10 FEATURES
EDITOR: MIDORI GONZALEZ/ @RATTLERMIDORI
Pre law fraternity hosts first panel discussion Phi Alpha Delta International was founded on November 8, 1902. Currently there are 207 law chapters nationwide. DANIELLE SAENZ STAFF WRITER
Phi Alpha Delta, the pre-law fraternity, kicked off it’s fall semester of professional events by hosting Special Topics in Law, an event that included a panelist of three lawyers and two judges from the San Antonio area. Fraternity members of the St. Mary’s and Texas State chapters asked the special guests questions about the field of law, law school and their overall experiences within law. Steven Lopez, from Steven A. Lopez law firm, was among the group of attorneys and judges who attended the event. “I wish there was an organization like this around when I was an undergrad,” Lopez said. “It would have made the choice [to study law] easier. Events like this help the members understand the field of law and it’s a way for them to make sure that law school is truly for them.” The priority of the fraternity is to grow the bonds of brotherhood while helping its members decide if law school is for them by hosting speaker events, LSAT prep, study hours, various professional events and brotherhood events. Javier Herrera, from Herrera law firm, is a personal injury lawyer who shares a firm with his family members. Herrera mentions the trials and tribulations of deciding to pursue a career in law. “Law school is a big choice to make,” Herrera said. “It is not something you can
breeze through and get by without doing your reading or studying. It is a commitment that you must be prepared for.” Phi Alpha Delta is an international fraternity that includes pre-law, law school and graduate law chapters. The purpose and mission of the fraternity is to bring prospectives together with those in the field of law as a community so they can connect in the area of law. Over the past few years, the St. Mary’s chapter has been growing in membership, and it has put on several speaker events. Though most of their events are private, they sometimes host public events open to the university. Jamie Lee Denton, senior English major,
is currently the president of Phi Alpha Delta. Denton and the other chapter officers hope to gain the interest of more pre-law students and keep putting on professional law events. Many members said the organization gives them opportunities to network and ask questions about law. Phi Alpha Delta is an open membership organization that allows any student of any major who is interested in the field of law to learn more about the various professions in law. Students interested in learning more about Phi Alpha Delta can attend the next meeting on Oct. 12 at 8:30 p.m. in UCB.
(Left to right) Jennifer Moynahan, Midori Gonzalez, Lauren Chavez, Jamie Lee Denton, Loriann Martinez, and Danielle Saenz | Courtesy of Jamie Lee Denton
Student government senators set foundations for the future TAMARA GARCIA EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
The current Student Government Association (SGA) is not only looking at what it can do for students now but also what is can do for students in the future. After a round of elections earlier in the semester, SGA now has 10 of its 12 senator positions filled. Each classification has three senator representatives that work closely with the student body in and out of their classification to address issues that are on the minds of the students. Luis Zaragoza, senior industrial engineering major and SGA president, is excited for what this year’s SGA can accomplish. “We just had elections and pledged in our new members,” Zaragoza said. “All of our business comes from the students and I’m excited to see what our senators can accomplish this year.” Now that most of the senator positions have been filled, the team is ready to get to work for the students. “We are really getting down to training our new senators,” Zaragoza said. “Communication and empowerment are two words that mostly describe our training. We want to make sure we are communicating with our senators and officers.” In addition to the executive officers, SGA also has four committees dealing with academic affairs, enrollment management, student life, and spirits and tradition.
“We also have the ability to create ad hoc committees through out the year. We don’t have any currently, but that’s one of the things we hope to change this year because we feel that there is something lacking particularly to external affairs and media management.” Senators have already been given and completed assignments of talking to students and discussing what are some of
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One of our goals is we really want to stick down foundations for future SGAs. We want to make sure our relationships are standing year to year.” Luis Zaragoza SGA president
the concerns they have. After speaking directly to students about their concerns, the senators address the issues one by one in their weekly meetings. Each senator offers a different perspective from the different students they spoke to. The next step in the process, according to Zaragoza, is to devise a proposal for what SGA hopes to accomplish regarding a particular issue brought to their attention. “We’ve been getting a lot of feedback from the students about the printing system. It’s not the process that bothers people. The process is great. The main issue with the
printing system this year is the pricing,” Zaragoza said. “First of all, the pricing went from 5 cents to 10 cents per page. [The students] would like to have the system we have now with the payment characteristics of last year,” Zaragoza said. Several other issues have been discussed by the senators but one of the other most frequently discussed is inclusivity and more involvement on campus, according to Zaragoza. “One of the big issues that people are talking about is inclusivity as in more involvement and life for campus,” Zaragoza said. “So many students want to see more events...A lot of don’t hear [about events].” One of the main goals Zaragoza has for SGA is to plan for the future of SGA. “One of our goals is we really want to stick down foundations for future SGAs,” Zaragoza said. “We want to make sure our relationships are standing year to year.”
STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION CONTACT INFORMATION Located on the second floor of the university center in room 249. phone: 210-436-3403 St. Mary’s University Box #84 email: sga@stmarytx.edu
FROM “RATTLER AWAKENING”
leader at the time and was super great at training me. Just this past retreat, I was the music head. I picked the music, coordinated the songs and lead the praise and worship.” Brother Jose, the minister for spiritual development, is responsible for providing programs that target specific groups in the university community in order to foster inner growth. One of the ways this is accomplished is by having retreats. These retreats allow inner growth, group activities, prayer and reflection. “By the end of the weekend, they have grown together,” Brother Jose said. “They’re journeying together and accompanying each other. They have a sense of, ‘Hey, I’m not the only one going through these struggles. I’m not the only one who is facing doubts, who is facing lack of faith, who is facing a challenge to my spiritual life.’” Brother Jose mentioned that the primary objective is to grow as a person, and get a different perspective on life and others. “The big goal is to reflect on those relationships on yourself, others and God. It’s more of an awakening to the gift of life that God gave us and to view life as a beautiful thing,” Brother Jose said. “There is no traditional hierarchy at the awakening. It is a peer-to-peer dynamic that is organized by students for students, Brother Jose said. Senior international relations major Casey Dunn, recalled the weekendlong event. “You don’t really hear too much about Rattler Awakening,” Dunn said. “You just know that it’s amazing. I think that’s the magic. You don’t know what’s happening, and you don’t know what’s going to happen. That pushes you to be more open to it. It pushes you forward. It’s all around about moving forward, and I feel that’s what other people feel is missing from other retreats.” Kellie Cantu, junior psychology major, mentioned her experience going to her first Rattler Awakening this year. Cantu felt the most rewarding aspect of the retreat was getting closer to her faith. She plans on being staff for next semester in order to help newcomers find the same fulfillment that she has. “It was a beautiful and wonderful experience,” Cantu said. “I’m so glad my dear friend encouraged me to go. Words can’t even describe how wonderful it was. I highly recommend and encourage everyone to experience it at least once in their life. It can make a difference.” Rattler Awakening is the largest volunteer retreat program at St. Mary’s. It is a part of a larger family of retreat teams throughout the state of Texas. Registration for Rattler Awakening XX opens Spring semester 2016. There is a fee of $75 with a chance for a partial or even a full scholarship. Every St. Mary’s student is allowed to go once as a retreat participant and any future participation must involve volunteering with the staff.
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