Issuu

Vol. 71, Issue 3

Se p te mb e r 1 6 - Se p te mb e r 2 3 , 2 0 2 5

Est. 1981

THE PAISANO

Independent Student Newspaper for the University of Texas at San Antonio Community /PaisanoOnline

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‘I AM CHARLIE KIRK’ Rylan Renteria/The Paisano

Miles Jones/The Paisano

UT San Antonio chapter of TPUSA holds vigil for controversial founder following assassination By Rylan Renteria Sports Editor

he assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk during the first stop of his “American Comeback” tour at Utah Valley University sparked a wave of reactions throughout the nation, from grief to celebration. Kirk was known for his combative, open-debate events hosted at universities across the country. His controversial rhetoric both attracted and deterred young audiences everywhere. On Monday, Sept. 15, TPUSA at UT San Antonio held a vigil in the Sombrilla Plaza on UT San Antonio’s Main Campus. Hundreds of supporters flooded the Sombrilla to mourn the slain political figure. “The turnout here was invaluable,” TPUSA at UT San Antonio Chapter President Jack Harrell said following the event. “As Charlie always said, ‘When people stop talking, that’s when violence starts.’ I think tonight we’ve seen more than enough people still want to talk.” The vigil began with a prayer, concluding with an “Amen,” and the crowd chanting in unison, “I am Charlie Kirk.” Harrell began his introduction to the crowd by detailing how Kirk impacted his journey to becoming chapter president. He consoled the crowd, stating, “Tonight is not about hiding our emotions. Tonight is about facing them and finding the strength to carry them forward.” Around 12 minutes into the event, popular YouTuber

Brandon Herrera had his turn on the microphone, and boos rang out from the upper deck of the Sombrilla. The response was a deafening “USA” chant that lasted until the boos dissipated. Another interruption occurred seven minutes later. This time, a “Free Palestine” chant broke out; it was silenced by a “USA” chant as well. “We have some crowds that are being a little rowdy

“They have mental problems. They are demonic. They are possessed in my opinion. They are just trying to bring people away from Jesus.” tonight, but we’re tuning them out, so let’s keep this going,” Harrell exclaimed. Spectators varied from UT San Antonio students, nonstudent young adults and middle-aged adults. This range of attendees provided a multitude of perspectives. “I was devastated that so many Americans were celebrating, but I also am amazed at how many Americans are coming together. I am so excited that this movement is getting so much bigger and that it’s really lit

a fire for this generation. I think it’s amazing,” freshman multidisciplinary studies to nursing major Ashley Black said in a reaction to how Kirk’s death was received. UT San Antonio, existing as a HispanicServing Institution, saw a large turnout despite dialogue surrounding Kirk suggesting that he held racist beliefs. Attendee Josiah St. Pierre says those beliefs about Kirk are misattributed. “Anyone that says Charlie Kirk is a racist, sexist or a misogynist are all leftists trying to spread their ideologies,” St. Pierre explained. “At the end of the day, they don’t have anything to offer, and all they do is spread lies, and they want to keep spreading lies to prevent people from learning the truth. “They have mental problems. They are demonic. They are possessed in my opinion. They are just trying to bring people away from Jesus. [Kirk] was just a good man of God trying to bring people to Jesus. Hopefully, lots of people come to Jesus so that we can all see Charlie in heaven one day.” The vigil concluded with a rosary for Kirk and Harrell’s final statement, directed at UT San Antonio students. Harrell encouraged them to explore their emotions regarding Kirk’s passion and participate in conversations with members of TPUSA at UT San Antonio. “I will double down on my prior statement of Charlie’s that when you stop talking, that’s when violence starts. If you feel in any way moved by Charlie’s passing, please come and talk with us. We’re welcoming anyone. We’d love to have you. God bless.”

Funding cuts across all Minority-Serving institutions UT San Antonio among 189 universities expected to face grant program defunding By Jaylee Paredes Staff Writer The U.S. Department of Education announced on Sept. 10 that it will end all funding to several Minority Serving Institution grant programs. This is in support of the U.S. Attorney General’s letter in July stating that Hispanic-Serving Institutions violate the equal-protection component of the Fifth Amendment’s due process clause. The federal government will also end funding for other minority serving institutions, such as Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institutions. “Discrimination based upon race or ethnicity has no place in the United States,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. “To further our commitment to ending discrimination in all forms across federally supported programs, the Department will no longer award MinorityServing Institution grants that discriminate by restricting eligibility to institutions that meet government-mandated racial quotas.” UT San Antonio is one of the original 189 universities in the nation to be federally designated as a HSI. To qualify as an HSI, there must be at least 25% full-time Hispanic undergraduates c. These designations allow the institutions to receive different forms of federal funding to help support student services, faculty development and other programs.

UT San Antonio’s HSI designation has resulted in the university being invited as a founding member of the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities. This is a group of institutions that are federally designated as HIS and R1 universities. UT San Antonio was also honored as a recipient of the Excelencia in Education with a Seal of Excelencia in 2020. Defunding HSIs will result in loss of financial resources, such as reductions in academic support, infrastructure and possibly raise tuition costs. The reduction of resources could possibly delay graduation rates, increase attrition and shrink opportunities for students. “Cutting this funding strips away critical investments in under-resourced and firstgeneration students and will destabilize colleges in 29 states,” said David Mendez, Interim CEO of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. “This is not just a budget cut, it is an attack on equity in higher education. The funds granted to HSIs have never supported only Latino students. These funds strengthen entire campuses, creating opportunities and resources that benefit all students, especially those pursuing STEM fields, as well as enhancing the communities where these colleges and universities are located,” Mendez continued. UT San Antonio declined to comment on this matter.

Diego Cisneros/The Paisano