Vol.89_Issue2

Ranger AMARILLO COLLEGE’S NEWS SOURCE SINCE 1930

VOLUME 89 | ISSUE 2

September 20, 2018

TOTAL COLLEGE REVENUE: $72,343,531

TOTAL COLLEGE EXPENSES: $72,343,531

Taxes

Cost of Sales

$26,209,265

$2,920,000

Tuition and Fees

Capital Expenses

$22,767,620

$4,206,929

State Appropriations

Other Sources

$13,518,127

Auxiliary $6,237,471

Other

$3,611,048

$6,215,125

Department Operating Expenses $10,920,975

Salary Wages and Benefits $48,080,502

Low-down on the break-down $72 million Amarillo College budget explained

Infographic by CLAIRE EKAS | The Ranger

By LAUREN EBBEN Staff Reporter

Amarillo College regents have approved a $72 million budget for 2019 fiscal year, which began Sept. 1.

The budget reflects difficult choices, but not many changes from last year, according to Steve Smith, vice president of business affairs.

“For the most part, all of our expenditures are very close to what they were last year,” he said.

Smith said initial budget requests came to about $140 million and he had to make cuts based on priorities.

“The areas cut from requests were typically miscellaneous

expenses ... typically supplies,” he said. “There are so many things that people want and people need. The hardest thing about my job is that I have to prioritize what’s the most important, what has the most value for our students and our community.”

Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart, AC president, also stressed the importance of making smart budget choices. At the college’s general assembly Sept. 7, which is the annual meeting of all college employees, Lowery-Hart pointed out that managing the budget requires difficult decisions. “It makes the college better financially to be smarter about where we invest and spend our money,” he said.

Jeanette Nelson, AC budget

manager, said the college gets the majority of its revenue from tuition and fees, state appropriations and property taxes.

“Of those, the state of Texas is the least. The property taxes and student tuition and fees are very close to each other, but property taxes provides more,” she said.

Although the property tax rate hasn’t gone up, the college will get more money from property taxes this year because Amarillo has grown.

“We aren’t changing the rates on property taxes and we haven’t in six years,” Smith said. “The city is bigger in total. There’s more property in Amarillo so we bring in more money. We haven’t increased

the rate, just the base that the rate is applied to.” The current tax rate is 20 cents per hundred dollars.

The annual increase in property taxes is used for employee raises. “Employees are the biggest part of our expenses,” Smith said. “Most employees expect a raise at the end of each year because cost of living goes up. This year the increase was about $700,000 and that’s the amount of the raise that we offered. That was equivalent to a 2 percent raise for employees as a whole overall.”

However, that 2 percent is not dispersed evenly among employees. “Raises are distributed on the basis of evaluation scores. That’s

what we call merit pay. Not everyone gets the same raise,” Smith said.

Beside property taxes, a portion of the budget revenue comes from the state of Texas. State funding is tied to enrollment and reflects significant decreases over the past few years due to lower enrollment. “In 2014-2015, we were getting $15.2 million. In 2016, it dropped to $13.7 so in total that’s about a $3 million decrease.

We had to cut $1.5 million a year out of our budget two years ago,” Smith said.

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Campus couches create concerns

By TREVOR PYLE and BLASS GUERERRO Staff Reporter

In the lobbies of Parcells Hall and the Byrd Building at Amarillo College’s Washington Street Campus, the couches have seen better days. The color and pattern have worn off the couches, leaving large areas rubbed bare. The damage is particularly bad on the fourth floor.

“The furniture has got to go,” Matthew Pittcock, an engineering major, said.

“Surely Amarillo College can spare some funds to fix up or replace the furniture. The ratty furniture doesn’t make the school look very good.”

Jim Baca, director of physical plant, said he is fully aware of the furniture issues and has been trying to replace and repair the worn furniture, but is having trouble securing the funds to do so.

“I think the furniture will get

RAFAEL FLORES | The Ranger

Cesar Rodriguez, a general studies major, and Celso Tinoco, an art major, hang out on the worn-out couches in the fourth floor lobby of the Byrd Building and Parcells Hall.

fixed eventually. The funds are coming, but they are just trickling in slowly. Until then, I just have to do what I can,” Baca said.

According to Baca, the money wasn’t in the budget to buy new furniture last year, but plans are to replace the furniture in the future, “The quote I received from our vendor was $9,247.01 for the

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replacement of these pieces.

I am hoping to get this done in this fiscal year’s budget, but it depends on how much we’re budgeted for furniture replacement.”

“Money is the issue. It would have to come out of the Physical Plant budget for Capital Expenditures,” Baca explained.

The worn furniture does not www.acranger.com

bother Justin Phommachanh, a business major. “I come up here just about every day to play games with my friends. As long as I can sit and the furniture isn’t rickety or broken, I am fine,” he said.

Phommachanh said he is actually fond of the damaged couches. “I sleep on the couches and sit in the seats and they’re all broken in and

comfy. I love the furniture,” he said.

Pittcock disagreed and said he thought the furniture should be replaced, adding that the students should take action to fix some of it if there’s no money for replacement.

“I come up here every day between classes to do homework, study or just wait for my next class. A lot of us can’t go home because we only have an hour between classes. We have to sit around here and it would be nice if we could sit and wait for our next class without being uncomfortable,” Pittcock said.

According to AC board of regents meeting minutes, the furniture purchase was approved in 2011 as part of the overall renovation of the buildings, which was completed in 2012, making the Byrd/Parcells couches less than 10 years old. The warranty for the furniture only lasted for 12 months, Baca said.

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Opinion

2 | The Ranger September 20, 2018

Park that money here EDITORIAL

“What is something you would like to see AC invest in?”

“More tutors for students, more time between hours so people could actually come in during the weekend and study,” BLAIR MCKASKLE

Forensic Nursing

“Stuff that helps people with their mental illness, like mental services,” TEAGAN RANGEL Biology

“More and faster computers maybe, and stop using Macs, because they confuse me,” KENTON GAZZAWAY Mass Media

If you ask anyone on the Washington Street Campus what their biggest problem with school is, their answer probably won’t be homework, tests, pop quizzes or even awkwardly full elevator rides.

In fact, most students would say that parking (or, rather, a lack thereof) is their biggest issue — and eight out of ten have a suggestion: a decent-sized, multi-story parking garage on campus. We, The Ranger staff, are here to tell you why this is a terrible idea.

First, parking garages are expensive. Really expensive. According to national consulting firm Wantman Group, Inc., a structure could cost about $20,000 per space. Not per level, per individual space. If you think about how many students attend classes on the Washington Street Campus every day, there would have to be a lot of spaces — and a lot of money.

AC as a whole has a budget of $72 million. That money covers repairs, upkeep, salaries and everything else it takes to run a college. If they decided to not pay any of the bills, ignore anything that needed fixed, stop buying toilet paper and fire all faculty and staff members, they could build a parking garage with a little more than 3,000 spots.

However, if there are no students or staff members to

In 1966, this editorial cartoon by Ben Sargent ran in "The Ranger," proving that parking has always been and continues to be a problem at AC. Sargent graduated from AC and went on to win a Pulitzer Prize.

park in those spots, what’s the point? AC’s primary sources of income are property taxes and tuition and fees — money from the students, their parents and the community. Additionally, it would probably mean that students would have to buy pricey parking passes.

At universities like West Texas A&M, parking passes can cost up to $40. At Texas Tech, permits can cost up to $670. Yes, you read that right. Our parking

situation (which is free) doesn’t seem as bad now, does it?

The bottom line is this: our parking problem is not that bad.

Yes, it can be inconvenient, but that inconvenience can be easily avoided by getting to school a little bit earlier to snag a good spot.

The ridiculous amount of money that would be spent on a parking garage could — and is, for the most part — invested in things that are much more beneficial for the whole student body.

I like big buts and I cannot lie America has too many "buts" in its civil rights OPINION

By ELY SANCHEZ Staff Reporter

If you were expecting Sir Mix A Lot as the topic of this column, sorry to have disappointed you.

That reference may also be showing my age, so allow me to apologize. Rather, I would like to discuss a pretty important document signed by none other than Abraham Lincoln.

This amendment was supposed to disallow slavery in the south at the time by stating, "Neither slavery nor

involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction."

This was a way for southern slave owning states, Texas included, to readmit back into the United States. My guess is simply telling people back then that it was not “OK” to own someone was just not enough.

There is one particular clause in the amendment that stands out the most — one that many continue to claim was actually a set of "Black Codes" many southern states had adopted in order to replace the social controls that were being removed at the time by both the Emancipation Proclamation and 13th Amendment.

The part of the 13th Amendment that stands out more than the others is the section that states, “… except as a punishment for crime

whereof the party shall have been duly convicted …” I’ve mentioned in the past that I am not a scholar or historian; however, I do understand how commas work, and this is a big “but.” It reads as if slavery was never really abolished, but rather given some type of constitutional protection that has kept American slavery alive and well in various forms to this very day.

If you really think about it, according to the 13th Amendment, somebody who has been “convicted,” even according to today’s standards, is programmed into the legal system as a slave. And we all know now, thanks to this constitutional amendment that slaves no longer have rights.

Many would go on to argue that the 13th Amendment failed to completely end slavery and instead banned a particular type of slavery that was being used then. It would

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Design Manager

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ultimately be replaced with a new system that continues to target and benefit the same groups of people as the old system once had.

I told you those commas had some big “buts.” Whether or not the authors of this amendment fully understood that it could one day be utilized as a “tool” is debatable, but one thing is certain; the section that allows slavery for those convicted of a crime still exists, and was ultimately put there on purpose.

Based on this clause, slavery is still legal as punishment for a crime. Let me repeat that, slavery is still legal in the United States and it continues to influence the criminal justice system.

Many inmates across the country are currently attempting to make a change to the prison system as incarcerated leaders and their partners have launched a “Nationwide Prison Strike.”

The strike aims to raise awareness to not only the horrific conditions that exist throughout the American prison system, but also to shed light on the broader injustices that have led to our current prison system of mass incarceration.

The injustices are many— from racist police practices (see the most recent Dallas tragedy involving a man murdered in his own home by police), to unjust sentencing laws (such as the war on drugs), to the lack of support people experience when they come home from prison (permanent second class citizens).

Consider this, black people are 3.6 times more likely to be incarcerated than white Americans, according to a study by the Vera Institute of Justice. A more modern form of “slavery” is alive and well and closely resembles pre-Civil War slavery. That’s quite a big “but” and I cannot lie.

Student Media exists to serve you — the students. The Ranger is an open forum where you can learn and talk about the things that matter to you. The Ranger staff urges you to get involved by submitting ideas, photos, writing, videos and telling us what you want covered. A public critique and meeting is open to the campus community on Fridays at 10:30 a.m. in PH 214 or you can reach us via email at therangereditor@gmail.com.

The Ranger is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press, College Media Association, Panhandle Press Association, Texas Intercollegiate Press Association and Texas Community College Journalism Association. For a complete staff listing, visit us at acranger.com.

The Ranger is an independent student publication. Material published in The Ranger does not necessarily reflect the views of Amarillo College administrators or employees.

News

The Ranger | 3 September 20, 2018

Get linked up to learn in luxury

By SALVADOR GUTIERREZ

Staff Reporter

Amarillo College’s satellite site, Community Link, has a new look after getting remodeled over the summer. The change represents a team effort by the Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) department, the student success division and the AC Foundation.

AC’s communication and marketing department, physical plant and information technology department contributed to the project as well. Community Link is located in Northeast Amarillo and offers adult education services and English as a second language class.

Approximately $100,000 in money from an Adult Education and Literacy grant and the AC Foundation funded the remodeling, turning the facility into a flexible space.

“It just needed to be refreshed.

We had some grant dollars that would allow us to purchase new collaborative learning stations

SALVADOR GUTIERREZ | The Ranger

Students learn in a newly remodeled Community Link classroom.

that produce a learning classroom for high engagement and best practices for our students,” Edythe Carter, dean of academic success, said.

Student comfort was considered in the design process, according to Michelle Lamons, AEL director of instruction and college integration pathways.

The outcome was “providing students with a beautiful learning environment because the vendor used, SteelCase, is known for their beautiful design aesthetics,” Lamons said.

“Amarillo College received a two-for-one — designing a space for students to be comfortable in as they learn

and receiving a beautiful result,” she added. AEL provided all of the ergonomic SteelCase furnishings.

Physical plant provided flooring, paint and new countertops. Communications and marketing provided artwork showcasing AEL student success stories. IT services provided audio-visual

equipment, high speed Wi-Fi and new wiring and the AC Foundation provided the new vinyl wrappings showcasing AC communities. “We wanted to make it a space where students feel inspired to continue their education,” Wes Condray-Wright, director of communications and marketing, said. “What we are working on is creating a cohesive look that fits the brand of AC across all of our campuses,” Condray-Wright added.

Currently, GED and ESL classes are taught at Community Link and it also serves as a space for students to work on homework.

“They could go over and use the facility. In the afternoon is the best time,” Dr. Tamara Clunis, vice president of academic affairs, said. “The labs are open from 12 to 5, which is the perfect time for students to work on their resumes or use the Wi-Fi,” Clunis added.

Community Link will host an open house Oct. 5, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information call 806-3455505 or visit Community Link, located at 2412 N. Grand.

Resource Fair showcases services, support

By SAVANNAH LINDVAY Staff Reporter

RAFAEL FLORES | The Ranger

Students learn about the available resources both on campus and off at the Resource Fair.

Giving faculty feedback

By KRIS FREDRICK Staff Reporter

Amarillo College officials have evaluated the way they do faculty evaluations and they are ready to make a change.

Toward the end of every semester, students are invited to evaluate their instructors.

In the past, these evaluations have been optional.

“If the number of responses is low, we don’t actually get any usable information,” Frank Sobey, associate vice president of academic affairs, said.

In an effort to get more responses, evaluations soon will be mandatory for the first year Learning Framework classes, as well as for some math and biology courses. In those courses, the survey will be tied to an assignment. If the evaluation is not filled out, the assignment will not be graded.

“As a professor, it’s probably good to have more feedback than just a few people,” Lesley

Ingham, a speech communication instructor, said. “That’s the way it was at WTAMU and I didn’t think much about it as a student.”

Some students said despite this change, they still might not complete the evaluations.

“It just depends on when I get the email and if I feel like doing it that day,” Erica Stinson, a business administration major, said. “It might depend on what assignment it’s tied to. I might just not fill it out.”

Faculty evaluations are used by individual instructors to make improvements to their classes and are used by their supervisors for performance reviews.

The evaluations could potentially impact continued employment or merit pay. “It depends on the professor. If I like them I’ll do it, and if I don’t like them, I don’t do it,” Josh Ballard, a paralegal studies major, said.

If the pilot program is successful, mandatory evaluations will be moved to the rest of the courses at the college.

On Sept. 18, Amarillo College students gathered in the Oeschger mall on the Washington Street campus for the Advocacy Resource Center Resource Fair.

The fair is held annually in the beginning of the fall semester. It provides students with exposure to both campus and local community resources.

One of the primary goals of the fair is to “help the students realize what all they qualify for, just for being students.” Ashley Hernandez, social services coordinator, said.

The fair has grown exponentially in the last two years in both student and vendor participation.

The booths at the fair ranged from banks, to nonprofit organizations, to health care

services and more.

“Vendors are just as interested in students as students are in them.” Judith Lara, social services assistant, said. At the fair, students were able to register to vote and could get a free partial eye exam. The Texas Health Department was there to administer immunizations and help educate students about getting vaccinated.

Students could also sign up for a drawing to receive a $500 scholarship.

Lara said the fair is all about fostering goodwill toward the students. There is a lot of effort put into the event to make it appealing to students, she said.

The diversity of the fair “prevents students from having to jump through so many hoops” to obtain the resources, said Lara. It is meant to be a one-stop shop for students to make their lives a little simpler, Hernandez said.

News

4 | The Ranger September 20, 2018

Teamwork makes the budget work

By SIERRA WILSON Staff Reporter

LAUREN EBBEN | The Ranger

Jeanette Nelson, AC budget manager

AISD students graduate high school and apply for admission, financial aid and register for classes.

If financial aid doesn’t cover all or any of a student’s tuition, they are eligible for Thrive.

Managing the budget of Amarillo College can be a daunting task that doesn’t fall on one person alone. Jeanette Nelson plays an important role in this process.

“Managing the budget is not hard, but it is very detailed,” the AC budget manager said.

Nelson said her job calls for tracking all faculty, staff and student employment changes, planning for the upcoming fiscal year and entering budget amendments, which move funds from one area to another.

She answers budget questions and trains employees on budget reporting. While doing that, she also plans for next year’s budget. Her duties go on and on, indicating just how important her job is behind the scenes. “There are daily, monthly and yearly duties that track the budget and its status,” she said.

Nelson must work with all AC departments when preparing the annual budget. “Everyone works together. The departments work with their leaders and the leaders work with the cabinet members,” she said. “We plan for the upcoming fiscal year starting eight to nine months before it

Students get 60 credit hours or three years for free and receive a higher education from AC.

begins.” Teamwork is important and without everyone working together, the business office wouldn’t be the well-oiled machine it is, Nelson said.

For the business office, the most stressful and busiest time of the year is the month of August.

“We have to finalize the current year’s budget by watching for any special last-minute needs.

We complete the new fiscal year’s budget, balance and enter it into the computer system.

We also have to approve budget availability for all new employment hires for the new fiscal year,” Nelson said.

Every October, an audit team comes from a CPA firm to check the college’s financial records, said Nelson, noting that her office must be prepared for this independent and objective review.

During the school year, she makes sure all employees who need budget access have it, and that they can run reports that support their various departments. This allows the departments to maintain their financial records and manage their money, she said.

“Keeping up with seemingly) daily changes can be a challenge,” said Nelson, but she stays on top of things because the entire college relies on her and the business office to manage these essential tasks.

Students that graduate from AC in the three years increase their lifetime earning potential.

Illustration by CLAIRE EKAS | The Ranger

AC’s investment provides motivation to thrive

By CLAIRE EKAS

Assistant Editor

When Amarillo College officials put together the 2018-2019 budget, they had to put aside roughly $3.5 million from public funds for a new community initiative that directly benefits AC students. The money will go toward the Thrive Scholarship, a program that allows Amarillo Independent School District graduates to attend AC tuition-free for 60 credit hours.

Unlike its predecessor, ACE, Thrive is for all AISD high school graduates who meet the scholarship’s requirements, which include an 80 or higher GPA and no disciplinary problems in high school. Thrive is also a “last money in” scholarship, meaning if a student receives any other form of financial aid, Thrive covers what is left over.

“We’ve had a couple of parents’ nights and the question that always comes up is, ‘What’s the catch?’”

Wes Condray-Wright, AC communications and marketing director, said. “It seems like free is too good to be true, but it really is a great program.”

There are four local partners that have agreed to fund Thrive. AISD covers one-fifth of the cost, AC covers one-fifth of the cost, the Amarillo Area Foundation covers one-fifth of the cost and the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation covers two-fifths of the cost.

The AEDC will get half of its contribution from

private individuals and local businesses who have agreed to donate to the program over the six-year term of the scholarship.

Although each partner has agreed to fund a certain amount over the six-year term, each partner’s actual contribution depends on the number of students that enroll using Thrive.

Steve Smith, vice president of business affairs, said he and Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart came up with the scholarship plan and then pitched the idea to the partners. Everyone liked the plan, with the exception of AISD officials who had concerns about one taxable entity being able to give another taxable entity money.

The momentum of the scholarship came to a screeching halt as the plan was sent to the Texas attorney general for review in December 2017.

Originally, officials planned to call the scholarship ACE Amarillo, but there were concerns that people would still think the scholarship only applied to graduates from Palo Duro, Caprock and certain students from Tascosa High School, the three schools that had received ACE. So, while waiting for the attorney general to review the plan, they bounced around new names and finally settled on Thrive. “The idea that the community can really grow and prosper from this scholarship program was what brought about the name Thrive,” Condray-Wright said.

Reagan Hales, AEDC vice president of marketing and communications, said the motivation for contributing

funding to the scholarship is simple.

“We can’t recruit companies if there are not folks available to be hired. Given the incredible impact this scholarship could have on the success of our organization and ultimately our community, we felt it was necessary to be an integral partner,” Hales said.

Smith, who has been the AC vice president of business affairs for almost three years, wrote a business model that tracks how many students from each AISD school attend AC after graduating, how many attend a Texas university and how many are untrackable, meaning they either didn’t attend college or went to a university out of state.

The number of students who were untrackable at most high schools was higher than the number of students who attended AC. This was something that Smith said he and Lowery-Hart wanted to change because the sooner students graduate from college, the more money they will have the ability to make in their lifetimes. This is called their lifetime earning potential.

“We wrote this scholarship around the idea that students needed to come to college and graduate on time so that they can increase their overall lifetime earning potential,” Smith said.

The potential economic impact Thrive can have on the Amarillo community is the end goal for all involved. “Thrive gives our community the best chance to compete with other cities for economic expansion,” Lowery-Hart said.

News

The Ranger | 5 September 20, 2018

Departments receive equipment, remodeling AC Foundation awards money to fund projects that college budget cannot cover

By JEREMY BATES and CLAIRE EKAS Staff Reporters

The Amarillo College Foundation grant program enables faculty and staff to apply and receive money for special needs that cannot be funded through the annual budget.

Recently, the Foundation awarded $50,000 to more than 20 different AC programs.

The Amarillo College Foundation is a nonprofit and tax-exempt foundation that seeks to improve AC in various ways. The board of directors of the AC Foundation is made up of local business owners, AC staff and faculty members and community volunteers.

To apply for a Foundation grant, faculty and staff must complete a one-page application with a project budget and submit it. The six members of the Foundation grants committee review, discuss and make awards.

The committee meets quarterly to go over college wide grant requests. Every program that receives grant funding must report the impact the money has made within six months of receiving the funds.

One group that was awarded grants includes the

CLAIRE EKAS | The Ranger

The newly remodeled broadcast booth features a more comforatble set up with new furniture, equipment and lighting.

respiratory care program, which received funds to help students prepare for state board exams and purchase equipment.

“This program is highly technical and can require expensive equipment that our budget doesn’t always allow for. The grant we received allows us to purchase the same equipment that students will

use in the field. This certainly is a good thing,” Valerie Hansen, respiratory care program director, said.

AC’s radio station, FM90, was also a recipient of a grant that helped pay for the remodeling of the broadcast studio.

Stevi Breshears, mass media major and editor-in-chief of “The Ranger,” noted the impact

these grants can have. “Having access to the resources at FM90 and PPBS gives us the opportunity to learn not only through experienced professors, but by working with studios full of industry standard equipment. This type of hands on experience can’t be found everywhere, and we are truly lucky that the Amarillo College Foundation awarded

the grant to remodel the broadcast studio.”

The speech department was another grant recipient this year. “The grant we received was to purchase iPads for the speech faculty,” Michelle Orcutt, speech department chair, said. “It really helps the teachers.”

In addition to these special program grants, the Foundation also provides scholarships for students.

In 2017 they awarded 1,600 scholarships.

Foundation officials said they will award more than $1 million in scholarships for the next year.

The Foundation accepts gifts for these grants and scholarships from community individuals, groups and businesses. The donor can either designate the money for specific purposes or for general unrestricted support of Foundation activities.

Other forms of gifts accepted by the Foundation include stock and property upon approval of the board of directors. Donors can also give in memory of friends or relatives.

To learn more about the Amarillo College Foundation call (806) 371-5000 or visit actx.edu/foundation.

Grants offer opportunities, bring obligations

By SALVADOR GUTIERREZ Staff Reporter

Over the years, the state of Texas has been cutting the amount of money given to twoyear colleges. For Amarillo College, this steady decrease means looking elsewhere for funds.

“Four-year universities are reaping the benefits of most of the state revenue,” Dr. Tamara Clunis, vice president of academic affairs, said. According to Clunis, community colleges get less money than four-year universities, but they serve 70 percent of all the higher education students in Texas. “It is a funding system that we think is broken,” Clunis said.

That’s why AC is turning to grants to meet the funding gap and help finance the college’s vision.

“If the community college has a certain strategic plan, you write a grant, because the grant can help support the strategic plan,” Dr. Linda Muñoz, associate dean of academic success, said.

From improving facilities to creating new programs, AC uses grants for many purposes.

“Grant awards have been used to strengthen Amarillo College’s infrastructure, curriculum, faculty development, student tutoring centers, technology and improve learning environments for students,” Dr. Claudie Biggers, biology department chair, said.

To win a grant, community colleges have to look for them, apply and qualify. Grants are posted for a wide variety of projects, the same way scholarships are posted for students. There

are federal, state, local and private funds available.

A posted grant comes with an ‘invitation for proposals’ with specific guidelines required for submissions. “At the community college, we read it and say, ‘Hey, how does this grant help us meet our strategic goals?’” Muñoz said. “You write the proposal answering all the questions the grant requests for applications, you submit it by the deadline and then you wait to see if they fund you,” she said.

Applying for a grant is a competitive process that requires data, innovative ideas and demonstration of the need to be selected.

“Amarillo College has a very successful grant writing staff that works endlessly to keep the college in compliance with grant requirements and attaining grant awards,” Biggers said. Other faculty and academic leaders can write grants, such as when Clunis, working alone, won a $10 million grant for AC. Biggers has won two large grant awards, which funded the STEM Research Center and led to the creation of new horticulture-related majors. “I often compare grant awards to getting a puppy. In the beginning, you really want a puppy and you agree to do anything just so you can get the puppy. Then after you have the puppy it requires a lot of work to feed it, walk it, groom it etc.,” Biggers said.

“Winning a grant award is the exact same experience. Initially you think of all the good things the grant funds will do for the students. Then once you win the award you have to work really hard to meet the grant requirements,” she added.

I often compare grant awards to getting a puppy.

—Dr. Claudie Biggers,

biology department chair

Grants are important for community colleges; however, primary sources of funding include tuition, fees, property taxes and state revenue.

Illustration by SALVADOR GUTIERREZ | The Ranger

News

6 | The Ranger September 20, 2018

Research weekends offer unique experience

By CARLY STEWART Staff Reporter

Amarillo College’s National Science Foundation scholarship recipients are getting ready to participate in hands-on learning and research.

“Students who are recipients of the National Science Foundation STEM scholarship are given the opportunity to spend three days at Ceta Canyon with instructors actively learning how to do research,” Dr. Claudie Biggers, biology department chair, said.

“As a research group, the students conduct experimentation and collect data. Then after the weekend,

they present their results to the campus. Last year the students identified a new species of lichens and got to have articles written about their accomplishment.”

The trips are meant to boost students’ passion for the sciences, said Biggers.

“The transition that takes place in the student is hard to explain. Every time we spend a weekend with students in the field, it develops lifelong scientists that hunger for more. Many of the instructors in our department today, were AC students that went into the field and became passionate enough to pursue a science degree,” she said.

Twenty-eight students received fall NSF

scholarships. Applications for the spring NSF scholarships will be accepted at the end of November. Students who are awarded can receive the scholarship for up to four semesters. Applicants have to be STEM majors, enrolled full time with at least a 3.0 grade-point average.

Because the funding is from the federal government, the applicant must be a U.S. citizen. Scholarship amounts vary depending upon the number of applicants but can be up to $4,000 a semester.

“We enjoy watching these students grow in the STEM field and to watch them successfully transfer and graduate.” Jerica Bartlett,

COURTESY PHOTO

administrative clerk for the biology department, said.

AC holds research weekends for STEM Scholarship recipients at Ceta Canyon each semester. The next weekend is scheduled for Oct. 12-14.

The topic for this upcoming trip has not been decided, but last year’s trips explored areas including water quality, determining the best yield of bio mass using drones, soil analysis and ornithology.

2019 Budget explained

Continued from page 1

The 2019 budget also reflects a slight decrease in capital expenses, which includes remodeling, because the college is going through the master planning process.

“The master plan is looking at what the college needs to be over the next 10 to 15 years, Smith said. "We talk to business leaders and city leaders and find out what jobs will be available, so we can prioritize where we spend money in the future.”

Overall, these talks determine the next steps for the college. “The programs that

we offer and what we invest in are really driven by what jobs are available in the Amarillo and Panhandle market in the next 10-15 years,” Smith said.

To prepare the annual budget, AC uses a process called zero based budgeting.

“Zero based budgeting means you start with zero and you add the expenditures that you plan on spending.

Everyone has to account for what they are going to spend, so sometimes they may have more than last year, sometimes they may have less,” said Smith Determining the budget is a legal process, according to Nelson. It starts with the

individual departments determining what they need, then it moves up to the deans and directors of those departments, then to cabinet members and finally, to the board of regents, “who go through it with a fine tooth comb.”

“We take planning the budget very seriously,” Nelson said. “We’re very aware that we’re trying to keep the cost down so that our tuition does not go up. We haven’t raised tuition much in the past several years because we’re aware that if we raise tuition, someone might not be able to come here.”

AC offers free dental services

Dental clinic brings bright smiles, bright futures

By AUSTIN ASHBY Staff Reporter

Amarillo College's students and the community at large have a resource available to them that most do not know about — the West Campus Dental Clinic.

“The services we offer are all preventative,” Rachel Rubalcaba, dental clinic office coordinator, said. “X-rays, dental cleanings, sealants. We do have doctors on staff that do exams for the patients.”

Rubalcaba said they also do an initial screening at $35 for the general public but AC students can have that initial fee waived. Students can get discounts for some of the other services offered as well.

“We do intake and the exam and determine which kind of cleaning each patient needs,” Rubalcaba said, noting that if they only do one cleaning, there is not an additional charge.

The clinic is usually staffed by a class of 28 students. The dental students are advised in groups by an instructor for the patient’s cleaning and x-rays. “In clinic, including screening, we had about 20 this morning,” Monica Cryer, an adjunct dental hygiene instructor, said.

Each instructor is assigned anywhere from three to five students.

“I help train them on how to use their equipment, techniques to effectively clean their patients’ teeth and

take vital signs,” Cryer said The dental students have numerous chances to practice their skills in a variety of settings, including visiting the prison with Dr. Henderson, a dentist who helps at the clinic.

Prison visits are done on a volunteer basis.

Running the dental clinic requires staff members to fill multiple roles.

“I'm a lot of things,” Krista Lutonsky, adjunct dental instructor, said. “I teach pre-clinic, clinic one and I actually take students to the VA.” Students wishing to learn more about dental services can call 806654-6050 or visit www. actx.edu/dental_hy/clinic.

COURTESY PHOTO

Connect with community

By AUSTIN ASHBY Staff Reporter

There's a new website that will help students find ways to get involved in the community.

“The reason we created the site is for two reasons. There are students who do just want to volunteer and now there are students who their classes require a certain amount of service learning,” Jenna Welch, student life specialist, said.

The site lays out how to get involved in the activities as well as lists many places where the students can volunteer.

The Student Government Association has volunteer projects every month that any student can participate in.

“We have done everything from working at the High Plains Food Bank to doing Boo at the Zoo,” Welch said.

SGA also goes to the Downtown Women's Center one Saturday a month and other students can go volunteer that way as well.

“I think they get the

feeling of being a part of their community,” Cecilia Almanza, president of SGA, said. “They also get the chance to meet new friends as well.”

Many psychology and speech courses are now requiring some kind of service learning and a subsequent report for a grade.

“I always suggest they find something that will give them experience in whatever field they are trying to go into,” Beth Rodriguez, assistant professor in psychology, said.

She encourages this because not only will the students be able to fulfill the requirement but, also have something to put on their resume or transcript.

“The real benefit comes from serving the community,” Rodriguez said. “Not once have I had anybody say I hated it and it was the worst thing ever.

They were more like I didn't realize giving back would make me feel so much better.”

For more information, visit the website at www.actx. edu/studentlife/volunteeropportunities-and-servicelearning.

Culture

The Ranger | 7 September 20, 2018

COURTESY PHOTO

Panhandle PBS goes ‘back to the vault’

By KYLER KUYKENDALL Staff Reporter

Illustration by SALVADOR GUTIERREZ | The Ranger

Restaurant offers late night snacks REVIEW

By JOSH BALLARD Staff Reporter The semester has begun and along with it have come the late night homework binges because you put everything off until the last minute. Just when you are finished and turn in your essay at 11:59 p.m., your stomach lets out a large groan, signaling you to find sustenance.

Your options are a little limited after midnight, but there are some pretty tasty places to visit that are still open.

Texas Firehouse has everything from specialty pizzas,

sub sandwiches and wings.

Thankfully, Texas Firehouse is open until 2 a.m. If you are a fan of pizza (and let’s be honest, you are) Texas Firehouse won’t disappoint. Meat supreme pizza? Got it. Green chili pizza?

Got it. Hawaiian pizza (you pineapple-eating monster)?

Got it. Heck even if you don’t like pizza, they’ve got it.

Is your late night study group getting hungry, but one person wants pasta, the other chicken and the last one is on a diet? Texas Firehouse is the place to be. Creamy chicken Alfredo, crispy wings in multiple flavors and a delicious spinach

Panhandle PBS is celebrating its 30th anniversary by bringing back classic documentaries made in the Texas Panhandle.

Every Thursday from Sept. 6 to Dec. 27, Panhandle PBS will air one of their classic local documentaries.

The station began broadcasting in the Amarillo area in 1988.

Building off the national PBS programming, they began to air documentaries about the Panhandle.

“Everyone knows PBS and the programs they provide, but Panhandle PBS has a rich history of local content that we have made right here,” Kyle Arrant, director of operations, said. “The documentaries and conversations about things that happen in our community are what set us apart from the national PBS.” While the 30-year milestone inspired the organization to look at the past, it also led the station to look to the future. With a growing number of households cutting cable, Panhandle PBS saw an opportunity to expand its reach. “In this day and age, you can watch anything you want anytime you want. Families go to Netflix or Google to watch shows. We want to meet our community where they are and provide the local,

relevant content we are trusted for on these new platforms,” Arrant said.

The mission of Panhandle PBS is to air quality content that educates, enlightens, entertains and empowers people in the local community.

One of their target audiences is the children in the Texas panhandle. “We air over 10 hours of noncommercial, nonviolent children’s programming every single day. Getting programs such as ‘Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood’ and ‘Sesame Street’ into kids’ lives is what makes it all worth it,” Arrant said.

Some AC students who watched Panhandle PBS as children said the station had a positive impact on them.

“It’s important that kids have quality educational content that is made with kids in mind.

It’s more relatable and easier to understand,” Dillion Talbott, a general studies major, said.

PBS also goes beyond programming by hosting events such as the Yellow City Sounds Music Festival for the community and outreach programs for children.

“We have partnered up with local organizations like the Amarillo Public Library to bring some of the kids’ favorite characters to outreach and engagement activities. Seeing a kid’s eyes light up in an educational environment is my favorite part of my job,” Arrant said.

cranberry salad should solve all your problems. At least all the ones that don’t involve the homework you were just doing.

Overall Texas Firehouse has a varied menu and is open late, which makes it an ideal spot for you and your friends to take a small break or to drown your sorrows in food after turning in that bomb(ed) essay.

I greatly suggest checking out Texas Firehouse located at 3333 S. Coulter for all your late night foodie needs. Texas Firehouse is open 11 a.m .to midnight Sunday through Wednesday and till 2 a.m.

Thursday through Saturday.

Drake releases highly anticipated album REVIEW

By CARTER HALL Staff Reporter

In the summer of 2018, Drake released a new album titled “Scorpion” that will not leave listeners “Emotionless.” The highly famed Canadian rapper gave us a solid album packed both with R&B and rap songs, which was a bit surprising. As a fan, I had been waiting eagerly for this album to come out for many months.

On Drake’s previous album,

“More Life,” in one track titled “Do Not Disturbed,” he mentioned that there will be a new album.

He casually said, “Maybe gettin’ back to my regular life will humble me. I’ll be back 2018 to give you the summary.” When I heard this line, I fangirled a bit because I simply cannot get enough of Drake.

On Jan. 19, the first single off the new album was released, titled “God’s Plan.” Drake released it on all major music streaming outlets and you can believe I had that song on repeat

for a few days. This single was one of my favorites to come off the album. I loved this song simply because the upbeat tempo, tone of the song and the message Drake is trying to get across to people.

“Nice for What” was another single off the album that would soon follow. The reason I love this song is because it embodies an R&B song from the 90s.

When I had the chance, I would roll my windows down and blare this song…after studying for my final exams of course.

On April 16, Drake revealed the name of the album on Instagram, when he posted a picture of himself wearing a windbreaker with the word “Scorpion” embroidered on the back along with June 18 written beneath it. The picture caught on fire, reaching 1,307,641 likes, with me being one of them.

I finally got the name of the album, now I just wanted to listen to it…badly.

Finally, the release date arrived and, in its first week, the album made a huge sting in the

world of music. Drake made history by having more than 1 billion streams in one week.

“Scorpion” is a journey from start to finish. I believe this album is another great installment for Drake.

From his days from making great hits such as “Sooner Than Later,” “Replacement Girl” and “Show Me a Good Time,” these songs and the mixtapes that they are on made Drake what he is — a legend in the world of both hip-hop and R&B.

Feature

8 | The Ranger September 20, 2018

More

at the AMoA

By JANNY PHANNARAJ Staff Reporter

A

JANNY PHANNARAJ | The Ranger

Art from the Icons and Symbols of the Borderland and Border Cantos/Sonic Borders exhibits at the AMoA.

marillo College’s Washington Street campus has the perfect place for not only culture, but inspiration. The Amarillo Museum of Art provides a variety of visual arts that students can experience on campus. The AMoA is busy with various programs held every month.

The AMoA is the only museum dedicated to visual arts in the Panhandle, Alex Gregory, AMoA curator, said. “I feel like it’s a very important thing because we allow the public, particularly students at Amarillo College and the Panhandle area, to see visual artwork that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to see,” he said.

Currently, the museum is featuring an exhibit of work by 27 different artists called “Icons and Symbols of the Borderland.” The series, installed on the first and second floors of the museum, includes photos, paintings and sculptures relating to the border between the United States and Mexico.

The third floor currently houses the work of two artists; Richard Misrach, an American photographer and Guillermo Galindo, a MexicanAmerican sculptor and composer.

The two have created a multisensory blend of photographs and sound-generating sculptures made from items left behind at the border.

Misrach will visit the museum Oct. 4 to discuss the collaboration. Galindo spoke and performed at the museum when the exhibit opened in August.

Having the AMoA on campus brings the students and community of Amarillo together. “I think it’s pretty cool. It kind of brings out the college vibe,” Preston Buchannan, a mass media major, said. “It makes it seem like it’s not that small of a college,” he added. Students also said they appreciated the many cultures highlighted in the museum.

“It shows a lot of diversity and it showcases vast array of different types of art,” Jose Ruiz, a general studies major, said. Uriel Valenzuela, a general studies major, agreed. “It’s nice. You get to see the different aspects of culture. It’s definitely something to experience.”

On the Sept. 27, Maxwell Anderson, author and art world veteran, will share tips and techniques for evaluating fine art, as part of the annual Ladd Lecture series. The prereception will start at 6 p.m. and will cost $40.

The lecture will start at 7 p.m. and is free.