VOL . 103, no. 13
t h e u n i v e r s i t y o f t e x a s at e l pa s o
November 28, 2017
UTEP speaks out on sexual assault alejandra gonzalez / The Prospector
By Leslie Sariñana The Prospector When you open Twitter, what are you likely to find? These last few weeks it seems as if there has been a nonstop influx of accusations of sexual assault against individuals in the media. In the last few weeks multiple women have come forward with sexual abuse and assault allegations against Hollywood movie moguls or actors and politicians
A viral social media campaign, Me Too, has caused a women’s movement using the hashtag “Me Too” to speak out about sexual assault. The campaign shed light on the vast amount of sexual harassment cases that are filed, as well as the ones that have gone unregistered on a daily basis across all industries. It has gone beyond Hollywood and has also been prevalent in hotels, bars, massage parlors and in politics. The campaign was originally started in 2007 by Tarana Burke in an ef-
fort to help young women of color who have survived sexual abuse, assault and exploitation. Burke is a program director for a Brooklynbased organization, Girls for Gender Equality. It was one story that moved her to create Me Too to help others. It was actress Alyssa Milano, who made the campaign go viral back in October, following the accusations against Harvey Weinstein, by tweeting out that anyone who had ever been sexually assaulted or harassed should tweet Me Too to “give
people a sense of the magnitude of the problem.” Some of the bigger names in the media who face allegations are Louis C.K., Kevin Spacey, Jeremy Piven, Charlie Sheen, Dustin Hoffman and Brett Ratner. There have also been a handful of politicians involved in accusations such as Senator Al Franken, Senate candidate Roy Moore, Michigan Representative John Conyers and former President George H. W. Bush. Director of UTEP’s Women’s and Gender Studies, Guillerma “Gina”
Nuñez-Mchiri, sees this movement as an outing of all the violence that has gone unnoticed in the movie and television industries and as an opportunity to put an end to it. “What we’re hearing now is that this is a structural issue of sexual violence. That sexual abuse of women and children is structurally embedded in this industry, in many other industries where you need someone’s approval to get in,” she said. “You
see me too on page 4
PAGE 2 November 28, 2017
OPINION
Editor-in-Chief
Adrian Broaddus , 747-7446
Jim Senter on board to resurrect athletic program By adrian broaddus The Prospector
If you ask an average student on campus what they’re doing on a Saturday evening in the fall when there’s a UTEP football game going on, most would say they are doing the exact opposite of going
to the game. This tiny examination of the student body’s view on the football team brings a deeper and harsher problem that has boiled over in the athletics department. Frankly, this is the worst place the school’s athletic department has been in for decades. To a student, this doesn’t mean much due to the lack of student involvement in games, but what they don’t realize is that an athletic department is not just a fun incentive for the university and its community, but it’s also a necessary department that can help improve overall academics. Forbes magazine did a recent study on how athletic performance by a school raises the interest of students with that particular university. They found that when a team goes from mediocre to good, applications to the school increase on an average of 18.7 percent. They also found that when these same schools get a large increase in applications like this, it either helps to lower tuition prices or increase funding for more faculty members. Lastly, schools with better athletic success tend to be more selective with their applicants, thus allowing for more prestige with the degree, according to the study. The bottom line is that a boost in athletics means that UTEP can see a positive increase in areas such as academia and student engagement. When Jim Senter decided to take the job as the head of UTEP’s athletic department, he took on the burden to salvage what’s left of the program. Senter comes with 17 years of experience working in the administrative side of athletics, including three years as athletic director of The Citadel (2014-2017). Most people who care for the UTEP athletic program will want immediate attention placed on the football team, like hiring a head coach and a new staff. But the problems don’t just start there. When Senter arrives to the program and starts to evaluate each coach and sport, he might not like what he sees. He will have to evaluate Tim Floyd’s head coaching job for the men’s basket-
ball team, as fans have cried desperately for a change within the program. Floyd has put up a 135-81 record with UTEP since his hiring in 2010, with two NIT spots and no NCAA tournament bids. He will be tasked with the hard choice of either continuing the direction of the volleyball and softball teams, who have been sub-par for the past years, or to revitalize these programs that have not gained the attention they should. Volleyball and softball haven’t had a winning season since 2012 and 2010, respectively. He needs to look at the marketing situation at UTEP, which he does have experience with at The Citadel, and try to help increase ailing ticket sales. Although UTEP is still near the middle of the conference in most attendances for sports, fan engagement could be a lot better. One solution is clear though, and it’s to convince the higher-ups, like President Diana Natalicio, to allocate more funds and give Senter a larger budget to find head coaches, which will evidently translate to a better overall program. He doesn’t need to immediately hire the first name that applies but can weigh out the positives and negatives within each applicant and find the best fit for the program. During his time at The Citadel, he hired five head coaches, one being that of football, so he definitely has experience in doing so. Another problem solver is to allow students to take more of the reins on the marketing side. The College of Business and the media advertising department have a good amount of students, so why not appeal to them with more chances and opportunities to get involved and also help the program increase its revenue? Lastly, he needs to figure out some sort of way to bring back the pride for UTEP athletics. When alumni come to speak at UTEP, they’ll usually mention going to the amazing basketball games in the past, which gives them a sense of pride to be a Miner. Nowadays, there’s not much to brag about in athletics, despite a couple pro athletes who’ve gone on to make a name for themselves on a national scale. Winning games in major sports will bring that pride back. One thing is for certain though, if he can get the UTEP athletic program out of its current state, he will be highly regarded, not only across the community but even nationwide. Follow Adrian Broaddus on Twitter @adrian_broaddus
The Prospector is committed to the accuracy. If you think we have made an error of fact, e-mail the editor at adrianbroaddus@gmail.com
More than just an 0-12 season By augie touris The Prospector
Editor’s note: Augie Touris plays for the UTEP football team and willingly wrote this opinion piece to illustrate the season and how it felt playing on the field. Being on the worst team in the nation isn’t fun–shockingly. And this season, that’s just what we were. Regardless of the arguments I could make about why— aside from our record—we really weren’t truly the worst, the statistics remain. Because at the end of the day, all that really matters is our record. The season began with promise when we rolled into Norman, Okla., ready to test ourselves against an elite team with the best player in the nation. We showed life, for what it was worth, and managed a nice drive where we scored early on. The atmosphere was electric and being in for the first play of that game is something I’ll remember for a long time. Oklahoma adapted and changed their scheme and we couldn’t adapt with it. The feeling wasn’t bad despite the thrashing. We had just played a stellar squad in a game nobody expected us to win anyways and had shown flashes of potential. The hope was the most damning part. After Rice we said, you know this game didn’t go as planned but we showed we can do it. The beating that Arizona handed us we brushed off because after all we’d shown potential again. The loss to New Mexico State was the “oh shit” moment of the season. That’s
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
when the alarm bells went off— they hadn’t beaten us in nearly 10 years, and that was a game going into the season that we could always bank on for a win. We traveled to West Point the next week and left on a Thursday to better combat the long travel. We were given a tour that Friday and it was a wonderful experience. As I’m from Buffalo, the trip was like home to me. Even the game itself was perfect—chilly, rainy and gray skies ruled. It was our last game with coach Sean Kugler and that’s probably what added to the memory. We fought and battled a very good team and went to halftime all tied up. We were 0-4, playing against a team that had buried us in El Paso the previous year in front of a crowd that seemed more for the black and gold than for us. We slipped slowly away, letting an excellent possession team have their way in the second half. The next day, we were stunned to learn that coach Kugler was leaving. He had dismissed offensive coordinator Brent Pease two weeks prior, but that was understandable to the extent of it being a shocking, but necessary, shakeup in lieu of our 0-4 start. We knew that he would never quit on us, but the storyline we were fed seemed easier to pass along for us. He was a class act to the end and so many of us owe our scholarships to his faith in us. Yet, despite the miserable situation and chaos, we didn’t quit. We fought with tenacity against Western Kentucky and dropped the game by a point. The rest of the season seemed to mush together. The bye week and the next seven losses, most of which were blowouts, came and went.
We endured jeers from numerous fan bases and there wasn’t anything to be said about it. The entire process was disappointing, and the feeling of letting down the diehard fans was even worse. The uncertainty of the future of the program didn’t help, and even now, the head coach for next year is unknown. Hopefully there will be recruits as the current class of 2018 is at zero. In hindsight, what’s left? A team with the absolute worst record in school history is left. However, beyond the surface is a class of seniors that stuck through it and with it as things fell apart. Indeed, despite loss after loss, the team never truly quit. We may have been outplayed at times and outfoxed, but there never was a quit. Teams simply put us down like wounded animals and the sting from each loss slowly became less painful with each week that went by. The wonderful thing is that football is far more than what’s on the surface. It’s the experience of coming to El Paso in 2014 as an 18-year-old kid eager to compete and play at the next level. It’s countless nights of debauchery with my friends who will be there for life. It’s competing and selling your soul for a cause that’s futile, but you do it because you’d rather die than quit–no matter how adverse things are. Going forward, things will get better. A coaching staff will come in under the new athletic director and change things around. Everything from practice times to our offensive and defensive schemes will be different. The thing about rock bottom is that the only way to go is up.
Augie Touris may be reached at theprospectordaily. news@gmail.com.
Last week’s poll results:
If tution increases, where would you like to see your money go? Scholarships (23%) More parking (23%) Beer on campus (18%) Better food options (15%) Athletics (15%) Professor’s salaries (5%) This week’s poll question:
How much money do you plan to spend overall on holiday presents? answer at theprospectordaily.com
STAFFVO L . 1 0 3 , n o . 1 3 Editor-in-Chief: Adrian Broaddus Web Editor : Christian Vasquez Layout Manager : Alejandra Gonzalez Copy Editor : Leslie Sariñana Spor ts Editor : Jeremy Carranco Enter tainment Editor : Eddie Velazquez Photo Editor : Gaby Velasquez Multimedia Editor : Rene Delgadillo Staff Repor ters: Mike Flores, Grecia Sánchez, Claudia V. Flores, Elenie Gonzalez, Daniel Mendez Photographers: Claudia Hernandez, Sergio Muñoz, Contributors:Brianna Chavez, Michaela Román, Jason Green, Augie Touris
Ad Account Executive: Landy Mendiola Ad Layout Manager : Jacobo De La Rosa Ad Designer : Vanessa Guevara Adver tising Coordinator : Malia Greene Accounting Secretary: Ashley Muñoz Administrative Secretary: Marcela Luna Accounting Specialist: Isabel Castillo Asst. Director-Adver tising: Veronica Gonzalez Student Publications Director : Kathleen Flores
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Letters will be edited for clarity and brevity. Letters over 250 words are subject to editing to fit available space. Please include full name, street address and telephone number and e-mail address, plus major, classification and/or title if applicable. Address and phone number will be used for verification only. Write to 105 E. Union, e-mail theprospectordaily.news@gmail.com, call 747-7446 or fax to 747-8031. The Prospector is published by the Student Media and Publications Board, 105 Union East, 500 W. University Ave. El Paso, Texas, 79968. The Prospector appears in print once per week on Tuesdays during the fall, spring, and summer semesters. The newspaper is not printed during holidays and when classes are not in session. The Prospector does provide news online at www.theprospectordaily.com. The Prospector is provided to students through student fees. First copy is free. Any additional copies, if available, must be purchased for $1 through the Department of Student Media and Publications. The Prospector is not responsible for claims made by advertisers. Additional policy information may be obtained by calling The Prospector at 915-747-5161. Opinions expressed in The Prospector are not necessarily those of the university.
THEPROSPECTOR
NEWS | 3 |
November 28, 2017
University Avenue plans for a facelift inbrief
improv league debuts fall show
mentorship program seeks students
NIH’s ‘All of Us’ Journey Comes to UTEP Photo Courtesy of quantum engineering consultants, inc. The artist rendition of University Avenue was shown to the public last week and construction will begin after spring 2018 commencement.
By adrian broaddus The Prospector
Starting after the spring 2018 commencement, UTEP plans to begin a two-part plan to enhance safety measures and the look of University Avenue on the east side of campus. Along with the Texas Department of Transportation, engineering firm Quantum Consultants, Metropolitan Planning Organization and the city of El Paso, representatives from UTEP’s Office of Planning and Construction have been developing new ideas for this project and presented them to the community last week on Monday, Nov. 20. Greg McNicol, associate vice president for facility management, said that his team is trying to work with TxDOT and the city to construct links from the campus back to the public streets to improve the quality of public transportation, pedestrian crossings and bikers. According to the Office of Planning and Construction, the University Avenue project will feature wider sidewalks, an additional crosswalk, trees, plants, shade canopies, new lighting, benches, bicycle lanes and an ADA ramp. The road will be restriped and resurfaced with these reconstruction efforts. “Working with the city of El Paso, they too have a project that takes you from Oregon to Stanton. These are pedestrian and bike lanes,” McNicol said. “We’re also familiar with the new improvements that have been made like the trolley and bike lanes. This starts to connect UTEP back to the city network too, so that we’re able to offer alternative transportation ways.”. Through different projects that the Office of Planning and Construction has done recently, they have seen success with recent developments such as the renovation of Hawthorne Street. “A good example of a recently completed project is Hawthorne Street, where you can go from the center of the campus to the Sunset Heights, and the walk and the sidewalks they put in,” McNicol said. “We’re now working for
the link from Centennial Plaza back to the east along University Avenue.” Jean-Andre Moore, a senior commercial music major, walks to and from school every day and passes through University Avenue to get home. He said that although this is a proposition in place for pedestrians, the plans should focus on other areas that need improvement. “I wasn’t aware this was a real issue, but I do think that the roads are safe for pedestrians,” he said. “Sidewalks are up and down on University as far as I know. Bikes, however, aren’t as safe.” Although this plan seems to be already in place, Moore believes that the university should use funds and efforts to help other areas that need attention. “Does the school need to do something like this? I don’t think there’s enough bikers and people who walk for this to be a real issue,” he said. “They could speed up internet, make a better effort to work on student morale, like mental health issues, fix the parking situation… I could go on forever. There are way bigger issues than if people are walking safely and if the school is fussing over this issue opposed to anything else, I’m sure a lot of students would be annoyed with the fact.” On the other hand, McNicol assured that this project would cater to not only bikers, but also make it more convenient for people who use public transportation. “We have a large ridership that uses the express routes. We have two bus routes that come that way. There’s about 20,000 students a month that travel on one of the two bus routes that go from the transit center at Cielo Vista Mall and one that’s further at Joe Battle,” McNicol said. “So these students will come right here back into campus on the Oregon drop off. That’s an extremely strong connection right back into campus for students who choose to use that. Maybe there will be even more in the future, that’s the thing we’re recognizing.” The construction for this project will take place throughout the
summer and will be separated into two different phases that will be done simultaneously. “We’re now wanting to take a piece of this project into two separate phases, but they’re kind of being done at the same time,” McNicols said. “We’ll go from the Liberal Arts to the arroyo. A future phase would be to go from that point all the way to Oregon Street.” Down the line, McNicols alluded to the fact that this plan is a small piece of a larger incentive the organization hopes to bring to UTEP. “Actually it’s the continuous master plan that we have in place,” he said. “UTEP is working with the city and with the Metropolitan Planning Organization to see how we can establish these links to create alternative ways– how people can get from one side of the city to another.” The project is expected to be finished before the start of the fall 2018 semester, per McNicols. For more information about the plans, visit https://admin. utep.edu/Default.aspx?tabid=74239. Follow Adrian Broaddus on Twitter @adrian_broaddus
WHO:
Office of Planning & Construction
WHAT:
University Ave. reconstruction
WHEN:
Starting spring 2018
THEPROSPECTOR
| 4 | NEWS
November 28, 2017
me too from page 1 shouldn’t have to compromise your ethics and your values and your body and your mental health at the cost of your career. It shouldn’t have to be this way in Hollywood or in any other profession. It shouldn’t have to be this way.” Allegations against film producer and executive producer Harvey Weinstein came in early October this year after the New York Times had reported that more than a dozen women accused Weinstein of sexually harassing, assaulting or raping them.
Abuse should not be the norm in these professions. It’s something that’s very redemptive, when you speak and you are heard and believed. -Guillerma “Gina” Nuñez-Mchiri Director of UTEP’s Women’s and Gender Studies,
Courtesy of eleapsoftware.com
TAKE
CARE OF YOUR
WATER
KEEP IT
CLEAN
Do not dump waste, chemicals, paint, custodial waste, and general rubbish items (tires, old car parts, shopping carts, etc.) into storm drains, channels, or ditches. No tirar basura, aparatos electrodomésticos, muebles, llantas, y chatarra a canales y acequias del systema de drenaje pluvial.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH & SAFETY OFFICE
HERTZOG BUILDING ROOM 170 (915) 747-7124 EH&S@UTEP.EDU
Keep material out of the stormwater conveyance system (curbs, gutters, sidewalks, streets, drains, culverts, and arroyos). Dispose of grass, leaves, yard waste, and construction debris properly No tapar el flujo pluvial a canales, alcantarillas y arroyos con basura. Disponga correctamente de basura vegetal (césped, ramas, y hojas) así como basura de construción.
Report illegal dumping in storm drains, culverts, or arroyos to UTEP EH&S. Reporte el veritdo illegal de residuosen los drenajes o arroyos al departamento EH&S en UTEP
The accusations from these women are all incidents from 1980 to 2016. The list of accusers is currently over 100, with 18 of them alleging rape. Previously, comedian and actor Bill Cosby faced public sexual assault allegations in October of 2014, with over 50 women alleging rape, sexual battery, misconduct, child abuse and/or drug-facilitated sexual assault. Nuñez-Mchiri said that the Weinstein Effect has led to such a large number of women coming forward because it’s empowering for them to know they’re not alone. “So women who said no, who didn’t want to take Weinstein to their rooms or meet him in these places, often times doubted themselves,” she said. “‘Maybe I should have gone with him. Maybe I didn’t get the part because I said no.’ The Weinstein Effect is now empowering more women to speak up because they’re saying, ‘look at all the women who have spoke.’ There’s a collective voice now speaking back towards this powerful force.” She also notes that speaking up about being abused or assaulted is an opportunity to challenge the normativity of sexual violence. “Abuse should not be the norm in these professions. It’s something that’s very redemptive, when you speak and you are heard and be-
Leave natural vegetation in place where possible to prevent erosion. Si es possible, deje crecer a vegetación en forma natural para evitar la erosion.
Properly dispose of hazardous wastes, pesticides, and fertilizers. Call UTEP EH&S to schedule waste pickups. Deseche correctamente los residuos peligrosos, pesticdas, y fertilizantes. Llama al departamento EH&S en UTEP y agendar fecha para recoger los desperdicios.
Recycle oil, antifreeze, and other vehicle fluids, or dispose of them properly to prevent the pollution of stormwater, groundwater and the Rio Grande. Recicle aceite, anti-congelate y lubricantes o disponga propiamente de ellos para prevenir contaminación de sistema de drenaje pluvial, mantos acuíferos y el Rio Bravo.
Storm drains are easily identified with “NO DUMPING” decals at stormwater inlets. Alcantarifado fe aguas pluviales es identeficado con anuncions de “NO REVERTIR DESECHOS AQUI”
lieved. This is a time of destigmatizing the abuse by making it visible, by making it audible, by knowing that it’s not isolated but that it’s systemic. That there’s a system of power and oppression,” Nuñez-Mchiri said. “Violence is never acceptable in any profession; it shouldn’t be acceptable. That should not be the norm.” According to a survey conducted annually by the Justice Department, the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), one out of every six women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime. In college, 23.1 percent of females and 5.4 percent of males experience rape or sexual assault, according to the NCVS. UTEP Police Chief Cliff Walsh stated that the students could report assault to the Dean of Students’ office, the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution, to Title IX coordinators, the University Counseling and Psychological Services and the University Police. “There are many offices around campus with trained professionals who care about our students,” Walsh said. “We have a wholistic approach as a campus and try to promote our students’ academic success and success in life. The police department has programming throughout the year focused on prevention and awareness.” Charlie Gibbens, interim assistant vice president for student support and deputy Title IX coordinator, also wants students on campus to feel comfortable coming forward and asking for help if needed. “Shame and stigma can be attached to coming forward, for both men and women,” Gibbens said. “Students can approach Counseling and Psychological Services and know that what they share with the staff is confidential and protected.” UTEP provides several services to help students who have gone through assault or abuse and seek help. “These situations are very multifaceted, and there are several aspects for which students might want assistance. The Counseling and Psychological Services provides support and can connect them with resources on and off campus,” Gibbens said. “Our staff helps address the student’s needs and works with other offices on campus to help students receive the accommodations that can be part of their recovery.” Other resources on campus include: Title IX Coordinator Sandy Vasquez, or the deputy Title IX coordinators, Dean of Students Catie McCorryAndalis and Charlie Gibbens. Incidents can be reported to any responsible employee, including faculty, staff and students in leadership roles. Employees are trained to get students to several offices on campus, which include: the Dean of Students Office (http://sa.utep.edu/dean/, dos@utep. edu, 915-747-5648), the UTEP Police Department (https://www.utep.edu/ police/, police@utep.edu, 915-7475611), Counseling and Psychological Services (http://sa.utep.edu/counsel/, 915-747-5302), the Student Health and Wellness Center (915-747-5624) and the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution (http:// sa.utep.edu/osccr/, studentconduct@ utep.edu, 915-747-8694). Leslie Sariñana may be reached at theprospectordaily. news@gmail.com.
PAGE 5 November 28, 2017
entertainment
Editor
Eddie Velazquez , 747-7446
One Grub strives to provide peace, love and grub
brianna chavez/The Prospector Roman and Adriana Wilcox are focusing on delivering hearty plant-based meals for a growing vegan community in El Paso.
By Brianna Chavez The Prospector
Roman and Adriana Wilcox believe that every human has the right to good, clean, hearty food. Their belief and the classic Bob Marley song “One Love” helped create One Grub Community. The One Grub Community call themselves El Paso’s first meatless merchants, selling planted-based vegan food and strive to provide peace, love and grub. They’re a part of a small vegan community that’s growing in El Paso. “Food is a right, not a luxury. Access to healthy food is a human right and (Roman) shows love through his food,” Adriana said. Roman has been working in the culinary industry for over 20 years. His first job was at Café Central at the age of 15. Through his experience and a small career in education, he learned a lot about the food system and hunger in the United States. “Something was changing in me. Something was changing in me as far
as the way I was looking at the food industry,” Roman said. In 2013, Roman had the opportunity to help start up The Mustard Seed Café, a pay-what-you-can café, located in Central El Paso. He was there for about two years, but went back to work in fine dining. However, the idea of providing people who don’t have access to healthy and hearty meals was imprinted in him. “(The Mustard Seed Café) was pivotal. I knew then that I was just not a fine dining chef. I want to give all my food away,” Roman said. “I want to make sure that I can give that type of quality food to people that may not ever have the opportunity to have that. It’s in me, I can’t do anything about it.” Several jobs later, a friend of the Wilcoxes put a food truck up for sale and let them borrow it, that’s when One Grub Mobile Diner was born. Adriana had also quit her job as a city employee after five years to help Roman run the business. They would go on to sell at Deadbeach Brewing Co., the El Paso Brewing Co. and the El Paso Downtown Artists and Farmers Market.
Three months in, the truck broke down and the couple did not have the funds to fix the truck, and they found themselves unemployed. However, they persevered and found solace through the organizers of the farmer’s market. “(One of the organizers) pushed us to start setting up as a tent vendor,” Adriana said. Roman started selling seitan, or wheat gluten, which has a meat-like texture, cashew Alfredo sauce and other items–almost like a deli. One Grub’s stand gave people the opportunity to buy ingredients to
go home and prepare some of the couple’s offered meals. “(I was selling) products that you could take home and make. We started making samples, and then I was forced into doing meals. People started to buy a week’s worth of groceries,” Adriana said. “It made us realize how big of an access issue there was with plant-based cuisine. We became like a fast food for vegans.” It was through the farmer’s market that the couple realized that there is a greater problem in trying to find access to plant-based food than they had thought. “We’ve run into so many people who have allergies, that have kids that can’t have dairy,” Roman said. “It’s not just a poverty thing. It’s a multitude of issues that are comprised here. We want to educate people on how to incorporate more veggies into their diet–meat eaters or not.” Part of One Grub’s mission is to provide meals for people who do not have access to healthy food, which is why they started their Pay It Forward initiative, based on the national non-profit One World Everybody Eats. Five percent of their sales and all of their tips go toward the program, which aids people in underserved communities. The money has helped One Grub partner with Eastwood High School for an outreach event, helping provide meals for several shelters including the Opportunity Center for the Homeless and the Annunciation House. While One Grub has taken off as a business, the owners said Pay It Forward is the heart and soul. “I would rather focus on how many people we can feed, rather than how
much revenue we can make and the competition,” Adriana said. The couple aims to create a community, where people can come together and enjoy healthy and delicious food. That sense of community is happening at the farmer’s market and at Nomu, a Japaneseinspired café in downtown El Paso. One Grub Community partnered with Nomu when the café was looking for a food vendor that could provide plant-based food for everyone to eat. One Grub Community just celebrated their one year anniversary and was recognized as El Paso’s Best Veggie-Friendly Restaurant on What’s Up’s Best of the Best list. Roman has also been invited to the 2018 One World Everybody Eats summit in New Orleans, where he will speak about their experience and mission with their Pay It Forward program. The Wilcoxes have a lot of plans for the future of One Grub. Their next step is to find a space of their own, hire a staff and try to become a 501(c)(3) nonprofit for their Pay It Forward program. Roman and Adriana said they have created a business that doesn’t focus on making a profit but on love. They want to build a community where people can sit down, have a conversation and learn from each other through a good, hearty and healthy meal. Their food is available at Nomu, located on the first floor of the Roderick Artspace Lofts on 601 N. Oregon St., as well as at the El Paso Downtown Artists and Farmers Market on Saturdays. Brianna Chavez may be reached at theprospectordaily.ent@gmail.com.
THEPROSPECTOR
| 6 | ENTERTAINMENT
November 28, 2017
The Fifth Estate shows his passion for vintage hip-hop in ‘Stuck in the 90s’ By Adrian broaddus The Prospector
Myke Joyner, better known by his stage name, The Fifth Estate, has been growing his local listenership across El Paso and is best known for his traditional hip-hop sound. Recently, Joyner dropped his newest mixtape, “Stuck in the 90s,” and The Prospector was able to visit with him to discuss his newest record. Q: First off, the cover for “Stuck in the 90s” really pops off of the page and captures all ‘90’s colors and details. How hard was it to perfect a cover like this? It seems like it was really thought out. What was the process like to make it? A: It was a difficult process only because I struggled with a way to accurately embody the cover art concept without being really corny. I hate corny tributes. I wanted to pay my respect and also respect the music and myself. I worked with Yukari Ochi on the cover and she was able to help me turn my ideas into reality. After the foundation was laid, the rest was easy. We hit a lot of staple ‘90’s items. Sonic, the cassette tape and the “Yo! MTV Raps” tributes on the cover are my favorite. It was really fun to do overall and I love it. Q: On “I Am,” the album’s opening track, you use love as a metaphor to kind of give an introspective take on who you are. You say you feel the best you ever felt before. Why do you say that? Does being at such a great place in life help give this album extra flavor? A: “I Am” is really personal because it’s the summation of a lot of garbage things that have happened to me in the past. It was a total and triumphant release. I let go of the really bad feelings I’d been harboring towards the people or things that had come against me and decided to use that energy constructively. The positivity in my life absolutely helps give more flavor to this project because I involved so many new people that I’ve met within the past year. Q: “What is it?” feels like a homage to some great East Coast rap. Was that how you modeled it? Or was it kind of like a blend of different inspirations? A: This song is 100 percent ATCQ (A Tribe Called Quest) inspired. They’ll forever be one
of the best hip-hop acts of all time. Although I was raised in the Southwest and West Coast, my time in college on the East Coast really helped to shape my outlook and sound in music. I draw inspiration from a lot of different places, but in the wake of Phife Dawg’s passing and the new album last year, ATCQ continues to help me elevate my sound. Q: “Soul” has such a nice vibe with an old-school hip-hop hook, unlike what we see in today’s hiphop scene. What do you think of the rap world today? How has it evolved? Do you see yourself fitting in it or actually stuck in the ‘90s? A: I think rap is the most eclectic that it’s ever been and oversaturated at the same time. That’s what makes it exciting to me though. I continually look around me and learn from the different types of hip-hop/rap out there in order to keep my sword sharp. It’s a place of constant growth and reevaluation. “Stuck in the 90s” isn’t supposed to be a hip-hop purist-type of sentiment, but rather an open commentary on the era that raised me. I’m ‘90s influenced, through and through. I’m very much so a modern artist at the same time. You’ll see this over time. Q: You take a faster rap style on “All I Need” and “Go in Peace.” Have you ever performed these songs live? It seems like a mouthful and it would make you totally out of breath at the end. This truly seems like a song that would excel seeing them live. Do you try to make songs that would be good seeing live? Or does it just transition that way? A: I’ve done “Go in Peace” at multiple shows this year and it’s one of my favorites to do. I’ve never performed “All I Need” live, but I will for the right venue and audience. I just make songs for what they are in the moment. My approach to live performances is entirely different, however. I deliberately focus on the sequencing of my songs and how I can bring them to life for the audience. I don’t ever want to give you what you’re going to hear on SoundCloud or Spotify. That would defeat the purpose of seeing me live. I try to bring the songs to life and help you connect. Q: I’m a huge fan of transition rap songs, like on “WARGAMES/Eye
courtesy of the Fifth estate (dea)’s Bathroom Floor.” What inspiration did you bring into this track? So much seems to be going on in this song, what is this song about? A: “WARGAMES” is about fighting for authenticity in this rap world and ultimately calling out those that fake the funk. It’s very easy for artists to see who’s just trying to fit a style or steez just to fit in and get popular. It also serves as a subtle message to anyone that I can and will rap you under the table. It just is what it is. “Eye(dea)’s Bathroom Floor” is a direct juxtaposition to “WARGAMES.” The former is very braggadocios and confident...EBF deals with a lot of my open reflection on the past two years of my life and how I’ve had to learn to deal with depression in its various forms. I just try to keep my head above water at all times. Q: The album generally has a positive tone, but “Melancholy Rose” takes a different tone. Was it intentional to kind of take a break in the midst of the wavy album and bring this song in? What was making that song like? A: Sequencing, sequencing, sequencing is really important. I don’t think that I have it mastered, but you’ve got to lead people on a journey when it comes to full projects, especially one of this length. I think I introduced that song at the best point possible during the mixtape. In full transparency, the song is about a past relationship and my continued struggle with the concept of love and what purpose I felt it served. The song came to me surprisingly quickly as I wrote it on an airplane, flying back into El Paso last December. Q: “Back Home” has some great lines, especially about the feeling of coming back home. How does it feel coming back home to El Paso? What is it about the city that draws you? You also talk about dark times you endured. How hard is that to talk about on a tape? A: I moved to El Paso in the fall of 2013 and it quickly became home. It’ll be a part of me for the rest of my life, regardless of where I choose to truly settle down. The thing that I love the most about EP is the untapped potential mixed with the growth that I’ve seen the city make over the past four years. El Paso is a significant part of my early, postcollege and adult life. It’s hard to talk about hard times on a record because I feel like I never fully convey how I’m feeling. I feel like most artists just want to be understood as they intend it but I’ve come to accept that talking about my hard times are therapeutic and could possibly be the same
for other people however they receive the music. Q: “Ambition” is my favorite production in the album by m o o n. Who is moon and how key was he to this album? A: m o o n is one of my best friends and my right-hand man when it comes to this music. He and I met during our junior year of college and were fast friends. He’s one of my biggest supporters and also one of my realest critics. He and I shaped this mixtape together and he should absolutely be considered an executive producer. He’s family. Q: “Manifest” sounds like straight out of a 2011 Pro Era album or something from the underground East Coast hip-hop scene. Who influences you most in today’s music world? What about from the ‘90s, who influenced you the most? A: I think that boom-bap sound influenced me the most and that’s what “Manifest” is–boom-bap all the way. The funniest part about this record is that m o o n and I had a lot of disagreements on the execution of the song, but it’s found itself the favorite of a bunch of people. OneManJazz added in the cuts that you hear and really helped to round out the record by the time it was done. Q: “EfYooSiKay” sounds a little aggressive and frankly pissed off. Did you write this mad? Looking back, is it cool that you can express all feelings on this album— mad, happy, down, excited, ambitious, etc.? That seems like a true talent to have as an artist. A: Yo, I wrote this song while sleep deprived and recorded it while drunk. While I’m not exactly proud of it, it was necessary for the moment. Life and people were really getting the best of me. I had to let it out. It was the very first song completed for this project and wasn’t ultimately intended for release. “Stuck in the 90s” ultimately became a tool to get out my varying emotions and grow. Q: You talk to yourself on “Keep Ya Head Up” and try to keep yourself positive. How hard is it to be positive in today’s world? How do you hope a song like this can help someone else listening who might be going through what you’re going through on this? A: It gets hard sometimes because you can’t really control what comes at you, only how you react to it. I wrote this song to help the people around me and to be a constant reminder that, despite it all, everything is going to be all right. When people hear this song I hope that they can feel the sincerity. I think that one of the worst things
you can be while feeling down or sad is alone. That feeling of loneliness can wreck you. I think we all need someone so I want that song to serve as a companion when you can’t find yourself around friends or loved ones. Q: An album’s outro is almost as important as the intro. On “People Under the Stairs” you reflect on the whole album, who you are as an artist and everything surrounding your music career. Now looking back, do you think you included everything you wanted on this outro? How did this track bring the record full circle? A: To be honest, if I’d had it my way (with all of the resources) this song probably would’ve been about eight minutes long. Most people don’t know that I’m a musician and play a few different instruments as well as writing lyrics and recording vocals. I wrote and performed all of the trumpet arrangements for the entire mixtape. I originally wanted a feel with a full band and maybe I’ll see that dream realized soon, but the finished product was still really great and I’m really happy with the way it turned out. The song is based on a hip-hop group from LA called, People Under the Stairs. The chorus is borrowed from their song “Days Like This” and my version is just my take on their overall sentiment.” Q: Lastly, is there anything you want to add about “Stuck In the 90s?” What were your favorite things about the ‘90s? If you could describe this album in three words, what would it be? “I think luckily the mixtape really does speak for itself and it’s a great introduction to people that don’t know me. The ‘90s meant a lot to me, but really just embody how simple stuff once was. I loved the whole ‘90’s culture from the cartoons to the music and movies. It’s not just golden era hip-hop that makes me nostalgic but rather all of the toys, shows, moments and experiences that the ‘90s brought me. “Stuck in the 90s” can be summed up in these three words: positivity, reflection and growth. Those are three important things to me that I feel are alive in every song on the project. Follow Adrian Broaddus on Twitter @adrian_broaddus.
PAGE 7 November 28, 2017
Sports
Editor
Jeremy Carranco, 747-7446
Senter sees UTEP as a ‘sleeping giant’ for athletic success
Claudia hernandez / The Prospector Jim Senter spent the last three years as athletic director at The Citadel.
By daniel mendez The Prospector
A new era is upon UTEP Athletics. A fresh new face who is ready to take the task at hand and run with it, like he has before. The man behind the new era of athletics for the Miners is Jim Senter, who was announced as the new director of athletics by President Diana Natalicio on Wednesday, Nov. 22. He will be replacing Bob Stull, who was at the helm of athletics for 18 years. This ended the 21-week search that began on Aug. 31, when Stull announced his retirement.
“Our job is to educate young people here,” Senter said. “My job as the athletic director is to make sure studentathletes reach their highest potential both academically and athletically.” The search came down to two candidates–Senter and Stull’s top assistant Chris Park. UTEP elected to go outside the family with this hire, ushering in a truly new era of athletics for the Miners. “We’re delighted to welcome Jim Senter to the UTEP family,” Natalicio said. “He brings to El Paso extensive leadership experience in athletics administration and fundraising, most
recently at The Citadel, where for the past three years, student-athletes have achieved excellence both on the playing field and in the classroom, and successful fundraising has enhanced the college athletics experience for them and their fans.” On Monday, Senter was formally introduced as the director of athletics. He wants to utilize his triple-A philosophy at UTEP, which stands for “attitude, action and accountability.” “Everything starts with a positive attitude,” Senter said. “I believe that’s the bedrock of being successful. Instead of focusing on the things it doesn’t have, or wished they had, focus on the things we do have and we have a lot of things to sell here. Get up early, stay late, roll up your sleeves and go to work. There are no shortcuts to success.” Senter has actually had his eyes set on the Miners for a while now and acknowledged the potential in UTEP Athletics. “I’ve had my eye on this job for over 20 years, I’ve known about UTEP,” Senter said. “I’ve always looked at this place as a sleeping giant. It has the ability to be more than it is and people have shown here that you can win. Now the question is, how do we sustain winning and how do we get there?” Senter’s first big task will be searching the football coaching carousel to find
the next head coach of football. He is eyeing for a coach who will provide an offensive spark and recruit well. “Great integrity, find someone with the ability to move the football and score points, somebody that is a great recruiter,” Senter said. “The ability to build a staff that is talented, really good teachers, really good people with character and the ability to hit the road recruiting.” Senter is entering a peculiar situation at UTEP. The athletic department took its time to find its new athletic director, which has been losing money for the past years along with the football team coming off its worst season in its 100 years of existence. “No time frame, as quick as possible without sacrificing quality,” Senter said regarding the time to hire a new coach. “We’ve been working ever since the job was offered to me, there are no shortcuts to success, you have to respect the process. We’re not going to sacrifice speed for quality. We’re going to focus on somebody that is the right fit.” Once a coach is hired, Senter will face the task of upgrading facilities, as UTEP’s last major one was the opening of the Foster-Stevens Center in 2009. “If you’re not continuing to enhance facilities you’re falling behind,” Senter said. Senter has a mission when it comes to his first 100 days of athletic direc-
tor here at UTEP. The top priority is to find the new head football coach, meet with the top donors and corporate partners to show his gratitude and plans to instill a series of town hall meetings to establish a connection between the community. His first hire will truly mark the new era of athletics here at UTEP, replacing the old regime with new blood as Senter looks to elevate UTEP from the dark hole that it is currently in. During his run as athletic director at The Citadel, Senter hired head coaches in football, men’s basketball, baseball, soccer and volleyball. It should be an interesting first year for Senter, as fans have grown unhappy with UTEP football and men’s basketball. “Every person makes a difference, I mean that from the bottom of my heart,” Senter said. “There is not anybody in this community who couldn’t make a difference and be a difference maker for UTEP Athletics. My job and our staff ‘s job is to go out and engage this community like never before to get more people involved so they can make a difference and be a difference maker.” Follow Daniel Mendez on Twitter @dmendez24.
THEPROSPECTOR
| 8 | SPORTS
November 28, 2017
Price wraps up difficult interim job as head coach of UTEP football By Adrian broaddus The Prospector
Before Mike Price left his comfortable lake house in Idaho for his 4 a.m. flight to return to El Paso as the interim head coach for the UTEP football team, he asked his wife, “what am I doing?” After seven losses to close out the season with a winless record, Price is leaving the program discomforted and feeling as helpless as ever, as
shown by his final press conferences and interviews with the media. He closed out his final press conference by giving an honest evaluation of himself. “F,” he said. “I don’t feel really good about what I’ve done here. I’ve failed. I’ve not done what I needed to do… Deep down inside I wanted to win and we didn’t win.” But where does one fault Price’s efforts?
When he came into the program, Price promised one thing—“to do his best and have fun.” He also guaranteed he would not be as hands-on and be more of a manager for the team. Looking back, a manager was exactly what the Miners needed. First, former Athletic Director Bob Stull announced his retirement at the end of August, which left the athletic department in limbo as to who would be in charge. The Miners finished summer ball looking confident and sharp going into their season opener at Oklahoma. They dropped an expected loss to the Sooners and would have four interesting games against Rice, Arizona, New Mexico State and Army. They had no luck during the four-game stretch as the Miners lost each game by a combined score of 170-65. With the losses, head coach Sean Kugler fired offensive coordinator Brent Pease and promoted Brian Natkin to fill the void. Then came the shocking news of Kugler resigning after the 35-21 loss against Army. It came as a surprise and heartbreak to many players, who thought of Kugler as a father figure aside from just a head coach. Kugler finished his four and a half years at UTEP with an 18-36 overall record. Stull, who lingered around the athletics department months after he announced his retirement since the department had not found a replacement, addressed the media before the Western Kentucky game. He claimed that there was a 50 percent chance they would promote from within, which he quickly changed to an 85 percent chance, alluding to Natkin or defensive coordinator Tom Mason taking the job. Both Natkin and Mason voiced their opinions on why they thought the athletic department should choose to promote from within. Despite their wishes, Stull
announced Price as the interim head coach that same Monday afternoon. Price was left to resurrect a team that was 0-5, had lost their head coach and offensive coordinator, and who frankly wanted either Natkin or Mason to take the job. So with all these events surrounding the program, why did Price take on the job in the first place? “I love this place,” said Price, explaining why. “This place gave me a job when no one did.” From a loyalty aspect, Price could be a true benchmark for UTEP athletics. He served as head coach from 2004-12, compiling a 177-183 all-time record as a head coach. He led the Miners to three bowl games in 2004, 2005 and 2010, and retired in 2012. He didn’t owe the program anything, but still decided to make the 1,200-mile trip to try and salvage the team. Then comes the internal picture that Price painted. Three coaches on the team had to make coaching adjustments mid-season to cater toward what the team needed. For example, Natkin went from special teams coordinator at the start of the season, to offensive coordinator, tight ends coach and wide receivers coach. First-year coach Chuck Veliz went from coaching receivers to coaching the quarterbacks. Don Yanowsky went from assisting the special teams, to taking over the special teams coaching the safeties and becoming the recruiting coordinator. Having Price as the interim head coach took all the weight off the shoulders of Natkin, Mason or any of the already depleted coaching staff having to deal with the press, football boosters or any more responsibilities they would have been overwhelmed with. Price expressed time and time again how his lack of involvement with the Miners’ offense, which was the worst
across the FBS, was his fault, but in retrospect, he said multiple times how he did not want to change anything. Toward the end of the season, Price looked worn out and defeated. He voiced how badly he wanted this team to win for the 22 graduating seniors, for the coaches who probably were more frustrated than him. He didn’t have an answer for the offense that averaged just 230.5 yards a game, nor for the quarterback situation that changed game after game. He didn’t have an answer for the fact that the program didn’t have one recruiting commit for the 2018 season. But Price did have an answer for the direction of the program. First, he talked about how important it is to replace him. With the addition of newly hired athletic director Jim Senter, hiring a new coach will be more possible. “It’s going to be a refreshing change in the athletic department and the football program,” Price said. “That happens in a growth of a program—you have the highs and the lows.” Price even tossed in a name for the head coaching job, his son Eric, who is the Jacksonville Jaguars receivers coach. “He’s a great recruiter, he has a great judgment of talent,” Price said. “You’ve got to have that. You’re not going to beat a lot of big schools on recruits…. in every place Eric has been until now with Jacksonville, he’s been with teams that throw the ball a lot. If he applies, he’ll be a good candidate.” For now, the future of UTEP football is out of his hands. Price will get to return home to his life of retirement–watching his grandsons play baseball and football–and wash his hands clean of the UTEP program. Plus he will be $40,000 richer due to his guaranteed contract from the school. Follow Adrian Broaddus on Twitter @adrian_broaddus.