Positive for COVID-19

THE STUDENT VOICE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS RIO GRANDE VALLEY

MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2020 WWW.UTRGVRIDER.COM VOL. 6 ISSUE 9 /UTRGVRIDER @UTRGVRIDER 11 UTRGV students test Page 3 positive for COVID-19 Alejandra Yañez The Rider Virtual Zoombathon A UTRGV official clarified last Friday morning that 10 Page 4 student athletes and one student within close contact tested positive for COVID-19 this week. It is still undetermined if the close contact case is related to the student athletes, said Doug Arney, vice president for Administrative Sup- port Services and chair of the UTRGV Infectious Disease Editorial cartoon Committee. The term close contact means any individual who Page 6 has been within 6 feet of an individual with a confirmed COVID-19 case in the last 14 days, according to the UTRGV COVID-19 website. Arney said he wants it to be clear that protocols are in place but “it’s up to the coaches and athletes to abide by those protocols.” Robert Benavidez/The Rider He attributes the “out- Athlete of the Week break” to two possible fac- still reviewing the situation Brownsville campus and the In an interview last Tues- tors: not following protocols and will make adjustments if Village Apartments in Edin- day, Jonah Goldberg, senior and protocols that did not needed. burg. associate athletic director for work. “This week, we’ve had a lit- “They’re isolated,” Arney communications, said student “So, if that’s the reason, we tle bit of an outbreak,” Arney said. “They follow certain pro- athletes are not required to Warning: address it with the coaches said “We’re trying to figure tocols; they stay quarantined wear a facial covering during and the student athletes … to out how many and we’re do- so they don’t infect others. … practice. biased have those conversations and ing the contact tracing with But, some people choose to Asked if student athletes correct that bad behavior, if those individuals.” isolate at home with their par- will be required to wear a there is bad behavior,” Arney He said the students are be- ents.” facial covering during prac- article said. “I don’t know, in these ing quarantined in 50 rooms He added when the quaran- tice after the reported cases, situations, what has occurred provided by the university in tine period is up, the students Arney replied it is hard to Tips and tricks yet.” separate wings in the Casa will be tested again and re- breathe when student athletes He said the university is Bella Apartments on the leased if they test negative. on spotting See CASES, Page 2 misinformation Brigitte Ortiz Meet the 2020 Texas U.S. Senate candidates The Rider Fernanda Figueroa health care, the Affordable A biased article is something The Rider Care Act,” said Terence Michael written by someone with a par- Garrett, a political science pro- ticular interest in something or This election year, the race fessor at UTRGV. “Democrats, someone. Two UTRGV profes- for one U.S. Senate seat from in general, support the ACA sors say students should read Texas is taking place and here [Affordable Care Act], whereas multiple articles and ask ques- is what you need to know the Republican Party, in terms tions to verify the information. about the 2020 candidates, of where they stand, is sort of Priscilla Flores, a lecturer in John Cornyn, Mary “MJ” He- this dismantling of the Afford- the Department of Communi- gar, Kerry Douglass McKen- able Care Act.” cation, said bias in the media non and David B. Collins. While not considered major is a global phenomena that is Sen. Cornyn (R-Texas) has opponents, Libertarian candi- not exclusive to any particular been in office since 2002 and is date Douglass McKennon and economy or political system. looking to win his fourth term Green Party candidate David B. “So knowing the nature of as senator. Collins are also in the running bias is going to help the read- Cornyn is running his cam- for the Texas U.S. Senate seat. ers counteract prodigious- paign with a focus, per his offi- Historically, third party can- ness,” Flores said. “And what cial campaign website, https:// WWW.DBCGREENTX.NET didates do not have a huge im- I want them to know is that it www.cornyn.senate.gov/, on Green Party candidate David B. Collins is running for the Texas U.S. Senate pact in elections, but because is not always categorical, but maximizing resources and seat held by Republican John Cornyn. Collins is running against Libertarian it can become embedded in minimizing regulation, fight- Douglass McKennon, Democrat MJ Hegar and Cornyn. the Senate race is so tight, the third-party candidates will the context determined by the ing for the health and well-be- the U.S. Air Force to remove health care, ensuring wom- news outlet.” ing of Texans, fighting crime, affect the election, especially the Combat Exclusion Policy, en’s reproductive rights, end- Hegar. She encourages students protecting communities and which excluded women from ing child separation, fighting to follow 10 critical thinking empowering victims, immigra- According to his campaign having combat positions. against climate change, passing website, https://www.mcken- questions when consuming tion and border security, fos- In 2017, Hegar ran for the common-sense gun safety leg- news. tering economic growth, edu- non2020.com, McKennon is, U.S. House of Representa- islation, extending protections “campaigning to be a Senator Who created or paid for cation and keeping promises tives’ 31st District seat, losing to the LGBTQ+ community the message? What is the to our military. who works hard to protect the to incumbent John Carter. and fixing Texas’ criminal jus- freedom that we still have, fight purpose of the story? Who is Democrat Hegar is Cornyn’s According to her official -cam tice and policing system. their target audience? What prominent opponent. She is against anyone who seeks to paign website, https://mjfor- “If you want to know some erode our freedom and coop- techniques are being used to a veteran and teacher, most texas.com, Hegar’s campaign real differences, well, you’d attract their attention and famously known for suing is focused on providing quality have to look at things like See SENATE, Page 2 See MEDIA, Page 2 October 19, 2020 2 ON CAMPUS THE RIDER ANNOUNCEMENTS their scariest stories from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Rope the Vote Rally Tuesday via Zoom. RSVP is available through Students can join the Civic Cookie Decorating VLink. Engagement Alliance at noon to dive The Student UTRGV Kahoot into details of the upcoming election Union will host The Rider is the official, Students can join the Campus and look at the different presidential a Haunted Activities Board to learn more about candidate platforms with guest award-winning student news- House Cookie our institution from 4 to 5 p.m. and speakers and opportunities to paper of the University of Texas Decorating Contest. Participants have a chance to win VBucks. RSVP is participate in trivia and win prizes. will receive an email with instructions, Rio Grande Valley. A PDF copy available through VLink. RSVP is available through VLink. date and time for pickup. The first 40 of the newspaper can be accessed Watch Party: ‘Dead Kids’ Friday students to RSVP on VLink will receive The UTRGV Leadership and Spooky Monster Smash online at utrgvrider.com. Views a free cookie haunted house. Mentoring office will host a Netflix The Campus Activities Board will presented are those of the writ- Wednesday Watch Party to celebrate and honor host a Spooky Monster Smash People Series: Celia Cruz ers and do not reflect those of Filipino American History Month. Tournament at 5 p.m. Participants are Students can honor, share and learn The movie “Dead Kids” will be shown required to create a Discord account. the newspaper or university. about the late Cuban singer Celia at 7 p.m. RSVP is available through RSVP is available through VLink. Cruz’s legacy at 1 p.m. via Zoom. The EDITOR-IN-CHIEF VLink. The first 30 students to RSVP will Watch Party: ‘Alex Strangelove’ series, sponsored by the Center for Jacqueline Peraza receive a movie snack pack. The movie “Alex Strangelove” will be Diversity & Inclusion and DREAM ONLINE EDITOR Thursday shown at 7 p.m. The film is part of The Resource Center, will feature a range Estefania Hernandez Watch Party: ‘Hocus Pocus’ Leadership and Mentoring office’s of people, cultures, identities and much SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Netflix Watch Party movie series more. Zoom registration is available The Student Union will host a in observance of LGBT+ History Danielle Perez through VLink. Disney+ Watch Party and show the Month. RSVP is available through COPY EDITORS Scary Storytelling movie “Hocus Pocus” at 5:30 p.m. VLink. Arisbeth Rodriguez The Student Union will host Scary RSVP is available through VLink. --Compiled by Brigitte Ortiz Avery Arizola Storytelling for students to share Alejandra Yañez CARTOONIST Elizabeth Mendoza POLICE REPORTS SPORTS REPORTERS The following are among the incidents reported to University Police between Oct. 6 and 12. Karina Rodriguez Oct. 6 5:01 p.m.: A staff member reported Ivan Palacios was notified. It was determined that a 3:03 p.m.: An officer receiving a suspicious email inquiring smoke detector in a service elevator was SPANISH REPORTER conducting a traffic about work invoices. The email was activated. The area was checked, and Paulina Longoria stop for a violation on determined to be fraudulent. the fire department cleared the building REPORTERS the 1400 block of West Oct. 8 for reentry. A work order was placed to Sol Garcia Van Week Street in 6:08 p.m.: An individual was seen have the fire system checked. Omar E. Zapata Edinburg discovered entering a barricaded area of Lot B-4 Oct. 10 Brigitte Ortiz that the vehicle was used as a COVID-19 testing site on the 4:01 a.m.: An officer responded to Alejandra Yañez displaying out-of- Brownsville campus. The individual was Heritage Hall on the Edinburg campus Fernanda Figueroa state license plates uncooperative and argumentative with in regard to the housing coordinator PHOTOGRAPHERS belonging to another vehicle. The non- the officers during the incident. He was reporting two students who appeared Aaliyah Garza affiliated individual was cited for the issued a criminal trespass warning for to be intoxicated in a room. It was later Jacqueline Wallace traffic violations. The out-of-state license UTRGV properties. determined four underage students plates were confiscated as evidence and Oct. 9 Roxanna Miranda consumed alcoholic beverages in the the vehicle was impounded. The case is 12:05 a.m.: A student reported her room. Two liquor bottles were found ADVERTISING SALES under investigation. vehicle was struck while it was parked in in the original dorm where they were REPRESENTATIVES Oct. 7 Lot E-28 on the Edinburg campus. The all gathered. All four students showed Monica Llanas 2:21 p.m.: A staff member reported vehicle sustained visible damage. The signs of intoxication, admitted to Dorilee Saycocie that he twisted his left ankle when he case is under investigation. drinking and refused medical attention. stepped off the sidewalk onto parking 1:40 p.m.: An officer responded to the The case will be referred to Student FACULTY ADVISER Lot E-28 on the Edinburg campus. Engineering Building on the Edinburg Rights and Responsibilities for further Michell Godinez The staff member was treated at the campus in regard to an active fire review. Employee Health Clinic and requested alarm. The building was evacuated, --Compiled by Fernanda Figueroa STUDENT MEDIA DIRECTOR that the incident be documented. and the Edinburg Fire Department Azenett Cornejo STUDENT MEDIA PROGRAM MEDIA she said. “But the big takeaway is slow ity and credibility and reliability of the Continued from Page 1 ADVISER things down. We live in a world where source.” Because early voting for the Nov. 3 Jesus Sanchez everything is faster, quicker, better. ... increase believability? What might But there’s nothing like our brain power, presidential election is taking place, he ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS have been omitted and why? Where and we need to use more of that rather said if students want to know informa- Ana Sanchez does the story originate? Who is the than going on … autopilot mode.” tion about the state of the economy and Maggie Castillo source of the story? What does the William Sokoloff, an associate pro- unemployment, then they should visit news story make them want to think fessor in the Department of Political the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics web- or do? Who stands to benefit from the Science, said students should also look site. CONTACT: message? Where might I go for more at websites. “If you want to know about crime, EDINBURG CAMPUS information? “Is the website a government web- you can go to the Bureau of Justice Sta- 1201 West University Dr. Flores said we have the power to con- site or a website of an education insti- tistics,” he said. “Crime is actually go- ELABS 170 trol the information. tution?” Sokoloff said. “Is the article or ing down but if you listen to politicians Phone: (956) 665-2541 “When it comes to our news, I believe information from an academic database and people blogging, they would say Fax: (956) 665-7122 that we all need to slow down and pause and, you know, this sort of thing does it’s going up. It’s not true. Of course, it BROWNSVILLE CAMPUS and really digest what it is that we’re require some effort and energy. You depends on where the crime is taking 1 West University Blvd. taking in and that we do our due dili- can’t walk around reading anything place, what types of crimes and so forth. Student Union 2.16 gence with checking out the source and that appears in front of you. We’re There are an enormous amount of very Phone: (956) 882-5143 the credibility and reliability before bombarded with an excess of informa- good sources. Social media is not a good Fax: (956) 882-5176 sharing, before spreading misinformation. The trick is having the skills and the source.” Email: [email protected] tion, intentionally or not, you know,” critical discernment to access the valid- © 2020 The Rider SENATE paign website, http://www.dbcgreentx. race always impacts the outcome of an Continued from Page 1 net, is focused on such issues as advo- election,” said Sylvia Gonzalez-Gorman, MORE THAN A cating for the Ecosocialist Green New an assistant political science professor erate with other Senators to regain the Deal, improved Medicare for all, advo- at UTRGV. “It does affect the newcom- NEWSPAPER freedom that has been lost.” cating for women’s reproductive rights, er more than it does the incumbent. So, Some of the issues McKennon is fo- canceling student debt, a moratorium right now, Hegar being single digits off Delivering news to UTRGV no cused on include solving veterans’ af- on fossil fuel infrastructure, immigra- of Cornyn, that third party could be tak- fairs, improving immigration reform, matter the circumstances. tion reform, closing overseas military ing votes from her.” ending the opioid crisis and environ- bases and financial reparations for- In Early voting ends Oct. 30. The dead- mental stewardship. digenous and African Americans. line to request a ballot by mail is Friday. Collins’ platform, per his official cam- “A third-party candidate in a tight Election Day is Nov. 3. CASES Council announced the return of men’s declined in an email last Wednesday Continued from Page 1 and women’s basketball seasons, afternoon from Goldberg that stated which are scheduled to begin Nov. 25. in part: run up and down the court with a mask NCAA athletics programs were al- “Regarding [your] inquiry, we are on, but they should wear one outside lowed to begin practice last Wednes- not granting interviews, but we do of practice. day. have a statement (below). For attribu- “Just like all campus community Arney said basketball players are be- tion purposes, you can attribute it to members, when you get off that sport ing tested once a week but when the the department. The official name is and you get into a crowd or walk down season starts, it will be three times a UTRGV Department of Intercollegiate the hall, you have to have your face week. Athletics.” covering on just like everybody else,” The Rider requested an interview Goldberg attached the statement he said. with Chasse Conque, vice president On Sept. 16, the NCAA Division 1 and director of Athletics, but it was See CASES, Page 7 October 19, 2020 THE RIDER ON CAMPUS 3 ‘Stronger than cancer’ UREC hosts virtual Zoombathon Paulina Longoria Services, Health Education Coordina- The Rider tor Eddie Quintanilla will provide information about wellness at the begin- University Recreation will host its ning of the Zoombathon. annual Zumbathon for Breast Cancer “We just want to tell the students that Awareness Month from 9:30 to 10:30 we have health services here for them,” a.m. Saturday via Zoom, where the Quintanilla said. “If they want to learn UTRGV community can dance, learn more about information on breast can- about self-examination and win prizes. cer, or they have any concerns, they can This year, “an estimated 276,480 new come to the [Health Services Clinic] cases of invasive breast cancer will be and find out more about it to talk to a diagnosed in women in professional.” the U.S., as well as 48,530 He also said the event is new cases of non-invasive an opportunity for him, as (in situ) breast cancer,” “It’s always a big the only health education DAVID PIKE/UNIVERSITY MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS according to the National “ coordinator of the univer- Christopher Gabler, program coordinator for sustainable agriculture and food systems and Breast Cancer Foundation event of the fall sity, to invite students to assistant professor at the School of Earth, Environmental and Marine Sciences, speaks at the Inc. website. go to the Health Services grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Brownsville Research and Community Men can get breast semester.” Clinic and find out about Garden on May 4, 2017. cancer, too. The website the services that they pro- states that “an estimated -Kusy Zarzosa“ vide and how to reach out 2,620 men will be diag- Fitness instructor for help. Sustainable food nosed with breast cancer A short YouTube vid- this year in the U.S. and eo will also be shown to approximately 520 will make students aware of die.” self-examinations to de- program growing Fay Kennan, the fitness and wellness Sol Garcia cohort of joining as freshmen, and we’re tect breast cancer. coordinator for University Recreation, Fitness instructors Kusy Zarzosa, The Rider actively recruiting,” he said. “We’re just said every year the department hosts a Jessica Maltos and Shelby Flores will Since Fall 2019, students have been approaching 30 students, and we’re hop- breast cancer awareness event at its fa- ing to double that for the next few years.” conduct the Stronger Than Cancer able to enroll in the sustainable agricul- cility, but now it will be virtual. Zoombathon. ture and food systems degree program Four introductory courses were cre- “This year we’re gonna go virtual ated for the degree program, including Zarzosa said this is the first time the through ApplyTexas. considering that we are dealing with Zumbathon goes virtual. The interdisciplinary major best suits introduction to sustainable agriculture, COVID-19, and we don’t want anyone sustainable horticulture, introduction to “It’s always a big event of the fall se- students who are interested in helping exposed and we want to follow proto- mester,” she said. “We usually have a create a more sustainable food system, agricultural engineering and introduc- cols,” Kennan said. tion to food science, Gabler said. said Christopher Gabler, program coor- In collaboration with Student Health See ZOOMBATHON Page 7 dinator for the degree program. “Those are four new introductory-level “You still get your traditional issues courses that we created for this program, related to food production, but you get a and they complement other courses that lot more training in other disciplines, re- already exist,” he said. lated to humanities, related to econom- Sustainable agriculture and food sys- ics, related to social sciences, that help tems is meant to provide hands-on train- you grasp the multidisciplinary nature ing and experiential learning, and some of having a sustainable food system,” courses satisfy this by working at the said Gabler, who is also an assistant pro- university’s community gardens. To stay fessor in the School of Earth, Environ- safe from the risk of COVID-19, students mental and Marine Sciences. are trained in small groups while socially The major was initially created in distancing, Gabler said. 2017 but was not launched until Fall “Our approach has been to bring stu- 2018. Students could not select the dents in, so they can get that hands-on major through the admissions website, training in small groups, spreading our ApplyTexas, though. So, several current effort out, still giving them that essen- students are upperclassmen who trans- tial, personal experiential learning that ferred. However, some freshmen have they’re going to need to succeed going joined this year, Gabler said. forward,” he said. “[We’re] doing it in a “Most of the new students were peo- way that’s safe, respecting social distancing, respecting all the rules related to safe The Rider File Photo ple who came in the kind of traditional University Recreation Zumba Instructor Jessica Maltos directs her Strong Zumba class last year route of coming in through the regular See MAJOR, Page 8 at the Recreation Center on the Edinburg campus. UTRGV community honors Filipino heritage, culture Paulina Longoria “These specific movies are either di- The Rider rected by a Filipino American director and … they include Filipino American To celebrate Filipino American His- actors … so we wanted to showcase tory Month, the Cultural Council is and highlight that for the month for hosting Netflix watch parties via the students to enjoy,” Sandoval said. Teleparty Google Chrome browser ex- Students must register on the Cul- tension, and the Filipino Student As- tural Council VLink to receive the link sociation is sharing daily cultural ses- to the Zoom meeting. sions via Instagram. Marco Castillo, a Spanish junior October was recognized as Filipino and student assistant for Leadership American History Month in the Unit- and Mentoring, said students will ed States by Congress in 2009, but the receive instructions on how to in- Filipino American National Historical stall the Teleparty browser extension Society has observed it since 1991, ac- on Google Chrome during the Zoom cording to its website. meeting before the watch party and The celebration “commemorates the then the link to join. first recorded presence of Filipinos in “When we were choosing the mov- the continental United States, which ies, we were trying to make it fun, but occurred on October 18, 1587, when of course, I always try … to get learn- ‘Luzones Indios’ came ashore from ing out of something,” Castillo said. the Spanish galleon Nuestra Senora de Courtesy Photo “We’re trying to balance it out, like Esperanza and landed at what is now Students celebrate Filipino American History Month with food and games Oct. 8, 2019, on information and learning, and then Morro Bay, California,” the website the Brownsville campus. This year, the Cultural Council will host a Netflix watch party via the having fun.” states. Teleparty Google Chrome browser extension. The Filipino Student Association will post daily He said he encourages students to Founded in 1982, the society pro- cultural sessions on Instagram. come to the watch parties to engage motes “understanding, education, with others. enlightenment, appreciation and en- fits and a socially awkward teen who the Filipino history film “Goyo,” which The first 30 students that RSVP to richment through the identification, plots a kidnapping that turns out was directed by Jerrold Tarog, and the Netflix watch parties are given a gathering, preservation and dissemi- deadly. showcases one of the youngest gen- Filipino snack pack. Students will nation of the history and culture of Fil- At 7 p.m. Wednesday, there will be erals during the Philippine-American be emailed to set up a time to pick ipino Americans in the United States.” another Netflix watch party for “Eerie,” War. up their snacks on the Edinburg or From 7 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, a Filipino horror film also directed by Vanessa Sandoval, a program coor- Brownsville campus. the Cultural Council will host a Netflix Red. The film is about the unexpected dinator for Leadership and Mentoring Students can receive only one snack watch party with the Filipino thriller and gruesome death of a student at a and adviser for the Cultural Council, pack per celebration month to allow film “Dead Kids,” directed by Mikhail Catholic girls’ school. explained the reasons the movies were Last Wednesday, students watched chosen. Red. The film is about a group of mis- See FILIPINO, Page 8 October 19, 2020 4 OPINION THE RIDER

Seeing the light in the darkness Roxanna I have never become as pounds wrong. Miranda organized as I am today. To be It’s not always easy staying the rider honest, if it wasn’t for “Zoom positive when there is a There is school,” I would not have virus ruining the New Year’s no doubt this chosen the dry erase calendar I resolutions we probably year has been have up on my wall right now would not have done this year hectic, and it as the decor for my room. anyway. has brought Yes, some days are harder Working on yourself and out the worst than others, and maybe this bringing out the best in you in and the best in many of us. isn’t exactly what we signed up this unpleasant situation can I knew college was supposed for when looking into classes to become very rewarding and to be stressful, but the anxiety register for this summer, but satisfying. of going through it from a it’s something we have to learn This year is totally one for corner desk in your room every to make the best of, even if it the books, and the worst thing day can be tough. seems there isn’t much “best” about it is that the holidays This year, I had my first about it. aren’t even certain anymore. “meltdown” earlier than Prioritizing my tasks and Just a few days ago, Halloween expected, considering I usually having the right motivation was completely canceled, save those for midterms. has got me through halfway literally erased from 2020. Assignments were coming in of what is probably going to Let’s hope for the best for by the hour and I felt so lost as be considered one of the most the remaining months and to which to prioritize. nerve-racking semesters. make the best of them. Even I have even made time to if it seems like the world is However, I sat down, thought start working out again because falling apart, there is always it through and decided that take-out food and being home a brighter tomorrow. If that the situation was not going to all day has played me very doesn’t seem to be the case, a overcome me. wrong. I want to say about 10 brighter day after tomorrow.

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The Rider encourages letters but does not guarantee publication. We reserve 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. 19 de octubre de 2020 THE RIDER NOTICIAS EN ESPAÑOL 5 Más fuertes que el cáncer UREC llevará a cabo Zoombathon virtual Paulina Longoria “Tenemos tres instructores The Rider enseñando la clase de zumba, así que cada uno de nosotros El Departamento de Rec- traerá su propio estilo”, ella reación llevará a cabo su Zum- dijo. “Estaremos motivándo- bathon “Más Fuertes que el los, como si estuvieran en el Cáncer” anual por el Mes de estudio con nosotros”. Sensibilización sobre el Cánc- Kennan dijo que el Zoomb- er de Mama de 9:30 a 10:30 athon es para todos los niveles el sábado por Zoom donde la de ejercicio. comunidad Vaquera podrá bai- “Cualquiera puede unirse”, lar, aprender sobre la autoex- ella dijo. “No tienen que ten- ploración y ganar premios. er su cámara encendida. No En este año, “se diagnosti- tienen que tener su micrófo- cará un estimado de 276,480 no encendido. Sólo los que casos nuevos de cáncer inva- quieran presumir su talento sivo en mujeres en los EE.UU bailando pueden mantener su así como otros 48,530 casos cámara encendida durante la nuevos de cáncer no invasivo sesión”. (in situ, o sea, en el mismo lu- Ella dijo que no es obligatorio gar)”, según al sitio web de la quedarse durante la hora com- Fundación Nacional del Cánc- pleta, pero que le recomienda a er de Mama. los participantes esperar hasta Los hombres también el final del evento por una rifa. pueden tener cáncer de mama. Foto Archivada de The Rider Al final del evento, los nom- El sitio web también indica que bres de los participantes en- “un estimado de 2,620 hom- La instructora de ejercicio Jessica Maltos del Departamento de Recreación dirige su clase Zumba Fuerte el año pasado en el Centro de Recreación del campus de Edinburg. trarán en un sorteo de hasta bres serán diagnosticados con 30 premios, incluyendo cam- cáncer de mama este año en de Educación de la Salud Ed- universidad, para invitar a los aliza de manera virtual. isetas, toallas, pins de la sen- EE.UU y aproximadamente die Quintanilla proveerá infor- estudiantes a que vayan a la “Siempre es un gran even- sibilización sobre el cáncer de 520 morirán”. mación sobre el bienestar al Clínica de Servicios Médicos to del semestre de otoño”, ella mama y muchos más. Fay Kennan, la coordinado- principio del Zoombathon. y aprendan sobre los servicios dijo. “Usualmente tenemos un “Es importante que nosotros ra de ejercicio y bienestar del “Solo queremos decirle a los que proporciona y cómo acer- gran Zumbathon en las can- creemos conciencia porque es- Departamento de Recreación, estudiantes que aquí tenemos carse para pedir ayuda. chas de básquetbol, pero por la tamos en la industria del biene- dijo que cada año llevan a cabo servicios de salud para ellos”, Un vídeo corto de YouTube pandemia y el tratar de man- star y ejercicio”, Kennan dijo. un evento de sensibilización Quintanilla dijo. “Si quieren también será reproducido para tener a todos activos y consci- “Es importante que nosotros sobre el cáncer de mama en aprender más sobre la infor- que los estudiantes estén con- entes de que octubre es el mes difundamos esta información sus instalaciones, pero ahora mación del cáncer de mama, scientes de las autoexplora- de la sensibilización del cáncer para que nuestros estudiantes será virtual. o tienen inquietudes, pueden ciones para detectar el cáncer de mama, lo mejor que les po- estén conscientes de los datos “Este año será virtual con- venir a la [Clínica de Servicios de mama. demos promover … a nuestros demográficos. … Tenemos de- siderando que estamos lidi- Médicos] y aprender más sobre Las instructoras de ejercicio estudiantes es [el] seguir haci- mográficos muy jóvenes, así ando con el COVID-19, y no ello y hablar con un profesion- Kusy Zarzosa, Jessica Maltos endo este Zumbathon”. que es muy importante tener queremos a nadie expuesto y al”. y Shelby Flores dirigirán el Zarzosa dijo que habrá una una evaluación temprana”. queremos seguir los protoco- Él también dijo que el even- Zoombathon Más Fuertes que variedad de música para bailar, Los estudiantes pueden reg- los”, Kennan dijo. to es una oportunidad para el Cáncer. que va desde salsa, merengue y istrarse al evento en el VLink En colaboración con Servi- él, como el único coordinador Zarzosa dijo que es la prime- reggaeton hasta bachata y hip del Departamento de Rec- cios de Salud, el Coordinador de educación de la salud de la ra vez que el Zumbathon se re- hop. reación. COMMUNITY Latinx, word on the rise? Omar Zapata academia through college set- that isn’t man or woman? The Rider tings,” Bowles said. That’s not our problem.” Latinx is a gender-neutral He said through visiting “If you have that perspective, word for people of Latin Amer- schools across the country, and which, frankly, is a little cruel, ican descent possessing a gen- now virtually, he noticed there in my opinion, it’s kind of hard der identity outside the male/ are a lot of Generation Z people to argue that for somebody Aaliyah Garza/The Rider Graphic female binary, according to the who use the term. who doesn’t have any kind of nores the fact that’s not the way language is driven by innova- Merriam-Webster dictionary. “I get to talk to young people respect for non-binary people Spanish works. tions of the younger genera- Less than 3% of all Hispanic of Latin American descent from who don’t think they matter, or “I know that’s the way, quote tions, which is a good way to or Latino adults use the term, all over the place, and Latinx is doesn’t think that we should go unquote, traditionally, Spanish predict the future use of the according to a bilingual sur- being used by those young peo- out of our way to try to include grammar works, but just be- word. vey conducted by the Pew Re- ple more and more,” Bowles them in the language that we cause it’s been done that way “I just think that people un- search Center. said. “Older generations you use,” he said. for, you know, hundreds and derestimate the power of lin- David Bowles, a UTRGV as- know, haven’t caught on yet. In Bowles said an argument on hundreds of years, does that guistic change and of chang- sociate professor of English in fact, when they begin hearing the issue is the misconception make it right?” he said. “And ing perspectives of the youth,” the department of Literatures it, they’re a little taken aback, that the term was made by that’s the thing that human Bowles said. “And because and Cultural Studies, told The right. They don’t understand “woke white people” who im- beings can do. They can look Gen Z has a very different view Rider that the word started in what it’s about. pose their political agendas on at language and say, you know of gender, and gender fluidity the early 2000s. Forty-two percent of young the Hispanic community. what, there’s an ethical and and so forth, they are embrac- He said that the queer Lat- Hispanics ages 18 to 29 are “That’s just nonsense, be- moral problem with the way ing it in a way that may make inx community tried to find a among the most likely to have cause it wasn’t invented by our language works and we’re it survive.” way not to use the masculine heard of the term, according white people,” Bowles said. “It aware of it, so we should try to Yaritza Marin, a public af- default, Latino, to describe a to the survey. From ages 65 was invented by queer Latinx fix it.” fairs graduate student, identi- group of people. and older, only about 7% have people.” Bowles said he believes more fies as Chicana but in certain “It wasn’t really until 2010 heard the term. Bowles said people have also people will use it in the future, spaces will label herself as that it started gaining trac- Bowles said an argument looked at the term linguistical- particularly younger people Latina or Latinx. tion, and spreading again, against the use of the word is ly, saying that it violates the like Gen Z. “I use the ‘a’ but if I’m in a you know, first among the people saying, “Why should we rules of Spanish. He said peo- He said young people are the space where I think it would LGBTQ population and their be worrying about this small ple say that putting an “x” on ones who change language, and allies, then kind of like, into percentage of the population the end of a Spanish word ig- See LATINX, Page 8 October 19, 2020 6 SPORTS THE RIDER GoUTRGV app to offer new rewards programs Ivan Palacios Tuesday,” where students can THE RIDER participate in a trivia game on the GoUTRGV app, earning UTRGV Athletics rolled out 10 points just for participat- two rewards programs, “Or- ing and an extra five points ange Hours” and “Trivia Tues- for every question answered day” for its GoUTRGV app Oct. correctly. All questions during 7, giving students new ways to “Trivia Tuesday” will be based earn points and redeem prizes. on UTRGV Athletics. In order to participate in “There is a lot going on right the rewards programs, stu- now in the world,” Almendarez dents must first download the said. “Trivia Tuesday is a fun, UTRGV Athletics app from easy and COVID-friendly way the App Store or Google Play to distract myself.” Store. Students will be able to Computer science junior customize their experience by Robert Nivon is ready to get providing information such as involved and start earning school affiliation and choosing points. which sports to receive notifi- “I think that the GoUTRGV cations from. app’s new rewards programs To earn points, users must is a great incentive to get choose to opt-in to the re- students engaged to stay in wards program. Once points UTRGV Athletics,” Nivon said. have been used to redeem a Aaliyah Garza/ The Rider “I like how there are plenty of prize, users will be contacted ways to earn points. ‘Trivia and prize distribution will be UTRGV Athletics rolled out two rewards programs, “Orange Hours” and “Trivia Tuesday” for its GoUTRGV app Oct. 7. GoUTRGV serves as the go-to app for UTRGV Athletics and is available for both Android and Apple devices. Tuesdays’ sounds very enter- coordinated at the end of each taining to participate in.” month. Prizes are to be an- Anahisa Gonzalez, a crim- nounced at a later date. Users will also be given the diction studies junior, is dis- chance to earn 50 extra points appointed he will not have a inal justice junior, is eager to “Orange Hours” will allow participate in both “Orange users to earn up to 100 points during a weekly “Orange chance to participate. Hours” special event. Those “I would love to participate Hours” and “Trivia Tuesday.” each day when visiting select “I think that this app can restaurants and businesses in who check in at the designat- in ‘Orange Hours’ and earn 100 ed sponsor location during the points,” Almendarez said. “Un- help anyone earn some re- Edinburg. Among those loca- wards by participating in tions are Bluewave Express event will be rewarded the bo- fortunately, I live in Harlingen. nus points. Details will be an- The majority of the locations ‘Trivia Tuesdays,’ which I am Car Wash, Golden Chick, excited to do,” Gonzalez said. IHOP, Raising Canes and Taco nounced the day of the special are in Edinburg and one loca- event. tion in Brownsville, so I would “During ‘Orange Hours,’ we Palenque, all of which are lo- can meet new people and help cated on University Drive in English sophomore Kinsey never be able to participate. Paez is excited that she can rewards program, but also the It would be great if they were one another out with any sort Edinburg. Brownsville users benefits for UTRGV Athletics. of questions we may have.” can only participate by visiting earn points by visiting places able to make it all Bluewaves she normally goes to. “I think that this reward sys- or Chick-fil-As in the [Rio For more details on “Orange the Chick-fil-A on Boca Chica tem is a great idea,” Garza said. Hours” and “Trivia Tuesday,” Boulevard. “I think it’s cool,” Paez said. Grande] Valley.” “I can retrieve points from “It will keep students motivat- Those living outside of Ed- users can visit the GoUTRGV To earn points, users must ed to interact with UTRGV’s app or contact UTRGV Direc- email a picture of their receipt places I already go to all the inburg and Brownsville will time.” various athletics programs.” have a chance to earn points in tor of Marketing and Digital to [email protected]. The re- While some students are ex- Media Kara Lara at 665-7468 ceipt must total at least $5 and Biomedical sciences soph- a different way. In addition to omore Victoria Garza is en- cited about “Orange Hours,” “Orange Hours,” UTRGV Ath- or [email protected]. be time stamped between 11 Antonio Almendarez, an ad- a.m. and 1 p.m. thusiastic not only about the letics also announced “Trivia Athlete of the Week: Jackie Kingsbury Psychology senior Jackie second favorite thing is, like, towards game time, I like to Kingsbury is an outside hitter [the] big team wins.” just sit in the locker room and for the UTRGV Volleyball Q: When and how did you start just be by myself. Then our Team. She began her collegiate playing volleyball? coach comes in prior to the athletic career during the 2017 A: “I think I was 8, and I started game and gives us, like, notes season. Kingsbury had her playing with my mom’s police on what the other team likes to career-high of nine digs at the department team. She would do and things like that, so we UTRGV vs. Radford game Aug. play against the fire department study that for a little bit.” 30, 2019. During her 2019 at the Boys and Girls Club, and Q: What do you plan to do after season, she was named team then I got interested in that.” graduation? tri-captain. Q: How do you think volleyball A: “I would hope to get my has bettered you? master’s, but if I didn’t, I A: “I think volleyball, just would like to join the FBI or do like other sports, betters you something in the federal area of in ways that help you in life law enforcement.” later, like communication Q: What is your favorite skills, leadership skills [and] holiday, and why? things like that. So, it helps you A: “Thanksgiving and then sharpen up on things, that at Christmas. Thanksgiving that moment, you don’t really because of the food, and know that you’re working [on]. Christmas because of the food.” Then, later on, I noticed myself Q: If you had to be any animal, being a better team player or what would it be and why? group member and like school A: “If I had to choose one, I projects and things like that.” would want to be a lion. But I Jackie Kingsbury Q: What are your favorite ways am in love with baby goats, so to prepare for a game? I’d probably be, like, a baby Q: What is your favorite part of A: “I like to take a shower goat. ... You just have to look volleyball? before every game. I like to up like baby goat videos, and A: “I like the fact that I get to braid my hair, and then when I you’ll just know [why I want to meet people from different get to the gym, I like to socialize be one] right away. cultures and from different with everyone. … Just kind of --Compiled by Karina Courtesy Photo UTRGV Athletics parts of the world. I think my be a social butterfly. Then later, Rodriguez Jackie Kingsbury, outside hitter for the UTRGV Volleyball Team. October 19, 2020 THE RIDER ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT 7

AnKarina Rodriguez author’s insightnovels,” he said. the Rider Flores said the title of his novel was Senior Spanish translation and in- inspired by the month that he finished terpreting major Javier Flores Jr. pub- writing it. lished his first novel “Memorias de “The first time I wrote the novel was Noviembre” in January 2020. back in 2016, and I started in October, Flores’ novel is about romance and and I finished in November. That’s why resolving issues from the past. the title is ‘Memorias de Noviembre,’” “It is a romantic novel that takes place he said. in Brownsville,” he said. “It’s about Flores also said that while the writ- one protagonist, David. He has his ing process was short, the editing pro- own problems, like, his bad problems cess was longer. [and] his demons. He’s been through a “So, I finished that, and it was around lot of things with his family and also in 30,000 words, but then I edited the the romantic, you know, things. And, following year,” he said. “Then I was he has losses. So, all these things accu- like, ‘OK, I’ll finish,’ but I kept on mulate, and he is trying to solve them. editing it. The following year, So, he meets someone, and she is his like [in] 2018, and on to complement, and she helped him solve 2019, I hired a publisher and his problems.” an editor. We did the whole editing, Flores said he was inspired by a and the book ended up with 70,000 words.” friend. Courtesy photo Flores encourages people who want “One of my friends, Baruch, told me Javier Flores Jr., author of “Memorias de Noviembre.” that a man should reproduce, plant a to write a novel to continue writing. tree and write a book,” he said. “So, I “Keep on writing,” he said. “That is was like, ‘Well, I can’t reproduce right the best advice. People think that they now … and [I] want to plan my book,’ have to do things perfectly and [that] and I did it.” they have to have the inspiration and

Flores’ parents also contributed to Keep on writing. That is the best the idea and everything first and then his inspiration. “ write. … If you don’t have inspiration, “My parents inspired me to keep just be there and prepare your mind advice.“ on writing because when I first did that it’s ready to write.” the manuscript, they both said it was “Memorias de Noviembre,” which amazing [and] that I should keep on -Javier Flores Jr. was independently published, is avail- writing and to keep on going with more able on Amazon.com for $14.99.

The Doodler By Elizabeth Mendoza

CASES positive for COVID-19, Arney replied, questions. coverings, to the university hotline at Continued from Page 2 “We’ve chosen to teach people how to The Rider asked Arney what (877) 882-3999. fish. So, if you want to know you can UTRGV’s response is to rumors that Asked if policies will change after which reads, in part, “The UTRGV go here. We publicize it often. If you student athletes are not abiding by the reporting of these cases, Arney re- men’s basketball and volleyball want to know, you can come here and university and Centers for Disease plied, “Things can always change. We teams have paused team activities get the information you’re looking for Control and Prevention guidelines in didn’t see the details of where these due to positive tests of COVID-19. instead of us going out and sending it regard to wearing facial coverings and [cases] happened [or] how they hap- Contact tracing has been completed out every week. It’s always here. It’s practicing social distancing. pened. Were they outside? Are they and the department is following iso- updated every week and that’s what “My philosophy is, ‘Hey, if you don’t roommates? Did it happen on the lation protocols.” we’ve decided on.” follow the protocol, you may not have field? So, we’re looking at all those Arney told The Rider the 11 posi- Asked why this method was decided, a season,’” Arney replied. “‘Why would things …. to see what we can do better. tive COVID-19 cases will be tallied in Arney replied that it’s all the informa- you want to do that?’ Follow the proto- We’re always looking to improve.” the university’s weekly report. The tion people need to know if they think col. Everybody else is.” To view the university’s facial cover- university posts on a weekly basis at it’s safe to come to campus or not. He said students, faculty and staff ing protocol, visit, https://www.utrgv. 5 p.m. Fridays. He said the most important thing can anonymously report any rule edu/coronavirus/return-to-campus/ Asked why the university has not the campus community can find on breaking of CDC guidelines, such as university-guidelines/face-covering/ issued news releases when a mem- the website is the daily self-screening social distancing and lack of facial index.htm. ber of the campus community tests ZOOMBATHON salsa, merengue and reggaeton to bach- Only those that want to show off their “It’s important for us to raise aware- Continued from Page 3 ata and hip-hop. fancy moves can keep their camera on ness because we are in the industry of “We have three instructors teaching during the session.” wellness and fitness,” Kennan said. “It’s big Zumbathon in the basketball court, that class, so each of us will bring their She said it is not mandatory to stay the important for us to disseminate this in- but because of the pandemic and try- own style,” she said. “We will be moti- whole hour, but she recommends that formation so that our students are aware ing to keep everybody still active and vating, like as if you guys were in the attendees wait until the end of the event of the demographics. … We have younger still aware of October being for cancer studio with us.” for a raffle. demographics, so it’s very important to awareness, the best we can promote ... Kennan said the Zoombathon is for At the end of the event, the names get a screening early on.” to our students is [to] continue doing all fitness levels. of the attendees will be entered in a Students can RSVP to the event on the this Zumbathon.” “Anybody can join,” she said. “They drawing for up to 30 prizes, including University Recreation VLink. Zarzosa said there will be a variety of do not have to have their camera on. T-shirts, towels, breast cancer aware- music to dance to, which ranges from They do not have to have the mic on. ness pins and more. October 19, 2020 8 THE RIDER MAJOR production side of things, they all are … more, Gabler said. With sustainable agriculture and food Continued from Page 3 together,” he said. “They’re all talking to “Being interdisciplinary, there are a lot systems, students can learn about issues each other in ways that, in theory, every- of options,” he said. that the Valley faces, he said. practices, sanitation, that kind of thing.” one can understand.” Alex Racelis, an associate professor “Food and agriculture in the re- The degree program also expects ju- About three students will be sustain- in the School of Earth, Environmental gion is super important, not just with niors to spend two semesters complet- able agriculture and food systems’ first and Marine Sciences, believes students agricultural production, but food-related ing community engagement, whether graduates this December, Gabler said. may be unaware how this degree pro- diseases, hunger, a lot of the issues that it is through an internship or another “We expect to have our first graduat- gram can create career and professional the region is dealing with and facing,” he off-campus service. In their senior year, ing class later this year, and we’re excited development opportunities for students. said. “The students … learn about these those students then attend courses about it,” he said. “We’re looking forward “There was a recent study done about issues, understand the context here, where they discuss what they learned to their feedback on the process.” opportunities and careers in the re- and what it means for them and the during their community engage- Those students and future graduates gion, and they identified agriculture as communities and their own personal ment and how sustainability-related can find employment as production one of the biggest career opportunities lives.” issues can be resolved in the Lower Rio managers who oversee food produc- here in the Rio Grande Valley,” Race- Students who would like to learn Grande Valley. tion, U.S. Department of Agriculture lis said. “What we’re trying to do with more information about the major may “Whether they’re in the field of inspectors, policymakers regarding this degree is prepare our students to contact Gabler at christopher.gabler@ funding in agriculture, or they’re in agricultural fields, social workers in the meet those needs in the community and utrgv.edu. social work or they’re actually on the areas of community development and workforce.” LATINX folk within the Latino community that word because it was Tex-Mex and now who don’t fit those gender roles and Continued from Page 5 identify as Latinx,” Marin said. “They it’s officially a part of the Spanish dictio- this term, Latinx, is about protecting don’t identify with an ‘o’ or an ‘a’ and nary,” Marin said. “So, why can’t Latinx them and lifting them up,” Bowles said. be more comfortable, not only for me they’re most comfy with the ‘x.’ … There be one of those terms? What’s so wrong “And if you think about, maybe, some but for those around me to use the ‘x’ is no right or wrong way to identify.” with it?” people in your family that don’t have so, I’ll use the ‘x,’” Marin told The Rid- She said language is as fluid as our Twenty-three percent of U.S. adults the resources to get by, or something er. identity, so why can’t the Spanish lan- who self-identify as Hispanic or Latino about their personality, or their looks, She said she believes it is an ignorant guage change with people’s identity? have heard of the term Latinx and one- or whatever that complicates their thing for people to deny the term Lat- “I think five years ago parquear be- third of those people say it should be lives and think about what you would inx. If someone wants to label them- came officially a part of the Spanish dic- used to describe the Latino population, do to make sure that they were selves as that, then they should be able tionary, when five years before that you according to the survey. happy and had what they needed, and to. would be made fun of for saying that “In our comunidad, there are people so forth.” “It’s like erasing nonbinary or queer

FILIPINO Filipino culture. --News Wednesday: Discussing news We never really praise the Filipino Continued from Page 3 “We have this whole month … where in the U.S. or the Philippines American throughout, like, history or we’re previewing many Filipino-related --Highlights Thursday: Showcasing throughout the world. We never really others to receive snacks. events on Instagram,” said Johnathan Filipino businesses in the Rio Grande get … recognition about us.” Sandoval said the department also Ysquierdo, a multidisciplinary studies Valley or anyone suggested by the Noelyn Llasos, an administrative created a Spotify playlist where stu- senior and FSA’s co-president. FSA’s cultural chair coordinator for Institutional Accred- dents can add their favorite Filipino Alfred Montejo, a nursing senior and --Food Friday: Watching cooking tuto- itation, was born and raised in the music. FSA’s co-president, explained each rials Philippines and moved to the U.S. “We want to be inclusive, we want day’s mini cultural session: --Celebs Saturday: Admiring Filipino when she was 9 years old. our student body to be represented ... --Language Sunday: Lessons on Taga- celebrities. “I think it’s really important that we the different populations that we have log Asked why it is important to cel- celebrate [Filipino American History here at UTRGV,” she said. --Music Monday: Choosing artists of ebrate Filipino American History Month] so our local community can The Filipino Student Association the day or listening to the Spotify play- Month, Montejo replied, “We recent- appreciate and learn about our cul- shares short videos every day on their list with Filipino music ly came up with this schedule for this ture,” Llasos said. “It’s a good learning Instagram account, @fsa_rgv, to show- --Culture Tuesday: Sharing Filipino month because we never fully … did an experience.” case food, music, highlights and the American history event … for Filipino American history.