Today’s Weather
66 / 40 Partly cloudy with winds reaching up to 20 MPH along with 40% humidity.
Wednesday, February 24, 2016 • Vol. 43, No. 3 • www.HCCEgalitarian.com • @HCC_Egalitarian
On your mark, get set, walk see Community, Page 4
‘The Journey’ art celebrates black culture
Ten-Hut WWE fans
see Culture, page 10
see Sports, Page 8
HCC Nursing Program
Hanging on with life support Alyssa Foley
T
The Egalitarian
he Texas Board of Nursing recently ruled that the accreditation of Houston Community College’s Associate Degree in Nursing program be put on probation status. The conditional status means that HCC cannot admit any new students into the program. At least 80 percent of current students must pass the National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX, in order for HCC not to lose the program. The state nursing board placed the program on probation after less than 80 percent of HCC nursing graduates passed the NCLEX for the third year in a row. In 2015, HCC’s pass rate was 78 percent. We reached out to multiple nursing students, but none would go on record for fear of “ruffling some feathers” during their last semesters. One student on the verge of tears described it as “so much pressure” being put on them to perform. This five-semester program leads to an associate of applied science degree and prepares students to take the national exam to become a registered nurse. Enrollment continues today in the
Graphic courtesy of HCC This graphic from the Feb. 16 HCC Board meeting shows the passing rates of Houston Community College’s nursing program graduates on the NCLEX Registered Nurse licensing exam, compared to the national average for the past eight years. For the past three years, HCC has fallen below the minimum requirement of 80 percent passing, and the college’s nursing program is now on probation. The average national pass rate is in dark blue, while HCC’s pass rate is in light blue. three-semester Vocational Nursing Certificate program, which prepares students to perform specific duties under
the supervision of a registered nurse or other licensed health professional. “Our advisors are available to provide
information on the changes this status has created to assure that those interested in the ADN program are prepared for next spring when we expect the status to be upgraded,” wrote HCC Chancellor Cesar Maldonado in an email to students dated Feb. 2. Dr. Maldonado stated at a Board of Trustees meeting Feb. 16 that the “root cause of some of the problems that we have now” date back to 2011. HCC’s Coleman College for Health Sciences President Philip Nicotera said that no single problem caused the numbers to decrease, but rather, “a perfect storm of several factors happening all at once.” Dr. Nicotera became the president of Coleman in May 2015, long after the problems had taken root. In order to increase program enrollment, the required entrance GPA for the program was decreased from 3.0 to 2.5 and a math entrance test was removed back in August 2011. At the same time, course lengths were changed from 16 weeks to eight weeks long. Dr. Nicotera explained that, “they were trying to master this massive amount of material in an eight week period of time
L Support, Page 3
see ife
Do you know your images rights? Emmanuel Akinola The Egalitarian
Ever thought about your First Amendment rights? You might be surprised at just how that photo you’ve taken at a park or other public area has protection from the U.S Constitution. It may seem remote, but even though the Constitution was written over 250 years ago, the resonance still applies today to our government and our rights as citizens. What does the First Amendment say? “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” Photographers’ rights from
the First Amendment. Anyone can take photographs wherever they want in a public place or places where there’s permission. Only a statute or ordinance from the state can stop this right if they deem it necessary. For example, from a public sidewalk you can take pictures of adults, children, cops and virtually any other subject—their permission is not legally needed. Property owners can legally prohibit photos being taken on their property, but technically have no right to stop others from photographing their property from other locations. Taking a picture is not an act of terrorism, and a business cannot legitimately assert that taking a photo of something in public view actually infringes on trade secrets. Other exceptions to this rule
include military installations or government buildings that can prohibit photos by virtue of natural security reasons. Another exception to these guidelines is when anyone has excluded themselves in places where they have a tangible expectation of privacy. This includes dressing rooms, restrooms, medical facilities and inside their own homes. These are the permissible subjects and instances where it is almost always guaranteed that photographs may be taken freely: accidents, fire scenes, children in public, celebrities, bridges and other city infrastructure, homes and commercial buildings, industrial facilities and public utilities, transportation facilities (e.g. airports), Superfund sites, crime scenes or sites of criminal activity and law
enforcement officers. In the cases where you are harassed by people questioning you, or wanting to stop your rights to photograph, know that law enforcement officers are the only ones who can search and seize your photos, but only if they have a court order or warrant. Other than that, any security guard or company agent, etc., cannot seize your photos unless they have good legal grounds and a court order. In all states, there are laws that protect against harassment and coercion. A citizen’s arrest can only be made in the presence of crimes committed. Failure to abide by that rule will mean that the person is liable for a tort, namely false imprisonment. If you are ever confronted for taking photos in a public place, the situation can usually be defused by being courteous and
Google stock image Poster that describes your rights as a photographer in different situations and environments. respectful. If the situation cannot be defused, consider calling police. If you are threatened with detention or asked to surrender your camera, get the person’s name and employer, ask what legal basis they have for detaining you and what legal basis they have for confiscation of your camera or film.