Vol. 68, Issue 4 by The Paisano

Vol. 68, Issue 4

Est. 1981

February 13 - February 20, 2024

THE PAISANO

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

@paisanomedia

/ThePaisano

@ThePaisano

Paisano Grams glad we To my friends, I’m so of time iod get to enjoy this per lasts, I it g lon ver together. Howe e yall lov I e. tim s thi h will cheris very much. -C

To Infinity an d Beyond <3 Ruben & Katie

Matthew , you’re a dre come tru e! Love G am abbs

I love you

paisano-online.com

os Gus <3

Sending Bes

bae

Have a lovely day K-dawg !

I won’t forget those late nights we sat in my car talking, joking, and telling each other stories. Being on a phone call for hours on end just to talk some more because we enjoyed each other’s company. We’ve been together for 7 months and I still we can’t get enough of your company. I’m grateful your by be to d blesse I’m , again were able to meet side, and I’m honored to have you at mine. I love you partner and I look forward to the future with you - D

To Haley A-R, So proud of you girl! Keep goin g and you will be re paid tenfo ld Nini/Mom ! Luv,

Chris tina and m and Tori, I i Think ss you so m love ing of uch. you -Adri always.

My valentines??? Tomatoes, I loveee tomatoes :)

Hiiii Austinnnn, Thank you for being my rock throughout college! I lov e you more than anything! Fro m freshman year to senior yea r- we made it bestie!!! Power couple fr! Love, Bryana :3

to my po Valentine ok, happy ’s Day<3 I love you very much -e

Where did you come from, where did you go :)

I’m so gratef ul to have so mebody who wou ld move 220 miles from hi s life to be in mine, I am so in love with you

r, Exzavio love. I love and y m , y ts) a tine’s D ree children (ca n le a V y e th r th u f Happ o o you and k forward to all g in cherish d o n e lo S I ether. , and p o so much e will make tog e p le talented es w memori f the wonderful, you guys! ll o ove love to a isano as well. L a P at the Jess

Thank you for all you do for me my love! Without your support & the long hours of hard work you put I wouldn’t be here pursu difgets ol ing my career <3 Although scho ficult & I’m always in the verge of dropping out you motivate me & push me forward, because your goal is to see me graduate -Lymari :)

My V ale spice ntine this y b had a ecause I k ear is ice now i week f mine together sh we I love e’d be her fr fr

Sandra, you are by far the kindest and most beautiful woman I have ever met. I hope you see that someday, and also receive all the love you deserve. We will always be there for you, remember that. Happy Valentine’s Day! ~S

happy sweet valentines e 4ever st girl ever to the mook i ies - w heart u love d es

my love, my green, every day with you is a day worth living; a day worth loving. i’ll never regret a day of loving you. yours, jnv

to natalie, chloe, & melanie, y’all are beautiful inside py and out, never change. hap <33 y Valentine’s Da

Happy Valenti ne’s Day D um ~love e pling ggroll

To the be s best edito t Valentine and r in the w hole wide world, yo u are my world Laynie! Your love , Jakey

you Is you or is tine en al v not my - Diane

Hap py V Day alentine I lov Cody<3 ’s e yo u -M

Dearest belo ved, how I ad ore you so. Fr haircut to yo om your chop ur stretched py out shirt colla you is worth rs, everything loving. I’d te ll of you a thousa I love you bu nd times over t there’s no w ho ay for me to Every day w sufficiently do w ith you is a w so. onderful one. have been an I’m so happy d to continue to to be on this honey. The ho journey with nor of our an you niversary be month as vale ing in the sam ntines is pret e ty being my love awesome. Tha . Thank you nk you for for spending so far and I lo a ye ok forward to many more w ar with me ith you. Plea always be m se y valentine <3

How to vote in the 2024 primary election By Alessandra Avila Assistant News Editor

Election day is just around the corner, which means early voting is upon us. Starting Feb. 20, students can head to the polls early to cast their ballots for the 2024 primary election. Political parties utilize primaries as a means of choosing candidates for general elections. Next, in the general election, the candidates of each party compete against one another. In an open primary, candidates from any political party can vote in any party’s primary.

How to vote in San Antonio To be eligible to vote in local elections, residents of San Antonio must be citizens of the United States and at least 18 years old by Election Day. Additionally, a person cannot vote if found guilty of a felony, or they must have already served the entirety of their sentence. Individuals must also be residents of the county where the application is submitted. After fulfilling these prerequisites, there are two options for registering to vote: either download and mail in a voter registration form

or register online. Where UTSA students can vote Students can vote in the HSU building in room (1.102). Early voting begins Feb. 20 at 8 a.m. and ends Feb. 27 at 5 p.m. Following the end of early voting, Election Day takes place on March 5. The university will also provide curbside voting and voting near the downtown campus in Bexar County, 1103.S Frio St. Roadrunners can also keep up to date at Vote at UTSA to find the hours that they may need to vote.

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NEWS

FAFSA issues continue with delayed release and glitches By Noah Willoughby Staff Writer

The Department of Education officially “soft launched” the updated Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 20242025 school year on Dec. 30. The application was updated due to Congress-mandated changes and was released three months after its original scheduled release date, Oct. 1. The department’s delay, along with encountered glitches, have prevented students from applying for federal college grants. The late release of the FAFSA has universities and colleges struggling to know who will be attending their programs in the upcoming semesters. The Department of Education said they would roll out extra funding to deal with the problems caused by the delayed application.

The Department will deploy federal financial aid experts to a group of ‘lower resourced’ colleges, historically Black colleges and universities and tribal colleges to ensure these places have the tools and information to process financial aid packages. They will also set aside $50 million in federal funding for non-profits specializing in financial aid support and services. At this time, it is unclear how they will identify which non-profits will receive these funds. The Department is also trying to fix glitches that have shut students out of the application altogether. The new FAFSA form requires a parent or guardian of the applicant to become a “contributor” and be identified through a Social Security Number (SSN). Continue reading at paisano-online.com

Exploring UTSA Libraries Databases By Faith Kouadio Staff Writer

UTSA Libraries is an upto-date library with a deep information collection that extends beyond the books. The virtual databases contain thousands of resources on hundreds of subjects, access to other libraries, interactive software, research journals and historical catalogs for personal or academic enrichment. Read more to discover the basics of navigating the databases and learn about specific valuable resources within them. Navigating the Database The UTSA virtual database is available at https:// libguides.utsa.edu/az.php. Students can browse through all the materials alphabetically or search by discipline. Almost every major, or the closest topic to a major, is represented. Once students have selected a discipline, the page will begin with the “Best Bets!” section, which curates relevant resources. The database information can be used for projects, papers or studying a subject. Other available resources are available by scrolling down the page. Every discipline has a librarian or expert that can be contacted for further information. The databases are available in several formats besides webpages: videos, audio, e-books, datasets and dissertations, maps and primary sources. The Research Guides, available at https://libguides.

utsa.edu/, offer hundreds of resources over several disciplines, some specific to certain UTSA classes. A key tab of use for students is the citing tab, which has seven resources to assist with proper citation by academic discipline. Career Resources On the sidebar of the main database page, there are options to ‘Find by Format.’ One option is Career Resources. Three of the six databases may stand out for students interested in professional development: the Learning Express Library, LinkedIn Learning, and Peterson’s Test Prep. Learning Express Library offers tutorials, microlessons, ebooks and more to learn core skills to supplement a student’s career and core skills. Students will need to sign in or register an account. LinkedIn Learning has over 22,000 courses and videos as short as five minutes and as long as two and a half hours on key skills. The best part is that, after completing a course, a student can post and add the skill to their LinkedIn profile. They will need to sign in through UTSA and link their LinkedIn account. Lastly, Peterson’s Test Prep offers free preparations for entrance exams like the LSAT or GRE and information related to applications and financial aid. Peterson’s Prep requires a separate registration. Kanopy Kanopy is a video streaming

service with an extensive collection of independent, global and certain blockbuster films, such as “Ex Machina” or “Moonlight.” Many educational films and documentaries are organized in UTSA’s curated ‘Essential Campus Collection.’ Releases from PBS, the Criterion Collection and Flicker Alley are also available on Kanopy. To access Kanopy through UTSA, go to https://libguides. utsa.edu/az.php, select resources under the letter “K” and click on Kanopy. Students may be prompted to sign in with their UTSA credentials. Wall Street Journal The business and economics newspaper staple is available free of charge to Roadrunners through the library. Current students have access to a digital version of the daily print, including a weekly archive of the daily digital print. Students also have full access to material from the previous four years and special privileges like WSJ+. Read the latest headlines in technology, finance, lifestyle and more by heading to https:// libguides.utsa.edu/wsj. From there, students will be led to http://wsj.com/utsa and prompted to create an account at WSJ with UTSA credentials. New WSJ subscriptions may sign in from several devices. The UTSA Libraries databases offer much more interest to students: check out what else they offer.

SGA discusses the university budget and tuition freeze By Amber Serio News Editor In their second general assembly of the semester, UTSA’s Student Government Association (SGA) discussed several topics, such as the university budget, how different funds are used and the tuition freeze that occurred last fall. An open forum was offered to those present at the meeting, but no one in attendance participated. The meeting then introduced the guest speaker, Senior Associate Vice President for Financial Affairs and Chief Financial Officer Sheri Hardison. Hardison began her presentation by shedding light on UTSA’s finances and where the university currently stands fiscally in comparison to previous years. Her presentation included graphs and charts that outlined the finances being discussed and how they function at UTSA. She explained that as the university continued to grow, the operating revenue seemingly decreased. This results from UTSA receiving federal pandemic money during previous fiscal years, such as the Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF). “Although it went down, that’s not a problem. That was one-time money,” she said. The presentation proceeded with Hardison discussing how UTSA’s endowment funds and HEERF operate within the university budget. She explained that although UTSA does not receive as many endowment funds as other universities, they are anticipated to grow as the

university gets older. As for HEERF, UTSA was among many universities given a large amount of money from the federal government at the beginning of 2020. As a result, the university was given a total of $176 million, which has almost all been spent as of the end of August, according to Hardison. She added that 40% of that amount was required by the federal government to go directly to students who make direct student payments, but the university prioritized giving 60% of the funds to students. The presentation proceeded with Hardison outlining the money UTSA receives, where it is used and why.

urte GA s y of U T S A S

This included tuition and fees, general university activities and auxiliary activities. Hardison then shifted the topic of her presentation to discuss the tuition freeze that occurred last fall and how this currently affects students. She explained that the tuition and fees for undergraduate students and any other types of mandatory academic fees are frozen for the academic year 2024 and will continue to be for the next year. This means that a student’s tuition and

fees for next fall will be the same as they were previously. The presentation concluded with Hardison talking specifically about the university budget and how it is used. She discussed several categories of what the budget is spent on, such as the university’s debt, operations maintenance and university administrative fees. The assembly then moved on to new business. This session, SGA nominated and confirmed Senator Heaven Martinez, Senator Ethan La Bourne and Senator Eva Romo to the Financial Affairs committee. Senator Michela Mgba was also nominated and confirmed for the position of Election Commissioner. Following these confirmations, SGA Advisor Chantea’ Swinson-Rhoe gave an update on some of the upcoming SGA-coordinated events. Swinson-Rhoe will be giving an update on the current budget for SGA at the next General Assembly on Feb. 22. She also gave some insight on the upcoming Spring SGA Elections, which will occur from Feb. 19 through March 4. Dia en la Sombrilla, which is coordinated with the help of SGA, will occur on April 18. Swinson-Rhoe also gave a reminder that Leaderfund applications, which allow registered student organizations to be reimbursed for up to $750, are due on May 8. SGA’s next general assembly will be at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 22 in the Harris-Travis Room (2.202 and 2.212) in the H-E-B Student Union, and all UTSA students are welcome to attend.

Dustin Vickers/The Paisano

Senate blocks bipartisan border crisis bill By Marcela Montufar Soria Multimedia Editor

The Emergency National Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, bill H.R. 815, was struck down with a 49-50 vote in the senate on Feb. 7. It is currently undergoing review with a series of proposed amendments. The bill addressed several issues, from financial reimbursement for veterans after emergency treatments to foreign aid policy regarding Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan. More controversially, it sought to address the current migrant crisis on the southern border of the country, which has been a source of contention between the state and federal governments for some time now. The bill was a result of months of negotiations between members of both parties and was heavily promoted by the Biden Administration, with President Joe Biden releasing a statement on Jan. 26 calling it “the toughest and fairest set of reforms to secure the border we’ve ever had in our country.” Intending to reduce the number of incoming migrants at the border and stabilize the number of people currently in the immigration process, the act would have severely restricted the country’s asylum-seeking system. Contrary to generalized statements, it would not give the president the authority to “shut down” the border. It would allow for migrants encountered at the border to be deported without a chance to apply for asylum. This emergency authority would become available should the average number of registered border crossings rise above 5,000 daily per seven-day week or above 8,500 in one day. This policy applies only to adults encountered in between ports

of entry. Asylum-seeking would still be allowed by appointment at a port of entry and for unaccompanied minors, regardless of where they entered the country. The initial standard for seeking asylum would also be raised under this new bill, with migrants having to demonstrate a reasonable possibility of harm to immigration officers should they be deported back to their home countries. Currently, they are asked to demonstrate a significant possibility only. What is considered a reasonable possibility is left to the discretion of the immigration officer conducting the interview. Those who pass the initial screening will become immediately eligible for a work permit, contrary to the current stipulation that they must stay 180 days in the US before becoming eligible. If they do not pass the initial screening, people have 72 hours to appeal the decision to an asylum review board. If this appeal is shut down, they will be ordered out of the country. The bill required 60 votes to pass in the senate, and despite being the most conservative border policy accepted by Democrats in recent years and its original Republican backing, almost every Republican senator voted against it. This followed a call by Donald Trump for Republicans to kill the bill. Senators James Lankford, Susan Collins and Mitt Romney were the exceptions. Five Democrats, including majority leaders Chuck Schumer and Elizabeth Warren, also voted against the bill. After an approved motion by Schumer to reconsider the vote, the bill is now being reworked to move forward primarily as a stand-alone foreign aid package, dismissing the border policies for now.

State of the City Week of 2/13

By Malaki Lingg Web Editor

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 new public transit accessibility practices to an arrest made in connection to a death during the summer of 2023. VIA implements new measures for visually impaired San Antonio’s VIA Metropolitan Transit has begun installation of NaviLens, an innovative new system for visually impaired riders that uses special, scannable codes. With NaviLens, visually impaired riders can scan the codes posted at VIA bus stops to receive arrival information and seamless bus boarding through the NaviLens phone app. San Antonio’s District 20 Representative, Joaquin Castro, secured congressional funding to support the implementation of NaviLens in the city, allowing for 6,000 planned NaviLens codes to be installed throughout San Antonio. Landa St. Railroad underpass closed for construction TxDot and the City of New Braunfels have announced starting at 8 a.m. Monday, the Landa St. Railroad Underpass will be closed for approximately three weeks, and is expected to reopen in early March if on schedule. The street will be closed while contractors repair and replace the rock retaining wall and sidewalk within the area of the underpass. Detours will be in place, and drivers should expect minor delays while heading through the area. Resident arrested in connection to infant death SAPD has arrested 29-year-old Mark Anthony Chavez in connection to the death of a 9-month-old girl in June 2023. Chavez made claims that the death was accidental, but experts claim the death of infant Isabella Chavez was the result of abuse. A warrant for Chavez’s arrest was placed on Feb. 8, and he was booked on Feb. 9 with a $150,000 bond. Dustin Vickers/The Paisano

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OpiNION Stop hate off-campus

Editorial

Hate crime occurs in West Campus, UT fails to respond

n Sunday, Feb. 4 a Palestinian-American was stabbed near the University of Texas at Austin. The incident took place in West Campus while the victim, 23-year-old Zacharia Doar, and his friends were traveling after attending a protest at the state capitol building earlier in the day. While Doar and his group were driving, 36-year-old Bert Baker approached their vehicle on a bike. After approaching, Baker instigated violence, opening the vehicle’s doors and yelling racial slurs at the group. This resulted in the group exiting the vehicle to confront Baker, where Doar would then be stabbed in the chest. UTPD then responded to the scene located off 26th and Nueces St. and arrested Baker. While those targeted in the altercation were not students, they easily could have been. The incident took place in an area heavily concentrated with students, and there has been a growing number of hate crimes involving college students within the last year. In Vermont, three Palestinian-Americans were shot on the streets while on break from school, and in Columbus, Ohio, two Jewish Ohio State University students were attacked while leaving a bar. And, while these incidents did not happen on campus, the schools acted accordingly. The acting president of OSU at the time, Peter

Noah Willoughby/ The Paisano

Mohler, released a statement condemning the attack and stated that they would not tolerate violations of university rules regarding “antisemitism, bigotry, Islamophobia, racism, sexism and violence.” Alongside this, a vigil was held at Brown University for the students affected by the Vermont shooting. At this vigil, a professor read a statement from one of the victims claiming gratitude for support from his peers but also stating, “I am but one casualty in a much wider conflict.” After the attack on West Campus, UT Austin and the UT system have been radio silent, and no official statements have been released for students. The UT system’s lack of response is appalling and shows a lack of support for the victim and students that would be affected by the attack. Regardless of political affiliation or the sides taken during the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the stabbing on West Campus is a hate crime and UT must respond as such. The victim could have been a UT student given the incident happened in a hotspot for student activity and living. The lack of public statements shows that UT would rather be complacent with the violence than lend support to those in need of it. A statement is the least UT could do to make its students feel supported during these uncertain times.

Power to the players

You need to calm down Commentary

Commentary

conspiracies faster than flat earthers. As any football fan could tell you, Taylor Swift Contributor has been the star of the show this past football Members of the alt-right faction, or Republicans, season, much to the disdain of some and the along with none other than the crowned prince of pleasure of others. Yet this is where the insanity the party himself, Donald J. Trump, have decided to of the holy war begins, as many alt-right members begin a perilous “holy” war that may just cost them believe that her relationship with Kelce is a planned everything they had hoped to win in this election and carefully articulated plot to boost Biden in cycle. the polls. The conspiracy posits that the This is the beginning of a culture war against NFL has specifically pre-ordained Taylor Swift. the Chiefs to attend the Super An article from Rolling Stone Bowl and win, giving Swift decried this surreal scene first, a base of millions to painting an image of vocal give her political Republicans hoping endorsement. to dismiss While there the pop is no denying giant before her influence she could endorse or the effect a 2024 political she may have candidate. While on the elections, Swift has taken no there are simply decisive political action no facts to back up yet, many believe that she this claim. Yet many see will throw her influence it differently, with some toward the incumbent, going so far as to believe President Joe Biden. This, Taylor Fromel/The Paisano that the fictional plan has of course, is not a far-fetched been set up by the Pentagon itself, trying claim, as she has used her influence for Biden in the to push its “deep state” agenda. past, specifically against Trump’s handling of the Regardless of this ridiculousness, one thing is COVID-19 andemic and her supporting the current clear. Many members of the right are shaking in president’s 2020 candidacy. their proverbial boots over the possibility of a Swift Such a move would truly be influential, as endorsement of the Biden Campaign. And while Swift’s base of followers is large and has been only many Swifties are not taking this attack kindly, if emboldened by her recent dating activity regarding anything, this should be considered a compliment Kansas City Chiefs tight end, Travis Kelce. This to Taylor herself. also comes at a time when the Biden campaign is While, of course, the ridiculous claims of a trailing in polling numbers and is seeming to lose “deep state” conspiracy should not be lauded, the “young” vote over policy issues and his dealing her overwhelming popularity should be. She with the Israel-Palestine Conflict. Not to mention has reached a level of fame that few, if any, have that Taylor Swift is on Biden’s “wish list of potential attained. Taylor has become such an international surrogates,” as the New York Times reported. figure, garnering millions of followers, that she has Up to this point, Republican fear of Taylor Swift now attained political influence, the likes of which and the massive influence she holds almost seems have rarely been seen. warranted and legitimate. She is a highly influential These attacks and conspiracies only highlight figure and has proven this in a post that mobilized her sway and prove what a powerful person she 35,000 voters to take to the polls. Yet the absurdity truly is. What might have begun as a treacherous of the culture war stems from those who have taken and mean “holy war” against Taylor Swift may just anti-Swift rhetoric from personal admonishment to end up being the greatest compliment she has ever a paranoia-filled echo chamber that churns out new received.

By Nicholas Kingman Assistant Opinion Editor

By Noah Hernandez

Commentary

By Andrew Dotson Staff Writer

Every day, there are thousands of civil and criminal cases filed in courts throughout the country. From 1998 to 2017, in federal civil suits, plaintiffs who represented themselves only got a judgment in their favor 4% of the time, while defendants who represented themselves got a judgment in their favor 14% of the time, assuming the plaintiff had representation. One in four cases in civil court were found to be filed pro se, which is a legal term meaning to represent oneself; that constituted over 15 thousand cases a year. However, not all of them are lawyers. In fact, there are only 1.3 million lawyers, according to the ABA. This all being said, there are not nearly enough lawyers, and to get what people

call a “good lawyer,” that costs money, and a lot of it. The majority of pro se filers do not have legal knowledge themselves, so would it be beneficial to have it? Obviously, having legal knowledge will not cause the law profession to die off, as having to do constant research and preparation is not for the faint of heart. It can help you save money, however, and may even lead you to find violations of your rights that you would not have known you had if you did not have prior legal knowledge. From experience, people would tell you that learning about the law will only help you in life. It will never hurt you to know it. Now you may never be as good as a lawyer is; however, you will be able to say that you are more knowledgeable than the majority of the population. The best thing

Kara Lee/The Paisano

Legal knowledge should be a core subject

The NCAA’s tirade over their governance of collegiate athletics seems to be coming to a swift and fiery end. The National Labor Relations Board ruled in favor of Dartmouth College basketball players, stating the players are employees of Dartmouth College and are eligible to join local 560 of the Service Employees International Union. This set the stage for a historic March 5 vote to join the union. Unknowingly, these non-scholarship basketball players belonging to this small Ivy League university, tucked away on the Appalachian Trail, may have changed the course of collegiate athletics forever. Reverting a seven-decade-old, dictatorial crusade affecting thousands of young men and women. The NCAA has staunchly pushed that athletes of the universities they represent are not employees; rather, they are “student athletes” — coined after the 1953 ruling between the University of Denver and Ernest Nemeth, a former football player for the university. At the time, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled in favor of Mr. Nemeth, stating that he was an employee of the university and should receive compensation based on the injuries he sustained as an employee. In protecting its member institutions, the NCAA promptly decided that athletes thereafter were merely amateurs, barring them from any compensation in future worker’s compensation cases. That was over 70 years ago, and the tide has changed on the landscape of college athletics. With the landmark policy of NIL in 2021, allowing players to be compensated for their name, image and likeness was the first hit to the NCAA’s power. College is the highest level that many athletes who make it will compete in. Less than two percent will make it to their sports’ respective professional leagues. The most marketable team starters or recognizable names, such as Arch Manning or Bronny James, get these eye-popping NIL deals. While NIL is great for athletes, the free market gives money to the most marketable and to the two biggest sports. Meanwhile, the little people, such as walk-ons, unknown second- or third-string players, and smaller sports, get nothing. The potential unionization of college athletics will not only benefit the unknown student athletes’ pocketbooks but also give all players a voice to dictate their vision as they want it, not as the NCAA wants it. Players are not just employees of their university; they are ambassadors and advertisers for them too. Called the Flutie effect, if a university has athletic success, the number of applications it receives will increase. W h i l e studentathletes’ opportunities to get their “fair share” have dramatically improved over the past couple of years, that right has only been reserved for a select few. The wave of unionization for college athletes would give them the rights they deserve. These young men and women gamble their minds and bodies every day just for a slim jackpot. That should not be a plausible reason to sacrifice your quality of life down the road without compensation. Mariana Ramos/The Paisano

is that the law can not only help defend rights, but it can also help you in business, such as by learning what is considered to be one of the most complicated tax systems in the world. The question that people may have regarding this question is what do you teach, and when do you teach it? The percentage of high schoolers enrolling in college immediately after high school has been on a downward trend since 2019, with 62% of high school students enrolled immediately after graduation in 2021.

Having legal knowledge should be seen as essential to living a successful adult life and should be one of the last topics you learn before you graduate from high school. Now the second question is what should be taught? This is not going to be a typical case law class; instead, it should teach the skills one needs to know to be able to research the law effectively and to learn how to understand and interpret it, with maybe one or two cases to go over. Continue reading at paisano-online.com

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OpiNION A small step for Hollywood, a giant leap for Lily Gladstone

The Paisano Editorial Board

Commentary

By Marcela Montufar Soria Multimedia Editor

Ma ria na

Lily Gladstone became the first Native American to be nominated for an Academy Award in January 2024. She is nominated in the Best Actress in a Leading Role category for her work in Martin Scorsece’s Killers of the Flower Moon, which was nominated for a total of 10 Oscars. If she wins, she will be the first Indigenous woman ever to win an Academy Award. She previously won a Golden Globe for her performance, becoming the first Indigenous woman to do so. She was then snubbed by the 2024 BAFTA Awards committee, receiving no nomination for her excellent performance. The Dolby Theatre, where the Oscars are held annually, sits on the ancestral lands of the Tongva, the Tataviam and the Chumash peoples. In the 2020 ceremony, Maori director and actor Taika Waititi was invited on stage to give a short land acknowledgment speech, a moment that has not been repeated at any Oscars ceremony since. Gladstone has Piegan Blackfeet and Nez Perce heritage and was raised on the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana. She is the fourth indigenous woman to be nominated for Best Actress, joining

Merle Oberon, Keisha Castle-Hughes and Yalitza Aparicio, who was nominated in 2018 for her debut performance in Alfonso Cuaron’s “Roma.” Her nomination is especially significant given the Oscars’ and Hollywood’s history

Th e o s/ m Ra

Paisano

of discrimination against indigenous peoples. Like other people of color, Native Americans on screen have been stereotyped, villainized, portrayed by white actors and had their experiences mocked for decades. The influential Walt Disney Company has a long history of

Noah Willoughby/The Paisano

objectionable native portrayals, such as in “Peter Pan” and “Pocahontas.” And more recently, the hyper-successful “Barbie” movie made a quip about indigenous people and smallpox that was not only unfunny but also seriously out of line and unnecessary. Hollywood’s racism problem has only recently begun to be addressed and very little has been done to heal the damage dealt by the industry to native peoples, not just from the U.S. but from all over the world. Native voices in the film industry have been silenced for decades and the nomination of a Native American actress is long overdue, hampered by the systemic oppression of natives in the U.S. and a lack of opportunities for native actors. Her nomination and likely win is a step in the right direction for Hollywood, but there is still a long way to go. Actors of color continue to be disrespected and snubbed by the industry in favor of their white colleagues, given that it remains a primarily white-led field. The smarter thing to do would be to stop relying on award shows like the Academy Awards to accurately reward film excellence altogether. Still, as they remain a source of influence on the industry and the public, the pressure to combat discrimination within them must not be let up.

Taylor’s thorny travels Commentary

By Allana Llabres

Social Media Manager

Democracy or disgrace? Commentary

By Taylor Fromel Contributor

The two-party system has been in place in the United States for a very long time. This system can be problematic, but it simultaneously ensures that the voters in the U.S. have a clear understanding of the values their preferred candidates hold, as the Democratic and Republican parties are growing to hold more and more polarizing views. People vote in America for a reason, and that reason is not to be deceived when their vote goes to the opposite party when a candidate changes political affiliation. Recently, concerns have been raised in the United States regarding whether or not political candidates should be able to switch their political affiliation after they begin to run, or even worse, after being elected. While this is relatively rare, it is a massive cause for concern when it does take place. Many Americans believe they can trust the candidate they vote for to implement their preferred political standpoints into government upon election, but candidates are beginning to do just the opposite. The party that a candidate runs with is a huge deciding factor in how Americans cast their votes and decide who they want to vote for. Because of this, changing parties mid-election or when they have already been elected is undemocratic and a betrayal of the United States’ citizens’ trust. Party loyalty is a huge expectation in United States politics, and when that loyalty is broken, the reason for that loss of trust should not be allowed to uphold the position they are elected to. By letting these deceitful candidates stay in office, the governmental outline and system start to degrade. It is an absolute betrayal to have a candidate voted for and rallied behind by a portion of the American people, only for the candidate to abandon their support after gaining power and getting into office. Some may argue that this occurrence is not that big of a deal, and people who get upset over candidates switching parties are not valid because of the limited influence many political positions have on actual government policy because of the separation of powers in the United States. This could not be more wrong. What these people fail to see or understand is that it is less about what these candidates will actually be able to implement into governmental policy when elected or the limited power these candidates hold; it is more about upholding the very foundation of democracy. The whole concept of democracy is to elect representatives who will speak for the people in government. By switching parties, these candidates are not “speaking for” the people in government; they are representing their own deceitful ideologies. This is neither a fair nor sustainable notion. The best thing that we can do as a whole to put an end to this betrayal is to hold these representatives accountable for their unfortunate actions. It is the American people’s job to decide how they want their country to look by calling out unfair actions within the government and letting their feelings be known, regardless of which party they subscribe to.

A-list celebrity and popstar Taylor Swift has been under the microscope for some time now due to her incredible Eras Tour success, new albums and her newly found love with Kansas City Chiefs tight-end Travis Kelce. Swift is no stranger to fame, as she has been in the spotlight since her self-titled debut album in 2006. She has had run-ins with obsessive fans and stalkers, which has caused many people to be concerned for her safety and health. Recently, Swift has found herself in a controversy due to the use of her private jet. She has used her private jet to travel from places all around the world for her Eras Tour in 2023, which has continued into 2024. The amount of carbon emissions that have been released by her jet is concerning, as private jet use contributes 14 times more pollution than a commercial airline flight. Jack Sweeney, a junior at the University of Central Florida, has been tracking Swift’s jet and posting updates on social media about the takeoff and landing times. This has received mixed reactions from the internet, with many people saying that the tracking and posting online could endanger Swift, while others believe in the benefits that result from holding celebrities accountable for their carbon emissions. Swift’s team has now threatened legal action against Sweeney for his actions. This is not the first time Sweeney has had a run-in with a celebrity. Back in 2022, Elon Musk suspended Sweeney’s account on then-Twitter, now X which tracked and posted updates about Musk’s private jet travels. The ban did not last, and Sweeney was back to posting updates not long after. So now this raises the question, is this tracking even legal? In reality, all planes and jets everywhere are tracked, whether private or not. The Federal Aviation Administration releases tracking information to maintain transparency about aircraft safety. While it may not be so easy to find, the information is still public nonetheless. This is not as unsafe for celebrities as many may think, as paparazzi are still able to find and photograph celebrities, whether their flight information is public or not. Either way, it is not like the celebrities’ exact location is being shared. Overall, Swift’s threat of legal action is unlikely to hold up. Since her flight information is already public, Sweeney’s live posting is legal. However, we may not be surprised if the “Taylor Swift effect” happens and she successfully shuts down Sweeney’s accounts. Swift, among many other celebrities, needs to be held more accountable for her 13-minute flights and other unnecessary emissions.

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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 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 Rylan Renteria | Distribution Manager Distribution@paisano-online.com

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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arts & life Arte de San Antonio

Exploring Texan tales

Lauren Hernandez/The Paisano

Visiting the ‘Boundless’ art exhibit at UTSA

By Naydine De La Fuente

Copyediting Coordinator

o much history lies within the state of Texas, and the “Boundless: Storytelling in Texas Book Arts” exhibit at UTSA gives people the opportunity to witness various pieces depicting its stories. From artistic books to zines and other literary-related art, “Boundless” allows people to explore important history through the various art pieces created by Texas artists. Curated by Kristy Masten, professor of instruction and assistant director of the School of Art at UTSA, the exhibit showcases various pieces centered around themes such as family, identity and transformation. With assistance from UTSA Special Collections and contributions from local artists, Masten was able to collect and display various art pieces that had never been showcased before. “I curated the exhibition with the idea of incorporating different formats and different types of book art,” Masten said.

“It includes zines, artist books and illustrations from picture books, published picture books. So we have these three different areas coming together.” Throughout the exhibit, guests and attendees were able to roam freely around the gallery and view the various pieces. The exhibit destigmatized the idea that illustrations or drawings in picture books are not art. However, Masten opened up about the difficulties that came with trying to display art from books, an item that we usually hold and observe tangibly. “It can be kind of a challenge to display books in an art gallery setting because typically you experience books through touch,” Masten said. “When you’re in an

art gallery, you typically can’t touch anything, right? So, how do you share books in that setting? How do you conceptualize the book as an art object?” After experimenting and thinking about how to make the literary works more accessible, Masten created an interactive experience for students and attendees. QR codes, digital copies and even sections where guests could use sticky notes to write their thoughts on specific works were readily available to provide a more in-depth and interactive experience. Visitors could even view the published books by the artists, featuring their original illustrations. Some of the artworks displayed were from artists such

as Ericka Lamar Buentello, whose artwork was a food diary titled “Obsessed: Food Diary of an Ardent Food Lover, Vol.1, Issue 1.” This diary showcased her art by incorporating eyecatching illustrations of food and ingredients on the page as a way to tell her story. “I just really like how almost decorative the food and ingredients become on the page,” Masten said. “It becomes really enticing and interesting to think about because [Buentello] did it as a part of a pretty restrictive diet, but then when you see the images, it feels very lush and almost fulfilling in terms of her visual depictions of it.” Another artist, Adriana M. Garcia, displayed illustrations

titled “In school, we learn that rocks are things. But Grandma has taught us they are beings” and “They are alive with wisdom, so we call them grandfathers and grandmothers,” which shows a grandmother teaching her granddaughters about various rocks and stones, symbolizing the values of culture and family. Garcia’s artwork was even recognized as the story where her artwork is displayed, “Where Wonder Grows,” won a Pura Belpré Illustrator award for its astounding visuals. “They’re visually rich in terms of the colors and design,” Masten said. “There’s a lot to unpack with her imagery that I really appreciate.”

“the internet has been good and awful for education, and the expectation of the students has changed.” He strives to influence their students, but the courses he teaches are difficult, and if people are not putting in the effort, they will fall behind fast. Honestly, it was hard to dig for these low reviews, and it was much more common to find perfect scores. Among the slew of pedagogic perfection are four of the bunch’s fastest email warriors. Chris Packham - 5 Packham has 62 “awesome” reviews on RMP. One student stated, “Professor Packham is one of the best professors I’ve ever had. He is very smart and cares a lot about what he teaches as well as the success of all of his students.” Many students described Packham as “understanding” and “passionate.” “As a professor, I like

to take feedback from any source, including the course evaluations and free-format of ratemyprofessor.com,” Packham explained. “I hope that through reading these broad spectrum of inputs, I can optimize my teaching style and approach. Like anyone, I’m happy and content should I receive good ratings on any platform.” Abraham DeLeon - 5 With 30 perfect reviews, DeLeon believes that his high score “can be attributed to an engaging classroom environment that I build along with my students that cover compelling, provocative and complex concepts.” “I try to assign readings that challenge them intellectually,” he explained. “I have a genuine enthusiasm for teaching and have extensive experience in the classroom.”

Bela Ross/The Paisano

Decoding Rate My Professors Hearing from the best and worst UTSA professors on the site

By Lauren Hernandez

Assistant Arts & Life Editor If you are a college student and have yet to hear of Ratemyprofessors.com (RMP), you must be living off-grid and somehow stumbled upon The Paisano. If the above is true, you should know that RMP is a website where students can anonymously assign ratings to their professors. The site has been around since 1999 and is now the largest online destination for professor ratings, with over 8,000 schools and 1.7 million professors featured. Users rate their professors on a one to five scale in categories such as “overall quality” and “level of difficulty.” They can also leave a written review or comment about the professor and their teaching style for a given course. Now, a bad rating does not necessarily reflect a bad professor. More likely, it reflects a hard class where quite a few students got Cs and decided to take out their anger anonymously online. But you never know until you ask, so we decided to dig deep and delve into the depths of RMP. For better or worse, we have compiled a list of some of the best and worst-rated professors at UTSA and interviewed them to see if the students are correct or if the professor was misunderstood. The professors below attributed their poor rating to class difficulty, academic dishonesty and high expectations. Geneveva Cruz - 1.7 Cruz has 55 “awful” reviews

and willingly admitted she is “a pretty demanding professor.” “In all honesty, I try not to look at those comments,” the writing professor continued, explaining that she would rather shape her teaching around what students say directly to her. “I always say you get what you give in a course. College is not easy. It never has been. It takes effort and dedication to gain all you can out of each course. You can make the experience horrible by putting in minimal effort, or you can give it your all and take something positive with you. That is how my course works.” In the end, “I give my students what they need to be more confident writers and students. What they choose to do with the opportunity is up to them.” Benjamin Anderson - 1 Anderson only has three reviews on the site, but all of them are “awful.” All of the reviews mention his strict anticheating policy. “If asking my students to not cheat in my class (or any class) gets me a one-star rating, I am happy to have it,” Anderson explained. He responded specifically to one review on RMP, which claims that they “honestly haven’t met a professor so crazy about his students cheating, if you care that much then make exams that are or not easy to cheat on!” Anderson retaliated with “The answer to cheating is not to make the tests harder to cheat on, but for students to display integrity and follow the Roadrunner Creed.”

Imran Khan - 1.3 On RMP, marketing professor Dr. Khan has 37 “awful” ratings. Students explained, “For an intro class, it [MKT3013] is very challenging.” According to the site, Dr. Khan’s classes are test and paper-heavy, and he is allegedly a strict grader with no exception for late work. Upon asking Dr. Khan why he believes he is rated 1.3 out of five among students on this platform, he suggested we take an “analytical approach to first understanding the scope and structure of the site you referred to.” Furthermore, he encouraged students to look at “how social media has created a culture that has led to students viewing teachers differently.” Lastly, he suggested “taking a practical look at how real/unreal these ratings are and to what extent these ratings impact any material outcomes for academia in general.” Another professor shared similar sentiments about the RMP platform. He explained that he has been teaching at UTSA since 1982, but after the COVID-19 pandemic, “the system has changed and the attitudes [of the students] have changed.” He elaborated that

Continue reading at paisano-online.com

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Arts & Life Year of the Dragon

Reviews

Taylor Fromel/The Paisano

‘Poor Things’: the beauty in the bizarre By Ezequiel Peña Contributor

The story of “Frankenstein” is not ancient, but it certainly feels like it. Mary Shelley’s tale of a man’s obsession to reanimate the dead has been adapted and twisted so many times that many forget that it is not just a story about a stumbling zombie with prongs on his neck. Rather, it is a beautiful tale of a sin of nature, revealing the inner core of the human experience while also being a narrative of the relationship between creator and creation. Although this version of the story has long been lost in many of its adaptations, it has not stopped its influence on the stories and ideas of many other writers. Along that road of writers came a novel that inspired the creation of Yorgos Lanthimos’ latest feature, “Poor Things.” Based on the novel of the same name by Alasdair Gray, “Poor Things” follows the story of Bella Baxter as she explores the world, finding the truth about love, sex, philosophy and life in general. Played marvelously by Emma Stone, Bella is shown to be less of a monster to be feared and more like a curious child wanting to know the nature of her surroundings. The film does not stray from showing that in the most uncensored way possible. From scenes of her in a morgue to those in a brothel, “Poor Things” does not shy away from showing the nature of violence and sex. At times, it can be uncomfortable to sit through or even seem pointless, but it usually ends up coming off as a closer examination of the taboo outlook on sexual intimacy and the experience of seeking pleasure in our day-to-day lives. There is even a scene that points this out where Bella is told to eat a pastry only once, but when she eats another, she then vomits, as if to say that if you indulge in pleasure too much, it can ruin the experience entirely. Continue reading at paisano-online.com

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CSSA holds annual gala to celebrate Year of the Dragon Cultura By Haley Aguayo

Assistant Sports Editor Feb. 10 was the first day of the Lunar New Year for many Asian cultures worldwide. Each year brings a sense of renewal, a transition from seasons, an opportunity to celebrate with loved ones and recognition of one of the 12 Chinese zodiacs. The Heavenly Gate Race is the origin story of the 12 zodiac symbols: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig, who crossed a river in that order. Based on which animal crossed the river before the gate quickest, the jade emperor would determine their rank. He requested all 12 animals. Each year an earthly branch, or an animal zodiac, is paired with a heavenly stem; water, wood, fire, earth, metal. Together, they represent what type of elemental animal shall preside over the year. 2024 is the year of the wood dragon. The year of the dragon comes every 12 years, though the year of the wood dragon comes every 60 years. The Chinese Society of San Antonio (CSSA) held a gala to honor this event. To celebrate the Lunar New Year and the Year of the Dragon, CSSA welcomed performances from chopstick dancers, singers, tai chi martial artists, dancing lions and taekwondo from Olympian and taekwondo master, Elva Pai Adams. The CSSA has been in the community for 42 years as a nonprofit organization that works to “bring awareness to the community and attempt to enlarge our organization in terms of members,” Co-Chairman Douglas Otto said. Though the organization has been present in the San Antonio area for over four decades, this is only the third time they have been able to celebrate the year of the dragon and the first time they celebrated the wood dragon. “It’s one of the most auspicious of the animals, it brings about power, luck, money, good health and so forth. This goes back to the [Shang] dynasty and it’s the one everyone aspires to be,” Otto said.

Many people refer to the Yin calendar, which dates back to the Shang Dynasty, to predict yearly outcomes for themselves and others. Businesses that benefit the wood, lumber and more centrally focused earth industries, may see a growth rate in their fortune or overall success this year. “Many people try to have babies during the year of the dragon,” Otto said. Despite being ranked fifth, the dragon is seen as a strong zodiac, and many parents believe that bringing their children into the world during the year of the dragon will also bring them a promise of luck. “The wood has a lot of energy. Wood is alive, it’s a natural element. Anything that is natural has something to do with wood,” Co-chairman Charles Chen said. “Each element has its own characteristic. It depends on what you believe, but many people try to be like their zodiacs.” Sharleen Daube runs communications for CSSA and was born during the year of the Earth dragon herself. “One of my favorite stories about the dragon is in the race for all the Chinese zodiac characters to cross the river, the dragon is probably one of the more powerful creatures and could have easily been in first place, but the dragon actually ended up staying back because he saw a town that needed help. The dragon came in and blessed them with the resources necessary for them to be prosperous, then the dragon got back in line,” Daube said. “I think that’s a good thing to live by, being selfless and helping others.” The CSSA is always looking to add more members to their society, especially younger members to bring awareness to the growing Asian community in Texas.

Unpacking ‘The Zone of Interest’: a masterpiece beyond convention Reviews By Ray Rodriguez Staff Writer

Spoiler warning: This article contains spoilers for the movie “The Zone of Interest.” About a decade ago, Michael Haneke, a renowned German auteur filmmaker known for world cinema classics such as “Caché,” “Funny Games” and “The Piano Teacher,” spoke about his criticism of Steven Spielberg’s Academy Awardsweeping “Schindler’s List” at a Hollywood Reporter roundtable. Haneke was extremely critical of Spielberg’s film, describing his distaste for Spielberg’s attempts to draw entertainment from the horrors of the Holocaust. He further lambasted the infamous scene in which suspense

is created from showers that will either dispense toxic gas or water, calling the sequence “unspeakable.” The Holocaust has been one of the most difficult topics to discuss in film. No matter how you portray the suffering of millions of innocent people, it is impossible for it to not feel, on some level, inadequate. The horrors you see reenacted on the screen in front of you by actors can never compare to those suffered by real people. Jonathan Glazer’s “The Zone of Interest” completely side-steps this phenomenon by refusing to show the atrocities inflicted on innocent Jewish people, instead focusing the film’s

central narrative on the family of Rudolf Höss, the real-life commandant of Auschwitz who lived with his family mere yards away from the death camp he helped operate. “The Zone of Interest” is only Glazer’s fourth feature, yet it is his second masterpiece. It laboriously begets emotions rarely attempted in these millennia, refusing to visualize what you know to be true, forcing the audience to grapple with the modern ramifications of its subject matter. At the precipice of “The Zone of Interest”’s greatness is its filmmaking and cinematography. Glazer exemplifies the unconventional form of the

film by placing hidden cameras around the Höss residence, allowing the central performances by Christian Friedel as Höss and Sandra Huller, hot on the heels of her fantastic performance in last year’s “Anatomy of a Fall,” as his wife Hedwig Höss. The placements of the camera allow for increased experimentation in performance, opting for what Glazer calls “‘Big Brother’ in a Nazi house” in place of conventional filmmaking. Cinematographer Lukasz Zal takes the surveillance-adjacent angles and Glazer’s fabulous compositions to accentuate a dreamlike texture, where light colors and bright foliage attempt to drown out the

smokestacks of death and flame in the background. The visual language appears to take cues from transcendentalist film, a term coined by seminal screenwriter, director and film critic Paul Schrader, in which a film “expresses a spiritual state by means of austere camerawork, acting devoid of self-consciousness and editing that avoids editorial comment.” The camerawork is nearly entirely static, lulling the viewer in a sense of familiarity with its locations and terror of what lies underneath them. Continue reading at paisano-online.com

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sports Volleyball set to start spring schedule in March By Nicholas Kingman

Assistant Opinion Editor fter breaking an even .500 record this past season, UTSA volleyball decided that August was far too long to wait to get the taste of real competition. “One of the unique things about spring is, yes we want to win, but giving those kids who maybe didn’t start last year or didn’t get a lot of reps, get live in-game experience,” head coach Carol Price-Torok said. Announced on Jan. 22, the Roadrunners will be hitting the airwaves in May for their European Tour, traveling across the Atlantic for the first time since 2016. The 10-day European excursion will see the ‘Runners travel to Budapest, Maribor, Venice, Florence and Rome. “Being able to experience all of the historical sites and history in Europe is pretty exciting,” Price-Torok said. “We have a lot of kids who haven’t traveled overseas or out of the country.” In addition to the sightseeing and once-in-a-lifetime cultural experiences, UTSA is set to hold matches with professional clubs facing Serbian, Dinamo-Belgrade and Italian, Club Italia. UTSA will also play the Croatian and Slovakian junior national teams. “I don’t think they are going to be scared when we go over to Europe,” Price-Torok said. “We are playing a spring slate that will get them prepared for that and be able to play physical high-level volleyball.” Before jumping over to

Europe, the ‘Runners have business to deal with stateside. Announced on Feb. 8, the UTSA women’s volleyball is slated to begin their 2024 Spring Schedule, facing the two-time national champions, the Texas Longhorns, on March 4 at the Convocation Center. “It’s a great event for the city; they are a volleyball powerhouse,” Price-Torok said. “Playing against the best of the best is going to motivate them.” Texas State comes back to the Convo for the first time since 2020. Eight days later, the ‘Runners will return to San Marcos for the Texas State tournament on March 30 – opponents are to be announced. “We are very familiar with [Texas State]. We kinda felt like we gave one away [last] preseason,” Price-Torok said. The ‘Runners finish their spring exhibition season facing the Baylor Bears on April 6 at the Ferrell Center in Waco. “We are not here just to play in the spring and to play to win,” Price-Torok said. “We have to push ourselves and play people who are just as good or better than us, just to see where we want to be.” Tickets for the match-up against the Texas Longhorns can be purchased now for $13, and a portion of the proceeds will fund the program’s European trip. You can purchase your tickets on the UTSA athletics website. The March 22 game against Texas State is free for students as well as members of the public. If you would like to contribute another w a y, the program also accepts donations of any amount.

Genevieve Vega/The Paisano

Stop complaining about athletes showing emotions By Luke Lawhorn Sports Editor

After any game, there is always one winner and one loser. Anyone who has been on either side of these two outcomes can attest that it is easier to be the victor than the loser. At the highest level of competition, the loss is greatly magnified. Professional athletes tend to be examined even more closely after a defeat, and oftentimes, the sportsperson gives a reaction that will follow them and surface all over the internet. There is this stance when circled back to the fans that the athletes need to be more “professional” and should avoid complaining about a coach, a referee, or the athlete’s performance. However, what gets left out of context is perhaps the most important point of them all: they are showing sentiments toward their job. Though many understand that being in the NFL or NBA is a career, it seems that “because they play a game” or have million-dollar contracts, they are held to a much higher standard than anyone else. Most of us have jobs and have all understood what a long day at work

feels like. Some people may start petty arguments with any or everyone they see to take out their built-up emotions from a coworker. Others may call someone to vent about what their boss told them, while others may simply break down in the parking lot. Regardless of the duty, it’s perfectly acceptable that people may not be in their best headspace after a cataclysmic day at the office. Being a professional athlete is a job. That’s how the players make ends meet; that’s how bills get paid. So, when a player goes to the media session –– that athletes are required to do –– and complains about what they did or didn’t like in their game or contest, they simply have human emotions at work. In most instances, fans ridicule the players after a game. What isn’t seen, though, is that the game requires year-long composition. The offseason practices, training camp, and all the hours spent studying film and learning plays are all for a 3.5-hour game on Sunday (or any other day, depending on the sport). And when the preparation fails, well, that’s when you get moments like Kansas City quarterback Patrick

Mahomes infamously publicly voicing his frustration after the Chiefs lost to conference rival, the Buffalo Bills, on Dec. 10. Or when former Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton walked out of his post-game press conference after being short with the media just half an hour after losing Super Bowl 50 to the Denver Broncos. Or when Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James flailed to the ground after a whistle didn’t go his way in a close loss to historic rival, the Boston Celtics, in Jan. 2023. Sure, these moments could have been handled better. But aren’t these athletes doing what they’re supposed to be doing: caring about their job? Athletes have a right to complain and have a bad attitude at work, just like any of us do. Their lifelong devotion to their sport takes a lot of physical and mental commitment, and when it seems their hard work doesn’t pay off, naturally they will be in an abhorrent mood. Just like someone may get upset at things out of their control at work, we should expect the same from athletes who compete at the highest levels in the world.

Jordyn Jenkins triumphant return

Jenkins’ return, defense and team effort secures decisive victory for UTSA By Aramis Santiago Staff Writer

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On a day that marked UTSA star forward Jordyn Jenkins’ long-awaited return from her knee injury this past offseason, the Roadrunners secured a 76-58 victory over the UAB Blazers on Sunday at the Convocation Center. Jenkins, stepping back onto the court after months of recovery, demonstrated her value even in limited playing time, scoring 11 points and grabbing six rebounds. “I felt really good,” Jenkins expressed on her return to the court. “It felt normal going out there and looking at the four people I was joining. I was glad to be out there.” The match began with UTSA (12-10, 6-5 AAC) facing some initial challenges, managing to score only 13 points on 33% shooting, accompanied by three turnovers in the first quarter. UAB (177, 8-4 AAC) took full advantage of these opportunities, scoring 18 points on a more effective 46% shooting. The Roadrunners quickly adjusted, particularly on the defensive side, stifling UAB’s offense to 3 of 17 shooting in the second quarter. UTSA not only tightened their defense but also intensified their offensive output, outscoring UAB 19-6. The team benefited greatly from the performances of guards Aysia Proctor and Kyra White, who scored seven and six points, respectively, in the frame. The shift in play allowed UTSA to turn a five-point first-quarter deficit into an eight-point lead at halftime.

UTSA continued to build on its offensive momentum. Despite Jenkins scoring just two points in the third during her limited minutes on the floor, her presence also had a noticeable impact on the team’s performance. With Jenkins on the court, her teammates elevated their game, providing timely responses whenever UAB attempted to mount a comeback. “It’s leadership,” Roadrunners’ coach Karen Aston said about the impact of Jenkins’ presence on the court. “To be able to take the load off our older players, I think that’s probably the most beneficial thing other than the fact that she has an offensive presence.” The team’s counter to UAB’s offense was also evident in the fourth quarter, where Sidney Love and White added five and six points, respectively, to their totals. Proctor led the team in scoring with 14 points, while White finished with 12 alongside Love’s 11 and six assists. Proctor, who also added seven rebounds, delivered arguably the best performance among the starters, emerging as a pivotal figure in the game. “I’ve grown a lot from high school to college,” Proctor said on her growth as a player this season. “I’ve learned so much from my coaches, managers and teammates.” Throughout the game, UTSA’s ability to adapt and adjust on both ends of the court was evident. Their defense played a critical role in gaining control, limiting UAB to just 30% from the 3-point line and 37% from the field. Offensively, the Roadrunners found their rhythm, shooting 52.8% from the field from the second quarter on, outscoring UAB by 23 points from that point forward. UTSA will next face Tulsa at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Donald W. Reynolds Center.

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Defensive blunders spoil Roadrunner’s 210-day UTSA falls to 2-9 in conference play By Logan Martinez Staff Writer

Defensive exploits cost UTSA men’s basketball a crucial victory, as they fell to East Carolina 84-73 Saturday in the Convocation Center. Despite a 14-point scoring night from guard Jordan IvyCurry, the Roadrunners were unable to stop the Pirates, as they allowed 13 total threes. “Just a really disappointing start,” coach Steve Henson said of the game. “It’s extremely frustrating and disappointing.” Trailing throughout the contest, UTSA (8-16, 2-9) failed to make the game a close one in the final 10 minutes. Creating a key turnover, Roadrunner guard Christian Tucker knocked down a deep 3 to cut the deficit to 10 with two minutes left. Despite playing an aggressive man defense, ECU (11-12, 5-6) converted on a tough layup to push the lead back to 12. A late drive from guard Jordan Ivy-Curry that pulled the team back within 10 with a minute remaining, though was nullified by a free throw from ECU forward Brandon Johnson. Desperate for any type of score, the Roadrunners turned the ball over on an inbounds

play, which led to a transition layup for ECU with 35 seconds left. Another late turnover would end the game for the ‘Runners, as they fell to the Pirates 84-73. “We just continue to not do enough things to give ourselves a chance,” Henson said. “It chips away at the locker room, you know.” Ivy-Curry’s team-leading 14 points off the bench was the lone bright spot for UTSA. Guard PJ Carter also chipped in 12 points, including an and-1 play to start the second half. “We have to have a quick mindset and just move on to the next opponent,” Carter said. “As a unit, we just have to buy in and stick close together.” Scoring just two points in the first five minutes of the game, the ‘Runners struggled early against the Pirates. After allowing nine threes in the opening period, the team gave up 48 total first-half points while only putting up 25. Though no player scored more than five, nine Roadrunners managed to put points on the board. Continue reading at paisano-online.com

What’s the difference between MLS and Premier League? By Connor Suehs Staff Writer

Football, as a global sport, manifests itself differently across various leagues worldwide. The Premier League in England and Major League Soccer in the United States represent two prominent footballing entities, each with their own distinct characteristics, culture and approach to the beautiful game. This paper aims to explore and contrast the fundamental differences between the Premier League and Major League Soccer, focusing on aspects such as history, structure, talent pool, fanbase and commercialization. The Premier League, founded in 1992, emerged from the reformation of the Football League First Division, carrying forward a rich legacy of English football. It quickly became a powerhouse in the global football landscape, characterized by its storied clubs, intense rivalries and fervent fan following. In contrast, Major League Soccer, established in 1993, represents a relatively new addition to professional football. MLS aimed to popularize soccer in the United States and Canada and has gradually evolved over the years, expanding its reach and influence. The Premier League follows a traditional promotion and relegation system, where the bottom three teams are relegated

to the EFL Championship while the top teams from the Championship ascend to the Premier League. This system fosters competitiveness and ensures high stakes throughout the league. On the other hand, MLS operates with a closed league system devoid of promotion and relegation. Franchise-based MLS focuses more on stability and growth within the North American market. The Premier League boasts a plethora of world-class talent, attracting top players from around the globe. These include the likes of Erling Haaland, Bruno Fernandes and Bukayo Saka. Its competitive nature and lucrative financial incentives make the PL a desirable destination for footballers seeking recognition and success. Conversely, while the MLS has made significant strides in improving its talent pool and player development infrastructure, it still struggles to compete with the depth and quality of talent found in European leagues like the Premier League. Football holds a special place in the hearts of fans worldwide, and the Premier League and MLS each have distinct fan cultures. The Premier League enjoys a massive global following, with millions of passionate supporters tuning in to watch matches week in and week out. Continue reading at paisano-online.com

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sports Caitlin Clark’s revolutionary impact on NCAA women’s basketball By Aramis Santiago Staff Writer

Caitlin Clark’s ascent in NCAA women’s basketball is not just a story of individual success but a turning point for the sport. Through her incredible performances, the University of Iowa guard has elevated the profile of women’s basketball, set a new benchmark for future generations and highlighted the growing appeal of women’s sports. Her impact on the NCAA is profound, marked by broken records, boosted attendances and increased visibility, all while inspiring young women to pursue their dreams with the same fervor and dedication. Since her early days at Iowa, Clark has been a force to be reckoned with. She took NCAA women’s basketball by storm, averaging an astonishing 26.6 points, 7.1

assists and 5.9 rebounds per game her freshman season. Clark’s ability to score from anywhere on the court, coupled with her playmaking skills, made her an immediate standout. Building on her remarkable first season, Clark continued to elevate her game and the Hawkeyes’ prominence. In her sophomore year, Clark enhanced her level of play and led the nation in scoring and assists. By her junior season, she had firmly established herself as one of the premier talents in women’s basketball. Her leadership on and off the court proved instrumental in Iowa’s deep run

in the NCAA tournament. In a series of standout performances that captured the nation’s attention, Clark propelled the Hawkeyes to the women’s National Championship game. Notably, in a thrilling Final Four matchup, Clark poured in 41 points and helped Iowa secure a remarkable victory over the previously undefeated South Carolina Gamecocks, showcasing her ability to rise to the occasion against the toughest competition. While the team ultimately fell just short of the title, Clark’s resilience and skill throughout the tournament further

solidified her legacy in the history of college basketball, affirming her readiness for the next level and cementing her status as one of the game’s all-time greats. Now in her senior season, Clark has continued to put her exceptional talent and leadership on full display, once again leading the Hawkeyes in all statistical categories, along with having one of the top records in the nation. Clark’s statistical achievements are staggering. She became the first Division I player to amass over 3,300 points, 900 assists and 800 rebounds. She has also set records for the most 30-plus point games in a single season, the highest number of career games with 30 or more points and 10 or more assists, and several 40-point performances against top-ranked teams. Continue reading at paisano-online.com

Williams Racing eager to bring back glory days in 2024 By Marcela Montufar Soria Multimedia Editor

With nine Constructor Championships and seven Drivers Championships to their name, Williams Racing ought to be a revered name in the world of Formula One (F1). Currently, it is not. Known for being fast on the straights and unreliable in every other racing aspect, Williams ended seventh in the 2023 Constructors Championship and one of their drivers, Logan Sargeant, ended at the bottom of the Driver Standings with one point — earned by benefiting from the disqualification of other drivers and not his own race results. Williams launched the FW46 on Feb. 5, revealing its black and blue livery and their drivers’ new white race suits. The launch ceremony was held in New York City, in another display of F1’s attempt to appeal to American fans. The team also benefits from having Sargeant as their driver, as he is the only American currently competing in F1. He is about to enter his second season in the sport, and his teammate, Thai driver Alexander Albon, is entering his sixth year in F1 and his third with Williams. The 2024 livery features the team’s modern dark

blue shade and a lighter shade reminiscent of their championship-winning days in the ‘80s and ‘90s. The car also features sections of exposed black carbon fiber, but fans can be happy that this particular team at least bothered to paint the nose. The side pods also feature white and red stripes to honor English founder Sir Frank Williams, who passed away in 2021. The design highlight of the car remains the mock Duracell battery on the car’s airbox, which remains unchanged from the previous season. Duracell has been one of Williams’ sponsors since 2022, but this year, the team welcomes back Komatsu as their principal partner, who sponsored their team during their glory days. Their collaboration with the equipment manufacturer is a step towards a more successful future for the team. Williams is also sponsored by big names like Gulf Oil International, Michelob Ultra and PUMA. Team Principal James Vowles is on a mission to return the team to the top, with great expectations for Albon and Sargeant. Williams Racing was a championshipwinning team once, and after many years of floundering in the middle of the grid, they are finally working on becoming one again.

Sauber goes green in 2024 with new name By Marcela Montufar Soria Multimedia Editor

The team known around the Formula One (F1) grid as Alfa Romeo since 2019 has a new name and a new color scheme to accompany it. The Swiss motorsports company Sauber has taken the names of its primary sponsors, Kick, an online gaming and streaming platform, and Stake, the online gambling platform, to race under during the 2024 and 2025 seasons. The team finished second to last in last year’s Constructors Championship, with no wins or podium finishes, and their drivers, Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu, ended 15th and 18th on the Driver Standings, respectively. The Stake F1 Team launched their 2024 contender, the C44, on Feb. 5. Moving away from the white, black and red of Alfa Romeo, the team has adopted the neon green of their sponsor, Kick. The car is primarily black exposed carbon fiber with green highlights to make it stand out. This is a car that will definitely stand out at night races such as Las Vegas or Bahrain. The livery has received mixed reviews, with some fans criticizing the ‘highlighter pen’ color, but striking colors look best on racing vehicles and Stake’s car is no different. Nevertheless, the contrast between the black and

green colors could be appreciated more if every other team was not heading in the same direction of exposed carbon fiber. Where cars once used to be completely covered, color has slowly receded from their bodywork. To make up for it, a new trend is to add color to the wheel rims, which Stake has painted green as well. On the technical side, the most important change from last year’s Alfa Romeo is the change from pushrod to pull-rod suspension, inspired by Red Bull’s championship-winning RB-19. Under the guidance of their new Technical Director, James Key, Stake has made a car that promises improvements in every area. Hopefully, it will be a car worthy of Bottas, who drove for top-team Mercedes for five years, scoring 10 race wins and 67 podium finishes. He is a great driver, but needs a good car to prove it. With a new name and new paintwork, the Stake F1 Team has entered a new era with big hopes. The team needs to have a better season than their last and bring respectability back to their brand in time to welcome their new partner, Audi, in 2026. Audi will replace Ferrari as Sauber’s engine and power unit provider. If the team is capable of being competitive before that time remains to be seen, but its disappointing 2023 season did not paint a very bright future.

Alpine F1 Team launches car with color deficiency By Marcela Montufar Soria Multimedia Editor

Alpine F1 Team launched their 2024 contender, the A524, on Feb. 7 alongside their car for another racing category, the World Endurance Championship. The team released two liveries, continuing their tradition from last season, a blue livery and a pink livery. Unfortunately, both are mainly black exposed carbon fiber, and the color shades are too muted to actually stand out. Compared to previous years, where an Alpine would stand out due to its bold colors, the new car is a disappointment. The team finished the 2023 season sixth in the Constructor Standings, with Esteban Ocon securing a podium in Monaco and Pierre Gasly another in the Netherlands. Gasly and Ocon finished 11th and 12th in the Drivers’ Championship, respectively, leaving the drivers, both entering their eighth year in the sport, wanting more. In F1, there are three types of teams. There are the backmarkers, who rarely score points and end races at the end of the grid. Then there are the midfield teams, which flounder in and out of the point-scoring positions and only very rarely score podiums. At the top there are the frontrunner teams, these being the ones battling for the championship with their drivers almost always on the podium. Currently, Alpine finds itself on the lower

end of the midfield. But the team is working hard to fix that, promising improvement in 2024. New Team Principal, Bruno Famin, is set on reviving the team and making it competitive. According to their Technical Director, Matt Harman, they have developed a completely new car for the new season, with a redesigned chassis, a new rear suspension system and a reworked brake system, among other changes. The French team is eager to show their potential, yet the team is cautious not to overestimate their chances. They cannot become a frontrunner team in the span of one season, but they can slowly begin to set up a more successful future with the changes to the car and within the team. The team is entering its third year working with their title sponsor, BWT, who dictate Alpine’s pink and blue color scheme. They are also sponsored by the British oil company Castrol and other popular brands such as Microsoft, Xbox, Yahoo and Amazon Music. All of these brands decorate the livery of the A524, bringing some much-needed cover to the colorless car. Both Gasly’s and Ocon’s contracts end after the 2024 season, and whether they will continue with the team depends as much on their performance as on the abilities of the car. With so many other race seats up for grabs, including the recently vacated seat at frontrunner Mercedes, it will be a very interesting season ahead for Alpine.

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UTSA softball swept in Texas State Tournament Roadrunners hit .167 on the road By Rylan Renteria

Distribution Manager On the opening weekend of the 2024 season, the UTSA softball team was unable to secure a singular victory in a series of showdowns in San Marcos. UTSA struggled at the plate for the majority of the tournament, as they were outscored 24-11 across five games. Late-game pitching woes kept the Roadrunners from securing wins in a couple of games that went into extra innings. “I think we just ran out of gas there towards the end,” head coach Vann Stuedeman said. “We just got to learn how to focus a little better.” A promising first inning in game one against the rival Texas State Bobcats saw senior infielder Taylor Jensen drive an RBI double into left field. That early lead was short-lived as the Bobcats were able to drive in two runners across two innings. A late sixth-inning shot from junior utility player Jaylen Prichard had a chance to tie things up but fell short of making it over the fence. Facing Northwestern State, the opposition took an early lead and never looked back. An 8-2 thrashing would cap off night one for the ‘Runners. UTSA found itself in an early four-run hole against Southern Illinois on day two. Junior infielder Sophie Campbell brought in three

runners by herself, and senior first baseman Erkyah Guerrero had the tying RBI single. As the game entered extra innings, UTSA’s pitching rotation was unable to hold up, and the ‘Runners lost another close game. In the team’s best pitching performance of the tournament, the ‘Runners entered extra innings against Kennesaw State with no runs on the board for either squad. However, pitching was once again unable to keep up down the stretch; Kennesaw State would score three in the top of the eighth to secure the win. The final opponent of the tournament for UTSA, the Creighton Blue Jays, was a close contest for a while. In the fifth inning, Creighton brought five runners in to score, and UTSA would prove unable to match. Being the only team in the American Athletic Conference to start 0-5, Stuedeman is anything but discouraged. “You can be 0-56 and still win the American Conference and make the NCAA tournament,” Stuedeman said. “The message is ‘you get better every outing.’ You don’t lose; you learn.” UTSA will next face Nicholls State at 9 a.m. Friday at Cougar Softball Stadium.

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