October 12,2021

TUESDAY

October 12, 2021 VOLUME 111 ISSUE 10 www.UniversityStar.com

DEFENDING THE FIRST AMENDMENT SINCE 1911

Texas State graduate students aid Afghanistan refugees

Student Government seeks to foster unity, tradition with food drive

Opinion: Local elections matter just as much as presidential ones

Opinion: Women in STEM need to support one another

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SEE PAGE 5

SEE PAGE 6

BUSINESS

Hispanic Business Student Association facilitates community, opportunity we also work with people directly within Texas State like professors and Career Services. And so, it's just a really great organization."

Pinto joined HBSA after she transferred to The Hispanic Business Student Association Texas State her junior year. During that time, (HBSA) is on a mission she served as the director to promote a space of of public relations, a job fellowship and inclusivity she said was tough to have I THINK THAT where students can develop during a pandemic as she career skills. responsible for planning WHEN IT COMES was The organization was social events. Despite created by a group of TO WHO WE BRING the obstacle, she fostered students in the McCoy culture and friendships College of Business in IN, NOT ONLY FROM within the organization. the 1990s who desired COMPANIES, WE ALSO "You can have that to see more Hispanic connection with somebody representation in the WORK WITH PEOPLE based off of the culture professional business and then it just helped me DIRECTLY WITHIN TEX- really to meet more people industry.

HBSA encourages AS STATE LIKE PROat Texas State, create really, diversity and provides really great friendships. I've career advice in and out FESSORS AND CAREER met some of my best friends of its meetings. Members through the organization," said HBSA has given them SERVICES. AND SO, Pinto said. "And within the opportunities that have leadership position that I presented them with a IT’S JUST A REALLY was in with the executive head start in their career GREAT ORGANIZAcouncil — I never saw paths. myself as actually being "I think that HBSA is TION,” somebody who could do really, really great when something like that. And it comes to preparing for - SOFIA PINTO, then HBSA kind of gave me the future, especially when MEMBER OF HISPANIC BUSIthe confidence in myself to it comes to promoting NESS STUDENT ASSOCIATION kind of just do it."

Latinos in corporate Besides the personal America," said Sofia Pinto, an applied connections built within HBSA, there are sociology senior. "I think that when it comes to who we bring in, not only from companies, SEE BUSINESS PAGE 4

By Sarah Hernandez Life and Arts Editor starlifeandarts@txstate.edu

Indigenous Cultures Institute members (left to right) Mario Garza, Ph.D, Emily Aguilar, MFA, and María F. Rocha pose for a photo, Monday, Oct. 11, 2021, at the Hays County Historic Courthouse.

PHOTO BY DOUGLAS SMITH

COMEDY

Texas State Comedy Association develops new comedians one joke at a time

By Kim Davis Jr. Life and Arts Contributor

When Matthew Buchanan stepped foot into tWhen Matthew Buchanan stepped foot into the LBJ Student Center his freshman year to watch his first Comedy Association showcase, he was blown away by the number of people in attendance.

“I went and it was just like life-changing,” Buchanan, a theater senior said. “I stepped in, and it was like almost a full audience. To me, coming from high school, that was insane to see a club get this many people at a show.”

Now, as a member of the club, Buchanan credits the Comedy Association for its hand in helping him discover his passion for comedy.

“I joined my sophomore year because I wanted to experience that,” Buchanan said.

“And then from there I’ve, you know, slowly [fallen] more and more in love with it. Until the point where I am today where I want to do that as my career.”

The Texas State Comedy Association was founded by Garrett Buss in 2016 with the intent for students to collaborate on various forms of comedy. Today, the Comedy Association continues to give new and experienced comedians a platform to hone their craft, specializing in sketch, stand-up and improv.

Since its creation, the Comedy Association

has performed an original musical, “Canadian Bacon," produced an original Christmas album “A Very Merry Comedy Association Christmas" and performed monthly comedy showcases.

The sense of community within the Comedy Association is a reason comedians enjoy being part of the club and is something its members hope to develop as newer comedians join. The club accepts students of all majors and experience levels who are interested in performing comedy.

The Comedy Association holds several weekly meetings to give new comedians the opportunity to try out their material or learn new skills without having to perform in front of a large audience.

Alex Pittner, communication studies junior and the Comedy Association’s vice president, said his goal is to provide comedians and those interested in it a safe space to try new things.

“If you don’t feel safe, you’re not going to pitch the joke,” Pittner said. “And if you don’t pitch the joke, you’re not going to grow as a comedian. So, I’m really trying to create a safe space and give positive feedback.”

During the pandemic, 80% of the Comedy Association’s member base graduated which resulted in the current member base being primarily younger, inexperienced comedians.

“What I hope to see is people really come SEE COMEDY PAGE 4

The Texas State mascot, Boko, gets excited before the start of the South Alabama football game, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, at Bobcat Stadium. The Bobcats won 33-31 in 4OT. PHOTO BY KATE CONNORS

Indigenous Cultures Institute Performances Program Coordinator Mario Alberto Ramirez (front) and Social Media & Online Donations Coordinator José Gomez III perform a prayer song, Monday, Oct. 11, 2021, at the Hays County Historic Courthouse.

PHOTO BY DOUGLAS SMITH

2 | Tuesday, October 12, 2021

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MULTIMEDIA

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Indigenous Cultures Institute Elders Mario Garza, Ph.D and María F. Rocha pose for a photo with Texas State students, Monday, Oct. 11, 2021, at the Hays County Historic Courthouse.

PHOTO BY DOUGLAS SMITH

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Shane Rowe (left) and Roosevelt Bradley of the Time of Night Band play for the crowd, Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021, during the Music on the Square concert series outside the Hays County Historic Courthouse in San Marcos.

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Texas State population and conservation biology graduate Alex Guzman hands an oSTEM info card to a student, Monday, Oct. 11, 2021, by the LBJ Student Center. oSTEM is a national society dedicated to educating and fostering leadership for LGBTQIA+ communities in the STEM fields.

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Keaton Ainsworth (left) and Roberto Aponte of the Time of Night Band clap in rhythm for the crowd, Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021, during the Music on the Square concert series outside the Hays County Courthouse in San Marcos.

PHOTO BY BURKE BUNYARD

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Tuesday, October 12, 2021 | 3

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NEWS

Timia Cobb News Editor starnews@txstate.edu

GIS MAPPING

Texas State graduate students aid Afghanistan refugees

By Arthur Fairchild News Reporter

Graduate students involved in the university's geographic information systems (GIS) program worked with national agencies and nonprofits to evacuate families seeking asylum in Afghanistan.

Students are assisting with an evacuation plan utilizing a satellite cartography system that captures, interprets and displays relative positions on the Earth’s surface. With GIS maps and careful communication, refugees are provided directions to a safe path out of the country.

Thousands of Afghans are seeking asylum after the Taliban took over Afghanistan and its major cities in August. The Taliban has displaced people from their homes and citizens are attempting to leave the country but fear retribution if caught.

Students assisting with the project are among other Americans. This movement of helping extract Afghan refugees has been coined Digital Dunkirk in reference to an allied rescue mission in World War II headed by civilians. The project started on Aug. 17 when Andrew Gardner, CEO of Riis Tech, a data science and artificial intelligence company, was invited to help by the U.S. Department of Defense.

Brittany Minnig, a Texas State geography graduate student, received a mass email from Gardner asking students with GIS experience to help.

Minnig is currently a GIS intern with the City of San Marcos and wanted to assist in any way she could.

“Personally, I would find it very disheartening if I heard that somebody had the opportunity to help me, and they chose not to," Minnig said. "It was important not only to just help save human lives but also from a

ILLUSTRAION BY AFAAF ALNAHAS

moral standpoint for me."

Gardner wanted Texas State GIS students to help due to their experience in GIS and his relationship with the university's geography department. Students began working on the project on Aug. 29. “[Texas State] students stepped up, within a half an hour we had 20 students and faculty members who had replied, and within an hour of that we were [all] on a phone,” Gardner said.

Other nonprofits, universities and related organizations in the technology field, such as Cisco, have also joined Digital Dunkirk to assist in the evacuation. Cisco played a crucial role during the beginning stages of Digital Dunkirk. The company created a database of 10,000 people inside Afghanistan that Cisco labeled as in need of help.

The people collected were required to provide personal information such as family photos and the International Mobile Equipment Identity number on their phone to determine and recognize its owner.

To analyze the mountains of digital data that was collected daily, Annie

Hardy, Cisco senior experience design visioneer, reached out to local groups and organizations for assistance. Hardy contacted various organizations, such as Customer Partner Experience Engineering, Women of Cisco and a subgroup called Digital Experience as well as local colleagues in Austin.

Shortly after reaching out, the new team members began reviewing data day and night.

“Within the next 48 hours we had 24/7 coverage on the inbox receiving emails from people, and as soon as we got them, we were sending them out an email that said, 'we see you'," Hardy said. "This is information this is what to do with your documents if you get captured. This is what to do with your phone, you need to wipe it completely. If you actually find safe passage, take it."

While creating paths for refugees to exit out the country, the team realized additional expertise was needed.

Despite the GIS maps being very accurate, dangers such as landslides and the Taliban are not always seen from a satellite. Gardner said any mistake could change the rest of theirs or someone else's life.

“If you do your job wrong, you create a map and you send some woman and her children up the side of the mountain and they fall to their death or you lead them right in the path of people that want to kill them, you will have had your hand in that,” Gardner said. "That's a burden, and a responsibility, you may have to carry for the rest of your [life].”

To help navigate the dangers of the project, a Green Beret named Joe was brought in. Joe has done numerous tours of Afghanistan and informed Gardner on the true difficulty of the task. He said the best chance they can give people is to direct them to follow goat trails.

“One chance you would actually have is, if you could find goat trails, because chances are, with satellite image you can identify a goat trail and then it would probably be something that a person could navigate,” Gardner said.

Minnig volunteered to clean masses of data files collected. Spreadsheets of unorganized information regarding people asking for evacuation out of the country would come across her desk, and her job was to organize the information.

"We were going through [spreadsheets] and standardizing everything, going through and making sure that it would be easily accessible for organizations that need the information," Minnig said.

Minnig’s position decreased the amount of time it takes for people and families to get help. Minnig took the role out of moral feeling, claiming it was the right thing to do.

“After hearing about what was happening over there I felt like if I didn’t do something it would be like a detriment, I couldn’t ignore it if I knew I could help them," Minnig said.

FOOD DRIVE

Student Government seeks to foster unity, tradition with food drive

By Madelyn Weirich Contribtor Texas State’s Student Government is organizing a food drive for the Hays County Food Bank (HCFB) in preparation for the increase in food insecurity during this time of year.

Non-perishable items or cash donations will be accepted at dropoff locations inside Commons, Jones and Harris dining halls along with the LBJ Student Center between Oct. 1115. Donations will also be collected at the Oct. 16 Texas State football game tailgate.

The food drive comes at a time when the need is high among many non-profits and local organizations.

According to Iris Tate, community relations coordinator for HCFB, the food bank has seen an influx in need with more citizens visiting the facility.

The food bank itself is also experiencing a “dry season” as the number of donations has declined.

“During the summertime, we usually notice that the shelves get pretty empty here," Tate said. “We also have a decrease in volunteers, because we rely heavily on the student body at Texas State. So, we're kind of just recovering from that right now. Our shelves are pretty bare at the moment, and we like to, you know, if anyone comes to the door, we like to be able to give them the assistance that they need. So, we're really pushing for outside food drives to happen since we are short-staffed here.”

Student Body Vice President Quintin Lorenz is organizing the food drive and said he is hopeful the Texas State community will view the donation drive as an opportunity to show gratitude

toward San Marcos.

“I’m excited about the threshold … to me, this could be a thing that we can do every single year,” Lorenz said. “Just something that Texas State just does for the community. Because we are here, I wouldn't say as guests, but well, we are in a college town, but this town is also here as well. So, we want to give back to them.”

While HCFB partners with Bobcat

along with those in the community experiencing homelessness.

Tate said donation items tailored toward those experiencing homelessness would be foods that are easy to open like tuna packets, granola bars, beef jerky, fruit snacks and oatmeal. These foods, Tate said, are high in protein and help provide energy that lasts throughout the day.

Student Government encourages

organization's name displayed in the upper rim of Bobcat Stadium during the homecoming game on Nov. 6.

While the Student Government food drive used to be a tradition at Texas State, it has not occurred in recent years, Lorenz said. With a new executive board in office, Lorenz looks forward to bringing this tradition back to the community.

“I know for a fact there's many students who have no idea of the traditions here at Texas State," Lorenz said. “So, this is one of them ... and then also it really like, brings back the bloodline for some of the alumni. Say, if you were in Greek life, or say, if you were in a service organization here at Texas State, like now you can come to a homecoming game and literally see the organization that you were in about 20 years ago.”

Student Government is hopeful this initiative will become large-scale and have a great impact on both HCFB and the Bobcat community. Texas State Student Body President Andrew Gryce reiterates the importance of the food drive at each Senate meeting and encourages Student Government members to spread the word.

“We want to be as inclusive as possible. So, that's why we open it up to Cans sit on a shelf, Friday, April 16, 2021, at H-E-B on East Hopkins Street. all student organizations,” Gryce said.

PHOTO BY JEFFREY HALFEN “We're also doing community outreach as well; we also included the Round Rock campus. We're gonna be getting as many outlets for food donations as Bounty, Texas State's student-run other organizations on campus to possible, which is the goal.” pantry, to assist students experiencing participate in the food drive by food insecurity, Tate said the majority dropping off donations at the Oct. 16 For more information on the food drive of people the food bank interacts with tailgate or at the on-campus collection visit Texas State Student Government on are local families. Her hope this year is sites. Organizations who drop off non- Twitter @txstSG. that they can continue to help families, perishables will have a sign with their

4 |Tuesday, October 12, 2021

The University Star

LIFE & ARTS

Sarah Hernandez Life and Arts Editor starlifeandarts@txstate.edu

FROM FRONT BUSINESS networking opportunities available to its members. HBSA meetings feature speakers like entrepreneurs and corporate representatives from companies like Charles Schwab, Cintas and Caterpillar to talk about their company, job opportunities and give advice on things like resume building and interview tips.

Jerry Gonzalez, a management senior, said thanks to the networking opportunities presented to him by HBSA, he's in the interview process for Cintas, a company he's been interested in since 2019.

For him, hearing from speakers at meetings and HBSA's corporate trips has given him the confidence, professional skills and connections to accomplish his career goals.

"We get to meet these amazing [Latino CEOs] and it's important for us to realize that we can be that and this organization helps you get there you know, it provides you resources for the future, and you've got to get them and take them with you and put them out in the real world," Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez joined HBSA in fall 2019. Being an active member led to him being appointed as the director of fundraising and then HBSA's president for the 2020-2021 academic year. He said HBSA has helped shaped the direction of his future career endeavors.

"You know, before college, I didn't know what I wanted to do. And so, bringing in these recruiters and representatives from these companies, and telling you, their values, what they, what they're looking for, you know," Gonzalez said. "I'm here at this point, because of HBSA, because of the networking opportunities, and

I think it's important to have those connections."

HBSA membership is not limited to business majors and Hispanic students. Pinto said it's important to be inclusive because it helps build relationships within the organization.

"Since we are open to everyone, I think it gives us the opportunity to kind of show our Latinidad in a way because it's about being warm and welcoming and just being there for someone should they need you and just wanting to be a helpful person at the end of the day," Pinto said.

Pinto is in the process of preparing for a spring internship, filling out job applications and polishing her LinkedIn profile. HBSA has helped her work toward her ultimate goals of working in human resources and eventually in leadership training and career advancement.

Similarly, Ron Handsel, a business management senior and HBSA's director of digital media, said the organization and its resources helped him get his foot in the door at a commercial real estate services firm in Austin.

"They helped me get from not knowing what I was doing at all to being, you know, this far into the interview process, as well as building connections and kind of getting to ask questions [to] other members about their experiences," Handsel said.

"Without HSBA, I definitely would not be there."

As of 2017, Hispanic Americans made up 17% of the workforce.

However, only 4% was comprised of company executive officials. Cristal Rodriguez, a marketing junior and vice president of HBSA said seeing someone with whom some of the

The Hispanic Business Student Association 2021-2022 executive council smile for a photo underneath the arch.

PHOTO COURTESY OF RON HANDSEL

members share a similar background motivates and inspires them.

For her, it is important to see the diversity promoted within HBSA translate to the real world as she and her peers take on internships and step into their careers.

"I feel like you don't see a lot of like Latino people out in especially like these big companies," Rodriguez said.

"So just having them come talk to us gives us like a sense of inspiration and motivation that like we're gonna get there someday. And like, these people are here now telling us that we can get there, that they're offering their support."

As HBSA continues to welcome new members, the officers and members hope their organization can be the place where students can feel safe, supported and prepared for whatever

their career goals are.

"It's kind of easy to just get lost in the crowds, you know. You're just doing your own thing," Handsel said.

"Inviting people to come out and they might be a little hesitant about it, but then coming to meetings, or socials or whatever it may be, and kind of showing them that there is a group that welcomes them, friends, business connections, you know, just every facet of what we offer and kind of seeing them go from shy and reserved to even joining a group like [executive council] ... is just a good feeling."

For more information on the Hispanic Business Student Association, visit its Instagram @hbsatxstate.

FROM FRONT COMEDY into their own and embrace who they are as comedians and people,” Pittner said. “Just because a lot of the people are freshman who never performed comedy before. My hope is that they look in the mirror and they’re like ‘I’m a comedian,’ and believe in themselves and their ability to perform.”

Sam Burzinski, a history freshman, recently joined the Comedy Association after being the captain of his high school’s improv team.

Looking for a creative outlet in college, Burzinski stumbled across the Comedy Association at the student organization fair. He said the Comedy Association has allowed him to hone his ability to tell stories.

“I’ve always been a big storyteller in front of people,” Burzinski said. “I’m an Eagle Scout and when I was in Boy Scouts, I’d always, at the campfires, tell stories that kind of led to a certain punch line … I’m glad I was able to find somewhere to really put that energy toward.”

Comedy Association members often perform at local open mics to refine their material in smaller, intimate environments. Several comedians in the Comedy Association perform venues outside of San Marcos, often traveling to Austin to perform for its growing comedy scene.

Stand-up comedian Bryson Brown is originally from Austin and now lives in Houston. He has opened for DeRay Davis, Bruce Bruce and headlined his own tour, the “Jokin’ and Smokin’ Tour.”

“The scene is thriving,” Brown said.

“I know it’s a lot of new rooms out here. A lot of comics moved out from east, from west and Midwest. So, it’s definitely a theme.”

Last month, Austin hosted the Moontower Comedy Festival from Sept. 22-25. The festival included comedians from all over the country performing at different venues across the city. Several Comedy Association members like Buchanan were in attendance to see their favorite comedians perform live.

Nick Saverino, an Austin standup comedian, has been performing stand-up in Austin since 2014. His advice for young people, like members in the Comedy Association, who may be hesitant to get on stage for the first time is to take their time.

“Do it when you’re ready to do it,” Saverino said. “There’s no point in rushing yourself … You can start at 30 if you want. It doesn’t matter.”

Texas State production and performance senior Matthew Buchanan practices standup comedy, Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021, at Derrick Hall.

PHOTO BY KIM DAVIS JR.

Sam Morril headlines a stand-up comedy show, Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021, at the Stateside Theatre.

PHOTO BY KIM DAVIS JR.

Stand-up comedian Brad Williams, who sold out the Stateside Theatre at the Moontower Comedy Festival and whose comedy is featured on Netflix’s “The Degenerates,” also had advice for young comedians who are looking to pursue a career in comedy.

"I did my first open mic and I'm like 'so when do I get paid?'" Williams said. "That's the one thing I tell people when they say 'hey, I'm thinking about doing comedy, should I do it?' Well, if you're okay being poor between at least two years and the most the rest

of your life. Then yes, you can be a comedian."

Although having a career in comedy can be challenging, Williams encouraged those who are passionate about comedy to do it as much as possible to get better.

"There's no cheat sheet," Williams said. "It's trying to get as much stage time as you can, whether that be at open mics or other booked shows. It's just getting a microphone and getting on stage and being able to talk. Cause, that's the only way to get better at

this."

The Comedy Association will have its first in-person comedy showcase of the semester at 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 29 at George's in the LBJ Student Center.

For more information on how to join the Comedy Association and upcoming showcases and meetings, follow @ txstcomedy on Instagram and Twitter.

Tuesday, October 12, 2021 | 5

The University Star

OPINIONS

Hannah Thompson Opinion Editor staropinion@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.

VOTING

Local elections matter just as much as presidential ones

By Jacklynn Broussard Opinion Contributor

In comparison to local elections, presidential elections have a larger voter turnout. Media coverage and society in general urging everyone around them to "go vote" during presidential elections is an act that needs to be echoed during local elections too.

This isn't to say presidential elections lack significance - I mean we're voting for the president of the U.S. We've also seen the impact that can come from presidential election results. However, the changes that most impact our day-to-day lives are often closer to our backyards than the White House.

Local elected officials are the ones who organize the local laws, policies and budgets that govern the counties and cities we live in. Despite their significant impact on communities, voter turnout in local elections is scarce. For the November 2020 general election, Hays County broke record voter turnout with 71.58% of registered voters voting. Yet, in the May 2021 general election, only 6.20% of registers voters voted.

Both the November 2020 and May 2021 elections included local candidates on the ballot, yet the strong disparities of voter turnout is worrisome.

Additionally, according to a 2018 Reuters/Ipsos poll, 34% of Republican voters and 32.5% of Democratic voters reported not knowing the names of their party's congressional candidates in their respective districts.

This lack of knowledge reveals that local officials are elected without people knowing much about them or what they stand for.

The need for change and growth can only be done through actually learning about those who are running and considering the actions of the officials already in their positions. You should vote for someone that you fullheartedly believe would benefit you in the long run and will represent your

values.

While there's no guarantee that someone we elect will honor their promises made in their election campaigns, it's our responsibilities to research each local candidate and decide whether they are a good fit for our communities. Without carefully thinking about who's name we check on our ballots, we could elect someone like Gov. Greg Abbott who has issued numerous bills and executive orders that are extreme and inhumane.

In September, he made it illegal for people to have an abortion past six weeks of conception. He also banned government funded institutions, like public schools, from enforcing their own mask mandates. Just on Oct. 10, he issued an executive order prohibiting private businesses from mandating vaccinations for employees or customers.

Additionally, Abbott abandoned millions of Texans during Winter Storm Uri and wrongfully accused wind turbines as the reason behind the freeze.

"Governor Greg Abbott has shown how little he truly cares for Texans during the freeze, and all of these newly passed laws just cements how we need to vote him out of office," said Precious Fowobaje, a psychology sophomore.

"He's allowing controversial laws to be passed and it seems that only bad will come from it. So, I feel that we, as the new generation should go out and vote him and everyone that doesn't have our best interest in mind out of office."

Ted Cruz also left Texans to fend for themselves during the storm, when he dipped off to Cancun. It's embarrassing to live in a state when both the senator and governor ignore the sufferings of those reaping the consequences of their failed leadership.

Our state gubernatorial election is approaching on Nov. 8, 2022. This is the perfect time where we can show our impact and come together to vote for individuals that will support us.

The local and state candidates that we vote for are the ones doing the

MADISON WARE

lawmaking and decision-making.

Early voting for the November constitutional amendment election begins Oct. 18 and Election Day is Nov. 2.

Constitutional amendments to be voted on can be viewed at https:// hayscountytx.com/departments/ elections/. Candidates running for San Marcos City Council are Mark Gleason and Zachariah Sambrano for Place 5, along with Jude Prather and Mark Rockeymoore for Place 6.

Election Day and early voting locations for the constitutional amendment election include locations such as the Hays County Government Center, Dunbar Center and Texas State University's LBJ Student Center. The

full list of county-wide voting location sites are available at https://www. sanmarcostx.gov/DocumentCenter/ View/26045/.

The need for change and growth can only be done by actually learning about those who are running, engaging in local politics and getting out to vote.

- Jacklynn Broussard is a journalism sophomore 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.

6 |Tuesday, October 12, 2021

The University Star

OPINION

Hannah Thompson Opinion Editor Staropinion@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.

EDUCATION

Women in STEM need to support one another

By Mckenzie Siller Opinion Contributor

I, as a woman in STEM, am outnumbered by the number of men in my classes.

Each year, I see less women in my classrooms and hear less of them in class. According to Texas State's student demographics, the gender ratio in student enrollment is 59.8% female and 40.2% male. However, only 39.5% of women are in STEMrelated undergraduate majors.

But the lack of representation of women in my STEM classes isn't a singular case. In labs and classrooms across the nation, women are a rare sight. In 2019, women made up 57.3% of bachelor recipients in the U.S. Yet 38.6% of women graduated with a bachelor's degree in a STEM major, with the majority of them being white. Now, only 27% of women work in the STEM industry, according to U.S. Census data.

With the few representation of women in STEM and STEMrelated fields, those who are present must unite to foster an inclusive and equitable working environment. We must support one another not just as female colleagues, but as scientists.

The environment we work and learn in is already prone to forms of sexism that makes us believe we must prove our intelligence and credibility. A 2018 report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine estimated 50% of women faculty and staff in STEM academia experience sexual harassment of some kind. On top of that, we must deal with the pay gap between men and women.

According to Science News, the average salary between 2017-2019 for a woman in STEM was only 74% of the salary of a man in STEM. Dr. Mar Huertas, an assistant professor in the Department of Biology, recalls the inequities of being able to advance in her career as a woman.

"It's been rough because I come from a different society in Spain, and although women have equal access to education, the advancement of the first stage of my career was difficult because I was a woman," Dr. Huertas said. "We were considered inferior sometimes and I've had several cases of harassment by my mentors because I was a woman. At that time, students didn't have a person to report to about the harassment. We were not protected and if you said your supervisor was harassing you, you would be fired.

They protected the professors and not the students. That was in the 90s, so you either survived or left science."

Even before we make into the work force, females are put at a disadvantage as early as elementary

ILLUSTRATION BY ASIA ALCALA

school. According to the American Association of University Women, young girls are more likely to lose confidence in their ability to do math by the third grade. A lack of female role models in STEM careers and feelings of discouragement to be interested in STEM activities are factors that can lead to a decline in confidence.

Therefore, by the time students reach college, women are significantly underrepresented in STEM majors.

At Texas State, only 19.2% of women make up the number of undergraduate students majoring in engineering/ engineering related majors and 21.5% make up the number of students pursing computer science, according to data by the Office of Institutional Research.

Having women classmates and mentors to lean on while pursuing a career in STEM makes all the difference. Dr. Karen Lewis, an associate professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, said during her undergraduate and graduate experience, she was supported by a community which helped her feel comfortable.

"I was fortunate enough to have inclusive and mindful mentors for the most part. There were sometimes where I felt singled out like in some courses in undergrad where I was, if not the only, woman in the group, then one of two women in a class of 10 or 15. So that was a little strange sometimes," Dr. Lewis said. "I never had problems interacting with my peers. Sometimes it felt like I was being singled out by the professors, but I was never sure if it was because I am working hard in the class, or it was because of my gender. On the whole, I was very fortunate to have supportive

and welcoming people."

Dr. Lewis stresses the importance of women scientists overlooked in history by integrating their names into her classes. She also said implicit biases from professors can hurt women in undergraduate and graduate school.

"I have biases too. I think it's incumbent on all of us in society to acknowledge that we have implicit bias and to become aware of it and to work to remove them," Dr. Lewis said. "It's important to acknowledge that because if we do ignore it, we are saying it's not there, and so how can you empower yourself to challenge it? How will you face an implicit bias from another person in the future?"

Once we recognize the bias, we can challenge it and reestablish it in a new framework. Clubs and scholarships designated for women in STEM are

helping change the narrative and challenge those biases.

At Texas State, organizations like SACNAS (Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science), SWE (Society of Women Engineers), NSBE (National Society of Black Engineers) and oSTEM (Out in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) along with scholarships like WiSE (Women in Science and Engineering) promote diversity to the next generation and provide a support network for students in STEM. The STEM industry needs women.

If it wasn't for Katherine Johnson, John Glenn would've never been the first American to make it to the moon.

Without Radia Perlman, there's a chance we wouldn't have any Internet nor without Hedy Lamarr who created the foundation for Wi-Fi. Women currently in STEM need to support one another to create a sustainable environment that encourages other women to join. It's only natural for us women to unite as other women have struggled to bring the level of equality we enjoy today.

We will become the next doctors, researchers, physicists, scientists, engineers and mathematicians. We will make a great future, not just for us but for others as well, but we have to work together.

- McKenzie Siller is a biochemistry junior 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.

Tuesday, October 12, 2021 | 7

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SPORTS Texas State junior wide receiver Marcell Barbee (18) leaps in an attempt to catch a touchdown pass, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, at Bobcat Stadium.

The Bobcats defeated the South Alabama Jaguars 33-31.

PHOTO BY VANESSA BUENTELLO

Texas State Strutters lieutenant Mikayla Anding cheers the Bobcats on from the sidelines, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, at Bobcat Stadium. The Bobcats defeated the South Alabama Jaguars 33-31.

PHOTO BY VANESSA BUENTELLO

Texas State sophomore running back Jahmyl Jeter (28) is lifted in the air by sophomore offensive lineman Kyle Hergel (60) after scoring against South Alabama, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021. The Bobcats won 33-31 in 4OT. PHOTO BY KATE CONNORS

TXST TXST FOOTBALL FOOTBALL VS

TROY TROJANS OCT. 16TH @ 2:00 PM - BOBCAT STADIUM - TXST.COM/GAMEDAY STUDENTS GET IN FREE WITH A VALID TXST ID. SWIPE YOUR ID AT THE ENTRANCE GATE OF BOBCAT STADIUM.

POSTGAME CONCERT SERIES Concert starts immediately following the game on the field

DYLAN WHEELER @DYLANWHEELER_ @DYLAN_WHEELER_ @DYLANDWHEELER_

8 |Tuesday, October 12, 2021

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