Vol87 9 15 16

September 15, 2016 Volume 87 Issue 1

CODY MCGEHEE | The Ranger

Students waited in line for an average of one to two hours to purchase textbooks after a new sales system caused massive delays. In a textbook case of good intentions gone astray, AC became the first college in the nation to use this new system. Bookstore officials say they won’t use it again.

Bookstore innovation causes frustration

By RAZ RASMUSSEN Ranger Reporter

Once upon a time, Amarillo College students went to buy their textbooks. Little did they know, their fairytale idea of a perfect beginning would begin to feel all too much like the story of Rip Van Winkle. Students lined up to experience a new system for purchasing textbooks at the AC bookstore only to exit feeling as if the entire semester had already passed.

Many students said it took one to two hours to get their numbers on a list, and then they had to make multiple trips back to the bookstore to get the actual books.

Now, in response to the failure of this new system, bookstore staff are trying to find a way to make this process

smoother in the future, said Dennis Leslie, AC bookstore manager.

The bookstore will not use the failed system again next semester, according to Leslie. He plans to meet with his staff “to re-evaluate and try to figure out what we want to do for spring.”

Throughout the first week of the semester, students grumbled and muttered four-letter words as they exited the bookstore.

“Honestly, I don’t like it.

It just doesn’t work. They say your books are ready and you go up there, and they’re not. It’s not right,” Joseph Lundegreen, a physics major, said.

Brittany Cox, a sonography major, said her experience shopping at the AC bookstore “was very time-consuming. The ladies were extremely nice but took a lot out of my day.”

“I believe the old way

is better,” James Black, a fine arts major, said.

“My classmate ordered her books and they said she would get a text, but when she got the text, the store was already closed.”

Stacey Long, a fine arts major, also experienced problems. “I like that

The new software used by the college to distribute books was from a company that does the same sort of thing for airports. Travelers register online, get a number and that’s the seat they will have on the plane, or in this case, their place in

Our intentions were really good. We didn’t do that to make everyone miserable because that made us miserable.

– Dennis Leslie, bookstore manager there is online ordering, but it seems to be causing a lot of issues. I ordered books I needed but didn’t have them in time. So I waited in line for an hour and a half, and my online order ended up being canceled,” said Long.

line. The difference was that no one has ever used this software on such a large input group -– namely 14,000.

“We were the first college in the United States to try it, and the first to fail at it,” said Leslie.

“I regret the long, long hours and the frustrations that it caused students, but I don’t regret having tried something new. If you don’t try then you’ll never know. It’s not like we all of a sudden decided to do it – we have been planning and working on it since April. But the volume just killed us.”

Other factors that added to the huge influx of book buyers and long waits were enrollment going up and various last-minute changes being made to textbook adoptions.

Another major issue was the closing of the West Campus bookstore June 15, which brought an additional 1,500 students to the Washington Street bookstore. Leslie said he also failed to take into account the release of financial aid all at the same time, complicated by the simultaneous re-

turn of the students who had already obtained their numbers.

Leslie said he never meant to cause an inconvenience.

“Our intentions were really good. We didn’t do that to make everyone miserable, because that made us miserable. We understand the frustration, and we’ll continue looking at things we can do to make it easier to get textbooks,” Leslie said.

Despite the delays, students eventually got their books and many professors gave students extra time on assignments.

Some students managed to bypass the bookstore backlog. Addison Glazner, a graphic design major, said, “I actually had FedEx ship the books to my house. It was pretty good. It looked like the lines at the bookstore were really bad.”

Free legal clinic to provide advice, assistance and hands-on training

By JENNA GIBSON Ranger Reporter

Amarillo College students and employees will be able to receive free legal counseling beginning Tuesday, Sept. 20.

The college’s new free legal clinic will conduct a grand opening at 10 a.m.

The new clinic will be located in Byrd 328, where two AC paralegal students, Ashley

Scott and Brett Howard, will provide legal advice along with an advisory committee made up of program director and legal studies professor Robin Malone, former attorney and adjunct professor David Kemp and legal clinic coordinator and adjunct professor Bruce Moseley.

“It is super exciting.

We are hoping this (the legal clinic) is a seed

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that gets planted and becomes a permanent thing,” said Moseley.

The college received a $25,000, one-year grant from the Texas Bar Foundation to fund the clinic.

The goal is to provide legal assistance for AC students and staff as well as individuals around the Panhandle region, while providing AC legal studies students with pracit-

cal paralegal/legal assistance experience.

“The clinic is important for paralegal students because it gives us a hands-on learning experience for our future careers and also we get to help out our community,” said Ashley Scott, a paralegal major and clinical intern.

“This is such an important service for AC to have because it can

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become overwhelming dealing with legal issues, finding an attorney if needed and not knowing what lies ahead during the process,” she said.

There are no requirements to qualify for help from the legal clinic, said Moseley, and it is 100 percent free of cost.

A wide range of legal issues can be addressed, including immigration issues, family law issues,

landlord-tenant issues, probate issues, veteran issues and general issues.

“AC will be here to assist with making the right decisions given your circumstances, setting you up with an attorney and guiding you through what will happen,” Scott said.

No appointment is needed, hours are Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Twitter and Instagram: @acranger

2 Opinion The Ranger

September 15, 2016

Don’t bash the bookstore EDITORIAL

How did you feel about the new method the bookstore used this semester?

Cameron Vinson

“I kind of liked it in the summer where I could show them my list and get my books right then and there instead of waiting two or three days for my books.”

criminal justice major

Logan Nelson

general studies major

“It was stupid. I actually got kicked out of the queue and I had been waiting for two days for my book. I had to go back up to the bookstore to get put back into the queue and had to wait another whole day for one book.”

“I had to wait in line that whole time, and that was kind of ridiculous. It was a lot better with the old system.”

Micha Sexton education major

Frustrated, fed-up and furious students waited in line for hours this fall to obtain their textbooks, but despite the baffling backlog, the bookstore is not entirely to blame.

Amarillo College’s recent change in the bookstore sales system clearly backfired in a “textbook” case of good intentions and poor results.

Rather than cursing and complaining, however, the situation offers the chance to re-evaluate and move forward by examining all the factors that contributed to the confusion and long lines.

Previously, students would go online to print out their book lists, show them to a bookstore employee and be handed the books they needed.

In an attempt to improve and streamline this process, AC set up a system where students would drop off their orders, receive a text message stating their order was ready, arrive at the bookstore and be handed

Garage wanted

It’s long overdue for Amarillo College to address the absurd parking situation. The parking shortage on AC’s Washington Street Campus creates numerous problems, such as causing students to arrive late to class. A parking garage would create a safer campus. Building a parking garage would increase the number of available parking spots and would prevent students from parking in front of nearby residents’ homes.

No one likes driving around for 30 minutes trying to find a parking spot. Professors don’t like students coming late to class, and students don’t like being late. If the parking situation is not fixed now, Amarillo Col-

lege will have a much harder time fixing the problem in the future. As each year goes by, more and more students enroll at AC, meaning a larger percentage of students who struggle to find a parking spot.

A parking garage would create more parking for students, faculty and visitors. No one would have to park on the street anymore, which would mean the end of costly parking tickets. A garage could solve many of the daily frustrations most students experience at AC. Although building and maintaining a parking garage could be costly, the students could pay for a parking pass for the entire year and that

money could help keep the parking garage functioning properly. The initial cost of building the parking garage could be solved with a bond proposal or approaching the Amarillo Economic Development Corp. about a proposed partnership to bring in the funds that are needed.

This theoretical parking garage could be a reality if AC turned its focus toward these avenues of opportunity.

Every AC student is familiar with the daily grind of hunting for a parking spot. It seems nearly impossible to find a decent parking spot close to campus at high time. People just wind up getting frustrated and hating their awful parking spots that they nabbed just a few minutes before class.

To fight this seem-

ingly endless cycle of self-induced torture, students can do one of three simple things; come up to campus early, carpool or enjoy a walk or bike ride.

Getting over to campus early may seem like a hassle, but it does have its advantages. Not only can students enjoy choosing, actually choosing rather than hunting, where to park, they can also enjoy

spending the extra time catching up on schoolwork or maybe even going to the Carter Fitness Center if they’re feeling up to it.

Carpooling can be a fun experience if given a shot. Find a friend or neighbor who wouldn’t mind the company and tag along with them. Not only will the morning be spent with a friend, but

their books.

This idea sounds revolutionary and life changing – but unfortunately left students enraged, exhausted and effervescing with anger.

It’s not surprising that many students lashed out, complaining that the bookstore screwed everything up; however, we, The Ranger staff, are here to urge you to appreciate the bookstore’s drive to innovate and examine how we all contributed to the situation.

In addition to the new system, AC’s West Campus closed its bookstore this summer, leaving the Washington Street Campus with more than double the average number of students seeking books.

This news was shared via email, but frighteningly enough, many students do not check their email regularly, so they did not plan ahead.

Email is the primary way the college sends important information, and students who do not read their email may suffer as a result.

Also, it is not uncommon for students to wait until the last minute to purchase their books adding to the crowds and chaos.

Everyone arrived at once, which obviously overloaded the abilities of the bookstore staff.

Planning ahead is a key skill that college students should master.

Yet another contributing factor is the fact that AC releases financial aid to students who qualify all on the same day, causing a vast majority to rush to the bookstore all at once.

We urge the college to look for ways to eliminate that last-minute onslaught of purchasers.

Perhaps the bookstore could develop a system that credits purchases to financial aid in advance of the actual award. Students, if you have extra financial aid money, save some for the next semester’s textbooks.

That way, you won’t be a part of the dreadful last-minute book rush.

Students, instead of

lashing out at the bookstore for trying something new, think about changes you can make to improve this process as a whole.

We implore you to check your emails, purchase your books earlier whenever possible and find ways to save last semester’s financial aid to purchase the next semester’s books.

The bookstore staff realizes this system utterly failed and has announced it will not be used again – but we should not condemn bookstore personnel for trying a potentially innovative solution.

College is chaotic and the bookstore situation can easily be called a fiasco, but we urge you to do your part in controlling the chaos.

By CLAIRE EKAS

Ranger Reporter

No need to stress over parking mess

- Serving Amarillo College since 1930 For a complete staff listing, please visit The Ranger online at www.acranger.com.

it may also lead to some unexpected help with the homework you couldn’t quite figure out or some tips for the quiz that’s coming up.

You could also just skip the parking altogether. The mornings in Amarillo are relatively nice and mild, perfect for walking or riding a bike.

Imagine relaxing in the morning, listening to

your music and just enjoying the trip to campus.

Don’t spend your morning in some kind of parking duel that can become the world’s most popular epic next to The Odyssey. Count to 10, take a breath and just relax, because there is no need to stress over something as trivial as parking, especially being a college student.

Student Media exists to serve you--the students. The Ranger serves as an open forum where you can learn and talk about the things that matter to you. The Ranger staff urges you to get involved. Submit ideas, photos, writings and videos.

Tell us what you want covered. A public critique and meeting session is open to the campus community at 10:30 a.m. Fridays in PH 214.

Student Media outlets include The Ranger, The Ranger Online, AC Current, FM90 and our various web shows and podcasts including Badger B.S. and Screen Louder, along with a new web series that will debut this fall.

You can reach us at acranger@actx.edu. We look forward to hearing from you--The Student Media Staff The Ranger is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press, College Media Advisers, Panhandle Press Association, Texas

By MARISSA KING Ranger Reporter

Intercollegiate Press Association and Texas Community College Journalism Association.

In 1993, The Ranger was inducted into the national ACP Hall of Fame.

The journalism program is nationally accredited by the Community College Journalism Association.

News September 15, 2016

3

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Changes underway for Student Life

By JONATHAN GIBSON Ranger Reporter

Amber Brookshire recently found herself back where she started as a student at Amarillo College - in the basement of the College Union Building. Brookshire just started her new job as AC’s director of student life.

Brookshire started working at AC in September 2007 as a recruitment coordinator and continued in that position until January 2014 when she became director of testing services. This summer, she took over the position of director of student life when the former director married and moved to Tennessee to become the executive vice president of the Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities.

When she departed, former Director of Student Life Heather Lambert (formerly Heather

Atchley) was incredibly excited to have Brookshire as her replacement.

Lambert and Brookshire have known one another and have worked together for almost 20 years.

Brookshire said she is excited about her new position and the future of the AC Student Life department. When asked what student life does, Brookshire said, “Students come to Amarillo College to have learning experiences.” She explained, “That happens inside the classroom and outside the classroom.

We’re the outside the classroom piece of that puzzle.”

The Student Life department has a large presence on campus, but many students are unsure of what exactly they do.

“We provide activities, but they’re supposed to be activities that provide engagement and have an impactful meaning behind them,” Brookshire. said.

“Intramural sports and New Student Orientation fall under this department, and we also do a lot of leadership activities to really help students become the leaders we know they can be.

That’s a lot of work for one department. Some people think we’re just giving away T-shirts and free food all the time, but there’s a lot more meaning behind it.”

Barbra Walker, a mass media major and SGA member, said she is excited about Brookshire’s new position. “I love her. I was a little nervous, ‘cause I had gotten really close with Heather [Lambert], but I just really like her and I think she’s going to be really amazing. She loves us, she loves what she does.”

And it’s true; Brookshire really does love what she does. “This position is truly my passion, and I say that honestly.” said Brookshire. “I wish you could feel the happiness

a way of life for me. This is who I am, and I hope as students get to know me they’ll see that.”

Having worked closely with AC’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter, Brookshire has accumulated a lot of knowledge about working with students.

“I’ve had a lot of experience with students, and what I’ve seen is that they come here and they discover their voice... Who they are... and it becomes

a transformational experience - it’s not transactional anymore.”

Brookshire has a clear sense of her goals for her students, “I hope they leave here saying ‘I know who I am.’ There’s this quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson: ‘The only person you’re destined to become is the person you decide to be’, and I think [students] start to discover who they can be while they’re here.”

from high school, but because Amarillo College is so diverse, we should promote the program to all ages,” said Estrella Suarez, a criminal justice major.

The program is designed to help students with their financial aid, advising and help them to navigate around school during their first year.

“I think I wouldn’t have been encouraged to continue going to school. My mentor is truly inspirational and a blessing to the college experience,” said Joelysbeth Valle, a sonography major.

If the champions have any questions or concerns, the coaches are a call or text away.

“I absolutely love my coach,” said Suarez. “She has truly helped me understand the basics of college. We have built a close relationship. If

I have any questions or concerns about anything, she is the first person I go to,” Suarez said.

Mentors help provide wisdom and insight to the students on which path they should take.

The coaches have the advice and have the experience that students want to know on their first year in college.

“My favorite part, I think, is just offering some reassurance to these students. Especially because most of these students are the first generation of their families in college,” said Follins.

Follins earned her bachelor’s degree in education and her master’s in higher education. She encourages students to COURTESY PHOTO hang in there through the hard times with a positive Coordinator of New Student Programs Calee Follins was the former intramurals coordinator, which is why attitude.

“Regardless of their she is pictured here in a bubble soccer ball. Trent circumstances, I just Oneal will now serve as intramurals coordinator.

think their attitude is the key. You don’t have to be a genius to make it far,” said Follins.

Follins said she feels she wouldn’t have felt as lost with her college experience if there had been a program like Coaches and Champions.

She also said she feels that interacting and engaging with students releases many of their fears.

“It would’ve been a tremendous weight off my shoulders,” said Follins. “I really like being able to reach out to students and help them grow.”

Follins said she encourages any staff members to make a difference by signing up to be a student mentor.

“The more people we can connect, the better.

We would love for people to get involved and help.

It is a night and day difference,” she said.

degree faster and hopefully raise the graduation rate.”

The eight-week long semesters takes the class and compresses the time frame down to half.

Some studies have shown that student focus tends to drop around the ninth week of classes. Therefore, by only taking an eight week class, the focus stays strong.

“Students can still see completion relatively quickly,” said Pam George, student adviser.

“It helps in our immediate oriented world--I want something and I want to see results now.”

While the shorter classes work well for students seeking to graduate faster, or students who struggle to balance

school with the rest of their lives, there are also some drawbacks.

quired during a 16-week course,” said Llewellyn.

“You just have a shorter span of time to complete it all.”

In order to avoid falling behind, George suggested that students “get started right away, and find some system for organization and stay ahead or at least on top of everything.”

“Focus on time management. Know your deadlines, know what is expected of you, and make sure you give yourself the time you need to get things done. Don’t panic,” Llewellyn said.

Leavitt agrees with that advice. “Don’t procrastinate,” he said, noting “and I tend to do that, I kinda gotta preach to myself.”

COURTESY PHOTO

New Student Life Director Amber Brookshire poses with two former student life directors April Sessler and Heather Atchley Lambert.

in my heart with this position, because it has the ability to really change lives. And the relationships that I get to build are what it’s all about, and that just means the world to me. I love it. I don’t see [this position] as a position, this is who I am. I don’t leave here at 5:00 and I’m no longer the director of student life.

I’m always the student advocate. It’s not just a job, this position is truly

Alumna will serve as student coordinator

By PAMELA CERRO Ranger Reporter

Amarillo College’s former intramural coordinator welcomes the semester with a new mission.

Calee Follins is now the new student coordinator, a position that oversees new student orientation, the Coaches and Champions program and many other student services.

“The whole point is to meet new people and find a place on our campus to feel like they have a family,” Follins said.

Many students say they have felt welcomed at AC because of the Coaches and Champions program.

“I think that overall promoting the program would reel people in. A lot of people that are only introduced to the program are students

Weighing cost-benefit of eight-week classes

By ELIZABETH MOORE Ranger Reporter

Amarillo College is striving to boost student success by impelementing several accelerated eight-week semester classes.

By doing so, students are able to maintain fulltime status by taking two classes at a time and still completing twelve-credit hours a semester.

“I think it’s great that we can offer eight-week courses,” said Jacqueline Llewellyn, instructor of speech. “Classes may be more accessible to people with challenging schedules outside of school.”

Chad Leavitt, a business management major, said, “I think it’s going to help students get their

doesn’t necessarily mean half the work. Most professors, in order to help

I think it’s going to help students get their degree faster and hopefully raise the graduation rate.

- Chad Leavitt,

business management major

When a class is shortened to eight-weeks, it

the students learning just as much as they would in

a normal semester, won’t cut most of the assignments.

“Probably one of the biggest drawbacks is it’s so fast-paced, a lot of students don’t understand that it’s the same amount of work as the 16-week semester but in half of the time,” said George.

“They think that it’s going to be easier when in reality it’s probably a little bit harder.”

Leavitt said that while it can help students graduate sooner, the eightweek semesters consist of a lot of work crammed into a smaller period of time.

“The workload required in an eight-week course could feel more challenging to students than the workload re-

4 News The Ranger

September 15, 2016

Club Fair brings students with similar interests together

By ADRIAN KEMP

know people that might be transferring with you Ranger Reporter and also get important Amarillo College information to help offers many clubs to make the decision,” fulfill students’ interests. Ernesto Olmos, sponsor On Aug. 29 and 30, the of the club, said. college held the annual The club travels to club fair in the newly different universities to redesigned mall between show students what they the Ware Student have to offer and to get Commons and the hands-on experience College Union Building. with each campus. They “During the fair, also offer application each club distributed workshops and club information such as meetings with free food. what time they meet Contact Olmos for more and what kind of things information at 806they do,” said Jeanetta 371-5447 or by email at Smiley, executive efolmos@actx.edu. secretary of the student Another club that is life department. “That available is the Delta way if they’re interested Psi Omega, which they can go ahead and is a national honors sign paperwork to start,” society for the theatre she said. department. “We do There are more than summer shows as well as 16 clubs students can a murder mystery show participate in, from art to have the audience to English. One of the guess who the murderer newer clubs that has only is. It’s all student been around since last directed and student year is the Transfer Club. cast. Everything is done “The goal is to by the students. This year get students that are we hope to work with planning to transfer Ronald McDonald’s after Amarillo College House to put on a show to get a community for the kids there,” type feel. Like if you’re said Ray Newburg, trying to go to WT or sponsor of Delta Psi Texas Tech, you have Omega and theatre the opportunity to get to professor. Meetings are

COURTESY PHOTO

The Bash Script Crazy computer club recruts new members at Club Fair.

in the Experimental Theatre Lobby on the Washington Street Campus.

Artists who enjoy creative expression or are pursuing artistically focused careers can join the Art club. “We are promoting the new configuration of visual arts plus mass media, graphic design, photography, theatre and music,” said Stephanie Jung, fine arts professor.

For more information email her at sajung@ actx.edu.

Students who love English and writing

can discuss topics with Sigma Kappa Delta.

“Sigma is an English honors society that holds discussion groups that critically think. I feel we all need to examine what’s going on around us. We have free lunch for students and it’s basically a mixture of seriousness and having fun,” said Margie Netherton, English professor and sponsor of Sigma Kappa Delta. The club also collects books for children, nursing homes, and women in homeless shelters by doing events such as book drives and

fundraisers.

Located on 25th and Jackson Street across from the parking lot is the Kappa Chi Christian Club or Bible Chair. “We have Bible studies Tuesday through Thursday at noon with a free meal offered every Wednesday. It’s any faith, any religion and any color. It’s open to everyone,” said Jerry Klein, philosophy professor and club sponsor.

A new club this year is the Children’s Miracle Network Dance Club. The club will be

partnering with West Texas A&M Dance Club to have a dance marathon. “At this point, since we’re new we are just trying to recruit and get students involved before we take the next step,” said Ashley Thomas, club sponsor. “The amount of money raised for Miracle Network last year reached almost $800,000 and we plan to top that record hopefully this year.” The club will do fundraisers once a month to benefit the dance marathon.

For more information go to actx.edu for meeting times.

Debating the benefits of Blackboard

By DUSTIN CLARK Ranger Reporter

College uses Blackboard.

With so many users, it’s not surprising that such an intricate system can have some mixed reactions.

Blackboard has a tendency to start

malfunctioning during times when users are constantly accessing it, such as the beginning of the semester, “Day one Blackboard tends to run slow, and on final exam week it tends to

run slow or crash,” said Brian Farmer, professor of social sciences.

Some students have From viewing also noticed some lag assignments, sending time.

“There have been emails, to entering a few times where and checking grades, Blackboard starts to everyone at Amarillo chug a little bit, but it hasn’t been as bad so far this semester as it has been in the past,” said Steven Potts, a business administration major.

Arsalan Mehrabkhani, a biology major, disagreed. “I think it’s been running fine,” he said, “like all the other websites I check out.”

New students said they are adjusting to the system. “I like it. It’s hard SHELLEY MARTINEZ | The Ranger to get used to at first, but A student manuevers through his classes in Blackboard in the library. after getting to play with

it, and trying to figure out what tabs go where, it really does get a little bit easier,” said Marina Chico, a biology major.

Mehrabkhani said his favorite feature is being able to access the website easily on his phone.

“It’s been awesome. If you know the URL you can always get into it,” Mehrabkhani said.

Chico said her favorite aspect of Blackboard is the Courses tab because it helps her stay up to date with what’s happening in her classes. “Through that I was able to find, what announcements my professors had and what assignments are needed,” she said.

Potts said that he

enjoys the ease of things like viewing grades, but vented his frustration about trying to work the email system on Blackboard. “It’s not the best system, but it’s far from the worst,” he said.

Farmer, however, is not a fan of the system.

“Ever since we went to Blackboard, it has actually changed how I do things,” Farmer said, explaining the he can no longer do things like drop exams and plans to switch to a point based grade system.

Farmer added that the older systems had their own kinks to work out.

“What it amounts to is, if it weren’t Blackboard, it’d be something else.”

College recognized for developmental Enrollment increases, education and student support efforts expected to climb

By JENNA GIBSON Ranger Reporter

AC has been chosen to receive the Comprehensive College Readiness and Success Grant from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

This two-year grant could provide AC with up to $904,000 depending on the number of students who achieve the grant goals.

The purpose of the grant is to help students earn Level 1 certificates and speed up the amount of time it takes for students to complete workforce train-

ing and developmental education classes.

It is part of the state of Texas’ commitment to get 60% of all Texans ages 25 to 34 to have some credential beyond high school by the year 2030.

Jerel Booker, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board assistant commissioner, visited AC on Sept. 9 to take a first-hand look at the college’s student success initiatives.

Booker spoke to AC staff about college success in Texas and said, “We need to start making drastic changes now to get students to

and through college,” said Booker. “We feel this institution is doing a lot of innovative things in the state and even nationally.”

“I’m really excited about what I’ve seen from this institution.

When I go out and speak, I’m going to use AC as a model,” said Booker.

Earlier this month, college officials learned that AC is one of four colleges in the United States being recognized for its student support initiatives.

The U.S. Department of Education chose AC to participate

in a project that will help share methods for meeting student needs.

Two services highlighted in the DOE’s notification letter were AC’s Adult and Developmental Education services along with the AC Food Pantry.

“Many of our adult and developmental education students have great needs and our poverty initiative goes hand-in-hand with this recognition. The academic and social services support are what make this project work,” said Dr. Tamara Clunis, dean of Academic Success.

By MATT HUNT Ranger Reporter

For the first time in two years, Amarillo College enrollment is up and could climb even higher. According to AC officials, the increase has been attributed to the new eightweek class format.

Students can anticipate even more eightweek options, as the college plans to have 80 percent of classes available in the eightweek format soon.

Vice President of Student Affairs, Robert Austin, said that fall semester enrollment

has exceeded 10,000 students.

Enrollment could climb higher when students begin the second round of eight-week classes.

“We’ve seen declining enrollments over the last five years or so, so this is good news,” said Austin. “Ideally there is a balance between the number of people who are here and the number that you can serve. I think we have the capacity to serve more students.”

Increased enrollment has the potential to impact parking and class availability.

News September 15, 2016

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RAZ RASMUSSEN | The Ranger

Empty chairs wait to be filled in Carter Fitness Center as instructors plan for the future of Lil’ Badgers.

Lil’ Badgers become nil badgers School camp enrollment plunges

By RAZ RASMUSSEN Ranger Reporter

There’s a secret place on campus that few people know about. It’s a place that was once full of children running around, enjoying themselves, but now sits empty.

Lil’ Badgers is Amarillo College’s school camp program that is designed to provide educational care for AC students’ children while their parents attend classes.

During the spring semester of 2016, a handful of children attended, but now these classes remain empty with only instructors waiting for children to arrive.

AC employees created the Lil’ Badgers program last year as part of a college staff contest to come up with innovative projects.

“The main purpose is to provide a service to students that may not be able to attend class because they can’t leave their children anywhere,” said Craig Clifton, department chair of fitness and life services.

The college piloted the program last spring and, initially, it did well, but this semester sign-ups have dropped dramatically. Most days, the instructors hired to teach the Lil’ Badgers clean the gym instead.

Jared Blashill, Lil’ Badgers instructor, said,

“If the kids don’t show up then I help clean equipment and do what most of the other gym staff do so I’m not getting payed for nothing.”

Organizers say the program got a late start on advertising, causing fewer students to take advantage of the school camps. “You have to know what facility you will be taking your children to, up to six months in advance of the time they actually need to be there,” said Amy West, continuing education instructor.

“There is a waiting list that parents are on for up to a year, so by the time AC started advertising for Lil’ Badgers, parents had already locked in on

where they were taking their kids.”

Another problem is the cost of the Lil’ Badgers program. “We have found that it is too expensive,” said Charlotte Modersitzki, director of Community Programs, in a video prepared for AC staff.

Modersitzki said she hopes to find alternative funding to offer more scholarships and free care.

Clifton agreed that the cost of care is an issue but said they have already cut prices as much as possible.

“We are losing money at the cost that we are charging,” Clifton said, pointing out that Pelleligible students or those

in need of financial assistance have been able to set up a payment plan with a $100 down payment and installments of $50 per week.

To address the low attendance, the Lil’ Badgers staff is making structural changes, including adding drop offs, flat-rate daily charges, greater flexibility and extended hours.

“We’re going to allow students to do drop off.

So if something comes up they can drop their child off and pay the daily rate,” Clifton said.

“We’re going to have another big advertising push,” he added. “We’ve got instructors lined up and they stay for the first hour and if no one shows

up then they go home.”

West, who taught the Lil’ Badgers class in the spring said the program is both fun and educational.

“From 7:30-10 a.m. is learning. We go over letters, numbers, and fun activities. Then 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. they do P.E. They learn how to do activities such as leap frog and tumbling.”

An afternoon/evening session is also available from 5 to 9 p.m.

The new flat rate charge is $10 per session per day and a child may be dropped off at any time during either the morning or afternoon time sessions. Parents must email by 5 p.m. the previous day to guarantee a spot.

Resource Fair offers tips to maximize experience

By MATTHEW RIVERS Ranger Reporter

Often the difference between a phenomenal and a frustrating experience in college is utilizing the tools one needs to maximize one’s college experience.

Amarillo College will soon hold an event to help students find the solutions they need.

“The Resource Fair is a wonderful on-

campus event that brings Amarillo College campus resources and Amarillo community resources together for the students of Amarillo College,” said Jordan Herrera, director of social services.

“Students are able to visit with representatives from the college and local agencies to learn more about their services and how students could benefit from services,” Herrera said.

AC officials said they are excited about the opportunities the upcoming fair will offer.

“They have 50 plus vendors that will be advising and tutoring people that need assistance like paying for utilities,” said Ernesto Olmos, associate director of advising.

“Students can talk to vendors to ask questions,” said Leslie Hinojosa, advising and social

services intern.

Some students say they already can find resources around the campus.

“I use the math lab and the English lab in the Ordway building.

Student loans are also another resource,” said Eddie Sanders, a biology major.

Other students said that they need more help with scheduling and advising.

“I need more help

getting scheduling done because some advisers are too slow and I need more peer advice on what professors to take,” said Macall Reyes, a criminal justice major.

The Resource Fair will be from 9 a.m. to noon Monday, Sept. 19 near the clock tower at the Washington Street Campus. Coffee and doughnuts will be served.

The resource fair also helps with any financial,

food or work issues.

All students are encouraged to check out what resources Amarillo College has to offer to help expand their experience.

For more information on the Resource Fair, and what resources are offered from Amarillo College, contact Jordan Herrera, at (806) 371-5439. Her office is located on the first floor of the Ware Student Commons.

Blackboard app provides convenience; flexibility

By SAVANNAH TARBET Ranger Reporter

The Blackboard app available on smart phones and tablets helps students to stay connected with their classes.

Students log into the app using their normal AC connect log-ins and are able to access most of the content available on the normal Blackboard website.

“I really like the Blackboard app because in one of my classes our homework involves posting on

discussion boards. The app makes it really easy to just do it on my phone without going through the hassle of getting on a computer,” said Shelby Hensley, a business major The Blackboard app sets up student’s classes on a dashboard setting allowing the user to access content in each of their classes, and it changes when you enroll in new classes or drop other ones, just like the website does.

“The Blackboard app is okay, I do use it some-

times. But in most of my classes, we take a lot of online quizzes and you aren’t able to access the quizzes or tests on your phone or tablet. Since that’s what I mostly use Blackboard for I’d just rather use my Mac over my phone,” said Zeljka Pap, a criminal justice major.

Although, not all course content can be accessed through the Blackboard app, such as timed quizzes and tests.

This does affect how many students use the

app.

“I definitely use the Blackboard app, and I like it a lot. It sends me notifications when my teacher adds new content like exam study guides, and it tells me when my teacher has posted new grades for tests and other assignments,” said Taylor Lewis, mass media major.

“It takes away some stress because I know my grades, and what I might be missing in my classes the second the teacher updates it. I would recommend that other stu-

dents get the app, plus it’s free” said Lewis.

Though the Blackboard app has gotten mixed reviews from stu-

dents and still has some bugs that need to be worked out, it is a good tool for students to be involved.

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Blackboard is avaliable for multiple devices.

6 NEWS The Ranger

September 15, 2016

Aviation maintenance program lets veterans soar

By CODY MCGEEHEE Ranger Reporter

Veterans are starting their second careers at Amarillo College’s aviation maintenance program.

“Students who attend this program go through a rigorous 40 topics in 18 months to get them ready to take a test monitored by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration),” Terry Smith, program coordinator, said.

“My personal goal is to put out the best top mechanics in this industry.”

AC offers courses that streamline the transition from military to civilian certification in the aviation field for the numerous veterans coming out of the military with aerospace experience. Smith said the program is trying to reach out with courses that make the change from military to civilian certification in this field easer.

This approach helps many veterans who leave the military with aerospace experience, but do not have the broad

knowledge needed for civilian aviation-related jobs.

Current program students Ben Lindsey and Zeb Ramos served in the Air Force and Navy, where, according to Ramos, they were only given one objective to complete as part of a team.

To succeed in civillian posititions, technicians must have broader knowledge. By earning the Airframe and Powerplant license through AC’s program, these veterans are learning everything about the infrastructure of aircraft and are becoming more employable in the civilian world, he said.

Lindsey and Ramos are learning about engine Aviation Maintenance student, Ben Lindsey, works on a helicopter battery. maintenance, landing gear, propellers and more. ing but aircraft every- blood, and ultimately I The Aviation Program Both noted that their where. It’s kind of hard dreamed of being a pilot. has also started groundmilitary experience fu- not to get caught up into I worked on that in the breaking on a new hangar eled their interest in air- it. It’s kind of breathtak- military and that didn’t that will provide students craft and both said they ing,” said Ramos, de- materialize, but I realized with a new area to learn have had unique experi- scribing his time serving that being a mechanic is their craft. The construcences that got them in- on the USS Enterprise. also an outstanding op- tion project will also crevolved in aerospace aviaLindsey, who served tion. Amarillo College is ate a taxi lane and two tion during the time they in the Air Force Air providing opportunities helicopter pads. The pads served in the military.

National Guard and in to bring people closer to will provide an area for “You’re on the flight the Navy agreed, say- their dreams by providing Life Star to come out in deck and you have noth- ing, “Aviation is in my this technical program.” case of an emergency to

CODY MCGEHEE | The Ranger

East Campus.

“This program is continuing to grow as the need has risen in this industry. Presently I know of 150 jobs available in Wichita, Kansas, and probably just as many, if not more, in South Texas,” Smith said, noting he expects the demand for graduates to soar.

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Poet motivates crowd

By MATTHEW RIVERS

SHELLEY MARTINEZ | The Ranger

New AC music instructor, Dr. Diego Caetano, plays the piano.

Music department sings a new tune New piano and choral professors join AC staff

By ELIZABETH MOORE Ranger Reporter

zil, saving his allowance and lunch money to pay for his lessons to prove he Amarillo College’s was serious.

“My mom had lots of music program welCDs and classical music comes two new facand I would listen to it ulty members this fall.

Dr. Diego Caetano and I fell in love with it,” and Nathaniel Fryml Caetano said.

With music as his moved to Amarillo to Caetano teach piano and choral inspiration, music. Both said they started on a path through are excited about this the musical world where new opportunity, and the only direction was up.

“I played at Carnegie are looking forward to Hall in New York City,” making Amarillo their said Caetano. “There’s new home.

“I was looking for so much history there, the job and I saw that all the big names have this position came up played there before, so I and I did a little re- was in the back stage and search about the col- I was seeing all these peolege and said ‘oh, that’s ple who have performed a place that fits me,’” there, and I was there. said Caetano, Assistant Performing myself.”

As for Nathaniel Professor.

Fryml, his love of muCaetano started playing piano when he sic began with his father was just a child in Bra- recommending an instru-

ment to him as a part of a well-rounded education.

“My parents did not at all anticipate my making a career in music,” Fryml said. “I guess I’m the first one in our extended family who has ended up doing that.”

Family telling him to keep an open mind about getting a degree in something more science or business-related, Fryml stuck to his passion.

“While I didn’t end up doing a double major in something outside of music, I actually did a double major in music.

I did music theory and piano performance for my undergrad,” said Fryml.

Fryml and Caetano both find inspiration in similar sources. They attribute their interest in music to their childhood

instructors.

“Teachers had a huge impact on me and I think when you’re a young musician, how your teacher handles that is so critical,” Fryml said of his first teacher.

“I had a good teacher in Brazil that always helped me and motivated me, so I decided to go from that moment,” said Caetano.

According to Music Department Chair, Camille Day Nies, “Amarillo College is fortunate to have them in our midst.”

Nies went on to add that Caetano’s and Fryml’s love of people, teaching students and their energy is what made them stand out from the pool of other applicants.

they decided to book her to appear at AC. Ranger Reporter Harris credits her perStudents lined up to forming career to her see Kendria “K-Love the grandmother.

“My grandmother Poet” Harris on Sept. 8 to hear poetry. Harris made challenged me to memoher way from Chicago to rize a poem,” Harris said.

She advises young poets, Amarillo College.

She is a motivational “Keep writing, keep prospeaker, spoken word viding and keep showing artist and poet who trav- the world.”

“I have motivated over els all over the United States talking to people millions,” Harris said.

David Robles, SGA performing a variety of vice president, said he poems.

AC Student Govern- came to watch the perment Association mem- formance because he enbers first saw Harris at joys listening to poetry. an annual convention in “I usually go to open mic at the 806,” Robles said.

Dallas.

Robles said he liked “Basically it has all performance. these performers you can Harris’ book through the year,” “She definitely has powsaid Nelson Logan, SGA er in her words and unpresident. After watch- questionably knows how ing Harris’ performance, to get people.”

Culture September 15, 2016

7

The Ranger

The day that changed everything Ziggy’s Virtual Viewpoint

By CODY McGEHEE Ranger Reporter

Tuesday Sept. 11, 2001. On this day, I was in 5th grade, age 11, living in Hays, Kansas. It was just one day after my birthday. I woke up just like any other school day at 7:15 a.m., put on my slippers, walked out to the living room and turned on the TV to see the weather report. Instead of the weather, I saw a building on fire.

Not understanding everything that the media provided to the world at my age, I walked to the door and checked the temperature to figure what to wear for school that day. As I walked

back to my room to get in my school clothes, I noticed my mother sitting on the couch in awe. Not thinking anything, I went and prepared for another day of education.

My brother, mother and I loaded up in the car and I turned on the radio to find some music to listen to on our drive to school. I start realizing that everyone was talking about New York. Still set on my goal to find music, I put a cassette converter in the deck, connected my CD player and put in a Pillar CD. We arrived and, as always, my mother wished us a safe and wonderful day. She told us she loved us and asked that we

learn something today.

I go to my classroom, sit at my desk, take a moment and look around. I didn’t know what it was but today was different.

Morning announcements started, my principal asked everyone to stand for the pledge of allegiance. Everyone in the school joined in. My

principal then requested all the teachers to turn their TVs to channel 7 where once again I saw this building burning.

This time there was

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something different.

There were two buildings burning now. My principal then continued to explain to all of us that something has happened and our nation had been attacked. Everyone in my class watched the TV in awe, as we were told who was responsible, when it happened, that what we were watching was live and happening at that very moment. Just as we were told that, the South Tower fell.

For the full story on this week's ZV2 check out the Ranger Online at www.acranger.com and Ziggy’s Virtual Viewpoint on Facebook for weekly blogs and video interviews.

Moms go over the edge Cinema in the Corner

By NATALIE VILLARREAL Ranger Reporter

REVIEW

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“Bad Moms” is a movie about a woman dealing with the stress of being a mother of two, working full time and keeping up with school organizations who just decides to quit. With Mila Kunis as the leading character joined with the producers of the Hangover, I’d have to say this is by far one of the best films Kunis has been a part of.

Kunis is joined with two other characters, Kristen Bell and Kathryn Hahn, who are also fed up with the pressures of being mothers. In this movie, while Kunis deals with extracurricular activities and after-school meetings with the PTA, she discovers that her husband has been cheating on her for eight months and she snaps.

Maybe I’m biased, but this started out kind of morbid and had a predictable plot with her husband cheating on her. As the movie continued, however, it became intense, hilarious and slightly emotional in some parts. Kunis is also joined by Christiana Applegate who plays the perfect housewife who is the president of the PTA who also has an attitude.

Applegate is joined by her two side-kicks that throughout the movie are irrelevant.

My only criticism about the “villain” (Christiana Applegate) in this movie, is that I didn’t like the typical “Mean Girls” approach taken with her character. Just like the last and the next movie involving women, she is the most feared person who looks like she has her entire life together yet her husband is em-

bezzling money from a charity and her only escape is being the president of the PTA. Kunis decides that she’s fed up with trying to live a perfect life when she really can’t get her life together. Her job is staffed by college students who don’t understand organization, her 8-year-old daughter freaks out over everything down to what she ate for dinner, her son is in middle school and still doesn’t do his own homework, and Applegate’s character hounds her for always running late to the PTA meetings, which results in Kunis of course rebelling against the villain and the rest of her life. Once again, this is a really predictable plot.

For the full story on this week’s movie review check the Ranger Online at ww.acranger.com

‘King of Shadows’ to begin theatre department 2016-2017 season

By KALEB PAFFORD Ranger Reporter The fall semester is here and so are new shows in the Amarillo College Theatre: The King of Shadows, Pseudolus, Six Characters in Search of an Author and First Date, the musical are taking the stage this season.

The first show to hit the stage is The King of Shadows written

by Roberto AguirreSacasa, about a classical

theatre character from the Shakespearean play Midsummer Night’s Dream. In the show the main character, Nihar, claims to be running from the characters with descriptions resembling the King of Shadows and his wife from Midsummer Night’s Dream. He runs into a graduate student named, Jessica Denomy and asks her for help.

“I thought it was an amazing story, honestly I was in a daze after

reading it.” said Hannah Johnson a theatre major, who auditioned for the cast.

Technical Director Monty Downs said he hopes that the student actors will have a good experience with the AC theatre, and that the “audience gets and intriguing night with the show.” The performances will be Oct. 6,7, and 8 at 7:30 p.m., and a matinee show at 3p.m. Oct. 9.

The second play

hitting stage will show Dec. 8-11, is Pseudolus written by Plautus.

This play is the classic selection for this season, and an ancient roman farce, written about the slave Pseudolus and his dedication to help his master, Calidorus, free his love.

Taking the stage Feb. 23 through the 26 is Six Characters in Search of an Author written by Luigi Pirandello. In this story the six characters, tell

Visual Arts Competition

Writing Competition FIND COMPLETE RULES on AC Connect and your Student Email Scholarship Awards Totaling

$500 Questions? Email: rreaston@actx.edu

younger cast to go along with the AC students,” said scene shop foreman and show director Keith Gamblin. The show will take the stage April 28 and 29, along with May 4, 5 and 6. Until then Gamblin said he is “waiting for surprises.”

All shows will be $8 for adults, $6 for students, and $4 per ticket for groups larger than 10. For any questions regarding the shows call the box office at 371-5359.

COMMON READER 2016

COMMON READER 2016

ENTRY DEADLINE: Oct. 6th

their unfinished story with the hope of finding an author to finish said story.

When spring arrives, the musical First Date, book written by Austin Winsberg, music and lyrics written by Alan Zachary, will leap onstage, showing the events that transpire during Aaron, and Casey’s blind date, all wrapped up in modern music.

“I was looking for newer music, and a

Deadline: Sept. 20th

Exhibition Theme: Apples 1st 7SHJL ࠮ nd 7SHJL ࠮ rd Place $100 Panhandle PBS will do a feature about the First Place winning artist.

COMPLETE RULES: www.actx.edu/creativearts/contest

ENTRY DEADLINE: Dec. 7th FIND COMPLETE RULES on AC Connect and your Student Email Scholarship Awards Totaling

$500 Questions? Email: rwest@actx.edu

8 Feature The Ranger

September 15, 2016

Have camera, will travel AC alumnus makes it big in broadcast TV

By MICAH SMITH Ranger Reporter

Imagine selling all your worldly possessions, paying off all your debts and abandoning normalcy for a life of travel and adventure. Panhandle natives Dusty and Nik Green are doing what most people can only dream of doing – leaving behind their nineto-five jobs and all their belongings to pursue their true passion--travel.

The Amarillo College graduate and his wife have traveled the world capturing their adventures on video and creating a television series that may air nationwide.

On Sept. 8, the Greens’ show, Two for the Road, premiered on Panhandle PBS and the show may soon air on public television stations throughout the country. Two for the Road follows the adventure of a married couple pursuing their true calling to travel to some of the world’s most extraordinary places. “We’ve been so lucky, just in our first season alone, to have been able to see some of the most incredible places in the world,” said Dusty Green, show producer and co-host.

Hailing from Borger, Dusty Green got his start in the world of television through the mass communications department--now the Matney Mass Media Program--at Amarillo College. From there, he was able to begin his career at Channel 7, KVII-TV while still attending AC. During Green’s time at KVII, he shot and edited video footage, produced newscasts and eventually became a reporter and anchor.

“I think the one reason I wound up getting a job at Channel 7 when I went to AC is because I lived at the college. I worked really hard and people noticed; people really notice if you’re working hard. It also helped that I did love it,” said Green.

He went on to be named Best Reporter by the Texas Associated Press, as well as making appearances on USA Today and the Travel Channel.

“The best advice I can give to students is probably the most cliché… It’s just to work hard. Find what you love and work hard at it, it really is that simple,” Green said.

For Green, establishing a successful TV career did not mark the end of his hard work and passion. At the height of his success at KVII, he and his wife decided to leave it all behind to pursue their dream of creating a travel show.

What started as a passion turned into an everyday job, but not one that came with a typical benefits package. In fact, the only thing this job included was what the couple ple could coould carry on their backs and no solid plans.

Two for thee Roa Road ad started online in 2007 as the couple updated ed their theeir family and friends about their travels to Central ntral and a South America by video blog.

After eight years ears of o following their passion, Two for the Road was picke picked d up by Panhandle PBS. “About a year ear and an nd a half ago (the Greens) came to We’vve been doing this fun web-based us and said, “We’ve nk we can turn it into a show that project and wee thin think PBS,,” said Lynne Groom, manager of is perfect for PBS,” anhandle PBS. “That started the development at Pa Panhandle conversation.”” The Greens said they hope that one oadd will go coast to coast, but for day, Two for the Ro Road dle PB BS viewers get the first televised now Panhandle PBS ncred dible adventures. look at their incredible citingg. It’s so surreal. We’ve worked “It’s so exciting. et he ere,” said Nik Green during so hard to get here,” a Facebook Live Chat following the premiere. ted too tell the story we “We’re excited au udience want to tell to an audience arn,” that wants too lea learn,” Green. said Dusty Green.

The show airss at days 8 p.m. Thursdays dle on Panhandle PBS.

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