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11-19-2019

The Prospector, November 19, 2019

UTEP Student Publications

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This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Special Collections Department at ScholarWorks@UTEP. It has been accepted for inclusion in The Prospector by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@UTEP. For more information, please contact [email protected]. • • News • Entertainment • Sports It's not a pyramid scheme, page 2 • CBD on the rise at the border, page 5 • Miners' basketball thrives, page 7 VOL. 105 NO. 13 NOVEMBER 19, 2019

THEPROSPECTOR THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO ASSAYER OF STUDENT OPINION WWW.THEPROSPECTORDAILY.COM Grant wi~I enhance UTEP computer science students' professional skills

Alexia X. Nava Carmona conferences that are student focused in comput­ ing, such as Grace Hopper and Great Minds in The Prospector STEM;' Villas said. "It will also support students UTEP's Computer Science Department re­ who want to go to undergraduate research expe­ ceived a $742,000 grant from the U.S. Depart­ riences ... it aligns with the UTEP Edge." ment of Education to work on professional lead­ ·The team is also planning to give workshops ership courses for its students. to faculty for them to incorporate what they The team behind the grant, led by Associate learn in their classes, Salamah said. Professor of Computer Science Salamah Sala­ "We don't want this to be only limited to these mah, will launch the first of three one-credit courses, we want to have workshops with faculty Bryan Mena / The Prospector courses to enhance students' leadership and where they can incorporate some of these learn­ Veteran activist Xan Joi, 69, stands before her box truck covered in murals that best capture her beliefs Wednesday, Nov. 13, at the Whole professional skills in the spring of 2020, accord­ ing materials into their classes," Salamah said. Foods parking lot in Westside El Paso. ing to UTEP University Communications (UC). Among the things the faculty will learn in "Everybody wants computer scientists, but we these workshops are the creation of inclusive want to make sure that our students ... are en­ environments in the classroom, the develop­ 0 A woman of many titles hanced with leadership skills and all that so that ment of a sense of belonging with the students hopefully they can move up the ladder faster - and meeting students where they are, according Jewish, lesbian, activist grandmother travels country if not get hired at leadership positions," Salamah to UC. said. The grant is also expected to give a focus to for nearly two decades, makes stop in El Paso "We've recognized for a number of years that female students, who are low in number in en­ it's important for students to develop skills other gineering and computer science nationwide, ac­ Bryan Mena Joi recalls dreaming of California as a little than their technical skills, which are typically cording to Salamah. girl. called 'soft skills; but I like to call them 'profes­ "One of the things that we will be pushing for­ The Prospector "Every day, the sun would set over the corn­ sional skills' because these are the things that ward, always pushing for, is to include ... to fo­ Xan Joi, 69, describes herself as a social justice field next to my farmhouse and my mother used advance them; said Elsa Villas, co-investigator cus on females, whether in recruitment for these warrior, an anti-war activist, a Jewish woman, to always say to me, 'That's where California is, and associate director of the Center for Educa­ programs, whether the teachers ... it should be a lesbian, a grandmother, a feminist and an au­ where the sun is setting."' tion Research and Policy in the College of Edu­ the same:' S~amah said. "The practice that we thor who's traveled throughout the country in In 1975, she moved into a small apartment in cation. "It's not only about the technical knowl­ do should be the same, but encouraging female her truck since 2001, racking up over 400,000 Berkley, California, with her daughter, where edge, it's the ability to communicate - not just students to take part of this will be one of the miles. she remained until a passion for activism crept telling people about what you do, but under­ foci." Amid a passionate 18-year-long journey, vet­ up on her decades later. standing what other people do to enhance the Among the department's support for female eran activist Joi cruised the streets of El Paso in During the immediate aftermath of the Twin work you do." students is the Association for Computer Ma­ a box truck covered in striking, colorful murals Towers terrorist attacks in New York City, Joi The grant will offer financial help for students chinery's Council on Women (ACM-W), which while visiting fellow activist, Cemelli de Aztlan feared that the U.S. would wage war on terror­ to study abroad and travel to conferences, ac­ has a chapter in UTEP as the Women in Com­ Tuesday, Nov. 12. ists in the Middle East, but that same fear also cording to Villas. puter Science academic organization. Originally from a farm in rural New Jersey, sparked a fire inside her that blazes to this day. "Incorporated into this project will also be Joi moved to California in 1975 when she was a support for students in terms of travel, to go 25-y~ar-old single mother. see ACTWIST on page 4 to either study abroad or some of the relevant see GRANT on page 4

VISIT US N-STORE AT 3 FREE CHOCOLATE CHUNK COOKIES WITH DELIVERY. 2500 N MESA ST. USE CODE AT CHECKOUT www.insomniacookies.com EL PASO TX 79902 Must use code "BACKIOIJIEP' at checltout Traditional chocolate chunk cookies only. V.lid on delivery orders valid only at El Paso Insomnia cool. r.,.,., gratuities and delivery fees not included. Expires 12/1/2019 at 3AM. EDITOR IN CHIEF VALERIA OLIVARES, 7 47-7446 2 OPINION NOVEMBER 19, 2019 Multi-level.marketing often confused for pyramid schemes Margaret Cataldi overall positive experience working with the The Prospector company, especially as an avid fan of makeup. "I actually really only signed up because I The nature of multi-level marketing (MLM) loved the products and get a discount as a dis­ often gets legitimate MLM companies confused tributor;' Irwin laughed. "Overall, I don't think I for illegal pyramid schemes, but there is ii clear have any regrets. I never spent more money than line dividing both concepts. I had and I made a lot of friendships through the Fernando Jimenez-Arevalo, UTEP associ­ company:• ate professor of marketing and management, Another multi-level company called Vector said the economic MLM concept emphasizes has made frequent visits to UTEP in the past. reselling. David Rodriguez is an assistant manager for the "Multi-level marketing is when a company company and was stationed at a popup informa­ sells their products to people who can also resell tion booth inside the Union East building. He those same products to other people," Jimenez . explained that Vector teaches its recruits basic said. entry-level marketing skills py providing them He said to think of it as selling small quanti­ with a free training manual. After this, they are ties of stock to one individual, rather than large tasked with selling kitchenware products from quantities to corporations such as Walmart or a company called Cutco. Sales pitches are made Costco. on an appointment basis. In MLM, successful individual sellers make "It's not like door~to-door cold calling;' said profits through commission, a percentage of . Flickr / Courtesy of Jim Hammer Rodriguez. "You set up appointments and you money from each sale they make. They are get paid regardless of results. It's nothing like also able to earn additional commission by re­ eventually resembling a pyramid structure of book "The Weight Loss Cure 'They' Don't Want traditional marketing jobs," he added. cruiting other sellers who recruit more people sellers. you to Know About:' Though this may sound appealing, Rodriguez themselves, thus creating a profitable network Recruits are told that only recruiting matters, An investigation done by CNBC found that admits to the company's high turnover rate. of sellers. instead of the actual product. GIN was ultimately a $ll0 million pyramid "Most of our people that come in do it for The more sellers that they have working be­ .-;Sometimes, nobody is even selling anything," scheme Trudeau created in order to hide his as­ a few weeks, and then they leave," said Rodri­ low them, the more commission the individual Jimenez said. "In multi-level marketing, you sets and evade paying more than the $37 mil­ guez. "We don't mind if they leave, that's fine, will earn. As the chain continues, the visual dia­ don't need to recruit if you don't want to. It is lion he owed the FTC as a result of his already but at least they were able to get those market­ gram of this strategy begins to resemble - you encouraged because you receive some incentive established fraudulency. At its peak, GIN accu­ ing skills:• guessed it - a pyramid. from the sales other people make, but it's n_ot mulated more than 35,000 members. Trudeau While many have taken on MLM side gigs by This raises .two questions: what makes an required." was arrested and charged in March 2014 and is ~elijng for companies like Sengence, Herbalife MLM different from a pyramid scheme? and A classic example of a pyramid scheme shut currently serving a 10-year prison sentence. and Mary Kay, Jimenez discourages students · why is one legal while the other isn't? The main do~ by the government is in the case of Global El Paso Community College student Karine from pursuing these jobs full-time. Instead, he difference is that an MLM actually sells a tan­ Information Network (GIN). GIN branded it­ Irwin, 19, has been a distributor for the cosmet­ encourages students to think practically and gible product, while a pyramid scheme does not. self as an address book full of important con­ ics company "Sengence" since January 2018. make wise use of their time. In a pyramid scheme, Jimenez says you start tacts, including some of the most elite and pow­ "At first I tried to sell. I never really tried to "Typically, I ask my students if a certain prod- by paying an initial joining fee, sometimes up erful financial experts in the country, that would recruit," Irwin said. "They like you to recruit be­ uct is good or not, why isn't it on Walmart's to $500. help its members network and level up in their cause you get commissions, but I have a great shelves? I could make much more money just by Sometimes sellers embroiled in pyramid professional career. The company was founded paying job as a waitress, so I never really consid­ selling truckloads of this in retail stores rather • schemes are required to pay an additional by Kevin Trudeau, a man notorious for prior ered this a career opportunity?' than by selling it one-on-one;' Jimenez said. monthly fee on top of that. Once an unsuspect­ run-ins with the FTC due to his deceptive info­ Despite earning no extra commission, Irwin ing victim joins a pyramid scheme, their in­ mercials and false health claims published in his reported an average profit of $300 for every structions are to recruit more and more people, $600 in orders she placed. She described an see PYRAMID on page 4

TH EPROSPECTOR SPEAK YOUR M[ND STAFF VO L . 1 o 5 , N O. 1 3 Editor In Chief.Valeria Olivares A Lopez, Alejandra Molina, Sasha Mijarez, Submit a letter to the editor! Letters will be edited for clarity ond brevity. Letters over 250 words ore subjed to editing to fit ovoiloble Web Editor: Marisol Chavez Maria S. Ontiveros, Maria Ramos Pacheco, space. Please include full name, street address ond telephone number ond e-mail address, plus major, clossificotion ond/or lirie if applicable. Layout Editor: Cynthia "Teddy" Baylon Rebecca Reza, Noah Sarabia, Exodis Ward, Copy Editor: Alexia Nava Sven Zad

ACTIVIST from front page On U.S. ·roads, Joi drives her truck as a vis­ GRANT from front page dents, all the engineering students, was pretty ible testament to ~er life's commitment to activ­ suc<:essful," Villas said. "I've been wanting to do this for the Computer Science Department "9/11 was when the towers were hit and I was ism, but on the ground, she conveys her passion "We talked to our female students. We invite because this would become part of what we're probably on the road by the 21st. I think it took through conversations with people who harbor them for these things, awareness is more im­ me about a week; Joi said. "I was totally com­ different beliefs. portant than anything;' Salamah said. "Word of doing with the INCLUDES Project, which is mitted to anti-war and organizing other women "This one guy I recently talked with ... I felt mouth is very powerful so female students will the Computing Alliance of Hispanic-Serving to go out into the street and influence our state like he was ready to jump over the counter and hear from each other and, more than anything, Institutions (CAHSI) and it would be a promis­ ing practice that, if we're successful, we can dis­ (California), our communities and D.C. to not attack me;' Joi said. "It's so important for us to know that this is a safe environment and com­ go to war." talk with each other:' puter science is as much for females as it is for seminate other CAHSI schools, which is about 29 other schools across the country and Puerto Joi has ttaveled and lived inside her box truck Other times, her conversations end in mutual males." Rico:' ever since, traveling t9 places in political tur­ understanding. This is the fourth grant Villas is involved in moil like Charlottesville, Virginia, during the "I recently also talked to another white man and has worked in similar programs before. For more information, contact Salamah at [email protected]. 2017 "Unite the Right Rally and the Standing who ... said that he had never talked with any­ "I've been wanting to do this because the Rock Indian reservation during the 2016 Da­ body like me," Joi said. "He said he was tired of program that I ran before with engineering stu- Alexia X. Nava Carmona may be reached at [email protected] kota access pipeline protests where she got ar­ carrying around this hate for people like me and that he was happy I talked with him:' t------'------rested for protesting. Though the presence of these unorthodox She periodically repaints the mural on the Joi has had conversations about gender-based PYRAM ID from page 2 business models.has increased since the rise of · back of her Isuzu NPR with what she believes violence, war, anti-immigrant sentiments, geno­ "Even if you're a talented salesperson, it the internet, they still only make up a fraction of best captures society's most pressing issues. Her cide and environmental issues, among several doesn't make financial sense to ;ell one product retail as a whole. current mural depicts the issue of refugee intol­ other topics. at a time and still make a profit:' "A typical misconception of salespeople is that erance and senseless war. Her next stop is Tucson, Arizona where she Despite the skepticism of some multi-level they are shady and want to maximize their ben­ "I've been to different places and I change only will promote her book "But What Can I Do?" business models, Jimenez says that a good way efits at the expense of a consumer. I would say, the back of my truck depending on what's hap­ Despite the occasional threats and scuffles, Joi to gauge if a particular company is legitimate or that's not true; Jimenez said. "In every pro_fes­ pening in our country, but the other sides stay continues to participate in protests and marches not is by asking several questions. sion, there's good and bad. Successful salespeo­ the same," Joi said. "I have an anti-Monsanto across the nation. "I would typically challenge them to give an ple are good, honest, reliable and trustworthy. mural on the left side which a Berkley artist did Visit TheProspectorDaily.com to read Mena's exact amount," Jimenez said. "How much do I Don't let these pyramid schemes damage the for my 60th birthday ... I have the 'end violence full story. need to sell or how many people do I need to reputation of salespeople in general." against women' side where I keep adding names Bryan Mena may be reamed at [email protected] recruit in order to make $1,000 a month? If they Margaret Cataldi may be reached at [email protected] of women who've gone missing." cannot answer that question, then you know it's probably a pyramid scheme."

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... EDITOR BRYAN MENA, 747-7446 E NT E RTA I NM E NT 5 NOVEMBER 19, 2019 Expert: Jealousy is the main reason why El Paso sees rise st0 some don't practice open relationships ~1!~~ res The Prospector Cannabidiol, commonly known as CBD, is a naturally occurring compound found in the cannabis genus of flowering plants that has grown a notable presence in areas throughout the country, including El Paso. According to The Motley Fool, CBD sales in the United States are expected to grow an aver­ age of 107% annually through 2023. BDS Analytics also predicts that CBD sales are expected to exceed $20 billion in the United States by 2024. In June, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law House Bill 1325, legalizing the production and regulation of hemp. The bill saw bipartisan Photo courtesy of Pixabay support, ~ both Democrats and Republicans An open relationship isone in wh ich two people inan ongoing reiationship aren 't exclusivew rtho neanothe r, havingthe freedom toenga gein sexual, emotional or romantici nteraction wrth others. sponsored it. In a public statement, Heather Fazio, direc­ Mario Solette Ontiveros Nonetheless, Ruiz says many young people cation the couple has and their levels ofjealousy , tor of Texans for Responsible Marijuana Policy, still find relationship infidelity undesirable, con­ if any. Trust plays a main role when it comes to said, "Finally, Texas farmers are no longer rut The Prospector tributing to a stigma around promiscuity or the an open relationship, because without trust it is out of this lucrative agricultural marlret. Plus. Daniel Ruiz, UTEP alumnus and licensed desire for multiple partners. not possible to even have any relationship:' Texans are now free to use CBD without rear of professional counselor, describes open relation­ He also said that alternative relationships According to Psychology Today, jealousy is arrest.• ships as romantic relationships where all people models such as open relatio~ships are often a complex emotion that encompasses feelings The law allowed the state to set up a federally involved agree to allow limited sexual, emo­ misunderstood or dismissed as simply not an ranging from fear of abandonment to rage and approved program for farmers to grow hemp as tional and/or romantic interactions with other option because of jealousy, sometimes a symp­ humiliation. It strikes people of all ages, genders, an industrial crop, only including products de­ partners, but he.said jealousy remains as one big tom of a lack of trust. and sexual orientations and is typically aroused rived from hemp containing less than 03 pa-­ reason why people don't do open relationships. "I think that culture plays a main role when when a person perceives a threat to a valued re­ cent of tetrahydrocannabinol. or THC. the psy­ According to a scholarly article in the Jour­ you are talking about open relationships be­ lationship from a third party. The threat may be choactive compound found in cannabis pJanls nal of Sex and Marital Therapy, one-fifth of the cause it depends how to person was raised, the real or imagined. commonly used recreationally. population in the United States has engaged in values that the person had while growing up To put it simply, open relationships require an The City of El Paso has already begun to see consensual polyamory at some point in their and also the society where the person grew up,» open mind where both partners are ready to see the effects of the new bill with many CBD stoRs lives. Multiple reports indicate that younger said Lizbeth Gama, 30-year-old UTEP student the other involved in either sexual, emotional or opening across town. people are more likely to be in open relation­ majoring in kinesiology. "When it comes to an romantic interactions with other people. ships and to report "Open• as their ideal type of open relationship, it depends on the communi- Mario Salette OntMIU5 maybe rmed Ill pliipiOII ...... see CBD on page 6 relationship. ,~i71rf<111111111 For use on ,the southbound lane on YO E-Fast Pass the Stanton and Zaragoza Street bridges R pre-paid tolls Red Chile with Pork Sl3.00 Green Chile with Chicken Sl4-.00 Buy onllne or in person Rajas con Queso SI3.00 Breeze through the FAST outomoted lanes 1l plac an rd rpl with no stopping I p.edu or A \/E I Passenger vehicles S

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