BACK TO SCHOOL ISSUE Independent Student Newspaper for the University of Texas at San Antonio
{SINCE 1981}
Volume 52
Issue 1
August 13-25, 2015
Mia Cabello, The Paisano
UTSA According to research conducted by UTSA Department Of Criminal Justice and College of Public Policy associate professor Rob Tillyer and his colleague Charles F. Klahm IV, during traffic stops police officers are more likely to search a vehicle for discretionary reasons in situations where more than one passenger is present.
Time to bring in the birds Mia Cabello
Managing Editor
@miacab_ manager@paisano-online.com The Class of 2019 is special. Expect this Class to be buzzing with excitement, cheering loud — perhaps louder and rowdier than their academic elders — at athletic events, connecting with student organizations, leading in classroom discussions and embracing campus
life with cutting-edge gusto characteristic of the cohort. “The UTSA Class of 2019 is expected to be very engaged in its college experience and take advantage of every opportunity that UTSA has to offer,” said UTSA Associate Vice president of Admissions, Orientation and Family Programming Dr. George Norton. Many of members of the incoming freshmen class participated in campus activities
before even graduating high school, attending UTSA recruitment events in the 20142015 Academic Year in, what Norton describes as, “record numbers.” Said Norton, “The thing we find about students who are very engaged in their college decision and experiences is that they also tend to be successful academically; as such, we expect them to set records for staying in school and gradu-
ating on time.” Considering the local, regional and national emphasis placed on on-time graduation as well as performance-based funds awarded to public universities, a cohort with favorable academic qualities is a boon to UTSA, contributing to the development of its campus culture in more ways than one.
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San Antonio A petition with over 9,000 signatures of support calling for the renaming of Robert E. Lee High School was unsuccessful; a spokesperson for the North East Independent School District has said that the board is not considering a name change at this time.
Texas A new Gallup poll shows that Texas is now the only remaining state with at least 20 percent of its residents lacking health insurance.
U.S. Former President Jimmy Carter has revealed that he has cancer.
Science Astronauts aboard the International Space Station will harvest lettuce that has been growing aboard since early July. NASA states that this is an important step towards future exploration.
Construction on UTSA BLVD brings students, Campus to a halt Kate Kramer
Senior Copy Editor
@ThePaisano news@paisano-online.com Reconsider hitting the snooze button - instead hit the gas pedal sooner this semester. Construction along UTSA Boulevard continues to slow traffic and increases travel times. However, once the $9 million road expansion project is complete, travel to and from the university, surrounding businesses and homes will be considerably easier. The expansion between IH10 and Edward Ximenes Road is scheduled for completion in 2017. The Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) website touts the project as crucial to keeping up with the area’s growth, mostly through apartment complexes trying to accommodate UTSA’s increasing enrollment. The upcoming development entails expanding UTSA Boulevard from two lanes to five lanes (two new lanes in each direction with a center left turn lane); adding gutters and drainage to the storm sewer; raising existing medians and adding curbs creating a 10-foot path on both sides of the roadway for pedestrians and cyclists. In addition to these improvements, the two-lane bridge over Leon Creek will be widened to four lanes with a center turn lane, bike lanes and a sidewalk. The speed limit will remain at 45 miles per hour. During a public hearing held on March 17, 2014, Jonathan Bean, director of the transportation plan-
ning and development for the San Antonio district of TxDOT, explained the importance of the project. The proposed project is needed due to congestion along Spur 53 (UTSA Boulevard) and the increasing growth of UTSA. Traffic within the project area is expected to increase approximately 54.5 percent within the next 20 years from approximately 18,700 vehicles per day in 2013 to 28,900 vehicles per day in 2033. Although the construction is essential for a better commute, not everyone is pleased with all of the elements of the proposed plan. Assistant Vice President of Facilities of University Oaks Housing Partnership Jim Penberthy, has serious concerns. “We believe (the new plan) will have a detrimental impact on our business as we believe future occupancy at University Oaks will be negatively affected,” Penberthy stated in a comment after the hearing. The local fire department responds from Babcock Road which puts them in the east bound lane for emergency response situations at University Oaks. If this design is built according to present plans, emergency response traffic will only be able to access entrances…by making a U-turn. This obviously poses serious safety concerns for our residents, guests and employees,” Penberthy continued. Although Penberthy requested a consideration to redesign the plan, it is unclear if designs were changed.
“We believe (the new plan) will have a detrimental impact on our business as we believe future occupancy at University Oaks will be negatively affected, we can get a couple victories in the series, then it’s just going to continue to build momentum.
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Jim Pemberthy
Assistant Vice President of University Housing
Construction began in May and will continues until Summer 2017.
The contractor for the $9 million development is SMC Contractors Inc.. Cindy Hurtado, The Paisano
NEWS
These UTSA professors received an A+. Page 2
ARTS
Unlikely friends help students study.
Page 9
SPORTS
OPINION
A student travels to Japan for a life-changing experience.
Page 5
Michael Phelps wins three national titles at Phillips 66 Nationals. Page 12