10-24-2023

TUESDAY October 24, 2023 VOLUME 113 ISSUE 12 www.UniversityStar.com

TXST'S LONGEST TRADITION: TXST alumni voice the importance of homecoming

STAR FILE PHOTO

By Cara Cervenka Life and Arts Reporter PH TO O BY Y RL A C

engaged and present at the games and events knowing that it was such a special traditional experience," Copeland said.

Kyle Benacquisto was awarded the title of homecoming king in 2021. Benacquisto was involved with Cat Camp, KTSW and the Texas State sociology club.

Royalty court participants are the center of attention during halftime. Students cheer for the court as they parade through tailgate to the stadium. Students and alumni are encouraged throughout the week to celebrate their academic, athletic and social accomplishments.

Benacquisto recalls homecoming night as nothing but magical.

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Homecoming is the longest annual tradition at Texas State. For decades, a week in October has been reserved for students to show school spirit, vote for homecoming kings, queens and Gallardians and enjoy sporting events with maroon and gold flooding the stands.

Shelby Copeland, Texas State alumna and 2020 homecoming queen, said that the opportunities Texas State provided changed her life for the better.

“I love Texas State with all of my heart and soul. This whole experience was so important to me because it felt like I was representing my love for this university,” Copeland said.

Copeland was involved in many student run organizations including Texas State Diamond Sweethearts and Cat Camp.

As an undergraduate, Copeland attended homecoming events annually, getting into the Bobcat spirit during tailgates and football games.

"As a student, it was very fun to feel so

SEE SPIRIT PAGE 7

County purchases vital piece in SMTX green space loop

By Candace Taggart News Contributor The purchase of the 102-acre Elsik Tract at the end of September marks the last step in forming a contiguous loop of green space around San Marcos.

The greenbelt project began in 1998, with the formation of the San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance (SMGA). SMGA set a long term goal of a loop of preserved green space around San Marcos that could connect to parks along the San Marcos River. Since then, several San Marcos and Hays County organizations have joined the cause.

The Edwards Aquifer is approximately 180 miles long and provides drinking water for over two and a half million people in Central Texas. The Elsik Tract is within the recharge zone, which is the land above the aquifer that absorbs rain, runoff and more. The recharge zone can also prosper from making a connection between strips of natural habitats for plant and animal species that would otherwise be separated, known as a wildlife corridor.

SEE ENVIRONMENT PAGE 3

PHOTO BY SARAH MANNING PHOTO BY SARAH MANNING

(Top left) A Soap Box Derby participant races down the track during the annual homecoming event, Friday, Nov. 6, 2015.(Center) Texas State mascot Boko cheers on Bobcats during the blackout game, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, at Bobcat Stadium. (Top right) Texas State Marching Band member plays during halftime, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, at Bobcat Stadium. (Bottom right) Texas State fans cheer on Bobcats during the homecoming game, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, at Bobcat Stadium.

Organizations work to update Prop A one year later

By Lucciana Choueiry News Reporter

cause students can still face marijuana criminalization, it can lead to potential employers and landlords finding that record.

Despite the residents of San Marcos embrac“There are so many collateral consequences that ing a progressive shift in the stigma surrounding can impact [students] and their life due to a really marijuana through the passage of Proposition A petty offense,” Benavides said.

(Prop A) in November 2022, the University Police Blake Coe, president and cofounder of the Texas Department (UPD) still issues citations and arrests State chapter for Students for Sensible Drug Policy for any amount of marijuana in ones possession.

(SSDP), said the university's marijuana policy sigProp A saw a resounding 81.84% approval, end- nificantly impacts freshman students, whose oning marijuana-related arrests and citations for campus living restrictions confine their activities up to four ounces. Texas State, however, retains primarily to the university premises. the ability to set its own rules, separate from “The difference in policies between the city and the city's ordinances. the university adds to this environment of fear on Despite the city passing the stigma surrounding marProp A, the San Marcos Poijuana,” Coe said.

Prop A saw an 81.84% lice Department (SMPD) Coe said the university's continues to press charges resistance to Prop A is likely approval in November 2022, for marijuana possession, due to the Board of Regents' putting an end to marijuanaciting a clause in the Texas influence over Texas State's Local Government Code policies, rather than the unirelated arrests and citations that restricts the creation versity's autonomy in decifor up to four ounces. of policies opposing drug sion-making. law enforcement.

In Texas, the governor apUPD Chief of Police points regents for all public Matthew Carmichael said there is close collabora- university systems, like Texas State. These regents tion between the police department and the dean are responsible for shaping policies across variof students in handling marijuana-related offenses. ous domains, ranging from personnel matters to The approach to these situations, however, is deter- campus development, student tuition, admismined on a case-by-case basis. sions and financial aid. Therefore, any proposal “If it’s a low-level violation, they could be for a marijuana decriminalization policy on camwarned. If it’s a student then referred to the dean pus would need approval from this governing of students, they could be issued a citation or de- board before implementation. pending if it’s a Class A misdemeanor they could Prop A served as the catalyst for the emergence be arrested,” Carmichael said. of Texas State's SSDP chapter and also prompted a Communications Director for Mano Amiga, a series of proactive measures at Mano Amiga. political advocacy group, Sam Benavides said be-

PHOTO BY MANDALYN LEWALLEN

Local residents bike the trail path at Purgatory Creek Park, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in San Marcos.

SEE LEGISLATION PAGE 3

Streamlined FAFSA form to launch this December

By Brad Hunt News Contributor The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form is implementing new changes for the 2024-25 year.

Through the FAFSA Simplification Act, the Department of Education over the past three years has implemented

changes to the form. The final changes include replacing the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) with the Student Aid Index (SAI), expanding the access to Federal Pell Grants and overall streamlining of the form.

The FAFSA is a form for college students to determine their eligibility for federal financial aid through input-

ting a variety of information, such as tax returns, W-2 forms and other records of money earned into a formula that calculates a student's EFC or now SAI score, which then determines the student's eligibility.

Because of the major changes in the FAFSA, forms will open in December 2023 as opposed to Oct. 1. Following

years' forms will continue to open on Oct. 1.

The EFC is a measure of the student and their families' expected contribution towards the cost of education. The new form will replace the EFC with the SAI. The SAI will now be the single factor that determines a student's eligibility for a Federal Pell Grant.

SEE FINANCIAL AID PAGE 3

The University Star

2 | Tuesday, October 24, 2023

NEWS

Blake Leschber News Editor starnews@txstate.edu

Program offers IDs for county residents

By Ryan Claycamp News Reporter A program at the San Marcos Public Library (SMPL) has created a path for San Marcos and Hays County residents to get a library card that doubles as a photo ID. The program started in 2021 with the help of local advocacy groups Mano Amiga and the Homeless Outreach, Mitigation and Emergency Center of Central Texas, which hoped to create a pathway to a photo ID, called an enhanced library card. The card is aimed toward individuals who may not otherwise be able to get an ID, such as homeless people and immigrants.

To get an enhanced library card, one must be at least 18-years-old, provide information to confirm their residency, such as a utility bill and another way to confirm their identity such as a shelter ID or a mug shot.

"The idea of the program is to bridge the gap for marginalized people in the community such as the unhoused or immigrants that have difficulty obtaining an identification [card] through [The Department of Public Safety]," Adam Landry, services manager for the SMPL, said.

The enhanced library cards are similar to a student ID, but it is available to any adult who lives in San Marcos or Hays County and has an address printed

on it.

The enhanced library card isn't a state issued ID, so it can not be used to vote or buy alcohol, but it can be used for certain jobs and to take the GED test.

"It's a much less cumbersome way than going through the state," Landry said. "It's a bridge to get people to the things they need more quickly."

One of Landry's goals is maintain the legitimacy of the program, in hopes that more businesses, groups and agencies will start accepting it as a valid form of ID. "We're seeing more agencies and people start to accept it, but we don't have any guarantees that anyone will accept it outside of the city of San Marcos," Landry said.

One of the local agencies that does accept the enhanced library cards is the San Marcos Police Department.

"We will accept any form of identification that will help an officer correctly identify a citizen," San Marcos Police Chief Stan Standridge said. "The library card may necessitate follow up questions to confirm their identity, which can then be compared or contrasted to computer records."

The SMPL allows for walk-ins to get an enhanced ID from 2 - 4 p.m. every Wednesday. Appointments can be scheduled by contacting the library through their website.

For more information on the enchanced cards or to schedule an appointment, scan the QR code.

PHOTO BY RYAN CLAYCAMP

Tatiana Salazar, San Marcos bilingual communications specialist, fills out the application for an enhanced library card, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023, at the San Marcos Public Library.

Sidewalk plan aims to improve ADA requirements

By Staff The San Marcos Sidewalk Maintenance Plan is a 5-year program to improve the overall quality and safety of all sidewalks city-wide. The projects include removing old existing sidewalk and replacing sidewalks with new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant handicap ramps.

San Marcos is working on installing and fixing sidewalks for 2024. These projects include building a sidewalk on Conway Street and conducting maintenance on sidewalks on Comanche Street, Hutchison Street and Edward Gary Street.

According to the San Marcos Code of Ordinances, residents cannot let the sidewalk in front of their property get in a condition that can cause harm or obstructions to anyone who may use it. This means that it is recommended that residents keep up with their sidewalks to ensure fair conditions.

For San Marcos resident, Eric West, sidewalks are a must in his everyday life. West uses a wheelchair and needs sidewalks to be included in certain parts of San Marcos. “[Able people] don't understand sidewalk barriers, because they walk,” West said. “They walk around it, they walk over it, there's many choices. Wheelchairs have no choice.”

West hopes to see changes made to make this community a safer environment for the disabled. To West, sidewalks are not just a way to transport, but a way for the disabled community to stay safe.

“Me, I will never walk again, I’m going to die in a wheelchair,” West said. “The [disabled] have a right, but if they don’t have sidewalks, they’re literally risking their lives.”

For more information, contact the Public Works Department at 512-393-8036. To view the City’s current Sidewalk Maintenance Plan, visit the City of San Marcos website.

To view a map of the planned sidewalk changes, scan the QR code.

INFOGRAPHIC BY AFAAF ALNAHAS

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 3,500. Printing and distribution is by the New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung.

Visit The Star at universitystar.com

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Carson Weaver stareditor@txstate.edu

Nichaela Shaheen starmanagingeditor@txstate.edu

Sarah Manning stardesign@txstate.edu

News Editor:

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Blake Leschber starnews@txstate.edu

Haley Velasco starlifeandarts@txstate.edu

Rhian Davis staropinion@txstate.edu

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Copyright: Copyright Tuesday, October 24, 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.

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

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The University Star

Tuesday, October 24, 2023 | 3

NEW S

Blake Leschber News Editor starnews@txstate.edu

FROM FRONT LEGISLATION

One of the outcomes was the establishment of Texas State's Mano Amiga chapter. Additionally, Mano Amiga launched a campaign aimed at repealing SMPD's civil status and its goal is to hold lawless law officers accountable for their actions. Furthermore, it spearheaded another marijuana decriminalization campaign in Lockhart, Texas.

Under the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (DFSCA), for an institution of higher education, like Texas State, to receive federal funding it must adopt a program that restricts unlawful possession, use or distribution of drugs.

Carmichael said compliance with the DFSCA is imperative for UPD as it safeguards various forms of financial aid, grants, scholarships and other monetary opportunities funded by the federal government.

“I would imagine changes [to the current marijuana policy at Texas State] would have to be at the state level,” Carmichael said. “You’re talking about the

school’s ability to receive federal funding.”

Coe, however, said the university’s marijuana decriminalization policy should be different on campus, especially regarding small amounts of possession, since the university already implements a no smoking and tobacco-free policy on its campus grounds.

“You can still enforce that part of being in the building and not smoking on campus without having to involve students in the criminal justice system and kicking them out of the education system,” Coe said.

Benavides said her concern is the university's policy might not be in the best interest of the students or staff, as she believes it could potentially jeopardize their future.

“I feel like the lack of an official policy with the UPD that decriminalizes a low-level possession of marijuana, speaks to the lack of compassion and care the university leadership has for their students,” Benavides said.

A worry Carmichael has is since marijuana is not legalized in Texas, there is no safe source for the production and purchase of the drug.

Carmichael said UPD is starting to train campus partners and sorority members on how to deal with opioid overdose, considering its prevalence as an emerging epidemic.

“We’re starting to see an increase nationally in marijuana being laced with fentanyl,” Carmichael said.

Coe said Prop A is a step in the right direction but isn’t the final goal. SSDP is focusing on educating and raising awareness of what the Prop A policy actually entails.

“We are probably going to start a petition,” Coe said. “If this could end up going to the Board of Regents, we can’t go with nothing.”

FROM FRONT ENVIRONMENT Development with excessive paving on the recharge zone would prevent groundwater from soaking in, which is why Virginia Parker, executive director for the San Marcos River Foundation (SMRF), emphasizes the importance of protecting as much of the recharge zone as possible.

“That's why SMRF, along with many partners, have been working to protect a loop around the city of San Marcos because we’re not only protecting the Edwards Aquifer, we're creating a contiguous wildlife corridor and a future 18-mile trail loop around the city of San Marcos,” Parker said.

Garry Merritt, chief executive officer of Great Springs Project (GSP), said GSP values properties based on karst features, important species habitats and other traits that protect water flow and quality.

Karst features are visible sections of limestone, which is a softer and porous stone that can easily absorb and filter water into the aquifer.

“There are karst features on the Elsik Tract where we can physically see openings,” Parker said. “They're not large and every karst feature is different, but we do know that they're there, which makes it really important to our springs and river.”

These openings as well as a partial tree canopy and wildlife corridor potential are why the Elsik Tract is considered a “high value conservation property” by the GSP, SMRF and more.

According to Parker, the process of attaining the Elsik Tract began over four years ago when the property appeared on the market, and four private land owners bought the property until the county and SMRF could take further action.

Merritt is also a real estate lawyer of

MAP BY HARRISON MOORE

about 30 years and assisted in the documentation side of the purchase.

“I helped the sellers enter into the contract with the county to purchase the property, then saw that transaction through to closing,” Merritt said.

“I and other people in the GSP have been on the property to give some input about the conservation value of it as well as how the trail could be oriented on the property.”

The Elsik Tract sits between two city-owned properties: Ringtail Ridge and the River Recharge Natural Area (formerly Buie Tract). This connectivity is a factor in creating protected trails, wildlife corridors and spring and river protection.

“This purchase was a really good step for Hays County,” Parker said. “The continuity of the land that's preserved is important, and this is creating a contiguous protected area.”

Kayla Hicks, a biology freshman, participated in the San Marcos River clean-up on Oct. 7, and said she plans on getting involved in more of these events because she didn’t experience a push for healthy environments in her hometown.

“I feel like the city is really wanting to see San Marcos flourish rather than decay,” Hicks said. “So, it’s great to see this progression of actually doing something that makes a change for the community and it’s valuable green space

FROM FRONT FINANCIAL AID "The SAI is [largely] a name change.

With that there's a little calculation change [and] there's a goal of having more students Pell [Grant] eligible," Byron Kerr, assistant director for financial aid and scholarship outreach, said.

The definition of family size will change to reflect the number of dependents reported by the applicant's parents or the applicant if independent.

Generally, a student is considered a dependent if they're reliant on their parents for financial support.

These changes are intended to better reflect what is reported on the student or parent's tax returns. This will be implemented through the new formulas in the FAFSA form.

Federal Pell Grants, grants normally awarded to students with exceptional financial need, will be made available for more students. Incarcerated students will now be able to receive Pell Grants and eligibility will be restored to students whose schools closed.

The act will also work to streamline the FAFSA, through the changing of questions and directly receiving data from the Internal Revenue Service, whereas before the data was transferred by the student. Some question changes include no longer asking about selective service and drug convictions and adding questions about sex, race and ethnicity.

"I've seen [the new form], it looks really nice... With some luck it will make it easier for more students to get financial aid and go to college," Kerr said.

With the form lowering the amount of questions, students like Nick Moore, an exploratory junior, hope that it will be easier to complete than years past.

"I'm happy to hear they're changing the form. It's always been a hassle to fill out," Moore said.

FAFSA is designed to support students in need of financial aid. Not all students in need of aid, however, will qualify for support. For such students, Kerr stresses the importance of communication with the financial aid office and working towards scholarships.

William Chittenden, associate professor of finance, advises all students, especially those with loans, to stay on-top of their personal finances.

"Learn how to make a basic monthly budget for your household," Chittenden said. "Take into account what your earning potential is going to be when you graduate and how much debt you'll take on.... The consequences of not paying it [are] you get trapped and then it's going to make it difficult for you to borrow and get any kind of credit in the future."

For more information on the 2024-25 FAFSA, scan the QR code.

INFOGRAPHIC BY ITZIE PULIDO

instead of ignoring it.”

Merritt and Parker both agree to move forward with protecting water quality and trail systems, staying educated and getting involved is crucial for community members.

“On top of being up to date on conservation opportunities, voting is really important to these projects,” Parker said. “Make sure you do vote, and who you're voting for prioritizes our springs and river and understands the importance of natural resources because we have got to protect water in Texas, especially in times of drought.”

4 | Tuesday, October 24, 2023

The University Star

The University Star

Tuesday, October 24, 2023 | 5

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.

Physical newspapers are better than digital media

By Samuel Marentes Opinions Contributor With an overwhelming amount of news consumption happening online, it's important to note how systems inherent to online outlets affect the headlines people see. After evaluating the influence of media algorithms on digital news sources, physical newspapers offer themselves as a more encompassing alternative.

More often than not, people are getting their news online. Understandably so, as the convenience and accessibility of online news is difficult to compete with.

Physical newspapers are typically large, need to be folded and aren't always free, making them an overall hassle. With virtual media outlets being available to nearly everybody at the click of a button, it comes to no surprise that it's grown to be the dominant form of news consumption.

Regardless of convenience or accessibility, it's important for readers to consider exactly what they're consuming when getting their news through an app versus a paper, namely the influence of an algorithm.

According to Medium, a search algorithm is essentially a set of rules made to put forward content the reader is more likely to engage with and filter out what they will ignore. Based on one's viewing history, an app or service determines what kind of content the user enjoys, then recommends similar content from that point onwards.

Algorithms are not inherently harmful though. By design, they serve

ILLUSTRATION BY DJ ROSS

the customer to their fullest potential, and they do it effectively. Without them, it could be difficult for readers to easily find the news they care about. Algorithms give the viewer what they want, that's undeniable, but it's also the problem.

Research ranging from a decade ago up until just last year still finds that practically every online media app uses algorithms to limit viewers' content, opting to incessantly promote the same style of news.

Digital media experts warn readers to be cautious of how an algorithm processes content. These experts specifically cite echo chambers, online spaces that continuously reinforce the same belief, as cause for worry.

These systems are designed to

Homecoming: A modern relic of the recent past campus safety, decrease tuition costs or create more parking space. Issues like these ring much closer to home For the majority of Texans, high for Texas State students than the quesschool homecoming has always been tion of who’s going to be Homecoming a big deal; the dance, the mums and King or Queen this year.

Florida A&M spent just short of the alumni coming home. All of it became so important that it created a $300,000 on homecoming in 2017, and in 2016 organizing homecomweek-long event.

Coming from New York City, how- ing events cost the University of ever, I never cared about homecoming Arizona over $160,000.

While homecoming was, for some, - a statement that I feel resonates to a surprising degree with the vast major- a pretty big event in high school, colity of Texas State students. To college lege students don’t seem to care about it nearly as students in much. So general, the why do we tailgate ascontinue it? sociated with It doesn't every footmake sense ball game to keep doseems to be ing somefar more imthing the portant than vast majorthe game itity of the self, let alone community things like lacks interhomecoming est in. In events. addition, W h a t it isn't imTexas State portant to students care carry over about even certain less than high school homecomILLUSTRATION BY MAYA CONTRERAS traditions ing, though, to college if is homecoming royalty. A vast majority of students the student body is almost entirely disdon't pay attention to who is in the passionate about those traditions.

Though Texas State has tried to running for homecoming royalty and revamp this years homecoming celthey don't vote for winners.

As a matter of fact, last year, the ebration by adding events such as carefully selected dormitory Dukes and Boko's Homecoming Bash and ThursDuchesses did not do anything after day Night Lights, whether or not it being picked, placing the point of the will be enough to keep the student body engaged in certain traditions is whole process under question.

“I didn’t go to homecoming last up for debate.

While the idea of homecoming year," studio art sophomore Aris Gonzales-Chiman said. “None of the events, isn’t bad, and clearly worked in high nothing. I have to be there this year, but school, the current execution of it and interest in it in university is so poor I’m really not excited for it at all.”

Texas State Homecoming lasts perhaps it is best not done at all. from Oct. 22-28, and includes a wide -Nikita Arefiev is an international range of events like an office decorating contest that lasts the whole week to, of relations freshman course, a football game at 6 p.m. on SatThe University Star welcomes Letters urday in Bobcat Stadium. Other events include TXST’s Got Talent, a Soap Box to the Editor from its readers. All submisDerby along with a Spirit Parade & Pep sions are reviewed and considered by the Editor-in-Chief and Opinions Editor for Rally and an Alumni Gala.

A key issue is money getting taken publication. Not all letters are guaranout of the school budget for homecom- teed for publication. ing events. Money spent on homecoming could instead be used to increase

By Nikita Arefiev Opinions Contributor

show a reader more of what they want, but in the process, they block out any pieces that aren't in sync with their observed beliefs for the sake of customer service. The end result is a person who is always given the same type of content, rarely venturing outside of their own viewpoints.

There is, fortunately, a way for readers to still get their news without risking the entrapment of an algorithm: classic print newspapers.

Physical newspapers are not hindered by the same technological disadvantages, as there is no ruleset constantly tailoring the words offered to the reader.

News in print needs to satisfy every type of reader with only one copy, allowing it to offer a wide scope of topics.

Printed news isn't designed to trap

its reader with a relentless reel of headlines, which offers its viewership more freedom over what they choose to read.

While an algorithm purposely chooses and narrows potential news, a physical paper's diversity grants its news a more exploratory nature.

Taking the time to engage with every part of a physical paper puts a variety of subjects, views and information on display for readers. Ultimately, the viewer can trust certain news isn't being filtered out.

It'd be naive to believe print newspapers are completely free from bias or a certain degree of filtering. Still, a physical newspaper will almost never be as narrow in scope as the suggestions of a digital media outlet will be.

According to research from The United Kingdom Literary Association and the Educational Research Review, readers absorb information better with printed media compared to digital alternatives, especially when it came to expository writing, such as news article.

Print is made to inform and entertain; digital is made to keep eyes on the screen.

Algorithms can be quite useful in certain cases but, unfortunately, have been employed in a manner that doesn't always have its user's best interests in mind.

Print isn't flawless, but it's genuine. So, get your hands on a physical newspaper and flip through the pages. You may find something you've never seen before.

-Samuel Marentes is an English junior

Social media impacts our relationship with politics

By Jonny Wheatcroft Opinions Contributor Social media has skewed students’ relationship with politics through the emphasis on scandals, crimes and corruption instead of meaningful diplomacy and legislation.

The political world is no longer about substance; it's about spectacle.

In modern politics, show business and diplomacy go hand in hand. This has largely resulted from the increase in the coverage of theatrical public displays rather than effective competence within the realm of diplomacy.

Over time, the effectiveness of the U.S. congress has eroded. According to a Vox article, the 85th congress passed roughly 1,000 public laws, compared to the 112th congress which only passed 220 public laws.

This can be largely attributed to the ever-changing political landscape of U.S. politics. In 2016, for example, our nation elected a presidential candidate that had no political experience.

This indicated a shift in what people have begun to value: entertainment over effectiveness.

This is problematic because certain political issues could directly affect students. Educational financing, municipal legislation in your city or even regulations regarding educational tax cuts that could defund extracurricular activities financed by universities.

According to the Texas Tribune, the agenda for the 2023 legislative session centered around budget allocation, LGBTQ+ laws and local regulations.

The Texas Tribune also recorded a few pieces of legislation that failed to pass, centered around creating education savings accounts and increasing school funding. Both highly relevant issues to the average college student, and yet, flew largely under the radar

due to the prioritization of entertainment over relevancy.

A large reason as to why social media has become the primary source for political news could be due to the distrust of established news networks.

According to Project Information Literacy, more than a third of students said their distrust of the news stemmed from “fake news.”

This has resulted in younger age groups looking toward social media for information. According to Statista, 47% of people aged 18-34 use social media for daily news. Of that specific age group, less than 6% read anything from local newspapers.

Social media is constantly flooded with the latest updates regarding the most popular people on the platforms.

We need to understand the number of followers someone has does not translate to the amount of consideration you should give to their opinion.

The influential psychology of public figures is more than just a public phenomenon. According to a study conducted by Knowledge at Wharton, the public tend to trust an item more if it is endorsed by a celebrity.

This sales concept translates to our perception of celebrity perspective. When a public figure voices their opinion regarding a topic, they are, in turn, selling their viewpoint.

We need to stop giving social media the power to distort our view of politics. Our government is not simply a theater for scandal and corruption, Instead, we need to see it as a necessary part of not only our lives but the lives of our nation.

You owe it to yourself to distinguish fact from fiction. To do so, we need to get out of TikTok and Instagram, and into credible news sources to be able to differentiate between the ridiculous and the relevant.

-Jonny Wheatcroft is a physics junior

ILLUSTRATION BY HARRISON MOORE

The University Star

6 | Tuesday, October 24, 2023

LIFE & ARTS

Haley Velasco Life and Arts Editor starlifeandarts@txstate.edu

Candidates for homecoming court reflect on their time at Texas State Bianca Thomas Life and Arts Contributor Homecoming week has been a long-standing tradition at Texas State and has been a big week for students for years. Over the years, homecoming court

has been a way for Texas State students to show their love for their community. Several students applied to be on this year's homecoming court. Although there

are currently a total of 20 candidates, with four kings, four queens and 12 Gaillardians, four candidates chose to speak about their Texas State experience.

KJ Jones - Candidate for Homecoming Queen

Originally, Johnny Dao, an English and biology senior, came to Texas State in 2020 because his partner at the time also attended. Over the course of his four years here, Dao has learned to embrace Texas State for what it is and appreciate the opportunities he has been given.

Soon after getting a job at Bobcat Welcome, then called Bobcat Preview, Dao started as a consultant at the University Writing Center during his sophomore year and has been there ever since. He also served as the cochair for public relations during his second summer and a director for extended orientation.

Dao is now running for homecoming king to represent and motivate students to step outside of their comfort zone and get involved on campus.

“It's not all about popularity... I could care less about how many followers [I get] after the fact,” Dao said. “The point is, having an Asian on homecoming court is a huge step for the university.”

KJ Jones, a psychology senior, also came to TXST during 2020 and came here with the intent of going out into the world, venturing out independently and starting fresh.

Since enrolling at TXST, Jones said she has been able to find her people and make a voice not only for herself but also others.

“I never imagined myself being close with administrators from Texas State," Jones said. "I've loved all four years here. It's been an experience.

It's crazy that it's about to be over.”

While being here Jones has served as an event coordinator for Black Student Alliance as well as the internal event coordinator for Black Women United.

In Jones’ last year here, she decided to run for homecoming queen in order to give a voice to those who can’t speak up.

“I'm willing to connect with everyone on campus, just so that I can be a voice for the people," Jones said. "Not everybody has that motivation to step up for others or even themselves. I've accomplished a lot and I genuinely just want the best [life] for people that I meet at Texas State."

S TE UR CO

N SA FA YO

Y ILE

W TI

PHOTO COURTESY OF PREETHI MANGADU

O OT PH

Johnny Dao - Candidate for Homecoming King

Zaria Brownlee - Candidate for Homecoming Queen

Ka'Vorick Williams - Candidate for Homecoming King

Zaria Brownlee, a theatrical production senior, was intrigued to attend Texas State after hearing of the highly reputable theatre program the university had to offer.

"I came for Bobcat Day and I completely fell in love with the campus and people," Brownlee said. "I've never felt more welcomed anywhere else."

Now, Brownlee is a University Ambassador, with the role of conducting campus tours and hosting Bobcat Day. Brownlee is also the Vice President for Alpha Kappa Alpha, the first Black sorority.

With her love for Texas State and the experience the university has supplied her, Brownlee is running for homecoming queen.

"Even if I don't win, it's just a positive outlook, because they look at Texas State and they look at you and they're like 'That's a reflection of the type of people that they produce,'" Brownlee said. "I genuinely have a love and passion for Texas State and I wanted a way to broadcast that."

Ka’Vorick Williams, a business management senior, came to Texas State looking for a home away from home. Williams said he remembers coming here for the first time and absolutely loving the atmosphere and the community.

“I liked all the resources and stuff we have and how I can maximize my potential as a student,” Williams said. “It was a perfect choice for me.”

Like a lot of other freshman students in 2020, Williams came in during COVID-19 and didn't get a chance to branch out or explore everything that Texas State had to offer. By his sophomore year to now he has had a great experience and is now running for homecoming king.

“That's also something that pushed me [to] get out of my shell, branch out and do something that I never would have thought of myself to do,” Williams said. “Being able to get out there and represent the university in a positive way.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF MCKAYLA THOMAS

PHOTO COURTESY OF TESIA JACKSON

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The University Star

Tuesday, October 24, 2023 | 7

LIFE & ARTS

Haley Velasco Life and Arts Editor starlifeandarts@txstate.edu

FROM FRONT SCHOOL SPIRIT

ILLUSTRATION BY MADISON WARE

“The atmosphere on the field is really amazing,” Benacquisto said. "Homecoming especially, you really see a big turnout for Texas State fans and its really awesome to participate in that."

Homecoming offers a week's worth of opportunities to express pride for Texas State. Students look forward to events like Taco Throwdown, a taco eating contest in which students strive to eat 10 tacos the quickest, and Soap Box Derby, a competition where students build their own soap box vehicle and race to be the first at the bottom of the hill.

Adam Holden, the 2022 Homecoming King became the director of Texas State Pride and Traditions.

Holden participated in several Homecoming events as an undergraduate, including the Soap Box Derby and the Taco Throwdown, placing second by eating nine tacos in 10 minutes. He also had success in the Soap Box Derby event, as during his last year at Texas State he took home first place.

Holden said he gained a sense of

fulfillment after participating in events like Soap Box Derby, even though they seemed silly at first.

"If you would've asked me my freshman year of college if I was gonna sit in the Soap Box and race down a hill, I probably would've laughed and said 'no,'" Holden said. "Actually having the opportunity to win it felt like a blast."

Homecoming promotes values of teamwork, community and pride that are important for life after graduation.

“I think it's something that if you really put yourself out there and you really try to get involved and get engaged with the different activities that we have to offer, it can really change your college experience,” Holden said.

Year by year, homecoming has become a consequential event that students are proud to celebrate with friends and family, with the opportunity to create memories like Copeland, Benacquisto and Holden did.

Week of homecoming traditions to create a fun experience for campus community

By Carlene Ottah Life and Arts Reporter This year, old and new homecoming events will collide as Student Involvement and Engagement (SIE) focuses more on improving Texas State spirit and traditions.

Members of SIE wanted to create an experience for the overall community and incorporate that for students, staff and faculty.

Deion Robbins, spirit and tradition programs coordinator, said his goals for this year's homecoming are reinforcing tradition and increasing attendance numbers to games and events compared to last fall. "[SIE] wanted to elevate homecoming as spirit and traditions." Robbins said. "That's one of the reasons why homecoming this year was elevated."

TXST's Got Talent Show Sponsored by the Student Association for Campus Activities, TXST's Got Talent is a spin-off of America's Got Talent. Students across campus present their talents to an audience and compete for the best overall performance of the night.

The event will take place from 7-10 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 25, at the LBJ Student Center Grand Ballroom.

Soap Box Derby The Soap Box Derby is from 4-5:30 p.m. on Thursday at Woods Street behind the Housing and Residential Life Building. It is the longest-standing homecoming tradition, first starting in 1967. Students create derby cars and race against each other down a ramp at the top of a hill and toward a finish line.

Kiera Gonzalez, Cat Camp Public Relations Chair, is participating in the Soap Box Derby for the first time but has heard about how much of a good time people have at the race, from preparing their cars to being at the race itself.

"Something that I want to get out of this experience is whether I win or lose, it's all fun," Gonzalez said. "I love showing my spirit for Texas State because I love Texas State."

Thursday Night Lights: Homecoming Spirit Parade and Pep Rally Thursday Night Lights is a new event scheduled after the Soap Box Derby and separated into two parts.

The Homecoming Spirit Parade is from 5:30-6:45 p.m. It will start behind the Housing and Residential

ILLUSTRATION BY DELANEY COMPEAN

Life Building and end at the J.C. Kellam Building R9 Lot. Student organizations will drive their decorated golf carts or walk beside them down the path, along with President Damphousse and the homecoming court.

The group then moves to Sewell Park for the Homecoming Spirit Pep Rally, which starts at 7 p.m. and is cosponsored by Texas State Athletics.

Brenda Rodriguez, Student Involvement program director, said she heard of different iterations of the parade and rally in the past and wanted SIE to take the chance to host it.

"I would say this is the first time that we are looking at how do we continue to elevate the program and create some excitement," Rodriguez said.

Boko's Homecoming Bash Boko's Homecoming Bash is another new event from 7:30-10:00 p.m. on Friday at Bobcat Trail. Food trucks will be present, along with a Battle of the DJs. "Instead of having an artist, it's going to be two DJs battling each other — like playlists, different

sets, interactive games and activities to do with the crowd," Robbins said.

This event wraps up the week before the Tailgate with Royalty Court and the football game against Troy on Saturday.

Spirit Boards Throughout the week, spirit boards designed by student organizations, departments and residence halls will decorate the Texas State campus. These are fourby-six plywood boards that can stand on their own.

Spirit Boards replaced spirit flags, which would be displayed only in the LBJ Student Center.

"The boards are brand new because we want to create a visual across campus and not just in one building, to really amplify that exposure to students in the community that it's homecoming week," Rodriguez said.

For more information on Homecoming Events for the week of Oct. 22-28, visit www.txst.edu/homecoming.

8 | Tuesday, October 24, 2023 Kobe Arriaga Multimedia Editor starmultimedia@txstate.edu

The University Star

STAR SNAPS

PHOTO BY FELIX MENKE

Fredrick rallies the zombie pirate crew in OPERA: Zombies of Penzance with a raise of his sword, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, at the Performing Arts Center.

Boko waves hello to the front row crowd at the volleyball game versus South Alabama, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, at Strahan Arena.

PHOTO BY KOBE ARRIAGA

PHOTO BY MEG BOLES

A young girl plays with bowling pins during the Party in the Patch, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023, at First United Methodist Church.

PHOTO BY MEG BOLES

Texas State freshman math major Brooke Harralson pets a costumed dog at the Party in the Patch, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023, at First United methodist Church.

PHOTO BY MANDALYN LEWALLEN

PHOTO BY MANDALYN LEWALLEN

Texas State volleyball players joke around during a timeout break by pretending to be a bicycle during the game against South Alabama, Friday, Oct. 20, 2023, at Strahan Arena.

Texas State midfielders sophomore Lily Erb (11) and sophomore Chloe Jones (13) celebrate their goals during the game against Old Dominion, Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023, at Bobcat Soccer Complex.

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The University Star

10 | Tuesday, October 24, 2023

SPORTS

David Cuevas Sports Editor starsports@txstate.edu

Drought forces little league into recalibration of season

By Brendan Fielding Assistant Sports Editor San Marcos entered a drought in March 2022, and its entrance to stage four drought restrictions in June this year has demanded extensive work from the Parks and Recreation Department.

As a result, community groups like little league baseball and softball teams have had to take measures to ensure their events will go on.

Field conditions at Ramon Lucio Park, where the San Marcos Youth Baseball and Softball hold games and practices, have slowly worsened and now pose a threat to the children's safety.

In turn, the parks and recreation team is working to try to help them with a smooth autumn season.

“We’ve had to stop play out there because of cracks in the plane surface,” San Marcos Parks Operation Manager Bert Stratemann said. “We have been addressing those cracks for the past month and a half as they’ve started to pop up.”

Though they may look manageable, these conditions pose a genuine threat to kids who play on the fields as many of these cracks are more than ankle-deep and are hidden by grass, Stratemann said.

In order to help the young athletes,

parks and recreation has responded with a solution for the league. Practices and games have been rescheduled and moved to the fields at Gary Sports Complex, which were built to withstand the current dry conditions.

“The reason those fields are different than the Lucio fields is because of how those fields were constructed,” Stratemann said. “Those fields were constructed on the site [where] we had compacted base underneath the soil.”

Stratemann said they were working hard to fight problems presented by the drought all over the city every day. “[The drought] has increased our daily workload because we have at least four irrigation or domestic waterline breaks every day in our park,” Stratemann said. “We’re constantly fixing breaks because of the shifting ground.”

Though they have resolved the issue of where kids will play ball, cracks in the ground and pipe leaks still demand work, and repairing these problems is no frugal task, Stratemann said.

“On all of our irrigation systems across the city, we have spent almost $100,000 this year working on irrigation,” Stratemann said. “Our irrigation systems around the community, not just baseball but all of our facilities, are part of parks and recreation’s responsibility to work on.”

ILLUSTRATION BY DELANEY COMPEAN

Parks and recreation has tried to remedy park grounds by attempting things like bringing truckloads of water to douse the field, but repairing unsaturated Texas high ground is highly demanding, according to Stratemann.

“We put four truckloads of water, and it got maybe a quarter inch of penetration on the field,” Stratemann said.

“Some of those cracks are five, six-plus feet deep, and it was causing more damage on the field than it was helping the field.”

While the fields demand help, no ultimate solution has surfaced for the dry conditions. For San Marcos residents, the best solution there is for these ongoing problems is consistent rain, Stratemann said.

“We’re trying everything we can, but really, the best solution to the problem is rain,” Stratemann said. “And not just the little showers we’ve been having here and there. We need a nice, good soaking that we haven’t had in about a year now.”

Bobcat tennis transfer broadens team passion

By Georgia Weeks Sports Contributor Originating from Caracas, Venezuela, junior Sofia Fortuno made her way to San Marcos to compete as a Division I athlete for the Texas State tennis team.

Texas State was not her first choice as she originally signed with Western Kentucky University, but after talking with coaches about the program she quickly changed her decision and accepted her full-ride offer to become a Bobcat.

Texas State Head Tennis Coach Kendall Brooks said she began recruiting Fortuno during her first year as a head coach after studying her film.

“She had good hands at the net, and with her athleticism, she brought a really big game,” Brooks said.

“When I spoke with her on the phone I knew right away she was the perfect player I would love to have.

[She is] just very passionate and driven. That has continued to be the case every single day since she's been here.”

Fortuno said she grew up with the goal of playing in the United States on her mind. She has been playing tennis competitively since she was 10 years old but couldn't envision a future for herself in the sport, as there are no collegiate-level women's tennis programs in Venezuela.

Fortuno grew up in a household with her parents and two brothers, and had to say goodbye to them in order to achieve the goals she set for herself. Fortuno said the transition from leaving her home was one of

PHOTO BY MANDALYN LEWALLEN

Texas State junior tennis player Sofia Fortuno eyes her opponent, Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, at Bobcat Tennis Complex.

the most difficult things she has ever done.

“Here you have your teammates and coaches, but you are doing life by yourself. Far away, even over the phone, it's not the same,” Fortuno said. “I didn't think it was going to be hard, but [during my] first semester here I missed my mom a lot.”

The Latino-American culture is very warm and family-oriented, and Fortuno brought these same traditions to Texas State. With her enthusiastic and loving personality, she has been a great addition to the Texas State roster, not only by winning multiple athletic and academic awards, but also by contributing to her teammate's success through encouragement.

“We are all so close… It's different to go to practice and just have fun with the people that are there," Fortuno said. "I'm so competitive and so is everyone on the team. I just want us all to do well.”

According to junior tennis player Maria Lora, the energy Fortuno brings to the team on and off the court is immense and greatly appreciated.

“She is just amazing,” Lora said. “She’s always there for you no matter what. She always makes you laugh ... She's just an amazing person to be with.”

Fortuno’s exceptional attitude and ambition as a tennis player have led her to be very successful in the past and marked the pathway for a bright upcoming season this spring. In 2022, she was awarded CSC Academic All-District Team, ITA Scholar-Athlete, Texas State Star of Excellence Award with a 4.0 GPA and Sun Belt Commissioners List.

For the 2022-23 season, Fortuno advanced to the ITA Texas Regional Championship and was undefeated in three singles and two doubles matches at the Texas State Fall Invite.

For the spring season of 2024 as she approaches her senior year, she has more confidence than before and plans to dictate her opponent's moves whether she plays solo or with a doubles partner.

“I can throw Sofia out there with anyone and I know she would do good,” Brooks said. “I think she is capable of even more than she has accomplished so far.

I just want to see her improve and help lead the team in any way that she can.”

Sun Belt West Division Football Standings

School

Conf.

Rec.

Ovr. Pct.

Texas State Troy

2-1 2-1

.714 .714

South Alabama Louisiana

2-1 1-2

.571 .571

Arkansas St. ULM Southern Miss

1-2 0-4 0-4

.429 .286 .143

Sun Belt West Division Volleyball Standings

School

Conf.

Rec.

Ovr. Pct.

Troy South Alabama

8-0 8-2

.600 .773

Texas State Louisiana

7-1 3-5

.667 .542

Southern Miss Arkansas St. ULM

3-7 1-7 0-8

.381 .545 .167

PHOTO BY CARLY EARNEST

PHOTO BY CARLY EARNEST

Texas State junior offensive lineman Jimento Obigbo (73) participates in individual pregame team drills, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, at Bobcat Stadium.

Texas State redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Emeka Obigbo (65) participates in pregame team stretches, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, at Bobcat Stadium.

Two bodies, one heart: The Obigbo Twins

By Carter Bordwell Sports Reporter Texas State junior offensive lineman Jimento Obigbo and redshirt sophomore Emeka Obigbo can be described as "two bodies, one heart." They were born just a minute apart from each other and have been inseparable ever since.

"We go everywhere together. If I am there, he is there. If I'm walking and I'm a couple of feet in front, my brother is probably a couple of feet behind me. We don't do everything together, but we do most things together," Jimento said.

The two brothers have been playing football together since they were young kids, and their chemistry on the field has always been present.

"We started playing football at the age of seven, and just being on the same team, we both were defensive linemen at first,” Emeka said. “We played on each end of the line, so we were just working together. We're brothers, so everything just kind of meshed.”

Texas State offensive line and running game coordinator Jordan Shoemaker admires the qualities that both brothers possess and believes it has made his job easier.

"They push themselves harder than anybody," Shoemaker said. "I give them a direction to go, and they take it. They make sure that they are both trying to be great on the field and off the field. As a coach, that is all you can ask for."

Growing up, being twins was not the only unique thing about the Obigbo brothers. Their size was something that stood out to many people and was also the reason they began playing football in the first place. Today the twins stand at around 6'5 and weight roughly 330 pounds each.

"I mean, we were just big kids, so we actually went into a barbershop, and our barber was like, 'Dang, these kids are big.' He told our dad about our size, and ever since then, we have been playing football," Emeka said.

Despite their stout stature, both twins understand the hardships that football can bring to an individual, but believe the constant support they get from each other is enough to keep them pushing.

"There would be tough times where I wouldn't get something, and then my brother would. I'm battling, and I can just go to my brother, and he will set me straight right there,” Jimento said. “From an injury standpoint, if I get injured, I can always look to my right, and my brother will be on the field playing, so it doesn't feel as bad.”

The twins tend to keep the same sentiment when watching each other on the field, as they look for mistakes and offer advice to one another when they mess up.

"He's his own biggest critic, but I also critique him every play on the field, and he critiques me every play on the field,” Emeka said. “If I mess up, he is always looking, so it's kind of like you have a camera on you 24/7 on the field. We are always correcting each other.”