The Prospector

O R I E N TAT I O N I S S U E

T H E U N I V E R S I T Y O F T E X A S AT E L PA S O

May

the Force be with you

...When entering college DESIGN BY JACOBO DE LA ROSA / THE PROSPECTOR

2016-2017

THEPROSPECTOR 2016-2017 O R I E N TAT I O N I S S U E

perspectives The importance of internships

BY JASMINE AGUILERA The Prospector

All I could think was the hallway looked like a scene out of The Shining.

But in retrospect, that’s because it was 2 a.m., I was freezing and lugging two giant suitcases around trying to make my way to apartment 310.

A young woman in pajamas opened the door for me. She was my new roommate who I was meeting for the first time. I didn’t know I was meeting one of my greatest friends, someone who has become family—and scared, shivering and exhausted 19-year-old me didn’t feel like socializing.

I went to bed to try to process that I was about 2,000 miles away from home in Washington, D.C., a place I had never been, to start my first internship.

As terrified as I was, the excitement was more than anything I have ever felt, even to this day. The door that set the rest of my life on course had just opened. Every moment, every encounter, every experience from this point forward would be the result of my time interning at the Scripps Howard Foundation Wire, reporting on national politics.

The mentorship, friendship and experiences I gained during that spring 2013 semester was worth putting off graduation. Since then, that first internship led to a summer internship at the Gannett Washington Bureau, a yearlong stay at The Dallas Morning News, and now as I finish my last semester of school I’m preparing for a summer internship at The New York Times.

It’s a snowball effect. That’s how internships work. And out of everything my college experience provided me, the internships are what I value the most.

They’ve taught me that I’m more than just a small-town border girl, and that I have what it takes to compete with the big boys. I’ve learned that success is part talent and part networking.

Which leads me to my next point: none of these experiences happened only because I got lucky. This was a matter of taking advantage of the resources at UTEP. If there’s any advice I can give incoming freshman, it’s that you can’t only go to class and go home. Look for the professors who have worked in the field you aspire to pursue, get to know them, and line up those internships. Make some connections.

And if possible, take the first opportunity you can to do an internship outside of El Paso.

It’s a hard and competitive world out there, and unfortunately if all you have to show for yourself is a degree, you may fall behind.

Yeah, that’s a scary thought.

But don’t forget that most internships will provide you with incredible experiences—part of it is the work experience, but most of the excitement comes from meeting talented people in your field who will inspire you to keep going.

As for me, I have no idea what I’ll be up to after my New York Times internship. But considering the connections I’ve made through my internships over the years, I’m not too worried that I won’t land something that’ll make me happy and set me on the right course.

You’re the only hope for the alliance

BY ADRIAN BROADDUS The Prospector Freshman year is like holding a fart in–it is uncomfortable at times, yet you just have to hold it in. The gaseous feeling makes one feel awkward and even anxious, but when it is done you get a sigh of relief.

There are plenty of new eye-opening experiences. The tough luck mentality is almost instantly instilled in your everyday classroom atmosphere. Yes, you will get lost once or twice during the first couple months.

Most of all, the first year of college is almost an escape into a new sense of individualism. Even if you are still living at home, it feels like a significant escape from the nest. Mom and dad do not need to sign any release forms anymore, there is no curfew like there used to be, and you have to solve a lot more problems on your own.

In all, the year gives you a gassy feeling, which can be good or bad.

Here are some tips for when you step foot on campus for the first time.

No. 5. Leave the cargo shorts at home Along with your loud Nike printed shirt, dirty white Jordan high tops and beat-up aviators. For class, all you need is a laptop, a notebook and a pen; therefore, there will not be any use for all the unnecessary pockets that cargo shorts have.

No. 4. You were cool in high school? No one cares.

You won prom king during high school? Your team won the district championships in football? Unfortunately, the status of popularity plays little to no factor in college. No one cares about how you peaked in high school. There are many more important things to do rather than reminiscing about the glory days.

No. 3. High school student council is not where the school involvement stops.

As cliché as it sounds, college is the most important time to get involved.

The different clubs and organizations all pertain to your respective futures and could give you insight on what to do for the future. These clubs provide networking opportunities, internships and even scholarships.

Joining two clubs/organizations helped me focus in on what I want

to head toward during my time at UTEP. No. 2. Never shy away from experience Whether it may be a hands-on lab or selling clothes at a retail store, no experience should be taken for granted. All these experiences can lead to success in the later days of one’s collegiate career. To this day, I still find myself reverting back to what I was learned at my first job as a server at Grace Gardens when I was 15. Internships can open an enormous window of opportunity.

No. 1. Do not loosen your belt yet, it is only the beginning After busting your butt time and time again, it is important not to get burnt out. There are still, at minimum, three more years of the college left after this year. This by no means is supposed to be scary, but more reassuring. This means starting off on the right foot is important, raising your GPA is a must and showing up to class is almost mandatory. Save all the afternoon naps for two to three years down the line because a piece of advice I once received was, “never get comfortable with naps.” Believe me, it only attracts more laziness.

Adrian Broaddus may be reached at theprospectordaily. news@gmail.com.

Jasmine Aguilera may be reached at theprospectordaily. news@gmail.com.

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THEPROSPECTOR

ORIENTATION ISSUE | 3 |

2016-2017

Top five tips from a Sith Lord

BY JAVIER CORTEZ The Prospector I remember my freshman year like it was four years ago. I was very clueless, nervous and unaware of all the obstacles that college life pres-

1. RENT THE BOOKS

From time-to-time, you will have that professor that makes you buy his or her books for retail price at the University Bookstore, but more times than not you will have the opportunity to buy or rent a book on the cheap from resale sites like Chegg, Amazon and Bookbyte. I have purchased used books for less than a quarter; you just have to look. The condition of some of these books might not be in the greatest, with faded covers and scribbled or highlighted text along some passages, but as long as you can read what’s on the page you should be fine.

Do not get caught up in the presentation of how the book looks.

$

ents. Luckily, I had an older sister who was wrapping up her time as a college student to guide me through my first two years.

Nevertheless, there was plenty of information I wish I was privy to coming out of high school. All of

you will mess up or make some illadvised choices at one point in your college career, but here are a few tips from a senior who has learned a few lessons, five to be exact.

Javier Cortez may be reached at theprospectordaily. news@gmail.com.

2. THINK ABOUT 3. DO NOT BUY A PARKING PASS INTERSHIPS If I knew how integral internships were to getting a job out of college, I would have started piecing together my resume and portfolio even before I stepped foot on campus. Your major specific classes should teach you a lot, but getting an internship of some sort is the last piece to your educational puzzle. Your job prospects will fall apart if you do not have some type of work experience in your desired field of practice. Internships are like herpes, they are everywhere and they never go away, someone out there is always waiting to give you one.

LLO

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The most important reason why you should not buy a parking pass is because of the insane cost. The prices range from $120 to $330 annually.

If you have money and think that is chump change, then this does not apply to you. For everyone else that is on a budget, don’t waste your money.

There are plenty of side streets off campus that you can find all around the perimeter of campus. There is nothing wrong with taking a shuttle to get onto campus, as well as walking. Starting and finishing your day at school with a nice 10-minute walk is a more cost effective and healthy option, which leads me to my next tip.

4. NEVER LOSE SIGHT OF YOUR HEALTH

I am definitely a hypocrite on this subject, being that I am no model for health and fitness, but I have seen and personally felt the effects of poor health practices. UTEP has a great recreational center that can fit the needs of a novice gym attendee or most health freaks. As I previously mentioned, parking off campus can easily facilitate 20 to 30 minutes of good exercise without putting on a pair of gym shorts. As far as diets are concerned, let’s be honest, most of you probably don’t have the best eating habits, some of you will add cigarettes to your habits, and a lot of you will start drinking more than you do now. With that being said, do all of that in moderation. If you hit up the local fast food restaurants, smoke a pack, or get trashed on the weekends on a regular basis, the pounds will sneak up on you.

PRIORITIZE 5. PRIORITIZE PRIORITIZE

The best thing about college is that you have the autonomy (that’s a big word for freedom) to make your own choices and do whatever you want. The worst thing about college is that there is no one to rein you in and tell you to slow down. If you do not manage your time and figure out what should receive the most attention, things will go downhill fast. I have seen a lot of my peers take advantage of playing hooky from class, then paying for it when the end of the semester comes. You can blow off professors, use your financial aid money for video games and use the campus as your own playground, but you won’t get anything out of college. The rank of priorities should be: school first, job second, people that are dependent on you third and social life fourth. If you flip those priorities, then have fun flunking out of college.

#1

IS

N-0

Top five tips from a Jedi Knight

BY AMANDA GUILLEN

college life and made me realize that

The Prospector

you have to make sure to set goals and

The college dream: the partying, the friends, the lifestyle and freedom.

You no longer have to worry about strict schedules or standardized testing.

My own daydreaming led me to create this hyper-glamorized view of

make them your priority. Here are

1. BUY THE BOOKS Make sure to buy your books and utilize the UTEP bookstore. Yes, I have been cheated countless times by the bookstore with its ridiculous prices, but what I can say is that I know I never have to worry about having the wrong book or being had by online scammers. Use the bookstore to your advantage. Make sure that if you are buying books to take care of them and you can sometimes make up to 75 percent of your money back by selling them to students the next semester.

a few tips from another senior (The Good One) who has a few things to say about college living.

Amanda Guillen may be reached at theprospectordaily. news@gmail.com.

2. THINK ABOUT INTERSHIPS

Internships are what can make or break your potential for a future career. This is something that I learned while at my internship in Washington D.C. I quickly realized that all of the industry professionals who I had met while there all had at least three internships. The key to marketing yourself successfully and getting the job over your competition is making sure that you beef up your resume with internships. Also one piece of advice is don’t be scared to travel out of town, maybe to a bigger city to intern. This will give your resume some color and will also help you personally as well.

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4. NEVER LOSE SIGHT OF YOUR A PARKING PASS HEALTH 3. DO BUY

Being a college student comes with many stresses, don’t let your parking situation be one of them. Throughout my four years at UTEP, I have had one semester where I went without buying a parking permit to save money, and I found out right away it was not the smartest option. During the time when I didn’t have a parking permit I found myself fighting for legal parking on the outlying streets.

I am also a very busy student; aside from my classes I am a part of other organizations on campus. That meant that I would normally have so much on my mind that I would often forget where I had parked that day. This would leave me wasting time and searching for my car for close to an hour. When you buy a parking pass you have the peace of mind of knowing that you have an assigned space where you can park without stress (except for the first two weeks when parking lots tend to reach capacity and fill up).

IS

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Some words of wisdom that have finally resonated with me after a few emergency room visits and countless doctor visits. Make your health one of your main priorities, because without your health you will not be able to accomplish any of the goals you have set for yourself. Make sure that you are getting the designated minimum eight hours of sleep each day, eat your three meals a day, exercise and stay away from excess partying. I have learned that your health should never be second to anything, because it is what keeps you moving.

PRIORITIZE 5. PRIORITIZE PRIORITIZE Make sure that you set a pathway for yourself and stick to it. If your goal as a college student is to make a ton of life-long friends and party every weekend, then stick to it. If your goal is to find your soulmate and get married, stick to it. If you have other goals strictly toward education (which is the smart option) make sure you stick to your studies and take your classes seriously. Don’t miss class, take notes, make sure you get to know your professors and, most importantly, don’t procrastinate! Make your goals a priority no matter what they are.

#1

DESIGN BY JACOBO DE LA ROSA / THE PROSPECTOR

| 4 | ORIENTATION ISSUE

BY RENE DELGADILLO The Prospector

Incoming freshmen question whether they should or shouldn’t live at the campus dorms.

Executive Director of Residence Life Charles Gibbens said UTEP students should consider living in dorms because it helps them academically.

He said research shows that students who live on campus graduate faster and earn a higher GPA. “Research shows the more time you spend on a college campus the more likely you are to graduate from that college,” Gibbens said. “The more time you spend here, the more time you are likely to get involved in educationally purposeful activities.”

The Residence Life program offers a celebratory dinner for UTEP residents who earn a 3.0 GPA or higher to recognize their hard work, without forgetting about students who are struggling with their different courses.

“We celebrate all of our students that are doing great, but then there is number of students that don’t get invited to our dinner, and we need to see what we can do to help them be more successful,” Gibbens said.

Residence Life will contact all students that have at least one D or F and have a conversation with them to help them understand the importance of taking action, Gibbens said.

The distance from home and school may be an obstacle for parents and students that should also be taken into consideration.

“I got a scholarship and I thought, since I live in the Northeast side and I don’t have a car, it would hard for my mom to keep on taking me back and forth to college, so I decided it would be easier to live on campus, and it’s been a good decision” said Bianca Taylor, freshman theater major and Miner Village resident.

Gibbens said that by living on campus students are more likely to attend class simply because of the location.

THEPROSPECTOR 2016-2017

Live on campus you must

FILE PHOTO/ THE PROSPECTOR “I’m just closer to campus and this way I won’t be late to class or late to practice,” said Elliott Oldham, junior multimedia journalism and UTEP football player. “You avoid a lot of traffic. I recommend living here, especially if you play sports. I know some teammates that have been running late to practice or have to wake up earlier just to get to practice.”

Better communication and friendship skills are some of the things UTEP dorm residents have gained from living on campus.

“My roommate is from England, so you get to associate with different races and different people, so that is also a benefit, and it’s expanding your mind, expanding what you know,” Taylor said.

Gibbens said UTEP wants to help students to be successful, help them graduate on time and to feel part of this school.

“One of the programs we offered is called the Student Entering Program, in where, as a student, you come in and you take three classes together (with other dorm residents) in a learning community,” Gibbens said.

“And the theory behind that is you are in three classes together so you will not feel alone.”

Students who reside in the dorms agree that living independently is difficult at the beginning.

“I don’t know if there is a bad side from living on campus, it’s only the emotional part that is hard,” Taylor said. “If you miss your parents or miss home, that is the hard part, but this makes you grow up because you are on your own. I miss my mother’s food and the way she cooked for me, but now I’m learning to be responsible on my own.”

A struggle with many students at the dorms is communication and confidence with their roommates.

The Department of Residence Life has created roommate agreements in which students are asked to complete a form and talk about basic rules.

Gibbens said it’s important that students know how things will work in the dorms.

“We try to help all students before they start to have issues,” Gibbens said.

The Department of Residence Life and the UTEP Counseling Center have united to provide different programs at the dorms at the start of every semester.

“It’s a series of five or six academic-related programs–one of them is study skills, one of them is time-management,” Gibbens said. “We identify what are the needs of students and then develop programs to help them before their problems become bigger.”

UTEP offers three dorm locations, Miner Village, Miner Heights and Miner Canyon. Dorms in these locations include a full kitchen, refrigerated air, Wi-Fi, cable TV, laundry facilities and all utilities included.

For more information on student housing, contact Charles Gibbens at 747-5352 or by email at cegibbens@ utep.edu, or visit http://sa.utep.edu/ housing. rene Delgadillo may be reached at theprospectordaily. news@gmail.com.

THEPROSPECTOR

ORIENTATION ISSUE | 5 |

2016-2017

5 tips to keep you from the Dark Side

By Christopher ZACherl The Prospector

During your first semester at UTEP you may be overwhelmed with the transition from high school. Ordering books, registering for courses and finding your classrooms may keep your mind busy this upcoming semester, and that’s okay. UTEP has many different organizations and departments available to help students. Here is a list of a few resources that will help you out during your college experience:

ADVICE No. 1: University Career Center The University Career Center is a great resource for students who are looking for a job while attending UTEP. The Career Center provides services such as resume reviews, mock interviews, cover letter reviews and they will help you locate internship or job listings and employer contacts.

Students who do not own professional attire for an interview or meeting can also stop by at the Career Closet, where they can borrow an outfit. The University Career Center is located in Union Building West, room 103.

No. 2: University Counseling Center The University Counseling Center offers students guidance on career decisions and personal issues that students may be going through. They provide one-on-one counseling or even group counseling as well.

The counseling services they offer are confidential, and students can either schedule an appointment or have a walk in appointment and be attended within an hour. The University Counseling Center is located in Union Building West, room 202.

No. 3: Student Heath Center At the Student Health Center, every student is able attend the clinic as often as needed. Medications and office visits are fairly cheap for students.

Their services include women’s and men’s wellness exams, nutrition services, travel medicines and STD screenings. They also provide routine immunizations and can prescribe medications through their pharmacy.

The Student Health Center is located at the eastern entrance to Union Building East.

No. 4: University Writing Center If you ever have trouble writing college essays you can always stop by the University Writing Center. They provide services such as brainstorming and pre-writing assistance, essay organization, writing and revision strategies, MLA, APA and Chicago Documentation Instruction and other workshops.

Students can schedule an appointment or can access uwc.utep.edu to get a consultation through one of their resources, Writing Help Online.

The University Writing Center is located at the UTEP Library, room 227.

No. 5: Technology Support Center The Technology Support Center is great spot for students to access stateof-the-art computer equipment and specialized software. They offer video editing workstations, equipment checkouts, software workshops, computer service and repair, poster printing and many other useful services.

The Technology Center is also open seven days a week for the convenience of students who need a place to work on projects or check out equipment.

They are located on the third floor of the UTEP Library.

Christopher Zacherl may be theprospectordaily.news@gmail.com

reached

at

THEPROSPECTOR

| 6 | ORIENTATION ISSUE

2016-2017

Five best places to be glam in your galaxy

MICHAELA ROMÁN / THE PROSPECTOR The Red Door Vintage is located at 820 N Mesa St. and is a conveni-ent spot for students to shop near campus.

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BY JOSE SOTO & AMANDA GUILLEN The Prospector

Forever 21

Forever 21 has some of the most affordable, stylish and trendiest clothes around. They perhaps aren’t made out of the best materials, but they’ll last quite a while and keep you looking sharp. Their prices are appropriate, you pay for what you get, and luckily they have enough styles for both genders. Forever 21 also sells nice accessories that won’t break the bank, and remember, accessorizing is always a good thing.

Student recreation center

T.J. Maxx

Red Door Vintage

Red Door Vintage, located at 820 N. Mesa St., is one of the best thrift shops in town.

They focus on extremely rare finds, usually highlighting music genres that dominated certain decades, including many rock band T-shirts and fashion finds of that time period. Red Door Vintage is slightly more expensive than other thrift shops, but it definitely is worth the price. It’s guaranteed that you won’t find any of their options at any other thrift shops.

The discounted department store is a mecca for brandname clothes at a reasonable price. They carry many topnotch clothing lines that are at discounted prices, so you don’t have to sacrifice your style for prices. They carry everything from socks and undergarments, brand-name shoes, hats and belts and even decent colognes and perfumes.

It’s a level up from Marshalls, their sister company, so if you like that store, you’ll surely love T.J. Maxx.

NEED YOUR DAILY DOSE OF FUN AND FITNESS? Target

3450 sun bowl dr. el paso, tx 79968

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This might come off as a major surprise to you, but Target actually carries modestly priced clothes for both men and women. You wouldn’t know it if you don’t browse their clothing aisles, but the department store keeps up with modern trends and offers their versions of it at reasonable prices, which is always important as a college student.

Their women’s clothing lines are definitely up there with the likes of H&M and Forever 21. Their men’s counterparts are also worth the try, offering basic T’s and jeans that won’t leave you broke.

UTEP Bookstore The UTEP Bookstore offers more than just books–they have just about anything you would need, especially some spirited attire. If you are looking for a variety of styles of UTEP gear, look no further than the bookstore, sandwiched right between the Undergraduate Learning Center and the parking garage.

Jose Soto and Amanda Guillen may be reached at theprospectordaily.ent@gmail.com.

THEPROSPECTOR

ORIENTATION ISSUE | 7 |

2016-2017

our view

Top five events to look forward to in the galaxy

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5 FILE PHOTOS/ THE PROSPECTOR 1. UTEP Homecoming is a week-long event in the fall that includes a parade and a pep rally for students, families and alumni. 2. Students white wash the “M” as part of TCM, an annual event hosted by the College of Engineering, that is now open to all majors to participate. 3. The International Food Fair offers student-run booths that provide a taste of food from all over the world. 4. Project Move is a way for UTEP to give back to the community. Students group up and participate in projects of community service around El Paso. 5. Minerpalooza takes place at the start of every fall semster. The event inlcludes food, games, booths with activites and live music.

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THEPROSPECTOR

| 8 | ORIENTATION ISSUE

2016-2017

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

What advice would you give to incoming students?

MICHAELA ROMAN, ANGEL ULLOA/ THE PROSPECTOR

ANAKAREN ESTRADA

ISRAEL GRAJEDA

GABRIELA SALDAÑA

AVIER AGUILAR

LYDIA ORNELAS

“Go to as many sporting events as possible, cause they’re free and it’s always a nice time.”

“Get involved in school activities.”

“I would give freshman the advice to be aware of their grades and keep their GPA up, and enjoy college.”

“Keep up your GPA, study hard, don’t procrastinate.”

“Don’t fall asleep in class, you miss a lot.”

OCTAVIO ELIAS

MARYBEL MANRIQUEZ

KEVIN ORDOQUE

JUAN CALVO

JORGE ESCOBAR

“UTEP is a good place to start. Don’t be scared if it’s a big campus, and you’ll like the professors.”

“Learn to manage time with homework and activites, as to not fall behind.”

“Make sure you take breaks between studying and homework, don’t get overwhelmed.”

“Go to class, you’ll be fine if you do.”

FRANCISCO ARRIAGA

ALEXANDRA MARTINEZ

AUSTIN ADAMS

SAMANTHA HOLGUIN

JESUS CABRALES

“It’s cheaper to live off campus than on campus.”

“Take advantage of the resources around you like free software at the Technology Support Center and the Career Center offers help with resumes and mock interviews.”

“Don’t spread yourself too thin, learn your limits and figure out what to do from there, while you’re in your first semester.”

“I would advise to look at the website ratemyprofessor.com before choosing any of their courses. If I had read that before, I would have done a lot better.”

“Don’t procrastinate and make sure to mentally prepare yourself before starting school.”

“At the end of the day, everyone gets that piece of paper that says you’re an expert in your area of study, but what differentiates two degrees is the stuff that person did outside the classroom,” Moore said. “Taking a leadership position, making sure all the details are hammered out for an event, even just being around other people who are trying to be successful and make successful things happen amps that piece of paper into a college experience. I’m confident in everything I learned from the fraternity.”

UTEP has seven fraternities and seven sororities active on campus, all of which are connected to a national organization that has chapters established at universities nationwide. Compared to the 40-plus fraternities and sororities seen at other universities, the overall feeling from UTEP’s Greek life very much repre-

sents UTEP as a whole as a smaller,

Senior math major

Freshman forensics major

Sophomore psychology major

Senior history major

Freshman microbiology major

Junior electrical engineering major

Senior anthropology major

Freshman cellular and molecular biochemistry major “Study. It’s not the same as high school.

Also be on time to class and with assignments.”

Sophomore biology major

Junior multimedia journalism major

Senior criminal justice major

Freshman biology major

Sophomore biology major

Senior criminal justice major

Freshman criminal justice major

Good is Greek Life at UTEP

BY MIKE VASQUEZ The Prospector

Members of UTEP’s fraternity and sorority organizations often acquire life skills by running organizations modeled after non-profit businesses and participate in nationwide fundraising competitions. However, stereotypes still plague UTEP Greek life as it does at any other university.

Daniela Almeraz, junior organizational and corporate communication major, is the president of the Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority.

“People think we buy our friends– who don’t care about academics, who only think about boys, are vain and constantly out drinking,” she said. “As a group, we are women who support each other and hold each other up, women who hold leadership roles in the sorority, who take initiative and

wear our hearts on our sleeves for philanthropies that are dear to us.”

Although Almeraz speaks specifically about sororities, some students find an organization where they share the same interests and also find a network of peers who help each other in their pursuits.

“Greek life at UTEP is very self-sufficient,” said Angel De la Cruz, senior criminal justice major and president of Alpha Xi Delta sorority. “I feel like Greek life is frowned upon by staff and students, causing a lack of participation when it comes to philanthropy and recruitment.”

Cruz said this misconception sometimes forces members to take matters into their own hands and do things themselves.

That’s also the opinion of Lambda Chi Alpha’s social chair Jean-André Moore, junior commercial music major.

“I’ll just say this, in a fraternity, you don’t pay to have friends. You pay to do cool stuff with your friends.”

- Jean-André Moore, junior commercial music major

but close-knit community.

“We’re looked down on a lot and I get that, but that’s all the more reason to do something great for a university that’s worth more than it looks at first glance,” Moore said. “I’ll just say this, in a fraternity, you don’t pay to have friends. You pay to do cool stuff with your friends.”

UTEP Greek life is overseen by the Student Engagement and Leadership Center. In order to become part of a fraternity or sorority, the student must maintain full-time status and have an overall GPA of 2.5. For more information, call 747-5625.

Mike Vasquez may be reached at theprospectordaily. ent@gmail.com.

THEPROSPECTOR

ORIENTATION ISSUE | 9 |

2016-2017

Best places for Jedis to nap

BY JOSE SOTO

The Prospector As a incoming freshmen, you most likely will find yourself in need of some down time while getting used to your hectic schedule. Even upperclassmen need some relaxation from time to time. Luckily, UTEP has a few spots that you can take advantage of and take that well-earned nap that’s needed when you’re constantly on the go, hitting the books hard and cramming information into your brain.

Over at the UTEP Library, the fourth floor has been one of the most popular with student nappers. Not as rushed and bustling as the other floors, the fourth floor of the library hosts aisles and aisles of textbooks and novels, but occasionally, you’ll also find someone in deep slumber. Zahira Buhaya, a UTEP alumna who majored in busi-

ness, said her favorite place to go to get away from her class schedule and sleep a bit was the fourth floor.

“It was very secluded most of the times,” Buhaya said. “There weren’t as many people around and even if they were, most of them were too deep in their studies and research to even care. No one ever bothered me. I just set my alarm and lay down. It was my go to place for when I started to crash.”

If the fourth floor of the library isn’t to your liking, Leech Grove’s lawn might be a more suitable option. Out in the open, Leech Grove has plenty of shade to lie under.

Many students prefer the crisp air and sheltering trees you’ll find at Leech Grove for their napping needs. Eduardo Salas, freshmen political science major, said that when he first started off at UTEP, Leech Grove was his place to go and relax.

“Although it’s right in the middle of the campus and there are a lot

“Although it’s right in the middle of the campus and there are a lot of students walking past it, Leech Grove was the perfect place to go and chill.

- Eduardo Salas, freshman political science major of students walking past it, Leech Grove was the perfect place to go and chill,” Salas said. “No one bothers you there because they’re busy going to their own classes. The

nice breeze and shade make it easy for you to fall asleep under a tree.”

If shade and trees sound suitable for you, but the passing crowd does not, right across from Leech Grove is the Cotton Building. There is a tree outside the building with enough shade to cover a few individuals. It’s less occupied than Leech Grove and still offers the same amount of coverage from the sun to help you sleep.

Incoming freshmen and underclassmen will frequently visit the Undergraduate Learning Center, or UGLC, because many of their classes are held there. Right in front of the building is an amphitheater-style area that also provides shade from the sun. The downside might be sleeping on concrete instead of grass, but it might still serve as a useful spot to nap right before going to class.

Alejandro Ramirez, senior media advertising major, said his favorite place to nap is at the Union Building East.

“Yes, it’s mostly busy with students who are eating lunch or going to class, but the chairs are also very comfortable and no one ever bothers you if you’re asleep,” Ramirez said. “You can easily go up to either the second or third floor, find a comfortable chair, place some sunglasses on or just cover your face and fall asleep. Everyone else is busy doing their thing to even notice.”

These are just a few places that other students have suggested as places to go and snooze a bit, recharge and be ready for their next assignment. As you venture throughout wthe campus yourself, it’s probable that you’ll find your own preferable place to nap in order to be ready for your next task.

Jose soto may be reached at theprospectordaily.ent@ gmail.com.

On campus and nearby–the hungry need not be

BY JOSE SOTO & GLORIA HEREDIA

CHRISTOPHER ZACHERL/ THE PROSPECTOR Pick’ n’ Shovel is a dining-experience restaurant located on the second floor of the Union Building East.

For unlimited meals throughout

The Prospector

the year, students can use their pre-

College life can be challenging, especially on an empty stomach. While trying to adjust to a new schedule every semester, it’s important to know your meal options as a student, especially while on a strict budget. There are a few options around campus that will help you get through your day fueled and ready while not breaking the bank.

Seeing as to how you’ll probably be on campus for five to eight hours, packing your own lunch and snacks can be the most effective and the cheapest option, but for days when that isn’t possible, Miner Meals is a program UTEP offers where students can preload their student Miner Cards and get a 10 percent discount at various food venues across campus.

These include Pizza Hut, Chick’ Fil’ A, Mein Bowl and Garden Gourmet.

Students deposit funds into their accounts in increments of $25. Students do not have to renew balances because they transfer over from semester to semester. You can deposit funds at the Mike Loya Academic Services Building or online at adminapps.utep. edu/csgoldsso.

If you are looking for something healthy to eat, your best option would be to try Sandella’s Flatbread Café, located at the main lobby of the Health Sciences Building. They offer grilled flatbreads, sandwiches, paninis, quesadillas and salads. This would be a great place to go for those who like to stay fit and eat healthy.

The Pick ‘N’ Shovel, a dining-experience restaurant on the second floor of the Union Building East, is another option. The restaurant includes various homemade soups, do-it-yourself waffle and pancake makers, wings and pizza. For roughly $8, students can enter the dining area, which basically is an all-you-can-eat buffet.

Upon leaving the dining area, students must pay again for re-entry to dine again. Students, especially those who live on campus, can benefit from the meal plan program, which is designed as a pay in-advance for meals prepared at Pick ‘N’ Shovel. Every day the menu changes with home-style entrées and hot soup. Then at the end, you can eat endless desserts. Pick ‘N’ Shovel is definitely a place to try.

loaded Miner Cards for about $2,000.

A cheaper option is five meals per week at $530. For full plan prices, go to

utepdining.sodexomyway.com/

dining-plans.

Over at the El Paso Natural Gas Conference Center, students can enjoy Quizno’s Subs, Miner’s Grill and Delicious Mexican Express, which serves up familiar Mexican cuisine for those looking stay closer to their mother’s cooking. Pete’s Pizza is also located inside EPNGC, providing you with traditional and gourmet pizza pies. They also have a delivery system in which you can call in an order and they will deliver to you wherever you are on campus. Many of the freshman classes are held in the auditoriums of the UGLC, and if you are extremely hungry at the end of your class or if you just want to grab a quick lunch before class, the EPNGC food court is only two minutes away.

Other options include Starbucks Coffee, which can be found on the second floor of the Chemistry and Computer Science Building or Einstein Bros. Bagels Company which is located inside the University Bookstore.

If you prefer to eat off campus, there are several restaurants that offer specials with a valid UTEP ID. Since pizza is among the favorites for students, a healthy alternative is The Healthy Pizza. The restaurant offers a meal for about $8 that includes your personal pizza and a drink. Other restaurants that offer student discounts are The Pizza Joint, Potbelly Sandwiches, Tara Thai, The Sushi Place and Panda Express, among others.

For more information about dining options on the UTEP campus, visit utepdining.sodexomyway.com.

Jose Soto and Gloria Heredia may be reached at theprospectordaily.ent@gmail.com.

THEPROSPECTOR

| 10 | ORIENTATION ISSUE

2016-2017

Hidden gems in the Universe

ANGEL ULLOA / THE PROSPECTOR The skywalk is located in back of the Health Sciences and School of Nursing building and conncets students from the S3 parking lot to classes.

ANGEL ULLOA / THE PROSPECTOR The Geology Building has a courtyard where students can hang out and eat lunch in between classes.

ANGEL ULLOA/ THE PROSPECTOR Students draw trees located in The Chihuahua Desert Gardens, located on the side of the Centennial Museum.

ANGEL ULLOA / THE PROSPECTOR This cave is located north of the Rubin Center and was originally used for mining students to practice their skills.

BY JULIA HETTIGER & GLORIA HEREDIA The Prospector

On campus there are many places to study, hang out and simply take in an interesting view. There are some students might not know about.

With roughly 90 buildings sitting on 366 acres, it’s no surprise UTEP has these hidden gems throughout campus. These include the Chihuahua Desert Gardens, the courtyard and reading room in the Geology Building, a hidden breezeway in the Health Sciences Building and even a cave near the Sun Bowl.

The Chihuahua Desert Gardens features plants and flowers from all over the Southwest, presented in a tranquil location, perfect for taking a stroll or sitting, reading and enjoying the weather. Some of the plants and flowers include the Desert Columbine, Rose Mallows and Indian Blankets. The garden is divided into multiple adjacent gardens such as the Arroyo and Contemplative gardens, and has multiple fountains, which creates a relaxing atmosphere for its visitors.

The Geology Building, whose lobby is decorated with a dinosaur footprint discovered by UTEP students, may be a building that is not frequented by many students, but it has two hidden gems within its premises. The first is its reading room. During UTEP’s early years, the building was used as the library. Although the Administration

and Library Building—as the Geology Building was first called—has undergone a transformation and changed its official name, it is still home to many books, pieces of UTEP’s history and the perfect place for reading or studying. Another notable section of the Geology Building is its courtyard, which is hidden within the building and serves as another serene hidden gem of an area for students to study and hang out.

One of UTEP’s newest buildings, the Health Sciences and School of Nursing building, has a hidden gem toward the back of the facility. Leading into the second floor is a skywalk and plaza complete with picnic tables and ample shade, making it an ideal spot to eat lunch outside or get some fresh air while studying. As you walk across the skywalk, you can glance to your left and right and see the Ciudad Juárez side of the Franklin Mountains and some of the city itself.

One hidden gem that was not built on the UTEP’s campus is a cave just north of the Rubin Center, in the foothills of the mountains that surround the Sun Bowl. The “practice cave” is part of UTEP’s beginnings as a mining school and allowed students to practice their skills in a natural laboratory. Many students have found this naturally placed gem a neat place to explore, hang out and take wellearned breaks.

UTEP also has a Seismology Research Center, where research on

earthquakes is conducted by the Earthquake Research Group. While this hidden gem may not be an ideal place to study or hang out, it still adds to UTEP’s unique culture by allowing students to learn about measuring and predicting earthquakes.

There are many places on campus ideal for doing homework and hanging out with friends, but these places stand out in terms of how unique and unknown they are.

Other places that are not so hidden, but are worth spending time at are the Centennial Plaza and the Centennial Museum.

The Centennial Plaza is relatively new. The grand opening was on on April 18, 2015, and it serves as a place for students to relax and play around if they wish. The construction of this plaza transformed the university, making it a walking campus to promote exercise and student safety.

The Centennial Museum features different exhibits throughout the year on the first floor, while the second floor features permanent exhibits.

The Centennial Museum has a geology and paleontology gallery that illustrates the history of the El Paso region and UTEP’s mining and railroad history. The museum is definitely a place to go and check out to learn more about the rich history of this university over the past 100 years.

Julia Hettiger and Gloria Heredia may be reached at theprospectordaily.ent@gmail.com.

ANGEL ULLOA / THE PROSPECTOR Centennial Plaza is located in the center of campus. Being a walking campus promotes exercise and student safety.

ORIENTATION ISSUE | 11 |

THEPROSPECTOR

2016-2017

Jedi training center’s top five activities levels of challenging climbs for both newcomers and experienced climbers. Individuals can come during the open climb sessions, where anyone can climb in open spots. Also, there are sessions that will teach students about the proper way to climb the rock wall.

No. 4: Intramurals

An exciting experience offered through the Recreational Sports Department students can join an intramural sport, such as basketball, flag football, indoor/outdoor soccer, racquetball, dodge ball, volleyball, badminton, table tennis and paintball.

In order to sign up for intramurals, UTEP works with IM Leagues in registering individuals. The site allows the user to either join a team, create a team, and gives the times and dates for the games and shows league standings and records. Joining a team is limited and each league revolves around a college student’s schedule.

No. 3: Swimming

wall. Here are the top-five activities you can do when visiting the center.

The UTEP swimming facility is a large complex with two pools, and offers an array of ways to exercise such as a free swim area, with a water volleyball and basketball setup.

The pools include five lanes that are 25 yards in length and a competitive pool with 10 lanes that drops to below 6 feet in depth. The competitive pool also includes a 3-meter diving board.

In addition, the aquatics services offer classes to teach students how to properly swim and even how to dive.

Located in the heart of the facility, the rock-climbing wall gives the experience of challenging your body physically while bouldering to the top of a 12-foot wall. It has more than 100-linear feet of space and has

There are a several fitness programs to attend at the rec center. The goal for these programs is to help students with all of their fitness needs in a variety of ways. Students take classes from instructors who provide them

ANGEL ULLOA / THE PROSPECTOR The UTEP Student Recreation Center is located at 3450 Sun Bowl Dr. Students must have a UTEP ID for entrance.

By Christopher piñones The Prospector The UTEP Student Recreation Center can be one of the most beneficial facilities when attending college.

There are many programs and services the facility has to offer that are free of cost to anyone who pays tu-

ition and holds a UTEP ID. It is open Mondays through Thursdays from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and on Fridays from 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. It is equipped with a full 10-lane pool, open basketball gymnasium, two levels of exercise orientations and a rock climbing

No. 5: Climbing gym

No. 2: Fitness programs.

with a comfortable and fun learning experience. Classes vary from early body and mind exercises to advanced high intensity traditional classes. The recreational center has 22 classes to choose from cycling circuits to Zumba, Insanity and yoga, to the most popular, which are the boxing conditioning classes. With so much to offer, the fitness programs have become a unique learning program for students.

No. 1: Exercise orientations.

The exercise orientations have two levels inside the recreational center.

Instead of spending money on a gym membership, students are allowed to use the different exercise machines without paying a monthly fee. The top level is dominant in cardio equipment such as treadmills, ellipticals and cycles. The top floor also includes different shoulder, chest, abdomen and leg machines to use. The entry level of the facility has different free weights equipment. This is the most popular for students to experience as there are several exercises to choose from. Whether it is bench pressing, dumbbells or exercise machines, the free weights area has been the most visited and popular spot to get in a workout.

For more information, visit sa.utep. edu/rsd/.

Chirstopher

piñones

may

be

reached

at

theprospectordaily.sports@gmail.com.

Join the alliance through intramural leagues JUAN CARLOS NAVARRETTE The Prospector A perk of being a student at UTEP is the ability to sign up for different intramurals teams at the Recreational Sports Department. The Student Recreational Center not only offers regular sports for students to try, but also fun and unconventional tournaments. Rec Sports offers 36 different types of leagues for students to join.

For those seeking the thrill of competition in sports, but who do not want to partake in a month-long league or a competitive tournament, there are single-day tournaments for different sports.

All an individual needs to join an intramural team is a UTEP ID and a free account on imleagues.com. IM Leagues allows users to join or create a team for the different sports. The process is simple and mandatory for anyone interested in joining a league.

Here are the top five different intramural sports to try while attending UTEP:

No. 5: Dodge ball

Although some do not regard it as a real sport, dodge ball is as fast paced as it gets and requires a lot of physical activity. The game you played at school as a kid has evolved to adult status when you play at the intramural level. The balls fly hard and fast, so one must prepare to duck dive and dip.

No. 4 : Volleyball

Bump, set, spike and flop — these are all the things to experience when joining a volleyball intramural team.

The intramural league offers both a

male league and co-ed league. The competition, however, is not as grueling as basketball or flag football.

The co-ed level of competition usually offers the most relaxed pace of competition, and usually becomes the best environment for anyone wanting to learn how to play with rules and officials.

No. 3: Soccer

The third sport in popularity would have to be indoor soccer. This league, much like basketball, does not offer a very easy learning curve. Be ready to play hard and run–a lot. Indoor soccer is usually fast paced and the competition is outstanding. These leagues usually end up being as, if not more, competitive as basketball.

No. 2: Basketball

Although the games are not played in the Don Haskins Center, novices should proceed with caution when signing up for intramural basketball.

Getting dunked on is a real thing in this league and the competition is fierce. Often, the student you play could be playing football for the Miners and is doing this just for fun.

While many may not be up to that challenge, there is a co-ed league that, although may not be as challenging, can end up being more fun for the average player.

No. 1: Flag Football

The most popular sport for intramurals is flag football. The sport is offered both in open men’s league as well as a co-ed team. These games tend to be intense and the league is extremely competitive. In previous years, the Rec Sports has teamed up with the Sun Bowl to allow the leagues

ANGEL ULLOA / THE PROSPECTOR The Student Recreation Center offers 36 different types of leagues for students to join. to play games on the turf. The leagues usually have several teams and feature a thrilling playoff finale at the end.

Honorable mentions Sporting on the screen

There are also leagues that aren’t representative of athletics at all; there

are Xbox football tournaments as well as other video game tournaments that are held throughout the year in an intramural form. From “Madden Football” to “NBA 2K,” these leagues require only the knowledge and

competitiveness of a game console controller.

For more information please visit http://sa.utep.edu/rsd/category/ intramurals/ Juan Carlos Navarette may be reached at theprospectordaily.sports@gmail.com.

THEPROSPECTOR

| 12 | ORIENTATION ISSUE

2016-2017

The force is strong with them

MICHAELA ROMÁN / THE PROSPECTOR Guard Lulu McKinney contributed 182 points during the Women’s basketball 2015 season.

BY ADRIAN BROADDUS The Prospector While the 2015-16 season in athletics was filled with rebuilding, growth and development, this upcoming year will be teams buckling down and taking action.

Head coach Sean Kugler hired five new coaches to his staff and returns 17 starters to the field. Women’s soccer only graduated two individuals and will return with heat for their fall season. Track and field and cross country continue to have individuals emerge to the top of the conference. After finishing 9-23 in 2015, the volleyball squad is out to redeem themselves this year. Head coach Tim Floyd will have four out of five starters returning to the squad. Coming off a Conference-USA regular season

championship, head coach Keitha Adams and the women’s basketball team hopes to continue their leagueplay dominance in 2017.

With highly anticipated seasons come impact players who add so much to these teams. Here we count down the top five UTEP athletes to keep an eye out for in the 2016-17 athletic year.

X-Factors to watch

Before the impact watch list, Xfactors on the team should be duely noted. These are players who opposing coaches forget to focus on, and these individuals end up making big plays in huge games. Here are the Xfactors to watch out for this upcoming athletic season.

Maddie Morgan–middle blocker Volleyball

MICHAELA ROMÁN/ THE PROSPECTOR Guard Lee Moore is expected to become one of the Miner’s key scorers this upcoming year.

Starting all her games during her freshman season, Maddie Morgan has a balanced attack on the floor. During just her freshman season, Morgan totaled with 128 kills and accumulated 190 points for the Miners. She led the team in solo blocks (12) and totaled 102 total blocks during her first year.

Lulu McKinney–guard Women’s basketball During the 2015 season, Lulu McKinney was a strong sixth man for the women’s basketball squad. Her ability to come off the bench and rain jump shots was significant for the team. She will probably replace Starr Breedlove at the point guard spot. In only 378 minutes of play during the 201516 season, McKinney drained 182 points. One of her most noteworthy games was when she posted 18 points

off the bench during the Miners’ double-overtime 94-91 victory over Charlotte to capture the Conference USA regular season championship.

Trey Touchet–guard Men’s basketball In high school Trey Touchet was a back-to-back Louisiana Gatorade Player of the Year (2013 & 2014). He brings a lights out, 3-point jump shot to the forefront. Although Dominic Artis is the true point guard for the squad, Touchet can fill any role in the guard rotation due to his versatile style of play. He scored 74 points off the bench for the Miners during the 2015-16 season, and he can be one of the Miners’ best six-mans during the upcoming year.

Top five athletes for 2016-17 No. 5: Jonah Koech–distance runner Track and field/cross country He is only a freshman, but age does not play a factor for distance runner Jonah Koech. In the fall of 2015, Koech received the United States Track & Field Cross Country Coaches Association All American honor after placing 11th in the NCAA Championships. During the race, Koech even surpassed UTEP standout runner Anthony Rotich in the race. He is the first freshman runner since Rotich to receive an All-American honor. In the 2016 indoor season NCAA Championships, Koech finished sixth in the mile. He even flirted with the gold as he had the lead through the last 200m. With only a second behind the winner of the championships, there is no doubt that Koech is going to be a true standout for the remainder of his colligate career.

No. 4: Lee Moore–guard Men’s basketball The junior transfer from Wallace State Community College became a stellar standout for head coach Tim Floyd and the Miners during the 2015-16 season. He was named on the Third Team All-Conference USA for his high-scoring play in 2015-16 season. He led the team with 15.4 points per game, turnovers (70) and steals (46). Moore was a scoring machine – he finished 27 games scoring in double figures and seven games scoring 20-or-more points. Moore was excellent on transition.

No. 3: Aleah Davis–midfielder Women’s soccer Adding a diverse attack on offense and stunting the opposing team on defense is the balanced attack that

midfielder Aleah Davis brings to the soccer squad. She aided the Miners, who finished ninth in C-USA in 2015, with five goals and seven assists. Davis, along with former Miner soccer star Tameka Sumter, are the only two in program history to win NSCAA All-Central Region honors three years in a row. Davis was named to the third team in the region from 2013-15. One of the likely captains for the 2016 season, Davis will be a key asset to the squad moving into her final season with the Miners.

No. 2: Jenzel Nash–guard Women’s basketball Mother, college student and basketball player - there is not much out there that guard Jenzel Nash cannot do. During the 2015-16 season, Nash led the team in points per game (13.8), total points (385), rebounds per game (5.7) and rebounds (159).

She is also ferocious on the defensive side. In 2015-16, Nash nearly averaged three steals per game for 72 total steals and tallied 71 turnovers. Since her inaugural season in 2011, Nash has been a part of two Conference USA regular season championship teams (2012, 2016) and a runner-up in the Women’s NIT (2014). After the 2015-16 season, Nash was named to the Conference USA first team. She will be a standout leader during her senior season in 2016-17.

No. 1: Aaron Jones–running back Football Entering his junior season at tailback, Aaron Jones is the perfect combination of speed and power at the tailback position. In only two seasons, Jones ranks eighth all-time in program history for career rushing yards (2,341). In just 23 games, Jones has scored 20 total touchdowns (16 rushing, 4 receiving).

Entering the 2015 season, Jones gained much national preseason attention. He was on the 2015 Maxwell Award Watch List, 2015 Preseason Dave Campbell All-Texas College Best Running Back, and 2015 All-CUSA Preseason First Team. During the Texas Tech game, he injured his foot, which ended up being a seasonending injury for him.

This season, Jones will be the backbone of the Miners’ offense. Under new offensive coordinator and play caller Brent Pease, Jones will more than likely take multiple handoffs from the shotgun formation.

Adrian Broaddus may be reached at theprospectordaily. sports@gmail.com.