Vol. 109 Issue No. 8

the rattler

A Pandemic Year In Review

magazine Vol 109 | Issue 8 | May 2021

the

rattler magazine EDITORIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief Samantha Ruvalcaba Managing Editor Demi Bestor Copy Editor Elizabeth Perez Advertising Manager Sofia Ruescas Layout & Design Sara Regassa Web Editor Briana Bailey Photo Editor Ivan Briones News Editor Polina Protozanova Opinion Editor Seana Barclay Lifestyle Editor Gerardo Niño Pozos Entertainment Editor Jacob A. Henson Sports Editor Larry Rodriguez-Shea Faculty Adviser Ana Bendaña

STANDARDS The Rattler Magazine is a product of The Rattler Newspaper and upholds the Mission Statements of St. Mary’s University. The publication follows the Canons of Responsible Journalism, the Associated Press Stylebook and the Student Publication Policy. The Rattler is a member of the Associate Collegiate Press, the College Media Association and the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association.

r

esolute is how I would describe the Rattler staff during this pandemic year.

When the coronavirus outbreak first set us into an extended spring break and lockdown, The Rattler was working on our final issue of the Spring and would soon begin production of our 2020 magazine. Our Editor-in-Chief at the time and my predecessor Samantha Salazar swiftly guided us in continuing with publication. Sam worked hard in putting our sections together since most of the editors lost access to publishing software when we lost access to the newsroom due to campus closure. I thank Sam because her unwavering leadership set the tone for what my next year as the Rattler’s new EIC would be like.

Beyond the takeover of our coverage, the virus also changed the way we had to operate as a staff. We worked longer press weekends so that enough of us could have time in the newsroom with the new limited capacity requirements. Doing what we could with the limited amount of resources required a lot of patience and determination. I am so lucky to have worked with an unnwavering staff, ready to work through whatever else 2020-21 would throw at us..

I thank my staff for pushing through the COVID coverage fatigue. I hope their next year of reporting treats them with more evergreen stories in our community.

I also thank them for their flexibility and candor this year. There was a lot going on at several points in the year, but I’m glad we were all comfortable with confiding in each other and helping one another during this challenging year. To Sara, our Layout and Design Editor working from Ethiopia, thank you so, so much for your flexibility and presence in our meetings despite the eight-hour time difference. To our faculty

adviser, professor Ana Bendaña, thank you for being our biggest supporter and brightening the newsroom. We will miss you tremendously.

Throughout our reporting of the pandemic, social justice, election, and the winterstorm we made sure to look at the issues within our university community beyond just covering it. Expanding the Español section was important for us, now more than ever, because we wanted to ensure that we were informing all of the university community. St. Mary’s being a Hispanic Serving Institution, we felt it necessary for us to dedicate an entire section to the students, faculty, and families who are Spanish-speaking or have limited English proficiency. As a child of Mexican immigrants, I was honored to serve as the editor for this section during my time as EIC. Thank you to all of the writers and translators who offered their impressive language skills for the improvement of this section.

I am honored to have served as EIC this year, carrying the Rattler’s legacy during a time that has not been easy for small publications across the U.S. I began working for the Rattler my freshman year as a contributing writer, then as a news editor, and now as EIC. I’m thankful for the colleagues and friends I have made along the way, the lessons in journalism and leadership and the endless opportunities that have opened up because of my work here.

This magazine issue features perspectives and stories from our community and its resilience throughout the pandemic year.

With this magazine, and issues before it, we have seen the creativity, work, and strength that flourishes even through hardship.

Atentamente,

Samantha Ruvalcaba Editor-in-Chief

TABLE OF CONTENTS 3

A Note From President Mengler

by President Mengler

5

Thank You, Essential Workers

by Samantha Ruvalcaba

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Colors of COVID on Campus

by Demi Bestor

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Retiring Professors Reflect on Final Year

by Elizabeth Perez

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International Students During the Pandemic

by Polina Protozanova

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Rattler Artists

by Ivan Briones

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Mental Health in 2020

by Seana Barclay

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Rattlers Write

by Gerardo Nino Pozos

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A Conversation With Hailey Stewart

by Jacob A. Henson

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Post-COVID Keeps

by Briana Bailey

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Beyond the Pandemic

by Larry Rodriguez-Shea

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Rattler’s Last Bite

by Sofia Ruescas Photo by Samantha Ruvalcaba

A Note From President Mengler THOMAS M. MENGLER ST. MARY’S UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT

Beyond survival of the fittest this year, we have witnessed what I would call survival of the Marianist.

This year challenged our bodies and minds, our approach to education and our approach to each other. We’ve stood 6 feet apart but joined our spirits together to share our strength.

We survived and collectively thrived because of our community, our character and our guiding faith.

Our University family has given back financially to support the needs of current students through fundraising programs, such as Rattlers Helping Rattlers. Members of our staff have reinforced the campus culture of health and wellness through new approaches.

Faculty and students in San Antonio and beyond have donned masks and adapted to new ways of learning via virtual and hybrid courses. And we have embraced our diversity in ways that will guide us into the future.

Rattlers Helping Rattlers Since the pandemic hit, the St. Mary’s University Alumni Association has given the University significant scholarship funding totaling $620,000. Nearly 700 alumni also have given about $123,000 in emergency aid to students through the Rattlers Helping Rattlers campaign.

Since March 2020, the Office of Student Development has awarded emergency funding to 369 students, ranging from freshmen to law and graduate students. The emergency funding

assists students with the financial implications of COVID-19, such as paying for rent, utilities, food, Wi-Fi to access online courses and other needs.

Health and Wellness Even before the pandemic, staff of the Student Counseling Center had sparked a mental health initiative on campus to create a culture of health and wellness for mind, body and spirit.

While continuing services like free, individual counseling (mind) for undergraduate, graduate and law students, the Center partnered with University Ministry (spirit), as well as a nutritionist (body).

When the University transitioned to online classes last spring, the Counseling Center adapted by offering telehealth counseling and psychiatric services through phone sessions and encrypted Zoom, as well as offering tips to practice self-care at home.

Educating Online St. Mary’s students take pride in challenging themselves in the classroom and beyond.

Though no one could have predicted the way the pandemic unfolded, many of our students found additional strength in their fellow community members.

For instance, Deni Cresto, an Exercise and Sport Science major and captain of the Men’s Soccer team, began the 2020-2021 school year from his home in Curitiba, Brazil. Cresto told staff of Gold & Blue magazine that when times got tough during the pandemic he would refer to a message from Men’s Soccer Head Coach Johnny Clifford, “Control what you

can control.”

“In my own experience adapting to this new situation, I am in control of my daily training, study schedule and strengthening my relationship with my family and God,” Cresto said.

Likewise, faculty have pivoted to continue delivering an excellent St. Mary’s education in new ways.

Allison Gray, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Theology and Greek, has said she “appreciated the challenge of boiling down each lesson into a few major takeaway points that I can summarize in a very short video lecturette, which students can watch before doing the reading, working through a PowerPoint, and completing a quiz or post.”

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion As this school year ends, St. Mary’s has a new office forming in St. Louis Hall — the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). At its helm is Sheri King, Ph.D., our first Associate Vice President for DEI. She served as co-chair of the President’s Council on DEI, which was established last fall. Her work will advance efforts to become an anti-racist University and to educate leaders for the common good and advocates for social justice.

At each turn, and through many challenges, the St. Mary’s community has continued its commitment to our mission for the common good and to each other. In our Marianist way, we have brought forth our best at a time of greatest need. We are stronger as a result.

“Survival of the Marianist” 3|

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Photo by Robin Jerstad

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Facilities worker Jose Luis Sanchez near Bell Tower.| Photo by Samantha Ruvalcaba

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Samantha Beltran and Monserrat Garcia Rodriguez study together in the mostly-empty commons.

Daija Raelynn Vanegas utilizes the Treadaway Hall temporary practice rooms.

Daniel Gill safely studies outside while adhering to the university’s social distancing guidelines.

Photos by Demi Bestor

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Didier Cadena makes a purchase at the P.O.D. using socially distanced window shopping.

The colors of COVID on campus

Adriana Rodriguez and Sara Ramos organize lab slides and prepare supplies in the Moody Life Sciences building.

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Retiring professors reflect on final year Elizabeth Perez Copy Editor

This past year has been full of adjustments and new experiences for students and faculty alike but for a few St. Mary’s professors, it also marks the end of their fruitful careers at the university.

Several longstanding professors will be retiring after this spring.

These professors have had a unique experience of spending their last year of teaching during a pandemic year with the transition to virtual learning.

Three well-known professors share their thoughts on their final year at St. Mary’s under virtual learning and their hopes for the future of the institution as it transitions back to in-person.

After decades of teaching, they have adjusted to virtual learning without losing the care and attention they have for their students.

Although it may be bittersweet to leave St. Mary’s during a pandemic year where everything is virtual, the memory of the unique experience of classes this last year and the experience of traditional teaching in the years prior will stay with the professors and the students they taught. The St. Mary’s community will always value the work they have done during their time as faculty.

Courtesy of Diane Bertrand

Courtesy of stmarytx.edu

Professor Charles L. Cotrell in Willie Velasquez’s “Your Vote is Your Voice” PBS documentary. Courtesy of WETA.org

Cotrell has many St. Mary’s memories that he cherishes but his favorites are working with the students and his colleagues.

He values the time spent at the university and the opportunities that he was able to experience including teaching, working in administration, meeting new students and colleagues.

Charles L. Cotrell Ph.D., President Emeritus, professor, Department of Political Science, 55 years Cotrell held many different positions during his career at the institution and has been actively involved in the university community.

Since returning to teaching in 2012, Cotrell has been a professor of political science, a job that he treasures. “My all-time favorite position, of course, is on the faculty at St. Mary’s and I am ending the way I began,” he said.

The transition online was a process that Cotrell enjoyed learning how to do, “[Virtual teaching] is a different experience, it does have some advantages, but all things considered, I would much more prefer to be in the classroom with the students and in my office, working with students and interacting with my colleagues in the political science department and other departments,” Cotrell said.

Cotrell has high hopes for the university, sayimg, “I think that [community is] what is most attractive about St. Mary’s and that is the opportunity and the tradition of building a community and living in a community, one that cares but also one that doesn’t forget you,” Cotrell said. “So when alums graduate there is a little string tied to them and St. Mary’s is part of that string and I would like to think that we could continue that tradition.”

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Cast of opera | C ourtesy of Diane Bertrand

Bertrand reminisced on one of her favorite St. Mary’s memories, a collaboration between the music department and the English department to put on an opera based on her book “Sip, Slurp, Soup, Caldo, Caldo, Caldo”. The sense of community at the university could be seen not only in the classroom but in the work that the different departments have done together.

Diane Bertrand M.A., adjunct professor, writer-in-residence, Department of English Literature and Language, 29 years The transition online was intimidating to Bertrand at first but after working diligently to create a positive learning experience for her students online in the fall, positive feedback from student evaluations that proved her methods were working. “When I went into the spring semester, I had a lot more confidence. Even now, even though I had made the decision to retire, I tell myself [that] if I had one more semester online, I think I would do this differently,” said Bertrand.

As she ends her career at St. Mary’s, Bertrand knows that she will always be connected to the university and its strong community. “I’m going to miss the community, that’s what I hope will continue at St. Mary’s University long after [I have retired],” said Bertrand. “People that walk across the campus, faculty and students very informally being able to meet each other, I think that’s one of the things I miss the most.”

Faculty socializing in 2015 Courtesy of Eva Paulino Bueno Ph.D.

Courtesy of Eva Paulino Bueno Ph.D.

When asked about her favorite St. Mary’s memory, Bueno couldn’t pinpoint just one.

“I think that there are many moments, some of them with friends and colleagues that are no longer here, some have passed and some have retired,” she said.

“Basically, it’s the work done with students.

It’s a wonderful memory to remember—so many different moments in the classroom where the students got it.”

Eva Paulino Bueno Ph.D., Department of Languages, Professor of Spanish and Portuguese, 19 years.

Bueno has worked at St. Mary’s since 2002.

The transition online was not difficult for Bueno but the effects of teaching exclusively on Zoom proved to be challenging. “...languages, you need to read the facial expressions of the students many times because if the person wants to say something, the microphone doesn’t catch it and so on. So it’s very tiring to teach virtual classes,” Bueno said.

Bueno longs to see the university succeed and emphasized how important it is for the university to find someone to fill her position after she retires. “It is extremely important that we have somebody who can occupy my position, somebody who can teach not just language, but Latin American and Spanish literature,” said Bueno.

She shared her hopes for the university saying, “What I hope for the future of St. Mary’s is that whoever comes next after me…can feel this family, this real community feeling that we had before, that I felt I had,” said Bueno.

“I hope the administration of St. Mary’s does not go towards the university as an enterprise because St. Mary’s is so much more than that. St. Mary’s is not just a money-making operation....We have a mission,” Bueno continued. “That mission is important. I came here because of that mission…. whether it continues being a university, for the community, with the community, by the community, it’s something that remains to be seen.”

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International students during the pandemic POLINA PROTOZANOVA NEWS EDITOR

Many Americans associate COVID-19 with Zoom fatigue, economic instability or prolonged quarantine. While all of these experiences have become almost universal, the pandemic has brought on another problem - worldwide border lockdown.

Just like former President Donald Trump restricted nonessential travel to the United States, many other countries

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closed their borders completely to incoming visitors. American embassies all around the world severely reduced their number of appointments or closed down completely. This meant that throughout the past year it became almost impossible for international students to receive or renew their F-1 visas.

While some got practically trapped in the United States, others could not leave their home countries for months.

St. Mary’s University has become a new home for many international

students all around the globe.

Undergraduates featured in this article all experienced the pandemic differently: some had to spend months in their home countries under a strict lockdown, while others made a decision to stay in San Antonio apart from their families. As the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines loosen and life returns to a new “normalcy”, international students reflect on their year in a pandemic. Here is how it went in their own words.

ANGELA ASFURA, HONDURAS JUNIOR, MECHANICAL ENGINEERING MAJOR

SAMMAN TYATA , NEPAL SENIOR, COMPUTER SCIENCE MAJOR

“Before the pandemic, the Commons used to be full of lively people - studying, hanging out, getting the much-needed coffee break at Starbucks, but now it’s usually empty with everybody six feet apart. Additionally, most of the campus events are canceled which slightly hinders the living-learning aspect in the community.

Being far away from family during such a pandemic is honestly tough. My parents never stop worrying about me. Furthermore, being international not only limits us from traveling back but also creates problems for living on [or] off-campus during the time when the semester ends.”

“Last year, I was able to return home as soon as they opened the Honduran airport for emergency travel (sometime in April). COVID in Honduras was extremely different from here, especially since our health system is not great. We had to enforce a lockdown that didn’t permit us to go out at all.

One member of the family was able to go and get essentials once every two weeks, but that was it. Thankfully things are better now and I was able to return to campus. Life here has been better, I was able to get the vaccine, see my friends, go to class and get a job. I still take every safety measurement in the book; I’m thankful things are better but one thing I did learn from this, is that we need to appreciate everything in life, especially the little things.”

MAJO VALIENTE, EL SALVADOR SOPHOMORE, BUSINESS MANAGEMENT MAJOR

“The quality of the healthcare system in my country is very poor, due to the lack of resources and the corrupt government.

For a couple of months, life got very restrictive in El Salvador, as many regulations were enforced. We couldn’t go out of our home without a signed government letter, and policemen were circulating the streets stopping cars checking for the needed documents. Schools were closed and sadly they are still closed, so I had to stay indoors all the time with my family. Thinking about my experience in El Salvador sometimes makes me feel resentment towards the authoritarian government, but it also makes me feel thankful as it helped me grow as a person and it even helped me bond with my family.”

BRUNO LEZAMA, PERU SOPHOMORE, DIGITAL MARKETING MAJOR

“I couldn’t go back to Peru with my family because the borders were closed. I had to spend two months in different houses with my friend’s family because I didn’t have any other place to stay. I had to quarantine in a hotel for two weeks in Peru because of my country’s regulations. However, I was able to come back to my house with my family after all. We are in a difficult situation because of the pandemic in Peru, but I have to admit that thanks to the quarantine in my country, it was the first time that I could spend a lot of time with my family in the house. Now, I can’t believe that I was able to spend one entire year with all of my family under the same roof. After eating my mother’s ‘tallarines verdes’ after classes, it’s going to be hard to eat the cafeteria food again.”

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Mental Health in 2020 SEANA BARCLAY OPINION EDITOR

In a year that has been more taxing than ever for everyone around the world, students have been forced to take many things into consideration, whether it be social issues, the health and safety of others or the pain of losing loved ones. Because of all the world has been through this year, mental health hasn’t been at the forefront of people’s concerns despite its importance to one’s own well-being. With everything the past year has thrown at them, many students have had the opportunity to reflect on how the year has impacted their mental health and how they can do simple things to benefit their state of mind going forward.

It was extremely difficult to deal with feelings of isolation and not being around people. It made me realize how much of my mental health dealt with being around other people.

-Didier Cadena, senior English major

[While] this past year has been one of the most difficult years I’ve had, I’m happy to say it has been one of immense growth.

-Claudia Sanchez, junior history major [Once] I started going to therapy and finding normalcy within the chaos that I found some peace and while it’s still a work in progress, I’m now in a way better place than I was a year ago.

-Andrea Moreno, junior English major

I am drained. I am tired. I have no motivation to do anything. However, now that vaccines are being distributed, I have hope that life will return to normal soon.”

-Cassie Hawley, junior English language arts and reading major

The first few months of quarantine weren’t so bad, I was able to focus on my hobbies and not worry about much. Then school started and everything [kind of ] turned for the worst... [I’ve] started counseling, [I’m] taking things one day at a time and I know I’ll slowly get better.

-Jorge Martinez, junior mathematics major

I was extremely stressed out [but] I was also surrounded by my family members who constantly showed their support for me. I was able to really cherish my time with them and it helped with my stress.

-Bianca Benavidez, junior biology major 15 | STMURATTLERNEWS.COM | MAY 2021

Student Tips for Tough Times Here are a few small tips and tricks from students to help bring some calm to this past year’s chaos.

“Do self-care things for yourself, like making sure you’ve eaten today and [drank] water.” -Gabby Rivera, senior psychology major

“Take breaks, whether it be from schoolwork ([just] communicate with your professors)[or] social media even.” -Gabby Rivera

“Go outside and go for a short walk. Just enjoy nature for a bit as a little break.” -Bianca Benavidez, junior biology major

“Prioritize getting enough sleep each night on a regular basis. [A few] hours is better than none.” -Bianca Benavidez

“Find a friend you trust so you can talk to and lean on when you need to.” -Kaitlynn Moody, senior psychology major

“Utilize resources around you. [Like] counseling, psychiatry, spiritual support, accessibility services, [etc.]” -Kaitlynn Moody

Student Counseling Center 210-436-3135 (for appointments) counseling@stmarytx.edu Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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Rattlers Write

An assortment of poems writen by the Rattler community Gerardo Nino Pozos Lifestyle Editor

The Rattler’s goal has always been focused on delivering entertaining and accurate news content for the St. Mary’s community to enjoy. With this goal, the Rattler adheres to guidelines outlined by the Associated Press on publishing news content. For over a century, the Rattler has done just that.

Consequentially, this leaves certain creative works that derive from a student’s personal voice out of publication. Such works are pertinent to the coverage of the university community, especially when the past twenty years have altered the landscape of social life and students have so much to say.

Those who are in college today are too young to recall the social reverberations from 9/11; most students now were only children at the time. The aftermath of 9/11 led to several changes to the United States airline industry, shaping how people travel today. 19 years later, the world experienced another disaster that is again reshaping the landscape of everyday life. The COVID-19 outbreak led to a year-long struggle that is slowly coming to end. Yet, the pandemic will never leave the memories of those who lived it. More importantly, the memories of those lost to the virus will always be treasured.

Given that The Rattler has covered the pandemic extensively, it is important to capture the pandemic directly from student voices and hear from their perspectives, and about how the year has played out for them. Please enjoy these poetry submissions from two Rattler students, a graduate and a professor.

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Another Day by Courtney Pena

The Pandemic from an Introvert’s Perspective

by Micheal Baladez

Another day just the same From nine to nine always on the grind Working hard so that people know my name And yet I always struggle to unwind Working through Zoom while locked in my room Talking to my peers is now one of my fears Tired of feeling gloom like I’m in a tomb Wishing that I can go back two years Reading and writing and studying, oh my Can’t complain, I just got to do it Doing it all while trying not to cry Knowing deep down I’m never going to quit Another day is expected to unfold I hope that these quarantine days will be nevermore Since it’s always the same old same old But for now, I can’t wait to see what tomorrow has in store

Not much has changed since the pandemic had begun.

The only company I have being me, An eternal party of one.

All things considered; it is fun to be alone.

I can do whatever I want from the comfort of my home.

I spend my evenings studying or playing games; My days and afternoons wasting hours watching clouds pass.

I often look at the dorms from my double-glazed glass.

In between classes or during my time spent awake.

I think of tomorrow and hope to avoid a mistake.

But nothing makes me happier than to do all of this.

These events bring me joy and feelings of bliss.

Every weekday spent doing this and writing that, All for the grand reward Of a gold and blue colored hat.

Pale Lonley by Diane G. Bertrand

How Do You Reboot a Crashing Nation

by Renée Padilla

Which mask to cover my mouth conceal my disappointment deter confrontation?

A black mask mourns holding hands.

Only one in my household bubble steps closer to share an umbrella.

Dressed for celebration with no Fiesta events on the calendar, a mask chosen for the pale lonely sheltering in place.

“Hello,” I tell blank boxes on a screen – No response. “Hello,” I try again, but, Static and silence are simply routine.

“Hello? Is anybody listening?”

Faces freeze, the laptop fan blows hot air – Frantic, I click icons and a shortcut, I’m shouting now, “Is anybody there?”

Bam, black screen. Tired eyes and messy hair Fill the heated screen I executed – I scream my held breath, slam my laptop shut!

Breathe in, text a friend: “Oh, you were muted.”

My eye twitches, laptop is rebooted.

No one hears muted voices, so are We Muted? Or do They ignore every plea?

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Black Student Union President Hailey Stewart JACOB A. HENSON ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

Courtesy of respective organization

Hailey Stewart, junior industrial engineering major, sat down to discuss the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement and the Black Student Union (BSU): then versus now. Looking back on what will almost be one year since the killing of George Floyd and the protests that followed, Stewart shared her initial reaction.

“Floyd’s death was definitely shocking because of the video. I mean you could see the life drain out of him, which was scary,” Stewart said. “I think that’s of course what caught a lot of people’s attention. My mom and I had a lot of conversations about it and one of the things that made the George Floyd protests and that year more impactful [compared to 2013 when the movement began] was because so many more people were on social media and we were all at home because of COVID. I think that forced everyone to watch and see for the first time how

ugly racism really is and think to themselves, ‘wow systemic racism is alive.’ Finally, some people were like, ‘oh maybe the system is broken and not orientated toward Black people.’”

It is important to note her perspective on the protests that trailed immediately afterward.

In short, Stewart’s attitude was pejorative.

She detested those who hopped on the BLM train looking to expand their social capital, rather than those who joined the cause out of earnest fidelity. “[The protests were] really popular at one point. Performative activism was like a trend to post a black screen [on socials] and it’s disappointing to see that it’s not still around for the people that care full time,” Stewart added. “[Activists] are still putting in the work and reaching out to people. On the flip side, because of the protests, I had never had so many people ask how I was doing. But — and this is kind of a terrible thing to say — Black killings happen so often, yet people are more aware of it now. It’s just

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with

Conversation A

that this is their first time being uncomfortable.

But people of color, especially Black people, have become comfortable being very uncomfortable.

However, I do have to say that I’m really glad that people are trying their hardest to understand and include the movement in their daily lives.”

There is no doubt that 2020 has sparked a rise in social activism, seeing the BLM movement as an emergent social justice topic. Yet, Stewart sensibly noted that there are two different types of followers in this movement. Those who are devoted for the sake of ending police brutality and racial injustice, and those who are looking to provoke riots for the sake of overthrowing the government.

“There’s a difference between the people who made the organization and those who abide by it as a maxim [only to incite revolution],” Stewart said. “There’s part of the Black Lives Matter movement that I don’t necessarily agree with, something about the Marxist movement and those who are directly involved with that. But then there are people who live it on a daily basis and take it literally.”

As a matter of fact, BLM co-founders Patrisse Cullors and Alicia Garza identify themselves as trained Marxists. While their political beliefs have not been directly traced to affect followers, there is question as to whether it has inspired insurrection. Since the movement’s inception, this has been a significant point to bring up. That is, two different parties have merged all in the name of BLM, but not all live by the creed that was originally intended. There are those who protest and there are those who riot. However, it is important to understand that not all protesters are rioters, but that some if not all rioters may be persuaded by a Marxist approach rather than a call to end racial inequality. Stewart also discussed how her role as a student came at a most pertinent time after the first protests and during the budding social dilemma on campus.

“Talking directly with Dean Bessler was one of first things I did before I came back to school [in 2020],” Stewart said. “Another group of students, not an organization or anything, contacted me and said, ‘Hey, would you be interested if we went to Dean Bessler and brought up our concerns?’

Bessler then scheduled the first meeting with us and followed with a series of meetings until we switched back gathering as the Student Advisory Board, which I am also a part of.”

The Student Advisory Board involves student leaders that come together bringing different perspectives and concerns meeting every month.

The goal of the Student Advisory Board is to relay the messages of the students to Dean Bessler and the administration.

“It’s a direct link between the SGA leaders, the BSU leaders, the Law School leaders, Greek Life leaders and other organizations,” Stewart described. “A lot of people don’t know about it and that’s been an issue we’ve been talking about, but we want people to know that we have a direct link to Dean Bessler. We can have a meeting, sit down, reserve a block of time and express concerns about racial inequity, COVID or literally anything.”

In a follow-up question about the students’ first 2020 meeting with Bessler, Stewart said one of the biggest concerns that was brought up was on the topic of transparency. The group of students she was meeting with wanted to know if the university was directly donating to the BLM cause.

“As much as he could say, Dean Bessler said there is information he would not share,” according to Stewart. “They weren’t donating to any organizations like that. It’s not the way the school felt called to give back and I seconded that; I didn’t think it was appropriate to discuss.”

However, what Stewart did find appropriate to discuss was in regard to the topic of not only Black concerns but on behalf of MexicanHispanic concerns too. She was interested in talking about creating a more diverse faculty and staff, incorporating more Mexican-Hispanic studies and was intrigued by the connotation of what it means to be a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI), which St. Mary’s University is.

“It was a bummer finding this out,” Stewart said. “Being an HSI only means that you have 25% or more Hispanic students of origin; and it’s just for a tax break. I made the suggestion to change the HSI term to incorporate more Hispanic culture involved [on campuses]. For example, making the Gateway available in Spanish, which has been on the table for a long time, but the school has not done anything about it because they keep giving us the runa round of ‘it’s too expensive and who would need that?’ and I responded, ‘student’s parents and students themselves.’”

It was fascinating to hear that MexicanHispanic topics were discussed even though the original topic was focused on the BLM movement and the controversy that came from it. Stewart concurred and continues to believe that finding mutuality will bring closure to those who are socially divided.

“I think that’s why being both the President and a member of BSU is so important to me, because being a minority within a minority is a whole different experience,” Stewart continued.

Photo by Jacob A. Henson

“There’s only a handful of Black people campus, and even less staff to connect with, which is not detrimental to my education or anything, but it would be nice to see more diversity and more people who look like me on campus. At this point, Dean Bessler and President Mengler were asking, ‘how can we do that?’ which is interesting because I don’t think [students] should be the ones figuring that out. We can make concerns and suggestions, but that’s all we can do.”

Finally, Stewart offered some advice to students looking to take part in the campus movement, especially to those who feel isolated.

“Honestly, joining an organization is a step,” Stewart said. “Joining BSU, SGA, is a big step. Being a member is very important; that’s the whole point of organizations. Also, try to challenge the racism and prejudice that is encountered on a daily basis. Lastly, we have an Instagram which students can follow to get more connected and

reach out to people.”

In Stewart’s last comments, she also wanted to highlight the Student Counseling Center.

“They are very receptive there,” she said and recommended their services for additional resources to help during the duration of the BLM movement or for any other social struggle a students may face. From her personal experience sessions will still be taking place via telephone and Zoom at least for the remainder of the year.

No new members have joined BSU since their flock after the 2020 protests, but Stewart is hopeful to continue her work alongside the students that are present. BSU’s next event will be celebrating Juneteenth, the U.S.’s historical emancipation from slavery, this coming summer.

For any additional questions about Stewart’s perspective on the BLM movement or interest in joining BSU feel free to contact the officers at bsu.stmu@gmail.com or @bsu_stmu.

MAY 2021 | @STMURATTLERNEWS |

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What Rattlers Want to Keep After the Pandemic BRIANA BAILEY WEB EDITOR

With a year of the COVID-19 pandemic putting a halt to social gatherings, including school and work, students have had to adjust to the new normal. Now that so many Rattlers are used to these virtual accommodations, the question of whether these changes will last after the pandemic is on the horizon.

While looking forward to being able to gather around one another again, many students feel we shouldn’t completely revert to our prior ways of doing things. The new experiences and adjustments we have made may be beneficial to the St. Mary’s and San Antonio communities.

Through maintaining virtual connections, we have strengthened throughout the pandemic.

From wanting to continue virtual learning and working from home, to continuing the takeout boxes in the cafeteria, the new experiences we’ve had in this past year might be for the better as we approach normal circumstances.

RECORDING LECTURES “After the pandemic, I strongly believe that class lectures should continue to be recorded and uploaded onto Canvas even if students are returning back to in person classes next semester. Having class lectures recorded is great for our students because we have the ability be able to review material in preparation for assessments or catch up on lectures we miss due to emergencies or other reasons.”

- Andrew Tran, senior accounting and analytics major Graphic by Briana Bailey

TAKEOUT BOXES FROM THE CAFE “So basically, we love the takeout boxes from the cafe, it makes it easier if you are a busy person, [because] you are able to eat on the go or wherever you are, without having to actually make time in your schedule to sit down in the cafe.”

- Angela Asfura, sophomore mechanical engineering major

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| STMURATTLERNEWS.COM | MAY 2021

Courtesy of Canvas

OPTION OF VIRTUAL LEARNING/WORKING “I would like to see the flexibility of working locations continue. If people need to stay home for whatever reason (be that health, family, etc.) and feel that they would still be able to work then they should be able to. Working from home should be included and respected as a person’s accommodations.”

- Kaitlynn Moody, senior psychology major

Graphic by Sara Regassa

“After the pandemic, I think having the option of remote learning would benefit students because it would allow them to have greater flexibility and control over their academic careers. Many students struggle with their responsibilities especially after the pandemic therefore this flexibility would allow them to further their education while not sacrificing elsewhere.”

- Bryann Cervantes, senior marketing major MAINTAIN VIRTUAL CONNECTIONS “The ongoing pandemic has given us the opportunity to connect with people from St Mary’s that aren’t necessarily in San Antonio. We can Zoom and have classes with students from Peru, El Salvador, Mexico and even though we are miles apart we are still connected thanks to the virtual environment. After the pandemic is over, I will definitely still be communicating with anyone that I can reach out to.”

- Monserrat Garcia, freshman international and global studies major HOPES TO KEEP SOME BEHAVIORS AFTER THE PANDEMIC One change I appreciate about the pandemic is how professors became more understanding of students’ needs and personal issues outside the classroom. Before COVID, many class rules were rigid and strict but afterwards more professors displayed empathy. I hope going forward this continues. I also enjoy how people are more likely to hold others accountable for sanitation. I am glad more people wash their hands. One great change is getting more time at home to spend with pets. Not having to commute to work every day is a nice break from driving.

- Will Rybicki, senior finance major

MAY 2021 | @STMURATTLERNEWS |

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LARRY RODRIGUEZ SHEA SPORTS EDITOR

This past year has been tough on many; whether it be caused by the pandemic itself or the indirect effects that have arisen from this turbulent year. For many, this year has come with an increased feeling of life just going in circles.

Amanda Swan, junior communication studies major, feels that people will come out of this feeling more appreciative of life, particularly family interaction.

“I definitely think people will be more appreciative of the simple freedoms [that] public health offers,” Swan said.

“I think children being raised now will grow up more grateful than we were for visiting family often and 23 | STMURATTLERNEWS.COM | MAY 2021

experiencing things like concerts and museums.”

That is why the future seems bright.

When this is all said-and done people will wonder “what’s next?” It seems we are coming to the end of the pandemic with rapid vaccination efforts and some semblance of normalcy on the horizon. So, what does that mean for people? A time to reconnect with family-and loved ones, the world around them, nature and so much more. For Swan, it means a long-awaited visit to family she hasn’t seen in too long.

“I want to go with my sister and my niece to visit our family in Mexico,” Swan said. “They haven’t seen my niece in over a year due to COVID-19 travel restrictions and she [has] grown so much since then.”

Looking Forward To What’s Next Joe Napier freshman finance and risk management Once the pandemic finally reaches an end, I hope to spend more time outdoors and find time to travel. Being stuck indoors for a large portion of last year made me realize that I took the world around us for granted. It is important for us to enjoy and appreciate the world we live in and all its wonderful details.

Ethan Acevedo freshman business management Once COVID dies down I’m looking forward to finally being able to go on that road trip my friends and I have been planning. We knew that once we graduated, we wouldn’t get the chance since we all go to universities in different cities and states, so hopefully, we get the chance to make up what we missed.

Nichole Wieland, sophomore digital marketing major Caily Torres, sophomore biology major Angela Asfura, sophomore mechanical engineering major

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Enrique Castro freshman computer science major My plan is to see my [extended] family in Galveston, we always go to the beach or watch movies or spend the day at Moody Gardens. It’s a lot of sun and a lot of fun and we often wrap the day up eating some of the best food in the Gulf. I can’t wait to see my grandparents, aunts and uncles and my cousins.

“We are [going to] go on a road trip to California and then go to Hawaii from there,” Wieland said. “This is because Angela loves to drag the two of us everywhere, but we have fun, so we don’t complain. You could call us the three amigos!”

Zyania Seijas senior finance and risk management major I am moving to Dallas, TX and starting a job as a financial analyst with AT&T. And the first chance I get, I plan to take a trip throughout Mexico and its “pueblos mágicos” or magic towns. I would like to travel and soak in the Mexican culture as much as I can.

MAY 2021 | @STMURATTLERNEWS |

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Rattler’s Last Bite Saying that working for the Rattler was a rewarding experience would be an understatement. Before my time at St. Mary’s, I was never really interested much in journalism. I was set on becoming a lawyer and the track I was going to take did not really lend itself much to learning about print media, photography or even any creative outlets. For several reasons, after my first semester I was quite unsure about the career I was looking to go into. Before making any drastic decisions, I was hoping to explore more of my interests through RSO’s and groups on campus. I first learned about the Rattler near the end of that first semester of my freshman year. I attended a general meeting, picked up a story and ended up really enjoying the entire process. Through another project, I became friends with several staff members of the Rattler. I began to get more involved and regularly contributed to issues with both writing and photography. Nearing the end of my third year, an opportunity for the photo editor position was available. I immediately applied, got hired and began to work with an amazing staff. From the semi-frequent food outings we made as “bonding exercises”, to the late nights spent in the Rattler was beyond what I could expect for a student-led publication.Two things I’ll take away from the rattler are the amount of people I’ve been able to meet and the feeling of creating something concrete that could be shared with the university. Though we do upload the paper digitally, seeing hundreds of physical copies of an issue I worked on being circulated was a tremendously gratifying experience. The Rattler was a very large part of my St. Mary’s experience and I would encourage anyone to get involved. I would like to thank the past and present staff and wish the Rattler the best in the future! - Ivan Briones My experience at The Rattler has been instrumental to my time here at St. Mary’s. As a commuter, I didn’t have a lot keeping me on campus other than my classes, but The Rattler kept me grounded in the St. Mary’s community. I began as a contributing writer and I’m leaving as Editor-in-Chief. Along the way, I’ve met some of the brightest, hardworking reporters and editors whose creativity has inspired my own. A beautiful thing about The Rattler staff is that we work as an ecosystem, constantly learning from each other and putting our skills together to produce something for the community. I’ll definitely miss The Rattler and my colleagues, and I’ll treasure the lessons that came with being a reporter for the St. Mary’s community. - Samantha Ruvalcaba It’s a miracle that I got to work at the Rattler. I was extremely uncertain that I would be hired, so I never applied despite writing since my sophomore year.

I realized that it was 100% certain I would never be hired if I didn’t apply. The worst they could say is no. Even then, I was still surprised that I got hired; I consider it one of the biggest honors of my life. I’m extremely grateful I got to be a part of the Rattler’s history. This was a funny year to put it lightly. Things didn’t play out the way we would’ve liked them to because of the coronavirus. Regardless, I always looked forward to coming to the newsroom, it was almost like a second home except for early press weekends (those I won’t miss). Everyone was always kind and willing to help out which was great because I was clueless on designing anything, especially on a Mac. Who uses Macs, honestly? Even though I only worked with them for two semesters, I’ll miss working with Demi, Seana, Polina, Jacob and Sam, who were all were wonderful people to work with. I’ll miss seeing them at every press weekend or simply in the newsroom. I’ll miss things like interviewing students, working with my writers and simply cramming over deadlines, but there is a finality in it now. I’m ready to go and start something new, knowing I did just about all I could for the Rattler. I hope I get to do more of that stuff in the future, somewhere. Thank you for hiring me and believing in me! - Gerardo Nino Pozos 25 | STMURATTLERNEWS.COM | MAY 2021

Congratulations class of 2021 for graduating during such a challenging year!

The Rattler Staff MAY 2021 | @STMURATTLERNEWS |

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We are very proud of

THE RATTLER and our Communication Professor Ana Bendana Communication Studies Department