THE STUDENT VOICE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS RIO GRANDE VALLEY

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2017 WWW.UTRGVRIDER.COM VOL. 3, ISSUE 13 /UTRGVRIDER @UTRGV_THERIDER SPORTS CHECK IT OUT Library extends regular service hours in Brownsville

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Ana Cahuiche/The Rider The Student Government Association has successfully worked with University Library officials on the Brownsville campus to increase the library’s hours of operation. The extended schedule has been in effect since Nov. 13.

Britney Valdez Paul Sharpe and Associate “It helped to better align “Since the [UTRGV] THE RIDER University Librarian for library hours of operation, merger, I started coming t the request of Resource Management Peter so that both Edinburg and over to Edinburg more, so I “Get Out and Play” premieres Brownsville’s hours could started noticing things that Thursday students, the Cortez, took on the project Brownsville they had over here Page 6 library that we didn’t have extendedA its Monday [The library hour extension] also in Brownsville,” to Thursday hours by helps with those who were needing Galvan said. “The OPINION two. library is trying to The original hours a safe place to wait for the final take the approach were from 7:30 shuttle pickup at 11:45 p.m. of, ‘anything that Vaquero a.m. to 10 p.m., is on the Edinburg and now it’s open --Peter Cortez campus library, until midnight. The University Librarian for Resource Management Brownsville should Voice: change took effect have’ and ‘whatever Nov. 13 and aims to is in the Brownsville End of the better correlate the hours for of extending the Brownsville reflect each other as much as library, Edinburg should the Edinburg and Brownsville campus’s hours of operation. possible.” have.’ So, they have been campuses. “The library hours in SGA President Alondra working for equal amenities.” semester The Student Government Brownsville were recently Galvan expressed her SGA, Sharpe and Cortez Association, with the help extended to better serve motivation for changing the collaborated to better serve Page 4 of University Librarian our students,” Cortez said. hours. See LIBRARY, Page 2 still able to take all his undergraduate courses on the Brownsville campus. Before and during the semester, he emailed Emmett Tomai, the Computer STUDENT: ADD MORE GRAD Science interim department chair; Patricia McHatton, the UTRGV interim provost and vice president for academic affairs; Bin Fu, a computer science professor; and UTRGV CLASSESclasses IN for his BROWNSVILLEgraduate program are Success Vice President Kristin Croyle Nubia Reyna President Guy Bailey. THE RIDER being offered only in Edinburg. said in the article. “That’s really Garay received a response from Fu “They promised when schools were important. The idea is that a student and Tomai on Aug. 24, and met with Computer science students on the merging, that both campuses would should be able to finish their degree on Brownsville campus taking advanced McHatton on Nov. 1. have the same courses,” he said. “It’s the campus of their choice. Of course, In a Sept. 18 email to Tomai, Garay or graduate courses are having to three years after the merge and it’s still if there are some elective classes not commute to the Edinburg campus to wrote, “The current state of courses not the case. Why isn’t that promise required for your degree that you offered is unfair, inconvenient, and take most of their classes. being kept?” decided you just have to have, then you Such is the case for computer science raises many issues for us Brownsville In an article published April 6, would have to travel for that one, but students. I ask that you offer the graduate student Luis Garay, who 2015, in The Collegian, the student it wouldn’t be required, that would be wants an answer as to why there aren’t Brownsville campus the same courses newspaper of legacy institution the student’s choice.” that the Edinburg campus offers.” more courses in Brownsville. UT-Brownsville, a UTRGV official Garay was an undergraduate when Garay said if students search through Tomai replied on Sept. 27: “We are appeared to have made that promise. UTRGV opened its doors in Fall 2015. also exploring and evaluating every the ASSIST application in myUTRGV, “The main goal is for students to Even though both campuses were they would notice that most of the option for delivery at both locations. not have to travel,” UTRGV Student transitioning into one university, he was See COMPUTER, Page 3 November 27, 2017 2 ON CAMPUS THE RIDER ANNOUNCEMENTS Today information, call 665-3581. at the same time and place Saturday. Board Game Night Sexual Harassment Panel For more information, call 882-7025. The Rider is the official, award- Vaquero Ice Cream Bar A panel discussion on sexual Ballet Español The Student Union will host the harassment will take place from 12:15 to UTRGV’s Dance Program will winning student newspaper of the Vaquero Ice Cream Bar at noon 1:30 p.m. in Main 2.502 in Brownsville. perform its Ballet Español Fall University of Texas Rio Grande in the veranda on the Brownsville Members of the panel will be Juliet Concert at 10 a.m. in the Performing Valley. The newspaper is widely campus. For more information, call V. García, former president of the Arts Complex on the Edinburg distributed on and off campus in 665-7989. University of Texas at Brownsville campus. Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 The Student Union will host a and the first female Hispanic to for children and senior citizens. For Brownsville and Edinburg, Texas. Board Game Night at 5 p.m. in the lead a U.S. college or university; more information, call 665-2230. Views presented are those of the Game Room on the Edinburg campus. Douglas Stoves, associate dean for Saturday writers and do not reflect those The same event will be held at the same Student Rights and Responsibilities; Home for the Holidays James Whittenberg, an assistant of the newspaper or university. time in El Comedor on the Brownsville The Patron of the Arts will host campus. For more information, call professor of counseling; and Camilla Home for the Holidays at 7 p.m. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF 665-7989. Montoya, a psychology lecturer. They in the Texas Southmost College Arts Jesus Sanchez Wednesday will discuss procedures for handling Center in Brownsville. Admission sexual harassment situations, its is $10 for adults and $5 for senior SPORTS EDITOR Gingerbread House Contest citizens and students. For Bryan Ramos The Student Union will host a Gingerbread more information, call 882- ONLINE EDITOR House Contest at noon Have an announcement? 7025. Alain Lestarpe in the Game Room on the Holiday Bazaar Edinburg campus. For more Email us at The Edinburg Library SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR information, call 665-7989. will host its annual Sergio Garcia Season’s Greetings [email protected] Holiday Bazaar from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the SPANISH EDITOR The Student Union will host Season’s Activity Center in Edinburg, Eric Montoya Greetings at 6 p.m. in El Comedor located at 123 E. Palm Drive. For more A&E EDITOR on the Brownsville campus. There psychological effects, how to get help information, call 383-6246 or visit for victims and social causes and Sydni D. Salinas will be a Make-a-Wreath activity and www.edinburglibrary.us. holiday music by the UTRGV Tuba solutions. For more information, email Sunday COPY EDITOR Euphonium. The same event will Communication Chair John A. Cook Handel’s ‘Messiah’ P.J. Hernandez take place at the same time on the at [email protected]. The UTRGV Master Chorale, CARTOONIST Chapel Lawn in Edinburg. For more Friday Brownsville Festival Chorus and information, call 665-7989. Free Play at the Union high school choirs from Brownsville, Laia Vite UTRGV Jazz Orchestra The Student Union will host a Free San Benito and Harlingen will REPORTERS The UTRGV Jazz Orchestra Play at the Union from 2 to 4 p.m. in perform the Christmas portion Nubia Reyna will perform at 7 p.m. in the Texas El Comedor on the Brownsville campus of Handel’s “Messiah” with the Gabriel Galvan Southmost College Arts Center in and the Game Room on the Edinburg UTRGV Symphony Orchestra and Britney Valdez Brownsville. Admission is $5. For campus. For more information, call soloists Cathy Compton, Jasmin 665-7989. Steven Hughes more information, call 882-7025. De la Cruz, David Sadlier and ‘The Ugly Princess’ Daniel Hunter-Holly at 3 p.m. in the Zugay Treviño Thursday ‘Get Out and Play’ UTRGV Opera Theater will present Texas Southmost College Arts Center “The Ugly Princess” at 7 p.m. in the in Brownsville. Admission is $10 for PHOTOGRAPHERS The College of Fine Arts will Library Auditorium on the Edinburg adults and $5 for senior citizens and Ana Cahuiche present “Get Out and Play: A Play about Playing” in the Albert campus. Admission is $10 for adults students. For more information, call Albert Monrroy L. Jeffers Theatre on the Edinburg and $5 for children and senior citizens. 882-7025. Robert Benavidez Jr. campus. Admission is $5. For more The same performance will take place --Compiled by Steven Hughes Valeria Alanis Lesley Robles Joahana Segundo ADVERTISING SALES POLICE REPORTS MANAGER The following are among the incidents reported to University Police between Nov. 9 and 13. Leslie Medrano Nov. 9 displeasure with a recent student intoxication. This report was referred ADVERTISING SALES 9:50 a.m.: An walkout demonstration in Edinburg. to the Office of Student Rights and REPRESENTATIVES officer was dispatched Nov. 11 Responsibilities for further review. Jessica Mendez to the Main Building 8:10 p.m.: An officer responded to 12:14 p.m.: A woman reported a Jillian Glantz in regard to a non- the Village Apartments in reference forced-entry burglary of a UT Health DISTRIBUTION ASSISTANTS affiliated woman to a parent’s welfare concern of a Science Center-Houston office under Victor Ramirez appearing incoherent student who may be a danger to construction in Weslaco. The burglars Aaron Garza in the area. The officer herself. The student was not located at ransacked the offices and took several interviewed her and the apartments but contact was made laptops, computers and small office determined she was not a danger to with her via telephone. She stated that items. The Weslaco Police Department will be the primary agency investigating FACULTY ADVISER herself or others. The woman said she was with a friend in McAllen and the incident. Michell Godinez she had recently been released from was fine. At the request of the UTRGV Tropical Texas Behavioral Health in Police Department, the McAllen 6:03 p.m.: Officers responded to STUDENT MEDIA DIRECTOR Brownsville and wanted to go back Police Department sent officers to the the intramural fields in Edinburg to Azenett Cornejo to the hospital. She was provided a student’s location and confirmed she investigate the odor of marijuana coming from some students that ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS courtesy transport to the facility. was fine. Nov. 10 Nov. 12 were sitting at the bleachers. Contact Ana Sanchez was made with the students but no Maggie Castillo 1:04 p.m.: A student fell off his bike 1:10 a.m.: An officer observed a group and was injured on the Bronc Trail. of students surrounding a vehicle in Lot narcotics were located. CONTACT: He was transported to Rio Grande E37 and approached them. A student Nov. 13 EDINBURG CAMPUS Regional Hospital for a medical was in the back passenger seat leaning 1:40 p.m.: A student reported 1201 West University Dr. evaluation. out of the vehicle vomiting due to the witnessing another student accidentally ELABS 170 3 p.m.: A staff member reported consumption of alcoholic beverages. collide with two unattended vehicles Phone: (956) 665-2541 receiving a phone call from an She refused emergency medical while involved in a verbal altercation Fax: (956) 665-7122 unknown man earlier who wanted services and was cited by the officer over parking spaces in Lot E26. BROWNSVILLE CAMPUS a message relayed to the university for consumption of alcohol by a minor. Contact was made with the involved 1 West University Blvd. president. In the said message, the She was released to a responsible adult parties and no injuries were reported. Student Union 1.16 man used profanity to express his in lieu of arrest on a charge of public --Compiled by Britney Valdez Phone: (956) 882-5143 Fax: (956) 882-5176 LIBRARY on social media or just in conversations library remain unchanged, from 7:30 Email: [email protected] Continued from Page 1 since, keep in mind, we are a commuter a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, © 2017 The Rider campus. We do have a lot of students 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. the students in Brownsville, as well who travel to Edinburg, Brownsville, Saturday and 1-9 p.m. Sunday. as accommodate those who board the Rio Grande City. They were noticing “I do know that the Mario E. Ramirez, MORE THAN A Vaquero Express shuttles during later that our Edinburg library was open M.D., Library is open to the public and hours. until midnight, so they started it also helps medical students, as well NEWSPAPER “[The library hour extension] also wondering and questioning, ‘Hey, how as UTRGV students,” Galvan said. “In helps with those who were needing a come in Brownsville it closes at 10 our conversation, we specifically just safe place to wait for the final shuttle p.m.?’” talked about the Brownsville library pickup at 11:45 p.m.,” Cortez said. Weekend hours for the Brownsville extension hours.” Students reached out to SGA through library are 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, In addition to the new regular hours, social media and in person to express 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and noon- SGA also plans to have both Edinburg their opinions regarding the difference midnight Sunday. In Edinburg, the and Brownsville libraries open for 24 in both campus’s library hours. weekend hours are the same, except hours during finals week, from Dec. “I know that is something that for Saturday, when the library is open 10-13. students would say comments about,” from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Galvan said. “I would sometimes see it The hours for the Harlingen campus November 27, 2017 THE RIDER ON CAMPUS 3 WHAT SHOULD I MAJOR IN? University Police CLUB SPOTLIGHT Lt. Van Slusser holds a bachelor’s of science degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Bellevue University and a Master of Public Administration from UTRGV. A bachelor’s of science degree in criminal justice prepares students for careers, such as law enforcement, parole and probation, and youth services.

Lesley Robles/The Rider Major: Criminal Justice School: Liberal Arts Interim Department Chair: Professor Benjamin Brown Prerequisites: None Total credit hours needed to graduate: 120 What is criminal justice? “I would say our goal is to make sure that students understand the key components of the criminal justice system, and how they are interrelated. By key components, I mean the law, the courts, the police, the law enforcement and corrections.” Which classes can students expect to take? “Everyone has to take a course on criminological theory, research methods and a course in statistics. You’ll need a course on constitutional photo courtesy grant walsh-haines law and a course on corrections.” Members of Treble Thrivers include (front row, from left) Andre De la Tejera, Secretary Marien Alvarado and What skills will students learn by the time they Roanna Stubbs. Back row: President Gabriel Galvan, Micqauella Lopez, Vice President Julian Perez, Loretto graduate? “Hopefully, they will improve their writing skills, Estefania Almazo and Katalina Rodriguez. as writing is essential to the field of criminal justice. It doesn’t matter whether you are a police officer, a probation officer or a Name: Treble Thrivers lawyer, you are going to spend a lot of time reading reports and Purpose: A show choir focused primarily on a cappella and acoustic music performances. filling out reports. You are going to need to be able to express President: Gabriel Galvan yourself in written form and communicate in written form. It Vice President: Julian Perez is very, very, very important.” Secretary: Marien Alvarado What are some possible careers? “I would say a number Adviser: Lecturer I Kevin Galaviz of careers in the areas that I have mentioned. Some folks go Activities: Live performances, such as at the Museum of South Texas History for its Día de into probation or parole, some go into law enforcement--local, los Muertos event and Treble Thriver Thursdays at the Student Union Commons in Edinburg. state or federal. Some go to law school and become attorneys. Meetings: 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays and 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays in the Performing Arts Some work for the county sheriff’s office. Any number of federal Center on the Edinburg campus. offices. The [U.S.] Border Patrol is certainly a major presence.” Membership requirements: Auditions are held for qualifying musicians, dancers and What salary can a student expect to earn after singers each semester. graduation? “That depends entirely on the agency they work For more information, email: [email protected]. for. A lot of [students] start off with a smaller agency, let’s --Compiled by Lesley Robles just say for example, the Port Isabel Police Department. And I am not in any way, shape or form trying to be critical of the Want your club featured? Email us Port Isabel Police Department, but their salaries and benefit packages are not going to be equal to a larger agency, such as at [email protected] or call us at the Border Patrol. The salary will depend, pretty much, on the agency that they go to work for.” Are there any student organizations related to criminal 665-2541 in Edinburg justice? “I know, for example, we have the American Criminal Justice Association. We also have Criminal Justice Student or 882-5143 in Brownsville! Association. Alpha Phi Sigma, which is the Criminal Justice Honor Society.” --Compiled by Gabriel Galvan COMPUTER or ITV classes, Garay said. delivery gonna be like, how will two options are not “as simple “We wanted to make sure Continued from Page 1 In a Nov. 15 interview students respond to it, what as they sound.” that students from both with The Rider, McHatton will the learning outcomes be “Sometimes the idea is, campuses had an opportunity, This will take some time to said there is a minimum like,’ and, unfortunately, only ‘Well, you got a course, all one to the extent possible to accomplish. In the meantime, requirement of 10 students three people in Brownsville you have to do is record take classes at their home students can pursue the to open a graduate course, signed up for it,” Tomai said. your lectures and just put campus, but also to have courses on the Edinburg which has not been met by “So, we moved to it and we them online and that’s it,’” an opportunity to expand campus.” Brownsville computer science offered another class, ITV, for McHatton said. “That’s not program offerings by having For Spring 2018, Garay graduate students. Brownsville that is running the way in which online transportation available will take all of his graduate “There is a need to have a this fall and, again, only two or courses are designed. There should students want to go courses, which is 12 credit certain number of students in three people from Brownsville is particular pedagogy that’s one location or another,” hours, on the Edinburg a course,” she said. “I think we signed up for it. So, that’s aligned with courses that we McHatton said. campus. all understand that you can’t just part of the process of need to follow; it has to go Even though transportation “I am not trying to be run a course when you only expanding.” through quality measures is provided to commute from disrespectful. I just want to have a couple of students. So, He said the department to make sure it handles best one campus to another, the know why aren’t we getting one of the things that we need will keep trying to encourage practices. So, there’s a design Vaquero Express Campus classes down here,” he told to do is think about how can demand from the Brownsville process and that takes time in Connector’s schedule has a The Rider earlier this month. we increase the number of campus, but it cannot run order to be able to do that for three-hour gap from 7:30 to Garay also said services, students on the Brownsville a class with two or three every single course and not all 10:30 p.m., making graduate such as interactive television campus who are interested students. courses are conducive to be students who get out of class (ITV) and online courses, in computer science. That’s a “In terms of class delivered online. at 8:20 p.m., such as Garay, would benefit Brownsville conversation that we’ve had availability, with all of our “Same thing with the ITV. wait two hours for the next students who have to as to how can we best generate courses, undergraduate, It’s another possibility and, shuttle. commute to their classes. more interest on this campus, graduate, we are all looking in fact, we’ve increased the “It is surprising to me that “We are exploring the use of so we can increase the at how do we best offer these number of ITV classes that we the shuttles are not aligned to ITV as a means of delivery, but number of students, making classes to meet the student have now, so we’ve got more the classes,” Tomai said. “One this is based on availability it more possible for us to be demand to deliver the highest available. So, we are able to of the things we are looking and appropriateness of the able to offer all courses in one quality of education,” Tomai use that delivery option more at is try to align class times courses,” Tomai wrote in the location.” said. “We are expanding. often and I think at least one of better with shuttle schedules. email to Garay. Regarding the same issue, We are going to keep trying the computer science classes That’s a good solution to that Next semester, 12 computer Tomai told The Rider the to find ways to make that has been delivered through problem.” science graduate courses department is experimenting more convenient, make that ITV already. They’re working Garay told The Rider he are being offered; eleven are and working with different more accommodating, but, on trying to do more, but hopes that in the near future, Edinburg-based and one is modes of course delivery, you know, any student who that’s also a design process.” the university can provide ITV. such as online and ITV, to see is beginning the master’s She said the university transportation between In the meeting with what the responses are like program has to know that would love to have the campuses at least every hour McHatton, Garay said he and then expand from that. at this time, the master’s sufficient number of students so students can get home brought up his main concern, “For example, this summer, programs are offered in on the Brownsville campus earlier. such as why online or ITV we offered a master’s ITV Edinburg.” to be able to expand the “Hopefully, that can classes are not offered on class in Brownsville because Asked why computer courses. UTRGV’s main goal alleviate the transportation the Brownsville campus. She we wanted to [know], ‘OK, science online and ITV courses was to expand educational issue,” he said. “But, in replied that professors require how’s this gonna work, what’s are not offered in Brownsville, opportunities across the Rio regards to the courses, they special training to teach online the demand like, what’s the McHatton replied that those Grande Valley, she said. just said they’re trying.” November 27, 2017 4 OPINION THE RIDER VAQUERO VOICE End of the Semester

“Well, this is my first semester here, so it was really different from coming, like, into high school having to go, like, every single day, compared to my schedule now, it’s going only, like, for two classes on campus. The rest were online … so that was kind of hard. I had to balance my time better, ’cause you have so much free time doing whatever you wanted, but over the semester, I learned to balance my time a lot better.” Brianna Gutierrez Mass communication freshman

“I think it’s a lot more stressful [than] it was at the beginning, but it’s OK, like, it’s doable. I’m not too worried about any of the finals, because a lot of my classes are … spaced out to have a The pursuit of happiness lot of time and I think to, like, get through the semester, it’s a lot of time In the news media, no two teaching and have realized management. … Other than that, I days are exactly the same. that teaching is something I really liked the university, and I think Robert New events occur every single could pursue as a career. I see this end of the semester is going to go Benavidez Jr. day and it is our job to stay myself teaching high school good.” THE RIDER up to date, so we can keep the math and being an assistant students informed. One day, coach for basketball. For Juan Ramirez I can cover intramurals at this particular reason, I will Every day, I come across Biology sophomore the Texas Southmost College continue with this program many choices: the choice to Recreation Center, such as until I get to teach the high skip class because “one day flag football, basketball or school courses next year to see won’t hurt,” the choice to get soccer. But, the next day, I how I feel about it. ahead of my homework or could be taking pictures at My way of thinking can best go out with my friends, but one of the Brownsville City be represented by Chinese “That it’s looming. It’s coming up the biggest choice of all, is Commission meetings. philosopher Confucius’ and the finals are coming up. I’m deciding what career I want to I truly enjoy every single saying, “Choose a job you love nervous. We’re trying to get those pursue. day on the job--taking and you’ll never have to work B’s into A’s.” Before college, I was dead pictures, meeting new people, a day in your life.” set on becoming a high school conducting interviews or even I feel as if I have found that math teacher and taking sitting in the office editing my in teaching and photography, pictures as a hobby. Yet, I pictures before they go up. so I am at a conundrum. But, soon realized that I was going Alehi Silguero At the moment though, I am in no rush to make this to need a job to pay for college Biomedical science junior I am not focusing purely decision. I am living my life and gave photography a shot. on photography. I am also day by day and seeing what I applied to be a photographer giving teaching a shot. I am else life has to offer by keeping for The Rider. currently enrolled in the an open mind to ideas and If there’s one good decision I UTeach program here at opportunities. After all, isn’t “I’m looking forward to it. I made in my life, it would have UTRGV. Through this course, that what life’s all about? just finished some midterms. to be this one. I never thought I have the opportunity to learn If you’ve made it this far, I actually just took one on I would enjoy working every how to make lesson plans and take a moment to ask yourself Thursday and, yeah, I’m day, but being a photographer teach students at different if the career you’re pursuing excited for a break. Christmas has given me this feeling. My schools. is something you would enjoy break, Thanksgiving break, just friends have always described Even though I have only doing day in and day out. grinding out the studying.” work as dull, boring and taken introductory courses, repetitive, but I have never I have come to really enjoy come across that problem. Fernando Montes Exercise science junior

--Compiled by Valeria Alanis and Albert Monrroy

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The Rider encourages letters but does not guarantee publication. We re- serve the right to edit letters for grammar and content. Letters for The Rider may be sent to [email protected]. All letters must be typed and no longer than 400 words. Letters must include the name, classification and phone number of letter’s author or the letter cannot be published. Opinions expressed in The Rider are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Rider or UTRGV administrators. 27 de noviembre de 2017 THE RIDER NOTICIAS EN ESPAÑOL 5 Envueltos por las letras Escritores y comunidad homenajean a autor mexicano Eric Montoya EDITOR DE ESPAÑOL La pasada tarde del viernes 17 de noviembre, Texas Southmost College fue la sede del XVI Congreso Binacio- nal “Letras en el Estuario” donde el reconocido escritor mexicano Héctor Carreto fue homenajeado. En medio de un ambiente tranquilo y acogedor, el público fue deleitado por obras literarias en español de vari- os escritores invitados. Dicho evento tomó lugar en el salón de conferencias SET-B Lecture Hall de TSC. El Congreso Binacional que con- tiene las lecturas de narrativa, poesía y ensayo, es producto de la colabo- ración de varias organizaciones lit- erarias mexicanas con TSC, vínculo internacional que se dio bajo los aus- picios del Ateneo Literario José Ar- rese desde que este era conocido como Círculo Literario Manuel F. Rodríguez Brayda. El grupo de escritores está lo- Ana Cahuiche/Fotos The Rider calizado en Matamoros, Tamaulipas, El escritor mexicano y profesor de tiempo completo de la Universidad Autónoma de la Ciudad de México, Héctor Carreto (derecha), lee varias México. de sus obras en el XVI Congreso Binacional “Letras en el Estuario”, evento en donde también se le rindió homenaje. Elvia Ardalani, docente en En una entrevista con The Rider, el departamento de lengua y literatura de UTRGV y traductora del libro Coliseo de Carreto, tradujo al inglés los poemas conforme el reconocido Carreto dijo que sus poemas están ba- autor los leía. sados en su vida cotidiana. También fesor titular de la cátedra de español en ra publicada y maestra en San Benito gusta en otro país. Es interesante ir a dijo que actualmente se encuentra Texas Southmost College, dio la bien- Independent School District; Manuel otro país y compartir las cosas”, dijo él. trabajando en un libro de epigramas. venida a Carreto quien tomó asiento Murrieta, autor con muchas publica- “Siempre es importante la conviven- Dijo que lo más gratificante de es- en el estrado. También recibió a los ciones en las áreas de cuento y profesor cia, el intercambio cultural. O sea, que cribir es “que salgan bien las cosas. ponentes, al igual que a toda la audi- de lengua y literatura hispánica y estu- sepan lo que hacemos allá, y yo saber … Que uno quede, pues que quede encia, la cual era de alrededor de 50 dios chicanos; y Octavio Quintanilla, lo que hacen aquí también. Es impor- digamos, satisfecho, en la medida de individuos. profesor de creación literaria en Our tante porque … es un enriquecimiento lo posible con lo que uno escribe. Que Posteriormente, González cedió Lady of the Lake University en San An- mutuo”. uno pueda expresar, que quede uno el podio a Javier Villarreal, profesor tonio y actualmente trabajando en una González, quien es también uno de convencido”. jubilado de español de Texas A&M antología de poesía del Valle del Río los principales promotores y organiza- El poeta dijo que son varias cosas University-Corpus Christi, el cual in- Grande. Estos escritores leyeron var- dores de este evento, dijo al The Rider las que lo inspiran a escribir sus obras. trodujo a los poetas Alejandro Ro- ias de sus obras literarias del género que “Letras en el Estuario” es impor- “La vida cotidiana, puede ser una sales Lugo, además pintor y profesor poesía-narrativa. tante porque atrae a estudiantes y a la mujer, puede ser la ciudad, pues al- en la Universidad La Salle de Ciudad Una vez concluida esta parte del comunidad para que se acerquen a la gún acto de indicación”, dijo Carreto. Victoria, Tamaulipas, México; Edna evento, se dio un receso de aproxima- literatura, “que es la forma más alta de “La lectura también me ayuda mucho. Ochoa, profesora de literatura hispáni- damente 30 minutos. Se ofrecieron expresión en el idioma”. Leo, y muchas veces lo que leo tam- ca en UTRGV; y Elías David, profesor café y panecillos en la recepción del Dijo que el Congreso Literario Bina- bién me inspira, me motiva, digamos, egresado de normal superior originar- salón de conferencias. cional: Letras en el Estuario fue creado me da ideas para escribir algo”. io de Reynosa, Tamaulipas, México. Para dar continuación a “Letras en el desde el 2001 por el Ateneo Literario Ramiro Rodríguez, escritor y pro- Dichos poetas compartieron varios de Estuario”, se le dio la bienvenida oficial José Arrese y ha sido llevado a cabo fesor titular en la cátedra de español sus poemas al público. al rector de TSC, Jesús Roberto Rodrí- anualmente desde entonces. en Texas State Technical College en ­Después de la sección de poesía, Ro- guez, quien contribuyó en gran parte “En las comunidades donde vivi- Harlingen, además de ser uno de los berto de la Torre, escritor e investiga- para la organización de dicho evento. mos, que son eminentemente rurales organizadores y promotores de dicha dor independiente y autor del libro El Un par de minutos después, y pequeñas, no hay muchas oportuni- conferencia, dijo que el XVI Congreso Vampiro de Rio Grande, tomó el podio González invitó a los escritores Elvia dades de poder escuchar a las grandes Binacional es organizado por el De- para invitar a los escritores de narrativa Ardalani, docente en el departamento plumas, a los grandes autores,” dijo partamento de Bellas Artes e Idiomas Miriam Romero, recién egresada de la de lengua y literatura de UTRGV, de la González. “Entonces, algunos de no- Torre, Quintanilla, Rodríguez y Villar- sotros que nos hemos movido por real, a tomar asiento en la mesa junto razones del trabajo … pues hemos con Carreto. hecho la amistad como para formar Cabe mencionar que Ardalani es un circuito. ... Por ejemplo, estuvimos quien tradujo al idioma inglés la obra en un evento en la Ciudad de México Coliseo de Carreto. … y ahí pude ver al profesor Carreto, Los mencionados escritores leyeron porque él estaba representando a su varios poemas del autor homenajeado unidad, y a muchos otros autores que y también platicaron acerca del escri- conozco, y de esa manera, este, pues tor. Ellos leyeron obras como Habi- vamos abriendo las puertas para que tante de parques públicos; Mi poema, la literatura pase, se instale, vaya a los esa bestia; El poeta regañado por la salones, inspire a los jóvenes para que musa, y varios más. Quintanilla deleitó entren también en el medio y puedan al público con la lectura de diferentes fructificar también”. poemas del autor en español y en in- Para finalizar el evento, Carreto glés. Estos poemas fueron traducidos dedicó unos minutos para platicar con por él mismo con el permiso de Car- la audiencia y contestar sus preguntas. Durante el evento, varios escritores leyeron varias de sus obras literarias y también obras del reto. Una persona del público le preguntó autor Héctor Carreto. Se muestra en el podio a Juan Antonio González, escritor y profesor Actualmente, Carreto es profesor al autor si el hecho de haber ganado el titular de la cátedra de español en Texas Southmost College. En la mesa se encuentran los es- de tiempo completo de la Universidad Premio Nacional de Poesía Aguascali- critores (de izquierda) Javier Villarreal, profesor jubilado de español de Texas A&M University- Autónoma de la Ciudad de México. Él entes en el 2002 lo cambió personal- Corpus Christi; Roberto de la Torre, escritor e investigador independiente y autor del libro El es el autor de piezas literarias como mente. Vampiro de Rio Grande; Elvia Ardalani, docente en el departamento de lengua y literatura de UTRGV; Carreto; Ramiro Rodríguez, escritor y profesor titular en la cátedra de español en ¿Volver a Ítaca? (1979), Naturaleza “Yo me sigo sintiendo un obrero de Texas State Technical College en Harlingen; y Octavio Quintanilla, profesor de creación literaria Muerta (1980), La espada de San la poesía”, Carreto contestó. “O sea, en Our Lady of the Lake University en San Antonio. Jorge (1982), entre otros. Además, uno no puede decir ‘Ya, ya llegué’, ‘Ya Carreto ha sido galardonado con varios gané este premio y ya soy importante’. de TSC y El Ateneo Literario José Ar- University of Oklahoma con un docto- premios, por ejemplo, el premio Efraín No … yo estoy muy agradecido con la rese, Café Literario Autores con Pal- rado en lengua y literatura hispánica y Huerta en 1979, Raúl Garduño en 1981, poesía, pero bueno, es que es el trabajo abras, ALJA Ediciones y TSTC. ahora profesora en el mismo instituto; Carlos Pellicer para obra publicada en también. … Yo digo ‘Bueno, qué bueno Cabe mencionar que todo esto fue Perlita Salazar, maestra de Harmony 1983 y el Premio Nacional de Poesía que pasen estas cosas’, pero digo ‘Bue- llevado a cabo con el apoyo de la orga- School of Innovation en Brownsville; Aguascalientes en el año 2002. Cabe no, ya vino la pachanga, ya me gasté nización Humanities Texas. y Jorge Sáenz, estudiante de literatura destacar que también recibió el X Pre- el dinero, ya me publicaron el libro … Rodríguez dijo que el propósito de hispanoamericana en UTRGV, a tomar mio de Poesía Luis Cernuda en 1990, borrón y cuenta nueva, lo que sigue’. estas conferencias es difundir la litera- su lugar en el escenario. en Sevilla, España. Porque si no, ahí nos quedamos nada tura en la comunidad. Los escritores de narrativa entretu- Carreto leyó varias de sus obras en más”. El evento tiene “el propósito de re- vieron al público con lecturas de frag- la conferencia. Unas de esas piezas lit- Carreto aconsejo a los estudiantes a unir escritores de México y de Estados mentos de sus obras literarias. erarias fueron Nacimiento de Venus, que se interesen en el tema de la lit- Unidos que escriben en español. Ese Sáenz compartió un fragmento de Caballo de Calígula, Coliseo, Mal de eratura. es el propósito principal: reunir a los una novela de su propia creación que Amores, entre otros. Ardalani lo acom- “Es importante para la formación”, escritores y que haya lecturas tanto en planea publicar en un futuro. pañó traduciendo sus lecturas al inglés dijo él. “Que el estudiante venga a las instituciones educativas de Matam- Al finalizar las lecturas de narrativa, conforme él las leía. conferencias, venga a las lecturas, vaya oros, y bueno, también acá del Valle de Rodríguez introdujo a los escritores Carreto dijo que una de las razones a ver buen cine, asista a buenos conci- Texas” dijo él. Santiago Daydi-Tolson, profesor de que lo instaron a venir al Valle de Tex- ertos, que vaya a los museos, porque Para dar inicio a la conferencia, español en la University of Texas at as fue transmitir el conocimiento, eso es lo que los enriquece para la Juan Antonio González, escritor y pro- San Antonio; Gloria Rodríguez, auto- “Venir a transmitir lo que a mí me vida”. November 27, 2017 6 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT THE RIDER

NOTStudent-directed PLAYING work premieres AROUND Thursday Zugay Treviño THE RIDER On Thursday, UTRGV’s Theatre de- partment will premiere “Get Out and Play: A Play About Playing,” a play about children who are sent on a quest to get their Wi-Fi password back. Mark Rodriguez, who wrote the play, is an alumnus of the Theatre depart- ment. “Get Out and Play” has a spe- cial message for the audience to value family and not be on phones too much. “I really enjoyed the message of the script,” student director and theatre senior Sabrina Rodriguez said. “… It was definitely a story that I wanted to tell. … When I was given the oppor- tunity to be able to direct it, I knew that I definitely wanted to execute it.” The student director said actors prepared by using tongue twist- ers and other acting exercises. They also paid attention to their char- acters’ specific personality traits, age, appearance and background. “We ask that they keep those things in the back of their mind to influence their characters and their characters’ choices throughout the show,” she said. The cast consists of eight people, including UTRGV students Rick Guajardo, Jesus Salaiz, Jonathan Tamez, Gabriela Perales and Pau- lina Solis, and alumni Lauriel Perez, Lesley Robles/The Rider Kimmy Narro and Bialca Aenna. Theatre senior and student director Sabrina Rodriguez guides the actors as they rehearse their lines for the play, “Get Out and Play: A Play Solis is the play’s female lead, About Playing,” which will be performed in the Albert L. Jeffers Theatre on the Edinburg campus. Jenny. She said it is easy for her to relate to her character, who is Rodriguez also said her fa- extensive. After reading the script, storybook characters,” said Rossetti, also an older sister just like her. vorite part of the play is Jenny’s Roman Rossetti, a UTRGV theatre who also drew inspiration from the She also related to the play’s heartfelt moment at the end. sophomore and the play’s costume story’s plot. “Since the play is about theme of not prioritizing phones. The cast has been rehears- designer, said he had to make ini- a quest set in place by the parents, I “My parents are always work- ing for a month. The costume tial thumbnails, or rough sketches. definitely wanted to go for a whim- ing,” Solis said. “They’re always designer created 11 costumes. Although the cast has eight people, sical, yet sort of realistic touch.” on their phone. … I just took “[The audience] should look out for a couple of characters require mul- “Get Out and Play” will be performed from my real life, and I was able the extravagant characters, the ones tiple costumes. After sketches were at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Satur- to connect with it in that way.” that are coming out from the imagi- completed and approved, Rossetti day, and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday She said she liked how her char- nation,” the student director said. made final renderings in watercolor. in the Albert L. Jeffers Theatre on the acter grows throughout the play. The costume designing process was “A lot of my inspiration came from Edinburg campus. Admission is $5. Scribbles & Thoughts CROSSWORD PUZZLE By Laia Vite CLASSIC FAIRY TALES

ACROSS DOWN 3. She had a little help from her friends, 1. She came from a flower as a tiny young girl the the seven dwarfs size of a thumb 6. The story of a little mermaid willing to 2. Belle saves her father from being imprisoned give up her voice in order to spend her by a beast by trading places with him, only to life on the surface later fall in love with the beast 8. A young woman is sent to marry her 4. “We’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad.” neighbor, whose former wives have all 5. Originally named, “The Sleeping Beauty in the mysteriously disappeared--to her horror, Wood,” this fairy tale has a young princess placed she finds out why under a sleeping curse by an evil fairy 10. A tale in which a princess befriends 7. “Then promise me, if you should become a frog, only to kiss him and find out he’s queen, to give me your first child.” a prince 9. “When she ran down, had the maiden’s left 12. Two siblings are kidnapped by a witch slipper remained stuck. The king’s son picked it who wants to eat them up, and it was small and dainty, and all golden.” 13. “Oh! Grandmother,” she said, what 11. Known for letting down her long hair in order big ears you have!” to be rescued from her tall tower --Created by Sydni Salinas November 27, 2017 THE RIDER SPORTS 7 UTRGV falls in tourney championship

Bryan Ramos/ The Rider Photos UTRGV junior outside hitter Ragni Steen Knudsen leaps to spike the volleyball in the WAC UTRGV outside hitter Barbara Silva elevates for a kill against California State University, Tournament Championship match against California State University, Bakersfield on Nov. 18 in Bakersfield in the WAC Tournament Championship match on Nov. 18 in the UTRGV Fieldhouse. the UTRGV Fieldhouse. Knudsen earned All-Tournament Team honors. Bryan Ramos two seasons while putting the pair with Senior Day. He part of a team and part of a SPORTS EDITOR off surgery and a six-month said the two were pivotal to family and she’s really bought For the second season in a recovery process until her the team’s success on the into that and I couldn’t be row, the UTRGV Volleyball collegiate volleyball career volleyball court over the last more proud of either one of Team (17-12) worked its was over, had nothing left three seasons. those girls.” way to the Western Athletic in her arm. The three-time “They’re special kids in my Back next year for UTRGV is Conference Tournament First Team All-WAC member heart,” he said. “Those kids a team with plenty of valuable Championship match. and All-Tournament Team took a chance at UTB. They experience gained over This time, there was no honoree gave everything she knew they were coming to the last two years. Vukoja, dancing, but disappointment, had for her team, which she a program that was getting Ragni Steen Knudsen, co- tears and a record-breaking helped propel to new heights cut, they had other options, captain Alexandra Ecker and crowd dressed in orange, who over the last three years, they had other places to go, Gysell Zayas all return for arrived early and stayed late reaching the first NCAA they believed and trusted in their senior seasons, while to show love, win or lose, to Tournament berth in program me that they were going to go freshman starter Veronika the best team UTRGV has history by winning last wherever I was going. They Jandova will be back for her seen in years. season’s WAC Tournament. said, ‘We’re going to a junior sophomore campaign. Silva The Vaqueras were pushed The Serbian native finishes college for one year if we have will also be back as a junior to their limit but fell short in her career as the record holder to, Coach.’ To have that loyalty and looks to build off another the tournament final against in kills with 1,159, breaking from two kids is something successful season, in which California State University, former UTRGV right side special, and Bojana continues she earned Second Team All- Bakersfield 3-1 (27-25, 18- hitter Alisha Watson’s record UTRGV senior outside hitter to get better on the court. WAC honors. 25, 28-30, 18-25), losing for set just a season ago. She is Bojana Mitrovic tips a ball past “Tina’s been a little bit Knudsen also earned All- the first time in the UTRGV also the all-time points leader the outstretched arms of two behind the scenes this year, Tournament Team honors Fieldhouse all season, at UTRGV with 1,329.5 and California State University, but she’s been a great key to and was named First Team finishing 11-1 at home. fourth on the all-time digs list Bakersfield defenders in the WAC this team and the culture of All-WAC. She finished with In the first set, UTRGV with 760. While UTRGV only Tournament Championship match this team is so strong and she’s her 10th double-double of the Nov. 18 in the UTRGV Fieldhouse. found themselves down 11- loses two players from this a big part of that. For a senior season in the championship 6, but fought back to kick off year’s squad in Mitrovic and to come in and work every match with 18 kills and 11 the WAC Tournament final Tina Sekulic, who ranks third remaining players from Head day in practice and accept a digs, and a career high 26 in dramatic fashion. Facing all-time in assists, the pair Coach Todd Lowery’s last UT new role, I know that’s not kills in the semifinals win over set point, sophomore outside will be hard to replace in the Brownsville team. easy for her. Ultimately, they Utah Valley University. hitter Barbara Silva came locker room, as the only two On Nov. 4, UTRGV honored understand what it is to be Knudsen is fourth on the up with a kill, which Kellie all-time points list and ranks Woodin, a freshman defensive first in kills per set (3.60) specialist and McAllen High and service aces per set (.33). School alumna, followed up Silva ranks seventh all-time in with an ace. UTRGV’s next kills (527) and first in blocks two points came off the arms per set (.96). Ecker is the all- of senior co-captain and time program leader in block outside hitter Bojana Mitrovic assists (285) and second in and junior setter Dubravka total blocks (309). Vukoja. In just one year, Zayas In the second set, and her play from the libero CSUB’s Sydney Haynes position finished averaging and Aleksandra Djordjevic 4.39 digs per set, which is began to enforce their will, second all-time, and is already as they led the Roadrunners ninth in digs with 483. Vukoja with 19 and 14 kills apiece, ranks first all-time in assists while Djordjevic, who was with 2,318, while Jandova is named the tournament Most second in blocks per set (.89) Valuable Player, also finished and attack percentage (.309). with 12 digs and four blocks. Now comes the offseason, With momentum up for which the UTRGV Volleyball grabs in the third set, the Team will spend working to second-seeded Vaqueras and get back to its third straight fourth-seeded Roadrunners tournament championship went back and forth until match in 2018. UTRGV couldn’t anymore. Lesley Robles/ The Rider Mitrovic, who had been playing with a partially torn The UTRGV Volleyball Team is welcomed by its home crowd before its semifinal match on Nov. 17 against Utah rotator cuff over the past Valley University in the Fieldhouse. UTRGV won the match 3-1 (29-27, 21-25, 26-24, 25-21). November 27, 2017 8 THE RIDER