08-22-2023

TUESDAY

August 22, 2023

VOLUME 113 ISSUE 3 www.UniversityStar.com

ATHLETICS

NATURAL DISASTER

2022-23 Texas State sports year in review

TXST freshman, mother lose home due to Maui fire

By David Cuevas Sports Editor The 2022-23 seasons began full of excitement and anticipation at the possibilities of what could be achieved by several of the Texas State Athletic teams.

The successful year students and fans had hoped for and envisioned was instead marred with inconsistency as the high expectations for some of the teams were not lived up to.

For Texas State, the 2022-23 athletic season was a 10-month period that featured letdowns, surprising postseason victories, a head coach firing, the departure of all-time great players, a new head coach hiring that has reignited excitement level and much more.

Here is a look back at how the Texas State teams faired during the 2022-23 season.

SEE ATHLETICS PAGE 5

STAR FILE PHOTO

Texas State mascot, Boko, rides a motorcycle to lead the Bobcats out onto the field before the start of a football game, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, at Bobcat Stadium.

By Blake Leschber News Editor On Aug. 8, Kathleen Machado had just returned from work to her apartment complex in Lahaina, Maui. Just a few minutes later, disaster struck as a wildfire made its way towards her place of living, forcing her to evacuate. Her daughter, Hana Gonzalez, an exercise and sports sciences freshman, was out of the state preparing to move to Texas State that following week.

The Lahaina fire set ablaze on Aug. 8 and has been ravaging the west side of the island ever since. Currently, over 100 people have died in the fire and search and rescue teams are still deploying to potentially find more people.

“There was a hurricane south of us and we thought we didn’t have anything to worry about and the winds were nuking so the power went out and we didn’t have power all day,” Machado said. “There was dust in the air, I got home from work and about five minutes into that phone call there was smoke coming all over our house, so I basically grabbed the stuff for disaster.”

Maui has emergency sirens and alerts set up in case of an emergency, like the fire, but according to Machado, the sirens never went off, leaving citizens left in the dark as to what was happening.

After leaving her apartment complex, Machado was stuck in gridlock traffic due to limited infrastructure on the island.

According to Machado, a normally five-minute drive took a trip of over 30 minutes. While she was able to get to a friend’s neighborhood, some people were forced to evacuate in unprecedented ways.

SEE NATURAL DISASTER PAGE 3

AGRICULTURE

Budding student-run farm continues its growth

By Marisa Nunez Life and Arts Reporter Just left off of Freeman Ranch Road, the smell of fresh chives, basil and topsoil fills the air while students weave through rows of blooming watermelons and ripe peppers. 22 plant beds, a greenhouse and a yellow shed currently occupy some space in the 1.4-acre plot of the student-run farm, but the organization is always looking for more ways to grow.

Bobcat Farm is a hands-on learning experience open to students, faculty and staff. Since its start in 2022 by adviser Nicole Wagner, assistant professor in crop and soil science, the farm has aided classrooms and graduate students in research, provided local produce to students and locals through Bobcat Bounty and the Farmers Market.

Bobcat Farm has also become a middle ground for students in the agriculture department.

SEE AGRICULTURE PAGE 10

PHOTO BY MARISA NUNEZ

Student farmers Luke Orona, Canyon Tillmon and Landon Brown tending to basil crops, Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023 at Bobcat Farm.

ENVIRONMENT

Drought in Central Texas worsens as low spring flows persist

By Carson Weaver Editor in Chief Where there were once hundreds of tiny springs bubbling up to the top of Spring Lake, there are now only dozens. Instead of a vast array of limestone sand, guests of Spring Lake can now see it mostly covered with algae.

The San Marcos Springs, one of the largest major spring networks in the San Antonio segment of the Edwards Aquifer, has had an average flow of roughly 80 cubic feet per second this summer – the average flow for the springs is 152 cubic feet per second.

The Edwards Aquifer, an underground water source that supplies the San Marcos springs with water and over two million people in Texas for drinking and everyday use, is at its lowest level since 2014.

PHOTO BY NICHAELA SHAHEEN Only 1956, which had an all-time low flow of 46 cubic feet per second, and Visitors of the Sewell Park stand on the sidewalk, and one swimmer wades in the water due to 1996, which had an average flow of 76 cubic feet per second, have seen lower low river levels, Saturday, July 8, 2023, at the San Marcos River in San Marcos. flows than this year.

SEE ENVIRONMENT PAGE 3

Vegan and Vegetarian Options

Korean Kitchen

Korean Bowls Kimbop Rolls Bubble Tea

512.749.9007

301 N Guadalupe Street

The University Star

2 | Tuesday, August 22, 2023

NEWS

Blake Leschber News Editor starnews@txstate.edu

FINANCE

Student debt forgiveness canceled, affecting TXST students, alumni

By Ryan Claycamp News Reporter In August 2022, the White House Administration announced a plan for student loan forgiveness, but lawsuits piled up and eventually struck the plan down.

On June 30, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the loan forgiveness plan, Biden v.

Nebraska, unconstitutional.

“It was not surprising in that the states that were suing claim that they were going to be damaged,” Dr. William Chittenden, an associate professor of finance, said.

Under the plan, borrowers who made less than $125,000 a year, or $250,000 per household, would have received up to $10,000 in forgiveness. Recipients of a Pell Grant would have received up to $20,000 in forgiveness.

“About half of the borrowers would have been completely student debt free, had the president’s original plan gone through,” Chittenden said According to Texas State President Kelly Damphousse, the average Texas State student graduates with around $25,000 in student loan debt. According to Forbes, the average student debt in Texas is $32,285, meaning Texas State students graduate with around $7,000 less in student debt than the state average.

“The average student at Texas State graduates with $25,000 in student loans, that’s less than the price of a car,” Damphousse said. “That number… is only students who have student loans. We have a lot of people who graduate with no debt at all, so if you calculate those, the average student loan debt is even lower than $25,000.”

The plan for student loans was controversial, not just legally, but among the general population. A lot of students and graduates saw the forgiveness plan as a great help, especially after the shakeup that was COVID-19.

“I think forgiveness should be granted. I started school during the pandemic, and it wasn’t what I expected,” Christopher Markgraph, a Texas State alumni, said.

“I have a good chunk in loans, so [student debt forgiveness] would have been a massive help.”

Among older alumni, fears of the impacts on the economy and a sense that paying off your debt is the right thing to do made debt forgiveness less popular. “[COVID-19] was a bad time. There were a lot of economic woes. People had difficulty. Small businesses were shut down. School went all online. As a teacher myself, I see the gaps in learning, so I understand that there was a need for [student debt relief ],” Donnie Bishop, a graduate of then Southwest Texas State University, and father of two students with student loans, said. “To me, I had to pay for all my loans. I went through tough times – not a pandemic, but tough times. We’re already trillions of dollars in debt, I just don’t think we should do it.”

The cancellation of student loans comes during an uncertain time for many borrowers across the country. According to Chittenden, student loans will begin accruing interest again, and payments will be due in October for the first time in three years.

“Not only does interest start on Sept. 1, but payments begin again in October,”

Chittenden said. “And again, that’s two, three, four, even $500 that you don’t have to spend on food, clothing, shelter, going out, etc.”

On July 14, just days after the Supreme Court decision was released, the White House Administration announced a new plan for forgiveness for those using income-driven repayment. The full plan can be found on the Department of Education’s website.

“If you make your payments [on time] for 10-to-20 years, based on what your income level is, then any balances at the end will be forgiven,” Chittenden said. “In addition, any extra interest is not going to be added to your account.”

According to the White House Administration, the new plan will forgive over $100 billion in debt across more than 3.4 million borrowers in the coming months.

INFOGRAPHIC BY MEAGAN WALTERS

Texas State Crime Log Showing data from June 2, 2023 - August 20, 2023

Drug related*

19

Alcohol related*

9

Theft related*

13

Hit and run

5

Sexual assault

1

Trespassing

8

Criminal mischief

17

Harassment

5

Stalking

2

Assault

2

Indecent exposure

1

Indecent assault

1

As reported by the University Police Department, 83 total crimes took place from June 2, 2023 - Aug. 20, 2023.

Statistics taken from the University Police Department’s daily crime and fire log.

*Possesion of drug paraphernalia offenses, possesion of a controlled substance offenses and possesion of marijuana are all shown in drug related crime. *Driving while intoxicated offenses, public intoxication offenses and liquor law violations are all shown in alcohol related crime. *Theft offenses and burglary offenses are both shown in theft related crime.

Publication Info

Editorial Staff

Trinity Building 203 Pleasant St. San Marcos, TX 78666 (512) 245 - 3487 History: The University Star is the student newspaper of Texas State University and is published every Tuesday of the spring and fall and once a month in the summer semesters. It is distributed on campus and throughout San Marcos at 8 a.m. on publication days with a distribution of 3,000. Printing and distribution is by the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung.

Editor-in-Chief:

Managing Editor:

Design Editor:

Carson Weaver stareditor@txstate.edu

Nichaela Shaheen starmanagingeditor@txstate.edu

Sarah Manning stardesign@txstate.edu

News Editor:

Life & Arts Editor:

Opinions Editor:

Blake Leschber starnews@txstate.edu

Haley Velasco starlifeandarts@txstate.edu

Rhian Davis staropinion@txstate.edu

Sports Editor:

Engagement Editor:

Director:

Zaria Jackson starengagement@txstate.edu

Laura Krantz laurakrantz@txstate.edu

David Cuevas starsports@txstate.edu

PIR Director Abbie Taylor starpr@txstate.edu

Digital Products Developer

Creative Service Director:

Sri Naga Sri Govvala starasstweb@txstate.edu

Michele Dupont starcreative@txstate.edu

Copyright: Copyright Tuesday, August 22, 2023. All copy, photographs and graphics appearing in The University Star are the exclusive property of The University Star and may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the editor-in-chief.

Deadlines:

Letters to the Editor or any contributed articles are due on Monday the week prior to publication.

Corrections:

Any errors that are in the pages of The University Star and brought to our attention will be corrected as soon as possible.

Visit The Star at universitystar.com

The University Star

Tuesday, August 22, 2023 | 3

NEWS

Blake Leschber News Editor starnews@txstate.edu

SPEECH

Present and future of university discussed at State of Texas State

STAR FILE PHOTO Lights illuminate the UAC Arch, Monday, March 29, 2021, at Texas State.

By Blake Leschber News Editor On Friday, Texas State hosted the State of Texas State speech to highlight what the university has done in the past year and its goals for the next year.

Texas State President Kelly

Damphousse said that last year, the university launched a vision for Texas State’s future called “Our Hopes and Aspirations High,” which consisted of five goals to achieve last year.

“We identified five strategic imperatives: elevate student success, Run to R1, increase enrollment, grow

FROM FRONT ENVIRONMENT Robert Mace, director and chief water policy officer at the Meadows Center, said he hasn't seen flows this low in a while.

“There’s a lot of concern by the folks at the Meadows Center about the springs,” Mace said. “We’ve seen the lake level go down… this is the worst many of us have ever seen [Spring Lake].”

In 1956, San Marcos was in its worst drought in history, which led to its lowest springflows ever. According to Mace, however, there was no management of the river system to protect the springs from the drought.

“It’s not just for the aesthetics, not just for the jumping in the river and floating… but for the vitality of our community,” Texas State President Kelly Damphousse said.

San Marcos has been in a drought since March 2022 and placed Stage 2 restrictions in April 2022. On July 2, San Marcos entered Stage 3 drought restrictions for the first time since 2015 and it was announced that the city will enter Stage 4 restrictions at noon on Aug. 27. Many of the surrounding counties that also rely on the Edwards Aquifer are also in Stage 4 restrictions.

According to Mace, the Edwards Aquifer isn’t projected to see much recharge and run off in the future and dry spells between rainfalls will continue to get longer.

“We were just in a really bad drought 10 years ago and here we are in another really bad drought 10 years later,” Mace said. “That pattern, it seems to be showing itself over the last 20 years in Central Texas and it’s just projected to get worse.”

A one night stand of rainfall will not do much to affect spring levels. In order to see a noticeable improvement, Mace said that consistent above average rainfalls need to happen.

The springs, however, are in a better spot than it was in 1956, largely in part to efforts from the Edwards Aquifer Authority and the implementation of the Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan (EAHCP) in 2013.

“It’s not the worst drought we’ve ever seen, fortunately,” Mace said. “We’re in a better place than the 50s… but this is a doozy.”

Endangered wildlife that the San Marcos River and springs harbors, like Texas Wild Rice, San Marcos Salamanders and Texas Blind Salamanders, thrive on normal levels of water and springflow. However, according to Mace, conservation efforts to protect endangered wildlife in the San Marcos Springs and river have been suspended due to low springflow.

“During the [EAHCP], basically we’re kind of gardening in the river and in the spring system, and because of the low flows, we have to step back from that,” Mace said. “The concern is that we’re down there messing with [the river bottom], we’re more likely to affect habitats for species that may be under some stress with the lower flows.”

The biggest human factor on the endangered wild rice is river goers pulling it out. River recreation was banned in 2020-21 due to COVID-19. In 2021, wild rice coverage grew 177% from 2013, a record for wild rice coverage, because the plant’s ecosystem was unbothered by human influence.

According to the EAHCP, funding decreased for wild rice conservation efforts after most of the long-term biological goals were met by increasing coverage of the plant two years ago.

In 2021, the estimated budget to enhance coverage of wild rice was $20,000.

Due to the cutback of conservation efforts, which aren’t being made because it could harm the endangered species more, the 2023 estimated budget to enhance the endangered plant was $10,000, a decrease of 50%.

Mace said that river floaters should first recognize the San Marcos River as a habitat for these endangered species.

“You should treat it like a visit to grandma’s house,” Mace said. “You can’t go over to grandma’s house and pee on the floor.”

PHOTO BY NICHAELA SHAHEEN

Sewell-goers walk in the river due to low river levels, Saturday, July 8, 2023, at the San Marcos River in San Marcos.

the Round Rock campus and become an employer of choice,” Damphousse said.

Damphousse said that the university has achieved these goals by reorganizing offices and divisions, creating a new division of student success and a new division to research ways to get closer to R1, hiring a new vice president for Texas State Global and a new vice president for the Round Rock campus.

Overall, Damphousse wants these efforts to allow Texas State to move forward to become the third flagship university in the state of Texas.

This year, Damphousse wants to improve upon these actions by implementing the 2023-29 University Strategic Plan and making additional investments in top priorities. The new plan will start rolling out Sept. 1.

Damphousse also touched on SB 17, which led all public universities to close diversity, inclusive and excellence offices and ban diversity training and questions.

“Just a few weeks ago, I announced that we had dissolved the division on

inclusive excellence in compliance with the state law that goes effect Jan. 1,” Damphousse said. “Most universities in Texas now have followed our lead and now are announcing similar changes.

While the organization has changed, our mission is the same as our commitment to being a welcoming and supportive community.”

Scan the QR code to read the rest of the story.

FROM FRONT NATURAL DISASTER

PHOTO COURTESY OF KATHLEEN MACHADO

Photo of Machado's and Gonzalez's apartment complex after the Lahaina fire, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023 in Lahaina, Maui.

“People had to get out of their cars to escape the fire and hop in the water just to make sure that they were safe,” Gonzalez said.

After getting to her friend’s neighborhood, Machado went to a dirt road to overlook Lahaina where she saw her apartment complex completely ablaze. Now there is nothing left of the building she once called home.

Gonzalez was out of state when the fire broke out. She was visiting family before moving to Texas to attend Texas State and move-in to her dorm. While she was excited to start life at university, the fire made her worried for the future of the island and her friends who reside there.

“I’ve been excited to move but with the fires going on, all I want to do is be home because I know all of my friends have lost their homes and I think being together would make me feel a lot better,” Gonzalez said. “I went to California right before I came here and me and my cousin put a bunch [of ] clothes together to ship out to Maui so that made me feel a lot better about moving so far and being able to help in any way I can.”

Maui will not be the same for years to come and some of these effects are seen now, as electricity is still out and schools are not running. With governmental issues being rampant, the locals have relied on each other for support.

“This is just the beginning. Even people that didn’t lose their homes are impacted because now there’s no business… It’s a disaster zone and the local people are the ones that are helping the community. The government has left them high and dry,” Machado said. “The people of Maui need help. There’s no school – the kids need to go to school. The high school is untouched, but they can’t get up there because it is a crime scene.”

Eventually, Machado is planning on rebuilding the resources lost in the fire, but currently, the focus is on Gonzalez and getting her comfortable in Texas.

Machado will live with family in Catalina Island, an island outside California, before and while she rebuilds.

“I am planning to rebuild eventually but right now I’m just trying to put one foot in front of the other and getting [Hana] situated and set up knowing she has a dorm, and this is her home for right now,” Machado said.

While San Marcos is over 3,000 miles away from Maui, Machado said that her and Gonzalez have been met with kindness and empathy for their situation. While people may not be able to travel directly to Maui to help, Machado recommends that if one wants to donate, they should donate directly to families rather than big corporations to ensure the donations do go to the locals.

“You’ll see celebrities and famous people donating millions of dollars, nobody’s seeing that,” Machado said. “If there is a way for people to help, it’s by helping families directly instead of big corporations.”

Gonzalez recommends that people avoid travel to the island as people rebuild what was lost.

“To help Lahaina and the community, I think tourists shouldn’t visit Maui, at least not yet,” Gonzalez said. “It’s a vacation for them but people in Lahaina cannot enjoy their own home because they’re trying to rebuild everything that is gone.”

With her time at Texas State, Gonzalez is bringing a mood of compassion and kindness both to herself and the people around her.

“I’m just always being kind because you never know what people are going through,” Gonzalez said.

There is currently a GoFundMe raising money for Machado and Gonzalez to rebuild. https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-kathleen-hana-rebuild-after-lahainafire?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_ source=customer

The University Star

4 | Tuesday, August 22, 2023

NEWS

Blake Leschber News Editor starnews@txstate.edu

GOVERNMENT

New laws impact local schools, teachers

By Ryan Claycamp News Reporter It’s back-to-school time in Texas which means millions of students will be returning to classrooms. This year, schools will look a little different due to new state laws.

The regular session for the Texas 88th Legislature ended in May, but not before passing several laws that change the rules surrounding public schools. These new laws address a wide variety of issues and will go into effect Sept. 1.

"The House and Senate did a great job to provide transformative changes for education in the state of Texas," Texas Governor Greg Abbott said in a June 12 bill signing ceremony.

HB 1605 allows the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to create standardized instructional materials, for instance, lesson plans that school districts could use instead of teachers writing their own lesson plans. The bill would also require school districts to have a method for parents to review the instructional material, and would prevent teachers from being punished for violating the Establishment Clause, but only if the teacher was using the material created by the TEA. “[The TEA is] trying to make sure that every kid has access to the same quality education,” Dr. Michael Cardona, the superintendent of San Marcos CISD said.

“But there are 1,200 school districts [in Texas] and what a school district in West Texas with 100 students needs maybe is not the same as San Marcos CISD.” HB 900 requires book vendors to assign ratings to books based on references to or depictions of sex. Books rated to be “sexually explicit” will have to be removed from school shelves and books deemed “sexually relevant” will require a parent’s permission to be checked out. According to Cardona, San Marcos CISD has already received a list of 100 books deemed not appropriate, but only found one of those books on its shelves.

“I understand not wanting students to read books with sexual content,” Ciara Radosta, an elementary education senior, said. “I just think a huge reason why humans choose to read literature is to take you to another world and to ban things just because you don’t agree with them has the ability to stifle humanity’s imagination and creativity.”

HB 3, which focuses on school security, requires at least one armed security officer per campus, but allows for exceptions for schools who can’t afford a security officer. Schools seeking an exemption must have an alternative, such as a marshal or armed staff member. The bill also requires school staff to complete mental health training, and assigns the TEA to monitor implementation of the new safety requirements.

According to San Marcos CISD officials, the school district had already begun using mental health training and resources.

“We started mental training, mental health toolkits. We do a lot. Most of our campuses have a mental health check in. We call them ‘zones of regulation’,” Cardona said.

SB 763, a highly controversial bill, allows school districts to employ or use volunteer chaplains as counselors. Many parents, church officials, and especially school officials hold concerns that chaplains will be used to try and recruit students

INFOGRAPHIC BY NICHAELA SHAHEEN

for their churches, something they don’t feel is appropriate in public schools.

“Had a former Presbyterian minister email me,” Cardona said. “He’s like ‘I was a chaplain. When I became a chaplain my mission was to recruit members into the Presbyterian church.’ I don’t want a chaplain on campus.”

HB 567, also known as the Crown Act, banned race-based hair discrimination in Texas, which will require schools to change their dress codes to be more in line with the bill. According to Cardona, San Marcos CISD’s policy is already in line with the Crown Act. “Our director of Student Support Services goes through all the legal guidance, but our dress code has never been an issue. It’s pretty respectful to everybody,” Cardona said.

HB 100 was initially a bill granting increased funding to public schools and raises to school staff members, but by the end of the session it became a bill for the Governor’s pet project, school vouchers. The bill was heavily debated back and forth in the two legislative chambers before ultimately failing.

“This is extremely discouraging. I’m currently a preservice teacher, so I don’t have any experience on exactly everything teachers do, but from what I am learning, it is a lot,” Radosta said. “Teachers deserve better.”

For more information on legislative changes involving schools visit the Texas Association of School Boards' website.

ILLUSTRATION BY DJ ROSS

The University Star

LIFE & ARTS

Tuesday, August 22, 2023 | 5 Haley Velasco Life and Arts Editor starlifeandarts@txstate.edu

EXPLORATION

Student marketing team takes on new adventures with "Try @ TXST"

By Brianna Chavez Life and Arts Reporter The word “try” can be scary, and college is filled with tries. Students can try to make new friends, try to get internships or try to start conversations with someone. However, there are a few Bobcats who know more than a thing or two about trying new adventures for the first time, especially while the whole school is watching from their phones.

“Try @ TXST” is an Instagram Reels series and podcast where students tackle campus organizations, programs and share student experiences. From singing opera to riding horses, the student team with Texas State’s Division of Marketing and Communications share what makes campus so special by trying their hand at something different in each video and having fun doing so.

The idea for the “Try @ TXST” series started in the summer of 2022 when Giselle Kowalski, digital marketing strategist, had ideas for video content for the official Texas State social media that she shared with Elissa Fontenot, digital marketing and content strategist.

Inspired by TikToks and the Try Guys, they began to see a vision for the series.

“I wanted to start meeting people on campus that weren’t just from our department,” Kowalski said. “There were so many cool people I met after graduation where I was like, ‘Man, I wish I could have tried that.’ Then that’s where the series came about.”

Kowalski, Fontenot and the student team began to brainstorm on Texas State experiences to try, finding organizations and people to talk to and setting times to shoot for the series to post the videos to Texas State’s official Instagram.

Rock climbing was the first “Try @

academic and personal feel to the series. Compared to the quick and funny videos, the podcast episodes go into detail with professors, faculty and students on their perspective and history of the topic.

Adrianna Elias, a digital media innovation senior, joined the student team this fall semester and has already met and had interesting conversations with guests on the podcast. Elias was inspired to apply for the student team after watching the “Try @ TXST” videos on Instagram.

“I feel like my freshman year I didn’t do anything because I was scared,” Elias PHOTO COURTESY OF STEPHANIE SCHULZ said. “So being a part of the team has been great and I’ve got to try some Members of "Try @ TXST" learn to ride horses with the Texas State Equestrian Team, things that I never would have known Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at Sunny Fox Farms in San Marcos. about.”

The student team accepts the fear TXST” video posted on Instagram in and fencing. She said the fencing video of the word “try” and makes a video January, where Zoe Fein and Chelseia was one of her favorites to shoot and out of it.

Lopez recognized that many Blair, both Texas State alumnae, got she’s even interested in returning to the talented students on campus don’t yet to take on the 54-foot rock wall at the gym to learn more. know their potential because they’re Rec Center. The video received lots “It’s crazy that there’s so many scared to audition, try out or submit of interaction from students, alums things happening here on campus,” an application.

She said that although and even other campus organizations Lopez said. “I think this series is just the it’s human to be scared, it’s better for interested in being featured in a future best reflection of what our university students to believe in themselves and video. actually is.” say they tried.

Fein said seeing positive feedback Sam Nieves, a theater junior, said at “You are going to hear plenty of the after posting videos was rewarding for first it was nervewracking being posted word ‘no’ in your life from people that her and the team after all the hard work online for the whole university to see are not yourself,” Lopez said. “There’s put in. She said she’s happy that the as engagement from followers grew. going to be a lot of reasons to be scared Bobcat community loves the series just Now he appreciates being part of the and every single one of them is valid, as much as the team loves creating it. team that shows other Bobcats new and but don’t be your first no.”

“These videos take so much time interesting things about campus. and so much dedication and planning,” “When we do these videos, we’re To watch the “Try @ TXST” video Fein said. “So seeing the community also showing students you can do this,” series visit @txst on Instagram. To listen liked it as much as we enjoyed doing it Nieves said. “You can like something or to the “Try @ TXST” podcast and other was so unbelievably rewarding.” not, but trying can open a whole other Texas State Podcast Network Series, visit Tony Lopez, a theater junior, learned world for you that you don’t know yet.” www.txst.edu/podcast-network.

To learn about student organizations she didn’t The series transitioned this summer more about Texas State student media, know existed while creating videos for to doing podcast episodes in addition visit www.marcomm.txst.edu/our-team/ the series, such as e-sports, equestrian to Instagram Reels, adding a more students.

The University Star

6 | Tuesday, August 22, 2023

LIFE & ARTS

Haley Velasco Life and Arts Editor starlifeandarts@txstate.edu

COMMUNITY ARTISTS

Local photo documentarian finds his passion through muse, San Marcos

By Marisa Nunez Life and Arts Reporter Walking up and down through town, a local photo documentarian named Christopher Paul Cardoza has made the community of San Marcos his forever home. With his signature round sunglasses and a camera in hand, everywhere he goes he is bound to run into someone he knows or someone who recognizes his photography.

“Whether it was a movie premiere, whether it was a music show or any sort of relevant event in town that I started going to I also started noticing the emergence of a man at all these events taking pictures and videos,” Thayer Cranor, Texas State alumnus, said.

“This mystical mustache man with the shades, long hair, this was Christopher Paul Cardoza and I was instantly enamored… I knew instantly that I had to get to know this guy. It has been this point of such reverence to me to know his craft and know the way he's touched the lives of the people of San Marcos.”

For over ten years, Cardoza has constantly documented events, community members and the little things that make up the heart of San Marcos, using its friendly community as a muse to his lens.

Originally from California, Cardoza always had a love for photography, but after getting married and starting a family, Cardoza became a contractor to support his family.

Later, Cardoza got a divorce and was unhappy with his career. As finding work in California became difficult, a friend of Cardoza offered him a sixmonth job in San Marcos to help him get back on his feet. Cardoza came in 2012 and hasn’t left since.

“I came here and I fell in love,” Cardoza said. “I fell in love with the river, I fell in love [with] the community.

It was kind of like never-neverland. [San Marcos has] a combination of young folks, middle-aged folks and old folks all coming together. I got really engulfed

and fell in love with the music scene.”

During his time in San Marcos out of boredom, Cardoza purchased a camera after not having picked one up in years. At a local music show, he began taking photos when someone asked him if he would share his work with him.

The next day, he was offered a job.

“I took a couple of pictures of the show and some guy noticed and asked me to have some,” Cardoza said. “He came back, they hired me and next thing I knew I was hanging out every weekend taking pictures of music…six months into that job, I went home, I packed up and came back… It rejuvenated me, I felt alive.”

Cardoza now has made photography his career. He regularly gets jobs for his work and has his own studio in Martindale, Texas. After discovering how important his photography became for multiple community members, Cardoza started his biggest passion project which is to photograph every person in San Marcos.

Out of 70,000 community members, Cardoza has already captured 2,500 photos in four years. In 2021, he put on a showcase called “Moments in Time” where his portraits of community members were displayed in the Hays County Courthouse courtyard, at Kissing Alley and in the Price Center garden. This fall, Cardoza hopes to put on the same showcase with more areas filled with his portraits around the square. This time it will be called “The Martian Chronicles.”

County Judge Ruben Becerra discovered Cardoza’s work online and was fascinated by his ability to capture raw and relatable photos. Becerra and the Hays County office were happy to display his work and will gladly do so again.

“He brings a, ‘Hey I am you’ perspective to his photography through his lens that I relate to,” Becerra said.

“He's a bona fide gem and the most singular word I could use effortlessly would be relatable.”

PHOTO BY MARISA NUNEZ

Local photo documentarian Christopher Paul Cardoza posing in front of his work, Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023 at Jo's Cafe.

Cardoza leaves his lens off his camera to capture several pictures throughout the day as a passion and not strictly for money. Although photography is how he makes his money, he plans to continue to take photos throughout his day no matter what. He's helped those who can’t afford his photography by providing his skills through affordable shoots and his special eye through sharing photos on his Instagram.

Earlier this year, Cardoza was reminded of how important he was to the community. In April while he was at a photography job in Austin, all of Cardoza’s equipment was stolen from his car. Beginning to believe that his career was over, community members proved him wrong after starting a GoFundMe that raised over $12,000 for his cause.

“That incident reminded me of whatever I do, I'm not aware of what I do, but I’m going to continue doing it,” Cardoza said. “I still post the community chronically of what's happening and what's going on, unwittingly, [that’s what] I've been falling into.”

Some of Cardoza’s work can be seen at Jo’s Cafe during August. For

over a decade, Elizabeth Rios, owner of Jo’s Cafe, has known Cardoza and has featured his photography in the local cafe before.

“He's been doing this for many years,” Rios said. “He's had a lot of characters and a lot of different photography and so he's always welcome to show at my shop anytime.

He really captures the characters really well, so to see other people come in and recognize them or sometimes they come in they recognize themselves, it's kind of interesting to see how people react to his art.”

Rios has watched Cardoza’s work progress over the years and admired his ability to capture moments in time. She says his work is always welcome to be displayed at Jo’s Cafe.

“God, he has so much work,” Rios said. “He’s got that camera thing down, he can capture life through a lens.

I’m really so proud of him too, he’s a wonderful person.”

To keep up with Cardoza's work, follow him on Instagram @cpaulphotography.

VACATION

Students reflect on summer adventures

By Haley Velasco Life and Arts Editor Vacations were booked, internships were completed, summer jobs were worked and memories were made. Many students spent their summer vacation building memories to look back on for years to come, whether that was studying abroad, working a summer job, spending time with family or so much more.

Fernanda Vazquez, a marketing junior, spent a weekend in Italy with her friends. In Italy, she was able to go explore Capri, an island in Italy. The trip to Italy not only let her explore, but it allowed her summer vacation to feel complete.

“I feel like this summer was one of those summers where it felt like summer,” Vazquez said. “I feel like with traveling I was able to relax and now I’m ready to start school. It feels like I actually got to do my summer break right.”

While students like Vazquez travel with the intention to explore, some students take on summer as a chance to travel to learn.

Olivia Saunders, a dual-major senior in physics and Spanish, went to Spain to study abroad. Along with being able to travel with Texas State President Kelly Damphousse, Saunders was able to meet people from different parts of the world and connect with them through a desire to learn the Spanish language.

ILLUSTRATION BY MADISON WARE

“I was hanging out with people from a bunch of different places like there were people from Taiwan and Great Britain,” Saunders said. “It was really nice because we were speaking in Spanish and I was there to practice my Spanish but up until that point, there were still a lot of people that spoke in English. I felt great because I was able to practice my Spanish and I was able to just have a great conversation. It was just a really nice experience.”

Although traveling was a great way to learn, explore and create life-long memories, students like Erik Drummond, a graduate student with a concentration in physics, spent his summer at home working fulltime and hanging out with his friends.

Compared to other summers, Drummond felt that this one was his best one yet. Being on a consistent work schedule allowed himself to be on track with a healthy lifestyle.

“Most [summers] I didn't really have such a set routine,” Drummond said. “I mainly stayed at home, kind of just kept to myself in a kind of reclusive manner.

This is probably why it's the best summer compared to the previous ones where I was a lot less active and not as progressive in terms of meeting my goals.”

For students that weren’t able to go on vacation or have an ideal summer, Drummond believes that it’s okay to stay at home, relax and make the best out of an academic break.

“Traveling and everything is very stressful sometimes,” Drummond said. “If you have the opportunity, just take a step back and relax with your family for one summer. Honestly just experience what life will be like once you are done [with school]. You know, it took me a while to get to that.”

For students that are looking to treat their free time in the fall like a summer vacation, go to www.visitsanmarcos. com/events to keep up with upcoming concerts, festivals and more.

WE ARE HIRING News Reporters Life and Arts Reporters Opinion Columnists Sports Reporters Multimedia Reporters Advertising Account Executives Public and Internal Relations Specialists Engagement Specialists Illustrators

Apply today by scanning the QR code

The University Star

Tuesday, August 22, 2023 | 7

What Is Alcohol Poisoning?

T Y R A P

Y

SA

Alcohol poisoning is the result of drinking too much in a short period of time.

When the alcohol enters your bloodstream, parts of the brain that control vital body functions shut off.

T FE

6 Americans die from

alcohol poisoning a day.

Recognizing The Signs

How Much Is One Drink?

Any of the following symptoms

may indicate alcohol poisoning:

Beer 12 oz

Hard Seltzer 8-10 oz

trouble staying awake

vomiting

blue or pale skin

confusion

low body temperatu re

slow breathing

Wine 5 oz

Shot 1.5 oz

Drinking Responsibly

Do the following if you suspect someone has alcohol poisoning:

• Call 911 right away.

Use a designated driver or a transportation service.

Never drink and drive!

Never assume that someone could sleep off alcohol poisoning.

• Never leave the person

Space out your drinks to 1 or less per hour, drinking water in between.

alone. Stay with them, and keep them awake.

• Prevent choking by turning the person on their side, allowing them to vomit.

Stick to the buddy system when going out, going to the bathroom and going home.

Be cautious of accepting drinks from strangers, and never leave your drink uncovered.

Seeking Medical Attention

!

• Prepare to give medics any information you can about the person.

For more information visit niaaa.nih.gov

INFOGRAPHIC BY MEAGAN WALTERS

The University Star

8 | Tuesday, August 22, 2023

essom WS

Drive

he ws St

9

D

W

som Ses

Drive

t den

Stu

E

N 4

6

I St u

de

nt

Ce

nt

11

Co

m

1

r rD

e ent

C

5

M att

F

an

ch

eS t

H

er

D r

16 15

10

13

2

Ac a

de

12

m

yS t

7 14

Ja m

es

3

8

St

K

A

G

C

N Comanche St

B

J

t Concho S

Lecture halls and dining halls 1 - Student Recreation Center 2 - Harris Dining Hall 3 - Adamson ROTC 4 - Family and Consumer Sciences

16 - Math Computer Science 17 - Derrick Hall

29 - Comal Building 30 - Flowers Hall 31 - Commons Hall

18 - Evans Liberal (left) Arts and Paws n Go (right) 32 - Brazos Hall

5 - Joann Cole Mitte Building

19 - Undergraduate Academic Center 33 - Centennial Hall (UAC) 6 - Roy F. Mitte Building 34 - Chemistry 20- Taylor Murphy History 7 - Supple Science 35 - Old Main 21 - Nueces 8 - Bruce and Gloria Ingram Hall 36 - Lampasas 22 - Music Building 9 - Student Health Center 37 - Academic Services Building 23 - Pecos (back) and Pedernales (front) 10 - Encino Hall 38 - Education Building 24 - Trinity 11 - LBJ Student Center and Bookstore 39 - Freeman Aquatic Biology 25 - Sabinal 12 - McCoy Hall 40 - J.C. Kellam Administration 26 - Colorado 13 -Elliott Hall 41 -Theatre Center 27 - Agriculture 14 - Jones Dining Center 42 - Performing Arts Center 28 - Hines Academic Center 15 - Albert B. Alkek Library TXST Parking

TXST Landmarks

Commuter Parking

Pay to Park

Fighting Stallions Statue

Residential Parking

Residential and pay to park parking

Bobcat Statue

LBJ Statue

Tuesday, August 22, 2023 | 9

25 22

27

Driv e

30 18

36

38

31

Dr ive

21

40

37

Q

M

H ill

H ou

se Ci r

29

20

39

treet State S

34

35

19

ssom

Ol dM ain Dr

17

E Se 28

33

Pickard St

26

24

23

ive N LBJ Dr

32 N

ity

L

E Woods St

O

Un ive rs

6

The University Star

R

N Guad

41

N LBJ Dr

alupe St

P

42

Drive University

Residence Halls A - Falls and Sayers Hall

G - Department of Housing and M - Mesquite Hall Residential Life B - San Marcos Hall N - Laurel Hall H - Smith Hall C - Bexar Hall O - Lantana Hall I - Arnold Hall D - Chautauqua Hall and Gaillardia P - Sterry Hall Hall J - San Jacinto Hall Q - Brogdon Hall E - College Inn K - The Tower R - Butler Hall F - Jackson Hall L - Retama Hall

Fun Fact Corner!

• During finals week, students touch the hand of the LBJ statue for good luck.

• Old Main, built in 1903, is the oldest building on the Texas State campus. It was the only structure until 1908.

• At the Lampasas building, students can find hammocks to lounge in.

• The Taylor Murphy History building has a beautiful courtyard inside that is the perfect place to study.

• The Trinity Building is home to The University Star.

10 | Tuesday, August 22, 2023 Haley Velasco Life and Arts Editor starlifeandarts@txstate.edu

FROM FRONT AGRICULTURE

The University Star

LIFE & ARTS

PHOTO BY MARISA NUNEZ

Agriculture senior Emily Nickerson tend to crops, Wednesday, Aug.16, 2023 at Bobcat Farm in San Marcos.

“Once [students are] out there it gets really into the science realms. They can really gain a new perspective through these activities,” Wagner said. “The other thing that starts emerging is this real Texas State community that's just so magical because it's students from all these different departments coming together.”

In 2021, after receiving funding from donor Andrew McGown, the vision for Bobcat Farm was born. The idea was seeded by COVID-19 when the fragility of food supply chains was exposed. McGown's $101,000 donation was made toward teaching people about food resiliency. With his idea and Wagner’s plan, Bobcat Farm was officially underway in 2022.

“It's so much more than a student farm,” Wagner said. “It's more of understanding our place in the ecosystem, how food production works and also the importance of restoring land and water resources.

So it's all of these experiential learning activities that are tied into the activities of running this diversified organic farm.”

Bobcat Farm is only in the first phase of their

three-phase plan of building the farm. In its first year, the club has developed a hoop house, completed a field crop plot and placed irrigation infrastructure. This semester its hope is to move into phase two by planting an orchard, expanding and installing aquaponic and hydroponic systems, building a post-harvest station, an education pavilion and installing a rainwater collection system.

With its three-phase plan, Bobcat Farm works toward its long-term goal of becoming a sustainable farm that provides education and acts as an outdoor research facility for various agricultural branches.

Students aren’t always at the farm. Bobcat Farm coordinator Emily Nickerson, an agriculture senior, made use of the organization's crops over the summer by selling produce at the San Marcos Farmers Market for profit for the farm. Taking a break from the Farmers Market, Bobcat Farm plans to be out on The Quad this semester selling its local produce to everyone on campus.

"That's personally my goal is to market more than

the San Marcos Farmers Market because I want to be able to give students discounted produce at a lower cost,” Nickerson said.

Other business aspects can be learned as the farm continues to grow. In the future, the student farmers are excited to start community-supported agriculture with paid subscription boxes filled with a variety of seasonal crops.

“Students who are really getting involved with selling the produce, they're really getting involved in the business side of things," Wagner said. “Running a small business, how you purchase things, making decisions on what to purchase... it's putting them to the test not only on the things that they're learning in class but way beyond.”

The farm has become a common ground for all students in the agriculture department by bridging majors in the department to one space where their talents can be utilized and lessons can be learned.

Landon Brown, a water resources senior, realized how important it is for his major to get experience on the farm. He rises before the sun to tend to the crops on the farm almost seven days a week.

“I kind of got introduced out here because being in the geography department dealing with water,” Brown said. “So that's kind of coming out here and learning about it, seeing it actually get done and then seeing how satisfied the customers are on the market.

It's really rewarding.”

On top of growing its farm, the organization also hopes to do the same with its members by reaching all corners of Texas State. The student farmers believe that hands-on experience is not only important for agriculture majors but for all majors across campus.

“I feel like we have a pretty big disconnect with where our food comes from,” Canyon Tillmon, Bobcat Farm president and agriculture senior, said. “We see it in grocery stores, but we don't really know completely what's in it. [At the farm], we're able to see it go from seed to fruit, and with that comes more respect for your body but also for the natural world around you.”

For updates and more information on Bobcat Farm follow its Instagram @txstbobcatfarm.

The University Star

LIFE & ARTS

Tuesday, August 22, 2023 | 11 Haley Velasco Life and Arts Editor starlifeandarts@txstate.edu

TRAVEL

Studying abroad: An educational passport

By Cara Cervenka Life and Arts Reporter Many students use summer classes as a way to get ahead, and some students look to venture out further than Texas State for their summer education. Studying abroad is where students take advantage of a once in a lifetime opportunity to travel while learning.

Although studying abroad is optional during the fall and spring semesters, many students take on this opportunity over the summer. The programs can take students around the world, traveling from the U.S. to countries ranging from Spain to Japan. Programs not only offer credit hours that count to students’ degree programs but also allows them to experience local cultures.

Halle Dobbs, history and education junior, traveled to New Delhi and Mussoorie, India. Dobbs traveled to India with the three-week history program spanning from the end of May to early June to study the religions of India.

“I learned a lot more through study abroad, like actually being there yourself versus taking the religions of India in a fall class,” Dobbs said. “It also gives you the opportunity to get to know a professor and other PHOTO COURTESY OF HALLE DOBBS people in your major. It is more beneficial than a sit Halle Dobbs, history and education junior, poses in front of Humayun's Tomb during her study abroad trip, Saturdown class.” day, May 13, 2023, in New Dehli, India.

Students may be apprehensive about traveling out of the country for the first time. Applying for a passport and navigating through an international flight on their I was able to just grow as a person and own could be daunting for some. Fortunately, there flourish compared to in Texas. I feel like are professors who are eager to assist first time travelers that really just helped me as a person.” during the process.

- Lely Rios, music education sophomore, said.

Katelyn Lawson, a geography sophomore, studied for two weeks. Lawson's time was split between Paris her peers and professors to navigate her first time in and London making it a once in a lifetime experience. Europe.

Lawson had seen photos of her paternal grandmother's “The program was really heavy on independence travels, especially across Europe, and planned to go and problem solving,” Lawson said. "In instances where herself someday. Lawson leaned on the guidance of we really felt lost or scared, the professors stepped up

to the plate."

In the process of receiving an authentic education, some discover that the experience forced them out of their shell. International travel provides a break from the mundane and a chance to learn things about themselves.

Some students displayed an abundance of personal growth such as Lely Rios, music education sophomore, who was recognized by her professors and peers at the end of the London and Paris communications and fine arts program for being "most improved."

“I was able to just grow as a person and flourish compared to in Texas," Rios said. "I feel like that really just helped me as a person.”

Regardless of students' majors, Texas State offers courses for all students with a variety of options.

Faculty led programs include biology in South Africa, mass communication in Japan, German in Austria, political science in Spain and many more.

Whether viewing the Mona Lisa in France or listening to opera in Australia, there is a program that will make any foreign country a student's classroom.

To learn more about studying abroad, go to www.educationabroad.txst.edu.

To learn more about studying abroad, go to www.educationabroad. txst.edu.

The University Star

12 | Tuesday, August 22, 2023

OPINIONS

Rhian Davis Opinions Editor staropinions@txstate.edu

Opinions in The University Star are not necessarily those of our entire publication, Texas State University’s administration, Board of Regents, School of Journalism and Mass Communication or Student Publications Board.

CAMPUS LIFE

Tips and tricks for succeeding at TXST

ILLUSTRATION BY HARRISON MOORE

By Megan Stanford Opinions Contributor Switching environments is not easy, nor is it seamless. Whether it’s going from living on a small campus where everything is an easy walking distance to commuting miles for just one class or living with your parents to being on your own for the first time, change is hard.

As a senior and a transfer student from a smaller university, I have picked up a few things over the years. While some of them may seem obvious, their simplicity makes a world of difference where it counts.

First, be sure to find multiple study areas that are somewhere other than your dorm or apartment. While it may be easy to lock yourself in your room and study there, it can affect the habits you make while studying.

According to a BBC article, working in bed can adversely impact both your sleep schedule and your physical health. In fact, “young people are particularly likely to fall victim to these bad habits, because they may not feel the strain of them right away.” When you find a good place to study, the environment itself can put you into a productive mood that helps you achieve more.

Depending on the weather, it’s always good to have more than one environment to study in. Whether that’s the library, a coffee shop or a place by the park, knowing your own needs for studying is good to keep in mind when finding those perfect spots.

Transitioning from an environment you know well to one that is unfamiliar, particularly a big campus, is a challenge. In order to somewhat help, Texas State has many forms of transportation that are specific to distances.

For local transportation, Texas State offers the Bobcat Shuttle as well as the Bike Cave on campus.

Texas State also offers Spin scooters, similar to Lime and Bird seen in inter-metropolitan areas, where students can scan the QR code, pay and scooter away.

Another option to think about is Texas State’s interactive campus map that provides information and routes accessible to students as well as travel approximations. For a new student on campus, this can save a lot of time when you know the place you need to be but don’t know how to get there.

By becoming aware of the available options, students can get more acquainted with the campus and learn how to judge time constraints and distances.

By having access to and knowledge of alternative transportation, students can feel more confident in their environment.

Whether it's getting to class on time or making sure you have time to eat and study, knowing how to get from one place to another while adding pit stops is key. If you’re new to campus and are not familiar with the buildings or routes to get around, it’s easy to find yourself being late to class.

While some students trust the orientation walkthrough, it’s important to know where your classes are and how to get to them beforehand. Some buildings, like Flowers Hall, for example, can be confusing to navigate, so try to get to places early in order to locate your class and get a good seat.

Another tip to avoid delays is to know the best time and place to grab food. For example, the 10-minute break in between classes is the worst time to try to stop

by Chick-Fil-A since the line is usually out the door.

You can also opt for putting snacks in your bag the night before or take a moment to go to a dining hall where the lines are not as long. If you have a break between classes longer than ten minutes, go after the next class period starts when the lines are shorter.

College students have a reputation for being broke, and often, that is the case for many of us. As seen in the Federal Student Aid Department in the U.S. Department of Education, the current student debt is over $1.77 trillion with the average student loan balance in the state of Texas as $32,285.33.

When budgeting for the upcoming semester, find alternative options for things you need. Textbooks, for example, are often extremely expensive, and they are not always required for classes. If they are required, however, look at used copies which are often at a cheaper rate. Amazon.com and Chegg.com have great alternative renting plans that can save a student hundreds of dollars.

This year, Texas State is implementing a new system called BookSmart for textbooks which allows for students’ textbook costs to be included in their tuition. While this may be a good way to budget, it’s always best to check the prices and compare anyways.

Finally, the best tip I could possibly give you: read the syllabus. If you want to do well and not be worried about mistaken deadlines or class rules, read the syllabus your professor gives you. This is the most underrated rule in college, and while professors spout this constantly, it is undeniably worth paying attention to.

The syllabus is the best way to not be blindsided by quizzes or tests. Every professor, like every student, is different in the way they teach. Syllabus week can be relaxing for some but even so, make sure to pay attention as this week can be a way to understand how a professor structures their class.

Another way to impress your professor is to introduce yourself to them. If they know that you’re a good student, professors are more likely to hear you out on missed deadlines and bumping grades than students who they aren’t familiar with.

Be sure to enjoy yourself. Take serious things seriously, but don't overwork yourself. It's okay to relax, have fun with your friends and go to events.

-Megan Stanford is an international relations senior The University Star welcomes Letters to the Editor from its readers. All submissions are reviewed and considered by the Editor-in-Chief and Opinion Editor for publication. Not all letters are guaranteed for publication.

LEGISLATION

The future of artficial intelligence is unclear

By Faith Fabian Opinions Contributor One of the fastest developing forms of technology is artificial intelligence (AI). AI is controversial because while it has unveiled numerous benefits, many fear its role in humanity’s technological future.

AI is any digital tool that is created to mimic or recreate human intelligence. This can include any computer program that can perform tasks such as reasoning, discovering meaning and learning from the past.

AI and its recent developments have reaped many benefits that have altered our society. It has streamlined important processes within corporations, schools and hospitals, enhanced our research and data analysis capabilities and reduced the potential of human error within many industries. However, as AI continues to expand in its abilities, one cannot ignore the dangers it may pose.

There are many risks associated with AI technology, but for college students and young adults, its threat to privacy and ability to cause job displacement are sounding alarms and warranting a course of action for the future.

In order to protect people from the dangers associated with the future of AI, governments should consider legislation that will secure people’s rights against it.

As many users of social media may have noticed, AI is growing in its ability to perform tasks that entertain us. Based on current trends, many people scrolling through social media will stumble upon videos that showcase AI software replicating the voices of famous artists in order to make it sound like they are singing songs they have never sung in real life.

While it is fun to hear Drake sing a Hannah Montana song on platforms such as TikTok, the capabilities of AI that undertone these videos can be unsettling to think about, especially when it comes to those who are not using AI in good fun.

Left in the hands of scammers, AI can become a weapon. In March

2023, the Federal Trade Commission released an alert that warned people of phone calls that could sound like the voice of a loved one, but in reality, could be an AI induced ploy for scammers to steal money.

Within the discussions about the future of AI, another growing topic is the propensity for new AI to displace jobs.

For students at Texas State, the hovering presence and potential of AI in the future job market can be unnerving. Many predict the future of new automation will affect a wide range of careers including lawyers, financial specialists, accountants, medical workers and many other professional positions.

Because of its fervent threats to security and privacy, on top of its threat to the future job market, it is reasonable to wonder if AI is reaching a point that calls for regulation, and there are debates about who should do it. According to the American Bar Association, the regulatory framework surrounding artificial intelligence is still in its early stages.

Compared to the efforts of the European Union, who just took steps towards passing an AI Act that will regulate AI in terms of its threat to privacy, the federal government of the U.S. has made less movement.

Many professionals representing international countries have expressed the need for the U.S. to join the efforts towards controlling the power of AI, however, the U.S. has received push back from large tech companies.

Those in favor of government regulations for AI argue that it is

ILLUSTRATIONS BY AFAAF ALNAHAS

dangerous to allow large technology companies and other powerful corporations and businesses to set the agenda.

The guidelines that currently exist are principle based and not technology based. This means that agencies such as the Federal Trade Commission focus on principles, such as the right to privacy, without actually targeting or focusing on AI itself. Some lawyers and advocates argue that legislation might need to become more technology specific instead of neutral.

Technology specific laws would be closer in similarity to the framework of the European Union’s approach to an AI act. The regulatory outline of their AI Act legislates on the specific technology so that it can provide clear rules regarding the uses of AI. Another approach that follows the European Union’s process is to begin legislation by focusing on the more dangerous components of AI. As explained by lawyers in the APA

journal’s podcast, The European Union’s framework for AI legislation focuses on the high risk aspects of AI, such as data and privacy protection.

Following this approach could be beneficial to the U.S. because focusing on the high risk of AI is advantageous in that it does not squash the benefits of AI by overregulating it.

However, in the U.S., passing regulatory legislation on a federal level is difficult. Although there is no national regulation of AI, there are many agencies that create guidelines for companies to follow and lawmakers to use as a starting point.

The progression of technology can be amazing. It changes our world constantly and oftentimes for the better. However, in order to prevent technology from overshadowing the rights of people, lawmakers must contemplate legislation that will regulate its dangers.

-Faith Fabian is an English sophomore

The University Star

OPINIONS

Tuesday, August 22, 2023 | 13 Rhian Davis Opinions Editor staropinions@txstate.edu

Opinions in The University Star are not necessarily those of our entire publication, Texas State University’s administration, Board of Regents, School of Journalism and Mass Communication or Student Publications Board.

GOVERNMENT

Attacks on higher education are dangerous

By James Phillips Opinions Contributor On June 29, the U.S. Supreme Court voted that race-conscious admissions in American public universities violated the equal protection clause of the 14th amendment. Conservative leaders, such as Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell, quickly released statements celebrating that white students, who already make up the largest percentage of students at America’s elite universities, are no longer being discriminated against in college admissions.

Students for Fair Admissions V Harvard, much like the infamous Dobbs decision, did not come out of the blue. Instead, it is the end result of a much larger right wing campaign against supposedly liberal institutions. One can go all the way back to 2003 to see former President Goerge W. Bush declare affirmative action to be unconstitutional.

Texas Republicans have long been opposed to race-conscious admissions in public universities, with both Texas senators petitioning the Supreme Court last year to end affirmative action. Yet only one public college in Texas actually used raceconscious admissions - The University of Texas at Austin (UT).

was only most present at extremely selective elite universities such as Harvard, Yale or Princeton.

The result of only highly elite universities practicing affirmative action was a menagerie of right wing legislation nationwide limiting how public universities can operate.

Greg Abbott, long-time critic of “woke'' academic institutions, signed a law on June 6 that abolished all diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs in Texas public colleges. He then followed that up on June 16 with the signing of equally vile bills. Texas House Bills 900 and 1605 combined give parents the power to “remove inappropriate books from school libraries” and to “access and review instructional materials”.

At this point, one might ask, 'What is the purpose of these attacks against our academic institutions?’ After all, we should be encouraging academic freedom as a means to stimulate innovation.

ILLUSTRATION BY DJ ROSS Thus, as we ring in a new school year, it is our duty as students to not allow our institutions to UT, which has only around 40,000 of the become intimidated by these attacks. If the long over one million college students in Texas, was march of history has shown us anything, it is that forced to drop their affirmative action policy conservative reactions to real progressive social after the Supreme Court decision. This trend of change will always lose in the end. only the most select of schools practicing racial affirmative action is found nationally too, with -James Phillips is a history sophomore Associated Press reporting that affirmative action

14 | Tuesday, August 22, 2023

The University Star

STAR SNAPS

(Above) Cecilia Fenton, a wildlife biology sophomore, enjoys reading a book on a hammock behind Lampassas Hall, Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, in San Marcos.

(Center) Students walk out of bus route 25 to head to classes, Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, in San Marcos.

(Above Right) Students attend a political science class in the LBJ Teaching Theater, Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, in San Marcos.

First day of school crowd walks past LBJ statue, Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, in San Marcos.

(Above) Sapphire Richardson, a health science sophmore (left) and Mbali Nsibanyoni, a nursing freshmen (right), get ready to have a photo taken to commemorate the first day of school, Monday, Aug. 21, 2023 in San Marcos.

(Above Left) Students walk through The Quad on the first day of fall semester, Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, in San Marcos.

(Bottom Left) Sales associate Becca Muro helps Ivonne Velazquez, a psychology senior, find her textbooks, Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, in San Marcos..

ALL PHOTOS BY NICHAELA SHAHEEN

The University Star

Tuesday, August 22, 2023 | 15

SPORTS

David Cuevas Sports Editor starsports@txstate.edu

FROM FRONT ATHLETICS Soccer Texas State finished with a 12-52 overall record and a 6-3-1 record in the Sun Belt Conference under firstyear head coach Steve Holeman. The Bobcats' season ended with a 1-0 roundone exit in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament to fourth-seeded James Madison University.

Junior midfielder Madi Goss and senior defender Avery Thies were named to the All-Sun Belt Conference Team.

bowl game. The season quickly spiraled out of control as the Bobcats went 4-8 and 2-6 in the Sun Belt finishing second to last place in its division.

The season resulted in the firing of fourth-year head coach Jake Spavital and his entire coaching staff for lack of on-field success. In December, new head coach G.J. Kinne was hired to reinvigorate excitement in the fanbase and transform Texas State into a winning program.

Volleyball The 2022 season was a successful one for Texas State Volleyball. The team finished with a 24-7 overall record and went 14-2 in conference play. The Bobcats reached the third round of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament where they were eliminated by James Madison 3-1, ending their season.

The end of the 2022 season was the end of an era for the volleyball team as it saw two of the greatest players in program history, graduate outsider hitter Janell Fitzgerald and graduate setter Emily DeWalt, leave to graduation. The dynamic duo ended the 2022 season as Division I American Volleyball Coaches Association All-Americans.

Tennis The Texas State Tennis team welcomed a new head coach in Kendall Brooks for the 2022-2023 season.

Brooks’ inaugural season was not a successful one as the team lost majority of its matches. more tennis highlights, add another Graf

Golf The Texas State men’s and women’s golf teams competed in a total of 30 meets over the 2022-2023 year.

Senior Junia Gabasa winning the National Philippine Strokes Championship, the women’s and men’s teams finishing in fourth and first place at the National Golf Invitational, respectively, and junior Marcelo Garza finishing in a tie for fifth place at the National Golf Invitational.

Football The 2022-2023 Texas State football team entered the season with the goal of making it to the program’s first-ever bowl game. However, a week one 3814 loss to the University of Nevada thwarted any hopes of making it to a

Men’s basketball After a successful 2021-2022 season in which the Texas State men’s basketball team went 21-8 and made an appearance in the NIT Tournament expectations were high for the 2022-2023 team that was selected to finish second in the Sun Belt Conference.

The Bobcats finished with a 16-19 overall record and 6-12 in the Sun Belt.

In the Sun Belt Conference Tournament, the Bobcats caught fire winning three straight games; two against higher-seed's to reach the quarterfinal round. Despite the team’s best efforts, Texas State lost 64-58 to eventual conference champions Louisiana-Lafayette University ending its underwhelming season.

Fifth-year guard Mason Harrell was named to the All-Sun Belt Third Team for the third consecutive year and left the program as the sixth all-time leading scorer and second in both games played and started.

Women’s basketball Women’s basketball team went 2310 and 13-5 in conference during the 2022-2023 season. The Bobcats made it

to the championship game of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament where they were defeated 81-51 by top-seeded James Madison. The team’s season came to an end in the WNIT Tournament after an opening-round 89-79 loss to Stephen F. Austin University.

Head coach Zenarae Antoine was awarded the Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year while graduate student forward Da’Nasia Hood was selected to the All-Sun Belt First Team. Graduate student guard Kennedy Taylor was also selected to the All-Sun Belt Second Team.

Antoine was given a contract extension good through the 2025-2026 as a result of the successful season.

Track & Field/Cross Country The track and field and crosscountry teams competed in 18 total meets throughout the 2022-2023 indoor and outdoor seasons. Redshirt senior sprinter Sedrickia Wynn, freshman jumper Chris Preddie and freshman thrower Elisabet Runarsdottir were invited to compete at the NCAA Track & Field Outdoor Championships.

At the meet Wynn finished in 20th place and received All-American Honorable Mention honors. Preddie placed 14th in the men’s long jump and earned Second Team All-American honors. Runarsdottir placed in seventh in the women’s hammer throw and received First Team All-American honors.

Baseball After being three outs away from clinching a trip to the NCAA Super Regionals during the 2022 postseason, expectations were high that the team could make another deep postseason run.

Texas State’s season was up-anddown, and the team ended the season with a 36-23 record and a 17-13 conference record.

Texas State split its first two games in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament

before being eliminated by LouisianaLafayette. Texas State failed to clinch a spot in the NCAA College Baseball Tournament.

The biggest bright spot for Texas State was the unforeseen emergence of freshman infielder Chase Mora. Mora had a stellar freshman season batting .316 to go along with 57 RBI and 39 runs scored. Mora also led the team in home runs with 17, the most by a freshman in program history.

Junior pitcher Levi Wells was also selected by the Baltimore Orioles with in the fourth round of the 2023 MLB Draft.

Softball Texas State softball also entered the 2023 season with high expectations due to the return of several key players. However, offensive struggles and inconsistent performances on the mound kept Texas State from seemingly ever getting on track during the season, as the team finished with an overall record of 35-25-1 and 13-9-1 in conference.

Texas State defeated Troy University in the quarterfinal round of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament before being eliminated by top-seeded Louisiana-Lafayette for the second straight year. Despite not making it to the championship, Texas State was still one of the 64 teams selected to the 2023 NCAA Softball Tournament.

The Bobcats were placed in the Austin Regional where they suffered a 2-1 eight innings opening round loss to Texas A&M. They rebounded by defeating Seton Hall University 4-3 in a elimination game before having their season ended by the Aggies 4-2 in a second straight elimination game.

Junior pitcher Jessica Mullins was selected to the All-Sun Belt Conference First Team while senior infielder Sara Vanderford was selected to the All-Sun Belt Conference Second Team.

VOLLEYBALL

New-look squad looks to transition into new era Since losing 11 players from last season’s roster, junior defensive specialist Jacqueline Lee understands The 2022 volleyball season saw Texas the importance of her enlarged role and State retain one of the most experienced is excited to work with this new-look rosters in the Sun Belt Conference while roster.

“This is my junior year now and finishing atop the West Division with a 24-7 record and 11-1 against conference there’s a lot of new faces on the team but it’s really exciting getting to see... opponents.

Since falling short of a conference our friendship blossoming on top of our championship in 2022, Texas State court play,” Lee said. “It’s been really now looks to shape a new era of Bobcat exciting seeing in the offseason what we volleyball after a total of seven new faces can do and how we’re going to be able to perform.” enter the team for the 2023 season.

The new era of Texas State volleyball The volleyball class of 2023 saw the likes of Emily DeWalt and Janell has many doubting the success of the Fitzgerald complete historic Bobcat team, though Huiet believes in his careers, and head coach Sean Huiet teams’ ability and that flying under the understands the process that lies ahead radar can ease pressure on the team.

“We’re excited. Our slogan this PHOTO BY CARLY EARNEST in working with an entirely new roster year is leave no doubt because we know Texas State senior setter Ryann Torres (14) gives pointers to teammates against UTSA, Saturday, this season.

“Texas State volleyball has been people are going to doubt us,” Huiet Aug. 19, 2023, at Strahan Arena. good for a long time, and so we talked said. “Because a lot of people don’t to our group a lot about that,” Huiet know who's on the court, and who’s on improving the teams blocking and with such a young group.”

Ahead of her last year, Johnson said. “That group was a special class. going to be out there and that’s exciting defense over the summer and sees We know that and there’s no replacing for us. We love that and it’s not pressure potential for this team to be even better wants to leave everything she has on the court and isn’t taking anything for them, but what we’re doing is we want because we know that we can play at than in past seasons.

“There are times in the gym this granted as she begins to adapt to her to come in and take our program to that level.”

Huiet has put a large emphasis week where I feel like we could be better new squad. another level.” than we were the last couple years,” “I just want to bring as much Huiet said. “We’re bigger. We’re more leadership, effort, everything that I can physical. It’s just going to be a process since it’s my last year,” Johnson said. because we are young.”

“I just want to go all out and leave no Texas State managed to recruit doubt, just leave everything out there additional experience to help this young since this is really it.” roster after bringing in graduate outside Huiet understands the process of hitter K. J. Johnson, who has experience working with this new team but isn’t playing in key games for both Fairfield steering away from the culture of Texas University and Baylor.

State Volleyball and is excited to see Johnson looks to finish her fifth his players step into bigger roles and and final collegiate season in a Bobcat become better leaders. uniform, and Huiet is ecstatic to be “It’s been good watching them take able to bring in her knowledge and the reins and teach everyone kind of experience to blend with the rest of the what Texas State volleyball is, because team. we’ve really focused in on Texas State “K.J. has been an All-American the volleyball,” Huiet said. “It’s where our last couple [of ] years,” Huiet said. “She program has been and it’s where we went to the Final Four with Baylor; she’s want it to be.” had that experience; she's had matches PHOTO BY CARLY EARNEST be in her hands with big swings and Texas State volleyball celebrates a winning point against UTSA, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023, at that’s something we knew we needed Strahan Arena in San Marcos. and so she’s providing a lot of that for us

By Kobe Arriaga Sports Reporter

The University Star

16 | Tuesday, August 22, 2023

SPORTS

David Cuevas Sports Editor starsports@txstate.edu

SOFTBALL

Mullins represents Texas State in 2023 Canada Cup

By Kobe Arriaga Sports Reporter The 2023 Canada Cup saw eight teams from across the globe compete in the International Softball Championship, with Triple Crown Colorado representing many of the nations’ elite softball athletes.

An opportunity arose for Texas State senior pitcher Jessica Mullins over the summer after receiving an invitation to play for T.C. Colorado in the 2023 Canada Cup in early July, which she accepted.

T.C. Colorado head coach and CEO of Triple Crown Sports, Dave King, said he’s had a close eye on Mullins for nearly two years and was ecstatic about finally being able to recruit her to the team.

“Someone like Jess is from one of the mid-majors,” King said. “I’ll usually have three or four mid-major players a year on the roster that are in the same light, just have never been included in the national team system.”

Mullins received an invitation nearly two weeks before the start of the tournament and needed a little time to realize the opportunity ahead of her.

“I didn’t believe it at first. I felt it was pretty unbelievable that they wanted a mid-major pitcher to come play for them internationally against the best of the best,” Mullins said. “That was an awestruck moment for me because it made me boost my confidence a little bit more, and so I know I’m going to use that coming into my senior season.”

Being from a mid-major college, Mullins went into the tournament with a chip on her shoulder and much to prove to those who aren’t familiar with her game.

King says he sees that competitive fire in Mullins, as it’s one of the many reasons he was excited to have her play for T.C. Colorado this summer.

“I look for that, because if they don’t think they belong in the U.S. National System, then how are we going to beat Japan, Canada and how are we going to beat the Olympic teams if they don’t believe they belong?” King said.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JESSICA MULLINS

Texas State senior pitcher poses before a game, Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at Softball City Stadium in Surrey, British Columbia

Mullins said that being able to represent not just Texas State, but many of the other mid-majors across the country was quite an enjoyable experience for her.

“Whenever you think about college softball, you think about all of these really high D-1 schools, and you never really think about the mid-majors,” Mullins said. “I wanted to prove that even though I came from a mid-major, I can still get the job done as well as anybody else.”

Mullins said the decision to play in Canada was made within an hour, as she quickly turned around to begin preparation for her exciting journey to play

internationally for the first time.

Josh Trevino, Mullins’ pitching coach at Texas State, was at the forefront in making sure Mullins was good to go in Canada and believes that experiences like these can help factor into Mullins’ success for the upcoming 2024 season.

"Being on a team with athletes who are highly competitive is always helpful,” Trevino said. “I think the more of those things she puts under her belt, the more she can feel confident when we’re playing against a big team for Texas State.”

It didn’t take long for King to see Mullins’ potential and her ability to pitch at the highest level.

“If you put in perspective what she did, she had three starts up there that were consequential for us and she did everything that was expected out of her, meaning she completely shut down other rosters in games that really mattered.” King said.

King felt a sense of validation after witnessing Mullins’ skills and her competitive fire throughout the tournament, and said he thinks highly of Mullins and believes in her abilities.

“She should be in one of the pro leagues next year is my guess... she’s good enough to be picked up by one of the four WBF teams. She’s a legitimate pitcher,” King said.

Mullins is grateful for the opportunity to showcase her skills on the international level and said that she would have never thought of being in this position years ago.

“I came from a small town, and now I’m able to go represent all the people that I know in this university on the international scale, and I feel like that is just an honor in itself.” Mullins said. “I’ve gotten told so many times when I was younger that I would never even make it this far, so being able to prove people wrong, that’s what I like to do day in and day out.”

CLUB SPORTS

Hockey makes changes for success after disastrous season to less than superb performance, but now with this [new roster], I am guaranteeing that you will not have anything less than superb on the ice."

The roster isn’t the limit as to how far this team has gone to ensure a successful season. Cummins places heavy emphasis on the player's mindset and is working to change the overall stigma that has surrounded the team over the years. Through strong words of encouragement and team bonding, Cummins hopes to foster a team that will grow into something that all of Texas State can be proud of.

“I think the mindset for the player says, it's just so important,” Cummins said.

“I mean we represent Texas State University, and there's got to be some pride in that. And I think that has gotten lost in past years. And it's not always easy to take pride when you're losing, and so we can bring a winning tradition to the hockey team and build that over time.”

Some players have already gotten a taste of what's in store this season over the summer after some members of the team continued to play for enjoyment on a men’s league team. Other college players, Texas State freshmen and even high schoolers all drew their attention to the ice and to the Texas State hockey team.

A player fortunate to have already played with Texas State hockey before team tryouts is Evan Smith, a business freshman. Smith has been driving down from Dallas over the weekends to play on the ice with some players on the team at the Ice and Golf Center at Northwoods in San Antonio.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CAMILLE MAJERES

Defenseman Zach Larvins during the alumni game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023 at Ice and Field at the Crossover in Cedar Park, Texas

Smith is a bit nervous to be playing at the college level. Texas State hockey is PHOTO COURTESY OF CAMILLE MAJERES

By Marisa Nunez Sports Contributor Off the ice, the Texas State hockey team has been working to ensure fans, players and coaches aren't disappointed in the upcoming 2023 season. The club's offseason has been full of large-scale changes such as a revamped roster, new jerseys and a new coaching staff.

Last season the team lost all 18 games in its division. Experiences with disorganization, adjustments to new club leaders and losing members to injury made it difficult for the team to stay motivated, according to team president and senior Ben Nehama.

"My projection on our success this year compared to last year is something that, last year, I didn't think would be possible," Nehama, a left wing center, said. "So with us thinking of getting our goal to the third place in the league come playoff time, it's possible that we place even higher. The success of our performance on and off the ice has just been so tremendous."

After the team's previous coach resigned during winter break last season, a player's dad stepped in the interim role for the rest of the season leaving the players to coach themselves. Barry Cummins, the new head coach of Texas State Hockey, joined the organization at the end of March and began recruiting for the team in April.

So last year, we didn't have that and it led to less than superb performance, but now with this [new roster], I am guaranteeing that you will not have anything less than superb on the ice."

- Ben Nehama, team president, said.

As a previous coach for the San Antonio Junior Rampage high school team, Cummins has been able to convince several players to come and play for the maroon and gold. So far, the roster this season can expect to have 12 new faces, which is almost as much as last season's full roster of 13 players.

"When you have surplus 25-26 guys... it creates a lot more competition on and off the ice," Nehama said. "It pushes these players to give 100 percent...it creates that motivation to want to stay on the ice. So last year, we didn't have that and it led

Defenseman Nick Grabner shoots the puck at the alumni game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023 at Ice and Field at the Crossover in Cedar Park, Texas.

a Division 2 American Collegiate Hockey Association Hockey Club sanctioned in the Texas Collegiate Hockey Conference. Even so, Smith says he is already pumped and motivated by the other players who are driven by new changes and the goal to win.

“Definitely a lot of good players and it’s definitely gonna be a hard job making the team this year, but I'm super excited,” Smith said.

Tryouts for Texas State hockey will occur on Aug. 26 at the Ice and Golf Center at Northwoods in San Antonio. Texas State Hockey’s first home game will be against the University of Texas at 8:15 p.m. on Sept. 29 at Ice and Field at the Crossover in Cedar Park, Texas.

To learn more about Texas State Hockey, visit www.txstatehockey.com