As the semester presses on, UT San Antonio students navigate exams, campus events and everyday stress. Between discussions about mental health, civic engagement and parking frustrations, Roadrunners always have something to say.
This week, The Paisano interviewed junior commercial and digital music major Alexa Vasquez, freshman biology major Funmilola Adefisayo, junior computer science major Cesar Dian and sophomore biology major Wesley Sutherland.
Should mental health days count as excused absences?
Most students agreed that mental health is just as important as physical health.
“I think they should be counted as excused absences,” Adefisayo says. “In order for us to function throughout the day, we have to have our mental health straight. It’s an important aspect of being a student.”
“Mental health should be a necessity for the university and for the students. When students need a mental day off, that should be excused,” Dian shares.
“There should be a limit, but mental health is really important, especially in college with everything going on,” Sutherland adds. “Students should have an option to take a day if they need it.”
Vasquez, however, took a more situational approach. “Maybe, it depends on the person’s mental state,” she states.
Should college students have Election Day off to vote?
While most ‘Runners favor the idea, not everyone agrees on its effectiveness.
“I think it’s important because a lot of things go on politically around our school,” Adefisayo says. “It would give people time to learn about what’s happening and go out there to vote.”
“Voting is one of our constitutional rights. Having a specific day off would help more people participate and make it easier for everyone to vote at once,” Dian echoes.
“It’s one of the most important civic duties we have, even in years without big elections,” Sutherland offers. “Local propositions still matter.”
“Unpopular opinion: I don’t think students should. A lot of people wouldn’t vote either way, even if they had the day off,” Vasquez opposes.
What’s your ‘unpopular opinion’ about UT San Antonio?
“They should replace Dragon Bowl with any other fast food,” Adefisayo exclaims, laughing.
“I think Freshens should be a bigger deal here,” Sutherland says. “They’ve got the best food. People should show them more love.”
Vasquez weighs in with a scheduling critique.
“They should make football games later instead of earlier. They always have them too early in the day,” she says. Dian included his best study spot that many students might not know about: “Best study space is the North Paseo building, fourth floor.”
Should parking at UT San Antonio be free?
If there is one thing all four students agreed on, it is that parking is an ongoing frustration.
“Yeah, it should be free,” Adefisayo says. “We’re already paying tuition. Why do we have to pay for parking on top of that?”
“Have you seen those prices? 100%, parking should be free,” Dian asserts.
“Sometimes you pay and there’s still no parking spots. It’s a lot,” Vasquez notes about her experience as a commuter.
“I’m parking a mile away from my dorm and paying around $500 for it. That doesn’t seem reasonable. It should be free,” Sutherland shares.
Have a question and want it answered by UT San Antonio students? Submit at http://bit.ly/4pdDfIP.
