Stimulus package falls short for many college students

4May

By Staff/Guest1 Comment

Business, Finance, News, On Campus, Politics

Stimulus package falls short for many college students

Stimulus package falls short for many college students By Alejandro HernandezBridge Staff WriterandBy Jessica RodriguezDirector of PhotographyPublished Monday, May 4, 2020 On March 26, Congress passed a $2 trillion stimulus bill in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The CARES Act bill secured $1,200 for U.S. citizens ages 18 and older and $500 for every dependent child 16 years and younger as a stimulus payment in April. While some received their checks through direct deposit, a large population still awaits theirs. Many college students became disappointed to find out they would not receive financial assistance through the stimulus. The bill did not guarantee a payment made for those claimed as a dependent on a federal tax return; this includes a significant number of college...

27Apr

By Staff/GuestNo Comments

Features, Life & Arts, On Campus

Comics take over TAMIU

Comics take over TAMIU By Andrew AlfaroBridge contributing writerPublished Monday April 27, 2020 The kids who came of age during the comic book movie boom are now adults and want to see how far the genre can go. In today’s world, comics are all over pop culture and every weekend it seems as if a new comic book movie was being released before COVID-19. The popularity of these comics has even made its way into classrooms with topics based on the art form. Assistant Professional of visual communication Thomas Brown, teaches photography and writing courses at Texas A&M International University. One of the courses he offers is Writing for Comics Books, a writing intensive course. The class will be made available again in Summer Session 1 via online due to COVID-19. The class...

20Apr

By Staff/GuestNo Comments

Education, On Campus

Education students tackle the blocks

Education students tackle the blocks College relaxes grading system By Andrea MartinezBridge contributing writerPublished Monday, April 20, 2020 TAMIU’s College of Education holds one of the highest graduation rates in the University. However, the College does not allow students who do not pass the teacher certification exams to move on to Blocks II and III of the program. Up to three blocks exist for education students in order to graduate, yet some students are finding a difficult time graduating due to incomplete blocks. “We want to demonstrate to the school districts that these students showed that they are knowledgeable in the subject they teach,” Associate Dean Alfredo Ramirez Jr. said. The intent of this process is to help students prepare for Block III, as...

20Apr

By Staff/GuestNo Comments

Health, International Affairs, On Campus

Coronavirus affects TAMIU campus

Coronavirus affects TAMIU campus By Maria ReyneroBridge contributing writer Published Monday, April 20, 2020 As the threat of COVID-19 spread, TAMIU’s policy began and continues to be following the regulations and guidelines of the City of Laredo Health Department. Since the initial spread, the campus was partially closed for many activities, face masks are required to enter campus buildings, and other initiatives set forth by Laredo. A virus which began as a case in Wuhan, China, became an outbreak, and spread to numerous other countries before becoming a global pandemic. The coronavirus, also known as SARS-CoV-2, spread to the U.S. It can be deadly once it causes the COVID-19 disease. Anyone showing symptoms is encouraged to seek medical attention and supervision. As of...

20Apr

By Staff/GuestNo Comments

On Campus, Sports

Division II football team debate

Division II football team debate By Karla JuarezBridge contributing writerPublished Monday, April 20, 2020 Despite its identity as a popular Texan sport, TAMIU is devoid of a football program. After all, Texas is the only state with an NFL team named after the people who live in it: the Texans. Texas A&M International University’s Athletic Department offers most of the major sports one can think of. There’s men’s and women’s soccer, volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, softball, there’s even a golf team and a cross country team. Nearly every semester, students wonder why TAMIU lacks a football team even though it’s often considered “America’s sport.” While baseball continues to be called “America’s pastime,” football continues to rise in popularity for the p...

13Apr

By Staff/GuestNo Comments

Features, Humans of TAMIU, Life & Arts, On Campus

DustyCup event canceled

DustyCup event canceled By Joel CaballeroBridge contributing writerPublished Monday, April 13, 2020 Considered by some to be the most competitive event, both mentally and physically, between student organizations, DustyCup was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Student Government Association at Texas A&M International University, which sponsors the annual event, planned to host it this semester on April 4. The event normally brings student organizations together for the opportunity to compete for bragging rights and for the winner to take home a trophy and a grant. DustyCup is typically hosted after the Big Event, a Universitywide community service event for the local community. The event was expected to not only have a physical portion but also one for academics w...

13Apr

By Staff/GuestNo Comments

On Campus

Residence halls‌ ‌prepare‌ ‌for‌ ‌COVID-19‌ ‌

Residence halls‌ ‌prepare‌ ‌for‌ ‌COVID-19‌ ‌ By Jorge‌ ‌Padilla‌Bridge contributing writerPublished Monday, April 13, 2020 ‌As the coronavirus spread at an exponential rate in March, the administration began taking precautionary measures to make sure campus residential students could self-isolate. The school asked students and faculty to self-isolate for 14 days before returning to campus, if traveling from other countries. The Texas A&M International University residence halls received new hand-sanitizer dispensers on each floor to disinfect and help prevent the virus’ spread. Other upgrades‌ ‌occurred over the‌ ‌past‌ ‌three‌ ‌years. As of March 30, faculty and staff converted the rest of the semester courses to online virtual environments to aid in social di...

13Apr

By Staff/GuestNo Comments

Entertainment, Features, Humans of TAMIU, On Campus

Rise of esports at TAMIU

Rise of esports at TAMIU By Ruben ReyesBridge contributing writerPublished Monday, April 13, 2020 The TAMIU Smash Club is composed of students who play “Super Smash Bros.” for relaxation and competition. Over the course of the semester, students formed bonds, thus enhancing the college experience for most. Management information systems major Luis Arriaga said his studies of networking exceeded his expectations in the TAMIU Smash Club. “I want to have events that bring competitors from around the United States to [Texas A&M International University] and compete with our local Smash players,” Arriaga said. Arriaga hopes to persuade TAMIU into looking at programs or scholarships for esports. “TAMIU lags a little behind, but recently, the TAMIU [Recreational Sports Cent...

13Apr

By Staff/GuestNo Comments

On Campus

Pride events canceled for social distancing

Pride events canceled for social distancing By Annabelle ArambulaBridge contributing writerPublished Monday, April 13, 2020 Despite Pride Week’s existence in June, TAMIU holds pride week in April since summer is not part of the spring or fall semesters. The Campus Ally Network organization, created in 2016, is the only LGBTQ organization at the University and helps organize the campus Pride Week. CAN President Michael Najar said the organization is small but eager to grow. As of now, the organization has 20-35 members but Najar hopes for more to join. “We are a group that accepts people when they’re different,” Najar said. “We try our best as possible to make the school environment more friendly with us.” He said maintaining an organization that is welcoming and accepting o...

13Apr

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Features, Humans of TAMIU, On Campus

Inside the race for Mr., Ms. TAMIU

Inside the race for Mr., Ms. TAMIU By Cesar NeiraBridge contributing writerPublished Monday, April 13, 2020 Reaching out to the student body is the most important part of their campaign strategy, a sentiment expressed by Mr. and Ms. TAMIU. Jose Alvarez and Abigail Zuniga received their crowns, an event that caps off the annual tradition of Texas A&M International University Spirit Week. “It all starts with the urge to become more involved with the student body,” the 2020 candidates said of their campaign. From Jan. 30 to Feb. 8, they utilized an interactive campaign strategy on the TAMIU campus to have a greater impact on the student body. Being able to meet and communicate with the student body was of the utmost importance in their campaign process, they said. “We wan...

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