SGA Failed to Vote Due to Lack of Quorom

By Joel Kumahata

The Student Government Association met Monday to reopen discussion on whether or not Greek Council, the overseer of campus fraternity and sorority organizations, would receive a budget next year.

Over 60 students from every Greek organization on campus made the trip up to the Waxahachie Room in the Coates Center to hear the decision. But as soon as the meeting was called to order, a problem became clear. Only about half of the senators were present, not nearly enough for a quorum to vote on anything.

Members from Greek organizations on campus
crowded the room of the SGA meeting Monday night

About halfway through the meeting, SGA Vice President Joseph Khalaf received an email from four of the missing senators, who were absent without giving excuses. The email read that they had elected to skip the meeting with the mindset that, in the shadow of finals, their time was better served as students studying, and not in service of their senatorial responsibilities.

Trinity Reacts to SGA Denying Funding for the Greek Council

By Carlie McCrory

Trinity’s Greek life community erupted this week after SGA voted 7-4 to not approve Greek Council’s funding proposal. Within two days of the vote, a meeting of the Greek community was organized and Greek life alumni were lobbying SGA senators to reverse the decision.

In an email to the student body, SGA president Nick Santulli wrote, “When the Senate denies the concept of an organization’s proposal, they are, in effect, stating that they are not in favor of the organization’s proposal or the idea of the organization receiving funding in the manner requested”.

He went on to say that the decision does not mean the end of Greek Council nor does it mean Greek Council is not able to receive funding from SGA. “If the decision stands, Greek Council will instead apply for funding on an ad hoc (or as-needed) basis, similar to the process by which Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) seek funding.”

SGA Denied Funding For Trinity Greek Council

Trinity Greek members at Greek U 2016

Photo by Jeremy Allen

By Taylor Moser

At Monday's SGA meeting the student governing body rejected the budget proposal of Trinity University's Greek Council, marking the first time in Trinity history of such happening.

Greek Council’s treasurer, Claire Poland, gave a seven-minute presentation of their 2017-2018 budget proposal, followed by approximately seven minutes of questioning from SGA senators.

But the senators decided not to give any funds to the Greek Council. Rather than receiving a budget for the year, the Greek Council will now have to apply for funding on a case by case basis. This decision could potentially change Greek life on campus.

The Bald Soprano: Live Tweeted Play

Mr. and Mrs. Smith in the Oval Office
Photos by Johnny Kassis

By Johnny Kassis

Right before the play, The Bald Soprano, started on April 12, the announcer told the audience that cell phone use during the play was encouraged.

In fact, throughout the play, the cast live tweeted pictures and commentary about the play using @TUMainstage. They invited the audience to interact with them on Twitter.

The Bald Soprano is a revamp of a play with the same name written by Eugene Lonesco after the World War II. The Trinity version was directed by Roberto Pestigiacomo, a highly acclaimed theater-maker who’s works include many renditions of original productions.

Trinitonian Seeks School Funding to Become More Digital

Sophomore Jessye Castro is
 an avid reader of the campus newspaper
Photo by Kate Irvin

By Kate Irvin

Student Government Association held its regular meeting last night at the Coates University Center, where the student government body heard funding proposals from various campus organization.

Among the proposals, The Trinitonian, the campus newspaper, asked for more funding to advance the publication’s digital production.

Daniel Conrad, a junior and the chief editor of the newspaper, told the SGA the newspaper’s goals of becoming more digital and having a stronger online presence.

Trinity Hosts Its First Spring Volunteerism Fair

The first ever volunteer fair at the Trinity

Photo courtesy of School of Business

By Matt Barnes

With an attendance of more than 200 students, yesterday’s Spring Volunteerism Fair was a roaring success. The fair was held by Trinity’s School of Business in cooperation with the Center for Experiential learning and Career Success.

Two dozens of local organizations came together to help enlist the Trinity community to extend a hand in volunteering and helping others.

“We are here to show Trinity students the many opportunities that are available to them,” said Eric Uriegas, Recruitment Manager for Big Brothers Big Sisters. “There are a lot of organizations nearby that help the greater San Antonio Area, it is important that these organizations have a presence in the minds of college students.”

Mirage to Get Advancement Funding to Sell Yearbook Later Than Usual

SGA meeting on Monday
Photo by Emma Lucero

By Emma Lucero

Mirage, Trinity’s yearbook, asked for an advancement funding from the Student Government Association, as part of their funding proposal for the next school year presented to the SGA meeting last night.

The new proposal asks for an advancement from the budget to help print copies of the yearbook before students place their orders. Shelby Devore, a junior, presented the new funding proposal. Next year, Devore will be the editor in chief of the university yearbook.

Trinity Alumni Share Their Experiences of Working on Wall Street

By Samantha Luzader

Last week, dozens of economics and finance students lined up in the basement of Northrup Hall to attend a panel about the reality of working on Wall Street.

The panel included Mark Whitman '89, Mike Ashton' 90, and Nate Coolen '02, all economics majors. Dr. Rich Butler, professor emeritus of economics and now serving as the alumni engagement coordinator, introduced the panelists. 

The three panelists offered a lot of advice to students who might want to go into the finance field. They also talked about how to get where you want to be, general advice, and how Trinity helped or hurt them in their career searches.

Trinity Community Held Vigil for Victims of Syrian Chemical Weapon Attack

Trinity sophomore Matthew Cauliflower
takes part in a prayer during the vigil
Photo by Kate Irvin

By Kate Irvin

Amidst the chaos there is hope. This was the main message sent by a vigil last night for the victims of the recent chemical attack in Syria that has killed at least 70 people, including many children.

The vigil was led by a Trinity student group, the International Human Crisis Initiative, in front of the Parker Chapel, and brought together close to 50 students and faculty.

As the participants gathered in a circle, their faces lit up by the light of the candles in their hands. Among them were athletes, sorority and fraternity members, and faculty. They made comments about the attack and said prayers.

Symposium Addresses and Encourages Civic Engagement

An audience member asks a question at the 
Civic Engagement Symposium on Monday
Photo by Johnna Guillerman

By Matt Barnes and Johnna Guillerman

Five panelists discussed voter rights and civic education in the Pearl Stable Monday night, at a symposium organized by Trinity’s political themed online magazine, The Contemporary.

The panel consisted of Marisa B. Perez-Diaz, Texas State Board of Education member, Jason Stanford, communications director for the mayor of Austin, Juany Torrez, founder of Organize SA, H. Drew Galloway, the executive director of MOVE San Antonio, a voting recruitment organization, and George Rodriguez, a conservative activist who worked for the Reagan and George H. W. Bush administrations.

Benjamin Collinger, Trinity sophomore and the Executive Director of The Contemporary, introduced the panel with a brief statement, “We need the mobilization of millennials to represent us in this era of political polarization. We are gradually building a movement.”

Marcus Rubio: Trinity Alum Turned Experimenting Musician

Marcus Rubio (More Eaze) before performing
Photos by Johnna Guillerman

By Johnna Guillerman

As Marcus Rubio, 28, sets up his computer, a small crowd gathers around to watch. This Trinity alumni, who graduated in 2012, is getting ready to play a set he designed specifically for tonight’s performance.

The show is taking place in Austin, Texas at a bar called Beerland. Though dark and tucked away, it is filled with character. The stage is backgrounded in pink tones, and Elvis Presley busts line the walls.

Before Rubio’s turn, several other artists play sets of music in a genre that some people might not have even heard of--harsh noise. The name gives away the essence of the music, but Beerland is open to new and experimental performers.

Taylor Mobley: Chasing the Dream in Television

Taylor Mobley on the set of her show
Photos courtesy of Taylor Mobley

By Abby Tisdale

Trinity alum, Taylor Mobley, is taking “Discover. Grow. Become.”, Trinity’s motto, to new heights.

Mobley graduated in spring of 2013 as a communication major. Now, Mobley is an executive producer for "San Antonio Living," a mid-morning talk show on WOAI.

She came to Trinity wanting to pursue a theatre degree, and searched for the perfect pairing. She found that in a communication major.

Trinity University Celebrates First Diversity Week

Taste of Diversity on Friday
Photo by Samantha Luzader

By Samantha Luzader

Trinity students gathered at the Esplanade on Friday to take advantage of the great weather and great food in celebration of Trinity’s first ever Diversity Week.

The event on Friday, Taste of Diversity, showcased a variety of food from around the world, prepared by several religious and cultural groups on campus, such as the Filipino Student Association.

Winners Announced for Trinity University 2017 Stumberg Competition

By Taylor Moser

Adhesive clothes pocket and innovative hammock are among the winners of this year’s Stumberg Competition, held on March 27.

Five out of the 15 competing teams, including six international teams and nine Trinity teams, won the prize of $5,000 apiece. They also became the finalists to compete for the grand prize of $25,000 in the fall.

KRTU Poised for Another Successful Fund Drive and Near Launching New Tower

KRTU, a non-commercial educational public jazz radio station, is nearing the successful completion of the Spring Membership Drive. KRTU recently launched a new app and website which adds to the increase in the number of online donations. According to Jeanette Reynolds, KRTU's director of development, 45% of all donations come from the new website. Members benefit from numerous partnerships with the San Antonio community. Such benefits include free admission to nearly 40 events at either the McNay Art Museum, San Antonio Museum of Art, and the Witte Museum.

---by Matthew Barns

KRTU is going through a major renovation right now, attempting to broadcast from a new tower. Compared to the current tower, the new tower would allow them to reach 500,000 more people and have a broadcasting area more than 5 times in radius.

KRTU has been a radio station for 41 years, since 1976. Though it was started by students, it is now an independent, commercial free station.

Because it's an independent station, they must fund raise 60% of their budget from listeners. Trinity University contributes about 20%, and sponsors contribute another large portion.

Local businesses and sponsors comprise a majority of their fundraising income. The station has strong roots in San Antonio. The community is their biggest supporter, but they also have a national appeal. KRTU is one of only about 60 jazz stations in the country, and one of only three in Texas.

---by Johnna Guillerman