In the latter half of the fall semester, students awaken from their fall break slumbers to face the rest of the term head-on. They can be found pretending the San Antonio weather feels like fall by consuming pumpkin spice-flavored anything, reflecting on assignments that pushed them to the limit, contemplating what the next statue on campus should be and if AI is an artist.
This week, The Paisano interviews sophomore Safa Ali studying engineering in AI, freshman civil engineering major Agustin Serrano, first-year political science major Jason Gutierrez and junior construction science major Ximena Maldonado.
What is the worst assignment you have done?
“You got ALEKS assignments, and you got to go through all the modules. You get one wrong it sets you back like three modules,” Serrano comments.
“Zybooks, those are horrible-horrible. You can never get right with them,” Ali recalls of her semester gripes. “The research on it took me all night, but that was kind of on me because I did procrastinate,” Gutierrez says.
In contrast, Maldonado reflects on the time she had to construct an HVAC unit.
“I just didn’t have enough training on it, I guess you could say,” Maldonado frustratingly voices.
What statue would you put on campus?
“Messi or Ronaldo,” Serrano declares.
However, after narrowing down his answer, it would definitely be Messi.
Ali decides Spongebob would be a good addition to the UT San Antonio campus, while Maldonado votes for a football statue.
“I do think we should keep a Charlie Kirk statue on campus,” Gutierrez says. “I know that I might get some backlash from that. I think the idea of keeping free speech around, fighting for true justice the American way and going out in that way is truly symbolic.”
Is AI art illegitimate?
In majority agreement, the interviewees believe there is no room for AI-generated art to be considered meritable creations.
“Art is supposed to be based off creativity in your mind, not a computer making it,” Maldonado prefaces.
“Whenever you have that objective part of art that is what gives it value,” Gutierrez adds.
“As long as you source it as AI art, it’s not too illegitimate,” Serrano counters.
What is your least favorite pumpkin spice item?
“Popcorn. It has like a little Buddha on it. Don’t recommend,” Maldonado warns those shopping at HEB.
Similarly, Gutierrez recalls the time he came across pumpkin spice-flavored gummies while shopping, thinking they were appetizing on paper but ultimately being left disappointed.
Serrano, typically a fan of pumpkin spice, recounts when he came across a pumpkin spice flavored bread.
“Usually I like that flavor, but in the bread is kind of gross,” Serrano shares.
Ali instead reveals her favorite pumpkin-flavored item.
“McDonald’s pumpkin crème pie. You can’t go wrong with that. It’s great. I might go and buy that now,” Ali says.
Have a question and want it answered by UT San Antonio students? Submit at http://bit.ly/4pdDfIP.
