R ANGER
August 17, 2017 Volume 88 Special Edition
Better latte than never: Palace Coffee Page 3
What’s inside
A new semester brings new leadership By STEVI BRESHEARS Ranger Reporter
Get involved with student clubs and organizations...
STORY ON PAGES 4 AND 5
On campus licensed gun owners must keep guns concealed at all times.
SARAH NEASE | The Ranger
Campus Carry now in effect Head back to school with a handgun By JENNA GIBSON Ranger Reporter
Where to get help on campus...
STORY ON PAGE 6
Chalk It Up: Com-
munity competes in campus contest...
STORY ON PAGE 7
Students purchasing backto-school supplies for fall semester at Amarillo College may be shopping for more than pens and notebook paper. This year, a handgun might be on some shopping lists. The Texas law allowing licensed gun owners to carry weapons on community college campuses went into effect August 1. Although licensed gun holders may carry weapons openly when not on college or university campuses, this new law requires that weapons be concealed at all times. The statute went into effect last August at universities, but state legislators gave community colleges an extra year to develop their policies. Scott Acker, AC police chief, said he does not anticipate any problems, noting that campus carry is a state law and will be enforced the same as any other criminal state law. Shauntelle Campbell, an
education major said she has concerns about allowing guns on campus. “I just don’t think school will be a safe place for people to be walking around the campus carrying guns,” she said. Another student, David Lovejoy, a mass media major, weighed in, saying, “I find it really kind of ironic that it’s not OK to smoke a cigarette at Amarillo College but it’s OK to carry a loaded firearm. As a veteran, as someone who has used firearms, I’d rather see an upset student with a Marlboro than with a nine millimeter.” Other students said they are looking forward to being able to carry weapons on campus. “I think it’s a good decision because it will keep good people safe,” Noah Kendall, a pre-engineering major, said. Kendall does not expect to see any significant difference on campus. “I don’t think it will have any visual or obvious effect because this is a pretty peaceful campus,” Kendall said. Crystal Davis, a photography
major, owns a gun and has a concealed carry license. Davis has yet to decide on whether or not she will carry on campus. “I think campus carry will have a positive and negative effect on AC campuses. Positive because people will feel safer because they have a way to protect themselves if a situation arises. At the same time I think people are going to be more wary because they don’t know who has a gun on campus and who doesn’t or their motive for having it,” Davis said. Carrying weapons will be prohibited at five Amarillo College buildings with signs posted. Acker pointed out that these signs are in compliance with state law. The prohibited areas are the Hagy Center for Young Children on the Medi Park Campus, the Child Development Lab on West Campus, the Gymnastics/Dance Facility on West Campus, the Amarillo Museum of Arts and Carter Fitness Center.
The 2017-18 school year is starting off with a few administrative changes. Over the summer, college officials made several changes to existing positions and added an additional vice president’s position. Dr. Tamara Clunis has served as the interim vice president of academic affairs since December 2016, but the title was officially given to her in June. As the first African-American woman to hold the position in the history of the college, Clunis has big plans for the year. “I intend for our division to focus on learning. We want students to be successful and build strong relationships with their instructors,” Clunis said. “It’s really important that we transform what’s going on in the classroom.” As the vice president of academic affairs (sometimes referred to as the chief academic officer), Clunis is in charge of all the academic programs and maintaining AC’s accreditation. This is especially important, because without accreditation, the college loses financial aid and the degrees awarded to students aren’t as valid. Additionally, a new vice president of student affairs has been named. Denese Skinner, who is currently the director for career services at West Texas A&M University, will take over the position on Sept. 5.
CONTINUE READING ON PAGE 3
Construction wraps up on buildings at East and Medi Park campuses By JENNA GIBSON Ranger Reporter Amarillo College would not be the same without some construction. This summer, staff at AC’s Medi Park Campus and AC’s East Campus have been working diligently to prepare for fall. A new diesel bay has been built to accommodate space GENE SOCKWELL AND JENNA GIBSON | The Ranger for large construction and East campus has a new aviation matinance hangar and diesel bay; Medi Park campus has a freshy remodeled childcare center. agriculture equipment. The facility will be used to train bay, a 7,900-square-foot han- start August 21. space for AC students to re- ment that exposes the children students in all aspects of the gar has been constructed for The Hagy Center for Young ceive hands-on experience in to the natural world. The eduheavy equipment industries, cation department received a aviation training, which was Children at AC’s new Medi managing a childcare facility. focusing heavily in the area made possible by a $1.5 mil- Park Campus also underwent “The Hagy Center for grant to help fund curriculum of hydraulics. “This will serve lion gift from the Don and renovations over the sum- Young Children will extend design. most of our industry partners Munger said the center will Sybil Harrington Founda- mer. The center will serve ap- opportunities for our students that have been asking for our tion. “When the students left proximately 80 children, from to learn about the manage- open early, close late and ofstudents to have hydraulics in May the new building was eight-week-old babies up to ment of child care facilities.” fer flexible scheduling to actraining such as the two John close to completion and they four-year-olds and there is said Mary Clare Munger, commodate students taking Deere Companies here in were very excited to see it be- already a waiting list for avail- education department chair. clinical classes. AC’s child deAmarillo, YellowHouse and ing built and having the ad- able spots. The facility will One of the main goals of the velopment and education proWestern Equipment. Both ditional lab space to work in,” provide childcare for AC stu- center is to prepare children grams will continue to operate hire our students,” Brian JaJacob said. Students will be- dents’ children and for people to be school ready by focusing the Child Development Lab cob, automotive program cogin training in the new space employed in the Medi Park on science and math skills and School on the West Campus ordinator, said. at East Campus when classes area. It will also serve as a lab creating a learning environ- along with the new center. Along with the new diesel
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