WARNING: FRIENDZONE AHEAD Fernando Ramirez/THE RIDER PHOTOS Paulina Longoria Suddenly, he stopped talking to me, A&E REPORTER which left me wondering if I had done something wrong. He wanted to ignore very February, people begin his feelings, but he eventually reached to plan what they will do on out to me and confessed them. I was EValentine’s Day. Out of nowhere, already in a relationship by then. they start seeing others entering into A similar experience happened to new relationships. But you? You’re computer engineering senior Julio stuck in the friendzone. Cantu. You’re not alone. The Rider surveyed “Some girl that I work with, I didn’t 248 UTRGV students in a Facebook have feelings for her, but she did for poll about being friendzoned. The me, and it was just really awkward,” results showed: Cantu said. --102 victims have Like Cantu, been friendzoned; English senior Vivianna Puentes, freshman --101 have not, but ASK THE EXPERT: HOW TO Alejandra Hernandez Julio Cantu, computer engineering senior friendzoned someone has not been a victim else; DEAL WITH A HEARTBREAK of the friendzone. --36 have been victims, She has, however, but also friendzoned Page 6 friendzoned many somebody; others. --And nine have never “I have no been in the friendzone. experience with, like, romantic “The friend zone is a figure of speech relationships, so I’m quite afraid for what happens when one person of that,” Hernandez said. “And so, wants to take things to the next level whenever someone approaches me romantically but the other person with that intention, I make it clear just wants to be friends,” according to right away that I have no intention of Dictionary.com. having, like, any sort of boyfriend or Personally, I can tell you that anything right now.” I friendzoned someone recently. For those who have been, or are in Everyone knew that my best friend was in love with me and I never accepted it. See FRIENDZONE, Page 7 Jorge Ascencio, mechanical engineering junior Alejandra Hernandez, English senior Un HOCO loco Annual Homecoming celebration kicks off today Roxanna Miranda/THE RIDER Biology junior Leslie Juarez files her tax return last Tuesday in U Central on the Brownsville campus. MyFreeTaxes is a software powered by H&R block in partnership with United Way. The MyFreeTaxes stations are open to the public. Free tax return filing services on campus File Photo UTRGV students receive free tacos last year during the Tip-Off Party to Homecoming at the Victor G. Ramirez that allows individuals to self-prepare Music, Science & Learning Center courtyard on the Brownsville campus. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF their own tax returns and if help is Alejandra Yañez out,” Student Activities Director needed, stations are accessible at U THE RIDER Cindy Mata-Vasquez said. “Whether UTRGV students, faculty, staff Central sites on the Edinburg and you live in Los Fresnos, Brownsville, and the surrounding community Brownsville campuses, according Starting today, students can vote for Rio Hondo, Mercedes, wherever you can file their taxes for free using the to Jael Perez, associate director the new Homecoming Royals while live, definitely come out, support the MyFreeTaxes software sponsored by of Financial Aid Operations and enjoying this week’s celebration, which Vaqueros, be proud of the university United Way and powered by H&R Community Liaison at UTRGV. will feature the mascot for the first that you’re attending and just show Block. Stations are open from 9 a.m. to time and bring back an old tradition. your pride.” MyFreeTaxes is an online software See TAXES, Page 10 “I really want students to come See HOMECOMING, Page 10 February 10, 2020 2 ON CAMPUS THE RIDER ANNOUNCEMENTS Tuesday wristband from the information desk Edinburg campus. Brownies with in the Student Union on the Edinburg Thursday The Rider is the official, award- Becky campus or the Office of Student Men’s Basketball winning student newspaper of the Students can visit Involvement on the Brownsville The UTRGV Men’s Basketball University of Texas Rio Grande Rebecca Gadson, campus. Team will face off against Utah dean of students, to Love Your Selfie Valley University at 7 p.m. in the Valley. The newspaper is widely talk about what matters to them from The Counseling Center will host Fieldhouse on the Edinburg campus. distributed on and off campus in 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in La Sala on the a self-love session from 10 a.m. to Faculty and staff will receive two free Brownsville and Edinburg, Texas. Brownsville campus. noon on the Main Courtyard on the general admission tickets with a valid Views presented are those of the V-My Valentine Brownsville campus and from 11 a.m. UTRGV ID. Students can enjoy a murder to 1 p.m. Wednesday in the Student Phil and Sophie’s Coffee House writers and do not reflect those mystery dinner and dance starting Union Commons on the Edinburg The Philosophy Department will of the newspaper or university. at 6:30 p.m. in PlainsCapital Bank El campus. host a philosophical discussion Gran Salón on the Brownsville campus Involvement Fair every Thursday from 5:15 to 7 p.m. on EDITOR-IN-CHIEF and at the same time Wednesday Students can talk to organizations the Jazzman’s patio on the Edinburg Victor G. Ramirez in the Ballroom on the Edinburg and departments from noon to campus. ONLINE EDITOR campus. To reserve a seat, pick up a 1 p.m. on the Chapel lawn on the --Compiled by Brigitte Ortiz Leslie Medrano SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR Danielle Perez COPY EDITORS POLICE REPORTS Jacqueline Peraza Arisbeth Rodriguez The following are among the incidents reported to University Police between Jan. 27 and Feb. 3. CARTOONIST Elizabeth Mendoza Jan. 27 Jan. 29 1:40 p.m.: A student lost her wallet REPORTERS 8:19 a.m.: A 8:40 a.m.: A staff member operating on Jan. 15. in Lot E-25 on the Edinburg student reported a university vehicle struck a metal campus. The wallet had contained U.S. Maleny Ortega seeing a vehicle trash can in the loading dock area of currency and personal documents. Sol Garcia back into a parked, the Student Union on the Brownsville 3:51 p.m.: A student’s vehicle was Omar E. Zapata unattended vehicle campus. No injuries were reported. struck while it was parked in Lot Hania Rocio and then drive 11:30 a.m.: A student reported that E-16 on the Edinburg campus. The Brigitte Ortiz away in Lot E-16 on the his home in Edcouch was shot at. He vehicle’s rear right corner sustained Alejandra Yañez Edinburg campus. The also reported receiving threatening minor damage. The case is under A&E REPORTER operator of the unattended vehicle was messages on his cell phone while investigation. Paulina Longoria notified of the accident. The case is off campus. The Edcouch Police 3:56 p.m.: A student injured her hand SPORTS REPORTERS under investigation. Department is investigating the with a nail protruding from a couch in the Aldo Nava 8:32 a.m.: A student’s vehicle was incident. He requested the incident be Student Union on the Edinburg campus. Angel De La Cruz struck while it was parked in Lot E-9 documented with University Police. She did not require medical assistance. on the Edinburg campus. Her vehicle 1:39 p.m.: A staff member reported Building staff removed the couch. PHOTOGRAPHERS sustained visible damage to the left seeing a message on a private social Jan. 31 Aaliyah Garza back quarter panel. The case is under media page using profane language. 1:26 p.m.: A student noticed her Fernando Ramirez investigation. The message showed discontent with earbuds had been stolen from her Amanda Vela 10:29 a.m.: A contractor employee an employee from UTRGV Parking backpack after retrieving it from Eduardo Galindo reported a student had been suspected Services over a parking issue. It was the University Police lost and found Roxanna Miranda of stealing food from the C Store in unknown which UTRGV campus was section. The case is under investigation. DISTRIBUTION ASSISTANTS the Student Union on the Edinburg being referenced. 4:11 p.m.: Officers were dispatched Cristian A. Cervantes campus on prior occasions. When the 5:57 p.m.: Two non-affiliated to the Education Complex-Hidalgo Mariana Gomez student was identified by an officer, individuals were issued criminal County Head Start building, where she admitted to taking food items in trespass warnings after doing stunts a woman was upset at the staff. She the past. She said she had been hungry on their skateboards on the stairway of aggressively asked if the staff had been FACULTY ADVISER but did not have the money talking about her and left Michell Godinez to pay for the items. She said before the officers arrived. A STUDENT MEDIA DIRECTOR she also visited and utilizing University Police staff member requested the Azenett Cornejo the UTRGV Student Food incident be documented. Pantry. Student Rights and Email: [email protected] 5:20 p.m.: Officers were STUDENT MEDIA PROGRAM Responsibilities will review Campus Emergency: 882-4911 dispatched to Lot E-39 on the ADVISER the incident. Edinburg campus in regard to Jesus Sanchez 1:06 p.m.: A staff member a student possibly urinating ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS reported the rear left in public. After interviewing window of his vehicle had the student, officers placed Ana Sanchez been shattered by a Facilities employee the Student Union on the Brownsville him under arrest on charges of public Maggie Castillo using a grass trimmer in the area.