Go Ahead, Touch!
Hand on Heart
UTSA鈥檚 Downtown Campus is home to Milagros, an art piece consisting of 31 unique bronze hearts created by artist and UTSA alumna Diana Rodriguez Gil M.F.A. 鈥�86.
鈥淭his art is inspired by small representational objects that are placed at sites of contemplation,鈥� according to a plaque on campus that cites the author. 鈥淭hese Milagros are offered as a continuous prayer and are intended to be testimonials, memorials or landmarks of community history. The hearts also represent the love and dedication shown by many persons involved in the education of our community.鈥�
The word milagro is Spanish for miracle, and over time UTSA students on the Downtown Campus have started rubbing them for good luck or a miracle, especially around finals.
Flowing Luck
Placing two hands on the fountain in Sombrilla Plaza just before finals is said to bring good luck on exams, according to university folklore. But don鈥檛 try to abuse the fountain鈥檚 manna, since touching it at any other time, legend says, brings bad luck.
In January 2014, 35 years after it was built, the fountain returned to service after extensive renovations, becoming fully sustainable by using only reclaimed water from air conditioning systems of neighboring buildings 鈥� an idea proposed by students to ensure it could remain operational year-round without straining the water supply.
For the Romeos and Juliets
Legend has it that two UTSA students fell in love on the bridge that connects the Arts and Sciences buildings. Based on the couple鈥檚 romance, it became known as the Bridge of Love, according to a 1997 article that set the scene at 鈥渕ore than 20 years ago.鈥� But categorize this under 鈥淭hings That Make You Go, Hmm?鈥�
The story recalls that Julie, an undergraduate art student, and boyfriend Jason met, fell in love, separated and then fell in love all over again on the bridge. The two were separated when Jason got drafted and left Julie a note, only to return a year later and surprise her.
The legend creates a bit of a historical pickle, though. If Julie was getting a bachelor鈥檚 in art, that means she wouldn鈥檛 have been admitted until 1976, the first year UTSA was open to undergrads. The Vietnam-era draft, however, was suspended three years earlier, and even the Selective Service registration requirement was dropped in 1975 and didn鈥檛 resume until 1980.
It appears Jason has some explaining to do about that missing year. Or if you know Julie or Jason, have them get in touch with us! We鈥檇 love to hear from them firsthand.
Rite of Spring
Fiesta UTSA has been part of campus tradition since more than 1,000 students celebrated the first event on April 4, 1978. It became an official Fiesta San Antonio event in 1980, the third year the event was held on campus.
Each year on Main Campus the fest brings out food and activity booths sponsored by student organizations, a visit by Fiesta Royalty, musical performances and those infamously messy yet fun cascarones. It鈥檚 always one of the first events on the Fiesta San Antonio calendar and was the first Fiesta event held north of the city. Party on the Paseo is an alcohol-free alternative, held on campus, to Fiesta SA鈥檚 unofficial college night.
On the Downtown Campus since 1999, NIUTSA (a play on Fiesta鈥檚 NIOSA, Night in Old San Antonio) has evolved into a family-friendly event featuring live bands, games, crafts and food.
But what鈥檚 Fiesta without medals to collect? Check out some of UTSA鈥檚 vintage designs. And vote for your all-time favorite Fiesta UTSA medal in our gallery.
Make Some Noise
What does a roadrunner say? Both chicks and adults make a clacking sound that鈥檚 seen as a potential warning sign to predators or as a way to find other roadrunners.
That clacking is being planned as one of the university鈥檚 newest traditions when fall 2015 freshmen get an opportunity to receive a wooden castanet to approximate the roadrunner call. The idea is that the castanets can be used at Roadrunner athletic games to distract opposing teams during scoring opportunities.