Assayer of Student Opinion.

The Prospector

Assayer of Student Opinion.

The Prospector

Assayer of Student Opinion.

The Prospector

All content by Alonso Moreno

I will ramble on

Alonso Moreno, Copy Editor December 1, 2015

University life is weird, not in an ironic way, but in a way that has defied all expectations I had. To begin, I didn’t start with journalism in mind or anything remotely associated with it. Like many before me, I was a starry-eyed freshman with delusions...

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December 2015 graduates face favorable outlook on job market and economy

Alonso Moreno, Copy Editor December 1, 2015

As winter 2015 commencement approaches, hundreds of graduates can look to the future with hope as positive trends in the job market and the economy favor the timing of graduation. According to the National Associate of Colleges and Employers job outlook...

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Tuition increase looms as UTEP prepares to send proposal to UT System Board of Regents

Alonso Moreno, Copy Editor November 17, 2015

As December approaches, the University of Texas at El Paso students are concerned about finals, projects and graduation. However, now they can add one more worry to their end of the year activities, tuition increase. UTEP is in its final steps to complete...

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Candidates head into into new round of debates

Alonso Moreno, Copy Editor November 10, 2015

Sunday was officially the one-year mark before Election Day 2016, and to celebrate, we can take a look at the upcoming presidential debates and some of issues that will be discussed. Republican Party Nov. 10: The next Republican debate will take place...

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Faculty, students and staff voice concerns about gun control

Alonso Moreno, Copy Editor November 3, 2015

In a room with about 40 people, a tense atmosphere could be felt as one man rose from his seat and approached the microphone to speak once more. “Free speech is dead,” he said. “This new law has killed it.” The man delivering the heartfelt speech...

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UTEP Concealed Carry Taskforce to hold town hall meetings

Alonso Moreno, Copy Editor October 20, 2015

With less than a year to go, The University of Texas System schools have begun to prepare for the impending concealed campus carry law to go into effect. As a result, the University of Texas at El Paso and other schools have begun to designate committees...

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Taking a bullet for student safety

Alonso Moreno, Copy Editor October 6, 2015

As students headed into class in the Cotton Memorial Building, room 104, they were met with a sign that sent a simple, but strong message—“No Guns Allowed.” The sign is lecturer David Smith-Soto’s response to the passing of Senate Bill 11. On...

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The first full stand-alone School of Pharmacy is planned to launch in the fall of 2017.

UTEP to introduce School of Pharmacy

Alonso Moreno, Copy Editor September 22, 2015

In continued efforts to improve the university and its educational catalog, UTEP is preparing the final steps for the introduction of a new School of Pharmacy. UTEP is planning on launching its first full stand-alone School of Pharmacy in   the fall...

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Catholic citizens attend Sunday mass at St. Patricks Cathedral  on Sunday morning.

Alonso Moreno, Copy Editor September 8, 2015

Often labeled as murderers and sinners by some, and as individuals exercising their reproductive rights by others, women around the world have been given a new complexity to add to the ever-changing issue of abortion. Last Tuesday, Pope Francis shocked...

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Lock and loaded for campus

Alonso Moreno, Copy Editor September 1, 2015

As we are roughly a year away from guns being allowed on campus, I would like to take a look back at some of the prominent arguments that were made for concealed guns on campus. Number one: It’s in the Constitution This is somewhat a funny one for...

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UTEP nursing student tends to a simulated victim.

UTEP holds active shooter drill

Alonso Moreno, Copy Editor August 12, 2015

University of Texas at El Paso nursing students got the opportunity to practice their skills during a full-scale active shooter simulation scenario on Wednesday, Aug. 12, when the university staged a training exercise with the help of university and regional...

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The gold business of CONCACAF

Alonso Moreno, Copy Editor July 23, 2015

“It’s all rigged, they don’t deserve to go on through, beyond embarrassing, they bought themselves their way into the final and blatant theft.” These are some of the comments or headlines that can be read across different publications and blogs...

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After the champagne and fireworks, obscurity returns

Alonso Moreno, Copy Editor July 14, 2015

It took three years for a shot at revenge, 11 months to face the cruel rival who stole their shot at glory, 18 days of work to put it all on the line once more, 90 minutes for redemption and it all will be forgotten in the blink of an eye. On Friday,...

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Campus carry becomes law

Campus carry becomes law

Alonso Moreno, Staff Reporter June 9, 2015

After much deliberation surrounding the controversial bill, the Texas Legislature has approved the campus carry bill, which is now on its way to the governor’s desk to be signed into law. On May 31, Senate Bill 11 was approved by the Texas House in...

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Senior commercial music major, Robert Vega will be graduating at this year’s spring commencement despite previous setbacks such as spending time in prison.

Robert Vega escapes ‘the pits of hell’ to graduate this spring

Alonso Moreno, Staff Reporter May 5, 2015

Robert Vega stands out in a crowd. It might be his tattoos, which offer a slight glimpse into his past or perhaps it’s the battle scars he has earned from years of martial arts fighting, or maybe it’s the humble, yet intense look in his eyes, which...

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Recap of the 2015 Texas Legislation session, tuition and immigration bills filed, among others

Alonso Moreno, Staff Reporter May 5, 2015

Maria Esquinca contributed to this story. January 2015 not only marked the beginning of the new semester at UTEP, it also marked the beginning of the 84th Texas legislative session, which was set to be a heated one with issues such as education, gun...

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Texas legislation moving to ban powdered alcohol

Texas legislation moving to ban powdered alcohol

Alonso Moreno, Staff Reporter April 28, 2015

The idea of bringing “powderitas” to outdoor activities or parties without the added bulk of a bottle might not become a reality as Texas looks to ban powdered alcohol. A bill by state Rep. Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth, would ban the sale and possession...

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Professor aims to help turn rotting trash into a profit

Professor aims to help turn rotting trash into a profit

Alonso Moreno, Staff Reporter April 21, 2015

Landfills, with rotting waste as far as the eye can see, may soon stop being a problem and an eyesore, as a new patent may transform them into profit-making sites. Russell Chianelli, a chemistry professor at UTEP, has invented a new process that would...

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Senior commercial music major, Robert Vega speaks about his time in prison.

Young Americans for Liberty bring awareness to prison system

Alonso Moreno, Staff Reporter April 14, 2015

As Robert Vega stood in front of a podium in a small room located in the third floor of the UTEP Union, he took a deep breath and proceeded to read an article he wrote, where he detailed his harrowing experience in the Texas prison system. “Fear, hatred,...

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Free bus rides still up for debate

Free bus rides still up for debate

Alonso Moreno, Staff Reporter April 7, 2015

Although it has been asked for and discussed as something the city would benefit from, El Paso is still far from implementing free bus rides for children or veterans. The city of El Paso has been considering offering free bus rides for young people and...

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According to the American College Health Association, 6 percent of undergraduate and 4 percent of graduate students in four-year institutions have seriously considered suicide.

Suicide second highest cause of death on campuses

Alonso Moreno, Staff Reporter April 1, 2015

Suicide, often a silent and very complex human behavioral problem, continues to be a serious problem on college campuses across the nation. With the rate having tripled since the 1950s, suicide is currently the second-most common cause of death among...

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Texas Senate approves open carry and campus carry bills

Texas Senate approves open carry and campus carry bills

Alonso Moreno, Staff Reporter March 24, 2015

As the Texas 84th Legislature continues to move along, so do Senate Bills 11 and 17, which will bring Texans closer to the possibility of being able to openly carry a gun in the state and carry a concealed weapon on university campuses. On Monday and...

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Several events have been postponed or cancelled due to Saturdays tragedy at Cielo Vista Wal-Mart

Traffic and detours continue as city moves forward with projects

Alonso Moreno, Staff Reporter March 24, 2015

Long lines of traffic with frustrated drivers will continue to be a common sight as El Paso continues to move forward with ongoing construction projects and prepare for new ones. The city of El Paso is bracing for more traffic tie ups, as a new four-year...

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Texas approved its first same-sex marriage in February, but it was voided soon after.

Texas same-sex couples continue to face challenges for marriage equality

Alonso Moreno, Staff Reporter March 17, 2015

After many in Texas celebrated the first same-sex marriage last month, couples must continue to wait as the Texas Supreme Court issued an emergency order blocking same-sex couples from obtaining any further marriage licenses. Last February, Sarah Goodfriend...

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Bill may undo local LGBTQA protections

Alonso Moreno, Staff Reporter March 3, 2015

Sen. Don Huffines, freshman Republican from Dallas, has filed a bill that would forbid cities from passing or enforcing LGBTQA-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinances. Huffine’s Senate Bill 343 is a proposal that would bar local governments from implementing...

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Dr. Terri Williams explains his role in the UTEP Collegiate Recovery Program.

Recover at UTEP

Alonso Moreno, Staff Reporter March 3, 2015

UTEP is set to institute a new student organization dedicated to both help and celebrate students in recovery from alcohol or drug abuse. The University of Texas at El Paso Collegiate Recovery Program was established as one of the first recovery programs...

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Modeling, the sport of beauty

Modeling, the sport of beauty

Alonso Moreno, Contributor February 24, 2015

If you are into the world of fashion, or have outlets that let you know about it, there is a big chance that you got some sort of glimpse the New York Fashion Week. From the latest in fashion to the predictable big stars present at the event, it is...

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File Photo

El Paso roller derby teams strives to empower women, develop self-image

Alonso Moreno, Contributor February 24, 2015

Helmets with decals, colorful clothing and hard-earned bruises are the fashion that adorn the El Paso Roller Derby girls every match. Composed of two teams—the Derby Bliss Brigade and the TexPistols—the El Paso roller derby has been around since...

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Presidents Day celebration at UTEP

Alonso Moreno, Staff reporter February 17, 2015

The office of student life held its Presidents Day celebration Monday, Feb. 16 at the UTEP Union Plaza. The celebration is part of the historical events section, organized by the Office of Student Life, and it’s aimed to celebrate the federal holiday...

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Aug. 1 marks the first day Senate Bill 11 goes into effect., allowing concealed carry on campus.

Texas Legislature considers open-carry bill

Alonso Moreno, Staff Reporter February 17, 2015

As Senate Bills 11 and 17 move forward, Texans find themselves closer to the possibility of not only being able to openly carry guns, but also being able to sport concealed firearms at public colleges and universities. On Thursday, Feb. 12, the Texas...

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For some, dating a single parent may evoke a fear of being unprepared for the relationship, or not wanting to settle down

Dating someone with children may not always be a dealbreaker

Alonso Moreno, Staff Reporter February 10, 2015

While some prepare to ask someone out for a perfect Valentine’s Day date, others worry how their dates will react to the news that they have children. This is just another worry for about 14.4 million parents. The U.S. census data said that parents...

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Dr. Stephen L. Crites works in his office with research on stereotypes and judgements.

Psychology professor researches stereotypes, perceptions in memories

Alonso Moreno, Staff Reporter February 3, 2015

While you’re busy making assumptions or judging the people around you, there are observers nearby who are busy putting the science behind your actions and why you do that. Dr. Stephen L. Crites, professor and chair of the psychology department, has...

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Texas welcomes new governor—Greg Abbott sworn in

Texas welcomes new governor—Greg Abbott sworn in

Alonso Moreno, Staff Reporter January 27, 2015

After more than 14 years, Texas swore in its first new governor, Greg Abbott, R-Texas, Jan. 20 on the south lawn of the Texas Capitol building in downtown Austin. Abbott served as attorney general for more than a decade, and as governor, he has vowed...

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