The Paisano Volume 48 Issue 25

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Texas Book Festival brings cooking, live music and R.L. Stein page 6

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UTSA Football captures first home win of the season page

Independent Student Newspaper for the University of Texas at San Antonio

{SINCE 1981}

UTSA Student Health Services is currently offering flu shots: $10 for students, $15 for faculty and staff and free for those covered under Student Health Insurance.

Volume 48

Issue 25

October 29, 2013

{WWW.PAISANO-ONLINE.COM}

Homecoming victory Big Brother:

New program monitors students

UTSA Mohamed Ahmed Staff Writer

San Antonio

news@paisano-online.com

Vicente Cardenas / The Paisano

UTSA received an energy rebate of $168,572 from CPS Energy after reducing electricity use by 2,516 kilowatts per hour over the hottest days of the summer.

Texas Abortion restrictions requiring abortion providers to have hospital admitting privileges scheduled to take place Oct. 29 were declared unconstitutional and an undue burden by a federal judge.

U.S. The FDA will be tightening restrictions on prescription painkillers containing hydrocodone, such as vicodin, as a result of their high rates of abuse.

World Twitter and Facebook accounts linked to President Obama have been hacked by Assad regime supporters from the group Syrian Electronic Army.

UTSA running back Brandon Armstrong, who scored two touchdowns, evades the UAB defense in UTSA’s homecoming victory.

UTSA Patrick Martinez Staff Writer

news@paisano-online.com With 25,931 fans in atten-

dance for UTSA’s homecoming game, the Roadrunners recordsetting home victory was a testament to the difficult battles they have faced in their inaugural conference USA season. With a season full of firsttime experiences, the UTSA

Roadrunners (3-5, 2-2 C-USA) finally had a chance to celebrate one of those firsts. The Roadrunners tallied a progam record 523 yards on offense in a 52-31 win over the UAB Blazers (2-5, 1-2 C-USA) on Saturday Oct. 26 at the Alamodome.

See ROADRUNNERS, Page 9

Rising municipal rates Councilman hosts discussions on water projects UTSA Sarah Gibbens News Editor

news@paisano-online.com On Oct. 22, City Councilman Ron Nirenberg visited UTSA to speak with residents of District 8 about changes in city business, specifically a possible CPS rate increase and the future of the San Antonio Water

System (SAWS). The talk was designed to foster community engagement so that specific resident needs could be heard and issues could be proactively addressed. “UTSA is one of San Antonio’s gems,” said Nirenberg, who hosts District 8 talks on alternating Tuesdays and Saturdays. With Prop 6 garnering attention for its possible allocation of rainy day funds for water projects, much of the conversation

focused on upcoming changes to the water system. Steve Clause, the Chief Operating Officer for SAWS, discussed upcoming rate adjustments. Clause claimed that, while there is talk of Texas being in the worst drought since the 1950s, those rumors are premature. Other cities such as Austin, however, are in danger of running out of water by 2018 if weather patterns do not change, See COMMUNITY, Page 3

The Early Alert Retention Network (EARN) is a new program designed to enhance the interaction between students, faculty and staff. The program was created to organize all notifications sent out to students. For the past six years, UTSA has been one of seven universities in Texas vying for Tier One Status. To achieve this status, UTSA must meet a number of requirements set by the American Association of Universities. These requirements include enhancing graduate and undergraduate research, developing nationally acclaimed academic programs and increasing graduation rates, which administration hopes to achieve through EARN. Students are to make EARN profiles through their Blackboard Learn accounts, where the notifications will be sent. UTSA faculty and staff such as professors, counselors, student advisors and financial aid staff can trigger these notifications. “EARN is designed to help organize the process for alerting students and advisors if a student is potentially in academic trouble, and also to give positive feedback to students, ” said Kenneth Pierce, vice provost for information technology and CIO. Notification types can vary; some may be related to academics, financial aid or a student’s wellbeing. Notifications can also be sent in the form of “flags.” A student may be flagged if a faculty member has concerns for the student’s academic success. For example, if the student has been missing classes or receives a low midterm grade he

or she will be notified to seek a tutor or to contact the professor. Previously, students would receive the 45- and 90-hour holds via ASAP while trying to register for classes. At this point, it is too late to take action and still register when scheduled. Now, students will be notified to see an advisor as soon as the alert is triggered.

“EARN is designed to help organize the process for alerting studens and advisors if a student is potentially in academic trouble...” Kenneth Pierce

Vice Provost for Information Technology “It’s a collaborative effort between faculty and student support services on campus that are advising and tutoring to ensure that you, as a student, are being successful,” said Angel Gibbons, the CIO project director. There are even planned alerts for student Supplemental Instructor Leaders and other student-run support groups, such as those by the Tomas Rivera Center. EARN is being tested by a pilot group of 18 faculty members in 24 classes. In the spring of 2014 most support systems, including financial aid, the Tomas Rivera Center and Counseling Services, will be using EARN in close association with faculty and advising centers.

The next Mr. and Ms. UTSA UTSA Sarah Gibbens News Editor

news@paisano-online.com

Sports

Vicente Cardenas / The Paisano

The San Antonio Spurs open the 2013/2014 season at home against the Memphis Grizzlies Wednesday Oct. 30 at the AT&T Center.

Zachary Dunn and Rebecca Smith pose for pictures shortly after being crowned.

Football fans weren’t the only ones celebrating at the UTSA homecoming game. Zachary Dunn and Rebecca Smith were named Mr. and Ms. UTSA, succeeding previous winners Carlos Camino and Daniella Lerma. Each candidate who decides to run is then nominated by the UTSA Alumni Association for their UTSA spirit, academic achievement, campus involvement and community service. The winners are chosen based on the number of stu-

dent votes cast on ASAP; winners must also raise money for UTSA Alumni Association scholarships. “When it was announced, I was in a state of multiple emotions... I was proud to represent my university on that field,” Dunn said of the homecoming announcement. “I knew I wanted to run for Ms. UTSA since freshman year,” said Smith. “I really love UTSA and take pride in attending such an amazing university.” Dunn expressed similar sentiments: “I saw running for Mr. UTSA as an opportunity to further serve this family and be a part of all the great things happening on our campus.” Both candidates attribute their successful campaigns to

the support of friends and family. With their new titles, Dunn and Smith plan on contributing to UTSA and the surrounding community. “I would love to go to grade schools and stress the importance of focusing in school and attending college,” said Smith. “I also hope to get more students to support our athletic team.” Dunn, the current Student Government Association President, plans on “being the best representative of UTSA.” “Overall,” said Smith, “I am extremely happy and so proud to have the opportunity to support such a wonderful university.”


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