Vol, 68, Issue 1

Vol. 68, Issue 1

Est. 1981

January 23 - January 30, 2024

THE PAISANO

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

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@paisanomedia

@ThePaisano

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Diversity office closes; no plans to repurpose

By Amber Serio News Editor

I

n an email sent to all faculty, staff and students at UTSA, President Taylor Eighmy announced on Jan. 2 that the university’s decision to repurpose the Office of Inclusive Excellence, which closed in response to the Texas Legislature’s Senate Bill 17 (SB 17), would no longer be occurring. SB 17 went into effect on Jan. 1, resulting in the closure of all diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at public higher education institutions. As a result, the Office of Inclusive Excellence was directly impacted and closed on Jan. 1.

“After continued and considered evaluation, we decided not to launch the new office. Given our evolving understanding of SB 17 as well as continuing voluntary changes in staffing and personnel reappointments from that office, it no longer made sense to launch the new office,” Eighmy said.

The plan to repurpose the office was established by Eighmy in December, when he shared that a new department titled the Office of Campus and Community Belonging would serve as a way to “enhance [the] university’s mission and create unique opportunities for faculty,

staff and students” while ensuring the university remains in compliance with the new state law.

The office was said to focus on three pillars: ADA & Accessibility, Campus Climate and Community Partnership Bridges. Eighmy also said that the individuals who previously served in the Office of Inclusive Excellence would now have roles with updated responsibilities to support the purpose and vision of the new and repurposed department.

In his Jan. 2 announcement, Eighmy stated that the previously mentioned pillars of the new office would be distributed across different departments. “Instead, we will leverage the strong capabilities of our existing offices and divisions to realign ADA and disability services, campus climate and community engagement activities across various institutional divisions.”

This announcement did not mention what would now be happening to the former employees of the Office of Inclusive Excellence, as part of the plan to repurpose the department was to grant these employees new roles in the Office of Campus and Community Belonging.

Therefore, UTSA Associate Vice President for Strategic Communications and

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External Affairs Joe Izbrand was asked to clarify the status of the former employees.

“At the beginning of the last academic year, there were seven fulltime employees in the former Office of Inclusive Excellence. Three of them voluntarily sought positions elsewhere in the university and were hired into other, separately budgeted positions unrelated to the activities covered by SB 17,” Izbrand shared via email. He also added that one employee voluntarily separated from UTSA, leaving three remaining employees who have now been reassigned to other divisions working in compliance with SB 17-permissible activities.

According to Express News, UTSA began its diversity program five years ago, which implemented the creation of a new “vice president for inclusive excellence” position. This position was filled by Dr. Myron Anderson, who has

Construction projects near campus lay ground for future developments five-level direct connect interchange.

These improvements could decrease future travel time along this stretch of Drivers along I-10 and Loop highway by as much as 80 minutes.

1604 were subjected to heavy traffic Loop 1604’s expansion is just one during the weekends of Jan. 12 to 14 of the many construction projects and Jan. 19 to 21 due to road closures around UTSA’s main campus. along both freeways.

Along Brennan Avenue, which The road closures along Loop 1604 runs through the residential side of are part of a larger expansion project campus, a small portion of the road set forth by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). This will be closed until March 29. UTSA project aims to expand Loop 1604 Assistant Vice President of Design from SH-16 at Bandera to I-35. Upon and Construction Nick Tuttle shared completing this project, 23 miles of that the road closure is “due to nearby the highway will increase from four construction projects and increased lanes to 10 lanes, bringing several construction vehicle traffic using benefits to San Antonio drivers, that road. Construction vehicles and including improved mobility, equipment turning radiuses require a reduced congestion and enhanced full road closure.”

Another construction project safety along the high-traveled that is taking place at UTSA corridor, according to TxDOT. is the building of Blanco Hall, Furthermore, other improvements which will be a new residential this expansion will bring to the community.

Blanco Hall is being stretch of 1604 include adding one high-occupancy vehicle lane in each built based on research showing direction, remodeling the layout of that on-campus housing strengthens connections, increases auxiliary lanes and entrance and exit student engagement in campus activities ramps and replacing the cloverleaf and boosts learning opportunities interchange at I-10/Loop 1604 with a for undergraduates. Upon its planned completion in June 2025, this residential community will house approximately 600 first-year students and sophomores.

Off-campus projects, such as Roadrunner Creek, which is being built across the street from the Luxx Apartment Complex, are also in the works. This 21,000-square-foot retail project is being built by Santikos Enterprises, known for owning multiple movie theaters across the San Antonio area. According to Joe McChesney, Santikos’ vice president of real estate, this retail project is Mohitha Ravikunar/The Paisano unique because it will be

By Jada Thomas Marketing Manager

built as an amenity connection to the nearby Leon Creek Trail. Roadrunner Creek will have about 15 spaces for restaurants and other retail shops, including Smokey Mo’s BBQ, which plans to be the first restaurant tenant to occupy the retail center.

Another construction project taking place near UTSA’s main campus is University Village. On the project’s homepage, University Village promotes itself as a “998 multi-family, 114-acre project.”

The Village currently plans to be located near the I-10 and UTSA Blvd intersection, with Hausman Road and the Leon Creek Trailway acting as its southern and western borders, respectively. The vision for University Village is that, upon its completion, it will feature 998 multi-family units, 112 townhome units, 320,000 square feet of office space, 119,000 square feet of retail/ restaurant space and a 120-room hotel. The University Village site plan can also be found on their homepage for a visual of how the project will be constructed and where all of these amenities will be located.

Finally, a new HEB location is being built near the intersection of Loop 1604 and Babcock Road.

Construction of the $20 million, 116,760-square-foot store will begin in July of this year and is expected to be complete in July 2025. According to an article from the San Antonio Express-News, Abiso Babcock LP owns 19.7 acres at the intersection of Loop 1604 and Babcock. An online brochure issued by the developer several years ago describes a shopping center called The Shops at Babcock that would be anchored by an H-E-B store.

For more detailed information regarding UTSA construction plans, visit UTSA’s Real Estate Management website. For more information explaining expansion plans for Loop 1604, visit txdot.gov.

served as the founding vice president of Inclusive Excellence since 2019. With the closure of the Office of Inclusive Excellence, the future of his position was also unclear and not stated in Eighmy’s Jan. 2 announcement.

In the same email, Izbrand provided additional clarification on the status of Dr. Anderson, sharing that he “has returned to [the] faculty ranks, where he has two decades of experience in teaching technology evaluation.” His work will focus on supporting the quality assessment for UTSA’s fully online courses.

UTSA plans to continue updating faculty, staff and students on the university’s compliance with SB 17 and how this will impact the university moving forward. For future updates on the matter, visit paisanoonline.com or utsatoday.com.

New college progresses forward thinking

By Noah Willoughby Staff Writer According to Cybersecurity Ventures, 3.5 million jobs are open in the realm of cyber security and data science, which highlights that UTSA announced a new initiative on Jan. 19 to reshape its academic structure by opening a brand new college dedicated to artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, computing and other related disciplines. This initiative aligns with the university’s commitment to innovation and academic excellence while positioning itself to lead the rapidly evolving landscape of advanced technologies.

“The convergence of AI, data science, computing and cybersecurity signifies a very forward-looking endeavor as we embrace the fifth industrial revolution, now especially propelled by AI advancements,” UTSA President Taylor Eighmy said. “These disciplines will remain intertwined for the foreseeable future. With an escalating demand for emerging technologies, their applications, and the demand for a skilled workforce, this new college will greatly accelerate UTSA’s economic and workforce impact here in San Antonio, across Texas, and nationally.”

UTSA’s enrollment in the AI, cybersecurity, computing and data science-related tracks has increased by 31% since 2019, with the total now being nearly 6,000 students. In the 2022-2023 academic year, UTSA graduated over 1,000 students in these programs, which are currently distributed throughout the university’s current four colleges.

AI has contributed to unprecedented advancements across industries like health care, finance and manufacturing as companies and organizations try to streamline processes and drive innovation. Amidst this movement, the need for professionals in AI, as well as cyber security and data science, has greatly increased.

According to Cybersecurity Ventures, 3.5 million jobs are open in the realm of cyber security and data science, which highlights the need for experts in safeguarding digital assets and extracting meaningful insights from vast data sets.

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Continued College

46,000 of those open positions are in Texas, according to Cyberseek.

In the future, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 36% increase in data science jobs and a 35% increase in cyber security jobs nationally over the next decade. Texas also has impressive projections, with a 26.5% increase in AI and data science jobs.

Heather Shipley, the Interim Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, announced in an email to faculty and staff about the creation of the AI, Cyber, Computing and Data Science Planning Advisory Task Force to lead planning exercises to establish the new college.

This task force will be in charge of surveying student interest, exploring multidisciplinary research opportunities and finding a college organizational structure that aligns these programs to enhance student success, career readiness and transdisciplinary research.

“Ensuring UTSA students are well-prepared for their chosen careers in the dynamic transdisciplinary workforce is our most important responsibility,” Shipley said. “This initiative is driven by our commitment to fostering innovation, advancing research and delivering educational excellence across related disciplines. More specifically, it seeks to amplify synergies among academic and research domains, fostering the transdisciplinary collaboration that is critical to developing our students’ ability to tackle complex, multifaceted challenges as the future leaders in these fields.”

Jonathan Halbesleben, Dean of the Carlos Alvarez College of Business, and Jianwei Niu, Interim Dean of University College, will serve as the task force chairs

and David Mongeau, Founding Director of the School of Data Science, will guide external benchmarking, outreach and the surveying of the best practices at peer and aspiring institutions.

Task force membership will be announced later this month and is expected to deliver its final report by June 2024. Discussions with potentially impacted faculty and other campus and external stakeholders will follow in Fall 2024.

UTSA has been a pioneer in the fields of AI, cyber security, computing and data science since the establishment of the School of Data Science in 2018. This is the only school of its kind at a Carnegie R1 U.S. Hispanic Serving Institution. The school’s milestones include a $2.1 million award for student training and research programs, hosting the National Academic Data Science Alliance annual meeting in 2023, and designing a new certificate program in data engineering, which will be offered for the first time this summer. The School of Data Science, located at the downtown campus in San Pedro I, has over 1,000 students and researchers.

Veronica Salazar, UTSA’s chief enterprise development officer and senior vice president for Business Affairs, talked about the strategic alignment of this initiative with UTSA’s investment in downtown San Antonio and the city’s tech corridor.

“Through this initiative, we are not only investing in the intellectual capital of our students but also contributing to the growth and vibrancy of downtown San Antonio,” Salazar said. “This initiative is a testament to UTSA’s dedication to providing a dynamic hub in our city’s core for education, research and engagement, further solidifying our role as a key player in San Antonio’s development.”

State of the City Week of 1/23

By Naydine De La Fuente Copyediting Coordinator Not subscribed to local news but still want to stay up-to-date on the happenings around town? Look no further. Highlighting notable stories from external San Antonio news sources, State Of The City summarizes the most captivating news headlines of the week. This week’s topics range from the temporary closure of all San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD) campuses to a ban on humorous highway signs.

SAISD shuts down all 98 campuses As students and staff complained about the freezing temperatures in the classrooms, SAISD temporarily closed all campuses on Thursday and Friday. Due to Texas being faced with one of the coldest temperature drops since 2021, Superintendent Jaime Aquino announced that about 70% of schools in the district had “experienced failures of heating systems, with anywhere from 20 percent to 100 percent of those buildings unable to receive appropriate heat.” Aquino posted a statement on the district website apologizing for the freezing conditions and began to conduct the necessary repairs and quality control checks to ensure classes could resume promptly.

Main lane and interchange experience closures Over the weekend, as TxDOT continues construction on the massive expansion project in the area, the main lanes of Loop 1604 at the I-10 interchange on the Northwest Side will be closed. Weather permitting, the closure is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. on Friday and end at 5 a.m. on Monday, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. However, the latest report states that the interchange will be closed from Jan. 19 to Jan. 22.

Workers will install steel beams as part of the ramp from 1604 East to I-10 West in Boerne during the closures. Law enforcement personnel will be present to manage traffic.

Ban on humorous traffic signs The Texas Department of Transportation is well-known for its amusing holiday signs advising drivers to drive sober and safely. However, according to recent rules from the U.S. Federal Highway Administration, beginning in 2026, signs can no longer be amusing or make any reference to popular culture. Safety campaign messages are still permitted by the regulations, but they must now be straightforward and free of puns, humor and pop culture allusions.

Signs regarding UTSA, such as “Birds up, phones down.

Go Roadrunners,” are even at risk of being excluded from Texas highways. Despite these regulations, TxDOT is determined to still incorporate their witty puns to promote safety on the roads. As a spokesperson from TXDOT stated in MySA, “Every message we post includes a safety component, and we will continue to do that.”

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January 23 - January 30, 2024

NEWS

UTSA public health students eligible for two new scholarships

By Faith Kouadio Staff Writer

Starting in Fall 2024, UTSA will use a $50k anonymous gift to create an endowment for its public health students. The new scholarships were raised in honor of Dr. Anita Kurian and Dr. Junda Woo, San Antonio physicians notable for their work during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Both scholarships will continually provide one or more “talented and motivated” public health students with funds to support their studies.

The scholarships make up UTSA’s Be Bold: A Campaign for Our Future, an ambitious fundraising campaign to provide its students with opportunities to reduce the financial burdens of attending university and increase research and innovative growth. The endowment is another investment in San Antonio’s public health output. The new UT School of Public Health will also welcome its inaugural graduate class in the fall.

“These will be the first endowed scholarships

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created in HCAP and in our standalone Department of Public Health, in concert with our collaborative UT School of Public Health San Antonio,” Lynne Cossman, Dean of the College for Health, Community and Policy said.

“We are incredibly grateful to our anonymous donor for honoring their colleagues with these two generous gifts.”

Dr. Kurian is the deputy director of the City of San Antonio Metropolitan Health District’s Communicable Disease Division and the namesake for the first scholarship: the Dr. Anita Kurian Endowed Scholarship. She is being recognized for her consistent interactions with the public to inform them of the current state of COVID-19 in the city and for leading programs to fight the disease. Dr. Kurian’s most remarkable contribution was a campaign of door-to-door testing that was so effective that it ended in six days.

The second scholarship, the Dr. Junda Woo Endowed Scholarship, is named after Dr. Woo, medical director and local health authority for the City of San Antonio Metropolitan Health District. Dr. Woo also regularly shared updates with the public, using her background in preventative medicine. Her key contributions to fighting COVID-19 in San Antonio include ensuring local hospitals were appropriately equipped and capable of taking in patients, as well as being an advocate for marginalized communities and free COVID-19 testing sites.

“This recognition serves as a validation of the collective efforts of the dedicated people I have for making a positive impact in our community.

I look forward to being a part of a legacy that promotes learning, growth and opportunities for aspiring public health students at UTSA,” Kurian said.

Calli Recore/The Paisano

In case you missed it: winter break news

By Amber Serio News Editor

Between new and improved Wi-Fi upgrades, the creation of a department devoted to the betterment of student organizations and new oncampus dining options, UTSA has experienced changes since The Paisano’s last print. Stay informed with our winter break news updates in case you missed them.

Spring 2024 Wi-Fi upgrades During the winter break, University Technology Solutions (UTS) made upgrades to the AirRowdy Wi-Fi network. After students experienced a series of connectivity issues throughout the Fall 2023 semester, UTS utilized the winter break to ensure students returned to campus with an improved network experience across all UTSA campuses.

Students, faculty and staff can now access the unified AirRowdy network, which has replaced the AirRowdy_FacultyStaff and AirRowdy_ Student networks. By logging in with their myUTSA ID (abc123) and passphrase, all users will be granted access to the updated network.

“The primary goal of the work we completed over the break was to ensure students get connected to the Internet faster and to maintain that connection — to repair and enhance the connection process,” said Kendra Ketchum, the vice president for information management and technology at UTSA. The upgrades offer an improved network capacity, which authenticates connections and supports a higher number of devices. UTS plans to administer another assessment of the Main Campus’ Wi-Fi service at the end of January. Based on the assessment’s findings, UTSA will prioritize high-traffic areas that need improvement. Additionally, more access points around campus are also planned to be added, as this will allow better Wi-Fi coverage in specific areas.

Creation of Student Involvement Center The offices of Student Activities and Leadership and Volunteer Services have combined resources and are now working together as the Student Involvement Center. According to L.T. Robinson, the Senior Vice Provost for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, this decision came after noticing consistent feedback and requests from student focus groups as part of the UTSA

Strategic Plan Refresh to provide more support for student organizations.

“Both Student Activities and Leadership and Volunteer Services worked closely with student organizations operationally and through leadership training for student organization leaders. Additionally, the departments have been operating together since Fall 2022 to pilot collaborative strategies,” Robinson said over email.

By formally combining the departments, there is now a streamlined operation, as well as staff positions, focused on enhancing support and aligning services to meet the evolving needs of student organizations. Moving forward, the Student Involvement Center plans to offer a unified approach to involvement that promotes a seamless student experience.

“This [approach] will include shared resources, coordinated programming and a holistic approach to student engagement that includes leadership development, volunteer opportunities and enhanced campus programming,” said Jessica Dawson, UTSA Associate Dean of Students – Involvement. She also shared that their goal is to help connect students to the UTSA community.

This semester, the Student Involvement Center’s priorities include an enhanced student leadership academy for aspiring and current leaders, appointing a new senior program manager for student organizations and leadership initiatives and implementing integrated programs to recognize outstanding students at UTSA. UTSA Dining introduces new additions The start of the spring semester introduced Roadrunners to a variety of changes in oncampus food options. This included the debut of Dragon Bowl Z in the John Peace Library (JPL) Food Court. Dragon Bowl Z offers students Asian fusion meal options, which include different types of rice bowls, noodle bowls and pho, as well as sides including chicken wings, egg rolls and egg drop soup. Vegetarian options and bubble tea are also provided for students.

This was not the only change to the JPL Food Court, as Sushic, the pre-existing Japanese food option, is now adjacent to its previous spot and has a newly renovated look. Additionally, Smoothie King has been relocated from the JPL to the H-E-B Student Union across the Paseo from the Student Union Food Court.

Professor uncovers ‘magic island’ on Saturn’s moon Scan to read at paisano-online.com

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January 23 - January 30, 2024

OPINION End Texas’ war on women

Texas mother denied life saving healthcare by state sets dangerous precedent

A

Editorial

lmost a year and a half after the implementation of a controversial abortion legislation in Texas, the law has received its first challenge.

Kate Cox, a Dallas mother of two, received devastating news that her latest pregnancy was considered nonviable due to the development of trisomy 18, a lethal fetal anomaly. Cox’s doctors advised her that the pregnancy would be detrimental to her health and future fertility.

Texas’ abortion law prevented them from performing the procedure to preserve her health.

These extreme circumstances caused Cox to sue the State of Texas for the right to terminate her non-viable pregnancy. This led Attorney General Ken Paxton to take a personal approach to the lawsuit, employing the full power of his office to ensure that Cox did not receive this life-saving care. According to the Texas Tribune, Travis County District Judge Maya Guerra Gamble ruled that Cox, her husband or her healthcare providers could not be held criminally liable for terminating the pregnancy.

Paxton then “filed an emergency petition, asking the

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state Supreme Court to overturn that ruling. On Friday night, the high court put Guerra Gamble’s order on hold while they considered the merits of the case.”

Following these developments, the Texas Supreme Court ruled against Cox, who left Texas to receive the care she needed.

This extreme disregard for the health of Texas mothers is not going away. Texas has assumed a dangerous position that will only lead to more women being harmed or killed because they are required to carry a non-viable pregnancy to term. Thankfully, Cox had the means to travel out-of-state to receive the care she needed, but not all mothers experiencing this have access to those means. This ruling will not save lives and will only serve to cause more pain and suffering to those it affects. As Texans, we must not let this grave overreach go unanswered and must take the necessary steps to ensure that all Texas mothers can receive access to this life-saving healthcare.

A bold marketing ploy: UTSA’s Bold Promise Commentary

By Nicholas Kingman Staff Writer

The cost of college has always been a fun topic to discuss, especially recently with it being a major talking point for presidential candidates. The cost of tuition has been rising at a rapid rate since the turn of the century. Since 2000, tuition and fees have risen by 78% at public four-year universities. That, coupled with the decrease in access to affordable housing and the increasing cost of living, has put a strain on university students.

That information is nothing new to your average college student. The University of Texas system, along with other public universities across the nation, have taken steps to lower the cost of tuition.

Universities have committed to covering tuition costs, leaving students under a certain family income with very little or no debt when they graduate. In 2022, the UT system approved its “Promise Plus,” a $300 million endowment providing funding to its various branch institution’s “free tuition” funds.

UTSA prides itself on being an affordable public university in the state compared to giants such as Texas A&M and UT. Every branch school in the UT System has a tuition program covering the cost of tuition, with varying stipulations of income levels and types of students they offer the program.

UTSA’s own Bold Promise will cover tuition for up to eight semesters for students if they fall under these conditions: They must be a Texas resident, have a family income up to $70,000, graduate in the top 25% of their class coming out of high school and enroll in 12 hours each semester.

Since the program’s inception in 2019, the Bold Promise has only been available for incoming freshmen and transfer students coming from the Alamo College District’s Alamo Promise program.

The program is unavailable for transfer students or current continuing students. The only change to the program came in 2021, when the family income was increased from $50,000 to $70,000. Branch universities such as UT Arlington, UT Dallas, UT El Paso, UT Rio Grande Valley and UT Permian Basin offer their free tuition programs to freshmen, transfers and current students, while UT Tyler and

UT offer their programs to freshmen and transfers only.

The only institution similar to UTSA is newcomer Stephen F. Austin University, which joined the system in September 2023. UTSA is stubborn about adapting and expanding the Bold Promise to more students. Other institutions, notably UT Dallas and UTTyler’s programs, used to be available only to first time freshmen, but that has since changed with the recent endowment. University leadership, on the other hand, seems to be hiding behind their curtain of affordability and screwing students out of this life-altering program.

Currently, The Bold Promise, in its current state, penalizes individuals who may have had a challenging time in high school, especially knowing the difficulties that were faced during virtual learning. With such strict stipulations, one can assume that the university does not believe that a certain individual can break habits and adapt to become a better learner while in university.

UTSA is home to 30,000 undergraduate students, with only 1,847 students in the Bold Promise. If the university would like to maintain a leading position in the state of Texas’s public institutions, the leaders of UTSA must expand the program to transfers and to the heart and soul of the Roadrunner Nation — current students. In addition, expand the family income threshold and cut the top 25%of high school graduation class stipulations.

UTSA must no longer hide behind its marketing campaigns or slogans of being an affordable university when the university is not the most affordable in its own system. Recent history has not shown UTSA as being the most conscious with students’ pocketbooks in mind, with leadership pushing the athletics fee increase all over campus last semester.

UTSA President Taylor Eighmy and other leaders seem to not care about students’ financial wellbeing after they leave the university. They use the success of students’ high school records to inflate their statistics of attracting “high achievers” and creating more profits for the university by limiting potential candidates to just a small pool.

The cost of the ‘American Dream’ Commentary

By Marcela Montufar Soria Multimedia Editor

On Jan. 13, Mexican authorities recovered the bodies of a woman and two children who had drowned while attempting to cross the Rio Grande to Eagle Pass, Texas.

The deaths were received by American politicians as further ammunition for the current dispute between federal and state authorities on illegal immigration. The Biden administration immediately pinned the blame for the loss on Texas authorities, and Governor Greg Abbott’s administration responded in kind.

Abbott’s border policies have been a source of contention between the federal and Texas governments since President Joe Biden was sworn in. Both administrations’ immediate denial of responsibility and their embarrassing scramble to condemn each other is not only a pitiful demonstration of the sad state of American politics but also a dangerous display of a growing lack of empathy and decency in the country.

Whichever administration was to blame — if it was just one and not both — does not alter the truth: Biden and Abbott do not care about dead Mexicans at their border beyond how the mention of bodies in the press affects their political careers. Additionally, the American press does not care about dead Mexicans

any more than politicians, reducing them to footnotes in articles about Biden, Abbott and the “immigrant problem.” It has become clear following the reactions to these recent losses that the American public does not think much of dead Mexicans either.

By labeling the hundreds of people who die each year at the US-Mexico border as nothing more than “illegal immigrants,” America has covered itself in a shroud of indifference. It has become the norm for the American public to look at these people as facts, numbers and figures instead of the human beings and losses they are.

One does not know their names or their story, only that they were committing a crime, and now they are dead.

By dehumanizing the people who attempt the perilous trek across the border, Americans kill their capacity for sympathy, grief and human fellowship.

A woman and two children have died. They are not the first, they will not be the last and they are not even worth a moment of silence in the eyes of the United States. One does not need to know their names or their story to mourn their loss; mourn them anyway because it is sad. It is more than just a fact for President Biden to tweet about. It is not a slogan to put on a poster in a political protest. It is just sad, and the day Americans begin to feel sad about what happens outside their precious borders, the rest of the world will benefit.

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Jo Koy’s jaded jokes Commentary

By Allana Llabres

Social Media Manager The Golden Globes have been below average for years now, always promising consistent controversy. The 2024 Golden Globes were no different, with viewers taking to the internet after the host, Jo Koy, made some contentious remarks.

Koy, a Filipino-American comedian, has been building a global platform for years. He is known widely for poking fun at Filipino culture, his parenting experience and his family, among other topics. Currently, Koy has multiple Netflix specials and is touring around the world for his stand-up comedy shows. However, hosting an awards show is much different than his standard comedy set.

Koy attempted many jokes during his 10-minute monologue, many of which fell flat with his live audience and viewers at home. Most notably, about three minutes into his monologue, Koy spoke about the movies “Oppenheimer” and “Barbie,” which were both nominees for cinematic box office achievement. “‘Oppenheimer’ is based on a 721-page Pulitzer prize-winning book about the Manhattan Project, and ‘Barbie’ is on a plastic doll with big boobies,” he said.

This caused an internet uproar, with users furious that Koy could make such a misogynistic joke about “Barbie.” It is a movie that is not about a “doll with big boobies,” but about the coming of age of a woman, the double standards of society and an overall theme of feminism. This joke was not only unfunny but also offensive to anyone who was even mildly involved in the movie.

Because of Koy’s strong relationship with his mother and daughters, along with the fact that his father left their family when Koy was only 10, one might imagine that he would have a better understanding of a movie like this. Nonetheless, the audience was not impressed by Koy’s performance thus far, which became increasingly obvious to Koy when he began nervously laughing after many of his jokes fell flat.

Moving on with the night, Koy kept defending himself, saying he “got the gig ten days ago” and threw other writers under the bus, explaining that he did not write many of the jokes he was making. However, as a comedian, especially one familiar with stand-up comedy, Koy should have done a better job.

Koy continued to make underwhelming jokes, many of which were misogynistic or just plain unfunny. Truly, his class and decency lost all semblance when he began blaming other people for the poor jokes he was making. Maybe he was just nervous and unprepared, but his lack of charisma and charm only made his performance worse.

The Golden Globes has not had a reputable host in a few years, and that shows, considering Koy was a last-minute choice. The Globes should go back to Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, or another duo of the sort, instead of choosing boring men with no sense of humor.

January 23 - January 30, 2024

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OPINION

Prevent a more fatal future Commentary

By Elizabeth Hope Staff Writer

Since Roe v. Wade was overturned in June 2022, millions of pregnant people have been fighting for their rights and their lives. These individuals have had to seek reproductive help in alternative and unsafe ways. According to The National Library of Medicine, “42 million [people] with unintended pregnancies choose abortion, and nearly half of these procedures, 20 million, are unsafe.”

This ruling is fatal, and Republican states are taking advantage of the ruling and have furthermore been restricting pregnant people’s rights and access to a safe abortion. In Oct. 2023, Lubbock

became the largest county in Texas to approve the abortion travel ban. By implementing heavier restrictions in their areas, lawmakers are putting pregnant people’s lives in danger and stripping them of their right to healthcare.

But all hope is not lost. In the 2024 presidential election, there are a few ways that change can be made to alter the abortion laws. Depending on the opinions of the presidential candidates, their beliefs will affect the voting turnout to support your judgment of abortion.

Another way change could happen is if a member of the Supreme Court retires and a new member is put into place by President Joe Biden. That will add more variety to the collective viewpoint of the current Supreme Court.

The Paisano Citizen initiatives and popular referendums are both forms of direct democracy. In 23 states, citizens can put constitutional amendments on the ballot to bypass or appeal their legislature.

So, depending on the state you live in, you can place proposed statutes or collect signatures to put constitutional amendments on the ballot in your state and fight for change.

So much in this world needs to be fixed; a person’s body is not one of them.

People should have the liberty to make personal decisions about their bodily autonomy. Receiving an abortion is more than just trying to get rid of a mistake.

People with happy pregnancies will not always have healthy pregnancies.

Abortion is healthcare, and it saves lives.

Keep swiping for love Editor-in-Chief

As Valentine’s Day approaches, those who lack any romantic commitments are turning to dating apps — a modern form of dating. While there are success stories, how impactful can these apps really be?

In 1995, the world was introduced to Match.com, the first dating website to take off. Finally, a place for adult singles to go and find love. It seemed like a good idea, so the industry continued to slowly evolve. In 2012, the nowfamous Tinder was founded, introducing a fancy “swiping” matching system. Through left and right swipes, online dating has become easier than ever. The app was designed to provide a “fast viewing rate,” giving users a chance to find fast love.

That same year, Hinge was born. Much like Tinder, Hinge introduced new features to the online dating scene. Rather than physical attraction, Hinge focused its algorithm on “interest-based relationships.” It prides itself on matching like-minded

individuals in the hopes of them forming a bond beyond physical attraction. Both apps serve the same purpose but offer different methods, allowing users to determine what works best for them.

According to a Forbes Health survey

dating apps in a very positive light, claiming that most people do not have any complaints, especially those aged between 42 and 56.

While most people have no problem securing a date on the apps, a high percentage of couples do not stay together or go exclusive at all. Tech Report explains how 90% of Tinder matches went on a date in the first week, but only 27% actually made it to the altar. On the other hand, Hinge has a much higher success rate than its competitors, with 90% of its matched users staying together.

Dating is not like it used to be — but that does not have to be a bad thing.

The stigma surrounding online dating is nasty and outrageous, considering the digital age we are living in. Do not let the Lauren Stein/The Paisano fear of rejection stop you from trying something conducted in August 2023, “nearly 70% new. Rejection is possible on the apps, of individuals who met someone on but rejection is possible when dating a dating app said it led to a romantic, organically too, so why not take a step exclusive relationship.” Forbes painted out of your comfort zone?

Cybertruck oversells NIL trumps and underdelivers university payment Commentary

By Malaki Lingg Web Editor

In Nov. 2019, Elon Musk and his tech company announced their most hyped product of all time, the Cybertruck. The electric truck’s announcement coincided with the date and location of “Blade Runner (1982),” and was seemingly inspired by similar media with its unorthodox, angular design.

Following its announcement, Cybertruck broke the internet. Millions of people were discussing its appearance, and while some said it looked ugly, others admired its shape and would compare it to vehicles from retro video games like the warthog from “Halo.” Thread after thread, the Cybertruck seemed to be all the rage, and then pre-orders were opened to the public.

For only $100, you could secure your spot in line to get Tesla’s Cybertruck. In the first five days of the presale, Tesla sold 250,000 preorders for the truck. With the staggering number of people itching to purchase one, it would seem like Tesla would be working overtime to reach the final product. This is where consumers would be mistaken. Originally, Musk stated that the Cybertruck would be ready for production

Commentary within two years; he then pushed that from 2021 to 2022 and then once more to late 2023. This means if you spent $100 hoping to have the ability to purchase the full vehicle, you had to wait double the amount of time originally quoted for them to start building it. Sadly, the vehicle is still being tested and has not been released to the general public.

With the new year having recently begun, Musk’s Cybertruck has finally left the production line and has started to undergo more testing. This has unveiled more bad news for Musk and his team working on the truck.

One of these big issues comes directly from the design of the Cybertruck.

Its large, flat panels are very hard to produce and keep straight. In an internal email, Musk discussed how his team needed to work with more precision due to the nature of its design, even stating that “If LEGO and soda cans, which are very low cost, can do this, so can we.” The tone shows their frustrations with its design, making it known that they are struggling to assemble the vehicle in the way it was originally envisioned. An example of this is a photo of one of the more recent Cybertruck models from July 2023, in

Laynie Clark | Editor-in-Chief Editor@paisano-online.com Chloe Williams | Managing Editor Manager@paisano-online.com Amber Serio | 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

Commentary

By Laynie Clark

Editorial Board

By Haley Aguayo Assistant Sports Editor Should college athletes be paid? It is not a matter of whether they should or should not be at this point; it is a matter of how.

In recent years, college athletes have gained the ability to earn compensation through their name, image and likeness (NIL) rights. This means they can enter into endorsement deals and partnerships. Some universities are also exploring direct compensation for their athletes, breaking traditional norms and providing new opportunities for studentathletes to monetize their talents while in school.

It is secret that college athletes are getting paid.

In 1953, the term “studentathlete” was coined. In a lawsuit known as “University of Denver vs. Nemeth,” it

which some people noticed that the passenger doors were misaligned.

Alongside the body issues, it is becoming even more apparent that the Cybertruck has serious issues, especially as they begin to deliver the first few models to their clients.

One consumer received theirs with large panel gaps, leaving the truck looking as if it was ready to fall apart. Another discussed

was ruled that “the Colorado Supreme Court held that a college football player was an employee of the university and eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.”

Despite being an “employee” of the university, no single university in the U.S. has given athletes a regular salary, which maintains their status as a student of the university. Some universities pay student-athletes through bonus payments based on their academic accomplishments throughout the year, while others allow student-athletes to take NIL deals.

NIL deals put the ball directly in a student-athlete’s court, whereas direct payments from universities or extensions of a university could land athletes in court.

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on social media how his truck suffered software problems while offroading and had to be pulled out of the snow by a Ford SuperDuty Truck, the same truck that the Tesla EV previously beat out in a sled pull.

As time goes on, it seems like only more issues with Tesla’s Cybertruck are being pointed out.

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Marcela Montufar Soria | Multimedia Editor William Barnes | Multimedia Editor Multimedia@paisano-online.com Jenna Taylor | Magazine Editor Magazine@paisano-online.com Zach Geocaris | Business Manager Business@paisano-online.com Jada Thomas | Marketing Manager Marketing@paisano-online.com Allana Llabres | Social Media Manager Socialmedia@paisano-online.com Naydine De La Fuente | Copyediting Coordinator Copyediting@paisano-online.com

Assistant Editors Lauren Hernandez | Assistant Arts & Life Editor Haley Aguayo | Assistant Sports Editor Genevieve Vega | Assistant Multimedia Editor

Staff Elizabeth Hope | Staff Writer Nicholas Kingman | Staff Writer Faith Kouadio | Staff Writer Logan Martinez | Staff Writer Rylan Renteria | Staff Writer Ray Rodriguez | Staff Writer Aramis Santiago | Staff Writer Connor Suehs | Staff Writer Armin Suljovic | Staff Writer Noah Willoughby | Staff Writer Samantha Ysaguirre | Staff Writer Caroline Puckett | Graphic Artist Marylin Terrazas | Graphic Artist Lauro Martinez | Photographer Kayla McCutcheon | Photographer Jonathan Porter | Photograher Stephen Saenz | Photographer

Advisory Board Diane Abdo | Advisor Steven Kellman | Advisor Jack Himelblau | Advisor Stefanie Arias | Advisor Sandy Norman | Advisor Mason Hickok | Advisor John Helton | Advisor Corey Franco | Advisor Donna Miller | Advisor

Read More Online 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 © 2024 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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January 23 - January 30, 2023

arts & life 2024 Oscar winner predictions

By Faith Kouadio

D

Staff Writer

makes valiant efforts for Best Picture but will put up a better fight in the Best Adaptation category.

Best Director Predicted nominees: Greta Gerwig - “Barbie,” Yorgos Lanthimos “Poor Things,” Christopher Nolan - “Oppenheimer,” Martin Scorsese “KOTFM” and Jonathan Glazer - “The Zone of Interest.”

Predicted honorable mention: Bradley Cooper - “Maestro” Predicted winner: Christopher Nolan - “Oppenheimer” The potential “Oppenheimer” sweep begins with a second nomination and a possible win for Christopher Nolan.

The best of Nolan’s mastery of intense, action-packed drama was displayed in spectacular IMAX for an unforgettable experience. That is not to say the other directors did not release some of their best. The iconic Scorsese returned to add another classic to his legendary filmography with “Killers of the Flower Moon” and “Poor Things,” which may be the first of Lanthimos’ films to spark a chain reaction of cinema classics.

Greta Gerwig will likely continue to pave the way for female directors with another nomination for “Barbie.”

Glazer’s direction in “The Zone of Interest” may make it the film to fill the fifth nomination.

Best Actress Predicted nominees: Lily Gladstone - “KOTFM,” Carey Mulligan “Maestro,” Margot Robbie - “Barbie,” Emma Stone - “Poor Things” and Sandra Hüller - “Anatomy of a Fall” Predicted honorable mention: Annette Bening - “Nyad” Predicted winner: Lily Gladstone “KOTFM” Lily Gladstone probably spends her days thinking about which pre-party and after-party to attend to celebrate her imminent win. Her portrayal of Mollie Burkhart in “Killers of the Flower Moon” is the stand-out of the year, and to be nominated alongside her is just as impressive. Margot Robbie can expect one for embodying the new and

improved Barbie, and Emma Stone can expect another for playing the lovable weirdo Bella Baxter. Mulligan’s patience and restraint as loyal wife Felicia Montealegre to Bradley Cooper’s Leonard Bernstein revives the charm of the finest old Hollywood actresses. Finally, Hüller brings some French flair to the table as suspected murderer Sandra in “Anatomy of a Fall.” Bening’s performance as ambitious swimmer Diana Nyad has a lesser chance of breaking the top five yet remains a wholesome one worth mentioning.

Best Actor Predicted nominees: Bradley Cooper - “Maestro,” Leonardo DiCaprio - “KOTFM,” Paul Giamatti - “The Holdovers,” Cillian Murphy - “Oppenheimer,” Jefferey Wright “American Fiction” Predicted honorable mention: Colman Domingo “Rustin” Predicted winner: Cillian Murphy - Oppenheimer The list for Best Actor is less obvious. From Wright’s laugh-out-loud delivery as Thelonious “Monk” Ellison to DiCaprio’s bumbling ignorance as Ernest Burkhart, they all certainly give a worthy cause for nomination. Here, Cooper tries his chance for a nomination with a convincing impression of Leonard Bernstein, and Giamatti rivals Wright as the comedic yet heartwarming lead in “The Holdovers.”

Domingo stages a powerful stand as a possible contender for his role as Bayard Rustin.

Marylin Terrazas/The Paisano

espite the film industry being rocked in 2023 by the longest strike in the history of the American actors’ union, SAGAFTRA, several films smashed the box office, survived critic reviews and charmed audiences for weeks in theaters. Last year’s selection of movies holds the potential to be memorialized as some of the best in the industry through a nomination in the 2024 Oscar season. Before the official list is released on Jan. 23 and honors are formally delivered at the 96th Academy Awards on March 10, here are some predictions of which movies will receive accolades for their outstanding efforts in the top six categories.

Best Picture Predicted nominees: “American Fiction,” “Anatomy of a Fall,” “Barbie,” “The Holdovers,” “Killers of the Flower Moon,” “Maestro,” “Oppenheimer,” “Past Lives,” “Poor Things” and “The Zone of Interest.”

Predicted honorable mention: “The Color Purple” Predicted winner: “Oppenheimer” “Barbenheimer” looks like it is set for a spring encore as the two films guarantee a nomination, with “Poor Things” and “Killers of the Flower Moon” tagging closely behind. All four films saw critical and commercial success and were the products of seasoned directors with stellar casts.

Each displayed remarkable or unique cinematography and storylines that will easily be remembered as the best of the year, with or without an Oscar nomination or award — “Oppenheimer” being the likely exception with a serious chance for the crown. The next six positions are up for grabs. They are likely to be filled with attractive films that are all the Academy’s type: most notably “Maestro” with its gorgeous black-and-white shots on 35 mm and the harrowing scenes of “The Zone of Interest” that are even more difficult to look away from. The latest adaptation of Alice Walker’s “The Color Purple”

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A guide to campus meal deals Spare Change

By Chloe Williams Managing Editor

Lunch, choice of: • Grilled cheese with chips and a fountain drink • Harvest or Cobb salad with fountain drink Prime Grill — Student Union Choice of: • Junior prime burger with fries and a fountain drink • Two-piece tenders with fries and a fountain drink • Grilled cheese with fries and a fountain drink Einstein Bro Bagel — Biotechnology Science and Engineering Building

Caroline Puckett/The Paisano

Food on campus can be expensive, with a Chick-fil-A sandwich, fries and lemonade adding up to over $10. Luckily, almost every spot on campus offers a campus meal deal.

This meal deal is $7.65 across all restaurants.

Follow along as we give a complete guide to every campus meal deal available at UTSA. Freshens — JPL Food Court • Artisan grilled cheese with tomato soup dipper and fountain drink Starbucks — JPL Food Court • Ham and Swiss croissant with a tall hot or iced regular coffee Chick-fil-A — JPL Food Court • Five-piece chicken nuggets with large fries and a fountain drink

The top 10 best films of 2023

Reviews

By Ray Rodriguez

Subway — JPL Food Court • Six-inch turkey or six-inch ham sub with chips and a fountain drink RowdyMart — various locations Breakfast: • Sausage egg cheese on brioche and 12-ounce Java City coffee or 20-ounce Aquafina Lunch: • Select fresh deli sandwich (not including Rising Roll sandwiches), chips and 20-ounce Aquafina Panda Express — Student Union • Four-ounce portion of orange chicken or string bean chicken, choice of white rice or chow mein, two veggie spring rolls and a fountain drink Freebirds — Student Union • Half Bird signature chicken or veggie burrito with a fountain drink Ch loe Rising Roll — Student Union W illi Breakfast: am s/T • Grande burrito and a tall hot or he Pa isa iced coffee n o

Breakfast: • Gourmet bagel with cream cheese shmear, hashbrown and a medium drip coffee Lunch: • Cheezy veggie melt and medium drip coffee Pizza Hut — Business Building • Italian meat pasta with a fountain drink Rowdy’s Downtown Grill — Downtown campus, Frio Street Building Choice of: • Cheeseburger with chips and a fountain drink • Chipotle black bean burger with fountain drink With all these options and the rising food costs, it is not as impossible as it seems to eat on campus for less than $10. What do you think? Are these meal deals worth the price?

Staff Writer In the throes of this year’s tight awards race, several movies made substantial waves in all aspects of film discourse. In a year packed with fantastic films of all genres, it is impossible to claim to know the definitive best films of the year, or any year for that matter. This past year had much to offer lovers of any film genre, so here are a few of the best films of 2023.

10. “Ferrari” “Ferrari” is one of this year’s misunderstood films. While spotty accents and an abrupt ending occasionally mar the film’s glossy exterior, its exhilarating core, spearheaded

by Adam Driver’s tortured and borderline sociopathic Enzo Ferrari, is bursting with power. Starring alongside Driver, Penelope Cruz elevates the film with a tour de force performance as Laura Ferrari, the grieving wife of Enzo Ferrari. Veteran director Michael Mann and cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt use the rawness of digital photography to highlight the pulsating highs and harrowing lows of the script. While it may falter as a high-octane racing film, it soars as a contemplation of grief and ambition.

9. “Asteroid City” Another film that deserved more credit than it initially received, “Asteroid City”’s melancholic self-reflection only gains resonance as time goes on. Wes Anderson’s triedand-true twee landscape provides a fantastic canvas for a phenomenal ensemble cast, led by Jason Schwartzman, in what may be the best role in his already knock-out year, clever meta-textual musings of the nature of artistic expression and some of his signature meticulously composed shots.

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January 23 - January 30, 2023

Arts & Life Jenna Taylor/The Paisano

‘Who wrote all this junk?’

‘Mean Girls’ remake lacks musical commitment Reviews

By Laynie Clark

Editor-in-Chief From the iconic 2004 film to the hilarious hit Broadway show, the “Mean Girls” franchise has stayed alive and well, giving the producers a chance to create one last film. On Jan. 12, “Mean Girls” (2024) debuted in theaters and generated an interesting online buzz.

The new film was intended to be a movie version of the musical, which many fans were excited about; however, after the release of the first trailer, it was clear that the direction was lost. The

trailers did not market the movie as a musical, instead making it seem like a modern remake, but that was not the only thing that stood out in the trailer. Instead of keeping the trendy Y2K style, the actors were dressed in what appeared to be cheap, baggy clothing, completely forgoing the aesthetics of both the 2004 film and the Broadway musical.

After the unfortunate trailer was released, excitement dwindled for the film, but not all hope was lost. Former Broadway star and current on-screen actress Reneé Rapp was assumed to be the film’s saving grace. In 2019,

Rapp made her remarkable debut as Regina George in “Mean Girls” on Broadway, bringing an entirely new feel to the alreadyloved character. At 19 years old, Rapp caused a Broadway buzz with her stellar voice, which catapulted her to what she is today: an icon.

Rapp was the only good thing about this movie, and when she was on screen, it was like nothing else mattered. She transformed into Regina George so seamlessly that watching her evoked a sense of nostalgia. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the rest of the cast. A huge misstep by

the production company was casting Christopher Briney as the lead male character because he cannot sing. To combat his lack of singing talent, his character’s songs were cut and did not make it into the film. In a musical, all lead characters must sing because the plot evolves through song, so it was a little odd to have the male lead forgo singing.

Briney’s songs were not the only musical losses in the film. In total, 14 songs were cut, including fan favorites “More Is Better” and “Do This Thing.” Instead of the original musical numbers, the film’s scenes moved along with

regular dialogue, which would have been fine if the movie was not a musical.

This movie could not decide if it was a modern remake of an iconic film or a musical, and it showed. The lack of commitment to being a musical was embarrassing to witness as a musical theatre lover. So, not only did this new rendition butcher the original, it also butchered the musical, therefore making it one of the worst movie musicals ever produced.

‘Crazy Little Thing’ called cinema

Sofia Mejia/The Paisano

Queen’s remastered film hits IMAX theaters for a one-weekend premiere Reviews

By Kelsey Zientek Contributor

Stomp-stomp-clap.

The sound fills a twelve-channel sound system in the IMAX theater, followed by claps and an impressive light array that reveals an audience of 18,000 at the Montreal Forum in Quebec, Canada.

“Buddy, you’re a boy, make a big noise, playing.”

We are taken back to the evening of Nov. 25, 1981, when fans from all over the world gathered to experience the intricate sound and performance of the beloved British rock band Queen.

“In the street, gonna be a big man someday.”

In the immersive, remastered IMAX sound and picture film “Queen Rock Montreal,” viewers relived a once-in-a-lifetime performance through a “front row immersive experience.” The original 35mm film was converted into 4K resolution for the cinema, preserving its authenticity. Originating from the 2007 concert film “We Will Rock You,” this film

was enhanced to incorporate a new sound format, clearer imagery and specialized geometry meant for theaters.

“You got mud on your face, you big disgrace.

Kicking your can all over the place.”

The faces of Queen — Guitarist Brian May, drummer Roger Taylor, bassist John Deacon and vocalist Freddie Mercury — appear on a “largerthan-life,” fifteen-meter screen in the cinematic production of this historic rock and roll film. In a Forbes press release interview for the film, May shared, “This film has preserved one of the highest peaks in Queen’s touring life, on stage in the old glory days.” The Hollywood Reporter revealed that Walt Versen, Queen’s former security chief, shared that he “couldn’t believe how powerful it was to see the 30-foot face of Freddie Mercury.”

The concert film was advertised as an exclusive “one weekend only” event, screening from Jan. 18 to 21 in select AMC theaters.

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Lauren Stein/The Paisano

Green Day makes a welcomed comeback A review of ‘Saviors’

Reviews

By Malaki Lingg Web Editor

Nearly twenty years ago, in Sept. 2004, pop-punk sensation Green Day released their hit album “American Idiot.” Its release inspired a Broadway musical, various tours and went on to become a six-time platinum album. Since then, they have released six albums, some well-received and some not, but nothing has come close to the highs and lows that “American Idiot” had. That is, until now.

On Jan. 19, 2024, Green Day released their fourteenth studio album, “Saviors.” With their last release, “Father of All Motherf— kers,” leaving the band at an all-time low, fans were left holding their breaths when “Saviors” was announced. Luckily, the punk trio delivered an era-bending sensation that all fans can appreciate.

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7 | sp o r t s@ p a i sano-online.com

January 23 - January 30, 2024

sports

‘Runners’ road struggles continue Men’s basketball falls to 1-7 on the road Photos courtesy of UTSA Athletics

UTSA junior guard Jordan Ivy-Curry moves off a screen from sophomore forward Massal Diouf (14) to drive towards the basket. Ivy Curry had a game-high 28 points in the 107-101 loss to No. 13 Memphis on Jan. 10.

By Logan Martinez

C

Staff Writer

oming off of its third straight conference loss, UTSA now finds itself 1-7 in away games this season. A problem that has plagued the team all year long, the Roadrunners have struggled to collect quality wins on the road this year. Whether it is a lack of defensive execution or turnovers in crucial moments, it is safe to say that UTSA certainly has a road problem.

Though there are an assortment of reasons for the abysmal road record, one of the biggest seems to be the Roadrunner’s defense. On the side of the court, where the team usually hangs its hat, UTSA has continually failed to stop the opposing team from scoring. Whether it is allowing uncontested shots or bailing out the opponent with a cheap shooting foul, UTSA has consistently left its defense in baggage claim in almost every away game this year.

While there is no shortage of defensive effort on the court, it

is the team’s execution that has severely lacking on the road. Often, players post an incredible defensive possession, only for it to be scrapped by a shooting, reaching or loose ball foul.

With the lack of road defense, the Roadrunners have been no stranger to playing from behind this season, as they are often thrown into quick deficits minutes into each game.

While the team has managed to make miraculous comebacks at home, they have continued to struggle to regain and hold leads late in ballgames. Such

UTSA women’s basketball: a season of triumph and growth

was the case in the overtime loss to Memphis, where the Roadrunners failed to hold on to a four-point lead with a mere minute left in regulation.

Defensive execution is not all that has plagued the ‘Runners this year, as turnover problems have consistently reared their head on the road. Averaging 11.9 turnovers per game, the team often finds itself struggling to take care of the ball throughout games. The issue has also heavily contributed to UTSA’s inability to win on the road.

Traveling to South Florida for

What you missed this winter break

By Nicholas Kingman Staff Writer

Photos courtesy of UTSA Athletics

Junior forward Elyssa Coleman scans the floor in UTSA’s 73-60 win over FAU.

By Aramis Santiago Staff Writer

The UTSA Roadrunners women’s basketball team has overcome many hurdles and demonstrated great resilience in their 2023–24 season.

With a record of 10 wins and seven losses, they have shown noticeable improvements from their 13 wins and 19 losses last season, all while losing one of their most impactful players, Jordyn Jenkins, and moving to the tougher American Athletic Conference.

The Roadrunner’s season began on a challenging note with a 70-55 loss to Arizona State, setting a tone of adversity for the team. However, they soon found their rhythm, securing three consecutive wins against New Mexico State 58-55, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in overtime 66-59 and UT Arlington 70-66. Other notable victories included a commanding 90-66 win over UTEP and a 75-64 triumph against Seattle University. However, tough losses, like against Oregon 6148, or close defeats to teams like Texas Tech 63-58 and Houston 66-64, indicated areas for growth, particularly in maintaining consistency against

more formidable opponents.

One of the season’s highlights was their recent 65-42 victory over the South Florida Bulls.

This win demonstrated the team’s offensive and defensive capabilities, draining a seasonhigh 11 3-pointers and holding USF to a miserable 21% from the field, reflecting the effective coaching and the players’ execution of game plans.

The reliance on their starting five is evident, with four starters averaging double digits in points.

This dependency speaks to the strength of these players but also highlights a potential area of vulnerability — the need for depth and contribution from the bench. Players like Elyssa Coleman, Kyra White, Sidney Love and Aysia Proctor have been instrumental in leading the team’s offensive and defensive efforts. However, for sustained success, especially in a challenging conference, a more comprehensive team effort is essential.

Coach Karen Aston’s leadership has been pivotal this season. Her ability to adapt, foster teamwork and build resilience within the team has been a cornerstone of their success. Under her guidance,

the team has shown significant improvement in ball movement, defensive solidity and mental toughness — essential qualities for competing at a higher level.

Looking forward, the key for UTSA is to maintain this momentum and continue building on its strengths while addressing the need for more bench contributions. The team’s reliance on its starters for scoring is a double-edged sword, capable of delivering victories but also posing risks if these players are neutralized. Emphasizing team depth and strategic adaptability will be crucial for their success in the remainder of the season and beyond.

This season, the UTSA women’s basketball team’s journey is one of overcoming challenges and embracing growth. Moving to the AAC has brought new challenges and opportunities to measure up against some of the better teams in college basketball. With a solid starting lineup and strategic coaching, the team has positioned itself as a strong competitor. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how they leverage their strengths and address areas for improvement in their pursuit of excellence.

their next game, the team will look to steal a road win against a 10-5 Bulls team. The contest is set to be a challenging one, as South Florida holds an 8-2 record at home.

UTSA should have no trouble scoring the ball, as they average just about 79 points per game. The real challenge lies in the team’s ability to execute defensively and take care of the ball. If the Roadrunners hope to improve their otherwise disappointing road record, they must improve in the two areas immediately.

As final scantrons were turned in and extra credit points were counted, students at UTSA concluded Fall 2023 and nestled their way back into the warm confines of their homes. While the fall semester may mark the end for many students, in the world of UTSA sports, athletes were hard at work this winter on the field and the court.

After a heartbreaking loss at Yulman Stadium on Black Friday, the Roadrunners looked to rebound during their bowl game against the Marshall Thundering Herd in the Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl. Leading up to the Dec. 19 matchup, the media and the Thundering Herd’s defense were under the impression that seventh-year senior quarterback Frank Harris would make his final start for the ‘Runners.

The morning of the game, UTSA head coach Jeff Traylor released a statement regarding Harris’s condition.

Harris’s illustrious career came to an end at Tulane, where he suffered another shoulder injury. Harris would announce on his X that he would retire from football and not declare for the 2024 NFL Draft. Traylor knew Harris would not play in the bowl and kept it a secret. “It was the best-kept secret in all of San Antonio,” Traylor said.

Making his first start, freshman quarterback Owen McCown would get the starting nod in the wake of an injured Harris. Marshall would jump out to a 7-0 to start the game after a dominant performance by their defense. By the second quarter, both sides of the ball began to get into a comfortable groove.

UTSA’s defense held the Thundering Herd scoreless in the second half, arguably their best defensive game this season.

UTSA earned their first bowl win in program history over Marshall in a 3517 route. Unlike the usual traditional Gatorade dunk, coach Traylor was dunked with iced coffee from a giant Scooter’s branded coffee cup. The 2023 season would mark the final year for multiple players who contributed to the advancement of the Roadrunner program from a “little-known” startup to a Group of Five powerhouse.

Both men’s and women’s basketball teams worked hard on the court during the winter break. The men’s basketball team would start their winter schedule

with a dominant 93-60 victory over Arkansas-Fort Smith. The Roadrunners would travel to Corvallis and lose in heartbreaking fashion as Oregon State benefited from a foul committed by junior guard Chris Tucker. The Beavers would score their two free throws as time expired.

With the start of conference play on Jan. 2, the Roadrunners would drop their inaugural game in the American Athletic Conference in another disappointing two-point loss to the UAB Blazers.

With three minutes left and down ten, the Blazers scored on the back of sophomore guard Efrem Johnson. Tied at 76-76 with time running out, Johnson clinched the win over the roadrunners with a high jumper, making the score 78-76 when the final buzzer rang.

UTSA would immediately capture their first conference win against their old Conference USA foe, the Rice Owls. Junior guard Jordan Ivy-Curry would hit two crucial free throws to tie the game with three seconds left in regulation. During overtime, UTSA would hold the Owls to just five points.

As overtime expired, Ivy-Curry sank the game’s final two points, giving the ‘Runners the 89-82 win.

After starting the season off 5-3, the women’s basketball team dropped its first two games of their winter schedule.

The first came in a close 66-64 loss to Houston at the convention center. A 6141 thrashing on the road against Oregon would tie the win-loss column at 5-5.

Like the men’s team, the women’s team would also lose their inaugural AAC matchup in a 16-point loss to Temple.

Starting the conference play 0-2, fortune started to change for the ‘Runners, returning home for the first time since the Houston game.

UTSA would shock the Wichita State Shockers in a 74-60 victory, earning the program’s first AAC conference win.

Junior guard Elyssa Coleman put on a clinic against the Shockers, scoring 32 points and capturing 19 rebounds, giving her a double-double.

The momentum for the ‘Runners has not fizzled out; the women’s basketball team is currently holding a four-game win streak and has dominated their opponents in near blowout fashion.

Their biggest test so far was a twoovertime thriller versus the Charlotte 49ers, the AAC’s last undefeated squad.

The women’s basketball team holds a solid 10-7 record and is in fifth place in the conference standings.

8 | s p o r t s@ p a i sano-online.com

January 23 - January 30, 2024

sports Remain with the old while still in with the new The Paisano’s take: Halfway through the season, coach Pop’s traditional ways prevail with the league’s youngest roster

By Luke Lawhorn Sports Editor

When the San Antonio Spurs selected Frenchman Victor Wembanyama first overall in the 2023 NBA Draft last June, it was unclear whether veteran coach Gregg Popovich would be a part of the organization’s long-term plans.

The franchise wasted no time bringing back the league’s all-time winningest coach, signing Popovich to a five-year extension in July.

This may have been an unpopular thing to do in today’s sports world. Despite having one of, if not the, most impressive coaching resumes in NBA history, Popovich turned 75 in January.

Not only has Pop had the crown of being the oldest coach in league history since turning 72, but he currently oversees the youngest team in the association, with the average age on the roster being 23.52 years old.

Popovich has undoubtedly shattered the mold by being the oldest coach in American professional basketball history, though notable clubs in other sports leagues are deciding to go in different, younger directions themselves.

The NFL’s Seattle Seahawks decided to part ways with football’s oldest coach, Pete Carroll (72), on Jan. 10. This was just days before the New England Patriots cut ties with 71-year-old Bill Belichick before hiring Jerod Mayo, who is 37. Alabama football, perhaps the greatest college football program, also made a coaching change the same week in January after Nick Saban (71) retired. The Crimson Tide has since

hired a 49-year-old Kalen DeBoer.

Though the sports leagues may vary, there is a clear indication for teams to try and get younger at head coach to try and relate with all the 20 and 30-year-olds in the locker rooms.

The question is, why are the Spurs sticking with Pop? Since its 48-34 record in 2018-19, San Antonio is on pace for its fifth straight losing season. In most cases, the coach would be fired by the organization at this point. However, Popovich has the reputation of being an alltime great player and character developer, and when drafting the best prospect in two decades in Wembanyama, who better to be at the coaching helm?

The Spurs crossed the halfway point in the season on Saturday when Wemby led the team with 24 points in a 131-127 victory over Washington. At 8-34, it seems that this team is no better than the one last year, who was 13-28 midway through the 82-game schedule. Despite this, the Silver and Black seem to be heading in the right direction in the new calendar year.

In Monday’s 109-99 loss to Atlanta, Popovich had Wembanyama, Tre Jones and Devin Vassell sit on the bench to start the second half.

“The starters needed some sort of message or infusion of something,” Popovich said.

“I thought the starting team in the third

Photo courtesy of NBAE/Michael Gonzalez

quarter made their point. They played. They competed.”

Once returning to the court, Wembanyama scored all 26 of his points in the remainder of the game. The 7-foot-3 center has also been playing with a strict minutes restriction for precautionary reasons, pointing out more of Popovich’s traditional ways. “[Wembanyama] is receptive to any type of coaching,” Popovich said. “[He has] a really high IQ. He understands the game intuitively. You explain something to him and he understands it.”

All NBA watchers, including Wembanyama and the Spurs front office, knew Popovich wouldn’t change his traditional coaching ways to appease a younger locker room. And though Popovich isn’t getting any younger, he still has plenty of wisdom to pass on.

Just like the aforementioned coach Belichick had an unselfish leader in Tom Brady through the 2000s, Pop had his own in Tim Duncan.

With the writing on the wall for Wemby to be another selfless all-timer, perhaps Pop at 75 is the best man for the job.

One man’s quest to witness 363 games

By Haley Aguayo

Assistant Sports Editor Ben Alkaly, known online as “Hoops Quest,” has set out on a self-anointed mission to attend a basketball game at every Division I school in America. From encountering snow storms in Reno, Nev., to flying to Hawaii and eating the best concession snacks he has ever had, Alkaly has witnessed 85 out of 363 schools play. He has attended both men’s and women’s games, and his goal for the year is to make it to tripledigit numbers by the end of the 2024-25 season.

Alkaly saw four DI schools compete over his weekend in Texas in what he called the “Super San Antonio Sports Weekend.” During his short 30-hour stint, Alkaly attended the UTSA men’s basketball game against Florida Atlantic at the Convocation Center. He also attended the University of Incarnate Word’s men’s basketball game against McNeese State at the Alice P. McDermott Convocation Center.

Additionally, he was able to catch “the beautiful game” to witness a professional men’s soccer friendly between the USA and Slovenia hosted at San Antonio’s Toyota Field.

With a goal that began in 2008, Alkaly had already visited his fair share of DI schools when he worked for his alma mater, the University of Santa Barbara, as the women’s basketball team’s assistant media relations director.

Photo courtesy of Ben Alkaly

Ben Alkaly stands midcourt in his visit to NC Central in 2022.

Alkaly worked with the UCSB Gauchos from 2001-2006 where he traveled with the team to all of their games and began his Hoops Quest.

“I think I’ve always been a sports fan,” Alkaly said. “I used to be a huge NFL fan. I actually used to love baseball as a kid. But going to UCSB, and you know, we weren’t a football school; basketball was the thing.”

Between a full-time job at UCLA, being a husband and maintaining his status as a devout hoops fan, Alkaly has given himself one rule as he travels the country to attend games; be

Leading ladies: women’s influence across the NFL

By Jenna Taylor Magazine Editor

The NFL is a male-dominated industry, not only when you factor in all the players on the field, but off the field as well. The head coaches, commentators, announcers, coaching assistants and referees are all roles in the NFL that are predominantly, if not entirely, filled by men. So where do women fit into this male-dominated industry, with a male-dominated fanbase?

It is important to preface that just because the NFL is male-dominated does not mean that women cannot appreciate all the same competitive, entertaining, analytical and strategic aspects that men appreciate about the league. There are plenty of women who are avid NFL fans, and under that umbrella falls a smaller category of women who are trying to break into the NFL as their career. In 2023, the NFL had the largest number of female fulltime assistant coaches in its history, which is one of the only major career advancements that women have made in the league since 2015.

Every woman attempting to gain success through a job with the NFL will inevitably face adversity they must overcome. With maledominated sports, most of society maintains the expectation that the people running the sports should also be men. Oftentimes, when society sees that this expectation is not being met, criticism follows.

For example, Beth Mowins was the first female announcer for a Monday night football game in 2018. The game was not even

over before critical male NFL fans commented that her voice was annoying, overbearing and nagging. It is a common fear that many women working in the NFL have — that breaking societal norms will result in society’s overwhelming disapproval.

There are very few women powerful enough to face the NFL fanbases’ disapproval and criticism of women in the league. However, notable female celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Alix Earle and Taylor Swift have been used by the NFL to market and advertise during this most recent NFL season.

Within the past year, there has been an increase in influential women bringing their predominantly female audiences to the NFL. The 2024 Super Bowl Half-Time Show performance was announced nationwide by Kim Kardashian on Apple Music’s social media. TikTok influencer Alix Earle, who amasses six million followers across her social media platforms, has introduced her dedicated female fanbase to her relationship with Braxton Berrios, a wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins, via her YouTube podcast, TikTok videos and Instagram.

There is no debate that the most talkedabout woman in current sports news is Swift.

Among Swift’s fame and success are 12 Grammy Awards, the most awarded artist at the American Music Awards and Billboard Music Awards and billions of dollars in revenue from her sold-out Eras Tour concert and movie. As a result, it was no surprise that when Swift

present in person at the game for at least half of the match.

“First, I look to see if UCSB has any games at schools I’ve never been to. But then I look at clusters of games. But San Antonio wasn’t really on my radar until now,” Alkaly said.

“A friend texted me; he’s like, ‘Hey, USA versus Slovenia friendly,’ and I was like, ‘Oh, cool! Let me check to see if there are any hoops that weekend.’ I looked and saw UIW plays right after the soccer game; it was perfect. Then I saw UTSA plays the next day — perfect!

That’s when I locked it in.”

Alkaly’s passion for sports started at a young age, and with this passion-fueled drive, he has completed his quest in California as of 2023 after witnessing all 26 DI schools play.

However, he has no problem leaving his home state to catch a game, as his other passion is traveling.

Alkaly has braved 11-hour bus rides, used a phone book as a pillow, and crossed state lines in a day to visit university games in two different states, all in the name of love when it comes to basketball, to the point that he has become an expert in using his miles and points to travel, which is a feat in itself.

“I love traveling. I like college sports and traveling around the country. It’s a great window into regional cultures, regional food [and] what people are passionate about. I like seeing the different fan bases and traditions,” Alkaly said.

“I think what I take away is that I experienced a part of the country or a city I would never go to otherwise. So that’s what I really take away from it.”

It is a shame that UTSA lost to Florida Atlantic on Sunday, but nothing would bring down Alkaly’s spirits.

“Tough one today, but it sure was exciting,” Alkaly said as he added schools 84 and 85 to his quest countdown.

CALLING ALL UTSA STUDENTS! Are you concerned about . . .

- Never being able to afford owning your own home?

- Corporate polluters ruining America’s air, water and soil?

- Trillions of dollars being spent on foreign wars, while our own borders are not secure?

- The erosion of our Constitutional freedoms?

- Politicians shouting at and hating each other?

- Not having your voice heard by the “two-party system” in Washington?

- Presidential candidates who are “bought and paid for” by big corporations?

- Finding another choice?

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Attend a meet-up at Sombrilla Plaza on Tues. 1/30 at 11:00 to learn about Mr. Kennedy’s policies to address all of these issues, and more.

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WWW.KENNEDY24.COM

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began dating Travis Kelce, a tight end for the

relationship, as the NFL chose to showcase

Chiefs, and appearing at his games, fans from

at every game she attended and even changing

two-time Super Bowl champion Kansas City both sides began to pay attention.

Swift and NFL fans alike could not

look away from the publicity circling their

Swift by broadcasting her on the jumbo screen their name on X to “NFL (Taylor’s Version).”

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