TUESDAY September 17, 2024 VOLUME 114 ISSUE 6 www.UniversityStar.com
TXST reflects on its Hispanic population By Lesdy Hernandez News Reporter
PHOTO BY KOBE ARRIAGA
Social work junior Abby Garcia sits in front of the TXST sign on campus, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, at Bobcat Trail.
Documentary captures TXST mariachi student’s journey By Jamin Ochoa Life and Arts Reporter Abigail Garcia, social work junior, reflected on what she took from the experience of the Edinburg North High School (ENHS) Mariachi Oro preparing for the state mariachi competition while on camera in Netflix’s new documentary, “Going Varsity in Mariachi.”
The film, released Aug. 29 on Netflix, was originally filmed throughout the 202021 academic school year and focused on the obstacles Garcia and her team overcame to medal at the UIL Mariachi competition. It also documented four seniors and their plans following high school, with Garcia as one of them.
In the film, Garcia goes to San Marcos to tour the campus and audition for Mariachi Nueva Generación. She received a scholarship package from the audition but believes she would have chosen Texas State as her new home regardless.
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Texas State kicked off its annual Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) Week celebrating Hispanic and Latino students’ cultures, histories and communities for Hispanic Heritage Month. Under Title V of the Higher Education Act, an HSI is an institution of higher learning where at least 25% of its full-time equivalent undergraduate student population is Hispanic. Jorge Velez, a dance education junior, said during Hispanic Heritage Month, Latino and Hispanic students have the opportunity to get further in touch with their cultural sides. Although his experience as a Hispanic student at Texas State has been a positive one, Velez said there is still room for more inclusivity on campus. “[Texas State] does a lot for us to always have different events, different opportunities for us to go to and experience being involved with our culture,” Velez said. “But it’ll never feel 100% genuine and [Texas State] could try a bit harder.” In 2011, Texas State earned recognition as an HSI, and by 2022-23, it was one of 111 universities in Texas to hold this designation.
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San Marcos community reflects on 15 years of LGBTQ+ advocacy By Cassandra Tamez Life and Arts Contributor
PHOTO BY KATHERINE REA
Malibu Imported performs in the drag marathon during the 10th annual SMTX Pride, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, at Railyard Bar and Grill.
Since 2009, Sylvia Sandoval, longtime resident of San Marcos, played a role in organizing LGBTQ+ events. Coordinating the 10th annual San Marcos Pride Festival, Sandoval reflects on the challenges and progress of the LGBTQ+ community over the years. When she first became involved with the community in San Marcos in 2009, she noticed it struggled to find acceptance and safe spaces. “There wasn’t much support, and finding places where we could gather safely was difficult,” Sandoval said. In response, Sandoval launched “Rainbow Nights,” a weekly event at a local bar designed to create a safe and inclusive space for LGBTQ+ individ-
Voter registration efforts increase before elections By Ryan Claycamp Senior News Reporter Local political and non-partisan groups are increasing their voter registration efforts before the Oct. 7 registration deadline. Organizations such as the League of Women’s Voters (LWV) of Hays County are registering people on and off campus since the first day of the fall semester. These efforts are in line with National Voter Registration Day on Sept. 17, the largest non-partisan campaign to register voters ahead of major elections. “It is important so that young people can shape the future of the country, the state and this county. We need young people to participate in the election process so we can keep it alive, vibrant and growing,” Diann McCabe, a volunteer deputy registrar (VDR) and member of the LWV of Hays County, said. While most voters have to register at their current address, college students can register at either their permanent address or their dorm room, however, they can only vote at a single location.
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uals. Initially, the event faced significant resistance as vandalism ensued, and the few bars who agreed to host soon declined to continue. Sandoval and her supporters persisted despite the obstacles, and Rainbow Nights lasted from 20102014. In 2014, Stonewall Warehouse opened, becoming the only physical location the LGBTQ+ community could call home and serving as a hub for support and celebration. However, on Jan. 1, 2023, the business closed for economic reasons, leaving community members bereft. Despite this history of challenges, the 10th annual San Marcos Pride Festival showcased the progress the LGBTQ+ has made, and Sandoval expressed her excitement about growing positive political support.
“It’s a very unique time,” Sandoval said. “This one is election season with everybody who wants to be a part of making a difference. I get to see that crowd come in, the ones that want to make a difference.” Last Saturday, the festival kicked off with the traditional Pride Parade, where participants walked from LBJ MLK Crossroads Memorial around the block to Railyard Bar and Grill. A Pride Proclamation followed, where San Marcos community leaders celebrated LGBTQ+ progress and emphasized the importance of community resistance against discriminatory policies and the need for voter mobilization. Nonprofit groups also highlighted financial resources available to the community and concluded with a call to action for continued advocacy.
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Parking communication for midweek games must be improved By Editorial Board The Texas State Bobcats hosted the Arizona State Sun Devils on Thursday, Sept. 12. Despite the opportunities the game gave the football team, it negatively impacted students’ daily lives in the process. University Police Department (UPD) must ensure students are informed on parking changes for future midweek games and events, more in advance than Thursday’s game and through more mediums. Despite the fact the game was hosted on a Thursday evening, according to a Sept. 10 email sent to all faculty, staff and students by Finance and Support Services, all students were required to move their vehicles from the Aquarena Lot and UFCU Stadium West lot by 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 11 and from the UFCU Stadium East Lot by 4 p.m. on Sept. 12. According to UPD Chief Matthew Carmichael, additional parking was provided in the Mill Street Lot, which houses cars with a gold parking pass, and the Thorpe Street Lot which
Cars fill up the west side UFCU Stadium parking lot, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. The west and east stadium lots are two of the main parking lots commuters can park at on campus.
is located behind the Track and Field Facility and is a barren grass lot. “[Thorpe Lane] added an approximate 400 spaces for the day,” Carmichael said. “Matter of fact, we had even another contingency ready to go that we didn’t advertise if Thorpe Lane went to capacity.”
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