The Ranger 1-31-2011

Vol. 85 Issue 11

Single copies free

Jan. 31, 2011

The Ranger A forum of free voices serving San Antonio College since 1926

Freedom’s start in the

Civil War

MORE PARKING COMING 5 DAN RATHER THURSDAY 13 ZODIAC CHANGES 22

2 • Jan. 31, 2011

The Ranger

The Ranger •

A forum of free voices serving San Antonio College since 1926

The drummer of Disturbed expresses his and bandmates’ concern for the environment. Story on Page 14. Courtesy

By Megan Mares

By Zahra Farah and Megan Mares Photos by Tyler K. Cleveland

25 Make cuts in black and white

District spends thousands to brand colleges

11 Auditor suggests

19 Black History Month

better management ideas

Use resources while they are available

By Melody Mendoza

By Zahra Farah

4 Blotter

13 Dan Rather Thursday

College events focus on figures from Civil War to Jazz Age

This issue

3 News

5 News

leader in library science

By Valdemar Tejada

By Laura Garcia

St. Mary’s celebrates black art

Board OKs talks for public/ private partnership

Tutoring, books, DVDs available in math labs

By Zahra Farah Photo by Julysa Sosa

By David Espinoza

20 BHM Calendar

14 Heavy metal band

22

7 Board agenda targets gun bills

By Zahra Farah

8 18-year-old chooses adoption

desires eco-friendly future

By Megan Mares

15 Black History Month Imagine just future, but recall injustices, author says

By Dana Lynn Traugott

28 Pulse Training for 10-mile run starts

By J. Almendarez

30 Book Review

New sign may lead to identity crisis

‘Room’ author writes from 5-year-old’s view

By James Anthony Salamé Illustration by Alexandra Nelipa

By Megan Mares

23 Calendar

32 Erasing history during 85th anniversary

By Melody Mendoza Photo by Alison Wadley

By Melody Mendoza Photo by Alison Wadley

By Jennifer M. Ytuarte

24 Editorials

10

16 MLK march

College points Ranger toward sunset

Sharing inspiration

Wallace recalled as

26 Officials & Policies

Cover: Black History Month begins Tuesday. BHM calendar events on Page 20. Juan Carlos Campos

Online Obituaries

The Ranger

News

Jan. 31, 2011 • 3

District spends thousands to brand colleges College president regrets not being consulted and desires better communication.

By Melody Mendoza The district has spent almost $16,000 to “brand” four of the Alamo Colleges with the district logo.

Meanwhile a “breakdown in communication” left administrators at this college surprised by the recently installed logo.

John Strybos, associate vice chancellor of facilities operation and construction management, said this is part of an effort to brand the district with a universal logo.

The brand at this college cost $730 and covers the college seal on both sides of the double-sided monument west of Gonzales and McCreless Halls on San Pedro Avenue.

The sign bears the name of the college and was officially dedicated at an unveiling ceremony April 16, 2004, President Robert Zeigler said.

The college’s official seal was adopted in the mid-1950s. The circular, bronze seal has a star in the center with five symbols that represent characteristics of the college.

Winged feet symbolize swiftness, athleticism and protection, things typified by the Greek messenger god Hermes.

An open book symbolizes the learning process, literacy, teaching, quest for knowledge and understanding.

A harp represents joy, praise, poetry and music.

At the base is a lamp of learning symbolizing truth, intelligence, life, wisdom, knowledge, guidance and enlightenment.

Finally, a scale represents justice, just proportion, impartiality and balance.

Strybos said Anderson Marketing Group, the advertising firm that came up with the new district logo for Alamo Colleges, has given presentations to show the image at regular board meetings for more than two years.

Zeigler and David Mrizek, vice president of college services, said they were unaware of the alteration of the signs.

The Alamo Colleges logo covers the college seal adopted in the 1950s. Melody Mendoza

Zeigler said, “There was a communication breakdown.”

Strybos said the district works collectively on a large number of projects and sometimes communication is better than at other times.

Although Zeigler said he understands this is the direction the district is going, he said, “I wish the information was shared with the colleges before.”

He added that he would have liked to give input and see a preview of the change.

Zeigler said he called facilities Superintendent David Ortega when someone told him it was there at the end of last week.

Ortega said he got a purchase order over the holidays and that the five colleges will have the new brand.

Mrizek said he didn’t know it was happening.

“It doesn’t go with the rest of the monument.

It covers up our college’s seal; that does bother me,” he said.

Districtwide, 19 signs and monuments were branded with one of the Alamo Colleges’ logos.

Strybos said, “Some have letters, some have

“It covers up our college’s seal; that does bother me.”

David Mrizek vice president of college services logos, some have both.”

At St. Philip’s College, he said, two doublesided signs and one wall-mounted sign were marked, which cost about $7,322.

Northeast Lakeview College has one singlesided sign and one curved, single-sided sign costing $4,675.

Although Palo Alto College’s signs have not been completed, Strybos said that college has one single-sided sign and four single-sided monuments, which are priced at $3,235.

Northwest Vista College has not been completed but has one double-sided sign, one corner, double-sided sign and one single-sided entry sign. Strybos said the cost has not been determined yet because the designs are not finalized.

For more information about the brands, visit http://www.alamo.edu/district/comm/ standards.htm.

Zahra Farah contributed to this story.

Blotter

4 • Jan. 31, 2011 SAN ANTONIO COLLEGE

Did You Know?

Drivers pulled over for texting could receive a fine of up to $200.

Nov. 23 — ­ Individual reported burglary of vehicle on campus.

Nov. 24 — Individual reported a suspicious male in the bookstore. The suspicious male began to run, was caught and arrested by SAPD for an off-campus theft.

Nov. 28 — Individual reported a personal vehicle being burglarized and an item stolen. No suspects.

Nov. 30 — Male was issued a criminal trespass warning.

Dec. 1 — Individual became upset after being advised he could not smoke on campus. Citation issued for smoking on campus.

Individual reported her personal property stolen from a gym locker. No suspects.

The 90-day grace period for the texting ban ended Jan. 15. The ordinance includes a ban on any sort of texting or communicating such as Facebook or e-mail, except for dialing numbers or talking on the phone.

For more information about the ordinance, visit www.sanantonio. gov/sapd/.

Contact Info Emergency 210-222-0911 General DPS 210-485-0099 Weather Line 210-485-0189

Individual reported someone had used her Banner ID number to check out a book from the library.

Dec. 7 — Two students were robbed in Loftin. One of the victims was struck in the face receiving minor injuries. No shots were fired. Personal property was taken.

Faculty member reported someone broke into his vehicle and stole a few items.

Jan. 20 — Individual reported being assaulted. Everything found to be OK. No further incident.

Jan. 21 — Individual reported theft of personal property. No further incident.

NORTHEAST LAKEVIEW COLLEGE Nov. 20 — Individual reported suspicious activity. Officer gave the individual information regarding library hours.

Dec. 17 — Individual reported theft of district property.

Jan. 3 — Individual reported a suspicious male on campus. Male left before officer arrived. No further information.

Jan. 17 — Staff member requested an officer to take a report for some missing items.

Jan. 13 —Individual reported a window shattered in the rear of a vehicle in parking lot. Damage occurred prior. No further information.

Jan 20 —Individual reported a minor vehicle accident. No further incident.

PALO ALTO COLLEGE Nov. 20 — Individual reported a suspicious person on campus. Officer made contact with the individual and told the person to leave the campus.

Nov. 22 — Individual reported money had been stolen from the cash box.

Nov. 24 — Individual reported a suspicious student who would not leave the classroom. No further information.

Dec. 1 — Individual reported two males looking into vehicles. Males were not located.

Jan. 19 — Officer assisted SAPD with an off-campus vehicle accident.

Jan. 20 — Individual reported two subjects involved in a verbal altercation.

Everything found to be OK. No further incident.

ST. PHILIP’S COLLEGE

NORTHWEST VISTA COLLEGE

Nov. 22 — Individual reported burglary of vehicle. Suspects unknown at this time.

Nov. 22 — Individual reported theft of his personal property.

Nov. 29 — Individual reported his personal vehicle being burglarized and personal property stolen. No suspects.

Dec. 10 — Staff member reported missing district property and requested an officer to make a report.

Dec. 1 — Individual reported a cat locked in a vehicle. Owner of the vehicle was located and cat was removed.

Jan. 1 — Individual reported criminal mischief in Lot 26. Suspect was located and issued a notice of intent.

Individual reported a female yelling at him in the parking lot over traffic issues.

Jan. 18 — Individual was issued a citation for possession of drug paraphernalia. No further incident.

extinguisher. No further incident.

Jan. 17 — Individual reported damage to district property. No further information.

Dec. 9 — Employee engaged in acts of misconduct against another employee.

Jan. 13 — Individual reported theft of a vehicle.

The Ranger

Jan. 4 — Individual reported theft of district property.

Jan. 18 — Individual reported a suspicious person. No one located.

Jan. 19— Individual reported a trash can on fire. Fire was put out with fire

Nov. 24 — Individual reported an unattended child in the library. Parent was located.

Dec. 28 — Individual reported criminal mischief on campus.

Jan. 19 — Individual reported theft of personal property. No further incident.

SOUTHWEST CAMPUS Nov. 24 — An active fire alarm was called in by the alarm monitoring company. Alarm was found to have been accidentally activated.

Dec. 7 — Individual reported a suspicious person in the library. Officer made contact, and the subject left the library.

News

The Ranger

Jan. 31, 2011 • 5

Board OKs talks for public/private partnership Trustees back chancellor on the disputed faculty loading formula.

By Zahra Farah The board of trustees unanimously approved the developing firm Balfour Beatty Capital to lead the public/private partnership agreement between this college and Tobin Hill at Tuesday’s regular board meeting.

This allows the district to start negotiations.

The vote was 8-0 because district 7 trustee Blakely Fernandez was absent to attend an emergency business meeting.

A public and private partnership is the involvement of private enterprise in the form of management expertise or monetary con-

Dr. Bruce Leslie and board Chair Gary Beitzel Tuesday Julysa Sosa

tributions or both in government projects aimed at public benefit.

Of the three firms who submitted proposals, Balfour Beatty Capital of Newtown Square, Penn., sent in the best proposal. They

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offered a 1,000 space-parking garage; four-story, 150-unit residential development at the northwest corner of North Main Avenue and East Laurel Street; and 63 units in a third residential building at Evergreen Street and Main.

They also offered a 100,000-square foot academic facility at West Park Avenue and Main, for classrooms or offices.

Though the firm’s website claims extensive public education projects, there was no indication of public/private projects.

The land is 2.608 acres on the north side of Evergreen and 1.963 acres on the south side of Evergreen.

In other news, the board deliberated for two hours about a grievance filed Nov. 3 by St. Philip’s College faculty members concerning an appeal to a change in the formula to determine faculty teaching loads.

The board voted 8-0 to maintain district policy of weighting lab hours as two-thirds of one lecture hour.

St. Philip’s faculty loads were weighted on a 1-1 scale although the two-thirds rate was used at other district colleges.

More than 70 faculty members were affected by an abrupt schedule change mandated Sept. 17 by Chancellor Bruce Leslie.

In the past four months, SPC

Faculty Senate exchanged a series of memos with Leslie about keeping workloads across the district to a 1-to-1 ratio rather than labs counting for two-thirds the rate of lectures, which would increase the number of hours a faculty member was required to teach.

The only exception to the twothirds rate is for nursing and allied health faculty at this college and St. Philip’s, who are accorded the 1-1 rate.

Dr. Jo-Carol Fabianke, associate vice chancellor for academic partnerships and initiatives, said Tuesday nursing and allied health labs equate to a lecture hour because they are clinical labs.

College Board, the educational resource organization that administers college entrance and advanced placement exams, states on its website that in clinical labs, students examine body fluids, such as blood, for clues in the diagnosis of diseases and are trained to conduct and supervise medical tests and manage clinical labs.

Vernell E. Walker, dean for professional and technical education, said the reason clinical labs count as a lecture is because faculty have to be at hospitals for six to eight hours observing students.

“In a hospital setting, it’s a life and death situation,” she said.

“There is more pressure and more responsibilities.”

St. Philip’s President Adena Williams Loston said Tuesday she has worked at institutions where labs were recognized at the 1-to-1 ratio and where labs were counted as two-thirds of a lecture hour.

Loston said in an ideal situation, they have qualified faculty to be recognized according to 1-to-1 ratios, but she would respect and abide by Alamo Colleges’ policy.

Loston said some faculty have been paid according to the 1-to-1 ratio for about 10 years, but when

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

6 • Jan. 31, 2011 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 the Banner system was implemented, it showed the inconsistency in work loads.

Leslie cited the board’s charge for making thing’s equal “across the district” as his basis for directing all colleges Aug. 25 to adhere to a 2005 policy until the district is able to carry out an analysis.

At Tuesday’s meeting, Leslie said the college presidents were supposed to enforce this policy.

Loston; Leslie; President Robert Zeigler; Linda Bower-Owens, associate vice chancellor of human resources; and Dr. Federico Zaragoza, vice chancellor of economic and workforce development; were asked to come into executive session.

After the vote, James Rindfuss, vice chairman and District 9 trustee, said the trustees would uphold the chancellor’s decision and count

News labs two-thirds a lecture hour.

Faculty Senate President George Johnson III could not be reached for comment on the board’s decision.

In other news, the board congratulated Dr. Thomas Cleary, vice chancellor for planning, performance and information systems, faculty and staff for enrolling 67,621 students this spring.

Cleary said Passport, the registration system used before Banner, was labor and time intensive. He said technology didn’t make a successful spring registration, but faculty and staff made it successful.

Gary Beitzel, District 8 trustee and chairman, said when they approved purchasing Banner for $6 million in 2003, it took several years, new staff at district and assistance from faculty and staff to make this successful.

District 1 trustee Joe Alderete and Beitzel agreed that with Banner,

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Dr. Thomas Cleary presents on registration Tuesday. Julysa Sosa they could easily collect new data and provide it to the state Legislature and show how important community colleges are to the country.

The board also approved Retha Karnes, former associate general counsel, to head district’s general counsel. The board approved this transition because Erik Dahler, for-

mer district director of legal affairs, put in his formal resignation on Jan. 18 to return to private practice.

The next regular board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Feb. 22 in Room 101 of Killen Center at 201 W. Sheridan. For more information, go to www.alamo.edu and click on Board of Trustees and then Agendas.

The Ranger

News

Jan. 31, 2011 • 7

Board agenda targets gun bills

By Zahra Farah Trustees agreed Tuesday to consider a resolution at their next meeting to oppose state cuts in higher education and bills in the Texas Legislature to allow handguns on campus.

These were among issues to be considered by the 82nd Texas Legislature that concern trustees.

The decision came after a presentation by Leo Zuniga, associate vice chancellor of communication, who reported that he and the district’s legislative team met with three senators, five representative and Speaker of the House Joe Straus to discuss the district’s legislative agenda.

The committee consists of Chancellor Bruce Leslie; Chair Gary Beitzel, District 8; District 1 trustee Joe Alderete; District 5 trustee Robert Zárate; and District 2 trustee Denver McClendon.

The board expressed opposition to three proposed bills related to licensed concealed handguns on campuses, HB 86, SB 354 and HB 750.

Students interested in attending Community College Day Wednesday in Austin must RSVP to https:// orgsync.com/25432/forms/show/27695 by 11:45 p.m. today.

Students will depart at 6:30 a.m. from Lot 21 and will return by 6 p.m.

Call 210-486-0133.

The board also favored House Joint Resolution 56, a proposed constitutional amendment to restrict the power of the Legislature to mandate requirements on certain local governments, which includes community colleges.

Also on the district’s agenda is to maintain the current level of state and enrollment growth funding. The team is also asking the Legislature to use momentum points as incentives instead of including them as part of formula funding.

The state keeps 10 percent of its formula funding and disburses it based on increases in graduation, student retention and transfer.

The legislative team is also advocating leg-

islation to guarantee access to universities for community college graduates. They also want a bill, which establishes a 50-cent matching program for every dollar a community college foundation raises. This encourages donations to go toward community colleges, Zuniga said.

They are pushing for the six-course drop, the “three-peat rule,” and unfunded mandates to be eliminated.

The six-course drop rule means a first-time college student cannot drop more than six courses. The “three-peat rule” requires a student who takes a course for the third time to pay the out-of-state tuition rate for that course.

District 6 trustee Gene Sprague said to support these ideas, they need to present data provided by Banner that shows the number of students who graduate that stimulate the economy.

“I want to send a message to the governor,” Sprague said. “It’s raining outside; it’s time to use the rainy day fund.”

There is $9 billion in Texas’ rainy day fund.

8 • Jan. 31, 2011

The Ranger

News

18-year-old chooses adoption

By Melody Mendoza

Gateway to College student Lucy de la Cruz poses for a photo holding photos of Sherri and Chad Koppold and a sonogram of her unborn son, Ethan, whom the Koppolds will adopt. Alison Wadley

Gateway to College student Lucy de la Cruz, 18, has faced many hardships growing up in a family of eight children.

The man she grew up calling father turned out to be her stepfather. Her biological father died two months before she was born.

Then, she turned up pregnant, and, like many young women in her position, faced the gamut of family reactions.

Now, she is planning to place her first baby with a local adoptive family.

“It really makes me smile knowing I’m making the right decision,” de la Cruz said. “I feel blessed being able to have kids.”

De la Cruz said she knows it will be hard, but she is happy.

“I talk to him,” she said as she looked down at her belly and started tearing up.

“I tell him, ‘Mommy loves you and she’s doing this for you.’”

She said her decision isn’t selfish; she wants to keep the baby, but knows she wouldn’t be able to provide.

“I need to look at the baby’s future,” she said.

Although de la Cruz has a lot to look forward to with delivery in March and the subsequent adoption, she said she will be graduating in May from this college’s program for at-risk high school students and wants to enlist in the Army and become a medic.

“I want to travel. I want to date. I want to go out and come back when I want,” de la Cruz said.

Gateway Instructor Tom Porter, one of de la Cruz’s teachers, describes her as responsible, engaging and wise.

“I teach authors like Viktor Frankl, Anne Frank, Frederick Douglass, W.E.B. DuBois,” Porter said. “I teach great figures like them. Look at who’s making sacrifices around us — that’s Lucy.”

Porter said de la Cruz took a leap of faith by making this “incredible decision.”

News

The Ranger

Lucy De la Cruz in her college transitions class Tuesday. Melody Mendoza

“I don’t know if you can teach that,” he said. age of 16.

“To me, that’s what I learn from them (stuThe minor’s child died at 4 months old. dents).”

Her 19-year-old sister lives with the child’s Although de la Cruz believes she is making father and is in an unhappy relationship. the right decision, she struggles to get the supDe la Cruz said up until about a month ago, port she needs from her family. she hadn’t talked to her mom, Imelda de la Her older brother and his wife, Luis and Cruz, who doesn’t support her decision to place Abby de la Cruz, have been more supportive of the child up for adoption. her decision than others.

After three home pregnancy “I was so scared to tell Luis tests last summer that read negative, … I look up to him the most, de la Cruz made a bewildering visit even as a father,” she said. “He to the hospital with her mom in tow. was upset and stayed quiet.”

“It was a big shock,” de la Cruz She said her brother called said of learning of her pregnancy. her two days later and told her Her mom was happy to find out she had options. her youngest daughter was preg“Abortion wasn’t one of my nant and welcomed the idea of a Sherri Koppold options,” she said. new grandchild. adoptive mother She said she waited until The expectant mother said school started in the fall to she assumed her mom was happy research adoption because she because of her affection for Logan didn’t want her mother to see what she was Fletcher, the baby’s father and de la Cruz’s thendoing. boyfriend of three years.

Her brother also offered to get her informa“It wasn’t the reaction I wanted,” she said. tion about adoption.

She said although her stepfather was disap“If you decide to keep this baby, you better pointed, he offered his support. be a damn good mom,” de la Cruz repeated her After hiding the idea of adoption from her brother’s advice. parents for two weeks and avoiding her mom When de la Cruz thought about keeping the for a few days, de la Cruz said she finally told baby, she said she was not happy. her mom.

She said as she weighed the possibilities, she “My mom kicked me out,” she said. “I cried thought about her older sisters. almost every other day.” She said she wishes her Since she came to San Antonio five years ago mom had been stricter and easier to talk to. “I’m from El Paso, de la Cruz said one of her sisters scared to tell her things.” got pregnant at the age of 19 and another at the De la Cruz said Fletcher wants to keep the

“This is a bond for life.”

Jan. 31, 2011• 9 baby and stay together, but she said, “I don’t want to use the baby as an excuse to stay together.”

She said although Fletcher wanted to work things out, he agreed to the adoption and signed adoption papers.

After much thought, de la Cruz said she decided adoption was best for her child and met with Jennifer Simmons, a counselor from Adoption Angels Inc., 115 Fredericksburg Road, where she quickly became comfortable.

Simmons said she relates with young girls because “I placed my daughter for adoption when I was 17. I was not ready to be a fullfledged mother.”

Simmons said she wanted to work in this field to share her story and let women know they have options.

She said the agency is for anyone who needs help or has questions, and that they assist with other options besides adoption.

After three visits with an adoption counselor, filling out paperwork and searching through books of families, de la Cruz found Sherri and Chad Koppold, the adoptive parents.

“They are everything I want,” de la Cruz said.

“They live around family and friends, they have a lot of land. That’s how I lived — on a rancho.”

Sherri Koppold said, “We’d always thought of adopting when we got married. When we found out there were fertility issues, we knew it was meant to be.”

Koppold said she and her husband met in a biology class of 300 students at Texas State University-San Marcos.

“Our professor put us in alphabetical order and we just happened to sit next to each other,” she said.

After almost eight years of marriage, Koppold said she and her husband started seriously looking at adoption agencies in January 2010.

“We fell in love with Adoption Angels,” she said.

Come October, the couple met the expectant mother for the first time.

“It was a relief. She is so adorable and such a sweet person,” Koppold said of de la Cruz.

Koppold said she and her husband chose Ethan as the baby’s name and asked de la Cruz to choose the baby’s middle name.

Koppold said de la Cruz chose Fernando, after de la Cruz’s biological father who died two months before she was born.

The Texas adoption law states that open adoptions should be decided between the birth mother and adoptive parents.

Koppold said she wants de la Cruz to be in the picture. “This is a bond for life.”

10 • Jan. 31, 2011

The Ranger

Obituary

Wallace recalled as leader in library science

BY MEGAN MARES James Oldham Wallace, fondly known as J.O., professor emeritus and past director of learning resources, died Jan. 16 at the age of 93.

He was well-known and respected in the library community locally and nationally, Dr. Alice Johnson, dean of learning resources, said.

Friends and family gathered Jan. 20 for a memorial at Porter Loring Mortuary. The funeral service was Jan. 21 at First Baptist Church.

Wallace graduated from Brackenridge High School and attended San Antonio College.

He graduated from St. Mary’s University summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts. He earned a Master of Library Science from Our Lady of the Lake University.

Wallace taught in three public schools and spent 35 years at this college before retiring in 1984.

A life member of the Bexar Library Association, Texas Library Association and American Library Association, Wallace served as president of the Bexar Library Association from 1951-52 and president of the Texas Library Association in 1983.

He received awards from state and national library organizations for his work and, in 2002, as a Texas Library champion. He supervised a library technology program that included two workshops for Air Force library technical employees.

Library Chair Candace Peterson said, “I was most impressed by J.O. because he was such a leader in the field.”

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specialist, said Wallace encouraged her to continue library technology classes here. “Personally, I recall the time I had my daughter. He was carrying her around. That’s the kind of man he was. He took the time to carry around my daughter when she was born. He will be missed.”

An 80-year member of First Baptist Church, he was the church historian and parliamentarian. Its library, with which he worked for 70 years, was named in his honor.

The oldest child of James Vance Wallace Sr. and Violet Edyth

Oldham, he was born Sept. 22, 1917, on Goliad Street, on what is now the Institute of Texan Cultures.

At the age of 30, Wallace married Lillie Ruth Franklin, who preceded him in death in June.

They had three daughters: Carolyn Denning, Frances Peterson and Thelma Pittman.

“I grew up at SAC,” Denning said. “I remember I would always go to basketball games with him.

Oh, and the library. It was built when I was in middle school, but I remember always going to the library with him.”

Librarian Tina Petimezas recalled a small group of faculty sent flowers to a hospitalized Wallace last year.

“He called me to say thank you,” she said. “He was 92 years old, and he said that was the first time in his life that he received flowers.”

News

The Ranger

Jan. 31, 2011 • 11

Auditor suggests better management ideas Education Department wants change in drop reporting.

By Zahra Farah The outside auditing firm Ernst & Young, which audited Alamo Colleges for 2009-10, produced recommendations to tighten processes.

At the Jan. 18 Audit, Budget and Finance Committee, Diane Snyder, vice chancellor for finance and administration, said she and the vice chancellors have created an action plan to counteract problems noted by Ernst & Young.

The auditors wrote there was “no tracking or monitoring of changes to the Banner system” and too many individuals had access to the system. They recommended only one person should have internal controls over Banner.

There was also no tracking or monitoring of changes to the Banner system and the password to the IT account had not been changed for several years, so IT professionals no longer employed potentially still had access.

Dr. Thomas Cleary, vice chancellor for planning, performance and information systems, said he agrees with most of the firm’s findings but didn’t agree that only one person should have access to Banner’s entire system.

Four individuals had unlimited access to the entire system, but because of the audit on security, it was limited to two people.

Cleary said, “They don’t understand our environment and staffing level.” He said four people were needed because of the high volume of students using Banner. When control was reduced to two, and those people were out of the office, delays occurred.

Cleary also disagreed with the auditors when they said Banner had no way of tracking changes made to the system. Cleary said Banner could track itself, but the department has to improve recording it. He said duties and passwords have been changed to increase security.

Snyder said the district needs to tighten controls and work together for more efficiency rather than waiting for something to go wrong.

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The auditors had a list of recommendations for the center for student information, which reports to the vice chancellor for student success. The report said student drops were not being reported to the U.S. Department of Education within a required 45-day window. Students who are no longer full-time are required to repay federal financial aid.

Dr. Adelina Silva said, in the past, when students dropped, it was reported at the college; this year, it’s being accumulated at CSI. She said she plans to run reports daily instead of at the end of the semester. Late reporting drops was a second offense.

The auditors also randomly verified 25 students’ financial aid applications and found errors in four: incomplete, missing or incongruent tax documents.

This year, the state randomly selected 19,118 students for review, and Silva said each is now being double-checked. Disbursements included $97 million in Pell Grants and $137 million in student aid.

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12 • Jan. 31, 2011

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News

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Jan. 31,2011 • 13

Dan Rather on campus Thursday

By Laura Garcia Dan Rather was a household name to many in his heyday. After the legendary Walter Cronkite stepped down in 1981, CBS Evening News gave Rather the chief anchor position. For 24 years, he reported on the world from that chair.

The college nabbed one of the biggest names in journalism for a speech and Q-and-A session at 7 p.m. Thursday in the auditorium of McAllister Fine Arts Center. The doors open at 6 p.m. for the free event open to the public.

Organizers expect the Texas native to draw a crowd of 1,200 and plan for overflow in the Fiesta Room of Loftin Student Center. The speech will be shown on monitors for viewers not lucky enough to find a seat in the nearly 1,000-seat auditorium.

This event is sponsored by the Fine Arts and Cultural Events Series, or FACES, which brought Olympic medalist and San Antonio native Josh Davis to kick off this college’s 85th anniversary celebration in September.

Dr. Alice Johnson, dean of learning resources and chair of FACES, said the committee and President Robert Zeigler also selected Rather for the college’s anniversary.

The committee also brought former San Antonio College student and ABC news anchor John Quiñones and Animal Planet’s Jeff Corwin in 2009; documentarian Morgan Spurlock of “Super Size Me” in 2008; actor and community activist Edward James Olmos in 2007; feminist Gloria Steinem and environmental advocate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in 2006.

The Ranger reported Feb. 19, 2009, that the committee receives a $25,000 allocation annually from the president’s office to produce collegewide events throughout the year.

No money was allocated in the last fiscal year, said Martha Castro, administrative secretary in Johnson’s office.

This event will cost the college $40,000, which includes a onehour speech, 15-minute Q-and-A and a VIP reception following the event.

The reception is limited to those who received an invitation and is closed to the general public.

Zeigler said during a College Council meeting that the funds to pay for the speaker came from the 85th anniversary fund.

Rather is also recording a voice drop for the college radio station KSYM 90.1, something that Quiñones did when he visited.

“I’m very excited,” Castro said.

“I think it’s a wonderful opportunity for the community to see him and hear him.”

She said she has fielded several calls every day about the journalist’s appearance and if that’s any indication, they expect a full house.

Johnson said they expect an older crowd will attend the speech.

But most students should at least recognize the name of the former TV anchor and CBS managing editor from his 40 years in network news.

He is known for his quirky style and “Ratherisms,” used mostly during election coverage, such as “hotter than a Laredo parking lot,” “shakier than cafeteria Jell-O,” and “don’t bet the trailer money on it yet.”

Rather was born Oct. 31, 1931, in Wharton. While in college, he started his journalism career as an Associated Press reporter in 1950.

In 1953, Rather earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Sam Houston State Teachers College, now Sam Houston State University in Huntsville.

He gained experience in radio, TV and newspaper in Houston until he landed a job with CBS in Dallas and the chief postion in New Orleans.

Rather covered every presidential campaign since 1960 and interviewed every U.S. president from Dwight D. Eisenhower to George W. Bush.

He also interviewed international leaders including former Soviet statesman Mikhail Gorbachev in Moscow’s Red Square and Fidel Castro in Havana.

Many remember where they were on Sept. 11, 2001, when the World Trade Center and the Pentagon were attacked by terrorists.

Rather stayed on the air for 18 hours bringing news of the beginning of a war on terror to millions.

Two months before the 2004 presidential election, Rather faced controversy when he narrated a report that Bush may have received special treatment while serving in the Texas Air National Guard during the Vietnam War. The CBS network later said they couldn’t authenticate the documents used in the report, and six months later, Rather retired from CBS Evening News.

He later told CNN’s Larry King that he was forced to step down from his position and defends his right to investigative reporting and the integrity in news.

Currently, Rather appears in “Dan Rather Reports” on HDNet.

Tutoring, books, DVDs available in math labs Individual and group tutoring offered six days each week in two labs.

By David Espinoza For those who get cold sweats at the slightest mention of math, fear not.

Labs in the department of mathematics and computer science are open for this semester.

The developmental lab in Room 121 of McCreless Hall offers tutoring for MATH 0300, Basic Mathematics, through MATH 1314, College Algebra.

The lab, open 9 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday and Saturday, offers overnight textbook and tutorial DVD checkouts, as well as worksheets with optional answer keys.

Up to three tutors are available at any given time, lab educational skills specialist Steve Ochoa said.

Group tutoring is also available to students who sign up in advance.

Additionally, students can take advantage of the calculus lab in Room 124 of McCreless for tutoring in classes from MATH 1314, College Algebra, to MATH 2415, Calculus 3.

The calculus lab is open 9 a.m.-7 p.m.

Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Friday and Saturday.

Individual as well as group tutoring is offered without prior arrangement, Chair Said Fariabi said.

Up to two tutors will be available at any given time in the calculus lab.

Textbooks are available for in-room use only; DVD and textbook checkouts are not available in the calculus lab.

For more information, call the mathematics and computer science department at 210-4860270.

14 • Jan. 31, 2011

The Ranger

Premiere

Heavy metal band wants eco-friendly future Disturbed and Korn are in concert Feb. 9 at the Alamodome.

BY MEGAN MARES The bands Disturbed and Korn are headlining the “Monster Energy Music as a Weapon” tour coming to town Feb. 9 at Illusions Theatre in the Alamodome.

In a phone interview Tuesday, Disturbed drummer Mike Wengren said the song “Another Way to Die” is about global warming.

With a recurring theme of what has been and what will be both politically and ecologically, Disturbed’s latest album “Asylum” is not meant to make activists out of the four band members.

“It’s more about awareness,” he said. “We are getting older, we have kids and we want the world to be a great place for them.”

Wengren said to be environmentally sensitive, cutbacks and changes have been made on

tour, such as recycling, cutting back from six to four touring trucks to save on emissions and selling T-shirts made from recycled materials.

The song “Never Again,” also on “Asylum” was inspired by Jewish lead singer David Draiman’s family, who were victims of the Holocaust in Nazi Germany in World War II. “I believe David’s grandmother is still living,” Wengren said. “But the survivors (of the holocaust) are dying of old age.”

When asked about his concern for younger generations and what their future might be, Wengren said it is important to look back at history and learn from it.

“Another Way to Die” says “our future is fading” and is left on the shoulders of leaders in years to come.

“I think it is human to make mistakes,” he said. “But we should learn from them and make a change.”

To make changes, awareness is vital, Wengren said. “If you’re not watching the news, there is something wrong.”

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The Ranger

Black History Month

Jan. 31, 2011 • 15

Imagine socially just future, but recall injustices, author says Anthropology professor uses hip-hop to increase reading skills.

By Jennifer M. Ytuarte Society tends to sanitize historical events, but for change to occur the focus must remain on injustice, Trinity University’s speaker for its Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Lecture said Jan. 19.

Parents omit rebellious or irresponsible actions from tales of their youth, painting instead a standard of perfection their children then use to measure self-worth.

“We as a society must be mature enough to acknowledge the past without being prisoner to it,” Marc Lamont Hill of Teachers College at Columbia University said.

Hill is a founding board member of My5th, a nonprofit organization educating youth about legal rights, and works with the American Civil Liberties Union Drug Reform Project.

In 2001, he started a literacy project that uses hip-hop culture to increase school engagement and reading skills among high school students. In 2005, Ebony magazine named Hill one of America’s top 30 black leaders under 30 years old.

“We all come together today for the purpose of change,” he said.

His audience defined diversity.

Students and teachers, young and old sat side by side captivated by Hill’s message. “To see the community engaged is a great way to move the social justice ball forward,” he said.

“To honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., we have to admire progress, growth and maturation of the American democratic system,” Hill said. “But at the same time, we have to keep the limelight on injustice.”

In line with King’s legacy, Hill said three ideas could bring a revolution: careful remembrance,

Marc Lamont Hill says to stop sanitizing history. Jennifer Ytuarte brave action and relentless hope.

The current generation views the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as the grand patriarch of the Civil Rights struggle — the cornerstone, he said. “Our children don’t understand the injustice he fought against.”

Young people assume King was loved by all, respected by his elders and loved by both blacks and whites alike, he said. “After all, he has his own holiday. He must have been like today’s movie stars,” Hill joked.

In reality, after speaking out against the Vietnam War in 1967, King lost popularity.

Exactly one year later, he died an enemy of the state, as an outcast.

Hill said the current generation forgets the brutality Americans

faced during the struggle for equality.

This generation doesn’t live in segregation or with a fear of persecution.

He said people erase memories of tear gas, attack dogs, picket lines and the use of force against unarmed protesters.

“We mute our own voice!” Hill said, pounding the podium with his fist. “It is our job to reclaim it.”

Hill said people talk about the Taliban and shun foreign terrorists, yet the United States has the Ku Klux Klan and neo-Nazis, who use violence to terrorize and spread their hate-filled messages. “We have to own our story.”

Hill said the seedbed for change begins on college campuses, noting there has never been a revolutionary movement that did not

have the strength and unity of young people. He continued, the youth of America are screaming out for change.

Hill is the author with Gloria Ladson-Billings of “Beats, Rhymes, and Classroom Life: Hip-Hop Pedagogy and the Politics of Identity,” and he is co-editor of “Media, Learning, and Sites of Possibility” and “The Anthropology of Education Reader.”

He is completing manuscripts titled “Knowledge of Self: Race, Masculinity and the Politics of Reading” and “You Ain’t Heard It From Me: Snitching, Rumors and Other People’s Business in HipHop America.”

Hill told his Trinity audience that students need to ask critical questions of like-minded individuals, not just their enemies.

“We are writing a check to uphold our constitutional rights.

It cannot be returned with nonsufficient funds,” he said.

“Democracy is not a noun; it is a verb. We need to force America to live up to its promise.”

Hill said society must play an active part in children’s future. The community must mentor, guide, teach and love.

He said for the population to do the footwork and take the lead requires nothing of Congress.

Communities must ignore race and work together to mold future generations.

Never scale down a dream with disappointments, he said. Instead, have the courage to say, “I do not want to be what I once was.”

Hill said, “Freedom is only cosigned in ink; it is signed by the blood of those who died before it.”

Society needs to imagine a better future and believe in it enough to fight for it, he said.

After Hill’s remarks, fifth-grader Omari Matthews sitting next to the Rev. Otis Mitchell, whispered into his pastor’s ear, “I can.”

16 • The Ranger

Martin Luther K

Sharing King

By Zahra Farah and Megan Mares During the civil rights movement when people marched for equality they often faced tear gas, water hoses and beatings.

Today, this generation honors those people.

More than 400 people from seven religions gathered Jan. 16, the eve of the birthday of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., at First Presbyterian Church for the 24th annual Citywide Interfaith Worship Service to commemorate King’s ideals.

Dr. Adena Williams Loston, president of St. Philip’s College, was the featured speaker of the night. She was introduced by Dr. Rajam Ramamurthy from the Hindu Temple of San Antonio, as someone who has lived a life modeled on the values set by King more than 40 years ago.

The following day, about 100 SPC faculty, students and friends came

together dressed in blue caps and black St. Philip’s shirts at the Martin Luther King Drive campus to celebrate San Antonio’s 24th Annual MLK March and Commemorative Program, the largest march in the country.

Like Mahatma Ghandi, King worked for peace and equality for all using techniques such as nonviolent resistance, which was remembered at the service and continued as the message of the march.

At last year’s Martin Luther King Jr. March, an individual was shot; this year, King’s message meant even more.

“Men often hate each other because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other,” King said in “Stride Toward Freedom,” his 1958 memoir of the Montgomery bus boycott. “They don’t know each other because they cannot communicate; they cannot communicate because they are separated.”

At Sunday’s service, Loston said when society looks back at King, no one

The St. Philip’s College step team, Jungle Boogie, and cheer team during the 24th Martin Luther King Jr. March Jan. 17 on Martin Luther King Drive. T

King Jr. March

Jan. 31, 2011 • 17

g’s inspiration thinks about his weight, size, home, how much money he had in his wallet or how much money he made. They talk about his dream and his journey.

Speaking of her own journey through life, Loston recalled the way things were when she was a child.

She asked the crowd to notice if the person they were sitting next to was of a different race.

The service included Muslims, Christians, Jews, Hindu, Buddhists, Baha’i and Sikhs who assembled and worshiped as one.

“It wasn’t permitted when I was in school,” she said. “We had water fountains that said ‘For White Only’ or ‘For Colored Only.’ I was colored, still am.”

She paused than laughed with the rest of the crowd but continued, “Dr. King wanted change; change meant opportunity.”

Loston is a graduate of Alcorn State University, a historically black col-

Tyler K. Cleveland

lege, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1973.

The following year she received a master’s degree and in 1979 a doctorate from Bowling Green State University.

Loston also attended the Institute for Educational Management at Harvard University in 1996, Oxford Roundtable at Oxford University in 2001 and the Wharton School of Business in 2005.

When she worked for NASA as chief education officer, Loston was the highest ranked African-American woman.

Loston served as the second president of San Jacinto College in Pasadena and was the first African-American president there.

“Dr. King inspired me,” Loston said. “I encourage you to have Martin’s journey continue now through your footsteps.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

The Ranger

18 • Jan. 31, 2011 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17 Auxilary Bishop Oscar Cantu of the Archdiocese of San Antonio said it’s important for people to come to the service because of the history of the country, and the division of races coming together in the name of King shows that his intentions did not go without merit.

“Today we honored him as a man of God and justice,” he said.

Loston marched with her students, as they continued to honor King at the three-mile trek, which started at MLK Freedom Bridge at 3500 MKL Drive and ended at Pittman-Sullivan Park at 1101 Iowa St. This year, roughly 100,000 participated, march organizers said.

The theme of the 2011 march was “Dr. King’s Dream: For One, For All.” Loston remembered growing up in Mississippi where water fountains and restrooms were segregated.

Her high school graduating class of 1970 was the last segregated class there.

Loston said she didn’t attend classes with white students until she attended graduate school in 1974.

Today is “a true coming together of diversities and strengthening of talents,” she said.

John Martin, associate student life director at St. Philip’s College, said unlike people marching in the 1950s and 1960s, “we don’t have to face dogs and rocks.”

Some of the students who participated in the march were from St. Philip’s Phi Theta Kappa, African-American Men on the Move, Jungle Boogie step team and cheer.

Dr. Adena Williams Loston, president of St. Philip’s College, walks Jan. 17 with Aliya Marta, 6, during the 24th Martin Luther King Jr. March. Photos by Tyler K. Cleveland “It’s a way to connect with our ancestral roots,” Martin said. Students are marching as a college for the rights given to them by those who fought for their civil liberties, he said.

On the morning of the march, King’s “I Have a Dream” speech played in the background while students ate breakfast and made posters.

Jungle Boogie captain Sherman and Latasha Walker, psychology sophomore and co-captain, led the step team into breakout performances during the march.

St. Philip’s cheerleaders were dressed in blue and silver and performed basket tosses.

Julius Green, business administration sophomore and member of African-American Men

on the Move, participated to show a positive outlook on young African-American men.

The goal of the organization is to empower African-American men academically and push them to stay in school.

Green said a lot of young African-American men come from single parent homes and don’t have the home support they need.

District 7 trustee Blakely Fernandez with her husband and two children joined the St. Philip’s group. “It’s an honor to be with St. Philip’s, which is the heart of the East Side,” she said.

Throughout the march, signs blocked the view of the sky with motivational messages like “My future is unlimited. Thank you, Dr. King.”

Alvaro Aquilar and Andrea Nicholas join in prayer Jan. 17 at Pittman-Sullivan Park after the three-mile march.

Go online for a slideshow of the event

The Ranger

Black History Month

Jan. 31, 2011 • 19

College events focus on figures from Civil War to Jazz Age Black History Month kicks off at 10:50 a.m. Thursday in Loftin.

By Valdemar Tejada Kicking off the Black History Month Celebration will be Dr. Tani Sanchez, an Africana studies professor at the University of Arizona, addressing “Civil War to Now” 10:50 a.m.–noon Thursday in the Fiesta Room of Loftin Student Center.

Sanchez will discuss perceptions and visual and theatrical imagery of African-Americans and relate them to racism and how African-Americans were treated and the significance of what happened back then. “This is to increase the opportunity for people to know how our society is a mosaic and how African Americans are a significant portion in the mosaic,” Sanchez said.

“African-Americans and the Civil War” is the theme for this year’s Black History Month celebration. For a full listing of events on this campus and elsewhere, see Page 20.

Meet artist at For more information, contact Wanda Lee St. Mary’s reception.

Smith, co-chair of the Black History Month Committee, at 210-486-1006 or e-mail wsmith@

By Dana Lynn Traugott alamo.edu.

Among other events, “Black Photographers” docSt. Mary’s University observes Black History uments African-American lives between the Civil War Month with an exhibition of two local Africanin the 1860s to the Jazz Age in the 1920s.

American artists’ work.

Art Professor Marleen Hoover will present at 9:25 a.m. Feb. 9 in John Coleman, a 70-year-old artist, will be the visual arts gallery at 950 Lewis St. Hoover said many people displaying 20 paintings ranging from portraits are not familiar with any black artists of the early 1900s. “When to social and political issues and some experpeople think of artists back then, how many people think of a iments with modernism and cubism. black artist first?” she said.

Doc Spellmon’s work, vivid and rich in “‘Black Photographers’ will educate students on who color, focuses on African-American daily the famous African-American photographers are and what life. For example, one piece displayed a they did in life,” she said. For more information, call Hoover field scene in which some are washing clothes at 486-1035 or e-mail mhoover@alamo.edu. in a river and others are cultivating the land; The 22nd annual African-American Read-In Celebration another focused on a slave ship. of “The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass” proThe exhibition hangs through Feb. 17 motes literacy and knowledge of African-American in the Louis J. Blume Library in the cenwriters. ter of the university campus.

English Professor Janice Clayton said she believes A reception 4 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Feb. students at this college are very sincere people who 17 closes the exhibit. Guests will be are interested in the history and culture of American able to meet the artists. life. “Of course, some students are going to say, ‘Oh, I “It’s going to be a fine experihate reading’ but deep down inside, they are inspired ence,” said fine arts Chair Brian St. by literature,” Clayton said.

John, a 21-year veteran of St. Mary’s and s Campos Juan Carlo Students in Clayton’s English classes will read autobiograa San Antonio College alumnus. phies followed by a Q-&-A and reception.

There is no admission for either event and they are The read-in is 10:50 a.m.-12:05 p.m. Feb. 22 in the craft room of Loftin Student Center. open to the public. For information, call 210-436-3011 For more information, call Clayton at 486-0661 or e-mail jclayton@alamo.edu. or log on to www.stmarytx.edu/humanities.

20 • Jan. 31, 2011 Tuesday SPC Event: Opening ceremony with Dr. Morris Stribling, at 9:15 a.m. in the Heritage Room. Call 210 486-2887.

The Ranger

Black History Month 210 486-2887.

February 5

SPC Event: Meet-the-artist reception with John A. Coleman’s art exhibition at 3 p.m. in the Morgan Gallery. Call 210 486-2887.

UTSA Event: “Teach Me Tuesday: Tales of the Soul” a UTSA student will talk about his life in Africa and in the United States.

At noon in Durango Building student activities center at the downtown campus. Call 210- 458-4770.

Thursday

Feb. 6

SAC Lecture: “Civil War to Now” with Dr. Tani Sanchez from the University of Arizona from 10:50 a.m.-noon in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 210-486-1006.

UTSA Event: Movie Night: “Amistad.” at 7 p.m. in University Center Denman Room, 1604 Campus. Call 210- 458-4770.

Gupton, guest conductor. Continues through Feb. 19 in Watson Fine Arts Center. Call 210 486-2887.

Feb. 14

Feb. 23 SAC Event: HIV testing 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in Room 119 of Chance. Call 210 486-1460.

SPC Event: Southwest Campus Blood Drive from 3 p.m.-7 p.m. Call 210 486-2887.

February 9 SPC Event: Main campus blood drive from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Call 210-486-2887.

SPC Lecture: Relevance of AfricanAmerican history in the 21st century with speaker Lasana Hotep at 6 p.m. in the Heritage Room. Call 210-486-2887.

SAC Event: Buffalo Soldiers from 10 a.m.noon. Outside courtyard.

Call Dr. Erik Anderson, 210-486-1104.

Feb. 11

SAC Lecture: “Black Photographers: Documenting African-American Lives form the Civil War to the Jazz Age” at 9:25 a.m.-9:50 a.m. in the visual arts center gallery. Call 210486-1035.

SPC Event: Soul Food Luncheon 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Southwest Campus. Call

UTSA Event: Fourth Annual Black Heritage Ball at 6 p.m.

“Stand Up and Be Counted.”

Tickets are required. University Center Denman Room at 1604 Campus. Call 210- 4584770.

Feb. 25

Feb. 15 Feb. 10

Event: Dreaming with the Ancestors: Black Seminole Women in Texas and Mexico 6:00 p.m. at Witte Museum. $5 for members and students; $10 for nonmembers. Call 210-357-1910

Celebration of “The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass” 10:50 a.m.12:05 p.m. in the craft room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0661.

SAC Event: “Storyteller in the African Tradition: Toni Simmons” from 10:50 a.m.noon. For location call 210- 486-0589.

Feb. 13 SPC Concert: 2011 San Antonio Symphony-in-Residence with Damon

SAC Event: A Taste of Soul, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in Loftin. Call 210-486-0589.

SPC Event: 70s Soul Train Alumni Scholarship Dance from 7 p.m.2 a.m. at Old San Juan Restaurant & Discotek. Call 210 486-2887.

NLC Event: Painted Plate Party to create an African Vase from 11:30 a.m.—1 p.m. in Room 136 of STCM Commons. Call 210-486-5000.

Feb. 20 SPC Concert: San Antonio Youth Wind Ensemble with Albert Aguilar, resident conductor and Damon Gupton, guest conductor at 2:30 p.m. in Watson Fine Arts Center. Call 210 486-2887.

Feb. 21 SAC Concert: Regency Jazz Band, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in Loftin. Call 210-486-1035.

UTSA Concert: “Soulful Showcase,” a gospel concert sponsored by the UTSA office of student activities. Call Buena Vista Theatre, Downtown Campus for time, 210- 458-4770.

NLC Concert: African drum & dance presentation 11a.m.-12:30 p.m. Commons in the cafeteria. Call 210-486-5000.

Singer Harry Belfonte leads a 1960 Harvard student protest against lunch counter segregation outside a Woolworth in Cambridge, Mass. AccuNet/AP Images Feb. 28 SPC Event: The Woolworth Experience from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Tiger Café. Call 210 486-2887.

Feb. 22 SPC Disscussion: Military Perspective “The Civil War to Present Day” panel discussion 10:45 a.m.-noon in the Heritage Room. Call 210 486-2887.

SAC Event: African-American Read-in

Calendar Legend SAC: San Antonio College NVC: Northwest Vista College SPC: St. Philip’s College SWC: Southwest Campus PAC: Palo Alto College NLC: Northeast Lakeview College

The Ranger

Jan. 31, 2011 • 21

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22 • Jan. 31, 2011

Premiere

The Ranger

New sign may lead to identity crisis Constellation Ophiuchus makes a comeback after two millennia.

By James Anthony Salamé Although most people don’t like to admit it, and some may not believe in them, many find themselves checking the horoscope section of newspapers or magazines.

Some are curious about influences on a career path, love life, or risks that should be taken.

A “new” 13th zodiac sign, Ophiuchus, that the general public wasn’t aware of, means not only some signs, but the advice that comes with it, have changed.

Professor Parke Kunkle, an astronomy professor at Minneapolis Community and Technical College, piqued a reporter’s interest in Ophiuchus, pronounced Ooh-FEE-yew-kus.

Kunkle didn’t discover anything new, but the reporter focused on it, creating a buzz all over newspapers and the Internet.

Ophiuchus is a constellation of a man holding a serpent, representative of a healer with a knowledge of medicine. Ophiuchus is the only sign associated with a real person, known to the Greeks as Serpentarius, the god Asclepius, son of Apollo.

Although many think Ophiuchus is a new sign, it has always been a part of the zodiac.

“It’s always been there, and I don’t know why they are just bringing this up now,” Astronomy Professor Alfred Alaniz said.

The moon’s gravitational pull has caused the Earth and the Sun’s alignment to change and will continue to do so for the approximately 26,000 years it takes the sun to transit the entire zodiac, he said.

Kunkle described the resulting misalignment as the Earth’s “wobble” to the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Alaniz said he has always taught

Alexandra Nelipa the 13th constellation of the zodiac to his classes.

“I’ve been waiting for this semester to teach this due to the growing interest of the students,” he said. “They asked about it on the very first day of class.”

Alaniz showed a star map that showed the short transit the sun makes across the “foot” of the constellation.

The Babylonians discarded Ophiuchus from the zodiac to keep it to 12 signs. The transit across the constellations Scorpio and Leo are also short, but they made the Babylonians’ cut.

Psychology Professor James Cook said there is no scientific evidence to support astrology.

This is all a form of “confirmation bias,” a term that explains “when we only want to remember the evidence that supports our beliefs.”

He said a gambler might believe that a specific routine will help him

Zodiac signs Signs Aries Taurus Gemini Cancer Leo Virgo Libra Scorpio Ophiuchus Sagittarius Capricorn Aquarius Pisces

Original dates March 19- April 19 April 20- May 20 May 21- June 20 June 21- July 22 July 23- Aug. 22 Aug. 23- Sept. 22 Sept. 23- Oct. 22 Oct. 23- Nov. 21 None Nov. 22- Dec. 21 Dec. 22- Jan. 19 Jan. 20- Feb. 18 Feb. 19- March 20

New dates April 18- May 23 May 13- June 21 June 21- July 20 July 20- Aug. 10 Aug. 10- Sept. 16 Sept. 16- Oct. 30 Oct. 30- Nov. 23 Nov. 23- Nov. 29 Nov. 29- Dec. 17 Dec. 17- Jan. 20 Jan. 20- Feb. 16 Feb. 16- March 11 March 11- April 18

Source: Minnesota Planetarium Society

win big money.

So, does this mean your zodiac tattoo is wrong, and you have been following the wrong sign?

It depends on individual’s specific beliefs. While those who have always been Leos, may want to stay a Leo, they may read that they have characteristics of a Cancer.

Some zodiac dates overlap.

For example, someone born Dec. 17 falls under Ophiuchus and Sagittarius. This overlap, a cusp, is when the Sun’s path is exiting from one sign, but entering another.

In astrology terms, it means you share the characteristics of both signs, maybe one sign more than the other.

Better check both.

Calendar

The Ranger For coverage in Calendar, call 210-486-1773 or e-mail sac-ranger@alamo.edu two weeks in advance.

Thursday Event: “Year of the Rabbit Asian New Year” Institute of World Culture in Marian Ballroom from 11:20 a.m.-2 p.m. Call 210-832-2174.

Today Saturday SAC Sports: Women’s volleyball tryouts from 4:30 p.m.-6 p.m. in Gym 1 of Candler. Call 210-486-0125.

Wednesday SAC Concert: Faculty Potpourri “New Beginnings” at noon in auditorium of McAllister. Call 210-486-0255.

SAC Exhibit: San Antonio Visual Artists Gallery at Rivercenter mall exhibits student photos 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Continues until the middle of February Fridays and Saturdays noon-6 p.m.

SAC Event: Wild West Rodeo Roundup 9 a.m.-2 p.m. in the mall. Call 210-486-0125.

Jan. 31, 2011 • 23

Guilty-Pleasure TV,” 5 p.m.-7 p.m. at Twig Bookstore, 200 E. Grayson. Call 210826-6411.

SAC Event: Chinese class in celebration of Chinese New Year noon- 1 p.m. in Loftin. Call 210-486-0125.

SAC Play: “Chemical Imbalance: A Jekyll & Hyde Play” 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. in McCreless theater. $2 with SAC ID, staff and faculty. General admission $10. Call 210-486-0487.

SAC Lecture:“Media Art Politics” with Dr. Christiane Paul, adjunct curator of New Media Arts at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York, at 7 p.m. in McAllister. Call 210-486-0142.

Feb. 18

SAC Concert: Sean Forbes of D-PAN/ Deaf Professional Arts Network at 7 p.m. in McAllister auditorium. Free with SAC ID, $5 general admission. Call 210-486-1111.

SAC Event: Coffee and Open Mic Night sponsored by Cheshyre Cheese Club 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. in Loftin.

Feb. 9.

SAC Concert: Bobby Black performing Dixieland 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin.

SAC Lecture: “Sexual Health and Condom Awareness” by William Sandburg from University Health from 11 a.m.- noon in the craft room in Loftin. Call 210-4860125.

Feb. 22 SAC Audition: “SAC’s Got Talent” audition 2 p.m.-4 p.m. in the craft room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0125.

Feb. 10 Event: Jennifer Pozner, author of “Reality Bites Back: The Troubling Truth About

Cast of “Jersey Shore” AccuNet/ AP Images Feb. 11 SAC Concert: Acoustic, folk and indie artist J. Meridian 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0125.

SAC Event: Second Friday Artwalk with Tobin Hill Art Alliance begins in visual arts 6 p.m.-10 p.m.

Feb. 14 SAC Dance: Chinese dance group 1 p.m.-2 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin.

Call 210-486-0125.

SAC Event: HIV testing 9 a.m.-2 p.m. in Room 119 of Chance. Continues Wednesday. Call 210-486-0222.

Feb. 23 SAC Event: Dental Fest 9:30 a.m.11:30 a.m. in the first floor foyer of nursing complex. Call 210-486-1036.

SAC Lecture: “Smoking Cessation” with Nicole Townsley from the American Cancer Society 11 a.m.-noon in craft room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0125.

Feb. 24 SAC Event: “Big Brain on Campus 2: The Sequel” a trivia competition 2 p.m.3:30 p.m. in the auditorium of McAllister.

Call 210-486-0681.

Feb. 28 SAC Event: Guitar Hero from 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. in the Fiesta Room of Loftin. Call 210-486-0125.

Feb. 15 SAC Event: A Taste of Soul, 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. in Loftin. Call 210-486-0589.

Feb. 17 SAC Event: Martial arts performance 11 a.m.-noon in Loftin. Call 210-486-0125.

Calendar Legend SAC: San Antonio College NVC: Northwest Vista College SPC: St. Philip’s College SWC: Southwest Campus PAC: Palo Alto College NLC: Northeast Lakeview College

24 • Jan. 31, 2011

Editorial

The Ranger

Alexandra Nelipa

College points Ranger toward sunset The college is “moving away” from its Ranger mascot of more than 80 years, college administrators say, because Rangers, as in Texas Rangers, have a bad historical reputation among minorities who suffered brutality at their hands.

Maybe, but no survey results were compiled or student complaints submitted.

In fact, a survey of traditionally college-age students, black or Hispanic, is likely to show they have little to no knowledge about actions deemed offensive by their grandparents’ generation.

And it’s not like anyone has launched a serious campaign for a replacement.

(Our students have a lot more concern about being able to afford college than worrying about a silly mascot.)

So why did the president’s council — vice presidents and deans —

opt to remove the image without so much as a survey or a hint? Where is the transparency everyone is so quick to tout?

To add insult to injury, it happened during the 85th anniversary.

Four score and three years ago, our founders adopted the Ranger when we were a branch of the University of Texas system.

It made sense as a mascot.

Today, more than 700 public schools across the nation bear the name George Washington. He was a slaveholder, but we continue to honor him for other contributions.

We trust he would not warrant honors with such actions today, but he was a man of his time.

The world changes and we with it, but our history should not change or be forgotten.

It’s bad enough the district is trying to blot out the individual identities of the colleges.

Gov. Rick Perry addresses Texas Rangers Oct. 29, 2009, in Austin.

AccuNet/AP Images The permanent image of the Ranger was removed from the gym floor, but a much-more temporary version hangs from the gym wall — an easy step to oblivion.

If we are ignoring a dark part of our history simply because it’s unpleasant, then we are fooling ourselves.

We should use those episodes in our history, government, sociology and criminal justice classes for learning.

The district cheers the Palo Alto Palominos, Northwest Vista Wildcats and St. Philip’s Tigers.

Soon, we may be the San Antonio College Blanks.

The Ranger

Editorial

Jan. 31, 2011 • 25

Use resources while they are available As a new year starts and individually we make resolutions we hope to maintain, our district still faces a grim reality: Resources are shrinking at an alarming rate.

The Texas Legislature is in session for the next 140 days trying to figure out where to save to meet its $28 billion deficit.

To reach the constitutionally mandated balanced budget, higher education is going to go through another round of cuts.

The Legislature has proposed an additional 2.5 percent cut in state appropriations on top of a 7 percent cut for this year. This means Alamo Colleges lost $15 million in state appropriations this year out of a $284.6 million operating budget.

Higher education institutions have to find a way to provide a decent education while planning for an additional 10 percent cutback in the next two years.

We have become too familiar with the words axed, cut, slashed, reduced and limited over the past year: library hours, math labs, English labs.

The only things being increased are class sizes, work loads and the gap between the colleges and the district in facing budget cuts.

The bad news is we can’t close our eyes and hope for the lean times to go away; instead, we can prepare ourselves to

work through these difficult challenges.

The library still offers vital research materials, which students can use to excel in classes; an Oxford collection of databases for English, literature, music, religions and Western civilization; and other databases, including architecture, nursing, world news and a government periodic index.

Students can access these databases by visiting http:// www.alamo.edu/sac/library/ or get assistance in the library in Moody Learning Center.

Library hours are now 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m. MondayThursday; 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday; and 1 p.m.–6 p.m. Sunday.

The college-level and developmental math labs continue to offer free tutoring from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Thursday in Rooms 121 and 124 of McCreless Hall.

Even though this college closed its job placement center, students and graduates seeking jobs and internships can visit a website Librarian John Deosdade created for students to navigate career opportunities at http://www. alamo.edu/sac/library/faculty/deosdade/career.htm.

Resources will continue to be cut.

Our challenge will be to make the most of what we still have. If we don’t show a need for them, expect to lose what little remains.

Make cuts in black and white Reiterated time and time again that the state is in shortfall freefall, it is natural to take a look around for suggestions for the next round of cuts.

The colleges have endeavored to — and been mostly successful at — cutting printing in the classroom.

Many departments have taken the lead in printing less, but there are instructors who believe it’s important to put paper in students’ hands.

Some disregard the directive to stop printing while some take the initiative to print at home or pay for copies themselves, and we applaud the effort.

But district officials and some college officials seem to believe it’s their God-given right to print color pages every day and distribute full-color newsletters.

Meanwhile, students have had to absorb additional printing costs. On-campus, they pay 10 cents per page to print for class.

That’s not even a break in price; Fedex Office charges the same.

District and college officials should face the same printing limitations as faculty, staff and students.

As students are transitioning to e-syllabuses, officials should transition to online document viewing as well. Or run to the library with a Go Print card.

If we’re not all in this together, goodwill and efforts will break down and factionalism will persist.

And if you see abuses in printing or any other kind of waste, let The Ranger know. We’ll check into it; there are necessities, but we’ll find out for you.

Cuts all seem to be handed down from the top, so changes in culture should start there also.

Last semester, we asked about cuts in district office budgets and were given vague assurances they were doing their share, but very little in the way of hard numbers or percentages were available.

We’re still waiting, and we’ll go on watching.

26 • Jan. 31, 2011

Officials Chancellor: Dr. Bruce H. Leslie 201 W. Sheridan, Bldg. B, San Antonio TX 78204-1429 Work: 485-0020 Fax: 208-8149 E-mail: bleslie@alamo.edu District 1: Joe Alderete Jr. 1602 Hillcrest Drive, San Antonio TX 78228 Cell: 863-9500 E-mail: jvajr711@aol.com District 2: Denver McClendon 3811 Willowwood Blvd., San Antonio, TX 78219 Work: 281-9141 E-mail: denvermcclendon@satx.rr.com District 3: Anna U. Bustamante 511 Ware Blvd., San Antonio TX 78221 Work: 882-1603 Fax: 927-4557 E-mail: abustamante20@alamo.edu District 4: Marcelo S. Casillas 115 Wainwright, San Antonio TX 78211 Home: 922-6815 Fax: 923-3167 E-mail: mcasillas19@alamo.edu District 5: Roberto Zárate 4103 Buffalo Bayou, San Antonio TX 78251 E-mail: rzarate11@alamo.edu District 6: Dr. Gene Sprague 14722 Iron Horse Way, Helotes TX 78023 Work: 567-5544 Fax: 520-9185 E-mail: sprague@uthscsa.edu District 7: Blakely Latham Fernandez 755 E. Mulberry, Suite 200, San Antonio TX 78212 Work: 244-8879 E-mail: bfernandez35@alamo.edu District 8: Gary Beitzel 15403 Forest Mist, San Antonio TX 78232 Home: 496-5857 E-mail: gbeitzel@alamo.edu District 9: James A. Rindfuss 109 Laburnum, San Antonio TX 78209 Home: 828-4630 Work: 375-2555 Home Fax: 832-8292 Office Fax: 375-0301 E-mail: jrindfuss@alamo.edu

Presidents San Antonio College, Dr. Robert E. Zeigler 486-0959, rzeigler@alamo.edu Northeast Lakeview College, Dr. Eric Reno 486-5484, ereno@alamo.edu Northwest Vista College, Dr. Jacqueline Claunch 486-4900, jclaunch@alamo.edu Palo Alto College, Dr. Ana M. “Cha” Guzman 486-3960, aguzman@alamo.edu St. Philip’s College, Dr. Adena W. Loston 486-2900, aloston@alamo.edu

The Ranger

The Ranger Editor Zahra Farah Managing Editor Melody Mendoza Sections Editor Megan Mares Photo Team Felisia Almaraz, Carla Aranguren, Jake Ceballos, Tyler K. Cleveland, Adrian Fernandez, Victor A. Garcia, Marisa N. Montaño Garza, Jason B. Hogan, Julia Novikova, Chelsea Von Peacock, Abiel Rodriguez, Jung Keun Song, Julysa Sosa, Alison Wadley, Ingrid Wilgen Illustrators Juan Carlos Campos, Alexandra Nelipa Staff Writers J. Almendarez, Ximena Alvarez, Jacob Beltran, David Espinoza, Joshua Fechter, Mandy Kosub, Alma Linda Manzanares, Daniel Perales, James Anthony Salamé, Riley Stephens, Dana Lynn Traugott, Valdemar Tejada, Lauren Wilson, Jennifer M. Ytuarte Production Assistant Krystal Barcenez Web Editor Laura Garcia ©2011 by The Ranger staff, San Antonio College, 1300 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio, TX 78212-4299. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission.

The Ranger news outlets, which serve the Alamo Community College District, are laboratory projects of journalism classes in the Department of Media Communications at San Antonio College. The Ranger is published Mondays except during summer, holidays and examinations. The Ranger Online is available at www.theranger.org.

News contributions accepted by telephone (210-486-1773), by fax (210-486-1789), by e-mail (sac-ranger@alamo.edu) or at the editorial office (Room 212 Loftin Student Center).

Advertising rates available upon request by phone (210486-1765) or as a download at www.theranger.org.

The Ranger is a member of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association, the Associated Collegiate Press and the Texas Community College Journalism Association.

Guest Viewpoints: Faculty, staff, students and community members are welcome to contribute guest viewpoints of up to 450 words.

Writers should focus on campus or current events in a critical, persuasive or interpretative style.

All viewpoints must be published with a photo portrait of the writer.

Letters Policy: The Ranger invites readers to share views by writing letters to the editor. Space limitations force the paper to limit letters to two double-spaced, typewritten pages. Letters will be edited for spelling, style, grammar, libel and length. Editors reserve the right to deny publication of any letter.

Letters should be mailed to The Ranger, Department of Media Communications, San Antonio College, 1300 San Pedro Ave., San Antonio TX 78212-4299.

Letters also may be brought to the newspaper office in Room 212 of Loftin Student Center, e-mailed to sac-ranger@alamo. edu or faxed to 210-486-1789.

Letters must be signed and must include the printed name and telephone number. Students should include classification, major, campus and Banner ID. Employees should include title and telephone number.

For more information, call 210-486-1773.

Single Copy Policy: Members of the Alamo Community College District community are permitted one free copy per issue because of high production costs.

Where available, additional copies may be purchased with prior approval for 50 cents each by contacting The Ranger business office.

Newspaper theft is a crime.

Those who violate the singlecopy rule may be subject to civil and criminal prosecution and subject to college discipline.

The Ranger

Jan. 31, 2011 • 27

28 • Jan. 31, 2011

The Ranger

Pulse

Training for 10-mile run starts Instructor hopes annual run grows into a citywide event.

By J. Almendarez At 7 a.m. May 7, shoelaces will be tied snugly and MP3 players will be set on a favorite playlist. By this time, runners will have mentally prepared to run a maze of neighborhood streets surrounding this college, snaking their way to Trinity University and resolving to not quit during the brutal last miles back to campus.

This is what kinesiology Instructor Dawn Brooks wants for people participating in this year’s 10-Mile Boot Camp Run. The run began three years ago as a requirement in KINE 1176, Cardio Boot Camp 1. Boot Camp 1 implements military-style training techniques to improve endurance, respiratory fitness, flexibility and body composition.

Today, the run has grown to include the participation of the faculty, staff and other classes in the kinesiology and dance department. “It’s become a kind of in-house project,” she said.

Brooks recommended that students follow Hal Higdon’s 12-week, half-marathon running guidelines at www.halhigdon.com. Higdon is a distinguished runner, journalist and author who posts healthy running advice online.

Training facilites on campus are available to participants and other students.

Brooks said there will be water stations; course marshals tailing students on bicycles; and students from KINE 1306, First Aid, on hand to provide immediate help for people who may need medical attention.

Brooks said students who have run in the past are amazed at their ability to complete the course. “They say, ‘It’s incredibly satisfying to finish’ … They didn’t realize they could do that much,” she said.

Brooks said one of her students wrote, “Pain is temporary, but finishing is forever,” in an endof-the-year evaluation.

This year, the run will be expanded. The department is extending an invitation to all students, faculty and staff in the Alamo Colleges.

There is also a new $15 registration fee that will go to the Kinesiology Club. Members are helping Brooks coordinate the run.

Club adviser Brad Dudney said funds will pay for a trip to the 27th annual summer conference of the Texas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.

Juan Miguel of Travis Early College High School works out. Photos by J. Almendarez

Candler Conditioning Room 3:15 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday/Wednesday 3 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesday/Thursday 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Friday Swimming Pool Lifeguard on duty these hours.

1 p.m.-3:45 p.m. Monday/Wednesday 3 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesday/Thursday Gym 2 2:15 p.m.-4 p.m. Monday/Wednesday 3 p.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday/Thursday 1:30 p.m.-3 p.m. Friday

Loftin Lilian Galindo of Travis Early College High School listens to her iPod during an evening workout Monday in Loftin.

Dudney said the club has unofficially helped with the run in the past, but this will be the first year the club will experience organizing an athletic event. Volunteers are also needed to staff water and registration stations at the race.

People interested in running or volunteering should sign up with Brooks in Room 131L

Fitness Center 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Friday Student ID required to use all facilities. of Candler Physical Education Center. Runners and volunteers will receive an event T-shirt from L&M Bookstore, which has donated T-shirts for the race since 2009.

E-mail questions to dbrooks@alamo.edu.

The Ranger

Jan. 31, 2011 • 29

30 • Jan. 31, 2011

The Ranger

Book Review

‘Room’ author writes from 5-year-old’s view The narrator of Irish novelist Emma Donoghue’s “Room” is the voice of 5-yearold Jack, who, according to a radio interview with National Public Radio, was inspired by Donoghue’s own son Finn of the same age.

Ma, Jack’s mother, was kidnapped at the age of 19, raped and held captive for seven years by the time Jack was 5 years old.

Trapped in an 11-feet-by11-feet soundproof, lead-lined backyard shed, Jack is an intelligent, imaginative child with unlimited energy.

Ma and Jack’s captor, who unbeknownst to Jack is Jack’s father, is referred to as “Old Nick.” At first, Jack isn’t quite sure what to make of him; he isn’t even sure is he’s real. Jack has never had a good look at Old Nick because he only comes during the night when Jack is asleep behind closed doors in a wardrobe because of the nature of Old Nick’s visits.

Jack’s voice is very important.

Throughout the novel, everything Jack says is all the reader will know about his circumstances.

Where the reader lucks out in this aspect is that children seem to absorb and repeat things without a full understanding.

So when Old Nick “makes the bed creak” the reader knows what Jack does not.

Jack personifies everything that surrounds him.

Donoghue highlights this by capitalizing common nouns, making them proper. Room, Wardrobe and Rug are Jack’s friends.

Beyond Room, Jack thinks is only outer space, an abyss filled with planets and stars.

Donoghue does plan a successful escape for her characters, but the questions left unanswered are sociological, psychological and

immeasurably unending.

At around 300 pages, “Room” is a quick read, but for days afterward, Jack’s perspective lingered. I found myself thinking, ‘Wow! Jack would be surprised by that,” or “how would he react to that?”

This novel made me think of Jaycee Dugard who was kidnapped in 1991 at the age of 11 in South Lake Tahoe, Calif. Dugard bore two daughters to Philip Garrido, the man accused of abducting, imprisoning and raping her for almost two decades.

Dugard, like Donoghue’s character Ma, was kept in her captor’s backyard beneath tarps hidden in sheds and tents. Now, 30 years old, she lives a private life and is working toward recovery with her two daughters.

Reading “Room” allowed me to have an inside look at the possibilities of how Dugard’s 18-year captivity might have taken a toll on her and her daughters mentally and physically now that they are in the real world again.

Megan Mares

9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

February 19, 2011

www.tamu.edu/aggiesaturday www.twitter.com/aggiesaturday

The Ranger

Jan. 31, 2011 • 31

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careers of tomorrow National Open House – February 12, 2011

San Antonio Campus 1919 NW Loop 410, Suite 150 | San Antonio Saturday, February 12th 10:00am or 12:00pm To register, call 888-460-9559 or visit DeVry.edu/texas Follow @DeVryUniv on and join the conversation at #DeVryNOH *Available for those who qualify. Program availability varies by location. ©2011 DeVry Educational Development Corp. All rights reserved.

DeVry NOH Ad - Campus Media • 7.5” w x 10”h • B+W • DUE: 12-3-2010-v1 PUB ID: 1330, San Antonio College, Ranger

32 • Jan. 31, 2011

News

The Ranger

Kinesiology Adjunct Stephen Reyna’s fencing class meets in Gym 1 in Candler Jan. 20 after the Ranger mascot was removed. Alison Wadley

Erasing history during 85th anniversary

By Melody Mendoza During a $12,000 refurbishing over the holiday break, the image of a Ranger, the college’s mascot since 1927, was removed from the floor in Gym 1 of Candler Physical Education Center.

“We are moving away from that,” President Robert Zeigler said of the Ranger mascot.

Zeigler, who has a Ph.D. in history, said the historical reputation of the Texas Rangers and their interaction with blacks and Hispanics is not positive.

The executive team, made up of Zeigler, vice presidents and college deans, made the decision in the fall. Zeigler said, “Since the image was already going to be taken off, we decided we wouldn’t put it back.”

A picture of the Ranger on the gym floor will be hung in the gym because it is a historic part of the college, Zeigler said.

Kinesiology and dance Chair Bill Richardson said he heard the reason the image was removed was because Hispanics were opposed to this college being affiliated with the Ranger.

Zeigler said about half of the college’s population is Hispanic and Texas Rangers have a negative historic reputation.

The Texas Department of Public Safety website dates the formation of The Texas Rangers law enforcement organization to 1835 when they were charged with protecting the frontier against marauding Indians. They are the oldest law enforcement organization on the North American continent with statewide jurisdiction, according to the website.

DPS history states that the darkest period was during Reconstruction between 1865-73 when Texas Rangers functioned as state police enforcing unpopular carpetbagger laws.

Also, many, have criticized the Rangers’ actions toward Hispanics on the border during

The Ranger mascot prior to refubishing. File photo

“Things change and we need to change with it.”

Dr. Robert Zeigler college president the Mexican Revolution period in 1910.

Zeigler said he has never gotten a student complaint or conducted a survey of students, but said he’s gotten anecdotal comments. The mascot controversy dates to the 1990s, but it has never been changed, he said.

This newspaper reported the Student Government Association president and student life director approached Zeigler in April 2007 with the idea of changing the college mascot, but nothing came of it.

In response, The Ranger reported April 13,

2007, Zeigler said the college’s mascot would remain the Ranger.

Zeigler said Thursday, “I don’t know if I would see it as our mascot.”

He said even when he attended school here in 1960 and taught here in 1971, the Ranger was not on anything but the gym floor. “The Ranger was probably the mascot at some point,” Zeigler said. “I don’t know if it was officially adopted — not that I’m aware of.”

The Ranger reported April 13, 2007, that the mascot started in 1927, two years after the college opened. Candler was built in 1951.

Neither Zeigler nor Richardson knew when the Ranger image was put on the gym floor.

Richardson said the floor hadn’t been refurbished for about 10 to 12 years, but at that time, the Ranger mascot was kept. In light of the change, he said a men’s 3-point shooting line was added to the refurbished floor.

Zeigler said, “Things change and we need to change with it.”