calculators will now be permitted for the entire math portion and the reading passages will have only one question per passage. This new SAT format appears to be much easier than the traditional format that has been used for years. The modernized format will be beneficial for timeliness, as test proctors and students will now be able to get in and out of their testing rooms quickly. The shorter duration and longer time given for questions will also relieve many students of time pressure. Apart from the benefits the new format brings in terms of time, the digital SAT has many other advantages. When tracking questions, many students lose valuable time while looking for numbers on their scantron; however, the digital format can alleviate the stress many students feel with this. Additionally, the adaptive questions may also reduce the stress many students feel when it comes to the difficulty of questions. Continue reading at paisano-online.com

General Meetings every wednesday at 6 p.m. Our meetings are held at our off-campus building, located at 14526 roadrunner way

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OPINION

Stop North Carolina’s secret police force

The Paisano

Commentary

Editorial Board

By Carley Martin Staff Writer

At the end of September, a bill was passed that allocates a portion of North Carolina’s new budget to a secret police force. An investigative organization called the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations (JLCGO), will be able to investigate state and governmental agencies — including non-state agencies that are given public funds. Republicans claimed that they created the organization to further monitor issues

associated with the state’s response to hurricanes and the distribution of federal COVID-19 income. However, Democrats claim that this gives the government too much power. Officially, the organization is said to be able to investigate “possible instances of misfeasance, malfeasance, nonfeasance, mismanagement, waste, abuse or illegal conduct.” In opposition to the new organization, Senator Graig Meyer, a North Carolina Democrat, said that this would give them free reign to enter your home without a warrant

if you do business with the state and if your business is at your home. Rep. Allison Dahle is quoted saying, “This secret police force can even come into, for example, a law firm that receives state funding for court-appointed lawyers. This now means that the sanctity of attorney-client privilege is now defunct.” While not much has been made available to the public as to the inner details of how the JLCGO will work, both Meyer and Dahle bring up great points. Whether you do business with the state or not, the government should

not be able to enter your house without a warrant. This is a direct violation of a person’s Fourth Amendment right. Following Dahle’s concerns, if the JLCGO can enter a state-funded law firm whenever they please, this breaches attorney-client privilege. Whatever their clients say in private is no longer confidential. The initial vision of this organization is clear, but ultimately, it will do more harm than good. The government should not be given this much power, as it could lead to far too many problems.

Prioritize preservation Read More Commentaries over profit Online

The silver screen needs more women Commentary By Faith Kouadio Staff Writer

In 1896, Parisian director Alice Guy-Blanché released “La Fée aux Choux.” The movie was an original oneminute narrative short created to promote the exciting storytelling possibilities of motion pictures. Meanwhile, across town, theatergoer Gèorges Melies began to record local performances, and by 1902, made cinema history with “A Trip to the Moon.” Since the beginning of film directing, over 75 men have been awarded best director – compared to only three women. It took until 2010 for the first woman, Kathryn Bigelow, to receive the honor. This year, no women were nominated for the award. Women and men have been equal pioneers in the history of filmmaking, yet film largely remains a “boys’ club.” Despite the great strides women have made toward equality, we are often relegated to the object of art rather than the respected creators of it. Art reflects life, and this objectification is a sobering reminder of the overarching view of women in our society — particularly when it is through the art of visual storytelling. Some films have reserved spots on any list of the best movies of all time, such as “Citizen Kane,”

“The Godfather” or “The Shawshank Redemption.” All undoubtedly spectacular feats by male directors, but all exploring themes of success, power and freedom through a decidedly male perspective. When cinema really began to pick up as a commercial industry in the 30s and 40s, early movies like “Mildred Pierce” reflected the emerging new possibility of female success, but they encouraged traditional roles and were limited to themes related to homemaking. In the film, Mildred created a popular restaurant chain yet was obliged to sacrifice part of her financial and independent success for her spoiled child and greedy husband. The movie itself was directed by renowned director Michael Curtiz and was based on the novel by James M. Cain. This is just one example of how women’s representation of success could only be represented with the influence of men. Women’s representation on screen improved by the mid-century, as they were cast in more lead roles. This led to the rise of the Hollywood starlet, but even these women were at the mercy of the men around them; prime examples include the notorious treatment of Judy Garland and Marilyn Monroe, not to mention the added prejudice faced by women of

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Commentary By Elizabeth Hope Staff Writer

Going to the zoo as a child was such a fun and exciting way to spend the day. Getting to explore new worlds, interact with exotic animals and learn about their origins was fascinating, but as you get older, you begin to question why you are seeing exotic animals in places like Texas. Organizations like zoos, aquariums, marine and theme parks are businesses, and many only care about the profit being made. Because of this, they will do whatever needs to be done in order to make more money. They will transport exotic animals, like polar bears or elephants, to exploit their rarity and draw crowds in to see them. They will do this despite the harm and stress it causes the animals. According to the World Wildlife Fund, wildlife trade is a major threat to some species. Some animals in zoos and aquariums are transported illegally from their homeland and bred for human enjoyment. These innocent animals go from living free in their native habitat to being trapped in cages with limited access to outdoor exhibits. The animals can endure severe physical and psychological harm from being in captivity. color like Hattie McDaniel. By the time women were in a position to create films about women, the movies were met with little recognition or shifted to become indie hits, like Agnès Varda’s classic “Cléo from 5 to 7.” As such, many female directors gain their fame by adapting stories with male main characters, such as Claire Denis’ “Beau Travail” or Mary Harron’s “American Psycho.” By the 2000s, the industry had ensured to invalidate the new wave of female-oriented blockbusters by calling films “chick flicks.” Female directors of other kinds of popular female-oriented films could hardly break in without the association with — or assistance of — a man. Sofia Coppola’s directorial debut “The Virgin Suicides” was overshadowed by her father’s legacy. Greta Gerwig’s independent debut “Lady Bird” probably would

Their minds and bodies can undergo so much stress that it puts them in danger of dying prematurely. Animals are frequently overly bred to produce more babies to entice people to come see small cute baby animals — they are a real crowd pleaser. When the animals grow up and are not making as much profit as before, the animals are either sold to other zoos, become fair game for hunters or are euthanized. SeaWorld is a primary example of animal cruelty in zoos and aquariums. SeaWorld has been known for mistreating its marine life. PETA informs us that SeaWorld will cram over 140 dolphins into seven tanks. Orcas’ dive depth in the ocean is 3,566ft, whereas at SeaWorld their tanks are only 35 ft deep. Orcas range from 16-26ft, these enclosures are limiting the orcas from engaging in their natural behavior and movement. Keeping them in such small and confined spaces is torture. There are exceptions to the trend of cruelty in this industry. Some ethical zoos take in endangered, threatened or hurt animals to help rehabilitate them and send them back to their natural habitat. Continue reading at paisano-online.com

not have reserved a place as a cult favorite of film fans without the exposure from her husband’s hit “Frances Ha.” Still, these movies, especially chick flicks, are constantly mocked for their unapologetic feminine tones. Most notably, women who achieve great critical and commercial success as actresses or filmmakers are at risk of enduring toxic, sexually abusive workplaces. The #MeToo movement in 2017 left many big names in the industry disgraced. Yet today, it appears that women have been silenced again with the threat of “you do not get to show if you tell.” This restricting history of women in cinema naturally results in few female filmmakers. Women have only recently been allowed the opportunity to rise above the position of viewer or actor. Continue reading at paisano-online.com

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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

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 The writer’s strike comes to an end Slowcore band releases surprise mash-up album Kara Lee/The Paisano

Reviews By Malaki Lingg Web Editor

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By Bria Collins

Contributor n May, all production in the Hollywood film industry came to an abrupt halt. TV and movie premieres were delayed indefinitely as writers turned to big entertainment businesses, asking for better pay, working conditions and protection over their jobs. Every three years, the Writer’s Guild of America (WGA) has the opportunity to renegotiate their contracts with studios like Amazon and Warner Bros. This time, rejection was not taken lightly. Thus, the existential push toward industrial changes led to the writer’s strike. Professor John Herrera teaches The Basics of Screenwriting and Screenwriting Workshop virtually at UTSA. He currently resides in California, where he attended the USC School of Cinematic Arts. His first writing job was on the sci-fi comedy Eureka. He has come a long way in his career since then and is now a coexecutive producer for the Emmy award-winning series “The Handmaid’s Tale.” Unfortunately, due to the strike, he has not worked on an industry project in almost six months. Recently, a tentative agreement was reached, but Herrera acknowledged that there are many things the union must do before they vote on new policies and return to work. The protest was the first step in improving work conditions. “The strike was about four things: residual, mini rooms, staffing and AI regulation,” Herrera said, explaining that a residual is the set pay for each episode or movie written. He explained the past policy and why it is out of date. “The way it used to work is as a rerun,” Herrera said. “As they syndicated the episode every time it reran, you got a new check that would help you when you were unemployed.” Being a screenwriter is a very competitive job. Often, many people work on one series or movie and then are left unemployed as they search for a new job. The residual is necessary for writers as they find new projects. Herrera puts it into perspective by explaining that, “on a really successful show, people could make $50,000 to $200,000 just on the ongoing payments from one episode over a decade, and that really helped people.” Then, times advanced, and most people switched from basic cable networks, opting for streaming as the main way to watch shows and movies. In this new system of streaming, it became difficult for writers to be paid the same. Studios tried to get around paying writers, and “when residuals came along, they acted like, well, this is streaming, this is the internet. It’s not TV.” Streaming networks would not disclose their views and analytics for the writers to be compensated. The residual often “amounted to pennies,” Herrera explained, providing the TV show “Suits” as an example. “In ‘Suits,’ which has been airing on Netflix, the residuals on that are nothing, even though tons of people are rewatching the show from a decade ago.” This means that people are not receiving livable amounts for their work. Writers are pressuring studios to “start considering streaming just like TV.” Another issue on the writers’ minds is mini rooms. “Before streamers greenlight a show, they would have a small group of writers get together, usually at a discounted rate, to work on the show,” Herrera said. This does not seem odd until it is realized that

if the show is greenlit, “all those people would be let go and they’d get new people” to write. There is no guarantee that the writers will ever get their episodes made. This leads to difficulties with staffing because, usually in drama or comedy, the room can consist of anywhere from four to 12 people. Productions like late-night shows have 20 people because they need to bounce ideas and create endless jokes, but there have been many occasions where a single writer has been left to write an entire season alone. Herrera explained that most streaming services just say, “Hey, you can do it all yourself, right? You’re brilliant. Why don’t you do them all?” This could seem like a dream to many, “but the quality of the series ends up not being as good, and it hurts the industry.” Because of this, strikers are asking for a minimum of six writers in a room. The fourth reason for striking is AI regulation. AI programs like Chat GPT pose a threat because they will build a rough draft for an entire script or story. Since the source of the idea is written by a proprietary AI, even if writers are hired to work on the project, they get paid little to nothing. The studios cut down on expenses because they have no mandate to give residuals, credit or proper compensation to the workers, but the truth is: When good quality work is needed, money is owed.

“I’m lucky I didn’t go into debt because I had money saved up.” Because of the writer’s strike, there was nearly a six-month period where an entire industry of people did not receive pay. For people in need, the WGA offered Strike Fund Assistance and Entertainment Community Fund Emergency Financial Assistance. “I’m lucky I didn’t go into debt because I had money saved up,” Herrera said. He was able to get by without the extra funding, but it was still unfortunate because “it would have been nice to save it up to buy a house, and now we’re going to have to wait a little longer.” Many others in the industry were dealt similar cards. Their money had to be carefully handled during these times. The writer’s strike officially ended when the WGA reached a tentative agreement on Sept. 27. According to the WGA Contract 2023, the strike was necessary because many improvements to their condition were made. Regarding residuals, they won a viewership streaming bonus. When it comes to mini rooms, the original proposal was for six people, and the studio compromised and said, “If a development room of three or more writers is convened, a minimum staff of three writer-producers is required.” The writers wanted to keep AI literature from being used as source material. The studio responded by saying, “AI-generated written material is not considered literary material” and gave the writers the right to use AI or not, and companies cannot enforce it either. To learn more about the resolve of the writer’s strike, check out the WGA website, https://www. wgacontract2023.org/the-campaign/what-wewon.

In 1998, slowcore band Duster released their debut album “Stratosphere.” The project quickly became a cult classic with its deep emotions and somber theme. Though “Stratosphere” and Duster’s subsequent releases cemented them as one of the most influential slowcore bands, nothing lasts forever. After 2000’s “Contemporary Movement,” they decided to go on hiatus, unbeknownst to them that it would take nearly two decades for them to release their next project. Over the years, Duster has become a musical staple for their experimental sound and analog mixed songs. After years of waiting, Duster returned in 2019 with the release of their self-titled project. Since then, they have made it known that they are back for good by announcing tour dates, including their first shows in Texas. On Sept. 29, Duster surprised fans with the release of their fifth album, “Remote Echoes.” The album has a runtime of 27 minutes and 45 seconds, spanning across 14 tracks. “Remote Echoes” serves almost as a mashup or compilation album across their different eras. While each track works well together, you can somewhat tell that sonically, they fit into different niches the band was going for at the time of their conception. While the track “Untitled 59” sounds like it is straight from the “Stratosphere” sessions with its overall melancholic sound, “The Weed Supreme” is somewhat reminiscent of their EP “Transmission Flux.” “Remote Echoes” does exactly what Duster wants it to do, and that is to be a short, sweet project. While it is fun, the length is one of the only downsides of the LP. Nearly all previous Duster albums have had a runtime of around 40 minutes or more, but this album nearly halves that. By the time you reach the end of the album, you will be left yearning for more. For a band known for having long projects and tracks, it is interesting to have a project that does the opposite. While short, “Remote Echoes” is a great project overall. It brings a fun mesh of all of Duster’s previous works and showcases their ability to make exceptional lo-fi music, especially at a time when many are trying to replicate that sound.

Five cheap ways to celebrate fall

Spare Change

By Chloe Williams Managing Editor

Fall is arguably one of the most appreciated and anticipated seasons. Few things can compare to the sound of leaves crinkling under your boots and the taste of fall drinks on a windy, cozy day. The beauty and spirit of fall are undeniable, but indulging in fall activities can be costly. With the cost of a Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Chai exceeding $6 and admission to Six Flags Fright Fest coming in at a whopping $80, partaking in fall activities can break the bank. However, you do not have to drain your wallet to enjoy the autumn season. There are plenty of free or cheap ways to appreciate the fall season in all its glory without spending all the money you have set aside for holiday gifts. Follow along as we highlight five inexpensive ways to get into the fall spirit. 1. Bake fall goodies and watch a comforting movie You do not have to be a baking expert to bake comforting fall cookies or indulge in premade pumpkin goodies. Pop some pumpkin spice cookies in the oven or make a batch of pumpkin muffins, sit back and watch your go-to comforting fall movie. Recommendations include Coraline, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Hocus Pocus and of course, the endless supply of Disney Halloween movies. 2. Spend an afternoon antiquing Antiquing feels like fall, even if you do not buy anything. Looking through the vintage items provides a unique feeling. If you are looking for a day away from San Antonio, check out the historic Gruene town center. The area has several antique shops, and the small town autumn energy emitted by Gruene is a fall staple. If you are looking to stay in San Antonio, a closer option is the Alamo Antique Mall, which houses three stories full of antiques. 3. Attend a market Aside from the reoccurring markets that are perfect to attend in the fall like the Pearl Farmers Market and First Friday, there are many other fall-themed events taking place. Free events to attend include the Garden Ridge Market Days – Halloween Festival & Market, taking place from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 14 at Northeast Bible Church. This event will feature over 150 local food, craft and farm vendors and other free activities. Another free fall event is the third annual Fall Festival located in downtown San Antonio from 3 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 14 at 501 W Commerce. This event will include live music, games, candy, food, drinks and more. On the weekend of Oct. 28 and 29, celebrate Dia de los Muertos at Hemisfair Muertosfest 2023. This event will have live music, food, dance and art. 4. Explore the spooky side of San Antonio San Antonio holds the number-five spot in the top 10 most haunted cities in America.

See Fall on page 6

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Arts & Life an individual. Recently, they opened up a new app known as TimelyCare for students to find counseling and more “advanced physiological care.” If you are a UTSA student who struggles with depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorders or other mental health conditions, Wellness 360 is a great resource to take advantage of. SAMHSA’s National Helpline If you are in need of help with substance abuse or a mental health condition, you can call SAMHSA’s National Helpline. SAMHSA can connect you with treatment that suits your needs, including medication and programs for substance abuse. Their mission is not only to help people find healing but also to spread awareness about mental health. Talkspace Talkspace is another popular online therapy program. They have many therapy options to choose from, including individuals, couples, veterans and more. Since it is an online program, there is no need for face-to-face appointments. Talkspace makes it easy to find a therapist and treatment that is right for you. If you are in need of immediate assistance, other resources include the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, the National Alliance on Mental Health and 911.

World Mental Health Day By Kaitlyn Grace

See you at the cinema Samantha Ysaguirre/The Paisano

By Jada Thomas

Interim Marketing Manager With a new month comes new movies, and since Halloween is just around the corner, some spooky films are in store for moviegoers this October. However, you might be unaware of some upcoming releases given that Hollywood studio executives are still refusing to pay members of SAG-AFTRA fair wages, resulting in several films not receiving the typical amount of promotion from their actors. So whether you are looking for a good scare or simply want a reason to go to the theater, below are some movies releasing in October, along with older films that are making their way back to the big screen. New Releases “The Exorcist: Believer”: This film, a sequel made 50 years after the iconic horror film “The Exorcist,” released in theaters on Oct. 6. The film follows Victor Fielding, played by Academy Award winner Leslie Odom Jr., as his daughter Angela and her friend Katherine return from a mysterious disappearance with no recollection of what happened to them while they were gone. The girls’ return unleashes a chain of events that forces Victor to confront an unthinkable evil and desperately seek out the help of none other than Chris MacNeil. “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour”: After wrapping up the first leg of her tour, pop icon Taylor Swift announced she will be sharing the cultural phenomenon in movie theaters nationwide. Fans who missed out on seeing the Eras Tour live, or who simply want to relive the experience, can see the film in theaters starting Oct. 13. “Killers of the Flower Moon”: Based on the best-selling novel of the same name by David Grann, this film is set in 1920s Oklahoma and follows the serial murders of members of the Osage Nation, who reside on oil-rich land. Also detailing the investigation of these murders and what is considered to be the birth of the F.B.I., Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon” releases in theaters on Oct. 20. “Five Nights at Freddy’s”: Fans have anticipated this film for years, and the live-action version of the horror video-game phenomenon finally releases in theaters on Oct. 27. The film follows troubled security guard Mike Schmidt, played by Josh Hutcherson, as he starts his new job at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. However, in order to remain employed, he has to make it through the night alive — a task that the company’s seemingly friendly animatronics make frighteningly difficult. Returning to screens “Coraline”: In a new town with no friends and peculiar neighbors, Coraline Jones is bored. Continue reading at paisano-online.com

Week of Oct. 10 Read online at paisano-online.com

Staff Writer With the number of people with mental health conditions on the rise, it is important to spread awareness about mental health and dismantle the stigma and stereotypes that surround it. On Oct. 10, World Mental Health Day gives us all the opportunity to raise awareness for mental health and stand with those who struggle with mental health conditions. There are many resources available for those with depression, anxiety and other disorders. Below is a list of some of these resources. American Psychiatric Association The American Psychiatric Association assists users in finding a therapist via their Psychiatrist Locator. With the locator, you can simply check your surrounding area for available therapists, or you can do a more advanced search by adding what sort of conditions the therapist specializes in, the languages they speak, if the program accepts insurance and more. Wellness 360 Wellness 360 is a counseling center dedicated to helping UTSA students find therapy, whether it is for a group or

SA Gems By Chloe Williams Managing Editor

San Antonio is a city rich with history and culture. The seventh largest city in the United States would not be what it is today or have the extensive history it does without the work and contributions of its Hispanic citizens. With 63.8% of our population being Hispanic citizens, Hispanic Heritage Month should be celebrated and appreciated. Each year, Hispanic Heritage Month runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 and although festivities are reaching a close, it is never too late to celebrate or appreciate Hispanic citizens. Join us as we celebrate and recognize different Hispanic-owned businesses in San Antonio to support this month and every month. Shopping Chica Verde - Outdoor decor - Location: 2314 San Pedro Ave - Hours: Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Hello Tallulah - Vintage boutique items - Location: 1912 Fredericksburg Rd. - Hours: Wednesday through Sunday

all ages! @ The Deco Ballroom 1906 Fredericksburg Rd.

doors open at 8:00 pm | music starts at 9:00 pm

DRINK SPECIALS ALL NIGHT! UTSA students! Use discount code UTSA13 to receive $2 off general admission tickets. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram @SoFetch_SA

BUY TICKETS HERE:

1 to 7 p.m. Siempre Skateshop - Skateshop, apparel and live music - Location: 1941 N New Braunfels Ave - Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 12 to 6 p.m., Sunday 12 to 5 p.m. The Vaulti - Vintage apparel - Location: 1927 N St Mary’s St - Hours: Sunday through Thursday 12 to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Food and drinks Hash Vegan Eats - Vegan food and non-alcoholic drinks - Location: 5007 S Flores St - Hours: Monday and Thursday 1 to 8 p.m., Friday 1 to 10 p.m., Saturday 12 to 10 p.m., Sunday 12 to 5 p.m. La Barca De Jalisco - Mexican restaurant - Location: 606 Steves Ave - Hours: Sunday 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Saturday 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Plantaqueria - Vegan taqueria - Location: 124 Broadway - Hours: Tuesday through Sunday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Plantology - Vegan food - Location: 22026 US-281 #101 - Hours: Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Rosas Kitchen Southtown - Street food taco truck - Location: 1203 S Alamo - Hours: Tuesday through Friday 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Ruthie’s Mexican Restaurant - Mexican food - Location: 11423 West Ave

Continued Fall

Rightfully so, San Antonio is home to many paranormal spots and attractions. If you are feeling adventurous, take yourself on a free self-guided ghost tour downtown and hit all the haunted locations, including the Emily Morgan Hotel — which is on the list of the most haunted hotels in America. Dive into the haunted history of our city and check these places out for yourself — they will definitely be scarier than an expensive haunted house. 5. Spend time outdoors While this can be an obvious choice for a free activity in San Antonio,

Continue reading at paisanoonline.com Jenna Taylor/The Paisano

- Hours: Everyday 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Southbound Coffee - Coffee truck - Location: 246 E. Cevallos - Hours: Tuesday through Friday 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday and Sun 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Taquitos West Ave - Taqueria - Location: 2818 West Ave - Hours: Sunday through Thursday 10 to 12 a.m., Friday and Saturday 10 to 3 a.m. Vice Versa Coffee & Music - Coffee, records and jazz bar - Location: 123 Heiman St - Hours: Sunday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday 8 to 12 a.m. Viva Vegeria - Vegan and gluten-free tex-mex - Location: 1422 Nogalitos St - Hours: Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Other APT. 144 - Jewelry studio - Location: 1010 S Flores St #116 - Hours: Sunday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday 12 to 6 p.m. and Friday 12 to 8 p.m. Dewy Skin Studio - Facial spa - Location: 507 E Houston St Suite 10 - Hours: Sunday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m., Monday, Thursday and Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Prospect Parlor - Barber and tattoo parlor - Location: 3218 Northwestern Dr - Hours: Tuesday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Continue reading at paisano-online.com

with the weather cooling off and the leaves hopefully falling soon, spending time outdoors is a necessary part of appreciating autumn. Whether it is taking a hike, having a fall picnic or just curling up on your balcony reading a fall book — spend time outside, you will not regret it. While the leaves are not set to change colors until at least Oct. 16, there are still plenty of fun and free ways to welcome fall. If you are looking to splurge on activities this season, check out last week’s The Paisano article, where we list other things to do. Enjoy the new season and have fun appreciating it.

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sports Balancing Act: the life of a UTSA student-athlete By Logan Martinez

Staff Writer

he life of a student-athlete, while exciting, has never been one that is easy. Their days consist of intense practice schedules, long travel days and constant games followed by multiple classes with hard work deadlines. With such a packed schedule, it is hard to imagine how these athletes find time for anything other than school and sports. “It can be a lot,” senior football safety Rashad Wisdom said. “Trying to juggle your football life, school life and personal life, it can be hard.” Many other UTSA student-athletes have shared this same sentiment. “I feel like it’s normal for a student-athlete to just feel overwhelmed a lot of the time, but I mean we gotta do what we gotta do,” senior soccer defender Sasjah Dade said. The schedule of an in-season collegiate athlete is indeed a brutal one. For football, Friday and Saturday are often completely dedicated to the sport alone. “Friday and Saturday, those days are basically taken out of your schedule,” Wisdom said. “You’re really cut down to five days that you got to try and figure out how to manage.” With some days starting as early as 5:30 a.m. and ending close to 9 p.m., it can definitely be a challenge to maintain a healthy balance between school, sports and personal time. Wisdom even went as far as to say that on Tuesdays, he does not have time to log into his computer until about 6:30 p.m. While there is no concrete solution to maintaining a work-life balance, many studentathletes have credited time management and working ahead as the biggest habits that have helped them in their time here at the university. One of the biggest advocates for time management is basketball point guard Adante’ Holiman. “Last year my freshman year was pretty hard,” Holiman said. “It was really a lack of time management, getting used to having class, practice and schoolwork.” Holiman also claims that since his struggles freshman year, he has learned to work ahead and never feel too overwhelmed by work. “I work ahead in most of my classes,” Holiman said. “I feel like I just have to get it together and get it done.” Volleyball’s sophomore middle blocker, Katelyn Krienke, also added that turning in work beforehand has helped her during her time at UTSA. “It is really hard for me with my major and

my schedule,” Krienke said. “A huge thing for me is I take some breaks, but I like to get all of my stuff done beforehand.” Another huge advocate for time management, Krienke believes that while everyone may deal with their time differently, it is important to always maintain an organized schedule and focus on work when there is enough time. With such busy lives, it is important that UTSA student-athletes take time out of the day to relax and focus on themselves. “If there’s a day I feel I need to relax, I’m going to take that day,” Wisdom said. “I’ve learned to understand that work’s going to get done eventually, there’s no reason to stress about it.” When asked about his routine to unwind from all the stress of school and sports, Wisdom stated that campus walks and library visits are how he primarily relaxes his mind and remembers everything will be fine. Other athletes such as Dade claim that “doing something that’s out of routine” always helps to decompress and relax the athlete’s mind. “Sometimes we have a movie night. Doing something chill really helps to just relax,” Dade said when asked about her routine. The idea of decompressing and relaxing is essential to maintaining a healthy work-life balance for student-athletes at UTSA. Players such as Krienke have a “Sunday reset” day if there is no volleyball game. “I’ll go shopping or go to the store,” Krienke said. “I’ll kind of just do something a little more money spending-wise just to give myself a break. I try not to do school all the time.” Whether it is taking a campus walk, shopping or just having a movie night, almost all student-athletes have found their own way to decompress from the stress that comes with such an intense way of living. While it is nowhere near the perfect life it is made up to be, the life of a collegiate athlete is certainly a special one. Tasked with juggling numerous aspects of life, their ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle amid their intense sports seasons and schoolwork schedules is truly extraordinary. Living a life bombarded with practice times, game days, film meetings, exams and incredible amounts of homework, the life of a student-athlete is indeed a lot to manage. Though each athlete’s routine may be different, their dedication and discipline towards their respective sports and classes should be applauded and praised by all who come into contact with them. They are truly incredible role models who represent UTSA to the best of their abilities.

(From top to bottom) Rashad Wisdom, Sasjah Dade, Katelyn Krienke and Adante’ Holiman

What goes into being a UTSA cheerleader? By Marissa Silvas Staff Writer

The historic Convocation Center is where you can find the elite student-athletes of UTSA cheer in action at their early morning practices. Head coach Ashley Johnson and some of the program’s leadership team talked about what a game week looks like for these dedicated athletes. The average game week A regular game week during football season for UTSA cheer consists of four to five practices per week. These practices are broken up into early mornings and some early afternoons. Two days out of the week after practice, they head straight to the Roadrunner Athletic Center of Excellence building for strength and conditioning for about an hour. Team study hall has also been incorporated into their schedule on a weekly basis. Thursday morning or Friday afternoon, the squads head to the Alamodome for a run through of how game day performances will take place. The purpose of this is to ensure everyone is on the same page and performing as one unit on game day. When football is on the road, you

Stephen Saenz/The Paisano

can still find UTSA cheer at the Convocation Center supporting UTSA volleyball or hosting cheer clinics. With basketball season around the corner, the squad will attend both the men’s and women’s games as the teams alternate playing at home. Although basketball and football games are fairly spread out, there will be a slight overlap of all three schedules for UTSA cheer this fall. Events UTSA students will likely see the cheerleaders and Rowdy at many campus events and in the San Antonio community. Appearances by the cheerleaders and Rowdy at events are requested by the university or businesses. Junior cheerleader Olivia Merrill shared something new that the team is doing this season. Once a month, the program will be going into the San Antonio community to volunteer. “This is to help the community while still representing and supporting athletics,” Merrill said. This past week, the squad ventured to the San Antonio Food Bank to volunteer during their practice time. Football season Olivia’s favorite part about football season is seeing the love for UTSA and the community come together. “It’s amazing seeing so many people excited to be there for a game,” Merrill said. Senior and program leader, Valerie Ramos, shared her favorite moments from this season as well. “I enjoy the games, but being [in my] fifth year, I’ve seen it already. It’s more about cherishing the moment and time on [the] field, with the team I’m with right now. Every game is one less as a UTSA

Rashad Wisdom

#16 #18

Sasjah Dade

Katelyn Krienke

Adante’ Holiman

Photos courtesy of UTSA Athletics

cheerleader. I’m taking it all in before my time is done.” Dynamic and culture of UTSA Cheer Coach Johnson weighed in on the culture of the sport and the program. Not only does she express their dedication but their drive and competitive nature as well. As a proud UTSA Alum, Johnson stated, “The greatest thing is growing at the beginning of the season and seeing their mind grow of what it means to be a Roadrunner. My heart is full seeing the athletes’ growth and seeing the growth of the university from then to now.” This group plays a vital role in being ambassadors for the university, supporting all areas of UTSA — not only athletics. Along with being heavily involved with the community, some of these student-athletes have part-time jobs with a full course load. UTSA cheer has its own season to prepare for all while playing a vital role at UTSA and in the community. The cheerleaders and Rowdy’s season is practically year-round. Their preparation and training is not only for — football, volleyball and basketball season — but the program’s goal every year is to compete at NCA College Nationals in Daytona, Florida in the spring. For Johnson, her role as a teacher and coach for the past 14 years has reflected her perspective on athletics and academics. “Academics and the sport should be balanced. As athletes [are] a part of this program, their purpose is to be an ambassador for the university. The biggest misconception is that cheer gets whatever they want, but they work hard to raise 45% of their budget, which includes Rowdy. There’s not enough funding for a group that is so highly demanded from the president’s office to the community.” Johnson mentioned the student vote on Oct. 25 and 26 on the proposed increase of athletics fee. “This program is something people should know about when it comes to that vote. A little support goes such a long way for a cheer program, along with Rowdy.” You’ll be able to find UTSA cheer and Rowdy along the sideline this weekend at the UTSA football game, against the UAB Trailblazers at 7 p.m. Saturday, at the Alamodome.

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sports